The smallest things...

I witnessed something extra special this morning while I was out walking and jogging.

Did you see it too?

The moon!

It was the strangest thing. Traces of the moon behind our house as the sun was rising on the front side of the house.

Unfortunately, I only had my iPhone camera with me, otherwise, I might have captured some more detailed photos.

I get so excited over the smallest of things...

And so grateful that I do.

(It makes exercising much more enjoyable, I might add)!

Ahhhhhhh, the colors of Fall are now filling my paint palettes.

It's that time again.

Handpainted Christmas ornaments!

I'm going to begin posting them, (for sale), in a couple of weeks, on my Facebook page! I'm having so much fun with all new designs....

Baby ornaments, teacher ornaments, wedding ornaments! I try to create ornaments to suit everyone. Yes, I will even personalize them!

This ornament will represent peace on earth.

I have such a happy heart when preparing for the holidays.

Pumpkin pie fragrance fills the air in every room. I love those wax warmers! (Especially since I'm not doing any pie baking at this time)! Soon though... Soon!

Still art journaling in the evenings...

And sipping hot tea.

Yes, these small things in life make for a wonderful life. Truly, they do.

Something else that I cherish so much is receiving messages from YOU!

Today, Sylvie, from France, sent me some very kind words. Friends, YOU inspire me. You see, I was not going to blog today since I had such a large "assembly line" of ornaments in the makings, and still had supper to cook along with other chores...

But then I thought of Sylvie.

She took time out of her day to type a very thoughtful message. I decided that at this moment, it should be a priority to create a simple blog post and to acknowledge Sylvie. Thank you, Sylvie, and to all of you who do follow my blog. It means so much to me!

 

Yes.

It's the smallest things that matter the most.

Blessings to all and I will meet you right back here, soon!

XO

 

 

Too good not to share...

Fall has officially arrived!

A big hello to you...

and to the spooky month of October!

I get extremely camera happy this time of year and find myself photographing pumpkin displays when I am out shopping. True story.

Displays make lovely photographs, don't you agree?

While out shopping, hubby and I also stumbled upon something that is just too good not to share with you!

(If you are a coffee drinker, that is).

 

Normally, we do not buy flavored coffee because we really do prefer a plain ol' cup of joe with our choice of flavored creamer. We are strange like that...

one morning we may be in the mood for a simple French vanilla...

but by evening, we may want Irish cream or caramel macchiato in our coffee.

However, when we saw the clearance shelf in the store for "Blueberry Muffin" coffee, $1.00...

we both agreed that it was certainly worth a try for that price.

So, "how good was it", you may be wondering.

Oh, my.

 

Friends, this coffee, topped off with vanilla creamer, is absolutely heavenly and too good not to share!

It also earned a spot in my art journal!

That's how good it was!

It does not have a fruity taste. It's a sweet coffee and very smooth. I'm so glad that we picked up two bags and I plan on trying more flavors from the bakery series, including more Blueberry Muffin!

I painted in my art journal using Faber-Castell watercolor pencils, Albrecht Durer-

Something else that is seriously too good not to share!

I splurged and chose the full set of 120 pencils. After reading such wonderful reviews, I felt confident in my decision. (I went back and forth with sets and added single pencils to my cart as well... For two days). Do you do that?

When I opened the metal box, my eyes lit up.

Color does that to me!

This metal box holds three layers of beautiful watercolor pencils.

I will say that I have no regrets and I'm very pleased with my purchase.

The pencils are creamy, vibrant and don't seem to leave a pencil mark residue on the paintings after water has been added.

Once again, all paintings shown in this post have been created with these Faber-Castell watercolor pencils.

I will close for now. My work for the day is done.

I'm now sipping on a cup of Blueberry muffin coffee and ready to play again with the new pencils!

This is a perfect day!

 

 

*Pumpkin Love*

Orange, yellow, purple, gold, red, and brown.

Are you seeing them too?

I'm finding these lovely, rich colors of Fall here and there...

on a morning walk, I have stumbled upon resting leaves beneath the trees.

Every market has pumpkins now, in all shapes and sizes!

Because our pumpkin patch failed us...

I purchased some pumpkins for our home. I am particularly fond of these white pumpkins.

Of course, I bought an orange one too...

and I really love painting them, as you may already know about me.

