Vanyas Art Journal

Pictures from one good week

2012-02-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

Some pictures from the last week.One really good week,and a weekend.D.had his birthday/not the real one/ at the weekend and I made him a chocolate cake.It is turning into family tradition to have Papa Murphy's pizza for the kids' BDays.But the grownups love it too.I would say too...much.S. and I made cupcakes with homemade butter frosting and nuts on top.Yammy,yammy./I need to work out more./S. brought home the perfect report card and made her mama happy.We are so proud of her!!!And I need to print one copy for Grandma and Grandpa.She also came up with one brilliant idea.We started working out watching videos on u tube.Especially the dancing ones,for kids and adults.It is so mush fun and you don't need to go to any gym.I mean it is free.

Monster on the window sill

2012-01-28T07:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes amazing things happen out of boredom.Before Christmas my girl and her friend JJ had a sleepover.After spending almost two days together,playing all the games and trying all the activities they got bored and decided they did not try sewing.My suggestion was to make softies.My daughter wanted a monster and JJ wanted a teddy.They did the design and cutting the fabric. I helped them with the sawing.This striped monster on the window sill is the result.Isn't she cute?I am sorry I did not take a picture of JJ's teddy bear.She turned out very cute,too.

Long time no see

2012-01-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

Quite busy ten days.Could not post but read your blogs,guys.I am kind of addicted to them.Got a new toy-Nook tablet.To read books and browse the web.I am in love with it,that's way forgot about my old love,Dellon computer.Also had two sick people in the house last week.On the bright side in between two doses of Tylenol I could finally try to make Jim Lahey's no-kneed bread.It was a total success.Next time I will try it with whole grain flour.If you go on U-tube you can find a video how to make this bread.On one of the weekends we went to the movies.My daughter and I watched Chipwrecked.Of course.My husband and my stepson watched Sherlock Holmes.After the movies we ended up in a Chinese restaurant,which inspired me to try to make Hot and Sour Soup.I googled lots of recipes and then adapted them to the abilities of our local grocery store.I may declare it turned out so delicious that I had to make it two times in a row.Could not get enough of it.I will share my adapted recipe in one of my next posts.

The pets in the house.

2012-01-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

These are our cuties patooties.I can't take enough pictures of them.In anticipation of a good weekend off.

2012-01-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

The strangest winter ever.No snow and so warm.No white Christmas ,no white December or January.It made my husband so happy,he does not like the snow for sure.It was around 52 degrees yesterday.And this morning the sun was so bright and warm.I went for a walk after taking the kid to school.Yes but the things are changing now.It became windy and cold in the afternoon and at the moment it is snowing.Now that is normal!This is how it should be.I love the snow unless it is something drastic like a blizzard that cuts you from the rest of the world for weeks.Had a quiet day off at home,reading your blogs,paying bills,talking to friends on Skype,cooking fish soup for lunch and meatballs for supper.Oh,and when the snow had just started she wanted to go rollerblading.I was sorry I said "yes" because we almost froze to death.The wind was so cold.

#125

2012-01-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

This is the only acrylic painting I did last year.

New Year's resolution and #122,123 and124

2012-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is already January 3,2012?The time flies so fast!No matter how much we love the Holidays they come to an end and we have to go back to our everyday lives.It is not easy especially if you love Christmas as much as I do.I am planing to put my decorations away one step at a time otherwise it hurts if I do it all at once.So,the New Year has started but I have not given a serious thought to my New Year's resolution.Not that I sit and write it down every New Year but at least I have a couple or three things in my mind.Last year I promised to myself that I would not buy art and craft supplies for six months and use the staff I had stashed in my studio.Guess what?I overdid my self avoiding Hobby Lobby store for almost a year.The other major thing that I tried to accomplish was not so successful.I started a challenge "A sketch/drawing/piece of art a day" in order to keep myself motivated to create.I had to drop the challenge after six months of trying hard because the everyday life was so much in the way of it.And the funny thing was that the hardest part was not creating the art but posting it on line.It was too time consuming.I still have some sketches and pieces of art from my last year challenge waiting to be posted and I will go on doing that till I am done.Here you can see #122,123 and124.The first one done at the swimming pool,the other two during my break at work.For this year's resolution I think I will try to achieve simple things like:1.to be more patient with my girl,not to forget that she is still a child2.to try to live at the moment,putting aside all "to do" lists3.to find some time to create4.to use the supplies from my studio and again avoid the craft stores for 6 months5.pay my medical bill

Happy New Year To All !!!

