Simply Cheryl Ann

Moving! (Just my blog!)

2010-12-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hi Blogger Friends,

I have decided to relocate my blog. You can now find me at http://thissmilinggirl.wordpress.com/

Praying for Peace and Joy for all!
Cheryl Ann

The Home Stretch!

2010-07-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Nearing the end of another busy week, but I can happily report that I squeezed a little art in every single day! Also got to enjoy an impromptu family BBQ at my Sis's house Monday night, and a lovely gathering with some of the ladies in the family yesterday.

Tuesday brought this "Silly Bird" to visit:

And Wednesday felt like "A Slice of Summer..."

Yesterday sseemed like a "watermelon!" day, and also had a trial run at making

polymer clay beads and working on some misc. ATCs for swaps.

Here's hoping that this weekend will provide refreshment through time to dream and create, as well as some time of joy spent with family and friends. ...and don't forget to take a few moments out to simply be THANKFUL for all your blessings!

Off We Go Into Another Workweek!

2010-07-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! (Bet you don't hear that all the time!) It's such a lovely morning. Just in from watering my patio garden and givin g the plants a little spruceup. The tomatoes are really setting on, now if they would start to ripen.... I was at my parents house yesterday and came home with fresh onions and zuchinii. The corn is starting to form ears, so we will be enjoying that soon too. Wishing I had more time to linger outdoors in the cool of the morning with my coffee cup before heading to the office. Alas, there is work to be done.

Here is my ATC for the day. A pretty girl Frida to go with yesterday's zombie version. Perhaps this week I will try a couple of more realistic faces. I so admire those with a flair for portraiture!

**Wishing you a blessed and joy filled day!**

Project 365 - another go!

2010-07-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

Early in the year I was working on Project 365, in an effort to create an ATC each day in 2010. Guess who didn't stay on schedule? Yep. Not that I haven't done any art, just not a separate item each day for the Project. But I have decided that I do still want to have a collection of 365 cards I have created this year, so plan to fill in the gaps and most important start moving forward again and try to follow the daily plan. To that end, here are my cards for July 17th and 18th: a pretty girl and a zombified Frida.

Summertime and the Living is BUSY!

2010-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone in blogland! June and the first half of July have buzzed right by in a flash! Where did they go? Sure hoping to slow down a little and enjoy the rest of the summer at a more leisurely pace.

First, I am happy to report that those tiny plants shown in my last post are still thriving. Expect to be picking tomatoes within a week or two and am already using the herb plants. Yay! Simple joys.

Last month I had the pleasure of a trip to Rochester, NY for an artist gathering. ArtForAll 2010. Over 50 fabulous artists to interact and trade with, plus workshops and demonstrations. And of course LOTS of talking and laughing! What an amazing experience! Too much to try to cover in this post, but let's just call it a slice of artistic heaven.

Took the opportunity of being so near to spend a couple of days in the Geneva, NY area. Lived there for a short time, a long time ago. I was able to stay at the wonderful Belhurst, where I used to work. It is as lovely as I remember! AND they have completed a beautiful expansion project which was fun to see and explore. Here's a photo that focuses on the original castle building where I worked and stayed.

I also enjoyed a beautiful day at Niagara Falls State Park with my new and wonderful friend Patti M! What a treat to enjoy such a majestic place with a fun and friendly tourguide at my side. It was a great way to wrap up the vacation.

Life has been a busy hustle-bustle since I got home, filled with some of the unexpected, and frankly undesired, changes life sometimes throws us. Praying that things are starting to settle down a little. I've even managed to create a few new ATCs this week. Here's a smattering...

I have a few larger projects needing my attention if life allows. Here's hoping!!

2010-06-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy June! Guess what? I still remember how to make a blog post even though I've been away from it for far too long....but hope springs eternal and I return to try again. Same concept with gardening...I have a terrible history when it comes to growing things, but I have been helping Dad get his garden going this year, and as of today have a start on a little container garden of my own. This is just after I transplanted and watered them...looking at them now they are already perking up and hopefully will establish themselves quickly in their new homes.

