Olympics and art

 hi everyone. I haven't been around very much lately.  I wasn't feeling great the last week or so, then I got hooked on the Olympics,  lol! Now I wish I had seen more of the events, but when it started, I said I wouldn't be watching anything. Today is the last event, the men's hockey featuring the US and Canada. It will be great no matter the outcome. It will be nice to be back to normal after today though.

Artwise, yesterday I ruined another of my drawings on vintage paper....and believe me, I had some choice curse words about that! The drawing itself I liked, it was simple, kind of gothic, and then I went to spray a varnish protector on it. Well, I ended up with spots on the paper, and there is nothing I can do about it. I will keep it for myself since you can only see the spots close up , and will re-do it again.
So learn from my mistake folks...never use a spray varnish on paper unless you test it first!

This weekend I created a couple of ACEOs on black paper. I had done a bunch a couple of years ago which I liked, but it's amazing how much you grow and improve. These ones I think, turned out much better...this one is Caroline, the racoon we 'met' last summer which I blogged about here.

 I will leave you with one tip I discovered helps me in my art journaling... I have a very hard time working on my journal, as the whole process doesn't flow for me. What I started doing is prepping the pages in advance with color combinations I got from this fantastic book called the Color Scheme Bible.  Pick a color combo you like, and use it to put down colors. I do several pages at a time. Then I have a pile of clippings from magazines I just went through, so I pick images that appeal to me and glue them down on the page that I think they work with. Then, just journal. Write down how your day is going or any interesting thoughts you have.

I realised that if you don't write down your moments,  they are soon forgotten, and life really is lived in the moments. Why not put them down while they are fresh in your mind? Believe me, I have never consistently  done art journaling, but I will be making an effort now...I was hung up on feeling like the pages had to be artistic, or creative. The important thing is to just get your life down on the page.
Using a book with color ideas already planned out has made all the difference in the world, since color theory is not something I am good at.  The hard work is done by others who do understand color. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can...the more you do, the more confident and creative you become.

Here is a page I did yesteday, and today I will be journaling on it.

February Blahs...

hi everyone. What a month this has been! I don't know if there is something in the atmosphere, but I feel like I've been in a bit of a funk...oh well, we can't be positive and up all the time. I actually don't mind these moods, since it's part of the ebb and flow of life. I just remind myself that this too shall pass.

 At least I've been getting a bit of art done...I painted a few more illustrations on vintage pages. So far I've got 3 new ones, the one shown above is the only one I've listed in my Etsy shop so far, but there are 2 cat ones as well. Of course, my absolute favorite one is ruined! I planned out a series a while ago, and set out to make the first one to see how it was.Well, I loved the  drawing, however, when I put a gel medium over the top to protect the page, it got all warped! Don't you hate it when you work on some artwork you really like, then one wrong move ruins the whole thing? Live and learn, lol!

For those of you who know Renee from her blog, please send a prayer her way. The last post by her daughter was heart-breaking. She could  use a miracle right  about now...

And the Winner is.....

Hello everyone! The OWOH event is over for this year, and what a fantastic ride it was! I made new friends, discovered new blogs, and spent way too much time on the computer, lol!
I would like to thank you all for stopping by my little corner, and leaving a comment. I read each one, and visited each of your blogs. Welcome to my new followers too! I appreciate you joining me.

Now without further delay, I used the Random Number generator to pick my 3 lucky winners

First prize went to comment # 309  Mia J  for the original Snowgirls painting

Second Prize of a print of your choice went to comment # 97  AK

Third Prize(added after I hit 300 comments) went to comment # 207 A Pink Dreamer, for a print of your choice.

I have emailed the winners, so please get in touch with me within the next 4 days to claim your gifts.

Thank you everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello everyone, I wanted to wish all my dear friends and readers a Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you have something special planned with your loved ones. For those of you who are single, make sure you do something to honor yourself. After all, the most important person in our lives should be ourselves, right?

I have been so behind on a lot of things this year, and never got to paint a Valentine girl like I planned, so I thought I would show you an old painting I did over 4 years ago....my style sure has changed since then. It would be fun to re-do this one and see what I would do different. Her pouty look still makes me smile.

Have a great day everyone! Tomorrow at approximately 6pm I will be picking my winners for the OWOH giveaway. See you then...

Quick post for Animal lovers

I normally don't do this but I came across this story from one of the blogs I follow, and wanted to do my small part to help.
A blog called 'Thisisitcreations'  is doing a fundraiser to save 3 bulls from slaughter. If you care to, please take a look at their blog, and if you are compelled, you can either donate, or buy something you like from one of the many Etsy shops that are donating. If you scroll down the blog you will find a list of those Etsy shops, this way you get something cool and feel good about helping.
It's a small thing, but I believe in doing your part to help out whenever you can.

