surprise for the biggest hockey fan I know

 I started painting this for Carson Sabbath afternoon and finished it in between turns during a game of Ticket to Ride on Sunday.

Carson is the biggest hockey fan I know, so when I thought to paint something for his room, it was an easy decision.  I chose 23 because his birthday is Dec. 23.

recent artwork

I haven't really done any artwork lately.  This is a scratch art of Toby (Ryan & Jaclyn's dog) that I started in August and finally finished and gave to Jaclyn.

scraps

I know that two scrapbook layouts is nothing monumental, but I'm just getting back into it. A trip to Hobby Lobby & Jo-Ann's (worst part for Ryan of his birthday) for some fresh supplies inspired me to work on it again. The color isn't quite right, btw.

This was our trip with Ryan's parents to Camp Au Sable in Grayling, MI for family camp the last week of 2009.

book it

Sept. 2008 - Camping @ Tims Ford S.P. with Randy, MJ, Stephanie, Jaclyn, & Ryan

voila!

It's double-matted and in the frame ready to mail! I really like how it turned out. The seniors asked me to create a masterpiece to auction off again this year, but I told them I didn't have time. One of these days, I'll start keeping some of my artwork . . . maybe.

on its way

I've been commissioned to complete a piece of artwork for Ken Cook. I think I'm finished with the pen & ink part, now I just have to paint it with watercolors. I didn't want to give the whole thing away, so it's blurred out. I'll put the final image up when I have one!

109-40-109

The title of this post is the directions to my house from my parents, or vice versa. Now you know.

Ryan and I left my parents' this morning a little before 9:00a EDT and got back to Highland around 5:15p EDT, so we made pretty good time. We stopped at the last rest area in NC going west on I-40 and had fun taking weird pictures. People kept looking at us like we were strange. Oh well.

I finished painting this bird puzzle last night, and after looking at it this morning, dad thought it needed some more sanding. He sanded the tree, leaves, and background, so I have to repaint them, but they're not nearly as hard as the birds. The oriole and hummingbird ended up being my favorite of the birds. It was hard cutting them out and retaining the right shape for each of them.

Well, time to start unpacking. Too bad I have to go back to my job tomorrow :(

will pay to the bearer on demand

I got an interesting bill at Panera Bread yesterday. One of the clerks was talking about a customer who paid with a 1928 two-dollar bill. They were joking around about getting lots of money for it and splitting it amongst themselves. When I finished eating, I asked the girl if I could have it and she gave it to me . . . for $2. I looked up the value online and it's estimated to be worth about $4-7. It's pretty much in terrible condition. I'll probably just hang onto it because it's neat to have. Notice the back has Monticello on it instead of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

On another note (ha ha, I'm so funny), I finished my scratch art project finally. Ta da!

Anyway, I'm technically on supervision, so I'd better go.