THE LIFE OF A VAGABOUND

Oh, I am so very excited.  My first kit work for Marta Van Eck and it's a collab with all the fabulous artists at Mischief Circus.  I cannot wait to play with all the different kits!!!  I certainly had a blast creating for both Marta and Deb on this one.   The Xquizart kit is phenomenal.  I was immediately in love with all the colors and the outfits.  Oh, if only I had their wardrobe!!!!  The only one I didn't submit to either of them was done with a mixture of both their kits on the collab.  That was a bonus, just for me once the deadline hit... it was cold outside...and I had nothing else to do. (and wasn't sure if I should submit it to both of them, or one of them and if that was even appropriate to do.  ...note to self....ASK)

The paper, the road sign, the wooden box and to hobo bag on a stick are from Marta's kit.
The dolls of course, from Xquizart.

I'll be back to my separate posts for each kit after this, but since it was a collaboration anyhow, I thought it would be okay to join them in my blog.

Marta's kit is full of amazing places to visit... monuments, landmarks... world travel all neatly packaged in one kit.  I was afraid I'd bitten off more than I could chew, applying, but was so excited to get started once I had the link to the new kit.  Oh, this courage thing is quite fun!!

Here were my four submissions.  Can't wait to play with this kit some more.

 
Planes, Trains (okay...a wagon) and Automobiles!!!!   Presidential Monuments and an open road!  It's like taking a journey without ever stepping away from the computer!!!

THE DREAMER

From her broken window in her home of darkness, she dreamed of far away places.

 IT'S HARD TO LOVE A TRAVELING MAN

Oh, how I love all the elements with Marta's kit.  So many different things.  I really need to practice my shadows.  Slowly getting a bit better at them.   But, can see where I need to work on some darkness to draw you in to the couple in the center.   (things to work on)

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING

Was having a discussion with a friend last night that sometimes "less is more".  I added so little to the paper, but for me it worked.  It was enough.  It made a statement.


...on to the new Xquizart kit from Deb.  Vagabound Adventures!  Oh, dear!   I am turning into a broken record.  Every time she gives me a new kit to play with it becomes and instant favorite and shoots to the top of my favorite list.  This one is no exception.   The colors, the hats, the purses... and she included WINE!!!  What girl wouldn't love this adventure?

I can't wait to get home from work so I can play some more!!!!  Everyone should be thankful we only got this kit a couple days before the release.  I'd have been overloading the system with pages if given more time.  lol

 

I used one of Xquizart's ATC cards for this one, along with a couple elements from Tumble Fish Studio.  (City Skies and Wispy Pieces)

 LET YOUR DREAMS FLY

(butterflies are from my stash)

 HOME IS WHERE YOU HANG YOUR HAT

Shocked myself that I would even create a page about hats.  I hate hats!  Okay, I don't HATE hats... I like to look at them, I just HATE to WEAR them.  I remember day one in the military, being handed my "cover" and finding out every single time I stepped outside that thing would have to be on my head as I crossed the threshold.  I was all about Duty, Honor and Country... but, no one warned me about the hat!!!   

I've been back in New England for always twenty years now. I do NOT own a winter hat! :)

As for Deb's hats in this kit... ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS.

 LET LOVE LEAD YOU

(okay, maybe not always the best advice.  At least not with my past, but you've got a 50/50 shot it'll work.  Besides, what have you got to lose?)

I saw the above quote some time ago and HAD to use it here.  I thought of it as soon as I saw all the pocketbooks!  Now if I can only create a page with the meme "I can still wear the same earrings I wore in high school!!!!"
 

 "PACK LIGHT" he said.

"I'VE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING." she said.

That's just crazy!!!

 ...and lastly......      This just might become my new profile picture.  Really, how can you not love a traveling cart of wine?   xoxoxox

Until next time!!!

Hugs from my corner,
Arline

BIG NEWS

Stepping out of my comfort zone and taking chances is the new ME.  This week I saw a CT (creative team) call for Marta Van Eck and I applied.  Guess what....  I'M IN!!!!!

She is a fabulously talented digital artist out of Germany and I am so excited to be working with her stuff.  Sometimes quirky, sometimes insane.... always fabulous pieces. 

In honor of this big news last night I did my own collaboration with the work of these two great artists I am now associated with.

 

 

 

FRIENDS GATHER HERE

 

Created with Xquizart's "Woodlands" and Marta Van Eck's "Mycology Vol. 2" So very, very excited to be working for these two fabulous ladies. Thankful to have found Mischief Circus and such fabulous friends here. It's not just about the pages... it's about the people!!!! xoxoxox

http://www.mischiefcircus.com/shop/product.php?productid=21959&cat=0&page=1

http://www.mischiefcircus.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=52

I am truly blessed to have found this group.  They inspire me, encourage me and believe in me.
Go forth, my friends.  Take a leap.  Try something you never thought was possible.  You just might surprise yourself!!!!!

Grant Out!

ALABASTER

Good Morning from sunny New Hampshire.  Yes, I said SUNNY!  No snow today!!  WAHOOOOO.

Today Xquizart releases her newest kit "Alabaster".  LOVE IT!!!  Yes, I know I always say that, but this one I really do adore.   There are some that I can just keep playing with... over and over.  This is going to be one of those that I continue to come back to.  I enjoy working with all of them, but this climbs up to my all time five favorites.  Something about these girls!

The kits are on sale this week.  20% off

Alabaster Collectibles and Alabaster Papers


Here are the pieces I have created so far with this kit.

 DATE NIGHT

(now where did I leave my crown?)

ALABASTER BRIDE

Be Good To YOU

PRINCESS FOR A DAY

Just BREATHE

THE MUSEUM CURATOR

That's all for now folks!  Actually spent the past weekend photographing a wedding!

For once all this snow came in handy!!!!

 

Until next time, my blogging friends!

Hugs from my corner,

Arline

A BLIZZARD AND A NEW KIT

Greetings, Everyone!

Hello from BLIZZARD country!!!!  It's been a fun week.    Over thirty inches of snow later, I have to say "I thought it would look like more!"   I'm sure if I drove into the city it would, since they really have no place to put it... for us... the wind blew it around and some spots had next to nothing, and other parts (like my garden fence) are completely buried on one side.

I'm a little bit behind on blog posting.  I should have had this done on Tuesday but I was either shoveling, or just taking photos of Bob out in the bitter cold keeping ahead of the storm.

It was a great day for bird watching.  I filled all the feeders the night before and it's a good thing I did.  It was a feeding frenzy.

Tuesday gave way to a most beautiful Wedensday here in southern New Hampshire.  I am lucky enough to work in the center of town with a view of the town green and the old 1600s meeting house out my office window.

You can't beat the view!!!

The photo below is where I work.  I used a Topaz effect called "Ghostly" on this.  It was a gorgeous day, but I wanted to play a little.  It was a bonus that the Town Hall came out pink!!!!  

Wednesday was NOT a disappointment.  Even as it ended.  While leaving work I stopped to catch the sun going down.  Life in a small New England town.  I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

It's Friday now, and snowing again.   Hoping for a lot of photo opportunities this weekend.  But, until then, I'd better get back to why I'm really here....

Xquizart released her newest kit on Monday.  "SARA" Artdolls and Papers .   LOVING HER!  I find her compatible with EVERYTHING and I think she's going to move in and share a room with some of the Shades of Grey Collectibles as I think these girls could be related.  ;)

Here's Sara showing off some of her paper swatches on the runway.

Background is from Holliewood Studio's "Void" v.2 kit.

This diary page above also used a frame from her "Mulberry Collectibles", and dark paper from her "Marionette Dark"kit.


My next piece used paper from Holliewood Studio's new "Altered Reality" and fog from her "Theatre of Dreams" kit.

I used a quote from one of my favorite Robert Frost poems.  His farm is the next town over from where I live and I remember singing this song in high school chorus.  Taking the road less traveled certainly DOES make all the difference.

The piece above was created with help from Eenas Creations "Longing for Past Days" kit.  I think going out on a limb and going all sepia worked for this piece.

My next piece was created with a bunch of Xquizart's "Shades of Grey" embellishments.  See, I told you she'd be moving in!  ;)   The back ground out the window is from Eena's Creations "Longing for Past Days".

I leave you today thinking "size matters".   Had to play a little and show off all the lace.  ... or maybe the shoes... as it's always about the shoes.

Hope this message finds you smiling.

xoxoxox

Arline

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

This week Xquizart released another adorable kit.  Goodness, she is keeping my creative mind going!  Very exciting.  Remember, all her kits can be found here.  New kits are 20% for a short time.

These two new kits are titled "Pale Penny" and "Penny For Your Thoughts".  I love the colors and the feeling these dolls relay.  I may have gotten a little dark in some of my postings, but hopefully in a positive way with reflections on the past, not worrying about the future and in the hopes that everyone knows that they are never alone.

In a cross reference to the thoughts I sometimes project, if anyone knows me personally, they know I wear a black ring on my trigger finger and often refer to #22kill.   #22kill is a veterans advocacy campaign to bring awareness to our returning vets.  An estimated 22 Soldiers kill themselves every day.   While I can say let go of the past, remember you are not alone, and live in the moment; for many that is just too hard of a concept to grasp.  We are there in hopes of seeing them through the darkness to light on the other side.

Please always reach out, listen or just be there.  Sometimes a warm hello is what gets a person through their day.  Please, ask them for a "Penny For Their Thoughts"

Grant Out

 PONY UP 
 
Created with Xquizart's "Penny" artdolls and papers.  Horse from her "Mulberry Collection"

'PALE PENNY"   showing off her collectibles.

LUCK

"A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS"   Artdolls and Papers from Xquizart

DON'T HIDE

Created with Xquizart's "Pale Penny" and Eenas Creations "Fantasy of an Artist"

PENNY'S PASSION FOR PURPLE

Created with Xquizart's "Penny For Your Thought" artdolls and Fine Crafted Design's "Confucious Says" kit

 

YOU ARE NEVER ALONE

Even when you're lonely, you are never alone.

BE PRESENT  

Created with Xquizart's new kit "Pale Penny" artdolls and Marta Van Eck's "Sweeny Todd" papers and "Letters from the Past" kits

FIRE & ICE  


Created with Xquizart's "Pale Penny" and Holliewood Studio's Void". Ice from Rucola Designs

SELF REFLECTION  


Created with Xquizart's "Penny For Your Thoughts" artdoll and Marta Van Eck's "Sweeney Todd" papers.

A sister is both your mirror - and your opposite. 

Created with Xquizart's "Pale Penny" and "Penny For Your Thoughts" artdolls and papers.  Other embellishments from Xquizart's "Whimsy Melancholy"