Chemists Produce a New Blue !!

hello lovely reader,

I just read a post on FaceBook that Chemists have created a new blue. It is a bright vibrant blue hue. Wow.

Have any new colors been created in your recent memory? I can't think of any. As a watercolor artist known as a "colorist" my first question for these Chemists is...
"Will you be making this new blue compound into a paint?" :)

If you'd like to see the new blue & read a bit more, go here.

NASCAR: Congratulations to Jimmie Johnson (& pics of Elvis the NASCAR pup)

good morning darling reader,

In 2004 when we decided we were moving down south, Dawn & I thought it would be a good idea to start watching NASCAR racing. After all, it originated in our new homestate of NC. We watched car races as children (Mario Andretti era) but had not done so in a long time.

Our friends, Terri & Jack, are big fans so they invited us to their house for some NASCAR parties. We were instantly hooked and have been ever since. Jack did a great job explaining how it all works. D & I like a lot of drivers but Jimmie Johnson as been our #1 since we started watching.

We don't watch the truck series, I dabble in Nationwide however the Sprint Cup series is what we faithfully watch every week.

What a trill yesterday for Jimmie Johnson to win the Sprint Cup for the 4th consecutive year...a feat which has never been done before. Also a big hoorah for Hendricks Motor Sports taking 1st 2nd & 3rd (JJ, Mark & Jeff)...another new record.

And did I mention? Elvis Lee is a NASCAR fan too. When the announcer says "Crank It Up" we turn up the volume & Elvis runs around the couch. LOL too funny. He has a JJ doggy shirt, a stuffed #48 dog toy & a Jimmie Johnson steering wheel dog toy.

Are you a NASCAR fan? How long have you been one? Who are your favorite drivers? My inquiring mind wants to know.

have you seen Ivan Chan's artwork?

hello dear reader,

Have you seen Ivan Chan's artwork. He's a fabulous artist. His blue cat paintings & koi fish are some of my favorites. And check this out - his beautiful paintings are done by fingerpainting...cool huh?

You can view his artwork here. Ivan's blog is here.

free art "how-to" videos

good evening dearest reader,

I found a great source for free artist videos on ArtistsNetwork.com. Video topics include:
- Demonstrations
- Tips & Techniques
- Workshop Previews
and more....Interested? go Here to check it out. Let me know what you think, okay?

hugs all around...

free widgets for your Etsy shop

hello dear reader,

I was reading some of my fav blogs today & found a link to a super cool website offering Free widgets for your Etsy shop. They are similar to Etsy Minis...I think you'll love them. You can use them on blogger, facebook, myspace & lots of other sites. They also give you free statistics for tracking clicks. (you can see mine in my sidebar)...and I love their tagline...

"Shop anywhere, buy on Etsy"

go HERE to get yours now...

win beautiful beaded earrings - Nov Blog Giveaway by Almost Precious

good morning sweet reader,

A fellow artisan jewelry designer & faithful reader of my blog "Almost Precious" is having a November blog giveaway featuring her beautiful beaded earrings. There will be two winners. And the best part? All you need to do is visit her blog, become a follower & leave a comment. How easy is that?

Check it out here.

trip to Sunset Beach with my dog, Elvis Lee

hello dear reader,

Today was a beautiful warm day here on the Carolina Coast so I decided to take Elvis Lee to the beach for a walk. We live about 6 or so miles from Sunset Beach. To get to Sunset Beach, you need to drive over a one lane wooden swing bridge (the only one of it's kind remaining on the East Coast). Unfortunately this piece of history is being replaced by a large modern bridge. You can see the construction in the photos below.

Elvis & I had a great time at the beach. It was not crowded as there are not many tourists here this time of year. We took a nice walk. Elvis loves the beach. He chased sand pipers & sea gulls, romped in the waves & dug up sea shells. We played "fetch" with one of his shell finds. These are all his favorite beach activities. Thank God we have a 16' leash.

This time of year I can bring him to the beach anytime of day. From Memorial Day to Labor Day dogs are allowed on the beach only after 6pm.

You can read more about the Sunset Beach Bridge here.

Sunset Beach Bridge & construction

The Pier at Sunset Beach

Elvis Lee & his "fetch" shell

Artists & Crafters: Be Proud - you are a Company

good afternoon dearest reader,

Another great blog post today by SuaVoce that I had to share with you. It reads in part...
'Many people say they work out of their kitchens or their garages and they say "Oh, I just make jewelry on the side." But they should say, "I own a company." Act like you own a big company, because you do.'

Times are tough & many of us are struggling to get sales, make a little money for the holidays etc. I think SuaVoce's blog post is a self-esteem booster for those of us that are artists & crafters...especially those who do their arts & crafting part time.

What do you think? Did her thoughts help you to realize you have a company, not just something going on the side?

You can read the entire post here.

Amber Alerts sent to your cell phone

hello dear reader,

I just set up our cell phones to have Amber Alerts sent directly to us via text messaging. Time is of the essence when a child goes missing. It only takes a few minutes for you to set this up for your cell phone. You can also choose the area that you'd like to receive alerts for.

These days, all you hear about on shows like "Nancy Grace" is children going missing. When I was a child I was outside year round, going to the park, walking to friends houses etc. The world is not like it was when we were kids.

If you're interested, you can sign up for Wireless Amber Alerts here.

Car Show in Calabash - Photos

hello dearest reader,

Yesterday Dawn & I went to the First Annual Calabash (NC) Seafood Festival & Car Show. I'm not a big fried seafood fan so we skipped the food & went for the Car Show.

Dawn & I have been attending car shows since the 1980's. Even though it was a bit chilly & overcast, this one had a great turn out. 65 cars were estimated to enter and 125 showed up. Lots of Mustangs (you Know I love my new 2010 Pony) & Cameros. Only 1 Firebird/TransAm (I had a new 1983 Firebird that I beat the hell out of, after all I was only 20 when I got it - I'll have to dig up some pics).

Here are some pics from the Car Show. Do you attend car shows? What are your favorite cars to see there? My inquiring mind wants to know.

5 reasons to buy ART - by Lynne Reichhart

good evening dear ones,

Me again...reposting a wonderfully written blog post by Lynne Reichhart entitled "5 reasons to buy ART". As artists, we know there are many reasons to buy art however I just know you'll enjoy Lynne's 5. Read her blog post here. Let me know what you think, ok?

Artist Friends: you may want to tweet or repost Lynne's "5 reasons" to promote Art in your community.

inspirational words of love & faith from PamperingBeki's Blog

good evening dearest reader,

I've been reading some of my favorite blogs & came across a beautiful blog post from PamperingBeki's Blog.

here is an exerpt....

Dear one of Mine,
I see that you need encouragement today. I actually see you every day, all day. I'm the One who watches over you and even planned your birth. I couldn't wait to see you born and to see your life unfold. I love you so much and have since before anything else existed. I've poured out my love on you from heaven above and earth below. I've poured out my love from a manger and from a cross. Both today's enjoyments and difficulties on earth are real, but they are both temporary. Your forever rejoicing will come soon - when I do. Until then, know that you are loved and let that love fill you with peace this very day.

Based on Psalm 139:1-18

Thank you Beki for sharing such lovely words. You can read her entire blog post here.

What do you think dear reader? Did you find comfort & inspiration in this post? I hope so.

God Bless.