Changes, Decisions and an Invitation

I love blogging. I really do. Having a blog has allowed new windows to open in my world and new friends to be found.

I've had many evenings, of late, where I've slapped my forehead and said, "I forgot to blog!".

My life has suddenly become quite full. The boys are getting older, I'm taking more leaps with Anna K. Originals, and now *gulp* I'm going back to college.

That's right. This over-thirty momma is going to college!

I'm almost finished with the application process to be accepted into the Art Institute of Pittsburgh's Online Digital Design program. It's a one year diploma program and I'm stoked about it, but nervous at the same time. Classes start very soon...

So, here's the thing. For the time being I think I'll be blogging exclusively over at my Anna K. Originals blog. I hope y'all will stop by and visit me....

After all, the welcome mat's always out over there, too!

Instead of our regularly scheduled programming...

Exciting news to share over at Anna K. Originals {blog}. Click on the art above to check it out!

Big Announcement...

Anna K. Originals is up and running! Complete with handmade elements by yours truly. I'm so excited!

The amazing Darcy from Graphically Designing is, of course, the lady behind the design and technical wizardry. I was a little intimidated at the idea of managing a Wordpress blog, but she walked me through the dashboard and answered all my questions...yes, even the slightly silly ones!

Have I mentioned that I'm excited?

"Think and wonder, wonder and think." ~Dr. Seuss

I've done a lot of that over the years...haven't we all? Those moments of thinking and wondering about a dream that's rooted in our hearts.

What if?

How can I?

Oh, it would be wonderful if I could.....

When I was a little girl I'd dream of being a veterinarian or a teacher or (you guessed it) an artist. I'd tucked away the dream of being an artist in favor of pursuing more practical goals...y'know so I could make a living for myself. Girl's gotta eat...and buy pretty shoes! After Mom passed away last year, it really sank in how short life is. I kept thinking that I hadn't had enough time with her. There was so much more I wanted to talk with her about, laugh with her about, dream with her about.....

In my heart I think it was the Lord that led my Dad to suggest making a small studio for me when the Hubs and I were remodelling the kitchen. And so, the spark of my girlhood dream was rekindled. With my Hubby's encouragement, the flame began to burn brighter.

I began to allow myself the right to make that dream become reality. Tough thing for me to do.

However, I'm always inspired to reach further, create more and dream freely when I'm faced with the loving support of my family.

The art you see above this post is a glimpse of things to come and another step in my journey towards pursuing my dream of becoming an artist.

Anna K. Originals is getting a new look!

New Art~

No, I haven't lost my calendar. I'm just excited about some of the mini-paintings that I've done for Christmas and I couldn't wait to share one with y'all! Some will have their own mini-easel while others, with the addition of a ribbon hanger will become ornaments. I'm pretty sure that a couple of these might make their way onto our tree...or in a wreath...or-- Well, you get the idea!

The crown has been finding its way onto my doodle pads and paintings, lately. Every year I'm drawn to a particular object or symbol when I'm thinking about Christmas decorating. Snowflakes, the Moravian star, etc. Sometimes I'm in sync with the trends of the season but, more often than not, I'm on a different page dancin' to the beat of a different drummer.

Well, thank you for letting me interrupt your regularly scheduled Summer program for a Christmas special!

Inspiration and Breathing

I once looked up the definition of inspiration and, interestingly, one of the definitions was "the drawing of air into the lungs". As soon as I read that I stopped. I drew in a deep, deep breath.... and slowly released it.

I felt reinvigorated and somehow, at the same time, more peaceful. It's amazing what a truly deep breath will do for you isn't it?

The last few weeks in the wake of the Hubby's shoulder surgery I've found it difficult to find, not only time, but energy and inspiration to dive back in to my painting and creating. This is a big prob for me, y'all! My art is my business and, more importantly, a vital part of who I am and a great way for me to unwind. I missed it greatly and was searching for that inner spark and inspiration for my next creative projects.

Then it hit me. I needed a deep breath.

So I paused and breathed deep of my favorite inspirations that I'm surrounded by~

• the smiles and laughs of my family
• spending time chatting with the Hubs...he is my best friend, after all!
• praying for those I love and even a few I don't! ;)
• reading
• music and singing
• grabbing my camera and trying new things
• books, mags, blogs, websites that make me wanna grab a paintbrush
• raising my head from the task at hand to notice the beauty in my world
• writing messages on my little chalkboard in the kitchen
• I tried to do something creative everyday...take a photo, blog, bake something special, doodle or draw, research a new technique...something!

What do you take a deep breath of when you need to refresh and recharge?

Paint With Me: Smear

I almost didn't finish this, but I was determined. Especially since I've missed out on my fave link ups lately (Mono Monday and Sweet Shot Tuesday).

Heather's theme for this week's challenge was "Smear". Hmmmm....after I got the image of myself smearing glorious amounts of paint on a giant canvas (and wouldn't that be fun!) I decided that maybe something smaller would be better. Y'know cause the neighbors may not enjoy the sight of me cavorting, paint-covered and giggling madly as I fling paint at a canvas in my driveway. My studio isn't big enough for a large canvas, you see. There is a smidge of method to my madness after all...just in case y'all were wondering.

Anyway...

Everything on this canvas board is either smeared or spattered....well, almost everything. I only used a brush for the swirls in the star's wake and a pen to outline the star a bit. This was a lot of fun and I loved that the challenge was a little outside the box. Thanks, Heather!

Have a wonderful Thurday!

Craft Show Photo~

As promised, I did get my hands (laptop?) on a photo of my tent display. Well, part of it, anyway!

I'd already sold a few things when this was taken so some things are missing, but you get the idea.

Big props to the Hubs who was a whiz at getting the tent, etc. in working order and to Dad who was a huge help in so very many ways...including coming up with the wonderful idea of using my folding display easels and "s"-hooks to hang my art from my shutter screen. Brilliant!

This wasn't the whole tent display, but I did want to give y'all an idea of what it was like.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made...The Remix

This piece was a commissioned work for a lady I met at my recent arts and crafts show. She told me that she's known for giving "great, unique gifts" to her family and friends and that I was her new gift-giving muse (well paint me flattered!). She wanted my original, "Fearfully and Wonderfully" but was unsure about it because the skin tone is quite light and the friend that she was purchasing it for isn't. She expressed her desire to have a similar work made but with a skin tone closer to her friend's.

Thankfully, I'd been wanting to paint some ladies of different ethnicities and this was the perfect chance! I'd already been experimenting with different looks....

She sent me a photo of her friend so that I could get an idea of face shape, skin tone, etc. Her friend was lovely with this cute, short haircut. I got busy creating and what you see above is the finished product...or different views of it, anyway.

This was my first commissioned piece for a client -I've done things for family before- and I was nervous about how she'd react. She loved it! Then started making plans for more...I was sooo relieved!


I'm not sure how long I'll keep doing commissions but, for now, it's doable. And fun!

Sweet Shot Tuesday

"Brush in my hand

Faith in my heart."

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1

Many thanks for stopping by! I've so enjoyed meeting you all and seeing your photography talents so beautifully displayed in your Sweet Shots. Looking forward to more!

A soul that sings...

"It's in quiet moments

that her heart

sings the loudest."

In quiet moments, my heart sings of love and faith. Melodies lift and soar while harmonies intertwine, singing of a soul that's loved and forgiven...even if it's riddled with imperfections.

Artful Vocabulary~

verb-

to have great pleasure; take pleasure (fol. by in)

I find delight in bright Spring days and the sound of my boys' laughter.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

From my brush...and my heart.

"Something Beautiful"

Yes, you are.

Let the countdown begin!

I have phases when it comes to having scads of stuff that needs to be done. I begin with list-making and organizing and, depending on how much I've got going on, can rapidly move right along to the "So this is what it feels like to have a mental breakdown" part of the show.

It just hit me today, for some reason, that Easter is next Sunday.

NEXT SUNDAY!

Not one Easter basket has been filled, no menu for the after church lunch has been agreed on....nothin'.

On top of that, the In-Laws are coming down the weekend of my very first arts and crafts show. So the Hubs and I will be cleaning up and getting everything (and I do mean everything) ready for both the visit and the show. We did talk with the MIL this evening and she graciously offered to take the boys for the day while the Hubs and I are at the show. Honey, we snatched that up fast!

On the fun side, I've started printing off and packaging prints. *sigh* They're so pretty. My next big thing is printing out notecards...I've already had a realtor friend ask me to let her know when I get some done because she wants a bunch.

Even though I prob'ly sound a little manic in this post, I know that everything will work out. If the house isn't spotless or I don't have a picture perfect Easter meal on the table come Sunday afternoon this is what I know we will have~ Open hearts and arms to welcome those who come through our door and into our lives. That is far more important to me.

So I've been a little distracted lately...

The Hubs had not one, but two deaths in his family recently and went to be with his family to lend a helping hand.

E-man's birthday is this weekend -he's turning 1!- and we've been struggling to put away the mountain of stuff the Hubs brought home with him (about a hundred ceramic houses, some vintage train sets and other train layout goodies) before the party this weekend. We've since given up on getting the madness under control and are having the party at Dad's house instead. Thanks, Dad!

Lots of research and planning for the biz, Anna K. Originals. All in between painting and figuring out how my new-fangled printer works. I have a craft show coming up on May 1st and the In-Laws will be visiting the last few days in April. I'm trying to get everything done before they visit so that I'm able to see them and not be holed up in my studio. That may be a stretch for me, but I'm gonna try! I just got my packaging stuff in the mail this week and I'm all aflutter.

Have a great weekend everyone and, yes, I'll have lots of pictures of E-man's 1st birthday to share!

Peace~

In dreams,

her heart & her mind

kiss

and make up.

Who knows the depth of her heart?

Family before Blog~

I've been feeling a pull lately (for the last couple of months, really). A pull to take Everyday Occasions in a different direction. After reading this beautiful post by Darcy (who designed my blog, by the way) about her business bringing more exposure to her personal blog and, as a result, her family, I knew I had to share my feelings with you all.

With the advent of my business, Anna K. Originals, getting underway (just waiting for licenses to be approved) my contact information will be floating around for anyone to see. This leaves my boys and the Hubs vulnerable.

I, as a wife and a mom, have to think of their safety and dignity and, ultimately, their happiness.

The Hubs, who is going through some health problems right now, needs to be left some semblance of privacy and dignity. The Bubs, who is getting older, is becoming increasingly aware of what I post about him...with that awareness comes the very real potential for him to be uncomfortable or embarrassed. They are all so precious to me and nothing is worth them being made to feel uncomfortable or put on display just so I can have a blog post.

Does that mean Everyday Occasions is going away?

No.

It's just time to take it in a slightly different direction...maybe a photoblog, of sorts. I'm still working on ideas but, come what may in the next few months, I hope y'all will continue to stop by and share with me. I know you'll understand that this decision comes from a mother's prayerful heart.

My heart sings...of what is up to me!

I often wonder what my heart is singing out to those around me.
Am I singing out about love? Wisdom? Hope?
Or has my heart's song become one of anger, hurt or discord?
I'm hoping that the melody my heart is singing along with is one that is finely orchestrated by a loving and compassionate Heavenly Father...who is always patiently waiting for me to hand back His conductor's baton when, out of fear or a need to feel in control, I've snatched it out of His hands.