I can't start this off right now, but I'll be back soon and have a chat!

Hello , I take it we can chat about anything so I did something lastnight that any of you can do for Christmas, its a wonderful idea for kids and we had a good time doing it , I even joined in .
I bought the clear christmas bulbs and some fabric paint in the pressable tubes a bunch of different colors, then I cut up small squares of paper 2in by 1.5 in then each person wrote a wish on the paper , noboby see's the wish then we rolled it and tied it with a string put it inside the bulb then hot glued the gold hanger thing back onto the bulb , so now we have a clear christmas bulb with a wish inside sealed , then we painted then with christmas things .
they all turned out beautiful and it was fun , just a idea to share
hope you try it .
Mark

Wow that is a great idea Markita, all I have done so far is thrown the kids in the car and showed then some christmas decorations around our town, they seemed to enjoy it.

That is fun also , but the bulbs are cool to make , I tend to like the conversations we have during times when we set down and do crafts or eat , those are some of the best talks I can have with my kids .

Its my insomnia time and I've been up since about 5am. It takes its toll on me later in the day but at this time of day I can get a lot done, like housework and drawing, if only the silly cat would leave me alone for awhile!

Great craft idea Markita, things like that thrill children, they adore secret anythings! I shall have to remember that. I don't have young children at home but do have a grandchild due in January so it will come in handy at some point.

The weather here today is supposed to be miserable with snow, freezing rain then turning to rain. We're on the edge of an island so the winter weather is so variable at times. One minute cold, the next warming up. However, I'd much sooner deal with rain than snow. I'm not a winter person at all.

I must wrap my mind around some Christmas gifts for my daughters who live out west as they must be shipped next week. After that I feel as if I can relax and take my time getting other things that are more localized.

Back to more coffee and drawing, I'll check in again later.

Great idea for the bubls, does it still work when your oldest is 27?lol
I must say the thing about sitting around the table and the conversations is so true. I absolutely insist that every Sunday we all sit down to dinner, even to the point of re-arranging the meal time to fit in with my elder sons work. These times with them are very rewarding, and sometimes hectic.
Our weather here today is grey and overcast with that yellow/grey tint that sometimes looks snowey, but it is far too mild.
I'm just off out with my son to do some xmas shopping in Stratford, (Shakespear town), as it's 20 minutes away.
See you guys later

RJS

That is a awsome idea Markita I think I will try that ..I do have kids and I think it would make for a nice evning at home painting secrete bulbs for the tree . thanks for the idea

Cool idea Martika...How do youfind out the wishes though? After the bulb breaks? Hopefully not I hate when they break. I have a phobia with broken glass!!! I have alot of rearranging to do in my livingroom today so I do not know how much I will be on the computer. It is not looking like it is gonna be much fun anyways. Hopefully sometime time soon I can get to that wonderful craft idea with my kids.

Ok just to let everyone know...I received my prismacolored pencils from ebay today. They were very welly wrapped in bubble wrap and all are in excellent condition. I paid $62 dollars for them and they even came with 12 verithin pencils and a prisma color sketch 12 piece set on top of the colored pencil accesories set. I had no idea I was even getting the two bonus items of pencils so I was very happy!!! It really is a good deal you just have to check ebay and type in prismacolor pencils and you will get all of the auctions right now.

I just ordered those today Venus .. you got me wanting them so my mom ordered them for me for christmas ..now I cant wait .

Greetings everyone.....I just wanted to say congrads to ILANDER BABE....I just read that her gallery is featured album this month. Way to go Jeanette, you deserve allot of credit too the way you help so many of us and it shows in your work that you truly have a passion.

Awwwww, thanks Brian. I just like what I do, that's all. I'm beginning to think the pencil is an extension of my hand. It ends up the the oddest places sometimes as I seem to take it with me when I'm doing other things.

Congradulations Islander,
You deserve it! I know when I am browsing through the gallery your pictures often have me stopping to check them out. They stand out in a gallery of full of beautiful work. I love your latest, the mouse.
Paulette

Congrats Jeanette ....

Congrats from me too, Jeanette. I have never seen anything from you that wasn't absolutely lovely and breathtaking.. And as Paulette said.. Love the mouse.. and the baseball cap.. and the bedroom and, and , and everything else you do..

Way to go Jeanette!!! You are a wonderful artist and teacher and you really do deserve it. keep up the great work!!!

