A Summery Post

Due to some rains this Summer, we've had average temperatures of 85˚ Fahrenheit (29˚ Celsius) in Del Rio, Texas, so it's been a little more bearable than in past years.  Therefore, I've really enjoyed taking laps in the pool almost everyday, especially after walking my dogs.  With this in mind, I've prepared a Summery post today with projects to remind me of God's grace and care.

Swivel Card
Simon Monday Challenge - Ode to Sunshine
ATC's With Attitude #45 - Shape One Side
Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #91
Accordion Side Panel Card
Order of the Opus Gluei Challenge 162 - Beach
Collage Obsession - Summer
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Travel Journal Tag
Tag Tuesday - Travel
Try It On Tuesday: Collage With A Twist
Manon's Paper Saturdays
First of all, I have two Summery ATC sized cards and a travel journal tag for which I used K&Company paper goods.  I designed the swivel card and the accordion side panel card using a Martha Stewart scoring board, as well as the Tim Holtz mini-labels and a dimensional cutting pad.  The pad helped me create a bridge for the mechanisms to work.  For the travel journal tag I used the Tim Holtz Tiny Tabs & Tags die.  Other material I used to complete these 3 pieces include a calligraphy marker, a micron pen, Clearsnap ink pads, Tim Holtz tissue tape, a Martha Stewart star punch, an EK Success flourish perforator, a corner punch, a square punch, circle punch, a needle, thread, a glue stick, two sided tape, white cord, jute twine, scissors, a guillotine paper cutter, dimensional pads, and dimensional paint.

©Arnoldo L. Romero
Bella's 52 Photos Project: Gallery 15 {Fresh}
Jen's In the Studio
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #83
Next, I have a photograph of a blooming Hydrangea plant that I got for my wife a couple of months ago.  She loves to keep fresh flowers in the house, so I often get them for her.  I used to think they were always blue, but apparently they come in various colors including white, pink, and lavender.  The latter is affected by the soil and the flower's genetic make-up.  Hydrangeas bloom in late Spring and early Summer, so they're no longer blooming here in Del Rio, but the plant is doing well outside.  God willing it will bloom again next year.  I took the photograph with my iPhone, but cropped it and did some digital adjustments in iPhoto.

ABC Wednesday: C is for Child Jesus
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #217
Inspiration Avenue - Time
Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 21 Year 3
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Fiday #49
Artists in Blogland: Show & Tell Saturday
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Last, but not least, I have an icon of Joseph with the Child Jesus that I've been writing this Summer.  I am working on a canvas with acrylics, instead of the traditional wood panel and egg tempera method.  I can't afford the materials for the latter at this time.  You may find a photograph of the first phase in my June 26th post.  I hadn't worked on it for a while due to a trip out of town, home chores, and family affairs.  I thoroughly enjoy writing icons, but for me they take more physical, emotional and spiritual preparation than any other type of projects I work on.  That's why I usually only work on icons during the Summer, when I have time to prepare.  If everything goes well, I should be finished with this one next week.

I hope you enjoyed my Summery post.  By the way, thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment last week, as well as to everyone who chose to follow my blog.  May you be blessed this Summer in whatever you do and wherever you go.

