Texas Trip-Day Two

Another day of traveling. I mean petal to the metal driving. We drove 603 miles. We felt like true Road Warriors by the end of this day. We did see several annual birds. When I get my birds all into my birding program I will post the entire list. We got into Texas as far as Yoakum. It was a nice little town to stop in. Right beside the hotel was a decent restaurant called Harley's. Teri, in answer to your question "Does Texas have cactus?", yes they do. The first cactus I saw growing was the infamous prickly pear cactus. It was growing wild in the fields and especially noticable growing up through fences. I image that the birds eating the fruit planted the cactus along the fence lines. Prickly pear cactus is better than barbed wire fences if you would ask me. Many of the prickly pear cactus looked almost like trees with brown trunks and the paddles only being green.

Texas Trip - Day One

I am so happy to report that we are home. We had a marvelous trip. I got several birds that I had never seen before. We hadn't been to the Valley in 6 years so it had changed quite a bit. It is amazing how populated and clogged with traffic it is now. The birds don't seem to mind. So I had to have a mind change and just disregard the noise and traffiic and enjoy the beauty of the region. The Lower Rio Grande Valley, well actually most of Texas, is in a dreadful drought. It was so evident with the naturally brown landscape looking dead except where peopl have access to good water. This is my first page in the journal. Our many hours of driving. UGH.. I don't know if we will drive down there again. It was a long.... long.... drive. We drove 3178 miles. I did enjoy the drive for the most part. I did a little sketching while driving. Mostly I sketched in the hotel at night. Even that dwindled off toward the end of the trip. I got worn out. I have lots of ideas for sketches though. I will start posting my sketches day by day.

It is so good to be back. I will get around to eveyone's blog soon. I must go now and get the car unpacked.

Doggie Thursday

I couldn't resist posting about our house guest. This is Vinny. He is the dog of our good friend. He came to stay a few days with us just prior to our departure on Vacation. Vinny is a frisky boy. He keeps Luna on her toes.
Most often when he is outside he is looking for squirrels. He has made a believer out of the squirrels. They don't mess around much in our garden when Vinny is on patrol.

Happy Doggie Thursday.

Vacation Bound

As you can see I made a cover for my Texas watercolor book that I am taking along. I had a pin from a previous trip there so I added it. I will probably collect more while in Texas.

We are departing for Texas today. My visits to your blogs will be sporatic if at all. Be sure I will be collecting much blog fodder while out and about. Hopefully I will be able to check in from time to time. Until then farewell my Dear Blogging Buddies.

Media Mail

Today I not only received Royal Mail but I received Media Mail. I am telling you an embarrassment of riches I have received today. This packet came from Teri at Teri's Painted Dasies.
This beautiful cactus wren singing at the top of its voice for joy as my heart sings this evening. I thank you so much Teri for this beautiful post card.
The Moo cards are so sweet. I still don't know what "Moo" means. Ican tell you all this, these are just beautiful.

Teri's packet also had the book I won in it. I am going to take this book on vacation with me. We leave tomorrow so it got here in the nick of time.

Again I want to thank you Teri. I feel so blessed not only for these wonderful gifts but for your friendship.

Royal Post

When I got home from work today and made my way into my room there was a package on my computer. I received some Royal Mail. Says so right there on the package. I was so thrilled when I tore open the package.

I found that Soulbrush sent me one of her Africa tea towels. It is just beautiful. I wish I knew what all the symbols meant. I can figure out the lizard, goose, zebra. Even the card that accompanied the towel has her art on it. WOW Thank you so much Soulbrush. I feel doubly blessed.
P.S. Also thank you for the giggle. tee hee....

Cactus Monday - Barrel Cactus

Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun...Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun... Do you remember that old polka? That tempo is how I am feeling today. A spring in my step, much to do, packing, last minute shopping... Happy Cactus Monday...

Purple Heart

This purple heart is dedicated to all the people that felt it difficult to get through the Valentine Holiday. Just remember there are people out there that love you.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to all my wonderful, generous, encouraging Blogging Friends. I want to especially thank Marianne for leaving the pattern for this valentine on her blog for anyone to copy. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with someone special.

Creative Spaces

Steviewren at A Little Birdie Told Me So wants everyone to show their work space today. I thought it a fun idea because I just love to see other artists studio, closet, table or any space they work in/on. She is going to have everyone leave a comment on her blog so we can see everyones space. If you want to participate or just want to browse you can go here.

When you walk into my little room you might feel a bit overwhelmed with so much crammed into such a small space but when I walk in here I feel a welcoming vibe. It is a place that has all my "stuff". I can leave projects out and not worry about offending anyone with my mess.

I sit here at the computer a lot. This is where I sit when I am writing to you, posting on my blog or reading your blogs. I can see thebird feeder just outside my window. I watch for any and all birds, wildlife walking past the window going to and from the back garden.

