Nutcracker Anyone?

Cute Squirrel Christmas Humor!!!

If you are like me, you either feed the squirrels or you have someone in your family who does! And this little guy will definately make them smile through the holidays!

Perfect gifts for a squirrel lover are now available in my Cafe Press store!

Gifts for 5.00 on up to 40.00! Magnets, t-shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, and lots more available!

Preparing for Christmas!

I am done with my must do items and finally can get started on preparing for Christmas! It's relief and none too soon as I promised to paint all my greeting cards this year. It's a resolution I've kept so all the birthday and anniversary cards I sent this year have been 5 x 7 watercolor paintings.

I've started the Christmas Greetings and here are a few samples...I just need about 40 to cover my list!

On the Cliff


Holly


...To the Woods


Creek Melt


A little Fog, a little Snow...
Happy Christmas from the Oregon I know!

I have added a couple original greeting cards to my Etsy shop.
Just in case you're looking for a little something special.



Winter Greetings


Winter Greetings 2

You know I'll be painting for the next several days...Oh, and cooking a Thanksgiving Feast.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

New Christmas Card

This is my newest Christmas Card Design. This one is personalized to my fellow DAWG members, & you can get your personalized too. You can have your name added, someone else's name, or even your business name. Or if you just want general cards, those are available too. Need one for family members? Lots to choose from!

Hope you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Just Visit Tam Moody Greeting Cards today!

New ACEO Cards on Etsy

For Sale on Etsy

Artbylisak

New Kristy Kringle Santa's Little Helper

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17553877

Peggy Pilgrim Thanksgiving Girl ACEO Bountiful Holiday Sale

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=17528291

Personalized Betty Boop Note Card Set

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8710988

These make great gift ideas!!

Other Great Items on Sale with The Bountiful Sale Going on, Check out all my items! Thanks

Dawgs "Quilting For A Cure" Charity Auction

Our DAWG Group has finished our Quilting For A Cure quilt!

It is now available for auction on Ebay!

100 % of proceeds will go to

Susan G Komen Cancer Research Fund!!!

Stop by and place your bids today!

Lady Bug Couple miniature oil painting

Good Morning
The lady bug couple are discussing what to buy everyone for the Christmas holidays. The Dawg group has lots of art for your fancy. Just check out our blog and web sites for the beautiful original art we have for sale for YOU...
I have a blog http://barbsgarden.blogspot.com
Please check it out and sign up.

Thanks
Barbara

Personalized Hand-Painted Christmas Ornaments

Hi All! I'm blogging a little ahead of time, since I will be out of town tomorrow... hope that is ok!

I wanted to share some of my hand-painted, personalized Christmas Ornaments... as it is getting so close to Christmas already!!! Time flies. I paint people, places, pets, pretty much anything I'm asked on the ornaments and I personalize them on the back with names and the year. They make a great personal gift for Christmas, birthday or just anytime during the year.

If interested in ordering a personalized ornament..... email me at eahannah@hotmail.com.

November 17, 2008

Good Morning,

Hope you are all doing well and getting in the Holiday Spirit. I have been working on a few holiday items and have become involved in a group sale on ETSY.

The sale is called The Bountiful Holiday Sale and it started on November 1st. and will go until January 1st. There are quite a few artist involved in this Sale, some of whom belong to this group. Each artist has a different promotion in there shop. Some are offering buy one get one, others have 25% to 50% off, some have reduced prices, and some are offering free shipping. In my shop I am offering buy 1 get the 2nd of equal or lesser value for ½ off the price. You also get free shipping and a custom-made kitchen magnet. The magnet was made from a reduced print of one of my original works.

To see a complete list of shops involved and to read more about the sale you can visit:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5883059

or check out the Blog at:
http://bountifulsale.blogspot.com

I believe that it is imperative that a person should promote their art as much as possible. A great way of promoting is to become involved in some of the threads in the forum section of ETSY. I have found a thread that is kind of neat. You pick a shop that has commented in the thread and visit it. You then post something you particularly like in the shop and then they will post back. It is a good way of getting people to really check out your shop and see what is available. The thread can be found here:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5897244&page=10

These are just a couple of the things I have gotten involved with and they have helped produce some sells for me in the last couple of weeks. Give them a try everyone is welcome to join in, consider this an invite.

