Anne's Creative Cornucopia: April 2013

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"Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster..." ― Friedrich W. Nietzsche

Definition of Bigot: a person who is intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance.

"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." ― C. S. Lewis

See Disclaimer of Endorsement at the bottom of this page.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

"The Sentinel" - Photograph

I took this photograph of a Red-winged Blackbird at Silver Sands State Park in Milford, CT this past week. I liked the stark look of this.

Red-winged Blackbird - Photograph

I took this photograph of a Red-winged Blackbird that I saw this past week. I normally don't post photos that are cut off, but this was the only good close up shot I was able to get.

American Robin - Photograph

I took this photograph of an American Robin in my yard this past week.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

"Yellow Rose" – Postcard

This week’s Take A Word challenge was "Beautiful."

I followed my muse, which took me in an unexpected direction from what I originally imagined for this theme (beautiful woman).

The vintage images are from Old Design Shop (see the side of my blog for links). I changed the color of the rose.

The font is Honey Script Semi-Bold.

The words are from this Whittier poem:

The garden rose may richly bloom
In cultured soil and genial air,
To cloud the light of Fashion’s room
Or droop in Beauty’s midnight hair,
In lonelier grace, to sun and dew
The sweetbrier on the hillside shows
Its single leaf and fainter hue,
Untrained and wildly free, yet still a sister rose!

Whittier—The Bride of Pennacook. Pt. III. The Daughter.

"Things with Wings" – ATC

This week’s Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge #81 was "Things with Wings."

This is a digital ATC that I printed and photographed.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

"Fate Frowns" – Postcard

This week’s Artful Times challenge #28 was "Clean and Simple."

I created a stark Mail Art piece that was inspired by these words from the book The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe:

Fate sits on these dark battlements, and frowns,
And, as the portals open to receive me,
Her voice, in sullen echoes through the courts,
Tells of a nameless deed.

I made this digital piece using GIMP version 2.8.4.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The font is Kokila.

Swan - Photographs

I took these photographs of a swan at sunset this past week. The second photo is a little unusual, but I liked the reflection and how the water rings rippled outward with the golden glow of the sunset on the water.

The first photograph is my entry for:

Weekend Reflections #187
I'd Rather Be Birding

Great Egret - Photographs

I took these photographs of what I think is a Great Egret. This bird was very skittish, and twice flew off when I got too close to it, even though I was still quite a distance from it.

The first photograph is my entry for:

Camera Critters #264
Weekly Top Shot #80

"Chiromagica" – ATC

This week's Fun With ATCs challenge #86 was "Magic."

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The font is Jugend WF.

Friday, April 26, 2013

"Mail Art" – Postcard

This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was “Mail Art.”

This is one of my favorite themes, and this time I didn't struggle to come up with something, the way I normally have been lately. In GIMP, I used the G'MIC Filter Patterns - Weave to create the background.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The words are from the book The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe.

The font is JaneAusten.

"Spring" – Moo (1.1" x 2.8")

This week’s Moo Mania challenge was "Spring."

Using GIMP, I applied G'MIC Filter Artistic - Morphology Painting to a photograph I had taken of bleeding hearts.

Bleeding Hearts - Photographs

I took these photographs of some of the Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts that are growing in my flower beds. I liked how some of the flowers in the first photo looked translucent because of the angle of the sunlight. As beautiful as these already look, they aren't fully in bloom yet, and I'll be posting more photographs later in time, when they are.

Yellow Trout Lily - Photograph

I took this photograph of one of the Yellow Trout Lily flowers growing in my yard. The green leaves are spotted with brown.

"Tape" – Postcard

This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was “Tape.”

I created digital tape based on the tutorial here except I used GIMP version 2.8.4 and I used a serrated edge that you get from a Scotch tape dispenser.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Library Book Stacks - Photographs

This is 1 of 4 posts of photographs I took of the inside of the Pequot Library in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT this past week.

This is a beautiful and historic library that is at risk of being closed! These are photographs of the book stacks on the second floor of the library.

I have a blog post about trying to save the library here.

Library Glass Tile Floor - Photographs

This is 2 of 4 posts of photographs I took of the inside of the Pequot Library in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT this past week.

These photographs show better detail of the glass tile floor, which is illuminated by the lights from the first floor below.

Ornate Library Book Ends and Stairs - Photographs

This is 3 of 4 posts of photographs I took of the inside of the Pequot Library in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT this past week.

These are photographs of the ornate book ends on the shelves, as well as the black metal stairs that lead down to the Tiffany stained glass windows at the back of the library.

Library Tiffany Stained Glass Window - Photograph

This is 4 of 4 posts of photographs I took of the inside of the Pequot Library in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT this past week.

