MMM: Least Favorite Color

"Happy New Year"

5 x 7 Card

This week's Mixed Media Monday challenge was to create something using your least favorite color. I choose to make a New Year's card with a simple message: this new year (or new decade) is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start anew.

I started with water color paper which was painted with a combination of mustard yellow and brunt umber (that's the least favorite part) acrylic before being coated with a ton of crackle medium. The sentiment, begin, was placed on top of a piece of decorative white card stock (also on the interior) using alpha stickers. The "i" was doted with an iridescent Swarovski crystal.

I wish you a New Year full of possibilities and joy. To see more pieces using least favorite colors, please check out www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

MMM: Frosty

"Her Babies"

16 X 20 Oval Canvas

Detail of sides

I decided to take this week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, "Frosty," less literally than I usually do, and instead use the soft, icy colors associated with frost as inspiration for my color pallet. This 16 X 20 oval canvas was a gift for my friend's birthday and incorporated a picture I took a year ago of her babies.

There were so many layers to this one: I used acrylic paint, vintage ledgers, music sheets and wallpaper, decorative paper, a ton of matte gel medium, gesso, ink, stamps, colored pencils, fabric and Swarovski crystals. The sides of the canvas are finished with ripped pieces of fabric "tiles" sandwiched between iridescent crystals.

Thank you to Diana Evans for such wonderful inspiration. To see more "Frosty" pieces, please log on to http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/

MMM: Hang in There

"Capturing Paris"

Mason Jar: 3 1/2' diameter

This week's Mixed Media Monday theme, "Hang in There," challenged us to create something that hangs. When my husband brought home a few mason jars the other day (even he is starting to collect junk - or, collectibles - for me), I decided to do a variation of some glass urns that I have done in the past.

I used an image of the Eiffel Tower backed with vintage french text and placed (with E600) on the bottom of a mason jar. I then filled the bottom with glass beads and glass glitter and addressed the inside back with several Swarovski crystals. The top was assembled using more of the vintage text, acrylic around the sides, a feather and a charcoal Swarovski button in the center. The jar hangs with wire which was wrapped around the top and then again around itself to create the handle. The details on the side are more Swarovski, this time in the form of beads. I imagine it hanging outside somewhere, sparkling it's little heart out . . .

The original urns (featuring our wedding and Kendra's first day at the beach) are below:

Thank you for your time! To see more artwork that hangs, please check out: www.MixedMediaMonday.wordpress.com.

Poor Ol' Dog!

I sent Kendra to her room this morning to get dressed (yes, those PJ's and hat were of her choosing) into something warm (she has the sniffles) and brush her teeth. I was waiting (and waiting and waiting) for her to call for help with her toothbrush when I heard the door slam, (never a good sign): "baby girl, what are you doing?" I asked. "Nothin'. Just, I don wanna let Bro (our dog) outta my room." "Why's that?" "He wants to play with me." "You can't keep him in there," I reason. "You have to give him the choice." And THIS is what I saw as I tried to release the captive. . .

Poor Old (deaf and half blind 17 year old) Dog! He lets her get away with anything. . .

Lucky Me!

Artwork by Peggy Gatto

I am the lucky recipient of one of three Art Tags that Peggo Gatto recently gave away on her blog. If you haven't seen her work before (not likely, as she just past her 1000 post!), you can do so by going to http://www.peggysamusement.blogspot.com./

I'm a big fan of her work and spirit, which I think comes through in everything she does. I am honored that this tag has found its way to my home! BTW, part of having received this, is to also pay it forward. With that in mind, expect to see three tags up for grabs on this blog soon. . . .

Thank you Peggy!

MMM: On the Wings of Love

"Special Delivery"
11 x 14 Canvas Panel

I was inspired by a decorative pillow that our daughter has in her room for this week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, "On The Wings of Love." With the hope of another adoption (constantly) on my mind, I was reminded of a letter that my Mother In-Law, a Minister, wrote to Kendra on the eve of her official adoption; almost one year to the date that she was born. Her sentiments seemed to fit perfectly with "Wings" and "Love" and the image of the Stork on Kendra's pillow:

"Today is a day to celebrate. It isn't your birthday. It is your Staying Home Party. After today, you get to stay for as long as you want with the Mommy and Daddy that you and God chose.

