"for the record..."

well- let me tell you what. our youngest son was reading through the blog and let me know that the "mom spelling" of "oobber" was totally incorrect! he told me that in fact it should be spelled "uber" and that it was german and it means to express happiness and excitement. it should not necessarily be used as this, for example- super, duper, "oobber." like the next highest level- the maximum amount....like, if you don't pick up those dirty socks i will be "oobber" mad. i told him it was phonically correct, but, he was buying that....

a little more cooking

the top pictures are another wonderful background i made using the "taking flight" inspiration.....so, here is my large canvas after a little more "cooking" and some collage....i have to say, if you are looking for some great inspiration and wonderful techniques- you need to have the book, "Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings" by Kelly Rae Roberts. the book is one of the best i have bought in a long time. the techniques are not normally how i paint, but, i have had some really good backgrounds- (definite keepers-no gesso here) and have found the book/ techniques to be very refreshing.

Wreck this Journal

ok- so externally, i have been the look of cool calm creativeness very patiently waiting to start my wreck a journal - BUT, on the inside....i have been the all-smiles, giggly, goofy, doing-the-little-girly-dance, are we ever going to start this? so- today is june 5 and i am posting me and my pristine journal- and will be posting our creative journey along the way until we have reached our destination!! hope you will join me! (ps- thanks curiousgirl-lisa for finding this wonderful project and blogging it!)

beginning

so i have to say- there is nobody better than my mom! only a mom keeps your art from when you are little and keeps it safe all those years (no need for numbers here....) and eventually returns it to you,... to remember your humble beginning and artful spirit.

a good day

yes- a good day...on multiple fronts. the kids would say, because it was the last day of school; on my work front, i would say it was good because i finished my power point for tomorrow (i tend to function better with a deadline....), but, the best of all....on my creative front- my wreck a journal came TODAY!!!! it looks sooo cool- I can hardly wait! my oldest son read every page and HE thinks it looks fun and cool- he will be 15 on saturday- and he knows cool. so, i may have to get three more journals for the kids and let them have their way with 'em as well; which leads me to my next thing....the mom summer plan.

what is this you ask? it is the "ooobber" cool mom plan to keep the kids semi engaged throughout the summer and not allow their brains to completely turn to mush. so....here it is: $$ for reading books, and we are making a trip to Barnes and Noble and each one can pick out their own journal for the summer- which they will have to use daily. they can choose to write or doodle, draw, color, paint, or whatever else their hearts fancy- just daily. so- we will see how this mom plan works out- i will keep everyone posted.

change thoughts

so what is it about the word "change?" when you heard it, the hairs are put on alert, ready to bristle unless it is your kid with those words- I brought you back your change. that's always good to hear- but, normally it is in a dream, right?!

i have been trying to decide which way is better with change....this mandatory- this must change, and then, you struggle to change, and probably have to change something else, but, in the end change happens and it is for the best- but, there is most definitely pain- for the changees and the changer. OR, is it better to have this slow evolution of change, that is happening so gradually you feel like nothing is happening?

Or, some happy medium where the change must happen, and the change is a larger stride than evolution and people can still "feel" it, but, it seems to go ok? With this one- i believe there is normally a people factor in there too- where there could be potential for alot of waiting for decisions and input and output....all i know is that change must continue to happen.....

end of school

tomorrow is the last full day of school- another year done and summer upon us....the kids are busy cleaning desks and locker out- tk brought home like 3 sweatshirts and her winter coat- yes, winter coat.....crazy. i am afraid to see what papers and garbage comes home with our oldest- long, lost assignments that are since made up and a stash of monster cans- nice combo, huh? our youngest....his will probably be the most interesting. he is still young enough that most normal everything should have come home, but, there may be some unexpected items- you know- good stuff you may find on the playground- that sort of stuff.

in the mean time, while the kids are cleaning and totally getting ready to "relax" my flowers are working hard at making the back yard stunnily beautiful. hope you enjoy the pictures of some of my beauties....the peonie smells as good as it looks.