What to do with

 My 3 1/2 year old granddaughter and I love to get the paints out. We end up with a pile of her masterpieces. The question is - what to do with all of them? 

I had an idea this week and turned one into thank you cards. We are a bit late but we wanted to send thank yous for Christmas gifts. We did not have any premade card, so I decided to turn one of her masterpieces into cards. 

Those are some of her other artworks in the background. 

While we were away from them for the evening, I was able to practice and completed a card I am quite proud of. 

I followed a you tube tutorial by Shayda Campbell. I am very very happy with this. This is exactly what I need to do. What and follow more tutorials. 

Adding this to PaintpartyFriday where many incredible artists share their works!

Thank you for visiting me and for your kind words. Please feel free to offer help and suggestions as well! I have a lot to learn!! 

Have a safe and healthy weekend!

Friday already?

 We are spending time out west this winter. We tried it last year and decided to come back again this year. Our two little grandchildren, 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 are fifteen minutes away. We spend most days of the week at their place attending swimming and tumble lessons or babysitting so their mom can make it to appointments or the store without them in tow. So even though I brought all of my supplies, I find I have much less time to be creative than I thought. I am ok with that though, as they are my main focus while I am here. 

I have participated in a few painting challenges such as this one to use primary colors

I have been playing with inexpensive paper. These might get turned into cards or just tossed. 

I also found a tutorial for painting roses so tried this as well. I need lots more practice:) And less water:)

I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful week of painting or being with family or staying healthy. 

I am fighting a cold but I do think I am now winning. 

Thank you for visiting and for your kind words. Adding this to PaintpartyFriday. Please visit the amazing artists who are linked there. 

Paint Party Friday and I am back

 Wow - where did the month of December go? 

We ventured west to again be snowbirds by our two grandchildren. Last year was the first time we tried it, and decided to come back again this year. It is such fun to spend so much more time with them. And at 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, their mom needs extra hands! The days fill up quickly as we watch swim and tumble classes, visit the park and play outside. 

We have still not really settled into a routine. That should come this week. My creative projects have a taken a back seat but I hope to get busy now that the holidays are over. 

I did complete a couple of tiny pieces which includes a leaf, poinsettia, a girl and a dog. One thing I learned, it that I still have to let them dry before I want to move on:):) 

I hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful and healthy holiday season. I look forward to even more fun in 2021. 

Adding this to PaintpartyFriday. Please visit the wonderful artists who share there. 

Thank you for visiting me and for your kind words!

It is Friday - I think

 We have made it to another Friday - at least I am pretty sure it is Friday. 

We have had an unusual stretch of a couple of warm days which is making it difficult to believe the holidays are right around the corner. 

My husband teaches an in person course at a Community College which has now gone to a virtual online class. So looks like we might be heading out west to spend the winter, sooner rather than later. That has left me with a flurry of shopping as I try to finish buying Christmas gifts for my son and his wife. We decided to celebrate Christmas with them during Thanksgiving. I also have lists of items to be packed, notifications to be made, etc. 

I did manage to complete a project for my friend. Every year, for probably 6 or 7 years,  I have created a mixed media canvas for her for Christmas. This year I changed it up and painted one. I used watercolor gouache and followed a design I saw on Pinterest. I added names to her stockings.

I also played along with a video tutorial and completed this snowman. 

He was a lot of fun. 

Adding this to PaintpartyFriday! Please visit all of the wonderful artists over there. 

As I watch the sun rise and we head up north to the cottage and visit my sister, I am thankful that we have stayed safe and healthy. I hope you are all well and hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Camel Ride

 My daughter and her family enjoy the Phoenix Zoo several times a month. Adventurous Lauren has now been riding the camel since she turned 3 in April. She will ride every chance she gets. I declined the ride and let her mom go:) 

I used this sketch from Stickitdown

It worked will for this large photo. 

Thank you for visiting today! When in Phoenix make sure you visit the zoo!

Seasons Changing

 Last week here in Michigan, we had 5 days of record temps over 70 degrees. This week it has been in the 40s and once made it to 50. What a difference a few days can make:) Yesterday morning we woke to a hard frost and today we have rain. 

The weather makes me feel like the holidays are indeed approaching. Here are a couple of holiday cards I made. 

I did get some photos of the frost yesterday. It was so pretty to look at. 

I hope each of you is staying healthy and safe. We are doing what we can here but the numbers in Michigan are scary. 

Adding this to PaintpartyFriday

Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words. I truly appreciate them. 

Halloween 2020

 Despite the craziness of this year, we managed to get in some Halloween fun. In addition to a bounce house for the weekend and a scavenger hunt in the backyard, the kids were able to visit a few houses and got trick or Treating. 

Lauren was a wonderful bat and Reilly's vampire costume matched hers. 

I was inspired by this sketch over at SketchNScrap

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Halloween!