Time to Relax (recover) tea day

Now I can relax,

or is it recover? LOL

It's been a very busy but accomplished Thanksgiving weekend.

On top of a wonderful Thanksgiving day,

my art show yesterday was a great success.

(keep scrolling for pics of the show)

So today I'm resting up and having

Yogi Kombucha green tea

with all my Tea on Tuesday friends,
just a bit early, but hey, that's okay.

What a beautiful day!

As you can see I've already got my

Christmas mug out as I look out the window,

at our sunny 32 degrees.

It's feeling like Christmas!

My Yogi tag this morning says,

"Delight the world with compassion,

kindness and grace."

My sister and her band had a great Christmas performance

at the Texas Theatre yesterday, and I was lucky enough

to show and sell my art to a sold out crowd of about 300, at this event.

This is my sister Lanette and I before the show.

I had 4 tables full of art of different kinds,

and floor easels for my bigger watercolor pieces.

My husband Gene built all 12 of my easels, floor and table top.

He also built the wooden risers for my art dolls.

The risers were 6 inches square,

varying heights, and painted glossy black.

They sure set the dolls off nicely.

He is so supportive in my art,

and so helpful, especially when it comes to

my shows. 

I could not do it without him.

I can't love him enough.

This old Texas Palace theatre, where the event took place,

 was recently remodeled and is just beautiful.

The band performed a wonderful show.

It wasn't just music...it was much more.

One nice thing was...

 they told the story of some of the old traditional

Christmas songs they sang.

Some very interesting history behind the songs.

Here they are singing A Soalin'...

one of my favorites.

What a wonderful way to kick off

the Christmas season.

Thanks to all who came!

Savor the day!

Yvonne

Amusement

I don't play BINGO myself,

although I have in the past...

but it is estimated that over 90 million

bingo cards are bought every week

in the United States alone.

You can find all sorts of amazing facts

on the history of Bingo.

For instance...

The number one reason for playing bingo is enjoyment -

winning money comes in fifth.

So my

AMUSEMENT

inchie uses a vintage bingo piece...

BINGO!!!!
:)

Click here..
http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/09/close-ups-of-words.html
to see all 52 of my inchie art pieces in one
mixed media piece titled
WORDS.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Dear God, thanks for this beautiful life...

Paint Party Friday
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/
Wanted to share this

little 4 by 6 watercolor I did awhile back...

with all of you today.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Shine through Art Tea Day

The holidays are upon us once again. 
I received a Thanksgiving card in the mail yesterday,

and while admiring it this morning,

 I am having a cup of Yerba Mate tea.

The card was made by Krystal, age 16, Houston, Tx.

This card celebrates the artwork

created by young patients

in the Children's Art Project...(CAP)

The Art Project is

part of the Univ. of Tx.

MD Anderson Cancer Center,

and it gives kids with cancer

the chance to shine through art.

Visit http://www.childrensart.org/

I think art is essential for children.

Kimmie has more links to tea posts,

so go visit her at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

We all Pretend...

We all wear masks at one time or another.

We pretend behind our masks,

for whatever the reason.

Norman Cousins,

 an American political journalist,

 author, professor,

and world peace advocate. ... 

once said,

“The great tragedy of life

is not death,

but what dies within us while we live.”

An article by Ellen Borowka states,

 "Don’t let your mask suffocate your inner light,

but rather use it to create safety and security

 so your light burns brightly to the world."

Today's prompt word for

Every Inchie Monday is

PRETEND.

To read Ellen Borowka's full article go here...

http://www.lighthouseconsulting.org/Articles/KOTMasks/

See WORDS here...
http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/09/close-ups-of-words.html
It is my finished piece with all 52 inchie art pieces.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Time for Traditions

It's that time of year for traditions, more so than

at any other time of the year.

A tradition is a ritual, belief or object

passed down within a society,

still maintained in the present,

with origins in the past.

(Wikipedia)

Tradition has begun to loose its importance in modern times.

   I think that this is a very sad thing

My visit to the King Ranch today

got me thinking of traditions.

This photo below was taken at a

King Ranch Tradition,

 the King Ranch hand breakfast.

Everyone (over 4000 people) has a relaxed,

 laid back, good time.

There is food, fun, roping, music,

cowboy poets,

rug weaving, pan de campo cooking,

and more.

I love to see the cowboys,

because my dad was a cowboy.

It's a way of life that still survives on the
King Ranch.

This morning it was all about the food.

Here they are putting brands on aprons for visitors.

Below is one of the many longhorns on the King Ranch.

Even though this is not the ranch's own breed, people love to see them.

