• Art - Blog - Creativity

    Journaling through the emotions

    June 27, 2021 - By 

    Whoa…that sounds deeper than intended. I did find myself sitting down to create today and without even realizing it I uncovered something I hadn’t been thinking about…or at least admitting to thinking about.

    I only intended to do the end of the first signature but there was too much and it spilled onto the next. Honestly I really like how it looks.

    I’m thrilled with how this part turned out. It has a soft, vintage quality. I used my middle finger to paint the teal butterfly wings. Not too shabby for that occasionally naughty digit.

    I used a bit of French grammar text to partially cover the Behr paint brochure then continued with the layers until I finally was happy and had said my piece.

     

     

    Overlapping fold-outs are new for me but I really felt I wanted to add a bit of found text.

    It about sums up my emotions. I know that this is the way of things…the next step…and I am so incredibly happy for both kids. But at the same time, I am mourning my time as a parent of “kids”.  I guess empty nester syndrome was sneaking on in while I wasn’t looking.

    EDIT: Linking up with AJJ for the Butterfly theme…thanks for the heads up Erika!

    Art Journal Journey
  • Blog

    T Tuesday: projects edition

    June 21, 2021 - By 

    Summer is project time for me. That’s not entirely true, all the time is project time but I feel as if I should have more time to tackle the big ones. Gardening is always on the top of that list. And believe it or not, I don’t even have a photo to share with you of that this week. It doesn’t look a whole lot different.

    Foraging

    I picked these service berries off a tree in the backyard. I plan to make muffins tomorrow with them. Several years ago I made jam with mixed results. It was a little too seedy for my taste.

    There are so many more berries up higher than I can reach. I am tempted to get out my step stool but I’ve already taken one tumble (I tripped up the stairs because I was wearing my sunglasses indoors…ugh) in the last few days so I think I better keep my feet planted firmly on the ground.

    Garage sale

    My neighbor was having a garage sale this past week so I volunteered to help out.

    In addition to some miscellaneous items that were on ready to be re-homed, I set up a little Halle’s Hobbies table. It wasn’t very successful but that’s ok. Not many people go to garage sales expecting to buy crafts. BTW- my teacup pincushions are my drink reference for the day. 🙂

    Sew scrappy

    I’ve started yet another scrap quilt. No i haven’t finished the first one but I think I actually like having both going at the same time. I’m really burning through my scraps. But there is SO. MUCH. IRONING.

    This project is using the teeny tiny scraps, the wonky pieces and the ones I mis-cut for the other scrap quilt.

    My Monday list had me busy all day. Of course I tend to add new thigs as I think of them…hence the different colors. Plus it just looks pretty. I’ve also started my accountability picture texts with my good friend. Each morning we text a photo of our list then either before bed or the next morning we text the another photo with the checked off list. I keeps us both in line and not in front of the TV binge watching a series on Netflix. With summer off and a tendency towards laziness, it’s best for both of us to have accountability.

    fan fav

    Sleepy Marvin.

    Smiley Marvin

    T stands for Tuesday
    What are you doing today?
  • Blog

    T Tuesday: finish line edition

    June 14, 2021 - By 

    Well, we made it…end of school year…end of k-12 career for Mini-me.

    Wow! It’s been a bit of a whirlwind here at the end. Leading up to the end of the year I was having very mixed feelings. I was so ready to be done working for the summer so I could start on projects and spend more time gardening but at the same time I was feeling a but sad that my time as a mom of school aged children is over.

    I think it all started to become real when I was making a stack of graduation cards about a month ago.

    Not sure why it was the cardmaking that triggered things but one never can tell how a mind works. This is my go-to grad card design…the only issue is when I have to mail them. They are non-machinable which means a trip to the post office.

    This was the traditional staff photo after “waving off” the buses. It was almost 100°F, I can safely say we were all hot and tired.

    I got this sweet gift from a student I’ve been helping virtually on their “at home” day throughout the year. It’s the perfect size coffee mug for me.

    A friend, co-worker and mom of a 2021 graduate gave me this candle holder on our last day to commemorate our kiddos final day of school.

    I thought this was a really fun photo a mom captured and shared with me. Mini-me is third from the right.

    She has an affection for Eeyore so she found an Eeyore quote that fit both of them. She picked out some handmade paper from my stash to add a borders to the elements. Thanks Elizabeth for the fantastic handmade paper. A little piece of you was at Mini-me’s graduation. 🙂

    My neighbor was watching the live stream and snapped this photo just as she was moving her tassel to the left. Speaking of tassel…she chose to wear the tassel she received from her college honor society instead of her high school tassel. She was the only one with a yellow tassel. She graduated Magna Cum Laude. So proud of that girl!

    Ok I’ll stop gushing…I’m just so excited for her!

    Truth be told, I’m proud of both my kids. J has a paid internship this summer. He’s doing things that I don’t really understand but that’s ok because I’m not the one getting a Chemical Engineering degree. He’s working in R&D for a local company which is right up his alley.

    Me…I’m just happy to be working outside with my plants. Every morning I go out to check on my plants. It’s so rewarding to grow your own food. Granted it’s not enough to live off but it sure is a nice fresh addition.

    With more time to walk in the mornings I’m sure I’ll be racking up some more Fitbit badges. They just make me happy…gold star girl. 🌟

    T stands for Tuesday
    In addition to going for my morning walk I’ll be working on my perpetual summer list.
    What are you doing today?