Graduation

Last night, my daughter graduated!
She is third generation to graduate from her high school.
There she is with my mama.
We are very proud of her! She is a wonderful girl.

Moving Ain't Pretty

Ha! My art table is still messy! (last photo)
I can't quite bear to pack every art supply away just yet.
My colored pencils are out and I left some wool felt and embroidery floss out to play with.

No matter how much you may try to "organize" a pile of boxes, they are still just that...a pile of boxes.

Yesterday, my daughter dove into her room. (phew!)
She got a great start - willing to let go of a lot of little stuff.
But there were some things that I quickly grabbed out of her pile. You can see them all there in the second photo. I have so many of Chloe's kindergarten pictures (on left) but I can't stand to part with one. Tomorrow is her last day of school. Thursday she is her Graduation. (sigh)

Notice the wee box of crayons next to the big box pile.
My daughter didn't want them anymore. I kept them.

Moving ain't pretty.

New Chapter!

Simple.
Sweet.
Courthouse.
Married.

The Arizona blue sky on the day.

Unexpected LOVE

Hello All!
Here I am!

I took this photo the other night. I got to the end of the toilet paper roll and there is was: unexpected LOVE!

Well, I now know moving day is June 8! That is coming right up.
I am excited. And just when I think I've done enough shedding of STUFF, I find I am willing to do another layer. Each time, I begin to feel the freedom of letting go of STUFF and THINGS.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Absent

I have been terribly absent from blogging lately.
But I must be realistic that in the next couple of months it may just be that way as I get ready to move, my daughter finishes High School...and such.

I did create this painting last week.










































And yesterday, I spent wonderful time with my sister, knitting in her backyard on a perfect spring day.
I have feverishly been knitting cotton dish rags.

I listed new items in my Etsy shop - like this ONE.

I have new Finger Pincushions like this sweet BIRD.
A boutique in Los Angeles, 8 Limbs, will be selling some in their shop, too.
I was honored they found me.

I hope you are all well!
Cheers!

Something New

I found this tiny old photo in a used book store.
It measures about 2 x 2.5 inches.
I love it!
So I decided to my interpretation of it.

























My painting is 6 x 9 inches.
I may even be so bold as to buy a large canvas and try this again.

Have a safe and fun Saturday.
I have a new listing in my SHOP. Click HERE.
Cheers!

Late Afternoon Outing

Pig

I took this picture last Saturday.
We were at a wonderful petting zoo.

Some may find then unpleasant, but I loved this pig...or shall I say hog.
He was HUGE! And he made me smile!

My Gift

Michael Leunig is a wonderful artist I was introduced to by my fiance.

After sharing some of his quotes in blog posts, a fellow blogger offered to send me a gift.

You see...in Australia, Leunig is a national living treasure.
At the new year, there is a free calendar and a sheet of wrapping paper available to all.

Betsy B was kind enough to offer to send them to me!!

I was thrilled! I love them!
I am still basking in the unexpected kindness of another!
And all the way from Australia!

THANK YOU, BETSY B!

I am so very grateful!

New Stuff & Cupcakes

Top Photo: Some new stuff.

Second Photo: Yesterday was my niece's 16th Birthday.
My daughter baked her these cupcakes...from scratch! Delicious.

Have a wonderful day!
Cheers!

Chloe's Chair Photo

My daughter took this photo with her new Diana Mini camera she got for Christmas.
She takes wonderful photos and has even started blogging.
See her other photos HERE.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
I hope you all had wonderful holiday time.

I pray the New Year be:

simple
gentle
loving
kind

My Own Finger Puppet

I fashioned my own finger puppet today.

Fun!

Don't forget my GIVEAWAY! Click HERE.

Finger Puppets

I made finger puppets as a gift for two great kids I know.
They are very fun and easy to make!

I was inspired by an artist on Etsy: Abbey Christine.
She makes wonderful puppets of unique movie and TV characters.
Someday I would love her Bob Ross finger puppet. (see here)

Don't forget! There is still time for my latest GIVEAWAY!!
Click HERE to see the item and how to enter!

A Giveaway & A Smile

Don't these knees make you smile?
They belong to my grandma. She is now 85 but was 3ish in the photo.

This is my latest GIVEAWAY!
I created this Christmas collage in 2006. It is time to share it!
(size: 8 x 10 inches on masonite board)

If you would like a chance to win, simply leave me a comment.
I will leave the Giveaway open until Sunday evening.
Monday morning, the 20th, I will announce the winner.

Oh, and in the original photo of my grandma she is holding a tomato.
For this collage, I tinted it orange.
My gram was once a wee girl on a farm in Arkansas.
For Christmas, she would get an orange.

Smiling!

I just like to smile. Smiling is my favorite.

-Buddy the Elf

This morning I saw a post by artist, Juliette Crane.
She shared a medley of photos that made her smile.
I smiled, too.

For the past week, this piglet has made me smile!
He is on my desktop...my cellphone...on Facebook.
I love him. I can't help but smile.

My dear friend reminds me to keep smiling.

I do. I will.
SMILE!

Winner & A Story

The winner of yesterday's giveaway is:

SARA of Sara's Art House!

Many thanks to those who left comments.
I shall do another giveaway soon!

Regarding the bottom photo...
This is one of my favorite Christmas ornaments.
It is a clear plastic star with the photo I cherish inside.

On the left is my older brother.
In the blue one-piece is my older sister.
My grandpa.
Me on the right.

My siblings and I were swimming in my grandpa's pool.
He arrived home and came out to say hi.
There we were; three heads bobbing in the water pleading, "Grandpa! Come swim with us!"
We begged and pleaded!

Just when we were about to give up, we hear a sudden, "Here I come!"
My grandpa came flying through the air, diving into the water, clothes and all!

Pure joy.
Pure silliness.
Happy love.
A moment of utter glee!

Giveaway!

I am baking cookies for my daughter's dad.
He did something kind for me.

Yesterday, I received an unexpected gift from a landlords!
So lovely! Kind.

The other day, I received love and support when I needed it most!
Loving kindness.

Blog followers, new and old, have left me wonderful, kind words in comment to my post.
THANK YOU!

Soooooo...
I would like to giveaway this new drawing.
Simply leave a comment.
Tomorrow morning (Friday) I will draw a name out of my Pyrex bowl.
Then I will announce the winner!

Have a wonderful day!
Cheers!

Sailing

he sailed the seas

with an open heart

and a patchy sail

YELLOW

Yellow was the color of the day during my walk yesterday!

Dear Autumn,
Thank you for finally arriving.
I love you.
From: Jenny