Creative Tuesdays

Shoe Montages and New Theme

2012-02-22T16:35:00.003-07:00

Red wins out as the primary colour for shoes, at least according to the zany spectacle below.... :) What do you think?

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For the next theme we're going to have some pure playing fun! Time to roll up your sleeves and be a kid again, coming up with some monster- and/or creature-like THUMBPRINTS! (Yes, these may not be as sell-able for those of you that do that w/ your art, but it should be an enjoyable venture nonetheless.) To get your creative juices flowing, check out these whimsical gems by Ben Clanton. :)

Even though it's going to be less time consuming perhaps, you'll have until March 13th. (I'll likely be on the road the last two Tuesdays so may not be checking anyone's work until later on the 14th, just so you know.) In the meanwhile, happy smudge-making!

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Shoes (#52)

2012-02-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I should call this, "Jackie and the Bean Stalk?" — Taken from the giant's perspective, of course. :)

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Ok, time to leave your own mark on footwear below. I wonder what each of you will show?

Pattern Montages and New Theme

2012-02-08T09:30:00.001-07:00

Patterns was a lot of fun for many of you, I can tell. I love the variations on the theme here too from abstracts to found objects to repeated items. A wonderful myriad that was fun to put together in the "patterned" montages. :) Thank you! Oh, and I'm glad so many of you chose to do hearts too as I missed a Valentines theme this go round.

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Not to be stereotypical but I suspect many of you woman here own more than a fair number of SHOES, right? I have 4 pairs myself -- black polished ones I wear most of the time, a brown leather pair never worn, gym shoes for working out, and old cheapo hiking boots I use when there's lots of snow. That's it. For this theme though, feel free to show as many shoes as you like or even just one if preferred.

Oh, and if you want to simply show them on some character that is fine too. Shoes don't even have to be the main part of the image actually, so its entirely up to you. I'm sure you'll have fun, either way! :) Thank you to Lissa for inspiring the theme here. OK, we'll see you on the 21st, if not sooner!

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Patterns (#51)

2012-02-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

This ended up being a hard theme for me. My first more 'abstract' draft thrown out entirely and then working quite a while on the one below. All the time, I had to keep reminding myself it's more the process of being creative than necessarily the end result if it doesn't turn out quite how one imagined it. So, keep that in mind if you too ever feel like things aren't panning out as you'd like. Creative Tuesdays is partly about pushing yourself, whether that's in what you imagine initially or just how you actually create the artwork.

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Yes, I think it's going to be very compelling seeing what the rest of you came up with. Looking forward to it... :)

Bubblegum Montages and New Theme

2012-01-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

I think everyone here likes bubblegum, or at least enjoyed the theme, no? :) Thank you all for joining in and visiting each other too. Welcome to Jen and Alicia too!

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You know what's funny? I was actually going to have the next theme be "hearts" but as two of you already depicted those here, I'll just save it for later. Instead then, perhaps one of you will include them into your own made up PATTERN! You can do anything you want though from abstract to representational. Just be sure that the pattern itself is the PREDOMINANT part of your work. Thanks. My inspiration here, btw, comes from this Russian artist's incredibly intricate work that totally inspired me today. :) (And, yes, I included my tartan for the site's background this go round, just to get us thinking along those lines.)

I have an important birthday for one of my kids to celebrate so as a result, will need to push back the due date for this to Tuesday, February 7th! So, just think how complex your pattern could get. You could even stitch or knit it if you want. (Oh, and no, I'm not talking about a cutting pattern for a dress or something but something rather more illustrative.)

OK, I'm off to visit each of you and leave comments now that these montages are done. (Ha, usually it's the other way around!)

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Bubblegum (#50)

2012-01-17T05:08:00.004-07:00

Can you say, "bouncy castle"? :)

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Now, let's see what the rest of the co-op conjured up. :)

"12 Days of Xmas" Montages and New Theme

2012-01-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

First of all, Happy Christmastide! Yes, there's still 2 of the 12 days of Xmas left, you know!

A hearty welcome to the new peeps here, btw. How grand! More individuals to interpret in their own unique expressive ways. And how delightful they are. We surely have to also give a special nod to those that braved the higher numbers, like Laurie with her 9 ladies dancing! Whoa.

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For the next theme, I've been tossing around "snowman" but decided that as much as I love winter, there are many, especially those of you in the Midwest, east coast or England perhaps, who may well be tired of all that ice and cold (whilst I'm enjoying what promises to be a bright blue sky 64F day here). With that said, let's then totally pivot in another direction and dream of all things BUBBLEGUM! And, yes, you'll have to actually show gum — packaged, stretched or blown (not simply someone chewing it in their mouth where one can't clearly see it depicted). Enjoy! :)

I know. This is a challenge! I'm rather intimidated by it myself. But then there's Heather who even has a bubblegum blowing girl on her sidebar! Yes, for some of us this will come naturally; for others, we'll have to chew on it for a while. :) Just do be sure to pop back in here on Tuesday, Jan 17th!

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

12 Days of Christmas (#49)

2012-01-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

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Welcome back, and to a new year too! As it is, all along I had pictured doing the partridge in a pear tree and knew I wanted to show the leaves as hearts since this is, after all, a treasured gift from one true love to another. What I didn't realize though, is just how much fun I'd have designing this. Hope it was for you too... let's see, shall we? :)

Creative Tuesdays postponed 1 week

2011-12-27T08:50:00.004-07:00

Please come back on Tuesday, January 3rd. I'm sorry for the delay and those of you who crammed in getting this done on time. There were a number of unexpected things that occurred over the holidays, as well as my daughter who's moving out of state today.

Some of us can kick back now and some have another week. :)

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and Christmastide.

Thank you.

Mistletoe Montages and New Theme

2011-12-08T08:02:00.002-07:00

Oh dear, I'm STILL chuckling over Dina's "pucker up" entry. Ha. (Just had to place her under some more mistletoe!) Anyway, good entries all and all festive, no less. Thank you so much for taking the time during this busy season to do these and don't forget to visit each other too as part of this little, yet fun and active co-op. :)

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I've debated back and forth whether to give 2 or 3 weeks for the next due date and settled on three, but as it will still be ONE of the 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS, that is what we are going to focus on! Take your pick on which day but please only show one, not 'all' or a combo thereof. So, for e.g., you could do 1 partridge in a pear tree, or 5 gold rings, or so on! :)

Until then, have a wonderful holiday season, eat lots of err.. healthy nosh and love the ones around you in an extra special way! :) We'll all come back here on Tuesday, Dec. 27th, the 2nd or 3rd day of Christmas (depending on whether starting on Xmas Day or Boxing Day/the 26th, traditions varying some degree).

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Mistletoe (#48)

2011-12-06T13:29:00.002-07:00

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Pivoting a complete 180 from my last loose sketch entry, I decided this time to import my very quick drawing into Adobe illustrator and trace over it to get that crisp edge looking design, simplifying it as I went along.

And, because I am very much into the holiday spirit, feel free to print this out... but be sure to follow instructions! (When I get to selling this, it will be offered as a 5" x 6.5" card, blank inside to write whatever takes your fancy.) Oh, and did you notice the heart. :)

Time to see what the rest of you think of that ancient tradition...and, whilst at it, please do check out Donna's entry for THREE last week that she coudl not get to publish from her phone. (I added it to the Three theme below too.)

Three's Montages and New Theme

2011-11-23T17:23:00.002-07:00

Isn't it interesting seeing what "three" conjured up for each of us? From "3 men in a tub" rhyme to the "3 bears" to "3 French hens" and so on! Clever! :)

BTW, I never did actually say one had to do a holiday theme — whatever you did was perfectly great then. Sorry for any confusion there though. Thank you for all the contributions again.

(See Donna's Entry!
Did not publish on her phone. )

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Now, speaking of holidays, with those coming up soon enough (and for any of you who want to use your art for cards or such), the next theme will have a decidedly seasonal catch, as it were. As long as you show MISTLETOE by Dec. 6th, you can depict whatever you like! Have fun!

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

3/Three (#47)

2011-11-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

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It's in the magic and silence of snow, the stillness and subtleties of Christmas I find the greatest reward.

Perhaps I was thinking of the The Holly and the Ivy when this idea popped into my head? I don't know. I wanted to reference that hidden kingdom yet rendered in a such a way that appeals to pretty much anyone for any reason. And yes, of course, I realise that the holly is far too small compared to the mushrooms but that's so the latter remained the central focus of the overall design. (BTW, no, I don't actually even like to eat mushrooms but am attracted to how gem-like they may seem when found buried in the forest's undergrowth... Such is the prerogative of an artist's imagination, anyway!) :)

Now let's see what THREE conjured up for the rest of you...

Thanksgiving/Thank You Montages and New Theme

2011-11-10T09:02:00.001-07:00

Thank you to each of you who took this or the Thanksgiving challenge. Not as many entered this time round so, more room to showcase those of you who did! :)

BTW, do be sure to wish Wanda well (who enters here often) — she's going through surgery on Friday! Speaking of bloggers, wasn't it good to see Kristine and Christie back here again? :)

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You know, I love Thanksgiving, must say — reminds me of English Christmases a little with all that turkey and mash! Add the moment to corporately, as a family, contemplate thankfulness and all each person offers is truly a gem, don't you think?

The last few years have actually been quite different to the big celebrations I became accustomed to and frankly rather hard w/o those loved ones all around all day but never mind, I do have lots to be thankful for, I really do! As it is with life, one simply has to learn to become more flexible, as it were — something I need to be anyway, getting older and all! I'm so thankful for that learning too. Every month I learn and grow. Life is truly amazing!

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Well, I suspect some of us are not even ready to consider Christmas yet, although I do love it myself. So, for your sakes, I'm not going to overtly suggest a holiday type theme quite yet but am sure one could find a way to fit it in with 3/THREE though! Maybe it's showing three snowflakes or three wise men perhaps (although the story doesn't actually say how many in fact!)? It's really entirely up to you. If you want to add other items, by all means — as many as you want — just be sure to clearly show three of something (not 4, 5, and so forth)! Please also make sure those three elements are similar items (like, 3 people, 3 trees, 3 birds, and so on). You get the idea, I'm sure. Due date is November 22nd! See you then. :)

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand ID on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Thank You / Thanksgiving (#46)

2011-11-08T08:50:00.001-07:00

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Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your love. Thank you for the gift. — These were the sort of sentiments I was thinking of when creating this card.

