Monday, March 1, 2021

Music...


 As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are thinking about how music affects us and our positivity.  Our optional twist is Music:  Good for the Soul!

Having been an oboist who has played and taught for many years, this challenge is near and dear to my heart!  Let me begin with my thoughts on music and positivity, then I invite you to watch my process video on my piece!

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Music is so very subjective!  What is positive and uplifting to one can be depressing to another.  One piece might be the one to inspire for some, but for others it can create chaos!  I can't help but think of Stravinsky's work and how it affected people at the time it was premiered.  

I personally listen to many different genres of music; depending on my mood, I find positivity of different kinds on different days!  Sometimes I just want to meditate and find positivity through peace.  That's where I want to go in this post.  When the goal is peace, I turn to the music I have studied for so many years.  One specific piece that truly touches me is a choral work by Daniel Gawthrop named "Sing Me to Heaven."  If you would like to hear it, there's a nice recording HERE and my favorite recording HERE on YouTube.  Now, I realize a requiem-type work might not be positive to many; but I am so touched by the harmonies, melody, and raw emotion of the text/lyrics.  

This gorgeous piece and the quote by St Augustine inspired this wall hanging for my music studio.

"To sing is to pray twice."  St. Augustine


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Now, for my Process Video!  I invite you to grab a "cuppa" and snack and join me as I share my process for this piece.  

Please come visit again on March 15th for a completely different side of my positive view on music!  You might be surprised at the next project!  ;)   We'd like to hear your ideas at Path of Positivity!  Come share them with us!  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive!  The theme is always optional.  

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Frame Mat Board
Cardboard
Paint:  Black, Tim Holtz Espresso, Gold, Pearl White, other 
Bo Bunny Bronze Glimmer Spray
CTMH Gold Glitz Glitter Gel
Prima Flowers and packaging
Vinyl
Deco Foil
Burlap
Lace
Black Ribbon
Clock Button
Thread:  Gold
Ribbon
 CTMH Inks:  Champagne and New England Ivy (retired)
Black Memento Ink
Tim Holtz Vintage Photo ink
 Adhesives:  Scrapbooking double sided tapes, Fabri-Tac, ATG, Gorilla Glue
Cricut Access:  Keyboard (School Line Art), Music Notes, Victorian Romance Victorian Banner, Vintage Lace Wide Border, Art Philosophy Border 
Oboe (My own design) Designed in Cricut DS
CRAFT:  Inspired by a Movie ~ The Mission A wonderful movie full of religious context, gorgeous music, and of course an oboe!  Great piece of music from this movie...Gabriel's Oboe
Beyond the Blue:  Rustic Wood Background (My wood background is made from cardboard and paints!)
Bitten by the Bug 2:  AG using Cricut
More Than Words:  Carpe Diem~ I seize the day with music and creating memories!  I made my mark with Gold Glitz Glitter Gel!  ;)
Here is a Place to Start:  Use one or more of the shapes (Square, Rectangle, Circle,
TTCRD:  AG


Be sure to come on 
over to 
and see 
what the team 
thinks about our optional twist!  
You can also find 
more information 
about entering 
the challenge!  

Thanks to our 
wonderful sponsors this month:


and

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Posted by at 35 comments:

Friday, February 26, 2021

Black, White, and a Pop of Color


 Our new challenge over at Cut It Up is Black, White and a Pop of Color!  Well, I suppose you can't give this challenge to a trained musician and not expect them to see music!  Of course, it's all black and white and Newton gets to be the pop of color with his little coffee cup....because almost all musicians drink tons of coffee!  

I thought that line Newton is peeking over could easily be a line on the staff, so I went into Cricut DS and created a staff!  Then I found a Treble clef and printed it out.  

Next I colored Newton and his cup of coffee.  I didn't choose to use the cup in that stamp; I wanted to go with a striped cup to keep the line idea going.  So, I chose a different cup in the set!  I cut both stamps with the coordinating dies and adhered them in place.  
 
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Material List:  
Newton's Nook:  Newton Loves Coffee Stamp Set
Copic Markers
Grand Calibur Machine
Adhesives
Cricut Maker
Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade
Cricut Access: Staff made from lines; Treble Clef from Pinstripe Music Symbols
Sentiment Font:  Cricut DIN Condensed
 
When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors.

This project is off to the following challenges: 
Girlz Creative Crafts:  Use an Animal
As You Like It:  Fav reason to send a card and why  (I love to send thank you's!  My mom instilled this in me as a young child saying if someone makes the time to remember me, the least I can do is thank them!  I remember it being such a chore writing thank you's, but now I really enjoy it!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel. 
Posted by at 8 comments:

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Wreath on Door


It's time for a new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and the optional twist is:  Circle in a Square!  

