Theme 29: Over the Moon

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sorry for the delay folks! This theme was suggested by Agathe, creator of Meherio68.etsy.com. Enjoy!



We've heard about the cow that went over it. We've heard about the over the moon feeling. But what I want to know is what does it mean to YOU?





“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” ~ Buddha


"A Full Moon rising can be a dramatic celestial sight,and Full Moons can have many names. For example,October's Full Moon is popularly called the "Hunter's Moon". ~ David Haworth NightSkyInfo.com

“Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.” ~ Les Brown


Let your imagination journey over the moon!

Tremendously Talented Artists Create the Most Perfect Bright, Blue Day!

Who knew the blues could be so beautiful? These talented, incredible, professional, magical artists. That's who!

We have two special new surprises in this Treat....I hope you enjoy. The second one at the end of the Treat is a BIG gift from me to you :)


I invite you to enjoy this sensation feast for the eyes....

Isa, a wonderful artist, created this gorgeous piece titled, Blue Lagoon.

“I made this pendant with a cabochon ceramics manufactured in the south of France in Vallauris. I have surrounded the cabochon with seed beads 11/0 using the raw 3D technique.”

http://pencio.chezblog.com/

Agathe, creator of Meherio68, created this truly stunning piece.

"Funnily enough, the minute I saw "blue", I had the song "Blue Moon" in my head. It's there again every time I look at the ring which I made with a lot of love and cheer this Sunday, stamping, hammering, soldering (YES!), antiquing, finishing the sterling silver, and finally trying it on, with a bright smile to boot. It didn't even strike me until yesterday night that there could be something subliminal / opportunistic about my inspiration— I just love that song!"

Etsy shop: http://meherio68.etsy.com/
DaWanda shop: http://lebarduvent.dawanda.com/
blog : http://lebarduvent.blogspot.com/














Jodi, creator of Jodi Horgan Beaded Art to Wear, created these two magnificent pieces.

http://www.jodihorgan.etsy.com/
http://jodihorgan.blogspot.com/


















Alpha Buttonpusher created these two sensational pieces, Blue Meltdown and Intertwined.

Some people change their ways when they see the light; others when they feel the heat.

~Caroline Schoeder~


http://pushbuttonalpha.blogspot.com/

Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this phenomenal 9x12 mixed media piece titled, Untitled.

"One of my favorite color combinations is blue and yellow--not a coincidence that you find the two in a bright, sunny day. I'm not quite finished with this one, but I'm pleased with its cheerfulness so far!"

http://persistentgreen.blogspot.com/
http://persistentgreen.etsy.com/

Lorrie, creator of Lennymud, created this awesome BIG BLUE BOWL.

"When I looked at the sky for inspiration: I saw big, fluffy pieces of Popcorn. Obviously, I was hungry."

http://www.lennymud.etsy.com/

Kelsey, creator of Caffeinated Frenzy, created a beautiful Sunny Skies Scarf (cashmere) and a lovely Aries scarf (kid mohair/silk).

“Lately I've been working on lace scarves. Instead of making something with a super deep meaning, I just wanted to make something pretty to wear, to brighten someone's day.”

http://caffeinatedfrenzy.etsy.com/


Sunny Skies Scarf (cashmere)

Aries (kid mohair/silk)

Felicia Kramer, creator of AnotherBrightIdea, created these three fabulous pieces titled, “Words Laugh”, “Words Relax” and “Words Smile”.

"Following through on last week’s submissions, here’s a few more examples for a line of note cards I’m planning. I have a couple more in addition to these (they’re not “blue” so I believe they’ll make it into my shop. I welcome feedback - thanks."

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com/
http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/


"Words Laugh"

"Words Relax"

"Words Smile"

Trina, creator of Woven Chains Jewelry, created this fantastic piece titled, "A Mermaid's Tale".

"It's the sparkle of the sun on a Carribean Sea -- so beautiful you just know there must be treasure hidden underneath."

http://wovenchains.etsy.com/

Maureen, a talented artist, created this awe-inspiring piece.

"This week Maureen just played with blue--three different shades, then her favorite straw to spitblow with, and her NEW favorite: the rigger for squiggly lines."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com/

Natasha, creator of Doodlestar, shared a small piece from her art journal.

"It's just something that came to life as I started to think about blue."

http://doodlestar.etsy.com

This week, I looked around for new blue items from folks who might like to play here on the TST. These folks do not know they are in the TST yet...I am going to write to surprise them. More artists to celebrate and invite to play - YAY!

http://Stoopher.etsy.com

Hanging Around
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27970849

http://HanaSakuraDesigns.etsy.com

Just Dance Dichroic Earrings
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=28308084

http://Azamibags.etsy.com

Zoe Clutch / Wristlet in light blue
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24414655

http://MyCabincreations.etsy.com


Delicate Sterling Silver Lampwork Hoop Earrings in Aqua and Cobalt Blue
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28193601

Now, for the final Thursday Sweet Treat surprise!! After viewing this sensational TST are you feeling creative? Are you ready to just dive in and start creating for next week??

Well, next week's theme is.........."OVER THE MOON".
This theme was suggested by Agathe, creator of Meherio68.
Tune in tomorrow for fabulous photos, quotes and inspiration to feed your over the moon creation!

Celebrate This Artist, AnnieHowes!

I believe one of the best ways to combat the blues is to celebrate someone else...so let's celebrate :)

Aside from the art or wrting I create, I like to learn how to make new things. That's why Anniehowes Keepsakes is such an inspiration to me.

Annie is the creator of glass and Scrabble pendant kits. These kits teach you how to make your own fabulous pendants! From creating kits to branding her own craft glaze, Annie's work has been a success time and again.

As she says in her shop intro: "My in-depth experience in developing and creating these products ensures you receive a knowledgeable full color tutorial filled with photos, proven tips and suggestions. Beautifully rendered and professionally designed, the easy to follow instructions make my kits stand out in a crowd. You won't be disappointed! If it's not an Annie Howes kit, it's not the original kit!"

Please visit AnnieHowes, drop her a line to let you know you dig her work then grab a kit and play!

A Start

I’d like to begin by saying thank you for all the well wishes, the prayers and the love all of you sent along. You have no idea how much it means to me and to my family. I'm sorry I could not be here last Thursday.

I have been sitting here for the last fifteen minutes staring at the blank page not knowing where to begin. A small, quiet smile just spread across my face as I realized that I have been looking for the right “opening line.” I am in awe of the way my mind works, how hard it focuses on the little things when I hurt so that the hurt does not seem quite so big.

There is no right way to share this so I will take a deep breath and dive in. I was pregnant. It was new and we were over the moon. My daughter was going to have a little playmate. We had only told family and a few friends as we planned on making a big announcement when I’d reached three months and was safely out of the danger zone. That wasn’t meant to be. On Wednesday – quite suddenly – I lost the baby.

Perhaps you are wondering why I am choosing to share such a deeply personal experience in such a public arena. Well, the reason is simple. Keeping this a secret only adds a weight to it that it does not need; there is enough weight on my heart as it is right now. That is not to say that I want to have a big discussion about it here. I’ve only just come through the physical part of it; I am nowhere near ready to tackle and discuss the emotional. I’m merely sharing because keeping it a secret makes me feel as though I’ve done something wrong and I know, at least in a logical sense, that there was nothing I could have done to stop what was about to happen.

For days, I could do nothing but watch movies; I craved distraction. I could barely read and the mere idea of writing or drawing was a joke. It is only in the last 24 hours that I put pen to paper, that I began to draw and write short sentences. Coming to this page was a huge feat.

My emotions are terribly raw and I exist somewhere between feeling I am the richest woman in the world for all the love and support I have around me, for the blessing that is my family and feeling truly angry at a situation that seems pointless. Yes, I have been searching for answers – that’s the controlling side of me, the side that fights the idea of letting go and instead longs to find meaning, create meaning when I am creating a piece of art or writing. I am aware that there may be no answers.

In choosing to share this with you, I am not looking for a response. I know things like this can make people uncomfortable; you do not need to say anything. I am not trying to make you feel anything. I am simply sharing because in this space we have all been sharing our lives and our journeys. That’s what life is about.

This is my life. These are the imperfections. These are the obstacles and milestones along my journey. There are moments of joyous celebration just as there are moments of incredible pain. People often say, “It’ll take a bit to get back to normal but you will.” No, I won’t. I won’t get back to that place I was in on Tuesday because on Wednesday something happened. Something changed me. That’s what life does, that’s what experiences do, that’s what creation of all kinds does; it changes you. And even when it aches right in the center of your chest, even when you feel like you have a million questions and no answers, even when you thank God for the people and the love that you do have, even when you promise not to take things for granted, even when you shake your fists to heaven filled with rage, even when you want to run and hide, even when you pray for the pain to go away, you change. You grow; it’s inevitable. That’s what we are all doing here. Good, bad, ugly, glorious we are living life, creating things that reflect what’s inside and letting that process change us. I’m doing that here.

I’m hurt, angry, sad, confused, happy, quiet, scared, lonely, overwhelmed, loved, and a million more things at the same time. Right now, I can’t promise to be anything for anyone but I’m here. I’m present. I brought myself to this page. I was honest. It’s a start.

Dear Thursday Sweet Treat folks,

This is Natasha's husband, Brian. Natasha asked me to write this to let you know that due to an unexpected family emergency the Thursday Sweet Treat will be postponed this week.

She asked that you not worry. Everyone will be fine. Natasha will be back next week.

Brian

Celebrate This Artist, MonsterOpMaat!

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Artist PlayDates will return in the Fall.
For all those who submitted an artist or shop to celebrate they will appear within the next few weeks! Thank you so much for the amazing submissions!


Welcome "Celebrate This Artist" a new series that celebrates an artist and/or shop that inspires you.

Today's artist was submitted by Janet Davies. Janet said, "My delightful friend, Monster (Enya) is such a warm, funny person who makes the most charming pottery." She works incredibly hard at work and yet still makes time to pour her heart into her passion, pottery!

Please visit MonsterOpMaat, pick up a piece or two and leave Enya a message letting her know how much you love her work!

Twinkle Twinkle Twinkle Star Mug

Delight in Imagination

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please send along your submissions by noon tomorrow for inspiring artists or shops you love and I'll pick one to feature this week on the TST. We get to surprise and celebrate someone - come on let's share the love!

Which would you rather have right now..... a brownie or ice cream??

Hope you are having a great day :)

Theme 28: It's Going to Be A Bright Blue Day!

ANNOUNCEMENT:

1. Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, asked me to do an interview. I was truly, truly honored. Please visit her awesome blog, read the interview, check out her charades game and more!!! http://www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com/

2. If you did not have a chance to read the previous post, please take a moment to do so. There are new changes taking shape here. Be sure to read the Updated Guidelines at the end of this post as well. Thanks!




How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating.

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~Eleanora Duse

Photograph by Flip Nicklin
for National Geographic





“Visualize this thing that you want, see it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blue print, and begin to build.” ~Robert Collier

“There is no blue without yellow and without orange.” ~Vincent van Gogh

“Blue flower, red thorns! Blue flower, red thorns! Blue flower, red thorns! Oh, this would be so much easier if I wasn't color-blind!” Donkey ~Shrek quotes

Important UPDATED Guidelines



The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling. Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, July 22nd if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, July 23rd. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post.

With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name, shop name or both.

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything. PLEASE LIMIT THIS TO 2-3 SENTENCES

4. The shop and/or blog links you'd like to include

5. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)

Most importantly, wrap yourself in blue and have a blast!

TST Kickin' It Old School

Good morning everyone!

I hope that this post finds you all doing well. Any big plans for the weekend?

First, I would like to thank all the folks who responded to my call for TST feedback. From the comments to the emails, I not only appreciated the thoughtful responses, I learned a ton.

There was a point in time when I considered bringing this whole thing to an end. I worried that it had run its course but based on the feedback I received, I do not believe that is the case.

Beginning today, there are going to be major changes here. The first is that we are "kickin it old school." The TST is going back to its roots. This started out as a largely visual blog. One of the things that I loved was scrolling through and seeing all the colors used. I forgot that. It has been brought to my attention - and rightly so - that the Thursday Sweet Treat became very wordy. The stories and such became too long. When I go back and visit themes like Vibrant Chaotic Rainbow and Poetic Sea, I find that they jump off the page. They reach out and grab you. All the writing (and this is coming from a writer) got in the way a bit.

So, there will still be writing and calls for writing but when it comes to the Thursday showcase the guidelines will be changing. There will be a limit on the story about the piece so that people can bask in the actual pieces. It worked in the beginning of this blog quite well and I believe it will work again.

There will be more changes coming next week. For now, let's work to make this upcoming theme one of the biggest and best to date! Are you with me?? Check out the new theme coming up shortly :)

Fabulous Artists Fly Their Creative Kites High In the Air and Inspire All Around Them

ANNOUNCEMENT: Please tune in tomorrow for a major TST announcement. Thanks.

This week, these sensational artists allowed their imagination to fly high. They grabbed hold of color, shape and movement and began to create. These talented, professional, inspiring artists invite you to see that if you have faith in yourself and let your imagination guide you, you will create more beautiful work than you have ever imagined. You will grow and learn more about yourself and about your craft. Each of these creations is an incredible gift.

Now, I invite you to stroll along and marvel at these creative kites.







Trina, creator of Woven Chains Jewelry, created this gorgeous pendant.

"This week, I made a pendant called "Colorful Path." I'm not sure what it has been about the themes I have participated in and rainbows, but that is where my inspiration has taken me," said Trina. "I wrapped beautiful rainbow colored rings around larger sterling silver rings in a weave called Stepping Stones. The weaving colors reminded me of the part of the theme that said "run, run, run and let your imagination take flight." I had a blast working on this pendant!!!"

http://wovenchains.etsy.com














Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this stunning painted handmade journal.

"I think my creative kite got caught in a power line this week. :) Right away, the theme inspired me to play with color and movement," said Amanda. "I decided to continue with my experimentation in journal-making, this time with painted covers and deckled cardstock pages. Everything was going well, until I reached the final stages. I must have misjudged the distance for my rings, since the journal won't open flat! Oh dear, back to R & D with this one, but I'm excited about the possibilities to come."

http://PersistentGreen.etsy.com
http://PersistentGreen.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/PersistentGreen















Felicia Kramer, creator of Another Bright Idea, created these phenomenal pieces titled, “Dream” and “Go Fly a Kite”.

"For awhile now, I have had ideas for some greeting card/poster collections bouncing around in my head," said Felicia. "I finally tried putting one of the ideas down and here’s a couple of samples. These are all Photoshop manipulations. You know how sometimes you just know that something is working for you? And then sometimes you keep staring at it and wondering why isn’t it working? Well, I’m doing the staring with these. I’m not unhappy with them but not totally happy either, so I guess I will call these works in progress and will welcome any constructive comments!"

http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com
www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com







Don't you want to test out your creative kite now??

Please feel free to share comments and love here and then visit the shops and blogs of these fabulous artists and share some more!!

Artist PlayDate: Start With A Celebration!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Have you heard about the online BHR Bazaar?? It's an awesome craft show you can participate in from the comfort of your home!! Please visit - BHR Bazaar for more information.

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. My daughter has been very sick. I think she's finally on the mend which will allow me to play more :)

This week has been insane so things that would normally happen here have been pushed back. However, that gives me the opportunity to share something with you. I want to start a TST Celebration movement!!

