Mother's Day 2013

¡Hola! - Hello!  Although my schedule has been exhausting lately, I did manage to spend some time working in my studio.  Thanks be to God!  I didn't get a lot done, but believe it is meaningful.  With Mother's day celebrations in multiple countries this month, I decided to dedicate this post to Mothers around the world.

Life Journey

The tag above is dedicated to my mother, who taught me the difference between right and wrong, as well as how the choices I make determine my "life journey."  Although this is an original design, I was inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - May and John Steinbeck's quote, "A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike."  I began by applying rub-on stickers and staining the tag as per Tim's instructions.  When it was dry, I used some travel label stamps to complete my background.  I proceeded to sketch the male face using a Sharpie micro pen and a Faber-Castell marker.  I finished the collage by sticking a couple of strips of commute tissue tape and stapling some film strip.  To embellish my tag, I began by tying a strip of metallic ribbon to the top.  Then, I attached a game piece to the top by using a screw eye and gem clip.  Finally, I drilled a hole to the bottom of a "life" word stick and added some texture to it with a texture hammer.  I connected it to a "journey" word key with a jump ring, and attached them to the tag with a small custom fastener.  I am also submitting this tag to Artist's Playroom #56 - Famous Artists, Simon Says Stamp and Show: Inspired By, Paint Party Friday - Week 9 Year 3, Sunday Sketches.

To Mom, With Love

The envelope card above is for my wife, who truly puts our daughters first when it comes to their well being.  I used a card making technique by Michael Jacobs - See My Recommendations.  This design is a derivative of my original design Imagine, which I used for the grandmother's cards.  I used kraft paper and re-purposed a return envelope to create my card base.  I used a combination of Tim Holtz papers, DCWV papers, re-purposed cardstock/boxes, and discarded plastic to make my envelope card.  To make the various components of my card, I used four different Tim Holtz die cuts, one of his embossing folders, two different Martha Stewart punches, an EK Success corner punch, a pair of Fiskars decorative scissors, and a paper guillotine.  The hand lettering was done with an EK Success calligraphy pen.  I embellished the envelope card using hemp twine, Recollections flowers, and Tulip bead paint, as well as a strip of Tim Holtz print tissue tape and bauble.  I cut and enclosed 3 blank cards for each of us to write our own sentiments.  I am submitting my envelope card to the Order of the Opus Gluei: #156 Bouquet for You, Blog dos Desafios #14 - Dia das Máes, Crazy Amigo Challenge: Birds, Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Things with Wings, Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #79, What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 205, and Paper Saturdays.

Guardian Angel Mother

The photograph above is dedicated to all my followers and blogging friends that are mothers.  It is a shot I took with my iPhone of a stone guardian angel that sits by my front porch.  Based on my personal experiences with my family's and friends' Mothers, I've always thought of them as being real guardian angels looking over their children.  I believe Abraham Lincoln felt the same way when he so succinctly said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."  Rather it's a physical, spiritual or emotional need, mothers are there to support, comfort, and/or nurse their children in any way possible.  In addition, as it is written in Proverbs 31:26, a mother "opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."  I digitally altered the photograph using a ToonPAINT app - it's fun and extremely easy to use.  I am submitting this photograph to 52 Photos Project: Gallery 3 {Street Art}, Take A Word Challenge - Stone Angel, Orange You Glad It's Friday #37, Artists in Blogland - Show and Tell Saturday and Mandarin Orange Monday #41.

Hope you enjoyed my artwork, as much as I enjoyed working on it.  As I said, it's not much, but it is meaningful to me.  Have a blessed week, and if you are a mother, "¡Feliz Día de las Madres! - Happy Mother's Day!"