HAPPY AUTUMN!!

"The Pumpkin Patch"

It seems I've jumped directly from August to November here on my blog!... an unintended "Blog Vacation" on my part for sure! Since the beginning of the new school year, I've been learning a new job (I'm the part time administrative assistant at preschool), helping out in the 3 year old classroom, keeping up with "normal" life at home, and trying my best to squeeze in a little art time. I've been reminded once again that I'm a "one-thing-at-a-time kinda gal", and NOT a born multi-tasker! :)

But my heart and mind are never far from my love for creating! I've continued to fill my sketchbook with artful ideas before they whiz through my brain. I've splurged on some new Copic markers that I am absolutely loving! And I've been researching a new direction for my artwork... digital stamps for papercrafting. This is an exciting avenue, one I haven't considered before, and I'm eager to see where it takes me!

I realized recently that I'd never posted a picture of myself on my blog. I'm a bit shy about this, but I know that I always like to link a name with a face. So, here goes!...

 Wishing you all the JOYS that Autumn holds!!

~ Patti 

"WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION"

"Sailing with Spot"

It doesn't seem possible, but today is the last day of my summer vacation! One of the BLESSINGS of being a preschool teacher is having the whole summer off! I've enjoyed being at home with Joe and Salem (our sweet dog) and living life at a more relaxed pace. I've had fun...

* Celebrating my parents' 54th anniversary with all my family :)
* Spending a week at Myrtle Beach with Joe & Ben (Beach, pool, & eating out!)
* Sketching, reading books, & knitting a scarf (my first knitting project!)
* Creating art for children to put in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS
* Helping Jesse & Ben as they've settled into Ben's new house
* Visiting Joe's mom at her farm (Mmmm!... fresh veggies & sweet corn!)
* Caring for an adorable baby girl while her mom was working (such a blessing!)
* Watching movies at home & seeing "Harry Potter" with Joe at the theater

... So many GOOD things!! As I head back into the new school year, I know that the Lord has given me the gift of rest & refreshment this summer. And I'm so GRATEFUL knowing He has good plans for the children & for me in the coming school year! :)

WELCOME TO MY STUDIO!

On a recent shopping trip to AC Moore (my favorite craft store!), I couldn't resist picking up the most recent edition of ClothPaperScissors STUDIOS. Of course, I went right home & proceeded to read it from cover to cover! Afterall, who can resist peeking into artists' spaces and seeing them at their creative work?... Not me! :)

Inspired by all the colorful pics I found within its' pages, I decided to offer a mini-tour of my own home studio here on my blog... So WELCOME to "This Old House" and my creative space!

My studio is located in the back bedroom of our 1920's Bungalow and has LOTS of natural light! I have a great view out the window into my neighbors' English garden.

My art desk was a birthday gift to me from my sweet husband Joe!... The sideboard that holds my light box used to be the changing table in my sons' nursery! I have a single bed in my studio I use as a daybed... perfect for journaling, sketching, sipping tea, and snoozing! :)

This is the view from our kitchen into my studio... just steps away from my computer & our laundry room. I like being able to work on my artwork while keeping things going around the house!

My husband helped me improvise storage in my studio... It inspires me to have all my arty "stuff" where I can see it & within easy reach!

Our back porch is just off the kitchen and studio. It's one of my favorite places in our home! I spend LOTS of time out here on my computer. I can watch the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks at the feeder from my perch. My dog, Salem, often keeps me company here while I work. :)

I hope you've enjoyed this little peek inside my studio! I would LOVE to hear about YOUR creative space and why you enjoy being there so much!


To see my most recent creations, please come visit my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS! :)

EtsyKids Celebrate the 4th of July!!

One of the things I enjoy most about selling my artwork on Etsy is the opportunity to network with other creative people! It's AMAZING how many talented artists and craftspeople are out there, all sharing the same passion for creativity that I have!


Recently, I've become a member of the EtsyKids Team. We come from all over the world, and we all enjoy creating fun items for babies and kids! Some of us are Moms at home with little ones; others (like me) have raised their families and are enjoying some newly discovered creative time! Etsy enables us all to work at home in our "Cottage Industries" and contribute to our family's income.


I hope next time you have a gift to buy for that special child in your life, you'll consider "Buying Handmade" from the Artisans on the EtsyKids Team! :)

"TO HAVE AND TO HOLD..."

This past Memorial Day weekend, my parents celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary! Months before this special day, planning began to gather family and close friends from all over the country. Invitations were sent, a lovely reception hall overlooking the river was rented, centerpieces were designed using photos of my parents' wedding and cheerful red roses, and balloons were hung in big bouquets around the room. My niece even recorded music from 1954, the year my parents were married!

What a wonderful celebration it was! And most special of all to me was hearing from so many guests who came forward to share. One after another, they talked about how they'd been blessed by my parents and their marriage. The Lord had used Mom and Dad over those 55 years to care for so many people! What an amazing thing to hear how lives had been changed and people brought to know Jesus... all because my parents had held firmly to their faith and to each other!


Lord, thank you so much for Mom and Dad. May you use my husband Joe and I in our marriage to honor You all of our days!


The picture above was created by me in celebration of my parents' anniversary. While deliberating on a border to frame the piece, I could think of nothing better than "Rol hearts Joan hearts Rol hearts Joan..." forever! :)

WHIMSICAL ACEO'S FOR KIDS!

Just joined byhand.me, and I'm having fun playing with their Artist's Showcase feature!... It's similar to Etsy's Treasury. You can curate a collection of your favorite arts & crafts from a variety of Handmade venues and share it on your blog or social networking sites... pretty nifty! :)

I'M SO HONORED!!...

...to have one of my ACEO's, "Welcome Spring", featured in the new blog ACEO Showcase! YAY!... Many Thanks, Lynsey!! :)

ACEO Showcase features "the very best in Art Card, Editions and Originals (ACEOs)" every weekday. I hope you'll make this new blog a regular destination as you browse for original art!!


ACEO's are 2.5"x3.5"... a teeny, tiny, wonderful way to collect original art!

MY "ARTY" SPRING BREAK!

"Garden Bunny"

It's Spring Break for me this week, and I'm enjoying taking off my "preschool teacher's hat" and putting on my "artist's hat". I spent a whole day spring cleaning my blog, updating the colors and decluttering a bit. I had fun creating a clip art "baby chick" in PaintShop Pro from one of my little drawings to use on my new banner. Slowly, I'm getting more comfy creating simple digital art! :)

I've made time to just "doodle" this week. It's been wonderful to have the time and the energy to sit with my cup of tea and my sketchbook, just enjoying the process of "playing on paper." There's been no pressure to produce... just the pleasure of seeing what develops. I'm amazed as I see these little sketches come to life! They are a gift to me and bring me so much joy!!

Thank you, Lord, for rest and renewal... Thank you for the chance to be inspired and to enjoy the process of creating!!


"Garden Bunny" is available in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS