tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84757660306275913862024-02-07T09:25:30.467-08:00Art by Jo Lynne KiesterMixed-media artistJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-45921947375520072082015-03-03T11:55:00.000-08:002015-03-03T11:55:49.892-08:00I've moved. Blogger won't let me update the format of this blog, so please find me over <a href="http://www.artbyjolynnekiester.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, where I can tweak my blog to my heart's content. :) Please take a second to hop over and follow my blog!anencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-38687469122022624572015-03-02T12:56:00.001-08:002015-03-02T13:07:15.670-08:00Cab-cage attempt 1I also tried cm-handmade's cab cage with size 10 thread. Instructions <a href="http://cmhandmade.blogspot.com/">here</a>: The stone I used is a 3-inch brecciated red jasper donut. I got it in a wonderful haul of second-hand beading supplies.<br />
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Have a wicked awesome day!<br />
- Joanencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-10742114356452581052015-03-01T22:03:00.001-08:002015-03-01T22:08:29.434-08:00Tatting of a SundayTried my hand at Corina Meyfeldt's tatted flower, using mystery thread from my second-hand beading haul and some red beads, from same. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/03/01/621.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/03/01/s_621.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I love how it turned out, even if tatting with beads is still cumbersome. How do you keep those beads tucked a few turns back on the shuttle, out of the way, yet still within reach when you need them?!? I am slowly getting the hang of it...<br /><br />Have a wicked awesome day!<br />- Jo<br />anencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-44572914198513243832015-02-26T10:14:00.001-08:002015-02-26T10:14:43.022-08:00Tatted Earring #1This from today's tatting design sesh...a large dangle earring, pattern by yours truly. It was the second attempt. I am learning tatting design by trial and error, which is not the easiest. I am happy Ieft some bare picots. I really love the look of the sparkly beads to either side and at the bottom! I think on this design, less is more when it comes to beading; this lets the lace really shine. :)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/26/165.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/26/s_165.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Should I make the second earring??? I am not a large earring person but I could see me wearing these!!! And since they're lace, they are feather-light! (No stretching of the earring holes!!)<br /><br />Have a wicked awesome day!<br />- Jo<br />anencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-26062686730293027642015-02-20T10:42:00.001-08:002015-02-22T23:59:05.313-08:00A Bunch of Tatting Projects!I have been tatting up a storm ever since I joined the Facebook group called Beginner Tatters Chat Group. I have learned a gajillion things, but the most important are:<br />
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1. Buy self- threading needles to hide the ends. No, don't think that your needles and threaders can be bent to the task. Just do it. They cost next to nothing and they work like a charm!!!<br />
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2. Two rows of a doily can be worked together with a bit of planning. Say the round you are working on is followed by a round of individual motifs. STOP the round you're working on! Work the motif round first, connecting them, then resume the round you stopped, tatting the motif round on as you go! Oh the beautiful genius of this plan. Too bad I didn't know that a round sooner!<br />
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This is Doily 1 from Jan Stawasz' book, Tatted Treasures. Only 21 more stars left to go! :/<br />
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3. There is so much I don't know, it's going to take forever to master this craft! Front-side/back-side tatting, Lark's Head Joins (and when to do them!), split chains, the list goes on and on... At least now I have resources I can turn to for my endless questions! If you're new to tatting, please consider joining Beginner Tatters Chat Group on Facebook. You won't find a more supportive group of tatters!!! Well I am sure they are supportive in forums everywhere, but I have been made to feel so welcome, I just had to give a shout out! :)<br />
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Have a wicked awesome day!<br />
- Joanencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-64652022655374928452015-02-14T23:37:00.001-08:002015-02-15T01:05:07.069-08:00A New Work in ProgressA large canvas has been staring at me from the windowsill, where it has acted as a blind, for months now...and despite my trepidation at its size, I think it is time to let it sing! <br />It looks welcoming on my easel... Big. White. Blank. This marvelous canvie is 22 x 28 inches of pristine emptiness. I can't let it scare me. I have a plan for it, one that needs a super bold background. With the layers I plan on adding, I wanted the brightest colors that clamor to be used. Here is a taste of what has transpired so far! <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/15/66.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/15/s_66.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Have a wicked awesome day!<br />- Jo<br />anencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-51439100277217818712015-02-13T18:56:00.001-08:002015-02-13T18:56:18.597-08:00Tatting an edging I started tatting an edging for this tablecloth this week. I have been messing around with hens and chicks patterns, ever since Carol (sunset) introduced me to it as a beginner pattern last week. I am so glad I got this thread in size 10!!! It's DMC Cebelia brand, and the color is simply stunning! The hanky/cloth is a large square, about eighteen inches wide. I can't take credit for the pattern. I got the stitch count for the rings (4-4-4-4, 4-4, and 4-3-2-2-3-4) from Tatman's free hens and chicks tatted cross pattern, which can be found if you search the web. I apologize, I couldn't find the link or I would post it here! Then I just experimented with the length of bare thread required until the motif would lay the way it should, with just the right tension. If you make the bare thread too short, it wants to fold over on itself; too loose and it sags. Here is a picture of the progress I have made so far:<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/13/849.