Saturday, August 28, 2010

Winter Song 5X5's Swap Art

Happy Saturday folks,
Ahhh, The weekend. I do live for my weekends. (Sad isn't it?!) The shopping is done and the fridge is cleaned out. Plus I've had a nap. 3 things off my to-do list. It's not a very long list this week-end. All the better!!

I mentioned in a past post that I joined a 5X5 swap over at A Fine Seam. Jillayne and the others will be happy to know my five 5X5's are in the mail and winging their way to Canada. (She told us to think of these as ATC's on steroids, so funny!) It was surprisingly inexpensive to mail them off. Our postage here in the States is outrageous but my little package only cost just over $2.00 to send from Kansas to Canada. I glued the original designs to a stiff cardboard I found in my basement. (Sometimes I could swear things just "appear" down there.) I was concerned about the amount of weight the backings would add but I think they will hang much nicer this way for my swap mates. My 5X5's mainly consisted of paper, card stock, paint and mod podge. I didn't like the plain card board showing so I "painted" it with tissue paper. I love using tissue paper. The stuff comes in so many vivid colors and if you stamp on it before gluing it to something the stamps really "pop". I want to get a stamp of my name and blog address to use just for that purpose as I find I cover a lot of things with tissue paper, including envelopes. I forgot about doing that with this envelope though. I wish I had taken a picture before I mailed it off. I like to reuse bubble envelopes and I found I had one just the right size. I colored all over the old label and then glued tissue paper down. Then I drew a leafy vine all around the front of the envelope with color markers. I think it makes the packages prettier for the postal workers and recipients plus I love the recycling aspect. I have a few more bubble envelopes that I want to give a make-over for resending out into the world. It's fun because there is no set plan in mind when I do it. Just color, stamp, paint, whatever to make sure all of the old label is completely covered.

OK, now that my 5X5 swap items are in the mail I've decided to make one just for me. I love how these turned out but I do have a question though. What could I have done to make the cutout blend into the background better? Thanks for helping me learn with your answers.
Have a great weekend,

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Saturday, August 21, 2010

image from wikipedia




Happy Saturday Everybody,
Something funny happened today. Shall I tell you about it? Ok, you talked me into it. But first I have a question for you:

Who remembers the Love is... comic from the 60's and 70's? I loved that back then they were in black and white. I did an online search and found several sites showing this comic. I think the little cherub looking couple are so cute. I used to cut out the Love is... from our newspaper everyday when I was a pre-teen and teen. (Too bad I no longer have that scrapbook.) There is a page on wikipedia.com that tells all about the Love is... comic and it's creator(s).



I have a Love is... to add to the collection. We were doing some house cleaning today and while I was cleaning in the bathroom the toilet seat came off. It's not more that a month old. One of those nice cushy seats from Walmart. So I'm muttering about how cheap it is and muttering a few not so nice words while cleaning the toilet. (Potty mouth sounds appropriate here.) In the meantime hubby pops his head in to see what all the mumbling is about and says he can fix it. He pops out and I continue cleaning. I go to lower the seat lid and it pops off in my hand. Now I'm yelling "I give up". Ok, so this sounds like I was getting angry, right? On the contrary I began to laugh my fool head off as did he. He mentions changing and going OUT into the HEAT to go to WalMart to get a new toilet seat. Ugh!! Heat!! I tell him it can wait until tomorrow. "But of course ", I tell him, "we'll have to be careful we don't slide off the pot". So I continue to clean in the bathroom and he pops his head in dressed to leave the house. "I'll go get a new toilet seat", he says. "Anything else you can think of we need?" he says. Aww!!!


Love is...going out into the summer heat to buy a new toilet seat
because your wife broke it while cleaning.

Wasn't he a sweetie!!


Oh, but that is not the end of this story. Ohhh no!! So hubby turns around and I bust up laughing. There are two butterflies on his butt. Yep, you read right. How else am I suppose to cover holes in my denim shorts?! I was laughing so hard and he's asking what?! I was so So SO tempted not to tell him.
So here is another Love is:


Love is....telling your hubby that he has butterflies on his butt. LMAO!!!

Yes, he changed immediately...
One things for sure there is plenty of drama and unexpected oops's around here to keep things interesting!!

