The Finished Ornaments...

from our family get together the other night...mom will pass out that I have actually posted 4 times in one day - BUT, I wanted to share everything before I forgot!

I finished these up last night - I wanted to show you what the others painted, but sent them home with the kids for their tree without taking a photo!

Grab some clear glass ornaments, brushes, air bake enamel paint and some glitter glue and create away!

Remember, handmade is always better...

A Family Get-Together...

for a great pot of Rick's Santa Fe Soup (Aunt Betsy originally gave us the fantastic recipe!) and to paint Christmas ornaments! It was quite fun and definitely entertaining!

Mom's are, of course, perfect - like the work she does in her birdnestontheground studio!

Lindsay (Ty's girlfriend) was so cute, just putting paint and glitter on the ornaments ninety to nothing, not worrying about a thing!

Then there was Ty - I'm not sure if he thought he was too cool to paint one, but he did - only one but at least he contributed and actually enjoyed - I think!

And last but not least, Dad - impatient as all get out and paint going everywhere except where he wanted it! It was absolutely hysterical! I don't think he'll take up painting on a regular basis any time soon, but he's sure to appease me from time to time!

Get together with your family for a night of food and a craft or game...we don't do this nearly enough...we made more memories and hope you will too...

Art in the Park for an Important Mission

This past Saturday, I actually did something I've never done before...put my art out for sale to the public (minus hiding behind my etsy storefront!)...now that doesn't sound like a big deal to some, but for me, it was. I've pretty much kept it to myself, in my little room for me to see. I think I had a guilt about actually collecting money for something I did to help myself, for my own mind and well-being and for the pure enjoyment of it. It was an absolute blast! My friend Robin talked me into doing it...and of course, mom thought it was a great idea. Robin is a co-worker of mine at Coldwell Banker Complete and she serves on the Board of Directors of The Robert Elliott Foundation, a foundation whose mission is to educate and be a resource for those suffering from depression and need help. Dr. Robert Elliott is the father of a very dear friend of mine, Mark (in the center of photo of the 3 guys! Along with him is Jimmy Simpson, another friend I love - I've known them both since 9th grade! Keith Pike, family friend is on the left) and father-in-law to Mark's wife Leah, one of the most beautiful and inspiring people you will ever meet on the planet. Dr. Elliott was a wonderful physician and member of our community and has been sorely missed since he passed away. His family and friends strive to help anyone in need from going through what they have and to keep Dr. Elliott's work to help others alive to this day. You can check out the foundation at http://www.robertelliottfdn.com/. I actually sold 5 paintings that day...it was a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine, kids, a 2k and 5k run, a petting zoo with I swear, the ugliest cow on the planet and wonderful laughter. My mom and dad came to see me, along with my grandpa and Aunt Sandy. It was like my coming out party! I will definitely do it again and am glad to finally be getting my name out there...it's a journey all in itself, but one I love going on...the paintings I sold are pictured above and I hope the fantabulous people who made purchases with me enjoy them as much as I did painting them....

Photography Craze

Ok.....I have had my new Canon Rebel xti for about a month now.....I have probably taken over 3000 pictures in that time - I haven't really counted! I am driving my friends and family nuts but in all actuality, I know they like looking at all of the photos! I am absolutely having a blast! I'm keeping organized albums for easy future reference and really trying to learn to use it in my business as well, both in art and in real estate. It takes the best pictures and is very user friendly for a novice. Of course I read all of the reviews before the purchase and for the price range I was wanting, this one was perfect and had all great comments. I have fallen in love with naturistic images and this is one I took of some grass beginning to pop up in my flower beds - I just had to play around with digitally enhancing it.......I am so glad to be learning something new. I said to my husband the other day while we were relaxing out back that I wondered what I would be doing with myself, or how I would be feeling about my life at this point without my art......I don't know why I said it - and he sure didn't have an answer.......