pictureswithwords

Marriage Prayer

2012-02-11T16:28:00.001-08:00

Hi, so sorry I have not been putting new work up lately. Recreating all my work for an upcoming show on March 2, 3, 4 and selling our home in the process. Lots to do. I hope you enjoy this new Marriage Prayer! xoxox

Persistence collage

2012-01-11T18:04:00.001-08:00

Thanks to some photoshop lessons from my sweet neighbor, Donna, I have been creating lately. This started with tiny purple dots, then a grunge layer of teal over that, then white grids, then white swirl, teal swirl, and one of my painted flowers, a calla lily. Then I added the words of persistence. It was so fun to do, I hope you like it. xoxo

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is a previous post from a year or so ago and not the one I was going to post today but it was a reading from our church service this morning so thought it was appropriate and what could I better wish for you for the New Year than that the Lord will shine His face upon you! xoxox

Christmas Blessings

2011-12-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas, everyone. The birthday of the Prince of Peace! xoxoxo

Dance!

2011-12-17T12:20:00.001-08:00

New painted heart to go along with old saying. Have a great weekend everyone!

Serenity Prayer

2011-12-13T14:28:00.001-08:00

This picture is part of my new redesign of all the products that I sell. I have sold this saying for many years. Today I painted the paper-white flowers and added the brush lettered "Serenity" word. You wouldn't think that the leaves would be the hardest part but I had to paint those leaves several times. Maybe yesterday just wasn't a leaf day!

Leaves

2011-12-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

I painted these leaves as a background for one of my calligraphic pieces. I thought I would share them with you. Thanks so much for looking at my blog! Have a great day!

Beginning the Redesign

2011-12-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

Since my show season was SO bad, I decided to reinvent my artwork. I did that at the beginning of the 90's so I guess it is time to do it again. Now starting that process. I think that will take most of the winter!

My new artwork will feature more illustration and smaller calligraphy. I started with redesigning my business card and these flowers will be used on my card. Stay tuned for more! Thanks so much for looking at my blog. xoxox

New Flower Vase

2011-11-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hi, this is one of my new flower vases. It also looks pretty with a little votive candle inside. My big, huge, artshow this weekend was an unmitigated disaster except I was able to spend the weekend with my precious daughter from California. On Saturday I thought I was going to throw all my work in the waste basket and hang it up. On Sunday I got excited about recreating myself. Who knows what today will bring. Have a great day every one!!

Take the Risk

2011-11-09T16:22:00.001-08:00

This is a little saying that I put on a bookmark a long time ago. I love the quote, more love, we all could use more love!

Fall Butterfly

2011-11-07T10:08:00.001-08:00

As I turned my calendar page over for the month of November, I thought that this is one of my favorite butterflies. I think the watercolor was really a happy accident but I like the way the tips of wings are green and then turn yellow, then orange, just like leaves in this season. I also like the quote too. To me, the quote signifies that we are all interconnected. Have a great Monday!

MY Website!

2011-11-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Last year my neighbor in Hawaii, Donna, graciously designed a website for me. It was wonderful. But I wanted to be able to sell from it too and we were not able to add a shopping cart to the old site. So when I came back to Spokane this year, I hired Case42CreativeMedia to design a new one for me. It is now pretty much complete with a shopping cart and everything!

www.Jandesigns.net

Thanks so much for taking a look at it. xoxo

Halloween 2011

2011-10-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

I have never been too crazy about the Halloween thing. Witches, goblins, uck. I wanted to draw and paint a pumpkin and was looking for a quote and ran across this little prayer. Of course, I had seen this many times before but had forgotten about it. So hope you like it, a prayer for protection from all the scary things out there. Have a great weekend.

Friendship Leaves

2011-10-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

I have been so neglectful of my blog lately. I have been working on my website. The unveiling hopefully will happen this week. Stay tuned. In the meantime, this is one of the verses from one of my friendship greeting cards with some fall leaves. Have a great week!

Which Way Your Heart Draws You

2011-10-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

i just have always loved this quote. I hope you like it too.

WIth Sympathy

2011-10-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

Rest in peace, Steve Jobs, you will be surely missed!

Lamentations -- Hope

2011-10-05T08:21:00.001-07:00

This artwork was a commission from my friend, Marg. She is giving this to her friend, Jamee, a young mom with 2 small children battling brain cancer. Please keep her in your prayers!

