Autumn and Halloween Creations

"The Gathering"

"Happy Halloween" Postcard

Yes, Autumn has arrived with Halloween close to follow. We are approaching the busiest time of the year when I won't have as much time devoted to creating images in Photoshop so I must get what I can done now. Having said that...above are two new creations.

After having a very busy week, "The Gathering" was fantastic therapy. Just the background alone makes me feel all warm and cozy. Speaking of that...the background came from challenge 5 at DMS...thank you very much again! That background has become my all-time favorite! The birds are custom shapes I found at:
http://www.free4photoshop.com/pgs/shapes/free_photoshop_custom_shapes.html

In "Happy Halloween" I used the crow/raven and then found a bat and a cool Halloween font to add. I found those at: http://dafont.com and http://1001fonts.com Last but not least, the pumpkins were from Dover Publications.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

One more Zombie Postcard for SPA

I had so much fun making the last Zombie postcard, I just had to create one more!

"Zombie Crossing"

Bringing the dark side to a little brighter side of fun and play in a Zombie image was my mission this time around. I had saved the bird carrying Zombie from Dover Publications last week with no idea what I would do with it until I saw this challenge at Sunday Postcard Art. This challenge has been so much fun! I can hardly wait for the next one! Don't forget to check out more at: http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com ...and... http://kat-nap.com

Want more Zombies?

There are plenty of those at:
http://kat-nap.com/2010/10/09/65-shopping-spree-12-small-world/
Check out the comical side of Zombies at Dead-Mart. It's innovative great fun!
Hope you all have a great week!

Zombie Challenge at Sunday Postcard Art

How about a Zombie Halloween Party? I was thinking this might make the perfect postcard invite for just that sort of thing. Thanks to this challenge, it has definitely put a bug in my ear to think of having a party! Now that might not take place for another year but I do think it would be a fun theme! AND since I'm old, it won't be too difficult looking like a zombie! Ha! Here's a little about the image. I have used an amazing sunset photo from my friend Robin. The haunted house background, creepy, bloody candle, and Henry the Zombie is from HSN. Yes indeed... I resorted to finding images from an online store and some of which are in a Martha Stewart line. I have to say that hsn.com has a really awesome Halloween section that you just might want to check out for yourself if you're really into Halloween that is. Oh yeah - going back to the image...I also used the hanging skulls from branch from Dover Publications (I think). And the last image I pulled from my file is that spider on the Zombies shirt front. That just so happens to be a brown recluse. I used many filters, glows, and enhancements in Photoshop CS and the font is called Black Chancery. You can check out more Zombies at http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com

Welcome to Fall and the WLDA Challenge

 Kathleen presented the "We Love Digital Art" group with the above image for our first fall challenge.  This is truly what makes Fall Beautiful!  Just look at all those Autumn colors!  The image inspired me to take on the challenge and you can now see what I came up with below.  My thanks goes to Kathleen for such a fantastic challenge!

 

I can't seem to figure out how to separate the two above images so I'll just have to start here.  

"Fall Prancing" is the first image and I used the challenge image along with two Dover Publications images (the horse and a maple leaf).  All the remaining enhancements were done in Photoshop CS.

"Turkey Crossing" is the second image.  I'm sorry that I can't give a reference for the antique cola truck or the covered bridge.  I couldn't find one for the truck and I lost the information on the covered bridge.  My thanks and appreciation goes out to the Google search engines for both.  The turkeys were from Dover Publications and the challenge image, of course, was provided by Kathleen at WLDA.  The remaining enhancements were completed in Photoshop CS.  What a wonderful way to start Fall, don't you think?  

Farewell to Summer - Hello Fall

 Hi everyone!  It's that time of year again where we have to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.  The flowers are going to sleep until next spring and the butterflies have bid farewell.
That was my inspiration for these three images.  My original drawing created the starting point of the theme.  Unfortunately my African daisies won't be returning in the spring as they don't do well through the cold of winter but I'm sure the butterflies will return in the spring.
I hope you all had a lovely summer and I wish you the joy of an amazing and colorful fall.   

We have a winner!

And the winner is...Kris!

Kris commented on how she collects hearts and now she will have another for her collection!
So Kris...I will need your home address so I can mail this intuitive jewelry set to you.
Thanks!

Check out Chapter Three of Kat-Nap

The digital graphic artist of my choice has done it again! It's a wonderful, humorous world of Kats and who doesn't love that? So...here's the starting link for Chapter Three which goes from comic numbers 65-69!

http://kat-nap.com/2010/10/09/65-shopping-spree-12-small-world/

Oh...and don't be afraid to leave a comment or two! I'm sure the artist would love to hear from you all -or- you could ask the kats a question if you want. :-)

Six More to Share

A Hand Wired Lapis Pendant is suspended from a Bright Blue Lapis, Onyx, and Tibetan Silver Beaded Necklace. A matching bracelet completes the set.




Above left is a Denim Lapis necklace with accents of bronze beads. A casual look to wear with your jeans...an everyday-type necklace. Above right is a set created with Brazilian Sodalite Beads, Blue/White Turquoise Beads, Tibetan Silver Bone Beads, and Tibetan Silver Dragonflies. If you like Dragonflies, this is the set for you. The Dragonflies are so cute, petite, and beautiful!

Here is another set with Tibetan Silver Dragonflies. This time I strung Green Mountain Jade, Bali Seed Beads, Jet Onyx, and Tibetan Silver Spacer Beads to complete this Northwest ensemble.

Below left is another Reiki Wand Creation. This time I was working with an Indian Agate Wand. I found that the Unikite Epidote and Old Red Jasper Beads went very well with that. I added some Tibetan Silver Bone Beads and Tiny Silver Spacer beads to complete the necklace.

This Celtic Creation just recently became another favorite of mine. I used Bronze Celtic Knot connectors for the pendant and earrings and then added the extensions of a matching bead or beads. The beads are Feldspar, Red Sea Sediment Jasper, and Red Jade Cylinder Beads... and once again, I used Bronze Spacer Beads to match the Celtic Knots.

I have really enjoyed working with Tibetan Silver and the Bronze...so much that I recently decided to have some fun with Copper. The Copper is so beautiful for the Fall Colors that I have just started to work with. I've already made a few pairs of earrings with Autumn Jasper. One set will have the Autumn Jasper Zuni Bear Beads used. I have to say that one really wows me even! So if you love the fall colors, you'll want to see those pieces.

I hope you all had a terrific weekend and that you had time to do something you really love to do. Oh, and if you would like more chances to win one of my Intuitive Jewelry sets - Just leave me another comment here. Yep, I'm going to let everyone have one chance per post.

Here's the pics I promised...and a special giveaway

Reiki Energy Hand in Turquoise and Sea Sediment Jasper. This is one of my many favorites. The Sea Sediment Jasper is the perfect companion to the turquoise. Note that there is a matching pair of earrings to make this the perfect summer set...Bright, vivid, full of energy.

I am enjoying the process of beading with such a large variety of beads from Red Fossil beads with a Persian-look Tibetan pendant to a Traditional Black Onyx with Denim Lapis and black seed beads. I really didn't know there were so many types of beads! A matching bracelet and earrings complete both sets.

To the left here I have used Green Mountain Jade with a beautiful Tree Agate. I love the combination of the two with the Tibetan silver beads and Reiki hands. This is completed with a matching set of Reiki hands earrings.

Below, I have used Rose Quartz with Pink Rhodonite and Black seed beads. I added a Rhodonite Reiki Wand to one and a Rose Quartz Heart to the other. I have also included a medium-size anklet and fish hook earrings to complete the wand set. As you can see the Heart necklace is accompanied with a matching pair of earrings as well.

Now to the left again, I have used Plum Cat's Eye beads with Feldspar. Feldspar beads have an interesting background. Feldspar is known as the Earth's Crust. The colors are neutral and range from gray to gold. This set includes a Plum Cat's Eye mini pendulum that is absolutely adorable and a 7 3/4" bracelet.

To the right, I have combined Unakite with Bali seed beads and Tibetan silver Bone beads. Suspended from the beaded necklace is the most beautiful Hand-Carved Jade Quan Yin Pendant.

Quan Yin is known as the Goddess of Mercy and also the teacher of Dharma. Some believe Quan Yin is the World Watcher. If you would like to learn more about Quan Yin, you can do a search in Wikipedia.

Last but certainly not least, this is my new favorite. I fell in love with the Zuni Bear Fetishes while living in the SW and so I couldn't be happier with the results of the above necklace and earrings set. I was thrilled when I found a resource for the Picture Jasper Bears along with the matching round beads. I used 4 mm and 6 mm round beads with these very petite Zuni Bears to achieve a natural yet somewhat feminine/casual look.

I will be taking more pictures soon of other pieces and sets I have completed to share with you. I hope you enjoy viewing this collection as much as I have enjoyed creating them. Oh, there is one more thing I didn't mention while describing these jewelry pieces. I have been gifted with an amazing pendulum which helps me to complete my Reiki intuitive work on all these jewelry pieces. It has been an amazing journey in too many ways to count.

AND here is how I would like to invite you into my journey. Simply leave a comment with your email address and you will be submitted into my Intuitive Jewelry Giveaway. Please specify the type of jewelry you would be interested in. Will it be of the Native SW, a Reiki set (wand, energy hand, pendulum), a Persian look, a Celtic set, Quan Yin necklace, the Hand of Fatima necklace, a Heart set, a Dragonfly set, or perhaps just a particular Color/Stone? The winner will also receive an intuitive reading about the jewelry on an Element ATC that I designed and enhanced in Photoshop CS. I do hope you will join in the fun. I will be drawing the winning name on September 4th so you have plenty of time to get your comments in.

A new Workspace

I'm so thrilled that this work area is finally finished for my son! It turned out so well! If only it could stay this clean! LOL Nah! There will be more around it very soon, I'm sure, and that is a-ok with me! You should see my workspace! heh heh I have no room to talk about a clean work area!

The laminate counter is 8 feet long

A super-sized monitor looks dwarfed on this new counter.

Even the large drawing pad looks tiny!

There is still more work to be done. Paint the walls, find shelving for both sides of the window, and hide all those wires underneath! After that it will be time to finish the closet and the bathroom.
In the meantime, much work is being done in the shed and garage! We already finished getting the yard and gardens in shape. Is this what you call spring cleaning or what?
This is why I haven't had the chance to do much art therapy...although I still draw and I am creating Reiki jewelry. I will try to find time to take some pics to share with you soon...and I hope to get some of my new sketches finished in photoshop to share too!

Jo Dee Messina - Live!

What a Great concert! It had that old-time, down-home feeling that makes you feel all warm, cozy, and welcome. AND what a show she put on! My emotions ran rampant from tears to extreme laughter. If you ever get a chance to see her perform, I would highly recommend it!

The stage was set up to resemble where they all practice back home. The audience was invited to interact as well as she took questions, comments, and requests. It was a two hour concert that flew by too quickly! It's no surprise to me that two concerts back to back were sold out!

Happy Easter!

Easter is my favorite holiday of all. I'm finally back in the creative mode and that makes me happy! What I have finished is two Easter drawings I did several years ago. With the magic of photoshop I was able to bring both to life adding color, special effects, and embellishments. So...here is the white rabbit, the brown rabbit, and a bunch of chicks! LOL

"Spring into Easter"
-AND-

"Somebunny Loves You"
Same bunny - different finishes

"The Kite has Risen"

This creation began eight years ago from some fabric I thought was very adorable. Before I passed the fabric on I decided to free-hand a little section of it for a postcard and here it is finally finished. Now I'll have to print it for a memory book someday. Hopefully that won't take another eight years to do! Hope you all have a fun weekend and enjoy Easter Sunday!

For those who are participating in Pink Saturday this week...Happy Pink Saturday!

Another new addiction!

Oh how I love the zen of it all! My attempt at designing my own line of Reiki jewelry is in the making! I absolutely love what is happening with my internal creative muse. What great therapy this has been for me to reduce my stress level! I'm so addicted to this new passion!

I know this isn't a good photo for showing you some of my designs but at least you can see I've been busy! I have strung three bracelets, two necklaces, and one ring/toe ring. I'm really sorry you can't see how cute the ring is...but it's basically three tiny Tibetan silver dragonfly beads on a stretchy cord. That's all it is but it is oh so cute. The wings fit together perfectly with the center one turned upside down. All I need now are some clasps to complete them...well, all but the ring.

And of course, with the clasps...I had to order crimp beads and a crimping tool! I was going to just tie the cord and call it good but it just doesn't have the finished look that way.

I put up three different photos in hopes that you could get a better idea of what this first necklace really looks like. Beaded with jasper and two tones of jade along with Tibetan silver bone beads, I added a beautiful Tibetan shank with beads hanging down to the hand of Fatima pendant. In the middle image - center, upper, left hand corner you can get a little glimpse of a matching bracelet.

Here is my favorite so far. Beautiful design with MOP shell flat round beads are accented by the mixture of round jade beads and Tibetan silver bone beads. I used the same Tibetan shank to suspend the beads and amethyst wand/pendulum. Both necklaces will be Reiki energy infused and used in my Reiki practice. I've also been guided to use them as prayer beads. I really wish I had better pictures to share with you but I think you get the idea.

