I've got "High Hopes" for 2017!

 Happy, Happy 

 New Year... 

 ( * OK everyone... lift your glasses, 

I'm ready to make my toast )

 "Blessings to 

you and yours 

for Good Health 

and Much Happiness

throughout 2017!!"

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New Year's Resolutions

•  Don't forget to make ART a part of your everyday life!! 
•  ART each day, keeps the doctor away!
•  When in doubt "Keep on ARTing"!! 

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Thanks for popping in... until next time, Ciao!! 

Happy Birthday Jesus!

 Hark the Herald Angels Sing...

Glory to the New Born King!!

Merry Christmas...

Blessings to one & all for a joyous season

filled with an abundance of love and wonder!!

Gift of ART... It's in the bag!!

When it comes to presents, the first thing anyone looks at is the wrapping... for me, it's an essential part of the gift giving experience and a perfect opportunity to get a little creative!! 

There are definitely an abundance of beautiful wrapping papers and gift bags available for purchase, all designed to guarantee a lovely presentation under anyone's Christmas tree!

Today's Show & Tell is meant to jump start your own creative juices with a fun and easy project that is equally easy on the pocketbook!!

I purchased some plain white and kraft paper gift bags at our local Dollar Store, depending on the size you choose, they come in bundles of 2 or 3 for $1.00. 

These bags are a perfect canvas for creating unique designs using your own favorite mediums.  In my examples, I have used a variety of supplies and methods... don't hold back, let yourself experiment a bit and above all else... have some fun!! 

Pictured below... 

1. Polka Dots - acrylic paint applied with round sponges: Circles were made using "medication lids" as stamps on an ink pad 
2. Original design hand-carved stamps (except letters) w/ ink pad

Pictured Below...

1. Pine Needle Sprig imprint using acrylic paint w/ Micron details - hand carved stamp bow - bubble wrap Gelli print background
2. Evergreen Sprig imprint using acrylic paint w/ Micron details - hand carved stamp bow - bubble wrap Gelli print background
3. Christmas Trees - Hand carved stamps w/ acrylic paint - gold & white marker accents - rolled acrylic paint background

Original "Gift Bags" ready to pass out!

Thanks for stopping by... 

"A little ART each day keeps the Doctor away!! "

Until next time... Blessings to one & all!!

Christmas Greetings straight from your heART!!

Making a list, checking it twice... for whatever the reasons, my Christmas Card list seems to be getting smaller & smaller each year... that realization does sadden me a bit... as long as my list still exists, no matter how many names are left, I will continue to be inspired to make my cards... Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't!! 

Today's Show and Tell puts a "little twist" on a simple looking traditional card in the shape of a Christmas Tree... it fits into an ordinary business sized envelope... when opened, it becomes a free standing 3-sided Christmas Tree. Besides it's simplicity, each panel gives you ample room to showcase your talents and personalize in any way you choose... each one as unique as it's creator!!

My examples were created on 140lb. watercolor paper... of course, I'm sure you recognize my trademark "Janoodles" using Jacquard Dyes and Ink. I started out with 2 tree shapes that I decorated on only 1 side... Below, I have created a simple diagram that I hope can be easily followed...  (I'll explain the unfinished side more as we proceed)

Basic Tree Shape - make 2 for each card

*  Photos below represent each step

* Tree shapes glued together per instructions above

                            1                                   2                                 3

View 1 -  After gluing together, the 3rd side will give you a blank canvas  
to personalize your cards in any way you choose...

        Views 2 & 3 - I decided to Janoodle a similar design with a simple holiday greeting

Here is an example of a tree card created using a Gelli Plate and acrylic paint... no matter what your favorite medium may be, the variations you can achieve with this simple design will be endless... as always, the main objective is to have FUN!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Until next time...

Happy Holiday ARTing!! 

Let the Holiday Season begin!!

"Time flies when you're having fun!"... or so they say!! Realizing my lack of posts for the past few months, let's just assume they are right and I've just been having way too much fun (a little fantasy can't hurt)... anyway, I still can't believe that it's already December and 2017 is just around the corner!!

Ready or not, the Holiday Season is upon us... let's get back in the swing of things with a little Show & Tell to kick it all off!

I love gourds of all shapes and sizes, they are a perfect natural form & canvas for creating unique works of art... for our purposes today, I chose the smallest variety available... Tennessee Spinners. These wonderful little gourds can be used to create very imaginative Christmas Ornaments with very few supplies needed! My favorite medium to use is black archival ink... I love the contrast of the design with the natural color of the gourd. Many artists use acrylic paint to achieve their desired results while others use wood burning tools... experiment with your favorite supplies and most important, remember to have fun!!    

Pictured below: Tennessee Spinners - small bottle shaped gourds - average size is about 2 inches tall and approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter (give or take a smidge) - I have a local farmgal that grows mine but I have seen them for sale on ebay, just make sure they are "cleaned" and ready to use... (trust me, you don't want to deal with the moldy, crusty layers from the drying process)

Tennessee Spinners - natural color

Pictured below are a few non-holiday specific ornaments to hang year 'round but also look great on a Christmas tree... the only medium used is black archival ink, using the natural color of the gourd for contrast... they are finished by spraying a few coats of clear gloss acrylic. (Note: the wire is attached by drilling a tiny hole across the neck of the spinner)

Pictured below are classic designed Christmas "Snowman" Ornaments... acrylic paint in a variety of bright colors with fuzzy pipe cleaners, ribbon, craft wire & bell accents... they're sure to put anyone into the Holiday Spirit!!

Move over Frosty... Gourdy the Snowman is in town!!

Thank you for stopping by... 

I'm planning to get back to my usual routine with more 

Holiday projects to share... Please check back!

Until next time... Blessings to you all !!