What is Romance to you?

As I spent most of the month at the doctors and sick in bed, I had plenty of time to catch up on all my magazines that were cluttering up my bedside table.  I don't remember being this sick with a very nasty sinus infection then sick from the to many very strong steriods and antibiotics to finally get rid of it.  Along came this article, what is romance to you?  I really enjoyed all the different scenarios and with it FINALLY being February makes this an excellent topic.  To me, the good old Encyclopedia Britanncia summed it up perfectly about me and reflects the differences in how each of us interprets art, the beauty that someone may overlook and we must as artists create to share:

Romanticism emphasized the individual, the subjective, the irrational, the imaginative, the personal, the spontaneous, the emotional, the visionary, and the transcendental. Among its attitudes were a deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature; a general exaltation of emotion over reason and of the senses over intellect; a turning in upon the self and a heightened examination of human personality; a preoccupation with the genius, the hero, and the exceptional figure; a new view of the artist as a supremely individual creator; an emphasis on imagination as a gateway to transcendent experience and spiritual truth

So dear friends, I appreciate everyone that spends a moment just to view my art and share a kind comment or two.  I am glad that you have stuck with me through these slow months.  I saw a promise of Spring yesterday and was glad to see the sun shining and a warm breeze blowing my hair, one step at a time and one breath to move forward.

A new set of large tags/toppers.  The lovely romantic image is from the lovely Cerri, the back has an area for you to write more sentiment and to.from.  It would look lovely hanging off a vase or pitcher or even just setting on a shelf/cabinet.  I just love these which is about 7inches tall by about 4 inches.

These are made out of a thick illustration board, both are using vintage papers, buttons, with some newer version of pearls and millinery. The taller set is 2.5in by approx 5in and these above are 2.5in by 3.5in. They also are perfect as tags, toppers, and hanging off a vase of beautiful flowers or just for show. The string can easily be removed if so desired.

The last is a small altered craft book with craft paper and watercolor to have a small journal/notebook.  It would be perfect for a small garden, notes, pictures/collage.  Then I made this sweet matchbook to go with it so tiny for just a few special items (couple of the pages shown below).

Talk soon and take care,

Evolving

Merry New Year! Okay, really first week down and 3 more to go.  January has always been a longggggggg month for me and with each passing year seems to drag out even further.   I seriously believe I have a touch of that seasonal disorder as I get in the dumps-- so this January I'm working on updating everyday items, like sheets, towels, and kitchen items.  I still need curtains for each of the rooms.  Can you believe we have lived here a year and I still can't find something I like.  I haven't shopped for these items in a long time and I get off tangent so easily especially on the internet!  Priorities were very different for the past 7 years and are now easing back to spending a tiny bit of money on myself personally and finally a big house of my own.  Those 70's hand me downs are going to be replaced eventually!

In between the nasty sinus infections (of which I'm miserable today with), I have been working on some projects.  I did spend a little time reflecting on the past year and realizing that I have been evolving, working it out to find my own in this world of creating.  I love the mix of textures and little bits of colors with vintage bits/bobs.  I recently read about doing a word for the year and maybe this will continue to be 'my' word.  I have too much I want to do artistic and family related so time will tell.  In the meantime, it's nice to just live, day by day, see the past 7 yrs were mind trapped with having a child and then a house.  Working off of a daily list be it cleaning, food, or recipes, its simple and soothing after all those years of stress.  Being Open to the next thing that comes along--isn't that what its all about?

Enjoy these new sweets:

This wall or door hanging is my most recent:

A Thank You card that was just bursting to be put together, I just love how this came out.  I don't make many cards (actually I think this is my 3rd one ever!):

This collage sentiment and my favorite elements all mixed together.  I was experimenting with some items from the scrapbook world -transfers:

A sweet bird collage box with her own vintage eggs (buttons and bling!):

Inside of the box for little trinkets and keepsake items:

If you are interested let me know! I will upload to Etsy for purchase.

I was on a roll the week and half I was off and still have more pictures to upload.

Hope your Sunday is going well.

Off to make a favorite, Apricot and Lemon Chicken with rice and carrots.  Simple and yummy.

Till next time,