NickieBlog

November Special

2011-10-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

For the month of November, I have decided to offer a special on my classes. Purchase any of my online lettering classes, and get another one of your choice absolutely free! A $20 value.

For more information, click on the Online Class tab at the top of my blog!

Summer of Color - Purple

2011-07-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Not one, but two entries for the Summer of Color Challenge! A couple of greeting cards using various ephemera....

Illustration Friday: REMEDY

2011-07-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

Garage Sale Treasure Hunt!

2011-06-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday morning, I went on a treasure hunt, traveling from garage sale to garage sale (and even to a few estate sales) searching for pieces of old jewelery and odds and ends that I could use on my art cards.

As you can see, I was very successful! I can't to start adding these bits and pieces to collages!

I sometimes get funny looks when I make my purchases. Who gets excited over a bag of old keys? I certainly do!

It's HERE!!!

2011-05-10T10:57:00.000-07:00

So here it is - my new class! Introducing...FANTASTIC FLORALS!
I can't tell you how much fun it was to spend my time creating all these lovely blooms! Talk about joy!
I hope you love them as much as I do - 20 pages of detailed instructions on how to create 45 different flowers - including a flower lettering style! For the same price as all of my other classes - $20 Cdn or US.

Like all of my classes, this class in is pdf format - it comes to you through e-mail, so you can work on it at your own pace, with as much (or as little) interaction from me as you like!

And right now, don't forget that until the end of May, if you purchase one of my classes, you get another one of your choice ABSOLUTELY FREE - a $20 value!

Just click on the ONLINE classes tab at the top of my blog, and visit my ONLINE classes to purchase page!

Do you want a taste? I have attempted my FIRST video - so be kind...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQmXOS2RHiU

Extending my Spring Special!

2011-05-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Due to the large number of requests that I have received, I am extending my Spring Special! Now until MAY 31st, if you purchase any of my classes, you will receive an additional class of your choice absolutely FREE! A value of $20

A special thank you to those of you who have supported me by purchasing my classes to date, and who have sent me such positive feedback! You make me want to create more and more!

Weeds

2011-04-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

I am currently experimenting with different types of flowers, as I am working on a new online course, Fabulous Flowers! These dandelions are one of the flowers that I came up with tonight.

More Cards!

2011-04-10T21:13:00.000-07:00

So due to an accounting error my internet and my cable tv was disconnected from Thursday to Sunday. I ended up spending the weekend in my art room, watching all of the Godfather movies, and making more cards for the sale I will be in next weekend. Here are a few that I am particularly proud of...ENJOY!

Made by You Monday

2011-04-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is a card that I have made for the upcoming craft sale I am going to be a part of on April 16th. I think that it would make a beautiful Mother's Day Card. It features some of my crocheted flowers that are so much fun to make!

Spring Lettering/Doodle Class Special

2011-04-03T13:14:00.000-07:00

One month left in in Spring Class special! With the purchase of any of my classes, you will receive one absolutely free! A $20.00 value!

Please click on the Classes tab above for more information, and contact me for a free sample lesson!

2011-04-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

Spring Cards

2011-03-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

This past weekend produced many cards with a spring theme!

Illustration Friday: Cultivate

2011-03-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

A snippet from my art journal, for Illustration Friday's prompt: Cultivate.

Banff

2011-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favourite cards that I have made recently. This is a postcard of Banff, Alberta, about 5 hours from my home. A place of some lovely family vacations... I got this great postcard from a collection of things that were my grandmothers, and I though it paired up perfectly with this bathing beauty! A place of great Canadian fishing, I thought the fish fly cufflink was a great addition.

Illustration Friday: Stir

2011-03-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

2011-03-12T20:41:00.000-08:00

These cards are the by product of a couple of days off from my day job. As always, these cards are for sale - I have them posted along with the others on the cards for sale page - click on the tab above if you are interested in viewing them all. Please send me a note if you are interested in purchasing.

I will also make custom cards, so if you have an old baby picture, wedding photo, etc. that you would like to see on a customized card, please let me show you what I can do!

As always, comments are welcome!

Sunday Postcard Art

2011-02-28T20:47:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art theme: Double Take - 2 little girls with 2 little dolls!

