Mardi Gras is coming soon!!

CHO CO me Boos.....I'm so excited that it's almost time for Mardi Gras!! Mardi Gras is officially February 17th but we all know that all the FUN and festivities start before that day. Our parades here in Gulf Shores actually begin this month...the first being on the 17th. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a parade and one where they throw beads and other items are THE best. If you're a local then here's the link to this years parade schedule.

I think that I'm going to put up my small table tree in the front room or maybe even in the family room if I can keep one tiny, mischievous cat away from it...hehe and decorate it for Mardi Gras. That means that I need to get to painting some glass ornies to put on the tree. I've been doodling some ideas and remember....these are just doodles...^_^

I will use greens, golds, purples and blues with these and of course glitter. Ya just have to have glitter to make it a true Mardi Gras bling bling. I'm thinking of doing a few ornies with just beads from past parades inside. Perhaps use some of the beads as garland for the tree too. Owww weeee.....I need to get started.

Until next time...........Do SOMETHING,
Regi

OMGOSH...It's WHAT month???

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving that was spent with family and friends. Of course, if it was spent in perfect quiet times then that can be good too. No matter who is with us I know that we all have things to be thankful for and that's what that time of year is for. I'm thankful every day and tell the good LORD every day too.

We went to the big easy, New Orleans, to be with my little sister and her family. We had plenty of food to eat and man oh man by the third day of turkey I think we were ALL very happy that it had all been eaten. Of course, what did we eat for dinner the first night it was gone........fried chicken...hehe!!

I do believe that I'm falling in love with this old city and all of it's charm and characters that already call it home. Even the Chazman is falling hard and fast. Might be a place to consider in the future as both Chaz and I are definitely characters ourselves and would fit in perfectly. My sister had to work every day except for Thursday and on Saturday everyone was happy staying inside and chillin.....well....everyone but me. I drug the mister out and about and walked the city and walked and walked and walked. Yeppers, we kinda got lost a few times but at least it's an interesting place to get lost in, yes?

We went to Jackson Square in the French quarter where the local artist have their paintings hanging all around and some of the local musicians play and the street performers entertain. ^_^  I think I could have sat on the curb and watched all the peoples for hours and did sit and watch for a spell. A spell I do believe might have been cast as for a small bit of time I was taken back in time to see just what the square might have looked like back in the beginning. (I LOVE history) If you're not familiar with Jackson Square you really should read about it some more...very interesting.

The main focal point of the square is the beautiful St Louis Cathedral. It was closed the first time we went to visit but this time it was open and oh my....what an amazing piece of art all in itself.

It was so peaceful inside and even though there was no mass going on everyone was being very respectful. Well, almost everyone that is. One person's cell phone started playing a VERY loud song and I have to admit it was quite comical watching that person try to get it to turn off and saying "Oh my Lord, please forgive". I had to walk out to keep from giggling to loud. Like I said....very entertaining place indeed!!

Now that we are home I have been working on some commissioned glass ornaments and have them all finished with the exception of just three more that I will be painting as soon as I leave from under the old Southern ooak tree this morning. ^_^ The first ones are of some strong personalities that I so hope that I captured for their human. Bullies...no no not those bad guys but the breed. Take a look.......

I think I did a good job of capturing these two boys. I have to admit that their humans sure are brave souls. Having two male bullies in one home that aren't related by blood. I'm told they are happy, happy boys so that's good. They haven't seen these yet and I'm hoping they like them. (fingers crossed)

Now my next piece took me several tries and I'm not sure I'm really happy with the end results but the friend I painted it for loved it and that's the most important thing. Black cats are VERY difficult to paint peoples!!

I could NOT get  Smith's eyes closed to look right so I painted them open which I should have done to begin with and it would have saved me from muttering several words that I really shouldn't have been muttering......even to myself. (blushing)  Like I said though, she was very happy with it and that makes me happy.

As I said earlier I have the peacocks to paint and then one more cat and I'm going to have to say NO (I hate to say NO...I really do) to any other request for a bit so that I can get my family gifts made. Two nieces have requested certain gifts and I like to make things I know they want. One is the steampunk piece and the other is for clothes to fit her Monster High dolls. Those are just two....there are still MORE I have to make as well. YIKES....what month is this? I have got to get me hiney in gear.

Mermaid kisses and starfish wishes peoples,
Regi

It's the beginning of a Thankful week!!

My last post wished y'all a happy middle of the week. This post is wishing everyone a HAPPY beginning of a brand new week. One where we should be giving "Thanks" for all the many blessings we have.

As y'all know I have been working on those hand painted glass Christmas ball ornaments and they seem to be multiplying on me peoples...hehe. That's alright though because I'm really having fun painting and using glitter. Ohhhh, the use of the glitter is an added bonus indeed. ^_^  I took the ones I finished into the gift shop yesterday as I was helping out for the day and three of them went.....just like that. Yeah!!! The three sea turtles so I guess today I'll be a painting sea turtles.

The three that SOLD!! ^_^

Here's the remaining ones that are at the shop. I hope that if you are a local that you will go by Beach Reflections / Blue Mermaid gift shop and if not local or just like to shop online then please visit their online store. 

Now...time to paint some sea turtles and enjoy a relaxing Sunday. I hope that YOU have a wonderful Sunday, the beginning of a new week. Remember peoples, that it IS a new week which is like a new chapter in a book where you are the writer. One where you can start over, each and every day......enjoy!!!

Sending you Mermaid Kisses and Starfish Wishes,
Regi

Doodlings becoming paintings...slowly

Happy Middle of the week peoples!!! I hope that everyone is staying safe and warm since Mother Nature seems to be having somewhat of a small tussle with Jack Frost. My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been really hit hard by this early winter weather.

If you have been coming to visit under the old Southern ooaks tree then you know that I'm currently working on some Christmas glass ornaments using some of my doodles as the designs. WOW...it does take some time to work with glass and acrylics as you have to let each layer dry completely before adding the next. Sooo, I'm doing something I don't normally do. I'm working on several at one time. Now...if my muse will just help me NOT get any of the designs mixed up we'll be good.

Here's the ones I have completed so far. Remember that these are doodles and follow along kind of a primitive cave man's drawings.

Each one has sand from Gulf Shores and tiny shells I found there as well. Before anyone thinks to report me to the sand police, I didn't go and dig up sand and bring it home. HeHe  This is sand that I have been collecting for several years from the shells I bring home and clean. You'd be amazed at the amount of sand in a shell, especially the olive shells. Think about it....remember all that sand in your car and trunk when you came to visit on vacation? Exactly!!!

Today I'm working on more ornies and my theme today seems to be sea turtles, sea horses, mermaids and surf boards. I'm really enjoying this project and I do believe after Christmas I'm going to buy several boxes of the glass balls and paint during the year.....have a set (a particular theme) for next year to offer. Maybe even do some for Halloween, Mardi Gras....ohhh the possibilites are endless, yes?

The ones for this year can be found at Beach Reflections LLC and the Blue Mermaid gift shop in Gulf Shores, AL. They have an online store as well. Please check them out.....buy from locals...it's a good thing to do.

Mermaid kisses and starfish wishes,
Regi