i had totally forgotten about my submission to the altered art challenge for January and i had been the one who selected the topic in the first place. chosing Margaret Atwood's poem "the moment" was easy since it one of my favorite poems but i would also like to introduce the group to two south american poets, Pablo Neruda and Mario Benedetti so will have to work on a couple more submissions as the month continues.

as i played with my paper and paints yesterday i made another mini, an atc honoring the earth. and MAMMA announced the "Bird" challenge for this week. Lots of green in my work this week for some reason; must be the tiring grew of winter beckoning spring.

i've been looking through all my magazines, especially Cloth, Paper, Scissors and Somerset Studio and there are lots of techniques and materials i haven't even come close to mastering yet. if only the mediums weren't so expensive.

Oh well, one step at a time.

Challenges

Two weeks of challenges have brought out creative results in me that I didn't know I had. I have never been a glitter or bling person yet Mamma's Challenge on Flickr really pushed me to explore and luckily I had received a package from a swap in Australia which had all the right stuff.

The creative "block" happens to most of us, thus these ideas by others have really helped in avoiding stagnation.

I have committed to a few more before the end of the year, the Playing Deck ATC swap on ZNE, the leaf making for a collective and a Secret Sister Swap for X-mas. I cannot commit further since I get all mixed up as the deadlines and the shipping addresses and fear the wrong items will be mailed to the worng recipients.

Believe it or not, this is what the sky looked like from the back terreace today. It seems like it wants to rain but it's waiting till Halloween is over so the kids don't miss out again like last year.

Momentum

I hadn't been creating anything for the online shop so decided I could try my hand at a few small handcrafted possible presents to list for the upcoming giving season. This Christmas will probably not be too good but we can always swap these things later if they don't sell or donate them to Tatiana's school for the Bazaar. I really enjoyed altering this paper mache box with an ATC and a mini cab on the side. I am working on a papier mache book too filled with hand printed poems and artwork which I will share tomorrow.

A few little creations

Still thinking of what my next abstract painting will be so in order not to lose practice with my paintbrushes I continue making the little ones.

I've become a night owl, something I never expected since I love light. But the day brings so much noise and turmoil and distractions due to responsibilities that I can only create at night now when all is silence.

During the day I continue decorating the house and gardening, reading "My Antonia" and re-reading "The House of the Spirits" which I love all over again and watching Masterpiece Theatre. I must get "Miss Potter", Oh how I loved that movie. I could easily be her, live in that cottage she was able to buy with her earnings from the books she illustrated and wrote.

Back to creating MIXED MEDIA ATC ACEO

Back to creating MIXED MEDIA ATC ACEO
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

I love this gift of silence today. Jonathan is at work most of the day and then off to record and Tatiana also at work and then putting in a few hours at the gym (she claims she ate far too much this weekend). So the house is calm and quiet as the kittens take their afternoon nap. amazing how much one can achieve at peace.

My first impulse was to delve into my new art supplies but I decided to start with putting some beauty into the house. My pink roses have bloomed into a plethora of clusters and the white ones are starting to give a few new flowers too. Poor cosmos, on its last leg for the season.

I have so much catching up to do with calls and e-mails. I haven't checked my emails in days and avoid the ban account altogether. I just want NO stress at all. No idel conversation, no uneccessary worrying, just calm.

A hundred lists but ART remains Number 1

Abstract ACEO
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

Still in a creative frenzy. I think it's becasue I will be away for over a month and away from my art studio and supplies. I worry although I know I will be picking up Menus and all sorts of found objects wherever I go and at least journaling on a daily basis.

So I've getting to bed past midnight, sitting up in my jammies with my bed and nightstand serving as art table, watching old movies or documentaries.

Amazing what movies come up we had forgotten all about. The other night I saw The Mirror has two faces with Jeff Bridges and BArbara Streisand and I loved it so much I want to get it for whenever I feel sad. It has such a beautiful message and they are both great in it.

ATCS