New Digits

As most of you know I haven't been creating much lately in the art room. I have been doing a lot more of creating things for the home front. Here is one of the things I just finished up last Friday night. I have been needing house numbers and yes that is right just the boring old numbers wouldn't do. So I had the brainstorm of using an old platter and painting the numbers on it. So that is what I am did. I find this white platter at a second hand store for a buck, buck fifty for the paint(had a coupon of course) and a buck for the plate hanger and for less than one number I have this great piece. I really like the look and it just shows you that this is a place to come and be yourself.

The Red Couch has a new mate

Well the picture doesn't do it justice. I couldn't get the colors to pop like they do in real life. I went to lunch the other day at Bosco on the Square and this was hanging by the table. The whole lunch I was looking at it and thinking that it would be so great by the red couch. So I took the plunge and bought my very first piece of original art work by SKY. It is a little funky and so artsy. It looks right at home with the colors in the room. So here is another first for me and I must say that I have really enjoyed getting to know myself and doing things for me.

My New Nephew

Well he has arrived and his name is Ryan. With the most wonderful big brown eyes, blond hair and the most gentle spirit you would ever want to see. He had been an answer to Sophia's prayer for several years. Katalina thinks that he is really great. Joseph is trying to warming up to him, but he does say that the best thing about him is it makes the household even now. That would be 3 girls and 3 boys. The first morning I meet him he took right to me and now we are walking buddies each morning at 5:30 and I must say he is so smart. He doesn't use the potty until he gets back to his yard and he knows when he is getting closer as his little pace picks up.

Okay as you might know my sister didn't have another baby. Because if that was so I would have 4 more children to raise because she would be in the mental hospital. The Reyna family how ever did get a wonderful 12 week old puppy. I put off posting as I was not for sure that he would be staying the family. Last week was a very trying one for all of them trying to get use to the new little one. I must say this for the world to know I REALLY admire my sister and she is the best MOM around. As she was attacked by a dog when she was little and is not very comfortable with dogs. She really is trying to put all those feelings behind her for the 3 most precious things in her life to have something they really wanted.

It has been a week and things are settling down and they are all learning to live, love and co-exist with one another.

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.

We Got High.......

in ALTITUDE that is. Here is a sneak peek of what I have been up to the last few days. We were here on Wednesday. This is just one of the great sites that we saw on the tour up to the mountains. Stephenie, Dad and Mom left yesterday to go home and I stayed behind to work.Got to get ready for a day of classes. Will post more once I get home with many more of the pictures that I have taken.

Day of Reflection

This post has been running in my head for the last few days. Last Saturday was a day of many emotions, thoughts, feelings and self discovery. As you will notice by the slide show the military is involved and especially my oldest Nephew Josh.

I was invited to attend the parade that the Town of Hernando put on for the 2-189th Combined Arms Battalion. My first thought was of pride as Josh serves in this Battalion and will be deploying with them. Then I began think about how his Mom and Dad must be feeling sending off their first born to war and how I think I would feel if it were me.

One of the first sights I saw on this clear and pleasant spring day was the American Flag flying high over the Armory where we were to eat lunch. For the first time in a long time I really thought about what the flag meant to me. It symbolizes FREEDOM and many lives lost to maintain this for all of us here in this great country. I realized that I have take this for grant it way too much. As I was snapping pictures many thoughts and emotions began to flood in my heart and head. Watching Dads holding their babies and playing with their children savoring every second of this time knowing that there will be many of these moments lost over the next 13 months. That by the time they will come back some be will be walking, talking, completed another year of school, had a broken heart or two, many first, hurts and there were even some little ones that haven't made their appearance in this world yet and will do so while they are away. Wives getting ready to be Mom and Dad, knowing that they will the only one to handle all of the household responsibilities, making all the choices that will effect their children's lives and not having anyone to help with them. Uncles savoring nieces and nephews and hoping that they remember them when they return. Grandsons sharing moments with their Grandfather hoping that there will be more when they get back. Parents showing pride and hiding the fears that their sons are going off to war. While taking in all these sites I begin to really realize just what all MEN are giving up for ME, so that I can live this life that I live, have the freedoms that I have. It also gave me a wake up call on what is important in life. That you need to speak those unspoken words of love and give those hugs. I learned that there are not words to express the GRATEFULNESS, THANKFULNESS and APPRECIATION I have for each and every one of these men putting their lives on the line for me,my freedom and the memories I get to have with my children in a free county.

I will now share with you a few of the most emotional moments of the day for me: 1) The Color Guard from the fire department, 2) The Bagpipers, 3) The young man that was a Honoree Solider for the day by having his wish granted from Make a Wish, 4) Seeing the troops marching in perfect formation, 5) Hearing Josh's name in the roll call, 5) Watching everyone of these young men stand attention from the first note of the National Anthem and through the Pledge with such great pride, 6) Learning not to judge a book by the cover, meaning that just because they ride motorcycles doesn't mean they don't have pride and respect for this country and soldiers as they stood Honor Guard around the perimeter of the ceremonies.

I challenge everyone that might read my blog to THANK at least one soldier who is serving this GREAT COUNTRY(aka you). Take a few minutes to REALLY think about what they have given up so that you can live the life you live. Then think would you do it for people who you don't know and might not even appreciate it.

I want to take this moment to say THANK YOU JOSH and I LOVE YOU, you will be in my thoughts and prayers over the next 13 months. I want to THANK DREW KING who will be leaving soon to server this County too.