Bluhm Studios

Home Schooling

2012-02-13T17:30:00.000-08:00

What home school looked like today. :)

So I never posted about this on my blog but the sh*% really hit the fan at Hannah's school back in November/ December. Lots of stuff went down with teaching and with the guidance my child was (not) receiving in the classroom and on the playground.

As Christmas break drew closer the feeling in my gut that it would get better went away and I began feeling that the school we had loved was not the right place for us anymore. I started researching other schools in our area, both public and private. I knew that since she was mid-term it was going to be hard to find a spot that H was comfortable in and I was concerned that she had fallen behind in math.

Trying to get her tested proved fruitless. Our district seems like a disorganized mess. I still get different answers to my questions depending on who or what office I talk to.

I talked to a couple of friends I knew that had home schooled or were currently and was lead to the Monterey County Charter Home School. I signed up for an orientation meeting and we all attended. After sitting through the meeting and then speaking to the presenter (a teacher) we "knew" this was the right fit for us right now. We signed up on the spot and Greg called her old school and dropped her while standing outside the office. BAM! We were home schooling.

They sent us off with some worksheets and a workbook and scheduled us to meet with our teacher ( we meet with her 2x a month) and we were off. It was a difficult beginning. The resources online are overwhelming, the load of books they gave me was overwhelming and the hardest of all was I had no idea where H was in the CA State curriculum.

I learned that not only was she behind in math (as we suspected) but she wasn't even getting some of the subjects. The upside is that she seems to be rockin' along in "language arts" and reading/ reading comprehension. Her 1-2 grade teacher managed to pound quite a bit into their brains while she had them.

This last meeting our teacher brought us retired questions from the CA Standards Test so we could better evaluate where she was. Well we're knee deep in math. Ugh. She has a lot to catch up before 4th grade. I am afraid she is going to follow in my math footsteps, where I had to have tutoring to pass my math classes. Math does NOT come easily to me. I have hopes that her Dad's math genes will kick in and she will buzz right along. Fingers crossed.

So, anyway, overall, home schooling.. while not a long term option for us has been pretty cool. I am trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I get to make up the lessons and curriculum. We can take a day and just go to the Tech museum or the zoo or the aquarium and it counts! We can gather pond water and look at it under a microscope and it counts! Our trip to Hawaii in Jan.?? We took pictures, learned about the landscape and geology, snorkeled and learned about fish, journaled, did puzzles and IT ALL COUNTED toward school.

While it sounds like quite the life.. shorter days, fun adventures, alternative learning. It does have its downside. The social portion is missing completely. I have to work hard to set up play dates with her cousin and friends. I have to make sure I get in the car and take her places and don't get wrapped up in computer work/ projects. My work has really changed. I have had to take a leave from the office of our family business and just work on specific projects at home, but the upside of that is that I have gotten a nice handful of design work all of a sudden too. Thats all work I can do while she is reading or after "school" is done for the day. The other thing that is a bit of a challenge is that we are kind of sick of each other sometimes. We essentially spend 24/ 7 together and I know both of us need a break. When Greg is home sometimes I will go hide in the studio or just leave the house to go wander around the store or something.

Right now I am trying to look at it each day as the gift of being able to teach my child and be with her while she is young. I can't believe how fast it is going by and I hope I can look back and have a bunch of fond memories of her at home.

in with the new...

2012-02-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

I have been missing. It has been calculated, as I have been contemplating the future of my blog. I am trying to find out whether my heart is still in. I am trying to learn WHY it exists..

For now I am still here. I have't decided to close the doors yet..

It seems that with the new year, has come some new design business. I had all but hung up my "gone fishing" sign when a bunch of emails showed up in my box. I am at a turning point in my life.. I was not sure if I wanted to tackle more design work but one of the emails was from the sweetest past client so when we got back from our trip I jumped on her work. I loved working with Michelle and was excited to find out that she had started a new business with her daughter making/ selling cookies! Looking at her Etsy shop (and card) makes my mouth water. (Maybe she will send me some samples) Here is the new card, I am working on a new Etsy banner and other things next..

Then I got a frantic text from my BFF Joleen who needed a new blog STAT. Since I had done all her new branding for her photography business, I already has some ideas on what to do. I jumped on it last night and ta da: Love, Joleen Photography Its pretty clean and simple.. we both love it and I can't wait to see her add more of her fab photography.

So.. there you go. What I've been up to.. lots of thinking, some design work and life...

notes for the new year

2012-01-05T10:41:00.001-08:00

Source: knackstudios.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

shop update

2011-11-26T12:38:00.000-08:00

Hi all, In the spirit of supporting independent artists and crafter and shopping Small Business Saturday, I am linking to my album of available works on Facebook. Etsy has locked me out of my Short Attention Span Studios shop for some unknown reason so I loaded everything up on Facebook for the time being. You don't have to be a member to look :)

There are mostly frames but also a couple of chalkboards and mirrors. All were created by me of polymer clay with a smattering of commercial tiles. I create each tile by hand, add pigments or paint and some are embellished with austrian crystals for a little bling. All have been sealed with clear acrylic to help resist dust and each is signed and dated by me. Every piece is one of a kind and unique.

Hope you enjoy looking. Happy Holidays...

Thanks...

2011-11-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I stressed over hosting a big Thanksgiving and how I would fit 13 people around a table in our teeny house. Somehow, things worked out, as friends said they would. It always seems that we put more pressure and higher expectation on ourselves than others do. I am thankful for the bounty we have been shown. I am thankful that my family has grown closer through the trials of this past year and that we are able to sit and enjoy each other without stress and worry. We are a lucky and fortunate bunch. Yes, I am thankful.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well.

home SWEET home

2011-11-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

Because I didn't have enough to do to prepare for 13 people for Thanksgiving in my tiny house, (in addition to working and watching the little who is on vacation) I made up a couple of last minute projects. Fortunately I FINISHED them all today and I also whipped up this little "frame filler" while I was at the office waiting for the phone to ring this morning (it never did... oh well).

I have been working on our "collage wall" in our new and improved living room. This particular wall is in the "dining" area where I have a distressed black hutch and a white table. I wanted everything to go on it to be shades of black and white so it didn't get too overwhelming. I am adding punches of color in other places.

With Thanksgiving approaching I had DH bring in the drill so we could hang up the things I had been collecting. I had tried putting in nails but we have the weirdest walls EVER and they essentially repel nails so screws were the only way to go :)

Well one of the things we had hung up was this cute scrolly frame that was the UGLIEST gold ever so I sprayed it white and we put it up for a place holder. The back is missing so I had to hang it with a little piece of seam binding. It was bugging me that it was empty so today I made this cute little "Home Sweet Home" sign to put in it. I just LOVE how it turned out and I think I might get some nicer paper and make a few for friends too :)

Above you can see my "collage wall" in progress. I keep adding things and didn't do any planning so I am pretty pleased with how it is all flowing :)

Here a list of the things and where I scored them:
From top left:
• cute picture of Hannah ( taken by Joleen) in a frame from Michael's.
• thrifted, made over frame and sign
• Black letter B from Target Dollar Spot
• Super fun "The Bluhms" photography prints I got Greg for our anniversary from Fritts Creative on Etsy
• "shabby" tin B sign from Hobby Lobby
• "Romantic Paris" clock from WUSLU (warning, don't EVEN come whining to me if you get addicted.. I warned you!)
• cool iron "element" from Goodwill
• Framed picture of my daughter and niece when they were about 3. I never had one out but always loved the picture. This one happened to be framed in black and I brought it home after my FIL passed.
• Little shabby mirror from a thrift store.. I got a bunch of them for .50 each and painted this one white.
• The platter is a PERFECT ironstone platter with pretty leaf design.. NO crazing, no chips and the perfect colors. Thrift store score!
• and the big ornamental thing on the left is a resin "ornamental thing" I got at Goodwill. It needs a little repairing and touch up paint but I like how it looks.

So.. this has been the latest thing I have been working on in our living room redo.. that's new in your home??

Dollar Store Wreath

2011-11-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

I am excited to share my wreath with you because I think it it really fun and was a total budget project. I was checking out the Dollar Tree store and ran across these packages of fun crepe paper leaves. They seemed so vintagey in feel and of course they are the perfect fall colors. (which we don't get much of in Central CA) I thought it would be fun to use them to make a wreath for our front door so I picked up a wreath form while at the dollar store too. It was just a simple twig style wreath. I also grabbed a roll of autumnal ribbon while I was there but after seeing it all put together I feel it is the weak link and plan to replace it with something different, maybe a burlap bow??
Anyway, I just fiddled with the leaves to "fluff" the up a bit since they have wires inside and hot glued them to the wreath form. I added the bow with a blob of glue too so I think it will pop right off. I have it hanging on our security screen on the front porch and I like how it pops against the white.
Bonus, was I had several leaves left over so we used them to make super cute "place cards" for Thanks giving. Since I already had them for the wreath project the cost of the place cards was zilch. I will get pictures and share them soon. In addition I had a few MORE leaves leftover so we will probably suspend them from the curtain rods with some fishing line for a bit more fall.

in which I crave fall..