You see, even before you were born, more than anything, your soul wanted to be with this Mommy and Daddy. In order to do that you needed a body, so your Birth Mommy and Daddy loved you so much, they brought you into the world just so you could live your life with your Mommy and Daddy.

Now that you have a body, you are somebody special, not only to your Mommy and Daddy, but to your family and your friends, and before long, lots and lots of people will know you are somebody special because special some bodies always bless the world.

Have a happy Staying Home Party."

- Grams

(I know, right?) This piece was done with a scanned copy of the needlepoint pillow which was then collaged onto a painted background. I also added vintage pieces of music sheets, wallpaper and images from an ATC collection of art papers by memories in the making (from Somerset's online shoppe). It was finished with touches of colored pencil, glitter and Swarovski crystals. The feather trim was taken straight from from my (just decorated) holiday mantle. Guess I have to find another boa . . . To see more pieces on "Wings of Love", please check out http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/.

MMM: Bedtime Stories

"Mother Goose"

11 x 14 Stretched Canvas

Oh, how I love this week's Mixed Media Monday prompt; Bedtime Stories! Even though I try not to (I aim for variety), I find that images of children and/or pieces of children's literature somehow sneak into most of the pieces that I create. I am especially drawn to vintage fairy tales and nursery rhymes, so I really jumped at the chance to play with a vintage book of Mother Goose that I have for this challenge.

I started with an image of two children -and their dog- that was beautifully painted by artist Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935). She started her career as a kindergarten teacher and later studied under Howard Pyle. She "worked most comfortably with the charcoal line, often adding watercolor washes and occasionally varnishing over the drawing to add highlights in oil." (T.J. Whitneys' Traditional Toys).

If the style looks familiar, the central image of the little girl on my blog header was also done by her, and used in an altered book I created last year. I hope to give the above piece (a tiny bit of) justice by incorporating it into a collage of acrylic paint, Mother Goose rhymes and illustrations, decorative paper, beeswax, Swarovski crystals (as "stars") and silk ribbon. The idea being that in a book, the whole world is available to you (and your imagination). . .

Thanks for checking it out! To see more pieces on Bedtime Stories (can't wait to see myself!), please log on to www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kendra's Thanksgiving Artwork

(age 4)

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful day with family, friends (and food!).

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." -- Buddha

For Your Art

Vintage Post Card

Postmarked 18-5-11; Nederland (2 1/2 cent)

Here is another image from my collection of vintage post cards that I would be happy for you to use. Just download it and have fun. If you have the desire, I would love to see what you do, but no pressure, please. Use it however you'd like . . .

MMM: Playing Cards

Card "Shark"

ATC

This week's prompt for Mixed Media Monday -- Playing Cards -- was especially fun as I just returned from a few days away in Las Vegas. We were there for a surprise wedding (a surprise to the Bride no less) and had a wonderful time being a part of such a special event.

The idea for Card "Shark" came when I saw this vintage postcard of a rather successful swine upon our return. I placed the image on the back of a playing card and used several colors of luster rub-ons (for color), rub-ons (the distressed circle and the "A"), crystals (natch), a coin and beeswax. It was finished with a bit of (yes, that one) green trim.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the Bride happily, joyfully, tearfully said YES. . .

Thank for looking! To see more pieces on Playing Cards, please check out www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com.

For Your Art

Thank you to Diana Evans for telling me how to post and share this vintage post card with you.

I used this particular one in an ATC for last week's Mixed Media Monday prompt on Fashion. Please feel free to download it and use it however you'd like. I would love to see what you do with it, but only if you have the time. I have more to share, so if I did it correctly, let me know and I would be happy to do the same with others . . .

Napa Valley

The Silverado Resort, Napa

Ledson Winery, Sonoma

Regusci Winery, Napa

Regusci Winery, Napa

Entrance to Sterling Vineyards, Napa

I still didn't know where we were going for our anniversary when the plane landed in Sacramento ("Come On!" Dave said, "it's Sac-town! Our nation's capital!"), but I was so excited to learn that we were headed to Napa Valley, a place we have always wanted to go together. The husband had arranged a few days away (Kendra was at Grandma's) for wine tasting and amazing food.

We (okay, he) went golfing, to the spa (okay, that was me) and as many wineries as we could fit into our schedule. It was great to sleep in (of course I thought that it would be past 7:00 a.m. -what has happened to me!?), to spend the days in each other's company and to be reminded of why we liked each other so much in the first place . . .

