Slowing the Days Down after Christmas

Peep

The month before Christmas seems to be a blurry of activity.  There is shopping to do, a tree to cut down, decorating the house and tree, mailing gifts, making all the special holiday foods and treats, and for those of you  out there that are just like me, making a gift or ten!  I always seem to bite off more than I can chew but the ideas just float around in my head waiting to be created!  I tried to slow down a bit this year and did pretty well, if I do say so myself (thank you very much).  Fortunately, my children are not demanding and do not expect extravagant gifts (which makes the crazy shopping trips fairly easy).  They will act like they are that interested in creating an art project but when I start pulling out the supplies they get into it a bit and start creating themselves.  My youngest, Blythe decided to make a cute little stuffed chick for her sister Lassyn's baby which is due this next year.  Once she completed one she decided to make another one to put on her own etsy site www.etsy.com/people/dacoma    He is a bit cockeyed and seems to have a character of his own.  His name is "peep".  I was really proud of her, she hand stitched the whole thing and I only had to help untangle twice.  We have already made another trip to Wal-mart to pick out new fabrics for her next creations.  In the meantime, I have decided that I need a new scarf and found this beautiful Martha Stewart yarn at Michaels Craft Store in Igloo (a very soft sea foam green-blue).  Sitting by the fire, crocheting is my idea of slowing down.  I don't think I could totally sit still if my life depended on it so this is as close to it as I get.   

Through the Woods

Through the Woods

Every time I look at this photo I think of going to grandmother's house Christmas Morning.   This photo was taken on a very cold, overcast winter morning in Mina 1 Mai, Romania where I lived.  I had passed this horse and buggy on the road and pulled ahead, got my camera ready and waited till they were just in the right position between the trees. This type of  transportation is still very common in the villages and I could not help but wonder if the passengers were frozen.  We take so very much for granted and while it is nice to see simplicity still exists in this busy world I think all of us should take a little time now and then to count our blessings.  I have sold this as fine art photography and also created a mixed media original gallery wrap painting that is currently at Woodlands Art League  and have a digital print available on my Studio Quest Etsy site. 

To grandmothers house we go

Merry Christmastide

Old St. Nick
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

 

Weihnachtszeit

Just sold my original of Old St. Nick through the Woodlands Art League and was asked to bring in another work.  I finished Weihachtszeit (German for Merry Christmastide).  Nobody says Christmastide anymore but thought it was cute.  This is my take on the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus.  Merry Christmastide to one and all.

Mermaid Felt Purse Project

Mermaid Purse Felt Project

Once again, I find myself drawn to the colors of the sea.  I have never really worked with felt before but it looked like fun so thought I would give it a go.  I found the change purse at Michael's Craft Store and they had all these packets of felt pieces you could buy in every color under the rainbow.  I decided that they reminded me of ocean waves, seaweed and mermaids.  I simply laid the pieces on the felt and used thread to hold it in place.  My stitching is a bit on the rough side but then again, this one is for me so that's ok.   Was a relaxing little project and makes me smile.

Finding a four leafed clover

Flamingo Circus
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Four Leafed Clover

I heard this frantic shouting......mom.......mom.......mom.  I jumped up and ran to the back door to find my daughter dancing around holding her treasure in her hand.  Look mom, I found one, I found one, a real four leaf clover, that means we are going to have good luck now!  Watching her dance for joy reminded me of one of my circus watercolors of a child and a flamingo balancing on a ball.  Childhood is full of fun, adventures and a bit of wonder and fantasy that I hope she never looses. 

Morning Memories

Lemon Curd Toast and Coffee

Mom, my sister Rhema and Me at Irish Beach

Mornings are such a wonderful time.  There is a mist in the air, all is quiet, except for the song from a bird outside the window.  The aroma of fresh ground coffee beckons and my hot buttered toast spread generously with lemon curd, awaits.  I think of my sister Rhema, she was the one to introduce me to the wonderful tart sweetness of lemon curd on our trip to Irish Beach along the California coast this last year.  It was such a sweet time, looking out at the sea, the mist rolling in and having coffee and toast with my mom and sister.  I determined to cement the memory in my mind, like a mental snapshot you don’t want to loose.  Funny what will bring back a memory, maybe it is the mist,  the lemon curd or maybe it’s just me, missing them.

Sea Treasure Time Piece

Sea Turtle Dreams
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Mermaid Jewel
www.etsy.com/people/tracefragments

Sea Turle Flight
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Sea Glass Floats
www.etsy.com/people/studioquest

Mermaid Mist Soap
www.etsy.com/people/emeraldbaysoap

Was looking for inspiration for my brand new blog site and had to use the colors of the sea, something I am passionate about.  I see not only the colors but seaside themes show up in my work on a regular basis.  I have jewelry, soap and paintings that mirror this same theme.  Maybe it is missing the romps at Santa Cruz as a girl, playing on the beach with my kiddo's or the romantic walks with Brian in Monterey Bay, Constansa, Romaina or Corfu, Greece.  Either way I can think of nothing better than beachcombing.  I have made a few treasures out of some of my finds, hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Latest activites in Tamyra's Art Room

Wine a bit

Dragonfly flight (Mini)

Macq (Mini)

My poor art room looks like a bit of an explosion has happened as I have been busy painting, creating and experiementing with all my fun art supplies.  There is something about this time of year that makes me want to make  personal gifts for those I love.  My girls and I have been busy creatng ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) to give to family and experiement with new techniques.  I have also had to create three minitures for the Woodlands Art Leaque in Texas that I am a part of, plus a Christmas themed work of art and display two originals in the gallery.  On top of all this ......like that is not enough, I did an art show and have been busy putting new works on my Etsy site (Studio Quest). Here is the link www.etsy.com/people/studioquest for those of you who want to check it out.  My newest endeavor is making some of my work available for digital download so that those other creative minds out there can use a piece of my work to create something of their own and hopefully share with me!  That way I can be a part of what they do.  Fun!