Time for some "LETTER WHIMSY"

My first online art journal e-course

 was with the delightful Teresa McFayden.

At the time, I had not nurtured

 my creative spirit in quite some time,

due to work constraints and family issues.

I remember my dear friend Kristi 

telling me about WRITE PLACE WRITE TIME.

I knew I wanted to follow those

 nudgings of my heart.

The magic summer that Teresa rolled out that class,

I was totally smitten with her work and style.

Teresa is one talented artist, 

and I love it 

when she shares a new opportunity with us.

Teresa and I have never met in person,

but we have emailed back and forth many times.

She is such a warm and supportive person.

Today was the beginning day for her newest E-ZINE

 LETTER WHIMSY.

I have my little practice book put together,

ready to go...

I'm such a "product junkie"...

This class will give me an opportunity

to learn better uses for some of these great

pens and markers that have been hiding

 in a drawer in my art space...

Such a darling little quilted bag

made by

another talented artist and friend...

Mama Crow...

xxoo

If you would love some lettering fun,

take a peek here.

Happy lettering!!!

Sketching in the new year...

With the arrival of a new year,

 I felt the strongest desire to take some fun new online classes.

The first one I signed up for was Alisa Burke's SKETCHBOOK DELIGHT.

Sketching daily is an excellent creative activity...

the perfect way to "stretch" artistically, 

as I have never found drawing to be my strong suit.

I do want to step away from so much 

computer time and really "live" in the simple,

 yet wonderful moments of every day life.

The simplest things in life are indeed

 the most meaningful.

Sketching does not require a lot of expensive materials...

 but they are some of my favorites...

wonderful watercolors...

DERWENT INKTENSE pencils... these are fabulous...

Once they are dry, the results are permanent...

and other media can easily be applied on top.

I decided to sketch and watercolor the winter kale 

in the flowerbed under my bay window.

I hope you are finding time

for some creative and enjoyable pursuits

during these days of winter.

Gabe and Buttons are both enjoying their winter days...

Welcome 2012!!!

Welcome 2012...

I adore my new day planner that 

dearest Tonya gave to me...

A beautiful "blank canvas"... 

I love it!!!

It seems like yesterday that we were anticipating

 the new millennium...

and here we are in 2012...

Time seems to fly for me these days...

what about for you???

I have so much to be thankful for in 2011...

and I have such hope for this shiny new year.

I'm still working on this chunky "life book"...

tabbed and bulging at the seams!!!

I bet I'll have many rich experiences to share moving forward...

I know one thing... 

I want this year to be the best ever...

I want to FLY!!!

Thanks to dearest Ille, I have this wonderful inspiration for 2012.

Happy, happy new year!!!

"Fluffing" my little art room and looking forward...

My little art room  looked like a cyclone hit it over the lasts few weeks.  

There was glitter, fake snow, GLIMMER MIST and paint everywhere!!!  

I made some little book/ cigar box collages for some dear friends and the process was fun, but messy... 

Soooo, now that Santa has delivered those, I needed to tidy up my space

 as I look forward to some new art adventures in the new year. 

My art closet was a total disaster...

How many times have I straightened it??? 

I wonder how long it will last this time....

Never underestimate the value of treasures found at the hardware store.

I bought these great units several years ago at HOME DEPOT and they are so perfect

for so many of my embellishments.

I LOVE being able to see what I am searching for...

It feels so good to actually see the wood of my working desk.

I'm almost ready to sit here and plan some

creative magic in 2012.

More about that later...

My sewing machine table was covered with "parts" and pieces in many different stages.

Now I can actually see it again, too.

I can't wait for a new mixed media piece

 to call me to my beloved BERNINA.

As I completed my "fluffing" the other the afternoon,

the shadows were so deep...

I finished just before the late-December early sunset.

As December is ending, I am thinking of a few more items that need to be given to charity.

I'm off to deliver those items...

As I go out the door, I'm delighted by the sight of the still-glittering message from Tonya.

Thank you for this beautiful treasure,

a constant reminder of a message that I want to carry in my heart every day...

Post-Christmas musing

What a magical Christmas season it has been for me and my family.

I have been blessed beyond measure, 

and gratitude for all that 2011 has brought is utmost in my mind.

