Artist Trading Cards, Zentangle

These cards are two I traded with a new friend back in America. She's the one that did the two ATC's I posted just a while back. I've wanted to learn the art of zentangle and so the one on the right is one of my first attempts. I have more I'll show you later.

Spring In Ukraine

These are Siberian Iris. They are very short, about 4 inches tall. Like the crocus, they come up early before the earth becomes green. They are such a marvelous expression of God's creativity. The ultimate Creator who decorated the earth. Aren't we grateful.

I Hope You Dance

I found this song on another blog. It's by Lee Ann Womack. Though country music is not on the top of my list, I think the content is certainly worth listening to. As Carly did, I would also like to dedicate this to my two daughters, Sarah and Leah.

2010 Life Path Challenge

I call this tag Black & White Going Green. Why going green? Because one day I was rummaging around in my garage and I found this small piece of tar paper. I thought I should make something with it. Now that is going green.

For those of you new to this blog we do a weekly question. I interpret mine with a tag. You can do it as simply writing what the question means to you or you can do a creative piece to interpret your answer. In time you'll have a really cool book of "You." Questions you never would have asked yourself.

Question for this week:
WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU COULD DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORK LIFE THIS YEAR? HOW CAN YOU IMPLEMENT THAT?

The header above is our group Flickr site. Click on that to go to the site and add your picture. Would love for you to come play with us.

Having Fun

A little pretty made for a friend.

Spring In Ukraine

Grape Hyacinths in my garden with a visitor almost bigger than the flowers.

A Lovely Gift - ATC's

A friend sent me these beautiful ATC's (Artist Trading Cards). Unfortunately the camera didn't pick up the glitter on the butterfly that was equally shiny. I love shiny. I'm a bling sorta girl. I'll have to find out how she did that crackly stuff. It really put in the wow factor. Thank you Lindy.

Spring In Ukraine

The last of the crocus family of flowers. These last year were a complete surprise because they just popped up from who knows where. I did not plant them and they are not in a place I would plant them. I am nonetheless thankful for their marvelous beauty. There is something so pure about a white flower in nature.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Monday, time for our new question. Don't forget that there is a Flickr gallery where you can put your artsy expression if you are doing that. Just click on the header above and it will take you there. Anyone can join. Nothing to sign up to, just come back each week for a new question. The most exciting thing is that you'll have a cool book at the end of the year with many intriguing questions.
Question:
WHAT SKILL DO YOU MOST WANT TO LEARN OR IMPROVE THIS YEAR? WHAT WILL YOU DO TO ACCOMPLISH THAT?

Spring In Ukraine

Another from the heart crocus family in my front yard. The flower color is so intense and yet the grass is still so dull and hasn't yet started growing. Isn't it just wonderful?

Sisters In California

L-R: Lucy and Coleen

Spring In Ukraine

A couple years ago I found a store that sold crocus bulbs by the bag full. So I brought a bag home and thought for a time how I would use them. Finally it came to me that I would plant a heart shape of crocus bulbs to express my love for my family. Now each spring we have this lovely heart that comes up in the front yard. The whole heart doesn't photograph so well, but I wanted to show you how lovely they are so this is one of that group. When my dear husband Jeff saw it he said, "Do you see the trinity in both sets of petals?" A marvelous sample of God's creation.

This is actually the back side (folded) and won't show, but you see the fabric that I was working on to produce this interesting fabric paper.
Inside, this is what will show in the recipients book.

Close Up

These are pictures of a "tip-in" I've done this month for a swap at Making Mini-Scrapbooks. You can click on the title to get there. A tip-in is simply a page you do for someone's book and they do for you. This is a fun place to craft with mini-books as the main topic. By doing occasional swaps I always learn something that is so useful when I teach classes.

How To Photograph Sparkle and Glitter Projects by Tammy Malone

Just click on the title to visit this very helpful tutorial.

Spring in Ukraine - March Pictures

The ground is still brown and dull except for these little wonderful displays of color. It is almost like an artist's blank canvas and those first splashes of color. These are my little soldiers all lined up and beautiful. How can one not believe in a Creator when they behold such loveliness in nature?

Stampington & Co. Card Tutorial Using Beeswax

Just click on title.

Easter Cards

Unlike in the United States, Easter continues to be celebrated here for some time after the holiday. Here is a sampling of cards the kids did in Sunday school. I am art director of the church and therefore have the fun of coming up with projects. Every card or project goes home with a Bible verse on it.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Here's my tag for this week made from a technique of tissue paper on cloth with pieces of wrapping paper sandwiched in between, held together with layers of thinned glue. If you would like to show us some of your art just go to the banner above in the header and click to go to the Flickr site where you can download your artsy piece.
Question:
WHO ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR THIS WEEK AND HOW COULD YOU EXPRESS THAT TO THEM?

If you are new here I invite you to come play along with us and write or do some craft to represent the weekly questions. If you continue to play along you'll end up with a really neat art collection that answers some probing questions for your life. I'm doing a tag book. Jaine is doing an altered book. You can see some of both above. Others are journaling. Come out and play.

Southern California Spring

Day Lily

2010 Life Path Challenge

Wow! Here we are at the last week of March. One quarter of the way through the year. Above is my tag/card for this week. Notice also above is the banner of pictures from our Flickr gallery. Each time you add a new picture to the gallery it shows up on the blog above. I think that's cool.
Question:
IN WHAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE DO YOU MOST NEED CHANGE, AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT THIS YEAR?

Southern California Spring

"Smile Cards"

Yesterday our post lady was ringing our bell before we were even out of bed. I didn't know she got around so early, but she had a package too big to put in our mail box. What a delight it was to open and see all these "Smile Cards" from Fiorella in Italy. In addition you can see the extra goodies she sent for our classes and crafting. For those who don't know, "Smile Cards" are what I give out to pastors and people who work with prisoners, home-bound, hospitalized and orphans. I just love being able to supply these cards because I know they will make someone smile over their beauty. For all the cards I receive, I put in a verse, word or poem of encouragement in their language. So a big THANK YOU to Fiorella for her kind heart in wanting to share her lovely talents with people here in Ukraine. If you would like to make some "Smile Cards" you can email me at coleenfranks@gmail.com for more details.

Southern California Spring

I'm back in Ukraine now and as I look back on these lovely flowers it almost seems a dream that I was there experiencing spring in California. I just love the beauty of this white rose. It's radiance just emanates purity and silky freshness that is soothing to the soul. It is so wonderful that a loving God in heaven made such beauty for us to enjoy on earth...a foretaste of things to come.

Vintage Photo

I wanted to share this old photo with you all. I know so many of you like vintage and this is almost antique (100 yrs) as it is a picture of my dad when he was a baby. My dad is 87 this year so that tells you how old it is. I love old photographs.

Crinkly Embellishment Video Tutorial

Click on the title for a great tutorial I found on Scrapscene taking seam binding and making it into a cute embellishment for vintage projects. It shows you how to dye the binding and also ribbon or trim. Now, if you don't have Glimmer Mist as she suggests, I think you can do this with any form of coloring (acrylic paints, for example)as long as you put it in a spray bottle.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Well I have traveled from Southern California back to Ukraine and I must admit the jet-lag has really hit me this time. Enough so that I am late in getting this on, but at last here it is. I like to have it on by late Sunday or Monday so I'm really stretching it. Thanks for your patience.
Question:
1. IN WHAT AREA OF YOUR LIFE DO YOU MOST NEED GROWTH, AND WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT THIS YEAR?

Jet-Lag

Back in Ukraine from Southern California. I love to travel, but I love the coming home as well. It is good to be in my own bed. Got home Thursday around mid-night and couldn't sleep until 5 a.m. Obviously my body was still on California time. Then last night I went to a bible study where I wanted to sleep the whole time. Came home and then couldn't sleep until after 1:30. Adaptation. Maybe tonight will be better.

Anyway, it was a joy to be with my sisters and my dad (age 87). At his age I never know if I will see him again so it makes each visit all the more precious. I recognize the need to say those last things you would want to say to a loved one if you knew you wouldn't see them again. Shouldn't we do this anyway?

Southern California Spring

Azaela and the spring time sunny sky.

Very Vintage

I thought you'd enjoy seeing these old pictures. I love vintage pictures and using them in my art work. The top is my great grandfather, O.B. Cole who was in the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. Below that is his daughter, my grandmother, Izetta Cole Walther-Barg. I brought these photos back from my visit with family so I'll have to see how I can use them to do something crafty.

Southern California Spring

2010 Life Path Challenge

Though in Ukraine we are still very much in winter mode, I just couldn't stand to not do something that would bring on spring. So here's my tag for this week.
QUESTIONS: one or both
1. WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS YEAR?
2. HOW DO YOU PRAY? DO YOU SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER?
Remember you can access our Flickr site above by clicking on the banner of art.

Southern California Spring

Here's another lovely that I photographed while out walking, but I have no idea what it is so if any of you can identify it for me I'd really be grateful.

Leah and Dental Mission

Leah is my daughter, age 22. She is going to be working as a translator for a dental mission from America starting on Sunday. Please pray for her and the mission as they serve this coming week.

