Flower Power!

I was working on a layout for this month's Altered Hearts zine and loved what came out so much that I was inspired to create a new avatar for myself.  Perhaps, it's because Earth Day is nearly here but the "flower child" in me was just screaming to get out!

I scored!!!

Had some errands to run in the big city (Utica) tonight and whilst doing those errands came across a place I had never seen before.  Intrigued by the inclusion of the words "bargain outlet" in its name and curious to see just what sort of bargains were awaiting me, I decided to take a peek inside.  There were many things that caught my interest but none so much as these:

And I got them for the incredible price of $5.99! I think I scored!

I cannot wait to get started on trying out some of these fabulous techniques.  And with Teesha Moore and Lynn Perella for inspiration, it's sure to be fun.

Beloved

My ATC I created for the Art Creations Friday blog challenge.

Papers and elements from Be Mine Kit (available in the Muse)

Overlay of letter paper from Love of Jane Kit by Fiddlette Designs/Sherrie JD

All available @ Scrap Artist except:

Globe from Happy Holidays Kit by Jofia Designs @

Thanks to my friend, Itkupilli for the door image (from free “test” collage sheet)

2010 is MY year!

There I said it!
And so as not to lose focus on my resolve for this year, I created a page today for my Art Journal.  Today of all days, it was something I especially  needed to do.  What I mean is this:
I think as caretakers (and women in general), we forget to take ourselves and end up neglecting our own needs (physical, mental, spiritual, you name it!) way too often.  It's no secret to anyone who frequents my blog that I have recently decided to jump head first into an artistic venture of my own.  I am starting to take myself seriously as an artist and whether I have a real change or not, I finally have the confidence to give it a go.  It is however not without its trials.  There are still some (those who I would least expect) that don't have the faith in me I wish they had, some who think it's a waste of valuable money-making time and then some who aren't necessarily discouraging me but aren't really encouraging me either.  This venture is about ME and ultimately only ME.  It's my time now and I'm taking it.  It's not about being irresponsible or selfish by any means.  It's about finally taking care of myself and I am okay with that!  Shouldn't I be? ;)

Credits for this layout can be found here.

And the award goes to . . .

My dear friend Sandra awarded me this blog award and it is now my pleasure to pass it on to five more lucky gals whose gorgeous blogs are my pleasure to frequent.  Thanks, first of all to Sandra ( I am so flattered; heehe) and second, I apologize for the delay as I was down for a couple of days with a migraine.  Feeling a bit more myself today so without any further delay I wanted to take the time to let the following girls know how "gorgeous" their blogs are and how much they inspire mine; which is hard because I have so many wonderful friends in the Scrap (not just altered art) Blog world.

And the Gorgeous Blog Award goes to :

Erika (Dancing Scrapper)

Jayne (Miss Peppa Pig)

Dawn (Creatwings Designs)

Julie (Savyna)

Marie (Ozstuff)

A new ME . . .

for the new year:

but my focus remains the same . . .

It's been forever . . .

or at least it seems like it.  The last few weeks have been really busy ones for me.  I spent the end of the year into the new year in California visiting family and while it was great to see everyone, being away from my creative space for that long just about killed me. There was still fun to be had.  Here are a couple of highlights from our trip:
Disneyland-
a family shot inside the Indiana Jones ride

and my favorite shot of the day; my kiddos-

Las Vegas -We took a road trip and two hours in I was really wishing I had brought my art journal for that one; definitely an eventful trip!)

Now that I am back home, I am really anxious to jump back into my art and am hoping to find not only the time but some direction, as well.  My mind is fluttering with so many ideas, I can't seem to decide which way to go, so I thought a little digital altered challenge would be a good place to start.
For this week's Altered Artspiration Challenge (#40 to be specific, by my ever fabulous friend, Tangie Baxter):

I call her  . . .
Miss Rita Sembold (a little play on words; teehee)

And for those not yet aware:

Scrap Artist has really become a site where us altered folks can really feel at home. Some of my favorite altered designers to check out: Christine Honsinger, Sherrie JD, Jodie Patterson aka Gypsy Chick, Pixel Works and Nancie Rowe Janitz

 If you haven't yet checked out the new monthly Altered Hearts zine and/or the Altered Artists Workshops, you definitely should.  Check out the blog for details.

