around here...

:: welcome home ::

 :: we made it happen ::

Our huge move out of state!

It wasn't easy... and Southern California made sure, we would never forget her! 

We packed the moving truck for 4 days straight; early morning till late into the night.

We were seeing triple-digit temperatures all the way through, as California was experiencing a "heat-wave".

losangeles.cbslocal.com

We hit the road...

a moving truck, 2 vehicles, Hubby's Harley Davidson, my race bike, 2 windmills, 

the family dog, and my parrot "mojo". 

We drove 3 days / 1,500 + miles to get to Washington State.

We unloaded the truck that night,for the rental was due the following morning. 

We have been non-stop unpacking box after box... trying to settle in.

We have been here a little over a week now.

Went to the DMV registered our vehicles and applied for our new driver licenses.

Got the phone line, cable TV, and internet installed just this weekend.

** Ive been warned about "Island time!" **

this will take some getting use to.

I got to spending a little time with my nature journal.

The weather is great... so I am enjoying the outdoors 

in-between unpacking, settling in, and making this our "happy nest". 

:: it is wonderful to be back, I missed you all ::

Big News...

:: welcome ::

To our one-story home built in 1978, on Race Lagoon. 

The road in... 

5+ private acres abounding in sunshine!

A detached three-car garage / shop area with wood stove. 

Our backyard view. 

Access one of two decks from the dining room as well as the master bedroom. 

 ** photos down below**

 were taken while owner still had opposition of the property.

I still wanted to share with you a 

:: peek-inside ::

There is plenty of upgrading to be done here... 

yet we feel this will allow us 

to create our own "personal touch", to make it our "happy" home.

Oversized living room.

Formal dining room. 

Family dining area with wood stove, right off the kitchen.

Master bedroom with private bathroom and walk-in closet.

:: incase you did not know ::

We are moving out of Southern California and moving to Whidbey Island. 

www.whidbeycamanoislands.com  

We are both excited and more than ever 

" thrilled beyond belief!! " 

to get started on a new chapter of our life that will involve a simpler lifestyle. 

Although, California has been good to me, it is time to turn the page...

we both long for fresh air, space, walks along the beach, bike rides, 

to grow our own fruits & vegetables, the four seasons, and much more. 

 While this adventure is very exciting, 

it hasn't been without a few struggles and challenges along the way-

 leaving the people you love, the things that create comfort, 

and the most familiar neighborhoods you grew up in, is not easy- 

it can be downright scary!

There will be a transition leaving California... 

say my goodbyes, make sure I have everyone's mailing address, 

and wish our long time neighbors' the very best... 

yes, there will be a few tears shed. 

:: this is our finally week ::

My husband had to break the news to me today, telling me...

my easel, draft table, and computer station 

will have to be dismantled and ready for the moving truck!

In the weeks and month to come, I will be sharing more details and photos of-

 our road trip, new home, and my new art studio.

 I will try and post as time permits, due to the circumstances tho

I have to allow myself permission for TIME OUT. 

:: love you all ::

Friday's Lovely Links

:: delightful to visit ::

celebrate summer solstice 

• painting - theartroomplant.blogspot.co.uk
• backyard movie night - deborahjustine.wordpress.com
• recycled art - ecosumo.wordpress.com
• DIY - mobiles - handmadecharlotte.com
• no-sew colored pencil roll - smallfriendly.com
• pattern - artbykellie.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend! 

around here

:: life ::

In three words 

I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. 

ROBERT FROST 

journal spread

:: be still :: 

Be still, get wildly enthusiastic about the little things...

and run against the wind. 

DIY

:: pixel art ::

use your favorite piece of art as inspiration for this great art project.

materials & tools:

bristol paper, canvas board, or watercolor paper ( all these will work great ) 

ruler and pencil 

acrylic paint or watercolor & brush

fame ( to hang artwork )

instructions: 

1. Find a piece of art or an image as inspiration.

2. Draw a grid on the image. 

** each box representing a measurement that relates to the paper ) 

For example, if the art is 8” wide and 10” tall and the canvas board is 16” by 20” – creating a ¼ grid on the art would mean each ¼” inch box (on the art) relates to ½” on the canvas board.

3. Using a pencil and ruler, lightly draw a grid on the canvas board. From the example above, the grid on the canvas board would be ½” squares.

4. Using the grid applied to the art piece as a guideline – lightly redraw the image on the canvas board.

5. Create your platte according to your image.

6. Follow your grid and continue filling in the squares with paint. 

Had a blast working on this... It was super fun!!

I was so inspired by this artwork, I plan on creating a much larger one for our new home. 

Enjoy creating one of your very own! 

Friday's Lovely Links

:: delightful to visit ::

enjoy    

• mixed media paintings - mary ann wakeley
• painting - clairedesjardins.com
• stencil play journal - visualblessings.blogspot.com
• mail art - www.flickr.com/photos/ MrsSawbones'
• DIY - pixel art - gingeredthings.blogspot
• watercolor illustrations - luciles-kitchen.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful weekend!