Feeling Like a Princess!

Hello, dear readers!

How are you?

I couldn't be better!

When I woke up this morning, I immediately began celebrating a new lifestyle!

Today is my first weekday at home, alone, since resigning from my job.

 

I had been thinking of all the things that I need to do and want to accomplish. Although my artwork will be priority, I still have plenty to do around the house. Today I have done a little bit of both, art and home.

I have an assembly line of tiny watercolor girls on my work table. I'm thinking that my etsy shop needs a fresh, new start...

Just in time for the holidays!

Soon.

Very soon!

How about a pretty princess for a special little girl or friend in your life?

I think that we all need to feel like a princess at times.

I gave my sweet husband a big thank you this morning...

For being so supportive and allowing me to give up my day job.

He makes me feel like a princess, indeed!

Suddenly, I feel the spirit of Christmas!

I couldn't wait to do something with these little Christmas trees that hubby and I cut, deep in the woods. We got two of them.

I will do some cleaning before dragging out all of the Christmas decor...

But doesn't this tree look adorable in a vase, with water?!!!

Fa La La La La.

I feel so Martha Stewart-like today!

Oh, but wait!

I'm a princess today!!!

You'll be seeing more blog posts now that I have the time, so please, stop back by again soon!

Enjoy your day!

 

What Am I Doing Lately?

Hello, friends!

How was your week?

Mine went well.

With my job I am able to go back in time. Working in a high school I move from one classroom to another...

Every subject from science to art. I like to get to know my students and I find that one of the best ways to bond with them is by participating in what they are doing.

So, this week I started a yoga class.

The girls seem to be enjoying it. I am certainly feeling the results already!

So, three days a week I carry a yoga mat to work.

In addition to yoga, I also have an art class and an arts & crafts class. What is the difference, you may wonder? A craft is a skill that is taught with repeated steps and/ or specific instructions. Art is introduced with lessons on the color theory, value scale, and techniques, but then it's entirely up to the artist to use his own skills to create art.

At this time, we are weaving baskets in the arts & crafts class.

Yes, I'm weaving right along with my students and loving every minute of it!

At 2:50 pm I shifted to my personal life. Hello, FRIDAY!

After a few errands, it was so nice to be home and in my sloppy sweats! It was a bit chilly outside. A perfect evening evolved- iPod (70's) music and some art journaling. I never grow old of Dr. Hook, Fleetwood Mac, and Elvis.

It thrills me to see Fall and Halloween everywhere!!!

Although I am a true Summer gal...

I do love the colors of Fall, and of course, the treats.

I also enjoy ghost hunting. Really, I do. I have explored many haunted dwellings and have even captured some incredible photos of ..... Something unexplainable! Oh, yes.

I'm so glad that my hubby is also an adventurous spirit. We plan to go hunting again very soon.

Please, tell me about your Fall traditions! I'd really love to hear.

Until next time...

XO

 

A Pretend "Fall" Day...

Interesting, it is.

How the weather can alter our minds and trick us.

It's been raining all day here. With the rain comes a chill in the air.

It truly feels like a Fall day. The sky is a drab grey color.

I made a pot of coffee, late this afternoon, and took a cup of the hot brew into the bedroom.

I got all cozy, beneath the bed blankets and opened up my art journal.

Sketching.

No plan...

Just pencil scratches...

Then some watercolor.

Soon, these faces adorned the journal page.

Kinda creepy, eh?

Well, maybe not.

I found myself thinking about Halloween, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins, black cats.

Glass bottles filled with magic potions...

Oooooh, don't you just squirm when you think of that spooky time of the year?

I dip my paintbrush into the bright colors...

Orange, green, purple, yellow, and blue.

I'm thinking that I may create each one of these characters using clay!

What do you think?

Possibly, I will.

So, in my art journal I will continue to play.

I will jot down some notes and ideas...

On this pretend "Fall" day.

Until next time...

XO

 

Winter Things, Including Paint...

Well, January is behind us now. Hello, February... and hope. (Hope to soon see brighter skies and warmer temperatures. Hope that March gets here quickly, along with Spring break... and yellow-green leaves)? We just never know here in Kansas, but I must confess... I do love the different seasons. Each one comes with its own gifts and colors. I appreciate certain characteristics from each.

Winter is all about cozy and pampering. I have a Winter routine... Far different than my Summer routine. I want to be inside and I feel no guilt in sitting in bed with a cup of hot tea or coffee, piles of pillows, ( including a blue, fuzzy dolphin Pillow Pet)... painting and reading. Last week I even did some shopping online. I decided that it was time I upgrade to a finer watercolor set. I prefer pans over tubes, and for some reason I was set on getting a metal box since my previous sets were all the plastic field boxes. As I always do, I spent days reading about the different brands. I was really drawn to "Maimeri", besides, I also prefer Italian made ( over the other choices in watercolor sets). Makes sense for a girl who's favorite foods are Italian, favorite designer is Italian, and so on. I went to Dick Blick and clicked the ADD TO CART button... Also added some Arches watercolor paper. Took a few deep breaths and checked out!

Today I can tell you that I wish that I would have made this purchase years ago. Although I haven't had much time to paint, I have tried all of the colors, painted a few small greeting cards. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful colors and such smooth appearance. I am now a "Maimeri girl", for life.

I started this painting early this morning...

Because I got the palette with 48 colors, I haven't yet mixed any of the colors. I want to become better acquainted with the individuals colors first! I think that the colors look very Tuscany! Hee hee. Very rich. Lots of reds, yellows, oranges, and earthy! I will be enjoying every minute of this weekend...

Even when I'm doing other Wintery things that I so love, such as making soup in the kitchen. Today's menu:

Mushroom and wild rice.

 

It's not very colorful, but it sure was delicious!

Winter doesn't have to be gloomy. Even the sun is peeking through the windows and I have still been snapping pictures of the lovely skies, day and night!

Stay cozy and warm!