Pink, The Color Of Joy, Hope, and Love

Hello!  ¡Hola!  I had a busy weekend with commitments in both my churches, but we were blessed with the love, joy, and peace that can only be found in the Lord.  This week has been busy, but I feel blessed to have had time to meditate, create, and energize in my home office/studio.  God is good!

The first piece I made this week is for a dear family friend, who was also both my daughters' 1st Grade teacher and a current Vestry member at our Church.  Her birthday is this coming weekend, hence the HBD acronym sentiment.  I used a Unicraftale Stamps die cut; a Sizzix Tim Holtz Patchwork embossing folder and Party Treats Thinlits set; Spellbinders Pooh's Alphabet cutting dies; a Tim Holtz Idea-ology Design Ruler & Pick; an Arteza Flat Chisel Nib black marker; a Mont Marte Real yellow Brush Pen; solid color & print cardstock; and Inkessentials Glossy Accents.  I am submitting this card to Inkspirational Challenge #365, Color Dare Challenge #698 Shades of Pink, and Festive Friday #FF0207 - Inspo List (Letters, Postmarks, & Sepia).

Next, I have an ATC I made inspired by ATC Around the World - Fish,  AAA Card Challenge #312 Follow My Lead (Jane), and The Little Red Wagon Challenge #854 - That Song.  (BTW, the song is Glub-Glub Fish Parade!)  I didn't have a fish die cut, so I created my own original design using a Sizzix Pete Hughes Infinite Doodles #1 Thinlits set.  I also used a Kscraft ATC die cut set; an Emmolife washi tape; a black Copic Fine Nib Inking Pen; solid color card stock; a pencil and stump for shading; and Inessentials Glossy Accents.  (Thank you ATC Around the World, for choosing me as a top 3 Winner #134.)

  

Going along with my color pink trend this week, I was inspired to paint a Mexican Pink Axolotl on water color paper, using a set of Faber-Castell Gelatos, Grumbacher Watercolors, and a Pentel Brush Sign Pen.  This charming salamander is native to the lake complex in Xochimilco, which is a borough of Mexico City established in precolonial times.  The pink axolotl is critically endangered in the wild, due to habitat loss and pollution.  Although they are bread in captivity for pet trade, they require specific water conditions and a suitable diet.  Fortunately, they are also a subject of scientific interest, as they can regenerate lost body parts, including limbs and even parts of their heart and brain.  I'm linking this to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 88/100, Friday Face Off 4/17/26, and Saturday Critters #644.

Last, but most certainly not least, I have a photograph I took of my youngest grandson while he was sleeping.  He's a sweet little angel, so I pray that Jesus Christ be his guiding light throughout his life.  To illuminate the picture, I used my Procreate App, to layer Psalm 4:8 from Word Art Wednesday's Weeks #748-749 and painted colors from A Place to Start Challenge 202604 - Anything Goes ombre samples.  (So yes, there's some pinks in this piece too.  LOL!)  I'm also submitting this piece to Path of Positivity Challenge #140, where I was a Challenge #139 Top Pick (March).

In closing, I want to leave you with a mosaic featuring some of my work throughout my years of blogging, as I've thrived to spread joy, hope, and love.  Please be sure to leave a comment on my blog, as I love to hear from my followers and visitors.  I'll happily reciprocate by leaving a comment on your blog too.  Thanks!  !Gracias!

Shalom,

Arnoldo+