Fly Away!

Once again, I'm using my art journal to help me pray, as a therapeutic instrument, and as a tool to lead me through my creative journey.  Word Art Wednesday Challenge #29 featured Psalm 62:8, which reminded me I need to always trust in the Lord and helped me cope with several stressful issues this week.  God is good!  In combination with Collage Obsession's Hot Air Balloon Challenge, I was able to work on my artwork which provided me with the therapy I needed to relax.  My journey led me to create a collage piece in my art journal and design two cards.  I was able to fly away!

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

For my hot air balloon collage, I used a combination of papers from a DCWV textured travel stack print, as well as a scrap of paper I hand painted.  I drew the pattern pieces, cut them, traced them on the back of the papers I chose, cut them, arranged them on the page, and glued them down.  I hand lettered the word Selah in the heart with a black Martha Stewart marker.  I drew the details and the Bible verse on the label with a black Sharpie pen.  I believe the label and the postage stamp came from a K&Company vintage paper set, but I'm not sure.  I really like the free spirited feeling this collage piece evokes.  (PS - I'm also submitting this art journal page to Just Keep On Creating Challenge #2.)

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

The first card I designed was inspired by The Order of the Opus Gluei Challenge #131, where they're asking their readers to use sewing as one of their techniques.  I found this blog through Electra, whose work is being featured at Take a Word Challenge Blog.  I began by taking a photograph of my page, cropping, editing, and printing it.  I turned the print into a tag, and embellished it with an elephant charm from ArtC and with a purple bead pendant that I made.  Next, I cut the border off of a page from a DCWV The Four Seasons stack to use as a mask for the front cover of my card base.  I taped the ends of a plaid ribbon belt that I made onto the mask and lightly secured the mask with some adhesive to the card base.  I used a Tim Holtz design ruler to punch holes on the bottom and upper perimeter of my card front, and then proceeded to hand stitch it.  I latched the belt and tied the tag to the belt buckle.  I used foam squares to prop the tag diagonally.

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

The second card I designed was inspired by Case Study #92, which is continuing with a Spring theme and featuring a greeting cards by Agnieszka.  Her card this week has a prominent central focal point with a moss filled letter and a solid mat.  Since I wanted to incorporate my artwork, I decided to use it in an ATC for my focal point.  I used a scrap of the DCWV border to cut the base, distressed the edges with a scraper, and stained them with a Clearsnap plum ink pad.  I tied a strip of the plaid ribbon around the lower portion.  Next, I used a small print of my artwork to create a stamp, with stained, distressed, and sanded edges.  I also made 3 flower stems using stick scraps, glue, and French lavender - the fragrance is just wonderful!  I arranged all my elements behind the ribbon band and adhered a dove charm to the upper left corner.  I centered my ATC on a cream card base.

I truly feel blessed by the Lord for my creative abilities.  My work may not always be recognized, but He is glorified through it.  I want to thank all my followers and others that have taken the time to comment for motivating me to continue to create.  I cordially invite others to do so.  Blessings!

Trust in Him at all times;

ye people, pour out your

heart before Him: God is

refuge for us.  Selah.

Psalm 62:8