hope, believe, create

 

I recently did a series inspired by the phrase 'manifesting kindness'.  The goal was to create 3 pieces of positivity and send it out in the world.

I wanted to create cards that were linked...I liked the idea of 3 pieces that were similar but different.

I love inspirational cards... I collect inspirational card decks.  Maybe one day I'll create an entire deck that speaks to the soul.  

I started with 3 playing cards, gesso and paint.  I added layers of old book pages and more paint.  Then I began adding another layer which included stamped words and images, metal on which I embossed, wire, and metal word charms.  I think I am finally getting an understanding of mixed media and collage.  I'm excited to continue the education of lindy!

What makes your soul sing?

...scatter joy...
lindy

I saw a hat ...

This ATC swap was so fun... it was for a collage ATC... the guidlelines were simple:  must clip images and words.  I went with a red/pinkish/white/gray theme as everything seemed to complement each other so well.  I was struck by the image of the woman... it was in a spread for some sort of valentine... I like it because of the hat.  ; )   

What does your hat say about you?

...scatter joy...

lindy

mini red zen*tangle INCHIES

Have you noticed that when I try something, I keep on trying it over and over and over and over again.... lol... probably boring you to tears... and that's one of the reasons I want to change up the organization of my blog... so that I provide a little more balanced commentary on what's going on in this collage called my life.

However, I'm not there yet, so, if you can indulge me just another minute, here are the Inchies I made for the Red Zentangle Inchie swap.  I thought it was going to be very difficult to draw in that teeny space... but I drew the tangles BEFORE I cut the inchies.  (Thanks, D, for the awesome tip!)

Have you tangled yet?

...scatter joy...
lindy

color*full Inchies

And here is the 2nd and 3rd attempt at Inchies... (2 partners, 4 inchies each)... It was a free theme, meaning the artist could choose how to proceed.  I'm still figuring out this artform... I did a few different techniques here... I did a couple miniature zentangles, a few collage and I even did  bit of faded drawings, (the red/fuschia to the right) is sketch of a girl in a winter coat ... the wind is blowing and the snow is swirling... the sentiment is 'merry winter'...

I have much to learn but have to say am enjoying the journey so much.  Thank you for looking and sharing.
What new thing have you learned recently?

...scatter joy...
lindy

What are INCHIES????

That was my question when I first saw the challenge on Swap-Bot. 

So, as is my custom, I did a search to see just what these things called 'inchies' are.  In the most basic sense, they are miniature works of art measuring 1"x1" and can be done using any variety of methods.  I still don't know what one 'does' with these little works of art... display them? collect them? keep them?  probably.  But I have a few other ideas as well... I think they are the perfect size for magnets, pins, and embellishments for larger works of art.

Here are my very first inchies...

I was so excited about these... I read the person's profile and saw that pink and black was her favorite color combo... and then, she has her own webiste offering her custom Tutus (it's great...if you have girls in your life, I think you should check it out!)... anyway, I assumed because she makes these custom tutus that she sews....... so several of the inchies focused on sewing.

After I completed the work I perused her profile one last time only to discover that she actually DOES NOT LIKE sewing.... arghhhhhhhhhh... how did I MISS that???? so I scibbled off  a note to her explaining my blunder and she was very gracious.... and she wrote back that her mom, in fact, loves sewing and that she was going to share those with her!

What have you 'missed' lately

...scatter joy...
lindy

Christmas Ephemera ATCs

I can't help it.  I'm hooked... so look at it this way... you will be able to watch me grow into my art.... ; ) 

These two were for 'Christmas Emphemera' ATCs in which we were to take old cards, wrapping, etc and use bits and pieces for our ATCs... I liked the surprise of using lime green versus a traditional 'christmas green' and really likes how some of the word images on the red actually look as though they are frosted with snow....

confession:  As I went to add the pics to this post I was already hesitant as I've made 'better' ones since I made these... which, then, gives me pause about why must I even judge... I can simply love them for what they are.

what does the word 'believe' conjure up for you?
...scatter joy...
lindy

a merry mummy christmas!

I did it!  I finished my mom's christmas pressie and now it's on it's way to florida to arrive just in time for the festivities!

As many of you can relate to, each year it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out just what to give our parents for the holidays.  I came up with this idea last month while at the Craft Social... as I was learning how to make artistic doodles (aka zentangles) a million ideas on how to use this artform came flooding in... among them the brill idea I had for gifting my mumma.

