freebie

Here's a page of ATC's in full grunge color....

A Walk in the Woods Equals

stress relieved

peace restored

perspective found

spirit revived

purpose defined

answers known

life refreshed

beliefs strengthened

soul centered

body worked

muscles challenged

creativity inspired

Another free grunge background

Wherever I go

Wherever I go
God is there
High on a hill or
Low in a valley
Wherever I go
God is there
Along the seashore or
On a rocky cliff
Wherever I go
God is there
On a busy street or
In a quiet forest
Wherever I go
God is there
With laughter or
With tears
Wherever I go
God is there

vintage digital freebie

Playing with brushes on Adobe has become an obsession. The ideas are endless.

• make digital collages
• print and make real collages
• make atc's
• share them
• scrapbook them
• find 101 more uses

Here's a free background to use for your own creative inspirationa

WisDom

new digital scrapbook page says it all

The Master's Touch

Surely if God has numbered the hairs on our head
He accounted for the petals on each daisy in the field.
He personally held each grain of sand on the vast beaches.
He created each leaf on the mighty oak with precision and care.
He crafted each detail of the tiniest of creatures that move upon the earth.
He breathed air into each puffy cloud in the sky.
He hand tinted each color in the rainbow.
He painted the sunsets with his master brush.
He put the twinkle in each star in the rich dark sky.
He made everything with His own care and love and
He put His life in us all.
We should surely praise Him for that.

I AM HEALED

The sky shines with the morning sunrise
I am healed
The blue atmosphere tries to conceal the last half of the moon
I am healed
The air hums with birds' songs
I am healed
The field smiles with daisies
I am healed
The grasses dance with the deer's leap
I am healed
The blue firmament is split by the v of geese
I am healed
A family laughs, smiles and shares memories
I am healed
God is showing His presence
He hears my painful cry
I am healed

Fernwood?

The reason behind Fernwood is but simple; the creek banks and wood are covered with the beauty of lacy green ferns. Everywhere you look you see them. They are like old friends returning in the summer. In mild winters they don't disappear completely but the summer lush ones are best. Ferns alone make a beautiful arrangement for your table. Bringing a bit of the outside inside is my favorite way to retreat on a hectic day.

Today is a gift from God

A day at Fernwood (our getaway) is often a time to catch up on this and that. Don't you love those days. No real plans. Just do what needs doing as it arises. A little fun thrown in along the way. No worries or problems to solve. Go where the day leads and see the day for what it is a gift from the heavenly Father.

Guess I am spoiled

As many know, American Idol can be addictive. I didn't actually start watching until our NC native, Clay Aiken was on the show. Watched nearly every episode since but last night the finale for the season, I missed. The power was off. No bad weather. Just off. 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Had to get the results via my son. He called and I at least heard the announcement. Yes, we have a generator and UPS (uninterruptible power service) but I could hardly justify it watch a TV show. Well, it did afford me time to sit by battery operated candlelight and talk to my husband without TV sidetracks, talked to a friend on the phone too, made some cards by battery lamp, and even some extra time for prayer and meditation. So it was a nice night despite the loss of power and missing Idol. People always thought I was spoiled as an only child. I always said no but I know now I was and am. BUT in good ways!

Image is of recent ATC's, vintage and throwaway scraps with magazine images.

sacrificing one pleasure for another

We've all done it but it's still hard, but how often does it just happen without your thinking it? My neighbor recently sold the last 3 from his cattle herd due to changes in taxation. I forgot how much I enjoyed the lovely pastoral scene right out my back door until they were gone, however, now the pasture is full of beautiful tall grasses and wild flowers and the blackberries are growing. I had also forgotten how lovely that scene is. So I began to consider sacrificing one pleasure for another. We so often hang on to things and miss new joys and beauties when all we should do is just let go and see what the results are. So today look for beauty you can let go of to share with another so as to see something new and special. Appreciate every moment and experience in life!

Image is a new scrapbook page submitted to the Faith Sisters Scrapbook site. ( http://www.faithsisters.com/ ) Check it out. They have great products, lots of free stuff to download, oodles of ideas and inspiration and a wonderful faith based community.

Things I never tire of seeing

my family's faces

sunsets

children at play

evidence of God

sunrises

mountains

seascapes

art

foggy mornings

ferns

rain-soaked grass

babies

animals

flowers

I could go on for awhile and maybe I will but how 'bout you? What would be on your list?

Image is another view of my Hyacinths for the Soul fan fold book.

New Art

Just finished two spreads for an altered book round robin I am participating in. It will cycle through a dozen artists and then each will have a completed book with great stuff from around the world. This spread was a lot of fun, especially since it featured my dear grandmother as a popup.

