Valerie VanOrden Blogs

about two three weeks ago, for pauls birthday, Jul.5, his 73rd, i bought two puppies from amish persons in wt. pigeon i found in RV dealer mag. they are half german shepherd, half rottweiler. My puppy i named Klondike (though paul calls him Kody f... 

we bought/adopted 4 new baby chicks...wyandottes. silver and gold 2 @ from farm &home see fb for pics video.  

Seems like the more I get into watercolor the less I know. Did a little painting yesterday over at a friend's house.  

Finished season of outdoor market in Mendon at Crafter's Corner. Will be at Crossroads Missionary Church in Mendon, MI. Nov. 10th, 2018, 8a-3p at Craft show.  

Looking forward to March...teaching plain air sketch journaling. At COA. 2018, Lord willing. Then getting left knee fixed replaced April.  

Had 1 student at the Commission on aging. No one came this past week. Will reconfigure in January after I finish out October. Had a commission in September for dogwood legend. Did st. Joseph county grange fair...was hot.have fair in November, on th... 

Hi....i did two paintings of violets earlier this past week....violets from a sympathy card, ptgs 16 x 20".  

I am at chupps herbs, waiting for M.y. who is having a ch Iropractictreatment...an hour. She is preggie, due in 2weeks. Sure hope i dont have to deliver it in my van,,,! My dog skippy will be put down today. Wewill go to kazoo. Paul and i. With skip... 

Last class of season today. The sky is crying, big T-storms today. I am going over to COA at 11:30 am. Setting up for last class around 12:15 p.m. I am at Nottawa Libry right now. Paul and I are enjoying our big house. Lots to do concerning t... 

Yay, yay, yay, we will be moving November 12th to Centreville, MI, about 30 miles north of the Indiana/Michigan state line. I will probably be driving more. We have purchased a nice, large, house, in town. I can hardly wait to set up my studio..in... 

Will be moving to Centreville in approximately one month, am buying a house there. Will still be exhibiting my artwork at Portage Library in May/June 2017, alongside Pamela Kerr's photos of CA.  

Will be selling my cards, coasters, placemats at Bank Street Market in Kalamazoo, MI, Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 5, 2016. 8 a - 3 p. Will be also selling my cards, etc., at Wellness Fair, Thursday, Sept 15, 2016, 11 a to 3 p.m. at Bronson Park, Kala... 

I will be showing my artwork at the Library in Portage May, I think, of 2017. It may be a different month, but it is definite as far as approval. Pending contract and other details, early June will be taking place. Will keep you posted. Theme may... 

this is been a very busy week. My paintings went up at the City Hall in Portage. as of today Monday the 11th they were not up yet on the walls but they're working on it. I have 100 envelope that I finished of a prominent ladies daughter's wedding inv... 

well where do I start... I have about 17 paintings going up at City Hall in Portage Michigan.I got a new go phone from AT&T and just got some apps on it like Facebook and other apps. I'm taking a class in Chinese painting at the Kalamazoo Institute o... 

I'm not slated for any particular shows at this time. Nov. 14th is next Kal Expo Sat. sale. I MAY do another Tues/Wed. sale, not for sure. I am saving up for 2 license fees for vehicles around 100@. On top of insurance and transportation expenses o... 

I signed up for Premium features today. Excited.  

Next week start KIA "Gongou style Chinese painting" which is detailed Chinese painting. Am excited. Tuesdays.  

Just checked out Hideaway campground and flea market yesterday. bring the bugspray, it's nestled in brush.  

May most likely sell at Centreville Flea Market when it gets started up, which may be soon, may be later. Also looking at Newbury Square flea and swap meet in Shipshewana. That is only in the morning. Quite a drive. $20.00 for 20 x 25 space. Do... 

May most likely sell at Centreville Flea Market when it gets started up, which may be soon, may be later. Also looking at Newbury Square flea and swap meet in Shipshewana. That is only in the morning. Quite a drive. $20.00 for 20 x 25 space. Do... 

Well, Three Rivers Farmers' Market sold all their covered spaces on 3-26-15. So, unless I want to raise a tent weekly, it's a no-go for me. They have me on a waiting list in case someone cancels.  

my brother got in a bad motorcycle accident. I am praying for him for full recovery. He has fx spine, pelvis, ribs. I painted many envelopes this past weekend. I taught a woman at my Friday group how to paint a leaf, she is real happy about it. ... 