It's important that we celebrate ourselves because we are proud of what we have created or accomplished so if you ave created something new for your shop or for yourself I'd love for you to share.

However, I'd love to celebrate one another. I'd like to invite you to share other people's work. Each Monday, I invite you to send along an artist, shop, or piece of artwork that you love and we will celebrate that artist's work. When they are featured on the TST, I will contact them (or you can contact them) to let them know.

How much fun will it be to surprise someone by celebrating them?? I think it's a wonderful way to spread the feeling of happiness, celebration and accomplishment. I truly believe it will invite fellow artists to feel good about the work they create and pass that feeling along to someone else who might need it.

What do you think? Are you with me??

Hugs to all of you!

Imagine if you will....

Would you rather ice skate like a pro or do gymnastics like a pro?

Olga Korbut doing gymnastics at Richfield Coliseum

Theme 27: Go Fly A Creative Kite

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. If you did not have a chance to read and respond to the previous post, please take a moment to read. I'd love to hear from you!!

2. The July Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge is currently underway! The theme is "Here comes the bride". Our own Jodi Horgan has an entry and their might be some other TSTers participating too. So enter or simply share some love and cheer!

http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/2009/07/etsy-beadweavers-july-challenge-here.html

This week, run, run, run along grass, along the beach, along an open space in your imagination and let your creativity soar higher and higher.

How you choose to interpret the theme is completely up to you. It simply needs to be tasteful – no pornography or messages of hate here. When you sit down to create, you cannot think about how people will or will not receive your work. You are required to simply enjoy the act of creating.

“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” ~ Anais Nin

“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.” ~ Lauren Bacall

"You will find truth more quickly through delight than gravity. Let out a little more string on your kite." ~ Alan Cohen

Photo Credits:
Flickr

Important Guidelines

The work submitted must be something you have created and/or worked on between the time the theme was revealed and the Thursday unveiling. Please submit your response to Natasha@creativenachos.com no later than end of day Wednesday, July 15th if you would like it to be posted on Thursday, July 16nd. OR send me a link to your response to include in the comments section of the post.

With your response please include:

1. Your name - either first name, shop name or both.

2. The name of your piece (if you choose to give it one)

3. Something you'd like to share (process of creation, idea behind piece) if you'd like to share anything

4. The shop and/or blog links you'd like to include

5. Two photos of your piece or of each of the pieces (3x5 or 4x6 and 72dpi or a max of 96dpi - if you need any help with that please don't worry I'd be happy to help!)

Most importantly, run fast and let your imagination soar higher and higher!

TST Movin' On

Hi everyone, how are you?? I hope you are all doing well. I know we have LOTS of folks out there doing LOTS of things so I just want you to know that I am cheering you on and hoping you are all successful, happy and having some fun!

Before we unveil today's theme, I wanted to chat. I have been at a cross roads which caused me to stop doing everything for a bit. I needed a personal time out. As my daughter is constantly growing so too does my role as Mom continue to evolve. It has often required restructuring on my part so I needed to take a look at what I was doing and decide where I want to go.

I'm happy to report things are going exceptionally well with my new clients (YAY!) That has taken some adjustment of my time but once I figured thngs out, I felt great. Then, I turned my focus on the TST. In order to do that, I stopped all work on the new site and really looked at where this is going and what I'd like to do.

I love this place. It's magic. There are so many folks who write each week even if they cannot participate due to life (I seriously cannot believe how busy everyone is this summer!) I know in my heart that I want this to be the best playground for artists!! In order to do that, I need your help.

I have begun to work on the site again and will be offering advertising on it that will be a little different from the norm. I will be working hard to move us into a better ranking on the Internet.

As I work on sections, I have some ideas for truly fun collaborative themes in the Fall - nothing that will require any more time than you currently put in each week. But here is where you come in. I want to hear from you either in the comments or via email.

