Time Simply Flies By.....

I promised before that I would be back before the new year, and gosh, I almost let that slip right by!!! Its hard to believe how quickly each day slips by and before you know it....weeks have gone by without a single post!!!

I have been arting each day in the studio....although, for a while, it felt like everything I touched was simply a disaster.....call it stuck, blocked, or whatever, but I was truly ready to close the door for forever!!!!

Sometimes, I find that having too much completely stiffles me....and my studio was getting way too cluttered with all of my "next great things". So much so that I was finding it very hard to create in there...My lesson learned on that one....Sometimes too much of a good thing is not good at all.

I truly hope that each of you are enjoying special times these days....we are on Christmas break, and well, I am doing my best to make the most of every single second!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Dear Poor and Neglected Blog....

I honestly can't believe that it is December already, and I have let another month slip right by without posting anything new to my blog. I apologize to all of my blog friends out there. I promise that I will make it more of a priority to show up here more often, and share some things. I promise!!

So, Art of the Carolina's came and went in a flash. I always, always, always look so forward to that show. Its like a big family reunion. I think that this was my 9th year going, and I can't get enough of it. The energy, and the eye candy, and just so amazing. I demoed there again this year, and wow!! Just pure bliss! I don't think I even realized how exhausted I was......long, long days that seemed to slip by within minutes. I would get home at9 or 10ish each night, back up at 4:30am, and at the show by 8!!! Gotta love a great art getaway!!!

Somehow, the show leads to Art Overload for me. Maybe its all the eye candy, or all the ideas...or all the products that I just can't wait to try....then, I come back to my studio and want to play with it all at once..

I spent the Thanksgiving holiday clearing out some things in my studio....Oh, thats right, I got myself a Giant easel, and some Ginormous canvases....I will post some pics for you all soon. They both sit (a month later) still pristine...I did sit one of my journals on the easel to dry, so does that count for something.

I sent 2 full boxes of various art supplies to my son's art teacher...I just have a lot of stuff....Does one really need 11 filled watercolor palettes??? Really!! Or, 16 sets of watercolor pencils??? You see where this is going, right...

My clearing out project is still underway, but, I'm getting there. I also got a new "painting table", so I have to make room for it to go in my studio...Clearing out is so very refreshing. Sometimes, too much of a good thing, is not good at all...sometimes.

Anywho, I promise to come back before January rolls around....Promise!

Have a great Saturday!

Until next time,

Ophelia

November....Already!!

I can hardly believe how quickly this year is flying by! I also can't believe that I have actually kept up with Kate's calendar challenge!

In all of my busy-ness, I decided that it is time too look at the fruits of my labor....am I really accomplishing anything with all of this busy....or, is it just busy...hmmm.

I hope that your days are being filled with what matters most...I am hoping to get better with it.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Monday...

Good Monday morning everyone....
I'm dropping in to show one of my latest journal pages. Getting to the computer has just been tough.

I honestly don't know how things have gotten so busy around here, but I feel like I am always running - here to there. Karate, cheerleading, violin practice....and thats just my daughter. I feel like I live in the car!! In a few weeks though, cheerleading will be over, and I'm looking forward to simpler times.
I hope that you all enjoy your day...
Thanks for your visit. I mean that!!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

October has been here....and I'm Late!!

Good Morning blog friends,
It is way past due, but here is my-not even close to being done October calendar, and, its late!!!


My poor calendar is already filled to the brim with "stuff" and I honestly can't figure out how we have gotten so busy. Football season is almost over for my son's school team, which also means that cheerleading is almost over for my daughter as well....which means we can scratch those off of the run like crazy in the evenings list!!
I will be back soon to post more of "Imagination Station" happening....
Enjoy your Sunday!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

September Already!?!!!

Happy Sunday everyone,

Gosh, first, re-entry is very hard!!! Being back to school has completely zapped me! Notice when I check out...way back in August, I have been busy setting up my classroom, getting lessons prepared, etc... I somehow completely forgot how crazy back to school time is for me -- not to mention getting my own kids ready. And, I have a confession to make...It has been WEEKS since I was able to even get upstairs to my studio and play...no wonder I have been such a grump!!

Anywho, this weekend, my husband took the kids out of town to his family picnic, and gave me a time out! Straight to the studio I went (as soon as they pulled out of the driveway)!!

I have been just messing around...getting re-aquainted with my toys, and just generally enjoying some good old fashioned quiet time. No tv's, MOM's, no sounds...its plain beautiful!!!

So, I'm going to head back up stairs....before I hear car doors slam.

Enjoy your day everyone.

Until next time,

Ophelia

This is the House that Ophelia Built!!!

Hello Blog Friends...

I can't believe how fast this week is going...

I was playing in my studio today with some of my color charts and wanted to update my Matisse Paints. Before I even realized it...I had built a paint house!!!

I wish, totally wish that I could say that this was all the paint that I have...totally not even the case....but, I was updating some color charts, to fill in some colors that I'm missing...I know, I know. So, I hope that you all are having a great day...and a great week. Time is flying by so very quickly!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Happy Monday...

So, I can't believe that I am posting again, but I got up super early this morning....3 AM!!! And did this page start to finish before leaving at 5am to pick up my kids...(oh yeah,they cried not to come home!!!). I got home a bit ago...so, here goes...

Sometimes, doing what the right thing is so very hard, but its necessary! Its simple, yet, it can be so hard.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I will be posting everyday....but, you can believe, I will be creating something!!! And by the way, does anyone know where those 3 days went????

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 31....Mission Completion!!!

Happy Sunday Blog Friends!!!

Wow....I can't believe looking back that I have actually managed to complete this challenge....and, fun, oh fun it was.

You all have been such an encouragement to me...and believe me, days into it...I was ready to turn back. There were days, when I just didn't feel like it...but, I did it anyway! To me, that is such a great feeling...to do something anyway!

So....today, I spent the day at Jerrys doing a demo with Passport Journals...and, I treated myself...to a few things....you know, a girl has used a lot of supplies this month!!

Here is my July calendar page all finished up....that was a fast month....

And, here is August ready to go...August for us is Back to School....I can't even believe I'm saying that word already....but, here goes...

Yeah, she doesn't look very happy about heading back either....she just wants to play some more!!!

So, thank you all for sticking with me for these 31 days of Art and Blogging Bliss...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 30...

Hello Blog Friends...

Hope you are having a great day. I am CERTAINLY enjoying my day...

I started out today for a bit in my studio...then, I just had to stop...I started cleaning...had to...just had to get it out of the way...remember, I have put it off all summer long. So, I started with my daughters room, and then headed to my studio. For my studio, I set a timer...only because I only wanted to spend about 2 hours there...

I hate it when I let things get so piled up in there that I get myself so overwhelmed with the cleanup....so, I worked at it for about 2 hours, and although there is so much more to do...I feel good about how its coming along. Luckily, its not so bad that things don't have a "place". So, just putting things away, and bits of paper that have piled up....and, oh the piles..

Well, this is all that I was able to create for the day...

Enjoy.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 29...

Good Morning Blog Friends...
I hope that you are having a great day so far...its still early, and today holds so many possibilities...
I am kidless today!!!!! So, my head is swarming with things that I could do today....go browse art galleries and museums....meet one of my art buddies....meet one of my stampin friends...get a pedicure...go shopping at Jerrys...so many fun things that could be done...yet, this morning, I am tired!! Thankfully, I'm feeling much better today, but, I stayed up way late after my 9:00 bedtime. Our local minor league baseball team, Durham Bulls, had their Field of Dreams game last night, and the NC Knighthawks were selected!!!!!

So, my son took 1st base and learned some tips from the big guys!!! It was really amazing how much time these guys took with our kiddos...and, they had a blast!

After the game, my kids headed to SC for a weekend getaway with my parents!!!! Thank God for grandparents!! I have 3 - count them with me 3 days of being home alone...and, I'm a happy camper!!!
So, I'm up early, tried to shower away the tiredness...hasn't worked yet - and warming up for my hot date with myscrapbooking supplies...but, as I said...the day has so many possibilities....

So, I hope that you all enjoy your day. I am going to try my best to savor every single second of this one...
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 28.....

There are so many ideas swirling around in my head....I wake up thinking about thngs...and go to bed thinking about more....from scrapbook pages, to quilts, and cards...there are so many....

and, not to mention so many art supplies to play with. I could play for days with the color orange...or my watercolor pencils...oh, time is slipping by so fast these days...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 27....Another Monster...

This is another one that I must conquer.....

Yet today, with the best laid plans, I am SICK!!! I hate, hate, hate being sick...especially on a perfectly good, don't have to go to work, certainly could be making art all day kind of day...

I did manage to get upstairs and get this page started....

Anywho....hope you guys had a great day...

I'm going back to bed...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 26...

Ok...I have to let you all in on two of my monsters. These two, can usually take me down without much of a fight....

Now, don't get me wrong...there are many, many other monsters...these two were just the only two that I could get to today. I have to do something different, though...if I am going to get anywhere...I almost thought it was time to call in professional help...we'll see...oh wait...there goes another one of my monsters - procrastination...geez! I had such big plans for today...art, cleaning, art, art...but, after my daughters guitar lessons, I came home, and became one with the couch...something I hardly ever do, but today, it was nice.
Hope you guys are having a great day...
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 25...stolen moments...

Hi Everyone,
Today's journal page was truly made from stolen moments of time...time where I was waiting for the dryer to stop...or, the dishwasher to finish...or, for someone to yell my name...just quick snippets of time were all I was given in the studio today...so, lets just say, this page is not quite finished, but enough to truly show how I was feeling today...

So many supplies, so many ideas, yet, so little time....
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 24....

Happy Sunday, my blog friends... I hope you guys are all well today.

I spent this afternoon at Jerryartarama...doing a demo with acrylic paints, inks, and rice papers...

Talk about mad science....I could spend all day doing nothing but coloring papers....

Wetting the paper down, then spraying them with inks or painting on a wash of color....then, adding more color...so - much - fun!!!

I also like to sit different pieces of wet paper on top of others and allow different colors to bleed onto other papers...like the one in the top photo.

So...I enjoyed my daygetting good and messy in my favorite art store....my hands are still multi-colored to prove it!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 23.....

Today, I made an honest effort to get busy cleaning....no, not in my studio, but in my home....
You see, my house has been ignored for a while...which I totally fine with, but then, there is only so much ignoring a person can do before I end up calling the health department in myself...
Well, it was going pretty good, until I took a bit of a break and on a quick trip to my studio...I found these....

A 72 pack of watercolor pencils....oh, the possibilities are ENDLESS!!! Lets just say, the house can wait!!!
I don't know why I have such a giant "affection" for watercolor pencils....I just can't explain it! So, I spent the day trying my absolute best to wear these puppies down!!!

I just colored around with them, then added some spray inks and let them drip....

You guys have the best day ever!!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 22....

Today was honestly a blur...honestly. Luckily, I carry my art bag with me everywhere or else today would have been a wash!

While waiting for my son....I created this in my little journal that I carry in my purse...Thank goodness for travel watercolor sets!!! Because I haven't even made it upstairs to my studio all day!!!

Lesson learned on this one.....I can create something...anywhere....using what I have on hand....

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 21...

Was a complete blur!!!

and honestly, this was all that I got done today...well at least worth showing. There are several other things...up there...that are in different stages, but, I just started a gratitude page - which will become a list..

It all started after I grounded my kids today - oh yeah...I went there...they were sent to their rooms.....and for the first time in a very long time....it was quiet....no tv....no yelling....just beautiful silence...made me realize how grateful I am for quiet!!!

So, that is how our day went...hope yours was a bit more productive.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 20....

Its all about Soul Restoration around here....and today, I started my journal for SR2.....I still have a lot of work to do on it, but its a start....not really sure if I'm ok with it just yet, but its a start....and, I've been working harder on the inside of it, so I guess thats a bit more important....right???

Anywho, today was a good day all around. I feel that although I was a bit scattered, and the day flew by, I accomplished a good deal!!!
Welp, there is much more to do around here so I'd better get going.
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 19...

Hi Everyone...

I hope you are having a great day.

Back in May, I signed up for Soul Restoration with Melody Ross, and well, Holy Smokes Batman...it was Awesome!!! I truly had an amazing experience with the entire course....and actually worked through the course!

Well, ok, not exactly, because I was so gung ho about getting started, that I failed to actually "decorate" the front cover of my journal...so, that was first on my list this morning.

After I finished the course, Soul Restoration 2 started...and, well, you know me....I quickly signed up. So, second on my list this morning was to work on my journal cover for that....well...lets just say my art time was cut a bit short....and, after guitar lessons, an orthopaedic appointment, (hand stand gone wrong with my daughter)Dr. visit, then to the hospital for xrays, Tae Kwon Do for testing - yeah, she broke wood with the same foot that took us to the doctors office in the first place....can a girl get a break around here!!!