2011-10-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

I guess technically it IS fall but the weather has been trifling with us. Despite a mild summer, Mother Nature dropped some Indian Summer weather on us and while the mornings are quite chilly, the day time temps have been climbing up into the 80's. I am so over it! I want to break out the sweaters and boots. I actually want to wear knee socks!
Anyway, I love the autumn colors and I am craving some so I was thrilled to find this little stash of pictures from last fall. I shot them one afternoon at an event at the winery I work for part time. This fall's even is coming up so I hope to see a few of the same colors and textures soon!

autumn splendor

fabulous foliage

can you see the rainbow?

sore wrists and painty fingernails

2011-10-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

I have been working my tail off in the studio (well everywhere, but this is about art) getting ready for a Pre-Holiday Boutique at a friend's house. I didn't wait until the last minute (proud of self) but I didn't exactly use my time the most efficiently either. I think when you are in creative mode its hard to always be efficient, or maybe its just me. But I finally just had to run out of clay because if I hadn't I'd still be MAKING tiles and things and not actually finishing anything.

Fortunately my good friend Bridgette came over and helped with some of the fiddly stuff like putting the glass and stuff back in frames, touch up painting, finishing the backs of my chalk boards, etc. Even with the boutique only being 2 days away I found myself back in the studio today gluing pieces like crazy and making MORE.

I did finally drag myself out to finish up a couple things and gather my tablecloths and bags and various other things I need. I also BOUGHT price stickers but have yet to actually price anything. I guess I will be doing that tomorrow.

Anyway, I meant this to be a more image heavy post than wordy but I guess I am rambling like usual. Just wanted to share a few of my latest pieces. Next week some of the unsold things will end up in my Etsy shop and some will go to the gallery. Its ice to have my creative mojo back and I look forward to making more. (and getting the studio organized!!) Enjoy...

one day early or 6 days late...

2011-10-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

...depending on how you look at it. I wanted to share my last thrifty find with you all because I LOVE it so much. I could have saved it for tomorrow but I am sitting here just trying to "be" for a few minutes after a stressful morning with my sick kidlet.

I found this amazing crewel work piece at one of our local thrift stores. I love to support this one particularly because it benefits the local food bank but I don't always find the best stuff there.

Last week I dug through the "crafty" bins though and found a few pieces of stitchery in various stages of completion. My friend snagged one piece and this is the one I scored. It was $1.25. I love the colors and the neat flowers and the foreign language above it, about which I haven't a clue. Can anyone read it or even recognize what language it is? Anyway, I think it will be a fin piece to sew into a pillow for our living room. Overall the room is pretty neutral but I am trying to add pops of color here and there...

What's your latest find?

Thrifty Thursday delay

2011-10-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to share my latest Thrifty Thursday find BUT my laptop had to go to the hospital with a number of issues. I have been procrastinating sending her but too many things were going haywire so my Dad mirrored my system to a clunky old iMac and hub took her to Apple today. I lugged the iMac home and realized I forgot to bring home a keyboard so I swiped Hannah's laptop to check email and blog quickly.

I have been super busy in the studio making things for the boutique I am participating in next weekend. Argh, its going too fast!! Anyway, I hope to be back here SOON with some fun pictures to share. Have a great weekend.

thrifty thursday

2011-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

OK, so I kinda cheated.. this find isn't from THIS Thursday, err today but it is thrifty! I was tootling around the Salvation Army one day before I had to pick up the little from school and found this.

I loved the colors and the shabby look and it is in perfect shape! It has a sort of lace embossed pattern with small colored flowers. I only paid $1.50 for it and the cashier guy and I had fun looking at the stamp at the bottom. It is by Napcoware out of Japan and even has an original sticker on it. There is a lot of Napcoware on eBay and the prices aren't anything to retire on but I was happy with my pretty little find.
I plopped a little plant it for now but it would be cute for candies or some small collection of something too.
What thrifty finds have you made lately?

Oh, quick update: Jennifer just emailed me to tell me that I am the guest blogger on the Vintage Sheet Blog today. Pop over and see it :)

finding inspiration

2011-10-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

One of the projects I have been working on lately is working with Jenn of the Vintage Sheet Blog to update the blog with new buttons and and menus and such. Part of the assignment is to use vintage sheet patterns to match her banner and existing pieces so I have been scouring various sites and pictures for some images and inspiration.

During my jaunts into inspiration hunting I marked a handful of fun looking projects that I might lie to tackle some day with vintage sheets (I have plenty) or pretty fabrics ( I have too many) and I thought it might be fun to share that inspiration here.

Clockwise from top left:

• Of course we have all probably seen many quilts created with vintage sheet fabric but I really liked the look of this one.
• How cute and clever are these vintage sheet covered storage bins? Much prettier than some of the plain Jane ones we see at the box stores.
• How about a simple (NO SEW!) yet stunning vintage sheet wreath? Wouldn't it be fun and different to do sone in autumn colors?
• OMG super cute hat made with a vintage sheet. Squeal!!
• I don't have a baby anymore but I might have to make a cute vintage sheet mobile like this to gussy up the studio... so pretty.
• Another NO SEW project. My Mom used to make lots of rag rugs but none quite as cute as this one.
• I just LOVE these curtains.. I wish I had a place to use them.. hmm, thinking cap on. I have also seen similar used as a bed canopy, fun!!
• This cushion is just stunning. If I had more patience sewing little fiddly pieces I'd try one but let's face it that is not going to happen. LOL PS Her blog is Blow you away FABULOUS!!

Have these shots inspired you? I feel more inspired... I need to go look for more sheets :)

feeling fallish

2011-09-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I am longing for fall. Here in CA it does not come in gracefully with gradually changing colors and dips in temperature. It just suddenly seems to turn brown and this year we are having a bit of "Indian summer" which means that temps have soared compared to the extremely mild summer we've had.

I see blogs filled with golden leaves and pumpkins, pine cones and Halloween fixin's but I am simply not feeling it yet. It doesn't seem right to be bringing in pumpkins (plus they will cook on the front porch) and fall leaves yet. I long to fill up a basket with gourds but we just haven't gotten that snap in the air signaling us to go...

When it does, this is my inspiration for a fall table.

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Heather on Pinterest

I love the simplicity. Likely I won't be setting for a feast but this will inspire a centerpiece to be displayed in our home and bring on the sites and smells of fall.. I long for it. Its my favorite season... what's your favorite season?

putting it out there to the yoUNIVERSE

2011-09-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

I've often heard of putting it out there to the universe when you want/ need something so I thought I'd try it here.

As I have mentioned here before, I have committed to teaching a journalism/yearbook class at my daughter's school this school year. What I didn't mention is that there is NO BUDGET for this class and I am not getting paid. Therefore I have no funds to pay for gas or supplies for my class of 7th graders. This is a small, private but wonderful school and I am happy to donate my time but let's face it, money is tight.

One of the things on our wish list is cameras for the class. Part of my curriculum is that I am going to teach the kids how to take pictures. Its going to be pretty simple and straight forward but I want them to take as many pictures as possible for their yearbook this year.

SO, I guess my BOTTOM LINE is this. Do you have an older, outdated (digital) camera that you do not use?? Is there some camera sitting in a drawer at your home/ business that is not being used? We'd LOVE to have some cameras for the kids to use to shoot pictures for their interviews and yearbook. In return, our HUGE THANKS and a tax letter as we are non-profit!

So, just putting it out there! Thanks yoUNIVERSE!!

in which it really is a MONDAY...

2011-09-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

So yeah, first day of school. Little wakes up and immediately has a panic attack because she is nervous and scared. I get that under control despite exhaustion from being up half the night with the dog who is making terrible noises, pacing and acting totally disoriented. We're really worried bout senior doggie. Pack lunch and make breakfast while simultaneously trying to get vet appt. Run out the door with laptop, giant backpack, lunch, camera (because I am yearbook Mom), kid and cup of coffee for school drop off.

On the way my Mom calls. Her little doggie was attacked by a BIG dog and she is not doing well. She is waiting for traveling vet to show. More worrying and I still do not have a vet appt.

Drop off little at school and discover classroom/ teacher changes. Initially not happy but trying to keep open mind and see how it goes. At least Han is ok once she sees all her friends. Interesting tidbit... She is in a class of 6 third graders.. all girls. :)

Off to work.. oh, I bet you thought I meant my studio.. Nope, back to work at Garlic Festival Foods. Big staffing shake up.. essentially no employees so I am trying to dig through the stuff that was essentially just left. Plus, as always seems to happen, all the weird stuff is happening that keeps me from digging into the pile!

