Creative Prompts (more prompts for fun

I've created the new prompt list for September 2020. While I will be creating cards with my friends that relate to these prompts I may also use them in my art journal or just topics to consider on my walk. Join us and please share your work on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit

 September Prompts

[ ] 9.1 Turquoise and sand

[ ] 9.2 Coruscate: to reflect vibrantly, to sparkle

[ ] 9.3 food

[ ] 9.4 Oh my stars

[ ] 9.5 Too funny

[ ] 9.6 The 1-2 punch

[ ] 9.7 Friendship

[ ] 9.8 Bad habits

[ ] 9.9 Fun fold

[ ] 9.10 Manly

[ ] 9.11 Patrotic

[ ] 9.12 Sunshine

[ ] 9.13 Butterflies

[ ] 9.14 Have you got a wild hair?--today is your choice

[ ] 9.15 Zoo

[ ] 9.16 Just 2 layers

[ ] 9.17 Europe

[ ] 9.18 Rainbow

[ ] 9.19 Dance

[ ] 9.20 Circle

[ ] 9.21 Love, love, love

[ ] 9.22 Dogs or cats or both if it's raining haha

[ ] 9 23 Flower arrangement

[ ] 9.24 Weave

[ ] 9.25 Hello

[ ] 9.26 Glitter

[ ] 9.27 lumpy bumpy, you're going to need a cardboard protector and extra postage for this one

[ ] 9.28 Evening

[ ] 9.29 Halloween

[ ] 9.30 White on white

The card at left is from the August prompt "portrait." I painted/drew a face from my cousins collectiom. "Cousin Elsa will always have Paris."

The card below is for the sympathy prompt in August.

Today is Daddy's birthday

Birthdays in our family are celebrated for days, even months. We're so glad we were born. Smile. We just love celebrating. It's not uncommon for us to sing to ourselves or direct the "choir" as it sings to us.

This is the last time we celebrated Dad's birthday in Florida. 2007. I made cupcakes and served them on a Pineapple pedestal with ice cream.We do love cake and ice cream--smile.


Daddy's favorite version of the birthday song with names available for changing as occasion stipulates:

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Daddy
Happy Birthday
God Bless You
Happy Birthday to Daddy

Click to read my witness to Daddy:  

Cleaning rubber stamps and so much more

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 



Meet the Absorber:

I was tooling around online and saw a product sold by a popular stamp and die cut company that looked awesome. It's an absorbent cloth that will clean the ink off of a rubber stamp in one swipe.

Their price seemed a bit high without knowing it worked so I checked out some product reviews and learned that everyone who uses it loves it.

In the process of checking around I learned that the cloth is not something invented for rubber stamping--it's been around for some time for use with car washing and other chores.

Enjoy the Absorber: 

Store your Absorber cloths in zip close bag.
Keep them moist to be ready for use. If they do
dry out, Just moisten them again. Rinse them out
occasionally--the one in my hand is clean but
stained. I love the way they wipe ink off my hands
when I am stamping. I wipe ink pads too and prevent
smears from getting on my hands then paper.

I found it on Amazon in a larger size for a smaller price. I cut mine up into smaller pieces and shared with my artsy friends and also with my Sir Henry for use in the tool shed. Everybody loves it!

Even my artsy friends like the fabulous Lynn Barwald called to find out how she could get more. She hadn't used it in studio at all but in her kitchen!

This thing picks up tons of water if there's a spill. It wipes any wet or damp surface clean and shiny--like cars, counters, ovens, faucets, etc.  I've watched it pick up surface level ink, grime, water spots and all kinds of liquid spills.

This one is currently priced at $8.79 on Amazon. If you keep the entire 27" by 17" for yourself, you won't need another one with in the next few years. My fees from Amazon never, ever effect your purchase price.

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 

My return to camp

I finished my first 2017 Slipper Camp Workout: 
"Printing out at least three great photos from 2017 and putting them in prominent places." 

In February 2016 I attended what we call "Art Camp" again.
This photo is from a walk with my dearest friends Lynn & Jill.
I digitally created a fun photo keepsake for them in Oct. 2016.
Now the photo is on the magnet board above my monitor. 

This Polaroid of Owen was already up. (Bonus for me--smile.) Interesting to note: Owen goes directly to that photo and makes a comment every time he comes in our house.

Owen is my grandson by way of my God-daughter Brittany. 

October 2016-- weekend in a cabin with my friend Nanette.
We hadn't seen each other in over 7 years.
Thanks to Slipper Camp exercise one I see this photo every day.
My dresser top looks like inspiration for another exercise, right?

I had my first birthday party in several years in 2016. The photo now happily resides on our fridge door.

Slipper Camp: A kinder, gentler boot camp designed to promote living well every moment.

Camp Motto: Being kind to yourself makes you strong.

Checkout my personal progress and all the tasks on http://www.artfultourist.blogspot.com/ (search key word slipper camp)

Follow along with the  Slipper camp tasks on the Live Safe, Live Well Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit?ref=br_rs

Life is like a bowl of cherries

I used to think that cherries grew on maraschino trees. I never ate fresh cherries until we moved to Florida. Turns out, they are awesome eaten fresh. Prepare yourself though; they do not taste like cherry lifesavers.

 

 

Here’s a bowl of cherries from our

kitchen counter in July 2014.

We eat fresh fruit every day in our home. Serving up the cherries was a dilemma at first because I want a bowl of fruit I can sink my teeth into without hitting a pit in the center.

BING—the magic Pampered Chef™ fairy appeared with a cherry/olive pitter and my life has been tutti-frutti wonderful ever since.

 

Enjoy Judy Garland’s rendition of this 1931 classic and sing along with the lyrics after you swallow that handful of cherries with no pits.

 

Life is just a bowl of cherries
Don't take it serious
Life's too mysterious

You work, you save, you worry so
But you can't take your dough
When you go, go, go

Keep repeating, it's the berries
The strongest oak must fall
The best things in life to you were just loaned
So how can you lose what you never owned

Life is just a bowl of cherries
So live and laugh at it all

Keep repeating, it's the berries
You know the strongest oak has got to fall
The sweet things in life to you were just loaned
So how can you lose what you never owned

Life is just a bowl of cherries
So live it, love it, wriggle your ears
And think nothing of it, you can't do without it
There's no two ways about it
You live and you laugh at it all

 

More information on this song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_Is_Just_a_Bowl_of_Cherries

NAChattin.com Desires in motion - Goals in action

My business is simply called NAChattin.com. My mission is to provide services that empower, inspire, and encourage, others to live well, live safe, and live creatively.

 

Refined and combined, my current business now reflects the priorities most important to me in my life. The online conversion is now in perpetual motion. It’s such a wonderful freedom to move my goals into action.

 

Here’s my new business card:

 

 

This concept was whittled down from seven areas that I initially wanted to be the focus in my business of living. By narrowing my focus, I am able to earn both the rewards of doing the work I know is best for me and a small income that supports my commitments to my family, my faith, and my calling.

 

 

My inner critic pushed back on these changes saying that I should have only one focus. My heart’s truth of faith, family, and calling won out in this inner argument with the assurance that living wholly and fully, including this new focus is best suited for my growth and healing.

My business is simply called NAChattin.com. My mission is to provide services that empower, inspire, and encourage, others to live well, live safe, and live creatively.

Website Home page: www.nachattin.com

 

Living Safe

Living Creatively

Living Well

Facebook

Pinterest

 

Follow Me:

Instagram: nachattin

Twitter: nachattin

 

My blog post on January 28 http://www.artfultourist.blogspot.com/2014/01/mixing-it-up-bit.html announced the beginning of this mission.

Doodling

I am wordy even when I doodle :) I used watercolor

pens to highlight this quote.

 

 

Much of my art time in the last week or so has been spent with a sketch pad in front of the TV. I’m doodling and enjoying the process. I am posting some pictures of how my original doodle art pieces get started.

Elevate your doodles, feel the ink on the paper and let it swirl.

I usually use a permanent black ink so I can

color later if I choose. I work small and then

cut the images out.

I start with a sketch pad most

often. I also like book pages

kid's art, and notebook paper

as a base.

 

 

The ATC (artist trading card) vs the ACEO (artist card editions and originals)

ATC

In 2003 I wrote an article for "RubberStampMadness" magazine about artists' trading cards. Here is the introduction:

ATC by Norma Anne Chattin 2003 uses

a stamp from the Claudine Helmuth collection

with Stampington.

The Artist Trading Card, known as ATC, is a 2.5” by 3.5” miniature work of art usually created to trade with other artists. Eager traders love these small art forms because they offer the opportunity to try out new techniques, learn from other artists, and can be used to make larger projects. The original concept and size requirements comes from baseball and other trading cards.

Everyone from fine artists to the youngest beginner have jumped on the ATC band wagon.  The appeal includes:

• Easy to create in multiples
• Great way to try new techniques/tools
• Perfect for swaps with other artists
• A social art form
• Collectible

The original guidelines for ATC are 2.5" by 3.5", handmade art, and never sold only traded.

 

The photos published with the article were ATCs created by some of my friends in Richmond, Virginia as well as participants in a mail-in swap.  





ACEO

 

ACEO by Norma Anne Chattin 2014, collage.

Photo from BBC.com

A newer phenomenon has developed with the introduction of the artist card editions and originals, known as ACEO, which are original artwork or a print of original artwork.

Like ATCs, ACEOs may be made with any media, material, or method as long as they measure 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".   ACEOs are made with the intention to sell. .

Learn something New--Slipper Camp Exercise Two

Today’s Slipper Camp Workout:

Learn something new.

 

Keep your mind and yourself growing by learning something new at least every few days. It doesn’t have to be complex, just something you’ve never learned before today.

Who knew there were heated slippers?

Examples:

·         Learn a new word

·         Learn a second route to your destination

·         Learn what complimentary colors really mean on the color wheel

·         Learn the middle name of someone you contact regularly

Tips/Enhancements:

·         If you can, use the new thing you learned today

·         Learn a new thing was learned from a child 11 or under 

·         Find a new thing that makes your everyday life easier

 

Slipper Camp: A kinder, gentler boot camp designed to assist you in living well.

Camp Motto: Being Kind to Yourself Makes you Strong

 Follow along with the  Slipper camp tasks on the Live Safe, Live Well FacebookPage: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit?ref=br_rs

 Postscript:

Have you ever used Reddit? Click above video for wonderful and simple explanation. There is a page I like there called "What I learned today." Great resource for learning something new topics range from cancer research to Star Wars...all are documented.

 

 

Slipper Camp Exercise One

Slipper Camp: A kinder, gentler boot camp designed to assist you in living well.

 

Camp Motto: Being kind to yourself makes you strong.

Instead of target practice and rope climbing we will educate, equip, and empower ourselves through a series of mini-workouts focusing on mind, body, and spirit. 

Today’s workout: Determine your core values.

 Many people believe you need to start a new year with resolutions and goals. We often approach these with stringent and tough tasks that focus on the physical aspects of our lives. Your assignment today:

List the three most important aspects of your life. What do you value most?

List no more or no less than three. Write them down or type them out, and make sure they are visible to you.

You may add or subtract from them for the next week. Once you have confirmed the exact three items, congratulate yourself. These are your core values. Ask yourself how your current goals and actions reflect your values. If they aren’t in line, change your goals and actions, not your values.

 Example:

Mary’s goals for the New Year were to lose 25 pounds, and workout three times per week. Mary’s three most important values were her family, her health, and her career. If Mary works her goal to lose 25 pounds she will be contributing to her physical health. Her mental health and her spirit also are vital to well-being and health. Mary changed her goals to include reading from a self-help book every week, setting up a family dinner and no TV night, and taking on an extra project at work to promote her value with her employer.

