Weekend Journal

Well, here we are into the second week of March.  I can't believe what a mild winter we've had here on the south shores of Lake Erie.  I've already been to the beach on many occasions, and I feel absolutely energized!

As if to prove my point of this strange weather season, I discovered a pansy blooming in a pot behind the garage.  Pansies should not be blooming here until MAY.  I was quite shocked and delightfully surprised to see this little gem yesterday.  It's now on the deck railing.

Today, I set up my journaling on the deck table.  This too, is shockingly early.  We've never set the table back up this early in the year.  It actually feels more like May than March, and the maple trees are in full bud.  It wouldn't surprise me to see leaves by the end of the week as the forecast is calling for 60 degree temperatures for the entire week.

There were lots of wonderful things to celebrate this week, not the least of which was reaching my first weight loss goal.  Am I excited?  You bet!

I also finally finished this spread (that you may remember seeing earlier).  I had to laugh - every time I worked on it the Green Acres theme song kept playing in my head.  ("...keep Manhatten just give me that countryside...")

I really like the way this collaged and acrylic painted spread turned out.  I used part of an image from a "famous" painting.  Can you spot it?

We started paper mosaic spreads in my Saturday Art Journaling class.  It's tedious, but a lot of fun.  I'll be working on this one more during the week.

It was a wonderful week, and now it's time for a relaxing evening.  Keith and I just finished this beautiful but grueling  1000 piece puzzle,  "Skywatcher" from Susan Seddon Boulet.  Isn't it beautiful?

I hope you also had a wonderful week, and I hope that you have a beautiful, peaceful evening as well!

CELEBRATE * LOVE* CREATE

Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Derwent Water Soluble Charcoal Pencils

I made a trip to the local craft and hobby store.  I had intentions of adding some more of the usual charcoal pencils to my stash when I stumbled upon these little gems!

I've only used them once, but I adore them!  I had a lot of fun experimenting with them.  They're very much like using watercolor pencils.  When you wet them, the black becomes dark, rich and luscious!

Here's my first experiment with the Derwent Water Soluble Pencils.  I drew this face using only the charcoal pencils on an acrylic washed background.

Here's a video of Bob Burridge using these pencils.  They're a little on the pricey side, (I paid $9.99 for my set which includes a sharpener and eraser), but for the usage I get out of them, I think they'll prove to be worth every penny!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Monday's Mandala

Acrylic
Mandala 20 of 24
4 more to go.....can spring be far behind?

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

29 Faces: Finale!

Well, quite honestly, I'm going to have to refer to this project as "27 Faces" from this time forward.  I'm afraid 27 faces is all I was able to complete in 29 days!  I have to agree with Stephanie from Dragonfly Design Studios:  " ...it has felt more like 329 faces!"  You heard it here first - Angelia is officially "faced OUT"!  None the less, it was a wonderful challenge that took me "out of the box" and encouraged my muse to try a few new things.  I want to thank Ayala at Ayala Art for hosting this fun, February challenge!

Here are my last three faces.  To view my 29 Faces Gallery, go HERE.

DAY 25

Acrylic 

DAY 26

Acrylic and water soluble charcoal pencils  (more on those later!)

DAY 27

"Faced OUT"

Last, and maybe least, here is my final face.  It's the only one I titled, and I think the expression says it all! It's acrylic, also in my journal as are the rest.   I hope you've enjoyed seeing my faces from the challenge.  To view the other 51 artist's works, go HERE.

March Journaling Prompts

Here are your March Journaling Prompts.  It's hard to believe the first two months of 2012 are history...
Remember, when using the prompts, think of them in both literal and metaphorical ways.  Have fun!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE