GRATEFUL FOR FAMILY

My newest ATC card....I took several photos of my family..overlapped them and added/pasted/drew on
words and lil symbols that describe how grateful I am for them.
Mary Ann at HANDMADE MONDAY is having a challenge this week called "Gratitude".
I got to thinking about it and the above ATC card is saying it all for me.
I could have covered it with more words and symbols but simply put they are my strength, they complete my life...they are what makes my world perfect!
I would not be the person I am today without them...So for me - family is my greatest GRATITUDE...the one thing that God gave me in a true miracle - they complete my circle of life - everything else is a bonus!!!
Looking at their eyes...instantly fills my heart with Joy and brings the fondest of memories for me. There is nothing more I could ever ask for! They fill my life full of unending Love, Joy, Laughs, Compassion, Grey Hairs, Compromises, Sacrifices, and no matter what - they are there for me - and I am there for them...Isn't that all that matters?
At every opportunity - I truly make an effort to tell them all the things I Love about them and how grateful I am that they are the LOVES of my Life. I don't need jewelry or high tech toys or money...a HUG from them is what gives me life...allows me to take another breath and feel fulfilled.
So this is my entry for GRATITUDE....and my entry for Day 18 of AEDM.
Thanks For Looking!!!

ALTERING PHOTO CHALLENGE

My friend Anke offers challenges in her blog called CREATIVE SPIRITS CONNECT.
I have wanted to participate...the last challenge is altering photos...but my photos are all
digital..I don't have them printed out...so I could not figure out how I was going to participate in this challenge. Then today it came to me - (I seem to be running on slow as far as my thinking goes) I can manipulate my photo in paint shop pro and see what I come up with. (I don't think Anke was thinking digitally) But I played around with filters I have never used before and the above are the results...I know the photo is small and you cannot see all the details - sorry...I am just going to leave it like that because
I don't want to mess up anything...but I had fun!!!
The picture is of my three kids during a visit in April 2007.
So this is my answer to the challenge...Thanks for Looking!!!

FRAGMENTED ROSE - LOOKING FOR INPUT

I was able to finish this digital painting in time enough for today....a rose is a rose is a rose...
I really think I have a thing for roses.
I like it except for the lil white around the green leaves...it was suppose to be the peach fuzz sort of thing...but I just could not get it any more tighter....now if the image was only a thumbnail, it would look perfect.
But in general I do like the way it turned out!
I have a couple of questions to just throw out there to all of you - let me know if you
have an opinion about them:
Do you feel obligated to leave a comment when you visit a blog?
If you have a blog - Do you want people to comment?
Do you blog for yourself or for others or a combination of both?
If NO ONE ever commented on your blog - would you still write in it faithfully?
If someone comments on your blog - do you feel obligated to go to their blog (if they have one) and leave a comment out of courtesy?
I have read in several blogs - this same dilemma going on...this same burning question
being asked in different forms...so I want to know how you all feel.
Thanks for any input you may have...
My fragmented rose is my entry for Day 17 of AEDM.
Thanks for Looking!!!

MY FIRST MANDALA

Well I went ahead and did it...I created my own MANDALA...I have seen these wonderful objects in several blogs and decided to try it out(they are definitely things that have been inspiring me this past month)....I have to fix my printer so I could not print out a template that I have of a premade mandala (uncolored) so I designed my own in paint shop pro and colored it in digitally....I wanted to use bright colors to attract ones' attention. I am also still
playing with the concept of lines and circles...so this is what I made...one of my most favorite shapes is stars...so of course I had to put one in...it made me smile when I was done because
of all the bright colors...a bit crude in the creation of it...but I think a darn good try for a first time.
I also updated my everyday blog - would love for you all to go check it out...it is an interesting entry to say the least...the words just flowed!
ELLIE'S CRAZY LIFE!!!
So my mandala is my entry for Day 16 of AEDM.
Thanks for Looking!!!!

