November is not over yet

Here are a few little thoughts... to keep gratitude in our hearts and kindness on our lips.

Have a grateful heart! 

Harvest Blessings! 

Cheers!
judifer

Getting my holiday groove on....

The weather is getting chilly.... (ok.... COLD- but chilly sounds nicer...)  and the Christmas music is on the radio..... (yes they skipped over Thanksgiving- but how many Thanksgiving songs are there for the radio????  Just sayin')   So, each night I have been sitting with my pens and doodling my Christmas mood.....  

I love the seasons and ... am fairly tingling with excitement for this one.... No... not the gifts and stuff.... just the feeling.... that hot cocoa and peppermint feeling.... That frosty breath in the morning and snuggling under blankets in the evening feeling....

When I was a stay at home mom I loved each detail of each holiday and season.... Now that my "at home" time is measured in "how many Saturdays until....... ", I have to focus on just a few.  So... Christmas it is.....

(YES- I DID do LOTS of thankful thoughts......  LOADS of them...... look on my previous posts this month.... )  

But I have officially turned the corner- winter is on it's way...

Well.... it is .....   

Get your Jolly on!!  

Get your Happy Holidays on! 

Cheers!
judifer

Time to think about the holidays...

I started cleaning up my porch today, preparing it for winter.  I put away my fall things... yes... technically it is not quite Thanksgiving yet... but the cold is arriving... We have even had a touch of snow... and ... it will get too cold to do a lot of outdoor tidying too soon.... PLUS... I was just in the mood!  Haha!  (That is really the main issue... )....

So.... I got my fall tucked away... and my winter... started, but not quite finished...

Actually, that puts me right where I want to be..... It gives me something to enjoy playing with in the upcoming days when I come home from work... something to pitter with...  

I washed down the chalkboard welcome sign and updated it with a new message... I debated and debated what to write on it...
That is the thing about chalkboards... the temporary nature of them.... Most of what I make ends up on paper or wood- in ink or paint... but chalk... when it is wiped clean.... it is just... gone.... so... photos have to remind me what I had.... I cannot put it out from year to year... so... EACH time I change it- I want it to be special for THAT moment.... (or season..... or occasion.... )  

Here are my chalky delights for today...   I hope you enjoy!  

This was a large chalkboard sign hanging in a store.  I was lucky to get it when they no longer wanted it.  

This one is about 12 X 18.  Perfect for a little message on the porch.  

Time to get our holidays started!  
Cheers!
judifer

Gratitude

I have been thinking about gratitude.

I have been thinking about the cup 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.  Sometimes I have to find my cup....  Sometimes I have a hard time seeing past my concerns to find the good.   This is something I have been working on... trying to change...

In a world that is filled with so much negativity, I want to be able to to see the good.... to feel the blessings and joy in life.  

Yesterday I was reading and I came across some thoughts that touched me.....

Here is the first:

Did you THINK to THANK???  

As simple as that.   Look for the good and be grateful.  

WHEN should I be thankful???? When I get the job?  When I get the new car?  When I get to the weekend?  When that wonderful moment happens?????  

Or... maybe.... every.... breathing..... moment?

Time to stop waiting to be blessed and SEE that I already AM blessed.... abundantly.   

and then.... HAVE GRATITUDE for that abundance.   

and the Second is this:   

Remember!   

It makes sense to me that I should write it down.   I write all the time.... I focus on words.... on the art of writing.......  I need to WRITE my BLESSINGS DOWN.......   

Sometimes we need a reminder of our blessings..... Some might call it a Gratitude Journal- and that is a great name.... but I am going to call it my 

BLESSINGS INVENTORY

and find the joy in the ordinary.... 

cultivate a new attitude:  

Cheers!  

judifer

It is Friday.  Just a happy Friday.  Just the Friday after the week of Halloween, sugar highs, and red ribbon week at school.  It is the Friday after having a banging headache for 4 solid days... meetings before and after school.... yesterday I had THREE of them.... LONG.... LONG..... LONG day! 

But.... today is FRIDAY.... and it is the best sort of Friday.... the kind with NO obligations..... the anticipation of sleeping in tomorrow!  

AND.... the clocks turn back this weekend also..... hurray.... ONE MORE HOUR!!!!!  

oh! the utter exhaustion and the total bliss..... 

