Changing Seasons and a Holiday Shop Sale ~

Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving?

I adore Thanksgiving.

Then....I am ready to take a long nap and wake up to find myself transported to January 2nd, refreshed and preparing for springtime.

I am not a winter-loving girl.

I am always shocked into winter reality when

Overnight....

the season changes....

from this ~ 

to this ~

Literally overnight.

But, I do admit, once all the decorating chores are done, I have learned to enjoy the season a little more than I did a few years ago.

Truly, I am not a scrooge.

I just NEED sunshine and longer days and a springtime garden.

I do find ways to keep busy when I can't work outside.

Of course, I love to spend the evenings in my studio...

planning and creating ~ 

Working on a nursery rhyme illustration for an art challenge.

"Hey Diddle Diddle"

I sometimes find my way into the kitchen.

Making and baking.

Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apple pie ~ 

The holidays allow me the chance to use my beloved china and depression glass collection.

Peeking into the china cabinet, remembering and planning holiday table settings. 

A vintage Noritake tea set passed down to me by my mom ~

Vintage green goblets and pink depression glass ~ 

Fun and crafty projects help to keep my mind off of the short, winter days.

Dyeing bottle brush trees in vibrant Christmas colors ~ 

Honestly, it is probably good that the short and slow days of winter are engulfing me.

If it were gardening season, I would be so frustrated because I am down and out with a bad knee....hobbling and bobbling.  

I would not be able to do heavy duty gardening work.

My knee is swollen and crazy sore ~ 

Like a big goose egg right in the middle of my kneecap.

I slammed it hard on our metal doggy gate on Halloween night.

Ouch!

Maybe I need this quiet time indoors to help in the healing process.

So, as I ponder the new year and re-introduce myself to the inside of my home...

the lights are twinkling ~ 

I have plans in the studio and even a cookie baking day.

I have plenty to keep me busy.

Including a holiday sale in my Art Shop.

If you fancy giving art for holiday gifts, now is a great time to purchase.

I am offering 40% off my entire Etsy shop with coupon code SilverBells40.

Simply use the code at checkout to automatically receive your discount.

I hope you are all enjoying the season and not falling into the chaos that sometimes attaches itself to the holidays.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Autumn Roses, Misty November Days And An Interview.

I admit it, I am not looking forward to winter.

I don't like the shorter days.

I don't like the early darkness setting in.

I am not a lover of the holiday season in general....

But ~

I do love the Autumn.

November roses show off their white glow ~ 

Perfect buttercream petals ~ 

Reaching up towards the sun on misty November days ~ 

Competing against the warm yellow leaves ~ 

Greeting visitors just at our entryway ~ 

An invitation to view bright Autumn chrysanthemums ~

and flaming orange pumpkins ~

These radiant yet hazy days call for a studio clean-up ~ 

and cozying up in my little reading nook ~ 

Fluffy pillows and warm light ~ 

Little reminders of Halloween embellish my studio hutch ~ 

I am happy to stay home.

Inside and outside.

And...truth be known, I rarely leave my house, other than to shop at the grocery.

But, isn't it wonderful to be connected electronically?

It opens up a whole world of goodness and opportunity, doesn't it?

I was asked to do an interview for The Palette Pages.

No need to leave my house!

So fun to answer questions about my art.

Would you like to read it?

My Interview.

It is isn't very long, but it gives just a peek into my history as an artist.

I would love for you to read it.  

Maybe even leave a comment!  :-)

It was such fun to answer the questions.

Ohhhh....and, I am having a little shop sale through November 16th.

You can receive 30% off storewide by using coupon code AUTUMNLOVE.

You see, we have a huge leak in our foundation.

We are still trying to get caught up after our 8 month lay-off.

Now, I'm afraid we are going to have a very large plumbing bill.

The leak is under the master bathtub on one end of the house.

The water has made it's way all the way outside the dining room wall on the opposite end of the house.

It is a very bad situation.

So, every little bit helps.

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:

Gerushia's World on Etsy

Maybe do a little early holiday shopping?

Is it misty and warm in your neck of the woods?

Is it cold and snowy?

I am holding on to these lovely warm Autumn days.

I am already seeing Christmas commercials on television.

I want my Thanksgiving first.

I already have my table set in anticipation!

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  This guy came by for lunch today:

Just Minding My Own Business ~ When All Of A Sudden.....

Boom, just like that.

Didn't see it coming.

Times have been difficult for my family since October of 2007.

No need for detail other than it's been a financial struggle since helping with my mom's medical and death expenses.

Last year, we were finally feeling like there might be a little light at the end of the tunnel....

until my husband was unexpectedly laid off right before Christmas.

So, I found a pace after the lay-off.

I learned to cope and juggle bills and force myself to see good things every day.

Spending time in my studio helped keep my mind off of troubles ~ 

Frisky puppies made me giggle ~ 

and my garden helped me stay focused ~ 

It wasn't easy.

It was high level budgeting and going without any extras.

BUT...we were, by the skin of our teeth, surviving.

Then....

Boom, just like that.

Didn't see it coming.

We lost our unemployment money.

All due to a power play in Washington.

Politicians....Blech!

In some ways, this news was scarier than the actual lay-off.

So....here we are.

In limbo.

Again.

Right now, the only money we have coming in is the money I make from my art.

I've just recently finished a piece that is a sort of nod to a character named "Madrigal" from the book "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor.

If you've read the book, you'll understand my character design.

This is my idea of what Madrigal might look like if she were in Gerushia's World ~ 

"A Secret Invitation For Maragild"  SOLD

(Maragild is an anagram of Madrigal)

I think this piece stands on it's own as well.

It is still within Gerushia's World.

No need to read the book in order to like the piece.

Right?

Because of our current emergency, I am having a 40% off sale in my Zibbet Shop.  The above piece is normally $80.00 and it is included in the sale. If you prefer shopping at Etsy, you can receive the same 40% off storewide by using coupon code STAYSTRONG.

Sometimes, it makes me sad to offer my art at discounted prices.

It makes me feel like it's in a dime store junk aisle.

But, as you can see, I am desperate.

If you've ever contemplated buying an original or print from my shop, now would be the best time ever.

It is food on the table until we get through this nightmarish journey.

So....here I am.

Still blogging, if not as often as I'd like to.

Still trying to find good things in my every day life.

I don't know where this journey's path is leading us.

Honestly, I'm terrified.

And confused.

Confused about why things like this happen to people that try so hard to live a good and quiet and simple life.

I know there are no easy answers.

I have no answers at all.

Right now, we are in a dark struggle and I am trying with all my heart to find some goodness....and make a few dollars selling the thing that I love to do the most...

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  If you have any questions about the sale or my art, please don't hesitate to contact me.  xoxo

A Quick Hello, Working Outside My Comfort Zone and a Weekend Sale ~

Hello There:

I wasn't planning on blogging this evening,

but....

it's so hot outside and I'm indoors anyway,

may as well pop in and say a little "Hello."

I worked a bit in the garden this morning:

But, it was so hot, I decided to have my coffee at the breakfast nook

and view the garden through the window ~ 

Since the last time I visited, I finished a new piece.

"Always There to Hold You Up."

I have always been fascinated with twins and have wanted to do a piece dedicated to that fascination for a long time.

The piece has already sold, but I wanted to share it with you anyway.

I am in the middle of projects, and found myself with empty time on my hands.

I don't like empty time because it allows me to think too much....

Which is fine under better circumstances, but with my husband STILL unemployed, too much thinking is not good for me.

So.....with no current project on the table, I decided to do something that I never, ever do.  

Draw

Flowers!!

I love flowers.

I grow flowers.

I nurture flowers.

But....I don't draw them.

It is a thousand miles out of my comfort zone....drawing flowers.

I decided to just doodle.

Cartoonish flowers ~ 

Nothing fancy or realistic.

Eventually, this will be a watercolor.

Well, unless I get frustrated and tear it up...

which I've been known to do on many occasions in my arty life.

I think it's good to work outside of our comfort zones sometimes.

While I'm taking a break from my current illustration projects ~

I've decided to have a little sale in my Zibbet Shop.

May 16 through May 18, all originals in my Zibbet shop are 30% off. 

No need for a coupon code as all prices are marked. 

I'd love to move some of my original inventory, 

as I have several new pieces that will be introduced over the next few months.

So, this weekend will still be unseasonably warm.

The best time to stay in the studio,

paint outside of my comfort zone,

and have a little weekend sale.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Lovely Lazy Days And A Half Crazy Sale ~

Do you love lazy days?

I adore them.

Especially in early Springtime.

Entering into our 4th month of unemployment, I am very focused on money~

And that makes me very sad.

But I am enjoying the longer, lazy days.

I don't like money very much.

It seems more inclined to do things TO a person instead of FOR a person.

But, the reality is....we need it.

While my heart is focused on blossoms and puppies and hummingbirds and art, my head is focused on survival.

So....I am having a crazy sale.

50% off storewide in both of my shops.

Of course, we desperately need the money.

My head tells me this and my heart believes it.

My Zibbet Shop does not require a coupon code.

The prices area marked for you.

Isn't that cool?  I love that!

If you prefer my Etsy Shop you can use coupon Code HALFCRAZY to receive 50% off.

This includes all my newest originals:

3 framed pieces:

And of course....all my prints too.

 Zibbet Shop.

Etsy Shop.

This is also a great time to purchase for Easter.

I have a large inventory of rabbity art!

So, while this sale is going on, I am going to look forward...

Appreciate the small stuff.

Hungry hummingbirds are visiting lately ~ 

This little one is patiently waiting for his turn at the feeder.

Quietly perched on a branch above ~

The puppies walk with me...

Investigating the boysenberries ~ 

Smelling the wildflowers ~ 

Playing peek-a-boo ~

Posing for selfies ~ 

Admiring the early blue blossoms in my backyard wildflower garden ~ 

Crazy mockingbird landed on this pretty lupine and broke the stem.

So it is now residing safely in a vase ~ 

Lazy days find me rummaging through boxes of old treasures and toys.

Poppin' and Poppie were my favorites!

Wonderfully quiet days in the studio.

Messy desk and Springtime shadows ~ 

 While we wait for good news and send out countless resumes every day,

we savor our Everydays.

Time passes in a flash, doesn't it seem so?

As terrifying as it is to be living with an unstable future, each day still needs to be appreciated.  

We wake up every morning with a heaviness in our bodies.

Fearful of unemployment and the lack of jobs to be had in our region.

Wondering and hoping that maybe today will finally be the day that someone says "you're hired."

But, we're still alive.

Someday, this will be a part of our past.

Another layer in our life.

It is scary, but it won't devour us.

Flowers still bloom.

Puppies still play.

Our family is still together.

Job or no job...

We Are Still Alive.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World