Slumpin

Thank You Windy for this award and may Angels be with YOU!

I have to say I'm really not feeling very nice today. I feel depressed and in a slump.

Like one would, sitting in an overstuffed, oversized, bean bag chair and being unable to get out of it! I feel anxious and vulnerable. I don't like feeling this way.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Spread The Love

"Spread The Love" D. Altaville c.2007

Yes, even during the toughest of times, I believe that's when it's most important to Spread The Love. So I'm trying to stick by that motto at the moment, even though part of me wants to hide from the world, under the covers, and stay there till the bad stuff passes.

But what good would that do to my kids-who have the biggest hearts I've ever know and my dear ole hub. SO I'm trying to stay grateful and loving, for there really is a lot to be thankful for and a lot to love about this life.

And I did Spread SOME Love the other day, by giving out the Rockin Blogger Girl Award below. (So what are ya waiting for ladies...come on by!)

And of course, this print is available at Abstract Joy on etsy here:

http://www.abstractjoy.etsy.com

So Spread The Love, and Buy Some Art! Preferably mine! muhwahha

Have a Happy and Loving Weekend All!

I've Been Awarded!

I was given this Rockin Girl Blog Award by Bad Kitty (Thank You Very Much) and now I must pass it along to five other people. SO here are some of my ROckin Blogger Girlfriends!

Katie Kendrick, Garden Painter Art, Turquoise Cro Thyme, Self Taught Artist, Windy Angels

Now you all must pass this along to five other people! Have Fun!

Of course I think all the people on my blog links rock, but there's my picks for now!

Happy Tuesday!

NEW SHOP!

I have opened a second etsy shop to try and sell some of my abstract works of recent times and not so recent times. So, go take a peek at Abstract Joy!

http://www.abstractjoy.etsy.com

And of course the link is to the right as well.

And now I'm off to spend some time outdoors as it is a beautiful day!

Happy Weekend All!

Pathways

"Pathways To A Whole" D.Altaville c.2007

Just BlueJude getting into some abstraction.

This of course is available at Art n Joy on etsy, where you can also see some of my other abstracts! http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com

Hope everyone is on a good path as we head toward the Fall season!

Discoveries

"Discover" by D. Altaville c.2007

Just a recent Altered Journal Page as I ponder the New Beginnings and Ending Chapters of my life. There is so much going on here right now....both good and not so good. I wonder where it will all take me, and who I will become because of it.

A Thoughtful Tuesday.

Penelope Pumpkin

"Penelope The Pumpkin Princess"

A Recycled Art Doll by D. Altaville c.2007

Okay you may think it's a bit early for pumpkins, but this was done for a yahoo group challange.

AND I had tons of fun creating Penelope! Click on her to see a better view of her cute little head.

Anyhoo, the kiddies are going back to school in another week....and so before you know it, pumpkin time will be here after all. HA!

Hope everyone is enjoying summer's end.

Piggy Fun

Go here for some piggly wiggly fun and check out my piggy!
http://drawapig.desktopcreatures.com/gallery/large.asp?id=1509550&p=0&hof=1&q=personality+test
Have an oinker of a day!

Passages Of Time

"Love's Lost Innocence" by D. Altaville c.2007

Well, my first born son turned 16 yesterday. Whew! And the little guy just turned 5 at July's end. SO, He will be going off to Kindergarten soon, while the other one will be off to get his driving permit. It's all so bittersweet. Especially with summer almost over, I find myself getting rather melancholy, as another school year starts, another passage of time.

I have always been fortunate enough to be a stay at home Mom, and now I am finally free to have days to myself to devote to my painting and creating. But that doesn't seem to be in the cards. But we have fallen on some hard times, so alas and alack, as Murphy's Law would have it, I will probably have to look for some kind of part-time job during the day.

Yes, I know I should be thankful that I have had it so well all these years. And I am.

But still I would rather spend my days painting and really putting 110% into my art.

I guess we'll just have to see what Autumn brings.

