Ok - I waited because I wanted the “next” post to be on the new site.  Not ready yet.  But soon, very soon. And I will definitely post sooner the next time.

So, in few words plus quite a few photos, here’s a mish-mesh of what I’ve been doing the last month or two:

The little birds are going in some “thank you” cards.  They are cut out of randomly painted watercolor paper, and tied with a gold string.  The photo quality is bad, my apologies - and this is why I do not like using the flash.

Two quite small encaustic paintings, 5″x5″. “cosmos” and “Rosy”.  I am playing around with different techniques.  I bought 12 of the 5×5 wood panels, so there will be more coming. Yay!  Viva encaustic!

These sweet nests were for Easter, of course.  I wanted something “chocolate” that my allergy boy could eat.  These were made from non-dairy chocolate chips. You just melt & mix with the chow mein noodles, shape, put in the jellybeans, and then let them cool.  Easy.  Kids love them.

I caught this patch of fog and snapped a quick photo before it went away.  You’re probably tired of the same view of my backyard by now.  But, I like how the fog looks in the photo, nonetheless.

A few other things… a big big “Thank You” to my dear friend Tangie, and to ALL of those who made it possible for me to travel to Salt Lake City to attend the opening of the art show.  It was so very nice to be able to attend in person.  I don’t know if an artist could ask for more than wonderful, supportive friends and family.  Thank you. Everyone.

A design I made from some of Tangie’s digital scrapbooking products (photo by me).  You can get her products here.
{background: “Yippe-ki-yay”, Tangie Baxter & SherrieJD {collab}
Orange paper: “Orchard Lane”, Tangie Baxter
“Wise Guys” (digital stamp), Tangie Baxter
Typefaces: Century Gothic, Century Schoolbook (large “B”)}

Last, but definitely NOT least - I finally finished the website I’ve been working so hard on.  I’m pleased with they way it turned out.  The products are great, and I loved working with another mom.  Check it out!

No creativity question this time - isn’t this post long enough?

Happy creating until next time!

As promised, here are most of my photos from the 2009 ice storm out here in Louisville, KY. I managed to make them into a little slide show of sorts  Once you’re in, click to advance to the next photo.

As beautiful as it was destructive, I just couldn’t help myself.  I had to take some photos. I didn’t take as many as I’d like to have - I was rather distracted… when you don’t have the conveniences of electricity, you have to spend more time during the day preparing meals and getting things ready for the night time.

You know what I love?  I love that when the electricity was out, the kids’ favorite part was playing games at night by the light of the oil lamp.  Yeah, they complained a bit about the cold the next couple of days, but what they’ll remember is how they felt when we all played games in the lamp light.  That, I treasure.

**I will try to get the blog moved to its new home by my next posting.**

Creativity Question:  Do you trip over, or relish in a change of routine?

For me - it could go either way.  By nature, I am a bit of a routine type of gal.  I’m not super spontanious, and I kind of like the quiet life (when it actually *is* quiet around here).  I don’t like a lot of surprises - especially if they disrupt the “routine”. But, every now and then, I just really love a change… a nice surprise - and sometimes even a not-as-nice surprise (such as losing power for a couple of days in freezing weather).

Yes, you read right - I’m actually glad it happened.  I wanted it, to some degree (yes, I know I’m losing my mind). But, that kind of thing is really good for polishing one’s perspective a bit, spending quality time with the family without distractions, phone calls (although we actually got a LOT of phone calls from kind friends checking on us - quite comforting) or the constant humming of computers.  I loved it.  It was hard.  But I am glad.

And, it was a *great* opportunity to take some photos of the amazing scene and to refill the nature well, creative cup, idea garden - whatever you want to call it.

I really needed this…. to get out into the fall weather and into the magnificent colors.  I wish I could have stayed out longer, but I’d forgotten that since the end of Daylight Savings time, it gets dark earlier than it did a week ago.  So, it was getting dark, there were quite a few clouds - the lighting wasn’t perfect (as on Friday when I didn’t have my camera), and the batteries died after about 5-10 minutes, but here’s a bit of what I was able to capture…

I always feel grateful after I’ve had a chance to walk a bit in nature.  Its intricate and exquisite beauty reminds me of the hand of God in my life.  I feel renewed, more grounded, and I am able to more fully appreciate the simple things… simple, but meaningful and inspiring.

Creativity Question: I’ve asked before what inspires you.  This time, the question is, where do you go to renew your soul?
For me, there are several places - but nature is probably the place where I feel the strongest, simplest, soul-stirring feelings of gratitude, and at the same time, refill my creativity cup (and I can’t possibly capture it perfectly through my camera lens).