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Well, this is an oddity....I never blog in the evening. It's something that I've always enjoyed with my morning coffee. But alas...I've been so busy, I just haven't had the time to blog in the last few days.

What's keeping me so busy you ask?

Well, I've opened up a second shop on Etsy to clear out some of my supplies. I have pounds and pounds of photos, ephemera, scrapbooky type stuff and more. I've gone through and seperated out the items that I use, and I'm offering everything else to other collage/mixed media artists on Etsy. I figure, I can make a few dollars, do a little recycling, and give other artists the opportunity to adopt some extremely delightful items as well. Here's a link to my new shop:

Musty Boxes Ephemera

It's been lots of fun having a look at my collections of old paper and such, but it's been long hours and lots of hard work. Lots of picture taking!! I will be listing more and more each day.

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In the midst of all this wreckage, I've managed to finish a couple of pieces:

Martha Feeds The Goat (ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2")



Guardian Of The Musically Inclined Rabbit (4" x 6")


Both of these pieces can be found ~Here~ These pieces can also be purchased through my blog. Or....you can requests prints of these pieces as well. Just give me a holler by clicking on my email, here on my blog, in the upper left hand corner.

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I'll be back in a day or two with an entry that isn't brutally marketing my shops!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Thanks to all who participated in the contest. It is officially over and I will randomly pick a number and announce the winner tomorrow.

Again, thank you ever so much for taking the time to participate:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I woke up this morning in the mood to have a contest!!

I will do it the simple, old fahioned way, as I always do. Simply leave a comment. When the contest is over, my daughter will pick a number out of the hat. If the number picked matches the comment number, you win. I know, I know, I could use a randomizer, but I'm computer illiterate and it's too complicated for me to wrap my brain around, so the old hat is good for me!!

When the contest is over, I will contact the winner.

The contest will run through Sunday March 2nd, 8:00 p.m. pacific time.

The winner will receive this:



A 4" x 6" print of "Dancing Fiona". This is one of my favorite "Anthropomorphic Animal" pieces to date. She is happy and light-hearted.

Okay, let the contest begin:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

It's that time of year once again....the dreaded beginning of "Spring Cleaning". Grout cleaning, appliance shining, doo-dad dusting and all sorts of other laborious tasks. I always enter into the season dreading the big cleaning, but once I get started, I find myself re-connecting to my home. I have so many pieces around my house that were passed down to me from my mom and aunts. Old tea sets from my grandmother, whom I never met, as she died before I was born. Nic-Nacs given to me by my kids when they were tots. So many memories surround me, yet so much of the time I find myself walking through my house but not really seeing what's in my home. Spring Cleaning allows me to literally touch memories, to carefully dust these precious gifts that sometime become overlooked.

Now, don't get me wrong....I am not a fan of the basic labor of cleaning away grime from general living. I don't like mopping the floors or cleaning the kitchen grout (which, by the way, I use diet coke to clean the grout as it works wonders). But... when it comes time to really dust the nic-nacs and re-arrange the china cabinet, I find myself getting lost in some of the sweetest memories of my life.

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I have 3 new ACEO prints listed in My Etsy Shop.

Johnny On The Bridge


Sunny Day In Germany


On With The Honeymoon


I wonder sometimes if I should be more specific about what an ACEO is. I'm sure some folks that read my blog must wonder what the acronym stands for:

"ACEO" is an acronym for "Art Cards Editions and Originals". ACEOs are collectible art cards always measuring 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches. That is the size of a standard sports trading card. The rule about size is the ONLY rule in the ACEO world. An ACEO can be created in any medium the artist desires: paint, collage, colored pencils, ink, etc. There are even ACEOs made from wood, clay, fabric, and metal. They can be originals or prints.

ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall. Many people display their ACEO collections in the same kind of plastic sheets and albums that sports card collectors use. You might slip an ACEO into a greeting card as an extra surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas. ACEOs sell on Ebay and Etsy for anywhere from ninety-nine cents to over one hundred dollars or more!

I love making them because I enjoy working small. I love tiny detail, so making ACEOs are perfect for me.

