tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400528826402413192012-02-12T03:45:34.176-05:00This blog is dedicated to showcasing not only my artistic work but the processes involved in its creation. I hope you will find it interesting, informative and inspirational. Please come back from time to time and see what I am doing and be sure to check my Photobucket link to see more pictures of what I have done. Thank you. - Gitana, the Creative DivaGitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-58444627948520506292012-02-11T04:27:00.000-05:002012-02-12T03:45:34.200-05:00

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.) The final Valentine's Day craft class took place at the senior center this week and once again I decided on a bit of a departure from the norm. I was going to have the ladies craft little treat boxes shaped like miniature Chinese food take out containers. Although we have made little treat boxes before, this time I left a lot of the work up to the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-7537590828206034222012-02-01T03:05:00.001-05:002012-02-02T17:49:27.018-05:00

(Click on the picture to view a large image.) 2012 - a dramatically different color scheme When you think of Valentine's Day, you think of pink and red hearts, right? Yeah, me too, but this year I wanted to do something a little different for my seniors. Our Valentine's Day projects for the past two years, as seen below, have included the mandatory red and pink hearts. This time I wanted to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-35832216988631304782012-01-28T04:09:00.000-05:002012-01-28T04:09:07.803-05:00

(Click on  photo to view a larger image. Then click back button to return to this post.) It seems like such a long time since I've sat down to create a card solely for myself, not because I had to create a project for the seniors or had some upcoming event that needed a gift card but something purely to soothe my creative beast. A recent trawl on various websites allowed me to drink in the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-72719822824933664522012-01-27T01:38:00.000-05:002012-01-27T01:38:57.734-05:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image. Click the back button to return to this post.) Now that the Lunar New Year decorations we created in the past few weeks are up and displayed at the senior citizens center and the Year of the Dragon celebrations have begun, our crafting attention turns to other things. This year, 2012, is gearing up to be a year of great change. From a numerological

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-26029277727238745112012-01-12T03:27:00.002-05:002012-01-12T23:21:24.591-05:00

(Click on photo to see a larger image.) The Chinese contingent at the senior center liked the hanging dragon ornament we made last week so much, the center director suggested that I do something directed specfically towards our Korean members who also celebrate the Lunar New Year. With that in mind, I created this faux lantern that can be used as a decorative hanging at the center. The design

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-82094273278688945412012-01-05T21:07:00.000-05:002012-01-05T21:07:20.897-05:00

(Click on a photo to see a larger image.)  The seniors, especially my Asian contingent, LOVED the ornament. I think what they really liked was that someone cared enough to acknowledge their holiday and their culture in a very hands-on way. I took pains to make sure that the colors and the images were culturally correct and the Asians in my group appreciated it. One Chinese gentleman who has

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-40844461270546996282012-01-05T03:31:00.003-05:002012-01-12T23:28:44.840-05:00

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.) No sooner does one holiday end than another begins, or so it seems, and the Dorchester Senior Center must stay in step with all of them. So it is with the Lunar New Year which falls this year on Monday, January 23rd. In the Chinese calendar this is the Year of the Dragon and, as with most Asian celebrations, prominently features red and gold as the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-37293676386570093162011-12-31T02:37:00.084-05:002012-01-05T03:15:20.011-05:00

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.) Wow. It's hard to believe it's been over a month since my last post here. I've been keeping pretty busy at the senior citizen's center conducting craft classes and decorating the center for the holidays. You can see at left some of what was done to prepare the center to bring in the holiday season in grand style. There used to be an old mirrored disco

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-91349993017994968102011-11-06T03:45:00.007-05:002012-01-05T02:37:14.811-05:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) As I mentioned in a previous post, I was notified by Rubbermaid that I was a finalist in a contest I entered on their website and as my prize I received a set of Rubbermaid's new organizational boxes called Bento. All I had to do to qualify for the first prize was organize an area of my home and send them a photo of it. Much to my surprise, it was

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-43641551922412398712011-11-04T01:02:00.007-04:002011-11-07T01:24:26.067-05:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) In a previous post, I posted photos of the necklace kits I was creating for my weekly crafting session with the ladies of Dorchester Senior Citizens Center in the Ditmas Park area of Brooklyn. As I predicted, the ladies really liked working on their necklaces. In fact, I had to turn some people away for lack of sufficient kits to accommodate them.

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0Flatbush - Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, NY, USA40.63942344502357 -73.964317219940240.62578544502357 -73.9780007199402 40.65306144502357 -73.9506337199402tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-72505876713621984012011-11-03T03:51:00.005-04:002011-11-07T01:26:42.944-05:00

(Click on photo to see a large image.) In a departure from our usual paper based projects, this week my senior crafting group will be working on a lovely necklace to warm their necks during these chilly days. The beads used in this projects were all found at Materials for the Arts over several shopping trips. The pretty metal tube spacer beads were among the latest finds on the last trip I took

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-63358066152066587922011-11-03T03:08:00.001-04:002011-11-07T01:28:02.029-05:00

(Click on a photo to view a larger image.) Some weeks ago I received an email from Rubbermaid introducing a new line of organization and storage boxes called Bento, inspired by the Japanese lunchbox of the same name. The email also announced a contest called "What would you Bento?" wherein entrants would submit a short essay explaining what they would organize if they had a set of Bento boxes.

