My crabby day

This week was supposed to be spent in the Midwest, but because life is full of monkey wrenches, tonight we're in Pennsylvania!

This morning we were in Baltimore, MD, listening to the faceless GPS voice direct us through a maze of back streets until we arrived at our destination - Mama's on the Half Shell.

I have NEVER tasted crab like that. And I will be savoring the memory for a long time to come.


What a day!

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks... Psalm 75:1

More, with details

This post is more a memory assist than anything else. A record of what went into each attempt to expand the library file card experiments.


Textured gesso on painted library file card, 3 "drop cloth" squares, antique photo (boy) glued to file card, twine tie, bubble wrap stamp on card.


Image transfer on painted library file card, hand carved texture stamp along bottom edge, commercial stamps - wavy lines and speckles (card).


Printed, painted cat glued to painted, gessoed library file card, tied with canvas thread and eyelash yarn, wavy commercial stamp on card.


Painted library file card with gesso center, divided image transfer, commercial stamps (words, wavy lines), grosgrain ribbon tie, bubble wrap stamp on card.

Ah, now my mind is clutter free. Wish I could say the same about my worktable!

I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Psalm 104:33

I wonder...

Life has been busy. Filled with things that are interesting to me, and most likely only me.

For instance, I am intrigued with how many different ways I can alter my library file cards... but another person might say, "More paint? More transfers? How much gel medium can a person use?"



And, I am dying to know how much whole wheat flour I can use in my mostly white flour bread recipe before it becomes a boat anchor. And, I wonder what would happen if I add cheese when I shape the loaves? A non-baker might think, "Go buy the bread!"


And then, there's my ever-present defiant streak that says (or sings)"anything you can do, I can do better!"... so of course, I have to try making my own whole wheat bread bowls for the Minestrone soup bubbling on the stove. Some well rested diner might laugh... as they walk into Panera Bread and order soup in a bread bowl.


Life without a challenge is like faith without works... how do you know what will happen unless you throw yourself out there?

Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Kindling a flame

Who knows why... too much winter? Too much rain? Head congestion?

For whatever reason the creative spirit, like Elvis, has left the building. I look at my paints and papers, the tools and brushes and not one imaginative thought crosses my mind. So, in an effort to jump start something, anything!!, I decided to try some image transfers. They are like magic to me and (I hoped) would kindle a little flame of creativity.

I pulled out a few of my vintage "library cards", printed some favorite images, and started in. I even decided to rush the process and broke a few rules... I didn't allow the usual 24 hours drying time. As soon as the paper/gel felt dry to the touch, I started rubbing off the paper.

They were great! It was so exciting to see the results that I started brushing and scraping paint on more surfaces to see how the transfer would look on color filled backgrounds. Wow! Even better!!!


Before long I had rows of paper with paint drying... then images drying... then removing the image paper for the amazing reveal.

Three have already left the house on card fronts.


Do I smell smoke? Yesssss!

Bless the Lord, O my soul... who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:2&5