Remember Abby? Her Lesson is A Good One

Greetings all,

I would like you to meet Abby. She is a shy little girl from a poor family. Abby is smart and understands many big words.

Abby learned a very important lesson when she was very young.

Abby loves dragonflies.

And she loves playing dress up too.

Sometimes she gets into her moms make-up.

Abby is often sad when others make fun of her torn and tattered clothes. Sometimes people will use words they think she does not understand, but she does. She knows they don't really mean the awful things they say.

Abby knows her freckled made-up face, her best clothes and shoes and a beautiful crown will always put a smile back on her face.

Abby came to me in a dream. She was inspired by a poem I had written...

This is a mixed media collage painting created on a board roughly 24"x10"x3/8". I used acrylic paint, fabric, tissue paper, an iron on dragonfly, computer generated words, magazine clippings, buttons, twine, Sobo Craft and Fabric Glue and Mod Podge to create Abby's Lesson. I adhered words and phrases cut from an old children's book to the sides all the way around.

Abby is my first attempt at creating a real looking face. I don't know how artists create such beautiful faces. Her nose gave me so much trouble. Her face is so dirty because of all of the erasing and doing over. I wanted her to have a dirty freckled face and I guess she definitely got one. In my original sketch she had pigtails. I tried, I really did, but the pig tails idea was just not working. I like how the twine gives her hair a bit of a messed up stringy look.

It doesn't matter if a little girl comes from a poor family or a rich family. When she's all dressed up she can still feel like a little Princess.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Abby as much as I enjoyed creating her.

Oh, and a big thank you to my granddaughter for helping me find just the right crown for Abby.

Have a great week and remember to

USE KIND WORDS,

Tess

JCLT Moving Sale

The Junction City Little Theater is moving from one location to another after 60 years. They had a moving sale this past Saturday and I was up bright and early to be there. I was interested in the crafting supplies and boy did I ever score. I was able to buy entire boxes full of some really neat stuff.

Beads, vintage jewelry, lace, ribbons, trims and odds-n-ends called to me.

"Take us home, take us home".

And some of the most decadant, shimmery fabric I have ever seen. True magic woven in every strand. I so hope Raven will want to be a gypsy for Halloween this year. Can you just see the costume begging to be assembled?

I had so much fun trying on all of the neat vintage hats and brought a few home with me along with a pretty vintage handbag. I even snagged a couple vintage fur collars and a silly Halloween purse for Raven. She'll love it.

And this sad looking little critter was once a cute animal that became part of someones fur stoll I believe. Anyway I couldn't resist bringing it home to hubby. He has named it Spanky and is having fun teasing the cats with it. One hisses, one backs up and stares and one could care less. I'm sure she thinks just another cousin in the house. LOL! Hubby thinks Spanky will become part of his Golden Eagle regalia costume at some point. The guys like hanging them from belts or pouchs. Better than the dumpster I say and a cheap costume addition at just $3.00.

So I have lots of sorting and organizing ahead of me. I've already gone through

and bagged up the box of beads and such. I've started on a second box now too. I'm separating into gallon size baggies. Easier to see what's there in clear baggies.

You all have a great week now and find time to be creative too. I've been working on a few new ATC's, touching up Abby's Lesson and adding the final touches to the piece I made with Raven. I love the groovy 60's vibe it gives off.

Peace,
Tess

Granddaughter Art and a Peek at Abby

Good Monday Morning,

I had a great weekend, how about you?

We had our granddaughter overnight on Saturday evening and I decided to have a creating art session with her. I gessoed two boards before she was dropped off. I showed her Abby's Lesson and told her she was going to make something similar. She loved the idea.

First, I had her pick a color for the background She picked pink of course, 2 shades. I learned she did not get the concept of swiping through the paint so that both colors will show. Instead, she created a new shade of pink and was quite happy with herself.

Second, I got out my fabric scraps and had her pick designs to be cut out. Then I got out an old children's book that I cut things from and had her pick some things from it. (I'll tell you about my words idea for Abby later.)

Then the fun began. I got a shallow dish and poured in Elmers glue and a bit of Sobo glue for paper and fabrics. I added a bit of water and stirred it up. I had Raven use some of the things I had cut out to create a picture on her board and I did the same on mine. Then we set about moving some items and gluing down others and on and on until everything was glued down.

Here is her masterpiece.

I applied a coat of sealer just before bedtime so she was able to take it home with her the next day.

The birds are ravens just like her (or so she decided).

The item in the upper right hand corner is Not a flower. It is the sun. She told me not to forget that.
And here it is on her new pink bedroom wall.
I used visual teaching to help her see what we she was to do. This is what I made.


Mine is not finished as it was more important to finish hers. I'll be adding some dots and then sealing it.

Remember I said I would tell you about my words idea? And remember I was not sure of what to do with the edges of Abby's Lesson? Well I cut out extra words and they now surround Abby.

A better sneak peek as she is not finished yet. But I'm getting closer.

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead. I'm sunburned from swimming with cub scouts. It doesn't hurt though.