Jeanette: If I was standing you would have my ovation. You do great work, and are willing to share your knowledge with others. I myself don’t have knowledge, which understandably no one wants to receive. Good job and thank you for your help and creativity you share.

JW Duke

Congratulations Islander.

Hey everyone, Check this out. The horse is an artist.

Horse Artist
They are reaching some on what he is actually painting but it is pretty clever for a horse anyway.
Maybe that's how I should start painting. LOL

Merry Christmas everyone !!
First, congratulations Jeanette !! Like it was a real headscratcher to see if your work would qualify, haha. I have yet to see anything you've done, that I wouldn't be proud to have hanging on my wall. You are so special, not just for your drawing talents, but the way you treat people here, (and I'm sure everywhere else), and the gift you have for solving problems.
Secondly, Mark, great idea about the "wish bulbs". I was thinking, if you put those wishes in bulbs , so somehow you could view them after all the paper stops flying on Chritmas day, then you could see, just how each one's gifts related to what they received. Course, that might not be a good idea, when my wife's bulb got opened and in it, it had, " I wish for a diamond ring", and she got a beautiful new skillet instead !!
Plus mine would seem out of place to have " I wish for world peace", just after the big fight over whether or not, I'm going to the in-laws !!
I love this place !!

Jonsie

Hey everybody ,
I was wondering if anyone here, could help me with these pictures. I was seeking information on the artist, a "Medeiros", or if anyone has seen anything that resembles this painting. Just trying to find out more about it. I think the artist might be from Brazil or Portugal maybe. Thanks for any help !!

Jonsie

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Cyn,
That horse is too cool! Have you ever seen the elephants painting, they say that elephants love to paint.
Jonsie,
Merry Christmas to you too! Are you joining us in the secret santa?
Paulette

jonsie-- i havent seen that painting before but it is absolutly beautiful. i really love it. the colors, the face everything. it is really awesome. i have a painting of flowers in a vase that i really love-- i am not usually a flower person but the style and the colors i just love it. where did you find this portrait?
Lori

Well winter has really hit overnight with about 25cm of snow and then it warmed up a bit so its wet heavy snow. Yuck. It looks like Christmas now but I can happily do without snow! At least the roads were well cleared when I drove to work today. The power went off several times last night and again this morning, it was off when I got to work as well but came on again shortly after I arrived.

I've got a new commission on my plate to do in time for Christmas - two really if I count a personal one that I'm doing for my sister and her husband of their two kids. I've started the line drawing of the commission and will make inroads on it tonight if I can.

Well back to the job they pay me to do! lol I'll be back later.

Jonsie .. I have never seen the painting befor althou its lovely .
Jeanette i think its great you can also make money on your work .. I have sold a couple of things .. mostly people ask me for something they design and I draw it ..but never made alot on them .. I gave so many of my things away that finaly I decided I was not doing that anymore .. a copy of my work was all I was willing to give away.

Hiya Everyone!!! I have yet to sell anything I have drawn or painted but I did sell my camera on ebay for a good price. I was shocked it went so quick. I guess that is a good thing...now I can really start looking for deals on a used computer...LOL. To poor to buy a brand new one. I didn't get up early enough on Black Friday for that.. But you gotta love ebay!!! Maybe after I find my computer I can finally get back to what I need to be doing and stay off the computer until the new one comes. I haven't drawn anything for a few days..received my prismacolored pencils days ago and haven't even opened them yet, got into a huge fight with my sister which I think we are made up now, still haven't caught up on my laundry or finished decorating for Christmas!!! I swear a mothers work is never done!!!! Anyways I hope everyone is enjoying the days following up too Christmas.

Venus That was quick ... but then it was a good price and a nice camera ...I am still waiting on my pencils .

Lori,
This "painting", belongs to my sister, but I'm not sure where she got it, I'm assuming somewhere in Virgina, or southeast Tennessee. I fell in love with her, sight unseen, as soon as my sister described her to me !! She is pretty huh?

Jonsie



Kim,
Thanks for the comments on the picture. My sister and I had thought, maybe we were somewhat taken with this protrait, but she does seem to have that "look" huh ?

Jonsie

jeanette-- we are suppost to get hammered tonight and tomarrow with snow. it has be freezing cold. monday my car wouldnt start for the cold. she did start in the afternoon when it warmed a little--she's old and isnt a morning car (hahha)
venus i bought a computer from ebay for 35.oo dollars, for my son for christmas, i hope it arrives safe, and i hope it works-- he had good feedback so that was good. you can get pretty good deals on computers depending on what you are looking for. i didnt get a fancy one for him though, he needed memory to play games and stuff. my sisters and i argue all the time but makeup quickly. thats family though. i have three sisters and all older and bossy. but i am too so...
Lori

Jonsie,
You know I tried for hours last night surfing on the web to find that artist. No luck. I did find some other paintings on ebay that were similar style by that artist. Really pretty pictures. I hope you find what you are looking for. Is the painter still alive? Or is it an old master painter?

Lori thats a good deal if just for games. I wanted one where I didn't have to worry about being gripped at by my husband if anything happened to this computer. Something for my art. Mostly something that I don't have to share. I got a great deal though!! The computer you purchased off of ebay was worth more than the one my sister tried to trade me my old digital camera for. I bought the camera for 162 dollars over the summer and made my money back. Her computer was worth 27 dollars on ebay with free shipping. LOL

i know exactly what you mean venus. someday i would love a laptop. i am hoping with my son getting a computer that i can get on a little more. if i say i have to get one they usually let me. it takes a little bit to pry them off but they usually let me. and i usually get on at 5;30 or 6:00 in the morning. i was a little worried about getting him his own computer but my husband promised(hahah) that he would help me watch him. my other two do that my space and i have to watch them all the time-- so i want them to stay on the house computer. the other one is suppost to be for games only and he knows if i find something else then its gone with no discussions. i am just real parinoid about this stuff. its funny-- because i think its the coolest thing that we can get on and talk and share with people around the world and i think its a great thing to be able to do that but it also can be a terrifying thing too. the good with the bad i guess.
27 dollars sounds like a good deal too. i guess it depends on the computer. i was really looking for memory and harddrive size, and of course the game card thing. so i think for the money it was pretty good what i got. and i think he can add more memory with this too but not sure. but it will do for him for now anyway.
what kind of computer did you go with? i want to do digital art sometime with a tablet, so i am not sure what i need to look for.
Lori

Lori...I got a Dell 2.4 ghz, 40 gb, dvd-rom, 512 MB optimized performance...or something like that. It ended up costing like 184.00. Which is a great deal. I just need to get an external cd-rw for it. I can't live with out my cd burner. I may not need it as much now because of the fact that I will have my printer hooked up and its new with ink cartridges...lol. So I can print from home instead of going to cvs to print pictures. According to the tracking number the seller left my husband in email my computer should arrive today!!! I am sooo excited. I day shipping is from fed-ex is good for me. Did you get yours yet? When I checked the tracking number it said it was still in Illinois where they were shipping it from...I am sure they just haven't updated yet??? Or atleast I hope.. I just hope my brothers monitor works for it because his computer is outdated too but the computer and monitor her has were like a matching set so to say. Ohhh and as far as kids go mine aren't old enough to go on and search the web yet or get into myspace or anything like that. If they do ask to go on its to go to Disney.Com or some other kids site. Well let me know how yours works!!

Wow venus that was quick on the computer .. I hope you get it today I know how excited you are to recieve it .
My kids both have a myspace ... but my husband has a link right to it and all passwords ....so amything they have on thier myspace it veiwed by him .. and well trust me he has brought many of the girl's friends myspaces to my attention and trust me these kids talk so bad and view such bad content ,, you have to be careful .

Sounds like a great deal on the computer Venus. I hope you get it soon.

I use a laptop mostly at home, but there are two other computers here too, desktops. One quite new one, the other older but with upgrades that I used to use for scanning only as the older scanner was hooked up to it and wasn't compatible with the newer computer.

But now I have a new scanner that works on the newer computer, but I still prefer the older scanner. It seems to make better images. I've networked all the computers together so I can print or access files on all of them when I need to. I've amazed myself at what I can to technologically when I put my mind to it!

sometimes i amaze myself with all this to jeanette. i have never considered myself computer savey. but with teens i had to learn real fast.
venus--the guy told me he will ship sometime this week which bothered me a bit. i always shipped out right away when i sold something but if he gets lots of orders i imagine he would go once or twice a week so hopefully sometime this week or early next. was it you or kim said there husband plays games on the internet.
i have a question-- i bought a thrustmaster t2 steering wheel for my son, thats what he wanted to race with online and they are older wheels and says there for windows 95-- it didnt come with software(bought it used on ebay) but i did download drivers for it. i have windows xp and the wheel has a 15 port plug thing so i purchased a 15 port adapter that turns into usb. but when i add a controller in my control panel it says its not connected. so i dont know if i bought the wrong adapter or if the wheel isnt working. or if the wheel just isnt compatable with my computer. i looked online and some said that some adapters wont read the older controllers. any advice i would really appriciate. thanks
Lori