It was a wonderful few days in Napa - right next to our nation's capital . . .

MMM: I Am Woman

"Roar"

11 x 14 Canvas

So, so late! I thought about skipping this week's Mixed Media Monday prompt altogether, but then realised that I would be giving up a 16 week "streak" of continual postings. Not wanting to break it (kinda proud of myself) I came up with the following for I Am Woman . . .

I was inspired by a beautiful framed mirror I saw while out of town that was done on wood with words cut from magazines. The one I saw featured sayings about wine and wine making, but what could be more appropriate than a women's magazine for a piece on being a woman? Everything here was taken from this month's In Style and predominately featured quotes from Reese Witherspoon such as; "I am an open book. I'm not about intimidating women or making them feel like less than what they are." I think I love her a little bit more . . .

This collage was done on a black Gesso relief background and was layered with charcoal, white acrylic stamping, glitter, crystals and fabric. The "Chick" is in the middle of all the media-driven sentiments and her only response is a quiet, "roar."

Thanks for looking! To check out more pieces on I Am Woman, please check out www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com.

MMM: Fashion

"I am Fashion"

MMM: ATC

My husband and I were taking a walking tour of Amsterdam a few years ago when we stumbled upon an incredible book fair / open market in the center of town. Among the goodies I had to have - including a tiny little book of Shakespeare Sonnets - was a 3-ring binder full of vintage post cards from the turn of the century. In it were treasures from all over Europe and in all styles of the time; from artist sketches to photographs made into postcards. The image I used here was taken from a 1929 postcard from the Netherlands and featured this lovely lady in what must have been a fabulous frock. When prompted to do a piece for Mixed Media Monday on Fashion, I knew I had to use this one. Included among the Gesso relief (behind image), crystals, white ink, feather and melted wax is the following quote by Coco Chanel: "I don't do fashion, I am fashion." Ah, gotta love her . . .

By the way, my sweet husband bought the whole binder full of postcards from the book fair vendor when my back was turned. I didn't know then what I would ever use them for, but I knew that I loved them. I mention this because I am happy to share them with you if you would like. All you have to do is tell me how. I am not as computer savvy as some of you, and I do not know what steps to take in order to share them through this blog. If you do, please let me know by leaving a comment and I will be happy to start posting them. Also, if I do not respond as I normally would this week, please forgive me. But that same guy who bought the book of postcards is taking me away (no clue where) for our anniversary. I'll let you know more when I get back next week . . .

Thank you for looking! To see more pieces on Fashion, please check out www.MixedMediaMonday.wordpress.com.

MMM: Opposites Attract

Come Fly with Me

8 x 8 "Kite"

Detail of "Opposites"

I would love to take full credit for the idea behind this week's piece for Mixed Media Monday, but it was actually my husband who suggested that the childhood project of putting paint on one side of a piece of paper before folding it over to create it's opposite (I'm sure there's a technical term for this) would make an interesting twist on the theme, "Opposites Attract."

Inspired by his creativity, I got to work on creating what turned out to be this 8 x 8 "kite." I used acrylic on watercolor paper that was sprinkled with glitter before being adhered to a piece of chipboard. The kite was then formed with strips of sequins and a Swarovski crystal in the center. I added the craft store butterfly to the kite strings after doing similar mirroring on it's wings with a stamps dipped in paint and glitter.

Thank you for looking! To see more pieces on Opposites Attract, please check out www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

MMM: Moustaches

"Something About Him"

9 1/2 x 14 Wood Serving Plate

I was really challenged with the Mixed Media Monday prompt, Moustaches this week. I considered doing a piece on Santa Clause, the Wild West and even my 4-year-old (I have a great picture of her in a fake "stache") when I stumbled upon a wonderful website (Abigail Mooney's www.TheVingageMoth.blogspot.com) which offers free images to use. This Dapper Man with his fab moustache really spoke to me, and I decided to do one more piece in honor of Halloween.

The "canvas" is a 9 1/2 x 14 wood serving plate (.50 at a local thrift store) and the interior (or groove of the plate) was primed with gesso before adding several pieces of this and that (including vintage ledgers and music scraps one of which says, "Vienna Blood Waltzes") in addition to acrylic, charcoal pencil, Luster rubons and Sepia Accents. I added more paint to the rim of the plate before adding the vintage screw, candle wax and dripping "blood".

