Illustration Friday - “Enough” July 24, 2008
I’ve been looking and thinking about it for awhile, and now I am finally posting on Illustration Friday.
My girl has enough wild flowers and has almost had enough sunset - one last glimpse.
"Enough"
Playing with a Full Deck July 17, 2008
Before we left, I signed up for a contest at European Papers, which is a part of the Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts in Ohio. They host a contest for ATC’s each year and this year has a theme - “Playing with a Full Deck” which asks folks to alter antique reproductions of 18th Century French playing cards. I figure this would be a small step for me to take - small scale, small gesture toward putting myself out there. So I received the following assigned cards:
I am in the process of altering them. Here’s what I have so far:
This has been fun. I love the Eight of Hearts. I call it “Bourree” for the the French dance, and because there’s a card game called Bourre (one “e”). I have the Three of Spades sketched, and a rough idea for the Queen (she’s hard because she’s lovely just the way she is.)
The kids have been watching my progress as I do this. They want to alter cards as well, which will be a good idea for - what’s supposed to be - a rainy day. Cheers!
Been Gone to Wisconsin July 17, 2008
We have been gone visiting family at the north Wisconsin cottage. Hubby and I took a side trip up to Madeline Island on Lake Superior while the kids hung out with Grandma and Grandpa. I did a lot of sitting, though biking and walking were a good part of it. A lovely trip. Here are some of hubby’s photos:
Water is good.
Scrabble & the Cottage go hand and hand.
Bayfield, WI to La Pointe, Madeline Island
Lupine and Lake Superior
Wishing July 2, 2008
Our next Artist Trading Card (ATC) topic is “Connection”, and this is my gal “Wishing” to connect. She wants to connect with these birds - she wants them to come to her and she wants to fly off with them. If she just tries harder…
Actually, she is too big to be an ATC.
In the meantime, until I am more confident and consistent, and since she keeps on showing up, I am going to let myself work through this image. This girl from my childhood offers me a comfortable way to explore and create. Maybe someday she’ll turn around and I’ll see her face. Or, maybe I’ll just follow her and find something new.
Once upon a time, amamagogo… June 28, 2008
Today I am reminiscing…
Once upon a time, when my lovely daughter turned two, I decided to use my iMac to make stuff for people. I made a business name - amamagogo - based on something my daughter said. I made personalized party invitations. I made miscellaneous wedding things. I made “I’ve Moved” announcements. I made a few bucks, literally. It was fun, but then it was done. The End.
P.S. I still like the name - amamagogo. This was the card that started me off:
Hmm. One picture doesn’t want to be blogged. It wants to remain anonymous.
Nosegay Terrarium & Peony Rescue June 22, 2008
This past week the kids spent a night at Auntie and Uncle’s house with the cousins and had a great time. When I came to pick them up - running behind, of course - I was greeted by my daughter with a hug and this cup of wild fleurs she picked on a walk. Then I realized my son was hugging me. She’s a thoughtful child, and he gives really good hugs, especially when they are unexpected. These flowers have been living in this cup for about 24 hours and they continue to bloom; it must be the perfect environment for wee weed flowers. I took the picture to send to Auntie to let her know her neighborhood flowers are magical, and staged them with a couple books my husband brought back on his last long trip. Lovely nosegay; lovely family.
I am flower happy today. It was a gorgeous day. Very busy with things. The last thing I did today was to rescue the peonies that got really whipped up in strong wind gusts last evening. (Note: stronger peony supports next year.) I did get this beautiful arrangement… smells so sweet.
Six Word Memoir for the day:
itchy eyes ok; I love plants
Word Search for Foodies - Oh Boy! or hmmm? June 21, 2008
I just discovered something at Cooks.com - Under “Printer Options” you can select “Word Search Puzzle” (Oh Boy!). So, I thought this was a fun discovery, though I am not sure when I’ll take advantage of it. Maybe while I am traveling? Maybe for a kid gathering where we cook? Maybe as part of some whacky thing I come up with at a future date. (hmmm?) Maybe YOU already are using this option! Click here - Asparagus Quiche - for word search.
First Birds June 21, 2008
I have chosen my first birds, two prints from Geninne’s on Etsy. Geninne has a watercolor series “20 Birds”. I love them. The Bird Wall begins! Cheers!
P.S. Visit “Geninne’s Art Blog” at geninne.com for more fun, interesting and creative stuff. Nice.
Peonies June 19, 2008
The pink peonies have burst into bloom. I had to bring some into the house. The white are just blooming. I only became a fan when we moved into this house with the pinks already here. Two years later my mother-in-law was given several white peonies from a friends mother’s home which she shared with the rest of the family. Those three white peony plants are now five, two fully developed and three divided from the original third.
I am amazed by peonies. The sureness of the green leaves. The small globes that burst into mega-multi-layered blooms. The sweet, delightful fragrance. Beautiful joy. Happy blessings. Amazing life. Click on the photos and you can almost smell them - ooo, it’s almost Smell-O-Vision.
Bird Wall June 17, 2008
I wrote in my Etsy post that I am contemplating bird art purchases. I have a wall in the front stairway that keeps saying “Bird Wall” to me.
So, I am looking at Etsy. I will do some painting of my own. I’ll also scout Goodwill and some garage sales. (I have some wheels turning about what to do with what I find.) Plus, the kids love birds and create their own bird pictures, which, of course, will have to go up on the wall. Yep, Bird Wall it is.
Here are some of the many Etsy Artist birds under consideration. I love them all.
