Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe that it is time to say farewell to 2013.  Where did the time go?

I'm always impressed with Mother Nature.  My Christmas cactus is blooming right on time.  This dear plant is about 6 years old.  It must be completely root bound by now and I rarely remember to water it, but somehow it manages to survive.

Best wishes to you for a New Year filled with love, hope and creativity!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Our World Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday

Whimsy Wednesday

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

Getting Ready to Party!

I love martinis - how about you?  During the holidays, I like to serve White Chocolate Martinis.  These are delicious.  I'm sharing my special recipe with you.

Happy New Year!

Linking to:
Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal
Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday
Simple Things Sunday

Sunday Snapshot 

Keeping Things Simple...

Things are so hectic during the holidays.  All the hustle and bustle can get in the way of what Christmas means to me.  This year I kept my Christmas decorations simple.  Small table top tree, pretty white lights on the lanai and scattered on a few bushes outdoors...my Christmas cactus is ready to bloom (how does it know?!)

A lovely wire dish filled with shells I have found over the years on my beach walks.  The addition of a few colorful Christmas tree decorations adds a burst color and sparkle.

"Portrait" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday

Monday Funday

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday

Whimsy Wednesday

I believe in miracles...

Christmas is a magical time of year.  Most everyone is happy - offering kind words and goodwill to strangers.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if that feeling could last all year long!

Merry Christmas!

Linking to:

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal

Photo Story Friday 

Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday
Simple Things Sunday

Sunday Snapshot 

Reindeer games...

The reindeer are being very naughty playing tricks on dear old St. Nick.  They left home without him!

It was fun to design a card using various clip art, brushes, frames, etc. from my stash.

Linking to:
Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal

Photo Story Friday 

Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday
Simple Things Sunday

Sunday Snapshot 

Beach Veil...

On my Sunday morning beach walk, I noticed this piece of tulle tied to a water breaker.  It was early morning and looked so beautiful...maybe a beach wedding the night before?

Original photo taken with my I-phone.

"Softly" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday

Monday Funday

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday

Whimsy Wednesday

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

The "Twins"

I have been working like mad to finish the last dolls for my trunk show.  (I never rush to finish anything.  I like the process too much.)  These two are totally out of control!

Introducing the "Boobsey" Twins.

(You would have the same look on your face if your boobs pointed in different directions!)

Please come and join in the fun.  December 11, 2013 from 5:30-7PM at The Artist's Gallery, 760 N. Collier Blvd., Suite 107, Marco Island, FL

Linking to:
Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal

Photo Story Friday 
Weekly Top Shot

Super Sync Sunday
Simple Things Sunday

Sunday Snapshot 

Christmas birds...

I usually make my granddaughters tiny doll ornaments for Christmas.  This year I chose to make them each a small bird ornament from fabric scraps.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday

Monday Funday

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday

Share Your Stuff Tuesday

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Wordless Wednesday
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Whimsy Wednesday

Katherine's Corner

Little Things Thursday

2 more...

Between cooking, drinking wine, cooking and eating, I found time to start something new...

I hope everyone enjoyed a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking to:

Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal

Photo Story Friday 

Friday Photo Journal

Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday
Simple Things Sunday

Sunday Snapshot 

Small Gifts...2

I love making gifts for the special people in my life.  Creating small things out of "nothing" is very satisfying.

Each ornament measures approximate 5" high x 3" wide.

"Music Chart" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Share Your Stuff Tuesday
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

The girls....

These two art dolls are now complete....let the show begin!

The Seamstress

 Jump!

Linking to:

Photo Art Fridays
Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal
Project 52
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Simple Things Sunday

Trunk Show...

I have been invited to show my art dolls at the Marco Island Art Gallery.  I have been up to my elbows in clay, paint and...for weeks now.

A trunk show is planned for December 11, 2013 from 5:30PM-7:00PM. If you are in the area, please come by for a visit. I'd love to meet you!

These two dolls are almost finished...hah!  Who am I kidding - there's still a ton to be done here.  I have a couple more ideas - not sure I'll have the time...

"Chapters" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen.

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Tuesday Muse
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday

Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

Plein Air...

I love watching artists doing their thing outdoors.  While I spend many hours everyday in my studio, I rarely go outside to create art except for my photography, of course.

There were quite a few painters out on the boardwalk.  It was very interesting to see how each artist set up their easel and paints.

Original photo taken just outside of Charleston SC.

Linking to:

Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal
Project 52
Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday

A Slice of Life...

Walking down the street in Savannah GA, I saw this gentlemen sitting inside a coffee shop.  The door was open - an invitation to take a photo!

"Extreme Grunge" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Tuesday Muse
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

Thank You!

A huge thank you to our military veterans.  Because of you we celebrate our freedom.  Also, Happy Birthday to the U.S. Marines!

