Fallen Angel 890

I was playing with transfers a while back and had this image that halfway transferred, so I tossed it aside with other failures. This morning I was looking through my "pile" and came to this image again. I realized it wasn't a failure at all. It spoke to me of vulnerabilities...how easily we are led astray when we don't listen to his word...how willingly we expose ourselves to toxic conversations and selfish desires...When we have fallen, he will pick us up, if only we listen...

Fill Me

I've been quiet over the past month or so...I haven't been into making much art lately as I seem to be in a different season in my life. I love being back at work, but it leaves me with little free time, and I have to make choices with the free time that I have. Nature has been calling me, tugging at my heart. I long to sit in the sun and feel it's rays against my face, or a gentle breeze whispering in my ear...

I've been trying to work in my art journal whenever I get the chance. Here is a page I recently completed. I am so drawn to this image for various reasons.

This one's for you Annie! Hope you have a glorious week!

Wide Open

I came home today in a melancholy mood and as I drove into my driveway, I noticed a package on the front porch... When I went to pick it up I realized it was from Amazon. Bingo! Something to lift my spirits! Inside was Wide Open, by Randi Feuerhelm-Watts. It's actually a deck of cards and a workbook. It's like a piece of artwork! I love Randi's journals and have had the pleasure of being one of her students. I can't wait to sit with a cup of tea and devour each card. Check out her new website too, it's so fun!

Thanks you Randi!!

Hope

"Hope" is my favorite word. I always keep it close to my heart. Here is my contribution for a wonderful project. I made it my personal goal to share a bit of hope in every piece of art I produce in '2007.

Many Changes

Many changes since I posted last...life throws us such curves. In one day I went from being totally content at home to accepting a full time job. I wasn't looking for a job, it, or they found me. It was kind of funny as I had been wondering about where my life was going, what my purpose was...all those things that "hit" us at times and make us contemplate as to why we are here. I thought I was finished with the corporate world and with just one phone call, it all changed. It's funny, but I have just settled in like I was never gone. I love being back with people, having morning coffee on the drive in. I guess God had different plans for me as I feel so content. I haven't had a moment to slow down and make some art since I returned to work, but I did manage to make this portfolio the weekend before I returned to work. It's a gift for my Sister. She so admired the portfolio I bought from the wonderful and talented DJ Pettitt. If you ever have a chance to take one of her classes, you should! I'll "blog" when I can...thank you for stopping by...

Mineral

A while back, I traded some art with a young artist, Ziggy Hill, in the UK. I was thrilled with the piece I received from him and have continued to watch him grow as an artist. I think he is extremely talented. He recently launched a website, Funns, and I love what he said about himself and his art. Check his "About Me" page. I bought one of his paintings, Mineral, and I can't wait to add it to my "Zigg" collection. If you get the chance, send him a word of encouragement. He is a college student that hopes to be a full time artist someday.

Window to my soul

This week has been so nice and quiet. I'm just taking time to have lunch with friends and work on art projects. This is for a skinny book swap. The theme is windows or portals. With Christmas just behind us, I find myself continously filled with thoughts of Christ. I wanted to reflect these thoughts in my page, thus this is my contribution - a window to my soul.

For '2007, I have decided to keep a journal, specifically a "hope" journal. Each page will contain a piece of art along with the inspiration journaled beside it. Since I will be out of town as the new year rolls in, I wanted to get a head start and finished one piece of art which will be pasted into my journal. Tonight, I will complete my thoughts.

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy new year!

Watching Guard

It was such a nice quiet day yesterday. I headed out with my camera for a few hours to enjoy some sunshine. Here is one of the great finds I discovered in a local cemetary. A child received a new guardian angel for Christmas.

Last of the November Calendar RR Pages

I finished the pages for Jennifer's calendar. I really enjoyed working in Jennifer's calendar. Maybe it's knowing the project is coming to a close. I also have had lots of Christmas music on which has put me in the mood for the holidays.

Funny, I have been looking forward to the end of this project, but have found myself a bit sad in a way. I'm sure there will be more swaps to come, but I don't know if I could ever handle a year long RR again. But, never say never....

Making More Progress

It feels really good to get some work done in this calendar. These are colors that I typically never use, but I wanted to try to use colors that I know are more in the owner's pallette. When I look back at all the pages I have done for this calendar RR, I have really leaned towards pinks and reds. Green is actually my favorite color, but I guess I am most comfortable with a different pallette when it comes to making art.

Calendar Round Robin Page

I'm finally taking some needed time to work on the November calendar. Yep, I know...It's December. Jennifer was kind enough to offer by-passing her calendar as a Christmas gift. Believe me, I was VERY tempted, but I just would not have felt right not working in her calendar. It will be late getting finished, but at least I have started and feel good about keeping my commitment to this project. It has been really hard these past few months!

6 "Odd" Things About Me

I have been tagged by Sally to list 6 wierd things about myself. I prefer to think of wierd as odd or eccentric, so I am listing 6 odd things about myself.