That will follow as soon as someone takes me out to eat.... which I am sure will happen soon..... before I start gnawing on the furniture.....   

In the meantime... I have a grateful heart.... and a lovely weekend to look forward to..... 

cheers! 

judifer 

gratitude 

peace! 

Sunday thoughts

I bring pens with me wherever I go. I doodle constantly. Today at church we were talking about lighting up the world with acts of service. I love to jot things down... to remind me.... so I doodled a page or two.... when I came home I looked at others I had done on previous Sundays.... (because this is my Sunday doodling pad.... ).   I loved reviewing some of my thoughts from the last few months,,,,

How will we be of service?  How will we share the light?  

Little sketch 

Cleaned it up a bit

Good Hearted

I am loving being home alone this morning.  The sun is bright and cheery and the quiet is blissful.  I remember the days when I was home full time- with my little ones... I would put some laundry in (always laundry... always laundry!)  and then I would clear up breakfast and get started on the dinner... in the crockpot or get a casserole made... and bread... nothing like fresh bread ... Most days I would get a batch of bread going to feed those kids when they got home from school, to take to a sick friend or a mom with a new little one.... yes.... always bread.

Then, after a morning of being busy tidying my little nest, I would head to my designated project(s)....  I sewed or painted or cut wood or handstitched..... every.... single...... day.......   I had tables set up in my dark, damp basement... that I optimistically call "the craft room"......  (Sometimes it was called a living room.... sometimes a bedroom.... but almost always.... "the craft room")......
I had it set up with 'in progress' types of projects..... So one area had tables of neatly stacked sewing projects (with my NOTES- to remind me what I was doing with what)... Each project in various stages of completeness.    In the same room but in a different corning was my painting area... where I taught classes... or just did my own thing....   I sold things at craft fairs.  I was hired by interior designers to paint murals.  I painted CLOTHING for unique, one of kind stores....  I LOVED it.   I loved waking up to the happy anticipation of what fun I was going to get up to that day....   My kids followed me around and sat on my lap as I created.   I jumped up to move the laundry as needed.  I strolled past the kitchen and enjoyed the lovely aromas of home cooked meals in progress.

This morning reminded me of that time....   Well..... the laundry part, anyway.... haha!!  I also did dishes and swept the floor and changed the sheets and hauled out the trash..... haha!!!

and.....

I sat at my tiny workstation and did a bit of artwork.  Enough to warm my cockles a bit.

black and white sketch 

Hint of blue 

Hint of pink 

Just a little...

Cheers!
judifer

Waiting, waiting

What do you do while you are waiting???

I had a professional development training meeting yesterday.  I arrived on time but they were not ready yet   "early" and had some time.  I went outside to enjoy the gloriously beautiful fall day.  Perfectly PERFECT weather.... but we know that is not going to last.... winter is waiting... just around the corner....   and I love winter.... I really do.... but just.not.YET!  
So my thoughts went to the fact that this month is almost gone!  seriously??? I waited SOOOO long for October to arrive and .... now it is slipping into NOvEmBEr!!

Well.... what's not to like about November???? I love it too!  Just surprised that it has arrived so soon.  

I brought this pad to take "notes".  It came in handy. 

I like this version-  all cleaned up and lovely. 

And then, of course.... the colors of November!    

Have a wonderful, almost November sort of day....



Cheers!
judifer

Random musings

Just like everyone, I live in a constant struggle for time.   I have SOOOOO many things that I love to do and SOOOOOO many things that I have HAVE to do... that sometimes... it is hard to find balance..... My plate is full.... hahaha!  My plate spilleth over!   I don't get to pick what spills off my to do list .... Life crowds in!  haha!   But I wake up the next morning with a FRESH NEW DAY and I make my NEW and IMPROVED list..... and hope for the best..... 

That is the way of it.... So... today.... I wish you all...   HOPE!   

  CHEERS! 

judifer 

Pumpkin Bread! Yum!

I got my apron on and headed to the kitchen.  I stirred up some pumpkin bread and it turned out heavenly.  Who needs a recipe anyway??? haha!  Well... I made up the recipe... but I wrote it down so I could remember it NEXT time I wanted to make it.   I think it was the best I ever made!!

I used my best "teacher writing" to create this recipe.  I made the font to use in my classroom but I think it goes just fine on this as well.  Added by signature doodles and there it is.   

