Moving Forward in 2011

well its almost 2011 I am really looking forward to a new year.  I am going to try and put 2010 behind me and just move on.  This picture was shot in my friends Gayles amazing garden.  I met Gayle through the blog can you believe it and see lives in the same city as me, she is amazing and we are developing a great friendship. That was one good thing that happened in 2010, another was the shopper moved to her and er boyfriends new condo and they are so happy starting their life together.  That makes a mother happy, she is my only one, and I want her to have a happy life. She did not move to far away and comes home and calls me all the time, she is a great daughter, I could not ask for more.  As a result of my mothers death my sister and I have become closer than ever.  She was the youngest I was the middle and my older sister who passed away was the oldest.  She was 12 years younger, so most of her years growing up I was not home. She lives in another province, but we talk to each other every day.

I don't make resolution's because I never keep them, but I do set small goals, my number one goal for 2011 is be happy in my life.  I plan on accomplishing that one.  I will keep you updated on that one.

I am sitting here watching top chief they have been on all day.  I am having a new years drink and here is a toast to all you blogger and friends who follow this blog to matter what.  I say thank you and wish you all a happy 2011.  See you next year.

She got Bette Davis Eyes

and bot ox lips now that I look at the way I did her lips

First I would like to thank everyone who commented on my last post.  I was touched and made me feel better about spilling my guts.  Today I took a positive step toward being fearless, so I am going in the right direction.  This  drawing I used charcoal, and yellow crayon, and a mixed media background.  She is suppose to be me Fearless, I always thought Bette Davis was fearless, she was her own woman..  I am waiting for January 1 because I am taking the free sketching class if you don't know about it here is the link, and here is another link to another free class from strathmore,

http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://www.strathmoreartiststudio.com/

hope you all join in...

and again thanks for being there for me, I promise to try not to be a crybaby to often

lee

FEARLESS"

watching Private chefs of Beverly hills, with a glass of wine and my pjs
thinking about my life and what I am what to do and accomplish for 2011
thinking about having a turkey sandwich on caraway bread with cranberries delish
thought long and hard about my word for the 2011 it is     fearless

i want to be fearless in my life
fearless in my art
fearless in my relationships

this year has taught me alot - I looked after my mom for a year, and now I feel berfet like a big chunk of my life is goine, and I am just floating around.  Because I was so busy looking after my mom I let other parts of my life slip away or just ignored for the sake of my sanity..i let things go on in my life that had I been on it, wouldnt have happened.  So this year I am ready to tackle my  life.  I still feel fragile and unsteady and wonder If  i am strong enough to tackle something head on.  But truthfully I am ready I have put up with shit to long.

I was not going to say anything, I didn't tell you the issue, I am not that open in the cyber world just  knowing that I said something is a step for me. So this is all you will hear about this from me. 
Issues in my life affect me and my art, they tire me out and consequently making art has not been a big priority in life lately.  But I have been missing it and feel ready to do something creative anything with my hands to make me happy.

I have been like Julia Roberts, in EAT PRAY LOVE  I have been trying to mediate its not coming easy for me, my head wont stop and be still, but I am determined and keep trying.

Well this pity party is over for today, hope I did not scare you away with all this heavy stuff.  I promise to try and be more upbeat from now on

Lee


                   

Things I like

This is the chair tht the shopper bought for her new place, I love red dont you

things I like most of the time 

i like blue skies
i like not using capitals when keyboarding
i like old school things, like watching  A summer place last night on tv and crying through it
i like seeing the moon eclipse tonight becuase i wont see it in my lifetime again get up at 12:40am to see
i like the shopper is coming home tonight from Las Vegas because I have been a crybaby lately and need my family around me
i like that devil dog is going for a bath tommorow and wont smell like popcorn anymore
i like that hubby is off work till after the holidays  starting tomorrow afternoon
i like that I am having a Christmas lunch out with one of my friends tomorrow
i like that I am wearing my new coat that I got in Arizona and getting lots of nice comments when in it
i like blogging when I have nothing to say and you still read it
i like take online classes because I can do it in my pj's
i like being retired because life is short and there still is so much to do
i like visiting sites and seeing new and amazing art
i like my blog buddies that I have met online
i like that my facebook page I met a good friend from 40 years ago amazing amazing
i like the housewives of new york (okay I just like all the bitching)
i like that the shopper is happy with her new job and her life and that she loves me as much as I love her
and I love that you read this till the end

so what to you like

Weekend Madness

another page from my 2008 christmas journal.  Its always fun to look back over the years and see what you have created.

