FEATHER FUN ART JOURNALING

I've been asked to show my feathers.  I can't tell you why I've been on a feather kick except that I like birds (2 bird themed altered books already completed) so I guess it is a natural to like feathers too.  These two are cardboard (recycle), Sharpie pen, markers, glitter and pearl paints.

These were pretty easy too.  I used double-sided tape on the wire and placed between a piece of music paper folded in half.  Then I cut the shape I wanted, feathered with more cutting and spray/glittered.  Easy peasy, try it.

Markers and Sharpie pen.  Free hand-cut.

These pretties were hand-cut from a candy box.  The cardboard was so pretty in it's silver and gold that I thought, I must do something with them.  I used an ordinary pen (ballpoint) that just so happen to not work for the engraving.

More recycle with these from some product cardboard headed to the recycle bin.  These I painted with watercolor in light pastels.  Then used black Sharpie pen to draw.  Over that I used glitter glue and some pearl paints. Leaves, feathers, whatever you want.  Just fun to do and great to do in front of the TV.  Give it a try.

A NEW APPROACH TO HAPPINESS

CAROL OF THE BELLS, TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Sometimes missionary families are left feeling a bit "out-of-the-loop," in regard to their home culture. I mean, we are in our 18th year of living overseas so despite internet, some things just slip by. Only today I was visiting another blog and she had this musical piece by TSO. It brought back memories of our 2007/08 furlough when we were first introduced to this fab music. We were in a small Texas town going to our hotel room when we came upon this wonderful display of Christmas trees and what looked like something out of Disneyland with lots of figures and light up displays. As we marveled the trees and figures just pulsed in rotation to this wonderful music which we only later found out was TSO. We could have stayed for hours, but alas we had an early morning church visit. So enjoy.

COFFEE IN UKRAINE

Having a coffee date out with my sweetheart in Ukraine. They do it up pretty here and oh so tasty.

Kindness

I snapped this picture of the coffee my dear husband brought me one morning while I was waiting for him in the car. He happened to mention to the sweet lady at the shop he wanted a coffee for "his wife." Sometimes it's the little things in life that are precious.

On the Way to Romania

Romania is a country to the south and slightly west of Ukraine. We took a trip there a couple weeks ago to meet my sister and her husband who flew in from California. These are some of the sights we saw along the way as we drove to meet them. It is a lovely country and we enjoyed time in their mountains. I'll post more in the future.

A Find in Romania

While traveling in the eastern European country of Romania Jeff and I stopped in a mall to stretch our legs. I found this inside and was so amazed by it's beauty. It was part of a flower shop. The bottom picture is a detail. Unfortunately the mall was a bit dark so the photo doesn't do it justice, but I thought you'd enjoy seeing it anyway. Truly an amazing work of art.

Architecture, Yerevan, Armenia

Somehow through osmosis, I'm sure, my dad instilled in me a love of architecture. I suppose it was his pointing things out and talking about them when I was a kid. In June we were in Armenia where my husband was awarded an honorary doctorate. It was my first time even though he's been working there since 1997. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the buildings from around the city center.

Yerevan, Armenia

These were taken in the central square of downtown Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Somehow, growing up, my dad got across to me an appreciation of architecture. I suppose that had to do with him appreciating and pointing it out to us kids. Anyway, I consider it an art form on a grand scale so I share it with you. The doors were quite interesting to me as this is a dated building with new doors. I think they did a marvelous job of integrating the old and the new, don't you?

I Hope You Dance

I found this song on another blog. It's by Lee Ann Womack. Though country music is not on the top of my list, I think the content is certainly worth listening to. As Carly did, I would also like to dedicate this to my two daughters, Sarah and Leah.

Southern California Spring

Azaela and the spring time sunny sky.

Now you see where I got all these great moss pictures.
I just love taking shots of textural things and when you combine it with natural texture, all the better. I love nature and just wanted to scoop these pretties up and take them home, but just did so in my photos. I may make some paper out of them for an art project. I know some of you think I'm a bit strange, but this beautiful example of nature just speaks of the Great Creator to me. They are all covered over with snow now, but these were taken in the fall while we traveled.

Luxury or Necessity?

I am in California at the moment because my dad was hospitalized at age 86 and I wanted to be with him and my sisters. It was/is still questionable whether he will make it. He had a burst appendicts, septisemia (system wide infection) and now pneumonia, but he is a fighter and constitution is an area he always had an iron will. We shall see. Those who pray I would appreciate you remembering him/us.

I was showing my sisters some "fat book" pages I did (see previous articles and pictures). These are small 4X4" pieces of art. My youngest sister made a remark, "boy, I wish I had the luxury to sit and play like that." My answer to her was, " that it is not a matter of luxury, but that I made a choice. Life is too short to not do something that gives you joy." The house work, the job demands will always be there, you never catch up, they never go away. So, in the end, is your life going to be about a neat house or the job done to perfection? OK, I know that our lives are full and there are many demands, but what would it look like if you took even just one hour a week to do something that gives your heart joy? Is it something you could share with others that might contribute to their joy and their experience of you. Maybe it might even set a lifetime example for your children or others. If you can't take one hour, then you are living a sad life and missing out on sharing that heart of joy over something that you delight in.

Is it luxury or necessity? My father is in the cold winter of his life. He's done little that gave him joy, but feeling the press of doing the next demand. It has been a hard example to overcome. I've had to deal with guilt at taking time to do something that is purely fun (tyranny of the puritan work ethic). I've come to see, not only can I share my art with others and bring them happiness, I have become a different person. I have become someone easier to be with. I use my art to teach others and that is also gratifying as I see them taking delight in something they have created. So for many this is not a problem, but for many they are trapped in the "American rat-race. So I ask the question again differently, what would be the thing you would do that would so delight your heart? Try it, even for just a short time and see if the satisfaction in life is not worth the cost.