Cinnamon Pink

Win Blogoversary Candy

Debbie, from Passion for Crafts, is offering Blogoversary Candy. Today is the last day to enter her giveaway. (I just found out about the event today.) Look at the wonderful prizes. Hurry up and enter!

 

Crusade No. 30 - Cat Got Your Tongue?

For the GPP Street Team Crusade No. 30, Michelle Ward says "You can use WORDS, or USE words" in your Journal. Get all the details here. This is the first Crusade that I have participated in and I enjoyed the process.

For my Journal page, I began with a background of sheet music and ledger book paper from the 1920s. I then stamped bold images with acrylic paint. I added a large column for effect - and a huge eye to represent an artist's vision. Last, I pasted down words and phrases.

My theme is: Make Art Now! I chose this theme because it's important to me to create Art daily whether I complete a Journal page, sketch at night, work on challenges or swaps - or maybe even doodle.

 

Butterflies Postcard

This week's theme on Sunday Postcard Art is butterflies.What a wonderful theme - and so appropriate for Spring.  A big Thank You to Audrey Hernandez for choosing this theme.

The little girl image, and white stylized background, on my postcard came from Whimsical World of Fairies. Thank you Debrina Pratt. Be sure to visit Debrina's blog - and the Sunday Postcard Art Blog too.

Inspiring Creativity from Pikaland

I'm always on the lookout for ideas to increase my creativity. Amy, from the Art and Illustration blog pikaland, recently posted an article about Inspiring Creativity: 9 Tips to be More Creative. The article is a recap of a talk she gave on Etsy's Virtual Labs. You can read the article here.

She also publishes the Good to Know Project which is a zine that is "full of advice and inspiration from artists/illustrators/designers on creativity, business and life." I always feel refreshed after I hear the views of other artists. Fill up on some creativity at Amy's blog.

A New Chunky ATC

I made this chunky ATC today. The background paper is from Images by Kim. I love the vintage look of the paper. The young girl is from Paper Whimsy.

I Won a Marie Giveaway

Cassandra, from My Artful Adventures, recently held a Let Them Eat Cake Birthday Celebration. And I was the lucky winner of five Marie postcards. They arrived in the mail today - and they are absolutely stunning. In fact, the postcards are almost too good to use so I'm putting them up on my Inspiration Board for now.

Her Etsy Shop is called Cassie's Creations. She offers a wide variety of Digital Collage Sheets, ATC/Inchies Backgrounds and even Dollar Deals. Check out her blog and shop to see some yummy eye candy. (PhotoShop Elements wasn't cooperating today so I had to use my scanner software.)

Another New Diversion - Rug Hooking

I seem to get involved in too many creative pursuits. If I learn of a new (to me) craft, medium or technique, I immediately need to know more - purchase the necessary supplies - and travel down the path of artistic exploration. All of this leads to an overflowing plate of creative projects. However, I recently did complete one of my projects.

I belong to a traditional rug hooking group. Last week, we held a public show of our work. I displayed my first hooked piece which is the small mat you see below. Although the members of our group work in more subdued colors, I could not resist hooking a piece in various shades of pink. I'll bet that doesn't surprise any of you who read my blog.

I've already begun hooking my second piece which will be a large rug with two sheep and a checkerboard border.

 

  

Check Out Issue 6 of ArtTrader Magazine

Issue 6 of ArtTrader Magazine is currently available for downloading. The magazine includes a wealth of informative and interesting articles for a total of 73 pages.

There are articles on: Composition; Presenting Your Artwork on the Web; Watercolor Pencils; Illustration; Whimsy Art  - and much, much more. The writers do a terrific job. Check it out.

 

Marie Antoinette

I've finally caught Marie fever. Some of it has to do with the anticipation of Stampington & Company's new publication: Marie. (I haven't seen the publication in the book stores yet.) Another part has to do with the gorgeous gowns and feminine accessories of that era.

As I began searching for more information on Marie Antoinette, I was surprised to find such an abundance of blogs and sites on the Queen. Here are just a couple of places to visit:

Marie Antoinette Online contains historical articles, galleries, forums, links and recommended books.

Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution is the official online companion to the PBS documentary: Marie Antoinette. There is a wealth of information on the site and a great list of resources.

 

Happy Easter Sunday

Wishing you all a joyful Easter Sunday. And a Happy Passover to those readers who celebrate this holiday. We observe both holidays at our home.

This week's theme, on Sunday Postcard Art, is Easter. View the other entries for some lovely and whimsical Easter postcards.

 

Yellow-Easter Theme

Since Easter is this weekend, Angelina chose the theme of Yellow-Easter for the Make a Moo or Two Challenge. I love the little yellow chicks that pop up, in the media, around the Easter season. So I just had to include them in my Moos.

Check out all the other creative Moos on the Make a Moo or Two blog.

The Creative Cottage Shopper is Now Available

LolliShops and Bluhm Studios have just published the Creative Cottage Shopper. What is it all about?

The Creative Cottage Shopper is an 8-page, professionally printed publication. There are over 30 different coupons from your favorite Cottage Style vendors! Many of the coupons are for up to 40% off your purchases. The Shopper is folded and stapled - and shipped to you in the mail.

Not only does the Creative Cottage Shopper include coupons and savings but there are tutorials and tips from well-known Cottage Style artists! So many surprises and goodies! So if you're a fan of Cottage Style, Chippy, Shabby, FrouFrou creations, antiques and supplies...you're going to want to collect the Creative Cottage Shopper! Starting with this Spring issue!

The cost is $4.00 - and you can order it here or here. I'm looking forward to receiving my copy.

Art Journaling - Digital Edition Coming Soon

Quite a few people have told me that they couldn't find the premier issue of Art Journaling at the usual book and craft stores. Well, I just received an exciting update from Jenny Doh, Editor-in-Chief & Director of Publishing at Stampington & Company. Here's what she says:

"Great news! As you have probably heard, the premier issue of Art Journaling, which featured your artwork, has officially sold out. The demand for this issue has continued to increase, and we have received a flood of comments from interested readers that would love to own their own copy of this outstanding issue. As a result, we have decided to release a special digital edition of Art Journaling so that we can share your artwork with even more journaling enthusiasts."

When I received my premier copy of Art Journaling, I knew this issue was going to be a keeper.The eye candy and artist insights have me referring back to this magazine again and again. I can't wait for the digital edition.

Check Out the "Let Them Eat Cake Birthday" Celebration!

I just found out about Cassandra's Let Them Eat Cake Birthday Celebration. It is a five-day event featuring lots of prizes and freebies honoring Marie Antoinette.

The Celebration runs April 4th - April 8th. I wish I had found out about this wonderful event earlier. But there still are a few days left so hurry on over and take part in the Celebration. You're invited to the Party!

 

Swan Lake

This week, the theme on Sunday Postcard Art is Swan Lake.The background, in my postcard, came from a free image in Stampington & Company's complimentary e-newsletter, Post Script.The ballerina (image dated 1841) came from a Collection Guide on Italian dance.

Don't forget to check out all the other beautiful entries on Sunday Postcard Art.

Catch the New Parasol Magazine!

I just discovered an inspiring magazine created by designer and editor, Yasmine Surovec. "Parasol is a free, downloadable pdf magazine dedicated to featuring established and emerging designers and artists, as well as segments on creative lifestyles and small business owners."

So grab a cup of vanilla latte, start reading and fill your well with some creative juice.

Quick Watercolor Experiment

Here's a quick watercolor painting experiment that I did this afternoon. First, I put a wash of blue ink on some vintage sheet music from the early 1900s. I then applied Gesso in the middle of the page. I dried the Gesso with my trusty heat gun. Next, I made a quick sketch of a female face - and applied watercolor paint and watercolor pencil to enhance the image.

I've tried this Gesso/watercolor technique before. It's interesting how the Gesso background allows you to (both) wipe out areas of paint - and add additional paint to your composition.

My goal was to make a quick watercolor study - and not strive for perfection. Sometimes, I think you can learn more from your materials when you work fast.