The background, btw, is meant to be cream coloured but appears white on some brighter monitors. Annoying that, as the bear's face is actually the brightest/whitest part but doesn't show up as such as a result. Oh well, good enough for here!

Now, let's see what everyone else did for Thank you or Thanksgiving this go around. :)

Autumn Montages and New Theme

2011-10-26T05:25:00.002-06:00

Just as well I got to celebrate Autumn with you because it's all falling down now with the onset of our first proper snowfall for this new winter approaching. We are expected to get at least 4 inches, if not a lot more! (We shall see, shalln't we?) But, I'm not ready to leave Fall behind quite yet even though loving to get out my cozy soft tartan scarves and bundle up that little bit further! Now, all one needs is the company of good old friends and loved ones gathered round. (Such times as these bring out the sentimental in me, which...well, OK...is quite a lot of moi, must say! LOL.)

Anyway, thank you for these delightful entries. Note too, that we had some old time contributors show up, like Kristin and Lord Thomas (who was around way back when C.T. initially started btw, contributing as "Bach").

(Linda Cash's entry)

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Speaking of old time contributors, Lissa (the originator of Create Tuesdays before I took it over) has yet another new blog which I'd love to encourage you to check out for creative inspiration and just plain old fun. There's lots of things to try out, like, conditional chain stories to add with one's own one line comment, to imagining a story behind a picture posted, and so forth. .. Oh, and you've got to check out their own take on the original WWII British phrase, "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters. I rather like the coffee one, don't you?

OK, with THANKSGIVING around the corner, I think THANK YOU too would fit in perfectly for the next theme, due November 8th. If you want to focus on the holiday itself, fine or not, but for this time, please make sure the ACTUAL words, "Thank you" or "Thanksgiving" is CLEARLY written in the artwork somewhere.* Beyond that, it's entirely up to you. :)

(* As always, please feel free to first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ —especially if new here— for keeping consistency and brand id on our co-op and with respect to all those who contribute here. ONLY posts that clearly follow the simple guidelines will be included or commented on, in interest of time and so on. Thank you.)

Autumn (#45)

2011-10-25T15:00:00.000-06:00

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Imagining what Rupert's house might look like, I thought of my mother's tiny Norfolk cottage kitchen with its low dark wood ceiling beams and stable door. In the end, this one's nothing like hers, save for the latch and hinges perhaps; certainly no inset window through which to watch the swirling leaves outside. No worries though, it got me going, so that's good enough. (Again, watercolour and pen.)

Saturday was certainly a perfect Autumnal day, let me tell you, playing frisbee golf with my sons who are, by the way, sooo much better than I! (Now, how did that happen when I'm the one who taught them?)

Our lives and ourselves are imperceptibly changing day-by-day but we never even notice it until looking back through the window of time. Isn't that rather odd when it's such a constant thing? Hmmm... Perhaps that's in part, what makes Autumn so special. One can literally see change in action, and in this case at least, it's beautiful indeed.

Time now to show us now your Autumnal offering...

Cupcake Montages and New Theme...

2011-10-12T04:51:00.000-06:00

Firstly, let me say thank you for your sweet comments on the recent changes. Isn't it lovely having our very own blog just for these entries? Your enthusiasm to continue it certainly adds a lot too, must admit. :)

It was delightful reading how many of you enjoyed this theme, btw, as Donna noted for example. I so love it when any of you mention that! Feel free at any time to suggest other themes too. I may well use them at some later point, you never know. :)

Thank you too for signing up here to those of you have who done that. Wonderful...as are these entries. I'm sure you agree...

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For the next theme, it's time to broaden the possibilities since the last few have been rather specific. Maybe too, some of you will sell your piece or use it as an upcoming card? So, let's celebrate the season upon us — AUTUMN/FALL! (Use whichever word you prefer, just please make sure it's the "classical" season in question — i.e. not looking like summer and so on, even if you do happen to live in the southern hemisphere where you may well in fact not have anything akin to a more traditional Autumn. If not, imagine it then! :)

I'll see you back here on Tuesday, October 25th. Meanwhile, go rake up some leaves/make apple cider or something and let's celebrate the cooler weather upon us (well, for most of us here anyway)! :)

(P.S. For anyone new who'd like to also join in, please first read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ. Only posts that follow the simple guidelines will generally be included. Thank you.)

Cupcake (#44)

2011-10-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

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Welcome. Yes, you're in the right place for Creative Tuesdays! All the same guidelines still apply, but, obviously, I won't be adding the co-op name here on post titles as you're already on its blog!

Our "little" friendly co-op has grown big enough to warrant its own site I felt -- hope you agree. Please do follow along if you already participate or at least enjoy seeing what we come up with each fortnight. Oh, and do be sure sure to update your CT icons and links to this site now as well. Thank you for your continued support here. :)

Anyway, for this mixed media piece I thought I'd have fun with what an ideal cupcake might offer in a perfect world — some sort of epiphany with each bite! I had actually wanted to do a stained glass like watercolour with the previous "Morning" entry but it just didn't work as well as I knew it might here. I'm afraid this is as close as I get to baking anything remotely other-worldly, except, well, I will say, my lemon shortbread is to die for, must admit. :)

OK, now it's your time to illuminate the rest of us with your own entries... be they done with real food, drawn, or some combination thereof! Have at it!

P.S. I'll be transitioning over to here all previous CT entries as time permits.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Morning and New Theme

2011-09-29T08:16:00.000-06:00

I love mornings even more now! What a great collection we have here. Everyone, err... eggscelled. :) Thank you, thank you! OK, judge for yourselves then...

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You know, I'm really looking forward to the next theme, which was, btw, initially inspired after noticing one small detail (among many) in Heather's last "Kitchen" piece. Did anyone else see those earrings? Yes, you've got it — CUPCAKE it is! (One or many, it's up to you.)

But, what I'm really excited about here is for all you baking gourmands out there — this is your chance to show off some of that special decorative expertise. Yes, you can really make & bake it! Fun! If you choose this option though, just be sure to actually decorate or draw some sort of art/design on them... and, of course, take a picture for the rest of us.

Perhaps some "crazy cool" cupcakes will inspire? Or, how about these yummy treats, or even a plateful of fuzzy ones!? Mmm. That's it then — we'll be drooling, drawing, baking, shaping or crafting through to October 11th! I doubt I'll be doing any baking, mind you — just sticking to paper (no puns intended) most likely. :) (Some clarification too: if you're drawing or painting the theme, you don't have to make the cupcakes decorative by any means. It's not like the baking option!)

P.S. If you just don't like cupcakes, then do muffin!

(For anyone new who'd like to also join in, please do read CREATIVE TUESDAYS Guidelines, Rules & FAQ.)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #43: Morning

2011-09-27T14:30:00.000-06:00

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Growing up, we often sang Morning Has Broken in school assembly, watching the sun dapple through our school's stain glass, and then again later, as a young adult humbled by the rays breaking through whilst a solitary violinist played this English hymn so beautifully on my wedding day. Perfect for new beginnings...

Perhaps then, this is why I feel a certain affinity to the blackbird singing like the first bird as the song goes — somber in its colour yet hopeful in its singing.

Though sorrow may last through the night, joy comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
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Now, let's see what this morning brings to the rest of us, shall we? :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Kitchen

2011-09-14T21:08:00.000-06:00

(I accidentally deleted my write-up here by writing over it for the morning montage post. Sorry. Silly me. Here are the Kitchen montages though adn the comments are still in place, thankfully.)

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CREATIVE TUESDAY #42: Kitchen

2011-09-13T16:51:00.000-06:00

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Somewhere along the last fortnight I saw a mural of a pie. Although having never baked a pie myself , I so love stepping into a kitchen with the scent of one in the oven (well, anything baking pretty much, actually!).

Anyway, that got my creative juices going — I started thinking about various items one might find in a kitchen and began doodling my favourites down. (Can you believe it, no cookies this time? Whoa.)

Hmm, well, I’m ready to pop by your kitchens, so leave your gourmet signature below... and be ready for lots of guests! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Ideal Coffee/Tea Breakand New Theme

2011-09-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

Feeling refreshed from all those coffee breaks? I know I do. What lovely stops we had along the way through the blogosphere and fun to see some old hats return too.

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Well, it certainly looks like it's going to be another Indian summer here with the hottest August on record and the hottest September day temp ever expected later this afternoon. Ugh. On days like this I would just love to hang out in a wonderful KITCHEN, better yet if cool and cloudy outside. I so admire those who are truly artists in their own right with their culinary and baked offerings. Just that aroma is so invigorating, isn't it? Hmm, so many things are KITCHEN related really, aren't they? I wonder what you will come up with by September 13th? Should be good. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #41: Ideal Coffee Break

2011-08-31T00:57:00.000-06:00

UPDATED. Comments available now.

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OK, sorry for the delay but I ended up going an entirely different direction from what I had initially envisioned and after redrawing it too actually! You see, I rarely do still-life's as they just leave me bored and uninspired. So, I had to add my own embellishments and use my imagination again for my desk nook so that the plant was more plentiful, the teaspoon shorter for my small cup and the view from my window ideally would include at least the foothills. Throwing in something akin to last night's spectacular sunset helped get me going too.

What could be better here than a view of the majestic mountains and hills and sunset from afar whilst warmed too from the glow of my English cottage picture sitting invitingly nearby? Well, perhaps, I should have added a cookie really for dunking, mind you. :)

Thank you to those of you signed up already. It's always good to see each one of you back here and even seeing who shows up again from a week off or what have you. I'll look at your stuff tomorrow...over coffee, of course!

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Moon and New Theme

2011-08-17T20:15:00.001-06:00

Moon was certainly a popular theme, wasn't it? In fact, I almost decided against doing the montages of everyone's work and only showing a handful of samples instead...but then of course, I couldn't decide which ones to highlight! LOL. So, here you go my bloggie friends — all of them, and some new peeps too! :) Thank you to each of you again.

