Again, with the painting, lesson 2 .

This is my painting from Julie's online painting class, lesson number 2: The Old Sea Calls to Me. I love the blues and greens, and I have to say, the colors are richer in person than the scanned image is portraying. I am learning a lot about layering and blending and creating interest in my pages, and I am loving it! I can't wait to work my way through all 9 lessons. Yup, you are going to have to see all nine! The next one is in golds and browns, loving the rich colors we are using and learning how to age my work.
Today is a very quiet 4th of July here in town, Happy Birthday America! J is on a long hike. I am trusting he is where he wants to be on the trail at this time. I am looking forward to hearing from him stating that he has completed his hike and is on his way home. I am doing painting lessons, finishing up some pieces in the art room that are waiting for final touches and making ribs and potato salad for our dinner! A pretty darn good day I would say!

Take a little red, a little blue . . .

I have been excited about an online painting class that Julie Prichard is offering in her land of Lost Luggage! Today I took the plunge and did my first lesson and created a couple of fun pages! I was nervous to start, but it is not hard and it is actually very fun! Julie is a great teacher! this is my first attempt to do a painting class online and I like it! The class is still open for registration, so head on over to http://www.landoflostluggage.typepad.com and see what all the hoopla is about! I can't wait for the journaling class that starts this fall!
I also am doing an online class with KC Willis of Lipstick Ranch and I am almost done with my first piece for her Collage Camp. I will get that wrapped up and post a picture in the next couple of days! My summer vaction is definitely off to a good start!

Little bits and pieces . . .

The piece I am sharing today was made with little bits and pieces I've picked up over time. When I thought about the words bits and pieces I was reminded of life and how the little bits and pieces of our days become our lives. Some of the pieces on this doll were given to me, likewise the wisdom given to me by my mom. Some were picked up off the ground, like things learned through the school of hard knocks. Some were bought to be used one day, similar to good times shared with those we love which carry us through the tougher times we have to face later.
When I first made this doll, I liked her. Then I looked at her and thought she looked too much like a robotic type warrior. Then I looked at her some more, and I softened to the way she is. Now when I pass her on the wall, she makes me smile. Thinking today about the bits and pieces and how they come together to create our lives.

Sunday morning reflections . . .

Settling back into the comfort of sitting here with my blog and letting a few ideas "spill on to the paper." I realized that I am resistant to being here when I find I haven't been creating and don't have new pictures to share everyday about my current project. I want to move beyond that and post new things when they happen, but give myself permission to come here when it may just be my words that I am creating with on any given day. I find myself wanting to take a time out with all the competition I have been imposing on myself in the creation process and allow myself the joy of just being in the process once again. I have missed that. I don't want to be justifying what I have been making or not making, and I want to honor my walk on my own path of discovery and achievement. And I want to stay connected with anyone who finds themselves on this page on any given day and wants to share where they are on their journey. It's the connection I crave, not the competition. Already my heart feels lighter for having shared this and I am happier for having been here today.

Some color in my art room . . .

I have been in the mood for flowers lately. It may be because it is spring, it maybe because I can't resist the splash of color. The flowers I posted are made of silk, chiffon, organza, and tulle. I love the way the material responds to heat and creates that ruffled edge. The plaster flowers are just something I had to experiment with to see what would happen. I like the way they turned out and am happy to have a little stash of them to use on upcoming projects. I like it when I respond to that inner urge to just try something with no goal in mind other than to see what will happen. I am not always so brave in the real world, but it is easy to do in the art room! Hoping you have color and/or courage in your day today.

What did you do today?

I have been without my digital camera and I have to say I have missed it! I have been working on flowers, fiber and plaster and I want to share them in pictures with you. The camera returns home on Friday so I can get some pictures posted over the weekend or the first part of next week. Today I went to the Visions Quilt Museum in San Diego and I love buying fibers and books there as much as I like looking at the exhibits. Today was no exception. I bought hand dyed cheese cloth in my favorite colors (pinks, purples and greens) and two very cool books, Fabric Art Collage by Rebekah Meier and From Image to Stitch by Maggie Grey. I love every book Maggie Grey has done, and this one makes me drool as well! My heart is leaning to fabric these days. I am blessed to have lots of choices when it comes time to creating! What are you working on these days?

While the cats away, the mice will play . . .

My hubby is gone on his annual vacation to the "Old Time" music festival and that gives me total freedom to play any way I want! The first part of the week was rocky as he had cancelled flights, missed flights and way too many drives back and forth to the airport. But, it has settled into a good pattern from there! There was ATC group last night and I always enjoy spending time with this group of women. Wednesday was a play date with Debi and Kathie, each of us working on jewelry projects. Tuesday was lunch with Garnet and time spent playing in the art room working on plaster flowers and coloring some altered tins. I have been reading the new Stampington magazines, Sew Somerset and Art Quilting Studio, both have been making me drool. With uninterrupted hours of reading time, I have also been devouring Have You Found Her by Janice Erlbaum. For those of you familar with my quest for the Frozen Charlotte dolls, I finally was able to get them at Glitterfest in Tustin last weekend! I am a happy camper! Sometimes with all this unstructured time I find I don't focus and I feel like I am wasting time. But then my attention will light onto something and I relish the hours I can just be in the zone and not have to be in the real world for hours at a time! Today I have plaster flowers to color and little projects wanting to be finished on my art desk so I will wander to the back of the house and see what the day holds for me. Hoping your day holds some time to create for you.