Christmas Every Day?

Brrrrrr! It's rather chilly here in Kansas! Like hat, mittens, scarf, AND coat weather. (Oh, how I wish now that I would have purchased some of these way cute vintage hats from this unique boutique in Colorado to add to my collection)!

 

What a fun day that was! Even Paul and his dad joined in on the fashion show. Yes, indeed, we put on silly hats, funky hats, cool hats, furry hats... I did a few twirls, awaiting their approval or applause. It mostly led to laughter, of course.

I've been going through our Christmas trip photos, grinning. Reflecting. I wonder... Why can't we live each and every day as if it were Christmas? You know- feeling excited, joyful, eager to give to others? Everything seems so magical. As I type this blog entry, I realize that I DO live each and every day as if it were Christmas... For the most part, and it makes for a much happier life for sure. I wake up most mornings, so anxious to begin the day, at 3:00 or 4:00 am! Now, I must admit, I'm not quite as happy when it is a work day, but still, I make the most of it. I smile, I try to find the good in all situations, and I do live a very creative, colorful life. February.... Well, it does take more effort. By then, I am tired of grey skies, cold weather, and burnout at work always sets in around that time. Been there, done that..... Which is one of the reasons why I enjoy being a school employee. Another break from work is near once we get through those Winter blues!

I think that I will leave our Christmas tree and decorations up through January! Why not? We have no rules in our house. On those early mornings, I love sipping coffee by the tree. The only light on at 4:00 am are those from the tree. It's so quiet out here in the country. Peaceful. Beautiful. I am savoring this time at home and am so inspired to create. I do just that.

I started with a very large piece of watercolor paper. I had no vision. I just knew that I needed to feel a paintbrush in my hand and I wanted to see purple! Once the watercolors had dried, I felt the urge to simply doodle with a gold gel pen. Stars! Sky!!!!! I think as I work. I think about things that I need to do ( really NOT a good idea while in creative mode), .... But, it happens. I needed to get Thank You notes out to those who gifted us at Christmastime. Ahhhhhhh haaaaaaaaa moment! Oh yes,... I can use this piece of art as a background for cards! (A perfect reason to carry on in my own little world, right)?

Once I filled the paper with tiny gold stars, I cut into card front size... Added the snowmen with oil pastels, painted details with acrylic paints, added sparkle, sparkle, sparkle! Remember, it's the season of SPARKLE!

After all card fronts had dried and I had mounted the stamped "thank You" pieces... I attached them to the green, folded cardstock. Waaaaa laaaaaaa! That task is now done! Ooooops. I do need to write in them and get them in the mail.

More projects await. The work tables in my art studio are covered with stacks of stuff!!!!! I also have stories to tell you, but it must wait. I will be back... Right here, again very soon!

Merry Christmas...

Every day!

 

 

A Season of Sparkle...

 

All of the Christmas cards had been sent, the holiday shopping completed, suitcases packed. It was December 21st.... Time to start CHRISTMAS (with a 5.50 hour drive ahead of us), with family, in "Hometown", Kansas.

 

I am truly a Kansas girl! I smile when I see the rickety ol' Christmas decorations STILL making their annual appearance for the small town folk and visitors to enjoy. (Some, looking as if it may be their last holiday season)! I look at everything when we travel. I think. Mostly about life, and how interesting it really is. The changes that I have encountered.... The risks in which I have taken..... The many moves ( which is how this blog got the name, "Vagabond"). At the time I did not understand the reason for my pain and my challenges, but looking at my life in the present, I am so grateful to have been given those obstacles. Really.

Just me and my best pal, Paul. Another adventure...

Another Christmas, and, although for only one night... New memories to be made with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, and my precious niece and nephew.

It was glorious! Lots of laughter and good food! The evening went by too quickly. The next morning we said our goodbyes and then it was off to share some Christmas with Paul's mother, also in "Hometown". After a breakfast consisting of biscuits and gravy... And a little shopping...

We were back on the road. Destination: Colorado to visit Paul's dad... And to stay in his "Christmas cabin" in the woods.

It was quite cold by night and there was a blanket of snow up in the mountains. It was beautiful...

And once inside of the cabin, Paul brewed a pot of coffee and got a fire started in the stone fireplace. I was busy bolting from room to room, snapping pictures!

I then sat down on the sofa. Exhausted from the traveling, yet excited to be here...

In such a pretty place, with such a great guy, (and with a perfect cup of java). I was eager to upload the new photos onto my new iPad...

When suddenly, Paul was kneeling down, on one knee, in front of me...

And something very magical took place, right here, by the fire.

 

He said to me, "Missy, will you make me the happiest man in the world"? He had in his hand, this open box...

Inside of it was this! Sparkle...sparkle. Squeal, hug, giggle! Thinking back on that moment, I don't recall even saying, "yes".... But oh, YES!!!! Paul is perfect for me and I couldn't be happier! I will marry my best friend! The man who flew out to the East Coast in a hurricane to help get me back to Kansas.... The man who offered his home to me when I needed one, the man who fixed my broken heart and even made it better than the old heart! Giggle, giggle. Paul is the man who has brought laughter back into my life... Every day is a play date together as we share many same interests and seek new discoveries. Well, I would be a fool to not say YES! I truly am living again, and it is a wonderful life with my Paul.

As we do most everything...

We aren't wasting every precious moment planning for the big event, or consuming our thoughts with heavy details. We live in the moment. We may marry on another road trip, or in a chapel.... By a fake Elvis... ( NOT). It may happen next week.... Or next year. None of that seems important right now. I'm exactly where I want to be and with whom I want to share life with. At age 47, I am as giddy as a gal can be!

We had a lovely time at the Christmas cabin and Paul's dad joined us there the following day. We saw several sights and Christmas spirit in shop windows, on the streets, in the air.

We were back on the highway on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A first for me. Travel... On Christmas Day? I would not have even considered doing such a thing on my own, but paul runs his own business and had to get back. I must tell you, it was a very meaningful Christmas Day. That is another story for another time. Just know that I felt more Christmas in my heart than I have in many years. If we open our minds and our eyes to circumstances, and to new people and places... We receive the greatest gifts.

More to come!

I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas!

 

Vanilla & Sugar...

So many holiday events and oh, so many sweet treats! Don't you just love this time of year? I cannot take credit for the adorable cookies.... ( Although I do plan on making cookies and candies next Christmas ), this batch was created by a co-worker. Yes, we had our classroom party today!

I enjoy the scents of the season. Peppermint canes, hot cocoa, cinnamon, gingerbread, and pine trees. Even a new fragrance for my body helps with the holiday spirit, indeed! So, last month I shopped for my new smell..... Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, vanilla (and warm sugar, of course). LOVE!

The sparkles in the "Shimmer & Shea" make me feel extra festive! What are your favorite scents of the season? Please, tell me... Tell me!!!!!

I go to bed at night after a crazy busy day...

And I still smell the soft vanilla notes on my pillow. I lay there and breathe it all in...

Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

LOVE.

December updates...

There is magic in the air... Along with fog and mist. Ooooohhhh, it's oh so chilly. Just another excuse to stay inside and play!
I am all about the pretty tea cups and hot dessert teas on December days. Often, I will sit in the big, plush bed and paint in my art journal as I sip. I can't believe that this will be my second Christmas here, in Paul's world... Now my world as well. Where does the time go?
I have, at last, created a life here... Complete with a full time job in education again and Summer months free! I'm making new friends and even discovering some new hobbies along the way. Just as we used to do in my former school, we are having a little Christmas celebration on Wednesday. We will each bring a snack and our tiny gifts and cards for one another. I have been busy preparing for this final week of work, before our Winter break!
My Paul and I will be traveling throughout Christmas so we pretended that yesterday was Christmas here! Oh yes, we did! Once we woke up, he said to me, "Why don't we open our presents now"? It was only 5:30 in the morning, but I wasn't about to let that get in my way and excitement! I said, "ok"! We had coffee on our night stands and a mountain of beautifully wrapped presents now piled on our bed! We began taking turns ripping the paper and sharing the joy! I was gifted with the new iPad which is why I am blogging ( from the cozy bed) right now! I want to try the Blogger app. I tried it on my iPhone but just did not enjoy it... Nor did I like the results. So, here it is. My first post using the app and the new iPad. If all goes well... I may get back into blogging!
I hope that you are enjoying your December!
Until next time...

