stitches again

This was my first drawing for "Stitches" but then I remembered my altered book and posted that instead. My scanner is going goofy and I'm not happy with the shadows on the scan. It's not printing well either and may have to have something drastic done to it.

On the way home last night, as we were taxing out of Myrtle Beach, I quickly sketched the view outside my window of our little wing. Just for fun.

Illustration Friday - January 13th post

I took a class this year and our year end project was an altered book with the theme of "Threads". We did a cover and a page in our own book and then did pages for each other's books. I haven't received my copy back yet, with everyone else pages, but will get it soon when the class starts up again. Here are some pages that I did using woven paper, stitching, glue, images, ink and ribbon.

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looking at trees

I had a discussion with my brother this week about colors of trees and he see's grey like I do. Hubby see's reds and orange and green and Jon and I were astounded as I always am about the different ways to see. Switchsky has said to press your nose against a tree and see the colors that way, but lately I have to put my glasses on to do that.

Anyway, I was playing with a photograph that I took when It was snowing out and the trees were very dark.

A bit of color enhancement and it want to this.

Now I can see the colors, now perhaps I'll try to draw them.

So much has been going on...

We did do this view on Friday night, after all the family fuss, just the three of us sat on the beach, wrapped in towels and watched the sun go down. Always one of the highlights of a trip to Sarasota

Since before Christmas things at the Stella Household have been topsy turvey. We were in Florida for the holidaies, where I spent most of my time cleaning and paying bills, but had fun anyway. Then I came home alone for 9 days to absolutely freezing weather (4 and 5 degrees Celsius) and then we'd have a day of 50 degrees. The snow melted and froze and melted again. I wore down coats and then plain jackets.

Last Wednesday night I flew back down to Tampa, got picked up and had dinner with Tony (what a treat) and then on Thursday morning - I went out to breakfast to meet Deb. All of you who have been reading about my obsessions know I was nervous - but very happy to have the opportunity to meet this special person. So yes, I did fly out of the house a tad late, drove like a nut, did a two wheeler into the parking space and started towards the cafe. And yes, there was Deb, wiggling in her seat with excitement and waving. We had a big hug, and alot of "you looked just like I expected, and sat down with some coffee.

Here's the nice part. By blogging a bit about our lives, we get a glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of that person. They choose what to blog about, and what persona to show to the world. As would be expected, there is so much more to learn about a new friend, and we just jumped in, asking about things we knew about and talking about the snakes, and my dad's birthday along with so many other things that have nothing to do about blogging or art, or on line etc. Anyway, we sat there for about two hours, gabbing and finally we both had to take off to our respective responsibilities. But oh yes, this was a treat. Deb is a total love, honest, straight forward and kind. I really look forward to continue blogging with her and meeting up again someday.

And my next in person visit will be with FY - and I expect that will be as wonderful.

I was going to take pictures of Deb and I but just didn't get around to it and it was OK. Here is my memory drawing of Deb, in person she is of course, much more animated and smiley.

Waking up in the middle of the night

Sometimes whenI wake up in the middle of the night all of my personal information has fled and for a few seconds I am absolutly floating in the unknown. It's not a panicky feeling at all; I have no anxiety about not knowing who I am, where I am and why I am there. There is no worry about getting up for work, worrying about what time it is or what day it is. Of course it all comes crashing back within a few moments, but for those few seconds - I feel totally free.

An award from a friend

Kerstin gave me an award today which actually tops off the end to a great day. And it was a Monday which makes the fact that it was a great day a big surprise.

Kerstin is an amazing person, someday we'll have to meet. She constantly amazes me with her quest for the odd and unusual, her finding of great ideas and projects on the web, her love for sort of sideways movies. Amazing woman, thanks Kerstin - I enjoy our projects together and love watching us both grow in creativity, talent and art passion. I will be passing on this award to 10 blogs...but not tonight. Tonight is one of the last nights I have the house to myself and I am going to lose myself in a goopy movies and draw pictures and enjoy.

I have two more days at work, then down to Florida and am going to meet up with Deb for a cup of coffee or something like that, as we will both be in Sarasota. I'm so anxious to meet Deb, and nervous as I usually am about meeting new people. (I have to guard against calling up people before I meet them to pretend that I have just developed a plague that they shouldn't catch so let's cancel our meeting ...OK? ) What if we have nothing to say to each other (yeah right...with my mouth?) or if we hate each other on site...or if we wish we could spend more time together...or....or....or. My imagination runs wild. No fear tho' I am not missing the chance to meet Deb - she has become a very special blogging friend and it's going to be great to meet the person. But should we wear red roses in our lapels so that we know each other? or pink hats? I'm sure we'll find each other somehow.

Photo opportunity don't you think? (But what if my picture comes out bad, or Deb thinks I'm ugly or fat or boring or,or, or

Copying

I find that I see drawings and photo's better than I do real life, perhaps it's the ability to study and focus. Real life drawing makes me nervous, and I can't yet do anything that looks like a human figure. So in practice, I am starting to copy other artists - which I understand is a time honored method of learning.

This is a copy from a colored pencil instruction booklet - not even 0.1% as good as what is in the book but a fair start when I looked at it the next day (it was that art fairy from Casey's blog!). (Original drawing by M. Ferron)

I took the kids to see National Treasure today and we had a great time. First had to buy one of the twins some long sleeved button down shirts and an actual tie, he needs them for school. He looks so handsome and grown up in that shirt and tie, I nearly cried. The other kid didn't want anything so we just roamed Target until it was time to go to the movie. Then came home to pizza and talk until it was time for them to leave. What was interesting was hearing these two 15 year olds talking about the upcoming election and who they like. As they put it, they like Obama because the people from Obama's camp who came and gave the talk at their school were the coolest of all the speakers. And the most in touch. The didn't like the woman who spoke for Mitt Romney...because all she talked about was herself and because she cursed. I was shocked hearing that they were shocked about the cursing but I guess they're being brought up right. ( and as I have no small hand in this upbringing I get to feel proud also). As usual after a day with them, I feel uplifted, happy and somewhat tired...but happy is the front most feeling.

I also bought a Koala Sewing cabinet this weekend and had it in the back of my car - where it would have stayed unless the kids came over with their dad and helped me bring it down to the basement. It's a beauty, with a fold out top, and casters and a large fold up back for quilts. Hurray!!! My sewing machine even goes onto this little airlift dumbwaiter thing. Awesome. Now I can finish the quilts for my boys.