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Well, I best be off. I have an appointment with a grout brush...

Until Next Time
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I don't have a huge amount of time for words today, but I took advantage of the sunshine yesterday morning and snapped some photos. I found that, if I looked close enough, springtime is peeking out all over my yard...

Blossom on my plum tree...



Sparks of yellow on my hill...



Color in my overgrown garden...



Homer enjoyed warming her 12 year old bones in the sun...



Junior posed for a picture...



Have a lovely day~

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Just a short entry today, as Thursday's are always my busiest days. It's been a simple and quiet day thus far, which is always a lovely way to start a day. I am rather fond of days that are hushed and ordinary. It gives me time to see and smell all the goodness that is so easily overlooked in the busy-ness that can sometimes take over.

If I breath in deep, I can almost smell the Springtime today. Even though it's a little chilly outside, and an ever-so-slight grayness has moved in, there is a hint of Spring lurking beneath. I will enjoy this simple morning as long as it lasts. As I know that within the oncoming hours, the daily rush will set in, and I will be off in a whirlwind of chores and commitments.

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I finished another collage ACEO last night and listed it in My Etsy Shop. It's another in my "Amelia" series and it may be my favorite of all...

Amelia Visits The Ghostly Orchards



I just love the ghostly Victorian women picking apples. I left them sepia toned except for the apples, to give them a sort of ethereal look.

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Thanks ever so much for taking the time to stop by and have a look at my blog. As always, I truly appreciate it.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Hello There:

I'm off to quite a busy day, but wanted to check in and say "Thank You" to all who commented on my previous entry. Should I change my business name or not is still the question being volleyed around my house. I've come up with several names that I really like, but am dreadful of all that would need to be done if I choose to make the change. Most people think that I should change and that my name is, indeed, misleading. The overall opinion is that, if I'm going to do it, I need to do it now and make a huge deal out of it. Holler it out to the world!! I will keep you posted and may be back to ask for more opinions!!

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I've been quite busy in my studio, and I'm off to a productive week already. Here's what I've just listed in My Etsy Shop:

LITTLE BERTIE IN THE GARDEN (4" x 6" collage on canvas)



GUARDIAN OF LAZY DAYS (collage ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)



As always, if you don't have an Etsy account, but are interested in either of these pieces, or prints of these pieces, just email me. Up at the top, left hand corner of my blog, just click the "email me" button. Until I get my blog shop in order and get that pesky little paypal button attached, this is the only way to offer my pieces here.

Again, thanks ever so much for your comments and opinions on my newest adventure.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I've been wrestling with an idea for quite some time, but I'm still unsure if it's a wise decision. So, I've decided to bring my idea here, as so many of my readers are artists as well. And those readers who aren't artists have prized opinions as well!!

I've been playing with the idea of changing my business name. I've been Garden Painter Art for about 5 years now. The name came from the fact that each and every one of my collages has an image of my garden somewhere within. I love the idea of that. BUT... I think my name is mis-leading. I think people see the name Garden Painter Art and they assume I do floral paintings. I just don't think my name is fitting for my art.

I don't have a huge following, of course, but I do sell quite a bit. I feel like, if I'm going to change my name, I should do it now. Of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, I've just ordered business cards!! This is a long term makeover project that I'm starting. I feel like I need to do some cleaning up of loose ends and get myself stream-lined.

So...I would truly love lots of honest opinions. From artists as well as readers in general. I need to be able to see how a name change would be perceived by the public.

Any ideas would be truly appreciated. If you like, you can email me. Just go up to the left hand corner of my blog and click the email link.

I'm hopeful to get lots of opinions, as I am not sure if what I'm thinking is a good idea or not.

Thanks so much:
Kim
Garden Painter Art (for now)

Good Morning:

As I sit, tap tap tapping on this electronic communicator, my fingers are aching with cold. It's one of those desert mornings that allows an icy wind to find it's way through every crack and crevice in the house. Even with the heater on, the air is cold to the nose. The chilly wind gave me the honest excuse to skip my morning walk. The thought of heaving myself out of a warm bed at 7:30 a.m. to walk 3 miles in this wind just seemed, well...it seemed wrong. Although, I must admit, this was not the best morning to skip a walk, considering the amount of calories I must've consumed last night for Valentine's Day.