This is my second Christmas card of 2001.  When I saw the twist I thought of a wreath in a window.  Then as I looked at the fun digis over at Oddball Art, I saw this kitty and it all came together.  This poor kitty obviously had a great perch until someone put the wreath on the door!!   

Material List 

 Copic Markers
 Cardstock: Whimsy
Bo Bunny Double Dot Gem
Studio G Glitter Glue
Ribbon
Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade
Cricut Access:  Window Cut with Sill; Font Thursday Type;
CTMH City Sidewalks Cricut:  Wreath
Cricut Maker

This card is off to these challenges:  
12 Months of Christmas:  AG Christmas Card/opt card for a child
Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round:  Something starting w/ C or D (Cat, Copics, Christmas, Cricut Cut)
 Creative Knockouts:  Lots of Layers
Show us Your Pussycats:  Furrything Goes
Winter Wonderland:  AG Christmas
Christmas 24:  Cute Animals
Merry Little Christmas:  AG Christmas

Be sure to visit
 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.
Posted by at 5 comments:

Monday, February 22, 2021

Spring Pinks


So much fun combining lovely images from Conie Fong!    I used Little Blossom from Conie Fong as my focal image and framed her out with some blossoms from Lulu and Lonny Bundle with Cupcake .  I think she will make an adorable Mother's Day Card!

I usually don't talk much about my Copic coloring, but I want to share something fun here.  Her little skirt and shoes are done in E50's which, as you Copic fanatics know, is a brown color.  However, in combo with the rosy colors of the R80's it shows a bit gold!  How fun is that?  

Be sure to visit the the Conie Fong FB Page for challenges and images:  Conie Fong FaceBook Challenge.
       
Material List:

Blossoms from Lulu and Lonny Bundle with Cupcake by Conie Fong Copic Markers CTMH Inks and background paper
Lace Scrap
Burlap Scrap
Pearls colored with Copic Marker Cricut Access: Sentiment~ Font Girly Stencil w/CF Blossoms Cricut Standard Mat Cricut Blade Cricut Maker

I'm sending this sweetie off to the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Galz: Pink and Brown
We Love Chocolate Baroque: Flowers, Butterflies, or Birds
Aud Sentiments: AG with a Sentiment
Country View: First Signs of Spring
Creations in Pink: AG in mainly Pink
Cutie Pie: Hearts/Flowers (Valentine's or Mother's Day)
Double Trouble: Thing One: Layer it on; Thing Two: Crafter's Cafe; Twisted Sister: Lace and/or Pearls
Crafter's Cafe:  Lace and/or Pearls
Use Your Stuff:  It's My Favorite (My favs are any color with Brown!  Other favs are coloring pearls with Copics to match and layering with fibers!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.
Posted by at 11 comments:

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Gnome's Venture


This adventurous image is from FabrikaFantasy.   I've grown to love Fantasy coloring; it's easy to become somewhat addicted to these whimsical images.  I find them challenging my skills and creativity and that is great fun for me!  It's also fun because there really are no rules in fantasy; I can just do what strikes me at the moment! 


I chose to make this coloring book page into a birthday card for my son-in-law who loves/studied art and he is also into Dungeons and Dragons!  So, I think he'll appreciate this piece!

 Material List 

Copic Markers
Card base from DCWV Once Upon a Time
Layering Cardstock from CTMH

This Card is off to  these challenges:  

Colour Crazy:  AG hand colored
Watercooler Wednesday:  AG w/Masculine twist
Creatalicious:  AG with opt Mythical Creatures

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.




Posted by at 3 comments:

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Christmas Sledding!


 Welcome to my blog!  
I think all the snow outside has me back in the Christmas mood since I chose to play with Sledging Pup from All Dressed Up! 

We are snowed in, but I'm not complaining since we have heat and water.  My heart and prayers go out to all of you who are battling much worse circumstances!  I remember one of the first winters after we moved out to the country.  We lost all heat and water due to an ice storm.  We were out for 4 days or so and it was bad!  We were able to move the kids into town with my parents and get water there.  I can't even imagine an entire town being out of power and water like they are in Texas currently!

As for the card, not much to say.  I colored up the image with Copic markers.  The sky is done with CTMH ink and a sponge.

  The background piece is a scrap piece from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Holiday Hoopla Collection.  I Copic colored the edge of some white cardstock to match this little cutie's scarf for the first layering piece!  Then I used a little Ranger Vintage Photo ink on the edges.  I tucked a scrap of ribbon under for fun!

