For some time now, I have been drawing and writing in my journal to learn, grow, and express my walk with God.  I have always known that I enjoyed creating, but didn't understand how God, the Creator, gave me the desire and joy I find in it.  I do now.  I started reading a book called Sacred Pathways and it's helped me understand a lot. 
So, from time to time I am going to take a big step and post some of my journal entries.  Some of them are from Bible study notes, sermon notes, some from scripture or worship songs that speak to me, and some from personal "ah ha" moments I've had alone with God.  I am so blessed.

This is one from III John 1:4.

Easter Veggies

A year ago St. Patrick's Day weekend we put some tomato plants in our earth boxes.  We had a decent crop spread out over midsummer to late autumn.  The vines began to shrivel by the beginning of December and we left them to die off.  We never got around to digging out the old plants and preparing the soil for new plants, so missed the tomato sale this year.  I thought today since I was working in the yard I would at least cut back all the old vines, and to my surprise, the spring rabbit left us tomatoes instead of eggs!   I'm thinking a chopped tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil salad tomorrow.  Yum!

Sweet Bundle of Joy

If you know me at all, you know that spending time with my grandchildren is high on my list, so this summer having them all together for a week was incredible.  One of my granddaughters turns three today and I can't let the day pass without sharing a little about her.  She is so much fun! 

Here are just 10 things I love about her:
1)  She is girly--loves "pretties" and her "tinkerbell" (her ruffly skirt). 
2)  She's a tomboy--plays anything rough the boys want to do.
3)  She can be in charge--heard coming out of her mouth "knockee off boys!"  Her mama has nicknamed her the "Little Colonel".
4)  She can play bashful or shy--bats her pretty eyes at Papa. 
5)  She tries to keep up with her big brothers--has been known to follow them out in the snow with boots and a diaper and that's all!
6)  She likes to love on and play with her baby brother. 
7) Snow and dirt do not seem to phase her at all. 
8)  She can be very self-sufficient--if she's hungry, she can find something to eat herself, even if it means she has to climb to get it. 
9) She likes to talk--will say anything on the phone just to keep the conversation going!
10)  She can roll with the punches--when we went to Disneyland, she was cheerful from 10 in the morning until after 10 at night without a meltdown.

She melts my heart!

I wish I could hug and squeeze her today, but a phone call will have to do.  Love her so very much!!

A Heart for Kids

For the last several years I have been involved in "All the Arts for All the Kids"; a foundation set up to provide classes in the arts to the public school children in the city of Fullerton.  Last year, the Artbreakers (a mosaic group to which I belong) was challenged to mosaic a 5 foot tall heart to be auctioned for the cause.  It was a tremendous amount of work but well worth it---over 350 total hours but the heart sold for $5,000.  You can read about it in an earlier post called "10 of Hearts".

This year we were challenged again---6 of us worked on the heart in Nancy's garage.  The theme was to be as if we were making overlapping "prayer rugs", but some who view it think it looks more like quilts than rugs.  To make it easier to work on, each person drew off a section and applied their mosaic rug design to mesh.  Then, the mesh piece was applied with thinset, and finished off with grout.

Hopefully we will get a generous buyer who will see the value of the donation, the beauty of the work, and the hearts behind the heart.

I enjoy looking at each rug on the heart and thinking about each friend who lovingly made it.  Thanks Gail, Julie, Kirsten, Nancy and Shelley for letting me work on this with you.  I love you all.

Making Watercolor Journals

I took an online class from Julie Prichard a couple of years ago in making handmade journals.  It's definitely worth the time and money as Julie is an excellent teacher.  These are some of the journals I made (I can never make just one of something! ha!)  The paper used is Fabriano, but here's the very best trick of all.....she says to use the stationary because it's the perfect size to fold and perfectly pre-cut!  Brilliant!  So, I took it one step further and bought the Fabriano watercolor notecards that are pre-creased!

Then, I took her class on different art techniques to use in your journal.  Really fun!!

And last but not least, I took a one-day drawing class from Katherine England in drawing for journaling.  AWESOME DAY.  If you EVER have a chance to take a class from Katherine, it is SO worth it!  I had convinced myself that i couldn't draw but here is a page I completed the next day after taking the class---not too bad---at least the objects are recognizable!  ha!

Recycled Box

I am involved in an online art group that is currently going through a great book called Raw Art Journaling - Making Meaning, Making Art by Quinn McDonald.  One of the suggested assignments is to make a box for 'found words' that can be used as journaling prompts.  Several have suggested making an origami box, but I have made a simpler box with my students that is made out of recycled greeting cards.  Others who see the finished product often ask how the box is made, so I decided to post a mini-tutorial with pictures.  Can you tell that I'm a visual learner?   :-)

To make a box, you will need a ruler, pencil, scissors, tape, and nice rectangle greeting card with the focal point of the picture, somewhat centered.

Separate the card along the fold, and then trim the back of the card by 1/8th to 1/4 inch along one side and along the top or bottom.  Do not trim the front.

