Get up. Get Dressed. Paint.: Blue Sky Thinking

Created this spread in my Winter Blues altered book.  The sun was so brilliant and radiant on this blistery, cold afternoon I had to stop to photograph it.  This Willie Nelson song is one of my favorites.

The names of the paints on this paint chip perfectly fit in with the theme.

Loving the effect of the blue Color Shift paint.

I stumbled on a new technique:, embossing the torn edges of the vellum paper.  Here I used a bright blue and  snowflake tinsel embossing powder by Ranger.

Sharing my art with Paint Party Friday.  What color paint is on your fingers?

Mug Musings: A time to contemplate the week

Take a Walk Series - January

Taking advantage of the day off from work, I took my photo walk in the Nature Preserve.  It was snowing so I used my cell phone rather than worrying about getting the Canon wet..  It was early enough where I didn't run into anyone else and the paths were snow covered.

Planning

In order to get focused on what I need to accomplish I decided to join the planner craze.  Last year I tried the Happy Planner which was a dismal failure.  The narrow layout simply did not work for me and I felt I had to use all those pretty stickers to create Instagram worthy photos.
After some research I purchased the kitlife planner  in mid December.  Mistakenly, I ordered the weekly edition when what I wanted was the daily edition.  I completed one week and immediately knew this was not going to work for me.  I know myself enough to know that if it's not working I won't use it.

This morning I somehow fell into the YouTube rabbit hole and stumbled upon Amanda's Favorites, a channel about reviewing planners.  While some of them looked good, none of them had what I needed.  I settled on The Organized Life Planner printed version. I am hoping it arrives sooner than the estimated 2 weeks delivery time.  More to come on this planner misadventure.
What planner, if any. are you using for 2018?

Reading

I have stuck with my resolve to stay off Pinterest at night and get other things done.  Astonishingly, I have already read 4 books this month and am halfway through AWOL on the Appalachian Trail.  I still have no recollection as to how I stumbled upon this book as it is not something I would ordinarily pick up.  Again, my guardian angels are at work behind the scenes motivating me as one of my focus areas is to get healthier and walking is one of the ways I jotted down to accomplish this.

Art

Finding it hard to stay focused as I continue to find inspiring projects that I would like to create.  Working on getting the Autumn art journal completed.  Cover almost done with finishing touches that need to be done.

I started a collage art journal to use the vast assortment of magazine clipping I have accumulated and a way to wind down at night.  I noticed that I am able to slow down my thoughts while cutting and gluing so I plan to make this part of my evening routine.

Started first painting with the book Release Your Creativity.  It is slow going waiting for each layer to dry.
To learn how to create and bind a junk journal I purchased this Junk Journal Kit and Video Workshop.  I dyed some of the paper and am in the process of gessoing others. 

Are you taking time at the end of each week to contemplate where you are in relation to where you are heading?  Do you have a word for 2018? 

Getting out into the Fog

 I'm particularly draw to this barn with it's white peeling paint and unusual green tile roof.  Noticing the fog as it rolled in after an unusually warm January day, I had my husband drive by this farm so I could capture it before it disappeared as the fog quickly blanketed the field..  He pulled over and waited as I snapped a few shots while trying to avoid getting muddy from the potholes filled with melted snow and mud.

Several of my goals for 2017 include using more of my own photographs in my art and practicing my layering technique.  As easy it it from some I struggle with creating layers and covering up straight edges. I arrange and rearrange various papers, fibers and ribbons until my head screams, "It's not rocket science for goodness sake!"

And then Allistair showed up offering his ideas.

Completed piece

9 x 12 watercolor paper

The final layering

Joining in at Art Journal Journey with this month's theme: Out and About

Finding the Full Pink Moon

 I awoke in the early morning hours to find the Full Pink Moon illuminating the sky.

 According to the Farmer's Almanac, it is call the pink moon because it “heralds the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.”

 

Pink Phlox

  The almanac also advised  that "the period from the full Moon through the last quarter (April  11) of the Moon is the best time for killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops."  I guess this means I will be working out in the yard next week, even if the predicted snow comes.  Sigh...

I wish you all a Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Sharing our week’s finds and discoveries with Kim Klassen’s Friday Finds and Friday Photo Journal.

Friday Finds: Finding the sun

Driving on my way home from work I noticed this amazing display complements of the sun setting over a barren field..  But it was the contrails that truly captured my interest.

