tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45478798865865813312024-03-05T17:41:41.881-08:00Lula's GiftMy watercolors*My struggles*My inspiration*My homeLula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-48510718511925843372010-04-27T08:26:00.000-07:002010-04-27T10:19:33.310-07:00Those Terrible StepsWhen I bought this house the steps looked like this. Sure it doesn't look awful but what you are missing, is the kitty pee pee smell. Apparently the former owner had a cat that expressed his anger by peeing on these wooden steps with a runner down the middle. And you know, I don't recall smelling a thing until the day I moved in. They must have really sprayed that carpet with some very powerful deodorizer. But pee or no pee I was planning on ripping off the carpet and stripping the steps to their natural wood finish. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5r3lw5aO2VJ1sU9e-VaoBs6mQCY53eeXrZKOwSCEVN3BvMY1p3t4758xuP52JAsYJkOd952Op0dPqcsrWmvJuxgROsdRxMC6DssHAtydDO0QU6eXE6Qg4mbdxMaCisnNT3xavCaSHdXl/s1600/Stairs+Original.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5r3lw5aO2VJ1sU9e-VaoBs6mQCY53eeXrZKOwSCEVN3BvMY1p3t4758xuP52JAsYJkOd952Op0dPqcsrWmvJuxgROsdRxMC6DssHAtydDO0QU6eXE6Qg4mbdxMaCisnNT3xavCaSHdXl/s400/Stairs+Original.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464854313170799442" border="0" /></a>So my brother helped me by pulling up the carpet and what was underneath was just a mess. There was layers and layers of stain and paint, glue and tacks - LOTS of tacks and nails. From this picture you can see the work I've done on the bottom 6 steps - stripping, sanding, tack and nail removal. And after all this work, I have to say these steps were ugly - there wasn't going to be any beautiful wood coming through. There were too many tack holes and the wood not pretty. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8qsChhWYS9fmGaP7SgBXBrduhywMIzL-EqTu3wdvSuoWcbJNF5fEkv3903U_vXgWl0p7iU8szbuvBbaGJ5kUMADuGaVzPPxQZT4LHL5t5OCnLJ15JJCbHGWOV5zEUbFnnLkcqVTRhFes/s1600/stairsnocarpet.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8qsChhWYS9fmGaP7SgBXBrduhywMIzL-EqTu3wdvSuoWcbJNF5fEkv3903U_vXgWl0p7iU8szbuvBbaGJ5kUMADuGaVzPPxQZT4LHL5t5OCnLJ15JJCbHGWOV5zEUbFnnLkcqVTRhFes/s400/stairsnocarpet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464854564280264498" border="0" /></a>So the task was set aside. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted but Plan A was definitely out. So the stairs have been left in this in between state. Yes I'm sure kitty is sitting there thinking, "What's up lady, these are nasty."<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmoz5DD6r_D-3GO52Qljxv3dhVW5AiVysFZ9A57oOwZOL5VWchm0ci-oV-v1eJZzQB3iQ_HnxDUOh3yKVmurMTISO18q9rAPVjsgpDa2vfpS87H64pGPZ-m3fzUCatgQ5BfYI-DCefbKJ/s1600/Kitty+Steps.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmoz5DD6r_D-3GO52Qljxv3dhVW5AiVysFZ9A57oOwZOL5VWchm0ci-oV-v1eJZzQB3iQ_HnxDUOh3yKVmurMTISO18q9rAPVjsgpDa2vfpS87H64pGPZ-m3fzUCatgQ5BfYI-DCefbKJ/s400/Kitty+Steps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464862479339648114" border="0" /></a>I had a couple of ideas buzzing in my head - but wasn't sure. Then like a gift from above I was looking at the <a href="http://madebygirl.blogspot.com/2010/04/stair-runnerswhatcha-think.html">MadeByGirl</a> blog and I saw my entrance stairs and I had my answer. Voila.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokIhE5FVtkVpBPJ_GiFB035NDmAkUMNIu-ezZkoBo2IuRU200UDncv47kaPSh1KXaOTVV5_gCl93J8-__aDxH5X3M6QLPowFJXPDNySHFBYWjz2WWmjD1m2ihiOII5dsnTv-AkxeFCQ4Q/s1600/sisal+stair+runner+Lucyina+Moodie.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokIhE5FVtkVpBPJ_GiFB035NDmAkUMNIu-ezZkoBo2IuRU200UDncv47kaPSh1KXaOTVV5_gCl93J8-__aDxH5X3M6QLPowFJXPDNySHFBYWjz2WWmjD1m2ihiOII5dsnTv-AkxeFCQ4Q/s400/sisal+stair+runner+Lucyina+Moodie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464864302469092610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >photo is from the stylist Lucyina Moodie</span><br /></div></div><br />It's still a fairly big project and right now I'm prepping the steps for paint. I'm not sure I'll try doing the runner myself or hire someone. I'm really like the sisal runner but need to check prices. I realize it may not go so well with the formal look of the black and white marble tile, but then, that' s another project one day. I just can't wait to get it done! Thank you Jennifer!!!!Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-5283169705299087132010-04-20T20:15:00.000-07:002010-04-20T20:38:02.545-07:00Lilac InspirationI confess, I've always wanted to write one of those inspiration books. You know, the one you have by your bed or on the back of the toilet. The one that changes your blue day to a sunny happy one. But now that I think about it, the authors who have inspired me most to keep my chin up and try it again are ones that have gone through a great deal of pain themselves.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Does Life Equal Pain? Is that the only and best way to grow?</span><br /></div>Today was hard. Between sales calls I cried in my car and talked to friends. (Thank God for my friends.) And I'm at a place where there is really nothing can do or should do. I just have to wait it out. And truly it's like waiting for a storm to pass. I'm tense with anticipation for the next clap of thunder - never really knowing when it will hit. And I know there are plenty of folks out there in this cyber world going through harder stuff than I am. But it's all hard and we all need inspiration or just a drop of hope, a promise. Here it is.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyts6odrXv4U8V_xJ0QSAIXgb02s7A1lP0MRirnxQaM4Z6R_0KAntiAjF27XyMRrzhTgSQ7O7gcb1BOuoSho821pBix28YCielKluxmf-dW03nQOvhSFVC4Gc47nTm-C0nyW8MagOkYioL/s1600/lilac.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyts6odrXv4U8V_xJ0QSAIXgb02s7A1lP0MRirnxQaM4Z6R_0KAntiAjF27XyMRrzhTgSQ7O7gcb1BOuoSho821pBix28YCielKluxmf-dW03nQOvhSFVC4Gc47nTm-C0nyW8MagOkYioL/s400/lilac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462428243457745506" border="0" /></a>I always find hope in flowers. I walked in my little spring yard - all I had was wild honey suckle - but it smelled delicious. My neighbor has a lilac bush and I snapped off a piece for my bedside vase. It's a little bit, just a reminder. And every time you start to worry smell the flowers you collected.