Yep! She's the Bees' Knees alright!

I'm teaching another class at Madscrapper on May 19th. I've had this idea in my head for a while-but just haven't been sure about her. Decided to just embrace my art, and go ahead and create her...I struggle with proportion I think. I always like my art being a little whimsy (which doesn't always work well with proportion). She has grown on me though...it will be interesting to see where we go together, right? She did name herself (Eleanor), even though she's only half a body...I think she has red pigtails though if thats of any interest to you :)  Blessings, ME

A Beautiful Sunday

Oh my-isn't this wreath breathtaking? The weather this weekend has been breathtaking also. Perhaps just a sampling of what's to come...I'm going to church this morning, perhaps that is also a sampling of what's to come. Changes are coming in my life, and in my husbands. I don't know what they are yet, but I feel them being promised to me. I am tempted to fear them-but then I realize that the fear is there to tempt me to run away from the change. Oh Lord Jesus, help me to run straight into the change...straight in to Your arms...Blessings, ME

Yikes! My baby is 20!

Well how did that happen? But then its already April 16th, almost a month since my last post...HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?  Man-sometimes life is just way too crazy!

But I digress...my Joshua Caleb turned 20 today. He is such a delight, and such an honor to watch grow up. Sometimes I wonder who influenced him so. He has such a command of words-gets that from his daddy, and such a way with people-guess he gets that from me. But oh, that personality! I just LOVE being around him and watching him interact. Such a blessing...thank you Lord for this wonderful, life-filled boy! I love him...

I've Got Points!

Well this is my very first quilt I've ever made! My instructor is fabulous and has taught me so much about quilting. Definitely a much more defined process than I am used to, but I am so thankful for her A-type personality...I am getting more and more comfortable with her, so we are able to joke around. I tease her that if it wasn't for her pickiness I would only have Poi, not Points on my quilt ;) Only two more weeks to go-the backing comes this week. I will post the whole thing when I am done.

Knobby Knees :)

I've been asked to teach a canvas class at a scrapbooking retreat near where I live. Here I am claiming that I have to copycat-when BAM! POW!-an image rolls on into my brain. My girlfriend mentioned a bee, and the phrase "You're the Bee's Knees", and the rest is history (oh-I've always wanted to say that!)

So here's my take on originality...yes, it is your own, but it has components of all that you have learned. My own whimsical style is beginning to emerge I would guess. Well let's see where this takes me ;)

Copy-cat...that's me!

AUGHHGH! I feel so much more comfortable when I have something to follow after. I can add my own spin to it, but just looking at that blank paper is so daunting! I think that if I were to practice more, if I had the time to just sit and create, without that "to do" list running amuck in my head- I would be able to take some from here, some from there...and come up with an original...

Hmmm...what is an original? Or do artists draw from many other artists, inspirations, structures? Are those ideas all originally theirs?

Oh dear...way to deep for this little brain-especially after a full day's work!

Here is my take on the laundry pile! Actually I am blessed beyond words because my husband takes care of the laundry. You see I am way to busy in my craft studio creating pictures of laundry for me to be of any actual use!!!! (hee, hee, I crack myself up sometimes!)

Blessings on your week. ME

The Art of Abandonment

Taking a new class where I am learning to sketch, then watercolor...this is a learning process for me since I am so much more comfortable with the randomness of mixed media and doodling :)
I sketched some cherries at lunch time today, then came home and painted. I used the watercolor crayons, then painted with my waterbrush ( which I LOVE!).

I wrote my block letters which I learned from my Letter Love class...not my favorite, but if I don't practice, I will never get any better...so here it is :)

Hmmm...just not seeing it!

Okay, so I have gotten more than one comment about my facebook profile picture. I guess these adorable green shoes look like boobies! Or "madonna encrusted cones", says one friend. I have tried squeezing my eyes shut and other such tricks, but I still can't see it! What are your thoughts?

Oh-just got a taste of Spring!

I want to go out and buy the flowers! They are calling me :) The little .59 cent babies are singing to me too! Guess it's just best to play with the flowers in my craft room instead huh? Thank goodness my friend has a greenhouse, and I think planting those little zinnia seeds in their small brown pots are in the near future. We are going out for drinks on Friday after school-so I will drill her then :) Happy Spring-to-be dear friends! Blessings-ME

I Am Officially Hooked!

So I wasn't going to read this Trilogy. I just couldn't get my head around the concept of hunting people. I saw the trailer though in the theater, and thought that I would at least try the first book. Well, I must confess that I was wrong, and now can't put the darn things down! That's what I get for "judging a book by its' cover!" (hee , hee) I had a similar experience with the Harry Potter series. Both authors have what it takes to simply draw you into their worlds! Have you tried this series, what do you think?

Lovely Letter Class

I'm taking a class called Lovely Letters. So far I am a great copier...hoping that soon I will be able to consolidate all that copying (okay-in the artsy world there is a kinder word for it...but its not coming to me), and come up with something of my own :)

Was really having fun with this...and had this grand idea of what the watercolors were going to look like until I wet the color and realized that my Tombow marker was NOT permanent! Well poop! So now I am on the search for a great permanent nub marker! Blessings- ME

Madscrapper Mania!!!

Had such a blast teaching a mixed media class at the Madscrapper in Issaquah. I got to meet new crafters, which always thrills me! However, this time I was touched by how many of the ladies returned for the THIRD time! I've been thinking of that-and realize that it brings much the same feeling as when parents would request me for their child's teacher...isn't that weird? I've really been pondering on that emotion lately. Here' some of my ponderings...

This has a great responsibility to really get to know my art-to make sure that it is the best that I can share with them. To never take this opportunity for granted. To be a life-long learner in this field much as I am in my educational teaching.

On another note-I am really enjoying getting to know these women! To watch them create, and see them themselves grow in their art-much like I have. I share a quote from Somerset Magazine with them, and I am learning that I not only like the quote- I believe in it!

"From a Women's Soul-Through a Women's Eyes-By a Women's Hands"...so very cool isn't it?

Gotta Love Shabby Blogs!

It's not every day that you get to see a picture of a Gnome in a jar is it? Shabby Blogs is my favorite place to go to get freebies for my blog. Go and check them out if you're wanting to add a little somethin' to your blog!

Straight Up Learning Curve!

Took on Photoshop...so far I am really enjoying it, although it does have it moments (usually when I don't have the time for it to have its moments!) Case in point...NOW! Will write more later but alas-the clock is calling! Blessings on your day :)

Photoshop Philly!

Okay, I know filly is spelled wrong-but it wouldn't match as well. So I took the plunge and decided to try my hand at photoshop since I was not happy with the Mac version of storybook. I am loving it so far! I signed up for Jessica Sprague's online class for photoshop beginners. I highly recommend her and her style of instruction. Here's my first layout :)

Hmmm...a creative weekend is bliss!

What a delight it is to have a weekend to accomplish life. Errands were ran, blogs were read, naps were taken, bags were delivered, and most importantly, art was created! I have one more day to sit in my room and welcome the creativity that is waiting there for me. This is a very quiet time in my life, and I welcome it with all my heart.

Here is a new artist and blog that I just found. Jen Cushman of Ice Resin/Ice Queen. I am doing the January Jumpstart, and have found some inspiring new artists. Love that one of them mentioned Christy Tomlinson as their inspiration!; small, small world isn't it? Off I go...Blessings!

My Word-Anticipation

Hmmm...as I sit here quietly, I am beginning to feel IT. What IT am I anticipating?-I don't know yet. How IT will appear, or when-I don't know that either. But something is stirring within me. I think I will just let whatever IT is, just rest there for a while; for IT feels peaceful and strong.

Heard a new thought this morning as I was listening to Karen share on Jumpstart 2012. "Creativity is waiting here for me". I need to paint this one up and place it in my artroom. How fun to say that-that I have an artroom :)

It's Friday-they always feel so good don't they?

Well-here we go!

Hmmm...2012, I wonder what you have in store for me this year? I anticipate you, you know. There's always that new smell that I appreciate, know to look for, know to recognize that its special. Well, let's begin, shall we?