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

I do doodle designs sometimes ^_^

Happy Sunday peoples!! I hope you've had a wonderful weekend filled with adventure and if no adventures then I do hope some much needed rest and relaxation. Both are good....very, very good indeed.

I have been doodling all morning. Yes, I do doodle designs sometimes..hehe!! Try saying "I do doodle designs" fast five times...get that tongue a working. My doodles are hopefully (fingers crossed) going to be painted on glass Christmas balls. Keeping with my beach themed designs I'm excited to get started on some this afternoon.

Now keep in mind these are just doodles (rough drawings) I don't sit and draw neatly unless I'm planning on actually using the pen and pencil for something where it needs to be neat. I just love to doodle!!! I have a few more doodles that I've done over the years that I might just use too. We'll see how it goes.

Hope you'll come back to sit under the old Southern Ooaks tree to see just how these turned out. My muse has so many ideas being sung to me and well...I wish she would just shhhhush for a bit and let me catch up. ^_^

Until next time............Mermaid kisses and starfish wishes (my new saying)
Regi

It's a Beautiful Sunday!!!

Finally, Mother Nature remember what our weather was suppose to be like this time of year. I have on a short sleeve tshirt and my flip flops..........without........any......socks......Yea me!!!!

I have the windows opened and so enjoying letting a small breeze flow through this old house. Listening to the splish splash of water is so calming (sigh) even if it is from the washing machine...hehe  Yeppers, a beautiful day and I'm stuck inside dueling with that dreaded laundry monster. Oh well....at least I can shut my eyes and pretend the splish, splash is the ocean.

Since I am stuck inside I have been going through my shell stash AGAIN and pulled out some that I think will work with some of my jewelry pieces and small ooaks.

I have even grouped some together to make medallions out of. Hmmmmm, the shot is a tad bit blurry. Perhaps my muse didn't want to really show you just yet. Silly muse!!!

Remember the seahorse I was working on? Well, I found some other shells to go with it....not actually shells but a beautiful piece of coral and a small cluster of barnacles that I found some time back while walking near the pier. I hope to get him detailed and completed by tomorrow.

After sorting out the shells that just seemed to pull themselves together, I realized that I need to go shell hunting. I'm almost out of shells. OK well.....not really, I have TONS of shells but not ones that I can use to make my designs with. They are lovely sitting around here and there and in glass containers though. LOVE my shells..ALL OF THEM! Matter of fact, ya'll are lucky I even share them. I understand the call of the seagull soaring over the beach when it sees us humans walking along. They are screaming "MINE MINE". ^_^

Now I'm not one of those artist that can draw with perfection. I so wish I was because I have so many whimsical  images inside that are yelling to get out. I do however.....love to doodle. Since I can't leave my ocean washing machine when it's on spin because it apparently loves to dance across the floor when unsupervised...I have been doodling. Three so far and two might just become ooaks.

 Little mermaid saying "Come play with me"

 Mermaids love their seahorses

Mermaid watching her human sail away

So that's all my time for today's visit. It seems the washing machine is doing my dance...hehe!! Have a wonderful afternoon and I hope it's a beautiful day for you too.

Until next time.................HUGS,

Regi

Who stole my warm beach weather???

Good Golly Miss Molly....who stole my nice warm beach weather? It's 20 outside but feels like it's 11?? I truly think that some how Mother Nature has forgotten that this is the South and here it's suppose to stay warm enough to still walk on the beach. Ohhhhh, you could go for a walk today but ya might feel as though your skin was being peeled away from yer bones. Ok that might be an over exaggeration..hehe...but it's so NOT beach walking weather.

Since the weather is too cold to go outside and the Chazman is home sound asleep, (yes yes, the school board closed the schools today because of the cold weather...a first I think....shaking head) which means the house is quiet so I have been doodling. As I've told everyone before I call it doodling because well..that's what it is. Simply lines that create a doodle that hopefully looks like a drawing!!

Of course, living at the beach and the fact that it's cold outside and I can't take my walk today I figured I would doodle a few that could take that walk. Meet Charlie and Carey....two siblings that so enjoy life and the adventures it takes them on. I have been wanting to do a children's book (or two) and I believe I have come up with my two main characters. Brave lil souls aren't they? Braving the chilly morning air.

I'm also working on some of my beach themed jewelry pieces...two necklaces. My camera batteries went "POOF" before I could get a WIP shot of them but I will have one for you the next post as I have those batteries charging as we speak. Hmmmmm, wonder if my orbs are messing with me again (looking around) I guess I will snap a few shots to see when I can. If I have completely made you scratch your noggin about my orbs, just take a peek HERE and you will understand...I promise!! Ohhh and it's kinda a long post but read it anyway..^_^

So happy you dropped by today for a visit and I hope to see ya again real soon. Have a wonderful and WARM Tuesday!!

Until next time..........Hugs,
Regi

I caught a mermaid!!! OK well...I drew one..hehe

Happy Happy Saturday everyone and thank you so much for stopping by to visit under the old Southern ooaks tree. I just LUVVVV when you do!!!

It's a rainy day here so ya know what that means.....no junk treasure hunting. Boo Hoo..hehehe No really, it's alright though because I can work in my lil studio area. What am I going to work on you ask? Have you seen those cute little faerie dress hair bow holders folks have been making? They are precious.

I found this cute one on (drum roll please) Pinterest, of course. I have to visit that site only so often because it is VERY addicting, ri iight?? If you would like to make one of these cute holders you can visit Bambina Ballerina.  They have so many cute ones posted and if you look over to her sidebar, she offers several How To post so that you could make one yourself. If you have a little princess then you will love another How To she offers.....a fairy wand!!

I had thought about making one for my niece but then got to thinking...HEY...we live at the beach!!        
My niece LOVES the water so so much. I think she's part fish to be honest. ^_^   Faeries can't be in water...it will soak their wee little wings BUT I knew what could and she loves them too. Mermaids!!!  Those that are my sweet friends that come here often know that I love to doodle and some of my favorite doodles to do are my mermaids. So I started working on this last night and here's some WIP photos to bring ya up to where I am right now.

I love doodling these lil darlins. I had started to paint her tail and then found some "pretty pretty shiny shiny" fabric and BLAM it hit me...perfect mermaid tail. (along with some purple tulle and other bright additions)  I hope to get her put together today and I will share photos tomorrow of her. My muse is guiding me and I sure hope I can do what she is whispering to make this work. ^_^

What are your plans for today? Hope it's something YOU want to do and it makes you Happy Happy!!!!

Until next time......Hugs,
Regi

Even Monsters like Stories....

Eyes peeking out over the top of the covers....Owwwww....the closet door isn't shut all the way. "HEY MOMMIE", the little boy cried. Please come and shut my closet door, it's open. Mommie came right in....closed the closet door and kissed her little man on top of the head. A few minutes later, "HEY MOMMIE", the little boy cried. Please come and look under my bed, I'm sure there's a monster under there. Mommie came right in....bent down and looked under the bed. No monsters that she could see. She kissed little man's head and said a sweet Good-nite. Eyes peeking out from under the covers and ears listening so hard. "HEY MOMMIE", the little boy cried. Please please come look again...I know there's a monster under my bed. Mommie came right in but instead of looking under the bed again, she walked over to the bookshelf and pulled out a book. She handed her little man the book...turned on his bedside lamp and sat on the side of the bed and said, My dear little one, there is nothing to fret, for even monsters like stories I am willing to bet. If you hear him again simple open your book and read him a story and lull him to sleep. With a kiss and a hug mommie said as she left.....Sweet dreams my little man and say your prayers and remember even monsters like to have stories read.

The Chazman's doodle snack bag for the week. He informed me this morning that he could use one for a whole week. He would take good care of it. He promised. My sweet little man.

