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.

Good Citizens

This week we celebrate both Canada Day and Independence Day. As a multinational I am lucky to have ties to different parts of the globe but consider myself a citizen of the larger community of Earth and enjoy celebrating the best of all the nations.

"Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." Adlai E. Stevenson

Photo was taken on a hill overlooking Saint John New Brunswick and true to form, was a bit overcast that day.

“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he is a good citizen of the world.” Francis Bacon

This photo was taken at Snug Harbor (Duxbury) with a disposable camera on a very foggy morning.

If I had of been framing up the picture today, more of the flag might have gotten included. What I was taking the picture of was the Harbor Master’s office, where I worked for one of the best summers of my life. My current office does not provide anything like those kinds of views.

Check out more Sky Watch Friday photos on this link.

If you are into crafts and home decor Kari and Kijsa are hosting an on line flag waving party here.

My contribution to Mixed Media Monday's challenge on Places.

Glorious Horizons

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-fruitful path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." Sir Winston Churchill

Photo taken on the road to the family farm in northern NSW. I had been trying to take a photo of the city skyline all week. Most days of the week my glimpse of the sky is out the windows of skyscrapers and commuter trains. Tried a few things that are out of the scope of my little point & shoot camera. Will keep trying while posting photos of some of my old favourites. Don’t forget to check out who else is participating in Sky Watch Friday.

A canvas project I am working on for family with vintage photos and ephemera.

Seasons

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. " Henry David Thoreau

This was quickie snap while running up the railway platform to my commuter train. Every once & while it is nice to take the time to look up and enjoy our surroundings rather than just rushing past the beauty of the early morning sky when even the sun is still weary eyed.

Thanks to all the Sky Watch Friday participants by posting photos of their own patch of sky, I am remembering to appreciate it more often.

Sharing a peak at the first draft of this year’s Christmas cards. Suppose it is a little too early in the season for some but if everyone wants specially hand made cards, the schedule needs to start early.

Here in the tropics where Christmas is in summer red & green are a hard combination to work with and poor little blue and crystal snowflakes do not last long in the heat.

Instead I experiment every year with different color combinations and themes that reflect the spirit of the season with a little summer twist.

Apparently Santa & I am not the only ones who work on Christmas out of season. Found another Mandi at Whispering Dreams who has a special Christmas blog.

During what has been hectic week in the office, found it rather fun to put the earplugs on and listen to her music play list of Christmas songs.

Christmas music always makes us feel good but there is one on her list that I had not heard in a very long time of Bing Crosby & David Bowie "Little Drummer Boy" and "Peace on Earth" from a Christmas special in the late 1970s. Think that might be my new favourite.

It might be a little out of season, but what is your favourite Christmas song?

Timeless Treasures

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder

Believe it or not, not every day in the tropics is bright and sunny. Be sure to check the links for SkyWatchFriday here to see the most amazing photos from around the world.

Big thank you to Shannon of Paint Mine Pink for being such a great swap buddy and sending this huge swag of goodies. Shannon has the most fabulous etsy shop so it was sure to be a great time.

The Boudoir Swap was hosted by Louise of the very famous Beachy’s Cape Cod Cupboard. Do check out her etsy specialties, truly one of a kind.

Sneak peek from classes we are teaching in the next few weeks on the theme of timeless treasures, check here for more info.

Why Not

Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" George Bernard Shaw

Frequently attributed to the Kennedys, but George said it first.

This week’s Mixed Media Monday theme is by the sea and this is one of my favourite pieces as seen in the Idiots Guide to Altered Art. The book is really good value in the number of techniques that are explained in a way that helps everyone to give altering a try.