Busy With Life

I'm sorry to be so neglectful of this blog. Life has been busy with activities for the Grow Me A Story classes and life in general. I seem to be on a disconnect with my writing at the moment, but I have ideas for some art projects. I actually have one in the works right now. Our classes focus on all types of creativity including decorating, artwork, music, story writing and telling, gardening and more. Anything you put your creative skills to work on qualifies.

Yesterday the class was on how to make use of the Canva website. It is a free online graphic desgn tool you can use to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, business cards, and more! Below are two examples. I made these after the class to post to my Instagram account.

This was my first attempt.
I wanted something pretty for springtime.

My second attempt used a free image from Pixabay 
and a poem I wrote early this morning.

It was challenging and fun! I can't wait to try out some other ideas in the coming weeks! Until then...

© 01APR2023 ajjahner

I'm Still Alive and Kicking...

I'm sorry to have worried a couple of friends by my extended absense. Life got complicated and busy. I'm again dealing with health issues related to my heart/arteries, Multiple Sclerosis, and now am at high risk for a left hip and leg fracture from osteoporosis. Yikes! Getting old is hard, but it's still awesome to be alive!

I continue to participate in the Grow Me a Story online classes, doing a bit of writing (not consistantly, but hey, still trying), playing with some creative art projects, and working to get my home back in order. Three years since my bypass surgery, during Covid, meant many things in my home got neglected, and I wasn't the best housekeeper before all that! Haha!

My intention is to try to write a new post at least once a week. I'm adding that to my long list of goals for the coming year. One thing I got done was my Vision Board for 2023.

On my Vision Board you can see my hopes, dreams, and goals for the coming year. You can also see images that bring me joy. 

I've been posting images to my Instagram account. Mine is private, but if you are a friend and you are on Instagram, you can send me a follow request if you're interested. It's fairly new to me, but I do try to post at least once a week there. This is the link:  https://www.instagram.com/anitajo75/

Here's to a year filled with many new and exciting things! Looking for the good! 

The Art House Co-Op Mystery Project

I decided to do something fun and different.  I entered a Mystery Project Challenge through the Art House Co-op on Facebook.  They mailed me a card with a theme and a Prismacolor pen which had to be used in the challenge.  Other entries can be seen on their Facebook page by clicking Art House Co-op.

My theme was "Things and the people and places using them" and it had me stumped for a bit.  So I started going through some of my "things" and found a teacup of my grandma's (by the way, Happy Birthday Grandma!).  It was the inspiration for my project.

I chose Miss Tami's Restaurant/Cafe for my "places" because of the memories.  You can visit Miss Tami's on Facebook or go to the web page by clicking on Miss Tami's.  My mom and I loved going there.  It's a restaurant, tearoom and gift shoppe.  Miss Tami not only stocks collectibles of all kinds, there is jewelry, art work, stationery, books, and vintage items.  The gift shoppe area is smaller, as the tearoom/restaurant has expanded, but it is still filled with many lovely things.  Just a note... if you click on the photos, they should enlarge for better viewing.

This is Miss Tami's... Wouldn't you love to sit and have tea or lunch here?  So cozy!

So now, I had my "thing" and "place" for the challenge.  I looked through my collection of tea cups and found three favorites.  One was Grandma Martha's, one was my mom's, and I believe the other was Grandma Wait's.  I played around with different arrangements, taking photos of each, and I finally settled on one.  I printed the photo on to fabric, washed, dried, and ironed it.  Next I outlined areas with pencil to make them stand out, and used the green Prismacolor pen to highlight the leaves and shamrocks.  I mounted it onto poster board and matted it.  It was complete.

Just a few of the treasures to be found at Miss Tami's!

Thought you'd like a closer look...

The next part of the challenge was to take the artwork and install it in a public place.  I had to document the installation with a photograph, and post it onto the Art House Co-op Facebook page.  Then I was to leave the artwork for someone to find.  I put a short note of explanation on the back of the photo, with the instruction that it was free to the finder.

More treasures...

Heavenly....

And there it is!  My Teacup Photo!

