Where did that come from!!!!

Where did that come from!!!!

A couple of years ago I decided to retire and knew that I would need some kind of creative outlet to keep me from going totaling insane.  My husband and I have been married for 33 years and have two grown children. 

My husband has always been a physically active man and has never really had any understanding of my need for a creative outlet.

As a child I was a ballet/jazz dancer.  When I was 28 I underwent surgery on my knee and then my neck and was not able to return to dance.  At 33 I decided to try modeling and was quite successful as a classic model for about 10 years and ran a modeling agency in our city for young women and men.  Unfortunately, working at a government job, raising two children, keeping a home, running an agency and modeling on the side took it’s tole and I decided I had to give up something so of course what does a woman do… puts herself second and her family and children first.  

A few years later, still searching for a creative outlet I tried my hand at singing.  I joined a competitive A cappella chorus and we competed for about 5 years around the country.  I enjoyed the challenges of competition but again the investment of time took up a large chunk of my family’s time and I had to make the decision to leave the chorus. 

So for 5 years I worked at my government job and when I retired I knew it was time for me. 

I had no friends that were artistic and so I needed to find some new friends that shared my creative interest.  I was at my local Michaels picking out my first art supplies one day and I heard that there was a monthly crop event that was happening that evening.  I decided to bite the bullet and attend and it changed my life forever. 

I met women that shared my passion for art and creative desire.  It was such a wonderful experience to be with women that not only shared my interests and passion and were totally supportive and encouraging of my growth.

I tried many of the different crafts that the women I was socializing with were doing and enjoyed almost all of them, but I have realized that…..

I love to color, color, color.  So it is fitting that the first piece of work I offer to you is a piece I have coloured. 

I started with some Copic paper for markers, I stamped the beautiful Stamping Bella image “Posh has a Present“ with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Next I colored the image with my Prismacolor Scholar Colored Pencils – I have a set of 60 pencils (I would love the Premiers but they were way more money) and used Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits and a blending stump to blend my colors.  This is my first attempt at using the OMS.  I must say I like them.  They did a nice job of blending.  After I was happy with my image I used a SU Whisper White cardstock base with some SU Melon Mambo cardstock behind my image and some beautiful pink ribbon I had in my stash along with some rhinestones for a little bling. As you can see I have made a few little booboos along the way, but I guess practice makes perfect. I hope you enjoy my first attempt!

I’m off now to do some preparations for dinner.  My son and his wife are coming for dinner along with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.  I’m planning to make some salads ( a Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad and a Caesar Salad) and some Roast Herbed Potatoes and Corn on the Cob along with Barbequed Chicken Wings.  That way, I can do all the prep ahead of time and my husband has to do the chicken wings on the grill while I enjoy the company!! 

Back soon!