Feeling poorly... feeding the spirit

For the last few days, a yucky virus has taken up residence at my house.  This unwelcome guest has left me coughing, sneezing, feverish and feeling pretty awful.  It is my turn, I guess... but I had forgotten how unpleasant it is to be stuck at home with no energy.  I have slept and taken in lots of fluids, so hopefully I am turning a curve toward healthier days.  It is so delightful here outside this week, making me doubly sorry I am housebound, except for walking my boys a few times each day.  These items have been my closest companions this week.

Arriving yesterday was a delightful surprise from Ille, a much needed pick-me-up for the day. Ille's girlie-girl creation sure made me feel lots better.  

Thanks, Ille!

    I have been thoroughly enjoying Teresa McFayden's

     Letter Whimsy 2.0. 

This one is even more fun for me than her first one.  When I have felt like sitting up a bit, it has been fun to play with lettering in my art journal.  Here is one I completed, focusing on this meaningful nugget of wisdom.

 Here are a couple more, showcasing some wonderful points to ponder.

One idea I love is that of making a window with something behind my acetate portal.

This page is a hodge-podge of remnants from sweet notes and memories from the last few weeks.  This was an artful expression that could feed my spirit, as my body heals and gets back to good health.

I have known for quite some time that making art is a spiritual experience for me.  I can never express how creating puts me in a higher plane... a good place to be any time.

May the rest of your week be healthy and happy.

A jar full of labels

Yesterday was our first look at snowflakes this season, but they were few and short-lived. Our winter has been quite mild here in the South, and that suits me just fine. I already have "spring fever", with some absolutely gorgeous days warming our bones several days this past week.  It has given me the itch to put out some of my light and airy pieces here in my home.

  Several months ago those wonderful gypsy girls showed an idea for decorating tall glass jars with labels.  I had some fun making mine from all kinds of labels I found in my travels.

I took a styrofoam disk that would fit in the bottom of my jar and covered it with some of my favorite paper and ribbons.  Then I stamped and wrote messages on my labels and attached them to funky wire twirls, standing at different heights inside the jar.  I sometimes leave this out on my kitchen table, so I tried to arrange the labels so that I could read them from all sides.  This was a really easy project, one that could be changed for different seasons.

For my handmade wire holders, I used floral wire that had some thickness. Some of our local stores have all sizes and shapes of these kinds of jars, and they are reasonably priced.  Wouldn't it be fun to do a grouping of them?  

Have you heard that Martha Stewart has teamed up with STAPLES for a fantastic line of office supplies, including every kind of label imaginable?  Here are even more new and exciting possibilities!  I just adore using office supplies in my art and in my life. Our local STAPLES has a huge display of all these goodies.  I bought a few already, and know I will be back for more.

The old groundhog did see his shadow just a few weeks ago,  but I'm still hoping for an early spring.  If not outside, I can surely have it inside!  Have a sunny week.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's hoping your day of love has been absolutely wonderful.

The love of family and friends makes the world go round.

How delightful to get some Valentine pretties from some of my dearest peeps.

A gorgeous handmade heart from Barbara...

A yummy damask Valentine from Kristi~

A sweet stitched delight from Tonya~

A clever creation from Mama Crow~

The only thing that could make this day more perfect

would be for my doorbell to ring and see this figure at my door...

I'm holding my breath... yeah, right...

A busy February...

I have been absent from "blogdom" for a few weeks now, but all for a good reason.  Several weeks ago, a new opportunity arrived at my doorstep unexpectedly.

A new job offer arrived when I least expected it.  As a retired teacher, I can only work part-time, and that suits me just fine!  A girl has to have time for all her passions...  Anyway, I am now working with Algebra I intervention in a local high school... a job I have never done before.  Soooooo, I am having a little homework myself, staying "sharp" on all the key concepts I am helping students to master.  I do love it, and feel it has given me a new purpose.  My kitchen table is now strewn with a graphing calculator, algebra books, lots of paper and some very sharp pencils!!!

I haven't had quite as much time for my art as before, but working only three days a week still affords me the time to "play" with all my art toys... Yes, more COPICS have arrived... I can't seem to stop getting more colors... There are just so many gorgeous ones!!!

I'm still having fun making art about just normal, yet precious events...  like Sunday dinner at Mom and Dad's after church.  Having my beloved parents still here with me is such a gift, one I cherish and love to celebrate.

I'm pushing the math equations aside for a while to make a few valentines... Lace, watercolor, scraps and markers are scattered all over my little art room.  Here's the yummiest heart I received last year from my dear friend Kristi... Nothing could be sweeter...

Love is really all we need.

Share some love with your special ones over the next few days.  

 Life really is so good.