Two years ago I chose Ignite as my word. I wanted to fire myself up, get off my butt and get something, anything, done. Then last year I chose Gathering as my word. I wanted to gather my tools, my friend, my resources, but what was I gathering for, if not for something bigger, something better? And so, finding my word is so easy this year. No struggling with thesauruses or sneaky hiding for this word. It was waiting patiently... Read more

I have some exciting new projects I’m working on for the new year that I can’t wait to share with all you out there in Bloglandia, plus I have to get busy on my Word for the Year. I don’t remember where I first heard of this concept, but I love it. Bloggers around the Interwebz pick one word to describe and encapsulate their hopes for the coming year. Two years ago I picked Incite, and last year was Gathering.... Read more

Which is why I haven’t posted any delightful goodies or recipes or how-tos this month. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to post about, contrarywise, there’s been tons of stuff to post about. Sadly I don’t have a personal camera elf to follow me around and document what I do, and I didn’t have time to craft and document this month. 🙁 Still, I am slowly coming to the end of the Holiday Crafting Bonanza, I should be completely... Read more

A quote from one of my favorite poets, Wendell Berry. Read more

I had to have this one finished today. I like how it worked out, but it’s clear that I have a lot to learn about painting darker skin tones. It’s going to be donated to a silent auction to benefit a really wonderful charity, The Nyaka AIDS Orphan Project. A friend of mine is dedicated to raising money and awareness for this organization. Please take a moment to check it out, and if you can, donate. Thanks. Read more

Earlier in the month I started this painting. You can see the initial stage here. Since then I blocked in the hands in white, and started the shading. However the shading in the hands was burnt umber, the same as the background started out, so in order to make the hands pop I brought in red oxide and yellow ochre to the background. I’m liking where it’s going. The hands still need a lot of work, more shading, and overall... Read more

The world flips by, Page after page of dreary nothing.I have choices set before meThe well traveled pathKept neatly, groomed lawnTidy flowersSomehow though, it is less than it should be, darkness at the edges.Fading like colored paper in the sunRotten and floating away like ashThe heavy sound of footsteps traveledThe multitudes steadily moving toward an unknown destination. If you listen to the birds,If you open your eyes,There is something to be discoveredUncovered like a violet under the leavesAnd a sweet... Read more

I love so much I love so many How could I choose one love? Like choosing one daughter. My heart is divided, Not shattered, Not broken, Just laid out on the cutting table, Held in place by pins and string. The string hangs off the table, Dangling to the floor, Connected to hearts far away. I cut my heart Briskly, like I cut my daughters meat Into tiny, neat pieces. Each perfect part is attached to a string Leading to... Read more

I’ve been meaning to share this with you all for a while, mostly because prime black walnut husk season was a couple of weeks ago. That doesn’t mean that some lovely nice brown ink can’t be obtained from the leftover ones. You may know black walnuts as the trees that make those annoying green golf balls that explode under your car tires, but I’m telling you they are the makings of a lovely ink. First go out and harvest some... Read more

Here’s a couple of projects that look so cool! This first site called Tinplate Girl has everything you’d ever need to learn how to turn tin cans into projects. There’s videos, freebie patterns, and some really really cool paid patterns that I’m lusting after. I also want to try this amazing god’s eye project. Instead of the usual four sticks, you use 8! The patterns that the artist makes are so cool. Read more