Come On Let's Vote!

I'm sure you all have had those days...you wake up and that turns out to the biggest accomplishment of your day...no matter what you do? So yeah, I had one of "those" days. And totally forgot to post our entries!!!!!!! Oh gosh beat me with a wet noodle and call me bad names! I deserve it. But at least I remembered before the day faded from memory right?! I apologize for my lateness.

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

So let's VOTE!!!!!!!!

VOTING RULES ARE SIMPLE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight July 15, 2009 and winners will be posted July 16, 2009.

(If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy:Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.)

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

BUT THIS WEEK IS A BIT DIFFERENT FOR THE ENTRANTS! SO! If you entered the challenge you must come back here on the 16th to see who won because I have a surprise and if you don't check back you'll miss it. That's all I'm sayin'. ;-)

Each entry had to use the same image I presented in this blog last week and our inspirational word prompt this week was Contentment...and I wish it for each and every one of you! Enjoy perusing all this marvelous creativity

Happy Looking and Voting (I know it's hard!)

Gail

Sue Ann Lommler http://wwwsueann.blogspot.com/

Stacey http://www.primprimitives.blogspot.com/

Penny Plum http://palaverfrompellieghengiskhat.blogspot.com/

Nan Neely http://nansniche.blogspot.com/

Mary T rosecottagetreasures.com

Mary Stowers

Lorraine Stobie http://www.creativedaily.blogspot.com/

Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/

Lisa Jurist http://mudhoundprimitives.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Eyles http://ruralmainelife.blogspot.com/

Joy Northrup Joy to the Blog

Joan http://joanshomestudio.blogspot.com/

Jenny Folker Supplies Overflowing!

Gale

Donna Cook http://bonniebluedenim.blogspot.com/

Diane goodmourningglory.blogspot.com

Debbie Freeman http://lifegoesondeb.blogspot.com/

Birgit http://swappinghowdies.blogspot.com/2009/07/contentment.html

Amada Lebel
http://overthetopstudios.typepad.com/

Our Anniversary Challenge Contest!

Happy July Bloggers! Summer is starting to speed up! Our Challenge Contest is actually one year old now! Wow. How did that happen?

As always our goal is to get you to use the image and word prompt provided to "open your mind", to maybe step out of your box or your comfort zone. Maybe the image is one you don't usually work with, maybe the colors are not "your colors". But the whole premise of this blog and this challenge is to find something to inspire you to create and if you are a little uncomfortable with what we offer...why...we LIKE that! Working along in the same manner all the time, is not a learning process...it's just a comfortable old shoe. When you face something that makes you uncomfortable or a little nervous, why then your learning senses are wide open! Mind wide open! :-)

And our other goals are to hopefully get you to have some fun, feel free, experiment, get in to your studio, take some time for you. You are as important as everyone else in your life!

Since this month is our Anniversary month I have something a little different in the way of a prize. Our winner still receives a free $20.00 shopping spree but I'm throwing a little something else into the mix. But my evil twin has stepped up to the plate and she won't allow me to tell you what until all the votes are in and counted. Bwaahaha! :-)

OUR ONLY RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work. The word prompt given with the image can be used in your artwork or not, it is strictly your inspirational tool along with the image.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. The contest ends midnight July 7. All entries will be posted July 8 ready for voting.

The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio.

Here is the image...you must use it...and the inspirational word prompt is Contentment.




Happy Creating!
Gail

Sharing Some Love

I copied this from my personal blog because I wanted to share.

Music...like visual art...is powerful. I've often played with a naive fantasy during times of my life, that if we could only get the whole world singing, we could do away with the hatred and misunderstandings. Because music speaks to our hearts, no matter who we are, no matter where we live, no matter our beliefs, what color our skin might be or what our native language. If you aren't aware of Playing for Change take a look at this video, enjoy and join me in my fantasy.

Create with Love
Gail

You Have Voted!

Wow! Between the comment votes and the email votes we had the voters turn out for this one. I think this image must have spoke to a lot of people and then as each artist interpreted it with their own vision some stunning results were created!

So we had some close calls but this month our winning entry goes to Sharon Chapman! And our two runners up are Joy Northrup and Lille Bulle. Our winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree at Shabby Cottage Studio and our runners up each receive a free collage sheet of their choice. Ladies, I will email each one of you with details. CONGRATULATIONS!

