A New Party With Lots of Color

I have found lots of great linky parties through my blogging friend, Linda. She is a fabulous photographer, crafts woman and artist. Her colors are always soothing and it just makes you happy to look at her creations.

The newest party I've found is called The Summer of Color.

Each week's theme is based on a flavor of ice cream.

This week is "Baseball Nut." The description of this flavor is:

"A smooth, vanilla flavored ice cream swirled with a black raspberry ribbon and loaded with cashews"

-Baskin Robbins

This is from one of my art journals and I had a blast with the vivid colors.

 

I think mine has a little lemon added as well, but the pink says raspberry to me....
I take no responsibility what so ever as to how much ice cream you consume after looking at the blogs linked to this party. But if it's hot where you live, you have a good excuse!
I'm still not eating dairy, so I'm trying my hardest to pretend that Mango Sorbet is just as good.
You can stop laughing now.

Happy Sunday to everyone!

Summer of Color

Friday Ramblings

Sometimes bathroom breaks are a really good idea.

ESPECIALLY when you stop in the middle of a little town called Rainbow.

Just when you think there is no gas station, you stumble upon the gas station, and then realize there is a fruit stand and then your realize your dreams have come true and there is an Antique store with everything half off. 

I wish I owned a truck. But it's probably good that I don't...otherwise, this iron work would have come home with me and Doug would have said, "what are you going to do with it?" I really wouldn't have had an answer.

But I do have an answer for the window-less frames. They will be part of my display booth for my next sale. AND my sister wanted some, which explains why there are so many in my garage right now.

Thank goodness for technology. I texted my sister and asked if she wanted one of these wonderful dress forms. Ummm, 'cause you know, I don't need two and what if she didn't want one when I came home, I'd have to have TWO and that would be a shame. Not.

 Brenna and I had our first official pajama day. 

Like a real one. ALL day. I did get dressed by 4:00, as the guy came to give us an estimate for painting the inside of our house. I didn't think answering the door at 4 p.m. in my P.J.'s was such a good thing. Brenna, on the other hand, could have cared less. Lucky girl.

I have never been to Las Vegas. Call me crazy...

The one time I finally do  get there, it's only for a layover in the airport. It's a rather strange airport and it has interesting things in the restroom. 

Yes, I took photos with my phone of things in the restroom.

I don't really think anyone thought this was strange.

The photo above was part of a cigarette ash holder. I'm curious as to what cigarettes have to do with it being time to fly. Is it that they had to put out the cigarettes before they got on the plane?  Maybe that it's time to fly when one partakes of a cigarette?

I couldn't help taking this photo. It was colored into the back of the door in the bathroom stall that I used. I thought it was so original.

Not.

I hope they at least had a good time.

Oh, never mind.

Have a good Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Iphone photos for the week:

and yes, Brenna was playing with my phone again, taking pictures of Mr. Bieber from a notebook she purchased....

What I Learned At Brave Girls Camp

This girl is back and BRAVE.

I am catching up on sleep, enjoying my family and soaking into my very soul all the things I have learned...

How do I even begin to describe the three days spent in Idaho at the BRAVE GIRLS CAMP?

I'll start with photos:

We were met by lovely Amy and given tote bags, then we boarded the new bus and headed out to the ranch.

We arrived (very excited) at the ranch and when we began getting off of the bus, we saw Melody and Kathy and the staff walking across the grass to greet us. It was like being on Extreme Home Makeover. And yes, I began to cry.

I had also been up since 4 a.m. to catch an early flight, so it kinda explains why...

Hugs all around from each and every one of the staff. The staff at camp is beyond wonderful. I am always in the responsibility mode, and to say that their care and serving toward us was over the top would be an understatement.

To begin our journey, we walked in silence down a wooded path that had beautiful messages tucked all through out the filtered light.

To see these messages was astounding, to say the least. The messages were for us. The messages were MEANT for us, and each word was written as true.

Ahh, the ranch. It's exquisite. Nothing is left untouched by a beautiful mark. Whether it is from paint, or a pillow, or something growing, it is to be there to bring beauty and a spirit of rest and restoration.

I can honestly say I wasn't sure what to expect at camp. Lots of art, I suppose. Fortunately, Brave Girls Camp went beyond any expectations. We were given curriculum to get our souls and hearts in order to be able to unleash the ability to believe in what we, as individuals want to do or feel called to do.

And while there really was lots (and lots) of art, there was soul searching....and the cementing of new friendships....heart-felt talking...being able to really, really take the time to think and ponder....

time to soak up TRUTH....and think about where it will take me...

...and just how far I want to go.

Each one of us knew without a doubt we would come home changed.

