GOODBYE 2011

New Years Eve. December 31, 2011. The husband and I are pretty boring. No celebrations to get dressed up for. In our Jammie's, we sit home and watch a movie, occasionally flipping the channel to see who is performing at one of the live parties. Most of the time, I fall asleep and he has to wake me up to watch the ball drop. I get a "Happy New Year" in and a kiss, and it's Goodnight Irene!

This has been a busy and exciting year. The daughter was married, our Grand-daughter was born, the Navy family reunion and the pending birth of our second Grand-son! Lot's of love in this family.

My son leaves for Army basic training in February. It makes me sad that he will be away from the family, but I am also excited for him. He is pursuing a long time desire. He has the "guts" to step up and go forward. This is impressive to me, something I couldn't do. Call me chicken... lack of "kahunas!" I wish you well Michael. Push for the stars! I am so proud of you!!!

To all of you, my friends and my family... I wish you a healthy, happy year ahead.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012.

I put the final touches on my fifth canvas and prepped them for the ride to the florist! All signed and tagged. I am actually only selling 4 of them, the fifth was a gift to Frankie, the shop owner. I really enjoyed making these. I have tried so many "styles", but I always go back to simple Folk art pieces. I guess it is what I crave for in life... simplicity.

Mixed Media Collage... I prefer the flat panel canvases and alot of texture. My all time favorite is to create a distressed, faux barnwood background. Layers of paper, different types of mediums, pan pastels, acrylics and inks...

An Old World Santa sketched onto watercolor paper and painted with Pan Pastels. His beard is light modeling paste applied with a spatula. I then hand tore
him and decoupaged him to the faux wood panel.

The stars are faux rusted metal. I plan on sharing this process in a future post.
the title of this canvas is; "BELIEVE"

My next canvas is "ANGEL AMONG US"

I free hand sketch all my pieces and then hand tear. I like the aged look it gives and it "fits" into the Folk art theme.
This next canvas I love... I titled it; "PEACEFUL"

The next was a fun piece... a winter wonderland after a big snow. I thought about my Grandson playing in the snow, as I created this.
Titled; "LET IT SNOW"

My final piece is not for sale, but a gift to Frankie. She is the shop owner in a restored gold mining village in Gold Hill, NC. Frankie made all the beautiful flower arrangements for my daughter's wedding. This is the village I used to display some of my albums I made. I was also Paula's partner in the bakery. Oh, how I miss all that! Now is my time to get back to that little village... this time with my art work.
To Frankie, thank you for hosting my art! "THE GOLD MINER'S DAUGHTER"



I hope you have enjoyed seeing my art... as much as I have, creating it!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the pieces, please email me at;
vintagebeginnings@yahoo.com Historic Gold Hill Village

ALL CAUGHT UP... well, almost

All my "work" projects are caught up for now... just waiting on a number for making class kits. That means, I can play all I want and not feel guilty! Thought I would share one of the Christmas Class projects I have been working on.


The next 3 days, I am planning on creating for myself. My art has taken the wayside the past few weeks... life in general...things... just things... tend to bog me down at times... and this time change... gets me every year. I hate when it gets dark so early... "lights out and it's time to sleep"! Guess that's why the bears hibernate! Haha...

Good news last night! My limited edition Halloween kits are almost gone! Thank you to all who purchased them and supported me. I have ideas for one next year already. Keeping a journal.. because I tend to forget as fast as I come up with them! ideas, that is... I'm working on a few ideas... have some preparation before I can execute... military strategy...

This is one of the items for the Children's craft day in Dec.



For more information on classes, please visit;
http://www.donnadowney.com/index.php/donna-downey-studios

"A GLIMPSE"

Wow, what a day! I started out with a visit to my daughter's OB appt. Bentley (yes, it's a boy!) is growing just fine! I even heard the little stinker's heart beat, when he would stay still. Next was breakfast at Cracker Barrel... have to feed this little guy... and Mommy!
Last, a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to pick up a snow flake die. Of course, once again, I waited to long to go back and get it. The lady in line (can you believe,in front of me!) had it in her basket. How dare she!! An urge came over me... I could yell, "Would ya look at that!"... grab the die and run the other way! That was the evil side of me (lol). Instead, I folded and told her, I was going to her house to play. After all, The Mind's Eye paper in her basket "was to die for" too!
I finished my second Christmas project today, an 8X8 Angel canvas. It came out completely different than what I had anticipated, but I am actually very pleased with the changes! It will be a class at Donna's studio in Dec. Watch her calender and upcoming events for more information! I think I'll tease you with a little glimpse...

