Artful Journey

well, I will try to try it...so a few new techniques.. sunflowers. I painted the sunflower in watercolors, then cut it out.  I colored the backround using some gelatos which I have seen Jo use. I will need to play around with the gelatos to see if I can get the vibrant colors  that I have seen on her pages.   Try it on Tuesday had a friends challenge, so  I chose this quote.                  True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away over distance and time. -M.W. Johnstone Even though, the challenge was over before I had a chance to create something it was still good inspiration.  While I was out for my walk, I saw this sign, which struck me as a little sad.. I need friends.. but it also inspired me to reach out to people, and be a little friendlier to everyone I meet.  Sunshine always makes me a little happier, and the late warm weather made a beach day possible.  On...

well sort of. Some things work and others not so much. As CJ remarked, it is a case of proCraftsination! After speaking with Onz, I am going to make my art goals more specific, because that is where I fell off track.  She gives some awesome suggestions, and I think next week will bring more progress. View on my walk. I live three miles from a nearby lake, making walking a treat..easy to get my daily steps in, as well as a walking meditation. The evening is closing in. Managed to do a little watercolor, inspired by the falling leaves. Onz suggested I find a quote to letter every week, so I thought this one by Emily Bronte worked perfectly for my watercolor leaves. a little water color maybe another greeting card? I have been trying to walk without music.. see more clearly what's all around me, and live in the moment. One of my favorite authors is Claire Cook, and she looks for hearts wherever she is.. heart leaf on my walk... I love all her books, but for tran...

as in sports... Last weekend was a big sports weekend here...NFL..go Pats! Premier League...Juan Mata and Manchester United, and the All Ireland Gaelic football final. That meant alot of sports in the Man- cave.. with some pizza and beer! Football and Beer. Sunday Tradition in the Man Cave. I really like these shandys, so that is my beer of choice...and the trifecta of Irish, English, and American football is great too.  The coffee table is a cast off that I hand painted to look like distressed leather on the top, and granite on the legs.  The kids gave us a couch with two recliners and a side recliner a few years ago, so the area is totally kitted out for comfortable viewing. We have amassed quite a collection of craft beer which you can get a glimpse of on the shelving unit in the backround. Great craft beers and labels! We brought the first empty bottle from Ireland about 10 years ago, before craft beers became popular over  here.  It became a throw dow...

she did, and I do love mail... magazine and advertisements but on the top of the pile, lovely, lovely snail mail! and a happy, little card enclosed... such a pretty card I love the envelopes and notes that I receive from thePTExchange. It certainly makes for a happy Monday. Happy Monday to you too. Wishing you some lovely mail!

magic can't happen here...or at least, with a little bit of time and effort, a little creativity is always possible. my art space... I really have the room and supplies not to mention the inspiration... CJ thinks I make a difference some favorites, a card from Janet, a picture of my girls, book of lists a gift from Onz stained glass dish from Eoghan from Spain   Supplies All that is missing is the plan...so here it is... mantras, watercolor and plan                                                             close up of my tracker... Thursday's task is tidy the study and family room. The study looks pretty good as does the family room, especially since Eoghan is reclining down there!  Now if I can get  it to look as good as my garden. flowers are still happy Looking f...

and like anything else, techniques improve with practice. Making the time for practice can be a challenge, so starting Thursday, I am scheduling some much needed practice in.  Last weekend, I decided to pull out my prima watercolors and watercolor brush. poppies I think I will use it for a greeting card or maybe just mail it as a postcard. You can see my cup that I painted with Fi in the backround, perfect for storing watercolor brushes. As I was painting, I had a glass of water, keeping up with my water drinking challenge. blind embossed card and my water.. I have been working on a mini tracker journal, and I've asked CJ to join with me. Here's a sneak peek of what I sent to her and what I made for me.   They are a little different based on our personal goals. The main concept is the same; Body, Soul and Mind I've seen a few different trackers that I like and tweaked it a bit...for me, it's all about small but consistent steps. Anything too big will never l...

Hello, watercolor.  It's been a while since I pulled out my watercolors. I forgot how much fun it is. Watercolor hi Bittersweet  vines remind me of fall, and so does this tiny little leaf I found on my walk this morning. Some of the mail I have received include 2 great ones from Jean. black and white fun lettering This was black and white when I received it, which I loved. I had it sitting on my desk for a while, and decided I would color it in. I think it looks great both ways, and plan on using her design on an envelope in the future. What is the formula here? Not sure, but an awesome idea. I loved how unique this envelope is. Jean always has some fabulous ideas; this one will take some time and effort to copy...so, it will be a while before I am up for the challenge. Hands down, these are the best stamps I ever received on an envelope! If it is possible to absolutely love postage stamps, then I absolutely love these.    Letters mingle souls is the...

The roses are still blooming, but before long they will be gone for this year. I am still enjoying these blooms, savoring the color and scent.  It is wonderful to take a stroll around the garden and take in their beauty.  magnificent color and ruffle Buds ready to open Enjoy it while it lasts. Fall is just around the corner, so I will enjoy the last bit of color in my garden. out front... coleus nestled in the shade Part of my transformation is to walk alone and without music, and pay a little closer to the beauty that surrounds me...so on my morning walk... Vibrant colors Red zinnia Bird house with a pool.. ready for visitors Wishing you the beauty of nature...enjoy!

Party...Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett, and Kenny Chesney style... Ready to rock...country style.. Fi treated me to this end of summer concert at Gillette Stadium...the weather was perfect, and the music awesome. So much great story telling in song...the music rose to the heavens, which was a good thing, because that's where we were... sunset in Foxboro When you are up in the clouds you get the added bonus of seeing the sunset at eye level. We had a great time and a lot of laughs. Kenny's only stadium tour. this year Kenny loves Boston and Boston loves Kenny, so it was a win for everyone there. Amazing songs, and so hard to pick a favorite...but as a true romantic, I think I am going with The Good Stuff. Fun days out together are the good stuff for me...as a wind down of summer, Fi took the day off, out for Breakfast, some painting,... Can you ever have enough mugs? Did I mention I have the prettiest chauffeur? Lunch,  great concert, some sn...