Since it has been like forever since I posted anything on here, I decided to actually make this a true "anything goes" page. So, I will just pop in from time to time and let you on what my muse is leading me to. Since I have been trying to eat the Flat Belly way, nutrition has been on my mind. I just found these points and thought someone else out there might be interested:whfoods.org/genpage.php


Not sure how to cut back on calories? Here are a few tips to help prevent unnecessary consumption:

 

• Avoid eating until "you can't eat another bite." In addition, avoid going too long without food. If you wait to eat until you are "starving," you are likely to have less control over what and how much you eat.

   

• Eat only when you are hungry. You might be surprised how often you eat for emotional reasons. So, try to be aware of when you are eating to cover up feelings of loneliness, sadness, or anger, and seek an activity besides eating to meet your emotional needs.

   

• Do not combine eating with other activities, such as reading or watching television. Research indicates that a major cause of weight gain is "unconscious" consumption of food. Many people eat up to 1000 more calories each day than they think they do.

   

• Never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. If you shop when you are ravenous, you will be tempted to buy unhealthy foods.

   

• Slow down! Make mealtimes relaxing and enjoyable. Eat only when sitting down, chew each bite many times, and put your fork down between mouthfuls.

   

• Drop out of the "clean your plate club." If you are full, it is OK to leave a few bites of food on your plate!

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted last! Whew! The first half of this school year has been tough! Between having to evacuate for Gustav, and deal with the aftermath and Ike the next week, in addition to a very rough tough beginning at school, I really needed last week off! I was able to get some ATC's completed, and pictures taken of all the ones that I have received. I will be posting those on my Picasa Web this week.

I participated in an Advent Swap, and I received 25 ATCs-one for every day until Christmas! I am so excited about this! I have always wanted an Advent Calendar and now to be able to open one card a day until Christmas has really heightened my Christmas Spirit. One radio station has begun playing Christmas music everyday, and there is even an Advent Countdown of free graphics.

Yep... you read it right...and you read it here...just follow this link to download your free graphics from now until Christmas:
countdown.tentwostudios.com/

Enjoy the link, and oh yeah...Get into the Spirit...

Tags: atc christmas swap, christmas spirit, free graphics
Current Mood: cheerful

Well, it looks like I am only going to get to post once a week during the school year! I guess once a week is better than once a month, though! I was able to complete 6 ATCs yesterday. (I went to bed last night thinking about the story of the "Brave Little Tailor". I wanted to post that I had completed 6 In one day! Okay, I know only a librarian would think that way!!! LOL) I am now finished my cards for the name swap, and my two Louisiana trades. I am really pleased with the way they all came out. I am looking forward to seeing the comments from those who receive them.

I just joined another group that is just for JAMs. I am not sure exactly why they are called that, but this is how it works: Someone designs a background, then chooses someone else to send the cards to. That person adds to the cards and sends them to a third person, who completes the cards, keeps one for themselves, and sends the other cards to the first two people. I like the idea of sharing the creative process. And it not as limiting as some swaps. The first jam that I worked on is going to be mailed tomorrow. I just received another set, yesterday. So, I am going to work on those today, as well as, a couple of Halloween cards that I am making for a Blog Party. I am not sure exactly how that works. It seems that one person sends out an invitation to others and posts their url's, then others will go to the blogs, and post all the url's and all the blogs will have a Halloween theme. Sounds like fun. I will post more about that when I know more.

I finally!!! uploaded a few of the cards that I have received from trades and swaps on Picasaweb. You can find the link in  "links" on the left of this page under Nolatcher's ATC. Check them out! Very diverse styles, which is the great thing about this process. I get to actually share others creativity and it becomes part of my collection. I will continue to post as they come in.

Happy blogging and crafting this week!

Tags: artsy-fartsy, atcs, creativity
Current Mood: accomplished

I have just posted all of my ATC's on a new site called Picasa.  I posted the link in my "links" on the left, but the link is:picasaweb.google.com/NolatcherATCs It is free from Google. You download the software and it uploads your pictures. I have a folder with all of my ATC;s and will upload one soon with the ATC;s that I have received from others. That way I don't have to worry about putting too many pics on this Blog.

I have been working on the "Especially Made For:..." names swap. It took me awhile to come up with an idea, but now that I have made three, I am very happy with them and hope to finish the other 6 today. Stay tuned...

I am really excited about a crop that I am attending on October 24th. I was asked by one of the hosts whom I work with to do a demonstration on ATC's!!! I haven't decided what the theme will be, yet. I was really surprised when I was asked, but am looking forward to sharing my passion with others. It is really neat how my interest in scrapbooking lead me to ATC's, and now I am going to get to share that with others. Since this will be my first real crop, I have to admit that I am a little apprehensive about how "croppers" will feel about doing ATC's. but, since I will know a few of them from school, I will have some support and hope that it will be a lot of fun.

So, the question of the day is: Just exactly what are ATC's??? Art? Craft? Scrapbooking? Paper Art? Any ideas? And the next question is: Does it matter? I only ask because I am not sure how to define them when I am asked. Food for thought...

Tags: crops, fartsy, feeling artsy, passion, picasa
Current Mood: excited

I learned that...it is scary to "put my work out there". It's one thing to have those who know and "love" me tell me how great my work is, but it's another to subject my work to others, especially to those people who have been doing this a LOT longer than I have.

I learned that what one person considers "art" may not be what another considers to be art.

I learned that some people, even people that I have never met like what I do. (What an encouragement!!!)

I learned that maybe I just need to be a little less sensitive. It's hard to hear people criticize others work without being afraid that maybe they feel the same about my work, even if I did follow all the "rules" of the swap.

And I learned that in spite of all of this, I want to continue...I am having F-U-N and can't wait to participate in more swaps.

AND...
I learned that I like seeing what others do! I received the cards from my first swap today, and although all three were different, I loved studying each piece and seeing how differently we all interpreted the concept. "1-2-3" One background, one picture, and one word. I think that I am "hooked" and although after reading some comments on one of the message boards, today, I considered not participating in other swaps.

I learned:that what most people want are cards that look as though some thought has gone into the piece. Everyone sees things differently, but since the ATC's are going to part of a personal collection, quality counts! (And I need to get busy if I am going to get my "Name Swap' cards finished on time.)

But most importantly I learned...that people are basically good, and we are all in this together!!! When I was ready to give up today, perfect strangers sent personal words of encouragement my way...and that really meant a lot. Who knew?

We really do learn new things everyday!

Tags: atc's, kindness of others, lessons learned, message boards
Current Mood: determined

It has been way too long since I last posted! I have been very busy with the opening of school and playing my hand at amateur meteorology! Tracking those spaghetti models is so nerve wrecking, especially when the "cone of uncertainty" includes NO. In spite of having to "run for the hills", literally, I have managed to complete several ATC's. I finished the 6 for The Scrapbook Lounge swap: "La Vie Boheme", and should be receiving my first traded cards soon.

Yesterday, I finished my 3 for the "1-2-3" swap. That was extremely challenging. I thought it would be easy, 1 background, 1 picture, and 1 word. I actually found that to be very limiting, and was frustrated with the process. I first attempted to do a "watercolor plastic wrap" background. The colors were too dark and made choosing a picture difficult. I did use them later, just to see what I could do with them. (See Butterfly 1, Dragonfly, and Warmth)

I then used an acrylic wash and was able to follow the 1-2-3 pattern, but was not totally pleased with the results. I think they are okay since that was the rule, but would love to add a few things. Swaps are not as easy as they seem, and I am always second guessing whether they are going to be appreciated by the receiver. That's part of the challenge of sending them off!

I was actually pleased with the results of the three that I did with the watercolor plastic wrap. I think they came out fairly well considering the colors of the background. I will probably not use these in a trade, but, who knows...???

"French Women" is one of my favs, and it took me the least amount of time. Go figure!!! I was showing my friend Ellyn how to make a card, and the next thing I knew...there it was!

I was told that the best way to get over a crisis was to be creative: write draw, play music, etc. I have to admit that once I got started with the cards, I didn't want to stop (hence 4 hours of sleep last night) and can't wait to do more. When I evacuated I brought most of my art stuff with me. I have too much money invested to leave it behind. But next time (and although I want to think there will be no next time...I am already worried about having to leave for Ike) I will spend more time making cards. It really is relaxing and I'll have something to show for the time I was gone.

