tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3421083987640964232024-03-12T15:18:06.523-10:00Lorena's Altered ArtLorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-73462158313417195572021-06-13T09:42:00.000-10:002021-06-13T09:42:30.924-10:00Fractured and Crystalized<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeToabf3qIC6R9rpsmYLu7iPUFHOo7lFRCfcdF6-g0xmM_PzfZVM-AG3yVEQw-vUBrtdstBqbCi3YcWns1pnalL8xsVv31iP2TI8QqGtBKwQUcl4NWfMjW3slFJ2Yy3p-IJtDbcusu47w/s2048/May+Artfirmations.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1383" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeToabf3qIC6R9rpsmYLu7iPUFHOo7lFRCfcdF6-g0xmM_PzfZVM-AG3yVEQw-vUBrtdstBqbCi3YcWns1pnalL8xsVv31iP2TI8QqGtBKwQUcl4NWfMjW3slFJ2Yy3p-IJtDbcusu47w/s320/May+Artfirmations.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ZFvxyfgkmDpPTkS4kkW3MvZUKdsJhQnCdxbsy4PtQMJrzy6kIZdn52mUTvBW-9PRdO9zvl8wC6WIT57Zqymxwcmt3V8sD-PW-jjnGpQqmHUYlsqH2tyNqGE5d1WT8yxI7tiA28XOUg/s2048/May+Artfirmation+definition.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ZFvxyfgkmDpPTkS4kkW3MvZUKdsJhQnCdxbsy4PtQMJrzy6kIZdn52mUTvBW-9PRdO9zvl8wC6WIT57Zqymxwcmt3V8sD-PW-jjnGpQqmHUYlsqH2tyNqGE5d1WT8yxI7tiA28XOUg/s320/May+Artfirmation+definition.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJzblo7zas4eIYdAL1mvE9aLL54fUKkxYDwCg_c0Np1e93KyXAfJELDhG0ro1PvUP6S5gJ15joa63DaxHxm9ew9TZqOVRHkXcTTFMX_bMm0DGfI_X3r7Ha8u3TfeH3heFQ0xTxO_ULWE/s2048/May+Artfirmation+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJzblo7zas4eIYdAL1mvE9aLL54fUKkxYDwCg_c0Np1e93KyXAfJELDhG0ro1PvUP6S5gJ15joa63DaxHxm9ew9TZqOVRHkXcTTFMX_bMm0DGfI_X3r7Ha8u3TfeH3heFQ0xTxO_ULWE/s320/May+Artfirmation+5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKIvFfqdfFMGKUHMIdljoTZs8gPQWwUHM-Z7VGe_igM9R8gd-0HS1KxnyTSn_JJC9t9Y0mxpzCC0IQtKlqaLF5JwQFzh_JYpUdZCLl5XmXkJ7kqU7y1MadcKRXaBXxubZ5OcS1aT4fJg/s2048/May+Artfirmation+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1406" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKIvFfqdfFMGKUHMIdljoTZs8gPQWwUHM-Z7VGe_igM9R8gd-0HS1KxnyTSn_JJC9t9Y0mxpzCC0IQtKlqaLF5JwQFzh_JYpUdZCLl5XmXkJ7kqU7y1MadcKRXaBXxubZ5OcS1aT4fJg/s320/May+Artfirmation+4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVEAiTDxgl01OMj90-7gw8KTjzgaCIjV_ohcOHIs8YVyK6tesyXXnNxhfl8op6m5zJ8kTEMlZk-J_w_fJtAPSBLCYplFebOad3R3wor9G2Hqe0MCuaVkn9QwV5vSBer8P3U5w7l36tD8/s2048/May+Artfirmation+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVEAiTDxgl01OMj90-7gw8KTjzgaCIjV_ohcOHIs8YVyK6tesyXXnNxhfl8op6m5zJ8kTEMlZk-J_w_fJtAPSBLCYplFebOad3R3wor9G2Hqe0MCuaVkn9QwV5vSBer8P3U5w7l36tD8/s320/May+Artfirmation+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoe5dX5LxDVvdwOWoZYw5forhzGYQf5QA5DHG32tF0KO3-BoGPNN4HcFPyhML9d9RtCQRT8oID4V4urKAWfAySPg9srRNcv06hGiIsI5wq5YQEVsgGd3lyIxu3_KKpNlPb8-9aT8gLGQ/s2048/May+Artfirmation+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoe5dX5LxDVvdwOWoZYw5forhzGYQf5QA5DHG32tF0KO3-BoGPNN4HcFPyhML9d9RtCQRT8oID4V4urKAWfAySPg9srRNcv06hGiIsI5wq5YQEVsgGd3lyIxu3_KKpNlPb8-9aT8gLGQ/s320/May+Artfirmation+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmQVlXUWHb32GwOu2iG4-dhYjz33oQ5jZ9q7QYTVgulROPMRPLRloMmK3peRFPzb-Y4uzY8SI0y-T8Jsb8FyA71QstgJ5a4_kQSMGz2bWI-zpfMEg9j5-f4_D3iHpGFowYYGybMbhRGE/s2048/May+Artfirmation+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmQVlXUWHb32GwOu2iG4-dhYjz33oQ5jZ9q7QYTVgulROPMRPLRloMmK3peRFPzb-Y4uzY8SI0y-T8Jsb8FyA71QstgJ5a4_kQSMGz2bWI-zpfMEg9j5-f4_D3iHpGFowYYGybMbhRGE/s320/May+Artfirmation+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The inspiration for my May Artfirmations came from a post that I had seen on a Facebook group. It was a miniature book that had been crystallized and placed on a cupcake sized pedestal topped with a glass dome! I was instantly mesmerized and driven to find out how this was done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I soon learned that you could crystallize just about anything using Borax detergent. I scoured the internet for the recipe (4 Tbsp. Borax per cup of hot water) and after a quick trip to Walmart, I was well on my way to experimenting with making crystals!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I still had those National Geographic magazines out (from my April Artfirmations), I began to search for images that would look really cool crystallized! Since I was crystallizing pages, I used a 9 x 13 glass dish. (Use deeper jars to grow large 3-D crystals). I boiled 4 cups of water and added 12 Tbsp of Borax in a pyrex cup. Once the Borax was completely dissolved, I poured it into the glass dish. I slid the magazine pages into the dish and made sure they were fully submerged. I was able to fit two 4 x 6" pages into each dish. You don't want the pages touching each other or the sides of the dish. As the mixture begins to cool, the crystals start to form. I left one set overnight and got larger crystals. My second batch formed smaller crystals after a few hours. I think the size of the crystals depends on the saturation of the Borax and cooling time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is important to try to remove your pages from the glass dish without bending the pages. My magazine pages were very flimsy after sitting in the solution. I learned that when the page folded, the crystals broke and slid off the page. Perhaps removing them with a wide spatula would help keep the crystals intact. I let the pages lay flat to dry before mounting them onto 140 lb. watercolor paper which provided a stiff backing. Finally, since these pages were going to be mailed, I generously sprayed each page with a sealant to hold the crystals in place and give the page additional strength. Although I personally like the look of the larger crystals, I loved the process and was very happy with how each of my pages turned out.</div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-24120270046837635272021-06-13T09:12:00.001-10:002021-06-13T09:12:45.510-10:00Be Alive in Everything You Do<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWfb1YrGZTHI6A8ikOgfDOL1gdAcrOLMLOa3uM95X6Nv84L-m-EsLTOEhLDcxWicHtJ302iYRhZh2Bko4bEgH73SqY6gWJnG8zeeVZeNwHYbyh_bDIYxpzgC8PgtFUWSnDM97A1fcgsE/s2048/April+Artfirmations.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWfb1YrGZTHI6A8ikOgfDOL1gdAcrOLMLOa3uM95X6Nv84L-m-EsLTOEhLDcxWicHtJ302iYRhZh2Bko4bEgH73SqY6gWJnG8zeeVZeNwHYbyh_bDIYxpzgC8PgtFUWSnDM97A1fcgsE/s320/April+Artfirmations.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZ3AW74zo-xGvuUgtq9qit9Mcqp3OVPbuaZewiCvfFBwntXl0EDO59MOSoOKOhcMrNfW2FGvo4wSqqlhEytyMrNYUSzTP4xQ5bMR7vQb4ZlagHPmOROYtfBT5V715RnC4mkF_THPK7k/s2048/April+Artfirmation+close+up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1364" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFZ3AW74zo-xGvuUgtq9qit9Mcqp3OVPbuaZewiCvfFBwntXl0EDO59MOSoOKOhcMrNfW2FGvo4wSqqlhEytyMrNYUSzTP4xQ5bMR7vQb4ZlagHPmOROYtfBT5V715RnC4mkF_THPK7k/s320/April+Artfirmation+close+up.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For my April Artfirmations, I played with CitraSolv and old National Geographic magazine pages. The process morphs the photos into haunting, ghostly apparitions and mysterious cosmic worlds. The CitraSolv pages were the perfect backdrop to share this quote. I used Glimmer Mist sprays to bring the quote into the page and better unify the two elements. Plus, who doesn't love a little glimmer?</div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-67181889122052651812021-04-02T11:17:00.000-10:002021-04-02T11:17:18.515-10:00Love<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx067FND8aj9r6-bx8LrM9bmuoLMnR6EpKKdv0BT-lTTMiPMQGTOHxMU5TzvLGh-961D7c1hC9USg-wYpWzfFG1xqvCAeCMoRqvTmw_zTjEY92BY17pCh-96vUwlhlk4AkZrR00BSSXrM/s2048/Love+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx067FND8aj9r6-bx8LrM9bmuoLMnR6EpKKdv0BT-lTTMiPMQGTOHxMU5TzvLGh-961D7c1hC9USg-wYpWzfFG1xqvCAeCMoRqvTmw_zTjEY92BY17pCh-96vUwlhlk4AkZrR00BSSXrM/w300-h400/Love+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri8q2AzA2Ay4tjNSfyOE9m7qOe-nUh-1ZX8idbhMTvu1H0jU7i89C2PqyoW6_1kyPRQEXnFUFUM5k0FP-Jarb7QsDISOEIA_OwlMF0vntA156nytGmdss5bW5FjVJ6Z4sjtH0WzJkb3U/s2048/Love+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri8q2AzA2Ay4tjNSfyOE9m7qOe-nUh-1ZX8idbhMTvu1H0jU7i89C2PqyoW6_1kyPRQEXnFUFUM5k0FP-Jarb7QsDISOEIA_OwlMF0vntA156nytGmdss5bW5FjVJ6Z4sjtH0WzJkb3U/s640/Love+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">As I mentioned previously, I took an on-line Art Journaling Challenge back in August in the hopes of getting some fresh inspiration or maybe learning some new mixed media techniques. There were 5 hour-long lessons in which we learned how to create 10 art journaling cards. The instructor showed us the basic idea and she strongly encouraged us to use what we already had on hand (substitute, substitute, substitute!) instead of investing in a bunch of new supplies. It did not disappoint! I only wish I had the luxury of working in real time along with the videos, but the reality is that I work very slowly. It takes me forever to figure out what color palette to work in, what look and feel I want to create. My OCD insists that everything be coordinated just right. If you knew what my craft room looked like at the moment, you would understand that it is very difficult to find what I am looking for right away. I have a good idea of what supplies I have, just not where I stashed them. And yes, sometimes I surprise myself when I find something I had no idea I had. Can you relate?</p><p style="text-align: center;">So, this LOVE card used a technique from one of the cards we learned to make. It uses a corrugated cardboard background. I had no idea it was so easy to make your own corrugated cardboard. You simply mist the cardboard and after a few seconds, it's very easy to pull off the top layer exposing the corrugated texture below. Now I know what to do with all of those Amazon Prime boxes...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Next, we applied three colors of acrylic paint to the corrugated cardboard. The instructor used white gesso as one of her colors, but I chose I neutral palette and applied ivory/cream, sienna brown and muted gold acrylic paint with a cosmetic sponge. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Next, I took a manila tag and inked the edges with tea dye distress ink. I stamped the background of the tag with a text stamp for added interest. Since I was going to use a bronze-colored "love" charm as my embellishment, I chose a heart stamp for the tag. I affixed the tag with a piece of adhesive foam to give it some dimension.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lastly, I took some hemp fiber and wrapped it around the card three time (rule of 3's) and added the "love" charm. That was how my March Artfirmation LOVE cards were born.</p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-88721442727728967502021-04-02T11:14:00.000-10:002021-04-02T11:14:01.699-10:00Remembering a dear friend<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANQ44BZX0ZslbMXvn_owytYhqv-qn9YE8CWjRlZlHYwEFRM1guXeRvcBnsouHIuM7l2waKM1onvVHCuy6UTd2ZI7VdyvpjoXtmWnTczdZ_eKw8y8IgeIH3cFwguqJdhvzYJMUq6rNalo/s2048/February+artfirmation+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANQ44BZX0ZslbMXvn_owytYhqv-qn9YE8CWjRlZlHYwEFRM1guXeRvcBnsouHIuM7l2waKM1onvVHCuy6UTd2ZI7VdyvpjoXtmWnTczdZ_eKw8y8IgeIH3cFwguqJdhvzYJMUq6rNalo/s320/February+artfirmation+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2nRjntgTqbw118jxv0vC8jVsaa7XVRD0JMfy291LgOIw97j5iuDCw1E_oYaVMgKdEG5zYq0i-faLC0a1sLDM25pQSZmxB7pDKiA_doZtV6vYexTP0L1fL7RXMcQfo0h-c2xQ-8tq0vQ/s2048/February+artfirmation+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2nRjntgTqbw118jxv0vC8jVsaa7XVRD0JMfy291LgOIw97j5iuDCw1E_oYaVMgKdEG5zYq0i-faLC0a1sLDM25pQSZmxB7pDKiA_doZtV6vYexTP0L1fL7RXMcQfo0h-c2xQ-8tq0vQ/s320/February+artfirmation+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG0GjA15YOEuIidfWUC-qgEOe4SDNj3H3fO0xfpi5vLp7pF5GWsx0TkW52sQWPM5TzrAj_kJhV4KRvgaEIPwoX09xp_EH_dHZ3kSNwSAn64rKtqmmmbGvTF-sJLz1ksvpk6la29G5dsk/s2048/February+artfirmation+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG0GjA15YOEuIidfWUC-qgEOe4SDNj3H3fO0xfpi5vLp7pF5GWsx0TkW52sQWPM5TzrAj_kJhV4KRvgaEIPwoX09xp_EH_dHZ3kSNwSAn64rKtqmmmbGvTF-sJLz1ksvpk6la29G5dsk/s320/February+artfirmation+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For our February Artfirmation care swap, I made these cards to honor a dear friend I lost last year. After attending her beautiful celebration of life, I was inspired to make these delicate butterfly die cuts out of the pages of an old hymnal book. I purposely did not glue down the wings so they are free to move. On the back, I included a poem she once shared with me. She loved all creatures, great and small, but butterflies held special meaning for her. I like to think she is happily floating with butterflies now...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-77235431225092261682021-01-16T07:41:00.001-10:002021-01-16T07:41:09.602-10:00Distress Ink Wildflowers<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJw361lf73b7_SPA9pcgLfWr6j5ByufTVJnrpnUn-fp5SebChzNKR5BEzsZsxOJ2LJo6OV_74hlrswHAzCsNo5sr1pgbHalhf1T4OS71_wxjf6SrSOR4AAC1AuYaAR8-i4epABT0iw4/s2048/wildflowers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsJw361lf73b7_SPA9pcgLfWr6j5ByufTVJnrpnUn-fp5SebChzNKR5BEzsZsxOJ2LJo6OV_74hlrswHAzCsNo5sr1pgbHalhf1T4OS71_wxjf6SrSOR4AAC1AuYaAR8-i4epABT0iw4/s320/wildflowers+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZL0jCfzxM7cma-AAU7yD0xwxsiRAXtSRTPiUEFHq6kRVgiP9OKh0B9AriFpgMSTwFTQHlcz3CFeP40FVCMPJbrkpHbY1ZhqcYfru4mO7-SCnrdHEIodKdAYXe1qNTtCbxoU3mceEt150/s2048/wildflowers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZL0jCfzxM7cma-AAU7yD0xwxsiRAXtSRTPiUEFHq6kRVgiP9OKh0B9AriFpgMSTwFTQHlcz3CFeP40FVCMPJbrkpHbY1ZhqcYfru4mO7-SCnrdHEIodKdAYXe1qNTtCbxoU3mceEt150/s320/wildflowers+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59etCQ_rxkxshShSvj7kLBAWnEIBLRyUqyfYzI41QbrtQM4OxcIufvQEEjPx_4dmj7cCbYTodJKiLrvKjFhH-Cbu1O766fL8QJ4mYjvs9nA7DhSPPQyIi4A4BPA-6d_AUeZupGOqiIkI/s2048/wildflowers+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59etCQ_rxkxshShSvj7kLBAWnEIBLRyUqyfYzI41QbrtQM4OxcIufvQEEjPx_4dmj7cCbYTodJKiLrvKjFhH-Cbu1O766fL8QJ4mYjvs9nA7DhSPPQyIi4A4BPA-6d_AUeZupGOqiIkI/s320/wildflowers+3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoekyLT4_zlORfJoxVRVfmqIPYy3sO7-bGRxDvUulXgJpR9ikhvWLs7RjKELNfT22HxYXCPzzltws33Vy2fCyHjglBCeDu_tz6dO5Ej56gAHW9wGxQHO8joi6JEf20tjeZckdFcrBI0Q/s2048/wildflowers+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpoekyLT4_zlORfJoxVRVfmqIPYy3sO7-bGRxDvUulXgJpR9ikhvWLs7RjKELNfT22HxYXCPzzltws33Vy2fCyHjglBCeDu_tz6dO5Ej56gAHW9wGxQHO8joi6JEf20tjeZckdFcrBI0Q/s320/wildflowers+4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNO4MaaJHRVrIPpAYHMrx66pclPoZPBvuJwwHhJyJ9lnUvs1nMrMErrIJqzMZk04IYdwtkSsch_lcuS-WX-elRVJ66kHRjNdHntkYx7MhyphenhyphenmfbKYW0QdZT25KUZwbcb7L6l2hpE3h33_QE/s2048/wildflowers+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNO4MaaJHRVrIPpAYHMrx66pclPoZPBvuJwwHhJyJ9lnUvs1nMrMErrIJqzMZk04IYdwtkSsch_lcuS-WX-elRVJ66kHRjNdHntkYx7MhyphenhyphenmfbKYW0QdZT25KUZwbcb7L6l2hpE3h33_QE/s320/wildflowers+5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1E7wg1Ib4txvReDjU99IuHeJlM3REaS4pf6nqHyPv6YdZJf0sxcdMMk4yb54S7sEim-qytSRYrwlSAbOY00ILffAkLMWAZEjN-G7lA8XgpXHA7m4M_PbnQppGbssSoMUUH-qGwkqt1M/s2048/wildflowers+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1E7wg1Ib4txvReDjU99IuHeJlM3REaS4pf6nqHyPv6YdZJf0sxcdMMk4yb54S7sEim-qytSRYrwlSAbOY00ILffAkLMWAZEjN-G7lA8XgpXHA7m4M_PbnQppGbssSoMUUH-qGwkqt1M/s320/wildflowers+6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBMUeboOJbp75NtEKgRjJJxO_hEz7VcZlGCnXpthF3riEA3oKBfrN48_41rsAF_o2I3M25CyTvXHkUe5Ixj_ASmxZ2TjGqxboMLVmB18LqGrmBwBBnDIef6Xv1n4yR35lKXlt-opGMCw/s2048/wildflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBMUeboOJbp75NtEKgRjJJxO_hEz7VcZlGCnXpthF3riEA3oKBfrN48_41rsAF_o2I3M25CyTvXHkUe5Ixj_ASmxZ2TjGqxboMLVmB18LqGrmBwBBnDIef6Xv1n4yR35lKXlt-opGMCw/s320/wildflowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I ordered a number of mini distress ink pads and was curious to see what the colors looked like on cream cardstock. I made several sheets applying a random swath of colors like Peacock Feathers, Mustard Seed, Pickled Raspberry, Tumbled Glass, Crushed Olive and Spiced Marmalade. You can see how the cream colored cardstock mutes the colors.<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">I was also playing with three different sets of Wild Flower Thinlit Dies. I cut out as many as I could from the colored cardstock and then reassembled them into 6 different bunches to use for my January Artfirmations cards. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My backgrounds were created on watercolor paper cut down to 4 x 6. I used a credit card to apply a neutral palette of acrylic paint in shades of Cream, Fleshtone and Titanium White.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I needed something to anchor the wildflowers but struggled to find a color to complement them. In the end, instead of throwing out my scraps, I re-purposed them to create a more interesting "landscape" for my wildflowers and then added a banner that expresses my hope for the New Year. </div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-65618602346591393222020-12-26T11:39:00.000-10:002020-12-26T11:39:14.021-10:00And A Few More Christmas Cards<p style="text-align: center;"> I had so much fun making these one-of-a-kind cards. I hope each special recipient will love them as much as I do!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ZPbeGIhoHanQEnqeE_E0OwGGw-iL_YPIE2Jiy0t4BsC7KlWOeKlYAgyExCkPbfz3YEJ7k4Piln3-pAYoC3yIANKNHLAm38BU4rUs11Vt-FttsIi9wa7oAznlJe0HEUrJKEK4O3k7Gk/s2048/believe+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4ZPbeGIhoHanQEnqeE_E0OwGGw-iL_YPIE2Jiy0t4BsC7KlWOeKlYAgyExCkPbfz3YEJ7k4Piln3-pAYoC3yIANKNHLAm38BU4rUs11Vt-FttsIi9wa7oAznlJe0HEUrJKEK4O3k7Gk/s320/believe+trees.