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-52084319771962442942011-10-29T03:58:00.001-04:002011-11-07T01:27:28.935-05:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) I have been so busy doing so many things for others that I really haven't taken the time to indulge in doing those crafty and creative things that I love to do for myself. This week, after I completed my weekly project for my ladies at the senior center (seen in the smaller photo below), I found myself longing to do something that allowed me to do

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-44087032353483446962011-10-12T21:24:00.002-04:002011-11-07T01:29:36.974-05:00

(Click on a photo to view a larger image.) The dog days of summer are at an end and Autumn tosses her pretty head. At the Dorchester Senior Citizens Center we welcome the cooler days of autumn by crafting some beautiful all-occasion cards and a pretty hanging picture frame. In a departure from our usual side opening cards, I designed a gatefold card that opens out to either side from the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-58741756479282971332011-08-19T00:42:00.000-04:002011-11-02T17:43:12.323-04:00

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.) I just returned from a week in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I attended my brother's wedding. Trust me, it had to be something as major as a family wedding to drag me out to the desert during the hottest month of the year. Anyway, my brother brought along his oldest daughter on this trip as a gift to her for her recent high school graduation. This meant,

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-28129365600612921512011-07-18T02:33:00.002-04:002011-07-18T03:10:16.936-04:00

(Click on any photo to view a large image.) Summertime and the living is hectic! For some reason, just as everyone else is  slowing down to enjoy the hazy days of summer, my life seems to ramp up exponentially. No rest for this diva, that's for sure. I've been keeping busy keeping the members busy at the Dorchester Senior Citizens Center. Even with all the frenzy associated with working with a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-43012077757011883052011-06-16T21:49:00.004-04:002011-06-22T02:21:09.078-04:00

 (Click on a photo to see a larger image.) After all the crafting sessions were done, I was left with the task of bringing all the materials together into a cohesive display for the school's expo. Here's a photo of the completed display and, as you can tell, it's pretty impressive. The leaves, the flowers, the title board -- everything the students made with me-- have all been incorporated into

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-28093704895518765602011-06-09T21:10:00.003-04:002011-06-22T02:00:16.677-04:00

 (Click on photo to see a larger image.) After the successful crafting event that took place between the PS 119 students and my crafters at the senior center a couple of weeks ago, JoAnne Biswakarma, the center director, and I visited the students in their classroom to continue working on the display materials. This time the groups were divided a little differently. The needlepointers continued

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-30938809943133883022011-06-03T04:04:00.006-04:002011-06-21T21:48:18.042-04:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was recently awarded a small grant to continue the work I have been doing at the senior center. One of the requirements of the grant is that the project must in someway positively impact the community. In my application proposal, I stated that I would arrange to have the work created by the seniors displayed at a local school as fulfillment of my community

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-56243418637296477122011-05-18T21:57:00.000-04:002011-05-18T21:57:23.946-04:00

I've been living life on the fast lane for at least a week now since I returned from my daughter's graduation in North Carolina. No sooner did the plane's wheels hit the tarmac than I hit the ground running and I haven't stopped running since, so much so that my Thursday afternoon senior citizen's crafting class was looming large and I didn't have a project ready for them. I couldn't show up

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-80536956674184115122011-05-14T02:37:00.001-04:002011-05-14T02:38:31.056-04:00

(Please click on photo to see a larger image.) Last year my youngest daughter graduated from high school and moved to North Carolina to attend college with her older sister. This year my older daughter has completed her requirements for the Associate of Fine Arts degree and will graduate. I decided to commemorate both graduations with customized teddy bears wearing caps and tassels that match

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-63191226804107452562011-04-30T04:26:00.002-04:002011-11-02T17:45:36.564-04:00

(Please click on any photo to see a larger image.) Okay, so my son tells me he is attending a two year old's birthday party but he didn't have time to buy a card or a gift. The two year old's father is a friend of his and was really pushing for a gift of some sort (just a little presumptuous on his part but I digress). I, who have absolutely NOTHING to do, decided I would make a quickie card.

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-79927875224630626732011-04-30T02:44:00.002-04:002011-05-14T02:39:11.360-04:00

(Please click on any photo to see a larger image.) My husband made an unusual request of me last week. He asked me to create a birthday card for his employer. This first-of-its-kind request on his part took me off guard and presented me with a challenge. I now had to create a card that was suitable for a business relationship but personal enough to avoid appearing obligatory. The birthday

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-81630797504313223672011-04-30T02:06:00.005-04:002011-05-14T02:39:27.343-04:00

(Please click on any photo to see a larger image.) As I mentioned in a previous post, the celebration of the spring season has begun at the Dorchester Senior Citizens Center have been concentrating on craft projects that incorporate a flower motif. Photos you see  here show some of the work we have done in recent weeks. During two craft sessions I had the ladies create beautiful three

