Change the way you think

“If you don't like something - change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.” Mary Engelbreit

A perfect quote to sum up my feelings about finding Sky Watch Friday.

Now I have a reason to look up more often, not just seeing the sky but framing up beautiful or interesting scenes to share. Link to Sky Watch Friday participants from around the globe.


Some of the other forms of mixed media I like to play with include ATCs, Inchies & Moos. If you have not tried them before they are great fun and quick because they are so small. Here is a bit of background on what they are all about.

ATCs are Artist Trading Cards and as the name indicates, ATCs are tiny collectable pieces of art with a fascinating history.

The legend is that ATCs span back thousands of years and were traded between artists as a sample of their style & techniques. Almost like a business card for artists, with art on one side and contact details on the back.

More recently a Swiss artist M. Vanci Stirnemann created a show based on ATCs in 1997 and started a trading session in Calgary Canada.

Now we have all kinds of other variations in Moos (smaller than a ATC) and Inchies (tiny 1 inch squares) and Trinchies (3 inch squares of art)

Stamps courtesy of Amazing Arts & All About Paper. Mixed Media Monday is hosting a challenge on Trinchies in all kinds of different styles.

Home is where the heart is

“Where we love is Home
Home is where our feet may leave, but never our hearts.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes

Photo for Sky Watch Friday, not such a stunning sky but pretty all the same and a change for me from all the usual tropical sunshine.

"If I can stop one Heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain
If I can ease one life the aching
Or cool one pain
Or help one fainting Robin
Unto his Nest again
I shall not live in Vain"
Emily Dickinson



Melissa of the Inspired Room is hosting a week long nesting party to celebrate the change of seasons and her new site. Lots of decorating inspiration on her site with oodles of links to others from around the world who are busy feathering their nest, giveaways, raks and more. Click Here and be prepared to be inspired.

Shabby chic appears to be contagious, after reading crafting and creative blogs for only a little while, the urge to repaint everything cream has become uncontrollable. Photo evidence of the beginings of a shabby beach cottage in shades of Caramel & Cream with a splash of Cranberry and these are links of those who are responsible for leading me astray.

• Bittersweet
• A Beach Cottage
• Mademoiselle Rose
• Paint Mine Pink

Dream Catcher

“The dream was always running ahead of me.
To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.” Anais Nin

My contribution to Sky Watch Friday, links to hundreds of others who are posting photos of their view of the sky from around the world.









This is a fun circular page we created recently celebrating the circle of life and new arrivals. Lots of creative imagery going on here. Buttons and ribbons to reflect the talented needleworkers in our family. The postage stamps represent Canada the land of my birth, the rose stamp is from my daughter’s wedding announcements and a little true blue aussie for our new granddaughter.

Living in the moment

“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, that we will begin to live each day to the fullest; as if it were the only one we had.” Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Just another day here in a tropical paradise, where most every day comes with brilliant sunshine and a warm breeze. Sky Watch Friday is the best fun with people from around the globe posting their view of the sky, sometimes with clouds or rain or birds or sunsets but all interesting in their own way.



Thank you for your kind comments.






This is a technique project page I taught recently using opals embossing to create the letters and celebrating our family heritage. Photos range from 1951 and around the globe with many generations. Always fun to look back and see the same eyes or smile reflected in the generations.

Satori

"The road leading to a goal does not separate you from the destination; it is essentially a part of it. " Charles DeLint

A sneak peek at an adventure journal for a friend planning to travel to India. Journals are often sold as someplace to record night time dreams. I like the journals for day time dreams and ideas, the more vivid the better.

We found the word Satori on an Indian winery site and they suggest the word means enlightenment.

Many thanks to Aparna of Hong Kong for assisting in the search for the perfect ephemera.

Open to swaps or trades for postage stamps, postcards or coins to add to the project which is a long way from complete.

My contribution to Mixed Media Monday's monochromatic challenge, I chose Chocolate, mostly milk, some white and a dash of dark.