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/13/s_849.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/13/850.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/13/s_850.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />With Carol's help I was able to design a corner motif that more or less goes with the rest of the pattern to be able to turn the corner on the tatted edging. The key pointers she gave me were<br />1. Keep the rings or stitch counts as consistent with the hens and chicks pattern<br />2. Add two tiny rings to help bridge the gap from the last hens and chicks motif to the corner motif, and from the corner motif to the first hens and chicks motif on the next edge <br />3. How much to leave for the bare thread gap will come instinctively. I didn't quite believe this at first, but sure enough, I found that I was able to intuit about how much thread I would need!<br /><br />Hopefully next time I post, this little tablecloth will be gracing my tatting vignette at Keep Me In Stitches here in McCall!!! More on that later.<br /><br />Have a wicked awesome day!<br />~ Jo<br />anencouragedjourneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02597758704413899062noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-26886581769272348982014-05-19T15:27:00.001-07:002014-05-19T15:27:29.409-07:00Back in the studio! My mom helped me to get my studio organized and put together for the first time since we moved in (I know, it's taken forever!) and my creative side has been rejoicing! Here is one of the canvases I've finished in the last few weeks:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6MYpsrktMaYk7Qgem1aRE-5RMnqdPYxUxYXxgf3HHIN_VY2rk81AXdmMQDVu4rMP0JppZKQ7PcHU361uhyMx8YvL7Ar10bwK1FWMWnDfj6fGdw_8QTH-48VJDnBNKHjIiUNweSja57RA/s1600/CanvieBlueBird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6MYpsrktMaYk7Qgem1aRE-5RMnqdPYxUxYXxgf3HHIN_VY2rk81AXdmMQDVu4rMP0JppZKQ7PcHU361uhyMx8YvL7Ar10bwK1FWMWnDfj6fGdw_8QTH-48VJDnBNKHjIiUNweSja57RA/s1600/CanvieBlueBird.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
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He's a little lovebird isn't he??? I love the idea of painting birds that are not their true colors. In this case, this little guy has a green chest instead of brown, which I think makes him look much more interesting, don't you?</div>
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I've been daring to paint girls lately, and here is the result:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVhCsLIL09geztS22L62dWiN0sWdEKqLSLNmTM8BWux_owGHoTtFQukNc8RiY6-T3gIf7fJ547rFE0gpN_n_BNQhNttXH34dygSLjKh5G9giI-R06AUEllklcgVU8Nxusc3QksX_Za_EN/s1600/CanvieChicksRule4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVhCsLIL09geztS22L62dWiN0sWdEKqLSLNmTM8BWux_owGHoTtFQukNc8RiY6-T3gIf7fJ547rFE0gpN_n_BNQhNttXH34dygSLjKh5G9giI-R06AUEllklcgVU8Nxusc3QksX_Za_EN/s1600/CanvieChicksRule4x6.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
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I adore the colors of their dresses, which were done with Twinkling H2O's!!! I'll have to figure out a way to paint skin tones a bit better--the acrylic paint wants to dry up just as soon as I have found the right mixture of colors! Maybe I need to play with extending agents some more...</div>
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One more piece of eye candy to drool over!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaepwkTzzDeg_zapBBEccKIJUWJQVRhOb-B5_gEwWqIQ6wKuME97yCSr59C1VQtToWrFMGf6ANz41Qt_VJlydGGEYE_njKRF_AJzZRn1_5_Z-SDr38w7IfHlawWj5KRCgbSgHPyssx0OUB/s1600/CanvieLoveHopeLove10x10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaepwkTzzDeg_zapBBEccKIJUWJQVRhOb-B5_gEwWqIQ6wKuME97yCSr59C1VQtToWrFMGf6ANz41Qt_VJlydGGEYE_njKRF_AJzZRn1_5_Z-SDr38w7IfHlawWj5KRCgbSgHPyssx0OUB/s1600/CanvieLoveHopeLove10x10.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
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This one was created to get through some serious healing that needs to happen. It's pretty special to me for a lot of reasons. I hope you love it as much as I do.</div>
Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-44842722059814202582013-03-23T09:02:00.000-07:002013-03-23T09:02:14.768-07:00Sing a Song of Sixpence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj2dLBv7c3VWV7tOwYn1HGZBZBH-N9N6RL75PfZTdOlwag02ryVAP1Zo1rC3wmykpZpQ8_BBgis7fRi2EEz5LHQGDwxW5vs1ZQsNnT5DSXf5waEYhFRe9PSS6updXPc3J_0IAwmZ40PPZ/s1600/Nursery+Canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIj2dLBv7c3VWV7tOwYn1HGZBZBH-N9N6RL75PfZTdOlwag02ryVAP1Zo1rC3wmykpZpQ8_BBgis7fRi2EEz5LHQGDwxW5vs1ZQsNnT5DSXf5waEYhFRe9PSS6updXPc3J_0IAwmZ40PPZ/s320/Nursery+Canvas.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
I love nursery rhymes, and if they are set to music, all the better! My best friend from grade school is having her first baby this month and so I created this collage painting for her. It is full of all the things that make life sweet--lace, music, and letters. I hope you like it as much as I do!Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-15185610828666292272012-05-19T12:36:00.000-07:002012-05-19T12:37:41.012-07:00Latest Commission<br />
Wow, two and a half months have just flown by! I am excited to be nearing the end of my pharmacy residency and we're gearing up to move soon. I am in the process of finishing two commissions, one of which I can show here. (The other is too big to scan at 14x18 inches!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6AUVFWQcSdruYiuGwI8GMzQDF3MIYvQ9PBGc3_jQFEMGDqzBn7gL1uiZ7Tpbsqgvm6Kzw65ys1Lf6CeJeL3Jz0UgAGfWfIURyvyO8sFljUoM0Hp_Gxw8y0V6wR2hKXxPY1q_QRq5rTt5/s1600/Home+Tweet+Home+(2of3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6AUVFWQcSdruYiuGwI8GMzQDF3MIYvQ9PBGc3_jQFEMGDqzBn7gL1uiZ7Tpbsqgvm6Kzw65ys1Lf6CeJeL3Jz0UgAGfWfIURyvyO8sFljUoM0Hp_Gxw8y0V6wR2hKXxPY1q_QRq5rTt5/s320/Home+Tweet+Home+(2of3).jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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This pair of birdies are #2 and #3 of 3 canvases that were inspired by a photograph of a desert sand wren that my friend, Marybeth Farrell took. Marybeth is a photographer out of Joshua Tree, CA, and she graciously allowed me to reproduce her cute little birdie! You can find her original photograph at <a href="http://desertnanasdailyphotos.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">desertnanasdailyphotos</a> (it's worth checking out, believe me!) I find all of Marybeth's work so inspiring!!! Thank you, MB, for allowing me to springboard off your beautiful photography!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBjS-quA_8I2aX7ZxqL5SN-87fwLTsWycH9deg_oHVLrEA31-RmAOSLSPtuLPYkmob2pC0d1uOPLJvuo8XvkJYSzmUPx22KhAubgKI7YwdDPVZml1GItCEfEKjDCPKfNBEHMQwA-0Ir8o/s1600/Home+Tweet+Home+(3of3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBjS-quA_8I2aX7ZxqL5SN-87fwLTsWycH9deg_oHVLrEA31-RmAOSLSPtuLPYkmob2pC0d1uOPLJvuo8XvkJYSzmUPx22KhAubgKI7YwdDPVZml1GItCEfEKjDCPKfNBEHMQwA-0Ir8o/s320/Home+Tweet+Home+(3of3).jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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It's too bad the third piece, a birdhouse, was too big a canvas to scan on my little scanner. It is an 8x16" canvas and not even part of it would scan nicely, so I just left it off. Maybe someday I can buy a bigger scanner! The trio of canvases were commissioned by a friend, for <i>her</i> friend, who is decorating a whimsical room. The requirements for this piece were that it consist of a set of 2 6x6 canvases and one tall, thin canvas. It had to have orange in it, and it had to compliment the blue wall opposite the wall these will hang on. The blue wall had a white whimsical tree image on it as well. The subject and composition were left entirely up to me, but I know my friend loves my collage style. I took it and ran with it, and this trio, titled "Home Tweet Home," the end result! I LOVE the blended colors, the free-flowing scrolls and leaves, and the collaged birdies turned out so sweet! I'll never forget the magic "re-appearing" orange Shimmering Mist--a layer that I never expected to see again, which magically bloomed 3 layers later, with the application of matte medium! (You had to see it to believe it!) :-)</div>
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These two images (and several others) I will be sending in to a wonderful art studio/shop in McCall, where we are moving in a month, in the hopes that their jury will accept my work for sale in their shop. <a href="http://www.red6red.com/home.html" target="_blank">Red6Red</a> is owned by a gal named Megan Henderson, who designs and sells quirky-awesome mirrors from found objects. Her shop is full of hand-crafted furniture, textiles, jewelry and wall art--and I think my artwork would be a great fit! I will keep you posted on this new venture!</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-76699531592870086822012-02-20T14:34:00.000-08:002012-02-20T15:29:40.412-08:00Teaching Tatting<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I don't know if it is inspiration or sheer craziness, but I have decided to try and show a couple of tatting tutorials on my Ustream channel. I'd like to invite you to follow along, or even try your hand at tatting! Here are some of the tools you will need.<div><div><br /></div><div>First of all there are two type of tatting: shuttle tatting and needle tatting. If you have arthritis or if you already know how to knit or crochet, needle tatting is the way to go. If however, you prefer to learn the more difficult, old-fashioned way, AND you have a LOT of patience, shuttle-tatting might be in your future. The difference? You can do much finer work with the shuttle than you can with the needle, because the needle does not pass through your knots; you can use much thinner thread. With the needle, you can use a lot of different fibers, not just thread. Below is an example of a few motifs I have tatted using #10 white crochet cotton and a shuttle.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kIhV_ihmCa8h2B2OozPS8GJuR5-zcXxr8ayvKXrc6N2OG4byror5e51mIjZSBj0POqvC4Oi0DKN5tit5P4mTaPej3hE8QSMHYts3XaB0nsSAFtZklSvF0OuN_HJaRpuh-FLi1M_rS3UC/s320/Tatting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711352562637616530" /><div><br /></div><div>Thread: Lizbeth thread has been highly recommended to me, but really you should be able to make do with any cotton crochet thread. If you can find some that states specifically for tatting, all the better. Size 10 for beginners, and graduate to the higher (finer) sizes as you get better!</div><div><br /></div><div>Shuttle: I would recommend a bobbin shuttle for the beginner, otherwise you'll forever be winding and unwinding thread, plus fighting the tension if you're not properly unwinding. This is a picture of the shuttle I use and can be found at lacis.com:</div><div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; "><img src="webkit-fake-url://D7DCD6F8-1EF7-41B2-9C16-FCA974A8D3BE/mw02.jpg" alt="mw02.jpg" /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>There are lots of cons to trying to learn to tat using the shuttle, but I keep returning to the shuttle because of the fine work that you can do. (Or because I like to torture myself).</div><div><br /></div><div>Tatting needles: If you want to use size 10 or 20 cotton thread, I would recommend you get a size #5-0 needle. Sometimes you can find the single size needle by itself but I've only ever found it in a set (mine has #3-0, #5-0, #7 fine and #8 Ex. fine). Try Amazon, Overstock.com, and lacis.com, unless you have a specialty yarn/fibers store in your town! </div><div><br /></div><div>Interested in finer work using super-thin threads? I would hold off until you get the main techniques down, then use your size #7 fine needle for size 20, 30, 40 or 50 cotton, and your size 8 needle for size 50 and higher threads. (Remember, the higher the number, the finer the thread).</div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p></p></div><div>If you already know how to knit or crochet, it will take you no time at all to pick up needle-tatting. It's just another form of needle-work! There are really only a few different techniques, whether you are using the needle or the shuttle.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I'll put in my order for some needles, give everyone some time to order their supplies, and I'll stream a couple tutorials as soon as they arrive.