Wine & Bubbles ...

... some things just are meant to go together!

Tiny bubbles in the wine ... Makes me feel happy ...

Makes me feel fine.

- Don Ho

Toasting simple living ...

Here's a sneak peak at the autumn wine glasses that are waiting patiently to be baked.

I am finishing up the winter collection, as well as a few celebration themes, and will be moving onto the hand painted scarves ... hopefully by Monday. The clock keeps ticking, reminding me that my deadline is fast approaching. (sigh)

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now - and my body is definitely screaming at me for rest. Any mom out there knows exactly what I mean - actually, with the crazy flow of this world - we all know it - mom or not. The great treadmill of life ... I don't know about you, but I'm sweaty, out of breath and ready to drop just keeping up with the pace of it all. Whatever happened to the days of Mayberry?

There I go again ... wishing for a simpler time. One that didn't have conversations constantly interrupted by cell phones and texting or schedules that permitted children to relax at the end of the school day. Everyone seems to be in a rush, heading this way or that, with a Blackberry in one hand, an expensive coffee in the other, and their children trailing behind with the same. Now - don't get me wrong ... I love the expensive coffee (non-fat white chocolate peppermint mocha with whip, to be exact!) ... I just feel as though we live in a world that is supposed to be so "connected" with all of the electronic gadgets (mind you, I'm using one right now ....); yet, I can't help but feel that we are completely "disconnected" to one another as a community or even within our home, at times.

Take this for instance - I don't know about you, but blogging a post takes me forever, which is probably why I do not get to it as often as I'd like. When I post, I am distracted and tend to ignore my surroundings, which -at times- has been my 5 year old asking for a snack, then whining for a snack ... and yes - I am not proud to say, there has been a time or two that it actually took tears to tear me away from this machine. I know. Don't judge!

So, I resort to posting when I am alone; thus, not too often! LOL

Okay - I don't know how I got started with all of that other than my mind is fried and seems to be on autopilot and just might go in any direction that it desires. So, I should take heed and sign off ...

Well, I'm off to do what I've been doing for weeks - - pull the paintbrush from behind my ear and dip it in a bit of paint! Hopefully my eyes don't cross and I end up painting my nose ...

Happy Weekend, All!

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

One down ... 15 to go ... :)

Canvases that is.

I started this yesterday, but was detained in finishing it as my sweet girl came down with the stomach virus - No. 2 Victim of this nasty bug. My son had it last week. I surely hope that this is not how our October is going to roll. Please, Dear Lysol, be effective!!

So, painting yesterday ...

... and finished today ...

Note: The soft circles in trees are glittered - a whimsy bit of sparkle :)

Inspiration:

Nourish your eye and spirit with inspiring things. They will bloom with your tending.

-SARK

Back in the saddle ... yet again ...

Well, autumn is officially here and my posts have missed an entire season! There really is no rhyme or reason for it, other than just took a break from the computer, focused on the kiddos and painted when my schedule permitted.

Our summer was filled with book club meetings, field trips, house painting, some swimming and a few picnics scattered here and there.

Book club was especially busy this year, as we had something going on nearly every week. The girls covered six books, five art projects, including poetry, oil pastels, and acrylics, as well as a community service project. They also toured an art museum where they took a class on color theory, and received cake decorating lessons at a bake shop. An artfully, busy summer.

In closing our summer, it was decided that our group would host an Evening of Poetry for the community at our town's riverside park. The girls recited original poetry, displayed their artwork, served their homemade cupcakes and collected donations for the local food bank. The evening turned out to be so very heartwarming; seeing the girls so poised and gracious to one another, as well as serving the guests while wearing their adorable vintage aprons! Too cute for words. Definitely, one of my Norman Rockwell moments in life. (I tend to strive for those ... can't help it - would love to live in a Golden Book if I could or at least create that world for my children. Trust me. It doesn't happen often!)

The whirl of summer activities kept the days flying off the calendar, and before long ...

my children were riding that big, yellow school bus destined for long school days. It was difficult at first, dealing with my empty nest, but after a week or so, I adjusted. It helped that we were heading to the beach three weeks later ... the beach tends to have that effect on people - - makes everything better! :)

My in laws invited us to South Carolina with them and it took less than a second for our family to jump on the chance to pile ourselves and a ridiculous amount of gear into a vehicle with a map, and leave our home for the first time in five years!!! Oh yeah. A vacation was looooooooong overdue!!