Illustration Friday: Swarm

2011-02-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't done one of these for a while, so I thought I would take advantage of a quiet snow day to put together something with a warm breeze of spring...

so this is what I did for Illustration Friday this week, a SWARM of butterflies!

Sunday Postcard Art

2011-02-21T17:22:00.000-08:00

My artful long weekend has turned into a bit of a self-pity weekend, as I have spent most of it in the fetal position with a nasty cold/flu bug. I did manage to do one challenge though (involving a nap before, and a nap after) for Sunday Postcard Art. Below is my entry for the theme: Faces

media: watercolor pencils and micron liner with on bristol

And the winner is......

2011-02-18T20:06:00.000-08:00

Belinda Ferrell!

Congratulations to Belinda Ferrell for winning her choice of one of my on-line classes during the One World One Heart blog event! Belinda has a lovely blog of her own, Belinda Ferrells Polymer Clay OOAK Babies featuring her beautiful sculpted dolls.

Thank you to all of you visiting my blog, and for leaving all of the wonderful comments!

Art Journal Love Challenge

2011-02-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

Here is my entry for the Art Journal Love challenge. I used the famous phrase from my favourite band, The Beatles. I used watercolors, markers, and india ink, and mostly ....love, love, LOVE!

Valentines

2011-02-15T20:52:00.000-08:00

MY FUNNY VALENTINES...
I decided to make some pin-up girl valentines this year.
They were very popular!

2011-01-31T07:40:00.000-08:00

Once again I am participating in the One World One Heart Blog event. Leave a comment below, and at the end of the event (midnight on Feb 17th, 2011) I will offer a lucky winner the online class of their choice! For a list of my classes, click on the tab at the top of my blog!

To visit more blogs, and enter for more prizes, click here!

2011-01-16T19:07:00.000-08:00

Record breaking snowfall in my city. Need I say more?

New Look to the Blog!

2011-01-09T22:52:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Well, we have been in what has playfully been called the SNOWPOCALYPSE here in my hometown, so I have taken advantage of being snowed in and updated the look of my blog, once again. Some of you frequent visitors have probably noticed that I have tried on a few new templates for size, but I haven't been too happy with any of the fits.

At long last, I think I have found something that is going to work, a simple, yet attractive design that will compliment my artwork, instead of overwhelming it!

I have also started working with the beauty of the additional Blogger page feature, so you will see that I have a new link at the top of my blog to information about my online classes.

I would love to hear what you think of the new layout!

Awareness

2011-01-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

I finished my journal page with my word of intent for 2011...

Art Journaling Every Day

2011-01-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

Starting the Art Journaling Every Day Challenge at Balzer Designs has led me back to an old friend, my art journal! So far it has not been difficult to fill the pages, but I have been home on Christmas vacation. It will interesting to see what happens once I return to work.

This page was created for a calendar that I am contributing to. It will be for the photo with the July/August pages, so I wanted something with a garden feel, but also with my own personal whimsical style.

The pages below have more of a diary feel.

The next one is a page in progress, my word of intent for the year 2011. I do not make resolutions - they don't work for me. Instead, I have a word that will be my focus for the year. This word means so many things to me, and ties into all that I would like to be in 2011. I will post the finished page once it is done!

2011-01-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Art Journal Every Day

2010-12-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am going to be attempting to journal every day, and this is going to be the place that will motivate me! Stay tuned...

Balzer Designs Art Journal Every Day

2010-12-22T14:21:00.002-08:00

2010-12-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more Christmas projects that I have done, a card and a panel featuring buttons, vintage garage sale find jewlery, etc. It is so fun to see how the junk drawer can evolve into something beautiful!

Busy with Projects!

2010-11-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much time to blog lately, as I have been busy working on my projects for some upcoming craft sales that I am taking part in. Here are a couple cards, a wall hanging, and an ornament that I have created. I love this time of year, a very productive time for me!

Teddy Bears

2010-10-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Some Teddy Bear atc's that I made for a swap. Having fun with my markers again.

halloween in wonderland 6

2010-10-21T21:13:00.001-07:00

halloween in wonderland 6, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

Hosta

2010-09-27T10:18:00.001-07:00

hosta, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

This card features a photo I took with my hipstamatic app on my iphone! I crocheted the flower embellishments too...

Butterfly

2010-09-27T10:14:00.001-07:00

butterfly, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

I have been having so much fun making cards lately! This card features some lettering, and even a little bit of sewing! Thanks to my friend Ruth, my button collection has grown by leaps and bounds, so you will be seeing lots of buttons in my work from now on!

More Cards!

2010-08-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

More Flower Doodles!

2010-08-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

I have been creating samples for my Delightful Doodles class, and so I have been revisiting some of my designs. I thought I would try doing some on kraft paper, outlining with a gel pen. I think that I will eventually use these on greeting cards.

2010-08-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

A collage that I put together while I was on my holidays. The large beaded embellishment is a treasure that I found at a garage sale for a quarter. I love garage sales! You never know what you may find...

Goodbye.

2010-08-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

I had to say goodbye to my sweet Toby today. He was my shadow for 15 years, a heartbeat at my feet while I rocked babies to sleep, a snoring companion while I waited for kids to come home late at night. Toby, I hope that heaven is a place where you can chase the Goldens with boundless energy, and that there are more bars of soap than even you could possibly eat. I love you, Buddy.

Flower Doodles

2010-08-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

I was playing with some flower doodles, as I have been working through my doodles class along side a group from Artists of the Round Table... I will probably end up putting these on cards.

imagination

2010-08-01T21:19:00.001-07:00

imagination, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

more creations

2010-07-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

More creations...not on Etsy yet, but they will be!

2010-07-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

The beautiful vintage image of a little girl with a butterfly came from the Graphics Fairy, and has quickly become one of my favourite images to use on cards. I just love combining vintage images with found images and my own doodles!

By the way, visit my etsy shop, Delightful Doodles to where you can purchase this card and many more!

Baby

2010-07-05T14:48:00.001-07:00

baby card, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

Another handmade greeting card, featuring buttons, lace, a vintage image (I used a slideholder for the frame) and some of my own lettering.

More Cards!

2010-06-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

To Etsy, or to Ebay? That is the question. So I have posted these on Ebay - and will wait and see if I am successful on either site...

2010-06-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

DelightfulDoodles Etsy Shop

I have been having SO MUCH FUN creating handmade cards of late, using miscellaneous supplies, and treasures I have found at local garage and yard sales. Only a few are featured here!

Everyone has been telling me that I should be selling these cards, so I have decided to post them on ETSY, and see what happens. Please stop my my Etsy Shop, my id there is DelightfulDoodles - I would love to hear your comments!

Enough

2010-05-26T21:31:00.001-07:00

Enough, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

Happy Birthday Mama!

2010-05-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday...

So after I made her this birthday card, I made her a shadow box, featuring an old photograph of my great-grandfather. The box features wheat from the area where he had his homestead, a piece of petrified wood I found there as well, some old buttons and a piece of Romanian beads. I replicated some Romanian embroidery on paper, and had a friend give me a Romanian translation that I thought was fitting.

Beatles Project: Song Titles

2010-05-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here are the Song Titles from my Beatles Project! Did you guess them all?

From left to right, top to bottom:

Drive My Car
P.S. I Love You
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Roll Over Beethoven
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
For the Benefit of Mr. Kite
Lady Madonna
The Fool on the Hill
I Am The Walrus
Yellow Submarine
Ticket to Ride
The Long and Winding Road
Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds
Penny Lane
Rain
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Glass Onion
Eleanor Rigby
Back in the USSR
Hey Bulldog
Revolution No. 9
Help
Dr. Robert
Do You Want To Know A Secret
Strawberry Fields Forever
I’m Only Sleeping
Rocky Racoon
Can’t Buy Me Love
Blackbird
Birthday
Mean Mr. Mustard
The Sun King
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Here Comes the Sun
Octopus’ Garden

I created this project using 1.5" square pieces of wood. I then created the drawings on paper, glued them onto the wood pieces, and then covered the drawings in UTEE embossing powder. This gave them the "heavy lacquered tile" look.

I then found a frame with a slight recess - almost a shadow box, and it worked out to be exactly the same depth as the thickness of my wood pieces! I painted the inside of the frame black, and glued my tile pieces into the frame with wood glue.

Thank you to everyone who has commented about this project! It was so fun to make, and I am thrilled with the feedback that I have received from all of you!

Beatles Project

2010-05-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my finished project - I am SO PROUD of this! I was inspired by an assemblage that I saw in Somerset Studio. I thought it would be a great way to express my love of The Beatles. See if you know the names of all of the songs I have depicted! Send me an e-mail if would like all of the titles.

Tick Tock

2010-05-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

I have had this clock kit for many years, thinking I would put a piece of needlework in it someday. Well, I decided that instead of needlework, I would insert some of my own art. I kind of like it!

For Calvin

2010-05-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

One of my dad's nearest and dearest friends, Calvin Vollrath is celebrating his 50th birthday this weekend.

Calvin is one of Canada's national treasures, having been twice crowned the Grand North American Old Tyme Fiddle Champion. Calvin composed 5 fiddle tunes for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic opening ceremonies, and you may have seen him performing there, along side Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie McMaster.

It was very easy to come up with a birthday card for him. I added some Metis elements, as Calvin is very proud of his Metis heritage. The photograph is of Napoleon Nault, a Metis fiddler circa the 1800's.

Give yourself a treat and visit Calvin's website, where you will here some of his music!

A project in the works.

2010-05-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

I am REALLY excited about this!
A project that is in the works. Stay tuned!

Oh, and by the way, can you guess what this project is all about?

Mother's Day Card

2010-05-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

This is the card that I made my mom for Mother's Day. I have really been into making flower embellishments lately - as you can see, I even found a crochet hook in my stash of abandoned tools and made a rose! Grandma Vincent would be so proud...

Play Date Cafe Challenge

2010-05-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the Play Date Cafe this week. How could I resist entering my birthday card for my niece? Made with found items, and collected papers, etc. This is one my favourite colour combinations!

Pippa the Fairy

2010-04-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

I arrive home today to find this lovely post on Erica's Artistic Endeavors. It seems that Erica used a lesson one of my online doodle classes to create Pippa the Fairy!

Please take the time to pop over to Erica's blog and see her wonderful doodle! She also has some wonderful links there - well worth the visit.

If you are interested in my doodle classes, or my lettering classes, please let me know and I can send you a sample lesson!

I am just going to sit here and beam with pride....wonderful work, Erica!

Happy Birthday, Willow!

2010-04-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

My beautiful niece Willow turns eleven on Thursday. This is the birthday card that I made for her, with a variety of goodies from my art studio...look closely - I may have picked up some of these elements at your garage sale!

I have been playing with some crochet flower patterns lately, so I made Willow a hairpin with some embroider cotton and a number 2 crochet hook. They are so fun to make! I am going to make a bunch for embellishing cards.

Daphne's Necklace

2010-04-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

One of my friends at work saw a necklace that she liked at a designer shop. This is the knock-off version I made for her, for about a tenth of the price of the original. And I think mine is nicer!

Bead Flowers

2010-04-05T10:22:00.001-07:00

Bead Flowers, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

I spent last night playing with the beads in my bead drawer. I haven't decided what I am going to do with these flowers yet...Embellishments for cards? Hair accessories? You can see the wires peeking from behind each flower, as I have kept the extra wire on them to keep anchoring options open. For the moment, these beaded blooms will adorn my art room.

One thing is for sure, I will be making more!

A card for Auntie Rosemarie...

2010-03-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

A very happy birthday to my Auntie Rosemarie! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that all of your birthday wishes come true...

Amanda's Birthday

2010-03-06T20:09:00.001-08:00

On Monday, my middle child, my only girl, turned 17. I remember being 17 with such clarity; I wanted to make her an extra-special birthday card, with an extra-special quote.

For beautiful eyes
Look for the good in others
For beautiful lips
Speak only words of kindness
And for poise,
Walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
- Audrey Hepburn

Those of you who know Amanda, will know how pleased I was with the drawing, and the resemblance to her!

waiting

2010-02-16T21:10:00.001-08:00

waiting, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

And the Winner is....

2010-02-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

And the winner of my One World One Heart entry is.....Bevie Sams!

Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments....Bevie, I will be in touch!

Gracie the Pug

2010-02-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

This is a picture for my friend Gillian, of her Pug, Gracie. Isn't she sweet?

Heart Attack

2010-02-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

I am typing this post one week after an event that blindsided my family, an event that could have had very tragic results. My husband Todd, after celebrating is 45th birthday the week before, had his brother drive him home from work, after complaining of a sharp pain between his shoulder blades, and a sore chest. We had thought he had pneumonia again, and had discussed his visiting the doctor after the busy weekend we had coming up.

Well, on the way home, he decide that he should probably get checked out at emergency, it probably was pneumonia, he was suddenly feeling much worse - with intense pain in the chest, excessive sweating, and ice cold hands and feet. Shortly after, I got a phone call at work, telling me that the Doctors in emergency strongly suspected he was having a heart attack, and that they were sending him to another hospital to have the blockage they suspected removed.

By the time I got to the hospital and tracked Todd down, Todd's doctor had found that one artery in his heart was 100% blocked, and they had already inserted two stents that cleared the blockage completely. Because of the short amount of time between Todd's heart attack started, and when they were able to take care of blockage, his prognosis is very promising.

Todd exercises every day, and is on a very healthy diet. He is RELATIVELY young (sorry honey), and has low cholesterol. Yet he ended up suffering a heart attack, genetics probably playing a lead role. I share our story so that all of you will be aware of the symptoms, and so that you will make sure that those you love in your life do not play it brave and wait at home playing it tough, waiting for pain to pass, not wanting to spend their night or day in an emergency room. Don't take ANY symptoms for granted - I am so grateful that my guy went to the hospital when he did.

For more information about warning signs of heart disease, please visit The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation website.

Hopeful

2010-02-05T14:18:00.001-08:00

More fun with vintage images. This piece was therapy for me, as I am home this week taking care of my husband following his heart attack.

Copic pens, and watercolour pencils created this soft look.

2010-01-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

Once again, I am participating in the world-wide blog giveaway, One World One Heart, hosted by Lisa Swifka.

To win the prize, all you have to do is leave a comment ON THIS POST only, with your name and email address and you'll be signed up. Then, your name will be put into the hat for a chance to win. The prize? The lucky winner will receive the piece below:

Please be sure there is a way for me to contact you if I draw your name. I will be making the draw on February 14th at midnight, and will contact the winner on February 15th.

Molly

2010-01-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

Another dog done in copic markers...this time, the subject is my dog, Molly.

Wilderness

2010-01-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

For the Illustration Friday prompt, WILDERNESS. Those birds look pretty WILD, don't they?

Draw-This Prompts!

2010-01-17T21:21:00.001-08:00

I have recently joined another drawing group, called D raw-This. I find that by following prompts, I can try things that I normally would never attempt. I did these two prompts this evening - using copic markers and a fineliner pen.

2010-01-10T19:18:00.001-08:00

I was asked to make this fridge magnet for someone who had seen an earlier one I had done, and had loved the quote. So here it is...I hope she likes it!

Illustration Friday Post: Renewal

2010-01-02T19:27:00.001-08:00

One of my new year's resolutions (I
have many) is to do as many of the
Illustration Friday prompts as I can.
I love the challenge of them!

This week's challenge is "RENEWAL",
and when I saw the word, I instantly thought of butterflies. I also happened to have this lovely vintage image in my collection of favourite images, and it lent itself perfectly to the theme.

All I needed was a quote, so when I found this quotation from the actress Lynn Redgrave, I knew that I was ready to go!

2010-01-01T20:15:00.001-08:00

Well, the craziness and wonder that is everything Christmas has come and gone for another year. I have been having a wonderful holiday season, spending some much anticipated days off of work working in my art journal, catching up on movie watching and book reading, and enjoying friends and family. I hope to be posting art on a more regular basis once again now that the new year has begun, so stay tuned! In the meantime, here are a few ornaments that I made that now grace my Christmas tree.

2009-11-21T12:31:00.001-08:00

Here are some pieces that I put together for our Annual Christmas Craft and Bake sale that I put together at my day job. In addition to these, I also had some cards, small tree ornaments, and altered domino ornaments (which I will post in a day or two). I love doing Christmas Craft sales!

Mixed Media Artist Blog Feature!

2009-11-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

I am so excited!
Cyndi L. over at MIXED MEDIA ARTIST BLOG has done a feature on me today! Talk about validation....
She chose a couple of my favourite pieces featuring my latest love, which is combining vintage images (in the one case a photo of my momma as a little girl) with my own artwork and lettering.

Thank you again, Cyndi - this made my day!

http://www.mixed-media-artist.com/2009/11/mixed-media-artist-nicolette-anderson.html

Love is Like a Butterfly

2009-11-13T22:13:00.000-08:00

On the Blissful Art Journaling group, we had a prompt challenge about butterflies. When I think about butterflies, I always think about the this song by Dolly Parton. Inspired by the prompt, and by the exciting buzz going on with my Creative Lettering workshop on the Artists of the Round Table Yahoo Group, I created this piece tonight. I thought it would make a nice card, so I am adding it to my Greeting Card Universe cards, if you would like to order a copy! Please click on the image for a better view...

Frozen

2009-10-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday: Frozen....

This made me think of the Snow Queen, from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

The quote is from the 2002 movie version of the story....

2009-10-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

A combination of a favourite vintage image, my own doodles, and lettering.

Holiday Doodles...for free!

2009-10-17T14:56:00.001-07:00

From now until Christmas, if you buy any of my other online classes, I will send you my Holiday Doodles class absolutely FREE!

Holiday Doodles will give you 21 full colour pages in a printable pdf format of holiday designs.
A value of $20

Please visit www.nicolettescreativelettering.com

Stephanie's Card

2009-10-17T09:39:00.001-07:00

A friend celebrated her birthday this week, so I made her this card. In case you are wondering, she is a huge Bruce Willis fan. My apologies to Mr. Willis for any discomfort this piece of art may cause.

pumpkin trio

2009-10-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

pumpkin trio, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

beautiful

2009-10-12T21:03:00.001-07:00

beautiful, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

2009-09-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

This card was created for the Art Creations Friday blog. The challenge was to use this lovely vintage photo of a lady at her spinning wheel.

I made the card so that it folded open to reveal two other panels. I was really happy with the way the vintage paper and lace worked with the colours in the photograph. A special thank you to Art Freeby for supplying the wonderful image!

Autumn Quote

2009-09-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

As you know, I love doing art blog challenges! I think I have one for every day of the week now...

This challenge is from a great blog, called One Powerful Hour. The trick is to try and complete the challenge in one hour. This week's challenge was AUTUMN. A favourite subject of mine, the quotes about this season are always so beautiful, and have such great imagery to work with. Combine that with the beautiful autumn color palette (provided courtesy of my favourite COPIC markers) and I was able to come up with this lovely little piece.

2009-09-19T11:42:00.001-07:00

This is a 4x6 postcard that I have available for trade.

Gratitude

2009-09-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Vintage Inchies

2009-09-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Here are couple of VINTAGE inchies that I did for a challenge posted at the Small World of Inchies and Twinchies blog. Inchies are so much fun! The challenge of creating on such a small scale is a great thing to do, I recommend you give them a try...

WELCOME

2009-09-11T21:06:00.001-07:00

For this weeks Illustration Friday prompt, I decided to create a Welcome sign using a retro autumn palette.

2009-09-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to one of my heroes, my online friend, Bernie Berlin.

Bernie is an amazing woman. In addition to being an incredible mixed media artist, Bernie runs a shelter for dogs and cats called A Place To Bark. Bernie has rescued thousands of sick, abused and abandoned animals. She is up all hours of the day and night caring for sick dogs and cats, and every week Bernie drives from Tennessee to Chicago with her van full of healed dogs and cats, so that they can be put up for adoption.

Right now, one of her dogs, Alphie, is in the Cutest Dog Competition on the All American Pets Brand website.

If her dog wins, Bernie will receive desperately needed funds for her shelter. If you’d like to help Bernie, and all of the animals, please register and vote here for this little love. You can even vote every day!

Molly and I have a challenge for all of you who have dogs or cats that YOU love. Go and make a donation to A Place to Bark, as I have. (I used PayPal) If all of us make a donation, we can help Bernie continue her amazing work!

2009-09-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

I created this piece as part of a challenge on the blog, KIMBERLY'S MIXED MEDIA ART. Kimberly is running a contest using her Peaceful Lady image, and will be creating a collage sheet of some of the selected entries. Using my COPIC markers, I used a quote, featuring my lettering. Please visit Kimberley's blog after September 15th to vote on your favourite entry. Who knows, it may even be mine!

More Inchy Magnets...

2009-09-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

So here are a couple more Inchy Magnets, created for the blog challenge,
at Inchy by Inch. This time the theme was stitch, so I decided to stitch some buttons onto these magnets. The background designs I created with my Copics.

You'll soon find these on a refrigerator near you!

Strong

2009-09-07T18:23:00.001-07:00

Strong, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

This piece is for another Illustration Friday prompt, STRONG.

When I think of Strength, I think of the women, like my mother, who have had to battle breast cancer in their lifetime. Some, like my mother, have won that battle, and some, sadly, have lost. But all have shown strength that always leaves me in awe.

This is for you, ladies.

Copic Certification

2009-09-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow my blog, or have seen a lot of my artwork, know that one of my favourite weapons of choice are the COPIC markers. Oh, how I love thee, let me count the ways!!!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to take a COPIC Certification Class with Sherrie Siemens, a member of the COPIC design team, and a cardmaker extraordinaire. Visit her blog, Card Creme and you will see what I mean! Inspiring in so many ways, Sherrie is truly a kindred spirit. Anyone who names her blog after the frothy top of a latte is a girl after my own heart!

So I spent last Saturday in a creative heaven, learning great tips and tricks to use with my beloved COPIC markers. I also had the opportunity to work with the COPIC Airbrush system....I have to get one of those. As the girls in the class heard me say, I want one so bad it HURTS!!! Copic ink will color on pretty much anything - metal, glass, fabric, so the airbrush is a great way to add these colors evenly to your embellishments...

Being in this class gave me an opportunity to meet some wonderful people from near and far with similar interests, not to mention some wonderful business owners.

Here are my buddies from my table, Peggy and Amanda from Paperworks Co. and Camille from Scrap 'N' Bean.

We all had so much fun, and I am now a Certified Copic Instructor, which means I can teach others all about my favourite tool!

Latte Anyone?

2009-08-30T21:31:00.001-07:00

Latte Anyone?, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

My daughter Amanda and I, along with my sister-in-law and nephew went to a local ceramic studio called Crankpots during my vacation. Ever since this local business opened, I have wanted to go their and paint some ceramics. These are the latte cups that Amanda and I made. (Amanda's is the one with the hearts)

I hope this will become a traditional event with us, it was so fun! I would like to do some Christmas cookie plates next...

Lady in Green Altered Dominoes

2009-08-23T11:16:00.001-07:00

Lady in Green Altered Dominoes, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

Years ago, I created an altered talisman for a friend to carry with her during her chemotherapy treatments. She liked having something with inspiring images to hold in her hand and fiddle with while she sat in the hospital.

From that evolved these Altered Domino Talismans. These pieces are meant to be even more of tactile experience than a visual one. For those of us with restless fingers, these are perfect!

These 2 use a favourite vintage image, of a lady in green.

Another Altered Domino

2009-08-23T11:12:00.001-07:00

Another Altered Domino, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

Here is another altered domino talisman...

Fairy House

2009-08-23T11:09:00.001-07:00

Fairy House, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

A visit to the thrift shop found the perfect item to become a fairy house.

Saturday Treasures

2009-08-23T11:02:00.001-07:00

estate sale treasures, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

These are some costume jewelery treasures that I found at an estate sale during my garage sale adventure yesterday. I love to look for vintage type costume jewelery (or really costume jewelery of ANY kind) that I can use in my altered art. Usually I go looking for any broken pieces that I can pull apart, but at this sale I found some lovely things that I can use in their entirety.

Quiet Lady

2009-08-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

Quiet Lady, originally uploaded by sapphire252.

This ATC was created using an image from a magazine, gesso, and a rubber stamp. It is not available for trade, as my daughter has claimed it as her own.