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For the next theme I want you to look at this picture below and think how you would spend your IDEAL COFFEE BREAK. (TEA BREAK counts too, btw.) The catch is though, unlike this cinemagraph, it has to show at least one cup of coffee or tea in it. So, let's get back together to share our cuppas then on August 30th. Happy percolating, brewing... and slow dancing too for that matter! :) For myself, I'll have another sip of this incredible (but far too tiny) cappuccino.

(See this and other dreamy animated cinemegraphs here)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #40: Moon

2011-08-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

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I was thinking here of a card someone could send or perhaps it's a kids' book? Hmmm.

OK, your turn to shine now!....

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Ice Cream and New Theme

2011-08-03T22:21:00.000-06:00

Well, with a fair degree of certitude, it's safe to say that people love ice cream — the real stuff and the theme too actually, judging from these marvelous morsels of yummy wonder! :)

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New and recent contributors, are highlighted above, btw.

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Thank you to each of you who not only worked on these, writing up some fun posts, but also followed the guidelines as noted. (Made my job so much easier anyway, let me tell you!)
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The next theme is due August 16th and it's another fairly easy one to depict — MOON. One of the houses we lived in growing up actually was called Half Moon House and used to be a pub with the same name way back when. So, you see there are a lot of options, even Moon Pie for example! I love a Harvest Moon myself. Something so dreamy about that promise of cooler weather to come. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #39: Ice Cream

2011-08-02T10:06:00.000-06:00

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This happy chunk (Charlie, I'll call him), would so much rather be lounging on the beach eating ice cream than stuck down in some dank dark octopus' garden. Oh yes, and strawberry ripple is his fave I'll have you know, but as you can tell, he does have a hard time choosing! :)

For good measure, this time round, I'm throwing in the original sketch as well too. It's on 4" x 6" sketchbook paper...

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Ice cream is always fun to have — fun to eat alone, fun to eat together, so let's see what samplings we have all round, shall we? Just sign up below! :) (Reminder: be sure to follow the guidelines recently given for how to post your work. Thank you.)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Ice Cream - sneak peak

2011-07-31T17:21:00.000-06:00

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Like a mere sample spoon, this is all you get to enjoy of the ice cream for now. Come back later to sample the whole thing! ...Meanwhile, I'll be busy colouring it in.

True to fashion, it's baking hot here again but at least it's dry and I have mountains and foothills nearby to escape to if desperate measures are in order for rapid cooling or simply for a change of scenery. But, how's it in your neck of the parlour? How's the ice cream stacking up? All done yet? Now, if you've already got something to show us, by all means just leave a comment here. A few less to get through later helps us all too I should imagine. (Don't forget to sign-up this Tuesday, regardless.)

Later this week, btw, I'll be sure to show you some other surprises — the Creative Tuesday giveaways sent off a while ago. Oh, and yes, a new Feature Friday interview is in the works too! All this and more coming up on... "As the Bread Toasts." (Can you tell, I'm still having fun with blog names?) :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Summer Break and New Theme

2011-07-21T12:08:00.000-06:00

Aren't these like a collection of summer break postcards and snapshots? I feel like I've been out in the sun and what-not without actually having to venture into that blistering heat. Now all I need are some seeds to spit (never tried that!) and a darling little beach house to put on my giant yellow inflatable duckie lifesaver before wading out into the waters. :)

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Thank you for all of you taking so much obvious time with these wonderful creations, making this co-op that much more memorable.

IMPORTANT: Speaking of that, before I announce the newest theme and in the interest of fairness for all, I've decided it's time to update and post our co-op's CREATIVE TUESDAYS GUIDELINES & FAQ. Please do be sure to take the time to read through so we can make sure we're all on the same page. These points help distinguish this co-op from the myriad of others out there. (If you've never joined in but are thinking about it, this would be good for you too!) Thank you so much and keep doodling away! :)
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For the next theme we're back to two weeks to do it within, posting your piece by Tuesday, August 2nd.

How about for keeping us all cooled down we eat copious amounts of ICE CREAM then?! Before jogging, walking and/or dancing it all off again, that is! Right, which flavour shall I have? Hmmm... maybe I'll just settle for one of my simple Eskimo pies. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #38: Summer Break

2011-07-19T11:46:00.000-06:00

Welcome back everyone! I hope your summer break is continuing just fine, but let me tell you, I'm so glad for breaks from the intense mile high summer sun and heat even whilst sporting a nice tan, if I do say so myself! :) When it's that bright and hot, it's as if the sun just bleaches out all the colour of life but add some shade, a spot of rain, and everything seems to spring right back, adding 3-dimensionality to life. Well, that's what I was thinking as I worked on this, having felt rather withered myself actually.

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I was just not able to put my heart into previous art attempts earlier but as I listened to The Decemberists, I started thinking about some recent miracles through it all and began marveling about how shade is not all so bad — it can provide welcome relief too and even so, some learn to blossom wherever they may find themselves, don't they? I so admire that in others. That's certainly my goal too. My genuine smile might sometimes betray an arduous journey getting there, but nevertheless, usually it's better to shine than wither, however hard that sometimes may be.

Well, with that, it's finally time to show us what YOU yourselves have done during your SUMMER (Creative Tuesday) BREAK! As mentioned before, if you already posted your art, simply add the link here so the rest of us can enjoy it too. I'll be sure to visit later...but, umm, perhaps when the heat isn't quite so intense, OK? So, basically, make that late in the day! Oh, and a cup of tea in hand would be nice too...and no, heaven forbid it be iced! Ew. :)

Creative Tuesday Updates and Celebrations, to boot!

2011-07-05T02:04:00.000-06:00

I'm pushing back the C.T. due date to July 19th, so, if you haven't got to this yet, you'll have another fortnight. Now, with that said, I do want to note how many of you have indeed already posted something! :) Sorry then to keep you waiting. Please do bear with me a little longer and be sure to sign up on the new date, linking to your old posts if already posted. Thank you.

It seems apropos that as the theme is SUMMER BREAK, we continue enjoying it anyway, coming off of all the celebrations of this weekend too.

As it is, for me, I have been immersed in a very long term work project that began last Autumn and was meant to finalize over July 4th, but instead, due to factors beyond my control, has been pushed back another two weeks. Once this is done and my longer hours begin to diminish some, it will be time to get back into my art and our regular Creative Tuesdays which I so love but do want to devote the time necessary to work on something well thought out too. I hope you'll understand. As the ring master, I feel a slight obligation to make it worth your while, you know. :)

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Whilst here though, let me tell you, last night's Fourth of July celebration gathering struck me as distinctly odd yet uniquely and wonderfully American too.

After enjoying a full breakfast at home with my kids, and after hibernating inside hidden from the far too intense sun all day, I finally ventured out as evening and cooler weather drew in. Gathering with a couple of good neighbourhood friends, we joined the dozens already outside at the back of the clubhouse to await the city's firework display which promised to be somewhat far off but unobstructed and away from the massive hoopla of cars and crowds.

As the city's celebration began, I marveled how one could still see the faint but distinct edge of the dark purple-blue mountains off to the west, their line occasionally intersected by a bright colourful display of fireworks hovering half way below and half way above their horizon. What a spectrum — so lovely, and mixed with that refreshingly cool evening temperature, — another perfect Colorado night after such an incredibly hot dry day too.

I noticed too though, something else — this man standing up off to the right, a beer in hand. What struck me as so odd was that here we were celebrating America's freedom and Independence and yet not only was this someone wearing a sports shirt with "Great Britain" on it all over but Union Jacks too, but then for it to a Hispanic man speaking Spanish to his seated family made it all the more unique, if not quite bizarre! :) I couldn't help but ponder how once this had once been Mexico's land (also lost) and yet here we gathered, united as compatriots, celebrating this land that is our land too, this freedom that knows no end...ideally! Only in America.

With a grateful but contrite heart, I'm moved too as I reflect on all those over the centuries who have sacrificed so much in the defense of freedom and the pushing back of terrorism and tyranny. A special note goes out then to our servicemen and women all over the globe and right here on these shores, giving up so much for so many. Thank you.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Store Fronts and NEW Theme

2011-06-14T08:21:00.000-06:00

Yes, the "hack," is back... or, I should really say, I'm back from the land of the hacking! With just a wee bit of tickle left, and the occasional cough, I'm ready to pop into the store fronts now in not quite so irritating a manner. Delightful! The stores, that is. :) And whilst at it, a nod to Laurie, our newest member. :)

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The next theme, btw, is due July 5th. Yes, three whole weeks, in light of a certain special long weekend coming up. :) That gives us all time to enjoy a bit of a SUMMER BREAK, don't you think? I know I need it; I'm sure you do too. In the meantime, lather up and enjoy, just don't get too burned or too tanned, for that matter.

As it is, I'm actually working over that entire weekend due to some big, long term project finally culminating and launching over that same time-frame when most people are too busy playing to notice changes afoot. ...So, do drop off some crispy virtual watermelon wedges or pitchers of chilled limeade, or what have you, if you happen to think of it. :)

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CREATIVE TUESDAY #37: Store Front

2011-06-06T19:32:00.000-06:00

Not terribly exciting this blank paper pad that faces me, let me tell you. The fact is that I've not been feeling terribly well lately and am quite tired as well. When I get like that, I can sometimes find myself too then falling into a temporary slump of sorts, having to battle feeling rather downcast and such. So, I'm sorry but no contribution from me this week. ...Instead, I'm looking to each of you (who, unlike myself, actually did something here) to cheer it all up with your own bright and creative contribution! Just sign in below. :)

No worries, btw -- I will still create the montages and visit you soon enough. I owe that much at least. And, by starting early, perhaps we all can work through the links in more bite sized chunks, so to speak. Thank you.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Giveaway!

2011-05-29T18:58:00.000-06:00

It's been far too long since my last (supposed) "quarterly" giveaway prize drawing, sooo... as a result, I've decided to have two winners — the main one and a smaller (but still nice) win for second place. That should make up for my neglectful absence here, right? I should hope so.

But, let me tell you, it took a long time tabulating the results! LOL. I decided to go all the way back to the beginning of February for this. For every entry, each of you got a tick mark. Then I assigned numbers to each person, starting at 1 - 3 for the first artist and her 3 entries and 4-11 for the second person's 8 entries, and so on. I also gave an extra numbered entry for each person who had contributed to ALL the entries in this time frame, ending with the most recent C.T. below.

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Altogether that added up to 146 entries which I entered into a random number generator to get the number "125" which was assigned to... Christine! So, congratulations, Christine! I'm so happy for you — you've been such a loyal and dedicated contributor to Creative Tuesdays all the way back to when Lissa was hosting what was then called "Create Tuesday," long before I took it over for her. Having that extra entry with another 8 whopping entries really helped increase your chances too, I might add! Good for you. Funny to think how timid you were when you were too apologetic for your art and now look at you -- more creative in expression and confident. Marvelous! :)

Speaking of lots of entries, the 2nd place winner had 7 which certainly helped her odds too. Anyone care to guess who it might be? ...Ladies and gentlemen, please congratulate Melissa T. Liban! Well done and thank you too for all your offerings for us to enjoy week after week. :)

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(Note for each winner: please leave me a comment which I won't post with your email addresses so I can get contact information for delivering your prizes! Thank you.)

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P.S. I didn't feel like doing SUNDAY SHELF this week, btw. It was enough to figure out all the C.T. drawing stuff. I just want to do these sort of entries when I feel like it...which reminds me to tell you something. In the next 2-3 weeks, expect another "Feature Friday" interview! This blogger's artistic offerings will truly inspire you. I can't wait to show you! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Tree Montages and NEW Theme

2011-05-26T10:23:00.000-06:00

Firstly, let me say that I understand not everyone could visit each other with Blogger having issues so, hopefully, all's been rectified there by now.

This is going up late as not only that but there were a lot of entries to collect from and some needed brightening, balance corrections and so forth ...to help make all of you shine as much as I can, you know. :)

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I did want to note too a couple of things, starting with welcoming Laurie, our newest contributor to this co-op. :) Secondly, I wanted to note how Daniella's and Christie's posts this week really do capture the spirit behind CREATIVE TUESDAYS — pushing oneself creatively to explore how to depict the theme and even taking the time to share that journey with us, so a big thank you there too. Actaully, with that said, I think each of you really did do an amazing job! It was such an adventure seeing all the various entries. TY so much.

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The next theme is due June 7th. For this go round, I'm curious to see how each of you would depict a STORE FRONT. Yes, that's right. The idea here is to keep it to a small store front one would find in, say, a wonderful little town or village somewhere. Here are just a few ideas that come to mind: a Candy/Barber/Candle/Floral/Bike/Book, Coffee or Tea Shop; a Bakers or Butchers, and so forth. If you want to do a few in a row and add characters, by all means, but just ponder what kind of little store front would appeal to you in particular to go inside. Also, be sure to include showing a door and a window or two. Thank you. Now, happy guilt-free window-shopping only is perfectly fine... and actually is something I already quite enjoy. :)

Now, personally, to get the creative juices going, I'm thinking I should do a little searching on French Bakeries — all those yummy warm soft goodies are just so terribly appealing, aren't they? I'm quite sure I could make some very good toast there. Mmm...

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P.S. The CREATIVE TUESDAY PRIZE DRAWING WINNER will be announced a bit later as I still need to find time to tabulate all the ways people can gain entries into the drawing itself and then randomly generate a winner, so do keep a lookout out for that. TY.

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#36): Trees (Colour/part 2)

2011-05-24T06:33:00.000-06:00

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Even in winter and through the fog love remains.

Well, this did turn out differently than first imagined except I had always intended to have the sun burning through some sort of grey mist. Anyway, I just went with it while building up the colour bit by bit. This is one of those pictures one could colour so many different ways so, who knows? Maybe I'll try it again at some latter point but for now this will have to do as I must be up super early. (I'd like to keep that sparkling smile, you know.) :D

OK, now it's your turn... TY to each of you who played along. I've already seen a few entries and they are marvelous.

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#36): Trees (B&W/part 1)

2011-05-17T10:19:00.000-06:00

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(Oh dear, I lost the original copy on this. Sorry, but did want to keep the comments at least.)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Purple Entries and NEW Theme

2011-05-10T22:33:00.000-06:00

I loved the purple ones here so much that I'm thinking we're simply going to have to do another colour soon enough, but in the meanwhile do check these out and see if there are any you missed.

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Lovely, aren't they? Great job, everyone!

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The next theme is to show a specific object but there's lots of variety too. So, what is it? Well, this time we're all going to explore TREE(s)! You've got until May 24th. It doesn't matter, btw, how many you show of them but there has to be at least one obvious tree in your work somehow, even if it's partially cropped out which is perfectly fine too. :)

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P.S. In celebration of completing 35 CREATIVE TUESDAYS, I'm going to give away another prize drawing for one of you lucky participants which will be announced next time around. If you aren't familiar with them, you can read up on the CREATIVE TUESDAY page with guidelines on how you can actually increase your odds of winning. :) They are so fun to put together — a small token of my gratitude.

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#35): PURPLE

2011-05-10T15:28:00.000-06:00

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Purple normally denotes "royalty" or "majesty" but for some reason, when I think of this colour, such words like, "zany" and "fun" come to mind. So, with that, I came up with this doodle. Rather ironic, really, as I'm not particularly into regular old clowns. Still, I wanted to draw someone doing something whacky and fun... ergo, a clown here just worked. Well, it simply goes to show not all clowns have to look or be menacing, do they? Some can be genuinely quite spunky even. Well, at least I hope so.

(I wish I had captured this one with more va-va-voom life to it, but it's the best I could do with a horridly twigged neck from having slept wrong Sunday night.)

Anyway, let's see what PURPLE brought to your mind? Time to tell...

P.S. As we've had two weeks to post our entry, please be sure to sign in here before 6:00pm Mountain Time if you would please. (That will give me enough time to create the collages later. Thank you.)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Short & Tall Entriesand NEW Theme

2011-04-27T21:41:00.000-06:00

As my eyes are still somewhat dilated from my exam, I'll keep this fairly brief. (Yes, I do need glasses — progressive bifocals to be exact, for reading/drawing and computer work where I spend much of my day. And they weren't cheap, let me tell you, even after insurance! Basically, I can see tall/long just not so with short distances. :)

Good thing I can still see well enough to do these montages, so here they are. Thank you everyone. Check out dthaase's ONE LINE ONLY drawing of that T-Rex and snail. Whoa.

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As you'd know it, having already finished these montages I unfortunately missed Shigune Matsui's entry and Dara's doggies so please go visit them too if you haven't already. Thank you!

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May 10th is the next due date, say by 6:00 pm MST, ok? :) (Keep in mind, you can post your art any time between now and then too.) For this time around I'm going to ask you to please explore PURPLE. Yes, anything with that lovely colour but the catch is, it has to be the predominant object within your submission.

Hmmm, let's see now — there's grapes, shoes, socks, plums, cars(?) or even purple shag carpets as my art teacher used to have! LOL. The possibilities are endless! Just have fun with it as I'm sure you will. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#34): Short & Tall

2011-04-26T07:45:00.000-06:00

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Well, here it is. Quite loosely rendered as, truth be told, it's time to face the disconcerting and expensive fact that I need glasses for reading and drawing. (Simply can't put it off any longer, regardless of whatever other seemingly pressing demands come my way.) Everything is blurry and worse today from going on steam with not much sleep as of late. In fact, I can just about make out the text I'm typing this minute too. Oh dear, if I was this imagined child, I doubt I'd ever be able to see these fairies actually. Ha.

OK, it's your turn now...hopefully I'll see well enough to type up some comments later. Wish me luck! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Rooftop Entriesand NEW Theme

2011-04-14T13:57:00.000-06:00

Please welcome TOAD in a BOAT blog, our newest member! :)
(Image copyright 2011, TOAD in a BOAT)

Thank you to each of you who took the time to do this and participate, new and old alike! :) Being that these are rooftops, I thought it would be rather fun this time to tile these montages as you can see below.

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What a great job everyone did and thank you for explaining your thinking process too. I love to read how people come up with their various ideas.

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I had an idea the next fortnight ("risen") but then heard this song (On the Brightside) on YouTube and the long and short of it is... the next theme will now be... SHORT AND TALL. So, a lot of different interpretations one can take here, right? Hope you enjoy it. Let's see what we come up with then on April 26th.

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#33): Rooftops

2011-04-12T14:28:00.000-06:00

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I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone did with this theme. Although initially struggling to come up with something, in the end I had about 3 to 4 concepts worth pursuing and then, funnily enough, when I went to draw one of them, guess what? Yes, my drawing took off in a completely different direction.

I started with the rather Brooklyn-like apartment building as I wanted to draw a bunch of chimneys in a row like that but then decided to mix it up by showing more of a birds-eye view for the rest. Stuck on trying to depict different rooftops, I took my book on London and quickly perused the pages then put it away, fresh with new inspiration. It all sort of gelled from there really, even though I had no idea what I'd draw until committing pen to paper, and seeing what worked for the space assigned.

In one of my earlier ideas I was going to show a hand up close letting go of a paper aeroplane from high above with the rooftops below. You can see I ended up incorporating that into this doodle. Initially, I drew dotted lines from the boy's hand to the plane but by adding the Georgian Cross (English flag) it allowed me to subtly point along the arc of its flight up to the plane itself which ended up being far less confusing, visually.

OK, your turn now to shout from the rooftops by signing in below if you took on this theme as outlined earlier. I'll be visiting most of you Wednesday night, so hold tight. Thank you. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Springtime Montages and NEW Theme

2011-03-30T21:22:00.000-06:00

Come along now and dive into Spring with me....

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Wonderful isn't it? Perhaps you'll catch a little fuzzy critter among the flowers?

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These are all so lovely, I feel it must be time to make some bouquests, don't you think? Now, the thing is, no flowers have sprung yet anywhere near me. Hmmm, problem that. Thanks again for such marvelous interpretations everyone. :)

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For the next two weeks, until April 12th when this is due, I'd like you to look up, OK? That is, noticing ROOFTOPS specifically. Yes, that's right, your next Creative Tuesday must clearly include at least two rooftops, if not more. :) Ah yes, a challenge indeed. You could show this from a bird's eye perspective or from the street level looking up but however you depict this, it should portray man-made rooftops!

