Endurance needed

Another postcard, with vellum

Bet you thought I wasn't going to post today, well I almost didn't.  I have been watching art videos, courses I have signed up for and have not got to yet, ssh don't tell hubby, he wonders when I will be graduating, and if I am top of the class for all the courses I have been taking.

Today devil dog went to doggy daycare, and I spent the day shopping, took the other string bikini back and bought another one, not quite the pin up model but it will get by.  Why?  Because I signed up for swimming lessons, not the kiddy ones, but Adults.  I know how to swim, my father was a lifeguard in a former life and never forgot it, we learned to swim at age 4, and had all the lessons you could take.  No i need to pump up my endurance, because I plan to swim in the swim lane.  I looked at it today and it looked like it was as far away as Australia, so endurance is needed.  Plus I don't think I have swam a lap in 20 years.  I have been in a pool lounging around, but never really swimming.  Before you know it I will be in such great shape,I will be teaching the classes (lol).  After all I have graduated from pumping the soup cans, to using 1 litre milk containers filled halfway with water.  

Well enough about body beautiful, I did some art, some sketching as well, just stuff to keep my mind busy, and am now watching American Idol.  So I will sign off and talk to you soon..

One Trick Pony

This was a spread I did in my tessha Booklet, slowly but surely it is getting finished.  I hope you like it, the day I did this I was feeling like that is all I could do is make these things, hence the saying.  Then I pulled myself together and dusted myself off, did some self talk and moved on.  Do you ever get those days, when you think god why do I do art, what for.  Then you realize that you do it for you.  Doesn't matter if I never get in a magazine, or published, hey I am published right here, even if it is just 2 people who see my art, that's two more people that would have seen it , if it remained in my sketch book right. My scanner was not big enough to show his tail but he does have one.  Well I better go and get this place tided up the plumber is coming over, hey who knows I might get a thrill and see that plumber crack.....

A full bladder and a movie review

Well how was your weekend? I went to the movie Hunger Games on Friday night, and loved loved it.  Followed right along with the book, I can see it being another twilight franchise's, because they just got through the first book, 2 1/2 hours long, did not seem that long, that how much i liked the movie. Did a little bit of shopping, looked for that butt baring bathing suit, but they were all sold out so had to settle for a regular one that actually fit my butt.  I did not try it on there, the clerk assured me that I could bring it back if i did not

like it.  So last night I tried it on, lets hope the mirror lies because I would scare all the kids out of the pool, with that bathing suit, so back it goes.  I guess I am looking for the suit that makes you look like the super model I am in my dreams.

I did a little bit of art, worked in my everyday book while watching TV, jotted some ideas down, but that is it.  Right now I am drinking 6 cups of water for a test I am having today.  I have an old lady bladder so I don't know how I am going to hold it all in till 11:00 .  Well until we meet again tommorow, Lee signing off.

Quiet times

Translucent Art

I call this translucent art, I got the idea from the link I shared  http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.ca/2012/03/flowers-in-mail.html

So if you didn't go to the ink, this is a brief description of what I did.

Blank card

draw design, watercolour or markers

get a piece of vellum, draw your design

Now I didn't want overdo the design because I wanted you see still see the card stock page

then I used markers, I tried watercolour ,but it makes the page curl.  So I used markers, and

white out paint.  And then put the tape around it to keep it all together.  This one I am sending to my friend

http://iamrushmore.blogspot.ca/ 

Today I am staying put, we had a huge snowstorm yesterday , but tonight I am going out with

friends to the opening of the Hunger Games, best three books I have read in awhile, stay tuned

for a movie review

The Fishbowl

This was done in my everyday book, I saw an ad in the paper, and put my own spin on it.  Don't you feel sometimes you are going round and round  and getting nothing accomplished.  Or am I only the only one who spins her wheels. Hubby got home late last night 1 day early, so now back to reality.   

Today I am off to the airport, to pick up friends.  

