Thanksgiving Day Reflections

Greetings!  On this eve of Thanksgiving Day in the United States of America, I want to begin by expressing my gratefulness for all the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me.  I am thankful for my family, home, health, talents, job, and pets.  I am also extremely thankful for all my friends, which include all of you followers and those who leave comments on my blog on a regular basis.  Thank you!


As to my featured art piece for this post, it was inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - November.  As usual, I took my own spin on the design.  I used the Tim Holtz tag and tattered leaves dies to cut my black and kraft cardstock pieces.  Then, I used an embossing pen to quickly sketch my design on the 4 pieces.  I coated the sketch lines with clear embossing powder, tapped the excess off, and used a heat gone to set them.  Next, I used a white chalk and colored pencil to bring out the lines I had drawn on the various pieces.  I assembled all the pieces using a combination of glue and foam dots to give it depth.  For my sentiment label, I used Tim's "Simple Sayings" stamp set on a scrap piece of white cardstock.  I fussy cut the label, distressed it, and attached it to the tag with my mini stapler.  As a finishing touch, I tied a strip of jute to the top.  I am also submitting this piece to Inspiration Avenue - Gratitude and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes with Tim Holtz.

Thank you for stopping by and may your days be filled with blessings!


Art to Me

Greetings!  When I work on my artwork, I always thrive to be creative as I express my ideas and feelings in a meaningful way through color, line, shape/form. texture, and space.  I like for my artwork to be more than aesthetically pleasing, but to evoke feelings and/or enlighten the viewer.

Door to Heaven
Gelli Plate Print Papers, Hand Lettering & Ephemera Collage Art Journal Page
Art Journal Journey - Doors
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Heather's Sketch
The Three Muses Challenge - Gone With the Wind
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday: Week 37 Year 3
Jen's In The Studio
Ramona' Inspire Me Monday - Week 99
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #108
Emperor and Empress
Origami, Katakana Lettering & Stamp Collage Tag
Tag Tuesday - Kings and Queens
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - It's a Mystery
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #234
However, art is also an important part of my well being.  It is a process that helps me relax, as well as help me to grow spiritually and intellectually.  As per the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the word "meditate," it helps me to reflect and reach a "heightened level of spiritual awareness."

At the Courthouse with Judge Allen
iPhone Shot during a School Field Trip
Bella's 52 Photo Project: Gallery 31 {My Work}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #65
Denise and Roger's ABC Wednesday - T is for Trip
Therefore, my artwork may not be perfect or please everyone, but it's certainly an important part of my multifaceted life's journey.  Thank you for sharing the journey with me by reading my blog and encouraging me with your thoughtful words.  Blessings!

Blessings

Last week, I was blessed to be able to celebrate my birthday.  The celebration included a couple of special dinners, a breakfast in bed, cards, gifts, phone calls, and a plethora of messages on Facebook from friends and family all over the United States of America, Mexico and Europe.  The latter led me to reflect on the fact that I may not be financially wealthy, but I am healthy overall, have a steady job, a  very nice home, a loving family, caring friends, a small menagerie of sweet pets, and although I can't do it full time yet, I have the opportunity to indulge in artful activities.  I enjoy these privileges by the grace of God, because I certainly don't feel I'm entitled to them.  This especially touching to me when I consider all the poignant tragedies happening around the world, such as the typhoon that hit the Philippines and all the atrocious conflicts around the world.  Therefore, I am extremely thankful for every blessing that the Lord has bestowed upon me on my birthday.

Anel's Thanksgiving Play
Sharpie Pen, Prismacolors, & Faber-Castell India Ink Markers in Art Journal
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Thanksgiving
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 36 Year 3
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Craftitude Challenge #53 - Falling Leaves
Take a Word Challenge - Feathered Friends
To My Late Tailor
Ephemera, Buttons, stitching, Distress and Archival Ink Collage
Tag Tuesday - All Stitched Up
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Got Ink?
Scavenger Hunt Challenge - Numbers
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #233
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13
(This mentally challenged man walks around town pulling this series of wagons filled with lawn equipment.  He mows city lawns for his love of the community.  He is a blessing and an inspiration to my community.)
Digitally Enhanced Photography
Bella's 52 Photo Project - Gallery 30 {On My Way}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #64
Jen's In the Studio
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #68
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday
Denise and Roger's ABC Wednesday - S is for Self-sacrifice
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #107
May the Lord fill your life with blessings!

Happy Veterans' Day!

O Judge of all nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy.  Grant that we may not rest unit all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.  This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer - Page 839

Although the artwork in this post was not inspired by my family, friends and other Americans that served in the military, I do enjoy the freedom to express myself artistically due to their sacrifices.  Therefore, I dedicate my post to them on this Veterans' Day Weekend.  Thank you!

"The respect for the rights of others is peace."
By Mexican President Benito Juarez
Ornamental Pen & Watercolor Design
Art Journal Page
Eva & Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 35 Year 3
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Diana's 10-Minute Warm Up
Denise and Rodger's ABC Wednesday - R is for "Respect"
Karen's Word Art Wednesday #106
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Card
Tim Holtz Die and Hand Cut Pieces
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Patchwork
Order of the Opus Gluei: Challenge #169 Thank You
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #63
Lorik's Mandarin Orange #67
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #232
Mike's Greeting Card
Origami Fold & Hand Lettering
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Keep It Clean & Simple
Manon's Paper Saturdays

Try It On Tuesday - Colour Explosion
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly
Collage Tag
Tag Tuesday - Proverbs
Inspiration Avenue - Grandmother's Attic
Three Muses Challenge: Grunge/Print Background
Lantana Fruit
Digital Photography
Bella's 52 Photos Project: Gallery 29 {Round}
Jen's In The Studio
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #97
God Bless America!

Busy but Better

My schedule continues to be very hectic, but I'm slowly feeling much better.  Thank you, LORD!  Although not a lot, I did have time to work on my artwork, and these are a few of the pieces I would like to share.

For God, Parents and Teachers,
The Child Shall Have Great Respect.
Old Spanish Proverb
Mixed Media Art Journal Page
Pia's Mix It Monthly Challenge - Kids & Graphic Patterns
Kristin & Eva's Paint Party Friday Week 34 Year 3
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #62
Alexandra' Sunday Sketches
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #66
What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #231
Word Art Wednesday #105

St. Francis Tag
Original Art, Beads, Die Cuts, etc
Tag Tuesday - All Hallows' Eve
Simon Says Monday Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Craftitude Challenge #52 - Use Twine or String
Manon's Paper Saturdays

Happy Birthday!
Digital B&W Photography
52 Photos Project: Gallery 28 {Celebration}
Jen's In the Studio
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday #96

Thank you for all you well wishes during my last post.  They sure made me feel much better.  Blessings!