aaaaahhhhh.....

Four nights at the ballpark has ended with a great weekend of softball tournaments. I have found enough time to paint a few more little paintings. I should be able to move onto large projects now.

Picking

Today I picked strawberries from my little garden patch for the fourth time in the past couple of weeks. This pile is going in the freezer since I've been picking more than anyone is eating. Having perennial plants that bear fruit is quite wonderful.

Unfinished

Maybe it is finished? I don't know? When a painting sits for a while, sometimes they are hard to come back to. Sometimes what I thought was unfinished, might be enough?

Hermitage

Hermitage is my optimistic or polite way of saying "leave me alone."

My little Lucky dog shares my affinity for digging. However, I do not think lying in a dirt hole is a cool thing to do. She does. Actually, climbing in a hole doesn't sound half bad these days.

After a long week of unexplained extreme agitation I needed some quiet solitude and found it in my garden. Expanding the garden and turning it by shovel rather than rototiller is probably not good for my recently ailed back and feet, but I don't care. I spent hours and hours and hours gardening this weekend. I am fatigued and happy. At one point my neighbor came out to see me working so hard and said "You should get Darrin out here to finish this for you." My answer: "No. He's not the gardener. I'm the gardener."

before and after. whew.

I'll be sure to share the progress of growing veggies: Broccoli, celery, peppers, tomatoes, onions, green beans and cucumbers. All squeezed in a little too tight as my strawberries continue to encroach the space.

The patio is my sanctuary. I should spend more time there, even if it's just for a few moments. Below: wild indigo.

Little bits here and there

Anyone who has been within earshot of me knows that "I am at the ball park four nights a week." I have realized that this does not mean I am overly busy and constantly running. Sitting at the park watching a ball game can be quite relaxing. (if it's warmer than 45˚ - brrr) Maintaining my creativity is challenging while I don't seem to have much time at home. But, over the weekend I freely sketched a variety of leaves on a large sheet of watercolor paper. Day after day, I find myself sneaking into the studio - even if just for a few minutes at a time - to put some paint down. Not finished yet, but progress.

While driving to the chiropractor today I thought to myself "where have I found the time for this?" Probably six hours a week, driving, sitting, and treatments. I am finally at the point of a breakthrough as I casually mentioned today that I should have told her from the get-go that I have severe foot pain every morning when I get out of bed. The first few steps are very difficult. And then, my feet loosen up and in a very short time I completely forget about it. Diagnosis: plantar fasciitis. This surprised me because every time I have heard about plantar fasciitis it has been long distant runners and specifically - heel pain. But, it's not just about running (perhaps playing "Just Dance" with the Wii in barefeet?) And it is not just about heel pain. The whole bottom of my feet hurt: arch, ball and toes. I'm throwing this out there to other people that might not realize an ounce of treatment could be worth a pound of avoided complications.

On one more separate note...I don't know which of my friends, who sat around the campfire here on Saturday night, brought the bottle of Merlot? Thank you. I am currently enjoying a glass of it. : )

Budding

Two more paintings.

6x6. Watercolor and gouache.

Back to Painting

6x6 acrylic on paper. Untitled.

Crafting cute little things is a joyful distraction, but I won't be satisfied without exploring nature, my abstract thoughts, and paint.

I'm Not Complaining

I'm not complaining, but Good Lord, how much more can I take? I guess it does sound like I am complaining because when I saw friends at the ball park today and they asked me "How are you?" my response is "Pretty horrible." After my twisted ankle felt good enough to run on, I ended up with a back ache. When I returned from the chiropractor on Wednesday feeling better, I started sneezing. Today I went to urgent care because this feels like so much more than your typical chest cold. I've had bronchitis that felt better than this. But, the doctor said my lungs sound good, so just rest and liquids. Maybe, I do just need to slow down and learn how to relax? I find it very difficult to let things go, but apparently I am learning. Because the house is a wreck and I am falling far behind on laundry. Doesn't really make me feel any better.

... but this does. I settled in and watched a movie with the girls. We had not seen the first Kung Fu Panda. I came away from it with this wisdom. "There is no secret ingredient. To make something special you just have to believe it's special."

On a similar subject, today Ellie discovered the joy of making button rings. She bought a little book and whipped one right up (then another.) And that inspired me to lug out the various large tins of buttons and start sorting them by colors as I have thought of doing for years. I figure it might slow me down to just sit and sort.

Note to self: Relax. Let go. Make something special.

Yesterday and Today - again

I won't bore you with lame excuses of why my Everyday in May posting is off to a rough start. Let's just say after 2 trips to the chiropractor (kinesiologist) in 3 days my back ache is feeling much, much better.

I did attempt a little mandala (yes 'becca, my flower was a mandala) I wasn't happy with it, but Maya really liked it. So, I finished it off for her with a lightening bolt on the flip side. Which led to other magical ideas with the Harry P font.