Anyone that knows me or follows my blog knows that I am wanting to write children stories. I think that I have finally figured out just what kind. Short stories that will help with their imaginations. The title of the series, "The Paper Bag Tales". Simple books with quirky illustrations and ones that only we may read but it's something that my heart really wants to do.

Until next time.....Hugs,
Regi

Thank you by watercolors

This watercolor is for all that follow into my whimsical world. Those that come for just one visit....those that come for several visits....those that come each day....and to those that always leave me inspiration with your kind words. To all I wanted to say "Thank you" for stepping into my world. You are always invited and welcomed!!!

Until next time........Hugs,
Regi

It's Monday Doodle Time!!!

I can not believe that the Chazman kept the same doodle snack bag all week long. Keep in mind that these are just plain old paper bags. Not very thick and they have gone through the abusive "open and shut" of a young child getting his snack out each day.  I think he pouted a bit this weekend because he wasn't going to be able to take the Izzie Lizard to school again this week. I had asked him to decide just what he wanted on his bag for today and he never would answer me. This morning though was a totally different story and he informed me that he had  NOT been pouting....he had been thinking. Ri iiiiiight!!! He said that he really wanted the lazy frog. OMGOSH....had we seen a lazy frog and I had forgotten. Am I really beginning to lost it? AM I.......ummmm What were we talking about? OH YEAH...the lazy frog. HA....haven't completely lost it!!!!

Chaz sits down at the computer and pulls up our photos. It seems that he has a VERY good memory and went directly to the "Lazy frog".

I can't believe that I had forgotten about this lil guy. I have used him in one of my blog post. I told Chaz that it would be a rough drawing since he had pouted taken so long to decide and I only had about five minutes. He said that it would be alright...he just wanted his mommie xoxo doodle bag cause it made him feel like I was there with him. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww....what a sweet child and he is MINE!!!!!  Not one of my better doodles but this one made two hearts smile today.

So...what made you smile this Monday morning? Remember...even what seems to be a small, tiny thing to one can mean a really big thing to another. Make someone smile today!!!!

Until next time..............HUGS,
Regi

It's another Doodle for the Chazman

School has started and it's going to be a very good year. It's hard to believe that summer is gone and I so wish that Mother Nature would realize that too and bring in some cooler weather. It's very much needed, wanted and desired!!!  I don't usually whimp out this early with the heat....seeing how I have lived in it all my life but HEY let's just be realistic here....sugar melts when it gets hot. ROFL....sorry...I just couldn't help myself on that one.

Those that follow my blog know that I draw and doodle on the Chazman's snack bags each day. It's our secret way of me being able to remind him during the day that I love him. Yes, yes...a doodle and little x's and o's. I will do this as long as I can get away with it and if that's up to the time he is in college then so be it!! I normally let him pick a theme and the creatures that live outside our studio window are the choice this week. We could sit all day and watch all God's creatures that play just out of our reach. It seems we have a family of lizards and Chaz loves to watch them. They run up the poles on the patio...chase each other....eat bugs (YUK...that is Chazman's fav thing to be able to witness this feat) and of course sit and watch us. This week we are all about the lizards. Of course, I can't just sit and draw a normal lizard. I wanted one with flare...one that looked as though he not only liked to watch the Chazman but one that might actually speak to him. Meet Izzy...the snack bag lizard and one of the characters that I will be using for a children's story later on.

Doesn't he just exude (is that even a word...well, today it is) attitude. The Chazman liked him so much yesterday that he carefully folded him up...put him in his back pack so he could have him with him again today. My lil man....just makes my heart soar.

Until next time.......HUGS,
Regi

Not wordless today....

 These are the kind of days that I really, really, really DO NOT LIKE!!!!! Did I mention REALLY? I have been working so hard on my mermaid...had her just like I wanted her.....put her in to bake and "POOF" out came one
 burnt mermaid. WHAAAAAAA!!! To top that off I picked her up....before I let her cool off enough apparently...ouch ouch ouch...and dropped her. Now there is one lil burnt very, very broken mermaid in the garbage and one grown woman getting up off the floor and wiping her tears. In all my years of working with clay I have only "gulp" burnt two pieces so I guess I should feel very fortunate about that at least. Now, it's time to start another one and believe me I'm going to be checking every 2 seconds on this one during the curing process.


I did want to mention today that I am having a sale in my Esty shoppe. I hope that you will wander on over and have a looksie.  http://regiooaksartist.etsy.com

Time to jump back over to the clay and let my muse fuss a bit about the mishap and then start all over. Ohhh, the joys of having a very over active imagination. Where is yours taking you today?

Hugs,
Regi

Doodles.....

WOW....I can't believe there is only seven more days of school for the Chazman and only 10 more days until we move. Time is starting to fly by now. I still have lots of packing to do and yes I'm still sorting through my stuff to see just what I can live without. Whoaaaaaa....that's a hard thing to do...LOL!!!

I posted earlier that my studio was the first thing packed up. Had to do it that way so I wouldn't be tempted to stop packing and sculpt and everyone that knows me...knows that is just what I would have done. Although I packed everything away, I still have paper and a pencil and decided to sit for a spell and doodle. My muse is whispering of faeries and baby dragons.  Thought I would share those whisperings with you.....

Until next time................

Hugs,
Regi

Paper Bag Monday....

I can't believe that yet another weekend has come and gone. Why is it that the week seems to just drag on by but the weekend seems to fly on by? Guess the saying is true....."Time sure does fly by when you are having fun". Hope your weekend was a FUN one.

Sunday nights are when the Chazman and I sit down and discuss what he wants doodled on his snack bag for the week. Can you believe that a rough and tumble boy can take care of the same old paper bag for a whole week? I guess he really loves them!!! He still wanted his beach theme but something a bit different. He wanted beach creatures in this one. So here is what got doodled this week...............

Chaz said this morning when we were packing his snack that he wished he was really looking out this window. He would even gladly give up his crab catch to the parrot...LOL!!!!

Until next time.......Hugs!!

Regi (and the Chazman)

Simple things......

It doesn't take much to make my lil Chazman happy. I guess really I shouldn't call him "LiL" anymore seeing how he is seven. He is growing so fast and Mommie is losing her baby even faster. I am very fortunate in one thing with him though, he has the heart of a faery and a gypsy's soul. Humm, wonder where he got those from? ^_^   Not saying that he isn't a rough and tough boy because believe you me....he IS!!! Just ask Daddy, who is having a hard time these days during "playtime". He is almost being knocked over and or out on some occasions by his lil man.

What I mean by a faery heart and gypsy soul is that he holds things dear to his heart....he appreciates the small, simple things. One of those "simple things" I was told by him today are his plain old brown paper bags I send his snack in each day. Of course, I can't stand seeing a plain, old anything...so I turn them into drawing paper.  Ever since the Chazman started school I have always drawn or doodled on his snack bag. Just so he would have something fun to look at while he enjoyed his midday snack. I also did it so I could write a "Mommie love note" on it without making him feel embarrassed by the other "guys" he might be sitting next to sharing that snack with. (Mommie love notes=hearts or XoXo's)  The comment came today because I had not drawn anything on his bag for today. Times are a bit difficult around here lately and my mind tends to wonder off in strange places and ok ok I just kinda forgot to sit down and do it last night. BUT that so won't EVER happen again since I now know that they are bringing a smile to my child's face and as he put it, it let's him know that I am thinking of him even when we are apart.

Something so simple....I never realized what am impression it had made. My love for him turned around and gave me one big HUG and tug at my heart. Have you done something "Simple" for someone lately? Try it...you will both like it!!!!

Chazman's snack bag for tomorrow.

Until next time........HUGS,
 Regi