Do you watch Dr. Oz, or is it just us old hypercondriacts (i cant spell even)  old ladies, who have everything he talks about. But the other day he had the Hungry Girl on, I get her email updates.  I love the way she cooks, low fat but tasty, and you don't have to give up everything.  Anyway I am trying to lose a few pounds so I can fit into that string bikini for the summer, you know the one that goes up your butt when you walk.  Anyway I am off today to get two of her cookbooks.  Well we are on the subject on bathing suits, do you believe that any woman is happy with her body that is not 16, or the way she looks in a bathing suit.

Happy Mail and a great Link

Happy mail today three postcards from Ontario Canada, and two from  Sweden.  I am participating in the Postcard swap from Ihanna, and mailed mine off a week ago.  I am so happy when I receive mail from other people.  They are all so beautiful

This one comes from  Sweden, No envelope and in perfect condition which is amazing, it has lace and flowers on it.  I cant link her no address, but her name i think is Charlotta

Another beautiful card from Sweden  from Elin Lund from  http://pelin-pelin.blogspot.ca/

This one comes from my home country Canada, from an artist by the name of Gail,she lives in Ontario

no blog address

Since mailing my postcards, and reading this posthttp://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.ca/2012/03/flowers-in-mail.html and seeing it done, I am now making some of these.  Go over and have a look it looks like a great project.  Whoever is interested in getting one from me, let me know.  I love sending mail

tales from party central

Ok not quite party central.  But good times have been rolling in.  Yesterday, I decided to go buy some new clothes, which I did and totally scored on.  They were already reduced and then 50 percent more off.  I really don't need any new clothes but I cant resist a deal.  The shopper came over and we had a fast dinner, which we made from what was in the fridge.  I watched all my favourite shows, the Voice, Project Runway All stars.  Today I don't know what I am going to do, I will have to see what blows my way.  I do know it

is out to dinner with the shopper and the mother in law (let the good times roll)lol.  This little card I created last night, and its going to someone far way today.

Okay I am off to score some adventures.

Home Alone Part 1

Your probably saying to yourself god is she drawing those buildings again, and the answer would be yes, I am perfecting my style.  This is how i do it, I draw something and keep drawing it until I am happy

with the way it turns out.  As you can see I draw with a black pen, i challenge myself not to use a pencil because I want to be able to draw without erasing.  OK I admit using an eraser would be beneficial to me, but I like the messy oh my god , I made a mistake and totally tried to cover it up look.

I had a great birthday and thank you for all the great wishes.  Also I did not get the BMW, but I did get a new chair.  Doesn't match up well against the Beemer does it.  But the new chair for the studio

delights me, the arms go up if I want to get closer to the art table, I feel kinda of new agey.   See at ,my age the little things delight me (ha ha).  Well hubby is out of town for 4 days and nights, oh what shall I do.\

Let me name a few nothing, no cleaning around here, there will be pj's most of the day, I shall go on

a wild   shopping trips (ok maybe just little shopping trips) no cooking except out of a can.   I shall rent one or two movies a night . Ah the sweet joys of alone time.

Well I better go and start on my new adventure, I will let you know how it is going tomorrow.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Revisiting an old card of mine

•  Today its all hands on deck, I am off to
• get a pedicure, the shopper is taking me for my birthday
• 
  
• Yes today is my birthday, and after the pedicure, the
• family is going out for a big lunch
• 
  
• Then I am off to spend some birthday cash ,might come up with a new BMW (lol)
• and give my hubby a heart attack at the same time
•  
• Then who knows what the wind blows in, I am up for anything
• So have a great day, I plan to

happy mail

I got some sweet mail yesterday.  I dont know if you remember but I was in a swap with two fellow friend bloggers, Janet from http://jkbees.blogspot.com/ and TJ from http://studiomailbox.typepad.com/.  They are such great artists, I am proud to receive these beautiful pieces of art.  I just love them.

