Hello Reader,

How are you all doing? I am currently looking out at a very smoky and hazy sky due to a multitude of wildfires in surrounding areas. I know several people who have relatives and friends who have actually had to evacuate their homes. This is so scary! Meanwhile, the heat just keeps coming. Yesterday as I was driving home from dropping my ballot off (last minute of course!) the sun was just red as the smoke covered it and the sky complete haze. It's so surreal!

This current situation has made me consider what I would grab if I had to evacuate my house today. I mean, when it comes right down to it, what are the things in your house that are irreplaceable?

Given the obvious (family members and pets), I'd grab my grandmother's books that include our genealogy, my computer and iPad, a bag of my favorite art supplies including my sketchbooks, some shoes and a few clothes, and of course my toothbrush. Really, that's all that I can think of that I couldn't replace.

Thankfully, sooo much of my work and all of our family photos live in my computer. And even if the computer burned up, it's all in the cloud!

Have you ever thought about this? Did I miss anything obvious?

I'm keeping the prayers up for those who are actually IN this situation and also praying for some serious rain.

Meanwhile, if you're stuck inside due to heat or smoke, I thought I'd share my latest blog post that takes you through using one little piece of sketchbook art to create a beautiful greeting card. In the blog post I include all of the programs (most are FREE) and supplies I use with links.

Check it out here:

​https://playartwithkim.com/from-sketchbook-to-greeting-card-how-one-little-sketchbook-painting-becomes-a-beautiful-greeting-card/​

If you want to skip the 'how to' and just buy this beauty, click the image:

That's all for now friends! Please continue to keep those who are close to fires in your thoughts and prayers.