2011-12-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

A very Happy,Peaceful,Healthy and Creative New Year from my family to yours!!!

2011-12-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful Christmas.I hope you did too.I worked but I still did not miss all the joys of the season.I enjoyed the excitement and joy in the eyes of my daughter when we decorated the house and the Christmas tree,when we made Christmas crafts and gingerbread houses with her friends.When we brought her Christmas present home,the little Guinea pig Herbie,when she huged me and told me how lucky she was to have us for parents.It brings me so much joy and happiness.Those were the precious moments of this Christmas I would never forget.

Merry Christmas to you all!

2011-12-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

I work on Christmas but at the moment I am enjoying a wonderful day off at home.The plans for today:to make a ginger bread house with my kid and her little friend JJ.If it turns out nice I will take a picture and post it.But just in case I am not able to blog later I wish everybody Merry Christmas and a lot of joy during the Holiday Season.

The Christmas Parade

2011-12-22T17:53:00.000-08:00

2011-12-20T07:20:00.000-08:00

Four days till Christmas.

New member of the family

2011-12-18T08:24:00.000-08:00

Meet Herby,the newest member of our family.He is a black and orange Guinea pig,still a baby and extremely cute.He is calm and nice and is getting used to his new home very fast.A Guinea pig was #1 on my daughter's wish list for Christmas."I want to prove to you ,Mom,that I can be responsible and take care for a pet."-she said.We convinced her to start with a hamster,because we heard the guinea pigs could be mean.But when we went to the pet store yesterday we fell in love with Herby and changed all our plans.We bought him right away and we are not sorry about that.Everybody at home is so excited and my girl is dizzy from happiness.

Last night

2011-12-14T11:11:00.000-08:00

A quiet night on the couch.With hot tea,a craft project,a Christmas movie and a cat.Till my girl came home with her friends.

Mittens

2011-12-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

I made them at the end of last winter.For myself.Did not have time to wear them though.Now when it is so cold outside I will enjoy them.I asked my kid to be my model for this picture.Too bad she does not like mittens.I could have made her some pretty ones.I am working on a striped scarf at the moment but have no pictures yet.It is simple crochet but I'm doing it lengthwise.I think it is turning out pretty good.

And some more

2011-12-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

I can't get enough of it.I want to show you all the pictures of that night walk.A wonderful day at home,today.Good night sleep,hot coffee in the morning,walk to school with my girl.Some more Christmas decorating,bill paying,laundry doing and washing dishes.In the afternoon talked to my mom on the phone,went to the thrift store in town and then cooked meatball soup for supper,my family favourite one.Did I mentioned before that soups are my favourite meals?The cherry on top of this evening were the cookies my daughter and I baked and decorated.It takes a lot of convincing,begging and nagging from behalf of my daughter to make me bake cookies.I am not a good baker and I also try to stay away from too much sugar.But today I said yes and we had fun.For beginners like us they turned out pretty good.

More pictures

2011-12-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

More pictures from our night walk last Friday.It's magical,isn't it?

The night walk

2011-12-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

Last night we went on a walk around town to enjoy the Christmas lights our neighbours decorated their houses and yards with.It was a real fun and joy for all of us and especially for my little girl.Even my step son came with us.You know how hard it is to involve a teenage boy in such kind of activities.I took a lot of pictures and here is a collage with some of them.

Hidden picture:can you find the bird?

2011-12-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

Happy first of December to everyone.Exciting month full with joy and happiness.Love the magic atmosphere but I don't know why my mind is bringing me back to the last summer.Took this picture in the inner yard of my old school.Can you see the mama dove?

