Be Back Soon

I'll be taking a blogging break for the next few weeks to focus on my schoolwork. I'll be back in July (sooner if I get all my work done) with lots of new posts!

30 Things Before I Turn 31 (A Recap)

Found this on Photography XO! It's a good thing she doesn't have continuous scroll or I'd be there for hours.
About six months ago I started a list of things I wanted to get done before my next birthday. Since I only gave myself six months I didn't get near as much as I wanted to get done completed but I made a little progress.

My 31st birthday was this past Tuesday and before I posted my goals for this year I wanted to review the past year (or six months) and see how I've progressed. Some things will continue with me to the next year and some things I will forever cross off the list.

Without further ado...

Below is my list of 30 things to do before I turn 31 on May 24th.

1. Focus on POSITIVITY - trying. it's really hard!
2. Visit the local galleries I never make time to see Done!
3. Learn to use my sewing machine Nope. Didn't even try.
4. Lose 15 pounds I gave it a good go but fell on some setbacks. I'm still working on this one.
5. Make curtains for my studio Done! One of these days I'll post and show you guys pictures.
6. Develop habit of walking Dixie three times a week Didn't get too far with this one. I think I did it maybe a week or so before I stopped.
7. Take a watercolor class Done! In fact, I plan to take another one in June.
8. Continue making A's in my paralegal course Setbacks with this one. I had to take an incomplete on my last course due to allowing too many things on my plate.
9. Install hardwood floors This one got put on the back burner. We were going to use out tax return for this but decided to pay off debt instead.
10. Make curtains for the kitchen If I can find a pattern I like I will! I can't find one that fits just yet.
11. Submit artwork for publishing Lost interest in this. Still have no interest.
12. Start and finish one art related online workshop Over achiever on this one! Started and finished two!
13. Submit work to a gallery Thought about it. Decided against it. Lost interest.
14. Repaint hallway FINALLY in progress! I started it this last weekend and plan to finish this weekend.
15. Take a group painting class I scheduled this class three times. All three times something happened and the class was cancelled or rescheduled. I decided it wasn't in the cards for me.
16. Fix leaky faucet in master bathroom Done!
17. Finish reading "Creation in Death" by J. D. Robb I went to start reading it again only to discover my bookmark got lost and I had to start it over. I don't think I'm any farther than when I first made this list.
18. Make a habit to routinely visit and comment on more peoples blogs I do my best!
19. Host a creativity night I got too much on my plate for this. Now that I'm at a normal flow I have no interest in adding anything additional to my load.
20. Have friends over for dinner Never got around to it.
21. Figure out decor for Kitchen Done! Now I just have to finish decorating.
22. Finish reading "Such a Pretty Fat" by Jen Lancaster Never opened it up.
23. Have three (home) internet free days per week I'm not sure what I was thinking with this one. It's kind of a joke.
24. Have dinner out with friends once a month We did this for a few months and then things fizzled. Maybe I should have the goal of once a quarter?
25. Declutter my studio This is always a work in progress. I haven't worked in my studio in forever.
26. Host a monthly giveaway to help with #27 Started doing this and decided to phase it out. Shipping costs, trips to the post office, time packaging products, the inability to track packages overseas, and the extra time it takes to run a giveaway all adds up. I like giving gifts away but this is not the most efficient way for me personally.
27. Enlarge my blog readership I'm not sure why this is on the list to begin with. While I value my readers, I huge blog readership is not something I necessarily want.
28. Discover a wine I like Never tried to work on it.
29. Make curtains for the living room In progress! I gave up making them. There are just too many panels that have to be made for the living room and not enough time. I purchased some at Ikea. Once I get them hemmed I'll post pics.
30. Finish at least one unfinished painting Made a feeble attempt at this but got burned out with painting. I'll pick it back up sometime when my painting mojo returns.

I'm working on my list for this year. I need to decide what is staying on and what I need to move away from. I'll post it once it's completed.

WIP Wednesday - Our New Flowerbeds

It took most of the day Sunday but we got our flowerbeds done! We are so proud of how our house is starting to come together.

Now if we can only get our grass to start growing this year our front yard will be set. We've got Scotts coming out this week to see if they can help us out with that.



Our next project? This guy right here in our backyard. I have to get some metal fencing in around him first to stop Dixie from digging in it.

The Rose is Finished!

I finally finished my rose from last week!

I didn't think my durn headache would ever go away so that I could work on it. The headache lasted from Monday evening until late Thursday evening. I'm not sure what that storm blew in but it irritated my allergies something fierce.

Anyway, here's my rose with more ink and the finished color. As usual I steered clear from writing on it and my shading is a bit off but that's what practice is for right?

I have three classes to listen to this week so I hope to get another sketch in. I'll post my progress as I make it!

WIP Wednesday - A Rose is a Rose

Didn't get to my weekend update today. My head has been pounding since yesterday evening and I've been curled up on the couch since I got home. We got a ton of stuff done for our anniversary weekend but I'll update on all that later this week.

I've also been meaning to respond to all the wonderful comments people have been leaving the last week. I've been really scattered but plan to respond to each and every one. I do want to say thank you to everyone that has taken the time to leave one. Each comment brightens my day!

More work on my rose sketch from last Sunday. I did it while listening to my class yesterday afternoon and thought I would post it as an early WIP Wednesday.

It's about ready for some color, wouldn't you say? Tomorrow evening if my headache goes away I plan to listen to the class I missed tonight and start adding some. I think a pretty pinky red would be a nice touch. Hmmm....or maybe a bright yellow. Decisions, decisions...

Sketchbook Sunday

I've been watching this little group of people for a while now but this is my first time to participate.

It's called Sunday Sketches. There are no rules only that you get out your sketchbook and draw something.

This is my contribution. It's not finished yet (obviously) but it's going to eventually be a rose.

I should have time to watch my last class again and finish up this sketch. It is pouring outside today and from looking at the radar my husband showed me it won't be stopping anytime soon.

Of course, that also makes for a great snuggle under blankets on the couch movie day...