Lambing

"Come on over," Laurie typed me a Facebook message, "and see the lambs! We have new babies."

And what a treat awaited!

First we padded into the field…

and oh, the antics! 

Laurie ran, carrying special treats, and there were lambs bouncing and leaping behind her.

Then into the barn, where the morning light was perfect.

I wish you'd been with us. 

It was such a treat!

But since you weren't, here are some photos, and there will be art coming, too.

There is nothing sweeter than baby lambs to remind you that spring is just around the corner.

Heartfelt thanks to Laurie Gentry for welcoming me again.

Painting our supper

"Wow!" Andi remarked, "The teapot and the bowls look fantastic with those mandarins."

She was right.

We eat well around here. So well I couldn't resist the inspiration and painted a sort of documentary of what we ate. 

Teaspoons and almond extract and garlic rested on the big table along with the paper and brushes.

Here's a bit of what I did...

It was all so delicious. 

Hurrah for kitchens everywhere!

Snowdrops!

They're up!

Cheerful snowdrops are bravely facing the sleet

and chilly rain in the farmland.

Let the celebrations begin!

Spring is on the way!

I'm spending long hours bent over the work table

as I put together a book of hope and inspiration.

When the crick in my neck and my canine companions demand a quick change of pace

it's time to grab the leashes and go in search of signs of spring

in our own garden and the farmland nearby.

Since my trusty Nikon lens is in the repair shop I'm making do

with the iPad camera… not up to my standards.

But it did catch me sneaking fifteen minutes to sketch the cheerful little blooms.

Oh, hurrah, spring's around the corner!!!

On camera

If you'd like a little behind-the-scenes peek at what inspires me,  click here to view a short video made by Ellison Sizzix, one of the companies I design for.

I'm endlessly thankful for companies like this who make the creative life possible for me.

It's further fun that their products allow YOU to snip just as I do, but using a high tech scissors.

The initial series of designs will allow you to cut my work on almost any of the cutting machines, the Sizzix eCutter as well as those of other companies like Silhouette and CriCut. 

There are lots of other new products in the work from other licensing partners, exciting new releases later in the year and I'll give updates now and then while still sharing the back story on what inspires me.

Miracles abound.

How is it that ordinary life is so doggone exciting?!?

Winter. Alaska.

Winter in Alaska...

 It conjures up visions of frozen darkness.

Ordinarily not the dream destination.

 

But a new baby in the family is a powerful draw.

And I'm working on a new project, too, a book about finding hope in the middle of the soul's winter.

So Alaska was just right.

 

Yes, Alaska is cold. 

Frozen.

And wild. Oh, yes, wild.

 

But when the sun comes out

when the Northern Lights flash

when you sip steamy cocoa and watch hockey players on the frozen lake...

 

when you saunter, bundled up, along the icy shore hunting sea glass and starfish

Alaskan winters are invigorating beyond belief.

 

 Alaska was just what I needed pondering the deep concepts of life and hope under the surface.

Perfect for sketches of wind and ice.

 

For family snuggles.

And starlight.

And dreaming of the details of new projects under development.

For thinking about hope, whose roots are sunk deep in the soil of family and faith and joy to come.

 

Happy winter, wherever you are!