March 2014 Creative Dare - I Am

I'm so glad Tracy challenges us because there are times I just think I don't have it in me and then.....she challenges and I find creativity, enjoyment, gratification......well, all you that join in, I know you understand what I'm trying to say.  :-)  I used a background that I had made some time ago and used glaze pens, sharpies, pitt pen, a white pen, watercolors, rub-ons, washi tape, and a white and black charcoal pencil. It was fun and "I Am" trying to "Embrace" (my word of the year) who "I Am" instead of being so critical of myself and how God made me.  :-)

Thank you, Tracy, for........everything!  

If you would like to join in......Check out Tracy's blog here. :-)

2014 Creative Dare

I'm so thankful for Tracy Weinzapfel Burgos and the Mixed Media Monday Group for the encouragement to create when sometimes.....I just don't think I have it in me.  Here is my entry for the January Creative Dare . My word is "Embrace"

Word of the Year Search

Once upon a time there was a mom who loved her family so much but was struggling. Struggling against the sicknesses that kept her from doing the things that a mother usually does. A wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a Sunday School teacher and much more but I just couldn't do it all. I wanted to so badly and it would make me so frustrated the tears would come. I would pray over and over, "Lord, if you'll just let me feel a little bit good tomorrow, I just want to feel like getting up."  Ok, so I didn't get a miracle and even after 3 surgeries, numerous tests, and doctors, I still have a lot of health issues. But.....sometimes God doesn't choose to heal you or take away the pain for reasons only known to Him. It doesn't mean He doesn't care. He just sees those things down the road and what you're going to need to make it through those. Ah, but he sent me a friend. Not just a friend but someone who taught me that in spite of my pain and frustrations I can make beauty. Lots of beauty all around me. And then she introduced me to one of the most loving group of people that have been there for me through so many things. When I didn't want my family to know how much I was worried I could tell them all about it, ask for prayers and I received some of the most encouraging words that were what I needed. When I first began watching  Tracy Weinzapfel I thought art journaling was one of the craziest things I'd ever seen. People made a huge mess of a page, slapped more mess on it, scribbled on it and called it "Art Journaling"? No beauty or art could I see. lol  Then Tracy taught me the true beauty of art journaling and became not only my teacher but an amazing friend. What I love about her....She is real! She is kind to everyone and tries so hard to make sure she doesn't miss giving each new member a welcome to the Mixed Media Monday group and encourages each new artist even though we have grown to over 500!   I haven't done much creating since October but they love me anyway!  haha  They continued to encourage me and they've encouraged me right into creating again and it feels so good!!!  Love that Angie and I are challenging each other.  I just don't have a word for the year and asked for help. MMM came through once again and I decided to write down words from everyone that posted. It didn't stop there. Since I still don't have my word chosen......I got out that page that Yvonne encouraged me to underwrite on (and boy, did I ever lol) and began to create. Now there are all those beautiful words I wrote down on that page and the reminder of the wonderful things my friends said to me. It isn't my most beautiful page ever but it makes me so happy.  I also tried some things out that I had wanted to try so I could share some alternatives for supplies with others that can't afford some of the more pricey things. It worked!  :-)

Angie.....On the left is how the page looked before (minus the flower I drew lol) If you look close at the top photo on the right you can see the underwriting faintly.  These are before I started outlining all my flowers.

On the left is my finished page.  I used a homemade gesso (Shannon Green). It's great if you like texture which I do. I had heard that you could use eye shadow for shimmer sprays. Then I got to thinking (scary, I know lol) Could you use other makeup? My daughter thought it sounded good and got me some things to try. Then I bought a kit on clearance after Christmas. The upper pink flower was done in lipstick with blush rubbed on top. It is outlined in liquid eyeliner. The stem of the orange flower is done in green eye shadow. Different colors. I found you can use the eye shadow as a chalk to get one effect or wet it and use it like a paint for a different effect. I'm still experimenting but you can get a lot of things at the $1 store, $ General, etc. I sure hope this help some of you. We went through a really rough time a couple years ago when hubby's company almost went under so I understand how you can long to create but not have the funds to buy fun stuff.  

Whew!  I really shouldn't try to make up 2 months in one post! ;-)

I do want to say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart to the awesome people at Mixed Media Mondays! So thankful for you!

Sept Mixed Media Monday Dare

  Check out Tracy's monthly dare and see all the great entries.
 http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2013/09/september-2013-creative-dare-share-your-home.html

 The background is used baby wipes from when I'm painting.  I tore the clouds and bush out of a baby wipe, too. The house is just background papers cut up.  I am tired and wasn't even going to do the dare since I've been so down because of physical issues but decided to "buck up" and do it.  I'll add more details later.

I used sequin waste and shelf liner for stamp texture.  Notice that my tree was an after thought and I had already done my cloud.  I may put some leaves there later.  lol  I did a little doodling and that made it fun.  The roof is from the paint roll off when I was playing with my gelli plate. 

The contentment is a little squished so I may redo it later. I actually loved doing this and it did help.  I should listen to Tracy more often.  :-)  And below is what happens when you decide to art journal to and from church. I now have a nice little pattern on my skirt.  lol

Watercolor - Another August Challenge

I just couldn't resist trying another watercolor! :-)  This one took 1 hour and 11 minutes. I didn't think I would enjoy watercolors as much as I do. The picture on the left was the inspiration for the page I did on the right. I did what Tracy would tell me to do....I made it my own! :-) Thanks again for always teaching something new and fun, Tracy!  http://tracywburgos.typepad.com/treasure_the_momentlove_l/2013/08/august-2013-creative-dare-let-it-go.html  Be sure to check out all the wonderful entries and if you haven't done yours this month.....well, what are you waiting for????  ;-)

Watercolors - August Challenge

This was my first "real" attempt at watercolors. I like to sketch things first so I can "perfect" them.  lol  I still need to do more doodling and put a quote but I found out that it can be fun to just start painting without following lines. :-)  I didn't time this one so it wasn't for the Challenge.  This one was inspired byt this Mixed Media Mondays video. 

This is my first watercolor for the august-2013-creative-dare-let-it-go. It took me 1 hour and 2 minutes!  :-) I was so into doing this page that I finished it at the rodeo we went to.  lol  I wonder if I'm the first person to art journal at a rodeo.  haha   I also love that Yvonne and I did similar paintings without knowing what the other was doing.  Great minds think alike! ;-)

I feel like I am constantly saying the same thing over and over but I am so thankful that I met Tracy and feel so blessed by all she's added to my life!

July's Creative Challenge

I think I had more fun with this challenge than usual!  I picked something totally "out of the box" for me but a style I've always thought was so whimsical and fun. I had been in a bit of a funk creatively and had went through some things that totally threw me for a loop. I love how getting involved with a challenge from Tracy can get your mind off of things and actually make you feel better. The words I used were things that helped me get through the tough time. There are still some things ahead health-wise and other but.......I do believe the worst is behind me.  :-)

I did the background with my homemade gelli plate and I just had to try the credit card lines that Tracy makes look so fun.  lol  If you would like to join in on the Creative Challenges check out Tracy's you tube channel and her blog .  Thanks once again, Tracy!!!!!