JustMeAgain

ATC by my daughter

I love the stuff she creates.  Always so lovely and fun to find little surprises made by her around the house. 

I wish I could share her latest school project, but unfortunately, I did not take pictures of it before she took it to school.  It was an album called the ABCs of Life for her science class.  If she gets it back from her teacher, I'll be sure to share pictures of that project.  I do have a feeling that her teacher might just not want to let go of it. Ever. And I really can't blame her.  It was the cutest project ever. 

Six word memoirs in ATC form

So for our latest ATC challenge we had to think of a SIX WORD MEMOIR.  The idea for this theme was inspired by the project founded by the online storytelling magazine SMITH Magazine. 

Each of us had to create 14 ATCs with our six word memoir.  And some of the ladies in the group actually created 14 individual memoirs, one for each card. I loved their creative enthusiasm! Here are a few of the ATCs that I received after the exchange.  I will share the rest here over the weekend, or as soon as I find enough time to download and post all the pictures.  The ones in the picture are from Charlotte, C.C. and Holly.

Charlotte's memoir, EAT SLEEP WORK EAT SLEEP WORK sounds so much like my life these days. 

I had a hard time picking my memoir for my set of ATCs.  I had four in mind.  Let's see of you can guess which one was the one I used for my cards:

1) Flowers always make me smile happy

2) My camera is my best friend

3) Life is all about unconditional love

4) In life, unconditional love is key

I loved this challenge!  Feel free to share your own six word memoir in the comments section. 

Okay, before I head out to finish getting ready for work, just one more little reminder to let you know that you still have time to purchase a balloon and make magic with it!  Go here for more information on this awesome project that will take place tomorrow ~and be one of the 17,000 balloons that will help raise hope for so many children in need. 

Talking about gratitude

Over the weekend, my friends Corina and Mercelmade a quick stop by my house while they were driving back home after a fun day in San Francisco.  I couldn't go with them this time, but I heard it was a lot of fun!  They stopped by to bring me some ATCs that I had not been able to get since I have missed the last two coffee meets in Salinas due to late work nights.  It made my day to see the beautiful art pieces that everyone created!  And it made my heart melt to see one that was specially made for me by Alma Dominguez, Corina's mom.  I just had to share.  You can see a few more photos here.  Thank you so much Alma!

This morning I came across Molly's adorable mini album.  She shares step by step instructions, too.  I loved the idea, the simplicity and practicality. 

Okay, off to work now.  Have a wonderful day everyone! 

ATCs and coffee

 

This was July's "one-of-a-kind" challenge with my group of creative friends with whom I trade Artist Trading Cards with each month.  We each picked a quote from the Starbucks' set of mini quotes "Bloom" to create a unique version of the quote we ended up with.  Have you seen those little quote boxes yet?  Each box has thirty tiny quotes that you can open every day for 30 days.  I loved that set the minute I set my eyes on it, so I suggested we use the quotes to make ATCs in a creative way.  Everyone was so unique in their interpretation!  I loved what everyone came up with!  This was my take on the challenge.  You can see what the rest of the ladies did here.  We also exchanged ATCs in a few other themes, I'll be sharing some of them in the Artistic Visions blog within the next week.  Keep coming to check out the updates!   

I have a busy day ahead today, but I'm ready.  Coffee and me, here we go! Have a wonderful Thursday in this gorgeous month of July!

Happy Monday!

I tend to complain about Mondays because they are always packed with things to-do and not enough hours in the day to do such things.  And let's face it Maria (yes, I'm talking to myself on this one), it's always hard to get back to work when you've just had a few days of fun-filled family time. Today, however, I want to change something about Mondays. I want to change my own view of them since that is the ONE thing I can control.

I have been thinking lately that with all the stuff going around in our world, all the sad or not-so-good things for which I have absolutely no control over, I often forget about the one thing I can change, and that is my own perspective on things.  I can choose to have a happy and content attitude towards life.  I can control my personal response to whatever the day brings.  I can choose happy. 

And so, today is A HAPPY MONDAY for me and I hope for you, too. 

Having said all that, let me now move on to share a few happy things to start my, well, HAPPY Monday!

