It's That Time of Year… again...

I've been thinking about this past weekend…
that weekend of 

t h a n k f u l n e s s… 
that begins the lovely season of  

g a t h e r i n g...

gathering
our thoughts 
our lists
our plans
our food 
our gifts
our connections with friends
our connections with family…
g a t h e r i n g…
all the little pieces that 
will make up the 
coming weeks.

As I work on some gifts from the heART

and prepare for boutiques...

and as I

g a t h e r

I am continually reminded of all the blessings 

that have been put on my path. 

It is in the spirit of gratitude, that I approach this season 

with eyes wide open and a full heart.

p.s. those sweet little woodblocks above, were created by moi in a wonderful online class 

by Junelle Jacobsen… the Art of Holiday Goodness - still available for sign ups.

Check out my etsy shop if you are interested in any woodblocks for gifting.  

Thankful...

... and so 

the season 

of 

"gratitude" 

begins...

Although I'd like to think of 

gratitude as a 365 day a year thing, 

I love, that we take some time at the end of each year 

to focus on gratitude,

gathering together with loved ones, 

and our gifts to each other.

In this spirit, 

I want to send out my gratitude and thanks to all of you,

who have been so kind,

 as to read my blog,

leave such uplifting and supportive comments, 

and consistently make me feel that I am 

doing something worthwhile

with my art and words.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving !

BTW...

my appreciation is extended to all of you lovelies

with a WEEKEND SALE in my etsy shop.

Check out the coupon code

TURKEY

for a 15% savings on plates, birdhouses, and more!!! 

(2 for $15 ornaments are excluded from the coupon code as they are already on sale)

If you've been eyeing anything- 

now's the time to save.

oh... and I am grateful for homemade scones too!

Speaking of J O Y ...

is the simplest 

form 

of gratitude. 

~Karl Barth

And it is with that same

spirit of 

j o y

 that I am posting 

these "almost finished" pieces.

Last post, I spoke of navigating some uncharted territory-

exploring a new ways of seeing, 

combining elements,

and mixing new mediums. 

I do consider myself an "explorer" here.

Being much more comfortable with watercolor...

I am voyaging down a road less traveled, 

trying to find my own place, 

my own thumbprint, 

my own mark 

in this fascinating and freeing 

world of mixed media.

So, what is missing 

are some words...

I've been pondering what statement or what word, 

belongs on each of piece...

and if there even 

needs to be anything.

Secretly, I've been holding off completing...

as I am going to be at 

Flora Bowley's

 Bloom True workshop 

this weekend.

(If you aren't familiar with Flora's work- check out the links above- 

I am amazed by her color, the freedom expressed, and organic nature of her pieces.)

I've been anticipating this for most of the year-

I am giddy with excitement.

I anticipate

so much inspiration,

so much learning,

and perhaps discovery of a new mark

after this experience.

And along the way... I know those words will come.

(I'll post after the weekend, and share some inspiration from Flora's Workshop!

I am humbled and grateful to have this opportunity... 

have a create-full weekend friends!

Linking up at Studio JRU for a sneak peek Friday~ 

check out what the other lovelies have been up to.)

In honor of mom...

 

"Mother's hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever..."

On this day of 

c e l e b r a t i n g  m o t h e r' s...

 I wanted to make a gratitude list to my momma.  

It's amazing when you think about how much influence 

a strong, dedicated, homemaking, independent raising, 

and loving woman can have on your life.

thank-you mom for teaching me...

to be independent,

to have a goal and persevere,

to use coupons and shop daily,

to cook and bake, 

to love your family with clean clothes, clean floors, and good home made food,

to paint, and paint, and paint,

to garden, 

to send cards (although timely would be better)

to paint, paint, and paint, again, (walls of course)

to love your children and support them in each and every one of their own ways,

to be active and not sit on a sofa for long,

to use bleach and not do too much laundry at home,

and most of all...

to love your children and your family unconditionally.

love you mom!

(and love all of my mom friends.. who know about the secret code of being a mom...)

(hint: it starts with L)

the kids love their nanny too!