I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE ME

must keep reminding myself of these words. This is an ATC I made a couple of years ago. The girl is from a family photo which my mother-in-law has in her collection. I have based quite a lot of my art around this girl in the past years. More about her and that art another day. Another from my cereal box art collection.

I AM STRONG. I AM FREE. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE ME.

Bits and pieces: The first is a 4X4 done on acrylic painted watercolour paper, with water. I then printed a "stamped" image of some of my handwriting stretched and an old photo of my cousin with her beautiful long hair standing and looking at her shadow. The "stamped" effect comes quite simply from an image inserted onto word. After formatting the picture I then click on the bar which takes me to a square with four different parts. I click on the one for black and white. Then I may fiddle a bit with the contrast and brightness in the side bar. I used a silver "gelly roll" pen from sakura for edging, did some stitching - french knots and simple stitches. The crown and hearts were added finally with the "gold gelly roll".

I do not want to forget to mention that all was fine with the eye specialist. I'm to return in two years. One day I'll do some long writing and sharing about the monster diabetes. I have been very fortunate but I've really had to work for it.

I received wonderful surprises in the mail today. One was a package with 42 inchies from the swap I was part of - wonderful package to receive. I'll show them to you one day. The other was from my dear wonderful angel friend Suze. Angel tears were flowing. Thanks Suze. Hopefully I'll also have time to show some of the wonderful bits of love she sent to me .

Tonight I'll leave you with this jolly sunshine ATC and wish you joyous days, with many angels coming your way.

Decisions, choices; holding on, letting go. Apparently I have a difficulty with holding on to things (in my mind and body), not being able to let go. Now I have time and the opportunity to let go of some commitments for a time. I have time to be playful and creative. But this problem of letting go - I'm wanting to get past it but I'm having difficulty. And so I feel uncertain - if my art is any good. If it is worthwhile to try to keep creating. If I could ever really sell any of my art. Sigh. I must reassure myself that this all takes time. I have not given up on myself. I am able to appreciate some of what I create, most of what I create. I need to get outdoors more. I need to try to take more time to read - that simplistic Nora Roberts novel (ummm, please don't tell her I said so). I am reading her though I typically appreciate more deep thinking. I need to keep reminding myself gently that other people's health problems are not for me to be worried about. I can pray for these same people. I can ask for forgiveness, from God, for judging steps taken by others in dealing with their health. I can try to get past being so critical of others, mostly in my own mind. I can try to laugh more, play more. Enough. I'll get past it. Maybe one of these days I'll take time to write about it. In the meantime I will try to allow myself to play, experiment. I choose also to try to not agonize if some pieces do not turn out that great. Must keep reminding myself I am human and will just keep trying.
This ATC I will consider to be another learning piece. The stamp seems too intricate for the elaborate background. I accidentally put the first brad too close to the letters. Oh well. I'll keep in mind the thought and keep the ATC handy so I don't forget some of these things.
I'm more pleased with this background (8 1/2 x 11) I'm working with for another piece. But sometimes I feel like leaving it as a background because I love it so. I don't want to cover it all up. Tomorrow - I'll hopefully have it complete. I can always make more backgrounds.

Angels be with you.