Last night, Gary and I had our usual V-Day dinner, shared a bottle of Almond Champagne, and had too much sinful but heavenly homemade cheesecake. For the last few years, Ava (my daughter) has been making a V-Day desert. This year she chose to make not one, but two cheesecakes. A Peanut Butter Cheesecake and a Lemon Cheesecake with Strawberries. AND...she always makes homemade whipped cream to go along. It was lovely. A feast for the heart as well as the belly...



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I haven't finished any new pieces in the last few days, but I did list a new print in MY ETSY SHOP. The warm weather we had a few days ago made me long for Springtime and Easter (which is my favorite holiday). This little ACEO print was originally made with Easter in mind:

THE EGG HUNT



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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few little chores to attend to and I am hopeful to find some time to start a new collage.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well, just as I suspected, the few days of 80 degree weather that we had here in the Southern California desert was short lived. I'm okay with that. It just doesn't seem right to be so warm in February. Our walk this morning was chilly to the bone with a constant goose-bump inducing wind. Was nice to get back home and have that first cup of morning coffee.

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It seems that today is Valentine's Day. Ava (my daughter) is busy in the kitchen making a cheesecake for Gary and me to have as our desert tonight. She's altering the recipe to make a peanutbutter cheesecake, so I'm looking forward to the end result. Later today, I'll run out and buy a bottle of Almond Champagne and set the table for a nice dinner for two. Ava will make dinner for my two sons and herself, and Gary and I will feast on our traditional Valentine dinner of "Pick-Up-Stix". I shan't allow myself to think of the sinful amount of calories that I'll be consuming!!

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I have a new original 4" x 6" collage on canvas listed in My Etsy Shop. Have a look at the old church in the background. I took that photo a few years back in Cuervo, New Mexico. It's a little abandoned town off of Interstate 40. I googled Cuervo not too long ago, and found that there are some interesting stories connected to the town.

SUNDAY MORNING WITH LITTLE RABBIT AND BROTHER BILLY


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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few chores that need to be attended to.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm back from my morning walk, and found the squirrels were fresh out of their burrows and the woodpeckers were busy doing whatever it is that they do. My own yard is filled with the chit-chat of thankful birds at my just-filled feeders. I can almost feel myself ready to bloom for spring. BUT...I know better than to jump to conclusions, as it is only February. Although we have had lovely days of 80 degree temperatures, the small and hidden logical part in my brain tells me that we are still in for more winter weather. Alas, with each passing day, spring gets one day closer...

I have been fairly busy in my studio lately and have managed to finish 2 collage ACEOs (2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)

BENNY AND THE SUMMER STORM (sold)


AMELIA BABYSITS THE NEIGHBORS (this is the 3rd "Amelia" aceo in the series).

(Check out the pouting little girl with the blue pixie hat on. That's me when I was a little girl, just getting ready to have one of my royal tantrums)!

I just love working with these vintage photos of "Amelia". I don't know who she is, but I have lots of photos of her, as I adopted a musty box of her family photos at the flea market. I only know her name is Amelia because that's what the back of her pictures say. In each and every photo, she is happy and smiling. I will continue to make more "Amelia" pieces. I am honored to be able to give her photos a new life.

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I have a handful of little "chores" to do today, but will have time to finish the current collage I'm working on. Gary is home from work today, as it's Lincoln's Birthday. Although he isn't able to enjoy his day off, as he has a terrible cold.

Thanks for stopping by
Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well, it's been over a week since I've made my way to my blog. Filling the big, white, and blank page seems such a heavy task, yet when I do have the words, I enjoy it so. Although I haven't many words lately, I have managed to finish two new collages. They are both listed in My Etsy Shop.

The first collage is a second piece in my "Fiona" series. It's a 5" x 7" on canvas:

FASHIONABLE FIONA




The second collage is another in my "Rabbit" series. It's a 4" x 6" on canvas and I like to classify it as "story art", as there is a story to the piece. It goes like this:

"What you get with this collage is a lovely summer afternoon somewhere in the English countryside. The kind of warm day with miniature breezes that call you to laze about. But on this day, Rabbit had an unexpected visit from her dear friend, Dog. Dog felt that the day was so warm and fresh that a party was in order. Dog brought hats and tea and scones. A nice time was had by all...BUT, something was amiss. There was a static in the air and a low howl far in the distance....

Now, you get to fill in the blank. The end of the story belongs to you!!"

RABBIT'S UNEXPECTED PARTY



Both of these pieces will, eventually, be offered in print form in my Etsy shop. If you are interested in either of these collages or a print of either one, but you don't have an Etsy account, feel free to email me for details. You can do so by going to the top left hand corner of my blog and click on the email button.

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As much as I loathe using my blog as a simple marketing tool, that must be what I use it for today, as I'm off to another busy day. Meds for my mom and picking up some medical records for her as well.

As always, thank you ever so much for stopping by and having a look at my new work. I truly appreciate it.

Until Next Time
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm off to a busy day, as so often it seems I am. I wanted to take a smidge of a minute to share this lovely photo with you. My husband snapped it from the hill in our backyard ~~



It's impossible to capture the vastness of the snow on the mountains with my little digital camera, but it is a breathtaking sight. Before long, a large portion of the snow will be melted and the smog will be back, but today is lovely....


Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

What a lovely rainy morning it is. The dampness in the air is tempting me to cuddle up in my favorite reading chair...



But alas, I've only been up and alert for approximately one hour. I am hoping to get a few things done today, but am finding myself a little slow as I seem to have a nasty ear infection. I have an ear condition that I take daily medication for, and for the most part, it's kept under control. Every once in a while, my ears give me fits, and with the change in weather, this is a likely time for them to misbehave. I will do as much as my ears will allow, and otherwise, I will be perfectly content to stay in and wallow in the warmth of my home. While the rain is boldly dripping outside, making just enough splatter to be heard through the windows and doors, I will be thankful for the roof over my head and the blessing of ears that can still hear the rain...





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I am anxious to get back to work and I have several pieces just waiting for me to finish them...



Whether I will feel well enough to work today is yet to be seen, but I may give it a whirl and see what happens. I know that my heart is ready to work, now I'll see if my ears will allow it. I have several projects going on all at once, as I always do. I am hopeful to finish a few pieces so that if I'm able to pay my Etsy fees, I can begin listing again.

I'm off for the morning. On to my daily doings. My hope is to be finished with all that I must do before nightfall. I would so enjoy a little time to quietly sit in my favorite reading chair, listening to the rain with a cup of Peppermint Tea in hand.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm just on my second cup of coffee and finally coming awake. I was given the go-ahead from my mom's nurse to take her home yesterday, so she spent her first night in 11 nights in her own bed. For me, I spent the night in my own bed for the first time in 11 nights as well...I slept hard. Too hard. I don't remember enjoying the opportunity to stretch out as I must have fallen asleep, literally, the second my head hit the pillow. Before I knew it, it was morning once again.

For those of you who have had a newborn at home, I'm sure you know that almost "zombie" like feeling that overtakes you after many long nights without any sleep. I can remember taking care of my restless babies during the night, and running on a complete deficit of sleep for days. I remember almost feeling sick and sort of seeing silver just at the lack of sleep. But dealing with a newborn is a good thing!! Taking care of my mom left me feeling that same constant sleep deficit except you didn't have the overwhelming joy of holding your sleeping baby once they finally dozed off.

I haven't spoken to my mom yet this morning, because I know she has been sleeping late and I don't want to disturb her. I will, however, call her in an hour or so. I am so hopeful that all went well.

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At this point, I still haven't sat down to work. I'm finding it difficult to justify the time spent as I can no longer list my art in my Etsy shop. I wasn't able to pay the fees this month, so my listing priviledges have been suspended. I can still sell what's already in my shop, but I can't list anything new until I can manage to get my fees paid. I just feel defeated...

