cool weather means a warm oven!

Ok, so still no pics of Sydd's sweater, but it's half done (and the lamby is in parts waiting to be stuffed and sewn closed).

What can I say, distractions abound, books to read, quilts to design and sew - this makes March seem much closer - and BAKING to do!!! I don't know what it is about Fall that just trips all my nesting instincts, but there it is. I've been day dreaming of baking breads, cakes, cooking soups and casseroles and just making about any warm, soul satisfying meals you can think of.

Since it's just myself I find that many recipes are just too big and breaking down the recipe isn't always an exact 'cut in half' process, especially for baked goods. So, perusing my library I found Small-Batch Baking by Debby Maugans Nakos. Needless to say I now have a copy of my own. OMG! She has some killer recipes in this book (Lemon shortbread squares, drool!) and the small batches are just right size (serves 1-2) which is a life saver because if my mouth likes what it's tasting I will eat it until it's gone...sad but true.  

Now, I don't want you to think I live only on baked goods, I wish, I do try to eat relatively healthy, leaning towards a vegetarian menu more often than not. Another great book for smaller recipes is The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. While I thought some of the recipes a bit exotic for my tastes, it's a truly engaging read and she gives wonderful cooking advise. For example, how to take a pork tenderloin (say 1-2 lbs size) and use it in 3 different meals or 'the 9 lives of a turkey', as one chapter is called. I found this information extremely helpful, because as you know the most inexpensive meat is usually in a 'family' pack.  

If you want some great recipes with unique twists I highly recommend the blog 101 Cookbooks. Heidi Swanson is a food photographer, and cookbook author, and both talents come shining through on her blog. 101 Cookbooks is full of wonderful vegetarian oriented recipes that use ordinary, and some not so ordinary, vegetables and grains in a fresh bold way. You should definitely check it out.

best laid plans

Well, you know I've signed up for creative everyday month and so far I have 30 small gessoed pieces and no real art, but I have faith that I will get to them.

I haven't been totally slack though, I'm knitting Sydd a sweater for

winter and a knitted 8" lamby, by Barbara Prime (FuzzyMitten.com), with green knitted overalls which I have to say are just ADORABLE! (knitting pics soon) So, in that sense I have been creative everyday, just not the way I thought I would. Also, I broke down and mulched/mowed all the leaves in my yard, removed several more boxes of stuff - to become other peoples stuff - and have just been trying overall to get my sh*t together and be a semi-responsible adult, which is very challenging for me.

In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather! More soon....

Art Every Day Month Starts TODAY!

Creative Every Day is one of my favorite blogs. Leah Piken Kolidas is insiteful and inspirational in her creative life and shares that energy through her blog and emails. Check out her site Creative Every Day and give the November challenge a go, what have you got to lose?

Time flows too quickly

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 5 months since I've posted anything!

Life has been full of adventures. In August I got to spend an amazing week with my sister (http://oddimagination.blogspot.com/). We spent a couple days taking photos around town - a textile show, wall murals, architecture and at the cemetery pictures of angels, mausoleums and other beautiful objects.

We also spent a lot of time talking, plotting art projects and giving positive creative energy to each other. There is NEVER enough time to talk & plot with my sister!!

In August I also adopted a new kitty. Mesa is still missed but I have to admit that Jasper Winston has many of her qualities in a rambunctious male form. He was about 4-5 months old when he was found and I took him home shortly after that. He is going to be a BIG boy, he is now approx. 7+ months, 10 lbs(!), FULL of energy and the terror of Teasel's life - though she has kicked his butt a lot lately, he may start the mayhem but she finishes it!

You can't really tell from the photo, but he's got an inch or two on Teasel.
His coordination however is still in the development stage.

Since August it's been yard work, house work (a lot of re-arranging of furniture and downsizing 'stuff') and work work. Hopefully, with the beautiful fall weather and winter hibernation around the corner, things will slow down and I'll be able to resume my ponderings in this blog.

Over the summer I completed my rain barrel commission, much to the joy of the new owners.

 

Finally, for the Fall/Winter season,

  I'm starting on some new figures for a swap in December

  and a staff art show in April. I also hope to be part of a staff quilt show in March...we'll see how the winter goes for that.

the art of 'maleness'

There are so many figures I want to create that are male in their nature and appearance...and yet, the poor things tend to either come out as women or men masquerading as women. I just can't seem to get the proper edge to the face. Don't get me wrong, I know there are men who have gentle feminine faces, but I guess I'm trying for the stereotypical man. Anyway, with all that said here is yet another attempt at a 'man'. I sort of feel he is Asian in personality and can see him wearing saffron robes, it could be because of the bald head. Currently I am calling him Ping. As you know nothing is certain until the figure is done, so all is subject to change without notice.

(Please excuse my wobbly photo skills, it's hard to hold a head and photograph it at the same time)

The color in the bottom photos are closer to true, but still a little too red for his skin. These were taken in the same light and at the same time of day, but on different parts of the painting and with different light settings, I think I used 'auto' on the bottom photos and 'daylight' on the top.

Spring - Where is my sunshine?

So far this spring has been wet and fairly sunless, which for me is sort of depressing. I'm still waiting for my sunshine and 70's+ weather. I have to admit though that everything is very green and lush and my lilacs have never been fuller or more fragrant!

In the meantime, I've been trying something new and totally adventurous for me. I've been taking some wonderful tele-classes from Laura Hollick of Soul Art Studio. 

Below is the cover I made for Laura's 8 week 'Create Yourself' phone class. It was a very exciting and insightful class for me. There was a lot to take in and I'm still digesting what I learned. The great thing about the class (besides being able to attend class in the comfort of your own home!) is that Laura records the tele-class in an mp3 format and sends you the link to the recording, a full overview of the course and assignment by the next day! So not only do you get to take the class the first time,  you have access to this information to go over as many times as you like, each time expanding your previous insights!!

 

  

Front Cover - acrylic paint and sharpie

 

Back Cover - colored pencil and sharpie

I'm currently taking the '21 day Creative Cleanse' (my 'mothers day's  present from my sister - WOOHOO!). I will post my new journal cover as soon as it's completed.

Rain Barrel

I haven't been writing lately, but I have been painting. I painted this rain barrel for a fund raiser. It is currently on display at a local card shop and will be auctioned April 17th to raise funds for scholarships for childrens nature camp. It's called 'Mesa in the Garden'.