Take Care II

I was a day late last week with my Take Care thought and glad to be on track today and linking up with Lynn's blog! I felt like there were so many moments for me this week but I would have to say that a little note I received today was my 'aha!'  for the week. I have just started trading some ATCs (little 2.5" x 3.5" works of art) with some terrific artists and I received a card today from April Cole. She sent me a wonderful little package of goodies along with the card. Most importantly she gave me a wonderful message and that is to always remember that "Art Heals". You have no idea how much I needed to be reminded of that.  I saw this just last night with my husband. He has been working so hard and gets so stressed out with work. When he got home last night I could tell he'd had it, work, long commute, you name it, was bugging him... Oh, he was so grumpy. However, he had to practice Christmas songs as he is in a group that is performing at their Christmas party next week. Well,  after singing and playing piano for five or six songs, a wonderfully happy man emerged. His art truly healed him that evening. It was just amazing how he transformed! My art does the same thing for me. It calms, me, takes me away from my troubles and lets me  s t e p  a w a y.

Thank you, April.

And I love my card!

 Two gifts.

Happy Friday!
Frannie

Paper Daze and White Lights

So I've put my brushes and pens down for a bit. Work is getting super busy now that the year is ending. Its hard to focus on being creative for long periods of time. Once upon a time I was a rabid scrapbooker and I am left with a huge box of papers and more ephemera to know what to do with. I can open a shop! I am seriously in love with paper and literally have to hold back when I see scrapbook paper or any other for that matter. I have been really pretty good these past few years with the paper hoarding..So during the holidays I try to make a few cards for people. I don't do everyone on my list but try to do ten or so.So I'm doing little things here and there. I take a quick 5 minute break and punch some snowflakes here, stamp and glitter reindeer there.  I broke down this past weekend and got this GREAT stamp and glitter kit at Michaels 50% off. So it worked out to be $10. A great deal right? Well then I discover shortly after that I won a scrapbooking basket at a church fair. It was an auction and I only put one ticket it! My scrapbook store grows!

My winning basket!

Once I've completed some  I'll post my cards here after I am done. I'll probably put some together tomorrow.
I did get one of my new ATCs in the mail. I swapped with jk bees and I love it!

thanks Janet!

I think the dots are terrific. They looks so great against the dark background, reminding me of lights. I saw lots of twinkling ones on my walk this evenig. My husband has been giving Einstein nightly walks for the past few weeks I do the mornings now...I took him for a walk tonight and it was cold but clear and beautiful. Everyone has their decorations up and on:) This time of year is so nice....

 

they're waiting:)

Good night!

FranT

More White On White...and then some!

Here are some photos of things I am trying out. I went to our ATM Collective meeting on Monday and there are a few more spots available for our White on White show next week. We have alot of work already but there is alot of wall space:) I am trying out another paper collage. I want to go bigger. I am so used to working at 4x6 or 5x7 sizes that when do something about 11x14 I think I am going really large (LOL) and, nope, I'm not! I gotta break free and go BIG! So I tried to fold some paper and cut some squiggly background. I am not certain this is what I will end up with but I am having fun!



on a white background



other shapes



 While looking through recent photos I realize that I have a bit of an affinity for white these days. Must be on the brain due to the show. Here are a few that I pulled up when I was picking out the others above!

Red Velvet cupcakes

Flowers at Adams

Frosty ;D

white tree, that I like and hate simultaneously

Gorgeous

the endless cup o' joe

Are you finding that you are drawn to one color lately , or maybe more often than that?

I was reading a favorite blog the other day and she posted all about red. That's what inspired me with posting my white photos, thanks Carol! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

A small lesson in ATCs and ACEOs

 





Some of my ATCs

 Frankly I have to got to Mr. Google to find out the exact differences between the two. I found a good description here. The bottom line is that ATCs (Art Trading Cards) are traded only, and the ACEOs (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) are made to sell.  I have been spending the past few days swapping cards and having some fun. I was just telling another artist that I tend to make alot more art than I can "get rid" of. I like the idea of swapping! I really like to sell art but swapping is another kind of fun because I'm getting another work of art back. I'll post photos of the ones I receive..And I just wanted to post that if anyone is interested in trading I'll be glad to do so. Just check my flickr link here, that will take you to the Art Trading Card set I have. You can message me on flickr or here!
I went to visit a cousin this weekend about 3 hours north of where I live. I took my son and we went with my parents. It was great to see everyone and catch up on how family is doing. I was delighted to find out that my cousin's two older girls are so creative. The two of them are artists and very talented! The older girl paints in an expressiontist type of style and the younger girl likes making manga art. It was great to talk art with them.

Heather's art

On our way back home we stopped in at a local market called Adams. They had the most amazing garden center. I am so used to the badly kept HomeDepot center near my house I was taken aback by how beautiful and healthy their plants looked. The most fun was checking out the different poinsettias they have. I have to draw a few in the coming days. I have sort of relaxed abit after going full steam in November.

  

I am a little late with my 'Take Care' post too. I have to say I had a "Take Care" moment while visiting my family. It dawned on me while I was there that I need to put more priority on keeping in touch with family. They are my link to the past and its so important to tap into that every once in awhile. I had lived in another state for almost 7 years and I have been back for 2 years. And I realized that it had been about 10 years since I had seen my cousin Nancy. We always keep in touch by writing, emailing and calling. However getting to see her was so wonderful and why deprive myself of that? I don't do it intentionally but I find I do it alot. I put off seeing friends, family, because I am 'too busy'. So thank you Lynn for hosting this December linky and allowing me the ability to actually reflect upon this.



Little Jenny



Joe goofing around



My Aunt's handiwork - here is some of her beautiful cross-stitchery

Happy Sunday and have a good week everyone!

Fran