Michelle Ward/GreenPepperPress Blog

oh, come on!

October 3, 2009

Yesterday I posted a new challenge on the Street Team blog. Didn't have time to cross post over here last night since we were off to see Toy Story 1&2 in 3-D. So this morning I open up typepad and see they have officially switched the New Platform to be the Permanent Platform. Rrrrgghhhh. I don't mind learning new stuff….in fact I enjoy it.  But come on, I liked the old format. Anyone else frustrated by the change? And this: I'm wondering if it's only a glitch, but the comments aren't being emailed to me anymore. AND leaving comments using a typepad ID never works. And responding to comments has gotten complicated. Ok, thanks for letting me vent…onward….it's Rockober! LOVE this time of year.

This marks the third anniversary of Crusading for Creativity! This month I invite you to Come Over to the Dark Side ;) It's not all that sinister…it's about using black paper or black backgrounds in your work because sometimes starting on a non-white surface can lead to new discoveries.

Earlier I showed you this cool punch from Lisa.  Then this cool stamp arrived from Judi. Love these new little toys…but I wanted to work bigger on my black pages so I took inspiration from these shapes and made a new stencil/mask set. It was a beautiful day to spray paint and I must have made at least a dozen backgrounds. And how about those cool crows from Martha? They can be used as masks too! And the placemat? Perfect plastic tool for any kind of paint. Don't you see stencil opportunities everywhere?

Isn't that silver totally swoonworthy on black? Gah!
oh, come on!

October 3, 2009

Yesterday I posted a new challenge on the Street Team blog. Didn't have time to cross post over here last night since we were off to see Toy Story 1&2 in 3-D. So this morning I open up typepad and see they have officially switched the New Platform to be the Permanent Platform. Rrrrgghhhh. I don't mind learning new stuff….in fact I enjoy it.  But come on, I liked the old format. Anyone else frustrated by the change? And this: I'm wondering if it's only a glitch, but the comments aren't being emailed to me anymore. AND leaving comments using a typepad ID never works. And responding to comments has gotten complicated. Ok, thanks for letting me vent…onward….it's Rockober! LOVE this time of year.

This marks the third anniversary of Crusading for Creativity! This month I invite you to Come Over to the Dark Side ;) It's not all that sinister…it's about using black paper or black backgrounds in your work because sometimes starting on a non-white surface can lead to new discoveries.

Earlier I showed you this cool punch from Lisa.  Then this cool stamp arrived from Judi. Love these new little toys…but I wanted to work bigger on my black pages so I took inspiration from these shapes and made a new stencil/mask set. It was a beautiful day to spray paint and I must have made at least a dozen backgrounds. And how about those cool crows from Martha? They can be used as masks too! And the placemat? Perfect plastic tool for any kind of paint. Don't you see stencil opportunities everywhere?

Isn't that silver totally swoonworthy on black? Gah!
still growing

September 30, 2009

It may officially be fall….and the nights are cooler, but my roses haven't gotten the memo. Once the first frost arrives I'm sure they will refrain from showing off….but right now they are glorious. The first one I'm showing you was one of my Mother's Day gifts – called Hot Cocoa. It is such an unusual color – very rusty red with brownish edges. I couldn't quite capture it, but aren't they pretty?

And this one….I should name her. She was from the first plantings last July. Look how much she's grown! I can't even count the number of bouquets she's gifted me with. It's interesting how some of the roses have grown at a faster pace. There is one from last year that is serious lagging behind even the ones from this year. This one….she is the star.
still growing

September 30, 2009

It may officially be fall….and the nights are cooler, but my roses haven't gotten the memo. Once the first frost arrives I'm sure they will refrain from showing off….but right now they are glorious. The first one I'm showing you was one of my Mother's Day gifts – called Hot Cocoa. It is such an unusual color – very rusty red with brownish edges. I couldn't quite capture it, but aren't they pretty?

And this one….I should name her. She was from the first plantings last July. Look how much she's grown! I can't even count the number of bouquets she's gifted me with. It's interesting how some of the roses have grown at a faster pace. There is one from last year that is serious lagging behind even the ones from this year. This one….she is the star.
ready to climb

September 27, 2009

In ten days I'll be leaving for Madison….I'm almost done packing my supplies. It's such a phenomenal experience to participate in an event at Valley Ridge Art Studio. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity each year. Next week we'll be climbing the Stairway to Heaven. I've got so many ideas to share I feel like I'm going to burst. Can't wait to unload all of them on my students!

There are a few spots left if you want to come join the fun. I've been asked if this class will be made available as a kit like my house book…not sure yet. Stay tuned.
ready to climb

September 27, 2009

In ten days I'll be leaving for Madison….I'm almost done packing my supplies. It's such a phenomenal experience to participate in an event at Valley Ridge Art Studio. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity each year. Next week we'll be climbing the Stairway to Heaven. I've got so many ideas to share I feel like I'm going to burst. Can't wait to unload all of them on my students!

There are a few spots left if you want to come join the fun. I've been asked if this class will be made available as a kit like my house book…not sure yet. Stay tuned.
mattering

September 23, 2009

It doesn't seem that long ago that Jenny told me Janice was sick. But it was years ago that I first learned Janice was talented. And some time ago that I learned that she was generous and vibrant, as Jenny described visits with her daughter to Janice's studio. We know her as an artist, as seen on the pages of Somerset Studio over the years. Others know her better…..call her teacher, mentor, friend, wife, mother. I admired her from afar, and the occasional email of praise. Because Jenny loved her, I did what we tend to do, granted her an instant friendship because she was a friend of my friend. So I joined in with Jenny when she wanted to honor Janice with a tribute from fellow artists. All I could think of to say was You Matter. Isn't that what we all hope to hear? Whether we are facing the end, or facing each new day….that we matter?

Janice's site: http://www.janicelowry.com/ Her blog: http://janicelowry.blogspot.com/ And a great video glimpse of her in her studio HERE. Her journals are now at the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

*blowing kisses toward the sky*
mattering

September 23, 2009

It doesn't seem that long ago that Jenny told me Janice was sick. But it was years ago that I first learned Janice was talented. And some time ago that I learned that she was generous and vibrant, as Jenny described visits with her daughter to Janice's studio. We know her as an artist, as seen on the pages of Somerset Studio over the years. Others know her better…..call her teacher, mentor, friend, wife, mother. I admired her from afar, and the occasional email of praise. Because Jenny loved her, I did what we tend to do, granted her an instant friendship because she was a friend of my friend. So I joined in with Jenny when she wanted to honor Janice with a tribute from fellow artists. All I could think of to say was You Matter. Isn't that what we all hope to hear? Whether we are facing the end, or facing each new day….that we matter?

Janice's site: http://www.janicelowry.com/ Her blog: http://janicelowry.blogspot.com/ And a great video glimpse of her in her studio HERE. Her journals are now at the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

*blowing kisses toward the sky*
the high road

September 15, 2009

A favorite line, from a favorite film, DUETS, is this:

"And they say our society is losing its finesse."

Taking the High Road. Do you sometimes wonder if that is the Road Less Traveled?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD. Beyonce showed us that last night at MTV's Video Music Awards. She has finesse. If you didn't watch I'm sure you have seen the news coverage. Classy gesture. Classy.

(Ooooh! Another sneak peek at stamps *grin*)
the high road

September 15, 2009

A favorite line, from a favorite film, DUETS, is this:

"And they say our society is losing its finesse."

Taking the High Road. Do you sometimes wonder if that is the Road Less Traveled?

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IS TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD. Beyonce showed us that last night at MTV's Video Music Awards. She has finesse. If you didn't watch I'm sure you have seen the news coverage. Classy gesture. Classy.

(Ooooh! Another sneak peek at stamps *grin*)