I will post the new cards this afternoon. I also went back and fixed the comments. Those of you who have told me that you tried to comment and could not should be able to do so now.
So, the words for the day are: Stress less, be creative!!!

   
   

Current Mood: productive

I finally decided to participate in two different swaps. The first is a name swap, where I will receive people's names and I have to create a card depicting their names. The second one is just a swap where I have to create a set of cards using at least one embellishment. I have to admit that I am a little nervous about sending my work to others, but I am very anxious to receive cards from other artists.
This is very different for me since I usually just think about participating in things like this, but don't usually follow through...but I have made a commitment, so now I have to...I'll see how this goes, and then, decide if I want to continue to put my ATC's "out there".
I have two new ATC's, "Dance" and Laughter Shared", as well as the first in a series of "La Vie Boheme" that I will use in one of my swaps.
The closer I get to the beginning of school, the more I want to just stay home...I have never felt like this before...I have always looked forward to the beginning of a new year. But, since I have found ATC's, and realized how much I enjoy designing them, I want to stay home and just work on them...
Anyway, here are my latest cards: 
  

I don't know where the time went over the weekend! I only made one card. I spent a lot of time studying other people's sites. I got a lot of ideas which is how I came up with "Explore" and "Blue". I am closer to feeling like I can submit my work in a "Swap". I think I will sleep on it, and decide tomorrow. Which reminds me of a "You Tube" video (see links) about a woman whose husband calls her a "procraftinator". I definitely fit right in with that description!
That's is one good thing about doing ATC's-they are easy to finish!
Well, here are my latest two entries. I have some ideas for some different backgrounds, etc. I hope to try those soon!
 

Okay, so I know now that school is rapidly approaching, I know that I will not make my daily challenge. I have only created two new ATC's this week. So, I guess I need to just forget the daily challenge, and just try to do the best I can each week. So, stay tuned to see what new things get posted each week.
Now, I just had dinner with Laurie, my niece, whose husband and daughter, Jessica, are both artists. She mentioned that her husband, Jeff, would like to just quit work and  paint all the time. I told her that I would love to share a studio with Jeff and Jessica. She looked at me like I was CRAZY!!! I would love to have a place where I could set up all my "stuff" and share space with other artists who would encourage me, and me them. La Vie Boheme!!!
I think I feel an ATC idea in the making...

Tags: atc's, creativity, la vie boheme, rent
Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: Soundtrack from Rent

My mind was so full of ideas last night, that this normally "in bed by 8:00" person, was up until 1:00 and designed ATC's all night in my head, even after I went to bed. Then today, I have procrastinated getting started. So, my question is: Why do I put off getting started doing the creative things that I enjoy? I could understand not wanting to do the "day-to-day' things that I would love to be doing anything but, like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. but, why did I procrastinate most of the day today? I wonder if it's an old tape of mine with questions about my work not being "as good as, or good enough" creeping in...
So, here it is later than my normal bed time, and my mind is now swirling again, and I want to get started.This is sooooooo out of character for me! A set bed time has been a ritual for such a long time, I have to see where this goes.

My new challenge:
I have decided to challenge myself to devote some quality "scrappping" time everyday.  With my new sleep habits I may really be in trouble once school starts!

On another note:
When musing about why I enjoy making ATC's I realized that the thing that I like most is that there are no rules! Other than the fact that they have to be 3.5 x 2.5, and they should have the artist's name, email address, etc.on the back, and they are traded-not sold, the possibilities are endless! Any form of medium can be used: fabric, paper, stamps, ephemera, paint, , etc. They can be as simple or detailed as I wish, and I can see a completed project fairly quickly-which is great for my short attention span!
Which brings me my new discovery. I was rummaging through my stuff today, and found some old paint samples that I had picked up from Home Depot when I first started scrappping . I have been using poker cards as the base for my ATC's, but realized that these free samples would make the perfect card! They are already painted, they can easily be cut down to the 3.5 x 2.5 size and they are free! So, I ran to Lowe's and picked up some more. The Disney series even has samples in Mickey shapes! I am going to use one of them for a new card. I will upload a pic when it's finished.

Tags: artist trading cards, artistic block, creativity
Current Mood: contemplative