Looking Back & Happy New Year

Well today is the last day of 2011.  I'm thinking it's been a pretty good year. My daughter got engaged and my son got married this year.  I joined a senior center (I'm one of the youngest there) and have been having fun making cards & jewelry.  I lost 13 pounds but I think 5 found their way back! LOL.  My family had this photo taken. I've always wanted to have one taken and never had. This was the best year to do it since we would include my two newest kids (Diana and Jay).

My husband and I made a trip to Atlantic City. We didn't win anything but we had a great time. I hadn't been there in years. My whole family (kids & grandson) went on the annual trip to Ocean City. It was lots of fun. I look forward to that trip every year. This summer I also saw Bill Cosby at Pier 6. He was awesome. I have always wanted to see him. It was a real treat.

My parents have been in fairly good health for 83 and 84. I'm so lucky to have them. I realize I won't have them here for ever so I try to spend as much time with them as possible.

This year I began making greeting cards. I made all my Christmas Cards and have made several get well and birthday cards. I had a friend tell me she planned to keep all the cards I sent her when she was sick. That made me feel good! :)

So I hope your 2011 was a good one too. If not, remember, there's always next year and it can only get better! So I wish you lots of  blessings in 2012, health, happiness and prosperity. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. :)

Paint Party Friday!

So lately I have been making cards. In fact I made all my Christmas cards this year. I made a bunch of  Get Well and Birthday cards and I've given most of them away.

The other day I made a bunch of Valentine's Day cards that I hope to get up on Etsy.

I have a ton of paper these days...I'm become quite the paper addict. Anyway, I was thinking one day when I was getting ready to paint these Angel ornaments that it would be cool to combine the paper and paint. So here it is. I just LOVE the way it looks. I painted the wings and faces but the dresses are scrapbook paper with embellishment. I also did some snowmen  but I did the hats in paper. And, I did some snowflakes that way. They are all in my Etsy shop. Go take a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JYWheeler?section_id=5261008....Happy Paint Party Friday!

For more Paint Party Features visit: http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/ 

What Do These 2 Things Have in Common?

 The kitchen! Yes, I'm finally going to get my wall under the cabinets tiled. I wanted to do glass tile but it seems lately everyone else is doing that so always wanting to be different, I decided that I would go to tumbled marble tile. It's every beautiful and very European. And I think the design will be timeless.

So stay tuned. I'm having the best contractor in town do the work, my brother! Joe Yori is the owner of Yori's Building Improvement. He does  awesome work if I may say so myself. He does every thing. My Dad always says he's 7 contractors in one because he can do everything, carpentry, brick & stone work, drywall, windows, asphalt, siding concrete ...he does bathrooms, kitchens, additions, siding...commercial or residental....whatever you need he can do it.  He recently did a bathroom rennovation, just finished 2 kitchens, a whole house window replacement & commercial tile work for a restuarant in Ocean City.

Look at these beautiful brick steps he did for me. I was away on vacation, came back and they were there! All I asked for was another row of brick on the top step so my Dad could come in and out of the door easier and he just rebuilt them. I even had a kid who was trick or treating tell me he loved the steps. How funny is that?

So stay tuned for the finished product. I'll post photos afterwards.

Yori's Building Improvement. 443-250-9899 in the Baltimore Area as well as Lower Delaware & Maryland Eastern Shores.

Kitchen Craft Project Gone Wrong

Sometimes I wonder why I even walk into the kitchen. Most times I have one kind of disaster or another. Yesterday's disaster was quite entertaining.  So I saw this candy tray on Pinterest and thought, "I can do that" How many times do we think "I can do that." but never do but I was determined since I had some peppermints and the oven was already hot to try it.  So I printed out the directions and followed the instructions:
1) preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) put wax paper on cookie tray
3) unwrap peppermints and place in a pattern.
4) bake 8-10 minutes
5) cool on cookie sheet and remove carefully as it is fragile.

