I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Friends and Fellow Artists!!!

I'm back, and a little frazzled, as you can see :)*

I now have my computer back and it's up and running. I've missed you all! WOW!

A new hard drive was installed and I want to thank my friend, James, for all of his help and hard work on getting my laptop in shape for me.

I plan on updating my Blog over the weekend but I wanted to let you all know I'm back!

I've tried, as best I can, to visit Blogs and keep as current as I can. It will take me awhile to get all caught up but it feels great to be online again in full.

Hope all is well with you and yours and have a wonderful weekend ahead! I've got lots to share!

This awesome pumpkin is the creation of my dear and talented friend Patti Gramza

Much love to all of you........................Marilyn xxoo

Takin' a short break......................................

I'm going to be taking a mini break from Blogging starting today. I need some time to work on a couple of art shows that I have coming up. The demands of details with paper work and framing; all that goes with it.

A friend of mine and I formed a local group that we call ourselves Art 'Round Town

We have our first exhibit, as a group, at the Colonie Town Hall beginning September 2nd and it will run through the month of October.

Check out our website if you have time (highlighted above). The site is preliminary and we are still adding to it. We will be adding more members in near future.

Another really fun project I will be working on are baby shower invitations for my daughter-in-law. :) I have so many ideas floating around in my head so I'll need to get working on them. We found out, recently, that my son and his wife are expecting a girl! I'm thinkin' pinks and purples :)

In meantime, all be safe and happy. I will miss you but will try to catch up with what you are creating as I can.

Thank you, again, for all of your support and friendships!

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Handmade Collage Papers.........................

I took some time, last week, to make some handmade collage papers. They take much drying time; especially with the humidity we've been having. I thought I'd share, with you, some of these papers. They are created with special artists' tissue paper, mediums and acrylics, and some cool inclusions like coffee grounds and cording. The first picture is a grouping of some that have fully dried and the other picture is of my absolute favorite of the group. The pictures do not do the colors justice but my favorite one with the cording came out like a champagne color.

Now the fun part will be embellishing them. Some I will leave plain and some I will use fun texture elements and art stamps to decorate.

I'm wishing you all a safe, happy and artful weekend! Thanks always for taking the time to visit, here, and leaving your supportive feedback! You're all the BEST!

Much love - Marilyn xxoo

Paperbag Studios August Challenge..........:)

Paperbag Studios
has always been one of my favorite rubber stamp sites. Roben-Marie's art stamps always call to me in not only an artistic way but I find the sheets can be utilized in so many ways.

As part of being on the Design Team, I was honored to be asked to host this month's challenge.

Which has led me to the idea for the August challenge that is being offered on the Paperbag Studios' Blog. Check out the full details to join in on the fun.

The theme is "Mix and Match".

The challenge is to choose two stamp sheets and choose two stamps from each set and merge them into one piece that creates a definite message or feel.

Winner will be selected in early September and will receive a $10 coupon toward Paperbag Studio stamps!

This is a picture of my sample for my challenge and I selected images from the Dream Notions sheet and Home sheet for the sample.

Roben Marie's full stamp line is on her website (highlighted above).

Good luck and I hope you decide to play! :)

Hope you are all having a good week and finding time for creating your beautiful art!

Much love.................................Marilyn xxoo

"Ode to Shane"

Today marks the date of the 3rd year passing of a very beautiful person. Shane was my son's best friend and a very treasured family friend whose life was cut much too short in a tragic accident. I've always wanted to create a work of art in honor of Shane and symbolize his heritage, one that he was very proud of.

Shane was part Mohegan Indian; his strong facial features and sculptured outline were tell tale.

This piece is a 9 x 12, mixed media, on art board. The picture is actually a section of the painting. The image is of Uncas a Mohegan Chief, who is probably more famous as a character in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans than as a real-life person. But; he is significant in the context of the 17th-century New England history.

Through my reading about Uncas, I've discovered that Uncas and Shane share similar traits. Just to name a few; strength, wisdom, perseverance, and being a real team player.

So; on this day of August 10th, I pay tribute to our dear friend Shane who we love and miss so much! Shane lives on, through the things we know he's loved and cared about. He loved life, mountains, Sharon, David, motorcycles, humor, and the New York Yankees!!

I see it fitting that this weekend, the NY Yankees swept the Red Sox in a 4-game series. Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This ones for you Shane! I love you! Marilyn xxoo

How about them Yankees????????????

Home Sweet Home...................

Just wanted to let you all know my husband and I are home from our trip to Cape Ann. We had a great time and the weather fully cooperated :)

I plan on spending some time, this weekend, catching up. I look forward to seeing what everyone has been creating! I managed to take some pictures; here's one of them although I added the text to it. It really says The Blue Gate on it but this has inspired me for a future painting. There's more to the gate but I just thought the portal, there, was cool. If you click on the picture, you can probably see the sailboats through it.

Good to be home! I've missed you all!

Love, Marilyn xxoo

Unplugging for just a bit.....................

Rockport, Massachusetts - USA :)

My husband and I are getting ready to leave on a little mini vacation. We're going to our favorite spot - ocean side on Cape Ann.

I will be gone from Monday, Aug. 3 and will return home on Friday., Aug. 7th.

We're looking forward to the charming harbor views and loading up on Farnham's fried clams in Essex! :)

I will miss you and visiting your Blogs but will catch up upon my return.



Thinking of you all, have a safe and happy week ahead.

I'll be back :) Much love - Marilyn xxoo