Still Life with window-digital collage

Still Life with window-digital collage

Originally uploaded by Queen Be-Lynne Larkin

I am still playing with digital collage and here is my very latest collage. I used elements from the very Talented Lori Davison's "Before the First Snow" My Flickr Photostream is filling up with all sizes of these digital collages. I have so much fun putting all the elements together.

It has been a challenge to teach myself, via books and YouTube tutorials but I am having a great time.

Digital ATC with Photoshop Elements

At Christmas 2009, I got a great gift-Photoshop Elements 8. I have been so intimidated by it, that it took me over 18 months to try to use it. My Teenage son offered to help me as like all teens he has an innate knowledge of all things computer. Saturday night he gave me a lesson on layers and I got some elements fromDeviantScrap.com and set to work. After a little bit I tested some skills in making my own elements from pictures in my files and came up with a couple of my own!!Here is the result of those lessons

I made these 4 Digital Collage Yesterday and even though it took me hours due to my inexperience, and I had to keep the huge manual I bought next to me the entire time, I had a great time shifting things around and resizing them, etc. I am so excited to be able to do this, even in the most basic way!!

My weeks have been flying by and I have been busy with lots of cut and past ATC's. Trading with some very talented artists. I am always happy to see Laura, our postal carrier, but especially when she has a bunch of envies with ATC's in them. I love to trade so, any ATC'ers who read this, check out my flickr page and see if there is anything you might want to swap for.

LOOK here on Flickr to see my current cards and other art.

Lastly, please leave comments as I can see lots of hits on my counter, but never know who has been here. Just say hi.

Well, Go Make ART--digital or otherwise.

Lynne

Late night ramblings

I have recently gotten my days and nights mixed up. Sleeping off and on during the day and up late at night reading or "arting" or surfing the internet (hooked on Ancestry.com, at the moment) or playing Farmville on Facebook. Today was no different. I finished reading"Wolfe Hall", my second book this year about Henry VIII-actually this was about Thomas Cromwell, who was his Advisor.

Completely different view on that era from the last book I read-The Autobiography of HenryVIII.

I noticed yesterday that the Tulips are pushing up in the flowerbed by our driveway, so I imagine if I look the crocus and hyacinth are probably in there too. Are you getting claustrophobic like I am, I am looking forward to opening windows and taking walks. Warm breezes and SUN.

I am posting a few cards I made recently. I hope you like them

Think I'll go off to bed now--so you --GO MAKE ART

Lynne

March Madness

I can hardly believe it is March already. I am so looking forward to warmer weather, but looking outside today,was not encouraging. It was and still is snowing! My saving grace is that I know spring is only a few weeks away.

Today, Saturday, I spent nearly the entire day in my little studio making ATC's. I decided to use only the scraps in my desk scrap box and I finished 7 cards in about 12 hours. Not bad for a dreary day. I am only going to post a few of the cards the rest you can see at my Flickr site

Yesterday I got my Spring issue of ATC Quarterly--The Only Magazine devoted exclusively to ATC's- and I was saddened to read that Rona will be ending publication after this year. If you do not subscribe or have never heard of this great little quarterly you should look it up at ATC Quarterly.com. While the magazine is small, it is so well edited and the articles are great. Lots of pictures and features on wonderful artists. Rona always has a call in for ATC's so Please check it out, before it disappears.

It is quite late so I think I will end my day with a bit of reading-Goal this year is to finish all the books I have started in the past and put aside for one reason or other. So far, I have finished three such books. only 2 more to go.)
Wish me luck
Lynne

I have a rotten cold!!

Yes, I have a rotten, crummy cold. Head cold, chest, cough. Have been taking OTC meds, and it is getting better. It is my first cold all winter so I guess I cannot complain, but I hate it. Did a little work on ATC's this week, also made a Steampunk/found object bracelet.

No, there are no bits of Kleenex stuck to those charms.

The Charms--I made about half the charms above, with "Stuff" I have collected over the years.
The vintage Bingo game counter, altered Scrabble tile, the broken Brownie Scout pin, the vintage Streetcar token, silver monopoly shoe, some parts of a broken necklace, etc. The rest I bought at the local Michaels Store, a brand call Industrial Chic( each card had at least 3 charms that I either used as is or altered in someway).
I am now excited to go Antiquing to see what I can find to use. Also I bid on a couple of Ebay auctions for vintage gumball charms...so can't wait to start the next one.

ATC's--Yes, I even managed to work on some ATC's.

Grrrr--I can't get these cards side by side.

Oh well. Both contain images from TumbleFish Studios collage sheets. I also worked on some cards from an Alphabet series I am doing using copies of vintage images that I am watercoloring, etc.

READING-I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Ususally late at night before bed. Right now I am on my 4th or 5th attempt at reading "The Autobiography of Henry VII with notes from His Fool, Will Sommers" by Margaret George. I have vowed to finish it and I think I will this time. It is huge and the type face is small, but the book has been on my bedside table for at least 2 years and I am tired of dusting it -:-).

Prior to Henry, I read a couple of Bill Brysons travel books and they were so funny and insightful, though I did get irritated with his USA book, as he disparaged Americans and small town America so much, it was no longer funny.

Well, Go Make ART!!!!!

Baby, I'm Back

Gosh, what a long dark and dry spell. I have had my ups and downs, and while reading blogs online this past year or so, I realize that many of my fellow artists suffer the same blue meanies that I sometimes get. Not a fun or creative place to be. Thank heaven for Celexa !

I spent 2010 reading up a storm, While I didn't keep count, I think I averaged a book a week, sometimes 2. I LOVE BOOKS, no Kindle for me!!
I also spent many hours with my Blythe dolls, on forums, sewing and trading, etc. And I love each and every little one, by the end of the year I felt an increasing urge to tidy my art table and look through my "stuff". A good sign that I was on the road back to ART.
On to a more Creative year-2011
I have spent the last two months making and trading ATC and I have in heaven. I also tried my hand at making some charms for necklaces and bracelets. It has been so much fun!!
Below are some of the cards I have made and Traded on ATC's for ALL (my main outlet for trading)

I also made a couple of 4x6 Postcard size collage using Tumble Fish Studio's collage sheet

I have a number of Cards in the works so check back again to see what I am up to.
and remember

MAKE ART!
XOX-Lynne

BRAGGIN'

I was featured in the Spring 2010 Issue of ATC Quarterly. My Card was the cover as well. I am so honored to be selected and Thank Ronna M, Editor for the great story.