A BlueJude Update

Well, the business card business seems to be rolling along quite well. Though I have yet to decide on a name, or take out any ads, I managed to score four jobs in the past week! AND everyone is absolutely pleased as punch with the designs I show them! Too cool! It is so gratifying to see their face light up. AND I am having SO much fun doing this that I only hope it continues to prosper. So keep good thoughts and vibes y'all that bluejude keeps rolling along.
OK now I just need to decide on a name and I need to make MY OWN business cards up for this new endeavor! Thank You Jesus...Thank You Lord! Happy Day All!

Summer Breaks

The above painting seems to hold our motto for the rest of the summer break since the little guy has broken his arm! As you can see it has not stopped him one bit from being his little goofy self!

"Handle Me With Care" by D. Altaville c.2007 will be available at Art n Joy on etsy here:

http://www.artnjoy.etsy.com

Happy Monday All!

New Endeavor?

I did a post on this already but it doesn't seem to be showing up. Anyhoo, I recently did a graphic job for a friend who needed new business cards. Well, he so incredibly impressed with the four ideas I worked up for him that he's using two. One for BC's and one for ads, flyers, and magnetic car signs. This led to another job with the possibility of another. Anyhoo, a friend suggested I put a small ad in the little paper and try and drum up some biz doing this. AND as you all know I can use the spare change. Whaddaya think? Will it fly?
On a down note, the little guy broke his arm Monday falling off the monkey bars, so it's been a little hectic here. Trying to keep this kid still, keep his sling on, and keep it elevated is like trying to convert the Pope to become a Jew! lol
So needless to say...I'm after him every twenty minutes in between trying to do my puter stuff. OH and ART....Hmmmm...what's that? lol Just kidding, I do have a few things in progress but now of course it will take me a little longer to finish them up. Oh well. You'll just have to stay tuned.
And wait to see a pic of my little guy in his cast. And he barely shed a tear about the whole thing. REALLY! It was like all in a day's work - or should I say play for him. Too much this kid!
Happy Day All! Whaddaya think about this new endeavor?

Fool's Gold

HALLO ALL! I received my copy of "Fool's Gold; Making Something From Nothing and Freeing Your Creative Process" by Susan G Woodridge.YOU MUST GET THIS BOOK! I mean like now! I am only about 50 pages into it but I know so many of you will LOVE this book. It's the type of book that you don't want to put down, yet you want to savor every word, and don't want it to end. AND then you'll wanna read it again. She also wrote a book called Poem Crazy years ago which is also good. But Fool's Gold is a MUST HAVE! Ok so off you go now to your nearest bookstore or book site and get yourself a copy!

It even inspired me enough to get out of my slump and start painting again last night!

In Limbo

"Who Are You, Really?" D. Altaville c.2007

This is an old piece but kind of sums up how I'm feeling lately. At least artistically speaking.

I feel kind of lost at the moment, ready for change but not really sure at all of any particualr direction. Just lost and in limbo.

I know, I know....I should just pull out my paints and supplies and throw something down and see what transpires. I just can't seem to do it just yet. And I don't know why.

Anyhoo, I just got the book Kaleidescope and it's rather interesting. Perhaps it will spark something inside and give me inspiration to go forward.

Hope everyone has a fun and creative July!

P.S. I'll be back with something...a new creation. There I said it! Now I'm committed! lol

SPC Summer Nights

I just LOVE Summer Nights though I think I got a little carried with some Photo manipulation here! Kinda spooky eh?

More Etsy Wonders

Check out this great blog called Less Than Three Designs where you'll find numerous etsy artists on interview with the very sweet Allison. (And of course yours truly has been interviewed there as well). But it's a real eye opener to all the creative people out there and quite an inspiration. The blog is here: http://lessthanthreedesigns.blogspot.com/
And be sure to check out Allison's etsy shop as well for some cute funky cards! She's at Less Than Three Designs at etsy.com
Now go and have a GREAT day!

The Poor Man's Patio

This has nothing at all to do with my patio, but it is my bargain birdbath that I got for $10.00!

Must have happy birdies!

NO, this is obviously not my patio. BUT I just had to share my very HAPPY HOSTAS growing outside my porch. Exciting huh?

A kind of full view of THE PATIO.

These fabulous wicker chairs came free from our friends Gwen and Tom, who found four of them on the roadside and generously gave us two! How cool is that? AND I just spray painted them brown and they are as good as new! YAY!