Have you checked out the One World One Heart event? If you haven't it's not too late to join in, and possibly win some prizes. I will be giving away one original painting and one print. If I hit 300 comments I will add another print. You have until Feb 15th to enter, here is the link to my post: OWOH Giveaway.
Good luck everyone!

Snowstorms and Sleeping Beauty

Hi everybody, have you all been blog hopping in the One World One Heart event? If you haven't, there is still lots of time to get in on the fun. You can find new blogs to enjoy, meet new people, and hey! you can even win some cool giveaways! I am part of this years event, and if you would like a chance at my giveaway, comment on the previous post, or click right here to be taken there.

I heard last night that some massive snowstorms are hitting the US and some parts of Eastern Canada. Those of you in the path of this storm, please stay safe! This is the perfect excuse to stay in if you can. I wonder if it will still be going on tomorrow during the Superbowl?
Ok I shouldn't admit this because some may think I am crazy, but I really wish it was coming our way. We have had the easiest winter ever! hardly any snow, no snowstorms, I really miss it! I have always loved a good blizzard. Oh well, on a positive note, I won't have to be out shoveling my driveaway :-)

The ACEO you see at the top had  been sitting unfinished, for probably a few months. Today I thought I may as well try and get her done. You wouldn't believe how many unfinished paintings I have lying around!
It was fun to work in such tiny details, especially on the face. Normally faces this small give me trouble, but not this one, and I didn't even have to put on my reading glasses to see, lol!
(For those who don't know what an ACEO is, it is small format  art, and the size is the same as a baseball card.)

Well, time for a bit of a break, since Sleeping Beauty took me a few hours to do. I'm now going to make a nice cup of coffee and watch another episode of Everybody loves Raymond.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

OWOH - Come along with me...

On a Magic Carpet Ride....
Hello everyone! I am so happy to be participating in the One World One Heart  event.
This global blogging even is the brainchild of Lisa Swifka . The idea was to bring bloggers together from around the world, and to possibly win some prizes.  I participated last year and had so much fun,  met  many new people, and made some wonderful friends.
This year already there are so many blogs for you to visit. If you click on the link on the side of my blog, or above this post, it will take you to the main page, there you will see who is participating.


First Prize:  I will be offering an original 6"x12" painting I created last winter called Victorian Snow Girl. This painting was woodburned on wood, then I added various media, including lots of texture and even Swarovksi crystal beads.

Second Prize: I will be offering a large print of your choice from my Etsy Shop. 

 

To join in my giveaway, all  you have to do is leave a comment on this post, and on Feb 15th, I will  pick the winners. You do not need a blog to participate, my giveaway is open to everyone. Please make sure that I can reach you if you win - leave your email if you don't have a blog.

Have fun everyone!
betty

The case of the disappearing blogger...

Yup, that would be me. This is only my second post this year.  I better get moving though, since the great One World One Heart event starts next Monday! It will be so much fun, just like last year.  I haven't yet decided what my giveaway will be, if I will paint something new, or give away one of my previously done paintings. Guess we will find out on Monday, lol!

I'm still painting my little ACEOs, the cat you see above I took from my sister's fridge. I drew her cat 'Zeus' on black paper, and since she won't let me have it back, I will be re-doing a similar one to put in my shop. I should mention Zeus is a female. She was a Birthday gift for my sister, and when we were at the pet store we were told she was a boy. Fast forward a few months,  Zeus was acting very strange, clingy, wouldn't leave you alone, so I got a little suspicious about the behavior. I told a friend at work who grew up with cats, we called my sis at home and had her flip the cat over to take a look, and yes, Zeus was a girl! lol! The name stayed, even though I was hoping she'd change it to Zena.
 
That's it for now, check back on Monday and join me on a magic carpet ride

My Newest Angel

I hope everyone had a great holiday break. Did you make any resolutions? I can't think of any to make, or at least any I may have a chance at keeping, lol! I decided a long time ago, that the best thing to do if you want to make changes in your life, is to take each day as a fresh start. If you fail today, try again tomorrow.  No guilt. Guilt is the thing that keeps us back, for it makes us feel like failures.  I like the quote : 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. Anything can be accomplished, if you take it one step at a time.

The angel you see here is the first girl I painted in a long time. If you are a new blog follower, you may think that I only paint owl ACEOs, haha! but actually this is more typical of what I do.
I started her before Christmas, and left her until I could figure out how to proceed. Last night I decided it was time to work on it, so what you don't see  is layers of  vintage pages, tissue, stamping, and other old and new techniques I have learned. Sometimes I wonder why I bother, since I cover it all up, but I guess I know what's beneath my art. I feel it is more interesting rather than a quick and easy background.

