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Friday, August 31, 2012

"Boo" – Moo (1.1" x 2.8")


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This week’s Moo Mania challenge was “Inchie” where we needed to use an inchie (1" x 1") in our moo. I made a three panel moo with an inchie on each.

All of the images are from an Internet Search.

The font is handwriting-draft_free-version.

"Notepad" – ATC


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This week's Fun With ATCs challenge #69 was "Fishes." I normally don't do this, but after looking at the two that I had posted, I thought the second notepad would look better this way, so I've created a third version.

The images are from an internet search.

The font is EcuyerDAX Thin.

"Notepad" – ATC

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This week's Fun With ATCs challenge #69 was "Fishes." I created a notepad, but couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I've posted both.

The images are from an internet search.

The fonts are EcuyerDAX Thin and handwriting-draft_free-version.

"Doorways" – Pictures

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This week’s Inspiration Avenue challenge was "Doorways and Windows" and what we think is going on behind them.

These are two pictures I took at Yale in October 2010, and one picture I took in the Southport CT harbor area in July 2012. When I think of Yale, I think of the cliche "hallowed learning" which is what I imagine goes on behind those doors. The gate makes me imagine a tranquil, serene setting behind it, where all of one's worries are left outside the gate. Right now I could use a place like that.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Long Island Sound, Fairfield CT - Tourist Postcard


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This is my second replica vintage style tourist postcard.

I used a picture I had taken of Long Island Sound from Beachside Avenue in Fairfield CT. In GIMP, I created a rounded rectangle border with a radius of 15, and a width of 50 pixels. I used an Old Paper script to give it a distressed look.

The font is Georgia Bold.

"The Rocketeer" - Postcard


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This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was "Comic Book Heroes."

I based my piece on The Rocketeer comic book hero. All of the vintage images are from an Internet search.

The font is Manifest Niski.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Dudley Town Dark Entry Road and Forest - Pictures

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This is 1 of 4 posts of pictures I took on August 25, 2012 in Cornwall CT, on the Mohawk Trail, within the area that used to be Dudley Town, a supposedly haunted, village of the damned.

Approximate time line (note: camera time was uncalibrated so it was off by -45 minutes):


  • 4:45pm Left house to go to Cornwall CT
  • 6:22pm Started ascent up Dark Entry Road
  • 6:23pm Took first picture (uncalibrated camera time 5:38pm)
  • 6:40pm Reached top of Dark Entry Road and start of Mohawk Trail (~20 minutes to walk up the ~0.6 mile road. Took first trail picture at 6:43pm)
  • 6:52pm Waterfall/cascade #1
  • 6:58pm Waterfall/cascade #2
  • Goose bumps incident. Entire body felt cold, hair raised on arms and goose bumps appeared. This happened some time between waterfall/cascade #2 and #3, during daylight.
  • 7:02pm Waterfall/cascade #3
  • 7:13pm Waterfall/cascade #4
  • 7:48pm Reached a somewhat level area before turning back due to darkness. It was very quiet in the level area. There were still bug sounds, but they were very faint. I did hear one distant bird voice, but none before or after this.
  • 7:51pm Cold Spot #1 incident. The area here became very cool. At one point, there was also a breeze that went on for awhile and was localized to this area only, because no leaves were rustling in the trees. I took many pictures here, but didn't see anything unusual in them, other than one that was most likely a dust orb reflection.
  • 8:14pm Cold Spot #2 incident. The area here became very cool. A slight breeze occurred here too, but not as extensive as spot #1. Both cool spots could have been due to the proximity to the water.
  • 8:40pm Emerged from trail back onto Dark Entry Road. The bugs got much louder as the forest exit got closer. It was the normal volume of them for a summer night.
  • 9:00pm Got back to car
  • 9:30pm Stopped at Arby's for food
  • 9:40pm Resumed drive
  • 10:40pm Arrived home.


Dudley Town Waterfalls/Cascades - Pictures

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This is 2 of 4 posts of pictures I took on August 25, 2012 in Cornwall CT, on the Mohawk Trail, within the area that used to be Dudley Town. Along the trail, after crossing the brook to get onto the south side of it, there were four different waterfalls/cascades reached at 6:52pm, 6:58pm, 7:02pm, and 7:13pm (uncalibrated camera times were 6:07pm, 6:13pm, 6:17pm, and 6:28pm). I had to adjust photograph #2 because it came out too dark.

Dudley Town level area - Pictures

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This is 3 of 4 posts of pictures I took on August 25, 2012 in Cornwall CT, on the Mohawk Trail, within the area that used to be Dudley Town. This level area was reached around 7:48pm.

