Orange is...

I just completed this ATC for a swap I will be participating in next week. The theme, obviously, is ORANGE. I was inspired by the photo of the orange slice, part of a collection I have had for years. It looks so juicy and delicious that I knew I just had to use it on the card. All images were printed on matte paper, cut out, and enhanced with Diamond Glaze. Background paper is by BasicGrey, which is probably my favorite line of papers. The poem was printed on a transparency, cut into strips and applied to the card by wrapping around to the back. I found the poem online; I believe it is a teaching tool for young children learning their colors...what could be more appropriate?!

Getting dirty...

Today G and I spent the afternoon watching two of his brothers compete in a dirtbike short-course woods race. Much to my worry, my three oldest sons have participated in dirtbike racing for years now, and probably will for years to come.

Shifting sands

As regularly as it happens, I am always amazed at the changing contour of the beach, especially with the change of season. During autumn/winter storms, the surf pounds the beach, removing sand and eroding the dunes. A recent storm off the outer Cape caused this old peat road to become exposed on Nauset Beach. Carriage tracks clearly visible on the road surface, it has been incredibly preserved under the sand from generations ago. Upon closer examination, hoof prints can also be seen. Eventually the Atlantic will have its way with this road, breaking it into bits and pieces, and washing it all away.

This remnant of history, having once been inland, gives testimony to the ever changing dunes & shoreline. This makes me wonder just how many more generations will know the beach that I enjoy today, and certainly makes me appreciate the delicate condition of our beloved Cape Cod.

My brother left this comment, which I feel compelled to share: "Remember that mother nature always has its way . We are only here to see the beauty and destruction that it holds. Some times only for a moment or times that seem to last forever." Thank you, Joey...very well said!

Summer is my delight...

I just completed this page for a round-robin journal. The journal's owner requested that participants create a page about their favorite season. Well this, of course, was a no-brainer for me...summer, what else?! I cut a stencil of each of the letters, then did some chalking/stamping/coloring and mounted selected photos behind each stencil. The bit of poetry is original, expressing as best I could my feelings for the wonderful, happy, beautiful, too short season of summer. (The image can be seen larger and in finer detail by clicking on it.)

My daily habit ...

At the beginning of this year, I resolved to give myself some creative time every day. To that end, I have been creating an ATC card each day, and would like to share some of them with you. I love using family photos in my art and one of my favorite images is a childhood photo of my sister Tina.

I WILL be back...

Days & days have gone by, and I've still not posted...not that I haven't wanted to, but rather, I've just been so busy with home issues (including my dear beloved puppy who requires an incredible amount of time!), work and completing projects...so please stay tuned, I will post soon! But in the meanwhile...this is a photo of a stone (or something) which I found on the beach...when I picked it up I thought it was just a nice, flat stone...but upon further examination I noticed what appears to be some sort of etching or engraving...can you see it? What do you think?

Whew!!!

Just a quick mention that G and I both had our yearly check-ups today, and we both did great!!! All the numbers are good and our instructions are to just keep doing what we're doing! I didn't think I was nervous or concerned about these doctors' visits, but having this behind me now is such a relief, like a big load has been lifted. Here's to another year of healthful living!!!