Ever wonder how or why contrails are made?  Many are under the impression that are made deliberately by chemicals released to combat global warming.  While I do not adhere to this theory the scientist in me is often curious and the teacher can't help but investigate  These two sites are rather helpful:
Contrail Science and Why do some planes leave long trails, but others don't?

The photographer side of me simply enjoyed capturing the magnificent display.  What finds were you able to capture this week?

Sharing our week’s finds and discoveries with Kim Klassen’s Friday Finds.

Friday Finds

Rose of Sharon

The unthinkable happened…yes I did it… I bumped my coffee mug and coffee spilled all over the keyboard as I was blog surfing.  Alas, I now HAVE to purchase a new laptop, something I have been putting off for 6 months or more.   Unlike most people, newer technology does not make me quiver with excitement.  No… I hate the learning process of taking on newer programs, having to discover the ins and outs in the midst’s of trying to get something done. 

My Language of Flowers journal made it home to me this week.  Not yet completed but it was fun to get a glimpse of it's pages, the art and creativity of other journalers.  This is the first journal that has made its way home.  Two other are lost, sitting somewhere in the unknown…I have not given up that they still might find their way to me. 

As the coffee brews, I find myself smiling at these morning glories, climbing my favorite trellis, opening towards the early morning light.  I didn't plant them, they simply return every year, filling the trellis with their blooms.

I find myself missing the sunflowers I usually plant along the fence.  I simply could not find the energy to do it this year. I must find a way to push myself next spring to get the seeds into the ground.  I miss the joy they brought me every time I pulled into the drive.

In July these Croscosmia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Lucifer’) bloom in the front of the house.  Years ago I saw them in a public garden and fell in love with their fiery red blooms.  After much research I discovered their name then set out to buy them.  I purchased the corms from an independent gardener on Ebay, planted them in the fall then eagerly awaited their arrival.  I was not disappointed.  Five years later they have spread and filled the bed. 

Sharing the small joys of the week with Kim Klassen’s Friday Finds

Friday Finds: having fun with the app Waterlogue

A special thank you to the many of you who have been supportive with your comments regarding my teaching frustrations.  Wednesday evening was parent/teacher conferences and I saw 4 (yes, that's right, FOUR) parents in three hours.  I can only say that the classroom in clean, filing caught up and papers are graded. Spring break begins today at 3:00 pm!

This awesome ATC arrived in my mailbox this week from Lisa (LoveToCraftInAZ).  Thayer is my oldest son’s name and as you can guess, hard to come by things with such an unusual name.  If you are wondering, it means “from the nation’s army”.  His father and I were both in the army stationed in Germany when he was born.  I am creating an altered book for him and this will have a special page created for it.  Many thanks Lisa!

Favorite rose, Tahiti Sunrise

 I have been envious of those bloggers out there using the app Waterlogue to create watercolor—like images with their iPhone's.  My hubby set up Dropbox for us so I can take photos from my phone, drop them in the Dropbox then use his iPad to play in the app.

I have this bumper sticker on the bumper of my car:

 

A couple of years ago someone placed this special note on my window shield one day while I was out shopping.  I ran across it this week and it made me smile all over again.

Like most pet owners, our pets make our life complete; the house just doesn't feel right without them. Thankful everyday for the gift of their presence. 

Cleopatra, Queen of the Universe

Kiri 

Allistair, the ADHD child

Sharing my week's finds with Kim at Friday Finds.  

Finally Finding Friday's Random Finds

Posting late as it was tough week teaching and my mind had a hard time finding 5 random things that were not all negative. Spring break starts next Friday at 3:00 pm, Yay!

Is picking up pennies a lost art?  I hope not. This one will be deposited into the Christmas jar.

I awoke ~1:30 and could not go back to sleep.  It is a sad state of affairs when your dog’s snoring keeps you awake.

As the snow melts and the winds warm, the air takes on the scent of spring. 

The pair of robins that return every spring have been spotted.  Hoping they will build their nest again up in our front porch.

Parent – teacher conferences are this next week.  Thus far, only 8 parents of my 150+ students have signed up to come.   ahk*sjdfh#± va/¿≠hs;le!   (Soooo frustrated I can't type ) 

Sharing the random with Nancy for Random 5 Friday

Sharing the weekly finds with Kim for Friday Finds