I hope it makes someone smile.  It made me smile.  I had so much fun doing this project, and I can't wait to try a new challenge.  While I was in Miss Tami's, so many memories washed over me.  Not only of my mom, but of my dear friend Judy and her mother Ann.  After my mom died, Ann would take Judy and I out for our birthdays.  Ann and I had November birthdays and Judy's is in October.  Miss Tami's was one of the places we loved going to.  I hadn't been back to Miss Tami's since Ann passed.  Being there today just made my heart happy.  I enjoyed every minute of it!  I even found a picture during my visit, that had to come home with me.  A couple of delicious lemon shortbread cookies also found their way to my house!  It's been a wonderful day!

Poem, Art

I decided to go with a short poem, lighter poem today.  This was written for a Sunday Scribblings prompt in 2009.  I've been thinking about art, and some projects I started but never returned to.  Springtime makes me think of painting, creating, renewal... 

Art
Pencils, pens
Paint, charcoals, watercolors
Brushes, palettes, canvas, paper
Putting imagination to work
Bringing the unseen to life
Recreating what is seen
Visual, visceral, vague
Yet defined
Art


copyright February 2009 - ajj

Favorite Things Photo Challenge

Tomorrow is the deadline for the Brenda Photo Challenge, A Few of My Favorite Things.  You can see my photography attempts for this challenge Right Here.  

It is really the tiniest sampling of my favorite things.  One thing I noticed as I thought about it, things from my childhood were making the strongest connection for this challenge.  My Grandma Martha loved rocks.  I don't know why she did, but I know I've loved rocks from the time I was a little girl.  I used to make little villages of rock people.  They were complete with dwellings, roads, etc.  I also remember looking into rivers, and I always noticed the shiny rocks along the bottom.  They had beautiful textures and colors.

While out in my front garden, taking photos for the Challenge, I found a rock with a beautiful leaf imprint. 

It's just so beautiful.

I love artwork, so I also took a photograph of one of my favorite paintings.   This is one that was painted by my Grandma Ruth.  She passed away when I was only a year old, but I think we would have had so much fun sharing our love of art.

This is a cropped view of her original painting.  It's also been altered with the "Ink Sketch" application in Paint.

There are common bonds, threads that link the generations in a family.  You find they are there, even when they couldn't have been learned by knowing a person.  Family stories often reveal these little traits.  Who inspired your tastes, your favorites?  Do you know?  Or is it a long ago ancestor you never even met? 

Speaking of favorites, tonight is one of my favorite programs... "Who Do You Think You Are?"  It's the program that spurred me to start my ancestry search.  Along the way, I have discovered some fun things about my family history.  I still have many more mysteries to uncover.

Please take a moment to visit the Brenda Photo Challenge Blog and check out all the entries, my attempts at Nita Jo's Photos, and check out NaBloPoMo February Blogroll at Blogher... I'm still participating in the February writing challenge on Relatives.  There are a lot of writers participating.

Oh, and don't forget about the Give-away over at Junk Exchange.  You still have time to leave a comment and be entered for a subscription to Folk Magazine!   Plus, I know you will really enjoy the wonderful things Troy has to offer. 

As you head into your weekend, I hope it's a beautiful one!

© 24FEB2012 ajj

Day 4 - Beginnings, Hoarding

Here I am at Day 4 of NaBloPoMo, Beginnings.  See the link on my sidebar for more information.

Today was the beginning of my resolution to regain order in my home.  For those who don't know, I am a hoarder.  Before you all pass out, because I know you've seen those TV shows or the commercials...  NO, I do not have rotting food in my fridge, dead animal carcasses, racoons living in my house (aka Grey Gardens).  In fact, I don't have any pets at this time, though that will change one day.  I do have an overabundance of "stuff" that I have collected over the years.  Even with donating box after box of things to charities, I still have excess.

My love of books has taken over the house.  I am going to stop buying and start reading what I have.  The best-loved will stay.  Those that are a one-time fun read will be sold or donated to a library.

I have baskets, boxes, drawers, and shelves filled with things that I plan to use for art and craft projects.  If I have not created a piece of art by July, I will be having a big yard sale so someone else can dream of being artsy/craftsy.  Even if I do actually start creating pieces, all that good junk needs to be labeled and organized.

I've been giving away family keepsakes, knickknacks, photos, etc. to other family members I know will treasure them.  I've had to ask myself, how much can one old girl enjoy?  Really.  I have dreams of simplifying.  And yes, it's been on my resolution list before.  The difference is that my heart is ready for a big change.  One of these days, there will be photos to document the changes.

Now, about those other resolutions... yes, there are a couple but this is the big one for 2012!  Simplify, Organize, and Enjoy the Journey.

© 04JAN12 ajj

Day 3 - Beginnings, Art & Books

My love of books started very young.  I'm not sure of my exact age, but one of the first was a very large picture book.  They were called My Big Little Golden Books and measured about 12 by 9 inches.  Mine was called Wonders of Nature and I loved it.  The illustrations were by Eloise Wilkin, and they were beautiful.

 This was the beginning of my love affair with books and art.  Over the years, I've read hundreds of books.  When my grandpa couldn't get me to the library, I would pick up the Childcraft Encyclopedias.  I read them from cover to cover.  I loved reading so much, I read about subjects I wasn't naturally drawn to, such as science.  When I'd exhausted all of my books, and my sister's, I started reading books from my grandparents shelves.  This was everything from Go Tell It On The Mountain by James Baldwin to The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.  Then I moved on to magazines.  We always had Better Homes & Gardens, Readers Digest, and National Geographic.

Stories opened a new world for me.  One of travel, adventure, and imagination.  These days I spend much of my reading time online, visiting other bloggers, and continuing my happy journey with the written word.

 © 03JAN12 ajj

To Dwell In Primitive Thymes...

I've followed TDIPT, To Dwell In Primitive Thymes, for a long while.  It is a gathering of artists, who love, create, and sell primitive art.  A while back, I entered a drawing on their blog.  There were some really lovely pieces of art.  One in particular caught my eye, and to my surprise, I won that piece!  Here is a photo of it:

I love this Santa painting!  I may leave it on display year round.  It has so many sweet details... the red cardinals, the lambs in Santa's bag, the little bunny sitting by the tree... Love it!

A huge "Thank you" to the artist, Sue Nagle of Paint in Thyme!  To see more of her beautiful artwork, go HERE.  I also want to thank TDIPT for hosting this amazing Giveaway!  To check out the other artists of TDIPT, click THIS!  Warning... you may see something that you just can't live without!  Have a glorious day!

There's Still Time

It's late and I should be sleeping, but my head is all tangled up with thoughts.  I am turning 54 later on this fall.  My life is more than half over, unless I live to be the very stately age of 108 or beyond.  This fact doesn't frighten me.  It does make me curious though... have I accomplished the life goals that are most important to me?  I've done the best I knew in raising my boys, and in dealing with family relationships and situations.  When I was able to work outside the home, I worked hard and I loved it.  I've served God as I understood serving.  I hope I have honored Him.  I am still a work in progress and continue to reach for higher knowledge in my spiritual life.

The areas I'm not content with are my life goals... being published, writing songs, creating art, being physically strong and active.  It seems there is never enough time in the day.  I have boxes of lovely crafty items and paints, etc.  I kept copies of articles I wrote for my church's newsletter for several years, because I had plans to compile them into a small book.  I have beginnings of four books... none close to being finished.  Rough drafts and incomplete short stories and poems.  I had songs... I tore up most and tossed them during the past ten years.  I am my own harshest critic.

What am I trying to say?  I don't have a clue!  I guess it's that more than half over, is not over!  There is still time!  I can't allow myself just to give in or to give up.  That's it!  I must keep reminding myself that my life is a journey.  Until it officially ends, I have no business living like it has ended.  God expects more of me than that.  I expect more of me than that too.  So, that being said, on with the living!




Copyright 09/29/10 ajj

I'm Still Around...

Hello all!  Sorry for the lack of posts this summer.  It's been a crazy one.  I'm still over my head in projects, so it will continue to be hit and miss for a while.  I am starting to get the writing bug back... my muse disappeared months ago, and I wondered if inspiration would ever come back.  It has, so I'll be blogging as well as working on some ideas.

I'm still only part way done with my photo scanning project... technical difficulties.  Artwork and crafting have taken a back seat to practical "life" matters that needed attending to.

Currently being annoyed with a couple health issues, but refusing to let them rule my life!

God is good.  I'm doing well!  Hope to be much more faithful to my blogs as we head into my favorite time of year... I Love Autumn!

Happy days...

Summer Update...

