Late Mother's Day

I finally got a piece of Michael's art that is on a REAL canvas. He brought this by the office the other day for my Mother's Day present. It is titled Self Portrait. I really like how he did the shilouette in white instead of the tradition black. The droplets of water could be either tears or sweat. I am really proud of this piece and have it hanging on the wall in my office. I did this for many reason the first is that I really needed some art in my office and the other is that I every time I look up at my wall I think of my first born.

On Mother's Day I always take a little time to myself to reflect on the 2 wonderful kids that I have been blessed with that lets me be able to celebrate this holiday. Micheal is 20 and finding his way in the world. He is not doing it the way I might have thought he would, but he is doing it his way. I am so proud of the man he is turning into. I really admire that he is pursuing and doing something that he loves. He has always been my creative child and he is doing this. I think that it is awesome that he is doing what he loves and not what the world thinks he should. Stephenie is 16 and trying her wings. I am not really sure that I am ready for this but it is here ready or not. She will be a Junior in the fall and is so full of life and able to speak her mind. I must say that I have 2 of the greats babies on this planet. I just pray that they find way their way in this life with a positive attitude , love for their fellow man and themselves.

Another Year has Past

Here is this year's graduate. Joseph will leave Barrett's Chapel that he has been at after 6 years plus. As his Mom has taught there for 17 years and he been attending things from birth. He is on his way to the middle school to join his oldest sister Katalina. He got many awards and achievements including the Presidential Award signed by President Obama. We went to lunch to celebrate.

Stephenie has finished up her sophomore year. Geometry has just about kicked her little butt but she was a trooper and stuck it out .With a B. English, computer, biology and Spanish are A's which is where she usually pulls. I am so proud of her.

Katalina is heading into her finial year at the middle school. She has big plans for a major Soccer camp where the scouts will be to start following the girls to college.

Sophia will be in second grade next year. It still just amazes me how that little preemie has grown into such a wonderful little girl.

Okay so there were tears of joy and sadness last Friday at the 5th grade program. I mean from all of us that attended. The big girls Stephenie and Katalina tried to hide it and acted tough. Susan and I just let the water flow. I didn't even make it through the Star Spangle Banner. Then when the time came for the kids to give the roses to their mothers really brought on the water works. Joseph was so sweet by giving the rose to his mom with a great big hug and I LOVE YOU. Sophia did well until after the program and finally realized that her Bubba wasn't going to be coming back to Barrett's next year.

Once again I wonder where this school has gone. I sit back in amazement at what they all have accomplished and how they have grown. Stephenie still amazes me at the wonderful little women she is turning into.

Friday Sneak Peek from AO

This nine patch sampler is from the new She-Roes plate from Artistic Outpost. I aged the paper with tea stain ink and then stamped the images in red and blue. I added the sayings stamped in dark brown. To finish is off I adhered the squares to chip board. I am pretty sure that I used everyone of the great images from this new plate.

The over size tag using the Cracker Jack plate from Artistic Outpost was done with an technique that my friend Cyndi came up with. By using white chalk ink on black paper it gives you the look of a photo negative. I thought that is was a really cool look so I used it on this tag. To add a little punch I did the same technqiue on red.

I hope that you all have been over to Artistic Outpost to view all new art work in the galleries and look at the AWESOME new web site.

Another Taste of AO's new Plates

Okay I know that this one is a little blurry but at 11 on a work night taking pictures to post I was a little blurry. This ATC was done with the new She-Roes plate from Artistic Outpost. I am so glad that Robyn designed a set of stamps honoring the women who serve this great nation in the arm forces.

When I saw the new Cracker Jack plate from Artistic Outpost I knew that I had to do a scrapbook page with Michael's T-ball picture. Yes he had a short lived baseball career but this plate made a great page for his one picture.

Please go to Artistic Outpost web site and see the special deals that they have on the new Cracker Jack and She-Roes plates.

Artist Oupost has 2 new plates...........

The CRACKER JACK plate honors America's favorite past time. While you dream of hot dogs, peanuts, the crack of the ball against the bat and the seventh ending stretch. You can capture the spirit of the game with this plate of vintage baseball images from Artist Outpost.

She-roes honors those women past and present that serve our great Country in the service. If you have someone special to you that has served or is serving in the arm forces this plate will help you to honor them. It is a perfect compliment to last years Hero plate. Go to Artist Outpost's web site to see all of the great images on both of these wonderful plates honoring our unsung hero's.

Artist Outpost has specials on both of their new releases. So go on over to their site and check them out. You will not want to miss their blog either that is full of great examples of what all you can do with these great new plates.