</div><div><br /></div><div>The best part about this hobby? Even if you get the supplies to try both needle and shuttle tatting, you'll only have to shell out about 20 dollars, max! I hope you'll join me on my stream, even if just to see tatting in action. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-44212737608719936542012-01-18T17:47:00.000-08:002012-01-18T18:11:19.728-08:00Like tree-branches, birds and birdhouses? Why yes I do!<div style="text-align: left;">The muse has been smiling on me this week. What started as an experiment for my sister has exploded into a mini-series of related canvi. I have to give credit for the thought to my mom, who has been encouraging my art and my sister's quilting. I took a piece of fabric designed by Tina Givens and ran with the inspiration to create related art. I'll run these by my sister and see how she feels about them as complementary pieces for a room with a quilt by her.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP8Zs_VxgWoT4vj_r26z_fOGXpa0xdEyJNP9ghUL792bbcjWhRPw4tyT6-JjLQzynGBqu-3jkSkJvXICc-NFD0uRgSSReNmw2ium2SR7MY-DSmO33epqJ1MV2YomKrzlkYhK7u0ODHW_V/s320/Tina+Givens+fabric.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699155692319907986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Tina Givens Fabric that was the inspiration for the series</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The scanner didn't really capture the brilliance of the canvas, or how very nearly the colors are matched (probably the texture has something to do with it too). But anyway, below you can see one of the pieces that were based on the fabric above.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIi9aU4a9MgsoRqMu1VsU7kuAn7g4cvBwgQt-XpRT1zXBEtUpYU9Vg0hFfREhHj7qmOSnSIvMu-NhSXajjK0QYTHy9uItU2Ajo0jw06961iFOUCNYcM5QlkLBuCRjPOpfZ6FJKupHLyyP/s320/%252522Crooked+Birdhouse%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699154518937216018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Crooked Birdhouse"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the curved birdhouse, with its little peg and 3-dimensional roof. I'm not sure why the color came out so fuzzy. Might have to try reloading another picture. This next image I really love because the birds look so friendly. The branches work well too, framing the subject with grace and just a touch of whimsy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLU5s-IrgCYyDdnAOG7Us3MWGb2BQZRFXO6i4qv9tWq_FzuqADZj0GQRG9I-ekA2VBheaA0IRkp7y0TMHj-iuUyqPKGQR1XyL4iytGbyyaFJddzPH8L0Kuifrwi_0md-yxPexLgbqjGcV/s320/%252522Sparrows%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699154503745718402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Friendly Songbirds"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my online art friends suggested that I try different types of birds and different backgrounds, so I did, and the next canvas was the result. Unfortunately, I had the wrong setting chosen while streaming this, and that stream has gone down in history as the crazy twilight-zone stream, in which my friend Jean came to my rescue on Skype. The stream lagged a good half hour behind the chat, so no one could see what I was doing until much later! It was created using cream and blue acrylic, paper moth images (I just couldn't bring myself to call it Ranza's title), and walnut ink (for the cursive in the background and other spots).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRPeeGmB0dAYVyJGbr72VHJH1dQVwKHi169yJ_40kMxIHR8sck4P1jGwYjssaW5Nij4S7QeRecTAePfagkSuTs2D0TxjBMrxSP4D3ABARyhDN0FJO7nceu8KD3EYm72QG26VNFc5VUMY5/s320/%252522Butterflies+Through+Alice%2527s+Looking+Glass%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699154520243816578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Butterflies through Alice's Looking Glass"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks again, Jean, for all your wonderful help and conversation. I really owe you one ;) Finally this last piece was my take on a mountain bluebird, Idaho's state bird. I really hope I have captured the spirit of this beautiful creature! I was inspired to continue with the same branches theme, with the only difference being the bird is handpainted with acrylics. Thank you for stopping by my blog! Have a lovely day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA69UXKCcSRM6NcmDLgycvtRuhtGL_-5EmMvrcncAPYHug3p9JhkaSP5wtqpG5B_WyxBrulupgIv9MBsCQTkdstG5RnOqO2f1zWXNt08mffUMaWYkvai2zNierX3g5o-x_PLFiZM3kzLfU/s320/%252522Bluebird%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699154506662664674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Mountain Bluebird"</div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-12581179893921433562012-01-11T17:36:00.000-08:002012-01-11T17:42:45.592-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD1v957XJuzbwVYmvUNWFD2XCs7ZE4p7-wW3TovAV8O0s1A46NEsTl4zZgP0Cov20huuH9xXnpMz4bzK-LBt7ZSQnMZ9DmwlJQGBo_CBcV9Z5a6bPfw_3x62NLMcz3h6X9wyjq0SY7owg/s1600/%252522Smudged+Hearts%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>It's not often that it takes me two days to make a canvas. I am so excited I took the time on this one, though. I'm happy to say that Kim won it on my stream the other day, so she will be receiving this as soon as I make my way to the post office. The colors are inspired by Deb's postcard that I did the other day, which were greens and browns. However, when I got around to the hearts, I really though they needed some red, and then it struck me that a splash of white would be nice. I love the dark green--it seems to just jump right off the canvas!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXD1v957XJuzbwVYmvUNWFD2XCs7ZE4p7-wW3TovAV8O0s1A46NEsTl4zZgP0Cov20huuH9xXnpMz4bzK-LBt7ZSQnMZ9DmwlJQGBo_CBcV9Z5a6bPfw_3x62NLMcz3h6X9wyjq0SY7owg/s320/%252522Smudged+Hearts%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696553801448583426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">"Debonnaire"</span></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-5707168933180045332012-01-09T19:30:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:42:56.763-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdShtVPE9cx94JJlCFv_6N4GnBn1WNYegTidZtckMPWZPyhc24hswhv_fhzSxmQQ3AbBHXaTnNbSBpX90YJkYlxJX7tRN-ZR18v9NVNizIFS25IsyCcSzZyptOGGAm37xNCRjfHdk4g9T/s1600/%252522Texture%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>This is my friend Vicki's postcard, which I did today on my stream with some wonderful coaching from ArteDar. Thank you so much, Dar! I don't think I could have managed without your help! Vicki actually took the time to meet me down in New Orleans while we were there in December, and it was fabulous to actually get to meet her in person!!! I was so thrilled to be able to make her postcard today. <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQIa_h9L8_yJw7mUIbB-xZ5RxcrBm6IAjnJZOuLCZMbmx0CvJ5JrQQjGmxxPhrhUKWbHRFrQ_Q3_pZdWRbjH_GfYu7-VPBh386VlZvPUWy7UQF4oIRf1r3llZzkTIgIIRooxBv4JN6awX/s1600/VickiBR%2527s+Postcard.