Holiday Crafts and Such

I wanted to show you a few of the crafts my five year old created at school for us just before the Christmas break. I also wanted to share some memories of our family Christmas Day. I hope you all have a great week!

Family Christmas Card

I am sure you are all swamped with writing out Christmas cards, shopping, holiday school programs and parties. I am finally back to writing out more cards after this very busy week. Here is our family Christmas card for this year.

Making A Coloring book

I had this bright ideas to make a coloring book for my son to give his classmates at school for Christmas. Here a few pages from the book.

New Chritmas cards

I made a new set of handmade Christmas cards using decorative paper. I illustrated the birds face on the paper and painted the eyes and beak and outlined the image with permanent marker. These cards are perfect to send to those special someones. They are available now in my Etsy shop.

Thanksgiving pics

I wanted to show you a glimpse of my Thanksgiving day. I hope you all had a great weekend!

Pumpkin-Molasses Cake

2 1/2 cups all -purpose flour

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 ground ginger

3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk (another option tofutti sour cream)

1/2 cup shortening, magarine, or butter, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin or mashed sweet potato

1/4 cup light or medium molasses

1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

2 eggs Oven 350 degrees

In a bowl combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Add molasses, and orange peel. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed till combined. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and beat 2 minutes. Add eggs and beat 2 minutes more. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan.

Bake in a 350 degrees oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Serves 12

As suggested by the cook book I made a lemon butter frosting to compliment the flavor.

Lemon Butter Frosting

1/3 cup butter or margarine

4 1/2 cups sifted powder sugar (I only used about 3 cups)

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1/4 cup lemon juice or orange juice

1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

In a bowl beat butter or margarine till fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in the 1/4 cup lemon juice and vanilla.

Slowly beat in remaining sugar. Beat in additional juice, if needed to make spreading consistancy.

This cake is so good and moist. I hope you enjoy the cake as much as my family did!

New Design

I have been a busy bee today working on a few new Christmas cards. The same design was used but one as a personalized card and the other can be used by anyone. The count down to Christmas begins!

Girl's room

Just adding a few key elements can add such character to a room. At least that is what I have tried to do to my daughter's room. Although my time is limited by having three kids, I managed to add a few spot illustrations to the room, along with painting grass all around the baseboards. Just adding a splash of color will bring flair to any room. That is my hope and desire as I live my life creatively!

Tis the season

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is fast approaching. So that means it is time to start making gifts for teachers, neighbors and friends. I think including a handmade item adds special meaning to the gifts you give. I like creating ornaments along with some yummy chocolates or some other special treat. I also like designing personalized stationery as a special gift. Whatever I do end up making, I hope they know this is a heartfelt appreciation of what they mean to me in a small way. This is my hope and desire as I live my life creatively!

Show Time!

This Saturday I am getting ready for a show at the Taste of Suwanee. So I am getting my last minute details ready. I ultimately always forget something at home so I like to have a check off list to make sure not to leave anything crucial behind. If any of you live in the Atlanta area come by and see me.

My Collection

I purchased this ACEO (Artist Cards Editions and Originals) from an artist that I wanted to share with you. Tina has a shop called strawberrypaintbrush's on Etsy. I am slowly collecting different artist work that I will put in a trading card book. This is a relatively inexpensive way to get a wide variety of really great artist images to keep.

A Trip to the Farmers Market

Just one more week for a local farmers market to be opened for the fall season. I try to make it at least once a month to see what produce or other yummy baked good, sauce or dip I can find. The market is held at our local city park in beautiful Suwanee. I will miss my early morning treks on Saturday mornings, but I so look forward to what next year will bring, new vendors, and new produce I have sometimes never even heard of. Good healthy eating everyone!

The Winner is

The winner of the fall tags is AMKreations! Congratulations AMK for your great description of why you like the fall season. I would also like to thank everyone for all of your wonderful posts.

New Fall Tags & Contest

I have not painted lately, hopefully that will change next week. I do however have some new gift tags that would make the perfect hostess gift tag, or for that fall birthday. I will have them available in my shop within a day.

I haven't had a contest in a while, so to kick off the fall season I will be giving a pack of four of these tags to one person. Just post a comment about what you like about the fall season, for a chance to win. The winner will be announced next Friday. Have a great weekend!

Mega Charm

I am working on a custom order that I wanted to show you. I have not made this size before, but I am having fun trying different designs with this fun plastic craft.

Sale!!

I am having a sale on my print titled "Eden" for the rest of September in my Etsy shop. I have decided to have a sale on one item in my shop every month. So make sure to check out what new item that is on sale.

Rainy Day

For almost a week it has been raining off and on in my area. Today my kids were going to school, but because of the horrible weather school was canceled due to flooding. So no creative time, no going to the post office to mail an order, that will have to wait. At this time my kids are getting along, though I am sure that will change in a few minutes. Thank you Lord for the rain, but could you make the rain, rain go away! Have a dry day you guys.

Special Delivery

I got this cute little ACEO from Missy and Me aka Ruby. I also received this adorable little notebook from her as well, as a suprise gift. This little ACEO is a great addition to my collection of collectible cards.

I also got a swatch sample from Spoonflower. The image was a lot larger than I thought it would be so I am so glad that I just got a sample to see what it looks like first before ordering a large amount of mateial.

A Touch of Color

I added a little color to my existing tags and doodling away on some other ideas that are in my head. I am having fun with new ideas of fall and Christmas images.

Remembering the victims and families of 9/11.

Gift Tags!!

Another fellow artist suggested I make my line drawings into gift tags, so I have been playing around with some ideas on my computer. I wanted to share with you what I have done so far. I would appreciate any feedback that you may give. Now off to get some ribbon. Have a great Labor Day weekend!

New Charms

I created some new charms that would be perfect on your phone, belt, backpack or even as a necklace. They will be available in my Etsy, 1000 Markets and Artfire store.

Screen Printing

I wanted to show you my latest attempt to silk screen on paper before I try fabric again. When I try fabric again I will probably use a grip to make sure the screen and fabric are closer together, this will allow for the ink to go on evenly.

Painting Finished

I finally finished my landscape painting. I am happy the way it turned out using the different patterns of color for the background. I am already thinking about what I am going to do for my next painting. I will start some preliminary sketches today.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Timothy's Gallery

When I visit my mom, I make a point almost every time to go visit Timothy's Gallery in downtown Winter Park. I love the eclectic mix of fine art and fine craft that they carry. I also love the bright, inviting colors that you see throughout the store.

Timothy's Gallery was voted the top 25 gallery of American Crafts, Timothy's is a favorite in Central Florida for its wide range of artistic jewelry, contemporary crafts glass, wood, clay and fine art.

If you are ever in the area you should stop by this quaint gallery.

More pics from Florida

This a very eclectic wall made by outsider artist Gregory Warmack

When I was visiting my mom in Winter Park. We visited a place called Hannibel Square Heritage Center. Hannibel Square is a few blocks away from Park Ave. in downtown Winter Park. The Crealde School of Art has led by a mission to "provide extensive outreach, foster cultural diversity and preserve cultural heritage. The center weaves together American History, family, art classes and community interaction.

Here I am in front of this beautiful mural with my husband and mom. The mural tells the story of the famous march across the tracks to vote. For more info. here is their link: Hannibel Square

Vacation in Florida!

My family and I went to visit my mom in sunny, hot Florida this past week. I wanted to share a few pictures with you.

My mom has one of the most gorgeous yards on the block.

As you can see she has put a lot of time and effort.




My three cuties playing in the sand in Daytona Beach.

I am enjoying being under the umbrella in the shade feeling the breeze.

I will share more pictures later but for now off to unpacking and laundry.

World of Whimsy promo

Here is a demo I created for my fellow artist at World of Whimsy. This is the first promo of a series to promote our group. I hope you enjoy watching!

Glass Pendants

I have been working on some new pendants that I am excited to preview to you. They will be available in my Artfire, Etsy, and 1000 Markets shop by tomorrow. These little cuties are affor-dable, colorful and sure to make a fun fashion statement for a wide array of outfits!