SPA - Oriental

I had fun with this prompt.  The image of the 3 Geisha is from Tumblefish Studio.  Marsha has some dynamite kits available at Deviant Scrap.  The backgrounds have been altered in color to better match the  kimono in the image. The background, bamboo, and frame are from Erica Belton at Digital Scrapbook Place.
It's no secret that I have a fascination with Geisha.  I find that a woman who will dedicate her life to the arts and the pursuit of beauty a wonderful thing.  Geisha are misunderstood by most and cherished as icons in Japan.   But in truth, they are "arts person" which is one translation of the word Geisha.
I chose the image of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak, no evil" not just because it is a really nice image, but because these women are prized not only for their intelligence, graciousness,  beauty, and talent, but also because they can be trusted never to divulge what is said during the course of an evening.  They know everyone and no one all at the same time.  They can hear much and speak little.
It is a fear that the Geisha tradition is going to die out.   Fewer woman decide to turn the collar of their kimono from red of a Maiko (an apprentice)  to white, becoming full Geisha.    The turning of the collar, making it past the training period and embracing the life and business of being Geisha is a long, hard, well thought out process for any woman.
As much as I would love the opportunity to see and meet Geisha, I will not have that privilege in my life.  So, I scan images on the internet and read books by those who have been lucky enough to part the bamboo screen and enter the Flower and Willow world.  
If there is anyone reading this who have postcards of Geisha and would like to trade with me for one of my postcards, please contact me!  

SPA - Summer

This time I am not taking any chances!  I was a few hours late on the last Sunday Postcard Art prompt - although they are gracious enough to still take my entry.  (Thank you Donna and Mandy!)
This week the prompt is SUMMER.  We have yet to make it to the hottest part of our summer here in the  desert. We have gotten up to  103-105 degrees a couple of days, but for now we are 85-95 degrees and enjoying it.  The nights being cool and we are able to sleep with the windows open.  It is nice not to be the slave of the air conditioner.
As I said in the last post, I love the "pin up" or Vargas girls.  Thanks to a site called Far Far Hill and to contributor's from Deviant Art, I have a nice little stash of pin up images.
I would like to thank -
Beth Rimmer at Deviant Scrap for her kit Nantucket.  She provided the background and accessory images.
Thank you again to Far Far Hill for her Pin up girls.  I have enjoyed creating with them and I am sure there will be plenty more creations where these came from!
And once again to Paula Kesselring for her photoshop brushes.  I have used her frames again as a subtle accent.
These will be made into REAL postcards and sent to random users around the world via the site Postcrossing. (see right sidebar)  I really do get a kick out of creating and sending these cards around the world.  I have received some fantastic ones back in the mail!  Although I am a bit bummed that the one I sent to India didn't make it to its recipient.
Have a great week!

The Magic of Love

                                                  Believe it or not, I have a new friend!
While that statement sounds a tad funny coming from a 51 year old woman, I find that I am looking forward to getting mail since I have been receiving postcards from a lovely young lady from China by the name of Sally.  Sally and her sweetheart Devin belong to Postcrossing.com, a web site that promotes the art of correspondence on the often mocked postcard.  (I firmly believe that postcards are the equivalent of Twitter for the technology impaired.)
   What I didn't know was that Sally and Devin are embarking on the "beginning of the rest of your life" tour.  You know, graduating high school and on to college.  That time when you realize that the world is a much bigger place than you first thought which causes you to start thinking about what is really important to you and you begin to work towards "adult" goals.  It is that time when you start thinking about the rest of your life and how your going to live it - what profession do I want to go into?  What about marriage? Love? Fun? (Is their fun after high school?).  Getting old(er) - oh wait, that's me...oops!.
You get the idea.
   Sally was worried that University would cause her never to see her sweetheart again.  And me, being the old(er) woman that I am, had to tell her that their time in University will go faster than she realizes, so if she is meant to be with Devin than it will happen regardless of University.  I also said that I look forward of the news that they have gotten married and are very happy. Yes, I am a romantic at heart.
   So in honor of Sally and Devin, I have made them a postcard.  I really hope they like it.  I have it in the back of my mind to do a series of "Sally and Devin" cards.  I enjoy the imagery that has been provided to me by Marsha at Tumblefish Studios.   In my mind I can see the two of them in all sorts of adventures!
I can't wait to make this into a real postcard and send it to Sally and Devin!

I do believe in the magic of love; that it can transform lives for the better.  It is truly magical.  Pure alchemy.  It is one of those basic elements that every person feels.  It crosses all boarders, invades countries, and transforms individuals.  So for young love everywhere, welcome to the magic show.

