The feather...

I haven't a story to tell you today.

All that I have is a feather.

The passing of a dear friend's brother just last night was heavy on my mind all day.

I painted feathers on sympathy cards...

and this one in my art journal.

I let the watercolors run...

Which to me, represented tear drops.

He was only a couple of years ahead of me and was often in our teenage business, as big brothers are.

Back then, we were quite annoyed.

My heart aches for my friend and her other siblings.

Art always puts things into perspective for me.

Life is short and should be cherished every single day.

I ended today with the final chapter of a book...

On the patio.

Admiring the sky and the sound of the wind chimes.

Peace to all!

XO

 

Missy's Mad Tea Party... Come on In!

The invitations were delivered, one by one...

I watched from behind the bushes with excitement as ribbons were un-tied, envelopes opened, and smiles appeared on each recipients' face. Yes! They would attend!

"Attend what", you ask.

It's that most wonderful event that comes once a year!

It is a Mad Tea Party that all began by Vanessa dear! I will provide you with her link at the end of this post!

For now I must dash. We must not be late!!!!

I dig deep into my trunks for the finer treasures that I store-

My china, my fancy linens, hats, and bags.

Ah ha!

There it is!

My tea party purse!!!

How do I look? Aren't the feathers just grand?

Off to another trunk I go. It's the trunk that holds my tea sets...

And a bit of magic too. Shhhhhh.

I reach for each piece and dust them off clean.

After draping the table with a crisp table cloth, I begin setting each place for each special guest.

Oh my, oh my...

I look at the clock.

I have run out of time and desperately need help!

Hmmmm.

It never fails me, when I'm in a pinch.

My magical wand...

Just watch this!

I wave it around and say a few words.

Wa la!

We now have a true tea party with fluffy, pink cakes...

And cups filled with hot tea, ready for sipping!

Have you tried this one?

It's a dreamy delight!

I have saved the very best tea for you!

Filled with blessings and love...

And may all of your dreams come true!

Hurry, hurry!

Drink it up!

I want to thank you for dropping by!

I love how the blogging community comes together for fun and creativity!

A big, big thank you to the charming Vanessa, who hosts this event each year...

This being the 6th!!!!

You can visit Vanessa right here.

Be sure and view the right side of her web page for a list of all Mad Tea Party participants.

Grab a cup of tea...

Or two,

Click on each participant's link to "blog hop" from one fabulous tea party to the next!

I plan to sit down and visit each one...

But for now I must go.

There's a knock at the door and my guests have arrived!

Gelato Sticks...

Ok. I will admit.

I am an addict.

I cannot ever have enough art supplies.

When I hear of a new medium, I'm instantly on the computer, reading all about the product...

Reviews, how it works, etc.

My dear friend, Lori, told me about Gelato paint sticks.

I liked what I read. I even watched some fun You Tube tutorials.

Yes, I had to try them out for myself!

 

They arrived just yesterday so I haven't had much time to really play with them, but I did dabble a bit.

I ordered the set of 28 colors, directly from the Faber-Castell website. (One day I will figure out how to link you up... I'm using the Blogsy app on my iPad). The Gelatos arrived in a lovely, floral pattern box.

 

They look like Chapstick!

You may use them wet or dry.

I did both on this quick painting.

A closer look-

 

I like!

The colors are wonderful! Some are even metallic.

 

You can rub them in, layer the colors, apply them directly to a rubber stamp and stamp with them.... Then spray water onto the stamped image for a quick watercolor image! I could go on and on about various uses and techniques...

Which I will be saving to try out with Lori in person!!!! She ordered a set too and we have set a date for a girls' weekend in July!

Go check out the Gelatos!

Happy creating!

 

The More Owls... The Merrier!

Ever have one of those days? You know... A day when nothing really sounds fun and your body is simply sluggish. It's very frustrating. Today was one of those days for me. I did get out this morning to plant flowers in yet ANOTHER little garden, in the front of the house. I rushed through the process because it was a bit chilly outside. Back into the house I went!

I got commission art pieces packaged properly and ready to ship tomorrow!

I completed this one early, early this morning...

 

It's for a baby's nursery. A baby shower gift. 9" x 12" watercolor, ink, and pan pastels. I enjoy doing name art! For me, it feels like doodling. A no-brainer!

Owls seem to be the rage!

I painted many owls last Summer! Bright, cheery owls! Oh, what fun!

The commission piece inspired me to do more owl art. Because I am experimenting...

Here is only a sneak peek...

 

I have always been captivated by 3-D art, and have made, but this is a little different.

Summer school (with the students), begins tomorrow and then an afternoon of running errands. Argh!

At times, I do regret saying, "yes" to working Summer school. It's now June. Wedding month and I have much yet to do for our special day! I'm feeling overwhelmed, yet excited! Our immediate families will come and we will all sleep over at the beautiful Circle S Ranch Bed & Breakfast Inn. Once we check out, we will all come to our home for a BBQ!

Paul and I love to cook and entertain so we are also planning a special menu! Any suggestions? Side dishes that can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Pretty, unique? Comments welcome!

We should have plenty of flowers!

Loooooookie!

I am cutting roses from our rose bushes!

 

Until next time...

 

Pink...

Hello, out there!

I type to you from my patio paradise! Oh, don't you just love, love, love Summer?!!!

I find much inspiration, right here.

 

Paul and I have been working in our gardens. One particular garden has been named, "The Rock Garden". It's on a slope, along a side of the house. We went shopping for the perfect plants and bushes...

But then something fabulous captured my full attention! PINK.....

Oh, yes!!!! I had to have a pair of those retro plastic, pink flamingos!

I couldn't wait to add them to a page in my Molskine art journal!

Of course, I like to color coordinate. Can't have a pair of pink flamingos without PINK flowers, don't you agree?

The rose bush that we planted, my very first Summer here, is also blooming pink! Yay!

We both really enjoy our patio.

Inspiration does come when we travel too. I quickly did another page in my journal...

Arkansas trip, Memorial Day weekend 2013.

Enjoy your day!

 

Something to roost about!

Seriously? It's a Saturday morning and after a very long, tiring work week, I was really looking forward to sleeping in a little. Well, my body clock was wide awake at 4:00 AM! I tried to fall back asleep but had no luck so I got out of bed and brewed the java. That's when I heard, "cocka-doodle-doo".... Over and over again. Country living comes with such sounds!

So, with my first cup of coffee, I began sketching.

Then painting with my watercolors. It was a lovely morning!

Hey! Now you may follow my blog through "bloglovin'"! Just click on the button on the right hand side! Possibly you have been using Google reader to follow your favorite blogs and need a new source. I think I like Bloglovin'! Easy to navigate and you can have blog posts sent to you to suit your preferences (daily, weekly, or as each new post comes available). I choose to get one message a day informing me of new blog posts, however, I find myself just browsing through many, many blogs through Bloglovin'! I just love everything about blogging, don't you? Please, let me know if you are a blogger yourself so that I can go peek! I spend every single morning reading art blogs! They so inspire me to get out my own supplies and make something!!!!! Just maybe we will meet over there... At Bloglovin!

Until we do,

Enjoy your Saturday!

 

No Rhyme or Reason...

I'm seeing them everywhere lately...

On shirts, home decor, on bags, jewelry. Don't you just love the colors? I am especially fond of purple, blue, and green together, and use these colors often in my art...

And without any rhyme or reason, I just started painting a peacock in my art journal!

The page is not finished. I may add journaling, words, or possibly more peacocks. I just don't know. Nor does it matter. It makes me smile just seeing these beautiful colors!

Happy Thursday!!!!