I am back!

I want to begin by apologizing for my absence during the last 2 weeks.  I was in College Station and in the Dallas - Ft. Worth areas of Texas celebrating birthdays and the 4th of July with my family.  I was so busy, I didn't have much time to work on my artwork or do much blogging.  In addition, I've had several home projects to work on since I got back.  Thank God, I was able to get enough art work done to warrant a post today.


Before I left on my trip, I did have a chance to make a couple of tags for my daughters' two grandmothers whose birthdays we celebrated during the trip.  I designed the balloon tag to coordinate with the gift wrapping paper.  I began by making a tag card out of kraft paper using a guillotine paper cutter and a corner rounder punch.  Then, I cut a red Tim Holtz mini ticket and a teal green strip to use on the background.  I punched 3 balloons and decorated them with a heart, a party hat, and letters to spell the word "mom."  I tied some thread to the bottom of each balloon, gathered the ends, and glued them under the stamped "celebrate" label.  Inside the tag I hand lettered the sentiment with some paint markers.  To finish my tag, I punched a hole on the top and tied some raffia.  I am submitting this tag and gift wrap to Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge: A Little StampingJen Price's In the Studio, and Manon Visser's Paper Saturdays.



During my trip, I did manage to visit a couple of book and art supplies stores; I work in my art journal once; and I took morning walks almost daily.  Being an artsy introvert who likes to stay fit, these little escapades were of utmost importance.  My art journal page was inspired by Jessica Sporn's page on The Secret Garden, which I pinned here.  My design is a combination between hand lettering, doodling, paint dabbing, freehand cut paper flowers, a faux postcard, a faux stamp, and a Maryjo Koch fussy cut butterfly.  I am submitting the art journal page to Artists In Blogland: July's Color This QuoteOrder of the Opus Gluei #160: Pin It, Spin It, Win ItInspiration Avenue - Words.  The photograph, which I took at a flowerbed by my oldest daughter's apartment, has an interesting collection of mushrooms.  For some reason I'm fascinated by them.  I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photo Project: Gallery 12 {This is what I found}, Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #46, and Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday.



During the last couple of days I designed and illustrated the two pieces above for my Tag Tuesday post.  The bookmark tag was inspired by the Biblical passage found in Revelations 1:8, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."  However, I substituted the Greek letter Omega (Ω) for the letter "Z," which is the last letter in the alphabet used in the English language.  I am submitting it to Jennifer McLean's Artist's Playroom #65 - Bookmarks,  Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #88ABC Wednesday: Z, and Ramona's Inspire Me Monday Week 80.  The face changing puppet tag was inspired by Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, the classic Italian fairytale about the puppet-boy whose nose grows if he tells a lie.  By rotating the head piece, Pinocchio's truthful and deceitful expressions can be revealed.  I am submitting this piece to Artists in Blogland: Show & Tell SaturdayJulia Dunnit's What's on your work desk? Wednesday #214Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday: Week 18 - Year 3, and Alexandra's Sunday Sketches.

I hope you enjoyed my simple collection of art projects this week.  Thanks for coming back to visit, and hope you take the time to leave a comment.  Blessings!

Comments

Joyfulartist said…
I love your lettering on your projects. Not one of my talents so I admire yours.
Lou Anne Hazel said…
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Isn't it funny how much we find we need to do during our "summer vacation?" I'm glad you were able to spend time with family and enjoy yourself.
April said…
As always your art is lovely. I hope you enjoyed your travel. Your birthday tags turned out beautifully.
April #107
Barb Cady said…
As ever an interesting post with such a variety of art. Sounds like you had a busy but loving family time, hope you get a peaceful interlude too, before you return to work so you can recharge your batteries! By the way, I find mushrooms intriguing too, great to paint!
Jackie said…
It is good to take time out and spend with family and friends
It is often the inspiration for our work
How nice you made the tags to match the paper
Jackie15
Spyder said…
I think my favourite is the triangle and the lovely pictures of the toadstools! Have a great crafty week!! HappY WOyWw

((Lyn))#11
Ah, the END of this journey, and the beginning of the next.