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As many of you know, I am a gardener. Well, let me rephrase that: I love to garden. I'm not sure that loving to garden necessarily qualifies you as an actual "gardener". Nevertheless, I love to garden. Until this morning, I hadn't been out to my garden in literally months. Normally, even throughout the winter, I would take the time to stroll around and look for the hope of new life. The hope of Springtime. But this winter, I just couldn't find the heart to stroll or the interest to look for Spring. This morning, I found myself wandering around with time on my hands. With no desire to collage, I forced myself to grab my camera and step out back. I can see that, in my garden's lack of being nurtured throughout these last months, it is suffering. The Lavendar needs to be cut back, the Geraniums need to be dead-headed, and the hummingbird feeder needs to be replenished. I have one dead Apricot tree and lots of cleaning up to do. All of this will have to wait for another day. BUT...I did manage to find some hint of life...





And my little turtle is still loyaly watching out for my garden...



The Geraniums are trying hard to pretend it's April...



as they must take advantage of the cooler days before the heat sets in and brings with it their hideous enemy: The cut worm. Just as my Geraniums are extravagent in bloom, they will be overtaken by this green and plumpy foe...



My heart is sad for my garden as I have not been as loyal to it as my little turtle has. He's stood strong through hot days and cold nights, wind and rain. I, on the other hand, have turned my back on the fruit and flowers that I made a commitment to nurture and care for.

Until Next Time:
Kim

Good Morning:

It appears to be sunny outside today, as I can see rays of light squeezing their way through the window blinds. I'm afraid that if I open the blinds to the new day, I may also be letting in a new battle or tragedy. I know, I know, new days are supposed to be exhilirating, a new start, but for me lately, they're terrifying. I'm always on guard against whatever "surprise" may be lurking around the corner. I've become almost giddy at the thought of going to sleep at night, but dreadful when I lazily open my eyes for the first time in the morning. I wonder to myself each morning when I open my eyes, if all the rest of my mornings will be like this. If I accidentally live to be 80, will I still be afraid to open the blinds and afraid to open my eyes? Will my current battles simply continue to roll right into the next set of "current battles" or will there be rest in between?

I wish I could sit down to work. I have so many half-finished collages at my desk, but all I can manage to do is stare at them. I love my work and I don't want to create pieces that are dark and negative and ugly. I don't know if I can remember how to create bright and fun and happy pieces. And...if I can't do that, I don't want to create at all.

Someone recently asked me what the hand represents in so many of my collages. At the time I made them, they represented God's hand in our life...



Holding us up



Giving us light



Now, my vision is so dis-gruntled, I can't hardly see it that way anymore. When I look at my pieces, I still see the hand represented as God's, but I have this sneaking suspicion that the hand represents us as puppets. Not as the hand of a guardian, but the hand of a chess player. Yuck...I don't want to see it that way!! I don't want to feel this way!!

Will there ever come a morning full of hope for the first light? Full of anticipation for a glorious new day? That is what I long for. To open my lazy eyes to the first morning light and think to myself: "Yipee, a new day!!".

Until next time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Oh how I wish I were here...




Oh how I wish it were Springtime...




Oh how I wish I could eat 3 or maybe 4 of these without gaining an ounce...

I'd like to be able to say "Good Morning", but alas...the morning has come and gone. Officially, it is afternoon. 12:15 to be exact. Although the afternoon has made it's way into my home, I am still in my pajamas. Normally, this would be unusual for me, but with my mom convalescing/recuperating here at my home, it's become quite the norm over the last week. I will make every effort to, at least, slip on a pair of jeans at some point.

I woke this morning to find that one of my favorite collages had sold at my Etsy shop...



It was the original piece that sold as opposed to the print. I do believe this piece has become my all-time favorite. I will prettily package her and send her on her way, all the while feeling a little melancholy at the thought of her absence. Knowing I can keep her for myself in print form makes it easier to say good-bye.

