Laura Griffin Designs

Walking in a winter wonderland…

Somehow, here in Dallas, (yes, DALLAS!), we’ve had 12 inches of beautiful snow! In the 15 years I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen this happen, and let me be the first to say – it’s about freakin’ time! *lol*

I’ve been like a goofy kid over the last two days, making impromptu snowmen, munching on snowcakes, delighting in the crunching sound underfoot, and studying the falling snowflakes’ intricate patterns. There’s something about a good snowfall that makes everything beautiful and peaceful, don’t ya think?

Headin’ to California…

…for some CHA action. Still sorting through over 2,000 pics from Africa! So much to share with you!

In the meantime, here’s a card I thought I’d post that I made a while back. The background notecard is from Lasting Impressions. The leaf was cut free-hand from a sheet of stamped cardstock (background image is Hero Arts). The sentiment was cut with my Silhouette, the ribbon is American Crafts, & the bling is Hero Arts.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

With a little fun and a lot of imagination…

you can change the world for the better. I had to share this video that I saw on Shari’s blog. Being a pianist myself, I just LOVE this concept! Every metro station should have one. Just think of all the extra calories you’d burn in a day + all the extra giggles!

Think you have a cool idea on how to infuse fun into activities that help the environment & world around you? Check out this webpage for info on The Fun Theory & their contest.

Ready for a Texas summer…

from my head down to my…

Fun with vector images & Adobe Illustrator

I’m taking two design classes this semester at a local community college and am learning how to use both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. They are both truly amazing programs, and I’m finding you could sit & play for hours in front of the computer! Here’s one of my first vector images that I’ve created from scratch using Illustrator. I found a great online tutorial HERE to give me a guideline to follow and added my own twist to the design. TFL & Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s official…

…I just completed my first soccer game (ever) and I love it!

Those who know me well were surprised when I told them I joined a league. I guess I have my spontaneous moments, and this was one of them.

I’ve certainly never been the most graceful on my feet, but I think it is important to consistently challenge yourself to try something new that is a little out of your comfort zone. The league is for folks over 30 (yes, that makes us officially old) but it keeps it fun & reasonably competitive between teams.

Although we didn’t win tonight…we had a great time, and got a serious work-out. I only hit the turf once (gotta figure out how to run sideways )*LOL*. The time flew by & I’m looking forward to two games next weekend.

Starting to understand why my European friends love this sport,

live with intention.

Pumpkins Galore…

I visited the Arboretum for a couple of hours this morning with a friend, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pumpkins in my entire life! They were lining every main walkway of the gardens…just thousands of them. One section even had a hut built entirely of pumpkins, gourds, & maize:

What is even better is that the pumpkins were for sale. Imagine being 6 years old, walking into a place like that, and being able to choose one special jack-o-lantern pumpkin from thousands! Too cool.

A Trip to the Nasher Sculpture Museum

I went to the Nasher Sculpture Center this past Saturday with my friend Rhonda. It is one of the few museums in Dallas I’ve never been to, and it is full of Patsy & Raymond Nasher’s amazing private collection they began accumulating in the 60s. Most of the work is modern art, though they did have a few pieces from Rodin…including one of my favs “The Age of Bronze”. This was Rodin’s first great masterpiece, and at the time, he was even accused of making a mold of his model because it was so lifelike!

I’ll never forget the first time I stepped into the Rodin museum in Paris at 17 & saw Le Baiser. It literally took my breath away. It amazes me that he could take a medium like marble & create something so lifelike.

And a few more of my fav pieces from the day…

I loved the shape & curves of this giant eraser by Claes Oldenburg. The brush was made from thick metal tubing.

Not only were there sculptures in the museum, but they also had some paintings from the Nasher collection, including this Picasso. I’m normally not a huge Picasso fan, but I loved the brilliant colors used in this piece… (more…)

Just for fun…

I’m teaching myself how to draw & paint faces digitally using a WACOM tablet before I attempt putting my acrylics to canvas. I figure this way – my mistakes are all erasable. heehee I made this angel drawing in Photoshop tonight inspired by Kelly Rae Roberts. Shouldn’t all angels have big earrings? *LOL*

Kelly Rae has a wonderful new inspirational book out called Taking Flight where she describes how to make beautiful collage canvases in her style. I’m hoping to attempt several soon. You can drop by her website to learn more about the book & be sure to check out her amazing gallery of work!