Out of Space???

So, with yesterdays post, I was notified that I've exceeded my photo space. I can buy more space, if I choose. O.o

Somehow I missed that change in Blogger, and it makes me quite disgruntled.

I have two of my own blogs, and participated in another that involved a lot of photos the day's I posted, most are still in my Google photo albums. Not sure if the combined blogs are contributing, or if it applied to each one.

Anyone have suggestions, besides paying for more space? What you are doing with this interesting development? Anyone considering going to a different blog host?

Thanks, fellow bloggers, for you suggestions!

Happy Friday!

Field of flowers - WIP

I've been working on a canvas the past week or so, between other projects. This is another of my textured landscape paintings, still a work in progress. This is based on a photo I took of a field of blooming mustard on the Palouse (Eastern Washington State). Many years ago, I drove 30 miles to work every day through the Palouse area and loved the ever changing landscape.

Layers added thus far to the initial painted surface include netting, lace, torn paper as texture to the sky and field.  I have more torn paper to add in, a bit more painting and will attach buttons and other bits. More to come on this!

I am so slow when working on these textured paintings. I do layouts and think about it, and change it and think about it. Does anyone else do the same thing? I usually do have several projects going at once, and that's probably my problem. Scattered creativity.

For now, I'll be checking to see what the other Paint Party Friday artists have created this week.

Also sharing with

 

HuMp DaY Haiku - Message

Water rushing in

Crow is calling out, prepare! 

Chilly days ahead! 

Crows are quite persistent in their messages, if only we could hear. Although, I have noticed it is chilly... she says grumpily. :)

A year or so ago, I started doing Hump Day Haiku with Carla Sonheim's Silly classes and decided as a challenge for myself, I'd continue. I have found that creating a haiku (non rhyming poem with 5 - 7 - 5 syllables per line) feeds my soul. I especially like creating them to go with my photos and art. 

Would you like to share a haiku you have written? 

You may include a haiku in the comments, OR you may copy your blog post url (featuring a haiku) and add a link to your blog using Mr. Linky. And consider visiting other contributors blogs to see what they've created and say hello. 

Internet connection woes

 Well... I should actually say "laptop" woes. My fancy schmanzy laptop has this tendency to occasionally "lose connection" to the internet. Usually I can do the "troubleshooting" thing, and it connects. A bit of a pain, but only a minute or so wasted  of my "internet" time. :)

But not this time. All other computers in the house can connect through our network, but mine just is being stubborn. I'm now working on the old... like 9 years old... laptop we got working again some time ago for my hubby. He was upgraded to a speed demon a month ago and this laptop became the "studio" laptop for listening to books on CD and music and such.

And now I'm on it again so I can get my online fix... as I attempt to figure out what the heck to do to fix the freakin' fancy schmanzy laptop.

It did this once before, and the weirdest thing was that when I went to the local library branch for check the wireless, it worked just fine. What IS it's problem? *grumble*

I am quite spoiled, it appears. I want my internet, and I want it now. Of course, two Etsy shops on a busy weekend, two blogs, and being a moderator on atcsforall (not to mention keeping up with family on Facebook and email) keeps me checking in several places off and on all day.I need my internet!

Hoping your weekend is going well, and your internet connection is behaving as it should. Cheers!


Oh... PS... the photo is the dock I'm going to drop the laptop off if the bugger doesn't start working correctly soon! *she says with a laugh*

A mothers lament

Worn out from caring

Needing one who understands

A mothers lament

There are times when dealing with a disabled child is too much. There is little to no support, regardless of all the "touted" programs. It's a struggle to get help. There are no easy answers. I am so tired right now. 

I know there ARE blessings involved as well. I'm doing my best to focus on the blessings. But sometimes... I want to go hide in the woods and have natures energy restore me. 

Linking with Rebecca's Haiku My Heart today.

Thinking of Summer

Okay, I know it's Thanksgiving, and we're in the midst of chilly gray weather.
I do know this.

However, I have sunflowers on my mind!
Doesn't it just warm you up to see bright sunny yellows and golds?
I want to feel warm!
Yes, I'm whining. *laugh*

This painting is now available in my booth at the Holiday Festival of the Arts. 

 Happy Thanksgiving! Stay warm! 

HuMp DaY Haiku - grateful heart

Grateful Heart available in my Etsy Shop

Now it has begun

Season of stress and excess

Still a grateful heart

The holidays are my least favorite time of year. So many stresses. So many bittersweet memories of seasons past and those who are not here. 

I am, however, grateful for the ability to feel stress. And grateful for memories and for the love of those who are here, and for friends who listen. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

A year or so ago, I started doing Hump Day Haiku with Carla Sonheim's Silly classes and decided as a challenge for myself, I'd continue. I have found that creating a haiku (non rhyming poem with 5 - 7 - 5 syllables per line) feeds my soul. I especially like creating them to go with my photos and art. 

Would you like to share a haiku you have written? 

You may include a haiku in the comments, OR you may copy your blog post url (featuring a haiku) and add a link to your blog using Mr. Linky. And consider visiting other contributors blogs to see what they've created and say hello. 

