Something really outstanding happened today.  This afternoon as I was walking out the door to go to work, I just happened to look out towards the mailbox, and there was a Robin.  At first I thought I was seeing things, but then, another one flew down from the tree.  I got Bruce up off of the couch and told him to look see, and by the time he got to the window, there was three more.  They were looking for food, and scratching at the ground.  I was able to find my canister of meal worms left over from last spring, so I threw a few handfuls out by the mailbox and along the sidewalk.  I hope they will be okay.  We were so surprised to see them this early.  They never show up here in Michigan until first few weeks of March.  This is a rarity.  They had to pick one of the coldest weekends to come back. 

I don't have any artwork to show today, and I haven't created anything special worth talking about, but I did receive a really nice handmade Thank You card from Harlan, one of the staff members at Heartfelt Creations.  I was so thrilled to get it in the mail. It was so thoughtful of them.  I really would love to be on their design team... just another "something I want to do"... if only I had more time to do all the things I want to do.  I purchased the Black Friday deal last year of the Flip-Fold albums with inserts and pockets, and then in December the Coffee Talk collection, then in January the Sugar  Hollow collection... I just love the cute little owls.  I haven't been able to use any of them yet.... but I am excited about pulling them out soon and going crazy with them.  I forgot to mention that I also purchased some dies and stamps and the deluxe shaping tool set while at their booth at the Novi paper crafts expo last August.  I want to go to Goshen and have a tour of their facility... I guess I better make sure I put in some overtime first. 

Here I am blogging when I could be creating, but after a long nights work at my job, I am tired and just ready for bed.  I wish I would've gotten some pictures of the Robins for you to see, maybe they will be back again today.  Until next time......Create something Exciting!

It is now January 29, 2016.  Wow, I know I should be ashamed of myself for leaving my blog for so long, but life has been quite a challenge for me these past couple of years.  But I am back now, and ready to create. 

So, I never went to dog grooming school, so I never became a dog groomer... I sold a few prints of a couple of pictures I had drawn.  I created and taught an original project at my art club in 2014.  It was a snowy owl on a black background which was titled by my best friend Kristy, "Arctic Moon Rising".



I have sold a couple prints of this, I have promised the original to my son.  After I sold "Apache", I don't think I can bring myself to part with another original. 

I also sold a couple prints of my graphite pencil drawing titled "The Garden Shelf".  This one took me a whole week to finish working on it every day.  I did this drawing back in 2010, but tweaked it and totally finished it in 2014 where I had a few prints made.  I sold 3....



I did an American Kestrel in colored pencil... I really should have had him sitting on a branch as I just cannot draw any part of the human figure as you can tell by the looks of this finger..., but I thought the bird itself turned out nice. 



I haven't really drawn anything for the last couple of years, as I have really struggled with being creative... but I'm better now, and can hardly wait to get started on my next drawing... or rather, get back to it as I have already started it...it's just been upstairs on my shelf since 2014.

My 9 year old niece Megan had her first art lesson with me using colored pencils.  We did a portion of a Tina Norris design that I taught at our art club last October.  She did very, very well.  Good job Megan!!!  I really like teaching young people.  I told her that we'll do another colored pencil project, and then I will introduce her to watercolor.  She really liked using my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils instead of the ones that was included in the art set I got her for Christmas.  Look out little brother, my niece is finding out the difference between the art supplies you buy a child, and the professional artist's grade that I use....

 

 

We were at my great friend Diane's house, with her and my sister Nony.  They also worked on theirs too..

But I have a new interest.... card making.  So, I am going to have a little fun with making some of my own greeting cards...

Tomorrow I am celebrating my birthday with a day out with my husband Bruce, my son James and his girlfriend Kasara, Bruce's son Nathan and his girlfriend Adessa and their daughter Alex.  We are going to Middlebury for lunch/dinner, and then to Shipshewana for a bit... looking forward to it! 

Until next time....