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQIa_h9L8_yJw7mUIbB-xZ5RxcrBm6IAjnJZOuLCZMbmx0CvJ5JrQQjGmxxPhrhUKWbHRFrQ_Q3_pZdWRbjH_GfYu7-VPBh386VlZvPUWy7UQF4oIRf1r3llZzkTIgIIRooxBv4JN6awX/s320/VickiBR%2527s+Postcard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695841744061726578" /></a><br />Today on my stream I did a wonderful study in texture, which my nephew Shane says looks like a storm, so I think that name will stick. I also did a drawing for this lovely green 4x4 canvas, which was inspired by Deb's postcard the other evening!<div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdShtVPE9cx94JJlCFv_6N4GnBn1WNYegTidZtckMPWZPyhc24hswhv_fhzSxmQQ3AbBHXaTnNbSBpX90YJkYlxJX7tRN-ZR18v9NVNizIFS25IsyCcSzZyptOGGAm37xNCRjfHdk4g9T/s320/%252522Texture%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695842048710525042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px; " /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">"Storm"</div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I think it really needs something in the center of the canvas, and I think it will be reworked a bit before it gets sent to the lucky Kim (Bups bups bups)! This canvie couldn't go to a better gal. :)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjJRc_GL03GXNkWFmk14ub4doIKKNbTwJopg-4LFn3Z3S7al-y2ewKbUwQVI0VXqFGb9HP0b0jlPcIFeXeoOElSLFm4DYT4lciy3MfKKbHBtg3bG9tToqZmZpyeKhC-s0Q7bxPtw6OhUT/s320/Deb-Inspired+4x4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695841754198018450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">(a work in progress)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">xoxo</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jo</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-46456885888836203892012-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:002012-01-08T18:34:12.864-08:00Good Enough<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ_R0zKpQ6sSjRRec1IMWoW_GNiRZZfjtN73EGp1u84qppIaC7UNIuDTi0qutAGW7ZsXfxj_vjcQrx8u946OmHNCnF2p2QXnSyjxkqJvxpN-5kcN6ty1bUx4VOVLR9hv_Na72hA9FLmnS/s1600/%252522Good+Enough%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ_R0zKpQ6sSjRRec1IMWoW_GNiRZZfjtN73EGp1u84qppIaC7UNIuDTi0qutAGW7ZsXfxj_vjcQrx8u946OmHNCnF2p2QXnSyjxkqJvxpN-5kcN6ty1bUx4VOVLR9hv_Na72hA9FLmnS/s320/%252522Good+Enough%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695453760213421954" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"Good Enough"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now and then I really struggle with feelings of ineptitude. I think all of us go through this same quagmire of doubt at some point in our art lives and I find myself encouraged by the words of an artist I highly admire, whose timely advice is: "listen to your heart for validation." (Thanks, Dar!) This piece serves to remind us that we are indeed good enough, and to keep on creating. Create for yourself, from the deepest part of yourself, and the rest will fall into place.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwa4jDlwi92rfgGoOuyCoyKURaxffvyM1A5klnU7PxyESMVSZBtnoJVnuvBqchwhDIuPN8jAIPENslbyIP2_syOGFWvtwJwHY20tT0JBmQ2zS8INmZ8444LzYrBuN-gq31YvMgrqDUJXz/s1600/%252522Good+Enough%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-23924510010364154752012-01-08T18:02:00.000-08:002012-01-08T18:26:20.788-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJFf4SOHdyk7BcIfCHazTAL2eEkhgIkasJVrxZSJFbG1YRnYhgTTEn_z446U11I2GoP8tpctye6iM86Cb3BmNyuD1I3_Rglnjxeq9wpfQouedbNVGYioTg4MOorYgHSIcLaZTF4CeKu_W/s1600/%252522Garden+of+Dreams%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMgawelNHvIw117Hgusv0il7UWf7GRtoYuA0WX8TKlvthjjKWGozhJGSlO_auw0ygcZPNXkIT_gflxZqRJsGqH3EJ1S7Bnli6f58M46ZYyhEGic0JmDcwt73zKLm12v2pAUzSucsV6ZcG/s1600/%252522Garden+of+Dreams%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSS-XiEFkmvFM4itgCvf1nYm16a6dE56ehuRfLgQmsFneTv2FBekIvfPAfQYebXSkCCAktTXYDdpavPIdsgSXk-aiX6Pj8ME7sNDbzn33adkVX3rxma8Kt4P4850E2P3DKJ5ZWQuIpsgb/s1600/%252522Garden+of+Dreams%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1ynbT9xvuOpsu8eRAn0gjlWQtCbn5slYqlTaTKoNN1ANnZgsl3qg1acRr_N_oZIuGo14PRvX2uNhDSVNHWucV9qVvwtqLOvSCZQP_3HHhme5hinvQnKhxEc9AphSZmCpJerHNAfzofWd/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1ynbT9xvuOpsu8eRAn0gjlWQtCbn5slYqlTaTKoNN1ANnZgsl3qg1acRr_N_oZIuGo14PRvX2uNhDSVNHWucV9qVvwtqLOvSCZQP_3HHhme5hinvQnKhxEc9AphSZmCpJerHNAfzofWd/s320/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695449908272063154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Roots"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruj5mg2XZUfEGuhTyWlhERmsSlCWy4Y0aYlcojG7VuMam6fsdRn9Z8ka9cPi_JnYDJV9DpZVFCSrAWKiznkgWgCO0sdDJMZw5VK-ou1ZCxsqYMCK8qBT8mU3Z24mr9odM3McKZdhuYOls/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BISrZ_k7NGbdixeXVG-hGRET8HdHjmz8xEHSWIqD_0hXThzrxvjsJDmqE6ZZYGnKDmOSBhfDN2DZL8xQMUSLsdpZJJRCsnzaxexxLnv9mQvrELoYs0ZlNb1D2N0FflgplO4VTQvTGKTD/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-RPBNbpfY24mjBqV4PeTD-itJ4C1UZJ4TuN1U3iXoACvAz15fA4SE5_QNuxc3OIZNXo2DWLcXnT2YCacSqgEC4CChc1xsfrFS9mjqDrVXnVGxphwxgipQiLJhupqQL28_RVxrUuDMNOt/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXzj5stEXhGB488t-130_3RbQT5lC_yInPyWEX7hr6RGzKRJuClyTMdYZY8gPnqS7hh2-mCOizCNlA73AwhQEsVKSY8ahuRQJ5U9tv-6YKDmgFC9OxF6-_m7P3z2GLIxAYVyk6CnNSDkd/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bhXOo6xTltshL5azfyaTVzZudv6K99Ti6WNV8F9_P4qEFNuZhy7NKRDUjSVPc1rNXA2gJSRRZGuEcitoavWortOuxlif2gvE4EiFWg2fMCTjKIagyCCinNpatiZo57rhiIHnoQDP_VxO/s1600/%252522Roots%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgqLSZbOm2_HIGQrh55Oz6DaXC_k32CTgdHWnss4U5Z3CehtkRUbhzZ0PUNzj-EqKwUdMXanM9yi6Dy2Mtat48BvrJcbU6Caa3ZJ6ApxZNEJDec_BacsG835tdUiWu7CzRXMBW_1Y8X0x/s1600/%252522Stars%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgqLSZbOm2_HIGQrh55Oz6DaXC_k32CTgdHWnss4U5Z3CehtkRUbhzZ0PUNzj-EqKwUdMXanM9yi6Dy2Mtat48BvrJcbU6Caa3ZJ6ApxZNEJDec_BacsG835tdUiWu7CzRXMBW_1Y8X0x/s320/%252522Stars%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695447521568884642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Stars"</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've been working on a trio of canvases inspired by recent wonderful events in my life. After nearly a decade of hard work, I have landed my dream job! Now my husband and I are feverishly working toward a new life in the mountains. We're getting our house ready to rent out, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and simply put, we're dreaming big! I hope these canvases capture my pure excitement. :) I am cherishing these days and realize they will pass all too quickly. This last canvas is called "Garden of Dreams."