Inchies - Things with Wings

I found a new group dedicated to Inchies, via the new ZNE network and I couldn't wait to join! I heard about making inchies last year and made a ton of them. They are so fun to make, but the tiny palette size is a challenge! I always love a challenge though! :) Anyway, this weeks prompt was to create inchies with wings. Here is what I came up with.

Quotable Quote:

“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.” - Oscar Wilde

I love this! Reminds me of myself! He! He! :)

What does your Birthday mean?

Your Birthdate: January 16

You're incredibly introverted and introspective. You live inside your head. You spend a lot of alone time meditating and thinking. People see you as withdrawn, and at times they are right. You are caring and deep, but it may be difficult for you to show this side of yourself. Your strength: Your original approach to thinking Your weakness: You tend to shy away from others Your power color: Pale blue Your power symbol: Wavy line Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Funny Kid Story

It is raining ice and is bitterly cold outside, and has been all day. My poor dh is helping his brother move to a new apartment despite the weather. He stopped by the house to change into dry clothes and Tristan decided he wanted to go. Chris called a few hours later and said he was dropping Tristan off. When Tristan came in the house, I asked him if he wanted to go take a warm bath? He said 'no... I am going to bed' and that is exactly what he did. No hugs, no smiles, no "mommy tuck me in", just pure exhaustion and sweet sleep. A few minutes later Chris calls, to tell me what Tristan told him. He said and I quote: " I am going to sleep as soon as I get home and I am probably going to drool alot, too." LOL! Where does he come up with this stuff?

Curves... and Renewal... and such.

Life throws curves... that is always a certainty. I am in one of those places where the curve can head up to higher ground or the curve can head down to places I don't want to be... it is up to me to decide which way it will be. The attitude I decide to carry will make or break me . I choose not to let resentment, fear, or bitterness live in my heart or head. I choose to forgive, heal, and grow. It is time for renewal and I welcome it with open arms.

Father God, it is my prayer you will: Renew, Heal, Restore, and Grow me up.

Art Journal spreads I created with the word "Renewal" in mind. I have really been drawn to the color red lately. Lots of symbology in these spreads for me. My favorite is the crying baby in the bottom spread. That is how I feel sometimes...like throwing a big screaming fit, just like the baby in the photo! :) Hence my prayer, that God will grow me up! LOL!

----------------------------------------------------------------- This song speaks volumes and is true to my decision of how to handle this curve. It is called Strong Tower by an awesome band called Kutless: When I wander through the desert And I'm longing for my home All my dreams have gone astray When I'm stranded in the valley And I'm tired and all alone It seems like I've lost my way I go running to Your moutain Where your mercy sets me free (chorus) You are my strong tower Shelter over me Beautiful and mighty Everlasting King You are my strong tower Fortress when I'm weak Your name is true and holy And Your face is all I seek In the middle of my darkness In the midst of all my fear You're my refuge and my hope When the storm of life is raging And the thunder's all I hear You speak softly to my soul

Psalms 19:1

On his way out the door to catch his school bus, Tristan hollered "Mom, you have got to comes see this!" I come running; a little worried about what I might find, due to his exuberant and urgent tone. I come to the door quickly, not sure what to expect. He is pointing and staring up at the sky in wonder and awe. To my absolute pleasure, I behold this gorgeous December sun rise. It was a wonderful early morning treat! Tristan and I got to enjoy this moment together… BONUS! Even more delightful than the beautiful December sunrise, to me, was the fact that Tristan was so captivated at God’s beautiful creation. The boy is just smart like that. :) I think Psalms 19:1 fits this photo perfectly. Beautiful. Awesome. Inspiring. Oh... if you click on the picture and save it to your hard drive, it is the perfect size for a background wallpaper. Feel free to snag it! :)

Quotable Quotes

I am a lover of quotes! Here are two I found while browsing the web today: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Art is our memory of love. The most an artist can do through their work is say, let me show you what I have seen, what I have loved, and perhaps you will see it and love it too. Annie Bevan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We are not human beings on spiritual journey; we are spiritual beings on a human journey. – Stephan Covey

Tiny Collage Squares

I was inspired to make tiny collage squares by reading an article at Lisa Vollrath's site, called Go Make Something. These little gems measure in at a great big 1.5" x 1.5". Can you believe alot of people do even smaller ones than that? They actually go pretty fast, even for a slow-poke artist like myself. I made about 2 dozen in about a 3 hour period. I decided that the tiny square collages needed to be displayed, and so I painted, collaged, and decorated the teracotta pot to match found some cool looking dead branches and voila'... a collage tree! I am using this as a Christmas display on a shelf, so I added some dried berry twigs, some ribbon, and applied some glitter to the branches for a little extra bling.

My 8 year old son, Tristan, said it was "beautiful". Ahhhh... he is my sweetest critic!

After finishing the tree... I had another bright idea for the tiny collages I had left over. I found some little charm frames called, Memory Frames from Ranger Ink. They are perfect for this!

I added a litte ribbon and mailed them off to my friends as a little Christmas gift. They can use them as a tree ornament or even a necklace, if they wanted to. They have been a hit so far!

A tip.... Ranger ink makes the glass to fit the frames, but you have to keep your collage very flat or the glass won't fit.

Friday Night Bliss

Tristan and Chris went to Dallas today... to see the races. Ericka spent the night at a friends, and I am home all alone! Okay... is it bad that I like having time to myself... that I LOVE the solitude and quietness? I used to feel guilty about that.. but I have decided that God makes some people to be "people" people and he creates some of us to enjoy alone time. I love my family and I love spending time with them, but I also love spending time by myself and doing art... with no one but God and me. Uninterrupted solitude... it is beautiful and energizing. Now... don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to be alone all of the time... but every now and then... it is just heavenly! :) I finished a collage on canvas panel tonight. I have listened to music. I have created a page in my Art Journal, now I am blogging... it has been very nice. I have been feeling uninspired... but I forge ahead and push myself to create anyway. I have not been feeling digital at all lately... so, I decided to learn Illustrator. That has been fun and I am really learning it... finally! I followed a couple of Illustrator tutorials from http://designorati.com/ and have picked up some really useful information! This is great site! Well, I am going to go get my hands in the paint, glue, and paper again! Hope your Friday is as wonderful as mine! ;)

Sunday Crafts

Gift Tags I have been digging through my pile of ribbon, paper, and ebellishments scraps again! I hate throwing stuff away, so I try to come up with fun ways to use the odds and ends. Well, this is what I have come up with today! The kids and husband are out and about, so I thought I would spend a little quality time with my craft and art supplies. I am having a ball! I also updated my etsy shop, which hasn't had any love from me in a long time! Stop by and check out my new gift tags and other fun stuff!