Simple sketches while traveling

I'm feeling the need with the onset of spring to go back to simple sketches capturing every day life.  I miss the simplicity of my sketchbook, a few colored pencils, a pen, and watercolors. This is in Handbook journal.  So many shades of green layered in the trees! I didn't capture it so well at bottom of right page (looks more like summer), but more accurately in center of left page.   And the redbuds! Would like to try them again. Didn't quite get the red violet color. So beautiful!

Letter Love Backgrounds

Stonehenge printmaking paper and watercolor paper, used stencils and spray bottles filled with fluid acrylic and water.

I did a little free motion embroidery on this one, my first ever - just some practice.


My stencils

Sunday inspiration.

Psalm 91: 1-4 (NLT)
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust in him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Letter Love Practice and Play

Just some fun lettering exercises - this is based on one of the earlier Letter Love lessons, but I have no idea which one.
I got so into this with my Prismacolors marker stash I keep at work, that I sat at my desk after work hours for 30 minutes just playing with these pages!

Giveaway

 

Okay; I'm a day late and very sorry to keep you waiting.  I couldn't decide WHAT to give away... And when I come back to post today --- I see I have, not 100 followers, but 102 followers!  Do you know how long I've dreamed of having over 100 followers to this blog.  I know it's silly, but how great to know that 100 people care whether or not I post!  It's encouraging and such a blessing! 

So now (drumroll please)  for the items I will be giving away --- If you've noticed the quote under the title of my blog - "Making a Splash":

"What you are passionate about was created in you to make a splash in this life that no one else can make. Make it. Make it now." -- Nicole Johnson

...that quote comes from the book by Nicole Johnson, Fresh-Brewed Life.  I attended a Women of Faith Conference in 1999 when this book came out (or sometime shortly after); I heard Nicole Johnson speak, and purchased a copy of this book signed by the author, "for Deborah - celebrate life! -- Nicole".  What a treasure this book is to me and what an inspiration it has been over the years.  Nicole  is an actress, an author and a popular speaker who travels nationally with the Women of Faith team.  She of course knows nothing about me or this post, but I hope she won't mind if I give away an extra copy I happen to have of this wonderful book.  I picked up an extra paperback version, simply because I love this book so much. 

So I want to share this book and its message with one of you. 

In addition to that, I will send you a journal, handmade by me; a new Pitt super fine black pen, which is my favorite - this one is brand new never opened; and chartreuse and rhodamine (yummy colors) Prismacolor double-ended markers.  Have fun and wake up your soul :-)

 

  

Just leave me a comment and I will put your names in a hat and have my very wonderful daughter pull one out.  Make sure to include information so that I can contact you to let you know if you are the recipient.

Starting now....

The giveaway will be announced on Friday, March 9.

Let's Celebrate with a Giveaway!

I have reached 100 followers and that just makes me so happy! 

Thank you all so very much for all your encouragement and friendship.  This blog has been such a joy.  Thank you for sticking with me even during the busy times when I don't post.

To celebrate my newly arranged studio space, a new shipment of art supplies from Dick Blick that is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, the joy in taking my first online art class, and the fact that I now have 100 followers, I would like to have a giveaway! 

Tune in tomorrow and I will post what the giveaway will be and how to participate.  Thank you so much for being here and for supporting me through your interaction, comments, appreciation, friendship, etc.

Assignment from Letter Love class

The beginnings...
I did these flowers a while back and upon learning from Joanne Sharp's Letter Love (see: http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/) class, I added gridlines...


And tons of color using my new Tombow Markers and watercolors! Oh the love!



And can you BELIEVE I mispelled the word "Persistence" as "Persistance".
Now that is sad. I had it spelled right on my reference material - and to think I used to win spelling bees!!
Gee whiz, is this what happens in your early 40's!

A close up view...


And a peek at all my lovely supplies!


And one last look at the pages! Ooohh don't you just LOVE bright colors and letters!

Where This Woman Creates

Finally I have space to create!!!




And just look at this baby!
I love this addition to my studio! I got it for a steal at AC Moore on Black Friday last year.

Art quilts! Pillows! Embroidery! Fancy Stitches! Oh the joy!




My Ott Lite, my laptop - my new pegboards; a place for
everything and everything in its place - (I wonder how long that will last :-))



Storage cubes from Michael's OOOhhh I love these things.

And many, many thanks to my brilliant logically-minded daughter for
putting them all together! What a great kid!



A work in progress, exercise from Joanne's Sharp Letter Love class!

See more of that to come...