Friday, September 30, 2011

a paintbrush and a jar of flowers.

I had an in-home art class last year as part of my sophomore subjects. It was fun, and I learned a lot, but the time went by and pretty soon I was putting it off. Not because I don't like art--I love it. I just ran out of time this year with everything else I had going, so now I find myself with 20 hours of watercolor to do. Every night I get out my palette and brushes and water jug, sit down, read my lesson, and do an hour of pure art.
I am happy. This is the kind of homework I like. :)

Drawing and painting have always been mellow passions of mine; I'm not exceedingly talented or anything, I just love the feeling of a pencil or paintbrush in my hand, the mixing of colors and the accomplishment of finishing a satisfactory piece. I love learning new techniques, drawing something over and over until I have it right, sketching something quickly and being surprised when it turns out..even making mistakes. It's a sort of therapy for me, I guess--knowing I can paint and have just as much fun whether my work looks like another Rembrandt, or earns a prominent spot in the garbage can. :] 

My most recent project was something simply--and involved my favorite subject: wildflowers. I had to paint this pretty little jar of daisies twice, once using a soft wash and once using harder, more defined lines. I thought I would share my second painting (the "hard" one) with you, since I though it turned out rather nicely.

   
 

..You know how in the movies artists and bakers always have signs of their hard work on their cheeks? Like, in the baker's case, a huge fake smudge of flour, and in the artist's, a ginormous streak of paint? Well, that actually really-and-truly happened to me.

I swiped my face with blue fingers, and thus got "the" artist cheek streak.

Yup. I felt hard-core. :]

"One must act in painting as in life, directly."
~Pablo Picasso 

Thursday, September 29, 2011

this is the way i celebrate...



International Coffee Day.

..Didn't you know?

Aye, today, September 29th, is officially the day when the World stops and thinks about..coffee! And how thankful they are for it. Especially when shops give out free ones in celebration. :]

America, at least, should be thankful for coffee: did you know that U.S. residents consume the most coffee in the world--a whopping 400 million cups a day, country-wide? Now that is a lot of coffee. 

Fortunatley, Unfortunatley, ;) I'm not your usual American coffee-o-holic. First of all, I'm only sixteen years old and really have no need to start every morning off with a huge mug of bitter black stuff, and secondly, my taste buds and this #1 drink are not friends. Sure, I like Frappes and coffee icecream and the occasional sweetened mocha, but plain black coffee? Ew.

..Nevertheless, as it is International Coffee Day, I thought I would celebrate in some way. Thus, I looked up "coffee" on google images, and do you know what I found?  


~ Latte art! ~

lat·te art [lah-tey art]
"Latte art is a mixture of two colloids: the crema, which is an emulsion (liquid-in-liquid) of coffee oil and brewed coffee (water); and the microfoam, which is a foam (air-in-liquid) of air in milk. (Milk itself is an emulsion of butterfat in water, while coffee is a solution of coffee solids in water.) Neither of these colloids are stable - crema dissipates from espresso, while microfoam separates into drier foam and (liquid) milk - both degrading significantly on the order of minutes, and thus latte art lasts only briefly."








This is going to be my "Coffee Day" tradition every September 29th. Looking up epic Latte Art and discovering all over again that coffee is indeed good for something.

p.s. (thank you for your kind, encouraging comments on my last post. my sore throat is much improved! love to you all. :)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

smile. it takes fewer muscles.


..And that is a true fact. :] 


..And just to prove I mean what I say, here's ^^ a photo of me smiling, just for you. ;)

Because I am not as happy as I could be. But I came across this verse today in my personal devotions, and I realized that I can be joyful in all circumstances, I can be happy even when the world is upside down, and there is always a plan and a purpose for every circumstance in my life.

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
{1 Thessalonians 5:18}



I guess I'll have to wait until I get to Heaven to know exactly what my sore throat is for..

