Friday, February 27, 2015

Salute To Poetry

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
This is the last Friday and also the next to the last day of February.  What a month it has been.  The Valentine's Day Cards, the Presidents' Day, Mardi Gras, snow and more snow and of course Black History celebration for 2015.
How many of you enjoy listening to poetry or reading poetry?  In school or when you were in school, do you remember William Shakespeare?   Do you listen to music?  Do you read the Psalms?  Okay, have you heard of Latorial Faison (www.latorial.blogspot.com)?   She is an African American poet & author of best-selling Amazon Kindle titles I AM WOMAN, flesh, Love Poems & The Marriage Bed. Faison has taken her three-book collection, 28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History into schools in various states. This University of Virginia and VA TECH graduate's writing has appeared in many Journals and Magazines. Today, I salute this poet and one of her poems:

What is Black History?
by Latorial Faison

It is the dirt road our forefathers trod,
Memories of their lives branded in our hearts.
It is a word, a place, a state of mind.
Black history is a peek into our ancestors’ time.

It is a piece of fabric our grandmothers wore,
An old rope that our grandfathers lived to deplore.
It is a slave ship and middle passage over seas.
Black history is cotton fields and tobacco leaves.

It is a plantation overseer and back door crumbs,
Weeping and wailing, a beating of drums.
It is a troubling truth, an unapologetic past.
Black history is an entire race struggling to last.

It is a Mississippi burning in a Tennessee town,
An evil that lingered to bring Black people down.
It is a book or movie of strength, courage, and will.
Black history is the fate of young Emmett Till.

It is little Ruby Bridges, the exquisite Ruby Dee,
Carter G. Woodson, and Coretta Scott King.
A Mahalia Jackson song, a Michael Jackson routine,
Black history is the phrase “Let freedom ring!”

It is Cheney University, the Tuskegee Airmen,
The N. A. A. C. P., the Black Holocaust Museum.
It is a navy master diver named Carl Brashear.
Black history is our legacy of triumph without fear.

It is General Colin Powell, a Vaudeville drama,
Zora Neale Hurston, and President Barack Obama.
It is every single experience of our history.
Black history is the story of you and me.
My creative art to go along with this poem:
Find a type of poetry to read or to listen to today.  Thank you for viewing with me today. Enjoy your weekend.
Sending you a hug and LOVE
Lois


Thursday, February 26, 2015

"O Scraps"

Hi Friends, Followers and Viewers,
Snow, on top of snow, on top of snow. It has been snowing all morning and it is still falling.  A winter wonderland around my area. My granddaughter called and challenged me to build a snowman.  She said, "Grandma, if you can't build a big one can you do a small one and send me a picture".
You need to know this little girl is six years old.  I have the number six in my age but I don't think it is going to get me outside to build a snowman, woman or child just to send her a picture. I love her and snow but not enough for this challenge.  I'm going to try  to get her grandfather to build one since he went outside to shovel the snow (while it is still snowing).
I'm playing around with scraps from yesterday and some daisy-like flowers I put on the desk last night.  Nothing fancy, just an "o scraps" kind of day:
 

Thanks for taking a little time to view today.  Go and enjoy the snow if you have some or the bright sunshine if you happen to be experiencing that today.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Mojo With Rodeo

Hey All,
After dancing with my cards on Tuesday you would think I needed a break. No, no, no! I've got my mojo working along with the girls over at MojoMonday blogspot.  This week they are doing the tall and skinny. It sounds like a dance step but it belongs to the sketch posted for this week.  I like playing along because some of the sketches gives me some extra creative juice.  Here is the sketch and my take on it  MOJO 386:
 

This card was done mainly with scraps of paper that I can't remember what company they came from.  The card base is a piece of black cardstock. The embellishments are also scrap pieces left over from another project. It was fun to make and looked exactly as described, tall and skinny when placed near some other cards.
Here is another take on the sketch for MOJO 386:
MOJO 386: all the patterned paper came from DCWV Safari Chic stack.

