Pastel Panda

Hello all, it's that time of year again...well actually, it's way past that time of year, as I've been busy getting ready for six summer art camps, the first of which starts one week from tomorrow, and this little pastel panda is my first completed project...yes, I did say first. I've had so many ideas swirling around my foggy head that it's been difficult to pick one and just go for it (creative procrastination strikes again). I finally, and very happily, chose to start with this little guy...he was so fun to make and I think the kids are going to have a blast creating their own pastel panda. He's drawn on black paper, then outlined in glue, then colored in with pastels...we'll see how that 'glue' part goes, some of the panda's might end up with cheetah spots...which would be kind of fun.

The panda is for the 'Around the World' camp...we're visiting China (hence the panda), Germany (cuckoo clock, that's next), and then either London or Africa...see, I'm still a bit muddled, maybe we'll just do both...can't decide. Well, off to Germany and the Black Forest to make the clock now and hopefully, I'll be running into some bears there too...German bears in 'lederhosen' of course!

Happy Daddy's Day!

A very Happy Father's Day from this little 'monkey' to her Daddy!!

This picture was taken on my first birthday...I'm wearing a little German dirndl dress (thanks to Gitzi, loved those)...and the cute Tiffany Blue chair was a gift, wish I knew from whom, have to find that out!

 

Wishing all Dad's a wonderful Father's Day...and to all those who don't have their Dad's with them any longer, a day full of loving, warm, and happy memories!

♥

 

(image: personal...taken from an itsy-bitsy, teenie-tiny photo, hence the lovely blur effect)

With Heartfelt Gratitude

 This Memorial Day, we honor the countless unknown heroes...

 those known only to God...

 And the staggering many who were, and are known...who rest in peace after giving their most precious gift.

And we also honor their beloved and courageous partners, who bravely watched over them physically and emotionally, never leaving their sides...always ready to serve.

Today we salute you, and remember all that you have done for us, and for our freedoms...and we thank you for the magnificent blessings we are able to enjoy, that no other nation has EVER been able to enjoy...because they didn't have you.

And today, we also thank your precious loved ones, who sacrificed all as well...our hearts remember you, and grieve with you...and pray for you. We are humbled by your courage and strength....may God bless you, and the memories of *your* loved ones...forever. ♥

 

(images:1,2,3-google, the rest here)

Through Gitzi's Eyes

When my mom Gitzi visited last month, her dream was to once again visit the tulip fields of Skagit Valley during the Tulip Festival, which she had done on a previous visit years ago, and to be honest, it was a dream of mine as well.

Well being that visiting the tulip fields is truly an all day event, and being that we never actually had an 'all day' situation that allowed for it, we instead opted for visiting the myriad of amazingly beautiful local flower markets and nurseries that were all within half an hour's drive of my house...and we loved it!

All of these images are from our flower jaunts...and all are seen through the very talented and gifted shutter happy lens of Gitzi's eye.

When I was a baby, my mom was in photography school...and she has been taking gorgeous and interesting pictures ever since. I'm so thankful for the awareness and appreciation of surrounding beauty that she's instilled in me over the years, whether in nature or indoors. I can't imagine life without that awareness, it's been such a gift.

Our most very special, and final flower jaunt, was to Pike Place Market...and look what they had bushels of...Field Tulips! from the very fields we had wanted to visit!!!

Need I say, we were in tulip heaven...

Tulips - Tulips everywhere...

Rows and rows...

Bucketfuls of tulips...

Striped tulips...

Pointy tipped tulips...

 

Voluminously stunning double tulips...

And even some lovely double daffodils thrown in for some sweet variety.

 My mom was absolutely thrilled with it all, and so was I...we couldn't have asked for a more special day, and to me, it was our Mother's Day, since we won't be able to spend the official one together.

Here's wishing everyone of you a very special and Happy Mother's Day, filled with lovely times of memories being made, or lovely memories of special times past...may the warmth and love of this day shine in those memories and bless your hearts...as ours have been. ♥

 

Spring Has Sprung

We have been having one of the most beautiful springs ever...warm & gorgeous! The timing couldn't have been more perfect since over the past two weeks we had a very special guest here at 24C...my mom, Gitzi. She's from California and hates cold weather with a passion...

Luckily, for those few, slightly chilly days...she had her faux leopard to keep her warm.

The Northwest couldn't have been more amazingly beautiful while my mom was here...she put on her finest and it was spectacular...I'm forever grateful!

Happy Easter - Happy Day

"Where man sees withered leaves, God sees sweet flowers growing."

Albert Laighton~

 

New life...the essence of Easter and Spring...and of God's love for us.

 

Blessings to all...wishing you a truly Happy Easter!!!

 

♥

Return Of The Swans...And Ginger

(Miss. E. - 12 yrs. old)

Several of our sweet Valentine's Day Swans came swimming back to class this past week.

 

(Miss. M. - 8 yrs. old)

The students were thrilled to have their pictures taken with them, they were so proud of how they turned out...

(Miss. A. - 10 yrs. old)

And these two actually asked if I could put their swans up in the hall for all the world to see...

 

(Mr. N. - 6yrs. old)

So I did.

 

The swans enjoyed being able to share the spotlight with the sleeping kitties we had just created.

 

 

 Miss. M's kitty in progress...

 

Miss. C's kitty...

 

Miss. A's Kitty...love the grape Popsicle trees!

Another very special return we had this past week was the return of our dear little Ginger...we actually thought we were going to lose her this past weekend. She hadn't been feeling too well these last few weeks and this weekend, she became extremely ill and it seems had a massive seizure of some sort.

But I'm very happy to report that she's doing (amazingly) so much better now. The emergency care and her regular vet took such wonderful care of her and she seems to be somewhat back to her old self again. We're all actually a mess, but she's acting as if nothing ever happened, which I'm thankful for...the miracle of the canine spirit never ceases to amaze me. Hopefully, when all her fancy meds wear off, she'll still be doing just as well.

I know our time together is short now (she's 16), and that every second we get to spend with her is more precious than the one before it. As long as she can stay happy and comfortable, we're going to enjoy every single one of those seconds, even more so than before...it was quite a wake up call. 

Thankfully, while all the hoopla with Miss. Ginger was going on...our class was spending time at the Circus!...which was a fabulously fun diversion and distraction, as of course, rainbow circus lions always are.

(Miss. J. - 8yrs. old)

Next week...Leprechaun's, rainbow's, four leaf clover's and gold...better find my green eye shadow!

♥

Sweet Booty Treasures

 One of the most fantastic finds in the treasure trove of family memorabilia that was given to me were these baby booties that belonged to my dad and my aunt...such a thrilling discovery!

 My aunt told me that it was my grandfather liked to bronze the booties, and I've actually seen them displayed in one of photos I've come across, I just have no idea where that photo is at the moment because the photo foraging has gotten quite crazy...in an organized fashion of course, but crazy none the less, so I decided to take a break from it all and focus on the booties, which are now displayed proudly in my dining room...for now.

As the whirlwind of organization continues, I can at least take a look at these booties, in there clear setting, and breath a sigh of simple accomplishment before I continue on...they make me smile.

 

On a side note...another discovery I've finally succumed to is Pinterest. I had been pinned before but had resisted pinning myself, but I must say, it's been a fun way to relax and a great way to enjoy some fresh inspiration....droves of it! Please pop on over and say hey if you're a pinner (even if you're not), it would be fun to connect. ♥

The Look Of Love

 Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! This is the picture we did in class this week...it reminds me a bit of Alice in Wonderland with all the heart flowers, but the Queen of Hearts that rules this lake is a nice Queen...a lovely Queen...that's what we decided in class, no chopping off of heads in this land of hearts.

I had hoped to take a few pictures of the students with masterpieces, they did such a beautiful job, but it was an absolute mad dash towards the end of class trying to finish pictures before parents came (they wanted to give them as gifts), that not a single photo was taken...I was so disheartened when I realized this (pun intended). I think I might call a few to see if they can bring them in for a few snaps...hopefully, whomever they gave them to will be willing to part with them for a day.

My swans started to turn into ducks as I was teaching, not as graceful as the originals, but kind of cute I think. The 'look of love' survived though...and I hope that each of you receive such a look on this day that celebrates love, whether it be from a significant other, a parent, a child...or a beloved pet (they seem to give those looks everyday)...just a look that lets you know how special you are...and right at this very moment, I'm sending such a look to you...and it's very mushy! 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! ♥