Help [ME] Ronda

To Doha & Back Again, A pilot wife's tale

We are back home in Denver.  While i totally love my house, this city, and the family i have here, i fear i left my heart in Doha.  It was an incredible visit filled with some much love and good times.  I was pleasantly surprised at how easily i could adapt to life there.  I admit i wouldn't really want to drive there just yet.  Roundabouts confuse me and the drivers are a wee bit aggressive.  We traveled all across Qatar from forts in the north west to the beach & sand dunes in the south east.  Andrew kept us quite busy trying to show us about life there. 

It was good to see his life there and i am happy he has such a good group of friends.  I already miss him like crazy, tearing up the whole plan ride home.  I have to say his airline is so luxurious and we were blessed to travel with them.  The flight home does get a bit long, 16:19 to be exact.  We stopped in Houston, had a 2 hour lay over, and then hopped another 2:30 flight home to Denver.  We were exhausted after 24 hours or so of traveling.  However we all woke up early this morning, anywhere from 4:30 - 6:00 am.  Hopefully we will get back on Denver time soon.  In the meantime here are some pictures from our last days there.

Happy New Year's Eve.  Be Safe.

A year in review: Mixed Media & Art Journals

Another look at my year in review, this time it's mixed media & art journal pages.  I have spent more time this year exploring this side of my artist endeavors.  I have to admit i am completely hooked.  I wished i had more art journal pages and plan to change that this coming year.  I have included some canvas pieces, fabric pieces,  collage pieces, and art journals in this category.  Here are some of my favorites from this past year.

This altered valise is so me. It came together so easily, finished in less than 30 minutes.  I love the mix of ribbons, mists, and flowers on this canvas base.  It currently holds my cellphone and mp3 player.

An art journal page that sat on my desk for quite some time, building a few layers here and there.  I would spend maybe 5 - 10 minutes at a time adding the next layer and then lay it aside.  Sometimes i would finish a project, i would add some leftovers to this page until finally it was complete with a bit of wax. 

I love this piece because of the subtle stamped background with the mixture of paints & spray inks.  The red hearts stamped on book paper really stands out against the background. 

She can fly is one of those slow build ups that i completely love.  It means i have let go of most perfection issues and just see where my art takes me.  I said most.  There was a point where i finished her face and then was worried about how to complete her.  Once i let go of that fear, it was an amazing journey.

This art journal page is one of those moments where you can see a mess or an opportunity. See this post called Leftovers for the complete details but this page came together so effortlessly after cleaning up another project. 

This week of art for Create Mixed Media was pure joy.  While i loved all the work i created for this week, i think are my three favorites.  The pear turned out just the way i wanted it and i admit i am bit obsessed with pears right now.  The door has that old age, many stories behind the peeling paint layers, feeling i wanted it to have.  The teapot has a zen like feel with just the right amount of doodles. 

I love this art journal piece because of the color and the playing.  I was having fun trying out some wax techniques along with playing with rub-ons.  I love the yellow, pinks, & reds paired with the creams and blacks. 

This clutch was created using fabric, spray ink, and a fabulous stencil.  I had so much fun making my own fabric and really want to play around with this more.  I admit it was my first time with a zipper and it looks pretty amazing. 

This piece is all about the texture.  I admit its the kind i keep running my hands over to feel the texture.  the layers of color took a while to create.  In fact i left it overnight to decide if i was satisfied with the final look of the background.  Lexi took this piece to collage to hang up in her dorm. 

Sweet & Simple piece created with paints, mists, gesso, rub-ons, patterned papers, and old book text.  I told you i was a bit obsessed with pairs right now.  I really like the color play in the background on this piece, especially the yellow on yellow and pink on pink.  I like how they are soft but yet still bold colors.  Those chipboard buttons are still some of my favorites.

A year in review: Papercrafting

Another look at my year in review, this time it's papercrafting.  For me this includes things other than scrapbooking pages including mini albums, altered items, ornaments, and more.  I love taking paper and turning into something else.  I like looking at items and thinking i could do that....in paper.  Here are some of my favorites from this past year.

This accept mini album is a great example of me just letting go and creating.  Playing around gesso, mists, paint, & everything under the sun from chipboard to rub-ons.  This album was so freeing!

This card really pleases my graphic sense.  I love the colors paired with the white chipboard.  Simple, clean with that pop of a flower with trinket pins. 

This spool makes me very happy.  It turned out how i pictured it which doesn't always happen.  It's artistic frustration at its best when you see something in your mind & cannot create it.  I too again love the simplicity of the text with the spools.  I plan on making a few more for next year.

I love it when you are presented with a challenge that pushes your creatively.  I honestly think that sometimes you need to feel uncomfortable a bit to grow creatively & artistically.  This album pushed me to think of things in a different way and i love the outcome. 