I have not finish celebrating Black History 2015. The person that I want to share with you today is Bill Pickett (December 5, 1870-April 2, 1932), cowboy and actor.   William "Texas Bill" Pickett was known as the "The Bull-Dogger" and "The Dusky Demon."  Both of these monikers were given for his legendary prowess as a rodeo cowboy.  Born near the Travis County Line, about thirty miles north of Austin, Bill was a Texan through and through.  He was both African and Native American descent. As one of thirteen children by Thomas Jefferson and Mary Virginia Pickett, Bill became enamored with the life of a cowboy.  In 1888, he entered his first rodeo contest and soon became a very popular rodeo performer.  Although he gained notoriety as a rodeo cowboy, Pickett had to endure the racism of his time.  Despite the opposition against him, Pickett became the first Black cowboy movie star.   In honor of Bill Pickett, here is a card for his contribution:

In honor of William "Bill" Pickett all the paper comes from DCWV Brooklyn Stack along with stickers from Jolee's boutique and Paper House.  The feathers are from Touch of Nature. The paper was embossed with  Darice embossing folder and sanded to hightail the crackle effects. Thank you so much for your viewing today.  In our area the weather forecast is for 2-6 inches of snow tonight.  Stay warm and cozy everybody.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois



Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Dancing With My Cards

Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening Viewers, Friends and Followers,
Are you ready to Rumba, Samba, Salsa, Mambo or Paso Doble?  The new season for Dancing With the Stars was announced on Good Morning America this morning.  The season 20 star-studded celebrity cast was revealed  and the competition is shaping up to be one of the fiercest yet.

Television icon Suzanne Somers, music great Patti LaBelle, football star Michael Sam and Olympian Nastia Liukin are among the stars getting ready to rumba and samba on the dance floor. Other stars who will be participating are: Noah Galloway, Robert Herjavec, Charlotte McKinney, Riker Lynch, Redfoo, Willow Shields, and Rumer Willis.  It is too early for me to pick a contender.  I'll be able to tell more after the 1st night of dancing.  Just with this announcement, I decided to dance with my cards today.  I used my computer to listen to some music and danced away with my crafting tools.  I actually made two cards today but the post will include three because one is something I was trying out for another project.
My share to you:
 
This card will be submitted to Splitcoast Stampers and will also be used as prompt # 59  flowers and butterflies for Embrace Your Art 365.

The other prompts for Embrace Your Art 365 are:
prompt # 54 use a tool that wouldn't normally be associated with crafting
I used a  plastic fork and knife from Wendy's to spread Gesso  around to shape a  tree and grass.
prompt #55 happiness
prompt # 56 magic
prompt # 57 dragonflies
prompt # 58 bouquet
Thanks for enjoying the view with me today.  Kick up your heels and do a little salsa the dance but better yet the food.  Both will be good for  you.
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Monday, February 23, 2015

Star-burst On A Cloudy Day


Welcome Friends, Followers and Viewers,
Does the weather effect the creative process?  I think so.  Last week I did, I was doing and I wanted to do in the cold temperatures.  Looking over some of the cards I made, I think in the future I'm going to do a re-do because they were not what I would call a success.  The snow and cold weather in my area have sent me towards bright energetic colors.  I'm not only wanting to brighten my day but I'm also wanting to create an uplifting card for an ill friend or someone on the road to recovery.  What better than a card with lots of colors and the feeling of sunrise :)  I made a pattern just to see how the card would look:
I cut 6 strips from different pieces of scrap patterned paper that measured 4.5 by 1.5.  Next, those pieces were cut diagonally with the point of each end on the cutting edge.  Using a 4 by 5.25 piece of cardstock, I began adhering each strip to the card stock starting in the middle and working outward alternating between the left and right until I reached the end of the cardstock on both sides (your strips will over-hang on the top and sides while you are adhering them down.  Don't worry because when you finish this step you will cut off all excess. Another half inch strip was cut to layer over the raw edges.  I put a flower in the middle where all the points met.  You could use whatever you like.
Here are two more cards using the same method with only two different pieces of patterned paper:


Let the sunshine into your life today even if it is cloudy outside.  Everyone needs a sunburst every now and then.
Thanks for viewing today.  As always, your comments are welcomed!
Sending you a hug and some LOVE,
Lois

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Release, Purge, Reorganize

Good Morning/Evening Viewers, Followers and Friends,
In any conversation, most people will start off  by asking "how are you doing" and it all depends on what else is going on.  In our area the "what else" is this cold, cold weather.  Snow is still on the ground.  The wind is gusting making the temperature fill colder than it is.  I'm having an appointment early in the morning and I have to do what I have to do...dress in layers.
This morning after all other stuff around the house was completed, I decided to start purging and releasing some things in my scrap room again.  This space gets more reorganizing than any other room in the house because I cannot work in clutter.  There is more scrapbook paper that I probably will never finish using.  Most of that is going in a box for the second donation to my granddaughter's school. Discarding useless or unneeded possessions as well as organizing the things you wish to keep will make your space tidy and your emotional body more stable. Is clutter invading your space or adversely affecting your well-being? It's time for spring cleaning on a cold day when you don't want to go outside.
Since I'm trying to make my room clean and simple, I decided to show some cards that I think fall into the category of clean and simple.  They all use scraps of paper and other things I had in a bag.


