Little Scraps of Magic

Enter the Cranky Birds

In early October, I quite admired these fine fellows but pretty much figured that they weren't going to happen, at least not in my journals. You see, I knew that if I tried to purposely create a blob which then would magically morph into a cranky bird, I'd tie myself up into knots of pure frustration. Why? Because I'd be thinking way to much about how to control that blog and to make sure it could become a bird, cranky or not.

So, I put those cranky birds out of mind, or so thought. Turns out, they thought otherwise.

Hurricane Sandy, for all the destruction up and down the East Coast that she caused, gave me the gift of time. I happily puttered away in the studio, playing with watercolors and building backgrounds in a journal. Just play, looking to see what might happen, and heat gun blasting away to dry the page, I spotted him, my cranky bird.

Back to Carla's blog I went, and followed the instructions of Carla's guest blogger, Dar Hosta, and began to work on my bird. One wing is definitely wonky, but I love him, none the less.

In her post, Dar explained that cranky birds always have something to say, and mine was definitely telling me that if I wanted this art career to happen, I needed to get cracking and put in the time. I haven't been, and it's my fault, plain and simple.

I could explain to you all that I have had to do, and it's a lot...just a lot of administrative work, meetings, conferences, lesson plans and so on.

Yeah, I need to unwind, but I don't need to fall into hours of random wandering through blogs...and I do mean very random, just following link after link after link...and end up doing nothing of my own. Too many ideas bouncing in my head and never making their appearance via camera or journal page. Pretty stupid, 'cause I know better.

So, this post is a promise to myself to get moving, to make it happen, I know it's possible because this happened. Time to stop dreaming and make it start happening!

Transformation

Made a quick little journal the other day...some preripped watercolor papers, which I had used to scrape and layer on leftover acrylics and inks.

I piled on some more color with Faber Castell gelatos, figuring out just how far I could push them.

The butterfly came courtesy of a fingerpainting session with Dom, as did the circles floating on the page.

I stamped the flowers and happily colored away with various pens in my stash, piled on some more gelatos, and blended it all in.

More stamping - words this time, liking the look of the differently sized letters.

And, in case you're wondering about those snakes...I had a bizarre but vivid dream about a snake in my father's back room this summer. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out the snake bit, especially since I barely tolerate the creatures, and this snake sported a very grumpy and very human face.

Curiousity got to me, so I googled the meaning of snakes in dreams, and honestly, that snake was an excellent fit. Turns out he symbolizes transformation, particularly a change that you don't want to be making. I had the dream shortly after we sold my dad's home.

Yeah, it fit, but butterflies also symbolize transformation, and if it's all the same to you, I'd rather have butterflies in my dreams than grumpy old snakes.

 

Pink and Blue

Sharing some more journal play, one in pink...

and one in blue...

So much fun to be had with paper, paint, and glue!

What I've Been Up To...

Silliness

He causes gales of laughter, this Aussie of ours! Whether it's a doggy bagel crammed in his mouth, or his barreling through the house with a squeaky football, he loves to play. He can't catch a frisbee to save his life, but glories in the pursuit. I've got a lot to learn from this fellow.

This page, as so many, started out completely differently. It evolved ...layers of paper, paint, a slightly altered photo, some sanding, and so it went. Add some pens and some rubber stamping, and I bet it made you smile.

Today began with the two of us sitting in traffic and creeping toward our destination, arriving much later than normal. I scurried in only to find the black screen of death awaiting me. Luckily, my best new friend, Phil, came to fix it. Seems as if one piece of tech was not playing nicely with another. God bless Phil...he gets rid of the gremlins that lurk in my machine. From there, I scrounged to get some copy paper; it seems as if it's to be delivered tomorrow, which didn't help matters today.

Some scented shower gel, an iced chai, and looking at this silly face has cured what ails me.

Happy Tuesday!

It Started Out as a Disaster...

Remember this? I decided to go for it and use the shot as a journal page. But, as the print emerged from my HP, it became very clear that I had pushed my printer as far as I could push it. HP decided to fight back, and the upshot was a very faded grayish blue picture, and not at all what I had in mind for my journal page.

Something made me hesitate as I headed toward the recyling container. The color appealed to me for some reason, and honestly, that ink is expensive. Upshot? I decided to play, because, after all, it couldn't get much worse.

Out came the micron for a bit of outlining and journaling. A few areas of stark white jumped out, so I blended in some "weathered wood" from an old Ranger stampad.

And, I like it!

Scattered Thoughts

A journal page from about a month ago...maybe a bit more.

I had cropped and printed a photo I shot during one of our junking/antiquing walk abouts. I outlined with a finely tipped micron pen, and I fell in love with the effect.

I love bottles lined up along a windowsill, particularly those with a bit of a tint to them - pale blues and aquas, soft greens that call to mind the sea.

Light pouring through them fills a need inside me.

I journaled ideas as I sat and listened to a friend; my writing wanders up, down, and sideways, as I quickly sought space to jot down what she said, always being mindful that I still wanted to see those bottles!

I came home very cranky today; nothing major, just a ever growing heap of thinks to do, coupled with heat and humidity. I sat for a bit, catching up on a few blogs, but finding it hard to concentrate. But one message kept showing up - to find time to nurture myself.

So, the candle's burning, filling up the air with honeysuckle. A bubble bath ensued. I'm not touching the schoolwork; it will be forever there, no matter how much I tackle. I'm taking a bit of time to replenish the well, to just be, to relax, and to focus on what is good, and to figure out where I want to go with things and the steps to get there, to spend more time doing what I really really love. 

I'm claiming tonight for me.

Restrain Yourself...and a Bit of Inspiration, Too!

This was inspired by Hanna, who was inspired by Michelle. Both of these women are beyond awesome.

Hanna never fails to inspire, and I leave her blog with my ideas popping in my head, just like that bag of microwave popcorn doing its thing! And, Michelle? Super talented, beyond generous, and a gifted teacher. I know 'cause I've taken classes with her, and, oh, she's wickedly funny as well.

So, restraint...not in my makeup! I love color, and I love to cram my pages full of it and texture. I'm not much for white space, so, like Hanna, I wanted to keep going with this page. I'm thinking pink lately, so I grabbed some paper, a paint swatch, and a few ripped up journal pages. And, then? Well, then, I left white, and I am okay with it. In fact, it's growing on me.

When I opened this particular journal, I found a page where I had randomly glued on bits and pieces of art table goodness, and a lot of...well, you know, ....white space. So, I grinned, and then I journaled. And, once again, I had me some fun. So, I think I'll do another quick little page when I'm done here.

Just a bit of fun, and a bit of play, and it's oh so good for the soul.

Now, pop on over and visit those two ladies!

Quoque Calida Nix Stella

Currently...

...listening to early morning birdsong welcoming a hint of spring

...eating homemade nut roll, pure delciousness

...drinking freshly brewed coffee (NOT the blonde stuff from Starbucks, yuck!!!)

...wearing a black night gown with pink and purple flowers, which looks a whole lot better than it sounds

...feeling a bit anxious with a ton to do and sort out

...the weather is hinting at spring with gorgeous blue skies; I noticed the hydrenga has tiny green leaves unfurling!

...wanting to be back at "Art & Soul"

...needing to get this art room sorted and decluttered; there's still Art & Soul stuff needing its home

...thinking I need to finish up my photography prompt for the week and get it posted

...enjoying Saturday morning downtime and catching up on blogs

I created this page during Jill Berry's "Personal Geographies" class, which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you scroll down to her pictures slide show, you can see two more of my pages.

Happy weekend!

Book of Days, Week 1

Catching up here! I could not resist Effy WIld's Book of Days, and I've been engrossed once again in the world of altered books and journals! But....no time to post, it seems!

In a never ending effort to use up my stuff, some paste paper created last year at Art and Soul and an old math text from an "antique/junk shop" came together in a way, I suspect that neither ever envisioned! A bit of waxy paper to reinforce the spine, and a bit of stamping and...ta da! One cool book!

A bit more of hand painted paper (acrylics this time), some Tim Holtz Ranger Ink, a photo I shot at Yaddo gardens, a bit of stamping and tape equals the inside front cover.

I'm definitely experiencing a "re-learning" curve...as in old book pages can be brittle and need some gluing together, some gesso, and some patience.  Unexpected things happen on a regular basis, and I'm also re-learning the art of "going with the flow" and "embracing imperfection!" One goal? To incorporate as much of my own phtography as possible.

Effy had used an altered tag as a "flap" but nothing I tried seemed to work. Improvise right? I cheerfully used some very cool tape (use up my stuff...remember?) on an envelope. You can flip the envelope over and inside of it you'll find a card listing some things "I'm Looking Forward To." I love this shot of the snowman; he's actually enjoying a bubble bath in the original photo.

Here's the rest of Week 1. Another photo - I suspect you'll be seeing a lot of the "grands"...more stuff from my stash, and lots and lots of gesso and masking tape to reinforce the gutter.

I've spent many an hour engrossed in this book; it's a wonderful way to destress if you let go of perfection and remember that old books offer many problem solving moments!

I'll share Week Two  tomorrow.