Peace, Hope, and Blessings

I have to admit I'm a little late getting into the Christmas spirit this year.  So many sad events in the news and a few in my own life have made this season a bit more somber and reflective than usual.  Really, though, I think that in times like these it is more important than ever to recognize the love and beauty around us.

Mandalas seem to be the order of the day in my journal lately as I find working in concentric circles very soothing.  This morning's sketch is a little looser than my last few...I just sort-of splashed some watercolor on the black and white version and used a white gel pen to highlight and redefine key areas.

I like the yellow rays shooting out from the center all sunny and hopeful.  

Something else that put a smile on my face this week was finding this in the mailbox. 

It's the tag I received as part of the Christmas Tag Swap sponsored by Kirstin McCulloch of Lillibean Designs.  I was thrilled when I opened the envelope.  Isn't she a cutie?  Liza Thomas, the artist who created this beautiful piece, let me know she created the original in acrylics on A4 sized paper, then scanned the image to reduce it to tag size.  I couldn't be happier to receive such a lovely creation!

And, as promised, here's the tag I created for the swap.  Dawn Jones let me know just the other day that her tag from me had arrived so now I can share it with you, too!

The background was created with a watercolor wash sprinkled with salt.  While this dried, I painted a page from an old phone book and cut it to the shape of a star.  Once the background was dry and the star was affixed to it with gel medium, I completed the doodles and lettering with black Micron pens and white gel pens.  I was so happy with the way it turned out and I think Dawn liked it, too!

I think that's just about it for today, this week, and actually this year.  I have a house to clean, presents to wrap, and a fabulous Christmas dinner to shop for and prepare, then I'm going to spend the rest of the holidays focusing on all the goodness and hope I can find in the world around me.  So, unless I get some sort of inspiration that just won't wait my next post will be in January.  I'm excited to share with you about some changes and plans I have for the new year!

Thank you for visiting me here, friends.  I pray you have a blessed holiday season and that we all find the hope and healing we so need.  May there be peace in our hearts, in our homes, and in our world and may we enter the new year with renewed strength.  Blessings to you and yours. 

Linking up today with:

Paint Party Friday

Cookie Madness

Last night we finally got started decorating our Christmas cookies.  (We'll do more later since our daughter wasn't able to join us for this round.)  Some of our decorations are traditional but, as we are a creative family, many end up being out-of-the ordinary and a few usually turn out to be downright strange.  This year's initial effort began innocently enough...

Then the huz accidentally tinted some frosting purple instead of red (don't ask how) and the weirdness began.  

There were purple snowmen...

and purple Christmas trees (I actually like this one quite a bit).

Then this happened.  (yikes!)

When this hideous gingerbread ventriloquist emerged we knew it was time to stop.  (I'm thinking this one may not get eaten.)

Ah...the simple joys of Christmas!

Linking up today with 

Creative Every Day

Cheers!

For my friends at Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day:

You guys are amazing!  Every last one of you has inspired me and challenged me to grow as an artist and expand my horizons.  Here's to finding ourselves and losing ourselves more and more this week and in the coming new year!  Cheers!

Christmas Doodles

I just wanted to quickly post this Christmas doodle I created the other day  How many different symbols and images of Christmastime do you count in the design?

I see 8...maybe even 9 if you stretch your imagination a bit.  Give it a go...you might even see something I forgot to count !

With All My Heart

This is our first Christmas season since my daughter moved out on her own so our nest is a little emptier this year...things are a little quieter.  With only one chickadee still at home there is less busyness and more time to reflect. 

The Christmas tree is decorated and it is such a blessing to me.  I am especially grateful for the ornaments and decorations from Christmases past.  They remind me of sweet, simpler times when the huz and I were just starting our life together...seasons when we saw everything through the eyes of our young children.  

Along with countless blessings, our family has had its share of challenges this year. Foremost in my mind today, my sister is in the hospital once again.  (Read a little bit about her story in this post.)  It is hard living so many miles away and not being able to spend more time with her there.  Please pray for her.

The Christmas tree, with its warm lights and mementos of hope and love is such a comforting sight. When I was little I often climbed into the corner behind our family tree to stare up at the lights in wonderment.  If my parents came looking for me I remained very still, hoping they wouldn't see me.  Hidden behind the branches and packages, I was in my own secret, sparkling world. 

I'm not curled up behind the tree today, but I am curled up beside it as I work.  I may not be as productive here, but this quiet reverie is so very healing.  Peace is slowly seeping into my being and my heart is at rest.  Time marches on, circumstances change, but life is beautiful and light and love still reign.   I believe this with all my heart.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5

In this light I place my hope and my future.

Lucky Me!

I'm sending out a big thank you today to Chandra of Juniper Goods for this beautiful ATC Star Book that arrived in the mail yesterday!  In case you're wondering...

ATC = Artist Trading Card

Chandra recently hosted a giveaway for this book on her beautiful blog and guess who was the lucky winner!

I've joined up with a few ATC swap groups, so this book will soon be full!  Chandra kindly started off my collection with this beautiful card she created herself:

Isn't it gorgeous?  It looks lovely nestled in one of the pockets of the book.

In this day of digital images and reproductions original artwork is priceless.  ATC's are the size of a standard trading card...2.5 X 3.5 inches, and swapping them is a great way to connect with other artists and build a little collection of inspiring pieces.  There is a good description of ATC's here if you'd like to learn more about them.

Even the back of the card has a personal touch!

Thank you so much, Chandra!  I can't wait to fill this little book with beautiful creations from friends around the world!

This Weeks Doodles

I've been working on Christmas tags this week.  Honestly, I think I'll do a tag journal in the new year. I just love this format.

These 3" X 6" tags are cut from watercolor paper (love the texture and the way it accepts paint and adhesive).  I used only hand painted papers, paint (watercolor and acrylic) and ink.  I've been concentrating on doing more of my own lettering.  If you have a book or e-course to suggest that would help me develop my lettering skills, please leave a comment about it.  I think that would be a fun focus for the new year.

The ties are cut from strips of recycled sari silk. I buy it in skeins that contain every color of silk you can imagine.  I'll post a picture of a skein sometime.  Each one is unique and very lovely.

I can't show you my favorite one just yet since I want its recipient to be surprised.  It will soon be on its way to a new friend as part of a tag swap sponsored by Kirstin McCulloch of LilliBean Designs.  Sign-up for the swap is already closed but I'll let you know if she organizes another in the future!  Kirstin creates the most wonderful canvases with beautiful faces and messages.  I hope you'll pop over to her blog and check out her lovely work.

It's shaping up to be a busy weekend here...lots of errands and Christmas-y activities.  I hope you have something fun planned, too.  Enjoy!

Linking up today with:

Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day

Wordless Wednesday

No commentary today, just a few images I captured on an outing last Saturday.  It was a gorgeous day...wish I snapped a few more photos!

Corn maze near Canton, Texas.

Travelling down a country road.  December 1, 2012.

I hope you find much beauty in the world around you today!

Linking up today with:

Wordless Wednesday