Still Need to Learn

I am having problems with sizing my pictures on the net here. I know if I slow down and do some more reading I could figure it out...and that is what will happen eventually! The picture above..I tried to load as a header. At first it was way too big and only showed part of the pic..and after I clicked shrink to fit it was way over to the left of the header! So I decided to just put it in a post for now, as blogger can usually size that instantly! This is a combo of two different images. I wanted the girl a little bigger...and did resize her when I was editing..but when I pasted her on this background she kept shrinking..Just means I have to play some more! Which is way fun!

I do love the fact that there is always something more to learn..each and every day! It keeps life interesting. If something doesn't just jump out in front of me and say...you have a ways to go with this..I like to find another "thing" to learn..be it about myself or others or a hobby or just the world in general. Maybe in the back of my mind I am working to ward of Alzheimers and dementia later in life!

She Loves to Dance

I am posting a digital collage that I created out of a painting that was scanned to my computer. It is currently for sale on my Etsy site for those of you who may be interested! I do plan on doing many, many more digital collages...eventually. Have been trying to get ready for my first Distressing Diva party! It is on May 9th. Very excited about it! I plan to donate a portion of my sales to a local animal shelter. Ironically, it falls during the national "be kind to animals" week! Sort of just worked out that way. I didn't know about be kind to animals week until I read it..in the paper I think. So for all you animal lovers out there, remember our furry friends next week. Drop a bag of dog food of at a shelter, buy your poochie an extra large bone or just give your pet a lengthy belly rub!

Just Playing

I learned a few new tricks on photoshop! Wish I could spend all day just editing and creating on there...but alas..I am part housewife, part mom, part dog owner..ect. So I can only be part photoshopper too I guess!

I had to add the picture of my youngest son Casey..I just love it! I finished it and fell in love with his smile all over again! Just how sweet can it get!

Love The Bunny

How could you not? This little ceramic bunny probably stands about 2 feet tall and is colored in pastels, in the real world. I found him standing guard, just out of a partially opened garage door that leads to an abandoned house. Bunny does seem on high alert. Look at those bright eyes! I tiptoed over to him...with the thought...strike a pose...(flashback from Madonna days!) running through my mind.. (Oh yea, speaking of running..this is another morning run pic!) That song phrase still hits me every time I look at this photo. I do have a few other "poses" the happy guard bunny gave me...and he continued to smile so sweetly in all of them, ever ready to bat his baby blues, or in this case, greens, at me. I will save them for a rainy day.

The Radio Flyer

How sad this little red wagon looked...sittting or should I lying, on three wheels amidst some discarded belongings. I am sure it has had better, sunnier days. Perhaps its' memories live on someplace, in an adults mind, as a childs' long ago, smiling, happy summer day.

I am so in love with you...

.....my black, maryjane shoe! It is undeniable, the attraction cann ot be ignored. I look at you, you shine back at me...all glossy and happy and cute. If only I could wear you ever day...life would indeed be heavenly...but, alas....you just don't match my nursing scrubs...Perhaps I need a different job..one that more suits my loves style.

Show Me A Sign

Ahhh...the first flowers that pushed throught the winter weary soil! Imagine walking outside and seeing these along your front walk. They bravely showed their beauty amidst crackly, brown leaves and old mulch....putting both to shame and providing a gorgeous contrast. So far this little, tightly knit group, which includes a few more that aren't pictured, stand alone. There are other green leaves sprouting up here and there..but no flowers on the ends of them. So I am so very appreciative of my little friends here.

Employees Enter Thru the Back!

If you work here, do not be seen entering the front door! Certain pink slip in your future if you do! The thing is the back entrance here is much more delightful and moody than the front entrance! Aren't the employees lucky...as long as they don't go to work in the dark that is.

I just loved stumbling upon this little, back alley scene! There were bright, clean, fresh white dishes sitting out on this bench. Perhaps they were air drying??? Hmmmm. It was about eight in the morning, on a Sunday, when I happened across this little European looking setting. Too strange that I found it right here in my hometown...a place that some have referred to as the armpit of humanity... For some reason it instantly reminded me of Italy, where I had the chance to visit as a teenager. It actually was the trip of a lifetime...I mean how often will I fly to Europe! (once so far!) My first flight ever, no less! It was on a jumbo jet. I didn't fly again until my second marriage..with my husband, to Texas. When I stepped onto THAT plane I thought, oh my something is really wrong here...this looks like the inside of a bus...nothing compared to the plane I flew on to Europe...where I just couldn't see the other side of the plane! So anyhoo... on to Eurpoe..we flew to Heathrow airport in London and then to Italy! It was so absolutely beautiful. The gorgeous statues, the fountains, the Coliseum. We then took an overnight cruise to Greece. I don't actually believe it was a true cruise ship though! Cargo maybe? On to Sorrento and the Isle of Capri...where they have the bluest water ever...leading to the Blue Grato....Oh boy...I have really gone off on a tangent..didn't mean to, but, like I said..the picture reminded me of Europe.