Today’s Task: Determine your core values. Begin repeating them to yourself every day. Move your actions and goals in line with your values.

 Follow along with the "short version" of Slipper camp tasks on the Live Safe, Live Well Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kNACkofit?ref=br_rs

Forget Boot Camp--Let's go to Slipper Camp!

Facebook Live Safe, Live Well Page
Artful Tourist Blog--use subscribe button

Art Doll Collage Card

My cherished friend Cindy was having a birthday and I wanted to make a fabulous card. I have been viewing a lot of the "she art" lately and thought I would incorporate that theme.


I used an 11.5" by 4.25" card base and layered on dictionary paper, ink, pale yellow cardstock and then the doll.

I made her head first and then fitted the body, crown, arms, legs, and hair to work with body. I started to write "fitted to scale" but this dolly is not really to scale at all, is she?

I used print paper scraps (I think it might be Basic Grey, but don't quote me). All the parts are outlined in black ink.

I had a cool envelope in my stash for the card. This one took about 2 hours to complete and I loved every minute of it.

Let's give some art away

Wish Big with three candles.

Designing and delivering creative arts classes for the first time in years has been a joyful experience for me in 2013. These creative art sessions are free and designed with the premise that it doesn't take a ton of supplies and tools to make fun cards and gifts. One of the philosophies of these programs is that when we create we honor our Great Creator.

Wish Big sentiment printed from computer.
Candle and flame cut from greeting cards.

The sessions are held monthly (except November and December) at First Christian Church in West Palm Beach, FL. We meet on Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. Feel welcome to email me if you wish to attend or start a similar program in your area.

One of my favorite sessions featured recycling previously used greeting cards into new cards. We starting with free-hand drawing of shapes onto the cards, cut them out, and pieced the shapes together. We used a "guide sheet" of shapes to get us started and I've published that here along with a few samples. Stay tuned for more designs from this session.

Pattern/guide for freehand drawings

Experience Discovery

"Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead." 1 Peter 1:6, 5x7"
 original art card by NAChattin 2013

For the last few years I’ve had an annual “one little word” with me throughout the year. I didn’t call it the “OLW” until later when I discovered that lots of writers and art journalists were doing it too—and doing it in ways I really liked. (http://aliedwards.com/blog/one-little-word  and http://onelittleword.typepad.com/ for example) I combined their techniques with mine.

One of the many awesome God-things about joining First Christian church in WestPalm Beach was that they do a “OLW” for the entire congregation. The words are printed on stars and drawn by every member. I drew EXPERIENCE as my OLW for 2013.

One of my wonderful art EXPERIENCES this year has been to start doodling and painting and collaging on cards and occasionally canvas. I’ve had a sketchbook near me when I am relaxing and I’ve been studying the work of scads of other artists online, mostly on Pinterest. From simple shapes to Zen-tangles, I love using pens, paper, and glue to make designs that are unique.

 

"Just my size" 5x7" original art card by NAChattin

 

 

To see all of the posts of my original to me designs click on key word Uncharted Destination tour.

 

 

Loving "Pinispiration" on Pinterest

Yodie card for Cindy 2013

I have the most unwieldy favorites list on Internet Explorer that my techie-for-a-living husband has ever seen. I just love marking pages and thinking I'll go try that soon. There's over 500 of those pages in my favorites folder now and it's too cumbersome to even try and find most things. Plus, my tastes and goals have changed so much.

Pinterest has satisfied my need for saving and reviewing internet ideas. I can categorize items and there is a visual for every thing I mark. When my tastes change I can just create a new board.

Between Pinterest and RSS feeds to my Yahoo home page--I am all set.

The Yoda tribute design to the right is one of my favorites. I was inspired by a tee shirt that had been pinned by a sci-fi fan. It was the perfect impetus to use in creating a card for my "Star Wars" fan and friend, Cindy.

