Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week #43 " Spooky "

Okay here it is, 3:30 New Year's Eve and I should be getting ready for our evening out but NOOOOOO   I'm getting caught up in my art journal!!   Crazy??  yeah well a little.   Here is # 43 and #44 is on the table almost complete!  I really wanted to be at 52 by tomorrow a.m but we have some wonderful plans for the evening and as much as I'd love to stay home and paint..... I'm really looking forward to dancing the night away to my hubby's band and cheering to a new year with my friends.  

  2010 was a year filled with many good times, heart breaks, stressful moments, some firsts in the family.... university, reuniting with new found friends and lots of love.   I wish you all a very healthy and happy new year and thank you all so much for your encouraging words and for following me on my journey of getting to know myself a little better through this art journey.   xoxox

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week #42 " Birthday"

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  No it's not my birthday yet, however week 42's prompt was "birthday" and that is why I am journalling about what I'd like to do for myself when My birthday arrives.  First I just need to say that I will be turning 42 and the  prompt is #42.  If I was on time with all of these it would not work out that way.... weird!
  Anyway this is the spread I came up with and it's colourful , fun , whimsical  and I think it works.  I have a lot of work to do if I want to lose those 10 pounds because anyone that knows me , knows that when I have free time I'd much rather be painting or creating jewelry.....exercise is not a priority but it has to change.  Getting older means the cheesecake doesn't come off as easy as it did when I was 30!

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week #41 " Continue On"

  You know how sometimes while flipping through a magazine you stumble upon an image or cool font and know that you need to cut it out for a future project?  Well I cut out these glasses out of a magazine ad a long time ago loving how the images of the clouds were in black and white and so apparent.  They seemed to tell a story all on their own.  I took them out for every prompt ( wanted to use them so bad!) but they were just not working for me.... until now!
  There were a few different paths I could have taken for this prompt, lots of ideas came to mind and so as I do with all my prompts I just start painting and see what the artwork essentially is saying to me at the end. I love starting the journal entries in this manner, because not having a preconceived idea of what you are going to do is freeing and it allows me to just be in the moment and see what comes out onto the paper.  I'm very happy with what transpired in those moments of quiet contemplation .

  I'm not entirely happy with how the colours turned out.... or didn't turn out !  My camera is not meant for these up close and personal shots so I'm going to start saving for a better camera!  I'll just "continue on " with my saving!

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week #40 " Priorities"

 As of today I have 12 more pages to go before Jan. 01 .  I'm going to try my best because I cannot live with myself if I don't finish what I've started!  I'm horrible, even if it's a very bad movie,or book.... I trudge through it in hopes it gets better.  I am really enjoying this process though and through it all I have found out a lot about myself and will finish it!  I really should have made this a priority!  However if you look at this page you will see that I always put myself at the bottom of that list.  Maybe I'll slowly rise to the top one day......

"Oh Christmas Tree.... how you stressed me out this year!"

 Every year the family puts on many layers of clothes and piles into the truck (dog included ) in hopes of finding the perfect tree.  This year, because of the crazy amount of snow , freezing temperatures , and all of our work schedules not falling into place, Mark was on his own.  And he did his best.....

 The tree was perfectly straight, but was missing several branches due to the cold and heavy snow causing them to snap off when he was getting the tree into the house.  It took me 4 days to decide how to decorate it because I had to come up with a solution to it's missing limbs.

 The solution came to me in the form of a peacock feathers!  I had a whole vase full in the studio left over from Michaelas grade 8 grad  (3 years ago!)  I decided to fashion some limbs with the feathers which I thought would fill the spaces and add an exotic, colourful flare to the tree.

 It worked!!  Oh Christmas was saved once again, due to my imagination and fact that I save the strangest things!   Now I just hope the cats stay away from those feathers......

 These feathers were actually retreived from peacocks at Egli's Sheep Farm here in Dryden.  Aren't they beautiful?  They really do fill in the tree nicely and the rich colours reflect when the lights are on.  I think this tree is perfect for our family this year because it teaches us to make the best with what we have and be thankful for all we've been given.  Good job Mark Schmidt, you did do your best and we love it.  xoxox

"Yes Lisa, There Is A Santa Clause.... and he lives in Toronto!"

