Christmas in my Apartment

Since it is Christmas Eve I decided to show you some of the Christmas cheer in my apartment... my mantle:

 My beautiful tree ( I LOVE Christmas trees!):

 A new decoration this year - a metal snowflake that says "joy to the world":

 And I tend to think I have enough ornaments but I got two new ones this year.. a Tardis:

and a Texas:

Have a great Christmas Eve!!!  "See" you tomorrow!!

Christmas Decorating at my Mom's House

My mom decorates her yard for several different holidays.  This year I helped her decorate for Christmas.  Here are some of the photos I took... We have a section with pigs:

 The porch is done up with critters - birds and owls and rabbits on those small trees:

 Even the end of the porch was decorated...more birds on the garland:

 And a Manger - which has a star but since this photo is so up-close you cannot see it!

I had a good time decorating with her and we did it all in one attempt and by herself it would have taken several days.  Did any of you decorate for the Holidays?

Misc. Art Pics

Today I wanted to share some random art that I have done over the past several weeks.  First is one of the Happy Art Swap Cards I made this time - don't think I took a picture of the others:

 And I am participating in a round robin art journal swap so I made some entires in two art journals that belong to other people:

 And a Collage in the File Folder Journal that I made at Create Mixed Media:

I am sure that I will find a bunch of other random stuff to show you too!  So, get excited about it!!  Hope to "see" you tomorrow!

Christmas Postcards Part 2

Hello!  Welcome back.  Today I am showing you more of the Christmas postcards that I created and sent out this year!

I had a lot of fun making these cards!  I sent them out to friends and family and my art therapy cohort.  I absolutely love Christmas and making Christmas art! I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my creations!  If you made any Christmas art this year I would love to see it - send me a link!

Christmas Postcards Part 1

For the past few years I have made all of the Christmas cards that I sent out.  Each card is unique!  So, I wanted to share some of this years creations with you!

 Come back tomorrow to see some more!!

Whats Up Lately

Hello friends!  Long time no see, right?  Sorry about that!  Here is what has been going on:
I moved out of my parent's house and into an apartment so that I would be all set up before starting my new jobs.  I started my job at Catholic Charities and worked 1.5 days before I was offered a full time job in another city.  I accepted it for many different reasons such as - pay and benefits - but most importantly because it was working with my desired population: Veterans!  In the middle of all of that I took and passed the NCE and had a procedure done on both of my feet which left me a little hobbled for a bit.  I have now healed and I already started my new job.  I am a counselor at Texas State Technical College and I will be working exclusively with student veterans.  Because the job is located about an hour and a half away from my current apartment I am moving again!  Twice in less than 2 months! So, this coming weekend, after Christmas I am packing everything up again and moving to Waco, TX.  Anyways, I think that is enough rambling for now - I just wanted to let you know why I was absent for so long!  I am REALLY hoping to get back to blogging on a regular schedule.

Lucky Star Art Camp Comes to an End

I was so sad that art camp had to end!  I truly felt like I had made some friends at camp.  These are the love ladies that kept me occupied and entertained - otherwise known as my cabin-mates:

At Camp Waldemar there are a few cabins that have been retired and thus campers are allowed to paint their names on them:

Its pretty cool - I appreciate the community art spirit of it!

I worked in my journal a decent amount and I managed to finish one journal page:

If you have not gotten the idea so far - Lucky Star Art Camp was AMAZING.  Camp next year will be from November 4-8th and if you are even remotely considering it I would say DO IT!!!  And if you are not considering it then WHY NOT?!!!?!  I certainly hope that I get to go back to camp next year and will do whatever is in my power to make sure that happens!  I hope you enjoyed my Lucky Star Art Camp recap - if you have any questions I would be more than willing to answer then!  Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Lucky Star Art Camp Day 4

Saturday at Lucky Star Art Camp is a half day of art and then half a day of free time to partake in camp activities.  I took Juliette Crane's class, Make Believe, and was able to finish this butterfly lady:

I also made this birdie:

And started this dragonfly girl:

I really like the art that I made!!  I will certainly be doing some more paintings like this.

After class I had an astrological reading.  It was very interesting.  All the planets in Libra pointed towards me having a creative career that helps others help themselves... so, Art Therapy!!!  Duh.   Art therapy is my destiny!

Then I sat on the green and enjoyed the sunshine.  I was tired so I didn't make myself do anything.  I enjoyed relaxing.

Saturday evening we had a show and tell.  I performed an Irish Dance that I learned during an optional just for fun/exercise dance class:

And some ladies from the beginning guitar class performed some songs for us:

And then a few people told us about their camp experiences and/or the art that they made.  Then we had a little craft market where we could get things.   I got a Katherine Center book:

If you so desire to get this book you can get it here! 
I also got some earrings, a business card holder, and some of Mandy Rowden's CDs.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope to "see" you tomorrow!

Lucky Star Art Camp Day 3

On day 3 of camp I took a full day class called Painting from the Heart with Juliette Crane.  I LOVED this class - although the backgrounds/beginning layers that Juliette has her students do are somewhat like my own style, the rest is completely different from my normal art.  I still loved everything I did and was super happy with this class; I felt successful thanks to Juliette's awesome instruction!  Here are some photos for you:

So, I finished both the pig and frog.  Then I started this butterfly lady:

I was not able to finish her that day, but come back tomorrow and you can see how she turned out!

Juliette's class was held right next to the river that runs through camp!  Here are some pictures from class:

It was great painting outdoors and doing something completely different yet being able to feel good about it!

After class I ran over to the stables and went on a horseback ride!

A horse and the barn cat communicating

the horse I rode - Rio

Selfie with Rio

Here I am with Rio

It was fun!  I got to see some pretty scenery and some deer too!  Later that night we all gathered around the campfire for a sing along and story telling!  After that my roommates and I went on a "haunted hike" were we just went around camp in the dark and looked at all the unoccupied cabins!  It was a good time with lots of giggling.

Lucky Star Art Camp Day 2

On the 2nd day of Lucky Star Art Camp I took two classes!  First I took Mixed Media Alchemy with Corrine Gilman.  Here are some photos of the work I did in this class:

I think only the first one is done - I will keep working on the other two!  Corrine's class was very enjoyable - Corrine's style goes very well with my own!  

The second class I took was Elizabeth Quigg's Intuitive Spirit.  We started off making and then discussing this nature alter:

Then we did a healing exercise and a guided meditation.  Then we got to have some open art play time using these materials:

As you can see we were outside on a balcony for this class.  It was nice to be in nature even though it was chilly that day.  During our free play time I just worked in my journal a bit.

Come back tomorrow for some more art pictures and camp tales!