michelle ward

I'm up!

Today it's my turn to share a video lesson for Nathalie's Creative JumpStart.  Have you joined in?  It's been a fun month of learning all kinds of tricks and techniques.  You can sign up anytime, click HERE.

classes

Oh my...it's been a while since I blogged.  A sign that's it has been a busy and fun summer! Can't believe it's September already. Fallon will be starting at Rutgers next week.  I love the beginning of a school year, even it if doesn't have a direct impact on my personal daily life anymore (packing lunches, driving carpool, monitoring homework....)  However, I always regard this time period as a chance to start anew.  Three quarters of 2016 is over but we still can view this month as returning students do, with sharpened pencils and fresh perspective. Shake off unfinished projects, clear off the table, open your mind, and begin learning something new.  Change of season, change of routine.  That's what September means to me - although I do try to hang on to the last pleasures of summer a little longer.

My next two classes will be at Pratt in NYC.  See my WORKSHOPS page for the particulars.  Hope you'll come!!

 

I had two terrific classes at The Ink Pad last month.  It's always such a treat to see how the artists interpret the projects.  I always leave feeling so energized and motivated when I see the magic of creativity at work.  Thanks for joining me!

 

I'm off to float around the pool again while catching up on my reading.  Have a great holiday weekend!

no-bake gingerbread house....yep, cardboard!

For several years I've been infatuated with cardboard.  The truth about any supply or substrate: the more you use it, the more you learn.  Since cardboard is a plentiful supply, it is always within reach, and you can try all kinds of things with it.  There's nothing precious about it....trial and error is a good thing.  The only thing you need is a fresh set of blades and some imagination.  After writing articles about using cardboard, including matchboxes and small kraft boxes, for more than a year in my column for Somerset Studio, I thought the year end finale would be the perfect place to show off my Gingerbread House.  

I've been wanting to make one like this for a while, and finally got around to it.  As I say in the article, it doesn't take any less time to make versus bake, but it will last alot longer.  I planned ahead, and have hinged openings in the back, with little shelves behind each window, to accommodate a battery operated votive.  HCIT!

 

 

My scallop and stone stencils were the perfect tool to create shingles and a brick fireplace.  I have to admit I kinda knew that when I was designing them.  I know, it's early for thinking about Christmas decorations....I'm just putting out Halloween stuff....but it's the time of year when days fly by.  Let me know if you make one of your own!

 

 

 

recycling at its best!

I had the pleasure of teaching two workshops in New York City last weekend.  Hosted by The Ink Pad, and the terrific Anna and Barbara, we met at the fabulous community center, and spread out our piles of collected cardboard then made some really cool relief sculptures and journals.  Sadly, I didn't get any "under construction" photos of Sunday, but I witnessed some really awesome pages.  It's so fun to work on projects in a real-life class as the group environment is so inspiring - you get to see the discoveries each individual makes because they are at-work, and in-the-moment, where the magic happens.  We all get motivated and encouraged as we progress through the process, each of us in our own way.

 

First up, What A Relief.  The title is two-fold, we were building dimensional corrugated sculptures, with deliberate cuts, peeling, and piercing to create relief with shadow and texture....but it was likely a relief to only have to bring a minimal collection of supplies.  A knife, cutting mat, pencil, glue....that is all you need to churn out some really cool stuff.  After the pieces were nearly completed, we placed them under glass.  Nothing is more validating than to see your efforts elevated with a frame.  Well done girls!!

 

 

 

 

Next was DeComposition Journal.  I've taught variations of this class before - one of my favorites, as each artist takes on their own specific direction.  Because of the location, we were able to do some fun stuff that I usually only do at home - not easy to replicate in a classroom.  We poured scented wax into the corrugated grooves - with the assistance of a candle, we burned edges of pages - thanks to access to a sink, and we stepped outside to do some super fun spray painting with stencils.  Swoon!  Thanks for joining me - I can't tell you how much fun it was to see all of you crank out such great stuff.  

I've got more ideas of how to use this non-precious and plentiful supply.  Stay tuned for more cardboard art classes next year!

 

 

Up next:  the grand finale to A Year of Cardboard,  with my column for Somerset Studio.

reminder - new york classes

 

Tomorrow is October already?  How did that happen?  Time to get out the Halloween decorations!!  We have some new lights that will go around the front door.  They are motion activated and blink + give off scary noises when there is movement....they've been setting themselves off in the package all week!  