Under His Wings

2011-09-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

I was reading this Psalm the other day and was struck by the comforting image of being under the cover of His wings. It felt so safe. I hope your Sunday is a great one.

Light and Love

2011-09-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

This page has been blank for too long. We took a "road trip" to Iowa and Minnesota, visiting friends and cousins along the way. Now back to work and filling my blog and getting ready for studio tours and show season. This quote and artwork was done for a customer bookmark. Have a great day!

Little Fortunes

2011-08-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

You know you have some, hiding in your purse, your pockets, your wallet, your drawers. i am talking about Fortunes from the cookies and when you have 15 of them you can make this little book. Isn't it fun??

Miracle

2011-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a house concert. Before the concert began, my hostess told Cary, the singer/songwriter, "This is Jan, she can always be counted on to cry at just the right moments." I was enjoying the concert a lot when Cary began to sing a song she wrote about her daughter called "Miracle." It was so touching and it reminded me so much of my daughter. I was crying my eyes out before the song was over! I asked Cary if I could letter the song for her and also one for me daughter. She graciously said, "yes!" So here it is . . . .

2011-08-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

As you will read from 2 blogs ago, this weekend I took part in an outside show. It was described as an "Art and Craft Show" with over " 30 arts and crafts vendors!" I believed that, when will I learn to ask the right kind of questions. Most of the booths had large antique furniture and knick knacks and there were also several commercial booths: Scentsy candles, 31 totes and Miche purses plus a booth selling just fabric.

It is not that I did not sell anything, I did sell a little but two of my biggest sales were friends of mine. Part of the joy of showing my work is having people fall in love with it. It is the oohing and the awh-ing that always makes me so happy. Most of the people did not even stop to look or read. And if they did stop to look at a greeting card, they were shocked at the price. Quality handmade items made with expensive materials cannot begin to compete with items made in China.

it is not that people were not buying. I saw many large pieces of furniture being carried out the gates. It did not even dawn on me until this morning that possibly most of the customers that came to this show were antique D-E-A-L-E-R-S!

And ok, it really was my very LAST outside show. The hot sun put moisture inside the bags of my journals and sayings. I could not believe it. Especially on a hot, dry day, you would not think that paper items inside plastic could "sweat" but "sweat" they did. Not good for my paper products. Every day I keep learning!

Baptism

2011-08-20T06:39:00.000-07:00

Just yesterday I received this job from a classmate of my son's. Such a small world sometimes. She wanted a specific wording for a baby plaque for a Godchild. I really like the wording used. I hope she likes it too. Have a great Saturday!

Out on a Limb

2011-08-17T10:43:00.001-07:00

I wanted to write a little blurb about my upcoming show this weekend. I started out doing shows over thirty years ago. I started small, sharing a table with a friend. I progressed to high school craft shows, traveling around my area and then to a very large show at our local Fairground. I did all kinds of shows, inside, outside, in cafeterias and Fairgrounds. I found out that the little shows take just as much set up and tear down and time involved as the big shows and I made a lot more money at the big ones. I stopped doing the small ones.

Then in the 80's I was doing an outside show and was given a patch of dirt. During the weekend, the wind came up. The wind deposited dirt on every single one of my art pieces. Those were the days before clear bags ( Clearbags.com) and I had shrink wrapped every single one of my products. It was very time consuming and expensive to tear them all apart and redo them all. That was my last outside show for the last 20 years.

I retired from shows in November of 2008. I sold all my walls, my tables, my table cloths. And I thought retirement was b-o-r-i-n-g! And my artwork is in my soul, I need to keep creating!

This coming weekend I am doing a very small outside show and it is VERY hot here. I am breaking all my own rules, going out on a limb. I don't know anything about this show, it is outside, it is hot and it is small. But I was invited and that was so special. I will take pictures and tell you all about it next week.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

From the Rising of the Sun

2011-08-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

This piece of paper was marbled years and years ago at a class that I took in Seattle. I like the pattern the inks make as they float on the paper. Too bad I do not have more of this. Happy weekend!

Onion Pop-UP

2011-08-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at a pop-up book. It has the quote on the end sheets of the book. "Life is like an onion, you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep." Carl Sandberg

Then the center of the book has 8 layers of translucent paper in smaller and smaller shapes. I sewed them together in the center and then glued the largest "onion" shape to the sides of the book. Even though it does not have a lot of color, I think it is kind of perky. It was fun to make anyway, the things I do to amuse myself and use some calligraphy!

Family Tree

2011-08-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is a project that I have been working on the last few days. It is a prototype of a class I would like to teach. I will furnish the tree, and the students get to do everything else. It has writing, pictures, stamping for the leaves, accordion book, and two little inside books with family story in them. Fun.

2012 Calendar

2011-08-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning after the gym, I picked up my 2012 Calendar from the printer. Here they are stretched out on my dining room table. When I see a finished project that I have been off and on working on since February, it is so exciting. Here are all the months stretched out on my dining room table, ready for putting in order, bagging and pricing. This year is all about flowers and HOPE. Have a great day everyone!

Making Journal Books Today!

2011-07-30T09:26:00.001-07:00

Making Journey Books today in my studio. It is filled with 12 tags and tells a great story about who you come to be at the end of a journey. Great words of wisdom!

Amaryllis

2011-07-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

Another little flower painting today for December page in my calendar. And its my friend, Lori's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Lori!

Lily

2011-07-18T09:42:00.001-07:00

I have been working on my yearly calendar lately. This year the theme is "Hope for the Flowers"! Today I painted this Lily for the month of March and all the quotations are about hope. Don't we all need a little hope? Thanks for peeking at my blog today!

Two Wolves

2011-07-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

One of my friends asked me to letter this quote for her. I have spent about a week and a half trying to draw two wolves to illustrate this quote. It is obvious to me that I can't paint wolves. The drawing wasn't too bad but the painting was terrible. My husband said they looked like fat horses. Ha ha. I think my friend is going to get this feather! Have a good weekend.

God's Plan

2011-07-01T10:30:00.001-07:00

This is a piece that I started in Hawaii a couple of years ago. I finally finished it. Zeesh, what's with unfinished projects! I am not usually like that. Happy Fourth of July Weekend everybody!

Choose Love

2011-06-16T16:46:00.001-07:00

I have been MIA recently. First the Market which did not work out. I guess that is not where God wanted me to be. Next a trip to California to see the grandsons get promoted from 5th grade. They were adorable. Then today I created the words of this artwork for my daughter, Dana. You all know that this style is not my most proficient but hope she likes it anyway. Love to you all, have a great day!

The Public Market

2011-06-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

There has not been a lot of new art on my blog lately because I have been preparing to go into our brand new Public Market. I have spent the last two days there, selling my artwork. I am not sure, at this point, if this is the right place for my artwork since my sales have been very slow but I learn something from every new experience and have met some great new friends. Today is supposed to be the busiest day. Have a great Saturday!

Welcome

2011-06-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is the artwork for a long, accordion book that I designed many years ago but always hand painted each one. Very labor intensive! Now I had it printed so that should speed up the process a little bit. Still have to make covers and score and fold but that is fast compared to painting each individual one. I have been slow at posting lately because I am going back to work tomorrow at our local Public Market. I will share and take pictures so you can see. Very exciting. Have a great day!

Springtime

2011-05-26T06:05:00.001-07:00

This has long been one of my favorite Springtime quotes. The image of God breathing warmth, flowers and Spring back into the world of winter is beautiful to me. ( Especially since today is cold and raining! ) Those flowers are out there somewhere! Have a great day everyone.

Faith, Hope, Love

2011-05-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to do one of these "multi-layered pieces" for awhile now. I am mostly a straight line kind of girl but every now and then I have to break out of the shell! I hope you like it???

Psalm 118 and the Tulips

2011-05-13T10:30:00.001-07:00

I painted these tulips yesterday afternoon and I was so happy about how they turned out and then my Blogger site has been down at least 24 hours. I wanted to post and could not. These little tulips are going to be triple duty as a blog, greeting card and calendar page I think. Love multi purpose artwork. Have a great, happy weekend everyone!

Flower Class

2011-05-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I took a paper flower making class from Anemone Paper Flowers. Their work is so gorgeous. We made a rose that is pictured above and a dahlia. The dahlia is still in progress. (-: It has lots of petals. Have a great day!