I did just that. Well what do you know. My oven began to smoke like crazy! It was so bad I had to open the window. Now the little window usually has a little doll sitting on it. It's a cute little doll made for me by Pocomedio of my Etsy Team, Old Farmhouse Gathering.  It looks like my husband and sits on the window. The DH (darling husband) said, "put the screen in." I said, it's too cold for bugs to be out. It will be fine." and I carefully opened the window."  Before long, I hear the DH say to me, "He couldn't stand it anymore and he jumped out of the window."   "WHAT???" I said, thinking it was something on TV.

I turned around and this is what I saw. Stoney was GONE!  Oh my. I ran outside to retrieve him. At first I couldn't find him. Where could he have gone. He must be here some where. Finally I spotted him, face down in the bushes.   Whew!  I picked him up and put him back on the window...this time I closed it as all the smoke had left the family room & kitchen.  I checked the tray...it's a little lopsided. Here's what it looks like. I can't make anymore because I'm out of those peppermints. I believe the instructions should have said to turn off the oven when it reaches 350 degrees and let it sit for 8-10 minutes. That would have been enough to melt them....Lesson Learned.....Maybe after Christmas when all the candy goes on sale I'll try this again making sure Stoney is out of the window if I open it.

 And people wonder why my email is HeyLucy1....well I gotta lotta splainin to do!   Merry Christmas.

Paint Party Friday

It's sure been warm here. We've got spring for the first days of winter here on the East Coast and I'm really enjoying it.....well enough of the weather report. Today's post for Paint Party Friday is a butterfly watercolor ACEO. I love butterflies. There is a bush next to my parent's which always has a ton of butterflies on it.

Recently I've gotten in to card making. I was thinking one day that it might be fun to combine my art with my card making and so my Art on a Card was born. It's an original ACEO in plastic adhered to a handmade card.  So it's a Greeting & Gift in One!!!!   The ACEO slides easily out of the plastic. The card is blank inside. I have 4 so far in my shop. More to come.

For more Paint Party Features visit:  http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/ 

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Link to this card on my etsy shop: 


http://www.etsy.com/listing/72640673/art-on-a-card-watercolor-aceo-original

Christmas Menu Planning

Every 4 years I get the rotation for the Wheeler family Christmas. It's always painful for me because I hate cooking, baking, etc. Not to mention that I burn things and have my Lucy Episode Kitchen Catastrophes!

Well this year on the menu is Turkey (of course), Honey Spiral Ham, Sausage Stuffing, Scalloped Corn,  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Biscuits, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Brownies, Rum Cake and pie. So what do you think My son is bringing another pie.  My daughter is bringing a sweet potato casserole. My sister in laws are bringing pie and a vegetable casserole and my brother in law is bringing mashed potatoes. You might laugh but my mashed potatoes are called Mashed Potato Surprise in my house. I just cannot make them from the real thing. It's either burned, watery, lumpy, or too thick. It's better left to someone else.

I generally make kielbasa and sauerkraut but the place I get my polish sausage from went out of business and I don't feel like driving to Baltimore to get it from Ostrowski's. I really need to find a place locally that has it. All sausage is not the same. I cannot stand the stuff from the grocery stores with the thick casings! Yuck!

I cannot wait to do the muffins. Here's the recipe...so easy:

1 box yellow cake mix
15 oz pumpkin pie filling
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Fill ups 1/2 way, Bake 350 for 12 min. Drizzle chocolate on the top. The blog I got it from gave a good tip. Melt the chocolate in a baggie, cut off the tip and then use it to drizzle the chocolate!   Here's the link to the blog: http://cheatdaycafe.blogspot.com/2009/06/chocolate-chip-pumpkin-muffins.html

Hope your menu planning is going well!

Paint Party Friday

Today's Paint Party Feature is my little tribute to our service men and women....it seemed appropriate now that the war in Iraq is winding down. 

Thank you for your service. I know it's very hard to be away from your families not to mention the danger. My heart goes out to your  families who miss you every day especially during the holidays. 

