The Gift of Time

These days when time seems to be at a premium it is even more important to give the gift of it. Time that is. I don't mean humongous chunks of it. Little bits spread out all over the place is what I am thinking of. The tiny moment it takes to give a smile to a person who looks like they might not even have had human conversation for the whole day. The time it takes to notice that the dog tied up by the thrift store is eying your potato chip bag with those hungry eyes and for you to grab a handful and drop it in front of the pooch. The time it takes to listen to a complaining neighbor even though you've heard it a hundred times. I mean to really listen to her. With eye contact. And nods. The time it takes to teach the other neighbor how to make home made bread. From scratch. And so you decide to make stollen because that's what she was wanting to make in the first place. And you share a sip of the brandy used for the stollen, with her.

I'd been thinking of these things lately. Because I don't have a lot of money. And I wished that I could give everybody a box of chocolates and a long-stemmed rose this holiday season. So I give what I can...a bit of time, and something hand made by me. To them. With love.

I came across this post. An impossibly wonderful giveaway where in order to have a chance to win her you must write a bit on your blog about what is meaningful to you this holiday season. This is what is meaningful to me. The gift of time.

Here is a picture of Virginia and I'm praying that she will come to live with me. I love her so.


Hoping that today brings you all that you hope for, *smiles* Norma

Giveaway for you!

Well I did complete the altered coaster Seasonal ornament.


And this was so much fun to do. If I had more time I'd redo the writing as my 'hand' is rusty. But I gave it a generous Tim Holtz treatment and wiped it back with sandpaper and gouged it with a knife to age it so now it isn't so strikingly imperfect.

Just leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name on Sunday December 11th in the evening.

Now it is back to the bird making routine around here. See you soon! *smiles* Norma

Season's Greetings Giveaway

The other day while walking down the ally behind my studio I came upon this wooden butter mold laying on the ground by a dumpster. At least I think it is a butter mold. There's a handle on it and the whole thing is very smooth. So I took it home, scrubbed it clean, and...


Now it is a holder for my calligraphy pens and inks.


So it sits on my work table and of course inspired me to stop what I was doing immediately (bird making) and begin a piece with some sort of script writing (which I have not done for a very long time.) I decided to make an altered coaster ornament for the season festivities. I began by painting a wee angel.


And she will be the center of the coaster and I will finish this piece hopefully today to be given away so watch for the notice! *smiles* Norma

To see what other fabulous artists are up to drop by here!

Nice to see you again, and may this day be all that you hope.

Still life botanical sketch on tea bag paper

Sweet peas, lupin pods and a heart rock feature in this sketch. Done on used tea bag paper with india ink and watercolor pencils. This will be another giveaway so just leave a comment and I'll pick out a name on Sunday. I had so much fun doing the last one I decided to do more!! *smiles* to you all, Norma
P.S. This will be my post for What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday? Have a look at what other folk are doing. It's so interesting and varied and fun.

Sweet peas, Lupin pods and my first heart rock

On my way home from the thrift store I popped in to the community garden which I often do. I chose a few stems of sweet pea and a couple of lupin seed pods (they are so furry on the outside) and planned to do another botanical sketch on tea bag paper with these as the subject. As I walked through the garden I saw in front of me on the path as clear as a bell a heart shaped rock. My own heart stopped for a second. This is my very first find of a heart shaped rock and I've been looking for years! So the rock will be in the sketch as well. I am planning to do another giveaway if the sketch goes okay. *smiles* Norma

Giveaway of a botanical sketch on used tea bag paper

I've been itching and itching to do a sketch on tea bag paper. Specifically, a botanical sketch. I'm working on other projects right now but this has been pressing for some time now. So tonight as I walked home from the grocers I picked a small unopened bud of a cream color peony and then a few blocks later spotted some maple seeds hanging from the branch and ready to fall. The maple tree has a medium size dark burgundy color leaf and there is very very dark plum colors on the edges of the cream peony.
When I got home I put dinner on the stove which would take about 30 minutes to cook and so when the timer rang to tell me dinner was ready I stopped sketching and that is what I am giving away.
It is done with india ink and watercolor pencil. As it is done on used tea bag paper there are the normal holes and wear and tear of the paper. Usually I manage to tear another hole in the paper as I press too hard in a spot or two. This did happen with this sketch. And of course, there is the usual india ink blob. A solid dot that speaks for itself. So this is not fine art I am giving away here. It's a sketch. I am thinking it will be easy to mail out and you can use it in your art somewhere. Maybe part of a collage. Or maybe you can just spray it with adhesive and put it on a card. Anyway, just leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner on Sunday. Talk soon, *smiles* Norma

This post will be the Wednesday post for What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday. See the button on the sidebar and have a look at what people are doing!

Thanks for dropping in!

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

The One World One Heart event has been an enjoyable ride and thanks to Lisa for hosting it. I've chosen the 5 winners of a bird which I've been making while waiting for connections online (my computer is slower than molasses in January). So chosen out of the hat, the winners are:
1. Frog and Beef of "The Adventures of the Arrogant Frog and the Smug Beef";
2. Laura of "Sahara's Memories";
3. Lesley of "Harmony Road Studio";
4. Lemondrop Marie of "Lemondrop Vintage";
5. Jules Woolford of "Adventures in Thread."

I can't say enough how much I've enjoyed this ride Lisa!
Now that it's over I can take the time to visit more thoroughly, the creative minds I have met at this event. Have a great day everyone, *running and sprinkling fairy dust*, Norma
p.s. I'll be contacting the winners today.