Music

I love music. It was actually my first love before fine art. I still love to sing and I listen to music all of the time.

After hearing so many other blogs play music, I have decided to add it to my own blog. It does take a little time to load, though. Let me know what you think. Is it too slow or does it add to my blog?

I did decide not to have it automatically play on this page. You have to scroll down to the bottom and turn it on if you would like to listen. I do have it play automatically on another blog page, though.

Painted Rocks

I just finished painting 180 little rocks for a couple getting married at my church. They are the sweetest young couple and it was a joy to be able to do something for them.

New stuff....

I've been wasting a day playing around with new stuff here on blogger. Well, I don't really consider it a waste but I'm sure I probably should have been cleaning or something.

I did add a slideshow of my work as you can see. I'm not sure I like it that much but it's something new and different. I also added a "Follow" button on each of my pages for those of you who would like to know when I post something new. I have also gone in and edited some of the html to do things like open links in a new tab or window rather than moving away from my original page; center information; add space between the sidebar and the main body, etc.

I am still looking for the html to add a "Gallery" style page to Blogger. No luck so far. I can make one of my own on CS2 but I have no idea how to place it on a blog page. I tried inserting it on a page but it didn't work. I guess I just don't know enough about html to know where to place something to make it work. If anyone would like to help me out, I use a Mac and my original template was a classic Scribe although I have made several changes to it. If I can figure out how to use my own that would be GREAT!!

Fun - went fishing this weekend!

My Grandbabies Have Been Here - You can tell!

Living Room Footstool Toybox

Bedroom floor.

Bedroom "toy cupboard".

Bath time toys.

I just had to join in with the latest blog "Because kids live here" on Lynnette Kraft's blog: http://lynnettekraft.blogspot.com/2009/06/because-kids-live-here-link-up-your.html.
Even though I am a grandma and they aren't here all the time, there are always the reminders. :) Isn't it terrific! God has so blessed me with such a wonderful gift of my little grandbabies!

Drawings

I really do love to draw. I have actually completed three small drawings in the past few days (outside of school even). I will post them on my Drawing page. I feel so very blessed that God has given me this talent to enjoy and teach.

Trust

I just had the sweetest time these past few hours watching my littlest grandson, Bradyn. He is only 15 months old and so adorable.

We first watched a little of Ice Age 2: The Meltdown but not really because he was more interested in getting into the "toybox" footstool to find his favorite musical box and his plastic Sponge Bob whose eyes turn when you push the button on the back. His little hands can hardly even reach around to push it but he knows how it works and he tries hard to make it work like it does when grandma pushes it. He can say Sponge Bob but he doesn't say much else, accept of course mama and dada and all of those other baby words that make sense to them but being grown-up we lose the translation.

I think it's sometimes like that when we listen to God. He tells us in so many ways how we can have a wonderful life; we can be free to love and live but we are so grown-up in the world that we lose the translation when He speaks. We think we know everything but in truth we really need to become like children - accept what He says as truth and have faith that we will be taken care of as promised.

I know that was how Bradyn felt today with me. He laid back in my arms and fell fast asleep, knowing that he was loved and protected and that I would still be here with him when he woke up. And I was! He slept for almost 90 minutes and woke with a smile when he saw my face looking down on him.

I long to live my life like that daily with my Father and my Savior. I can wake up every morning with a smile knowing that He is always with me and trust in His faithfulness and truth.

God is Faithful

This is a calligraphic verse I did for a very special person who is getting married. This is before it is matted and framed.

Long, lost blogger.

It has been such a long time since I have been on my blog.
I have finished all of my chemo and my bone marrow biopsy came back clear - still in complete remission. I am quite elated and I praise God for His mercy and healing. Now I am in the midst of planning my return to school for the last quarter. I have missed my students and fellow teachers and I am certain it will be very good for me to be working again. I will probably get a little tired at first since I have been, what I consider, quite lazy these past few months, but that can only get better.
I have finished a few pieces of art during this time but I have not scanned or taken pictures of any of it so I don't have anything to post. Once I am back in school working on things with my classes I may have more art posts.
I am so thankful for everyone who has been praying for me for so many years (over 4 now with this last cancer) and I know I have been blessed by all of you.
God bless.

Not a very clear image - my daughter took a picture of it with her cell phone. But you can still see my little frog! I drew this and hung it on my hospital door here at the Nebraska Medical Center. I get lots of comments most every day.

Elizabeth and I decided to do a craft on my last Saturday home before heading to Omaha to the Medical Center. It was fun creating art with my very talented daughter!
Yes, my cancer has returned and I will be going through all of the chemo once again starting this coming Tuesday. I am so thankful that I have a loving Father and Savior with me for comfort and strength! His plans for me are for His glory and I am looking forward to whatever comes.
I will see my art students one last time tomorrow, then head out.

I scanned this in and it was slightly too long but you can see most of it!

Faux Stained Glass Window

This is a faux stained glass.

I designed the overall image and had the help of a delightful young lady from my church, Kylie Steiner, with the leading and painting - three days work total; one to draw up the actual size pattern and two to do the leading and paint, and add trim. It was great fun and we feel it turned out quite nice - those in our church thought so, too! :)

Figure Drawing

Yes - I know it's a drawing but I really wanted to post it on my home page.
I am very excited - we have a local group now getting together with a model to do some figure drawing. I have always loved to sketch figures and I went for the first time last night. This is one of my 20 minute drawings - we did three in all with a few very quick gesture drawings.

My Seniors

I must have thrown, turned the foot, pulled handles and carved at least 50 of these. I make all of my seniors in art a mug for graduation. They do seem to appreciate it. These are just a few that haven't been picked up yet.

Growing quickly. . .

I spent approximately 30 minutes on this drawing. Parent-Teacher conferences were rather slow. :) (I never like how pictures scan - either too light or too sharp. Decided to just post them both!)
My little grandson is growing up so fast.

Peony finally completed (at least as far as it will get)

FINALLY - Work in progress....

I finally got started on my peony piece(s). I first began with the acrylic but then decided to also work with my new coloured pencils. I really enjoy both medium. I still have a ways to go with both and then I will have to decide which one to give to my secret sister at church!
I just realized, I am posting these before our luncheon. It is a good thing my Secret Sister doesn't get on-line!

New Addition

I had a wonderful Christmas break - especially since my new grandson was born.

Isn't he beautiful?

Time..... where does it go?

I can't believe I have not even been on my blog for so long. I have looked at it a few times to show others, but I have not posted anything. Although I have finished several projects at school, I have not had any time to myself to work on something of my own. That is what happens, though, once I start teaching.
I am finally soon starting a small colour pencil drawing for my Secret Sister at church. When I finish it, I will try to remember to scan and post it before giving it away.

Painted

I finally finished my gourd. I am putting it on this page since the first pic is here. I think it turned out pretty good. I now have an entire bowl of fruit and veggies on my dining room table.

And more demos....

This time for my sculpture class.

Generating Ideas

I haven't posted anything for so long but I've just been so busy with school. I have been posting many things to my school website - student work, etc. Web pages take so much time.
I have been researching lots of new ideas for our handmade books in my natural fibers class. Making paper and the many things you can do with it is probably one of my favorite projects in this class (although, you can't really compare it to batik). Anyway, I have found so many great books about the subject. I think I spend more time reading others' books about it than I do creating my own art! But, as all of you know, even though we make art, we still enjoy the work of others!
Generally, we just bind a book with our paper but I do think I may have my students create some kind of art book this time. The only problem with that is getting them to really think it through and bring objects to class. But, we'll see.
Hope you are all out their creating!

Posts

I have been posting to my sculpture blog lately.
Although I am busy footing (turning) my thrown pots, I have not done anything special with them - as of yet - but will probably post those eventually on the pottery blog.
This page will probably not see much in the way of posts for awhile.

A couple of demonstration coil pots....