What I've been up to...

I began this blog almost 3 years ago. I had no idea what would become of it, and how I would find friendship and encouragement along the way. I never really had big dreams of becoming a huge blog I just wanted to share what I was working on and for about 2 years I did that. My husband was a huge supporter of my blog, always reading my post and telling his friends to do the same. Since his death I haven't really blogged at all, but really I had started to question why I was putting so much time into my blog when there were so many other things I wanted to work on. You know what I mean when I say you can become consumed by the computer to the point that you don't do what you really love and so I had begun to pull back some last spring and then Mike got sick not long after that and I just haven't felt like putting my energy into this blog. However, my struggle is letting Mike's death be the last of this blog, something he believed in and encouraged me to be a part of. I don't want that to be the end of this so for now I'll share what I have been up to but still don't know how often I'll be posting.

I have recently been bitten by art journaling and mixed media art. There are many great artist out there sharing and teaching everyone about these techniques, my new favorite is Donna Downey. She was in my area over the weekend so I went to a few of her classes. What a fun lady, and uber talented. It was a great weekend of creating and laughing, can't beat that, huh?
Enough chatting I'll just share the pics of what I created.

I'm itching to get my hands dirty and play with some more canvases. I believe art heals, I know my heart aches for creative time. It's not about how good it is, it's about the process. I came away with a great quote from the retreat, by Picaso.

 Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.

Here's to inspiration...

Playing With Paper and Paint- Mixed Media Art

I went to one of my favorite places yesterday, The Little Blue House. It's a fun place full of neat, creative ladies and any time I get a chance to go and take a class or hang out there, I go! This is my latest creation.

I have wanted to play with mixed media forever, this class was a chance to jump in and get my feet wet.

It was so much fun, layering paper and paints and stamps. It's the kind of art where you just go for it, no way you can mess up.We choose our own words to put on it. These words speak about where I am in my life right now.

I love all the little bits and pieces. And I have the perfect place for this in my guest room.
I got home and I couldn't quit thinking about it so I got out a bunch of stamps and a bunch of stuff you just have around the house and started creating.

And here is what I came up with. My sister in law was just in town and she calls my daughter a songbird, I guess I had songbird on the mind.

My husband, who is my biggest supporter, says "you need to sell these". That is sweet, means alot to me.

Love her fat little singing cheeks! How many of these can I have in my house? I told the girls in class that I was going to go home and paint the bathroom wall like this. Wouldn't that be fun to look at? Anyway, yet another thing I'm hooked on! Do you love to play? If so you will love this! Oh, I should have mentioned, the songbird one is a pizza box!

I'm partying at...
Under The Table and Dreaming
Brassy Apple
The Delectable Home
Craft-O-Maniac
Blue Cricket Design
The 36th Avenue
Beyond the Picket Fence
The Shabby Creek Cottage
I Gotta Create
Flamingo Toes
Positively Spendid