Here are a couple of ACEO’s that are in my sale:

'White Lies and Custard Creams' and other stuff

Most people I know who paint also do other creative things. They play a musical instrument or sing, or they are amazing cooks or they craft things or carve or sculpt or knit or crochet - any number of other creations stream from their fingers. I write. I write anything, but I prefer to write fiction. Below is the front cover of my novel.



My novel is ready to entertain - to while away a few hours - to take you away from the world's miseries if only temporarily.....

It's here: Click here for Susan's novel

And here's the back cover - you can click on it to enlarge it and read the blurb...



Tammy Moody who wrote of my novel: "Wow! One of the best books I have read in ages!I couldn't stop reading from beginning to end! This story has it all- warm wit, humor, romance, & quirky characters -all centered around an action packed, riveting tale that is sure to please right up until the very end! I absolutely will highly recommend this book to all of my friends and family! Hats off to Susan Alison on this one! I can't wait for more books from this talented author!" - (and I hadn't asked her to!) - paints wonderfully and produces loads of greeting cards, too. You can find her art here on various items perfect for giving as gifts: http://www.cafepress.com/tammy_moody and for her cards try here: http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/Tam_Moody_Greeting_Cards - everything you need under one roof.

Also, Marlene Hawkins said about my book: "It was so refreshing to read a book that wasn't all evil, death, melodramatic, or ties you up in knots, etc. though it did have those elements to some degree. It is just the right kind of book to take you away to a place that holds your interest, where you can just be entertained and enjoy and clear your mind of everyday troubles." Thank you so much Marlene! Marlene has some lovely items in her shop on etsy - go here: http://www.lazyhawk.etsy.com - she does jewellery as well!

I hope I've put those links in right.

It's seldom you find an artist who only paints - they so often do other things too. Everyone has a talent for something, although sometimes it takes a while to work out just what that something is - just keep trying things til you find yours.

Tam Moody Christmas Greeting Cards

Hope to see you at my Greeting Card Shop!

Duck in Willows miniature oil

This oil painting is done on a gallery wrap canvas and is ready to hang. The sides are painted like the green willow trees. The painting measures 6"x4" and is available for purchase.
http://barbsgarden.blogspot.com

Thanks for looking
Barbara

Elizabeth....now on Ebay

New on Ebay "Elizabeth" on Auction....Watercolor ACEO....a litle victorian lady very dreamy eyed..........here's the link to the auction

Also visit my Etsy shop Painted Panache on Etsy. for more ACEO's, art and hand painted china

What's the Weather Like Where you Live

Well I live in Tennessee and we have had beautiful weather up until this week. 70's and wonderful Fall foilage!! Here is a few photos for you to see of where I live. I am blessed to live among this wonderland during the Fall. One great thing about where I live is there is different scenery with all the Seasons! It has been like a blast of fire explosion among the trees over this last week. Oh what beauty! If you take forgranted what God has given us to behold with the different seasons and scenery, maybe you are taking life too fast and you need " to stop and Smell the Roses" so to speak!

It won't be long now before Winter takes over here in TN. This week the leaves have nearly fallen all to the ground and dreary skies approach. Oh but I love these days it makes Thanksgiving and Christmas more real to me. I love snowy days to set the seasons going! The ole song, Christmas Times A Comin' plays in my head. Oh when our snowfall hit I will share those photos with you too! Take time to look around you and see what God has to share with you! It moves on way too fast, especially as "I" grow older! for sure! I look back and I say where did all those days go, gone! So tomorrow when you step outside take a moment and breath in God's Goodness and Say Thanks!

A Story Worth Passing On

I just had to share this story with the readers- it is one worth reading. It makes you think for sure! It holds a very special lesson for us all!

Robby's Night True Story Worth Reading !!!