MILE MARKER OF A POST

Today is a day of mile markers for me....First this is my 100th post in blogger...
Makes me feel good...that I have actually posted that much artwork (a couple of contests in between but majority is my artwork). What a great feeling of accomplishment!
Second and more importantly...the above digital painting is my entry for Day 15 of AEDM.
WOW - 15 days straight of posting creations....it makes me feel like I have acutally accomplished a good thing..a postive thing...that it has brought me to a new level...I am shooting for 21 days of entering artwork...some sort of creation. I learned long ago, in a class, that anyting you do for 21 days straight is officially a habit...it is ingrained in your being to do it..to keep going with it...
so I have 6 more days to go...that is my next goal...6 more creations...no matter what they
are...just 6 more days!!!
I am PROUD of myself. I have met some AWESOME people through the blog world
that create, share their ideas, talk about their art world, their inspirations and experiments...
it really has opened up a new world for me...it has forced me to come out of my protective world just a lil bit more. It has forced me to try and leave a comment in their blogs and not fear being rejected for doing so.
Yes I do feel sometimes still that people will reject me in some way, shape or form. But for right now I am OK...I have made it another day. This is a beautiful thing!
All these Mile Markers make me feel Brave...WOW...and I am OK!
The digital painting above is a macroshot of a pink flower..I love the colors in it...
It may not be perfect but it made me smile..feel good...so that is all that matters right now!
Thanks for stopping by and Looking!!!

VINTAGE PIECES

Yesterday was a bit of a downer for me...I did not want to let go of my son when it was time
for him to leave...I truly felt my heart cry...
I created the above ATC card using some vintage images that I had...it is nice just not
exactly the look I was going for but then again...I just let the flow go and this is what
came up..I am ok with it...of course I could not leave it alone - I wanted to
make it look like it was made on canvas so I used some filters and that is the look below that I got:

This is my entry for Day 14 of AEDM...still kicking...lol
Thanks for stopping by and Looking!!!

SWEET INSPIRATON

Today is going to be very emotionally draining for me so I wanted to get this posted
before I have to deal with the rest of the day....my son is deploying out in a few hours and
I can feel my heart already breaking..
I was not in the most creative moods but I put together the above ATC card for Day 13 of AEDM. It is simple....I like the light colors in it....
Thanks For Looking!!!

CELEBRATE FALL

Sunday was an emotional rollercoaster here at the old homestead.
My son is home from the army just long enough to say Good Bye before he deploys out.
We will not be seeing him for two years as it stands now..(hopefully that will change with time),If you want to read about my daily life...I do have an every day blog here:-->ELLIE'S CRAZY LIFE
So I only had a few moments today to create or think about being creative...so I created the above ATC card in celebration of Fall...I needed something to brighten my day, and easy to put together because time is limited right now. This is my Day 12 entry for AEDM and also an entry for HANDMADE MONDAY (creative prompt is easy peasy), because it only took me about 20-25 minutes to create the card.
I think I will also be doing something else for easy peasy...but for now this is what I have.
I like the ATC card...the warm colors and simplicity make me feel good and peaceful!
Thanks For Looking!!!

FRIENDS - DOTS AND LINES

I have so much to say in this entry....hope you are ready for it!!!
First I did this ATC card inspired by and dedicated to my dear Friend Anke....She has always encouraged me
and has been so kind to me...click HERE to check out her art blog..She spoke in one entry about
dots and lines...creating with those elements...so I have kept that in the back of my mind and
came up with the above card....I like the bright colors in it...and the simplicity. THANKS ANKE for always making me feel good about creating!!!
Now the next news is that someone sent me a comment..and they said I "inspired them" OMG...
I cried....I have been searching and reading and researching all kinds of art blogs and inspirational web pages..just trying to get ideas...get motivated...discover what appeals to me
to pursue!!! Then low and behold...some wonderful person sends me a message saying that my digital paintings inspire them...I am so very honored and filled with a renewed sense of creating
because in the first 10 days of creating art...SO MANY positive things have happened to me
and I now know I am NOT alone in A LOT of my feelings of doubt and fear and apprehension but also that there are SO MANY supportive individuals out there who are total strangers but now kindred spirits and friends who encourage me....I AM BLESSED!!!
Hearing that I inspire someone makes me realize that it is OK to move on to the next
level and pursue further where my creative muse takes me...I still have so many ideas
swirling around my head...I do know for sure that one of the next steps is that
I want to open my own etsy shop. This will be a HUGE step for me...I am terrified...scared I will not sell anything...but my Hunnie (Bless His Heart) says it is ok if I don't because just
giving it a try is what is important and he is so right!!!
So I need to really read all I can on the Etsy shops (I have read a lot already but I want to be sure I understand everything) and get some things together to
put in it and I will let you all know when I have things set up. If anyone has any suggestions or helpful tips about the etsy shops PLEASE let me know...I welcome any and all help!