My prayer for this Christmas is that all our service men & women will one day all be home with their families & that there will be peace on Earth....


For more cool Paint Party Friday Features go to: http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/


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Link to this snowman  hand painted porcelain ornament: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87779301/hand-painted-porcelain-cammoflage

It's just less than a month before...

..my baby (well not so much a baby anymore) gets married. I am so delighted about the young woman Jacklyn Nicole Wheeler has grown up to be. She makes me proud every day of her life. Not ust because she went through one of the most difficult majors in College (Chemical Engineering) with both a bachelor's degree and master's degree. Not just because she is a successful professional woman. Not just because she's beautiful (and she really is). Not just because of her creativity. And not just because she is the most down to earth person I know and a loving daughter, sister, aunt and grand daughter. Not not just because of all of that....I am most proud of her because of her life in the spirit.

Her life is a daily testament to the gospel. It's how she lives her life in faith and in charity in everything that she does. I have always told God I just wanted my children to bring glory to Him...and I feel like my prayer was answered. I am so delighted that she found her soul mate...Jay Perry. He is the perfect match for her. He's a very talented graphic/web designer and artist. What I'd call a "Big Brush". A match made in heaven. 


So on January 14, 2012 Jackie and Jay will wed and I will be the proudest person in that church and I will say a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift I was given when God blessed me with her by beautiful daughter. I will pray for this  new chapter of  their lives. God Bless you both. I love you.

Paint Party Friday

Today's Paint Party Friday feature is this little tea caddy. China painted on porcelain, I painted 51...yes you read it right 51 of these little guys for my daughter's bridal shower. They all had different designs on them. Mostly floral or fruit.  I had a decal made up for the back that I fired on them. It read "Jackie and Jay 1.14.12" (the date of their wedding).

They were a big hit at the shower. Everyone loved them. I also painted several teapots for game prizes. The one in the middle I painted for my daughter and the one behind it with the grapes was painted for her new mother in law.

So that's what I've been painting lately! LOL.....the little grape tea caddy pictured is available in my Etsy shop. Here's the link. http://www.etsy.com/listing/87893177/hand-painted-porcelain-tea-caddy

For more Paint Party Features visit:  http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Paint Party Friday

Ewe EEE...it's been a while since I participated. I really need to get back to my blogging routine. But you know how life has a way of taking you downstream.......like a leaf in a stream...well that's me it seems in a fast running stream to boot. So now I'm trying to swim back up. LOL So today's feature for Paint Party Friday is this beautiful china painted rosary box.

I painted it with a dogwood desing and then I thought, well it still needed something. I toyed with the idea of edging it in gold but then I thought I'd try some little scroll work around the edge. I like it much better with the scrolls. It's something different. I may do the other ones I have with scrollwork. But then again if I do too many it won't be different will it. Oh well.

I love dogwoods and I was thinking that rather than being headed for winter, I sure would love it to be spring. So it's spring in my mind.

For more cool Paint Party Friday Features go to: http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/
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If you like the Rosary Box, it's available in my Etsy shop. But I do a craft show tomorrow so I can't promise it will still be there in a day or so. I'm putting my Etsy shop on "vacation" mode tonight until Sunday. But here's the link.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86965504/hand-painted-porcelain-cross-shaped

Openhouse at the Farmhouse

Come to the Farmhouse Gathering for Christmas from December 5-9 .....on Etsy search "OFG Open House" and look in the shop announcement line for Christmas Sales. My shop JYWheeler will be offering 20% off using Coupon Code: Open House.....come to the Farmhouse Gathering...you won't be disappointed .

Thank You God

Ready, Set, Advent.........

What Is Advent? The word means coming or arrival...it's Latin. Go figure! :) It basically means that God came to Earth as Jesus and as such it changed the world. So it's something we CeLeBraTE and REJOICE!!!! It's a time of Prayer and meditation, contemplation and waiting. Waiting for the day our Savior comes and rejoicing in it.  It always starts on a Sunday. This year it's November 27.

It's a countdown from the first day of Advent to Christmas. One day at a time. Week by week. And each week we light a candle at church before Mass starts. But you can also have one in your home. Advent candle 1 (purple - representing HOPE) is light on November 27th. Then candle 2 (purple - representing LOVE) on December 4. Candle 3 (pink - representing LOVE) on December 11 and the last one on December 18th (Purple - representing PEACE). During the great countdown, we are doing some things to PREPARE for the coming of Christ.

We thank God for the coming of Christ, we celebrate His arrival (Christmas), pray and prepare (through the sacrament of Confession) for Christmas...the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Advent is not a new thing. It's been around since the 4th Century France started by some monks. They used the 6 weeks before Christmas as a penitential and devotional time. Later in Rome began a 3-6 week fast and regularly going to church before Christmas. The way Advent is practiced today came from Pope Gregory I. He set it at 4 weeks long. And he wrote "litu bergical" materials for liturgical use during that time. In the 10th Century saw the special practices and prayers. And finally the liturgical color...purple (the Catholic church has lots of colors for lots of things...but that's another blog). It gained a resurgence  in the 20th Century and the Eastern Orthodox prepare via the Nativity Fast.

So keep your focus on the real PRESENT OF CHRISTMAS--------JESUS......Ready Set Advent.

Here's a link to DIY your own Advent Wreath. http://catholicism.about.com/od/adventactivities/ss/Make_Adv_Wreath_7.htm

It's Getting to Look Alot Like Christmas!

Well at least it is in my shop! I have been adding more. Here's a selection of just the Christmas items. Speaking of Christmas...my OFG Team is doing a sale...search OFG Team on Etsy and put in OFGthanksyou2011 in the coupon code for 10% or more off (depending on the shop).

It's not looking like Christmas at my house yet. I generally put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving but my daughter is at her future in laws this weekend so we wont' be putting it up until Monday night! :(  But I'll get my Christmas tree decorating fix tonight because my son is continuing the tradition at his house with his son. You gotta love traditions!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Today I am thankful  to God for the following...my top 10:
1) my parents, in their 80's I'm so fortunate to still have them.
2) the love of my family, especially my husband, children and grandson
3) my friends who make my life so full of laughter and fun
4) retirement...it was worth working all those years...going straight to work after high school.
5) my God given talents. They bring me such joy.
6) my health
7) that my grandparents chose to take the chance on coming to America to find the American dream
8) that I finally got the last of the wallpaper down in this house this year! wooo hooo
9) my kitties...I have 2 of the best girls in the world
10) that I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and clothes on my body....I pray for all those who do not have that...........


So what are YOU thankful for today?

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the ACEO above is no longer available.

Are you on Pinterest?

I love Pinterest.com . It's a cool new social network which allows you to organize and make bulletin boards of cool things you find on the internet.  It's nice to be able to see at a glance all the things you bookmark.

On my page I have 18 boards one is for religious icons, one of china painting, others are: painting instructions, cool craft ideas, jewelry, hats, recipes, you name it I have it.  Many of the bookmarks are of  DIY things I would like to do in the future and some things I'd like to do around the house. The hat board are hats I'd like to buy at some point.

I love herbs and I tried doing an herb garden at some point but wasn't very successful.  Next year I plan to try again so I have an herb board! Recently I began making greeting cards so I've made a board of cool card ideas.

If you aren't on pinterest, you need to check it out. And when you do, follow me and I'll follow you!

OOO Baby It's Cold Outside!

What happened to summer? I know it's not politically correct to wish for global warming but today I could use just a bit.

Summer is my favorite time of year. Maybe it's because I was born in summer. Or maybe it's just because I'm an informal kind of girl and summer is all about informal, flip flops and shorts....but whatever the reason, I just wish I could have summer year round. How about you?

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The watercolor ACEO shown above is available in my ArtfulPurpose shop on Etsy. Here's the link:
Beach Walk

It's Been A While....