Luckily the Dr called and there is nothing more than a really bad sprain - did I mention that I "PAY" for these gymnastics lessons....so, they are off to vacation bible school, and I headed right back up to the studio where my day started so peacefully!!! I wish some days I could just close the door and live up there....but sigh...this too shall pass.

Thanks for listening...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 18....

Today was one of those great kind of days....the kids and I were just hanging out mainly, but I got so much done, and felt so in charge of my day. It dawned on me at around 6:30 this afternoon when the kids left for vacation bible school that I had not been up to my studio ALL day....so, up I went....

I was so very productive up there as well....I managed to get this page started...and to me...done. While I was waiting for different layers to dry, I spent time - picking up. On yesterday, Kathy and I made ourselves a bit of a challenge to get our spaces organized and cleaned by August 22ndish...so, I managed to get a spot on the floor cleared...and worked from about 7-9 and came away with a finished page and 3 bags and a box of trash!!! Its that bad up there!

Welp...hope you enjoyed your day. I sure did...and I am completely grateful for do-overs!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 17....

When the school bell rang for the last time back in June....the summer held so much "Art" promise....I imagined days and days and days of uninterrupted art time, because, well, what else would I do with my vacation time...
I signed up for a "few" online classes, and realized that I was quickly in way over my head...because, that uninterrupted art time was such a fantasy...you see, I have little people around here...with very big agendas...and it seems every single day, we are in the car, heading somewhere....jeez...I wish there were two of me....

Also, as you might imagine...all this art play that I have been doing has left my studio space, well...lets just say, it's TRASHED!!! Really, really bad! Out of my entire studio space, I have about a work space the size of a postage stamp to work on....and a tiny path that can get me to my table....it is horrible!! My dear friend Paper Pumpkin and I had ourselves a good laugh today and decided we would do something about it....so, I will also begin a major cleanup project in there as well...wish me luck on that one!!!
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 16...

Not much art to report today....we got up early...and....um...I cleaned (sigh). One of those cleanings where you make a complete and total mess kind of cleaning...It was aweful, but so necessary. So, today, my art was cut short but I did manage to get something started before we all jumped into a team clean session...gosh, that was painful!!!

Lets hope tomorrow will be a bit more artful!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 15.....

Sometimes....it's all you can do...

Enjoy your day everyone.

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 14....I am Tired!!

Its been a long day around here...very long. I feel like I spend all of my time in the car...driving my kids here, there - everywhere...when all I really want to do is go home and play! My friend Randi suggested that I get my daughter a chauffer....I'm totally starting to think of that as an option! I don't know how our schedules get so slammed all of a sudden, but they do...

Anywho...I managed to get some time in the studio this morning...thank goodness I wake up super early still or there would really be no "me" time....Enjoy!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 13...A Few Things...and a Great Mail Day!!!

Hi Blog Friends!
It's Day 13 here at my little place of art, and...if I may, I'd like a do-over...
I posted this yesterday and decided to revisit it after playing around with my watercolors this morning...and added the little swatches of color....

Now...onto Day 13 for real....I ran across notes that I took in church and this was at the top of my notes...WOW!!!!

Today, I got a few packages in the mail...some books from Amazon....
This is the one that I'm currently reading....Fabulous!!! I totally want to learn to draw even more now. This is such a great book...and I have always wanted to do this type of thing..where I no longer use images or stamps for expression (since I can't draw)....I'll get there!!! You'll see!

AND!!!! I got Kate's DVD set as well.... Holy Smokes Batman!!! This is beyond words so far!!! I started watching the first dvd and had to pause it and send her an email!!! Jeez....this is good! Its like you are sitting there with her...she is such a natural - so relaxed...and such great ideas that I've never even thought of!!! And...she totally makes me want - really, really want those spray inks and paints that she uses...I think they are Dylusions!! All I know is that they look so fabulous!!!

I will be busy, busy, busy for quite some time with my newest treasures....I am so very blessed that I have art in my life...I tell ya...its pure sanity for me. I will never ever be bored...and I love it!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 12...Searching...

For Color...

Happy Tuesday Bloggers!

I hope that you are all having a fantastic day! I am...although, around here, its always busy!

I have been looking back over my posts and it seems I'm in a serious color freeze....I'm always reaching for the same color combinations...blue/green....reds/oranges....I need some new color choices. Believe me...I have so many tubes of paints to choose from, but I always reach for the same ones...no matter how different the page begins...it always ends up being these same colors...

Lets hope tomorrow brings something different!

While waiting for my daughter's guitar lesson...another thing to add to our full summer plate...but the guitar is so stinkin' cute!! Anywho, while she was in her lesson, I pulled out my sketchbook to make notes of all the ramblings going on in my head...and decided to add a bit of color to my "to do" list for today...

On a side note....there are soooo many online classes going on...I just wish there was more time in a day to take them all....right now though...I'm in way too deep!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 11...Handwriting Practice...

Goofing around practicing handwriting and trying to come up with different ways to add some spunk to the lettering in my journals...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 10...

I hope that you are all enjoying your Sunday....today seemed to zoom by and I looked at the clock in horror that it was already 9pm....where does the time seem to go...

One that I am loving about my challenge is that I am using so many supplies that I have not touched in such a long time...and learning a lot about what these different supplies will do in my journals....those glimmer mists that I had to have are not getting used...those sets and sets and sets of watercolor pencils and paints...all kinds of stuff that had not been touched are getting off the shelves and into my journals...I love it!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 9....almost slipped by...

I got up early this morning...headed off to the studio, then my sister came into town, and we headed out for a day of shopping...if you know me, unless the shopping involves digging around an old junk or antique store...or, an art supply store, I'm not remotely interested!

It dawned on me as we were walking in the door after what seemed like hours and hours and hours of walking through the mall, that I had not yet posted today...

So, here goes...

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 8....

I hope you all are enjoying your Friday. Around here, there have already been storms today....I love thunder storms...just kinda soothes me...weird, I know, but I love them most when I am at home...love the rain and the sound of thunder...

Today, there was much to do around here...my son heads away next week to camp, so there was laundry and packing and so much more, and you know what I did instead.....took a NAP!!! Fabulous!!! Had to get myself refreshed for my hot date tonight - with my pictures and tape runners and my scrapbooking BFF Julie!!

I hope that you all have a great - and creative day....I sure did today...art, thunderstorms, a nap, and next scrapbooking all night...jeez...doesn't get any better than this!!!

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 7....A Bad, Bad Drawing..

I try...really, really hard to draw, and I'll admit, I am lousy at it...why, because I don't do it often enough to get better...
so, I have been trying to do it every day as well...this only started a few days ago...so, here goes....the bird was one that I did on yesterday, and this morning, I tried to draw my watercolor set that was sitting on my desk...


This girl needs a lot more practice....
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 6....Almost Slipped by Me!!!

Hi Everyone,

Today flew by...I caught snippets of time in my studio, but for me, its the posting that just seems to get away from me.

Todays journal page is another rule for me....that I HAVE to plan my day...just have to....I realized that I was just wandering aimlessly, and wondering where all the time would get to...no plan for me means absolutely nothing done...zilch! We will see how well that goes :)

Until next time,

Ophelia

Day 5...

Ok...first, I can't believe that I have actually posted to my blog every day for 5 straight days....I usually go to my studio every day, but its the posting that seems to get lost.
Each day though, I have been really looking forward to getting up there and working to get something - anything started...
Today is my lame attempt at drawing...its supposed to be a fence :( . I have been practicing my drawing somewhat this summer, so, it will be getting there...one day.



I also realized that the writing didn't show up as well in my scan...it says Get off the fence and get into the Game! That's a lesson learned in "values"
Until next time,
Ophelia

Day 4....

I hope you guys are all enjoying your day....

It was another day of up early and heading off to a baseball game...enough already, I say....

I caught a few snippets of time in the studio between our neighborhood picnic...and managed to get these two backgrounds done...

These backgrounds were done on canvas - I know, right!!! I always cringe when it comes to working on a canvas...I don't know why, but I do....but here are my beginnings....

I was playing around with paints, inks, stencils, flexible modeling paste, glass beads, and stamps...pure experimentation and play, and it was oh, so fun!

Not sure of where I will go with these next, but its a start...

Hope to see you guys here again tomorrow...

Until next time,

Ophelia