MIU AUG-SEP Challenege

This was the Aug-September Challenge for our Facebook Group

called Mixing It All Up.. Great group of folks.. You can find us by clicking here.

The challenge that Sandee.. our fearless Artist Leader gave us.. was to tell her where we were.. during 9/11/01 and create a journal page about it...   In this case it was easier for me to talk about than it was for me to draw.  I saw so much! Hard for me to ONLY create one page.  So I will begin with  with this...

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On 9/11/2001 .. I worked for an airline.. and I had just worked a lot of OT because we had cancelled all of our overnight and first flights departures.. due to some flight regulations issues.. which could be a number of things.. they never told us what.. Then I was up the next morning ONLY to see this.. across my TV screen.. A skyline I recognized so well.. up in smoke and flames.. and it wasn't some marvel comic movie trailer. It was real.. very real... The only thing memory that surpasses the planes exploding as they crashed into the buildings.. were the thousands and thousands of faces that came across my screen.. wondering who they were.. what their story was.. if family saw them long enough to know they were ok.. Power was down.. phone lines were down from Manhattan Area.. for a longggg time.. all we had was the media.. I volunteered and went right back to work and almost lived there. We prayed with panicking people over the phone. We sat and talked and talked and 3wayed phone calls. As I worked I thought of all my friends who lived there and wondered if they and their loved ones were ok. I found out my godson was on a trip.. so every little black boy I saw...I looked to see if it was him.. well after he got someplace and called his mom and told her he was ok.. and would have to walk home.. and would take a few hrs.. but he was ok.. My friends who drove trains..were finally home and safe.. It took weeks to hear from everyone I could think of.. Anyway.. a year later.. and for a few years after that.. coworkers and I..use to fly to NYC.. to show people we we not afraid to fly.. we were not going to let an incident, although traumatic as it was.. keep us.. closed from the world. Nothing wrong with being an alert traveler and ALL TRAVELING is serious business.. although the reason to travel.. may vary..

SEFARINA - Fairy page...

Very emotional week on the news.. in the media.. and with dear friends and family.. While I wish a simple hug could cure what ails each and everyone that's hurting right now.. I know it's not enough. :( 

My friends, please know you are in my thoughts constantly.  My personal fairies are working overtime to find ways to reach each of you.. and let you know. you are not alone.. you are loved... and my silence.. is only my way.. of listening.. to see what you REALLY need during this time... 

Ok.. On to my post.. which is dedicated to you..

 I saw a series of great techniques on how to use gelatos with Amber Button and I tried some, when I used my gelatos today.. so if you are afraid of gelatos.. or have some and have never used them please check her out here, she's great!  I am in a facebook group where he post blog was posted.. great group of ladies.. you can find them here.  The admins are Tara McGuire and Angela Blake.. both very talented!

Well here she is..

I  created a background by using a coldpress notebook page by Cottonwood Arts and wet it with water with my Ranger misters.  I then took my gelato, wet the tip in my water bowl and proceeded to slather colors- creating my base, for my background, directly from the stick. Then I took my finger and wet it with water.. and rubbed the color across the page.  I let it dry (while getting a cup of coffee.. lol)  I came back drew with my mechanical pencil from my Pigma Sensei set.. love that pencil and eraser.. had no problems erasing on top of the gelatos. 

After it was dry.. I took my sensei pens, which are waterproof and traced over my pencil lines and erased. Then I took my water brush and pulled pigment/color directly from tube and painted my images.  I still went back with my white Sharpie (water-based) paint pen, Moonlight gelly roll pens, and Faber Castell Big Brush Pitt Pen which I use to add dept by smudging and adding a lil' accents here and there. Oh and don't let me forget her *shimma*.  I am a *control* shimma freak!  So I use a Wink of Stella brush pen in *clear* to add shimmer to my fairy!

Last thing were my quotes.. with Brave Wings, She flies...  U R NOT ALONE... for me.. that means KEEP GOING.. just when you think you can't.. YOU CAN..   your wings will carry you as long as your willing to fly.. u r not alone.. simply means what it says.. you do have people who care and of course.. whatever higher power you believe in.  :) ((hugs))

Here are a few other pictures...

and thanks for stopping by...