We sunned ourselves, built sandcastles, enjoyed the waves, rode the water slides, ate incredible seafood, stayed up late, studied schoolwork (will not do this again during the school year!), and - the most memorable - spent time with family. My husband has a number of relatives who live in the area, so we were blessed to spend time with family that we rarely see.

We even had a Girls Day Out and made our way to Pawleys Island (a check mark off my Bucket List!). My mom-in-law, Aunt Marsha, Cousin Tami (who I like to refer to as my soul sister - as we share a love of painting, glitter!, reading, and chocolate!, to name a few :) and I enjoyed -

roaming the All Saints Cemetery

visiting Alice Flagg's grave

attending a Healing Service,

perusing the eclectic boutiques and galleries, hearing Gullah stories at a museum (the first few at least ... the curator tended to be a tad long-winded ...LOL), chatting over lunch, and most of all ... catching up with one another.

It was a time that I will treasure in my heart always.

So, since we've been home and back to the fall schedule, I've busied myself with a new goal ... some call it an Art Show - others call it a Trunk Sale - I call it, Art in the Barn. :)

I am hosting my very first show/sale/fun gathering with friends in November, and boy - when I say that I am a procrastinator and tight deadlines are the only way that I can work - I ain't lyin'! I have given myself exactly 5 weeks (one of which is already gone) to produce the following:

hand-painted:

• jewelry
• canvases
• scarves
• wine glasses

as well as:

• photography prints
• framed art
• note cards

So, needless to say, things are a little busy around these parts. :)

I am just wrapping up the jewelry - hand-painted pendants with sterling silver chain and embellishments, accompanied with either faceted glass or jasper stones. I have approximately 20 designs to offer and hope to put together a catalog and a new website following this event. We'll see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed! :)

With all of the projects going on, I figured that this would be a good time to get up on that bloggin' saddle again ... hopefully making a better effort - - I know, you've heard it all before! :)

Well - off to the studio ... Happy Tuesday!

Quick Little Update ...

Why is it when I say that I'm turning a new leaf and reclaiming a new dedication to my art - - I slack. And ... why is it when I say that I'm taking a break - - my brain is churning and I don't stop! Why???? I do have a feeling that I may have some company on this ...

I've recently worked on My Gallery with a new Photography section. If you have a moment ... Grab a cup of deliciousness and scroll through the works. It's always nice to have friends drop by ...

Enjoy the sunshine if you have it - - me ... I'll pretend. :)

Taking some time off - - to focus on being that "light" to those I love and others that I meet.

I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.

- Conor Oberst

Getting Back to Creating ...

You know ... thinking back through my projects - it seems to me that I tend to paint and create when I have a reason to, as commissioned work or gift-giving - - rather than just for the sake of creating. I am wondering if I will be able to shake this routine - even when I am consciously attempting the 12-week course of The Artistic Mother --- Which, by the way, I am part of a large group of like-minded gals who are attempting this feat as well. Check on my sidebar for a link to where you can also pay visit to other artistic women who are on a similar journey ... an artistic sisterhood, per se - - it's nice to know one has company! :) If you would like to join us - stop by at http://www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com/.

Getting back to creating ... Friday and Saturday held a paintbrush in my hand - and, Dear Lord - it felt good! The reason for the painting? - because you know there is! - my mother-in-law's birthday. Right away, I pictured something for or representing her flower garden ... and so, the process began ...

Worn wood from old basement shelves - - character, I say ... after swiping off a few cobwebs! Although, my mom declares that cobwebs simply add texture! LOL!

This may have been the most fun! Throwing paint around & loving that blue!

Adding some warmth and wear with stain.

The makings of a Chickadee - I have such a soft spot for these birds. Funny thing, too, is that my mom-in-law seems to have one of these little characters in her garden that attempts to chase her out each morning. So, it seems appropriate that a darling chickadee must be included.

There he is.

Wild roses ... these are the most fragrant and beautiful roses I've ever seen. And, lucky am I, that a bush has been transferred to our yard. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it will dig its roots in and bloom this summer.

Hollyhocks ... can one have a cottage garden without them?

Meadowsweet.

Sweet William.

Within my Garden ... Magic lives.

It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.

- Claude Monet

Finally! A spark!!

Trying to will myself to be creative was not working. Days passed and to no avail. I worried that my paintbrushes would dry rot from complete lack of use!

