Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature

Get creative with me!

Our Own Cherub

December

2005

Everyone with children knows that when you find something with your childs name on it, it’s a major accomplishment. I had been collecting Seraphim Angels and have a few, and one day I was looking them over in a Hallmark store and saw this Cherub. She looked so much like our daughter, I had to see her up close. Wouldn’t you know, she’s named after our Caitybug! Needless to say, this perfect little replica of our little Angel hangs year-round in our home, I think more to remind me that she really is sweet – even when I wonder how she can behave like she’s possessed.

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Filed under: Chit Chat, The Photog in Me

Hugs From Santa

December

2005

This morning’s photography session is over, and look at this. I could just cry it’s so sweet. I’m picking through the photos I took, filtering them a bit, burning them to CD for the school.

What a neat thing, the backdrop – Santa – the kids amazement – I’m so glad I volunteered for all of this!

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Filed under: The Photog in Me

Photos With Santa

December

2005

This is what I did today, it’s a photo backdrop for the elementary school to use for Photos with Santa in a couple of days. Not only did I paint this thing – which by the way covers a good part of my studio floor at about 8 feet wide by 4 feet high – but I’ll be the photographer for the event, too.

The most important part of this backdrop, of course …

Keep reading »

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Filed under: Completed Paintings, Large Scale Projects

Frosty… Our Snowman!

December

2005

Did I ever mention … I hate snow? But, for the past 2 hours, I’ve been out in it. Runny nose, rosy cheeks, big fuzzy boots, I’ve been out playing in the snow. I even waited until the kids left for school. I’m a bad mom. This is some good packin’ snow, ladies & gentlemen. Obviously. This snowman is a lofty 6 foot tall, I had to get his mid section up in two pieces.

Crud, I better get to work now. Hi-ho, Hi-ho!

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Filed under: Home n' Hearth, The Photog in Me

The Tree

December

2005

Here’s the home to all of the pretty ornaments you’ve been seeing lately! I’m actually glad the top is all lit up, I’ll be able to detail our tree topper for you another day.

I’ve got a full schedule today! So for now, get cozy – grab some cocoa and just enjoy the warm glow of our Christmas Tree.

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Filed under: The Photog in Me

The Giant Snowflake

December

2005

Suspended from the peak of the roof (firmly attached at both sides so that the wind doesn’t carry it away) is this 18-inch snowflake. Blue icicle lights are draped across the house, white netted lights cover the 9-10 foot tall pines (bushy pines) on either side of the house. Getting a full shot of our light display at night isn’t easy, every photograph looks like a bunch of lights floating in the middle of black.

I upgraded my graphic program lastnight, I use PSP (Paint Shop Pro) formerly owned by JASC, now owned by Corel. I upgraded to PSP X (10.0), which has even more features and buttons that I need to play with. hehe! They have a couple of other programs I’m eyeballing as well. A small indiscreet program, Corel Painter Essentials, was tucked away in the folder and I doodled for a bit lastnight with my wacom tablet. I was like a kid in a candy store, playing with my new toys!

I took the girls Christmas portrait yesterday morning, it turned out really beautiful and looks so good I felt like a professional photographer for a day. I’m excited to finally work on our Christmas cards and get those out in the mail!

I resketched the dog portrait (that black poodle, Joey) yesterday, too. I plan to paint today in my small two-hour window of opportunity, so I’d better get ready for it, it comes and goes in the blink of an eye.

Happy Monday – only 12 more days until Christmas Eve!

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Filed under: Home n' Hearth, The Photog in Me

Family Flick Night

December

2005

(I took this photo at Sea World last Spring.)For those of you who haven’t seen March of the Penquins, you must! I loved this film. I do enjoy documentaries on animals and their behaviors, but I think even if you’re not one to get into that kind of show you would like it. Morgan Freeman did an outstanding job narrating – he has the perfect voice for it. The penquins amazed me, their behavior, their dedication and devotion made us laugh, and sniffle, and when the babies were born Caitybug and I were both in “awww”. It was beautifully done!

The Red Violin was interesting, and confusing, and interesting again. In the end, I liked it very much, guessed what he found out (not to give it away), and was glad the movie ended the way it did.

All in all, it was another good Family Flick night. How is your weekend going?

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Filed under: Available for Purchase, Home n' Hearth, Photography Prints, The Photog in Me

Happy Eggs : Good Eats

December

2005

This morning, while Chickeymonkey was cracking eggs for our morning scramble, our eggs made a face at us! I am hoping this is a good sign for our day and weekend, I’ve got some things to do as I’ve now volunteered for something that will cause me to virtually magically disappear for a few days. I’m not sure what I was smokin’ at the time I volunteered, but it must have been some good stuff since my head is still spinning!

I was very housewifey yesterday, did the grocery shopping, threw a wonderful and huge pot roast in the crock pot with some chopped veggies, balanced the checkbook (gulp – 4 months worth – I was behind!), paid some bills, and made some Peppermint Crunch cookies. I was hugely disappointed when I checked my roast after a few hours, I pulled a piece off to see how tender it was and I’d have sworn I was chewing on a tire scrap. WTH? I may very well be a failure as a cook, but as Lisa is my witness, I’m a damn fine baker!

After a few more hours in the crock though, it was falling apart and I felt better. It still wasn’t going to be edible in time for dinner though, so we ate out lastnight. After dinner, we stopped over at Blockbuster and purchased the new release “Fantastic Four” and it was so good! I usually don’t like that kind of stuff but it was really entertaining for all four of us snuggled up on the couch on mounds of pillows in our jammies and under blankets, nice and cozy. 🙂

We picked up The Red Violin (Lisa raves about it so I have to see it!), March of the Penquins (bought it), and a few others for weekend viewing. It should be a nice (warm, indoors, away from the icky cold snow outside) weekend!

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Filed under: Home n' Hearth, The Photog in Me

Shiny Horse

December

2005

We have a set of these ornaments that appear to be antique. They aren’t, of course, they are el-cheapo antique ornament lookalikes. What I love about them is the way their paint reflects light, and how the glow radiates around them on the tree. I was chatting with a friend yesterday when I looked over at the tree and saw this, this is exactly what I love about sitting in a dark room with only the Christmas tree lit. I also am loving how my ornament pics look so pretty on my new Wrapping Paper theme! They fit right in!

In addition to the “ornament of the day”, I’d like to thank everyone for playing in yesterday’s TT. Although I haven’t gotten to everyone yet, I will, and I want you to know how much it makes me smile to know that this little meme has brought so many new friends together. Thanks for joining in and making it what it has become.

Happy Friday!

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Filed under: Available for Purchase, Photography Prints, The Photog in Me