Just Giddy

Illustration Friday-Electricity

e.lec.tric.i.ty

Electricity is the new topic for Illustration Friday this week. Since my husband, who has worked his life away for the power company, knows so much about the subject, I thought I would ask for his input. Well, it’s funny how we all have different perspectives on things - he instantly thought of a power house, converters, transmission lines, transformers, those water drop thingies for hydro power, dams, substations, K what-cha-ma-call-it lines…and it goes on. I said, “Honey, can you make it simpler?” He said, “a kite, a key and Ben Franklin”.

Bingo…

Personally, I was thinking of a riveting on-stage performance by a beautiful actress or dancer. Something along these lines from http://www.freedictionary.com/electricity

3. electricity – keen and shared excitement; “the stage crackled with electricity whenever she was on it”

Oh well, he always seems to win out lately, if he didn’t look so much like Sean Connery, maybe I wouldn’t give in to him so easily. Just kidding…I liked his idea too.

Again, you can check out the images used to create this submission on my always digital blog justgiddy-rebecca.

Especially for Mothers

Thoughts on Mother's Day...

As a young girl I would dream of the day I could be a mommy, holding a real baby in my arms. Even today I marvel that I was blessed to be a mother, with wonderful children to raise and love. There certainly were times that tested, times that made me question my abilities; but always - there were moments of rapture and thankfulness at the blessings of motherhood.

One thing I know for certain is this, if it weren't for the fine example of the mothers in my life, their love and devotion to family, treating motherhood as a noble undertaking, I would have felt so alone in my journey as a mother. So today I think of my own mom who has now passed on, my most excellent 2nd mom who came into my life, thank you Dad, and my grandmothers who richly influenced my view of motherhood and womanhood alike. Thanks then goes to them and all mothers who bear this title with honor and praise on this day, Mother's Day as it is celebrated in the United States and in hearts around the world.

Illustration Friday-Seed

 

Good Seed – Bad Seed      

I certainly don’t want to miss out on the chance to create something for this weeks’ Illustration Friday topic, Seed. I had a few concepts in mind, but as I was researching for one that would really enthrall me, I couldn’t get the Bad Seed idea out of my head. I saw the movie years ago, it left an impression.

The idea that some children may have a pre-determined and/or genetic disposition to do or be bad seems bizarre to me. There is an interesting article I found with Google search at crimelibrary.com.

As I plant flower or vegetable seeds I know that the type of care I give the seedlings and then the adult plants will most definitely determine the plant’s well being and productivity. So, I relate this to raising a child, which I have done with good success in several cases, and with the help of many; mainly God and who knows how many angels, but also a father, grandparents, friends, good teachers and various books. I’m glad I didn’t have any “bad seeds”, but was it just luck?

Maybe…

* To see the images used in this digital collage, please visit my Almost-Strictly Digital Blog here: justgiddy-rebecca

Thanks for visiting!

It's a Party!!! with Donna O'Brien

~ Gathering up the Swashbucklers ~

It’s finally here… Donna O’Brien’s Swashbuckler Soiree!

~ And what a fine day to be had on Donna’s Blog, The Ribboned Crown ~ After you’ve perused my addition to the party, be sure to visit Donna and check out the party-goers listed in the left side bar of her blog. Looks like there’s a fight brewing over some guy named Johnny though, so watch out…

Iv’e finally found me’ party shoes, that’s why I’m late, but fear not me’ lads n lassies, I’m arriving in style and checking out me’ party mates…

Bless ye', bless ye', bless ye' ...have a good day.

The perfect week…

Have you ever had that perfect day or that perfect week? Well, I just had one of those…

Things are coming together, projects are moving right along and the weather is fantastic! Then, to top it off, I get a couple of orders from some great sellers on Etsy and I couldn’t believe it! They really went out of their way…they packaged & presented things so nicely, even included a little extra. Now that’s what good salesmanship is all about. These are the sellers I will visit again & again!

Thanks to Jamie at Art-e-ology jamieterracottage

And Denise at alphaneenee and Funky Time Art

Isn't it nice to be pleasantly surprised like this?

Now about the perfect year...haven't had that yet, but that's what makes us stronger, braver, more adept, right?

Attention All Swashbucklers

Get out your paints, your scissors, fancy fabrics and glue -- then join in for Donna O’Brien’s Swashbuckler Soiree! Mark your calendar! It’s May 3^rd, just around the bend.