Holiday Festival of the Arts!

My booth is finally set up for the Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts, which starts Nov 16th and runs through Dec 24th. I'm exhausted! 

Final booth set up, with a small ornament tree on the left side of the shelf you can almost see... 

We found these louvered doors in a free pile last summer, the same day I saw the idea on Pinterest. My husband painted them, and made the shelf and I really like how it turned out.

Here's a closer view of the some little canvases I've been working on with their copper wire "handles" attached. 

I'm a bit freaked that my art is so tiny it doesn't take up much room in the display. But at least you can easily see what I have!  I have several pieces that got their final touches today, and will go over tomorrow morning for the show opening. 

Between the inventory and tagging and setting up, I still did some art! These were finished this afternoon. 

Four 3x3 seashell canvases 

.

and a cheery cardinal beeswax collage

And on another note... this little canvas is being included in two Etsy Treasuries this week; Give Thanks with A Grateful Heart and Colors of the Season.

Sharing today with the artists at Paint Party Friday, hosted by Eva and Kristin. I'm eager to see what other artists have worked on this week. 

HuMp DaY Haiku - Red Leaves

Changing of the leaves

Vines on buildings glow with red

Autumn has arrived.

This photo is actually one my son took on his trip to Ireland a few years ago. I'm borrowing, as I've seen similar vines around Bellingham, (not such cool towers though) I have been to busy to go out on a photo shoot... soon!

Happy Hump Day, everyone! 

A year or so ago, I started doing Hump Day Haiku with Carla Sonheim's Silly classes and decided as a challenge for myself, I'd continue. I have found that creating a haiku (non rhyming poem with 5 - 7 - 5 syllables per line) feeds my soul. I especially like creating them to go with my photos and art. 

Would you like to share a haiku you have written? 

You may include a haiku in the comments, OR you may copy your blog post url (featuring a haiku) and add a link to your blog using Mr. Linky. And consider visiting other contributors blogs to see what they've created and say hello. 

Trees bereft of Leaves

While frantically creating and tagging and figuring out the placement of things for my booth, this week I took time out to create an altered page spread for our local Altered Book Exchange. The haiku is mine. It didn't come out quite as I envisioned, (it never does) but I like it. I hope she does too!

Original Haiku by Helen Campbell 

Trees bereft of leaves

Stark branches against the sky

Winter Silhouette

Happy Bird

Another little canvas for the Holiday Festival of the Arts... Happy Bird

This is a 3 x 3 x 3/4 inch canvas, that started out with a bit of a 1960s school workbook as the background. A bit of paint, stenciling and collage later, and I think it's done. 

On another note, I was delighted to hear that a location has finally been secured for the Holiday Festival this year... 1200 Meador Ave. in the Haskell Business Center. Yay! Local to Whatcom and Skagit County folks should come check it out. 

Sharing today with Paint Party Friday, hosted by Eva and Kristin! 

If you have time, do check out what the other artists are working on this week. 

HuMp DaY Haiku - VOTE!!!

We do have a choice!

Working to make our voice heard

is a privilege!

One of my firm beliefs, is that we each have the power to make a difference. Whether you believe it or not, I feel it is true.

Voting is one way we can make OUR voice heard. Reading about the issues, (oh no! I'm suggesting work!) pondering the best candidate for the position, voting for what speaks in our hearts. Does this person resonate with my true beliefs?

Don't follow the crowd, think for yourself!

I firmly believe we need to move forward. How radical to think we can try something new, even if just a little differently than we tried before.

I have voted. We're a vote by mail county, so I voted early. I urge all you to get out and vote, if you haven't already. Make your voice heard!

A year or so ago, I started doing Hump Day Haiku with Carla Sonheim's Silly classes and decided as a challenge for myself, I'd continue. I have found that creating a haiku (non rhyming poem with 5 - 7 - 5 syllables per line) feeds my soul. I especially like creating them to go with my photos and art. 

Would you like to share a haiku you have written? 

You may include a haiku in the comments, OR you may copy your blog post url (featuring a haiku) and add a link to your blog using Mr. Linky. And consider visiting other contributors blogs to see what they've created and say hello. 

Just a little nervous...

I've been working on so many things for my booth at the upcoming Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts! My sweet husband has been designing the booth I want from old shutter-style closet doors. (A huge score this summer in a "free" pile!) It's going to look so cool, in my totally biased opinion. *grin*

I'm still working to make sure there are enough arty things to fill it. I still have so many unfinished and almost finished pieces, it's making me a bit crazy!  It's a good thing is the festival goes for 6 weeks; I can keep creating things as we go along to restock as needed. 

I am getting a bit nervous, however.  

We still haven't heard where it will be located this year. We are supposed to set up the booths on November 13 & 14. EEK! 

Fingers crossed that they have it figure out early this week.  

I guess the worst case scenario is that I'll have a lot of creations for my Etsy shop. 

Faithful Owl

One of my little mixed media pieces destined for the Holiday Festival of the Arts...

2.5 x 3.5 stretched canvas - Faithful Owl

Sharing with my friends at Paint Party Friday...

Also sharing with