It's a start...

 I promised myself I would pick up a brush and continue on with this piece.  I'm not quite sure where it's going.  I'm depending on "her" to let me know!

Blue Birds of Happiness...

For some unknown reason, I am finding all kinds of reasons to delay finishing a painting I started before I had knee surgery.  

The last few days I've been making birds out of Kleenex boxes, cough drops packaging, cracker wrappers, bits of newspaper, wire, hot glue, Apoxie sculpt, and acorn caps. 

These are strange little creatures that make me happy.  I doubt they could ever fly!

My process

End Results

Now that these birds are finished - I'm getting my paints and brushes out and bite the bullet - get painting girl!!

...and the stockings were hung...

Even though it seems like every day is the same (tedious COVID-19) the time is flying by.  Hard to believe Christmas is almost here.  I worked on my Christmas cards a couple of weeks ago.  This year I chose to do a two-sided card rather than a folded one.  I had the cards printed at Costco - they are very affordable, great quality, and fast turned around.  

I kept Richard busy putting the return address labels and stamps on the envelopes.  

My intention was to have a little "fun" with COVID-19!

The great reveal:

Have a joyous holiday however you choose to celebrate!

"Waste Not, Want Not"

 Months ago, I received an Amazon order.  Inside the box was this wonderful stretchy paper packing material protecting whatever it was I had ordered.  I saved it thinking I could use it one day.

I wound the stretchy material around a dress form - made some quick (my first effort) origami flowers, a ribbon - viola - "my girl" has a new Thanksgiving outfit!

Happy Thanksgiving!  In these trying times, it helps to remember that I do have much to be grateful for.

It's a Wrap!

 I wanted to make either a small box or envelope to house the little 3x3 abstract art pieces I made last week.  Sometimes the wrapping takes longer to figure out and make than the artwork!

After several tries using scrap paper, I decided on what would work best.

wrapped up (the "tails" painted with acrylic paint)

traced my template on the wrong side of decorative scrapbook paper; cut out; scored fold lines

my template (red lines scored for folding); cutouts to insert tail

Painting Small

 I had knee replacement surgery on September 22.  Four rounds of daily knee exercises takes up a lot of time, but I do it because I know I will heal faster.  I can think of other ways to a have a good time, however.

I got so sick and tired of sitting in a chair, I knew I had to get into the studio and work on something small - something that I could sit down to do - something I could work on for an hour or so and come back to again later.

These mixed media 3" squares are done on 140# watercolor paper - it was fun to do.  I have a number of 4" round glass top tins which will house some of these little gems and be presented to friends as a thank you for helping me out so much while I'm stuck indoors.