When I am sitting in my chair this is the view of the other side of the room I have. Mind you I didn't straighten any space before taking these photos. This side of the room has the table that I work on most. I leave my watercolors set up here. The bulletin board holds all my faves.

When I leave my little creative space it is usually to go into the livingroom where the tv is located. I usually do my drawing with pen, pencil and markers here.Now if I get really busy I take over the diningroom. It has the only table large enough to lay out fabric for cutting and sewing. Besides it is usually the only room that every surface isn't covered or at least easily uncovered before I use it.
So that is my tour of my creative spaces. I can't wait to see where you all work. Oh yes, I thought I would throw in a photo of my crayola washable markers that I have been playing with lately since several have asked about them. Have a fun weekend.
If you want to enlarge any of the photos you can click on them to see the dust.

If you don't see enough inspiration in this group you could check out this book Where Women Create by Jo Packham. It has 20 famous artists and their creative spaces. I found this several years ago when I was thinking about a space of my own. I was drawn to it and I still like to look at their spaces occasionally. Now I have you all. It is so much more fun to know whos space you are looking at.

It won't be long

Valentines day is right around the corner. Margaretat Water Blossoms is doing a heart per day. Just seeing her gorgeous work made me get busy and at least make one heart. Of course my heart is in Texas right now. It won't be long until Valentines Day. It won't be long until we leave for Texas.

Animal Wednesday - Cedar Waxwing

I did a small (8"x10") watercolor painting of a Cedar Waxwing. My DB took several pictures of a flock of Cedar Waxwings feeding in some Crabapple trees at a park that we often take Luna to walk. Happy Animal Wednesday to everyone.

Blooming Tuesday - Azalea

What with all the warm temps of the past weekend and the birds singing in thanks my mind is turning to the garden again. It won't be long until the Azaleas are in bloom. I made this Azalea bloom with the ole Crayola markers. I am having fun with them.

Cactus Monday

Happy Cactus Monday.

Anticipation

I have decided upon the sketch book that I am going to use while we are on vacation. It is a Cranson watercolor book 7"X10". It is spiral bound which will be nice because I usually pick up items I want to save. Such as napkins, menus etc. I can use them as collage material. The only thing I didn't like about this sketchbook is that the cover is all black. ~ YAWN~ So I cut a hole out of it. I am now trying to decide what to do to the outside. I have a couple of ideas about how to embelish it. I just can't decide what exactly I want to do.

I have started the first page here at home with all the anticipation of the trip. I am so glad that Teri urged me to put all my pre-trip sketches in here too. I pasted the couple I have already done in other books into this book.
I think I am ready. At least as ready as I can be without actually packing my bag. I am so excited. I can't hardly stand myself. So much to do when we get down there.

Creative Every Day

My Creative bent went off in a different direction yesterday. My DB needed some bookcases in specific sizes. So instead of just making do with some store bought that wouldn't fit his office space as it is arranged we made a couple of bookcases to his specifications. Now all he has to do is stain them.

He was the engineer. He drew up what he wanted, did the hunting and gathering. I was in charge of putting them together. You see, I made cabinets for years. So this wasn't much of a stretch. I just hadn't done any work like this in some time. It was sort of fun. I hope you all have fun this weekend.

Books to pack

I have been scurrying around looking for books I want to take with us to Texas. Here are two I will definitely pack. I like to gather them up and look through them before we go. I have plenty of time to do so.

I once again used the Crayola Markers to do these in my sketchbook. I will put them into my travel journal though at some point. I hope you all have a nice weekend. It is supposed to get warm here. I am looking forward to being able to walk around outside without worrying about falling.

Animal Wednesday-Red-bellied Woodpecker

I know that before we actually depart on our vacation you are all going to get sick of hearing about the impending trip. I just can't hardly wait. Even though it is more than two weeks before we depart. Happy Animal Wednesday.

Yes, on the front of the book in the picture is a Red-bellied Woodpecker. You can enlarge the photo to see it better. No it isn't an exotic bird but I hope to see some more unusual birds when we are in the Rio Grande Valley of TX. I mentally packed Monday. Made my list. I will be checking it from time to time. Adding, subtracting to the list of "needs". I won't be hampered by space restrictions of flying because we will be driving. A long drive no doubt but I won't mind. We found that your Guide book was ancient. We obviously haven't been down there in a few years. We will have to get a new one. That is ok. It is part of the anticipation of the trip. New books, new clothes, new journals, new paints, new pencils, new pens...

Bloomin Tuesday

I started to make a zentangle today and look what came out??!! I got those ink pens going again. I frustrate myself sometimes when I start a drawing way at the side or one end or another of a page. I don't know why I do that. Maybe because I forget that someone else might see it. tee hee... Have a bang-up bloomin day.

Cactus Monday - Crested Saguaro

Teri's Crested Saguaro was the inspiration for this sketch. I used the colored markers again. I am having fun with these. Happy Cactus Monday.