Collage by a Writing Woman

Nifty Designer Series Collab--Nature's Holiday

2011-11-20T16:40:00.001-08:00

Here's a Sneak Peek at this gorgeous, winter, whimsical kit....30 papers and 100 elements, plus quick pages and dozens of add-on coordinating kits by the designers at E-ScapeandScrap.net.

Kit Reveal is November 29, 2011.

Lucky 7 Blog Train

2011-06-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

Stacked Papers
Download HERE

FIND OUT HOW TO GET THIS MEGA KIT FOR FRE*E!

MY ADD-ON KITS---$1 EACH

Next stop on the blog train is Sara Westhead

http://bermudascrapper.blogspot.com/

Digital Art Painting

2011-06-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

I'm having way too much fun with a new digital toy...Dynamic Auto Painter. Here's some new art journal papers using the watercolor feature for the main photo.

Nifty Boutique

Art Journal Caravan--Rest Stop

2010-12-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

The theme is rest stop--two words that go well together. Women wear so many hats and since we are naturally multi-taskers, others let us do and do and do. You can expect me to care for myself and rest--after all, I am a Human....Being.

Art Journal Caravan--Listen

2010-12-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

As a spiritual director, I have training in how to really listen from my heart as another is speaking. When someone really listens that way, you feel safe, accepted and totally heard. And being heard can be healing. When another knows she has a Voice when she is with you, then there is no limit to the growth and possibilities that can happen in both of your lives.

Art Journal Caravan--Become

2010-12-27T09:55:00.000-08:00

Picking up where I left off for 2010 Art Journal Caravan...this challenge is about character traits and becoming who you really are. These four traits are how I see myself. A dear friend said she saw me as loving, giving, honest, encouraging, wise and deep. Trusting that I am continuing to grow into that total person.

Art Creations Friday_Discover

2010-04-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

Emma had so many words in her head. To make them into books for others to discover---now that is a dream worth having.

Art Creations Friday

Art Journal Caravan--Home

2010-04-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Home and comfort are the theme for week 13 of the AJC. I made the look dreary on the outside with the sanctuary feel on the inside. That's what my Space is to me...room to be myself.

Art Creations Friday--Longing for Love

2010-03-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

The Proverbial Learning Curve

2010-03-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

The challenge was extremely timely for me and a lesson learned. Now I have the art piece to remind me that genuine support comes in surprising ways while empty compliments have a way of fading rapidly.

Proverb (by me) reads:
A fool gathers compliments like daises while the wise woman discerns genuine encouragement.

Theme Thursday--Masculine

2010-03-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

Harold believed that his taste in clothes was the key to his success.

Theme Thursday

While Passing a Church Graveyard

2010-03-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

Mists may arise to catch vision off guard

A glimpse, a sight, of something not there

Shimmer, glisten--mirage bids you...

Come near.

Collage Obsession # 8

Art Journal Caravan--Week 11

2010-03-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

The theme is Collections and the verb is Gather. I gather heart-shaped rocks like some people gather sea shells. I have to look beyond its bumpy form and see the shape that is formed and worn and often chipped. Nature's own art from the rough earth and time. I gather my rock art into a pottery container. They are where I can see them every day---and touch them for they are meant to be held.

A Merry Heart

2010-03-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

March Challenge for Digital Art Quirks--theme is Medicine. This makes me smile when I look at it.

Boys on the Road

2010-03-07T16:26:00.000-08:00

Freedom of the open road. They are ecstatic. Adventures await. Explorations abound. Never have three hearts beat with such anticipation.

"Be back for supper," their mother calls.

Sunday Postcard Art

Art Creations Friday

2010-03-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

Quote by William Wadsworth

Art Creations Friday

Entertain My Thoughts

2010-03-05T15:20:00.000-08:00

Art Journal Caravan Challenge Week 10 is very timely for me.

Oh, Man!

2010-03-03T13:48:00.000-08:00

Fred was determined to ride any distance to get to his love....while his heart is strong, his roses are wilting.

Three Muses Challenge

Three Muses Challenge--Architecture

2010-02-23T17:25:00.001-08:00

Ancient building formed by mud, straw and human hands... stand long to testify of the labor lived here. Tread gently upon these holy grounds. The spirit of those long gone still witness.

Three Muses

Mixed Media Mondays--Laughter and Giggles

2010-02-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

Baby Emma could hardly contain herself laughing at the amusing man behind the camera.

Mixed Media Mondays

Time Flies

2010-02-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

Time flies
but Edna and Ethel still feel
the young girls inside...

Theme Thursday--Girls

Art Creations Friday--Faded Beauty

2010-02-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

Madeline knew her looks would fade one day but until then she gave it all she had.

Art Creations Friday

Art Journal Caravan--Week 7 and 8

2010-02-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

I combine the two weeks into one entry. I am pleased with how this looks. The challenge is to try something new for week 7 and to be in tune (with music) for week 8. My collage woman looks inward, musing and melancholy, i.e., a feeling of thoughtful sadness. I do not rush myself past this place. It is part of the flow of life's journey. My collage lady plays it well.

I am caught in my own net
The muse-ic turns inward
Out of tune and out of touch
The melancholy violin plays on

Treasured Photos from the Past

2010-02-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law sent me this photo of my dear hubby when he was a teenager. I knew he loved to ski before I met him. The wide, red wooden skis are now a keepsake for my son. What a treasure it is to have the photos now that he is gone.

Kit is Walk'n In a Winter Wonderland

Lovies on Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T08:57:00.001-08:00

Memoire

2010-02-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

Elaine was my niece...a young woman full of love of life and nature. She sewed beautiful costumes for the local opera performances, literally gave the coat off her back to a person who had none, enjoyed fishing with her dad. She died three years ago this week as a result of battering by a former boyfriend. The photo for the challenge today was perfect for memories of her.

Art Creations Friday 61st Challenge

Art Journal Caravan--Week 6

2010-02-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

Bliss...follow your bliss. I am challenged more than usual with this week's theme. I decide when to take a humorous approach to this week's journal page.
Journaling reads: definition of bliss in French>parfait> meaning to perfect. In 1894 the French named a frozen dessert made of cream, syrup and eggs...BLISS.

I played with the famous cow theme from Chic-fil-A--only my advice is to eat more ice cream. I don't have to be told twice!

Bella Ragazza

2010-02-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

A rose in full bloom and a child's face both reflect the tender hand of the Creator.

Theme Thursday..Flower

Longings

2010-02-10T12:09:00.001-08:00

Every spring, Roseanne was torn between two longings~the beach scene and her love for ice cream.

Collage Obsession Challenge #4

Imagination Gives You Wings

2010-02-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Millie's handy umbrella did more to protect her from the sun than enable her to fly like Mary Poppins. On the other hand, she had only to open her imagination--and fly to the place of her dreams.

Art Creations Friday Challenge 59

What Was She Thinking!

2010-02-01T08:44:00.000-08:00

No more corsets for Lois! After all, Oprah claims 75% of women wear the wrong size bra. Now she is ready for anything in her Maidenform.

Mixed Media Monday Challenge

What a Pair!

2010-01-31T18:41:00.000-08:00

I love cabinet cards--have quite a few from my husband's family. Unsmiling faces. Work-worn hands. Heritage. Roots. A whole life caught in a tattered image. The Collage Obsession challenge cabinet card of man and wife has this hand-written notation--Edna Walker, her dad. My take on the challenge--well, you can't always keep them down on the farm.

Edna Walker is a long way from Atchison, Kansas!

Simplify My Life

2010-01-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

I focus on decluttering--give things away, haul to the Goodwill, sort and decide what to keep around me. The Caravan challenge stops me in my tracks. What about decluttering my life, not just possessions. My mind is over-busy. I try new things then let them go. I push on doors to see if I like what is behind this one, that one. Stop! Just stop!

Be more childlike in the moments of my day. Invite the playfulness to declutter my busy, sorting-through-life mind.

Be.

Drawing by Lacey, Age 4, the author's granddaughter.

Where Did the Time Go?

2010-01-26T11:58:00.000-08:00

Sitting in the doctor's office, I casually pick up a small book of amusing quotes. This one jumps out at me. And seeing the challenge a Three Muses this week--perfect. Interestingly, I mused, that as a young woman I seldom thought about growing older or how I might look or act or feel. Good grief---that was a long way off. Now, it's here and right in my mirror.

Inside, that fresh skinned girl still lives.

Play On My Moods

2010-01-22T17:23:00.000-08:00

My playful personality gets moody now and then. I like serious play...I want it to amount to something. What I mean is, my play time sometimes has a meaning only I know. What amuses one person may not be amusement for me. I have a personal relationship with play...a joy that I recognize. A joy that lasts after the play time is over. I like that.