So - - yesterday, while my daughter was still recouping in her room - while my husband and son were off trekking through the snow - while my pup was taking his daily nap ...

I popped into my computer one of my most favorite films ...

If you have been following my blog for any length of time, you will know that films tend to be a muse of sort for me ...

When making homemade pancakes in the morning, I like to have You've Got Mail playing in the background (don't laugh!) ...

When painting holiday/winter scenes, my pick is The Family Stone ...

When painting warm, light magical pieces, it's Miss Potter.

Truly, if you are an artist and have not seen this movie - - you must treat yourself. An enchanting film that captures the inspiring life of Miss Beatrix Potter - set in the beautiful landscape of The Lake District of England. - how I would love to pay a visit!! But for now ... I experience it magic through this film - and really, it is just enough to, finally, spark my creativity.

So ... Peace & Quiet ... Miss Potter - my muse ... and the action of actually pulling out my paints & brushes. Quite glad that I had my hubby bring up some old wood from the basement!

Images of spring - gardens - light - magic are unfolding in my head ... Hmm - - I wonder just where my paintbrushes may take me ... I'll keep you posted! :)

Use your mind to flourish within self-imposed restrictions. Find your own muse within your little world.

- Beaman Cole

Bumps Along the Way ...

Well - - life hit some small bumps and knocked me right of the bloggin' wagon (again.) ... those small bumps disguised as snowy roads, school delays and sick days that have left me feeling sucked dry of creativity and not an ounce of mojo to kick me into gear. It is in the early morning hours when taking our pup outdoors that I swear I hear Old Man Winter's laughter in the wind. Sometimes, I feel as though the devil himself is creating obstacle after obstacle to interfere with my ability to sit down with my paintbrushes.

So, today I find myself with that time ... and how do I feel? Uninspired.

Oh, you should hear my bitter laughter. I must keep it down though, as my daughter is still upstairs mending from her nasty bug - - third day home. Poor thing tried to head to school this morning, and was back in bed within the hour. My son is with Grammy and Pappy today - - mercifully, they offered to pick him up from school for a shopping trip to the mall ... thank you.

He was so excited that he woke this morning and dressed himself before heading down the stairs - - interesting pairing of shirt and pants (*smile*) - - I suggested something warmer and he reminded me that, "Grammy & Pappy don't care what I wear and, Mom - God made me!" Well - I guess he told me! So, off to school he went ...

And, now, I sit here ... pondering what to do. One thing that my mind is churning on is a design for a gift that I need to make. I do believe that it will be the creative project that will pull me from my gloomy mood and sprinkle a good dose of brightness to my day. You know what else brightens my day? - - - Candy-coated chocolate that doesn't melt in your hands ...

Hey! Who ate all my M&Ms???? How 'bout that - - my hind end answered ... apparently, it was me.

In order to get from what was to what will be, you must go through what is.

- Anonymous

A Day for Nate ...

Sunshine to warm the air;

Giggling boys & sweet wide smiles;

A race of socked feet & furry paws;

Matchbox cars lined up for miles.

Lunchtime is called up the stair;

Sleeves are rolled - little hands delighted

Messy sauce & yummy cheese -

Two friends on stools sighted.

A boy's story is the best that is ever told.

-- Charles Dickens

A Fresh Start ...

Over a cup of tea this morning, I poured over the words and images of The Artistic Mother, and began the first step towards my goal of incorporating creativity into my daily life ... My Artistic Vision Statement. It is said that this Statement "reflects how you want to live your life - of ideals for which to strive ... Think big!" So ... here goes ...

I am a creative woman who is in love with life. I am creating a body of work to reflect me and the blessings that surround me. I do this every day - no matter the obstacles - experiencing a part of the creative process to keep my soul uplifted.

I am creating a body of work that captures my view of life and my children through photography, mixed media and poetry. I am a whimsy soul - focusing on the wonderment of each day - and bringing forth that element into my art.

I honor God, my husband and my children with all I do, feel, think and say.

Along with this declaration comes Long-Term and Short-Term Goals. These lists will, undoubtedly, be amended or added to over time, but it is a starting point for me.

Long-Term Goals:

• Take stunning photos of my children.
• Develop an art workshop to teach in the next 5 years.
• Exhibit a work of art in a gallery.
• Create a line of greeting cards.
• Create a line of wall art.
• Contract boutiques to carry my art.
• Be published in a creative magazine.

Short-Term Goals:

• Take 5 decent photos of each of my children.
• Complete this 12-week course! :)
• Experience at least one element of the creative process daily.
• Post on my blog each day.
• Go to the museum.
• Make one craft with my children each week.
• Attend local gallery shows.
• Make one homemade gift each month.
• Schedule a weekend at an artist retreat.
• Research local boutiques for needs.
• Take my camera each time I leave the house.
• Take my children on summer field trips each week.
• Research teaching art classes to children.

Whew! I feel joyful! ... and so very anxious to dig into this journey. Thank you to Donna and Nicole for your words of encouragement ... your continued support through my random absences have truly meant so much! And, thank you to the author of this incredible bound of creativity ... Shona Cole. You all may be interested to know that on her blog she is offering a chance to WIN a copy of this very book!! Stop by!

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.

~Leonardo da Vinci

A Promise to Me ....

I have been feeling starved for months now ... no. NOT for food (Lord knows He equipped my husband with the love of cooking and I with a love for food. Dangerous combo - - ask my hips!)

No ... this starvation is to satisfy my soul. My heart pangs for daily creativity ... and I've just been overwhelmed with family life and other obligations/projects to enter that nook in my over-crowded mind; so that I can just let go and explore the ideas and imagery that have been trying to find room to blossom up there.

When I feel this way .... it's almost as if I feel suffocated and I tend to just flounder through the day. To pull myself from this rut, I need to be inspired! I will visit my favorite blogs ... pick up charming magazines ... research other artists ... and when that doesn't do the trick - - I head to the bookstore!

So, it was there that I found myself on Saturday afternoon. And, it was there that I found exactly what I needed ...

I am taking this week to explore this wonderful book - create my plans to incorporate art into my daily life - flow that creativity into raising our children and bringing back into our world a bit of whimsy.

Childhood is fleeting. And, I no longer want to just "get through the day" by doing the chores, running the errands, making sure all the "have to's" are done. I want to bring enchantment and wonder back into our lives. I miss it. There was a time - not so long ago - that car rides on old country roads were for finding fairies hiding in the trees, and warm, sunny days were for picnicking along the riverbank with crayons and paper to capture the ladybugs and pretty leaves.

Perhaps its the season ... cold, snowy, icy ... we are all ready to climb the walls for fresh air! Well - - I cannot wait for good ole Jack Frost to be done with us ... I need to bring the sunshine and warmth into our home - - and I think that daily artsy whims will be the rays of light that'll do the trick!

So, next week starts my new commitment to creativity ... a daily exploration of some sort. This book contains a 12-week art course and I am anxious to plunge into it!

I read that accountability is the key to keeping yourself on track ... so I choose you - - my readers. I plan to post my progress daily .... a HUGE step for me - - as you know, I've been off and on so much lately!

My goal is to create a fulfilling life for myself creatively, as well as our family. Perhaps you would like to join me in this venture? No time like the present! Ask yourself ... are you living artfully? (*smile*)

What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.

~John Updike

Dear Weatherman ...

"Winter Storm Warning - expect 4-10 inches" ... it appears that they were a bit off the mark ... AGAIN! 23 inches of snow later - - over one evening ... Sledding even seems to be out of the question with this much snow!

The most that we can do right now is ... Shovel. UGH!
I look at this day as a day to relax with the intermittent chore of shoveling (mostly done by my hubby - thank you, Hon!) ... a day to kick back in our PJ's, play games, read a book or do whatever our hearts' desires may be. My daughter apparently is still stuck in school mode ...

Humph. She just can't kick having having a "scuedule" ... :)

Happy Saturday!!

Spring has sprung ...

... at least inside our home - - outside is another story. For those who know me (and love me anyway!), know that I am a seasonal decorator who dedicates a good week to make the switch from one season to another. I change our home's decor according to the weather outside - - So, needless to say, I feel as though I am floundering a bit as I pass through a room with silk posies and cherished seashells and meet Jack Frost's breath the moment I open my door. I feel quite unbalanced at the moment ... Let's see if you feel the same -

Inside ... ... and outside ...Humph. You got bit, didn't you? :) Well, this too shall pass - - six weeks, right Phil? Certainly not forever. I am determined to make the best of my clashing world ... paint in bright hues to warm my soul and sip hot cocoa to ward off the chill. Sounds like a plan ... :)

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.

~Ward Elliot Hour