Harley Tree Topper

So what do you do with a paper bag, a paper towel tube, glitter, and glue? Why make a tree topper of course! Sorry for the quality of the picture but it seems my camera is working only if I hold my tongue right. Evidently, my tongue needs fine tuning! Truly, this started out as a paper bag from the Harley shop. It will go on a tree that will be auctioned off to raise money for a local agency that helps in the prevention of child abuse.

Hand Illustrated Journal

I wanted to share a few pages from my hand illustrated journal that I'm creating.
The pages have been drawn and then colored in with watercolor pencil, which means of course they then have a brush passed over them to release the full potential of the color.

Some of the images then also have pen as well. It seems I like to out line somethings and some not so much.

It also appears I need to clean my scanner as there is spots appearing that aren't on the pages.

Once I have all the pages colored and inked, the next step will be to assemble the pages together and then add a cover.

I hope to have this journal done by next weekend and then place it into my etsy shop. There will be a total of 48 pages that will be hand illustrated for the pleasure of journaling. Of course, it might be a place to record your dreams and goal or a lovely home for a collection of inspirational quotes! Hope you enjoy the sneak peek!

Memories From the Past

I've been scanning in a few pictures my mother let me borrow and I came across this one. I'd forgotten all about this picture. I'm not even sure where it was taken. It may have been in or near Glacier park. We spent alot of time going there since we lived so near. Whenever I've come across this picture, it reminds me of a Hank Williams song about a wooden Indian. It was one of my favorites. I'm on the far right, boy to be that think again! I don't know if these statues exist anymore but I was always fascinated by carvings and statues of people way back then and still am. I love this picture as it does trigger some very fond memories of growing up. That happens to be something I am thankful for, having such nice memories. How about you?

Do you love a parade?

This is a little pen and ink that I'm doing for a card. I think it'll make a nice birthday card either that or a cheer someone up card or even just to write a letter in. Still working on the journal prompting cards and a hand drawn journal to possibly place in etsy once it's done. I finished pruning one set of lilac bushes. I know wrong time of year but this way I could tell what was dead and what had blossoms on it. As I was trimming I reminded myself that this will hopefully help the bushes to have nicer blooms as they were getting rather scraggly. It reminded me of a Bible verse of trimming branches and throwing them into the fire of those that no longer produce. I started thinking what needs to be trimmed in my life besides my body. No clear cut answers, however, I do think it's adding a bit of focus to things. Maybe I at least won't overwhelm myself.

I just realized chocolate chip cookies are a delivery method for chocolate chips. I think I'll speed up the process and go for the chips! My sister Bobbie suggested I freebase and add a bit rum so if you hear of a fire, you'll know it didn't work so well!

Art Journal Pages

As you can see not a whole lot has been happening at my house. I've managed to do a few things but I'm back to everything taking such a huge effort. I want to cry even thinking about it.

I've made my self do yard work as evidenced by the leaves but my house is in need of attention badly. I agreed to host the book club next week because I know it will give me the boost to do something. I would let anyone see the house if it was messy. Of course my husband and son think I'm nuts and it's just fine but we have different standards. I really need to get back to the yard but my fingers are really swollen today so I'll have to take a break. I barely made it into the normal range for the vitamin D and my doctor told me to cut back. She'll have me test again in two months. I hope she's right to cut me back so soon but we'll see. Son and hubby have been hunting. Son got a deer, hubby hasn't yet anyway. We split the meat up with some friends, it will help everyone's budget. Dennis won't be able to hunt this weekend as he'll be working security at the monster truck rally. Needless to say he's excited. Well I need to get something done right or wrong.

Fall Chores

Guess what I did today! Two guesses. I didn't finish yet. We have a ton of these. However, the sun was warm, the breeze was gentle and it was quiet.
Perfect meditation task. The tree was certainly prolific.

Sad

The title of this image is sad. I don't have the quote handy, however there is a quote about becoming like the landscape that surrounds us. It's gray right now with the threat of wintery weather. Winter is often the hardest time of year for me. Most likely I have S.A.D. on top of my depression. Do you see what she has? It's a flower. Until I can find a patch of sun, I'm hanging on to summer anyway I can. Yes I know about the lights, do you know about the cost? Not happening on my budget. It seems this is more than appropriate today. When I visited Annette's site today, I found that she lost her brother. If you know her, or even if you don't, please stop in. Offer her a word of comfort. She probably could use all the kindness and support we have to offer.

Summer Past

These are images from my husband and son's annual hiking trip. They like to hike way back in to remote lakes around our area.
The scenery is always so beautiful that I wish I could go. But I don't think I'd make it, so I have to console myself with the pictures. Besides someone has to stay home and take care of the dogs.

Quila is definitely too old to go on these trips, she's 13. The poor thing, we've had to start being joint health care pills. Yes I know the name, I just can't spell at the moment.

I hope you enjoy these images of summer past.