Tamiko here.. uhh like who else would be writing on my blog!!.. lmao  I love neons.. and I choose to Live in COLOR.. :)

A journal page I did with Deco Art Paints, using the  neons, the media line and multi surface satin... A Few Faber Castell Big Brush Pitt Pens, and some Sakura Moonlight gelly rolls pens and my forever trusted Unibal Signo gel pen in white.

In my Dylusions journal.. I first just took the neons paints and cover the page.. and walked away.. had no idea.. how I use it.. lol... Just knew I wanted to use NEONS.. I really love them!.. COLOR is NEVER too bright!!  :)  Anyway.. I got these gorgeous Bloom Girls stamps from Prima, well...   They are HUGE.. perfect for a journal page.. perfect for playing and learning to color/paint faces.. perfect for.. whatever your heart's content...  So I stamped her in archival ink.. then after the ink dried... (rather quickly)  I proceeded to lightly brush a lil gesso wash (gesso with water in it.. lol)  Then I took my paints and added some skin tone.. The gesso did well muting the neons beneath it.. (to me)  Then I added color to the adornments in her hair.. (you know she is a modern day Frida Khalo.. lol)  and I decided to give her a blouse.. just drew something loosely.. and used my big brush pitt pens and smudged it over the neons.. I liked how that named out..  Then last but certainly not least.. i took my moonlight gelly pens and added details back into my butterflies.. on top of dried paint... the PAINT MUST be DRY!! I love those Sakura products too!!  and added lil' accents with my trusty Signo Unibal gel pen in white :)  Anyway.. quick.. and fun page.. Hope to do more.. and POST more this week...

Thank you for stopping by.. :)

Its STAMPENDOUS & DecoArt PLaYTiMe!! :) - MM Card & Treasures Box

In the mail I received some products from STAMPENDOUS and I was elated at the opportunity to play with them!!  I got a Creative Palette and mono printing plate,  a large acrylic handle, and two cling stamps!  They couldn't have come at a  better time.. because I am now, all set to play, with some of my favorite DecoArt paints and stencils!

Loving the idea of creating my own prints.. I leaped into the idea of playing with the Creative Palette and generating some fun backgrounds.. :)  I love the idea that's slender and it space in my bag, which makes it easy for me to grab it and go!  This is a mixed media card I made using an Artistcellar Stencil from the Sacred Heart Series and my favorite DecoArt Neon Acrylics.

Loved the how the stencil was imperfectly perfect on the monoprinting plate.. I think next time I will add some DecoArt Drying Time Extender to my paints and see how that goes too.. :)

My message to myself for the month of June... Live Creatively...

I mean.. the possibilities are well beyond what I have done.. but I plan to check out some other ways to utilize my new friend!  After creating some more pages and  backgrounds..


Then I decided to play with the STAMPENDOUS Face stamp called the Cling GLANCE- CRR200.  She was totally fun.. as I have NO large face stamps to play with!!  The lines from the image are clear and she is just the right size to do a little envelope art..  I was sending my friend Tamie some Happy Mail, and well Tamie loves Sugar Skulls.. So I decided to Sugar Skull my image.. Here is how that turned out..

Excuse my thumb.. (smile) I was debating posting this picture.. and decided at the last minute.. What the heck!  I am playing with a wonderful stamp and this is only a few of the possibilities!!  Oh Yeah.. Tamie.. YOU GOT MAIL!!  :)

Now for my last project.. It was something I had never done.. :)  An altered cigar box.  I actually received one from my dear friend VON for my birthday earlier this month.. Von makes me smile! She is a warm and beautiful lady.  I thought what she had given me was sooo dainty and lady-like.  I knew I wanted to make one too!

To be honest with you.. I looked at so many YOUTUBE videos and blogs on the topic, I couldn't tell you who's idea it actually is.. :)  But I do know I went to Andy Skinner and Made by Sannie 's blogs and CreaBoeTiek Channel on YouTube for inspiration for my first box.