,,,but I'm back. I am sorry I have been remiss at my blogging. LOL. Lots have been going on in my life. My beautiful daughter Jackie is getting married in January. I have been doing my Mother of the Bride duties running here and there with her. I painted 51 tea caddies and 6 teapots for her tea party bridal shower. Here's a photo of her at the shower with the little veil her maid of honor made her.


 I've also been preparing for 2 craft shows one of which is this weekend. It's a home show.I'd like to thank all my friends who have come to the 3 day show and supported us. It means a lot to me. No matter if you bought something of mine or not, just your smiling faces and compliments are a huge pick me up!  It's so tiring to be on one's feet for long days.

I have got to say my craft show buddies have done a wonderful job. Marie has the most adorable prim things. Patricia (another porcelain artist) has lovely unusual lustered ornaments. Allison's florals are top knotch. Tisha's watercolors are beautiful and her knitting is awesome. I bought the cutest little grey hat (and you know how I love hats) but that's another story.

After the craft show I will have lots of new pieces in my Etsy shop. Right now it's on "vacation" status until after this show. I want to wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving. And speaking of giving thanks I'd like to leave you with a prayer I found on Catholic.org:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
We praise you and give you glory:
We bless you for calling us to be your holy people.

Remain in our hearts,
And guide us in our love and service.
Help us to let our light shine before others
And lead them to the way of faith.

Holy Trinity of love,
We praise you now and for ever.

Amen!
-----------See You SOON!

Check These Out

The other day I went over to a friend's house. She has been fiddling with wire wrapping. I asked her to show me since I'm really left-handed it's hard to turn the directions around in my mind. All the directions are written for righty's. 

Well anyway, she sat across the table from me and I could figure it out. 

I was happy with the way they turned out the top left one is a large stone bead. Two of them are from smashed pieces of my china. The other two are from flat stones made to be pendants. In fact they were in settings and I popped them out.

Not sure what I'm going to do with these. I might sell them but then again, I might just save them and give them as gifts. I'll likely put them on some beaded necklace, as I have tons of beads.

My Newest Antique Store Find

So here it is. Isn't it cool. It was outside of the antique store which means they wanted it to go on quick sale. I walked by it and then did a double take. It is a wire rooster and it has a circular section in it so you can put in a plant. I had just the one for it.

This plant is very old. I have have had it for 12 years or so now. My mother in law had given it to me. She was downsizing her plants. She has since passed away so every time I see it I think of her.

It looks great in my sunroom!

Sunday Sketches

 Another from my Sketchbook Project 2011 (theme: Make Mine a Double)

Colored pencil...I love peeps. It's like double the pleasure double the fun when you can have not just one peep but two! LOL. Anyway in separating the Peeps the one on the right I got a little rough with it. And in my haste gave it a little deformity in his ears. I was going to correct it in the drawing but then I thought why not let sketch it as is. The fun part of drawing them was knowing in the end I could eat them. :) And I am happy to report the deformed one was just as tasty as it's mate.

Enjoy the Sunday Sketch and for more awesome art visit http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Fun Times!

What a great day today was. My son, my grandson and I went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I hadn't been in quite a while so it was nice to go there again. We went very early and still it was very crowded. I would have liked to stay and read the exhibits but when you have a 4 year old you end up jumping from one thing to another...well let's say I maybe got to read one or two. Mason was so excited. It was fun to see the aquarium through his eyes. In the photo to the left. They spotted a conure in the rainforest exhibit.

After the aquarium, we ate at an Irish Restaurant.  Mason loved his new mask. He wore it around the Inner Harbor and then wanted to wear it at lunch til he realized he couldn't eat with it on. My son, Joe had Sheppard's Pie. I had Bangers and Mash and what did Mason want? Spaghetti! LOL   It was a fun day with the boys.

Sunday Sketches

So here's another from my Sketchbook Project 2011...the theme was Make Mine A Double.




I love roses! I have 2 rose bushes. Sometimes they are out of control with roses and then other times it's zip. I'm not sure why. I take care of them the same way all the time.

Did you know what the colors of the roses mean? Here it is:

Red Roses desire, passion, courage, respect, beauty, sincerity and say "I love you". A red rosebud symbolizes purity and loveliness.

Coral Roses - desire and passion.

Lilac or Lavender Roses -love at first sight or enchantment.

Orange Roses - desire, enthusiasm and fascination.

Peach Roses - gratitude, appreciation, admiration or sympathy. Also convey sociability and friendship and send the message "Let's get together". A pale peach rose symbolizes modesty.

Pink Roses - grace, gentility and happiness and express appreciation and gratitude.

Pale Pink Roses - grace, joy, gentility and gratitude.

Light Pink Roses - happiness and fun.Also convey admiration and appreciation.

Deep Pink Roses - express appreciation, admiration, sincerity and sympathy.

White Roses -truth and innocence, silence, secrecy, reverence, humility, youthfulness and charm. A white rosebud symbolizes girlhood.

Yellow Roses - friendship and freedom, convey congratulations, joy, gladness, delight. and a new beginning. Yellow roses with red tips convey friendship and falling in love.

Dead Roses - Dead roses in any color convey "It's over!"
My favorite rose is the white rose? What's yours?

Enjoy the Sunday Sketch and for more awesome art visit http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

In Remembrance this Memorial Day

For the 30 heroes below who died in May, 2011 in Operation Enduring Freedom.  I pray:

O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, look kindly on your departed veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country. Grant that through the passion, death, and resurrection of your Son they may share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom and rejoice in you with your saints forever.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Please take a moment to read each name and reflect on their sacrifice. Keep their families in your prayers.

5-28-2011 Hamilton, Adam S., Specialist,22,  Ohio. Hostile fire, Helmand Haji Ruf.  U.S. Army, Fort Riley, KS

5-27-2011 Johnson, John C., Private 1st Class, 28, Arizona. Hostile fire,  Kandahar. U.S. Army, Fort Drum, NY 

5-26-2011 Runkle, John M., 1st Lieutenant, 27, Ohio.  Hostile fire,  Kandahar. U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY 

5-26-2011 Mills Jr., Edward D.,Staff Sergeant, 29, Pennsylvania. Hostile fire, Kandahar.  U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY 

5-26-2011 Osman, Ergin V.Staff,  Sergeant, 35,  North Carolina. Hostile fire,  Kandahar.  U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY 

5-26-2011 Bohall, Thomas A.Sergeant, 25,  Kansas. Hostile fire,  Kandahar. U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY 

5-26-2011 Velazquez, Louie A. Ramos, Sergeant, 39, Puerto Rico.  Hostile fire,  Kandahar. U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY

 5-26-2011 Patton, Adam J.Specialist, 21, Washington. Hostile fire,  Kandahar. U.S. Army, Fort Campbell, KY 

5-26-2011 Solesbee, Kristoffer M., Technical Sergeant, 32, California. Hostile fire,  Kandahar.  U.S. Air Force, Squadron Hill Air Force Base, Utah 

5-26-2011 Hamski, Joseph J., Staff Sergeant, 28, Iowa. Hostile. Kandahar U.S. Air Force, Schofield Barracks, HI

5-26-2011 Thibodeau, Christopher R., Chief Warrant Officer, 28, Ohio.  Hostile - Helicopter crash. Paktika. U.S. Army,  Fort Hood, Texas 

5-23-2011 Lorenzo, Kristofferson B., Staff Sergeant, 33. California. Hostile fire,  Kunar.  U.S. Army Schofield Barracks, HI

 5-23-2011 Blevins, William S., Private 1st Class, 21, Ohio. Hostile  fire, Kunar.  U.S. Army, Schofield Barracks, HI

 5-23-2011 Krippner, Andrew M.,Private, 20, Texas. Hostile fire, Kunar.  U.S. Army, Schofield Barracks, HI 