ROG, ABCW
Visiting from IA...but enjoyed seeing all of your art. Always so colorful and well done. A vacation plus visiting art stores? It doesn't get better than that, does it?
Anonymous said…
I so agree with you! Mushrooms are so fascinating!
Francesca said…
Long time no see, but you have still been busy. Think your tags are fab. Blessings Francesca #44
Glad you had some creative time...so hard to achieve in the summer. The tags for the grandmother's are so wonderful with the balloons...love the insides of them. Good stamping everywhere. Thank you for stamping a little with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!
Tenia Nelson said…
Wonderful projects!!! Hope all is well.....
Kay Wallace said…
Perfect garden theme for your chosen excerpt from that beautiful quote! Well choreographed!
Krisha said…
Wonderful works, love the tag.
Krisha #5
Electra said…
I'm glad you are back Arnoldo and making glorious art once again! Of course, I love all your pieces, but your Pin It, Spin It and Win piece is my favorite. :-) Thank you for playing with us at Opus Gluei, we always love to see you link up with us.
bellefrogworks said…
Good to see you back - although visiting and celebrating with family is wonderful. Your photos and the secret garden page are lovely. I always enjoy seeing the terrific things you do with tags.
Meihsia Liu said…
Love your beautiful projects. The colors are just so delightful. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says stamp and Show this week. :)
TwinkleToes2day said…
Wonderfully artful post Arnoldo. I always enjoy the tales that go along with each piece of art you do. Of these, I love Ponnochio the best, such a wonderful vintage style image. Have a wonderful weekend whatever you're doing :0)
Jo Ann said…
Hi Arnoldo...What a wonderful display of colors from all your projects and your Blog. Thanks for blessing us this week with your creation at Word Art Wednesday. Hugs and blessings!

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com
Anne said…
Such wonderful work. Anne x #50
Jana said…
I love the tag you made for you mom. It's so colorful and cheery. Perfect for a birthday gift. Your journal page is wonderful. Love the bits and pieces you added. Isn't it wonderful how we can make things our own from someone else's beautiful creations!!!
Thanks so much for being such a wonderful participant with us at OPUS GLUEI.
DVArtist said…
Nice you to see you back with all your beautiful tags. They are really lovely.
Nicole/Beadwright
GlorV1 said…
Hi Arnoldo. What wonderful work you do Very creative. Nice that you were able to spend some time with family. Love that secret garden.:)Thank you.
Gloria
my new blog:
http://shininglife1.blogspot.com/
Christine said…
beautiful tags this week Arnold!
Lynn Cohen said…
Always fun to see your art! We were traveling at the same time! ;-) HPPF !
Anne Manda said…
Love your tags, looks wonderful attached to the wrapped present! Really like all your work, but my this weeks favorites are the happy and summery mixed media piece and the original bookmark!
denthe said…
Well, you still got a lot done! Love those birthday-tags!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful bookmarks and fine presents. I'd like to have one :-)
sharon said…
Love love your puppet tags, all of your wrk this week is very colorful. Blessings.
Netty said…
sounds as if you had a wonderful vacation and am loving all your various projects, Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
Valerie-Jael said…
Lots of beautiful work this week! Saludos, Valerie
Ayala Art said…
Like always, great selection and variety of art pieces! I think my favorite is the photo just because I love mushrooms :o)
Abela said…
The vacation days are always useful to return refreshed and with new inspirations, great. Saludos
Paula (PEP) said…
Glad that all is well. It's your mushroom photo that catches my attention together with the Alpha & Omega tag (your interpretation is a very interesting slant on the original, funnily I have an Omega drawn out on a work in progress project & have had In the beginning was the WORD from John's Gospel in my head together with the act of Creation..........
It's the mushrooms with those leaves that 'sing' the glory of His creation........ Glad you found some space for your own nurturing too..........
Paula (PEP)
Jez said…
Every one of your artworks is a work of art. I very much appreciate the quote on the butterfly piece. The mushrooms look like flowers- beauty in fungus.
My absolute favourite is your Pinochio paintings. A very enjoyable post.
maria said…
The tags are so pretty. I like the mushroom shot too. Hope you had a wonderful time during your trip. Have a great weekend.
Giggles said…
I love your lettering...very beautiful...sounds like loads on your plate. I think your summer will fly by! Enjoy!

Hugs Giggles
Linda Kunsman said…
sounds like you enjoyed your time away very much. Love your collection of art-the tags and pkgs are definitely festive and your garden piece is beautiful. I like checking out mushrooms too :):)
Jen Price said…
Dallas! You were in my birthplace! Love how the tag makes the gift so beautiful!
PiaRom said…
wonderful to hear you had a great time! I love the bold and fun tags so much this week! and of course the incredible mushrooms ♥♥♥ I am a big fan too and your shot is very lovely ♥ Conny
http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de
Ida said…
How wonderful that you were able to spend time with family and friends. That is way more important then blogging (not that we don't need our creative outlet).
Your artwork is always a pleasure to see but today I really like the OYGIF Mushroom shot.
Unknown said…
As I was admiring your artwork, I was thinking "I hope he's going to link that piece to artists in blogland," and then you did! It's beautiful. Happy PPF!
Anonymous said…
For someone who was away you were certainly busy. Thoughtful and meaningful work as always...xox
Lmkazmierczak said…
"Simple Art Projects"!! To me they are complex masterpieces♫ Always enjoy visiting, Happy creating....My Orange: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/water-globes/
SAMARA said…
Hi Arnoldo: That is so incredibly kind of you to think beyond the box of your own busy life and plans to make gifts for not your own immediate cubs but their extended fam. I think this type of thoughtfulness makes such a wonderful world for us to live in and know your kindness affects me way over here in Toronto = it can't help but and I am very grateful to you for that. I just love the colors you have used, the shapes of your other work and the words you consistently use. It is so obvious you are faithful to all you love. HeArtfully Yours, Samara
Gloria j Zucaro said…
Love seeing your fruitful imagination at work Arnoldo. This week I especially love your triangular-shaped bookmark tag I love the color and shapes in it. I also love the photograph of the mulch mushrooms. I too love mushrooms, they seem like little aliens to me, so delicate but sometimes deadly! Thank you for commenting on my blog.
I've finally nailed what it is that sets your art apart form all the rest, Arnoldo! It is how each piece of your art tells a story, and shows such personality. I've always known that great thought goes into your work, but I finally realized that it's the story each piece tells that really makes each one so very special. You, and your art, are such a blessing to me and I'm always SO very grateful for your participation in our challenges as well as for all your encouraging comments. God has blessed me with such great friends in this craft, and I praise Him and thank Him for YOU!
Thanks for stopping by this week, and may God bless you!
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Ivy said…
Wonderful projects and so glad you had a nice trip. HPPF!
Ritu Dua said…
The post with all those incredible art pieces is truly wonderful...Each piece is a true reflection of the person you are...love every bit of it !!
lorik said…
I enjoyed your post - most of all I like the image of your daughters garden - those mushrooms and golden leaves are beautiful - a golden pattern. Thank you so much for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Debbie said…
These are very lovely and super creative! Thanks for sharing.
manomij said…
We missed you and it is lovely to cath up with you. Wonderful work, I hope those tags get saved and treasured. See you next Saturday Arnaldo, keep well!
ManonX
Lisabella Russo said…
Beautiful, positive works! Sometimes life gets busy, but you've been doing such lovely pieces! I love the mushroom photograph too...
Kate Robertson said…
Tags look so fun. The lettering you do is great.
Holidays seem to stimulate and get us going and you have certainly made up for a two week absence!Your secret garden is mysterious and charming.
Beautiful work! Happy Sunday Sketches!
Leovi said…
Bonitos diseños inspirados en el principio y fin!
Liz said…
Pretty tags. Happy MOM.

Liz (yacb)
Borqna said…
Wonderful post! Excellent art work!
I really like your tags!
You always have new ideas and manage to surprise us.
Great feast for the eyes and soul! Thank you!
Successful new week!
Winnie said…
Glad you are having a great summer and enjoyed your trip! Summer is having a slow down on my work as I don't do well in the heat. I picked up an portable a/c for my stamp room on Sat, so I finally started working in there! Love your tags that matched the wrapping. Your Pinocchio won my heart as soon as I saw it (I have a cookie jar from when I was 5 many decades ago!) of Pinocchio from my mom. 40 + years later his hat had been repaired over and over, but he is too dear to toss, I keep tea in him now. The picture of the mushrooms is amazing. They are pretty shaped! Enjoy the week!
Chat Noir said…
Ah-ha! Another person who falls for a mushroom...I find myself lying in some very odd places while I try and catch just the right angle to photograph these crazy fungi. Loving the stories that you weave around your work - thank you for playing with us at Opus Gluei.
Anna-Karin said…
It sounds like a wonderful trip! Gorgeous post again. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!
Tam Hess said…
You have so much to share! Awesome...I love the wrapping paper and tag especially. I bet your grandmothers were thrilled.
Belos trabalhos...Espectacular...
Cumprimentos
Christine said…
lovely work this week for the challenges!

http://www.cmlk79.blogspot.ca/2013/07/sunday-sketches-summer-of-color-candy.html
Create With Joy said…
Congrats! You're beautiful art has been featured this week at Inspire Me Monday at

Create With Joy
http://create-with-joy.com

(I featured my favorite piece!)
Bella Cirovic said…
Thank you for sharing your lovely finds!
Winnie said…
You are really a very talented artist!!