It's hard to believe but next month marks the one year anniversary of this monthly Challenge! So I think I eill have to put my thinking cap on and come up with something really cool to celebrate. ;-)

Every month I say this and every month it comes from the heart...thank you to each and every one of you who come to this blog and play in our Challenge. It's fun to have you on board and see how each of you take my monthly image and create your own interpretation of it. I know some images may present more of a challenge than others but remember the name of this blog is Mind Wide Open. And sometimes if I can inspire you to open your mind a little more, step outside your comfort zone a bit, then along with the fun and the prizes, I've done what I set out to do.

So have a great rest of the month and we'll see what happens next month for our One Year Anniversary Challenge!

Create with Love

Gail

Entries are Up and You can Vote!

Happy June everybody. Is yours flying by already like mine is? Exactly what IS this thing with time and age and everything speeding on so quickly every time you turn around? And if you're not old enough to be experiencing it yet then just wait! LOL

So all our entries are in and again we have such a diversity of interpretation of June's image and I can't wait to for you to see them so I'm as usual thanking each and every one who entered, I think all of you absolutely ROCK and I'm posting the rules and getting out of the way!

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

VOTING RULES ARE SIMPLE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight June 15, 2009 and winners will be posted June 16, 2009.

If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy:Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Each entry had to use the same image I presented in this blog last week and our inspirational word prompt this week was Wish. Enjoy perusing all this marvelous creativity!

Happy Looking and Voting (I know it's hard!)

Gail

Stacey http://www.primprimitives.blogspot.com/

Joy Northrup http://joytotheblog.blogspot.com/

Izabella http://izabella.typepad.com/

Becs http://rebeccarosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Anne Le Toux http://bullesdorees.blogspot.com/

Tristan Robin Blakeman http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com/

SueAnn Lommler http://wwwsueann.blogspot.com/

Sharon Chapman http://www.wildflowerhouse.blogspot.com/

Planete http://planetescrap.canalblog.com/archives/2009/06/07/13991610.html

Penny Plum http://palaverfrompellieghengiskhat.blogspot.com/

Patte Kayne http://www.sistersoftheart.blogspot.com/

Myrna Ernst http://more-than-heirlooms.blogspot.com/

Marie-Aimee http://alter-the-time.blogspot.com/

Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/

Jean Eggleton http://gypsyluludelights.blogspot.com/

Birgit http://swappinghowdies.blogspot.com/

Bill Charlebois http://artellacafe.com/blogs/billizettis_world/

Amy McCollum http://www.artsyfartsychicnm.blogspot.com/

Lili Bulle http://123lilibulle.canalblog.com/

Fragment of Thought - Camp and Creativity

I was never one of those kids who went to camp. We couldn't' afford it and when mom needed peace of mind she shipped us off to grandma's house for a few weeks during the summer. And hey, I never minded...I loved going to Grandma's house. First when they lived on the farm and then when they moved to the lake. Loads of stuff for kids to find to do!

But now, after umm, many, many years finally I can say I'm going to camp this summer! And what a camp it is!

Visit KC Willis Collage Camp

You may or may not know K.C. Willis and her luscious art. She is well known for her work in the western world since most of her themes center around the old West. Unfortunately in my ignorance I was not aware of K.C. until my friend Joanna Pierotti of Moss Hill Studio told me about K.C.'s Collage Camp.

Many things kept me from signing up earlier but yesterday I signed up for Collage Camp and found myself entranced, not only by K.C.'s work but K.C. herself. And my creative muse lifted her lazy sleepy head, looked around and suddenly yelled real loud in my ear...WOWZA!!!

I have always been a lover of new and vintage fabric, trim, and lace. I am not a seamstress, not even much of a sewer. My usage has been more in the form of glue, staple gun and safety pins when it comes to applying any kind of fabric to any kind of surface. I have also enjoyed printing on fabric the few times I have done this.

Those of you who have been around MWO for a while have figured out my love also for digital work. And the other night as I sat staring at a beautiful creation on my computer screen my brain kept saying...how, how, how, can I better incorporate this into my real world art. Along with this need there has also been for some time now a thread (sorry for the pun) of desire for working more with fabric humming below my surface but I've been hesitant of where to start.

Well I think I see where camp can marry the two together and I'm excited to get started as soon as some new supplies get delivered. I may not be into Western themed art but the beauty of K.C.s work is absolutely not to be denied and oh I can see possibilities. K.C. manipulates fabric and paper like a master and I couldn't tear myself away from her videos. She is a wonderful teacher and gives of herself and her knowledge generously. And I don't even have to know how to sew! Really. It's up to me. I'm already having fun and haven't even gotten into the studio yet. :-)

So if you are looking for some fun this summer with fabric and collage you need to check out KC Willis Collage Camp and stir those creative juices. And if you sign up for KC's class and hear someone yelling in your ear while you're there, pay attention...it's your creative muse getting excited!

Happy Creating

Gail

Hello June!

I think May was a busy month for so many of us for so many reasons. And I know that a lot of you who are mama's are now dealing with kids home from school and keeping them entertained and out of harms way for the summer. So a lot of us are still busier than ever.

But if you feel inspired by this months image and feel that little itch of creative need I hope you'll find a few minutes here and there to join us for our usual monthly Challenge Contest.

WE HAVE ONLY 3 SIMPLE RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work. The word prompt given with the image can be used in your artwork or not, it is strictly your inspirational tool along with the image.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. The contest ends midnight JUNE 7. All entries will be posted JUNE 8 ready for voting.

The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Here is the image (You must use it)
and the inspirational word prompt is WISH .....


Happy Creating!
Gail

Sharing a Little Creative Love

I have watched this video several times. Call me a sentimental fool but each time it brings tears to my eyes. Have you watched it?




Create with Love
Gail

Summer Classes are Here!

We're growing and adding New Classes at Creative Workshops with more in the works behind the scenes.

We have ongoing classes available right now.

I have three classes happening~ two Photoshop/Photoshop Elements classes ...learn how to create custom brushes or how to create a digital collage! And the Digital Grounds class (which by the way has nothing to do with Photoshop and digital "stuff"...I like a term Golden uses on their site in reference to this new product of there..Mix More Media.. Anyhoo...everyone is having a good time learning how to make skins and print on them and how to print on a lot of different other things too!

Pam Carriker has two Journal classes going...Visual Journaling 101 and Shades of Grey..a great class on using Pitt Artist Pens.

All of these classes can be joined at any time and you miss not a thing! They truly are self paced classes and you can fit the segments into your schedule as you have time....even if you don't have much time! It's a time and money saver and a great way to learn new skills!

And of course the NEW CLASSES are exciting!!

May 25 ~ Come Join Nancy Lekfo as she Paints on Fabric Collage ~ a great way to clean up a lot of fabric scraps and make art at the same time.

June 15 ~ Join Lorraine Stobie in Just Charming - Soldering 101 ~ Learn to create those adorable soldered charms that are so popular.

July 7 ~ Pam Carriker is Pursuing Portraits ~ A Study of Self ~ Create a face that represents the inner you.

July 15 ~ Jodi Ohl is going to have Fun With Faux Encaustics ~ A technique that mimics encaustic painting.

And we have more coming later! So stop on buy and check out the class descriptions sign up for a fun class and learn something new!

Happy Art Making!
Gail

You Have Picked a Winner

I keep waiting for the month when we have a tie for the first place winner since we have such gorgeous entries and I thought this was our month because was it ever close!

Thank you once again to everyone who took the time to enter this challenge! This was just a little whimsey piece I created and liked and then you guys took the ball and boy did you run with it. As always our voters had a difficult time of it. But I have them counted and you all did choose a winner. If you're not aware of it, the winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. And each runner up gets their choice of a collage sheet, either printed (free shipping) or digital. I will be in touch with each of the winners.

So no more delay...our May winner is Tristan Robin Blakeman! Congratulations Tristan!http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com/

Our runners up are Nan Neely http://nansniche.blogspot.com/!

And Lilla LeVine http://justlilla.blogspot.com/!

Congratulations Nan and Lilla!

And congratulations to each one of you who played along with us this month and took some time for you. A most important person in your life! :-)

Thanks for playing along!

Gail

Artwork is ready for voting!

I want to thank everyone for your comments and emails and patience for the delay in posting the Challenge images this month. It has been a trying weekend but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and I can see one in the distance! But I simply can not imagine if this flood had been high enough to enter my home and not just the basement! If it had been just water that would have been bad enough but the whole mountain mud issue has been so disheartening. But Mr. Shabby (who was on a fishing trip when this happened) said I did good and my BIL and I are now joking about being ditch digging water buddies, so all's well that ends well and on with the contest and the voting!

If you are a voter, please, take some time and visit the links we have posted...you may find some grand new artists to add to your fave list!

If I missed anything, an entry, a blog address, (some of you did not send me a blog address, so if you just forgot send it on and I will add it) a misspelling of a name, please let me know and I will happily correct it. If you have sent in more than one image it is at my discretion as to whether I post one or two of them.

VOTING RULES ARE SIMPLE:

1. Only one vote person.

2. Voting must be contained to this post only or it will not be counted. The other way to vote is to send an email to shabby@lgschmidt.net. Artists may vote for themselves. Voting ends at midnight May 16, 2009 and winners will be posted May 17, 2009.

If you are not sure how to vote on the blog it is very easy:Scroll to the bottom of this post (not page). After the last image and right under my sign off name you will see a number in front of the word Comments (ie: 12 Comments) in tiny letters. Click on it and a dialog box will open where you can leave your comment.

Winner with the most votes wins a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio and two runners up receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Each entry had to use the same image I presented in this blog last week and our inspirational word prompt this week was Paris in Spring. Enjoy perusing all this marvelous creativity! And as always my thanks to each and every artist who participated this month!

Gail

Tristan Robin Blakeman http://tristanrobin.blogspot.com/

SueAnn Lommler http://wwwsueann.blogspot.com/

Penny Plum http://palaverfrompellieghengiskhat.blogspot.com/

Penny http://www.pennysartroomblog.blogspot.com/

Nancy Lefko http://www.nancylefko.blogspot.com/

Nan Neely http://nansniche.blogspot.com/

Myrna Ernst http://more-than-heirlooms.blogspot.com/

Lisa Mallette http://studiorose.wordpress.com/

Lilla Le Vine http://justlilla.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Eyles http://www.ruralmainelife.blogspot.com/

Debby Harriettha http://thegatheringnest.blogspot.com/

Christine Thuerk

Birgit http://swappinghowdies.blogspot.com/

We've been delayed - Please Stay Tuned

Hello everyone! Our contest will be delayed a day or maybe two as we deal with the results of a flash flood the other night and the resulting flooded basement...umm, now muddy basement...and getting all the debris and trash out of the yard that actually metamorphed into a lake the other night.

I'll be back and get those entries up as soon as I can.

Happy Creating
a muddy and tired ;-)
Gail

Take the May Challenge!

Hello World. :-) The first day of May has arrived with a Spring storm which will save me from having to water the plants. So a small blessing for the day. If you haven't noticed the post below please check it out to find out about my free online class giveaway. Someone has to win it...and it coud be you!

Take this challenge and use it to create not only a piece of art, but time for yourself. Yes...just you. Put the world on hold for just little bit, it won't go anywhere, or fall apart without you. Turn off the cell phone, shut down the computer, send the kids off someplace safe and tell hubby he needs time with his friends. Turn on some music, or listen to the quiet, put yourself in the "zone" and step outside your comfort zone a bit and see what happens. You just might surprise yourself. :-)

Now on to the reason most of you stopped by. The May Challenge!

OUR ONLY RULES:

1. You must use the image provided in your work. The word prompt given with the image can be used in your artwork or not, it is strictly your inspirational tool along with the image.

2. All entries must be sent in jpeg format to shabby@lgschmidt.net and no more than two photos please. I reserve the right to display one or both depending on what I feel is needed to properly show your creation. If you have a blog or gallery address you would like to send to me, I will add a link with your image.

3. The contest ends midnight May 7. All entries will be posted May 8 ready for voting.

The first place winner receives a $20.00 shopping spree with free shipping at Shabby Cottage Studio. Second and third runners up will each receive a free collage sheet of their choice.

Here is the image (You must use it) and this month instead of an actual word prompt we'll give it a bit of a twist by using a phrase as your prompt..... Paris in Spring.

Happy Creating!

Gail

FREE WORKSHOP GIVE AWAY and A SALE!

Okay everybody I'm celebrating my birthday next week with a chance for you to win a Free Workshop and to take advantage of my 25% Sale next Tuesday May 5, 2009! You can go right here to enter your name in the drawing!

Happy Creating

Gail