Taking a Leap

I have been struggling with my art recently while trying to expand, change, improve the mixed media canvases I make.  Today's is one example of something new. The goose is a collage of papers. I am still debating if it needs words or a quote or something else.

I am pleased with the progress I have been making with my canvases.

Adding this to SimonssaysStamp Monday Challenge  Take a Leap into the Unknown.
Thank you for visiting! Happy Leap Day!!

Thinking Outside of the Box

I wanted to try and change up my mixed media canvases - add more depth, texture. Inspired by other projects I have seen, I wanted to do a dress. I grabbed some old doilies that were my grandmother's and went to work. I molded the top of the dress out of a toilet paper tube and used the doilies for the skirt. I even copied a photo of my grandmother for the window frame. I am pleased with the end result.

Adding this to PCC Magazine Monday Challenge 134. This is the inspiration,



Also joining Carolyn Dube's Let's Play to show neglected art supplies some love! I brought out old Rubons and  chipboard!

Submitting to SimonSays Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge.

Thank you for visiting today! Hope you are having an amazing weekend.

A Tweet Visit

We do not yet have any grand babies - but we have grand pets! My daughter and son in law have 2 dogs and 2 cats and my son and his wife have a bird. I am not really a bird person, but have been trying to learn more about Beth's bird. My son adores it and is always talking about the bird and taking photos. Yesterday Rob and Beth came over to watch a movie and have dinner. They brought the grand bird along! I was a bit skeptical but Bonzai hung out and seemed to enjoy his visit.

I actually had an hour this morning and scrapped the visit! (I apologized for the photos on the layout. My printer is acting up)

 
I pulled out some very old papers (Cosmo Cricket) which I new would be perfect for this!

Feels good to be scrapping again!

Thank you for visiting and hope you are enjoying a wonderful week!

It's A Struggle!

I started creating mixed media canvases last year after my job was eliminated. I also took a couple of art classes and felt happy with how things were going. Then a month or two ago, it struck. The negative voices, the inner critic, the doubt! I really began to question if I should be in the art field at all. And to top it off, not only did I join the local art association, but I am the treasurer. I felt I was not worthy to be a part of this group. For weeks, I played with paint, paper, pencil trying to find something I thought I could be good at. I wanted to find my niche. Nothing was clicking. But, I kept at it. I finished one canvas, started another. I am trying to shush those voices telling me I cannot do this.

Here is the canvas I finished. I am pretty happy with it and am pleased to say I have a few other different ones started.

The moral of the story is - we are often our own worst enemies. Hang in there and keep at it! 

Happy Monday!

Adding this to Carolyn Dube's Let's Play. I used older book pages and glitter which I have had FOREVER:) 

Scrapping Again!

It has been a long while since I scrapped. I pushed it aside to play with paint but think it is time to get back to it now.

A week ago we headed north to our cottage. It is 2 1/2 hours away and close to my mom and 3 sisters. Four of the five of us have birthdays in February/March so we usually try to get together and celebrate. We had a fun dinner at my sister's house complete with presents. As is tradition, we took a family photo of us four girls and my mom. Mom turned 88 on the 10th and it is always fun when we can get this group photo. We have been doing it for years!

I am adding this to PCC's Magazine Monday inspiration. I love the springy colors and these papers were perfect!



Thank you for visiting!  Happy creating!

Adding this to SimonSays Work it Challenge for February to use florals.

Random Act of Kindness

I am participating in PCC's RAK day!



The idea is to create something to spread kindness and then to share.

A friend loaned me a book which I am returning to her today. She is an avid reader (real paper books!) so I made a bookmark to thank her for sharing this with me.

I used a leftover piece of watercolor paper that I painted. Added a die cut flower and a scrap of ribbon. I added a quote that I know she will love.

This was quick and fun and I love this idea!! Thanks PCC!

Play Time

I created a project for Arnold Grummer's Papermaking Blog using a handmade paper heart.  The past few weeks I have struggled to find my creative niche. I am trying to figure out where my strengths are and what I enjoy. I seem to keep coming back to mixed media.

I used a wooden plaque which I cover with layers of gesso and paint. The Acrylic Silks gave it a wonderful sparkle/shine - not sure if you can see it in the photo. I used glass glitter  and beads on the heart. 

Submitting to Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge - Text

Adding this to Colour Arte  Color is the Heart of Art Monthly Challenge

And to Mixed Media Monthly Challenge  - Glitter

Thank you for visiting. If you want to learn more about hand made paper making stop by 

Arnold Grummer's. 

I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions for finding your nice!! 

Happy Monday!!

Papermaking

Looking for the perfect embellishment for your projects? Why not make your own!!

I made the heart for my plaque from paper pulp and a cookie cutter! These can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. I love how they can be painted/altered to match your project!!

I would love for you to visit Arnold Gummer's Papermaking to see my entire project!

Thank you for visiting both here and at Arnold Grummer's!

Giveaway

A fellow blogger is having a giveaway

Finding Your Niche

Check it out!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is fast approaching. Did you get a card? I have a lovely card I created using 7 Gypsies Wanderlust papers!! And, don't tell my secret, but this was a quick and easy card to put together!


I chose this paper which has a series of hearts and locks. Perfect for this, isn't it! I matted those with a piece of watercolor paper sprayed with Tattered Angles Mists. The flowers are Prima from my stash. Black Jute is from The RibbonResource!

There is still time for you to make a card!!




I encourage you to stop by Canvascorpbrands and check out their amazing product lines!!

Spritz and Spray

We are smack dab in the middle of winter here. And, while it is so bitterly cold, it is also very pretty. I grabbed some dried flowers from out front and dabbed them with white paint. The background is a layering of paints, sprays and mists. 

I am entering this in Simonssays Weekly challenge Spritz and Spray.

Thank you for visiting. Have a  wonderful day!

Inspiration

I have been struggling. Am I an artist? What type of art can I do? What do I want to do? What is my niche?

We had an art group meeting Tuesday night and by the end of it, I feeling very inadequate. I am not trained in art in any way shape or form. I create canvases with paint, paper, etc but am feeling I need to up my game. My problem has been, how? I am taking a class so have been working on creating flirty birdies. Again, feeling I am just not getting it. I enjoy creating but also find it frustrating. When I wads younger, I loved abstract paintings and when I saw this I new exactly what I wanted to do.

This is the Monday Magazine Inspiration over at PCC



When I was younger, I loved abstract paintings and when I saw this I new exactly what I wanted to do.

Supplies - Deco Art Americana paints

I did not over think it. I just went with my feelings. Maybe, just maybe, I have found what I was searching for. 

DO you struggle? How have you gotten past it? I'd love to hear from you. Thank you for visiting!

Neglected Art Supplies

DO you have a pile of supplies that one day you will pull out and use? I have a basket of different types of paints that I have won/bought/picked up. Many are sparkly/shiny and I often forget them because I just grab the acrylics. Well, for this birdies, I got out those paints. I used a variety of Magicals, Silks and Twinkling H2Os. This canvas isn't finished - it needs something just trying to figure out what. A title, some actual flowers or ribbon, etc. Any suggestions?

I am playing along with Caroyln Dube's Let's Play which was to show those neglected art supplies some love.

Thanks for visiting me!!

Magazine Monday

PCC is having their 131st Magazine Monday inspiration!

I chose to play with watercolors. Just a quick and simple playtime. 

Thanks for visiting! Hope you get some time to play!

Dirty Flirty Birds

I was lucky enough to win a class from Jodi Ohl titled Dirty Flirty Birds. Jodi has such a fun colorful style and this is just what I need. We also have a facebook group which has been a wonderful place to show, vent, share and learn both from Jodi and other students!

Jodi's lessons are extremely thorough and I am enjoying the videos!!  This style is still a challenge for me but I have completed two pieces. One is a 6 x 6 wood panel for my sister' s birthday and the other is an ATC card.

The birthday one gave me some issues but I think I resolved them and am now pretty happy. 

If you are thinking of taking any class, I highly recommend Jodi's!! 

Thank you for visiting on this cold snowy day! 

Love Flowers?

Do you love flowers? Love to recycle?

I have a wonderful project today over at Arnold Grummer's Paper Making which involves both of these!

I made Flower Seed Bombs for my  sister's birthday! These little molded squares can be tucked into the ground. If it is not going to rain, add a little water. Then stand back and let nature do the work.

I hope you will stop by Arnold Grummer's to see more of how I made these!!

Thank you for visiting here and there!! I appreciate all of your kind words!