Most evenings are spent in the living room with hubby. He watches television while I play with my watercolors. I must confess, I have quite a collection of watercolors since they are my fave. I have itty bitty field sets, medium size sets, tubes, half pans, watercolor pencils, hydrus watercolors, and even that very expensive 48 color palette in a metal box.

I love them all equally, for different uses.

I want more watercolors, can you believe? Not to be a greedy or snobby artist... But because I truly get so very excited to try them all! (and I still use each and every set)!

For Halloween art, I really like the iridescent watercolors and Twinkling H20's.

Do you have a favorite medium or hobby that you just never can get enough of?

During the day I am still plugging away with commissions.

 

An Irish Blessing in honor of a man who turns 80 years old in October. His grown children asked me to do the painting, which will be donated to their church. Isn't that so nice?

The man was also a wheat farmer.

I absolutely enjoy hearing the stories that go with each commission. These are real people with real events...

and I always feel so honored myself, to be a part of.

God is good!

By night...

I'm right back here, in the living room...

 

Yes, I got the Halloween decorations out...

Even the lights!

*pumpkin love*

Xo

 

A Country Fall with Mr. Pippin...

Oooooooh, don't you just love Fall?

Although we still have some 80-degree days in our forecast this week, the Fall festivities have begun here on the prairie.

Country living is simply wonderful.

Neighbors and friends live fields apart, but still remain close should one need a helping hand or wish to share a cup of coffee.

Every Fall is welcomed with the annual Bon fire, a few dirt roads South of us. Many of the town folk gather, with a covered dish in hand...

for a night of visiting, eating, and a live band for some dancing, for those who desire to do so.

This goes on until 1:00 in the morning...

but hubby and I could never last that long!

It was a nice evening.

 

I have completed, "Mr. Pippin". Doesn't he look festive in his orange and black?

I am now eager to decorate the house for Halloween!

It's always so much fun digging those boxes out of the basement and admiring each decoration, one by one...

deciding on it's placement for this Fall year.

For now, "Mr. Pippin" hangs from the fireplace mantel. He needs more friends, and once that I get caught up with commission work... (Or in between),

I will sculpt a Mrs. Pippin, for him.

At last!

This piece will ship to it's new home tomorrow!

A painstaking piece of art that has undergone many transformations.

Mistakes were made...

and layers of acrylic paint were added to fix them.

I'm doing the happy dance today because it is time to move on to the next!

I hope that your weekend has been wonderful as well.

We will meet right back here again, real soon, ok?

Xo

 

Welcome Fall... and a pumpkin doll!

The past two days have been cold, wet, and grey here.

My morning walks now require a jacket.

And a few stops to snap some photos, of course!

My pumpkin patch fizzled out so I had to pluck the six pumpkins that did grow, even though they were still rather tiny.

That's okay though because as far as I am concerned, Fall has arrived and I'm feeling very inspired by it!

Even our country cow friends are enjoying the cooler temperatures.

They came out to greet me after I wrapped up my walk....

Snap, snap.

And then I dashed into the house, dampened by the misty rain.

More coffee to brew, for warming my bones.

I was on a mission.

I had sketched my ideas onto sticky notes.

For days, thinking about pumpkin dolls...

but commission work must come first.

So I have been painting like a mad woman!

Getting closer to be finished...

(and closer to making pumpkin dolls)...

when I get another commission just yesterday!

Friends, I must pinch myself often because I can't believe that at last, I really am living my dream. I always have work now.

The only problem that I seem to have is finding the time to create for fun, with no instructions, and to use whatever mediums that I may be in the mood for that day. You know, that free spirit stuff that artists have.

After painting all mid morning, I decided that I was going to make it all work! I was indeed, going to start bringing Mr. Pumpkin doll to life, afterall, October will soon be here!

And so, the sculpting has begun!

Yes!

I can do it all,

With practice, of course! (Time management).

Tell me what you are doing to welcome Fall!!!

Until next time,

Blessings!

 

Simple, Silly Life...

Hello, friends!

How are you?

Well, August flew by rather quickly...

and I became another year older.

My sweet husband left a chalkboard message for me, beside my coffee pot, on the morning of my birth date.