Well last weekend before Christmas, have you got it all done.At my house its as good as its going to get.  Though today I just need a few more little things, but am not going near the malls.  Just a few speciality stores, and then done.  Okay still the tree is not decorated, but tonight for sure.  Its hubby birthday today, I did the most practical thing for him bought him a new toque to wear while shovelling the snow.  After so many years of marriage you just have what you want or you get it.  Its very hard to buy things.  Now me I could tell you a thousand things I would like but just am to cheap to buy.
We just went out this week and had to buy a new computer, so went and bought it, a new 21 inch screen, feels like I am in the movies when I am on it.  Still getting used to the new keyboard, and the wireless mouse which is nice.  So I guess that was our big present to each other.  I did buy him a few things when I was on the trip, and he got me a few things while I was away.  But the majority of the presents under the tree are the shoppers. 

The only thing that asked for was an e-reader , the amazon one I couldn't get, they did not have any when I was looking, so I did a comparison of that one and the Kobe one in Canada, the Kobe one would suit me fine, now we wait to see if he bought it.  Is there anything that you would really want, tell me I want to know.

Friday mish mash

.I am recyling images,  I made this album about 2 years ago.  The album I am making this year, is a work in progress, that means its laying on the work table  in the studio not being worked on.  You will see it next year.

Today is a go day for me.I have a lot of running around to do and its not pleasant driving the roads after  a major snowfall and the roads are not cleaned yet.  I went to the doctor about this rash I have had now for 3 weeks, not really a rash more like chicken pox marks all over my body.  She said have \i had a sore thoart lately, I mentioned I had a little bit of a cold before I went to Arizona.  So this is what I have usually 10-35 year old get this viral infection after having a sore throat, usually if your immune system is run down. The name is really weird, but it goes away after 8 weeks, it usually will cover most of your body, except your face but not always.  \ok if this thing gets on my face, nobody will see me.  Because at the moment it is everywhere and itchy as hell.  She gave me a prescription for cortisone cream which I get today.

Number 2 tradition in my family is:   I buy an ornament every year since the shopper was born and give it to her as a Christmas present, so she can take these ornaments to her home and know that these are special ornaments that came from her family.  I would hope she will then start that tradition with her family when she gets one.

Question of the day:  Every year I have made something for Christmas, it might be a wreath, or an ornament but something.  Do you make anything for Christmas?

A tradition continues

This is a tradition that my family carried out each year, and my family carries on this tradition.  We have a receipt envelope set up and put in the kitchen cupboard.  And everytime some  one buys a gift they put the receipt in the envelope.  Then when all the unwrapping is done, and the presents re looked at and you don't really like it because its not your taste (the shopper) or it does not fit (the mother), or something is wrong with it.  You can just go to the Christmas return envelope and find the bill and not stress over where you put that bill.  The rule of the house is nobody looks in the envelope when putting there receipts in there.  Tell me one of your traditions.

Has the christmas bug hit you yet

This is an old but goodie that i did back in 2008.  I have been busy getting ready for Christmas.  I am done,
presents are bought and wrapped. Tree is up lights on (I bought a new tree with lights on already) still not decorated but soon.  Baking bought, no I did not bake this christmas, to much stuff has happened in the last two months and my heart was not in it.  So i bought it and froze it.  House is a clean as it is going to get.  The stockings are hung by the chimmeny with care and waiting for Santa to come.

We are in the midst of a winter storm here, the snow is coming down and the wind has picked up and the roads are a mess.  We were just out shovelling the driveway in hopes hubby can get out of the garage in the
morning.

My friends and I are going out for a pedicure, lunch and a movie on Thursday for a little holiday treat.  So do you have any holiday plans.

Mish Mash Friday

• tree up
• tree decorated
• presents bought
• presents wrapped
• presents to sister mailed
• cards done
• baking done
• outside lights up
• cleaned house
•  

working on my list and checking it twice

Whats on your list today?

I am back

I am back, and I am glad, to be back to the familiar, the love of family who missed me.  But I am not glad to be back for the weather.  Now if only you could transport the weather to my house, I would be content.  I am a nice weather gal, I hate cold weather, snow, ice.  But I am back, left Arizona on a beautiful sunny hot day, and arrived to minus 23.  Oh well, I had a great time with friends and got 90 percent of my Christmas shopping done.

I got back on Monday night, but it takes time to get back into the rhythm of your daily life.  I did some sketching last night, full of ideas I had to get done on paper.  So you will see those in the next few days.  I have a some things I need to get finished.  I came home with no Christmas spirit, so I went out and bought a new Christmas tree, one with lights on it already.  I put it up, but have not the energy yet to put on Christmas decorations.  I have presents that need to be mailed, sitting here with wrapping which I need to go out and get some.  But I am back and so the life continues.

Fun in the sun

This is the only way to christmas shop, no boots, no jacket, no mitts.  Sandals, sunglasses and capris.

Have got alot of shopping done. Having a great time with girls, lots of laughing, catching up.  See lots of sights and just enjoying myself.  CAtch you later

Is it a pretty sight when you wake up in the morning?

Sometimes when you wake up do you feel and look like this?  it"s not pretty when I wake up.  Not like at the movies where they jump out of bed and are ready to start there day.  When was the last time I jumped is the question, and out of bed impossible.  So to feel less like an alien I did go and get my hair done, and I now feel good.  See what a liuttle thing like going and getting a hair cut will do to you. 

Well as you all know its Saturday, and here where I live, on Sunday they have this huge football game called the Grey Cup, kinda like the Super Bowl but on a lower level.  So the city is full of people from different cities in Canada, our team is not in the game.  So I am not going near where all the yahoos are today.  I am off to do a few errands, then home to continue packing and repacking.  Taking things out that I think I will not need, and then putting them back in.  The shopper was suppose to come over and move some of her stuff out, but apparently that tomorrow.  She has half her stuff here and half her stuff at her new place. 
Well enough blather about my life and times, its Saturday its time to go out and spend some money I don't have, but hubby does and just enjoy the day.  What are your doing today, have turkey soup, leftover turkey sandwiches.....
lee

Black Friday......

I hope your all full of Turkey and have done your 4 am shopping, and are just kicking back looking at all the great deals that you got.  Oh how I wish I was there.

The other day I was in my fav store Anthropology ( i don't buy the clothes way to expensive for me) but I love going in there. I love the design asthectic they have, the books, the nick knacks, the ideas. Well I saw this packet of tags, and loved it. Okay 12 dollars for tags a little excessive, but I bought them. When I got home and looked at them, I thought I could make these so here they are. The first one with the animal is Anthro and the girl is mine.

I used Photoshop Elements and just measured it created the size and brought in my art.  OK really these are not to labour intensive, if you already have the art done, you just size it and bring it on.  So I am

going to make a few as gifts, just use a heavy cardstock in your printer.  I have drawn on a few of them, and am going to paint them and see how they look, I will let you know.  Today its time to go and

get a pedicure, after all in just a few days, I will shed my boots for sandal wear. 

Hope your holidays are full of fun and family

Do You make lists?

I keep the book in my purse at all times and add stuff when I buy it.

The loose pages are some daily stuff that needs doing.

I am such a list maker...I make lists for everything.    You can find my lists on the fridge, beside the computer, beside the chair I sit in, beside the bed, just in case I want to jot something I think about down.
Here is what I make lists of,

1. Lists of groceries needed (everybody makes those)
2.  List of household chores that need to done
3.  List of things that need to be done or fixed by hubby
4.  List of all art supplies I buy so I dont buy the same thing 3 times....
4.  List of christmas card that need to go out and by what date
5.  A list of packing , what to pack , how many and everything else that goes with packing,
6.  A list of what goes on in my carryon
7.  A list of my favourite books and authors
8.  A list of the books I have read, and how I liked them
9.  A list of  DVD that I want to rent
10.  Movies I have seen and liked

I know I have forgotten some lists that I do.  Truthfully I like making lists and then checking them off as I do them, then transfer the undone ones to the list for tomorrow.  I know control issues here....do I make lists and then do nothing with them, yep.  I will work really hard on a list and then completly blow it off.  It must be my way of doodling.

Well on todays list here is what was on it.

1.  hair cut   done
2.  Post office done
3.  Bank  done
4.  Library done
5.  Staples for copies done
6. Michaels for half of coupon   done ..I know I said a few posts ago I was not going to buy any else for awhile, but those coupons call to me.  So I bought a 21 dollar stamp, some weird language and got half off.

Okay now that your completely wondering how could see make a whole blog post about lists, she must be off her rocker.  You are right, as I look back at this post, I must be crazy....so since I wrote it, I am posting it and that's just the way it rolls around here.

Mish Mish Tuesday

This is an old collage that I did when I got the collage papers from

a swap with http://wovenletters.blogspot.com/ .  You were

suppose to use the papers that you picked.  The next receipt's of

the collage box was a person from Australia, so hence the

ship and the fish.  As a matter of fact it seemed like the collage

box I sent from here was lost, but it got there about a month

later, I could have swam there faster.

so here is a recap of what I have been up to be prepared to be enthralled because I

live a mighty exciting life.

catching up on things around this house that have been left since my Mom has been sick

that means the floors, laundry, etc, all the things you just love to do

been baking banna bread I feel that is my comfort food

shovelling the walk, because we have so much SNOW AND COLD WEATHER

and I am home during the day, I have wrestled with this one, just because I am

home does that mean I should be the designated person who does the shovelling???

My husband and I have gone back and forth on this one, but really I am home and

he is out working.  Not to say I am not working

We have been invited to the shoppers new home for dinner on Wednesday night, what is

on the menu is a surprise, and it will be because she really never cooked to much here.

I am still going to Phonenix, but I am going this Monday coming for a week.  So be preparedfor posts from a sunny place that has no snow/.  I will update you on shopping, eating, and fun.

Well the oven timer just went off the bread is ready, a hot steaming cup of cocoa and the fireplace is calling, so is the sidewalk but I vote for the chair and the fireplace and after all I

am chairman of the board at my job.  I can do what I want

Getting Back to Everyday Life

I used an old school book I found at a thrift store that is the back

This is inside the book, a art journalling pages I did

Well I am back on the blog posting trail, from now on back to regular programming, whatever that is.  So this is last you will hear about my Mum from me, okay maybe a few things here and there, but this blog is about Defining me, not about grief and stuff that brings you down.  A fine therapist once said to me, get on with you life, its short and you need to start living it . So thats what I am going to try to do.

So the funeral (whatever you would call it) as mum did not want a funeral is over.  She was cremated and placed in a Niche that faced a busy road.  That is what she wanted, she said she wanted to see me drive by (I drive on that road alot) and she could wave and I could wave and say to her "how are you doing Mum".  So it's done as of Thursday, friends of ours came, my brother inlaw came and said a
few words, and said my mums favourite prayer (The lords prayer).  I was going to say to a few words,

but couldn't in the end.  To many tears, to much grief, my husband said them for me and that was it.  The weather was terrible, snow, cold, windy.  But now its over, the other stuff that needs to be done is completed, the emptying of her apartment thank god, my sister was here for that and my daughter helped.

The going to the government and cancelling the pensions, letting people know about her passing. Making

sure the ladies in her building who she loved got a little something special.  I gave them all brooches from my mums collection she wore a brooch everyday and loved them.  They were all thrilled and we all cried and remembered.  Now its back to the living and art.

Last night went to the studio and worked on a new journal book, as I have finally finished the one I have been working on seems like forever.  I am using a children's textbook.  The spread you see is a page about my mother and death.  I got it down , its done now I am moving on to hopefully happy pages.  I am working on a Christmas art journal.  Some Christmas pages, some art cards.  I am branching out and working on more than one thing at a time, that's new to me, but it keeps you always creating.  Well that is it for a Saturday post.  I am off with the shopper, to Ikea, Homesense, Winners, taking stuff back.  Then its home to dinner out with hubby.

                                                    This is the front cover, I covered it up with paper,\ I dont thinkthe paper will be staying, I dont know yet what I am going to do on the front.

I have gone green recycle

I would like to thank you all very much for such heartfelt  messages

that you left me, I was truly touched.  It was all very quick with

my mother though she had been in the hospital 3 weeks.  I had

notified my sister that I thought she should come and see Mum. 

She got to see my mother, and that night we all laughed and

joked and kissed her and both told her we loved her and

we would see you tomorrow.  I think my mother was waiting

to see my sister and then she could let go.  So at least

she did not suffer and she knew that she was very much loved.

So I have not been sleeping to much, my mind is whirling  and

trying to keep the grief at bay.  She has been my whole life

the last while, as she has been ill for quite a long time.  So

now my life will get back to normal, but now I have

to find out what a normal is.

So my late nights I have spent in the studio, either just

sitting there and creating nothing worth showing, or just sitting there

thinking about something to create.  I feel a creative slump coming on.

I had an old  Anthropology bag and cut it up, and had this picture

from a magazine of a really older lady, with lots of wrinkles and

really weathered looking, so I started playing around with that.

Trying to take it to a different level trying to make it look

like it was just painted.  I don't think it quite hit the mark, but

I must say it looks nothing like it did before.

Good Mother

Ive got money in my pocket

I like the color of my hair.

I've got a friend who loves me,

Got a house, I've got a car.

I've got a good mother,

and her voice is what keeps me here.

Feet on ground,

Heart in hand,

Facing forward,

Be yourself.

 

  Lyrics by Jan Arden

been away from the blog for awhile, my mother passed away on november 12/2010

Back soon

Phoenix Travel Journal

Last night decided to get busy and make my travel journal for my trip to Phoenix.  The book I used I

got in the mail as an advertisement for TOMMY it was perfect not to may pages, exactly what I

wanted.  I painted and gessoed all the pages, added bits and pieces here and there.  The main

part I am going to do on the trip, but wanted it ready.  So here is front cover, inside front cover and page

1. I stayed up and got it all finished one more thing off my list of to do's.

Youv'e come a long way baby

 I like drawing faces , I like to try to make them different.  I like to try to skin tones just right.  That means I am always learning. But I am  always envious of people who have that great talent.  The first one, is the very first drawing of a person I ever did on the blog.  I went back it was July 2002, and this the second is a little one I did the other day.  I have improved, but still see things, bad lips, eyes not quite right, nose.  But I am learning and that is what art is all about right?  I am enjyoing the class, and I know I will never be able to draw a face that actually looks like somebody, but I like drawing these random faces.  I am just saying she had botox.

lee

Mish Mash Friday

weather:  perfect

dinner:  pizza at home watching tv with hubby

 Birthday:  Shoppers on Sunday 22 years old

shopper moves on November 12 to her new place

Mother will be inconsolable and will need to have drinks to bear departure

money:  US currency almost on par with us, good news for us bad for them

Phoenix trip coming up fast counting the days down

US money bought when money was on par (score one for Me)

going to miss Kelly Kilmer class in Scottsdale by one day (dry my tears)

New blog found art teacher: http://karenmaggio.blogspot.com/

Christmas Art Journal:  In process but having fun

New Magazine:  Somerset Studio (okay) I have read better months

Book:  Reading Oprah Book Club Pick called Freedom

dont like it halfway thru, quit reading it

Well thats it for mish mash friday...what did you do today

An Oldie but a Goody

Save the Last dance for me:  Sung by Ben E King and the Drifters

How's it going for you today so far? Well here at the old homestead

it's a beautiful fall day and I am going out to take Devil Dog for a walk,

to torment the roofers across the street.  Then its off to parts unknown, might

stop to work in my sketch book at a park, its just nice enough today to

do that.  Might stop and have a hot chocolate at Second Cup. Might

meet hubby for lunch, so many possibilities and so little time.

So off I go to get something done.

So what are you possibly doing today?

Covers

I am taking a course from http://www.dblogala.com/ creating

a Christmas art journal.  First assignment was to make the front and

back covers.  Here is my 15 version of my covers front and back.  It has

gone through many versions.   I finally

decided to go with this one, still not to happy with it. My original

version that I was going for the grunge, this is as far from

grunge as you can get . The more you get frustrated the more your

vision changes.

channeling my inner Marilyn

This was for practice

things I like

I like the layers that show thru

I like the transfer (because it turned out)

I like the colours I painted

Things I don't Like

I don't like the lettering (its crooked)

I don't like the hair I painted

I don't like the placement of the transfer

So this was a good practice assignment for me. 

Things I learned

When using stamps, I have this stamp thingamajig that makes you go straight I need to use it

I need to think more of placement

and colour balance

Do you practice and critique your work

boo

I am not a Halloween person, never liked it, still dont.  But I do the halloween thing, hand out the candy, comment nicely on all the costumes

.

So when its over I close the door and be thankful that all the hallabaloo is over for another year.

But I truly do wish you all who love Halloween a Happpy one.

My life is like a Circus

weather:  cold, hazy
clothing:  getting out winter clothes, finding socks, getting boots out, getting winter coats cleaned
visiting:  mom in the hospital, picking up dog food from the vet, picking up passport renewal forms, dropping books off at library
tv:  waiting for greys anatomy, and private practice
dinner: 2 small Halloween chocolate bars, a few diet cokes and a piece of raisin bread toasted (not healthy I know but sometimes you just gotta eat like that)
art:  finished above page this morning early  Lots of ideas swirling around, writing them down so I dont forget.

Monet Inspired

I have this old Monet calender that is about dance, and I was inspired by a picture of a ballet dancer, in his picture there were other dancers.  I did a few things wrong, the feet, no face because I would not get it right, but overall it was good practice.  I used pastels

Flying South

The birds are flying south for the winter, and I wish I was going with them.  It's calling for snow tomorrow for heavens sake, (I cleaned up the first word I wrote.) 

So here is a question for you, if you could go anywhere you wanted for a month in the middle of winter where would you go, my pick is

Tahiti

Bookmark It

 

these are some of my fav links, go over and take a look

Made this little bookmark for a contest over at   http://www.dblogala.com/

http://jkbees.blogspot.com/ who does not love Janet and her art

http://bowerwood.blogspot.com/ my fav aussie from downunder

http://zoranaland.blogspot.com/ her art is amazing

http://daisyyellow.squarespace.com/

If you don't see you name, don't despair, you are still my favourite, and promise will get to you next time, plan on doing this every Saturday

Yes I had fun yesterday here is what I did

2 hour coffee stop and coffee shop and journal ling, reading the paper

new Seal cd, played on high while going to the hospital

I know I said no more shopping, but I broke my rule, and bought some journal ling stuff I don't need

met hubby for dinner out

said bye to hubby and went to fav bookstore and browsed and of course time got away from me

home to relax and play a little in studio

bed

not a touch of housework touched these hands

Warning could cause you to have dancing feet

Its Friday and I am going with my plan and having me some fun today

Don't know what I am going to do, might dance, might sing, might tell some dirty jokes

who knows the day is young, everyone needs to have some fun

I need to feel young again, I am feeling old and tired and I refuse to be old

I want to have a young attitude when I am 90

So tell me what do you do when you want to have some fun?

We all wear masks

magazine images used, painted over, pastels used on background

We all wear masks, or different hats, at different times in our lives.

How many do you wear?