;)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

greek potatoes and giveaway winners

I absolutley love potatoes. Yes, they're pure starch, yes, if they're fried they're cancerous, but..somehow, even those very awful facts don't convince my taste buds to stay away. And one thing you simply can't beat is the crunchy, tender, tasty goodness of home-baked Greek potatoes. Never tried them? *gasp sputter sputter* ...um, yeah. That's why I'm posting this amazing recipe--now you don't have an excuse. ;)


Oven Roasted Greek Potatoes

8 large potatoes, peeled, cut into large wedges (about 6-7 wedges per potato)
-
4 garlic cloves, minced (more garlic is a good thing, less garlic is a no-no for this recipe)
-
1/2 cup olive oil
-
1 cup water
-
1 tablespoon dried oregano (get the Mediterranean, it's the best!)
-
1 lemon, juice of, to 1 1/2
-
sea salt
-
fresh coarse ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 420°F.
Put all the ingredients into a greased baking pan large enough to hold them.
Season generously with sea salt and black pepper.
Make sure your hands are very clean and put them in the pan and give everything a toss to distribute.The garlic will drop into the water/oil solution but its flavour will permeate the potatoes, and this way, it won't burn.
Bake for 40 minutes.
When a nice golden-brown crust has formed on the potatoes, give them a stir to bring the white underside up, season lightly with a bit more sea salt and pepper and just a light sprinkling of oregano.
Add 1/2 cup more water if pan appears to be getting dry, and pop back into oven to brown other side of potatoes.
This will take about another 40 minutes.

Do not be afraid of overcooking the potatoes- they will be delicious.

 Now. Go make 'em!

A little bird told me that there are some giveaway winners desperately needing to be un-veiled. :] The 'Whispers of Autumn' giveaway is officially at an end, and I would like to thank its sponsors and participants profusely. We got over 100 entries on most of the prizes, and a whopping 370 entries on day one. Wow! This has certainly been fun. :)

I won't waste your time with droning speeches and the like, aside from saying that I wish everyone could be a winner. :) But--let's get on with it!

---

Out of 470 entries, the randomly-drawn winner of the vintage woodland necklace from Miss Stephania of le Petit Foyer is..

Necklace -Woodland- Vintage brass locket, acorn, pine cone, green glass bead, rustic, nature, fall inspired


..Yay! Congratulations, my dear. :) I will contact you shortly!

---

Out of 188 entries, the winner of the shades of autumn fingerless mittens from Laurimuks is.. 

Comfy mittens in the shades of autumn


Congratulations, Elizabeth! I will contact you shortly. :)

---

Out of 62 entries, the winner of the Faerie Queen earrings from Leisel and Lynnae of Strawberry Hedgerow is...



How lovely for Miss Bethany. :) I will contact you shortly!

---

Out of 122 entries, the winner of the Pumpkin Pie necklace from Miss Samantha of Emariecreations is...

Pumpkin Pie Necklace- Handmade from Polymer Clay


Congratulations to Marcia! I will contact you shortly. :)

---

Out of 109 entries, the winner of the Indian Princess earrings from Miss Josephine of Oyeloria Boutique is... 

Long feather earrings and chain- Autumn natural colors - Vuela


Congrats, Libbi! I will contact you shortly. :)

..Congratulations to all of our winners, more thanks to every sponsor, as well as those who entered! I hope to see you around here for more giveaways in the future. :)

Blessings! And don't forget about those Greek Potatoes you have planned for dinner tonight...;)

Monday, September 26, 2011

tucked away in the woodpile..

..We found five little bundles of fluff.


Aye, 'tis kitten season, and the yearly woodpile batch has arrived. Little paws, little tails, little mews and all.

They are cute. :] Terribly so. It hurts my heart to leave them be.


..They are also awfully squirmy little fellers, so these photos were extremely difficult to get. Most of my 50 shots are merely gray blurs and streaks. Ah, the life of a photographer...




^^ Wow. The epicness of solo-paw-focus. :] ^^


These little sweeties are just that. Sweeties.
If we didn't already have two cats, I would officially adopt them all. :]

"Give me a cup of tea, a good book, and a kitten,
 and I will be content to watch the rain pour all week."

Thursday, September 22, 2011

girls, listen up. ♥



I'm pretty sure people fell in love before mascara. Before flawless faces. Before short shorts. 

..And I'm pretty sure God has always thought His Daughters perfect. :]

 ♥ BE WHO YOU ARE. AND GO. SHOW THE WORLD.  ♥

..Just sayin.' ;)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

'whispers of autumn' GIVEAWAY ~ day 5 {closed}

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Umbrella Girl


..You didn't know there was a day five, did you? ;) Well, I didn't know it myself until yesterday, actually. And there's going to be a day six, too, so keep a look out! :]

Whispers of Autumn {Giveaway}
DAY FIVE 



It is my pleasure to introduce Miss Josephine of Oyeloria Boutique to our Autumn Giveaway. She crafts unique jewelery--beautiful feathered pieces!--that add delightful earthy flair to any outfit.  Take a peek!:

White, delicate feather earrings - Mia

White, asymmetric feather necklace - Silencio

Thin feather earrings - Long - Burnt orange and shades of brown - Lento

Simple feather earrings with crystal - Moreno

Long feather earrings - Olive green - Invisible Oliva

Miss Josephine kindly agreed to donate these earrings to our giveaway..

Long feather earrings and chain- Autumn natural colors - Vuela

..And, actually, they're not officially christened that, I just thought of that name off the bat. ;) Because don't they remind you of an Indian princess? So unique and beautiful--definitely for something special! :)

Would you like to be the future wearer of these pretties? Please read the following directions carefully, and make sure to leave your e-mail address or valid blog address in every comment, so I can contact you without hassle if you win! :) Also, make sure to complete both mandatory entries in ONE comment FIRST before you complete extra entries.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mandatory:

Follow this blog publicly
&
Visit Oyeloria, find your fave, and give me the link in the same comment!

Only for those WITHOUT a blog/google account:

Subscribe via e-mail to my blog's update instead of following, but find your fave from Oyeloria too!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extra
Leave seperate comments for each "entry." If it says "2 entries," leave two comments, etc.

Add the giveaway blog button (above) to your blog's sidebar, and leave me the link to your blog.
{2 entries}
-
Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me the link.
{3 entries per}
-
Add my link to your sidebar.
{2 entries}
-
For those with Etsy accounts, "heart" Oyeloria.
{1 entry}
-
Follow my design blog.
{2 entries}
-
Purchase a package from my design blog.
{8 entries}
-
Purchase something from Oyeloria.
{10 entries}

This giveaway ends on September 25, 2011. Winner will have two days to get back to an e-mail or comment left on their blog, or another winner will be drawn.

While you're at it, enter the rest of my Fall giveaways!

Monday, September 19, 2011

'whispers of autumn' GIVEAWAY ~ day 4 CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Umbrella Girl



Who loves cookies? Candy? Donuts? *waves hand wildly* umm..yes puh-lease! Oops. I forgot about the sugar. And the fat. And the...okay, time for a sad-face. :.( One simply can't eat those types of things every day. Or at least, not without an extremely guilty conscience. :]

But. How about the next-best thing? How about..


You'll see what I mean in a second. :)

The Whispers of Autumn {Giveaway}
DAY FOUR


Introducing another spectacular Etsy shop, and a fabulous blogging friend: Miss Samantha of Emariecreations. Samantha is very clever with her hands, and makes the cutest little donuts, cookies, lollipops, pies, cakes, and oh, so much more!....all without the calories. You see, she makes mini confections out of polymer clay, and makes them into necklaces, earrings, and charms. She also has a fine selection of cabochon flowered accessories, such as 'Mum bobby pins and rose earrings! Take a look..


SALE Mum Flower Bobby Pins- Tutti-Frutti Colors

Floral Bobby Pins- Sweet Victorian

SALE Sprinkle Donut Necklace

SALE Colorful Candy Lollipop Pendant- Free Worldwide Shipping

SALE Hamburger Pendant- Small Size

SALE Cookie Earrings-Rainbow Chip

Cupcake Charm- Custom Party Favor

*Squeal* ..aren't they just the cutest?! And the best part of it is this: my readers have the chance to, in the near future, find a package from Emariecreations on their doorstep. Why? Because Samantha is giving away something from her shop!

Pumpkin Pie Necklace- Handmade from Polymer Clay
Isn't it DARLING?! So Autumn-y and cutesy! <33
So. Want to win? Please read all of the instructions carefully, and be sure to leave your e-mail address or valid blog address in every comment, so that I can reach you if you win! Also, you MUST complete the mandatory entries first before you are eligible to enter. :]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mandatory

Follow this blog publicly
&
Visit Emariecreations, find your fave, and give me the link in the same comment!

Only for those WITHOUT a blog/google account:

Subscribe via e-mail to my blog's update instead of following!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extra
Leave seperate comments for each "entry." If it says "2 entries," leave two comments, etc.

Add the giveaway blog button (above) to your blog's sidebar, and leave me the link to your blog.
{2 entries}
-
Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me the link.
{3 entries per}
-
Add my link to your sidebar.
{2 entries}
-
For those with Etsy accounts, "heart" Emariecreations.
{1 entry}
-
Follow my design blog.
{2 entries}
-
Purchase a package from my design blog.
{8 entries}
-
Purchase something from Emariecreations.
{10 entries}


This giveaway ends on September 25, 2011. Winner will have two days to get back to an e-mail or comment left on their blog, or another winner will be drawn.


While you're at it, enter the rest of my Fall giveaways!
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
DAY THREE

Saturday, September 17, 2011

'whispers of autumn' GIVEAWAY ~ day 3 CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Umbrella Girl
Our third sponsor(s) for the Whispers of Autumn {Giveaway} happen to be some good friends of mine. :] They are just starting out on Etsy, and thus need some "shout out" about their {super lovely} shop. Lynnae asked me if I would host a giveaway featuring one of their pairs of earrings, and of course I said "yes!" :)

Whispers of Autumn Giveaway
DAY THREE

Strawberry Hedgerow is the name of the new little shop "around the corner." Its owners, Liesel and Lynnae, are experiance jewelery-makers with many pretty beads (and just as pretty wares). Here are just a few of what they have to offer--and more is on the way!

Leisel and Lynnae want to offer one of my reader's the chance to win:

The "Faerie Queen" earrings

..These deliciously delightful feminine dainties are pink freshwater pearls with a black matte finish. So lovely, and the perfect accent to any formal outfit!

Want to win these beauties? Please read the directions carefully, being sure to add your e-mail address and valid blog address in every comment, so I can contact you in case you are the winner. You *must* complete the mandatory entries to enter.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mandatory
These must be completed in a seperate comment BEFORE the extra entries!!

Follow this blog publicly
&
Visit Strawberry Hedgerow, find your fave, and give me the link in the same comment!

Only for those WITHOUT a blog/google account:

Subscribe via e-mail to my blog's updates instead of following!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extra
Leave seperate comments for each "entry." If it says "2 entries," leave two comments, etc.

Add the giveaway blog button (above) to your blog's sidebar, and leave me the link to your blog.
{2 entries}
-
Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway and leave me the link.
{3 entries per}
-
Add my link to your sidebar.
{2 entries}
-
For those with Etsy accounts, "heart" Strawberry Hedgerow
{1 entry}
-
Follow my design blog.
{2 entries}
-
Purchase a package from my design blog.
{8 entries}
-
Purchase something from Strawberry Hedgerow.
{10 entries}


This giveaway ends on September 25, 2011. Winner will have two days to get back to an e-mail or comment left on their blog, or another winner will be drawn. This giveaway is NOW OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL ENTERERS!! :)

While you're at it, enter the rest of my Fall giveaways!
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