To the Letter - Practice makes Perfect

I am currently working on the different lettering exercises that are a part of Hope's e-course (Paper Relics) - 'To the Letter'.

It is really all about trying to find your own style within her personal font and becoming very comfortable with your own creative skills to experiment with the different ways to create unique lettering in our own journals.

My handwriting in 'real life' really is not that great, I feel anyway. However, I am trying to embrace it: So a practicing I will go.......

I doodled this at work on a scrap sheet of paper - I did not not have a practice journal handy, so I used what was on hand.

Well, of to work on some more exercises - As they say, practice makes perfect!

My New Focus - An Art Journaling Blog

I have been pondering quite a lot on what I would like for this blog to be. I have been doing a TON of journaling projects lately, one of which is through Kelly Watts's page. It is for a tentative book publishing project. I also just signed up for a lettering e-course via Paper Relics (Hope). Her courses all look so good, it is REALLY difficult to only pick one to do for right now. My goal is to complete every one of them (if possible). Her journal work and her other art works are really fun and shabby chic like in 'flavor'.

I have gone back and forth doing a lot of craft things that I have been really interested in through the years - Scrapbooking, cross stitch, collage, journaling, etc. I am now very content with my choice of journaling. It really comes naturally to me as I scribble in my note books and also do work in my actual art journals. I also want to expand on sharing the various journals that I have shared in the past in previous posts.

**If any of you out there would like to join me in taking the lettering class at Paper Relics, go here to sign up. It is only $15 and will start on September 1st (the price will then be $18, so sign up early)**

Back to Pink!

Hi all, It has been a LONG hiatus from Pink Saturday! Lots has gone on the past couple of years (through my husband's LONG unemployment and a BIG move) and I have "slacked" on many things it seems. Anyway, I am back to share some pink stuff with you all.
 

For this week, I am working on some more comfort art dolls for Dorcas Project. If some of you are not familiar of it, it is an organization that works with women and their families in an Oklahoma regional area that are dealing with breast cancer. Also, this weekend is also my niece AJ's 4th birthday party. We are celebrating here with cupcakes and all :-)

Have a Happy Pink Saturday all - *remember to visit other pretty pink pages*

Everyday Creative Clutter - FOCUS!

Hi again my fellow bloggers! Time and clutter can still take a toll on everyday things and thinking. I need to get back into the blogging groove. I dislike it lots when life gets in the way and creative things like this go by the wayside.

How do you keep from getting sidetracked with your creative endeavors?

FOCUS is a hard word to make a practice of ;-)

Gentle Art of....Some Pink Inspiration

Hope that everyone is having a great Pink Saturday!

One book that I have been reading recently is 'The Gentle Art of Domesticity' by Jane Brocket.

It focuses on the "gentler" side of caring for the home (mostly about knitting, embroidery/stitching, wine/chocolate, simple yummys, home comforts and creative travel). It is a wonderful , illustrated guide with a vintage twist. It is also not intended to be an instruction "manual". It rather serves as an inspiration gold mine.

With our upcoming New York trip in the near horizon (this time we are house sitting for friends of ours), I was inspired to create something to take with me to keep me busy or whatnot. I noticed the author created a Travel Survival kit out of (she even focused on a trip to New York).

So here are my pink versions of my New York Survival kit - I needed to create two of them because I actually had two similar tins and I also decided to make one with 'general' items in it and then one with just a small stitching things. I still need to find a mini version of a Manhattan Subway map.

I plan to stitch a mini stitching item while on the road.

Stay tuned for Pink New York on another Pink Saturday (it will be an addition to the last Pink New York post that I did at one time). On this trip, we are planning on stopping to Coney Island and other neighboring places to the city....like part of Long Island, Boston and Atlantic City...I can't wait.

To visit more pink sites, head on over to Beverly's place at 'How Sweet the Sound' (just make sure to head on over to the far right link for this Saturday).

Enjoy your weekend and be pink :)

My Pink Heart is Full in Branson

Well, another pink journey that my husband and I made. This time, we took a 'quick' trip to Branson, MO, primarily to visit a cousin of Tim's.

