12.25.2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Whew. The day is almost over. And it has been such a fun one. It seems like just yesterday though that we had last Christmas. I remember as a child it never felt this way! But now as I watch my little ones throughout the year, it almost seems I blink and we are off to the next. I had promised myself this year would be more relaxed, that I'd take it all in better and enjoy the season. I'm not saying I didn't, but I did stay a bit too busy. One thing we did differently with our children however, is shop early and not get stressed about the bills and not being able to find what we wanted. We still don't own a wii if that gives you any indication of our Christmas last year. This year we hit the nail on the head with William getting a basketball goal and Mailey the S'mores pony. He's dribbled and shot baskets until I think his fingers have blisters and Mailey has groomed and played mommy to her fur real friend all day (7am wake-up not too bad). They also received the little I-pods as a trial run on them. Mailey has not taken them out of her ears since we downloaded some of her favorites- Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Allison Kraus- Mom's favorites too and of course High School Musical. William has not sat still long enough all day to listen to his!
We are off to south Alabama for the Lewis family gathering which includes my Mother, Sissy, 2 aunts, cousins, little sis and her husband. The weekend is sure to include tons of yummy eating, fellowship, and some time out in Gosport shooting my new , well actually not new but new to me, 38 revolver my Father gave me last weekend at the Adkins family gathering. It is a beauty! I found this while searching for the above file. It has to be Mailey's 2nd Christmas, where she's 1 so William is 3. OMG she has changed so much in looks. William is just a bigger version of himself here, and he's wearing the construction boots he wore always always, so sweet. And they used to love on each other all the time. He carried her and held her ALL the time. Now they fight wayyyyyyy too much! Gotta show them this and maybe it'll joggle the good old days again!
Hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday!
12.16.2008
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...hahaha
12.15.2008
New Ways to Spread the LOVE
12.10.2008
Featured on Cafe Handmade
12.05.2008
Greenery With Style
New Hats!
I've lived here in the south my whole life. So fuzzy hat wearing days are usually pretty short in length. We have more opportunities to wear baseball hats in the heat than toboggans during our winter. I doubt that many southern women own a fur hat. This winter came quickly and furiously though. And wearing a hat, well it just makes a lot of sense when it's 30' and windy! And a fashionable hat is even more important to a southern gal like me. And although my husband is questioning this new fashion statement of mine, I think it will over great with my teenage friends! I've got 2 style hats, this is the traditional toboggan look, the other is a bit more french painter like. Any which one you wear is sure to draw an eye or two!
Okay....side note. I always spell check and the only word I misspelled this time was toboggan...does that tell you how unused a word that is in the south?
12.04.2008
Legend of the Christmas Nest
11.30.2008
Some Mini's and a New Color in the Palette
11.29.2008
Making Lists
I also find that making lists of ideas and products to create help keep me organized. I also make lists of materials needed for upcoming projects in case a sale comes up or I happen upon something I'll need. I also can't go to the grocery without a list, ever. I'll end up with a buggy full of these items: While making my Thanksgiving dinner list, which was quite lengthy, Mailey asked, "Mommy, what are you doing?" "I'm making a grocery list." "Can I make a list too Mommy?" "Sure." And by golly, she took that list to the grocery store and checked off her items. Yes, I know they are mostly cavity builders, but she made a LIST. And well, right now I am really enjoying the hot choklit and tede grams!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We have so much to be thankful here at the Horne house. Our day was brimming with joy and plenty of food!
11.23.2008
Oh to Sip and Sell!
Buckle Up Girls!
11.18.2008
Another Sneak at Texture Paintings
Give Me A Little Texture
1. Apply a thin layer of joint compound to your wood. Let this dry until you can carve into the compound without it being mushy. I use my dry point needle from printmaking days, but you can also use a sharpened pencil. Wipe the tip of your tool between each stroke to get a clean line.
2. Let dry overnight.
3. Use your pencil tip to clean out the etched lines and use a paper towel to wipe the rough edges away.
4. Paint using acrylics, at least that's what I use. The compound is super absorbent, so I really prefer my cheap acrylics from Michael's, you know the Apple Barrell kind. 5. Using a natural bristle brush, encaustic oil sticks, canola oil and a bit of patience, fill all the lines with color. I use R&F Pigment sticks because they apply very smoothly. It looks scary doesn't it? Covering all that painting, yikes!
To Inspire
11.17.2008
Catching Rain Drops
11.16.2008
Another Note to Self
The Art Of Sharing
As I stood at my booth yesterday and proudly talked about my inspirations and my work it hit me that once again I feel isolated. That maybe people just don't get it. I had a lady, who by no means meant to offend me, but she asked, "So what's up with the birds?" I giggled and said, "Well, it all started...." And her eyes kind of got that glazed look I remember the health teacher had those years ago as I explained complementary colors. You see, my paintings of birds aren't just birds anymore. They are an extension of me and who I am as an artist. The sweet innocence in my paintings reminds me that life is supposed to be this inviting, this lovely. My felties just make me happy with their silly wobbly legs and super lengthy beaks. Not perfect in any way, but adorable and simple. And as I sit here in my studio and look around at the works in progress my hope is that one day they will find themselves in a home that will make their families happy.
I think this is why I blog now. To not feel so isolated. There is this huge cyberworld out there that blogging links together. I find whenever I need a boost of creativity I'll pop over to Marissa, Sara, Katie, or Valerie and immediately I feel connected to an audience that really gets it. These artists and all their accomplishments inspire me to move forward and help full fill my dream of being a self supporting artist. I just finished Somerset Studio's Artful Blogging Winter 2008 issue. And I am inspired. By the women who create the magazine, and the women featured in the pages. Their stories are mine in a way. While it is only natural to isolate ourselves while we create, there is a wonderful opportunity to become a part of a larger community when we feel comfortable sharing. All you have to do is take the leap of faith and put yourself out there. I have found blogging to be a wonderful and very full filling way to do just that.
So, now I have several paintings which now require my attention and children to entertain on a crisp Sunday afternoon. I hope you have a creative one and feel comfortable enough to share it with your friends like me.
11.13.2008
New Felted Birds
Mattie Ornaments
11.11.2008
Mailey's Creative Side
11.08.2008
Enameling is Great!
This little birdie is awaiting to be placed in the kiln. Enameling is basically fine glass powder placed on top of a copper surface, which is then heated in a kiln of 1400' degrees. This temperature would just about melt anything I think, but definitely melts the glass powder. My favorite colors of the day were Robin's egg blue, yellow and white. I think too that even though it is jewelry, it is important for my work to have some consistency across the board. And those colors will help translate my paintings into miniature pieces of jewelry. I will be exploring more of the "painting" type technique I used to make the eggs in the nest to make some of my birds, flowers and branches which always appear in my paintings.
11.06.2008
The Husband of an Artist
Marist Holiday Traditions
10.23.2008
The Children of an Artist
Sweet Mornings
10.11.2008
Back to Etsy
Blue Bird resin rings.
Prints. So, this weeks goal is to have a fresh new look to my shop and get back to better sales!