TULIPS AND SNOW

This seems to be becoming a winter trend.  A new kit is released and fifteen more inches of snow.  Another storm coming on Thursday and another big one possible for Monday.  Thankful for scrapping to keeping my cabin fever at bay!

Yesterday Xquizart released her newest kit, thankfully, with a springtime feel to it.  Introducing "TULIP".  The kits can be purchased at Mischief Circus.  As a newly released kit they are on sale for a short time.

This kit held a lot of personal meaning for me as far as tulips go.  There was a woman, years ago, who was ill and she loved tulips.  To surprise her, her husband that fall dug up the back yard and planted tulip bulbs everywhere.    She passed away before the spring thaw, and even years later, after new sod was laid out in the yard and the grass was green, tulips would sprout up in the oddest places.

As children we believed it was the work of angels. Margaret had come to visit the meadow.  We had never met her, she was gone before our arrival.  Margaret was our grandmother.

MARGARET IN THE MEADOW

You can obviously see what I was humming the entire time I was creating these pieces.  My guess is you'll be humming it too by the time you're done reading this post.  It's my magical lore to drag you in and purchase the kit.  Is it working?

This "Grassy Knoll" piece was renamed "Queen of the Hill".  Grassy Knolls everywhere in the world, but for some reason once I typed it out, there was only one grassy knoll that came to mind.    (Yes, I'm pretty sure I do need to "see" someone... and if this blog is my therapy... I guess that person is you.  lol)

Often times I use other kits to complete my pieces, but have to say there was so much in the "Tulip" series to play with, it was several pages before I went elsewhere to continue with the ideas in my head.

Heck, this girl can make her own apartment... and I'm ready to move in!

Created with Xquizart's "TULIP" Artdoll Collectible and papers.  Drapes from Holliewood's "Theater of Dreams"  Window from Rucola Design's "Clockwork Autumn"

She is also a fabulous interior designer who likes to decorate with....  yes, you guessed it... TULIPS

The rectangular frame is from Xquizart's "Snowflake" kit.  The floor is from Tumble Fish Studio.

I leave you today with my warped mind and some VINO

                                                   SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD FLY

Created with Xquizart's new "Tulip" Artdoll Collectibles and Holliewood's "Void" and "enProvence"

Until we meet again......   CHEERS!

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"

VINTAGE ROSE

Greetings!  Happy New Year!

Just released Xquizart's newest collection "Vintage Rose"  You can find it here at Mischief Circus, as well as all of Deb's other kits. 

I think I surprised myself.  I'm not a "pink" girl, but I had a lot of fun with this.  I came to Mischief Circus because of Deb's artdolls and have to say, I LOVE that she has now incorporated collections with accessories, furniture and the such.  So, much fun to make a strictly "Xquizart" piece, though I must admit, I still love throwing her dolls into just about every Mischief Circus kit I have, no matter the artist.

To prove the point I thought "outside" the box on this one.  I decided not to use a single doll, just to show what she has to offer along with her fabulous dolls.

 

This reminds me of an old gift stop I use to visit in an old train station.  I could walk around that place for hours and did most of my Christmas shopping there years ago.  It has since shut down, but if it were still there, I think it would look something like this for certain.

Anyone who has read from the beginning of this blog, knows I am my own worst critic and have little faith in myself.  Just applying to be a part of Deb's team was a HUGE thing for me.  To be chosen...well, yes.. I am still pinching myself.

For that reason, I think a lot of my pieces end up having to do with confidence and believing in yourself.  I think it's the hardest thing we sometimes have to do.  

Believe it or not, in high school, I was voted "Class Optimist".  Apparently I have the gift of inspiration, courage, going forth and seizing the day for everyone but "ME".  lol   So, even though I'm not big on New Years Resolutions, I made two promises to myself for 2015.   To be more positive and to take better care of myself.   I already had my physical this week, but no one wants to hear about me turning 50 this year and needing a colonoscopy!  hahahaha

What I was getting to though, is being positive.  This next piece represents how hard it is to see what others see when we look in the mirror.

 

SELF ESTEEM.

"It's not your job to like me; It's MINE"

From there I moved on to my daily mantra to "believe in yourself".

 I leave you this morning with a few more pieces I created with Xquizart's new Vintage Rose kit as well.  Remember, grab the kit..  Come play with me!!!!

 

PRETTY IN PINK

 

SANCTUARY

(Created with Xquizart's Vintage Rose and these Holliewood Studio kits...  All That Glitters, Out of this World and Special Effects)

 

THE GEM

Until next time.  Hugs from my corner,

Arline

MAGNOLIAS, MOSS and MEMORIES

Just released today!!!   Xquizart's newest kit "MAGNOLIA.  You can purchase it at Mischief Circus

http://www.mischiefcircus.com/shop/product.php?productid=22577&cat=&page=

I'm very excited about this kit.  Just the word "Magnolia" brought back a flood of memories for me.  I was 18 years old in 1983 when I left New England for the first time, headed to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  I had never been out of the confines of my stuffy little region and was overwhelmed by southern hospitality.

