Resolved to Affirm

Instead of resolutions, I practice affirmations. If you have never done affirmations you can run an online search that will produce mountains of information. One of the most comprehensive places I found online is Vital Affirmations at http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/affirmations.htm
--I have no affiliation with this site other than reading it and appreciating their style.


The book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne inspires me a great deal as well. The web site is http://thesecret.tv/  which has a short but scenic video. If you have Netflix or other online video resource the entire book has been made into a great video too. The Secret is just the last in a long line of positive and motivational readings that I’ve done since the eighties. If this one doesn’t work for you there are loads of others.

Heartfelt Art (and other) Destinations that are calling to me in 2012:

As it is written

--Continuing with journaling my morning pages each and every day. There will be art in my journals and more fun with altered book journals, but the words will take precedent this year.

--Speaking of words, I set my “one little word” for the year as TRUST. (The one little word concept was developed and is taught by the amazing ALI at http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/onelittleword.php  ) My word last year was wholly and I loved keeping this word alive in my life. My wonderful church, First Christian Disciples of Christ in West Palm Beach has a tradition of giving out words for the year on a star too. My star word is ACTION so I’m all set to put TRUST in ACTION or ACT on TRUST throughout the year. It seems like my “one little word” just grew to two little words. Nice.

Two Baby Grands in one week 2011

--Following some nudging from the fabulous Kandee Johnson, I am thinking this year about the last time I did something for the first time. Since I’m officially over 50 I decided to amend that to allow for first time in a long, long time too. (Long time defined by over 20 years). Whether it’s a recipe, a lifestyle change, or a new art technique—I’m doing something new multiple times per month in 2012. Join me in tracking “first time doings” on my blog and web site.

--Community activists are often thought of as people who stage protests or collect signatures requesting change. I choose to broaden the term to include community outreach as part of community activism. I am reaching out to those I know and those I’ve never met through traditional and non-traditional methods. I don’t have to leave a mark on the world to touch it. 

The family famous Burnett "plain cake"
not pound cake. Grandma's recipe says "plain
cake." Simplicity in abundance.

--I trust that I will have everything I need when I need it. I surround myself with the beautiful and the useful. From my artwork to my home to my work to my relationships—I focus on the simple and the meaningful.

I focus on the simple and the meaningful

Holiday Review 2011:

My Christmas celebrations were awesome this year as I approached the holiday with the spirit of Advent leading my heart and decisions. For the first time in my memory I gave most people on my list one gift.

Hand drawn Santa I used for gift
 ties and ornaments 2011.

We made time to visit with family and friends, we went to church, we volunteered in our community. This heartfelt approach has led me to renew my commitment to the heartfelt art process and the power of creativity as a gift from the Great Creator.


Wishing you peace, prosperity, and loads of sparkle in 2012.

Art Journal Every Day wrapping up for 2011

Snowman Doodle Dollies November 2011

I am loving my art journal every day commitment for 2011. I can count on one hand the number of days that I have missed--it's so cool.




Angela Doodle Doll 11.2011y


There's been a new book every quarter and my latest one is a hardcover art text book. I'm still enjoying my doodle dollies throughout the journals. Videos should be available in the new year.

Holiday Sharing



Purple Fairy Flash card  12.6.11

 My delightful friend from Palm Beach Gardens by way of Russia, Natasha, shared a fun link with me today. Amarilys' Scrappy Corner has a tutorial up on nine Christmas cards using one page of print paper as the base. Full link: http://amadrian8.blogspot.com/2011/12/tuesdayday-6-12-days-of-christmas-awdml.html Sound familiar? Yes, it's another take on the marvelous flash cards I love to promote.


I have never seen a set done in Christmas patterns before and hers just charming. You can see my directory of different flash card designs here: http://www.nachattin.com/Flashmain.html My version of the one sheet technique is called Die Cut Strippers and the spring set is available here: http://www.nachattin.com/articlediecutstrippers.html


It's never too late to make flash cards to send out yourself or as a gift set for someone else. Try some vivid jewel tones that would be a great set of winter cards to give as a gift.


My most recent flash card session was on 12.6.11 when I combined DCV pre-printed note cards with some stickers that were easily accessible in my stash. I suddenly realized that I did not have enough "general" cards to last through the December birthdays and thank you notes. Enjoy!



Recycled image flash card 12.6.11



Sunshine flash card 12.6.11

Vase full of Hearts

Card Notes:
This Penny Black stamp isn't the type of stamp I usually feel drawn to when shopping. I liked the the block style and I have really enjoyed working with it. I use EK Success watercolor markers  The original card front was trimmed and matted on a double sided print card stock base.


Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Celebrating a Beautiful Pear

                                                                             Card Notes:

I own at least four pear stamp images--this, however, is not one of the ones I own. It was created at a Stamping Up party hosted by my friend Kim Byrne around 2003. It's stamped in a dark green ink and lightly colored with chalks. Very simple and fast to create without looking too 'standardized." I just can't help myself with the pears--they often turn into anniversary cards with happy wishes to a beautiful pair.

Posting Notes:

November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

Dragonfly Blessings

Card Notes:
The tag and vellum dragonfly were from a Father's Day card I made for my Dad in 2004. I pulled them off the original card stock, matted on brown and then matted that on a green card stock base. The word Blessings was from a different card I took apart during another session.



Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)

A mother's Love

Card Notes:

Somewhere in the late 90's I purchased books of stickers depicting fine art paintings. This Picasso makes me think of that Paul Simon song, "Mother and child reunion is only a motion away..." the original card front was matted on a blue card base. I like this revised version better than the original.


Posting Notes:
November and December are rich with holiday joy. This year I'm relishing the season with fewer gifts, more meaningful gifts, and more time with my spirit and my loved ones. My blog posts through the end of the year will be a series of cards I've been working on called "Recycled Flash Cards." I've done a video but the editing isn't done and I'm not worried about that right now.

The cards in this series were made June 2011-November 2011 and feature designs created by recycling other greeting cards. Some are done from "store bought" cards, some from handmade cards sent to me by others, and some from cards I made and sent to people who didn't want to throw them away but didn't have space to keep them either. (Thanks Mom)