Peace and Joy - and a Happy Winter Solstice

After today, the days will begin getting longer! Hurray for that. Wishing you all the joy of the season.

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Designer Credits:
-background, frame, pinecone brush, gold paint, white berries: ArtPlay Palette Christmas Magic by Anna Aspnes
-gold swirl: ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicolas Add-On No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
-gold notion, word art: Merry megaPack by Dido Designs
-green paint, music tape: 52 Inspirations {2012} Week 52
-red bunch: Autumn Sonnet by Mary Pop

Two Weeks Into December

We think we've had too much winter too soon, but we're getting by anyway. Here are photos from the first two weeks of December.

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Designer Credits:
-dark green paper, stitching, branch: Oh Joy! by Paula Kesselring
-light green paper: Autumn Sonata by Paula Kesselring
-brown paper, pins, birds: Nostalgic Scrapbook by Retro Designs
fonts: Hurry Up, baby dont worry bout it!, Huxtable

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Designer Credits:
-background, poinsettia, evergreen brush, white berries: ArtPlay Palette Christmas Magic by Anna Aspnes
-white paper: ArtPlay Palette For the Record by Anna Aspnes
-tan paper, gold leaves, needles: Merry mega pack by Dido Designs
-red button: Oh Joy! by Paula Kesselring
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Remember Elizabeth Jane

Years ago I did a scrapbook page about my great-great grandmother, Elizabeth Jane (Reynolds) Lyle. Later I printed it on fabric and lightly quilted it to a tote bag. The printing was on an ink jet printer and has faded a bit over time. Still, it is one of my treasures. Perhaps it'll give someone ideas to use with their own designs.

Last Three Weeks of November Captured

I've been keeping up pretty well with the weekly pages but forget to post them here. Lots was happening in November so lots to remember.

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Designer Credits:
-background: Dakota Dreams by Dido Designs
-transfers, line: ArtPlay Palette For the Record by Anna Aspnes
-frame: Flying High by Val C. Designs
-notebook paper: Vintage Album Collections: Journaling Bits & Pieces by Joanne Brisebois
-music stamp: Okalani (Edgy Elegance) by Lydia Designs
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

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Designer Credits:
-background, frame: Shabby Chic Rooms, Part 2 by Retro Designs
-transfer: ArtPlay Palette For the Record by Anna Aspnes
-stitching: Doodle Stitches by Sabrina's Creations
-photo mask: ArtPlay Palette Tangier by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Serial Sue, Huxtable

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Designer Credits:
-papers: MonoBlendz Pumpkin Spice No. 1 Paperie by Anna Aspnes
-card: ArtsyKardz Everyday No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
-flourish: Hipster Plumes No. 19 BrushSet by Anna Aspnes
-frame, overlay: Unlimited Mind by Kitty Designs
-wax seal: Antique by Merkeley Designs
-strip, stitching: Be Grateful by Sabrina's Creations
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Drawing #54 - In the Morning

"In the Morning" is another larger piece, 12 x 16 inches. That isn't large as artwork goes, but for this style it seems huge to me. This one has been under way over a month. I started with strips from my mother's elementary reader and her shorthand textbook. It made me think of bones, but the design took on a different life. One phrase in it refers to six in the morning and I began to work with that idea. Click on the image to see it larger, or perhaps right click and view the link to see it even larger.

Memory Saved With an Enhanced Photo

We have a challenge this month to take an old photo with color problems and improve it then scrap with it. I have a super picture of Dick on the beach in Seattle in 1969. The print has an odd color cast but I got it to look a lot better. See what you think.

The original scan of the print

My correction of the color cast

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DesignerCredits:
-background, photo mask, transfer: ArtPlay Palette For The Record by Anna Aspnes
-brush, transfer, shells, twig: ArtPlay Palette Salty Living by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Serial Sue, Mystical, Catriel

Drawing #53 - Asteroid Belt

I'm not sure how this one got its name, but it seems to relate to drawing #50 which has been renamed "Voyage Into Space." That's because it keeps making me think of the movie "Gravity." The new drawing has two small bits of shiny silver paper which don't really show in the scan. This is the 8 x 10 inch size and I have a large one nearing completion. Our show opened Saturday to a very nicely attended reception. Several people wanted to discuss my drawings and it was quite interesting and enjoyable. Check here for a photo of hanging my pieces and here for a photo of the seven of us with the gallery owner. As always, click on the image to see "Asteroid Belt" larger.

Cousins Revisited

In an October challenge to do a subdued page with a touch of red I revisited a photo of Dick and his cousin when they got together two years ago. I love the result without the distraction of colors.

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Designer Credits:
-background, gold pieces, red flower: Merry by Dido Designs
-border paper (blended), tape brush, thread, butterfly, brush: GreenLeaf by Dido Designs
-photo mask: WaterColor FotoBlendz No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Lemon Chicken, Pea Beth

Drawing #52 - Wandering Off

I had a fleeting glimpse of a plant with large withered brown leaves opposing one another at its top. That image stayed with me and was the beginning of this drawing. While it was in the works I once realized that my thoughts had gone wandering off. Well, they're want to do that all too often. I made the connection between wandering thoughts and withering plants in the fall. The result has collage from a newly acquired old reader with the message "confused idea." That may say it all!

Meanwhile its exciting to know our show will open in less than a week. We met today to share our selected works and plan a bit on hanging them. That will be on Thursday, opening Saturday evening. Oh, and yesterday I got my framed pieces from the gallery for today's session. It's all getting very real.

Drawing #51 - Driving On Ice

Monday night the world turned white with accumulations of slushy snow. This drawing was nearly done and had achieved its name beforehand, but now it seems prophetic. I am so not ready for winter weather but this icy drawing seems to make its frightful aspects beautiful. You know the drill: click on the image to see it larger. Original size is back in my first sketchbook at 7 x 10 inches.

A November Week

Last week was pretty much the usual. Sunny to start there was still lots of color in the foliage and the temperatures weren't bad. There were some highlight too like my book's early arrival.

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Designer Credits:
-papers, leaves: GreenLeaf by Dido Designs
-transfer: ArtPlay Palette Lush by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Butterfly and Moth from our travels

The butterfly is called a Buckeye. I think they are boldly beautiful. They can be migrants in the fall, this one seen on asters at a nature preserve in Missouri 24 October 2013. The second creature is a day-flying moth that acts much like a hummingbird, its wings constantly whirring. It is such a treat to see and a challenge to photograph. This was at a botanic garden in Oklahoma.

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Designer Credits:
lift of 'Autumn Promenade' by 'casbury' 
by Anna Aspnes:
-background: ArtPlay Solids Viaggio
-photo mask: Original FotoBlendz No. 12
-frame: FineEdge Frames No. 1
-stitching: UrbanStitchez No. 3
-line: ArtPlay Palette EnRoute
-brads, transfer: ArtPlay Palette Socialize
-word art, glow: Roots Sampler
-bright color: ArtPlay Palette Bask
-brush: ArtPlay Viaggio BrushSet
fonts: Mystical, Sybil Green

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Designer Credits:
AnnaLift of ‘let us ENJOY’ by ‘Lilly-10’ 
by Anna Aspnes:
-background: ArtPlay Palette Christmas Nostalgia
-photo mask: WaterColor FotoBlendz No. 1
-frame: ArtPlay Palette Tapestry
-transfer: ArtPlay Palette Vintage Rose
-brush: ArtPlay Palette Socialize
-bead: ArtPlay Palette Barren Sunrise
font: Boopee

Drawing #50 - Emergence

I don't know all the things that may be emerging, but it is clear to me that they are about to pop. This one began on our trip but needed to get home for some paint.

I'm also excited as I now have a book with all my blog posts (save 2) of my drawings from their infancy to the present. There are companies that specialize in creating books from blogs. I've done them once for each of my genealogy blogs. On the way home, on the last day for a 15% discount, I realized I could limit the design blog posts to those for my drawings and put it together in the motel that night. It arrived on Monday. Color reproduction isn't really the best, but I'm so pleased to have a printed history of the development of my "mental landscapes."

A Week Into November

Here's the week that got us to November!

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Designer Credits:
-background, art stroke: ArtPlay Palette For the Record by Anna Aspnes
-mask as brush: Mask It Butterfly Vol. 1 by Dido Designs
-glow: SpookyGlows No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
-gold paint: ArtPlay Palette Tangier by Anna Aspnes
-spider: Zen & the Art of: All Hallows Eve by Maya de Groot
-bird: Like a Bird by Maya de Groot
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, joeHand 2

More October - some in Oklahoma

We're back from visiting in Oklahoma where we had a great time, saw lots of birds and caught up with Jim and many of his friends. Here's the week that ended while we were there. Remember to click on the image to be able to read the text (hopefully!)

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Designer Credits:
-papers, brad, cloud, circle frame, splats: Oscraps Collab Journey
-chevron: Stamped Mess {Take a Chance} by Studio 68
-fine frame: FineEdge Frames No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
-butterfly: FlutterBy Lace No. 1 by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Drawing #49 - Through the Wicket

Alice took me to Wonderland in this drawing where croquet is played with hedgehog balls and flamingo mallets. Strikingly different interpretations are easily found as well. I really enjoy the sunny colors.

Another Week of October

Time is flying by and winter is an ominous threat on the horizon.

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Designer Credits:
-background, tags, overlay, swirl: Unlimited Mind by Kitty Designs
-stitching: Doodle Stitches by Sabrina's Creations
-staple: Autumn Sonata by Paula Kesselring
-ticket, paint mat: Wish by Forever Joy
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, Erie

Drawing #48 - The Word

Back to 10 x 8 inch format, hopefully I've emerged from the scary stuff of the last drawing. My collage pieces created placement of "OM" which reminded me of "The Word is OM" from The Moody Blues and I had to go with that idea. The result, however, seems to have a tension between two sides.

Drawing #47 - Rough Beast

Back at 12 x 16 inches, the latest drawing has been in the works a long time. It incorporates photo and photo album paper from an old album someone rescued from the trash. The "beast" appeared early and has always had the poem lines running through my head from "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats:
           And what rough beast, its hour come round at last
           Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?
Makes for interesting speculation on the origin of my ideas. Click on the image to see it larger, but imagine it at full size.

2nd Week of October

We've been having more lovely weather, many days sunny and fairly warm. Trying not to think about the season coming. I'm working on two new articles, still enjoying having two accepted for publication. I've just finished the large drawing that has been in the works for months. I'll photograph it tomorrow and let you see!

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Designer Credits:
-papers, ribbon: Antique by Merkeley Designs
-swirl: You Alone {twiddlerish} by Kitty Designs
-notion, card: Dakota Dreams by Dido Designs
-brush: ArtPlay Palette Lush by Anna Aspnes
-mask for paper: FotoBlendz Overlays No. 4 by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

A Week in October

Can you believe it's October? Where do the days go? I've now finished a page for week 40. It was a nice week which has continued into this week.

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Designer Credits:
-papers, ribbon, button, stitching: Changes by Tracy Martin Designs
-journal card: Inner Voice by Val C. Designs
-overlay, brush: ArtPlay Palette Tangier by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, Mystical

Drawing #46 - Dark Pennant

Parts of this one came to me while I was only half awake. It really is a lot of mental landscape. It may be a bit brighter than usual but that was what it called for. I've used pieces from my mother's elementary reader and a non-winning raffle ticket plus other paper, paint, ink and colored pencil. I'm having work framed with black mats, so have tried that look for my "Dark Pennant."

Last two weeks of September - and a big day

Yesterday was a big day for me. Over a year from idea to submission, I sent off an article on my Williamson family to the state genealogical journal. Hope that will go well! Then I took some artwork to the Pentagon Gallery where our Grant Deming Artists will have a show opening in November. I left three of my "mental landscapes" for framing. I probably need to take some more since we have plans to exhibit in local eateries, etc. next year.

Here are the pages of daily photos for the last two weeks.