Finally got a vet appt. and the jury is still out (actually the lab results) as to what is wrong with her. It could be one of three things... all because she is OLD... we'll just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed..

Another vet visit for my Mom's little dog too. I hope she is ok.

Han ended up having a good day at school. She likes the new girl and had fun but is already complaining about the homework. Its going to be a loooong year.

On a final unassociated note, I DID work in the studio for a couple hours yesterday. Got the clay out and started working on some new mosaics for a crafty open house I will be participating in in October. More soon...

remembering

2011-09-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I have been avoiding all the 9-11 news and specials on TV. I didn't want to remember and be immersed in the memories and sadness. But today is THE day to remember and we do. We have our flag flying today and my SIL just sent a lovely email to the family remembering 9-11 and something good that came out of that date. A story of good memories created with someone we lost earlier this year. For it, I am glad.. I am happy she was able to to put those memories into words that we all could visualize and I am thankful that she she was able to remind me that 9-11 isn't a day of only sadness. Yes, it was tragic and sad but it was also a day when Americans (and the world) rallied together and the best was brought out in humanity. Those are the things I wish we could find again as a society so I hope this anniversary reminds everyone that we need to work together, so the loss of those we loved won't be in vain.

in which I have nothing much to say...

2011-09-08T19:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all, just popping in to say.. not much. LOL The little goes back to school Monday (finally) so we are trying to enjoy our last few days of "summer". Big shake ups at the family business have me back in the office trying to sort things out and handle some day to day things. In another week and a half I will be teaching two days a week. Excited but a bit nervous. Just anxious to get going. I am also anxious to get back in the studio more regularly. It will require a bit of a clean sweep to make some work space but I did start making some new mosaics for the gallery and also a craft show I agreed to do... that's about it for now. Hopefully I will have more to share soon. What have YOU been up to?

Apprentice

2011-09-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

I just love this cover. I wish I could paint loosely and randomly like this. Maybe I can try Sarah Ahearn's tutorial and see what I can come up with.

The new issue of Somerset Apprentice is on the racks at my local B&N (and hopefully my mailbox soon) where I took the kids yesterday during our pre-school shopping adventure. I flipped though it to find that I am featured in their "From the Pros" section. Its an honor to be featured alongside other "Pros" like artists such as Pam Garrison and Julie Bergmann.

In addition there is a tutorial by one of my sweet friends Tracie Lyn Huskamp. She has us painting from nature, something I miss from her teachings at ArtFest. I might have to pull out the paints and the patience and try my hand :).

Once again Stampington has turned out a visual stunner chock full of inspiration, so pick up an issue at your favorite book seller.

In which she turns 8...

2011-09-04T12:49:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow marks my baby's 8th birthday. I am simply stunned by how fast time goes by. It seems like just a week ago she was a baby and then toddling around and being so funny. She has grown into a lovely girl, so smart and funny and someone who always brings a smile to my face even though she is 8 going on 18 with her observations, comments and attitude. I am so thankful that we were blessed with her birth and the enjoyment that comes from being her parent. I know her future is so bright and I can't wait to watch her on her journey.

I love you Hannah, more than you can ever know.

In which I love my canvas

2011-08-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVE photos.. vintage photos, school photos, snap shots and family photos. And while I have always snapped lots of pictures and had framed pictures around I have never felt compelled to do the "big portrait above the mantel" thing.

Well, this year things changed! When Joleen was here we set up a special photo shoot in which we borrowed my friend Marci's horse. We dressed up Hannah in a vintage dress that I had unearthed in a friends basement and my Grandmother's cowboy boots. Joleen gave her a beautiful hair do and we were off. We waited for the right light and then Joleen started working her magic.

Once she was done editing, I was just blown away and there were so many great shots to choose from. When I saw the shot above I just "KNEW" that I needed to have it enlarged and put on canvas.

FF to our trip to MN and when I got back there was an email in my box from Brendan at EasyCanvasPrints.com asking me if I'd be interested in doing a review for their photo canvases. "Heck ya!" I responded.

Brendan sent me the info I needed to order and I set off on my canvas creating adventure which really was an easy adventure! The site is super easy to use, spells out all the options and allows you to see your project in real time. I pressed the order button and waited..

My order arrived super fast and I skipped out to the FedEx truck to get it. I tore into it immediately (although it took a few minutes since it was wrapped so well) and jumped for joy at how beautiful my canvas is! The photo quality is great and the canvas wraps all the way around the wood frame. You can have the photo wrap around the frame or choose a complimentary solid color for the edges (like I did).

If you have been thinking about photo enlargements or early holiday shopping, hop on over to their site right now as they are offering 25% off ALL canvases PLUS standard shipping!

All in all, a great experience and wonderful product. I know I will be using them again for artwork and other photos and I am grateful for the opportunity EasyCanvasPrints gave me to review their product.

~ disclosure ~

my world

2011-08-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world. Leo Buscaglia

SJB

2011-08-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

This was taken on our anniversary last weekend. We met my Mom to pick up Han who had spent the night at her place. The weather was gorgeous so we decided to walk around and work off a bit of our Mexican brunch.

The Mission there is so lovely and full of terrific texture for taking photos. Its one of our favorite places to go and was a natural setting for a back drop for some family photos Joleen has done for us over the years and these super cute all time favs by my SIL.

I figured since we were there, I should try my hand at a few shots so I got the wee one to pose for me and we played around. Its been fun to fiddle around with the camera settings and then Photoshop.

I am pretty happy with the results this time. I see some improvement. Now just to work on my patience level when I just want to whip out my little pocket camera instead of lugging around the big Canon ;)

busy bee

2011-08-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

Source: houzz.com via Heather on Pinterest

My friend Vicki and little Lily are here visiting us from MN. They are the friends we visited while there so its been like a big long extended visit which is cool. Its kept us busy though and I haven't had much time on the computer. One of the big projects taking up time is researching kitchen remodel stuff. Its HARD! Fortunately Vicki went through a big kitchen remodel a couple years ago and loves this kind of stuff so we went to Home Depot to talk to them and pick up brochures.

Source: bhg.com via Heather on Pinterest

Greg & I have a meeting with the designer for Saturday and we are hoping she can give us more ideas and help us with budget stuff. One of the cool things we did was start poking around in the kitchen more and I got Greg to lift up some of the flooring layers and as I suspected, there's wood floor underneath! Yes!!

Anyway, I MIGHT have it narrowed down ( ha ha) but I have been looking for inspiration EVERYWHERE. There are pictures all over the house and my computer. I am sharing a couple of them here and if you are interested in seeing more of my inspiration you can pop over to my Pinterest KITCHEN inspiration board.

Source: houzz.com via Heather on Pinterest

tap, tap, tap

2011-08-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Is this thing on? Does everyone read blogs on Facebook or Reader now so no one comments?? Anyone here? Pop over and say howdy if you are... :)

I have been updating my Etsy shop with various things. I have listed a few of my handmade journals like the ones featured in the Somerset Memories and Create With Me publications. They are so fun, I love to go back and flip through even the empty ones to check out the papers and flaps and pouches. I have one more I need to list but I need better pictures of it because the ones I took sucked... LOL

Anyway, in addition to journals there are various supplies and other bits and pieces like supplies. I will probably be adding some more of my JUNQUE packs because frankly I have WAY TOO MUCH stuff in the studio and a lot of it is cool and needs to be shared. I am trying to be better about purging and letting go. Making progress.. it is good :)

Thinks that is about it for now. I hope you will pop over and look around the shop. I have something cool to share later this week. Just need to take good pix. So excited..

12

2011-08-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Twelve years ago I married my my best friend. There were many days that I thought I might never find him but he came along when i wasn't paying attention. We've been through hard times and fun times and this year brought some very difficult and sad times but through it all we have managed to work though everything and I feel closer to him now than ever. I am happy and proud to have him as my best friend, partner, my confidant and cheering section.

Happy Anniversary Honey. I love you.

PS. We make pretty good babies too!

randomness in bullet points

2011-08-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

You know how your To Do list grows and grows and you feel like you have SO MUCH TO DO that you just run around in circles?? That's me this week.

Actually, I was sick most of the week with an icky head cold that made it hard to concentrate on much of anything so a bunch of stuff got pushed off to the stack of things to do for next week.. Ha ha!

Today I was feeling much better which was good because I had agreed to watch my daughter's friend all day as her Mom had to work and she is not back in school yet. I love H because she is such an agreeable kid, one of those kids that will go off with mine and I won't hear a peep from them for hours as they just play. So nice and a nice mental break for me ;)

We had the little optometry appt today. Happy report her vision is perfect. We had a few concerns at the end of last year when she complained of blurriness when reading. Probably just fatigue doing some heavier reading at the end of the day. Oh well.