Tomatoes, basil, cilantro and flowers of various types. I included marigolds because I always remember my uncle planting them by his tomatoes. Companion plants perhaps? Should probably pick up a couple of pepper plants too. And more pots, because that's only about half the flowers I bought, lol.

Wish me (and the plants!) luck.

Sing Me A Song Little Sparrow

2010-03-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

I'm having such fun playing with oil pastels! Here's a sweet little sparrow for my day 88 card for the 365 project. You should see all the wonderful work being created by the community of artist who have joined with Robby (our fearless cheerleader!) over on her blog. Click the Project 365 badge in my sidebar to check out the fun!

Day 88 - "song sparrow"

Card 87 of Project 365

2010-03-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Another card made with cheerful oil pastels... titled "jubilee!"

Sending out Sunday prayers for a

wonderful week of love and blessings!

Something Different...

2010-03-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with some oil pastels, so here's something a little different for days 84-86 of the card a day project. They are wonderfully blendable and messy and fun, even for a novice like myself! Experienced pastel artist certainly create some amazing work...

Day 84 - "it holds hope"

Day 85 - "Spring Performance"

Day 86 - "vivid rose"

eye...eye...eye

2010-03-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some more cards for Project 365. This brings them current through yesterday. EYE was having some fun, lol. Expect to see more of these...the eye-deas just keep popping up.

Day 83 - "Light"

Day 82 - "Spy"

Day 81 - "Shocked"

Day 80 - "Anything"

Day 79 - "Everything"

MORE Project 365 Cards....days 75 through 78

2010-03-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

Still making cards for the card-a-day project.

Day 78 - "elemental"

Day 77 - "I see you"

Day 76 - "blue tresses"

Day 75 - "pink spring flowers"

Bunches of Project 365 Cards!

2010-03-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a bunch of cards I have made as part of Project 365...Don't forget, you can use the link in my sidebar to see all of the participating artist cards over on Robby's Naked Heart Art blog.

Day 61: "quiet morning" & Day 62: "lilacs"

Day 63: "watercolour heart"

Day 64: Dad

This one is special to me, because it is a drawing on MY DAD! who I dearly love.

Day 65: "zetti zen" & Day 66: "another girl"

Day 67: "crafty apple" and Day 68: "secure to dream"

Day 69: "True" & Day 70: "Dolly Sweet"

Day 71: "scrappy bird 4" & Day 72: "swirly bloom"

Day 73: "Robin Loves Spring" & Day 74: "Under a Chartruese Moon"

Day 60 of Project 365

2010-03-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

Well, we survived Monday! That's no small thing in my world, where the order of things at work for the past year has been constant change. But a few times today I must confess that I found myself "daydreaming", which is the name of today's card.

Day 59 of Project 365

2010-02-28T20:19:00.000-08:00

What a great weekend! Family time, art time, sunshine. If only I could have one more day.... guess that will be next weekend!

Anyway, here is my project ATC for today, titled "Contentment Castle"...it's my dream home!

Day 58 of Project 365

2010-02-27T22:48:00.000-08:00

Here's my project card for today.

It's one of several cards made in the last couple of days because

there is an all-types-of-art-a-thon over on ATCsforAll.

You can see them all on my flickr page.

Hope you are having a beautiful weekend!

Day 57 of Project 365 - Back On Track!

2010-02-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

And now...drumroll please...appearing on the correctly scheduled day, I give you "one pink flower" for Day 57 of Project 365! A bright happy card, in contrast to the grey and rainy day outside.

A reminder that the cards created by all the participants of the project can be found on the Naked Heart Art blog. You can also view a slideshow of the cards I have created for the project by clicking HERE.

Days 55 and 56 of Project 365

2010-02-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, the last in the overdue postings, then I can go from today forward, HOPEFULLY on a daily schedule again.

This card for day 56 "made itself" so to speak, when the bits in front of me on the craft table suddenly appeared in the shuffle at the same time... greeting card image, clock from a magazine page, shopping bag for background, and a single cut out word.

For Day 56, I decided to have a little play with watercolor pencils. I'm rather challenged in the watercolor field, but won't improve unless I practice, right? So I give you "daffodils."

Days 52, 52, and 54 of Project 365

2010-02-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so sometimes you make a really lousy card, but it's what you have to show that some attempt was made for the day....that's what happened with my "irish lace" card for Day 52 when I tried to make a card using only my green glaze pen. Oh well...

After that not so lovely attempt, I picked my pencils back up on day 53...this one is plain old crayola pencils on watercolor paper. And what says Springtime like the "American Robin!"

Of course the charming chirper above needed some company, so day 54 brought along the "chestnut sided warbler" and now there is birdsong in the air.

Lol, and he's a little shy...can't get him to "center stage" he's determined to hang out over here at the side of this posting!

Days 49, 50 & 51 of Project 365

2010-02-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

A few more collage cards emerged from the creative chaos. Sometimes you make a card that you really love, I don't know why, but this one is that way for me. I call it, "I'm waiting for the children...." and it's my card for day 49. It's made with napkins, tissue paper, magazine images, and some rafia.

Day 50 I was still feeling "collagey" so this is another beeswax and napkin card, with inked edges.

And, for Day 51, another bird collage...this one with layers of text with distress ink, followed by a sheer fabric type of paper, dictionary text, and an image from an old child's dictionary text...with more inked edges and stamping.

Day 46, 47 and 48 of Project 365

2010-02-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Oh, dear! Dreadful blogger, I know...10 days without posting...but I have been making cards. I will catch this up in a few posts, rather than one giant one!

I went back to the "bits bin" to create some cards. You know scraps that hadn't worked for other projects, cards that were started but not finished, and misc. bits that winged in from the world. Hadn't done much collage for awhile so it was fun!

Here's Day 46:

Day 47:

Day 48:

Hmmm...just realized that cat is flanked by two other critters he'd like to chase! Serendipity?

Days 38 - 44 of Project 365

2010-02-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

I missed a bunch of days making art due to illness...but I really love the "Project 365" and want to have a full set of cards at the end of the year to represent both the project and a cross-section of my work in 2010. Thankfully I seem to be back in the flow of creativity! I have created cards to fill in the gap for days 38 through 44....

Day 38 - "one in gold"

Day 39 - "safe?"

Day 40 - "experimental flower"

Day 41 - "fresh"

Day 42 - "she sang anyway"

Day 43 - "mandarin"

Day 44 - "midair"

Day 45 of Project 365

2010-02-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

Despite a little improvement I'm still not feeling well, and it's making me impatient, lol! Think I'll have to make another visit to the doctor.

However, I did manage to get an ATC created this morning for the daily challenge. I titled this one "good morning!" Two of my favorite things...sunshine and coffee! Markers and gel pens on bristol stock. And the good news is I actually feel like doing more! Yay for the return of creativity even in small amounts.

If you want to see lots of lovely art, click the Project 365 button in my sidebar. Wonderful work by wonderful artists!

Wishing you a shiny day!

Skywatch Friday - Yay BLUE!

2010-02-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Well I have been watching and enjoying as my friend soulbrush faithfully posts her Skywatch Friday photos on her blog.

Today, I decided to take a couple snapshots of my own and join the fun. I'm all for anything that keeps us "looking up!" It was also a nice chance to stop for a few moments and enjoy that the sky was actually BLUE today! We've seen so much gray, and I'm rather weary of that, lol!

So here we have it, two blue sky images shot looking up through/past the trees.

I love the twisty branches of the tree in the photo above...a honey locust tree I think...? No idea at all what this other one is, it grows behind my house and is rather unruly, yet always seems a bit sculptural, and has the most gorgous little leaves in the fall!

Check out everyone's photos at http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Resting....

