Paste Paper Play

I spent a while today making a small batch of some paste papers-something I have wanted to do but haven't for a long time. I haven't done this for years and I STILL have a stash from my last batch-amazing! I think I have a hoarding problem LOL Paste Papers have such an elegance to them, and I want to build up a stash of all different colors. Here's a couple colors-I plan to do more. I want to bind some books as gifts for some people, and I really want to use handpainted papers for the covers-I think it makes them that much more special and unique. Plus I am sure I can use them for my art journals and collages as well.

Today's stamping

Using stamps from I Brake for Stamps and new techniques from the newest TJ Newsletter

I am trying to do some Xmas cards every week to build up a stash of them. I don't send out a whole lot of handmade ones-only to folks I know will really appreciate them :) I guess I am kinda selfish with them. But on the other hand I don't want the reciever to get it in the mail then just toss it after they get it, ya know? Especially when I have put work into it!

Today's Effort

I did get some play time in and here's what I did!

I used the same stamp as I did the other day-It is geared more toward fall but I think I will be able to use it year round! I used a different color scheme of course, and also used some collage images from Collage Visions

Stamp by I Brake For Stamps!

I used Radiant Rain Daubers (my current fave) for the background

My Stamping Roots

Being I have been stamping for a looooooooooooong long long time, each week I always end up doing some. Its just a part of my life. Here's what I did today!

These stamps are from I Brake For Stamps! I love leaves of all kinds-and this new image really spoke to me today!

I used Radiant Rain Daubers for the background-I love to get messy with them :)

My door is always open

I have been thinking alot of a family member of mine recently who is going through a trial -I have been there to listen and I feel so flattered that this family member has felt comfortable enough to me to talk to me. I don't know this person too well, but I feel priveleged to get to know them better. I know how important it is to have a listening ear. Also, you never know when you just might need that certain person to listen to YOU. You know how sometimes its easier to go to one person vs. another when you need a listening ear? I have thought alot about that this morning. We all need as many friends as we can get-we need each other.

Each day I strive to do something nice for somebody-smile at a random person. Even when I am not feeling too happy-you never know-your smile might be what that random person needed to see at that moment. That may be the only smile they see that day.

So much kindness has been shown to me -at times when I needed it the most. Its how I give back. When we do kind things for others it makes our burdens seem so much lighter.

Each day I just try to do something -even if its just a small thing. Even small things can make a difference.

Art Journal Page-True Colors

I have been listening to the song "True Colors" alot today-the words and meanings are just so beautiful! This page uses a bunch of stencils-the one of the face is one I made. The background uses masking fluid and watercolors-also used Acrylic paints and charcoal pencil.

I am not a huge Phil Collins fan-but I love his version of this song, even more than the original Cyndi Lauper version.

New Untitled Small Canvas

I worked on a small canvas today-I have been itching to use this image for a while. I finally got to! I have not titled this one yet. It felt so good to work on a canvas for a change (at least lately)

I used Acrylics, watercolors, collage, old ephemera, hand cut stencil, colored pencil and graphite. Image was handcolored with Peerless Watercolors.

Image courtesy of Gaby

All Play and No Work

Don't we all kinda wish for that? I know I do!

When I think of kids-thats all they have really!

Makes me wish I was a kid again.That is what my art journal is based on today. My brother in law was visiting the past few days, he just returned from Iraq and we have been going through millions of old pictures-lots of my husband's mom(she passed away 9 years ago due to breast cancer) as a child and their childhood photos-and it has made me think how lucky we all were as kids to be carefree-all we had to do was play all day.

For this page I used Oil pastels, graphite, charcoal, water soluble crayons, patterned paper, vintage wallpaper and map, some acrylics, old photo, alphabet stamps and masking tape

Pictured here is my daughter with her uncle (& my Brother in Law), Matt, who just recently returned from Iraq!

Christmas Cards

I made a couple of Christmas Cards today using new Collage Stamps from I Brake For Stamps-I am loving these new images!

Art Now For Autism Online Exhibit Open!

We are pleased to announce the opening of Art Now for Autism 2009.

An online exhibit and reverse auction benefitting autism awareness and research. October 1-10, 2009

http://www.artnowforautism.com/

October 1-4 : Preview of Art. Opens at 9am EST on October 1.

Art exhibit will be open online at http://www.artnowforautism.com/.

All work will be viewable but not on sale.

October 5 & 6Reverse Auction Opens AT 9AM EST.

All Art is $90

October 7 & 8 Unsold art drops to $60 at 9AM EST on Oct. 7.

October 9 & 10 Last two days.

Final price starts at 9AM EST on Oct. 9.

Any remaining art is $30

This year's exhibit includes the work of 89 artists from around the USA, Canada, France, Italy, Australia, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Included in this amazing list of artists are a number of artists with autism spectrum disorders. 160 pieces of fine art and craft are included in the exhibit. There is something for everyone!