Afterwards we headed out to check out a new stable. We have been looking for a new place to ride since shortly after the new year. A bunch of stuff transpired at our stable when we were out due to health/ funeral reasons so we haven't been riding for months! I miss it and Han is ready to get back in the saddle. She will have her first lesson/ assessment next week. Hope it works out as I was pretty happy with the place and it will be more convenient to after school riding.

Han doesn't go back to school for 3 more weeks! I feel my "work" stack getting higher. Its so hard to concentrate on stuff when she is home and needs attention. I am chiseling away at the little things I needed to finish up so maybe I will be ok.

"A Little Bird Told Me" mixed media journal

One of the things on my To Do list is to get more stuff listed in my Etsy shop. I DID list some comp. books (SALE) and a journal the other day but I have a few more journals I have recently made to list too. I am not really happy with the pictures I took but they might just have to do.

Joleen took this, see? Fab!

Joleen has a couple of my journals for sale (and much better pictures) on her blog. Plus you can see lots of great eye candy there too. I swear she is getting exponentially better every day.

The "z" key is broken on my keyboard.. I had to cut and paste this one.. Its annoying. I always want to type "amazing" and then there is no "z". I better check on iFixit.

OK, I bet this is really annoying.. I better go to bed...

only two mistakes

2011-08-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

Buddha

A Fish Tale

2011-08-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

click for bigger

One of the fun things we did in MN was to go fishing on Pam's "new" boat. Before we got there she had signed up for a sunfish tournament and we had decided to take the kids out early they could get the being bored over with and then could go home during the tourney. Uncle Joe had no sooner baited a line for one kid and started on the next when the fish started biting. It was all he and Pam could do to keep up with removing fish and baiting hooks.

Unfortunately, as you can see in some of the pix above (taken over 2 days) the skies were gray and a storm moved in. We continued fishing even when the rain it but it got worse and worse with much thunder and lightening. The kids were starting to get a bit frightened so we decided it was time to head back. Joe went to start the boat and we discovered the battery was dead! As the thunder and lightening grew nearer and the kids grew more scared, Pam and Joe started trying to paddle the boat back to the dock as we furiously tried to wave another boat down.

I called Vicki from my cell phone and she tried to find someone to come out and get us and ended up calling the Sheriff's Dept. Finally someone spotted us and came to our rescue. After towing us in, we noticed he had a tourney flag in his boat and asked if we had caused him to miss the start. He let us know that due to the weather and another expected storm they had cancelled the tournament. He had been leaving the lake when he spotted us. Thank goodness!

We were finally able to get the boat out. Vicki called off the sheriff and we headed home to dry off and eat the yummy chicken noodle soup Vicki had made for us. Since the rest of the day was wet and dreary I decided to occupy myself by baking bread and Han made a yummy batch of carrot cake cupcakes.

The next day we spotted sun and head back out for a fishing redo. We KEPT 30 fish that day and tossed back equally as many. I used to think that I wasn't into fishing but I really enjoyed myself and it was so fun to see the little catch her first fish and the excitement in her eyes as she reeled it in. I am already looking forward to next year... just hope Greg goes with us.

Hunt & Gather

2011-08-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

"Overwhelmingly cool"

That's how I'd have to describe my visit in Hunt & Gather in Minneapolis. We visited after our painting and lunch adventure with my SIL. I learned about Hunt & Gather years ago when I was an avid viewer of the now retired Trash to Treasure on HGTV.

I tried to get a bunch of pictures but the lighting was wacky. I did the best I could to give you all an idea of what the shop is like but its just impossible to describe it or share how cool it is without actually visiting in person. Be sure to click the mosaic above to see the larger pictures. I can tell you there was TONS of cool stuff and I wanted to bring so much of it home. Too bad we weren't driving! Check out the cool lockers!! and the fab glider that would have been SO CUTE on my porch. Alas, no room and a shortage of "B"s this round so all I came away with was a little coin purse for myself and one for Hannah plus a bunch of cool pictures and a few ideas. I will be toting along an extra suitcase next year for sure!

Wise Acre

2011-08-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

After playing at Simply Jane, we headed next door to Wise Acre on the recommendation of the woman working at the studio.

Wise Acre is the companion cafe to their farm in Northern MN and all the food is fresh and sustainable.

The eatery is housed in an old gas station that had most previously been Liberty Custard. The use of the architecture was very cool. As you can see, the decor is eclectic and interesting. The walls were covered with succulents with funky light fixtures and cool art. Hard to describe it all..

The food was YUMMY. I had the bacon and brie burger pictured above and my SIL had a sandwich which is shown as it was delivered on a cookie sheet with parchment and a ball jar of slaw. She tried the freshly made watermelon cucumber soda as well and enjoyed it. It appears the place is doing well as it was full when we got to the studio and then again when we went to eat lunch later. It always makes me happy to see small businesses thriving. :)

As an added bonus, we befriended the girl and her Mom shown above. They were painting at the table next to us and we ended up sharing a table with them at lunch. "S" is the same age as Han and they had so much in common. After lunch we exchanged addresses so the girls could be pen pals....

Simply Jane

2011-08-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hey All, we are back from our trip. It was GREAT. We had so much fun visiting friends and family. Tons of adventures and memories that will last a long time. We were glad to sleep in our own beds last night though, and to see Greg. He was missed while on his own adventure.

I maintained my goal to take lots of pictures while on vacation, however I got bogged down in the editing and therefore I didn't have as many to share along the way. I have been plugging away slowly but surely and I have some ready to share. I am jumping to the end of our trip here and in the next couple of posts though. We spent the end of the trip visiting Greg's BIL & SIL in St Paul. It was great to see our niece who was in the Netherlands when we were back there in January. She has grown into a beautiful and incredible young woman.

Anyway, the full day that we were there we took off on an adventure with my sweet sister in law, Karen. A few weeks ago she had read about this artist studio place that a friend of hers from high school had opened in Minneapolis so we thought it'd be fun to check it out.

click to make bigger

The name of the studio is Simply Jane. It is a working artist studio where you can take classes, summer camp, etc or just drop in and paint. They have all kinds of blank goods as well as outlines you can paint. Similar to those paint your own pottery places. We all chose pre-drawn canvases for the sake of time and got down to painting. The place was so inspiring which tons of fun artwork and color everywhere. The cups and cups of paintbrushes and the paint covered tables made me swoon. Above you can see some shots I took during out time spent there. Hannah painted the cat, Karen the dragon and I painted the birds. I wish there was a place like it near us, I think we'd spend a lot of time playing there. If you are in Minneapolis or close by, I encourage you to check it out. Stay tuned tomorrow when I share more of this fun day out...

Sturgeon Lake

2011-08-04T12:11:00.001-07:00

Joleen has been encouraging me to take photographs more. I always love her photo mosaics and the way she documents her life. I decided to follow suit while on my trip out to MN. We got here yesterday and Hannah and I are staying with our good friends Pam & Vicki who moved here last year. So far the weather hasn't been terrible, it is mildly humid and the temperature is about the same as home. A big relief (apparently for them too). Anyway, here is my first mosaic of our first day on the "farm."

new baby • ponies • requisite tire swing
views • the farm • stained glass
L & Mommy • baby S'mores

(click to make bigger)

stitchin...

2011-08-02T23:15:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited about this project. I got this sampler from Charlotte Lyons when I was in a stitching mood and worked on it and one from Pam Garrison while on my road trip to OR. When Joleen was where I was inspired to finally turn this into a pillow for the living room.

I used the stitched piece as the center to a log cabin style square using almost all vintage feedsack fabrics. I didn't plan the order I stitched them in, just cut lots of strips, sewed them into long strips and log cabined my way around the block. The back is a vintage napkin I had in my stash and then I stuffed in a down filled form from Ikea.

I LOVE, LOVE it. You know how you imagine how you want things to turn out in your head? Well this one exceeded the mental image I had. I just want to hug it ( but need to Scotchguard it first!) Its a great accent to the living room redo. i plan to do something similar with the sampler I finished from Pam next... stay tuned.

better days

2011-07-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

Its been a BUSY and emotional day.

Joleen's car was broken into last night during a rash of break ins and in the process the a-holes stole a box containing her vintage cameras, hard drive with 6+ years of pix and my Canon Rebel which I had loaned to her. Mostly, it sucks because her space was violated and I worry about that and her driving to GA alone.

Even despite the crappy beginning to our day, we made the best of it and Joleen did 3 photo shoots. Plus, we squeezed in an 8 yr old b-day party :).

Tomorrow is the last day of the Garlic Festival and then Joleen heads off on her adventure while I do laundry and pack for our upcoming trip to MN. Gotta get the pets all set for the house sitter and my POST G-Fest pedicure (much needed) squeezed in there too.

