Hi Everyone....
It's been awhile since I posted and I thought I better tell you what's been going on. For starters HB and I have been furniture shopping and since we have completely different taste in things it's been an experience!!! And we still haven't found anything we can agree on.
Second, we have been giving the house a thorough cleaning top to bottom in preparation for the holidays. HB's daughter and granddaughter are coming over from AZ to spend a few days with us over Thanksgiving.
And third, my desktop computer died! It's where I do everything so for a bit my blog may not have too many pictures....actually it probably won't have any! I only use my laptop for browsing the web. I really don't like typing on the laptop keyboard so I always did all my comments and emails on the desktop....now I have to get used to the laptop and it's a pain!
So that's my sad story....LOL! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat lots of turkey and goodies because it's only for one day!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
No Art....Just Me and Trees
HB and I have been so busy getting things done for the upcoming holidays and I fear I've been neglecting just about everything else....my blog....my art....my friends. I have about half of my Christmas cards finished and that's the only artsy thing I've done in such a long time. I'm getting anxious to get back to the studio and do some painting.
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I received this blog award....
from Mar. I'm supposed to tell you five things about myself that you don't already know. Since I've done so many memes over the years I'm sure you know more about me than most of my family does! So I'm skipping that part! Thanks, Mar!!
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When I posted the Getting Arboreal photos a few post back, I mentioned that my tree would turn a beautiful red color. Well, it still hasn't completely turned yet but this tree is the same kind and it lives in my neighbor's yard across the street....
I can look out the front windows and see this tree. Isn't it beautiful!! Mine will eventually look like this but it's taking its sweet time about getting there!
This is a view down our street....
Even though we're in Southern California we still get a little bit of the fall colors!
Now I'm off to do windows! I hope you have a beautiful day and that you're doing something fun!!
*********************************************
I received this blog award....
from Mar. I'm supposed to tell you five things about myself that you don't already know. Since I've done so many memes over the years I'm sure you know more about me than most of my family does! So I'm skipping that part! Thanks, Mar!!
********************************************
When I posted the Getting Arboreal photos a few post back, I mentioned that my tree would turn a beautiful red color. Well, it still hasn't completely turned yet but this tree is the same kind and it lives in my neighbor's yard across the street....
I can look out the front windows and see this tree. Isn't it beautiful!! Mine will eventually look like this but it's taking its sweet time about getting there!
This is a view down our street....
Even though we're in Southern California we still get a little bit of the fall colors!
Now I'm off to do windows! I hope you have a beautiful day and that you're doing something fun!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thinking About Thanksgiving....
Several days ago I saw a fun meme over on Snap's blog. It was all about Thanksgiving so I thought I'd do it here since I don't have any art I can show you! You see, I'm working on my Christmas cards so I won't be sharing those here because many of you will be receiving them....if I have your address.
So here is the meme:
1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
Even when we have Thanksgiving at home I don't do much of the cooking (and I like that!)....HB loves doing Thanksgiving dinner so he's the cook.
2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
We try to get fresh turkeys but sometimes we're too late.
3. What kind of stuffing?
HB always does stuffing in the bird (yuck!) and I make a separate pan for myself and anyone else who wants it.
4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
We usually have pumpkin pie among others. You can never have too many desserts!!
5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
I love having leftovers. Isn't that the whole point of cooking a huge dinner?
6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
If my daughter was going to be here I'd say the raspberry jello with cranberries and pineapple....she LOVES it! And so do I. You can see my recipe here.
7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
Sometimes but not always.
8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
A full-time, live-in cook! Oh, wait....I have that already!
9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
We eat late afternoon/early evening.
10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
I haven't done that in a long time so I wouldn't know what to bring! Maybe the aforementioned cranberry jello dish.
11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house?
I've never had a guest bring something that was not welcomed.
12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
We have a great group! No drama....just lots of laughter and good times.
13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
Sweet potatoes or (I hate to be so repetitive) my cranberry jello dish.
14. What are you thankful for this year?
My good fortune, my family, all my friends, and my kitties! I have a great life and much to be thankful for right now.
If you would like to do this meme feel free to take it. Let me know if you do it so I can come read your answers!
So here is the meme:
1. Which do you like better: Cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?
Even when we have Thanksgiving at home I don't do much of the cooking (and I like that!)....HB loves doing Thanksgiving dinner so he's the cook.
2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?
We try to get fresh turkeys but sometimes we're too late.
3. What kind of stuffing?
HB always does stuffing in the bird (yuck!) and I make a separate pan for myself and anyone else who wants it.
4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?
We usually have pumpkin pie among others. You can never have too many desserts!!
5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?
I love having leftovers. Isn't that the whole point of cooking a huge dinner?
6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?
If my daughter was going to be here I'd say the raspberry jello with cranberries and pineapple....she LOVES it! And so do I. You can see my recipe here.
7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?
Sometimes but not always.
8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?
A full-time, live-in cook! Oh, wait....I have that already!
9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?
We eat late afternoon/early evening.
10. If you go to somebody else's house, what's your favorite dish to bring?
I haven't done that in a long time so I wouldn't know what to bring! Maybe the aforementioned cranberry jello dish.
11. What do you wish one of your guests wouldn't bring to your house?
I've never had a guest bring something that was not welcomed.
12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you're happy to see?
We have a great group! No drama....just lots of laughter and good times.
13. What's your absolute favorite thing on the menu?
Sweet potatoes or (I hate to be so repetitive) my cranberry jello dish.
14. What are you thankful for this year?
My good fortune, my family, all my friends, and my kitties! I have a great life and much to be thankful for right now.
If you would like to do this meme feel free to take it. Let me know if you do it so I can come read your answers!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Getting Arboreal Part II
Sunday afternoon....the football game is on in the family room, HB is outside working on the patio, and I've been straightening up the studio. It's just a lazy kind of day. We're having beautiful weather....sunny and in the low 70's during the day but it gets chilly at night. Perfection!
I know in most parts of the country autumn colors are almost gone but ours are just beginning. Julie started the "Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection" back in August. At that time I posted a photo of one of the trees in our backyard....
The photo above was taken on August 25th and here is the same tree today....
and a close-up....
You can just see the leaves are starting to turn color. This tree will be a gorgeous deep red/burgundy color and I can see it when I look out the sliding doors on the back of the house. I love this tree! It's a raywood ash.
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It was just too pretty today to stay inside so after working in the studio for awhile I decided to do some spray painting. Just playing around....here's where I was working....
I pulled my work table over under one of the apple trees so I could enjoy the sunshine. Not the best photo but I think you can see it ok. That box on the table holds some of my stencils and the blue box on the ground holds some of my spray paint. There was just a little breeze today so it was good for spraying. Here are a couple of the sample pages I did....
These are just backgrounds. I'll probably do more to them at a later time. Mostly I was just experimenting and enjoying the day.
I hope you're having good weather, too. Happy Sunday!!!
I know in most parts of the country autumn colors are almost gone but ours are just beginning. Julie started the "Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection" back in August. At that time I posted a photo of one of the trees in our backyard....
The photo above was taken on August 25th and here is the same tree today....
and a close-up....
You can just see the leaves are starting to turn color. This tree will be a gorgeous deep red/burgundy color and I can see it when I look out the sliding doors on the back of the house. I love this tree! It's a raywood ash.
*********************************************
It was just too pretty today to stay inside so after working in the studio for awhile I decided to do some spray painting. Just playing around....here's where I was working....
I pulled my work table over under one of the apple trees so I could enjoy the sunshine. Not the best photo but I think you can see it ok. That box on the table holds some of my stencils and the blue box on the ground holds some of my spray paint. There was just a little breeze today so it was good for spraying. Here are a couple of the sample pages I did....
These are just backgrounds. I'll probably do more to them at a later time. Mostly I was just experimenting and enjoying the day.
I hope you're having good weather, too. Happy Sunday!!!
Friday, November 06, 2009
Waiting For Junk Mail to Arrive!!!
Do you get excited when the mail arrives? Do you look for letters, cards, and packages or are you like me and rush to see what kind of great junk mail you've received! I love when we get junk mail! It used to irritate me like crazy but now that I've discovered that I can USE it in my art....well, it can't come fast enough for me!
Yesterday we received a wonderful pamphlet from our local college....8" x 10", printed on fairly thick paper, a total of eight pages. I grabbed it quick as a wink and ran upstairs to the studio.
