Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Life Explained...

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."  

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

So God agreed......



On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."



The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"



And God agreed......



On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."



The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"



And God agreed again......



On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."


But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"



"Okay," said God. "You asked for it."



So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.



For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family.


For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.


And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.




Life has now been explained to you.




There is no need to thank me for this valuable information.
I'm doing it as a public service and because I like You.
Happy Fat Tuesday!  Hugs,  Erin

Monday, February 20, 2012

Be True to Your Heart - February Canvas Create Series, Step 1

The new monthly online video class with Donna Downey arrived on 2/15 and I could hardly wait to watch the video.  You can go to her link to find out more about the Donna Downey February Canvas Create Series.  You can also see her final version of the February canvas.  Her version is meant to inspire us and allow us to use different techniques.  So I'm sure mine won't look like hers but I will utilize her techniques and take what I like from her video teaching. 

This month includes use of modeling paste and other mixed media, both of which are new to me so I am super excited to try this out.

Below are three 8 x 8 gallery wrapped canvas, covered in wet modeling paste with patterned paper, hearts hand-cut by me and then pressed into the wet paste.  I did these last night and the modeling paste needs to dry for 8-12 hours depending on humidity.  So later this week (or maybe tomorrow) I will have more to show you as I work through each step in the process.  I haven't done Mixed Media before so this will definitely be an adventure.   Donna's version is awesome so we will see how mine turns out.


"Be True to your Heart" Series
Hugs,  Erin

Friday, February 17, 2012

An Honest Bitch!

Just had to pass along this little statement, sent to me by a female friend.  Some days and some weeks I know I'm a terror but hey, love me or don't....at least you know where you stand.

Love ya HS!!


Happy Friday!!!
Hugs,  Erin

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Art Journal Page - Love


I have been researching Art Journals lately and have found tons of inspiration on Pinterest, YouTube and art blogs.  So I purchased a journal and some new markers (love them) and got to work. 

This is my first art journal page.....fun and funky, in honor of Valentines Day this week.  The page started with watercolor crayons and then I added additional color with the new markers.  The created the swirls and squiggles with a black paint marker and then added the white paint marker. 
First Art Journal Page - "Love"

It is such a happy feeling to create, even if it isn't something that you would sell or hang in your house.  Just to have fun playing with paint, markers, etc.  It's like being a kid again.  Give yourself permission to draw, color or paint.   

It is good for your soul!!
Hugs,  Erin

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

My first watercolor painting-Tulips

Happy Wednesday morning my friends - I have been busy experimenting with watercolor paper and watercolor crayons.  This is my first water color painting.  I obviously have a lot to learn but not a horrible piece for my very first time.  Plus it gives us thoughts of spring and flowers (one of my favorite things).


"Tulips" - created on 140 lb watercolor paper with watercolor crayons
I hope you have a lovely day.
Hugs,  Erin

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

New Painting Inspired by Donna Downey - Canvas Create series


Do you love to scrapbook, papercraft, sketch, paint, create stuff (of any kind) with your hands?  Well that's me in a nutshell.  I am happiest when I can create something. 

So, for anyone that is involved in the scrapbooking or paper crafting world, you probably know the name Donna Downey (she's very talented in everything she creates!!).  She has been an inspiration for my scrapbook/paper crafting, for a few years now. Last month I happened to wonder across her blog Simply Me and she is offering online classes (how did I miss out on her online classes?!).  One of her new ventures is the 2012 Canvas Create series.   Video instructions with Donna creating a new Canvas each month with her awesome advice and inspiration. 

Image taken from Donna Downey site (link provided above)
 Seriously people, I was so excited to have an opportunity to learn from this talented crafter/artist.  And for only $20/month...Count me in!  Woot, Woot!! 

I signed up for a full year of canvas painting classes at 2012 Canvas Create Series.  You can find tons of inspiration on her blog as she regularly posts videos of her Art Journal creations.  So now I also have a keen interest in Art Journals so I will be sharing my creations with you soon.

