Where Have I Been?

I just can't believe that I am so far behind in my blogging, but it is still an interest I want to pursue so hopefully all will hang in there with me when the dust settles.

The biggest event is an emotional one.  In May, I lost my Bailey (maltese/yorkie) despite all kinds of efforts to make him better.  Everything happened so quickly - so unexpected.  In early May, he was not eating so took him into my general vet who diagnosed lymphosarcoma and given a diagnosis of a few days to couple of weeks survival.  In my research K9 Immuity was recommended and it led me to a holostic vet in our area. That vet diagnosed ticks disease (similar symptoms) and we started his regimen to no avail. Bailey was with me about a month ago until I had to finally make the decision to have him euthanizsed on May 26 when his breathing became distressed.

The summer has flown by with other happenings.  My computer required a new hard drive about a month ago. Fortunately, I had backed up data but in those efforts 20,000 plus files were duplicated so I had to sort and delete them, resinstall programs, etc.  About 2 wks later, again had problems but this time Windows required reinstallation.  So again recovering with files, programs, etc.  Have Carbonite but it is so slow to backup data and now at about 2200 files pending backup.

Have visited a couple of friends in Ohio and Michigan and now preparing for two cruises (Mediterranean and Hawaii) in September and October.  Most excited about the Hawaiian one because it will be combined with a trip to Las Vegas to visit family and attend 60th year USAF Thunderbird reuntion.

So hopefully, things will get back in some semblance of normal and with a new resurgence of enthusiasm as each day gets easier with the loss of my Bailey..............

What is Mixed Media Art?

I don’t know what the commonly accepted definition is for mixed media art, but in my world it is a composition of assorted colors, textures, photos, verses, etc. in a collage or random order that reflects a spirit or attitude of the artist.  This struck my interest many months ago, but I hadn’t done anything but envision projects in my mind.

Terry Sproul is conducting no charge live step-by-step classes every Tuesday night on art journaling.  Check out her Facebook page for additional information as she is currently exploring different video chat platforms so I am not sure what next week's will be.  She is also on You Tube.

Our first assignment - and my first attempt - at a mixed media art journal is the cover page.  It took several attempts before I was happy with the background colors.  Since this is a self-expression I wanted to inject femininity into it - fantasy to elegant with the rubber stamped heads and the gown outline, yet a bit of unstructured art.  Loved doing this as it unleashes a playfulness and abandonment to the more structured art forms.  I could have kept going, but thought I best keep it simple --- for the time being.

I used matte and metallic acrylic paints for the backgrounds, stencils, and highlights and just played with the blending and strokes.  I added fine glitter to enhance two butterfly wings and outlined the words in gold with a Pitt pen.  Staz-On ink was used to stamp the ladies.  Silhouette die cuts were used for the gown outline and the dotted stencil.  The lacy-like stencil is from Cloth Paper Scissors.  Calligraphy was done with a diluted black acrylic paint. 

Not sure what Terri has in store for the next page layouts, but certainly looking forward to it.

Shall We Dance?

I will never get through all my computer files to sort if I don't quit browsing --- but  the distraction is worth reflecting back on moments like this.

This digital layout is my precious granddaughter, Bella, dancing with her cousin.  She loved being twirled and lifted to heights to the beat of the music!

I love scrapbooking - both the traditional and digital.  Each has its own merits.  There is a satisfaction in handling all the papers with their many textures, patterns and colors and embellishing them with stickers, markings and fibers to name a few.  

Digital scrapbooking is still in the process for me, but I am slowly, but surely, making progress with it.  I love the brilliant colors and effects of the embellishments and all the optical illusions that can be manipulated with computer strokes.  For someone who resisted the computer years ago, it is pretty much part of my daily routine these days………now I need to think about a tablet so I can do some creating on the go!

One thing leads to another --- a forgotten project found

Somehow life gets in the way and time for creativity seems to be at the bottom of the list.  As I get my squares checked on my ‘to do’ list – time to play gets nearer to the top.  

