Pass it on

This weeks tags were an experiment with weaving ribbons through slits cut into the tags.  I am pleased with how "PASSION" and "MY LIFE" turned out!

Passion tag

The large word "PASSION" is from my stash of words cut out of magazines.

I used a highlighter to help it pop and tie in with the yellow ribbons.

For me passion and "pass it on" go together, because when I am passionate about something I cannot help but share or pass it on...

left ribbons hanging and messy

I enjoy the messiness of the wild hanging and fraying ribbons.  

Using some sheer ribbons allowed for the painting on tag to come through while adding another layer.

close-up of weaving and tag

I've almost used this button in so many different projects but today it found it's true home :)

wood grain pink button

"MY LIFE" tag is finished neatly and has a hole with hang ribbon.

MY close-up

LIFE

Words that resonate with me get saved and stashed all around the studio in hopes they'll spur creativity. 

The stark black capital letters on white background fit nicely with the colors on this tag.  

ribbon weaving detail

I intentionally tried to leave the hearts showing. 

 

MY LIFE tag

Have you got a niggling feeling about trying something different with your chosen art form?  

I hope to encourage you to go for it by sharing my experimentation and passion!  

Pass it on...

Textures found in nature

Texture is found everywhere you look in nature.

These photographs were captured during an early spring hike around Bear Hole Reservoir.

White pine up close

Don't you just love this shade of green?

Top of White pine

Dried plant

It's amazing that this plant was still intact after a long, cold, snowy Winter!

Lichens on cut log

Birch bark

Fallen log close-up

Heart shaped scar

Don't you just love nature?

Delicious energy bars

We were spending a small fortune on "protein" bars, which tasted awful and had so much unknown stuff in them, so Jeff found this recipe on Runner's World website and I adapted it.  Everyone who tries them raves about how great they taste, so I am sharing my recipe and the link to Runner's World version today.  Enjoy!

Dry ingredients

preheat oven to 350
grease a 13 x 9 pan (I use a store brand butter flavor spray)

Dry ingredients
2 c oats, whole
1/2 c sweetened coconut
1/2 c almond slices
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped cashews
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Mix your dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl

wet ingredients

Wet ingredients

16 oz natural peanut butter
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix peanut butter and honey in a large bowl and microwave for 1 minute,
add vanilla.

mix dry into wet ingredients

Stir dry mixture into wet until evenly mixed.

Guard the goodies from prowling pooches!

Smoosh mixture into pan until flat

Bake for 10 minutes.

cooled energy bars

Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Store in an airtight container.

I freeze ours, so we don't just munch them like cookies, they are THAT good!

They are so tasty and nutty and filling.  1 is all you need for a quick energy boost.

You can see in Joanna Golub's Runner's world original recipe for the nutritional stats.

***note-the nutrition facts will be correct for Joanna's recipe, which you get at end of her video by clicking on the above "Runner's world original recipe" 

I altered the recipe a bit and have no idea how to give you EXACT facts, but it's got to be close, right?!

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer :-D

Things are happening

Yes they ARE!!!

latest tag

It's been a while since I shared or completed a new tag and today everything fell right into place :)  Don't you LOVE it when that happens?

I DO!!!

close-up

Recycled packaging card stock is base of my tag.

With Gelli printed shipping tape layered on top, it was pretty to begin with, but the message over top of seams where packing tape joined, um just cake!

detail look-see

Can't remember where this thought, sentiment, idea came from but I love it!

Only positive feelings come when I see or THINK, things are happening.

 

hello happening!

Beneath Dymo word labels are same word typed many times on Aunt Ruth's typewriter onto deli paper.  The deli paper allows the colors from beneath to come through.  Can you see the patterns too?

hanging on my art line

After adding the pretty aqua ribbon, I clipped this latest tag to my art line.  

What's happening with you? 

Stepping stones and learning places

"Mistakes and failure are stepping stones and learning places."

-Me

mistakes and failure

Happy to have messed up my 1st art journal page, because it inspired this quote and the "go for it" attitude.    

It's a happy mess and somehow cohesive and powerful :)

Sometimes when you go for it, things fall into place!

Have you "gone for it" with your art?!  I highly recommend it.

crackle highlighted with black ink

The worn, aged, crackle layers are enhanced with black spray ink and spattered black and white paints.

 

black and white speckle detail

Tea staining gives tags an aged worn look.

stepping stones and learning places

Washi tapes in gray tones help tie the black Dymo labels in with rest of the page.

My goal with my art journal is to express what is going on in my head as I create.   AND to try and USE materials I have on hand. 

I finished off the bottle of Tim Holtz (peeled paint) green, used tea stained tags, and cloth tape scraps.  

Is there something in your stash you're dying to USE?

Go for it and ENJOY the results!