<br />Inhale the beautiful fragrance, exhale thanks.Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-29892409355126230222010-04-06T20:30:00.000-07:002010-04-06T20:48:42.828-07:00Abandoning Ship<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSAcw7sLeSkXg-GAVOCTeAatZyw3SYm4cg_zQaSLPXKK2-H-pLzMZuwm2VzZGhFcxrmkZRJSfZemvW0CBWhm71EM5Ygh2sqMjw2WOTgEZAdRtGhpBvSxTM_COMmHdf7UVPZ9hWXoYr10n/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSAcw7sLeSkXg-GAVOCTeAatZyw3SYm4cg_zQaSLPXKK2-H-pLzMZuwm2VzZGhFcxrmkZRJSfZemvW0CBWhm71EM5Ygh2sqMjw2WOTgEZAdRtGhpBvSxTM_COMmHdf7UVPZ9hWXoYr10n/s400/scan0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457236663653287010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">Earlier this year, I started this blog because I was seeking anonymity because my boss was "visiting" my blog at least once a day. For the last few months, I tried to barrel through at my old blog and just keep posting in spite of my fears. But it hasn't worked out so well. Soon, I found that I was over thinking, over editing anything I posted. I was writing with her in mind, and I didn't enjoy blogging, it wasn't fun anymore. So from now on this is THE blog. And I'm a bit sad to say good bye to my first blog, my original blog, my blog of 3.5 years. I just have to let it go. It may take me a bit to build the momentum and enthusiasm I had with my former blog, but I hope that I am able to encourage, inspire and paint as before. It's a building process. Maybe this blog will be better. With every new beginning there is hope. </span></span><br /></div>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-60701493933398049942010-01-17T12:50:00.000-08:002010-01-17T12:57:36.505-08:00So Close to Finished<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp9EthttntBwK9Iv5fAkkkykNOODCiluXnudsR8XklC_49GHHhTIfZDnIUHvAm_Ggcck6nZFFpfvTItFpM78S5633R8F_Fu6e7aLyguJdxinQgtcgTzQtHfONQX1oMx0eX780mAA3_niq/s1600-h/kitshelves.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvp9EthttntBwK9Iv5fAkkkykNOODCiluXnudsR8XklC_49GHHhTIfZDnIUHvAm_Ggcck6nZFFpfvTItFpM78S5633R8F_Fu6e7aLyguJdxinQgtcgTzQtHfONQX1oMx0eX780mAA3_niq/s400/kitshelves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427814865362229234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlVHMyb_L3eodCSJbS2pTq3tlv4gtIONulDnXAYsnxdVhhEFtSeCuk0dqBCp6Sb6MrIcNZU_2OFGnw8Yn5gwGhK6wM8wMTnpoJC5K44inASjhwQS0muP23D-USOHIeqSSjuQSx98vHJbV/s1600-h/kitchencorner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlVHMyb_L3eodCSJbS2pTq3tlv4gtIONulDnXAYsnxdVhhEFtSeCuk0dqBCp6Sb6MrIcNZU_2OFGnw8Yn5gwGhK6wM8wMTnpoJC5K44inASjhwQS0muP23D-USOHIeqSSjuQSx98vHJbV/s400/kitchencorner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427814761485828210" border="0" /></a>I still have the floor to paint and windows and window treatments to make. But these pictures show you the portion of the kitchen that is completed. It's been a long road. And I'm going to take a break from working on the house so I can do some watercolor painting, blogging, writing and cooking. It's so much more pleasant to cook in a kitchen you like being in. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittv9ZopYj9Hx90PwEMFpzlV4pQGIT63AF7qLd-8gqR9f8Eg4jPGqs1xNF1B02uxEG8r4eKWxjnUcbT_H5ygp8dhL4HFY7fi9o8lj1ylLKCIYD_7SKq8xl96oK6xEpiTqdTt-p3SWMpeE5/s1600-h/Kitchen2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittv9ZopYj9Hx90PwEMFpzlV4pQGIT63AF7qLd-8gqR9f8Eg4jPGqs1xNF1B02uxEG8r4eKWxjnUcbT_H5ygp8dhL4HFY7fi9o8lj1ylLKCIYD_7SKq8xl96oK6xEpiTqdTt-p3SWMpeE5/s400/Kitchen2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427814692610353938" border="0" /></a>And a <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >HUGE</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">BIG</span> THANKS </span>to my brothers -<br />both who did the work to make my kitchen lovely.<br /> <span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">THANK YOU!!!!</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivegub-xWDYZKprbvqljdG3vRc_6iJwjmb5G8iSmGb0X7kVej1266Am5x19Oqq_suwmAy5Xaa_thk4WC1Zrgi327Ep6ncurU9m_J2HrJ05iLLEWK5WLoZZeB1FfFaGoIDMrXwlhgZOkwfe/s1600-h/kitch2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivegub-xWDYZKprbvqljdG3vRc_6iJwjmb5G8iSmGb0X7kVej1266Am5x19Oqq_suwmAy5Xaa_thk4WC1Zrgi327Ep6ncurU9m_J2HrJ05iLLEWK5WLoZZeB1FfFaGoIDMrXwlhgZOkwfe/s400/kitch2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427814624116691346" border="0" /></a></div>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-62318996351780393502009-11-10T12:44:00.000-08:002009-11-10T20:48:20.118-08:00Kitchen Transformation -<span style="font-size:130%;">Before.....</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAfykBpmO5UNL9CXKPk7jnT1quqZ4bJD2u7Mm046S1bMT06pz8ZHjrP1VsrrbrUJ0fMC21fjwIX5bzT2F46PaSWfxVOV5TbiYmFXroxO3nkg-QeK0nZp9TlX0nTo2xvS57vM6mn61-k2d/s1600-h/Kitchen.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAfykBpmO5UNL9CXKPk7jnT1quqZ4bJD2u7Mm046S1bMT06pz8ZHjrP1VsrrbrUJ0fMC21fjwIX5bzT2F46PaSWfxVOV5TbiYmFXroxO3nkg-QeK0nZp9TlX0nTo2xvS57vM6mn61-k2d/s400/Kitchen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402700681407829362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N7i3FjaoF5X83XWU8rKe3qg3xlDV3xoctqM6LjGjl-P8UoiS3kuF0moUADcyqfi0oWJQMONRFSFSbt8eVYtJEz3htqhtTQm7ktZux8xcz2Uc8nD2RxQDX6JpRiDVgetVijPg5seGeW5w/s1600-h/November+2009+kitch2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N7i3FjaoF5X83XWU8rKe3qg3xlDV3xoctqM6LjGjl-P8UoiS3kuF0moUADcyqfi0oWJQMONRFSFSbt8eVYtJEz3htqhtTQm7ktZux8xcz2Uc8nD2RxQDX6JpRiDVgetVijPg5seGeW5w/s400/November+2009+kitch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402701511230286274" border="0" /></a>.... and the next step - not quite an "after" picture yet. I want to change the counter tops to a butcher block wood and a plain white tile back splash. But for now, i just needed some encouragement. It seems to be taking forever. I didn't realize what an impatient person I've become - this house is going to teach me that's for sure.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo-Pwa6IvZM6roaqdb7vs3s38QPDZja9reu6P3i27S5x-GTkXGdfOBsJcQVpw0do2-9NyEj6G9BQpiVpl1XHRofYEX_9tLzh10r5bmwNPZbEscPh94VyUXoN1_kp-gE71Ks-Qlc8dlJAw/s1600-h/kitchbefore.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo-Pwa6IvZM6roaqdb7vs3s38QPDZja9reu6P3i27S5x-GTkXGdfOBsJcQVpw0do2-9NyEj6G9BQpiVpl1XHRofYEX_9tLzh10r5bmwNPZbEscPh94VyUXoN1_kp-gE71Ks-Qlc8dlJAw/s400/kitchbefore.