Use what you have...to CREATE something better.

As usual, there have been many things in my "project box" lately. I came across a contest that I decided to enter. It's for a magazine that I love "Cloth, Paper, Scissors". They are doing a calendar contest and the theme is: "Life is like a box of"........WHAT? I just had this idea to do a storage box on wheels filled w/ art supplies. You know I had to use the word "CREATE" in there somewhere and the more I think about the saying...the more I like it. Use what you have...to create something better. I am definitely thankful for the things I have, but I sometimes fail to recognize or USE those things. Can be anything from the power of prayer to a ROOM FULL of art supplies. Maybe I'll make a list. I've been thinking about starting/keeping a journal lately. It's not something I do, but I would like to. Good place to start. So what do YOU have? And, what can YOU create? Yep, it's a challenge.

We have a St.Jude fundraiser going on at school. Here's a picture of the painting I did for the basket that we are raffling. It's the HOPE painting, of course.

And, here's a picture of some hand-painted bookmarks.

And, of course NOW I see I didn't not post the pics in order. Sorry. Guess you can figure it out. Atleast i finally have pics, right?

Okay...It's TIME FOR ANOTHER CONTEST...More details later....

create.

Suzy

Go Dawgs.

I actually figured out a way to get photos on my blog. If I upload photos to our artsonia site at school, then at home I can save them to my photos on this computer and have access to them. Life should not be that hard! Not for simple photos LOL. Maybe I just need a new computer. Hum.

So, this is the Tech Bulldog I did a couple of weeks ago. The first original was an order for someone and was done on a large stretched canvas. I could not get any copies made since it was so large, so I painted another one. If you are interested, I had a limited number of prints made and they are only $10.00 each. They would look the best in a 9x12 frame with a black or white mat.

I promised a photo of J.T. next, but I'll do that soon. Poor thing was terribly sick Thursday and Friday. His fever stayed over 103 for much longer than I liked. A shot did the trick. Kirk has fever today, but it has not spiked as high.

I've decided to have certain " projects" for the month that I work on. THIS WEEK I am making some outdoor yard signs. You know, the ones that say things like: "A Tornado Fan Lives Here". (or whatever team you are). I can pretty much customize colors and sayings... They are made of thicker wood and mounted on a metal t-post for durability. Much better than the "campaign-type" signs made of corrugated cardboard. If you would like one for your yard, please call/email me.

I am also working on pillowcases this week. If you have a special rush order for Valentines Day, let me know and I'll see if I have time.

Our Sunday School teacher was out this morning. I think she's on a well-deserved cruise with her sisters. Stephenie did a great job teaching...and that has NOTHING to do with the fact that I think anyone who teaches does good as long as it's NOT ME. LOL. seriously. she did a great job. I have a new blog reader...hey Paige. And, a friend offered an encouraging word this morning that really made my day and encouraged me to be a better teacher.

All for now. I need to go to the grocery store and we're watching a movie (Fireproof) at church tonight. until next time......

create.

suzy

TGIF

This is Kirk at Prom last year. Isn't he cute? He shared something with me last night that he was thinking about doing and I couldn't be more proud of him. I'll have to share later.
Like I said before, I cannot upload photos right now, so I'm having to pull from older ones. That means no photos of any new artwork yet. So, you'll get to see my handsome kids. I'll post a good one of J.T. next. BTW, this is the first Friday night that BOTH of my kids have their driver's license. They're both at basketball games (different ones), and I"m home alone with no vehicle. I sense a pattern.

This week I have painted another small bulldog painting so I can copy it for notecards, 2 mailboxes that I'm almost finished with, and I"m working on a baby shower invitation. I have some canvas fabric that's calling my name, but I'm not sure what I'll be doing with it yet. Maybe tags or bookmarks. On Monday our local museum is having a gourd painting workshop, so I"ll be off Monday. Looking forward to that. In the meantime....

create.
Suzy

Thank you Jesus.

Tonight I just have a grateful heart. I am so thankful for parents that raised me to love going to church and more importantly to love the Lord. We've had a revival at our church this week, and while there are many things I'm praying for..believing the Lord for, I just am humbled and thankful that my boys are saved and that they love the Lord and going to church too. I am so proud of them. I pray when they are old and gray they are still led by the spirit of God. I always say (usually in response to them being only 13 mos. apart LOL)...that the LORD knew what he was doing.

Snow in Louisiana...

okay...NOT today. This was about a year ago. I just could not bring myself to do another post without pictures. Ugh. I CANNOT get my new pics on my computer at home. SO, I thought I'd post a pic of my cute kids.
Kirk is on the left (17)and J.T. is in the middle (16). Kirk's friend Hunter is on the right. They built a very CREATIVE snowman golfer. I thought he was so cute.
J.T. turns 16 on Tuesday (1-20). He will get his license. Can I just say that if your babies are that age where they will just jump up into your arms and give you a hug...just eat it up. Seems like yesterday. Thankfully they still give their mom good hugs.

It's been a good week creatively speaking. I've gotten alot done. All of the mantra illustrations are done, I did this AWESOME Tech Bulldog painting (if I say so myself..) and a cute painting for my nephew's birthday invitations. And then some.

We have a revival at church starting Sunday. Bro. Jack Daniels will be speaking. I'm looking forward to it, as I have not heard him speak since the last revival he did at our church which happened to be when BOTH of the boys were saved. We are singing my 2nd favorite song Sunday morning (the choir). It's by this guy, Travis Cottrell. Look him up. Buy his CD. I first heard him at the Beth Moore convention at Century Tel a couple of years ago.

Good thing I have something to do next week to take my mind off the fact that my friend will be in PARIS and ROME all week. She TRIED to talk me into it. It's week like this however that convince me I made the right decision. I do not want my first trip abroad to be with students. Especially if MY kids weren't going. (they could've, but for a price ). Large price for the 3 of us LOL. And, I couldn't miss J.T.'s birthday anyway.

It's been a long, rough week at school. I'm tired and ready for a much needed extra day off. And that's all I want to say about that.

Create.
Suzy

2009 Mantras

Thanks to all who have been reading my blog and sharing their "word" with me. I have the first group of words illustrated and delivered. STILL trying to get pics uploaded to my computer to share with you. I'm NOT THAT bad at technical issues, but my computer is not reading my camera. It's seriously aggrivating when I KNOW the camera, USB cord, and everything is plugged in correctly...HELLO? It's all plugged in ....so IT SHOULD work!!!
Not. LOL

Hope you don't mind, but I decided to share your words. I know most of my readers are in our Sunday School class and probably have a secret pal. So, I thought you might be interested to know the WORD your secret pal has picked for the year. All of the words are very personal, moving, and thought provoking.

Me: Create
LindaK: patience
DonnaB: Blessed
JenniferF: Peace
AngelaM: Pray
AmandaM(York): Believe
Laurie: Commitment
Brandy: Faith
Paige: Restful
Penny: Gratitude

Create, Patience, Blessed, Peace, Pray, Believe, Commitment, Faith, Restful, Gratitude....

Words of Power.

Create.
Suzy

And the winner is....

LINDA KNOX.

Yes, I had ***17 *** trees this year. Thanks for all who guessed.

moving along....Okay...for those of you this morning that I "slipped" the piece of paper to, or those I emailed, or just plain follow my blog (Jennifer), the idea is for you to pick a word to be your "mantra" this YEAR. You can pass my blog info to other people and the offer is good for anyone who lets me know what word they chose. Here are some examples:

Blessed, Gratitude, Purpose, Create, Hope, Pray, Believe, Power, Determination, Love, Faith, Nurture, Balance, Grace, Humble, Thankful, Silence, Peace, Praise, Happiness, Laugh, Smile....etc.

Tell me why you chose the word if you'd like. I was really leaning towards "gratitude" or "thankful" because that is the way I feel lately HOWEVER... MY WORD IS....

CREATE.
surprise, huh? LOL.
Here's MY definition of create: to take something that exists and form it in to something better. Create in me a clean heart, oh God. Create health, happiness, peace...and the list can go on. I"m going to actually look up the REAL Webster's definition. Get back to you on that one. I want to see how they define the word "mantra" too. Hope I'm using that term correctly.

Okay friends...put some thought in to it, and let me know your WORD. I will illustrate your word for you to have/use this year. Happy 2009.

Create.
Suzy