My Creative Journal has become my Art Journal

After reading Linda Lawrence's recent blog post about crayon therapy, and an intense discussion about creative development with Deb Batten, I have decided to incorporate parts of each discussion into my creative development. Linda talked about crayon therapy. I'm honestly not sure what that is, but today, I went to Walgreen's and bought some school supplies!









Oh, did these smell good! I bought the box of 64, and the colors in my box are amazing and very close to the colors of glass I now own. Hmmmm. Could this be coincidence?






















I also bought some colored markers and colored pencils! Cool! This is my favorite time of year. I love school supplies!





















I had a notebook at home, so I decided to use that one! Fun!

I already used my journal today, and I used my crayons. I decided to explore shape and decoration of those shapes.





















As with glass, the colors took over, and the shapes became designs. This is page 1.























This is page 2, and I already feel better!

Thanks, Deb! Thanks, Linda. New directions for me! More updates on my art journal to follow. I need a rainy day!

My Life My World

As I reviewed my blog, I saw where my world is focused. I was surprised to see that my world is small. It's mostly centered around my home. My life is focused. Again, it's around my home.














Here's a photo of Spike. He's a big part of my life!






















The ragweed is starting to bloom in my backyard.





















The hydrangeas are bushy and full in the backyard!





















The oxalis are blooming.

My world is small and focused, but it's beautiful!

Update On Spike

I honestly have to admit, I am surprised. When I first found out that Spike was in early kidney failure, I was shocked, and I was totally convinced that, by now, Spike would only be a memory.

Even though, I know, that with kidney disease, changes can happen very quickly, I am pleased to say that Spike is doing very well at this time.

I've seen some signs of deterioration, but, for the most part, Spike is still Spike, and I am so happy! I feel blessed with everyday that we are given. He's been my best friend for so long, it will be difficult when he joins the ancients, but I have been blessed, and I don't want to forget that.

Spike stole my comforter. He's begun to rip it up to make it his. That's so Spike. I can buy a new one, but I'll never have another Spike. Now, I have to go and give him an ear rub. He likes those!

Let's Go Shopping! More of my 10,000 Favorite Etsy Artisans!

Always remember, no matter what, we never walk alone!


As we look at the broad spectrum that is Etsy, there are many more types of handmade goods that are available. In this blog, I want to expand my search of Etsians, but I still have to include the glass goodies!

Let's visit Candice Mathewson's store, Bead Goodies. I love all the goodies in that store! Candice features her handmade lampwork bead sets, and they are amazing! Look at this set made with green and white. Isn't that beautiful? I am so impressed! It is stunning!






Now, I'm off the glass track for a bit. Let's visit the Etsy store owned and operated by Stephanie Vinson. The name of this amazing store is Stephanie K Naturals. In this store, which I can almost smell right now, you will find massage oils, bath salts, natural perfumes! Be sure to visit, and you won't be disappointed. Here's a sample of one of the massage oils you will find in the store.





















Be sure to spend a little bit of time browsing. You won't be disappointed.
All right, I can't help myself. It's back to glass. I tried to resist, but resistance is futile!





















This stunning bead was made by Gina Marie DeStevens. You can find it in her etsy shop called: GMD Lampwork. Isn't it amazing! The name of the bead is: Spring Blooms. I love it! Be sure to take a bit of time and look around. She has so many beautiful items in her store.

All right, now it's time for another etsy artisan who doesn't melt glass. She makes soap!
Live Laugh Love Soap is a store on Etsy owned and operated by Danielle Weems.














The products carried in this store are natural, vegan products for your home and body. Be sure to take a look around. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.

Well, I'm worn out now. It's time to rest and relax. Isn't online shopping the best? You can shop in your recliner. Be sure to visit each of these store and let the owners know how great you think their products are, because no matter what, we never walk alone!

My Table Top Garden

August is here! In a few short weeks, the children in our school district will be heading back to school. The weather will cool. Autumn will be here. For now, it's still beautiful outside. Spike is out laying by his tree, and I'm enjoying my time in my garage watching Spike enjoy his time outside.

When I planted my table top garden, I wasn't sure what to expect. We had such a cool spring, and, we have had such a cool summer. I think next year, I will wait to plant my garden until later. That's just part of the learning experience. I will use fewer plants in the table top. I will take more pictures to watch their growth. Here's my garden today. It's been planted since May. I've eaten quite a few cherry tomatoes. I just ate the last one today. I'm not sure how many more I'll find in my garden.





















So far, no zuchinni or cucumbers, but I have two big tomatoes growing now.




















The squash blossoms are beautiful, even though the one zucchini fell off the stem.





















This is the biggest cucumber I have!





















The herbs are doing just fine though!




















All in all, it's been a good experiment!