kidding around

It is very clear to me that I have a lot of interests.

In fact I would go far and say that they are my passions…besides caring for my children, most of my time is consumed with creating, reading, and learning. I think most women that are home with their kids and not have a career outside the home are always trying to figure out who they are. There are many days you feel underappreciated, no interaction with others, etc.
(I also recongnize that women who do have careers struggle with this as well!) Although I work part-time, I do think that my main priority and “passion” is my home. But it is not always easy for me to feel comfortable in this position. I question myself, feel guilty, and feel selfish a lot…but when it comes down to the truth, I need to remain true to who I am in order to be a happy mother and wife.

In the new year, I hope to post a piece of artwork that I love, hate, stumble upon…whatever. I will say that I do not intend to be a critic or intellectual. Just continuing with a passion I have had for a long time. Since graduating from college with a degree in art, I haven’t really challenged myself…really. It’s been 10 years and it is time to change that. So beginning in January I will have a weekly post.

So the small paintings you see in this post are from the library. I LOVE the library. I would love to work in a library. I just love having so many resources at my fingertips…it makes me nutty just thinking of it. Anyway, lucky for me the children’s department were selling these paintings for super cheap. I always thought it was cool that patrons could check out these framed works of art and bring them home. Unfortunately, they discontinued this service. So I had to save these precious pieces from the official “discard” pile and they are home with us.

The above painting by “Feininger” is entitled “Ascending Balloon”. The simplicity is so purposeful. It reminds me so much of children’s drawings- each line is so expressive and spontaneous.

The drawing below is by Simon of our family. Again, just lovely…of course he is my son and I am proud of his genius work! I plan on making this rendering of our family into an actual doll family for Penny’s second birthday.

Love this by “Box”, entitled “The Co-Existence Tree”.

As with any project in the kitchen, I end up making a mess. This mess required lots of grumbling and expletives, but Nathan enjoyed the soup and my floor had a good scrubbing…the counter…the coffee maker…anything in the soup’s path as well. Perhaps I need an immersion blender.

On another note, Christmas came early for me.

I have my very own digital camera. So a refrigerator full of peppers, snow on the ground and a new camera was calling for a photo shoot for sure…

This is fun.

After reading my previous entry and looking at my collage, I felt that I should include the original image.

I completed my first of a series of collages for my sister. I am happy with the results and am anxious to find time to complete the second collage. I will post both once I have them framed, but may share the process of the second just to keep up with my stride!

I am happy that the collage really translates Lucy very well. I took a digital photo of her, enlarged to a size I liked and traced a simple profile of her. I then cut out shapes from the traced image out of fabric and got to work.

I included a personality trait of each dog. Lucy has quite a personality and loves attention. I decided a crown completes her for sure…she is too much and I am glad she brings my sister so much joy.

Ellie grabbed the camera and posted on her blog. Check her out! Her link is on my side bar.

Also, check out our good friends website, on my side bar marked “Dovetail”. It is such a cool place to go…Great work, Josh and Margaret!

I don’t think Carol’s archives have ever been accessible because of some incorrect settings, but that’s fixed now. Just thought I’d let everyone know that this upbeat and visual blog now has a history!

I am in the process of making these little cuties for my god daughter, Penny, and my niece Maireed. I especially like the velvet one, but of course that one is giving me the most frustrations (the pink is cashmere my sister gave me a long time ago and was of course a dream to work with). As with every project, I am learning from my mistakes and hope to make more of these. I can really envision Penelope playing with multiple bird friends.

By the way, yes I did get inspired by Martha Stewart’s current Kids issue. Although I have been wanting to make a few of these for awhile, I of course had to see it in a magazine. It’s a great section in the mag.

Boy did we have snow! It started around 2 and did not stop until midnight. I had to drive home from work in it and it always causes a strained neck. I feel pretty confident driving in snow, it’s just other people I don’t trust. Anyway, enjoys the shots. I need to go and get my kids long socks for snow play. I sure was in denial that winter was going to arrive. Have a good weekend everyone!

I discovered this note the other day and had to share…

Dear Santa

All I want is a: elf from your workshop and a picture of Rudolph and if you can manage a Paint-by-number set. And all my dog wants is a soft/warm blanket and may be a pillow.

One problem I don’t know what to get for my brother. Do you have any ideas? Oh by the way I am seven years old, my dog is eight and my borther is four and my sister is one for ideas.

PS. Please write a letter back, address on back

Yours truly,

Ellie
from, USA, Il

I absolutely love this! Maybe it’s because we had just celebrated St. Nicholas day and she thought she could manage a few more gifts fromt the unknown.

I think since I made my first banner last Spring I have made about 10. None of course have been for my kids! I really do need to start making things for my own family. I just love giving friends and extended family things I have made, but why is it that there are no fruits of my labors around my own house? I must resolve that problem in January.

Yesterday morning I spent my time making these banners for a friend/co-worker of mine. They turned out well considering the first batch of cut out letters had tea spilled all over them- ahhh.

This is what happens when there is no great natural light. Thankfully the above photos could be shot by a window.

Since I have a few minutes before I really need to get down to some serious gift making business, I might as well share more holiday visuals.

As far as being a decorating elf, my job is done. I’ve closed up shop…I just need a warmer day to fill window boxes with greens. It has been bitterly cold in the Chicago area. It was -1 taking the kids to school today (this is not even wind chill factor). ehhh…

Ellie, my mom, and I made these cute houses last year. Michaels had sold them and they were marvelous. I hope they have them this year as well. They are a rubber material that adheres to other little adornments really well. I still want to make the real thing…but this is nice too.

Yep, I know the Christ child is missing. It’s a visual for my kids and a preventitive measure too. You don’t want the main person missing on Christmas day do you? In my house, he would be found somewhere very odd and unearthed in August. So Christ is safely up high on a book shelf. Now I need to remind Penny that the cow and lamb do not belong in the toilet.

Bad photo, but sparkly for real. As some of you may remember, I had hung leaves from this light for Fall. I think I will keep up with the thematic light fixture.