quiz time

You Are 72% Indie

You're a very indie person, and admit it, you look down a little on people who strive to be normal. You'll indulge in a little mainstream pop culture every now and then. But for you, anything not indie is a guilty pleasure!

How Indie Are You?

You Are a Blue Flower

A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance. At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower. And at other times, you are wise like an iris. And more than you wish, you're a little cold, like a blue hydrangea.

What Color Flower Are You?

Caramel Frappuccino

Creative and expressive, you tend to match your Frappuccino flavor to your mood. And a flavored syrup is always a must!

What Flavor Frappuccino Are You?

You Are Crimson Red

Down to earth and warm-hearted, you instantly make everyone feel at ease around you. And while you have an understated passion - you lack the uncontrolled passion of most other reds. You prefer to sit back and enjoy every situation life has to offer. You put an optimistic spin on everything. And even when things are going well, you don't get too amped up. You prefer to keep your emotions as steady as possible.

What Color Red Are You?

I like candy...

so when Lelainia posted that she was hosting a candy dish swap, I thought, Gee what fun! I signed up and started searching for a dish to send off to my partner in TX. I am still waiting for it (eBay) but have been picking up soem candies to send along with it.

While I was away at AFF, a package arrived for me from the lovely Ms Kim with MY candy dish in it. Its so pretty, pressed glass in pink. A perfect compliment to our little cottage home. I mentioned that I liked cofee flavored candies so she sent me 2 boxes and soem caramels and soem M&Ms. In addition she sent me this FUN pink coffee mug and a starbuck's gift certificate! Yay!! Its like she lives right next door to me and knows my taste! Thanks sooo much Kim. What a nice treat to come home to!


click to see larger

AFF part 1

Hello friends,
I bet several of you have been eagerly awaiting my report from AFF, and I have remained silent, until now...

I caught some nastiness (sinus infection.. yuck!) on the plane and simple have not had the energy or desire to do much of anything other than sit here and hope the pain would go away and I could breathe.

I feel like I am having a bit of post AFF let down. I already miss my friends, old... Joleen, Dot, Carol, Lelania and new... Laurie, Jen, Kate, Deb and so many more, I can't name them all... its hard being back in a place where I do not feel like I fit in, where people do not "get" my art when mere days ago I was in a place where I was surrounded by immense creativity and inspiration, all shared and given so generously.

As I mentioned before, I had to ship home a box of treasures. I am still waiting and hope it will arrive tomorrow or Saturday at the latest so I can take pix and share them with you. I DID carry home my class projects though, so those will be the first things I share!

On Thursday I took the "Flights of Fancy" class with the super fun and talented Pam Garrison. The first day we were there she stopped me and Joleen in the hall by saying "Hi Joleen!" We looked at her with questioning glances (like idiots?)until we
saw her name badge and realized who she was. It was like finding a long lost friend at that point and our friendship continued to progress over the weekend. Pam's class was really laid back and fun. She is a wonderful teacher who is very open and sharing in her tricks and techniques. I made this lovely banner as a sort of play on our last name. I am so tickled with it and can't wait to make more:

click to enlarge
The second day of classes, Joleen and I both took Traci Bautista's class "Butterfly Journals." Talk about messy! Too bad we didn't take pictures of our hands, Joleen's were dyed pink for days! Anyway, this class was really fast paced and we learned alot of different techniques. Unfortunately, neither of us actually finished our books but mine is close. I just need to attempt to do the macrame binding.



click for enlarged images
The last class I took was "Travel Chic" by DJ Pettitt. DJ is a fantastic teacher who taught us soo much but in a relaxed atmosphere. She was very organized and so giving of her ideas and support. I would take ANY class she offered! Due to the complexity of this class and the fact that I only had my mini sewing machine with me, I didn't finish this project either. The fused piece is to be incorporated into a purse and with SJ's great directions I am confident I can finish it up on my own.


click to enlarge, worth the look

All in all, I had a great time. I learned alot and it was so great to meet so many like minded people. I can't wait to go next year!

