Can You Hear Crickets...

Hi All,

Is January over yet? This really hasn't been my favorite month.

Between sickness, death, dreary days, and just all round "blah" I am ready to be moving on.

Spring is calling :)

There will be a freebie listed tomorrow. I had some ready to be worked up, and then forgot about them in all the chaos. They are still just sitting on my computer. Waiting to be finished. They were snow related. Hopefully I get to them before it's spring and I am drawing flowers :)

I did take some time to draw and color this past week. This picture was in my favorites over on Deviant Art. I really wanted to color something, so I drew it out on some 14 x 17 bristol paper and then colored it with Copic markers.

Today I matted it and now one of my art students will build it a frame. I am giving him the original :) I will probably get another photo of it or a scan and then make some prints for my nieces and anyone else who wants one.

I also started another drawing of some animals swimming in a pond. My niece requested it last spring and I am finally getting to it.

Here's to the end of January!!

Always,

Rhoda

You Can Do It...my version

I read this post, by Beth, a while back: You Can Do It...

And I started my own list. Then it just sat on my desktop. Up in the corner. Staring at me.

The idea was that I would add to it as my "Rhoda-isms" struck me.

Well. They have been really quiet lately.

Here's what I have:

• Do something nice, just because you can, not because you should. "The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway."
• If it is worth doing, it is worth doing to the best of your ability. 
• Besides "always kissing me goodnight" please be sure to continue touching when you roll over to fall asleep.
• Cherish the little things, they add up to be the big things.
• An instant can change your life.
• Don't strive for perfection. Strive to be the best "you" possible!
• You can't always get what you want, and that's probably for the best.
• Spend time doing what you enjoy. Not because you think you should, but because you truly want to.
• Create beautiful things, because you can.
• Breathe, and know, that this too shall pass.

There are many more, I'm sure. But they are the type of deep thoughts that strike while I am driving. My "ah-ha" moment...and then it's gone when I park the car. No chance to write it down or make note of it.

Happy Sunday!

Rhoda

Something to Snuggle

So I just had to pop in and show you the most fantastic pillow!

Leanna at Twirlocity made this pillow and a few others using some of the graphics from my store. Super fun! You can find them in her shop "here" if you would like more details.

She has other fun pillows listed as well :)

Rhoda

Making the Legs Shake

Sunday's are probably my favorite day at the gym.

Why?

Because no one else goes! It's like having my very own HUGE gym. No waiting for equipment. No "they're watching" insecurities. Just plug in the head phones and kick some butt!

This one had me in a puddle on the floor by the time I was done:

It was a Kettlebell workout that you did each exercise to failure. My legs were all wobbly on my cool down walk. I'll be feeling that one :)

Happy Monday!

Rhoda

How Do You Dress?

Just a quick photo post.

This is how he dresses to have a rubber band war:

#personalstyle #that'smyboy #really?ducklips

:)
Rhoda

Fun Friday Night

Our Friday night date nights just became a little more interesting.

Actually, they aren't really "date nights" any more. They are now "family fun nights".

A couple of weeks ago we took Chris' bike in to the shop to get it ready for summer. When we stopped to pick it up, there was a new bike outside. A new "used" bike.

We have been to a lot of bike shops together. We have looked at A LOT of bikes.

They all looked like bikes to me. Except this one. This one spoke to me. And it told me that it really, really, REALLY wanted to come home with me.

I listened.

That means that Kyla gets my blue Yamaha. And that Hayden didn't have a bike.

His question: "Does that mean I just have to chase after everyone on my pedal bike?" :(

Well, we couldn't have that. So I took all my hidden money and bought him a bike too. Now, we can all go out and play!!

And we will. Lots and lots of playing!!

Bring on Summer!! :)

Rhoda

A Pile of Stickers

It was another one of those "I wonder if it will work moments".
Can I cut out the silhouette of my clip art from sticker paper, then print the image onto it?

Well...yes I can:

They make me smile when I see them :) and I need to decide which other clip art to play with next! These will be perfect for journals, cards, smash books and more.

Have a great weekend...
Rhoda

Resolve To Not Resolve...

It's almost here.

The end of 2012 and the start of 2013.

I've never been that great at the "resolution" thing. I either forget that I made one by April, or it just doesn't work.
Things work out for me better if I have the drive and motivation to do them, and then I just do them. No point waiting for a certain time or a perfect day. If I want to do it, I set the plan in motion and I do it.

A few things that I have done recently:

• Had my daughter hide the scale. That number does not own me...and I'm sick of letting it have a say on my day and mood.
• Stepped outside of my comfort zone and followed my husband to the gym. I've always been a "workout DVD" girl. Not now. I go to the gym with my plan, and I do it. All by myself.
• Started being creative for me. Not because I can sell it. I make it because I want to and because I can. I still have ideas for what might be good to put in my shop, but I only make it if I really want to :)

There will be other stepping stones and "aha" moments as I go through the next year, but really, it's just one day leading into the next. One lesson building on the last. One stone of wisdom added to the pile :)

Happy New Year!

Rhoda

A Corner of Fun...

Hey!

Just wanted to pop in to show you some fun creations:

These little cuties were made with my Monster Bookmark Corners. She created them out of fabric and then embroidered the edges and details.

Absolutely love these creatures, and they will last so much longer than paper. All the more time to chew on the corner of your book!!

You can find them here: KCDezines

They are available in the 6 pack, or you can buy them individually :)

Enjoy!

Rhoda

Adventure Time...

It's almost that time again. And I am so excited!

Sister Trip!!

We have at least 2 Hot Springs on our list. Shopping in Missoula. Barnes and Noble. And then whatever we can find to entertain ourselves stuffed into the spare moments.

There was some time to doodle this week and I am still working on breaking my Halloween mood. Maybe once I color these and make a few things with them it will be quenched.

You can find all of these new digital stamps in my shop. I've sectioned out the "NEW" ones. It makes it loads easier to navigate :)

I'll post pictures of my sister trip when I return. Have a great weekend!

Rhoda

Octoberfest...

This weekend we whooped it up Diva style :)

There were so many events it was hard to choose which ones we wanted to do. We spent Friday and Saturday just go-go-going.

Friday night it was dinner out with the girls, then an 80's Flashmob to support Breast Cancer Awareness. We were going to do some Zumba in the Club, but we were all so tired and had a major day to look forward to on Saturday.

It was cold, but so much fun. We went all pink and 80's and then danced to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar. I forgot how many choices there were for 80's style clothes. I could have used three or four more days so I could get through all the ones I wanted. 

Saturday morning we woke up and drove into Missoula for the annual "Diva Day" which is a 5K race that only women participate in, with costumes. FUN!!

We were part of the Bitterroot Justice League and went as the "Fantastic Four". After our walk/race we had breakfast, did some shopping at Costco, lounged at Barnes and Noble, and then drove home.

Phew! It was a whirl wind two days and we had no problem just being bums on Sunday. A good book and a comfy spot. 

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend :)

Rhoda

Let's Just Run Away...

It's times like this that I wish we didn't live in such a secluded area.

For us to go somewhere completely different takes a few hours. It's always a drive to go someplace else...even to other little towns.

Right now we are smothered in smoke from the wild fires. Smothered so much that at 4:00 in the afternoon it looks like 8 at night.

Can't breath.

Can't think.

Don't feel like being productive.

I just want to run away...but where do we go?

I'm craving fresh air. Green trees. Water. Anything but this. One month has been too long. It's time for winter!!

My Last Assignment...

I finished my figure drawing earlier this week (still have one more quiz, but no more major drawing sessions...phew!).

Today, I finished the last of the inking on my comic. All submitted. All done with that class :) I plan on playing this weekend.

I promised I would share:

It was intense. Time consuming. But I'm pretty happy with it :) It is based on true events...our cat is fat. Super fat. And he has managed to get himself stuck in the washer a few times. We have all learned to leave the lid down when we are done with the wash (even though it is super funny when he gets stuck in there and all you hear is a faint "meow").

Don't forget to post a comment and share a link on Facebook about the giveaway for a chance to win. Saturday is the day!!

Rhoda

My Studio...In Progress

The hard parts are done!

Flooring is in. Trim is finished (and repainted...because "someone" doesn't know how to fill holes).

My new/old desk is in. I bought an old University of Montana study carousel from an Antique Mall in Missoula. Now I am in search of a table to go next to it. Something like a butcher table.

I need a love seat hide-a-bed for this corner. It will either be where guests sleep (my sis has called dibs), or Chris and I will sleep out here and give the parents our bed and bath. 

There was an old mirror floating around in storage. Kyla repainted it for me and then we scuffed it up with sandpaper. It's the last color I will be adding to the room...I swear :)

I thought about repainting my window trim in the blue, but I think I have grown to like the lighter green  on there. At first it made me think of those glow plugs that they use for sights on a shotgun. It's toned down since, or my eyes have adjusted.

This is the building from the outside. It's an "L" shape. Hubby's part is the long side, and mine is the part that makes it an "L". It's only 10x12 so if I'm not careful, it could get really crowded.

I'm tempted to paint the door red, but I can't decide. I'd have to get it in an exterior paint...and then I figure if I am getting another can of paint, maybe it should be a different color. That green or the blue would be good. Sheesh! So many decisions :)

What do you think?

Rhoda

Drawing, Drawing, Drawing...

Is it hot yet?

We are hitting the 90's here. The air is full of smoke. There is a fire somewhere up the valley, and maybe over the border in Idaho. Summer is in full swing.