Sorry I've been absent so much.  Summer gets lazy... and busy... and hot... no big excuses, just the normal ones.  I'm still slowly sorting through my possessions for stuff to donate, sell, recycle, or free-cycle.  Slow and steady wins the race... at least I hope that's true.  It sometimes feels like the more that leaves my house, the more I find.  It's like Mary Poppins magic carpet bag... you can't believe all the stuff that comes out of that little bag... and, there's always something more!

I'm also working on my art/craft projects.  I've discovered I stink at decoupage.  How is that possible?  It's such a simple concept.  Paste images on something, brush with Mod Podge, let dry, and done!  Mine keep coming out all wavy and wrinkly.  Maybe I should stick to pencil drawings.  At least with a drawing, you can erase the mistake.  Oh well, I am having fun with it and that's what's most important... right...

MS Update (skip this if you prefer not to read about health issues):I am doing a semi-detox.  Took myself off injections about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  Injection sites just weren't healing anymore.  Stopped the Lyrica about three weeks ago, with Doctor approval.  I am giving my body a break before starting any new therapy for the MS.  This has increased some symptoms, but helped others.  It's like with any medical condition... what works for one may not work for another.  Thanks to my readers who have supported me in prayer over the last couple of years.  Keep praying for a cure to this nasty thing we call Multiple Sclerosis!  There are so many who suffer with it!

Okay, that's it for the serious stuff.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer.  Fill it with family, friends, bbq, watermelon, swimming, baseball, summer movies in a cool theater, concerts and art in the park... on and on.  Make some happy memories!

Crafting... Cleaning... Selling...

I have officially started my crafting.  The little chairs I showed you over at Moonflower Cottage have been sanded and primed, thanks to the help of my sweet husband!  Now all that remains is the painting and drying time, then adding my own design touch... hopefully, I will turn out a product that is worthy of selling.

I also started painting and decorating some small wood craft items.  Years ago I did tole painting, and these are leftover wood cutouts that I never got around to using.  I'm  in the process of decoupaging three of the larger sized hearts.  Pictures to come at a later date.

This morning I found a note on my mailbox.  My subdivision is having a yard sale... this Friday.  Kind of short notice, but I'm going to see what I can get ready to drag out to the driveway.  I would have loved a little more preparation time.  Oh well, anything I can get rid of means more room in the garage and a little spending money in my pocket!  It's all good!

Summer Heat, New Projects, Beginnings...

After weeks of cooler than normal weather, the thermostat hit 101 yesterday.  Those familiar with MS (multiple sclerosis) know that heat is our enemy.  I have to be very careful about my body core temperature, so summer is the season for hibernating indoors. Spring never seems to last long enough for me.

While I'm waiting for October, I've decided to keep busy with some indoor projects I've been putting off.  I started a blog for my art and sales.  It's called Moonflower Cottage, same name as my Etsy site.  I do not have any items for sale on either site at this time.  These are works in progress, but I am hoping to have them actively running within two months.

I'll be selling homemade cards, reclaimed items that I put my own spin on, possibly some original art, and some vintage items I've decided to part with.  I'll post a note here at Little Grey Gardens when I have added items to sell at the other sites.

This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, I just hadn't found the energy or motivation to get started.  It's a new beginning for me.

Away For a Bit...

Hello friends! Sorry about my lack of new material. Summer has me either tired and napping, or sitting in an easy chair with sweet tea and a good book! I also have a dozen or more magazines that I am enjoying. It's so nice to have reading glasses!

Before I go any further, I must say "farewell" to my oldest niece. She hit the road in a U-Haul early today. She is off to pursue the only thing she has ever dreamed of... to be a full-time singer/songwriter/musician. She's written hundreds of songs and has performed locally. Now she is on to the next phase of the dream. I will miss her so, but I wish her love, joy, and success. I will be waiting to purchase that first CD!

I will be gone this week, but will be checking back in with all of you next weekend. I'm taking some reading material with me, my sketchpad and pencils, a notebook, and a comfortable camp chair. Maybe the change of scenery will inspire me back to my writing.

Speaking of inspiration, here are some Free Images for you. They come from Dover Clip Art, which offers a large assortment of images to use in your art projects. They should enlarge when you click on them. Then just right click and save to your own art file. You can save them even if they do not enlarge. There is a frame from one of the many Celtic books, an image from the Gibson Girls collection, and two florals from Ladies Flower Garden. Enjoy!

Hugs & Blessings!