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402702019133243762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa_ge7FkUKaT8FasuqoQdwtZY9mDkG9jv5zyzKoMIRtJfnmYMd-Ry60wsoVTv50m2ERPLPSCjm3r4XfLckipl8gRQg6MCgGhLkwH6wyntGO4CB7g57hMGTArznJKBeDwGZ5pE49AbFbQB/s1600-h/November+2009+kitch3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa_ge7FkUKaT8FasuqoQdwtZY9mDkG9jv5zyzKoMIRtJfnmYMd-Ry60wsoVTv50m2ERPLPSCjm3r4XfLckipl8gRQg6MCgGhLkwH6wyntGO4CB7g57hMGTArznJKBeDwGZ5pE49AbFbQB/s400/November+2009+kitch3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402701782012006818" border="0" /></a>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-26529650742402430922009-11-05T07:22:00.000-08:002009-11-05T08:01:52.483-08:00Creating and the Day JobWhen I got home from work yesterday evening, I found the new Anthropology catalog in my mail box. Quickly I put everything away, changed into warm lounge clothes, boiled hot water for some tea and finally, HAPPILY, sat down to devour those beautiful pages of great clothes and furniture, accessories and styling that makes me want to cry because it's so DANG creative and interesting. I save these catalogs because they are works of art. I'm overwhelmed with inspiration and wanting to try my hand at making these things and growing in new directions as an artist. I want to run upstairs to my studio and work the night away - not sleeping - just painting! making! creating! But I close the catalog because I have things to do - paper work for my day job, laundry because I wear clothes, food to prepare because I'm hungry, working out because I'm getting fat, returning e-mails, wiping up cat puke, painting the second coat of paint in the hall... So much to do and yet I'm rarely doing the thing that makes my heart beat and sing - create. WATERCOLOR!<br /><br />Even this morning, as I'm writing this I feel the pressure of the day's duty's on me already. I'm constantly at work in my head trying to figure out how to manage life's requirements and my passion. To have only days filled with art stuck in a studio is not what I want either. The outside provides so much energy and inspiration. So how to do it? Here is my list that I'm working on.<br /><br />1. Get to bed at a decent hour - so you can wake up earlier. I'm a morning person so my best work and creative energy comes at this time. I like to write, paint and plan my day during these morning hours. <br />2. Make a to do list and get the days' priorities done first. DO IT. If you don't do everything - fine, put it on the next day. Eventually you will get it done.<br />3. Plan exercise - not so much for looks but for a mental and spiritual uplift - afternoons are best for me because I tend to drag and this is a good boost.<br />4. Don't forsake your friends for art. There's nothing worse you can do than to isolate yourself. You need people. At least once a week meet a friend for lunch or tea.<br />5. Plan creating time - so far I've not been good at this. But this needs to happen. I plan everything else, but not this and maybe because I think this time needs to be spontaneous. That needs to change!!!<br />6. Finally don't try to make it all yourself. As a creative person I see so many things that I feel I can make myself. I can do a lot of things but when I spread my creative self too thin I become a master of nothing and a jack of mediocre crafts. Find out what you want to really be exceptional at - one or two areas - and dive in. Don't try to make all the curtains in your house when you could use that time painting magnificent paintings. This is where I fail the most. I think I'm saving money - but really I'm just increasing my frustration with my life. So I really need to think through certain projects and be reasonable and honest with what I really can manage. <br /><br />This is a huge reminder to me and I hope this helps others too. Life is so beautiful and short and it really pains me to think that beautiful art, stories, crafts and ideas are just never going to be completed and given to the world by the working artists because we have to fold the towels and unload the dishwasher. NO!!!!!Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-55796435020046737162009-11-04T08:11:00.000-08:002009-11-04T08:16:12.282-08:00La la laaa deee da la dee da laaaaaaThis is what I was humming while I did this on a page of a really old dictionary. The actual page of the dictionary is a pretty creamy white - nicely aged looking. But on this scan it looks rather yellow. What to do? I might do a series and frame them... we'll see.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTvG2xk0vzVehQOQbep1HgtCkp_yfkmxFgC0LKjbKjL68Tu7yjCt_AFSVNuTSvlvTchbj94Eu7SHtV2-7HaSdG97CuxDu5oiONgCbuXntumll6LiK2sGXG9nHW5zDh95Ojo-2YIcLn1TT/s1600-h/Dictionary+doodle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTvG2xk0vzVehQOQbep1HgtCkp_yfkmxFgC0LKjbKjL68Tu7yjCt_AFSVNuTSvlvTchbj94Eu7SHtV2-7HaSdG97CuxDu5oiONgCbuXntumll6LiK2sGXG9nHW5zDh95Ojo-2YIcLn1TT/s400/Dictionary+doodle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400282521747666242" border="0" /></a>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-32562277350813664162009-10-22T12:12:00.000-07:002009-10-22T12:18:40.245-07:00First Watercolor Completed in New Studio!... ahhhh finally. I have finally come to the place where I can at least work in my new studio. It's such a nice tree house like nook. Pictures to come - I'm waiting for a sunny day and there haven't been many of late - lots of rain here in the Mid-west. I might just have to post dark pictures. But more importantly here is the painting - A first home this new little family is getting ready to move from and they wanted a keep sake. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQlCTHy_ICp-ZVTjroxtr9SQ8cQHqQNmGLzljeRVBnlpKkggNU3-g3WL1uHlWyLEq9KgEOZZ8Vi3NbqwITHHJBct3BrMtYyKCEzCFwlEHuEAXNxkfwJizyknCNGeTyjq248Vms7cTCj-Z/s1600-h/Blazers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQlCTHy_ICp-ZVTjroxtr9SQ8cQHqQNmGLzljeRVBnlpKkggNU3-g3WL1uHlWyLEq9KgEOZZ8Vi3NbqwITHHJBct3BrMtYyKCEzCFwlEHuEAXNxkfwJizyknCNGeTyjq248Vms7cTCj-Z/s400/Blazers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395505252310061618" border="0" /></a>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-36088314765802007722009-10-06T21:42:00.000-07:002009-10-06T21:46:23.014-07:00Collage<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >This...