I am catching up on some email down at the library today. I got a lot of painting done this weekend. I did some blue flowers on a green and teal background. I sent all those cards out to friends because I liked them so well. (7) of them.  

I feel under conviction of the Holy Spirit to "get the internet out of my house". I will no longer have internet after tomorrow at midnight. I did do some one-stroke painting today.  

I did 5 rose compositions this past weekend and finished up Tuesday. I did not go to painting class downtown. It is 2 weeks before Christmas now. I have a booth/table at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds Dec. 20th. 8-3 to sell my art, coasters. Paul f... 

Today I went to Empire Beauty School to enroll so that I can generate some cash flow through doing people's hair. I'm just thinking about it for 3 weeks. I would start in January and it's about a year or so. It's 17,000.00 tuition. They do not requ... 

Did 2 pieces of penmanship this afternoon.  

Went to Kal Expo today to craft fair. Went to KMC vendor fair also today before noon. Took a nap. Got up, did 2 pieces of Spencerian penmanship. One is pictured here.  

We made lion cupcakes in Sunday School this past Sunday. Paul took a great pic, my hubby, with his cupcake. We used popcorn for manes, pretzels for whiskers, and chocolate chips for eyes and mouths. The lesson was in Daniel and the Lions Den.  

I bought a large bottle of green paint, a large bottle of white paint, and some "Christmas green" paint which is a bright green, from Meijers. I am watching my friend kill herself over housework for her daughter who had a kidney stone removed. My fr... 

Today I am reviewing the week. Monday Leah and I went to visit Orpha. We stayed 3 hours. She really wanted to visit with Leah about diets and supplements. Then we visited Ruby H., whose legs were swelled up because of steroids. She was on her feet,... 

Did some satisfying pieces of one-stroke, which were immediately gobbled up by Giesele at Church for 1.00 for all 15 of them. She is terminal so I could not say "no" to her. Hope she gives the gospel out with each one that she shares with.  

Did painting over at Leah's house with Leah Grace, Leah's grandaughter, Esther's oldest daughter (& firstborn). She got silly and did not want to try hard. She is about 7 years old. Still, I think some of it went into her brain. We will see if it... 

Quite a day today. Got oil changed in van, needed quite a bit of work done on it. Started day off with grocery shopping, then forgot tuna...so, when I returned from painting I remembered to get 9 cans of tuna. I did do some painting today. I'l... 

Have decisions to make concerning school again. Signed up for on-line school for BA in Marketing, but since they put Algebra in the curriculum, doubt if I can handle that. Tonight I put my pics from my phone on facebook, including a pic or 2 of A... 

Shared with Pen Dragons a piece I penned today, after having my stuff in storage for a month. I did not do Spencerian, other than with ballpoint pen, for a month because I stored my oblique penholders (& nibs) with points in off-site storage.  

Went to Schoolcraft and talked with shop owner about possibility of having booth there. Am online now. This coming week I register for classes.  

I have been off line for 3 weeks. Summer is wrapping up. Have decisions to make about taking advantage of grant for school. Depends on internet service to a large extent. Finished at the Three Rivers' Farmers' Market. I am presently applying for an... 

It is with sadness that I end my classes, we had the last class of 8 classes, at the KIA this summer. It was SOOO much fun. I want to take another class but I'll probably have to get a scholarship as the classes are over 200.00 dollars. Randy Wa... 

Thursday is the Farmers' Market. I am also going to talk to KVCC Financial aid about going there, I have a grant for 5,830.00 to go back to school. full time. The kittens are out and Mittens is terrorizing the neighborhood in this apt. She is ... 

What a day, and week. July 4th is Friday. I went to the KIA today. The teacher, R. Walker liked my drawings and pen and ink. He wants to get an oblique penholder for dip pen drawing. I hope he does. I sent a thank you note to Denise and KIA s... 

With 2 kittens it is hard to get my homework for the KIA done. They are sleeping right now. I have a Christmas carol DVD on with a yule log that goes on for about 120 minutes. I did some penwork today, but need to get to my drawing which is in... 

My hubby continues to surprise me. He traded a bicycle for an expensive bicycle and then we sold the Fuji racer to Big D's in Nottawa. With the money Paul bought pedals (I convinced him that adapters were available, and guess what, I was right - we ... 

