Collage. Paint. Play.

And she began this way....

Art inspired from  the on-line class, 

Faces In Collage by Sharon Tomlinson.

I hope everyone who finds their way here had a beautiful Thanksgiving with family, friends and all those you cherish. We had a quiet couple of days and I allowed myself a weekend of relaxation and art. I enjoyed every second I had. 

This past weekend was the last peaceful one I will have till after the holidays. Today marks the start of holiday performances with DD's dance studio. Tonight is dress rehearsal. I handle the music and my co-partner sings. We both help keep track of all the kids/dancers and assist with costumes and pretty  much anything else that comes up.  I've been busy creating set pieces for our annual Toys For Tots performance which is this coming weekend; which includes a full size a manger, stable, (that could hold a real pony) gifts for the three wise men and a large lighted star. The star is the final element which will be delivered tomorrow. 

So to say I value the few hours I have had to spend creating art and just relaxing and giving myself some down time is an understatement. I cherish that time so very much. I was given a chance to take Sharon Tomlinson's Faces In Collage which I began this past Friday and I am absorbing it all like a sponge. The class focuses on creating collage and then using that as an under-painting for whatever 'story' unfolds' from the collage. If you have always felt painting faces was something you simply didn't have the talent for, then this is the class for you. The above piece is my first experiment in class and shows the collage before paint. 

And this is what I have done with it thus far.

This is a work in progress. 

I have some ideas as to what I will do next and I still have details to add to her face. She is not quite there yet. Sharon's video's instill a great deal of quiet calmness that lends itself especially to those who need gentle prodding in order to pick up a paint brush and attempt this kind of painting. Painting is something I LOVE to do but I am so used to painting in an unrestrained and uncontrolled fashion, so this is very different for me and WAY out of my comfort zone and I am enjoying it so much. 

I am also busy working on journals. Even with everything else that I have been doing, I always try and spend a few hours with journals which will be making their way to my Etsy shop. I am working on a new design layout based upon the novels in my last post. Stay Tuned. 

P.S. Remember this time of year can be stressful, demanding, and just a little bit crazy. When you find yourself feeling, frustrated, tired, unhappy, take a deep breath and remember that   you are valued and loved and that you deeply matter to those around you even though they sometimes forget. And if nothing else, if you've visited me here, then you matter to me.

xxxooooxxxx

The Night Circus Arrives.

So today I was taking my morning walk around some of my favorite blogs. Little did I know I would discover a book I knew I simply have to read; The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and thus the hunt began. Now, about an hour later the book is sitting on the table next to my favorite chair and tonight I will wander into the tent. Watch the trailer and tell me this isn't a story that tempts you? And in finding this book I came upon yet another New York bestseller entitled Miss. Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I give yet another trailer.

This one will be on my Christmas list. I can honestly say that new books never crept by without my noticing them as I had a Border's just down the street. My book list grew at an alarming rate. Even if I never purchased anything I could spend an hour checking out all the new publications. I miss doing that. Thank goodness for blogs. I might have missed these.

The trailers honestly sent my mind racing with ideas for journal creations and ideas, oh the ideas are spinning out of control at this very moment. Seriously. 

I can't wait to begin.

Her Secret Life

Her secret life.

Shake it out!

Learning to fly

No boundaries

Shining; a thousand tiny lights in that smile.

Oh the places she'll go.

Some of my favorite photos from Brittney's senior photo shoot. All photos by Jenny Rae

Bursting At The Seams

A few pages peeks. Lots of layers, bits and pieces of fabric and lace, hand dyed paper, stitched elements all coming together; mingling just for the fun of it and bursting at the seams.

Music That Inspires

Nothing like good tunes to create by. Love this new album by Florence and The Machine. I have been playing Ceremonials non-stop since I picked it up yesterday. I highly recommend this one.

Of Whispers and Wishes

Of whispers and wishes,

the rustle of leaves

blown from the trees;

the chill breath 

of November

creeps in through the cracks

thoughts turning inward

but not looking back 

seeking the sun, the daylight,

the warmth 

of whispers and wishes and

daydreams set free.

My newest portfolio style journal soon to be headed across 'the pond'. This is 6" tall by 4.5" wide, with 4 sets of 10 pages; 2 signatures each side. The colors inspired the title and my 'fallish' thoughts. 

It's a sun dappled but chilly day here in Minnesota and the wind is blowing hearty and strong. Over the weekend, I finished a project and met a deadline on Friday. With Christmas fast approaching I have dance studio projects piling up that need tending to so they will soon be given my undivided attention in the coming days. I have journals in various stages of progress and more deadlines to meet so there has not been a dull moment around here in I don't know how long. It is that time of year and I really do enjoy it very  much. And last but not least our oldest daughter is having surgery on her right wrist this Wednesday; hopefully to discover the source of pain she's had since last winter and since we've exhausted every other avenue and treatments, this seemed our next option. I am hoping it is nothing serious and that she can be on the mend soon. She is right handed and in her senior year  so hoping she will heal quickly. Every day counts.