BE-YOU-tiful You at Ike's World Challenge Blog

It's said that artists reveal themselves in their work. This fortnight, the challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog is to create something that shouts "THIS IS ME." I was inspired to use my daily mantra for my "coming out."

Dance as if no one is watching 

I created a desk accessory for stray pens, markers & an occasional pair of scissors. I snagged an unfinished wooden pen holder from my local Goodwill store (99 cents!). 

Using four images from Ike's Store, I colored the images with Copics and a white gel pen. Then I created a scene for each dancing image with Copics again. I really like my backgrounds (is that vain of me?). LOL

Before adhering my colored images to the wood, I wrote an affirmation relating to dancing and life  on each.

The images that I used are "Fred and Gene", "Spanish Dancer", "Spring Fairy" and "Polynesian Girl." They are all available at Ike's Art.
I love creating background scenes for my images, and go to Pinterest for inspiration. I feel  that I am improving each time I create one.

Why does this project reflect who I am? Well, "everything in the Universe has rhythm. Everything dances." I am often inspired by music. I am eclectic in my tastes, meaning I like almost everything! I can't help but move when I hear the songs. I am more motivated to clean, work out, craft, MOVE, when music is playing.


So no matter where I am (like in the grocery store) my hips start swaying and if my kids are with me, they turn red and whisper to me to STOP IT MOM YOU'RE EMBARRASSING ME. I in turn tell them that one of the goals of a parent is to embarrass them. LOL

My quotes read, "Dance first, think later," "Life is a Dance," "Dancing is Dreaming on your feet", and "Dance to the Rhythm of Love."  When I spin bike, my iPod is urging me on. If I had the time, I would take Zumba classes just for the fun of it. And when I create,music surrounds me with inspiration.

So what will YOU create that screams YOU? Any project is welcome, from cards and layouts to canvases and altered art.  Let's see the REAL you at Ike's World Challenge Blog. And if you're too shy to reveal yourself, this is an OPTIONAL TWIST, so you can create anything for your chance to win free digis from Ike's Art.

Good luck and Happy crafting! And don't forget to DANCE

Looking Ahead on the Path of Positivity

Today my card features a digital image from Ike's Art called "Gene & Fred," after the famous dancers Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. I write digital because my craft room is still barred from entrance. Once the contractors are finished, I can finally get into my room and do some hand-crafting, and mixed media canvases, some water colors and altered art - ooh, I can't wait! LOL

I love this image because it can men so many different things. Because we are embarking on a brand new year, I got to thinking about how I will go down my path in 2017. So many choices to make, some shortcuts, and some just looking like shortcuts but aren't. Some people seize each day, learning, laughing, loving. Then there are those who are, 

"Dancing through life

Skimming the surface,

Gliding where turf is smooth..."

(-from the song Dancing through Life, Wicked Broadway play)

Hubby's time with me is limited, mom is getting older, daughter is saving her well-earned money for her own place, and the grandkids are growing like beanstalks! I don't want to miss any of that. So I will grab life by the horns, live in each moment, and appreciate where I'm going and all the stops along the way. 

My card is my DT make for the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. 
The following went into creating this card:

Papers: Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Sunburst from A Taste of Summer Patterned papers, Burgundy paper from A Grungy Christmas Textured papers; Pixel Scrapper B White's Back to Nature Paper 6 and patterned paper 2.

Elements: Pixel Scrapper Sheila Reid's Outdoor Adventure Compass Rose Stamp & Yellow Polka-dot Grunge Paint, Marisa Lerin's Doodle Set Brush 4, E Minkus' Back to Nature Element 7

Font: Kismet  

This year every month is ANYTHING Positive or Affirming GOES, sometimes with an Optional theme. To start the New Year off, the first challenge has the OPTIONAL theme of "The Road Ahead."

There are two sponsors in January - Scribbles Designs

AND

Ike's Art

Prizes offered: 

In order to be considered eligible for this month's sponsor prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. 

If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational.

From Ike's Art, a $15 gift certificate from Ike's Art

From Scribbles Designs, a $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs

From Creative Bug Digital SnapShots, one digital image for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

I hope you'll choose the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog to create and link up a card or project this month. Anything positive or affirming is welcome!

Watch 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNA3RTvFH6E