TRUE COLORS

Tonite I decided to play with my mixed media supplies.  There is a song challenge this month on Colorful Creations to make a creation inspried by the Cyndi Lauper song True Colors.  As you know from previous posts I am just coming through a time of major struggle mentally and physically and this song really spoke to me and what has been going on.  

I started by coating my art journal page with a layer of gesso.  Then I took out a few Crafters Workshop templates and a little jar of Dry Dex Spackling.  (yes - the kind you use on the wall!)  I wanted something with a lot of texture.
  

Next I started adding color.  I used several Ranger paint daubers, watercolor crayons, Derwent inktense blocks, and Adirondack dimensional pearls.  I blended them together with a wet cosmetic sponge.

  

I wanted to be sure that the texture was more defined so I took some more gesso and scraped it across the top.

To represent the troubles I have been having I took a paint brush loaded with black gesso and splattered it several times randomly on the page.

And finally...I chose from the lyrics - 

You with the sad eyes
Don`t be discouraged
Oh, I realize
It`s hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that`s why I love you
So don`t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors 
Are beautiful like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don`t be unhappy
Can`t remember when
I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you`ve taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I`ll be there

And I`ll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that`s why I love you
So don`t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
Your true colors
Are beautiful like a rainbow

(Can`t remember when I last saw you laughing)

If this world makes you crazy
And you`ve taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I`ll be there

And I`ll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that`s why I love you
So don`t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
True colors are shining through

I see your true colors
And that`s why I love you
So don`t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
Are beautiful like a rainbow


and I added them to the page -

Thanks for dropping by.  I hope that you have enjoyed this blast from the past of music and my interpretation.

TRYING HARD TO GET BACK!

It has been a long uphill road since getting released from my 16 day stay in the hospital.  I finally completed the out patient end of the program on Friday and have appointments and/or referrals for the dentist, chiropractor, neurologist, psychiatrist, therapist, opthamologist, hematologist and my DO for B12 shots a few times a week.  As I left the hospital on my way to my first appointment with the chiropractor I crashed my car.  So, things are still not really looking totally up...but at least I know and recognize my name and the year.  I finally sat down in my art area and was able to complete a card that meets the criteria for a few of the current challenges that I found.

I started by deciding to create a card with bling for the Creative Cards challenge over at Colorful Creations. Next I chose to create a round card for the Use Circles challenge at Whoopsi Daisy.  I then used the inspiration photo and instructions over at the Shabby Tea Room for the Spring Bliss challenge #163 which required the photo for inspiration as well as the colors yellow, green and white or cream as well as polka dots and flowers.

The inspiration photo:

and to complete it I used buttons for challenge #161 Use Buttons at Critter Sketch Challenge Blog.  Finally I used the sentiment 'Lifting you up in Prayer' for challenge #77 at Word Art Wednesday.

And when I put all that together here is what I came up with:

I am hoping to possibly start something else now to try and keep those creative juices flowing and to get back up to my usual flow very soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I have missed hearing from you all.

SORRY FOR THE LONG ABSENCE

I have missed you all, and have missed creating but I had a health crisis and had to spend a few weeks in the hospital.  I am home now, significantly improved but not totally whole again yet but working hard at it.

Tonite I finally did a bit of creating.  A young girl at our church that I like very much is spending the weekend at Chrysalis - a Christian Retreat for teens.  Pastor asked me if I would write her a note of encouragement.  Although I'm sure I could have done it just on a piece of paper it wouldn't be me if I didn't create a card for the message and it was so good to create even though it took me much longer than usual.

So here is my first creation since being home-

I used sketch #288 by Mojo Monday.

and this week's Critter Sketch Challenge which was to use Washi Tape/Fabric Tape/Paper Tape.  I used Washi Tape for the 3 horizontal pennants.

And here is the card:

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I have missed you all so much.