Too Easy?

Yes....but sometimes easy is a good thing. 

I love the tall grass around my condo in the fall when they bloom and turn golden yellow! 

I have them in several places!

I put together a little bundle of torn paper flower materials for Lily in Alaska. She's going to host a project with her art group...or maybe her quilting group....and wondered if I would help. Of course I would.

I assembled colorful papers...including greens for leaves and stems. Then I found a package of grassy napkins in my stash and thought they would make simple backgrounds....and they worked like a dream. Almost too easy.....but sometimes....simple and easy can be a good thing. 

After separating the ply....they became quite translucent when glued on with medium and I love how the words from this recycled greeting card comes right through. I do wish I could have added a more prominent stem for the flower. 

I included plenty of greens for making stems and leaves the old fashioned way...but also included a couple napkins for my easy shortcut. 

The bundle has almost all the makings for torn paper flowers....along with several inspiration tags. It's all now in the hands of the post office as it make its way from the coast of Maine....to the coast of Alaska. 

More grass in the front yard....simple and easy fall decoration!

Golden Oldie

I reinvented a golden oldie today. I got email through the blog from Avigayil. She saw my posts about my torn paper collage kits and wanted to know where she could buy them. I haven't done them since 2022...but that didn't mean I couldn't do them again. 

A project I did for Alyson several years ago.

I told her I would would make her a kit if she paid for shipping and possibly donate a little extra for Maine Needs. Turns out she wanted two kits...and they will make their way to Israel...via a shipper she uses in Florida. 

I spent a good chunk of the afternoon making two little piles of gelli print scraps and metallic accent papers. The pile also includes two blank cards and a few substrates and accent papers for mounting. I also printed a couple more copies of my zine with the directions/guidelines. I made a little tag as a sample...and am including a little calling card.  I'll bundle it all up and get it on its way on Monday.

My purpose is still hidden in my joy.

I'm not sure I'm done with these....they might need a few touches of gold.

Connections Continued

Subtitle: We Get to Choose!

Happy Earth day! 

I thought Earth Day was a good day to share this torn paper rainbow garden I made this for Paul's sister Alyson's birthday back in 2020. It's one of my favorites! 

I offered to pay for the shipping on The Traveling Flowers from Pennsylvania....but Cherie made a counter offer I couldn't refuse: buy something for Maine Needs. So that's what I did. 

I had a little money from other donations so was able to buy two sets of new sheets. And I'm tickled that I found floral sheets as a nod to The Traveling Flowers. Speaking of the flowers....they've been siting on the coffee table for a few days....I think I'll audition them in a new space tomorrow. 

The Connections Continued! 

A few days ago I got an email from Linda who was the recipient of the first blue and white journal giveaway. She sent me several photos of how she is making her journal her own...adding quotes and snippets and I loved seeing what she had done. I especially loved this quote she added: Every moment of every day we get to choose who we will be. 

A few days ago the grounds crew was in our condo association doing some mulching and other spring chores.  As soon as I knew the crew was coming I made a quick trip to the store and scrambled to make chocolate chip cookies....Jane's special recipe with ground oatmeal. There were seven different workers around the condo...and they were so appreciative! 

I told Paul that I really liked being that person who baked cookies for workers taking care of our property. Every moment we get to choose who we want to be.

Julie shared a delightful post about her colorful joy journal and all the ways she is adding to it. It's so much fun to see these journals in action! 

I was tickled to see this image along the side of her blog....I was drawn to the same image when I saw it. I think there are lots of us get sad if we don't make stuff. We get to choose to be makers!

USPS Leg

It rained all day today....but as the saying goes...April shower bring May flowers. But we have moved on from purple crocus to yellow daffodils...and they stood tall by the pond yesterday.

And that got me thinking about the torn paper flowers I used to make during lockdown....

which included a loose interpretation of daffodils. 

Once I started making theses little flower gardens...I couldn't stop. 

I enjoyed tearing the wonky bits of paper and layering them into a bloom. 

So I just kept making them....and sent dozens of cards as a way to spread some joy and connect during that difficult time of isolation. I adored these little collage gardens...so I'm going to play around with them again.

This was a quick little experiment today....It will take me a few tries to get into my groove. 

This time...I'm going to play around with vessels.

I can't help but share the next leg of The Traveling Flowers journey while they are in the hands of the USPS. I was tickled that Cheri sent these photos along with the tracking number with....so I've been able to keep watch their progress.

I'm added the USPS leg of the journey in blue. They made one stop in Warrendale, PA....another in a distribution center in Southern Maine. The next stop will be the Portland Post office...then the condo!

Playing Around

I'm almost always playing around with something creative....even when I don't think I have time....there's always a few minutes somewhere in the day.

This morning I experimented weaving gelli print "edge" scraps together. To hold the papers in place I wove on top of a piece of fusible webbing....then all I had to do was give it a quick press.

I cut out some some flowers....now these little daisies can be fused onto something else once I peel off the paper backing.

Yesterday I played around for a few minutes doodling on a few gelli prints with my sewing machine and a paint pen. My intention is to cut it up and use it in collage.....I think the stichting will add interesting texture.

And I've been playing around with my strategy for this next puzzle.....hand painted Marvelous Minerals by Abigail Kramer. I enjoy following @twiggyabi on Instagram....Abigail is not only a talented artist but she enjoys finding interesting things in nature and making beautiful arrangements.  She has a fabulous vintage colored glass collection and takes us along on her thrifting trips looking for more. Abigail has a great sense of humor and her posts always make me smile. 

https://www.instagram.com/twiggyabi/

I finally have the pieces all sorted and decided to work from top to bottom putting the border together as I go. You know how I love things in rainbow order.

And I'm actually looking forward to the bottom rows...with just the tiny writing of all the names of the minerals.  

This is another one I ordered at the same time....and Margie had it finished on her board when I visited today. I'll look forward to playing around with this one too!

I Can Do This

A few days ago I experimented with a few flower motifs that were a little more collage-like...and painterly.  

The best thing about the torn paper technique is that the possibilities are endless...and it was exciting to watch 4 creative women find their own voice.

My first class at Handiwork....was just a delight....and I'm grateful to this first group who gave me a shot and have given me permission to share their work.

I can do this!

This was the set-up for the class....4 clean spaces around the table ready to go.  I love the potential of a clean table.....but prefer a messy one.

It didn't take long for the table to be full of color and creativity....just the way I like it. 

There was a good vibe in the room the whole time....light conversation and comfort in the silence. It was fun seeing what everyone else was doing....and we all came home with ideas. That's the nice thing about working in groups.

This colorful garden Jess made is going to be awesome all trimmed up.....

but it needed a little more drying time. 

I absolutely loved where Jess was going with this one....her finished card was stunning.  I'm so disappointed I forgot to take a photo. 

She did some cutting and tearing of her petals and I love her high contrast layered look.  I may borrow the idea! 

Jess...if you're reading this I would love it if you would send me a photo of your finished card using the contact option on the blog.  

I wish I would have gotten everyone's email.  So if you're reading this, feel free to contact me.

Nancy's leaves were playful....almost like they were dancing.

Nancy finished up with a landscape.....I love it!

Ida's used a limited but beautiful palette....a favorite of mine. 

Her finished flowers have a "poppy" feel....creative and fun.

Susan went for a full spectrum garden.

The time flew by.....but everyone had time to finish at least one card and start a second project. Students went home with one of my tags, a packet of papers with a direction booklet and had the opportunity to shop from my stash. 

There was interest in a follow-up class...especially on creating the painted papers and I'm already dreaming it up.  

I can do this!

Rose-Colored Glasses

"Life was so much more fun when she wore her rose-colored glasses." 

I recently came across this print....I've always loved it. Unfortunately I can't read the artists name...so I can't give credit.

I looked up the phrase "rose colored glasses" and these are some of the words that popped up: positive, cheerful, and optimistic.

I know it's important to see things as they are...and to be realistic. But sometimes it's also important to look on the bright side....even when there's also a bit of darkness. 

I'm going to frame it and hang it somewhere I'll see it every day.

I spent some time making tags today for my collage kits....and I especially like this one on the darker toned paper. 

I filmed a timelapse video making all the tags below....and you can see it if you scroll through this Instagram post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb29j-IJecO/

And here's a collage card I haven't shared that went to Margie....

it's the WHOLE crayon box.

Janet sent me this photo of her finished shade...I think it look great!  What a nice pop of color in her living room.  Well done Janet!