Later this month I will be at The Ink Pad in NYC for two cardboard classes.  Full description on my workshop page.  Follow the sidebar buttons, or click tab at top of page.  These will be my last two classes this year.  Hope to see you there!

 

serendipity boxes

Still defaulting to cardboard......I've been collecting anything and everything with brown paper packing.  These little craft boxes are a terrific addition to my cardboard sculptures, and they were the perfect fit inside an assemblage frame.  See the July/August Somerset Studio for the complete article. 

even more b&k

Wow!  There's been a ton of feedback on the cardboard journal tutorial I presented on Stampington's blog.  Many visitors left comments, there are hundreds of pins from the post, and a huge amount of likes and shares from their facebook page.  I've even rec'd emails from artists who have jumped in and made their own.  HCIT? 

A little background - I first started making these cardboard journals about five years ago.  One was included in the Artist Portfolio feature in Stampington's Art Journaling (Issue: Summer 2011)  The first one, called Table Scraps Journal, made it's debut on this blog in August, 2011.  Then I started showing you others, which I started calling Debris Journals, in December 2011.  I taught my first cardboard journal class at Create NJ 2012, and again in 2013.  I will be teaching The DeComposition Journal this October at The Ink Pad in NYC, along with my cardboard sculpture class, What a Relief.  My last two columns in Somerset Studio have been about cardboard, and the next one will also feature it.  What I love is that the material is versatile, readily available, and unintimidating to work with.  As I continue using this humble supply, I find new ways to manipulate it, and can't stop pushing my expectations of how it can perform. I'm currently working on an end-of-the-year article that will make you re-think cardboard for the holidays! 

Here is more from my Black&Kraft:

I love to leave a peek at some of the markings from the cut up cartons that show up on the pages.  I've used some of these spreads to document my collections of black&kraft papers, and have made some deliberate cuts with stencils.  I just love the look of this color combination.  Just think, if Borders bookstore hadn't closed, where I used to get my kraft paper blank journals, I may never have conspired to make my own, and found out all the cool things that be done with recycling bin treasures.

This week we had to get a new table for the deck as the glass top on the old one shattered.  You should see the stellar specimens of cardboard that the new table came wrapped in - a full sheet of mini-honeycomb plus several full sheets of perfect corrugated goodness.  I'm delirious about the possibilities!

more B&K

More pages from my Black&Kraft journal.  I've prepared a tutorial on Constructing and DeConstructing cardboard as a journal for Stampington's blog.  See that HERE.  It's a companion to my column in the recent Somerset Studio.  In the right sidebar albums you can see more of my cardboard journal pages.  (If you're reading through a feed, click HERE for the album).  I need to get it updated, but there is alot to see there.  Sneak peek below of some stencils that will debut soon ;)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!  I had a terrific week of celebrating - a good start to a year of being 50!  And the roses are now in full bloom - hundreds of them came out this week.  I'm a lucky girl. 

Only six weeks until CREATE NJ kicks off!  I'm preparing lots of stuff for the workshops and vendor night.  Hope to see you there!!

 

 

new article - old favorite

As you know, I've been playing with cardboard for quite a while.  If you're a regular here you've seen my cardboard journals (right sidebar photo album has some archived pages).  I think it's such a fabulous material to work with and I continually find new ways to push it's usefulness.  My May/June Somerset Studio column is about the journals, in particular a new Black & Kraft one.  Scroll down for previous sneak peeks, or if you're reading through a feed, click HERE.  Magazine on shelves May 1st.

I will be teaching two cardboard classes in NYC in October.  Visit www.TheInkPadNYC.com for details.  All my upcoming classes are posted in the left sidebar or you can click on WORKSHOPS at the navigation bar on top.  I will be teaching three classes in NJ in July, and I'm coming to San Diego for the first time in September, for San Diego Book Arts.

My apologies to visitors who got frustrated during the week as Typepad had issues on and off for several days.  I wasn't able to connect either!  Hopefully all is fixed and we won't experience outages again.  Happy to see things back up!

EDIT:  In late May, I was a guest blogger on Stampington's site.  I offered a tutorial on making your own cardboard journal.  In case you missed it I'm posting here, as well as in my Cardboard Journal album in the right sidebar.

 

one thing leads to another

I've been a fan of M.C. Escher for a long time....like before high school.  I added another book to the collection - a super fun flipbook, HERE.  I love how a familiar piece of work takes on a new form.  It got me thinking about a poster I've had rolled up for a while.  Metamorphosis II - it comes as 4 panels, 8.5" x 41" each.  I thought I would install around the ceiling line of my studio, but I never did it, and now my shelves go up so high it would hardly be visible.  The little flipbook gave me an idea, and the motivation, to alter the present state of the poster, and turn it into a book that I could hold in my hand. 

 

It took some manuevering to flatten out the rolls, match up the pattern and make the attachments so it was one loooooong panel, then measure and do a little math to arrive at a suitable division.  I left an extra flap at the leading edge so it could be tucked under a paper strip to hold in place within a cardboard portfolio.  The whole thing can be pulled out and still viewed in its full panoramic glory, but within the covers I'm enjoying savoring the details page by page.  One thing always leads to another!  This accordion generated more ideas....still in progress, I'll report in later :)

 

black and kraft

I'm knee deep in three different projects, and I haven't even started our taxes.  Yikes!  I handcut some new stencils today to test out before I send into production - can't wait to show you!!  For now, since I've been an absent blogger, I will give you a peek into my latest Debris Journal - I call this one Black & Kraft.  You can see more from this one in an upcoming article for Somerset Studio (May/June).  You can also take a class with me and make your own Debris Journal at the Ink Pad in New York City, October 19.  We'll be doing some fun stuff on the pages, like you see below - using stencils to make marks, and to peel away the top surface. 

get out your awl!

If you don't have an awl, you can use a pushpin, or needle....and these can be used with pen, pencil, and paint....I am thrilled to announce two new half sheet stencils as part of my Cardboard Collective!  Available at GreenPepperPress.com.  Notice the word placements, and how you can use the phrase "OPEN THIS END" or "THE END".  And you can combine "PROPERTY OF:" with the alphabet to pierce your name.  Love these. 

More new stencils on the horizon.  Estimated time of arrival:  April. 

 

Cardboard classes in NY

I'm excited to announce that I will be teaching two classes in October at The Ink Pad in New York City.  The subject:  cardboard, of course!  The first is What A Relief - thought it was a clever title since we will be building dimensional relief sculptures, but won't it be a relief to only have to bring a few tools to class?!  The second is DeComposition Journal.  If you've taken my Debris Journal you'll recognize that it is similar, but I have some new tricks to share, plus the added bonus is that the location of the workshop allows us to go outside and spray paint, and even light the page edges on fire.  Can't wait!  Hope you'll join me.

Registration is open today!

Cardboard Compositions

I've shown you some of the cardboard I've been collecting and hoarding, but I've been using it too!  In my recent column in Somerset Studio (March/April) you can see some of my relief sculptures.  The article opens with a sampler I created using all kinds of cardboard clippings and natural materials.  Similar to my "me first" style of journaling, this printer's tray makes me so happy to look at, plus it frees me up to use the remaining stash since I've saved a little piece of each offering for myself.  The article continues with some examples of my assemblages of dimensional, deliberate cuttings and piercings.  Influenced by the monochromatic works of Louise Nevelson, which she fashioned from found objects, then painted to let the shadows tell the story, I found a way to use my favorite supply, and made it my own.

I will be presenting workshops that focus on cardboard later this year.  If you're interested, stay tuned!

 

still rolling along

Thanks again to eveyone who stopped by for the introduction of the new stencil series.  More new stuff coming this month.  For now, I'm rolling along....with my favorite supply:  cardboard.  Ooooh, these make my heart race!  I'll show you what they are for very soon.  Coming out from another storm yesterday....more snow tomorrow, and another big one Sunday.  Sheesh, this is getting OLD.

on a roll....

So many ideas perculating.... I'm on a roll!  Last week I proposed a handful of new classes for Create NJ.  Reveals later, after I hear if they were accepted.  It was so much fun inventing fresh material.  I've been enjoying some playtime, pushing my current crush on *cardboard* in new ways.  Can't wait to show you what it's all about....and to tell you about some other things that will debut in January.  Hope you're feeling the same enthusiasm for making cool stuff in 2014.

 

THAT was fun

I am such a lucky girl - CREATE Mixed Media Art Retreats hosts one of its events practically in my back yard.  For four days I got to teach an amazing collection of women just down the road, then had dinner with my family and slept in my own bed each night.  The students were awesome - some were in more than one class, and a handful took three.  Some were repeat students, and some were new-to-me, and some totally new to this kind of venue.  It was so rewarding to see how each artist interpreted the assignments and projects, bringing their own personal flair to the table.  I thoroughly understand that it can be difficult to create-on-demand and often a student may experience performance anxiety but while we may be there to learn technique or make a specific project, I think the most important thing is to come away with the momentum to keep going.  I've said this before, sharing your enthusiasm for creativity is more important than what you create.  I hope I did that last weekend.  The other beautiful thing that happens at these events is we get to widen our circle of friends - making connections with fellow artists through a shared experience can be life-long.  I know because I've done it.

