Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 24, 2011
November 24, 2011
September 2, 2011
~ Summertime ~
This summer has been extraordinarily hot and oppressive.
Much time spent indoors, practicing digital artistry.
There have been many distractions.
Take this pup, for instance.
Really, very sweet.
Always happy.
And smiling. Such a great buddy.
Special thanks to Auntie Christina for the beautiful
photos of our Penny! ;-).
Oddly enough, even with the scorching heat,
beauty prevails. These photos were taken a couple
of weeks ago. The temps were in excess
of 100 degrees, yet crepe myrtles,
periwinkles, and even wisteria vine
presented with abundant blooms.
With Mom's continuing downward spiral with
Alzheimer's, it is at times difficult to focus on the beauty
that each day has to offer.
These unseasonable blooms...
rich, momentous views of thriving beauty,
quietly provide pleasantry.
A reminder to look above, see the beauty,
and appreciate perseverance in
even the most daunting circumstances.
With every visit with Mom,
her beauty shines forth,
and her fleeting smiles
feed the soul.
May you find peace in the beauty that is to behold.
June 15, 2011
~ Zippity Do Da! ~
Whatcha been doin'?
Much of this and more of that?
Summer is in full swing.
And super hot!
Makes ya just wanna dance.
...only in the shade.
Y'all dancin' around much lately?
I so enjoy dancing about learning
new PhotoShop steps.
Been involved in extracurricular
activities which have precluded
blogging and art projects in
practically any form.
Checking in, though, to
share a little
dance step or two
with each of you.
Put a little jazz in your step!
May 8, 2011
May 1, 2011
~ KEEP THE GRAY? ~
It's raining again. And that's okay.
We need it.
We are thankful for it.
But the days needn't be all gray.
Infuse color into your days.
Literally.
And figuratively.
It isn't always black and white.
Sometimes...
you have to add color.
A lot.
Or a little.
And some sunshine and ice cream too.
Have a beautiful week!
April 16, 2011
~ Roses Redux ~
Just happened to find time for
Photoshop play this week.
Subject - roses and iris -
from MIL's garden.
This collage culminated from the original image,
as seen below, and adding various
layers and opacities of other images.
Soft, foggy, scripted overlay.
Addition of cooling turquoise filter, affecting
both image color and background.
Bump up the intensity of the filter
ups the hue and saturation.
A background for other collages
created with overlays and
an uncharted pressing of keys
until I "happened upon" this final product.
These roses and irises have such a divine aroma,
and their beauty is unsurpassed.
Thank you for sharing this journey
in digital design.
Trial and error is the method of learning
that has proven most effective. Though time
consuming, it is by doing
that learning takes place.
Classes? Perhaps so
There is so much to learn.
April 11, 2011
~ Aubergine Dreams ~
Photoshop painting...
Layer upon layer...
Frolicking fish...
Filigree frames.
Chasing bees in the house,
boat ride on the lake with fishing Mr.,
visits with Mom, lunch with Dad,
band concert.
Variety.
March 31, 2011
~Fifi and Fiona~
Anne Lorys,
at Fiona and Twig,
has a lovely peek of the latest issue of
"Romantic County" magazine
and her photographic contribution therein.
Plus, a fabo giveaway!
Click the image above to
join the giveaway contest for
your chance to win
a copy of "Romantic Prairie Style",
autographed by Fifi O'Neill,
in addition to the latest issue of
"Romantic Country" magazine.
Kudos to both ladies
for such beautiful work!
March 20, 2011
HaPpY SpRiNG!
It's been a while since posting. Still trying to find the "ZaNy"
day by day. For Mom's best interest and in order to
meet her every need, we have moved her to a
private care facility, with loving, attentive caregivers
and lovely gardens and a miniature pony.
I have had a hard time adjusting to the transition of
the mother/daughter dynamics as affected by this change.
She is still the most wonderful lady in the world without a doubt.
We still love, laugh and share sweet and zany moments.
Just on a smaller scale. And different.
Though our love grows stronger every day.
The image above is my first attempt to delve
back into art with the usual sunny disposition,
which has been absent here and there.
Images from Itkupilli are fabulous!
I have begun to dabble in PhotoShop a tad.
Self instruction is slow, but doable.
Testy, but fun!
Trying digital collage will be just the activity to
get back into the swing of things.
With the added bonus of no glue goo!
Have a beautiful week!
February 22, 2011
~ FLy mE To ThE MoOn ~
Fly me to the Moon.
And let me create to my content.
Let me wear a hat.
Or maybe something else like that...
Using collage sheets from
Inka, at Altered Artifacts,
I was challenged to create
with a steampunk style.
It was fun to find an artsy moment.
My caretaking responsibilities have grown
as my mother moves further into
late stage Alzheimer's.
The profound sadness of slowly losing our
angelic matriarch is overwhelming,
and yet we continue to
share blissful moments
of sweetness mixed with many
happy memories of times past.
I have struggled with reawakening my
creative muse as well as whether or not
to reopen my Etsy shoppe.
I have decided to give both a slow go
as I continue to primarily
focus on my own family
and my parents' needs.
I am working in bits of creative time
and still enjoy reading your blogs as
well as exploring new artistic avenues.
Pat Winters has published a
new magazine,
which is gorgeous and filled
with beautiful handiwork,
tutorials, shopping opportunities,
free images and much more!
A fabulous read indeed!
You can preview and order it here.
Check it out and refresh your creative muse!
Have a great week!
January 29, 2011
~ Variety Show ~
Fancy a parasol, do you?
Maybe some pearls too.
Perhaps a bit o' sunshine?
A pansy or two?
A pixie amid posies.
A handcrafted purse by Pat.
Pat Winters, that is.
A lilliputian pitcher
A sunny, bright pansy
to gladden your day.
The orange hued crazy quilt piece
was crafted by moi
from a kit I ordered
from Pat Winters,
who has the most
enchanting crazy quilted creations,
hand dyed silk ribbons,
crazy quilt kits and fabric images
at Etsy and ArtFire and her blog.
The purple purse was
crafted by Pat and offered as a
grand prize for a giveaway on her blog.
I am grateful and delighted to have
won this treasure of detailed
stitching, silk ribbon embroidery,
beading, and crazy quilted fabrics.
Thank you Pat!
As for the pixie and ribbon pansies
and orange crazy quilted practice,
they are all bits of crafting
I attempted during the
last few months,
which have been a bit challenging
with caretaking responsibilities,
and surgical recovery.
Blogging and creative ventures
have taken a back seat to
caretaking responsibilities lately,
which are gladly taken on
and at the top of my to do list.
Though, I must add that I do enjoy
visiting you, blogfriends, and the
beautiful inspiration you all offer,
and I even aspire to comment
here and there.
Thank you for sharing
your creative ventures!
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