Celebrate Halloween!

The wind is howling just outside my windows.

A crisp chill has made it's way into the house. That old familiar chill that forces me to quickly jump out of bed in the morning hours and grab my fleece robe that has hung on the bathroom door hook for months.

 

It's such a beautiful season, indeed.

I cannot even imagine living somewhere else, where there are no Fall colors and the sound of crunching leaves beneath my feet when I venture out.

 

To me, this is the season that excites and reminds me that the holidays are soon upon us!

Here in Kansas, it usually begins now.

Halloween.

Start digging out the sweaters, mittens, boots, and ear muffs because it's coming.

 

But let's not jump to far ahead.

In leu of this wonderous, spooky time...

Let's stay in the moment and celebrate Halloween!

I have enjoyed many opportunities to play and prepare for this "holiday".

Shopping with friend from Texas...

(Pure silliness and fun as we tried on masks and hats)!

A trip back to my home town recently led to more dress up fun with my special cousin, Tonya...

and, of course, my immediate family whom I miss so much, especially during holiday months.

Yes, life has been blissfully busy lately.

Art sales.

Some substitute teaching.

Friends. Family. Chores.

A trip to Arkansas. Flea markets. Off road riding. Dining.

Selling out of Hand painted Christmas ornaments already!

 

I even watched my very first World Series game on tv!

(I have never been a fan of sports, but did enjoy game 7)!

I try to be a very open minded person and expose myself to new things. Watching the game with hubby made it even more enjoyable!

I wish each and every one of you a safe and happy Halloween!

Stay warm!

Xo

 

Back Home and Back to Work...

Hello, dear ones!

Did you have a nice Memorial Day weekend?

Hubby and I took a little road trip to visit our families back "home".

He did some RZR riding on the river while I shopped with my two moms, one being his mother.

Lots of dining out and simply sitting in my parents' living room.

I'm perfectly content with the simple things!

Once back to our prairie home, it's been work, work, work!

All good work, of course!

Work in the garden.

Work with customers who buy my fancy nail wraps and jewelry.

Work inside the home and oodles of laundry!

Work in my art studio! Yay!

I have finished this commission piece and will be shipping it to it's new home tomorrow.

Do you remember me sharing the story of the client who has made it her new year's resolution to "be a kinder person" by having gifts of art mailed to them without ever identifying herself?

Well, this is one of those secret gifts!

I will also be enclosing this...

With a card.

I am enjoying this job more than any other!

It's so very uplifting and fulfilling!

I could forever paint...

But it's just always so much more special to paint for others.

I wish that she would commission me for life!

I will be so sad when our project ends in 2015.

Of course, my newest little hobby and side job means having pretty nails!

This truly is fun for me, and hey...

It's some fun spending cash too!

A neighbor came over this morning for coffee and a mani!

We both did our nails and of course, I snap pics of mine!

Our flower gardens are looking so beautiful!!!!

Loving this weather and all of the colors!

I will see you back here again very soon!

XO

 

Where did I leave off?

Oh, dear!

Where did I leave off?

First, a big HELLO to all of you!!!!

How have you been?

 

It's been awhile, I know.

My world has undergone many changes and adjustments! (All good, I might add), but trying to find "balance" has not been easy since I resigned from my day job in November.

I have discovered that working from home, does indeed, come with a whole set of new challenges.

Time management being the biggie for me!

Friends, I have been richly blessed with consistent commission work, and it always keep my art work at the top of my priority list! No problem there. I love being responsible and dependable. My biggest thrill and form of payment are the praises that I receive from clients and recipients of my art! I love waking up to an email or a Facebook message from someone who is overjoyed and so grateful after receiving a piece of my art! This makes my heart so very happy!

Yes.

I'm doing what I love and I do it passionately.

I've had orders for anniversaries...

And surprise gifts to friends...

Birthday gifts, a child's bedroom (the decor in planets & space)...

Day after day, I paint.

Some days I find myself feeling restless. Is that the word that I'm seeking?

I miss doing personal art, especially my art journaling.

Some days I really have not felt all geared up to go into my beautiful art room and paint.

I am one who needs variety and I do like to create on a spur of the moment.

So, I added another "for fun" job to my life.

I signed up to be an independent consultant with a nail wrap company. I seriously did this, as a hobbiest, and only to give me something fun, yet still creative, to add to those days that I needed a break from art work.

Oh my!

This HAS indeed been fun...

And yes, creative.

