AdventureLand...

The first two pages of my travel journal.

I had good intentions of filling this journal with bits and pieces of cherished moments roaming from Kansas, Memphis, Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, New Jersey, New York, Maryland...

however, it just didn't happen. Possibly, it seemed priority to simply take it all in and enjoy the company of those whom I was sharing the beauty with, rather than spend time documenting each step of the way. Naturally, when my family was here for Spring break just last month, I wanted to savor every single minute of each day with just them...not my travel journal!

The time seems "right" now, to begin my travel-art journal, afterall, ADVENTURE is now a huge part of my daily lifestyle, even if it involves only a quick walk down the trail!

My friend, Laura, is here visiting from Florida, and because she and I both share the same interests, she too, will be adding momentos to her travel journal. I have no excuses to not work on my journal now!

These are a few of the photos that I captured on our first day out together as we walked locally.

I am surrounded by beauty here, in this new place called home. I never seem to get bored with the local atmosphere. I find new photo opportunities on every path that I take!

Today I have chosen to stay behind as Laura and another friend explore Washington, DC. The three of us will re-connect on Saturday so this allows me some creative time alone to prepare for the big adventure.

I woke at 6:30 am, brewed the morning coffee. I sipped it slowly...while sitting outside on the deck. I greeted the tiny birds and enjoyed their songs.

 I live amongst the most beautiful finds...

right here.

Inspired by Blue...

I have been re-decorating my bedroom. I tend to stay with soft blue and white for my "serenity room" because it always looks so pure, fresh, clean.

The walls are all white...

and bare.

I decided to paint this canvas for the bedroom.

Still working on it, but getting closer to being finished so I thought I'd go ahead and share!

I used acrylic paints, and even used "Shiva" oil crayons on some of the detail. These oil sticks are amazing, but messy!

I'm having difficulties getting her nose just right so for now, I'll walk away from the painting and go for a walk or something!

Wishing you a perfect day!

Summer wishes...

One day it's raining, the next day it's sunny,...

one day it's chilly out, the next day it's warm.

I wish for Summer sun, tank tops, and beaches!

Until then...

I will create my own Summer.

Pamper...pamper...pamper!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! It's the weekend!

It was a very productive week for me. In addition to my recent etsy listings, I was also working on some custom orders. This one was especially fun to do...

and quite fitting because just yesterday, I went to a local salon to get pampered a little! (My hair has really been neglected)!

I do have 2 more custom paintings to fulfill but for now, I think I will get on with this beautiful day because I hear the birds calling me!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend, and be sure to pamper yourself a bit!

My wonderland...

The coffee tastes so good this morning! I've added a dash of cinnamon to the already perfect, Starbuck's Italian blend. As I sip, I see the sun peeking through the little windows of my art space. Of course, I have already been busy with today's assembly line of "Wonderland" cards. Because it is such a beautiful day outside (no rain), I don't think that I'll do any etsy shop listings. I want to be out and about, exploring my own wonderland! I want to take colorful pictures and collect nature findings from the ground! I may even stumble upon some friendly Gnomes.
Believe!

"City Girl" returns...

Busy day here in the studio!

Another assembly line, and, another appearance from, "City Girl"! I shared City Girl with you all on my former blog, "In A Shabby Kind Of Way". She was a published, mixed media piece in the Jan./Feb 2010 issue of "Somerset Studio". Big honor, as I am a big Somerset Studio reader and fan!

"City Girl" is now available for purchase on 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards, right here!

I have added a special touch to her hat!

And, packaged her up nicely in a pretty, organza gift bag.

The colors on these photos appear to be a little dull. She is much more vibrant!

Perfect for Mother's Day, bridesmaids gifts, shower gifts, birthdays...

or just because!

It's been raining here again.

I want to be outside, exploring. Maybe I will grab my umbrella and go anyway!

How's your weather?

Comments welcome!

Chocolate Inspiration...

Inspiration can come from anywhere, anything.

Because the weather has been so perfect here these past few days, I have spent more time outside!

Over the weekend, I visited this local bakery. It's a wonderful bakery, filled with the prettiest pastries, at a very nice price! For $3.95...

You can have a mini key lime pie tart all to yourself! (I did just that)!

Or, you may have this very loaded chocolate delight, for the same price.

I had one of those as well.

I take my fork and gently begin to break open this treasure...

it was more than I even imagined!

So rich and so fluffy!

Yes, I gained a couple of pounds, I'm sure...

but I also left the bakery with a huge smile on my face and some inspiration for these yummy cards! The cards may be purchased in my etsy shop!

Treat yourself to some good!

Fulfillment for free...

Isn't it amazing how the warmth and some sunshine can effect our moods and enhance our days? I must confess, I have had "cabin fever" for too long now! I have anxiously awaited Spring weather just so that I could be outside more. It seems that as I get older, my need to enjoy nature is much greater, and exploring the great outdoors has become a hobby for me. On Friday, I felt like a little girl again, getting out my pretty bike...

I filled the bike basket with my essentials:

camera, flip video camera, iphone, water, and some cash for an ice cream cone... if that sudden urge were to come over me.

I live very close to a bike & walking trail. It's a beautiful trail that goes on and on, from town to town.

As I rode...

I realized at one moment...

that I had a smile on my face.

I felt so happy.

I felt so young!

So, yesterday I got out of bed and worked on some art for a few hours, however, I could not stop thinking about nature and what I might be missing out on!

How could I possibly sit still and spend the day indoors when I could hear the birds singing outside my window?

I decided to go for a walk on the trail.

This time, I packed a small backpack, once again, filling it with the essentials.

Oh my! I had the most glorious day!

I think that I actually prefer walking over the bike because I can easily stop, observe, and snap pictures.

Because we are still experiencing some cold temperatures, not all of the trees and plants are in bloom yet.

My eyes light up when I do see color!

I found an opportunity to play with my new Sony point & shoot camera. For years now, I have kept a camera in my bag. It goes everywhere that I go so that I never miss a pretty picture!

Last night, I felt contentment.

I made some popcorn, watched a movie.

For the first time in a very long time, I felt fulfilled, balanced...tired!

Isn't it amazing...

something so small, such as a walk or a bike ride...amongst the trees and rocks...

can be so rewarding?

And, it cost nothing.

Wishing you all a fulfilling weekend!

Paris Pastries!

New in the shop today!

An 8 pack of yummy "Thank You" cards with my PARIS PASTRIES painting on the front! (prints, of course)!

How often have you found yourself in need of a card that thanked someone for caring for your pet while you were on vacation, or for picking up your child from school? Maybe you need a gift for someone who has helped you plan your wedding or a special event....why not buy them a package of sweet cards?

I'm getting a bit hungry after seeing all of this pink frosting!

Wishing you all a bright, sunny day!

It's beautiful here, in Maryland today! Yay!

Sweet Pack!

Greetings from the East Coast, where today, the winds are high and beating harshly on my windows. It's storming outside and even the birds seem to have vanished...

as I have today.

Yes, I have shut myself in to this tranquil studio space for the day with a fresh pot of coffee- the bold, Italian blend from Starbuck's. My fave!

I have been putting together these, "sweet Packs" for my etsy shop. I did get them listed. 

I thought that a variety pack of cards would be nice, so in this pack, I have included 4 Thank You's, chocolate cream cardstock, 2 pink Birthday cards (female), and 2 blue Birthday cards (male).

Enjoy!

I had planned on going out for a walk today, but now, with all this rain...

I think I'll continue on with creativity...

and a movie!

Emma Jean Loves Easter...

Meet Emma Jean!

Emma Jean loves Easter and always participates in the annual craft bizarre in her small community.

Located just a few blocks from the church, and just across the street from, "The Dairy Freeze", an average of 20 women will gather in Hank's old garage to sell their handcrafted goods.

Now Emma Jean proudly displays a small sampling of her talent...

around her neck, on her head...

and if you could only see her shoes. Uh hum. She has hand-carved little, yellow chicks from twigs and calls these treasures her original, "Chick N' Clips". (Once hot glued onto clothespins, they may be clipped onto shoes, handbags, etc.). You get the idea. Only $2.00 a pair.

Oh yes.

Emma Jean loves Spring...

and Easter.

I hope that everyone out there is feeling it! SPRING is upon us!

WEAR YOUR HATS (and eggs) proudly!

Renewal...

It's not always easy to "stay on track". We do lose our balance while juggling life! I find that it's quite difficult to pick up where I left off because I am out of practice, with no routine again. For me, getting back to that comfortable, creative mode is especially tough.

This painting almost found it's way...

right into the trash can!

Seriously. It was my first painting in a very long while. I certainly needed an angel's assistance, and so, I had already decided that I was going to paint an angel. Little did I know that this angel would take nearly 3 days to complete!

I began with a sketch. Although her face was all wrong, I did not concern myself much with that because I wasn't ready for the details yet. I would return to the face at a later stage.

For the time being, I tried to enjoy the process by adding "earthy" colors to create a background.

A mess!

Absolute mess.

I saw stripes, streaks, and muddy colors.

I used watercolors, pastel pencils, colored pencils.

Still...

a mess!

I have been in a bad frame of mind anyway with my family flying back to kansas...

without me.

I have been feeling so terribly homesick.

Easter is just around the corner and I cannot help but to reflect on the wonderful Easter memories BD. (Before Divorce). He and I always dyed Easter eggs and played Easter bunny for one another, and to others!

We shared nice Easter dinners with family. Home baked aromas filled the home in which I so loved. My favorite place to be.

So, with a mind filled with such gloom, no wonder I could not paint. It really does show up in art- moods, emotions.

I allowed myself the time to burrow beneath the blankets, cry, eat candy, watch movies...

and the sad painting to sit, unfinished, on top of my work table.

2 days passed. I was feeling "human" again.

I went back to my angel.

Renewal was found that day...

for both she and I.