Sunday, Sunday Sketches & More post received

Good morning everybody. Did I say that I thought yesterday might be a bit better weather wise? While I was wrong! I was so cold that I crawled under a blanket to warm up, and then woke up again just before 8p.m. The whole afternoon was just gone!
Which means I did not get too much done, except a few little things! But I had a wonderful sleep!
But first I want to show the lovely tag I got from Kat's Postcard swap. *Liberate your art*. We each sent in 5 postcards to Kat, with pictures of art we have made, and Kat distributed them and has now started to send them out. I got my first one yesterday from Lisa of *Wright Stuff*

She sent me a card with a picture of Flavia, and wrote on the back that I should not let myself be deceived by her coy looks, and that she has a lot of hidden latin fire! It is a beautiful picture, and will be given a place of honour in my arty kitchen! Thanks Lisa and thanks Kat, who had the enormous task of sorting, addressing and posting nearly 1000 postcards in all.

And I made a tag before I fell asleep for The Dragon's dream TIO. The dragon has been dreaming of embossing. This tag has been made of cardboard, which has been embossed with my small heart folder, and then distressed with Victorian velvet and ancient paper, and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. The grunge board flourish has been inked with Tsuneki glue pad and then embossed with silver and perfect pearls in pink. I just added a fairy, a little lace and some dewdrops to finish it.

And I must not forget that it is Sunday Sketches over at Sophia's Blue Chair Diary I am sharing a picture I painted in 1995. I can't remember making it, and I discovered it folded into four and at the bottom of a drawer.
Perhaps you can think what it might be trying to say....

So, that was it for today. Have a lovely Sunday, take care and thanks for visiting! It is always much appreciated!

Saturday and more post....

Well, I don't want to say this too loudly, but it looks as though the weather might be a tad better today; I sure hope so. It's still grey, but NOT pouring and NOT freezing cold!

Yesterday the postman rang again, and brought me a little parcel from Petra. She had a giveaway of a beautiful lavender cushion on her blog a couple of weeks ago, and I was the lucky winner. She very kindly not only sent me my prize, but also a box full of little goodies which are going to be most useful as embellishments on my tags and mini books etc. Here are the pictures, showing the lavender cushion, a beautiful tag made by Petra, and all the goodies - different tissue papers, ribbons, bows, pearls and lots, lots more! Thank you, Petra!

This afternoon I finished off a piece that I started on yesterday, made from 4 matchboxes and 2 coasters. I embossed the coasters with a flourish folder, and then distressed them with brown corduroy ink, before painting over them with clear rock candy crackle. When it was dry, I rubbed Stazon brown into the cracks, and then added some Inca gold for a bit of metallic shine. The matchboxes have been painted with rock candy crackle in tarnished brass, and then distressed and lined with some paper scraps. I used some metal screw brads for knobs, and then sandwiched them between the two coasters to make a little *Four drawer unit*. I am going to fill it with brads and buttons etc and give it to a friend. I am entering this into the GC 112 challenge at Gingersnaps, which is about leather, brass and iron. And I am also linking to the challenges at *Simon says stamp and show* where *anything goes* this week, and to *Try it on Tuesdays*, who want to see something altered to make a gift.

And I made a tag using some fabric strips for *Just for fun*. I glued 2 strips of floral fabric to the tag, added a few bits and bobs and a vintage eagle image, and that was it!

So, here's wishing you all a good Saturday. Take care and thanks a lot for visiting!

Paint Party Friday has come round again

Good morning you all on this cold and blustery *summer* day! It'Friday again and that means it's paint party Friday, hosted by Kristine and Eva.
I didn't have as much time for painting this week as I would like to have had - just don't ask me where the time went, I don't know. Well, I did have 2 long appointments at the dentist's, and spent a day with a friend, had a few afternoon naps and read 2 books....But today, after surviving the dentist - without even having an injection - I sat down and started painting. The first picture is not yet finished, and will be for *Summer of Color* on Monday, and the second one is here. I painted the background diagonally with yellow, orange and red, and then sprayed it with diluted TH distress inks in spiced marmalade, wild honey, forest moss and vintage photo, and let the drips run off diagonally. When it was dry, I outlined some of the drip patterns with a fine-liner, and then drew the silhouette at the bottom, which I painted with dark blue. The moon has been cut out of paper, so I think I will call it *Paper Moon* - I know, soooooooo original!

