HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTMAS CARD

Step 1:

Get a photo to enclose with your holiday greeting...

Srep 2: 

PUNT (and think about professional photos for next year)  

Combine bits and pieces of each photo and make your own... Throw in Santa to add that Christmas feeling...

Step 3:

Color and add detail and smile the whole time!  Hum Christmas tunes as you go...

Step 4:

Print, fold and mail... And post to friends!

How Decisions Are Made

How big is too big?

This is what a 60" would look... And it was judged to be okay...

And this is how it turned out... Our "old eyes" love it!

Insta-fun!

I found a free app - InstaCollage... I have enjoyed it so much, I paid the .99 to remove all the ads.  The first collage I made was of a good friend's first grandchild... I figured I'd get in trouble if  I posted it here. This image is from three photos taken my sisters weaving studio. It takes about 12 seconds to put together.  You can add text, frames, and add special effects. 

Here is another sample featuring art from my Drawing A Day 2013 mission... 

I think InstaCollage will be a big part of my drawing duites in 2014!

Draw On... And on!

Good News!

My daughter had a copy of the first drawing from my Air!  I'm also working on filling in the gap in my "Drawing A Day" portfolio...  The second one is true to life... :-)

Toon On Air!

I have my new iPad Air... And as much as I loved my Original iPad.... This is a whole new ball game!

The display is beautiful!  Siri is great fun!  It's fast, light and did I say fast?  

It is so light, I had to get a case just to have something to hang onto!  I tried to wait for the selection to be better, but I'm pretty happy with what I found!  I never had a way to prop it up before! Now I have several options.

The grandkids and I have enjoyed FaceTime and the Photo Booth!  

Sad news... In the "synch" today to move all my drawings over... I lost five in my Drawing A Day portfolio and the first photos taken on my Air.  

The very first drawing on my Air was a very happy bird in flight... My old brain can't remember what the others were... I'm sure they would have made me wealthy beyond my imagination... Ha!  Meanwhile... Here is the last drawing from "Old "Faithful..."

On the way!

I watched the Apple announcement of their new products.... Tension mounted as they described their new operation systems, new pricing on some of their biggest apps (FREE), new Mac book, Pro, .. It was more than an hour before they introduced the new iPad... iPad 5, as I had been calling it has been named iPad Air!  It's leaner, faster, lighter, more powerful, better display, better camera....

My iPad is over three years old. It is the ORIGINAL iPad... No camera here!  No operating system upgrades for the longest time. I drain the battery daily and it recharges on the pillow next to me each night.  My ipad crashes frequently, and yet remains my faithful companion.  I have nearly 2500 images stored... Most of which are my drawings.  

I'm excited for The Air to arrive, yet a little sad to abandon this dear sweet friend...  

iPad Air

My original iPad...

9th Anniversary!

I've been a grandma for NINE  years!  

Happy birthday S E L U N A !

Lots has happened in the past nine years... Best of all has been the love and hugs and giggles with all four of the grandkids... They bring pure joy!

Keep Calm...

And know when to surrender.... 

Go Stare at Rocks

Our daughter had a rough day today... I told her I'd come watch the boys tomorrow so she could go shopping alone.... Or just get out of the house for a couple of hours to go stare at rocks.....

She thought staring at rocks sounded like a great idea...

Hey... We don't have an ocean close by... This just popped in as a realistic thing to do.. Don't judge!

Feet!

I drew this first foot ache back in June... We had packed packets for our annual meeting all day.  Sort of to be expected! 

Last night, working in the kitchen my feet felt as is a horse had trampled on them.  Shooting sharp pain for no apparent reason.  I have done nothing out of the ordinary for the past several days.  it would come and go.  Just when I figured it to be a fluke, it would jab me again.  Not a "tired achey" foot sensation.... But a "my God that hurts like crazy" feeling.   

I made an appointment to see a podiatrist next week, figuring I can cancel if it disappears as quickly as it showed up... Dr. Katie thinks Morton's Neuroma...steroid injections... Let's see!

