With Broken Wing

As artists, crafters, creators, makers, we often chat about getting into a creative rut.  One interesting tactic to break free is to limit the supplies at hand, to force new ways of thinking. I decided to ring in the New Year with a fresh challenge, with a different take on that advice:

What if I just limited the amount of hands I can use???

Brilliant!!  But, before I could second guess the reality of the plan, nor the logistics of implementation, the Universe slammed me down on the ice at a pop-up skating rink at our local shopping mall, and broke an arm.

That was December 30th.  Happy New Year.  Ring-a-ding-ding.

Oy.  I was already going to be off of work till January 12th and I had plans.  PLANS!!  Two-armed plans!!  Cleaning, purging, organizing plans!!  And after that, creative and crafty plans.

I asked the Universe, "What gives?  I thought my priorities were SO in line!?!"

Reflect...Analyze...Shut Up...Listen....

Do a little one-handed art journaling.

The One Little Word challenge for January is create something inspired by the word "Sing".  

I tried to sketch a bird with a happy face despite a broken wing.
 It sucked, so I settled with a feather to represent.

Hmmmmm.  I'm still trying to find the lesson here.  Though, I honestly think this was the Universe saying, "Hey, you do too much for the kids.  They need to step up and pull a little more weight around here."  Not that they don't when asked, but not much is really expected of them outside of personal hygiene, their studies, and a couple light chores.   

So, the kids have been quite wonderful, from cooking, to cleaning, to laundry, to just noticing me struggling to open something with one hand and quickly sliding in to take over.  They have made it easy to keep my spirits up, despite the obvious frustrations and limitations (imagine relying on someone else to button your pants and apply your deodorant.  Thank goodness I have developed some new strategies and flexibilities by now.) 

I'll tell you, though, I've been pretty antsy while laid up, side-lined in my arting and spending more time than I'd normally, poking around the web at what others are creating.  
Hope you are living, laughing, loving and playing today!
Thank you for stopping by!

OLW #84: LIGHT **Good Morning, Sunshine!**

The lovely Lisa Saunders has chosen "Light" as the Word Up this time around at One Little Word.  

I knew exactly the feeling I wanted to capture with this project, as I've been relishing it every morning now that the kids are out for summer break and our morning routine has become very relaxed.  

"Good Morning, Sunshine!"

Just some watercolor and black pen to document this luxurious nicety.  

Head on over to One Little Word to see what the Designers and other Wordsters have created this month!

Wishing you a lovely light and bright day! ;)

Index Card A Day

Through the magical clickity-click of the World Wide Web maze I came across Tammy Garcia's blog, Daisy Yellow just in time to join in with her 61 day challenge, Index-Card-a-Day, or ICAD, which started on June 1st.  The idea is just to make a daily habit of creating.   The only criteria is that you use index cards, and as index cards are pretty much considered disposable, you should feel free to make art without any stress or worry, no thought or goal of perfection, no pressure to even produce every day if you don't want to, and no pressure to catch up if you skip a day or join in late.   Feel free to join in now if you'd like!  It's very laid back.  The only criteria is that you use index cards.

There are prompts, themes, quotes to jump start your creativity if you want, but they are completely optional.  See?  No stress!  Use a pencil, use a ballpoint pen, use some crayons, or your finest oil paints if you'd like.


Here are a few I've created so far.

Totally mindless, carefree fun--if you want it to be.
Or, if you are feeling more deep and philosophical, that's awesome, too!


If you play and want to share, be sure to join the Daisy Yellow Flickr group!


Have a great day!

Keep Calm

Our family has a bit of a reputation.

We are an easy-going bunch.  No arguing, no bickering, no drama.  No rushing about.  No worries. We go with the flow.

Friends lovingly tease us about our family vibe, and "Flaherty" has become not so much an adjective or a verb, but more of an attitude, a way of approaching stress or chaos.

Keep Calm and Flaherty On.  

I hand cut the words to create a stencil and used flexible modeling
paste to "screen" them onto an old green T-shirt.  It was an
experiment, to be sure, but fairly successful.  Next time I would
cut the stencil out of card stock instead of flimsy copy paper.

It was the idea I had for the crown that pushed me to actually create this piece.  And with "Calm" being the Word Up at the One Little Word challenge, I had a deadline.  No worries, though. :)

Chill.  

It's a little wonky, but I was free handing the embroidery from
 a sketch I drew up based on a piece of clip art.  

Head on over to One Little Word to check out all the loveliness created by the design team and other Wordsters.  And, if you'd like to link up your own calm-inspired creations, you have till April 14th!! 

Have a chill day! 

Thanks for visiting!

She Follows Her Muse

I cut an article out of the LA Times Magazine in 2003 when Jillian was in Kindergarten and filed it away.  I knew I had put it in a "safe" place and was sooooo happy when I was able to find it recently.

Article by Patti Davis, daughter of Ronald and Nancy Reagan
Illustration by Mark Gagnon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gagnon

The article, by Patti Davis is kind of a journey through her self-depricating acknowledgement of fashion faux pas, ending with her assertions of sartorial self-acceptance which seem to only come with the grace of maturity.

"Last week I bought an old cotton tablecloth at a flea market for $10.  Half of it is damaged, so I'm going to cut it in two and make a summer top from the undamaged part. I'll make straps from old satin ribbon.  I will hold my head high, and if anyone asks if I am wearing a tablecloth, I will say, "Yes, I am."

That.  Right there.  That is what I wanted Jillian to hold on to.  Unapologetic awesomeness.

I love this quote by Picasso, one of the little freebie niceties in the Cocoa Daisy kits.
The "<3 You" is an exclusive die cut by Evalicious; I put a clear bubble sticker over
the top for some flair-like dimension.

Jillian has always had her own sense of style, a unique way of putting outfits together and wearing them with an ease that is beyond quiet confidence and more simply natural.  She is so genuine in her unique look that it is clear she is not seeking attention from the world, but that the world cannot help but to turn head and notice her.  She is admired by peers and parents, teachers and passersby.

The background was created by coarsely outlining a stencil with liquid matte medium
to create a resist pattern and, once dry, adding watercolors. 

Yes, she certainly does follow her muse.  

I used Prima chalk ink to bring out the texture in the beautiful and exclusive "Love"
letterpress card by Cocoa Daisy.  I hand painted the word muse with black acrylic
paint and traced around the letters and the heart shape for more weight and emphasis.

My plan is to keep the article tucked in a pocket on the back of the layout or in an adjacent page protector.

More watercolor play on a scrap of white card stock used
for my journaling and tucked into a stamped glassine bag. 

"Jillian, I read this article when you were in Kindergarten and knew
I needed to save it for you.  Even then you were this amazing girl
with a unique style all your own.  I never wanted you to lose that.
Now here you are, a Junior in high school and looking toward
attending FIDM.  I am so proud of you!  My heart is so full that
you continue to stay true to your beautiful self."

         

I created this layout for a game of "Lift Me Up" over on the Cocoa Daisy boards earlier this month.  It's basically like playing Telephone where one person whispers something to another who whispers it to the next person and so on,  till the last person says aloud what they heard and everyone erupts in laughter because it is so far off from the original message.

In the scrapbooking version of the game a starting layout is used for inspiration and emailed to the first scrapper signed on to play.  She then "scrap lifts" the design and creates a layout based on what she's received. Her new layout is sent on to the next person playing the game, and so on, till the last person finishes.  Then all the layouts are revealed.

Here is Suz Mannecke's layout that was sent to me as inspiration.

You can check out her personal blog for LOTS more!

I took inspiration from the background paper, the multi-font title, the paper clips
and their placement,  and the diagonal striped element along the bottom.

It is so fun to look at the chain and see what parts of each design spoke to the next person in line and try to follow the chain back to the original lift.  Can you see a resemblance?  

You can click this link to see all of the lovely creations and the order in which the chain progressed.  It will take you to the thread on the Cocoa Daisy message board.  There were enough ladies who joined the game that two "teams" were formed, each using the same starting point.  Enjoy!  One of the things I love most about the CD community aside from how genuine, sweet, and supportive they are is the inspiration, talent, and variety of scrapbooking that can be found there.  Love them!

Thank you for visiting and following my muse! :)

50 Things: An Overdue Update

In August of 2012 I shared a mini book I'd made to document a self-imposed challenge of 50 Things to do before I turn 50 years old.  My 46th birthday is right around the corner, and I hadn't taken stock of my progress for my own sake, let alone to share with you, dear reader!  

So, here's 5 Things that I've tackled so far:

#1:  Travel in Europe

Completed 12/24/12 - 01/08/13

I am absolutely still pinching myself that I was able to check this one off the list so early.  It never would have been possible without the complete physical and financial support of my parents and my sister. They gifted Jillian and I with airfare, meals, expenses, and lodging.  My sister was living just outside of Paris at the time, with plans of moving back to the US, so the timing was ripe!

#2:  Take a Class in Person With
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Completed 01/18/14

This was an amazing experience, a dream come true, and a great exercise in holding back the hand-flapping, hyperventilating, "ohmigod! ohmigod!" squeals of a geeked out fan girl.  :)  Coupled with the fantastic studio space, art and hostessing-extraordinaire of the incomparable Jenny Doh, the whole weekend was deliciously surreal.  Julie has committed to teach again next January, and I hope to be a returning student!

#7:  Go to the Thursday Evening Farmer's Market
Completed 04/04/13

The "market" part of this outdoor fair was, I admit,  a bit disappointing.  I didn't expect there to be the abundance of vendors and produce offerings as our local Sunday market, but this particular night as a first impression wasn't terrific.  It was our 21st wedding anniversary, though, so we enjoyed a nostalgic fish taco from one of the few tents there and headed over to an exciting new monthly Art Slam event that will take place with the Farmer's Market.  Particularly AWESOME was that this night featured "GREEN Slam" and art of recycled materials which is a big favorite of mine.  And then, particularly un-awesome was that that part of the event wasn't scheduled to begin until after the market closed, and with a new pup left at home for several hours already, we weren't willing to stay till then.

#39:  Splurge on the Perfect Boots
Completed 11/30/12

Oh, my darlings!  How do I love thee?  And at half the price my splurge budget was set to allow, you are even lovelier paired with the additional sweaters and scarves I've been able to accessorize with you.
I. Love. These. BOOTS!!!

#42:  Go to Griffith Observatory
Completed 07/31/12

Wow!  The Observatory is so much bigger than I expected.  We enjoyed the hike up to the campus, the incredible views of Los Angeles, the science-y displays and explanations, and the film "Centered in the Universe" in the Planetarium.  All completely awesome!!  But, we didn't see everything, so need to make some return visits.  I have to look through the giant telescope yet.

I've checked some other items off the list, too, and will share those with you soon.  As of last night I have another Best Picture Oscar winning movie to watch as I make my way through 86 years of honored films .  With Mike out of town for the next twelve days, I should strategically choose a few that I can never talk him into watching with me...perhaps 1928/29's "The Broadway Melody" or 1952's "The Greatest Show on Earth"?

"All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing" ?
C'mon, Mike?  What's not to love???  ;)

Thank you for letting me share a bit of my journey with you!

Have a wonderful week!

He Eats Like a Bird

This is my son, Jeremy.

He eats like a bird.

I submitted this layout in one of the challenges during Cocoa Daisy's Fall Crop earlier this month, and
I won!!
 Happy Happy Joy Joy!!

Somehow the kid keeps growing.  He's 14 years old and over 6 feet tall!

The challenge was to use various types of stitching, including some specialty embroidery stitches.
 These bird footprints were inspired by a stitch called the "Y".  

He tells me, "I'm just not a food type of person."

I added these stamps on the back of my journaling card with one of the funny quotes Jeremy has been
known to say in response to our wonderment of his lack of culinary inclinations.

I'm waiting…perhaps impatiently….

Seriously.  I cannot wait.  I'm a bit on pins and needles about it.

I wonder if he will leave the nest with his little birdie appetite.

I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself for my paper and embellishment choices. :)
Birds, feathers, the background paper echoing the footprints, a stamped nest and a clock for my waiting and wondering, the ruler as he grows, and the train schedule that mimics meal times.  High five!

This is my son, Jeremy.

And also, he hates this layout.  Just thought I'd better mention that.  :(
Luckily, I can still take him in an arm-wrestling match.
I tell you though, don't challenge him to a battle of wits.

He'll annihilate you.

Scatter some seeds on the ground and RUN!

Lol!

Have a great day!