* I cannot express enough my complete gratitude to Liz Ness and Jackie Wood for a feature interview in their blog Illustrating Stories. This blog has been a personal favorite since its beginnings.  And being interviewed by someone that I love, respect and admire so much is such a fabulous honor!  If this all wasn't enough, this interview gets to go right alongside other artists that I admire so much.  Really, this is such an honor! Be sure to check out all their other interviews in this link.  I really have been on cloud nine ever since Liz wrote to me about this.  Thank you so much Liz!

* Last night I updated a few more pictures on the Artistic Visions blog.  I added a few new entries with pictures from sample work from Eve Ham and Corina Venegas. 

* I managed to find a little time for creativity this weekend. It was very stress relieving to create a few little tiny pieces of art.  Even if it's something small, like Artist Trading Cards, can be a very good outlet. 

 

Sharing an "out of the box" ATC.

My friend Sandy is a fourth grade teacher and a fabulous artist! We met at StampBug a few years ago because of our mutual love of stamps, paper and art in general. She is one of the super talented women in our Artist Trading Card group in Salinas. We exchange ATCs, ideas and inspiration all the time and I am lucky to count her as a dear friend. This week, Sandy rocked my world again (and my daughter's, too) with these very special, one of a kind (okay two in this case) ATCs specially created for Sabrina and her friend Camille. The theme was "pirates" and she created two beautiful masterpieces!  The inside of the ATC mini holder has a map with a story. The story includes Sabrina and Camille as well as cleverly incorporated writing about Sabrina's love for nature and wild animals. And the end of  the story was left for Sabrina and Camille to write! The little map includes the names of small islands that are part of the story. This is the most inventive, fun, creative way to make any one go crazy over pirates, treasures and maps to secret fantasy islands.  Thank YOU SANDY for the most amazing ATCs EVER!  These ATCs will continue to live in the imagination of Sabrina and Camille for years to come! 

Just so you know...

Today is November 1st.

And I'm sure you already knew that, but it somehow seems so unbelievable to me. Wow. Time has certainly flown by this year.

And well, today I have so much to share, a Circle Journal, new scrapbook pages, Halloween pictures from last night...but they all require extra time to download pictures, which I don't have right at this moment....so, instead I'll share this piece from a little something for Linda Woods.

And yes, I've said it before, but just had to say it again. Journal Revolution is such a revolutionary, fun and creative approach to art journaling and life philosophy...we all love this book at StampBug and are so looking forward to having Linda and Karen come visit soon for a book signing! Can't wait to be able to share more details on this.

A tag and a few more pictures...

I have recently been tagged by three super talented, amazing women, Georgana Hall from Adornit - Carolee's Creations (I simply adore her, her style and her classes), Katie Scott, a personal injury attorney who also loves to scrapbook (an inspiration in so many ways) and Jen Rigg, a wonderful friend who not only speaks English and French (she lives in England and was born in France) but also speaks German, Spanish and some Italian! So thankful for all the friendships and contacts I have made thanks to the magic of typepad. Thank you Georgana, Katie and Jen for this tag.  I am happy to share my 7 facts today.

Rules which must be posted on your blog if you are tagged:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random - some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names - link to them
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

SEVEN random facts about ME

1. Spanish was my first language, but I always dream in English and interestingly enough I often wonder (in my dreams) how come my mom is speaking in English when I know she doesn't.

2. Now this is a cool fact, my mom still has my kindergarten stars (little golden star stickers that I would get for being good, whatever that meant.) She is like me, she keeps everything!

3. I love helping my daughter with homework...although she hardly ever needs help anymore, which is a little sad for me in a way. While I am happy for her level of independence, I miss the younger years when she needed me more.  I still like to just sit by her side while she diligently works on her work. I love looking at her determination and her attention to detail. It reminds me so much of when I was her age and wanted to do a good job with my homework assignments. This week (and the past few) she had been reading and researching various biographies on Jane Goodall, the woman who founded the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation to provide ongoing support for field research on wild chimpanzees. I have had so much fun (and have learned so much too!) reading along with her (or simultaneously) and getting inspired by the work that Ms. Goodall has done. What amazes me the most is to see the spark of inspiration in my daughter's eyes as she learns more about Ms. Goodall's mission.  And she loves animals too so I think she is the perfect role model! I could see us both traveling to Africa (I would be taking all the pictures, she would be doing the work saving the animals.)

