Surround Yourself with ART on the Path of Positivity

SURROUND YOURSELF...with ART

This is the optional theme offered at the Path of Positivity challenge blog this month. ART has the power to pull you into its colors, its patterns and its moods. It can certainly make you cry or smile. It moves you emotionally.

One of the best things about having computers is the access to works of artistic masters and modern day artists at your fingertips! From acrylics to water colors, ceramics to wood, glass work to quilting, the world of art comes to your home.

I am an eclectic art lover. I like so many different styles of art that it's hard to pin me down when asked what my favorite is. My house is filled with a jumble of styles, colors and themes, almost like I imagine the basement of a small art museum would have collected over the years (without the dust and cobwebs).

Since I can't (won't) make up my mind and choose just one style, I chose to create a set of note cards in different styles. Of course, I had to put a Pat Martin-21st century spin on them, so be sure to read each sentiment on the cards.

I created my cards using images from Luna Girl. They are part of the collage sheet called Day Dream and can be found at their store HERE.

This month's challenge is to be inspired in a positive way by the art in which you surround yourself. Look around your house. What's hanging on your walls? What style does each room have? Often what we choose to hang on our walls or place on our shelves not only makes us feel happy and positive, it tells us something about our artistic tastes.

Use your own artistic preferences to create something for your chance to win the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation. We can’t wait to see what you create and learn about yourself on this journey!
Keep in mind, you are thinking about how different kinds of art affect us as individuals.  It’s not really about doing something “visually" art-related. For example, any positive image that reminds us of any piece of art work or use the style of a famous artist on any image.

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. Also. please leave a comment letting us know how your creation relates to the concept of art and what you learned about yourself along the way, if it isn't clearly written somewhere else in your post. 

You don't need to follow this optional theme; if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of a $12 gift certificate from Bugaboo Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month, make sure to create something positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. 

You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's Most Inspirational sponsored prize of a $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, provided by the second of our guest sponsors this month.

Whatever you choose to create, have fun!

New Series of Challenges at the Path of Positivity

Today I offer a card inspired by one of the greatest sculptors in the world, Michelangelo. You may think it strange to pair the famous statue of David with the infamous character from Bugaboo Stamps, an image of Stella. But this fall at the Path of Positivity we are asked to "Surround Yourself with Positivity" in the form of the ARTS! Each month for the next three months we're asked to explore the positive influence of three different artistic concepts: Art, Literature and Music!

September will kick off this new series of challenges with Art! One of the best parts of having computers is having access to the works of the artistic masters at our fingertips! Anyone can Google famous artists from 'sandro Botticelli and Claude Monet to Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo, and see their works! Open the newspaper and check out political cartoons and comic strips. Ride the subway and discover artistic graffiti. The world is full of sand painting, wood carving, sculptures, pottery, glass work, metalwork, quilts, etc,

Michelangelo's statues are very realistic and very detailed. It is a measure of his talent to discover each fine detail on each part of his statues. My image's character, Stella, is a feisty broad who tells it like it is. She enjoys going to the Art Museum (we have a great one in Chicago). I thought she would be the perfect match between David and my sentiment. I know a few women who have felt something similar when strolling through the museum. Not judging!! I think ALL art should move a person, but each person should be moved uniquely. My card details are further down this post.

While this challenge is Anything Goes, if you would like a chance to win the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation, use ART as your inspiration and share your project with "how ART inspired you to create it" by linking it up at the Path of Positivity challenge blog. 

Keep in mind, you are thinking about how different kinds of art affects us as individuals.  It’s not really about doing something “visually" art-related. For example, any positive image that reminds us of any piece of art, or creating in the style of a famous artist on your project.

If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so you will be included in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational. Also please leave a comment describing how your creation relates to the concept of art and what you learned about yourself along the way, if it isn't clearly written somewhere in your post.

In order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You don't need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of a $12 gift certificate from Bugaboo Stamps, one of our guest sponsors this month.

 You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $15 gift certificate from Lunagirl, provided by the second of our guest sponsors this month.

Card Details:

Core-dinations Teal Cardstock

Core-dinations  (Lavender) Cardstock

DCWV Abstract Paper Stack, teal mix

Neenah Teal cardstock
Various leftover embellishmets

Digital details:

Bugaboo Image- Stella Still Hot

Michelangelo's David photo from Google free clipart

Pixel Scrapper Jan Clark's ITP Paper 23

Pixel Scrapper Sharon Dewi Stolp's Paint Spray Stars

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Button 04

Yellow-Gold Metallic Gel Pen

Challenges I am Entering:
Bugaboo - Anything Goes
Fabrika Fantasy - Add Pearls or Gems
Love to Craft - Anything Goes
World-Wide Open Design Team - Anything Goes (must be a DT make)

Will Work for Treats

Today's DT project for DeeDee's Digis uses images from two different sets, Dad's Day Off and Goody Jars. This lovable corgi comes from the Dad's Day Off set. This digital set includes: 3 outline images, 17 pre-colored images, 3 white-filled layering images, and 7 sentiments, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily re-sizable to fit your crafting needs. 

I printed the pre-colored image twice and used pop dots to give him dimension. The rest of the images come from the set Goody Jars. This digital set includes: 16 outline images, 39 pre-colored images (some images in multiple colors), and 16 white-filled layering images, in JPG and PNG file formats. All set elements have a resolution of 300 dpi/ppi, and are easily resizable to fit your crafting needs.

I played around in Photoshop and "filled" a jar with dog treats, then printed twice (again for some dimension). A few extra doggie treats, a bit larger, embellish my sentiment (snagged from thequotegarden.com) and my card is finished.

DeeDee's Digis has so many sets that can be mixed and matched to fit anyone's style or need. Why don't you check them out? There's sure to be something (a lot of somethings) that tweeks your muse!