What A Musical Week

Warm, fuzzy foot stool

 

What a soothing pleasure coming home from the most amazing,  musical convention and rest my tootsies on my furry babies.  They were so ready for me to return home, getting back to spoiling them even more.


Let me tell you about my week....it was just fantastic.  I spent the week in Houston, TX with son, daughter in law and about 15,000 Sweet Adeline's who gathered from around the world.  You don't know what are the Sweet Adeline's....well, that is women's barbershop harmony singing. (Four part harmony)  There were quartets and chorus's competing from all over this world. 


Music seems to be the one factor that will unite people from around the world no matter what is their native language.  What delight to the ears listening to all the competitors, holding your breath at their awesome performances, beautiful costumes and OMG...makeup that made even the oldest appear to not even have any lines/wrinkles.  Yep, I must get some of that.  Think is made by Ben Nye, a well know theatrical makeup. Songs performed ran the range from Red, Red Robin Comes Bobbin Along to the amazing Bohemian Rhapsody.  Queen would have been proud of that quarter. Plus I am major fan of Queen.  Isn't that a kick seeing I am a much older woman?


I was a Sweet Adeline beginning in 1969 while living in Houghton Lake, MI and attended several conventions but dropped out in the late 70's.  Being single Mom and working didn't allow much extra time for my love of singing. At this convention met several who had been active back when I was a member and made many new friends from around the country.  There is just something about a Sweet Adeline that radiates kindness and warmth.  Even was on stage singing with the family chorus.  Major thrill for me to share this with my daughter in law.


The quartets and chorus's all sing in four part harmony and I was introduced to the very talented women that are from the quartet named Reflections.  Get this...I sing in a chorus in Dallas, TX named Reflections.  My darling daughter in law belongs to that quartet along with Ann, Bonnie and Kathy. These four ladies just seemed to take me under their wing.  Even taught me to sing bass doing tags. Just want to hug them all. They will be an up and coming quartet as their voices that have a lovely, inspiring blend. Now I am more careful listening to any song that may work well for their voices.


It was so difficult for that week to come to an end, board the plane and return to reality. But have long, living memories along with cd's of the Scottsdale Chorus and fun male quartet named Storm Front.  Look them up on You Tube...you will like their sound and comedy.


Stay in touch and will tell you more about the music, costumes, how to dress and wear makeup to enhance our selves.


Hugs to all that read this blog......Merrytoday

Pink, lacy box for new little girl

Just finished another memory box that is in shades of pink with dash of white, purple and yellow.  It was special order and will deliver it in the morning.  There is just something about creating anything for a baby...warms my heart with joy for the newborn.  Here are some pictures.  I know, terrible as they were taken with my cell phone.  Think need to take class called great pictures, with phones/cameras for dummies.


This is the bare box

 Finished box looking very girly

 Inside of box...you know every girl love a rose

 Cute knob added to top of box

 View of box but look at the beautiful lace...it is gorgeous with the shape of roses and little pearls tucked in the roses.  Perfect for little girl.  Found this lace at Hobby Lobby and hurrah...had a 40% off coupon.

This is what have been doing this week.  Friday have another art painting class so watch what I write about the fun time. 
Hugs to all that read this blog......Merrytoday

Art Class and More

Remember to always help a friend

Art class was certainly more successful the second time.  In watercolor I did a beautiful, large butterfly.  The wings on butterfly ended up looking like stained glass...loved that.  Teacher said I seem to like doing detaining. mmmm, really hadn't thought about detailing, she could be right. Will try to get my scanner working so you will be able to see the end result.  Admit, was so tense with fear of failure in beginning of class, but left smiling and eager for next one to be in 2 weeks. That class may be doing tulips or a seascape.  Those are two of my favorite items to get very creative with and placing on paper, wood...whatever is handy.


Found picture of one of my early birdhouses and hope you enjoy.  This was delightful painting in blue, yellow and white.  I only have this picture but you will be able to see the rose inside the house.  Had to use a very small brush to get the rose inside and do feel that gave it the finishing touch.

 Hugs to all that read this post.....Merrytoday

Off to art class

This will be my second art class and OMG...may I be better than the first one.  I was terrible and felt like crying.  Have been doing decorative painting for years and flunked watercolor class....go figure.

First is small birdhouse painted in navy and white.  Love the freshness of that color combination.  It now adorns itself on small table at my front door.

Memory Box for new Grandmother

My friend Allyson just became Grandmother for first time so I decided she needed a special gift.  Do you ever think about giving a new Grandparent a gift?  Most of us don't even though thrilled having a new baby to hold, cuddle and naturally spoil. We all seem to retain items of our grandchildren so my gift to Allyson was her own memory box. 

Here are three pictures for your viewing pleasure.  The box began as an oval paper mache that I transformed using yellow as base color.  It did take several coats before start to placing the design.  Seeing it was a beautiful girl I opted for the colors of yellow, pink, white and touch of very soft blue with the leaves all in green tones. As finishing touch added 4 cute balls to create feet and as you can see 1 ball on top of box.  I did end with 4 coats of sealer. After the sealer was completely dry I added sweet, white ruffly lace around edge of the top seeing this was for a most welcome girl. For paints I prefer Delta as they cover beautifully.

She was delighted and so surprised that as a Grandmother to  receive this memory box. Allyson stands next to me in the Mesquite Reflections Community Chorus.

Have you even thought you had worked on your pictures, getting where you think they are perfect and then find unable to locate them on your computer?  Geeze, that is so frustrating...so here are the original pictures...hope you enjoy.

Hugs to all that read this blog...Merrytoday

Love finding deals

This was such a fantastic deal found on http://www.yugster.com/ for a mere $20.00.  It has 260 items for me to begin playing with when creating a design. The kit includes, pastel pencils, oil paint pencils, drawing pencils, pencil sharpner, erasers and thank goodness, a how to book.  What will the design be?????   Lordy, I have no clue as will just take blank paper and let my creative juices come alive.

On the 30th am taking a beginners class working in pastels..won't that be interesting!  Years ago took watercolor classes from wonderful artist/teacher named Marge Brichler.  She was able to take me from a nothing painter to a sort of painter.  That was nearly 20 years ago and hadn't done any watercolor since then.  WELL....2 weeks ago did sign up for watercolor class and for me...what a disaster.  After seeing my completed painting it really looked like my pre-school great grand son had done the painting.  I wanted to cry at the end result.

I have done so much decorative painting...all self taught so stay tuned and will possibly show you results of what I create with this artist kit.

Hugs to all that read this.....Merrytoday

Memory Box for all ages

Here is the beginning of something, but just not sure what….so, as my brain takes in the newness of blogging will just type here whatever words come to mind.  You know our English teachers would tell us that isn’t the way as we should be careful with wording and phrasing. 

I am being sort of careful just being here.

For years have had good eye for color and have been able to put my homes together with colors that compliment each other while comfortable for my family and any guests that appear at our door. Never tried to paint except on the walls and even a two story house.  For me paint on the walls give room freshness and new personality….I am all for the new personality.  

So it does make me sad while living in an apartment and not allowed to paint the walls.  I use color in pillows, bedding, rugs, pictures to give the apartment personality. Now I paint and do designs on wood, fabric…anything that doesn’t move.  I will be adding some pictures for you to view items have created. 

It gives me great pleasure to take a blank piece of wood and bring it to life with colorful paint.  

For several years have been selling my creative items at craft shows. Attached are few items you will enjoy and think that they were completed with love and joy.  This is a memory box…we all need memory boxes as each day brings us memories to keep and share. Remember, it's never to late to begin filling your memory box.

Hope you enjoy and please leave a comment.

 Large box done in yellows, pinks, greens & lavenders

Inside cover of the memory box.  OK, I do need to get better at taking pictures.  Promise to do that before posting another picture.

 Hugs to all that read this blog....Merrytoday