Marlene's Round Robin Painting

As I promised, here is one more painting from my ACEO Group Round Robin Project. The one on the left is Marlene's start. On the right is the finished painting after we all added something.

A lot of small detail went into most of these paintings. Notice the cheese, the tiny spider/web and the bird in the nest. I will post more as I get access to them. I have photos of the finished paintings, but I am having trouble getting good pictures of the starts. Such fun!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "Careo Star" !!

Cavewoman

Since Halloween is near, I thought I would look back at some of the costumes I wore over the years. This has to be my favorite - just a few 20+ years back - Yipes!! I made this costume, having a cavewoman in mind. Bought some faux fur and just cut to size - the fur boots were pretty easy - just wrapped the fur around my shoes and tied with rope like I have around my waist. I boiled chicken bones and made them into earrings and hung a few from my waist as well. Made an animal print armband, tossled the hair, rubbed some brown paint all over me, and voila - a cavewoman. I remember that night well. I bowled in a league and then went out partying. Oh, the memories. Halloween is great! The one night we can be whoever we want........

Molly the Ragdoll

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!

I still have my cold but it is much better today ~ I believe I am on the way to recovery. The sun is out after 3 days of solid rain and things are looking brighter. Sorry I have not blogged while dealing with this cold but my pounding head just wasn't up to it.

So... last week, Marlene, of Marlene's Musings

http://marlenes-musings.blogspot.com/ had a giveaway to celebrate her 100th Post. I WON!! My prize: An ACEO that Marlene painted, titled "Ragdoll - Molly". Marlene says the ragdoll reminds her of one that she had when she was a young girl. I love the art card and I think Molly is adorable. I never had a ragdoll but I did have a few other dolls that I cherished. I still have them and will share pictures of them with you one day.

Take a minute to visit Marlene's blog. She is a self-taught artist and she's very good at it.

Thank you, Marlene!!

Sick

The big bad bug that has been after me finally won out. Terrible head cold and thudding headache. Will spend most of today doing very little. I'll return to blogging when feeling better. It hurts to look at this computer.
Stay well, my friends. Enjoy the Fall weather!!

Blog Friendship

Hi Everyone.
It is 11:00 Wednesday night and my follower pics just suddenly appeared. I hope this won't be an ongoing problem. Even after 10 years, I guess Blogger still has bugs to work out. I'm glad to have the pics back as I do click on them often to get to your Blogs. Thank you for your comments and suggestions regarding my invisible followers.
I woke with a cold this morning and I am hoping it won't get really bad ~ drank lots of OJ today and stayed home. I painted two walls in the guest bathroom and hope to continue with the guestroom walls tomorrow ~ making some progress.
I will try to find something of interest to Blog about tomorrow. I do have some thoughts jostling around in my head that I would like to get down on paper. About a week ago, I read an article where some people stated that they think making friends through blogging is ridiculous and that we should be out and about mingling with "real" people. How sad. Can't we have our lifelong friends AND our blog friends? Of late, I have read many posts that state how "blog friends" have been lifelines for others. We exchange ideas, stories, photographs, wish each other well through good times and rough times, and so many other aspects of friendship. Now that I have become a "blogger", I can't imagine not having contact with my new blog friends. You are REAL people and I am happily getting to know each of you through your words, your poems, your photographs and your art. I, for one, will not give you up. Let's just hope Blogger doesn't make entire Blogs disappear someday.
Wasn't I supposed to Blog about this tomorrow? LOL!!
Goodnight ~ I hope everyone has pleasant dreams!!
Audrey

Missing Followers

All the pictures of my followers disappeared this morning. There is nothing but a big blank box where all the pictures were. No matter whose Blog I go to, I see no pictures of followers. From what I have been told, you can see my followers. Has anyone else experienced this problem and does anyone know how or if I can resolve it?
):

Quote For The Day

ART IS YOUR IMAGINATION ON THE OUTSIDE.

K.H. Grade 6

Round Robin Painting Project

A few months back my ACEO Group started a Round Robin Painting Project. We were broken down into groups and my group consisted of 6 artists. This is how it worked. We each started a 5"x7" painting. We then shipped it off to the next person on the list and they painted what they wanted and then shipped it off to the next person and so on. When it reached the last person, they painted their part and shipped it back to the original owner. It has been so much fun. My finished piece arrived today all the way from Australia.

I have seen some of the finished works from other groups. They are unbelievable. When I have prints of all the finished pieces, I will post them.

The first picture is my painting and how it looked when I mailed it to the next person. The second picture is how I received it today after the 5 other artists worked on it. Isn't it fun?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Amanda !!

A New and Better Day

It is another slightly overcast day with some misting of rain, but I am feeling better. I enjoy a day like this now and then ~ I love rain! I love the smell of rain and how everything looks after. As a few of you suggested, I took a day of rest yesterday ~ ran a few errands but did no work. I am feeling much better today and I'm ready to dive into a few of the projects that are waiting. So..........off to the bedroom walls!

Giveaway at Gypsylulu Delights

Another giveaway! Gypsylulu at GYPSYLULU DELIGHTS is celebrating her 100th Post. Visit her Blog, post a comment, and see the wonderful items she will be sending to the lucky winner.

http://gypsyluludelights.blogspot.com/

Giveaway at Carol Anne's Boutique

Make a visit to CAROL ANNE'S BOUTIQUE and comment on her giveaway ~ she will enter you in the giveaway which consists of Somerset IN LOVE magazine, pretty vintage lace, stickers, collage sheets, and more....

http://carolannesboutique.blogspot.com/

Grey Day

It is an overcast, grey day, and I am trying to rev up a surge of motivation. I have three paintings started, a bedroom with the walls half painted, a studio that looks like it has been ransacked, and a "to do" list a mile long. And little energy. Not feeling completely up to par most of yesterday, I went to bed feeling even worse, hoping for a full recovery by morning. I am feeling better, but I don't have that urge to get moving. I think I will have a big glass of OJ, decide what to tackle first, and then take it as it comes.