</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJFf4SOHdyk7BcIfCHazTAL2eEkhgIkasJVrxZSJFbG1YRnYhgTTEn_z446U11I2GoP8tpctye6iM86Cb3BmNyuD1I3_Rglnjxeq9wpfQouedbNVGYioTg4MOorYgHSIcLaZTF4CeKu_W/s320/%252522Garden+of+Dreams%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695452375885095202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000ee;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro5QlNRIOlYOAge0zC3WsWvxjEOb6hRGIIP5dL39z8vqvsIDDWyvS_21gwfgA_FHqgepCNFG8CR2aaRyG7G3aLaU3uW9RcjP1B6XotUf1QsSPcG1ly2c5jDsBRYwuJ-fvwiNwNdlYtDIP/s1600/%252522Stars%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUh4u1kl2rJgQqTpdBG58pCdCpimIo_lTOlI_kWFkp3bGsp2ZnoK3FUKcNiHmFODeUgi5qHxB6Ovfd1ZogwTDlg7jCPIqnQeKngk7-UMKA9z4KA_yrO4Y0h6wbigwrAa_CAfC29I7uM2v/s1600/%252522Stars%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-68770527617689734612012-01-08T17:44:00.001-08:002012-01-08T20:15:41.204-08:00Catching up and starting afresh!<div style="text-align: center;">"What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." --Shakespeare.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvzbeuRhI5gK-Jc5cwAXyXZX4UcJ8SzZ6VDOjke_cwF0tW3P_Q0Q6zX2OIcuJtoHNX2kdwaaWxIx3SzRsFk6kBM4uzmNn4xk-8ninzu8iKGoYHrnRcz4cHb6149-efiwGXD-YaLFn81nO/s1600/%252522Fleur+de+Lis%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8gssgVv5veaqWKalWojl-bed2kfGP_GxWm-w7EkAdYV_Pu0cTu82W_lFy3moPNvBbJSlnzAPlX4c7-p3BhnLIEi6VOb-kexmYr-3bDlXDnxlEmoL_BwaDj4dOPyneR6qY3vlR2Vrgzns/s1600/%252522Bloom%252522.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8gssgVv5veaqWKalWojl-bed2kfGP_GxWm-w7EkAdYV_Pu0cTu82W_lFy3moPNvBbJSlnzAPlX4c7-p3BhnLIEi6VOb-kexmYr-3bDlXDnxlEmoL_BwaDj4dOPyneR6qY3vlR2Vrgzns/s320/%252522Bloom%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695442381379905618" /></a>This is the first of many new pieces I have been working on recently. You might recognize this little 4x4 from one of my recent streams. If you haven't been by my streams, I would like to personally invite you to check out my mixed media arting adventure, live on Monday evenings, 5:00 pm Mountain time! (give or take a half hour.) Here is the link to my channel: <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jo946">http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jo946</a> Feel free to login (you must register first) and chat! <div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-TG8v-La5hGlbZG7rOMrKLCQNaT2YGTTHWUNNA7HRPZdRvDR8qreBdftC8RcshgYts44ma3Pwd2ViyOkvGnjeWDK1-B-3l8TnDF6XJ6vxd8ScLaKoDtANe3bOui-5zh9iK7xT3WZa48C/s320/%252522Brilliance%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695443703375047762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px; " /></div><div>"Brilliance," a 6x6, is one of my absolute favorites. This piece was done with acrylic, music, dictionary text, a white paint pen, and red/sparkly embossing powders. VERY sweet, and simple brilliance. I love the transparency of the flower and the texture of the embossing powder! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvzbeuRhI5gK-Jc5cwAXyXZX4UcJ8SzZ6VDOjke_cwF0tW3P_Q0Q6zX2OIcuJtoHNX2kdwaaWxIx3SzRsFk6kBM4uzmNn4xk-8ninzu8iKGoYHrnRcz4cHb6149-efiwGXD-YaLFn81nO/s320/%252522Fleur+de+Lis%252522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695444370709610626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">At the beginning of December, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans, LA, for the American Society for Health-Systems Pharmacists midyear clinical meeting. It was a fabulous time, full of great food, awesome music, and tons of fleur de lis! I was inspired to do some art integrating my impressions of the city and this lovely, warm and vibrant canvas was the result.</span></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-79691815327869268182011-09-15T17:19:00.001-07:002011-09-15T17:26:16.588-07:00Stress Relief<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLlqKdq6ihbkvkRU-x7lsy9cIOYUShTsDoVg8QhIblp1csRO-Pz_F3ggb0ITMFdyLo3FAKHze1_64jTo_GYQYTrO-0Q3C-WH7QTFJ34Iza6avlN5GxkaZiKUVuNjjSA0wUm_uj27sM9De/s1600/P1010152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLlqKdq6ihbkvkRU-x7lsy9cIOYUShTsDoVg8QhIblp1csRO-Pz_F3ggb0ITMFdyLo3FAKHze1_64jTo_GYQYTrO-0Q3C-WH7QTFJ34Iza6avlN5GxkaZiKUVuNjjSA0wUm_uj27sM9De/s320/P1010152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652747029096420626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzi6A4nhSWL3mwWutYJFfq5P0tvKk3HPdRCDCnAmgVTtfrIVVfW1ufKvPcu7O2Iz-I5gJcQqleYGXb5ojOjCDgNg6qu_DlYrM-2hfBuGsQ7T8_HJT7X0EX-1-_qM0RQVJV0WCixiHrUaD/s1600/P1010154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzi6A4nhSWL3mwWutYJFfq5P0tvKk3HPdRCDCnAmgVTtfrIVVfW1ufKvPcu7O2Iz-I5gJcQqleYGXb5ojOjCDgNg6qu_DlYrM-2hfBuGsQ7T8_HJT7X0EX-1-_qM0RQVJV0WCixiHrUaD/s320/P1010154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652746832501474290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ4LokYjHAh6BT8LvRLSYY0uSuC3pRQu51S_ZiszOv7KAqXW_9M5qj0Rn8ZqEaGiT2n4h9HGIzq2ua7VdTtyKpMvy9NBpX0cpnayPdWvS-lIch6OUvNXDBCql1jxdm8sMfxAZF5KzzHJR/s1600/P1010153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ4LokYjHAh6BT8LvRLSYY0uSuC3pRQu51S_ZiszOv7KAqXW_9M5qj0Rn8ZqEaGiT2n4h9HGIzq2ua7VdTtyKpMvy9NBpX0cpnayPdWvS-lIch6OUvNXDBCql1jxdm8sMfxAZF5KzzHJR/s320/P1010153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652746408086584866" /></a><br />New canvases. I am so stinkin' excited about the dragonfly!!! How very nicely it turned out. I made another because the first one was so much fun. The Beach Babe canvas was a great way to make the best out of a very long day. I honestly think her swimsuit still needs some twinkling H20's!!! The orange one...hmm it's different.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-85483151302052381922011-09-11T10:19:00.000-07:002011-09-11T10:30:27.172-07:00Vintage 3x5's<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQTpI9Mr9dajZFqsvYNwzZlD17zgX6zRzfSKjln05ILJzyCYyNrRHRH5k-pzmIsjs0JazB9E6MLaXJZIOM8hg8UPCLoHKSPVq_QKNfSziXwsuSUj7dfIBhMDdVq5X_6bn9qThrRBytdBeF/s320/P1010152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651155065268642546" /></div><div> I am posting the ATC (top) that I made for Marie in Quebec. I hope she likes it! It was inspired by her love for steampunk. The word, "ego," is a tribute to my favorite novella of all time, "Anthem," by Ayn Rand. If you haven't read it yet, grab it and settle down for a nice read. It's less than 150 pages and well worth the time! :)</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpBCRRXdxQsrnKBYc6UrNWlS3gADwNEDrAuZ_IFyxfxX-4EVDl9hkbww7AgB7gZHBt-U2k-LXyqBfQwi0Mmt07vKDzhkrw9kQz3mtYGbS2skx7ZDcpEFik0yCvB3KbKMszzMfo1G1m6bS/s1600/P1010154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpBCRRXdxQsrnKBYc6UrNWlS3gADwNEDrAuZ_IFyxfxX-4EVDl9hkbww7AgB7gZHBt-U2k-LXyqBfQwi0Mmt07vKDzhkrw9kQz3mtYGbS2skx7ZDcpEFik0yCvB3KbKMszzMfo1G1m6bS/s320/P1010154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651154440434652402" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Making these little 3x5 canvas boards totally gave me a sense of accomplishment! The text and music backgrounds are just the ticket for someone who doesn't have a lot of stamps. This project was an attempt to create my own style and get away from sheer mimicry. Thank you, RachO113 for the inspiration! It was also the perfect springboard for a productive Sunday! I will be finalizing my poster for the Sun Valley, Idaho pharmacy conference--no time for art today!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7soWDpnvbRGEqfH3-FA0gvwvBRSjDfxTBVCs5lol3-93yY2_3IQB3d7xphoUdsTfSlgASpRIvpLz3C-WVRuJ9ul7cEtq6xdb97al3xStycsxcu1NspInP52vLOu42OmBPMJeDLLqQtpL/s320/P1010155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651154123112077890" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-67427093885505457722011-09-10T17:10:00.000-07:002011-09-10T17:19:13.240-07:00August Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwNr3nVIioDntKJtI__12DQJUIbctPrdX8xFDIcNH5Ipv3KdzXHKH4LjIFD6o3zFD4nwUvcZffOYiVYVCCXgWw6PiypUGJ0dip8codxyd9w8OU_xBxnvwpxPe0qee3GAzQ7a4urvUiQ-Q/s1600/P1010155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwNr3nVIioDntKJtI__12DQJUIbctPrdX8xFDIcNH5Ipv3KdzXHKH4LjIFD6o3zFD4nwUvcZffOYiVYVCCXgWw6PiypUGJ0dip8codxyd9w8OU_xBxnvwpxPe0qee3GAzQ7a4urvUiQ-Q/s320/P1010155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650888217325557634" /></a><br /><blockquote>I spent the last month watching several Ustream artists and I think you can see how their colors and techniques have inspired my work. I have been trying to make my canvases mimic the color wash effect and I have been trying different techniques, such as the lace stamp shown here.<div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote>The lace stamp was re-purposed as a three-dimensional element for this piece, which isn't quite finished, I think. I hope to stream the final piece on Monday. It too is a teeny weeny 4x4, a format also inspired by my online friends. I love the blue and lime colors. If only I could get past the feeling that it has to be "perfect!" This is the most restrictive emotion in the world and never fails to freeze me in my tracks.</blockquote></div><img style="text-align: left;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsccl8Af_o7UfHCLmFh4dzI8HJAwhJ5Q5ZDLfGaSuzWmBWUF2mQ1hfoA5A433rOZP8IeoqlmOpIn54WMG9yM4nD_lb-HR3y7o8irFdtuottldHOkhSTwsAMgkegz5ARiUNm1mADXSnGp9H/s320/P1010157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650888863862468898" />Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-78494169458536149172011-08-04T17:59:00.000-07:002011-08-04T18:10:09.250-07:00ATC kick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFfkKnc4kWWxSR4Cgs6Rnl8e0AO5Dkc83eFFcmJwifGnSYdcZ9zBDBIv1o55xdGtkDcU0UmDSStl8E7ZdfX6wHNVEzpIedq4rcFyKbXpfNRmJWgIdI29qLUzFxpMbshVUxyX4knKqZ99N/s1600/P7170153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFfkKnc4kWWxSR4Cgs6Rnl8e0AO5Dkc83eFFcmJwifGnSYdcZ9zBDBIv1o55xdGtkDcU0UmDSStl8E7ZdfX6wHNVEzpIedq4rcFyKbXpfNRmJWgIdI29qLUzFxpMbshVUxyX4knKqZ99N/s320/P7170153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172930327921394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19uWXXNksXZ06pIJntn02-VpCmm3_o_Ai8Kaucx6eojNFrG_hzBWKqG8xwDzSEv8wQdnkgdDx54tCwHAuag46lnsx-PbZbBoj8Qh6Ncc4v-Fw11Fk97etikzSY632M7APmnrTjDpmrzdv/s1600/P7260153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19uWXXNksXZ06pIJntn02-VpCmm3_o_Ai8Kaucx6eojNFrG_hzBWKqG8xwDzSEv8wQdnkgdDx54tCwHAuag46lnsx-PbZbBoj8Qh6Ncc4v-Fw11Fk97etikzSY632M7APmnrTjDpmrzdv/s320/P7260153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637172449815600690" /></a><br />I haven't quite figured out what I am going to do with all these ATC's but I really love making them. Today was a rainy day in Idaho Falls so I think I will do some more to cheer myself up.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-28968580349388813652011-07-31T19:05:00.001-07:002011-07-31T19:23:10.664-07:00Mixed Media<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifymFZ2-fv2xPPIKtD-wD2WT-DLhZ9bEhMSUVX8GpLSfb3E5zU25PNqYTIiYjKrd9Y9pa1LZNDsHrp5a7b8WYXl723MNg4YTLnBYIG7wwbi07r7YAGOdIG8X3LOqvtBa7OZjjxujJiLWdL/s1600/P7260153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifymFZ2-fv2xPPIKtD-wD2WT-DLhZ9bEhMSUVX8GpLSfb3E5zU25PNqYTIiYjKrd9Y9pa1LZNDsHrp5a7b8WYXl723MNg4YTLnBYIG7wwbi07r7YAGOdIG8X3LOqvtBa7OZjjxujJiLWdL/s320/P7260153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635703991060571810" /></a><br />I've been on this amazing mixed media kick ever since I graduated, but I really think it's the accumulative effect of all those art-deprived years during pharmacy school kicking in. I've been buying new supplies, making great progress on some projects, and making artist friends online. My first ATC swap will be next month and I am so looking forward to getting some ATCs from all over the country! I've joined a Yahoo group to make friends and I follow a weekly mixed media Ustream show by a very talented UK artist, known as RachO113 on YouTube. Her work has inspired me all summer and the things I have learned by watching her videos have brought my art to the next level. I might try posting some things on this blog to try and keep it going. If you like what you see, please leave a comment--I'd love to read what you have to say.