Art Every Day - November 17, 2011

Last night I had some time to just sit with my Art-to-Go case. I looked for some inspiration in a creativity book, but after half an hour of not being inspired, I decided to just go with the flow. My friend Malcolm had said he'd like to see an artist's rendition of The Cat Lady, so I thought I'd give that a whirl, though I really have no clue how to draw (and I told Malcolm that ;). The proof is in the pudding; The Cat Lady is Asian, and my rendition sure doesn't show it. But whatever. The drawing gives an idea of how she would curl up at the end of her bed like a cat. 

I gave up on my drawing and decided to just doodle on black lined paper with a silver gel pen. 

Nothing terribly inspirational -- but it was fun to just "play" :)


Have you played with anything lately -- just for fun?

Gratitude Challenge November 12-15

Where do the days go???? My lack of participation in the Gratitude Challenge the last few days is not an indication of my state of mind -- I actually find myself more grateful than ever for all kinds of little (and big!) things. But the days are just slipping by so quickly! Let me catch up now . . .


November 12 - I'm grateful for all the support I've been receiving since I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Family, friends, hospital staff, community care workers, cancer support centers -- it's incredible how much love and support my family and I have received! It's overwhelming (in a good way!), really. 


November 13 - I'm thankful for my sisters and brother. We didn't really grow up together, but now that we're all adults (well, kinda ;) we are growing together in spirit. Only one of us six sisters has not joined the Cancer Club, and while that's not a club any of us would choose to be in (or see others join), it has certainly served to unite our hearts. They have become such a blessing to me, and I'm grateful for their presence in my life. 


November 14 - I'm grateful for homeschooling. Today I enjoyed some serendipitous learning time with my littles, and I just felt so blessed to be teaching them, learning with them, and spending time with them. It's not always easy, and I have the perpetual plague of comparison to contend with (Are we doing it as well as ___? Are we doing enough? Would it be better if ____?) -- but I'm thankful for the freedom we have to be living a lifestyle of learning. 


November 15 - I'm so thankful for the variety of foods that God provided to nourish our bodies. I've been reading a lot about juicing lately, which has enlightened me about the many nutrients housed in fruits and vegetables. Last night I juiced some celery, carrots, parsley and garlic (ooohhh, that made it zingy! -- I had to add an apple to take away some of the garlic's zapping power!). Well, I don't know if it was the juice -- the tomato-parsley salad my friend made for me -- or the leek soup another friend gave me -- but after supper, I had more energy than I've had since my diagnosis! For the first time since I started chemo, I felt like my body was working the way it is supposed to work. I think I'm onto something here, and I'm grateful for the discovery, as well as God's provision. 

What are you thankful for today?

Art Every Day - November 15, 2011

So art has not been happening much lately. Amen. But I did manage to finish some ornaments I started before my diagnosis -- intending to participate in an ornament exchange. (I made these ones as a gift, so the work I did back in September was not for naught;) I made these with my children and their friends years ago -- but I rather like them as an adult activity, too :) They are simply heavy wire shaped by wrapping it around a cookie cutter, then that shape is wrapped with finer wire (I used a silver for the frame and gold for the wrapping). Two of them are then covered in glass beads (just glued on with gel medium). Simple, but pretty -- and prettier in real life :)

Do you have any simple, go-to craft ideas? How about some ornament ideas? I'm always on the look-out for creative ornament ideas. 

Gratitude Challenge November 11

It is only fitting that today I express my gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy in our country -- many of which have come at a cost to people's lives. I am thankful for this country -- Canada -- and for the rich heritage it has of people who have dedicated their lives to serving God and others, even if that has meant their own sacrificial death. 


For what are you thankful today?