No pretty pictures to share today... I left my camera at the festival (with my Mom) yesterday so those will have to wait...

Here's to better days...

1 down, 1 to go

2011-07-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

our booth

The 33rd Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival began today. I am probably one of a handful who can claim to having attended at least 30 of the festivals and working most of those.

This year was kind of bittersweet for me as I had planned last year to "retire" from working at the festival but got roped into another year ( at least for 2 of the 3 days) BUT it is kind of cool because my bestie Joleen is here and attending her very first Garlic Festival. Fortunately she is a good sport and a garlic lover and helped out working today.

garlic buddies

We got out of the booth a couple of times in search of yummy garlicky treats and crafts. Here is a silly shot Joleen caught of me. Ugh BAD Hair day. It was fin to show Joleen around and I am looking forward to seeing her views of the festival through her lens. (I being the lame-o that I am forgot my camera in the booth) Also, Joleen will be guest blogging her adventures as a "festal virgin" over on our company blog which you can read HERE (check tomorrow). Be sure to leave her a comment in support!! and keep your eyes peeled for lots more pix coming soon...

Tomorrow is a JAM PACKED day off from festival duties and then we're back at it Sunday where I plan to try to get her to eat something a bit more "interesting" ;)

new tie dye for me :)

and henna too

hurry scurry

2011-07-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

So far its been a whirlwind visit with Joleen. We have already done 3 photo shoots not including the mini shoot she did of me yesterday.

Tuesday, I had arranged to borrow a horse from my friend so we could do the mounted shoot I spoke about in my last post. It turned out amazing!! The light was so beautiful and Gem the horse was super good and H was sooooo pretty. Take a look at a sample of the images. I am SO getting the top left picture as a canvas!! I can't wait to get prints. Joleen's work is amazing and we had the perfect day to work that day. (minus Joleen's crazy shoes in all this dirt...lol)

Yesterday we had a lot of running around to do in addition to a family shoot for some friends of mine ( pop over to Joleen's blog to see) Earlier in the morning she crammed in a session with my BF's baby boy who is about to turn 1. He is soooo cute and such a little ham. She got tons of great shots of him and I am super excited to give my friend a little album for his birthday! Joleen loved that she got to raid my studio and garage for all kinds of fun props to use. :)

Here's a little mosaic J put together of our day. 1. props from my house 2. Hannah crafting 3. Cheesey Hannah 4. me and baby C at lunch 5. our streamers prop 6. golden ground and blue skies 7. succulent garden 8. checking in at GFF 9. boot scootin 10. grilled salmon salad 11. packing product 12. Mom & daughter

Today promises to be another busy day as the Festival starts tomorrow but we hope to squeeze in some fun crafting and friend time.

Inspirations & Things to Do

2011-07-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

So, as I mentioned below somewhere, my bestie Joleen will be coming up to visit us for a week. She should be here some time Monday.. I can hardly wait. I always feel super inspired when I have someone to share studio space and daily life with. Joleen's visits always fill me with ideas and creativity.

Lately we have been tossing around all kinds of ideas for photo shoots as Joleen is working on building her portfolio for art school and I like having fun pictures of my girl and family. I have set up some photo shoots for her with some local friends while she is here but she also has all kinds of ideas for things she wants to try out.

One of the things I am most excited about is to do a shoot with Hannah on/ with our friends horse. Kind of in this style by JinkyArt, that Joleen found. It will be a bit different for Joleen to work with kids AND animals, but I have high hopes.

In addition to looking at all sorts of photo inspiration we have been saving ideas and pictures to Pinterest, notes books, Evernote, etc. I am sure we will have way more projects than we have actual TIME for but its fun to dream.

woodwoolstool.blogspot.com

I have been wanting some kind of shabby sign(s) for my wall(s) in the new living room and when I saw these adorable signs on Pinterest I knew that was what I wanted to make!! I happen to have a piece of old aqua moulding stashed away somewhere ( I hope I can find it) that would lend itself perfectly to this idea. Now to just figure out what I want it/ them to say... and get Greg to cut the wood.

Here is the other things I am itching to make. Maybe when Jo is here I can finally round up the right materials.. LOVE these wrap bracelets and this tutorial looks pretty easy to whip up.

Til then, I am off to dream (and clean the studio!)

http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-wrap-bracelet/

The ART of purging

2011-07-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

So maybe it isn't really an art.. its just getting rid of stuff but I understand for many of us (myself included, it is difficult) I am getting better at it though and so I thought I'd just pop in here to lend a word of encouragement to those of you who may need help in this area.

We REALLY started to think seriously about purging last summer when faced with moving our friends who have SO MUCH STUFF. Some of my Facebook pals may remember that last summer was also when we decided to turn a bay of our garage into my studio, so that required not only purging the studio but also the space where it would end up. There was stuff in there that was there when we moved in here.. it came with the house. Yeah, pretty bad.

Anyway, fast forward to this past January and the "saga." Once Greg's Dad passed away the family was faced with disposing of 40+ years worth of stuff from his house and cabin! Wow! Of course there were bits and pieces that people wanted but for the most part a lot of the stuff was just junk that we had to get rid of. I guess what I am trying to get to is that we and Greg's sister were really faced with 2 things...
1. we do not spend enough time together and that is more valuable than STUFF
and 2. we have TOO MUCH STUFF!

So, we struck a deal where we'd take turns visiting each other's homes each month and helping each other purge. Its been going great. July was our turn and we tackled this covered area off the garage that had accumulated a bunch of things that could mostly be gotten rid of (yah). It REALLY helps to have the moral support of other people with you when you try to get rid of things.

Today I tackled the residual bits that were waiting from when we purged the living room for our redecorate and the extra room where my studio WAS. There were some bins waiting and one of them was full of odd things, like artwork and knick knacks and candles and just stuff.. I know I hadn't really dealt with that stuff because I didn't want to deal with the GUILT of getting rid of art.

I guess this is the whole point of this post and the motivation behind writing it. I have outgrown some of this art. There, I said it. Some of it was mine, some was gifts and some was received in swaps. The thing is, I have changed and so have my tastes. I feel the need for calm and quiet and less being the more I want in my life right now. So I had to make the decision to just be ok with letting it go. It will go to one of the two independent thrift stores here in town in hopes of someone else becoming enchanted with it.

As for me, I saved a few things that I don't know if I can ever part with.. like the special crown my friend Holly made for me, or the photographs from Joleen or my handmade angels but mostly I saved myself.. by just letting go and that is an art in itself.

zig zag

2011-07-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am all over the place these days. I am zigging and zagging, doing a little bit here and a little bit there. In the midst of redoing the living room I get inspired to do something else. I have such a short attention span. LOL

As I mentioned in a post before, my bestie, Joleen, is coming up to visit SOON. I am so excited but it also means I need to clear out her room from all my painting supplies/ tools and the various totes of things I have packed up from the living room. Some are easy to put away for the holidays and such, some are harder. Like the tote full of various artwork and knick knacks. I am learning to let go of some things but I am struggling with what to do with some of the art I have "outgrown". Do I donate it knowing it might just get tossed rather than sold? decisions...

I have gotten back into the studio and it was looking pretty organized thanks to a few more shelves my honey put up for me. "WAS" being the key word because today we tackled the covered area off the carport and all the various totes and boxes there. I managed to throw a bunch of stuff away, set aside stuff to sell at our yard sale in Aug. and fill 4 boxes to donate. BUT I also located some missing totes that belonged in the studio. I need to go through them and toss more stuff but its HARD. As a mixed media artist I see potential in so much but I also know I only have so much time to do it.

Sorry for the rambling. I never manage to find much time to blog except late at night and then my mind is going in a zillion directions :)

hey look! pictures!

2011-07-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

So, I finally took some pictures of some of the projects I have been working on. I have been really motivated to work on projects so I have been taking advantage of doing that and lagging on the pictures but since I had to do some photos for work today I shot these to share.

dresser before

Here is a close up of one of the drawers on my dresser redo. Remember the Before picture? I got it at our local charity shop for $8! Even though it was in rough shape and was missing some hardware, I knew it was a good deal because it was solid wood with dove tailed joints.
The drawers and doors worked so I knew I could spiff it up to fit our home.

I have been incredibly inspired by Marion at Miss Mustard Seed and Barb at Knack Studio. In fact it is because of this inspiration that I decided to strip and leave the top of my dresser wood as opposed to painting it out.

Overall, I sanded the pieces and patched a couple of holes. In addition I stripped the top which was a nightmare until I found some magic paint stripper at ACE Hardware. I painted the piece with two shades of Chalk Paint (Old White and Provence). I then distressed the piece with sandpaper to add some aged areas. I finished the body with a combination of clear and dark wax and the top was stained Red Mahogany and sealed with 2 coats of Wipe On Poly. The final touch was adding some vintage glass drawer pulls (as seen above) and knobs. So without further ado, here is the finished piece!

after!