Hmm…now what to create?

Illustration Friday-Wrinkles

Timely Wrinkles

Life is too precious to worry about wrinkles...besides, who has the time???

Digital Illustration for Illustration Friday

Made with all scanned images w/ the exception of the Obsidian Dawn Frame Brush (love those brushes...thanks Stephanie Shimerdla!)

Wrinkles are certainly no fun on face or clothes; but creating this piece in Photoshop was a blast! I wanted to create something with scanned items and my painted backgrounds, so I crumpled up a piece of ivory paper and scanned it, scanned in a painted and gesso-ed background, grabbed one of my roses that had dried, scanned an old envelope & check ledger I found at an antique store, scanned a photo I purchased on ebay, and went to it!!!

You can see the images I used and the Photoshop desktop snapshot on my *mostly-entirely* Digital Blog – justgiddy-rebecca.

Hey, thanks for stopping by my friend!

Illustration Friday-Primitive

The topic for Illustration Friday this week is Primitive. This is probably a bit of a stretch to say that American Bison are primitive, but they are some of my favorite animals, so here goes the stretch...

I can only imagine what European settler thought of these great and massive mammals as they encountered them on the Plains. To learn more about American Bison/ Buffalo, visit these sites:

• Jackson Hole Wyoming Bison
• American Bison
• National Bison Association
• South Dakota Bison

Illustration Friday-Fail

Some Marriages Fail...

A digital collage, the latest Illustration Friday piece for the topic Fail. There were many images in my head for the subject, but this seems like one of the most prevailing, so here you are.  Not a subject I take lightly, I have assured my husband that this little piece of art is not in any way reflective of our wonderful marriage of 17 years...

You can see the images used in this collage on my other blog of strictly digital works … justgiddy-rebecca

Illustration Friday-Save

 

Catch a falling star an put it in your pocket     Save it for a rainy day!

Catch a falling star an put it in your pocket     Never let it fade away!

A Perry Como Song—Music and Lyrics by Lee Pockriss and Paul Vance

We sang this in grade school…oh, the memories…Rockford Idaho Elementary. I wish I had saved some of those milk bottle caps to use in my art.

But I’m glad my mind saved this little tidbit to make me smile today.

Illustration Friday-Homage

Alas that Spring should vanish with the rose, That youth’s sweet manuscript should close.  Omar Khayyam

Today I pay homage to the ~Forgotten Spring of Youth~ in this Illustration Friday submission.

You can check out the images & layers I used to create this digital piece in my strictly digital blog: Just Giddy-Rebecca.

The question is...

Are we crazy?!!! YES!

From California to Virginia...My daughter and I are driving across the entire continental US this week and I think it is crazy, but we love an adventure, so here goes. I have plenty of batteries for my camera and the laptop is packed.  I'll journal along the way, fingers crossed.

We made it! Now that was a LONG>>>> trip! But I am humbled by the kindness and graciousness of all we came in contact with on our way. This is a wonderful nation in which we live, beautified by the people in it. I will post some more and pictures too...after I get unpacked and a few things caught up first.

Illustration Friday -Pet Peeves

Okay...so there are a few pet peeves that may seem obvious, but this is one that drives me crazy. No pun intended...

Yes, it is tailgaters and those who cause one to tailgate. Enough said.

Illustration Friday -Heavy

Heavy or Not -- Anything is Possible

What a great Illustration Friday theme...many concepts came to mind; like Heavy Metal, He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother (love that one especially), and Heavy Heart. But my very creative daughter came up with a feather lifting an anvil, so I played off the idea with creatures of the same distinction. I love Elephants and found this great one and his feathered friend on istock.

If you would like to see the components for this piece, check out my strictly digital blog here: Just Giddy-Rebecca

Beauty Everywhere

The Lazy Sacramento River

I just couldn't help it...it's so breathtaking around here this time of year that I have to BLOG about it. Can you see Mount Lassen peeking over the foothills, with it's proud snow cover on this beautiful Spring day. Just what the Doctor ordered.

Oh, and the dainty pink blossoms of the plum trees are a delight, but hard on the allergies. NOT what the Doctor ordered...

I can never get enough blossom photos. But there are opportunities all over the area. The cherry blossoms are brilliant pink and my very favorite. I'll scope them out this week-end.