Ellie's constant web searching of puppy pictures made me think to try a beagle, although it needs longer ears and some minor adjustments with the nose and eyes. Still, a cute puppy.

Yesterday and Today

It is the 2nd day in May and not too late for me to decide to create (and post) something everyday in May. Last night I experimented with the little girl face in felt. Today, a modern abstract flower shape. As expected, Art Chicago on Saturday spurred my desire to draw and paint and make art. I thought I would toss the felt aside. Not yet. But, mention of an opportunity for a show (pop-up gallery) in June has my brain storming ideas of what I would like to create before then. It's not enough that I have enough to fill the space. When given a chance to show, it would be irresponsible not to take full advantage with fresh, new pieces.

The Flip Side

As I promised in yesterday's post -

the inside of the bottle cap charms

that I finished last night.

Charming

I fell in love with paper glaze after reading about it on How About Orange. And, I've been wanting to make some bottle cap charms for quite some time. Darrin thinks it's funny that I always save my cap. Well finally I have done something with a few. I've made these charms reversible with my little felt friends on the inside. Of the first two I made, Ellie wears the bunny and the blue kitty is mine. You'll have to wait for the reveal on the next seven. I just poured the paper glaze and they will have to dry overnight.

Happy Easter

Spring Time!

It's that time of year. Eggs everywhere symbolizing new life. This looks like a Cadbury chocolate egg, but no. This is a robin egg that Darrin found in the yard today. I picked it up and held it gently between the palms of my hands and got this overwhelming feeling that there is a fully formed live healthy bird inside. It cannot possibly hatch? I don't know what will happen here? I should probably move it far from the dining room table because, as I said, it looks like candy.

Sleeping Bear

Today I was feeling a bit crafty. I am not as happy with this little bear, as the rest of my wee little creatures. (re-posted photos following). Maybe this should be a week of many bunnies?

My TV Has Surrendered

It occurred to me that it is now April, and therefore National TV Turnoff Week is coming up. I had just checked the dates and was ready to get the girls all geared up for it, but we don't even have a TV now. Last Friday, Ellie was home sick from school. She snuggled up on the sofa with her pillow and blanket and cartoons. My mom was coming over to sit with her because Ellie has had more sick days than I could call off lately. As I was getting ready for work I noticed the TV turned to static and then went black. I thought Ellie had rolled over the remote? No. The TV died. It died. I got up and walked up to it to see if I could turn it on with the power button, but it smelled like burnt electronics. And so, Darrin immediately starting shopping for the recently coveted large flat-screen. I told him, "No hurry, I really wouldn't want a brand new kick butt boob tube just in time for the one week of the year that we don't watch it." Here we are, one week later, and we haven't missed it one bit. So here is one of many web pages to check out if anyone is interested?

Screen-Free Week - Commercial Free Childhood

April 18-24, 2011

The week has evolved into more than just not watching TV. No screens? The kids think this means you absolutely cannot use a computer. I disagree. No games. No surfing. Fine, but I will use it with discretion.

Following is my story of how it all began in our family. Please leave a comment to let me know... if you think the idea is absolutely insane and would not consider it.... if you think it's a good idea, but not personally interested.... or perhaps - I've never heard of anyone doing this before, but I'm going to give it a shot!

Why would anyone turn of their TV?

I've gotten used to the looks I get when I tell people that I don't have cable TV. It feels a little like I've just told them I am from another planet. But last year when I suggested to a few people that they turn off their TV for one week, they looked at me like I had just asked them to cut off their right hand.

My personal crusade started in 2003, when my four year old daughter came home from playing at the neighbor's house and told me it was "TV Turnoff Week". She informed me we needed to make a sign with and red circle and a line through it, put it on our TV and we couldn't watch TV for a whole week. My husband and I thought it was a great idea, especially since it was suggested by a four year old.

It was an eye-opening experience. Shortly before that, I had started working part-time to spend quality time with my two young daughters. I realized during that week that I needed to question the quality of time spent. Sure, we only watch PBS educational kids shows, but why was the TV on all the time?

The first few days were rough. Emotions ran high. I realized how often I used the TV to shut down emotional outbursts when I could not rationalize with a four year old or a one-and-a-half year old. I also used it to calm them down when they got a little too rambunxious. So the fact is, I was constantly using the TV to distract and sometime mildly sedate them. That is a sad fact. But, still in the first few days of "TV Turnoff Week" during those rough parenting moments I wanted very badly to give up and give in to the easy answer... "Hey look! It's Barney!"

It was a lot of work. I spent much more time dragging out toys, putting them away, cleaning up finger paints and other project supplies.

But, by the end of the week a lot had changed. I noticed a difference in my daughters' attention spans and imaginations. They began to play more independently and for longer periods of time. A new quietness had settled into the house. Everyone was more attentive. We didn't have to compete with the TV for the kids attention or talk over the extra noise. It was so fabulous I keep asking myself, "Why don't we do this more often?"

