little

Christmas in July

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

Bringing Home the Christmas Tree in My Little Red Wagon – 11×14 Watercolor

Christmas in July.

Today is July 31, 2018, and it is the last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth 2018.

And even though I’m wearing shorts and the air conditioning is on, I’m starting to think about Christmas.

Just a teensy bit.

Christmas is such a fun time to create art.

I chose to use my little girl character created for this painting (inspired by my first granddaughter) to feature in this first Christmas watercolor for 2018.

My oldest daughter-in-law and I are starting to think about what we are going to create for fall and the holidays for our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop and Berry Vine Gifts and the big Mars Fall Craft Show this year.

I’m looking forward to seeing what we come up with and sharing it here.

I’m looking forward to another Christmas, but with TWO granddaughters in our family this year!!

I’m looking forward to finding time for art.

I’m grateful to Charlie O at Doodlewash for hosting #WorldWaterColorMonth again this year and for honoring me wth the privilege of being a World Watercolor Month Artist Ambassador.  (Today is your last chance to purchase the souvenier pouch that supports the Dreaming Zebra Foundation in giving art supplies to underprivileged children throughout the world!)

I’m grateful for your visit here today.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

These Little Piggies

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

claras-toes-9-weeks-old

These Little Piggies

When I kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in
her little jammies,

I think about
the first wobbly steps they will take and then the walks that will follow holding mommy’s or daddy’s hands and later with a beloved friend or pet or me.

I think about
the times she will stand tall and proud on them for important things she believes in.

I think about
the times when she will vehemently “put her foot down” about something important to her.

I think about
her skipping on a hopscotch game chalked on the pavement or into the house with her heart fluttering from her first kiss.

I think about
her jumping rope in the playground or jumping off a diving board or from a plane.

I think about
her dipping them in and splashing at the edge of a pond or kicking them in the vast ocean.

I think about
her marching in a band like her mommy and daddy or in an important protest that could change the world.

I think about
her putting them gingerly on top of her Daddy’s trusting, sturdy feet learning to dance.

I think about her slipping them gracefully into delicate ivory wedding shoes to dance with the love of her life.

But for now,
I just kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in her little jammies.

And I am thankful
for these little piggies.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Canon EOS Rebel T5