This is a more abbreviated pink travel post:

I found this short in a thrift store in Springfield, MO (very close to Branson).....it says 'My Heart is Full'...how appropriate, as I feel that my heart is full of hope and love at the moment (not only the trip but life in general).

Pink peonies at one of the wineries that we visited....I love these flowers, they remind me of my grandmother's peonies that she had planted near her farmhouse. Friday night, we went to Branson Landing. There was a fountain and light show after the sun went down...very cool!
On Saturday night, we went with our wonderful hosts to a show called 'Liverpool Legends' - a very true blue Beatles tribute band....they were even personally handpicked by George Harrison's sister, Louise. These guys are good. They really look and sound just like the real thing...talk about doin' time travel. Here is a pic of Tim and I before the show....
In Branson, people are allowed to take photos during the show....This one was during the representation of the Sgt. Peppers 'era'.....the outfit for George is actually more pinkish than the photo.

I now just want to wish dear Beverly at How Sweet the Sound a happy Pink Saturday birthday...woo-hoo! To help celebrate this momentous occasion, party on and see other great pink posts (**Remember to mosey on over to click the May 30th link to the right**)!

Till next time :-)

Let's take a relaxing, musical walk....

I was experimenting with uploading/converting videos for my brand new Sansa MP3 player (after my other smaller one got really soaked by accident, ugh). This Dan Fogelberg video is definitely a keeper...the video nature pictures are so pretty with the music...so enjoy a 'walk' with "To the Morning"....

Pink 'Festival' Find

While rummaging about at a small resale shop in Canal Winchester (Ohio), I found this beauty.....and to my surprise, it was pink! I did get this Brother Festival for only 6 dollars and it actually works and appears to be in good condition. The story behind it was a son who was cleaning up his mother's things (so she could move to an assisted living apartment), brought it to the shop to 'let it go'.

I have been thinking about for a long time to get my own sewing machine since I have been using my grandmother's extra one and she always needs it back for certain projects when she returns from her jaunts to Florida.

However, I am not much of a sewing expert. Maybe one day I will pick up quilting or something. For right now, I will just focus on little projects (not sure what exactly tho).

One problem remains to be solved: I need to figure out how to thread it. If anyone has any experience with this model, has a similar Brother machine or a good link to a manual, please send some advice my way, as this machine came without a manual. I did search the net and could not find anything as of yet.

Thanks so much for stopping by :) Hope that you all go and visit Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun.

~Till next time!

A Pink Trail to New York

Hi ya'll :)

Last weekend, hubby and I went on a little 'vacationette' to the Big Apple, New York City (even the apple itself was pink to me - a Pink Lady to be exact). I found here and there some little pieces of pink:

On the way, we stopped at a few wineries in Pennsylvania, one of which was Greendance; this place also was part berry farm too.

Our lodging for the first night was the Lincoln Motor Court just outside of Bedford. Not many of this little pieces of history left anymore. What caught our eye to stay here, is that it was part of a documentary, "A Ride Along the Lincoln Highway" (which was on PBS stations nationwide last October) done by Rick Sebak. It was a very charming place too....The pink bathroom really caught my eye, oh so very 50's.....

While there, we got to chat with the owners, visit with one of their cats and build a campfire in the one designated area (you can't do that at the Super 8 or Holiday Inn).

That evening, after checking in and getting dinner, we stopped for some ice cream....

In the morning, we went into town in search for breakfast, so we stopped by The Green Harvest Co. There, I purchased on of their specials, a blackberry chai tea. To my surprise, it was....well pink! It was very yummy :)

After getting out tummys' filled, onward to New York.

We made a lunch stop in New Jersey (another Lincoln Highway sight to see) - Beana's Unique Mexican Restaurant. We even got to chat with the owner for a bit
Pink chair out in the front....
The sombreros in the back....
We then went to our lodging over to Staten Island, The Harbor House Bed and Breakfast. the place was right on the waterfront and we had a wonderful view of the city skyline.

One of the pink pictures in our room....

