Dream Exotic

I made another journal page using my new favorite stamp 

(original stamp post here http://fat-emma.blogspot.com/2013/01/bright-journal-pages.html)

This multi-colored and large Lotus circle is the image I am loving lately.

This time I not only colored my image, but I gave it a light spray of orange Dylusions inks and did a lot of white pen doodling on it.

 I also used different colors-

last week I used a lot of pink and some orange

And on my new post I really went with thick layered color on the background and a bit of India on the page.

I wasn't really doing anything special when I added a little color to the Taj Mahal but I like how it came out.

I just let myself go you could say.

This new page has a lot of red, orange and some bright blue.

I really like these bold colors.

I really like the textures I got putting on the paint through some Crafter's Workshop stencils.

A bit of black stamped words (Stampa Rosa) and some white dots I made with a white pen to jaz up the background.

It was a lot of fun playing with these exotic Indian stamps-I haven't used them in a very long time.

I even gave this page a title too!

I don't always do that.

And I trimmed out the bottom.

These little mini-elephants are from an ancient stamp I own  but I really like them.

Got to use them a lot more I think.

Got to use these colors more too-especially at this time of year when it is dark and the ground is not exactly full of color...

January calls for these bright burst of bold.

Do you agree?

Glad you spent a few minutes with me.

Have a happy day!

New Stamps

So I haven't had much play time in the studio this week; my daughter is home from college and when I get home from work I have been hanging out in front of the tv with her. Naughty me!!! But she'll be back to school before you know it. But I did want to use this new set of stamps I purchased with some holiday cash from Flourishes.

I have been in a flower mood lately, anything to brighten up these slightly warmer but still wintery January days. I did make several flowery cards this past Sunday when I did have some studio time.

This one is done in a distressed style-but it is also kind of how I feel in this winter time of the year- a bit of new color needed in the old winter dark. (Which makes taking photos of art so difficult too!!!)

 I started by sanding down the card stock. Then I added random strips of washi tape. I die cut the frame (Sizzix) from this fun purple polka dot paper. I used the back side (the white side) of this die cut for the outer frame and for the inside I used the polka dot side. 

The image is from Flourishes Botanical Bookplates 

I LOVE it because it is so spring and delicate. I stamped the violets on white paper which I had die cut in an oval shape, colored them with Copics and added them to my card.

I edge the card in black and then started with an even black edge around the purple paper but decided it needed something a little more abstract-so I made this swirly black ring.

Saying is also from this stamp set.

Finally I added a little bit of lilac Viva paint pen dots around the edges.

Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Stars

My holiday journal is full of stars.

And I don't mean those in the sky or those highly paid Hollywood Divas.

These are layered tags I made using October Afternoon flour sack elements. And a few stamped words, some gold Stickles,  and a couple of letter stickers.

How about a die cut hollow star (Quickutz) and an October Afternoon sticker in the middle?

And using those same star die cuts in color and decorated with Stickles?

And some more October Afternoon flour sack stars. I colored the edges and used them as a banner border.

I think stars are great to use any time of year, but Christmas time is especially good for them.

You  can probably guess that but looking at this snapshots.

Have a happy Wednesday.

Holiday Journalling

Wow, it is January 8th already. Can you believe how fast time is flying in this new year?

I am busy trying to wrap up my holiday journal before we get too far into the new year. I want to show you some more shots of what I've been doing.

I like this bow I made by folding scraps/strips of red paper. The 2 edges meet in the middle on the bottom of each strip. I made the strips varying lengths and then I layered the strips.Then once the bow was assembled I sprayed it with some platinum Perfect Pearls.The background is scraps of wrapping paper from our holiday.

How about some business style paper (October Afternoon) that I stamped with some green money signs? And this Tim Holtz/Sizzix car with half a die cut tree (Sizzix) on top. Probably should have cut the middle a little less straight, but I like the car on the tree. It is sparklely paper, but the photo doesn't  show that. The lady behind the wheel is an October Afternoon sticker that I embellished with coloring and Stickles.

Sometimes decorating just mean using a list of words and phrases.

I love word lists in my journaling.

A die cut tree and deer (Sizzix) and can you notice the words stamped on the Distress stained deer?

December joy banner is a stamped image from Technique Tuesday. The fun background paper is from October Afternoon.

And how about another list of words...along with this October Afternoon journaling tag?

Tired of holiday journal pages yet?

I am getting there. It is the 8th of the January which means I should be thinking of showing you other things. I should be thinking of making lots of other things too. That is kind of why this journal isn't finished...needed to do a few other things too. I have mentally moved on from the holidays but some projects just need to be wrapped up and not shelved for later. That is this book for sure! Just about done though-

Hurrah!

Thanks for stopping by and make it a great day!

Catching Up

See this spinney thing? It was a Christmas gift I picked out at Harbor Freight Tools. Had been on sale for $18 and Dave picked up for me and saved it for a gift.

This weekend I finally got it assembled (thanks to me finally starting it and Dave finishing it up for me) and set it up on my work table.

A little glare but it is perfect. Holds so many items including all my distress stains.

Love it!

And it just spin it around when I want something on the opposite side. How easy and nice is that?

Hope you all had a nice weekend. Saturday we fought the crowds at Costco (and I have never seen it so crowded-had to wait in line for over 20 minutes to pay) and got Katie her new mattress plus did a bit of stocking up. Then we saw Maine hockey lose in our horrible internet streaming ability-oh makes me want to bawl my eyes out-both the streaming and the game results. Made a big pot of chili and played in the studio for several hours on Sunday-that was heavenly bliss though for all the time I spent up there I don't think I really accomplished a lot.

Too busy spinning my spinner storage I guess..

Mostly I was trying to get rid of the last remnants of this nasty cold, ear infections and get ready for a 5 day workweek. 

Hope you are staying healthy and had a great weekend too!

Need some color?

I do.  It has been super cold lately-down around 0 (Fahrenheit) at night with about a foot of crusty snow on the ground. The days have been pretty nippy too-that cold Canadian wind, and the ocean humidity...Brrrr.

Oh yes, I knew this would happen eventually. We were lucky last year with hardly any snow but old man winter does show up eventually.

It was nice having a short week back to work after the holiday break but since I am still trying to get over my holiday ear/sinus infections, I am glad to have a weekend down to finish re-cooping.

The little bit of art I have been doing lately involves bright colors.

These flowers particularly cheer me up.

Images are from Flourishes Clear Stamps-BLOOMIN' AUSSIE FLORALS.

. I colored with Sharpies and then cut them out, did some layering on the bottom flower and then added a bit of Stickles to the centers.

Here's a slightly crooked view of the whole card. I used a Quickutz embossing folder on brown paper bag paper to make the center piece and the just because came out pretty cool with a slightly 3D effect. This is also from a Flourishes stamp set-Inside and Out Just Because.

(Fun set- this phrase is large and then there is lots of choices to complete the idea.)

To make this I started by stamping and embossing the words in pink embossing powder. Then I used my finger and rubbed some light brown ink over it, then some dark pink ink to color the whole area to give it some extra depth. Then I took a white pen and outlined the words.

Finally, I stamped little matching pink ink dots on the background card stock and added a bit of contrasting ribbon and some Viva white paint pen dots.

So any big Saturday or weekend plans? Not me. Still in take it slow mode-but think today I need to run errands.

So exciting, eh?

Have a fabulous day and thanks for stopping by.

10 Things Friday-or today I have a lot to say

While reviewing my blog for my end of 2012 year in review posts (my 12/30 and 12/31 posts)- I came across this. My 2011-tweaked for 2012- list of want to do items. Interesting to see where I wanted to go and where I ended up. 

Or didn't get to most likely.

And how many things I dreamed I would accomplish.

And did!

Or didn't!

I am always making lists. They keep my focused and organized and help me work towards a goal.

You know that study they did at Harvard in some decade-write it down and you'll make it happen.

That's what I do.

Sometimes I make these little things happen-

because mostly those are my goals-

little things.

I feel like I should have some lofty goal or goals

but I am not a lofty person I guess.

But one thing did happen to me recently, 

as 2012 came to a close,

I realized how content I am.

Happy.

Without any lofty achievements.

I have lots of achievements though.

A happy marriage.

A family who loves me and who I love.

A good job that makes me happy.

Animals in my life that I enjoy their company.

A sense of independence and a sense of being able to make choices (is there a word for that I just can't think of?)

A beautiful (though unfinished) home

A sense of belonging someplace

A sense of stability

Talents I have been lucky enough to nurture

OK, enough about that.

I think you get the point.

MY GOAL FOR 2013-

yes, just one

try to stay with this sense of peace and contentment and happiness.

That could be difficult though, since we all know (pardon my cliche) that life throws you curve balls every now and again

I'll pick a word too-but most likely, like last year-
I will forget I did that.
Not that I don't think picking a word a great thing,
but I guess if you do all the things people suggest that becomes your life and not your life.
OK, that probably does not make any sense.
And I don't mean to insult any of you who might really like doing that kind of thing.
But here's my word for 2013.
 contentment
Goes with my resolution

Anyhow- here is that list I found and thought I would have some FUN and tweak.

Instead of a ten things Friday list this week, I will continue to work on and rework my goal list/bucket list/wish list for next year

2011 2012 

2013WISH list!

*1- Practice my French some more-did it but still want to do more

and even some more-I want fluency but doubt it will happen

*2-Make ice cream and more types of chili

Yup, and is so much fun I want to do it some more

*3-Get my studio clean and organized-did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and always seem to need to do this

*4-Clean out under the cellar stairs and get the junk there organized

maybe this will be the year

*5-Catch up on my reading

ok, but don't think this will ever gappen

6-Knit a WHOLE sweater

*7-Go to the Isles of Shoals

Yes, we took the boat out there last summer. It was interesting

8- Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

9-Learn to use Encaustic Paints

*10-Go for 1 whole month without buying any art supplies

HA-HA-HA

*11-See Death Valley  did it!!!!!!

12-Go to Canada'a Atlantic Provinces

13-Go dancing with my honey

14-Grow pumpkins in my garden

*15-Pick rhubard from my garden and make a strawberry rhubard pie

YES-it did it. And I will hopefully do it again this summer

*16-Watch the entire 2 seasons we have of True Blood in one day -and see Season 3  did it!!!!!!!!

And season 4 too!

17- Go camping again

*18-Finish my summer vacation 2009 scrapbook did it!!!!!

19-Make more textile art-can always do it

20-Do a piece of embroidery

21-Pay off those nagging little credit card balances

22-Get a new Apple computer-don't want one now

*23-Keep a visual journal more regulary

Am doing that!!!!!! Yahoo- this is good

24-Knit an Aran sweater -but did several hats in a fair isle style

25-Knit Norwegian style socks or mittens

26-Exercise more

27- Replant dill in my garden this year

28-take a class about something I am totally unfamilar with

29-reread the other Jane Austin novels I haven't read in decades

*30-be more patient and forgiving with my mom

Still trying

31- find the box of vintage honeymoon emphemera my mom gave me and make a vintage travel book

32-Take a roadtrip all by myself

33-Eat a fried twinky or fried candy bar

34-Go back to the very northern area of NH where I used to vacation as a kid with my family

35-Go to Montreal

36-Drive across the USA

*37-Visit my friends in North Carolina   did this

38-See a hummingbird nest with the eggs in it

*39-Get more stamps in my National Park Passbook-did it and want more for this year

Did this too. Got a lot of stamps in 2012

4*0-Be brave and become a paid artist--did it-with my first craftshow but want to do more

41-Make cool jewelry using all the metal clay pendants I've made

42-Walk to beach more

43-Get into the sunshine more

*44-Take a few more hookey days from work-without the guilt

trying this, so far it has worked out just ok

45-Take one of those DNA tests that tell you where in the world your family roots are from

46-Read a book on my new iPad

47-Swear less

47-Don't waste so much time playing around on the internet

48-Eat more vegitarian

49-Eat at at least 1 restaurant I've wanted to try but haven't yet

did I do this????

5*0-Be a tourist in my home area

did this, and can still do this

51- Watch a sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain,Maine

*52-Kayak Merrymeeting Marsh-did kayak the lake in 2012

did it in 2013

53-See the ghost at the Portsmouth Lighthouse when we go by in the boat

*54-Get a new carpet for my bedroom

No a floor. Not in as of today but we have it. This is a BIG goal for early 2013

55-see life with my heart not my head

56-conquer 1 fear

57-wish on a shooting star

*58-add at least 1 new state to my get to all 50 states wish list

in 2012 I added 2 new states

59-do something "not me" just to try it (something I would say no to, just do it)-take advantage of one of those not so sure about opportunities

60-sit in the moonlight and listen to a beautiful song

61-Reread Great Expectations (its still sitting on my night stand)-started it

*62-Have a great veggie garden

Maybe 2013- I started it in 2012, then Dave lost his job and we just got very busy so the garden just stopped being a prioirty

63-keep the piles of books from building up on my coffee table-ha-ha-ha

64-spend lots of time with friends and family

65-call my "old" college friends more frequently

*66- visit my college UMO and get a new t shirt-did the t shirt part

yes, I did this in 2012. Bad hockey game but great to visit

*67-read a few books on my to read list-did it

also in 2012

68-discover more photos to take in my home area

69-eat chocolate and not feel guilty about it

*70-and exercise more since I'll be eating chocolate

AND

1-work on a sense of continual inner peace

2-work on my relationship with my mom

3-keep moving and exercising so I feel good

*4-read more frequently... I've gotten behind this past fall-and I think need to find joy in it again-I get so distracted by the internet and tv and other things

I need to do this. Seems this is on my to do list again this year

5-learn new art skills and try new art projects -work on being a professional artist not an occasional crafter-but accept my time limits and cash flow limits-but I want to do a few more craft shows so I want to get "supplied"

6-accept those things I cannot change and try to accept those things with grace not anger or frustration

7-try not to let the stress of work and other things in life get to me so strongely

working on this and seem to be winning that battle right now at least

8-try some more new recipes and have fun cooking and exploring that craft...

yes, still am doing that

9-find adventure and maybe visit a new state or 2-I wish for Europe or something far and away but don't think it will be happening this year

well, I did go to the Canadian Rockies

I hope to have a few more on the road adventures in 2013

10-finish some cleaning and organizing in my house and my big house project is to rip out my bedroom rug and put down a floor

now to get the other half to help me do these projects!

