Monday, December 27, 2010

Almost the end of 2010

The year 2010 was my most prolific card making year yet.  It is also the year that I learned so many new techniques.  My brain has been over loaded to the point that I sometimes don't know where to start on a new project.  So, I've decided that for 2011 I will try to figure out what is my style and what type of card art work comes naturally to me.  Just because I see other artists presenting difficult techniques, it doesn't mean it is one for me.  I'm just going to sit back and admire from afar and improve on what I do best.  I'll always give new ideas a try, but not feel so disappointed when I can't duplicate or create from that new concept.  I think there is such a thing as creative input overload. When that happens, it's time to sort and file and get organized.  So, let's see what happens in the coming months.
  Meanwhile, here are two cards I produced over the long holiday-blizzard weekend:

The design for this card is from a pad of beautiful scrapbook papers.  There was no color within the flowers or leaves.  I think I'm getting a little better filling in color with colored pencils.  
                                                                  

The card stock is black, but I enhanced it with alcohol inks and ink pad ink and a silvery color that shimmers.  The center of the card is basic.  It's the background that makes the card stand out.



My son turns 39 (the age of Jack Benny!)  at the end of December.  I thought this just about says it all about aging. LOL  This card was colored with Copic markers.  I find them a bit difficult to work with, but would love to take a class in using them to learn more about them.


I'm not sure that I'll post again this year.  I'm hoping for a better 2011 for everyone. 
Lois...

Saturday, December 18, 2010

December 2010

I'm a subscriber to Sirius-XM satellite radio.  I have a radio in my house and one came with my new car.  You must think that I just love all that commercial free music. Well, that is true.  But, the only real reason I subscribe to satellite radio is to listen to Howard Stern.  When I tell most people that I am, and have been, an avid listener of HS since his NBC days, they start to say all sorts of negative things about him.  Most of the negative stuff is from people who have never really listened to his show for any amount of time.  Yes, there are some outrageous antics that go on during those broadcasts, but the good stuff is really all the other stuff that goes on:  the constant soap opera that is played out among the staff, Howard's upfront personality, and all those most absolutely great interviews that he conducts with some of the greatest performers and famous personalities in the world.  And, there have been some of the best performances done live in his studio by a wide variety of musicians and musical groups.  If you're a real HS fan, it is for his intellect, his sense of humor, his honesty, and his instinctual sense of what makes good radio.  I'm not trying to convert anyone to listen to HS, but I just wanted to say that I'm thrilled that Howard has renewed his contract for another 5 years.  This will make my long boring commute to work and back bearable for another 5 years.  Terrestrial radio surely is a bore!!
   Ok, enough pontificating!
   I've been making some holiday cards, birthday cards and I'm in the middle of making a set of blank cards for my daughter-law Jackie, who as of December 8th made me a Bubbe (grandmother).
    Here's my little man:  Max Arthur Kamakana Brager


He is named after my father, Jackie's grandfather and in Hawaiian "the gift". 
   






My kids live in Hawaii and I hope to find myself there again soon to meet my little guy face to face.  Skype is ok, but you just can't hold babies through the computer. LOL 













Cards from set for Jackie:




Here are some holiday cards:






 A couple of Birthday cards :





Well, that's it for today.  It's more than halfway through the month of December 2010 and soon to be 2011.  I'm praying for health, peace, prosperity and love for the New Year for all those I love, and more...