Also, of note, we removed the one big drawer on the right had side of the dresser and added wood to make a shelf since we're be using this as an entertainment center. The cable box and Wii need to be remote accessible. Here is one more shot of the dentil style trim at the top. Love that! and also a sneak peek at the little kitchen wall I painted with chalkboard paint. Today is the last day it needed to cure so I am sure we'll be having a lot of fun with it soon! Next up I will share my chandelier makeover.. what are you working on?

chalkboard wall

in which I share a lot but suck at posting pictures...

2011-07-10T19:42:00.000-07:00

Its been a BUSY couple of weeks since we got back from Oregon/ BlytheCon and I know I still owe pictures. I have them, but they are STILL in my camera and I have been too lazy to upload and edit them. I suck like that.. just other things occupying my time and I haven't wanted to spend much time on the computer as of late. I owe big apologies to Kathy and Jenn for that.. I know I still have odds and ends to do for your blogs.

Dresser before- After pix coming soon!

Anyway, in between "summer fun" and TRYING to get some work done with a small person home all day, I have been in mad cleaning, purging, redecorating mode. I finished my "project" dresser and turned it into an entertainment center to house all the yucky looking electronic components that accompany our new FLAT SCREEN TV (woot). In addition I have moved out a bunch of unwanted furniture, scrubbed our hardwood floor, turned a side table into a coffee table, painted chalk board paint on a kitchen wall, rearranged, cleaned, purged and generally driven my husband crazy (he doesn't deal with all this change very well) although he is being such a good sport!

Now I am trying to do the little stuff, like more purging and putting the room back together. HOW do people HIDE the everyday cluttery stuff? Where do the people whose blogs I read on decorating, etc stow their mail/ keys/ shoes/ kids stuff? Is everyone REALLY more organized than I am? I are they all just hiding it for the pictures? I am tired of living with clutter. I am TRYING to get rid of stuff but I don't want to get rid of everything. This part is hard. I don't expect to live in a Pottery Barn catalog but the clutter must go...

ok, I am going to end my rambling rant here and share some of the some fun projects that I still want to do:

- make new pillows a la Charlotte Lyons! (I did one of her samplers.. and am working on one of Pam's)
- make some silhouette art for the wall!
- finish painting the hidey spot that I uncovered with the furniture rearrangement

and I have to go through the bins of "stuff" I packed up fro the room. They are in the extra room right now and need to be cleared out before the 25th when my bestie comes to visit for a WHOLE WEEK!! and I need to finish straightening up the studio because we are going to want to hag out in there and I will need a place to work on the projects on my list.

Anyway, I guess that is enough rambling for today. I promise to take pictures soon!

Create with Me

2011-06-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Its here!!

I got my contributor's copy of Create With Me in the mail a couple of days ago and it is so fun. I was so excited to be asked to be a part of this publication and to share my experience creating with Hannah. In addition it was great fun seeing projects by some of my friends and their kids in the issue too. The timing is great with summer vacation upon as as we often find niches of unfilled time time to keep the kids occupied and there are so many great projects, from paper dolls and journals to handmade stamps and various collage tips. I personally can't wait to try our Julie Bergmann's Paper Clay doll and doggie.

Create with Me is technically due out on July 1, but I have a sneaking suspicion you can find it on some store shelves now and as always you can order it from Stanpington.com. Three cheers for NEW publications. I am thrilled to be included and hope to dream up some other projects to submit as well :)

ups & downs

2011-06-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

Its been a really good week but I am feeling a little tired and low today. I have lots to share about our trip but I am just going to post this card today and hopefully get caught up this week. Happy Sunday :)

Anatomy of a blog make over

2011-06-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned before I have been busy working on various blogs including one for my new friend Kathy.

Kathy expressed some interest in moving toward a sleek, uncluttered blog with lots of white, gray and black. She is purging her blog and her life :)

To the left here you can see the three drafts I supplied her with after receiving her questionnaire back. In it she has mentioned some likes/ dislikes and listed a couple of blogs she liked the look of and supplied me with a piece of art that she really wanted to featured.

From her feedback on these designs I reworked the bottom one and also the monogram for use in other projects. I then tweaked her favorite which was #3.
HERE is what I installed tonight, to replace something more along these lines (I should have screen captured a before shot.. oh well.)

We are still working on the fiddly little stuff like deleting and relocating side bar items and creating a navigation bar for under the "banner", so if you check back over the next week or so you will probably notice more little changes here and there. She hadn't decided whether or not she wanted to use a background so I installed a simple grey one which I really like, but we'll see what she thinks..

So that's a little peek at this make over and how I work. Hope Kathy loves her new blog!!

turning things around

2011-06-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Summer is here!! We hit the pool yesterday and will be hitting again today. Its super nice to have friends with a pool! Yay! Went to bed/ woke up with a migraine. Must be because of the instant heat. Went from comfortable and breezy high 70's over weekend to hot overnight.. at least its not TOO DAMN HOT. I am thinking I am going to have to turn on the AC today...

BUT even though today didn't start off the greatest I am making an effort to TURN IT AROUND...
Here's to a better day than morning :)

I made this

2011-06-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I whipped up this simple blog banner for my bestie Joleen's, reactivated blog. Yay! I have missed her blogging so I am excited to know that it is back in action.

Speaking of back in action. I have been pretty busy with bloggy stuff behind the scenes here. I have been working with Jenn on her spiffing up her blog and I am excited that my new Brave Girl friend Kathy is having me redo her blog too (its not up yet). Their styles are all so different from each other, its fun to stretch in different artistic directions.

Today finally felt like summer. School is out, it was warm and we hot the pool with friends. I got a little sunburnt even though I was sitting in the shade. It was great! Looking forward to many more days like today. Happy Summer....

truths

2011-06-12T12:03:00.001-07:00

the answers will come...

2011-06-10T23:28:00.000-07:00

a message

2011-06-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

I am thinking (and hurting) about a special young friend I have who is hurting and struggling with so many things.

Her age, her place in her family, her relationships with her family and how she is struggling to balance all that with discovering WHO she is and feeling the stirrings and emotions that come with becoming a young woman. I feel helpless except to maybe provide a little comfort and counsel when I can. I am thinking of you "J" and I am always here for you...

In other news, I am struggling to choose 3 images to represent my body of work for a publications. Umm HOW???
Argh..
more on that later.... :)

a little sweetness

2011-06-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying this short school week, the last day of school is tomorrow and the three days that there is school are minimum days. Its not worth driving back home just to be there a couple hours and drive back again so I have been coming to "work" at Barnes & Noble. I have discovered the joy of Starbuck's raspberry scones (yum) along with my iced mocha, and its quiet here early in the day and I am surrounded by books and magazines which makes for GREAT breaks. :)

I have been working on the graduation program for our ceremony tomorrow and I have a new blog client who is pushing me a bit by wanting a simpler, cleaner look for her blog and requested black/ grey/ white. Its been fun to play with that combo and I am really pleased with the drafts I sent off to her today. Maybe one day I will actually get more stuff up on my blog here, whatdaya think??

I don't have anything very new in the way of pictures or projects but it occurred to me that I have never shared my "Get Well" pages with you. I made this page for a mixed media book that my Facebook friend Cris put together for our mutual an eternally sweet friend Holly, after her back surgery.

I wanted to use "the good stuff" because Holly is such a treasure to me. Here is the front:

I used a vintage cigarette card layered over vintage papers and handmade lace and the whole collage was sewn onto a flocked wallpaper background. Its nice and soft :)

On the back I used more vintage wallpaper and lace along with velvet ribbon and millinery. The poem is from an old magazine that Greg brought back from MN out of his Dad's attic. It seemed like the perfect place to use it and it was fun to use original paper and lace. I wrote a sentiment on the page in pencil which is hard to see. I think you can see the other pages ( which are soo lovely) in our Flickr group. Be sure to pop over and check them out because the girl did an amazing job and it all flows together so seamlessly.

Create With Me

2011-06-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Somerset's newest publication, Create with Me, about creating with kids is no available for pre-order. I am super excited about this issue because I have an article in it AND its about creating with MY kid :) What could be better.

Its due to hit stands July 1, and I am trying to be patient but its super hard. I tend to be pretty impatient.

I am looking forward to making more projects with Hannah so that hopefully we can grace the pages of a future issue as well. School is out on Wednesday and then we can get rolling...

treasures

2011-06-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

On a whim I stopped by the local Goodwill last week, before I headed to pick up the little person from school. I sometimes score really good linen deals there and often find new Anthropologie dish towels or other cool items. I always check out all the sections because you never know just what you might find and boy I am glad I did.

Not only did I score 2 NEW bed pillows (for guest bed) but I found two pieces of California Aborn pottery . I recognized the pieces from a collection of aqua colored ceramics my Mom has. One is this little planter and the other is a larger lower dish that matches. Both have a couple little chips, but that just adds character, right?