Here are most of the students I was privileged to spend time with - some got away before we took pictures.

I will never forget this event and some of the very cool things that happened in the workshops.  I witnessed big break-throughs and many subtle a-ha's.  Lots of eager girls who tried lots of new things and shared freely their discoveries so that we all could learn even more.  That's what happens when you are in the classroom - the energy is so positive, so thick, it's nearly as visible as the hanging humidity outside.  I always depart feeling motivated to do it all over again, with a notebook of scribbled ideas for next year.  In one class I presented a little start-up assignment that became its own thing, took on a life of its own, and we ran with it because it was constructive, productive, and a really useful tool to review and remark on the results as a group.  I think that assignment could become a whole class and I can't wait to start planning it.

A special thanks to all my students, the event planners, and the entire community of artists who were present to make this such a remarkable retreat.  There was an Artist's Faire Friday night and it was a great success for my little GPP table.  Fallon was a terrific helper - thank you to our customers for your patience as we got you through the line.  Here are some more of my displays - these were spray painted with all the stencils I sell, in the extreme heat we suffered through recently.  A few of the shots of paint never made it to the surface as it actually dried mid-air.  Crazy.

 

Doesn't it look like the stencil sheets are hanging there?  I love how the edges show so you can see exactly what the sheet looks like.

Next big teaching gig for me is Art-Is-You in Connecticut on October.  Hope to see some of you there!  For details on my classes click on the WORKSHOPS button in the toolbar on top. 

 

Coming soon - new STENCIL

I will be introducing one new stencil at the Artist Faire during the CREATE NJ event next week.  This is the first in a series where the design was driven by my current interest of cutting into cardboard.  This one is called Duets because there is a square and circle that can be painted or drawn in first, then a second image can be layered over.  Available in my online shop soon - current inventory is intended for the show next week.

 

It's been too hot to be spray painting this summer.  I tried it a few times and the paint was nearly dry before hitting the surface.  The last few days were cooler so I finally had a chance to make some displays for the event next week.  Loved using the new Gothic Collection!  I have some large panels I will show you later - here are a handful of clipboards:

 

Couldn't you just lick them?  Oh, it's makes me happy to be spraying again!

cut and peel

I'm pre-programming this post because this week we have family visiting and tonight is Fallon's graduation.  I will be back with photographic evidence of that in a few days, but for now here is more cardboard manipulation.  If you are in Jersey, or nearby, you might be interested to come take my Debris Journal workshop at CREATE - NJ either Thursday, July 18th or Saturday, July 20th.  That's one month away - can't wait!!  I will be teaching four days plus vending on the Friday night.  Hope you'll join us.

 

 

some stuff from my table

I'm still playing with cardboard.  Here's something I tried this weekend.  I traced the stencil onto the cardboard panel, then cut and lifted out the negative.  I was so excited by the concept that I wasn't so careful about the cuts and used a chunky blade.  I may have done better with a finer knife but who has time to look for one when you're ready to try something?  Don't forget that stencils aren't just for paint and spackle - they are cool with pencils and knives too.

As I've mentioned, when I'm behaving, I store my stencils in page protectors in 3-ring binders.  When I'm not behaving I toss them all into a large clear rubber bin.  But as John Shaw once said, some of my stencil designs do not play well with others (lots of parts that can get tangled) so I do try to separate.  At Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago I found this presentation portfolio.  Couldn't be more perfect for my new Gothic Collections stencils and masks!  Come on, HCIT?

 

Speaking of the new collection, I've had new customers who are asking what to do with unmounted rubber sheets.  There are lots of ways to use them - temporarily mount on acrylic blocks, or if you are a grab-and-go girl, then you might like my method.  I use thick foam as a mount as it provides the cushion necessary for a good impression, and it is grab-able, similar to a wood mount.  Just pay attention when you are cutting the foam so you have a nice straight line where the rubber ends for aligning on your stamped surface.  Here's a quick tutorial:

 

Gothic Collection stencils, masks, stencil/mask sets, and rubber stamps available at GreenPepperPress.com

cool tools

I've been enjoying the slow collection of vintage tools.  So many of our devices are plastic, that it's really nice to come across an old once-loved and well-used tool for my studio.  The tracing wheels are terrific for rolling in paint and then frolic up a page, or better yet, poking through a corrugated cardboard surface.  The newer ones aren't as pokey, with much smoother edges on the wheel.  The old ones may not be safe but they can assist you to do cool stuff.  The awls are so nice to hold, and they force nice holes.  I am so happy to have a toolbox that is filling up with these treasures.