2010-02-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well on day 12 of my "cold" I finally went to the doctor. Sinuses, ears and eyes have developed infection, and of course I have a lovely cough too....SO now I have antibiotics and eye drops and hope to start feeling better soon. Anyhow, that's why no recent art posts have popped up. I have picked up a pen and paper a few times, but just put them back down again. Hope to be back in the swim soon. Right now, I think I'm going to try a nap.

Day 37 of Project 365

2010-02-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you're just rudderless, and flowing along in the stream of life...thus "lifestream" flowed out of my pen.

I've caught a dastardly cold that's left me rather directionless, just doing bits of things between naps. My ears are completely plugged, everything sounds as if my head is wrapped in layers of cotton batting...sometimes I wonder if this is nature's way of forcing a person to slow down for a while...but really vacation would be a kinder plan wouldn't it?

Hope you are safe and warm and healthy wherever you are.

Day 36 of Project 365

2010-02-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

I was just playing and hit on this idea. The card is colored with a violet Prismacolor Marker, then I used a white gelly roll pen to draw the image. I liked that the gel ink picked up a tinge of the underlying color. I think I'll play with this technique some more. It's very simple, but I really like the look...might be a fun to try with some zentangle patterns.

Day 35 of Project 365

2010-02-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

This one is called "Heart Garden"...mostly markers with a bit on pencil and gel pen. ...yep, I'm a heartaholic for certain.

Day 34 of Project 365

2010-02-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hmmm...I think this one is pretty self explanatory...I think there are lots of these in the world....just waiting to be discovered and treasured again!

Day 33 of Project 365

2010-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

Do you ever get a hankerin' for "cherries out of season?" That's the name of this card.

I think cherries are just such a cheerful fruit! They look pretty and taste so yummy! Nothing like being able to get them fresh from the orchard, tree ripened and ready for snacking. Mmmmm....

On a totally random note, the word "hankerin" above made me think of this commercial I remember from childhood...sure enough, found it on YouTube!

Day 32 of Project 365...and HAPPY FEBRUARY!!

2010-02-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well, January just buzzed right past didn't it??!

And here is my first art contribution to the lovely month of February..."sweet pansy."

In tender pinks and purples this seems like a very sweet and feminie flower to me, but I like them in all colors!

Day 31 of Project 365

2010-01-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

Rounding out the month of January with one more heart...I imagine you may see more of them in February!

This one is make from markers, scraps, and some cheesecloth of texture and interest.

Day 30 of Project 365

2010-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

For today, just a simple heart card...can't go wrong with hearts and music!

Day 29 of Project 365

2010-01-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

This card is called "free of all care" for obvious reason, lol.

This one was a challenge to use only items immediately within arms reach. It's composed of book page, a leftover rub-on decal, colored pencils, and gel pens.

Day 28 of Project 365

2010-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I would love to be on the shore, watching the waves roll in and basking in the warm sunshine!

That's the inspiration for "waves of joy." I hope it encourages you to take a moment for a mini "dream vacation" wherever you are!

Day 27 of Project 365

2010-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

We now return to the regularly scheduled presentation of colorful doodled designs!

This cheerful card is titled "overflow of the heart." I imagine joyfulness that can not be contained!

What makes your heart joyful?

Day 26 of Project 365

2010-01-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

What? No Zentangle Today? Something Different You Say?

Okay, how about some "pink poppies" to brighten your way!

Can't you just feel the sunshine?!

Day 25 of Project 365

2010-01-25T12:00:00.000-08:00

Continuing on theme, this one is titled "new growth." The addition of color created some fun I think.

Day 24 of Project 365

2010-01-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Can you tell I am having fun with these doodley zentangly cards? Must be, 'cause here's another one!

This one is titled "lifeforce"...as if the sun and oxygen were just drawing the plants right up out of the earth...pulling them forth into the light.

Might have to add color to this one down the road...

Day 23 of Project 365

2010-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

I call this one "life OUT THERE" because this makes me think of alien plant life.

What would you imagine the vegetables would look like on Saturn? Or what kind of trees would they grow on Jupiter?

Better yet...imagine the glorious flower gardens we'll find in Heaven!