Today was the first time I bought card-printing kit and used it at home. I looked up www.avery.com and looked for templates, resorted to using the wizard that the printer has with 4-up or 5 x 7 format, 2-up, etc. , and it worked. I bought the card-k... 

Found that in printing up cards at home the only way I could get them to print so that they open correctly was to print them upside down, so I rotated clockwise 2 x and then printed with the Wizard (print wizard) 2 up just one image, 5 x 7, and it wo... 

Hi! I did 9 rose or poppy compositions, one-stroke, in the past 2 days, 6-11/12-14. I did them mostly at home, although I did some of the leaves over at Leah H.'s house, because she has a big farm table. I finished the flowers, the calyxs and the t... 

Here is a closeup of me painting at home in front of apt at Paul's table.  

In this pic I know it looks like I could be asleep, but I am painting in my lap sort of at my "new" table that Paul offered me to work at, outside, in front of our apt.  

Did quite a few paintings past 3 weeks. Want to make them into Easter cards and send out.  

I will be working Sunday, April 20, 2014. Easter Sunday, at the Flea Market in Three Rivers, MI off of U.S. 131 and Michigan.  

Did a little painting on cardstock Tuesday morning. After Donna Dewberry, using her composition (yes, it's plagerized). I painted it in acrylic.  

Am being pursued by a vanity self-publishing company. Sure I'd like to publish, but I have to move soon. We still have internet at home, DSL, so I'll be on here blogging from time to time. Today I went down to Leah and Tobies, made Pffernusse (... 

I am choosing to turn off the internet at home for a while until we move. Which will be in March. I still have my smart phone and gmail.  

Paul is watching Flipper and I can't watch cuz someone is going to get hurt in the film. I made new business cards, super simple, in black and white, with Sincerity Birdie on them. Paul & I went to church today. Paul is worried about getting his tru... 

I put 2 older pictures online that I had in my collection of JPEGs on my hard drive onto FAA. One is of a boy's house across the street from where we lived on Horton Street, in Grand Rapids, in the 1980's, the other is of a desert scene done in past... 

My hair is long again and I am choosing to put a profile picture of me with my hair down that my sister Meg took several years ago. It surprises me that so many years have passed since my dad passed away.  

We have to move in six months. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats. My sister, M. said she would help us if we "got rid of all our animals". I just cannot. They look at me with those big brown sympathetic eyes and I think, no way. I am trusting the Lord Jes... 

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, this a.m. coming, it is 11:35 at night, Paul got up to take dogs out. The Dr. wants to give me injections. I do not want them. I made her a gift of stationary. I made an addendum-letter refuting 5 points in ... 

I've gotten like 4 calligraphy jobs the past week or so. I traded some calligraphy work for a girl to watch my booth at the Fleamarket while Paul and I went to an Open House in Three Rivers. This girl wrote two poems, and I did them in Spencerian han... 

We got a new printer a week ago. Mr. Fix-it Paul got it out of the box and hooked up before I could read the first paragraph of the instructions to him. I read the directions on the little window on the machine (it's a Brother), then we got it all wo... 

We got a new, used van for under 10,000, that had 69,000 miles on it. We're paying high interest for first year, will refinance next September. It's a beauty. I can't run around town like I used to in my Sebring, I have to make trips count. Gas mil... 

I could tell that Paul and I needed a little space so I suggested that I go do the Flea Market again. It's 100.00/month. Brandi at the Farmers' Market said I needed to work at a "resort" where there are people with big houses so I can sell my house... 

Had a person come to my booth who talked but didn't buy anything. I need to control my time/area better. Paul not happy with people like that, especially male persons. Paul claimed to have seen him driving by our apt. I am going to work at the Far... 

Had a very good experience at Office Max yesterday, Sat. July 27th. Got business cards at Office Max, but also bought product bags for Aug. 5th Kalamazoo County Fair booth day and Farmers Mkt sale days. I got 150/8.99 that say Thank you have a nice... 

Lydia, my niece, gets married tomorrow. I did some calligraphy for Meg, my sister, of Jeremiah 29:11, 12, 13 and she really liked it. It was done gold on white with a drop of sepia. Meg sent me the ink and the paper and so it wasn't hard at all to... 

Have opportunity to do 3, 7-hour days of selling my artwork, at Waterfest in Three Rivers. Still wondering if it is a good idea or not. I'd have to leave Paul at home with the dogs and who would I leave the booth with when I did a rest-room run? T... 