Enjoy! 

Cheers! 

judifer

Retail Therapy!

Hurray for a day off!   I, of course, headed straight to town to "browse around" the craft stores...... hahaha......

It was fabulous!  I felt that.... something.... that excitement..... the prospect of MAKING......

I found a few things that followed me home......   just a few..... dozen.....

Just a few.... wants   NEEDS ! 

I ALWAYS need some lovely pens.... these are the softest, subtle-ist colors imaginable!  I am very fond of ZIG pens.... I have hundreds of them...... (actually, really, not kidding!)   We are good friends!  

Delicious pastel brush tips!  

Flat tip calligraphy markers.... 

I must confess..... I could NOT leave without these calligraphy markers.  Look at these COLORS!   YUM!  

I really do love the Calligraphy tip the best.  It is my old standby.  I was doing calligraphy long before it was a "thing".... Now there is "faux" calligraphy... which means "fake" calligraphy... and for those of us who were around when penmanship was taught in school.... call it CURSIVE..... hahahahaha!!!!  And now, it has been elevated to a NEW level.... that we would have called 

MESSY HANDWRITING....... 

(and I will admit.... I totally do IT too!)   

JUST PERFECT for my purse.... in case I have a hand lettering emergency!!!  It could happen.... 

So it is FUN to be in vogue....

It is more fun.... to just let it FLOW!!!  

Mad for PLAID!!!  

OH, and what trip to the store would be complete without a PILE of PLAIDS!!!  I am sooooo excited to get started on these projects!!! (whatever they turn out to be.... haha! )  Just LOOKING at them fills me with excitement!   

Cheers!  

judifer

Some thoughts

And other thoughts that come to my mind....

I love lettering... here are a few:

just a sketch... 

Have a cup of happy! 

pumpkins on my mind 

Cheers!!!
judifer

A little joy!

Or a LOT of joy!  When we first moved here, having a "fall break" was a new and unique concept.  I thought it was sort of silly- we had just gotten into the swing of things at school and had already some days off due to conferences and such...     but NOW..... as a teacher instead of as a parent..... I rejoice in having a few days off to just catch my breath.  

I STILL got up at crack of dawn.... because my body thinks it is the thing to do.....

but- today- it is because I am sooooo excited to do some of the things that I love to do but never seem to have the time for..... I am getting out paints.... I am going to play the piano.....(badly).... I am going to read..... I am going to ..... (wait for it.... wait for it..................)   CLEAN!!!  

Oh yes!  today will be a great day...... (and then there is tomorrow....... the possibilities are endless!

So.... let the fun begin!

Woo Hoo!

Positive!! Positive! Positive!!  

It is okay to step out of the same old routine.... Do it!  

Yes!  leap!  

Cheers!!!! 

judifer

Time to step out of my comfort zone

Time to move forward... .time to branch out.... time to explore .

I am going to open an Etsy shop.... Next WEEKEND is my plan....

It is HARD to step out of the comfort zone.... Hard to put myself out there.   I love doodle-i-dooing.... but does anyone else love my doodles???  Enough to buy them???  I guess we shall see.....

Haha!

Time to head into new places 

You might fly!  

Cheers!!!
judifer

Branching out...

I love the art of lettering.... I have been lettering for over 30 years.... seriously!  Weddings.... posters...... hand-drawn invitations..... birthday greetings.... thank you notes.... cards of all kinds.... etc.......  I love playing with my PENS best..... I love PAINTING words on signs and notes as well......
I tend to focus a lot on words... what I want to SAY and the art in the letters......

That being said.... I almost compartmentalize my word art..... hyperfocus......

Still...... I am an artist at heart.... I play with color and texture... collage.... fabric.... many, many forms of exciting creativity.......

So.... this week I have been trying to step out of my hyperfocus mode and step into COLOR..... a little dab here and there.... keeps life interesting.  

Hope this October day is lovely!!!  

Cheers!!!
judifer

Breathe in that Magical Crisp Fall Air!  

A dreamy farm fresh day

Wistful Wednesday

I am up early... as usual.... but I love the quiet of the early morning.  I create during the solitude.

The cold, crisp air is refreshing.... to some it might be numbing.... but for me..... happy thoughts.... wistful thoughts....  

