Long Lost Update!

 
I know I have not been updating on a regular basis.  So today, I dedicate this post to updates! On a personal note, I've started chemotherapy again.  Radiation treatments to my right breast and foot start again tomorrow.  I'll go through 10 sessions of radiation, have a few weeks break and then start radiation treatment on the left side.  You might be wondering why it's being done in split treatments.  I have had SLE Lupus since I was a child.  We finally managed to get the Lupus levels into reasonable levels and radiation and Lupus are normally not friendly!  In other words, Lupus and light is not a good mix.  My oncologist and radiologist have decided it is too risky to do all the treatments as once.  I can't wait until it's all over and I can have some of my life back!  Between cancer treatments, not feeling good and lack of energy, my blog has taken back seat to everything else. When I don't feel well, it's hard for me to be creative.  I'm hoping that changes soon!  

 I entered the Fort Saskatchewan Art in Public Places 2015.  And I won!  Yipeeee!  My piece "Roots" won and was purchased by the city.  I have to say it was honestly a great honour and I really never thought I would win.  Abstract art is something you either really love or really hate and I wasn't sure it would be liked.  You can visit www.fortsask.ca for more information.

I've completed another painting titled "Hidden Layers".  It is a mixed media collage abstract piece.  It's done on canvas (16x20) and was create using my hand painted papers, acrylic and watercolour paints, watercolour crayons and texture paste.  I still need to sand down the sides of the canvas, paint the sides and frame it.  Once that is done, I will be listing it for sale.

 
 

I'm working on a tutorial on how I create and use my hand painted papers.  I hope to have it posted as soon as my radiation treatments are done and before the next set begins!  

I have been quite busy the past while with some really fun and interesting projects.  I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog posts but I simply haven't been feeling the greatest.  I have always said I did not want cancer to be the focus of my blog or my art, but having cancer of the blood really has affected how I feel and my energy level is not what is should be.  I am going to really try to post more often.

One painting I did want to share is an abstract, mixed media painting I created for my town's Art in Public Places 2015 submissions.  I wanted to enter this contest because I really believe in supporting our local artists and I honestly can not think of a better way to contribute to my community.

This painting was created using watercolour, acrylic paint, various acrylic mediums, and other various mediums.  I added Zentangle inspired elements, as well.

 

10 Lip Smacking, Easy D.I.Y. Lip Balm Recipes

I live in Alberta, Canada.  Summer season is short here and winter seems to never end!  It's only the beginning of September and we are already cooling down and the pending doom of winter can be felt in the air.  Our winters are long, very cold and super dry!  Lip balm is not an option here, it is a must!

I have a few favourite brands of lip balm.  Burt's Bees and Baby Lips are just a couple that I love to wear and use.  But, as a die hard crafter and D.I.Y. enthusiast, I have decided to try and make my own!  

Below is a list of handmade lip balm recipes that I found on the wild web.  I am looking forward to trying a few of them out!  Hopefully, you will find one or two recipes that you will like too!

1.  Beautylish has a great recipe for a peppermint and bees wax lip balm in a recycled Altoids tin!  I know where I live in Canada, Altiods are not easy to find.  Another alternative for the Altoids tin could be a Tic Tac container or Ice Breakers Sour Mints container.  You would need to be a bit cautious because the containers are made from plastic, but, I think with a little care and caution, they could be a great alternative!

2.  Gingerlymade has a super easy and super yummy recipe for Kool-Aid Lip Balm!  Who can resist the yummy flavours of Kool-Aid?  Another alternative would be to use other drink powders, such as Crystal Light or Jolly Ranchers!  

3.   Food + Words has come up with a Chocolate Mint Lip Gloss!  How super yummy!  This recipe uses real chocolate chips!  So, it is like a dessert on your lips!  All the glorious sweet taste of Chocolate Mint, minus the calories on the hips!

4.  Enjoying This Journey has created a dreamy Dreamcicle lip balm recipe that is sure to please!  It sounds absolutely dreamy!  Looking for containers to keep your handmade lip balm in?  Try checking out the dollar store!  They often have packages of small plastic containers to keep seed beads in!

5.  Beautylish has made the list again!  I love the idea of using a locket to hold your handmade lip balm!  This might be a great idea for Etsy sellers!  Or to make and sell at craft fairs!  This particular recipe uses coconut oil and grated lip stick for added tint!  

6.  The Happier Homemaker has posted a lovely recipe for a Lavendar Lip Balm.  I love Lavendar and I think this would make a very lovely, relaxing lip balm.  If you have anxiety, try dabbing some of this balm on your lips, and let the beauty of lavendar calm you!  And, as an added bonus, there are free, printable labels!

7.  Nerds and Nomsense offers an interesting recipe for their "Good Night Kiss" lip balm.  Some of the flavours included in this recipe are mango, cinnamon, vanilla, honey and more!  I am very excited about this recipe because it sounds super yummy and is quite different from the other recipes!

8.  Hello Natural has posted a Pumpkin Spice lip balm recipe that is simply lip smacking yummy!  Who can resist pumpkin spice?  I know I can't! This lip balm sounds so delicious and it's the perfect time of year for anything pumpkin!

9.   Happy Money Saver has a great copycat recipe for one of my favorite commercial lip balms!  Burt's Bees!  

10.  This last post is for D.I.Y. Baby lips lip balm!