Sketching Faces

...in my journal.

Pencil sketch on decorative papers...in my journal. Unfinished page...

One thing I really want to do more of in 2014 is draw. 

Inspired always by Julie Balzer's faces,

I want to sketch and practice painting portraits.

Not exactly a Resolution,

but a fun promise to myself

to do more of what I love.

Still awaiting the arrival of a new baby

in the family...perhaps for New Year's Eve?!

...

Don't you just LOVE the days between

Christmas and New Year's?

I feel relaxed and happy

to have free time.

Hope you do, too.

~k

2013 :: Trust

Mixed Media collage in new art journal.

My Word for 2013 was Trust.

It found me.

It was meant to find me,

right when it did.

I am grateful.

And I do Trust.

What was your Word?

How do you feel about it as the year closes?

Another Art Journal Finished

The last page! A whimsical one!

 Hope your Christmas was loving and peaceful!

...and this art journal, a Strathmore Mixed Media, is completed!!!

Hmmmm, which one will I begin next...?

Such a fun decision.

~k

Finding Beauty :: Journaling

Well, after all of the snowstorms already,

the weather turned warm...

it rained...

then it froze,

and it iced.

Everything.

Branches are heavy.

Treetops are bending.

The power went off during the night.

It's back on and everyone is safe.

And it is incredibly beautiful,

this frozen, sparkling world.

...

Winter Solstice wishes of peace to you,

~k

Dear Santa,

Every year, I randomly choose

a few of the cute Santa letters

 from my second graders

 to share with you...so,

here they are! I hope you smile...

I love the details (front lawn) in this one, below:

My students made these "portraits" in art class:

 

Taking a moment to quietly slow down...

We have A LOT of snow now,

in fact, the snow plows pushed

it into such huge piles

at the elementary school,

that at the end of our parking lot is

a mountain of snow up to the second floor!

I'd be willing to share...!

~k

A bit of Sweet Gingerbread

I LOVE gingerbread...

...anything gingerbread.

I promised myself I wouldn't feel too busy to make

a gingerbread house this season,

So here it is!  From me to you!

I hope you do something

this holiday season

that makes you smile

and be

in

the

moment.

~k

Journaling and Counting Down...

 Enjoying these sweet Christmastime

 moments at home...

in my journal.

 ***

And, below, counting down til Christmas
with candy daily in the little doors...
one week to go...

in my 2nd grade classroom!

(The 67 is how many school days we've had! 

We keep track in math...!)

May your days be merry & bright.

~k

Journaling Light

The cold winds blow

and though it may not officially

be winter,

it's freezing

so I am keeping sunshine,

 light, and summer

eternally in my heart.

I know I'm a happy January Baby and all...

but I love to feel sun on my skin

and to walk in flip flops.

Keep layers in journals, I say,

not in blankets and clothing!

It was one year ago today

that my Mom took an ambulance

to the hospital

for seven months of worry.

I am so GRATEFUL

that Mom is back in her own home

and doing well...

Your thoughts and prayers for those long months

helped.

Thank you, friends.

Thank you again.

Love,

~kath

Simplicity :: mornings

What about you?

Are you a morning person, too,

or a night owl?

I wanted to capture the simple,

morning mood I often feel.

I have a steamy mug of hot coffee,

the Avett Brothers on the car radio,

and the promise of yet another new day.

Bliss.

With much love,

~k

 

in my journal :: lots of writing

I have been doing lots of thinking

so I guess I had a lot to release onto

the pages...

Mixed media collage

in my art journal.

Is November really done in just a few hours?

Hope yours was filled with much

for which to be grateful!

~k

Messages of Gratitude

Thank you to you, my friends!

Thank you for your visits and kindness

and for being my friends

but mostly for 

being YOU!

This is our first big snow of the new season

and the first snowman for 3 years!

Happy Thanksgiving U.S. friends,

and Love & Peace to friends everywhere!

p.s.

It seems I have an IPad Email problem;

I have tried to email you to thank you for commenting,

and they go out into cyberspace.

So, my apologies if you haven't received

a personal message from me via your comment name.

Google+ does not happen, either.

But, I recognize YOU and thank you!

~k

Releasing onto Pages

Journaling whenever I can...

trying to feel like I really do do something other

than work.

Remembering to breathe,

Trust,

feel peace

and

listen to the silence...

...and know that even fatigue

passes.

Wishing the world could just

slow down.

You know?

I'm sure you do!

Okay, breathe.

Thanks for visiting.

~k

in my journal

Collage and writing...

in my art journal.

We had an unexpected warmer day today.

I took my Mom to Fro Yo

for a frozen yogurt lunch...

yes, we played hookie from a traditional

boring lunch...

What's new with you?

~k

Embracing This Life

Some moments of clarity

find me

and it's wonderful.

~k

This journal page done with pastels

and a collaged image.

it's just me knocking...

Usually, I'm very decisive...

This one time, however,

I find myself just in the doorway.

Pastel Play :: journaling

Easing back in...

Attempting to not have every moment filled...

I saw the very first snowflakes of the season

yesterday

as I drove home from work at dusk.

And then the sun shone...

I love pastels.

Thank you for waiting for me.

~k

What I've Been Up to!

 

I have been helping to create

a Baby Shower party

for my daughter, Michelle!

 Thank you favors above.

Below:

Sarah, my daughter's best buddy (left), 

and mama-to-be, Michelle( right):

"Mama" Michelle's place setting:

Mint HAPPY BABY Banner hung across fireplace!

Happy Parents-to-be!

What a fun, loving day with family & friends!

I have missed you, bloggy friends,

but I wanted to let you know what I have been doing!

love,

~k

Sunrise:: Journaling

 I think I mentioned a ways back

that I drive east in the morning

toward a sunrise

and I drive west, back home after work,

at sunset

this time of year.

Sometimes I bring my camera

and pull over on the side of a country road

to photograph

the incredible beauty.

Yesterday I saw this layering of color

in the sunrise

and instead of using my camera

I held it in my heart and in my memory.

I promised myself I would create

in my journal

with

these colors, and

in the same surprise order they really were.

It really is an amazing gift, this sky of ours.

This background was done with pastels.

Sorry I haven't been around much these past two weeks.

I am trying to catch up

and I think of you, friends.

Pssst, I am helping to create a fun and memorable

 baby shower for my daughter, the mama-to-be!

(Ooooh, I felt my granddaughter-to-be

kick for the first time!

She kicked when I sang:

 "I love you a bushel and a peck,

and a hug around the neck." )

Hold the love and beauty in your heart.

Thanks for visiting,

~k