I so appreciate you looking, to see more pieces on Moustaches, please check out www.MixedMediaMonday.wordpress.com. Oh! And Happy Halloween . . .

MMM: Mothers & Daughters

MMM: "Mothers and Daughter"

16 X 20 Oval Canvas

This week's Mixed Media Monday's prompt, Mothers & Daughters, was a real challenge for me. You see, I have this beautiful baby (okay, she's 4) who (as you probably know by now) was adopted. Now, I have no shortage of wonderful pictures that I could draw inspiration from for the theme, but the only one I kept seeing over and over in my head was this picture of Kendra's Birth Mom and me just before she was born. But I did not want to go there. Although we have been more than forthcoming with information about Kendra's birth and the whole adoption process, we have always taken it one step at a time; heeding the advice of professionals who have said to answer questions as they are asked. Sooo, I wasn't sure what I was going to do when mid-week Peggy Gatto kindly sent me the following poem about adoption. I sobbed all afternoon (that was your warning), but when I dried my eyes, my answer was clear. . .

Once there were two women who never knew each other

One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives to make you one

One became your guiding star; the other became your sun

The first one gave you life and the second one taught you to live it

The first one gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name

One gave you talent; the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears

One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears

One sought for you a home that she could not provide

The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied

And now you ask me thorough your tears

The age-old question unanswered through the years:

Heredity or environment, which are you a product of

Neither my darling, Neither

Just two different kinds of Love

-- Anonymous

The piece was done on a 16 X 20 oval canvas which was first primed with several layers of acrylic. I used a mask by Tim Holtz around the edges and again layered on more paint for an interesting backdrop (which was pretty much covered up, of course). I then projected the image onto the canvas with a Prismacolor pencil and charcoal. I decided upon wax crayons (Manley) to add color, and blended my little fingers to the bone as I added layer upon layer. The poem was written in pencil and I added some pieces of her nursery fabric for interest. It was finished with a splattering of white and tan paint to age it and a sprinkling of mica on the edges for sparkle. I added Swarovski crystals on the ring to represent my husband. Thank you to Peggy Gatto for sending along this poem. It will be so cherished by us all. To check out more pieces on Mothers & Daughters, please check out http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/

MMM: Pink

"Rebel Ballerina"

12 X 16 Canvas Panel

Like most Moms with their first little girl, I could not wait to get baby Kendra into ballet class. I even found an instructor that accepted 2-year-olds (the norm is 3 or 4) to get a jump start on her Prima Ballerina education. Well, although she did look adorable, that was about it. She was not a fan of the class, the shoes, or the forced attention to detail. Even at that age, she must have known that this prissy stuff was not for her. As you can imagine, we did not last long in the class (and she has indicated no desire to return in the two years since), but what we were left with was that wonderful tutu. That tutu has been worn with tap shoes and a bathing suit to the grocery store (why not?), with P.J.'s to bed, with last Halloween's monkey costume (don't ask!) and - in this picture taken a year ago - with a tool belt and nothing else. What can I say? No matter how girlie I am, she has a mind of her own . . . thank goodness!

"Rebel Ballerina" was done thanks to the latest Mixed Media Monday prompt to create something using the color Pink. It was done on a 12 X 16 canvas panel using Gesso and Fiber Paste with ink to create the candy-like background and then layered with the photo printed on watercolor paper before being painted on. Also incorporated within the piece are acrylic paint, vintage wallpaper, music sheets, ledgers and sewing patten paper, colored pencil, melted crayon, mica, glitter, rub-ons, Swarovski crystals (at ponytail), satin ribbon and some pink trim. The nursery rhyme is vintage Mother Goose. To check out more pieces on Pink, check out http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/.

Still With It . . .

"Oh, My Baby"

Art Journal Page

Still with it: this is the second art journal page that I've done since reading the newest Art Journaling by Somerset Studio. I love the idea of using leftover paint from other projects to use in the journal. I challenged myself to create something out of the bright red, orange and blue paints that Kendra was using before cleaning out her palette (er, paper plate) . These are not normally colors that I am drawn to, but since the journal is about experimenting, I thought I would give it a try. The vintage image is by Clearly Vintage Blog, a site I stumbled upon that offers free images to use in your artwork.