Follow my imagination and fun on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/nachattin/boards/

Small ideas and big results

I won't get lost in the crowd, April 2013
Check out my ATC gallery
http://www.nachattin.com/artfulspiritATCgallery.html

I've been on my ATC streak for months now and it's still not getting old for me. After reading this article from Stampington Magazine's Art Journal publication--I'm inspired to explore small scale in my journaling too.

Stampinton Magazine publishers have got it together. In a time when so many printed publications in our industry are fading, they keep changing and adapting. Their magazines have always impressed me as more artsy and "high-end" than most others.

They are also hosting three art retreats a year called Art is Life.  I enjoy drooling over the workshops available--http://www.art-is-you.com/mysitecaddy/site3/ I am seriously considering some of their online workshops this summer.

Getting Patriotic all Summer

I love my country. No matter what your politics you have to admit that you were blessed to be born or naturalized as a citizen of this country.

As summer begins I think about two kinds of cards, decor, entertaining, etc. The first is patriotic and the second is "beachy fun."

Take a look at all these ideas for patriotic party crafts and recipes at JoAnn.com

Patriotic rarely goes out of style--this card was

made in 2005 and I'd still send it today.

 

NONI art---what you get when grandchildren paint and Noni takes paintings home



"The world is bigger and the worries are
smaller through the eyes of a child." by
NAChattin--Noni Art 3/13

In February 2013 we visited my awesome step-daughter and her children. (Sam, age 4 and Anna, age 18 months) While we were there Grandpa built an incredible tree fort for the kids and Noni stayed inside. One of our activities was painting. Yes, if you listen carefully you can still hear my heart singing.

The amazing Mom, Molly, laid out a shower curtain on the floor, put newsprint from a roll on top of it, poured acrylic paint into bowls, got out brushes, striped the kids down to diaper and under-roos and we had a blast.

Here are some moments from our adventure with paint (photos by Molly Schloesser)

  Molly put the painted paper out for recycling and I rolled that baby up, put it in the car, and took it home. I stand strong in my philosophy that a home is not a home without kid art displayed. The paper was huge, about 5’ by 3’ and I just couldn’t get it to stay up on the refrigerator….

Thus, Noni art was born. I’ve been taking pieces of the painting and doodling into it and cutting it into smaller pieces for collage, cards, and ATC (which you witnessed during the 7 days of Holy week ATC display here).

Jump into color feet first by NAChattin.

 

The bird at top right is the first peice I created. It’s 5” by 7” and was mailed as a card to Molly, of course. It remains one of Henry’s favorite pieces in the whole collection. I am going to share more of my Noni art as the days go on—it’s spurred a whole new interest in doodling and drawing for me.

My first fun doodle adventure was with a photo from our paint date. I may have posted this previously but it's too fun not to mention again (Jump into Color Feet First--at right)

 Finally, because whoever met a grandmother who didn't like to show off pictures, here's one of Sam and Anna--Molly is a talented photographer in addition to everything else she gets right.

We can't wait to visit them again and again. The reason you don't see Dad, Ryan Schloesser, is because he is on army assignment overseas. (Keep him and all of us in your prayers)

 

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Seven: Flower Bunny

Happy Easter! 

This week is the holiest time in the Christian church. It’s also the Passover celebration in the Jewish faith. Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover and that is where our Christian communion celebration originates. It is during this week that he was crucified and rose from the dead. (Just a short little “reason for the season” note for you).

Celebrate holy week and the last week of Lent with me this week as I prepare the seven ATCs of Easter.  These cards are all assembled from the spring/Easter ATCs that I have made recently.  As you may have read, I am unable to escape the calling to create ATCs lately. I like to put the little 3.5” by 2.5” treasures to work after I make them so that’s why I mounted them all on cards. Some are removable and some are not—but they got their start as ATCs.   

Easter Sunday Bonus--A few more ATC cards:

ATC Cards for 7 days of Holy Week

Day Six: Bunny foo-foo