5-23-2011 Allers, Thomas C., Private, 23, Michigan, Hostile fire, Kunar. U.S. Army ,Schofield Barracks

 5-18-2011 Kirton, Brandon M.Specialist, 25, Colorado. Hostile fire, Kandahar.  U.S. Army , Fort Campbell, KY 

5-16-2011 Self, David D., Staff Sergeant,29, Mississippi. Hostile fire. Zabul. U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany

5-16-2011 Melton, Bradley L.Specialist, 29, Missouri. Hostile fire, Zabul. U.S. Army Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK

 5-16-2011 Tucker, Lamarol J.Private,26, Florida. Hostile fire, Zabul.  U.S. Army, Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK 

5-16-2011 Pressley, Cheziray, Private, 21, North Carolina. Hostile fire, Zabul.  U.S. Army, Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK

5-15-2011 Riley Jr., Brian D., Specialist, 24, Florida. Non-hostile, Kunar.  U.S. Army, Schofield Barracks, HI 

5-14-2011 Schlote, Robert C., Sergeant, 26 , Nebraska. Non-Hostile – Illness. U.S. Army, Army National GuardOmaha, NB

 5-13-2011 Aguilar, Amaru,Sergeant,26, Florida. Hostile fire, Kandahar.  U.S. Army, Fort Riley, KS

 5-12-2011 Palmer, Benjamin J., Lieutenant Colonel, 43, California. Hostile fire,  Helmand . U.S. Marine Cherry Point, NC

5-12-2011 Balduf, Kevin B., Sergeant,27, Tennessee. Hostile fire, Helmand . U.S. Marine, Camp Lejeune, NC

 5-10-2011 Frison, Demetrius M.,1st Lieutenant,26, Pennsylvania. Hostile fire,Khost.  U.S. Army, Fort Knox, KY 

5-09-2011 Hermogino, Ken K., Sergeant, 30, Californa. Vehicle accident, Heart. U.S. Army, Fort Carson, CO

 5-04-2011 Spaulding, Riley S.,  Specialist, 21, Texas. Non-hostile, Kandahar.  U.S. Army, Vilseck, Germany

 5-02-2011 White, Kevin W.Corporal, 22, New York. Hostile fire, Kuna. U.S. Army, Schofield Barracks, HI.

(http://icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx)

So another Sunday Sketch from my 2011 Sketchbook Project....here it is...again the theme was Make Mine A Double:

This also was colored pencil. I had a little trouble with one of their rumps...can you figure out which. If you look close you can see I had to do some readjusting. I don't know what's with me. I always tend to straighten things out. I have trouble drawing or painting something that's not straight. Even the ram that is on an angle still looks weird to me. The one on the right I make straight. Not sure why I always do that sort of thing. Well anyway here it is.

The Sketchbook Project tour came through my area. Actually it went to Washington DC but I didn't have anyone to go with and that week was particularly busy anyway. Maybe if I do it again this year I'll be able to see it. It's supposed to come to Philadelphia which is about 2 hrs away. DC would have been just a bit closer. Oh well.

Enjoy the Sunday Sketch and for more awesome art visit http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Sunday Sketches

Last week I missed the Sunday Sketches. I just wasn't in the blogging mood I guess or got lazy. Whatever. But this week I'm here... Yayyyyyy....This is another sketch from my Sketchbook Project 2011. It's colored pencils.

This is one of my favorites. As you recall, my theme was Make Mine a Double. I love the beach. When my kids were little, I'd take them for early morning beach walks and we'd pick up shells along the way. I always told them the shells were little treasures left for us by God to find. 
I remember one morning walk I really wanted to find a whelk shell and I prayed " Lord send me a whelk shell." As I was walking, a wave crashed at my feet and guess what it was a whelk shell like the one on the right! Ask and ye shall receive!

Paint Party Friday

Well last week I missed the PPF. I had things painted just didn't get to blog about it. Well this one I painted while I was in Ocean City, Md for Mother's Day weekend. It was so beautiful that morning I couldn't resist. It's an ACEO. The nice thing about painting an ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 inches) is that you can easily carry your painting supplies and paper along with you.

It's available in my Etsy shop ArtfulPurpose:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/74258865/watercolor-aceo-original-sunrise

The ACEO Challenge

This is the first time I have participated....the theme is May flowers. Here's my entry. It's called Fresh Picked.
It's available in my Etsy shop, ArtfulPurpose....click here to go to the link.

Sunday Sketches

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, foster mothers.....What are your plans today? I'm coming back from a weekend at the beach. I so needed that get a way.

Today's Sunday Sketch is another one from my Sketchbook Project...theme Make Mine a Double:

Of course I had to do kitties. This reminds me a lot of my girls, Lily and LeeLu. They both like to sit on a bench and look out of the guest room window.


Enjoy the Sunday Sketch and for more awesome art visit http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Paint Party Friday

Today's painting is on porcelain. I love how these turned out. I was inspired by spring. The leafing out of all the trees and vines. I get so excited when I see the first buds on the trees. 

Here's a set of salt & pepper shakers and napking rings. I actually painted 8 of the napkin rings.  First I applied the blue pearl luster fired it and then painted the vine and leaves.  For the napkin rings I put a band of blue tape where I wanted the vine to go.  I love how these.  They are in my Etsy shop. I just put them up this week. The links are below.


Check out some awesome Paint Party Friday art visit this link: http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com
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Napkin Rings: http://www.etsy.com/listing/73442585/handpainted-porcelain-napkin-rings
Salt & Pepper  http://www.etsy.com/listing/73442885/handpainted-porcelain-salt-pepper

Wednesday......it's hump day and....

I thought all my friends could use a little chuckle. Takes you back doesn't it? When life was so much simpler!

The 7-Ups of Life

1. Wake Up - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice & be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart" I Sam 16:7

3. Shut Up - Say nice things & learn to listen. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3 "Gossip betrays confidence avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19 "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20

4. Stand Up - For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up - To the Lord. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up - For something higher. "...press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians  3:14

7. Lift Up - Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING" Philippians 4:6
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The ACEO pictured above is available in my Etsy shop. Here's the link:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66749291/watercolor-aceo-original-church-yard

Sunday Sketches

Another Sunday Sketch from my Sketchbook Project! As you will recall the theme was "Make Mine a Double"......so what does this have to do with double....think about it a minute while I babble.

I'm thinking about doing another Sketchbook Project. It's a big commitment. Well maybe not so big because I glued the pages together to give them some substance. The problem with the book is that the pages are so thin any pressure from the colored pencils goes right through. So I read online someone had glued the pages. That worked great.

I cannot decide on a theme. There are 40! Help me Friends.....here's what I've narrowed it down to: Uncharted Waters, Things Found Under Car Seats,  It's Summer Where You Are. Let me know what you think I should choose.


Just in case you want to participate, here's the link for the Sketchbook Project: Then you can post them on your Sunday Sketches as well.: http://arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject


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 Okay so now back to that sketch.  What do you think? Did you get it right?  The cowboy is shooting a double barrel shotgun. So now you have it! LOL That's the double reference.

Enjoy the Sunday Sketch and for more awesome art visit http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

The Day After...

...the Royal Wedding. Well I'm not a Royal Watcher but like I said the other day my friend is. So as you will recall she invited me to watch the Royal Wedding at her house. So at 3:45 am, I trudged to Baltimore in my finest complete with a hat. When I arrived, the speculation of hat or fascinator was answered. Charmaine wore a fascinator.  She had invited another friend but I guess Sandi slept in.

Charmaine went all out and  had a beautiful tea set up for us. There were tea sandwiches & scones & biscuits....you name it. The table was set up with lace fine china and complete with flowers.

So we spent 4 hours, sipping tea, eating crumpets, having fun hat watching and getting ideas for future hat purchases.

It was an early day and a little early for all those sweets, but it was fun to spend the morning with a good friend.