Venus,
Wow, surfing for hours? I'm in awe, haha. I really appreciate that !! I"ve tried also, but no luck, but at least, you found some paintings of the same style, that's more than I did. My sister told me, she bought the painting in eastern Tennessee, at an antiques store, but I'm not sure if it's an "old" painting or not. I do apprectiate all your effort. Maybe I can return the favor one day. Sorry to be so late in replying, but time is so just passing me by it seems, heck , I haven't even had time to further mess up more drawing paper, haha. Hope you doing ok with the cold weather and all. We got about an inch today, but lots of ice. Supposed to be record lows here.(Virginia). Good to talk to you. See you later, I'm sure. Have a great weekend.

Jonsie

I mentioned this story in the drawing challenge thread so I thought I'ld share it over here...

My 6 yr old daughter, Jamie , a very sensitive soul...discovered how we get chicken for our dinner....

I was frying chicken for dinner a few days ago...it had only been in the pan long enough to brown a wee bit and the blood had begun to well up on the surface of the chicken. As I was turning it Jamie commented on
the blood. I told her that was because the chicken had been alive, but as it cooked it would go away and it would all be gone by the time it was done.

That was when my daughter with tears in her eyes called me a............
MURDERER!!!! And how the chicken in our frying pan was probably somebodies pet! Swearing that she would never eat chicken again!

Having gone through this before with 2 other children...I calmly explained to her that people raise chickens for food and that is how we get chicken for our dinner. Seeing that she was still very upset...I enlisted my hubby to help explain and we continued our discussion about carnivours vs. herbavours as well as lions and gazelles. She still swore she would not eat it. So I said, "What about Chicken McNuggets?"
That made her stop...hehehe...there her favorite.

Well I finished cooking the chicken and served dinner. As I set her plate before her I informed her that since chicken had always been her favorite she had to eat it!!! I then sat down and proceeded to eat my own dinner and let her work this out on her own.

As I was eating I suddenly heard, " Chicken, I'm so sorry that I have to eat you..." Which nearly sent me and my 16 year old into gails of laughter...we had to cover our mouths so she wouldn't see. I nearly choked....she then proceed to have about a 10 min conversation with the drumstick on her plate....thanking it for the nutrition that it was going to give her when she ate it and even telling it that when she saw it's family...I think she intended to have seconds as there were still several pieces in the pan...she would tell them how this piece of chicken had given her protien to help her grow...Finally I couldn't take any more...I said,"Jamie, do you know how to keep this chicken with you forever?" She said, "No, Mommy. How?" she looked at me with innocent questioning eyes....and I said...............................

"Just eat it!!!" at which my 16 year old fell out of her chair howling!

Looking back I feel a little guilty about it, but at at the time it was hillarious!

Laura

I just love it! - From the mouths of babes. ROFL

Oh wonderful Laura! LOL I can so see that conversation unfolding. We have chickens here that we raise for food and eggs, as well as turkeys and geese and ducks. I don't have younger children around any more, but when they were, similar moments took place. Kids are so funny.

Well, I've come back from taking my mother to the mall (yes, the mall, two weeks before Christmas, 82 year old who is deaf, not able to walk for long and who wanders off in a heartbeat) Then after the mall, to the supermarket with her. Another adventure in its own right! On top of that I slipped on ice outside her house and landed hard on my right wrist and side so I'm a little stiff and sore now. Concrete sidewalks just aren't as soft as they once were.

Now I'm going to finish wrapping Christmas presents for my daughters who live in Alberta and Saskatchewan and get them in the mail tomorrow. Then to haul out Christmas decorations, make a cherry cake and some mince pies for a function next week. I hope to fit in a little drawing at some point...

Laura that is so cute ... while I read it I kept thinking what a sweet little girl ...and your mothering skill show alot in that story ...your daughters love for the living and passion came out ...she must have learned it someplace . cute story to share thank you .

kids are great arent they. awesome story. dont forget to tell that one to her children someday.
Lori

I have journals for my kids .. I kept journals from the moment I knew I was pregnant ...my kids will have fun looking at the pictures and reading some of the things I have written ... some things will make them laught and others make them cry ...I think they both have two completed journals each and I am on the third . ...they do not get to read these until they are on their own .