I love the soft hint of mystery on this one.  

Today, this is what is on my mind....

This one makes me feel the tingle of excitement.   

  Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Cheers!
judifer

Is it time yet????

I am getting my Halloween groove on.  I am excited to get started on making costumes... in the meantime......  I am having a bit of doodling fun.

Cheers!!!
judifer

Must Be Monday

Up and at 'em .... at 5 a.m.   What !  yes... every day.... but now that school doesn't start until 9:15-  it means I have hours to enjoy... and I do enjoy them.

I love the quiet of the mornings alone.  I love the cool of the October weather.   This is going to be a nice day.

Lovely, lovely!  

Cheers!
judifer
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Glorious October!

It's here!  It is finally here!

So glad it has finally arrived!  

Love me some October!!!

Cheers!

judifer

Saturday

Who gets up at 4:30 on a Saturday morning just because.......

Apparently I do.  

I am an artist.... I have been an artist for over 35 years.... actually, really......

And for the last 15... I have been a teacher as well....  

I went into teaching because I could not stand to be home alone after all my kids headed off to school to grow up......

That empty house panicked me.....  

I took my 7th child with me to the school where I taught.... she kept me company before and after school.... she helped me connect the dots.....  

I threw myself into teaching with a vengeance.  I really did.   I put every bit of creativity into my classroom.  I also put every bit of MONEY into my classroom-  filling it with books and creative supplies for little hands and minds.   I made a total of $24,000 a year before taxes those first years.   HAHAHA!!!! (This was only 14 years ago people!!)   I certainly did NOT go into teaching for the MONEY!!!

I loved it at first.  I really did.  Each year I had a whole room of children that became part of my family... part of my heart.    Each year I also saw the education system become more and more demanding... more and more robbing children of their childhood.... and creating a system that also robbed them of quality learning time.   They took away recess..... they demanded that children have their patooties tested off..... I have been soooo sad to see these changes cause a less than wonderful working environment...... Sooo sad.  

It made me NEED to find that fulfillment in my artwork again.  I still teach..... I still do NOT do it for the money..... I couldn't..... they simply do not pay enough to compensate for what we do in the classroom.... in our lives.... to make it happen.....  

But the kids.... they are still family.... they are still worth it....

So, I teach by day..... trying my best to totally give all I have to create splendid learning experiences for my little people.... AND meet all the mandates that come from the top down......


and I come home, needing desperately to create a wonderful world of my own.... needing to express myself in my artwork.... but.... feeling like there is never time.... never, ever enough time.......

HAHA!!

I am trying to teach myself how to digitize my artwork.  I am pretty comfortable with my pen or paintbrush in my hand..... Online skills are still being learned.... by inches......

So... back to TODAY---  I popped out of bed at 4:30..... worked for the last 3 hours fiddling with watching youtube videos on 'HOW TO'.... and then trying out the skills...... that I ALREADY practiced this summer.... but "do to circumstances beyond my control"..... have lain dormant while I dealt with back to school fun times.......

It was like starting over...... again.........

But.... I WILL NOT give up...... haha!  No, I won't!!  

I will train myself to succeed here as well.   Yes!  

Here are some examples of what I came up with this morning..... YES.... they are digitized versions of my original hand drawn artwork.  

Cheers!!!!
judifer

Thursday musings

Today I realized that I should share my classroom fun times.  I love to doodle on the board when we are exploring a topic.

This year we went straight from the oven (85 degrees in our UN AIR CONDITIONED classrooms) to.... FALL!  So... with it.... I leaped straight from BACK TO SCHOOL thoughts of procedures and expectations.... to.... PUMPKINS!

Yes... I totally hopped, skipped, and JUMPED right over the standard "apples" and "bees" that I usually begin with...

Finally, that fresh cool breeze blew in and made me think it was fall.... at least for the moment.... in a blink... Old Man Winter will blow in and we will be talking about the deep freeze that will blanket our every waking breathing thought...... but for now.... for a moment...  

LET THERE BE PUMPKINS!!!!!

My students are so excited about this... I have been tiptoeing in with a pumpkin a day and we have been reading fiction and non-fiction books about the topic.... and.... as I am prone to do.... I could not even HELP myself ..... I sketched a little on the board.....

Thought I would share....

Breathing happy FALL THOUGHTS!

Cheers!
judifer