Letters of Joy Slinky Book

2011-05-04T11:22:00.001-07:00

These are pictures of my first class at Letters of Joy. But I only finished it today. It uses a 4 needle method of binding and anyone who knows me would know that I am just hopeless with a thread and needle. I kept knotting my thread, putting it in the wrong holes, had to take it out again, and on and on. It was an exercise in patience, FOR SURE, to finish this book. There are over 50 pages, a lot of sewing!! And the pages were all colored using a "sink art method." And it is really tiny, measuring only 2 inches by 2 inches.

But it is so cute. It is called a slinky book because you can actually go from front to back like a slinky. The loose fitting sewing structure allows for movement. I can't wait to write in it!

May Day

2011-05-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

I love this little poem and I actually gave away flower baskets when I was a young girl. So fun. Happy May Day!!

Letters of Joy 2011

2011-05-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was so fortunate to attend the 29th Annual "Letters of Joy" in Edmonds, Washington. I have not been able to go for the last 3 or 4 years. This small, but mighty, calligraphy conference is wonderful. They bring in renowned speakers and offer a whole day of classes with a catered lunch and vendors! Calligraphy shopping, yipee!!

The speaker this year was Pat Blair, chief calligrapher from the White house. She gave such a wonderful presentation with slides of examples of Calligraphy invitations dated clear back to Abraham Lincoln! I got to take three classes and reconnected with an old friend that I had not seen in over 20 years. Fabulous.

Here is a picture of my last book class. This is called an Australian Flat Piano Hinge Book and the best part about it is that you can take each page apart and write in it and then put it back in. It uses popsicle sticks for the hinge. Very ingenious design. Showing a picture here.

All Flowers Are Beautiful

2011-04-26T14:28:00.000-07:00

This painting was painted with watercolors on my arches hot press paper and then enhanced with some color pencils. I love this quote and have done it now about three different times. It so applies to life as well as flowers.

Easter Cross

2011-04-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

I drew the cross in InDesign and then transferred it to Photoshop, where I filled the border with lilac color, then drew and painted the flowers on Arches Watercolor paper and joined the two of them in Photoshop. Then added my lettering. Sending Easter Blessings to you.

Snowy Woods

2011-04-21T15:44:00.001-07:00

Well this image came in a little small but I guess it is readable. I have always loved this poem, the last line is so beautiful and has so many applications and connotations for life. I came across a framed one in my closet that I had done many years ago. Today I decided to redo it. Painting a snow picture is actually appropriate here in Spokane today. It has snowed all week and although it is not sticking to the ground, we have seen WAY too much of the white stuff. Hope it is more spring like where you are!

Hibiscus Wreath

2011-04-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

This is a watercolor I did recently using a stencil from "A Place in Time" in Kailua, Hawaii. A Place in Time is a wonderful craft, stamp store and it is where I teach when I am in Hawaii. They design and fabricate their own stencils out of really thin plastic. I imagine that there are a billion ways to use a stencil but I decided to try my watercolors on Arches Hot Press paper. I think it turned out so nice. Then I had to add a word in Copperplate, it just fit within the circle. Have a great week everyone!

Grandchild Journal

2011-04-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

One of my new friends, Patti, asked me to design a journal where she could keep all the darling things that her grandson, Kyler, says to her. Isn't that a great idea? He calls her "Gram-Gram!"

So I used crayons with lots of pressure and wrote the words like I thought a small child would write, backward letters and everything. Plus I used six layers of different papers and card stock to signify many letters from her special little person. Then I added a "I Love You" charm and navy ribbon. The navy ribbon is so secure that you can actually grab it to open the cover. She has not seen it yet but hope she loves it.

Birthday Flags

2011-04-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend I gave a big 6-0 party for my hubby. When I was in Hawaii, I picked up these cute flag die cuts for the Big Shot Machine. They had about 10 different flag shapes in the package. In just a few seconds in the machine, it cuts the flag shape, embosses the edge, and cuts the small slits for the toothpick. Ah, great idea, right? I get back to Spokane and there is not a Big Shot machine to be had in the whole city. I went to one Michael's and then I called 6 stores!!! Sigh. So then my daughter and I, hand cut 100 flags. It took a lot longer and they were not as professional but they still looked cute on top of the cupcakes!

The Glory of God

2011-04-04T09:29:00.001-07:00

I posted the first of this artwork on Saturday but was not happy with it. I relettered it this morning at, oh, 5 am and here is final result. I think the circle worked out a bit better this time! Ah, we are our own worst critics!! Have a happy week. I probably will not post for a few days, moving back to Washington. Busy, busy. Thanks for all your nice comments on my blog. xoxo

Tribute!

2011-04-03T13:17:00.001-07:00

I just purchased this stencil at A Place in Time in Kailua, HI. They make all their own stencils there and it is very thin. Probably one of the easiest stencils I have ever used. This is a Monstera Leaf which grows wild here and is so beautiful.

Here is my tribute:

For a memorable season in Hawaii, sending out all my love and blessings,

To Donna, Wes and Krislyn,

To Maude, Suz, Maria, Jane, Kim and all my students,

To Priscilla, Bill and Art,

To Penny

To Kathy and Walt,

To Cec,

To Brian, game watches and all the Zags,

To Lisa

You fill my life with love, friendship and adventure,

I can't even begin to tell you what you mean to me!

thank you, thank you , thank you

Aloha just for now.

Jan

They Drew A Circle

2011-03-31T15:17:00.001-07:00

We formed a small (just three of us) craft club here in Hawaii. I was told this is a "Hui" ! Cool I learned a new Hawaiian word! So fun. Yesterday in the middle of it, I was talking about working on a circle piece for this blog. My friend, Maude, said that reminded her of a quote that she thought I would like so she wrote it down for me. It was so relevant, so tender, so poignant, that I cried. I had to do it in calligraphy. I changed the middle words a little bit from the original.

PAINT!

2011-03-28T01:13:00.001-07:00

In my last blog, I wrote about going to the totally cool Japanese treasure store. I bought the most wonderful brush so just had to try it out with some brush script. I love this quote, so amazing! And I got to throw a little paint!! Have a great week, everybody!

Calligraphy Heaven

2011-03-23T18:32:00.001-07:00

Last week, my wonderful neighbor in Hawaii, Donna, her sweet daughter Krislyn, and I went on a field trip to this gorgeous Japanese temple called Byodo In Temple. My neighbor watched how much I enjoyed all the Asian art and architecture. So this week she suggested we visit two Japanese paper stores. I was practically drooling with excitement. The first one was called Heiko and carried Washi paper, boxes and all kinds of packaging supplies. But the second one was a Calligrapher's heaven. I bought three beautiful brushes. Especially the one on the far left is a very small pointed lettering brush for Brush Script. Just gorgeous. It has been many years since I have seen brushes like this in Spokane. I also bought a pan of gold gouache pictured above. It was hard to choose from the many gorgeous things in this store. We are down to two weeks left in our stay in Hawaii for this year but I hope to visit this store again before I leave. This store was called Hakubundo for those living here. A not to be missed treat. Thank you so much, Donna, for all the introduction to local culture and experiences; for driving me everywhere, for all the fun times and spending time with me. My bff!

Hawaiian Inspired!

2011-03-22T20:24:00.001-07:00

I have been wanting to paint some plumeria for awhile now. They are so beautiful and the fragrance is pure Hawaii. They make the most beautiful leis but don't last very long. They smell heavenly though.

Happiness

2011-03-21T14:44:00.001-07:00

Have a happy Monday everyone!

Create!

2011-03-14T19:03:00.001-07:00

I saw this quote in a magazine recently and it prompted me to design this sign for my studio wall. Hoping for inspiration everyday to create something beautiful!

Card-Giveaway

2011-03-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

Ta-Da! I am officially in the technological age now. The last time I did a give-away, I put everyone's name on a little slip 0f paper and my husband drew the name out of the bowl. Very old fashioned. My wonderful neighbor, Donna, has been teaching me how to do Random.org and then take a screen shot and show it to you. Number 23 won as you can see and that person is:

♫♥LovLivLife Reviews♥♫ Thank you all so much for joining my drawing, liking my artwork, reading my blog, being all around supporters and encouragers. Love you all!

Baby Shower

2011-03-13T15:20:00.001-07:00

One of my friend's daughters here in Hawaii, is having a little girl. My friend asked me to design a sign for the baby shower to hang on the mailbox. The sign uses brush lettering on both sides, then laminated for outside use, and then the butterflies and ribbons were added after lamination. So feminine, I hope they like it!

New Greeting Cards

2011-03-10T11:31:00.001-08:00

This week I made 12 new Greeting cards with these beautiful Asian coins. They were so fun, the papers in Hawaii are amazingly beautiful.

