ArtiphyTheHeart

She Won Him Playing Bingo ...

...For Mixed Media Monday and Sunday Postcard Art...

Say "I Do"...

For some reason, wedding-themed artwork seems to be all over the web right now.  Everywhere I look I see examples.  So not to be outdone, I've crafted my own 4X6 postcard using images from Ten Two Studios "white wedding", "faux postage-white", and "white things" collage sheets.  The neutral images in these sheets coordinate perfectly with the the blues and the browns I've used, and would go well with any set of colors, for that matter.  I'm sure this will end up as a journal page before it's life cycle is finished.

Blog Challenge/Candy...

In case you hadn't heard, the BasicGrey Challenges team is back, and to launch their new round of bi-weekly challenges they're sponsoring an incredible give-away!  Get on over there before 10PM UK time on August 21st, which gives you a generous amount of time since this is only the 3rd, and sign-up for the draw.  Then be sure to join in on the challenges once they begin!

Software Hell...

For those of you who are following my continuing saga in Photoshopland (a darker fantasy than disneyland, for sure), the update is that two weeks ago, another customer service rep at Adobe apologized and assured me that I would receive my Photoshop x-plat upgrade within a week.  When once again another promised deadline passed, I spoke with yet another Adobe customer service rep who told me I'd receive an email explanation and an accurate ETA from the "highest department" within customer service within 24 to 48 hours.  Of course that was days ago and I've still heard nothing.  Yes, I have asked to speak with supervisors, managers and the like.  I'm told there aren't any who take phone calls.  Seriously.  They've said that.  More than once.  So an attorney friend on Saturday advised me to go to the FTC since this is a federal issue, and take it from there, since I can't be the only one this is happening to.

For those of you who need to be brought up to speed, the short story is that in compliance with Adobe's rules, I destroyed my bought, paid for and registered copy of Photoshop CS3 for PC and sent-in their required letter of software destruction, in order to be eligible for an upgrade to CS4 for Macintosh.  That was mid-May.  I have been going-on three months--that's a quarter of a year--without the software that I need and already paid for, while the goons at Adobe shuffle me from one customer service rep to another and don't answer my inquiries in their support portal.  If any of you have suggestions, email me!  Please!

Other than that, life goes on.  Right now I'm:  

Listening to the Hair Nation channel on Sirius/XM

Bogged-down with final touches on multiple projects which need to be in the mail pronto, and

Planning to watch an episode of the Alfred Hitchcock Hour on Hulu before bed tonight

Have a great day, Everyone!

"That Fourth Of July...

...When I Was Learning Chinese..."

I think you'll probably be able to read this page if you click it to enlarge.  The point of all this is that it took place over a period of time that included my 7th Fourth Of July.  And while the model in the photo does not look a bit like my mother, the scenario fits.  There is no question whatsoever that my mother could have given a fish a drink from a faucet while flying a plane on a mission in white kid gloves!  She was equal parts deadly-serious and fun-loving, which makes this piece a perfect fit for this week's One Powerful Hour challenge.

My parents were unique, having already lived their lives and careers before I was three years old and retiring--well, only "kind of" retiring--but that's another story.  

Roll the Credits...

Credits to Kohler for the ad, Tim Holtz and Ranger Industries for the stamps, Staz-On (Tsukineko) for the ink, and Sakura and Pitt (Faber-Castel) for the pens, Basic Grey for the paper, and K & Co. for the fish.  An extra BIG thank you to Sakura of America, who will be suppling me with a set of metallic pens as an RAK from the Creative Catalyst team.  

And a Note To My Facebook Friends, and Others Who Are Reading This In Syndicated Formats...

You can always read my notes in their original format, and view all archived posts and artwork, by clicking the link on my profile page to visit my typepad blog.  Questions?  Email me!

Right now I'm

Arranging a portfolio

Hoping to spend more time in paint and glue before the day is done

Feeling guilty for indulging my fast-food cravings...

..."Only one?, right!"...and no, I didn't eat both of them!

...And now that it has "cooled-down" to a mere 104 degrees at 8PM in Phoenix, we're on our way to watch the fireworks display from our back yard patio

Have a happy and safe 4th Of July, Everyone!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town...and Some Awards!!

You'd Better Watch Out, You'd Better Not Cry...

     

...You'd better not pout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town.  This week's Basic Grey challenge is "aperture", and I've used two Basic Grey papers in this card:  Motifica--clay, and Scarlet's Letter--desire.

I cut a circle with a craft knife, leaving part of the design to overlap, then I cut the image of the little girl from a print of a postcard I own, and mounted her onto the card so that she is sitting in the circle. 

Next, I adhered this piece to the front of folded cream cardstock, and cut the circle once again from the top piece of cream card.

I used another print of the postcard, this time, the full-sized image, and mounted it onto Basic Grey paper, then onto the inside of the cream cardstock, so that this is what you see when you open the card.

Next, I printed the words from "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", mounted them onto pieces of Basic Grey paper, and put them in their places on the inside and outside of the card.  Last, I added the pieces of brown satin ribbon, and the bow.

 

And Now, The Drum-roll, Please. . .

Since my very first post a little more than a year ago, I have felt extremely honored to be numbered among such a talented, encouraging, and nurturing group of artist-bloggers.  Within my first two weeks, I was welcomed and made to feel at home by some of the nicest, most talented, and caring people in the blogosphere!  And now, this week, I have been given not one, but two awards, and one of them twice, by a couple of artists I admire and look up to more than I can say!

 

On Tuesday, I received both the Kreativ Blogger Award and the Proximity Award from Alberta, whose blog Amusing Muses is a constant well-spring of inspiration and pleasure, and feeds my cravings for more, more, more, art journal pages....my first love, but not often enough blogged, passion!

And on Thursday, I again received the Proximity award from lovely Judy in New Zealand, whose blog Mangaroa Made overflows with mixed media beauty and loveliness! 

Both of these blogs are breathtaking wonders, and the bloggers themselves are that great mix of sweet and spice that flavor their individual styles with creations from the soul!  Thank you so very much!!  I am honored beyond words!!

Here are a few words about the Proximity award:  "This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And now to pass along these awards to other deserving bloggers... 

I could have chosen so many to receive both awards, but have decided to limit myself to two.  First, I'd like to pass both awards onto Cathy Erdmann, who was the very first lovely person to befriend me by leaving the very first comment I received on one of my first posts.  Cathy has two blogs:  Cathy Erdmann's Art, and E.I. Elsey's Workshop.  Cathy is an amazing artist, with a lovely, generous spirit.  You will be missing a chunk of beauty and happiness if you don't make it a point to stop by both of her blogs today!!  Thank you Cathy, for early-on giving me the courage to continue!

Also to receive both awards, I have chosen Hermine Koster, who honored me very early in my blogging life with an invitation to join her yahoo group of artists, and who so generously has RAK'd me with gorgeous artwork, and is plentiful with advice and encouragement!  Your friendship means so much to me!  Thank you, Hermine, for your kind and generous spirit!  Hermine's gorgeous blog, Hermine's Place, and her new challenge blog, Art Creations Friday, which she shares with three other talented artists, are two of the most wonderful spots on the web!  Go and take a peek, right now!

And to all of you who are so generous with your comments, expertise, talent, friendship....all of you deserve these awards.  I would have added my friends Rosie and Willy, but noticed that they have already received these awards.  But go ahead--take them again, anyway!!  I need to pass the proximity along to 8, and both of you deserve both awards, so please enjoy them once more!! ... And four more who inspire me....let's add Jeri Aaron, Godelieve Tijskens, my daughter Amy, and Belinda Schneider. Thank you all so much for your inspiration and kindness!  I *heart* you all!!

Have a great day, Everyone!

Shapes

 

The Basic Grey challenge this week is to use shapes in your design, and of course, a Basic Grey product or two. 

My card uses Basic Grey's "Scarlet's Letter" stripes for the background, and "Aged&Confused Vagabond" paper for the tags, along with backing and punched circles from black linen cardstock.

The tags are templates from Paper Bouquet.  The reindeer is from JudiKins, the large snowflake is from PSX, and all other stamps are from Art Journey.  I used Color Box black pigment ink with Stampendous fine line black embossing powder, then inked the edges of the tags with black Staz-On.

Have a great day, Everyone!