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As it has become the norm, I find no surprise in the fact that today will be a busy day without even leaving the house. My mom's nurse will be here for his twice weekly visit. Which, I might add, is always delightful, believe it or not. He is a kind hearted and funny man with a booming voice and quite a contagious laugh. He is larger than life in so many ways (physically as well). His calling to hospice is perfection. It is exactly where he needs to be and wants to be. He is a true blessing. If all goes as hoped, my mom may be able to go back to her place on Wednesday or Thursday. We will see how it goes.

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As I knew when I started tap tap tapping the keys on this computer, this would be a shortish blog entry today, for it is oh so late and my mom is ready for lunch. I intend to make every effort to come back tomorrow.

And....Marie, yes, the illustration of Alice with the longneck still scares me. I shan't drink from a small bottle myself!!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I thought I might take this opportunity to stop by this morning while my mom's resting. I had a look out the window a moment ago and it looks windy and crisp. The Palm Trees across the street are whipping every which-a-way. The howling wind makes my mini-schnauzer nervous and/or giddy (he's not sure yet which way he feels). Personally, I love the wind. I love the sound of it creeping around the corners of the house. I love the movement it brings. Everything in the garden is alive in the wind. The birds can be seen riding the waves, soaring and darting. Outside my windows, there's life in the wind. How I envy those soaring birds...

I've found it comes very easily lately to get lost in sights, lost in thoughts and lost in books. Late at night and early in the morning hours, while my mom is sleeping/waking...sleeping/waking I've re-discovered "Alice". I haven't read "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" and "Through The Looking Glass" for years. What a lovely place to run away to...so many Anthropomorphic animals and flowers. I remember as a little girl (maybe seven and a half exactly?) being fascinated by Anthropomorphic animals and I reckon that may be why I portray my own animals in such a way within my collages. And...although I was never a fan of Disney's portrayal of "Alice", I do remember the "Alice In Wonderland" ride being my most favorite ride in Disneyland. Well, that's neither here nor there, but I truly am inspired by the magic within the books. I am currently enjoying the silly banter between Alice and Humpty Dumpty.

Oops...I hear my mom calling. She's ready for some oatmeal. I'll quickly share a few pictures of my newer pieces. I haven't worked this last week, but these are current as of a couple weeks ago.

And speaking of Anthropomorphic animals, this collage is called "Rabbit's Celebration". It's a 6" x 8" on canvas



Here's a close-up of the Celebrating Rabbit



And these are my two newest ACEOs...

Rabbit Visits The Country ~ my 203rd ACEO



Amelia's Lovely Girls ~ my 204th ACEO



I haven't the time to post a link to my Etsy shop, but these are all available there. You can find the link in the upper left hand corner.

I'm off...back to reality.

Thanks for having a peek at my blog as I truly appreciate it.

Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well...here it is January 11th already. They say "time flies when you're having fun", but I beg to differ. Time is passing me by swiftly and I can assure you I am not having any fun. The last six months have been the hardest and most depressing time in my life, yet, when I look back over the course of that time, it seems like just yesterday that everything fell apart. I have, and am continuing, to stop by my blog as often as time allows. I miss my blog world. It's full of caring and fun people, beautiful artwork and delicious recipes and photos. I have made friends through this electronic journaling system. Friends that email me their best wishes and even send me Christmas presents and Christmas cards. All of which were truly appreciated and helped me make it through this terrible holiday season.

Originally, I started this blog for two reasons...1) I love to write and journal and 2) To promote my artwork. By accident alone, it's turned into so much more than that. There's a community here. Groups of folks who promote each other's artwork and blogs. People who support each other during dark times. It's rather curious, to say the least, that you can get to know someone without physically touching them, hearing their voice or even smelling them. It's a modern day oddity, but it's a lovely reality all at once.

I recently had a look back at some of my old blog posts. They were full of flowers and lightness and color. How I miss those Spring mornings snapping photos of dew drops on my garden, with the intentions of showing those photos on my blog. It was my way of sharing the sights and sounds and smells of my garden with my blog friends.
How I miss stopping by my friends' blogs and enjoying their lives.