Now I also painted  a few more ACEOs - (and for anyone who is unsure what they are, they are artwork, the size of playing cards. Very collectible, and popular on Ebay and Etsy).
I started a new series for Valentines Day featuring my owl characters..people seem to love them, and I really enjoy them as well.

thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!

I'm looking forward to spending a nice quiet evening alone. It has been a busy season, and soon it will be back to normal. As I was cooking my dinner, I got caught up in painting and ended up burning the bottom of my pot. I was steaming veggies and didn't realize the water evaporated, but boy did it smell in the kitchen...then as I added water to try and clean it, the fire alarm went off. I hope this isn't a preview of next year, haha! I sometimes can be a bit absent minded.

I have a postive feeling for 2010, and I hope it turns out to be wonderful for all of us. We can choose to make it our best year ever! Let's try and count our blessings, focus on what is right in the world instead of the negative, and be kinder to everyone we meet.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of my blog readers for your friendship over the last year. I appreciate each and every one of you, and am grateful for your support. May the next year bring you many blessings, much joy, and abundance!

Merry Christmas!

I'd like to wish all my friends a very blessed season. May the new year bring you much joy and happiness, and may we come one step closer to peace on earth. 

Christmas is almost here...

I was at the mall today, getting some last minute shopping done. It was packed, lineups everywhere, and I loved every second of it! It is a great sign, that people are starting to feel confident again after the economic train wreck of the last couple of years. At least I hope we are on the mend.

Why is it that people  seem friendlier at this time of year? There seems to be some positivity in the air, almost like a magical spell has been cast. Yes I know what you may be thinking, there are also those who get so stressed and cranky, and the crazy drivers that almost run you over to get to a parking spot...but other than that, haha! I'm taking about people smiling more, even when in a line up, of wishing strangers a Merry Christmas, and connecting with each other if only for a brief moment.

Contrast this with the fact that this time of year can also be the most depressing for some people dealing with loss of a loved one, loneliness, depression, or illness. Christmas seems to magnify their pain. Watching others smile and feel joyful can make you seem smaller and lonelier. I wish I could do something make them feel better, unfortunately we all have to walk our paths alone, but if you can possible reach out to someone who may need a helping hand, please consider doing so. There are many people struggling right now, I have seen it in person, and in the blogging world. Sometimes all it takes is a kind word to let them know they matter.
What if we took just a single moment to look in someone's eyes, wish them a Happy Holiday, and silently bless them? Just so they know that they are not alone? Not only would they feel better, but you would too. The giver of the blessing receives as much as the recipient . Let's try and fill this beautiful  earth of ours with loving energy!


Well, we are getting down to the wire, and after I finish this post, I will sit down and watch another Christmas movie. One I saw a few days ago called 'Eve's Christmas' was sooooo boring! The bridal shop scene was so bizarre, it didn't belong in this movie. I had such high hopes, and felt like I wasted 2 hours of my life....consider yourself warned :-)

Yesterday I watched 'A Boyfriend for Christmas'  a cute sweet romantic movie. It's the perfect movie to pop into the DVD player, and relax with. It is about a woman who gave up on Christmas a young girl when she didn't get her wish. Fast forward 20 years, she is still single, but Santa has other plans.


Next on my list to watch in the next few days is National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, a classic! I never tire of this one, or 'A Christmas Story' , or even Elf, which I think will be around for a long time. So many movies, so little time!! Ok, enough of me babbling on about movies, I am off to watch one.
Feel free to comment with your favorite movies, or music,

Lost Mojo and Movies

hi everyone. I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away!! I've been busy painting little ACEOs, lots of them! the ideas keep coming. I find that around this time of year, for some reason I enjoy working small. I've done snowmen, whimsical owls, crows, but not a single girl. In fact, I need to make an angel before Christmas, and I am stuck. It's almost like I forgot how to paint girls. I see some of my favorite artists coming up with new stuff almost daily, and I feel like I'm wandering in a desert with no direction. It's not the first time this has happened, and it may have happened to you. How do you get your mojo back?

 I was hoping to create a magical piece for the season, but time is ticking, and I don't know if I can pull it off. This is very disappointing, to have all these great ideas and grand plans, and to fail.
On a positive note, I am happy with the ACEOs I've been creating, an am having lots of fun with them.

On to the movie talk.....Last night, I turned on all my Christmas lights, made a nice big mug of coffee,  sat under a warm blanket and watched 'The Christmas Shoes'. I love that movie! I know I mentioned it last year in a post, but it is one of my favorite new holiday movies. It is well done, not a cheap production. Very sad too, but hopeful. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but have your kleenex handy, lol!

Another great movie is a comedy called 'Call me Claus' starring Whoopi Goldberg. Hilarious, fun for the family, it is about a grumpy woman, who is told that she is to become the new Santa. I haven't watched it this year, but will be doing so before the holidays.

