The Joys of Giving...

Hello, dear ones!

How have you been?

All is wonderful here on the prairie.

Slightly cooler days, morning dew on the grass.

I'm getting so very excited for Fall, aren't you?

Before further ramblings, I want to remind you to get on over to my Facebook business page, (click here), give me a "like" (pretty please), and post a comment on the giveaway post!

The drawing is tonight...

I will be giving away this 9" x 12" acrylics on canvas, "I love you to the moon & back"!

Hurry!!!!

I so enjoy giving things away and will be doing this more often!

Speaking of giving...

I must share with you, something that has touched my heart in a big way.

I have a special client who gives so much.

Possibly you have read my blog post about this generous lady who has commissioned me for the entire 2014 year. Each month, she chooses someone for me to paint for. I then, secretly send the painting to the recipient, never revealing who the gift is from. I simply enclose an angel card, explaining to the recipient that someone is thinking of him or her and wanted them to have a gift of art.

Well, to my surprise...

This thoughtful client sent me a box in the mail.

You see, my Birthday is just around the corner...

but I do not expect gifts at my age! (Except maybe from husband), *giggle*.

I opened the box.

Filled with such goodness...

I carefully pulled out one gift after another!

Amazed. Happy. Squeeling...

Yet my eyes began to tear up.

"How can one person do so much", I wondered.

Not just for me...

but for oh, so many others.

 

I loved every single item in that Birthday box.

The following day I went into my art studio and the first thing on my to do list was to paint a special "thank you "card...

Just for her.

I will certainly be thinking of other ways to surprise her, but what this person has added to my life is a reminder of the joys that come from giving.

This wonderful person inspires me to be more giving.

Hey!

How about a peek into our forest?

Husband has been trimming the trees and we can now see the pond better!

Won't it be so beautiful in the Fall?

We hope to be spending much time here.

We are already thinking of family get-togethers, Bon fires, night fishing, and even overnight stays in the house, on the property.

I will also be watching for magical creatures.

A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate enough to find a nest of these darlings...

who grew quickly and hopped away!

Life is good.

Sending many blessings your way!

Xo

 

Big Girl Doodling... & SALE!

Hello, far away friends!

Have you yet settled into this new year?

I do believe that I will like 2014 very much! (Feeling positive here)!

I certainly have more creative energy than I have had in quite some time. I find myself jotting down ideas in notebooks that are scattered throughout the house...

thinking to myself, "I'll work on this next"! Sometimes, I'm even wide awake at odd, dark hours. Painting, journaling, sketching even MORE ideas.

This past week...

Word art.

I have always been a a "doodler". Always.

I recall sitting at my high school desks...

doodling words and designs on the desk tops, in pencil. (Not such a good idea).

By the time that the bell would ring for passing period, my entire desktop would be full of art. Art to me, anyway. Some works remained for the next student to enjoy...

while other desktop art got washed away with spray cleaner, with my own hands. Teacher's orders. True story.

Honestly, I never was a great student, however, I excelled in day dreaming...

and art, of course.

I'm thoroughly enjoying word painting right now, and working on some custom pieces for others who also liked the results of my "big girl doodling"!

I listed the "love you to the moon & back" in my shop yesterday! More to come because I'm on a roll!!!!

I do also want to share the SALE that I am offering through Facebook only. "Like" my page: "Missy Trent Art & Offerings", and receive $10.00 off of a custom, 9"x12" word art on heavy watercolor paper, ready to frame! This sale applies to the word art heart design and to US buyers only. (My apologies, friends... But the cost of shipping internationally is crazy high and has been disastrous for me in the past, therefor, I stopped).

Husband and I went to the city yesterday.

He is so very adventurous, ... Love this about him!

It wasn't in the plans, but he blurted out, as we were driving on the highway, "wanna go eat at Ameristar Casino"?

Oh my goodness!!!!

I could never say no to the Ameristar buffet!

Naturally, I also take in the beauty and enjoy the photo opportunities.

Fountains.

Painted ceilings and darling store fronts.

Oh so many glass cases filled with lovely, photo worthy sweets.

Yes. We left the Ameristar felling fat, miserable, sleepy.

Back at home...

both husband and I fell into a sweet, Saturday slumber!

Aaaaahhh, weekends!

Enjoy yours!

XO

 

ACEO's and a Dash of Color!

Hello, friends!

I am typing this blog post from my warm bed! Yes, a cup of hot coffee is sitting on my night stand. It's seriously cold here, in our neck of the woods! I am a person who could easily burrow all Winter long and never leave the house! (It just might be that way now that I've left my day job)!

Even the view from my art studio has been rather blah. A dusting of snow on the ground. Grey skies. Poor, dead trees.

I need color!!!

I have been dabbling and creating my own sunshine, of course.

Do you do the same?

I absolutely love playing at home!

This week I have tinkered with many of my toys...

Gelli plate, clay, gouache, acrylics, watercolors, graphite pencils, my cameras.

Although I long to bounce around on the land again, with the sun beaming down on my skin...

I am enjoying this Winter, just fine.

I finished this 8"x10" acrylic painting from my last blog post!

I'm crazy in love with the colors and texture!

She is available now in my etsy shop!

Moons make me smile! Do they you? I want to paint many more moons and stars!

Sometimes I prefer to work with tiny art.

This little gal is an ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals). She measures only 2.50"x3.50".

I remember when ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), became all the rage here in the United States. I was involved in several online groups for swapping these small works of art. What fun it was! I received trading cards from Spain, Italy, Japan! I met so many nice people who were passionate about art and ATC's!

ATC's are for trading only.

ACEO's may be sold.

I miss participating in the ATC swaps. I just might get online later today and see if there are still active groups...

And jump back into the game!

Possibly you know?

For now, I'm listing ACEO's in my etsy shop.

I'm in the mood for small today...

And may make oodles and oodles of them!!!!

Wishing you a colorful day!

 

Joyful December Ornaments!

Hello, friends!

Don't you just love December?

I'm sitting here this morning, coffee in hand... admiring our lighted Christmas tree. It's c-c-c-cold outside. Frost on the windows. Grey skies.

The spirit of Christmas is scattered throughout the house. Boxes ready to ship. I'm happy to announce that my ornaments are selling out again and again! If I only had some hard working elves to help, I could produce even more of them...

But, I don't. Sigh.

After being inside for days, making, painting, sculpting, and boxing...

It was nice to get out Friday night, with hubby. We went into the city for dinner and shopping. Afterwards, we took a slow drive down Mass street in Lawrence, Kansas, to enjoy the lovely lights.

I snapped some pics from the car. (Not the best), however, I wanted to share!

My heart is happy and filled with such joy!

I wish this for each and every one of you as well.

Now, back to my work table, I go!

I shall meet you right back here, very soon!

Xo

 

Thank YOU, Friend!

Hello to you!

I just love it when I wake up to sweet emails or comments from those who visit my blog! It's so nice of you to take the time to do so.

Through the years I have "met" so many wonderful people through blogging!

I also find great pleasure in viewing your blogs, if you have one. It's my ritual,each morning, with a cup of coffee...

To view the beautiful blogs in which I have saved to my "Pulse" app, on my iPad. Unfortunately, through this app, I do not have access to a "comments" feature. Just know, that I am there...

Faithfully...

Taking in your inspiring posts!

You are a huge part of my life, whether you know it or not!

Many of you motivate me to get out my paintbrushes or my camera.

You all make me smile...

And although we have never actually met,

I feel honored to call you my friend!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

XO

 

Dear to My Heart...

Even with Fridays off from work...

The weekends are just too short!

We play hard around here. We also rest and gaze at our blooms in our gardens. Pick not only pretty flowers to put into vases, but also fresh herbs and vegetables for delightful dishes!

There's almost always time for painting on the weekends.

Painting and dreaming...

Wondering

STILL

If mermaids are real.

 

I also went down to the basement this morning.