Material List: 
Sledging Pup from All Dressed Up  
Copic Markers
Paper: Kraft, Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Holiday Hoopla, CTMH
Ranger Vintage Photo Ink
CTMH Ink
Scrap of ribbon
Adhesives:  Fabri Tac, ATG Tape Runner

 Sharing with these challenges/pages: 

All Dressed Up:  AG with ADU Image
12 Months of Christmas:  Christmas Card with twist Card for a Child
Holly and Ivy:  AG Christmas
Christmas Crafts all Year 'Round:  Something starting with C and/or D (Dog, Copic Colored, CTMH Inks, Christmas/words)
Christmas 24:  Cute Animals
The Outlawz:  Festive Friday

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.
Posted by at 7 comments:

Monday, February 15, 2021

Ideals to Cherish and Celebrate


 As we continue down a Path of Positivity,  I've chosen to celebrate the idea/ideal of peace, love, and unity for all people.  

I am choosing to turn the page and look for positivity and goodwill in the people around me.  I can strive to "love more" even though there is still fear with all that is happening in our world.

I have incorporated many pieces of symbolism in this work to ponder as I look to change for the positive in the year ahead. 

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There are many ways to celebrate the people, places, ideas, etc we love; we'd like to hear your ideas at Path of Positivity!  Come share them with us!  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is Positive!  The theme is always optional.  

*   *   * 

Digi: Heart Doodle from Scribbles Designs
Sentiment:  Loving More from Scribbles Designs
Copic Markers
Gel pens
Adhesives 
Thread:  Red, Gold
Liquid Glass CTMH
Ribbon
Silver gems CTMH
Black gems
Glitter Glue
Archival Ink CTMH
Script stamp
Black paint
Embroidery Floss 
Metal Key
Image cut with Cricut Maker
Cricut Standard Mat
 Sharing with these challenges:  

The Library Craft Challenge:  Jar of Hearts (Again, I was inspired by the hearts, black, fear, falling petals~not the petals but the falling part!)
We Love 2 Create:  AG Mixed Media
Art Journal Journey:  Heavy Metal (Metal Key, Metallic Gel Pens)
Creative Artiste:  AG Mixed Media
Art Daily Cafe:  Celebration of Contrasts and Moodboard (I was inspired by the reds, blacks, greys.  The hearts are contrasting sizes as well as all the black dots.  I have included metallic silvers and golds for contrast.)


Splashy Mix:  Inspired by the red and black heart; I tried to copy the texture of floor in 3rd photo by streaking my marker strokes; balloon strings as threads.
Simply Create Too:  Use Hearts
Scribbles Designs Customer Gallery

Be sure to come on 
over to 
and see 
what the team 
thinks about our optional twist!  
You can also find 
more information 
about entering 
the challenge!  

Thanks to our 
wonderful sponsors this month:


and

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Posted by at 14 comments:

Friday, February 12, 2021

Valentine Bear Boxes

 

  Our new challenge over at Cut It Up is All You Need is Love ~ Make something love or Valentine related.  Of course, you need a die cut in your project!       

I haven't done any 3-D projects lately, so I thought it would be fun to make some Valentine Boxes for the grand-girls.  I've had Yummy Cocoa in my cuts stash for quite some time and I've never made it!  I thought it would be perfect for a Valentine's box.  This box is big enough for some cocoa mix, marshmallows, a piece of jewelry or small toy, and maybe a little pair of socks!

You can see my second box in pinks below the post!

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Material List:  
Yummy Cocoa from KaDoodle bug Designs
Cup Paper: Sparkle from Recollections
Box Paper:  DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies
Cardstock:  white, blue for eyes, pink for ears, and black all from stash
 CTMH Ink
 Light pink:  Cricut Holographic Vinyl from stash
Dark Pink:  Iron on Vinyl (I cut as if I were going to iron, but I actually removed it from carrier and glued it in place with Fabric Tac.)
Cricut Maker
Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade
Cricut Access: Pop Corn Box cut from Tags, Bags, Boxes and More (I altered it for a larger size.  You can make it bigger and rotate to cut, and still get it on a 12x12 piece of cardstock!)
 
When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize/sponsor info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors.

This challenge we are sponsored by Your Next Stamp!

This project is off to the following challenges: 

TTCRD:  AG
Crafts Galore Encore:  AG
Crafty Animals:  AG with an Animal
2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  AG with animal!
Creative Fingers:  AG 
Craft Rocket:  Love (These little Valentine Boxes are full of love and fun!)
CRAFT:  Not a Card
Little Red Wagon:  Hot Drinks

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel. 

Posted by at 9 comments:

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Hearts, hearts and more hearts!



It's time for a new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and the optional twist is: Hearts!  Perfect twist to get ready for Valentine's Day!  

Our sponsor this month is Oddball Art and they have some fun digis!  There is a  free image every Friday to play with when you sign up for the newsletter.   

I have combined four digis in Cricut Design Space to create this Valentine for my older grandgirl!   

  

Material List 
 Digis from Oddball Art
Copic Markers
Black Gel Pen
 Cardstock 
Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade
Cricut Access:  
Cricut Maker

This card is off to these challenges: 
 
The Library Craft Challenge:  Jar of Hearts (I was inspired by the word Hearts, the vibrant pinks, and the dark (death) motif!  You will notice she is sitting on a 
tombstone!)

Colour Crazy:  AG hand colored
Bastel-Traum:  Love
Crafty Catz:  AG with optional twist Love/Valentine/Anniversary
Everybody Art Challenge:  Love and/or Hearts

Be sure to visit
 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.
Posted by at 6 comments:

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Lots of hearts!


 I had great fun with this Valentine for a young lady who loves and shows pigs!  I used Lulu and Lonny Bundle of Love Bundle from Conie Fong as my focal image.  I combined Lulu with the bucket of hearts digi; both are from the bundle as well as the sentiment.  There are two other stamps in the bundle, also!   

Be sure to visit the the Conie Fong FB Page for challenges and images:  Conie Fong FaceBook Challenge.
       
Material List:
Digi: Lulu and Lonny Bundle of Love Bundle by Conie Fong
Copic Markers
Blue Sparkle Gel Pen
Papers: Whimsy Board and CTMH
Adhesives:  Fabri Tac, ATG Tape Runner
Twine
I'm sending my card off to the following challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies: AG with a Critter
Crafty Friends:  Animals/Birds
Splashy Mix:  Moodboard (spilled hearts, pinks/reds, quote because very few girls love pigs, but my recipient does!)
Your Scrapbook Place:  AG
Classic Design Challenge:  AG
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday:  Hearts or Flowers
Aud Sentiments:  Sending Love + a Sentiment
CRAFT:  Love/Valentine
Krafty Chicks:  Stamp Act

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Posted by at 16 comments:

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Cute Little Pig!


I had great fun with this Christmas card!  I used Lulu and Lonny Bundle of Love Bundle from Conie Fong as my focal image.  I combined Lonny with the pile of hearts digi; both are from the bundle as well as the sentiment and two other stamps!  

Be sure to visit the the Conie Fong FB Page for challenges and images:  Conie Fong FaceBook Challenge.
       
Material List:
Digi: Lulu and Lonny Bundle of Love Bundle by Conie Fong
Copic Markers
Papers: Burlap paper from stash
Adhesives:  Fabri Tac, ATG Tape Runner
Twine from stash
I'm sending my card off to the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge: Four Legged Friends
CD Sunday Plus:  AG using CD, USB and Digi's
Little Red Wagon:  Total Eclipse of the Heart
Simon Says Stamp:  Love is in the Air

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Posted by at 10 comments:

Monday, February 1, 2021

Celebrating Those You Love


 As we ponder and meander down the Path of Positivity, our optional theme is to Celebrate Those You Love.  

Quite an appropriate theme for the month, but we take it a step further to include these ideas:  One might look beyond the traditional valentine to all those we love and cherish.  Of course, this could include Valentines, tags, gift bags, etc.  It could also encompass friendships, ideals, pets, anything we love/cherish.  This could also include new/creative ways we interact with our friends/ loved ones during the pandemic!

I have chosen to celebrate/remember my grandfather and the way he could interact with such calm, quiet, peaceful ways.  He was a man of few words, but he could 'still the waters' with his demeanor.  It seemed like he could walk into a barn or pasture and the animals would look to him for his reassurance and their behavior would mirror his.  

I saw this wonderful digi at Bugaboo and decided I wanted a wall hanging for my tack room to remind me of my grandpa and his quiet wisdom.  I'm sure my pastures will never be as peace-filled as his, but I surely can strive for that and remember his loving ways!

Now, if any of my family is reading this, they will tell you I have left out a very important detail.  Grandpa could bring peace and calm to every matter except those that concerned Grandma!  No, no one could do that!  ;)

*   *   * 

There are many ways to celebrate the ones you love and we'd love to hear your ideas at Path of Positivity!  Come share theme with us!  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is Positive!  The theme is always optional.  

*   *   * 

Digi:  Flower Fence from Bugaboo
Copic Markers
CTMH Inks
Adhesives 
Polkadoodles Digital Papers 
Torn Prima flower 
Two paper flowers from stash
Wired Gingham ribbon
Gears from stash
Old piece of box 
Twine
Cricut Standard Mat
 Sharing with these challenges:  

TTCRD:  AG
A Place to Start:  AG
Scrapping for Fun:  AG
WWODT:  AG
Clever Dexter:  Just Because
Pearly Sparkles:  AG
Creative Crafters:  AG
Creative Craft Cottage:  Must use a Digi Stamp
Just Add Ink:  Choose Two ~ Banner/Border/Bow

Be sure to come on 
over to 
and see 
what the team 
thinks about Peace!  
You can also find 
more information 
about entering 
the challenge!  

Thanks to our 
wonderful sponsors this month:



and

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.
Posted by at 12 comments:
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