LIfe is what happens

I remember a student I went to high school quoting in our Senior Yearbook "When opportunity comes, I'll probably be taking out the garbage." He died before our 5 year reunion. He was president of our Senior class. He lived life and loved it and enjoyed every day he had. I think of him from time to time. I wrote some words about life recently and several quotes about life came up this morning in devotions and blog reading, so I'll share my thoughts now.

Life is full of wonder.

Peace is attainable.

Seek joy with all your might.

Life is what we make it.

Goodness is available.

Receive it and extend it.

Life is a gift.

Embrace its mystery.

Live in the present.

Life delivers its share of tears and fears but also promises us chances and opportunities. All that is required of us is to take it all with the grain of sand....keep our heads high...our hearts loving....our focus above and look to the heavens for guidance. Life may disappoint but it also surprises and exhilarates the willing and the strong of heart.

Feel free to use these banners for your art projects. Click on it to see full size, then right click to save image. Enjoy!

A different method for fonts

another tutorial

Freebies and tutorials

I had a wonderful comment from an artist I highly respect, randi feuerhelm-watts, (check her blog and art at http://randif.blogspot.com/ and http://www.randifeuerhelm.com/) and decided to do more with the font work I enjoy so much. So here is the first of a series of tutorials on how I make interesting lettering for my artwork. I'm including a complete set of this first alphabet. If anything is unclear, don't hesitate to ask questions. I'm happy to try to explain further. I've tried to keep the instructions simple and straightforward. As always, I really appreciate all the kind comments I receive on this blog.

Current Projects

Here's a group of things I am working on for swaps, shows and Somerset submissions.

Polymer clay charms for swap at Christian Paper Artists (yes, I decided the first ones were too large and made new ones)

Brush stroke watercolor drawings for possible entry to Natural View (local art exhibit), can only submit two.

Fan fold binder ring book for Somerset submission on the theme of Vintage Halloween (color pencil and ink drawings on mat board pages, acrylic backs with quotes, hinged with binder rings.

Free Hearts for Valentine's Day

Click to get full size image. Right click to save then.

Enjoy in all your Valentine's Day projects.

Lessons from Life

Hope is a little word with big impact that keeps nations in tact.

Mercy is an extension of God's grace that anyone can offer to another.

Joy is a gift from God that each soul can possess if they choose.

Love really is what makes the world go round if you share it with the unlovable.

Peace is realized truly when you feel it despite unavoidable conflict.

Contentment, likewise, is obvious when your circumstances suggest otherwise.

Truth is undeniable when you admit error when you are all alone.

Gratitude is the possibility of unlimited blessings .

These are lessons I still learn everyday and hope to even perfect one day.

Image is finished mixed media canvas, 12X24 inches, acrylic, paper, leather, metal and polymer clay: Secrets.

Heart Art

Follow your heart.

Know its depth.

Understand the power

it holds to know love.

Let it guide you

to a fulfilling life.

Protect it but

share its bounty

with those most important to you.

Images of collages inspired by health mail about clogged arteries.

First one is digital alteration of original; second one, the original is acrylic paint, Prismacolor art stix and collage.

Simplicity is a key to balance

Image is view from Fernwood, where Duke Energy cleared the land. I'm beginning to see beauty in it again.

Encouragement

Faith is strengthened

when struggles are endured.

Courage grows

through fearful times.

Peace is most obvious

in the midst of storms.

Joy is found

when the tears are released.

Hope is restored

by answered prayers.

Image is from art journal-ink.

lessons learned

The hope of happiness

is contentment.

The love of relationship

is listening.

The search for peace

is solitude.

The reality of prosperity

is gratitude.

The enjoyment of change

is balance.

The gift of grace

is salvation.

The strength of endurance

is faith.

The wisdom of love

is belief.

The joy of life

is discovery.

Journal page, my shadow in ink lines, inspired by Angela Cartwright's mutual love of shadow art.

My 5 Award Winning Bloggers!

Just realized I am to choose 5 to award.
Here are my picks:

Linda at http://jewelsoftheeast.blogspot.com
Dawn at http://www.goldbettyboop.blogspot.com/
Christy at http://averageamericangirl.com
Patricia at http://www.coolcrone.blogspot.com
Dove at http://www.morningdew15-morningdove.blogspot.com/

It's hard to only do these 5. I love so many blogs. I can't get around to them all fast enough.
Now post the award symbol below on your blog and choose 5 of your faves!

Thanks again to Faye at http://www.hastingshall2.blogspot.com

WOW! An Award!

Received the kindest and most humbling words and award from fellow blogger, Faye, over at http://hastingshall2.blogspot.com/. The Beautiful Blog Award! I am honored and Faye, thank you! It means a lot. I love reading other people's blog just about more than anything. I see so many I admire and this is thrilling. Thanks!

Altered quotes/ altering self

I love quotes and here are two altered for my focus on balance this year...

That which does not kill us teaches us BALANCE.

An individual is as BALANCED as she pretends to be.

Art journal collage with digitally altered image, watercolor over text from book, and prismacolor art stix.

Work in Progress - Secrets

This is a work in progress. Acrylic painted canvas, with leather belt and strip. The strip of leather is now cut in half. I've made a clay latch also in progress (see pic 2) that will now attach to the ends of the leather to hold the rolled secrets and rolled sheets of text. Didn't plan to keep blue belt. My question is this. Should I stiffen the rolled sheets or leave them soft and natural? And if I do then how? Glue or acrylic medium or other stuff. Other ideas?

Letter from God

Perfect Winter Day

A swing and a prayer

on a January day

is indeed a blessing rare.

With a pleasant breeze

and the sun on my face

I'm as happy as you please.

A productive yet quiet span

this day is near perfect:

more I could stan'.

But for now I'll say thanks

feeling mellow indeed

and on that I can bank.

What a joy to know serenity and drama free days. What answered prayer can do for the soul is amazing. If only others could feel this peace and know this quieting of the mind. Many believe that we manifest in our lives what we think and expect. Maybe that's why I struggle to protect and perfect these quiet moments; banking them seems to grow more.

Images are of charms I've made for a swap with the Christian Artists Yahoo group. Paper, gems, beads, wire and polyglaze.

Frozen Words

despite the wintry air

my frozen words

come from a warm heart.

feeling God's love and protection

always pervade any low point.

I will forever thank and

praise Him for pulling me

through the lows and

lifting me on the highs

No one needs be alone or

saddened for God

never leaves nor forsakes

His peace is stronger

than anything the

world can throw at you

all you need do is ask

day or night

here or there

He's only a prayer away

more pages from the 1st ladies AB-

folds, doors and laced

Because of God

Never alone
Because of God's presence.
Always loved
Because of God's care.

Never forgotten
Because of God's mercy.
Always forgiven
Because of God's grace.

Never hurt
Because of God's love.
Always protected
Because of God's spirit.

Never lost
Because of God's guidance.
Always found
Because of God's existence.

Started a new altered book, a mini blank journal this time. Using techniques learned from the ICE Altered Book Yahoo group. The cover and folded page technique is featured here. You see the theme of the book is Master Keys Life. The first one, and most important: BELIEVE IN GOD. Yes, I am a Christian and believe He is THE God, not a god. He can take us through anything.

Inspired by American Democracy

touch hearts

heal lands

grow peace

increase love

bless believers

join forces

thank God

follow Jesus

stand together

wear unity

embrace work

find hope

hate injustice

love fairness

trust Spirit

know mercy

forgive wrong

do right

pray earnestly

go forward

look up

think strength

use tact

be dignified

have integrity

deliver honesty

live faithfully

dream always

hope forever

sing victory