CREATIVE THERAPY

Some of you may wonder if I've fallen completely off the face of the Blogosphere!! Thankfully, no!... But April & May were filled with many family events and needs that kept me both from writing & from drawing much.

In April, my husband & I had the JOY of traveling north to celebrate my nephew's wedding with family & friends. As co-pilot in the front seat of our little red Corolla, I happily counted the miles by knits & purls as I practiced my new knitting skills on a cozy blue scarf.

Home again in May, we learned of my mother-in-law's unexpected hospitalization & quickly repacked our bags (along with more yarn) and headed to the farm for 3 weeks. During that time, my mom also had knee replacement surgery... a very difficult experience for the whole family. My life felt upside-down & in limbo... and so I knit.

It's interesting now, looking back on my whole May experience... Much as I wanted to draw & create, I found I just wasn't emotionally able to concentrate. And yet, my hands still yearned to "make stuff"... so knitting did indeed become my creative therapy! Nothing very complex, mind you!... Just miles & miles of colorful scarves! It was one of those times when I wondered if I'd ever be able to draw anything again. But God is GOOD!... and I'm once again able to put pencil to paper & let my "sillies" out in living color.
    

Thank you so much, Lord, for your faithfulness to me!!

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4 NIV

WITH THANKFULNESS FOR SALEM...

This is our sweet dog, Salem. After a very brief illness, she went to be with the Lord this week. Joe & I are both so grateful for the GIFT that she has been to our family & for the many wonderful memories we have of her!!

It's strange for me to realize that, at almost 54 years old, Salem is the first dog in my life that I have really called "Friend". She loved our boys as they were growing up, always happy to be their playful buddy. She has been my close companion & a constant presence for me. With all of Joe's travels, I have never felt alone or afraid with Salem at home with me. Joe had developed a "tradition" when I came home from work... both he & Salem would come out on the front porch to greet me. There she'd be, tail wagging & barking to get my attention. It always made me feel loved.  :)

Salem helped me through all the transitions of motherhood as we sent Ben & Jesse off to college & out into life. Her presence in our house helped fill our home with warmth & joy & peace for me... and how fitting that is since the word "Salem" means "Peace".

Thank you, Lord, for the GIFT Salem has been for our family & for me!! I am so GRATEFUL to have enjoyed her friendship & companionship! My heart is hurting now... but I trust in You. I know your plans are GOOD. Please be very present to us as we walk through this valley... and help us find JOY in our memories of Salem.

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! :)

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

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

"Love One Another"

I've been wanting to update my blog for the month of February... something appropriate for Valentine's Day, something "meaningful and insightful", perhaps some whimsical story or "fresh new take" on what it means to LOVE (and YES! I have been waaaay over-thinking this blog post! ;) ).

But in the end, I've returned to a favorite portion of Scripture that best sums up Love for me. From I Corinthians:13...

"Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects
always trusts,
always hopes,

always perseveres.
Love never fails..."

I Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

Please love those who cross my path each day with YOUR perfect love, Jesus. Help them to experience YOUR love for them through me... Amen.

ARTFUL RESOLUTIONS

"Carolina Snowfall"

I'm not one to make New Year's Resolutions... Unfortunately, I've learned from past experience that I don't follow through very well on my best intentions!

But this year I hope will be different for me! I'm feeling the need to define what I'm doing art-wise better & simplify, simplify, simplify!! I want to clean out my studio & make it a cozy place to create (instead of a cluttered place just to store art supplies!). I want to step away from my computer & rediscover the joys of quiet time set aside just for sketching and journaling.

Most of all, I want to listen to my own heart & create art that reflects ME... and pleases GOD.


** As YOU enter the New Year, what are YOUR Artful Resolutions?... and how do you hope to achieve them???

Perhaps we can encourage one another as we grow as artists in the coming year!!

Too Cute To Spook!

"Too Cute To Spook!"

I have such fond memories of eagerly dressing up in home-made costumes and visiting neighbors for candy, doughnuts, and hot apple cider on Halloween night! Mom and Dad always walked along with us, chatting with friends, as we went house-to-house with our buddies.

Today, my husband and I are the neighbors who wait at the door with a huge basket of candy and a big welcome for the children! I always look forward to the adorable parade of princesses and pirates, firemen and fairies, cute bumblebees and baby pumpkins! :)

Wishing y'all a fun and family-friendly Halloween!! :)

HARVEST QUILT

"Harvest Quilt"

Autumn is coming to North Carolina! The evenings are nippy and the tops of the trees have been painted orange and gold. It's time for some of my favorite things... apple crisp, chrysanthemums, colorful leaves, pumpkins, cozy sweaters, and warm quilts. :)


"Harvest Quilt" is my little tiny way of celebrating the JOYS of Autumn! It is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS.