Mini report...
Many of you asked for a report on the Janome Mini. It traveled well! At only 5 pounds and a smaller size it easily packed in my art bag and yes, I checked it! There were not problems. It chugged along in both Pam and Traci's classes and worked fine for the light (fabric only) work in DJ's class. It was not strong enough to sew through the fused layers that made up the outside of the purses. I used my machine to sew thru canvas paper, various papers and fabrics, sometimes in layers and it worked just find. It is slower than most larger machines and has its own unique "voice." I think it worked well for the money and purpose I bought it for. I would not buy it in lieu of a full sized machine but its a great additional option for more "crafty" useage.

OFF TOPIC

I just became aware of this website on the link between Cervical Cancer and HPV. Many of you may have seen this campaign in the news and know about the importance of awareness and early treatment. Most of you are NOT aware that in my 20's I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, requiring surgery on more than one occassion. I was constantly worried about it reoccuring and my ability to have a child since I no longer have a full cervix. Needless to say, we were extremely relieved to find out we were expecting the wee banana. I hope you will visit and learn a little bit. You can also order a FREE bracelet kit!

home again

I am home from AFF. I arrived last night from an amazing 5 days in WA with old friends and new ones, fabulous classes and tons of inspiration. I had to ship a bunch of stuff home and I caught a cold on the plane so I am lagging a little. I will have more to share in both experiences and pictures soon.

and away we go...

I went to bed early last night with a horrible migraine. Then I woke up at 4:30 this morning due to excitment. I am tossing the last few items into my bag and getting ready to leave. I can't wait to meet up with Joleen at the airport and then head off to the college for 4 days of art, fun and friends!! It will be weird to not log in and blog or read groups or yahoo but maybe we can find a few spare moments with one of the college computers. I'll be back Tuesday. Have a great weekend!

Illustration by Teesha Moore.

best laid plans...

You know what they say about best laid plans don't you? Here we are, all good to go. Issue 2 finished, ready to print. All tucked in snugly as a PDF. SO WE THINK! I go to start printing and run out of toner. It was supposed to be here Friday. Great, I think, I can do it and bind over the weekend and mail before Wednesday when I get on a plane. You see what is coming, right? Friday... no toner! Monday... no toner! argh! Fed Ex says we'll have it on Thursday! Its only coming from Southern CA. I could have picked it up in less time.

SO.. I think I will print at least a few copies to take to AFF. On my laser printer, which printed the entire release for issue 1. NOW I find more typos, redo the pages, insert, resave as a PDF and print. Its all blurry! What the!! Oy... I had to walk away. Its hot in there and I think I am PMSing and its just getting on my last nerve right now.

To top it off, I was trying to update the Portals website to say we will not be shipping until the end of the month. We just need more time. We are only 2 people who have little kids and jobs and who moved and whose dad's are really sick. We feel bad but thats just the way it is. Anyway, it would NOT cooperate. at. all. We know the website is all jacked up. Please don't email me to tell me. I plan to do a complete redesign after I get back from WA. I know...

{red} and more...

OK, last day of Color Week 2 is RED! I didn't have anything too thrilling in the red dept despite the fact that it is one of my favorite colors. Ahh well.

Here is my folder for ArtFIBERfest. Teesha sent our confirmations out in these fun screenprinted, white canvas folders and this is how I embellished mine. I might add more but even if I don't it will still be fun to carry all my AFF realted papers around in this.


Look at the little "b" here. We made crazy kitty puppets the other day and had so much fun. I love that she likes to do crafty stuff with me...
...but beware, dry erase pens DO NOT wash easily off of toddlers.
 

Finally, ( see I promised pix today!) here is a scan of my page for Lain's Alphabetica journal. This is the first book I have worked in, in this RR.

{blue}

I just made a bunch of Portals buttons for give aways at AFF. Its hot, its been a long day with the 2 year old and I'm tired! I am posting my COLOR week entry early again. Thursday's color is BLUE!



More pix tomorrow.. I promise!

{Grey} and Etsy

I'm a teensy bit early posting my entry for Wednesday's Color Week. The color today is grey and since I hardly use grey in my art I made a small mosaic from Flickr of wonderful grey images. Actually, now that I said that I remember a piece I did in my friend Tam's grey book:



Today we also put Portals #2 to bed! What a relief that is. The address labels are all printed and ready and now I have to go print the zines and start binding. (ugh) So, they will be coming soon! Its really a beautiful issue.



I also did a small update to my Etsy shop. I have some more items to add but I am thinking they might have to wait until after AFF as I have to shoot some new pictures.

{brown}

The timing is less than perfect for my Color week in that i don't have much extra time to go out and take pix for the colors so I am digging into my art archives to share each color.
Tuesday is brown:

mixed media on metal

{white}

Yay, its the return of Color Week. Alledgedly the colors will be more neutral this week but I did see red on the list! Today's color is white so I chose this piece to share:

Portals & more

Volume 2.. its almost done.. its fabulous and its half sold out! Visit our website to order before its gone.

In other news.. check out my CUTE, new, little, wee sewing machine!
I got it on recommendation from Pam Garrison for my classes at AFF. I am sure it will be much easier to travel with weighing in at only 5 lbs! I just ordered one for Joleen too!
Along with a new tiny machine I figured I HAD to get some new fabric too, right? Aren't these colors fun?!
Some of the pieces are for the little brown and aqua swap we are doing here.

Lessee, what else? I know there has been a lot to share but I have been so focused on finishing up Portals and the tag book before I leave that I have had my nose buried in those projects. I expect to be mailing the tag books this week and will be sure to post some pix.

Oh! Look, I spent a couple of days working on this mosaic planter/bench in my Mom's yard. It was so fun smashing up all the tiles. I used to teach mosaic (pique assiette) classes but hadn't done it in a while. Grouting comes next but the weather hasn't been very cooperative. I now have plans to finish my bird bath.. finally!

Thanks to everyone who has been asking after the wee B. She is doing ok but has some pain sometimes which leads to grouchiness for her and then Mommy. Overall we think she is doing well and are noticing a little bump on her shoulder where the doctor said calcium will build up as she heals.

I think I need some ice cream. New art coming soon!

MEME

1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. In the Search box, type your birth month and day (but not year).
3. List three events that happened on your birthday.
4. List two important birthdays and one interesting death.
5. One holiday or observance (if any).

So, here is mine:
THREE EVENTS
1926 - The NBC radio network opens with 24 stations.
1956 - The first film starring Elvis Presley, Love Me Tender, opens.
1979 - A package from the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski begins smoking in the cargo hold of a flight from Chicago to Washington, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.

TWO IMPORTANT BIRTHDAYS
1887 - Georgia O'Keeffe, American painter (d. 1986)
1945 - Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Norwegian singer (ABBA)

ONE DEATH
1978 - Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (b. 1901)

HOLIDAY
# USA - America Recycles Day

I tag: Tink, Lora, Joleen, Laura and Sassy

brown + aqua

Argh, is it just me or is Blogger being a complete pain in the A$$? Its taken me so long to get the damn thing to post...

Isn't this combination of colors pretty together? Its one of my favs. It is also June's theme for the coloriffic swaporama thru Flickr which I neglected to sign up for due to all the craziness going on here. I was kinda bummed! Well, yesterday morning I was chatting with Lora and she mentioned she was bummed that she had missed it too. (by ONE day!) So we decided to have our own little swap and we both have already been out looking for pretty brown and aqua things to send to each other. I got to thinking today that maybe other blog readers mught want to play too, so if you are interested, drop me a line and let me know. CLOSED. We decided the due date would be to mail by July 7 and the only theme is aqua & brown.

PS If you click on the image it will take you to Flickr where you can view each image larger with their photo credits.