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1cEygqKXD8Mf1pJefQy7z2SiJHKVNekRjCaZbsnd4e0eTYKTwO9X3oIm23Yi1Fjp3WjTnWhBAItVLLN5Ufk4S_CkUFpi-la0ZIXwS2MkG25grUJaX2ZF9f5MlLpEX1my0Q4V4SY-fqD/s1600-h/Step+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPO1cEygqKXD8Mf1pJefQy7z2SiJHKVNekRjCaZbsnd4e0eTYKTwO9X3oIm23Yi1Fjp3WjTnWhBAItVLLN5Ufk4S_CkUFpi-la0ZIXwS2MkG25grUJaX2ZF9f5MlLpEX1my0Q4V4SY-fqD/s400/Step+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714135879215986" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >...becomes...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgN31xltrG1FP6zQqZ7YZqvp6EqSXkOF7Ee7WlNMI38G7hfk06MHGvEzGHdlgHEkUH_jxeI0AveLMPvD-k3nIi0VbKNMzVEL2-l6J2_JPqBIsw6XlO5CfFYO_5hOSHBqvhqHWegzcOdOH/s1600-h/Step+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgN31xltrG1FP6zQqZ7YZqvp6EqSXkOF7Ee7WlNMI38G7hfk06MHGvEzGHdlgHEkUH_jxeI0AveLMPvD-k3nIi0VbKNMzVEL2-l6J2_JPqBIsw6XlO5CfFYO_5hOSHBqvhqHWegzcOdOH/s400/Step+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389714505175526434" border="0" /></a></div>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-51326333028930253442009-10-05T21:13:00.000-07:002009-10-05T22:01:09.851-07:00Home Decor InspirationI'm still working on the bones. But it won't be much longer until I get to do the fun stuff and that is the decorating of my new place. When I get down or tired I spend a little time looking at my favorite blogs and soon I feel rejuvenated. Decorating is the light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The number one design and art blog I look at daily is <a href="http://decor8blog.com/">decor8</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZOz7O6RmZNpkOuR9mTy_PU4rTU_A3Ji9N5ZMHeYrhKZl9-mURXNGwzTwv2ICYcRgCeYrcvgqvGoz1qzRB-Bu_4P4wCcqYAxcT7cqrls5yQuxK8cntA7064nddgB4Nu5W6A4bbu2H4hSl/s1600-h/decor8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZOz7O6RmZNpkOuR9mTy_PU4rTU_A3Ji9N5ZMHeYrhKZl9-mURXNGwzTwv2ICYcRgCeYrcvgqvGoz1qzRB-Bu_4P4wCcqYAxcT7cqrls5yQuxK8cntA7064nddgB4Nu5W6A4bbu2H4hSl/s400/decor8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389343872684292914" border="0" /></a> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);font-size:78%;" >(photo taken from decor8)</span><br /></div></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the European flair that defines this blog and am SO overwhelmed by the great homes I see on on the site that I think I'll pop. And I LOVE that Miss Holly features artists as well. Great art can really pull together a room and speak volumes about a person. It's as defining as the clothing one wears. I learn so much from her site and I admit, my decision to paint all the rooms "Super White" was greatly influenced by this blog. And I'm very pleased with my decision so far.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqKdt72S6mKs307I31mfCB-cbiddpqDv4ltXbUKGdz_Z49w1_9_SS6c7JrDA1YotRUwtg5PSOeJSyMuye6M85LKcI8U74OhzbDh7hr-8zCFvzYC1ttielYjxR6TU466Mj4opZXLC62N7x/s1600-h/Designsponge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqKdt72S6mKs307I31mfCB-cbiddpqDv4ltXbUKGdz_Z49w1_9_SS6c7JrDA1YotRUwtg5PSOeJSyMuye6M85LKcI8U74OhzbDh7hr-8zCFvzYC1ttielYjxR6TU466Mj4opZXLC62N7x/s400/Designsponge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389345102586162370" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);font-size:78%;" >(photo from Design*Sponge)</span><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next would be <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/">Design*Sponge</a>. I just started looking at this site. A little retro - but I always find something that tickles my fancy, makes me happy and gets my creative juices flowing also known as drooling. Finally, <a href="http://www.yarnstorm.blogs.com/">Yarnstorm</a> because she's English, clever and colorful. She finds beauty in gardening, books, yarn and cookies. And, I love, LOVE, LOVE her photos.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRmsm2uagusUpFspl7duEH06Zg9pEtwPpIspWZhz3-jkplYF2_RUPbEMgJwzKOuHyV0zgms0j2v5ab9wO_fUZYRmZUO9d2M30AXIyczXy_t24w2WYy2Pz9zPpH9LoedZim1YJTJohhOZV/s1600-h/JaneBrocket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRmsm2uagusUpFspl7duEH06Zg9pEtwPpIspWZhz3-jkplYF2_RUPbEMgJwzKOuHyV0zgms0j2v5ab9wO_fUZYRmZUO9d2M30AXIyczXy_t24w2WYy2Pz9zPpH9LoedZim1YJTJohhOZV/s400/JaneBrocket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389344823828092066" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);font-size:78%;" >(Photo from Yarn Storm)</span><br /></div></div>Sigh.... so many great ideas out there.Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-13133171159871095412009-09-29T20:32:00.000-07:002009-09-29T21:28:59.788-07:00The Light of Fall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2bsPUrcuDvSdI2Lr8DOCKpC6VEqoCVOKXZkcHpAOTha2Al1XHUbCyCS39sPhdgXjSCJUrYuX7PNzdakch6KMtFmkUyibVJcY_VtwbovwPRHvZcpO9m-e-S8Yyuf1TiFsKJQI3kpq9ei4/s1600-h/Fall09Botanical.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2bsPUrcuDvSdI2Lr8DOCKpC6VEqoCVOKXZkcHpAOTha2Al1XHUbCyCS39sPhdgXjSCJUrYuX7PNzdakch6KMtFmkUyibVJcY_VtwbovwPRHvZcpO9m-e-S8Yyuf1TiFsKJQI3kpq9ei4/s400/Fall09Botanical.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387102546628647778" border="0" /></a>I do love the changing of the light and it just kills me that I'm not out there painting. I did this painting last fall. I love our local botanical gardens! Sigh.... But the house, the job, the squirrels, the "everything" that is not in its place has got me pretty down. I don't operate well on stress, and sugar. And then I get angry at myself. And boy you know what's next - mental explosion...<br /><br />Last week I had to go out of town on business. At the hotel I vegged out one night in front of the TV for over four hours. (Let me add here, I don't have cable at home and tend to only watch movies or PBS so this was a treat for me.) I caught this home show where two brothers bought a condo and were going to work on it and flip it in 4 months. They were stressed to the max and one of the dumber brothers made me feel like a home renovating genuis. This little show gave me perspective. What I'm trying to do is hard. It's hard when there's two of you, ten of you or one of you. It's just hard.<br /><br />I think I need to unpack some of my watercolors and set them up around the house - they make me happy. I need a more balanced perspective.Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-72831692293745030692009-09-24T18:23:00.001-07:002009-09-24T18:58:53.295-07:00Be Careful What You Wish For...A saying I hate because it's so true...