I discovered early last week that many of my Carbonite ‘recovery files’ from a computer crash of digital elements were empty to my horror.  Carbonite added to my woes in that during a recovery process it was interrupted. --- and the process started  all over again.  For whatever fluke, it put  sub-files in incorrect files as well as duplicates.  It took months to sort through them and I still have straggler files.  Fortunately, ScrapGirls (www.scrapgirls.com) can allow access to the missing purchased files.  So again, I am sorting, etc. over 10,000 files after many hours of downloading.  I fear going into my other accounts and checking other files…….oh well at least I have recovery processes available!

At any rate, as I was trying to increase hard drive storage capacity by eliminating files and during my browsing, I found this baby album I made my daughter-in-law when my first grandson was born. Since we live in different states, I didn’t yet have photos so I made an album for my DIL to easily and quickly insert those precious newborn photos.  

Brody's Newborn Baby Album

  

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

I used an acrylic front and back cover which presents challenges in layering pages and ultimately the photos since everything is visible.  

The cardstock pages are a checkered board pattern achieved by a gradation of sizes and alternating colors.  Those pages I left blank, but I always sign and add a message to my albums which is usually on the back cover.

I used a macramé technique of alternating right and left ribbon loops to embellish the metal rings that fasten the book together. 

I use a variety of adhesives depending on the application.  My favorites are: USArtQuest (PPA), Rubber Café (Scrap Happy Sheer Glue) and Sakura (3D Crystal Lacquer).  For areas of large coverage, I used a spray adhesive.  Sometimes I use Xyron film, but that can get pricey.

What is this????

Can you tell what one image was used to create these computer kaleidoscopes?

 Both of the above images and the one below were made using a photo of Bailey, my yorkie/maltese furry kid, in his Christmas cap.

 I use 2 programs: Kaleidoscope Kreator (www.KalCollections.com) and Dazzling Reflections (www.poppyhilldesigns.com).  Both these programs are user friendly so the learning curve is not extensive -- and we like that!!  Each one has its own merits, so I don't have a favorite as it all depends what I may want to do. 

Be warned ---- It is addicting.  Just a slight manipulation of the photos and templates can create a totally different look.  You use your own photos and art work to create one-of-a-kind extraordinary works of art.

Welcome

Welcome to Distinctly Yours – designs by lin 

In the past year,  my creative streak has been rejuvenated by personal and Facebook encounters with very talented artists.  So many new ideas and interests came flooding my way.  I thought this would be ideal to share what is whirling in my imagination --- and hope that you will share with me your world of creativity.

So what started this journey back into inks, paints, fiber, fabric, glitter, rubber stamping, embossing power, clay, paper?  I started  2012 attending a retreat in Rocky Hill KY (www.PKGlitz.com) where we played with glitter and embossing powder for 3 days.  A bonus is I was asked to be a designer  - and that started the creative juices flowing.  In August I attended the StampAway convention in Sharonville OH followed by the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooking Convention in Nashville.  In October, I did a painting class with Peggy Harris, famous decorative artist, and my painting interest gravitated to critters. All these adventures brought new ideas, products and techniques – and a renewal in creating.

I met many people this past year that have inspired me without their knowing.  Each has left an imprint and given me new perspectives and appreciation.  Traditionally, I have done paper, fiber, fabric, painting, etc – but doodling and mixed media have peaked my interest.  This is a whole new world for me --- and I am excited as it is so different for me.

My most heartfelt thanks to Julie Shelander (www.entirelyapropos.blogspot.com) and Terri Sproul (www.terrisproul.blogspot.com) for helping me get this started.   Without them, I would still be at page 2 maybe of the blogging book.  Both are very busy women, but they found time to help me.  Thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart.

No doubt I will have some fine tuning as I progress with this blog, but today is the day I decided to jump in with both feet. I hope you will join me in my journey of art exploration (www.lingriffindesigns.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/lingriffindesigns) and share with me yours

Now here it begins ---- all those art supplies and tools are gonna get a workout!! Now where did I put that paint brush??!!