Tell me some of the things you like here on the TST.
Tell me what you like to see more of?
How can I improve this playground for you?
What about things like the 2nd grade project - any interest in another with other age ranges in the Fall?

The summer has been a little bit of a time out for me. I needed to refocus and I probably will again in the future but I wanted to share a bit about what's going on with me and I want to hear from you.

I'm just living and learning....thanks for sharing in this life experience with me. Please join me as I plan and gear up for the Fall.....

More info to come in roughly two weeks.

Love,
Natasha

Truly Phenomenal Artists Celebrate the Beauty of Freedom

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you did not have a chance to check out the AMAZING interview yesterday with Kelly, creator of Backward Glances, please refer to the previous post. You'll love it!


This week inspired me more than I ever dreamed. These talented, professional, funny, down-to-Earth, amazing artists rose to the challenge of this theme and created some of the most freeing work I've ever seen. They did not let personal challenges, dislike of colors, frustration or mistakes stand in their way. They simply plowed through armed with raw emotion and determination and created...magic.

I tip my hat to you artists. You are more inspiring than you will ever know.

I needed this TST more than I realized...thank you for being a bright light in my life.

Now, I invite you to leave everything behind and bask in the result of true creative freedom...






Susan, creator of Yaffa Dreams, created this stunning SAILING ON THE OCEAN OF FREEDOM SUNCATCHER.