Sunshine Swing

The Birds.....

I decided to try an original aceo painting today. This is my first attempt at this size. It was actually sort of fun! I listed it in my etsy shop to see if there is any interest in it. Right now I have aceo prints in there, but prior to this, no originals. I do plan on doing a few different larger paintings of my little bluebird photo.., and possibly printing off an aceo photo of the bluebirds, but this appeased me for the moment. If you don't already know aceos' measure just 2.5 x 3.5 inches, and are highly tradeable! I do believe I may start my own collection of other artists aceos. You can find little photo albums for your aceos on Etsy, in a few different stores. I also saw someone selling mattes for them last week. Can you imagine..a nice little montage of these on your wall? Well...just talked myself into that! Off to start my collection!

I Present to You...The Bluebirds

I found these little bluebirds just lying around. They had spent the winter outside, but well packed underneath a thick blanket of snow. I came across them in the usual way I find my subject matter...on a run. My canine running coaches and I ventured through yet another abandoned yard...attached to an abandoned house. This proved ample oppurtunity for sniffiing here and there...the dogs I mean! Have you ever tried to take a picture with one hand, with two dog leashes in the other...that were attached to two very inquisitive dogs....all while being on the lookout for drivers going by who might think you were up to something more than you actually are...or think you are wacked out of your head? Spring must be dogs happiest season..new smells, old yuck showing up where the snow has hidden it all winter. All least someone enjoys that.

Not I..today was a day full of raking and clipping. Our perrenials are already poking up...there are few flowers here and there too. Funny, because on the opposite bank we still have snow!

So back to the bluebirds...they are so sweet! At one time I am sure they flew throught the air on a whisper of a breeze, in all their sweet little bluebird glory. Perhaps they can find their way there again....hmmmm.

That's right..so distressing!

Distressing, creepy, scary, haunting....I love this picture! Ohhhhhh...what is behind that door..would not want to open it. This is one of the pictures from my back alley run a week or so ago. I think my true self may be dark and moody! Though that is not at all what my personality is. ..at least I don't think it is...My interest in photography draws me there...even the artwork I like is similar to this. On the other hand..I have my shabby, vintage, retro--eee girly, girl side. Well, that is why I have two blogs, so I can cater to each....shabby/retro and dark and distressing! It is the best of both worlds! Too funny..for the past hour have been watching Haunting on the Discovery Channel. There is just something so calm and relaxing about that show.....hmmmm... Or maybe it is because it is different than all the other nonsense on tv. Does anyone else have such problems? I really don't see it as a problem...just lots of different interests...multifaceted..yeah..that's it!

Angel on Your Shoulder

Can you ever think of a time when you have said to yourself.."I must have had an angel on my shoulder?" Just a question...something to think about. I have had a few times when I just know one was seated there! Sometimes you just get that feeling that you are not alone. Many instances at work I have thought this of patients who have come in. For some unknown reason, they may have survived something seemingly unsurvivable. I think there is a reason they lived through that..a reason they are still with us...There is a reason that the right, knowledgeable and talented physician, nurse, therapist was also at their side...and I could go on and on about possible reasons but I won't bore you with that. Just sort a few thoughts I had at work today.

Speaking of angels...I am almost finished reading a very good book, called "The Book Theif" by Marcus Zuskas. The only reason I sought this book out was because it was recommended on another blog..one of which I don't remember..but wish I did so I could thank that person. It is about Nazi Germany..and a young girl. It is narrated by Death. I found it very thought provoking, somewhat disturbing at times and utterly, gorgeously written. It made me think about things that I needed to think about again.

Aceos Anyone?

Well, I have decided to try my hand at aceos. I have been dancing around the idea for a while. Did not really realize how sweet and tiny the measurements actually turned out to be until I pulled out my tape measure. So, if you are an aceo enthusiast..you are probably saying..this women is so behind her times! Well, so what if I am..I admit it at least! 2.5" x 3.5" is so petite....and again sweet!

So I resized this painting and printed it out. Now it is on two different sites to see if I get any interest...we will see.....

Into the mystic

Van Morrison...how can you not love him....or the song "Into The Mystic"? I know, some of you have probably never heard it...but you really should! These are pictures from my run this morning. All I could think of was the phrase..."as we sail into mystic"...and the little play of instruments that follows that....how dreamy!