Comments

What an incredible and creative fold on that card. Your art is always amazing and blesses me every time. Thank you so much for sharing the talents God has given you, Arnoldo. I am grateful for you and the art you share. Hope you're having a blessed week.
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Bridget Larsen said…
You have been busy. Love the variegated look of the hydrangea
Bridget #63
Barb Cady said…
What beautiful cards, such a lot of summery detail. As for the icon, well, you know how much I love your paintings! This one is truly devotional, a fabulous piece of art Arnoldo! Glad the weather has been so good for you, can you believe it, it's too hot in England for me! Unheard of, we have had rain and cloud for the past summers! Continue to enjoy your summer and your creativity.hugs, barb.
Reader Wil said…
The icon is very beautiful. I can understand that creating an icon demands a lot of emotional and spiritual preparation. Enjoy your summer as we try to do here.
Wil, ABCW Team
Melanie said…
Love the canvas. You are a great artist. Have a very nice day, here in Holland it wil be a tropical day :)
Liefs, Melanie
Carver said…
Interesting post and shots. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
Paula (PEP) said…
My favourite pieces here are the first Swing card & the final Joseph Icon. It's fascinating seeing the progression from your earlier post. I especially like the way that the flower & the doves just glow. Those doves look like they could fold themselves into Joseph's cloak too.
Paula (PEP)
Valerie-Jael said…
Lovely work Arnoldo! Thanks for playing along at TIOT, 'collage with a twist'. Valerie
Julie S said…
You have been busy indeed. I love your work. The swivel cards are fantastic!
Marlena M. said…
Wonderful interactive cards and gorgeous icon Arnoldo. I hope you continue to have a beautiful summer!
Lunch Lady Jan said…
I adore icons! There are some modern ones in Winchester Cathedral which is not too far from here...they are behind the high altar. I could sit and stare at them for ages.
LLJ 20 xx
Love the flower- they are blossoming in my garden now!
You seem to be very busy with your art- impressive!
Leovi said…
Preciosa flor, bonita foto, me gusta!
The child Jesus. I must say, almost looks like a small adult. But interesting stuff.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Your cards and tag are fabulous. Beautiful designs. Thanks for sharing your collage tag with us at TIOT for the Collage with a twist challenge.
Anonymous said…
Wow, you have done some incredible work, thanks for sharing!

And thanks for stopping by my page earlier :)

Dawn
Winnie said…
What lovely cards, Arnoldo! Love how they open! I also am partial to the nautical knots! Your canvas of Joseph and Jesus is especially beautiful. I am looking forward to the great reveal. I love hydrangeas, and they will flower again. They need water or they droop. I just blogged mine a few days ago. The PH in my soil makes mine blue/purple. Enjoy the week!
Electra said…
What an incredible card, that fold technique is wonderful! We always love to see your work, Arnoldo, even though I'm somewhat envious of your swimming pool! lol Thanks for joining us at Opus Gluei again!!
Shoshi said…
Beautiful work as always, Arnoldo - I particularly like the accordion card with the shell. Gorgeous! Thanks for your lovely comment, and yes, a new creative space is certainly like a breath of fresh air, and I find the ideas flowing thick and fast now, and I simply can't wait to start working in there!

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #66
Spyder said…
Really love that swivel card, lovely detail! Have a great day! HaPpY WoYwW!?!
((Lyn)) #131
Fran said…
Very nice work. Not all of Texas has been so fortunate. It's HOT in Houston.
Deann said…
Your cards are such a treasure Arnoldo what a fortunate friend to receive one of them...excellent work.
VonnyK said…
Your card is stunning Romero, I had a good long close look at it. You really know how to make beautiful things. Your hydrangea is lovely, I used to grow them too but the chicken tend to wreck nice flowers so we only have tough natives in the garden now. Enjoy your beautiful summer, still winter here but managing 24 today so only one jumper
for me today!
Have a great week
Von #34
Minoru Saito said…
Hi! Nice cards and beautiful hydragea photo. Thanks for sharing.
Ritu Dua said…
Totally stunning !! can't help but have a look again and again and again
at the work you present each week...such a feast :)
Unknown said…
Your work is beautiful as usual. I am always delighted to see what you create. We've had quite a bit of rain in NC this summer as well. I hope you have a great weekend. (((HUGS)))
Kimmie
WOYWW #145
Granmargaret said…
Lovely creations. Thank you for joining the challenge at ATCs with Attitude. Hope to see you again next challenge.
Gloria j Zucaro said…
I love your summer tags and ATC cards and the appreciation for the non-worldly things we are graced with. Your summer of dog-walking,swimming, and beautiful flowers for your wife are very comforting. I am not sure what I mean by that, but that is how they make me feel...all is right with the world? Thank you for your comment on my post but I accidentally posted an old post. If you have time you can check my real post for this week which is at #68! That is what happens when you post close to midnight!
Ivy said…
You've been very busy! I especially love the accordian side card, it turned out beautifully.
I came from both WOYWW, where I'm #2 this week, and also from IA. Your are not only getting laps in at the pool, you are making the rounds with all these challenges. Such wonderful art has come out of it, too.
Giggles said…
Very nice tags a real summery feeling around here! I used to have two hydrangea bushes in my yard, now I have one.. I think it depends on the minerals in the soil what color the blooms turn. There was a time when I used to dry them and put them around the house...not anymore though. However they are gorgeous dried!!

