First Thursday Art Day...

...with my mother, Pat Eaton of birdnestontheground and some of her friends...they have a regular KNOT meeting every month where they discuss what they are working on, etc...but decided they would love to get together on a different day, strictly for the purpose of trying new art and craft projects! They all specialize in different areas of art, but like me, want to broaden their horizons!

It was such a fantastic idea...mom decided on an abstract art project, as some of the group had never painted OR did more fine art pieces instead of the freedom that comes from painting abstracts...with that being said, since that's what I enjoy doing, she wanted to have it at my house! I was tickled to be a part of their day... they are extremely inspiring and motivational, funny and like me, love trying new things...it was quite fun and I look forward to hopefully getting to attend more of their First Art Thursdays!

A Few Days Late...

...but we wanted to wish you all a very Happy New Year! We hope you try something new in 2009 that has always interested you, but you never took the time to do...

Rick, my sweet hubby, you know - the one always golfing, lol, is definitely into painting...he is totally entertaining to watch, he's loving it and we've had a blast doing it together. Stay tuned to my Etsy shop, as I will be adding some of his work soon!

We wish you much happiness, hope, prosperity and health in 2009 and thank you for a fantastic 2008...

From our House to Yours...

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and a very blessed 2009!

What a year it's been...the negativity of the economy has been in the forefront of most of the media's coverage, along with an election year that has made history in so many ways...I, as I'm sure you are, are only going to focus on the positive, as having a glass half empty is not living as we should...I thank the Lord for all of the many wonderful people I have met this year...

...in my real estate career (yes, we will all survive this mess the industry is in!) and in my new endeavor into the art world...I have painted for a couple of years prior to this one, with no confidence or outlet to share it...between Etsy, the blogging world and hundreds of friends, that all has changed...I truly thank all of you who have expressed such kind and encouraging words regarding something that I love doing...it has made my world truly an extraordinary one and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! My hubby Rick does too...gotta keep the wife happy, lol! I hope 2009 will be the year you do something you've always wanted...life as short as alot of us have realized this year after losing people we love...until next time...thank you all...again and again...

Introducing...SnappyBibs...fellow AREtsian...

and the maker of my fabulous secret santa gift! Check out her Etsy shop - she does great embroidery! Thanks!

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...

Want Snow...Got Ice...

...at least a great excuse to hole up at home...on a peaceful day...no noise on the street going one way or the other...so serene and breathtaking...I just love this time of year and I hope we receive snow for Christmas...wishful thinking?

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...