BTW, if anyone has any great ideas about what type of pens to use in an art journal, I'm all ears: I really struggled with this Sharpie as I had so much texture on the page. Any suggestions?

MMM: Maps

"Somewhere"

5 X 7 Canvas Panel

This week's challenge on Mixed Media Monday was to do a piece of art that in some way incorporated maps. I usually spend the week dreaming of / mulling over / planning on what I will do for each prompt, but this week it was not happening: I don't know, for some reason my creative block was in full swing and I could not get past it. And then this morning I went to a local craft store where I found this pretty little trim on sale. I bought it in green and pink and came home with the seed of an idea: if I could in some way create a map piece that was colorful enough to support this bright trim, I may have something . . .

Isn't it magical? Not the art, but the idea that we can create something out of nothing, if not an idea? That we can take bits and pieces and come up with a cohesive narrative? And in this case, all from a fabulous prompt and a piece of acid green trim. . .

"Somewhere" represents the hope that another baby is out there waiting for us. It was created using Gesso, fiber paste, acrylic, a transparency by Karen Russell (Narratives), fabric, ink, vintage children's illustration, a vintage spoon, a (tiny little pretend) compass, candle wax dripped onto the edges, a single Swarovski stone and of course, that green trim.
For more work with Maps, please check out www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

Happy Birthday "Baby"

She's 4!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Party for 30 Kids

(a.k.a. what was I thinking)

Four already!? We took a picture of Kendra in her nursery rocker every month of her first year and every birthday thereafter. I have the, "just home from the hospital" picture, the "baby slumping into the corner of the chair" picture, the "toddler who refuses to show her face to the camera" picture, the 2 year old, "too busy to stay in one place" and "look! Here's my bottom" pictures and last year's, "I don't care if it's my birthday, I'm not gonna smile for you" picture and now this: the "my day is finally here and I am A BIG GIRL now" picture. It is a cliche to say that it all goes so fast, but . . . but . . . sigh . . .

Happy, Happy Birthday My Love!

(I don't even know how to describe how much I love you)

MMM: Song

MMM: "Someone to Watch Over Me"

5 X 7 Canvas Panel

This week's Mixed Media Monday challenge was to create a piece of art inspired by a song. My "baby" is four today (Happy Birthday My Love!) and I can't help but hope that she will be joined by a sibling soon. As you may know, our beautiful girl came to us by way of adoption and now that she is old enough to understand some of what that means, she asks almost daily for another baby. The song that kept playing over and over in my head was "Someone To Watch Over Me" as I can just picture her loving and protecting any baby brother or sister that may come along.

This piece was created using a 5 X 7 canvas panel that was covered in sewing pattern tissue paper, fabric and a vintage piece of music before being topped with an ATC of Gesso relief, acrylic, vintage ledgers, vintage wallpaper and vintage children's illustrations (and of course a single Swarovski crystal). It is meant to represent Kendra watching over "her (future) baby."

Thank you for looking! To see all of the wonderful work on Music/Songs, check out www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

MMM: Metal

MMM: 8 X 8 Hardware "Chandelier"

Detail of Underside

Detail of Top

In Room

Home Depot Field Trip

This week's Mixed Media Monday prompt, "Metal / Metallics" proved to be a real challenge for me. My first instinct was to create something using metallic paint on canvas. But really, that would have been a crutch. I love metallic paint and use it so often that I decided this time, I would force myself to try something new. So, with no idea in mind, I headed to Home Depot for inspiration. After searching isle after isle (copper piping, duct work, drywall repair patches and tiny screws were cool) I finally decided upon a long link of chain and a two bags of nuts and washers. I left with the idea of creating a chandelier for Kendra's room, but I had absolutely no clue how I would make it happen.

After struggling with the logistics of creating a chandelier out of a few washers and chain (oh, and make it pretty!), I decided to start with the base, and choose a 8 X 8 chipboard book cover. I covered it in fabric and painted it using a Tim Holtz mask and watered-down acrylic. I then painted the belly (had to look good from underneath too) and punched holes around the entire perimeter. From there, I used a combination of the Home Depot nuts and washers (painted in soft colors to match her room), discarded chandelier crystals, pretty little baubles I had lying around my craft room and Swarovski crystals and beads, all hung from invisible stretchy cord. I ended up using the chain for hanging which was also embellished with paint and crystals. With any luck, it should sparkle up a storm in the afternoon light.