I have never minded aging...

up until this year. Maybe a little last year, but not like this. 49. That's just too close to 50!

Art journal time has been badly needed these days.

If you keep your own journal, you totally get where I am coming from.

Just jotting down the day's events and some scribbling seems to help with my balancing act.

Commissions continue to come my way, therefor, I do not journal as much as I'd like to.

On my birthday, I did play, of course!

And...

today being Friday,

By gosh, I'm at it again and it feels fantastic!

It's been a cool, rainy day.

I did work this morning, but then this afternoon the urge came over me. You know...

when our mind plays tricks on us. I absolutely love those chilly Fall days, all wrapped up in a fluffy blanket with a hot cup of coffee and my paints. My Molskine journal. So, it suddenly became a real Fall day (in my head), and so the art journaling began.

Watercolor pumpkins that fold out and hold secret messages inside.

Wet brushes swooshing over the pages.

Colors spreading in directions, all of their own.

Pure joy for this girl. (I refuse to say woman at this time). "Girl" just sounds more fun, and fun is what I shall have!

Hours have passed and I'm still painting, cutting, pasting, and smiling.

Some may call it a waste of time.

For me, art journaling is one of the best ways to spend time. It's a part of myself, poured onto the pages of a sleek, black book.

Maybe some day my journals will be in the hands of others. Possibly my niece or a relative. I do hope that they will enjoy my ramblings about life!

I so love life.

The simple things, like grabbing my camera at 6:30 am and dashing out the front door to capture this amazing sunrise.

Just look at those rays!

No editing on these photos. These are all natural and true.

It was absolutely worth being outside, in my pajamas for this. (And I know that I looked silly)!

What silly simple things do you do to love your life?

Please, share!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

XO

 

Happy Summer!

Oh, dear.

I have done it again.

I have allowed myself to get swept away by Summer bliss...

losing track of days gone by.

 

Instead of blogging, I have been sipping organic tea on the front porch...

day dreaming.

I have followed crazy vines, searching for surprises.

Squeeling with joy when the first white pumpkin was spotted!

Did I tell you that I planted oodles and oodles of pumpkins?

Blue pumpkins, white pumpkins, tiny ornamental pumpkins, and of course, traditional orange pumpkins.

Two very plump, orange pumpkins have made their appearance since these photos were taken!

I never thought that I would say this because I am such a Summer girl...

but I am wishing for Fall to hurry and come.

I'm already thinking of creative Fall to do's!

But this Summer has certainly been a fun one.

I have tried on cool clothes in this very cool dressing room!

Bold colors bursting with bohemian designs...

it's enough to convince me to purchase all of the wonderful pants and tops, some having this same kind of flare!

It's so much fun to twist around and twirl while wearing big bell bottom pants and ruffled sleeves!

I never feel too old to do just that.

If clothing makes me smile...

it's meant to be.

After a sushi lunch with a nice, new girly friend...

I returned back to my prairie home, swinging my large shopping bags!

I have also changed up my routine this Summer.

Hubby and I wake early and enjoy our coffee together. He then goes a few yards away to his work.

I put on my athletic wear (no, I'm not at all athletic)...

and head out for a morning jog and walk.

I do both.

Jog.

Walk.

Jog.

Walk.

 

I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle and even going organic around here.

I will share more on that in a different post!

Some times I even have two fur babies tagging along!

I love this new routine. It's working well for me and has actually made my work days so much more productive.

Once back home, (and still early in the morning), I get my shower and get busy in the studio.

I am more inspired, happier, and even more creative. Really.

I think that because I am so observant of the wild flowers and colors that I see while out, it changes my whole frame of mind! I want more and more color, beauty...

and I can capture all of that again and again with paints and a brush! (In a sense).

Yes, I have also kept quite busy with work.

More and more commission work comes my way and I am still pinching myself just to see if this is all really happening for me!

Friends, I'm currently blessed with the biggest commission piece that has made me nervous, stressed, excited, eager, then joyful! I have remained focused on this piece- Monday through Friday.

A few evening hours were spent on this commissioned piece.

I love the stories that comes with each request.

I have also enjoyed simply being married to my best friend.

Today we had a lunch date out...

More sushi for me...

along with some sugar free dessert!

Note: this was not one of my choices!

Happy Summer to you!