Time for Love

Time for Love by Annie Froese featuring hair flower accessories

December 15th, 10 days to Christmas....

GREETINGS everyone! What a day! After temperatures of -32C, a Chinook wind has blessed us with +1C this afternoon. I swear I can hear all outdoor creatures sighing a breath of relief! In the meantime, I am continuing with my Christmas card writing, and buying the odd gift. I haven't been able to use my car (I'm afraid it's seen better days and will be "retired" soon.) A social week is coming up, starting Thursday. I am excited to be going to see John Wort Hannam, and two other musicians, perform here at Carlson's on Macleod. Twilight is playing in town, and despite some people's dislike of this movie, I may just go because I feel like seeing a movie! I am hoping to also catch up on homework for some courses I am involved with. One that has finished that I took on-line (loved it. Misty Mawn is an awesome teacher!) The other is a course with Sharon Williams. Sadly the weather has kept me, and half the class, away from attending the last two sessions! We will return to class again in January. And now, I am off to the local coffee shop to meet a friend. Merry Christmas dear readers, .... and let me know what you are up to! Cheers, Annie

A Creative Wellspring Has Burst!

Wow! Three letters that don't really express how incredible I feel right now! I began an on-line course with Misty Mawn on Saturday, November 14, 2009 (Painting Layers) and let's just say, ..... something finally clicked!

I have been playing with mixed media for about 6 years now, but things just didn't fall into place in a manner that I was satisfied with. Suddenly, something has broken through, and thanks to Misty's "teaching style", and timing, I suppose, I am beginning to feel so much more comfortable with this "layer" work. I have been doing variations of layering with my watercolours, but the transparency does not yield the same results as acrylic.

Misty has also introduced us to so many other things. Polyvore, for example. I just uploaded one of the collages that she suggested we might try to play with. It is a good exercise in design. She, of course, is a design pro! Did I say she was amazing?

If you google her, Misty Mawn, you will find all sorts of amazing links about her.

OK, it's 1:38 am. Since the weekend course began, I've been getting to bed at 2:00 and 3:00 AM!!!!

Gotta go! Get CREATING EVERYONE!

It's Fall!!! A Time to invest in the great indoors....

Here it is, November 2nd, 2009. I cannot believe all of the exciting things I have lined up for this month! I am teaching a one-day course in Edmonton, for the Edmonton Calligraphy Guild on "Beautiful Backgrounds". And for my birthday, I registered for Misty Mawn's first on-line course - "Painted Layers"!!! I am soooooo excited! It starts on November 13th and goes for a month. I love her work so very much. Her blog, which I have followed for some years, inspires me. I feel like she's a kindred creative spirit. You can check out her blog at: http://www.mistymawn.typepad.com/

Well, I just wanted to see if anyone is still out there! (Sam,..... can you reach me?)

Wishing you all a lovely day tomorrow.

Hugs,

Annie

PS. Here's a favourite quote - Native american saying

"We have not inherited the earth from our fathers, we are borrowing it from our children."

Walk softly .....

June - Summer Days

The days are so lovely and long that I find myself getting up early (4:44 am this morning, in fact.)

I have a few new things that came into the studio in the last week and I thought I would show them off!

Euan Hanchard of Serrano Studios has brought in a new cutting board, using purple heart, bloodwood and maple.  It is a great item for food presentation, let alone using it as a cheese board or cutting board.  The retail price for this item is $150.00.

Euan also created a wall treasure box, using the praire rose as inspiration.  This piece is called "Rose".

I also have been indulging in painting the flowers that are blooming so beautifully in my garden.  I'll post some of those images in my next blog!

Hope summer is everything you hoped it would be!

Annie

June..... The lilacs are out and the garden is in full springtime bloom....

I absolutely love this time of year in Alberta.  The perennial garden is in full bloom right now, the birds are singing and I just want to be up 24 hours a day and miss nothing!

Spring madness.  Life is sometimes like that.  You just want to do it all, take it all in, and before you know it you are extended beyond reason.  You miss out on sleep, don't necessarily eat well, start getting cranky, (and the worst for me is fuzzy-brained!!!!) and start not seeing the beauty and the balance in nature.

And so today, try to be balanced.  Remember to choose wisely what you dedicate your time and your life to.  We can't do it all, see it all, be it all, try as we might!

Wishing you serenity amidst the chaos of your beautiful life!

Hugs,

Annie