Quote from Lou Buscaglia: I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things....I play with leaves. I skip down the street. I run against the wind.

Week 4 of the Art Journal Caravan

Credits are found HERE

Worn Out

2010-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was a legendary French stage and early film actress. She was known as the most famous actress the world ever knew. The challenge used a photo of Sarah Bernhardt and the words worn out.

The constant playing
her hand before
demanding audiences
soon had her
Worn Out.

Collage Obsession Challenge

Wings to Fly

2010-01-17T10:33:00.001-08:00

I see the pensive expression on her face.
What scenarios nestle within her mind?
To cradle the flying bird...or let it go.
I find the quote thought provoking.

Art Creations Friday

The image was painted in Photoshop with a grunge brush then blended into a cloud photo.
I used a watercolor overlay for an additional blend then stamped the edge. All digital.

The Eyes Have It

2010-01-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

Soul-full eyes have it

Gaze outwardly into life

Yet conceal longings.

Sunday Postcard Challenge

All in the Family--The Divorce

2010-01-15T12:22:00.001-08:00

In the old days, divorce was less of an option than for the modern woman. So why does my heart long for the lesser option for a dear family member when she longs for the modern alternative? It's just too close to home...and I cannot mend the breach.

Art Journal Challenge Week 3

Scene in a Shop Window

2010-01-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

Imagine strolling through the streets of Paris looking into the shop windows for souvenirs and finding a life-sized doll smiling back! I'd call that a rare find.

My first entry for the weekly challenge at Sunday Postcard Art.

Three Muses Challenge--Water

2010-01-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

I love everything about the ocean--except going into the water. The smell, the breeze, the sounds, the constant motion, the pesky gulls seeking a snack. I can sit there for hours. Walk along the damp sand. Gaze and day dream. Stick my toe in just a bit. But ask my body to wade out into the surf...no thanks.

I'll sit this one out, thank you.

Altered Photo Technique

2010-01-10T13:02:00.001-08:00

Technique used in Photoshop CS2.
Black and white photo is from Enchanted Mercantile.
Digital paint with a "fuzzy" brush at 45% opacity.
Mike Finn's Insta-Sketch Action (my fav photo changing action). Layer blend modes for the look you desire.

Three Muses Challenge--Angels

2010-01-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

I have been designing things to sell for digital scrapbooking since 2004. I enjoy it. But it does not feed my heART (as ruthpics says) like creating just because. The Art Journal Caravan Challenge was just what I needed. My heart is enjoying the weekly, even daily, making of stuff that comes from a different part of me.

I discovered The Three Muses Blog--a different challenge every week. Oh happiness! The first week is "Angels." I like this so much I'm printing it out and putting it where I can see her everyday.

After all, there might be angels.

Week 2--Accept

2010-01-10T10:59:00.001-08:00

Darn it all--checking those boxes that say Marital Status. I'm too young to be a widow. Someone told me that just this week. That's the American dream to live to a ripe old age and retire and buy that RV and travel and see your grandchildren marry and have your great-grandchildren and hold hands while we shuffle with arthritic feet. A friend, well sort of a friend, said she'd love to sit in her pajamas and design all day. Well, that is nice to do and I enjoy it. The down side is that I eat alone most days when I remember to eat. And no one tells you that in the grief, that you'll grieve what might have been as well as what was.

I miss him like a skipped heartbeat. I need him, darn it all.

What to do with this relationship SPACE.

Week 1_Believe

2010-01-10T09:34:00.001-08:00

No sentimental quotes about believing for me in this journey. Whoever wrote this...and doesn't the anonymous author have a bunch of quotes...knew about life. It's so daily. Someone wise once told me to trust my experiences. That's close to believing in your instincts...the near to the gut, natural part of me. Give myself space to BELIEVE in my unique journey on this earth.

Deep breath.

Art Journal Collage --Cover

2010-01-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

I spend too much time thinking about how I'm going to create this art journal--digital, hybrid, totally hands-on art. Just do it, I tell myself. And once I know the word that is my gift for the Journey, I have only to create what speaks to me of S P A C E. I love the definition I find at Dictionary.com > "breathing space; enough space in which to breathe. And in the English to Spanish dictionary> espacio vital.

Breathe and give myself space. This is my theme. I cast the word out like flinging stars across the night sky, sowing seeds that will eventually gather more knowing of who I am in this vast space and time.

With that said, I begin the Art Journal journey with the cover.

The technique is pure Photoshop.