This is one of three Tiffany Stained Glass Windows at the back of the library, on the first floor.

"Spread Your Wings" – Postcard

This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was “Soar.”

I tried to create something that was outside of my comfort zone.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The vintage articulated paper doll is from EKDuncan.

The font is Fortunaschwein.

Female Northern Yellow Shafted Flicker - Photograph

I took this photograph of a female Northern Yellow Shafted Flicker bird this past week.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

"Notebook" – Postcard

I created this piece after finding the cool looking Compositions label, which inspired me to group together an eclectic mix of images for what I am calling a "Notebook Postcard."

All of the vintage images are from an Internet search.

River Street Waterfall - Photographs

This is 1 of 4 blog posts of photographs I took in Milford, CT this past week.

This was the view from River Street, looking toward West River Street.

The first photograph is my entry for:

Friday's Fences #76
Weekly Top Shot #78

Art Deco Doors - Photographs

This is 2 of 4 blog posts of photographs I took in Milford, CT this past week.

This is the Taylor Library building on North Broad Street. It is now the Milford Chamber of Commerce.

Cast Iron Letter Box and Gargoyle Lamp - Photographs

This is 3 of 4 blog posts of photographs I took in Milford, CT this past week.

This was at the Taylor Library building.

Coca Cola Sign - Photograph

This is 4 of 4 blog posts of photographs I took in Milford, CT this past week.

This was the sign for the vintage diner on the south side of South Broad Street, after the intersection with Factory Lane.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Save Pequot Library! - petition appeal

I am trying to get the word out, to ask readers like you, to sign the

Save Pequot Library! petition.

Libraries in the United States provide free access to books and many other resources to everyone. The Pequot Library relies on 1/3 of its operating costs to come from the Town of Fairfield, CT, but this year the Town Finance Committee voted to cut their funding, effective July 1, 2013.

I am hoping you, regardless of where you live in the world, will tell all of your friends about this, and sign the petition, to make your voice heard about the value a library has to everyone.

No donation is required to sign the petition. If you do sign it, the website will send you a "thank you" email to acknowledge your signature. You can ignore and close the window that opens that asks for a donation, because it is for the petition website itself, not the library.

I created a replica vintage style tourist postcard for this appeal, using a photograph I took of the Pequot Library in the Southport section of Fairfield, CT in August 2012, a few weeks after their annual book sale.

The font is Janda Elegant Handwriting.

Friday, April 12, 2013

"Jack of Hearts" – ATC / Playing Card

This week’s Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge #79 was "Show us your suit" which is in reference to playing cards.

This is a digital creation that I printed and photographed.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The font is PerryGothic Thin.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Weathered Red Barn - Photographs

I took these photographs of a weathered red barn in Fairfield CT this past week.

The first photograph is my entry for:

Rurality Blog Hop #10
Ruby Tuesday 2

Saturday, April 6, 2013

"Medieval Botanica" – Postcard

This week’s Take A Word challenge was "Botanical."

I followed my muse, which took me in the direction of depicting the study of botanica.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

I found a treasure trove of ancient images at the Oklahoma University History of Science Collections site, which I have added to the list of resources on my blog.

Crescent Moon - Photograph

I took this photograph of the crescent moon this morning when the sun was already partially risen. It's grainy and not very good.

Tabby Cat Looking Out Window - Photograph

I liked how this photograph came out.

Daffodil - Photograph

I took this photograph of the daffodils growing in my yard.

Friday, April 5, 2013

"Vintage Telephone" – Postcard

This week’s Sunday Postcard Art challenge was “Vintage Telephone.”

I had a different idea for what to do for this challenge, and I might still try to make it. In the meantime, I continue to struggle with creative ideas. I have a lot weighing on my mind right now.

The vintage man and telephone schematic images are from an Internet search.

The postcard backside image is from Vintage Field & Garden.

"Feathers" – Moo (1.1" x 2.8")

This week’s Moo Mania challenge was "Feathers."

I made a replica Trade Card as a moo.

The vintage images are from an Internet search.

The fonts are Gentium Book Basic and Gentium Book Basic Bold.

Half Moon - Photograph

I took this photograph of the half moon yesterday morning. I still haven't gotten a crescent moon photograph and hope to during this lunar cycle.

Monday, April 1, 2013

"Fortune Teller" – Postcard

This week’s Take A Word challenge was "Moon." This is one of my favorite themes, but I continue to struggle to come up with creative ideas.

The vintage gypsy fortune teller, moons, stars and lettering images are from an Internet search. The Tarot Readings lettering is from a photograph I took.

The font around the crystal ball is Gentium Book Basic and the question mark inside it is FontleroyBrown.