Day 22 of Project 365

2010-01-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

I sometimes forget how much fun "doodling" can be...I've started learning some of the named "tangles" used in zentangle drawing. It's magical what you can do with a few simple but well placed little lines... I'm far from a master at it but it sure is entertaining! I call this one "unknown flow." ..... I think I get my enjoyment of this style from my mom. Ever since I can remember she has doodled circles and lines and words, especially while talking on the phone, lol!

Day 21 of Project 365

2010-01-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the card for Day 21 of the Project 365 challenge. A "zentangle" type of design drawn with a sharpie pen on bristol board paper. I call this one "Not Sleeping" because that's what I was doing in the wee small hours of the morning when I drew it...

Project 365, Day 20

2010-01-20T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hello out there in blogville!

Made it through another business day...and tomorrow is my Friday! Seems like settling in for any serious art time this last week or so has been really difficult...but I'm still staying up with my daily cards.

Here is today's card, titled "undecided." Practicing faces to get something beyond a wide eyed happy girl. They were an improvement from my first attempts at drawing people, now would like to start developing more expression and character, and maybe someday be able to do actual portraits.

This one was drawn with "regular" crayola colored pencils, which I keep on my desk at the office...

I am saving my project cards...now that we are at day 20 there are enough that it feels kind of like a "collection". It will be fun to look back at the end of the year and see if there has been any progress/skill development...Heehee! I'm HOPING there will be anyhow!

Hope you are finding AT LEAST a few moments each day to do something you enjoy! Beautiful moments are building blocks of beautiful lives.

Cheryl

Project 365, Day 19

2010-01-19T21:19:00.000-08:00

Anybody else ready for Spring already??

I miss the blue sky and flowers, so that's what I drew for today's Project 365 card.

I really shouldn't whine - the weather has been fairly mild temperature wise. Just a little too grey and rainy to suit me.

Anyhow, here's a bit of bloom to brighten the day!

Hugs & Happiness,
Cheryl

Project 365, Day 18

2010-01-18T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hi There! Just popping in to post my daily ATC for Project 365. The group's general theme for this week is chili peppers. Yum! Just the thing to add a little spice to a winter day. Makes me think of the summer days with sun-warmed tomatoes from the garden turned into delicious fresh salsa!

Project 365, Days 16 & 17

2010-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

Here are my cards for days 16 and 17. The first one is titled "overjoyed." I love making happy art! The second is titled "perfect peace." Both are marker and pencil with bits of gel pen. One of my favorite combos for hand drawn cards. It's been a busy weekend, but I have one more day off, and I'm hoping it can be mostly devoted to art! Wishing You Joyfulness! Cheryl

Project 365, Day 15

2010-01-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing like skating in at the last minute! It's 11:52 as I begin typing this. Just completed the card shown here, fulfilling my Project 365 promise of a card a day.

I was out at a family gathering and didn't make it home till after 11:00. My brain was not in drawing mode, so I went the collage/mixed media route.

Even got to use my new toy when making this...(Pattie if you're reading this you should laugh...it's your fault! In the nicest way!) ... picked up a Cuttlebug on sale today at JoAnn's!! Haven't gotten to play with it much but did try out a couple of dies and an embossing folder. Definitely going to have fun with this little machine! The red paper is from an old file folder, and the rest from the scrap box, embellished with a little gel pen.

I always figure you can't go wrong with a heart theme!

Hugs & Happiness,

Cheryl

Cupcakes! Day 14 of Project 365

2010-01-14T23:06:00.000-08:00

Pretty Cupcakes were the subject of the day!

First here is my Day 14 card for Project 365. This one is titled "Cutie Cupcake."

I also made a set of four cards for a cupcake themed swap happening over at ATCsForAll.

Who doesn't love a cupcake? They're just so cheerful and cute! Especially if they're piled high with smooth sweet frosting and and bedecked with flowers, or candies or sprinkles. Yum! They always make me think of celebrating birthdays as a kid with your classroom full of friends. But they've gone upscale these days. Gourmet cupcakes can be found in wonderful flavors. They can even be made specially for weddings.

Lol, now I've drawn them and talked about them...maybe I should bake up a batch of sweetness to share!

Wishing you joy, with frosting and sprinkles on top!
Cheryl

Project 365, Day 13....and 2

2010-01-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

Two more fruity still lifes...originally drawn for a proposed personalized art trade, but they weren't what she was after so I decided to keep them for the project. The first, attributed to day 13, is titled "one pomegranate". The second, a makeup card to be attributed to day 2, is titled "green passion fruit." Both are prismacolor markers with prismacolor pencils layered over the top. I am just doing fruit exteriors right now, but will work on interiors later as so many fruits are gorgeous on the inside! These two included.

Today however is feeling like a cupcake day, so we'll see what the pencils think about that...

Sunshine and Smiles!

Cheryl

Project 365, Day 12...and 1!

2010-01-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

Hi! Hope this finds you warm and well on this January evening.

I took my pencils to work with me today and worked on some drawing during breaks and those odd moments in the day, like while waiting on hold...

Here is my ATC for Day 12 of Project 365. This one is titled "speckled pear." Composed on bristol board with a prismacolor marker base and then layer after layer of prismacolor pencils.

Others in the Project, and on the site where I trade my cards have been creating beautiful fruit still lifes and I couldn't resist giving it a whirl. I really enjoyed it and the result wasn't too bad...I think I'll be doing more along this line. It's good practice for realistic drawing.

In fact, I enjoyed it enough that I also made the card below, titled "crisp apple," made in the same manner with marker underneath the layers of pencil.

I think I actually like the result better...maybe because I got "warmed up" making the first card!

I got a late start on the project to create a card each day, so I'm going to insert this one as a makeup card for day 1. I'll need to do that a few more times to end up with the full count.

If you want to check out the cards made by the other participating artists, visit the sponsor site Naked Heart Art. Lots of wonderful eye candy on the project coordinator's blog!

Okay, time to go relax a bit...

Wishing you sunshine!
Cheryl

ATCs and Birthday Cards

2010-01-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! (ummm...right...we know we all wanted to go back to work today, right! grrrrr.)

Here is today's card for the 2010 Project 365. I call this one "blissful biology" isn't it happy? I however am not always happy, though I am determined to hold onto inner joy and peace, JOY of course being my favorite word.

Happy can be shaken, but joy is stronger...more enduring, like faith. It's what keeps me going, seeking better days when I am in the midst of chaos or doubt.

Lol, all that from my little card full of "bubbles"...

TODAY is also my SISTER's BIRTHDAY!

I was going through old family photos and found this adorable photo from her fifth birthday. Such a cutie!

Couln't resist doctoring it up a bit and making a birthday card for her. She's always been sort of "my hero" since she is the big sister, and I have always admired her. Kind, ferocious in protecting the people and causes she believes in, and still with the charming childish twinkle and cheer you see in this photo.

She's amazing and I love her gobs and gobs!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!! <3

Sending cupcake wishes to all!
Cheryl

Project 365, Day 10

2010-01-10T21:37:00.000-08:00

Today's ATC. Titled "undone"...hmmm.

Saturday Play

2010-01-09T20:07:00.000-08:00

Here is my second card for "Project 365", titled "a spontaneous tree." Mixed media, made with painted paper towel background, collage images cut from clothing catalog page, paint pen, gel pens.
If you want to follow along with all of the cards being made for the project, just click button in the sidebar to go to the Naked Heart Art page.

Other "artsy" activities today have included some organization around swaps I am hosting on ATCsforALL, creating the header for this blog, and playing with the formatting. I'm sure I'll still make more changes!

Wishing you JOY!
Cheryl

Art At Last

2010-01-08T23:19:00.000-08:00

Well, today has been a busy day, but I am topping it off with a little bit of art in the form of this lighthearted little ATC featuring a vintage photo, scrap papers, pastels and markers. Those impish kiddos looked like "good eggs" to me. :)

**This card was submitted as my first card for the 2010 Project 365**

And now I'm off to dreamland!
Cheryl

Art Play Journal!

2010-01-08T18:10:00.000-08:00

Wanted to pop in and post images of my creative endeavors from Wednesday and Thursday of this week. I started an Art Play Journal and these are the first couple of entries.

Very fun, free, relaxing format. Inspired by Teesha Moore after watching some of her journaling videos, but making it my own with different colors and changes in mediums...no watercolor washes or chalks...I'm enjoying it! And if I get tired of it, I'll just try something else in my play journal.

What are YOU doing just for fun?

Hugs!
Cheryl

Previous 2010 posts transferred from other website

2010-01-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Bit By Bit
Bit by bit is the way I have been creating this week. Sunday's "art" consisted of applying watercolor washes to some journal pages and loose watercolor sheets. Completed one postcard in a "Zetti" style on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday I started work in a new journal which I am really having fun with! I'll try to get some pictures up this weekend.

Here's the Zetti style postcard...buggy girl. :)

I hope you are getting to do at least a bit of something you enjoy each day!

Cheryl

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Small and Silly Art
Today was a nice quiet day! There never seem to be enough of those to suit me. AND I managed to make 4 ATCs for katilady's "In the Style of Teesha Moore" swap over on atcsforall.com

Here's a peek:

They were fun to make, but it felt like I was trying to squish a lot of art into a tiny space. I am planning to try some larger pieces, using Teeha Moore's techniques with images that are more my own style.If you're not familiar with her, I'd encourage you to look her up on YouTube. She has some great videos and is very generous in sharing her art and processes! **Thanks Teesha!!**

Hugs & Happiness,

Cheryl

Friday, January 1, 2010Happy 2010!
Happy New Year! There's something so exciting about a new year. All those blank calendar squares waiting to be filled up with LIFE. I don't make "resolutions" as such because I believe we can only make significant changes when we come under conviction that the risk of changing is less than the risk of remaining the same. Anias Nin says it well in this quotation, "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Those times in our life aren't determined by the calendar, rather they are part of our individual journey through life.That said, I do sometimes issue myself "challenges." Such as my new EVERYday Art Challenge! I am challenging myself to do SOMEthing creative every day this year. Nothing specific, just SOMEthing. This because I recognize that results require action, and I would really like to expand and develop my artistic skills. I will try to document the progress of the challenge here on my blog. (Yeah, that's the other challenge...becoming a dependable blogger!)For today, I made a set of a dozen ATC backgrounds. The bases are made from a "repurposed" watercolor practice painting. I added borders of random paper bits...now they are ready for some collaged images to be added on top!

Hopefully this finds you entering the new year feeling creative too! All the best for the days to come!

Feel the Love: Texture in Art

2009-08-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm working on some 4x6 (postcard size) pieces for the TEXTURE themed swap I am hosting on atcsforall.com. This one involves various papers, paints, stamping, buttons, a vintage photo, glitter, microbeads and beeswax. I adore beeswax! So versatile and smells divine! But the more I look at this the more I think it still needs something... I'm thinking perhaps some stitching with twine/rough string? Not necessarily a border, but some "here and there" stitching to tie it all together a bit more... Whatcha think?

I love this one, as it feels very feminine and romantic to me. And it's composed of many materials and layers, with lovely bits of shimmer and sparkle. It starts with a base of handmade paper adhered to a bristol board base, covered liberally with gesso, with additional paper and beads added while the gesso was wet. Then I used shimmery purple and gold paints, and sealed with a thick layer of diamond glaze, sprinkling with fine glitter....and finally laced the edges with organza ribbon. Such fun!

Hope you are creating (playing!) too!

Sweet Summertime

2009-08-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

Summer sure is flying by! Hard to believe the end of August is almost here, along with the hustle bustle of families preparing for back to school. I want to slow down a little to enjoy the fleeting moments... to appreciate the long summer evenings, fresh from the garden produce, and the feeling of being warm all the way through to the middle of your bones like only the summer sun can cause. To find time to notice the tiny little joys like the swirling flurry of tiny beautiful moths lighting briefly in the grass before dancing away...gone in a twinkle but leaving a smile in their wake. Time to appreciate the changing colors of the sky as the sun sinks away and gives over to the night...a painting that changes by the minute. To make time for family and friends, BBQ's and ice cream cones, and laughing until your sides hurt, and sleeping in on Saturday morning. Waking up to the sunshine instead of an alarm clock. Time to simply enjoy.

What's your favorite little summer moment? Catch it while you can, and savor it.

Whew!

2009-08-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

BABY IT'S HOT OUTSIDE!

This little doll I call "Tamale" agrees - in fact, it's a little TOO HOT, with 100+ temps for several days in a row. Perfect weather to take shelter in the air conditioned studio and create some fun.

You can see Tamale's funky little friends on my flickr page.... They were tons of fun to make using altered original photos of random everyday objects. (An idea inspired by Corrie04 and her "Mad Scientist" chunky page swap over on atcsforall.com)

Lots of projects in the works right now...art dolls, buttons(yep, the kind for clothes - it's a commission job), ATCs, journals and chunky pages and birds... WOOT! Fun stuff everywhere I turn!

Along with the fun of creating, we've been enjoying the bounty from my Dad's garden...fresh tomatoes, zucchini, corn, onions peppers, and lettuce...YUM! So good! The taste of summer. I need to take a trip down the valley to check out the delightful items available at the local fruit stands - there's abundance in variety and flavor to be discovered.

Hope everyone is having a super summer!! Hugs and Happiness to all!

2009-07-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a Work-In-Progress: my daughter requested a pretty girl with a sunshine to hang in her kitchen. This one is on canvas...with lots of layers already! (scrap papers, gesso, acrylics, glitter, water soluble pastels, tissue paper, colored pencils, stamping....added some sparkling watercolor to the sky after the pic was taken...) I am thinking I will add some flowers...and she needs to be holding something....and she might get a furbaby friend or some butterflies...and maybe a special word added to the picture....anyhow I am having lots of fun working on something larger, and really feeling pretty free to pick up whatever strikes my fancy and add it. Gotta Love Mixed-Media!!

2009-07-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Yay! Today is "fake friday" since my office is closed tomorrow. So ready for a nice long holiday weekend. Hopefully at least one day will be spent in the studio...and family BBQ at my sis' house on the 4th, yay! I'm bringing the strawberry shortcake for dessert...yum!

Here's a little set of 4x4 pages I just made...they are all spoken for already...two will get ribbons and such added to them, and one is being made into a wall hanger with wire and beads. The middle one is my favorite...maybe just because we do each have our own "Unique Vision" of the world. And there are so many ways to express what we see through our words, work, actions, and ART. A topic worth exploring perhaps....

Stuck...at work

2009-06-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

Lol, it's just the end of my lunch hour, and I am at the office...I feel a little mopey, 'cause I just want to be home in the studio, instead of STUCK here at work. But hey, it pays for the art supplies, right?! I have to remind myself that I am blessed to have a good job, benefits, etc...but the studio really is a lot more fun!

I'm feeling creative...made 3 altered rolo cards yesterday, have three pretty girl 4x4's in progress...hey, what's up with THREES? Seems to be my creating trend lately.
And I have at least a dozen things I would like to be working on right now! I love it when "the muse" is active - WOOT!

Okay...back to the grind!

Hugs & Giggles!

Welcome Back to Blogging

2009-06-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hi! I finally decided it was time to resurrect my blog, with a more casual attitude and format. A diary of the miscellaneous bits of life...my art, thoughts, and things I enjoy and want to share.

Life has been busy, busy...but I did get to take time out for a trip to Indianapolis to attend Art For All, a super fun gathering of artists who participate in online ATC and other mailart trading. It was amazing and inspiring to spend time with other artists, create together, and learn from them.

Check out my Flickr page for event photos and some of my art images.

Hugs & Happiness!