Dudley Town "Cold Spot 1" and "Cold Spot 2" - Pictures

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This is 4 of 4 posts of pictures I took on August 25, 2012 in Cornwall CT, on the Mohawk Trail, within the area that used to be Dudley Town. At 7:51pm and 8:14pm, while walking along the south side of the water, while heading out of the woods, two "Cold Spot" incidents occurred. These incidents occurred prior to the point of crossing the brook to get back onto the north side of it.

Crescent Moon - Pictures

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I took these pictures of the crescent moon in Fairfield CT on August 23, 2012. I used the camera's zoom feature, which allowed me to see details on the surface of the moon, but which also reduced the clarity of the image. 

Friday, August 24, 2012

"Circus" – ATC


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This week’s Collage Obsession challenge was "Circuses, Carnivals and Amusement Parks."

The images are from an Internet search and I re-used the banner I made recently for another ATC.

The font is GrekoDeco Bold.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Dudley Town Ghostly Energy Form?! - Pictures

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White spot above not seen in After photo:
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Picture Before white spot seen:

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I don't know what this is, but this is what I can tell you: I took these pictures of what appeared to be the remnants of a Dudley Town house stone wall basement, off of Dark Entry Road in Cornwall CT on August 12, 2012. These pictures were taken around 2:45pm and the sunlight in the forest was waning. This stone basement was on the right side of the road shortly after beginning the ascent from Kent Road South.

I didn't notice anything unusual when I took these pictures, and I didn't load them onto my computer until today. I was shocked to see the bright white spot in a picture that otherwise had almost no sunlight in it. I don't believe it when people claim to have captured ghostly energy forms in their pictures, so at first I decided somehow this was a digital camera effect caused by sunlight reflecting off of the rock on the ground. I studied the pictures before and after this one very carefully, and realized the rock is on the right, and this white spot is on the left, in an area where there were only leaves. The branch is between the rock and the white spot.

So I have no idea what this is, but I am willing to consider the possibility it could be some kind of ghostly energy form, although I think the most likely explanation is some type of inexplicable digital distortion occurred (saturation) when I took the picture.

I had already planned to return to Dudley Town, a supposedly haunted, village of the damned, before I saw this picture, and now I'm definitely going back!

Dudley Town Forest - Pictures

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I took these pictures in the forest off of Dark Entry Road in Cornwall CT on August 12, 2012. This is the location of Dudley Town, a supposedly haunted, village of the damned.

Rhinoceros Sculpture - Picture

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I took this picture of a rhinoceros sculpture I saw on the side of the road on Route 7 in the area of Kent CT on August 12, 2012.

Sunset - Picture

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I took this picture of the sunset in Fairfield CT on August 18, 2012.

"Circus" – ATC


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This week's Fun With ATCs challenge was "Banner."

The images are from an internet search.

Chocolate Inspiration Challenge

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Chocolate Inspiration Challenge

I recently ate some Dove chocolates with great messages like, "Follow your instincts", "Naughty can be nice", and "Be the first to hit the dance floor".  I decided to make a challenge for myself, similar to the 2011 Digital Whisper 100 Theme Challenge but with a slant toward Inspiration Decks.  So I did a search and found a list of the Dove quotes here.

The quotes are listed below, and I will add links to my entries as I create them. This blog entry will serve as my master index to them.

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1. A good love is delicious, because you can never get enough.
2. All you really need is love, and a little chocolate doesn't hurt!
3. An exhale moment deserves delicious chocolate.
4. Be a little naughty with your nice.
5. Be fearless.
6. Be free. Be happy. Be you.
7. Be good to yourself today.
8. Be mischievous. It feels good.
9. Be playful with your love.
10. Be spontaneous.
11. Be the first to hit the dance floor.
12. Believe in yourself.
13. Break the mold.
14. Buy flowers for yourself.
15. Buy yourself flowers.
16. Calories only exist if you count them.
17. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
18. Chocolate brings good things to life.
19. Chocolate is a gift of love.
20. Chocolate loves unconditionally.
21. Chocolate speaks the international language of love.
22. Chocolate therapy is "Oh, so good."
23. Chocolate won't let you down.
24. Clear your mind, and enjoy this moment.
25. Climb high, climb far... your goal the sky, your aim, the stars.
26. Close your eyes and relax.
27. Create a happy place.
28. Create your own spa.
29. Dance with your heart.
30. Dare to dream.
31. Dare to love completely.
32. Daydream.
33. Daydreaming is free.
34. Dazzle your sense of flavor.
35. Decorate your life.
36. Discover yourself.
37. Do all things with love.
38. Do what feels right.
39. Don't settle for a spark... light a fire instead.
40. Draw yourself a bath.
41. Encourage your sense of daring.
42. Engage, embrace, enjoy.
43. Enjoy the childhood joys of winter.
44. Enjoy the small things in life.
45. Escape for a moment.
46. Express yourself.
47. Feed your sense of anticipation.
48. Feel free to be yourself.
49. Feel good about today.
50. Feel the sun on your face.
51. Find your passion.
52. Follow your instincts.
53. Forget the rules and play by your heart.
54. Get a good night's sleep.
55. Get out there, and make your dreams happen.
56. Give a little love today.
57. Give yourself a holiday.
58. Give yourself a relaxation break.
59. Give yourself permission.
60. Happiness is contagious.
61. Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances.
62. Happiness looks great on you.
63. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
64. Have no limits today.
65. Hey, why not?
66. If you live in the present, every moment is a new beginning.
67. Ignite your sense of adventure.
68. Indulge in dark.
69. Indulge your every whim.
70. Indulge your sense of amusement.
71. Indulge your sense of enjoyment.
72. It's definitely a bubble bath day.
73. It's OK to be fabulous AND flawed!
74. It’s OK to slow down.
75. Keep believing in yourself and your dreams.
76. Keep the promises you make to yourself.
77. Laugh whenever possible.
78. Let your sensuousness shine through.
79. life is Good.
80. Live in the present.
81. Live well, laugh often, and love much.
82. Live your dreams.
83. Lose yourself in a moment.
84. Love every moment.
85. Love is a flower, friendship, and a sheltering tree.
86. Love rules, without rules.
87. Love what you do.
88. Love without rules.
89. Love yourself.
90. Make "someday" today.
91. Make a date with your favorite book tonight.
92. Make a list of your dreams.
93. Make every day a holiday.
94. Make time for yourself.
95. Naughty can be nice.
96. Now, time for chocolate relaxation.
97. Open your eyes to all the love around you.
98. Promises are made to be kept.
99. Relaxation by Chocolate.
100. Remember the simple pleasures in life.
101. Remember your first everything.
102. Remind yourself to relax.
103. Renew your sense of discovery.
104. Satisfy your sense of surprise.
105. Seek out small pleasures.
106. Share a chocolate moment with a friend.
107. Shut out the world for just one moment.
108. Simply be, rather than do.
109. Sing along with the elevator music.
110. Sleep late tomorrow.
111. Smile before bed. You'll sleep better.
112. Smile.
113. Smiling is free.
114. Someone is thinking of you right now.
115. Sometimes one smile means more than a dozen roses.
116. Stir your sense of pleasure.
117. Stop and enjoy the chocolate aroma.
118. Stretch your body, stretch your mind.
119. Take a deep breath & exhale.
120. Take a deep breath.
121. Take a moment for yourself.
122. Take a moment, enjoy what you have.
123. Take advantage of every free moment you have.
124. Take good care of yourself.
125. Take this moment. Enjoy it.
126. Take time for yourself today.
127. Take time to laugh. It's the music of the soul.
128. Take time to notice the color of the leaves changing.
129. Tempt your sense of exploration.
130. Temptation is fun… giving in is even better!
131. The fastest way to my heart is chocolate.
132. The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
133. The only certainty in life is smooth chocolate.
134. There's a time for compromise. It's called "later."
135. Think of something that makes you smile.
136. Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
137. Too much of a good thing is wonderful.
138. Treat yourself today.
139. Unwrap, Breathe, Enjoy.
140. Write a real letter, not just an email.
141. You are exactly where you are supposed to be.
142. You are the star for which all evenings wait.
143. You don't need an excuse. You just need a moment.
144. You have a great laugh!
145. You know what? You look good in red.
146. You make everything lovely.
147. You should charge for your great advice.
148. You worked hard - promise yourself a reward.
149. You're allowed to do nothing.
150. You're already gorgeous, gorgeous!
151. You're delicious.
152. You're invited to relax today.
153. Your smile is your best accessory.
154. Your smile lights up the room.
155. You’re gorgeous.


"Circus" - Postcard


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This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was "Circus."

All of the vintage images are from an Internet search, except for the tent, which I created from a photograph I had taken of the sign at the Pequot Library Book Sale.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

"Hallowe'en Invitation" – Postcard

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This week’s Three Muses challenge was "Invitation - Mail Art." I made a Hallowe'en party invitation and the postcard backside to it.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The font is Bleeding Cowboys.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Shoreline - Pictures

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I took these pictures at Southport beach in Fairfield CT on August 10, 2012.

Sailboat - Pictures

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I took these pictures at Southport beach in Fairfield CT on August 10, 2012.

Horses - Pictures

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These are more pictures of the bay and white horses on a horse farm in Fairfield CT, that I took on August 10, 2012.