As I reflect on my own life stories, it occurred to me that I really knew too few of my mom's stories and so what better way to get her to tell them to me than to present her with a 'journal' for writing them down.... including some touches of art throughout to keep it interesting.

It's easy peasy:

1. Buy a suitable notebook to use for the journal.  (I chose spiral bound because it will lay flat, and lined for ease of writing.)  I found this one in the clearance cubbies at Paper Source.
2. Modify and embellish at will (keep in mind how long it will take because once you start you'd hate to only get 1/2 way through)
3.Compile the thought starter questions and write them throughout the journal. ( It's much much easier to tell you a story if you ask me a question first, to get me started.)

If you'd like to use my questions to start from, just email me and I'll send you the file. 

There are so many stories we need to share with each other and this really is a great idea not only for our elders but also think about writing your stories now... as you live them... what a wonderful gift for your own family members and friends.

How does your story begin?

...scatter joy...
lindy

Flippin my Lid!

A major part of designing my small space is the purging of all things 'clutter'.... but at the same time I need to find creative ways to store items. 
I do not have a candy bowl, but I had these wonderful small hard candies I wanted to have out ... so I dug out a jar from the cupboard and did a quick recycle art project on the top to add a little 'new' to something old...

Easy Peasy:  Took the lid, turned it over on top of a gorgeous card (from one of my fave stores, Paper Source) and traced the lid on the paper.  Cut out a smidge inside the mark... I did not measure this, I eyeballed it.  Took some Mod Podge (because it was what I happened upon first when digging through anything that I could use to 'stick' the paper to the lid) and smeared it on the lid.  placed the cut out on the lid then smeared a little more over top of the actual paper. Let dry. The actual 'art' part of this project took me less than 5 minutes...

Isn't it cute??? I think this would be a really fun and easy thing to do for a multitude of things... and of course using papers that coordinate with either the holiday or the contents would be superb....

What ordinary object can you transform into functional art?
...scatter joy...
lindy

Awesome Autumn!

Yesterday and today were simply glorious... we've had a very wet and cold start to our fall this year and it must be said, Autumn is my favorite season... it always has been...so I felt overjoyed at the sunshine and blissful weather... and since I had the luxury of working from home today, Bax and I escaped to the lake for lunch today.....

I have no idea what I am going to do with all these beautiful leaves I brought back, but I needed the beauty of the season back home with me... and they were calling out to be part of a collage... if I come up with something fun, I'll post it here!

what is your favorite season?
...scatter joy...
lindy

pieces of life

It's funny how I've never been particularly drawn (or so I thought) to the new color of my kitchen.... except when I started to notice things that I already had on hand, I have begun to find that combo already in concert working its magic for me... the plate (orla kiely for target) and the hand crafted chain pull (local art fair) are but two examples.... and two more pieces of my collage...

It got me thinking about how often our souls (or subconscious) know long before we do.... we simply need to be aware of the whispers... be open to the possibility.... .... .... & allow...

I am working steadfastly to listen more closely to everything around me.... the energy is amazing.

What are you ready to allow in your life...?

... scatter joy...
lindy

Live Your Most Succulent Wild Life...

As you may be discovering, word art 'speaks' to my soul... lol... I know, a bit hokey, but there is just something about it... it is beautiful and meaningful and whimsical.... and one of my favorite word artists is Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy... aka SARK.




If you haven't heard of her or read any of her fabulous books, take a peek... they are deliciously unique. I love to play with my 'Living Juicy' cards. When sending a handwritten note (yes.... I absolutely LOVE to send notes/cards) I often will think of the person I'm sending to and pull a card for her/him... it always amazes me just how fitting the sentiment is.... sometimes I will pull for myself and I did so the other evening...

What does your card say...?

... scatter joy...

lindy

Everything You Need...

is inside yourself.

I don't usually wonder whether or not I'm able to do something... in fact, when I see a new art or craft item that I like, I'm usually inspired to 'Just Do It'. Part of the fun of anything is the journey... the anticipation... the process.

So I'm sending out to the universe my desire to re*CREATE a gorgeous little purse I picked up last week... I have the fabric,(see the pic!), have found the clasp handle... so now ... I just need to do it! Hopefully by next week... (first things first... the deck curtains I promised the boys... we've got a gorgeous latte chiffon for that!) ; )

when was the last time you did something you didn't know how to do...?

. . . scatter joy . . .

lindy

Words to Live By

I love words... and word art... which is probably one of the reasons why 'collage' appeals to me *grin* I have been experimenting with creating word 'tags'... I'm using them in various ways... one of my favorite ways is to simply hang them in places where I will see them daily...

