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

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 

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

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

Wonderful Wednesday

I love Wednesdays.  I just do.   Some say it is "hump day"- heralding the fact it is the middle of the week.... I think it is HOPE day.... that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.... I can see the TUNNEL...... I have made it this far.... I have.... HOPE... haha!

Just silly thoughts...

I have been jumping out of bed before 5 in the mornings so that I can get to "work" on whatever floats in my mind in that pre-dawn not quite slumber, where my creative thoughts like to flow even though I tell them to BE QUIET and sleep a while longer....   They pay me no heed.... so.... I stop fighting them.... and found it to be more peaceful to just lay there with my eyes closed.... and let my thoughts wander.... until they find a place that catches my attention..... and then ... my heart races a moment and I leap up.... anxious to get them down on paper.... or... on the computer.... or....

yes.... those creative thoughts take me places that make me happy....

BLINK!

Out with summer and in with fall!  In a BLINK!  I was so tickled to go outside and NEED a jacket.  Yay!

LOVE me some FALL weather!

Cheers!

Happy Pumpkin Sort Of Day

Happy Happy Cool Weather Day!!!

Oh this blissfully lovely day!  I could drink it and never get tired of it.   The perfect temperature and the perfect sunny-ness... AND a lovely afternoon at HOME!  Balm for my soul!  Down time.... time to just enjoy..... and think.....

I remember as a child that I would make pumpkins this time of year.... What I mean is.... MAKE pumpkins.... I would take construction paper and cut out hundreds of them.... and then, after raiding my mother's pin cushion, would pin them to the front porch window screen.... a virtual pumpkin BLIZZARD!   I would look at them dreamily.... happy for my little decorations... happy for the fall season as it approached..... just happy.....

Today, flipping thru my "current" sketch pad... I am noticing that I still tend to NEED to create pumpkins...... oh yes.... many, many pumpkins......

This week's sketch

Tall pumpkins for the porch!   

Pumpkin Notes!

Painted pumpkins!

In my sketch book 

The cutest little pumpkin EVER!  (with his own pumpkin hat!)

Just a pumpkin! 

And another... just because!

Wishing you all a pumpkiny wonderful sort of day... 

Cheers! 

judifer

start today

Just do it!  Make your life what you want it to be.

I am working on it!  You can too!

I am carrying a sketchbook in my purse these days.  I doodle anywhere there is down time.  I am going to make this something.  I don't know what the something is.. but I am going to make this something.  

Getting My Autumn On

Oh the weather is blissful!  Simply wonderful.

After feeling like I was melting, melting, melting these past few weeks..... In the HOT, HOT, HOT weather.... and working in a school with NO air conditioning... (yes... really)......

This BREATH of fall air makes my heart rejoice!  

I have had a quiet morning to myself... and feeling all energized by the cool breeze ... I headed out to the front porch to tidy things up a bit.   I emptied pots of flowers that were way beyond their prime..... (dried to the bone....) and I tucked away the garden knick knacks for the winter ahead... They prefer the "warmth" of the garage.... and I swept and cleaned.... and .... tidied...  

Then I tiptoed down to the basement to find the plastic tubs where I had stashed my beloved fall things..... It is such a delight to open the bins and find my old friends there waiting for me.   I don't use them all.... I rotate them from year to year... where the mood takes me.... but... oh!  I just get giddy with taking each thing out and enjoying them... auditioning them for the spaces that can be given a touch of fall pleasure.....  and deciding.... which to use this year.... which to tuck away again.... and.... which to...maybe..... pull out in a few weeks....

Some are like old friends... that I created long ago... but love.  still.

Some were bought and then dressed up to add to the fun.  

 Some reflect my personality..... all twiggy and full of birdhouses..... and of course... my scarecrows... who are too cute to scare anything.

And then the porch.   Oh... I LOVE having a porch now!  

 And of course.... I had to make something NEW to add to the fun this year.   

(Did I mention that I LOVE having a PORCH!!)   

Hoping today finds you breezy and happy!
Cheers!
judifer