Hello peeps and pretty nails!

Hello, peeps and Happy Spring!

Oh, it feels so good to say that!

At last, Spring has arrived!

We are still awaiting warmer temperatures here, but officially, it's here and I have heard that lovely sound of birds singing outside my window.

Easter is next and I have been having a blast squishing clay into sweet Easter treats to wear!

These are my very favorite Easter treats! I feel like such a child, sucking all of the sugar off of them...

and then savoring the gooey marshmallow in my mouth!

How about you?

Do you have a favorite?

And chocolate bunnies are just the cutest! (Not as easy to sculpt though)!

And now I have a story to share with you!

Last weekend I participated in a local fundraiser event, as you know from my previous posts. After setting up my art displays, I began to roam a bit and visit other participating vendors. I met a charming new friend who was selling her finger nail wraps, along with hand care products and nail lacquer. I made it very clear to her that I don't do my nails (as you can always see in my photos like the ones above). Yuck! Why bother when I work with messy paints, gesso, gel mediums all day. I even clip my nails whenever I begin working with clay so that I do not leave finger nail imprints on my projects.

However...

I was still quite curious about these nail wraps that shrink to one's finger nail with a heat source... and her finger nails were so darn cute! After spending long hours at my booth, and she at hers,... I finally agreed to trying these nail wraps by having one put on with her tiny tabletop heater. I was even more curious after watching the vinyl "melt" onto my natural nail... With such a beautiful design. I went ahead and placed several of the raffle tickets that my hubby had purchased, into her giveaway basket.

At 3:00 pm the raffle began...

And I won that basket filled with hand care products and TWO packages of nail wraps!

So, I'm going to jump ahead a bit to shorten this story.

Once home, I realized that I could now really put these nail wraps to the test and not be out any money by doing so. That was a relief. It's somewhat like a brand new art journal. That first blank page is always a little intimidating. I never want to ruin the pricey new journal! (It takes a little mental preparation to convince myself that it's my journal is to play in and mess up.... That's what it's for)!

Speeding up this story even more...

With full manis and pedis (with these things called, "nail wraps"), I went about my normal tasks of showering, putting on lotions, painting, scrubbing mediums off of my hands and cuticles, doing dishes, laundry, opening pull tab cans...

Now on day 4 with the entire sets (manicure and pedicure, in which I solely applied).

My conclusion:

First- complete joy! I can have pretty nails and still do art!

Second thought- I want more of these!

To my own amazement, I signed up to be an independent Jamberry Nails consultant!

 

This is my art blog so you will not find me promoting any other products here, other than my own creativity....

and if this weren't something that just totally has me in "aaaaaahhhhhh", you would not be hearing about it at all. Friends, this is the reason why I have not blogged in a week! Seriously. I have been setting up my pro pay account, ordering product, visiting with my girly friends who are now flipping over it and anxious to try!

So, I will leave you with this:

Check out my link to my new personal consultant site, Boho Nails.

If you wish to try the wraps they are "buy three, get one Free".... But I insist on helping you apply them the very first time, via messages or in person for local friends. I used a method and a few tricks that has kept my wraps perfectly in tact, so please, please, message me if you order!!!!! Why? Because it's so worth trying but only if you apply them correctly! I want you to love them as I do.

Now I find myself kinda wishing that they would fall off...

Because I can't wait to slap on some new designs!!!!! Giggle giggle!

My toes and fingers are welcoming Spring and sandals!!!!

 

Goodbye ugly nails!

Hey...

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you soon! I'm currently working on several commission pieces and can't wait to share!

Xo

 

Hello, February, 47...and MORE snow!

Hello, friends!

What have you been doing to pass these Winter months?

Possibly it is not cold where you reside...

but it was a mere 14 degrees in my world today, with another fresh blanket of snow.

Even our pond is covered in white.

Beautiful, it is.

Even more beautiful when one can peek at Winter through windows of a toasty, warm house.

Although we do have both central air and heat in our home...

we prefer to use our wood burning stove for heat.

Hubby works hard to cut enough wood to get us through an entire Winter.

Now that I am working from home, I have taken over his job of waking in the middle of the night to stoke the fire and replenish the wood so that the house will remain warm by morning. This allows him to sleep through the night. (I squeeze in a day time nap, if needed)!

I feel like a real pioneer woman.

I love country living.

We are such home bodies, us two.

When I asked him what he would like to do to celebrate his 47th Birthday on Saturday, he replied, "just stay in". I sighed with relief.

I put a roast in the crockpot along with potatoes, onion, and peppers....

and of course, I had already purchased a German chocolate cake and candles. (Too busy with painting to bake this year's cake)!

The party was on!

It was a lovely party of two.

I also did some painting.

 

I love, love, love these boho colors!

We ended Birthday night with a pay per view movie of his choice.

Hello, February and another year of celebration...

and another round of snow.

I will see you again real soon!

 

Fun, Warmth, & Comfort...

Hello and Brrrrrrrrr!

Is it extremely cold in your little part of the world?

It's 10 degrees here on the prairie and surrounding areas.