Day of Caring

Today was a nice one, since I had lunch and shopping with my husband. Then some time at home to prepare pies for church pie tasting tomorrow. A friend told me of the special Mother's Day week she spent with her Mom who lives in another state. We exchanged thoughts about another friend who needed care. Another friend called who was out of town and needed someone to check on her Mom. I went of course and saw two caring grand daughters calmly taking care of her. The son in law arrived and gave the same level of care, concern and respect. Such a nice thing to know that people still care for others. When you watch the news and hear of all the bad things happening you wonder if anyone cares for anyone anymore. Well, I 'm here to tell you they do and if you are reading this, I hope you care for others and feel cared for as well.

image is from an experiment in color, texture and words

A day of WHY'S

Why does hurt come to some and joy to others?

Why can't I make art 24-7?

Why does the world see you as a successful artist if you make lots of money or win awards?

Why can't I eat all the chocolate I want?

Why do we want so much when we have so much already?

Why does the rain fall on the just and unjust alike?

Why do I have all these questions?

Why do I seek answers that maybe I don't need to know?

Why do I write this blog?

Why...............

Image is from the Heritage women series....the darkness of ti seemed to fit these many whys.

new mixed media canvas

Here is my latest piece of art...I created a textured surface on an 11X14 inch canvas with modeling paste. Then applied acrylic paints in white, gold and copper, very thinly. Mosaic pieces are cut up card stock that had been painted grungely with dark acrylics, cut into 2 1/2 inch squares and loaded with prismacolor. The pieces are attached with mat medium to the canvas. It came together so quickly but was fun and easy.

The Path of Light

The path of light guides me. It's God's all encompassing eye. I know His presence even though I cannot see Him. I feel Him in sun on my face and the wind on my back. I hear Him in the bird's anthem. I smell Him in the honeysuckle. I taste Him in the fruit of summer. He's everywhere--even in the darkness that comes to all: in a friend's voice when I am ill, and in the neighbor's call when mourning, in my spouse's embrace at the end of a long, hard day, and even in the long "to do list" that is dreaded. The path of light gets me through it all and that light is God.

Image was taken at my beloved Fernwood!

Mother's Day

I don't know what we'd do without MOTHERS.

They are:

M-marvelous friends

O-ominous supporters

T-teachers first

H-hugs when needed

E-ears to listen

R-role models

Picture of my Mother and me on this Mother's Day

Walking clears the mind

I find my most creative ideas and thoughts come through walking. If I don't, however, write them down soon after finishing, they are gone. Sometimes I take a pad and write notes. This is best. I think it's time to get one of those little voice recorders for taking notes. If I'm walking with my digital camera, I take notes on it in video mode. So, if you are stuck for a good idea---take a walk!

Image is example of fun with making your own brushes in Adobe Elements.

free image sources

http://artist-how-to.com/Countdown.htm

http://www.tentwostudios.com/countdown/

God Hears

A heart weeps A heart eases

God hears God hears

A soul cries A soul relaxes

God hears God hears

A spirit wails A spirit revives

God hears God hears

Image attached of lower case alphabet matching previous upper case.

Feel free to right click and save to use in your art projects.

source for butterfly book

Jean, Thanks for your comment. I bought it at a local scrap book store. I'll try to find out the name of the company. You may find one by simple searching on the web. Sky Blue Pink has lots of odd shaped things maybe try their site first. Good Luck!

Never give in!

You know that feeling you get when you wake up unrested, achy and as tired or more than when you went to bed? Then you realize your back has chosen to hurt from some sleep position and you just want to lay there like a slug and do nothing all day. Well, don't do it! Don't give in to your aging body or it will accellerate and you will only feel worse. Keep doing. Keep going. Do what you need to do. Do what YOU want to do! It is your body and life. Make the most of it!

I've been designing scrapbook layouts for www.FaithSisters.com (Please visit their site. It's great and full of inspiration, ideas and free stuff too.) to attempt to become part of their design team. Here is a recent favorite. This image is of my mom and dad and mom's beautiful roses she grew from her own garden.

political thoughts on this NC Primary day

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where they is no river. ~Nikita Khrushchev

When politicians can begin to let God be their master, then maybe government can do its job of leading the country successfully.

Image is pages from wings book.

Another free image

Since Mother's Day is in a few days...thought you would enjoy using this rose (made from my own dear Mom's rose garden.) Just right click on image and click save as. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

colorful day

blue haze

pink sunrise

chilly air

warm heart

gray noonday

umber trees

wet streets

undampened spirit

navy blue sky

white stars

dark night

light-hearted soul

image is a digital collage made from sketchbook images, combined with computer alterations

God is my night light

the sun rises

the clouds come

God is still with me

the sun sets

the clouds bring rain

God is still with me

the night comes

darkness descends

God is my night light

Another free alphabet

Use this alphabet however you wish. Send others who may be interested the link.

Chris<><

God's Miracles

It's a rare treat to find surprises in nature but I sure did last evening. Went to the back yard to photograph two cute bunnies. Little did I know they were new parents. Of course, I pushed the limit to get close and when the second one ran, I noticed a hole. It had 3 cute squirmy babies in it. I could not believe it. I had seen young rabbits but never new born ones. I worried then that the parents would abandon them. I took video and stills and continued to worry until this morning and went to check. They were gone and the hole was covered. I hope this is their standard MO. WOW! God's miracles are AWESOME!