"None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free."
~~~ Pearl S. Buck

"First, let me say, that the pictures do not do this justice," said Susan. "I live in the Sunshine State, but when I need to take pictures, the sun is hiding behind clouds.

Many have braved the ocean, some on rafts and whatnot, to venture to the United States of America in hopes of living free.

This suncatcher was designed with this notion. The blue glass beads represent the ocean. The red, white and blue heart glass beads represent my love of this country. I am a first generation American, and am so grateful to have been born in the United States. The suncatcher also has other red, white and blue glass beads and two AB crystal star beads. When the light hits the beads, they sparkle."

www.yaffadreams.etsy.com
AND my blog:
www.redheadhomestead.blogspot.com


















Ceridwen, creator of Wanderlust Bling, created this gorgeous piece.

"It took me a long time to get back on the creative wagon after my three week vacation to Alaska," said Ceridwen. "It wasn't so much a lack of creativity as an overload of inspiration. When I read the freedom theme, it seemed to shake something loose. I thought of the freedom we had in the Arctic Circle in June - the freedom to do anything we wanted at any time of day or night, since the sun never set. This necklace is a representation of the never ending day - the two strands of sky blue and cloud white are broken only by the bright magenta flash of the sun briefly painting the sky sunset colors before reappearing and making day again."

http://wanderlustbling.etsy.com
http://wanderlustbling.artfire.com

















Amanda, creator of Persistent Green, created this incredible Untitled watercolor.

"Another work in progress this week! I have to be honest--I'm usually not a fan of the red, white, and blue color combination. I wasn't really looking forward to my piece for this week's theme. Well, with watercolor, of course, nothing is as it seems. The initial application of these colors turned into a spectacular array of reds, pinks, blues, and purples as the process continued and the paint mingled. What a great reminder to drop our expectations at the door and just TRY it!"

http://PersistentGreen.etsy.com
http://PersistentGreen.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/PersistentGreen
















So this one was another surprise. After posting the theme I was stumped. I had no ideas. My daughter and I watched Tinkerbell and had a conversation about how "free" fairies are when they fly. They can sprout wings and fly anywhere. That got me thinking about the freedom we all have to spread our wings and soar...only many don't do that. Once again in the craft store (craft stores and book stores are my slices of heaven) I found this fabric and it fit. The fairy outfits are red, white and blue. The photo of the journal is not done in fact I was just about to adhere the fabric but I ran out of time last night. It will be filled with prompts to help you fulfill your dreams and it's dedicated to my daughter...a special little soul that I want to see fly as high as she can in life.

http://doodlestar.etsy.com
http://twitter.com/natashadoodle












The wonderfully talented artist Maureen created this sensational piece.

"For this week, as soon as I read Natasha's urging to 'embrace individual freedom,' I knew this piece had to have something to do with ME," said Mayreen. "But red, white and blue just don't inspire me. But sweet Amanda/Persistent Green encouraged me.

So I found a blue and deep pink I could live with--and just swirled out The Story of My LIfe. I rose and fell and ultimately rose again. (Teehee, I think the color of the squiggle that represents me is actually 'rose.') So there you have it: my life in living color. Me, free finally to be me."

For this week, as soon as I read Natasha's urging to 'embrace individual freedom,' I knew this piece had to have something to do with ME. But red, white and blue just don't inspire me. But sweet Amanda/Persistent Green encouraged me.

So I found a blue and deep pink I could live with--and just swirled out The Story of My LIfe. I rose and fell and ultimately rose again. (Teehee, I think the color of the squiggle that represents me is actually 'rose.') So there you have it: my life in living color. Me, free finally to be me."

http://aquamaureens.blogspot.com













Teri, creator od Giraffelabel, created this hilariously brilliant piece.

"So, I tried to do something for this week," said Teri. "And, then I tried some more, and then some more. Basically what I ended up with was not good at all! (I'm not just saying that...it was bad!) But, I kept trying to fix it, and today I realized there was nothing I could do to save it. But, I still had fun working on it, learned some things, and in the end was able to laugh at myself. (as my husband and kids laughed with me!) We tried to find other uses for it, and what was supposed to be a womens top was turned into a hat for my son, a scarf, a belt for my daughter, etc...and this was one of the funniest...

Just thought I would share my "process"...and give you a giggle! hee hee!"

http://giraffelabel.etsy.com











Bird, creator of Crow Tarot, Kitty Hawke, Cat Bird Crystals, and One Earth, One Tribe, created these magnificent pieces.

"This week's pieces were about granting myself the freedom to just be - creative, at peace, as an artist," said Bird.

"Nature's Fireworks & Nature's Fireworks Too came about after my housie & I had a bit of a to-do that left me in no mood to be in company other than my canine's. So I leashed Bailey, put the Butt Quilt in the rolley bag and went to our local park. After some sitting & feeling sorry for myself, then some more sitting while I regained perspective & peace, I noticed this beautiful sunset, and realized why I'd come. :-) I actually took probably a couple of hundred pictures, but these are the ones I felt most drawn to share at this moment. :-) Enjoy! :-)

Filters Freedom Too is from another of those pictures, run through the kaleidoscope filter of PaintShopPro. A five-pointed star seemed very appropriate, considering the hollyday. :-D

Today (Wednesday) I let myself indulge in the creative itch that's been plaguing me for a while now. I'm having this immense desire to start new projects, but I'm forcing myself to finish old ones first. :-) However, today I let myself go a bit. Some 'sea glass' from a couple of giant bags, a new plait & sennit from my nautical knots book, and a complete lack of caring for practicality led to these two pieces - Patriotic Jewel & the Torc of Freedom.

I notice that stacking pieces is a whole lot easier when they are man-made! :-D Patriotic Jewel was SO much easier than the combo pieces I did for 'Bones of the Earth'.

The Torc of Freedom is actually a torc. It goes around the neck, then the short side rests against the collarbones, while the rest comes down to accent elsewhere. A definite departure for me - I design big & bold, but not usually this expansively! :-D

www.crowtarot.etsy.com
www.kittyhawke.etsy.com
www.catbirdcrystals.etsy.com
www.oneearthonetribe.etsy.com

Nature's Fireworks



Nature's Fireworks Too



Filters Freedom Too



Patriotic Jewel



Torc of Freedom




I ask you, do you not feel free to let yourself be you? To create in any form?

Please feel free to share comments and love here and then visit the shops and blogs of these fabulous artists and share some more!!