Anna Creates . . .

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I love this picture of a couple of our baby chickens. I used it on a notecard.

For those interested in chickens, these are Buff Orpington Chicks, and will be the same color when they are adults.

These are from a batch I hatched by putting eggs in an incubator. After they were old enough to be out a bit, I put them in this straw hat to take a picture.

I think it’s cute because they look like they are kissing.

If you would like it to use it for a notecard, feel free!  I’d love to hear from you if you do!

Our mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is blooming for the first time this year, and I got a picture this morning I like well enough to use on a notecard.

If you would like to use this to make notecards (or whatever!), a larger version with better resolution is over on my RuralWriter account on Flickr.  It’s suitable for printing, so enjoy!

I love to make my own note cards.  It’s a perfect blend of my love of photography, and making a special something to send someone.  I know these days most people end up using e-cards.  Well, that just makes a card you’ve picked out and mailed even more special.  Who doesn’t like to get something nice via snail mail?  (It’s a treat to see something in the mailbox besides bills and junk mail!)

And if it’s something you’ve made yourself, with pictures that are special to you, then that makes it extra special!

Here is a photo note card I made from a picture I took of our cat.  I thought he looked quite strikig nestled in all that greenery.

It prints up to make a lovely notecard, and a wonderful way to send greetings to a friend via snail mail.

I decided to pick a number, then look back at one of the first scrapbooks I did and see what was on that page.

So here we are. . .

This was a scrapbook for my son, and he went to Space Camp when he was in grade school. About grade 6 I think. That works out pretty well… page 6 of the scrapbook and grade 6. Probably because it was one I did by grades so no big mystery there!

We have a Voodoo Lily growing by our pond.  It’s such an unusual looking plant!  I find it interesting, and can’t resist making it even more unusual. . .

Voodoo Magic

When I’m making collages, I’m generally making digital cards using mixed media. It blends two of my favorite occupations… art and photography.

I love taking all kinds of pictures of nature, but flowers are a favorite. Here’s a very small sampling from my collection.

First a daylily with a peach sort of flavor. . .

Siloam Double Classic Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Siloam Double Classic')

Sometimes a plain white flower works well, like this hydrangea.

Annabelle Hardy Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescans 'Annabelle')

But for pure flash and showiness, it’s hard to beat tropical hibiscus plants.

Heartbeat Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Heartbeat')

I love this two toned color, with the pale pink and bright pink.

Goin' Steady Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Goin Steady')

And for pure pizazz, red is pretty and flashy, all at the same time.

Snowfire Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Snowfire')

I love flowers, and I love photography, so what a super combination!

Other blogs of interest…

• Wordless Wednesday: Daylily Dog @ Puppy on a Roomba
• Wedding Photography ? Art of Capturing Happiness « Food Photography Articles « Articles « Fast Cash Photograph
• The Art of Digital Photography | Digital Photo City

News from the homefront. . .

I’ve been looking at the fancy scrapbooking stuff they have available these days, and am seriously thinking about doing more of it.  I’ve made some scrapbooks in the past, but they were strictly do-it-yourself kind of deals.  I made my own graphics, and used stickers, photos, and stuff like that.

My creations look pretty tame compared to the slick stuff available to use now.  I think some of this is good, and some not so good.  There are a lot more options, and that’s good.  But too much premade stuff, and that’s not as much fun, so not so good.  However, I realize that’s just a personal preference.  A lot of people obviously like all the premade stuff.  It gives them more to work with from the start, instead of having to make so much stuff up from scratch so to speak.

I’m going to investigate this and get more information and see where I want to go from here.  But I believe I want to make some new and improved versions of scrapbooking!

Another blog of interest…

• Postcards – Do Your Own Graphic Design For Big Savings on Mass Mailings | Art Vector Design Graphic @ ArtVectorDesign.com

Welcome to my blog!

I love to create things, so this is going to be my place to talk about what I’m making, and show some of projects.

Most of my projects revolve around photography and using the pictures I take to make digital art.  Often I make collages, usually of mixed media.  I make small ACEO size ones, 5×7, 8×10 and occasionally even bigger pieces.

Here’s one of the first ACEO cards I did…

One of my first ACEO cards using mixed media.

I used a couple of different photos I’d taken – one of a treefrog sitting on a pipe, and another of a gnome in my rose garden, and merged them.

I printed it on linen cardstock, then use rooster and peacock feathers to add a little pizazz.

Learn how to add tags to scrapbooks and record memories in this free video series on scrapbooking and collecting. Expert: Stephanie Ovak Bio: Stephanie Ovak has always been interested in genealogy and family history and has been a true scrapbooker for the last eight years. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

Fun and Light, Bright and Cheery, this scrapbook layout is sure to give you all kinds of inspiration and Creative MoJo the next time you sit down to create a scrapbook layout. Learn more scrapbooking and Cardmaking tips at www.AboveRubiesStudio.com

Took a big trip this year? Get tips for making a vacation scrapbook in this free video clip about easy scrapbooking ideas. Expert: Jessica Cain Bio: Jessica Cain loves any excuse to get crafty, plan a party, or make personalized gifts! Her other hobbies include studying severe weather and keeping up with the latest music and entertainment news! Ca Filmmaker: kyle saylors

Today I show you how I made a nice cover for my mothers agenda. It was such an easy and fun project =) www.swissgirldesigns.com The music is by One Man Short

In collage, working with one color at at time is sometimes easier. Choose the first color for a collage palette withtips from a professional artist in this free video on visual arts. Expert: Justine Crosby Contact: www.expressionofhope.com Bio: Justine Crosby is an artist from Cape Cod, MA who has taught classes, workshops, and mentorships in the visual arts since 2000. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso

A SUPER QUICK VIDEO on aN ENVELOPE Pocket Mini I made for a subscriber!! A FAST, EASY, AND SUPER CUTE MINI TO MAKE!! HEY!! AJBalletSlippers~~Thanks for being such a wonderful NEXT GEN SCRAPPER!! I hope you enjoy your new little mini and tote bag … and thanks for being a subscriber! with a grin, steffogal1 www.withagrin.blogspot.com *******SUBSCRIBE********

A mixed media tutorial video by Lucy Edson for Crate Paper, using paper, gel medium and gesso for a collage onto wood with stamping on the top. Thanks for watching!