This is where I must mention how lucky I feel to have found Mixed Media Monday: I would have never done this without the prompt. And I have learned so much this week because of it: mostly, not to give up! I had to restrain myself throwing the thing across the room several times, but I stuck with it and look: a chandelier for my "baby's" room! Who said there was no magic in art?

For more pieces on "Metal", check out www.MixedMediaMonday.Wordpress.com.

MMM: Round

MMM: "The Orphanage"

The first thing that came to mind when challenged to do a piece in the Round was a color wheel. I love the way it spins, revealing new color combinations as it turns. Since Halloween is around the corner and the pieces I have done for Mixed Media Monday have thus far been bright and cheerful, I felt that it was time to change it up. So I played around (sorry, had to do it) until I came up with this, "The Orphanage."

The idea behind the piece is a view into the world of a haunted house of sorts, where the children within the walls (and behind the windows) are seemingly "normal" until you see them from a different angle. By turning the wheel just slightly, you can catch a glimpse of something a little off: a spider web creeping into the background, a wandering bat and even a witches hat on one of the little occupants. When viewed in it's entirety, "The Orphanage" is not what it first appears to be. . .

The piece above was made from two circles of heavy weight water color paper, one large and one small. The smaller of the two was covered in tissue paper, gel medium and fiber paste before being painted black and splashed with glitter. The "windows" are embellished transparencies and the "children" are taken from vintage post cards accented with crackle medium and stickers. I also used decorative papers, a ton of acrylic and secured it in the center with a brad that allows it to spin completely around. Thank you for looking! To see more pieces in the Round, please log on to www.MixedMediaMonday.wordpress.com.

Humpty Dumpty . . .

I'm finding that with this (relatively) new blog of mine, I am finally finding my voice. In a way, it gives me permission to explore some of the things and variations of art that before this, I have only dreamed about. And the more art I create, the more online challenges I participate in, the more passionate about it I become. Okay, perhaps a better word is obsessed . . .

Which brings me to the checkout line at JoAnn's the other day where I spotted the new issue of Somerset Studio's Art Journaling and I was so excited that I actually gasped. And clapped. For real. Needless to say, it came home with me, and I have been devouring it's contents ever since. But the difference between the years of being a loyal Somerset reader and now, is that my fancy new blog has given me the courage to actually do the art in my head instead of just dream about it.

So, new inspiration by my side (really, it's right here), I humbly submit to you my first ever art journal page. I don't know why this image of Humpty Dumpty spoke to me, but if I really think about it, I suppose that I am little like the nursery rhyme character: I have had a great fall (in a good way) into the yet unknown and I don't want to be put back together again. I like it here. . .

MMM: Time of Day

MMM: "Curfew"

9 x 12 Canvas Detail

Kendra (helping Daddy) make a frame for Mommy

As you can see, this week's Mixed Media Monday challenge was a real family affair. I was happy with the finished canvas, but felt that it still needed a little something to make the colors really pop. So, I searched the house for something I could use to create a frame. When I discovered this piece of molding in the corner of our garage, I knew I had found it. Now all I had to do was convince Dave to cut it for me. Since I did buy him that fancy miter saw a while back, he was happy enough to oblige. The added bonus was the extra help I received from my tiny carpenter. How cute is that?

When prompted to do a piece using an image featuring a Time of Day, the first thing I thought about was how the sky looks as it is about to set. I love the bright pinks and oranges it brings and well, one thing led to another until I had this finished piece, "Curfew."

I used Gesso (in relief), yellow, orange and pink ink, vintage and scrap papers, acrylic, colored pencils, white gel pen, charcoal, a ton of matte gel medium (loved the way it brought the dried ink to life!), glitter and (of course) a single Swarovski crystal at the "home's" door.

Happy accident / lesson learned this week: If you (impatiently) apply white paint on top of (still wet) silicone caulking (used in the corners of the frame), the areas in which the cocking was applied will crackle. . . Love that!

Thank you for looking, I look forward to next week's challenge. To see all the wonderful contributions this week, please check out http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/.

For The (love of) Birds . . .

Terracotta vase and Anthropology sugar bowl

Birdhouses on the windowsill

"Birdies" under glass (kitchen nook centerpiece)

"Use the talents you possess -- for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the very best." - Henry Van Dyke