for the love of art

all of today's pictures are courtesy of Creative Kismet

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be artistically talented? If you're like me you have. Oh sure, I can doodle a stick person here and scratch out a semi-recognizable animal there, but to really have that vision, that finished piece of art already mapped out in my head and then to also have the talent to get from blank canvas to completed work of art...uh, no.

I don't have that. Is it something you're born with? Maybe you can be born with incredible talent and it just lies dormant in your brain until by some miracle it's awakened.

Maybe it's something that can be learned, or trained into your creative brain. I don't know. What I do know is that Regina of Creative Kismet is crazy talented. And super nice, by the way. We've emailed back and forth a few times and she has been nothing but sweet and generous. My girls actually think I'm famous now because she's my blogland friend...and after all she was on TV with Martha Stewart. So by default, that makes me famous...right? Anyway, I have loved her artwork since I found her blog a couple of years ago.

I'd love to have her art all over my house. Her mixed media art, her color palette, her style. I love it all. Here are a few of my favorite pieces that she has for sale in her shop.

Now, if you want to see something that I found completely fascinating and inspiring you've got to check this out.

I am Home from Regina Lord on Vimeo.

It's a video that Regina made called "I Am Home"...starting with a blank canvas and ending up with a wonderful work of art so we can see what she does and how she does it. It's like peeking in the window of her studio and catching a glimpse of how she navigates through the creative process. One of my favorite parts is how you can see that she changes her mind several times throughout the process so that it comes out just right.

A couple of weeks ago I was blessed enough to win a giveaway of one of her prints from Jennifer on the blog JCasa Handmade. I got to choose a print and this is what I chose.

I'm so excited! It should be here any day now. If you love this print, you can enter for a chance to win one too by going on over to Regina's blog Creative Kismet. Just leave her a comment and you'll be entered to win. And if you want...and I know you will...check out her shop and see everything else she has created. You won't regret it. Your wallet might, but not you.Hmmm, makes me want to pick up a canvas and give it a whirl. How about you? xoANG

you capture::fall

I've only got a couple of minutes today between homeschool and after-school tutoring, but I knew this week's theme was fall and I couldn't not share. Just the other day I took some pictures of the maple tree in our front yard. It's gorgeous. The bright yellows and oranges against the clear, bright, blue sky of autumn was breathtaking.

Then as my girls and I played in the woods behind our house, woods where most of the leaves have fallen and left a crunchy path for us to travel, I looked up to see the most beautiful maple tree. The leaves so red they were screaming to be noticed in the cozy browns and greys of season.

It's amazing what you can notice if you just stop for a moment and look up. xoANG

See more pictures at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

fall traditions

The weather is changing. The maple trees are fringed with red. The evening sun shines through the window and casts a golden glow throughout the house. That's when we know it's time for some of our fall traditions.

The first one is like stepping back in time. A day where we get to experience and learn about life long ago. It's always a great reminder of how blessed we are to have so many conveniences.

There were people making candles and butter. There were men and women dressed in period clothing. Layers and layers of clothing. One man showed us a very cool compass-sundial. I'd never seen anything like it. He let me try it out...and it was very accurate. Now I want to make a sun dial. You know, one in the yard made of pretty stones with flowers growing all around it. Hmmm, maybe in the spring.

The next fun thing we always enjoy is a trip to the pumpkin patch. We pass by the pumpkin patch several times before we actually make the trip which inevitably brings about the question...when are we going to the pumpkin patch? Every year we meet our friends there, my mom comes and brings my cousin so he can play with the girls, and we all have a great time. It's always really fun. There's nothing more fun than getting covered in hay, ruining a couple of pairs of socks, playing in the teepee, sliding down slides, jumping in castles, and painting cute little pumpkins while enjoying the company of friends and family.

Before I knew it, it was Halloween. The day before Halloween we went to Grandma and Pop's church for a hay ride and some serious trunk or treat fun which led to more candy then will ever be necessary. Then on Monday we met our friends at the library for the annual costume parade. All of the librarians were dressed up this year and all of the kids were adorable. I saw more of the parents dressed up this year, too. Right after the costume parade we went to the mall to show off the costumes where it was warm.

Some of the mall employees oohed and aahed over our group of kids. There were also a few elderly women who thought the kids were adorable, too. I mean seriously, look at them. How can you not think they're adorable? October was a very busy month and it flew by in a flash. I can hardly believe that it's November already. There are special birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas gift making, and so much more on the horizon for this month. Hold on to your hats this is going to be a fast one, too. xoANG