 

Inspired by Louise Nevelson's monochromatic assemblages with emphasis on shadows, I have been manipulating surfaces in cardboard as part of demo sample for the Debris Journal workshop in July.  Similar to working in altered books, where I believe it is much more interesting to alter the text and minimally modify the page with subtle markings versus full-on coverage with paint and collage material, I think that starting a cardboard journal should be all about how to respect the material and then determine methods of achieving interest with clever cuts, folds, and punctures.  Below you can see some examples I'm preparing - the die-cut circles and the bull-nose corners were part of a cardboard package.  I can never resist unusual findings when it comes to cardboard as they make for great pages in the journal. 

 

 

 

Below is another vintage tool - a man-made protractor for determining angles.  Some person scored in these lines with precision.  Amazing, don't you think?  Found on ebay about ten years ago!

I love that these tools belonged to someone.  I love that there must be stories about how they were used.  I really wish I could rub the wood and learn the history.  Since I can't do that I will just carry the artisan in my heart when I'm working with their tools.

i love art: matchboxes

Continuing my declarations of art love for the month of February....the new Somerset Studio arrived yesterday so I thought I would talk about matchboxes, the subject of my Make It Your Own column.  I started using matchboxes a few years back when I was interested in making mini shrines.  I love that they are on standby, ready to assist me in projects, in a bin on my studio table.  And when they are pre-painted it's even better.  Recently I started embedding them into canvas surfaces.  I had so much fun doing it - the possibilites are endless with what you can put in them, how to compose your piece, and I thought it would make a great class so I'm teaching RECESS at Art Is You, Stamford, CT in October.  Get it?  The boxes are recessed, plus taking a workshop is like getting to play at recess.  I crack myself up!  So here are some of the pieces that appear in the article.

 

day seven: cardboard

Dang!  I forgot to move this post from draft to publish.  So here is day seven of I Love Art.  You're probably tired of seeing me post about cardboard but it's the thing I'm heavily into right now.  I've had some fun reformatting the binding for the upcoming workshops, Debris Journal, and I've been trying out some new techniques on this wonderful surface too. 

I can't stop making these journals, and filling them up with the stuff that floats around the perimeter of this place.  Here's how it started:  I always use cardboard on my work table or under my spray painted projects out on the grass.  Typically the scraps gets slathered in run-off paint - either acrylic as I paint substrates, or spray paint when I'm f;ailing stencils around.  I could never part with the pieces because they just looked so cool so I began vutting them down and binding them together as a book.  Each page had interesting marks and provided a wonderful start for additional paint or collage. 

Everytime a break down a box to go into the recycling bin I end up hijacking some of it for the studio stash.  Can't beat easy access to art-making supplies.  These are fun to make and so addictive!  I feel like I'm ready to take my cardboard to a new level, especially after seeing some of the cool dimensional or sculptural art made with corrugated cardboard.

 

just arrived

It's a rainy day and I'm in the midst of a studio purge.  A good day to stay in and get organized...but I had to step out the back door and shoot some new spray color through the new stencils that just arrived.  Gah! 

Love them!!  This was a three minute study - can't wait for a nice fall day to get outside and play some more.  For now, it's back to sorting the piles of supplies that had gotten to the point of being dangerous.  Seriously, one might consider wearing a haz-mat suit in here...you never know what you might step on!  It's nearly under control....one more day (she says with optimism).

 

 

Links:  StencilGirlProducts.com, GreenPepperPress.com

 

Also, just arrived....a little treat for me.  I couldn't resist!  This beautiful jewelry is my latest Etsy find from Anne Marie Bottcher at Silvan Arts.  (blogged with permission).

 

 

 

When is canning season?

Ha!  Canning season, I wouldn't know.  I don't can.  I don't garden....except for roses.  But I have been collecting cans for other purposes.  See below....Liquitex has a new spray paint.  I read about it today and just had to go get some and try it out (because I'm impulsive, and I was lonely at home without kids).  A fine array of colors.  A very nice matte finish.  Low odor.  Nice nozzle and round spray radius.  Clever packaging with color indicator dome.  Super easy clean-up because it's WATER BASED.  They claim you can paint acrylic right over it.  I will try that tomorrow.  Might have to go back for more colors.  Michael's has a special:  buy two get one free.  They are pricey so it's a nice deal.  Consider me the lab monkey.  I approve.

LINKS:  Spray paint, available at Michaels, by Liquitex.  Stencils, available at GreenPepperPress.com or StencilGirlProducts.com 

 

On the subject of cans.....these new Warhol commemoratives, found (by accident) at Target!  Had to get one of each.  Tore off the label (actually, surgically removed with great care) and will put in my journal.  I think my pages may curl up from fright, having never hosted so much color.  I will be sporting my soup shoes later this month at the Met for a new show:  Regarding Warhol:  Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.

Note:  the shoes are by Icon and are no longer in their collection.  Maybe you'll get lucky and find a pair on ebay like I did.  Bag and figures were gifts, no resource available.

i'm glowing

What a fabulous event!  The nervous anticipation quickly melted away as I walked into the classroom and started meeting the enthusiastic artists who came ready to learn, make connections, and crank out some really cool work.  It was a joy to embrace old friends, to be introduced to faces with familiar names, and to meet so many new creatives at this venue.  It was a great location, was so well run, and was just pure fun.  I love the energy that fills a room when open minds and open hearts are on full display.  I wish I would have taken more photos as evidence because I loved what I saw on the tables - each artist bringing their own flair to the process.  It was a beautiful thing to witness.  I am glowing.

 

 

Special thanks to Maggie, Rebecca, Bev, and Jenn, for having me and hosting CREATE NJ.  I look forward to next year!  Same time, same place.  Thanks to all the shoppers who stopped by my table on vendor night.  Fallon was my assistant, and felt like a rock star :)  The biggest thanks goes to my students, especially the repeat offenders who came for both classes.  YOU ALL ROCKED.  While I hope you will continue working in your journals and keep trying some of the things we did, the most important thing I hope you take away from the weekend is the enthusiasm for creativity.  *blows kisses*

700th post! Giveway time!

Just today I discovered that this post is my 700th!  So as I was playing out in the yard with my just-arrived-new-stencils I thought it would be the perfect thing to share for a giveaway.  Leave a comment at the bottom of the post and you'll be entered in the drawing to win all three of these 6" x 6" lovelies.  You don't have to say anything fancy, just *wave* or type: Count Me In. 

EDIT:  entries for drawing will be accepted until midnight Wednesday.  I will announce winner on Thursday.

I heart cardboard

While we are talking about things we love for Crusade No. 60, I have to declare my love for cardboard.  I got to thinking about it the other day when I saw this dumpster outside the pizza place we go to every Friday.  I must see it every week but for some reason it got my attention - Cardboard Only.  I was so tempted to poke my head in to see what might be in there.  I wasn't interested in the pizza boxes, I wanted to see if there were those divider things you get in a case of soda or beer.  I love the circle indents - they make great pages.

EDIT:  I forgot to include the last spread...now I have to finish the back cover and add some type of closure device.

I've started a new photo album - see sidebar on right - for my cardboard page journals. 

 

I {heart} cardboard!

 

 

debris from tuscan horizons

I was watching Letters to Juliet recently and loved being transported to Italy.  Part of my journey took me beyond Verona to the hills of Tuscany, speckled with rows of trees that hold down the horizon.  I had to cut new shapes - stencils and stamps - so I could investigate how to incorporate the trees in my work.  Here is some of the debris from my table left behind after painting a few new pieces for an article...

Want to start a debris journal of your own?  Join me at CREATE in July!

happy valentine's day

I spent some time this morning clearing the debris from my work table.  Lots of remnants to scoop up and throw away....or wait, put in my journal! 

 

And because it's Tuesday...one more page.  This took three minutes as I saved the lovely details from a Linda Warlyn package - she always adds the most special embellishments and I treasure them by saving on a page. 

My friends *get* me, don't they?  I have a beautiful stack of cards today...AND A DOZEN RED ROSES.  What a terrific surprise!  Back in college my friend Anne used to give me the same card every year..."hope your Valentine's Day is less pathetic than mine".   It wasn't meant to be serious, just a statement about the unreasonable pressure this day can bring.  Take the pressure off - share your love.  It will come back to you.

Sending my love to you.  Happy Valentine's Day.