Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Eve Blue Moon This year we will have a blue moon at New Year's Eve! A blue moon on New Year's Eve only comes around once every couple decades. A blue moon is defined as the second full moon in a calendar month. The last New Year's Eve blue moon was 1990 and the next one after this year won't come around again until 2028. I will watch the blue moon with a glass of Champagne in my hand in Vancouver. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

With lots of fun, love, happiness, a good health and lots of creativity!

♥♥♥

>M<

Animal Wednesday #34 Stella and Picasso

For Katie Jane the idea was born in an instant....

I knew directly I wanted to create her cats in stained glass

An illusion............

On the back, the real thing, hand-made paper with bits of nature (bought in Bangkok)

Both sides very simple, but the best things in life are the simple things.........

Then this song came in my mind, which is one of my 5 favorite songs

Colors for Caroline

What better subject than colors?!

With 9 Artysoulsisters it wasn't difficult to think about what to create.

# 9!

In my mandalas I (nearly) always use rainbow colors for number 9.

Of course the rainbow only has 7 colors.

1= red

2= orange

3= yellow

4= green

5= heavenly blue

6= indigo

7= purple

When making numerologic mandalas I use violet (red violet) for number 8 and pink (magenta) for number 9

They form the perfect rainbow of colors for me and all their traits, which I wrote on the edge for binding.

Both sides form a reversible painting when you should take the edge away.

The back side is an acrylic painting in a passe partout, an abtract painting of a colored sky.

It was wonderful to admire all the pages in real!

Hope you like my addition Caroline!

Want to see all the pages?

Cactus Monday 63 Spines

Finally some "me time" today!

I made this ATC and completed Caroline's pages.

Happy Cactus Monday dear cactuteers and cacti lovers!

PS Me time was something we had on our door hanger in Bangkok. Anna and I loved it and planned to take it with us but we forgot. So we stayed honest girls..... (please click on the link above to see this wonderful do not disturb sign in watercolor!)

Jerôme

This birthmandala I made earlier this year for Jerôme, my nephew (the handsome young man in the brown jacket from the previous post).

All the numbers of his date of birth added makes 10=1 , his birth number or life path.

(This number represents who you are at birth and the native traits that you will carry with you through life.) 1's are originals. The Life Path 1 suggests that you entered this plane with skills allowing you to become a leader type rather easily. Your nature is charged with individualistic desires, a demand for independence, and the need for personal attainment. Many of our military generals, corporate leaders, and political leaders are men and women having the Life Path 1. When you display positive 1 traits your mind is capable of significant creative inspiration, and it possesses the enthusiasm and drive to accomplish a great deal. You are very good at getting the ball rolling; initiating new projects is your forte. You are at your best when confronted with obstacles and challenges, as you combat these with strength and daring. This is both the physical and inner varieties of strength. With this strength comes utter determination and the capability to lead. As a natural leader you have a flair for taking charge of any situation. You have a tendency to do this, even if, at times, it is not appropriate for you to do so. Highly original, you may have talents as an inventor or innovator of some sort. In any work that you choose, your independent attitude can show through. You have very strong personal needs and desires, and you feel it is always necessary to follow your own convictions. You tire of routine and highly detailed tasks rather quickly. You are ambitious and assertive in promoting yourself. Although you may hide the fact for social reasons, you can be self-centered and demand to have your way in many circumstances. That said, for the most part, you are considered very good company, friendly, good-natured, and a wonderful conversationalist. People like you and are drawn to you. It is a good thing they are, because you are very sensitive to disapproval and you don't handle it very well. Famous 1’s: Tom Hanks July 9, 1956, Robert Redford Aug 18, 1937, Hulk Hogan Aug 11, 1953, Carol Burnett April 26, 1933, Wynona Judd May 30, 1964, Raquel Welch Sep 5, 1940, Della Reese July 6, 1932. Other 1's you might know are Soul and myself :) Visit Marlies' blog to find out which birthnumber you have and what it means. Or visit this site

To illustrate this Birth Number I used 10 red butterflies: the mariposa 88, which has the number 88 on it's wings. The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises. Change and transformation are inevitable for us all, but it does not have to be traumatic.Butterfly symbolism is also closely tied to the idea of spirits and souls. It has been used in many religions and cultures. More about butterflies More about red

Christmas 2009

Here in the Netherlands we celebrate the 2nd Christmas day.

Something made up to celebrate Christmas with the in-laws.

We celebrated Christmas yesterday at my brother's.