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Designer Credits:
Oscraps Collab Dandelion Days
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, Jellyka, End_less Voyage

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Designer Credits:
-background: Inner Voice by Val C. Designs
-leaves, autumn WA: Altered Accents: Autumn Leaves & Word Clippings by Joanne Brisebois
-notepaper: Vintage Album Collection: Journaling Bits & Pieces by Joanne Brisebois
-red paper: Oscraps Collab Journey
-frame, flowers, paint, dreams WA: Fly High by Val C. Desings
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Drawing #45 - 73 Prime

My mother's elementary primer again yields fragments including a key to the title. The number 73 is prominent and is notable as a prime number. Using the newest sketchbook I find it holds paint as well as collage and inks. Colored pencils are still a useful addition.

Art Journal for a Song

Maya de Groot's monthly challenge featured a template and word art to use in a page based on a song. I had fun with it going back to music from a long time ago, "When the Music's Over" by Jim Morrison and The Doors. I'm especially drawn to the dark lyrics, moody sounds and focus on the end.

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Designer Credits:
by Maya de Groot
-template, end word art: Express Your Creativity Challenge: Songs
-dark paper, paint: Contrast
-reddish paper: Passion for Paper
-music paper: Music Sheet Papers
and
-deep red paper: Autumn Sonnet by Mary Pop
fonts: baby dont worry bout it!, Sybil Green, Vogue

Creating with pink hibiscus

A creative techniques challenge called for creating our own mask with brushes. I chose a photo of my sister's large pink hibiscus. They are lovely even though pink (not my favorite color). I used brushes of my own and am very pleased with the result.

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Designer Credits:
-ArtPlay Palette Vintage Rose by Anna Aspnes
mask created with 3 of my own brushes (house, appleseed, grass)

Second Week of September

What a curious week it was! We hit 96 on Tuesday breaking the record for Sept. 10 that had been 93. It was also the high for the year. Wednesday we reached 95, another daily record high. By Friday I was shivering and Thursday night we'd had a big thunderstorm. I also got to meet with other artists living in the same historic district. We're putting together show possibilities. Saturday was a big seminar on German genealogy research and Dick came too. Big surprise was seeing and sitting with a really nice couple with whom we had worked. They're retired now too and even spend some time in Germany. What fun!

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Designer Credits:
ArtPlay Palette Vintage Rose by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Snell BT, Hurry Up, Huxtable

Fall Color is Coming

There's a piece in today's paper with a prediction that fall color will peak here at a more normal mid-October rather than late in the month. The reason given was plentiful rain in early summer. How curious!

All that made me go looking for fall color photos. I love this particular view in Lake View.

A Week in September

Fall is definitely coming at us, but some warm days are still going to be around. Every day is its own reward and here are seven more recorded. The photos begin at the bottom and proceed clockwise.

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Designer Credits:
-edge paper: New Beginnings Add On papers by Charlize Creations
-elements: New Beginnings Add On stamps by Charlize Creations
-patterned paper: Starfish by Forever Joy
-brush, brown paper, button: ArtPlay Palette Tangier by Anna Aspnes
-frame: Trim It Edges #7 by Merkeley Designs
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Three Weeks of August

I've gotten behind on my weekly pages. The final three weeks of August are reviewed on these pages. The change to September really makes fall seem to be arriving soon. Now 35 weeks of 2013 are behind us. The text is more legible if you click on the images to get a larger version.

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Designer Credits:
-kit: Elderberry by Forever Joy Designs
-brushes, gold paint: ArtPlay Palette Tangier by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

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Designer Credits:
-background papers: Basics: BW Paper Pack by Forever Joy Designs
-gray paper, elements: Oscraps Collab Journey
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, Impress BT

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Designer Credits:
-papers, stitching, feather: Changes by Tracy Martin Designs
-brush as photo mask, transfer (recolored): Tangier by Anna Aspnes
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Drawing #44 - Either Way

I did most of this one during the conference but needed to finish it with colors I only had at home. It might resemble a maze, not surprising after a few days in a convention center. Again, this is in the 8 x 10 sketchbook done with pen, colored pencils and a little collage. Please click on the image to see it larger.

Drawing #43 - Found

I began with scraps from my mother's plane geometry book printed in 1913. The word found resonated with the drawing and became its title. While I started at home, the final stages were completed waiting for sessions to start at the conference I'm attending. This is again the 8 x 10 sketchbook.

Week 32: deep in summer or nearly fall?

Hard to believe another week is gone and summer seems so elusive. It was also the first week that our newspaper was not delivered three days. The e-edition is a miserable alternative!

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Designer Credits:
ForgetMeKnot by Tracy Martin Designs
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable

Drawing #42 - How Many?

A scrap from my mother's plane geometry book asks how many. I think of how many ways, how many days to achieve a goal. Or how many days, period. Then the Bob Dylan song, "How Many Roads."

Then Dick looks and sees the farmers' market and wonders how many things and sees the humor in it.

Drawing #41 - Who Ate the Spider?

Who Ate the Spider? Or WAS it eaten?

Our cabin on a birding tour to Tikal boasted some wildlife within as well as outside. Located in dense forest in the center of a large Guatemalan preserve of famous Mayan ruins, we had an incredible immersion in central American nature. Our first stay we had a large, harmless spider up in the rafters for a few days. One morning a large cockroach arrived up there too. We never saw the spider again. We've always wondered.

This drawing reminded me of that spider. It is from the new 8 x 10 sketchbook. Please click on it to see it larger.

At least it isn't the scorpion! One evening we returned to the cabin after wandering a bit in the dark with our two tour leaders. We'd hoped to spot the jaguar that had been seen earlier. What we thought we were going to do if we encountered it, I do not know. Back inside our room we found a large scorpion on the wall. Our intrepid leaders were summoned and they managed to capture and release it well away from our doors. One nice feature of the room was hanging our clothes in a free-standing wardrobe with DOORS. It was several inches above the floor so that shoes could be stored inside as well. Don't let these thoughts give a less than glowing appreciation of our stays in Tikal.

Chuckle with the Chickens

When I hitched a ride with a friend, I was along when she made a rural stop. I loved all the chickens and seeing them foraging and going in and out of their coop. I used this photo in a challenge to use only Oscraps freebies.

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Designer Credits:
(all Oscraps freebies)
-background, paint: Prego by Maya de Groot
-black paper: Solid and Understated by TaylorMade Designs
-frame, black flower: Rock On {sneak peek} by Vicki Stegall Designs
-house, word art: Home Sweet Home Add On by Maya de Groot
-brushes: ArtPlay Palette Saffron Villa by Anna Aspnes
-embossed flower: Emboss It Flower (sample) by Merkeley Designs
-feather: Epehmera Feathers Freebie by Crafty Button Designs

Week 31 in review

I've assembled photos for week 31 this year. Hard to imagine the year is passing so quickly. I've also begun (very slowly) to work on the large drawing that's been waiting for months to come to a conclusion. Hope it will happen soon!

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Designer Credits:
-background, journal cards, paint: Inner Voice by Val C. Designs
-frame: Trim It Edges #7 by Merkeley Designs
-hummingbird: Like Home by Fei-fei's Stuff
fonts: Hurry Up, Huxtable, Forte

Drawing #40 - Topaz Memory

Back in the 7 x 10 inch sketchbook I had begun a design months ago but left it unfinished. Now it's done with a slightly different approach using colored pencils. The title comes in part from one of the pencils that had been my mother's. Its color is named "Arizona Topaz." Please do click on the image to see it larger.

Bees in the Flowers

While at the GRIP class I took some photos of bees in the flowers. They were great for a lift and a challenge for soft colors. I'm pleased with the results.

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Designer Credits:
AnnaLift of ‘tranquility,’ by ‘taxed4ever’ (Trudy) 
ArtPlay Palette Tapestry by Anna Aspnes
-photo mask: ArtPlay Viaggio BrushSet by Anna Aspnes

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Designer Credits:
by Anna Aspnes
ArtPlay Palette Lush
-word art: Roots Sampler

Drawing #39 - Hidden Sources

Inspiration for this drawing had no connection to genealogy, but its title is also the title of a genealogy book. So it's got that much of a connection. This is still from the new 8 x 10 sketchbook using some of the colored pencils my mother had accumulated that came down to me.