Harvest Moon:

This is my seasonal entry to the Three Muses relating to the moon. I agree with them as to the mystery and importance the moon has on all our lives. I love the way the moon looks so very large when it first rises in relation to the horizon. This was what I had in mind when I created this.

I have also entered it into the Graphicus September Challenge for Autumn Leaves. This being autumn leaves silhouetted against a Harvest Moon.

I found this great article to share with you. I think it has inspired me to make a moon creation every month relating to their given attributes. What fun over the next 12 months or will it be 13 as are there not 13 full months a year? At least in some years. I shall have to check how many full moons this article caters for.

This article has come from:

http://dailyapple.blogspot.com/2005/06/apple-83-full-moons-orange-and.html

ORANGE FULL MOON

Last night there was a full moon, and it looked orange. I asked the person standing next to me if he knew why the moon was orange. He thought a minute, and said no, he didn't. Maybe, he said, pointing to the orange shirt he was wearing, it was because of his shirt?

       It is the scattering of light by the earth's atmosphere that makes the moon appear orange, especially when it first rises.

       Early in the moon's ascent, it is still pretty close to the surface of the earth, from our vantage point. This means we have to "look" through a lot more of the atmosphere.

       The air molecules in the atmosphere scatter away the pieces of visible light that are blue, green, and purple. So when we look through a lot of the atmosphere toward the moon, which is white, we see it as yellow, orange, or red.

       Sometimes when the moon is directly overhead, it will still appear to be orange in color. This can be because there is a lot of dust or smoke or pollution in the air.

       Also, the Harvest Moon in the fall appears to be orange. This is for two reasons. First, during some months of the year, the atmosphere contains more dust particles than others. In the fall, many farmers are harvesting their crops, and there is also a lot of pollen floating around. Second, the moon also rises at a lower angle to the horizon in the fall. Thus, at the autumn equinox, you'll see a big fat orange moon, the Harvest Moon.

FULL MOON NAMES

This reference to the Harvest Moon reminds me, I've always liked the fact that each month's full moon has a different name, but I can never remember what they are, and I'd also like to know why they are so named. As it turns out, most of the names come from Native American tribes and refer to weather, growing, or hunting conditions at the time of the full moon.

         January: Wolf Moon

       Wolf packs, hungry, howl together in snowy January.

         February: Ice or Snow or Hunger Moon

       Heaviest snow or ice falls during this month. It's hard to hunt or find plants to eat, so this is also a hungry time of year.

         March: Worm or Crow or Full Sap or Lenten or Crust Moon

       With the first thaws, earthworm casts begin to appear in the soil, signaling the return of robins and the beginning of spring. The crows caw to signal the end of winter, the sap begins to run, and for Europeans, it's time to start fasting for Lent. Another name, the Crust Moon, referred to the fact that snows melt and freeze again at night, making a crust on top of it.

         April: Growing or Pink Moon

       The pink herb moss, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest spring wildflowers, appears at this time. It also signals the first plants beginning to grow.

         May: Hare or Flower or Corn Moon

       Flowers bloom abundantly at this time, rabbits are born, and it's time to plant corn.

         June: Mead or Strawberry or Rose Moon

       Time to harvest the strawberries, make the mead, and in Europe, pick the roses.

         July: Hay or Thunder or Buck Moon

       Buck deer begin pushing out new antlers, it's time to mow hay, and lots of thunderstorms happen in July.

         August: Corn or Sturgeon Moon

       In the Great Lakes, sturgeon are abundant and easy to catch, and it's time to pick the corn. Some tribes also called this the Full Red Moon, which would make sense, given that some things are being harvested in August.

         September: Harvest Moon

       This moon may actually be in October some years, as it appears closest to the autumnal equinox. Often, farmers are working at the harvest until late at night at this time of year, and the moon appears to be orange because of all the dust and pollen they work up.

         October: Blood or Hunter's Moon

       After the harvest, the deer and fox and other animals are fattened and easier to spot, and it is time to hunt. Blood runs from the animals hunted, but also perhaps the moon still appears red in the sky.

         November: Snow or Beaver Moon

       This is the time of the first snow, and time to set the beaver traps before the swamps freeze, to ensure a warm supply of furs for winter. The beavers themselves are also preparing for winter.

         December: Cold Moon

       Nights are getting longer, and colder, and it's just plain cold.

One moon fact I never really thought about before: though the time of the full moon's appearance may differ, everyone in the world will see the same full moon on the same evening.

LEARN PHOTOSHOP FOR FREE

I have just found this link on Juno's Blog for  a free on line photoshop course!

http://creativetechs.com/tipsblog/free-6-month-photoshop-course/

Can't tell you any more but I have just signed up for it.

Life

Blog Candy Alert: Ink on my Fingers Blog. I just love this name for a crafty blog. I always have ink on my fingers. I cannot work cleanly or tidily. Things get strewn everywhere. 