11-push myself and not get lazy...

12-learn some new things-by being open to some new experiences

13-find my years purpose and goals...I usually let it come to me. This past year my goal was to work on my art and work on my French...which I did well with both...and this year coming up...let me see what finds me.

14-work on my French some more

15-don't let my studio get too messy and out of control since I spent so much time in 2011 getting it in shape

HA-HA-HA

16-Practice patience...

17-Do more of what makes me happy

yes, I did and that is probably part of my feeling of content right now

18- and be around people who help my being (heard this before? )

19-go back and find my eagles

yes, eagles have kind of become my symbol right now-saw tons of them this last year-including the one I almost caught on my fishing line

2-watch old movies

yes, when I am movie mood

and maybe they'll be more...

until later

alligator

Bright Journal Pages

to cheer a cold (oh yeah- very cold) January morning.

I have wanted this rubber stamp for quite some time, on my wish list you could say. It is made by Postmodern Design Rubber Stamps- a company that doesn't exist any more.

Thanks to eBay or Etsy sometimes you can find these things you can't buy in stores any more.

Here is the entire image, stamped colored and then used in my journal.

Think there will be another journal page soon using this image.

I love it.

Here's a close up of the background.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Thursday.

Life Starts to Roll Again

Back to work. Back to the routine. Back to business and the comings and goings of day to day life.

Even me being sick- my vacation was wonderful!!

But I will admit, even though getting up this morning was TERRIBLE (it is only 9 degreee F here -brrr-plus who sleeps great the night before work after a vacation??-Katie is also traveling to Ohio and I am being a mom-concerned all is alright as they drive overnight-love that iPhone tracker for her),
 I am OK to have the routine

 back.

And boy, Christmas seems like a long time ago to me.

So did everyone have a great New Years?

Went to see the movie Lincoln on New Years Eve and I really really liked it. Then we finished up watching the Batman trilogy (my vacation-the Lord of Rings Trilogy, lots of True Blood and the Batman trilogy).

Inspired me to make a holiday journal page-snippet of it above. I love this set from Dynamics/My Favorite Things. I used it to make the popcorn boxes and the old time movie camera.

I also used a small piece of Tim Holtz film strip.

I made this page about a snowy day when Katie and I hung out in front of the tv for hours.

Actually, we did that 2 snowy days and 1 not so snowy day.

 Yesterday we cleaned up the holiday decorations-always sad to do, and so much work, but once done-it feels wonderful. Ready for a new year.

Oh I read a couple of books too in my sickness-

 and 
Going for some fast brainless easy reads right now. Just perfect on this cold winter days when you are not watching tv but a slug on the couch anyhow.

How about a few more snippets from my holiday journal?

 Here's the whole page....

was inspired by the October Afternoon sticky pin I used in the center of the page.

And if we flipped 12 around we get 21.

Notice the circle with the 21 on it? It is a gelli plate design in purple and blues with snowflakes.

I love playing with paint and my gelli plate. I have a 6x6 plate but I would love a bigger one. I see on their web page they now make a 12x14 inch plate. Expensive but would be lots of fun for journal pages. I would like the 8x10 version.

I like how every time you print you get a unique image. And you can create really cool layered images using it.

I also used a sticker on this page of the Abdominal snowman from Rudolph. Found it in my stash and though he'd work here,

So vacation may be over but I am still working on my holiday journal. Need to do a marathon sitting down to finish up- I am all the way up the 12/23. 

Need to do this since I am ready to move onward to some new less holiday art.

Thanks for visiting -have a great day!

It is 2013!!!!!!!!

A TOAST!!!!

I hope your New Year is fantastic
 and fabulous, 
full of good health, 
rich with lots of love and friendship, 
empty of stress and worries, 
that you have lots of fun and laughs 
and lots of smiles and joy, 
lots of great ideas and ambitions,
lots of fantastic journeys and adventures,
lots of hugs and kisses
very few waves and wind but lots of sunshine and star-shine,
and also
lots of good art and creativity.
And I hope happiness fills your heart.
Happy New Year every one.

(OK, I posted this yesterday-but I think it was worth posting it once again)

I am very excited  about the up coming year-

the excitement of what is to come

adventures I will have....

I love the clean slate.

.

How about you?

Happy 2013!