What's on My Kitchen Counter

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T is for Thinking of Spring

Hello friends, I got the results from my blood work after doing a month of no alcohol, desserts, bread, chips, processed meats, soda, etc. and adding in way more veggies and fruit. Turns out eating healthier really does work. All my numbers improved including my blood pressure. I guess I will continue with this journey. It feels like Spring here so we are trying to take advantage of it. Speaking of Spring, over at the Art Nudge Challenge it looks like Spring as well. Here is my creation based on #artnudge225A . And here is the inspiration photo that inspired it: I was inspired by some of the colors and the flowers. I sketched out the vase, table and flowers, and I used Daniel Smith Watercolors, a Black Micron Pen, Tim Holtz Distress Oxide (mustard seed) and some watered-down white gouache to color it up. The sentiment is an old favorite from Stamping Up! This is going to a friend who needs a big hug. The Art Nudge Challenge is open to all artists and is not jus...

T is for Trying

Hello T-Day friends. I have missed you! I can't wait to catch up with all of you over at Elizabeth's Blog . I am trying to eat and drink super healthy in January to see if I see a difference in any of my health issues or sluggishness. I gave up processed sugar, bread, pasta, fried anything, rice, crackers, alcohol, desserts, processed meats, frozen foods, etc. I also gave up peas and beans except for green beans. I have reduced the pains in my side, and I have more energy. I have also lost 6 pounds. I have blood work next Friday and that will tell the real story. My drink today is POM. I have been drinking a little of this for about a week (a little because of the calories and cost). I really like the taste, and pomegranate is supposed to have some super powers. I mainly got it to add to smoothies, but I haven't done that yet. If you know anything good or bad about this juice let me know. I am still making cards. Here are a few of my favorites from the last few weeks...

A Little Bit of Snow and We are Ready for Spring

We hardly ever get snow in Central Alabama, but we had a few sprinkles a week ago and quite a lot of snow yesterday. At our house we just had enough to make some ice this morning, but a few miles down south, they were making snowmen and snow angels. There was even snow on the beach which only happens. It even broke Mobile's record from 1881. So, I am ready for the next season - bring on Spring! This week's Art Nudge Challenge (125C) is a darling little snow scene: It inspired me to sketch out some trees, snowbanks, and two cute girls. I painted them up using Daniel Smith watercolors. I used a few colors from the inspiration pallet but added in a lot of pink. My little scene reminds me of my sister and I when we first saw snow when visiting my grandmother in Mineola, Texas. That was such a treat for us Florida girls. There are lots of great prizes in the Art Nudge Challenge and it is open to any type of artist. You could stamp, draw, paint, sketch, bake, sculpt, do mi...

Friendship, Hearts and Dots

It has been a while since I played in the *Art*Journal*Journey* challenges, but Mia's January Dots theme just kept speaking to me! This was done in my large DaySpring Journaling Bible as follows: *Layers of various scrap papers *A picture of two friends out of a magazine *A layer of white gouache to blend it together *A couple of animals from the Art Nudge 125B challenge *Ink sprays *Stenciled letters and dots *A die cut tag with Proverbs 17:17 (some great wisdom in this chapter) *Faux stitching *Die cut hearts As I mentioned, I used 4 of the little critters and some of the colors from the Art Nudge 125B inspiration photo: I miss all the great art journal artists in AJJ, and I am now off to catch up on what you all have been making with dots. Hugz, Nancy

A Hot Cocoa Bar

Art Nudge, an inspiration challenge for all artists, has posted a new inspiration photo for ArtNudge#125 and here is how it inspired me: I stamped the mug and marshmallows using an old DRS Designs stamp (sadly, the company is closed), and I drew and painted the background around it using Daniel Smith Watercolors. Who doesn't love a great hot cocoa bar? This is the darling inspiration photo: I loved the little group of fun friends and the colors are wonderful! The challenge is open to any type of art (3-D, mixed media, journaling, cards, tags, fabric, knitting, crochet, stitch art - any type of art works). There are three inspiration photos this month. Prizes are awarded at the end of the month. Come visit and take a look - Art Nudge January 2025 . Hugz, Nancy

A Flakey Friend

Life is too short not to have crazy friends. When I think of crazy friends, I think of my oldest friend, Veronica, who has a birthday this week. We have been friends since Junior High which is when we were our craziest. When I called her last week, we had some big laughs discussing some of our escapades, and I had to admit those were some of the best times of my life. She has been there for me through everything in life, so this fun card is traveling in the mail to her right now. The card was kickstarted by this fun picture and color pallet from the Art Nudge challenge. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, HERE is the link and this is challenge number: ARTNUDGE125A . There are 3 inspirations each month that are posted 3 weeks out of the month, so you have many chances to win. You can also find the inspiration posts and posts by the design team for the challenge HERE on Facebook. This challenge is open to any type of art including but not limited t...