It's this time of the year

2011-11-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

It is this time of the year when we start thinking about Christmas.In the middle of the last week she said "I want to sew."I did not have any intentions to do any crafts but sitting by her and helping her with her project I made this decoration for our Christmas tree.Otherwise my weekend is lazy and relaxing.Today I made an apple pie for the first time in my life.Everything from scratch,crust and apples and all.It turned out so delicious,that I could not believe i did it.I did not know it was so easy.Pictures and recipe will follow in one of the next posts.I hope you had a good weekend too.

2011-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Pictures from the last Halloween.I am kind of slow uploading my pictures into the computer and I have some good ones.This year I enjoyed decorating for Halloween having in mind that this one is not my favourite holiday.I guess I managed to connect with my inner child this time.And that happened with the huge help of my daughter.Her enthusiasm is always so contagious.

#120 and 121

2011-11-16T07:43:00.000-08:00

I am going on posting some sketches from my one-a-day challenge.I started with the good intentions to do a sketch or piece of art a day but life tried hard to be in the way all the time.That's why I changed the idea to as-many-as-possible-this-year.I am going on sketching whenever it is possible and posting the same way.These two quick sketches were done with colored pencils at the swimming pool last summer.

Bread

2011-11-09T07:37:00.000-08:00

I do not usually write about food.I like to cook but I forget to take pictures.And it takes awhile to stage them beautifully too.Anyway, there was time ,maybe a couple of years ago,when I was very interested in baking homemade bread.I love bread very much and it is not a secret that you can't find good bread here in this part of the world.The process of making it is more industrialised and it takes away from the taste.So,I started making it and did it for a while till I realised that I put some extra weight.It was so delicious that I could not go by with just one piece.I had to have a second... ,a third...Now I feel like trying it again.This picture is from that time.

A quiet weekend at home

2011-11-06T03:48:00.000-08:00

We are having a quiet weekend at home.My girl is having a friend on a sleepover and they definitely are having fun.My migraine is back.I had better plans for this weekend but one can not do much with constant pain.I do not have fresh pictures from this week so I am showing you a corner of my house.The pottery pieces are made by my talented step daughter.

Back streets

2011-11-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

It was cloudy and gloomy today.And it was raining most of the day.But I had enough to do at home.Caught up with some chores.I work more hours at work now and there is less time for crafts and arts.

2011-10-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is why I love fall.

Are you ready for Halloween?

2011-10-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

This was the first thing we did together when I came back from Bulgaria.My little girl and I decorated the house for Haloween and created Betty Lolla.She is a friendly and stylish witch.Dont'you like her belt?

2011-10-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I posted here.I am back from my trip and my life is back to normal.It is kind of hard to find the words to start blogging again because I have to say something about my trip to Bulgaria.I wish I could say that everything went well and I had a lot of fun but it was not the truth.What I was afraid of happened...My Dad was sick and he passed away during my stay there.I knew he was ill but I hoped for the best.I know it is a part of life.The circle of life.I know he was not young but it still hurts to know that he is gone and I will never see him again.The silver lining of the whole sad situation was that I was there with him the last week of his life.

The afternoon sun

2011-09-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

I took this picture in my daughter's room last weekend when it was still summer./I like the way the afternoon sun reflects on the wall and bathes the room with its dreamy light./Today it is already fall.And it is official.Last night the temperatures dropped bellow the freezing point and the frost burnt the leaves of the veggies in my little garden.Well,it's Minnesota.One day it's hot the next day it's freezing.
The cold weather did not stop me from doing my chores.I am almost ready for my trip to Europe.I am going to Bulgaria to visit my parents.I am kind of nervous about the flying but i believe everything will be OK.

Dream catchers

2011-09-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

It was sometime in the middle of this summer.She woke up very early in the morning scared.She said she had had a nightmare.She would not forget the bad dream for hours.
So,I suggested:"Let's make a dream catcher.I've heard they help with the nightmares."
We googled it,found tutorials on Utube,thank God for the world web,and made one.We used materials that we found in the house:some wire form the basement,pink yarn from mama's stash and beads from her craft boxes.She took a big part in the making,I would say she made half of it.As you can see it turned out pretty good and she was so proud of herself.A couple of weeks ago when her dad complained of having a bad dream she suggested to make one for him,too.and we did.

2011-09-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Remembering the innocent lives lost on this day.

