WaTeRy MeLoN

When I cut into this watermelon this afternoon I was suprised by the really neat swirl pattern. As I was cutting I was wondering just how they could grow "seedless" watermelons if there were no seeds. That IS somethiing to think about!! BUT, as I found out there ARE seeds in a "seedless" watermelon!! The things that make you say...HHMMMM!!

WiLd, WiLd WeSt

I gave these two pics a soft old fashioned look. I like the way they turned out (especially the second one).

SoNiC

After pony riding we stopped off at Sonic for dinner. Maddie asked "What kind of place is this? You eat in the car!?!" We told her next time she see's Sissy Jessica to bug her to take her to Sonic (Jess's FAV!!).

PoNy RiDeS

Saturday, Maddie was invited to go ride the ponies. Jon's boss owns the two ponies and a horse. His son, a year younger than Maddie, wanted Maddie to come and ride. Too cute!!

My LiTtLe PoNy

HEY!! Who shrunk the horse??

ClAy FaCeS

I started making these clay face pins using polymer clay, vintage rhinestones and watch parts. I thought this scan of them actually turned out really cool. (I plan on taking actual photos of these. When I do I will post them so you can actually see the details.) AND I finally figured out how to watermark my photos WOOHOO!! Just another step in my blogging adventures! Can't wait to learn Photoshop one of these days, though that would mean purchasing a new computer.......HINT, HINT (May 30th is fast approaching)...I LOVE you honey!!
P.S. and did I mention that I still have my eye on that Canon camera...?

CoLlAgE pAiNtInG

I made this 4 x 4 inch collage painting this week. I used a 4 x 4 wrapped canvas and applied torn patterned papers in a random fashion using Mod Podge. I then applied Gesso using a dry brush method. After that dried I used Fluid Chalk Inks and applied random color. Over the color I then added the Gesso circles, swirls and lines. I drew in the lamb, flowers, birds, clouds and hot air balloon using a Gelly Roll pen in white. Next I laid down the base colors for the face, shirt and hair adding detail using Sharpie markers. I touched up a few places with the ink again and I still need to apply one last clear coat over the top. I am not completely happy that I used black on this but it is the basic idea of what I wanted to do. It is a learning process for me and I am sure that the next one I do will be even better.

tHiS sWaP RoCkS ! !

My swap partner Linda at Grace Filled Moments did a knock out, FANTASTIC job with this fun swap hosted by Sweet Goodness Swaps . Everything was wrapped in red, tied together with black and white grosgrain ribbon and labeled with handmade tags made from playing cards. The Basic Bridge book, cards and mug were Vintage finds. I LOVE After Eight mints and they seemed to fit right in with the theme of the swap. The cute sign that she made has found it's rightful place in my kitchen (she has been reading my blog for some time to know that my kitchen is decorated in red, white and black). The bracelet and Linda's handmade earrings (made using beads from Beads for Life) is a great start to my Spring fashion wardrobe!! Thank you Linda and be on the lookout for your package!!

CuPcAkE

Maddie and I had gone grocery shopping and found this cool Spring cake mix and frosting with sprinkles. I thought it would be fun to surprise Daddy with a batch of cupcakes made by Maddie. So Maddie whipped up a batch. (No, she didn't really mix the whole batch with a wisk!!) I broke out the electric mixer to help her out just a little, during which time she hid out in her bedroom since she HATES loud electrical tools!! Just say the word Vacuum and the child RUNS!

CaSe Of ThE SiLliEs

Maddie and Daddy trying to make scary faces at Mommy. Which is NOT possible when you've gor a CASE OF THE SILLIES!!

HaViNg A bALL

Maddie and I just playing around in the living room.

JoUrNaL pRoMpT

I have finally finished a layout in my journal!! I have been wanting to get this journal going for sometime now. My plan was to follow along over at Jennifer Roger-Daniels blog Atistically Designed Diversions with her weekly journal prompts. I am not sure what the prompt even was for this but here it is anyway!! Maybe I will pay attention and follow more closely now, I am such a bad student!!

WiNnInG hAnD sWaP

Over at Sweet Goodness Swaps was the Winning Hand Swap. I mailed out my package to my partner. This is a tag that I did to include in the package.

ReD EnVeLoPe PrOjEcT

I am not a political person by any means but this idea (***NOTE: Not my idea, visit the website HERE ) is to protest, peacefully, the presidents stand on abortion. Or Voluntary Population Planning, as he puts it. I believe we should respect the office of president and support him in his difficult job. But I don’t think that means we should sit idly by while things happen that we don’t approve of.

Here is what I would like you to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail on March 31st, and send it.

Send this information, my link, the website etc... to every one of your friends who you think would send one too.

FeAtUrE aRtIsT

I thought that I would feature an artist that I know and love very much. I should, she is my mother!! You can see more of her work HERE and if you love to cook check out her blog HERE . I am so proud of her for getting back into doing her art.
LOVE YA MOMMY!!


Norma DeRemer, United States
Self tought artist having fun with the Gift God gave me. I started out very young by painting my first oil painting at the age of eight. I'm now 66 years old and getting back to my art work after all these years. I'm retired from working with Alzheimer residents in Nursing Homes for more then 27 years. Tought art to some of my residents and do pastel pictures of friends pets and children. Can't wait to get started and post my work for all to see. I have won several blue ribbons at State Fairs and sold many as soon as I showed them. Hope to comtinue my luck. I'm going to be a great grandma this March. It's a boy. I sign my work with GRUTZE. That was my maiden name and just before my Dad died I promised to keep the name going. I'm the only one left now and will keep the name going within my art work as long as I can. I also love to cook and have my own Blog. Check it out if you want some good recipes. http://onegrutze.blogspot.com/ Known as From Norma D's Kitchen To Yours. Enjoy!