But then suddenly, I became crazy busy!

Once Facebook friends caught wind of the nail wraps, I found myself running more errands, delivering and shipping nail wrap samples, doing nail wrap parties! Oh. And of course, keeping my own nails pretty!

I honestly did not expect all of this! 4 recruits.... Helping them, orders arriving... Advancing to "senior consultant"! Giggle. Giggle.

Once again, I'm so happy in all that I'm doing but I am now working on balancing my art, Jamberry Nails, house, husband, travel.

This is why I have been absent from blog land!

I seriously, have had no extra time for taking and editing photos let alone, sitting down to type up a blog post.

I also adore blogging.

I will get it all figured out!

I will say, that out of all my jobs...

My favorite is, and always will be, my art.

When I'm painting...

Something unexplainable happens.

Even on those days that I did force myself to pick up that paintbrush...

Within minutes, I realize that I am smiling. I even dance a little to the radio! Shhhhh.

I diffuse the lovliest essential oils. It's such a slice of heaven...

In my art studio.

Oh!

Do you remember these?

 

Well, since we last visited, I have also made oodles and oodles more! They have shipped to Shops and stores in different states! No kidding! I have reveived some very nice checks in the mail for these guys!

Happy heart. Happy life!

My wonderful husband has supported all of my jobs. He even builds odd shaped boxes for my big canvas paintings to ship in. How did I ever get so lucky?!!!!

We've planted our garden here on the prairie. He even built a wonderful fence all around it.

In August we are going back to the East coast for our big vacation!

Life is good.

I hope that you are savoring every moment of yours!

God bless and I will certainly do better at blogging!

Yes.

I will.

Xo

 

Sugar Skulls & Sugar Skulls...

Hello!

How are you?

All is wonderful here on the prairie!

No true Spring weather yet, but that's okay because I have much going on in the art studio.

This week I am filling an order for sugar skull necklaces!

This has been my biggest commission yet!

A place of business has ordered dozens of the skulls for a May art event in Iowa, celebrating the Mexican culture.

I even put my new bead baking rack to use and loved it!

I'm getting closer to completing this order and have nicely wrapped each cord around my business cards. I thought that the white background showed off the skull better, having all of my colorful info on the backside.

It's been a nice break from canvas painting, which I did all weekend and most all of last week. (I will show that project soon, as it's on it's way to Virginia and I do not want to blow the surprise)!

For now, I'm off to string more beads and then get these babies boxed up for shipping!

Wishing you all a fabulous day!

Until next time...

XO

 

Fall Festivities & Funky Art!

Hello, my friends!

How are you?

Wonderful, I'm hoping!

I'm back to a fast and furious work week after a lovely weekend. Sigh.

My friend, Kim, and I did take a little road trip on Saturday, to the annual, "Maple Leaf Festival". There were so many vendors, selling their handcrafted goods...

Along with antiques and foods!

The tie dye booth was calling my name.

Oh dear.

I could not make up my mind on which garments to purchase! I must say, this tie dye artist used the most beautiful colors and created amazing designs. Of course, I was in full blown "Fall mode". I ended up buying the dress, in the earthy, Fall colors...

And a long sleeved t-shirt!

Love, love, love!

After hours and hours of walking...

And stuffing ourselves with Mexican food...

It was also nice to be warm (and weary), at home that evening.

On Sunday, I was rejeuvenated and ready to create!

A bit of art journaling (still in progress)...

And a whole lot of sculpting.

Painting.

Stringing.

I came up with these- "La Catrina" inspired necklaces!

And that sums up my weekend!

Tell me all about yours!!!

See you again very soon!

XO

 

More Spookiness and washi tape...

Hello, friends!

How has your weekend been?

Mine could not be more perfect!

Dabbling in some art journaling here.

More spookiness.

 

Sleeping in until 7:00 and 8:00 am and having coffee on the patio, with my hubby...

Wrapped up in his flannel jacket because it's a bit brisk outside in the mornings now. Aaaahhhhh, Fall!

Yesterday we did some shopping before attending a wedding reception.

Look what I bought....

Washi tapes...

And glitter tapes!

Won't these tapes look cool in my art journals?

There are so many lovely tapes available. I had a difficult time choosing. I will continue to add to my collection. I plan on using my tapes for other projects and even for gift wrapping! Oh, how fun!

This morning I added the wording onto the page.

It's going to be a relaxed day filled with art, rest, and smoked pork chops.

Life is so good!

Blessings to you!

XO