Picnic by the creek

2011-09-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

It is a gorgeous sunny day today.I suppose one of the last beautiful summer days.I celebrated this beautiful day with a bike ride in the woods.Because fall is knocking on our doors already.Pretty soon it will start raining,will be cold and gloomy for days.And we will have to stay in our warm and cozy homes dreaming about summer,longing sunshine and remembering the great fun we had.
These two pictures are some of those I will go back to when I start missing the summer. Sweet memories from bike rides and picnics by the creek,collecting beautiful rocks and catching pond skaters in the water.

Random picture

2011-09-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

The mornings are cooler but the days are still warm.It is kind of hard to figure out how to get dressed.Jacket and jeans or just a t-shirt and capris?The school started two days ago and it is still a big excitement.I am happy she can't wait to go there in the morning.No problems with waking up and getting ready.Such a relief in comparison with the last year.
And the house was quiet for about seven hours.Did some chores,talked to a friend on Skype.Finished everything i planned to do.This gives mesome peace of mind.I feel like the cat in the picture at the moment /or not/.By the way,I took this picture at a gardening business in the city of Houston,MN.A very pretty place with gorgeous plants and flowers and also with a bunch of cats and kittens in residence.My folks and I love to visit there.

#118 and 119

2011-09-01T07:31:00.000-07:00

Two quick flower sketches completed with ink and colored pencils during my morning break at work.

The end of August

2011-08-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

Took this picture exactly two years ago.A bright sunny day at the end of the summer and a child with a kite.This year the last two days of August were kind of cold and gloomy .The fall started showing its signs for sure.The sun showed up at the end of the afternoon and warmed the air.It was the Open house at school,today.The school year starts next week.She can't wait.I hope we'll have a good one.

#116 and 117

2011-08-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

two five minute sketches with ink

Pizza,cake and a lot of fun

2011-08-29T17:46:00.000-07:00

She got the present she wanted the most,i-pod shuffle and some i-tune cards to buy her favourite music.We baked her favourite Papa Murphy's pizza.And she surprised me mixing her birthday cake almost all by herself.She just followed the directions on the box.The girl is growing up for sure.

Happy Birthday to my little girl!

2011-08-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

This little girl is going to be 9 pretty soon.We are going to have a family celebration with pizza and cake.

#114 and 115

2011-08-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

/
Two more sketches from my "one-a-day-challenge.Quick sketches with watercolor and ink.

Butterfly on her bike

2011-08-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

Another picture from our bike ride.

2011-08-22T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sick at home again,waiting for better days.She got cold with the works,sore throat,fever,cough and so on.Had to stay home and take care of her.Thank god, she started feeling better.
This picture is from a fun bike ride and picnic we had with her and her little friend A.about a week ago.Will post some more pictires in the next posts.

Random picture

2011-08-19T18:22:00.001-07:00

#113

2011-08-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

Just a quick sketch with a pencil,when watching tv.

#112

2011-08-13T11:42:00.001-07:00

A random picture

2011-08-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

I took this picture about a month ago.I was drying a bunch of one dollar bills which I had accidentally washed with my husband's
jeans when she decided that that was the
best place to sit and relax.It looked so funny
so I could not help it and took a picture of her to share with you.

#110 and 111

2011-08-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Two more of my drawings,part of the challenge.A quiet day without my kid around.She is still at her grandma's.My plans for the day?To do some paper work and to make chicken-pasta salad for my DH.I am not much of a pasta person but don't we do everything possible to make our loved ones happy?

Pictures from a beautiful summer week-2

2011-08-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

Today we spent the day cleaning the house.She organised her room,a surprising urge to beautify her environment.She got really tired/I am so tired I can feel the blood in my tongue!/but went on because her cousin was coming to visit today.And grandma and grandpa as well.I encourage and support eagerly this kind of strange behavior.It turned out pretty good.She even made her bed!!!
Yesterday we did not do anything.She was sick with a stomach bug and I had to stay home with her.It was not fun but thank god it is over.She is OK today and very excited to have a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house with her cousin.
These pictures are from the last week, too.We went on a bike ride and my girl and her little friend A. explored the nature with the great curiosity of the little kids.The funny thing is that I dropped my camera in the creek that day and I was so stressed out that I lost my little friend,because she is like a friend to me.She,Camera, had hard time recovering for a couple days and guess what?Now she works as good as she did before the fall!!!It is true she got a lazy eye,my dear friend.The shutter would not shut up entirely but who cares if she still works.