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHvk65DPn5qfWv-_IMknZq_i7v82mc32odwvtp40GIlIrZfpuBhann47YX3XOIIgHHcSn-LiAcofqv2sNivlR00duRSiU0tLsQs6wHriZ4t9BHLUnxVaeK8yArmg_wCIABE-KQ6b3y6I/s2048/merry+%2526+bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHvk65DPn5qfWv-_IMknZq_i7v82mc32odwvtp40GIlIrZfpuBhann47YX3XOIIgHHcSn-LiAcofqv2sNivlR00duRSiU0tLsQs6wHriZ4t9BHLUnxVaeK8yArmg_wCIABE-KQ6b3y6I/s320/merry+%2526+bright.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyolsLHxLOHnw7HK3crjONE4401YsCrH7yWR2eYfNU9kBzKHnkXIz45IAHhapXbMLSXN_7uEol2iKEwyEq_S4pDcQ-D44ZvTQJs2zqoU-SPZempptqa1ayWvU21w2rqPdPIsZdtoE2Iw/s2048/merry+christmas+shoe+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyolsLHxLOHnw7HK3crjONE4401YsCrH7yWR2eYfNU9kBzKHnkXIz45IAHhapXbMLSXN_7uEol2iKEwyEq_S4pDcQ-D44ZvTQJs2zqoU-SPZempptqa1ayWvU21w2rqPdPIsZdtoE2Iw/s320/merry+christmas+shoe+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdST4_K3m508XoKnCfHix6PX7VU6vCvAMvl-MK3-QS-bzRdUYD0ybimgv0nqeDq6c7aAKLjYe7UKPqe16mOco6cYwayy0wYHyPpZsspVhflX58zS-pK-nsnCuvCsU01pQdygJ2DMps8mA/s2048/peace+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdST4_K3m508XoKnCfHix6PX7VU6vCvAMvl-MK3-QS-bzRdUYD0ybimgv0nqeDq6c7aAKLjYe7UKPqe16mOco6cYwayy0wYHyPpZsspVhflX58zS-pK-nsnCuvCsU01pQdygJ2DMps8mA/s320/peace+trees.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAyR6HMeiq5LTcogwEqZm01Fi1KxmiKbFUJ8w_L02R-BmGBat7kYg6kiK89jyg7UfktZQRV4Nb-cmml88kpoYdQJoeQ_VR7KZIWcoFTrt7HQdTWk8m47ZPYSQ8S1JJv7Zb5olxxl_71g/s2048/peace+trimming+the+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAyR6HMeiq5LTcogwEqZm01Fi1KxmiKbFUJ8w_L02R-BmGBat7kYg6kiK89jyg7UfktZQRV4Nb-cmml88kpoYdQJoeQ_VR7KZIWcoFTrt7HQdTWk8m47ZPYSQ8S1JJv7Zb5olxxl_71g/s320/peace+trimming+the+tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q1zvaxy8R6YOIjL_3gxWOmIlyW5yO-qozn7ngaLdZh8-RbQtPmkzQOdDN37_Q4H_F_JWAO3wWCA6Vf3UG0z6FuzX30_81U-hUP17oL1YLpfAi1Ubw-FXB3a1nc3NxJe-7Qr2lDjSQsY/s2048/pink+joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q1zvaxy8R6YOIjL_3gxWOmIlyW5yO-qozn7ngaLdZh8-RbQtPmkzQOdDN37_Q4H_F_JWAO3wWCA6Vf3UG0z6FuzX30_81U-hUP17oL1YLpfAi1Ubw-FXB3a1nc3NxJe-7Qr2lDjSQsY/s320/pink+joy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9H30WAOeHg_SXe97D4kEDtfqzEdo2LeL6UtEeuT3Bh5aMS11onkkeEYWGTiijJThOlxVtNlRlcqLFzx3VDK0wvqIcdC_Kt-kgnR3gwFTLBOlIUFzVZzkodT_n7z4KTcip4F-IpYQj0/s2048/reindeer+wishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn9H30WAOeHg_SXe97D4kEDtfqzEdo2LeL6UtEeuT3Bh5aMS11onkkeEYWGTiijJThOlxVtNlRlcqLFzx3VDK0wvqIcdC_Kt-kgnR3gwFTLBOlIUFzVZzkodT_n7z4KTcip4F-IpYQj0/s320/reindeer+wishes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIgCCT_ENLJg-eHqO7fAdqHkXWEDbFxbimbMT-nBtnKMt4AfAZBhYIWxyjBxWYKz3sfRlFsUesqa4hKNswoq4XgZsKu6qZs7QrDK7VZ4GLDeGRJYYBAU8GwMlhSBpKOr1JkQkJJOnKvk/s2048/snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIgCCT_ENLJg-eHqO7fAdqHkXWEDbFxbimbMT-nBtnKMt4AfAZBhYIWxyjBxWYKz3sfRlFsUesqa4hKNswoq4XgZsKu6qZs7QrDK7VZ4GLDeGRJYYBAU8GwMlhSBpKOr1JkQkJJOnKvk/s320/snowflakes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzL9xkapNsOIFgQkDa5GQ7yPH4l1EPo4J9WEzmlh3JI1RTTQIo-SzhkYsmnc9pNH0pTb_D0ku0LrdIf05hS76f-e_1oz1sfMdyxchek_iF3NFOTC4DtcRMU5c7Os3hC-4QAzEo0t3Zro/s2048/wish+holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzL9xkapNsOIFgQkDa5GQ7yPH4l1EPo4J9WEzmlh3JI1RTTQIo-SzhkYsmnc9pNH0pTb_D0ku0LrdIf05hS76f-e_1oz1sfMdyxchek_iF3NFOTC4DtcRMU5c7Os3hC-4QAzEo0t3Zro/s320/wish+holly.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-9420744340384120492020-12-26T11:18:00.006-10:002021-05-26T21:49:12.512-10:00Book Folding Continues...<p style="text-align: center;"> I decided to fold a few more books to give away as Christmas or January birthday gifts. Part of the fun is finding a book with enough pages for your chosen design with the perfect title!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I chose "The Gift" and folded a heart into the pages for a grab bag gift:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDmHel85slTji1VeQvjVFkCiT8U1KY6PZ3LzF0H64uux1sJbqX74DUkg6nH6HqEaLHA7Y8S9P_SI09lC80uoIQyhJ8LYPVvkadyhJdedUiPD0qLiL-zf5oTbTIEZNNSeO75xFITYX-O4/s2785/The+Gift.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="2785" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDmHel85slTji1VeQvjVFkCiT8U1KY6PZ3LzF0H64uux1sJbqX74DUkg6nH6HqEaLHA7Y8S9P_SI09lC80uoIQyhJ8LYPVvkadyhJdedUiPD0qLiL-zf5oTbTIEZNNSeO75xFITYX-O4/s320/The+Gift.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7geRhk-LXmUL8IWVopenIgDHxGJlOmwm_3O6DiYTA1IyXt3SD6GXog_xgnCeG_a0F42Z16AMcZv_Ob8jQWiRTxFSBX4blSZuH-oLw-WdldnC7EmcengcC7vLW-1xLZ6MmYP2nMVo9oU/s2048/The+Gift+Heart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7geRhk-LXmUL8IWVopenIgDHxGJlOmwm_3O6DiYTA1IyXt3SD6GXog_xgnCeG_a0F42Z16AMcZv_Ob8jQWiRTxFSBX4blSZuH-oLw-WdldnC7EmcengcC7vLW-1xLZ6MmYP2nMVo9oU/s320/The+Gift+Heart.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>How about "Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake" with a star design to honor a New Year's Day Birthday?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIeKG9XIAtnFs4beaJNvCJ0TiVjKtkCKBkv8sDFaRKEz1cM-eEQhKHOPgWXGjE2E0Y_2ThC21n92cNr0uiHOP05DYZIEwQwsqQtvntnI0CmQG7u0aVAcNiHJ2bqyg9UoNpgCnNbYUZ_I/s3871/Lots+of+Candles+and+Plenty+of+Cake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="3871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIeKG9XIAtnFs4beaJNvCJ0TiVjKtkCKBkv8sDFaRKEz1cM-eEQhKHOPgWXGjE2E0Y_2ThC21n92cNr0uiHOP05DYZIEwQwsqQtvntnI0CmQG7u0aVAcNiHJ2bqyg9UoNpgCnNbYUZ_I/s320/Lots+of+Candles+and+Plenty+of+Cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhq8bzTJabi352Nb6VOCFmT48nWDUbqLR_rj9YpC_iJ6rlzqkWwd5qfUKP77qPRwrNqP7hFAYb-LDg8-qtkQMZ_6rS0TbGOeBt0TstdG09IWCg_Hvl91tXCalTJm8C_Q9U19CAUAfMVc/s2048/Lots+of+Candles+and+Plenty+of+Cake+star.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhq8bzTJabi352Nb6VOCFmT48nWDUbqLR_rj9YpC_iJ6rlzqkWwd5qfUKP77qPRwrNqP7hFAYb-LDg8-qtkQMZ_6rS0TbGOeBt0TstdG09IWCg_Hvl91tXCalTJm8C_Q9U19CAUAfMVc/s320/Lots+of+Candles+and+Plenty+of+Cake+star.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I folded "Dad" into the book entitled "Q" (his nickname):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe70Lq4zDq0XjTEvsPjWoL_ZEjHbzLH-Da_mli-6r1vDpm-RE_W_MtwLLRAREyzHrRmuU-_p3CQvmtRYWb45LHddVZtGyVgWrgm1OHZId0FUQBSjZ76VGCcxctE0dVdeR3heRpsExTEE/s2048/Q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe70Lq4zDq0XjTEvsPjWoL_ZEjHbzLH-Da_mli-6r1vDpm-RE_W_MtwLLRAREyzHrRmuU-_p3CQvmtRYWb45LHddVZtGyVgWrgm1OHZId0FUQBSjZ76VGCcxctE0dVdeR3heRpsExTEE/s320/Q.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zHiFepr8gmSe9iCGdpfxWZjo9TLv-jbOsk1LsNSNUQVXDkj0ZjJwGURwDiaYzU5AeFVUadyCP_uFZvU8eoCxaba50ZacXFefCMqMAPGA_4GXC5akuClomEomj2OyDZOhboWijG4NaYA/s2048/Q+Dad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zHiFepr8gmSe9iCGdpfxWZjo9TLv-jbOsk1LsNSNUQVXDkj0ZjJwGURwDiaYzU5AeFVUadyCP_uFZvU8eoCxaba50ZacXFefCMqMAPGA_4GXC5akuClomEomj2OyDZOhboWijG4NaYA/s320/Q+Dad.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And for a classmate who follows the teachings of the Dalai Lama, I folded "Peace" into the pages of his "The Art of Happiness" book:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCINmYULJwdi5SFrTjuRQPYLEPhxu20WdjHBp2sRjsJf1yvNBgFn5IEGlXrUj6xC01eMv1Rd-3VqNZZu0FHGxB1qPR-moY6L-z3ui4_xMWYaLpHU_IThupcwKfWp3H0zPZXUKrb3Tbts/s2048/Art+of+Happiness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCINmYULJwdi5SFrTjuRQPYLEPhxu20WdjHBp2sRjsJf1yvNBgFn5IEGlXrUj6xC01eMv1Rd-3VqNZZu0FHGxB1qPR-moY6L-z3ui4_xMWYaLpHU_IThupcwKfWp3H0zPZXUKrb3Tbts/s320/Art+of+Happiness.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrLV8VO-dHQtwCrkn9oGMMR4rmV11TIT3RDFQyf67hENN8Pcq9rAEDbD_33CHyX2VlXSzGwh8fNG4gkTE6EzY-FdWme7nXYSyMK3wI8xyDZvqDsB31-l1N5TMG9i46qIo86U0TW-BLTg/s2048/Art+of+Happiness+Peace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrLV8VO-dHQtwCrkn9oGMMR4rmV11TIT3RDFQyf67hENN8Pcq9rAEDbD_33CHyX2VlXSzGwh8fNG4gkTE6EzY-FdWme7nXYSyMK3wI8xyDZvqDsB31-l1N5TMG9i46qIo86U0TW-BLTg/s320/Art+of+Happiness+Peace.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-81189132681360119622020-12-03T17:48:00.000-10:002020-12-03T17:48:06.876-10:00My Latest Obsession: Book Folding<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ0wkoYAaGbgnxC29cRswbnun1QkZfosgP4sDuoa_DoM5cm01GvKxeKcNxozFosiKMY2ojSpcrFTlJGW2Ld-z4wXUaDIkiopIW1niOiVBkjLLWUONzsTKp3ef3HXxBKZC57Yw-StHlyc/s2048/Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ0wkoYAaGbgnxC29cRswbnun1QkZfosgP4sDuoa_DoM5cm01GvKxeKcNxozFosiKMY2ojSpcrFTlJGW2Ld-z4wXUaDIkiopIW1niOiVBkjLLWUONzsTKp3ef3HXxBKZC57Yw-StHlyc/w300-h400/Joy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoZ5Ps80ZBhKsrTZucAvtTAJQojK96aUeK0t_G8Cp_WZI2Dd4ojPyyCbwc5F9f3_eRvNSDSZlSXdU6TfHTzRNpoQ_SaHTa4zOfJ4jfAj1sEk0xncO42f9nSQKJGzx70UaLNvIyKMmqPQ/s2048/Come+Let+Us+Adore+Him+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoZ5Ps80ZBhKsrTZucAvtTAJQojK96aUeK0t_G8Cp_WZI2Dd4ojPyyCbwc5F9f3_eRvNSDSZlSXdU6TfHTzRNpoQ_SaHTa4zOfJ4jfAj1sEk0xncO42f9nSQKJGzx70UaLNvIyKMmqPQ/w300-h400/Come+Let+Us+Adore+Him+star.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDxCU27DRjg6nvaqo_sn4B-c11dkRjkR2enInWuFktPkOyHiX2LBaKHIFQYGhFMJ379brkPSUcZC-ZeWS3Dtrt8uUdEKJRh6j7mSIJneFZ8l6XmsOJs-FFFL_kuLqWPm6dQQSfGkA2m8/s2048/Abundance+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDxCU27DRjg6nvaqo_sn4B-c11dkRjkR2enInWuFktPkOyHiX2LBaKHIFQYGhFMJ379brkPSUcZC-ZeWS3Dtrt8uUdEKJRh6j7mSIJneFZ8l6XmsOJs-FFFL_kuLqWPm6dQQSfGkA2m8/w300-h400/Abundance+heart.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLr5AJ3lilFnWubaw36rX8Q3MK_zwVkwfMHWeVWHMwsHYISRAlHq8_NDeKh9_CguMTcw_Y1fFbCxSk64uAVwEsOsuaj1GEjsgdyxuezpxFf9h97tLYnHVyLgEqH-NNpGgasBo6IAwG4Y/s2048/A+Walk+ALong+the+Beach+paw+print+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLr5AJ3lilFnWubaw36rX8Q3MK_zwVkwfMHWeVWHMwsHYISRAlHq8_NDeKh9_CguMTcw_Y1fFbCxSk64uAVwEsOsuaj1GEjsgdyxuezpxFf9h97tLYnHVyLgEqH-NNpGgasBo6IAwG4Y/w300-h400/A+Walk+ALong+the+Beach+paw+print+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">What started out as an idea for a grab bag gift with a "Spark Joy" theme became my latest obsession: Book Folding! How fun!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I found free patterns on-line and watched a few video tutorials in order to figure out how to read a pattern, how to choose a book, how to count folds, how many pages are needed for a particular design and where to start folding!</p><p style="text-align: center;">After some trial and error, I decided to make a few others to give away as gifts. It's a bonus to be able to match the title of the book to the folded design. Here, I folded a heart in a book entitled "The Art of Abundance." I folded a star in "Come Let Us Adore Him." And for a special friend who treasures "A Walk Along the Beach" with her furry friend, a paw print.</p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-37732374543072278692020-12-02T20:52:00.000-10:002020-12-02T20:52:29.622-10:00Wish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgW4hMR5yo7Dq_b4UVoSjxcnvKzENBMlD9RJ72AAdC3xlLvLNC51-hz-yF-KdA5J-BWIvZPasCrPWO8ZcmcSULCPxeyrcw10gkLWY_fhERhcb5H322XjWYd18AIe4CzPP7xWhzLRC5zE/s2048/wish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1420" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgW4hMR5yo7Dq_b4UVoSjxcnvKzENBMlD9RJ72AAdC3xlLvLNC51-hz-yF-KdA5J-BWIvZPasCrPWO8ZcmcSULCPxeyrcw10gkLWY_fhERhcb5H322XjWYd18AIe4CzPP7xWhzLRC5zE/w278-h400/wish.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The road to these December "Wish" Artfirmation cards was unexpected. I had picked up this cute little gift book from my favorite thrift store called "This Little Piggy Went to Prada." The pages have a nice weight and feel. The book rewrites nursery rhymes with a fashionista twist. </span><span style="text-align: left;">The illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous. I just had to find a creative way to use them!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">With the holidays now upon us, I pulled out my Christmas-themed dies and started making die cuts. I had these luscious metallic tri-fold cards that were perfect. I made lots and lots of different Christmas trees, reindeer, snowflakes and holiday words. Before I knew it, I started to remove pages from the book and began to reimagine the illustrations in a winter/holiday setting. I made several more cards by embellishing the pretty pages with die cuts and swarovski crystals. I think they make festive Christmas cards! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2eEdZxNDzLODP_3Spc5B_NLRTEDrBKLJ_Vk7RQYhuYiwi6KU5Zxfx8P2cMXhkmkd02yxrIfRO3T6wq2WMDgyIsLExaag4yJ0rVxtEyuIJxq845SSjb2O2ZNsPl7h7b5c7JBPN-DD_zE/s2048/Christmas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2eEdZxNDzLODP_3Spc5B_NLRTEDrBKLJ_Vk7RQYhuYiwi6KU5Zxfx8P2cMXhkmkd02yxrIfRO3T6wq2WMDgyIsLExaag4yJ0rVxtEyuIJxq845SSjb2O2ZNsPl7h7b5c7JBPN-DD_zE/s320/Christmas+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA3ooq2xNWEUnOq9gB_hc9eQw9qPTpKgyFaCAOvrQBeVbpuepQV10CYNjZFgSie4-xNMNMedm7vuN-IpTv2MNLFOz127h7kdvVt1bZxAUUCo2TBXQWK30tAs3ZxlPBiMlu_AJGjjA1HY/s2048/Christmas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="2048" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA3ooq2xNWEUnOq9gB_hc9eQw9qPTpKgyFaCAOvrQBeVbpuepQV10CYNjZFgSie4-xNMNMedm7vuN-IpTv2MNLFOz127h7kdvVt1bZxAUUCo2TBXQWK30tAs3ZxlPBiMlu_AJGjjA1HY/w320-h307/Christmas+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz9LQ4W0AoVGm-pUOkVA5eYZIJo8OTpMafHN_NRB944yRql-EA-iXVuRbou1zWF-2E3uC1ind0UrDsRJALTfrmV2DfhTtx3wz-xSiIpXriLCuoEj6Poos0q6vGwqe6ollQtKCi_bLW5U/s2048/Christmas+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1445" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz9LQ4W0AoVGm-pUOkVA5eYZIJo8OTpMafHN_NRB944yRql-EA-iXVuRbou1zWF-2E3uC1ind0UrDsRJALTfrmV2DfhTtx3wz-xSiIpXriLCuoEj6Poos0q6vGwqe6ollQtKCi_bLW5U/w283-h400/Christmas+3.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-79814215016528509942020-11-09T14:14:00.000-10:002020-11-09T14:14:15.055-10:00The American Dream<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtfEMKmv0ablZpjGx5aDzTZBi6LWj1PKMKzIWDeoNK2XDbo24o6l6VJpU_erBH3r_4pnRKuaXbO1jIijQjmD5tXL7ATKUU_ePhek5dNvAW1qggntovqk-91c5hjAs3hX2q-znbG8-SEM/s2048/american+dream.alisa.extra.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtfEMKmv0ablZpjGx5aDzTZBi6LWj1PKMKzIWDeoNK2XDbo24o6l6VJpU_erBH3r_4pnRKuaXbO1jIijQjmD5tXL7ATKUU_ePhek5dNvAW1qggntovqk-91c5hjAs3hX2q-znbG8-SEM/s320/american+dream.alisa.extra.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4in9SdzccV7u_Ec4hSC8U2dFPIu7LrbxUnkF6hq5OY7x-wuSklI3rG9GaeW6pikHy7k3MMXBatRnu3e0Q5TBdumvOvJvMDaLsW6gRzE44y-MgF0BDFCwXp0Z1tjRvNLHD1nwDMokleY/s2048/american+dream.claudia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4in9SdzccV7u_Ec4hSC8U2dFPIu7LrbxUnkF6hq5OY7x-wuSklI3rG9GaeW6pikHy7k3MMXBatRnu3e0Q5TBdumvOvJvMDaLsW6gRzE44y-MgF0BDFCwXp0Z1tjRvNLHD1nwDMokleY/s320/american+dream.claudia.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveCZAlsxmqMNufctQ9BOUg34XlDOUu0iRPVoKdU-33lsWCeKx2iAFOm0XIKX53mLQbhAHhNBCzTUV3RSxuV-j6zo4G5QdcXSXW5xG5AGe2qxK5XOX2jH73nRWeSLUU_Ak-vr-wAfEyUc/s2048/american+dream.rachel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveCZAlsxmqMNufctQ9BOUg34XlDOUu0iRPVoKdU-33lsWCeKx2iAFOm0XIKX53mLQbhAHhNBCzTUV3RSxuV-j6zo4G5QdcXSXW5xG5AGe2qxK5XOX2jH73nRWeSLUU_Ak-vr-wAfEyUc/s320/american+dream.rachel.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxw15uSrTGuXPiO5lXgsVQnQXycfvbtLRwwMJcpgP_yugePauI35trD6eMibOTTWVfMCSP0YqS02ETO-snbIjrUCR9BbTLhJ1Tx7oiHykWQu-lLKt7TI0-ddnptoNDMZpm6sb8e3kRys/s2048/american+dream.renee.alisa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxw15uSrTGuXPiO5lXgsVQnQXycfvbtLRwwMJcpgP_yugePauI35trD6eMibOTTWVfMCSP0YqS02ETO-snbIjrUCR9BbTLhJ1Tx7oiHykWQu-lLKt7TI0-ddnptoNDMZpm6sb8e3kRys/s320/american+dream.renee.alisa.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j_MNxSOL-KXn8qbRgbCoHPa2In3FXO0T_gBtbRQy2Za6rcthyphenhyphenYL01M_NmCucilclXxZRCLao8KXYSal_WlMIo-V-ocbbRXjVaS2FI8JCge4fXAuzWj-KQiNQeBTaP_Q3PHNwjsaG4A0/s2048/american+dream.teri.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j_MNxSOL-KXn8qbRgbCoHPa2In3FXO0T_gBtbRQy2Za6rcthyphenhyphenYL01M_NmCucilclXxZRCLao8KXYSal_WlMIo-V-ocbbRXjVaS2FI8JCge4fXAuzWj-KQiNQeBTaP_Q3PHNwjsaG4A0/s320/american+dream.teri.jpg" /></a></div><br />With the November election looming heavily, I began to think about things like patriotism, voting rights, women's rights, immigration, etc. This led me to reflect on how my parents came to this country as immigrants over 60 years ago. As I thought about the cards I would create this month, I wanted to pay homage to the countless number of individuals who decided to leave their native country in pursuit of the American Dream. I often marvel at the courage my parents had, in their early twenties, just after completing school, to pick up and move halfway around the world to start a new life for themselves. America was a place they had never even visited before, with a wildly different culture. This was a truly a foreign experience for them. They had one-way tickets to the promised land and there was never a thought of going back. Neither of my parents came from great wealth, so not succeeding at this new life was not an option for either of them. It was in Baltimore, Maryland that they started their life as a young, married couple. That was where my brother and I were born. After spending 9 years in the East Coast, however, my parents "returned" to Hawaii to settle and raise their family--a place they had seen only once before on a brief layover on their way from the Philippines to the East Coast 9 years earlier, a place that felt like their native home, but was still in America.