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

P.S. I found a Kim Grove (creator) Love is... paperback on Amazon. ;-)


Trivia quiz: Which film made the quote "Love means never having to say your sorry" famous?

Monday, August 16, 2010

5X5 No.3

Greetings my dear blog friends.
I have been so absent lately; I do apologize. The heat here has been so unbearable. Last week we had above 100 degrees with heat indexes in the 105+ range every day. My computer just happens to be in the hottest room in the house. I hate the hot humid heat we have here. Absolutely hate it. But what can I say except; "hey it's Kansas-just wait a while". We finally had some rain last Friday and a few sprinkles yesterday. Today the high was in the 80's. So much better. I haven't been doing much but sitting and feeling sorry for myself. And trying to stay cool.
And as you know when it rains it pours. I'm not referring to the wet stuff here either. With those high 100+ temps Bobbie called us last week to tell us the power kept going off and on in the trailer. Well of course we had her check the neighbors. Yep, they were all out for about 3 hours. She stayed home though. Then the next day she calls to tell us the power keeps going out every time she uses her dryer. She said it would go out and they would flip the breaker back on and it would stay on for 10 minutes or so and then go out again. I tell her it's the extreme heat and to turn off all lights and other appliances before using the dryer. It works for a bit but then power is out again. So we tell her to check the breakers. She does and power comes back on. She gives up on the laundry for the night and all seems well. Then the next day she calls and says "Mom, the AC is blowing hot air". It's over 100 degrees outside and now the *&#@ AC is on the fritz. We just had it fixed a few months ago. So I tell her to get the big fans out and on and hubby says to call the repair man. Nothing more could go wrong, right? Wrong!! Next Bobbie calls to tell us she has no hot water. What?? "It's ok mom, we don't need hot water right now; It's too hot for hot showers anyway", she says.
There is a happy ending to this down-pour. The repair man comes and figures out that the fuse box the trailer is hooked into is fried a bit inside. Bobbie said he showed her and it was all melty inside. He replaced it and everything was working great. She had a cooler trailer and hot water within 30 minutes. I called the trailer court manager and let them know what happened and they are going to pay the repair bill. WooHoo!! Alls well that ends well. :)
I have been working on my 5X5's for the swap I joined over at A Fine Seam. They are coming along nicely. Here is my 5X5
No. 3

Don't look for No.2 because I did not post it. Let's just say it is very similar to No. 1 and leave it at that. We don't want to give away all of the surprise for the swap participants now do we?! I love this one so much I almost want to keep it for myself. I have a cutter pen and am finding I really like it. The birds and such are cut out from used greeting cards. I love recycling. When mom moved to the new house she gave me all of the cards she's been saving over the years for my art. (Wasn't that sweet of her? ~ Thanks mom!! XOXO)


Visit Jillayne's blog post here to find a list of blogs that joined in the swap. They are all making such pretty 5X5's. I am calling my series Winter Song. And I may make more than 5 as I have a bird cutout that I want to make for myself. I also want to make one for a special friend or two. Plus I have an idea to expand on the concept. But with my up and down moodyness lately. And my crafty/writers/artsy block getting in the way a lot also, well who knows. I did write my idea down though. I just hope I can find it again (the scrap of paper I wrote it on). I have also found my hubby works as a muse. He has a keen eye too. I love that he indulges my artsy side. Oh, and I've tore and cut watercolor paper and painted and smeared colors all over and now I've sewn them together to make a little art journal. It is now ready to be used and I hate the center pages. Hate them!!! The colors turned out ugly together so I think I will start there, in the middle. Besides, who says you have to create in order? Not me, nope, I tend to do things all chaotic like. Works for me!! Sometimes drives me nutty too. LOL!!
Well that's about it for now. Oh, I almost forgot...Go on over to Monday's Child and see the pretty prompt pic and just maybe it might give you an idea for a poem or a story. If it does be sure to share by adding yourself to Mr. Linky on her blog. Have Fun! I hope your days are cooler and mine stay that way too (or warmer if you are in a cooler climate).
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Monday's Child #5 - Home

Illustration by: Jessie Wilcox Smith 1863-1935
http://www.childrensverse.blogspot.com
Monday’s Child #5

