MOnday Inspiration

I used this week's Paper Crafters Corner for a thank you card.

I liked the orange color and those dark letters.

Playing with Paint

It has been a while since I played with paint so this morning before work, I got out the acrylics. This pad is 16 x 20! I tried to not think too much - hahaha, like I can do that:)

The colors are for Limor's August challenge. I was inspired by the back to school and emergence of fall colors.

I appreciate

I am truly appreciative every time I win a prize - big or small, new or old - doesn't matter. And, when I win, I like to send thank you notes. I think manufacturers, blogs, websites, etc. need to know that the giveaways are appreciated. So tonight I am making thank yous for three prizes I have recently won!

These are some of my faves!

Petoskey Stones

What is a Petoskey Stone? According to Wikipedia --

A Petoskey stone is a rock and a fossil, often pebble-shaped, that is composed of a fossilized coral, Hexagonaria percarinata.^[1] The stones were formed as a result of glaciation, in which sheets of ice plucked stones from the bedrock, grinding off their rough edges and depositing them in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and the northwestern (and some in the northeastern) portion of Michigan's lower peninsula. In some areas of Michigan, complete fossilized coral colony heads can be found.

Petoskey stones are found in the Gravel Point Formation of the Traverse Group. They are fragments of a coral reef that was originally deposited during the Devonian period. ^[1] When dry, the stone resembles ordinary limestone but when wet or polished using lapidarytechniques, the distinctive mottled pattern of the six-sided coral fossils emerges. It is sometimes made into decorative objects. Other forms of fossilized coral are also found in the same location.

In 1965, it was named the state stone of Michigan.

It is a tradition for us to take visitors to a park on lake Michigan to hunt for Petoskey Stones. I happen to be quite good at spotting them while others often have difficulties:) We showed Shawn what they looked like and started hunting. Years ago we used to find a lot more. I found several and was happy when Shawn found one!

Pulled out lots of old chipboard circles which I inked, painted and stamped.

Black and Blue

On July 4th, Jen and Shawn had a tubing collision resulting in a shiner for her. We marveled at the colors all week long!

MME Chalk Studio was perfect for this layout! I also used their sketch

Thanks MME for this collection and sketch!!

How did she do that?

I had fun creating a canvas and even made a video of the process. Sorry - need to work on completing a more professional video!

Here is the completed canvas

Monday Inspiration

I used the MOnday inspiration from Papercrafterscorner for a thank you note.

Here is my thank you card.

It looks Christmasy but it really isn't. Was just the papers. I pieced squares together and added the text like the inspiration. Got out some new stamps for the letters.

Sums it up!!

The Best Day Ever

A few weeks ago our old boat died. It was a small 16 ft Four Winns and served us well for the past 7 years or so. Since we are all that much older now and it is difficult to get in and out of the boat, I thought a pontoon would be better for us. Dh managed to find a nice used one on Craig's list and  he got it. Rob loves taking the boat out and cruising the lake. He will have fun with this boat just like the old one!!

Sketch from My scraps and More sketches

I embossed the arrows and the edges of the tags and the birds with white embossing powder. Here is a close up. This is for the challenge at Frosted Designs

Loving this MME Chalk Studio!!!

August Dares

Every Monday night Tracy does a hour long live class. She does not usually have a plan but creates gorgeous works while we chatter and talk. Her challenge to us this month is to let it go! and create something in an hour or so. I have plenty of time - no  young kids at home, a part time job, etc. and yet it takes me FOREVER to create. Why? I tend to think and over think. I do not consider myself to be artistic (yes, I am working on that) and plan, worry, search on line all instead of just doing. Last night I tried to just do.

This is a watercolor

I still don't have a quote. I am having trouble deciding on one and I don't know where to put it - again the over thinking! But the painting only took me about 45 minutes.

My thanks again to Tracy and to all the wonderful members of our Monday Mixed Media Nights. I appreciate the support more than you will know!

I am also using this for the August Dare over at Design Memory Craft which is to make something with your words to live by. These words are so important to me as a struggling artist! I overthink, over plan, over create all because I try too hard. I need to take a breath, let it go and just do!!

Summer

Sketchablilties and LYB - a match made in heaven!

My take on this

80 years Young

When I grow up I want to be like my husband's aunt Corinne! At 80, she is the life of the party! Always ready for anything, always a smile on her face and loving life! I spent the weekend with her for her 80th birthday party! Let's just say the party was not just on Saturday!! I flew into Newark and was surprised to see the NYC skyline as we came in to land. ( I had forgotten how close it is). Aunt Corinne loves monkeys and brought Auggie to the party. Her cousins had set up a photo booth - hats, feathers, glasses, etc and had everyone stop there! There was great food and champagne - Aunt Corinne's favorite drink.  She and I continued the party after everyone went home!

Monday Inspiration

MOnday's Inspiration from Papercrafterscorner

Luckily I just got some MME's Chalk Studio and made a thank you card.