Thursday, October 13, 2011

Gifts

monograms

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.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

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!

Tahoe

Tahoe

Tahoe

Tahoe

goodnight!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

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.

SAM_0363

SAM_0366

Monday, September 19, 2011

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!

My feet in the sand in Florida

Bill and Jen in Florida

beautiful bird in Florida

mmmm oysters

jellyfish in Florida

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Sunflowers (AGAIN!)

I'm sorry, I can't help it...these are so magical to me that I cannot resist posting this. The way the sun shines through the petals, the vibrance and the sheer size of these..they are as big as my head! I am totally in love.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers

and Sadie our beloved lab mix who is spoiled like a small child. She gets to sit on the couch like a person...because she sort of is. By the way...I absolutely LOVE Pinterest!

Sadie

goodnight!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

I love sunflowers

Hi there. I had a nice weekend just relaxing. I enjoy cooking meals for my family and soaking up the sun by the pool. I woke up Sunday morning to these awesome beauties and I just had to share them with you. I can see them out my kitchen window, and waiting for the day they would open up was like waiting for Christmas. Everyday I kept going out to see them and marvel at their intricacy. They are FANTASTIC! I hope you had a nice weekend.

sunflower

sunflower

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Dreaming of Florida

I am dreaming of the soothing sound of the waves. The salty scent of the ocean air. The silky white sand between our toes. Tall, icy drinks, delicious food. The sun and my lovers arms. My beautiful kids splashing in the late summer heat. Sand castles and shells. Looking so forward to it. A little painting in a handmade paper sketchbook. Just an intuitive thing...it looks dreamy, like I feel.

pen, paint, paper

goodnight!