What Is Your Perspective?

This post from November 2010 has been a favorite.  I'd like to share it with you here again.  I've come to the conclusion that our outlook on life can be determined by how we look at a tree - or maybe how we don't look.  Have you stopped to look around at the trees and the changing colors?  Have you taken a moment to notice them?  Because they will only be there for just about that moment.  Soon all the leaves will be on the ground and the beauty will have changed. 

The tree above is outside of my studio, and this is how most people would see it.  But if you look more closely you will see it something like this.

But I am convinced that the only way to truly appreciate a tree, the only way to truly experience it is to see it like a child.  So first one has to lie down under the trees in the grass.  One has to experience the crunch of the already fallen leaves on the grass.  

And then the magical moment is when you turn your face up and look straight up into the tree thus getting the perspective of a child.  I'm convinced that trees truly love children and children love trees. There is a love affair that goes on between them that gets lost somewhere in those teen years.  So I dare you today to go outside and find one tree to look at with the perspective of a child.  It just might change your day.

Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Ketchup Day!

When I was teaching local children's classes, we would occasionally get behind and would have several unfinished projects stacked up.  When that happened we would have a Catch Up class day.  The cute thing was that the kids always thought I was saying Ketchup Day and they thought that was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.  I have been absent for many weeks from this blog and am behind on several posts. And for that, I apologize.  I guess that makes this a Ketchup Day!

 My weeks have been full, my moments have been full, my 'to do' list has been full, my desk has been full. But in the midst of all this fullness, I have been without many words for sharing. Do you find that sometimes when life is just full all around you, that you become quiet in self defense of it all?
I do.
But I am back today with a renewed resolve to be faithful here as blogging is much more fun and a much more positive experience than other social media, in my humble opinion.

Blogging feels more like having someone to tea and then visiting their house to do the same. Much more pleasant than everyone chattering at once.
In spite of my quietness, I have been busy. I've been working on promoting the workshops for The Graceful Artist. I've started a big project of my own art blended with art journaling. I've recorded some new workshops. I am thinking of creating a new Wind and Honey website as the original is designed in iweb. Apple no longer offers this software. When this computer dies I will no longer be able to edit my current website. And my computer is getting pretty old.

I've been doing some review work for Jerry's Artarama. I'll be sharing those with you. I do receive the products I review from Jerry's. But, as I am a terribly honest person, I only tell the truth in my reviews. So, perhaps they will help you with some new products. 
And on top of it all, I am helping my daughter Kate plan her Fall wedding. 

The orange door

Poet has been off work for a week and we chose to stay home this year.  We are working on some projects that we want done but never seem to have time for.  When we moved into this house a year ago, the shutters were orange.   Now, my fellow OSU Cowboy fans, please don't send me letters on this.  But, as much as I love our beloved Cowboys, I really am not fond of orange.  So, finally we've painted those shutters and I imagine the neighbors are breathing a sigh of relief. 

The orange shutters

 

The new shutters

The new blue door!!

Another project Poet is working on is the antique ice box given to me by his father, my father-in-law.  It was promised about 20 years ago but only received recently.  It has sat in a workshop for a long time waiting for its place of honor in my breakfast room.  I should have taken before photos but I forgot.  It had a lot of missing paint and what paint it had was chipped and rusty.  I promise to post photos when its finished.  You will love it.

And so, for now, I am just popping in to say hello again and to let you know I will be more faithful to join you here.  A review for an art supply will be coming soon.




Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Whose Got the Pumpkin?

In my last post I bemoaned the late summer temperatures that were keeping the feeling of Autumn at bay.  Since I wrote that post the temperatures have dropped about 30 degrees and we've had nice soft cool rains.  The leaves are beginning to change and the days are quite pleasant.  The cats are enjoying time in the open windows of my studio.

I'm reminded of the hay rides we used to go on as kids.  With these moments and moods in mind I've created two new ACEO (Art Cards) in an Autumn theme.  An ACEO (Art Card) is always 3.5" x 2.5".  It can be made with just about any material you'd like.  I've seen them made in clay, quilted fabric, canvas, paper, and stained glass.  Both of these original cards were created digitally and then hand embellished with a variety of types of colored pencils - oil, wax, and watercolor.  And then they were finished off with a touch of India Ink.  They may both be found in my Etsy shop.  The actual cards do not have a watermark on them.

And now, just for fun, I'd like to share a recipe with you.  This is perfect for a cool Autumn breakfast or a raining afternoon snack.  Here is my own original Creamy Pumpkin Spread recipe.  For my vegan friends, a non dairy cream cheese substitute will work just fine with this.

Creamy Pumpkin Spread

8 ounces of Neufchatel cheese

1/2 Cup pumpkin 

(I used fresh that I had previously cooked.  But canned would work fine.)

4 Tablespoons Agave nectar

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of each (Ginger, allspice, cloves)

1 teaspoon Vanilla

This creamy spread is wonderful on hot English Muffins or Bagels. I've been wondering how yummy it might be on pancakes!  Ha!  I'll have to try that!

Enjoy!

        

Wind and Honey Creations