Here Comes the Flowers!

It’s been quite lovely out lately… even though there’s a forecast for a snow flurry and it’s been raining again, I can see Spring bouncing up on us! I’m looking forward to having some time to enjoy the great outdoors this year and getting down and dirty in the garden. I am even looking forward to hopping on my John Deer and cutting some grass (yeah, I'm a girly-girl and I still like playing with my lawn mower… it’s big, it has a bunch of controls and it's fast!).Oh, and it’s a JOHN DEERE, something I’ve actually always wanted.

Also, check out the new mug I just found on one of my ventures! Stay tuned for more goodies!

Subtract

I had a lot of fun with this creation. This is more of a play on the meaning 'to remove,' where I removed Jesus from the big picture. Without Him, you don't have the holiday, and He is the reason. After I completed this one I felt it needed a little something more, so I blurred out the surrounding figures of Mary, Joesph and the Angels to highlight the empty manger. Even though it's not Christmas, it's still a potent illustration with Easter coming up and all the mayhem that tends to surround the holiday with Spring Breaks, family gatherings and Easter Egg Hunts. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Please click on the picture to get the full effect!

New Soap!

I had to share what was waiting for me when I got home from work on Friday: new soap! I first bought this soap at Michigan Fiber Festival last August and loved it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the business card for more! I tried soap from other other people, but it just wasn't the same. This soap, from Annie Goatley is fantastic. She turned me onto one called "Tea Tree" which is an antiseptic and proved to be great for my face. This time, I got a few more soaps to try out, and some of her lotion. So far, another satisfying purchase.

P.S. Check out the plate- a find from one of the last auctions I was at. I'll post pics from the auction I was just at soon!

Intricate

I had a hard time with this concept- it took me a while to decide on an image to play with, and then even longer to play with all of my options. I love the intricate detail on the wings of the stork, I thought it really added more pop to the image!

Sleeping In

It’s another rainy, dreary day here. I keep trying to remind myself that it’s better than snow, but after trekking through the rain several times a day for work and driving through puddles big enough to swallow my car, I come home to this…

I swear, I want a cat’s life. Specifically, I want my cats life.

Spring Breezes!

This is my first time posting on Illustration Friday, and my first time really playing with Photoshop. I've figured out how to use layers and cut out images so I can import different things that I've collected and turn it into something. I look at some of the other wonderful images I've seen people posting and I'm humbled by my little project, but I also know that practice makes perfect. Hopefully, I'll be able to connect with some people who know more than I do and I'll be able to learn and grow through this experience!

The topic is Breezy and I thought that was a perfect time to celebrate the warm spring breezes and all the vacations that start up during the spring. I do have to admit, though, that it seems completely bazaar to go on vacation now when the weather finally clears up and the promise of fair weather is in the air. I would much rather pack my bags and head out when the snow is six inches deep, the wind is howling and an ice storm is coming.

Thanks for looking, and keep checking back. Now that the weather is better, I plan on getting out with my camera and getting some new shots!

Decorating for the Holidays

I've been decorating for Christmas the past few weekends, thankfully I had the outdoor decor finished before the snow really started to fall! I went with an old-world look this year, with lots of cut greens from my pine trees, Osage Oranges and pine cones.

Osage oranges and their trees have a fascinating history; used by the Osage Indians for bows and other utensils, they were also used by pioneers to create hedges for the livestock (and if you've ever been around one of these trees and gotten swatted by a branch while picking the fruit, I think you'll agree that this is an effective means of livestock control). Check out this website for more information.

Personally, I adhere to the old wives tail that they keep spiders and other insects away, plus I love how they look for Christmas!

In other Decorating News I also salvaged some old white skates in a box of 'stuff' I got at auction and thought they would be perfect outside for the season.

Plus, they have the added bonus of being able to transition from Christmas decor to winter decor after the holidays. In Michigan, you always have to think ahead- after all, who wants to go outside in January to pack up all your decorations? Not me!

Take care, stay warm and check back for additional Christmas pictures!