Spells & Potions...

Oh, my.

I have been absent once again from Blogland... but it's really not a bad thing. In fact, it's all good!

Summer was busy. The vagabond explored new places! I continued to carry my art journal and small black bag of supplies and documented each event, including my 47th Birthday! Yikes. How did that happen? I can hardly bring myself to say the number out loud. I'm getting closer to 50... (I say very softly). I must say, I am certainly enjoying my life more and more. I'm doing things that I never even imagined I would be doing and I'm certainly exposed to constant change which means that I am truly re-creating my life. It's scary, yes. But, also exciting!

By the end of August I had landed a new, full time job here in my new town! I'm thrilled to be working in a school again! This time, with older kids! Much different than elementary, but I like it! Suddenly, I became extremely busy........

and woke up one morning to cold, brisk temperatures and very grey skies!

In a blink...

FALL had arrived!

Trees were yellow, gold, orange, and red! Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins in the stores and in carts, on the side of streets! 

I could feel the creative mind spinning into holiday directions. Thoughts of Halloween projects kept me awake at night and by the time my longtime friend, Lori, arrived for a traditional Fall visit, the ideas were in full production! (Lori & I seem to create magic when bouncing our ideas off of one another)!   

The brewing began!

(me)

Lori

And lasted into wee hours of the nights. Spells, potions, paints, and much glitter.

Skulls, pumpkins, spiders, and witches by the light of the moon.

Oh, how I love these times with my dear friend.

Oh, how I love Fall!

Until next time...

Blessings to you all!

Colorful Inspiration!

Paul & I have just returned from a glorious vacation! I have so much to share...

and 355 photos! Of course, I cannot post all of the pictures (and you probably don't care to see ALL of them), but once I get a bit settled in and back into my home routine, I will share more about our journey.

It was so nice to spend the first portion of our vacation, with my family! We relaxed by a beautiful lake in Oklahoma and celebrated an early 4th of July! Most importantly, we made wonderful, new memories. 

Paul & I don't like to plan or commit too much when we travel, so the latter part of our vacation was quite mysterious and thrilling! We never knew which city or state we would be sleeping in! We did agree to explore New Orleans...

but that was all that we had actually planned for.  

New Orleans

It's now Monday. 

Paul is back to work.

I began the day finishing the 2 New Orleans inspired paintings (pictured above).

I have a garden to tend to and breads to bake (thank you gifts for the neighbors who cared for our dogs and garden while we were away)!

My thoughts are filled with colorful inspirations...

anxiously waiting to be born!

I'll keep you posted!

Chocolate & Chimes...

I am having the most enjoyable Summer!

At last...

I have a comfort zone again, along with a routine. I work outside of the home during the Winter months...

Summer time is dedicated to my art, creativity, and working from home. Yes, I call this place home now.

I'm up at the crack of dawn and work begins soon after the first cup of coffee (and Facebook)! I'm doing more & more commission art so these tasks always take priority over the "Whatever I feel like" projects!

Yesterday I completed my most recent commission piece (chimes, pictured at the end of this post). So, I celebrated today by doing this yummy chocolate cupcake painting! You see, the vanilla cupcake sold a few days ago. Shipped it this morning. Thank you, Gina! I do hope that you will love it! Naturally, I had this burning desire to create another acrylic cupcake to replace the vanilla. AND, this time...

I sculpted a strawberry topper from polymer clay. (Inspired by the chocolate wonder fall that Paul & I indulged in this past weekend, while dining at the Golden Corral)! Oh, so good!

These 4" x 4" cuties are so fun for me! (I think I will need another batch of these gallery wrapped canvases!

When not working from home...

I'm playing. Hanging out with Paul, going to "World's of Fun" on a Friday afternoon and getting a henna tattoo to match his real tattoo! We truly enjoy life together.

Don't you just love the sound of wind chimes?

I find them to be so soothing. After doing this piece, I have also grown even fonder of chimes. They are beautiful. A big THANK YOU to Brian for requesting a chimes painting. It has inspired me to create more chime themed art.

I will now step out to the patio and savor some evening time listening to our chimes!

Until next time...

Ideas...

I was lying in bed Wednesday night. My mind would not rest. (I'm thrilled that my right side of the brain has bounced back and that creative ideas are flooding it)! It's okay that art disrupts my sleep pattern. I embrace it and know that the sooner I fall asleep...

the quicker the next new day will come for me to put my ideas to work!

I did just that yesterday morning. I brewed my special java and began painting the stack of 4" x 4" gallery wrapped canvases that I purchased many months ago... during my "blocked" phase. 

Golden brand acrylics. Mixing my own lovely colors. Happy, happy!

In the back of my mind I did feel a tad bit guilty because I NEEDED to be working on a custom painting instead...

but my client will reap the rewards once I get these fun painting out of my system! 

The idea actually came to me because of my love of trinkets. I especially love the gum ball machine trinkets, and still, at age 46, I stop to put my quarters in after leaving a store. Aaaaaahhhh, the excitement and anticipation as I wait to see which toy the machine has selected just for me! So, as you can imagine, I do have quite a collection of trinkets.

I also have a wooden box that holds stuff. Stuff to use in my art. Things that I find, things that other people discard, such as these wine corks.

And so, my fun little paintings were born. I'm still at it today. They make me smile!

The left side of my brain is now scolding me because I'm running out of time! I still have the commission piece to complete AND, at this time next week, Paul & I set off for another big adventure! We will spend 4 glorious days in a large cabin with my entire family, out on the water!!!!! JOY, JOY, JOY!

Once we say are sad goodbyes, Paul & I will keep on rolling. No plan really, no schedules, no commitments. We do have some IDEAS!

I must close for now. Much to do!

Wishing you a fabulous day!

Art Journaling Daily...

I do it nearly daily.

Not for anyone else, but for myself.

It's a way for me to preserve memories and thoughts.

It's my personal playground for experimenting with various art supplies and techniques.

There are NO rules to follow... EVER!

It's my best friend at times, and aids in my growth.

It's my ART JOURNAL.

Enjoy the peek inside the pages!

It is what it is, darling...

Hello, readers in Blogland!

Due to the very high winds, along with HOT temperatures here in Eastern Kansas, I am spending more time indoors than out! Although I miss running out to the garden to greet the newborn watermelons and flower blooms...

it's not ALL bad. I paint more!

I bounce around from project to project. I explore through an array of art supplies and mediums. 

I recently came across some of my old "Artist Trading Cards" and the charming little albums in which I stored them in. It brought back fond memories from the year of 2005, when I first discovered these mini pieces of art. I even joined an online group where collectors gathered to create and swap. Oh, the joy of trading ATC's with other artists from all over the world! I watched this craze evolve into something even bigger. A fabulous book was released...

of course, I purchased it. I was selling on ebay and nearly fell over when one of my cards sold for a very unbelievable amount!

Then everyone began calling the cards ACEO's- art card edition original. These are the good cards, so to speak. ORIGINAL.

I have seen the cards framed and displayed in a grouping on a wall. LOVE! I want to do this in my art studio!

Although these small works of art measure only 2.50" x 3.50", some of them are truly amazing, and affordable. A very nice painting (ACEO), can still be found on etsy or ebay for $10.00 to $15.00. At these prices, most CAN afford to do a wall grouping and collect beautiful art that puts a smile on their face!

I will begin listing my ACEO's in my etsy shop once we are settled in at home. You, see, we have many travel plans and events ahead! Oh, how I also LOVE Summer!!!!!!!! 

I have several art pieces that I will be listing in my shop!

I have put much thought into this, and just don't think that it is fair to my buyers to make them have to wait so long for any purchase. I cannot promptly ship if the vagabond is moving! I'm a perfectionist and want to be able to put 100 percent of myself into my art biz and buyers. This is why I do not list much. The timing must also be perfect!

I will have framed art to offer.

My paintbrushes have been very busy!

My girls are dying to get out... just as I have been! *giggles*

Oh, wind. Please, go away.

For now, it is what it is.

I do hope that your corner of the world is NOT so windy!

Happy day to all!