Theme Thursday - Black and White

I'm having one of those mornings that promises a day of "late". I was scheduled to meet a friend for a walking date and woke up about 20 minutes before I was to get up but then promptly fell asleep again until 10 minutes after I was supposed to meet her! It's gone a bit downhill from there so here's hoping I will get back in synch and all will be well. Here is my black and white entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.

The Three Muses Challenge - Music, Music, Music

Music and dance....where would one be without the other? Whether it be ballet, jazz, hip hop or ballroom, the music gives guidance and spirit to the body. I used to love watching scenes in movies with women in long dresses and men in suits sweeping around a ballroom floor in synchronized elegance. This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week.

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Birds

Well, let me tell you, the birds begin their days very early. I've noticed when I happen to be awake around 4:00 a.m. that they have are loudly vocalizing their intentions to other birds. On my morning runs the sound of birds is almost what you'd call noisy....in a good way! My DH is very accustomed to me exclaiming in the middle of a conversation....look outside!! He patiently grabs his glasses usually missing the bird in question. These altered composition books are my entry for the Crazy Amigo challenge this week.

Theme Thursday - Black and Red

Don't you just love the sultry look on this beautiful woman's face? Red rose in her hair, black dress and red lipstick .... colours of mystery, passion and love indeed. This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.

The Three Muses Challenge - Hats and Crowns and Wings and Things

Okay, I admit it! I resisted the zetti style for such a long time but a friend challenged me to give it a try and I'm hooked. I love the freedom it affords to be silly and carefree and colourful. Striped socks, hats and wings for all! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. These atcs are my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week.

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Flowers; Created By Hand Challenge - For the Beauty of the Earth

I like to take a few minutes each morning and just wander around my gardens looking to see what has appeared over the last 24 hours and what has grown and changed. The lily of the valley is coming along nicely as are the tulips that I had completely forgotten were there. These round robin journal pages are my entry for both the Crazy Amigo and Created ByHand challenges this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Look What I Found

Do people look at you a little oddly when you exclaim over something "ordinary" such as a wonderfully shaped board book or an altoid tin? Well, my colleagues at work wondered about my sanity when I gave a little cry of delight upon finding this great circular tin with a window in it. I decided to make it a homage to the cupcake. This is my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week.

Theme Thursday - Hats or Crowns

When she was in her early twenties, my Grandmother sat for a studio photograph while she was living in Toronto. I've always loved the dreamy quality of this picture of her and wonder what her life was like back in that time. I decided that I wanted to use it in one of my pieces and that I wanted to give my, now 96 year old, Gram royal status by adding a chipboard crown. Her favourite colour is purple and I always think of her love of flowers and the row of multi-coloured snapdragons that she so carefully tended along the side of her house. This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.this week.

The Three Muses Challenge - Maps

Ah, Christopher Columbus and the myth of the flat earth.....that was what I was trying to capture in this round robin journal page. I liked this photo of him seeming to ponder the weighty issue very intently. This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week.

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Favourite Background Stamp

I tend to use the same rubber stamps again and again for my backgrounds. I seem to favour scripts as well as these marvelous swirls with hearts. The latter just seems to give pieces a sense of movement and energy that I like. This background seemed particularly suitable to these three lovely siblings posing in their finest for a photograph. This is my entry for the Crazy Amigo challenge this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Hello Dolly

I just can't seem to get enough of these dolly images from Retro Cafe Art Gallery. Kris Hubick has created them for a number of themes including Valentine's Day, Nature and Hallowe'en. These and other fabulous collage sheets can be found in her online store. Check them out via the button on the right side of my blog. This atc and altered tin are my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week.

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Eggs

Eggs seem to be the theme of choice this week on the challenge sites and that's just fine with me. This round robin page was created for an Alphabetica swap and celebrates "kin" both in the human and bird realms. It is my entry for the Crazy Amigo Challenge this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Eggs

I just couldn't resist posting another entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week. The theme of "eggs" has been extended and since they appear so frequently in my pieces, it wasn't much of a stretch. This little box is one of three that nestle into one another and each came adorned with a snowman. Winter and snow is long forgotten, however, in this altered version complete with birds, a nest and eggs.

Think Monday, Think ATC - Nature's Awakening

My DH and I spent a lovely couple of hours this morning on our front porch warming ourselves in the sun while sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. I'm not sure that I actually read much. I was much too busy watching the antics of the birds and studying the rapid growth in our front gardens. These ATCs are my entry for the Think Monday, Think ATC challenge this week.

Lots to Do Challenge - Vintage

I am fascinated by the interplay of vintage images and papers with colourful, vivid and often busy backgrounds. I think these backgrounds give old photographs a wonderful sense of whimsy and playfulness despite the fact that the subjects were often very solemn in their stance and expressions. I envisioned this woman, whom I named Juliet, flipping through the Eaton's catalogue choosing furnishings for her home. Perhaps she can actually afford them or maybe she just likes to dream. This is my entry for the Lots to Do Challenge this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Eggs

Can you believe that the Easter weekend is almost here?! I hope that it is as warm and lovely where you are living as it is here and that you are looking forward to celebrating with those you love. These two altered cigar boxes feature beautiful vintage ledger papers with a variety of eggs printed on them. They are my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week.

Theme Thursday - Favourite Letter of the Alphabet

I think of the letter "M" as a friendly one somehow. Perhaps it's because I'm reminded of food when I stretch it out or maybe it's because it it the first letter of my maiden name. Whatever the reason, it's a favourite of mine. I've used it to create a collage around the theme of "manners". They are such an indicator of respect aren't they? The recipient of a "thank you" or an "excuse me" feels acknowledged and considered. This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.