And then I made another shabby tag, just so that I don't forget how to do it!

And I got these jokes yesterday from Carol, a blogger buddy, so thought I would share them:

DISNEYLAND
Two blondes were going to Disneyland . They were driving on the Interstate when they saw the sign that said Disneyland LEFT. They started crying and turned around and went home.


FLORIDA OR MOON
Two blondes living in Oklahoma were sitting on a bench talking, and one blonde says to the other, 'Which do you think is farther away... Florida or the moon?' The other blonde turns and says 'Helloooooooooo, can you see Florida ?????'


SPEEDING TICKET
A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license.
She replied in a huff, 'I wish you guys would get your act together.
Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you!'


RIVER WALK
There's this blonde out for a walk. She comes to a river and sees another blonde on the opposite bank 'Yoo-hoo!' she shouts, 'How can I get to the other side?'
The second blonde looks up the river then down the river and shouts back, 'You ARE on the other side.'


AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
A gorgeous young redhead goes into the doctor's office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it.
'Impossible!' says the doctor.. 'Show me.'
The redhead took her finger, pushed on her left shoulder and screamed, then she pushed her elbow and screamed even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream.
The doctor said, 'You're not really a redhead, are you?
'Well, no' she said, 'I'm actually a blonde.'
'I thought so,' the doctor said, 'Your finger is broken.'


KNITTING
A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel was knitting!
Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, 'PULL OVER!'
'NO!' the blonde yelled back, 'IT'S A SCARF!'


BLONDE ON THE SUN
A Russian, an American, and a Blonde were talking one day.
The Russian said, 'We were the first in space!'
The American said, 'We were the first on the moon!'
The Blonde said, 'So what? We're going to be the first on the sun!' The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads.
'You can't land on the sun, you idiot! You'll burn up!' said the Russian.
To which the Blonde replied, 'We're not stupid, you know. We're going at night!'


IN A VACUUM
A blonde was playing Trivial Pursuit one night... It was her turn She rolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature. Her question was, 'If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?' She thought for a time and then asked, 'Is it on or off?'

FINALLY,
THE BLONDE JOKE TO END ALL BLONDE JOKES!
A girl was visiting her blonde friend, who had acquired two new dogs, and asked her what their names were. The blonde responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one was named Timex. Her friend said, 'Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?' 'HELLLOOOOOOO......,' answered the blonde. 'They're watch dogs'!

But now I would like to say that I am not really prejudiced against blondes!
Hope you all have a great day, take care, and thanks for dropping in!

Thursday, dentist and tags.

Good morning you all! It's another cool, grey and rainy day here, I wonder if our summer has gone on holiday?
My time flew by yesterday. I had to go to the customs office here in Düsseldorf, as they sent me a letter to say that they had 2 packages for me, for which I had to pay tax! I ordered a T-shirt and some stamps in the USA, way back in May, and I was able to collect them today. I think they must have been been there for weeks, so I don't know why it took so long to inform me that they were there. Anyway I paid my dues, always happy to support the state, and was able to bring home my wares! In the (bad) old days, the robbers used to sit in their castles along the Rhine and demand taxes of all who needed to pass. Today it's called inland revenue, taxes, or customs, and they can put their hands into our pockets quite legally. That's progress for you!

To calm myself down when I got back home I made some tags. The first tags are for Grungy Monday over at Studio L3, where they want to see a combination of Grunge board and Rock candy crackle paint, using Tim Holtz's techniques

I made two tags from grunge board, which I gessoed before distressing with Th inks, and embossing with A TH folder. Then I painted them with the rock crackle crystal paint, which I distressed with forest moss after it was dry. I didn't put too much decoration on the tags, as I didn't want to cover up all of the nice background. The first picture shows the tag after distressing, and the others the finished pieces.

The last tag I made just because I had so many bits and bobs on my table which needed using!

And after that I stretched out on my couch for a nice nap; that was good!
Okay, that was it for today - now it's time to go to the dentist. Then I have a few weeks break because he is off on holiday....
Have a good day, take care, and thanks a lot for stopping by!

Nice post received....