That is so cool, Kim. I wish I would have done that for my boys. I did put together a huge photo album for them for Christmas last year. That is what got me into doing scrapbooking. Anyway, my youngest son was almost in tears over it. He's so sentimental.

Lori did you try to contact the manufacturer? Sometimes Customer Service will help provide a fix for you at a simple email or phone call. They did for me with a used pc and several attatchments such as mu web cam, digital camera, and printer. Sony also helped walk me through installation of our PS2 for online gaming. GREAT Customer Service there btw.

Joanie That was a neat idea also .. it is sweet he was almost in tears lets you know the time you put into it was well worth it .. My girls each have a box .. and inside the box is a newspaper .. and a fashion magizine ...all the stuff on desert storm ... a pack of smokes that clearly states on the side that smoking causes cancer lol outfit from the hospital I brought them home in .. their bottle ..binky fav toy ect ... its a big box ....I will give it to them as a gift one day when they are settled at a place of their own .....I am very sentimental....can ya tell .lol

Laura that was such a sweet story. My girls tend to go through those phases to where they learn something and then don't want to do it anymore..but thank god they forget easily too. Took me a few days before I could reply on here. My hubby is selling his Alcatraz puzzles on ebay and hogged the computer all weekend. Nothing but sales. So its good for him but bad for me. Everytime I would go to reply to a thread he wanted the computer. Saturday night we went to his works Christmas party. That was fun. They had a Motown theme going and surprised everyone with The Four Tops playing live. At first I didn't know who they were until I heard "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" or "My Girl". LOL. I'm young, my mom listens to country and my dad is a rock man. Got my laundry caught up and done and cchristmas decorations done so I can finally get back to drawing!!!! WOOHOO yay me. Talk to Everyone soon.

venus-- thats great his sales are doing so great.
man i wish my hubby's work threw such a great party. they usually get a buffet for the guys for when they come in from the trucks but the families arent invited. BFI is sooo great. NOT!!! you would think such a big company they would do more for there employee's but they dont. i remember that song too--didnt know who sung it. you must of had a blast and you know something with everything you do everyday you deserve it. i remember being at home when mine were small. it was so hard at times. i wouldnt change it for nothing but it was sooo hard.
Lori

that sounds like a blast venus ...I use to love work christmas parties ..my ex husband use to work for Rose and exterminators and they had some really fun wild parties and gave bonus's .
Lori I agree with you it seems the smaller companies do more for the little guy then the big ones they seem to show more greed .. I am sure it is not in every case but it just seems like that .

Sorry to be so scarce. I've been working a little more at my temp job but also had a couple of last minute commissions.

I was trying to think of some token gifts for the people I work with most closely & was thinking of a hand-painted card for each (that would only be about 4 people) but, to be honest, I'm not sure I'll be able to get them finished! That's pretty sad. Anybody have any other suggestions for a gift? These are all men, btw - I'm the only woman who works there. Also, if I do a card, I don't want to paint something Christmas-y so they could frame the card if they desire. That seems to leave winter scenes & the CEO hates snow about as much as I do! lol Oh, well, I guess I have a few days to think of something! I was thinking of the Christmas Rose (hellebores) but guess that's not appropriate for a man. Also, a cardinal on a branch. This is if I decide to do cards. Anyone have any other "manly" suggestions?

The job will definitely be ending sometime around the first of the year. I have mixed feelings as I really like working a couple of days a week. However, my house & horse & "play" time have suffered because of my rather erratic schedule. I was offered a full-time job there because the company has sold and there will be more work done in-house instead of the corporate office. I definitely didn't want to work full-time! I find myself looking forward to being at home full-time again. It's nice having that paycheck to spend on my art stuff, but I really don't need much else and, if I do, my husband is great about telling me to go ahead & get it. I just wish my art would totally support my habit (that's art habit)! lol

Well, any suggestions for gifts, or card subjects are gratefully accepted!

These are the last of the holiday gifts (besides our Secret Santa) & I hope to get them taken care of soon. I hope the rest of you are ready for Christmas or are at least close!

J

Hi everyone, well I am slow on this thread I was just checking out CYN's horse painting....lol...

J-Lynn ...from you I would settle for a big *HUG* .... I was thinking if you have no time to paint a card ...what I do is personalized sketches for people at work....Naturally mine are cartoon's...lol.. but honest I find people love them....and coming from some one as talented as you I think they would love it, I know I would.