Home

I marveled at the wonder of this child I had so prayed for. The little girl to call my own that I was finally taking home. As I gazed upon her standing there fearless before the oceans waves I went over the days events in my mind. She had insisted on wearing her favorite pink dress. I had added the big floppy bow to her golden hair, the color of Kansas wheat, to pull it back off her sun kissed face. I watched her standing there holding her pretty dress up so as not to get it wet and lifting handfuls of sand allowing it to sift through her fingers. I thought of how she had said goodbye back at the orphanage. She had bid farewell to each and every one of her friends, her teachers and the counselors. There were many tear filled eyes. She had hugged each tightly and smiled brightly as if to console them. Outside she said goodbye to the big heavy door. She ran into the yard and greeted each palm tree and twirled around while looking up and bid farewell to the birds and the blue sky. Inside the car as I buckled her into her seat she asked, “Are we going home?” “Yes my sweet”, I replied, “We are going home now.”

As we pulled out of the drive I looked in the rear mirror at the orphanage and then down to the seat and my heart leaped with the realization that this was it, she was finally mine. At first she was quiet as we drove along until suddenly she became animated. “Wait, stop, stop”, she cried out. “I must say good bye to the beach”. We were passing her favorite play spot; the place where I had first laid eyes on this precious child playing in the waves. I remembered her fist words to me; “I’m a mermaid. Are you a mermaid too?” As I began to pull over little April was out of her seat belt and had her shoes and socks off even before I came to a complete stop. Before I could get to her she had bolted out the door and was running toward the waves. “April, April” I shouted, “wait for mommy”. Mommy! The word I had longed to hear I was shouting out to this beautiful child God had lead me to find just a year earlier. Tears filled my eyes as joy filled my heart. I continued to watch as little April held her dress up and grabbed handfuls of sand allowing it to sift gently through her fingers. I collected myself and walked closer to her. “What are you doing my sweet?” I asked. “What game are you playing now?” “Oh no mommy”, she replied. “I’m not playing a game. I’m saying good bye to every grain of sand.”

As we left the beach and headed towards Kansas I knew our trip would only be for a visit. I knew this because I knew we were already home.
~~~
This story was written using the picture above as a prompt. If you wish to join in please visit Monday's Child. Each Monday a new picture is posted and participants write a piece of children's poetry, verse, or post their interpertation of the prompt. I hope you all will enjoy my story. Please forgive grammar errors as I've been fighting writers block and just wanted to get something out before my braid shut down again.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Friday, July 30, 2010

5X5

Winter Song - Almost Finished
This is for a 5X5 mixed media swap.
We are to make 5 - 5X5's with a Christmas or Winter theme.
I will get 5 in return. I started this and then hit a "block". It was as if what I wanted to do with it just left me. Last night I picked up this one and another that I'm working on just like it and Bam! I got a lot done on both and am still not finished. Soon though as I wrote down what else I want to do. Then I will be on the lookout for more winter birds. I used a song page from an old hymnal I found at the Goodwill. I love how the song title fits in with the theme of my 5X5. Question: Should I leave the tail feathers as is or cut them off? I like as is but wonder. The 5 swap items are meant to be strung together and hung on the wall. So what do you all think?
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Friday, July 16, 2010

Man decorates basement with $10 worth of Sharpie - Health - Kentucky.com

Dear Friends,

I may never be able to tell another child to stop drawing on the walls again.
This basement is amazing.

Man decorates basement with $10 worth of Sharpie - Health - Kentucky.com

Happy Friday!

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Monday, July 12, 2010

Hi All,
I just had to stop by and tell you all about the fun give-away over at That's So Cuegly. The bracelets are so pretty and I love that they have a hidden message. Go check them out and enter her give-away. I sure did!
I'm sorry I've been so absent here. I'm ok, I've just been busy going through digital images and videos of the July 4th activities. Did I tell you I met Eddie Money? Here are links to a few of the AC slideshows I've published so far.
~~~
The big Sundown Salute Parade was on Saturday July 3rd. A new rule this year was no throwing candy from parade floats. It really caused some upset people and organizations. The parade here is usually very long. I'm talking hours but this year there were fewer floats and a few more walkers. The walkers could hand out candy. I felt bad for the seniors who so enjoyed throwing candy to the curb and just cannot walk the route. Still it was loads of fun watching my granddaughter and niece and visiting with hubby and my sister-in-law. I also got a few really good pics of some of the floats, clowns and mini-cars. I love the mini-cars.
~~~
We've all seen carved pumpkins but have you ever seen a
~~~
We also were entertained by Paradise City. They are a Guns 'N Roses Tribute Band. I've never been a big Guns N' Roses fan but Bobbie sure was/is. I have to admit they were pretty good.
~~~
After Paradise City we were entertained by an AC/DC tribute band called Hells Bells. I love AC/DC so was very excited. AC/DC was my first rock band to see live in concert. It was sooo loud and so much fun. The Hells Bells Band did a great job and the band member portraying Angus did a wonderful job, he even wore the short pants school boy outfit. I was so disappointed though because I got three lousy pictures and my camera batteries died. I had my Flip with me that I got this past Christmas so I got some video and have been torturing myself determined to get it loaded to Associated Content. Hubby had to give me a few lessons in changing format. Well I finally did get it submitted and geez do I ever need more practice. But hey it's my first video published on Associated Content and I know I will only get better with practice. (Positive thinking!)
~~~
I still have more content planned to publish:
Seven Bridges Rd. - A Tribute to the Eagles
(they were awesome)
and
Eddie Money.
I'll let you know when I've published.
That's really all the creative stuff I've been doing. I feel the need to get paint on my hands and I need to go over and check out Monday's Child and think on a story or poem for this week. I folded some watercolor paper for another journal and put it down someplace. Must find it...
I also joined a swap and must get busy creating five 5X5 creations with a Christmas or Winter theme due in August I think. Now I must go check that date.
So what have you been up to lately?
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess
P.S. Don't forget to check out the
That's So Cuegly bracelet giveaway.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Twinkle Twinkle – the Altered Rhyme

twinkle twinkle little star
are you near or are you far?
do you shine upon the night,
to guide me till dawn's first light?
and when the day is shining bright,
twinkle twinkle little star ~
how i wonder where you are.

~copyrighted Teresa Mahieu
Sept.19th, 2008

I was invited to join a children's story and poetry weekly prompt challenge over at Monday's Child. The premise is to write a story or poem to go along with a photo prompt. While viewing the photo I remembered this one I had written a few years back and it seemed to fit. Do go and visit Monday's Child, you may be inspired to pen a verse or two.

I had a great 4th of July weekend that ended with rain and terrible leg pains. Rain y weather and the arthritis kicks in. I got to be a VIP and be part of the meet and greet and the merchandise crew. Hubby and I got to be in on the meet and greet of Eddie Money. We also met the band Seven Bridges Rd. They are a really great tribute to the Eagles band. I'll have pics to show soon. I have so many to go through and fix but am so pleased with my new camera.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You, Tess

Monday, June 28, 2010

Sunday's Post on Monday (Again) & A Birthday

Greetings all,
Here are more rhymes from The Christian Mother Goose Book. You can find past posts from this book here (where I found the book), here, here, here and here (for new friends to my blog or old friends that may have been away). I was so tired yesterday I didn't do a lot of things I should have/or wanted to. My knee is bothering me, swelling and hurting, also. The heat here has the humidity high and I honestly think it is what's causing the pain in my legs. Of course the tired feeling could also have been due to the celebrating on Saturday.

It was my niece's 16th birthday and she wanted a Sweet 16 cookout with all of her family. Christina is my younger brothers 1st daughter. She is living with my brother now but in the past she has lived mostly with her mother and a step father or her mothers parents. She is fitting into her daddies family home just fine and all are making sure everyone gets to see her. Both sides of her family were at the bar-b-cue and there was no quarreling or squabbling. It was Christina's day and we made it a good one for her. Her mother even got to be there and she is now an aunt and she got to see her baby nephew.
She really enjoyed the cake! :)

Help with cleaning up...
She was ever so curious as to what her little brother would get her. He had been teasing her with the bag all week.



Can you see what it is.? It's those wipe away the hair on your legs thingy's. She got such a laugh, we all did. And little brother, age 13, blushed with embarrasment. I guess the joke was on him. She was not embarassed at all. LOL!! Great kids, all of them.

