Look what I received from Sylvia in the mail...

 

 

 

 

I recently joined a monthly swap offered by LeWendula on her blog . This was Swap 2 and items to swap were tags. Sylvia was my partner and you will find her blog here .  Yesterday I received a big envie full of wonderful colorful tags that Sylvia created. I am thrilled, love them all. Each one has my mind spinning, so want to begin adding to them ASAP. She also included one of her delicious hand painted Studio Sylvia papers which are jaw dropping loverly. I used it as background in 3rd pic above. These pictures do not begin to capture the true beauty of these tags. The little charms are darling and  are  icing on the cake. Thanks so much Sylvia.

Four new cards, my first arch cards ever. So fun-

Enjoyed making these Atcs. Dance is a revamped card I made a couple years ago and changed a bit. I love vintage blk. n whites of little children. There is often more in the picture if one takes the time to look closely, their hair, clothes (sometimes missing a shoe or sock or something...lol.), toys and etc. So cute! Yep, these are my first arches, why it took me so long I do not know but will make more. Star Goddess background started off with light modeling paste for texture then when dry covered with acrylic paint,  a light yellow (I know, can't see now) then a deep red (you can see some of the red) and lastly blue metallic and  a sprinkle of glitter.  Thanks for the visit. Hugs LinLin

Bout time I shared some of my Atcs on my blog

All of the ATCs above I created for trades or swaps on the yahoo group, Atcsforbeginners found here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATCforbeginners/ . Of course I had to start off with a Halloween card, so fun to make, below that a variety. I am just now beginning to step out of my comfort zone with these babies. I feel exhilarated on one hand and vulnerable on the other. I found that traveling daily to some marvelous blogs with great tutorials, jaw dropping art, sharing beautiful images some for free (bless you all), challenges,  and last but not least, positive energy. Yes, one can recognize this by observing with a monitor. When I figure out how to load their icon links on my blog I will. There are so many but want to share because they have been so inspirational to me. Thanks for dropping by and hugs to all.

Photos of our backyard, my fav place !

This is my shed. I just love it. Jerry made the little porch and the window boxes and shutters.


These two are the left and right corner flower beds and Jerry built the swing structure. All of our grands, so far anyway...hehe, learned to swing on them. A ton of sweet memories here.

Just added this new background, I like it and the idea that it can be changed fairly easy when I get tired of it. Does make me want to get a little more blogging done. Will see what happens. The background is from AwfullyBigArtAdventure.blogspot.com/ It is a great place for blog bkgs.

Just a quick note

Hi guys, to whom ever may be stopping by this terribly ignored blog of mine. I just visited many of my beginners atc group members blogs. I learned so much about each of you and it has got me to thinking I need to give my little blog some attention. Not sure if it will stick but just want to say I love you guys and each of you are so special. Hugs, LinLin

From Jen's Tute

This has been one of my favorite tutes for layering. I began the process with white card stock covered with torn paper. It was so fun choosing what papers I wanted to combine.



Next step, I added white and cream colored lace and covered the whole thing with gel medium and let dry.

After it dries completely, I then add watercolor crayons in groves and on top of lace, well...everywhere and then pressed colored areas with fingers to smooth and smudge. I also dabbed on glitter glue. Then sprayed with a fixative.

After dry, add layer of acrylic white paint mixed with a little water and let dry.

I painted on another layer of white acrylic paint mixed with water. First layer was not enough for me, and let dry.

This is one of the ATC backgrounds I cut from paper.

Below is one of two cards made by using backgrounds above . This was a trade theme in my wonderful and fun group ATCforbeginners, located here

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ATCforbeginners/

Always like to mention its very kind and great moderator Leslie Dupont and of course Jen for the tute, which you can find at her blog here

http://jenxo.blogspot.com/

Second card for friend and trade partner, Barbara in our group.

A Peek At My Art Journals

Here are some of my art journals/books. I show pics from each one. I stayed away from photos of pages I had written a lot, kinda personal you understand. The little punch you may notice in some of the pages is to hold the page open while I took the photo ;). If you guys have questions ask here or on our group, ATCs for Beginners-have fun.


One of my book art journals. Below are pages inside.

Prep pages with a coat of gesso.

A new background I am working on.

" Life is a bowl of pits"...by Rodney Dangerfield

8 1/2 x 11 watercolor paper spiral book

Examples of some new ideas I wanted to try

Just your cheap composition book (upper two photos)

A $2.59 Sketch Diary from Hobby Lobby

This book is 9.5 x 6 medium weight paper, good for ink, pastels, crayons, and just about anything you want to add.