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines , Iowa . I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons-something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability.. I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught some talented students. However I've also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel but he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn. Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, 'My mom's going to hear me play someday.' But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in. Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else..... I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching! Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital.. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing 'Miss Hondorf, I've just got to play!' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer.' Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed, then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. 'Why didn't he dress up like the other students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?'Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo. From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age. After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? ' Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Hondorf, Remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning and well. .. She was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special.' There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy . . Of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil for it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why. Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995.

To Be or Not To Be

Many people cringe at the thought of joining art groups. I don't know how many times I have heard fellow artists say that they are not into the whole group scene. But being in an art group has many good points!

At one time or another most of us have felt awkward about putting our art online or in the public eye for others to see. So for me, one of the biggest advantages to being in an art group is the support I receieve about my artwork. I can put it online and ask for advice on what I should do at different intervals of the creative process, or I can ask for a critique of my work to see what group members like about the piece or don't like. This helps me be a better artist and it also helps boost my confidence about putting my art online for others to see.

Another great aspect about belonging in a group is that other artists are there for support. We have all had our share of slow sales, of feeling overwhelmed with marketing, or feeling and general problems that non-artists really don't understand- like not being able to get the reflections in your water to be the way you want them to be. So being in the group setting definately gives you a support system. And as you become more familiar with your group members, it gives you someone to talk to when things just aren't going the greatest for us. Let's face it- we can never have too many friends. We all need people at some level in our lives. It may just be to joke around with or to talk about the most serious problems in our lives, but we all need people!

But being in a group can also help us to go outside of our comfort zones and try new things and explore new avenues with our art. The DAWGS have group challenges that give members a theme to create every few weeks, which are fun to take part in and see all of the different creativity our group members have.

There is also the social networking that a group does to promote the group entirely and each individual artist that can help you make sales or find new ways to promote your art. Many brainstorming ideas have bloomed behind the scenes in an online art forum where people can throw an idea out and others jump on the bandwagon to help develop it into a full- fledged idea.

But I guess one of the biggest advantages is the comradery. Of having that home away from home- either in an area or online- that we can go to be a part of something greater than ourselves. To enjoy one another's company, to laugh, joke, and visit. For the DAWGS, our love of art brought us all together and it is the friendships we find that keep us there.

So if you have been kicking around the idea of joining an art group- whichever one it may be- by all means- give it a try! You will be happy that you did!

Thanksgiving Diet

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I'm not sure were the year has gone and I am quite bewildered on how fast the months have all slipped by. Fall is my favorite season, probably because it holds the promise of the approaching holidays and the gathering of families. Along with these gatherings, the inevitable gluttony and weight gain transpire. I think that I may have a solution. I have started a strict diet. Diet, you say? Right before the holidays, you say? Guffaw! Any diet is surely doomed with Thanksgiving dressing, pumpkin pie, holiday cookies, fruitcakes and fudge. Wait, I forgot about fudge. This is going to be tough.

But my theory is sound. My diet started several days ago, and I have 2 1/2 weeks before Thanksgiving and the beginning of the great holiday food voracity. With any luck I can lose 5 or 6 pounds by Thanksgiving, in order to gain 10 pounds on Thanksgiving Day. Then start the diet again and lose 2 pounds before my Moms cookies and candy arrive in the mail. Eat all her homemade goodies and gain 15 pounds in time to start the diet and lose another pound or 2 before the art club party with more homemade goodies, where I will gain 5 pounds. Then I'll have a good week to diet and lose 3 pounds, before Christmas Eve with eggnog and fudge, where I will surely gain at least 10 pounds. Which brings us to a week before New Years Eve and the dress that I would like to wear, that I need to lose about 15 pounds to wear. So I have time to buy another, larger dress, since I am only going to gain 29 pounds, instead of the 40 pounds that I would have gained without the diet. See? It is a good plan.

Thanksgiving dinner brings me grief,
I always eat and eat beyond belief.
I don’t let up till after dessert,
Even though my gut will hurt,
I over eat every year and I suffer.
Both the turkey and my pants are really stuffer.

Here are some of my harvest and turkey aceo cards:

It's been so long...

...since I last saw my littlest grandson. He's already had a birthday and gone through so many changes. Here's a look at his "first tooth".

I never paint portraits of people and really want to change that and improve.

