today i....

signed up to be in the 2012 tour! Woohooo! My sketchbook will be touring the globe, with many other artists' sketchbooks. The exciting part is that the tour is coming to Boston too! I will be reunited with my sketchbook, and then will send it off again to continue the tour...Parting is so bittersweet. I should be receiving my sketchbook in the mail shortly, along with my world tour t-shirt, yahoooey! I have a theme and will share it with you when I begin my art. I hope you check out this tour, 
or sign-up yourself here-----> http://www.arthousecoop.com
(anyone can join-it's your art, so go for it!)
"'It's like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks.'"

• Brooklyn, NY
• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• San Francisco, CA
• Atlanta, GA

• Austin, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• Philadelphia, PA
• Portland, OR
• Portland, ME

• London, England*
• Melbourne, Australia*
• Vancouver, Canada
• Toronto, Canada

"When my hand picks up a pencil to draw... I go to a world of swirls, lines, and dots that razzle dazzle my imagination and make my heart go pitter patter." -me

my cousin's new blog!

My best cousin in the whole wide world, Dawn, has a new blog. Her link is below, so I hope you can click on it and join her. Dawn and I spent many summers together on Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. She grew up in Florida and I in MA, so summers when we got to see the cousins were so much fun! 
Dawn and I talk once a week, if not more! Good thing we are cousins because if not, we'd be sisters! Can you tell by the name of her blog? Lol! 
http://www.wannabebostonbee.blogspot.com 

a very organized friend

***UPDATE! I have successfully thrown out 5 bags of STUFF that we don't need and have cleaned out 4 closets!! Woohoo!!***
alyssa ;)

this and that...

Here are a few pics. from the yard and things...
Moose Poop: Bulbs sent from my niece in Alaska. The bulbs resemble moose droppings, hence their name. These flowers bloom all summer! They are so pretty and such an eye stopping color! 

Decorating with plates. I love plates and they were so cheap! 

The newest members of our family. They are so cute! When they were first born my 5 year old said, "Their eyes don't look so good" They were a bit icky looking, but still cute ;)

a fruity punch

Thursday and Friday I resided to my studio, which was my kitchen, with paintbrushes, paints, my new easel and canvas. I was ready to go and just started to paint. The end result is this original painting which I call, "Abloom" 

I wanted to add a punch of color in this room. It is all darker colors and it needed some fruity punch colors to wake up the eyes.  (My husband walked in after a business trip and said, "Hey, I like it!" His eyes went right to the painting.) 

The sconces will be moved and changed. I ran out of steeeeaaaammmm today. Darn allergies! 


I took down my beautifully framed winter picture that I bought years ago, wiped the dust off and added my art. I was unsure at first and then said to myself, "It is working! I love it!" I proceeded to then change the table that the t.v. was on, (I almost dropped the t.v.!), took down an old wreath and just began freshening, dusting, etc. So I need to add a bit more complimentary colors for it, which I'm working on. But, I went out on a limb and it works. I feel it does.

It's amazing what a little paint can do for your soul.

P.S. I decided not to go to Brimfield this time around. Home called and I listened.

it's my art ;)

Birthday Bouquet
acrylic on canvas
Art by Alyssa 2011

I got a new easel from my husband for my b-day. Soooo, I made a birthday bouquet for myself :). I still have a few things to add to this painting, but I'm almost done... 
Just sharing:) Have a magnificent Monday!

my birthday, 35!

                                         Wow! I'm 35 today! So, why not do a pay it forward? Sure thing! Send me a line and do a pay it forward on your blog and I'll send you a little something in the mail. Don't forget to e-mail me your mailing address at afoy76@gmail.com It's always nice to get a sweet surprise in the mail ;)

it's coming...

Brimfield Flea Market is coming next week and I'm going to be there, shopping of course! I can't wait! I'm looking forward to seeing it all.

Photo:Country Living

Last year, I was a wee bit disappointed with the high price of some items that I knew were not really worth what the price tag said. But, then again, I found some fun things and some great ideas that I used when repainting and creating some displays.


Each year, I have a new taste for something. This year I'm on the look out for teapots and maps for mod poging. I'll keep you posted on the day and my finds.