Monochromatic Poetry

I have this funky CD, Death By Chocolate that I bought on a whim at some point because of the band name and the cool album art.  Turns out it is a bit of a family favorite.  It's kind of 60's-psychedelic-lava-lamp with British spoken word and school yard chants and school book recitations(?).  But it's, well, smarter than that.  Very hard to explain.

The One Little Word this month is "Color" and I immediately thought of some of the short tracks on this CD which are titled with a color's name and then a monologue of objects and feelings about the color are listed.  It's quite poetic.


I thought I would do my own version, using the same colors from the album but with my own associations.  Knowing there would be a lot of handwritten words on the page, I opted to collage my title from letters cut from a magazine.  I think it also speaks to the seeming randomness of the poems themselves:  a bunch of unrelated words that together create cohesiveness due to the single color they conjure; the letters, all of various color, font, and size yet they come together to form words.

MUSTARD YELLOW

large envelopes

high school jackets

Pee Chee folders

#2 pencils

baby food and jaundice

Cowardice

rain boots

banana slugs

curried chicken

school buses and taxi cabs

flowering weeds

pollen, saffron, sulphur

Burning nostrils

caution tape

Yield

Slow

Bump Ahead

 SKY BLUE

cotton candy

swimming pools

worn denim

Mom's eyes

bubble gum ice cream

cartoon elephants

tropical seas

chlorine and clean laundry

toothpaste

robins' eggs, candied and real

Restful napping in a hammock

For a couple  of the colors, I couldn't think of enough items to fill the space I'd painted, so I just repeated my words to fill up the area.

ORANGE

sunsets

popsicles and Happiness

orange peel smiles

basketballs

pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns

carrots

kumquats

monarch butterflies

campfires and construction vests

tigers

orangutans

Fall leaves and Halloween

cantaloupe

San Francisco Giants

OLIVE GREEN

wallpaper and carpet

my teenage telephone

frogs

grass stains

damp forests

eucalyptus scented lotion

army men

dinosaurs

split pea soup

Frankenstein

spinach and herbs

concert smoke

Pop-pop's face after a roller coaster ride

I painted this face on a piece of deli paper placed over a magazine ad, loosely tracing the model's face with black paint.  Once collaged onto my background of blocks of color, perhaps you see that the idea was inspired by the CD's cover art.  

RED

ladybugs

fire trucks

cheerleaders

scraped knees

stop signs and stop lights

spaghetti sauce

Embarrassment

red cheeks

Kool Aid moustaches

Valentines

Santa's suit and Rudolph's nose

cherries

strawberries

Chapstick and cough drops

Passion

Anger

Love

Thank you for stopping by and checking out this creation!  Head over to OLW to see all the fabulous and COLOR inspired pieces by the designers and readers alike!  I'll be linking up to Friday's Art Journal Every Day feature on Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's blog, too!

OLW #73: FIERCE

Revlie put forth the word FIERCE for this month's inspiration at One Little Word.  I quickly slapped the word onto a piece of scrap paper and posted it in my art-ing space.  What does "fierce" mean to me? 

My first conjuring while contemplating this powerful word was Tyra Banks and her modeling mojo. But, I already blogged about that, so I continued my meditation.

Tigers.  Tigers are FIERCE.  

I pulled some newspaper out of the recycle bin to see if I was capable of painting such a majestic beast, roaring with fierceness.

The section of paper I grabbed caught me off guard, and my mind-picture of "fierce" was wadded up and reborn with powerful metaphor and a comparative feeling of smallness.

The Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting crew in Prescott, AZ, who lost their lives on June 30, 2013 battling the Yarnell Hill fire

I decided that I would continue with my idea to paint a tiger on the newspaper.  These 19 men epitomize fierceness.  

In an article at CNN.com Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo described the Hotshot crew:  "These are the guys that will go out there with 40, 50 pounds of equipment and walk five miles. They'll sleep out there as they try to develop fire lines" to protect homes.  Roy Hall, an incident commander with the state forestry commission said, "They are the elite of the ground firefighters.  They're highly trained and highly specialized.  They are a younger generation.  That's the tragedy of it, that lives would be lost of such a young group," 

I added the names of the nineteen to the flames.  I am humbled by the courageous choices so many men and women of the world make, that they are able to sign on for danger, go through extreme training and preparedness to step up to protect others; not just acting on impulse when a situation arises, but planning aforehand to be the one to call.

Thank you, with fierce appreciation and gratitude.