Nita Jo

Mind Wide Open Challenge - June

It's time for another Mind Wide Open art challenge (just click on the name to visit the blog). The word prompt is Wish and the photo that must be used in your project is below:

This is a lot of fun, and you can used any type of medium for your project. To read the rules or to enter, just go HERE

It is best to copy the image from the Mind Wide Open blog where it is larger, and more detailed, than the copy I am showing above. Even if you don't enter, you can vote once all the artwork is posted. The contest ends midnight JUNE 7. All entries will be posted JUNE 8 ready for voting.
The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Remembering Ann... and other things...

Heaven gained another member, and we lost an earthly angel...

Ann is the mother of one of my dearest friends. I say "is" because I believe she lives on, just out of sight, in the company of saints and angels... in the presence of her Heavenly Father.

Ann was a close friend of my mom's, and after my mom's passing, she often reminded me that she prayed for me every morning. She said she had decided to cover me with prayer as my spiritual mom.

Ann not only prayed for me, she took time to encourage me. She would call just to chat and ask me how I was doing. She had such a gentle, loving spirit. As someone at the memorial service commented... a real lady, who loved God, her family, her friends, her church. Gracious. That's the word I keep thinking of. I will have to pray a lot more to fill even a small portion of the gap that she left. I've already added a couple of names to my prayer list.

I will miss you Ann, your prayers, your faith, and your laughter!

And now the other things...

• I got the results of my MRI and it is mostly good news. Although I have two new lesions on each side of the brain, the changes in the existing lesions are only slight. The issues with balance, pain, numbness, and sight I am having should continue to improve with the higher dose of medication, and as I get to the end of this episode. I am still in the Relapsing/Remitting phase of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), so when I get hit with an exacerbation there is usually an improvement at the end of it. I am told you only recover some of what you lost during one, but up until now I have been blessed with regaining most of my functions. I am believing for the same with this one!
• Next, please pray for Pam Warden and her family. Her son Toby was diagnosed with MS, and it is an aggressive/progressive form of the disease. She just sent an email asking for prayer and support for him and his family. They are participating in the National MS Society Wisconsin Chapter Walk (http://www.wisms.org/). Please help support the MS Society's search for a cure. My husband has been active in the Idaho Chapter's walk. They do more than research, they give information and support to patients living with Multiple Sclerosis. Also, continue to pray for her husband John. I know if you take the time to visit Pam at Pam Warden Art or at Faith Folk Cafe, you will be blessed by her faith and endurance.
• While at Faith Folk Cafe, I found another blog that I love! It's called ooh lala designstudio and the artist is Vanessa Brantley Newton. She does wonderful watercolors. She is a children's book illustrator. While there, I read her February 9 post "Oh How My Soul Sings of Gratefulness" (if you click on the title it will take you right there)... Read the list of 10 things... It reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for!

Now, before I forget.... the Thank You's!

I've been absent from blogging for a while, due to a lot of family and friend situations. During that time, I have had what some call "a run of good luck" I prefer to call it a "shower of blessings & surprises" and this is a picture of the "Give Aways" I won recently.

Following is a photo of each item, and who it came from.

I won a Give Away hosted by Mary of Scottish Nanna for a lovely altered notebook! It came to me all the way from Australia. It's so beautiful!

I look forward to filling it with all kinds of keepsakes, notes and pictures. I also loved the card with the beautiful lilacs! One of my favorite flowers!

Thank you so much Mary! I hope you are feeling better! You are a dear!

Next I won a beautiful retro scarf from Jenn at Revive (Unique Handcrafts).

It made me smile when I opened the package and saw the polyester fabric pieced together to make this charming scarf. Jenn takes vintage materials and creates useable scarves, handbags, etc. Some of the patterns were very familiar to me... straight from the late 60's and early 70's I'm sure! What a sweet surprise!

Thank you Jenn!

I also won an autographed County Business magazine from a Give Away hosted by Pam of Pam Warden Art ! It is filled with so many beautiful treasures! I have browsed through it several times, and each time I notice something new and wonderful.

There is a world of amazing artists out there, and Pam is one of them. This is the page with her art, featured in Country Business magazine.

Pam, Thank You So Much!

I just received this latest prize, a beautiful bracelet!