After spending some time for training in Southern and Northern Texas I received my first assignment to Keelser Air Force Base in Mississippi.  I have been home for nearly eighteen years now and will never forget my time there.  Several years of good food, good music and good people.  There is nothing like a southern gentleman to make you feel beautiful and nothing like a southern belle to make you feel at home.

The warmth of the south isn't just something you read about in books or see in movies... visit... you won't be sorry.  Walk the long paths to old plantations with their spanish moss hanging from the trees, sit under a magnolia and sip sweet tea. 

I had a t-shirt I got when in tech school in northern Texas.  It read; "Yankee by Birth / Southern by Force".  I am very thankful the Air Force chose to send me to Mississippi.  I'm not so sure I'd have found my way there any other way and I am so very thankful for the experience.

Xquizart's MAGNOLIA, as you can see... brought back sweet memories.  See ya'll later!

Miss Arline

 

 

The moment when you've had too much bourbon and leave the house without your pants!  OOPS!

 

 

 

No wonder I'm always dizzy; the world keeps spinning in circles~

 

 

THIS AND THAT

Good Morning, World

I thought, while waiting for next week's "new release" from Xquiart at Mishief Circus I would play with some of my stash I have purchased from her over the last year.  Oh, there really is something for every occasion!!

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
 
I created this  for a friend who is in the hospital. More than a week and still no answers.

She was down to one broken wing. She was losing her optimism. Modern medicine had no answers so she went searching! Always look to the stars. For there, you will find the light.

Created with Xquizart's "Into the Darkness Alone" artdoll, Holliewood Studio's "Void" and Pink Lotty's "Witches Kitchen"


www.mischiefcircus.com

www.mischiefcircus.com/shop/product.php…

www.mischiefcircus.com/shop/product.php…

Thankfully, while she still has no answers, she has returned home since I created this Saturday evening.

Last night I played with her Tartan Artdolls to create a couple pieces.  It started as a Christmas  project but then suddenly my Irish came out and it became about drinking....

JOY TO THE WORLD

 I really enjoyed creating this piece.  I have so much to learn about layers.  I think I added more into this creation than I have with any of my pages before.  It was good practice for sure... and she just might have to become my avatar next week.

Created with Xquizart's "Tartan" artdolls, Tumble Fish Studio's "Holiday Trim" and Eena Creation's "Magical Ice Kingdom"

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This one is simply:

IRISH GIRL

IRISH GIRL © Nonni F 2014

"The best drinking buddy a guy could ask for."
Created with Xquizart's "Tartan" artdolls. Booze embellishments from Rucola Design's "Blarney Blast" and "Finding Shamrock"

I just adore her.  I had used all the other dolls in this kit before but not her.  I love her sass, and her hair.  Seemed perfect for a drinking buddy or a hostess for the local Irish Pub in my old neighborhood.

I was so tickled when I came across these dolls last year.  It was right after visiting Saugus Iron Works in Massachusetts where my descendant Peter Grant was brought as a Prisoner of War after the Battle of Dunbar.

Here is a small piece of an article I found about his journey here around 1650


WHERE THEY LANDED...

Col. Charles Edward Banks wrote an article, "Scotch Prisoners Deported to New England by Cromwell, 1651-52" on the fate of the deported Scots which was published in "Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings," Volume 61 .

Carl Boyer III writing in "Ship Passenger Lists" produced additional information about prisoners. He wrote:


In November 1650 a number of these prisoners were apparently sent to Boston in the "Unity," arriving in New England early in 1651, no doubt. Sixty of these prisoners were sent to Lynn, to work in the iron industry, and the others dispersed. As the prisoners were sold as indentured servants at about 30 pounds each, the average passage at the time being about 5 pounds, Col. Banks has suggested that the owners of the "Unity" cleared a handsome profit of about 1,500 pounds on the trip.

John Gifford, iron works manager, wrote in 1653: 'For 62 Scotts dd and 35 only left on the works, 17 to Awbrey, 3 to commissioners; 2 sold and rest we desire to whom disposed of, which is 5 at 20 pounds.

Col. Banks listed the following as being probably prisoners who settled in Berwick, formerly a part of Kittery, Maine: Niven Agnew, James Barry, Alexander Cooper, William Furbush, Daniel Ferguson, Peter Grant, George Gray, William Alexander Gowen, David Hamilton, Thomas Holme, John Key, Alexander Maxwell, John Neal, John Ross, John Taylor, William Thomson and James Warren.

 I so enjoyed playing with these when they came out as a tribute to both my Irish and Scottish heritage.  I even got my granddaughter into the fun....

 Ní neart go cur le chéile (There's strength in unity)

Our family crest...

 and lastly, the port Peter Grant arrived in on as it is today at Saugus Iron Works.

I almost didn't post these as even though I have a lot to learn, I can see I've come a bit of a ways since creating these.  Goodness.  No shadowing whatsoever.  EEK~

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope this message finds you smiling and your day is a happy one.

Hugs from my corner,
Arline