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-6842721217018710332010-03-01T21:22:00.000-08:002010-03-01T21:30:03.621-08:00Sleds and skiing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw4W2bh1MueIUFOspL7PpCsm5vD0SUOVFUd6WSrWI4EIO5i4ZP8xRmco71esu5nKRBYuVnj2m5f36e_M_JlK7dl9cw2QLWVp2c-kE9b6Waen_Cxiq5kaHLSP4cPFnCDPsXQoz56WEmYhA/s1600-h/Danny's+sled.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw4W2bh1MueIUFOspL7PpCsm5vD0SUOVFUd6WSrWI4EIO5i4ZP8xRmco71esu5nKRBYuVnj2m5f36e_M_JlK7dl9cw2QLWVp2c-kE9b6Waen_Cxiq5kaHLSP4cPFnCDPsXQoz56WEmYhA/s320/Danny's+sled.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443903632629715778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5gpfqCs2o3v64rjyvCdDe70OYyyP2nJ7PMZ3ThJqxfVysRwQqnL2duDybhZkopTSnlLR9TClpsDrkMFWhlDdnR7MvGI7hRwm2QGQBW_ZLa862s0CakuvvKWPaoo0Y8qK9ByGDoe_nIKP/s1600-h/Jo's+Sled.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5gpfqCs2o3v64rjyvCdDe70OYyyP2nJ7PMZ3ThJqxfVysRwQqnL2duDybhZkopTSnlLR9TClpsDrkMFWhlDdnR7MvGI7hRwm2QGQBW_ZLa862s0CakuvvKWPaoo0Y8qK9ByGDoe_nIKP/s320/Jo's+Sled.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443903618614053282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3wlI5gHYp58SyUIAQ8VzK5IzWwwG_Bb-KDkJvj7VWjYg2FGcHqbdxY__ogbcIJM5y3WcRwjPzkYyslzPtM1FGCqImfKwkw5ap0iPQvqNeLBpne5jL5ikOtYXICpAvT9llrLfqlsUTpaC/s1600-h/Skiing+Bogus.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3wlI5gHYp58SyUIAQ8VzK5IzWwwG_Bb-KDkJvj7VWjYg2FGcHqbdxY__ogbcIJM5y3WcRwjPzkYyslzPtM1FGCqImfKwkw5ap0iPQvqNeLBpne5jL5ikOtYXICpAvT9llrLfqlsUTpaC/s320/Skiing+Bogus.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443903606852265554" /></a><br />Danny traded a gun for one sled and paid less than $2000 for the other. Though they are old, they run well and are a total kick in the pants. My first day sledding, I thought I wasn't catching on very well, but my second time I felt much more confident. The worst part is the thought that the sled might get too hot--and to prevent this you have to go FAST. This allows the track to throw snow on the engine and cool it down. Problem being, going fast decreases the amount of control you have over the sled, so it has to be on a long, flat, straight stretch of trail. Riding a snowmobile gives you muscles you never knew you had, by the way! The picture of me skiing was taken at Bogus Basin on the Lower Nugget (a black diamond run). It was super steep--just look at the trees! But I made it down in one piece and I am very proud of myself! It might be time to start tackling more black diamond runs, too.Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-51687587411183259502010-03-01T21:04:00.000-08:002010-03-01T21:19:05.287-08:00ExhaustingWhen I was an undergrad, I once asked a pharmacist what to expect of pharmacy school. He said, "The first two years they try to scare you and the last two are easier." Well, he must have gone to a different school than me... This second semester of my third year of pharmacy school has been the most difficult semester of pharmacy school to date. I still think I've had harder semesters, but the thing is that this is the stuff I will use on a daily basis in my job. The pressure is on to learn--and learn well. On the schedule this semester are pharmacy law, CNS pharmacology, Capstone Pharmacology Recitation and Lab, and Capstone lectures. I have definitely decided that C's are a very good thing, since as long as I can keep getting C's I can remain in pharmacy school. I'm counting down to rotations which begin May 24th. Wondering when I can get some studying in for that, because the last thing I want to do is have that 'deer-in-headlights' look when asked what the mechanism of Byetta is.<div><br /></div><div>We've done a lot of fun things this year already...Danny has purchased two snowmobiles on Craigslist and we've been out on them twice now. It is pretty fun to be out and about in the mountains where there is tons of snow. I love snow! We've been skiing a few times and we've also spent a weekend in Sun Valley with Phil and Donna. Danny is planning a caribou hunting trip in Alaska for the beginning of September...we are both really excited about that. With all our travelling and studying, I've been unable to spend as much time with my grandparents as I'd like. I hope moving home to our Caldwell house in May will allow me to hang out with them more. Mom is in Guam until April 17th and I'm looking forward to seeing her when she arrives in Boise! Our cat, Lexie, is doing great. She has been a trooper with all our weekend trips. Danny is thinking of getting a puppy and I've expressed my reservations on that score--we'll be moving soon, we already have a cat, I like my couch whole, etc... Despite that, I think this is going to be one of those times when I'll come home to a puppy, a sheepish husband and the phrase, "it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission"... </div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8475766030627591386.post-17531114519258848552009-10-05T15:13:00.000-07:002009-10-05T15:23:27.848-07:00Shopping with Grandma and Grandpa on Thursday was fun. I found a bunch of binders and a couple of books at the DI and didn't find any clothes--it was definitely one of those "I hate shopping" days. We had lunch at the Sunrise Cafe which is right down the road from our apartment and then hit up the Goodwill store. I'm sure I could have found something to buy in the clothes section if I'd tried a little harder, but I just wasn't in the mood! After that we went to my favorite shabby-chic store, Zella's, who has shops both in Meridian and Nampa. She has super-pretty furniture painted in the shabby-chic style, but I know where she gets her stuff, and most of it is overpriced in my opinion. Maybe someday I will be able to afford some of that stuff. I found a great book-stand for my altered book projects--it is white. Grandma went to Grapples by the sugarbeet factory and found a really cute brass-looking one for five bucks!!! And I thought my $8 stand was a steal!<div><br /></div><div>Beth came over and helped me study today. It was really great to catch up with her. I am hoping we can do it again soon. I am also hoping to do really well on this test because it would be nice to get an A for once! </div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06897752131650016353noreply@blogger.com0