Greeting Card Give-Away!

2011-03-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

Win five handmade cards I created recently using my Calligraphy, imported ribbons and various papers and embellishments!

Here’s how:

Leave me a comment on this post. Be sure to include a valid e-mail address so I can inform you if you win!

Extra credit (not required, but better your chances to win). Leave a separate comment for each action you take. If you’re already following me via Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, or Facebook leave a comment for each network to be counted. You can follow/like me using the widgets located in the sidebar to the right:

Follow my site via Google Friend Connect.
Follow me via Networked Blogs.
Like my Facebook page.

If you do all of the above, you can have 4 chances to win!

Entries must be received by midnight HST March 13, 2011 to be eligible. Winner will be chosen by random number generator and will be notified by e-mail.

Acrylic See-Through Books

2011-03-03T08:54:00.001-08:00

These are two examples of acrylic books that I am teaching this weekend in Kailua, HI. I think they are fun because they use papers that have holes in them or clear, see-though papers. You can see light through the whole book. And they use lots of ribbons and little jewels ( a girl's gotta have some bling!) Have a great weekend.

More Blue and Pink Love Book

2011-02-23T13:30:00.001-08:00

Here are some images from the Pink and Blue Love Book. I lettered the whole discourse about love by Leo Buscaglia. My lettering does not look as beautiful as usual because it is much more difficult to letter in a book once it has been bound but it looks good with some text in it. Most of the pages were torn and deconstructed in some way, making for some unusual pages. It was a very fun project.

steampunk

2011-02-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my morning class that I took on Monday, taught by instructor, Debbie West, at A Place in Time in Kailua, HI.
This is a new technique for me. We worked on a piece of cardboard and added layers of cardboard swirls, gears, keys, screen, ball chain, etc. Then two layers of silver foil went over the cardboard, one in each direction. After that I burnished all the layers to bring out the texture of each piece. Then I painted black acrylic over the whole piece and waited for that to dry. Then the sanding part to bring out the highlights of the silver. After the sanding process, gears, brads that resembled screw heads, a bottle cap and crystals were added for extra "bling!" Called Steampunk it was something very different than anything I had ever done. I added the calligraphy square today, just because I have to have my lettering on everything. (:

More pictures of the finished blue and pink journal to come. Have a happy, creating day everyone!

One Sheet Book Class

2011-02-22T09:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I was fortunate to take an all day workshop at A Place in Time in Kailua, Hawaii. My afternoon class was taught by visiting book artist, Pam Yee. This little book was made out of one parent sheet of paper, painted on both sides by Pam. Even thought I struggled with the stitching, it was a great little book to make. I can't wait to fill it with drawing and lettering.

Psalm 1

2011-02-19T13:17:00.001-08:00

Reading my way through the Bible, just arrived in Psalms today and have always loved Psalm 1. I want to be that planted tree! Have a great weekend.

Addition to Yesterdays Post

2011-02-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

Actually the Calligraphic project was a 2x2x2x2 but for the life of me I could not remember the other 2. So now I do.

2 Languages
2 hands
2 different colors
2 different sizes

Want to take the challenge???

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T09:54:00.001-08:00

This was a 2x2x2 suggestion from my Calligraphic Guild in Spokane, Washington. That is, 2 different hands, 2 different colors, 2 different sizes of lettering. My "go-to" hands are Italic, Bookhand or Foundational and Uncial. However this piece just cried out for Copperplate. I love it but I am not always comfortable using it. I don't practice it enough. Nevertheless, I tackled this sheet and had multiple tries of the copperplate. The foundational hand was whipped out immeditately but not so the other lettering. Still it was a fun project and I enjoyed doing it. I hope you will enjoy it too and have a wonderful, love filled Valentine's Day!

Hope for the Heart

2011-02-12T10:03:00.001-08:00

I am starting to work on my calendar for 2011. I loved this saying and thought it was appropriate for Valentine's Day. Have a great weekend! xoxoxox

Hope with feathers

2011-02-07T12:08:00.001-08:00

I am starting to work on my calendar for 2012. The theme is hope. I think the word should have been sings, sorry! Always a great thing to have hope, hope for the future, hope for peace. Peace to you today.

Making Cards

2011-02-04T19:13:00.001-08:00

I made these cards yesterday for a Cancer Boutique store in Spokane, Washington. I guess I was in a flower mode because most of them had flowers of one kind or another. I hope they are a source of cheer and peace.

Wine Number 2

2011-01-29T12:00:00.001-08:00

This is the second piece in the series for our friends in Spokane. I am glad that I gave you a smile, Jane!!!

Wine number 1

2011-01-26T18:38:00.000-08:00

This is a piece I worked on recently for a friend in Spokane to celebrate her new wine room. I hope she likes it.

Draw Near

2011-01-23T07:59:00.001-08:00

Recently our neighbors took us to their church, Hope Chapel, west O'ahu. The whole church was taking part in a Daniel Fast (fruits, vegetables and grains) This scripture of "Draw Near" was one of the main scriptures of the fast. Drawing near to God through prayer and fasting. I wanted to include it in my artwork. Happy Sunday everyone!

Life, Laugh, Love

2011-01-19T17:03:00.001-08:00

This piece came about for a customer in Spokane, Washington. She emailed me this quote and the design just erupted in my head while I was waiting for my paper. I am happy with it and hope that she is too. Because of all the colors in the heart, it can be matted in almost any color.

PAPER

2011-01-18T14:00:00.001-08:00

I have not been very creative doing calligraphy lately. I ran out of paper. I learned long ago a workman never blames his tools, but really, if I don't have the right paper, my calligraphy just does not look the same. It has to be crisp, white and bleedproof. I could not find my favorite paper here in Hawaii. After scouring the art stores here, I called my favorite store on the Mainland. I called them before I ran out, about the third week in December. Apparently, they had an old, no longer used credit card on file for me and it was declined. I was just thinking that my paper was delayed by the Christmas mail rush. The store did not call me to tell me it was declined or that my order was not coming to me. By the time I tracked that down, much time had passed. Today I finally got my paper! Hooray, I can work again.

Chinese Lantern

2011-01-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my Chinese Lantern. I taught how to make it yesterday in a class at Kailua, HI. I had 4 people and they seemed to have a lot of fun making it. It has lots of stamping, stippling, ribbons, beads and charms. I hope you enjoy looking at it too. Happy Sunday.

To Have A Child

2011-01-03T15:13:00.001-08:00

I love this quote and think it is SO true. I have my heart going out in all directions, two children, 6 grandchildren. Love them all so much!

New Year Message

2010-12-31T14:20:00.001-08:00

I think I used this same Scripture last year with different artwork. It has such a wonderful message of "a year of favor from the Lord." I used purple and gold to signify royalty colors. Happy New Year everyone!

Japanese Card

2010-12-23T12:16:00.001-08:00

This little card has nothing to do with Christmas. My Portland friend, Sandie, gave me these cute little Kimonos in late November and the idea for the card has been percolating in my head ever since. I just had to get it on paper today so here it is, hope you enjoy. And a blessed, happy Christmas to everyone. xoxoxox

Christmas

2010-12-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

This is the image for my Christmas card this year. I love this image of keeping the baby loved and close, not laying in the manger! And, to me, gives the idea that Jesus came for the whole world, everyone, every race. Peace on earth!

A Thousand Doors

2010-12-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

I ran into this new quote ( to me at least) in a card shop the other day. I think it could have many layers of meaning. One thousand doors reminded me of one thousand cranes so I drew one in the evening sky. Enjoy.

New Banner

2010-12-11T00:52:00.000-08:00

I liked my Thanksgiving Banner so much I decided to make one for Christmas too. It adds a cheery note to the front door. I am feeling much better, not so blue. Even though the circumstances have not changed, so many people praying for me and caring about me. I am so blessed. Thank you all, have a happy weekend!

Blue

2010-12-07T16:37:00.001-08:00

I know, this is little picture is not very creative, right!

Did you ever have one of those weeks or two weeks? Well, that's me right now, right in the middle of the second week of misery and pain. I realize that there are many worse tragedies than lonely! I know people are busy, its the Christmas season, right? I get that. So I am trying to be creative, making art, working on our Christmas cards, trying to stay lifted up and grateful.

So grateful for my husband and my health!

Missing my grandchildren, missing my friends in Spokane, missing dinners together, coffee, talking, people! A little bit quiet here in Hawaii. Just plain blue!

Ohana Family

2010-12-05T19:26:00.001-08:00

I decided to illustrate this quote from Lilo and Stitch, with a little people paper chain. I love my family!

Iris Folding

2010-12-04T13:23:00.001-08:00

This week I learned how to do Iris folding from my friend, Suz. It was really fun. The hardest part was cutting out the shape of the Kimono. Using a mat knife is not one of my many talents. The folds are all put on from the back and it is such a neat surprise to turn it over. I always thought Iris folding like the flower but no, my friend, Suz explained, Iris folding like the iris of a camera lens or the eye. Have a happy day!

Spread Love

2010-12-02T15:28:00.000-08:00

I love this quote by Mother Theresa. It is so loving and such a good reminder to me of bringing God's love to everyone, especially in my own home. This piece is a stretch for me in all directions. My colors of choice are blues, greens, pinks, reds so this is especially a stretch in the color family for me. Then, I don't do "messy" well and to deliberately blur my colors, a big stretch. Finally the calligraphy is Carolingian which I have not done in probably a year so another stretch for my pen and hand. Hope you enjoy it anyway. Have a great day!

Aloha

2010-11-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

I have to say that painting Hibiscus flowers are really difficult so this is not my most favorite flower I have ever painted but you get the general idea. Sending out Aloha ( that is hello, goodbye and lots of love!)

Peace in Your Heart

2010-11-27T11:52:00.001-08:00

This says it all. Happy 2 days after Thanksgiving!

Making a Thanksgiving Banner

2010-11-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

I saw this cute kit at a Scrapbook store outside of Seattle, Washington and ordered it. I changed some of the papers and the backing board but I thought it was so cute. I used a Japanese Screw punch to make the holes in the backing board. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am thankful for you!

Different Worlds, both Blessed

2010-11-19T11:58:00.001-08:00

We are so blessed to be able to spend time with our family and friends in three different parts of the world. Spokane in the summer with a brother, 3 aunties, and 7 families of cousins and lots of visits with our daughter back and forth to California. In the winter we play with our wonderful neighbors, our son and daughter-in-law and 4 adorable grandchildren in Hawaii. Just making the transition yesterday between the two places. Here are two contrasting pictures as we woke up to our first snow in Spokane yesterday morning and this morning, the sun peeking over the palm trees. Thank you God for so many blessings.

Pass on the Love

2010-11-15T15:49:00.001-08:00

I think blogging is kind of like this saying. We are passing along our gifts and the love that has been given to us. Sending love out to you. <3

A New Day, a new Monday

2010-11-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

I thought this was a sweet saying about being kind, so important. May I always remember!! Have a great Monday.

In His Hand

2010-11-06T16:36:00.001-07:00

Just felt like painting mountains this week. It has been SO busy, I have been neglecting my blog and I love my blog and love creating artwork for it. Hope you all have a happy Sunday tomorrow.

This is to have Succeeded

2010-10-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

I had a Chapter Leader Summit Meeting last weekend at Gonzaga University ( my alma mater!) Someone sitting next to me asked me what I did for a living so I told them, artist, calligrapher. She said, oh, I have a job for you. And this was it. Thanks, Molly!

Dream On . . .

2010-10-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

I found this quotation in some of my papers recently. It did not scan all that well which I don't understand but I like what it says and hope you do too. Never, ever, ever, give up on your dreams! Have a happy Sunday!

A Book of Herbs

2010-10-13T12:53:00.001-07:00

This week I have been working on a small, accordion book of herbs. It just sounded fun! So here is one of the little pages for you to look at. It is definitely fall in my part of the world, a beautiful sunny day but a little chilly. Hope you are having a great day too!

Trust in the Name of the Lord

2010-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

This has been my favorite verse of the summer. In the midst of buying a new house and (still) trying to sell an old house, I am trusting in the name of the Lord my God!

Leaving a Place That You Love

2010-10-07T11:21:00.001-07:00

I think this is a beautiful thought. We put down roots of love, of friendship, of nurturing and care, everywhere we are. Leaving is hard but it is also a joy to go. We are SO blessed with family, friends and love in many places.

Yearly Desk Calendar

2010-10-05T15:36:00.001-07:00

Here is a little peek at my yearly desk top calendar. I pick a theme ( this year it is butterflies) and then find 12 quotes and hand letter each one and then hand paint an illustration to go with the quote. Then I send them to the printer. I hope you enjoy this small peek, have a great week!