True Blue

Blue is a primary, as well as the coolest color in the color wheel.  It is the color of the sky, the ocean, and lapis lazuli, one of my favorite semi-precious stones.  In my opinion, it is a conservative color that can be associated with sincerity, peacefulness and spirituality.  I like blue.  Therefore, I'm excited about my artwork today.

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

The theme for this week's Collage Obsession is Blues.  Combined with the Take a Word Challenge Friends and Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend loves at all times, for Word Art Wednesday, they were great inspiration for a page in my art journal.  Other than the tag, I cut all the pieces free hand.  I used scraps of hand painted papers that I made for various collages in previous years.  For emphasis, I inked the edges of the dove, which represents the Holy Spirit, with an indigo Clearsnap pad. I also went around the silhouette with an old Marvy brush marker to create depth.  I used a blue Sakura micron pen to write the scripture and my signature.

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Next, I designed a card using a print of my artwork for The Play Date Cafe's PDCC133, which is being sponsored by Mr. Cricut Crazy.  (I'm still trying to make it to "Cup of the Week" and/or "Guest Designer."  LOL!)  Their featured colors are baby blue, denim and cherry, so my artwork fit in perfectly.  I made a card base from a sheet of The Paper Company baby blue cardstock and inked the edges with the indigo pad.  Then, I matted the print in denim blue and staggered it as shown with a red, white and blue plaid scrap.  I used a Tim Holtz design ruler to punch holes on the right and bottom edges of the plaid, as well as 3 pairs of holes on the upper left corner of my print.  I used the holes to do some hand stitching with indigo thread.  I also stitched together a cherry red polka dotted yo-yo, a blue felt star, and a white button to use as an embellishment.  For my sentiment, I used a baby blue ticket, on which I crossed the word "one" and wrote the word "two" with a red Sharpie pen.  I inked the edges and adhered it with some foam strips.

©Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

Then, I designed a card for Pile It On #22 - Two or More Folds, which is being sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop.  Using the baby blue cardstock, I constructed a swivel card base by following the instructions in Michael Jacobs' book (See My Recommendations).  To decorate it, I masked the swivel with the plaid paper.  Then, I cut a print of my artwork in two parts, a square for the swiveling block and a strip for the bottom portion.  I matted each part in the denim blue before adhering them.  I made a simple embellishment with a cherry red felt star and a blue button.  For the sentiment, I wrote the word "Love" in a simple cherry red trimmed tag.  As a finishing touch, I wrapped a cherry red thin ribbon around the left edge and made a one-loop bow.

Other than me liking blue, this was a special color scheme to work with.  Today we are observing Memorial Day in the United States of America, which is a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in our armed forces.  I thank them from the bottom of my heart and pray that God may have them rest in peace.  I dedicate my artwork today to them and their families.  Blessings!