Arrg!!

I had my first "meetup" this weekend with a group of ATC and altered art artist this weekend. It was so nice to share ideas and thoughts with others that have the same hobby. Since becoming a mommy, I just don't get out enough! Needless to say, I was totally inspired to create more cards.

ATC's for my pirate loving daughter. Excuse the quality of the photos, I still haven't figured out my new camera.
These are both ink with an iron-on patch embellishment.

35 for 35

Today is the day. 35 years have gone by and I still wonder who I am. I am very grateful for what I have. I am still healthy and happy and I have a home, a job and a family that I love. So, going back to not knowing who I am, I have created a list of who I want to be and what I want to do with my life. This is my list - 35 for 35.

1. go back to school and get a degree


2. continue expanding my art


3. be more friendly and social


4. make time for myself


5. set goals and strive for them


6. say what i mean and mean what i say


7. find my passion


8. join a social group


9. write more


10. laugh more


11. be adventurous


12. get fit and lose weight


13. take my family to Puerto Rico and introduce them to my culture


14. participate in life


15. listen to my spirit


16. find contentment with what I have


17. garden more


18. watch less TV


19. declutter my space


20. give more to my children of what they really need


21. control my temper


22. complain less


23. remember God


24. spend less


25. save more


26. be rid of debt


27. foster this partnership that is my marriage


28. leave it at the door


29. be less judgemental


30. spend time with my friends


31. give myself permission to be me


32. celebrate the holidays with my family


33. appreciate my mother


34. see my inner beauty


35. well, this one I'll keep for myself...

Artist Retreat

Yeah - I got invited to my first artist retreat. Unfortunately, I won't be going. I was invited by Jeri at Artful Gatherings - a wonderful website worth visiting. The retreat is in the Smokey Mountains in October - only the best time to go, but between my job and two kids, just not sure I can be prepared and create what I have to have ready before I go. Maybe some other time.

Overwhelmed by the world
She walks out into the darkness
Not knowing what she'll find.
Drip
Drip
Drip
The thick blood drops...
Cold and alone
She wants to turn around.
Looking at the light behind her, Is anyone there waiting?

ATC's

I got my first batch (small, but still) of artist trading cards done and ready to post. Just 5 for now but considering I did 3 of these in the space of a few hours tonight with my daughter, I imagine it won't take long before I have quite a few more done. I have to say, I think I'm most excited that I got to use something that I've had sitting around for a few years. I've had a cute, never used magnetic Creative Memories board that I had gotten off Craigslist for free and just never knew what to do with it. Almost gave it away not too long ago. Managed to find where I had put it and hung it over my desk and it is perfect for the cards.
Don't critique too harsh.


This is the first one I did using a gel transfer technique for the Greek writing and decoupaged a photo image from a magazine and painted over it. I don't think I'm quite done with it, but am posting it for now.


One to inspire my daughter


Doodle tree


My attempt at abstract (or maybe cubism)


Folk Art bird

My freebie board, perfect for ATC's

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want

What happened? I am suddenly becoming old. OK, I know it didn't happen overnight, but I am REALLY noticing it now. I've never had a problem with getting older. Yeah, things were sagging more and I can't suck in my gut the way I used to, but I have yet to get a gray hair and I don't have any wrinkles, at least that's what I tell myself. This year is different, though. This year I will be 35 years old - in fact, at the end of this month. That is the age that all the medical journals tell you your body is on its way down. Pregnancy becomes difficult and if you manage to get pregnant, complications abound. I have no intention of having anymore kids, but this thought bothers me, as if I am not longer a woman capable of bearing a healthy child. And, yes, I know that this doesn't happen overnight and not everyone at this age has complications, but the medical community stuck an age on it and it so happens to be 35. I now look in the mirror and see an adult. I see how stress and the reality of life has changed my face from the sweet, naive look of my teen years, to this mature, bitter woman of the world. I wouldn't say that I'm angry about it, but I'm definitely not happy about it. So, instead of partying all night (or moping) on the 28th, I'll count my blessings. I will be thankful for my and my families good health, I'll be grateful that I have a job and am not struggling in this economy and I'll remember that I have friends that love me -wrinkles and all!!

I Try for Him

I find myself more and more comfortable calling myself a Christian. Thinking about it, I think this is the first time I have truly professed it to others, save for a select few other Christian friends. Many years ago, I left the church, bitter and angry with God and Christianity. Sparing all the details, I had a lot of bad experiences caused by people who were "devote and holy people". People that were really nothing but hypocrites. Suddenly being on the outside looking in just made me feel more bitter towards Christianity. Just seemed like there were a lot of people preaching one thing and doing another, spewing hate instead of love, damnation instead of forgiveness. After a few years of searching for something else and dabbling in other things, I had a re-awakening as I like to call it. In all those years, I still found myself turning to God, talking to him, even though I was denying his existence. I debated and reasoned with him every chance I got, asking for explanations as to why things were the way they were, how He could allow things to be this way. In that time, I became friends with someone who was so different from other people I knew. She did not walk around preaching or judging, she just was who she was. She was a reflection of what I thought Christianity was about and was supposed to be and she became my inspiration without knowing it. Unfortunately, I changed jobs and didn't get to see her after except for one visit, which is when I let her know what she had done for me. But, in her friendship I realized what it was that I was looking for in Christianity, I realized my anger was with Christians and not with Christ, and that I wanted to be a Christian. Not a Christian that gets dressed every Sunday morning in her nice clothes and sits in a pew listening to a preacher and singing hymns, regurgitating memorized passages to other believers (not that there is anything wrong with that). I wanted to be a follower of His word, I wanted to be the person Christ asked me to be. I do not pretend to be perfect nor do I act like what some people believe a Christian should act like, but I try my best to be a reflection of Christianity in my actions. I try not to judge, I try to forgive, and I try to just be a good person. This is the Christian I am and I'm OK with that. And, Stephanie, I hope you are still doing well...