Three Muses Challenge - Buttons and Bows

The beauty of online art courses is that you can work away at them at your own speed....in my case that speed is slow, very slow. It's not that I don't have the will to forge my way through them but I often lack the energy and the time. However, I take great comfort in knowing that they are there when I need them full of interesting new techniques and knowledge. This canvase are created in the "Mossy Style" a.k.a. a style that Joanna Pierotta likes to use. I had a marvelous time layering paints and creating texture with my heat gun. This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week.

Think Monday, Think ATC - Groups

This was my project yesterday and I had the pleasure of completely losing myself for an entire afternoon as I created these ATCs. The background is a faux watercolour technique with food colouring. I then added a transparency with bird cages on it. Next I applied real flowers and finally the lovely ladies and embellishments. Oh, and don't forget the German glass glitter. These cards are my entry for the Think Monday, Think ATC challenge this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Vintage Ads/Labels

My goal with these two fabric journal pages was to recreate the feel of "Grandma's kitchen", the gathering place for family functions. The women would chat as they coordinated the various dishes and the aromas were familiar and comforting....roast turkey, cherry pie, chocolate chip cookies. These pages are my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week.

Theme Thursday - Men with Hats

This gentleman obviously cherishes his car and the adventures that he's had and will have in it. I wanted the background to capture a sense of nostalgia and dreaming because he does look rather pensive. Of course, his wizard-type hat just adds a dash of whimsy. This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.

The Three Muses Challenge - Take a Song, Any Song

Anyone care for a Beatles tune or two? When I learned that I was going to have to create round robin pages around the theme of "The Beatles", I must admit that I panicked. But hey, I work in a library, why not start with books on the group and the 60s when they were most popular. These two pieces are what I concocted from my research and they are my entry for this week's Three Muses Challenge.

Created ByHand Challenge - Graduation with Bling

Well, I'm not so sure that this card has a whole lot of "bling" but.....I was asked to create it for a woman who had just passed the bar here in Canada. I thought that this D.J. Pettitt woman looked very wise and composed. I also tried to weave in legal symbols and definitions. It's not exactly your traditional graduation card though....sure hope she likes it nonetheless. This is my entry for the Created ByHand challenge this week.

Mixed Media Monday - Floral Tributes

I grew pansies and violas in pots this Spring not only because I love their sweet floral faces but also because they press beautifully. I own a Microfleur and love the easy and speed with which this process happens. I'm presently eyeing the lavender which is growing in abundance in my garden. Of course, pressing lavender has the added bonus of infusing scent when microwaved. These round robin journal pages are my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge this week.

Theme Thursday - Bright Colours

As I was designing these pages, I was thinking about imagination and how important it has always been in my life and how essential it is in childhood. It stirs the creativity within and provides opportunities to escape into worlds, places and circumstances that are wild, wonderful, full of adventure and sometimes dangerous. I hope I've somehow captured these thoughts in my two round robin journal pages. They are my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge this week.

Three Muses Challenge - Time

Do you remember those lazy summer days as a child. You awoke with the whole day stretched before you and no commitments. What would you do today? I don't remember much planning. Perhaps you'd head over to your friend's house and he/she might have some good ideas for catching frogs in the pond, playing "Peanuts" (I was always Lucy!) or riding bikes somewhere (perhaps to purchase some candy at the local variety store). I often think we should all take a day like this every once in a while if we can. They are good for the soul. These two round robin journal pages are my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week.

Crazy Amigo Challenge - Friends

These photographs remind me of birthday parties that I used to have as a child. I would invite all my friends from the neighbourhood and my Mom would execute a very carefully planned party including games, cake (with waxed paper-wrapped money in between the layers), decorations and, of course, gifts. I look at the pictures from these events and see a bunch of little girls, all dressed up in their finest with party hats and excited faces. These banners are my entry for the Crazy Amigo challenge this week.