Today is a short post, because I am off to explore the city and spend some money,

I am off to an art store I have never been to before.  The money has been burning a hole

in my pocket.  Before I leave here is a great site, with a great project that i might try,

looks like fun and would be a great gift

http://www.houseofearnest.com/2012/02/29/have-make-dipped-wooden-utensils/

proceed with caution

This is one of the pages that i am working on in my Teesha Booklet.  I don't think it is finished yet, but we will see.  There is still room for my journalling, a maybe a few more homemade embellishments.

The face i had fun doing, it is made from an old perfume box the shopper left when she moved out.  Its actually feels like suede, but I cut it into the face and beak.  Well what do you say, it needs more right?

Colour along with me

remember awhile back I showed you a sketch without colour of flowers,

while here is the finished one.  I am not to happy with it, the colour is

not what I envisioned, but live and learn.  Today I am off to a meeting

at 1:30 but other than that the day is free and clear.  I am going to take

my camera on a little date and see what I come up with.  Other than

that I am still working on my Teesha Booklet, I will show you a

page tomorrow.  I am having a hard time with it, because i

keep seeing Teesha Book in my head, and I dont want

to make it like that. I want to make it my own.  Lucky

I dont do this for a living I would be broke .

zombie land

Well, I am back, and glad to be back, I missed you all.  I did get quite a few things done.  I am in group called Art Geeks , and the this was the prompt, a girl, a bird, a song, a key, and your mothers favourite color.  Hence the title zombie, that's what my girl looks like, I need to put some life into these women that I draw.  I am also working on my Teesha Booklet, adding things, and making elements for the booklet,

which I am having fun with.  Just got my list of postcards who to send them off to, am excited about that. I am taking an online sketching class part two with Alisha, and signed up for another one over at Christy's . I will have a link to all these at the end of this post. 

Spring is just around the corner here, the days are warmer, and the snow is melting, and now since its

daylight savings time, it stays light later.  So i tried to stay off the computer well on my little hiatus, because I can spend my whole day checking on sites and not get anything accomplished. So what have you been up to

this weekend? 

 http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/

/http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/qs-and-as.html

http://www.gulfsprite.com/category/blog/

gulfsprite is the art geeks creator, check out her site, and ask to join art geeks, its free and you learn alot

alisa burke, an idol of mine, she has a free class called finding your muse

and  finally christy tolimison and this gal are hosting a online course, it looks like fine and cheap

at 35.00

well thats it for today talk to you on monday, 

Living the Life

Sometimes I need a break, from life , from my blog, and so

I am on break till Monday.  Its a short break, I cant be away from

you that long, I have got some stuff to deal with.  Plus a tooth is acting up and I am off to the Dentist.

So don't forget to come on back and see me on Monday, all revived and ready to go.

Blinded by the Light

I guess you could say I like bright colors, well you would be right.

The color pallet that I seem to reach for are aquas, yellows

pinks, reds, and Orange.  Do you have a favourite

color pallet?

Practice, Practice

Here is a piece of watercolor that I did quite awhile ago for practice,

what do you do with your practice pieces.  I keep them in a file

folder and look back and see if I have improved.

sketchbook challenge

Last night while watching The Real housewives of Beverly Hills (yes, I do watch it, but that's only

one I like), I was sketching this for Sketchbook Challenge, this month is about plants.  So now i am going to paint it with watercolours, I will show you when its done, it will be much nicer when painted.  Yesterday, if you read my post, I got all my duties done, and even went to the mall to look around, and sketched a window that I loved, you should see it soon, its going in my art journal. Do you ever get inspiration from store windows another place I love to go for inspiration is Anthropology (I don't know if its spelled correctly) my favourite store, and you know what I might even go there today.

Another day in the life of me

well its Friday and that means it's Friday, when you don't work

everyday feels like Friday.  Today the Shopper is off to the mountains with friends to ski.  Usually Hubby has Friday off but he had to go into a meeting.  Devil dog is barking at everything that moves on the street and I am sitting on the computer enjoying a Diet Coke.  Today i am off to pick up a letter that

is needed for income tax, (its that dreaded time again), then to the grocery store, to mull over what

to cook for dinner and then decide we should go out for dinner.  And then I am going to do some house cleaning, and art.  Another riveting day in my life, I know its hard pounding exciting.  So I am off to get at it, 

what are you doing today?