<br /><br />Since I divorced in 2002 I've been wishing, dreaming and longing for my own home. Shortly after my divorce, my Grandpa told me I would never own a home without a husband. And for a while there I was starting to believe him too. Three months ago, at a time most unlikely, in the middle of the biggest recession I can recall, I own this home - my very own (well in 30 years.) I think the biggest surprise is just how much time it takes to keep up a home let alone fix up. There's always something to buy and something to deal with that just wasn't part of that great fantasy in my head. Like...<br /><br />- the snake my kitty caught and brought me as a gift... I'm so glad it wasn't very big and half dead or I would have probably fainted.<br />- the endless painting. By the way, expensive paint is worth the money. You will spend more time cleaning up cheap paint and repainting over and over. Just spend the money on Benjamin Moore. (And no, they aren't giving me any money for this endorsement.)<br />- the barrage of solicitors that come to my door either selling me goods or religion. I'm sad to say, I have a new rule - I don't answer the door. Living in apartments all these years had some benefits I'm now seeing. <br />- squirrels living in my attic - they aren't paying rent and I've been trying to get them out for two weeks with loud music, foggers, traps with peanut butter and pounding on the wall. I might be making headway. <br /><br />When does the dream come? When do all those pretty images in my head come to reality? Will they? That's the interesting thing about dreaming and fantasizing, time is never factored in in any realistic way...<br />Anything of any value takes time ... another saying I don't really like either. Probably because it's too true. Dealing with alot of truth right now. Lots!Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-67942622263091356582009-09-03T21:04:00.000-07:002009-09-03T21:15:53.867-07:00Old House PhotosI painted and cleaned most of the day and I'm whipped!!! There are moments like these where I really wished I bought a spanking brand new house. But then I realize there's no way that would have ever happened - EVER!!!! I mean look at the last ten years. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EvHOy7ND2FWz1Zw7djPQqLp2kAx4nOqVqIbUoO_aQbWqcZY25R6GuuD8v_uuAbLnhb_1lr_Z4MVtty1Dddax7y0nRZewb0uKsKHFzKuB9Nj53S2f9sklLQkgha9fbEK-FSzkoB1VxAsy/s1600-h/two+women+old+house.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EvHOy7ND2FWz1Zw7djPQqLp2kAx4nOqVqIbUoO_aQbWqcZY25R6GuuD8v_uuAbLnhb_1lr_Z4MVtty1Dddax7y0nRZewb0uKsKHFzKuB9Nj53S2f9sklLQkgha9fbEK-FSzkoB1VxAsy/s400/two+women+old+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459926159688162" border="0" /></a>I'm an avid reader of home decor magazines and have all the old Victoria magazines with pages marked of rooms I like. I've day dreamed and wished for so long and I have collections of books, magazines and pictures of homes to prove it. In fact, over the years I've collected old black and whites or sepia photos of houses - they're hard to find - most old photos are just of people that I see in the antique stores. After I scanned my little old house photo collection, I realized it was inevitable - I was bound to buy an old place.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_M6BERMfM_2QboyQyzB4aackfGAPd9i-bqFPKKO9XsFOiQyk96SZ71cssqyT1g5UPRuql5v6tc8S-IecQAbucTSNvt0JMLdDbeTGBkRseRqgSkeADabj8rjLnu2wD47lk4WYi21BJuVz/s1600-h/Scan0006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_M6BERMfM_2QboyQyzB4aackfGAPd9i-bqFPKKO9XsFOiQyk96SZ71cssqyT1g5UPRuql5v6tc8S-IecQAbucTSNvt0JMLdDbeTGBkRseRqgSkeADabj8rjLnu2wD47lk4WYi21BJuVz/s400/Scan0006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459805993390258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH0CtPnjTwKzeY9APLtu1-8hHVqE1n4XemB6O7lDQdxjRWPdw2B7QhvtxVjOsST_vx8qdpcGYGChqF9nHfTJuG05THD52AQkBewB7w5O7xb_3hd2dmazssyr7Ews1UT6xpaReiSATX08e/s1600-h/oldhouse+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH0CtPnjTwKzeY9APLtu1-8hHVqE1n4XemB6O7lDQdxjRWPdw2B7QhvtxVjOsST_vx8qdpcGYGChqF9nHfTJuG05THD52AQkBewB7w5O7xb_3hd2dmazssyr7Ews1UT6xpaReiSATX08e/s400/oldhouse+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459562975051730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePas4plJAGyDZFlt0QPHRJ1LmaMaqWb3NPQqbAqzdbpZJxnMR4I-LBGzoIWR1MaXIZ8pNF0J2BViuYma-RPcRKKuPhOmNRNT1X8iLieCkTe_jTlCO8H6wpmz7hLmrkVVL1dA8YTEhL-O8/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePas4plJAGyDZFlt0QPHRJ1LmaMaqWb3NPQqbAqzdbpZJxnMR4I-LBGzoIWR1MaXIZ8pNF0J2BViuYma-RPcRKKuPhOmNRNT1X8iLieCkTe_jTlCO8H6wpmz7hLmrkVVL1dA8YTEhL-O8/s400/scan0004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459685190035554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuWpexq6iJySoaxrJ57_Xzib0gyNgdLWoIT3cfaYzhJLj6l1LYES1CyG2SWcprZ3zFM1ZLpl8f5LQZgoX9e9OGGdal-Nt-l_8lJJLA4IBULD7yqsjiSNbsdcGddn3WogyMykiPKF4pXOc/s1600-h/farm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuWpexq6iJySoaxrJ57_Xzib0gyNgdLWoIT3cfaYzhJLj6l1LYES1CyG2SWcprZ3zFM1ZLpl8f5LQZgoX9e9OGGdal-Nt-l_8lJJLA4IBULD7yqsjiSNbsdcGddn3WogyMykiPKF4pXOc/s400/farm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459393639096674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCACqBfie8Tq2CGNwcb5zmNRc8_cf5FascFDzL2mWerOguT2N1BY2Et-2t2koRO-Nomf3HVpcsr30XZlQpJ-_ZTmnsaWHL0nYW1XHRiQLFrGJM-FRA8Su8HRyzEcUyPL8dhmv6HwQt8knh/s1600-h/old+houses.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCACqBfie8Tq2CGNwcb5zmNRc8_cf5FascFDzL2mWerOguT2N1BY2Et-2t2koRO-Nomf3HVpcsr30XZlQpJ-_ZTmnsaWHL0nYW1XHRiQLFrGJM-FRA8Su8HRyzEcUyPL8dhmv6HwQt8knh/s400/old+houses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377459473329432722" border="0" /></a>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-53122056597430271002009-09-01T19:51:00.000-07:002009-09-02T14:14:28.816-07:00New ToolsThis renovating a house thing really isn't that fun when you have ADD and would rather be painting on paper than on walls. So I decided to paint watercolors of the three new tools I bought.