Artful Dreamer

I can finally get back at my computer and some projects again.  We put a new hickory floor in my studio so I haven't been able to move around here.  I really like the new floor, tho.  I've been trying to find homes for things but can't seem to down-size very well.  Hopefully, I'll be able to organize a little better, tho.  I seem to be heading in all directions but I guess that's a learning process.

I've been going to a sleep therapist to see if I can get help getting to sleep.  I think they've all be to the same school - I guess I'm not meant to sleep.  Too many things to think about.  Somehow when I do the relaxation breathing, I'm panting for breath after a couple of minutes.

We went to look at a camper awhile ago.  Somehow it seems better in my imagination.  I had to rough it when I grew up and don't think I want to go back down that road again.  I love my creature comforts.  Maybe it's just me, but a chemical toilet isn't such a far step from the old outhouses.  And who wouldn't miss the old Sears catalogs.

I'm finally coming to the last page of my first book.  Now Froggie and Miss Mousie are heading off on their honeymoon - in France.

The End

I have started on the new book - Froggie and Miss Mousie in Paris.  This is the direction it will be going -

Hope you'll enjoy the new book!

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

The weather has turned really cold and rainy.  Just in time for Halloween - it's always nasty for the trick or treaters.  They all have cute little costumes and have to wear winter coats.  Now they're not allowed to have parties in school or anything to have fun with their costumes.  What a shame!  Seems like all our holidays are becoming "verboten".  Sorry, guess the weather is making me gloomy.

On a positive note, it's a good day to do fun projects and catch up on things that have been neglected during the summer.

Here are a couple of pictures of our October full moon.  I didn't have the patience to do a time-lapse picture but this give the Halloween feeling.

I love this time of year - spooky witches and goblins.

I'm having a new floor put in my studio so I have to move all of my art supplies out.  Puts a damper on getting things done but it'll be nice when it's finished.

I'm trying to get at my next book, "Froggie and Mousie Go to France".  I've got a start.  Here they are saying goodbye to all their friends for the big voyage.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

We've been having a very nice rain.  I'm sure the farmers wouldn't agree with that, but for us suburbanites it is much appreciated.  Helps to get the trees, etc, ready for the big winter coming up.

It's almost Halloween.  I love this time of year.  There were LOTS of people slogging through the pumpkin patches in the rain today - bet they wish they had come sooner.

I used to think I had to make everything from scratch, but Bakers Square pie and other goodies seem to fill the bill just fine.  Guess I'm getting lazier but that's OK.  I even bought a rotisserie chicken today and it was great.

I've been working on another of my photos in Photoshop.  It really is addicting.  I took a photo of some rocks in a stream and played with them until I came up with this.  I think it's kind of interesting.

I love playing with the colors.

Luckily Miss Mousie has Froggie to protect her.  Here he is with his trusty sword to the rescue back by his friends.

Have a great day!

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

Well, I'm back from Massachusetts, etc.  It's a beautiful state, but . . . the weather was COLD, RAINY, and windy.  Guess I needed a reality check from the beautiful weather we having in Minnesota this Fall.  Tamara makes a great travel guide - saw lots of fun places.  The food was great, too.  Always nice to home, tho.  I've had a bad cold since I got back, but I guess that's what airline travel does.  I also had to do battle with the airlines because someone stole several things from my checked luggage.  Hope I get a good response from them.

-- Made some new friends on a farm in Mass.

 -- view from the farm

I should be outside getting things put away, but am still dragging from the trip.  Tomorrow  . . . . . .

I have been experimenting with lots of things like encaustic and burns, but, so far, things haven't turned out like planned.  For one thing, the gold oil paint stick that I bought in Mass. was stolen from my suitcase.  Now I have to find another one.

Even the wedding events in the forest aren't without dangers.  The one version of Froggie and Mousie has the wedding guests eaten by the cat and one version has them trying to get away in a boat and are eaten by a big black snake.  I re-wrote my own scenario to make it happier.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

I have to leave for the airport in a few minutes.  Going to Massachusetts to visit my daughter.  Hope to get lots of pictures.  We're leaving this beautiful 70-80 degree weather and heading to cool and rainy.  Oh well, we can't be spoiled all the time.  The leaves keep falling and now there are hardly any left.

I used my new little mini-torch today and did a glue burn.  Not sure if I like it or not, but plan to dry a shellac burn next.  Have to keep trying new things.

I'm posting the wedding dance for Froggie and Mousie.  Even the little lady bugs can dance.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

Another absolutely gorgeous day!  Wish it would go on and on.  I don't think it could be improved on.  I keep picking away at getting the yard ready for winter, but I hate to do it so soon.

My remaining goldfish are happily swimming in their tanks.  Wish I hadn't lost the big ones.  I guess they made the tastiest meal, tho.

I'm going to start a new project so I bought a small blow torch.  The only problem is that it came without fuel and I'm not sure where to get some.  Kind of useless this way.  I want to use encaustic techniques with shellac, burn it and see what happens.  Could be interesting.  I'd better step a long way from the house with this, I think.

Richard just got back from Michigan with his pigeon racing friends.  Sounds like they had a great time.  Lots of snoring going on in the motel rooms so I was glad to stay home with my dogs.  It really is a good hobby for him.  It gets to be quite involved with the clocks to time them, etc.  I'm glad I don't have to figure the races.

It looks like there is a lot of celebrating with Froggie and Mousie's wedding.  Maybe that's what's going on when you hear a lot of birds singing and frogs croaking.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

I can't believe how beautiful the weather has been!  It's been such a great Fall so far.  I've been trying to do some of the yard cleanup while it's nice, but it's always tempting to "leave it a little longer".  My mums are fabulous this year.  I started with 2 about 15 years ago and have now divided them into 21 and they're so big they are ready to be split.  They are REALLY hardy.

I'm planning to go to Massachusetts next week to visit my daughter, Tamara.  It should be beautiful although the leaves are probably mostly gone.  Oh well, it's a gorgeous state and it'll be great to see her again.

I've been working on a fairy photo.  The little girl was so perfect for it.

Well, Here comes the Bride; Here comes the Bride!  Miss Mousie makes such a beautiful bride.

Lucky Froggie.

Sharyn

Artful Dreamer

Well, it was time to finish picking the garden and cleaning it out.  I think the growing season is finished.  We're supposed to have the "big frost" tonight so that will finish everything.  We've had a couple of light frosts but there's not too much damage.

Oh well, now the pressure is off.  I want to get at some of my indoor projects - all kinds of new ideas.  I don't know if there will be enough hours in the day to get at everything.  I LOVE retirement!!!  Wish I had as much energy as when I was 20 years old.

Our dogs enjoy running through the leaves.  They still don't understand the concept of staying in the yard.  I think they trained us.

Here's a picture of Petey taking a nap.  He knows how to make himself comfortable.

He's lucky he's so cute because he sure can be naughty.

This is my drawing of the handsome groom in my book.  

Sharyn