Thanks everyone for taking the time to view today.  Please stay warm and happy. 
Sending you a hug and LOVE,
Lois

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Anything Goes

Hello to My Viewers, My Friends and My Followers,
It is Wednesday and more important it is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent – which is the period of self-restraint and abstention  prior to Easter. What does the day signify? It marks the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control.  It is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not... about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now... a summons to live anew... the time to let life in again, to rebuild the worlds we've allowed to go sterile, to "fast and weep and mourn" for the goods we've foregone. Much like a good spring cleaning, the season of Lent gives us the opportunity to put our spiritual house in order. Like a closet, drawer or garage that becomes cluttered over time with junk we really don’t need, so do our daily lives become cluttered with things that keep us from God.
Here is a card for today. The sentiment says,  Lent is a journey that moves us toward the cross. The paper was taken from DCWV Brooklyn Stack.
My next project is prompt # 51 for Embrace Your Art 365. It will also be used on WordArtWednesday  blog. I had purchased a bag of feathers and  a new die that I wanted to try. As of yesterday and today the DCWV Brooklyn Stack was also new and I have been using the paper for all my latest project.  They were all  appropriate for this:
WordArtWednesday #171
Thanks for taking the time to view with me today.  Come back again.
Sending you a hug and lots of love,
Lois



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Embrace Your Mojo

Hi Everyone,
I'm still here with the cold and snow.  I love every flake that fell and the weather men are saying we will get some more tomorrow (Wednesday) and on the weekend.  Snow is just beautiful.  One can sit back, look at it fall and meditate.  It wasn't falling this morning but just looking out the window at God's amazing beauty led me to meditate on His goodness.  While doing so, no negativity or distress was present.  Try it (meditation) some time.  End your stress, anxiety and worry while listening to what your body, mind and soul is telling you.  You may find yourself feeling much  better!
I have participated in the MojoMonday Sketch challenge for a number of weeks.  I like the sketches because they sometimes do give me ideas to use for cards.  Since I've finished Valentine's Day cards, I believe I will start on some male birthday cards for later on in the year.  This sketch gave me the mojo to do so (smile).
Mojo Monday's Sketch with my take:
 


I've used white cardstock for the base and pattern paper from DCWV Brooklyn Stack for the mats.  On the first card I used a piece of black cardstock behind the white to match some of the elements in the pattern paper.  The first card has die cut branches in black with a small ribbon flower.  The second card has two black arrows as the focal point for the sentiment.
Over at Embrace Your Art 365, I have four of the prompts for this week to share with you today:
# 47 Favorite Color 
# 48 Pink
# 49 Vibrancy

#50 Zen

Thanks for viewing.  Enjoy the remainder of your day. 
Sending you hugs and love,
Lois

Monday, February 16, 2015

Card-In-A-Box/Mardi Gras/ SOC Blog Challenge #3

Happy Monday to my Friends, Viewers, and Followers,
I hope you survived the cold, cold, weekend.  Sunday was very cold with the wind gust.  It felt like a temperature below zero but the thermometer was reading 14 degrees.  I had to go out and you better believe I was fully protected in a lot of layers.  At this moment, it is Monday and where I am it is snowing very pretty outside my  window.  The weather reports says it will continue until Tuesday morning.
Tomorrow is Mardi Gras.  I've always wanted to be in New Orleans during this festival but have not made it there as of yet. This year as I am thinking about Mardi Gras, and New Orleans, and even though I can't go - still I think it would be fun to learn more about Mardi Gras and have some fun at my house too! Mardi Gras is a holiday, just like Christmas and Easter. It belongs to everyone. In Mardi Gras, purple represents justice. Green represents faith. Gold represents power. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", reflecting the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.  Mardi Gras 2015 falls on Tuesday, February 17.
In my celebration, I put together a Card-in-the box or some might call it a Pop-up-box card to be used on Scraps Of Color for the Blog Challenge #3:
Supplies:
12"x 12” Cardstock; Coordinating patterned paper; Adhesive; Die cuts; Stickers;
Acetate, cut into narrow strips (optional); Scoring tool; Paper trimmer
Step 1 
Cut cardstock to 8.5” x 12”. Score on the long side at 2.75”, 5.5”, 8.25”, and 11”.
Step 2 
Cut off a 2”x 12” strip , and set it aside. This will be used later.
Step 3 
Turn the 6.5” x 12” panel a quarter turn to the left, and score at 2.75.” 
 
