A WEEK OF WONDER!!!

I have tried for THREE days to post something!! I wait til night because of how busy I've been, but then I fall asleep in the middle of trying to post!!! So I am going to post during lunch!!  HOPEFULLY, I won't fall asleep!! Ha!!  Anyway, our church is having a silent auction to raise money for orphans arriving at a camp from a worn torn country then arriving into Ethiopia.  They walk for miles in search of lost or passed parents, searching on foot with only the clothes on their backs! The money from the silent auction will go to improve conditions at the camp where they come to to help have a school classroom area, and overall improve sanitary conditions for the children.  The following pictures are items for the SILENT AUCTION....go to my facebook for details...it is the last Sunday evening of March. I've painted a few make-up bags for the auction as well, gleaning the ideas from the book CANVAS REMIX by ALISA BURKE. I love her work and classes and have bought some of her bags for my paint brushes!  THE PAINTING OF THE CHILDREN is NOT FINISHED....HOWEVER I JUST ADDED THE FINAL PHOTO ABOVE...it is 16x20 and will be framed. I DO NOT really do faces, so I have a lot of tweeking to do the children and then will add more colors of the desert in the background of scriptures.  Blessings and enjoy....I welcome ANY ADVICE OR COMMENTS!!  This, with faces, is a hard one for me!! OH!! THERE IS MICKEY our puppy that has grown a lot, but still is small.... he has been such a joy to us!! Never dreamed!!

 This little bag is for my make-up...for ME!!

 Mickey boy above and a journal entry below!!

 These children are done from actual photos, but still need work!! Any advice on them?!  They are all skinny or very thin and their hands appear larger, as well as their precious faces.  It is NOT FINISHED. I AM ATTACHED TO EACH ONE!!  The boy in front is holding a frisbee which were taken by some of the volunteer missionaries helping there ..... all children need to play ..... some are totally alone and a few have siblings they care for even four year olds carry their small brother or sister walking and searching for miles and miles with no place to go!!  Many are taken into slavery for sex or work, so this camp is a place where they can be safe and cared for or nurtured as much as it is possible.... read the background words , the incredible desire of God with us in mind for them. This life we have is ultimately about serving one another, either in our neighborhood or across the globe .... your prayers as well are cherished!!

MANIKINS TAKE A REST !!

I will share the last journal pages of the doodling on manikins.  It was fun, but I am a little tired of them. Some new serious art is on the horizon and I'll shared more later.  There is also some pictures of our found puppy and the first visit to the grandkids.  They have really wanted a dog, especially Eli and you can sure see it on his face!! The dog was so comfortable with them and let them hold him however they wanted and he just complied!! He was so relaxed with them and ran and played with them all afternoon! He even got a ride in the dump truck!!  Then two pictures of the usual sleepy heads...whenever Dick sleeps she is right by his side and sleeping too! They are true buds!  Then our beautiful Olivia, who was so good with the dog and said someday she'll get a little tiny dog she can carry around in a bag to her friends! They are so busy with swim meets and competition and home school and piano, dancing, etc that a dog would be home alone!! So they can just visit with Mickey!! He is becoming a real buddy to Dick....following him down every row while push mowing the grass!! 

 I've missed my roses and zinnias at the old house and my crazy mockingbird!!

 A friend visited me in the shop....

 In my new garden...

 My favorite bag, no money no makeup, just art supplies!!

 After the exciting ride in the dump truck...and above is the huge Noah's Ark I did a few months back for children's church.

 One happy boy and one happy dog!!

 He's so little...perfect for one hand!!

 My favorite two sleepy heads!!  Priceless!!

YES, MY TREE IS STILL UP!

 I accidentally discovered the TWINKLE in this photograph....I have NO IDEA HOW IT GOT THERE!!?  BUT I LOVE IT...and I NEEDED IT!! God has a funny way of lifting your spirit!! I was going to post with some new art....but later....this is so special! Enjoy and be blessed by the twinkle!!

HE CAME, HE STOLE, HE STAYED

It was very early on a Sunday morning when I heard a baby's cry outside.  So I hopped up to see where the crying was coming from. And there he was 7-8 weeks old on my front porch unable to come down....deposited by possibly an angel. I was not ready for a dog at all. But his plans were to melt our hearts. HE CAME, HE STOLE OUR HEARTS AND HE WILL STAY.  Now two weeks later he is double his size and weight.  We named him Mickey like Mickey Mouse.  Blessings come in an instant when you least expect it!!  At least that is the way we are choosing to look at it. One thing for sure. My focus has shifted from worry and anxiety to a little dog who needs me.... the other things will take care of themselves!

I WAS LOST NOW I AM FOUND....

SO BLAH. BURNING THE OIL!!

Now go down a little .... til you reach me.....

I  FEEL  SO  BLAH....

These little circle flower designs I saw on Pam garrison's blog, her designs, I borrowed.... I ordered two printed cotton pieces to embroider of her designs....love her work.
















Rainy gray days, dreary skies, school has started again ...... Good for some parents but work for others.  I hope everyone was on time!!!  I had a really low week, so decided to make it a journal page.  I also diffused some new essential oils to try and get a new perspective!  See them next to my red chair in my new tulip diffuser!?  Well shoot, they must work because I have giggled my way through finishing this journal page of me in my pajama's slumped, uncombed, in the chair.  I left off about 100 pounds and less grey in the hair but the rest is pretty accurate!  Plus that oil with the eucalyptus, clove and cinnamon began to smell great in the house.  AND I AM STILL GIGGLING AT MY DRAWING!  I think the silly drawing was the trick..... Doodling always settles my heart! AND DOING ANYTHING ART LIFTS ME TO A HAPPIER PLACE!  MY SIMPLE PRAYER WORKS TOO!  Hope your week is full of purpose, love and joy.  Blessings to you! Maybe slap a smile on your face...come on, just try!