Hope

Today at my house it is all about HOPE. 

Mother in hospital

Talk to you all later

An Ordinary Life

I live an ordinary life, dont get me wrong I love my life...but once in a while dont you wish for something extradionary to happen to you.  I mean like maye you win the lotto, oh you wake up one morning and you can paint like Picasso.  So yesterday in my ordinary life I::

used gesso on tissue paper for the http://michelleward.typepad.com/how_cool_is_that/ challenge

cut some plexi glass for stuff I am working on  http://garyreef.ning.com/

tore up an old book for a class I am takinghttp://www.robenmarie.com/home/2010/3/12/urban-journal-on-line-class.html

did some ironing no link for that

talked to a registered nurse where my mom lives

and browsed some new blogs

What did you do today?

 The ladies are an art card that I picked up at IKEA. I love their cards. I picked up the board at Michael's 1.50, it had a cup painted on it I think. I gessoed the board, distressed and painted it, used gel to glue everything down, painted and wiped etc, added some Asian inspired stamps I have and here is my new art piece. I love how it turned out all for about $2.00 I am including the art card. The board has a wire with beads on it, very nice. I did this one in 2007.

 

Wet Ones....

I did this in 2007 on a wet one., that I have been using to wipe my paint brush with. I wanted to try and draw on it with black f pen, so  I was again practising people face skills, which still need work.  I like to work on wet ones after they have dried out, what do you like to work on?

New Blog Header

This was done on a piece of wood that I found at the thrift store .  I think I used cheap watercolours on it.  I thought it would make a great new blog header for spring and summer.  Its a old peice of art I posted ages ago.  I am a pisces and love the water which is so true.  I wish I lived near the ocean.  I would love to have a house that overlooked the ocean.  I am thinking Malibu (lol) better start saving my pennies.

Have been enjoying the first day of Spring it has been really nice today and when it sunny and nice it makes you feel better and more full of energy.  That is my free medical advise for today (lol) 

Did you create any art today?

Retro Art=Talk to the hand

This is a piece of art I created awhile ago, I love the colour and the quote.  I love creating art with colour, I love bright colours I think it makes the art pop.  While Spring is almost here, tommorow first day of spring.  Today it feels like it, was warm and the snow is melting fast.

I want to thank everyone for the nice comments to me about my mother.Things are going b etter here at the homestead with my montoring her.  She needed more fluids, etc.

I am doing a little plexi glass art will show you soon.  I am enjoying  it lots.  If you want to see tuts on it here is the web here is the websitehttp://garyreef.ning.com/, great examples and he is a good artist.

I admire many people's art on the web and have made many web friends, and i wanted to thank you for reading this blog, sometimes it dribble.

Art wise still working in the journal, or trying to a little bit of a block, do you get blocks? What makes you get out of them?

Well talk to you soon, maybe tommorow.

When my daughter was younger she used to say Talk to the hand....that was the idea behind that art

fading

I have been busy with my mother the past few days as she is just a shadow of her former self. She does have colon cancer, but the past week, great changes have occurred with her personality.  My mother has always been a talkative,, happy person who loved life.  In the past week, all of the sudden she has hardly talked, cant remember, and is almost childlike, she is not eating, drinking very little.  I have brought her to my house to stay until we can see the doctor.  Of course the doctore cannot see her until Tuesday.  I have made arrangements for the homecare worker to start to come to her apartment starting on Monday. The homecare worker will ensure that she gets down to her meals, helps with her bath, and ensures that she takes her pills.  She lives in a apartment building that supplies the meals in the dining room 3 times a day, and cleaning of her room weekly. 

I always have  come on the weekend and stay with me, which she enjoys.  We watch tv together, she plays with devil dog, and reads .  Something different for her.  She has diabetes and needs to eat, but she is not eating enough that might be one of the problems.  So I am at my witts end trying to ensure that she eats, and drinks enough.  As you know we were in emergency a few weeks ago because she needed to have fluids pumped into her body.  You know they looked after us all there lives and now its our time.

Happy St. Patricks day to you

I always liked having my birthday on St Patrick’s Day. One because really it’s not a holiday like Christmas when no one wants to give you a birthday present.. Everyone always remembered my birthday. Well every year on this day I look back on my life and kind of have a balance sheet of what’s gone right, gone wrong and can I fix it. Sometimes things are un fixable (is that even a word) and then a decision has to be made, and I think this year is the year for a decision on my life.

Well on a happier note, I went out to lunch yesterday with my mother in-law and sister in law for my birthday. I had the most delicious lunch something I would not normally have , a short rib sandwich with emmenthal (spelling) cheese, toasted on 8 grain bread. Now short ribs are a bit greasy and I have never cooked them, but this was heaven in bread. Well since its my birthday its all about me today, time for a pedicure, maybe a manicure, the shopper is treating me to lunch, and then a little shopping, still never made it to IKEA, so maybe there. There will be no cooking or cleaning in this homestead today I can promise you that,

Whets on your agenda today

Self Portrait of a Woman

This is not me, I do not usually wear a gold patch over my eye, its usally black.....(l9l).  And I can draw a woman better than that one, but I did not want her to be to good looking to perfect, because nobody is.

I joined another online bookmaking course, this is the third one I think and still no book to show for it.  Now nothing has been wrong with any of these classes, they all show you exactly what to do, step by step, but

I make be book making stupid.  It is just not happening, but I keep trying.  They mostly end up in the recyling bin (the garbage).  The only thing I did moderatly and I mean moderatly good was Teesha Moore phamplet stich....

You know blooger does not have spell check, or at least I cant find it.  Now when I was working I was a pretty good speller.  But since I have been retired from the working field, my brain has gone to mud and spelling is not quite perfect, with spell check you can at least check your work, before it goes out into the world and others know you are spelling challenged.

Well last night was dinner out with my friend of 40 years, we try to get together at least once a month.  She leads a busy life and her health is not great.  We went out for my birthday which is St. Patricks Day, no I am not irish.  Well stay tuned for more art from me on the morrow.  I just watched an english movie the other day.

Journal Page prompt: Song my song is Free by Jan Arden

I love Jann Arden and her new song Free is one of my favourites.  The prompt a few days ago (I am way behind on the prompts) was Song. So here is my page for it.  Well  today Monday is a busy day as you may or may not see its about quater to 7 I have been up since 6:00.  I have already taken Devil Dog for her morning business and I am fully outfitted for the day.  Mum has a doctors appt at 9:00 she wants me to be at her place by 8:00...god I hate getting up this early, reminds me of my working days.

I know I promised to show you a technique a few days ago but my Camera is not working, and the Shoppers camera is not working, so it will have to wait a few days.

The weather here is beautiful, the snow is melting and the roads are clear sailing.  Well I better get going Devil Dog is barking her breakfast.  Whats on your schedule today?

Playing Games

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are."- Kurt Cobain

When i saw this quote for the prompt at Art Journaling.ning.  I knew what I wanted to say right away.  I had already drawn my feet in, I was doodling awhile ago trying to draw feet.  I did not get to Ikea yesterday, sometime this week for sure.  I baked instead  of spending money I opted to put more calories in this body.I should have spent the money.  Last night was in the studio cleaning up and reorganizing seems I do that more than I do art.  I always think it will get my creative juices flowing, doesnt do to much.  But I get alot of re-organizing done.  I am in the spring cleaning mood, I just might tackle a closet today and re-organize that, or maybe just read a book, do some art oh the possibilities are endless when you are not working. All that resting doesnt make the blog that intresting.  Today for sure I am going to photograph a process that I just discovered that works pretty good for me, and I am going to post it step by step tommorow.  Maybe you all know how to do it already, but I am reading a book about transfers and I love it.  I got it from the library it is called Image Transfer Workshop by Darlene Olivia McElroy and Sandra Duran Wilson, there are some transfers I would not do to much work but there are a few that I have tried and they have been pretty good.  Thursday, I am going to show the one with the clear contact paper, or you can use packing tape.  I got a roll of clear contact paper at Michaels for 6:00 and if I dont use it all I can always line the shelves with it (lol). I dont know if any of you who read and this blog (and thank you for reading by the way) watch HOUSE on TV its about a doctor.  Anway this week was about a blogger quite funny actually she blogged everything to funny, hubby commented sounds like you.
I was trying to blog everyday in February to see if I could do it, did not make 28 but made 22.  I am very proud of myself.

lee

First

 

 Hand drawn, and painted, 1 scan of my sister

I dont know why my scanner does that to the side, kind of makes it blurry and out of focus.  This is my journal entry for the Past.  I am behind on them oh well a girl can only do what a girl can do.  On a brighter note I am off to one of my favourite stores today IKEA, just to look and I might even sneak in a purchase here and there.  You can't help yourself once your there.  The weather is still holding in a nice pattern so I cant stay in today, must get out and enjoy the weather.  Whats on your agenda today?

Present-Ar Journal Prompt

Done with oil pastels, and pen.  Its suppose

to be kind of dirty and gritty thats how I felt

when I was there.

The other day I spent the day in the emergency department with my Mother.  From 12:00 noon to 12:30 at night.  Everthing is ok now.  By the time I left I felt like I had not showered for days.  I do not want to have a repeat of that day for awhile.

The weekend was good, no art was done, lots of relaxing and doing nothing.  Watching the Oscars last night.  To be honest I had only seen one of those movies, Inglouris Bastards, and he desered his oscar I thought he made the movie.  I like looking at the dresses, hair, makeup .  I did not watch the whole thing, I changed channel before Best Director.

Today I am off for Library Time, I am in need of of some inspiration.  Then its home for laundry.  What are you doing today?

Map Maker

This was suppose to be my doodle for the March Art Journal but I just cant doodle when I want to.  Usually I am on the phone and I doodle over anything paper, bills, the telephone bill.  Hubby knows he has to move anything that is important because I doodle on it.  So It did start its life as a doodle but I turned it into my own map.  I have always wanted to make a map like this (in my dreams it was way better than this).  But I just put pen to paper and did not think to much of it.  So enjoy my map, It is not correct in any way .  What's on your weekend agenda? 

Heart of a Woman

Magazine picture, scrapbook paper, paint, crayon, black ink pen

Now I was not going to watch Oprah today, because Jessica Simpson was on.  But decided while I was getting dinner ready I would have it on.  She said something today which really made me think and want to create a page in my art journal about .  She said beauty is the heart of a woman.  I could not agree more.  It is not how you look, how big or small, how tall or short.  Its all about whats in your heart.  If you have a good heart your inner beauty shines through and that is all that should matter.  And I really believe this I am not just blowing smoke out of my butt.

I had fun creating this page and really put my heart into it (a bit of a pun did you guys catch that).  The prompt today was blue, and there is some blue in the page.  Blue you could do so many things with.  I cant believe I have been working in the journal 3 days in a row,  I am on a roll.  Hope I can keep it up.  What did you do that was fun today?

Can you do the downward dog?

Used credit cards to scrap paint down on the pagae

I feel like I need to relax more (my husband would faint if he read that).  I thought about doing yoga.  We have a yoga studio not to far away.  I see all these women (young) might I add , with those cool colored mats, with their trendy youga pants on, that would not go past my knees.  Then I picture me on the mat not able to get out of the downward dog and the paramedics tring to untangle me.  Not a pretty site.

But Madonna's abs are pretty hard to forget. 

Today I am off to do errands, (do these never end) and then home for laundry day, can hardly wait.  What are you doing today?

Born to be Wild

Born to be wild my favourite Steppenwolf song.  Because I  was not a"wild child".  I always wished I was one ofthose cool chicks, that did what they wanted and lived on the wild side. But they are aprobably all dull old housewifes now.

Does Journalling get your motor running.....I cant just journal I have to draw something, add something make the page my own.  I wish I could, just journal put it all down and be done.  But then there would be nothing to look at on my blog.  I dont always write what I want to on the pages I show you.Because as someone who reads other people journals on there blogs, I am sure some read mine..  I dont show  the pages where I get down and dirty and spill my guts and rant and rave, do you? And I do hove those days.  One time my therapist (yes I had a therapist) told me to go home and yell at the paper, she meant write everything down that I was keeping to myself and then read over and rip it up.  It did help me crazy no.                      

Today's journal prompt over on Art Journal is "credit cards", thats a thinker for sure.

March came in like a Lion and I hope it goes out like a Lamb

Welcome March, I have been waiting paitently for you to come.  I know that when you fly bye spring will be here and the grass will begin to peek through and the snow will melt and I just love you march.  Well today is the first day of march and all that went bad went bad.  My camera is not working, my mother inlaw fell on the ice and luckly only bruised her ankle and knee but when your 80 its going to affect you in long term.  My mother still not feeling good.  And the shopper wrecked her back somehow. So lets keep our fingers crossed that my favourite month of the year has better things in store for me. 

I have been working in the art journal as you can see, this one was from the beginning of February.  I joined an art journal prompt a day for the month of  March to give me a kick start which I need.  So the first prompt was today and it was "Start Your Engines".  The object is start a page each day you dont have to finish it that day but to start it.  Tommorow you will see what I have started.

Sunday, hubby went out of town till Tuesday night.  So I rented a movie Jennifer Aniston and I cant remember the name of it, but it was good.  Watched TV, read my book and finished it, "The Reliable Wife" I highly recommend it, its not what you expect.

Well tonight I am going to work in my visual/art journal.  I only have one journal at a time that I work in.  Some people work in lots of journal at one time.  But I cannot, I wish I could. Well tommorow Devil Dog goes to doggy daycare, and I am spending the day doing what ever strikes me at the moment.  So I will talk to you all tommorow.

Is it Saturday already

A couple of pages from my visual journal, a little doodle a little writing, some colour

Well its Saturday, since I dont work you would think that everyday feels like Saturday.  Not true

everyday still feels like a work day, and the weekend is still the weekend.  Its hard to expalin, but I wonder if that feeling ever goes away.  Maybe because Hubby still works.

Well what am I do today.....I know you all want to know because I live such a exciting life (lol).  Who knows I am wide open today to explore all possibilities.  My glasses broke so they need to go back to repaired, I need new shoes which I have been looking for a year, as in the previous post I have bad feet. The newspaper is calling my name, the Games I am over already thank god they are nearly over and its back to regular programming.  I am reading a gread book called the Reliable Wife.

Well I am making myself fall asleep from all this dribble so I will say goodbye and talk to you all soon.  What good movie have you seen lately?

Role Reversal

Visual Journal Page donw with tape (the page ripped) water saoluable crayone, magazine image

bird (from somewhere) pen and white out of course

Spent the whole day yesterday with my Mom at the hospitall, I wont get into that whole thing, but she is fine for now.  But slowly but surely our role has reversed . I am the caregiver and in charge.  There comes a point in your life as you age that you need your family more than ever.  My mom lives in a building that is assisted living.  She gets her meals there and has her own apartment on the 8th floor, and a lady comes in and cleans weekly and does the laundry, not her personal laudry but sheets, towels etc.  So many people in that building has no one to help them and my heart breaks for them.  My mom so appreciates all that I do for her, but why would I not she is my mom.

Well today,  I have errands to run, a house to get ready for the weekend,  the newspaper to read and art to make.  The weather could not be nicer for February and it just makes you want to go out and play.

So what exciting things are you doing this weekend?

What Not to Wear...

Shoe magazine ad, just redone with white correction pen, and legs done with colored sharpies

I wish I had legs like Tina Turner....mine or more in the catagory of Oprah.  Tina Turner looks amazing in high heels.  I have a love for shoes.  They do not love my feet, I have big feet, all my life I have had big feet size 10-11.  Now manufacturers make lots of 6-7-8 and only a few of the big sizes.  Do they not know people have big feet now.  Not only big feet, but I have no arches etc.  so I have never been able to wear really high heels and I want to.  I think they make the legs looks great.  Now that I am older I know that I would kill myself if I ever tried to walk in them.  I cant walk in flats without tripping, and I am way to old to try.  But the shopper wears them and I get to go with her shopping for them sof the dream lives on.

Well enough about stinky feet, how are you all doing. I still never got down to the art room, but I have been working in my visual journal as you go see.  Its something I can do well sitting in front of the TV.  Great mail day yesterday a postcard from Singapore, I have always wanted to go there.  Where have you always wanted dreamed of travelling to?