It could be a row of village huts, or apartment lots perhaps, or skyscrapers, or even market stalls lined up alongside a street, or the roofs of a pitch of tents in the wilderness? Anyway, I'll leave that for you to figure out! It's going to be tough, yes, but I think we'll all stretch ourselves here coming up with something we likely haven't even depicted before.

I'd watch this Mary Poppins rooftop scene for some inspiration but just can't bear to listen to Dick Van Dyke's horridly butchered cockney accent! LOL.

CREATIVE TUESDAY: Springtime IN COLOUR

2011-03-29T21:13:00.000-06:00

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Phew. It's finished. Here's this same sketch again, this time painted in.

Right, now I'm off to enjoy your own offerings for Springtime and collect images for the montage(s) I'll be sure to post tomorrow night. Thank you again to all of you who joined in, new and old alike. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#32): Springtime

2011-03-29T00:18:00.000-06:00

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Springtime has got to be my fave time of year. Although I don't have any daffodils currently in bloom anywhere near where I live I do have so many good memories of endless cycle rides through Kensington Gardens where they were in abundance, as they are all over the country in fact. They have to be my favourite flower, offering their burst of cheery colour to cold mornings and wet afternoons.

Similarly, I love the Spring colours of Easter too with memories of being very young searching for coloured eggs amongst the flowers and in the tall grass. Ah.

Well, this drawing isn't coloured yet but will be some time later Tuesday night so do check back in if you can by Wednesday night when I'll offer up our montage(s) like usual. In the interim, here's the simple pencil sketch for which I loosely based the flowers off of a few different ones from a couple of photos taken over the weekend and then arranged them visually together along with imagining the eggs tucked in there for that extra coziness.

OK, off to sleep now. My eyes are so bloodshot tired, it looks like I've been crying. Well, I did somewhat earlier actually, watching The Adjustment Bureau with my son today. What an incredibly moving story on the mix of love, fate and free will. Of course, it helps too that Emily Blunt is so beautiful here as well. At least to me anyway. Amazing hair for one! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Breakfast Montages and NEW Theme

2011-03-17T10:45:00.000-06:00

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Mmm, pass me Daniella's menu, I'm ready for breakfast! :) I think I'll start with toast, of course.

Another fun round (thank you) and you know, I completely understand that some of you don't really do breakfast. In fact, I'm not normally a big breakfast person myself either but, must admit, I do make a killer omelette. It's so much more fun to make for someone else though. Thus, I'll often end up with just a simple yoghurt. (May I suggest Boysenberry if you've never tried it?)

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Come March 29th, it will be time to sign in again with your latest CREATIVE TUESDAY, and guess what? Lo and behold, it will already be the onset of one of my favourite times of year -- SPRINGTIME! For starts, it's the only time of year it ever gets remotely green here, even if all too short-lived. So, spring into action, will you? And I will too this time. Promise. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#31): Breakfast

2011-03-15T10:11:00.000-06:00

Well, sorry to report, but I've had too much on my plate to clean it off, as I would if eating breakfast, sopping up the eggs with my one piece of un-jammed or -marmaladed (is that a word?) toast! So, yes, that means no entry from me I'm afraid, but please jump in here and sign up below if you got a chance to work up something. I'll just be the host and you can serve the breakfasts. The montage will still follow later too.

And, as food is one of the types of entries allowed for Creative Tuesdays if used to create an image, I wonder if anyone actually did that? I mean, just look at this piece (video aside). Who knew toast could be so inspiring? Now, all it needs is a pad of melted butter and some jam. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Bedtime Montagesand NEW Theme

2011-03-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

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When downloading the images from your sites for making the montage, I save each one according to your name. That way I can be sure to capture each of your contributions. For determining which piece would go into which montage, this time I simply split the list in half alphabetically, ending with Eva for the first one and starting with Heather for the second. So, why is mine in the first batch, you may ask? Well, sillies, of course I don't need to save my own art with my name, just the theme's name, that's all.

I'm putting this up late so that not too long from now I too can go beddy-bye time with my trusty little old teddy bear...err, HA... make that my hot water bottle, of course! LOL. I mean, some of these pictures really do evoke bedtime, don't they?

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OK, It may be night time here, but for some of you, I realise, it's already BREAKFAST, or may well be by the time you read this anyway. I do hope between now and March 15th you can think up some good servings of your own for CREATIVE TUESDAY. Bon appétit! Or, actually, should that be, bonsoir? :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#30): Bedtime

2011-03-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

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Bedtime evokes coziness to me and so that is what I wanted to capture this time around. Such "snuggliness" is made all the more so with that indescribably musky fresh scent of the English countryside enveloping one's senses. Ahhh. Too bad I couldn't capture that here. :)

Again, I've conjured this all up from my imagination and an amalgamation of various memories. The cat, for example, is based off our old family cat, Jeremy, we had whilst growing up all the way into adulthood. (He was the best cat — like a doting dog, always so excited when we'd get home that he'd actually scurry up one's legs, place a paw on each shoulder and then repeatedly nudge his head under one's chin, purring away madly the whole while. And, like this one here, he too always seemed to make time for bedtime. What a life, I tell you!)

You know, playing around with my shiny watercolour set did rather bring a child-like sense of wonder too. I couldn't help but stick out my tongue the most while, just like Charlie Brown does!

After taking a photo of the whole thing, btw, I did actually remove a few flowers initially drawn on the pillows as they seemed to compete too much with that trusty hot water bottle sandwiched in the middle. (The wonders of Photoshop, no less.)

Well, thanks for indulging me in this trip down cozy lane. Now it's your turn! Can't wait to see what each of you have done. Thank you for participating. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Luck/y Montages and NEW Theme

2011-02-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

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How lucky we are to enjoy creating art and exploring visual themes all together each fortnight here with our lil' co-op spread across this country and the world in fact. I do so look forward to seeing how each of you think about the theme, then choose to interpret it.

I feel lucky indeed to have the honour of hosting such a varied and talented, loyal group of artistic bloggers here. Again, thank you to each of you who take the time to do this week-after-week and also make a point of visiting each other. I don't know about you, but I certainly smile whilst scanning these montages. :)

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Well, it's getting late here already and with a fair bit going on during the days presently, I really can't afford to be up too late past my BEDTIME, so I best post this.

Figured out the new theme yet? :) (Hint: it's in a different colour.) If you are at all stuck down the road, I tell you what, just sleep on it perhaps? I'm sure something will come to you by March 1st when this is due!

Meanwhile, right now, I'm going to put the kettle on and make my trusted old hot water bottle again. It's looking quite forlorn and cold over there on my bed, even with its super soft blue fuzzy cozy. Yes, definitely time to snuzzle down with it through the night under my soft blankets me-thinks. ... Ah, night, night all. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY (#29): Luck/y (in Colour)

2011-02-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

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Something as ordinary as feeling a little lucky (or blessed, if you will), for the likes of me can be truly quite extraordinary actually. The common every day things (like a normal 3 leaf clover as in this case) can take on so much more meaning when you've gone without for a while or struggled along just to get by for whatever reason. A quick text then saying, "hi"; an easy to clean up flat; the quiet of nothing but the gentle hum of the radiator; simple but nutritious meals, or even a decent bed to sleep in are all wonders in themselves. Sometimes I find myself stopping and going, "whoa!" Just like tonight, in fact — as I coloured in my drawing, that child-like act felt so good, so right. Uncomplicated creation — simple and playful wonder.

Well, speaking of whimsy and such, this lil' leprechaun (I'll call him Murphy James o'Malley for fun) can't wait to jump in and run through some CREATIVE TUESDAY doodle-lands o' luck. Just sign in below if you took up the challenge and we'll pop in soon enough, don't you worry. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Valentines and NEW Theme

2011-02-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

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Well, if you don't feel warm and fuzzy after viewing this collection, then all I can say is, I'm terribly sorry. Yes, I know, love can hurt deeply too. As it is, this collection of Valentines leaves me smiling and wistful on all the ways love can be or is not expressed. Thank you to those of you who even took the time to reflect on this theme. May I just say then, a very hearty, warm Happy Valentines to all? May each of us fully know, embrace and express love, not just this "holiday" but each and every day! Our lives are so much brighter (and even fizzier) every time we choose to lay down whatever divides or drags us down, in order to pick up love in action, in all its wonderful myriad of ways. :)

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Speaking of holidays and occasions, another soon comes upon us — the ironically distinctively American St. Patrick's Day — pots of gold, shamrocks, and all that goes with it. So, how about for our next theme we focus on LUCK or being LUCKY? I'm glad in fact we've got until Tuesday, Feb 16th to come up with something, as luck and I don't exactly go hand-in-hand, shall we say? No, I've all too well known my fair share of worse-than-bad-luck, but curiously enough too, I do have this odd strain of ridiculous idealism and optimism collecting around the insides of my rather half-empty outlook jar! :)

So, have at it, and let's do wish each other. . . well! (Ha. Gotcha! You thought I was going to say, luck, didn't you? Oh no, that would be far too redundant.)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS (#28): Valentine

2011-02-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

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...and their two tales shall become one, right?

Anyway, this time around I thought I'd employ more of my regular graphic design skills for this go around in hopes of eventually selling this as a card (but w/o the copyright on the front, mind you)! :) Hope you enjoy.

Well, now it's your turn! Please sign in below with a link to your own Valentine contribution. Can't wait to see what everyone did. This should be sweet and fun! Mmm, I just need some of those Valentine coloured M&M candies to go along with each viewing. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Scarf Montage and NEW theme

2011-01-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

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I just knew that SCARF would induce coziness all over and, oh boy, did it! Don't you agree? Very clever and fun pieces here. Thank you all for contributing to another round. A superb collection — I feel very toasty indeed after visiting all these scarves! :) Ahhh....