So anyway, here are today's offerings from my Christian Mother Goose Book:



SEE-SAW MARGERY DAW
See-saw Margery Daw,
Jackie has found a new master.
His name is Jesus, Shepherd and Friend,
And Jackie's a sheep in His pasture.

~~~

WOULD YOU PRAISE HIM ON A CACTUS?
Would you praise Him
On a cactus?
Would you praise Him
Just for practice?


Would you praise him
In a hole?
Would you praise Him
On a pole?


Would you praise Him
When you're small?
Would you praise Him
When you're tall?


Would you praise Him
In a tree?
Would you praise Him
On your knee?


Would you praise Him
On a roof?
Would you praise Him
With one tooth?


Would you praise Him
With a song?
Would you praise Him
With a gong?


Would you praise Him
In old shoes?
Would you praise Him
When you lose?


Would you praise Him
Beating drums?
Would you praise Him
With smashed thumbs?


Would you praise Him
On a sled?
Would you praise Him
On your head?


Would you praise Him
In a pew?
Would you praise Him
In an igloo?


Would you praise Him
With a clown?
Would you praise Him
Round the town?


When you praise Him
When you're glad?
Would you praise Him
When you're sad?

Would you praise Him
blowing bubbles?
Would you praise Him
In your troubles?


Would you praise Him
With a dove?
Would you praise Him
For His love?


Would you praise Him
Hot or cooler?
YES! I'LL PRAISE HIM!
HALLELUJAH!

~~~

I could show you all of the wonderful drawings that went along with this wonderful rhyme. I could...but....wouldn't it be much more fun creating drawings of your own to go along with the stanzas? The next time your children or grandchildren say, "I'm bored, there's nothing to do." , take a moment to read them this rhyme and then assign them to task of illustrating it for you. That would be one wonderful gift to cherish. Maybe I should show you a peek at the illustrations. Samples for yourself or the little ones.



Ok, It's sleepy-bye time.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,

Tess

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Check out this 4th of July Giveaway

Check out this wonderful 4th of July Giveway at the Adorable Country Classics Home Decor blog. It's a wonderful primitive clock that would fit in with just about any home decor. She will draw the winner on July 4th so hurry over to see the clock and enter the drawing.

Be Happy, Be Helathy, Be You,
Tess

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

dumpr.net


Hi Folks,
Have you found dumpr.net yet? It's loads of fun. Recognize the face on the mousepad below? If you do you've been around my blog awhile. If you don't read about her here.

Photo Fun
Dumpr - Photo Fun

Have fun playing with your pics (this site is so much fun)....
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Christian Mother Goose Rhymes Continued...