Quack Quack

today devil dog went to daycare

took friends to the airport

had lunch with a friend 

went to the reuse store and got some good junk

now going to do some art

what does your day look like?

Plexi 202

This is the second piece of art that I made.  This was for Janet,.  It arrived yesterday to her house,

but it did not arrive quite perfect.  Two corners of the plexi were cracked.  So for this one all I did was on a 6x6 hard backed canvas, I used some molding paste, and a few different colours of acrylic  paint,

drew the bird, painted her, and used some old hardware and laying around.  Now to

attach the plexi, which I sprayed in blue and created a circle with it, I was going to drill it.  I went out and got the right type of nibs for the drill, but was nervous, and I didn't want Hubby to muck it up.  So I used some

heavy glue (3000) something, and put the hardware on the canvas and the glue on the hardware, and 

it was finished, glued some hardware on the outside and called it a day.  

Plexi 101

Yesterday I posted the picture of TJ's that I did .  So like it or not I am going to tell you how I did it,

and give you a link to a super artist, and how he works on his plexi glass.

1. First make sure, you have all the clear plastic paper off the plexi glass, 
2. The next think I did was use a stencil (the fish) and I used spray on ink Then you can paint around the fish in acrylics or spray inks, use different tools while the paint is wet, scrape into it, then paint anther color, keep making marks and using different colors,making different layers of color the sky's the limit.  And your done when you say your done 

I got my plexi at Home Depot really cheap, and i cut it myself with a ruler and a edge knife (not the right word, my old age is setting in and I cant remember the word) everybody has one.
So if it doesn't turn out, don't think of me, if it does you are allowed to think of me.  Now here is the link,
not only does he do plexi, but he is an amazing artist, take some time and watch his videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us4ygBRo9FE

Anxiety Art

I was in a trade with TJ (she doesn't post on her blog anymore, and Janet from http://jkbees.blogspot.com/

There was no theme.  Well I love doing trades, and getting bits and pieces of other peoples art, but I get anxiety plagued making the art.  I wonder if its good enough, will they like it,   So this is the piece of TJ art that I made.   I knew for sure that I wanted to make something out of plexi glass.  So I started, I had three  ideas, and three ended up in the trash.  This is the fourth one

Its her birthday today, and she is going to open it up.  She is an amazing artist and person, so I hope she likes this one. Janet has not got her's yet, it is very different from this one.  Do you ever feel like I do when

making art for others, or are you confident?

Tweet, Tweet

Awhile ago, quite awhile ago, I was watching Teehsa Moore's video

how she creates a journal out of a big page of paper.  I was going

to link the youtube, but it seems like Youtube is down.  Anyway

I made this journal, and it was just laying around the studio.

So yesterday I decided to start it, this is the front cover, I know

you must think a bird again.  I read somewhere on the blogs

lately that birds are so over, but I like them, so you are

going to see more in the years to come. Now onto  my

next page in this journal and stay tuned , here's a hint

bet you thought it was going to be a bird, you are 

wrong?

big head

As you can see I did this head on February 14, I drew

it big on purpose, I am going bigger.  Don't they

always say "bigger is better".  Now that I am

taking Pursing Portraits, my women should improve,

you can only hope.  Its Saturday, were snowed in,

hubby is out using the snow blower, and I am

warm and cozy in the PJ's where i AM

staying all day.  What are you doing today?

The sky is falling, the sky is falling

Isn't that what Chicken little said?

Today is a go day

Snowstorm warning is out for tonight and tomorrow

Dinner tonight at Red Lobster (yum) with friends

Library visit needed

Get this three pieces of mail sent out on Monday,

One to Germany, two to USA guess who

got here's today -Germany, does that make sense

Art is going to be made tomorrow, digging in

what's  on your plate  for the weekend?

Walk like an egyptian

Well i almost gave up on this blog, I was having such issues, just

trying to post.  I guess Google owns the world now,

I had to update to Google Chrome, then I had

to buy more picture space (5.00), and on  and on.

Okay now back to real life, The little lady above

did not start off with hair like that, but that

is what it ended it up as, hence the 

title Walk Like an Egyptian, do you remember

that song.  But it all started out with stripes

because I don\t wear them, another fashion

rule of mine, do you?

Humpty Dumpty

This started out as me doodling lines, then a circle and before you know it

looked the Humpty Dumpty on crack.

Do you draw every day, or do some form of art everyday? 

Well I do (okay quieten down with that hand clapping), while watching

TV is when I practice my drawing.  That's right I can multi-task,

draw and watch Lockup RAW at the same time.

Well that's it for Saturday, and if you your reading this

tonight, then you and I have the same social life NONE.

Another day in Paradise

A doodle in my everyday book

Another day in paradise, I might clean the bathrooms today.  That could

be the highlite of my day.  So if that doesnt tell you I have nothing, to say i

dont know what does

but have a nice weekend and I see you Monday.

A call to arms

I do I hate my arms, I don't know what age that started, later

in life for sure.  You know they kinda look like a

wet noodle.  I want arms, like Jennifer Aniston, Madonna,

no just kidding I can not work that hard, because I

hate exercise.  But I have been lifting and pumping

iron with my soup cans, and am about ready

to graduate to the 280z can of tomatoes.

Will you be my valentine?

Happy Valentines Day

hubby and I dont really celebrate Valentines day, he wanted to take me out to

dinner tonight but really how busy is it going to be

so I said no, and i am making turkey meatballs, and if that

just doesnt scream happy valentines day I dont  know what want does.



wordless monday

Pursing Heads

I am taking Pam |Carrikers class Pursing Portraits, because I would like to be able to draw people realistically, I mean not draw you, but a person who actually looks like a person, do that make sense to you.
I love Pam's people she draws, her style, not that I want to draw like , but I to be able to draw people.

I have been drawing them in my sketch book and critiquing my work.  What I like and what I don't like.
So then I can try and improve on things I don't like, for example the mouth needs major work, and I like
one of her eyes, the right one.

On another note here is a link to a fantastic video that Janet sent me , this person draws and paints a women's head and uses tissue paper , she has four videos watch all four I really learned alot  http://www.greenislescrafts.com/2012/01/mixed-media-face-prompt.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreenIslesCrafts+%28Green+Isles+Crafts%29 once you get there scroll down a bit and you will see the video, its really
good.
Well today I am painting some tissue paper, finishing up things, and cooking Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, getting ready for the Grammy's.  Isn't it a shame about Whitney.
Lee

Saturday and I feel good

today sun is shining

finishing off the trade pictures

making chicken quesadilla and salad for dinner

going to watch a movie

what are you up to this Saturday

Book of Me

this book started out as the Book of Days,

and it has morphed into the book of me

I am going my own way, not really

following along, so here it is.  The art

you have seen before .

The cover is glued and varnished.

The spine is covered with a brown paper bag

and the music notes are tim holtz tissue paper

The clock on the eye, the shopper got from Anthropoligie for her birthday

The inside cover was just paint, and dots

 This is a favourite print of mine that I bought from http://lovelife.typepad.com/my_weblog/
another artist that I love and bonus she is Canadian and from Winnipeg.

And I like to have bands around my books, and this is one

I bought from Michaels, its for smash journals, and it

comes two to a pack and it just about 3.00 so cheap

Thats it for today, if you are making a book show it on your blog
so we can all see it.

The Name Game

First off I wanted to thank everyone who commented on my last post. I truly appreciate all your caring words.

Now when I was younger I wanted to be Heidi, it was a book I read over and over again.