I cannot complain though. I'm home, in my sweats, and have no commitments or places to go. We have power...

And a fresh pot of coffee!

Oh, and plenty of art to pass the time. Yesterday I had the pleasure of painting with my darling sister-in-law from Iowa. Both she and her husband (Paul's brother), came for a sleepover! I love it when the four of us get together. We blend perfectly! She loves art and even coordinates major art events in her city. It's her job. She is also a collector of art and every wall in their home is covered with art pieces in which she has purchased through the years. Us girls play and visit while the brothers engage in their common interests. Of course, we all gather for meals and last night, two movies, back to back! We were up very late and I'm feeling it today...

But am still painting.

Little by little.

Layer after layer. (Acrylics).

 

Along with coffee, there are hot cups of cocoa, overflowing with whipped topping and chocolate syrup.

The picture was taken Friday night from the city casino where hubby and I dined. The hot chocolate was so yummy, not to mention, pretty...

We went to the grocery store and picked up all ingredients for home!

It went quite well with our Friday night desserts.

It's been blowing and snowing here.

There's nowhere else that I'd rather be...

Than right here...

At home.

That's where the fun, warmth, and comfort is!

Wishing you a warm day!

XO

 

Sweetness in December...

Hello, and a ho, ho, ho!

Just a couple of days, my friends!!!

Are you ready?

We have already begun to celebrate Christmas here in our prairie home!

Look what we woke up to this morning...

Snow!!!

Beautiful and pure white snow!

I chose to stay inside today, however, hubby was just itching to get out in it and play!

Inside- the smell of the wood burning stove, along with gingerbread.

 

I made gingerbread cookies and had so much fun!

Adding the icing and faces was my most favorite part!

Oh!!! The book in the one photo! Have you read it? I absolutely love that book and long to start a Christmas cookie club here in my little community. If you've not read, "The Christmas Cookie Club"... Please do!!!

No boys allowed in my cookie club! Of course, I will never deny him the sweet treats that he so desires.

He loved his gingers!

 

I prefer photographing the little fellas over eating them! I used my instant camera to take a credit card size picture...

For my art journal! Just perfect, don't you think?

So much sweetness this time of year. My husband received a box of fine chocolates from one of his customers. Aren't they fabulous?!!!

 

I couldn't resist eating one. Just one...

and I must tell you that it tasted even better than it looks! Yes, indeed!

Aside from dark chocolate, my favorite candy are these. Black licorice and sugary sweetness together. Paul put a bag in my stocking...

But they are now gone! We snacked last night! These, in the photograph, are clay. I'm making them for my cupcake sculptures. See...

Cuteness, eh?

I'm still working on cupcakes, various themes.

There are many projects sitting on my work table.

I jump from one to the other!

Ok.

As promised, I will leave you with a pic of my new hair!

I may go even darker on the ends yet. It's nice for a change!

Enjoying lazy days here, leading up to Christmas. I do hope that you are as well, and able to share time with loved ones.

Blessings,

Xo

 

The Birthday Post...

Hello, dear ones!

Well, today I am another year older!

What a perfect date to begin a brand new art journal, don't you think?

The very first page...

Welcoming another year of life.

It's really been just a typical day. Up at 4:00 am...

Work.

My sweetheart gave me my Birthday gift on Friday. The iPad mini to keep in my work bag. Love it!!! I use my 3rd generation iPad so much, but really did not want to take it to work. The mini is perfect for that!

On Saturday night we indulged in a Birthday buffet.

Treats.

Sweets...

And more treats!

Since my parents had gifted me with a gift card a few weeks ago, to a hobby store...

I purchased some hydrus watercolors, online. They arrived in time for some birthday painting!

Love, love, love!

Thank you, dad and mom! Xo

The colors are very vibrant.

 

I can't believe that I'm now 48 years old. The years are going by quicker and quicker. Yikes!

A short post tonight.

The old Birthday girl is tired. All partied out!

Until next time...

Blessings to you!

 

Sweet Itty Bitty...

Hello and happy Friday!!!

There's just something joyful about Fridays.

Around here, we wake up excited on a Friday morning. My sweetheart greets my morning face by blurting out, "it's Friday, baby"!

We know that this day of the week is the start of some serious play, rest, road trips, and eating sweet desserts!

What girl doesn't adore a pretty dessert adorned with sugary fluff?

I also love to paint desserts.

I finished another itty bitty canvas last night.

I'm working with acrylics, which I must confess...

Is difficult for me.

Watercolors are my thing!

Yet, I try.

I never limit my boundaries in art. I explore all mediums.

I enjoy every minute.

Just as I enjoyed tasting each one of these sweet treats.

Yes, when we go to a buffet, we sample as many desserts possible.

I take a few bites...

He takes a few bites.

We trade desserts back and forth.

Aren't they lovely?

(I do not allow any bites until after I have photographed each dessert)!

I must go pack my overnight bag now.

We are going to meet my family...

And get my sweet niece settled into her new college home.

Oh my, where have the years gone?

We will laugh and dine...

And eat desserts!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!