Mixed Media Monday - "Let's Celebrate!"

Ok, I cheated a little--but with good reason. I am celebrating New Year's in a PICU waiting room--but I am celebrating! My one-year old grandson got a gift of life yesterday. Through the selfless act of a caring family in their worst hour, my grandson received a liver transplant! By God's grace, he is doing well. There is no place I would rather be on this New Year's Eve!

So understandably, I do not have an art project to post today.

I will, however, be posting Wednesday for Banner Month. (I prepared ahead--"just in case")

Happy New Year to all of you!!

4 x 4 Friday - "Sequin Waste" (punchinella)

(INFO HERE)

Best Friends Forever

These gals made their way into this week's 4x4 challenge: Sequin waste. I had to do a little digging, but I found some in a stash of ribbons and such.

Start here to see what everybody else did this challenge.

I hope to see you here next week for the beginning of Banner Month!

January is a Banner Month!!

Wow! I have had great response about the January Banner Month. We are going to have so much fun!
Now to answer the questions about pennant specifics.

The pennant size will be up to you and how you plan to use your completed banner. My template is 6 "x7 1/2" x7 1/2".

It seems specific instructions are preferable to generalities, so our theme for the month will be "Dream". The first week's pennant will feature a "D", the second week an "R" and so on. For those that want more prompts, there will be an additional optional element to incorporate each week. On the last week, we will post the final pennant and the completed banner.

The pennants will be posted each Wednesday in January. After you have posted your pennant and a link to this site on your blog, come here and leave a comment for all the other participants to find you.

After I decided to host this banner challenge, I went in search of illustrations of what I had in mind. Lucky for me, I found some great links and pictures!

This link is one you absolutely must go to!
http://krislhurst.blogspot.com/2007/12/believe-banner.html


Below is great banner done by Cris at welcome to my world of crisp art.

These banners below were featured in the July/August 2006 edition of Somerset Studio.

Below is a celebration banner from Salmagundi Express:
And finally, one last link worth visiting:

http://simplymein.typepad.com/simply_mein/2007/12/holiday-goodies.html

Hopefully these links and pictures have answered your questions and inspired you to create works of greatness!

**The optional prompt for the first week is dragonfly. If you choose, incorporate a dragonfly somewhere on your "D" pennant. I'll post my entry on January 2. See you then!

Mixed Media Monday - "Christmas"

Edited to add January Banner Month Information.

Our Mixed Media Monday theme this week is, of all things, Christmas! Imagine that!

Follow this link to see more Christmas goodies!
AN INVITATION:

I have enjoyed this weekly challenge so much that I have been inspired to host a little fun here at Simple Journeys for the month of January. I hope all of my Mixed Media Monday friends will play along. Let's make pennants, post them here each Wednesday and by the end of January we will have an awesome banner!! Please spread the word to other artists that might participate. There is a smaller icon and code below this one if you want to post it on your site. I'm so excited and can't wait to see you all here in January!

Click here for more information.

(Take out the "#" before you copy & paste.)
<#img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146495935347847058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwAoP8PIh2rsaZB048OmPYkeTGreYQaW9LejvliNiFOm3YYQbXd8IlO36aY0mtRfX_lV9WXdsnauBfeliFgkThmqr2aZBEauHwHm510-Lwg1x_9MASxzkfwl-kyJp_h3c22YmOiHnlw/s200/Banner5.jpg" border="0" />

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Hope to see you all in January!

(Remove #)

<#img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148471719088255090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYqcvXs0iNviPnqgJRHQjazaXUw51m5jOSV-6IpPznvHE6ldxjl4u6OmySTfzJ9zlQperKm_y6akJzRAtHXFadQP-I76dhlhArPyah-upI45FfdeKQqqvIRIdY6nuaSu5ROas_Zreig/s200/mini+banner.jpg" border="0" />

4 x 4 Friday - "Santa"

Edited to add January Banner Month information.

Our 4 x 4 this week features SANTA!