Now that I have found home, I will be going through all of my boxed belongings. Weeding out some things, finding a place for other things. It's kinda like Christmas! I open each box, not really knowing just what treasures (or trash) will be found!

For sure...

When I peeked inside of this box and saw a glimpse of these jewels...

I knew that I had found true treasures!!!

 

I have oodles and oodles of them.

These seashells were gathered with my daddy's own hands, on the beaches in Maryland when I was living there. My entire family came to visit their homesick girl.

Instead of trying to get the shells back to Kansas via plane, my dad left them for me. I'm a sentimental keeper of all things that document life and loved ones, family.

I now have places for all of these very special shells.

Some are in a vase in our master bathroom, on the ledge of the garden tub.

Some are now in our rock gardens. I have more ideas and uses for the shells!

 

I hold these things close to my heart.

Forever.

 

My sweetheart took over the kitchen today!

He made fresh salsa, using our garden veggies. Oh my. So good!

Later on, after lazy day naps...

He grilled some chicken, made potato salad. He cut our broccoli so that I could put itin the steamer.

It was a perfect Summertime meal!

Do you have one of those steamers?

I love ours!

I have also steamed fish and vegetables, all at the same time! A healthy meal in minutes.

 

And that's been my day.

A glorious day!

 

A rumor...

There's a rumor going around in my neck of the woods. Everyone is talking about it. They say that we are going to have a severe snow storm here. The Wintery mix is supposedly arriving very late, tomorrow night... and the other part of that rumor is that school may be canceled for Thursday... Possibly even on Friday. I try not to allow myself to get too excited about a snow day... Oh, but it's so hard not to secretly wish for it to happen! How nice it would be to sleep in a little, all wrapped up in these wonderful micro fleece sheets! It's just a bonus day off when this happens... and that creative mind really kicks in. Big snow... (So they say). What could possibly be better than some pajama painting, java sipping, movie watching, picture taking... and chocolate eating on a weekday?!!!!!

 

I happen to have a chocolate stash. Shhhhhhh. Giggle giggle.

The snow is so beautiful out here, in the country. We had a bit of snow just a week ago and I captured a few pretty photos.

 

If this rumor is true, we will not be able to get out for anything, so we may go do some shopping tomorrow after work. There's something thrilling about being "stuck inside". I can hardly contain my excitement...

But I must.

For now...

it is only a rumor.

 

We Love Holidays!

Why is it that the weekends seem to end so quickly? I wore my pouty face last night because I knew that I had to get to bed. Back to work. But I had more painting to do... and another fabulous book to read, by author, Mary Kay Andrews. (My fourth)! If I knew how to use the link function in this new blogging app, I would link you to her website... (Another task that I could have completed last night: learn to link, if only I could have stayed up late)! Just type her name into your browser and enjoy! I love her style!

It was, however, a wonderful weekend, as always. For a gal who has never looked forward to Valentine's Day...

Well, let's just say that the holiday of love may not be so dreadful after all, in fact, this year I am actually participating in all of the hoopla!

I'm painting little love notes.

My sweetie surprised me with all sorts of Valentine decorations.... glittery hearts in pink and red. Big ones, little ones... "Baby, look what I got for you", he said!

Hmmm. My eyes widened and my mind began wandering. Oh, what would I do with all of these lovely sparkling hearts?

Uh oh, I thought. I did have a bit of a problem, you see. I refuse to take down the Christmas tree. I like seeing the lights glow every morning and night. I'm just not ready to say goodbye to our tree, but how then, can I decorate for two holidays at the same time?

Compromise.

We do have a smaller tree. So, I removed all of the Christmas ornaments from the small, woodland tree that stands in the dining room...

And gave it a new look!

We now have a Valentine tree... (With a congrats card from Laura.... Thank you, my friend over at "where the gold bees dream" blog)!

And, a Christmas tree!

Maybe it's not "proper" to have both, but we don't care. Truly, there are no rules in this home! My sweetheart and I are both free spirits! Perfect together.

We love holidays!!!!