Open up your world!

Part of LIVING JUICY is grabbing little bits of adventure all along the way. So many students I know are heading back to school in the next few weeks as their summer comes to an end. But that's no reason to stop traveling ... or at least PLANNING your next adventure.

CHECK THIS OUT!
“send a postcard and receive a postcard back from a random person somewhere in the world!”
http://www.postcrossing.com/

Yet another way of bringing unexpected treasures in to your life and mailbox!

Random art treasures appearing in my mailbox? Yes, please!

How amazing would it be to receive fabulous surprises in your mailbox along with the bills and other mundane deliveries! Check out this article that describes what 'mail art' is and how you can start to receive some. Go for it!

http://gomakesomething.com/ht/mailart/mail-art/

Bouncy art!

Loved this!

http://www.casasugar.com/Hugh-Hayden-Tennis-Ball-Chair-3150722

Serendipity Squares

http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/Serendipity/35.php

I end up with all kinds of leftover scraps of scrapbooking paper. This is a fun way of using it up and being creative in a painless sort of way. I don't even follow this "formal" way of going about it. i usually just grab a piece of cardstock or other sturdy background and randomly place scraps on it as they occur. Over time, I'm usually surprised to see a pretty cool "look" emerging. Then it's fun to use it as a background for collage or in the ways suggested in this article.

I also like to do this with paint. When I've used a few colors on a project, I hate to just wash away the leftover paint on my craft palette so I use it to paint swirlies and stars and circles and random shapes on a sturdy paper. Sometimes I just press the paper right onto the palette and lift and let dry. I really like to cut these into squares for Artist Trading Cards. They are great for backgrounds.

http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/Serendipity/35.php

Wreaths!

I love the look of this radish wreath. How quaint, old-fashioned and homey! We're having company next weekend so i think I'll try whipping one of these up.

http://www.sunset.com/home/decorating/how-to-make-radish-wreath-00400000041407/

Third time's the charm?!

Starting a full-time job in ministry in August 2009 derailed my juicy artful pursuits! But now I'm back and looking forward to sharing ideas with you for fun*color*fun*color*fun!

Blogger has not been kind to me. . .

Sorry to have disappeared, everybody! I haven't been able to post to Blogger for some odd reason. As I type this, I'm not even sure that this time is going to work. So if you are reading this, cheer along with me!

We're in the middle of summer already. I love the togetherness of summer -- the schedules seem lighter; the deadlines less stringent. . . or maybe it's my attitude that changes. But at the same time, your kids might be getting bored about now.

So here is a challenging project for you all to work on together, depending upon the ages of your kids. It's messy but fun and there's so many options for your creation. Enjoy! And if you get this stuff all over your hands, arms, etc -- go outside and spray each other down with the hose. It'll feel great!

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/makeapinata/How_to_Make_a_Pinata.htm