Merry Christmas and MY VERY OWN REAL ART EASEL

I hope every one of you had a very Merry Christmas!! It went by too fast as always....  One of my Christmas gifts has to do with my art endeavors so I thought I would share it with you!  'Santa' brought me this.  (Obviously not the painting but the art easel.)

This easel is just like the ones we had in the art studio in college.  I CAN'T WAIT to use it.  (After I type this I am actually heading to use it.)

To give you an idea, I worked on an easel I bought at Home Goods for about 5 years now.  When I moved into my house I had 2 roomates and nowhere to store this big of an easel (nor was I sure I would get the use out of it).  Imagine painting the large painting you see here on the easel in the back left corner of the first picture!  It was difficult.  If I pressed too hard on the corners the canvas would flip off the easel. Now I am secure and I can move it up and down, tilt it backwards or forwards, etc! 

I WISH I had taken a picture of the assembly.  That would have been the best picture of all.  It didn't take us long to realize the easel would not fit in my car.  Mom and Dad would have to bring it to me at home point.  I had fully prepared myself to wait but they were sweet enough to drive back with me and bring it TODAY.  Little did they know they would also be helping out with assembly.  The instructions were some of the WORST I have seen.  3 minds and about an hour (I think) later, we had it up.  THANK YOU MOM AND DAD.  I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Ok, off to paint. :)

P.S.  There is a sewing machine under that white box.  I am about to learn how to use it.  Wish me luck.  Fabric has always been my enemy.  I am determined to start making aprons!

it's the most wonderful time of the year...

I am writing to let you know I am fully aware that my Bluff Park art show submissions must be ready by April 1st. I am fully prepared to have them done in time. I have a million ideas in my head. BUT because pictures make everything better (in my opinion) let me explain myself....I have been busy and somewhat distracted.

Most of all I have fully gotten into the holiday spirit. It started with the annual cabin trip...

Yes, can you believe it? That is SNOW you see.  And this was our "cabin."  (It actually belongs to one of my best friend's parents.  They have worked hard on it for years and it shows!!! How blessed are we?!) We are actually in Arley, AL despite what it may seem.  We felt like we might as well have been in Montana and not on Smith Lake. 

I cannot take credit for the awesome photos above.  You can tell which ones are not from my camera.  Ann Wade came along with us (if you are in need of a wedding photographer....she is one for you!). She brought along her "backup" professional camera. I am telling you. We had a BLAST with it. The weekend made for some great pictures and I am now convinced I need an SLR camera. Thanks, AW! I NEED one for painting, right? MAYBE that should be my goal to save up my profits on painting (and encourage me to get my butt moving).  MAYBE?  I think that is motivation.  I am leaning towards a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi. I have always loved my Canons....all 5 of them.

When I got home on Sunday I was inspired to craft.  I've been doing a lot of work/calculus and my creative mind needed some exercise.  My friend (thank you Jarred!!!!!!!) brought me some awesome pine cones.  They try to sell ones at pottery barn that are half this cool. I guilded them and put them in my garland and on my wreath and that is what I needed for the finishing touches of my Christmas decorations. Pottery barn...watch out.

That is all I leave you with tonight.  Next time maybe I will have an oil paint related post to share. :)