Never did find a bistro table- yet...but I did find this great serving cart for $3.00 at the flea market. And a can of white spray paint has given it new life! Yes, I LOVE a bargain!

My favorite HENS & CHICKS!

So there you have it folks...my Poor Man's patio! I call it that cause, well, at the moment we are rather poor but thanks to some wonderful friends we were able to pull it together.

And now I would like to thank all my generous friends who made it possible. Thank you to Rick for your wheelbarrow, Tom and Gwen for the wicker chairs and brick chisel, Eddie for the gas tamper and ALL the wonderful FREE brick, Eric for his hand tamper, Bogie for the use of his truck to get the sand, George for your helping hands and advice, and my dear, crazy hubbie for all his hard work and patience.

Kinda feel like I won the grammy award....heee heee! OK enough silliness.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Our Comfy Bargain Adirondack Chairs

LAST CHANCE!

I will be removing a lot of pieces from my Art n Joy etsy Shop this week, so if there is anything that strikes your fancy...scoop it up now!
I am trying to make way for some new art...that will be on the way soon.
AND I just might be opening a second shop toward Summer's end. What kind of art will it contain? Well, that's a secret for now.
So take a peek at Art n Joy on etsy for the last chance at some BlueJ pieces!
AND have a wonderful, wonderful week!
Now I'm off to have a cheeseburger on the grill.

The Little Graduate

Well, the little guy has graduated from pre-school and as you can see it was a fun, rockin time for all! AND the best part, well for me anyway, was that he got the Van Gogh Award for being the best artist in his class! How cool is that? His favorite part though was the cake! We are all so proud of him! Hope everyone is having a great summer. Pictures of the patio come next!

A Shot of Red

Everyone needs a shot of red! Or at least I do. I recently cleaned up and out all my art supplies and canvases. They are still accessible, but out of sight and no longer taking over the dining room. AND, having done that, I also had to replace my Jackson Pollock paint spattered tablecloth.
Well, I usually just get a clear plastic one as my dining room table has been handpainted a lovely green and decoupaged and painted with vines and flowers by your's truly. But it seems the store was out of clear plastic ones. So I rummaged about looking for something else that would work and that was cheap. And lo and behold I found this Martha Stewart red/pink paisley pattern that normally I would think was too bold for the room. (Tho I do have touches of red and pink in this cottage style room) BUT it was marked down to $2.00!! Needless to say, it was a done deal! And apparently, it was just what I needed! It's bright and cheery and simply faboo.
So the inside of my house is getting spiffed up as we collect the rest of the materials for out patio. Yes, my little patio that has become the talk of our local friends and neighbors. Mostly they say things like, "So have ya got the patio done yet?" WE sigh, bow our heads and admit that no we haven't even started the job. (We mumble about the weather and the kids and how were still collecting our suppplies, all useless excuses around here)
They all find this quite funny, as they are very handy dyi people, mostly laborers to whom putting in a small patio is a piece of cake. Now I have done my share of dyi work in the home and have no problem getting my hands dirty. But a PATIO, well that's another story.
But my ton and a half of sand was delivered today (who would've thunk you would need that much sand? lol) and it looks like the job will get done this week.
AND those same people, our wonderful friends have all kindly offered their advice, as well as lending us their tools. (I might have to put post its on things just to remember who lent us what!) And some have offered a helping hand. (I think they are starting to take pity on us city bred folk! lol) So there you have it.
Then all I need to do, is to stain and assemble two wooden Adirondack chairs that we got cheap cheap cheap! And scout the flea market and tag sales for a bistro type table and chairs.
Unless any of you have any ideas on how to make my own out of something??
And I have a friend who is overgrowing with ferns, so I think I'll be adopting a couple of those for around my birdbath and for the patio.
Life is good. God is good and continues to bless us. I feel good and I am looking forward to a great summer! OH and the red photo above is the courtesy of my very talented daughter, whose photography you can see at the Lavender Funk link to the right. Take a peek!
And add a shot of red to your life this week, whether it be fresh cherries from the market or a gerber daisy or a bright red tablecloth! Happy Tuesday all!