A different sort of birthday card

I made this card as a birthday card for a girlfriend who loves to cook. I thought it turned out well and had fun with some new stencils I got. I'm trying to learn how to work with shading a little more and like the effect of my "apron" here.

All for now,
Tricia

It's 5 o'clock somewhere...

I transferred a sketch from an old 80s craftbook and painted the picture with vibrant watercolors. Doggone, this guy's got the right idea for the summer, especially in the Texas heat! I like to think "Spot" is floating down the Brazos River on his hot pink inner tube while sipping his pink lemonade! I really liked how the palm tree turned out. Finished piece is about 8 X 10.

All for now,
Tricia

Gotta love these creative ice breakers!

Okay, so I just found another website that has some really funky stuff! This decorating site has wall stickers that you can use to jazz up your house, from funky to fun, glam to glitzy, silly to serious! I'm really diggin' the powerpole and barcode. They crack me up! Not sure if I'd be bold enough to have them on MY wall, but still, it'd be a great conversation piece! I guess the barcode would be really cool for those working as a cashier! (Eh, or maybe not!)

Of course, they have regular ones too, like flowers, butterflies, birds, etc.

Check it out!

www.ferm-living.com

Happy Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July, peoples! I am so thankful for the freedom we have in this country.

We had a great weekend, just spending time together as a family: swimming, games, movies, and the most delicious pizza I've had in years! Hannah and I played Pickup Sticks, Would You Rather? game, and I taught her how to play Boggle. She loved it! We played game after game. I kept asking her "do you want to play something different now?" And she'd say, "no, let's keep going!" She's such a wonderful little companion. Seeing a smile on her face makes my day!

In the picture, Hannah and I are spending time together under her tent made of blanket and chairs!

Creativity and fun

Okay, so I have just discovered the coolest website: www.designerstencils.com! This photo is on their home page, as an example of what one can do with their stencils.

I found it while perusing through my Country Living magazine, which can be found at countryliving.com and am just now clicking through to see what they offer. I can't believe they offer culinary stencils as well--oh my word, I didn't even KNOW stencils existed for cakes, cookies, etc. Man, have *I* been living in the dark ages (well, if it has to do with culinary skills, I'm really not too surprised!) ha! I know I'm definitely going to share the website with my cake decorating friends.

Anyway, I already have quite a number of stencils, courtesy of my dear sister-in-law, and I use them quite a bit. I don't tend to use the larger ones as often; I use the smaller ones to make my cards with.

John and I had terrific birthdays, lots of fun, love and laughter with family. I haven't gotten together with my friends yet, but I'm hoping they won't be too busy this summer to maybe sneak away for a quick girlfriend lunchdate!

I finally got my mom to join Facebook. Yay! I know she'll have a nice time keeping connected with friends and family that way.

All for now,
Tricia

Believe in yourself

Believe... in Yourself. I traced the picture and then colored with watercolor pencils, using a blender pen to blend colors in. Glitter on wings and clouds.

Colors of the World

Colors of the World

The natives are restless
the drums are starting to beat--
they're trying to convey a message
in this burning, sweltering heat.

Rich red earth
is the hunting ground
where these noble warriors dwell;
could the plains and reservations speak
think of the stories they would tell.

In old, Negro spirituals
they make their wishes known--
all they desire is to be free
and have a place to call their own.

Politeness is their key to success,
as well as hard determination;
Rice is their main export
upon which they wholly lean as a nation.

Then there's the great U-S- of A-
the land "flowing with milk and honey"
as much as other nations believe,
we're NOT all made of money!

God blesses each and every man
according to his own needs,
but it really depends a lot
on whether he can write or read!

written May 19, 1992 (age 17)

I wrote this poem, which starts out dramatic and ends a bit tongue-in-cheek, while "working" hard at the music store. Thought it was kinda fun to share. Please do not share or reprint without permission.