It's New Year's Eve

I have been thinking a lot lately about how much I love my husband. These two pictures are a means of me showing him how special he is to me. This first one is how I imagine we would have looked going out for New Year's as kiddies. He looks so spiffy and I, in my tiara, only have eyes for him.

This next one is a tribute to him and his mommy. They looked so much alike. She passed away eleven years ago and we miss her smile and her sense of humor. She was a great mother-in-law.


There once was a beautiful young woman. She grew up and had a handsome son. She stayed around long enough to show me how to take good care of him and I thank her for it.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Please stay safe and leave all that partying to the professionals. We usually stay home and watch the ball drop on the telly. (well, not literally on the telly, but that famous event in Times Square) I'm not sure if we will even be able to stay up that late. Either a nap or a big cup of coffee may be in order.

Tomorrow is a new day. Promises and resolutions will be made. That's part of the fun of traditions. In the upcoming year, I want to take even better care of the Hubby and myself and do lots, and lots of art. In February our altered art group will be exhibiting at the library, and I am looking forward to that. Hubby is diligently working on the next episode of Planet Keene and I hope to get back in the work out habit. So, it looks like things are getting off to a good start.

I love having all my friends come and visit me here in blog land and I hope to have tons of interesting things to report and I might add some fun things in the next few weeks. Perhaps a word of the day or a joke or something like that. We all need somewhere to go where we don't have to be so serious. Just remember to keep doing what you love and remember that you are worthy. Follow your dreams and keep it real.

Have a great night and once again, stay safe. We love you and send you New Year's blessings.

See ya next year!

P.S. My darling husband is playing his guitar and singing as I type. What a great way to end the year.

Need New Earrings ?

If you are in a jam and it's New Year's Eve and you don't have any festive baubles, grab the scrap paper, some glitter and your scissors. I made these years ago when I had access to paper samples at the print shop. These are made from Brite Hue paper that I snipped, curled, glued and glittered. The picture doesn't do them justice. They are really snazzy, but you get the idea. It would work on any number of occasions, but I can almost hear that "countdown" whenever I see them.

What do you folks do in a pinch, when you need quick jewelry? Post some shots and show us your ideas.

Well, it's off to read and have some tea. We'll talk soon. Ta, Ta.

What day is it?

Am I the only one who is confused? Now that I work from home, I get confused as to the day of the week. The holidays really add to that feeling. Now that they are almost over, we can get back on schedule and I will try to keep up. That would be a good resolution, to try to remember what day it is. Anyway...



I am happy with my new art supplies and have already finished several projects. Here is the final version of "Facial Expressions". I envisioned this piece as I was having my facial at the spa. I added some colored circles to convey the warmth of the facial and the feeling of floating that I experienced, though I also felt as if I was actually sinking deeper and deeper... into a relaxed state. When I did my initial drawing, I drew it as if I were giving the facial and I felt so peaceful while I was drawing it, that I knew that I would be pleased with the finished piece and I am.



This piece, that I am calling "Winged Girl", is my first attempt using hands for wings. I want to say thanks to Jean for showing me how beautiful this technique can be. I hope to do more of these girls. This little girl really is a part of me now. It's like when someone looks at a child and remarks, "she's got your hands", because she really does.





This next one, that I am calling "Flower Girl", is painted with acrylic on clay board. This is an unusually smooth surface and I'm not certain how I feel about it. When I painted her, I couldn't see what she was looking at, but I looked up and saw an abstract floral that I did about 10 years ago and decided to give her one of those flowers. I was trying to make the background appear as wallpaper, but it seems to look like there is something rising from the floor instead. Oh, well, if all of our art were perfect, it wouldn't inspire as much thought.

Well, those are three of the things that I have done this week. I guess I am one of those people that likes instant gratification. I really wish that I had the patience to start a long term project, that takes weeks to complete, but I just can't. It's like I feel a push to get the idea out of my brain and onto the paper, or board, or whatever I am using . It's like I might lose it, if I don't do it right then. I do put a lot of thought into the piece before I ever pick up my pencils to sketch it out and sometimes I look at that sketch for a while, but once I am ready to put it in motion, I don't want to stop. Also, I take things by spurts. This time last year, I was doing nothing but jewelry and about five years ago, I did nothing but make polymer beads. Now I feel that I must draw and paint again. I am also going to be using a lot of vintage photos this year. Lots of glue and embellishments also. What a great year it will be.

I want to thank everyone for being so nice and encouraging me about my art and my blog. I wont list everyone, as you know who you are. Any how, thanks again and keep checking in, as new things will be added often. Love y'all for reading and posting, as I do love to read your blogs everyday. Keep up the good works! We'll talk soon.