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">To start my cards, I used a selection of Tim Holtz washi tapes to create a striped background. I had a pack of Tim Holtz Paper Dolls and chose the figures that represented different kinds of people who emigrated to America. I adhered them with foam squares for a 3-D effect. I used a simple black strip of cardstock to "anchor" the figures, otherwise they would look like they were just floating on the page. In each of their faces, I see the promise of a bright future, prosperity, and the hope that in America, all of their dreams can come true. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-57292977673509111692020-10-30T21:05:00.000-10:002020-10-30T21:05:03.289-10:00Halloween Cards<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAfQDLeIDcd4o90WgGqh-6XaWGP1IRJ45CeaFjtHSyCKFfgXAbqEkMYQCy-Zv46Z_Lb2V9hOM9E-g6IDCQ2nOfbTQt-7y0aPjN8jxhcbNVobSeu0sBdtnF2VYU85wXw0eyrMibWZo1wA/s2048/halloween.dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1495" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAfQDLeIDcd4o90WgGqh-6XaWGP1IRJ45CeaFjtHSyCKFfgXAbqEkMYQCy-Zv46Z_Lb2V9hOM9E-g6IDCQ2nOfbTQt-7y0aPjN8jxhcbNVobSeu0sBdtnF2VYU85wXw0eyrMibWZo1wA/s320/halloween.dad.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-4sg8UM-TEv3GDbf-PnWW6PIMSsoLPqJ9KOcTU-IqQyftc5XaHfZ-zRg1aBENlYMlTPkqFQJ3HWFMt93wGS3O5CiLQbCJWPwle1pnY8UKnXUjQGg-qP6xZ84PlOdf4d3MeoY4fEK8kI/s2048/halloween.pat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-4sg8UM-TEv3GDbf-PnWW6PIMSsoLPqJ9KOcTU-IqQyftc5XaHfZ-zRg1aBENlYMlTPkqFQJ3HWFMt93wGS3O5CiLQbCJWPwle1pnY8UKnXUjQGg-qP6xZ84PlOdf4d3MeoY4fEK8kI/s320/halloween.pat.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Having a little Halloween fun playing with spiderweb and raven thinlit dies and Tim Holtz idea-ology Halloween paper dolls and sticker book curiosities...</div> <p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-15199579082143062072020-10-30T20:57:00.002-10:002020-10-30T20:57:26.817-10:00A Few More Painted Rocks<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc8_LdLjx_2U3b5Uw75_tHU74MC1GdOg5M37p1fwyAisgxck2UWrjnEDLD2Xj9opS0GarOuuFZpdzcSmkWWMtW7UXqzUJCAOCdHkEQfpfYFyvWVPO9JxUldj6oehVIaDUliwXlgwz9M8/s2048/smiley+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc8_LdLjx_2U3b5Uw75_tHU74MC1GdOg5M37p1fwyAisgxck2UWrjnEDLD2Xj9opS0GarOuuFZpdzcSmkWWMtW7UXqzUJCAOCdHkEQfpfYFyvWVPO9JxUldj6oehVIaDUliwXlgwz9M8/s320/smiley+face.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitH2eLiw3fKrbD9J9li6WDQRv4YxSv0ZQqKuPO4Gi4PujrUGbs9kxeIRNMLrT-6I61QhywJmcgCJnTu_dfdsOkYIyBMRS0h5ljxCRFcmyPS_P7TEZq9RQdVpEWDxFY4DvW98LoTRyEKLw/s2048/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitH2eLiw3fKrbD9J9li6WDQRv4YxSv0ZQqKuPO4Gi4PujrUGbs9kxeIRNMLrT-6I61QhywJmcgCJnTu_dfdsOkYIyBMRS0h5ljxCRFcmyPS_P7TEZq9RQdVpEWDxFY4DvW98LoTRyEKLw/s320/gratitude.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1q8-VrobRyIkXKV4hxPAkTT6S0N0mPsiJsXlC35cy3MDjj9tfn3mR97cPBuuCB81Ucp1H6dk8enzXKZ3Eo859QEQ0RR_Flsk2R7ZAandcIXNNT2cLUK3MF1fFu-bZ6BnTz1y7Y1YV7Zo/s2048/grateful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1809" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1q8-VrobRyIkXKV4hxPAkTT6S0N0mPsiJsXlC35cy3MDjj9tfn3mR97cPBuuCB81Ucp1H6dk8enzXKZ3Eo859QEQ0RR_Flsk2R7ZAandcIXNNT2cLUK3MF1fFu-bZ6BnTz1y7Y1YV7Zo/s320/grateful.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK046LTO9k6Rwwr2r4tnCkOWw7aLM0vuXRKwgAx8o5g0PKY2qlQNYWp0X124LD3gkzJ2GadVplN5PjVtY_qMqW7DzbW3YrChNSTK7aBML7ZRbovgB8Mr8B92OTtnn_3odtvXilZu3MUw/s2048/blessings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK046LTO9k6Rwwr2r4tnCkOWw7aLM0vuXRKwgAx8o5g0PKY2qlQNYWp0X124LD3gkzJ2GadVplN5PjVtY_qMqW7DzbW3YrChNSTK7aBML7ZRbovgB8Mr8B92OTtnn_3odtvXilZu3MUw/s320/blessings.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Still deciding whether to add these to the rock garden or to give away as gifts...</div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-52241228185304841642020-10-15T07:59:00.000-10:002020-10-15T07:59:08.867-10:00Worlds Change When Eyes Meet<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt4_G0HNgrKUKodNsgDleDsTZ9ehHnw4JGcxZ9rdKxGWB-lDH8nRi8Qkz4M5hdu_eYHAGtHvG3tkr5KUOzlYCVSF-JssFa8_E5siEKaGpJU3ICPKXcp-5J67geyXjQ_klNKdsXFXl5ag/s2048/worlds+change+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWt4_G0HNgrKUKodNsgDleDsTZ9ehHnw4JGcxZ9rdKxGWB-lDH8nRi8Qkz4M5hdu_eYHAGtHvG3tkr5KUOzlYCVSF-JssFa8_E5siEKaGpJU3ICPKXcp-5J67geyXjQ_klNKdsXFXl5ag/s320/worlds+change+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3T66T-SxUhm3PImlc1AmhISpJLh0gk0KOGxrAfMqGiB6W8_TEOiie09iZIEDMQdpKG9hdXdgo2k-04VbXOu4ViC0b8ZYadqTCc4mdISTqeuzFTlfxP1JCBGqb3gkw4W4FHMbhuTdUY/s2048/worlds+change+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU3T66T-SxUhm3PImlc1AmhISpJLh0gk0KOGxrAfMqGiB6W8_TEOiie09iZIEDMQdpKG9hdXdgo2k-04VbXOu4ViC0b8ZYadqTCc4mdISTqeuzFTlfxP1JCBGqb3gkw4W4FHMbhuTdUY/s320/worlds+change+2.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">For my October Artfirmation card, I returned to this layout I learned in my Art Journaling class to showcase this quote: Worlds Change When Eyes Meet. This quote also gave me the opportunity to use this "eye" stamp.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I used an old map from my background page. However, the map wasn't quite old enough, so I "aged" it a bit more with some Distress Ink (Tea Dye). To create some balance to the page, I added the chain of circles accent on the left border. I stamped the "eye" on a piece of manila cardstock and hand-colored it with some new markers which really enhanced the imagery. I was really happy with the way this turned out and hope to experiment more with with hand-coloring stamped images. I also aged the edges of the manila cardstock with more Distress Ink (Tea Dye) to better match the look of the map.</p><p style="text-align: center;">To complete my page, I framed the quote in a decorative bookplate die-cut that I made from black cardstock and secured it with two minibrads. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-3020518222179210582020-10-14T09:45:00.004-10:002020-10-14T09:45:58.428-10:00Recent Additions to the Neighborhood Rock Garden<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtomVbE4DUTagq3DfDow0Z_Lt8nlv7vi4b67o7KuqrJbO4TaLzzgETVyHz6_9WT8OIb7nHRfrcahNinTxs46TZAv6oaHl5OiNfQRx9uT2tVR-LaY-Ki2SkVUKXeL8b-LTXsYxymcIIoc/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtomVbE4DUTagq3DfDow0Z_Lt8nlv7vi4b67o7KuqrJbO4TaLzzgETVyHz6_9WT8OIb7nHRfrcahNinTxs46TZAv6oaHl5OiNfQRx9uT2tVR-LaY-Ki2SkVUKXeL8b-LTXsYxymcIIoc/" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This Halloween-themed set of painted rocks showed up in the rock garden the other day! I love that people are (anonymously) adding their creations for the neighborhood to enjoy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fg4qxT663ahFo9-_T4ziBZY_vNVXZbl6xMuVfRJCcj3iFwuZDqvxEt_wZBw6Jz2ve9JsqSJLhzC1FGD96Sp0QYNUQdTCR5_vGMX2o3_RFrWbjzijtgosZ8Sx-Bl3KJ4lnzDVQxLm3M4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Fg4qxT663ahFo9-_T4ziBZY_vNVXZbl6xMuVfRJCcj3iFwuZDqvxEt_wZBw6Jz2ve9JsqSJLhzC1FGD96Sp0QYNUQdTCR5_vGMX2o3_RFrWbjzijtgosZ8Sx-Bl3KJ4lnzDVQxLm3M4/" width="180" /></a></div><br />I added this "Rainbow Rock" to the collection in honor of Jester, who used to walk the hill with me on many mornings. I still miss him but am reminded--every time I see a beautiful rainbow--that he is watching over me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSJhlTI18XT220YNRUtH1zdfLa9eMD3qTW0r-s5J_1-dHlGGHl5HWb57gNQcL_J4MPQnmUt-5dLfVgs6YsC3AkZ-V7YxfP5G8cR7WB2sOLpVipb5_YO8wg6cAibxzm5Fy6a1PVy2Da2s/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSJhlTI18XT220YNRUtH1zdfLa9eMD3qTW0r-s5J_1-dHlGGHl5HWb57gNQcL_J4MPQnmUt-5dLfVgs6YsC3AkZ-V7YxfP5G8cR7WB2sOLpVipb5_YO8wg6cAibxzm5Fy6a1PVy2Da2s/" width="180" /></a></div><br /> I plan to add this "smiley face" rock to the garden on my next walk!</div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-17444236365506261662020-10-03T14:03:00.002-10:002020-10-05T05:49:02.997-10:00A Neighborhood Painted Rock Garden<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY-UlcR2ju5iBG_jBebXsp8CtYXvPa56TzHp046SvgahjaWinZuS1XG2tcI_h6F_pzLM0NIMckG0m2ASrzMcaI58RDlWxt7sO7uXTrm00aAnf275AFShGxdkWaYD1oxYoae4kDOm2kaw/s2048/20201001_062806+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaY-UlcR2ju5iBG_jBebXsp8CtYXvPa56TzHp046SvgahjaWinZuS1XG2tcI_h6F_pzLM0NIMckG0m2ASrzMcaI58RDlWxt7sO7uXTrm00aAnf275AFShGxdkWaYD1oxYoae4kDOm2kaw/s320/20201001_062806+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR3mv6hR6MQA2ynkCM6oZJLel2RiPuc951Ap5I-lp2o0zkfJa4tFh3rXIJj5pENOyZNLaDVaQt0UR0mil276DMNusuDggMq6ksR4EcrhLv9IC_4NGjkUkZF9t5ij6U5sYa1nRFazgXxI/s2048/20201003_083610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOR3mv6hR6MQA2ynkCM6oZJLel2RiPuc951Ap5I-lp2o0zkfJa4tFh3rXIJj5pENOyZNLaDVaQt0UR0mil276DMNusuDggMq6ksR4EcrhLv9IC_4NGjkUkZF9t5ij6U5sYa1nRFazgXxI/s320/20201003_083610.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys_j-JLkXeW3vn6y7Uh2Oh7uAmRiJtTp1v0Gi3zDB4LBXa-TqQTnhp20j90NxzQkgDWzDXdsnTmOpsxAvx1shzHf6U-lIufuycplut5fnrIJRm4xDgUYPpDsY6VyJ0UC1_6na5Jvtc0I/s2048/up.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mnDaDWJJ0jSBjDnpv_A-Gja4Ta1zGhfGgE591nNpbb2Hx2J1xst-G9O26svae-UF3Vw34NN4F83dEzP6p-j-vbNK7GjAo95MiJEXFbsOh7OYJ20jye01cUjCixbxoGZGXkEqKC449YM/s2048/tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mnDaDWJJ0jSBjDnpv_A-Gja4Ta1zGhfGgE591nNpbb2Hx2J1xst-G9O26svae-UF3Vw34NN4F83dEzP6p-j-vbNK7GjAo95MiJEXFbsOh7OYJ20jye01cUjCixbxoGZGXkEqKC449YM/s320/tree.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z4teZShRz5V8pSScAhu2oYXZqW55B4IULa-vBt8zCokTG9aaBGOdwA7CRwCW9rBcWZePH4qUaw6rIfdSAdK-G3tT5PF9I_BNCxyob6Rc4JhlqoktruFVZgZWCGHLPEyAjWOrszH9_4I/s2048/palm+tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Z4teZShRz5V8pSScAhu2oYXZqW55B4IULa-vBt8zCokTG9aaBGOdwA7CRwCW9rBcWZePH4qUaw6rIfdSAdK-G3tT5PF9I_BNCxyob6Rc4JhlqoktruFVZgZWCGHLPEyAjWOrszH9_4I/s320/palm+tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuXcaeRa4WRPW_s2iKH1IAwss69uu-lNlYxxsd7IAB8b6cHrgIFmyZ4-Bbq2kW0ehTjk5U1uTWuJ3H-HkLHPowOKnDeq8FtyMbJHNBKfGUDg2kNq9J4P0Ru0jZeleUbZDtrC4Lf4xkxU/s2048/imagine.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuXcaeRa4WRPW_s2iKH1IAwss69uu-lNlYxxsd7IAB8b6cHrgIFmyZ4-Bbq2kW0ehTjk5U1uTWuJ3H-HkLHPowOKnDeq8FtyMbJHNBKfGUDg2kNq9J4P0Ru0jZeleUbZDtrC4Lf4xkxU/s320/imagine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaivqIJWIy9aCqnXAMtgzSTKAovmfjuzlhvVJ5EIPOeKzw3szXnDXPFkgGX1hdz9OFnIxcaFS7XOKO6Q9l2fbetILGN_rNitJyXdk1sW9JSmG2gq9FK6SpSL2vSV2nQVweCqujCpwX4g/s2048/aloha.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2005" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaivqIJWIy9aCqnXAMtgzSTKAovmfjuzlhvVJ5EIPOeKzw3szXnDXPFkgGX1hdz9OFnIxcaFS7XOKO6Q9l2fbetILGN_rNitJyXdk1sW9JSmG2gq9FK6SpSL2vSV2nQVweCqujCpwX4g/s320/aloha.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMX8gDxBrOI3z0Z89oOdqXFr1dd6OJoA4Bzj8S88dk66ZqDG_LsEdAzv_jj3-jCY9oGtmityQtUpM_NQhk-TdT0mGzhup0PIrtNA3RSjaMR_Lu03lcjQvJR8XdIQVW7mqglcjpy6_x7Y/s2048/Positivity+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMX8gDxBrOI3z0Z89oOdqXFr1dd6OJoA4Bzj8S88dk66ZqDG_LsEdAzv_jj3-jCY9oGtmityQtUpM_NQhk-TdT0mGzhup0PIrtNA3RSjaMR_Lu03lcjQvJR8XdIQVW7mqglcjpy6_x7Y/s320/Positivity+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I discovered a growing painted rock garden on my walk up the hill the other day. It inspired me to create a rock of my own ("Positivity") which I plan to add on my next walk. Yet another way to combat the negativity around us.</div><p></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-31299114473638232742020-09-20T10:13:00.000-10:002020-09-20T10:13:23.591-10:0060th "Diamond White" Anniversary<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuLmIXg-LvhenTPRXZpR3ix9leH3d3WYJfQbMefXQPDXC8jQMpFIzcFpTW6nxsq2UVJ_FyAlU34C76DYxuVBG9Gh7SbJxlQvprnEXjTJ9vTl43i2YSV1TEcWzPq_XYDC-mFkFSNDnl9w/s2048/60th+anniversary+card+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuLmIXg-LvhenTPRXZpR3ix9leH3d3WYJfQbMefXQPDXC8jQMpFIzcFpTW6nxsq2UVJ_FyAlU34C76DYxuVBG9Gh7SbJxlQvprnEXjTJ9vTl43i2YSV1TEcWzPq_XYDC-mFkFSNDnl9w/s320/60th+anniversary+card+closed.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd-M6kPnGlMfyAgd1Oisa94r4Az_9Het8d89GnIcmcPHPt9XN9gNxU-XOvm6yIkionibUv-HAVDcefPrnDTyoqeYJRsOHxkHylYFsSOKA5bj9267SK4busMhsCYdMKPLgIYwknZStEdU/s2650/60th+anniversary+card+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="1186" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd-M6kPnGlMfyAgd1Oisa94r4Az_9Het8d89GnIcmcPHPt9XN9gNxU-XOvm6yIkionibUv-HAVDcefPrnDTyoqeYJRsOHxkHylYFsSOKA5bj9267SK4busMhsCYdMKPLgIYwknZStEdU/w179-h400/60th+anniversary+card+open.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9bLsXZ6EpNSOcj1xeWJpmV7BBgqwQEir_G0mMGwuXl6Hooy1wnuJdUxNoCR17BPxM_ItE6pbNeqg_ww9UYdO1M0tbVfqP25W8pKjw5qrMNph1flC3eCGVnGiGcqKCA1vIY2GZn33kvI/s2048/60th+anniversary+cake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9bLsXZ6EpNSOcj1xeWJpmV7BBgqwQEir_G0mMGwuXl6Hooy1wnuJdUxNoCR17BPxM_ItE6pbNeqg_ww9UYdO1M0tbVfqP25W8pKjw5qrMNph1flC3eCGVnGiGcqKCA1vIY2GZn33kvI/s320/60th+anniversary+cake+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztK2l7daWpIQeo4iVaIWaJoX6cBGb09L2BFBzM7mCwjBWa6U85FuMse_WxZrErp_LW9pPCyaVp00IJcAd82aR4w5C4tMvYCyFP2IxzGs5ce-jMKK32yS8xHLaYFQMhYAxLC2PsKOGEt4/s2048/roses+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1927" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztK2l7daWpIQeo4iVaIWaJoX6cBGb09L2BFBzM7mCwjBWa6U85FuMse_WxZrErp_LW9pPCyaVp00IJcAd82aR4w5C4tMvYCyFP2IxzGs5ce-jMKK32yS8xHLaYFQMhYAxLC2PsKOGEt4/s320/roses+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTuDk1L9JQIY6oBv8_TSBarVlnzHKrf5lzd62lahwm65i1qyyxrMMXGa5uQZ4_AcQ2Kja5ZRBIthh6xBTHLdKS_d8jpTEmumN9aUI4gEpMyu3FV9sIAiqsa2kIMWCLgcRVWKvfUc_YxY/s2048/roses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1826" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTuDk1L9JQIY6oBv8_TSBarVlnzHKrf5lzd62lahwm65i1qyyxrMMXGa5uQZ4_AcQ2Kja5ZRBIthh6xBTHLdKS_d8jpTEmumN9aUI4gEpMyu3FV9sIAiqsa2kIMWCLgcRVWKvfUc_YxY/s320/roses+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we have had to do things--including celebrating my parents' 60th wedding anniversary.</div><p style="text-align: center;">Since we are on an extended lockdown, we couldn't have a gathering of any kind. What do you gift to two people who have been married this long? They don't need or want anything. So, I decided to make them a card to commemorate the occasion. I had this gorgeous pearlized tri-fold card which was perfect for a "diamond white" anniversary card base. I cut out two hearts from the same pearlized cardstock and embossed them with musical notes. I embellished the pocket with acrylic "diamonds" and added a greeting that reads "Two heart making beautiful music together for sixty years!" </p><p style="text-align: center;">I was able to order a small cake decorated with simple, elegant white roses. To that, we added 60 white roses--one for every year of marriage. My parents loved the card, the cake and the roses (which needed two vases)! </p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-7206186061211535352020-09-08T07:03:00.000-10:002020-09-08T07:03:00.917-10:00Fika<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQpB1_7N3L-Jdc1cNK_zU-mYLb19xCX6pGB5Q59-LKAi-4YeG-QkVeIcW9ia5GxWDIlZpCatOas_7rSb3C1IpiR7OaostBNytlAoktvccBYy08pFPLVRkojN_Y34ilFneiwpnC3wwY3o/s2048/Fika+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQpB1_7N3L-Jdc1cNK_zU-mYLb19xCX6pGB5Q59-LKAi-4YeG-QkVeIcW9ia5GxWDIlZpCatOas_7rSb3C1IpiR7OaostBNytlAoktvccBYy08pFPLVRkojN_Y34ilFneiwpnC3wwY3o/s640/Fika+2.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2yMkL07pZr0VOGF4PQZ7Hpa6I8JrZhZR71ajjI7kFhE561gjBrr1V0SXH2CzPjGB1OwPLewMXnaLh54Vjbd8g6lzT4Kt9gK48oadipfLAYP8KybNk1EUJBRgQfWy66FJZsadg1e5HPs/s2048/Fika+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2yMkL07pZr0VOGF4PQZ7Hpa6I8JrZhZR71ajjI7kFhE561gjBrr1V0SXH2CzPjGB1OwPLewMXnaLh54Vjbd8g6lzT4Kt9gK48oadipfLAYP8KybNk1EUJBRgQfWy66FJZsadg1e5HPs/s640/Fika+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess I have always had a fascination with words--unique, unusual words. I started gathering them on a Pinterest board so that I could keep my favorites in one place. The inspiration for my September Artfirmation card came from that list.</div><p style="text-align: center;">"Fika" is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude that is an important part of Swedish culture. Swedish people consider it an essential part of every day. Fika is a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life...coffee or tea with friends. I loved this idea. We all tend to get caught up in the frenzy of the day, trying to cram a million different things into a 24-hour period. The pace is dizzying, exhausting and prevents us from being able to connect in a meaningful way. Taking a break to sit and have a cup of coffee or tea with a friend is a beautiful ritual that allows us to stop, breathe, connect and express gratitude.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A few months ago, I signed up for Jenny Grant's "Story Flow" class on the Art is Magic website. Jenny's process is very fluid (hence, "flow"), intuitive and I found it very relaxing. She taught us how to create an interesting layered background with a collage of torn papers, mark making with pens/pencils and applying acrylic inks and paints with a palette knife. I made several background pages experimenting with this process, trying different color palettes.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The background of my Fika page was one of those background pages. The sepia, pastel blue and antique white tones gave a bit of a vintage vibe. I began to picture coffee cups and chintz tea cups and saucers with crocheted doilies. I used the coffee cup Movers & Shapers Sizzix die and then decorated the die cuts with washi tape. I tea-dyed a crocheted doily that I cut up to embellish my "table." I added the spoon from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology mini silverware set for the finishing touch.