Artful Journey

 A snowy Saturday with record 24 hour snowfall of 22 inches was the perfect day to catch up on some card making. It all started with a snowflake! A variety of cards and a variety of techniques  I was trying to catch up on some mail exchanges and made great progress. I love these stamps from Spellbinders. I experimented with alcohol inks a while back. I couldn’t figure out how to use the results but I kept the sheets in my stash. It made the perfect wintry background. I also played around with color layering of paper which is great color wheel practice. Some navy and white paper for die cuts, watercolor practice and some brush and pointed pen calligraphy and I was almost finished. While I was enjoying myself with art, Eugene and Eoghan tackled the snow removal. The snowblower helped  The kids bought Eugene a snowblower almost 5 years ago. At the time he didn’t think he needed it, but he has grown to love it! Our neighbors refer to it as the gift that keeps on giving. I tho...

I was determined to get my envelopes for the PTEexchange out on time this month. Mail is always great, and PTE gives the opportunity to be a little creative.  May your road be smooth and carefree...  And if the weather isn't warm where you are... Do April SNOW showers bring May flowers?  Maybe it's time to bring some flowers indoors, willow ware and pink roses as a reminder that Spring really is around the corner. I am attempting to do the 100 day creative challenge.  Last year I made it about half way through...this year, I hope to complete the 100 days. Between the Flower Shop, my trusty camera phone, snail mail, art projects and blogging, I might be in with a chance. How about you?

A few weeks ago, Fi and I headed into Boston for the Boston Book Fest.  We got a late start, making the first talk impossible; next, the train was delayed, followed by a diversion, so we missed our second talk.  What's to do? Why, what any good food loving females would do! Hit up Flour Bakery for lunch and sustenance before the next talks. Flour sandwich, good enough to eat and it was.. Once we finished lunch, we  headed to our first destination to hear a panel of mystery writers talking about their process. Next up and lucky for us in the same venue was the marvelous Geraldine Brooks. Geraldine is a Pulitzer Prize winner and an interesting speaker. Spoiler, her next book is titled  Horse, and it's about...wait for it, a horse!  From here, we headed out to a talk on memoirs, with an interesting panel including the writer of the Ask Amy advice column and a former dominatrix; this made for an interesting discussion. we were there.. books, books, glori...

Mild weather means putting some bulbs in the ground. It is  65 ° outside, so perfect for a little gardening.  Into the soil they went,  8 virichic tulips (late spring), 5 double late Dream touch (late spring), 20 large cupped Narcissus (mid spring) and leading the charge, wildflower mix tulips (early spring). They are nestled in. If you plant them, they will come.... And if you write me, I promise to write back. Though I must admit, my letter writing list is getting longer! And did I mention I love it!! Big props to my penpal Janet for introducing me to  Art Cover Exchange , which "promotes art, philately, friendship and correspondence among its members" I have already gotten some great mail and been introduced to some really interesting people. Through the mail slot! I really can't wait to see what the mailman brings every day! And of course, I have to reciprocate, so I have added that to Pushing the Envelope Exchange with Jean Wilson. That was my first ...

A very windy Monday, maybe that will help some of my Halloween mail get carried along... sugar skull I thought I wouldn't have much use for the eclipse stamps after August, but they are great for Halloween. Witches brew, with eyeball of Newt Of course the pumpkin stamps are great...and I am a lover of whimsy, so.. Time to unwrap a Reese's The wind is howling outside my window, and the temperatures are dropping, and trees down. My lilac tree took a hit There is one small section of my lilac tree still standing. Hopefully it will survive. Waiting to see what happens with a few small blooms. Autumn rose And we will see if this skeleton manages to hold on tight.. and hopefully the dragon won't take flight... until after Halloween night! Happy hallow's eve..Happy Monday!