(laughing) You really thought I was going to give you more??

Tomorrow... another day... a day to start my third, but not final, Christmas Whimsey!

FIRST KIT COMPLETED

A new week. A new list of "to doe's". First on the agenda is to find the floor in my studio! Between the puppy getting in the garbage bag, strewing little clippings of paper and chipboard all over and my piles of unfinished projects, magazine issues to file and stashed bags with new goodies just waiting to be played with.... well, you can only imagine!

Last week was exciting for me. My very first, original design, "Trick or Treat" album was listed in Donna Downey's Online store! It was a long process. Many hours! Designing is the best part! Then of course, you have to write all the steps down, list of products, cut each individual piece for multiple kits, emboss, stamp and stuff. I have bought many "kits" and gone to classes of all kinds, but have never really stopped to think about all the work and time, people have put into them. It is amazing and time consuming! This week, I will start the process again. A new album, Christmas goodies and a few other surprises! After all is said and done... I'll be looking for my floor again!

'TRICK OR TREAT"

It's done! My first workshop at Donna's studio is set up for the 13th of October! I am super excited and a little nervous, but over all... I'm good.




“TRICK OR TREAT” A 6x6 HANDMADE CANVAS ALBUM; 6-9 pm $40

Come join me for a frightful night of ghoulish laughter and haunting memories. At the stroke of 6 pm, I will guide you in how to create your own spooky, canvas album. You will be using “secret potions” of paints, inks and modeling paste, along with stencils and objects to add layers and creepy texture to the canvas and chipboard. Add layers and distress each piece. Make it creepy, make it yours ,to remember the horror on this special night!




Hope to see you there!

FAMILY CHRISTMAS 2010

GRAYSON DECORATING HIS COOKIE

SHOWING OFF HIS NEW "THOMAS THE TRAIN" BACKPACK AND CONDUCTOR HAT

UNCLE MICHAEL TRYING OUT THE CONDUCTOR GEAR

MATTHEW AND ASHLEY


Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with all the kids and their families. Roast Beef, mashed potatoes and all the fixins! Ashlyn baked Christmas cookies, a first. I usually do the baking and the kids decorate them. This has been our family Christmas eve tradition since the kids were little. This year we decided to change things around a bit, since every one's work schedules are different. Grayson ate the frosting and sprinkles and left the cookies! Next, on to the gifts. Grayson was so excited, ripping into each gift and loving it all! Papa and I (Nena) got him a train table and train. Thomas the Train is his all time favorite!! Something for Daddy to put together! It was a fun night and all the kids had a good time, so did I. It was nice to have them all together, the noise, the laughter and all the fun!

MICHAEL AND SAMARA

ASHLYN AND JAMES

'Holiday Traditions'

Halloween is over and it marks the beginning of the Holiday season. Twinkling lights, the smell of fresh cut pine and warm fuzzy slippers.

I'm going to get my tree up early this year, so I can enjoy it as long as possible. The last two years, I didn't really decorate much and I didn't have much holiday spirit, but things are better and I'm back! I bought my first present the other day. Actually, my second. I had bought a little car for Grayson and I gave it to him already! I just couldn't wait! So bad!!! ha-ha-ha... Anyway, I'm racking my brain as to what to get my kids. It was much easier when they were little. Toys-R-Us had everything a child could want.

And then there are Cookies! How can I forget cookies? Baking, lots of baking to do!I always bake cookies Christmas Eve day with the kids. We've done this since they were little. Sugar cookies with icing, sprinkles and little candies. I'm not sure what was more decorated, their masterpieces or the floor? It didn't matter, because the smiles on their faces were priceless. This year, I have Grayson to continue the tradition. I may have to change the day, but the joy will still be there!

AUTUMN SPICE

I am luvin this time of year. Actually, I'm not sure if I like spring or fall better. Both are filled with the colors of nature, cool, crisp mornings and warm, sunny afternoons.