Now for the credits - Tina Chambers (DSP) for the "Believe in Love" word art, Nicole Young (DSP) for the altered heart (It's in her kit Brokedown Love"), and the ever lovely Marsha Sayer-Jorgenson (if misspelled your name Marsha - I'm so sorry) the genius behind Tumblefish Studios at Deviant Scrap.  She provided all the other elements you see although I did re-color the background.

Transformation Deck - Tend your Garden

I suppose that could be a polite way of saying "mind your own business".  But for anyone that has spent anytime working in a garden, veggie or flower, it is a reminder that where you put your energies and attention will grow, prosper, and be successful.  You look for weeds, removing them so that what you really want will get the space and nutrition to get stronger, healthier.  Well, I'm no different than anything I helped my Grandkids grow this year.

There is an alchemy in working with what nature has given you; learning the natural laws of cause and effect.  The symbolics contained in this card are fairy = magic, serendipity, luck, whatever you want to call that special something that happens when you least expect it.  The Sun = warmth, nurture, nature, energy of life.  The butterflies and dragon fly = the butterflies are a symbol of transformation by their own life cycle. (A beautiful flying insect from a caterpillar?! )  I just threw the dragonfly because I like them.  The green fertile hills are just that but they also hold that which I have planted and which to harvest.  That would be patience, happiness, creativity, and strength.  In one way or another, I feel as though I am lacking in those areas of my life.   While some may argue with me, it is my heart that dictates what I need to focus on.
I want and need to thank Beth Rimmer from Deviant Scrap for her kit  "Secret Life of Woodlands".
Lori Davidson for her kit "Fairily Moonlit Mystics."  Many of her elements are hand drawn and painted.
Irene Alexeeva for her "Curves" template.  Since I use Photoshop Elements 6, I have to cheat and use templates for things such as this.  One of these years I'll become a big girl and get the full version of Photoshop.
Nicole Young for her kit "A Gypsy's Tale".  I only used one piece from this wonderful kit, but I made a promise to always give credit for anything I use from any designer.  (I keep my trusty notepad beside me for taking notes just for that reason.)

Thank you Ladies!

Transformation Deck

Over at Deviant Scrap there along is a special group of prompts similar to Sunday Postcard Art.  This is the Transformation Deck.  What these cards are is simple; 5x7 over sized playing cards displaying text and images that are meaningful to the designer.  So far there has been one prompt a month this year.  And in true style, I am now just discovering them.  It is so like me to play catch up.  (sighs deeply)  I am
finding these prompts useful in kick starting me into action.  While many different challenge sites offer the same prompts over and over again (don't pretend you don't know what I mean....it goes along with the sepia baby with wings and crown club) I have to say that "Release the Reins" presented we with a prompt that I really had to think about.  I even went font hunting so that I could get the "Wanted" poster feel.

"Release the Reins" - October prompt

"Balance"- June prompt

Believe - November prompt

In my head, I see me using this as a deck that helps me get over the creative "humps", those days when I don't want to do anything at all.  I am only working on imagery that "speaks" to me, in the hope that when I pull the card, I can feel the power of letting go, or remembering to believe in those things that you can't see but you can feel in your soul.  

I'm excited to dig into my library of images to see what I can come up with.  I have no doubts it will take a little bit to get them all done since I'm only working on a theme when I feel inspired and have a direction to go in.  

Stay tuned!

Hats and Crowns - SPA

Sunday Postcard Art strikes again!  This weeks prompt was Hats and Crowns.   While there are many in the altered art community that would say that crowns and wings are WAY overdone, I couldn't help myself.    For this postcard I used the elements from the following digital kits...

Twinkle Toes - Tumble Fish Studios

Spunky Explosion - Tangie Baxter @ Scrapbook Graphics

Create Wings by Catherine

Zetti Revisited by Fine Crafted Designs @ Deviant Scrap

I added a sparkle brush for a highlight or two and Viola!  This will actually be turned into a postcard and mailed out via Postcrossings.  I have sent out several of my digital cards that I have created thanks  to Sunday Postcard Art.  

Thanks Ladies!!

ATC - Blue

I completely forgot!!!  This digital ATC is for the ATC swap over at Deviant Scrap.  The theme was "blue".  So I put in the blue bird of happiness and the blue moon watching over the happy couple.  All of the elements are from Crowabout B Studios over at DeviantScrap.com.  Now I just have to go get a black ink cartridge for my printer and get it finished.  This one gets mailed to England.  It seems that art really does bring people together!