Gifts for friends

Love making these.... rather than a pair, I made one of each to hand as a Christmas Tree Ornament..... so fun and relaxing and meditative to make.

Angel of Hope and Healing

This is the Angel of Hope and Healing, born this Christmas Day between 3 and 7 am. She is made for a swap of Angels and will be off on her way to the one who needs her most. She guided me as I created her, and brought me hope and healing in the process!

My Pal

Had to post this photo of Pal, taken from Beau's FB page. He is the sweetest guy ever. Love you, Pal.

Latest 3 spirit cards for the round robin

Although I had forgotten to take photos of the previous 3 cards, I did remember to do so this time around. Here they are:

Indian Summer

The weather has been really great and so much appreciated. It won't last forever though...rain is expected and more chilly temps. Just loving this Indian Summer... Forgot to take photos of the last 3 Spirit Cards I made.... too much in a hurry to send them off, and too much going on still! Keeping up with "The Store" and trying to make a go of it. I put the gas fireplace on this morning to ge the chill out of the air... it doesn't take long..... happy days ahead.

Storefront of Finders Keepers

This is where I have been spending some hours during the week at the Finders Keepers Vintage Tag Sale and Eclectic Junque Shoppe! It is fun, and different, for sure.

Theme of "Light" "Dreams" "Transfomation" "Transcendence"

Intuition played a large part in creating these mandala Spririt Card images. I am enjoying every minute of this Round Robin swap.

Krystal and Zachary

I really enjoy looking at this picture of my granddaughter, Krystal and her husband, Zach. They make a very handsome couple...love the way the light is shining on Zach's beard...... and it makes me happy to see the beautiful smile Krystal is wearing.

3 new cards for S.F.'s Deck

They are similar to "Soul Cards" but are created to suit the deck owner's theme, if there is one.

I received the 2nd deck yesterday and will ponder how to approach the theme before starting the next 3 cards.








I am also trying to work on images for the Traveling Artists Guild for the writing of my journey. Lots on my working list.

store sitting plus

Thought I'd post a few things, and decided to change my format. Seems like fun and something new and different. I have been very active helping my brother open a store.... filled with odds and ends and "eclectic junque!" I sorta dropped everything and helped to set up the store, so I haven't been home much...and, when I am, I catch up on everything (well, what I can) that I usually do at home, and before I know it, the day is done! I really don't think it is going to fly, as business is very slow. I have finished the alphabet atc swap, and am now involved in a round robin of "Spirit Cards", which I like very much. Eleven women make up the group, and each of us creates 3 cards for the others deck. Here are some that I made for my deck for starters.

Along with the cards is a journal to write process notes about creating the cards.

Sun Sun Sun

Woke up to the light of the beautiful sun..... what joy that brings after dreary skies and rainy days. Enjoy the day... and be grateful for life.

Rain, rain, rain, rain

It's been raining since noon yesterday...woke up to more rain this morning. It is very dark and bleak and a bit scary, mostly due to anticipation of when Irene finally debuts! Losing power is a bit daunting.... hurry and pass on by Irene.

Waiting for Irene

It wasn't supposed to begin raining until noon tomorrow, but here comes the rain. Everyone is in a state of apprehension with Irene making her way up the East Coast.... I am hoping she doesn't linger like bad company. Lots to do while the weather is balmy.... and thinking about clear, sun shining days ahead.

early birthday celebration 8 years old

Jazzy and Gram Barb

Nearly 8 years old.

Birthday Glasses

Opening her treasures in her treasure chest.

Give-a-way at Collected Treasures for the Home, Heart, and Soul

Take a peek and follow: http://collectedtreasures.blogspot.com Jane's lovely items that please the eye and soul. A really nice stop to take things in. Follow her and make yourself happy! Enter her give-a-way.... maybe you will be the lucky winner!

Treasure Chest Completed

I finished it just a few hours before bringing it to Jasmine. I figure it isn't too shabby for a first try. Actually, 20 coats of varnish is way too much for me, so 8 would have to suffice. She did like it, and I am very very happy for that.

