new things :)

a busy summer has kept me away from blog land, but i am learning and growing with my tech and design class, as well as an order for custom artwork for a website. this was very satisfying for me to do, and hopefully i'll have more and more opportunities to do new things!

thanks for your patience while i learn, kate :)

i'm looking forward to more graphic design classes next month. i do miss my visits with my followers and those whom i follow, though. i learn so much from the creative and talented examples of others! i will try to spend more time in this neighborhood with you all :)

alright, i'm ready to tell you...

what a sweet little being; after a few days he was learning to eat solid food and to fly... capt jack would chirp softly back to me, watch me paint, and land on my head.
i am afraid that my tiny, feathered jack sparrow was not charmed like the johnny depp version...
remember this little girl?

shelby like squeak toys!
oh, no... you guessed it... i couldn't talk to her for two days...

but on our front door, apparently an annual vacation spot, our happy couple is back...

thankfully, life moves on...

captain jack sparrow

was found on monday

on my walk...

no nest to be found

so i brought him home

and slowly started feeding him.

at first, all he would take was a little water...

tuesday...

he ate LOTS of canned dog food and cottage cheese puree 

restocking the shelves

in between the other bits of my life, i have been painting and playing...
and there are a few new items in my etsy shop!

no time to say hello, goodbye...

i have spent too much time listening to joelle and katy and kim...
i just soak up such warmth...
if you don't already, i suggest you make a regular date with all the amazing people who sit down to share virtual coffee on tuesdays.

today i'll just take my thoughts on the brilliant conversation with me and ponder as i head off to my day...

see you all next week.

a few of my favorite things...

ahhh, my blog...

we're all probably feeling a bit like, "how much can you fit into one week?!" one week ago i was wrapping and shopping and cooking and checking my lists... and now it's fait accomplit. our family's christmas is quiet and relaxed and very yummy... and there are certain customs that we have developed that are important to us. i neglected the advent calendar this year, and decided that was a mistake i will not make again! we play games together on christmas eve, the boys (now adult-sized) always open their stocking gifts on our bed in the morning (my favorite), breakfast is always eggs benedict (kyle's favorite) and "sunshine drinks", and english trifle with too much sherry (ian's favorite) for dessert after dinner. (all the food is kurt's favorite, especially the chicken a l'orange)

we usually go to christmas eve service as well, but my husband has had a rotten cold, so we stayed home and all my men listened while i read the littlest angel (i was a good girl and didn't cry).

we all love the opening and sharing and fun of the presents. it's been a tight year for us, and i was so pleased at my sons' acceptance of the smaller and more practical pile. of course, my favorites are anything pretty or crafty! i thought today i'd share some of my favorite new things...

the darling robin plate is from pier one,

the weekly organizer from art in motion, 

orchids courtesy of the greatest artist of all, 

the gorgeous water bottle from wild and wolf.

what were the most delightful gifts (yes, the ones you actually opened)

you received?

found on friday

fridays were a silly choice for me to make a blog commitment... they are usually rather full days.
but i've got one this week. notice the time i posted, didn't actually make my deadline, but who really cares, right?

this morning i pulled out my camera to take a picture of my special find, but i'd left my card in my laptop. duh. good excuse to draw...

see what i found today?!

addicting...

these little brooches have become somewhat addicting! i keep having little inspirations of designs and i just have to try them out.

these two will be headed for my etsy shop. picture one of these on a sweater, scarf, hat...

wip...

migraines are not conducive to great accomplishments...
but i feel better today...
wishing you a beautiful monday!

cut and paste

just a little bit of cutting and pasting fun...
photoshop is brand new to me. i'll need lots of time to explore.