Below is my version of the January canvas, inspired by Donna Downey's class.  The flower didn't turn out quite the way I wanted but you live and learn.  I was pretty pleased with how the background looks and my ability to freehand the word "inspire". I learned a lot about gesso (my new favorite product for painting), in addition to mixing paint colors so they don't end up muddy (really ugly) colored.  Her video instruction was truly awesome.  Being a tad OCD and perfectionistic, I reckon I will re-paint the flower this weekend and post the update. Why you ask?  Well because I learned that you can put gesso over what you painted, let it dry and start over.  Holy cow....how cool it that!!  See me....I'm doing my happy, happy dance!! (which my two teenage boys think is completely uncool! --- Ha, what do they know!?)


New painting on a 14x16 gallery wrapped canvas
Hugs and a happy dance, 
Erin

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Blog Comment Help...You Should Read this (and then comment)


I love to receive comments, we all do. Right?!  They bring a smile to my face and put a bounce in my step. 

And Hello, who doesn't love some positive feedback or blogger friend support on a bad day. I want to respond to your comment with something, like..."Love your comment", "Amen to that","Thanks for stopping by", etc., etc., etc.  Really I do!!

But, if your email address isn't linked to your Google Profile or you don't leave your email address in the post I can't respond!

The following information is copied directly from a new blog I have been following...Tiffany, over at The Nest Effect. She has free printables, organizing tips/projects and overall good stuff to share.  I've spent a few minutes (hours really) reading through her blog and there is lots of good stuff over there to help with home management and life.  So check her out @ http://www.thenesteffect.com/

Note:  The following is taken directly from blog (with her permission) to share with my followers.  http://www.thenesteffect.com/2012/01/attention-blog-post-commenters-this.html

Double Note:  My email settings were not correct before I read her post but as of today...I'm updated correctly.  Woot!  Woot!  Thanks for sharing Tiffany!!
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attention Blog Post Commenters: This Post Is For You!

Love, love, love when I receive comments. They make my day. Honest.

Many comments that are left are questions or statements that deserve some followup. But, if your email address isn't linked to your Google Profile or you don't leave your email address in the post, I can't respond!
Unless it's a giveaway post and I'm receiving comments for entries, I really try to respond to every single comment that I'm left. Even if it's just one that says that you love my blog. Hello! I love your positive feedback. I want to email you back and THANK YOU!

A few months ago Shelley, from The House of Smiths, wrote a blog post on this topic. Now I know why.  I'm going to show you how to change this setting.

This is what I get when I try to reply to a comment without a linked email address: noreply-comment@blogger.com. Boo!



If you comment with your Google account, then it will make you "sign up for Blogger" before leaving your first comment. This doesn't mean you have to create a blog or anything, it just means you have to create a profile with Blogger so you can comment with your Google account. You can change all of the profile details to make it as anonymous as you'd like once you create the profile.

 Once you sign up for Blogger, you'll need to go to http://www.blogger.com/ to edit your profile.


 
Then you'll need to click "show my email address" and "save profile". You can change the email address that is associated with this feature on this page as well - under "identity" and "email address". You can always use your "junk mail" account or set up an email with Gmail for this.




Your email address will not literally show up in your Blogger profile. It will show like this:



When you leave a comment for me, I receive an email with your comment, and your email address will automatically be the "reply to" email (if you go through these steps and enable this feature). Pretty simple.


All in all, I'd really like to be able to respond to each one of you. You can always leave your email address in the comment for me like this: tiffany (at) thenesteffect.com. That way it can't be picked up by spam bots because it's not technically a real email typed like that.

Thank you! =]

* You may repost this, as long as you link back to my blog. Thanks! *
   ---------------------------------------------------------------

So dear ladies and gentlemen, there is my tip for this lovely Tuesday!  It is unseasonably warm 50-60 degrees here is Iowa.  (A very rare occurrence but I'll take it!!).  Hope you are enjoying your week.

Hugs,  Erin


Thursday, January 26, 2012

New Pencil Sketch

Happy Thursday my friends - Super busy at work this week but have enjoyed sketching in the evenings to relax my brain.  I think this is the first sketch I've shared here so I will need to take some photos so you can see my other doodles.  


Pencil Sketch by Erin


I hope everyone is having a fabulous week.  I am certainly looking forward to the weekend.

Hugs,  Erin

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Homemade Cleaning Product - Oxy Clean

Happy Saturday Blogger Friends - Here is yet another homemade cleaning product that you can make very cheaply.  I found this via Pinterest (I know you are shocked...haha) and you will definitely want to check out the full post at http://www.creativelydomestic.com/2009/06/homemade-oxyclean.html.  Creatively domestic provides us with the actual process to soak for stained items with nice photos.

Homemade OxyClean Ingredients
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
Mix together and soak laundry in it for 20 minutes to overnight and then wash as usual. Or you can just skip the water and pour the peroxide and baking soda directly into the wash with your laundry soap and wash as usual.

Here's what you need and my glass jar with a lid (a spagetti sauce jar)
Enjoy the blessing of this day!
Hugs, Erin

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Homemade Cleaning Product - Spot Remover

Happy Friday (or really TGIF!!!) - I had pre-scheduled this to post on Wednesday, 1/18/12 at 7 am but just noticed today that it was still sitting in my "Draft" posts (along with my pre-scheduled Thursday post...boo hoo). 

WTH- Is anyone else having trouble with scheduling posts a few days out?  It definitely didn't work for me.  So you will see my original post below which is now updated with my resulting photos from using this Spot Remover and the result photos.  This stuff is GREAT!  Try it out! 

Hugs,  Me
=======================

Wednesday Blogger Friends - I found this fabulous homemade spot remover recipe on Pinterest at "One Good Thing by Jillee blog" http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/11/goodbye-to-yellow-armpit-stains.html

This is super easy to make. 

You will need:  
  • one part Dawn dishwashing liquid (1/2 cup) 
  • two parts HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (2 cups)'
  • container with lid
Pour the ingredients container, affix the lid and shake until mixed.

Then, pour the mixture directly on the stain and watch it disappear.  I have tested I will be testing this out tonight on a nasty pillowcase stain (it is my son's pillowcase so only God knows what the stain is...and I'm not asking.  haha)


Items you need:  hydrogen peroxide, blue (Dawn) dishwashing detergent,
empty container with lid
 
This is my son's (T1) super dirty, super nasty pillowcase.......yuk!!

I poured in enough hot water to cover the pillowcase,
dumped in about 1/2 cup of the spot cleaner and then swished it around a bit.
I let this soak overnight in my bucket and then tossed in the washer with a small amount of regular detergent in the morning.

This is the amazing result from soaking overnight. 
Every stain is gone!! Beautiful!!
(please note this was never a white case but the dirty yellow-sweaty color is now gone...the photo doesn't show that difference) 
 I am telling you, this is awesome stuff (and cheap) so I will be spending the weekend seeing what else I can remove stains from.  Holy cow........I was planning to toss the pillowcase but sure am glad it worked.

Enjoy the blessing of this day!
Hugs, Erin

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Homemade Cleaning Products - Fabric Softner

Happy Tuesday Blogger Friends - Being a tad bit OCD I tend to cycle through different interests very quickly, some interests stick and some come/go quickly.  Over the last 2 months I have been on a sewing frenzy for small and easy projects, due entirely to my Pinterest obsession.  In my opinion, Pinterest this is the best thing since indoor plumbing and central air conditioning (I like my modern stuff...haha).  To me, Pinterest is photos, links and lots of great information that I can keep organized on-line however it works for me.  Here the link to the Pinterest main page so you can read about it, if you are so inclined. http://pinterest.com/about/

My latest frenzy has been on the Pinterest postings for homemade cleaning products.  I found this via The Frugal Girls blog. They have an excellent blog with lots of homemade cleaning recipes. Check them out: http://thefrugalgirls.com/homemade-cleaners

What You’ll Need: 
  • 6 cups HOT water 
  • 3 cups white vinegar
  • 2 cups Suave Refreshing Waterfall Conditioner (I used "Ocean Breeze" but chose your favorite)
What You’ll Do:
  • Mix conditioner & hot water well, until conditioner is dissolved completely.
  • Add the vinegar, and mix well.
  • Store in a large container (empty fabric softener container, empty large vinegar bottle, etc.; I used a large plastic cereal type container with a pourable lid)
  • Pour into a downy ball (I don't have one of these cool things)… or use approx. 2 tbsp. in the fabric softener spot in your laundry machine… then wash!

Items you need:  hot water, conditioner, vinegar, pourable container, measuring cup

Hot water with conditioner added, stir until dissolved

Finished product with my ugly handmade sign (I'll type up a  pretty recipe for my next post)

Enjoy the blessing of this Tuesday!
Hugs, Erin

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Happy 2012 my Blogger Friends

Fabulous people - I am surprised that I still have 21 followers since it has been a full year (this month) since my last blog post. 

What can I say, life got away from me and family time became a priority.  But I am pleased to report that I currently have some available time and would like to begin writing and sharing with you again.

My plan is to create posts at least weekly but am not ready to commit to a specific day yet.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2011 and I look forward to what 2012 will bring us.  

"Sunflower"
acrylic paint on an 8 x 8 wrapped canvas


This is my newest piece of art, created in the Fall  of 2011.



Happy Wednesday!
Hugs,  Erin

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Check out this link.......it is worth the 7 minutes to watch the video.  It will definitely make you smile.  Enjoy blogger friends!

http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/


Hugs, Erin

Monday, January 24, 2011

Ten Points to Ponder (good for a Monday laugh)

Number 10:  Life is sexually transmitted.

Number 9:  Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Number 8:  Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny.  If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.

Number 7:  Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day, teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Number 6:  Some people are like a Slinky .. not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

Number 5:  Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing.

Number 4:  All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Number 3:  Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200.00, and a substantial tax cut saves you $30.00?

Number 2:  In the 60's, people smoked weed to make the world weird.  Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And The Number 1 Thought:  Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers; what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.


- - -and, as someone recently said: "Don't worry about old age; it doesn't last long."

Friday, January 14, 2011

TGIF!!!

I just have to say.........TGIF!!! 

Enjoy the weekend,  Erin

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Art Rage: More Digital Art Pieces

More digital art pieces, this was done with a paint roller with thick paint on a marbled paper.  Not my favorite pieces but nice to use differnt paper and technique.

Marbled Abstract 1

Marbled Abstract 2

Hugs, Erin

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Art Rage: Another Digital Art Piece

This is another digital piece done on "Watercolor" paper with a "wet brush".  This was interesting to me as I haven't done any real water color painting yet.  It has a completely different look than Acrylic painting.


Watercolor Flowers - Digital


Hugs, Erin

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Art Rage: New Digital Art Pieces


I have started working with a new Digital Application on my iPad called "ArtRage".  It is really great and has lots of painting tools to mimic Oil, Acrylic, different paper types, brush types, dry, wet paint, etc.  So here are some experiments so far. 

Abstract 1

Abstract 2

Abstract 3


Hugs,  Erin

Monday, January 10, 2011

Snow Woman Painting - New

Here's a new acrylic painting (not digital) I did over the holidays while I was vacationing at home.


Snow Woman Painting


Hugs, Erin

2010 Year in Review for a Blonde Girl

I'm back friends/followers....hoping to free up some time to start blogging again.  I thought this was cute (as I am a natural blonde but accept assistance from Clariol, Garnier, Loreal, etc.) and it would be a great start for the new year.  Looking at this person's year....it makes mine seem really great. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends.  Enjoy!
-------------------
January:  Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.

February:  Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels..... Helllloooo!!!.......bottles won't fit in printer!!!

March:  Got really excited.....finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months....... Box said ' 2-4 years!'

April:  Trapped on escalator for hours ...Power went out!!!

May:  Tried to make Kool-Aid.....wrong instructions.... 8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!!!

June:  Tried to go water skiing.......Couldn't find a lake with a slope?

July:  Lost breast stroke swimming competition.....Learned later, the other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!!

August:  Got locked out of my car in rain storm.......Car swamped because soft-top was open.

September:  The capital of California is 'C'.....isn't it???

October:  Hate M & M's....They are so hard to peel.

November: Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days .....Instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!!

December:  Couldn't call 911......'Duh'.....there's no 'eleven' button on the stupid phone!!!

Hugs,  Erin