I've been MIA. Traveling. Playing. Working. Drawing.

I am taking two online classes that are super intense. Usually, I end up sitting on my bum for two straight days just drawing. Trying to get it all done so that I can go back to playing.

We've put well over 800 miles on the car in the last 3 weeks.
Gone swimming.
Watched the Independence Day parade.
Fireworks set to music from each of the wars in the past 150 years.
Shopped the sidewalk sales.
Played in the river.
Eaten Hospice ice cream cones.
Been eaten by mosquitos.
Visited with family.
It's been AWESOME :)

My plan is to post some of my drawings when they are in am more finalized version. Or maybe a series from beginning to end. Depends on how they turn out. One class is comic drawing, the other is figure drawing. My brain is frying!

I did manage to make a new listing for the shop:

And I'm hoping to add a few more :)

Might even be something new to make from all of my scribbles, scratches, and attempted drawings in the past 3 weeks!

Happy July,

Rhoda

Soundtrack of My Life...

Do you ever feel that when you are plugged into your iPod/iPhone that it is the sound track to your life?

Think about it.

You are wandering around the grocery store, and you have your own theme music. Or while you are making dinner or doing the laundry. It doesn't always set the stage for the next scene, but it still colors it :)

Sometimes, my sound track is on repeat. I could listen to the same songs over and over and over. And I do. Probably drives everyone crazy. Makes me happy! Currently it is Adele, Pink, Nickelback (Pink and Nickelback are always in the list), the new Goyote, Fun, and Stevie Nicks.

And then, I start to take out a song here and there. Add in a new one. And before I know it, my sound track has changed. I'm almost ready for a few new ones.

I've been meaning to make this stamp for a while now. Finally finished it and got it listed in my shop.

Then I colored a few of the cassettes for fun. It's nice to seem them all finished and bright and cheery.

What are the songs that make up your sound track? Do you have favorites that you can always hear, or do like constant change and variety?

Happy Listening!

Rhoda

Sweet Eye Candy

Happy Friday!

There is a ton of sugar floating around school this week. Thank you St. Valentine.

To save our teeth (and blood sugar levels)...I made a visual treat...with my most recent favorites on Etsy.



It's a beautiful visual treat, that you can savor as long as you wish :)

 Enjoy!

 Rhoda

Still Fuzzy

It's getting better, that fuzzy, underwater feeling in my head. But not much. I was thinking I had kicked it by Tuesday, but it feels like Velcro. Still stuck to me!!

Tuesday night I managed some Yoga. All on my own. No video. Just memory and a magazine article for prompting. That felt good!!

Last night I walked 3 miles. Tomorrow I am walking a 5K, in the dark. Should be fun. I'm looking forward to the walk and then some time with my sister :)

Also, if you enjoyed the snowman treat from the last post, you are sure to love what Patty has done with it. She is offering a variation of him with word art on her blog. Be sure and stop by and see it :)

Looking forward to Friday!

Rhoda

No Shopping Crowds...

Happy Saturday!

Did any of you brave the crowds and shop yesterday? Not me!

Big crowds, long lines, and masses of people in the aisles are not my thing. My sisters always laugh at me because I will skip the Post Office when there are more than 5 cars in the parking lot. "It's just to busy", I say.
They think I'm crazy.
I think its just what you get used to when you live in a small town.
I'm not big town adjusted :)

The kids and I spent a wonderfully lazy day at home instead. There is a huge fort in the middle of my living room, that even includes the kitchen chairs. There is one chair left at the table, the one I'm sitting in ;)
They have "Polly World" in full swing, and I am scared to go downstairs to see what types of messes happened while they were playing school until almost midnight last night. Oh well, we'll clean it up later. They are happy, and that makes me happy!

My plans today:

• workout at some point...might not happen till closer to evening.
• draw in my sketchbook (time for new items on Etsy).
• read a book...I finished one yesterday, but there is always another in the "To Read" pile :)

I listed some new owls this week:

Great fall colors that are a visual treat now that our world has been turned white here in Montana.

Have a great weekend!

Rhoda

Sweet Saturday

Ahhh. Saturday!

I was so ready for this day, it was a super long week. And so far, today is blissful :)

Yoga this morning at 9:00.
Coffee and breakfast with my kids.
Hubby is gone hunting. Kids went to play with friends.
I am home ALONE!
Hot shower.
My favorite jeans.
More coffee!
And later, a girls afternoon out to go see the latest Twilight movie.

Couldn't get better (unless I could repeat it a few more time *wink*).

While I was thinking about being thankful for my quiet and relaxing Saturday, I remembered this mini book that I made. It fits the day and the upcoming holiday, so I figured I would share:

It was one of my favorites, and I really want to remake it with some different papers, just for fun. Makes me want to scrapbook. Hmmm.

Have a great Saturday :)

Rhoda