After checking in, we needed to get on the move to Manhattan for a 'express' walk in the city before heading to the theater that night to see Mary Poppins, the musical....Supercali-huh?

Look closely, you can see her flying (which she did in the play esp. at the very end when she flew out into the audience, WOW)....

If you are ever in the city (or if the touring company comes to your town), you have got to see this show!


After the theater, it was onto the subway and over to the ferry terminal for a very late boarding back over to our lodging...YAWN!

The next day we were pounding the pavement to many places....we stopped at a few cupcake stops, hubby wanted to visit his media 'meccas' (like ABC, NBC studios), looked more at the theaters and stopped at a tea place that we have been at before....Alice's Tea Cup.
One of the bathroom murals (yes, the bathroom)....

Also, we noticed that Macy's department store was doing a Flower Show that weekend (tho we did not have time to go in to see it), I got some picture of the outside....

While in the city we visited and stayed with friends of ours in Brooklyn. On the way home, I noticed a pink bicycle that was for some reason tied to a median that we passed somewhere in Brooklyn (tho it caught my eye, I was however unable to get a picture of it since we went by it so quickly).

We are planning to head to the city again really soon, as our friends need a house sitter during a week in the June...and well, we volunteered :)

I enjoyed sharing my pink travels with all of you, hope that you enjoyed it.

Travel on over to Beverly's place - How Sweet the Sound to see more pink inspiration.

Till next time....

Long Time No Post.....Back to Pink Saturday :)

Hi all,

It seems that my blogging for Pink Saturday (as well as in general) has kinda taken the 'back seat' lately.

I have been here, there and everywhere. From doing family stuff to being at a Sweet Adeline regional competition - where we placed 4th overall (from 15 choruses).....wooohooo :) But now, back to reality (somewhat anyway).

Tho I have not been keeping up with my electronic journal (aka blog), I have been working with my traditional cut and paste one. Lately, I have been pondering on loving those who dislike you (or some that just drive you crazy). So, I was inspired to create something reflecting my thoughts on the matter.

When I was working on this, I immediately thought of a song from one of my favorite Sandi Patty albums, 'Le Voyage'...."Love can Open the Door".

Have fun wandering about more pink blogs.....How Sweet the Sound (remember to hop on over to the far right for the current date link).

Hoping that all of you have a grand Pink weekend :)

Seating for One

Hi all, and Happy Pink Saturday to you!

Here is a simple journal page that I did about 3 weeks ago:

I found the art while skimming through some magazines and came across a Starbucks ad. The phrase and wonderful simple scene really caught my attention.

It reminds me to take time for myself, to slow down and to reflect....while enjoying that journaling time (or whatever) with a cup of tea or hot cocoa.

We all need that time to ourselves in these hectic, crazy days.

For more wonderful pink, head on over to Beverly's @ How Sweet the Sound (remember to stop by the current date link).

Valentines are Everywhere

For the love of simple, pretty things....


For the love that God showed us, tho we really don't deserve it....


For the love of the arts and part of my past (I was a Girl Scout)....

For the love of my husband, Tim....
For the love of life's little pleasures (nice smelling lotion, yummy)....
For the love of creativity that abounds in everyday living....

For the love of little woolen warm fuzzies and learning something new (learning how to do small felted things)....

For the love of doing little sketches....

Happy Valentines Day to all and have a great pink Saturday!

For more pink love, go and visit more pages over at Beverly's - How Sweet the Sound (remember to stop by the current date link).

Pink Blessings!

Miss Sugar Says.....

Meow....Happy Pink Saturday to you! We normally cannot get a decent picture of our kitty because she is either always on the go or hiding under the bed. So I was delighted to be able to capture her with the camera lens last week. She is doing one of her many grooming sessions on her little mini afghan that 'Nana' made for her at Christmas.

I also wanted to show off a little touch of Spring in the midst of all of this winter. This little pink carnation I found and I took it home after a women's event that I went to with a friend. It is starting to wilt some on the edges, but it is still beautiful :)

I hope that all of you are enjoying your day. To experience more pinkness, go on over to Beverly's - How Sweet the Sound (remember to look for the current date link).

Till next time......

Pink Within Journal Covers

Happy Pink Saturday to you all and thanks as always for visiting me :)

I am still in that artful journaling mood (of course with a pink flair). I am loving playing with my oil pastels, gesso and magazine images.

These two images are the cover of my journal that I have been working in. The 1st is the outer part of the cover while the 2nd one is the inside part of it.

Again, I love all of the comments that I receive. I am so sorry that I have not had the chance to really visit with all of you. My goal this Pink Saturday is to do so. It is really getting that precious online time (which has been really sporadic recently) and while trying to stay warm downstairs (where our computer is) that does not retain the heat very well....brrrrr.

Plan on seeing you all next week for more pink!

~Amy

**Remember to visit Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound for more pink fun.

Be Transformed in Pink :)

It has been a long couple of weeks....I have been worrying quite a bit, mostly over the crazy stuff at work. I decided to bring out my trusty journal and work with it.

I am one that has a really difficult time in 'digesting' worry...which I know is wrong to do on a constant basis. I was inspired to create these two pages after reading my new Art Journals magazine (Stampington and Co. publication).

I was also inspired by the Biblical verse of thinking about renewing your mind of unwanted thoughts and feelings:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

After your visit with me, go and stop by the other pink blogs at Beverly's place @ How Sweet the Sound (go and look at the current Saturday link).

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your Pink weekend :)

Blessings to you!

The 3 Pink Saturdays of Christmas.....No. 3

OK....Christmas has come and gone for another year (the official day on the calender anyway).

Here is what my creativity brought to me....a fabulous pink journal that is all decked out for the holidays. I actually found this at a second hand store and I could not pass it up. I however have not had the time to really do anything with it...I think I will consider it my "after the holidays" project so it can help get me ready for next year.

I found some clippings (tho not all pink) from some of this years' holiday supplements and some cards that I have received. One ad that I really liked in particular was the Macy's 'Believe' (or Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus).

Here's to a grand pink holiday weekend and a wonderful 2009. In the midst of your celebrations and get togethers, please visit Beverly @ How Sweet the Sound and check out other pink blogs that are all decked out (remember to head over to the right sidebar for the 27th).

**One note from last Pink Saturday...so sorry that I am behind getting to your blogs, I will get there and make comments (I am normally not online a whole lot due to doing other things off-line). And those of you who do leave a comment, I truly appreciate reading your lovely notes :)

The 3 Pink Saturday's of Christmas....No. 2

Happy Pink Saturday to everyone! So hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us....it is next week......

For this Pink Christmas Saturday......a artful card from my artful friend, Judy Delsano.

This lady creates so many wonderful Christmas cards for us (and others they send to) EVERY year :) What a true gift this lady has...I LOVE her work and I am really blessed to receive it in the mail.

To visit other Pink Saturday participants...go to Beverly's place @ How Sweet the Sound (remember to go to this Saturday's date link).

The 3 Pink Saturdays of Christmas....

OK, so I am a Saturday behind....

For this Pink Christmas Saturday Day...my creativity brought to me....a painted, pink, cookie plate (with lovely chalkboard paint).

My sister invited me to her in-laws day after Thanksgiving "tradition". Their family gets together at a place in Lancaster, Ohio called Art and Clay on Main.

Here, you get inspired by the endless selection of finished items. The 1st step is to pick a plain piece of pottery (this is the most difficult...the choice). 2nd, you go to town decorating it with all of the colors of paint and specialty glazes. 3rd, the painted piece dries completely and the staff place it in a kiln to complete the process. 4th, Your piece is then picked up to then enjoy it. Of course on little color note....after kiln firing, the color will have a different character and will be nice and shinny (I don't have my finished version yet).

It was a real joy seeing my nephews do their painted masterpieces....

Darek (the oldest), painting with Papa Greg.....

Mason (with his mama's hand to help out).....
Hope that you all are having a lovely Pink Saturday and a great holiday season.

For more Pink Saturday blogs, go on over to Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound (look under the link to the right sidebar for this Saturday of course). See you next week!