Hugs,

Tess

Abby's Lesson

I sketched this in the middle of the night this past week. I decided to bring her to life (so to speak). She is becoming a collaged painting on wood. I've been gluing and painting like mad. I've searched through magazines and cut out hands and feet. I've changed up this and that from the original sketch. I wasn't happy with the background I had started with and redid the top portion after having already glued some buttons down. Using mod podge to glue a button to wood is an excellent idea, but only if you don't want it to come off. Compromise. A new idea forms. My every free moment is being consumed by this piece. I took today off from my day job to work on her. Why?! I have no idea...but it feels good to see her take on color and shape. I have learned many lessons and grabbed the wrong bottle a couple times. And I've found my fingers often work much better than a paint brush. I am having so much fun with "Abby's Lesson". I have no idea what I will do iwth her. Any suggestions?

Young Love and a Birthday

This past Saturday this couple spent a wonderful day together celebrating her 68th birthday.

She won't mind that I told her age because she says she has earned her years.

He gave her these beautiful roses (and that great big smile on her face). Aren't they lovely?

This giant balloon was a surprise from me. You see they went square dancing for her big day. As their club was to host the evening she took her flowers along as the center piece for the table. I surprised her once I knew everyone would be there. The balloon sings "The Chicken Song".

Everyone laughed so and she thought it was hilarious.

They had so much fun dancing and I had fun watching and taking pictures.

(Can you believe she once broke her pelvis and had to learn how to walk all over again? It amazes me.)

Oh, by the way! This is my mom and he is her new love. (She giggles like a teen when she talks about him. Shh! Don't tell her I told you that, it's true though! LOL)

Isn't love grand,

Tess

I was involved in an auto accident

I Was Not Injured!

I had a bit of unexpected excitement yesterday. Crashed straight on into the side of a little 2 door Toyota Celica. The other driver ran a red light. I was so sure the other car would be worse than it was. I wish I had photos of the other car to share. Thankfully no one was hurt.

My bumper/fender, whichever you call it, is now smashed up against the body. It tore my front license plate and it's frame completely off. I've got cracks here and there and the grill and headlight mounts are shifted a bit.

The Toyota has what looks like a tire tread skid mark all the way down its drivers side. It's dented in a bit and his window shattered but nothing like the impact felt it would be. God was watching over us for sure as earlier in the day there was an accident near I-70 in Grandview Plaza. One driver died and news of the others condition has not been released yet. Pray for their families as I will. And give gratitude...pray thankfully...that I and the other couple were uninjured.

Oh and if you are looking at buying a 1990's Chevy Astro van, go for it. This baby with stood a good mighty impact and is running just fine.

I wrote an article about the accident and posted it on my AC site here. Feel free to read it when you have time.

Blessings to you all and

please

Drive Safely,

Tess

Good Morning

Good Morning to all of you wonderful people.

I hope you all had a grand weekend. We went to the circus on Saturday and

then shopping on Sunday. I'll have picks of the circus to show on another post.

~~~

My granddaughter is just growing up way too fast.

What is it with these manufacturers. We had a terrible time finding training bras

without padding. We finally had to settle for racer back sports bras.

Hint: Use a tape measure instead of just guessing and have her try them on.

We gave her a pair of her birthday jeans early and had to buy her a belt.

Too big in the waist but fits the thighs and she loved them so we opted for to keep

them and buy a belt. Growing room!

It's rained here every night over the weekend so I got no yard work done.

It's too wet. I think I'm cultivating my own jungle. Gees!

And of course it rained heavy again last night. Makes for hot and humid days,

the kind I hate.

Well no pics today, I'm running late, must get to work.

You all have a glorious week,

Catch ya' later,

Tess

A Picture Show from Sharon

Meet Sharon

(she can be shy)She sleeps along my driveway.
And awakens to greet me each morning.

Sometimes I call her Rose.
She has many friends...

I love my Rose of Sharon bush more and more each year.

It's been hot here, real hot. But Sharon doesn't seem to mind....

I've been suffering with migraines for days now. Have had to resort to the pill bottle, didn't help much. I finally am feeling relief from the pain today.

I've noticed I hit 100 posts with my last one. Wow! I'll have to come up with a special giveaway or something. I'll think on it this weekend.

Have a Happy TGIF day,

Tess

4th of July weekend

A wonderful 4th of July Celebration and new bands I'd never seen before.

July 3rd, 2009

This is Youth Gone Wild.

These 15 and 16 year olds are from Kansas City, Missouri and have been playing together for 4 years. Their concert really rocked.

See more photos of this band on my AC site here.

Wildstreet
This was a New York hair band, or so I am told. I'd give them an A for effort but they weren't to my liking. Many audience members were enjoying them though (younger sect).

The Amazing Rock Show was my favorite of the evening.

He portrayed Bruce Springsteen and he did a fantabulous job! WOW!!
I love his choice of footwear!



More later.....
(I'll be publishing more pics of this band on AC too!)

Hope you had a great weekend and a good start to the new week ahead,

Tess