Today I will just relax. I love that idea.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Gelukkig Kerstfeest!

Blooming Tuesday 11 Kerstster/Poinsettia

Guess everyone is busy with preparations for Christmas or busy avoiding the whole thing.....

Whatever your plans are I hope you are enjoying yourself.

I am just happy the shortest day is behind me.

From today it only gets better.

I welcome the light.

For me, that is what Christmas is about.

Happy Blooming Tuesday!

Happy Winter Solstice!

Cactus Monday (#62) Watermelons

This is an ATC I made inspired by a picture from Shanghai,

I loved that watermelon container! And this ATC I made a while ago. An interpretation of a painting by Frida Kahlo. I am also painting this one on the Wednesday art group. It is such a happy painting and I love that phrase: Viva La Vida! Happy Cactus Monday!

Up Up and Away........

Lyrics The Fifth Dimension - Up, Up And Away lyrics I returned from Bangkok where I had a wonderful week with my cousin Anna from Sweden. Directly I landed in a full program here....... Dinner the same night with friends. Yesterday I went to Rotterdam, to do some shopping and visit my Mom. In the afternoon I made Swedish meatballs and creme caramel with Felix for his school X-mas buffet. Later we went to his school to listen to the children singing. Went to bed early.............. Now at 08.00 my SIL will collect me and we will drive (in the snow!!!!) to Lille in France and will return tomorrow. I took a look at all your blogs , saw some wonderful things!!! Among the pages Caroline did for Sjimmie's book! They are awesome! Sorry I can't comment on everything just now. But I promise I will next week, then I will also look at everything I have been missing......... Miss you all! Have a wonderful day where ever you are ...................

♥♥♥ >M<

Animal Wednesday #33 Mrs. Jobse

Meet Mrs. Jobse (actually Miss...) I am the little mascotte of the Art on Wednesday group! Art is interesting...... The studio is one big adventure! Everything is so much more fun when there are furry friends around!

Tomorrow I will go to Bangkok for one week and I have no idea if I will have time to blog there.... I will try to take my niece Anna from Sweden with me.

So if you don't hear from me it will be a good sign!

See you all in a week!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday (#61) Bee to Cactus

Happy Cactus Monday!

Visit Teri for links to more cactus fun!

Mandala on Wood

Have a nice Sunday!

New Blog Look!

I couldn't wait until tomorrow to

change my bloglook.

Tonight Sint Nicolaas will come to Holland so I always wait untill after that celebration to decorate the house.

Well I guess his Holiness will be too busy to surf the internet.

Tonight he will pay all children a visit to bring them candy and presents.

Een fijne Sint Nicolaas avond!!!!

Poppy in the sky

I have to be fast to do something without the interference of my cats......

(watch closely, can you see her?)

Poppy in the sky

Thankful Thursday (#20)

This gorgeous house panther came from BT!

Does she suspect I love kitties.....?!

Please click to enlarge to see for yourself how special this is!

Thanks BT! I LOVE them!

Abd how sweet is this card?!

With ATC print from Margaret!

Perfect for Thankful thursday!

I love Thanksgiving, wish we had a celebration like that here.

But I try be count my blessings every day.

Not only because of the things I find in my mailbox , but for knowing such a enormous bunch of sweet and talented people through blogging, who warm my heart and inspire my soul on a daily bases!

Thanks!!

Hope you have lot to be thankful for!

Animal Wednesday #32 Young Raven

scan picture without flash

with flash

And believe me in real it is different than all 3!

Young Raven is waiting for better weather and to be big and strong enough to fly over the ocean to Rhode Island .

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday (#60) from Shanghai

Walking from 1221, a wonderful Shanghainese restaurant, to my hotel I passed this neighbourhood with a real Chinese atmosphere.

I have done this stroll before and it is always interesting.

So much to see.

A Chinese couple walking in front of me took their newly bought shoes from their boxes and threw the boxes and bags on the pavement and kicked it aside. Left all their garbage there and moved on. I was amazed.

In my country I would have tapped them on the shoulder to bring their attention to what they had forgotten ................

But I just stared in disbelief.

And yes............!!!!!

On my walk I found my cacti for Cactus Monday!

Artificially coloured.

Yes, anything is possible here.

Happy Cactus Monday!

Shanghai Orchid

Back from Shanghai .

With a lot of delays but in one piece.

Glad to be back home.

I couldn't visit you back there. Somehow all the blogs were unaccessable.

Hope you will have a nice Sunday!

Animal Wednesday #31 Dragonfly II

I did a few dragonflies and here is one again.

Dragonfly is the keeper of dreams, the knower within that sees all of our true potential and ability. Dragonfly strips away the illusions that say to us we cannot achieve our dreams and goals, that we are not worthy or capable when in fact it is our birthright and our true power to create anything we choose!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Blooming Tuesday 10

I have no idea what this is, found the flower on the internet.

I liked the combination of orange and pink.

I am enjoying the last day of my holiday and will go to Shanghai tomorrow for 2 days.

The weather is better in Shanghai than here, no rain.

It has been raining for days and will the rest of the week.

Happy Blooming Tuesday!

Cactus Monday (#58)

Happy Cactus Monday!

Admire more cacti? Visit our chief Teri for more cactus links on Monday

Suki's pages

The first page for Suki's book is a sandcastle.

Notice the heart inside.

Home is where the heart is.

The second page is inspired by a poem by Twilight Whispers.

I wrote the words on the back

I connected the two pages by making the horizon longer.

So they formed one image in the end.

When I started I planned something very complicated. I wanted to make a collage. Use the stamp I got from Linda and her beautiful papers etc. I wanted so much and it ended so simple.........I just started and it turned out this way.

I was pleased with the outcome. I hope you will too Suki.

and here is the poem:

Finding My Home

Finding where my loyalties lie Finding where the bluebirds fly Finding the path that leads back in time Is finding my home Finding where my young years are Finding memories from afar Finding where my mind has gone Is finding my home Finding where the rainbows end Finding where the oceans blend Finding a quiet and calming place Is finding my home Twilight Whispers

Mandala for a good cause

10,6 x 13,8” (27 x 35 cm) Watercolor, ink micron pen glitter and pearls.

My best friend Emily Rabbit asked for help for a few good causes and I promised her to donate a mandala for the good cause to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

So this mandala can be yours. Visit KJ's blog to read what Emily's plans are.

There are a few possibilities to do something nice for people who are less fortunate than we are. So even when you don't want the mandala there are other possibilities to help her out.

So please go and have a look!!!!

.

Thankful Thursday (#19) Where do I begin.....?

Well pictures showed up in random order.

And most of them are in poor quality, but it is late and TT will only last 50 minutes more, so no time to wait until tomorrow for the light to get better.

I have had a busy day and so will be tomorrow, but I want to share the treasures that hit my doormat lately!

Above the V from Laure for our ABC swap.

The picture is bad but believe me the card and ATC are gorgeous.

I ordered some cards from Lolo and got some extra also.

I ordered them to send and also gave away a few to Eveline last week as they make excellent gifts!

But most grateful I am for the words written on the notepaper, they just fill me up with warm feelings of friendship!

Thanks Lolo!

Same here! These lovely ATC's are from Teri!

The Y for yellow things. Who wouldn't get happy of these?!

The bear with daisy and green zentangle came as extras.

But again the words written on the back are what make these cards worth so much to me!

Teri thanks for your friendship and for inspiring me in so many ways!

I am so sorry I can't capture the beauty of these cards on a picture but believe me they took my breath away!

Amazing how Lolo can achieve so much with just a few colors.

The ATC is just gorgeous and so is the white raven.

And then the card and again the words inside.

Thanks so much for the beauty you send in the world and the friendship you give to so many of us!

I got this beautiful mandala book from Eveline last week, filled with inspiration!

Then I ordered 2 books , .........who has difficulty reading :)

Well Diana's book I read already . A children's book (I can handle that.......) so sweet and inspiring as her art and the way she looks at life always is.

I ordered KJ book too and both wrote a personal note inside, which changed the book into a treasure.

I will really try to read your book KJ! I will take me a while but I will.

Linda (Stampmaiden) had a give away on her blog and I won a true treasure chest!

A box full of goodies. Besides two wonderful ATC's I got 2 gorgeous mandala stamps and lots of wonderful things to use for collages.

Wish I lived in California so I could attend one of her workshops. She is soooo good in collaging the most beautiful things.

Thanks so much Linda. I will give it a try .

Again sorry for this bad picture...... but believe me everything is so beautiful!

And how about this one?!

A Frida hanger (Linda knows I LOVE her and her art) and again the picture doesn't do it justice.

It is awesome and I will hang it on a spot so I can enjoy it every day!

One big thank you to all of you!

Hope you will all have plenty to be thankful for.