What more can I say? I know this must be true for you too because it is very true for me!
Monday, August 1, 2016
Here, here Pretty Kitty
Just had to share my pretty kitty with y'all today!
Oh such a sweet good kitty!
Meet Mozart
The Art of Natural Dying Paper and Fabric + Book Making
Book Binding . . .
I enrolled in a class at the local art league for a Book Binding class where we dyed our own paper with natural ingredients.
The course focused on two simple processes: natural dye on paper and simple book making techniques. The technique used for binding the book together was Japanese Stab Binding.
Here are some photos of the dyed paper:
Indigo
Tumeric
Cochineal (flower from a cactus plant) and the right side of the page is indigo again
The following are swatches from fabric:
This is indigo. I folded the fabric like a fan and then placed three rubber bands of different sizes around the fanned fabric and immersed in the indigo.
We have also used dyes such as avacado skins, rosemary, blueberry, and red and white onion skins.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Pastel Painting
My way to cool Kitty Kat Mozart!
My orange tabby kitty is just independent enough to have a certain arrogance about him that makes him way to cool! So it was only right that I paint him with jeweled pins in his hair and jeweled sunglasses.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Other People's Words That Move Me
Excerpt from A Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin
(a well loved, well read, often read novel of mine that sits comfortably on my bedside table).
When true love is lost, life can bleed all meaning. We are left blank.
But the possibility of destiny remains.
What we are meant for may yet be discovered, and once in a very long while that journey to find our destiny may defeat even time itself.
(a well loved, well read, often read novel of mine that sits comfortably on my bedside table).
When true love is lost, life can bleed all meaning. We are left blank.
But the possibility of destiny remains.
What we are meant for may yet be discovered, and once in a very long while that journey to find our destiny may defeat even time itself.
Pastel Painting - Beautiful Ladies
Getting back into my soft pastels and just absolutely loving the results. Trying to learn how to paint pretty - no, no, - beautiful ladies!
So this one is actually darker than painted because I sprayed it with permanent fixative hoping that the pastels would not fade out. Unfortunately the fixative makes the painting darker than originally painted. I later read in the Pastel Journal never, never, ever use fixatives . . . . I think that may have just been a personal opinion because later I read yeah, use them . . . . just saying.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Poetry . . . "The Dead Poet's Society"
Some friends and I have a small but intimate group and we call ourselves "The Dead Poets Society." Yeah you guessed it! After the Robin Williams movie.
Our goal is to learn more about poetry and from that learning grow to love it even more than we already do. (A side of me you didn't know eh?).
So we take turns chosing a DEAD POET'S poem (hence the name) study it, and then share it with the group. We do much of this over the internet. We keep our own notes or if you are like me - you actually buy a very special journal to keep all your notes in! (Type A personality here!).
BUT . . . straying slightly -- a BIG exception was made for Mary Oliver who is still very much alive! I just love her writings! She won the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Time discribes her as "far and away, this country's best-selling poet!" Not to shabby!
Mary was born September 10, 1935, in Maple Heights, Ohio. She studied at Ohio State University and Vassar College in the mid 50's but never received a degree at either college.
Here is one of Ms. Oliver's poems that I just love!
Our goal is to learn more about poetry and from that learning grow to love it even more than we already do. (A side of me you didn't know eh?).
So we take turns chosing a DEAD POET'S poem (hence the name) study it, and then share it with the group. We do much of this over the internet. We keep our own notes or if you are like me - you actually buy a very special journal to keep all your notes in! (Type A personality here!).
BUT . . . straying slightly -- a BIG exception was made for Mary Oliver who is still very much alive! I just love her writings! She won the National Book Award, the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Time discribes her as "far and away, this country's best-selling poet!" Not to shabby!
Mary was born September 10, 1935, in Maple Heights, Ohio. She studied at Ohio State University and Vassar College in the mid 50's but never received a degree at either college.
Here is one of Ms. Oliver's poems that I just love!
Mysteries, Yes
Truly, we live with mysteries to marvelous to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken.
How people come from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always from those who think they have the answers.
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.
by Mary Oliver.
Water Color Fun! Just Hanging Out to Dry!
Water Color Fun - or is it . . . sometimes I wonder . . . I'm not really that good with watercolors but I really want to be, so I keep at it, keep trying. John Singer Sargent did a fantastic outdoor clothes line. I pulled my idea from his. But of - he was a art genius, I on the other hand am an art novice!
Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!
Just a follow up (from June 14th) for those Creative Genius Cards I am making. I posted how I was making them, but index cards will do just fine too.
So here is one that I will share.
Remember that Creative Genius Cards are made on those days you are feeling very creative, and then on the days you do not feel at all creative - you just pull them out and read them - inspiring yourself and reminding yourself that you are indeed "Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!"
So here is one that I will share.
