LIKE THE BIRDS SING - REVISITED!

Trying out some new techniques with PanPastels and gel medium in Nathalie's class.   I used pages from a 1947 edition of "A Field Guide to the Birds" for the first layer, thinking this might lead me to a more vintage styled page. Nope.  Perhaps it is just the first beginning steps and I will get better at this?  Do I need more layers?  Dabber paint circles?  More color?  Yes, I had fun doing it.  Yes, I will keep doing it.  I think that is what counts.

After some constructive feedback, I "revisited" this page.  Using a foam finger inker thingie, I stamped white gesso all around the birds.  Clouds!  Of course.

ANTIPASTO PASTA SALAD

Curiously I feel the urge to share a recipe today, curious because I have never before considered it LOL  I haven't been up and around enough for cooking much but this afternoon I made this salad, it's a potluck recipe so enough to share with a neighbor.   Pasta, provolone, salami, prosciutto tossed with a balsamic vinigrette and fresh herbs!

You can find the recipe here http://www.emerils.com/recipe/6733/Antipasto-Pasta-Salad 

An old one from Emeril Lagasse "Emeril's Potluck".    Check out the cookbook, it's still available and full of recipes you can count on.

BE UNEXPECTED - An Art Journal Page

Oh this is so not typical for me LOL  But isn't that why we take classes and learn new techniques?  This is another page prompted through the class "She Had Three Hearts".  I can only spend short bits of time on the classes I have enrolled in but perhaps this slow and steady approach will "adhere" all of the new techniques and ideas into my head!  The inspiration was the "super woman" magazine image, which has been transferred onto the page.

SHARING SOME HAPPY MAIL!

It's been 5 weeks now since my surgery, let's just say for now that things didn't go as expected and I am not sure what is next.  I have been able to spend only a little time downstairs in my "studio" and I am woefully behind in catching up with all of you, I hope you will expend a little more patience with me.

I discovered the art and humour of Tracey Fletcher King in the Summer of Colour II challenge.  Honestly every post makes me laugh and I adore how she turns everyday objects into art.  While I dream of the fantastic, life is really about the everyday,  I think that is why she strikes me so.   I created a board on my Pinterest just for her.  I got a lovely note from her about that - she found out about the board on one of "those days" that she was desperate for something uplifting.  She sent me a lovely packet of some of her work!  Oh I am in heaven!  And Tracey, your packet saved me from a pretty dark day.  I often wonder if I will know why a certain person and I cross paths.

A journal with one of her teacup pieces on the front, several cards and postcards (duplicates so I will share one and keep one without guilt!), a bookmark and a number of images for collaging.

A close up of one of the postcards.  So bright, cheery and happy!  Do check out her blog!!

I AM ENOUGH - AN ART JOURNAL PAGE

My second page from week one of Nathalie's Uber Media PanPastels class (see button on right).  A first attempt at using liquid frisquet (masking paint or drawing gum) - don't you adore that name?  Didn't get it quite right at the top (I cut out letters from pp and covered the attempt at masking) but I am pleased with the "enough".   I think if I had graduated the shading within the top layers the effect would be less busy.