under the influence

Alice in Wonderland and her circle

Last year I  considered joining the blogging community and then suddenly like Alice in Wonderland, I fell down the rabbit hole and the rest is history.  Comments and questions in regard to the blogging world are posed daily and I am honored to answer or give advice to help one join the blogosphere or in regard to creating art.

The connections that I have made with many is like that of having my own little circle.  A kinship, a connection, has helped me to focus and to build a body of work based on daily life, people, pets, places and somehow reflects that of what make my day full.  

I welcome you, to join, to begin a blog  ~ for you will find an incredibly supportive community.

You do not need to post every day.  Your voice will find the way and the comments that you will receive will shape your world and you will feel to power of influence that will bring focus and clarity to your day.  A positive influence in shaping me and I thank each of you.  

Happy First of January 2009!

peace all year

Here is the holiday card that I sent along with a 2009 calendar. Several years ago, we had tons of snow and made igloo after igloo. It is so easy, take a plastic box and fill with snow and build round and round.

Happy to send you a card with a calendar. Simply contact me, e-mail me with your address and I shall be happy to send. Nice to have a calendar by your phone or at your desk or even in the car spreading peace where ever you go.

in-fusion

Here is my infusion of green, like having a cup of fresh steeped green tea. It came from here.



See my lovely hand blown glass ornament hanging in my kitchen window. I have a thing for green. It is one color that goes with everything. Each day I look at this pretty and think of her. She sent it to me. How sweet, an in-fusion of warmth and light to my day.
Several years ago, I painted my kitchen pear green in high gloss. Every day, it makes me feel happy and fresh. So - do you have something special that infuses you and your day. Tell me~

new year's plans

My plans for the New Year will be with proceeding with this wonderful planner " Eight days a week" from Bob's Your Uncle. I found this at a nearby paper shop and am in love with the slim portable size and the layout. Each day is a blank list from 7:30 til 6:30, in half-hour slots. Day eight is marked "someday" which I use for future plans. I really love this book and you can find it online here.
You can write in the dates for each week, beginning where you want to get organized for 2009!
How are your New Year's plans coming along?

nature time

Time for nature, a wintry walk, some skiing and building fires, puzzles and playing games.
This one I took from the inside with the screen in front and quite like the misty morning here.
Take time for nature and enjoy your weekend.

greetings of comfort & joy

One of the simplest ways to spread cheer during the holidays is to send a greeting to show those near and far that you are thinking of them.  With each Christmas greeting that I draw, write and receive - it is a small way to spread good tidings of comfort and joy.

A greeting that I illustrated, proudly displayed on New York Social Diary.

The above holiday card, I did for one of my favorite blogging buddies.

Proudly, this card is displayed on New York Social Diary!

All creatures, great and small, in front of the mantle for a holiday card illustrated for a delightful client.  Thank-you!

Greetings to each of you - near and far.

It's a wrap

Above is the letterpress envelope that I send with finished matted artwork.  My dear brother-in-law designed the logo of the birds which I love.  Mr.Letterpress made the envelope and cards.  The paper is thick and rich and lovely.
This one was sent to a fellow blogger who inspires me with her passion for decor and for making daily life more beautiful.  I remembered last year that her dear dog had a good time with a box of chocolate and thought she would enjoy a small drawing which I did on the card stock.  

I love the color green and red during the holidays.  Green goes with every color.

Next year, I am going to send out a drawing each month to one lucky winner, so stay tuned for details.  For now, it's a wrap.  Enjoy the holidays with one another and please know how thankful I am for each and every one of you who come to me for art or for amusement!

Wishing each of you merriment and peace.

wrought-up

Home illustrated for client by pve design for holiday greeting card

We all know the type of place that is "gated" and causes one to stop and stare.  A wrought iron gate has always held curb appeal for me.  There is a certain charm of the barrier without being uninviting.  This gate says, "welcome" -  come in for some holiday cheer, a cup of eggnog perhaps.  "Wrought-up" - and stressed out with all the holiday wrapping and doing, please push open that gate, ease on down the brick path to a gentler and kinder time. 

A time to make merry - leave your cares at the gate or better yet, leave a comment.

checking it twice

Are you "checking it twice"- your shopping list that is.  With only a few days til the Holidays, each of us are ticking our lists, mailing cards, giving gifts, and making merry.  Are you shopping "on line" or in shops?  Tell me your favorite shopping spots as I would love to gather a list for a holiday shopping guide.

A Christmas Caroling

Here we go a Christmas Caroling -hmmm

 "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"

"Frosty the Snowman"

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree" 

"Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la, la la la la---"

"Joy to the World"

Wishing each of you much joy  - all year long!