I only have photos of this little guy, (I won't be visiting him until April) and figured that would be an easy way to start. At least he wouldn't be a moving target!

It wasn't as easy as I thought and this is the only one I was willing to sign. (I've put quite a few paintings through the shredder.)

Been working on loosening up a bit and playing more with watercolor. I find it so difficult to "step away from the painting" and fiddle and fuss, ending with much too much detail.

So I focus on letting go. Sounds like an impossible task but here is the result of my effort.




three pears

I'd love to hear your opinion of this small work. Please leave a comment.

Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Stepping Outside your "Creative Comfort Zone"

So many artists are afraid to step outside their "Comfort Zone" and try new areas of painting or drawing. I guess I some people like to stick to their one topic or type of painting. I think it is fun and a new adventure everytime you try something new you have never done before. I love to create so many types of crafts and ideas, it comes naturally to me. On my ebay site the other day, a person asked me how many different artists I had on my site, LOL. I have a wide range of techniques, drawing and painting plus the altered arts. I like to try new things and see what happens, I don't think you need to be afraid of the unknown, you might just like it! Be an adverturer try new areas in your painting and drawing. Don't let a little fear get in your way of maybe coming in to a new area of your creativy. So why not try something new today!!

Here is a few of my newest Artcards for sale on Ebay Check them out!

Click For Auction

Click For Auction

November 2nd and November 3rd POSTING

Hello, my name is Myrna Migala, and I think of myself as an internet artist, selling art on Ebay and Etsy, and a web site I maintain, located on the internet at www.ACEOartcards.com

My day to blog is November 3, but since I won't be near my computer, and no one posted today, I will post this a little early. Let me begin with a November quote, just for fun.

"Thirty days hath November, April, June, and September,
February hath 28 alone, And all the rest have 31".

* * * * * *

So much going on lately, the election, election . . . are you as tired as I am of hearing about it?

This election has me praying for our Country, so naturally it is reflected in my art. Yesterday I painted a 20 x 10" watercolor painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas. I plan to donate this picture to a up and coming school auction but I did upload the image to my internet Greeting Card Shop which is located at http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/creativecardsbymyrna

The story about the picture is posted here in short and it happened in the year 1531, when this beautiful lady from heaven appeared to a poor Indian. Her picture was imprinted on his tilma to prove to the Bishop that she did indeed appear with a message for the world.

The tilma shows Mary as the God-bearer - she is pregnant with her Divine Son. Since the time the tilma was first impressed with a picture of the Mother of God, it has been subject to a variety of environmental hazards including smoke from fires and candles, water from floods and torrential downpours and, in 1921, a bomb which was planted by anti-clerical forces on an altar under it. There was also a cast-iron cross next to the tilma and when the bomb exploded, the cross was twisted out of shape, the marble altar rail was heavily damaged and the tilma was...untouched! Indeed, no one was injured in the Church despite the damage that occurred to a large part of the altar structure.

In 1977, the tilma was examined using infrared photography and digital enhancement techniques. Unlike any painting, the tilma shows no sketching or any sign of outline drawn to permit an artist to produce a painting. Further, the very method used to create the image is still unknown. The image is inexplicable in its longevity and method of production. It can be seen today in a large cathedral built to house up to ten thousand worshipers. It is, by far, the most popular religious pilgrimage site in the Western Hemisphere.

The watercolor below is my version of this popular vision and now devotion. I hope you like it. If the story intrigues you, you can google "Our Lady of Guadalupe" for more details.

Happy November!

Today is my day. Hi, I'm Joann Y Wheeler of http://jywheeler.etsy.com

Since it's fall, I will feature one of my favorite pieces. It is 4 1/2 x 4 inches x 1/2 inches high. A porcelain box painted to look like faux leather.

This primitive design consists of 2 oak leaves and 3 acorns. Nice dresser box for rings, pins, change, whatever.

Each piece of handpainted porcelain is a piece of art to treasure. Time has been taken to carefully design this piece. It has been handpainted and fired many times in a kiln to an approximate temperature of 1400 degrees to obtain the beautiful finished product. Because each piece of porcelain is handpainted, no two pieces are exactly alike. Click here to go to my listing.