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here's hoping we all find time for a little "fika" in our day!</p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-1992698828838243472020-09-06T16:25:00.000-10:002020-09-06T16:25:07.104-10:00Retirement card for a friend<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSKoYZqntDIjkGJ_GhXLF4E-n7uQ3T1exZIhP10NDqZNG7ju1jK4NVatSX6G0V8_FzUlmEp9wFhHK8-Y2e_9rWvBzEBTs_gWpTtI9XroYlcj2XWtIwuVEVN9pb8PGHgIUmo32hQOBpvo/s2048/Claudia%2527s+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSKoYZqntDIjkGJ_GhXLF4E-n7uQ3T1exZIhP10NDqZNG7ju1jK4NVatSX6G0V8_FzUlmEp9wFhHK8-Y2e_9rWvBzEBTs_gWpTtI9XroYlcj2XWtIwuVEVN9pb8PGHgIUmo32hQOBpvo/s320/Claudia%2527s+card.jpg" /></a></div><br /> I am slowing working my way through the different mixed media techniques and ideas I gained from taking an on-line art journaling course last month. I loved this lay-out and personalize the message to serve as a retirement card for a friend of mine.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">The recipient of this card draws great strength from her faith. She is also a very talented singer. I thought I would use a page torn from hymnal for my background. I added a layer of texture by stenciling just a hint of a cathedral archway and designs that look like ancient stonework onto the church hymnal page. I kept to a neutral palette applying distress ink (Vintage Photo) through the stencils.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The decorative die-cut on the left side is actually from a strip die that I cut into thirds to form a single chain of circles. For the finishing embellishment, I selected this quote from St. Augustine "To sing is to pray twice" which was the perfect sentiment for this card. The quote is framed in a brass-toned label holder secured to the card by mini brads.</p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-50082170108126262832020-08-15T10:31:00.000-10:002020-08-15T10:31:48.272-10:00Artfirmations Begins<p> After a long hiatus, I finally came to a place where I am ready to begin another card swap. A small group of creative souls came together to form Artfirmations. The idea behind Artfirmations is to create a card that "inspires and motivates, cultivates positivity, offers words of encouragement or brings a smile to your face." Each month we make a 4"x 6" vertical card and mail to everyone in the group. Then we create one extra card to be sent to a designated member of the group each month. That member can then send that extra card to a person of their choosing--someone who needs a comforting word, a note of support or even a laugh-out-loud chuckle!</p><p>As I sat down to make my cards this month, I was feeling rather rusty. After all, it had been over a year since I had done an art swap. I pulled out some watercolor crayons and watercolor pencils and just began to play. I chose a palette of warm colors: red, burgundy, orange, peach and yellow. I doodled circles of all sizes which reminded me of bubbles. How can bubbles not make you feel happy? Then I got out a small brush and began to activate the crayons and pencils with water. I loved watching how the water moved and changed the intensity of the colors. The whole process was very relaxing and soothing for me. </p><p>Since I was making a total of four cards this month, I just used a 9"x 12" sheet of 140 lb. watercolor paper which I could then cut into four 4"x 6" cards. I embellished each card with some glitter glue which provided a little sparkle. Finally, I chose the word "Play" to stamp onto my cards. Have a look:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviZsXgSMyWlQQtCuW2Lcq-Rc4iVdbQo6xGhtslYAr2Hnh9bztc_iqMnKDCqo7psoZ6GciV5BwT9rZ8n-Xw7vIBj-lhTsladblPAf7KVAfKbk52_Jl8Mgjp-r0Vvcswq945G8ys8RrBKg/s2048/play+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviZsXgSMyWlQQtCuW2Lcq-Rc4iVdbQo6xGhtslYAr2Hnh9bztc_iqMnKDCqo7psoZ6GciV5BwT9rZ8n-Xw7vIBj-lhTsladblPAf7KVAfKbk52_Jl8Mgjp-r0Vvcswq945G8ys8RrBKg/s640/play+1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXR6T9lLhgryPcv1EbUg_ZE9lqifmZXAWQMh1PjLueHWjGCy59fPWULRUWJgNJsIvWy_i7-CPdvSQ3N0_97uU4LEZ1lNa7WOn4C1e4HBg2RH6CdON5L5vO3qnjylkpn-Pm4cWsWuxDz8/s2048/play+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXR6T9lLhgryPcv1EbUg_ZE9lqifmZXAWQMh1PjLueHWjGCy59fPWULRUWJgNJsIvWy_i7-CPdvSQ3N0_97uU4LEZ1lNa7WOn4C1e4HBg2RH6CdON5L5vO3qnjylkpn-Pm4cWsWuxDz8/s640/play+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKBIBMy9RVdRfmhLf7Th-RZftkcSbnNLpOWtr6_aKS57PWsj0ymFCLrC1-MMhckxXvbv2EIEkzt0XBaY_Ug3ddFkLVuC0MOKwrGXyoBogIVcEJFghiZQEHwm5Q10NOkYF_WCDTJcPqhw/s2048/play+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKBIBMy9RVdRfmhLf7Th-RZftkcSbnNLpOWtr6_aKS57PWsj0ymFCLrC1-MMhckxXvbv2EIEkzt0XBaY_Ug3ddFkLVuC0MOKwrGXyoBogIVcEJFghiZQEHwm5Q10NOkYF_WCDTJcPqhw/s640/play+3.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-68633600065945454882019-03-12T07:47:00.002-10:002019-03-12T07:47:59.817-10:00Intention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAXoKnYMvRh2QOkmkONbIT3UsP2xnlxofUv5Slh2kImAOZxSA32Uw8qUmtPfvQTeRVO2iiccA8hXdZyUIXX7IeKdnDPemgFBrbYkPRqhv86AgTl8KPVNlx4OthEE6tol4foHcJatCi4w/s1600/Intention.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAXoKnYMvRh2QOkmkONbIT3UsP2xnlxofUv5Slh2kImAOZxSA32Uw8qUmtPfvQTeRVO2iiccA8hXdZyUIXX7IeKdnDPemgFBrbYkPRqhv86AgTl8KPVNlx4OthEE6tol4foHcJatCi4w/s640/Intention.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The snow moon is known for
its energies of cleansing, healing the spirit, inner strength and transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harness the super snow moon’s full potential
by performing some simple rituals for healing, hope or transformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Light a white or silver candle and visualize
the moon’s energy, charge a crystal under the moonlight, or just write out your
intentions and burn them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t forget
to take action in real life knowing that your efforts are blessed by your
magical intention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super Snow Moon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">February 19, 2019</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was drawn to the word "Intention" after February's Super Snow Moon. I loved the idea of capturing the energy of the Super Snow Moon for its healing and transformative powers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I took the above description of the Super Snow Moon and played with the layout of the text so that it would show through the printed moon image. I used a little glitter glue to give a little sparkle. I was hoping the glitter glue would adhere the transparency to the text, but when that didn't happen, I used spray adhesive. I found that the transparency wanted to warp and curl, so I also had to add a little double stick tape to keep the corners down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I got to this point, I really felt that the card needed a little something more, some embellishment. I played with a number of different ideas, but in the end rejected all of them and just let the words to speak for themselves.</span></div>
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<br />Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-18234244813264063012019-01-18T08:55:00.000-10:002019-01-18T09:01:09.701-10:00Welcome 2019!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO3BIBQAAhVsUBfmWmLwBycQsWwssysXSRRhmQf0LG3Cwfhm_hhIrhhQY8wzOX4yKMYVJ8ae86JwYDpMBYJiaWxdvQlImasr26ShcfnVlC-jgyjSv_FBg_Td2ML4hBxdKFJCxw9ZFfLs/s1600/tree+symbolism+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1033" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO3BIBQAAhVsUBfmWmLwBycQsWwssysXSRRhmQf0LG3Cwfhm_hhIrhhQY8wzOX4yKMYVJ8ae86JwYDpMBYJiaWxdvQlImasr26ShcfnVlC-jgyjSv_FBg_Td2ML4hBxdKFJCxw9ZFfLs/s640/tree+symbolism+1.jpg" width="411" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN5lxjcj5v5VtX3NS883izcRAuHn3u2GC3mkKe-y6Nu1XdhzpEzLLkRRBQuu_Hkiv1MD4T5BZ_PufWw6jAJVaK5w3hqTJ8RpYK7ed6w26rYwfkd2sS3d-GvqxtgrBLtC9jzYV9WPLGLU/s1600/tree+symbolism+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN5lxjcj5v5VtX3NS883izcRAuHn3u2GC3mkKe-y6Nu1XdhzpEzLLkRRBQuu_Hkiv1MD4T5BZ_PufWw6jAJVaK5w3hqTJ8RpYK7ed6w26rYwfkd2sS3d-GvqxtgrBLtC9jzYV9WPLGLU/s640/tree+symbolism+2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9drAKotyJgH-AICy_WUqX7cpeiDrr1E0uWFVZSfqUZjZEY-O7_9ReXdmyArz2Djj1PONtgun-a2X66oHTONUobix_GREM1CAaKRNtucME2nkFPiS1maE7phRitpKcLjJsDCH3bXdzvQ/s1600/tree+symbolism+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9drAKotyJgH-AICy_WUqX7cpeiDrr1E0uWFVZSfqUZjZEY-O7_9ReXdmyArz2Djj1PONtgun-a2X66oHTONUobix_GREM1CAaKRNtucME2nkFPiS1maE7phRitpKcLjJsDCH3bXdzvQ/s640/tree+symbolism+3.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was planning to make a chevron cut Christmas tree
for my December card. Now that we are
