Ink stains

                                

                      

                    

                      ( my "studio" in shambles so creating on the couch)

If you were to visit my home today you would find.

Chaos.

In the middle of renovations/ repairs from the recent flood.

The remains of my tenth year old sons room are in the living room,

And homeschool room.

Drywall dust.

Paint swatches litter the desktop

Searching for just the right color.

The sewing machine piled high with brightly colored fabrics

A path through the piles

Piles of art studio misc 

So that sewing can be done.

You would find all the contents of the laundry room in the living area,

Because the washer is not working,

Since the washer and dryer stack and are in a small space,

Chaos

The ink and calligraphy nibs with knitting projects and a quilt in progress

All piled high within reach.

Call me Someone with ADHD

I call myself an artist

Trying to survive the mayhem 

Floods and little ones seizures returning within days of one another

They may try to break me

But I know what lies within

I was born to create,

I was made to " see" with the eyes of my heart.

        ( quilt is done and someone is grouchy about getting out of bed!)

                             

               

                                                Seeing beauty in the mess. 

                                 I guess the hydrangeas loved all the rain and water.........

A sneak peek

Not sure if you've been following long enough to know we were flooded a month ago.

                         

                   We are in the middle of repairs so my drafting table looks like this.

                                Everything is coated in a layer of drywall dust.

                           

  I thought I would share a quilt I found while cleaning out my closet the other day.

I started working on it 9-10 years ago.

( I was at the antique store awhile ago and it reminded me of this project.)

It's a little more time consuming than I expected.

I had hopes of making it big enough for my queen sized bed.

We shall see..........

                      

                                      It's called a yo yo quilt.

                                  First you make all the yo yos

                     

        

               When grandmother made yo yos - it seems like it was forever ago,

                       She drew out a circle on the lid from a tub of butter 

                                        And used that as a template.

                     

I found this handy little gadget at the quitting store.

Basically the same principle of a rotary cutter that cuts circles.

Then you hem the circles and draw up the sewing thread.

I don't have a count but there are hundreds of them.

                    

I remember seeing where you could buy them on eBay and thought I would order white ones for a border. I've already completed several rows and its a nice break from the sweater I've been knitting.

That's what's going on in my " studio".

Have you recently pulled out an unfinished project?

Just a little pop of color

I mentioned on Wednesday 

I have been looking at color swatches 

so when we get to the actual painting part of the flood repairs 

I would be ready. 

While I was plundering around 

I kept falling in love with this color called " indigo cloth". 

I kid you not, looking at reds 

and a suggested color combo would have that color to coordinate with it.

 I was looking at colors for my bathroom and there it was!

Looking at a gray, and there was indigo cloth again.

 I made a list. 

I was not looking for a bold color!

I needed a color for the entire house, plus the flooded areas.

                         

                                                        A list. On paper.

                                  Yes, an old school way of trying to make up my mind.

                                           I am sure there are easier ways to do this.

                                 But I find comfort in feeling my pen on a scrap of paper 

                                          physically scratching the  things off that list.

                                              Of course, that color was in the mix........

                                             So while I was out mailing a painting 

                                I added stopping by the home improvement store to my list

                                  

                                  What should my wandering eyes see while there?

                                             A paint chip set for Spring 2014.

                                                            Inside...... Yup.

                                                               Indigo cloth.

                                                                    Swoon.

                                                             (Before)

                                                                (After)

                                      

This little painting.......

 A family recently adopted and ended up with unexpected expenses.

They had  a virtual yard sale. 

I decided, I might not live close by,

but I do have something I could share. 

So I posted a painting and offered to mail it to whoever purchased it. 

The lady that purchased my painting has a love for trees so it will have a happy home. 

This gives me Hope, 

something that gives me joy and fulfillment can be used to make a difference!  

                           

                                          ( this years first hydrangea blooms)

Really listening to my inner self and trying to take some forward steps. 

I've been posting little paintings on my FB page.

 I get such a thrill at how much my little birds bring joy to others.

 My friends have shared stories of hummingbirds and cardinals.

They felt Gods presence when one would light on a branch close by.  

specific flowers or a butterfly would hold meaning in their life 

because it was a favorite of their mother or friend. 

Or an experience they had would connect with a visual - 

This is Hope.

                       

    

                                                       So, my friends,

                                      What inspiration have you found lately?

                                     Have you been keeping your eyes open?

                                                         I hope so!

                                             There is always room for Hope.

What's going on in my studio?

                        I made a commitment,

                       "Paint just one hour a day."

                         

                                                         Little did I know,

                                        That commitment plus sharing photos

                                           Would open up a big can of worms.

                          

                        I've had requests each day for the painting or one like it.

                                             This is not what I had intended. 

                                       It's quite overwhelming for this introvert.

                           

                                           I dreamt of being an artist one day.

                                           I wanted to illustrate children's books.

                                   (I even have one written and the ideas sketched out.)

                                                  But how to sell a book? Ugh.

                             

                                                         I  just enjoy painting.

                                            (Of course Id love to support my habit)

                                                          Money for supplies.

              Maybe have some tucked away for Graces needs not covered by insurance.

                                       I'd like to know,how do you make it work?

                                                            Business cards?

                                                             Etsy? Pay Pal?

                                    Business website or a business Facebook page?

                                                         What works for you,

                                                          and what doesn't?

                      Linking up with Jen and the ladies at " what's in your studio" 

                           

Studio Sneak Peek!

Summer is just flying by!

I have been savoring the moments 

Play date ......

Quiet moments with family......

Vacation Bible School

oh how I wish this hadnt been impossible for Lil G

But we were showered with love

and everyone knew her name

and lots of hugs and happy dancing......

focusing on the good.

Music in the park on Thursday evenings.

If you really know Grace this is her 

over the top squeal for joy.

Its the best of all the photos I took

camera strap and all.......

Gender reveal shower for the first grand baby of friends-

this next generation.

Its a GIRL!!!

My birthday......

(annoying big brothers!)

 Deep sea fishing trips for big brothers-

and gifts for little sisters.

(the guy driving the boat felt like she needed a 

"blue hat" of her very own)

Last but not least,

Artwork for daughter

A poem we both love

by e. e.Cummings.

the background didnt turn out quite the way I envisioned.

but she loved it

and thats what matters.

I wrote the poem in my own script.

I felt it would be more personal that way

I hope that when she sees it,

it will remind her of me,

of the beautiful times we have shared

and the future moments we have to look forward to

even though many miles will separate us

I carry her in my heart.....

 “I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it (anywhere I go you go,my dear; 

and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate,my sweet)

I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

 and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root

 and the bud of the bud 

and the sky of the sky 

of a tree called life; 

which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)” 

― E.E. Cummings

Nap time- and a sneak Peek

Presently, I am holed up in my room.

 Door shut. Light off.

 If you were to be in the room with me you would see with your own eyes. 

That I, in fact, am not napping. 

We started the day off with seizures.

 Again.

 I had been so thankful that the medication seemed to be working.

You know I've been sent for a loop when I take Lil G out for lunch, and barely eat. 

The company was good.

 I was able to give a dear friend a requested piece of artwork. (yay me!) 

I did my first "word art ". 

Plus I was able to get this piece done......

 Do you remember this? I started with an old painting and tweaked it????

Well it was a secret-

In my rush I dont think I signed it, and forgot to get photos! Ha ha!

 It did my heart good.

 She has been the truest of friends.

I know I couldnt have pulled off the rehearsal dinner without her help.

            (art my daughter and I have been working on together this week. pinspiration .Where credit is due.)

The week Lil G was hospitalized and got a diagnosis was hard-

 My oldest daughter was on a road trip to Kansas. 

The beginning of a harsh reality that I stand toe to toe with. 

 Each day, week, moment..... 

They add up to days, weeks, moments.... 

Closer to her actually loading up as much as we can fit into a trailer, the back of the truck, and her car. 

A trip to deliver her to the next leg of her journey.

 It is not my own. 

She belongs to God.

 But she is my firstborn. 

I carried her under my heart, labored 24.5 hours and have been her mother..... 

I cannot separate my heart from what my head knows is good.

 Ive wrestled with anger this past year.

 I've never had anger as an emotion I let stay very long.

 I cannot say that in this year I have gotten better at it.

 But I have given it a name and can call it out. 

Much better than shoving it in the closet. 

When packing your oldest daughter to move, if you are me, 

you find boxes of baby items that had been stored a few long painful years ago

 in hopes of the first grandchild. 

If you are me, you will wrestle with the anger

 that without even a marriage this is not in the near future. 

You would also be faced with the taunts

 of the dark voice of perfectionism at not adopting another child,

 those dreams no longer a possibility when faced with what reality looks like.

  Lil G's new reality. 

Both reasons that we feel adopting again is not Gods will for our family. 

That doesn't make it easier to accept.

 It doesn't make it easier to label the things to sell, package as gifts, or haul to Go*dwill. 

It's like many dreams and hopes are dashed.

And if all this wasnt enough.......

 Add to it the fact that our beloved Great Dane is not well.

 I am faced with her reality many times a day.

 But it's either that or helping her on her journey, and I can't stomach that reality either.

It's been a hard month and I have been Savoring the moments. 

We've gone to a ball game. 

To see a movie at the ball park.

 Swimming at big brothers apt.

So many adventures.

 In the meantime, we've learned that in fact she does not sweat. 

Now wondering if there is a condition to diagnosis for all of the conditions in one?

 We've also had our first blood draw to monitor the seizure medication in her bloodstream. 

This was not for the faint of heart.

 The first day she was stuck twice. The lab decided we needed to go home and try another day. 

It was then decided we would take her to her Drs office. 

The nurse tried 3 times then sent us to go eat breakfast and return later.

 Her Dr decided she would be the one to try and was near tears when it took her four tries. 

I cried more than Lil G did.

. I am thankful that the tears that come so easily are a treasure.

 There is a verse in the bible that God stores up our tears.

 I can remember being told not to cry.

 Being told to stop acting like a baby. 

I am glad that God, who created me, treasures my tears. T

hat he understands why I am angry, 

He understands how I feel -this is unfair,

 I'm glad I don't have to "get my act all together" to be "good enough".

I'm so sad to know we have to start our 2 year count again.

 Increase the dosage of medication, the medication that I love and hate in the same breath.

Linking up with the ladies at StudioJRU Sneak Peek and Paint party Friday

whats going on in my "studio"

I wanted to share what Ive been doing with my art recently.

Im not sure if you remember but I work for VSA arts.

Ive been blessed to be able to work with this organization for ten years

Most years when I teach I work with students in the Juvenile Justice system.

This year I was able to work in a joint effort between VSA and Special Olympics.

It was so much fun!!!

I chose a great project off a blog I follow

My daughter, who also works with VSA,

my teenage son and his girlfriend

came to help.

I was thrilled for My daughters boyfriend

and my husband-along with Lil G

to be able to join in on the day.

Lastly I have a little painting I did in my new Art Journal

I was so inspired on Palm Sunday

This image would not fade away in my mind.

So on Monday I got out my paints and this is what I ended up with

I might have to do a large painting of this.

I loved the greens,

the vibrant red

and I used gold paint

with shimmer in it.

So much meaning in all of it.....

I hope that you enjoy it.......

Sneak peek Friday

"We need to find God,

and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness

God is the friend of silence.

See how nature- trees , flowers, grass-

grows in silence.

We need silence to be able to touch souls.

-Mother Teresa

Spring is arriving outside these four walls

Seeing the Santa Rosa plum tree blooming

with a backdrop of redbuds has just been screaming to be painted.

I went ahead and put some "pride of Mobile" azaleas in for good measure

even tho they arent my favorite.

This pin is so inspiring.

"Get that paint out and capture whats outside the window.

winter gray-blue, red." is what it tells me.

The skies have had this blue gray cast for almost two weeks now.

(although Yesterday we did have a 2hr spot of sun

and 70 degree weather in the afternoon. Crazy Fl Spring!

today rain and tornado warnings again.)

linking up: