Paper Bird

We enjoyed a tiny tease of spring weather this week.  It is amazing what a little warmth and sunshine can do for the soul!  It made me SO happy.  I knew not to be fooled by old man winter's trickery... a storm blew in and left us with a beautiful blanket of fresh fallen snow.  

Do you know snowmen come from heaven unassembled?

 Just for me and you!  

 

 

 

(Texture from Kim Klassen) 

 

Have a beautiful weekend and don't forget to play!

(My first self-portrait from Vivienne's on-line course!)

 

 

 

Valentine Box

 

Happy Valentines day sweet friends.

It's been awhile since I have posted anything crafty.  I have really missed creating for Artful Thursdays.  I keep thinking I should have continued on with it, but after the holidays things became so busy.  And to be honest- my art room is a total disaster!  I am actually quite embarrassed that I let it get so out-of-control.  My word for the New Year should be Get Organized!!!  I am loving the Art Of Texture class that I am taking with Kim.  It's easy to stay organized when all you need are  a computer, camera and a few amazing textures!  Well so far.  I think we will be getting our hands dirty soon- creating our own textures.  About this time last year I created this Valentine box for Julie's Artful Thursday!  They are super easy to create.  It was one of my favorite projects.  I left a link for the instructions at the bottom of the page.  

Have a beautiful Valentines.  Do something sweet for someone today!    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valentines Box Instructions

(click on the link) 

 

Memories

 

I always think of my Mom when I see a bouquet of Tulips.  They are one of my very favorite flowers in the spring.

 

I can't help but smile and think of my Mom and the beauty she glimpsed as a child growing up in the Netherlands.  Tulips and windmills.  A landscape of dazzling color and heavenly scent comes to mind. 

 

My Mom was born in Indonesia and later moved with her family to the Netherlands when Indonesia fought for independence from Dutch colonialism.

A history I need to study!

 

When my Mom was in her early teens she and her family moved to the United States.  They came as passengers on a big ship.  I found the passenger list on Ancestry.com- so cool!

   

 

It has been just over a year since my Mom passed away.

 

 

 

I fill my house with Tulips and I think of her!

 I have been experimenting with some WONDERFUL NEW- but not yet released textures.  Kim is creating thirty new textures in thirty days.  LUCKY me- I get to test them out!  You can see on my tulip images how gorgeous they are.

 AND...It's not too late to sign up for kim's On-Line class, "The Art Of Texture- The Secrets Revealed.  It is packed full of Good Things. I am amazed at the work that has been put into this class!  I am very IMPRESSED.  It's not just a techy class but a hands on art class too!  The knowledge and passion that Kim shares is just plain Wonderful.  I have learned SO much and I am the "slow" girl at this techy type of stuff!

Check out ALL the GOODNESS here!

 

Have a beautiful weekend.  

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Time To Blossom- And A Winner.

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.-   Anais Nin

 

I love this quote.  Maybe because it holds so much truth for me.  It has only been in the last few years that I have had the courage to step out of my comfort zone.  Taking the risk to learn and grow...to blossom into the full potential of ME!   

 

 

In each of us there lies an unrealized possibility.   

 

 

 

A dormant seed just waiting to BLOOM into its full potential.  

 

 We each have hopes and dreams.  But for whatever reason we find safety in that tightly woven bud- fearful of ascending to our higher aspirations.

But there is no courage withering on the vine.

only a life lived with regrets!

 

As I poured over each sweet comment left for the self-portraiture giveaway I was moved by each heartfelt comment.  There were so many who wanted to take that leap of courage to step out of their comfort zone- too realize a hope or dream they had for themselves, willing to let their light shine    I wish I could offer Vivienne's course to each one who commented.  If only I could!  Random number generator chose lucky #8 - Susan from Hometown Girl. 

 

Yes, in each of us there is that seed.  Like a tiny ember of fire.  It waits to burst into a flaming light.  A beautiful brilliant light for each of us to see and grow and learn from.  The flowering bud can't help but open up to the brilliance of the light and it BLOOMS! 

 
 FYI

Kim Klassen has a on-line course that is open for registration.  "The Art Of Texture, the secrets revealed" The course starts next week!  Come play with us!