Bonfire anniversary. . .

(girl sketched in the car while traveling home)

Just got home from Mississippi where we were celebrating my cousin's 25th wedding anniversary.  Such a great time - no formal party for these two - instead there were ATVs, fireworks, a hayride, bonfire, a few sticks of dynamite exploded, gobs of good food and catching up with family/old friends.  Just about the most perfect way to spend a weekend - ever!

(picture of Caleb by the cabin - wouldn't you love a cabin like this back in your field?)

What made this party even more special is the fact that my cousin and her husband were "set up" by my husband - which makes us all best friends and makes these special times even more special.  I will spare you pictures from the wedding but you can imagine how BIG our hair was in 1989.   All the kids were laughing at our coiffures (even Corey, my husband, had surfer hair - "Duuuuude")

(amazing bonfire cake)

It is good to be home but I sure do hate to think about getting up in the AM and heading in to work.  sigh. . .

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day

funny feeling. . .

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day

Jellied Chicken Salad

Can't say that I've ever drawn a chicken before but I ran across these old recipe cards that I had stashed away in a drawer and couldn't resist.  How unappetizing does Jellied Chicken Salad sound - about as disgusting as it looks, huh?  Don't you love the snazzy strips of pimiento to dress it up? 

I remember mom putting celery and carrots in fruit jello when we were kids but, thank heavens, she stopped before the jellied main course!!  My favorite part is the claim that it would be "perfect for a hot summer evening!" 

I have a few more 1971 recipe cards stashed away - who knows what amazing treat I will reveal next!!

Linking to Art Journal Every Day,

Friday Sketches,

Creative Every Day and

Paint Party Friday

4 doodled flowers

Started with a watercolor background - 

If you are going to paint one you might as well paint four, right?

Doodled some inky flowers - I dig how neutral they are but I know that look isn't a favorite for everyone.

Which one is your favorite?

Linking to Creative Every Day and

Sunday Sketches

Cardboard girl. . .

The other day I watched "Face Mask with Pam Carriker" - shortly thereafter we had Chinese takeout for dinner and at the bottom of the bag was a piece of cardboard that was just begging to be painted on. . .I only used three colors of paint for this girl - white, black and flesh.  Some stamping with my handcarved chevron stamp and white pen journaling added the final touches.  Followed Pam's suggestion to let the penned guidelines show through the paint - cool look, huh?

It is SO cold here now!!  I knew that it was going to turn cold but 31 degrees always seems so much colder in November than it does in March - am I right??  BRRRRR!!

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Art Every Day Month and

Paint Party Friday

trunk full of loot

Sketched this flower in the car and watercolored once I got home.  The part that is my favorite is the old book quote - 

"Therefore, that trunk full of possible loot could hardly have belonged to Jack."

Cutouts from old books are a treasure trove of nuggets that can add invaluable and unexpected personality to the pages in your art journals.  Have you tried adding cutouts from old books to your art?

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day

Papercut Frida

So last night at about 10:30 I got an idea - 

One of those ideas that just had to be worked on right then and there!  So with my trusty Cincinnati Art Museum cup at my side I freehand cut out some facial features.  When I dropped the eyebrows on the counter it reminded me of Frida Kahlo. 

This morning I worked on refining the features somewhat.  LOVE how the nose turned out.  I doubt that anyone ever seeing that shape would think nose unless it was accompanied with the other parts of the face. 

Started working on a coffee stain that was already in my journal. . . 

She's wonky but she was handcut with no pattern or any type or rhyme or reason so I'm pretty pleased with how she turned out - although those eyes are more than a little crazy!! 

Doesn't everyone keep their brushes in a Spiderman cup?  You can tell that I am the mom of boys! 

Linking to Paint Party Friday and

Art Journal Every Day

S Hook girl

Yesterday we headed up to Vincennes, IN and attended the Muster on the Wabash which reenacts the encampments of the War of 1812.  Love the dedication of the reenactors - they actually camped onsite for the weekend (which turned really cold) with no modern day comforts with the exception only of a couple of toilets - no showers.  We learned so much from the many history buffs that were quick to share their information - we watched people craft and reenact battle scenes and enjoyed some period food.  I even got to play with the Blacksmith's tools.  I made the S-Hook pictured (with help of course) - You can tell I had fun during the twisting part since there are so many wonky twists.  That was the easiest part of the process.  I got to wear his leather apron and use all the tools but his hammer - "Nobody uses my hammer but me."  I sketched the girl during our drive up.

Linking to Sunday Sketches and

Creative Every Day