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-69469053752154322422011-04-14T03:14:00.003-04:002011-04-14T03:16:43.067-04:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) My sister Sue and brother-in-law Todd recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary and the event was marked with a family dinner hosted by my parents at their home. It was a simple affair to mark a grand achievement, one that I thought deserved a souvenir to commemorate the special occasion so I decided to create something that would be a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-40162335851051485302011-04-03T20:55:00.002-04:002011-05-14T02:39:51.943-04:00

Stylized hydrangeas (Click on any photo to see a larger image.) This has been a rather productive weekend for me. And well it should. After all, I sequestered myself in my basement workroom on Saturday for 15 hours, breaking only long enough to eat (such a bad habit), go to the bathroom (another time waster) and play the occasional computer game to take a break (time well spent).  For this

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-73852474061290005182011-03-10T02:57:00.007-05:002011-05-14T02:43:12.416-04:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) Although it has been a while since I have posted anything about my senior citizens crafting group, it hasn't been because nothing is happening. In fact quite a bit has happened. The frequent snows of January seemed to fall on the day before or on the day of a crafting class necessitating closure of the center on those days. There was a span of three

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-9124591002563332372011-02-14T18:12:00.003-05:002011-05-14T02:43:59.363-04:00

(Click on photo to view a larger image.) When I was first becoming a part of the online stamping community I used to participate in many swaps and challenges. As my life became busier I had to pull away from swaps in order to free up some time. My life hasn't become any less busy...if anything it has become busier...but I decided to try my hand at the weekly challenge posted this week at Paper

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-89129162203555008172011-02-08T15:49:00.000-05:002011-02-08T15:49:09.635-05:00

(Click on any photo to see a larger image.) I was so taken with the ATC's I created in my last two posts (Siren of the Sea and Snowball Koi) that I continued the underwater theme and created two more. The Purple Betta presented a challenge to me because of it's orientation. It is a long, relatively slender stamp measuring only one and a half inches across. The fish's tail is effectively cut

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-56869631243573106742011-02-03T01:11:00.002-05:002011-02-03T01:15:53.827-05:00

(Click on image for a larger view.) I enjoyed creating the Siren of the Sea ATC  in my last post so much that I decided to  create another undersea ATC, this time featuring koi fish. I'm still playing around with the theme of light and shadow. In the Sea Siren, the light source was very obviously from directly above. Here the light source is much more subdued and subtle, coming in from the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-17558269266743303302011-01-30T04:38:00.007-05:002011-02-05T00:44:38.852-05:00

I like Artist Trading Cards (ATC) because they are small (2.5 x 3.5 inches) which means that they work up more quickly than a standard card. Since there isn't a lot of room to work with, it is best not to clutter it up with a lot of busy-ness. This provides the perfect canvas for me to try out new ideas and techniques without investing a lot of materials in the process. In spite of the fact that

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-90974850415160777262011-01-29T00:32:00.000-05:002011-01-29T00:32:07.372-05:00

(Click on any photo for a larger image.) Recently I attended a baby shower to welcome the newest member of our family, a beautiful baby boy born to my second cousin, Melissa. For her baby registry she had chosen all the sheets, clothes and accessories in a Jungle Babies pattern featuring tiny jungle animals. In keeping with this theme I created this banana tree scene in which to wrap the baby

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-16686029530620203092011-01-29T00:11:00.000-05:002011-11-02T17:47:38.653-04:00

(Warning! Graphic image.) Something happened to me on Sunday night, 1/23/11, that although it occurred frequently during my younger years, it hasn't happened to me in a long, long time. I fell down a flight of stairs. The basement stairs, to be precise. It all  happened so quickly it was like a blur. One moment I was at the top of the stairs speaking to my husband then the other I was at the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-78519246620612402452010-12-28T22:43:00.004-05:002011-01-01T18:24:20.829-05:00

(Click on any photo for a larger image.) Ok, I admit it. I didn't send Christmas cards this year. Heck, I barely bought any gifts. There was just too much going on for me to sit down long enough to create my annual masterpiece to send out to everyone. To be very honest I felt a bit empty and let down about it because I really wanted to craft cards but Time is a hard task master and refused to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-68833428978485834682010-11-28T02:09:00.004-05:002010-11-29T23:30:51.362-05:00

(click on photo for a larger image) Craftwell recently released its updated software designed to correct many of the problems inherent in the original version. I'm happy to report that many of the problems I had with my machine have been addressed and corrected with version 2. It's still not not my dream machine but it is far from the nightmare it was when I first received it. As a result, I've

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-17590352495979111042010-11-14T00:34:00.000-05:002010-11-14T00:34:19.024-05:00

The eCraft electronic cutter that I won at the CHA Summer 2010 Super Show finally arrived at the very end of October just as I was leaving for my 24th anniversary weekend so I wasn't able to put it through its paces until after I returned. The machine comes with a power cord, a USB cord for connecting to a computer, a proprietary SD card with a set of images, a paper tray and a roller assembly

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-60963968886273624052010-11-01T04:15:00.000-04:002010-11-01T04:15:16.257-04:00

Wedding card Origami folded invitation Shrink Plastic Charm Bracelet Cardmaking at the Senior Center Jewelry making I've been so busy lately it feels as if I've been running like a madwoman just to stay in place. Just in the past month alone I worked on the projects pictured on this page. I designed, printed and folded over 100 custom invitations for a repeat client. The invite,

