Small Work and Big Step

Monday, while VolleyGirl was practicing, I went down the street to Starbucks, splurged on a venti size and sat myself in a comfy chair. Finally finished my second ATC (above) and started my next one (below). A dear BB (blogbuddy) is way overdue of receiving a package from me, these will be a part of that package. Hope to do more in order to trade.........finally!

Almost every day I check our city's art blog and today there was a call for artists at the recently voted "Best Coffee Shop" in the northern part of our state. They will display work from one artist each month. Thinking that would be a nice place to show zentangles and small drawings, I called and committed myself for the month of November. My plan is to finish the 'maytagaramas' and get some more work done. This will still be pushing it for me....but I often work best when 'pushed' ! VolleyGirl has been sick this week with sinus trouble. She missed her games Thursday and sadly didn't get to go with the team last night for a tournament today. It's a shame with all the hard work she has put in that she misses a time when they eat out and have fun together outside of the game.

BIGBOY IS HOME THIS WEEKEND...YIPPEE!!!

Life Sustenance and Drawing

My dad would have probably agreed with me if I were to say that for many in the south, homemade buttermilk biscuits are part of life's sustenance. My mom sure made more than her share of them and my dad did some too. I have made them through the years but more so in the last few years. I must admit loving them myself as well. I usually make them when BigBoy comes home and so I did this morning. Still feel like I have been ran over with something but that biscuit (or two) shall sustain me throughout the day I'm certain!

This flower was drawn a few nights ago with ink, I colored it last night with pencils and also worked on another sweet pencil drawing that I will probably post tomorrow. Don't bother trying to figure out what type of flower it is....it may resemble some type, or two but I just made it up.

Soulbrush has so kindly given me and many others an award which I will also post about and pay forward to others. In the meantime, my Bewitched nose still is out of whack so I must clean up in the kitchen!

Healthy Conversation Hearts Harvest Is Finished!

These are the last of the healthy conversational fruits and vegetables this week that have been a play on conversation heart candy. They all have been created using graphite and colored pencil, the camera does not flatter them very much. It has been fun! The candies have not been screaming as loudly (thank goodness) but a pastry tried to pick me up at the grocery store today but I ran quickly away!

Apollo will post late for Dogs On Thursday and hopefully Friday I will have another heart post if time permits. Preparing this week for a two-day volleyball tournament and we will be leaving Friday since VolleyGirl must be at the gym by 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Later.....

Dogs On Thursday: Apollo Meets The Colored Pencils

Last night mom was sitting with me in the den and I noticed something very new to me on the table. I am quite the inquisitive type, you know, checking out every vehicle that passes by when I am outside, every little noise. This seems to irritate my family, they like me to take care of business and move on but, oh, I digress! Anyhow, this object peaked my curiosity and I decided to check it out. Usually I can get by for a quick step up on the arm of the chair but I am always made to get down. This time I managed a little touch at the table, kind of checking it out to see if there was any possibility of getting a closer look at this item on the table. To my disappointment mom made me get down....but she was kind enough to get the item down and hold it for me to look at. Let me tell you.......I don't know what that was so I proceeded with great caution! See for yourself! Excuse me, did you just say I was a 'fraidy cat'? I'll have you know I am a responsible, cautious, ferocious bulldog! Mom......they called me a 'fraidy cat!' Happy Dogs On Thursday to everyone!

Broadening Broad

Late Monday, as I took Apollo for a bathroom break, the sun was headed out for the evening. I loved how the pink and dark blue clouds hung just above the tree line down the end of the cul de sac. It looks like we have a nice snow on the ground from this drawing, but sadly we don't. I may fill it in, eh, uh- probably not, as I will move on to the next drawing. I have been inspired and very humbled by seeing amazing art and hearing about those of you who read books, magazines and take classes, etc., etc. I can't tell you how long it has been since I have done any of those things. You have thrown the match and lit a fire under me (or at least started a smolder!) I am joining my local art league so that I may take a class in the near future and begin a more strenuous effort to improve and widened my abilities. This drawing was created with colored pencils and ink. Thanks to you all for your daily inspiration!!!
Tomorrow Apollo has a special treat (not a dog treat, he's nice, but not crazy) for "Dogs On Thursday" featuring his best buddy!!!

Trying Something Different

VolleyGirl and I picked up food yesterday and as we waited, I loved looking at all the tiles on the walls, no two were alike. I'm unsure, but I think they were slate. The patterns were amazing and last night I decided to use those images to create this with colored pencils and ink. My effort to do art more often and try something different. Hope everyone has a great weekend, BigBoy is coming in from school for the long weekend!

The Last Christmas Drawing, Kid's Pics and Sticky Buns...

The candle was quickly done in pencils late one night just before Christmas. Apollo is in hog (or dog) heaven when BigBoy is home, he wouldn't be still so his head is blurry....VolleyGirl posing in some of her new clothes....Claus brought her a new camera, why she's using mine.....both would be horrified that I posted their pic. Apollo, the "Canine Messiah", would feel he deserves more!Finally, probably my last "holiday" baking. I made sticky buns for the first time New Years Day. They were easy, sticky and yummy. If anyone's interested in the recipe, let me know...I'll post it!

Putting away decorations today and pondering my resolution for this year: Clean out this house! It is just one (sadly, there are many) thing that stresses me out, too much clutter. Every closet, drawer, nook and cranny needs going through. In past I have gotten rid of items and then came upon an occasion when I wished I had it, can't let that scare me cause too much has got to go! The difficult thing is that I will have to pace myself due to the back, knee and fibromyalgia, and now club volleyball starts up this week which means running VolleyGirl around and sitting on bleachers. Resolution: I will complete at least one project a week. I also will be back finishing and framing the "Maytagaramas". I look forward to moving on to other paintings, drawings and want to do some watercolors. Okay, on to the tree.......

Visions of Something........

I am enjoying the sketching this Christmas season. I am having visions of things I could sketch, still have several I would like to do. Cake...of course, like to bake (and eat) them. Like visions of sugarplums dancing in my head....except - it's not. I don't even know what a sugarplum looks like. Believe me, I need no more confusion going on inside my head! Yeah, what of it, I'm blonde, but it isn't all natural these days. This was created with colored pencils.

Christmas Sketching

I did the header photo last week. It is in colored pencils. I have completed a couple of them now. Many of you have inspired me to sketch, I have really enjoyed it. See Christmas Kitty layout below!

Working on the "Christmas Extravaganza"

I have only had time for a little color pencil sketch..this was just before Thanksgiving. I will have a difficult time in the next few weeks to paint. Decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing...recovering from decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing!!!! Wish I had taken photos of the two cakes I made, "Lipsmackin' Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake" and a carrot cake. I have increased pain and problems in my leg from my back but treading easily to avoid a major problem as I had last year on Thanksgiving weekend. (Holding breath, fingers crossed, saying prayer!)

That's BigBoy and VolleyGirl the day after Thanksgiving. We were all out working in the front, trying to get as much done as possible since BigBoy was leaving that day to return for school. He and his dad LOVE to put out LOTS of decorations in the front. I have yet to get any up inside but will have them complete before BB comes home for the holidays a week from TODAY!