SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! THE PLANETS HAVE ALIGNED!!!!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!

If there is one thing I can say I have "learned" from scrapping it is to believe in ME.
Or at the least, believe in others, when they believe in me.  lol

A huge shout out to my dear, sweet, funny and very talented friend, Beth Todd.  She pushes me to take chances. Nudges me along.  ...and WOW she gets me going...and it's turning out to be a most fabulous journey.

When Deb announced her CT call for Xquizart,  Beth let me know the moment it came up.  I was terrified, but did as I was told (you know when they say "if your friend jumped off a bridge would you?"  Well, if it were Beth, I would; and I mean that in a good way)

I put together the most pathetic email and sent it off only to be shocked with a YES... welcome to my team!

So, then I got brave.   Sent an email to Marta last week...and Yes... welcome to my team!

I'm feeling pretty cocky at this point.  Somehow all of it is making up for sweet sixteen and never being kissed,  not being liked by the cheerleaders in school, being the wallflower at the dance.

I think it's called confidence but I am so unfamiliar with the feeling it is like an alien has taken over...
Then I get a message from Beth.  "Send Hollie a message."  "Are you out of your mind?" I say.  "Do it!"  So, I do!  (another bridge... another leap)

....Guess what?

I'm on Hollie Haradon's Creative Team!!!!  Thank you, Hollie!!  Thank you, Beth!! Thank you, Deb and Marta!  It's taken me till almost fifty to find something I am "apparently" good at.   I am loving every minute of working with each of you.

Hollie said she was planning to ask me to join her team this week, before I ever sent her a message saying "If you're ever looking for anyone."  The planets were aligned apparently, thanks to a push from Beth.  I am beside myself, giddy...and cannot believe it's real.

I'm sure I will continue to doubt myself.  I am my own worst critic.  I will do my very best though...and I WILL SUCCEED.
So, Go Forth, my friends!!!

Go forth and conquer.  Leave the sunny skies and comfort zone behind you.  Take a leap.  Take a chance.  Walk into the abyss and never look back.  Life is a gamble.  ...you never know until you TRY! 

created with Holliewood Studios "VAGABOND ADVENTURE" at Mischief Circus.

My debut.... (okay.... red carpet, opening curtain call.... only in my dreams... but, it's my dream!  You will not burst my bubble.

GO FORTH part II

The kit has already been released... I still can't help playing with it!!!  Come play with me, won't you????

Teach a child to read and he can go anywhere!

And lastly....  

STAY ALERT!!!    (don't miss the casting call....  you just never know)

Until next time,
Hugs from my corner!

Arline

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!

TWO MORE STORMS, TWO NEW KITS

Goodness, have I gotten behind.  Seems like very time I get a new kit to work on I get a new snowstorm to shovel!  We are definitely in the polar vortex this winter.  I stopped counting after seven feet of snow, and it snowed last night and is snowing right now... like crazy.. and I don't even think THIS round was in the forecast.

Anyway... that's not why you're here is it???

It's catch up time!  Kits released on February 9th and 16th by Xquizart.

"Midnight Blue" Collectibles and Papers and "Old Gold" Collectibles and Papers.

Very different from each other and so much fun to play with.

 

This one above was created with Xquizart's Midnight Blue papers and collectible as well as a frame, seashells and sparkles from Pink Lotty's "Blue Sea"

I don't always succeed, but I enjoy trying to use a kit WITHOUT using the dolls for at least one page.  Again, I don't always accomplish the task, but this one was easy!

 

Lately I've been all about the head decor.  (a page for another day with some other kits) but here is what I accomplished with Midnight Blue.  First with it's original colors then I went a little off course with NOTHING but BLUE.

 

 

 

 

 

No stories with this set.  Not sure why.  I usually have a story for everything, whether you want to hear it or not.. lol

Lastly.... Don't Cage Your Dreams 

(At least that one got a title)

 

Background from this last one is from Holliewood's "All that Glitters" papers.  My all time favorite paper kit. Goes with everything.  :)

On to the next storm.....   Another blizzard, another foot of snow.. and OLD GOLD!!!!!

While this first one didn't actually have a story... it had a name, which changed the longer I looked at it.  I started out calling it "Mantle".  Yeah, pretty lame, I know.  The longer I looked at it though it came to me...

I present TROPHY WIFE (giggles)

Just stick her up there with the hockey trophy, why don't ya?

  

This next piece is "THE CAT TAMER"

 

 Created with Xquizart's "OLD GOLD" Background from her "Reckless Goth ATC" Tiger from Holliewood Studio's "LaVie Boheme" and black cat from "Hotel Hell"

 Golden Relections (above) was created with Old Gold Collectibles and Holliewood's "All That Glitters" paper for a background.

Last but not least "The Entry"....

This one was very last minute, but for some reason ended up being my favorite piece from this kit.

I'm sure I'll come back to it and play again.  Love the vintage dolls, the soft colors and all the beautiful clothing.

Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs from my corner,
Arline (aka Nonni)

 

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