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I have a question to ask: Has anyone ever guessed the newest theme before it was announced? Well, if not, perhaps this one might be easy, being that February is right around the corner. Yes, we're going to explore... VALENTINE. Ah, such a sweet sentiment, that. Appeals to my romantic nature, no end, let me tell you. And, I don't mind if it's a commercialized "Hallmark card" type holiday now. Maybe so, but certainly no more than Halloween (or Xmas, for that matter)! But instead of focusing on the macabre end of life, we get to celebrate love, romance, flowers, school yard crushes and that sort of thing. Can't wait to see what each of us do. Now, just mind those boxes of chocolates along the way! :)

With that said, I'll leave you with these rather picturesque words from our dear Charlie Brown: “I’ll tell that Little Red-Haired Girl that I love her. Then I’ll give her a big hug. Then I’ll go bungee-jumping from the moon!”

ADDENDUM: Keep in mind, as collage is allowed, if you even just MAKE a valentine card, that would count too for CREATIVE TUESDAYS. So, maybe you can kill two birds with one stone -- Make a card for a loved one AND have something for here! Actually, with that, perhaps we should say, you can "shoot" two birds with one love arrow? Yes, much nicer. VALENTINE due date is Tuesday, Feb 1st.

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P.S. This post is already too long, so stay tuned for the upcoming announcement of who won the Christmas Tea give-away. Coming up, next post!

CREATIVE TUESDAYS (#27): Scarf

2011-01-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

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Look what dear Gran knitted for Little Rupert. He loves it on those cold winter mornings when he's scurrying around amongst the books or stopping for a breather and a nice cuppa. I must say, I can't blame him one bit. It is SO fun to be snuzzled down snug.

OK, now it's your turn to show us what you did. Please sign up below! I can't wait to see what each of you did with a SCARF. Oh, and once EVA signs in, do be sure to check out her own interpretations — all three of them, that is! :)

Yes, and, of course, I'll have the montage of all our work up later Wednesday night when you can again find out what our new theme will be. Thank you for all of you playing along, keeping this co-op going strong. :)

Oh, one more thing — I'll finally be announcing the winner of this year's Mr. Toast's Christmas Tea prize drawing! :) Thanks for being so patient.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: "New Year" Montage and New Theme

2011-01-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

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Don't you just love the variety seen here for what one might have expected to be all similar types of images? Some great write ups too in the mix. Thank you to all for participating.

(Btw, if you don't see your image in the montage but signed up that's because I couldn't find any post mentioning Creative Tuesday, etc, so do be sure to add that as well so we can all go visit! :)

Well, with that, it's time to once again announce our newest theme: SCARF — but with a twist (pun intended)! This time around you must include a scarf (or scarves) in your actual art. :) That doesn't mean, though, it has to be worn around the neck — instead it could be used as a parachute for some little critter or as a head-wrap of sorts, but has to at least somewhat show a part of a scarf. And remember, there are all sorts of scarves too as a simple web search will reveal. (Personally, I rather like the Mod-Father, Paul Weller,'s collared style in Going Underground, or Tom Baker's ridiculously long Dr. Who's scarf myself, but that's just me.) Anyway, this should be fun I think — hope you'll agree. So, bundle up, wrap up warmly, and get out there into your creative wonderland where anything is possible and coziness is always right around the corner.

As always, you'll have a full fortnight, just be sure to post by end of Tuesday, January 18th, and sign in here too of course. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS (#26): New Year (in Colour)

2011-01-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

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Little Rupert here just loves to wear his warm lil' woolly jumper. Why? Well, of course, his grannie knitted it especially for him to ring in the New Year and to close out the last days of Christmas. Too bad he can't enjoy sipping that big hot cuppa right next to him. No, that wouldn't do at all — the master of the house (moi) would be none too pleased, let me tell you! :)

Now it's your turn to show us how you helped ring in the new year:

Montage of our collected works coming on Wednesday so be sure to sign in now so the rest of us can see your own special contribution. Thank you.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #26: New Year (in B&W)

2010-12-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

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Just the initial little Black & White pencil sketch for now to round out this year. Come next Tuesday (Jan 4th), I'll present the colour version. It's actually already done, but you'll have to wait until then, when you too can sign in and show us what you ended up doing, if, that is, you found time to get to it! I know, I know — the holidays do rather take it out of one and there are all those boxes of chocolate digestives to munch through and such. Oh dear me. : D

Ah, and btw, I have not forgotten that I still need to do that drawing for the Christmas Tea! Just let me make it through this next week please, and I'll get right on it — promise!

Now, hmmm... Should I have another cuppa? Oh, I don't know, I really mustn't — think I'm at 3 already for the night and after all, I want to eventually get some sleep, you know. :) I do have a move coming up as well.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Holiday(s) Montage Review and NEW Theme

2010-12-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

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Happy Inde-Christmas-ka-giving-Days! That's what I wished Kristin, as you may well have noted if you've by now visited her CT post! Such fun this collection of doodles, aren't they? I don't know, but I'm certainly feeling a degree more festive after visiting all of you and enjoying each contribution, everything from adorable stockings and family gatherings bursting with love and toys to summer hols spent on the beach and so on. Don't you just love it?

As the host of our lil' co-op, I thought it might be rather fun to show some of you newest contributors here what I did last year when CREATIVE TUESDAYS was initially launched on this blog a year ago, having taken it over from Lissa! (Can you believe it's been a whole year since then?) Anyway, if you look closely at that first montage, you may well note two special ladies who have faithfully contributed each fortnight ever since the very beginning all the way to this theme even, and probably for many more yet to come! Yes, you'll see Christine drew that sweet little Santa flamingo and QMM the "Festive" flying Santa! (So, a very special thank you to both of you. Your kind, consistent friendship and loyalty here has meant more to me than you know. :) I especially needed that through some very difficult dark times while climbing out of such a profound sense of rejection, isolation, and love torn.)

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OK, the holidays are indeed upon us and may I never get in the way of you enjoying the festivities to the fullest. There's certainly enough pressure upon all of us this time of year already, no? With that in mind, the next theme won't be due until Tuesday, January 4th! There you go, plenty of time to ruminate on it but will you remember, come year's end? (But then, can't you just see Christie marvelously writing up some suuuper long post on her weeks-long creative thinking and experimenting process at this rate? Oh, I do hope so, actually!) Well, not that any of you will remember (lest you later refer to the CT page), but our new theme will be... NEW YEAR, what else?! :)

Although, I'll still be writing some things between now and then, let me take this occasion to wish each and every one of you, irrespective of your own holiday tradition, the most joyous family and loving time able during this Christmastide. I imagine some of you may, no doubt, drop out for a while in order to cherish special moments, so now is as good a time as any for such heartfelt wishes, eh? ....Ahhh, or should that perhaps be, Awww? :D

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UPDATE: LATE ADDITIONS. Please check out Sophia's homage to our Christmas Tea, and do be sure to welcome Jessica to Creative Tuesdays! She's all the way in Australia, as is Gumnut — in a totally different time zone. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #25: Holiday(s)

2010-12-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, I do feel rather ashamed to say this, but sorry, I'm just not going to be able to get anything up for this latest theme, as wonderful as it is. I hope you'll please forgive me? You see, the thing is, aside from Thanksgiving, I've been terribly busy planning, sorting, and arranging things for the 2nd Annual Christmas Tea we just had, and all the way in Scotland, to boot! :) Must admit, I'm simply too tapped out mentally and creatively at this point. Again, my sincere apologies to all of you.

However, if you, on the other hand, DID manage to complete the assignment, then sign up below so I can add your piece to the montage for tomorrow. Being a part of this marvelously creative co-op, I should have you know too, I still plan on jolly well visiting each and everyone of you, viewing your art in the process! Can't wait, actually.

Thank you for your understanding... and thank you for contributing! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS: Heaven'ly Montageand NEW Theme (#25)

2010-11-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Funny how "heavenly" can make many of us think of such ephemeral things, isn't it? I suppose we can say, it's a taste of heaven here on earth, right? Well, see for yourself and check out the other wonderful entries, if you've happened to miss a few along the way. Heaven can't wait you know! :) Thanks to each of you for taking the time to muse this theme through. So many different interpretations here leaves me feeling very cozy indeed, and, well, rather nippish too actually. LOL.

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Ready for the new CT theme? Hmm..thinking on the spot now... One thing I can tell you is you'll have until Tuesday, December 7th to come up with something. And exactly what theme is that, you may be wondering? Well, how about we take a stab at HOLIDAY(S)? ? Hmm...yes, that is perfect. Perhaps all the Turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving will inspire those of us Stateside. Then, of course, for all of us there is Christmas coming up too but do keep in mind...sneak peek here...we'll be revisiting Christmas, closer to that time for some creative inspiration here. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY #24: Heaven-ly (in Colour)

2010-11-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Mmm... heavenly indeed — now in technicolour wonder, coming to your senses sometime soon. :)

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Yes, mine was fairly easy to colour in but, tell me, how did your own depictions of other-wordly wonder come along? Time to show us now by signing in below if you also set your sights on the challenge this last fortnight. Do be sure to link to the particular post showing your art work so we can find it and leave you lots of comments! :)

Thanks so much for playing along. I'm very touched you all join in. I'm honoured to be the host of this lil' co-op, let me tell you. Your participation and interactions with each other is what makes it special, beyond the wonderful art itself, notwithstanding.

OK, as usual, I'll show more of the results tomorrow night at some point...and, of course, present the new theme too, so stay tuned...

CREATIVE TUESDAY #24: Heaven-ly (Phase 1)

2010-11-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

How's your Creative Tuesday Doodles coming along? Thinking Heavenly thoughts, at least in part, I hope? I know I have...

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Here's what I've come up with thus far — some of those things that make me feel oh-so-divinely-cozy: Cream Tea scones, hot water bottles, and, of course that perfect hot cuppa at the end of the day. :) Does it get much better than that, this side of eternity? Well perhaps so, but surely such creature comforts must fall somewhere in line there, no? I mean, I don't know about you lot, but I do rather like to think of that heavenly banquet up there as, of course, being eternally Tea Time... and chilly enough to snuzzle up to my hot water bottle too, I might add! Heh. "Aha — surely you jest, Mr. Toast?" I hear some of you say. Well, not entirely, actually! LOL.

