Sometimes a Girl Just Has to Have Fun!

Last night I had a terrible sinus headache (I can predict the weather! It was my "it's going to rain/snow headache and sure enough it rained today.) but I didn't want to just veg on the couch feeling sorry for myself. My friend Barbara and I are going to get together soon for a paper making day. One of the things we are going to make is Valentines so I guess I had Valentine's Day on my mind. I quickly grabbed a few things and before I knew it, my head hurt less and I had made eight ATCs! The experience also reminded me of teaching in Georgia where supplies are extremely limited. I'm always amazed at what my students there create as opposed to my students in the States who often want to go shopping to fix a problem. Sometimes having a limited number of supplies and options create the best results. Also creating something that is just meant to brighten someone's day can really jump start your creativity. For me creating something that is just for fun gets my brain working. While making these ATCs, I wrote down or quickly sketched ideas for other more serious projects. I was focused on making the ATCs and didn't feel like acting on any of my ideas but I know the importance of getting those ideas down when they happen. This morning when I looked at my notes and sketches, I was instantly excited and got right to work.

For those of you who have written to me about being stuck, unmotivated, in a creative funk or just feeling your muse has left you. Try some play! Nothing serious and make something for someone else. Be open and see what happens. By the way, I still cannot believe that at one time I seriously thought I could "never" make something 2.5" by 3.5" because I love making them!

Memories of Kyrgyzstan ATC and Blog Giveaway with a Twist Five

Arts in the Cards, my ATC (artist trading card) group, had grateful for this month's challenge. I had played with Wordle, a site where you can write in words and it gives you different options for arrangements. Lots of fun! I was going to use the arrangement for my background, paint the card with Fluid acrylics and add a drawing I did of a woman jumping for joy. Well, Wanda did something similar so it was back to the drawing board for me. After a few days of thought, I decided to make my Grateful ATC about one thing instead of many. I just Nevr-Dull, a metal polish, to create the paper (pages from National Geographic) for the background. The images are photographs of women in native clothing that I copied with a laser printer. Next I scanned the image, sized it to be 2.5 x 3.5 inches and printed it on cloth. I fused the cloth to Timtex for the middle layer. Since I was able to meet some incredible felting artist during my visit, I wanted to include a little felt so I needle felted (not what they do) a heart. I also put a copy of one of the wonderful postage stamps. This served two purposes--one to simply share and another to cover the felting that showed through the white fabric I put on the back.


Kyrgyzstan was full of life changing experiences. Some of them I share in my lecture. There were plans to have me return, but it never happened. I am so grateful that I had the experience. Kyrgyzstan will always be near and dear to my heart.

 I'll give up this ATC next Monday (November 21). Remember you must answer the question. Followers get three chances to win because I love my followers!

What place is near and dear to you? Why?