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-64140798021729552922010-09-16T16:52:00.003-04:002010-10-09T22:04:00.810-04:00

(Click on the photo to view a larger image.) I have, on many occasions, mentioned the Dorchester Senior Citizen's Center, the place at which I volunteer. Due to many other conflicting commitments, I have been on hiatus from the center since the end of May 2010 and am due to return this month. In my absence, the center director, Ms. JoAnne Biswakarma, updated her center's blog and among her posts

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-32033934280814626652010-09-10T22:10:00.012-04:002010-10-09T22:09:34.455-04:00

(Click on any photo to view a larger image.) Candleholder - before Candleholder - after I've been having such a good time playing with my CHA goodies that I decided to try my hand at something that wasn't made of paper. My philosophy is that if something is so bad that it can be thrown out, it can't be made any worse by an attempt to fix it and perhaps might actually turn out well. I have a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-62687135933711298932010-09-10T02:25:00.068-04:002010-10-09T22:00:13.995-04:00

(Click on a photo to view a larger image.) All stencils by The Crafter's Workshop Moon Gate Path to Mt. Fuji "Night Flight" Series - Bird "Night Flight" Series -Butterflies "Night Flight" Series -Dragonflies In my previous post I showed you a small fraction of the enviable stash of the goodies I brought home from the CHA Summer 2010 Supershow in Illinois. In this post you

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-12586814681887696102010-09-10T02:14:00.001-04:002010-10-09T21:51:22.649-04:00

A fraction of my "swag" haul. DCWV designer series cards The Crafter's Workshop papers and stencils Cutting tools from Fiskars. Chalks and rub-on colors by Craf-T. A bonanza from Tsukineko Never having been to a crafts convention before, I had no idea what to expect in spite of the fact that I had done quite a bit of reading about CHA before I went. Although I had been

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-13269712599719033692010-08-23T02:11:00.087-04:002010-11-13T23:24:05.611-05:00

Tim Holtz and I get close.  Robin, Scott, me, Sue and Rachel. It has been three weeks since I returned from my extraordinary trip to the CHA Supershow in Rosedale (Chicago) as the grand prize winner of the A.C. Moore/CHA Sweepstakes. So much happened immediately upon my return that it totally interrupted my posting any information from that wonderful trip. I will try to recapture some of the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-60568295933552550882010-08-02T10:48:00.002-04:002012-01-29T04:10:44.799-05:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) As a new design team member for About Art Accents, I am sent rubber stamps with which to create artwork that is then featured on the AAA website. Because I have no choice in what images are sent to me, I invariably receive stamps that I would not necessarily have chosen for myself. This actually turns out to be a good thing because it forces me to think

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-49949865483881482342010-07-21T10:52:00.019-04:002012-01-29T04:08:38.158-05:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) You may recall that in an earlier post I mentioned that I had been invited to become a design team member for About Art Accents, a rubber stamp company and one of the sponsors for the Oriental Stamp Art (OSA) Yahoo group. AAA provides me with rubber stamps and I, in turn, use them to create art that is then featured in its online gallery. During my recent

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-87254913472908159562010-07-14T16:56:00.006-04:002010-07-14T17:03:21.492-04:00

I delivered the completed project to my client and he was delighted with it. He liked it so much he ordered another one on the spot. This project is a monitoring vest to be used for an Alzheimer's research project. Because of the proprietary nature of research projects, I prefer not to show pictures of the vest so as not to incur any chance of infringing on the researcher's rights. I had cleared

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-53522437663265977832010-07-13T23:51:00.003-04:002010-07-14T00:01:21.542-04:00

I have been in a whirlwind of activity lately, so much so that I haven't had a minute to craft a card in well over a month. I'm beginning to go into withdrawal but I think there may be a lull soon that will allow me a moment to unwind and craft. My latest project was to recreate a monitoring testing vest for use in an ongoing research project at the local senior college. I'm happy to say that I

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-58216480122970217712010-07-02T01:49:00.008-04:002010-08-02T10:06:58.487-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) Where do I start? There is so much to say. First let me say that I completed the six large paper flower arrangements for my daughter's high school graduation and they looked magnificent. Here's a picture of how they looked across the front of the auditorium stage. They are approximately three feet from top to bottom and two and a half feet across. While

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-45054553385827350012010-06-17T00:36:00.001-04:002010-06-17T00:37:39.222-04:00

Blogger recently introduced new templates for its blogs so I thought this was a good time to give The Creative Diva a fresh new look. I hope you like it and will continue to visit. Thanks.Ballo ergo sum- Gitana, the Creative Diva

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-68848050394966114702010-06-16T23:58:00.012-04:002010-09-30T00:08:01.266-04:00

This June marks a couple of milestones. First, my youngest daughter is graduating from high school and going off to college. Second, she is a member of the very first graduating class for The Green School, An Academy for Environmental Careers, a new high school here in Brooklyn that first opened its doors to students in September 2007. As its name implies, The Green School's focus is

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-24987233149714117302010-06-13T02:02:00.010-04:002011-01-26T02:24:10.324-05:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) In March, I wrote about several art competitions that I was entering and how busy I was preparing for them (click here to read that post). What I didn't tell you was what eventually happened. My submission didn't make it in the FEGS art competition so that was one out of three contests out of the way. The entries I submitted to the contest sponsored by

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-43963838678086035142010-05-25T00:53:00.007-04:002010-08-02T10:08:44.253-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) Between the volunteering I do for the senior center and a decorating project I'm working on for my daughter's high school, I've been too frantically busy to write about what I'm doing. I'm going to try and condense things here in an effort to catch up. For a change of pace, we switched from card making and began making other things from paper. Thanks to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-44510512861981826402010-05-06T13:12:00.005-04:002010-05-25T00:49:54.158-04:00

Oriental Stamp Arts, the Yahoo group to which I belong, solicits tips and tricks from its members every Thursday. One tip is selected from among the entries for a weekly prize. One recent tip that I submitted was seen by Nancie Waterman, the editor of Vamp Stamps News (http://www.vampstampnews.com) who contacted me for permission to publish my tip in the June 2010 issue which I granted. I never

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-65994780864968964742010-04-26T01:59:00.004-04:002010-07-04T02:15:39.730-04:00

One of the members in the Oriental Stamp Arts group I belong to recommended this blog post as a source of inspiration for our own work. How right she was. I've linked to it here so you can enjoy it also. Just click on the title below and it will take you to the post.Cut and ColorBallo ergo sum- Gitana, the Creative Diva

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-40306960513888157092010-04-19T01:16:00.005-04:002010-04-19T03:42:50.815-04:00

The ladies of the senior center and I have been busy assembling cards and this has been keeping me very busy. Here you see the cards we have assembled in the past two weeks. The green tree is specially made to commemorate Earth Day which this year falls on April 21, 2010.Because many of them have physical limitations that prevent them from completing many of the tasks required to create a card

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-58702333802244453252010-04-06T00:54:00.005-04:002010-04-06T01:39:54.118-04:00

If you follow this blog, you know that I am volunteering at a local senior citizen's center. Once a week for an hour, I lead a group of seniors in assembling a card kit that I create at home. Many times I will build in an element of choice so that they don't feel that their cards look exactly alike. Just before Easter, I created a card that featured a verse on the front that said "Easter

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-82219797309686287092010-03-24T21:32:00.007-04:002010-08-02T09:59:48.486-04:00

(Click on the image for a larger view.) Sometimes its the little things that bring the biggest rewards. Last year I received a small rubber stamp depicting a cat giving itself a tongue bath. I loved the image but didn't use it, preferring instead to let it "speak" to me in its own good time. One day I decided to stamp it in the corner of a piece of scrap cardstock I had left over from a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-67749232754498457412010-03-23T15:41:00.002-04:002010-03-23T15:45:39.125-04:00

Like blogs? Like free giveaways? Like acrylic paint? Well, if you do, Trial and Error blog is sponsoring a free giveaway of the book, Acrylic Revolution by Nancy Reyner. Go here to leave a comment on her blog and qualify for a chance to win. Good luck!Ballo ergo sum- Gitana, the Creative Diva

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-89432197346155653692010-03-22T18:51:00.008-04:002010-03-28T18:12:57.183-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.)The ladies in my crafting group at the senior center are loving the cards they have been making. Designing a new one and creating the kits they will need to assemble the cards is a lot of work but I'm enjoying it immensely. Last week I had created 10 kits figuring this would more than accommodate the six or so individuals who participated in the past few

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-90136510131739344352010-03-15T02:09:00.008-04:002010-03-24T21:57:38.798-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.) Here is a sneak peek at the card the seniors will be constructing this week. In order to accommodate individuals with limitations in dexterity and/or vision, I do all the cut work and stamping, assemble card kits and guide them in assembling the finished card. For those of you who would like to create this card or one like it, the instructions are below.

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-88369041600017386842010-03-14T09:09:00.004-04:002010-03-14T09:17:31.692-04:00

As I've mentioned many times before on this blog, I am a member of Oriental Stamp Arts (OSA), a Yahoo group comprised of fabulous paper and rubberstamp artists. One of our members, Cindy, has a blog of her own that she began in January and in this short time has already amassed over 500 hits! Amazing! To show her appreciation for all the support she has been given, she is offering blog candy to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-32768932769737984082010-03-14T01:06:00.007-05:002010-03-24T21:58:01.793-04:00

(Click on the image for a larger view.)The winter is ebbing, Spring is tentatively showing her face and there are signs of new life in my garden. Just as the energy of nature is increasing so, too, is the energy of my life. Things have been happening at a rapid pace and it seems that every day there is something else that demands my time and attention. I'm not complaining, mind you, just saying

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-18276040107136988292010-02-05T22:50:00.006-05:002010-03-24T21:58:57.749-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.)Today I conducted my first crafting class with the members of the Dorchester Senior Center where I saw some familiar faces from last week and met a few new ones. By way of introducing myself to them, I brought along some samples of my previous work so everyone could acquaint themselves with what I do and to show them the variety of possibilities inherent in