Remember that Creative Genius Cards are made on those days you are feeling very creative, and then on the days you do not feel at all creative - you just pull them out and read them - inspiring yourself and reminding yourself that you are indeed "Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!"
Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!
Just a follow up (from June 14th) for those Creative Genius Cards I am making. I posted how I was making them, but index cards will do just fine too.
So here is one that I will share.
Remember that Creative Genius Cards are made on those days you are feeling very creative, and then on the days you do not feel at all creative - you just pull them out and read them - inspiring yourself and reminding yourself that you are indeed "Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!"
So here is one that I will share.
Remember that Creative Genius Cards are made on those days you are feeling very creative, and then on the days you do not feel at all creative - you just pull them out and read them - inspiring yourself and reminding yourself that you are indeed "Oh My You Are A Creative Genius!"
Friday, June 17, 2016
Let's Give Them Something To Talk About . . .
My Movie Critique
Academy Award winner and Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds star in this remarkable true story of one woman's battle for justice!
I give it FIVE STARS!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Oh my You Are A Creative Genuis!
Creative Genius Prompt Cards
I am a big believer of prompts. I started doing a daily meditation in 2001 - rarely missed a day - with prompt cards that I made myself. Cards to keep me focused.
So I thought to myself - I should have some for my creativity.
I used Strathmore Bristol board paper and sprayed it with liquid watercolors! Folded it in half.
Use an artist's bone stick (may go by other names, but this is the one I am familiar with) to help press the paper in half. Once it is folded well tear (or cut with scissors if you prefer) to the size you would like for hand held prompt cards.
I than used Distressed Ink around the edges for that perfect 'old' and well read look!
These have all been torn down to the size I like to work with.
You can always use index cards if you feel those work for you. When I finally write on a card I will share it with you!
Monday, June 13, 2016
A Great Night's Sleep . . . .
I want to share with you how to have A Great Night's Sleep.
For years I struggled, some nights sleeping well, but most nights not. No matter what I seemed to do helped me. I wanted to be holistic in my approach, so after many tried and failed attempts to regulate myself with a good sleep pattern I finally hit upon one that has been very successful for the past year! Yes, one year and I have slept like a baby EVERY night. Will it also work for you? I cannot promise that, but it has worked for me.
What you say - what already!!
A MILLET HULL NIGHT PILLOW (from Brookstone but I bet you could get it almost any where).
so this is the pillow (has a zipper at one end) looks like a very ordinary pillow.
Here are the LAVENDER millet hulls! The pillow comes chock full of these. Too many for me, so I emptied some out to save and add at another time. These are 100% certified organic millet hulls.
Huh you say! Millet seeds are tiny in size, round, and amazingly smooth. When hulls are separated from the seeds, these tiny emply shells ratin their soft and velvety texture and feel sikly and fluffy to our touch!
Millet hulls fully contour our neck line and smoothly shift along as we move in our sleep. They provide solid neck support throughout the night and offer relief from shoulder/neck tightness.
So 100% certified organic millet hulls, U.S. grown and are hypo-allergenic. I chose Lavender because I like a holistic approach to my wellness - lavender is a natural relaxer!
Sleep well!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Sunday Special - I Believe . . . . .
Wisdom of the Sacred Feminine . . .
When you stand up and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else, too.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Every Day in June 2016 Art Challenge
Every Day in June 2016 Art Challenge
Day 7 - Theme: Nuts
Just couldn't help myself.
I Love to Quilt!
A Texas Theme Quilt
Lap size/Tv size
When I do my free motion quilting (on my sewing machine) the quilts are usually so large that I have found it to be pain free (shoulders and neck) if I use my dining room table to support the quilt. My sewing table just cannot handle large projects.
When I do my free motion quilting (on my sewing machine) the quilts are usually so large that I have found it to be pain free (shoulders and neck) if I use my dining room table to support the quilt. My sewing table just cannot handle large projects.
The center of the quilt is made from a panel. I added a variety of Texas theme fabrics around the panel to make a completed quilt. The quilting is done on machine with an Even Foot Feed (aka - walking foot). Remember when using this particular foot to quilt you do not have to lower your feed dog.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Let's Give Them Something To Talk About
My Movie Critique
This is definately a chick flick movie! Husband did watch it with me but gave it a thumbs down. I on the other hand gave it FIVE STARS and will watch it over again for sure! I watched it ON DEMAND, but Netflixs may carry it since it was made in 2000. I just really enjoy these types of movies and would love your suggestions!
Thursday, June 9, 2016
I Love To Quilt
Mature Fairies
I love this quilt! I made a lap top size for my daughter-in-law Krys and a queen size for myself. Hee hee. Some day I want to draw some of these characters! They are so cute! I have received so many comments and compliments about this quilt. Enjoy the view!
I love this quilt! I made a lap top size for my daughter-in-law Krys and a queen size for myself. Hee hee. Some day I want to draw some of these characters! They are so cute! I have received so many comments and compliments about this quilt. Enjoy the view!