So that is all the news that is fit to print at this time....thanks for reading all about it and thanks for checking out my Day 11 entry for AEDM.
BTW---I want to especially THANK all of you that leave comments on my blog here...
Your messages really fill my heart with such happiness and truly that is saying A TON if you just
knew how hard to was to get to this point in my life...so please know that you have lifted
my inner soul and creative muse to a much better place!
PEACE

WHIMSY

This is a double entry for me today....This is an ATC card I did with a whimsical theme to it for
HANDMADE MONDAY....the creative prompt was "whimsy"...I do like the way it
turned out.
It is also my entry for Day 10 for AEDM.
10 days of being Creative...and so far I am ok...this is a good and Brave thing!!
Thanks for looking!!!

ORANGE ROSE

This is a simple but beautiful orange rose upclose and personal.
I think this is one of my favorites...I so love the colors in it.
I digitally painted this one and I like the way it turned out.
The colors remind me of warmth and comfort...
YAY - this is my entry for Day 9 of AEDM.
Thanks for looking!!!!

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY

5 Minutes For Mom is having another FANTASTIC give-a-way...
Actually several give-a-ways right before the Christmas holiday season..
It promises to be full of fun things to add to your Christmas present wish list...
So stop by their site and check it all out!!! The first contest is already up!

SHOPPING QUEEN

The above is an ATC card I made in dedication to shopping...I love it.
It is the first time I have ever used a black background...not too sure about it.
Then of course I could not leave well enough alone so I decided to manipulate the card
digitally with some filters in psp and these were the results:

This one above I used inverted hues...interesting I guess...
then:

Now this filter was a fractal mirror sort of filter...I like it because it almost makes
it look like a playing card...
Well those are my entries for Day 8 of AEDM.
So far so good!
Thanks for looking!!!!!

MOOD PHASES

I know I already have an entry today for AEDM but I wanted to play with a photo
today and see what I could do with it....
Here are my results:It is a picture of my daughter manipulated and colorized with several filters
until I got the effects that I liked.
This was fun...thanks for looking!!!

WILD ROSE BUD

Here is a rose bud I digitally painted....It turned out okay...still working on the lil details.
I love the faint purple in the background...and of course like I have said before
I love roses...
This is my entry for Day 7 of AEDM (art every day month). So far one week
has gone by and I have kept up...that is saying alot...the last 36 hours have been emotionally
draining for me...still fighting the darkness in my mind...but that is 7 days of Being Brave..
7 Straight days of being creative...7 days of keeping a positive promise to myself...
7 days of showing my art work and nothing bad has happened.
These are all good things!
Thanks for looking!!!

AUTUMN CROCUS

I stayed up until 4:30 this morning digitally painting this beautiful flower.
I was so determined to enter it today as my day 6 of AEDM. I do like the way it
turned out. I also happen to LOVE the color purple...
Thanks for looking!!

CARING

Here is my art work for day 5 of ART EVERY DAY OF THE MONTH...
I digitally created this ATC card from vintage graphics and such that I have.
Of course I had to play with the image and so the next picture...I played with a filter called
crumbled and this is the look I got....

I like the way they came out....and again..since I created it - I wanted to show it.
Thanks for Looking!!!!

DUO COLOR ROSE AND BEING BRAVE

Here is my art for today...this took me two and a half days to complete...I was struggling
with all the lil details...that is one thing that still needs working on...but I like the way it
turned out...love roses! I painted this digitally from a photo I received in a group I belong to.
I just realized that I have been doing a brave thing every day without even realizing it...
I have been creating AND sharing my artwork freely with strangers in other groups
that I just joined...displaying my art in different flickr groups...this is a HUGE step for me
because I just never feel like my work is good enough to show others...but I have taken these
steps and so far so good!
WOW...this BE BRAVE thing is cool....
Thanks for looking!!!

BELIEVE ATC AND I SIGNED UP

Okay - I did it....I signed up for Create Art Every Day... I know I said

I would join next year...but there are no guarantees of where life will be by then..
and my creative "juices" and ideas are running now...so I took a deep breath in and signed up.
Since I have been creating everyday anyway...I am caught up with everyone else...
Here is the blog badge from the challenge:

You can click on the graphic and it will take you there...I was kind of scared to sign up because
I really do not feel like what I create is worthy of what I see others do...but I am jumping
in with both feet and we will see where I land.
Here is what I created today...