Another cool find was this neat birdcage clock. The battery was wedged in and kind of crusty but I pulled it out and cleaned the contacts and with the addition of a new battery it works great! I plan to paint and distress it and it will be a fin addition for the living room redo. Its a good size for the mantel.

cute lampshade from Etsy

And finally, just as I prepared to go, I decided to walk down the lamp aisle. BINGO, I found this awesome, large "trophy" lamp. It looks like it is made of silver (its probably not) and it nice and heavy. I don't see any maker's marks on it but I don't care. I ditched the ugly lampshade so I need to find one to top it off. I got some great ideas from Etsy, there are some amazing ones made with vintage wallpaper or I LOVE this one made with a vintage table cloth, its the perfect color and style but too small and a bit more than I want to spend. :( Maybe I will try my hand at making one!

Anyway, it was so fun to find all these great treasures at the thrift store and spend only about $20. They will all fit in well in the living room make over if I ever manage to get it done. I am STILL painting trim. (there is a lot) I have a bunch of sewing to do on things for the room but haven't felt motivated to make it out to the studio lately.

Hope you are having a great weekend.. We have 3 more days until school is out and then PARTY!!!

random ramblings...

2011-06-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here with a sense of satisfaction because my mantel wall is DONE!! The ugly lamps are removed, plugs are changed out, the trim is painted and I am ready to pop the other shade back into place as soon as my touch up paint dries. Its so soothing and pretty. I think I am going to treat myself to a new plant for decorate it. I will snap some pix as soon as Greg removes the ugly telephone wire that is running across it. I am also going to try

Things have been busy because of the looming last day of school, and I am bouncing around doing a bit of this and a bit of that. I have many irons in the fire but they are GOOD. One of the things I am excited about is doing more design work. I have not really been advertising myself much because I felt burned out but lately I have been getting some signs that my skills are needed. I need to share that part of me, my song..

It will be difficult but I really am trying to give myself a goal to get back to updating the blog and adding pages to describe what I can offer and share past projects. I recently had call to share my Flickr Design Album and it was fun to go back through some of my past favorite jobs. Take a peek at www.OldeHouseInn.com. This is one of my recent favs, I got to work with my good friend Adair on it but also incorporate some current favs as far as color, fonts, etc. It makes me happy to look at it.

Speaking of Adair, I think her blog/ websites is one of my ALL TIME favorites I have designed. You can see her blog here: http://aliceadair.blogspot.com/. I also provided her with matching business cards and various other collateral. Her website it currently down for revamping but it was a better version of the blog :)

I always have to mention my friend Laura when sharing my favorites because she is the person I credit with getting me to "start" this business. Laura always used my services for theme blog banners and and little projects and I would never let her pay me but she would sneakily send me gifts and constantly hounded me that I was WORTH getting paid. We haven't changed up her blog since we settled on this rendition that has matching calling cards and was also featured in a Somerset Artful Blogging issue of "banners we love".

The thing is.. I could go on and on but I won't. If you are up to it you can check out my album and feel free to ask any questions. I am pack to my list of projects.. I am determined to get the new curtains up this weekend!

return to the blog

2011-06-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yay, Google/ Blogger let me back into my blog. Not sure what went wrong but glad to not be battling with it any longer.

Yesterday we went to the Wild Water Adventure Park for the little's end of year trip. The weather was less than stellar but fun was had by all and everyone is dragging today. She will be out of school next Wednesday, this year has flown by. Now to figure out what to do with her all summer.

My "To Do" list is longer than my arm right now so I had better get to it but I wanted to pop in and say "Hi" and share another truth card with you. I am looking forward to some time back in the studio soon!

Hope everyone has a great day. What are your summer plans??

battle of the blogs

2011-05-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to get my blog back.. its been so weird as I have been doing some sprucing up over at Jennifer's blog and now Safari will NOT LET ME LOG OUT. Its been doing this for two days. Before that they locked Jenn OUT. I thought we'd have to swap blogs there for a minute.

I have tried all kinds of ways to get logged out of her blog, and it it keeps tossing me back in there. I finally had to use my FireFox browser and it allowed me to blog over at Garlic Festival and here. Yay!

One of the things I have been wanting to share is some of my Truth Cards, which is part of the assignments from Brave Girls Club Soul Restoration class. I have to admit I have fallen quite behind in my assignments but I am trudging along slowly and the best thing that has happened is that a small handful of us participants have set up a private Facebook "Brave Girls" group. We feel very safe there and free to open up and rant and not edit our feelings while knowing we can get good feedback and support in a SAFE environment. If that is the only thing I take away from this, it will be worth it!

Anyway, here is one of my cards, I have a whole big stack for myself and a few swaps. This card is particularly pertinent to me today.. the part about forgiving myself. I had a bad Weight Watchers week and a little tiff with my hub and I am feeling sorry for myself and frustrated. I know its all on me so I am working on letting it go and starting over fresh today. I can do it!!

If I don't get back here before the weekend, hope everyone has a GREAT holiday weekend. :)

sneak peeks

2011-05-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

My friend Lori's little sweetie, Lily Grace.

So excited, today I got a sneak peek at my article for Stampington & Co's soon-to-be-released publication "Create with Me". A couple of months ago, Amber, the editor of this publication asked me to write an article about creating ROD journals with my daughter and it is now set to be released July 1. Its always exciting to see your work published but it has been all the more thrilling for my 7 year old to have her journal published in not one but TWO fabulous Stampington issues. Keep your eyes peeled...

tulip love

2011-05-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hubby got me these lovely tulips for Mother's Day.
Love them against my new wall color :)

fun news

2011-04-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

I was doing so well with the blogging and got side tracked by this and that. Its always busy around here with various things but something I DID want to share is this exciting news...

I was waiting until I received my copy but apparently there was some mix up with the mailing company so I ended up getting impatient and buying it at Barnes & Noble.

Anyway, in case you haven't guessed yet, I am published in the current issue of the Somerset Memories. Last summer I sent in a submission from a handful of us who had taken Mary Ann Moss' Remains of the Day journal class. The article got bumped once but we got word that it was published in this issue!! To add to the excitement for my little family, my daughter has work published too!! She was just 6 when she made her book and it is SO EXCITING for us that she is featured alongside Mom and our artsy friends.

Pop around and check out the other gals' blogs too:
Susie LaFond
Maia Lepore
Syd McCutcheon
Diane Hamburg

Also, in case you are reading this through a reader or Facebook, I have been updating the look of my blog. I am so delayed in setting up my new website that I decided to pump up the blog. With all the new features available it is much easier to add lots of content so it might all live here if I can figure out how to add a portfolio. Enjoy!

losing steam

2011-04-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

Its gotten pretty busy around here the past week so, so I haven't been very good about keeping up with my card posting. These are the remainder of the handmade postcards I sent out in my swap group and the bottom one is one I received. I have a few more that I need to scan and share and hopefully I will get to that sooner rather than later.

I'll be back with some more exciting news later this week :) Hope yours is going well..

cards and more cards

2011-04-05T11:27:00.001-07:00

Oops, I forgot to post any cards yesterday.. Here I sit, unprepared, with only scans and no quotes prepared or notes of who created which. I will have to update that part later. But I have a bit of time to kill so I am going to post a handful of cards now.

This pretty card is SO PERFECT for spring. I LOVE the colors, they are what is inspiring me now. Love the little bird perched on her arm and the happy pink background :)

Here is another "SHE" inspired card I made. I used some Heather Bailey paper for the dress and painted the background and girl per Christy's class. I added a bit of real lace and some rhinestones to bling it up a bit. Hope they made it through the mail :)

Forced myself to use a little purple on this one. Its my least favorite color but I try to push myself out of the box periodically. I used some seam binding around the edge of the picture which was taken by my friend Kim Carney. I WISH I could find some peonies in my area. I need to plant some.. (I keep saying that.) LOL I am pleased with the texture and colors. Hope the recipient is too :)

Finally, I got this other cute London inspired card. Again, gotta look up the artist and quote but I wanted to share it today. I was fun getting all these inspiring cards in the mail. I got 2 more yesterday so I need scan those to share with you all.

Springy Pink

2011-04-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

Look at these cute little creatures on the postcard that Jane Palmer sent me in our postcard swap. They were made by Vanessa Valencia who created this card. So cute and such happy, spring colors.
Jane chose this quote by Henry David Thoreau,

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

A very inspiring quote indeed. Also, wanted to update that the cute card I posted below was from Marti of Artful Curiosities. She is a doll!

