Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature » Life, Love, and Critters

Life, Love, and Critters – of course!

Homemade Ornaments

December

2005

These ornaments are the best. 🙂

Every year, we make dough ornaments. This is one from the first year we made them, Caitybug and I, obviously Chickeymonkey was too little (she definitely looks like her nickname!). I have heart cookie cutters, a whole set of them that nest into one another, so we rolled the dough and cut a little heart inside of a big heart, then we used a straw to make holes where we hung them with pipe cleaners. We painted them, sealed them with glitter glue, attached the image to the back and covered the back with fancy colored foil (sheets from the art store) to reflect the lights on the tree. It was so much fun, a project that you remember from year to year because it hangs right in front of you. The acrylic craft paints available make it even more fun now, they’ve added metallics, iridescents, all kinds of different paints to choose from. They even make great gifts, straight from the heart (oven)!

Needless to say, I need to get on the ball in making this years ornaments.

How to make dough for ornaments:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Knead, add more flour to make it really doughy if needed, sprinkle water to make it more pliable as needed. Roll on very lightly floured surface, cut shapes using regular cookie cutters of your choice, bake at 250 for 2 hours.

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

Ho Ho Ho!

December

2005

In the early 90’s, hubby and I lived out in the San Diego area. Between wars (Desert Storm, Desert Shield), we were able to spend a Christmas together there before moving back to this frozen tundra. His mom had a ceramic shop back then, and shipped a box of blank ornaments for us to paint. Santa was my project, he’s a little guy (fits in the palm of my hand) but I took great care in painting him, drybrushing the dark shadows in his beard, giving him rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. He’s worn over the years, and paint has chipped away. We still have all of those ornaments, dinged up as they are.

This one has a very special place on the tree. He sits near the top, but not too close to the top, so he doesn’t distract from the top of the tree – which has it’s own meaning and order to us. I’ll show you that soon. 🙂

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

O’ Little Town of Bethlehem

December

2005

Another ornament from our tree, this one is a beautiful depiction of Bethlehem. I received this from my hubby’s mom years ago (it’s dated 2000). It’s 18K gold, the gold is paper thin which makes this an extremely delicate piece. It’s about 3 inches tall, 2 1/2 inches wide or so, and about 1/2 inch deep, designed like a shadowbox. The north star is its own piece and hangs from the top center of the arch. It’s hard to see all the details of this piece, but the photograph captured the mood that the ornament brings to the tree so I didn’t want to modify it at all for the sake of detail.

It’s quite lovely, I actually keep this one out all year.

Now that I’m sharing my ornaments, will you be sharing yours? Tell me about your favorite ornaments as I post mine for you, and let me know if you post any pics of them on your own blog, would you? 🙂

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

Double Digital Day

December

2005

I had intended on starting my “Ornament a Day” project today, so I will do that. In addition, I received an amazing photograph in e-mail taken by a dear family friend and coworker of my hubby that I have to share. My hubby does travel (from time to time, ahem.) and this last project has him in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. On top of that, it was Dan’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Dan!), so they went to the Caverns. Dan snapped a shot of my hubby within the caverns that he calls “very Blair Witchy”, and I agree! It’s a great shot. He is an aspiring photographer, with a pretty dang good eye for composition, I’d say.

First, the ornament:

This is obviously a purple glass ornament. It has no special meaning, but the composition is what’s important. The background shows the first snow of the season this year, and I think it’s always a fun thing to have the first snow captured “on film”. I’ve done this for years now, usually our first snow happens much closer to Christmas. In fact last year, our first snow was a light dusting on Christmas morning.

I hate snow. Regardless, (whose blog was it I was reading who has a major pet peeve for the overusage of the non-word “irregardless”, I laughed my butt off at that one while nodding my head! I digress.) it’s pretty, and there you have it.

Now, for the Amateur Photographer Highlight of The Day:

Keep reading »

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

Thursday Thirteen Blogroll

December

2005

If you participate regularly in the Thursday Thirteens and would like to see a blogroll separate from your regular blogroll with only Thursday Thirteen participants, please go here.

