• Art - Blog - Creativity

    Secrets and Treasures

    Today, for my birthday, I took some time out to create. With the school year winding down and everything that entails this year, I’ve been finding it harder and harder to carve out creative time.

    I glued some random papers to parts of my book then used thick white craft paint to give a bit of texture with a palette knife. I was planning molding paste but my jar was dried up…hard as a rock.

    Next I used my fingers to spread two shades of teal then a light touch of plum purple on the very edge. I blended everything with a slightly damp babywipe. I continued to wipe away at the areas with the white paint to bring the lightness back for interest on the pages.

    I used Staz-on to stamp gears and clock numbers on the background.

    Washi tape was used to adhere a glassine envelope holding a tag to the page.  I added some stacked paper and button embellishments I created from my stash. The colors meshed well with the overall look.

    More washi was added for balance on this side along with a snippet of music. I added a bottle cap I picked up on a walk since it reminded me of the treasures I bring home.   

    As I looked through one of my favorite books to cut words and phrases from I saw this in a line.  Perfect.

    Secret notes and treasures.

     

  • Blog - Creativity - Photography

    T Tuesday: photography adventure edition (part 1)

    Today for T stands for Tuesday I’m sharing the first installment of the adventure Mini-me and I headed went on to recreate the Digital Photography field trip she missed while on her French field trip. Poor communication between teachers I guess.

    We followed in the foot steps of her class and went to the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in our state capital city of St. Paul. 

    The Conservatory is a beautiful structure with the iconic glass dome and several glass wings jutting out from the center.

    I knew the structure was old but didn’t realize that it was over 100 years old until I noticed this sign.

    While Mini-me was working her photography skills on the flora and fauna displayed, I was marveling at the architecture and unique features of the building.

    Its amazing to me how glass and steel can be a work of art in itself.

    In a separate wing of the conservatory was a Bonsai pavilion. These were my favorites.

    Since this wing was dedicated to Japanese culture and tradition it was only fitting I share a bit of the traditional tea ceremony pieces on display here for T stands for Tuesday.

    The pottery was simple yet beautiful.

    More next time for T Tuesday…

    What are you doing today?

  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    Life is an adventure

    Life. Family. Memories. Adventure.

    The journey.

    I was inspired to sit down to create this morning. I didn’t have a specific theme in mind but as I began to pull interesting pieces together I realized that I did have something in mind. Life is an adventure

    Over the last two days I’ve exchange emails with cousins from both sides of my dad’s family. A genealogy message board connected them even though they aren’t related, but I am to both of them. My “new” cousin was looking for photos and info on her Grandpa…who was my Grandpa’s brother. I was able to provide her with a photo she’d never seen of 4 of the brothers.  As it turns out we live within 10 minutes of each other and plan to meet sometime after school is done. So cool!

    Anyway…all this digging into the past. Thinking of stories told to me by my parents. Old photos. Genealogy. Family. Memories. All came together to inspire the page you see. Life is an adventure

    vintage stamps and lace

    Life is an adventure

    Blue chip stamps and vintage trim

    Life is an adventure

    B&W photo and flower embellishmentLife is an adventure

    All of these pieces coming together as a vintage inspired tribute to my ancestors. Their life was a great adventure. Life is an adventure

    Ours is too. This is something I think we often forget through the drudgery of everyday life. Live your life…make it an adventure.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I’m linking up with Art Journal Journey for Recycle and Collage.

    Art Journal Journey