Snow Princess

Snow Princess

I did this mixed media painting for a friend of mine's daughter for Christmas. Actually the daughter asked me if I would paint a pretty girl picture for her. THis is the first time anyone asked me to do a painting for them. I guess it takes a child to ask. I was thrilled and a little nervous. As it is, I was needing some inspiration for the challenge at IA. This is a snow princess want to be just like the little girl I did this for. She is at that awkward stage right now, not quite a teenager but too old to be a little girl. She needs to believe in herself and one day she will be whatever she wants to be. 

I'm not quite finished, but anyway this is my submission for the Inspiration Avenue theme Believe.

Check out some of the other entries here!

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas From Our House To Yours!

HO!

   HO!

      HO!

Christmas Earrings

I added these to my Etsy shop this weekend. They just happen to be on sale.

Charlotte's Collection !

Autumn Flowers

Thanksgiving Flowers

 I thought it would be nice to enjoy these fall flowers a little bit longer. These were my centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table this year. They still look fabulous. It's still autumn after all. I know the Christmas / Holiday season is in full swing but geeezzz I want to enjoy fall a little longer. I'm going to start decorating the house for Christmas this week. My husband did the yard this weekend. We decorate right after Thanksgiving every year because things get so hectic so fast  and it's so much work to put Christmas decorations upthat I like to have them around for more then a week or two. So enjoy these for now because things are going to change quickly. :))))))

On another note hehe...I'm doing the cyber monday sale over at Etsy. All of my broken china charms, pendants and earrings are on sale. 

Here is the link 

Cyber Monday Sale 

Happy Thanksgiving

It's time to think about Turkey!

Hope yours is thawing in the refrigerator. Don't wait until the night before to thaw it out. 

I'm rummaging through recipes and cleaning house. I'll be busy the next few days so I'm wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving now before I forget! 

Have fun and eat lots of pie.

Turkey Apron

"Lets Talk Turkey"

It's funny how things change on a dime. I was not going to list my aprons on Etsy because I'm doing a show and needed items to fill in the gaps. Well now the show may not happen....but not sure. I'm listing them anyway. It can't hurt. I'll have to shut down Etsy on the day of the show if it happens. I hate not knowing.
On another note I was not going to host Thanksgiving this year now I am. I was not going to have our family Holiday Party this year now I am. All this on top of having our own immediate family Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It's no wonder I'm starting to freak out.
I also made a new blog. I wanted an art gallery blog just for my paintings. It's a work in progress....so far I only have one item in it.
You can click here to check it out. It's called Charlotte's Collection to tie in with my shop and company name.  Click here if you want to see more photos of the Turkey Apron.  I love this apron! I made one for  myself. Don't know why I'm so into aprons right now. I'm really going crazy making them. I made some for Halloween and now I'm making Christmas....they are all so cute I'm squealing....heehee. It doesn't take much to get me excited.

Day Of The Dead

Day of the dead alter

Today is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This is my little alter for my parents. 

I wanted to do a "day of the dead" painting for mom and dad.  Mom passed so recent and making art has been so therapeutic, I thought doing one would be nice.  However, I could not make myself put skulls in the painting. I just couldn't, so the painting turned into more of a vintage wedding photo than a day of the dead painting.

I made some sugar skulls and painted them. The alter can have their favorite foods, pictures of them and so on.

Pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch

Hope you are enjoying fall. I love the nice weather and beautiful scenery. Here's a picture of my area pumpkin patch.

Halloween is almost here.

Hugs,

Charlie

Sassy Girl

Sassy Girl

Here is my latest painting. She is sassy and confident. She is all about being herself.
Live, love, be you is her message.

I don't know what I would do without my art at this time. I'm so glad I'm still able to create. I know if it were not for my art I would be lost. A friend of mine told me when her mom passed she felt like an orphan. At first I did not understand, but I realize what she means now. For me, I felt lost, so I guess feeling lost and feeling like an orphan is the same. My question is what do I do now? I'm rethinking my purpose in life and taking stock of my life. Being creative and making art is so comforting. It grounds me and makes me focus. It's reminds me of who I am and makes me happy that I have this gift to share.

Enjoy!

The challenge this week at Inspiration Avenue is Pink so I'm entering this painting for the challenge.