Slapped on some paint, glued down some papers along the edges and I'm on my way with another art journal! And it was free....the best kind. I also like any kind of junk mail that folds out, or is a large postcard size. I keep them all!
Here are some of the pages I've done so far....they aren't finished yet, only the backgrounds but they will be fun to work on....
I'll probably add more to the yellow pages but they're off to a good start.
I like the brighter, darker colors on these two pages.
The blue pages might get some more layers, too but for now I'm stopping. I like to work on something for a little bit and then stop and think about something else. Then when I go back it's with fresh eyes and I can see what I need to do next.
Of course, after working on these, plus a few other things, my studio looks like this now....
And this is my work table!
You can see that I have one clear area on the floor that goes between the two tables. I keep that clear so I can move back and forth and don't fall over something and break my neck! The rest of the floor is usually covered with stuff I've pulled out to use. Soon I'll have to take a day and put it all away so I can start all over again.
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On a completely different subject, have you tried these....
I saw these recently on Oprah and had to try them. They are meat-free and delicious! If I didn't know better I'd think they were chicken....even the texture! The bbq skewers were my least favorite only because they have more of a beef texture and flavor but they were still pretty good. If you don't eat meat these are a wonderful substitute. They are made by Gardein and you can find out more here.
Yesterday we received a wonderful pamphlet from our local college....8" x 10", printed on fairly thick paper, a total of eight pages. I grabbed it quick as a wink and ran upstairs to the studio.
Slapped on some paint, glued down some papers along the edges and I'm on my way with another art journal! And it was free....the best kind. I also like any kind of junk mail that folds out, or is a large postcard size. I keep them all!
Here are some of the pages I've done so far....they aren't finished yet, only the backgrounds but they will be fun to work on....
I'll probably add more to the yellow pages but they're off to a good start.
I like the brighter, darker colors on these two pages.
The blue pages might get some more layers, too but for now I'm stopping. I like to work on something for a little bit and then stop and think about something else. Then when I go back it's with fresh eyes and I can see what I need to do next.
Of course, after working on these, plus a few other things, my studio looks like this now....
And this is my work table!
You can see that I have one clear area on the floor that goes between the two tables. I keep that clear so I can move back and forth and don't fall over something and break my neck! The rest of the floor is usually covered with stuff I've pulled out to use. Soon I'll have to take a day and put it all away so I can start all over again.
*********************************************
On a completely different subject, have you tried these....
I saw these recently on Oprah and had to try them. They are meat-free and delicious! If I didn't know better I'd think they were chicken....even the texture! The bbq skewers were my least favorite only because they have more of a beef texture and flavor but they were still pretty good. If you don't eat meat these are a wonderful substitute. They are made by Gardein and you can find out more here.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Journals and Art and Fun....
Yesterday was a studio day. I got the signatures cut, sewed and glued together for some new journals but forgot that I have to let the glue dry overnight so I will finish them today. I also made a 16 page booklets using Teesha Moore's instructions. You can see it here. And I painted the front cover of it this morning.
So as promised, here is a little bit of art....
I think I need to work on her dress a bit more. For some reason it reminds me of a basketball jersey!
My classes are all finished for now except for the final chat with Mystele that is scheduled for this afternoon and again in one week. I think I came away from her class with such a different approach to my art. If you ever have the chance to take her class I recommend it. It is not a technique-teaching class....she doesn't teach you how to paint like she does. She teaches you to find your own voice which is so much better because then it's original and not just a copy of what someone else is doing.
Ok, back to the studio to finish the journals....have a happy day and remember to smile at someone!
So as promised, here is a little bit of art....
I think I need to work on her dress a bit more. For some reason it reminds me of a basketball jersey!
My classes are all finished for now except for the final chat with Mystele that is scheduled for this afternoon and again in one week. I think I came away from her class with such a different approach to my art. If you ever have the chance to take her class I recommend it. It is not a technique-teaching class....she doesn't teach you how to paint like she does. She teaches you to find your own voice which is so much better because then it's original and not just a copy of what someone else is doing.
Ok, back to the studio to finish the journals....have a happy day and remember to smile at someone!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Books and Me....
I haven't done a meme for quite some time and I saw this one at Serena's blog. Since I have NO art to show you today and since it's been awhile since I posted anything I thought I'd fill in with this. Besides it's all about BOOKS!!! And you know I love books!
Do you snack while you read?
Not usually because I don't like to get yucky stuff on the pages!
Do you tend to mark your books as you read them, or does the idea of writing on your books horrify you?
I DO NOT mark in my books!!! Having been a used book seller I can tell you it's horrifying to find a wonderful book only to open it to markings throughout. Bummer!
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog ears? Leaving the book open flat?
I use bookmarks or any piece of paper that's close by. Dog ears go right along with marking in the book as far as I'm concerned. I'm a stickler when it comes to my books. I like them to be clean and neat and like new!
Fiction, Non-Fiction or both?
I like both. A good biography or autobiography, any kind of interesting non-fiction, good novels....I like them all. And of course, I love books about art.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I can put it down at any point which is good because I usually read right before I fall asleep. Many times I just can't go 'til the end of the chapter.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
No, I can usually figure out the meaning by how it's being used in the sentence. I do hate it when books use a lot of foreign language but don't give any explanation as to what they're saying.
What are you currently reading?
"My Life in France" by Julia Child; "Sashenka" by Simon Montefiore (not liking it too much); "Soul Coaching" by Denise Linn
What is the last book you bought?
I think it was "Collage Journeys" by Jane Davies or maybe some other artsy book since I get most of my reading material from the library.
Are you the type of person who can only read one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
No. I usually have at least a couple of books going at one time and maybe more. I like reading non-fiction along with some fiction.
Do you prefer series or stand alone books?
Either one. I don't like to read a book that I thought was a stand alone only to find out it's part of a series and the one I just read is in the middle. I like big, epic novels and usually hate it when the story ends.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
No. I don't do recommendations. I think reading is a personal preference and my taste may not be yours. Better to discover what you like on your own.
How do you organize your books?
If it's non-fiction, by subject. Fiction, alphabetically by author. But then again I have been known to put books on a self using size or color as the deciding factor. I guess it all depends on how I'm feeling at the time.
Now if you want to do this meme feel free to take it. I hope this was just a tiny bit interesting and I promise to have some art tomorrow. I'm working on some journals today (Maureen, yours is one of them!!!) See you then....have a great day!
Do you snack while you read?
Not usually because I don't like to get yucky stuff on the pages!
Do you tend to mark your books as you read them, or does the idea of writing on your books horrify you?
I DO NOT mark in my books!!! Having been a used book seller I can tell you it's horrifying to find a wonderful book only to open it to markings throughout. Bummer!
How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog ears? Leaving the book open flat?
I use bookmarks or any piece of paper that's close by. Dog ears go right along with marking in the book as far as I'm concerned. I'm a stickler when it comes to my books. I like them to be clean and neat and like new!
Fiction, Non-Fiction or both?
I like both. A good biography or autobiography, any kind of interesting non-fiction, good novels....I like them all. And of course, I love books about art.
Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
I can put it down at any point which is good because I usually read right before I fall asleep. Many times I just can't go 'til the end of the chapter.
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
No, I can usually figure out the meaning by how it's being used in the sentence. I do hate it when books use a lot of foreign language but don't give any explanation as to what they're saying.
What are you currently reading?
"My Life in France" by Julia Child; "Sashenka" by Simon Montefiore (not liking it too much); "Soul Coaching" by Denise Linn
What is the last book you bought?
I think it was "Collage Journeys" by Jane Davies or maybe some other artsy book since I get most of my reading material from the library.
Are you the type of person who can only read one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
No. I usually have at least a couple of books going at one time and maybe more. I like reading non-fiction along with some fiction.
Do you prefer series or stand alone books?
Either one. I don't like to read a book that I thought was a stand alone only to find out it's part of a series and the one I just read is in the middle. I like big, epic novels and usually hate it when the story ends.
Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
No. I don't do recommendations. I think reading is a personal preference and my taste may not be yours. Better to discover what you like on your own.
How do you organize your books?
If it's non-fiction, by subject. Fiction, alphabetically by author. But then again I have been known to put books on a self using size or color as the deciding factor. I guess it all depends on how I'm feeling at the time.
Now if you want to do this meme feel free to take it. I hope this was just a tiny bit interesting and I promise to have some art tomorrow. I'm working on some journals today (Maureen, yours is one of them!!!) See you then....have a great day!
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