Pictures from a beautiful summer day

2011-08-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the pictures I took during that sweet mother-daughter day we had in Winona last week.It was real fun.She still talks about that.

Working on a project

2011-08-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

A picture from the last weekend.

#108 and109

2011-08-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Two more of my sketches-doodles.My enthusiasm about "one a day challenge" is fading away.I am not sure I am going to finish it.Life gets in the way of it and it gets harder and harder to stay on track.And I also enjoy doing other things like spending time with my kid,biking,crafts,reading books and blogs,watching TV and so on.

Yesterday for example we had a wonderful mother-daughter day.After a short visit at the dentist's we spent the day in Winona going for a walk by the lake,feeding the ducks and the Canada geese,visiting my work place and meeting my coworkers,visiting the nursing home.We ate breakfast at the hospital cafeteria and lunch at AW.At the end of the day we went shopping for school supplies,a new backpack and some cute outfits.It was so amazing to watch her being so excited and happy,enjoying every minute of the day.I wish we ,adults,could live in the moment the way the little kids can.

Enjoying summer

2011-07-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

The days are still hot but the mornings are fresh.Rides down the bike trail,enjoying the breeze from the river and the beautiful landscape ,alone or with my little girl.
Racing with the birds and the huge butterflies.She is observant,she can notice little details.She appreciates the beauty of mother Nature.A family of little ducks spotted in the swamp brings her a lot of joy.Or a flower ,or a beautiful view.And she is getting tough.Now she can bike a whole lot of 5 miles with her momma.Isn't that great!
This picture ,though, is from another time,maybe a month ago.But it is still as beautiful down the river as in this picture.

#106 and 107

2011-07-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

Two faces.

Hard to find words

2011-07-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

It is still so hard to me to express my feelings about the coldblooded killing of so many young people,almost kids, in Norway.No normal human beings can wrap their minds around this horrendous tragedy.I wish my words can relieve somehow the pain in the hearts of the people of Norway but I know it is impossible.
I will remain silent and pray.

Tea party

2011-07-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

When the computer was down we had more time to play.A tea party with real china and sugar cookies.

#103,104 and105

2011-07-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Back with my challenge pieces.Uploaded a bunch of them so will have some to show for some time.It is again another hot summer day. I am at home at the computer.Staying cool.Can't go on a bike ride in this heat but will work out at home.And will try to do something creative,sketch and work on my crochet project.So,I have to go.Take care and stay cool.

Fun weekend

2011-07-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

The days of our city.With a lot of fun and entertainment.A parade with Beauty Queens and lots of candy,games for the kids,craft and old cars shows,food vendors with yummy stuff.
A party at the neighbours,celebrating their wedding anniversary.
I even managed to try a new recipe for berry jam.It turned out very delicious but about it some other time.It's getting late.

2011-07-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Just playing with Puicasa,learning to create collages with pictures of our garden.

Technical difficulties

2011-07-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

I was not being able to show up in the blogosphere the last couple or three weeks.My beloved computer Dillon started acting funny and we had to take him for repair. No,he did not catch the virus.It was just an old age and tough life.He is already four years old and in human years it is like 100.And also he has been trough a lot.Like the flood in 2007.Yes,he was about 5-6 inches dipped in the

water before we saved his life.

And also he takes the abuse of two teenagers,two adults and a preteen uploading all kinds of stuff on his old shrinking memory. But finally my poor little friend is back up and running as fast as when he was brand new.Let's cross our fingers he'll age with grace serving faithfully to his family.

#101 and 102

2011-06-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

2011-06-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

They say there are two seasons in Minnesota-winter and road works.Well,we are in the second one at the moment.My DH was late for work at least 3-4 times during the last half a month.They start so early in the morning and make you wait between 5 and 10 min.Don't mind it on my way back home ,but in the morning when every minute counts it is frustrating.
Let's hope they will be done soon.
I like the sign of the car though.It is cute.Yeah,can't wait to follow you!