Wonderful things happen when you put such positivity out in the universe.

What words do you claim?

. . . scatter joy . . .

lindy

Cool... Calm... and Collected!

It is fun to 'watch' as the internal changes I experience play out in the external surroundings of my living space. When we feel overwhelmed or that we've lost control, it is often very evident by the chaos and messes that seem to overrun our homes.... of course, some of us are simply less orderly by nature : )

As for myself, my space continues to evolve just as I do.

Recently I created a great workspace from a nook... not only is it FUNctional, but I also find it beautiful to look at... This is another example of a collage... made from many different items I've collected, assembled together to create a 'whole'....

Many thanks to my wonderful handy-woman Sue... this would not have gone nearly so well without her!

What ways do you bring a touch of art or whimsy into your 'every-day'?

Taste Life

Part of my quest this year is to reclaim who I am & discover who I am becoming. Like the layers of the paper on my decoupage bowl, sometimes there is something gorgeous hidden by other layers. The process has been mostly fun and always intriguing... I wonder why, after I'd worked so hard to find myself the first time, I let go and covered up my soul with layers...

One of the things I'm reclaiming is my love of the visual and tactile.... colors... textures... art in every day things... and of course, art in words. I created a bouquet of color in a mug that reminds me daily, to Taste Life.

How do YOU create the fun and unexpected from the ordinary? Share... let me know!

Want to recreate the look? Word Art mug from Paper Source; Felt Tip Marker Pens in a tub of 100 (they have shades and shades that simply are glorious!) by Paperchase, picked up from Borders.

Taking the Leap

Tonight is the night...the night I dive head first into the next 'new' thing I am trying on. Thanks to my friend for forwarding the invite to the craft social... where I met some really fabulous, smart, artistic and creative women. It was an amazing experience and the energy was incredible.... and it gave me the impetus to, as Nike would say, 'JUST DO IT'. I've been wanting to start a blog for some time... but have been waiting until I knew more, had 'something relevant' to say, knew HOW TO actually do a blog... lol... well, life's short. I'm taking the leap.... I will learn and grow as I go along... & hopefully you all will help me because I really do love to collaborate!



oh... and the craft project I did tonight was to make a decoupage bowl... although for my mind it was more a creating a papier mache bowl... either way it was fun. Guess who's coming to dinner and guess what they're getting for Christmas... Watch for pics and instructions to come... it's late, wayyyyyyyy past bedtime so off to bed I go.



Updated Saturday May 23rd... okay, so here's something I learned... Baxter (my sidekick pupster) will keep me company while I create or write til all hours (3am when I finally crawled between the sheets...) but still wants to get up @5:30am for our walk... lol (see the pic of him waiting patiently in the sidebar)


The bowl I created last night is still in the 'drying' stage which will take a few days.... the instructions follow below and are compliments of the lovely women who organized & hosted the craft social last night:

Supplies Needed: A bowl to use as a form, any size, smooth sides; mod-podge or paper glue; container to hold glue to coat paper strips; aluminum foil; thin papers, magazines, old books, etc; something to use as a stand for your bowl when turned upside down (I used a cup that was slightly taller than the bowl); wet rag for drips or spills.

This is a great project to do with friends... lots of laughs, giggles, and sharing.

1- Wrap the outside of the bowl with foil. Smooth is down as much as you can and fold the edges into the center of your bowl.

2- Tear the paper into pieces. (I actually used a bit heavier weight paper... needed to make it very wet with the mod-podge so that it was pliable and would stick)

3-Flip the foil-wrapped bowl upside down and set it on your 'stand'. Coat the paper pieces/strips with the glue mixture (mod-podge). Fingers work best. Smooth each piece to the outside of the bowl, overlapping the edges. More layers of paper will make for a sturdier bowl. (The bowl in the picture has 3 layers).

4- Allow your bowl to dry a minimum of 2 days

5- Once the glue completely dries, remove the 'real' bowl from the foil. Peel the foil off the paper bowl. (I have NOT done this yet... I'll let you know how it goes).

You can use sharp scissors to trim off the rough rim of the bowl if desired; Bowl can be painted if you like (I am thinking about layering the inside of the bowl after it dries... I'll let you know about that, too.)

Bowls cannot be used for food, but of course you knew that... loose change, keys, all those buttons that come attached to new clothes... *grin* And please, share your ideas and photos with me!

. . . scatter joy . . .

lindy