Original photo taken in Charleston SC watching the Veteran's Day parade.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Monday

Door Bells

I always enjoy hearing the sound of bells when I walk through a door - it's a great way to announce oneself.

Original photo taken in Beaufort SC.

Linking to:

Photo Art Fridays
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal
Project 52
Weekly Top Shot
Super Sync Sunday

One Last Look...

We started the day downtown looking for Rainbow Row.  We'd heard about it and actually walked passed it yesterday without realizing it.  Rainbow Row is the name for a series of 13 colorful historic houses on East Bay Street.  According to some tales, the houses were painted in the various colors such that drunken sailors coming in from port could remember which houses there were to bunk in.

 

There are many shrimp boats in Shem Creek - just outside Charleston.  We found a large number of plein air painters there getting ready for an exhibit which opens on Friday - too bad we'll be gone by then.  It was really interesting seeing the different perspectives these artists had for the same scene.

Topaz filter added to original photo of these shrimp boats

This is the Angel Oak tree.  It is magnificent!  65 feet high; 25.5 feet circumference; 17,000 sq. feet of shade; largest limb has a circumference of 11.25 feet and length of 89 feet.  It is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old.

Richard is so lucky.  He can eat sweets every day and not gain an ounce  I wish I could say the same for moi!!!!

"Finale" texture courtesy of Kim Klassen - very appropriate since this our last day in Charleston.  Tomorrow we head for home.

Linking to:

Texture Tuesday
Sweet Shot Tuesday
Tuesday Muse
Wordless Wednesday Bloggers
Wordless Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday

South of Broad

Roamed the streets of Charleston on this fine November morning.  The weather is crisp and sunny - perfect!

Plein Air Artists

Both clocks found on Broad Street.  How do sundials know about daylight savings time?

An example of the historic homes here

Ah, yes, Life IS Good!

Farewell to Beaufort

There is so much more to see in Beaufort, but alas we leave today for Charleston.  We'll just have to come back one day to see what we missed here.

This morning found us wandering around town map in hand photographing homes in the historic district.

The original owners of this historic home sitting on the front swing!

If you have seen the movie "The Big Chill," you will recognize this house.

 Drive over to Hunting Island State Park for a walk on the beach.  This is one of the tallest lighthouses I have ever seen.

On to Charleston :-)

Linking to:

Super Sync Sunday

Beautiful Beaufort

We will spend one night in this gem of a small town in South Carolina.  The skies have been overcast most of the day.  The temperatures are mild and there is a breeze.

View across the street from our B&B.

The North Street B&B where we are staying

 

There many large antebellum homes in this area, but many smaller homes too.  I just love seeing laundry out on a line.

Fountain and garden behind a huge house overlooking the water

View from the park located in the center of town.  We'll explore where that bridge leads tomorrow. The center part swings open and revolves to the side to let large vessels pass.

Beautiful people live here too!

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Weekly Top Shot

Halloween in Savannah

Like everywhere else in the US, there will be a lot of partying going on in town tonight.  We may be brave and hit some of the bars on River Street - dressed up as tourists!

Pretty pumpkins on the steps

There were a number of ghouls and goblins running around early today.  (Can you guess which one of these characters is my husband?)

The students at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) do not have classes on Fridays...I'm sure they will stay up late tonight having a good time!

Artist, Sue Nichols, in her gallery - she took her angel wings off because they were getting into the paint she was mixing.

Linking to:

Friday My Town Shoot Out
Friday Finds
Friday Photo Journal

Savannah's Southern Charm

Another perfect day.  The people here are friendly and hospitable.  Everyone we saw said "good morning" or "hi y'all."

We met Savannah Dan at 10AM.  He's a wonderful tour guide with a great sense of humor.  He had tons of stories to tell and knew his history.  The walking tour took about 2 hours.

Savannah is very tourist friendly.  DOT (Dept. of Transportation) offers free shuttle bus, ferry and streetcar rides.  We rode the shuttle bus yesterday; the ferry this afternoon.  Tomorrow we'll hunt down the street car.

This glorious fountain is situated in Forsyth Park.  The park began in the 1840s when 10 acres of land was donated for public use by William Hodson.  Governor John Forsyth expanded the park to 30 acres.  In 1851, the fountain was built in Forsyth's honor.

The Candler Oak is a live oak tree and is thought to be one of the oldest landmarks in the area.  It is about 300 years old.

We walked a lot of miles today and rewarded ourselves with chocolate shakes.  Leopold's Ice Cream is really, really, really good!  (Ask Dan - he recommended the place!)

The shake is so big it didn't fit into one glass!

Linking to:
Katherine's Corner
Little Things Thursday