Well, it's autumn in New England, and that means trees... Beautiful, glorious color... Where does that road lead? But first did I mention the weather? This is late October, right? Going back old school, with one of my favorite groups and songs...you make my dreams come true...an outside temperature of 82 degrees! Wow, perfect  dream weather for the extended season of... Apple picking! Another favorite tradition, and we thought we might have been too late, but luckily no, still plenty on the trees for picking, apple cider donuts at the farm stand, and a pumpkin for future carving... That's what I'm talking about! In the meantime, lots of baking...Sunday, Apple Turnovers,  Apple Cinnamon Scones, and on Monday a Apple cobbler... Recipe from King Arthur flour...yum In no time, we may be tired of apples and apple treats, but enjoying them now... Breakfast... and a reminder of some of the Best days ever, apple picking! Once the baking was finishe...

in that Halloween frame of mind, some of my envelopes for PTE are ready for the mail If it doesn't get delivered, does it go to the mail graveyard? I thought the eclipse envelopes  went well with the graveyard/black and white theme. After I made these, I thought it seemed a bit morbid to have the names on the headstone, so I added the initials for an Irish blessing at the top...LLTY...Long life to you. I resurrected and repurposed my mixed media piece for a halloween card.. card ready to send... I added a die cut pumpkin and a glittery googly eyed bat, because who doesn't love a glittery, googly eyed bat??? And while I was busy envelope and card creating, the neighbors were hard at work.  dancing when the job is done! As for me, I think I will settle in and have a drink... Pellegrino, for when I am going up market! Cheers and long life to you over at  T stands for...  and bluebeard and Elizabeth's gang!

I love Halloween, for the decorations and making cards, although I must admit I really love, love the candy...if there is ever a time of the year that I love to indulge it's Halloween...but first here's the outgoing mail. Mail me some Art I have participated in the MMSA before...this time, the request was for hand made envelopes to exchange, a first for me! Thanks for the WeR Memory keepers punchboard and you tube, it was easy. Tools and videos can definitely increase likelihood of success... The envelope please...here they are... Since I have been playing around with mixed media, here's one for the Halloween theme over on Try it on Tuesday ... wishing you  Bright Halloween. Mixed media is definitely out of my comfort zone, but fun...this piece has a gelato backround,colored pencils, stencils,  rubber stamping, heat embossing, some leaves I have watercolored and cut out, a Tim Holtz sizzix moon and cat, calligraphy...more is more and more practice required. ...

well, I will try to try it...so a few new techniques.. sunflowers. I painted the sunflower in watercolors, then cut it out.  I colored the backround using some gelatos which I have seen Jo use. I will need to play around with the gelatos to see if I can get the vibrant colors  that I have seen on her pages.   Try it on Tuesday had a friends challenge, so  I chose this quote.                  True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away over distance and time. -M.W. Johnstone Even though, the challenge was over before I had a chance to create something it was still good inspiration.  While I was out for my walk, I saw this sign, which struck me as a little sad.. I need friends.. but it also inspired me to reach out to people, and be a little friendlier to everyone I meet.  Sunshine always makes me a little happier, and the late warm weather made a beach day possible.  On...

as in sports... Last weekend was a big sports weekend here...NFL..go Pats! Premier League...Juan Mata and Manchester United, and the All Ireland Gaelic football final. That meant alot of sports in the Man- cave.. with some pizza and beer! Football and Beer. Sunday Tradition in the Man Cave. I really like these shandys, so that is my beer of choice...and the trifecta of Irish, English, and American football is great too.  The coffee table is a cast off that I hand painted to look like distressed leather on the top, and granite on the legs.  The kids gave us a couch with two recliners and a side recliner a few years ago, so the area is totally kitted out for comfortable viewing. We have amassed quite a collection of craft beer which you can get a glimpse of on the shelving unit in the backround. Great craft beers and labels! We brought the first empty bottle from Ireland about 10 years ago, before craft beers became popular over  here.  It became a throw dow...

she did, and I do love mail... magazine and advertisements but on the top of the pile, lovely, lovely snail mail! and a happy, little card enclosed... such a pretty card I love the envelopes and notes that I receive from thePTExchange. It certainly makes for a happy Monday. Happy Monday to you too. Wishing you some lovely mail!