1) I like to peel my toast apart into two sections and eat them sepearately. First I take the crust off and then peel the remaining bread apart. I have done this for years...I know, "odd."

2) I hate to walk around barefoot, but prefer to have bare feet when I wear shoes..

3) I have to sleep with a fan on, even if it is freezing cold. Always have and always will.

4) I love skulls and skeletons (mostly in association with the Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration).

5) I set an alarm every morning, even on weekends. I hate sleeping in as I feel like I have wasted a day.

6) I don't want any furniture on my new deck. Nope, not even patio stuff. I like the "clean" look of the large deck. So why did we buld it, my Mother asks?.... So the dog can have a place to nap in the sun without getting dirty, I answer!


Okay, I tag Annie, Tracie and Sue!

RR Calendar Swap - October Pages

Oops...just a bit late. This time of year is really hard to work in round robins. Too much to do and so little time.

These are pages for Sharon Wisely. This is a really fat calendar and it was pretty hard to scan the pages. Only two more calendars and then the round robin will be over.

Two New Additions to the "Family"

I have always had a fascination with the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead and the skeleton figurines. I have found some of the most unusual pieces created by artists in central Mexico. I recently acquired a new piece, a mermaid, which I am thrilled to now own. She is so fragile and delicate, but sits high on my mantle away from the cats!

Our other addition was given to me and my husband from a friend I have had since 6th grade. It was an award at her Halloween party for coming the farthest to attend. She knows that my husband and I love to ride and we came as what else, bikers! I'd have to say that this is Jeff's favorite between the two new additions!

Halloween ATC's

Here are the ATC's I received in a recent exchange with the theme of Halloween. Boy it's great receiving something in the mail besides a bill! I received cards from Beth Robinson, Maija Lepore, Cece Grimes, Ruth Rae, Amy Huff, and Deryn Mentock. Thank you ladies! I really adore each one of them!

Laughter in France

Ah, I received an email from Dear Lois today...what a hoot! I could hear her voice as I read her email and it reminded me of some of special times in France when laughter was in abundance. One Saturday we all ventured off to a flea market in the countryside. On the way out of the market, Lois had stopped at one vendors booth, only to discover that they had....clown noses. Lois being the hoot that she is, bought up enough for the group. We schemed a plan to bring the clown noses to dinner and deliver the rest of the noses to the group as a surprise, and boy, were they surprised! I had not laughed that hard for such an extended period that my checks hurt. Here are a few pictures of the evening event. I can still hear the laughter....

Memories of France

I thought I would take some time to share my wonderful memories of my trip to France. It was truely one of the best experiences of my life...I was uncertain how I would feel in a country where Americans are not thought of highly, but for the most part, the French were very welcoming and warm. I was a bit nervous at first, but I was lucky enough to fly into Toulouse with my roommate to be, Lois. We arrived in Toulouse and had to pick up the rental car...no problem, I had a full tank of gas, a map, and Lois. As we drove out of the airport, it suddenly occured to me that I could not read the road signs...and did you know that in France, they don't have 4 way stops or signs that tell you what the next major intersection will be? Needless to say, we instantly got lost and had a lovely tour of Toulouse. How we ever managed to get to the hotel is a miricle, but a good bottle of French wine calmed any left over anxiety!

The following day, we met up with our group and drove to Dufort, which is an old copper mining town. The stream runs down the center of town, which was once used to wash copper items that were made by hand in those days. Here are some pictures of the town and our room with a spectacular view. It was amazing and nothing like I had ever seen before. Lois and I shared a room that overlooked a stream with a running waterfall and slept with the windows open at night so we could listen to the music of the waterfall...

We had our own cook, Neesha, that came daily to make us breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were all very spoiled after a week of her cooking. The French use no preservatives in their food and their food tastes so fresh and wonderful. They eat lots of cheese and bread with every meal. I loved it, savored every moment of every meal and still dream about how wonderful the food was...

To be continued...

RR Calendar Swap

I finally had the motivation to work in the calendar swap for September. I am only a day late....I've been busy since I have returned from France and just haven't had the time, or motivation to work in this calendar, until today. I like working spontaneously and I was happy with the way these two spreads turned out.

More about France later....

What Kind of Chocolate are You?

I was reading some of my favorite blogs today and found a neat link to a quiz on the blog of Tonia Davenport, "What Kind of Chocolate are You?" Take the quiz and find out. I just adore dark chocolate and was happy to see that dark chocolate was my type!

You are Dark Chocolate

You live your life with intensity, always going full force. You push yourself (and others) to the limit... you want more than you can handle. An extreme person, you challenge and inspire the world!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Entry Denied

Here is my contribution to a Halloween ATC swap. Why so early? Well, I leave Tuesday for France for a two week trip and won't be back until the 19th. Then I have jury duty the following week after I return. It feels good to have them done this far in advance!