This weekly challenge has been so much fun, I was inspired to host a little fun here at Simple Journeys for the month of January. I hope all of my 4 x 4 friends will play along. Let's make pennants, post them here each Wednesday and by the end of January we will have an awesome banner!! Please spread the word to other artists that might participate. There is a smaller icon and code below this one if you want to post it on your site. I'm so excited and can't wait to see you all here in January!

Click here for more information.

(Take out the "#" before you copy & paste.)

<#img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146495935347847058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwAoP8PIh2rsaZB048OmPYkeTGreYQaW9LejvliNiFOm3YYQbXd8IlO36aY0mtRfX_lV9WXdsnauBfeliFgkThmqr2aZBEauHwHm510-Lwg1x_9MASxzkfwl-kyJp_h3c22YmOiHnlw/s200/Banner5.jpg" border="0" />

Thanks for stopping by!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Tour

BooMama is hosting a little holiday get-together that I just had to join--even tho' ya'll all may be tired of touring by now. But I just got home from work! And we haven't really "gone all out" decorating this year....but I put together a little something just to be a part of the festivities!

Nothing says "Welcome" like fresh evergreens!

A Garland o'Greenery

O Christmas Tree! All silver and gold.

One of my Nativity sets.

Just a sample of my snowman collection.
Can you tell I love snowmen?

Our traditional outdoor decor since....forever.
We add a new snowman whenever we add to the family.
So far, that's been one SIL and two grandsons!

Thanks for stopping by!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Mixed Media Monday - "Backgrounds"

Today's Mixed Media Monday theme is "Backgrounds". This layout is practically all background! In fact, I had a hard time coming up with the focal point. I made the background with many random bits of magazine pages which I collaged, then 'antiqued' with off-white acrylic and finally, stamped.
Thanks for stopping by. I plan to visit all of this week's participants and get some new ideas!

4 x 4 Friday - "Blue & Silver"

Christmas Greetings!
In the form of a blue and silver 4x4. The leaves and ribbon really are a beautiful shiny silver that just didn't photo too well.


Thanks for stopping by.


4x4 Friday

Mixed Media Monday - "Words"

My word for Mixed Media Monday is "Sweetheart". Isn't she a little cutie?

I used acrylics, stamps, ink, cutouts, red lace, some brads, ribbon, and a button. I also went for some bright colors this week. Festive?

4 x 4 Friday - "Mona Lisa"

Here she is.....what more can be said about the Mona Lisa, really? Except that it looks like our little lady has some travel plans!

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment!

To see what else Mona Lisa is up to these days, click here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Wings"

Today's Mixed Media Monday theme is "Wings". I love wings and use them a lot. I could have gone through my altered books and found any number of wing-themed pages to post for today, but I made a new one instead--because I like wings and all. If you like wings too, follow this link to see more pretty creations!

4 x 4 Friday - "Red"

Friday's 4x4 theme for this week is RED. I hope it still counts, since it took me until Saturday to get it posted!
Thanks for stopping by! I want to come see everybody's as soon as I get a chance! I will start here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Gold"

Dream....with all your heart

My contribution for "Gold" on Mixed Media Monday! A little acrylic paint, some dry brushing, some matted letters, and a sprinkle of gold glitter! There is also gold paint in the mix that doesn't show up so well in picture.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!

Mixed Media Monday

Mixed Media Monday - "Buttons"

My contribution to the Mixed Media Monday "buttons" theme is Sweet Innocence. It represents my little grandson born one year ago and the sweet innocence of those precious days before we learned he had liver disease. He has now been listed for transplant for over half his little life. We wait, one day at a time. God is good.

Other MMM participants can be found here.

4x4 Friday - "Trees"

Better late than never! A bit under the weather yesterday...and now that this post is up there is a nap in my near future!

To see more 4x4s click here.

Making Monday

My grandson spent the day with me yesterday. He is four.

One of his favorite things to do is "ought" (art). Since my altered book supplies are often usually always out, it is a great temptation to him. I have given him his own book and explained very carefully that is the only book he may alter. He loves the rubber stamps , the star punch, and the "swirly" scissors best. ("Let me just snip this.")