 A newer movie I discovered last year is 'The Christmas Card', and it is about soldier in Afghanistan who is touched by a card sent by a stranger, and on his return, decides to meet her. It is a cozy film, with gorgeous scenery, a nice enjoyable treat. 

There are lots of other movies I really want to see. One is 'The Christmas Choir' which I saw a preview of...unfortunately it's a Hallmark movie, and is not playing on any channels I can find. I want the DVD, but it may have to wait until next year. If anyone has seen it, I would love to hear your thoughts.

New ACEO - The Cat Carol

 The Cat Carol

The cat wanted in to the warm warm house,
but no one would let the cat in
It was cold outside on Christmas Eve,
She meowed and meowed by the door.

The cat was not let in the warm warm house,
And her tiny cries were ignored.
'twas a blizzard now, the worst of the year,
There was no place for her to hide.

Just then a poor little mouse crept by,
He had lost his way in the snow.
He was on his last legs and was almost froze,
The cat lifted him with her paw.

She said "Poor mouse do not be afraid,
because this is Christmas Eve.
"On this freezing night we both need a friend,
"I won’t hurt you - stay by my side."

She dug a small hole in an icy drift,
This is where they would spent the night.
She curled herself 'round her helpless friend,
Protecting him from the cold.

When Santa came by near the end of the night,
the reindeer started to cry.
They found the cat lying there in the snow,
and they could see that she had died.

They lifted her up from the frozen ground,
and placed her into the sleigh.
It was then they saw the little mouse wrapped up,
she had kept him warm in her fur.

"Oh thank you Santa for finding us!
"Dear cat wake up we are saved!"
..."I’m sorry mouse but your friend has died,
there’s nothing more we can do.

"On Christmas Eve she gave you her life,
the greatest gift of them all."
Santa lifted her up into the night sky,
and laid her to rest among the stars.

"Dear mouse don’t cry you are not alone,
you will see your friend every year.
"Each Christmas a Cat Constellation will shine,
to remind us that her love’s still here."

Written by Bruce Evans
Sung by Meryn Cadell
Info can be found at www.catcarol.com


The above is a song I heard on a Christmas CD a few years ago, but it is available again on a CD called
'A Winter's Night'.  I wanted to do artwork based on it for a long time, and even though my skill level isn't quite where I would like it to be, I did it anyway. When I first had my sister listen to this song she got mad at me, because it is very sad, and any cat lover cannot get through it with dry eyes.
I put the artwork up on Ebay, in case someone is crazy enough to want a depressing ACEO, lol!

***UPDATE: You can hear the song on Youtube:   here is the link:  The Cat Carol

Christmas movies, music and more

This will feel like a scattered post, but that's the way I am these days. The time is flying! and Christmas will be here before you know it.
If you look on the right side of my blog you will notice I added a widget for you to listen to an all Christmas music radio station, or if you like, further down, I have added a playlist of music I chose, for your listening pleasure :-)
The sun finally came out this weekend, so I photographed some of my decorations, but then my computer decided not to accept my camera card! So no pics for now, however, I did watch a couple of Christmas movies.

The first one is called 'Fallen Angel' with Gary Sinese. It was a nice, slow paced but enjoyable movie, about a workaholic man who is alienated from his father for many years, and goes back home after getting a call from the hospital saying his father is ill.  I won't spoil it, but anyone who enjoys a nice slow romance will enjoy it. Worth watching.

Next was a movie called 'Silver Bells' about a Nova Scotia tree farmer who is raising his 2 kids since the death of his wife. A few minutes into it, I realized I had read the book a while ago. This is a Hallmark film, as was the previous one I wrote about, and I would also recommend this. Again, there is a romantic element to it, and of course, a happy ending. Great movies to sit on a cozy couch, make yourself a hot beverage, and enjoy.
One that I thought I would like but was very disappointed in is 'Snow 2: Brain Freeze'. I watched 'Snow' last year, and it was a cute film! I would recommend the first if you get a chance, in fact, I may rent it again.

Now if you are looking for a nice Christmas CD as background music, for when you have friends over, I discovered 'A Black Tie Christmas' by Atilla Fias. I purchased through iTunes, and it is a wonderful addition to my hundreds of Christmas CDs, lol!
It is instrumental, and very laid back, not at all my style, but for some reason, it is very easy to listen to. Preview the album on iTunes and let me know what you think.

Can you believe I got another Blog award? this time from the talented Nicola Toms. I appreciate it when people still think of me, (even though I am notoriously bad at following
through). Thank you again Nicola!

thanks for indulging me dear readers....
I would love to hear your thoughts on any Christmas movies you have enjoyed. Feel free to recommend or talk about them in the comments section. From now till Christmas, let's share our thoughts of music and movies, or anything else you enjoy about the season.