Collage, birds, snow, cards and presents.

Hi Everybody!

I worke up this morning to a white, snowy world. There wasn't too much snow, 

but enough to enjoy crunching through it on my walks. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Yesterday I asked who knew what I had photographed for my 'stained-glass' collage, and three people got the answer right -  Chrissie, Ulrike and Joanna - it was the ice on puddles.

For Art Journal Journey I have another collage for my giant journal. The background was painted with black gesso. I added paper scraps, some fabric patterns from an ancient Sears and Roebuck catalogue, some washi tape and birds. The birds are collaged, too. I collaged and gessoed a piece of paper with printed and written scraps, and then cut /punched the birds from it,;the little flower, too. The alphas were also leftovers from other projects. I think it's reminiscent of the scenes on my balcony every morning!

I will show my tag for Tag Tuesday tomorrow so this post does not get even longer!

I want to take the opportunity to say 'thank you to those who sent me cards and presents for my birthday and Christmas. The first collage here shows the contents of the wonderful parcel from Chrissie.

The tidy with the owl will be hung next to my crafting table. I loved the idea of the hands of friendship, and the other lovely projects she made. The hand-knitted Santa has already made friends with my reindeer and bears. Both of the cards are beautiful, as is the white on white hanger, which is now in my bedroom. The Dalí oil pastels are metallic, and have such a lovely sheen! Thanks a lot Chrissie!

Here are more cards and presents. Thanks to all the lovely ladies who made these wonderful cards!

Top row: Sue the Iron, Dagmar, Silvia,Sheila. 

The hearts came from Yvonne, and the Brushos and a little tower of Pan pastels from Sue the Iron.

Second row: Suze (who also sent chocolate and Horlicks which unfortunately didn't survive till the photo appointment) Yvonne, Sue the Iron.

Third row: Yvonne, Diane, Rita.

Bottom row: Lonetta, Diane, Suze, Carolyn and Yvonne. Thanks everybody, I very much appreciated all your works of art and the lovely presents!

I will show more tomorrow!

The day started off frosty:

The birds were hungry:

The winter sky was very impressive.

Have a great day you all, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Collage, icy weather and waffles

Hi Everybody!

The weather is keeping us on our toes! After snowstorms yesterday we had a sunny, but icy day today, which was once again good weather for being out and about, well wrapped up with lots of warm clothes.

For Art Journal Journey I have 2 collages today, a 'real' one and a digital one.
The first one was made with a brush wipe sheet (A3) which had lots of yellow, white and some ink spots on it. I got a wonderful present of some brushos and pan pastels - more about them in tomorrow's post'- and used the red pan pastels and some stencils here. The head is one of 'my'heads, which I have in various sizes. Actually I only have one head, and it's size does not vary, I am just talking of my head stencils. The other 2 stencils are both from Stencilry.org. The sentiment has been computer generated, also coloured with pan pastels in red and yellow, and collaged.

The second collage has been made from a series of photos I took this morning, digitally enhanced and coloured, and then put together to make a 'stained glass window'. Can you guess what I photographed?

The day started off with clear skies and sunshine:

The Rhine was unbelievably blue:

And I enjoyed the play of light and shadow

This afternoon I was out and about again, and was invited to wonderful, freshly baked waffles with hot cherries, cream and coffee - yummy!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! Have a good start in the week, and make the best of the last days of the year!

Look after yourselves, and thanks a lot for coming by!

Collage with memories of cake and chocolate.

Hi Everybody!

I was woken early this morning by the wind blowing hail and sleet against the window-panes, and it snowed and stormed most of the day. I am so glad I managed that wonderful walk yesterday, today it would not have been possible!

On Christmas day I went to a friend's for coffee and cake, and not only was it all delicious, but we had the most beautiful paper napkins. I took mine home with me, and used it for my collage for Art Journal Journey today. The background (A3) has been made with torn papers, printed and hand-written, and then painted with gesso. I collaged the images from the napkin using mod-podge. I mixed some yellowy-beige paint for the background, and then added some scraps of washi tape. The shiny red paper along the bottom edge was the wrapping paper from a bar of Galaxy which Suze kindly sent me, (thanks again!) along with other little presents which I will show in due time. This was a fun collage, with lots of old memories hidden in the background, and new and delicious memories at the front!

These photos were also taken yesterday when the weather was so nice.

And this is what it looked like today:

Have a great day, take care, 

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Birds and collage

Hi Everybody!

Hope you are all enjoying your celebrations.

We had wonderful winter weather today, cold but sunny, and just right for walking. My neighbour and I were invited to visit a friend in a neighbouring town, and walked all the way, nearly 2 hours, but we enjoyed it a lot, and arrived with a good appetite and were able to enjoy our little coffee party. And we travelled home this evening by bus!

We are nearing the end of our collage challenge at Art Journal Journey, and it has been most enjoyable. I loved seeing all the  different projects from all who joined in. My piece today has once again been made from scraps of painted and printed papers, washi tapes, a crafty individuals image and a bit of sewing and stamping. I used craft paper for the background.

The birds were hungry and ready for their breakfast when I got up:

This wood pigeon is a very handsome chap....

The heron was walking through the fields along the Rhine

So  were the horses:

The birds were chirping in the trees:

The cormorant was flattering its wings to dry them in the sun:

The thrush was singing loudly:

Wonderful weather for walking!

Hope your holidays were pleasant, too!

Have a great day, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!