Don't ask me why I was thinking about Heidi when I was watching the Cops show, but

it just popped up in my every day book.  And yes I know I spelled her name two

ways, but I decided if I was a Heidi, I would spell my name the other way (lol).

Did you ever have a favourite character in a book you read when you were younger?

Still crazy after all these years

Today i am going to tell you one thing about me, that you don't know,

otherwise I am an open book.  I rewrote this sentence at least

50 times, because I feel i am better now, but there is

no sugar coating this, i suffer from depression.  Yep

thats right me, i went to that dark place about

3 years ago.  Just a few months before i retired.  I

was overwhelmed, with my sisters death, my

mothers grief, her moving here, my family

problems, i couldn't cope.  I started

falling asleep at work (not a good thing to do),

i was so tired i could not get out of the

car, sometimes, i would just sit

in the driveway and sleep.  And

worst of all i was closing my eyes while driving.

That's when I reached out for help, first

to my doctor, who got me started

on a regiment of pills, and then

to a therapist to talk it out.  I can tell you

she helped me the most.  I was trying to be

everything to everybody, and nothing to me.  I went

on sick leave from work, until i retired.  And finally

months and months later i started to feel like

my old self again.  Why am I spilling my guts out on

the Internet you might ask yourself, that's so

private.  But its not , today in Canada it is

Mental Health week, and if this touches someone

anyone, who thinks god I am like that, see

someone, it can make a world of difference.

Okay that's the end of my touch feely story, and now its back to reqular business.

its all about the house

today is all about cleaning the house

doing some art

trying to finish off my trade I am in, its due the 14th and since

Canada mail is by pony express i don't think its going

to make it on time

reading Traci Bautista new book and loving it

having leftovers

tomorrow something you did not know about me

stay tuned

cracked two

This was February cracked, and this is what I saw

1. getting ready to watch the Superbowl
2. have steak, potatoes, mushrooms and quiona salad
3. gave in and went and got the tape, i love it
4. was out shopping with the shopper, bought some new Nike Runners so that when I run the New York marathon next year, i will be ready, ok i wont be running the marathon but I still needed new extremely stylish runners, so people will think I am so athletic.
5. listening to Van Morrison Brown Eyed Girl

so that's it for today, what are you doing

cracked

1. this months crack drawing this is what i saw
2. did not get the paper box yet, but there's still tomorrow
3. got a refill for my copic black marker, will refill the marker 12 times, no need to ever buy another copic marker, just buy refills
4. working on my two trades, worrying about if its good enough
5. going out to the mother in laws for turkey dinner
6. beautiful day out today
7. went for a 2 mile walk with devil dog

And that is it for my Saturday, here's hoping yours was more exciting

Good Stuff for Friday

just wanted to show you a few things I found on the Internet lately

that you might be interested in.

1  Julie Balzer has on her online classes
a free online course, did i mention free,
here is the link, all her have to
do is scroll down to stencil 101,
i signed up, but we might
not hear for a few days
as she is away teaching
http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/online-classes.html

2.Over at http://elviestudio.blogspot.com/

is it not beautiful, she found it aprothogie, i phoned my store

they have 6 in, i have one boot on and one stuck in my door.  I vowed

I wasn't going to buy stuff i really don't need, but i think i need this,

the other boot is going on, keep you informed.  By the way

if you want it, 22.00 bucks in Canada, and way cheaper in the U.S.A.

i have blog love for this woman, she draws and paints

the way i wish I could, but every month, i

can have a little piece of her art

on my computer,  you can download

a monthly calender for your background

go have a look, I love February

http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-desktop-calendar.html

that's it for now Kids I have a deeply personal blog post coming up

on the 8th.  Stay tuned.

wishes

\

i wish i was Mark  Zuckerberg's  (the creator of facebook) mother

                                 i wish my body could eat anything and not gain a pound

                                i wish there was more hours in the day to create art

                                i wish  i hadnt posted this drawing, if you cant quess what it is,
                               it started as an angel, the face turned out not angel like at all,
                               so i slapped a bird on it, and called it a day