Southern California Spring

Shasta daisies I had to photograph while I was out walking with my dad. Don't you just know I must have looked like the proverbial tourist. I even tried to find postcards at the local shopping center with no success. Guess I wasn't in the typical tourist area.

Sisters In California

That's me on the Left and my two sisters, Neldie and Susie out for our annual "sister's day."

California Camillias

I really liked the delicate varigated pink and white in these pretties. I'm just amazed at the creativity and often in wonder over the beauty of what God has created. How can one not believe in a Creator when we gaze at such perfection.

Frugal Embellishments for Scrapbooking

From Thrifty Fun: I scrapbook all the time and I use them as gifts for family and friends. This is a hobby that can be very expensive, after you purchase paper and embellishments. I decided to save money on supplies I started cutting out objects and lettering from catalogs that we receive in the mail. I found all kinds of terrific sayings in beautiful lettering; lots and lots of designs to use as embellishments and even use some as bordering and framing. I have found school supply catalogs to contain lots of variety of different objects.

As you know embellishments can run between 99 cents to $4 or more in some shops. All I do is cut them from catalog and then crop them further to give them professional look and then glue them on. This has cut my scrapbooking expenses more than half.

Make Your Own Scrapbook Paper

FOR CUSTOM SCRAPBOOKING PAPER line your scanner or copier bed with a sheet of clear plastic (to protect it). Next take anything you'd like to copy like shells, small stones, pasta, flowers, grass, cookies, candy, chocolate chips, crayons, sewing supplies, yarn, bubble wrap, lace and even birdseed or dried pet food. Place it carefully on top of the plastic liner sheet then scan or copy it. You will end up with some of the most amazing scrapbooking paper around! It looks totally real. Color usually works best, but some things (like lace) look wonderful in black and white. What about copying patterned fabric, old jewelry, beads, sweater material, the list is endless. Make your own embellishments from what you copy, like jewelry. Scan anything bulky to flatten for scrapbooking. I know from this you can come up with many more fun ideas that are also money saving. Yea!

Tax Tips for the Self-Employed Crafter/Artist

Tax time is just around the corner so some of you may want to check this out. Click on the title to open.

Southern California Spring

Just wanted to share with you some of the beauty of spring in Southern California. I thought it would be pleasant especially for those of you still in the midst of winter, as we are back in Ukraine. It was a bit strange, having left snow and freezing weather to come and see roses, daisies, camellias and more blooming.

Tesha Moore Journal Page

I call this my Teesha Moore page as I did it, inspired by a similar piece, to try her technique. It was fun, so I think I'll do some more. Hope you like it, what do you think? Coleen

2010 Life Path Challenge

Well, I must apologize for being so late in the day for some of you. I am on California time and it's early here, but that puts me at the end of the day for some of you.
Questions, your choice:
1. WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST SKILLS AND TALENTS? FOR WHAT ARE YOU WELL KNOWN?
2. WHAT ONE THING COULD YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR PRAYER LIFE THIS YEAR?

Don't forget, if you are doing art you can get to our Flickr site from the top of this blog. The banner links there on the right and those are some of the things done already for this challenge. Have fun. Coleen

Fabric Paper Instructions

Black patterned fabric with white background.
Red fabric with flower pattern.

I love trying new techniques and that is what this was. The reflective spots are a rather foil like wrapping paper. The rest are simple wrapping papers.

1. I started with a piece of light colored fabric (though one is done on patterned fabric) painting 50% water diluted glue on the surface (be sure you do this on plastic to protect your surface).

2. Then place your torn pieces of wrapping paper painting more glue on top.

3. Lastly lay down tissue paper (I used white here)painting glue over the top of that to finish it off.

Optional variations can include sprinkling glitter, using paper doilies, sprinkling very small/flat flower petals or seeds, etc. All this done before you put the final later of tissue down. You can sew on it after it is all dry. I even punched holes in mine with no problem. Remember, the more you dilute the glue, the softer the fabric/paper so experiment with the ratio. If you try it let me know. I have already cut it up and used it for cards, tags and journaling surface. Let me know what you do with it. I'd love to hear. Have fun, Coleen

Aspects of Ukrainian Culture

Just thought I'd share with you this little touch of Ukrainian culture as depicted on the wall of a restaurant we visited in western Ukraine.

The Expression of my Heart

Free E-Book, Scrapbooking Madness

If you like scrapbooking you'll like all the great ideas and inspiration in this book. And the best part is it is offered for free. Enjoy!

Scrapbooking Tips and Techniques, Bloghop

Be sure and read all the way down as there are several great ideas and techniques that you can put to work in your art or scrapbooking immediately. Plus you'll have fun going on the bloghop. Click on the title above to go there. Enjoy, Coleen