Then, line your ruler on the back side of each piece from point to point and draw a short line in the middle. Repeat from opposite points and then draw a dot where lines intersect.

Fold edges into the center dot to meet- open back up and repeat from opposite direction.

Turn card lengthwise and cut on the fold lines to the first fold line.  Repeat on other end.

Fold in side flaps and fold over end flap and tape.

If you trimmed the back of the card enough, the top of the card should fit nicely over the bottom to complete your box.

You will quickly learn what cards work and which ones do not.  The cards need to be rectangle, not square, no overlays, etc. but it is really fun to experiment.  Have fun and feel free to ask questions!

Letterista Class

One of my summer "want to do" items was to take a couple of art classes (that were within my limited budget) to keep up-to-date for my art students.  I found a 3-hour class at Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster with Lisa Englebrecht called "Letterista".  I  recognized Lisa's name from Artfest from a couple of years ago, so I knew she would be a quality instructor. Lisa uses calligraphy and all kinds of art designs to produce lettering that can be used for many different art projects including art journaling.  I really appreciate the freedom that she demonstrates and then in turn, gives to her students to let go of the firm boundaries of calligraphy, to create and stretch using all sorts of pens, paints, pencils, etc.  The best tool that I learned about at the class was a pen called Pilot Parallel Pen----cartridges can be added in various ink colors---really cool and usable for anyone, not just those who can do "real" calligraphy. 

I totally enjoyed the experience and hope to take a beginning watercolor class from Lisa very soon.  Below are some of the gorgeous work that others in the class produced and one of my attempts.

Mosaic Birthday Chair

I finally finished my "birthday chair", the chair for all the grandkids to sit in at Grammy's house when it is their birthday.  Mosaicing a chair was an assignment in my mosaic class with Katherine (http://www.katherineengland.com/ ), but I struggled and struggled with what chair to use, what design, what I wanted as an end result...  Finally, I decided I wanted to pattern it after the work of Mary Englebrecht because I knew the grandkiddlettes would respond to something colorful and whimsical.

Yesterday I finally grouted, and I have to say, I love it! After 5 1/2 years of doing mosaics, I realize I have about 5 items I've really loved, and this is one of them. Hope you enjoy it, too!

Organizing Mosaic Supplies

One of my first projects for the summer was to organize my mosaic supplies so that I could dig in and get to work.  Some of the projects I will be working on are:  1) another "heart" for "All the Arts for All the Kids" (see earlier posts) with 6 of my good friends, 2) a mosaic portrait of my grandson Ethan, 3) some projects for  the "Green Scene" next spring, 4) treasure boxes for Clayton, Maxx, Sadie and Ezera, and last but not least, 5) several friends and family members want to try their hand at mosaics this summer so I'll be having a mini-class/mosaic party on a summer Saturday.

I organized small cut pieces of glass by color in plastic containers, specialty items in cigar boxes, large sheets of glass in wood IKEA magazine boxes, etc.  One shelf is for tools and adhesives, another for grout, thinset, cut glass strips and large containers of tile and cut china/pottery pieces.

Now to tackle the house, shelf by shelf, closet by closet!  Ha!

Ribbon Bound Journal

I took an online journal making class quite awhile back, and one of the journals we made was pages bound together with PVA glue and  ribbon or strips of fabric. I've seen this same method done in some journal making books and blogs so I thought I'd post some pictures to show how my pages looked. They aren't difficult--I actually think children could make them without too much craziness.

Below is a view of the binding of the pages before a cover is attached.  If you look closely, you can see the ribbon folded and glued between the pages.

 
Below is a finished book with cover and a cloth strip for a spine.  The spine was made by using paper towels that were dyed using liquid watercolors.  After air drying, the paper towels were separated to single ply, torn into pieces, and glue to a muslin strip with PVA glue and left to dry.

Hope you enjoyed this---let me know if you have any questions!

Lynda

Doodling?

This past year, I participated in a workshop online through an art chat site.  I have always been a doodler, but just whatever scribbling happened, nothing intentional.  So, I was excited to learn a little about the whole zentangle process.  At first it was difficult to get going, but after awhile, it was a ton of fun.  This is my final project.  I would like to add this into my lesson plans for my more active students.

The Call of the Islands

This summer the hubby and I got the opportunity to visit Hawaii for the first time.  The best way I can describe the trip was a banquet for the senses.  Immediately when disembarking the plane, the air wafted sweet with plumeria and other tropical smells.  The warm tradewinds were like a warm, gentle touch on the skin.  No matter where we looked, the sky, water and greenery were intense with color.  I now understand why people return to the islands over and over again.

"10 of Hearts"

I have had an awesome summer, but alas, have pretty much forgotten about my blog. Sorry 'bout that! I will definitely try to catch up! The past several weeks I have been furiously working with friends on a mosaic heart that will be auctioned at a dinner in December held by Los Ayudantes. The funds from the auction will go directly to All the Arts for All the Kids, the foundation that provides art education to children in the Fullerton school district.

