STARTING ON WALNUT ST ...

I'm learning how to make journals for painting and writing in.  I learned most of it so far in classes by Mary Ann Moss.  I had purchased this small watercolor that appears very old and it was very glued down to a heavy mat so I decide to make it into a journal cover.  I used some very old slightly brittle wall paper to make a border.  I had to put a clear medium on it to preserve it...the border.  The little painting has no date but has initials or name of "eng"  I think it is a lovely little watercolor!!  Kind of reminds me of a few of Van Gogh's drawn water colors with the loose and waves limbs but I am sure it is not his.  It does have oriental or Japanese style. But may be a local's effort too. Any way enjoy it and comment if you have any ideas about it!  I won't tell you how expensive it was...ha.  It has three numbers with a decimal way towards the left.  Did you guess five whole dollars?!  True and happy am I withy new journal cover.  Stay tuned for the finished product...Blessings!!

IT FITS NICELY in this antique frame...hmmmm that might have been a better thing to do!!

DOODLING MY HEART OUT!!

Crayon resist....fun...above

I've joined a class called SEWN by the super creative Mary Ann Moss. She is at www.dispatchfromla.typepad.com if you want to join the class. I have loved taking her journal book building classes and cannot wait til this class starts.  We have a few hints, which is all I can give you....to paint patterns, lots of patterns, then get your scissors out!!! I'll show the end result at the end of summer, but you could be painting mindless ends and ends of patterns to cut up in joining her class that starts July 5th....with a bang!! I haven't done SERIOUS ART for a while, but have delighted myself with painting mindless colors, designs and shapes in bliss .... a friend talked about how she prays when she paints .... and WELL it is so true for me too, as it is a very intimate time with Him, thinking, discussing, solving and giving over! I guess that is why I am so desperate to paint with color!  I need the constant conversations with the Lord, like a garden chat with your DAD as you water the thirsty plants! I had those moments so often on my beautiful porch and in my garden in Round Top and am creating my wonderful spot here in my new smaller yard! AND in my cluttered full of stuff that delights my heart studio loft!! I think it will never be straightened .... not for long anyway!!  SOOOO .... here are some of the patterns I have been slapping onto paper to be cut up when class starts ... let your heart and imagination go with what Mary Ann Moss is going to share with us to do!! Have a BLESSED WEEK ....enjoy the color!

I LOVE these water soluable crayons above.....I'll add water to the color to make it look like watercolor....ONE THING....When you use watercolors, use GOOD watercolor paper or it ends up blotchy like these....but these will be cut up and I didn't want to waste my good paper....maybe I should have!!

The above picture was a stack of dvd movies, lean your head to the right to see it correctly!.....and what movies I like!

These are cheap paints, but when you use good brands you get prettier colors!!

The LAST LEAVES...

It is January and these are the last leaves on the Spanish Oak Tree .... my favorite tree in the yard. Christmas was really wonderful this year with the kids and grand kids here. A few people were missing, but real Christmas will be celebrated in Heaven someday with a celebration like no other!! Yes, we all gained weight .... so what?!? Tried some new recipes which were a success, especially the "skillet green beans" by Pioneer Woman .... which we will repeat for sure! Dick and I are still working towards downsizing .... and eventually moving. We are working on the new "old" house 20 miles away and trying to go thru all the years of stuff here .... to rid ourselves of "encumbrance" to be freer in many new ways and hold tight to the fondest of memories .... and looking forward to what is ahead for us with this move!!! We are truly excited. The following pictures are some of the things done with grand children ... the stuffies , which they drew, colored and then sewed and stuffed....they were a hit!!! Then some ball point pen drawing inspiration from a small class I am taking from Alisa Burke..... and a little watercolor "food" inspiration from the "stew" I made ..... and a trumpet vine at my neighbors. Winter really hasn't hit here yet! BUT the leaves.....oh those glorious red leaves.....so beautiful with the evening crisp sun shining through .... this tree I wish I could take with me .... but I am sure there will be one near the other house for me to photograph! We don't usually get those colors around here. Enjoy and I will try to update you on some progress of the move. We did tear out two walls last week , you know kind of like the DIY shows you see on TV.....we had fun doing it , but tried to save the good stuff! We'll share photos later.....hugs and big BLESSINGS!!!

SEEK MY FACE...

It has been so hot outside and the drought is something we can't control. We humans are so used to controlling every aspect of our lives that we can ... but there are some things we can't control. I found this scripture while doodling and drawing old fabric scraps and watching the children play BLISSFULLY with no worries. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends it's roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but it's leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit." Jeremiah 17:7,8. I just thought it was something to give us thoughts of the HOPE if we SEEK HIS FACE....a quote in my devotional on the 6th. I hope you have a BLESSED day and REST in HIS ARMS of CARE. ......and I hope you get to paint !!!