You think tradition is a bunch of bull or

do you think it's important for all of society today?

To find out some interesting things about this ranch that is bigger than

the state of Rhode Island, go to

http://www.king-ranch.com/

Come visit us here in south Texas!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Libelle--- art doll

 This is Libelle,

(the Dutch word for dragonfly)

Libelle is gathering up many dragonflies.

The dragonfly means many things

to many people over the world.

Amongst Native Americans,

the dragonfly is a sign of happiness,

speed and purity.

Purity because the dragonfly eats from the wind itself.

In most cultures a dragonfly landing on you means

CHANGE or GOOD LUCK.

Libelle is simply shades of white,

and made from polymer clay.

I emblellished her with vintage lace

beads, and silver dragonflies.

It's hard to tell in the photos,

but I imprinted her entire body with

flowers and vines.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Inchie for Natalya--daring

My inchie post is late this week.
This Every Inchie Monday yearlong project

has made me really think about things,

when prompted with each weekly word.

This weeks prompt word is

DARING.

It brought to mind many things,

but this headline especially stuck in my mind.

"Daring Natalya Silenced by Bullets"

That was the headline telling about

 Natalya Estemirova,

Chechen journalist, activist,

and warrior,

who fought a nation with words.

She may have lost her life

but she might still win the war.

Her far reaching human rights report

was released the day of her murder.

So many warriors who fight with words,

and who fight with might,

are silenced with bullets.

But the fight continues on,

for human rights everywhere.

 

This little inchie art

 is to remind us of those who

have lost their lives by being

daring, bold and fearless.

They will not be forgotten.

"Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward;

 they may be beaten,

but they may start a winning game."

                                                                                  --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To see my finished mixed media piece called

WORDS, click on

http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/09/close-ups-of-words.html

I included 52 inchie art pieces.

Visit Kris at

http://everyinchiemonday.blogspot.com/

for more inchie art.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Each friend represents a world to us.....

"Each friend represents a world to us,

a world possibly not born

until they arrive

and it is only by this meeting

that a new world is born."

--Anais Nin

Happy Tea on Tuesday everyone!

Today I am enjoying some Zen Granny tea,

with all kinds of herbs, dried orange peel,

 and dried blueberries.

I've posted about this tea before,

and it has really become one of my favorites.

___

My friend Karen gifted me those really cool

glass objects that I posted about in my previous post.

http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-is-it-and-surprise.html

She also gave me one of her unique creations

"made from unloved things" that others have discarded.

Well, it is loved now...for sure!

I thought it appropriate for tea day,

as I promised I would show it.

I just fell in love with the little vintage pitcher,

 the vintage saucer on top,

and all the bling added to it.

Thank you Karen.

I can use it for many things....

to hold a small potted plant,

 as a candy dish,

soap dish,

candle holder,

jewelry holder and more.

I think it will reside in the kitchen for a little potted herb, for now.

And I love the handcrafted soap Karen gave me too!

______

Speaking of soap.....

Kimmie (from Art in Red Wagons)

 and I swapped our handcrafted soap recently.

I received her package in the mail this week,

and she sent along a few other goodies too.

It smells wonderful!

And I love the packaging Kimmie!

She made this fabric, purse sized tissue holder.

Very practical and pretty.

I needed one, thank you.

And this 'made from a book spine' bookmark is very cool.

The other side has butterflies on it.

I love everything Kimmie,

thank you very much.

Visit Kimmie not only for tea day,

but to see her wonderful creations as well.

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

She has an Etsy shop that is filled with wonderful creations.

Well, I hope you....

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

What is it???? and a surprise!

Yesterday was our local

Trade Days,

and although the crowd was

not as large as in the past,

I had a great time.

My friend Karen had her

wonderful creations there too.

Here we are before the crowd arrives.

I suggested to Karen to do something

to draw attention to our booth.

I told her I was going to bring my blue bottle tree.

She wore her Pink hair!  LOL

Great idea Karen! Too cute!

We had unique, one of a kind, fun items

for the person who has everything.

Karens creations are

"repurposd art made from unloved things found at the

thrift store, garage sales, or

left by the road".

This is one of her decorative bottles she creates.

It not only looks great on the outside,

but inside there is sand, shells,

and a message....

message in a bottle!

Note the little bottle hanging by wire off the side.

That's cool!

Here's a great soap dish,

( it could be used for anything...candy dish etc.),

and on top of the dish is some of Karen's homemade soap,

wrapped up very pretty.

I just recently taught her how to make homemade soap,

and her cinnamon, coffee soap is wonderful

(seen below)

Looks so pretty and smells sooo good!

 Here is another one of my favorite creations she made.

I think it's great that she put vintage buttons

in the margarita glass.

(you can click on each photo to enlarge)

Very fun and very creative.

WHAT IS IT

OK, I guess you are wondering about my post title....

What is it????

These are four of many that were the big attraction at our booth.

Can anyone tell me what they are?

All I know is they are glass.

Now for the surprise...

when I hold them up to the light,

they look like this...

and this...

and this...

They are gorgeous!

Each one different.

If you know what they are,

Karen and I would sure love to know.

Thanks for stopping by!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

A Theatre with a Past

The restored and newly opened Texas Theatre

 in Seguin, Tx. will be the location for my next art show.

http://www.thetexas.org/The_Texas_Theatre/Home.html

"A Merry Texas Christmas"

will be the show, put on by my sister's band...

The Almost Patsy Cline Band.

Click on their name and read all about them.

Lanette and the band are

Bandera’s Award Winning Official Goodwill Ambassadors

 and recently got inducted into the Bandera Music Hall of Fame.

I am very proud of her!

She has been playing music and singing,

 since she was a young teen.
The entire band is very talented!

Click on the following link for more info about the theatre's coming attractions.

http://www.thetexas.org/The_Texas_Theatre/Coming_Attractions.html

including this upcoming show for Nov. 27th,
as the band is performing again...
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.

This is the APC band in front of the newly restored Texas theatre.

My sister Lanette is the woman in the cowboy hat! :)

It should be a lot of fun!

Savor the day!

Yvonne

Tree goddess and mermaid art dolls

 Art Doll number 1---

She is a tree goddess.

She stands on an actual tree slice for her base.

Total height is about 13 inches.

She has a dragonfly on her forehead.

Doll number 2---

This one is a mermaid, and has metal wire for her hair.

She is holding a pearl bead.

She sits on a wooden base,

and is about 9 inches tall.

Here is a close-up...

Now I have to name them

for the upcoming show.

Ummmmm.....Decisions, decisions....

any ideas?

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Tea day and art

This morning I am having some tea

that I picked up

at the local Middle Eastern market.

It's actually a very good black tea.

I always add a little agave nectar to my tea,

and sometimes some lemon.

Visit Kimmie for more tea posts.

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Is there art on your tea packaging today?

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Bees for Life inchie

“Bees work for man,

 and yet they never bruise Their Master's flower,

but leave it having done,

As fair as ever and as fit to use;

So both the flower doth stay and honey run.”

                                                                        ---George Herbert

Visit http://agreenliving.net/role-of-bees-in-human-survival/

for an interesting article.

My inchie this week uses a little bee attached to watercolor paper,
and the prompt word cut from an old dictionary.
To see my finished WORDS mixed media piece,
click on
http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/09/close-ups-of-words.html
It has this inchie plus 51 more!
Visit Kris for more inchie art.
http://everyinchiemonday.blogspot.com/

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

November Art Reception

The November art show reception was last night

and I wanted to share a few photos with you.

This was an all member, non judged show.

 My husband and I walked into the art center,

and I have to say that all the art was wonderful.

There was quite a variety of art media showing.

There were photos on canvas, photos on metal,

collagraphs, watercolors, oils, drawings,

my mixed media art dolls, assemblage and much more.

I was so happy that my sister, Lanette,

was able to make it to the reception.

Here we are standing by my mermaid art doll, Myrena.

There was wine, punch, food,

and music by the Art Center band.

There was also a drawing for a coastal painting

done by a local artist.

The crowd was still growing when we left the reception.

The show will be up all month.

It's always exciting to see an all member show

and I look forward to the next one.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Wind turbines and birds

Nature...

it's amazing!

Here in south Texas,

we are lucky to have such a wide variety

of birds and wildlife
especially coming through in the spring and fall.

But the sad thing is...

we are slowly taking over wildlife habitat.

This photo was taken

at Lake McQueeney, Tx.
I loved how he was walking on the lilly pads.

Here are some facts about this area where I live now...

510 bird species,

300 butterfly species,

over 1200 plant species

• Biologically the most diverse locale in America

 with 11 distinct biotic communities

• Diverse interspersed habitats - tropical runs into temperate,

semi-desert meets riparian forest, fresh water mixes with salt

water - islands, lagoons, coastal wetlands, ox-bow lakes, reservoirs

I took this photo the other day,

not far from our home.

We see herons all the time,

and many other birds as well.

BTW...

Can you see the windmills in the background?

Savor the Day!

Yvonne