Some of the end results of this project, other than the obvious completion of the heart, have been the hours spent with good friends creating, talking, problem solving, laughing, grumbling, and laughing some more, and generally having a good time for a very good cause. The friends that I have had the pleasure of working with are: Gail, Joanie (new to me but fun!),Julie, Nancy, Nina, Katherine, Kirsten, Shelley, Sue, and Vicki.
I am so glad I was able to participate! Even though I was in Hawaii and Idaho during the planning, my friends still let me join in.

After all the hard work, I now have the joy of being able to look at the finished product and see bits and pieces of my good friends reflected there.Here are some pictures of our heart-it truly has been a labor of love.

1)  Completed and delivered to the Fullerton Museum

2) Grouting and cleaning on the last day  3) Sue's fused birds  4) Kirsten's fused ladybugs  5)  Fused dragonfly

Cats in Bed

My friend Katherine has been working with me to try to get me to break loose and draw. I am trying, but one of the hardest things is to let go and just draw and silence my inner critic.

At Artfest I took a class from Carla Sonheim, a delightful and whimsical artist as well as a delightful person! Carla's drawing lab book was just released, and an online art group is going through each chapter, lesson by lesson, exercise by exercise---I've joined in.

The first exercise in Carla's book is called "Cats in Bed". She encourages students to place heavy drawing paper on a pillow or on their bed. Using a permanent marker pen, draw at least 30 cats and the pillow or bed will cause the paper to "give" so there is fluidity in the lines (and a good excuse if you don't like it! ha!). This is one of my quirky cats. Believe it or not, giraffes are next!

Evening with the Artsy Craftsy Club

Last night my daughter and I went to a good friend's house for what she calls the "Artsy Craftsy Club". This is a totally fun evening where friends show up, eat snacks, talk and laugh, and play with art. Jamie, our fearless leader, provides all the art supplies and a project idea to work on. She is an incredible artist who also happens to be a new mom, a pediatric nurse, and lots and lots of fun! You can see her incredible artwork at www.therustyartichoke.etsy.com.

Last night Jamie chose a collage project from an art magazine with step by step instructions, and Jamie kept us moving in the right direction when we were stuck. Interestingly enough, Jamie says she could NEVER be a teacher, but shhhh, don't tell her, she really IS a teacher and a great one at that! Each person's final product was very unique, even when a few chose the same color palettes.

This is my completed project. I think I'm going to frame it and put it on my art wall in the den. At the end of the evening I felt invigorated (Playing with art is like that for me!) Thanks again Jamie, for a great evening.

Color

I love color...the more intense and varied, the better. My Dad was an artist and I don't know if I just absorbed his love for color or what, but color "floats my boat". This is a shot of fresh tulips at Pike Place Market on the wharf in Seattle. I would go broke if I lived close by...beautiful, yes?

A Tree Planted by Rivers of Water

I often forget to take pictures of the mosaic work that I do, and end up giving pieces away or selling them without realizing I have no record of what I made. So, when I was visiting my kids in April, I took a picture of this mirror that I gave them sometime last year. It belongs in their home in the gorgeous woods of N. Idaho. The design on the mirror is of a strong tree, planted next to a pure, rushing stream. I made it as a visual image of Psalm 1:3 which says (with a minor change-teehee) "and she will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever she does, she prospers." This verse is talking about a person who loves and delights and obeys the law of the Lord.
Hope you enjoy it, too!

The Old Hitchin' Post

After Artfest I took a quick side-trip to see my oldest kids and grandkids in Idaho. While I was there, the whole fam joined together to "help" Dad (my oldest son) make a hitching post for the horses in front of the "livery". I just had to post this picture of the whole crew after he finished! Aren't they great??!
The logs were from downed trees on their property--my son cut and peeled them, notched the posts and heaved the long post on top. It made me tired just watching him!!! LOL The second picture is where the short crew stayed while my son heaved that big log on top (just to make sure nobody got in the way). Can't wait to go visit them in the summer!

Artfest 2010

When I got home from Artfest 2010 and a short side-trip to see the kids and grandkids, I hit the ground running since it was Easter weekend, a new semester with new courses/students, etc., and so I haven't really had much of a chance to slow down enough to post. Sorry 'bout that, for many reasons---I'll try to do better! :) {By the way, the date above shows I posted March 29th, but that's only when I started this post--it's really May! ha!}
First of all, I had a terrific time! I took classes with Carla Sonheim (whimsical drawing/watercolor), Julie Haymaker Thompson (Dr. Suess-like paperclay characters), and Susan Kazmer (altered surfaces on metalwork). Not only did the three classes use different mediums, but the instructors were totally distinctive in personality, teaching style, etc. The students in each group were diverse so each day was its own unique slice of Artfest. Two friends, Sue and Vicki, were in the metalworking class with me so that made it all the more fun. I'll post some about each separate class as I get the opportunity, but for now, the pictures are from a walk I took all by myself, something I rarely do. Enjoy!