In Memory Of

Cecilia Ann Pish Zissa

My dear sweet mom passed away Sunday night September 26 2010. The funeral services have come and gone and I am now alone with my thoughts. It has not been easy. I love her and miss her. Here is a poem which was in the memorial register which I found comforting.

To Those I love & Leave Behind

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do.

You must not tie yourself to me with tears.

Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love.

You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness.

But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must.

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for a while that we must part,

so bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, and life goes on,

so if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me.

I'll be near and if you listen with your heart,

You'll hear all of my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet  you with a smile and say,

"welcome home."

Therese Marie Horn

Weekly Update

"Max "

This is all I have. I have been worthless all week. Other then visiting my mom , I have not accomplished much. I blame it on allergies. I feel awful! It has been raining so much here, it is ridiculous. It rains cats and dogs and then  the sun comes out for a few hours and then it rains again. This is perfect conditions for mold. The mold count is off the charts and everyone is sick including me and my daughter. It's crazy! You feel better for a while and then it hits you again. You feel like you are getting the flu but you're not. Needless to say I've been living in my bed and this is my view. LOL! I love my dog. He is a beggar. I'm eating an apple here and of course..... he loves apples. Crazy dog. He can't wait to get the core. I send him outside to eat the core, but before he sits in front of me waiting very patiently with that intent stare. Oh well. I'm doodling and watching Suzi videos and trying to decide if I should spend the money for La Sirena. I'm not much of a mermaid lover, so it does not appeal to me. But......this reminds me of the next challenge which is decide. I have a hard time making up my mind. Making decisions is not one of my strong points. I take too long and I hem and haw until I'm blue in the face. It's not good. So I wont be doing the challenge because I can't decide. Good luck everyone and hope you are all doing better then me.
Have a good week.


PS
My friend Stephanie at Dragonfly Design Studios is celebrating her first year of blogging. She is having a wonderful giveaway.
Check it out  here to enter
Dragonfly Design Studios Giveaway

Inspiration Avenue Weeklly Challenge: Metamorphosis

"Texas Cicada Exoskeleton"

 

 

 

The challenge at IA this week is metamorphosis!

When I read this theme I thought to myself  "no way am I going to do this one" but then as I was walking around my backyard, I noticed this familiar little guy hanging on a Mexican Petunia and thought "oh wow this would be great for the theme metamorphosis"!

I'm not sure if these bugs are everywhere. I thought they were only in the south, but I could be wrong. They are Cicada's or locust as we call them. You know it's summer when you hear them sing. Yes they are one noisy bug! Personally I love to listen to the sound they make.It would not be summer with out that screeching sound coming out of the trees.

What you see here is the flaky exoskeleton left on everything from gutters, to trees, to bushes, to just about anything. This is a stag in the cicadas life cycle that I think is a great example of metamorphosis!

 

The adult comes out the top slit leaving this shell behind. 

 Oh what fun we have here! I'm constantly knocking these things off my back porch. I'm surprised I missed this one. I guess it was a good thing, or I would not have an entry. They are all but gone now since summer is winding down.  Until next summer!

Click the link above to view more entries to the challenge.

Which Witch

I love Halloween.

Here is my latest little doll lady. I'm so pleased with the way she turned out. I had fun working on her, but I think I say this about all my paintings. I'm not sure what I'll do next because I've already switched gears. I got the sewing bug again, so I'm making Halloween aprons.

This is what I'm working on now.  If I get busy and make more I hope to sale them on Etsy. It may be too late for Halloween stuff, but I'll try anyway. I can always give them away. lol!

Here is a little weekly update. 

We got tons of rain from tropical storm Hermine. City wide flooding but my place is fine, so no worry.

Our hot water heater sprung a leak right before we were living town to go to a wedding!

We could not replace it until today, so we had no hot water for a couple of days. Geez hot water heaters are expensive.

The whole family and sons girlfriend piled  in the car to go to a  wedding this weekend. It was a lot of fun!

The sad part is my mom was not able to attend the wedding. We thought maybe she could go to the church part but she was not up to it. The good part is.... is it made us realize how depressed she is. We worked it out so that she will be able to go back to her assisted  living home. She has been in a rehabilitation nursing home since she got out of the hospital. She is not happy there but needs the therapy and full time RN's on staff that this rehab center offers. So we will see how it all goes.

Have  a good week!