Greetings, All

Hey folks, I can't think of a lot to say tonight so I thought I would post several pictures. There is nothing that speaks to the artist in us, more than new brushes. According to my fuzzy memory, this portrait of my brother and me was taken in the 1960's. Were we cute or what?




Those new brushes led to this work in progress that I am calling "Facial Expressions". I know it still needs something, I 'm not sure what yet.



Lastly, I took this shot off our back deck. I love this view.

Well, off to read and love on Milo the Cat. Talk Soon. Enjoy howling at the moon.

My Board Book ( since been edited)

I have a cat in my lap right now, so I can't type too much.

This is what is keeping me from typing. See you soon (my foot is asleep, but I dare not move).

Crazy, Sexy Art

Here is a shot of our group that worked on the board books Saturday. It was a smaller group than usual, due to holiday obligations and the threat of falling weather. I mentioned in a previous post that the theme of the day was "Crazy, Sexy Christmas". Some of us used vintage images of dancers and contortionists, along with copies of vintage Christmas cards, and luscious fibers, glittery embellishments, along with paint and glue (you know the drill). Since most of the board books were to have multiple pages, I don't have pictures yet. We had a ton of fun and look forward to meeting next month to see all the finished pieces when we do "show and tell".

Here is the tree that Marnie made for the library. She lovingly created paper angels with ribbon wings and timepiece faces, except for the topper, and that's her mom. It was so sweet, the picture just doesn't do it justice.

Well, I am off to do more art or maybe help DH with his new episode that is due in January. Time slips up so quickly, how do any of us ever find time to do it all? Can it be that there are less than 10 days left until Christmas? Hang in there friends, remember to take plenty of breaks, and know that it's really not necessary to do it all and it is ok to ask for help from family and friends, they actually want to share in the fun of it all.

We'll talk soon. Ta, Ta.

Revisiting the past

I have never been one to dwell on the past. In fact, one might say I almost avoid thinking about my own past and certainly don't remember large blocks of my early childhood. Maybe that is why finding all these old pictures is having more of an effect on me than I planned on. Those "vintage" photos, meaning anything that I don't remember, don't seem to bother me much...but when my darling, handsome husband found another box of photos in my Grandma's attic yesterday, well several of them really got to me.

I was all ready to sit right down here and blog about my childhood and the things that happened or didn't happen to me and be all mad and resentful. Blessedly, though, I have a sound mind and after meditating and thanking God for all I do have, I got past that.

So, Onward! !! Here is a shot of a scrapbook that I started in 1963, and didn't finish. My thought now, (instead of berating myself for never finishing anything) is what to do with it? Do I finish it or do I stick in a box and put it away? There will be lots of questions like this in the coming months and I really would like input from someone. I am finding so many neat things and I know you chicks and dudes in blog land will have great ideas.




















Here is a beautiful painting that my sister did in the 90's from a Christmas Card. I scarfed it up when I found it and have it in my hall. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Well, Let's get ready for our Altered Art meeting at the library. We are doing board books today with the theme of "A Crazy, Sexy Christmas"

I think Marnie, is scared of what we are going to come up with, but I think it will be a hoot. Wish us luck and lots of fun- cutting, pasting and sparkling our day through a new way of looking at the holidays.

We'll talk soon and hopefully will have pictures of board books later.

She's baaaack.......

Well, we are back. Came home to a cold house (heat pump temporarily out), but very glad to be home.

We went to San Diego to see my sister ( we like to celebrate an early Christmas when we are out there), and had a great time. We got to do some touristy stuff , consumed lots of good eats and even indulged in some retail therapy. Here is a shot of me after a yummy dinner at the resort. The food was really great and my, my, my, don't I look happy? If you could see what's on the other side of the camera, you would understand.

Sissy and I went to the Wild Animal Park and I got to feed a giraffe. I am not one to cozy up to something larger than a cat, but I could not refuse. We had a nice time and since my sister is a member of the park, we got to do some special things, such as a behind the scenes tour.

Hubby and I both got soothing facials at a spa, and then, the next day, since I felt he deserved some additional "me" time, I suggested that he stay behind, order room service and watch movies, while we shopped. Part of my Christmas gift was a trip to the Dick Blick retail store in San Diego. I got some great art supplies. I look forward to doing all kinds of art, especially some pieces using the vintage photos I have been finding in my uncle's house. I will soon be posting some of those also. Well, folks, it's great to be back. We are rested and raring to go. Thanks again for all your kind words, stay posted for more news, and as always, we'll talk soon.