September 28, 2011

A Proud Day!

The switch on my old bedside lamp had been limping along and finally died last week.  I am proud to say that after only shocking myself once, I figured out how to wire a new one in! 



September 27, 2011

The Last Summer Harvest

The sun came out today after what feels like weeks of overcast skies and rain.  It is amazing how quickly it pulled me out of my house and back out into the garden. I gathered up some of what was blooming and brought it in. 


My Pineapple Sage has been the big garden surprise of the year for me.  I had no idea they give these amazing red spears along with their delicious leaves. It didn't start blooming till the end of summer.


I started collecting fall planting bulbs for next spring.  Asher and I will plant them together  next month at some point.  I love it when it is the middle of winter and the Christmas tree is down and everything outside is dead, and I remember that we put dozens of bulbs in the ground. 



September 23, 2011

My Treasures

My sister took this picture a couple years back and gave me a copy.  These are the feet of my son and daughter and two nephews.  I looooooooooooove the owners of these four sets of feet. 


I have this photograph in one of those places where I can see it everyday, so I kindof don't see it anymore... I stopped and picked it up today and decided to share it.  I hope everyone has a fine weekend!

September 22, 2011

Picture Treat

Every field and skill set has it's "Best of the Best" and in the world of illustration and fairy tales that person would be Arthur Rackham. 
Twilight Dreams  Pen and ink and watercolor, 1912
She went along and she went along and she went along  Pen and ink and watercolor 1918

At this the whole pack rose up in the air, and came flying down upon her...pen and ink and watercolor, 1907 Arthur Rackham



You can read up on Arthur Rackham HERE  and don't forget to check him out on Google images! 

September 21, 2011

Life is Good

I'm particularly enjoying this morning...
Pears are in season and they are ripe in my bowl...
I'm making good progress on a drawing I am doing for my nephews 16th birthday...
It is raining and the pineapple sage is blooming...
My front porch is ready for sitting, praying or visiting...
and Faye has everything she could possibly need...





September 19, 2011

The Little Things

This is a rough sketch that I put together for a commission years ago.  I had a conversation with my dad the other day that reminded me of this idea.  I would like to revisit this soon and do a reboot of this piece. 

September 12, 2011

Thrifty Discovery

After Kim and I left the Booksmarks Festival this past Saturday, we discovered a new- to- us thrift shop in West End.  It's called Collage The Art of Recycling and is located on West End Blvd. in the old West End Video building.  We made some really fun purchases. 
We found this great little hand carved couch that appears as though it has always been in that spot.
A beautiful Korean box inlaid with Mother of Pearl.

The inside of the box is just as pretty.  The earrings came from AntiqueInspired



The perfect cups for Alice's afternoon sips.


Some new color for the couch.

The business hours for Collage are Wed-Sat 10am-5pm.

Weekend thrifting is over though and it is back to being a new Monday. 


September 11, 2011

While Remembering

I Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. 

September 9, 2011

Getting Started

Though it is hard to wrap my mind around completely, I have had to get started on Christmas designs for this year.  Here is the beginnings of the first one.  It is pretty rough yet, but a fair enough start that I know I'll see it through to the end.
The Flight Into Egypt



Kim and I will be signing copies of The Wonderful World of Sparkle Girl and Doobins tomorrow at the BookMarks Festival downtown.  Stop by and say "Hello" if you make it out!  Have a great weekend!

September 7, 2011

Morning Shift

I was able to catch the moon flowers this morning before they signed off and the morning glories had not opened yet. 

September 6, 2011

This morning

This is one of the illustrations from Kim and my book The Wonderful World of Sparkle Girl and Doobins. It fit the bill this morning. :)

September 5, 2011

Air

Air
I just finished the last design that I will be doing for this summer season.  I started this drawing in a waiting room.  What I was waiting for was a matter of great importance to me and I was hoping that things were going well on the other side of the door.  I had a walking by faith feeling.  I decided to add the butterflies to the sky rather than her stomach.  They always seem to be around when we are walking on air, don't they!

September 2, 2011

A Bountiful Gift

My mother gave me this stunning plant for my birthday this past July.  It has the most blooms on it today that it has ever had.  The flowers only last one day.  That is a lot to think about!


How much more then will our Father in Heaven dress us! 

Friday Picture Treat!

Copyright 1915

Spirograph Fun

Alice and I stayed up long past a respectable bedtime last night playing with our Spirograph. I highly recommend getting your hands on one!