4. I seem to often be a bit sleep deprived. And I wonder why.

5. I can type quite fast. Thank goodness. It can be quite a helpful thing when you write for a living and you write for fun!

6. I don't sing at all...if I do, I can literally make people cry. Or run away. Whatever comes first.

7. I still like Disney movies. Cartoons or not. I will always be a Disney fan!

Now I am supposed to tag 7 people.  And this is the part that is always a bit hard because I don't ever want to leave anyone out. So, how about the first seven people who read this post get to be tagged, deal? Good.

And to close this post I'll share a few pictures of some of the wonderful ladies from my ATC group at StampBug.  Not all the members are pictured here since I missed some of them (some had already left and others didn't make it for this meeting.) Just had to say that regardless of whether they are pictured or not pictured here, all the women in our ATC group are simply phenomenal! All their art is always inspiring and beautiful. This past ATC exchange last Friday night was a blast!  So cool to get the chance to meet with these amazing women. Always inspiring. And FUN! 

More ATCs

Thanks for sharing about your favorite musical!  I also love all the ones you mentioned in your comments!  Later this week I'll share pictures of a Circle Journal I just received with all completed entries in which the main theme was precisely "Your Favorite Musical."  It was such a treat to enjoy everyone's take on this.  Can't wait to share that so stay tuned.

Today I'll finish sharing some of the ATCs I made for this recent trade at Stampbug...and at the end of this post I'll share the winner's of my RAK.

For the ATC in the theme "Childhood" I used the same concept as in my card for the previous post, except here I used images having to do with this theme.  As I said in the back of each card, I get to re-live my childhood through my daughter.  And that's why I chose these images. 

And the rest of the ATCs I made for this trade are here:

And, as far as the RAK is concerned, I will send 8 ATCs to all 8 commenters, three of you will get the Phantom ATC and the other five will get one of the other themes (dreams, fear, Halloween, childhood and T.V.) Thanks for playing!

I need addy information for some of you (Kathy and Melrose),  so please e-mail me with your info.  The cards are ready to be mailed now. 

ATCs and a RAK

So I'll begin sharing some of my ATCs for the October trade at StampBug. I have been anxiously waiting to share these, but had to wait until the actual exchange happened in order to keep it a surprise for the ladies in the group. I chose a few themes for some of the small group exchanges that we call "smack-downs", but the main theme of this exchange was "The Darkside" in view of Halloween festivities.  Today I'll share the main theme and I will follow up with the rest of the ACT themes in the next few posts (the other themes included childhood, fears, T.V. and dreams.)

And what did I think about when I began to figure out what to create with the main theme?  The Music of the Night, of course!  Phantom of the Opera, one of my favorite musicals.

So this is my ATC...and this time I wanted to throw in there a little hybrid project so I started with this...

THE PROCESS

The main photo is a picture of a red rose I took a while back.

Then, in Photoshop, I added several layers and overlays using images from the musical Phantom of the Opera that I found on line. 

I had fun playing with all the images. No specific route here. Just a little here and there.

Then, I flattened the image and framed it with a small white and black border. I then added the words.

After I was happy with the result, I thought it was ready to be printed, I created a 12 x 12 digital page to incorporate several mini versions of this 12 x 12 picture.  Nine mini versions to be exact. It looks something like this:

After I got this final set. I e-mailed it to my dear friends at Wolf Camera so that they could print three 6 x 6 prints of this final page.

I later cut each individual picture into a 2 x 2 mini square and matted each of them in slightly bigger black card-stock.

I stamped the red ATC cards (size 3 1/2 by 2 1/2 with a music background stamp design. and added an additional piece of gold paper.

And the final product is here:

I made 27 of these little guys. Most of them for the swap, but I did make a few extra for a fun giveaway here in my blog.

I will be giving away three of these as a RAK (random act of kindness.) 

All you have to do is leave a comment sharing the name of your most favorite musical of all time and I'll put all the comments in a hat and have my daughter pick a winner on Sunday night.

I'd love to hear about your favorite musicals!  :)