Baby Shower

 The last week has been very busy with projects, all of which I could not post to the blog. I was getting ready for my friend's surprise baby shower. She has two boys and is now having a girl and I wanted to use the opportunity to have a surprise party. I think there is nothing better than a surprise party. To not be expecting anything and then have something delightful happen. What fun.

I made the cake and had so much fun with the gum paste decorations.
The cake was a lemon box cake with milk substituted for water, butter for oil, and an extra egg. I also added the zest from one lemon. Between the 4 layers of cake I added a filling of seedless Raspberry preserves. The bottom of the cake had a trim of fresh raspberries.

 Thumbelina
 

My messy work area

 Flowers drying

 Finished Cake

 With cake work I did not manage to get my gifts completely finished. I will show pictures of the baby gifts once they are complete.

And I just had to share the joy of a good piece of watermelon.

Slow Progress

 Pumpkins and Mice was completed during a painting class at Reston Community Center. It was a good way to loosen up after my painting hiatus. I had not painted since my daughter was born in August. I loved teh vibrant color of the pumpkins and enjoyed working on something that required less rigorous representation than portraits.



I have been planning this painting of Mary for some time now. I took pictures of a friend modeling the pose last year and have been waiting till the time felt right to start the painting. I am including the series of photos to show how the painting has been developing. I have a lot still to do but am very excited with the progress that has been made. The painting is titled "Preparing the Todah Sacrifice".

I have also been continuing work on "Contemplating Bluegrass"

 A good deal of my creative energy during the last week was tied up in designing and making my sons 4th birthday cake. He requested angry birds and I did my best to deliver. The kids enjoyed helping to build and paint the pinata, and everyone enjoyed the cake. I did need to catch up on sleep after the party was all over.  Unfornunantly my youngest chose the next few days to get her first two teeth and some restless nights followed.