Advent 2's Coming!
Hello! ¡Hola! As a priest, with all the Advent activities and Christmas planning, time is precious these days. I just need to remind myself that God is in control. He provides me with the strength, courage, and wisdom to get everything done.
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| Felted Holy Family Word Art Wednesday 728-29 What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 861/81 |
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| Happy Holidays Card Freshly Made Sketches #71 Just Add Ink #775 - Just add a celebration |
For my second project, I have a Christmas card I made for my oldest daughter who loves pink. I used a Spellbinders' Classic Mouse Holiday Wreath cutting dies set; a Sizzix's Tim Holtz Styled Labels Big Die, a Pine Branch embossing folder, and a Big Shot die cut machine; assorted solids, prints, and glitter card stock; assorted adhesives; and a black Pentel Sign Pen. I enjoyed working with this non-traditional Christmas color palette!
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| Christmas Self-Portrait Sunday Postcard Art - Dictionary Art Journal Journey - Winter Thursday Art & Dinner Date Friday Face Art 12/5/25 Art For Fun Friday #186 |
Nicole had challenged us to do a self-portrait for last week's FFO challenge, so I decided to do one for my third project this week. I used a picture of me that someone took when I was ringing a bell for the Salvation Army, as a reference piece. I began by collaging a piece of Tim Holtz dictionary print tissue paper on a postcard. When it was dry, I did my self-portrait using a black marker, Faber-Castell Gelatos, and a Funcils' White Acrylic Paint Pen. I finished my piece by adding 3 quote stickers by Bomichi. I'm currently displaying my impressionist postcard, but will glue it in an art journal for safekeeping.
In closing, I want to leave you with my closing paragraph to this coming Sunday's sermon, which is based on the 2nd Sunday of Advent Gospel:
Walter Brueggemann, the late American Christian theologian, who’s work often focused on the Hebrew prophetic tradition, argued that the Church must provide a counter-narrative to the dominant forces of consumerism, militarism, and nationalism. He said, and I quote, “The prophetic tasks of the Church are to tell the truth in a society that lives in illusion, grieve in a society that practices denial, and express hope in a society that lives in despair.” That’s why John the Baptist’s reference to wrath, fire, and axes are Good New’s. That’s God calling us to turn away from and repent of our indifference. Wrath, fire and axes are not necessarily about destruction or punishment. They are about life, love, and relationship. The unquenchable fire of God’s love burns away our indifference. The healing ax of God cuts away all indifference. The wrath of God reminds us that God cares and we ALL matter. So let us “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Thanks for your visit! ¡Gracias por tu visita! Shalom!
Arnoldo+
Lovely projects Arnoldo!
ReplyDeleteI like using non-traditional colours for Christmas occasionally too, so understand the appeal. You've certainly put together a unique and joyous card for your daughter combining brands and techniques, and I'm sure she'll love it. Your felted figures are wonderful too! Thanks for joining us again at Just Add Ink.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Rev! Thanks for visiting my blog again, hope you are forming a habit lol. I had forgotten how nice dry embossing looks on Kraft and I love the pink bow on your card. Your selfie art is fabulous! You definitely captured you! And I'm so impressed by that felting work. I agreed immediately upon reading you find it fascinating the transformation of the fiber. Is it a little like watching embossing powder melt? That's always a Star Wars Speed of Light moment for me and I feel like a kid again, easily entertained and full of awe. Hope y'alls weather down there didn't get too cold. I'm in the "armpit of the coast" lol with the rainy cold, bone-chillin'! Take care, xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm not far from the Big Bend area, here in TX, and it's been chilly (40's to low 70's), but it was almost 80 today. I haven't used my embossing powder in a while, so I may need to pull it out again, as it's a fascinating medium to work with too. Blessings!
DeleteWow, Arnoldo, you are SO talented! I've always admired felting but could never bring myself to even start and here you are with two adorable figures! And your self portrait is amazing! I find it hard to do them and yours looks so natural with great detail. And finally, your card for your daughter using FMS is a wonderful collage of papers and textures! Well done, and have a restful weekend!
ReplyDeleteFantastic felting work Arnoldo🥰 Love it, and I'm wishing you blessed festive time 💖
ReplyDeleteYour projects are adorable, and your sketch too, good job!
ReplyDeleteI am happy you linked to AFFF
Much♡love
Your felt Holy Family is amazing, Arnoldo! And I LOVE the collage with your face.
ReplyDeleteHi Rev Romero, I’m really impressed with all the projects you’ve made for December. Your Holy Family figurines are absolutely stunning! You’ve got a real talent for molding fibers together. And I’m sure your daughter will love the beautiful holiday card you made for her. Oh, and your last project is my favorite! You totally rocked the self-portrait challenge! Thanks so much for joining us at Art Journal Journey this month. Cheers, Sharon
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to see your creations. Those felties are wonderful, and I like how you chose to make your self-portrait a holiday view. You captured the Santa hat fur so well. It looks like you added some fur to your page. It's perfect for Sharon's Winter theme at AJJ. Thank you for joining in. And I like how you drew your glasses so that the eyes show but it does look like glass in the frames. Nicely done! Have a wonderful weekend, hugs-Erika
ReplyDelete...Arnoldo, some days I'm on autopilot! Peace.
ReplyDeleteOh felting is so much fun. I have a ton of roving and like the wet felting as much as the needle. Well done on you Holy Family figures. Your daughter, I know, loves this card. You make a great Santa with your SP. Thank you for sharing with FFO and have a very nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteQué bonitas creaciones. Son días muy bellos. Un abrazo y feliz fin de semana
ReplyDeleteLove the variety of papers and textures on your card Arnoldo. It's very unique which I love as it will stand out amongst the rest your daughter receives. Thanks for joining us at Just Add Ink. Tristan - DT
ReplyDeleteThe felted Holy Family is amazing, Arnoldo. I tried felting only once and made a little pumpkin, but it was not really my thing. But I do admire what people make with felting. Your Christmas cards are great, too, I especially like your self-portrait and that you incorporated it into the card. So very well done.
ReplyDeleteArnoldo you did an amazing job with the riving, your felted faithfuls look spectacular, felt is an amazing medium to use. Your words and pictures are always so endearing, the reason for the season.. keep spreading the good word of the lord.
ReplyDeleteHappy creative December Tracey
Your projects are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonderful weekend, hugs Elke
Estarmos ocupados para além das nossas obrigações é um aproveitamento positivo dos tempos livres.
ReplyDeleteContinuação de bom fim de semana.
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Great felted nativity forms. I haven’t had a go at felting yet. I am very much behind on my Christmas cards, but they are half done! Have a great week. Angela
ReplyDeleteWonderful figures you created. wonderful artwork as well. Lovely and many Blessings. Have a wonderful December!
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful pieces of art here, Arnoldo. I'm loving the felt project. I don't know quite how you did it, but it's amazing. Your cards are also filled with wonderful texture, color, dimension and beauty. God is SO good, and He blesses us with the gift of art. It's all around us, and He is in every detail. This is an apparent joy I see when I look at your creations. Praise God! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful creativity with us at Word Art Wednesday, and may God continue to bless & guide you as you create and share your art. Blessings to you, Karen
ReplyDeleteI was confused if the needlefelted nativity was your first project for a challenge or your first felting project, but if it was the latter, you are pretty amazing. I love needlefelting and I'm very impressed. I loved all the art, and also your self portrait was terrific! Happy week. The season is so special -- and just flying.
ReplyDeleteOh! Arnoldo these are adorable. I love felting and make Fungi mostly at the moment but don't tend to take many photos so you may not have seen them on my blog. I must put some more pics on soon. The only time I don't like felting is when I stab myself with the needle! Loving the pink card and your portait. Many thanks for your kind words over at mine too. Hope the sermon went well. Best wishes Angela x
ReplyDeleteOh wow! The colours and details for your card are just gorgeous! You've combined both challenges perfectly! Thanks for joining us at Just Add Ink and Freshly Made Sketches!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and jolly self-portrait!
ReplyDeleteI pray that you have a peaceful Advent with time for reflection and prayer as you await the joyous day.
ReplyDeleteNice self portrait.
Reverend Arnoldo, there is so much to love in this post. You are so amazingly talented with so many different mediums, but I think here my favorite is the felted nativity scene. I have wanted to try some felting and haven’t done so yet. I love all of your other cards and creations too. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Word Art Wednesday!
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