Hugs Giggles
GlorV1 said…
Love your Jesus with Joseph painting. It's beautiful Arnolfo. Your work is always full of soul. Love it! Have a wonderful weekend at the pool.:) gloria
Claudia N. said…
A wonderful summery post indeed! :)

LOVE all your cards! Wonderful colour choice and details!

Thank you so much for sharing one of them with us at TIOT!

Claudia x
Andrea said…
Belated woyww wishes love the cards and intricate mechanisms ( not sure I have the skills myself)beautifully executed and your canvas is stunning have fab weekend Andrea#32
maria said…
The cards are gorgeous as usual. The icon of course, is my favorite. It's not done yet but it's already looking fabulous. Can't wait to see it when it's finished.

Glad you decided to share it on Orange you glad it's Friday. Thanks for joining and I hope to see you again next weekend. Happy weekend Arnoldo!
Maggie said…
It looks like you are having a wonderful summer! As usual, you have been keeping very busy. Thanks for sharing the pieces you've been working on. Have a great weekend!
Anonymous said…
Such a beautiful ATC Love the design and those folds are amazing. Thank you for joining us at ATC's this fortnight. Abbie xx
sharon said…
Beautiful work yet again, I am hard pressed to decide which one I like the best, I think I will go for the second card, no the first one, heck they are both beautiful. Blessings to you.
Alicia C said…
these pieces are absolutely marvelous, as usual. Glad you're having a lovely summer!
Faye said…
Arnoldo, what a diverse and lovely post today! First, I love the hydrangea and I'm so glad it has decided that Del Rio isn't too hot for it to grow in. I do hope it comes back year to year. Next, your icons are beautiful, but I don't understand the phrase "writing icons". And I am so intrigued by your swivel cards that I hope to learn to do that myself. Thanks for the blessing concerning my surgery. It is now behind me and I think I am doing fine. My husband is not at all well and has had two different trips to the hospital this week for procedures. Thankfully, he is special to his liver transplant doctor, who has moved heaven and earth getting the right meds to keep him going., since he isn't eligible for transplant (too old). God bless you!
NormaJean said…
Oh Arnoldo!!! Your work is Amazing, Your ATC is Beautiful!! Thank you for joining us at ATC with an Attitude and hope you keep coming back for the Challenges
Hugs DT Norma Jean ATC with attitude
i am glad to 'meet' you here; enjoyed my visit, your beautiful art, photos, and getting to know you. blessings~
Lmkazmierczak said…
You are a master crafter! Love your cards....and I am impressed with your icon work....lovely♫ My Orange effort: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/splayed-sprayed-displayed/
Lisa Carroll said…
Arnoldo, your projects are stunning! Absolutely LOVE the nautical feel the two cards have! Thank you for joining us in the "Anything Goes" challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog. :)
Christine said…
I did enjoy your post, nice work for the challenges!
Tiffany said…
The swivel card & accordion card are LOVELY! ( Well everything in this post is, as usual)
Uuna said…
All have visited here already, but I can undestand it because Your art is so interesting. I like especially the cards. They are so personal and well desing. Wonderful.
Anonymous said…
Fantastic work. Love the cards, love the tags and that painting is wonderful....We too have been under rain but that has brought so much humid weather here and it was so hot in July, hotter than we are used to for a whole month. We swam in our pond after walking our dogs too! Happy PPF xox
PiaRom said…
WOW Arnoldo the two cards blow me right away :) Sooo beautiful and fun with the foldout..the first one is my very favorite with the cool map ♥ Conny
http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de
Ayala Art said…
85 sounds great right now.... we are still in the 100s :o.
Nice cards and collage, they look gorgeous!
I'm here for the PPF and Manon's PS too
Jo Nevill said…
Fabulous !
Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Wednesday Challenge this week

Jo x
Mrs.B said…
Hi Arnoldo, Such fabulous summer projects, love them. Gorgeous picture too of the Hydrangea - I have pink ones growing in my garden.
Thanks for linking your Travel Tag to TioT.
Avril
lorik said…
Once again an interesting and varied post. It is not summer here yet...but it does feel a bit like an early spring has arrived! Your Hydrangea is lovely - and reminds me of my childhood. We had them everywhere in primary school and it is interesting the way they change colour. Your icon I can see is very special to you and I really like the modelling of forms and drapery and the glowing colour.
Anonymous said…
I ALWAYS so enjoy coming to your site to see all that you are up to! What a sweetheart to buy fresh flowers for your honey. Love that!
Lou Anne Hazel said…
What a nice group of images you've shared this week. My grandmother had hydrangeas-the purple ones. They were so beautiful. I'm glad you are having a beautiful summer.
Beautiful artwork! Love the layering effects of the cards, and the flowers are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Gemiel said…
Such wonderful cards!! Love the creative folds. I am really intrigued by your beautiful icon of Joseph and the child Jesus. I can't remember seeing them artistically depicted together except in the traditional manger scenes. I think we sometimes forget that Christ did have a childhood with 2 earthly parents. I sometimes imagine Jesus and Joseph outside playing catch or hide and seek and it makes me smile. Blessings!
Gráinne said…
The card is absolutely stunning, love the colors and the embellishments, and the journal TAG looks amazing, too. Looks a lot like holiday fever ... Thank you so very much for your very kind comment on my blog. Have a great Sunday, Suzanne
Lisabella Russo said…
Your ACEOs are spectactular! I love them. I enjoyed reading about how you made them. Your tags are very nice too and I love the sweetness of the flowers for your wife. I also love the icon you are working on.
Rita said…
Love the travel tag and really beautiful hydrangea!
Erika said…
Wonderful traveller journal, Arnoldo! Love the Colors and making. Your thoughts have been walked in another painting with god. Wonderful!
Liebe Grüße
Erika
xinex said…
Your cards are very unique and so beautiful. You are so creative!...Christine
Anne Manda said…
Hello master card and tags designer, this week's are just awesome!
Anna-Karin said…
Another beautiful post! That interactive card is so clever, what a great idea. Love the sun, sentiment and papers you used. Thank you so much for sharing some sunshine with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!
janice smith said…
Hello, Arnoldo. It's always good to visit and see all the varied and wonderful projects you have going. Summery, indeed! I couldn't possibly choose a favorite this week. I'm glad you're enjoying the break in the weather. We had cooler than normal temps here until last week when the heat finally showed up in full force. It was nice while it lasted!
poppylocke said…
These are all such lovely and varied projects! I love the cards in particular - beautifully put together :)
Jana said…
All of your creations are gorgeous. I LOVE your lettering. Thanks so much for playing along with us at OPUS GLUEI.
Jo Ann said…
What a good fold you incorporated on that card for WAW. The papers are gorgeous. Love the other projects you highlighted too. Looks like you've been very busy. Good that you are having a not so hot day on the average. The past few days, we are in the triple digits here in San Antonio, about 106 Fahrenheit yesterday which really feels like 115 degrees at times. But I would say that this year is better than the past few years because it didn't get to that not until mid July. Before, it starts as early as end of April. God is good as He cares for us no matter what condition it is, right? Thanks for blessing us with your artwork at Word Art Wednesday. Make sure you join us for our new Challenge starting today and to download our new free scripture Word Art. God bless, always!

JO ANN
http://jattterburycreations.blogspot.com
manomij said…
Happy belated Saturdays. I am doing some laps in sunny Spain at the moment but wished I could do that at home.
A gorgeous post, and so summery for sure! Love the shells, the travel themes, the flowers, and above God's touch throughout! Very inspirational!
Bella Cirovic said…
As always, beautiful art and photos! Thank you for sharing.
Jen Price said…
Those hydrangeas are beautiful. I love that soft lilac color.