Cat Nap

Cat Hat?  

Whatever... 

This is today's creation.  I am so tired a cat could sleep on my head! 

Ha! Looks like I might have a dislocated finger too!  Me --- all pixelated is pretty flexible!

Boot-iful

My friend Judy broke her ankle six weeks ago.  She was so excited to finally get her cast off, only to be put in a boot and told to keep it on and use crutches for six more weeks!  She has her FIRST grand baby due in about six weeks!  This grandma-to-be has better things to do than hobble around on crutches!

It'll be ok friend... Lots of happy days ahead! 

Looking up!

See?

This was the next drawing... Happy little cats all over the place!

I keep discovering ways to use the layers and tools in Art Studio. 

Then for added joy, I waste time using my drawings to do jigsaw puzzles on my iPad.

Life is good and there really is humor and fun all around us!  Just look!

Get over it!

Lots happening around here... And I had a night recently to just crash and cry.

I'm good... And this drawing actually makes me smile now.  Art truly is therapy for me!  Look at Gracie, imitating the famous Grumpy Cat!  Packer socks, my sock monkey... The sock monkey pillow case a friend made for me... A box of Kleenex, a good cry and I am all good!  Good to go! :-)

Flash Back to School!

My best friend is a teacher... I have many friends in the field of education. I also have three grandchildren getting ready for a brand new school year!  I am flashing back to our own kids school days... And all the way back to my own!  Lots of jitters, excitement, anxiety, joy.. There is nothing like it... That FIRST day of school!

Best wishes to everyone in the coming new school year!  Go Teach and Go Learn!

(and don't forget your shoes!)

Frequent Flyer

 

Back at St. Mary's.... We knew this was coming, but hoped Dick could snap back at home. Four some reason, he cannot keep his oxygen at safe levels... looks like he will be celebrating his birthday here!  Poor Dude!

Yup.... Stuck in the hospital for his birthday.  He had emergency surgery to look for some sort of leak in his belly.  Nothing specific found... A small section of small colon removed.  Probably just so the surgeon felt like he did something...  Poor Dick. He's pretty miserable and with regrets he ever agreed to any of this!

Fluids....

Another visit to the clinic... The dr. decided a bag of fluids would help the DH with his twitches (jerks)... When you don't have a camera in your antique iPad, isn't it nice to be able to capture such events with a drawing!

I also found a new app to record this history.... Yup!  Need a computer to keep track of doctors, meds, procedures, treatments, labs.... This app allows me to add illustrations, photos, and even voice files!  I'll save the voice recording for doctor mumbo-jumbo!

 Fast forward four days...

We ended up in Urgent Care!  Four hours later, we were sent home.  He was hydrated again, blood drawn, some medications adjusted... And we go back for more tests on Friday.  No idea why this is happening.... Just "lucky" I guess.....  Highlight of the day was reconnecting with a former neighbor who won us as her patient today!  Thanks Lynn for the great care!

I can't hear you!

Packet Packing Extravaganza 2013

Our office holds a huge meeting each June... Tomorrow we will move the office across town to set up for this year's event.   More than 800 people are registered and we've been working hard all year to prepare... The last month has been pretty intense for all the staff.  Today I hosted our annual Packet Packing Party to assemble materials to hand out at registration.  The day included snacks, great stories and Polka music to keep us all moving along.  There was a rendition of the Chicken Dance that just cracked me up... Thank you, Pandora!!!

21 of us wrangled lots of paper into packets and the into boxes... The packet handed out at registration weigh 1 pound - 10.4 ounces!  We packed 950 packets... Well over 1500 pounds!  This Packet Packer's feet hurt... And is quite tired... But also so happy to work with so many wonderful people!  I can't believe that many people worked so well together to finish the job in just two hours! We had teams of "Flats"-and "Smalls" and stuffers and boxers and a restocker... Ages ranged for 18 to 70!  It was just AMAZING!  I'm feeling great joy tonight and happiness for my work family.

Life is good... And so will be my 23rd annual Conference!

23 YEARS!  

Wow!  I am truly blessed...         

Color Me Blue

Tough day.... Pretty much how I feel.....

No worries... I will snap back!

Why Does My Cat

Like sitting in boxes, regardless of size... (she is 13 pounds and has tried to get in an empty check box)

Go crazy over packing tape...

Like to "drum" on doors in the middle of the night...

Sit on top of the newspaper I am trying to read...

Put "treasures" (rubber bands, ribbon, milk rings, cat toys) in her water dish...

Try to sneak out of the house when she's scared to death of the outside world...

Hiss at the grandkids (they're really nice small people)...

Take over "my" chair the minute I leave it... Doesn't she love me?

Sleep all day... (probably tired from the drumming mentioned above)

Ignore store bought cat toys and prefer my sewing scraps (also worthy of water dish status)...

Love her... Quirks and all!

My Gracie!

Added 06-21-2013:  Why does my cat cough up hair balls between 2:30 and 3:30 am, never on a hard surface (I should buy stock in spray on carpet cleaner and paper towels)... And why does that distinctive sound wake me up every single time?  I still love you Gracie-kins!

13 months....

Our youngest grandson is 13 months.  He's got the walking thing down... He is discovering all sorts of things about life as an independent little man!  The pacifier is in his mouth to keep him from EATING the sand.  Now to teach him the fine art of NOT tossing sand all over the place!  Fun times... Love these little guys!

Guess I'm tired!

I did these two drawings recently... In fact they were done a day apart.  I guess i've been feeling tired! Looking forward to the weekend... Naps included!

Happy Mother's Day!

(from email....love it!)

I love this because it has the perfect blend of admiration for moms and skepticism. These were quotes from second graders, but I think teens could respond just the same for most of them... 

 
Why did God make mothers?
 
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
 
2. Mostly to clean the house.
 
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
 
How did God make mothers?
 
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
 
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
 
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
 
What ingredients are mothers made of?
 
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
 
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
 
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
 
1. We're related.
 
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.
 
What kind of a little girl was your mom?
 
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
 
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
 
3. They say she used to be nice.
 
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
 
1. His last name.
 
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
 
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
 
Why did your mom marry your dad?
 
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
 
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
 
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
 
Who's the boss at your house?
 
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
 
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
 
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
 
What's the difference between moms and dads?
 
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
 
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
 
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
 
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
 
What does your mom do in her spare time?
 
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
 
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
 
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
 
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
 
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
 
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
 
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
 
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
 
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

It's a race....

....to the sun room! Arts and Craft Day at the home.... LOL!

Easter Eve

DH scraped his foot a week or so ago, then again a few days ago. We ended up in Urgent Care today.... The "abrasion" seemed to have a white bone peeking out. Turned out to be just tissue... X-rays didn't show anything broken.... But anyway, while sitting there, I doodled this up. The image just popped out of my fingertips. I was done before he returned from X-ray...

My iPad has become such a part of me! L*O*V*E it!

NOW

Need or Want....

My new mantra.... Do I NEED it or do I merely WANT it? Boy! This will help my checkbook... The clutter in the house... Food I put into my mouth...

At least this will slow me down and make me think...

(new iPad... NEED or WANT? Hmmmmm.)

From the Right...

I had "Artist's Block" the other night... And started drawing with my non-dominate hand. This is the result... It was frustrating.... The image in my head just couldn't come out right... But this kitty makes me smile. I'm kinda proud of my right hand!

Challenge yourself...try things with you non-dominate hand: grocery list, address a card, doodle... It stretches your mind in a fun and unexpected ways!

Fight's on!

My little sister told us tonight that she has breast cancer... I can't sleep, thinking of her and all the battles coming her way! Shes tough and will do well.... Just wish she didn't have to join with the millions of women fighting this fight! Sure makes you stop to take stock of your own life! 

 

 

There is a company called CHOOSE HOPE that happens to be located here in Sun Prairie!  They offer t-shirts, wrist bands, etc. to support those touched by cancer.  Seems like most everyone is touched by cancer... I was able to pick up some goodies to get off to my sister right away.  Be sure to check them out.  www.choosehope.com  They actively support cancer research and promote ways to support the cancer community.

 

 

Celebrate!

Pi Day is just around the corner! Our family will celebrate at a 'Pi-rish' party on St. Patrick's Day. My sister and her husband make amazing pizza PI from scratch with only the best ingredients... Siblings show up with a variety of fun tucked in... Last year featured a wind-up owl toy race across the floor...

You have time to get your PI on... Gather family and friends.... The PI's the limit!

I need a parade...

Mid-winter blahs have a hold on me... I could use a marching band, sunshine, a rowdy crowd.... A kids scrambling for candy being tossed from parade floats.. How about you?

Oodles of Doodles...

Our poor kids. When the time comes to roll ol'mom and dad out of this house... They're going to have their hands full. With my dad it was endless paper filled with his writing.. His wisdom, intelligence...his humor... His memories. Boxes and boxes! Mom .... 110 3-ring binders filled with photos...

With me it will be files full of oodles of doodles! I ran across them today.... Drawing Pre-iPad days on paper! The little lady below was inspired by a little series I had done several years ago. I think she was headed to be a set at 4evercards titled "Little Old Lady Who,,,,"

I wonder what the point of me drawing is. Gotta be something other than stressing out our kids as old age approaches..... Hmmmmmm my legacy to them.... Maybe a drawing or two will make them smile... And to wonder what exactly was going on in my head!

February 14th!

Special love to all my family and friends! Happy Valentines Day!

I'm a Leftie

And so is my cat.... This is how I iPad at night.... =^..^=

Happy Cat

Our cat is going to turn 13 soon! She's nearly a teenager, which probably translates into "Senior Citizen" in cat years. Gracie loves mom and dad... And isn't too sure about the others who invade "her house." She believes in the old adage, 'move your meat, lose your seat,' taking over my recliner each night. She loves to curl up in clean, newly folded laundry... I often wear her to work! Well, her fur anyway! I think Gracie is a leftie, like me. She curls up in my left arm only... whether I'm sleeping, watching tv, or drawing on my iPad. Frustrated finding me going off to sleep on my right side the other night, she traipsed over me several times, digging in the blankets until I rolled over. The purr machine won and we fell asleep together with her in her preferred snuggle spot! I should mention that Gracie is no featherweight! When she "traipses" across your body, you feel it!

As I type tonight... Gracie is reaching out, little white paw on my cheek as if to say, "stop mom... I need a cuddle..." and so TTFN!

Whooooo had fun?

Thank you iPad and Art Studio! I had a lot of fun working on this one last night and couldn't have done it without you!

Groundhog Day 2013

I met Jimmy the 10th yesterday! He is a four year old groundhog making his debut appearance as the official prognosticator! It was bitter cold, but he declared an Early Spring for us! Let's hope he is right! It's been a pretty mild winter in Wisconsin - but we're all ready for the cold and snow (and ice) to go away

WWDD part 2

I emptied a check book today... on the way to the trash can, WWDD popped into my head again.  What Would Dad Do?  He would find a new reason to KEEP this little piece of cardboard with  a nice gripper edge to it... he would make a nice thick black line across the bottom...

then flip it around to become a place marker for the ridiculous amount of entry work I have to do!  The raised edge where checks were torn out make a good "gripper!"

 

I have 470 forms like this one... each is seven pages long.  One form for each of our churches in the state... I need to compare chairpersons in a variety of roles.  New this year?  Continued from last year?  Changed seats and is doing something else now?  Oh, a new cell phone... and they've changed their email address again?  Hm... winters in Florida... oh - do you really think I can read this handwriting?  sigh... (happy thought: Job Security)

 

My handy-dandy little place marker/empty checkbook tool is going to be just right for the job... Believe me, I've tried various things over the years.... this will work perfectly!  On to the database I go!