Monday, December 20, 2010

My Daughter Rebekah's Blog

I have to be a brag-in mom...
to know me is to know...

I LOVE my children with
all my heart and soul.
NO one loves them more then
their mama, except for JESUS.
I believe God has called me to be
a wife to their daddy
and
To be THEIR mother.
I will thank God all the days
of my life for
Blessing me times 4...
Plus one good man.


Rebekah is a Creative Spirit...
Besides drawing and decorating
our Christmas Tree for the past
3 years 
(pictutes in previous post)

She Loves...
Drawing
Music
and taking pictures.
Her teachers tell me
she a good writer too!

Rebekah is starting a blog...
2 posts so far...

Photography by Rebekah




 This is one of my favorites...
She took it in 2008.
She is my flower child...
A free spirit...
Creative, And
a beautiful blessing.



 This one is a collage
she made of her and Rae.
Everyday her Sister
and on (most) days one of
her best friends.

This one she took for Thanksgiving.

Rebekah and Rachel
my favorite girls in the
whole wide world.
Stop bye and welcome her to
the world of blogging.
Good Luck Rebekah!
Take a picture, write, dream and
be true to yourself.

Another Stroke of the Brush...
A mothers advice...
Dearest Girls
Follow your dreams and see where
they take you.
Have Faith,
Love
and
Jesus in your heart...
Share,
Care and take a leap
of faith once in a while.
Steer clear of fear,
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real...
Be a blessing to others.
Believe in yourself.
Try to live your life with
no regrets.
Be forgiving,
Be a good listener and
a good friend.
I Love...Loving you!

May the true meaning of Christmas
Reveal to you
the Love of God...
With the perfect gift of
His Son. Jesus
 Many Blessings, Deborah



Sunday, December 12, 2010

Renewal, Painting and In life...



Renewal...
This is the original painting I
began in 2008...
I say began because I realized
the other day it wasn't
finished...
Titled,



"Scout and Cheyenne, Splash"

Another Stroke of the brush...




Renewed ....
I added some warm colors on the
backs of the horses and lightened the
fronts of the horses.  I also cropped the
original size to Matt it. I added more blue wash
over the hoofs in the background to
create a better feeling of distance.
Can you tell a difference?
Before I kinda felt the painting was a little
flat. I (think) I am happy with the renewed piece.

 Speaking of....
Renewal
This time of year reminds
me of new life.
We are reminded & many celebrate the birth of
Jesus and all that His birth meant
for us as Christians.
Hope
Renewal
Forgiveness
A precious Gift from
GOD.
What gift could top this???
All this hustle and bustle
shopping for the perfect gift.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed by
the materialism in my life.
I get caught up in the idea of
something new...
New Furniture
New Car
New jewelry...
I have more so much more than
I need, Really!
My Family,
My Friends,
 A Savior...

This morning I told my children
we weren't having Christmas...
Whooooa!
That did not go over so well, try this at you own
risk...
Here is what I heard...
"You can't do that,
That is not fair...
You can't just not buy us stuff."
That is what Christmas is all about!!!
Whoooa! (Me)
Mind you my children have been privileged
to attend  a christian school
until the 8th grade.
Sure, we have made many sacrifices to pay that bill!
But It was important to the cowboy and I.
My thinking at this moment...They know better than this...Right?
The answer is a resounding no!!!

They are normal children living in a material world.
They may not have as much as some,
but they have more than many.
So where did this feeling of entitlement come from?
Really, Can youTell Me!!!
I can only hope and pray that one day they
will realize how blessed they are.
With age and maturity comes wisdom, Right?
I am counting on this scripture,
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
I really wouldn't take Christmas
from my children...
But it did open up the opportunity
to have a great conversation with them.
Lets call it a little training session!
One Point for the Parents....

Many Blessings, Deborah





Sometime a piece of art isn't finished
even when you think it is....

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

OUR TREE BY REBEKAH J. RUBY This years theme is Santa himself

Each year for the past few,
My daughter Rebekah has designed our
Christmas tree...
She begins by sketching it out with
colored pencils.
Then it is may job to find new
ornaments to fit the theme...
We go to Goodwill and the Salvation
Army and use some ornament from
the previous year.
This Year Theme
Santa

Our tree at mornings first light...

Santa's workshop with lots of red bulbs...
and his reindeer.

HOHOHO
So many Santa's to choose from....
Presents...
Red & Green his signature colors...

Dear Santa ....
Glitter and lots of lights...

So this year Santa is hanging
around our tree and it looks
lovely...
I am always so proud and
amazed at her talent, she takes
time to place each ornament in the
perfect spot...
Perfectionism from the Cowboy (her daddy)!!!
(not from the mama)
but, I am happy to say she is a creative spirit just
like me.

And my personal favorite is...
Yep, that is Santa with a
palette.
Proving there is a artist
in each and everyone of
us....RIGHT.
And Santa is a perfect example
of using our gifts and talents to
be a blessing to others.
And giving all the glory to
Jesus....
I hope everyone is enjoying
this holiday season.
And may all your prayers and
wishes come true
this Christmas Season....
Many Blessings, Deborah

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

A Tutorial for Inexpensive Holiday Ornaments


Hey everyone are you getting into the Holiday Spirit?
We had a great time visiting all the
cowboys family in South East Missouri.
Of course
All I did was eat!!!
Yikes!!!

ANOTHER STROKE OF
 THE BRUSH...
Tutorial
Holiday Ornaments....
So simple and fun to make.

Joy to the World Bird Ornament
All you need...
 You probably have on hand in
your studio.


 Lets get started...
 Holiday craft paper or wrapping paper
Diamond Glaze
Scissors
Exacto Knife
Brush
Ribbon
Foam Core
Embellishments

Lets get started....
First trace the shape you want to make
onto the foam core, I used scrapes.
I used a wooden ornament from our tree
 to make my shape.


Cut the shape out with your exacto knife.

Trace the cut out
shape onto the decorative paper or
wrapping paper.
Glue the foam core to the paper
of your choice.

Cut the paper to match shape and
Leaving about a 1" edge around the shape.

Use your scissors to cut
about a 1/4" slits
all the way around the foam core shape.

Start gluing the slits to the back of the ornament.
Slitting the paper makes it lots easier to
do the round shape.
You may have to trim the paper a little
here and there to cover all the foam core.

It is all glue up and dry.
I like using the diamond glaze
because it drys so fast.

To finish the back I traced and cut the shape
with some construction paper and
hot glued it to get a finished look.
I added ribbon with the glue gun
and
I added some BLING 
& embellished letters.
&
BaMm OOO! 


 Then I came up with another idea.
I used scrap piece of denim and painted
 a cute little snowman on it. I finished off the back
with a round piece of denim sized to fit
and added a bright red bow.
I used acrylic paint with fabric medium
to paint my snowman.
I used all the same steps noted above
after my paint dried.
Easy...
Fast...
Fun...
Once I got these going...
 MORE
 ideas started reeling in my head.
 How about using...
decorative fabric...
 cookie cutters for the shape...
news paper and paint a design
on it.
You could embellish these to your hearts desire.
Foam core is inexpensive and if your
anything like me you have scraps
of everything lying around the studio,
decorative paper, fabric, newsprint, wrapping
paper or felt.
Make sure your exacto knife is sharp!
 I hope you"ll give it a try...
 If you do give it a go?
Use your imagination!
 I hope you'll share what you come up with...
Have a creative day!

Many Blessings,
Deborah
Jesus is the reason
for this season!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Art, Seeds and Petals Series and The Brave Girls Club, Go Now and Check them out!!!

Seeds and Red Petals


Art and Soul
Loves...
Creative souls...
Women Inspiring each other...
Growing in my Creativity
 and
Sharing...
My Creativity
My Faith...
My Experiences
 and
New Blog Finds....

Ad-soul-restoration1

I found a great blog a couple months ago and I wanted to
share it.
These Sisters are creative and inspiring...
They offer
mountain retreats and are getting ready to
 launch their  first online
 workshop, which will be 6 weeks long.


I myself would looooove to go to one
of their retreats in the Idaho Rocky Mountains...
the perfect setting for 5 days of life-changing fun!
It is officially on my bucket list!
Click on the link to check it out...
I know you will love them too!!!


Another Stroke of the Brush...
I have been busy getting my art into some
local shops for the holidays!
 
My family and I are getting ready to go and
visit family in Kansas City and Sikeston, MO
For the Holidays.
Praying for CLEAR weather!!!
Amen!
(not leaving the house if there is even a hint of band weather)
Here is Why?
2 years ago we attempted to go visit my cowboys/husbands
family in Sikeston, Mo. 2 hrs south of St. Louis.
We were about an hour and a half out of town
when we came upon some sleet on an overpass.
All at once the car in front of us hit their brakes
and in turn we had to hit ours. We had our Ford Excursion
filled to the brim with luggage and all 6 of us...Plus our little
white dog, a Westie. We proceeded to roll down an embankment
3 times, Yes 3 times. Our little dog was air born in our truck like Toto in the
Wizard of Oz. We were all shaken and a little banged up
but, NO one was seriously hurt...It Was A Miracle!
It all happened in slow motion....
 No.....
Really,  A real Miracle!!!
 Not only was our dog flying around
but there was also a ball hitch airborne. For those of you who don't know
what that is...It goes in the back of the truck under the bumper to
attach a trailer. Don't ask why my cowboy needed
to bring an extra one for this trip? But it was now located
on the dash board in the front of our truck.
These ball hitches must weigh at least 5 to 10lbs. I can not
believe it did not hit someone in the head.
MIRACLE!!!
Needless to say our truck was totaled and we had to call our friends to come and pick us
up and take us back home. All this happen the day before Thanksgiving, I did not
have any groceries to cook a Thanksgiving meal, we weren't supose to be home.
Another Miracle... Neighbors brought us all their left overs after their main meal....
We sure had a lot to be THANKFUL for that year...

Hence the prayer for good weather!!!
We have not been to see the cowboy's family
since the accident and it is a 9 1/2 hour trip.
Thankfully going south is a good thing because
the weather gets better the further south from Iowa we go.

The crisp colors of fall...
Here are some pictures I took
in one of the shops my art is currently in....
I though it would get me in the spirit of

of Giving Thanks!!!
I also thought I might do a still life???



What are you thankful for?

May you be thankful for family and
friends and share your many blessings
with others.
Deborah










 


Monday, November 1, 2010

Give Away on FB Art & Soul Gallery

Pretty in Pink Roses
Give Away!!!!
I am so happy to
reach 100 fans on
my face book fan
page...

I am having a Rosie give away!!!
3 Ways to win....
1st Become a fan, Leave a comment, or share Art & Souls link on
your Home Page....
Leave a comment for each way to win
on the fan page.

 
Here is what you can win!!!

Thanks for participating!!!
Have a beautiful day!
Many Blessings, Deborah


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

These Boots Were Made for Walking, My First Tutorial

                          And when I start too
walking, these boots will be like NeeeeeW!
First a pair of my boots...
And a some inspiration.
I'll let ya all in on a little
secret........                             
I have a western boot fetish...
I have, Black, Brown, Red, Aqua, Dark Purple,
 Just to name a few!
Some people collect trinkets, I
collect Western Boots.
No worries, I only buy boots when they are on sale!!!!
shshshshshshs!


 This Pair is a "little" worn out!
So I figured it is time for a make over.
Supplies:
Paint, Brushes, textile medium, a pair of boots and 
the rest is an open door for creativity. 


First a base coat... With Folk Art Paint and a Textile medium..


How about some Southwest style....
A Lizard, I made a pattern and traced it on
the boot  
with a Watercolor Pencil.
It is easy to erase the outlines from
a watercolor pencil.
I use them when I do Mural on Walls.

Draw a Cactus, I cut out, traced around edge  with
a watercolor pencil. 

It took about three coats of paint to cover the base coat 
of pink. 
The textile medium thins out the paint.
Make sure the paint and textile medim is well mixed.

3 Coats done, now time to dry and when it is dry,
it is time to add
 some detail...

A little Cactus Detail...

Some bright colors for the lizard detail...

Wah LA! a "like" New pair of boots.
I will need to do some rearch and figure out
what I can use
for a top coat and a protectant
Any suggestion are welcome!

I think I will wear them to the annual
Pony Express Dance!!!
I might even need a new outfit...

I Love your comments, let me know
what YOU think?

BE BLESSED WHERE EVER YOU ARE!!!
DEBORAH


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

New Art Dancing Sunflowers, Recycled Whimsy Blooms & Inspiration

New Art
From the Art & Soul Studio
Watercolor painting
on watercolor canvas...
Titled "Dancing Sunflowers"
Sunflowers are one of my favorite subjects
to paint. Not sure if it is quite done?
Have any of you used watercolor canvas?
What did you think of the experience?
Any Tips and Tricks out there?
Please!
New ... Painted on fabric
A light cotton scrape fabric painted with
acrylic with a textile medium added.
I use the stretcher bars
from a piece of  old shabby art I found
at good will for $1.19
I removed the old canvas
and then attach the fabric to the wood frame.
No fear the old art was a mass produce
piece from Target of somewhere.

Titled "Whimsy Blooms"
Size 8"x8"
I finished the 1" sides of this piece with old jeans I
cut a strip from.

I am liking the idea of recycling old mass produce
art into something new and original.

Another Stroke of the Brush...
MAKE TIME TO NURISH YOUR SPIRIT...
YOUR SPIRIT NOURISHES YOUR ART.

If you ever experience a creative block...
Try something new,
Believe in yourself...
Believe in your art...
Seek inspiration from,
God, Nature, Other Artist
and in the simple things in life....

"Be Faithful in the small things, because
it is in them you will find your strength."
Mother Teresa

Enjoy the spirit of creativity!

Many Blessings, Deborah


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