This card is another favorite mine.  I think it reminds me of those simple things of beauty, like when kids bring you a hand full of weeds that picked especially for you.  I love the little pops of colors found in the patterned paper, stamped flowers, and the baker's twine. 

The popularity of cupcakes was crazy this past year and i am all for it.  I love those sweet little treats and was giddy when i came up with my own little paper cupcake creations.  Made from paper & beautiful ribbon trim, i loved seeing these come to life.

I love creating holiday decor.  I have always wanted to create a Halloween center piece so when i saw this paper mache hat, i knew i had the perfect base for my creation.  I love the texture of the hat along with the simple embellishments.

I love the slow build up of this tag.  First playing around with the background using gesso, mists, & paints.  Next creating the spool ornament to adorn the tag.  Lastly adding in all the layers until they come harmoniously together to create this special little Christmas tag. 

This mini album i taught in Spain is one that just speaks to me.  I love the background of the cover along with the pretty layers.  I also love the theme of the album documenting all of who i am and what i do. 

I really love the layers, colors, & feel of this tag.  I love just playing around with stencils, gesso, inks, stamps, watercolor crayons, & pastels.  I was patient with this tag as i build up the layers.  It is currently hanging on my inspiration board to remind me to just take my time and trust my instincts.

Are you taking a look at your creations this year?  I highly suggest looking at your favorites and dissecting why you you love them. 

A year in review: Scrapbook Pages

I usually do a little review around this time (2010, 2009), a capture of my top ten favorites from the past year.  This year i am thinking of breaking up the blog posts into various categories.  I have to say that i enjoyed reading Julie's recaps & reflections of this last year.  If you haven't had a chance, make sure you check them out.  Some of my favorite layouts this year aren't actually in the blog post.  They will have to keep for they are in my book.  I am really excited to share those in just a few short months.  That's not to say i don't really love the following layouts.

I admit i have been on a white kick this year.  I love the naked chipboard with the simple sprinkles of colors here & there.  I like the bits of journaling scattered around the page & the simple title. 

This to me is quintessential Ronda layering.  I love finding all those bits & pieces to stuff on a page but still keep it graphically clean.  The green background with the pops of colors, especially that blue title, makes me happy.

I had this idea for this layout from a quilt piece.  It was just one of those that wouldn't leave my brain.  It took some work to punch & cut all those bits & pieces of circles and the same with the blanket stitch around the photo but the effect was so worth it.  Little splatters & a tone on tone title finishes the layout.

This is one of the those layouts that just evolved.  I started with some gesso, mists, and stencils to see what would happen.  I love using things that are significant to my story.  That's the other thing about this layout i truly love, the raw emotion.  It is so hard to write but feels better once i am complete. 

Ok this is an easy one.  COLOR.  Stamps & glam ink create the stunning backdrop for my music man.  I love the simple photo & embellishment. 

Fairly simple layout for me but effortless.  I love the yummy yellow background with the black & white photos.  the multiple layers of splatters make me happy along with this story.  Anthony & i have had so much time together this year and i love that i am capturing bits of this every changing mother/son relationship.

Lots of playing with mists, stamps, & bits of paper.  Love the pops of color and that green apple.  It totally could be that it's my drawing of an apple made into a stamp.  I admit i like seeing it on a page.  But i really love that it reinforces my story. 

Take splatters of paint, pop of color, layers of seemingly unrelated do-dads, another hand-drawn stamp, random stitches, and a button and you get a very me layout.  That yellow doily really is the start of the show but then you start to dissect and see all the layers.

The story on this layout makes me happy.  It's my parents wedding photos but told in such a way that draws you in.  The bits of color for these old photos really complement each other.  The stitching really makes me happy too.

I am not quite sure what makes me happier, the layout or the dorky photos.  I love the combination of colors & that awesome stencil.  Again that stitching took a while to do but so worth it. 

Things i noticed on these particular layouts

• Paints & or Mists on every layout
• I do love embellishments & really love layering them together
• Stamps & Stencils play an important part in my art
• I like layouts that use small photos, one or two (but i do have some multiple photo layouts)
• the story is really important to me & i tend to pour emotions onto my layouts
• the majority of the journal is handwritten
• they are artsy but graphic
• i like stitches a lot

More days in doha

It has bee a really good visit for us and has opened our eyes about Andrew's life here.  It is a good thing for us to be immersed in his world.  On Christmas eve we went to an expat (ex-expatriate: a term used for those living outside their own country) Christmas party.  Paul, a great Irish fellow, made surprise surprise.... Irish stew.  It was fabulous.  I was amazed at all the nationalities and how global it felt.  Christmas eve dinner with some Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, Iranians, Americans, British, and Austrians.  It was so very cool to be welcomed into their home to all sit around & chat about life in Doha.

Later that night we went to the Souq Waqif. A very cool open air market full of goods like fine silks & fabrics, all kinds of metals, jewelry, and incredible spices.  We walked along the streets with some Pilot friends of Andy and just enjoyed the scenery.  The kids made a few purchases in the candy shop.  Andy sat me down in front of this man who makes costume bracelets right before your eyes.  It was so cool.  He told me to pick three colors and we watched him create this beautiful bangle right before our eyes.  Bling Bling he asked.  Why yes of course.  Love my bracelet.  We are heading back there for another visit. 

Unfortunately i have caught a cold here.  My nose is so stuff that i went to get a saline rinse and the box of puffs is three-quarters gone.  I also have asthma which sometimes bring ons complications with colds.  I had to get a nebulizer while i was here to help with my breathing.  Hopefully it will clear up soon, especially before we take the long flight home.  I have been powering through and we still have been sight seeing around town.  Andrew has been so wonderful taking us around even though he has worked some nights.  We have blessed with many days off with him. 

Joy to the World

the Lord has come.  Wishing you & your family a blessed Merry Christmas. May your life be ruled with HIS grace & peace.

Week of Art: Heart

Last Day of my week of Art for Create Mixed Media. I really had so much fun creating these images so it seemed appropriate to end with a heart.  I started with a build up of layers in the background including some old text, fabric patterned tissue paper, vintage sheet music, and patterned paper.  The heart is colored in with bits of spray inks, paint, & watercolor crayons. The rub-ons are from Jenni Bowlin & were the perfect accent.  I hope you have enjoyed these pieces as much as i have.  What was your favorite one this week?

Our Days Here

We have really enjoying our time here with Andrew.  It's a true blessing to be with him here.  Jet-lag caught up with us a few days.  We sucumbed to some naps one day.  The 4:30 am ish call to prayer does tend to wake me up.  We have been sight-seeing quite a bit.  Andrew is trying to show us snapshots of life here mixed in with the sights.  He has shown us a few places he could live with company housing and a few he could live on his own.  I am happy he wants my input for i see a day when i spend more time with him here.  

(Click on any photo to make it larger)

The above photos are from our day at the Pearl, Qatar, luxurious living & shopping.  It was stunning and a bit intimidating with shops like Missoni, John Galliano, Cole Haan, Harry Wintson, etc.  The walk around the pearl was really lovely and i was surprised to see it decked out in Christmas decorations including multiple Christmas trees.  We had lunch at a wonderful restaurant that overlooked the bay area.  It was the best hummus i have tasted and the bread was simply fabulous.  We couldn't resist dessert at the Chocolate Bar. 

Yesterday  we met some of Andy's friends here, Bruce and Chris & Sarah.  I am impressed with the community of ex-pats here and happy Andrew has friends he can rely on.  They took us in their jeeps into the desert North West of town.  We went to see an ancient fort that is currently being excavated and then into more desert to see a place called "Film City."  It is this bizarre little city in the middle of nowhere supposedly built for filming.  We stopped on our way there to trudge up some slopes of sand.  They look like solid bits of rock but one step will tell you it is nothing but soft bits of sand that crumbles beneath your path.  Going down the slopes is more frightening than climbing up. 

The sun setting in the desert is a sight to see.  It was a giant blazing ball of yellows, oranges, and reds set against the sand that seems to go on forever.  It really changes the appearance of the dunes bringing out the subtle colors you miss at first glance.  I couldn't even begin to imagine traveling in the desert at night on a camel caravan to some remote town.  The desert seems so endless and to me so easily to get lost in.  Thank goodness for our fabulous tour guides. 

Week of Art: The Tree

Day 23 in my week of art from Create Mixed Media. I started this piece off with Fabric pattern tissue paper.  I added white paint to the background and then blocked in the tree.  I added the drops spray ink and then colored in some spots with watercolor crayons.  i then finished painting in the tree and doodled around the splots filling in with numbers.  Can you spot the hand written twenty-three?

Here's your chance to get into a week of numbers.  This is from Create Mixed Media: Do you love numbers? Tonia is looking for people who are passionate about numbers and want to share their own creative ways for making numbers the subject matter for their art. If making a week’s worth of numbers the “star” in your art sounds fun to you, email her a single jpg of how you would make a number feel special in your own way. Ideas include photographing a number you see on the street, doodling a number with your favorite pens, stitching a number by hand or machine, collage, paint, wire . . .whatever medium you like, just keep the number as the most important part of the completed piece. Click here for more information.

 

 

Week of Art: Tea Pot

A runner up for one of my favorite pieces this week, this sweet little tea pot really appeals to my doodle side.  I drew the tea pot and then used black gesso to fill in around the outside of the teapot.  A little vintage music sheet hangs in the background. I love the shadow & light play on the teapot. The doodles were the last addition and it was one of those moments you hold your breath, hoping you don't mess it up.  I like the small 22s in this piece along with the written twenty-two.  The purples, pinks, & greens are a perfect complement to the white tea pot.