I Love To Quilt
A Quilt for Sherry
Finished this quilt some time ago and sent it off to my neice Sherry in Massachusetts. Of course she loved it!
Monday, June 6, 2016
Germany - I've Been Everywhere Man, I've Been Everywhere (Almost) . . . .
It's Always Christmas in this German Town!
Rothenburg, Germany
Rothenburg, Germany
The Famous German Christmas Store!
I just love this photo opportunity!
I did pick up two hand crafted Nutcrackers for Christmas during our European vacation this past April!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Art of Writing . . . and Creating . . . Do You believe?
Do You Believe in Magic?
I seem to remember a song in my teen years that I would hear over and over again on the radio. I just loved to sing along to that song and the words were so powerful to me!
"Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? The music is clearer whenever it starts. It's magic."
I DO believe in Magic.
Here's the thing though with Magic . . . it is really magic, or is it just . . . . .whatever!
When your art comes together for you . . . . is it you, or Magic? No, its not really Magic at all. No, no, but wait! Yes it is! I say it is! It is for me.
CONSIDER THIS: its just what happens naturally when you align yourself with the power of your purpose and the sparkle of your soul! The Magic already lives inside of you!
There - settled. I DO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! How about you?
(Taken in part from Andrea Schroeder, Grow Your Dream Wings).
(Taken in part from Andrea Schroeder, Grow Your Dream Wings).
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Cockoo Clock from Germany
Hand made in Germany
Picked up this sweet purchase while traveling the Romantic Road in Germany last month!
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Every day in June 2016 Art Challenge AND Friday's Favorites!
DAY 2 - Theme: Within 3 feet of you
and
Fridays Favorite is magical!
and
Fridays Favorite is magical!
Sketch in Ink
Don't lever let anyone tell you that fairy tales are not real. I drink a potion made from magic beans every day, and it brngs me back to life!
Textile Art; Needle Work - T-Shirt Quilt
Needlework is another term for the handicraft of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework. The definition is often expanded to include craft using a long and thin tool, such as crochet hook and tatting shuttles.
Before the free motion quilting was completed. This was my first T-shirt quilt and I absolutely love the way it turned out!
Thursday, June 2, 2016
The Art of Writing - YOU are a Creative Genius!
Of course writing is an art! In today's fast paced, high tech world, letter writing has just about died out. But I do it - I believe in it - and I love wax sealing and placing my H (for my last name) on the back of the envelope. Sometimes I add a pretty ribbon!
So here are some written words on YOU being a creative genius!
When you see that you are a creative genius, capable of creating anything your heart desires - then you will see that everyone also is a creative genius, capable of creating whatever their hearts desire.
(Taken in part from Andrea Schroeder, Grow Your Dream Wings).
(Taken in part from Andrea Schroeder, Grow Your Dream Wings).
Textile Arts; Needle Work - A Quilt
This is a twin size quilt made with the finest of fabrics from the local quilt store. I am a strong believer of supporting my community.
This quilt has been hand pieced and then free motion quilted on my Janome sewing/quilting machine.
When I see this quilt, which is daily because it currently resides on the back of my favorite chair in my living room, it makes me feel warm inside. It makes me think of Southern comfort - the warmness of the South; the hospitality we extend to family, friends, neighbors and even strangers; the different foods we prepare and the way we present them to those sitting at our table. Our openness and willingness to help those in need. And without forgetting our one most favorite saying: "y'all come back now, ya hear!"
My New Adventure - Art Journaling Book Two!
This journal is quite different from my Art Journal One which is a composition note book. This journal is a Mixed Media journal by Strathmore! You do not need anything much more expensive than this. As a matter of fact - just use a hard cover old book. You will need to tear out some pages because when you add your art work it will create a thickness.
I am also loving working with this one too!
I am very excited to see how these two journals come together and will be sharing some, not all, of my work. Like a good friend of mine tells me often . . . .Theresa, you do not need to share everything! BIG BIG SMILES!
My New Adventure - Art Journaling Book One
As usual I hardly ever do anything in a simple manner - so this also would include my new adventure into Art Journaling.
Instead of working on beginning one, I have decided to start working on two (of course)! Two very different styles!
Because I have just returned from France (including England and Germany) I thought this would be a wonderful way to explore art journaling! This book is an inexpensive composition book, mostly used with elementary school children. One can purchase these at your local dollar store.
Because the pages are very thin, it is suggested that you glue two together if you chose to paint on them with acrylic or markers. If you chose to use watercolors be sure to prepare the page properly to accept the watercolors. AFTER gluing two pages together, apply Absorbent Ground - the Absorbent Ground will make the paper act like watercolor paper~ Just a little something new I just learned!
If you are going to write in the journal - which these lines composition pages are perfect for then there is no need to glue them.
Another post for book 2!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
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