Changed and ready to be gentle with ourselves. Ready to love ourselves, believe ourselves and the truths about US. 

Because if we don't, then how do we reach out to others?

I know I have some beautiful women that have my back now. They come from all over. Canada, Hawaii, Louisiana, 

Courtney, the best room mate. ever.

We have loved and encouraged one another to become those people we see. The women we have lost sight of. The girls we never really did get to see and cherish.

Lisa and Tracey.

our hosts..

I know more camps are opening up, so if you have the chance, grab it. Go.

If not, take the on-line Soul Restoration courses. But DO them. Put the time and the energy into them. You won't be disappointed.

I'll be working on more of the artwork through the curriculum in the upcoming days, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Back From Camp

Hello, Sweet Friends!

 I am back from camp and eager to share with you all the goodness that comes with being a Brave Girl.

It is taking me longer than I thought to edit all my photos, so I will be back in a day or two with a full post.

Hope your week is full of good summer-ness!

Brave girls

I'm bound for Boise today, ready to be "bravified" at Brave Girls Camp. I think it will be the best summer camp ever.
See you next week!
xo
lynn

Paint and Beeswax

I was able to play for just a few minutes in the art room the other day.

I laid down some of Brenna's doodles-all the hearts are courtesy of her fabulous drawings. I love them, and have wanted to use them in my artwork for a long time.

Then I played around, trying my hand at melting beeswax over parts of the paper.

Then I added Caran D' Arche watercolor crayons for added color.

I'm linking over to bluechairdiaryillustrations for Sunday Sketches. Take a look, there's lots to see!

Friday Ramblings

Let's begin rambling by addressing the subject of bra shopping. 

Really, let's just put this horrific subject on the table. It used to be a little enjoyable, but not anymore. Why is it no one explained to me that this would happen? It's like women not being honest about childbirth. No one told me I would one day qualify to live with the women on the cover of National Geographic. Not one woman in my life told me there would be the slightest possibility that my youngest would walk in on my shower and frantically wave her hands in front of her and say, "I don't like those." 

Yesterday, my new undergarments fit in the dressing room. I think the darkness of the dressing room helped, because today they are back in the bag, ready to be returned to the store. WHAT was I thinking? How is it something fits one day and the next you have turned into Grandma Moses? 

On top of that, I bought moisturizer for my face by Oil of Olay, labeled "for mature skin." I figured if it said on the box it was good for menopausal skin, it was a good idea to purchase it. I honestly think the bottle would fit in the bra I have to return better than I do.

On to better thoughts.....

How is the first week of summer?

Are you ready to send your kids back to school?

Naahhh...not me. I'm one of those moms that hates when school begins in the fall.  

Not like it's a cake walk adjusting to school being out, mind you. But once we all adjust, oh, man....I love it.

My sweet husband is on an outing with his best friend for the week.

This means Brenna and I are ordering pizza, (not that I ate any..still no gluten or dairy in my life.) swimming, getting movies, reading books, sometimes walking the dog, (but not much) and generally doing what we feel like. As in stopping by the new bakery in town after Art Camp. Twice.

They have gluten free cookies. I haven't had a cookie in three months.

Brenna and I even had a slumber party and stayed up and watched The Tooth Fairy. Unfortunately, Brenna forgot to sleep in and got up at 6:30 the next morning. Lucky for me she doesn't stay up super late.

Wait. This sounds like regular summer to me, not just when my husband leaves. Well, there is a little less guilt when we order the pizza and don't walk the dog when he's gone. But not much.

I think I'm ready to tell you my big news.

I am going to learn how to be very brave.

How?

By going to BRAVE GIRL'S CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For reals.

I'm going.

Next week, Tuesday through Saturday.

Have you heard about it? No???

Oh, quick-click HERE. And HERE.

For general information about the fabulous Brave Girls, click here.

Yup, I'm putting on my big girl panties, boarding a plane and flying to Boise, Idaho.

I am.

SO. stinking. excited.

I've found someone to care for Brenna while I'm gone and Doug is at work. 

A MAJOR miracle, and a huge blessing-thank you, Danae!!!

I am seriously wanting to LEARN. 

I want to be firmly planted in what it is I want to do with my art and myself by the time I am finished with camp.

2012.

The summer of camp.

I'm going, Brenna is going in July, Lauren is working at a camp all summer....

I love camp.

Do you ever find yourself so full of hope by considering all the possibilities there are in this life? (Minus bra shopping, of course.)

The possibility of creating, finding purpose, being and doing what you are meant to do.

Sometimes this happens to me with too much caffeine.

But, like today, I recognize the grace in life and think, "YES. This life is just good."