I can't even put into words how touched Mark and I were today to receive a parcel in the mail from our friends in Toronto Blaine, Julie and their daughter Olivia. What a beautiful feeling to know that someone out there cares about us and wanted to make our holiday a little brighter. Friends like you are a treasure and even if we did not receive this lovely package today, just knowing you are thinking of us and will call every Sunday to talk and catch up , means the world to us. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, you really do make our lives brighter. xox

First thing I picked up out the the parcel was this Vanity Fair Magazine with Johnny Depp on the cover...lol oh how they know me!! Next was this Moleskine art journal!!!!!! O>>>M>>>G! So excited to receive this! I've been wanting one of these for so long and it is so great that it came to me as a gift from my favourite people. I promised Blaine that I will sketch while down at the lake and only positive, inspirational art will fill it's pages. xo http://www.moleskine.com/

Finally ( the presents don't seem to end!) a beautiful journal for me to write down my thoughts in . Check it out here, I have the 2nd one from the top!! www.thegamine.com/.../stylewriting-in-style-christian-lacroix-papier/ So stunning and it's pages are whispering to me right now! Only positive, wonderful, dreams come true words will grace it's pages. What a wonderful book to write my New Year's goals in .

A card I will treasure always! Handmade by a special ,very talented, super smart and soooo cute, little girl Olivia. Thanks sweetie we LOVE it! xox

Seriously??? How flipp'n awesome is this pendant? Olivia picked it out just for me ( her Daddy told me so ) Oh yes this "puppy" is mine it is my new favourite piece :) I will be thinking of you , Livy every time I wear it.
How much fun will I have creating beautiful pieces with these lovely beads ! They are gorgeous and I don't have anything like these in my collection . Can't wait to play !

Although I've posted only my goodies, my rock star hubby is very excited about his gift too! He got a Wylde Overdrive pedal for his guitar and some guitar strings.... these boys love the guitars and I love listening to them compare "notes" and argue about amps/muscians etc.. They crack me up! BOYS! Wouldn't want it any other way . :)

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 39 "Autumn"

Well as you can tell by the prompt it was supposed to be finished before the snow flew but alas I am still trailing behind..... I still have a few weeks to get them all completed and I WILL do it! My jewelry orders are winding down and my Christmas holidays will begin after this Friday so I'll be all about the art journal!

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 38 "Positive"

This prompt goes nicely with my last post and so I let the artwork speak for itself. Peace , Love and Laughter to all :)

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 37 "Question"

Hmmmm ? If you had to ask yourself a question what would it be? This weeks prompt was all about asking myself a question. I'm always talking to myself so I figured what's one more! Now because I was feeling a bit sorry for myself being stuck in NWO with all these recent snow storms and cold weather the question I was asking myself was "WHY AM I HERE???" Great question ! Arrrghhhh! Well because I am trying EXTREMELY hard to work on my positive attitude, put out only good vibes etc, etc. I turned it around and made it about the big picture. Why am I here? Why was I designed this way? What should I be doing while I'm here??? ok, that was 3 questions..... you get the point. This is the entry I came up with and I'd like to know what question you've been asking yourself lately, you might surprise yourself!

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 36 "Together"

The timing for this page was perfect!! The feeling of togetherness was a true test in our home as our family has been dealing with some tough times and we just can't seem to get ahead. I know I am not the only one with a sob story and I don't want any sympathy or bore you with details, I just wanted to explain how this page has aided me by opening my eyes to the important things. My feeling is that when a couple is faced with a troublesome situation you have choices on how to deal with the issue to make it easier for yourself and those around you. My choice is not to make myself sick because of stress over things that are out of my control, nor will I choose to transfer my anger and frustration at my family. My page hopefully portrays what working together instead of against each other can bring rewarding results while riding out the storm. I'm not saying it's easy, but I know it is better. xo

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 35 "Death"

Well this was really cool to do when it was Halloween!!!!!! (It's December and I am just posting now....) ok, so! Death was an intriguing prompt because I could have gone completely spiritual, morbid and horrific, personal and full of emotion.... So many ways to do this! I guess because it was October I was thinking spooky fun and decided to go with a whimsical take on this dark subject. Hope you enjoy the page even though we are only 10 days away from Christmas! Hey If I only knew then that I'd be so late posting I could have done a religious take on it! Well anyway please enjoy my very late Prompt, "Death"

Mommy Necklace xo

This piece was super fun to make because it was created for a special co worker, a thoughtful gift from her adoring hubby, to celebrate her first Christmas as a Mommy. Christie and Mike had their beautiful baby boy, Michael, this past October and I am honoured that I could be part of their first Christmas as new parents.

The necklace hangs from beautiful silver metal chain that has an antique hue to it and from it hangs the locket with baby Michaels birth date. The initial completes the antique feel with a little pink glass bead to represent his birth stone and silver heart that says "love". The necklace is completed with a sheer black organza ribbon tied in a bow for an added touch of elegance.

It was a joy to create this piece for you Christie and thank you to Mike for allowing me the opportunity to create special memories for you. xox

Christmas Posts??

Trying to get myself inspired for the big day which is just around the corner and was wondering what others do to get themselves inspired . Do you bake, create, decorate, give to your favourite charity?? I love to spend time with family and LOVE to decorate my home with greens, lights, and lots of candles. What do you like to do? Please share I'd love to hear. xox

Good Excuse!

Okay so I am like a kabillion weeks behind in my art journal between all the orders for Christmas and having to light a fire in the studio each time..... there just isn't enough time in a day for me! I brought the paints in and my journal thinking I'd get more accomplished but.. well that isn't the case. I'm just gonna blame it on Roxy, she likes to lay on my journal and soak up all that creativity. Yep! She's the reason I'm so behind!

She loves to laugh and make others feel good. Her big hazel eyes take in her surroundings and instantly she sees things others miss. Ideas come at her in waves and she embraces them and has the courage to make them her own no matter what anyone else thinks. She's beautiful, colourful, fun , funky, caring, talented, sensitive, and my biggest inspiration. She is Michaela and she is my daughter. I feel honoured to share with you these candid shots of my little artist working hard on a self portrait. Isn't she great?

Did I mention she hates it when I take her picture???

First Snowfall .....

First thing I grabbed this morning was a coffee and my camera.... can't you tell by my beautiful messy bed head?
Snow transforms the most ordinary objects into something of beauty don't you think?
Storm couldn't stop eating the fresh fluffy snow! Ice cream for pups!
" MMmmmmm!"
Some of my candle holders nestled in a blanket of snow
Water fountain is finished for another season but looks great just sitting there
Some holiday cheer to greet my guests at the front door
Isn't she beautiful......
oh! there is my messy head again! I don't care much about my appearance when inspiration hits!
My happy place looks so serene and peaceful and the fire is burning as I write this.....better go break out my paints!

These are objects that inspired me today....what inspires you when the first snow falls??

Heart The Art Prompts Week 34 "Dream"

It's all about Dreams for week 34 and I do a lot of dreaming.... This is what I came up with and like i've said before, when it comes to my art journal I'm very spontaneous and whatever is going through my mind at the time is what you .... you lucky viewers ... get to be entertained with! Consider yourself very lucky that this is short and sweet!

Heart The Art Prompts 2010 Week 33 "Wonder "

Week 33 and the prompt is " Wonder " I tried to think of something positive , something happy and 9 times out of 10 I do. However, lately I'm not feeling very positive and I'm ready to throw out my favorite book "The Secret " and give the Universe the middle finger !
Who's with me?? Anyone??

Check it out! Found it in the garbage at work.....perfect drying rack for paintings and storage for those huge sketch books , watercolors , canvases .... I'm so excited!

LOL! Storm and I goofing around in the studio today.....he is back to his old healthy self again!
His favorite spot is on the area rug in front of the warm fire

OH THERE'S MY NEW RACK AGAIN! ( did i mention how much i love it?)