Constant Dreamer

Look Ma, I'm Blogging! I Also Made An Afghan!

I FINALLY finished the afghan I started 3 years ago. At least, I think it was 3 years. It could have been more. At that time,  angry chicken made her own ripple stitch blanket, and I was so inspired to make my own that I ordered the book 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns and dove right in. Then, I got bored and decided to do something else while my afghan sat in a plastic bag on the back of a shelf in my office. Don't roll your eyes. You've done something similar.

It's the first afghan I've ever made. If I gave you a full view, you would see it's lopsided because my stitches started out tight and loosened up toward the end. It's mostly because I started with one hook for the first 6 rows and finished the rest with another, but whatever. It still works. Plus, you can't tell it's lopsided at all when it's rumpled up in a ball on the floor next to the couch while the dog lays on it.

 

Ladybugs

Well, we are moved and all settled in Austin (that's Texas). It's quite lovely and very warm. I'm happy. There is so much to see and do here. I love new places.

Now is as good a time as any to get back to work and start making some art! These ladybugs were originally done as a custom order. Acrylic and ink on illustration board, 7x9 inches. Prints available in my Etsy Shop. More work on the way soon. :)

Star Painting Redo

There is nothing like showing a bunch of people a finished project to help me decide that I really don't like it. I ended up gessoing over the painting I showed you in the last post and started over. This time, it's more of a drawing than a painting, but it's definitely more "me" than the last piece for sure. I'm all about repetition and any messes are planned and more organized (just how I like my messes).

The old painting and heavy texture is still visible, which I love.

I also finished the edges with India ink the same as I do with my little drawings. I really like how it creates a separation from the wall when viewed straight on (I hung this on a similarly colored blue wall despite the fact it looks white in the photo). Oh! This piece is about 2x3 feet. Or 24x36 inches. Also 61x 91 centimeters. Acrylic and ink on stretched canvas.

Stars

I finally finished a painting! This one is about 2 ft x 3 ft. It's all acrylic and there are many layers. Layers that were painted over and over and over again. I couldn't make up my mind and consequently, this painting has gone through many incarnations. Why stars? Why not? It's fun and whimsical and that's really what matters to me.

The first image shows the direction I like to hang it and this next one is my husband's preference. He says it reminds him of looking out the window here in Minneapolis in the winter (barring the absence of the stars and the rainbow of colors). Don't ask me. He said it. Thankfully, it can be turned any way we'd like.

Here's a detail:

I am working on a set of paintings now that I will scan in and make into prints. Photos of my new office? Not so much yet. It's a disaster again because of all the painting. Haha.

A Moose and a BOGO Sale

Hi Mom! I recently finished this custom order for a nursery and (of course) had to make a print of it. It's available in my Etsy shop
I also decided this is a good time to start a BOGO (Buy One, Get One) sale. If you want prints to give as holiday gifts, now is the time to pick some up!

Today we are FINALLY finishing up my office/studio. It's a super huge disaster (kind of like my room when I was a teenager), but when it's done it will be awesome. There will be pictures this time. Really and truly.

Reminders

Well, I'm certainly not the most prolific blogger (by any stretch of the imagination). I'd apologize, but it doesn't feel sincere. Haha! I do promise you that I'm working on it. I enjoy blogging since writing is one of my favorite things to do, but I'm a person of many favorite things, and there are only so many hours in the day.

I've been thinking a great deal these last few months about positive affirmations, declarations of intent, whatever you want to call them. Reading Louise Hay's book You Can Heal Your Life made me realize that I think a lot of negative thoughts habitually. I believe that negativity can be let go of, so I decided to make little signs to remind myself. The series I'm currently working on is filled with daily reminders that are as heart opening as I am able to muster. I already posted the ones above on my facebook fan page. I'll often post images there first because it's quick and easy and I'm a busy mama. :)

As I listed the new work in my Etsy Shop , I also weeded out several pieces that I was tired of looking at. You will probably not miss them. :D

Sunshine

I recently completed this logo for my best friend Liberty. She is a newly licensed massage therapist and runs a business called Sunshine Therapy. :) Sorry about the copyright. I realize it's not at all attractive. You get the general idea, I'm sure. :P

In other news, I have a new favorite website. Well, two of them. The first is Web Urbanist and the second is Pandora. Both are capable of providing hours of entertainment if you should be in need. 

Holey Bread

My three year old son has a thing about bread. He will not eat bread with holes in it. It must also be free of any nuts or seeds or flecks of oatmeal or wheat.  It has to be a light to medium brown inside or forget it. As you can imagine, this is not so awesome for those of us serving him the bread. Oh my god, the screaming that kid will do over a hole in his bread.
"It's YUCKY!"
Usually followed by more screaming and some writhing on the floor.
Fortunately, most of the slices in any bag of bread aren't too offensive.

I took photos of my new workspace the other day and I don't like them. It might be the mess I still have to remove. I'll take more and post those instead.

Father's Day

Today, my husband slept in and I painted everyone's nails. Except my husband's. It was a spa day. No, the fussing really kept that spa vibe away. Regardless, everyone turned out pretty.

My daughter's toenails:

Her fingernails:

My son's fingernails (you try and leave out a screaming three year old):

My son's toenails:

It took me hours to get to my own toenails. In fact, I had one hand painted when my daughter insisted I paint ALL of her nails. Along came my son and he wanted to be painted. Not anywhere near as particular, he preferred a touch of color on each nail. A little messy-like.

I made blueberry pancakes today as a treat. They are wonderful to eat cold later. It's been a relaxed day for all of us.
Right now, there is a blanket fort in the front yard and it's starting to rain. Beautiful evening.
Happy Summer Solstice!

P.S. In the end, I locked myself in the master bath and painted my toes in peace.

I'll Take "Things That Are Not Washable" For $200, Alex

Last night, I washed a pair of disposable training pants with our clothing. That's about as awesome as it sounds. It might surprise you to know that it takes two "super wash" cycles to get rid of the gel from the explosion.