BABIES "R" BLESSINGS

"Made In Heaven"

My husband, Joe, says I have a "colorful resume"! As our family's college tuition earner, I've held MANY part time jobs over the past ten years. I've worked as a receptionist at my home church. I've been a salesperson in a scrapbooking store and in a Christian bookstore. I've cared for infants in a daycare setting. And, most recently, I've been a nanny for two fun-loving preschoolers. Each job has held its' own challenges and blessings. Looking back, I'm certain that the Lord has used each circumstance to help me grow and mature... and I am GRATEFUL!!

This fall finds me in yet another new role. I'll be teaching at Reynolda Preschool and Kindergarten. Happily, I'll be working with infants, an age I thoroughly enjoy! I've spent the past two weeks setting up the brand new nursery... kind of "nesting" before the babies arrive. I had fun gathering board books and music and colorful toys. I created a bulletin board where we can display pictures of our growing babies. I tried to use my mother's heart and my artists' eye to create a warm and happy environment where these little ones will feel safe and welcomed!



What a joy and a blessing it is to be able to nurture these little children, Lord!!... to discover their unique personalities and to help them grow in good ways! Please give me patience and wisdom as I care for each one in Your Name... Amen


"Made in Heaven" is available in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS! :)

LIFE'S A BEACH :)

"Chillin' At The Beach"

I grew up in a beach-lovin' family! :) The highlight of our entire year was always a laidback vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There was something fun for everyone!... sailing, fishing, jumping in the waves, building sandcastles, and lots of beachcombing.

But I think my favorite thing was just chillin' on the beach, taking it all in and enjoying the sunshine!


"Chillin' At The Beach" is available in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS!

MOM'S MINIVAN

"Mom's Minivan"

Just something silly & fun in honor of Mother's Day and the coming of summer vacation! :)

Believe it or not, back in the day when MY guys were small, the minivan was yet to be invented! Still, I remember so well packing all my kids and their friends and their "stuff" in the back of our station wagon, in search of summer fun, adventure, and a little escape from the hot, humid weather! Most of the time, our destination was the neighborhood pool, where the kids splashed all afternoon and I played "lifeguard" from under a poolside umbrella.


*sigh*...So many happy family memories!! :)

(...sunscreen, anyone???)


"Mom's Minivan" is available at my Etsy store, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS!

HEAVENLY HANDIWORK

"Heavenly Handiwork"

My husband and I recently made the trip from our home in the city to his family's home in the country. We traveled at night under a nearly-full moon. Like a true "city girl", I found myself amazed by all the millions of stars twinkling overhead! The words of the Psalmist came to my mind...

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
Psalm 19:1

Thank you, Lord!!... When I lose sight of how infinite and powerful You are, You gently remind me by all You've created.




"Heavenly Handiwork" is available for purchase in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

"The Princess and the Pea"

Once upon a time, in what seems like a very long time ago, I was the happy (and busy!) Mom of two rambunctious boys. Our home was filled with primary colors and all things little boys love ~ legos, trucks, Playmobil, and Ninja Turtles. My guys liked to dress up and have adventures as cowboys and Indians, pirates and superheroes. As they grew older, we accumulated a basement-full of rollerblades, bikes, and skateboards. Without a doubt, ours was a home geared toward BOYS!

...And so, it should not have been a big surprise to me that taking care of Jane (a sweet baby GIRL, then 8 months old) would be a real learning experience for me.

Even from a young age, Jane seemed drawn to all things pink and sparkly. She loved to play tea party with her many dolls, and delighted in the world of fairytales, princesses, and make believe. Jane's favorite way to spend a rainy day at home was to dress-up in her pink princess dress (the purple one just would not do), and dance in the playroom with great joy and abandon. At lunchtime, she never grew tired of hearing stories about the many adventures of Princess Jane...


Many thanks, Jane, for helping me to remember the wonders of being a little GIRL. This sweet princess is inspired by YOU!!



"This Princess and the Pea" is available in my CafePress store, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS, on a variety of baby & kidswear.

TIDINGS OF COMFORT & JOY!

My husband, Joe, and I have recently received several New Years cards in the mail from friends near and far. They've helped me realize that there are others like me who are still wrapping up Christmas, "UnDecking the Halls", and sweeping up tinsel in mid-January!

As always, these letters have told our friends' many stories... a new baby, a job change, a wedding, a family vacation, graduations, goals achieved, many ordinary moments, and extraordinary milestones. And sometimes the most honest of these letters have also brought news of difficult life changes and personal losses. Truly, for each of us, every new year holds something new...

And so, as I pack up the manger scene and take down the Christmas wreath, I think about how comforting it is to know that, into our everyday lives, Jesus was born. He is our Emmanuel ~ God With Us. He invites us to walk with Him into each new day.


May your New Year be filled with the comfort and joy of walking with Jesus each day!


From my sketchbook ~ Prismacolor pencil & micron pen on graph paper

JANE AND THE BEANSTALK

I've found there are many times while taking care of little children when I'm called upon to put aside my "big people" pride and practice some "little people" humility. Recently, I had just such a humbling experience...

On an excursion to our local Childrens' Museum last month, Jane (now 3 1/2) decided she was up for the challenge of climbing the Giant Beanstalk. She'd been thinking about climbing it for a very long time, and finally she'd summoned up the courage to do it!!

The Beanstalk is a steeply sloping stairway with netting around it that winds its way up from the museum's ground floor to the second floor. With great excitement, Jane slid off her tennis shoes and began her climb to the top...

Somewhere about two-thirds of the way up, I realized something was definitely wrong... Jane was stuck!! Without her shoes she wasn't able to get the traction she needed to keep going up, and she was too afraid to crawl all the way back down.

...And so, there was nothing to do but to climb up the Beanstalk myself and rescue her!

Looking back on it now, I know I must have been quite a sight! ~ a 51 year old babysitter (not as thin or as agile as I used to be) holding my bulky purse and a pair of little girl's tennis shoes tight and making my way (with great difficulty!) up the Beanstalk. But, to be honest, I really didn't care about what I looked like or what other people might be thinking about me. All that mattered was calming a little girl's fears and encouraging Jane in her climb to the very top!

As I've thought back on this, I have to admit that I sometimes feel just like that little girl, perched precariously and in need of rescuing. And Jesus comes into my situation with me. He stays with me in my predicament. He brings with Him just exactly what I need, and He cares for me. He calms my fears and then He encourages me forward.


Thank you, Lord, for little children, who teach us so much about humility and so many profound lessons in life about being loved by You.


edited by Patti Moore ~ Nov. 14, 2007

WW * A VERY unSCAREY SCARECROW

Here is my very first entry for Wordless Wednesday!... Just couldn't resist jumping in for some group blogging fun!!

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

"A Very UnScarey Scarecrow"

This collage is made from acid-free scrapbooking paper, Prismacolor pencils on smooth Bristol paper, and acrylic paint on a canvas panel.

iDOODLE

Here is one of my favorite ways to "jump-start" my creativity and get new ideas flowing....

Pick a theme & doodle mini-pics relating to the theme (l chose Autumn here). Try to fill up an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of graph paper. No need to be perfect... just keep on drawing whatever pops into your head. All it takes is a pencil, a good eraser, a micron pen, & a tablet of graph paper.

You can easily take this creativity-booster along with you wherever you go, so have fun doodling!! :)

LEARNING CURVE

"Space Explorer"

I like to learn new things. I find a lot of satisfaction in being able to search for helpful books and web resources about things that make me curious, and then dive right in and learn things on my own.

So, it made perfect sense to me, after purchasing a basic graphics program called PaintShop Pro (PSP) for my new computer, to wander down to my favorite local bookstore and buy a how-to book. I chose what I thought must surely be a very simple book ~ "PaintShop Pro for Dummies" ~ and eagerly headed home to learn the ins-and-outs of digital manipulation.

Well... it didn't take me long to realize that I might as well have been trying to decipher hieroglyphics! I just didn't seem to be able to "get" it. And so, reluctantly, I put this learning project aside.

Happily, this past summer my college-aged son (who amazes me with his ability to whiz around in Photoshop!) generously agreed to tutor me in PSP. Suddenly, some of those baffling PSP hieroglyphics started to make sense to me! Soon, I was scanning my line drawings into the computer and "painting" them on the screen... what fun!!

I still have a lot to learn about the "art" of PSP. But one thing I did learn this summer ~ some things are just more fun when learned together!

Thanks, Jesse, for all your patience!! Love, Mom

Space Explorer is available on a variety of fun kidswear in my CafePress shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS.