Monday, May 20, 2013 at 12:00AM 
I created this digi page in ArtRage and Procreate on the IPad. I imported the text/words and added lots of layers to blend it all together. I use the Sensu Brush and love it!
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2:56PM 
Dwyane Wade. What does he have to do with me? One thing leads to another and now, he is part of my blog post. Allow me to set the stage. The other day, Wade who is a shooting guard/point guard for the Miami Heat (that’s basketball for those who don’t follow) showed up at Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals wearing skinny capri pants. He pulled it off with a double-breasted jacket and a pair of loafers, less the socks. It became the talk of sports radio and while it was a bit different, I thought it was bold and daring and I liked it.
This leads me to Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio. Mike Greenberg decided to give this outfit a test drive with items from his own wardrobe. He almost pulled it off except it works best with skinny capri pants. I digress!
I know, where is this going? Stay with me. I am sure this is not new and I must have been out of the loop but Mike said something that caught my attention: wake up, be awesome, go to bed. Not sure if Wade follows this mantra but I would change it to “wake up, “do” awesome, go to bed. What do you think?
So, my challenge for you is to “do” awesome this week. I plan to send mail to several young kids at my church. Who doesn’t like receiving something special in the mail? I sent a card to a young boy several weeks ago to encourage him and his mother told me that he never gets mail and was so excited when my card arrived. See, such a little gesture but it meant so much.
We aren’t all NBA super stars, winning games and setting fashion trends but we can do awesome things! Now go, do awesome!!
Image created with A Beautiful Mess IPhone app.
Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 12:00AM 
Folded tri-fold card adorned with burlap, silk leaves and a fabric flower.
Gather supplies: Old calendar (I used one made by Wendy Brightbill), fabric flowers and leaves, old paper, rubber stamps, washi tape, pen, labels, unbleached wax bag, black dye ink pad, burlap, glue stick, sewing machine, scissors and adhesive backed magnets.
Add a piece of burlap to a folded unbleached wax bag and stitch to a piece of vintage paper.
Doodle on edges of vintage paper and adhere to folded calendar page to great a flap.
Adhere assorted washi tape on the inside of card.
Embellish inside of card with assorted rubber art stamps.
Add scrap and book paper to the inside of card with glue and washi tape. Add more rubber stamping and a label with desired sentiment.
Cut two pieces of adhesive backed magnets and adhere to flap and front of card.
Embellish the outside of the card with handmade paper and washi tape.
Hand write message on the inside of the card.
calendar, cards, recycle, robenmarie in tutorials Friday, May 17, 2013 at 10:00AM 
And...here we go!
1. I see lots of birds, including cardinals, doves, red bellied woodpeckers and more in my bird feeder each day.
2. I sent this cute card to a friend that read "The More Mascara the Better."
3. They begin by offering you a "free" sample.
4. I still love my dear husband as much as I did so many years earlier.
5. This I know: God loves me and He keeps His promises.
6. Fresh caught Red Snapper is what I am having for dinner.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating with friends at a wedding, tomorrow my plans include a little beach time, and Sunday, I want to watch a little Downton Abbey, rest and squeeze in a little studio time after worship and a church lunch honoring our graduating teens!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 12:00AM 
Interested in learning how to turn a plain pillow cover into a fashionable clutch? Check out the directions on the Stampington & Company website HERE!
Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 12:00AM 
Supplies: acrylic paint, black pen, Scratched Chevron, Scalloped Border and Paint Strokes rubber art stamps from my new Mixed Media Essentials line, collage papers, oil pastels and charcoal.
Friday, May 10, 2013 at 8:43AM 
And here we go...
1. I know but it is a secret and I can't tell.
2. I want to go to the beach today if at all possible.
3. This weather has been great for a picnic in the park.
4. Paint under my fingernails has become a problem.
5. I'm really happy I have the ability to read and write because there are many who do not.
6. He told me to water the plants, or something to that effect.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to creating two more projects for my next workshop, tomorrow my plans include going to Marine Land with Brittany and Sunday, I want to have lunch with my friends Jena and Mike. I sure miss them!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 12:00AM My friend Lorraine introduced me to this fabulous Watercolor Well Palette and since I had several questions about it, I thought I would share some of the details. It is available HERE and has several available components. This palette holds up to 85 colors and there's an area just outside the wells to write the name of the color with a fine felt marker. It comes with a removable mixing insert and the lid provides additional mixing areas. There is also a 42 and 64 well available. Don't miss the palette carousel for easy rotating of the well. I got to use this well this past weekend and I loved it! Artist Gina Rossi Armfield uses this palette. Check out her post about it HERE!
Have a blessed day!
robenmarie, watercolors in cool products Monday, May 6, 2013 at 12:00AM 
Sometimes the direction just changes...wrapping paper becomes mail art! I couldn't help myself! The Bold Flowers and X Marks are from my new Mixed Media Essentials rubber stamp line. I used brown paper, acrylic paints, Colorbox ink pads, black and white pens, washi tape and computer generated text.
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 12:01PM 
I am now accepting nominations for The 1:2 Project for the month of May. Please check out the details HERE on how to make a nomination.
Nominations will be accepted from May 3 - May 7.
Friday, May 3, 2013 at 8:40PM 
And...here we go!
1. After a while, the baby ducks will arrive.
2. At least all this rain is making everything green.
3. Well, anyway, can I just say how proud I am of my sister....she got a well-deserved promotion!?
4. Having the job of naming paint colors sound like so much fun to me!
5. I always want to "get my groove on" when I hear Dancing Queen on the radio.
6. Knowing God loves me...that is what keeps me going.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to art time with my girlfriends (we are learning all about watercoloring), tomorrow my plans include more art time with girlfriends and maybe a little pool time and Sunday, I want to rest and begin season three of Downton Abbey!
Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 12:01AM 
Stencil Girl just released a line of stencils designed by Jessica Sporn. Jessica asked me and a bunch of other artists to take her stencils on a "test drive." The stencil hop began in December and will continue through June 2013. We'll show you how we used her stencils, and you're invited to play along too. I played with the Cascading Leaves Stencil. Visit Jessica's blog HERE for all the details!
Have a blessed day!
Art Journal Page: I used black spray paint with the Cascading Leaves stencil on the background of this journal page. I also used acrylic paints, oil pastels, collage papers, a black pen and the X Marks rubber stamp from my Mixed Media Essentials line.
Stitched Pouch: I sprayed lime green and teal spray ink through the Cascading Leaves stencil onto a piece of book paper to create the base of the paper pouch. I also used acrylic paints, a piece of card stock, cotton muslin, sewing machine with black thread, quote, a black pen and the Bold Flower rubber stamp from my Mixed Media Essentials line.
Mail Art: After I sprayed the lime green and teal ink through the stencil on the paper for the pouch, I pressed the stencil onto an envelope to get a reverse image. I also used collage papers and a black pen.
Hop on over to these blogs for more inspiration!
robenmarie in art journals, mail art, stenciling Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 1:00AM 
Introducing the "Mixed Media Essentials" rubber stamp line by Roben-Marie Smith. Inspired by the shapes and designs that appear in my work regularly, these stamps are my new go-to tool for mixed media projects of every type. Perfect for art journaling, painting, mail art and journal making. My signature quirky, funky style is now as easy as stamp & create!
My new stamps are available at Paperbag Studios! Check them out HERE!
I invite you to leave a comment on this post by Sunday, May 5 at 12:00PM EST to be entered into a drawing for a handmade piece of file folder mail art...made with love by ME!
Here are the details on how to be entered into the drawing. Each one gets you entered so you can be entered up to three times:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Share this post on your Facebook page and leave a comment here that you did so.
3. Tweet this post and leave a comment here that you did so.
I will amend this post with the winner on Sunday afternoon. Please be sure to include your e-mail address with your comments so I can contact you!
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!
Be sure to hop on over to these blogs for more creative ideas, tutorials and give-aways. These ladies are members of the Paperbag Studios design team and I want to thank them for their hard work and beautiful samples.
Be sure to check out these design team member's blogs as well:
Roben-Marie Smith
Congratulations to Donna Joy! You are the winner of my mail art giveaway! Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address. Cheers, RM :)