Good Sunday to you all,
Shall we visit Simple Simon? I found this version so very cute. Remember I am sharing Christian Mother Goose Rhymes each Sunday during the month of June. I am so enjoying the book I found written by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker. You can read more of Marjories Christian Mother Goose Rhymes here, here and here if you missed my past posts.
~~~
SIMPLE SIMON
Simple Simon met a Pieman
Going to the fair.
Said Simple Simon to the Pieman,
"Can you count your hair?"
Said the Pieman to Simple Simon,
"No one can count hairs, son."
Said Simple Simon to the Pieman,
"God counts them, every one!"
Simple Simon went to school
To ask the master there,
"Can you count all of the stars
And tell me the number sir?"
Said the master to Simple Simon,
"There is no way to count."
Said Simple Simon to the master,
"God knows the whole amount!"
Simple Simon met a climber
Climbing peaks one day.
Said Simple Simon to the climber,
"What does this mountain weigh?"
Said the climber to Simple Simon,
"No one knows that, I'm afraid."
Said Simple Simon to the climber,
"God weighed it when it was made!"
~~~
Now the next one is a treasure of a bedtime story. I love it and I am sure you and your little ones will too.
YOU ARE SPECIAL
You are very, very special;
There is no on just like you!
God made you just the way you are, When he specially thought of you.
He wanted so many children,
And not one to be the same,
So that you could be a special; you,
With a very special name.
So he put a special mark upon your feet
And fingers, too!
And of all the children everywhere
No one has that mark, but you!
So, smile your very special smile,
And give Dad your special squeeze.
Help mommy with your special hands,
(And it's special to say,
"Thank you", and "Please".)
Then to every SPECIAL little girl,
And every SPECIAL little boy,
God has given a SPECIAL HEART
To put his love in to enjoy.
~~~
Now isn't that just the best feel good story, rhyme, poem, song? I can see it used for a bedtime story or to wipe away those sad little tears that do happen now and then. I;m sure there is a tune that goes with this one but I'm afraid I don't know it. It would be a wonderful Sunday School song I am sure.
We finished the windows on the west side of the house today, Woo Hoo!!! The painting is done on those 4 windows and now we have started the back door. We also realized that now we may as well do the kitchen window too. (We'll never be done!!!) I've enjoyed the time with hubby though and the scraping, sanding and painting. I am so glad (and amazed) that we found an unopened gallon of paint from 1996 in the basement that is the original color his mom used on the house trim. And after a good stirring the paint was just fine. It's from Sears so there is a testimonial for the quality of Sears paint. It's good stuff and covered bare wood in one coat. It's not the best paint job but for a couple of amateurs we are pleased and happy with the results. And I didn't get too much paint on the vinyl siding. LOL!! Painters tape is great as long as you don't look down with the paint brush in your hand while attempting to paint close to the painters tape. Oops!! Now to finish the back door and the kitchen window; they are on the south side of the house. I sure hope it doesn't rain tonight.
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Monday, June 14, 2010

Sundays Post on Monday (Christian Mother Goose Rhymes)

Hello Everyone,
I apologize for not posting yesterday. I was busy all day and come bedtime (when I remembered I hadn't posted yet) I was just too tired to even attempt a post. So here are more rhymes from The Christian Mother Goose Book. If you missed my last few posts you can find them here and here.
~~~
LITTLE TOMMY TUCKER
Little Tommy Tucker
Sang for his supper.
What was the song
Thant he sang
For bread and butter?
"God is so good,
And God cares for little Tom,"
That's what he sang
Down to the last crumb.
~~~
PAT-A-CAKE
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake
Baker's man,
Bake me a cake
As fast as you can.
Pat and prick in,
And mark it with G,
Put it in the oven
For God and me.
Wouldn't this version of Pat-a-cake be fun to recite while making a birthday cake for Jesus?
~~~
FEE, FI, FO, FUM
Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum
I smell cookies
That smell yum-yum.
Be they oatmeal
Or gingerbread,
Before I eat them
I'll bow my head.
~~~
That's it for this post. I'll be back with more Christian Mother Goose Rhymes next Sunday. I hope you all are enjoying them as much as I am. I read both the Teddy Bear Philosophy and A Token Of Friendship, each in one sitting on different nights. I'm finding books are great for those insomnia nights. I've been waking with leg cramps lately and have to get up and walk around to get the muscle to loosen up. I then sit or pace and read before going back to sleep.
I hope you all had a pleasant Monday. Mine was fantastic because
(A) I did not have to go to work because I'm on vacation (Woo Hoo) and
(B) I almost have my kitchen completely cleaned and reorganized.
Tomorrow we will finish the kitchen and start on the den. It's basically a spring cleaning type of cleaning going on. We will need to do some more in the yard too. We couldn't today because it rained. I suppose we need the rain but I do want to get my yard finished during our vacation time. So many of the trees and bushes need trimmed back. I have some landscaping rock to place also. I got it free from a friend that is having her yard re-done. Free is always good!
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Greetings,
Remember this?

This is the back of a ceramic tile.
My orange tulip is now mounted. No, not on the ceramic tile. It's mounted to a piece of foam core board. I liked it but then remembered that I had some of these tiles.

This yellow "pastel paint-over" (thanks Lisa for the name) is now mounted to the ceramic tile. Isn't it fabulous that the tile is blue? Hubby suggested the word. I have still to figure out what to do with the back of the tile. Leave it plain or paint it or what?

And here is a purple tulip awaiting a word or words and to be mounted. I am not sure if I will use coreboard, a ceramic tile or maybe try a piece of wood this time. What do you all think?

Tomorrow is TGIF and my last day before a week long plus a day vacation. Woo Hoo! We'll be doing home repairs and cleaning out stuff. woo hoo.... And I plan to paint more tulips. I love my artists crayons (Thanks again Tristan) and am having so much fun with them. I want to try using book pages so that words will show through the flowers. And I want to make another mounting on a tile but cut the paper the exact size of the tile. Not sure though. I need to get a better roller. I used the side of a full bottle of glue and I don't think it worked as well as it could. I used pressure but not as much as I could have. I sprayed the painting with workable fixative first and used mod podge to glue down the painting and then put 2 coats over it. It's sealed pretty good. Do you think these should one day show up in my Etsy shop?

You all have a wonderful Friday. I'll be back here Sunday if not sooner.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,

Tess

Sunday, June 6, 2010

More Christian Nursery Rhymes

Happy Sunday Folks,
I bet you all thought I forgot about posting more Christian Nursery Rhymes. Nope, just been busy today is all. And hasn't it been a glorious Sunday?! We bought a new mail box today and after digging up the old one and weeding around it we "planted" the new one and some vica flowers. It looks much better. I also napped this afternoon. Just felt like I needed it.
So here are a few more Christian Mother Goose Rhymes from my new book written by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker. (If you missed it you can read my first post about this book here.)
Little Boy Blue
Little Boy Blue,
Come blow your horn,
The sheep's in the stable
Where the Savior is born.
Where is the boy
Who looks after the sheep?
Watching Baby Jesus,
Fast asleep.
~~~
Little Bo-Peep
Little Bo-Peep
Has lost her sheep
And doesn't know where
To find them;
But Jesus knows
And can bring them home,
Wagging their tails behind them.
~~~
Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory, dickory, dock,
The church mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck ten,
The mouse said, "Amen,"
Hickory, dickory, dock.
~~~
And one last Rhyme that seems to fit the season:
Mistress Mary
Mistress Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
God sends rain and sun,
and then one by one
flowers pop up in a row.
I hope you all liked the rhymes I chose for this Sunday post. I'll be back next Sunday with more Christian Mother Goose Rhymes. This book is so much fun.
Praying you all have a wonderful start of the week.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Saturday, June 5, 2010

