Michelle Ward has an awesome blog http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/whats_a_street_team.html that inspires artists or anyone to try different techniques and to think outside of the box.
I have really wanted to participate but am quite limited with time. This time though I made a date with my art - as Michelle says and tried the gesso project. Gesso is a medium that artists use for prepping canvases. We were encouraged to try using it different ways - printing images into it or stamping it and painting over it and spritzing it. I am sure my work is a totally different angle but I really wanted to try and add it to a painting of mine.

I know people tell me they really like my paintings but it's funny , as an artist, I sometimes think they are too traditional. I love all the altered art out there so my goal was to add a different dimension to a painting.

First I took a painting I had already started from this picture of New Orleans in Disnleyland:




Then I used a stencil and added dimensional paint to make a relief. In the top corner I added the dimensional paint and stamped into it with a rubber stamp.I didn't have any gesso on hand so Michelle encouraged me to use the dimensional paint.





After it dried I finished my painting. Should have finished the painting first LOL.The painting is in oil so it took awhile to dry.








I then painted over the gesso/dimemsional paint with a mix of blue-greens,greys,creams and gold.



And VOILA - the finished product- well not quite finished. I still have to finish parts of the painting and from the pictures , straighten up my architectural lines LOL.



What I learned from this project:

-Mixing mediums really did add a fun dimension to my work and experimenting is totally fun cause I tend to be a bit anal with my artwork.I would like to have spritzed it but didn't quite have the courage on the painting.
-You can easily paint over it in both acrylics and oils.

And last but not least, I still need a fire under my butt and usually squeak in at the last minute. I operate much better under pressure LOL

Would I do it again? You betcha ! Thanks gazillions Michelle for the inspiration !

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling......

.....ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you,
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "Yoo hoo,"
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.



Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
of a wintry fairy land.






Although we don't get alot of snow out her on the West Coast, I remember a beautiful sleigh ride one year visiting my husband's family in Quebec.

There I was taking a late afternoon nap, when two uncles and cousins burst open the door, serenaded me in French Christmas caroles and kidnapped me down to the waiting sleigh outside the two hundred year old farmhouse. We toured around the little town which of course, just like the Christmas Cards, meanders by a river. The gorgeous old Catholic church was situated at the top of the hill. We sang, laughed and warmed our insides with hot chocolate- spiked if I remember :)

One of the uncles asked me "pourquoi les larmes? - why the tears ? and I replied "Ce sont des larmes du bonheur" - these are tears of happiness.I remember the happiness as clear as yesterday.



Vieux Quebec - Old Quebec just inside the gates of the old fortress is glorious at Christmas. My husband works for the train and we have been lucky enough to travel across Canada on train in December. I'ts like Winter Wonderland - its' so breathtaking.


You arrive at the train station in Old Quebec with the snow lightly falling and the twinkle of lights everywhere.



From there you meander down the narrow little alleys...



.....just like a little European gem.







We received some unexpected news yesterday that my husband got laid off for four months......not news you want to hear at Christmas time. But, since he has time off now, just maybe we can take the kids across Canada by train to experience a wonderful Quebec Christmas again......and maybe, just maybe, there might be a sleigh ride waiting for them.

May a little grace touch your day,

Lovin' A Little Sparkle

I know I love my bling, and I try to tone it down but at Christmas I can't help it. I go all out - full blown sparkle. I think I love the sparkle so much mostly because we always have alot of candles lit and I just love the way the light reflects off the sparkles.


So here's how my mantel looks this year. Scroll down to Cozy Corners post to see how it looked before.



My house is mostly decorated in warm colours but I just couldn't resist the combination of silver, pearly and irridescent whites with some accents of light blue. I love the ethereal look it creates.I also love texture, so I'll be on the look out for some white feather trees.




My youngest daughter Angelique and I did this together. I am amazed at what and eye she has at 10 years old. She lets me know when it doesn't look right and if it get too cluttered....and she's always right. Alot of this mantle is just rearranging what we had. We traded the picture on the mantel for a mirror that we had on another wall. Our new purchases this year were only the light blue snowflakes, the garland and the two silver ball candles.










So this Christmas, add some sparkle to your life but be sure to have candles and mirrors nearby to reflect the beauty of the light.

May a little grace touch your day,

It's All In The Packaging

Went to the post office today and this is what I picked up. This delightful little package:

If I'd bought it at a store I would have brought it home in a plastic bag with a piece of tissue paper if I was lucky. But I bought it from here http://www.thehopejar.com/ a delightful little store that I found online.


Also included was this vintage label:


Once I'd unwrapped the beautiful packaging, this is what I'd actually ordered. Don't you love it ? ......an antique ceiling tile .....with my favourite fleur de lis . I can't get enough but I used restraint and only ordered one.


And to top it off, this magnet of the the Seine River in Paris was also included.


In this high speed processed world, a thoughtful gesture, a personal touch and a little beauty make all the difference to soften our day.

May a little grace touch your day.

The Fragrance Always Remains In The Hand That Gives The Rose

The Fragrance Always Remains In The Hand That Gives The Rose

I love this quote.

We all know someone like this: a selfless friend, a selfless grandpa, a selfless Mom, or a selfless coach - that no matter how busy, no matter what's going on their lives, somehow find the time to give to others unconditionally.

Friends like Gail - who didn't even miss a beat and donated her kidney to her sister n law in need.

Friends like Michelle and Peter who pitched in and helped us empty our old house so a single Mom and her kids could move in.

Coaches like Mark Kauhane that would do anything for your kid.

This post is dedicated to all those humble people that quietly go on giving without expecting anything in return.

.....I know the scent of all the roses you have given will always linger in your palms.

May a little Grace touch your day.

Friday Fill In

I always love reading these on other blogs and getting to know other bloggers so here's my first one:


1. My blueprint for success includes LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN,LOVE DEEPLY
2. Pure milk chocolate from France was the last candy I ate.
3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Vichy.
4. Laughing with girlfriends can be good therapy.
5. I'd like to tell you about what I'd do if I ever had any time to myself.
6. My friendliness and loyalty are my strongest characteristics.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to - not much - I have to write report cards all weekend, tomorrow my plans include writing report cards and Sunday,I'll want to take a break from writing report cards!

Cozy Corners

It's a cool, grey fall day. The trees are almost bare with blankets of yellow leaves at their feet. Feelin' cozy today - the perfect day to grab a cup of tea and a book and sit in a cozy corner.

In my home , I love to make litle cozy corners. Maybe it's because I'm used to composing with paint and a canvas. But I think it's the same process. I love the whole deal. It's all about layering, texture, and a well loved focal point.

Here are a few cozy corners in my home:










This is my mantel before I move into Christmas mode. This is the first year we've lived in this house so I have no idea how I will decorate it for Christmas but I know the fall colours will be gone. Although my house is warm colours, for Christmas I want weathered whites, creams, irridescent colours, mother of pearl, silver and gold, mercury glass and touches of light blue. That's only on my wish list though .... may take a few years and another job to make it the mantel fo my dreams LOL. Anyway, I'll be sure to post a before and after pic of the mantel.



Truth be told, I am at the dining room table now, putting off writing 23 report cards and surrounded by Oh Henry wrappers which I stole from my Kids' Halloween bags.
I guess the cup of tea in a cozy corner will have to wait.


Andre


Alyssa on the left - she says I can't borrow her costume cause the skirt is too short and it definitely won't fit - truth hurts!


Angelique



May a little grace touch your day.