ANOTHER CHRISTMAS IN THE BOOKS...and Sunday Sketches

This pretty much says it all for me today...  colored pencil, pitt pen and a little bit of white acrylic!!!  I trust you all had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and are now having a day of rest!!!!
Please stop by Sunday Sketches hosted by Sophia and check out the awesome art!!!

cheers, dana

A doggy Christmas surprise - wahooooo MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Sent to me by my stepmom !!!!  Merry merry Sandy and Happy Happy Everyone!!!

TWELVE LORD A LEAPING ...

Soooooooooooooooo sweetly done by Robin - the jingle slippers are leaping right off the card!  Again - just awesome. Visit her blog and check out the other versions of her 12 Lords a Leaping!!!

So, as I have posted the last card of the 12 card set - and when the holiday celebrations are over I will be putting my cards back in the back until next!!!  I have decided that I won't be putting it away with all the other Christmas decorations.  I am going to keep in on my bookshelf in the artroom.   I want to be able to open it up and get a smile if  I need one - anytime throughout the year.  Thanks Ladys' - I soooooo love each and every card in this collection!  Merry Christmas!

HOSTED BY WENDY http://www.blissangels.blogspot.com/

                                       
                                            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9dW6wkA-s0

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL - AND -

A MERRY EVERYDAY  2011

Eleven Ladies Dancing ...

awesome creation by  Electra !!!  This card has so much dimension - layers and textures. 

aren't these ladies beautiful!!!

The name of Electra's blog is: Wishin I Knew How To Blog... her blog is fabulous soooooooooo she has got some know-how - check it out!!!
Again, please scroll down to see: 10 Pipers piping, 9 Drummers drumming, 8 Maids a milking, 7 Swans swimming, 6 Geese a laying, 5 GOLDEN RINGS, 4 Calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 Turtle doves and a Partridge in a pear tree !!!!
Wendy, this has been so much fun!  Thank YOU.

Tomorrow the last of our ATC swap...
cheers, dana

Ten Pipers Piping . . .

This one is mine.... sooooooooooo, of course, I am critical.  I wish I had used darker paper for the silhouette's of the Santa's piping.  I had fun making the ATC's though.  I used sheet music that I had received from my friend Penny for my backing - a textured card stock for the faces - good old shredded cotton balls for Santa's hat fur - acrylics, gel medium and pitt pen marker. 

Since doing this card I have met this great new jazz musician - he plays the trumpet, Etienne Charles, wish I had done trumpets!!!!  Check out his music - awesome!

If you haven't seen the earlier post ... scroll down for: 9 drummers drumming, 8 maids a milking, 7 swans swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 GOLDEN RINGS, 4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!!!

Hosted by Wendy at http://www.blissangels.blogspot.com/

cheers, dana

make art - make friends - send art - share souls

On the Ninth day of Christmas my True Love gave to me...

Nine Drummers drumming ...

This card was done by Sandi - I have no idea of what technique she used but would love a tutorial!  It is incredible!  Again, for tiny pieces of art - these creations are all great - I will cherish this set of 12! Check out the Little Drummer Boy with Bing and David Bowie!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

As, always, I invite you to scroll down and see the previous 8 days:
8 maids a milking, 7 swans swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 GOLDEN RINGS, 4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!

cheers and HAPPY 28TH BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BORN, ALEX!!!! love, mom

Sunday Sketches and the EIGHTH day of Christmas my true love gave to me

Eight Maids a milking ...  this is great!!!  Done by Marlene - hey Marlene, I want a full size version of this one!  My husband's daughter is in large animal vet school - cows are her specialty !!!  This would be a great picture for her to hang on her wall!!!!

you've got to love it!!!

once again, please scroll through the other 7 days that have been posted... 7 swans swimming, 6 geese a laying, 5 GOLDEN RINGS, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!  Thanks hostess Wendy!

SUNDAY SKETCHES... what an inspirational group of artist!!!!  I started this sketch last Sunday:

Finished this Sunday morning... Rudy and Krissy Carol

Rudy and Krissy Carol

I can't wait to check out all the other Sunday Sketches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers, dana
make art - make friends; send art - share souls

On the Seventh Day of Christmas My True Love gave to Me...