To protect my brushes, I've made him some with clothespins and a bit of sponge. They can take the abuse and then be thrown away.

His little mind is quite creative, so I refrain from giving suggestions. I only instruct him in the proper way to use the supplies and let him go from there. He has a blast!

In case you haven't guessed, our art was worked in between enjoying Pumpkin Peeps and Christmas cookies and was thus the inspiration for the pages!

Mixed Media Monday - "Numbers"

It's Mixed Media Monday! Today's theme is "Numbers" My contribution is called "Build a Dream for Life". Other contributors can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by!

"S" is for Simple - Alpha Challenge

This week's Alpha Challenge is the letter "S". The artwork must have an image or word starting with the letter S. I also used both options:

1. bookmark

2. color combination - brown, blue, & green.

This is the result:

More entries can be found here.

4 x 4 Friday - "Faces"

This week's theme for 4x4 Friday is "Faces". Don't forget to count the clock face--it belongs with the theme, too! To see others taking the challenge for here.

Mixed Media Monday - "Crowns"

Another challenge! This time its Mixed Media Monday. Today's challenge is "Crowns". To play along or see other entries, go here.

Photo Hunters - "Classic"

I know, I know....I'm very late. But I didn't have anything classic until just now and I couldn't resist getting them in the show! As I was sorting through a large bag of stuffed animals to get rid of, I saw these two Coco-Cola bears. My first thought was "Classic"! It's a perfect fit for this week's theme, if I say so myself! "Have a Coke and a smile!" (1979)

For more Classic photos, go here.

4 x 4 Friday - "Faux Postage"

How exciting to find a new challenge! This is my first contribution for 4 x 4 Friday. To see other artists that are playing along go here.

Romance

This is my first time to participate in the Alpha Challenge. This week's challenge is the letter "R". To see other interpretations of the theme, check out the comments here.

Look deeply into the page.....you will find layers and layers. Colors, textures, and patterns.


The inspiration for this layout was a couple of hours in Hobby Lobby! There were rubberstamps on sale! And ink. And paper. And teeny little brads and things. Oh, and did I mention rubberstamps? I got a couple, a few, a plethora of new stamps. If that doesn't inspire you, your ink pad's gone dry!

Color fun

Just doing a some blog-cruising tonight and ran across this little quiz. Admittedly, they are sometimes a little corny, but in light of the past couple of posts, this one seemed appropriate. Feel free to play along.

You Are a Purple Crayon

Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors. You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful. People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you. And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off! Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Going in Circles, part 2

How many circles do you see? This page is done with chalks and stamps. The spoon, a cold transfer, was added as an afterthought, making the circles suddenly look like bowls. Do you think?

Purple Love

The glue is literally still wet on this layout. My hands were restless and my mind needed occupying; this is the result. Creating something pretty really is good for what ails you. There may be a whole book full by tonight.

"Practical" - Photo Hunters

This is my Chihuahua, Pepper, and she is one practical pup! Without her nifty little wardrobe of sweaters she would freeze to death! It is going to be quite a cool weekend and she is ready.

For more practical photos click here.

In Which Life Imitates Art - In Which a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

All of my masses of... dozens of... four readers are used to finding my latest altered book creations here at Simple Journeys. Maybe a collage. Maybe a how-to.

You know, how I take scraps, bits & pieces, what-have-you, and turn it into "art".

Well, Dear Reader, it seems that Miss Simple Journey cooks the way she collages.

Or rather, perhaps, the way she cooks is why she collages.

Behold, the latest "altered" project. A supreme example of how-not-to.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Those altered book skills come in real handy when you are a klutz in the kitchen.

My apologies to the birthday girl.

There is one consolation. The pumpkin raisin cake, Amy's Autumn Ambrosia, apparently tasted better than it looked because it is gone. All that remains are some lingering crumbs in the silverware drawer.

Altered Visit

My youngest daughter was in from college today. She suggested we work in our books while we visited. Excellent idea. As we got caught up on what's been going on in our respective worlds, our hands were busy creating these:

Hers

Mine

"And a good time was had by all"