teesha's circus: Artfest logo / theme?

Take a look at Teesha Moore's Artfest logo. Isn't it great?! I love it and so wish I could go to something like this. One day I will...someday I Will. Takie a look and tell her what you think....

teesha's circus: Artfest logo / theme?

I'll be back tomorrow with more Christian Mother Goose Rhymes. Until then...

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be You,
Tess

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Fused Plastic Envelopes

Happy Tuesday,

See the pretty envelope I made. This is a recycling project. I got the idea from Patsy of HeArtWorks. She did a great post with a tutorial using plastic banners. I don't have any banners but I did have some fused plastic Walmart and Dillons grocery bags so I put them to good use. It was fun and messy creating the first step of these; painting with acrylic paint and then stamping with ink. I even scribbled with my new gold leaf pen on one. I have finished four of them so far. I hope Patsy remembers she agreed to do a trade with me during June. She is in the Phillipines. I plan to send one through our mail to my mom tomorrow to see how they hold up. I suppose I could have machine stitched the sides shut or just glued them but it was fun sewing them up by hand. Do stop over and visit Patsy at HeARTworks. She has a great blog and is a wonderful artist. She has been adding ATC's to her scrapbook pages. Here are pics of the 4 envelopes I have made so far. Not only would they be great for mailing things in (pretty snailmail) but I thought they would be great ATC holders or gift card holders to tuck inside packages or suitcases. They could even be used to leave a tip for the waitress or the hotel maid. Maybe with a business card tucked inside too. What other ideas might they be good for? I plan to attempt to make a bigger one that I could use to send several smaller ones to Patsy with. These are not exactly even either. I left the plastic just as it was and just folded it in uneven thirds. I like the look.

FrontsBacks

Wow, I am really on a roll here. I haven't blogged this often in a long time. I still have another project I am working on, more 4X4 tulips. They are not finished yet though. And I have done a pastel-over of a poppy and one of my cats. I still have to create a background for them. I'll show them to you all another time.

Until then~

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess