Zumba- Boomba!

It was a great day today!! I knew it would be, once I did that Zumba!  :>) I haven't worked that hard since I ran the New York Marathon. Dancing is a love, that doesn't happen often enough, so that satisfies that desire, as well as burning a few calories. They say you can burn up to 1000 calories an hour, with some speed of course. I did NOT burn 1000 calories. They give you this little silk scarves with jangles, to tie around your hips. It was a sight to behold.
I also went to our wonderful local library and checked out a book on Photoshop; free of course. It says "Create While You Learn-Start to Finish". Should I believe everything I read???
I just listened to this wonderful audio by Jean Houston (a woman I greatly admire). After listening to her, I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to.
I hope you all have a great day also.

Photoshop

Photoshop Elements 9 has me seeing red! I downloaded a trial for 30 days. The tutorial that came with it assumes that I already know a lot. Well, I don't, and I have been playing with it, trying to accomplish something, but nothing is happening!! I had Elements 3 on the old computer, and only did what was absolutely necessary to resize, crop etc. I need to know more.
I quit for awhile and did some painting, but I guess the mood took over, because it isn't worth showing.
I'm sure tomorrow will be a better day, and I will find just the right book to tell me step by step how to play
with my new toy.
Also working on my goals and dreams for the new year.
Tomorrow, I'm going to try Zumba!!
Can't wait.

Pears,pears, pears

I can't quit painting pears! This one is painted with the most luscious, soft pastels ever.
A friend and I painted together today, so she let me use her pastels. Mine are really hard, thus hard to use, at least for me. I used what we call Windberg paper, because Dalhart Windberg and his sons make this special pastel paper. It has a wonderful tooth to it. I had just about given up on pastels, but after today, I may have to try it again.

Envelope tutorial

Several weeks ago I posted some envelopes that I had made from magazine pages, here.
A few people have ask me how I did this. The easiest thing to do is to use an old envelope for a pattern. Just take it carefully apart and make the pattern out of a clear plastic or vinyl sheet, so that you can lay this pattern over the paper, or magazine page, and pick out the part you want; that way the design is where you want it. You can get very creative.  Cut it out and glue together.I use a glue stick for the folded in sides, and usually a pretty sticker for the flap, however a glue stick would work there also. I have used wallpaper, heavy magazine pages; really anything heavy enough, and if it isn't heavy enough, just spray with spray adhesive and line it with a matching pattern. You usually need a sticky label on the front to write on. It is fun, and a good way to recycle. The pictures here show 2 patterns, and 2 envelopes made in this manner. One of them is a square with 4 flaps and a pretty sticker holding it all closed. Hope this is clear and you enjoy making your own envelopes!

Deja-vu

Deja-vu is the theme for "Illustration Friday".
Deja-vu is what I thought of as I completed these 
paper mache flowers. The black one, and the green
one, were made in the early 70s. They have held up very well,
however I wanted to try again. The new ones were completed today.
I used old jewelry for most of the centers. I will put pin backs on 3 of
them, and hair clips on the others. I also made a purple one with tissue paper,
sprayed with triple thick acrylic. Not sure how it will hold up.
Fun, fun, fun!!

Whew!

Whew! I finally got my calendar entry mailed to Cloth Paper Scissors.  This was for their 2012 calendar contest. I took my photos to the post office, and put them through the slot, so hopefully they got to Stow, MA in time to be included in the contest. That is my excuse for not putting the centers in my paper mache flowers. I will post them when they are finished and beautiful.

Today was critique group, after a much too long holiday break. It was fun to see what everyone has been working on. It is always good to get input from fellow artists, as to what is working in a piece, and what is not. I have been doing some framing, so I got some advice on that.

I will be hanging several pieces of art downtown, in the Scentchips Corridor tomorrow.
My wonderful hubby said he would go along to help; he is always ready to step up when I need an extra hand.

Happy New Year

I can't believe it is Jan. 3rd already! Where does time go?
Anyway Happy New Year to all my friends and family.
I hope the new year is filled with many blessings and new adventures.
I hope to have a few of my own; I have joined the group
"Big dreams, Small Wonders"...a great group of artists.
I have been reading a lot and reflecting on ideas for the new year.
I want to stay true to myself and follow my passion.
I watched Diane Sawyer last evening on the new OWN channel.
She told about her life growing up, and the many opportunities that she had, and TOOK.
She did not shy away from anything. Her father gave her some advice when she got ready to go out into the world.
Do something that you love.
Do it in a most interesting place, or way.
Make sure it helps others.
I think she has done all three.
Hopefully I  too can use this advice in 2011.