Hello Fellow artists.  This is the result of an evening with friends at an  art journaling class I'm taking.

The photo doesn't really do it justice but the message is pretty clear.  The words under the picture are from Maya Angelou and read "I long, as does every human being, to be at home where ever I find myself".  And under the face there are words that say "She saw every ending as a new beginning."

The spread comes from a recent burst of the shell I have been harboring in the past  couple of years.  I am in the midst of a growth spurt both emotionally and artistically.  At the present time I cannot seem to find enough time to do everything I wish to do.  I'm sure you have all been there or are there now.  It is such a good feeling and I am hoping to be able to keep moving and growing and relating to others through this period of time.  It is bringing me more joy than I have had since the death of my companion.  Almost as if he is pushing me beyond what was into a new world.  And I am loving it.

I hope you all have a wonderful joyful weekend and thanks for stopping by.  I am very grateful to those who I call friends as they are motivators to explore our inner worlds.

Today was a day of reflection for me as valentine's day is near and I don't have a valentine of the male gender.  Made me think of my Gary and how some days I miss him more than others.

I wanted to do a journal page and so I worked on this little spread in memory.  The little girl with angel wings I found in some book or magazine and it has been sitting in my cabinet for the last two years, near Gary's things.  I decided the journal page would make it a permanent part of my life and my art.

As of late I have been feeling so much at peace and with a lot of joy coming my way.  My days are filled with more humor, less stress and much happiness in being able to choose how to spend my days.  I would love to find a special man to share activities of some sort with, be it a ride on a sunny day, a visit to see an old friend (his or mine), or an art festival, auction, or so many other things.

I haven't found that one special person yet but I have interest in two men right now with no plans to meet socially yet.  Don't know if it will happen but if it doesn't, so be it.  I still feel happy, with or without.  Would prefer with, obviously.  Fun by one is twice as nice when shared.

Also, my downstairs is now completely sheetrocked.  A relief.  Tomorrow the tapers come to give me a price.  Pictures in future blogs as it's not much to see right now.

Hope all your days are filled with art, good friends, family and a life filled with joy.
Thank you too for visiting.

This post comes from an experience I had yesterday.  I was so high on endorphins and remained so all day and night.

Some of you know I have been searching for a friend (male) to share time with.  That's all, just time, and here is my story from yesterday...

Anyhow, I decided I was going to go to Wallmart to get the Kindle Fire. As I'm walking in the parking lot I'm thinking to myself "If I find "Prince Charming" in here I have really lowered my standards. (A friend suggested I do that last week and I said it wasn't going to happen. lol) Laughing at myself I went in and when I got in line for the Kindle a young (looks about 25-30) guy who looked like he should be in the movies came up behind me. I proceeded to tell him he may want to get in another line because I might be awhile he smiled and proceeded to flirt with me. (Don't GAG!!) He was so cute he made me blush and feel like I was 17 again. He eventually did go to another line but proceeded to get another man to admit he thought I was very pretty in front of other people. I told him He made my day which he did. I'm totally sure he was just practicing on me till he found the younger version of me, but nevertheless I left the store with my idea of "Prince Charming firmly imbedded in my mind and feeling full of joy. A pure example of how one person can make a difference.

Happy blogging friends.  Hope you are creating.

It has taken some effort on my part to give up all the obligations and work and just play in this journal that sits unattended for weeks at a time.  It felt good to go to our journal club and mingle with the ladies and one gent and work on it.  I did finish it at home which for me is something given the work I have to do here.

I find it difficult to do anything playful if I have a load of work sitting waiting for me.  I know that I am not alone, but feel that it's time I just "let it go" and play.  It is good for the soul I think as it certainly brings some joy into an otherwise ho hum day.  Thank you to my art friends who are always encouraging me to do more even though I always don't.  I am beginning to realize just how important they are to me even though I always felt they were special in so many ways.  I am truly grateful to them for so many reasons.

I hope this is the motivation to keep on going and play a little more. 

Hope you are all experiencing an artful day and thanks for visiting.

I've been busy in my apartment.  It's about time, as I've put it off during the holidays and beyond and I need to get it done so I can live here in the spring and enjoy the deck off the back of the house and my yard.

The top picture is of my living room.  I have finally started to tape the sheetrock and it is looking and coming out better than I expected. 

The second picture, also my living room shows the gas heater keeping it toasty warm to work in.  Behind that heater I plan to put in a small stone mosaic tile in a very light beige and white stone mix.  I will probably need to find someone else to install it as I cannot figure out the edges.  They are indented and extended and not a straight line.  It's on a mesh which would make it difficult if not impossible to cut with a tile saw.  Perhaps it has to be installed on the wall and then cut after, I don't know and I've set a lot of tile in the past. 

Next is my small bath.  The tub is from the original house and I saved it as it has no rust stains in it.  I had all new plumbing and faucets though and when it is done again I will show pics with my Kohler sink etc.  I haven't decided what tile to put on the floor yet, but that's a ways away anyway.

Then there is my bedroom in the dark red.  That's what it was, but I think I will change the color and go with something light airy and breezy with soft colors to soothe this overtired body of mine.  There is another full bath (shower, no tub)  off this room which I haven't  only dreamed of getting to.  It's not sheetrocked yet, just insulated.

So there is where my free time is going.  As for art, I have actually done a little at a journal club run by my friends Marilyn Rock and Melanie Phillips.  When I finish the spread I will post pictures of that too. 

It's good to be back at the blog.  I miss being involved in the art right now, but this house has to take precident as it is income property for me and I am struggling to keep afloat like everyone else in this economy. 

Wishing  you all artfilled days ahead.

Peggy