My Marie

Marie Antoinette

My latest creation.This is my version of a Marie Antoinette petite doll. It's a fairly large painting.....12 x24 which I can handle. I don't know why I can make large paintings easier then the small ones. Oh well.....too fun! I'm keeping her, so I guess I'll go get it framed. She looks good on the easel, but I think she would look better in my foofoo room.  The close up shot was taken outside so it has a bluer tone. Can't wait to get started on the next painting.
Hope everyone is having a great labor day!
C.

Tiny Dancer

Here is my little, Tiny Dancer. She loves to dance and dreams of becoming a professional tap dancer one day. She is on her way to an audition and is so, so worried. (One day she will make it big.)

I finished this painting a while back, but I'm just now getting to post here again. I had to take a break from blogging. My mom had emergency surgery the beginning of August. She was in  ICU for a week, a regular room for two weeks and now she is in a rehab / nursing facility. I was driving to see her every 3 days. I have two sisters so we took turns staying with her. Now she is a little closer to home so the drive is not so long.
My mom really gave my sisters and I a big scare. We almost lost her. She needed the surgery or she would die for sure. She had an abscess in her intestine that had to be removed. The surgery was really hard on her. It would be tuff for anyone but she is 91. It was so hard to see her go through so much pain. She is learning to feed herself and learning to walk again through rehab. My visits have gone down to once a week so I have a little more time again.  I was taking classes from Suzi Blu before this all happened. Tiny Dancer is one of my projects from her class. I've enjoyed the lessons so much. I'm working on another doll painting right now and can't wait to show her off.
Hopefully my next post will be my latest painting.
Have a great week.

Water Theme Inspiration Avenue

"Sunrise"

A beautiful sunrise over the ocean. Doesn't it look like the ocean is about to tip over???

I had to share this photo for the challenge this week at Inspiration Avenue. 

The theme is water. 

I took this shot early one morning while walking the beach in Port Aransas Texas. It's not far from San Antonio....where I live.

I can not wait until our next visit. We will probably be going back soon. {Sometimes in August.} I don't think the oil spill has come to our side of the gulf......yet. I'll let you know. 

The ocean is calling me....see you soon my dear coastal waters.

75% Off Sale Mana Moon Sudios

My friend Sharon is having a fabulous sale in her Etsy store.....Mana Moon Studios. Head on over there to take a peek at some of the wonderful items she has for sale. Most of the items are way below cost. She is going out of business and needs to liquidate. It's a great opportunity to get some early Christmas shopping done at a fabulous price.
Thanks,
Charlie

Hello, good morning! It's a great day in S.A.
We had a huge thunder storm come through yesterday with hardly any rain. It was fun to watch though. Actually it was a little scary! I did not want to be on the phone or the computer. At least we did not lose any electricity.
Sooooo, I pulled out my sketch pad and drew. It really feels good to draw just for fun again. I am having so much fun in my new class. I'm taking one of Suzi Blu's classes. I think I'm hooked because I feel like signing up for another one. She really has a lot of good tips and ideas. She is so funny too. I get such a kick outta watching her videos. She is such a nut. And I mean that in a good way. She makes you want to throw out all your inhibitions and just act silly.
With that said heehee, I still don't feel like showing  off any of my art work. I do not know why. I used to share everything. When I took Paulettes class......I posted the whole learning process.
Sorry!
I am however still working on my broken china jewelry and other things to sell in my Etsy shop. I have to try to make a little money......... I got to pay for this artsy habit........... Geez, art supplies are expensive!
I'm back to making these seashell items. This is a large scallop shell that I soldered. I think it looks good with the turquoise. I'll be listing it soon.
Toodalee doo for now!
:)

Wine Glass Wednesday

Leopard Print

Heehee don't you just love this one! It's my favorite! I forgot I had painted so many glasses.....geez. I could not find it at first. I was freaking out! I have so many kitchen things. I mean I have tons of glasses, teacups and plates, serving bowls. I like to entertain and don't like to use paper or plastic dinnerware....sometimes I have to though. Oh well....not sure this is a wine glass but I'm using it anyway...... For wine glass Wednesday!

 A little bit closer now!

Oops!

But I like it! I thought I would try taking the pictures inside this morning but the lighting would not cooperate. I think it will make a great texture background for digital collage, so I'm keeping it.

I'm off to do more art! I'm sorry I don't feel like sharing my art these days. I'm feeling sort of self conscience about it. I'm taking a class and really enjoying it. It's all for myself just to make me happy.

Check out more wine glasses by visiting Lisa at Priti Studio!
Enjoy your week!

More from my Back yard

We had  wine and cheese Saturday evening out on the patio. It was a such a lovely night. I lit all the tiki torches, this chandelier, other candles and lights around the porch. It was magical....to me... only. Oh well at least I enjoyed it. Hope you do too.

Wine Glass Wednesday

Just a little tipsy!
Here is another one of my hand painted wine glasses. It's Christmas in July.
This was painted a while back at the same time as the grape wine glass I featured a couple of weeks ago. I'm not into painting on glass anymore. Been there done that.
It is crazy at mi casa this week. The home owners association have finally decided to replace our back fence. Yeah I'm so happy. We have been waiting for this for a few weeks now. First they said they could not get a hold of us, then it was the hurricane, last week I don't know what their problem was.
I can't let Max out to play or teetee in the back yard because there is no fence. I have to go with him. Not so bad it's just he tends to wander off.
It shouldn't take them too long to finish.We shall see.

Teacup Tuesday

Here is my pretty little teacup from Japan. It has a Japan marking on the bottom. That is all the markings I find. It is very delicate and thin. I hate to use this one. I'm so scared I'm going to chip it. I love the tiny flowers.
The two kitschy kitties are my latest finds. Are they not the cutest???? I love 'em. I collect little kitschy animal figures too. Since I just found them this weekend on our driving /antiquing outing, I had to show them off. I just love the silly grin. The one in the cup looks like she is taking a bath....rubbing her tummy and  neck...so cute. I nabbed them for a couple of bucks. At an antique store, that is not a bad price! The cup I have had forever. I'm not sure why my interest in these kitschy animals have come back. Weird. I saw a lovely teacup for sale but just could not make myself buy it. I went for the cats instead.....so cheap.
If you would like to see more teacups join in on Teacup Tuesday here by clicking the link.
See you tomorrow for wine glass Wednesday.

Cherish

 I'm still stitching. I made this fabric ATC this week. I think I'll put it up for sale in my Etsy store. It's made out of my grandma's quilt. Just like the previous one on earlier  post.

I'm so glad this week is over!

Got my wireless working, so now I don't have to wait my turn to connect to the modem. YeaH! I feel so much better. I was not a happy camper.

I started doing weights at the gym again, along with plain old sit-ups. OH MY! My poor aching tummy! I can not even roll out of bed. I think I over did  it. I'm so out of shape.

My son is moving back to San Antonio. Yeah again! He is going to move in with a friend. They will be living close to my favorite hamburger place.I'm sure I will be meeting him there for lunch often. I will need to start working out more. Hmmmm. Oh well. We have to eat.
Hugs,
Charlie

Internet Issues

No picture today! I'm having internet problems. Sometimes I can connect, but mostly not. My computer is wireless only. We tried to set up a new router yesterday. We spent all day on the phone with Road Runner and Cisco and could not get anything to work. Needless to say I'm about to  pull out my hair. The worst part is how addicted I've gotten to the internet. Agghhh! Maybe taking a break from it is a good thing.
Wishing you a stress free day, week, month, year, Life.
Hugs,
Charlie

Inspiration Avenue Weeklly Challenge: Freedom

"Butterflies Are Free"

The theme this week at IA is Freedom. Freedom can mean so many things and can be interpreted in so many ways. I have designed a patriotic banner for my blog so I did not feel the need to go in that direction again.

I was in a sewing mode this week and had an itch to stitch.....lol! I pulled out an old quilt form my grandmother. It has been stashed away in an old trunk for years. It was in terrible condition. I think most people would have thrown it away, but not me. I ripped and cut out the best parts of the quilt. Then I separated the top and back and threw away the middle batting. I knew there was something I could make out of the pieces. This is what I came up with. It is a small stitched mixed media hanging. I stitched layers of the cutout fabric together in a whimsical fashion and added other ephemera. A butterfly came to mind as a symbol of freedom, so I designed a butterfly and stitched it on. Anyone remember the 70's movie "Butterflies are Free" with Goldie Hawn?
If you would like to participate check out Inspiration Avenue for more details.

Wine Glass Wednesday

How fun is this!
We have a teacup Tuesday.....so why not a wine glass Wednesday?
My friend Lisa at Priti Studio  thought of this. She is brilliant! I immediately jumped on the band wagon.
It will be fun!
Check out her blog by clicking the link to see her wine glass and any other participants wine glasses.

When I went digging around my hutch filled with glasses of all sorts, I thought this one here would be the best to present for wine glass Wednesday. Bringing it out brought out all kinds of memories.
I painted this glass years ago. I sold a few in the little antique shop I had back then, more then 10 years ago.
Painting on wine glasses is just one of the many crafts I've done through the years. One of the many crafts I've tried to sell.
I have a lot of brainy ideas. I have always been all over the place when it comes to art and crafts.
I get bored doing the same thing over and over. I have to change things up a bit. It's so obvious in  my Etsy store. I sell broken china jewelry, fabric totes, memory glass pendants, shell earrings, cards, original art and ACEO's.
I like to paint and draw and doodle.
I keep a watercolor art journal.
I also love digital collage, and I love, love, love to take pictures.
When I look back on one of my old projects like this painted wine glass I immediately think to myself "Oh that's not bad!"
Back then when I created something I thought  it was horrid. I'm better now. I'm not so critical of my own art. I guess I've grown a little, learned to accept myself and let my muse do what she wants. I think she is happier and so am I.

Teacup Tuesday

Last week I posted only one of my blue and white teacups from my mix and match set. I thought I should post the others out of this group before I move on. Interesting enough they are all from England, two are Johnson Bros, one Salem China Co, and the other Myott. I did not realize they were all from England.

 Coaching Scenes by Johnson Bros.

         English Villages by Salem China Co.

 Melody by Myott

When I started collecting teacups I really did not care where they came from or if they were old. They had to catch my fancy for whatever reason. I usually went for the floral pink rose types, so these were not typical.  This blue and white set has a nice, creamy feel. I like them all, really no particular one is my favorite. It's a nice set to bring out for company. 
I'm getting ready for the fourth of July and I've been pulling out all my red, white and blue. I think this set looks great on the red place mat. Too bad I wont be using them for the BBQ.
Teacup Tuesday is sponsored by Martha  and Terri each Tuesday.
Check out their blogs for more teacups. Join in the fun if you want.

Inspiration Avenue Weeklly Challenge: Circus

This weeks theme at Inspiration Avenue is 

 Circus.

  "Vintage Gathering"

I love vintage! This is a digital collage. I love putting the images together and playing around with the filters. I wanted to create a new vintage feel...if that makes sense.
Head on over to Inspiration Avenue to see the other entries.

Endless Possibilities

My muse has taken me in a digital direction. I'm combining some of my photos in phototshop and making cards. What do you think? Some are a little silly some are sweet and normal. I guess I have a goofy side that wants to come out.

Hubby was not too keen on the cupcake in the chair. I don't know.....It could happen.  He was not too crazy about the monkeys either. Really? I think they are cute!

All I know is I'm having fun and the possibilities are endless.

Teacup Tuesday

This one is not old but I like it anyway. It has a Johnson Brothers, made in England marking on the bottom. I have four blue and white cups not matching but they go together to me. I like to mix and match everything. Great size for a cuppa tea. If you like teacups and would like to share yours check out Teacup Tuesday.

Wish

 "Wish"

This weeks theme at Inspiration Avenue is "Wish".

Here is my entry. I did this painting a little over a year ago. I can't believe it has been that long since I  painted her. Where does the time go? So my wish is, I wish I had more time. I never seem to have enough.

If you would like to see more entries or enter the challenge have yours in by noon Sunday  at Inspiration Avenue.

View of my Backyard

 Come on over and take a stroll with me through my backyard. It has a rather whimsical country feel and look.

We don't take baths in this but I love the sound the fountain makes.

Urn with America Flags

I'm ready for July 4th. this year. I never decorate in the 4th of July decor but this year I've really gotten into it. 

Rosemary hanger

I've got a lot of hanging things all over the place. 

Hanging Lantern 

Chandelier

What is a yard without a Chandelier? I've had this hanging out so long the yellow plastic dangles have faded. I don't get to use this as much as I would like but it's nice just hanging there. I have some wind chimes, bird feeders and of course a tomato topsy turvy which does not look like it will ever produce any tomatoes and my chairs which you have seen already. I got my lights up but I'm having a hard time taking pictures of them. Oh and by the way I still have to refinish 3 more chairs. I got tired, so not sure if they will get done before the end of the summer. Hope you enjoyed the stroll.

Have a great day!