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-39012798838074209892010-02-03T00:51:00.006-05:002010-03-24T21:59:17.493-04:00

(Click on the image for a larger view.)Last week in my personal blog, I mentioned that I would be volunteering to teach crafts at a senior citizens center. (Click here to read that post.) This is the card I've created as my first project with the seniors. Because I will be dealing with people who have dexterity and visual limitations, I have to limit the amount of detail work they have to do to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-22748154431700312842010-01-10T01:07:00.004-05:002010-01-10T01:23:10.972-05:00

The phenomenon of blogging and other forms of electronic social networking is awesome in its ability to allow rapid exchange of ideas and information. It allows individuals who may have limited access to conventional methods of information exchange the opportunity to stay informed and keep up with what is happening around them. For an information hound like me, this is next to Nirvana.Today I

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-34752294669959479502009-11-26T01:13:00.010-05:002010-03-24T22:10:42.524-04:00

(Click on an image to see a larger view.)I've begun serious deliberation over what this year's holiday card should look like. I came up with a layout I like and began to create it in several different color schemes. Sometimes a card just comes out right the first time and I don't have to tweak it. Other times I need to go over it and over it, changing a little something each time until I achieve

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-4443210221156048832009-11-26T00:19:00.010-05:002010-03-24T21:52:57.974-04:00

(Click on an image for a larger view.)This month has been an unexpected whirlwind for me. In September I wrote about a card I created for a challenge swap being voted first place by my peers in the Oriental Stamp Art Yahoo group I belong to. (You can read that post here for some background info.) Well, this month I had the unrivaled thrill of being notified by the editor of Vamp Stamp News (

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-79087225038032499242009-11-06T00:28:00.005-05:002009-11-06T00:35:38.190-05:00

I have often considered giving a workshop or teaching a course on papercrafting and cardmaking. My question to you is this: if you wanted to take such a course, what things would you like to learn? Would you want to learn the techniques I use so you can use them to create your own cards? If so, what techniques would you like to learn? Would you prefer to create a card from a template? If so, do

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-5513024129799036972009-11-01T12:21:00.017-05:002009-12-14T02:20:22.944-05:00

(Click on an image for a larger view) Last week my family and I sat down and actually spent some time doing something together...we painted pumpkins for Hallowe'en. Usually the only time we are together in one room is for the occasional family dinner (which is becoming rarer as the children get older) or the occasional family television program (which is extremely rare given our disparate

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-86883887023423777472009-10-16T23:23:00.005-04:002009-10-16T23:48:48.604-04:00

The custom order I was working for 100 passport-styled invitations has been completed and delivered to the client today, five days ahead of schedule. I am relieved and very, very satisfied that the way this project turned out. (To read the background story, click here.)I ran into several minor problems with this order, most of which were printer-related issues. First I ran out of ink. Then the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-79221248137444491012009-10-12T03:49:00.005-04:002009-10-12T04:07:08.441-04:00

(Click on picture to view a larger image)My daughter needed a card for a gift she was bringing to a baby shower. Naturally she casually mentions this on the evening before the event. Of course, I think to myself, I can whip up a quick little card. But as soon as I sat down to create I found myself taking out all manner of embellishments and brass stencils, cardstock and what have you. After

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-46034963910113815142009-10-07T16:44:00.011-04:002009-10-25T18:30:07.860-04:00

(Note: Click on a photo to see a larger image.)It seems as if my life is being carried in a small boat along a fast moving stream. So much has happened in the last month that I have not had time to post on my blogs or participate in any of the challenges hosted by the online groups to which I belong. Fortunately my little boat is not sailing without a rudder so I can keep myself from capsizing

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-62505793629376255282009-09-13T20:00:00.004-04:002009-09-13T20:14:26.294-04:00

As you may already know I am a member of Oriental Stamp Art (OSA), a Yahoo stamping group that regularly holds card swaps. Some of the swaps are voted on by group members and prizes awarded to the winners. In a recent "Holiday Card" swap, my card was voted as the first prize winner. It's always a thrill to win a prize but even moreso when the recognition comes from your peers. Unfortunately I

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-27412590825657789462009-09-09T21:41:00.008-04:002009-10-17T00:33:56.138-04:00

(Note: Click on a photo to see a larger image.)My grandson is turning 11 years old this month. This handsome young man has a fascination with all things ladybug so of course his card had to sport his favorite insect. This lucky ladybug sits upon the large leaf of a sunflower hand-drawn with Prismacolor Premier coloring pencils. The cloudy blue sky was achieved by chalking around the edges of a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-65799720522397146742009-08-31T14:05:00.006-04:002009-08-31T17:18:40.440-04:00

I'm not known for my simple designs. Seems I begin with all good intentions to keep things simple then I find myself going and going, not knowing when to stop and having a ball in the process. This time I think I may have accomplished that elusive task of creating something simple without it being boring.The central motif was accomplished with a cut-and-fold template by POP-UPS by Plane Class (

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-16199393691015440202009-08-26T01:35:00.005-04:002009-08-26T01:45:25.349-04:00

(Note: Click on image for a larger view)Okay, so perhaps I'm not being very imaginative but I've done it again. I used the format of another layout challenge to create a card that I need for the immediate future. This time the challenge in question is the weekly layout challenge run by the Oriental Stamp Art Yahoo group that I belong to. I found this layout quite a challenge and didn't know

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-47139728299264003032009-08-25T09:28:00.008-04:002009-08-25T10:10:01.200-04:00

(Note: Click on image for a larger view)I have a number of birthdays coming up in the next couple of months that I will be making cards for. One of those is that of my parents who happen to share the same birthday. I find it difficult to create a card that would be suitable for both of them since they have different preferences as to colors and motifs. What is suitable for one may not be to the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-80153714693690607032009-08-20T17:35:00.008-04:002009-08-25T10:14:34.542-04:00

(Note: Click on image for a larger view)In my Respect Mother Earth tutorial, I took you through the specific steps I used to create the card you see to the left, but as I mentioned there is no reason you can't change things up a little bit to suit your personal taste. Here are a few adaptations you can use in creating just about any card with this layout:Change the focal panel:- Instead of

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-63093243952589861202009-08-20T16:13:00.011-04:002011-01-26T02:54:47.688-05:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) The layout used to create the Respect Mother Earth card featured in my last blog post is a simple and versatile one that can be adapted to a multitude of occasions. The instructions below will show you how to create the card I made. Keep in mind that EVERYTHING is negotiable and there's no reason why you can't change the color scheme, the image, the

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-1632203480290488292009-08-19T23:41:00.011-04:002009-08-21T21:49:03.701-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)No, this isn't a post about divine inspiration nor is it about a card featuring angels. It concerns my daughter, Angel, who sometimes accompanies me on trips to my local crafts store and is many times the source of some of my creative "pearls". She attends a high school that emphasizes environmental careers and sustainable living and is very interested

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-59398561171960429742009-08-07T01:14:00.004-04:002009-08-07T01:18:35.889-04:00

Hi, everyone. Thank you for all the positive feedback and the wonderful comments you leave on my blog. I would love to respond to you but Blogspot doesn't appear to allow that option, or perhaps I just don't know how to do it. If ever you wish to contact me with questions concerning any of the projects I post, please feel free to send me an email to gypsiwoman55@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-64118078035253371872009-08-07T00:33:00.012-04:002009-11-15T01:56:42.046-05:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)As I mentioned in my last post, I was going to create a tri-shutter card with an Asian motif for a layout challenge promoted by Oriental Stamp Art, the stamp and swap group I belong to. Here is what I came up with. This is a full card front version, just slightly different from the card on the previous post which has a T-front.As with my first

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-63206938112941384222009-08-05T22:50:00.009-04:002009-08-21T21:49:36.542-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)One of the crafts groups I belong to offers a weekly layout challenge where its members are invited to create a card according to a featured layout. This week's challenge is called a tri-shutter card, an interesting bit of paper engineering that offers myriad possibilities for decorating. Splitcoast Stampers has a great tutorial for this card and you can

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-68684665642210909382009-07-29T16:12:00.012-04:002009-08-21T21:50:16.645-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) There are few things that are as meaningful to a recipient as a beautifully handcrafted card that is totally unexpected. It tells them that they are special in the eyes of the crafter. This week I have reached out to several people who are special to me and who were not expecting cards. One was for a friend who will soon be leaving for China to teach

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-87338477686298081862009-07-24T17:49:00.003-04:002011-11-02T17:53:26.819-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) Things have not slowed down for me since my last post nearly a month ago. In fact it feels as if some things have speeded up. One thing that has been affected by all my activity has been my crafting, or lack thereof as the case may be. I managed to squeeze in a couple of cards yesterday. One is for my daughter who is away for a month working as an

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-51559604602167604052009-06-28T20:09:00.003-04:002009-08-21T21:50:49.595-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)I have been so busy that I haven't had time to post any of the things I've created recently. Two of the cards I've created are for swap contests so I can't post them until the voting has been completed. I'm currently working on something I've never done before... a baby book/photo album. I'm not really into scrapbooking as I prefer cards but I wanted to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-90099066051008007832009-06-05T23:33:00.018-04:002009-08-21T21:48:27.434-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) Sometimes it's the littlest things that make me happy. I recently purchased some watercolor sprays and some clear acrylic stamps with Asian motifs. With my new toys in hand I proceeded to play and decided to make a few ATC's. In case you're unfamiliar with the term, ATC means Artist Trading Card. They are miniature works of art measuring 3-1/2 inches by

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-83027863308322966942009-05-29T23:59:00.014-04:002009-08-21T21:51:03.550-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)The card featured here was the prototype for a birthday card for my daughter's friend, someone whom she describes as a "tree lover" so she wanted the focal image of the card to be that of a tree. She had seen and liked several tree sketches I had done with oil pastels on the paper I use to protect my worktable. I had been testing several different packs

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-92075117300440996682009-05-19T22:21:00.016-04:002009-08-21T21:51:19.395-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)This card began as simply playing around with some new stamps and liquid watercolors and ended up as a deliberate attempt to reach out to a daughter struggling with the rigors of raising a rambunctious and challenging boy. You can read the background story here.Materials:- Dragonfly stamp: Stamp Zia, - Stamp Zia Color Wash Jewels liquid watercolor sprays

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-29856140649800463952009-05-07T23:56:00.009-04:002009-08-21T21:51:35.964-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)No matter how much in advance I attempt to make my cards, I always seem to find myself rushing at the last minute. Lack of time management skills, I'd like to say, but the truth is that I get carried away doing things for fun and not paying attention to that which needs attending. Such was the case with my Mother's Day cards. I found myself in a mad rush

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-59935961226756217682009-04-28T01:32:00.004-04:002009-04-28T01:36:36.557-04:00

I've decided to freshen up my blog's look with a new template so if things look different to you, you're not mistaken. Let me know if you like (or don't like) the change. Stay tuned for more creativity in the future. Thanks.Ballo ergo sum- Gitana, the Creative Diva

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-82341690244774064892009-04-27T22:02:00.013-04:002009-08-21T21:52:05.082-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)As I mentioned in my last post, I have been making Asian-influenced cards for Mother's Day and I promised to give the details on how I created the card on this page. Here's the scoop:Materials:1. White A2 sized card (4.25" by 5.5" folded);2. 1 sheet glossy black cardstock;3. 1 pc Asian motif patterned paper measuring 4.25" x 5.5";4. 1 pc gold paper

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-84967787876450540242009-04-27T15:55:00.014-04:002009-08-21T21:52:18.096-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)I have always had an affinity for Asian cultures, especially Asian decorative motifs. I recently joined the Oriental Stamp Arts Yahoo group (OSA) and have been inspired by the beautiful artwork created by its members. This week I have begun working on Mother's Day cards with a decidedly Asian flavor. The first card began with a self-imposed challenge to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-48022620692044113832009-04-27T04:40:00.012-04:002009-08-21T21:52:33.351-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) This is a continuation of my last post where I posted some of the colorful images I photographed while in Mexico recently. Here I have posted pictures of some of the beautiful hand painted woodenware I bought at a Mexican artesania. You can see a photo of the piece followed by a close-up of some of the detail work. (Click on any of the images to see a

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-16609254177663057242009-04-23T01:46:00.014-04:002009-08-21T21:52:54.485-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view) I admit I'm not much of a traveller, preferring to nest at home. When I do venture from my surroundings I am invariably attracted to the colors and textures of my surroundings and I make it my business to seek out the local artisans for a taste of authentic craftsmanship. This trip to Mexico did not disappoint me on that score. In these photos you get

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-56850955650956650832009-04-10T15:38:00.006-04:002009-04-18T21:46:49.896-04:00

Tomorrow my family and I are off to Ixtapa, Mexico for a week. I'm hoping for warmth and relaxation, at least as much relaxation as one can muster up when travelling with family. I'm also hoping to come back revitalized, invigorated and artistically inspired. One of the things I love about going to a new environment is seeing the colors and patterns. They infuse me with the desire to create using

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-33407701234098120702009-04-06T14:29:00.006-04:002009-08-21T21:53:22.858-04:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)In my last post I told you I would be on a short hiatus as I prepared for a one week vacation to Mexico. Well, that hiatus lasted about a hot minute after I bought a new set of stamps and papers at my local Target. I just had to sit down and started crafting. Here are a couple of cards I created last night, both using a tangerine polka dot paper that

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-45235842974517398262009-04-05T01:58:00.003-04:002009-04-05T02:03:43.164-04:00

I've been very busy with home-related issues as well as preparing for an upcoming vacation. As a result, I haven't been able to do very much crafting nor will I be able to for the next couple of weeks. In the meantime things will be very quiet here at The Creative Diva. However I do hope to be able to play catch up once I return from Mexico. I have a few ideas for a new Cuttlebug tutorial and

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-31739047051301825762009-03-29T01:10:00.007-04:002009-04-18T21:47:11.747-04:00

If there is anything better than creating art, it is having your work recognized by your peers. My fellow artists have honored me by using my Cuttlebug Filigree Medallion tutorial as inspiration for their own work. I honor them in return by showcasing their work here on my blog. Their creativity is inspiring. Click on the names to check out their work. Click on your browser's BACK button to

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-32115067273937675882009-03-27T16:48:00.024-04:002009-08-21T21:54:00.329-04:00

Two days ago I made a trip into Manhattan to visit one of my favorite art stores. I had to pick up some supplies but I was much more interested in attending a demonstration by a Prismacolor representative who promised to show tips and techniques for using that line of products. Being an artist, I was familiar with the brand, used many of its products and knew them to be of high quality. It just

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40052882640241319.post-76092023534710359972009-02-11T00:15:00.040-05:002010-03-14T01:04:33.395-05:00

(Note: Click on an image for a larger view)In the last two tutorials, I showed you some simple ways of combining die cuts created with Cuttlebug ® ’s Vintage die set. I hope you’ve done a little experimenting of your own with this versatile set. As promised, I am going to show you some of the combinations possible with the two die used to create the Filigree Medallion and the Mini Medallion. (

Gitanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13870707643196456558noreply@blogger.com8