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxJCSpa3MFE_fqTceXwOTZGcP2QfuUnsxlXC75lwD7pFZbs_np_EySAvFSqMZdXnFP456qnwwtBtrQWT1G6G4ZkFM8O4QS6NFLVxMACm81otbnvzA6A4QX9kyg7B_XLZN5C729Dw0z8RI/s1600-h/Clawhammer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxJCSpa3MFE_fqTceXwOTZGcP2QfuUnsxlXC75lwD7pFZbs_np_EySAvFSqMZdXnFP456qnwwtBtrQWT1G6G4ZkFM8O4QS6NFLVxMACm81otbnvzA6A4QX9kyg7B_XLZN5C729Dw0z8RI/s400/Clawhammer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376698346490082050" border="0" /></a> This is a molding claw bar. I bought it to yank out tacks and nails that are embedded in my wooden steps that were once covered with carpet. I'm hoping to strip these stairs of layers of glue, paint and stain to reveal something truly stunning. So far the only thing that I've discovered is the importance of wearing a nose and mouth mask while using stripper because YES you can get one killer head ache. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbCaYXQo85_KQ04jyjGmDm7OLHsIvbbJCT7kFBSm52BD4tibrtM30N_QK2a74Xf88mfiaq6aYhvq6bagW2sjmXphifhHjmhwP0phnqsLvgr90P1Y-tAeoHmPWpFwnPh0q2FqePFTTZBVE/s1600-h/punch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbCaYXQo85_KQ04jyjGmDm7OLHsIvbbJCT7kFBSm52BD4tibrtM30N_QK2a74Xf88mfiaq6aYhvq6bagW2sjmXphifhHjmhwP0phnqsLvgr90P1Y-tAeoHmPWpFwnPh0q2FqePFTTZBVE/s400/punch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376701569863703090" border="0" /></a>The next tool I bought is a nail puncher thingy. It taps in the heads of tiny nails so you can hide them. After you tap in the nail, you squish putty down in the hole, let it dry, sand it, prime then paint it. DETAILS - IT'S in the DETAILS!!! You can not believe how many nail heads need to be sunk. So this little yellow bugger is used with a hammer ... and yes, I already have one of those. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj0RU0btII5v5dRK8qO44CazMV8c4lkU5AVMoBLqYdGpsm65LvLp_GjJ3nRNrpFXgWLu2G3i20XZnlThz2Oziv0Lc8GsFxBRyrartrLezmmmzR1KVKon5D2CtIv_xtEBRfHM1YhD3eAxB/s1600-h/Chisel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUj0RU0btII5v5dRK8qO44CazMV8c4lkU5AVMoBLqYdGpsm65LvLp_GjJ3nRNrpFXgWLu2G3i20XZnlThz2Oziv0Lc8GsFxBRyrartrLezmmmzR1KVKon5D2CtIv_xtEBRfHM1YhD3eAxB/s400/Chisel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376698715838355042" border="0" /></a>Finally I had to buy a chisel because the previous owner/renovator forgot to chisel out a hole for my dead bolt to go into. I mean why would you go to the trouble of a deadbolt and not make it work. I roll my eyes constantly while working on this place. But WOW what an education I'm getting. Tomorrow I play with wood glue...Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-67947694745297530032009-08-05T08:23:00.000-07:002009-09-02T14:13:12.842-07:00One Very LONG MonthIt's been a month since I moved into "this old house". I've gone through a wide range of emotions. Mostly regret and remorse at buying a house that needed so much work. I love a good project but this is the mother of all projects. I work full time, and try to work on my watercolors and writing my stories and now this... "WHAT WAS I THINKING" comes in my head alot.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkLNQGqaF6cBIuh1Krcn9ilozEEzeo5HAOQqB2gd7SGpHCpEzokeOw_7meQcsYA01Dc9rJk1wyT1Z6Rx54hdBD00_7fOYhDFnyEGrWaYEXYdF2d75jRWmBks6W2SnqX1v6W9JqJxse4A3/s1600-h/New+House+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkLNQGqaF6cBIuh1Krcn9ilozEEzeo5HAOQqB2gd7SGpHCpEzokeOw_7meQcsYA01Dc9rJk1wyT1Z6Rx54hdBD00_7fOYhDFnyEGrWaYEXYdF2d75jRWmBks6W2SnqX1v6W9JqJxse4A3/s400/New+House+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366504758230049586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:85%;" >(carpet was pulled of the stairs because a cat had weeweed on it and it stunk badly)</span> </div><br />It was especially rough as I moved in and uncovered more and more hidden problems the the previous owners hid from me - strange stuff. One problem was fine but by the time I reached the tenth I was in a puddle of tears. I mean who puts the dead bolt on the door but doesn't put a hole for the deadbolt in the frame? Tell me WHO DOES THAT?<br /><br />So I bought a six pack of wine coolers.... and now I completely understand all the beer bottles on construction sites.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Now that I've been here long enough to settle down emotionally, remember all the great and beautiful parts of this home - which was why I bought it in the first place -I might, just maybe, eventually be able to enjoy this place...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cYGdOtOtUBjXz25O-Ho1sRiQCEVTcFuJAEExF-wcbZa7o7YqgkAqAogDCE-H1nZMvHsXtBL63M6DrJeUoZMBCH_zW44UWbpyGD2QybRcAU4qOZQYehDJEnKb7vCXHaN3JCeTh6PwXg3x/s1600-h/New+House+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cYGdOtOtUBjXz25O-Ho1sRiQCEVTcFuJAEExF-wcbZa7o7YqgkAqAogDCE-H1nZMvHsXtBL63M6DrJeUoZMBCH_zW44UWbpyGD2QybRcAU4qOZQYehDJEnKb7vCXHaN3JCeTh6PwXg3x/s400/New+House+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366504679556146498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:85%;" >(this is the front room -I hate the baby blue walls, but once I cleaned it, well actually my mother cleaned it and we put my things in it, it wasn't so bad)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some "before" pics and even now as I post them and look at them, I realize that before really isn't that bad. The biggest change will come with the paint. All the wood work and walls are painted a shade of white called "smoker's teeth" - really that should be the name of this white and I think I smell smoke.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa4xzZVadGwxzeyZHIxH8KUNHL6UjyYEYQmlWNwdmUryc9Dv3G_RbeTGno4mqZIHFdRpHYQnAD0rJrV2mUqpcQUzlYh6gYV3AQrsnl4PYOeNR1lxQfnzTSlwgNb0WtOlLqb4d8HGUJ2TH/s1600-h/New+House+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoa4xzZVadGwxzeyZHIxH8KUNHL6UjyYEYQmlWNwdmUryc9Dv3G_RbeTGno4mqZIHFdRpHYQnAD0rJrV2mUqpcQUzlYh6gYV3AQrsnl4PYOeNR1lxQfnzTSlwgNb0WtOlLqb4d8HGUJ2TH/s400/New+House+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366504857335421330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">(Oh, and Baby Kitty found the opening to the third floor attic - she was a mix of grays and blacks before she got a very bad hair cut. Here she is posing in a much cleaner state)</span></span><br /></div><br />But this is my favorite place so far - the dining room. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4GtjfnckQ1ONhR8o7I4PfMCufxqB51byq7MHW6YMEamtI8AONc3jkApmZvtIce23SxvrJGNCuJP2uzS4gS5F5fNIEwwNWVHgZ5YQDM1CntNacj9sPYwTar_acbDXEJq1YJJJsh-2IfMp/s1600-h/New+House+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4GtjfnckQ1ONhR8o7I4PfMCufxqB51byq7MHW6YMEamtI8AONc3jkApmZvtIce23SxvrJGNCuJP2uzS4gS5F5fNIEwwNWVHgZ5YQDM1CntNacj9sPYwTar_acbDXEJq1YJJJsh-2IfMp/s400/New+House+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366507723890644034" border="0" /></a> I took off the curtains and huge roller shades. Cleaned the windows and I might add they were filthy black - why don't people clean? huh? I think that's the number one decorating tip.