Weekend Journal

I have lots of artsy goodness to share with you this weekend, so lets get started!  First, here are my finished canvases currently on display at the 33rd annual East Shore Invitational Art Show.

NEW CANVASES

"Watch Over Me", mixed media/acrylic 24" x 18"

"Shaman's Tale", mixed media/acrylic 11" x 14"

"Hope and Faith", mixed media 12" x 12"

"Tree of Life", mixed media/acrylic 11" x 14"

"A Mother's Love", mixed media/acrylic 11" x 14"

"Inner Knowing", mixed media/acrylic 12" x 12"

It was good to work on canvases for a change.  I'll be completing more canvases in the coming months.

 ART SWAP

Another really fun thing I did in the last couple weeks was to make 10 inspiration cards to trade with April Cole.  If you haven't seen her blog, you need to check it out because you're going to LOVE it!   Here are the cards I made for April:

And here are the wonderful cards that I received from April.  I enjoyed this swap so much that I'm going to host a swap myself very soon, so stay tuned. Thanks very much, April!

TRAVEL JOURNAL

It's been a while, but remember my travel journal?  I'm still continuing work on my pages for our California journey.  It's been slow going due to technical difficulties like my printer running out of ink, resizing photos, using a new laptop, etc., etc., but I've finally have the first few pages almost complete.

California Day One

I still have lots of little details to add to these pages - as well as the other pages in my journal.  I didn't realize how time consuming this would be, but I also didn't realize how rewarding the finished product would be!

I'm going to be showing lots of little details, because I know "The Californians" are eager to see these pages!  Hopefully you'll get some ideas for your own travel journals too, like this little add in booklet. 

This is one of my favorite details!  I wonder what's behind the door?

This little detail was well worth the effort.  It tickles me every single time I open the door!

 The blue mosaic wall at the Sawdust Festival opens to reveal photos I took of the cards that I bought there.  I met some fabulous artists there and saw some fantastic artwork too!

Business cards glued back-to-back make great tabs!  "Thai Bite" is on this side, and "Zona's" is on the other side.

I have photos of my steak breakfast and mimosa for the big empty spot.  My captions and other details must still be added.

We had so many great adventures on the California leg of our trip that I'm sure I'll be working on this journal all winter.  I hope you enjoy seeing it!

PRE-WINTER

Well, in my mind it's official:  Autumn is over with and we're now in the state of limbo that I refer to as "pre-winter".  All of the beautiful leaves have mostly left the trees now, and it's mostly cold and gray now.

Our second puzzle of the season has been completed - an autumn scene as a last-ditch effort from me to hold on to the season. 

Not to worry, though.  There's beauty to behold every day if you're paying attention.  Enjoy the beauty in your day, and have a fabulous weekend!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Weekend Journal

I've been busy finishing my canvases for this week's upcoming show.  I've also done some journaling, but not very much.  Keith also bought me a new laptop.  I love it, but there are lots of changes to contend with and it's been really time consuming making friends with it. 

I think I've figured out enough to finally post.  Here are some teaser snippets of my new canvases.  I'll have photos of the finished canvases posted later in the week, and I'll get you caught up on my journaling.

It's looking less like fall now and looking more like pre-winter. The last few days before the storm were spectacular.

 Sandy gifted us with rain every day all week, as well as wind and cold.  It's dark at 6pm, and beginning tomorrow it will be dark at 5pm.  This is not my favorite time of year.  I miss the sun and I miss being outdoors feeling the warmth of the sun on my face.

There are still things to look forward to though.  5pm darkness means it's puzzle time again, and Keith and I have completed our first one.  It's comforting to turn on some music, grab a mug-o-coffee, and catch up with Keith while we work on a puzzle.

Puzzle number two is in the works.  The sun is trying to peak through the clouds and the rain has finally stopped for the most part.  And now...........I'm off to finish my canvases.  Have a wonderful weekend!

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE