Another Touch of Spring

 It is still cold, drab, and gray here -with a light mist coming down.   So, what is needed is------


                "Another Touch of Spring"

                               Pick another favorite!

A Touch of Spring

It is cold, drab, and gray here.

What is needed is---


"A Touch of Spring" 


Pick your favorite!

Then and Now

Toll of Winter's frost
Dry brittle withering bud
Holds new life within 

Rosy Splendor

Soft mounds of pink fluff
      Surround heaven in rose hues
            Creating splendor

   Soft billowy clouds
        Reach down to trees' cold bare arms
            Cloaking them in warmth

Tis the Season

Christmas Decorating

Rockchalk Jayhawk

                                                                              Be proud, be loyal, be true

                                                                    Go crimson and blue

Here is a Kansas University Santa.  The sculpted face is made by a well known local artist--Babs Mellor.  Her lovely work is found all over the city.  The tree is decorated with handmade KU Christmas ornaments.

The Jayhawk is the University of Kansas mascot.

Snowmen Greeters

Two Snowmen greet you at the front door.  I painted them at 3 in the morning the other day.  They are made from a 6 foot board and a 4 foot board.  The top hat is part of the board with a cross piece added for the brim.  Add a sweater and a scarf and they are ready to say "Hello" to visitors.

Christmas Favorites

More beautiful poinsettias!

One of my favorite Santas from long, long ago.  I painted him back in the 70's using pen and ink for the detail work.

Candle Glow

Soft glowing candle
     Reach deep into heart's center
              Caress tired spirit

         

Perfect Dusk

Blazing evening sky
Exult nature's grand splendor
Heaven is alight


I have NEVER EVER EVER seen such a glorious sky as the sunset last night here in Kansas.  It was indescribable--looking at it was almost a "religious experience".  There is absolutely "nothing" that can equal nature's beauty.

Mystic Night

Dark mystic night sky
     Profound and esoteric
          Yet strangely warming

Snowmen,Snowmen, Snowmen

The "Brave Ones"

Many geese (the smart ones) fly South for the winter, but some choose to "hang around" the river or a local pond or lake. I'm afraid they may regret their decision when it turns cold this weekend. But, on the other hand, they saved themselves a long flight!!

Christmas Ornaments

Whoever would have thought to make a "paintbrush" into such an adorable little Santa.  Another treasure.

Christmas Ornaments

I just think this Santa is so elegant.

Christmas Ornaments

Sand Dollar Santa

Christmas Ornaments

I have so many "favorite" ornaments!!!!   I love the little angel that says Kansas at the bottom.

Handcrafted with care

    A whimsical adornment
        Reflection of love

KANSAS ANGEL

Christmas Color

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Thank goodness for festive poinsettias to brighten and add color to the Holiday season.  I love the many varieties that are available now days.  This one is "Jingle Bell".












Bright crimson flower
Usher in Season of Joy
Spread Christmas magic

   

Christmas Favorites

Here are some of my favorite Christmas decorations.  I can't "lay claim" to any of them except the little Snowman.  I made him from 2 clay pots.  The big Santa face is a cookie jar lid  ( there is a set of lids that are all hand painted and include a design for every Holiday.  I love all of them.  The standing Santa is my very favorite decoration--he is hand painted and made from a dried gourd.  In a divorce settlement, he would be a major point of contention.  The next Santa is an antique bell, clapper and all.  Such fun to get all of them out each Christmas! 

Cookie Jar Lid Santa



                                                              

 Hand Painted Dried Gourd                                               Santa                                                   

                                                                                                                                                

       Antique Bell Santa

                                                                                      

                         

Clay Pot Snowman

Christmas Baskets

Stick a glue gun in my hand and I go crazy!!  I love taking a plain basket and adding flowers, leaves, and such to the front of it.  I use it to put received Christmas cards in, pinecones, or fill it with a variety of sacks of homemade candy and, again, give it to my (lucky???) friends.

 

Poinsettias are always beautiful, and these days you can get them in just about ANY color. 

"Crafty" Santa

I love to do Arts and Crafts (heavy emphasis on the Crafts side--my "talent" seems to fit in that category a little more than working on great Art pieces, unfortunately). Here is my "Brick Santa"--yes, he's made from a real brick. Paint a cute face on him, add a beard (all kinds of fun materials can be used), add a bag of toys and a cute hat and "there he is". I have probably made 40+ to give to (lucky???) friends and family, and actually sold a few too. Seems like if I make one of something I end up "mass producing" them to give away.

"Crafty" but cute Santas

He's one of the "favorite" things I've made. It is such fun getting out all of the Christmas decorations-many of which you forget about from year to year. More favorite crafts and Christmas decorations coming up in the next few blogs. Happy decorating!

Fall is not "quite" over yet!

I know I promised to be "through" with Fall, but these beautiful leaves were just laying on the bright green English Ivy and made such a pretty contrast. Soooo, I just had to take one more Fall picture.




Contrasting colors
Catch the eye of beholder
Demanding notice__________________________________________

Art is?

The Magic of Sand

 I've decided Art is Anything that Anyone does using Any kind of media.  That's what makes it so interesting!!!   A friend sent me images of this year's 2010 Sand Castle competition entries from Harrison Hotspring, British Columbia, Canada.  Quite detailed, quite unique, and quite interesting.