Took a plain wooden cigar box and painted it with DecoArts MultiSurface Satin Acrylics in Coca bean and Chocolate and covered the whole box...

I don't know why.. but I always keep my DecoArt gesso nearby! (smile)

Then I added a thick layer of DecoArts Modeling Paste to the cover.  Then I smooshed a wide piece of lace and some of my favorite trinkets into paste on the lid.  Flowers, charms, and all kinds of metal embellishments.. :)  I let it air dry for 24 hours.

Then I covered the ENTIRE thing in yet more acrylic paints!  Even the metals!.  It was rather dull so I then added some of my favorite Dazzling Metallic Renaissance Brown and Bronze by DecoArts.  Let see some better pictures of the finished box in some pictures below...

decided I wanted some little feet so I glued these one with some help from Helmar's Glue that I got at Frosted Designs.. whew that Barb sure does send quick!!!  :)  

this is a side panel..

I loved painting her face and then adding glaze so her image was not flat.. since the box had so much shimmer now.. :)

this is a close up after adding some of the dazzling acrylics I mentioned.  :)

Here is another side panel...

Well that's it for me.. I hope you guys enjoyed viewing my page and watching me play with my fantabulous paints from DecoArt.. and those outrageously fun Stampendous products!  I am sure it won't be the last time I pick them up  and it wouldn't be for you either!!  :)

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Since I am a part of a blog hop.. I thought it might be nice to let you know there are bunch of talented people out here this week playing with paints, brushes and stamps.. I hope you can take a moment to check them and don't forget to comment, pin and like our sponsors for this event!  It also helps to make you eligible for the prize package. :)


Visit each blog, leave a comment! • Like Stampendous, DecoArt, Princeton Artist Brushes and inspired by Willow Wolfe on Facebook! • We've also got a Pinterest Board started!

Please repin our projects on to your boards and be sure to tag us when you do (#Stampendous, #DecoArt, #PrincetonArtistBrushes, #byWillowWolfe) - we'll be tracking. Your comments on the blogs are your entry into the drawing! We'll randomly choose three blog posts from all the designer posts this week and then choose one commenter from each with a U.S. Mailing Address to receive a prize package. THEN we'll choose three international commenters to receive a generous sample pack courtesy of DecoArt, so everybody can play this time! AND I have a few bonus goodies hanging around my office for some lucky people who SHARE our Facebook posts and Pinterest Pins! Ready for your trip around the world??? Let's get Hoppin!

DecoArt Blog

Stampendous Blog

Claudia Neubacher (Vienna, Austria)

Kristine Reynolds (California, USA)

Iliane de Fockert (Elly) (Niedersachsen, Germany)

Julia Stratford-Wright (near London, UK)

Julie Robertson (UK)

Jamie Martin (Oklahoma, USA)

Debbie Cole (California, USA)

Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei (Canada)

Tamiko McCurry (Illinois, USA)

A few of the bloggers this week are new to hopping, so if you have an issue with any of the links, here's a little tip! If you get a page that says "Sorry that Page is not here" or something similar, try clicking on the header picture at the top of the blog, or look for something that says Home. The hop page should be near the top of the day's posts. We will fix broken links as the day goes on, as well, so check back here if you are really lost.

The Official Rules are here.

Enjoy the rest of your Week and thanks for stopping by! :)

Mother's Day _ May Challenge w/ Susan Weckesser

I created this page with Susan Weckesser's May Challenge in mind.  The colors for this challenge can be seen here :

Now to be honest with you when I initially saw these colors.. I immediately though of spring.. trees grassland, new flowers, birds's nest and  few eggs.. Then I thought of new life.. something you could only get from a mother.  It was in fact Mother's Day and I had a quiet moment to hangout with my art and watch my daughter sleep.

I took those colors with my gelatos and Koi watercolors, well most of them anyway.. and came up with this.

  The quote says.. Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother.

Anywho.. had fun creating this profile of a mother, although she does not look like me.. lol  She still has kind eyes and a gentle face a smile any child would adore!  Happy Mother's Day to all you out there with 2 legged or four legged children that you see about..