Monday Murals: U.S. 54

 

It's time once again to join Sami at Sami's Colourful World and her Monday Murals.  Bleubeard and I took a month off because we hosted Art Journal Journey and I created art there every day last month.  Now I'm ready to do a few fun things that are not related to art journals.  Even though it's still Sunday in my world, please be aware that Sami's mural link goes live at 10:01 a.m. my time today.     

This was taken on U.S. 54 Highway in Kansas, somewhere between Fort Scott and El Dorado.  I have checked every town located on U.S. 54 and none of the towns have a high school or college that have bulldogs for their mascot.  I sincerely don't remember where we took these photos.

 

Even though it is a U.S. highway, most of the road is two lane and runs through many small towns that all look basically the same.  There was no artist that I could find unless you count the poop, or maybe Bronson pilot!

If you enjoy murals from around the world, please don't forget to visit Monday Murals at Sami's Colourful World. 

 

November, 2022 complete and December already written in

 

November is complete.  I did things a bit different for November, in that I wrote the name of the page I created each day.  Of note is the soldier saluting that is like the one I covered with too much gesso on Veterans Day.  As you notice, I also stamped a food or drink image on every day.  Elle would be proud that I emphasized Scotland's St Andrew's Day.

To honor Jo's snowflake theme at Art Journal Journey, I decorated my calendar accordingly.

As promised, I have completed my Treasure Trovember prompts.

 

 

You can see I've highlighted the final seven prompts, which I will show in close up.  For Day 27, the written prompt was scribbles, but Kelly called it squiggles (not to be confused with my fat younger cat).

I scanned this because I am still having problems getting good photos with this new camera Scott bought me for Thanksgiving.  Because the page is larger than the scanner bed,

I scanned it a second time and didn't bother rotating it 180 degrees.

Now lets check out the final seven prompts.

Day 24: Add some poetry.

This is an abbreviated part of a poem I wrote that was published in a national magazine when I was 11.

Day 25: Add a beverage.

I was very lucky to find this bottle of French wine.  It matches my color scheme, too.

Day 26: Add texture (either real or perceived)

Granted, this is a bit difficult to see because it blends so well with my background.  It's a piece of white plastic from a white onion bag.  I affixed it using E6000 and in order to keep it in place, I had to wrap it over itself.

Day 27: Add some scribbles or squiggles.

Like Kelly, I used crayons, but mine were cheap kids crayons I picked up at a restaurant one year.  Not nearly as bright and defined as they should have been, but I kept writing an "S" using red, green, and blue.  I probably shouldn't have placed them over the shorthand writing, though.

Day 28: Add some stripes.

This pillow was the best example of stripes I could find.

Day 29: Add fabric, lace, ribbon, string, thread, yarn, twine, etc.

I had two tiny bits of excess lace I had dyed (one yellow/orange, one lavender), so added them to the page.

Day 30: Add a monster

I had this image of modern art that sort of reminded me of a monster.  I added eyes and a mouth using a metallic gel pen and called this challenge complete for another year.

 

One final look at this November project.

 

I want to thank everyone for taking time to visit today.  I hope you enjoyed what I did with this challenge.  Even though Kelly is sharing her daily prompts on her web site, she is showing the results on Facebook and Instagram, where I am not a member.  Looks like this is the only place you will see my Treasure Trovember.  I am grateful for your remarks on this project.  Yes, I am color driven, so there are a lot of neutrals and reds, along with a couple of blues.  One thing I can say is I didn't cover over anything like Kelly did, except for a bit of gesso on the tissue paper.

 

Second on the 2nd: Snowflakes

 

For my second look each month, I like to share something that reminds me of our current Art Journal Journey host's theme.  This month, Jo from Let's Art Journal is our host and her theme is Snowy Winter.  Here is part of the original post.

  I called this Snow Day.  It was created for a challenge in December, 2021. 

  I had completely forgotten about this snowflakes stamp.

  The snowman is enjoying all the snowflakes that made him in the first place.

  I started by creating a background of azure Staz-on and 91% isopropyl alcohol.  As soon as it was dry, I used VersaMark on a large snowflake stamp.  When the page was completely stamped with the exception of the very bottom where I wanted the snowman to live, I added white embossing powder, then turned it over and tapped off the excess powder.  I heat embossed the snowflakes, then allowed the embossing powder time to cool.

 

I used dye ink on the snowman stamp, then was shocked when it didn't cover wherever the embossing powder was in place.  Although I had planned to stamp the sentiment, I decided to use stickers instead after seeing what happened when I stamped the snowman.  Live and learn.

____________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed this look back at Snowflakes. 

 

Now it's time to share your own Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any length, any artistic endeavor is acceptable, as long as it's been published sometime in the past.  Then link below (direct links only, please) and Bleubeard and I, along with other Second on the 2nd friends, will be by to visit. Please be aware, this link will only be open until T Stands For Tuesday goes live on Monday, December 5 at 4:00 p.m. my time.  Therefore, posting on the 2nd is greatly advised.

 

Snow Day

 

Today we welcome a new host at Art Journal Journey as we do on the first of every month.  This month we are lucky enough to have the very talented and beautiful Jo from Let's Art Journal.  Her theme is Snowy Winter.

In my world, it's a snow day!  

Bleubeard and I have created a few detail shots so you get a closer look.

 

Children love snow days.  Parents, especially working parents, hate them because they often have to make arrangements when the children are too young to be left alone.  Teachers have mixed feelings.  If the school has provided enough snow days, everything is fine.  If not, the school must make up that time at the end of the year.

I started this spread using a Staz-on reinker and 91% isopropyl alcohol on 110 lb cardstock.  I then cut the focal image from a greeting card.  Next, I dry embossed a tree using a Behr paint chip sample.  I then created the sentiment on my laser printer and sewed everything to the substrate using variegated green thread.  Finally, I added the date.

Jo, Chris, Erika, Valerie, Bleubeard, and I are delighted you joined us and hope to see you this month at Art Journal Journey with your own take on Snowy Winter.

 

We welcome art journal pages that meet the theme requirements, altered book pages, canvases, loose, or stand alone pages including fabric and digital art.  We do not allow Facebook or Instagram entries.  We also do not allow cards, tags, index cards, ATCs, or ATCoins, unless they are part of a journal page, and as much as we don't want to, will be forced to delete your entry.  Please remember if your blog is not in English, you must either provide a translation tool or translate it for us.  Hope to see you soon at Art Journal Journey.  

 

  It suddenly hit me that there are two children, a dog, and two birds showing their faces on the above spread.  Because of that, I will be joining Nicole's Friday Face Off tomorrow.

 

 

In the mood for Christmas

 

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to start thinking about Christmas.  It's sad, but true Bleubeard and I are hosting Art Journal Journey for the very last time this month with our themes Collage Fodder, Food and Drink, or both. 

EDIT: I am NOT stepping away from Art Journal Journey (AJJ), as some of you believe based on the comments.  My month of hosting is over today. Bleubeard and I are still two of five administrators of AJJ.  We will welcome a new host tomorrow.  Sorry you misunderstood my lead in.

Bleubeard and I are getting in the mood for Christmas with bits of collage fodder.

We've even provided a few detail photos.

Santa and child were a napkin I had in my stash.

I used a variety of vintage type holiday images.  The top left red and white paper reminded me of candies I received in my stocking when I was a child.  I fussy cut the Santa and child, the focal image of the page.  I needed one final piece of vintage paper, so I opted for the vintage sheet music.  Holly, candy canes, and tiny trees added a feeling of Christmas.  The zig zag paper seemed to match the vintage paper, so I included it.

Bleubeard and I are overjoyed you visited today and are so happy you joined us this month at Art Journal Journey.  You still have today to share your own version of Collage Fodder, Food and Drink, or both.  

We are also joining AEDM.

Kelly will provide the final Treasure Trovember assignment later this morning, so I will share that on the 3rd of December when I share my calendar pages.  And PLEASE don't forget your Second on the 2nd, where we share a post that has been published in the past.

 

T Stands For Teacup Book Week 4 and gifts from a friend

 

I'm sure you know by now that Bleubeard and I are hosting Art Journal Journey this month and our themes are Collage Fodder, Food and Drink, or both.  Further, many of you have seen the first three signatures of my new tea cup book.  Today is no different.

But first, I want to share something I received over a week ago, but never photographed.  I was supposed to share this last week, but I was sick and didn't leave my sick bed unless I was forced to do so.

What is this, you ask.  It's a wax seal my friend Kathy (in Ozarks) used to seal the envelope.  I borrowed a camera and NOTHING came out as I had hoped.  However, you can see I have not opened it yet. 

I thought a close up might be better, but that didn't help, either.

The cute sticker on the front was just as bad.  However, my smudge tool worked perfectly.  I'm sure you won't be able to read the address if you don't already know it.  Please DO NOT write it in comments if you DO know it!

The stamps were even worse.  I knew the bunny stamp was an added ounce, but I had NO idea what the flowers were from looking at the photo.  I believe it is one of the 

  mountain flora stamps called pasqueflower.  It is a forever 1st class stamp. Image is from USPS.com.  They were first issued this year.

I finally have the envelope open and I did a terrible job opening it.

Inside was a lovely hand sewn book that showcased

Kathy's eco-dyed papers and stickers.

 

I love the stamped bird on a limb.  It is fabulous.

Kathy explained the photo was taken in Yellowstone Park in 2017.  I understand that each photo card was different.  Thank you Kathy.  I am so proud of this book and card.  I will cherish this forever dear.

While I was photographing the gift Kathy sent (I took over 60 photos, most  completely out of focus,

look who showed up begging to be fed (like his fat little body needs food)!  I'm glad this turned out so well because Bleubeard has been in the spotlight all month and I think T Tuesday is a good time to let Squiggles shine.

Some saw my Thanksgiving dining room tablescape on Turkey Day.  However, by the time you read this, the cards, turkeys, and pumpkin are now gone and all I have to do is decide what tree I want to place on this table this year.  Cards from left are from Kathy (in Ozarks), 2022, Kathy (in Ozarks), 2019, and RO!, 2021.

Now for my final teacup signature.

This is the front of the final signature.

Obviously, this is the inside.

And that just leaves the back.  IF I find time between decorating my Christmas home, making my annual Christmas cards and tip-ins, creating a journal page for our December host, finishing Treasure Trovember, and making potato soup, I will try to get the cover created for this little book.  But please don't hold me to it.  I am really far behind, since I haven't even created my final collage fodder entry for Art Journal Journey, which is Wednesday.

While I take a deep breath, please share your own drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please join us by linking below.  Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants.

 

 

 

I would also be remiss if I didn't remind you it's time to dig up your Second on the 2nd.  It can be any post, any length, any genre, but it must be one that has been published sometime in the past.