The truth is, we may have cut back a bit since then, but TV is sometimes more than a bad habit, it is addictive and a tough addiction to overcome.

The following year (2004) we missed TV Turnoff Week because I was not informed of the dates. The year after that (2005) I decided to look it up on the internet, to inform people and to invite them to participate. The next year, (2006) I hardly mentioned it at all because I feel my efforts are futile.

I had remembered seeing an article in the newspaper when I was in my mid-twenties about school kids who were challenged to not watch TV for a short period of time (maybe it was a week). The article was about a few kids who enjoyed it so much they kept going for months! I admired those kids, because at the time I was quite the couch potato. I thought perhaps those 10-12 year olds had more interesting and fulfilled lives than I had.

I do not want to imply that TV is horrible. I am not going to quote statistics that state TV makes people violent, obese or stupid. (All though in excess, I believe all those things are possible.)

I would like to invite everyone to experience the difference that I have experienced. And, I am not just addressing families with small children.

How many of us adults use the TV to distract ourselves from our emotions or shut our minds off from our anxieties? If turning off your TV could improve your attention span and imagintation, would you do it?

I cannot suggest that turning off your TV will be easy or make your life instantly more wonderful. But, sometimes the more difficult task is the most worthwhile and rewarding.

In the Now.

Sedum.

When I moved into my house 12 years ago, I wasn't sure about all the sedum that lined the north side, but I left it there because I also wasn't sure if I had a better landscaping idea. As years passed, I grew to love this plant. Hardy and succulent, it will grow in the poorest of soil/conditions and looks as green and lush through to the end of fall as it does when it pokes its first little sprouts from the ground. Not only have I left it there, but I've spread little sprouts to the super hot/dry south side of the house. Last spring I adored all the first peeks through the soil as they look like tiny green bouquets sprinkled on the ground.

So last year at exactly this time, I shot photographs. Then, didn't draw the little sprouts until I started the sketchbook project in the fall. And here we are – full circle. The sedum is now in that same stage of emerging. Today, I have sketched it in the Now. I have recognized drawing from the current season as a good idea, while contemplating how nature reflects many aspects of my spirit.

And, this reminds me of my water garden painting from 2 years ago (that I have not finished). It is an illusion of pattern. Random shapes are not really repeating, but comforting, just the same.

Toy - Illustration Friday

This is why they now make stuffing-free dog toys. Although, Lucky has so much fun, I keep buying her the ones with stuffing.

How did I get here?

Inspiration without discipline.

Lately I have been very inspired to begin a new body of work. This is not it. I have very different ideas than this, but when I showed up in my studio I felt too lazy to follow through. I can't explain it.

Doodling

Just the right pen can inspire a doodle. This was drawn with a double pointed calligraphy felt tip that I have had for a long time. Don't know what made me finally pick it up? I also enjoy doodling with a little watercolor brush.

Small Window of Time

Today, despite the fact that we are not yet experiencing spring weather on spring break - the girls and I took the train to the city to do a little of our favorite shopping. Ellie had lots of Christmas money that she has been saving for American Girl Place and the Lego Store. While she opted out of buying anything at American Girl, she wanted to find out if the hospital there would fix a cat's tail. The answer is "no, dolls only." Every time we go I say "I should work for American Girl," because, heck, wouldn't it be fun to design little play sets for dolls or crafty things for girls to do? I wondered today if it would feel like work as play or if play would feel like work? This small window of time was relished as I realized the girls are big enough to walk from the train down that Magnificent Mile (without whining), but they are getting so big that they will not be interested in American Girl much longer. We met with my friend Steve, who we delivered Girl Scout cookies to (the last of the 227 boxes!). He mentioned that they will soon be interested in other shopping sprees as he was happy to show them shoes that cost over $1,000/pr. Yeah, we won't be doing our shoe shopping on the Magnificent Mile.

Stir - Illustration Friday

Here is a very quick doodle for the topic of "stir."

Colored in Photoshop.

What do you expect from a chocolate lover

who also loves to bake?

Tired of Waiting

Forty five degrees is feeling like quite a lovely warm day today. I am so tired of the cold and snow that I snatched up these 4" pots of tulips at the grocery store. I have tucked them into my dining room planter box. They are so pretty they actually look a little fake and tacky.

Recycle Monkey

I have long been thinking of a craft that could re-use yogurt containers. As far as recycling goes, I would prefer to not use single serving consumables that are packaged in plastic, but I just can't avoid yogurt. If each of my family members ate a yogurt each day, we are talking 28 containers in one week! While we don't eat it that consistently, I'm sure we easily consume 14 per week. I originally thought of covering them with felt and decorating with embroidery to make cute little critters of all kinds. This little monkey is made from 100% recycle materials. (Just a yogurt container and 2 different cereal boxes.) I didn't participate in the "Trash to Treasure" show last year. If it is, in fact, happening again this year - I have an idea that includes many, many monkeys.