Another Radial Design and Etsy(?)

Here's the latest work I've finished. It isn't anything special in my mind. Not a painting but in colored pencil this time. I started this one day while subbing in a high school math class where I had absolutely nothing. to. do. I've worked on it a bit here and there for the last few weeks but had a huge chunk of time to finish it while I was subbing for a Spanish class and watching Shark Tale (in Spanish) over and over. Boring! 

It's about 7 3/4" square; a decent size. Although I don't think it's too special overall, I am rather proud of the blue background. For a while the drawing was taped to an old textured cookie sheet I have and a blue pencil helped create the background. 

I've been painting these small works for a while and when I'm done the artworks get put in a closet. I don't have the time (or wall space) to put up a bunch of my paintings. And really, I wouldn't want to have to look at my own artwork all day. I have a couple paintings up now and I am my own worst critic. I don't like looking at them at all. 

One of my readers asked me what I do with them and if I sell them. I was rather flattered that she asked! I do have an Etsy shop but I haven't sold anything there for a long time. I'm thinking to give it a go with some of these small radial paintings; getting them matted and posted on Etsy and see what happens. 

You guys have seen them. You've been around. Any suggestions on price? They are all smaller than 9" square. 

I'm not looking to make a fortune off Etsy or anything. I paint these because I enjoy it; it's a problem solver for me...but I can't keep everything I ever create! I have to do something with it and I might as well sell it to someone who's actually interested in them. 

Any constructive criticism or advice would be greatly appreciated! 

One Last Hurrah

The big old snow we had about three weeks ago has just about all melted away......except for a few piles left on street corners or in shadows. 

Last week five little boys spontaneously converged on one of the last snow piles on our block. One last hurrah!

I love watching little boys play because there is some sort of unspoken order among what looks like chaos. There were toy guns, shovels, bikes, wrestling upon the pile of snow. But never one fight or disagreement. 

From my untrained eye, it seemed like there were three or four things going on all at once on the snow. Girls don't play like that. Girls are much more soap opera-ish. Boys seem to be a lot more flexible in their play. I was wishing I remembered more from my college Child Psychology class. Girls and boys are so different it boggles the mind that they can survive in the same room for ten minutes. 

Have you noticed though that the youngest boy who was probably 4 or 5 years old (striped shirt on the right) didn't hardly move in five  pictures? I imagine he must be soaking it all in, everything those big boys (ages 6 and 7) said and did. 

There was some friendly competition; racing and jumping. 

Coincidentally my boys are both gone tonight (Sat.) at a sleepover at a friend's house as I write this post. My evening has been spent playing games and eating dinner with only DR and Yahoo. 

My house is so quiet..unnerving really...but I'm enjoying the silence nonetheless. 

This evening is making me look forward to the day they both leave for college. Just kidding..kinda...

Sunday Devotions - "What's This?"

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5


I'm fortunate enough to live on the same block as my children's school and Yahoo's babysitter. This makes it very convenient for me to do some substitute teaching once or twice a week. I miss being a teacher and most of the time feel as though I'm able to impart a bit of wisdom to the students; except for when I substitute for Spanish and Trigonometry then I'm clueless. But this week I was asked a question by a child that really had me stumped.





I wear this cross necklace every day and while subbing at a preschool this week full of four and five year olds one little boy asked, "What's that?" while pointing at my necklace.


"It's Jesus' cross." I answered.


Not satisfied he asked, "But why do you wear it?" After this question I was aware that many of the little children were quietly awaiting my answer. I was getting more nervous as the seconds ticked by. This was more nerve racking than talking sex education to high school kids.


Why do I wear my cross? How do I answer the depth that question requires in a manner preschoolers will understand? I couldn't just brush this little boy's inquiry aside because this was a chance to minister to a ready and open heart, to a child I knew didn't know God or Jesus.


At that moment I felt very lacking in wisdom. I thought slowly and answered carefully, praying silently that my words had been well chosen.


"I wear this cross to remind me everyday that God loves us all so much that He sent us Jesus so we can live with Him in Heaven someday."


My answer could have been much longer and more detailed of course but hopefully the very essence of the meaning of the Cross was expressed. Wisdom doesn't always come from words in books but rather which words we choose to share with others.


Dear Heavenly Father, Grant me wisdom today. Wisdom to say the right thing, at the right time, to the right person. Amen.

Mmmm, Making Noodles!

I really love homemade egg noodles. They make me smile. 

Snow - 52 Week Project

52 Week Project; week 2 - Snow 


I did these shots early in the week because I was afraid if I didn't there wouldn't be any snow to shoot. It's been awfully warm here this last week. 

f/11, 1/25 sec., ISO 1600

I've been missing the cool winter temps and have secretly been praying for another blizzard. Hey! We still need the moisture. Don't judge me. 

f/8, 1/80sec., ISO 1600

These photos are okay; I don't think there is anything exciting about them. 

Next week's assignment is Dirty. Shoot, I have three kids that one should be a breeze...well, at least I'll have lots of material to choose from :) 

Words, words, words...which for my blank wall?

The best thing about my bathroom is the huge mirror over the sink and counter. The worst thing about my bathroom is the huge space above the huge mirror. Ever since last year when I finished my Pheasant Mural in the boys bathroom, I've had in mind that I'd like to put something above the mirror in this bathroom. 

But I'm not leaning towards any objects like the windmills or barns in the other bathroom, rather I'm thinking of putting up some words...some great quote. 

And where do I go to look for something without knowing what I want?
Why, Pinterest of course. 

And oh boy, I was filling up my board with WORDS that I just love. 

Some though just aren't appropriate for my bathroom wall. 

Maybe not for a mural in my bathroom but I'd love this as a T-shirt! 

I can go through a whole jar of peanut butter by myself. No joke. Hmmm, maybe I could find a place in my kitchen to put these words. 

Isn't this one so true? But not for my bathroom. I don't want to encourage the men in my family to stay in there ANY LONGER than they already do!

I'm learning I really like Oscar Wilde quotes and need to read more of him.

Ah, Mark Twain...so American...and so true. 

  

This sure makes me want to embrace every morning. 

 

You just can't help but smile after reading this one. 

aahhh....

Irish blessings; You can't go wrong with those! 

I wouldn't put this Oscar Wilde quote on my wall but I really, really, Really, REALLY want it as a bracelet similar to the one in the photo. I need to do some research on that one. 

I still want to paint above my mirror but I'm getting overwhelmed with the wonderful words, words, WORDS I'm reading everywhere! What about you? Do you have any quotes on the walls in your home? Any suggestions? 

It may be awhile before I get this project finished but hopefully I can get it done before spring. 

Marker Monday - Candy Tray (made from Candy!)

A friend of mine was showing her candy tray made from candy, an idea she got off Pinterest but I haven't been able to find it, and it was so easy I made one the same afternoon! 

My friend used green and red peppermints and placed them in a rectangular casserole dish on parchment paper. The hodge podge above was the only hard candy we had left and I didn't have any parchment paper so I sprayed a pie pan with cooking spray. 

After spraying it Yahoo and I (mostly Yahoo) arranged the candies. You want them evenly spaced and not touching. Then carefully put it in a 350 degree oven, without shifting the candies, for 8 minutes. Mine were left in a few minutes too long. 

I found the yellow butterscotch candies didn't melt at the same rate as the others so while it was still warm I smooshed the yellows a bit with a bag of a spoon. 

After it was cooled I popped it out wiped off the greasy residue and glued a circular piece of felt underneath. 

So easy, so fun and surprisingly sturdy! 

But I can do better, I'm thinking of making a bigger one for Easter with some pastel colored candies..if I can find any!