Nurturing the Muse

Caution: Possible Time Waster

2011-09-10T18:06:00.003-04:00

On my daily visit to How About Orange, I found this new toy. It's called silkweave and it lets you create interactive art that looks like silk fibers blowing in the wind. At first I just said, meh. But, I tell you, it is addictive. You drag your mouse around to get it going and you can even control which way it blows. If you scroll down, there are some wallpapers to have. That is where I got

Bits and Bobs

2011-08-28T20:54:00.018-04:00

The lesson this week for the Raw Art Journaling workshop over at Artists of the Round Table's was 'Found Poetry'. This is all the words and phrases that I cut from a Sephora catalog. And this is the end result. I wished that I had left it alone and not added the flourishes in the corners but am overall satisfied with the exercise. My next exercise will be to remove a page from a

CREATE.

2011-08-14T19:19:00.015-04:00

There's a lot of creative activity going on here. This year has proved to be a creative slump for me. I decided to end it. The slump is over. I am going to create with abandon. I am not going to worry about the end result. It will be about the process not the product. And I'm going to blog about it too. For what it's worth, I am sharing. I was inspired to make these bunnies over at my friend B's

Late Summer Garden

2011-08-06T16:52:00.007-04:00

Been out playing with my camera this week. Summer is winding down and it shows in the garden. My favorite time of year is approaching....This man is a temporary. His owner couldn't take him when she moved so he has been sleeping here for now.Beauty remains in the dying flowers, I think. These cone flowers are lovely as they fade and their form changes.The watering can rusted through, but makes a

This and That

2011-05-30T10:48:00.006-04:00

I honor of all those who gave their lives for our freedom! I feel gratitude for the freedoms I enjoy in this country and I pray that we do not lose them.I have been playing over at pinterest. What fun! I love looking at other's boards and it's fun to have a place to corral the things I find and want to keep....much better than bookmarks. If any of you have boards, leave me a comment. I want to

Food For This Week

2011-05-30T09:42:00.007-04:00

"Just because I get hunger pangs does not guarantee I will get to fill my belly. But what it does tell me is that I was created to eat. These inconsolable yearnings tell us that we are creatures who have been crafted to find fulfillment somewhere else. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanations is that I was made for another world.

2011-02-27T20:17:00.002-05:00

The Big ReadThe Big Read reckons that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books printed. The Rules:1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.2) Italicize those you intend to read.3) Underline the books you LOVE.4) Post.1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (Currently reading on my kindle)2 The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien (This one gets everything-all time fave...have read

...and A Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T23:07:00.008-05:00

2010, It has been "ok" knowing ya, but I'm not gonna miss ya. Don't take it personal.2011, I am looking forward to you. Welcome.

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T08:16:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas, Friends! It's Christmas Eve and I need to get busy, but I wanted to put up a little post here first. My baby girl is asleep on the couch, my dog at my feet and my first born should arrive with her beau a little later. I am looking forward to a very nice Christmas time with my family. I have finally gotten to a place in my life where Christmas is not a dreaded time of stress.

Coffee Table Talk

2010-09-06T21:34:00.004-04:00

It was a great long weekend. Uneventful and spent mostly at home. The weather has cooled a bit and the promise of fall is in the air - my favorite transition of the year.I did a little thrifting on Saturday. I scored a new coffee table, two really. The round shape frees up some space here.And look, it has a bitty, little table that rolls out to hold my stuff. I think we will hang together for a

Random Stuff - Mostly Art

2010-08-21T22:21:00.021-04:00

I had an art party last weekend with a few of my friends. It was a sleepover. We had fun hanging out and chatting while playing with art stuff. Here's the table after everyone went home. Now, doesn't that look like fun. I felt like a ten year old girl coloring with her friends. We plan to make this a regular event. We all need it!See the brie box that I turned into a button box. I got the graphic

Trapped Inside....

2010-01-31T16:25:00.013-05:00

...and loving it! I have been in the house for two days because of the winter storm that passed by here. All my work and church services have been cancelled. Thankfully, we didn't get the ice accumulation that was expected so we didn't lose power. I have spent my time watching Hallmark movies, knitting, napping and finally, today, got into a little artwork. The fruits of my 'leisure'...Coco Vee

Thank You, Sondie

2010-01-12T22:47:00.004-05:00

I went to my first in person art class tonight at Flynn's Coffee Bar. Artist Amy Smith taught techniques for making collage papers using acrylic paint and other things. She makes many cool things, some of which can be found in her esty store here. We were a nice group of six and it was fun. The picture above is one of my papers. It is painted on a sheet of scapbooking paper which we drizzled

Simply Stated

2010-01-11T16:13:00.008-05:00

I discovered The Simple Woman's Daybook over at my friend B's blog. I decided that I would participate. I thing I can handle a list. So here goes...FOR TODAY January 11, 2010... Outside my window...It's cold. The light if fading as this day is running out.I am thinking...about times past. Carefree days of early childhood spent with my first friends, sitting on an old army blanket in their

OY!

2009-12-04T09:50:00.002-05:00

The dog. She is a bull in my china shop. Charlie needs her forever family. Now. She would make a great farm dog. Farm dog, by day, that is. House dog by night. Yep.

Sign Me Up

2009-10-09T12:16:00.013-04:00

I am joining B in the Photo Hunt Challenge for October. I will follow through. I will follow through. I will. There.My first entry is up there. It is "Something Orange" In the physical world, it is terra cotta, but it sure looks orange to me here. I used Paint Shop Pro to crop all three.I think this one will be my entry for "Contrast". Maybe. I do like dappled shadows but I might come up with

Dragnet Wisdom

2009-10-07T12:13:00.005-04:00

A frind sent me this in an email. I love it. Who knew the wisdom Joe Friday and Bill Gannon would apply so many years later? I am not very politically-minded so I hope I don't offend anyone. I just think its great.

Please, No Fainting

2009-10-05T23:21:00.016-04:00

Geez, it has been six months since I have posted. Hey, my kitchen window is open again. A lot has happened around here, but that is for another post another day. This post is just an icebreaker for me, more pictures that words.I decided, for my re-entry into bloglandia, to show you some of my artwork in progress.First, my most recent creation. I am decorating these letters for my youngest. They

The March of the Bluebirds

2009-03-07T19:11:00.006-05:00

The March of the Bluebirds, originally uploaded by candyknits.Ahhhh. I opened all my windows today. Spring is right around the corner and I am looking forward to it. However, I dread losing an hour of sleep tonight. I think I will go set my clocks ahead right now. Maybe it won't be such a shock to my system if I start now!

Drawing Prayers

2009-02-26T20:31:00.025-05:00

I promised Belinda over at upsidedownbee that I would share my zendalas. I learned about them from her post, Praying With Art. When I saw the zendala and her magnificent doodle, I knew I had to do one too. She had already piqued my interest in the concept of using drawing to focus your mind in prayer in her post (I can't find it to link to it) about the book, Praying In Color . I purchased the

It's A Musical Life

2009-02-17T18:57:00.010-05:00

The CarolinaTheater, originally uploaded by candyknits.When I was a teenager, I had a lot of friends in my circle who were musicians. I mean good musicians. We spent a lot of time hanging out in the background during jam sessions. I miss that. Though I don't have an ounce of talent myself, I sure enjoy listening to others that do.I have a friend in my current life who likes to go where folks are

She Has A Blog

2009-02-11T21:39:00.004-05:00

Bill Morrison collection, courtesy of The Shubert Archive.Well, I have always liked Jane Fonda and I found out the other day (somewhere online) that she has started blogging. It's right here and it's good, really. She shares her thoughts about her life and her art. She just opened 33Variations on Broadway in the Eugene O'Neil theater (I've been there!) and openly shares her feelings about

I love my books but....

2009-02-10T13:36:00.005-05:00

...I want one of theseCan't argue with 230,000 books at your finger tips. Not too mention newspapers, magazines and blogs. I would really appreciate it for traveling with the cost of checking bags and all.This second generation Kindle is getting good reviews. It is supposed to start shipping later this month.

Got snow?

2009-01-20T21:03:00.011-05:00

AGNUS DEI

2008-12-14T22:18:00.005-05:00

Ecce agnus Dei, originally uploaded by Nick in exsilio.Lamb of God Born To UsI attended the Christmas Cantata, AGNUS DEI, at my church tonight. Following is an excerpt from the front of the program.Agnus Dei comes from two Latin words: agnus, meaning 'lamb' and dei, 'of God'. The traditional litany said or sung during Communion is: Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world- have

Over The River...

2008-11-27T13:34:00.007-05:00

I am thankful to be able to spend this day at home (dare I say it?) alone. No sympathy, please. It is my choice and I am also thankful my friends who invited me to dinner, thereby giving me a choice. Both my girls are busy elsewhere today and I choose to take advantage of some desperately needed downtime at home.I am doing things that one does when at home with no demands - a little cleaning, a

Being Thankful Today

2008-11-27T10:26:00.003-05:00

I have much to be thankful forAnd I amFor family and friendsFor food, clothing and shelterI give thanks to GodMost of allI am thankful to be lovedBy a merciful GodFor blessings, grace and mercyFreely given to to one so unworthyFor the promise of eternityTo be lived in His presenceFor the gift of Faith that cameWith the saving knowledge of Jesus ChristWho lived and died and lived again for meFor a

Pushing Through The Gap

2008-11-22T10:04:00.004-05:00

Just one more, then I must get some work done. As you can see, I have been sitting here rambling around cyberspace. This video is from Ira Glass of NPR. He is talking about the gap between what is created and what is in the mind of someone who is new at their craft. It is so true. How many projects I have abandoned because the work did not meet my standards. Then I revisit it, sometimes years

Building A Starry Night

2008-11-22T09:36:00.003-05:00

I know. I never post anything. I have things to say. I really do. But, by the time I sit down here at night, my mind can't find them.Life is good. I am struggling to finish unpacking eight months later (sigh), trying to find time for art and find my quiet time again. I am making progress in everything, though you might need a microscope to detect it. You see, I still spend a lot of time

I Feel Like a Bear...

2008-09-26T22:02:00.012-04:00

...'cause I've been TAGGED by Loretta.Here are the rules:1. Post the rules on your blog2. Write six random things about yourself3. Tag six people at the end of your blog4. If you are tagged, just do it and pass the tag alongWell, there are not six people left to tag because it took me a week to document my randomness. If anyone stops by and wants to play, just leave a comment with either your

Abandoned

2008-08-22T17:52:00.011-04:00

Isn't it odd that when something catches your attention, you run into it again and again.Yesterday, I was floating around in cyberspace and was drawn to a link to The Suitcase Project, which I found hauntingly fascinating. Long story short, suitcases found in the attic of an abandoned asylum, turned psychiatric hospital, held the stories of patient's lives before

Random Ramblings

2008-08-12T19:43:00.005-04:00

Oxygen is showing the Olympic Equestrian events every evening. I really enjoy watching. If I had a "do over" in life, I might be there. One day you are cruising along down the road of life and the next day your world explodes and will never go together, just so, again. A co-worker is suddenly making decisions about what course of action makes sense to attack the malignant tumor that is growing in

I Didn't Know I Would Cry

2008-07-29T19:03:00.007-04:00

Isn't she cute?, originally uploaded by candyknits.My last little bird flew the nest today. She packed up her bedroom, loaded furniture and all, into her dad's truck and took off. What a bittersweet moment. She needed to go. It was time. She needs to be on her own. Try her wings. Find out they work. And me, I wanted her room. I need the space. My condo is not big enough for all her clothes. It is

WORD.

2008-07-27T20:12:00.004-04:00

Here's my Wordle.....

I Walked 2.72 Miles Today!

2008-07-14T19:57:00.008-04:00

Thanks to Bee for the inspiration. She posted the tool below on her blog and I thought it looked like fun. So I started out by mapping the normal walk that my dog, Abby, and I take. Well, I lost all my exercise righteousness when I discovered that we were not even walking one mile! I will grant that one mile is better than no mile, but I have higher goals so I mapped a longer loop. I think that I

Tired Puppy

2008-07-09T22:34:00.003-04:00

I feel the same way. I finally finished grooming her tonight. Gah! What a trauma for us both. But it is done and she is adorable. She is so sweet she forgives me as soon as I quit. Good dog!It's bedtime for us both. I am going to compose a real post at some point. Promise.

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T14:21:00.007-04:00

Uncle Sam is holding Baby H back in 1989, I think.

Happy 30th Birthday Yesterday!

2008-07-04T14:17:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it's been thirty years. Man, we were both so young. I was twenty-two and well, S was around one. She had all my love and all my attention back then.We've sure been through a lot of life since this photo was taken and I think we both have turned out OK. I am proud of her. I love who she has become and thank God for letting me be in her life!

One Word Answers

2008-07-01T13:40:00.003-04:00

Found this on B's and everyone's blogs. All the answers must be only one word. It's really hard to give one word answers. As Lynn said in her musings, we all want to be known and well, with one word, we may not be understood. Ya know?1. Where is your cell phone? charging2. Your significant other? nope3. Your hair? mess4. Your mother? heaven5. Your father? dunno6. Your favorite thing? peace 7.

Monday Meme (on Tuesday)

2008-07-01T09:13:00.008-04:00