Raspberry Fairy Salad

I can't believe it is almost the end of January! Here is my latest creation using the beautiful images from Moonlight Journey entitled "Fairy Folded Cards." With just a little bit of cropping I just simply added my recipe.

Father Christmas Greeting Card

"My Beard"

by Shel Silverstein

My beard grows down to my toes,

I never wear no clothes.

I wraps my hair around my bare,

And down the road I goes.

Here is the first in a series of Christmas cards I am making using this extravagantly bearded fellow. This vintage bearded man image was a freebie from Tumblefish Studios. I have been loving the creations that have magically formed.

CREDITS: "SIR BEARDSFELLOW" COURTESY OF TUMBLEFISH STUDIOS, RUBBERSTAMP IMAGES FROM STAMPINGTON, HANDWRITTEN MERRY CHRISTMAS RUBBERSTAMPS FROM PAPER INSPIRATIONS, MISCELLANEOUS FABRICS FROM JOANN'S, AND BLANK CARDS AND ENVELOPES BY RECOLLECTIONS. BACKGROUND "CALISTO CHRISTMAS' BY ANNA GRIFFIN.

A Witches Life Art Tag

As the bewitching hour of October 31st fast approaches, I stirred up these art Halloween tags using a digital collage I created a while back and placed them into a scanned Mason jar photo I had. I further embellished them with black fun fur yarn and silken black vine ribbon.

CREDITS: WORD AND WITCH IMAGES FROM MOONLIGHT JOURNEY

Witch Society Halloween Cards

Once upon a time the witches rode

In sinister and ominous parade

Upon their sticks at night, and queer lights glowed.

With eerie noises by the goblins made;

And many things mysterious there were.

For boyish cheeks to pale at through the grime

That held them brown and shadows queer would stir--

Don't you remember? -- Once upon a time.

~ James W. Foley

These "Witch Society" Halloween cards were created over the past several weeks by using some Martha Stewart holiday papers, and Ravenhead Manor Recollection sheets and frames. I love how they work so well with images from Lynne Tears and Becky Loyall of Moonlight Journey. The background within the frames "Extract of Witch Hazel" were stamped with an image from Tim Holtz's Haunted Mansion Collection CMS091. I glitzed them up with silver and gold mini glittered stars and tied with recycled sari ribbon.

Happy Haunting,

Nancy

My Frog Prince

In the old times, when it was still of some use to wish for the thing one wanted, there lived a king whose daughters were all handsome.

Near the royal castle there was a great dark wood, and in the wood under an old tree was a well. And if the time seemed long, the youngest daughter would take out a golden ball and throw it up and catch it over and over again.

Now it happened one day that the golden ball dropped to the ground near the edge of the well and rolled in. The King's daughter followed it, but the well was deep--so deep that the bottom could not be seen. She wept and wept as if she could never be comforted.

In the midst of her weeping, she heard a voice saying to her, "What ails you, King's daughter? Your tears would melt a heart of stone."

And when she looked to see where the voice came from, there was nothing but a frog stretching his thick ugly head out of the water. "I can help you fetch it," he said. "But, if you would love me, and have me for your companion, I would dive below and fetch your golden ball again."

And it came to pass that with her father's consent they became bride and bride-groom. He told her how a wicked witch had bound him by her spells, and how no one but she alone could have released him. Now they two would go together to his father's kingdom and live happily ever after.

CREDITS: ALL IMAGES WERE CREATED FROM MOONLIGHT JOURNEY.

Halloween Art Journal Pages

It's that time of year when Halloween creativeness just keeps buzzing around me. I made this art journal page for one of my swaps. The tags are hidden in between the pages.

And, there are three artist trading cards in a black lace pocket on the last page.

I really love this time of year!

CREDITS: WINGED WITCHES USED COURTESY OF SENECA POND.

Autumn Enchantment Postcards

I have been feeling the Halloween spirit in my bones lately. I really enjoyed making these autumn postcards to mail out when October draws near. With the images I am proud to use from Moonlight Journey, these adorable postcards are a cinch to make. Thank you Becky for creating these 3-1/2" X 5" Post Office Regulation Size postcards. The colors are so rich and wonderful! Who would not want to receive these lovelies?

CREDITS: "AUTUMN ENCHANTMENT" AND "WITCH POSTCARDS" CREATED BY BECKY LOYALL OF WHYMSICAL MUSINGS AND MOONLIGHT JOURNEY.

Barogue Art Tags

I have been creating new and improved art tags for a future swap. In fact, here are some highly decorated women images from the Barogue Era. Each tag has been embellished with fibers in rusty orange and brown shades, then further decorated with a dangle of crystal beads, pearls, or metallic beads. A tiny amount of diamond glitter sparkles on each tag.

These lovely ladies can be ordered from Moonlight Journey. All images are on one sheet entitled "Barogue Art Tags."

I can imagine them on that special gift package during the holiday season.

Mysterious Halloween Cards

My candle was nearly burnt out,

When, by the glimmer of the half-

extinguished light, I saw the dull

yellow eye of the creature open...

~ Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

When the latest collage sheet was posted from Moonlight Journey, I just knew I had to make something special with these. The miniature digital designs are just so detailed, that a person can become mesmerized by their beauty.

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween greeting cards using these beautiful images. They truly can be easily created in an evening. I have included some of my favorite eerie quotes in the inside of each card.

Have fun making these!

Halloween Dreams

"Deep into the darkness

peering, long I stood there,

wondering, fearing, doubting,

dreaming dreams no mortal

ever dared to dream before."

~ Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven

As the night comes sooner, and the days become shorter, I suddenly get into the Halloween spirit once again. This two page spread is for an art journal that I have been focusing on lately. There is something very magical about creating artwork when the moon laughs and whispers, "Tis near Halloween."

Art Tag Swap

Artwork by Nan and Pam

On the third Wednesday of each month, I meet with a bunch of gals to exchange artistic gift tags at Artful Studio. With all my other commitments, I finally decided it was time to relax somewhat and join a fun art group. Plus, you get some fresh ideas, laugh, share family stories, meet new faces, and do what you like most.

Artwork by Elise, Mary, and Jo Ellen

Artwork by Linda, Sherry, and Carole

These are the gift tags I received. Some of them are real beauties! Thank you so much Pam, Jo Ellen, Carole, Sherry, Mary, Nan, Theo, Elise, Vivi Anne, Linda, Diane, and Betty. I probably will not want to use them for the reason they were intended.

Artwork by Vive Anne, Diane, and Betty

Artwork by Theo and myself.

Thanks again, Ladies!

Let There Be Wings

The moment you doubt whether you can fly,

You cease for ever to be able to do it.

The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply

That they have perfect faith,

For to have faith,

Is to have wings.

J. M. Barrie

~ Peter Pan ~

I started a collaborative art journal entitled "Let There Be Wings." At the end of the year, I hopefully will get my book back with exciting entries to share. I love all things winged, so what could be more fun than this! Naturally, I turn to the images from Moonlight Journey. Their winged butterflies and gorgeous women never disappoint me.

Pocket with tag on inside cover.

"Winged Queen" with doorway skirt and flowered wheels on inside cover.

Reverse side of tag on inside cover.

Beautiful woman tag in large pocket on back cover.

Inside back cover pocket.

Thank you for dropping by today!

Heart Whispers

I just needed to say this more than ever today. "I appreciate you." Without you, I would have less reason to create. Your encouraging words always give me reason to continue making art to share.

Here are some photos taken of the most amazing gift from my dear friend, Becky Loyall of Whymsical Musings. Since I have been recovering from some arthroscopy surgery on my right knee, she sent this to me. She definitely lifted my weary spirit with this chunkie book she calls "Heart Whispers."

It truly contains my favorite colors, vintage soft sepia colored ladies, with a hint of The Renaissance Age, coats of arms, birds, tiaras, horse drawn coaches, and nests. I love the way it subtly sparkles, and shines with crisp images of beautiful women of the past. Thank you so much my sweet friend.

Then on Saturday, another "Angel of Kindness," arrived bearing gifts of food, dessert, and an assortment of DVD's. Deb Abel is another special lady in my life. I don't know how she does all that she does. She is remarkable, artistic, and always there to listen. Thank you, Deb, for the homemade lasagna and cherry pie. Hopefully, I will be back to my normal self within the next couple of weeks.

And, not to be forgotten, I was pleasantly surprised to receive this lovely bouquet to wish for a speedy recovery. Thank you for your well-wishes, gals. I am so humbled by everyone's concern.

"Get Well Soon" Bouquet

from my artistic friends,

Deb Abel, Terri Gauthier, Kim Baslock, and Vikki Light.

I just never realized how much of an impact blogging would have in my life. Thank you all for your wonderful comments, the new friends I have met, and for all the inspiration that I see every day.

Fairy Bridal Shower Tags

"From this day forward" are words of promise. Weddings to me are wondrous because they are so filled with tomorrows. I savor these beautiful moments.

Next month my niece Laura is having her bridal shower. I love her spirit and her reverence for the past. I am so excited to see her wedding invitation (she designed it herself). It was such an honor to be included in the process of creating these bridal shower favor tags.

These romantic fairy tags are perfect in representing Laura's personal style. She has always loved winged little fairies. That's why I feel these are a perfect expression of her hope for the wedding of her dreams.

These special images, "Adorned Fairies, " "Faerie Floral Frolic," and "Pastel Faerie Children" are available through Moonlight Journey.

Annie Oakley Album

I wanted to give my sister, Peg, something a little special for her birthday this year. Since I had taken the KC Willis Collage Camp more than a year ago, I thought this would make the perfect gift. Inside are pages for a guest register to use in my sister and mom's little store named The Crystal Pinecone Gift Shoppe in Grand Marais, Michigan. She lives in the upper peninsula less than a mile from Lake Superior.

Their shop has an array of softies, painted bottles, jars, knitted and crocheted garments, and painted rocks depicting scenes of the great "up north." Stop on over and view some of Peg's unique crocheted softies of bears, cats, and even a couple of Halloween souls. You can contact her blog for additional information. It is so much fun to stop in their shop and see what they create during the long winter months.