The beach is like a love song

We went there again. And our laughter still whispers along the sand...as our footprints do.

Illustration Friday: Twirl

One thing Shelley did know how to do was TWIRL!

Illustration Friday: Prepare

In order to prepare for winter, Madeline bought herself and new coat and hat!

Gifts

I am finding a lot of happiness making these for my family members for Christmas. I have listed prints of them in my Etsy shop too! There is a limited number of letters available for now, but as I make them, other letters will become available! If you want, you can order one with your own letter! I have an explanation in my Etsy listings about what motivated and influenced me to make these. I am thinking about all the nice things that people know how to make and how great it would be if we all just gave each other gifts of things we made instead of store bought. The gifts would mean so much more..in giving and receiving them. I have asked my mother for jars of pepper jelly that she makes for Christmas. I would be perfectly content with that! It is the MOST delicious. You can buy it in the store, but it's not like hers. You put a bar of softened cream cheese on a serving tray, pour the pepper jelly over the top and serve with good crackers. She put one out at a recent family get together and it was gone in a few minutes.

The mountains

I was going through some pictures from vacation last year in search of something interesting to paint. I found these beautiful images of Tahoe. I love the place. The air is so clean and clear. You just smell forest and it looks incredible!









goodnight!

Craft

In recent years, I have been enjoying the revival of craft in our country and all over the world. Sites like Etsy have come into being and I am so excited to see all of the wonderful, handmade goods for sale. I am deeply interested in the past, when people made lots of things themselves. Toys, clothing, soaps and delicious foods were commonly handmade goods. They grew delicious food in flourishing gardens. They sewed and knitted fabulous garments. They made homemade medicines and developed the fine art of baking. They painted dish designs and made Christmas ornaments by hand. They made beautiful quilts and needlepoint designs. I think people should make more things by hand. Where is the line between craft and art? I do not know. Becoming a master of a craft is a fine art in itself. I like to think of things that I could make.

Here is the fabulous letter P...I made for a gift for a friends birthday.

I love Florida!

It is just one of my favorite places. I love the beach and the wind and the sand. We had a ball! Just a couple pictures. Good night!