To me eggs represent the beginning of life hence my use for them for this subject: Life.

The background was distressed with ink pads Milled Lavender, Scattered Straw and Dusty Concord Timm Holtz distress inks. All the stamps came from Elusive Images from Graphicus.

The eggs are a three part stamp so they have been layered and stamped in three colours. Most of these ink colours where either Dew Drops or Chalk Cats Eyes

Gold and Black Moos

Well, here is my very first Moo! When I was cutting the size I thought....Great, just the right size for a glass slide. But no not quite, close but different. 

I have made this for Something Completely Different. For me it was something completely different being my first.

The stamp is from Paper Artsy and I thought the gold halo colour would suit this contemplating angel.

And this is my second Moo. They are small little canvases to work on. 2.8cm x 7 cm, but fun.

The stamp is one of the Elusive Images stamps from Graphicus.

Chipboard Gingersnap Challenge

This is my entry for the Chipboard Gingersnap challenge. I love paisleys so I often return to them. 

I created the background card by distressing with Adirondack Earth tones: Butterscotch, terra-cotta, lettuce, meadow and oregano. I stenciled the terra-cotta some more through sequin waste. If you can get hold of some of this it is brilliant for adding an extra layer/dimension.

Then I used a feather stamp from Elusive images. I inked it with Cranberry Adirondack and stamped it off first on scrap paper so the image would not be too strong. I chose this stamp as it echos the shape of the paisley chipboard.

The chipboard was embossed or glittered with sprinkle and sparkle powders fro Joanna Sheen.

Gems to finish off.

This was matted onto black silk paper and then onto a card half covered with patterned paper.

Movie Star

This is my design contribution to the Gingersnap Challenge blog. Take a look at all the fabulous

designs that have been made.

I have used this image to create an early Christmas Card. Image is stamped and then tinted using Tim Holtz distress inks on skin tone lips and hair.  Sakura gelly roll clear sparkle pen used to highlight skirt. Wings added and lifted using silicone behind. Then matted onto mirri card and paper.

Port and Starboard

Here is my entry for The Lots to Do Challenge.

The challenge is to produce a piece that incorporates words.

This is my newest stamp and I just love its quirkiness. Right up my street. I was torn as to the words to use. The Okie Cokie may be more suitable but as I was colouring their stockings Port and Starboard came to mind. It also felt fitting in that both my daughters have just completed their first sailing course this summer. Port is left and red. Starboard is right and green

Bluebird of Happiness

Here is my contribution to Something Completely Different Challenge. The theme was Birdhouse not larger than 3 x 5 inches.

The mythology behind the bluebird of happiness goes back thousands of years. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health to name a few.

Gingersnap Creations Team

I am absolutely delighted to be a member of the Gingersnaps Creations Team. I cannot believe I have been chosen to be part of it but I am thrilled to be included with all these talented people. I know I shall enjoy it immensely and get much from it. This is the first design team I have been involved with.

It is a great challenge group. One of the things I think is great about it is the time in which you have to take part in the challenges. There is one a week but it does not have to be done within a week so allowing more time for life and contemplation.

Above are all our pics. Below is a list of the  artist involved and where they live.

Gingersnapper originals:

Ali Manning

Sharon Briss



Design Team...

Joanne Wardle (UK)

Debby Boltman (USA)

Elina Koutsouradi (Greece)

Erika Taylor (Canada)

Hels Sheridan (UK)

Jean Franks Beck (USA)

Jo Capper-Sandon (UK)

Paula Whittaker (UK)


Contributing artist...

Lynn Stevens (USA)


Do follow the link and go check it out. It will be well worth it. Hope to see you there.

House and Home

This  House is for Something Completely Different Challenge. The theme is "Quotes / Words"
again these can be any house shape you like, but, can't be any bigger than 3"x5"

My quote was from Joyce Maynard "Domestic Affairs"

I have also been prompted to enter it into the Lots to Do Challenge.

I had great fun making this. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks. Great challenge.

Citrus: Gingersnap Challenge

This will probably be my last make for a while as we are off camping tomorrow. I should have been packing rather than making so I compromised and challenged myself to a quick make. I was also  inspired by Ali Manning in that quick makes  can  also be good makes! I also wanted to enter something for Citrus before we went away. If the weather is awful awful we may come home sooner. But do leave comments as we will take a laptop so I can check all our blogs!

We don't leave until tomorrow morning!

Tribute to The Mad Hatter: Gingersnap Ribbon Challenge and The Three Muses

If anyone has seen the wonderful image of Jonny Depp dressed as the Mad Hatter for a new movie yet to come out, may recognize where my inspiration came from. I have not gone out to actually copy his hat but to take inspiration from it.

I am a complete fan of Jonny Depp. Although I think he is a great actor and I really enjoy his skill I also think he is the most handsome man since Paul Newman, both shared the most glourious bone structure. However Paul Newman's eyes would probably get my vote. 

Here is the image I am inspired by. It is the most wonderful photograph. I have it as my screen saver at the moment.

Is it a cheat to use one item for two challenges? I have never really worked this out? Anyway this morning I saw The Three Muses challenge and I just had to add it. I was looking for a logo to add to my side panel but could not find one!

Animals and Pets: Created by Hand

This is my contribution to this weeks Created by Hand challenge, Animals and Pets. It is an ATC in a collage style.

PURPLE: Theme Thursday

This is my ATC contribution to Theme Thursday for the passionate and romantic colour purple.

Nature's Blues and Browns

Well I am a bit confused as I was making this for Mixed Media Monday. Today is Sunday before lunch and I seem to have missed the deadline? So entries have to be done by Saturday? Oh well I will add it to my blog in case anyone is interested. I will have to try and remember this in the future.

Happiness: Gingersnap Challenge

Here is my entry to the Happiness challenge on Gingersnaps. Sometimes ones solutions come quickly with a challenge but at other times not. This was great fun to make.

Fun and Games Challenge with Gingersnap

"I would rather play croquet" is my entry for this challenge.

The background was made by dropping alcohol inks onto glossy card and quickly blowing them through a straw before they dried. The font was downloaded from www.dafont.com. called Scrabble of course!

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

I have lovingly been given this award by my very first blog friend, Artyjen. She has been so helpful with helping me to learn this blogland process and always takes care to leave comments on my postings. It is great to know people take time to look at what we make.

So I would like to award this to 5 new people who also leave comments and follow my blog. These are:

Sam21ski who is always leaving fab comments

Saskia

Lynn Stevens

Shar 

Hope Jacare  

To all of you because you all take time to visit me and leave encouraging comments.

Many thanks it is always appreciated.

INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

This is my contribution to an Incredible Journey with The Three Muses. I think Alice would have had an incredible journey by drinking from the bottle labeled "Drink Me".

TEAL AND BROWN FAIRY

I started this creation to join in with the Created by Hand Challenge but life became full and I did not manage to meet the deadline. I wanted to create a grungy quirky fairy. Well her she is. Then I saw that she could fit into the Teal and Brown brief with Something Completely Different Challenge.

The "I love Vivienne Westwood" is in honour of my daughter who has just finished her Bronze Arts Award. Part of the award was to research her Arts Hero, which was of course, Vivienne Westwood. I also thought as I was creating her that maybe Vivienne would also lean towards the grungy especially as she created the Punk look. I too think she is unique as a designer. Very individual and outstanding in her field. 

Whilst writing my last comment inspiration came to me. Now I have added the Stars and Moon she can be part of the Created by Hand Challenge. The sun came out when I re-photographed her. Isn't it amazing what a little bit of sun can do to enhance the colours.

I think she should be called "Moon Flower". If you do not know these flowers they are large and white and smell wonderful. Climbers that are faded by morning their delight is at night time. They really prefer a warmer climate than the UK. I have tried to grow them here but not really successful.

NANNY'S NURSERY RHYMES

Then a colleague at work is retiring and I know she is looking forward to spending more time with her granddaughter, so I thought I would make her this little book and use flowersoft for the first time. I was quite pleased with the results but I did find it continued to molt even after the glue had set. I knew this would really annoy my friend, who is ultra tidy and organized, so I decided to spray the pages with a matt varnish. This has cured the petal drop but it has led to the pages buckling a tiny bit where they didn't before.

EDWARD RABBIT

So what else have I been doing?  As you can see Edward Rabbit has come to life.

A friend at work has just become a grandmum for the first time so I just had to get the knitting needles out. The little boy is called Edward. I have had a change of activity as a result.

WHO'S CHALLENGE, WHO'S BLOG?

Well this is very strange. I found this wonderful background paper on a blog. The challenge was to use it in a project. Great I thought, just the colours I have been using. Now can I find that blog again to let them know what I have made?You guessed it. NO! if anyone recognizes the background paper please let me know. The challenge deadline has well gone but it would be funny to let them know.

As the last entry it is very much the same theme going on.

REMEMBERED PAST

Still on my Italian theme. 

This is my contribution to Tag Tuesday to use embossing powder. I wanted a bronze background and to use the embossing powder to represent the patina bronze sculptures are given or obtain over time. The embossing powder is Madonna Robe from the Stampman, which is a two tone powder. I put it over Stream ink from Adirondack. As the powder is quite light I needed to put it over a strong  blue ink otherwise it did not give a strong enough image. I coloured around the image to emphasis the light direction and highlighted the face where the high spots would be.

SPICY SUPPLY CHALLENGE

This is my contribution to Gingersnap Creations Challenge.

I was going through things the other day and came across some forgotten stamps. This being one by Michael Powell. I love his slightly quirky drawings and this Venetian Window really reminds me of Italy and the many terracotta roofs. It was the first time that I have used the distress ink pads and Adriondack dye inks as watercolours, using them as paints to colour the image after the background was first distressed.

BIRDS

Here is my entry for Birds.

It has a distress background using Adirondack dye inks. The stamps used are both Elusive Images from Graphicus and Crafty Individual bird stamps. The eggs are Elusive images and there are 3 egg stamps. One background shadow egg shape and two with varying spots, which you can overlay on each other and build up colours, subtle or bolder. 

In Celebration of the 4th July

Missed the deadline for the Stars and Stripes tag, but tomorrow is the 4th July so decided to add it in celebration.

The most interesting thing about it is that the star is cut with one snip of the scissors. This is achieved by folding the fabric or paper before cutting. It was the way the first stars were cut for the American Flag. I have used blue chambray fabric. A lightweight denim which I always associate with America.

Dans ma maison il y a... de la gaieté

This is the first time I have joined this challenge. I love the concept Dans ma maison il y a ......

Here is my Cheerfulness.

FAIRYTALE FOLLY: Once upon a time...

Just like a book you cannot know the whole story until all is read.

With this you cannot see the whole picture until it is viewed through the window from different angles.

Then it is up to you to make up your own story.

After all every picture tells a story.

Then at the end all is revealed!

CROWNS

This is an ATC I made which fitted the challenge Crowns for Something Completely Different . Just a bit of fun.

FIFTIES STYLE BIRTHDAY

I decide to change the colour palette I use today. A complete contrast. It was a good opportunity to do something different as you can see by the greeting there is a friends Birthday coming up soon. Nice to play with these stamps some more.

EXOTIC PINK & ORANGE

This is my entry for the June Graphicus challenge. The theme was Exotic and colours pink and orange. I think these are a colour combination you either love or hate. I love them.

All the stamps used are by Elusive Images from Graphicus. Glimmer mist sprays and screens were used to create the background papers. The small paisley is a chipboard shape by Maya Road available through Graphicus. This has been embossed with various metalic powders. The large paisley is an Elusive Image Mandala stamp. As you can see one of the layers is my favourite metal tomato puree tube. The flowers were stamped from the Butterfly Collage theme plate because I love the effect they give. The petals have been shaped to give more dimension. Jewels have contributed to the Exotic theme.

Inside has been lined with paper printed from the Peacock Summer Party Cd with a matching insert with words from the Words of Love themeplate as quoted from the brilliant Vincent Van Gogh.

Best of all I have the perfect friend to send it to.

Work in Progress

This is what I have been playing with this weekend. These are some more wonderful stamps from Elusive Images and Glenda Waterworth. They have a great 50's inspired look to them and I wanted to try to create a 50's style design. They came with plain solid shadow stamps which can be laid down first and then stamped on top.  I do not feel the piece is finished yet. I have taken some colour photocopies and will try to draw on them. It feels as if something is missing. Great stamps though and have been looking forward to playing with them.

REAL OAK LEAF ATC

This is an ATC I made. The background is stamped onto tissue paper with a Crafty Individuals tree stamp and a word stamp from somewhere? The tissue is then torn and layered on to create the background.

The leaf is an actual Oak Leaf which I rubbed with Versamark and sprinkled various metalic embossing powders onto and heat set. This was then mounted onto black card where the edges had been rubbed with a gold ink pad. The edges were then sewn with beads.

Tuesday Taggers: Recycle

The first image is to show the material I have used which would normally be thrown away. A tomato puree tube. I have been using these for ages. They are just brilliant. You can cut them easily, sew through them on a sewing machine, pierce them or use punches on them. Just great.

The second image is after I have flatten the tube out by using the handle of my scissors to rub with.

The third image is after I have passed the metal through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder.

I then rubbed black ink ontop to pick up the high spots, cut to an oval, mounted onto black card which was stamped with Versamark and Pearlx brushed over to highlight. The other images were then added by mounting with silicone.

TRAVEL IN STYLE: Lots to do Challenge

Travel in Style. How about this for a funky, travelling dog kennel?

This was so fun to do. I am almost sad I have finished it. 

Great stamps from Paper Artsy. I love these quirky stamps. The dog is from See D's, I think this is the right name? Wheel hubs are some beads I made from fimo which I then cut in half and threaded over bamboo skewers to keep the wheels on.. The cotton reel wheels are from 3DJean which I painted and wrapped ribbon around. The rest was just play, play, play.

Something Completely Different: BIRD TWINCHIE

Here is this weeks Twinchie, subject birds. I have layered the bird onto some copper that has been embossed. The bird is stamped onto paper that has been sprayed with  Tattered Angels Glimmer mist and then I found the perfect little feather for the crest.

Something Completely Different