Hope for a Cure

I designed this today at work: I was pretty proud of it so I thought I'd share it with you! Enjoy!

Holding a Heart in your Hands

All my life I've known how to draw. I've been blessed by God with this talent. As I got older, I realized how valuable my talent was, but I must admit I unwillingly took it for granted. I've never known anything different; never known what's it's like to not be able to draw. I've been continuing my freelance business for quite a few years now, and I've done so many portraits for people. I knew they meant a lot to the people I was drawing them for, but I just let it roll off my back; cross another project off my list as I got it done.

It wasn't until today, years after I've been drawing portraits for people and many years since I discovered my talent that I've been truly touched by one of my new customers. Her name is Cassie. I met her about 6 months ago at one of my art shows, and she expressed her interest in getting a portrait drawn for her husband. Well, it was one of those things that fell through the cracks for a few months, and it recently resurfaced. She gave me the picture to draw, and with it, included a letter. I have permission from her to include it in my blog today, because I felt I had to share it with you. It brought me close to tears, and as I was reading it, I then realized how much my drawings mean to people. It isn't just something I cross off a list, it's something that makes a difference in their life and I'm so happy to contribute to that.



Here is a picture of sweet Kevin. I'm so humbled by the opportunity to do this project - I cannot wait to start it.


Of course, I'll post it on here when I'm done. Thank you Cassie for allowing me to be a part of something so meaningful in you and your husband's life.

The new apartment

Like I mentioned before, I've moved again! I still have quite a few projects that I need to accomplish. (Thanks Design Sponge for the inspiration!) But I'll show you what I've done so far!

I was inspired by Amy (who writes for Pikaland) who wrote a entry for Decor8 by her use of the Expedit shelving units from IKEA. So I went hog wild and bought 2 of them! Here is how I used them:

My dresser - with the drawers for my socks and 'unmentionables' lol.

My counter space in my kitchen. My kitchen has NO counter space and is literally the hallway that connects my living room to my bedroom. I also went from 25 kitchen cabinets in my old place to 7 cabinets in this new place, so I have put my dishes and cups in here as well. In the drawers, I put my tupperware, dish towels, and other kitchen utensils.

Here's my bedroom..not finished yet - my brand new bedspread is currently bagged up and awaiting a trip to the laundromat because unfortunately it got infested with fleas! So this is my old one, but my new one matches the brown and pink pillow shams that you see now.. And I still need to get curtains and put more stuff on the walls.





Here's my kitchen.. NO counter space as I said.




That's all for now! I'll post more as I get it done!

My DIY Project

I have a shelving unit my bathroom that goes over the toilet. It's pretty handy, but the shelves have rungs and alas, many things fall right through them. So, I've been trying to find something out in the stores that I could use to put on the shelves as a solid surface. I've found nothing.. so while cleaning my apartment, I found a big piece of cardboard. I almost trashed it, and then I realized that I had some fabric lying around.. and then lightbulb blinked on! I measured the shelves, cut them out, covered them with some cheap blue satin I had. Here's the process and the before and after in pictures..

The Supplies

Easy...

The Before

After

Beautiful solid shelves!

Struggling

Life has been hard this last month. I always say, "We all have the same 24 hours in a day, it's all in how you use it." Mainly because I'm always so busy that I never take the whole 'I don't have time' excuse. Well, it looks like the preacher has learned her lesson. I've hit my yearly quota for breakdowns and meltdowns in the last month alone. I just want to go ahead and say thanks to my wonderful, amazing, sexy support system, Todd. Yes baby, I know I'm a handful - lucky you, you get me for a long while! My parents have also been awesome in helping me sort my heavy load out. I've made a few decisions in my life in the last day, there are going to be major changes.

I haven't picked up a paintbrush in 2 months. Let me repeat myself. 2 MONTHS. That's just absolutely ridiculous. This week, I'm busting out and starting, and finishing my freelance projects, and then back to my easel. I've got to finish the Beatles and work on some new endeavors. I've been in touch with Jeff Ruby's office, so wish me luck - maybe something will come from this!

I put a streak of purple in my hair... see??


Ok, so not that noticeable, but I notice it! Something different! Anyway, I'll be putting more work up as I get it done - oh and pictures of my new apartment.. yes; I moved... AGAIN. I'm so done with moving. This time, I'm not painting the walls in there. I hate repainting them when I have to move out. My word, that's annoying.