This is another ATC card I created digitally...I like the colors...so I played with some filters
in paint shop pro and inverted the colors...and this is what it looks like:


I like the colors inverted and darkened...so there you go...my creations for today!
Thanks for looking!

HEARTIE

Long time since I have made an ATC (artist trading card) so I played around
digitally and this is what I created:
I used tubes and such that are shares in groups I belong to and played.
It does not necessarily have to stand for something or have a theme...
they are just mini canvases to create on...3.5 x 2.5
Mini collages to express oneself..or just to create.
I think I am much more creative digitally...but I am trying to create without my computer.
November is Create Art Everyday Month...I did not join the trend because
it seems that when I commit myself - I chicken out stressing myself.
But I am trying it on my own...and maybe next year I will feel comfortable enough
with my art to join it.
Thanks for looking!!!!

PROMPT CHALLENGE - WHAT'S LEFT

The first Prompt Challenge over at Handmade Monday was "What's Left" So I made this collage using my scraps of asian stuffies. Thanks for looking -

SIMPLE PINK ROSE

A simple Pink rose I digitally painted....definitely some imperfections, but
I do like how some petals look like they are facing downward on the edges and I love the colors
including some of the shadows.
I painted it...so I am showing it!
Thanks for stopping by and looking!!!

RETRO COLLECTABLE GIVE-A-WAY

5 MINUTES FOR MOM is having a WONDERFUL give-a-way...
a retro pedal car. It is perfect the 2-4 year old in your life.
Or you can take a gift certificate equal in value ($179) and pick out something
from "Pedal Cars & Retro Collectables"
Things like a Coke Classic Picnic Cooler or a Crosley CR89 Traveler Stack-O-Matic (a record player)
All you have to do is leave a comment at the 5 MINUTES FOR MOM site and see if you win.
Check It Out For Yourself!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

I just wanted to wish everyone a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN...hope
you all get lots of goodies.

SIZZLE PINK ROSE

Here is a pink and white rose I digitally painted...I like the colors in it...
turned out fair...and since I created it of course I will show it!
Thanks for looking!

RED TRILLIANS AND MORE

Before I show you my latest digital painting...as you may or may not have noticed I changed the look of my art blog. I just had to...the other one made my blog feel dull and disconnected to who I am...(does that make sense?) I like colors to jump out and pop so I figured with a white background and coloring in everything else and the colors of my art would make it more interesting and appealing. Let me know what you think...I am always up to suggestions.
Today was a GREAT day because my daughter and husband did the grocery shopping (as usual) but the best part is my daughter brought home a new art journal for me to start and several
blank flat canvases of different sizes and acrylic paints. WOW...I am really excited.
Of course my head just started going crazy about ideas...she also bought us some composition notebooks...she said we could decorate them and make them journals for others. (you gotta love the kid)
So now I have a bit more to be creative with....


I believe the flower is called red trillian...but I am not sure...someone in a group I belong to
send the photo to the group and this is what I did...painted it digitally.
It reminds me of Christmas...
Thanks for Looking!

A NEW BLOG TO DISCOVER

A fellow Blogger by the name of Maryann has a blog called Follow Your Bliss.
I just love reading her blog....NOW she has added on to her blog world and has started another blog called:
HANDMADE MONDAY
The purpose is to bring together artisans that create with their hands.
She will put out the call with a particular theme and then you can participate with
a handmade creation with that theme in mind...
There is more info about this great blog so just hop on over there and check it out
for yourself!

TWIN ANEMONES

Well these did not turn out the way I wanted but since I did make it I thought
I would share it!
Thanks for looking!

SERENITY ROSE

Here is a rose I painted digitally from of course another photo that someone sent me.
I like the neutral tones and the softness...I know it can be better...
but since this is just a way of me keeping my head busy and feeling creative...I love it!
Thanks for looking!

ALL TOGETHER NOW

I thought I had already uploaded this one to this blog--but I guess I missed it.
This is a page I did of my daughter sort of "buried" under a few of our dogs when she
tried to lay down in my recliner and take a nap...of course the dogs did not want her to be
lonely so they joined her...
Just too cute!!!
Thanks for Looking!

BLOG BADGE

Well I noticed in my blog hopping this past week that a lot of peeps have badges for
their blogs/websites..that people can save to their computer and use on their pages.
So I thought I would make my own blog badge...I like the way it came out...
The black background made the colors pop...I tried transparent and white and the colors
and wording get lost...so I guess a black background it is.
This is 150x150....I thought the size was ok...any smaller and things get too blurry..
well thanks for looking...let me know what you think!
Peace

ONE THING - BE BRAVE

The above image refers to a project called "Be Brave Project"
It is to do something that scares you...I really do not think I could do the project
justice by trying to explain it here...so I invite you to go to the site by clicking on the graphic
and checking it out for yourself.
I think it is an awesome concept and I will let you know what I did to be Brave!

CREATE A CONNECTION

I have come across (after much blog hopping) several GREAT blogs, web sites, craft stores that
have really encouraged me to take my art to the next level...they have pushed those creative
ideas to the forefront...ideas are just swirling around in my head...
A great place that I have discovered - at least as a base to meet up with, other creative minds
is the Create A Connection..
I have been playing around with digital painting because it was new to me....I love digital
scrapbooking because I love saving those moments in pictures and words...
but I have always been drawn to altered arts, collages, a free feeling creative outlet that has
always been deep inside me...
Now that the weather has cooled down...I can finally get my craft room back in order and get
back to my passion.
Anyway--I encourage you to click on the above graphic and check out the site...at the site - on the left side is a whole list of other artists in their own right that you will surely find inspiration and ideas from.
You just never know what may spark your muse!
PEACE!!!

FLOWER POSTERS

The above poster is a digital painting I did from a photo and then put it in
a poster form (like the kind you find in the stores) I softened the look of the flower because
it had a lot of hard lines...I like the look of the colors against the black background.

The above poster is also a digital painting I did and put it in poster
form...the black background makes the colors pop.
Thanks For Looking!

A PRINCESS ROSE

I so love the color of this rose--it is called a princess rose...saw
the photo on the internet and just had to give it a try and digitally paint it.
Thanks for looking!!!

PROFESSIONAL PHOTO BOOK GIVE A WAY

5 Minutes For Mom is having another FANTASTIC Give-A-Way....
This time it is a PROFESSIONAL PHOTO BOOK....a great way to help scrap bookers
to display their photos and share their memories...
Definitely check out this contest...all you have to do is sing their comment section and you are in for the raffle....
Good Luck!!!!

PAINTED COLUMBINE FLOWER

Another beautiful photo that I came across on the internet and decided
to digitally paint it...I do like the way it came out--I really like the purple blue color
of the flower.
thanks for looking!!!

CASIO DIGITAL CAMERA GIVE-A-WAY

5 Minutes For Mom Site
is having another Give-A-Way.....
This one is a Casio Digital Camera...designed in Pink with a case--to raise awareness
for Breast Cancer---since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month..
So go check out 5 Minutes For Mom Site and sign the comment section...
and you are automatically entered for this great prize.

CRANE CLOSE UP

I like the pink in the flower compared to the green background...
I found this photo on the internet-I love the colors....so I digitally painted it...
Thanks for looking!!

BIG SUNFLOWER HALF

I found a photo on the internet and just had to try and digitally paint it...
Here are my results....I like the way the petals look like they have texture...it was fun!!!

BIG GIVE-A-WAY ~~ WD PORTABLE HARD DRIVE

WOWOWOWOW----5 Minutes For Mom is having yet another Give-a-way...
This is FANTASTIC....they are giving away a Western Digital Portable Hard Drive...
What a great device to say your photos and blogs and digital scrap booking pages on a hard drive
just dedicated to saving those precious things....they are giving-a-way 3 of them...
So come join the give-a-way and you might be lucky enough to win one...they also come in different colors...
Check it out for yourself-at-5 Minutes For Mom Site!

TWO PAGE LAYOUT OF BIG MOMMA

Here are two pages of a layout I did of BIG MOMMA mowing the grass.
It was alot of fun....

DYSON VACUUM GIVE-A-WAY

5 Minutes For Mom are having another fantastic give-a-way...
This time it is a Dyson Vacuum...Pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness...
For every vacuum sold Dyson is donating $40 to Breast Cancer Awareness. HOWEVER--
One vacuum is going to be given away for free---so check out 5 Minutes For Mom
and enter the give-a-way!

BIG PINK DAISY

I digitally painted this using a photo I found on the internet....the water drops
did not come out as well as I had hoped but I like the look...
thanks for checking it out!!!

PARROT TULIP

I tried my hand at painting a parrot tulip...used a photo I found on the internet...
It could use some touch up...but I think it is ok...