Painting for Jude

It has been such a beautiful spring! I cannot believe that June is just a breath away. Trying to keep up with homeschooling and domestic duties keeps my time pretty much filled but I thought I would sit down and type a bit about what has been going on.

Well, first off I posted a few weeks ago that my brother's little boy Jude has been diagnosed with leukemia. It was a shock to all of us and especially to them. Jude has been in and out of the hospital with a few complications but we are reminded daily God has him in the palm of HIS healing hands. Their baby girl is due this Friday so I will have a niece which is their first girl! I know they are really excited about that but weighed down with new responsibilities and stresses. They have a long road ahead but seem to be handling things well. They are very blessed to be surrounded by so many that care for them and are able to help. I wish I was able to do more but we live too far away so we do what we can and pray! If you are interested in keeping up with Jude's journey to recovery here is a site my brother is updating as he can. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffinhttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffin

A few weeks ago I felt led to paint this painting. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but by the end of the day I really liked what I saw. So I posted it on my facebook fan page and a friend of mine saw it and said she wanted to buy it. I told her all profit of this particular painting will be going to Jude's medical expenses. A few minutes later another friend said she wanted one too so I decided how ever many of these particular paintings sold I would donate the profit to Jude. After a day another friend contacted me and requested one too. lol

We were at Who-fest in Chattanooga TN. a few weekends ago and I sold another painting in honor of Jude. This is the painting that sold.

Crochet flower ring with painted button center

I wish you could see my kitchen. Because I do not have my own studio yet (hopes for the future) I create mostly in my kitchen with my girls at my feet, in my face ALL day. No complaints cause I know it won't last forever. Anywho, I have several unfinished projects lying all over my counter tops and table. IT IS SPRING, that is what I do....create! I saw a flowered crochet ring somewhere lately and I thought I can do that and decided to make my very own. One that went with my own style and colors. I am extremely excited about this, I love big, funky jewelry. (I have some favorite pieces of my jewelry I plan on posting about later.)

I painted a wooded button and then sewed it onto the crochet flower and super glued it to the ring.....fun and easy huh!

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Key to my Heart

My good friend text me a few nights ago about a folk song she knew I would love. I fell in love with it. I am going to teach it to my little birds. Here is the link if you are interested in hearing it. It is by Elizabeth Mitchell called Little Bird.

I painted this piece the other day. I'm thinking it is my favorite. At least until my next one is my favorite. I had such a good time working on it. It was a peaceful, beautiful first day of spring and I will always remember it when I look at it. The hard part about being an artist is selling a piece of my soul and memory to someone who wasn't there the moment I created it. Sometimes I give myself permission to keep them.

I remember when Emma would cry and get upset that I was packing my art to go to a show. She didn't want anyone to have them. I can relate to how she felt. Sometimes when a piece has sold I get so excited knowing it is going to be hung in someone else's nest and they will smile every time they look at it and yet I am saying goodbye to something that I created from my heart.

My sweet little baby birds do have the key to my heart. They are 2 reasons why I  take a breath each morning.

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My friend Ashlie Blake with Painting Bliss

I am so excited to pass the word along about my friend Ashlie Blake with Painting Bliss. She has been an Internet art friend for several years but we have communicated more in the last few months and opportunities are popping up everywhere for her. I am so happy and keep watching in amazement on what is happening in her art career. Her work is centered on nature and life and the beauty she sees in it. I am drawn to her and her work because of the colors, her use of texture and style....oh and SHE LOVES HELLO KITTY so that means she is definitely a sista to me!



This is one of my favorite pieces! I love birds. Another reason I am attracted to Ashlie's work so much.

Ashlie

Check out her about me page.

Ashlie is a Kindred Spirit and I am so lucky to be her art friend! Check out her newest adventure with her blogging and art Here.

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My new button for my facebook fanpage

I am embarrassed to say that it has been a long time since I was in school taking classes for Advertising and Design and using Photoshop on a regular basis. So I am very rusty with it and feel a bit intimidated by it. However, I am so excited that I found Hellocotton. It is a place for bloggers to link together and get to know each other. Since blogging is a new adventure for me I am following lots of people and learning as I go from some amazing bloggers.

I have been able to learn new techniques on Photoshop to help me with my photo editing and taking pictures with my new IPhone. It has opened my world up to learning on line instead of taking classes and having to find a sitter while I go back to school. Which is impossible for me at this time in my life.

I know that making this button may be a simple task for many but it felt like a huge accomplishment for me since I have lost all basic knowledge of PS.



Facebook Fan Page

                                                                 

By the way I would definitely recommend Hellocotton to any blogger. It has made my new adventure a blast. I love what I am learning.

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Memory Jar 2012 These are Days to Remember

I blinked and realized my kids are 2 and 6 years old. I can remember bringing each precious baby home and not wanting to take my eyes off them or even share them with anyone cause I wanted to hold them forever. Time has flown by and sometimes it feels as though I am holding on for dear like and being dragged on my belly by time! Every January 1st I get depressed for about 2 days. I sit and watch "Anne of Green Gables" (the whole series) just to cope with how fast the year has gone by. It's hard as a mama to see the days fly by and feel like you may have missed a moment.

I have kept a journal by my bed since the day I we brought home Emma Blue. I add little stories in it. A new word here or there and try to document special moments. How can you keep up with them? There are so many in a day.

This year I decided to make a "Memory Jar" and put our sweet stories or aggravating at the moment, but someday I will laugh moments in the jar. Our plan is on January 1st 2013 we will sit down and read them together as a family. Emma got so excited about the jar she will say "mom, this is something we need to write for the memory jar." It's really sweet. Even though her little sister gets on her nerves she gets excited when Abbie's says a new word and makes sure to tell me to put it in the jar.

There is a song by Natalie Merchant called "These are the days". It is one of my favorites. Steve used to play that for me while we were dating and even had it inscribed on a photo album for one of our anniversaries while we were dating. Anyway, I think of that song when I look at my jar and have a moment to take a breath and see my little girls. For these are the days to remember.

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