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">CLEAN IT.</span></span><br /></div>Everything looks better clean. Anyway, I digress, I plan on painting the room all white - true white. I can't wait to see what it looks like when I'm done. I've been working on it a little every night...Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-554616241145623522009-07-09T21:20:00.000-07:002009-07-09T21:27:08.952-07:00Looking in the Fish Bowl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F6xztXBdhz7GTeWiiblV3DoRgkEdBlni1PX5Qpo4JzPHTGSPdsqXC9XyFpYCTxbJsNgCjQwWOv0h-nMn_gbLLV0FFIvuRH5aOt8SGw8qaT8LL7HwlMGP3LKA9sbTMC1qSSqkw9O-DdE_/s1600-h/fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F6xztXBdhz7GTeWiiblV3DoRgkEdBlni1PX5Qpo4JzPHTGSPdsqXC9XyFpYCTxbJsNgCjQwWOv0h-nMn_gbLLV0FFIvuRH5aOt8SGw8qaT8LL7HwlMGP3LKA9sbTMC1qSSqkw9O-DdE_/s400/fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356681696624064194" border="0" /></a>This is one of my favorite watercolors. And now that I'm in the middle of the "Fish bowl" course with Marisa Haedike, it's especially fun. Listening to her podcasts and reading comments from other artists has been VERY helpful. However, I am so overwhelmed with this move, this BIG house that needs so much work, my job... Oi Vay. It's seems like I'm constantly battling between the life I have and the life I want and to make the two meet would be a miracle. Maybe I just need to hoist up the white flag and surrender. But which side needs to surrender? I'll figure it out. For now, I paint when I can get a moment.Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-41318643862225968512009-06-27T21:21:00.000-07:002009-06-28T06:46:49.790-07:00Art Happened Here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh3Z75YK7DThWLeGq_ybEFDrYYfXPZa1ABjApv2ZDBXerhSSFNqLYXyr_mvDo0NJgZgheZPrAt3bWTcJv0iCS9DDNbWuapp3tsLlWNEwG-6vB4wKahDMsr-wSAXi_nZWzZVlc5-UUB6NP/s1600-h/DSC02831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh3Z75YK7DThWLeGq_ybEFDrYYfXPZa1ABjApv2ZDBXerhSSFNqLYXyr_mvDo0NJgZgheZPrAt3bWTcJv0iCS9DDNbWuapp3tsLlWNEwG-6vB4wKahDMsr-wSAXi_nZWzZVlc5-UUB6NP/s400/DSC02831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352374467141879362" border="0" /></a>This is the place where I've been painting for the past year and a half. I love the light.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">It will be a nice change to not have share the "studio" with my dining room. I'm actually looking forward to leaving a mess and not worry about it. Just picking up where I left off. Still, this has been a nice nook. You really can create anywhere.<br /></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-2328635225139615612009-06-25T06:35:00.000-07:002009-06-25T08:00:04.126-07:00My To-Do ListI have so much going on in the next week - at times it's definitely overwhelming but also quite exciting and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. So here's my to do list.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1.</span> In less than one week I am moving here. (This is a pic looking at the backyard. Big Yard! Lots of mowing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3ECmKdpOlG2XZMkfue-BdQOFI6qVW00OsdK6QxbBpnXtPLZaQ0doGefe4hMjwp3rbruqWoUL78nNOH1sFBblb53nYKbn4-CtW9b6PjaRmGVw4EIa4BCBI3DR4xymh6xpOcaH7jyl8_Rg/s1600-h/DSC02851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3ECmKdpOlG2XZMkfue-BdQOFI6qVW00OsdK6QxbBpnXtPLZaQ0doGefe4hMjwp3rbruqWoUL78nNOH1sFBblb53nYKbn4-CtW9b6PjaRmGVw4EIa4BCBI3DR4xymh6xpOcaH7jyl8_Rg/s400/DSC02851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351261819551352754" border="0" /></a>I can not believe it. This is a huge dream come true. I'm actually buying my own house - all by myself. I feel both overwhelmed with fear and thanksgiving and I hope the thanksgiving eventually clobbers the fear in my heart. It's a 122 year old Victorian house with a third floor which I will use for my art studio. Yippee no more messy dining rooms!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">2.</span> I have three painting commissions that came about all last week!!!! All want them in the middle of July. I'm always torn about commissions - very stressful paintings for me - mostly because I'm having to work on a deadline, and I create in my head this intense pressure - I so want to please the client. I hate all that pressure. And, I've done LOTS of commissions, I would like to think someday that heavy dreadful feeling would go away. Come on, they wouldn't have hired me if they didn't already like my work. Maybe the pressure is good???? But let me end by saying I am thankful and always so completely blown away that someone will pay me for a painting.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">3. </span>I just started an on-line course and am so enjoying Marise's point of view and calming affect on my agitated creative spirit. It's been a god send and I'm so glad to meet other creative types. There are over 75 people taking the class and I want to visit every blog and website of my class mates.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">4.</span> And... I gotta work my job through it all.... hmmmm<br /><br />But what a fabulous to do list huh????Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-21802606934370261952009-06-21T22:04:00.000-07:002009-06-25T08:27:42.021-07:00Charlotte Cox - Watercolor Artist and Friend<div>This week I've been encouraged to think about being true to myself and the artistic voice inside me while at the same time putting my work out to the world and doing so bravely and boldly. I find that spending too much time looking at other artist's sites and blogs leaves me feeling very down. And for me it's important to limit that time. I can feel my spirits moving from "wow" and really appreciating their work to making it about me and how "I'm not good enough" That stops me dead.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 204);">How do you look at another persons art and just enjoy it and let it inspire your art work? Why must I always compare?