My Living Canvas Cover from Trash to Treasure...

I am so excited to finally get a chance to start this class this weekend.  My hubs and I ventured out to the flea market today to see what kind of treasures we could discover.  It was a hot day (92 degrees) but we enjoyed the adventure and both found some goodies to bring home.

I was looking for an old book to use for my Living Canvas class and he was looking for the usual, Match Box cars.

We both succeeded on our quest!

While rumbling through a stake of books spread out on a table, the perfect little book called "The Bridges of Madison County" caught my eye.  I remembered this story that I had read many years ago that reflected one great love, courage, sacrifice, and family. It was perfect! I had discovered a book that reflected the Living Canvas of Francesca and Robert Kincaid and wanted it to reflect my Living Canvas!

When I returned home, I couldn't wait to start my Living Canvas in this wonderful little book.   I found the perfect title for my book called "Write your own Story".  This will be my first altered book and I am so excited by how my cover turned out I can't put it down. 

Here is a close up of the bottom front.

 I made the leaves out of my quilt batting

and sprayed with Lettuce Color Wash ink.

I added to the spine the saying "It's the little things that make life Beautiful".  This is to remind me to pay attention to the little things because it's all these little things in life that help paint my life canvas!

Some words on the back to remind me to DREAM, DISCOVER, BELIEVE and IMAGINE!  All powerful words that also impact my life canvas.

Now off to start writting my story in my little book!

Your Living Canvas

I am so excited that in just a few days I will be attending yet another one of Christy Tomlinson's on-line classes.  I have taken most of her classes and never ever was I disappointed.  Christy is doing this class with her friend Art and so far from each weeks sneek peak I am sure this class is going to be awesome.

There is still time to register so if you are looking for a class to get you through the summer months, this one would be perfect.  Here's a link now go and register...The Living Canvas on-line class.

Hey if you register, let me know I would love to hear what you think.

Welcome to "The Art of Wild Abandonment Bloghop"

Hi everyone, so happy to have you stop by to visit my artsy world.   Before I get started I wanted to share a snapshot of my wall of art in my studio.   There is very little wall space in my studio so I am happy that I am able to squeeze in a little space to display my art.

Do you think I like She Art?

Now can I tell you that I am totally excited to be part of this group of amazing talented artist in “The Art of Wild Abandonment” online class this spring.  Junelle and Christy out did themselves and taught me how to get wild with my art and abandon my fears.  Oh and Junelle even got me to sketch! (miracle).  The first sketch was the hardest things to get going, but I kept hearing Junelle encouraging me to try and now I’m not afraid to just sketch what I see.   Ya whoooo!

So would you like to see some of my projects?  I am happy to say that I just finished all the videos but still have a few more projects that I need to complete. But heck,  I’m so excited to show off the projects that I have finished.

But first my very 1st sketches.  Drumroll everyone.....

My Owl family

My Sweets - Pure Pleasure

Nothing like a cool and windy spring day!

She Loves to Quilt

My Blooms using using some of my favorite

new techniques to create fun texture and dimension.

 Let yourself enjoy every good thing today... 

The leaves represent all good things in my life as well as things I need to enjoy and the bird represents me in my nest enjoying all the good things around me!

Hope you enjoyed your visit but now I need to get back to finishing up the rest of my projects. 

Stop back by another time whenever you are in the neighborhood.  I'd love the visit!

Oh and if you just happened to hop into this bloghop starting with my blog, you just might want to start from the beginning by visiting Claire Smillie, so you can see all the other talented artist in “The Art of Wild Abandonment blog hop”. 

If you hopped on over from Jenna Alexandar’s blog then I hope you are enjoying the fun because I am.  

Thanks for stopping by to see my wild art (ha ha!!), there is lots more fun ahead … now go check them out by hopping over to Chrissy DiMaria Farnan you are going to love what she has to show.

Bye and happy hopping,

The Art of Wild Abandonment Blog Hop

I am so excited to be participating in my very first Blog hop with some amazing talented artist from across the globe.  Don't forget to stop back by on Saturday, May 5th to see what we all have to share.  You are guaranteed to get inspired!!!

See you Saturday!!

What's a girl to do on a raining day?

Well looks like the weekend here in Sunny Florida is not so Sunny.   This whole weekend has been a complete wash for plans outside. 

Weather like this made me want to stay in my PJ's all day and get my art on. That is after I get my chores done.

So what did I do:
I got caught up on my emails and found a old post from Karenika that was perfect for getting me thinking about what I am grateful for on such a gloomy day.

Karenika challenged me to write mine so here are some of the things that I am grateful for.

1. The little bits of family time I get with my teenagers!

2. The way my son is taking to adult life and working so hard to get ahead in life.

3. My hubs who still says he loves me all the time!
4. My weight loss lately!
5. My daughter who makes me proud when I watch her dance!
6. My new art friends that I met at Inspire retreat - They have inspired me to no end!
7. The ability to find bits of my day to create, feeding my soul with color and texture and allowing my self to be free!
8. My health!

After catching up on emails and not getting caught on Pinterest all day, I managed to cook my meals for the week.  It's going to be an easy one since hubs is heading out of town for 2 days.  Perfect opportunity for me to slack in the kitchen for a few days!

Next, I did a little laundry and ironing.   Boy do I hate ironing!

Went to Zales to have my diamond rings checked. Turned out both rings had loose diamonds so they had to send them off for repairs.  I told the girl that it looks like I will be single for a few weeks and then out of the blue hubs noticed a nice ring in the display, tried it on and guess what I went home with.  A new white and blue Sapphire ring.  Just another bright moment on a gloomy day!

Then it's home to squeeze in a little art time.  I managed to finished up the last 2 video's in my Art of Wild Abandonment class I have been taking.  Can't wait to start week 3. Then start my ATC cards for my awesome artist friends from Soulful Artist Inspire.  Think I finaly managed to figure out what I wanted to do with them.

Here's to a Sunny day tomorrow, I hope!
Bye for now,

The Perfect Gift Card holder....

On this rainy day, I escaped into my studio to play.  My dear friend is celebrating a birthday on Monday and I'm giving her a gift card to one of our favorite hang outs! 

When I give gift cards, I really like to make them extra special.  I want the recipient to know how much they mean to me and spending a little time on creating just the right packaging makes that gift just a little more personal and special.  Besides they are special to me so it's worth the time and effort. 

I dont' know about you, but when someone goes the extra mile to wrap my presents, I feel good.  In fact, lots of times I can't bring my self to open them, because they are absolutely beautiful.

I got this idea out of the Sommerset Life Magazine Nov/Dec 2011 edition.  I had so much fun putting it together. 

It all started with some wax paper, my sewing machine and some decorative paper. 

 Oh how I Love sewing on paper!

I took some wax paper and created a little pocket folding in half and sewing up the side.  I used a piece of scrap paper from the dress to make a topper.

To make the dress, I simply free handed a dress form and stitched up the sides.  I used the gift card envelope and added some antique ink and a free Printable I found on Pinterest then added a few embellishments. 

Add a simple ribbon and Happy Birthday tag.

Tuck away in the Wax paper envelope to provide a sneak peak effect of what's inside.

Doesn't this look like an easy project for your next gift card? 

 Give it a try, it was really simple!

Happy Crafting all,

How I became a Soulful Artist....

It's hard to believe it's been a month, that I took a leap and finally attended my very 1st Art retreat.  I have dreamed, dreamed and dreamed again and again about going away to one of these events but the price tag was just to scary.  Well, when I saw that two spots opened up for the March 1 - 4th event, I decided it's now or never, so I jumped. I am so happy that I finally made the leap and now I realize that you can't put a price tag on this experience.  It's priceless!!!!!!

Having 4 days immersed in art with 24 girls that share the same passion to create that I do was breathless!  Let's just say I was in heaven and could have stayed there forever! 

Donna and Bill Downey made every single minute of this retreat extra special.  Let's just say they are the BEST and would not think twice about ever attending a retreat in NC with them again!  If you are on the fence, get off and sign-up for one.  It's worth every sent.

10 Top Reason you should go... because this is what you will gain.....

1.  A new family of artist Friends across the United States!

2. Inspiration everywhere

3. Delicious Food 

 Donna's mom did an amazing job with presentation and amazing cooking!  Wish I could have taken her home to make my Italian Hubby some home Italian cooking.
Oh and the desserts.... what can I say!  Yum!!!!!

4. Royal Treatment

5.  The use of all Donna's supplies

6. New Techniques (BJ's....wink, wink)

7. Shopping in Donna's Store

8.  A Hidden treasure in our Food..
This was not planned but pure luck because our hearts where all in the same place that weekend.  Miss you girls!!!!

9. A whole lot of Goodness waiting for you at your table.

10. The best part, I got to hang out with my two favorite Artist for 4 days.

 

Christy and Donna you are both awesome and thanks for getting me inspired!!!!  Love you gals!

Head on over to Donna's site and sign-up for one.  You won't be sorry! PROMISE:).  A Little Bird told me there was 1 spot open for her retreat in April.  I'd go if I didn't already have a commitment to my beautiful daughter.