Nita of Red Tin Heart hosted a Give Away for some of her jewelry creations. She awarded four prizes, and this is the bracelet I won. It's made with a Gold Monk's Stone and Vintage Glass Beads. It is even prettier than the picture reflects. Thank you Nita!

I feel very blessed today as I remember Ann, such a precious friend. I think about all that I have to be grateful for; old friends, and new; my wonderful husband and sons; answers to prayer; a home; my life; most importantly a Heavenly Father who loves even me...

Sunday Scribblings - Art

Art
Pencils, pens
Paint, charcoals, watercolors
Brushes, palettes, canvas, paper
Putting imagination to work
Bringing the unseen to life
Recreating what is seen
Visual, visceral, vague
Yet defined
Art


copyright February 2009 - ajj

It's a Beautiful Autumn Day... and Free Images

It is a beautiful autumn day. I was doing some clearing up around the house, then decided to go through my photo files on my PC. I found a ton of art images that I haven't gotten around to using, so I decided to share some Free Images with you.

I only found one Thanksgiving picture in my files. It's this turkey from Dover Publications. If you click on the link, it will take you to their home page. They have all kinds of publications, including clip-art. You can sign up to get Free Sample images that can be used in your own creations. They also have some amazing sales on books of all kinds.

You just click on the image to enlarge it, then right click and save to your files.

Also, from Dover are the following three Christmas images.

I hope you enjoy using these in your own art projects. There are a few other images I offered in the past. Just click on the Free Images label below to see them all. Any images not marked as free are owned by me, or used with permission of the owner. Please honor my copyright on all other photo's, images, and writing.

Blessings!

Nita Jo

School, Art, Yard Sale...

This has been a busy week for me. Lucky 13 had registration yesterday. We waited until the last hour of the schedule, just hoping everyone else hadn't done the same. It was the quickest, easiest school registration we ever had. Even the photographer was relaxed and L-13's photo turned out great! He's so happy to have his braces off, and I had him leave the retainer at home so it wouldn't have to be in the pictures. He's getting all the classes he wanted, but won't know the exact order until the first day of school. I'm just happy he's decided to stay in Orchestra. He plays the cello and I love listening to him play.

Today, after getting home from an appointment, I spent a long time reading through older posts of Gail at Shabby Cottage Studio (her link is over on the side bar under My Favorite Places). It was fun to follow her blogging progress from when she began up till the present. She has created so many beautiful pieces of art. It was a relaxing way to spend my time.

I also spent some time scanning old photographs that I hope to use in some of my artwork. I even found a Marriage Certificate from the 1930's and a Report Card that belonged to my Grandma Ruth. I plan to make some type of collage, incorporating these with photos of her. When I get one finished, I will post a photo.

My church is hosting a huge two-day yard sale in two weeks. I have tons of stuff to get ready for the sale. I'm looking forward to doing a little shopping myself. I'm hoping to find a few treasures.

If I don't get around to posting much, it will be because I'm in my garage digging through boxes and trying to convince myself it's time to sell. If I don't get rid of some stuff, I won't have room for anything new!

Before I forget, check out the new photos I added to my photo blog (click on Nitajos Photos over to the right). There's a nice picture of PJ and his 52 Chevy.

Well, goodnight dear friends... I'm off to watch an episode of the Gilmore Girls before I fall to sleep for the night!

Mind Wide Open... and why I didn't enter...

I am posting my creation for this month's Mind Wide Open challenge. It was so much fun to try, but I got the dates mixed up. I'm also trying to do Brenda's Photo Challenge. It's due tomorrow, and the MWO was due last night.

To top off my mixup, I just spent the last 6 hours resetting my computer (wouldn't let me go online this afternoon) and my camera (would not load my pictures). Everything seems to be working now, so I may have my photos ready for tomorrow's Photo Challenge... we shall see.

Anyway, here is the picture I would have entered if I'd marked it on my calendar! It's a mixed media piece... charcoal drawing on heavy water color paper, with water color crayon accents, collage, lace accents, and the inspiration I came up with using the word "Secret". I printed it on heavy paper, tore the edges, and accented them with a bit of color.

Secret Love
Locked Away, Hidden
She Keeps Her Heart Safe
And Alone

This challenge was fun for me, and I have a piece of art that will go nicely in my bedroom.

Please visit the Mind Wide Open challenge (click on the picture link on my sidebar). There are some beautiful pieces this month. Vote for your favorite!