2011-06-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

The graduation party on Sunday was a success.Everything turned out well.We shouldn't have worried about that.I am going to post about that when I upload the pictures in the computer.
Bellow you can see two more sketches from my challenge.#100 was done at work during my morning break.

In #99 I was trying to draw like my daughter.The day before I drew it in my little sketchbook she gave me a tattoo on my arm with a ballpoint pen.I liked it very much but missed the opportunity to take a picture of it before it washed off.

Bussy weekend

2011-06-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last week my stepdaughter graduated from high school.This weekend on Sunday we are throwing her a graduation party.

#97 and 98

2011-06-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from this week

2011-06-16T06:11:00.000-07:00

I am usually very slow uploading my pictures to the computer but this time I managed it just in time.The beautiful bouquet of wild flowers is a sweet memory of a walk with my little girl the other day.

The other two pictures are corners of our garden I was amazed to see with different eyes when....hanging out some laundry.There is so much beauty around us ,we just need to take time to see it.

#95 and 96

2011-06-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

Pictures from a fun weekend

2011-06-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was a great fun.Finally it felt like summer.Hot,hot,hot!We spent almost 4 hours at the swimming pool.I asked her "How long would you like us to stay here?""Till we get sick of it."she answered.So,we did it.
This beautiful butterfly was also chilling by the pool.
It was funny how it was not afraid of the people posing long enough for my shoots.

#93 and 94

2011-06-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Desperately behind but still not giving up.Both sketches inspired by Vogue magazine.

Last school day

2011-06-02T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today it is the last school day for my little girl.I went to her school and had lunch with her and one of her friends.And then,tomorrow, the summer fun begins!Trips to the swimming pool and the library and a lot of free play in the back yard.She has big plans to read this summer and she will get all my support.

A reading child melts my heart.

#91 and 92

2011-05-30T13:43:00.001-07:00

Back to normal

2011-05-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Everything is back to normal,sunshine and all.I am going to hit the bike trail now.

Rain,rain go away!

2011-05-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's been raining the whole day.Gloomy,dark and cold.No bike ride along the river.I miss the sun.
Managed to catch up with some chores.Watched Oprah's last show,will miss her a lot.
Bad news in the media,one after another.Mother Nature is angry at us.
My thoughts are with the people of Joplin.
Here are some pictures I took
about a couple of weeks ago
that help me remember that
the sun comes out after the rain.

#88,89 and 90

2011-05-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Inspired by some vintage photos in a local newspaper.Watercolor pencils.

One cute handmade purse

2011-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

This is another one of my recent projects.It is sewn entirely by hand and with recycled materials.I could keep my camera in there but I use it for my headache pills.

#86 and 87

2011-05-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Inspired by vintage photos of school kids in a local newspaper.

Magnolia

2011-05-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that the spring is finally here!!!With all the joy she brings. Blooming trees,chirping birds,green grass,bugs,bike rides,butterflies,walks in the woods,little animals scurrying in your feet ,blue skies and a lot of sunshine.Did I mentioned about the sunshine?I mean a lot of sunshine.I got really sick of those endless, cold and gloomy,depressing days.So,let it be sunshine!I am so proud of the picture I took of our magnolia bush the other day.Enjoy!

#84 and 85

2011-05-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

#85 was sketched from life.

Two of my craft projects

2011-05-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

As I promised in a previous post I am showing you two of my last craft projects.Recently I am a lot into recycling T-shirts and turning them into beautiful and
useful objects.Here you can see a little
basket for crayons or whatever your heart desires and a potholder or a coaster for a hot pan.
How do I do it?I cut the T-shirts into strips and then crochet them.It was not unfamiliar to me because
when I was a little girl I remember watching my grandma cutting old clothes into strips and coiling those strips into balls.For rugs.At that time in my grandparents village every family had their own wooden loom and the women weaved their own rugs.I was fascinated watching my grandma weaving.

#82 and 83

2011-05-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

The sunshine in and out of the clouds.Still cold and windy.Not spring like.Yesterday success!Rode my bike.5miles.Today will see.Did some house work and a lot of hanging at the computer.Talked to a friend on Skype.It is a wonderful thing -Skype.Helps me keep in touch with my friends in Europe.Listed a couple of watercolors in my Etsy shop.I am desperately behind with my challenge but I still have hope I'll ketch up.

