Author Archives: Sheila

Global heART Postcard Swap

 

heART Postcards. 4 x 6 mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

heART Postcards. 4 x 6 mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

 

Louise Gale hosts a global postcard swap several times each year. The Global heART Exchange is so fun, and very easy to take part in. You are given three names, and create three cards to share. And in return, you get three postcards in your mailbox. The theme this round was “Love”.

For my cards, I used acrylic paint and pen. I worked with wood block stamps from Michaels. Apparently they no longer sell the blocks, but here is a video that will show you what I am talking about.

I did not know that you needed to use a foam mat underneath the block, and did not have anything that I could use. So I struggled with making an impression. I used a heart, paisley and feather design. The impressions were broken up, not solid. But I really like the effect, sort of aged and worn. The feather design did not turn out at all, so I traced over it with a pen. I added polka dots, hearts with dot borders, and the words love, lovely, loved.

The first fabulous card I received came from Phredkite in Texas. Hello Texas! I hope you can see the bamboo embossing. It runs the length of the card. So much more pretty in person! The sweet and simple message: “Be love!”

Beautiful!

 

 

From Susi Sanlier in Germany, one sweet surprise after another. The envelope was adorned with beautiful watercolor rose trimmed in gold pen. On the back a sticker that said, “All you need is love, and vegan chocolate”.

Inside, two gorgeous postcards, and her business card that is also a tiny piece of art. This first is watercolor, acrylic and pen I believe. Lovely springtime fresh! I didn’t remember to scan the back, but it is just as lovely. On the back:

“Let love fill your garden & you will reap utter happiness!

 

 

This next card is alcohol inks I believe. The scan does not do it justice, as the colors are metallic. And you know those never show well in photos. Susi did several of these tree affirmation cards, you can see them here. On the back:

“May LOVE be always by your side this spring.”

 

 

And for dessert, this lovable little lighthouse.

 

 

Susi also has terrific illustrated recipes on They Draw and Cook. Labskaus anyone?

My third treat is not a postcard. But that won’t surprise you when you see who it is from. She has her own way of doing things. It is a tiny treasure from the daring and dear, Dotty Seiter. The ex Michaels framer in me is truly appreciative of Dotty’s cutting and centering skills! On the back, as one might expect, words of profound wisdom.

Ruby used to say you just always had to believe
you’d find as many answers as it was questions.
Kaye Gibbons, A virtuous woman

 

 

This piece of art is five layers deep. Approximately 3 and 1/2 inches square. Creme matboard, black foam board, white paper, and decorative papers. On the back is a jagged edged, rough textured paper with the quote on it.  It feels almost like leather, but knowing Dotty recycles, I suspect it might be the inside of a cereal box.

Each of these cards includes something have a fondness for. And each message, feels as if it was chosen just for me. The universe works in mysterious and wonderful ways!

Do be sure and visit the exchange site. Sign up to receive notice of future events. You have the opportunity to decide later if you want to take part or not. You can take part in as many, or as few as you are able. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

Blessed Beginnings

 

Mother In Law's Tongue. 4 x 6 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

Mother In Law’s Tongue. 4 x 6 watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.

 

Big Blessings. Small Blessings. This year has started with many reasons for me to be grateful. I mentioned I had received some bad news. But it is good news too.

I have never really written here, about my Lupus experience. It’s long been on my list to do so. Just to share my story, for anyone who has been diagnosed as well. There is so little information out there. I thought maybe a page dedicated to that, if any one should look.

But even to write this post, I have delayed. It’s taken three days to begin. And I wonder why. Why it is so hard to write this down. Talking about myself surely. But also, I don’t want to be a downer, or sound like a whiny baby.

So just a few facts for now. I finally have been given a diagnosis. Not a complete one, as more tests are in the works. But at last I know the cause of my most obvious symptom. There are four things wrong with my lungs. But knowing that, we can now begin treating them properly!

I was diagnosed with Lupus is 2008. I was coughing for a year before that, and seeing different doctors trying to find an answer. But all this time later, I am still coughing. I cough when I wake up, on exertion of any kind. Talking makes me cough, I cough after eating.  Cough, cough, cough. I am fine if I am sitting still, for the most part.

So Lupus, SLE, and all the symptoms that can present.  And now Asthma, COPDBronchiectasis and Pulmonary Fibrosis.

But it is important to tell you. I feel fine. I feel as fine as before. My Lupus normal. And I have had these same symptoms since 2008. So things have not taken a turn for the worse. I just have a name now. Names.

I have never smoked. Well, one puff in seventh grade I think. I did work in a casino for three years. That was right at the beginning of the Lupus diagnosis. I do believe that I may have had Asthma for at least a decade before Lupus. But I was never diagnosed.

All this time I have said, that I am fortunate that the SLE has not affected any of my organs. But the truth is, I just did not know. This is all likely related to Lupus.

At the end of January, I was put on oxygen, 24/7. Sort of mind-blowing. Scary, and heartbreaking. Six weeks earlier I was told I was close to needing oxygen. But I thought, and prayed, that if I followed the doctor’s instructions it could be avoided.

But here I am on a leash, and learning all I can about nasal cannulas and oxygen generators, and tubing and living on oxygen.

E tank

M6 tank in case.

I have an oxygen generator for when I am home. I had a large E tank for going out, but that was too difficult for me.  It took awhile, but I now have 4 M6 tanks for trips out. They each last two hours.

 

 

Whew! I knew that would get long. All of that just to say, thank you. During this time, I was surprised again and again. Some were giveaway wins. Some a thank you. Most were just well-timed shares. And all arrived at the perfect moment to lift my spirit.

So grateful to you all. More than I can say. I LOVE your work!

So BLESSED to have received your gifts!

 

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

 

 

Carol Edan, original art

 

Chandra Lynn

 

Christine Brooks

 

Trang Kang, original art

 

Christine Brooks, original watercolor

 

Sue Marrazzo, mixed media wearable pin giveaway.

 

Christine Brooks

 

Natasha M. Papousek

 

Dave Wolanski

 

Karin Naylor, original artwork, Giveaway.

 

Close-up

 

 

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

 

Thank you my friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keeping My Hand In It

 

Small Sketch. 4 x 6 watercolor on paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado

Small Sketch. 4 x 6 watercolor on paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado

I am hoping tomorrow I can start on an 8 x 8 piece. For now, just a sketch. I started it last night, and finished this afternoon. And here it is five minutes to ten, and I am just now able to post.

Cold and dreary here. Maybe that influenced some of my color choices. I was hoping to get caught in the rain while I was running errands, but no luck. We do have rain on the way this weekend.

Hope your weather is what you hope, and that you are safe and warm!