I just created a blogroll *only* for Thirteeners, those who are regulars or those who intend to be may add their blogs to the blogroll, and put the blogroll on their blogs.

I am working on a webring too, an additional feature that would make surfing TT’s easier. 🙂

Any questions, just holler!

* * * CURRENT BLOGROLL * * *

* * * * * *

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Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen #15

December

2005

Thirteen Things about Leanne, Thursday, December 1, 2005
My other Thirteens

1. I finally made an image for all/any Thursday Thirteen regulars interested in having it, you can right-click save this image:

You can link it back to the Thursday Thirteen code page. At some point, I think I’m going to have to create one of those ring things, where you click “surf random Thursday Thirteen blogs”. How neat would that be?

2. Also TT related, I apologize that I didn’t get to see everyone last time, and that I bailed on Turkey day. It’s been a hella couple of weeks, and man I’m ready for things to calm down.

3. If someone happens to have a spare attitude adjustment lying around, could you please forward it to me? Or maybe I should just add it to my Christmas Wish List?

4. Four is a good number. In fact, it’s the exact number of 4″ x 4″ canvases that I have sitting here on my desk. So with it being #4, and my having 4 – 4×4’s sitting in front of me, how about I offer them to the first 4 people who claim them for $44? A custom painting. Anything you want! AND, bonus, I’ll get them done in time for Christmas. Pinki Swear. Want a super cheap oil painting? They’ll never get cheaper than that, and if they are they won’t be nearly as purdy and articulate as mine are. Speak now, or forever pay regular price. One per person, please, don’t hog ’em all up. 😉 **Edit: 12/5, Not so sure about the getting them done in time for Christmas thing now, you better check with me to be sure!**

5. While shopping for blue light specials one day last week (YES I shopped on Black Friday. Late in the day, but I shopped! Did you fall over? Should I send help?!), I saw a big display rack of perfumes and colognes. Imagine that. Well imagine my drool when I saw that Stetson has a new poster child. Can you guess who it is? HOT dayum, Matthew.

Sigh. I think he’ll be replacing Tim McGraw. Oh, yes, and as Maid of Honor to Lisa, I have to figure out a way to get him to New York for her wedding. Er, the days before her wedding, I mean.

6. Sigh. What number am I on? ::wiping drool off my keyboard::

7. I’m almost finished with a book I bought last weekend, The Regime. I plow through the Left Behind Series books like nothing else. In fact, I still have three classics I bought this summer that I haven’t read. What is wrong with me?!

8. Our Christmas Tree is up, and beautiful. I will take pics of it in bits and pieces and show you some of our favorite ornaments.

9. It is my hubby’s first Christmas home in a couple of years. Well, he was home for Christmas in 2003, but it was sad because it was “Christmas Leave” during months of training, and on top of it we miscarried while he was home. This one is special, and he’s excited. That makes me excited, and it also makes me want to bake more Eggnog Cookies.

10. If Matthew is going to show up to Lisa’s wedding, I better get back on my diet, huh? :cloud9:

11. We woke up to 2 inches of snow on the ground this morning, and I have to run errands. Blech. Snow. It’s just wrong. Pretty, but wrong.

12. I have been even more of a recluse the last couple of weeks than usual. PMS, I think. I’ll be better, I promise. At least for the weeks inbetween PMS. I miss everyone, and am having bloghopping withdrawls!!!

13. I was gonna tell you something, but dang if I can remember now after doing those other twelve things. That’s about how long my memory lasts anymore. OH yeah! We have a new “slogan” for the TT (Thanks, MommaK!), see? And just in case, because even I had to look it up (yes, I admit it!), here’s what that big word means. And just for mom, this is the definition of meme!
:giggle:

HAPPY ALMOST FRIDAY!

* * * * * * * * * THURSDAY THIRTEENERS * * * * * * * * *
If you can trackback, please do. I’ve installed inline trackbacks so your link will appear right below my TT. I’m looking forward to reading all of the Thirteens over the next few days!!

1. MommaK
2. Colleen aka Chickadee
3. Judy @ Insecure
4. Enigma
5. Texas Ivy
6. Sage @ A Cluttered Mind
7. M.E.
8. Lily Bleu
9. Tommi
10. Better Safe Than Sorry
11. “D” @ Straddling the Line
12. Carolyn @ PrairieRose
13. Sleeping Mommy
14. Mary @ Fireflies & Frogs
15. Mrs. Fun
16. Terrilynn
17. Running2ks
18. Jen @ Jen’s Horde
19. YellowRose
20. Jeej
21. Lisa @ The Shizzle
22. Twisted Cinderella
23. Sallwood
24. Phoenix
25. Squashed Toad
26. Angel
27. Raehan
28. Angie @ Big Red Couch
29. Uisce
30. Renee
31. Craig
32. Carnealian
33. Carolyn @ Geeky Mama
34. Shelli’s Sentiments
35. Janet @ FondofSnape
36. J&J’s Mom
37. Rashbre
38. Jennifer @ Open Book
39. Jessica @ Daydreams & Musings
40. Lisa – JAGRABB
41. Barbara
42. Jenny @ Jenny’s Journal

(Leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

* * * If my link list isn’t updated, please check comments and/or click the link to the other Thirteen’s down below, I’ll update it as I can! * * * OH and for those playing, claim your blog at Technorati to get on their listing if you haven’t already!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

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Five Senses & A Latte

November

2005

I just returned from running a couple of errands, one of them being a drive-through at Starbucks for a nice frothy Raspberry Latte. MmmMMm. Well. I took my first sip, preparing to burn the tip of my tongue, but alas. It was just right! Except for one little thing. The lid. The lid, as you know, when you sip your latte, usually comes in direct contact with your nose. No? Well then you have a perky sweet little nose and I’m jealous. Me? Smash. Right into the lid. That’s not really my issue, I mean I’ve dealt with that for years. There was something, an odor on the lid. In the lid? On the lid. I’m not sure. Know what I smell? No, it’s not a plastic smell, or even a hot melting plastic smell.

Puppy breath.

I smell puppy breath with every sip of Raspberry Latte I take!

I find this very distracting. I’m wondering, did an employee bring their new puppy to work and let him lick all of the lids? Was a puppy nearby in the plastic plant when they made these lids? How did this puppy smell get onto my lid?! Am I just smelling things? Since I quit smoking, I have a very acute sense of smell. I have 3 other very acute senses, four out of 5 ain’t bad, I’m thinking. Can you guess which sense I’m lacking?

Also, I wonder, have you ever come across a situation like this, and did the distraction overwhelm you to the point of not eating or drinking the rest? I have been known to see something land on food outside, for example, and I will not eat it anymore. When someone says a fly regurgitates like a thousand times a second, I’ll be damned if I’m putting THAT thing in my mouth. Blech. But if I didn’t know? I would eat it, and I would live. Strange.

(I’m still sipping from my Puppy-Licked Raspberry Latte Lid. Puppy kisses aren’t germy, they’re brand new!)

(image from Education World)

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Filed under: Chit Chat

New Sketch : Black Poodle

November

2005

This is my sketch of Joey, a black poodle portrait I’ll be painting over the next week or so. I’m painting him on an 11×14 hardboard panel (aka masonite) in oil.

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Dog Portraits, Works in Progress

I’m Not Ready.

November

2005

I’m really not ready for today. Or this week, for that matter.

I’ll be keeping the holiday spirit at bay while I tend to my little one, who has yet another upper respiratory infection. I’ll be snuggling her, holding kleenex up to her nose, and making sure she’s comfortable. I’ll be taking her temperature every ten minutes to see if anything is helping, watching for her lathargic little face to brighten when her fever breaks.

I have a couple of things I’m working on – so I’ll try to sketch, and I’ll try to get a pic to show you later.

I hope the beginning of your week is going better than mine!

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Filed under: Chit Chat