From Unfinished to Sold...

I had some friends pop by the house the other day...they were having a party in their newly redecorated and fabulous, I might add home and needed some artwork...they saw this particular piece that wasn't quite finished and loved it. I had one day to finish it and get it over there so they could hang it in time. Too cool...I rushed around, went and bought some more varnish as I knew I didn't have enough for a 48x60 painting...got home, realized I had bought gloss medium...what a dummy! Needless to say, the paint store was closed and I had to wait to go back first thing the next morning. All's well that ends well...I got it done, they got it hung and it looks beautiful in their living room. I never know how a piece is going to turn out - I just keep going til it's done...this one started as a beachy painting inspired by my girls only trip - didn't like it so I just painted right over it. I've added a couple of photos so you can see what I'm talking about. The ugly "rainbow" is gone and in it's place is a beautiful earthy blue green abstract. There's also a beach photo that reminds me of the painting...I hope you like it...

Handmade Cards...

While I was in Florida with my girlfriends on our trip, I was walking along the beach one morning by myself. I was appreciating the fact they invited me to join them and had an idea. I would write their names in the sand and do something with the photos when I got home. I ended up making them "personalized" thank you cards, writing a nice note inside and including several group photos for each of them. A much better and more thoughtful choice than using storebought cards. We sure need to challenge ourselves to send more handwritten cards...some things are just to good for texting and email.....

I Found Heaven...

when I made my way down to the beach at Perdido Key, Florida for the first time in my life! (can you believe that?!?) I went on a trip with six of the most precious women in the world and can't fathom why I haven't gone before the age of 41! They took great care of me as I was somewhat scared of the water (actually the critters in it, not the water itself!) and helped me have a very memorable time...we ate and ate...drank and drank...laughed and I cried...read books, played in the water and just hung out and talked for hours. I was up every morning before sunrise of course, because I was not going to miss a minute of the beautiful view from our condo on the 9th floor overlooking the beach. We only put on makeup one night which was fantastic and I also realized I had packed too many clothes...I will remember that next year!

Four of the six girls have been going for years and this time they invited myself and another friend of ours to join them...we all have such different personalities, but share a love for each other that when I think about it, it totally amazes me...friends are like family, really, and I deeply care about the people I share my time with. Winston Churchhill once said, "What we get is how we make a living; what we give is how we make a life." I've received nothing but the best from the people around me and I can truly say that I have a life is that is truly blessed and I'm grateful for it. As I was standing out staring at the ocean, thinking of these fantastic friends of mine, the beauty of what I was seeing and the husband I missed immensely, I thought of the following:

The calm and serenity of the ocean,
The beautiful friends surrounding me,

My warm thoughts of you,

Make me weep with joy.

I did cry when I had to leave...not that I don't love my home...I just found something else to love as well...thanks again to Leah, Robin, Steph, Janice, Shelly and Michelle...I will never forget our time on our private terrace...

From a Canvas to...

everyday usable products! It is actually so cool to have something you love to do such as painting, but then to be able to have them added to products to sell without further work and no overhead is awesome...I've received so many wonderful comments on the Circles of Life painting that I did for an upcoming charity auction (see previous post) and several hoping they win the bid! It just makes you feel good...I told them that if for some reason they didn't get it, that there would be prints, etc. available with the design on it...not the same I know, but there can only be one original! These products are all available at my Cafe Press store as well as Zazzle. The tile coasters are my favorite...Zazzle has the most fabulous greeting cards and you can really find anything you need at either place! I'm going to try and work on some Christmas items when I get back from a much needed girl vacation next week! Off to work...I am revisiting some older paintings today...

1 Year Anniversary in our NEW HOME!

OK.....as I said, I would post a slideshow of our home we have been in now just over a year.....had to figure out the Picasa Web Album configuration....once again, something new to learn. Thanks to my mother, we have an extensive collaboration of images from the building process. This is just a few pics believe it or not! She is awesome.....made me want to get a new camera and delve into capturing images from all the events we are involved in and also friends and family. I just celebrated my 41st birthday on Tuesday, yes, April Fool's Day - came down with the flu so I can tell you it was a total bummer! We are celebrating tonight as we watch the Final Four play - it will be much more fun than the actual birthday I can tell you that! I did however get a new camera and I can't wait to use it for everything! I have warned everyone. It's a Canon Rebel XTi and I can tell you this for sure - it's not a disposable!!!! That's about what I was used to and I told my hubby this morning I am definitely going to take a photography class so I don't have a regular cussfest using this aparatus like I do when I'm learning something on the computer! Anyway, I have posted a new home slideshow...hope you enjoy it. We are glad to be here....it's a vacation every day I wake up.