PMS

Painting Mysteriously Stops..........

Had a wonderful weekend and I hope you all did too!
Did a 'little' shopping this weekend, cleaned up a ton of crab apples (a whole pickup full!) and put up Christmas decorations!

Hoping to get back to some painting tonight or at least have the desire to :)

Wishing you all a great week!
Darla

Happy Thanksgiving ! Wanna see my buns?

I wanted to find a cute photo to represent my holiday greeting to you today and thought, what better way than to share with you a cute, CUTE polymer clay creation by my wonderful friend, Lori, of Sugarberry Sensations! Lori makes adorable stuff!


I'd also like to show you my buns! Oh My! :) Cute, huh?

Click on the photo and it will whoosh you over to allrecipes.com for the recipe I used. They are fantastic! The recipe gives directions to roll them like crescent rolls but I was able to make 24 clover leaf rolls instead from one batch.

I also made Texas Roadhouse butter to go with them :)

2 sticks butter (softened)
1/3 c. sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon


I'm so thankful for my sons, my family and my friends. I'm thankful for Dale, my health, my job, my home, and so much more! One thing I'm thankful for this year that was missing from my list before is YOU, my wonderful blog friends! I just started my blog in January and never could have dreamed I'd meet so many beautiful and caring people in such a short time.
Thank you all for being part of my world.

Many blessings to you all!! Enjoy the day and yes, elastic pants are fashionable ...today if no other time:) Bring it on!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Darla

My 'Mystele' girl

I've been watching a lot of Mystele's You Tube videos lately and was playing last night and decided to try her style of a girl. She's much more loose with her painting and I struggle with that but it was still fun.
Obviously I won't put this one up for sale as it's more her than me, but I just wanted to share my experiment in her technique and 'look'.

The wording says: I know we are supposed to Grow......but I don't think it was like this!'
I painted this pudgster after having scalloped potatoes and ham for supper and was feeling a little 'full'. ha!

Then I watched the Biggest Loser and had a dream about working out. I was REALLY pushing myself too! I wonder if that burns any calories? I mean, obviously the thought was there :)

A Calendar, a swap and Mary

I was contacted recently to participate in a 12-month collaborative folk art calendar! I'm July!
It's on Etsy, just click on the image if you'd like to read more about it :)


I participated in another ATC Swap over at Willowing & Friends for the month of November. This month's cards could be one of our choosing and another to represent Veteran's Day or Remembrance day. I was stumped! When I think of Veterans, I think of the American Flag and my card was going to Canada :) I had to think of something else. Hope this works.





I also painted up a 5 x 7 piece last night. I'm not too thrilled with it, but it is what it is. The image came out of the background and I just went with it.

Sorry it's blurry, but it says 'Mary, did you know?'

Thank you all for the wonderful and supportive comments yesterday on the memory box and for VernaAnn's parents. It is MUCH appreciated♥

Darla

Memory Box for VernaAnn Gabrielle

Here is a memory box I've painted up for Allison & Ross and their family to store treasured memories of their sweet angel, VernaAnn. The text on her wings is from poems printed in her funeral service program.


I printed her name on scrapbook paper and then sealed it under diamond glaze.


Since VernaAnn touched so many hearts around the world, I wanted that to be a part of this piece. I used scrapbook paper in a map theme, cut it up into small pieces and decoupaged it to the inside along with small photos also used in the program. I love the photo with her sweet little feet adorned with her parents wedding bands♥ (Click to enlarge)


Along the sides, in silver, I wrote a lovely little poem that Colleen shared with me.

"The angel from the book of life wrote down your baby's birth, and whispered as she closed the book, 'too beautiful for earth'"

I then added a little eye hook to dangle a beautiful charm I found at Michaels. It's a wing and a cross.

Thank you all again, so very much for your prayers for VernaAnn!

Allison is having a tough time, the tears seem to just keep flowing, so please, if you would, continue to keep her and her husband Ross, their 2 little girls (Faith & Sophie) in your prayers. Healing will come in time, but for now she needs love and support more than ever.

Thank you♥

Weekly Challenge~ ROMANCE

This is my very first challenge for Inspiration Avenue. The theme this week is 'Romance' so I painted up this girl in vibrant, rich tones on 6 x 8 watercolor paper. She's a young woman, waiting and hoping for the romance that ALL the fairy tales have promised. She knows he's out there.....she just knows it deep inside.



Click on this~to check out a wonderful blog!


I also did a quirky little abstract which I (sorry to admit this) LOVE! :)
Happy Friday!
Darla

Pudgy Bird of Gratitude~Journal pg 14

In doing last night's journal page, I searched extra hard in the background to pull out something other than a girl. I was just in the mood to paint something different and I found a fat birdie :)



I painted and stitched up a Christmas ornament also, but I'm having trouble accepting it as completed! It's tea-stained muslin quilted with a denim back. Any suggestions? Should I do some decorative stitching around the edges, or sew trim or sequins on? Or is simplicity best in this case? He has a sprinkling of diamond dust (tiny glitter) on him, not sure if you can see this in the photo.


(Design inspired by Jamie Mills-Price)

My oldest and middle sons (Derek & Ryan) went out to western ND hunting yesterday morning and Derek got his mule deer! He sent me a pic and I thought I'd share. Mule deer tags are harder to come by so he was excited to get the chance this year. I'm glad he had a successful hunt. I WISH I could find the photo of when he got his very first buck. He was 10 years old and he got it with his bow. His little pic was in the local paper. Since his Dad has basically been the one to lead him down the hunting road, I'm sure that picture went to him after the divorce :)
You'll have to take my word for it, he was beaming and so proud.


I'm not a hunter, actually I feel sorry for the hunted, but my kids are good hunters and I respect that they do things the right way. Their Dad taught them the rules and ethics of hunting ~ I'll give him credit for that :)

Some fun with glitter! Journal pg.13

I had fun with glitter, some new pastels, stickers, rub-ons and my parallel calligraphy pen!


It was just a fun girly-girl page for me :)

My friend posted this on facebook and I thought the funny part was going to be that it's a song about Potato Salad but nooooooooooooooo. I present to you, The Ross Sisters! You have to watch past 45 seconds.......you WILL tilt your head and go 'huh'? Guaranteed :)


28 years ago today my mother passed away :( I remember the weekend prior she was SO looking forward to Thursday's episode of Knot's Landing so she could see if Sid (Michelle Lee character's hubby) would survive. He did not. I always found it ironic that he died on tv the same night my Mom did. Rest in peace sweet Mother-o-mine!♥

A thank you and Journal pg 12 update

Good morning!

Carrie from Cottage Cozy sent me the sweetest gift!

These are wonderful Thanksgiving gift bags for giving out holiday goodies and a sheet of stickers too! How sweet is she??????? She's a wonderful person, please visit her blog and see for yourself♥ THANK YOU CARRIE!

Ok, so I recently purchased this print on Etsy from The Mincing Mockingbird!

It's titled 'It is folly to assume my awesome lies dormant'
I totally love his birds but the titles and phrases he puts with them take them up to a whole new level! They're great! If you visit him, I bet you WILL heart him :)

So I kind of 'borrowed' his quote for my journal girl. I changed one word but yeah, it's his wonderful quote for sure! I just felt it fit her so well :)


My eye appointment went well. Very nice clinic that I hadn't visited before but will definitely return to. My eyes have gotten a little worse, but I knew that. Now to pick out glasses. I don't like that part very much.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Darla

Journal Pg. 12

We are wordless at this point :) I want to write something on the left side but I'm still thinking on what I want it to be.

It's Tuesday and I'm off to get my eyes checked this afternoon. I know they've gotten worse since my last check up and it will be nice to get a new prescription. I've always had 20/20 vision but once I turned 45........I need glasses to even read the recipe on a cake mix box! :)

Have a super day♥
Darla

A sketch & some Maya words of wisdom

Whenever I try to find the image in these textured backgrounds, all my girls seem to be facing in the same direction! Either I'm not looking hard enough or something strange is going on :)
I will try paint her up tonight after I finish a little more on a memory box I'm painting for VernaAnn.



I received this in an email and really wanted to share it with you all!


Maya Angelou

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ........

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect....but it's over....



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more....
how to live alone.... even if she doesn't like it...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing....



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...




**One last thing**
I bought a tripod and my son is going to help me set up and take a video while I paint something! I'm excited to try this, yet somewhat SCARED TO DEATH! I need to know how to edit the video, how to choose music that won't get cut from Youtube, etc. Any tips would be great!

Thanks,
Darla

Journal Pg 11 ~ BALANCE

After one of the busiest and fullest weeks in a long time, I took the morning to just paint......paint for me, paint to regroup.......paint for balance in my life again :)
I just saw a post reminding me of the Illustration Friday theme this week! 'Unbalanced' I think I shall use this for that also :)


This is sadly, going to be a 'post and run'.......I'm off to a concert with my daughter in law and granddaughter! We're going to see Transiberian Orchestra!


I'm looking forward to this concert so much and I'll report in tomorrow :)
I'm also hoping to get busy visiting your blogs soon too! I've been terrible at doing this and I'm sorry.

Hoping you all have enjoyed a wonderful weekend!
Darla

Where I like to PLAY!

This is an area in my basement that's dedicated to making messes and having fun!
It actually looks pretty clean in this pic only because I had to organize it a bit last night :)
Today an NDSU student is stopping by to talk to me and take a few pictures for a photo journalism (?) class she's taking. I wouldn't have dared take her down here until it was 'safe'. LOL!

I really want to have fun with this room. I'd love to paint the walls a wonderful, fun color; a color I wouldn't dare use anywhere else, you know? I'd also love to paint the concrete floor. But this is all a lot of work and would take time and I'm having too much fun painting other things right now.

Wishing you all a wonderful Saturday!
Darla

I created a treasury!

Take a look if you get the chance :)
I haven't had a chance at this for so long!

SWEET!!!

Jennie-O turkeys are on sale at Walmart for .40 a lb!
Limit 2, but I'm set!

The birth of an angel!

VernaAnn Gabriel is here! And her heart is still beating!! She's such a strong little angel!

Before I could even finish this post, I received word that VernaAnn has gone home to Jesus. Her family got to hold her and love her and cherish her for 44 minutes.
She will forever be with them!


Thank you again for all your prayers.
VernaAnn touched so many in her short time, we can only hope to achieve as much in a lifetime
♥♥♥

I wanted to give away a painting of mine to celebrate VernaAnn's birthday and the love that surrounds her.
I put you all in a drawing. I generated the winner at Random.org and the winner of my original watercolor is

ANNETTE Q


This piece is titled : NOTHING TO FEAR

You are ALL winners! Every single one of you, for taking the time to read VernaAnn's story and to keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

As long as we believe in angels and the love they bring...........we have NOTHING TO FEAR.

I had an abstract moment

I don't have a clue what this is......what do you see?

Have I mentioned I love Leona Lewis? Her new video has a very unexpected twist! Enjoy!

Teesha Moore's Journaling technique

Along with many of you, I've found Teesha's journaling just beautiful and intriguing! She's also providing EXCELLENT tutorials over on youtube!

Anyway, yesterday I thought I'd give it a try. I don't have much for marker supplies but did what I could with what I had. If there was a Michael's store in my town, they would have made a huge sale yesterday.






You can tell I got frustrated at this point......and liked painting better :) I'm sure it's all in what we are used to doing but it sure is good and FUN to try new things. After all, that's how we grow!

Please visit her blog and watch some of her videos! She's so inspiring! I LOVE her use of vibrant colors!


Also, over on the side bar>>>>>>>>>>>>
PamperingBeki is hosting an ORNAMENT exchange! Just click on this link or the image in the side bar. I signed up, will you? It sounds fun!

Commission piece complete

Small pic but you can click to enlarge a little. There is a buck and a doe towards the right and I think it's safe to assume my wildlife won't be making it onto any US postage stamps :)
I realized on my first WIP that I had the tree shadow completely backwards so I had to try fix that. I seem to do that quite often!

I woke up with a headache, stiff neck and stuffed sinuses :( It's supposed to be a nice day and my plan was to get outside and do a little yard work before the snow flies. Might have to save it for spring! I feel a lazy, cozy, couch crashin' kind of day coming on!!

Take care,
Darla

Commission Work in Progress

A ways to go.......but this is where I'm at so far today. This is a 4-5' hand saw that belonged to Dale's father and his nephew asked me to paint 'something' on it. "and maybe some deer or elk'
yeah.........THAT'S going to be my biggest challenge yet! I pray it won't be one nasty cartoon critter :)

Hope you're all having a nice weekend!
Darla

Journal Pages 9 & 10

SLEEP PERCHANCE TO DREAM



FIND YOUR BLISS


Thank you to ALL who've prayed for VernaAnn! She is touching hearts around the world and that was my hope♥

CALLING ALL ANGELS!

My blog has mostly been about me and my (sometimes silly) little art journey. Today, it all seems so trivial. I feel the need to open it up to a sweet little angel and I am asking for your thoughts and prayers.


I'd like you to meet VernaAnn Gabrielle Johnson. She's waving to you!

Verna Ann is an angel waiting to be born. She was diagnosed with Anencephaly at 13 weeks gestation.

This is her beautiful Mommy, Allison.



Allison with her loving husband, Ross. Ross and Allison had to make the very difficult decision as to whether to terminate the pregnancy or continue on, leaving it in God's hands. That is what they chose to do.

In Allison's words:
Since Anencephaly is 100% fatal, donating her organs was the reason we wanted to carry to term. Also to spend more time with her since she is just fine in my tummy. Also, we believe God has a plan for her and we wanted to do everything we could to give her that chance and for Him to take her in His time, not ours. We did find out that we cannot donate organs.

Allison suffers from polyhydramnios (excess fluid) at the moment. She recently had some of the excess fluid removed resulting in a weight loss of 17 lbs. She wanted so much to carry VernaAnn to term but the doctors are telling her it is just too dangerous. She is 33 weeks right now. VernaAnn will be arriving Tuesday, November 10th as her Mommy will be induced.


Allison, Ross and their two sweet little girls, Sophie and Faith.


Allison and Ross are very good friends with my son, Derek and his wife, Jeni. They are ever present in each others' lives, good times and bad so I feel as if they are my extended family in a way.

I'd like to offer this original watercolor paper painting (5 x 7) as a giveaway prize to be announced on VernaAnn's birthday, next Tuesday.
This little guy is named 'Patches' as he has little patches sewn onto his clothing with a heart-shaped patch on his chest.


This piece is titled: Nothing to Fear

To enter, please say a prayer for VernaAnn and her family by commenting here and if you'd be so kind as to post a link on your blog and let me know, I'll enter you twice!

I'd like this to travel the world♥ I'd like as many of us as possible to send up a prayer for this young family and their sweet angel.

As Allison says..........'Some people only dream of angels. We will hold one in our arms.'

Thank you all so much!



**Photos courtesy of Gail Mooney

Journal Pg. 8

I don't know why but I couldn't bring myself to paint natural skin tones on this one and I actually like her better.......blue! I used acrylics and pastels on this one.

Oh my! Lucky me!

As I wrote earlier, I've been blessed to receive recognition from 3 BEAUTIFUL BLOGGERS recently!

Sharon of Mana Moon Studios, Lisa of Priti Studios and KeKe of In My Sepia Studio all presented me with the Kreativ Blogger award! How absolutely cool is that?♥

Please, please, PLEASE visit their blogs if you haven't already found them. I totally enjoyed reading their lists of SEVEN interesting things about themselves that we may not know.

When visiting Sharon you will find the most amazing and beautiful jewelry and super sweet blogger. I'm so glad I've gotten to know her through this blog journey!

With Lisa.....aw, my funny Lisa! Her posts make me smile (and even chuckle out loud sometimes) and her art will touch your heart for sure! She has a sense of humor and an honesty that I can only dream to possess!

To describe Keke best in my opinion, is I think she is a beautiful old soul in a vibrant young body living in today's world. Her vintage image creations and beautiful posts are a pure joy to read! I'm glad she's in my blog world, that's for sure!

On to the award and the rules...

1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link back to the person who nominated you.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
5. Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers'.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each blog letting them know you nominated them.


Don't worry.........I won't list 21 things and bore you all to tears! LOL I'm not even sure I can list 7 but I will try!

1) I had encephalitis in 1984........it hurt and I didn't realize how scary it was until afterwards when the doctor told me I was lucky to survive it.

2) I'm twice divorced. I first married when I was 18. He was my first serious relationship and my parents thought he was so nice. We were married 14 years and had 3 sons. We grew apart, or grew up? Then Don Juan (EX#2) came along and brought romance into my life and I was swept off my feet and promptly dumped on my arse when he found his third wife. (we were married exactly 750 days)

3) I've always wanted to please people (see #2`my parents')........just now learning to say 'no' to things I don't want to do or don't have time to do. It's so freeing!

4) I was stood up at a Sadie Hawkins dance in 8th grade. If you're unfamiliar with 'Sadie Hawkins' it was a dance in which the girls asked the boys. I know that sounds odd now because girls do that without a care, but back then it was a huge deal. I have never asked a man out since then. I was mortified.

5) I have a strong fear of rejection. (See #4)

6) I wish I could sing. When I attend a concert and hear someone sing, I. am. in. awe. TRULY a gift from God. I know there are angels singing in heaven, but do you suppose they have a need for bookkeepers? I'm very good with numbers :)

7) I have a great job as an office manager for a pinto bean plant and this week it just got better as my boss has installed cable and is mounting a 32" flat screen tv on the wall :) And next year I'll have been here 10 years and will be up to 4 weeks vacation! Oh yeah!


Can I please share this with all of you? Any of you that made it this far into this post is nominated for this wonderful award! Please snag the photo and enjoy! You are all VERY special to me. You inspire me daily and you encourage me when I need it most. I adore you!


One last thing.........Can you see her? This is the girl I found hidden in this journal page. Might try to paint her tonight unless it turns into an ACEO night for me. I just never know when those will hit! ha


Hugs,
Darla

Journal Pg 7

'And ever so slowly.......she unraveled'

I just took a night to play in my art journal. I haven't painted ribbons in awhile so tonight was the night to revisit them. It was fun :)

I've been playing online Veterinarian the past few days and I believe poor Mieko may have Colitis. Is anyone out there familiar with this?

I've been honored to have received 3 blog awards recently and I will be taking a moment to acknowledge them tomorrow. I'm so grateful when someone takes the time to think of me and I want to post my appreciation. You lovely ladies who did this, please know I haven't forgotten you.....I'm just slow like molasses sometimes :)

I also wanted to share one of my favorite youtuber's latest videos!


Have a great night,
Darla