I quit doing transcription at home after only 2 days, like 1-1/2 days part time. I was told I was making stuff up, and that offended me, so I quit.  

There have been T-storms lately for 2 weeks straight, every day or every other day. It's sticky. I did penmanship training for an hour 3 x this week. I think I am getting my "snap and swing" back. I was out of it for about a week and my letters w... 

This is my best so far, in brown ink, I like this one. I did not put the author's name, though, who is Charles Wesley.  

I made JPEGs of my work (Office Max did) and then I was going to go to GR and do Arts and Crafts fair, but there was a flood and state of emergency was declared in GR. I really slept in a long time today. Paul and I plan on taking his wagon over to... 

I worked the weekend at the flea market in Three Rivers. I will be going to GR this coming weekend, Lord willing. I have to convert my PDF files on my flash to JPEGs so I can post them to FB and Fineart. Paul's wagon sold quite easily, and... 

Easter Sunday was very nice. Have some work to do for M. King.  

Easter Sunday was very nice. Have some work to do for M. King.  

I am taking a Chinese Calligraphy class and hopefully I will post some of the characters I am doing soon. It is really humbling me as it is "kicking my butt" it is very hard to stay within the boxes and control the brush.  

Paul and I did a sign for a church. It is finished. Last 3 words of Christ on this earth. We will post as soon as I get the pic off of my phone. Paul and I went to the flea mkt and I bought a girls bike for 8.00. Paul got 2 generator lights... 

Have some inventory on hand finally to sell, rather than commissions. Have been doing flourished birds that I learned to do from M. Sull's Flourishing video. They go fast (15 min a bird) and are very rewarding. One comment was "You did that?" I l... 

Well I've been away from the Flea Market for 2 weeks now with weekends free. Went to church yesterday, saw old friends, hadn't been to that church in quite a while. Did penmanship video last night this morning 2:00 a.m. cuz couldn't sleep. Went do... 

I took half the day off today, came home exhausted. I started the day at 5:00, painted outdoor sign at 8:30-9:30 a.m. and did an hour or so of penwork this a.m. Around 2:30 I'd had enough of working on Sunday, closed my booth and went home, exhaust... 

Am diddling around computer at night. Had full day at Flea Mkt. Had about 60 customers. We are wishing for a good rain. I am exploring my other flash drives and may post some more stuff.  

Managed to do 2 and a half hours of penwork at home yesterday. Did not get bumped by hubby or dogs. At market I can work for hours un-bumped, however, if I see a toddler I am on "alert" because one bump of table can ruin 1/2 hour of work.  

Sunday was slow at flea market in Three Rivers (Lot 131 Flea Market and resale shop). This Saturday I intend to take Paul down with me. I may have Leah H. provide respite for me while I take Paul back to Portage. We're selling a stereo of ... 

I will be at the Three Rivers Flea Market behind Bippus Shell, next to General Dollar, from 9-5 every weekend in June, July, August, and October, Lord willing. There are 3 weekends I won't be there: July 14, (I'll be at the KIA in class for colored... 

I used to know a guy with the last name of Roach, who sang well. Now I know Steve Schrader, who is the manager of the flea market in Three Rivers. I will be down there 3 days from Sat, Sun, and Monday Memorial day weekend. It is just off US 131 be... 

We are still trying to move to Sturgis, but it will be a big change. 

Paul and I will be in public with my art for sale on May 26th in Three Rivers at the Flea Market (new) called "LOT 131" over behind Bippus Shell right next to General Dollar, behind Wendy's in the strip mall. hours are 9-5:00 sure hope I see you the... 

I will be exhibiting and selling my original art postcards at the Lot 131 Flea Market in Three Rivers, May 26th, Lord Willing, 9-5. Paul and I will be there together.  

Paul and I had a chance to work together as a team again at the area-wide garage sale at Kalamazoo Fairgrounds yesterday. We had fun, time flew. I was able to drive home twice, to get my phone and to let the dogs out, so this was convenient. I rece... 

With all due respect to a global company, I could not see myself pushing products that I myself didn't make, as I prefer to sell my own stuff. I did not have (and still don't have) a printer to print off last minute instructions, etc., for the job a... 

I will be appearing with my art at the Kalamazoo Expo Flea and Farm Market on May 5th, 2012. Kalamazoo Fairgrounds 7A-3:00P. 

I'm glad we've not moved yet as I know where everything is here. Have done more Spencerian Penmanship, 2 postcards, to sell at Flea and Farmer's Markets in Three Rivers, Lord willing and there are tables available. Paul is looking out the door at t... 

Occasionally I'll Google my own name and come across someone blogging that they wanted or took a tattoo from my portfolio. I'll admit I am flattered, however, someday I could come against these individuals if I get copyrights on my artwork, especial... 

I wonder what I can do with my last 15 years or so on this Earth, if it's that many even, or more.... I'd like to teach Spencerian and brush calligraphy to the households I used to trade bread for venison with in Nottawa (Amish) to the girls. I'v... 

This has been on my mind since going to an Amish funeral viewing today. There are several choral arrangements of this "Ruth's Song", that are on You Tube which illustrate this truth as well. I hope I can get back into lettering beautiful scriptures... 

Paul and I have been traveling to Sturgis most every day past week. We're thinking of moving there. Have friends nearby. Gee, the weather would be 1 degree warmer than Kalamazoo, I think.  

Well the very fun flea mkt in Schoolcraft has been moved down the road 6 miles to Three Rivers. It is kind of behind Wendy's and behind the car dealer there on the North side of Michigan, to the right of Gen'l Dollar in the strip mall, where, I think... 

Well I hope my old friends can find me and my new friends will be waiting for me at my new 2 bedroom apt. Paul and I are thrilled, I mean thrilled to be moving. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah! I sing a solo this coming Sunday at Church of God Centre ... 

Will be teaching in April and early May about Sumei-i, Calligraphy (brush), Penmanship, watercolor pencils, watercolor and gouache and house portraits. Basically, everything I know in 5 minutes or less (actually one and one half hours or less). All... 

tried to post painting on Cheap Joes discussion board but need dumbed down or simplified picture which I will have to ask Office Max for. I did the scan at Office Depot and asked for a simpler one for web and this is what they got me, 1800 pixels or ... 

Did new business card using painting I did at the KIA for background at the Office Depot for 14.00 including cuts, for 50. Plan on attending and vendoring the 131 and Michigan Flea Market this Saturday. Have to go solo or dogs will not be taken car... 

Posted a picture of a sign that I lettered this summer.  

Went to Office Depot and had scans made of Spencerian hand pieces which I posted today.  

Am online. At home. Praise the Lord for brothers in law and sisters to get me started.  

131 and michigan in schoolcraft has a flea market which is to die for fun, am going back, my favorite coupon clipping maid is there who sells pantene shampoo for 2.00 which is normally 4.00. the owner landlord is nice as pie, steve, i may be vendor-... 

received a bit of bday money from sis and got a cheepie smartphone and am having fun with it. 

Am now doing a business plan due the 19th by fax. Like a biography only more detailed. History, planned projection, have taken out 4 books from libry in Kazoo downtown and am using outlines from those. Would like to use pie charts and other graph... 

Have done a few pieces of calligraphy lately. Have a new "niche" in living room with nice office chair, my lateral file and computer, file cabinet, very comfortable, and a padded table to do Spencerian on.  

Am taking class at the KIA on Watercolor from Denise Liesicki, the director of the school, what a privilege. 

am at libry in ptg mi, it is t-storming this afternoon. Paul has set up 2 tvs in lv rm and it's too easy to get caught up in that. have not practice spencerian in 3 days. interviewed for a medically related job recently, part time. still ... 

I am studying a DVD by Michael Sull entitled Spencerian Calligraphy, and a book by Michael and Debra Sull on the same. I've probably run the DVD 15 x and spent a few more hours doing pointed pen work with oblique penholder. I hope I can do this wit... 

http://www.vicksburghistory.org see events fineartamerica.com search norberry or contact sue moore via internet thru vicksburghistory.org Sept 25, 2010, main street 10A - 3:00 P, blacksmithing, basketry, etc. horseyshoeing, etc., soap making. St... 

Was googling stem cell research as that is where probably medicine (as well as insurance) is going, and came up with "Doris Taylor's new heart in a jar", it is about a rat heart at the Univ. of Minn, where they took out all the living cells, leaving ... 

Am reading a really good read "After Dolly" by Ian Wilmut, I believe is last name. Anyway it's about cloning and genetic and transgenetic research. I really believe insurance as well as medicine will be different. REad on recent article on autho...