{drowning}

Today was one of those days when I woke up and felt like the water was over my head. The bouts of insomnia are not helping and worrying about a headstrong, broken 2 year old don't help either. I need to get my thoughts in order and get organized. I need to finish all these myriad unfinished projects and pack for AFF and vacuum up the popcorn that litters the living room floor. I guess I better start swimming.. hopefully I will feel batter after another cuppa coffee.

happy mailbox

Thank you to those of you who took the time to comment and email me, sharing your support and stories of motherhood mishaps and broken bones. I contantly struggle with believing I am a good Mom and it sure helped to hear that so many others have been through similar experienes. Those toddlers are trixsy!

In GOOD news, I have received several fun packages in the mailbox lately. Its always a good sign when the mail truck parks in front of my house. The other day I got this fun package from Joleen! Its a fun little paper suitcase and it was filled with all sorts of treats. Alphabet stickers, stationary and notecards, a fun little journal, buttons, pencils and some of the fabu paper packs that Joleen is selling in her Etsy shop.

A couple days ago I received my order from the fabulously talented, and very sweet Judy Wise. I got this print, which just speaks to me so much right now.In addition she sent me another lovely little cottage print. I love them both so much and have a list of other favs that I plan to purchase in the future.

Today I got my coloriffic swap package from The Netherlands! All kinds of cool black, white and pink goodies! All in all the last week has been pretty good as far as the mailbox goes. (with the exception of those missing tags!)


I JUST got an email that my dear friend, and beader extraordinaire, Tam opened an Etsy shop! Check it out for fun jewelry and handbags!

pure guilt

This, is my most prized possession, my love, my heart...
So imagine how I felt today, after a week of her complaining about her "elbow" (shoulder) hurting, when I took her to see her pediatrician and he told me she had a broken clavicle! Oh! My heart broke right there on the spot. I feel so guilty waiting a week even though she had no swelling, bruises, etc.

For the record, we don't know HOW she did it but we suspect a fall off the teeter totter at daycare. She doesn't complain about it contstantly. The doctor said she is tough. We can't pick her up under her arms so we have to kind of hold her around her hiney. She can use her arm but she can't really lift in comfortably over her head. She is not wearing a sling (yeah riiight!) as the doctor said that toddlers are good at self splinting and won't do things that are too uncomfortable. It will take about 4-6 weeks for it to heal. We hope its smooth.

Beautiful Sunday

wee artist

tags tags tags

I have spent the last few evenings stringing tags onto handles for the "Affair of the Heart" book I am hosting. As I mentioned in an earlier post the only requirement was that each person's art include some heart imagery. Other than that I just asked people to be CREATIVE! I looked briefly at all the tags as they came in but it wasn't until I was actually threading them onto the handles that I was able to really appreciate the creativity, originality and fun that these artists put into their work. Some of the tags are SO AMAZING in the details, tiny books, jump rings, pockets, mini tags and all unique originals are included amongst these tiny treasures.

All told there are about 35 tags in each person's "book". As usual we had a few flakes but more upsetting is the missing package from Kate at StudiosBlackBird which was mailed (priority) over 2 weeks ago and the OPEN, EMPTY envelope I received from Joleen. I am not sure WHAT is going on with the USPS but I am beyond upset over the loss of these precious works of art. Poor Joleen is in the midst of an unplanned move to another city so she has NO time to rework her tags. I managed to get her to send me the digital file and am redoing them with soem help from my hunny. I am sure they won't be as great as the originals but at least she will be represented in this beautiful book.
As if seeing and holding all these wonderful artworks wasn't enough of a reward, I have been blessed with some very thoughtful and beautiful little hostess gifts. Gina sent me a fun ATC, fat book page and these yummy earrings: and Beth sent me this FABU keychain!

I am actually a tad concerned about the durability of this on my keys because I am so rough with them, even though Beth assures me it is tough, so I think I am going to string the charms on a chain and make a necklace. FUN!

Thanks so much to all the artists who have contributed and sent me little keepsakes and gifts. I have so many special ATCs for my collection now and I am looking forward to working with the new fun collage items, embellishments and fibers that you so generously shared.