Seven Swans a Swimming . . . done by Karla - soooooooooooooo sweet!!!  The Swan comes off the card so you can really see all the detail in this delicate white feathered friend!  Check out her blog - I love her banner and background!!!

Absolutely lovely!

Only 5 more ATC's left - it's almost Christmas ... are you ready??? Yikes, I'm not!

cheers, dana

scroll down for: 6 geese a laying, 5 GOLDEN RINGS, four calling birds, three french hens and a partridge in a pear tree!!!   thanks Wendy, our host

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .

Six Geese a Laying ... Terri did such a clever job on this one!!!  Put six geese all cozied up in an old four post bed! Terri made the bed from round topped toothpicks.  I wish you could really see the dimension of this card.  Notice how the first one's feathered wing is out over the qulit.  The sheet music in the background - love it!

I was fortunate enough earlier this year to have Terri as a swap partner and the card she sent me was sooooo detailed - love it.

To view the previous five days please scroll down:
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS, four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves and
a partridge in a pear tree!
See you tomorrow for day SEVEN.
cheers, dana

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

five golden rings . . .

Created by our hostess with the mostest... Wendy at Bliss Angels !!!  Isn't she lovely!!!

Please scroll down through the last four days of posting to see. . .
four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves AND a partridge in a pear tree !!!

cheers, dAna

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .

FOUR CALLING BIRDS... exquisitely done by Francie!  As I unfolded the ATC holder that Wendy made for each of the participants - Four Calling Birds caught my eye right away!  The stark contrast of the black and creamy white - the glitter - the everything - beautiful card!

Francie also included a little history on the backside of her card:

Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree !!! Scroll down to view!!!

cheers, dana

thanks again to Wendy for hosting!

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . .

THREE FRENCH HENS... artistically represented by Debbie's ATC - I love this one, I have a wacky collection of roosters, chicken/hens and flamingo's sooooooooooooooo obviously this card has a special attraction for me!!!

Debbie used a playing card also - these gals are clever!!!

Scroll down to my last two post for TWO TURTLE DOVES & A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!!!

Hosted by Wendy at Bliss Angels - thanks Wendy!!!

cheers, dana

make art - make friends; send art - share souls!

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Two Turtle Doves...beautifully done by Blanche!!!

She is sooooooooooo clever this is done on a playing card - a 2 of diamonds, of course!!!!

Don't you love it!!!  So we now have 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!!!

and it's beginning to look alot like Christmas...
See you tomorrow as the 12 days of Christmas ATC trade continues! Hosted by Wendy at Bliss Angels!!!
cheers, dana

On the first day of Christmas ... and Sunday Sketches ... and

Yes, Ladies' I am FINALLY SENDING OUT THE GIANT TRAVELING POST CARD !!!  No, I hadn't forgotten - just a busy world!!!  So, packages will be at the post office first thing tomorrow morning!!!  They are sealed - addressed and ready!  Hope you enjoy the total package!

our project traveled 8548 miles !!!! thanks for the fun!!!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me - A Partridge in a Pear Tree...
this beautiful ATC is by Angela and the first card in our 12 card trade hosted by Wendy at Bliss Angels
It is a great representation to start the set off!  Thanks Angela!!!

This is worth coming back for the next eleven days to experience the beauty of this soulful trade!!!  Each card truly is a masterpiece!!!




And, another try at participating in Sunday Sketches... last weeks sketch is still on the board.  This week I am sharing a journal page...

I love my quiet morning time to peek out my livingroom window and watch the little critters!


Thanks for visiting!  cheers, dana
make art - make friends - send art - share souls

VERY BUSY TIME... SUNDAY SKETCH??? & 12 DAYS OF XMAS ATC's

So much going on this time of year - let alone - blogland!!!  I have been peeking in on Sunday Sketches and am totally captivatied by all the incredible art!!!  So, although we had 2 grandkids this weekend I did do a little personality portrait sketch that I plan on following through with completion - inspired by an ATC trade that said to express things you love -  I did do the card regarding the song, A few of my Favorite Things for the trade but kept thinking about it.  So, yesterday - Sunday, I put this to some scrap paper.



a few of my favorite things - again!

 So, I will post again next Sunday after I have continued to expand my idea!!!!

NOW, THE PACKAGE I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL LAST WEEK !!!  I didn't want to post until I was sure enough time had pasted that ALL of the participants had received their package!!!  Wendy, at Bliss Angels hosted - magnificently, I might add - a 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ATC exchange.  Each person was given one of the 12 days to produce TWELVE atc's to turn into Wendy.  She then put a SET together for each artists.  I had NO IDEA that the presentation would also be a gift.  The box - the trading card holder - ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.  I can't believe, not only did she do her 12 cards - SHE DID 12 BOXES AND THESE INCREDIBLE HOLDERS... I know I sound gushy but serioulsy I could not have put this all together. 

days one through six!!!

As the 12 day countdown begins, I will post each day so that you can see each card - these ladies' did magnificent work. 

days seven through twelve!!!

I will treasure this set of cards - forever!!!  Thanks Wendy and all the other artists'!!!  Be sure to come back and view each card starting December 12th - A Partridge in a Pear Tree!!!

cheers, dana
make art, make friends - send art, share souls!!!

Inspired by others!!!

Lenorita - Sunday Sketches & the Wright Stuff...  For the past week I have been bopping around through some beautiful art - had the day off today and a super small canvas - not meant for watercolor but there really are no rules in art:

used watercolors, gouache, watercolor crayons, pen and gel pen - entitled: Merry

thanks for the inspiration & motivation!

Cheers, dana

ps. as I have spent the day with her... I must expand the title: Merry, the essence of Helen's soul, unfortunately not her life

ART ???

"What is art? Is it paint on canvas? Pencil on paper? Yarn on needles?




We at CRESCENDOh believe that art is all of that and more. Art is what comes out of each of us, as we use our diverse spectrum of talent to elevate and beautify our lives. Art can be a quilt … a collage … a rubber stamped card … a poem … a musical performance … a well-loved garden … a delicious meal … a warm conversation. Art is what gets us through the moment, the hour, the day, the years, the lifetime. ART SAVES. "

This says it all!
cheers, dana

My November ATC to Meri

The theme was OPEN!
The suggestion was things you love!  So I decided to do: A Few of my Favorite Things!  I sang that song in a recital a million years ago - it popped in my head when reading the November challenge!  So, here it is...

Hope Meri likes it as much as I loved hers! Please scroll down and see my post of the ATC I received from her, beautiful!  Then go to her blog - click the button to the right, and enter her Christmas giveaway!  Check out the ATC swap at http://blissfullatcswap.blogspot.com/ - great fun if you are looking to participate!

Thanks for hosting Wendy!  Hope you had a great b-day!
cheers, dana

THE GIANT TRAVELING POSTCARD...

Remember its beginning...this base left Michigan on August 27th, 2010.

Entitled, Make Art - Make Friends

Mission - to visit 5 additional artists for them to contribute a piece of themselves to ultimately reflect the theme message.  The postcard traveled a total of 8548 miles!!!  I am an artist (wanna-be); paints and brushes are my main tools.  I had no idea how this would come out or work out... I have learned alot.  Should I attempt something like this again, I will give more direction so that no one feels that they were not given equal opportunity to contribute.  Each artist also sent a journal page/letter once they completed their time with the postcard.  These pages were filled with anticipation and emotion!  I will be compiling these into booklets for each artist to have the complete set.   These pages are works of art on their own.

 Everyone will also get an 8 X 10 print of our completed project!
Thanks to my fellow "artists" for participating!  It was truly a journey.

MAKE ART,  MAKE FRIENDS

Kelly of Tales from the South, Anna of Frosted Petunias, Wendy of Bliss Angels, Debbie of Simply Debbie, Penny of Palaver from Pellie & Genghis and me!

MAKE ART, MAKE FRIENDS... SEND ART, SHARE SOULS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you lady's - dana

blissful ATC swap for November...

As I am a last minute Lucy, mine is just leaving in the mail today, November 15th is the deadline!  I have already received mine from Meri at Imagimeri's Creations!!!  It is beautiful!!!  I hope you can read the embossed print of believe, precious treasure and prosper!!!  I shall hang it where I can view it everyday!

The added bonus was the beautiful stitched notecard that came along with it!  Absolutely lovely!  Thanks Meri, what a wonderful trade. 

Yes, yours is in the mail.  Here is a sneak peek but I won't really post it until the end of the week so you get it first!

Happy trading!
cheers, dana
(I will be posting the finished Giant Traveling Postcard on Wednesday!)

traveling post card

I will post the completed project...it certainly didn't go the way I expected - what does.  I have learned alot - back to my paints and brushes!
cheers, dana

willowing project finished

Here she is, flower girl!  I didn't exactly follow the directions but loved all the insight of Tam's techniques.  I plan on adding her to my shared thoughts notecard collection. 

available now!  $5.00 for set

 Currently I sell them as a set of 3 for $5.00!  (when I add her next year plus another - it will be a five card grouping for $8.75 a packet.  Individuals are available at $2.00 each)

I also have a set of my bloom collection, the tropics, and artful thoughts... let me know if you'd like to see them!

Make art, make friends... send art - share souls!

                                     dana

Willowing and Artist friends online class...

Here is my portrait in the making (I repeat, in the making).  First I did some sketching and then started adding the watercolor crayon and pencils... I don't think I like having so much pencil in the mix - but - this is a learning experience.   I think, even after completing her, I will try a couple more before moving on.  Tam is a fasinating teacher - check it out, its FREE !!!
I love that I am getting back to painting!!!
Make art...make friends!!  Postcard result, coming soon!!!
cheers, dana

happy halloween and thanks to my friends...

I love going to the mailbox, as you know - I love snail mail... so today I opened the box and got a great halloween card from my friend in blogland, Penny!  Spooky, in a sweet way!  I was also the lucky recipient of the monster postage stamp cards and had those in the mail this week from Elaine!  Both Penny's card and my winnings from Elaine will be part of Halloween each year from here on out!

I am also doing a free online art class with Tam from Willow and Friends - so even though I am already behind - I have been working at the class.  We were to do some writing and then gesso some journal pages, which I did!  But I haven't gotten any of my background work done on them yet - I was to do a portrait after the background BUT instead have been sketching (on scrap paper) so I am ready when I have time to sit down and do the class work!

Can't wait to really put some time into this class - please check it out if interested in working on your art skills! 
Have a great week... don't forget the giant traveling post card is at Penny's - the last stop.  We should have our finished project to share soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers to November!!!
dana

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY... and HALLOWEEN !!!

This has been such a fun month, I hate to see it end!  Happy Haunting to everyone this weekend!


have a BOOOOOOOO-tiful weekend!

Thanks to Beverly for hosting PINK Saturday's!  This will be my last PS post for awhile.  I have some art - commitments that need attention.  I have allowed myself toooooooo many distractions - so time to regroup.  Please continue to stop in and see what's going on.  The giant traveling postcard has arrived at Penny's for completion.  I can't wait to receive the finished piece!!! 
happy haunting, dana

IT'S HALLOWEEN TEA TIME!!!

Such a crazy day ... time to have some snacks, relax with a couple friends and TAKE FLIGHT!  We have decided to keep it simple and as soon as the moon rises get going to all the Halloween Tea Parties Anna has inspired... the cards say it will be a night of golden opportunity, clarity and hope! 

the sun, the moon and the stars

Now, we will relax enjoy some great conversation and fill ourselves for a long night of partying!!!
Meet my fellow travelers, they usually fly or ride along:
my mice - Treat and Trick, my owl named Boo and my crow named East!  We are not always tea without spike drinkers but before we fly tonight maybe... out of the book of brews we have chosen:

yum...especially if you add rum, but oh yes, not tonight

So, we gather together and plot our path... so much excitement tonight!  We can hardly contain ourselves.  The best week of the year, the countdown to Halloween... we will be busy each night this upcoming week.

Join us, grab a plate.... we are just about ready to travel...

Well, we are full, we have our map and we are ready to fly!!!  Hope to see you at the parties!!!

we always bring Magic Carpet along in case we have broom failer!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TEA PARTY... WE HOPE YOU HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS WE DO!!!
cheers, dana and friends!