I hope all of you have a good day and accomplish whatever it is you set out to do!

Wordless Wednesday

One Simple Prayer

Cancer. One simple word. It has touched friends and loved ones in my life and most likely you all know someone who is fighting this disease. I've posted this before, but its cure cannot be prayed for often enough.

Please say one simple prayer today asking God to help us find a cure for cancer.

Off to the dentist this morning for a scheduled cleaning ~ Not something I enjoy. It is another gorgeous day, so I will enjoy the ride and watch for wonderful things that need photographed.
Have a healthy and productive day, my friends!

Thoughts on Autumn

This was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne.....beautiful thoughts on this beautiful season that is upon us.

Still later in the season Nature's tenderness waxes stronger. It is impossible not to be fond of our mother now; for she is so fond of us! At other periods she does not make this impression on me, or only at rare intervals; but in these genial days of autumn, when she has perfected her harvests and accomplished every needful thing that was given her to do, then she overflows with a blessed superfluity of love. She has leisure to caress her children now. It is good to be alive at such times. Thank Heaven for breath - yes, for mere breath - when it is made up of a heavenly breeze like this! It comes with a real kiss upon our cheeks; it would linger fondly around us if it might; but since it must be gone, it embraces us with its whole kindly heart and passes onward to embrace likewise the next thing that it meets. A blessing is flung abroad and scattered far and wide over the earth, to be gathered up by all who choose. I recline upon the still unwithered grass and whisper to myself, "O perfect day! O beautiful world! O beneficent God!" And it is the promise of a blessed eternity; for our Creator would never have made such lovely days and have given us the deep hearts to enjoy them, above and beyond all thought, unless we were meant to be immortal. This sunshine is the golden pledge therof. It beams through the gates of paradise and shows us glimpses far inward.

An Afternoon in The Sun

So, it was a HOT day to be walking the length of Olde Salem Days. Not much in the way of paintings.... a lot of crafts.... jewelry.... and food. Had to have a big bag of Kettle Corn ~ love that stuff!! The picture shows the halfway point. If you looked the other way, there were just as many booths set up in the opposite direction, as well as on many side streets. A LOT to look at and a lot of people to dodge. I admit, I didn't make it all the way. The only purchase I made was at Miss Nellie's Primitives booth. She had a great selection of handcrafted folkart wares ~ very nicely done. Couldn't resist a few items for Halloween, as pictured.

Halloween Giveaway

Make a visit to Ron's blog and enter to win this signed, dated, and numbered print by Ron Byrum. While there, take a look at his other Halloween art. Very nice!!
http://byrumart.blogspot.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sue !!

Olde Salem Days

Each year the Salem Jaycees organize one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in Virginia - OLDE SALEM DAYS ~ over 400 artists and crafters * bands * food * antique car show * beer garden * and more. Today is the 29th annual ~ this will be my first time to attend and I am looking forward to seeing all that art!! I hope it's wonderful. It is the most beautiful, sunny day with clear blue skies ~ a wonderful day to be outdoors enjoying one of my favorite things - ART!

9/11

9/11/01

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dan !!

09-09-09

Today is 09-09-09! We won't be seeing that again!

1 ECTO

How funny! On Labor Day, the 1 ECTO Ghostbusters Vehicle was roaming the streets of Roanoke.

It is the EXACT duplicate of the vehicle from the movie. It was right next to us on the road and I had the best laugh. Wanted to share the photos I took. I haven't a clue what it is used for. Could we have ghosts in the Roanoke area??

Actually, the plates are Virginia "Antique" plates ~ could this be the actual vehicle that was used in the movie?

You have to wonder what this little bird is thinking while gazing at this resin bird. This water feature is in my front flower garden and I wondered if I would ever see this scene. Yesterday was the day! Sweet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kathy !!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Georgia !!

Labor Day

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE LABOR DAY!

A Saturday Thought

The Window Through Which We Look

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life

What we see when watching others

Depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

~Author unknown

Green Guide For Artists

We made our weekly trip to Barnes & Noble tonight after dinner. I, of course, cannot leave without some kind of art related item in my hands be it a book, magazine, card or whatever. Tonight I purchased GREEN GUIDE FOR ARTISTS. I paged through it for a while and most everything looked very interesting. I have been wanting to play around with some paper mache for some time now to see what I might come up with. There is a good recipe for paper mache in this book. Little by little, I am trying to use products that are safer for the environment. I think we should all do our part to help in this. Obviously, we can't change everything all at once. It certainly can't hurt to make a few changes for the better.

A Wedding Date

JOY!! They finally set a date !! May 24, 2010 !! In May, Casey and Amanda will be together for 9 years. I have been waiting a long time for this day.

For those of you who don't know, Casey is my son.

September

"September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn. The cricket chirps in the noontide, making the most of what remains of his brief life. The bumblebee is busy among the clover blossoms of the aftermath, and their shrill and dreamy hum hold the outdoor world above the voices of the song birds, now silent or departed."

~Rowland E. Robinson