 

Step 4 
Cut down 2.75” to this score line along each of the 4 perpendicular score lines.  At the 11” score line, cut in at a slight angle up from the edge of the cardstock to remove the excess above the score line and create a tab.
Step 5 
Cut the 2”x 12” strip at 4.75” from the end with the 1" score line. Cut the strip in half the long way to create two strips, 1”x 4.75”.
 

 


Step 6 
Cut patterned paper to decorate each panel.

Step 7
Fold the decorated card on the 5.5” score line, and attach the tab inside with adhesive.
Step 8
Apply adhesive to the end tabs of the 1”x 4.75” strips, and adhere them to the inside of the opened box, aligning them with the top of the opening. Turning both tabs toward the outside front or back of the box will help ensure straight placement
Step 9 
Adhere die cuts, stamped images, and/or other embellishments to the strips and inside front and back of the card. Stick them down lightly at first, as they may need to be re-positioned. Inside elements should be placed so that they are not seen when the card is closed.











If you don't like the Pop-up Card or the Card-In-the Box, then here is a traditional card for you:
Thanks for viewing.
Enjoy your day.

Love,
Lois
















Friday, February 13, 2015

Love Is ...

Hello Friends, Followers and Viewers,
It is Friday and many of you are ready for the weekend.  Tomorrow, according to the calendar is Valentine's Day.  What a great time of the year it is---love, admiration, desire and appreciation all the great qualities that make this Valentine's Day special.  I started thinking this morning about a song that was out there in my younger days, "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart".  The reason behind this thought is that the breakdown of relationships – seen across the ages and across the world – can cause unbearable devastation. Couples divorce, family members become estranged, siblings fight, and longtime friendships dissolve bitterly.  In order to nurture healthy relationships in the future, how does one obtain healing for a heart that has been broken by hurts from the past? I don't have an answer to this question.  It was just a thought when I considered  all the positive advice for the celebration this weekend and no one has mention anything about those people who may feel a little depressed or miserable due to not having a loving relationship with someone else. Do you have an answer?  If so, send me a comment.  I know some people who need an answer and I can pass some advice on to them.
 Okay, how are you doing with your Black History 2015 readings? To help you out, here is another poster from www.thelegacyposter.com featuring Kenny Robinson, Bromley Armstrong, Yvonne Atwell, Lynn Jones, and Devon Clunis: Happy reading and research.
To finish my Embrace Your Art 365 prompts, here is the last one for this week, # 46 turquoise, pink, gold:
Here is my just for fun: a little box filled with goodies for Valentine's Day.
Thanks for viewing.  Take care of yourself and enjoy your weekend.

Sending you a hug,
Lois



Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Day 3, Black History

Hello Everyone,
What a blessing to have made it to Wednesday, the middle of the week.  I've been busy, busy, busy with other things than playing with paper.  I thought I would not get a chance to post something today.  However, I hope you used the web site I gave you yesterday and you started reading or just took a peek at www.thelegacyposter.com.  Continuing with celebrating Black History, 2015, this is what I want to share with you today.  Yesterday we looked at some women, so today let's look at some men.  Some or all of them are familiar to some people.  We have Nelson Mandela, Bob Marley, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr.:
I decided to do cards this week with my prompts from Embrace Your Art 365 (www.tiaresmith.com).
I gave you prompts #'s 40 and 41 yesterday.  Today, I'm sharing # 42, #43, #44 and #45.  I know tomorrow is going to be another busy day, so I'm trying to get most of the prompts done before Friday.  I will only have one more to do after today:



Continue to research facts on Black History.  Continue to enjoy the remainder of your day or evening.
Continue to visit with me and leave a comment.  Thanks for you time!

Sending you a hug and lots of LOVE,
Lois