Grace to You

Still Painting...

2011-06-11T23:54:00.002-04:00

I'm still doing watercolors every weekend...I just can't stop. Here are two more.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T21:37:00.000-04:00

More watercolors

2011-03-19T17:27:00.000-04:00

I took a vacation day yesterday...and painted....oh, and watched basketball. :)

Starting Over

2011-03-12T07:40:00.000-05:00

OK...I've been absent for a very long time. So, I'm starting over. I'm taking two online art courses. I feel full of energy and am having lots of fun.

One of the courses is "She Art". The instructor is Christy Tomlinson. Check out her art on her blog. The class content is amazing. You get soooo much instruction for the cost of the class. It is definitely a real value. Here are my assignments from week 1.

The second class is a watercolor sketching class. This one terrifies me. I've always heard that watercolors are very unforgiving. So, why did I sign-up? The instructor is Jane LaFazio. Here is the link to her blog, Janeville. She does many types of art, but I especially love the watercolors. I've been following her for some time, and this introductory class seemed like the right opportunity to take the plunge. Our first week assignment was fruit. Here are my first watercolor attempts.

It's a Girl!

2010-04-27T00:06:00.002-04:00

Ok...I heard a couple weeks ago that my best friend will soon be a grandmother. I'm so excited for both Natalie and Jenny! I couldn't wait to start sewing. Here's what I've done so far.

A diaper bag,
two receiving blankets,
a changing pad,
and two bibs.

Close up of the bag...

Laptop Bags

2010-04-17T00:24:00.003-04:00

Even though I've been really lazy about blogging, I haven't been completely lazy about crafting. So, maybe I'll try to catch up over the next few days. Here are a couple of laptop bags that I made.

And this purse for my sister...

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2010-01-24T21:02:00.000-05:00

When I read a good book by a new author, I always have mixed emotions when anticipating the next book. Because I enjoyed The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hossseini, I eagerly awaited the release of A Thousand Splendid Suns. And, I purchased it back in 2007 shortly after it was released. But here's the problem: I always worry that I won't enjoy the second book as much as the first. So, even though I had heard excellent reviews, I left the book laying on the to-be-read pile beside my bed for nearly two years. Well, I finally picked it up...and to my delight, A Thousand Splendid Suns was even better than The Kite Runner. I highly recommend it!

Joy and Peace

2009-12-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

2009-11-08T09:20:00.002-05:00

From the title (isn't it just great!) to the epilogue, this is the best book that I've read in a very long time. As with her previous books, Rebecca Wells fills The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder with love, pain, and passion. This book takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. I've enjoyed all of her previous books about the Ya-ya's, but this one (with all new characters, but still set in Louisiana) is definitely my favorite. I think that this will have to be my next selection for our Bluestockings Book Club discussion.

Have a Little Faith

2009-10-08T22:16:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading Mitch Albom's new book, Have a Little Faith. It was terrific...his best since Tuesdays with Morrie.

Comfort Food: Macaroni and Cheese

2009-09-23T07:17:00.001-04:00

One of blogs that I follow, Our Best Bites, had an entry this week on comfort foods, actually a recipe for chicken pot pie that looks terrific. I love this site, by the way. Anyhow, the authors, Sara and Kate, mention that they haven't found the perfect recipe for macaroni and cheese. Well, I'm not sure that this is the perfect recipe, but it is definitely my family's favorite.

   2 lb box of elbow pasta
   2-3 blocks of extra sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
   6-8 cups milk
   2 eggs
   salt and pepper to taste
   paprika

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Layer pasta, cheese, pasta, cheese in 2 medium sized casserole dishes. This is a double recipe...my family REALLY likes it alot. In a bowl, beat eggs with a fork. Add milk, salt, and pepper. Pour milk mixture over pasta and cheese. The milk should not completely cover the pasta, but be just visible as you look down through the pasta and cheese (so maybe a half inch from the top of the pasta). Sprinkle top with paprika.

See the depth of the milk?

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until top is lightly browned.

Plain and Simple.

Yummy!

Nurturing Creativity

2009-09-19T22:32:00.002-04:00

I started taking a collage class this week from the Art Association of Harrisburg. Elaine Brady Smith is the instructor. I love her vintage collages. I've been creating collages and mixed media pieces for the past few years, but I think it will be fun to learn some new techniques.

Last weekend, I decided that I needed a portfolio and a tote to carry my work in progress and supplies for class. So this is what I came up with. I was very happy with the results.

Relaxing Labor Day

2009-09-07T23:07:00.003-04:00

It was a nice, long weekend. Rachael was home for three days. We had plenty of time to visit and play cards with family.

I even found time to sew a bit. In honor of the approaching autumn, gold was the color for the weekend. I made a really cute little tote and a lined backpack.

Shelves

2009-08-29T17:18:00.002-04:00

I needed something to keep me busy as Ezra prepared to leave for China. So, last Saturday I suggested to Ed that we go antiquing. I was looking for shelves or a cupboard for my sewing room. I wanted to be able to see my fabric stash instead of having to rummage through drawers. We found an old beat-up "garden shelf". It was very rough and looked like it had been outside on a porch. But, it was exactly the right size.

So, I brought it home, cleaned it up, and painted it...white inside and light green outside. It's made of oak and is very heavy. My three men grunted and groaned quite a bit while carrying it up to the sewing room. It's just what I needed.

Together

2009-08-17T01:08:00.002-04:00

Rachael came home from VA for the weekend. Food, fun, and games all weekend. This will be the last time that we're all together before Ezra goes to China.