In Celebration of Neet (RIP)

Hello!  ¡Hola!  My schedule has been so crazy lately, that I've been having to post when my schedule allows.  As you may know, I had two overnight work trips in the last two weeks.  Next weekend, I have a graveside funeral and I'll be baptizing my youngest grandson, so besides getting the liturgies ready and writing sermons, my wife and I need to get the house ready for family and work on the reception for after the baptism.

Since Mother's Day is coming up next Sunday too, I decided to make cards for the 5 Mom's in my immediate family.  Iced Tea is a staple in the Southern United States, so I made it the focal point of my card.  For my design, I used Hyggenhaus black greeting cards; Crescent Adhesive Board ATC's; generic doodle scrapbook paper and stencil for Amazon; a Memories ink pad and a Ranger blending tool; Sizzix Tim Holtz Happy Hour & Lisa Jones Jar of Flowers Thinlits sets; a Kscraft ATC die set; generic B&W baker's twine; a black Copic broad nib inking pen; a Funcils Black oil marker; a Mont Marte red brush pen; and different adhesives.  I am submitting this card to. Freshly Made Sketches #734 - Sketch by Jen M, Colorful Options - Black & White, First Cup Challenges #14 May, and The Paper Players PP784 - Theme Challenge from Jaydee.

Next, I have a page I made for Art Journal Journey, where Mia, from the blog Craftartista, set a "Birds" theme.  Just like her, I love birds too.  However, I also love the Japanese culture, and have been learning about Kawaii (Cute) and Chibi (Short) art lately.  Based on what I've learned thus far from art instructional books by Masako Moyervandee and Yoai, I drew this fantasy eagle and startled little boy.  I felt that the John 14:1 Gospel verse was appropriate for their encounter.  I am also submitting this page to Sunday In The Art Room 5/3/2026 and Mosaic Monday #187.

Last, but not least, I have a photograph I took with my iPhone 14 Pro, of a Pipevine Swallowtail, in my wife's garden.  This species of iridescent blue butterflies, graces parts of Canada all the way down to Southern Mexico. They thrive in open grasslands, woodlands, meadows, and gardens during the warmer months of spring and summer.  Their diet is primarily the nectar from flowers like Cirsium, Phlox, Vernonia, and Lantana (See Picture) .  I am posting this photograph in celebration of Neet (RIP), a blogging friend from the Word Art Wednesday community, who passed away on May 29, 2026.  I am also submitting this picture to Saturday's Critters and My Sunday Best.

I invite you to follow my blog, or at least leave a comment, so we can get to know each other.  Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por su visita!

Shalom,

Arnoldo+