And now I'm off to work up something for Art Creation Fridays; I'm a whole day and half late!

Queen for the Day and feeling ever so privileged . . .

This week's Altered Works of Art Challenge over at DAQ was to re-create an incredible work of art by Mark Ryden.   The original is so out there and  I was totally psyched to give this one a shot and boy did I have fun!  Best part of all . . . I made myself Queen for the Day!   Queen of what, I don't know, but a queen nonetheless . . .

In Ryden's piece, she has quite the quantity of meat hanging from her belt while in my piece you'll see that I made the piggy my friend and cupcakes, my guilty pleasure, heehee . . .
But my feeling privileged can be attributed to more than merely altering myself into royalty.  Two absolutely fantastic items were revealed in the world of digital altered art today and if you are not already aware, my altered friends, you must check it out!!!  I am so flattered to have been asked to be a part of both of them.

Now available in the Scrap Artist shoppe . . . everything you ever wanted to know about creating digital art and paper dolls and best of all it is FREE to the first 100 people to grab it!  Be sure to check out the back cover while you're at it; wink wink.


And then DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!  


If you are an Art Journaler or simply aspire to be one,  you MUST check out Tangie Baxter and Amanda Sexton's Art Journal Caravan {Expedition 2010}.  An amazing kit, tips on getting started, access to a special altered artist forum, challenges and a full Navigation Guide (it alone is worth the price in my book)  that includes tons of information and inspiration from myself and a host of other talented ladies.  

For all of the details check out the Art Journal Caravan blog here.

"Just hanging out!"

Here are some things I made with the Mixed Media Monday challenge in mind . . .

Winter is here!!!

It's that time of year again and no matter where you live or what you believe there is no denying the beauty that is winter!  I am lucky to live in a place with all four seasons and I think every single one has a magic all it's own.  Winter is my favorite!
Last year I decided to make a little ATC sized card to send out to my friends and family living elsewhere.  I wanted to create something "different" and not so traditional.  Here's what I came up with:

This year, I wanted to include the entire family and set out to make something just as fun!
Here is what I will be handing out to friends and family this year:

A little glitter for shimmer and ribbon for embellishment and I think it'll be just right!

 and Blessings to all of my friends . . .
For full credits on this card, look here.

aRt JouRnAL time!

I have really been focusing on creating some pages for my Art Journal as of late. Been in a "journaley" mood lately, I suppose. My latest is actually a very personal page and a year ago I probably wouldn't have had to guts to share it but the emotional courage it takes to create such a page also provides a sort of emotional liberation. Thank goodness for altered art therapy! I don't know how I get through some days without this creative outlet.
And besides, a kit like this makes it so easy!!

Check out Fiddlette's newest: Art Journal Collection One by Christine Honsinger

Here's what I was inspired to do with it:

I have struggled for a long time with feelings of inadequacy because of situations I’ve experienced in my life and this song has always somehow had meaning for me throughout many different periods of my life. I thought it was about time I expressed that in an Art Journal page.



Journaling reads:
How long before you screw it up?
How many times do I have to tell you to hurry up? With everything I do for you The least you can do is keep quiet Be a good girl You've gotta try a little harder That simply wasn't good enough What's the problem... why are you crying? We love you just the way you are
if you're PERFECT


-“Perfect” by Alanis Morissette


For full credits, see my Scrap Artist gallery here.

Three Muses Challenge: Time

Here's my latest ATC and the entry for this week's Three Muses Challenge: Time.. .



It seems that there is never enough time to do it all but I am making a concerted effort to fit my creating into the mix at least one day a week. To commemorate the beginning of the journey I have created this page below for my digital art journal.


I went a bit crazy on this one (very freestyle) but then maybe that kind of works for a layout entitled "Fearless"! LOL!


Journaling reads:
(November Year 2009)
It’s sad really how long it has taken me to finally find the courage to listen to my inner voice, turn off the negatives and just go for it! If I fail, I still will have found accomplishment in the process and maybe, just maybe, I will have had a little fun along the way. Hold onto your hat, ‘cause I’m going for it!