Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Tree-mendous Thank you


Creating some love to send after Christmas with the newest Susan K. Weckesser stamps - Very, Very Merry from Unity.
Check it out on the {my sweet earth} blog!


I used my Sakura gel pens to color in the tree, and Ranger's stickles to the snow....I just love the sparkle and shine.

entering this in Moxie Fab World's - Tree-mendous Challenge 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Attitude of Gratitude


Do you have an attitude of gratitude...or do you need to develop one?
Maybe having a small journal around would be a great way to remind yourself of all the things that you do have to be grateful for!
I'm up on the Helmar blog today with my journal that I created and I have a great poem for you to begin your journal of Gratitude with.
Would love for you to pop over there and leave me a comment so I know you stopped by!

Friday, November 21, 2014

Thank you

Simon Says - Thanks/Thanksgiving
a very simple CAS card which are fun to do because they are easy to make.
I used my Dylusion ink on a separate piece of paper and then used a cookie cutter as a stencil to make the heart.
All the pattern papers are from mt stash which I usually try and work from which makes me feel less wasteful.

I would like to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who goes over to the Rapid River Arts and Culture online magazine to read my stories about my plein air art journaling adventures. 
My editor loves the clicks, and well, so do I!
I would be thrilled if you haven't read it, to please do so.
This story is takes place at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

To the moon....

Simon Says - To the Moon



And although this has absolutely nothing to do with my card, it does show you how my mind works...lol
I couldn't help but think of this while making my card:
I see the moon
the moon sees me
God bless the moon
and God bless me.
This was favorite nursery rhyme as a child, out of curiosity I googled the saying to find out who wrote it and found so much more. I also could not find out who wrote it, there are so many different versions....

Common Version of Rhyme

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless the moon, / And God bless me.

Catholic Alternate

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless the priest, / Who christened me.

A Fisherman’s Alternate

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless sailors, / On the sea.

An Extended Alternate

I see the moon / And the moon sees me / The moon sees the somebody I'd like to see. / God bless the moon / and God bless me / God bless the somebody I'd like to see!

I See the Moon is a popular nursery rhyme that is often found as the last rhyme in books of nursery rhymes for children. Its position at the end of books of nursery rhymes make it seem like a goodnight prayer for the end of the day. In fact, the many variations of the rhyme increase the sense that the verse is that of blessing. Of course, the illustrations of cherubic children gazing wistfully out the window at a benevolent moon also enhance the peaceful concept that people have of the verse.

Sinister Intent in the Nursery Rhyme

However, the authors of The Annotated Mother Goose suggest that while the rhyme is charming the original reasons for reciting the rhyme may have been more sinister than the rhyme might lead on to believe.
In ancient times, people believed that to sleep in the moonlight was to risk becoming a lunatic. In addition, there were the many evil beings that were free to roam when the moon was full. The nursery rhyme may have been taught to children to protect them from the dangers exposure to the moon and the subsequent risk of lunacy or to use as a ward against the evil creatures that only walked by the light of the moon.

Other Literary References to the Moon and Lunacy

Shakespeare was aware of the many attributes and legends surrounding the heavenly bodies. Othello blames the moon for the madness that is around him “It is the very error of the moon; / She comes more nearer earth than she was wont, / And makes men mad. King Lear, however, laments the fact that “we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and stars: as if we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion.”
However, fear is as powerful a compulsion as truth and may indeed be the driving force behind this nursery rhyme that teaches an awareness of the moon and the prayer for blessings from God.

Friday, November 14, 2014

I thank you for your kindness...

I admit, I love challenges and Unity has great ones because they give you different things to choose from. I seem to veer towards the color challenges the most....but that's just me.




I loved this saying by Joanna Fuchs :)

I used my Inktense pencils and Pitt Pens to color in the images and a Sakura glitter pen to add some silver embellishment.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

wildlife Christmas ornaments

Simon Monday Challenge - Ornaments

I started making my ornaments and this year I went with a wildlife theme.
I drew the animals shapes on with my Deco Art Paint marker.
It takes 2 coats to make it truly opaque like a silhouette should be.
Filled the bottom with some fake snow....
added a silver trimmed ribbon and some rhinestones with some silver beads on the hook and voila....Christmas in the mountains!

I haven't added the rhinestones to these, but put the picture up anyway so you can see the different animals I did.

One of a Kind Winter


I'm not much of a star person and I don't know why, but I'm just not.
So I wasn't sure how I would approach this challenge: but challenges are a good thing, they make you stretch.
I'm all for stretching.
I ran across this scrap piece of paper and thought...perfect!
It inspired me to take out my Susan K. Weckesser stamp: One of a Kind Winter and create this little thank you card, perfect for the upcoming season to send to a friend to warm their heart.


I like to employ a technique I call sinking.
Which means cutting or tearing a slit into the paper and sliding your embellishment into the slot to give it an easy dimensional appearance.
I also like to roll my paper edges for a little texturing.

I finished the cutie of a snowman off by coloring it in with my Pitt Pens and adding a little stickles to his buttons and of course adding some penned shading with my Pigma Sensei Magna pens. And since I cut my image out I double stamped him so I wouldn't have to bother with fussy cutting the fringes and the tiny stick arms out.

I think he will find a friend who will love him, don't you?


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

new studio!! I'm official!!

Boy, I haven't been blogging as much lately because I just moved into my new studio...I feel like I am officially an artist now. Bad news is all my paintings are currently up at the Co-Op so I have a pretty bare room!
Hendersonville Co-Op
I did get the outside wall to the studio up and even have a little Christmas ornament action going on. If you want to see them close up then you can hop over to the Helmar blog where I am up today.

front wall to my studio
I still don't have my sign up and everything is looking kinda bare at the moment but hopefully I will get everything fixed by the time Christmas shopping hits full force....which means I have until Thanksgiving to get it in order! yikes!!

In the garden of life...


Hi everyone, hope you are doing well today.
I am up over on the {my sweet earth} blog today with a stamp that I recently won from Unity! Love their stamps!!


Would love, love, LOVE you to go over there and leave me a comment!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Frosted Designs Blog Hop - The Gift of Giving

As you hop along, you will notice each Design Team member has a "secret" word on their blog that makes a quote.  Be sure to write it down and email Brandimatos@gmail.com with your completed quote!  After you've completed the hop, come back here (the Frosted Designs Blog) and leave us a comment letting us know.  One winner will be randomly selected from the comments to win a (prize needed here)!!!!


I admit I don't make too many handmade gifts but I do love presenting my gifts in one of a kind boxes. :)

I paint the insides, cover the outside with paper and ribbons and adorn with embellishments like flowers and in this case, a sparkly butterfly.

I am showcasing Helmar's Liquid Scrap Dots today on the blog hop and I made a very short video which shows how I used it when adding the butterfly. It's very fun and easy to use, extremely forgiving!



My secret word is "by", make sure to collect them all!

Sandee ( you are here )

You have until noon on November 14th to hop along!  Don't forget to email your completed quote to brandimatos@gmail.com for your chance to win a prize!  Most importantly:  HAVE FUN!!!!!! 
Happy Hopping :-)