Hi everybody, hope you all feel fitter than I do this morning! I think I need more sleep, so perhaps I will have a nap this afternoon.
Yesterday I visited my friend Inge, and we had our usual day of eating, talking, eating, drinking coffee, eating, talking and playing skipbo - a card game. Makes a nice change for me to get out once a week, and take a break from my computer, crafting and painting!
I also got post from Tee and Cindy Adkins. I took part in Tee's altered matchbox swap, and swapped with her, and received a hugs matchbox filled with goodies - lace, flowers, ribbons, buttons, bows, pins and more all packed in a beautiful decorated box, which was in a red draw-string bag. And if that wasn't enough, there was a small matchbox inside too, with one of Tee's handmade Scrabble pendants. And a big piece of Tee's homemade coffee soap. Thanks Tee for a really lovingly packed parcel!

And this is what Cindy sent - a lovely wall hanging, which will be hung in my arty kitchen, and a pretty card. This was a complete surprise, which made it all the nicer. Thanks Cindy!

And in the evening I made 2 tags, one using my TH dress-form die, and the other one with a little metal frame that I found in one of my drawers while searching for something else!

So, that was enough for today, I need my next cup of coffee! Have a great day you all, take care and thanks a lot for visiting!

Tuesday and it's not raining....yet!

Hi everybody, it's Tuesday again, time is flying by. But time is definitely relative. Yesterday, at the dentist's, I had the feeling that I was sitting on that chair for ever, although it was *only* an hour. An hour with lots of drilling in my root canal, and the feeling that my whole head was vibrating. But even the longest hour ends sooner or later! The next session is on Thursday, where he has promised that we will be discussing a *comprehensive treatment plan* - it sounds expensive!
n the afternoon I made some ACEOs. They have been made from small pieces of marbled paper, left over from other ventures after my last marbling session. I still have more, but they will be used for die-cuts and inchies.

In addition I made one tag, to replace one of those which got *washed away* on Sunday! I think the frog prince seems to be a dedicated follower of fashion! I am entering this into Rebecca's *Blog Challenge Garden*, where you have to make a tag in 10 minutes - this one took less!

While I was blog-hopping, I visited *Crystal Clear*. Crystal is not only a talented artist, but also writes great posts, which are often very funny. And now she has started a new feature, where she introduces 5 others from time to time, and much to my surprise, I found myself on her list yesterday. It really is great to have such a good contact to so many blogging friends all over the world; this is something we can all be thankful for. For me, it is very important, as I have no contact to any of my family, and spend a lot of time on my own. I think my life would be sad without all of you, and the possibility to be creative.

And while watching TV in the evening I reduced a cardboard box to 22 tags, which I peeled and distressed ready for use, a very relaxing occupation!

Have a great day, Take care, and thanks a lot for dropping in!

UPDATE!

June at Dezina World is offering a super freebie today, as well as showing some of her wonderful collage sheets and art that you can make with them - do pop over and have a look!

Monday and Summer of Color - if you can call our weather summer!

Hello you all! Another cold, wet and dismal day here. But the weather prophets have promised us that it will get a little warmer tomorrow, but will stay just as wet....and then we should be getting storms again on Tuesday and Wednesday, and in general, still no sign of summer!
Yesterday was a day of little catastrophes - my hair-dryer started sparking and smoking, my printer has finally had a complete breakdown, a fly caused havoc in my kitchen....

For the *summer of Color* Kristin wants to see purple. I had three pictures ready, and as I was clearing up, a rather dozy fly kept zooming at me and annoying me. I tried to swipe it away, missed, and swiped away the jar with my painting water, which completely drenched one painting, splashed the others, and also ruined several tags I had finished, and a pile of stash which was also on the table. So, the tags, stash and one picture landed in the bin, and the other 2 pics were just splashed, so I managed to patch them up a bit, but the colour doesn't look as it should. And I still haven't caught that scum-bag of a fly!
The first picture is a mask, and the second one is for the grand-daughter of an ex-colleague, who loves hearts, flowers, Seventies Style and purple....

Today I have to go to the dentist again, not looking forward to it, but it has to be! I hope I will be in a fit condition to do some crafting when I get back home.
Have a good day, take care and thanks for visiting!

Sunday and no sun again.

Hi everybody, hope you are all well rested. It's cold, grey, dismal and pouring with rain again....The great German Poet, Heinrich Heine - who was born here in Düsseldorf - wrote in one of his poems: *Unser Sommer ist nur ein grün angestrichener Winter....* - *Our summer is just a green painted winter....* He was soo right, nothing seems to have changed - weather wise - in the last 200 years!
Today is time for Sunday sketches over at Sophia's *Blue Chair Diary*. I didn't get round to sketching or painting much this week as I had a couple of days where I wasn't feeling so good, so I want to share from you 2 flower paintings from long past days. As much as I like flowers, I never really enjoyed painting them, but I tried! The second picture, painted with water colours, was one we had to paint directly without drawing first, the first one has been painted with oil.

Yesterday I made some tags for various challenges, but only got half as much done as I wanted, because I was permanently searching for all the things I tidied away in the course of the week; while they were all lying around on my work-space I had no problems finding them. It was just a little problematic to find a space to work on!
The first one is a Grungy one for *Grungy Monday* over at Studio L3 This time we had to use Grunge Paper or grunge board, using Tim Holtz's techniques
I made a tag out of embossed grunge board, distressed with Victorian velvet and Inca gold. To make a contrast I decorated the tag with a vintage scrap image, some ancient paper, Prima leaves and some flowers, combined with a TH Adage ticket and a grunge board flourish. I finished it off with a bow made from ribbon and string, to combine both styles again.

The second tag is for this week's challenge at Blog Challenge Garden, where Rebecca wants to see Butterflies this week. I made a simple tag, with a distressed and stamped background, a big flower and a sparkly white butterfly.

And the last tag is for the Dragon's dream TIO, who wants us to look to the skies this week. I used a mix of water colours and distress ink for the skies and grass etc. The eagle has been stamped with archival black and clear embossed, and is holding 2 red balloons in his beak. I wrote 2 sayings round the edges. You will have to turn your computer round if you want to read them! And there is a little gold fairy sitting on the fence, waiting to fly home....

So, I think was enough for today. Havea lovely day, take care and thanks a lot for visiting!

Paint Party Friday

Hi you all, it's Friday again, and we all know what that means - Paint Party Friday, hosted by Eva and Kristin. I was very groggy all day yesterday, and didn't get the painting I was working on finished, so I am sharing 2 pics I made some time back. They have been made using the marbling technique, dripping the colours onto a bowl containing wallpaper paste, and then moving the colours around a bit with toothpicks. It's always fun doing this, because you never know how it will really turn out....In these two pictures, which are, of course, completely abstract, I see a Japanese landscape in the first one and a dragon going for a walk in the second. And what can you see?

And I managed 2 ATCs, not much in comparison to what I usually do, but I spent most of the day resting on the couch. The first one is a picture out of my *Pride and Prejudice*, a very nice illustrated edition from 1902. For the second one I used one of the fairy tags Zoe sent me.

I am feeling better today, so hope to be able to get down to a bit of crafting again this afternoon.
Here's wishing you a great day, take care, and thanks for visiting!

Cold, wet, windy and feeling bad....

Hi everybody, hope you are all fit and well. I feel very groggy after my dental treatment yesterday, and am not exactly looking forward to the 2 big appointments next week to finish off the job. I won't treat you to all the nasty details, but it was NOT nice!
Yesterday I did some clearing up and tidying in my bottomless pit aka the hall closet, and found lots of pre-cut cards for ATCs, so made a few yesterday, and a tag. Here they are:

I think I will have to make more of them as I still have soooooooo much stuff to use....
Sorry, this is another short post, I really don't feel so good just now.

Havea good day you all, take care and thanks for visiting!

A quick hello....

Hi everybody, just a quickie today as I have to go to the dentist. What's worse than a dentist? No dentist and toothache!
The Harry Potter film was great, I enjoyed it very much. We went to a cinema where they show the original, English version, not the German translation. I always feel like I am really in the wrong film when Harry Potter and all the others are talking German, it just doesn't seem right.
I didn't do any crafting yesterday - shame on me! as I was out all day, so want to share the second little fairy tale book I made a couple of years back. For this one, too, I wrote a poem, and used the *Fairy Tale Stack* as background.

Hope those of you who share my love for fairies, magic and mythical beings enjoy it!
Have a great day you all, take care, and thanks for visiting!
Update!
Just got back from the dentist, with 2 new appointments for next week, this is going to be expensive!