into January, I adapted my idea a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I abandoned the traditional Christmas colors, and
instead chose a “boho” inspired tree.
And, rather than using the Christmas tree to deliver a message of peace
during the holidays, I broadened my vision.
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I began to think of all of the things that a tree has
come to symbolize: rooted, grounded, growth,
cultivate, nourish, strength, flexibility, adapt, learning, knowledge, wisdom, reach, strive, aim…<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: center;">Seems fitting for the start of a new year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">This card also gave me the opportunity to finally try out my We R Memory Keepers typewriter! I used the sepia ribbon and typed the words on the back of my card onto manila cardstock to give it a more vintage feel. Then I used Tea Dye Distress Ink to color and soften the edges. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy 2019!</span></div>
Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-75905201614037638142018-12-08T08:49:00.001-10:002018-12-08T08:49:03.366-10:00Jester, Our Angel Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgyfy0ME-SQn0_iO6Qnjv7mPFl4F55FBKjgLz9BWN_2cPFexW7WsiRbXNq_xWr0JEZkrI_DPXe6uXCYlCUl7LkhVhjA6EHp3jvLKUyFM8VQnRDkyz7i9IRFX_0jNwSpCaa5uBrU4d-aE/s1600/Jester+Angel+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgyfy0ME-SQn0_iO6Qnjv7mPFl4F55FBKjgLz9BWN_2cPFexW7WsiRbXNq_xWr0JEZkrI_DPXe6uXCYlCUl7LkhVhjA6EHp3jvLKUyFM8VQnRDkyz7i9IRFX_0jNwSpCaa5uBrU4d-aE/s640/Jester+Angel+close+up.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
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We had to say goodbye to our dear, sweet Jester boy last month. It has been difficult adjusting to life without him. His presence filled our lives for 12 wonderful years. We are now left with only emptiness and deafening silence. This month, my card honors his independent spirit. </div>
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I chose one of my (many) favorite photos of Jester. This was taken on the beach behind my parents home and it was a special place where he loved to play. I love how this picture captures his regal, majestic stance. </div>
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Since Jester has now crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is in the company of angels, I decided to give him wings. These wings were created by spraying a mist of water over the photo, laying a wing stencil down and using an awl to gently scratch the surface. I think he wears his wings well.</div>
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Jester was a very special companion to all whose lives he touched. He leaves a huge hole in our hearts but we take comfort knowing that his spirit is now happy, wild and free.</div>
Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-77535675020041386572018-10-26T17:19:00.000-10:002018-10-26T17:19:24.605-10:00Explore (Chicago!)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3rYWEx5CYAc_sILbxoKOHmjcbdlDyI7h1LkEg3QBZs4BTxdob6rHIRMrVtFC6Qqm8OKJY-L9C4wU0qofIez3wkPzL2tEVfwbsv7H9mAJN_anm7ThIWbiIfC6giER-HI-Y_GCLQ9k_Q/s1600/explore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1231" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-3rYWEx5CYAc_sILbxoKOHmjcbdlDyI7h1LkEg3QBZs4BTxdob6rHIRMrVtFC6Qqm8OKJY-L9C4wU0qofIez3wkPzL2tEVfwbsv7H9mAJN_anm7ThIWbiIfC6giER-HI-Y_GCLQ9k_Q/s400/explore.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYu4p6sCydsuRBuUHUsmwIA6XbZccksvOsqLHlQg85qgDASpcp2Cf6SnnGQLTZ1w3OLU3iMdJa9TWsELftCjaiyXgFUOdfcqYapNvJQoY9G6-1wRGG2fTrmdRXpGbV5c1HMc59G-3ge4/s1600/explore.alisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1484" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYu4p6sCydsuRBuUHUsmwIA6XbZccksvOsqLHlQg85qgDASpcp2Cf6SnnGQLTZ1w3OLU3iMdJa9TWsELftCjaiyXgFUOdfcqYapNvJQoY9G6-1wRGG2fTrmdRXpGbV5c1HMc59G-3ge4/s320/explore.alisa.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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I travelled to Chicago last month and the Windy City was all the inspiration I needed for this month's mindfulness card.</div>
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I met up with a friend from college who lives a few hours outside of Chicago and together we explored the City. From the Riverwalk, the <br />
awe-inspiring Architecture Boat Tour (by night), Millenium Park, the "Bean," the Art Institute of Chicago, deep-dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, Buckingham Fountain, the Sky Deck at the Willis (fka Sears) Tower, Stony Island Arts Bank and even walking two labyrinths--we did it all in just over two days.</div>
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I just knew that that I could share a lot of the sights of Chicago with this fun "napkin fold" pop-up card. </div>
Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-68820168136887747122018-09-29T12:57:00.001-10:002018-09-29T12:57:30.829-10:00Respect<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqjUiPImVT7dDHKad5q11XnbjZQgVbG9BQ_mgFphNFrrklFWYFw8UR8R41417ddKx61J6FSI_69-p0xVpJF97lyjsl5TyUgQJ0uxfjYogQwUVN-w3t_2MzEzmV5pBLn_KEG9cOSEaZQw/s1600/Respect+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqjUiPImVT7dDHKad5q11XnbjZQgVbG9BQ_mgFphNFrrklFWYFw8UR8R41417ddKx61J6FSI_69-p0xVpJF97lyjsl5TyUgQJ0uxfjYogQwUVN-w3t_2MzEzmV5pBLn_KEG9cOSEaZQw/s400/Respect+front.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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With the recent passing of the Queen of Soul, I decided to create my monthly Mindfulness Card by honoring Aretha Franklin.</div>
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I found a high contrast image of Aretha which I ran off on transparency. I also wanted to use the "Respect" sheet music in my card. I wasn't quite sure how these elements would all come together to create a 4 x 6 card, but over time--and after considering a few different ideas--I began to feel a 1960's vibe emerging. After all, this image of Aretha is probably from the 1960's. </div>
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The circle-patterned scrapbook paper really completed the look I was going for. So instead of trying to incorporate the sheet music onto the front of my card, I used it to complete the back of the card. I found coordinating washi tape to bind all three layers--Aretha, scrapbook paper background and sheet music--together to create my card.</div>
Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342108398764096423.post-53068058387919094702018-09-08T14:01:00.002-10:002018-09-08T14:01:46.115-10:00Fun with Pink and Orange<div style="text-align: center;">
I had fun creating my page for this month's color journal. When I think of Pat, I think "fun," "playful" and "funky." It's no wonder her colors are pink and orange!</div>
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I don't know why, but the other pages created for Pat's color journal seemed to all feature faces. I did not intend to include a face in my page for her. I actually wanted to incorporate Pat's own image into my pages. To do this, I stalked her on Facebook!</div>
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Pat had a number of images that I could picture using in my pages. I chose this one:</div>
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<img alt="No automatic alt text available." height="400" src="https://scontent.fhnl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16681649_1739449389413779_7910524411844975064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=b6b7551c63fd63f817029e7f31a62088&oe=5C334DC9" width="306" /></div>
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The first thing I did was to run off this image in black and white.</div>
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Next, I took white cardstock and colored it with pink and orange ink pads. I then copied Pat's black and white image onto the colored cardstock.</div>
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Since she had used vintage Japanese newspaper for her background, I took Japanese text pages and colored them with Dylusion sprays in pinks and oranges.</div>
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I then cut out tresses of hair from the colorful text pages and re-imagined a new "do" for her image. Pat usually wears hints of blues and purples in her hair, I gave her pink and orange highlights for this spread. <br />
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The Pat I know is not that recognizable to me in this image. The Pat I know wears glasses, so I added glasses and now I see Pat!</div>
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Lorenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16319173700067353660noreply@blogger.com0