I treasure every moment leading up to Christmas, but when December 26th comes,

I begin getting my home "de-frocked" of all the strictly Christmas theme,

and concentrate on some of the fun winter adornments that I will leave up until Valentine's Day. 

My little snow people vignette is a favorite that I bring out year after year...

Here is a treasured hand-stitched piece from my pal Susan.  I just love keeping it out in my little art studio.

My village will stay open and operating through the often-gray winter days.  

The little swirling ice skaters will lighten my heart and home.

Buttons and Gabe were such good helpers as I made about a million trips to the basement with all the decorations that had to be stored for another year.  

It feels good to have this much done...

Let's look out this big bay window at the welcomed gentle rain that is coming down on this

late-December day.

A cup of tea or coffee sounds great, doesn't it???

Enjoy these last few days of 2011...

HELLO DECEMBER...

Wow!  Can you believe it's already December ???

I always try to get my Christmas decorations up by the Thanksgiving weekend, 

since December gets so hectic. 

As my parents have gotten older, I have helped

 them put up and adorn their "very tall" tree, too.

So it has been a very busy time, but a part of the holidays I truly love.

Here are some shots of my little nest,

all ready for Santa to visit in just a few weeks.

I love my "slim" tree... just perfect in my cozy space.

I have such a love for miniature villages. 

Several years ago my sweet mother 

found a fabulous cabinet for me to display my village in all year round,

which is soooooooo nice.  

I can open the doors for a wide view, 

or close it up, while still enjoying much of the view.

I found a little pond with skaters... I can see them gliding round and round...how fun!!!

Yes, I still am a child at heart!

The table is set and ready... All I have left to do is bake Santa some cookies 

and pour him some milk on Christmas Eve...

Gabe is lounging on the bed, as all the lights are being lit...

Buttons is just trying to catch a nap during all the bustle...

Last year here in North Carolina we had a BIG SNOWFALL on Christmas Day...

the first in my lifetime.

Do you remember this???

It was a magical and beautiful holiday, but I really hated missing more time with my folks.  

We caught a very early brunch before the roads became totally snow-covered.

Who knows what this year will bring?

I hope you will have a grand time with all your December festivities.

Don't get tangled up in all those Christmas lights!!!

HO HO HO!!!

11-11-11...Remembering those who served us and looking forward to the holidays...

Today is indeed a special day, isn't it? 

 I love Meagan McCray's artwork for this day.

With our calendar reading 11-11-11,

we mathematicians can have fun with today's date. 

We can also look forward to seeing 12-12-12 next year... 

so that will be fun, too!

When I taught math, the students and I did all kinds of interesting things 

with palindromic numbers (those that read the same forwards as backwards).

 Enough with the math lesson, right???

Another reason for reflection today is because it is

our national celebration of VETERANS' DAY.

I myself have never served,

but feel an eternal gratitude to all those who have given so much,

and especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

I salute every special one who serves and has served.

You are my heroes indeed.

The middle of November is almost here, so the holidays

are truly just around the corner.  

I usually make some of the gifts I give to a few of my special pals,

so the calendar tells me I'd better get busy!

One of the most delightful Christmas projects I have ever done was last year's 

JUNQUE DRAWER ADVENT CALENDAR 

from those wonderful GYPSY GIRLS.

Here is my completed calendar as it was unveiled throughout the season.

Paula and Deb so generously gave many of the instructions through their blog entries.  

If you are interested, take a peek HERE.

They also have a digital download for sale on their ETSY site.  

My calendar varies from theirs,

as I wanted to personalize it and also use up some of own special treasures.

If you love mixed media and have some time, 

I know you would adore this idea.

Another fun kit the GYPSY GIRLS had last year was a darling little village.

I have no idea if it will be available for sale this year or not, but oh, was it fun to make, too.

I've unpacked mine already, adding some SNOW-TEX... 

almost ready to display everything right after Thanksgiving. 

Another darling village can be made using the ideas from 

Amy Powers INSPIRED CHRISTMAS IDEAS from 2010.

I think you use cereal boxes and it looks as cute as can be.  

This online issue is free and full of great ideas.  

She also has a new holiday version for 2011 for only $3.99.  

See it HERE.

I have no affiliation with any of these folks,

but I love to share good ideas whenever I can.

Here's hoping you enjoy this gorgeous autumn weekend... 

the cold winds are bound to be swirling around us soon.