Making a background for my monthly calendar and answers to a few questions

Some of you might have seen a similar photo like this on Wednesday. Shown are the materials I will use to make these two pages a bit more "artsy." I have several Color Mists (by Ranger) and a 7 Gypsies color wash, along with a few stamps and stencils. I started with an art catalog I got in the mail a few years ago. I began using it as a way to collect old paint, color mists, and the leftovers of when I clean the Staz-on from my stamps. This is how I found these two pages and wanted to jazz them up a bit for my May calendar pages.


I started by using Butterscotch and Lettuce Color Washes along with a few stencils. I then used the iridescent Shimmering Mist with the circle stencil, but all it did was seep through to the previous side (April).


After waiting several hours for the paper to dry on the reverse side, I placed a few drops of 7-Gypsies ink on the right side and drizzled it down the page.


I covered the previous stenciled mess with Cranberry Color Mist.


Next, I pulled out my Tattered Angels Mist and went to town. Sadly it was nearly the same color as the Cranberry (by Ranger).


Then it was time to paint some circles on the page using fluid acrylics (purple and gold).


I got a little carried away, but couldn't get a good photo, SO


I took it outside in the late afternoon sun to get a better photo.


I started to stamp the word "May" on the page, then realized I should probably put the little squares on before I did any stamping. I'm quite new to this way of calender decorating, so it's a bit trial and error (mostly error at this point). Looks like you get to wait till May 1 to see the completed pages.

Now I want to change subjects and show this lovely bit created by Sharon at Plumrose Lane. I have it in a prominent spot on my right sidebar. I've been told the right side is the first side people look at, but I somehow doubt it, because this is prominently displayed on my blog. Not trying to make anything out of this, but I just wanted to show it in case I get tagged yet AGAIN. See, I've been tagged THREE times in the past week or so, and, since I've already told two of the taggers I would answer their questions, I have to do it. However, I will NOT accept any more TAGS or BLOG AWARDS unless they come from Somerset's Artful Bloggers, or some other reputable magazine (I can dream, can't I?)!

So here we go. The rules are as follows:

...you must post the rules
...answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you
...create 11 questions to ask the people you tag
...tag 11 people
...let them know you've tagged them

Sorry, but I won't be following the final three rules. After all, I am quite the rule breaker!

I was first tagged by Terrie at Creative Explorer.

Here are her questions and my answers:

1. Favorite season - why? Spring and Autumn. I hate heat and am not fond of shoveling snow.
2. What do you 'need' to have on before venturing out in public? Clothes. That sounds silly, but in the summer, I don't wear clothes in the house. I have to put something on just to answer my front door or go out to get my mail. YES, that is PUBLIC!
3. What do you collect? ROCKING HORSES!!
4. Favorite style of art? Mixed media with fabric thrown in the mix.
5. Symmetrical or asymmetrical? HMM. If you saw my office, you would know it's very symmetrical. But I like asymmetrical art.
6. What do you find difficult to learn or work with in your chosen medium? I haven't found anything yet, since I don't doodle or zentangle.
7. Vacation in cold & snow or hot & sunshine? NEITHER (refer to Question 1 above)
8. How do you relax? I make art.
9. What's one of your guilty pleasures? Good food, vegetarian of course.
10. What wakes up your muse? (or, where do you find your creative inspiration?) Mostly from my art friends' blogs.
11. What food do you crave most often? Anything sweet, salty, or fattening!


I was also tagged by Jenn at Just Add Water, Silly.

Same rules, different questions:

Coffee, tea or me - What's your FAVORITE drink?? French roast coffee turned white with half and half. I drink it 24/7, except for tea one hour each Tuesday.
Where does your inspiration come from? Mostly blogs and challenges.
Where is your favorite place to be? Where I am at the moment. I love life wherever I am.
Did you have a stuffed animal when you were little that you loved to death? I had a train set as a child. After all, my Grandfather (Grandparents raised me) wanted a boy!
What's your weirdest trait? Knowing animals do NOT hold human traits. After all, I am NOT Bleubeard's "mother." His mother lived in a barn in southeast Kansas and was not neutered.
Tell me something no one else knows about you but you wish they did! Honestly, my life is an open book, so there is probably NOTHING people don't already know that they would need (or want) to know.
If you could buy a new pet right now, what would it be and what would you name it? A Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I had one years ago and he was stolen from me. I still miss him. His name was Bear.
Are you vain about something? Nope!
Have you found your niche, in other words, would people be able to recognize your artwork without your signature? How did you find that comfortable place? I doubt anyone would recognize my art, since it is all over the map. I don't and refuse to do CUTESY, though.
What style of art do you WISH you could do but don't or can't right now? I would love to be more involved in metal, stained glass, and plaster, but lack the required supplies.
Favorite kind/brand of art supply? Anything I can find in the dumpster. Or maybe the thrift store!

I realize these aren't the cute quips most people shared. But for some reason, you caught me on a day when seriousness was playing in my head. Thanks go to Jenn and Terrie for thinking of me. And of course, thanks for sticking around and reading this. Aren't you glad I was brief on Wednesday?

Happy Easter to all my dear blogging friends, far and near. May you find sunshine and joy tomorrow.

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