Here and there and everywhere!

First thing this morning I brushed on another coat of poly on Jasmine's treasure chest, then went to a tag sale down the street. I picked up a few items and that made me happy. Then I traveled a half hour to get cat food at the vet, but they did not have any and were expecting a shipment later in the day....so back home. While at home, I checked out my e-mail, paid some bills, made a light lunch, brushed another coat of poly on Jasmine's treasure chest before leaving to go back to the vet's office to get the cat food, then traveled the opposite direction to pick up a few things at the store for future artworks. Back home, installed an update to my astrology program, found a movie to go to tonight with Bob, and am currently waiting for him to join me for dinner. Before going out to the movie, I will put another coat of poly on the chest.... and another when I return from the movies. Having never done any decoupage before, I am hoping that this will suffice, as I will bring Jasmine her birthday treasure chest tomorrow at noon. I am liking the way it looks so far.... I hope she likes it too. Will post a picture when it is all done. I hadn't realized the time that goes into making a decoupaged item!

Sun!

It's great to wake up to the light of the sun.... a very busy day ahead. Workin on the treasure box for Jasmine... and it has to be finished by Friday. That is my first priority.... this is where I am so far.... it was raw wood when I began. I varnished the inside and it is tipped for "non'dripping" till dry.

first time in a long time

I haven't paid much attention to my blog for some time. I can't say if I have been scattered, or just overwhelmed with too many distractions, but I am thinking that now is a good time to get back to my blog. I am nearly finished with one of the projects that I had joined last September, and will be adding one or two more publications to complete the journey. I am behind in the art illustrations; however, I will catch up with them at one time or another, and add them, if I can when they are complete. I have not painted in a while but I have been making ATC's and playing around with collage. I am currently painting and decorating a small treasure chest for my Godchild, Jasmine, for her 8th birthday. I attended the Mineral and Gem Show a few days ago, and bought several strands of gemstone beads to place inside the treasure box, along with some smaller gemstones. I gave her my small collection of gemstones some time ago, and hope to continue her interest. I will also add a small bag of old buttons to her treasure chest booty. I am preparing some cards to play in a Round Robin, which will begin in September. "Spirit Cards" -- 3 x 5" with all of the backs the same design. Eleven players, three cards for each player to create original art.... using any type of medium. I am also looking for small wooden chairs or tables to clean, primer, and paint in a decorative manner. We'll see how that turns out. Our 3 vehicles got damaged by giant balls of hail along with our home. Our neighbors all have the same damage. It will take some time to get all repaired. On a lighter note, this is what our front yard looked like before the "microburst" (which I think was really another tornado).... a friend of ours had the flamingos placed in our yard for fun! We woke up to looking out on them one morning and laughed and laughed. We were "flocked".... they were there for several days before they were removed. Life is full of surprises!

Florida Hibiscus

Completed my latest commission: 12 x 12" oils.......

Added the June ATC's for the 14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life Alphabet Swap: W for windows or whirlygigs.....

Deb's Healing Garland completed

I completed the last of Deb's Healing Garland this morning. It was a soothing task and gave me the opportunity to once again focus on Deb, who will be missed so much. I linked the latter 2 weeks into the previous two garlands to make it complete. It will hang in my studio, but I displayed it on the cactus in the sun porch, as my studio really needs a cleaning overhaul.

Deb's Healing Garland, more links

Here are more links made for Deb's Healing Garland..... I had the previous week's links pictured, but deleted them accidentally from my Iphoto, after posting to the 14 Secret's group.... these are the most recent. We will continue making the links until the end of May.

limbo

No sun and lots of rain, day 3. I definitely am sun deprived... no energy and in a funk. Time to make some art!

painting on the sun porch

I had to move my easel to the sun porch, as my overhead light is out and I don't have enough light from the wall of windows. I am working on a commission (12 x 12") oil.... a work in progress: