Halloween Costumes and Adirondack Chairs WC WIP

On Saturday I spent four hours at the Maple Street Mall working the hubster's shift since he can't while he is on crutches. I had a lovely time, met a new friend, and visited with friends that I don't see much except when I am up at the mall.


When I got home my two and their children came over in costume (the girl tribe, that is) and spent the afternoon with us. I managed to get a couple of pix:

I had a pot of chicken noodle soup started on the stove and the hubster called a pizza order in which the son picked up and they all had pizza except Miss Z - she had baby food, of course. And I had chicken soup when it was done.

This morning I drove to the daughter's house at 6:30 am and almost hit a deer on the way - I so hate driving in the dark. I got Miss P to school around 8:15 and drove Miss M out to my house. She has already had breakfast and we played a couple of games and now she is entertaining Papa in the living room while I write this. Later, she and I will take a shower and then I will get her to preschool by 12:30.

This weekend I finally got the cushions, shoes and bug stuff in bottles off the deck and moved all the furniture away from the screens for their winter setting. I then moved the grill into the screened porch and swept the open part of the deck.  And then I made time for some art. 

I worked on the Adirondack chairs a bit more and think I am finally beginning to like it. I'm not sure if it is done or not. I'll leave it sitting up so I can look at it from time to time and decide if it needs anything more or not.

I'm also working on an ATC. It has a watercolor background and then I sketched the rooster with watercolor pencils. I think I need to do a bit more blending of the colors, but overall I think he is rather cute. What do you think?

When I take Miss M to preschool I need to make a quick stop at the grocery store for candy for tonight (although we hardly ever get any kids), mothballs to put in the grill to keep the mice out and odds and ends for cooking. Hopefully after that I can spend a bit of time putting more color into the sky in the Leelanau sunset watercolor I am working on. I will share it tomorrow.

Tomorrow I have to deliver my framed and matted watercolor to the Potter Center where it will be displayed for a month. This is a non-juried show and I am not sure how many paintings are being featured. I am quite nervous about this, but think it is probably good for me to do. I am planning to take Miss P there one day during the month to look at all the art. She is very excited that I am participating in this event.

I hope you are having a wonderful day and that you are making time for your art,

xoxo

Potpourri

I have spent some late night hours lately playing in Photoshop and I don't know if the time of day influenced the outcome or not, but I have two Halloween themed pieces and I don't usually do much related to Halloween. I know that retail-wise, Halloween is second only to Christmas in dollars spent, which I suppose translates to popularity. However, having been a high school teacher for 16 years, I can't help but be apprehensive about the possible damage from that evening.

I am no longer teaching but still haven't changed my mind much about the holiday. But now that I have little girls it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement just a bit. They are already planning what they are going to wear, who they are going trick or treating with, which neighborhoods they will go to.......

So without further ado, I will show you my Halloween art:

 

The hat and the shoes are courtesy of ArtsyFartsyQueen.

I am also still thinking about wings as I try to get my puzzle pieces finished. There is no rush as they are not due until mid-November, but they are still residing in the "work" area of my table so they are naturally on my mind. Here is a piece I made while playing with the Photoshop's pattern maker that I wrote about previously. You can find that tutorial here.

Both the "dance" piece and the "costume" piece are ATC sized and are available for trade.

I want to wish Luthien at Pimp & Paint a happy birthday as the blog is 1 year old and she is having a giveaway. I really want to win the coasters, but if I am not chosen I thought it would be nice if maybe you were. Aren't these gorgeous? If you aren't yet a subscriber/follower of hers, I'll bet you will be after you visit her site. You have until Friday to enter for this prize.

Moving on..... I have a Hobby Lobby coupon to pass on. I am trying to stay out of the stores until I use up more of the mountain of supplies that I already have, but I hate to see a coupon go to waste.

I have discovered many lovely sites for free vector art (you Photoshop addicts know what that is) and some lovely freeware to generate patterns and schedule downloads, among other things. I will share this lovely treasure/information with you tomorrow.

I have a day off today (I have had the girls Tuesday thru Sunday this past week) and hope to get a ton done. I am hoping to have a jam-packed week and am planning to take my camera with me so that I can share some Fall pix with you.

I still really NEED to clean house, but somehow that doesn't appeal to me the way that art and photography do. At any rate, I'd best get this bod in gear and make the most of this lovely Monday.

Talk to you with lots to share tomorrow....

Bye!

Halloween and AEDM

These are two of my grandgirls (I know that is not technically a word, but it is part of my vocabulary) getting ready to go out for Halloween candy. They met up with my son and his daughter (my other grandgirl), but I didn't get a picture. They had a great time together and got WAY too much candy. When my children were young and I was teaching, I started a tradition at our house. When they were sleeping after going trick or treat, the Halloween witch would come to our house and take most of the candy. I would take the candy to school and use it as incentives for most of the rest of the year.

For this first day of AEDM (art every day month), I finished up a swap I am participating in - double saran wrap stamped watercolor paper. This background is really beautiful and you can get some really different effects depending on colors used, how much you scrunch the saran wrap, and the final stamp you use. It was my messiest project yet. My art table is covered in fine colored drops - rather pretty actually. Amazingly I didn't get any on my clothes.

Today is my favorite day for the crossword in the newspaper. Saturday's puzzle tends to be the most difficult and so is much more fun than earlier in the week. Wouldn't you know it, the newspaper isn't here yet. It is usually delivered much earlier than this. My daughter works today so I am in charge of two little ones. I have already showered and am on my second cup of coffee. Maybe the 5 year old and I will do some artwork together when (if) the baby takes a nap. Here is a face she made for Halloween. She is quite the little artist, don't you think?


Have a great day and don't forget to live in the moment!