So, there you have it...my newest addiction! ; ) Hope you all are having the best weekend ever!

Welcome to another Pink Saturday!

I was thinking of my friend, Pat, while I was creating this digital image (from an email forward) for Pink Saturday this week. She could fully understand this language used at http://icanhascheezburger.com/ as well as write it on some of the images provided at that site So...this one's for her!

"I iz flower"

Thank you Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for yet another great Pink Saturday! You can check out more pink by clicking on the Pink Saturday thumbnail to the lower right (Yes, from here...look to your right...then scroll down just a bit...there it is!) and then once you get there - just click on Pink Saturday Posts to see all the other pink entries. Enjoy your Saturday!

What a fantastic birthday!

I was whisked away for a night on the town and it was terrific! Everything was FANTABULOUS!

The place is beautiful! The people are the friendliest! The service is impeccable!

And the food was scrumptious! Especially the pastries and pie! Although the prime rib was the best I've ever had as well! What a fun place to celebrate my birthday!

What classic elegance this great room/foyer is!

I so wish I owned a bed like this! A touch of Heaven's comfort!

What a beautiful spa with pool and hot tub! Didn't get a chance to jump in but it is inviting!

AND here is the stage I will see next trip...and I really can't wait until then!

I can't believe I will see a performance from no other than....

JoDee Messina! Is she gorgeous or what? I absolutely love her music! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait! Oh but I must! Still...I am so looking forward to it!

In the meantime...I'm going to continue to savor the memories of this spectacular birthday!

Winners of the Name the Critters Challenge!

It's April 4th and time to announce the winners for the "Name the Critters" challenge! I have to say you all had awesome names! You managed to make it too difficult for me to decide which names to use so I am declaring you all winners! I thank you all for your participation in this very fun challenge. In the process of this challenge something magical happened. New children's stories began to emerge from my muse within and I have had so much fun with this new direction. So...thank you again!

Here are the submitted names in no particular order:

Zizzer, Zazzer, and Zuzz - Paddles, Scrambles and Shirr - Larry, Moe, and Curley - Moley, Cow, and Toledo - Pete, Pharo, and Phara - Koko, Pelli, and Sierra - Cream Puff, Little Debbie, and Big Mac - Mine - Inkie, Beekie, and Cuddles.

AND the names I created:

Paddles (from Greg's suggestion) Padittles - Zwizzle, Zwazzle, and Zawooz (from Tammy's suggestion) - Dragonia Draconia and Drog - Dwiddely Do and Diddely Don't -Rip (Rip Roar), Rap (Rap a tap tap), and Raz (Razamataz)

So there you have it... and now for the surprises...final hint...Think Jewelry! lol

The winners of this challenge will be receiving one or more of the following. Lapel pins: chevron pin with white Austrian crystal accents, gold-tone key pin, crown pin with red and white Austrian crystals, bar pin with red and white center stones. -Or- You could be receiving a pair of silver turquoise studs surrounded by a silver rope trim. -Or- You could be receiving a variety of Christmas fish hook earrings -Or- You might receive my little sculpted clam with a real pearl in it's mouth along with an Asian pendant enhanced with a very tiny real pearl and a real pearl tie tac. There might even be a few silver jewelry findings or beads included with your surprise gift. I have recently purchased some really nice Tibetan pieces for making jewelry. I would love to share these with others.

How do you receive your gift? It's simple! Just email me at joanshomestudio@yahoo.com with your name and physical mailing address and I will get it mailed as soon as possible.

Pink Saturday and the link for Dover Publications

Good morning, good day, and good evening everyone! I'm celebrating Pink Saturday this week with a vintage image from Dover Publications which I enhanced with spring azaleas. I've also created another Asian image with several images from Dover Publications. Please stop over to Beverly's Pink Saturday celebration. All you have to do is click on the PS pic to the right.

And with a big smile... I bid you yet another Happy Pink Saturday! :)

"A Vintage Pink Saturday"

"A Pink Flamingo Saturday"

~AND~

before you go... One last thought with some samples for you!

Easter is on it's way so I thought I would share a few samples from Dover Publications with you. If you would like free samples from Dover, here's the link: http://www.doverpublications.com/ You will be amazed at the variety the company offers and you might just find a few cd books to order while you're there. The sales are great there as well as all those fantastic samples!