Looking back

Looking back over this year i have accomplished quite a few things i had hoped for in 2014.....

I tried out a few new hobbies and really liked them....

Wood carving, see the post here...

Woodburning, here

I also had fun hiking with family...here

 And did a lot of paintings....some are  here, 
 here,  here, and here

And tried some new foraged foods.... here., and here,

And started a garden...here, here

And canned tons from our garden...

and made a lot of smoothies from my garden... here and here...

 And i worked on  a children's picture book..here and here..and .. The bee queen's message

And wrote almost a complete novel... here and here and  wild phlox season

I joined Nanowrimo, ICAD, PPF,, and Creative Everyday month in November...And i am sure there's more.... But i am starting to really plan goals for 2015 over the next couple days... Once i get the tree down and all. I'd keep it up longer but with the extra pets here over Christmas it's too hard to keep them all out of it. (With my two cats and a dog and with the two cats my oldest daughter brought home with her for the week, and the 3 animals that belong to my second daughter who is living back home again, that makes 5 cats, two dogs and 1 bunny).

It's almost as hard as keeping my son (or myself) out of everybody's christmas chocolate or the christmas fudge!

Hope everyone had as nice a christmas as we did here!

Day 12

Had the day off; teacher conference, yard work and some time for art!

I should have written on the novel for Namowrimo.....but i didn't, not one word. I just didn't feel like it. I thought, why am i putting myself through this? I have nothing to say. 

Now today, i have ideas again... And i remembered why i wanted to write and i am newly commited to finishing this ridiculous novel but i am off to work so barely any time. But I will write today... I will.

In the mean time here is some of my playing in my sketchbook with acrylics. It's just play, nothing serious, no masterpieces! No worrying about an outcome....Just Play!

Sorry, it's dark in my house, no sun in the window to help with getting a better photo...

Day 4

I am up to 4,710 words on my novel so far in November. I am quite pleased with myself. 

Creatively, I am just doing a few random sketches and doodles. Here's a sketch i did while i was waiting for a trial in court where i work. The best time to sketch as there's usually alot of waiting time that needs to be filled up....

I got way to crosshatching happy, and her face just kept getting darker and darker. If i'd stopped 5 minutes earlier i think it would have been a success....

Art everyday month, day 2

I wrote 850 words toward my goal of 50,000 yesterday! Yeah... It's a start.

Here's a sketch from my novel sketchbook, a drawing of the old marble water fountain on the Moon Family Homestead....

Jacob Saberman made it for his wife Tess on their 25th wedding anniversary. I doubt that info will make it into the book though....

Art everyday month

I have joined in to 2 challenges this month; arteverydaymonth and nanowrimo.

I know it seems unwise to try two challenges that are so involved but i DO create art everday, usually on my breaks at work, so i plan on just posting what i do, instead of waiting till its done. I will just be posting my progress as i go really. 

And for nanowrimo the challenge is to write 50,000 words in November. Now, i know that will be hard but i hope that posting and admitting that i have joined will give me the incentive to get writing again. I have about 60 pages in my Wild Phlox Season novel and maybe this will get me writing again. 

And most importantly, i plan on NOT being upset with myself when i cannot keep up with both of these. It's not about stressing myself out and putting unrealistic challenges on myself so if i make it: GREAT! And if i don't: STILL GREAT!

Here's my latest carved bird in blue for my first day.... I really did see her in the block of wood and just worked to cut away the extra bits..... Its funny how it really works that way. Her name starts with a P i think, but even though it's on the tip of my tongue i can't quite come up with it.... I'll let you know when i do.

See you Tomorow....