<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />One of the purest and most important times for me as a new watercolor artist was when I lived in Texas several years ago. I dived into becoming a better watercolor artist and took many classes. Through those classes I met many artists and created some great long lasting friendships. I would have to say that these friendships improved my art as much as the class. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEVM-sE4of1g3mQIAh946uDamaeew4EA2UGja5eejK1Vv1nhcwDLZZgNhOgFJb4AblIai9Iq-TdkTPHjUfenK208NfQj79lIkNUiG7WUlfBJw8qN9E6i4IUQhMl4KQ1I4LCX32ZYR6hC7/s1600-h/soldier+Cox.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px; display: block; height: 400px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350014907359563074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEVM-sE4of1g3mQIAh946uDamaeew4EA2UGja5eejK1Vv1nhcwDLZZgNhOgFJb4AblIai9Iq-TdkTPHjUfenK208NfQj79lIkNUiG7WUlfBJw8qN9E6i4IUQhMl4KQ1I4LCX32ZYR6hC7/s400/soldier+Cox.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);font-size:78%;" >(art work by Charlotte Cox) </span><br /></div></div><br />One friend in particular, Charlotte Cox, helped me a great deal. That woman painted! She was learning too and dragged me with her to paint many of the area missions. We always had great fun and laughed alot. But besides painting more, she also helped me "see" my art better.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi0uoD2OdKe-xzLt35oA3QlnxBJwpGbzmevDT1jUHP64EyY0YS4-MI_pAVvEmMf8QcuKjfXea7q3vcPKW4-vSkoCf41fCIrtPJRbZNHTt9IYVXM_jrfG0Lj65Dk2mStq3mqSw4YTIhzCi/s1600-h/CoxCarmel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 284px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350014772086503090" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi0uoD2OdKe-xzLt35oA3QlnxBJwpGbzmevDT1jUHP64EyY0YS4-MI_pAVvEmMf8QcuKjfXea7q3vcPKW4-vSkoCf41fCIrtPJRbZNHTt9IYVXM_jrfG0Lj65Dk2mStq3mqSw4YTIhzCi/s400/CoxCarmel.jpg" border="0" /></a> She would point out what worked in my painting while at the same time offering helpful criticism. We had healthy competition yet, I rarely felt the cloud of comparison come over me. It has been years since I've had an artist friend like Charlotte and I'm hoping to find that again in my new hometown. It once again reminds me that we silly human beings aren't meant to be alone, that being in community is really the best way for all to thrive.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYDFRFVk20SIOjAfhp3-LP3LKaMtUHZAJilHg5fnPMGNeXjSnR6-SXzt7BSq0p9W7sn3W7i8Ab_bwW9qO2WS-57VglLrQ3H5eYpnJ41g6k6TFT2zkwOU0sS1kzZdMeEJ0Qv9G1uW1filP/s1600-h/Carmelmission.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 275px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350014679108772226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYDFRFVk20SIOjAfhp3-LP3LKaMtUHZAJilHg5fnPMGNeXjSnR6-SXzt7BSq0p9W7sn3W7i8Ab_bwW9qO2WS-57VglLrQ3H5eYpnJ41g6k6TFT2zkwOU0sS1kzZdMeEJ0Qv9G1uW1filP/s400/Carmelmission.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These watercolors are from Charlotte's "sketch book." She's working on an art book of San Antonio now and I can't wait to see it when it's done. Her website link is <a href="http://charlottecox.homestead.com/">here</a>. Enjoy!<br /></div></div>Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-83349173412640254372009-06-18T21:43:00.000-07:002009-06-19T09:50:22.559-07:00I Like You Already!!!<div style="text-align: left;">Before you even could open your mouth to prove you are good enough, rich enough or smart enough, what if someone said <span style="font-weight: bold;">"I like you already"</span> ... because you are present, you are smiling, you are you? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oivuO5ngbgTRAA3AKFEA9X6m-fBltk-0MAmi2Nq3sMNSFJDdxblMCrCzkanNIfAOTSXHMTM8nP5e6-XYGiDfg2hvkbcKV01tkh3j-rBMTVEu29ewyMBJwAv5dySQbY7PjxL2cC-tXvCt/s1600-h/Red+Poppies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oivuO5ngbgTRAA3AKFEA9X6m-fBltk-0MAmi2Nq3sMNSFJDdxblMCrCzkanNIfAOTSXHMTM8nP5e6-XYGiDfg2hvkbcKV01tkh3j-rBMTVEu29ewyMBJwAv5dySQbY7PjxL2cC-tXvCt/s400/Red+Poppies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348895076456160034" border="0" /></a> Well I heard/read that today when I logged into to my first class of my first <a href="http://www.creativethursday.com/e-course.htm">on-line course</a> (lots of "firsteses" here.) Immediately I knew this woman, also known as <a href="http://www.creativethursday.com/">Marise Haedike,</a> could speak to me because she could speak to my heart and that's where I hear the best. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlG7vev_2LN6PyJi8Q1N81Y73Spa2gJW7qUTPrEDZ8H5AcyFoAeTtGdpqN58HtwpXBn6HMq2XeFKr4aaiy9qkMcX8EMgL4BMW1bD6E2fSyqcpCYv49D342oH__kU9iTtm-6DlyTog_Bvl/s1600-h/fish+bowl1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlG7vev_2LN6PyJi8Q1N81Y73Spa2gJW7qUTPrEDZ8H5AcyFoAeTtGdpqN58HtwpXBn6HMq2XeFKr4aaiy9qkMcX8EMgL4BMW1bD6E2fSyqcpCYv49D342oH__kU9iTtm-6DlyTog_Bvl/s400/fish+bowl1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349079377445050946" border="0" /></a>Check out her blog <a href="http://creativethursday.typepad.com/">here</a>. <br /></div>Sometimes us creatives need to get together, refocus and slow down and listen to that voice in us that told us to pull out the paint brush in the first place. I really need help in that area because over the years I've gotten a bit lost; working jobs to pay bills, allowing relationships to pull me way too far from painting, thinking this or that will bring me happiness. I'm finding the best days are the ones where I spend time creating. Even better are the ones where I'm painting while eating a chocolate cupcake. :) It's really that simple.Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4547879886586581331.post-2229244428054198402009-06-12T08:34:00.000-07:002009-06-12T08:40:00.729-07:00There's nothing like a Peony...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDdkbSX-LeE6sj06KCBUFxsz7oWkeqxEtoD7EzV65t0wUvrMqaHfr0SB6xahxowUI9q8dvswYYpyfujLcCLrhulq_lJvOqhkYrTpzAzesJuA8YtLGY7zt_Fhr_TdztefSixNNZRZcuJOt/s1600-h/peonies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDdkbSX-LeE6sj06KCBUFxsz7oWkeqxEtoD7EzV65t0wUvrMqaHfr0SB6xahxowUI9q8dvswYYpyfujLcCLrhulq_lJvOqhkYrTpzAzesJuA8YtLGY7zt_Fhr_TdztefSixNNZRZcuJOt/s400/peonies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346465285268345090" border="0" /></a>or the smell of them or sitting and painting them WHILE smelling them!Lula's Gifthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01812727806461681593noreply@blogger.com2