Sunday Scripture

Philippians 4 verse 7  

And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension,
shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Getting Back to Things

Here is this week’s creation.  Barely made.

I haven’t mentioned it, but I’ve had the flu.  And man, it has had the better of me.  I have lost most of February to it.

But I am getting stronger, and am actually going up to the Studio this week.  My letters are shaky, but I can at least sorta pretend that life is normal again.  :)

I was also determined to work some more on my endless woodwork painting project…  I have learned that if I work during commercials and rest while I watch a TV program, that way I can at least get something accomplished.  Like the laundry.

And today, while I was resting, I happened upon the last launch of the Space Shuttle, Discovery.

Of all the things that Americans can be proud of, I believe our space program is right up there.  What amazing incredible accomplishments.

And hearing all the cool chatter, like going through Maximum Q, going for SRB sep, press to MECO…  it reminded me of when Mr. Man worked at NASA and we had space shuttle missions routinely.  Good times.

Well, so much for resting. 

I’d better go wrap up my paintbrush for another day.

XOXO,

Lucky Dog  
♥

Quote o' the Day

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,
and paints his own nature into his pictures.” 

-- Henry Ward Beecher

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 31 verse 19 

How great is Thy goodness,
which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee

OR

What a stack of blessings
You have piled up for those who worship You

Variations on a Theme

Here is another in the series…!

I am learning how an artist’s body of work is a record of what he has spent his time doing.  And hopefully, it is spent doing what he loves.  So it follows that it should be a visual record of what he loves…

I am hoping to spend my time on the things that appeal to me *and* that I enjoy doing.  There are tons of things that I just love, but I don’t enjoy the actual process of making them, and therefore they don’t get done.  (handmade paper, knitted lace…)

But I am really enjoying making these.  And at this point in my art life, I know to ride the wave.   And what’s not to enjoy?  Ribbons, papers, threads, beads…

XOXO,

Lucky Dog
♥

Quote o' the Day

"When you come right down to it,
the secret of having it all is believing that you do.”

-- Susan Branch

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy ♥ Day!

XOXO,

Lucky Dog
♥

Sunday Scripture

Ephesians 3 verse 16

I pray that from His glorious, *UNLIMITED* resources
He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.

Ready for Hanging!

Here’s my latest little baby…  I mean, creation.  Piece. 

You know, becoming yourself and making your own art is, of course, a Journey.  And it’s a journey of Discovery.

And while I’ve been using ribbons in my work for years, I have just now realized that I am truly a Ribbon Girl.  (!)  Isn’t it funny how that hadn’t really “clicked” until now?

So, of course that meant more ribbons from Hobby-Lobby!!!   Yay!!  And I got some beautiful combinations.  Yummy!!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (studio), I had a couple of “problems” to solve.  One was, my odd desire not to mat these babies, but to instead mount them on mat board.

Why did I want to do that??  I think part of it is being able to see and touch all the goodies that I glue on.  ♥  It's more intimate.

So, I had to solve a few technical considerations, and ended up using ATG tape without the gun to tape these babies together.

I just got this tape and am in LOVE with it!!  It’s very very strong and it works great!   Framers use it, but I needed it specifically to stick the two mat boards together.

But I found that I could use it for much, much more!  For example, I can cut off just ¼” and glue a little tiny thing down, too.  I doubt I could do that with the gun.

And then… I also had to solve how to hang these pieces, if they weren’t going to be matted and framed.

And somehow the idea fell into my head:  ribbon!  Sure enough, pretty coordinating ribbon would work great, and could be sandwiched between the two pieces of mat board.

I guess if I did a piece for a man, I could use barbed wire for a hanger instead.  Hahaha

XOXO,

Lucky Dog 
♥

More Snow Pix!

More snow today!

But this time it was powdery.. easy to brush off the car.

They say we'll be in the 60's next week...!

XOXO,

Lucky Dog
♥

Snow Graph

This is sooooo true!

And we're due for another 6-12 " on Wednesday!

Yikes!

XOXO,

Lucky Dog

♥

Sunday Scripture

Matthew 10 verses 29-31  

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Post-Blizzard Conditions

No eggs at the grocery store.  None.

We have 7 left in the refrigerator, 

and Mr. Man joked that now they are too precious to use.  LOL

XOXO,

Lucky Dog
♥

A Texan Moves to Maine

We're on Day 4 of being semi-snowbound and for some strange reason, my husband remembered this e-mail that floated around a few years back.  Enjoy!  XOXO, Lucky Dog  ♥

A Texan Moves to Maine

December 8:  6:00 PM.   It started to snow.   The first snow of the season and Mary, my wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven.  It looked like a Grandma Moses Print.  So romantic we felt like newlyweds again.  I love snow!

December 9:  We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape.  What a fantastic sight!  Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World?  Moving here was the best idea I've ever had.  Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again.  I did both our driveway and the sidewalks.  This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again.  What a perfect life...

December 12:  The sun has melted all our lovely snow.  Such a disappointment.  My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas.  No snow on Christmas would be awful!  Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. l don't think that's possible.  Bob is such a nice man I'm glad he's our neighbor...

December 14:  Snow, lovely snow!  8" last night.  The temperature dropped to -20.  The cold makes everything sparkle so.  The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks.  This is the life!  The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again.  l didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way.  I wish l wouldn't huff and puff so...

December 15:  20 inches forecast.  Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for Mary's car and 2 extra shovels.  Stocked the freezer. Mary wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out.  I think that's silly.  We aren't in Alaska, after all...

December 16:  Ice storm this morning.  Fell down on the ice in the driveway putting down salt.  It really hurt.  Mary laughed for an hour, Which I think was very cruel...

December 17:  Still way below freezing.  Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours.  I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm.  Nothing to do but stare at Mary and try not to irritate her.  Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her.  I hate it when she's right.  I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room...

December 20:  Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the white stuff last night.  More shoveling.  Took all day.  The snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey.  I think they're lying.  Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out.  Might have another shipment in March.  I think they're lying.  Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me.  I think he's lying...

December 22:  Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the snow fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel . Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy.  I think he is lying...

December 23:  Only 2" of snow today.  And it warmed up to 0.  Mary wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning... What is she nuts?!!  Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago?  She says she did but I think she's lying...

December 24:  6".  Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack.  If I ever catch the guy  who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow.  I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight Mary wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for the snowplow...

December 25:  Merry Christmas.  20 more inches of snow...  Snowed in.  The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil.  Man, do I hate the snow!  Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel.  Mary says I have a bad attitude.  I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to kill her...

December 26:  Still snowed in.  Why did I ever move here?  It was all HER idea.  She's really getting on my nerves...

December 27:  Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze...

December 28:  Warmed up to above -10.  Still snowed in.  My wife is driving me crazy!!!!!

December 29:  10 more inches.  Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in.  That's the silliest thing I ever heard.  How dumb does he think I am?

December 30:  Roof caved in.  The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars.  Mary went home to her mother.  9" predicted...

December 31:  Set fire to what's left of the house.  No more shoveling...

January 8:  I feel so good.  I just love those little white pills they keep giving me.  Why am I tied to this bed?

Fun X 4

Here are 4 different pieces that I made this week.

4 different versions.  Feel free to vote for your favorite!  haha

They were all written with Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight gel pens.

This one has casual caps and a pastel background...

This one has gold automotive pin-striping applied as a border.

This one has cursive and some sparkly accents added.

And this one has casual caps, versals and ribbons.

I enjoyed making all of them
and sharing them with you!

XOXO,

Lucky Dog

♥

Quote o' the Day

“The painterly artist does not draw the subject,
but creates shapes and marks that suggest it.”

-- Unknown

Not a Dairy Queen Blizzard

Here are a few photos of the pretty snow,
compliments of the Blizzard of 2011!

This is the view of the back, taken from the living room.

I especially love the drifts against the doors.

Get a load of the pile-up on the patio furniture!

But the wind was so fierce, it kept the deck fairly clear!

I managed to get one decent photo of a cardinal...

They love to come in the snow, but don't sit still long enough to be in focus!

Before we moved here,
I didn't realize that trees generated so much warmth.

See how the snow has melted around the trunks?

Tonight we're supposed to get bitterly cold...

Well, I guess so!  It's a real icebox out there!

Stay warm, everybody!

XOXO,

Lucky Dog
♥