I had no intentions of blogging about my troubles this morning when I woke up. But, I feel so lonely and detatched from everyone and everything that my heart drew me here. So....I will share just a little of the last 6 months with you. Not so you will feel sorry for me, not so you will take pity on me. I don't want to be "poor poor Kim". But I will share a little with you because you're my friends and I need someone to talk to.

Alright, here it is. About six months ago, my mom took a fall. We already knew she had an end stage disease and was weak. This particular disease can cause Gastrointestinal bleeding, which is why my mom was weak. She was bleeding internally but didn't realize it. When she was released from the hospital, she was put on hospice care. My husband and I became responsible for the costs that she couldn't cover. She's a senior on a very limited budget and we have always helped her cover her extra. But the hospital copay and ambulance copay were more than we expected. It had to be paid before she could go onto hospice care. So...we paid it. The only money we had to pull from was our mortgage money. And that's when the landslide started. We went into default on the house and are still desperately trying to keep our home. We are on countless payment plans with our utilities and are constantly trying to keep our electricity on. Our home phone and cell phones have been turned off and we are using "Tracfones". They're little cell phones that you buy and pay seperately for your minutes. I've been forced to sell some of my dearest treasures and my husband is rabidly trying to find a better paying job. At the moment, we are struggling to keep our car insurance paid for so my husband can safely drive to work and back. Our house is quiet these days. Too quiet. Quiet with worry. My husband and I have had some personal struggles through our 20 years together, but never anything like this. There's so much resentment and panic and guilt. I feel guilty because I chose to stay home with my kids and homeschool them from the beginning. Had I taken a job many years ago, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation. My husband is guilt-ridden due to the fact that he feels like he can't support his own family.

It just seems like once you get into a position like this, you can't pull yourselves out. The later your bills are, the higher the penalties. We just missed having our water turned off this last Tuesday. I sold just enough art work on ebay to run to the water company and pay the bill in person. That money was suppose to be for food. It's a big hideous Merry Go Round from Hell.

So, we're struggling along within this all-consuming night-mare....and my mom calls me last Monday: she's fallen again. I knew that she had been weak over the last week or so and a little confused. I informed her hospice nurse, and we were keeping a close eye on her. She managed to fall in her bathroom and make her way back to her bed. I made my way over there to find her confused and pale. I called her hospice nurse and he came right over. She was dehydrated. We decided to call 911 and get her to the hospital to replenish her fluids. Another Emergency room co-pay, another hospital stay and another ambulance co-pay. She ended up by being severly dehydrated, has pnemonia and a urinary tract infection. Off to the pharmacy to buy her antibiotics. She's here now. Coming along fairly well, but weak. I'm having a really hard time taking care of her right now because I'm so overwhelmed and depressed I can hardly pull myself out of bed in the morning.

Now, I know that families and folks have their ups and downs, and believe me, we've had our share of downs through the years, but nothing like this.

The hardest part for me is the fact that my faith has been shaken to the bone. I have never felt so betrayed by God before. I've had my heart broken many times through my life but never by God. I feel abandoned and alone and I don't think he is paying me any mind at all. I never realized how hard it would be to get up in the morning without God in your life. I reckon that's because I never thought he would leave me. People tell me he's still with me, but I don't feel it. I can't find him in anything I do anymore. There's a complete emptiness and silence. Even through past struggles, I could always feel him sort of hanging around, keeping me strong and hopeful. I do believe he's left me now and I want him to come back, but he doesn't seem to hear me. Is it in his glorious plan for my family, my children, to be homeless? Is it in his glorious plan for this family to fall apart? I can't make any sense out of any of this.

We are in the position that we're in because we helped my mom. Because we did what we thought we should. She has no one else to help her. I'm her daughter and I did the best I could. Now, my family is running the risk of losing everything. What kind of sense does that make?

Please, let me take this opportunity to apologize if I offended anyone with my ramblings about God. I surely didn't mean to. I am just a sad and desperate girl looking for answers and hope...

Thank you so much for continuing to stop by my blog. And thank you for understanding why I haven't been able to peek into your blog worlds as much as I would like to.

Maybe tomorrow I'll feel a little better. I have some pictures of my newest work to post, but I'm too tired for that right now.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I had every good intention of taking a leisurely hour or so this morning to blog about Christmas. Thus far, I've managed to pull myself out of bed, drive to the store for tissues and orange juice and drive back home. That's right, tissues and orange juice. My entire family, all five of us, have a nasty cold. Thank goodness it isn't the flu, but still.... My nose is dripping and my eyes are as juicy as a peach on a summer day!!

I managed to finish a 5" x 7" collage before this cold hit hard and I've listed it in My Etsy Shop.

THE WAIT



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Alrighty, short and sweet this entry will be. I think I'm destined for a cup of tea and a stint on the couch. I may even try to read a little, if my juicy eyes will allow. I'm finishing up the third "Odd Thomas" book and getting ready to start anew with the Harry Potter series. Or...I may start on "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland". I just finished "Water For Elephants", which was an excellent read. Right up my alley.

Well, I'm off to La La Land. I'll be back around soon.

Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well, here it is, the 17th day of December. Only a few more days until Christmas and I've yet to buy a single Christmas gift. Money has been extra tight over the last few months, so we are doing a "Christmas Simple". Meaning, less gifts and less expensive gifts. I won't even start my shopping until this Friday. Normally, I am well on my way to being done with my shopping by now. This has been an unusual Christmas season so far...But, I do think that we've been able to enjoy the season for what it is, rather than being caught up in "consumerism". That's a good thing!

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One good thing...my Etsy shop has done fairly well this year. I've sold many prints and even a couple of my original collages. I'm off to the post office today, hoping that what I'm mailing will reach it's destination before Christmas. The two originals that I sold were bought for presents!!

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I have some new prints being offered in My Etsy Shop. They are all new to print:

"And The Birds Are Singing" ~ 6" x 8" collage print


"Simple Bird #16" 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO collage print


"Chickadee At The Manor" 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO collage print


"Simple Bird #2" 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO collage print


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This will be a short blog today, as I really need to get to the post office. For those of you who tagged me recently, I haven't forgotten and I'll be back with my answers soon!!

As always, if you are interested in purchasing any of the art you see here or in my Etsy shop, but you don't have an Etsy account, feel free to email me directly for information. Just click on my blog profile and from there, you can email me.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:



Well, we have a winner this morning.



The number picked was 13 !!



The winner has been notified and the ACEOs will soon be on their way.

Thanks to all who participated and be on the lookout for more free art after Christmas!!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Hello There:

Well, the contest is officially over. I'll be back tomorrow morning with the winning number...

Thanks ever so much for participating. I love giving away art. Especially if it makes people happy...

Until Tomorrow Morning:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Hello There Blog Friends:

I've been planning on having another contest for months. So, I've decided that today is the day.

Here's the deal: No counting, no guessing this time. Simply post a comment. The contest will end tomorrow, December 13th at 5:00 p.m. pacific time. At that time, I will have my daughter pull a number out of her "hat". (Just know that I am an extremely honest person, and I'll even take a picture of the randomly chosen number)!! That number will match with the appropriate comment number. So, if Ava happens to pick number 5 out of her hat, whoever was the fifth person to comment wins!! (Again, I really am honest)!!

The winner will receive these two ACEO collage prints from my Garden Painter Art Collection~~

The Greedy Raven


Christmas Crow #1

They are appropriate for Christmas and are fabulous for the crow and raven lovers amoungst us!

So...get to posting. I'm holding this contest for more than 24 hours. The winner will be contacted by me, and then I will post the winner and the winning number on my blog immediately after the contest.

For those of you who may not know what an "ACEO" is: ACEO is an acronym for "Art Cards Editions and Originals". There is only one rule to an ACEO. It must be 2-1/2" x 3-1/2". It can be any genre, but absolutely must conform to the specified size. You can even find frames for this size at many different art supplies stores, (and even Target). This is the size of a standard trading card.

Thanks so much for participating!!

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art