OK, enough on such wonderfully lofty thoughts! ...I'll be back next week to show the completed picture when you too can present us your work by signing in. Until then, here's wishing you sweet dreams and enjoying the journey there... wherever that creative adventure might happen to take you! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY: Little House Montages and NEW Theme (#24)

2010-11-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Whoa! What creativity this theme inspired in each of you! I am so blown away. Well, I knew 'visiting' each others' little houses would be fun, but what a thorough adventure it was in all, checking your art and seeing how many of you pushed yourselves to new levels. On top of that, how fun to welcome aboard all these new contributors! In fact, with that many new peeps inspired to jump on board, I've actually broken this into two montages this time around— the top one featuring our newest contributors with our regulars shown below that. Thank you to each of you for your wonderful entries. I was so touched.

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OK, along so many new contributors, it would probably be good to go over a few of the guidelines included for being a part of this delightful co-op:

Your post should include a link back to this blog and mention "Creative Tuesdays" somewhere in it so others can learn more about our co-op, should they want to also join in, or simply to enjoy seeing the other work here.

Be sure to visit each others work— this is part of a co-op after all.

Each theme completed is an entry into the Quarterly Prize give-away! And, remember, if you have the Creative Tuesdays icon on your side bar that gives you an additional entry as does completing each theme in that Quarter! So, why not increase your chances for some Mr. Toast goodies and such.?! You're bound to win one of these day, if you think about it! (Perhaps, even check out some of the former prizes too if you like, linked under the list of previous themes, for that certain extra nudge!)

If you feel too intimidated to draw, you can always use collage too or even sewing and such, as we've indeed seen before. (Photography though is not included since most of us already employ that all the time for our posts.)

Thinking about joining in but not sure? Do remember: the point of this art co-op is not so much coming up with that perfect piece as it is for you to think creatively through a theme and how you could interpret it. Did you know that simply taking time putting on our oft' neglected creative thinking caps in this way actually helps unleash one's creative problem solving skills in other areas too?! (We all, surely need some more of that, right?)

OK, ready for our new CT theme? You'll have until Tuesday, Nov 23rd to come up with something for HEAVEN or HEAVENLY! Yes, this theme is wide open for interpretation and in that, how compelling it will be seeing just what each of you come up with. It could be about that England in the sky as I like to think of it, depicting perhaps some impossibly cute little chubby cherubs flying around or something! LOL. :) But, with artistic license, you could even focus on a certain longing for some better one day; that perfect romantic getaway; or mabe something as deliciously blissful as one's Grandma's home cookin'! (...Err, that is, IF your grannies weren't like mine — both of whom I never knew, and neither ever cooked, actually, among other quirks, shall we say? :)

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Oh! One final thing: the WINNER of the XMAS Tea locale sneak peek is Heather! (She guessed, Europe, first time around AND, Scotland, the 2nd time aounf, as, yes, did a few of you also!) So, Heather, please do drop me a line with your contact info so I can mail you off some good robust tea and chocolates! Congratulations there! Mmm indeed.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #23: Little house

2010-11-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Montage of all our collected work will be shown in next day or two.
...And I'm still planning to visit each of you beforehand, of course. :)

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This is loosely based off of my memory of living in a similar type of semi-detached brick house in Fulham, London, for many of my formulative years growing up before we moved into our Earl's Court flat later in my teens. Although each home on our old street was fairly similar to one another, each also had at least a bit of individuality — some more so than others. :) And, actually, none of them had little windows under the roof like we have here, Stateside, but that's artistic prerogative, isn't it?

OK, I'm looking forward to visiting everyone else's Creative Tuesday so please make sure to sign up below if you tried your hand at it. ...How fun to visit each others' little houses!

CREATIVE TUESDAY: Curtains Montage and NEW Theme (#23)

2010-10-28T06:15:00.000-06:00

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What I liked about this theme was looking forward to how people would literally draw the same imagery (curtains, being less interpretative) each with their own style but, lo and behold, we got some different interpretations again like the Iron Curtain or that certain hairstyle evidenced by highland cattle and so on! LOL. Well, see for yourself... (BTW, if you see your image here on the montage and like it lightened up if it was originally rather dark, feel free to contact me and I will send your modified version -- one probably far closer to your original anyway, right? )

With colder weather coming and all its colder, windy days , I am again drawn to indoors and smaller confines for the extra warmth and coziness so craves. With that then, our new theme is going to be LITTLE HOUSE. :) We'll show our stuff on Tuesday, Nov 9th.

Of course one isn't simply limited to Laura Ingalls Wilder interpretations or a Susan Black home but perhaps think too of tree houses, burrowed dens or even doll houses and the like. Enjoy. Whatever you choose, just make sure you can at least make a decent pot of tea in it, will ya? :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #22: Curtains

2010-10-27T08:15:00.000-06:00

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One day late for most of you but time now to post your "art" entries anyway! Please do sign in below, if you participated!

This was inspired, in part, with looking forward to whenever that fat lady does decide to eventually sing! ..And, too, in honour of my quite yummy mornings with my kids serving them my wholewheat pancakes and Aunt Jemima syrup... as well as remembering how my mother would always wake up at the crack of dawn and fling open the curtains, windows, and doors, singing "fra-la-la-la-la" or such to herself quite jollily. No less, in her all too semi-transparent nightie most of the time! Ha. We'd always complain about just how cold it was in the house! She'd retort, "But FRESH AIR, darlings, FRESH AIR! I can't breathe in here! I NEED FRESH AIR!" whilst sucking in massive volumes of it, smelling it all the whilst twitching her cute little pointy nose up in the air on her rather rotund face. Awww. Oh dear, it was quite the sight, let me tell you! ...We'd consider her mad as then, of course, later, she'd predictably complain about how bitterly cold it was inside, and I'd quip, "Well, Mummy, you did INSIST on opening ALL the windows, didn't you?!" At this point, loving to take the mick out of her, I'd go around the house wailing my arms around, and impersonating her very fruity exclamations! LOL. A fun memory indeed here... :)

BTW, as I'm running rather late, I won't post the montage of all our work until this Thursday (tomorrow sometime —Oct. 28th), to give each of you time to visit one another, as well as I need to do that too actually. ....Can't wait to see what you have drawn!

CREATIVE TUESDAY: ART Montage and NEW Theme (#22)

2010-10-13T19:55:00.000-06:00

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A broad range of interpretations for "art," as one might expect here. Anything from Equestrian dance to Broadway to assembled cups and so on. Indeed art is often in the eye of the beholder as Wanda mentioned. Well, if you see any here you have not noted yet, go visit them and leave them a comment! Be sure to click on the larger versions as some are really detailed too. Anyway, a good showing here, don't you think?

So, from a wide open interpretative theme to something with more an obvious visual, but I like that! It should be interesting to see how each of us interpret this next theme. And, if you feel a wee bit intimidated in drawing, I'm thinking you should enjoy DRAWing this--fairly simple really. All you have to do is draw the CURTAINS shut or open! :) We'll show our stuff on Tuesday, Oct 26th... just 2 months away from Christmas! Whoa.

Now, your curtains could be for a window or a stage; they could be vertical blinds or a shutter or simply traditional ones with stripes or spots even. Express yourself! Have at it..and hey, if you want to get crazy, perhaps just draw them shut! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #21: Art

2010-10-12T20:00:00.000-06:00

Finally, time to post your "art" entries so sign in below, if you participated! ...Yes, sorry, I'm a little late myself getting this posted, but, hey, it's still Tuesday, right?!

Today was a hard day. I struggled with emotions and doubts, etc, after having had such a good evening yesterday. (That zig-zag process, you know.. as mentioned last post.) So, what did I end up doing? Upon a friend's suggestion, I took off to get in nature, Mmm-style, that is! No, no traversing up to the Rockies but simply going to a local park -- a sculpture park, no less (one that actually has some decent art in it, unlike much of the modern rubbish or Western style art found around here). That got me to thinking about how wonderful it is when one finds truly great art, so unexpected, but not like these silly sculptures shown in my doodle below! :) But, seriously, is anything as magnificent as nature itself? If you want to see great abstract art for starts, just look around you. Hmmm... my mood changed in no time at all as I felt mental consternations fade away into the surrounding beauty, playful in its hues.

...As before, come Wednesday pm, I'll present the montage of our combined effort as well as introduce the new C. T. theme. Now, I suspect you'll find DRAWing it fairly simple enough, so do check back in.

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Kitchen art on spatula on oven range!
3.5" x 5.5"

CREATIVE TUESDAY: "Taking Flight" Montage and NEW theme (#21)

2010-09-29T21:17:00.000-06:00

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Quite a lot of you decided to try your wings at this theme, didn't you? How wonderful! See all the contributions here, if you haven't checked out everyone in the sign in yet. BTW, you'll notice we have some new co-oppers too so do be sure to welcome them as well when visiting each other. :)

...And now for the next art theme (due Tuesday, Oct 12th): we need something that will really have you wanting to get into your art again, so that's it! We're going to explore Art as our theme! Heh.

Well, anyway, I like how this little Nova Scotia singer's video explores the subject. It just goes to show, your own contribution doesn't have to be perfect to have fun and to get into it. Besides which, don't you just love her adorable accent? (I know I've put this vid up before, but just couldn't help but it up again!) ...And, hey, if you want, how about simply substituting "Art" in this song for whatever or whoever stirs your own passion?)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #20: Taking Flight

2010-09-28T07:25:00.001-06:00

Here's the coloured version of my pencil drawing, shown earlier. Now it's time for you also to show us all what you did for this theme. So sign in below, if you participated. (As previously mentioned, do be sure that you link directly to your art work/post with Linky Link below.)

Wednesday pm I will gather all the entries and present a montage of our combined effort as well as introduce the new C. T. theme. Oh, you will laugh when you see the next theme. Hee. Yeah, it's a bit cheeky, really. You'll see.

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My Creative Tuesday: Taking Flight in Black and White

2010-09-21T04:25:00.000-06:00

I'll show the rest of this in colour next week (the 28th) when those of you playing along can also sign in so we can see your completed work. But, in the interim, I thought it might help spur some along if I showed my initial sketch perhaps? This is the third page I've done within my sketchbook project book. (Reminder: The theme I chose is "helps.") Following are a few lines I've written as a background to this sketch:

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Touch down? Who could think about such a thing when finally so incredibly...free?

Harry* was gone. All his work and diligence paid off. They said it couldn't be done, but here he was, flying! Actually flying! No limitations any more... Higher than the clouds, he could see the ground clearly below, even over that constant horizon of his handicapped prison. It all began to fall away in the thrill of this day. He was taking flight.
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BTW, I've added this to a new blog I've signed up with where people can see more of the Sketchbook Project's actual work over at sbdoodleheads.blogspot.com. ..Oh, and the sketchbooks are 5" x 8.25".

(* In honour of a special boy.)

CREATIVE TUESDAY: Birthday Montage and NEW theme (#20)

2010-09-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

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Fun, n'est pas? Yes, I think it is safe to say, most of us love a good birthday, as evidenced by our work here. (See all the contributions here --follow the sign in links-- and do be sure to visit each other too if you are part of this co-op. Thank you!)

I'm liking this new way of everyone signing in on the Tuesday due, along with when I present my piece. Feels more like a community that way, don't you agree? :)

So, for the next theme (due Sept 28th), how about something inspiring, as in:
Taking Flight? ...It could be anything from birds alfight, to a college grad ready to take on the world, to wistful looks to some other lofty place. (For example, I like how this little video shows the journey to get there. How tenderly endearing.) Hmmm... I wonder what we'll all come up with then? ...Right! Time to soar!... But, umm, first, let me put on my helmet. It could still be a somewhat bumpy ride! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAYS #19: Birthday

2010-09-13T21:56:00.001-06:00

Creative Tuesday is here! So, how did your "birthdays" go?

The exciting thing with this new way of presenting our contributions is I don't even fully know who among you out there even contributed, so now is your chance to show us all by signing in below if you took the challenge. Be sure that you link directly to your art work/post with Linky Link below! (See my examples for how to do it, if you need to.) :)

On Wednesday pm I will gather all your artwork and present you the montage of our combined effort as well as introduce the new C. T. theme. Don't you just wonder what it will be? OK, let me see you lot sign in so I, as well as your fellow creative co-oppers can see your work and leave a comment. Oooh, this is rather like Christmas in September! I can't wait to see each of your offerings! Thank you to all of you (below) who took the time to do this and link back to here too. :)

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Oh, and here is my contribution. Not my best, but I did have fun doing it and using watercolors too. Remember, this co-op is more about just taking time to be creative and let loose than getting everything just so. :)

BTW, I should tell you that this is the first of two sketches I've done thus far for The Sketchbook Project I signed up for. The theme I chose for my book is "help". ...Well, you know, sometimes simply imagination helps, doesn't it? Take birthday cake, for example — I can eat as much as I like of this with none of the guilt or calories ...and a big fluffy piece too, no less! :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY: HAIR Montage and NEW theme (#19)!

2010-08-31T05:50:00.000-06:00

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Hair does curious things for people. It conjures up beauty for most(usually of women I note), but there are some exceptions, including those more of the "wild" variety, shall we say? Including animals, that is! LOL. See for yourself... and if you've joined in, do be sure to comb through everyone's pieces as that's part of being in this "co-op," after all. Thank you! Well, anyway, I hope you enjoy this tangled collection as much as I. And should you feel a sudden need to check out your own hair after this review, I'll perfectly understand -- I think I might do the same, in fact. (LOL. Any excuse to do my hair. Hee.)

Now, before presenting the newest theme, I do want to let you know that I'm going to make a few changes here in order to assure I catch everyone's art for the montage as it can take quite long to find everyone's pieces for linking to, as seen above. (Some also, forget to sign up, or perhaps have signed up but get too busy to complete the project?) So, I'm simplifying things for all of us... From now on, just sign in on the actual Tuesday the new theme is due IF you have contributed a piece for it. Do be sure your link goes directly to your actual latest Creative Tuesday Post you've done. Oh, and please remember to mention CREATIVE TUESDAY with a link back here for those who should like to join up or see what others have also done.

OK, now, in celebration of our little co-op, how about we have a BIRTHDAY party? Yes, yes, that sounds lovely. What a good theme! I'll bring the tea, you bring the imagination! :) The due date is Tuesday, Sept. 14th when I will post my own doodle and where you can sign in if you managed to post something too! Be sure to link to your actual C.T. Birthday theme post/contribution and sign in on that Tuesday itself since those links are what I'll use when creating the montage which will now post the next night, Wednesday.

Thanks again. ...Right, I think I'll snuzzle down now to think about sweet birthday things like candles, cake, frosting, and, umm, licking the bowl when no one is looking! Shhhhh... Hee. :)

My Creative Tuesday #18:HAIR today, gone tomorrow

2010-08-24T07:42:00.000-06:00

You've got to love your hair, should you one day lose it, especially as a man. It all starts with infancy and, if you play it right, can be this incredible journey of wonder and discovery. Changing with the seasons, it places one firmly in time. It is your signature, well, should be anyway. :)

Now, get to it! One week left to do something with your own hair... before next Tuesday when our collection montage goes up again. :)

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P.S. It's not too late to sign up, if you haven't already. Just go to the Creative Tuesdays Tab (top left of this page). Check out the other former entries whilst at it, if you're feeling a little flat, as it were. Oh, and please don't forget to give Wanda a visit to congratulate her on her Creative Tuesday random prize drawing. Maybe you will be next? Each entry counts. :)

CREATIVE TUESDAY: "The Sea" Montage + NEW Theme Sign Up

2010-08-17T20:58:00.000-06:00

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Place that shell up to your ear and what do you hear? The sound of wind and the crashing sea perhaps? Well if you listen really close, you might just hear some laughter from a game of "spongeball" in some Octopuses' Garden or a song of the Sea Queen rising up to a Mermaid above, or higher still to the birds skimming across the water in flight. ...Or what if it was all coming through an old telly box? Well, that would be most curious, wouldn't it? The Sea — full of mystery and wonder as you've all captured here so perfectly. I do hope you will agree. See below:

The Sea is here today and forever but HAIR is not! Its style changes with the fashions, its colour changes over time, or, worse yet, God forbid, it all falls out! I am more than thankful for my own curly mop, must say! LOL. :) How about you? What would you do with hair, I wonder? Hmmm... well, think about it as it's the new theme for this go around. Do sign up below (details on the sidebar). Thank you.

Oh, and have you noticed? I've collected all our Creative Tuesdays under one tab now for a retrospective, of sorts. Hope you enjoy it. (BTW, if you ever want to have your lightened up/flattened versions for posting to your own blog (as seen in any of the montages), do let me know. I'd be happy to send them your way.

OK, must bounce up — time to go fix my hair, you know!! I've been on this far, far too long. Hee.

My Creative Tuesday #17: Watching The Sea.

2010-08-11T06:57:00.000-06:00

Those silly seagulls, why do they end up in places so far away from their actual home, the sea?! We have tons here. Did you know that? I like to call them our Rocky Mountain Seagulls — so fun to play up with any visiting here for the first time!

Anytime I particularly see just one of these hapless gulls, I so want to shout up there, "Hey, lil' Jonathan fellow, don't you know, you're far far from shore?! Go West, young bird!" Ha. Seriously now, if I was a seagull I think I'd feel rather cheated in life if all I ever knew were these dry arid plains or something. Wouldn't you? Worse yet: imagine being one of those living on some garbage dump somewhere! ...If they could, do you think they'd ever get a big chip on their shoulder, as in often hearing, "Shhh..they're not real sea-gulls, you know!"? Hmmm. I think I would. Oh dear me. So much for living up to one's full name and potential! :)

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Anyway, I'm hoping all you who signed up for The Sea this time 'round do indeed live up to every bit of potential you can muster up this next week. Soar on those wings you keep clipping! I do that too actually, but let's encourage each other to break free from that which hinders us, in as much as we can on our end of things. As I often need to tell myself too: we can't control what others judge, do, say or think! That is their problem, but let's not do it to ourselves, eh?! :) ...It's time to fly!

art, Create Tuesday, Creative Tuesdays, CT 17, doodle, funny

2010-08-03T20:35:00.000-06:00

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I have it on good word from the dear butler that he has rather so enjoyed his little tea break whilst perusing these darling doodles of yours I just downloaded. Being a good butler, he, of course, loves soap — whether that's washing the car or doing the dishes or what have you. He loves his job... as do I, having the pleasure of showing these all off to you:

Well, now that we're all squeaky clean, it's time to jump out of the land of soap and bubbles, and into THE SEA as our new theme. Before you take the plunge, be sure to grab the sunblock whilst at it! (Due date listed on the side bar.) Happy Snorkeling.

CREATIVE TUESDAYS 2nd Quarter Winner!

2010-08-01T19:32:00.000-06:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's more than time to announce our Third Creative Tuesdays prize winner, following in the footsteps of QMM's and Bach's wins. Before that, however, I did want to point out some interesting tidbits for this last round, admittedly a long "quarter," I must say!

20 blogger/artists (some contributing 1-2 times, others, all 9 times!)

Note of Merit: Betsy and QMM contributed to every topic, each earning an extra point for that in the process.

11 of you also earned an extra point for promoting C.T. yourself by posting its red icon on your own blog's sidebar.

Each person was assigned the number of entries equal to how many points earned.

And, showing this drawing is truly random (using an online list randomizer), the winner, it turns out, is one of our newest contributors! (Just goes to show anyone can win if you just put your name in the hat and doodle up something.) With that, let me now formally announce that... Wanda is the winner! Way to go! How exciting! Congratulations are in order. Go check out Wanda's art blog too I just discovered tonight! (I'll be sending you a few questions to make sure your gift package is tailored specifically for you... based off of what I have already collected, that is!) : )

(See enlarged 100% version for partial list details and where you may have ranked!)

Whilst at it, let me also remind those few of you who have actually signed up for the "soap" theme, you are already one step ahead for this next quarter. Keep those points coming because all of them can add up towards winning that end of year grand prize... just in time for Christmas, to boot! :)