#80 and 81

2011-05-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

#78 and 79

2011-05-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Vogue.
Happy May 1!The spring is so late in our neck of the wood.Cold and gloomy.The sunshine still can't win the game.
Spending the weekend doing crafts.Will post some pictures of them when the light is better so I can take good pictures.

#76 and 77

2011-04-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Vogue.

#74 and 75

2011-04-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

Two quickies with ballpoint pen,done at work during the break.

Things that I like

2011-04-26T16:17:00.001-07:00

...in my house.

#71,72 and 73

2011-04-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

As you can see some of my drawings/sketches are done in a tiny sketchbook-3.5 by 5inches/8.9 by 12.7cm/.They are usually done at work during my morning break.The watercolor is 5 by 7 standard size.I am thinking about offering some of my watercolors in my Etsy shop.

#69 and 70

2011-04-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

I am desperately behind.Thoughts of quitting started appear at the back of my mind.Trying to brush them off and go on.

Vintage finds for my nest

2011-04-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my DH and I went antiquing for a short while.Two new stores opened locally. The second one was a pleasant surprise.I found this vintage school globe for only $12.I just love it. You can see the names of the countries that do not exist any more.Czechoslovakia,Yugoslavia , USSR. I was thinking to buy a new one because I did not believe I could find a vintage one at a price I could afford.But it turned out I was a lucky girl. I also bought this beautiful scale.I hope it is vintage.The most important thing is that I like it and it is in good working condition.I am a practical gall.I like to use the things not only to decorate with them.

#66,67 and 68

2011-04-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

#66 and 68 have been done in a hurry at work during my morning break.With ballpoint pen.I don't know what to call them -sketches or...doodles.They are rough and awkward but anyway it is a good way to practice observation and drawing. I think a part of this challenge is to teach me how to let myself to be imperfect and go on with my life instead of being paralyzed by any unsuccessful line or painting. Just put it aside and try again,dear! Or try something new!

What a life

2011-04-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

#64 and 65

2011-04-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

#64 is an abstract one that I am not very happy with and I think I will redo it a little bit later.

The sunshine is out finally and I went on a bike ride but it is still too cold in the morning.

#61,62 and 63

2011-04-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

I am far behind with the challenge but I do not loose hope to ketch up.Dreaming about flowers.Waiting for the spring.The birds are here but the warm and sunny weather is not.

#59 and 60

2011-03-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

Here I go abstract.Oh,and the water in the creek went down.I hope we are out of the woods.Enjoying my weekend watching a lot of comedies and actually laughing.

#56,57 and 58

2011-03-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

I am so behind with my challenge.Life is trying really hard to be in the way.Five days of debilitating migraine.Water up in the creek,water in the basement.Will there be a flood or not?
Bad news from around the world.
Trying to go back to normal.Concentrating on the important things in life.

#54 and 55

2011-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

#52 and 53

2011-03-13T16:34:00.001-07:00

The disaster in Japan

2011-03-12T09:13:00.000-08:00

My heart is aching for the people of Japan.I can't post today.I have hard time thinking about anything else.

#49,50 and 51

2011-03-10T08:31:00.000-08:00

Hey,today on the way to school my girl spotted the first robin!The spring is coming anyway!!!!

At first we were excited to hear the honks of the Canada geese.Then we started to wonder who was going to see the first robin this year when she suddenly started screaming for joy."I can see one,I can see one!"

Yes,the birds are coming back.This is a good sign.

And here you can see my next three pieces.I posted #50 on top because it is my favourite.My daughter at the age of two and the snowman.The other two are doodles done at work during my break.

#47 and 48

2011-03-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

Flowers on my mind.

#45 and 46

2011-03-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

#42,43 and 44

2011-03-01T08:40:00.000-08:00

Happy month of March to everybody.It is a warm and sunny day out there.It looks like spring is coming anyway.I am going on with my challenge and doing pretty good.I have a bunch of new sketches to photograph and post.

#39,40 and 41

2011-02-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

The ball point sketches were done at work during my morning break.From life.