Anyway, this is another one I created and very different than my others. I had painted a bunch of backgrounds to use when I thought we were only going to send out 9 cards but we have a few extra people so we each had to send out 12. I was scrambling at the last minute because I don't seem to be able to manage my time very well lately. Anyway, I had started on this sweet, spring birdie one and decide to add it to my swap stash. It really reminds me of the weather we are having today. Warm, sunny and beautiful. I hope you have been having beautiful weather as well!!

cards of the day

2011-04-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot to post my cards for today.. :)

I got this cute one in the swap. I can't find where I "safely" stashed said cards at the moment so I can't say who sent this one, maybe she will leave a comment. I love the little face and so wish I could draw faces like that. I need a class, any suggestions??

Anyway, Below is another card I sent out. I made the background using some techniques from Christy's class. I love her way of making all kids of texture.

I sure hope the card makes it in tact, as the little roses are dimensional, but I really like the little extra something, something they add.

cards + inspiration

2011-04-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

I am posting more cards today, decided I wanted to share the ones I had received as well! I got this one and it scanned a bit wonky but you can get the idea. I love that it looks like its a journal page, or a few that Susie put together to make a collage. I wish I could do freer art like this, sometimes I get so pent up.

Anyway, Susie didn't provide a link so I am not sure if she has a blog or not but the quote she shared with me was:

"The capacity to CARE is the thing which gives LIFE its deepest SIGNIFICANCE." ~ Pablo Casalas

Thank You Susie :)

And below is one of the postcards I sent out. I did all originals ( except one, because I ran out of time) and a handful were inspired by Christy's "SHE art" class I took. Like this one:

I am not sure what quote I shared on the back because I just did them and threw them out in the mailbox so I wouldn't be late. Anyway, I have a commission for a custom "SHE girl" for a friend so I am going to hit the studio and enjoy this sunshiney day. Hope you do too!

card of the day

2011-03-31T13:15:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned previously, I have been participating in Natalea's Postcard swap. Its been so fun to receive pretty postcards in the mail from artsy friends new and old. I finally got mine off today (the deadline!) so I thought it'd be fun to share the cards here on my blog. I will post cards I have both sent and received.

Part of the swap was that we were supposed to include an inspirational quote so it was fun sharing some of my favorite quotes.

One I used a few times is a new favorite:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that. But the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

Mark Twain

It was shared on Facebook by my friend Holly so I jotted it down and then onto some of my cards.

Here is one I sent out today:

For this card, I used painted vintage ledger paper, layered with some tattered cotton, lace and a photograph I took in San Francisco at the zinnia garden. I will share more tomorrow :)

the sweetest gifts

2011-03-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have this friend Martha. We met at ArtFest a few years ago and we thought each other was pretty cool. It was one of those instances where we didn't really realize how much we clicked at the time but once we got home from all the excitement and things started sinking in, we both had this "Ah ha!" moment that we had met a kindred soul.

The things that sucks is that I live in California and Martha lives in Toronto. I really wish she lived next door. The thing that is so cool is that even though it is a rare thing to see each other (though it does happen from time to time) she is one of those people who I feel like I have known forever and it also works out that when we do see each other, we just pick up wherever we left off. I love that we have that relationship, the bond of true friendship that is always comfortably there when it is needed.

Recently, Martha participated in the Card Swap I hosted, (and am SADLY LATE in returning.. I'm sorry!) and as always she sent me some sweet little things and a note saying that another package was following. She had promised to make me one of her kewl quilted iPad covers. It came on a day when I really needed a pick me up, along with a cute little "I Love You" banner. Pictured above is my very sweet iPad cover and I am so smitten. Its green, which is my favorite color and its so cool and fun and funky and delicious. It makes me so happy and reminds me everyday of Martha's sweetest gift.. her friendship. Thank You Martha :)

little changes

2011-03-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

As you can probably tell this is a little picture of my bathroom and one of the most "peaceful" places in the house. Our house is so tiny its hard to get much privacy or peace and quiet but if you come in here and shut ( and lock) the door you can kind of hide out.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I decided that the bathroom needed a little make over because as tends to happen, the toiletries were taking over and stuff was disorganized and cluttered.

I had the shower curtain already and also the shelf unit from Ikea but it was just messily jammed with stuff so I picked up the two white baskets ( Target) and treated myself to new towels with my commission check from the art gallery :). Fortunately the Simply Shabby Chic ruffled towels I had been coveting were on sale and I accented them with a few in the aqua colors (especially hand towels) along with a couple of large plain white towels for after showers.

The rest was easy.. I just purged the old, yucky, outdated product, organized it in my bins and rolled up my fluffy new towels. Some of the more "messy" stuff, like bathing suits and beach towels are on the left over which I hung a pretty, filmy, white Shabby Chic curtain I got at Goodwill. score!

Now everything is so pretty and calm and tidy. I love being in here and look forward to employing some of these little tricks to other parts of the house.

this and that

2011-03-15T19:02:00.000-07:00

Its been a rough week already for me. The little person has been very moody and difficult. I am hoping its a phase that she will soon leave behind. My hunny flew back to MN today for the next week. I am not sure I am geared up to be a single Mommy for the next week but I am going to do my best.

I am having some woes at work and I really don't know what to do about the situation. Being back in the family business is not really going the way I had hoped. Too may changes and lack of consistency with lots of micro-managing and very few pats on the back. I am wondering if I should maybe just contract to do the work required there and be able to have my own schedule and take on other ( already interested) clients. This has always been a struggle as I seem to really being lacking discipline these days and struggle to manage my time very well. I guess I need to do some soul searching and talk to Greg when he gets back.

In the meantime I am really making a concerted effort to make art whenever I can. I am still working on my classes from Christy Tomlinson's "She" online workshop. Having so much fun playing with paint and texture and making messes. Great ideas and techniques to carry over to other projects. I already have more ideas and have been using some of the techniques as backgrounds for the postcards I am making for Natalea's swap.

Speaking of swaps. I am determined to get my card swap cards swapped tonight and tomorrow. I want to get pictures and get them on their way ASAP. I feel like I have really dropped the ball but I didn't want to send people back cards so I waited for some late fill ins ( thank you girls!!).

Anyway, this is turning in to a true rambling post so I guess I had better go make the little some chocolate milk and start taking pictures.

She

2011-03-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

has been crafty...

These are a few of the canvases I have made in my "She" art class with Christy Tomlinson. I am having a blast playing with paper and paint and modeling paste! I have been so afraid of all the painty stuff before so this is really helping me break out of my zone. I have so many ideas now and this was only after week 1! Still two more weeks to go. More soon...

what the what?

2011-02-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

So I know I am in the vast minority this winter as most everyone I seem to talk to outside of CA is dealing with snow but it like "NEVER" snows here where I live. MN, yes, but Central CA only 40 minutes from the beach.. no..

They have been talking about the weather on the news because temperatures are predicted to drop, (and here I didn't make H wear socks to school today, Mom fail!)

Anyway, I looked up the forecast today on my computer because I was wanting to find out when the rain was expected to hit and what the what?? SNOW in the forecast? for 2 days? no way!

Now I know that the chance of this ACTUALLY happening is pretty close to nothing, I mean it won't stick but I am really hoping to see a few flurries mostly for the memories and being able to share it with the little. I can remember 2x in my life when it has snowed in this area, once when I was about the same age as she is now and we lived up north just a ways. It actually DID stick and we walked to school in the snow.. fun! The last time was about a dozen years ago, I remember driving home to where we live now and it was really snowing and getting a little bit of accumulation on the sides of the road. I was so excited I called everyone I could think of. I guess in that way I am just a kid at heart.

Well, here's hoping for a little snow and grateful I didn't put away the sweaters and boots from my MN trip.

off my butt

2011-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Not that I have really been slacking but I think we all need some nudges in the artist department from time to time. I usually really need something to focus my energy so when I heard about this workshop from a local arty friend I decided it would be fun to take together. Add to that the price is so reasonable and I don't have to go buy anything special. It will use up stuff I have in my own studio! Yay!

Anyway, speaking of studios. I am heading back out there to make tiles for a special project I am helping out on. I will get pictures. The rain has let up after nearly 5 straight days of non stop rain so I can work with the door flung open. :)

sunshine

2011-02-18T20:23:00.001-08:00

The sunshine journal:

click to make me big

courageous

2011-02-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

I have had a few false starts with blogging lately. I have logged in ready to write something and then gotten distracted or just felt like it was lame. I guess I am still trying to get out of the last few weeks and all the drama. I am finally feeling better and have gone back to work. It was nice to go back and totally CLEAN and rearrange the office so it feels fresh and new and there is considerably less mouse poop. I am still getting settled and trying to get back on track. I find I have a bit shorter attention span than usual (which isn't much as it is!) and I still have the occasional twinge of pain so I need to remember to take it easy and ease back into regular activity.

Anyway, one place I have spent a lot of tome lately is in the studio. I have been making some cards for my swap and also stacks and stacks of journals. I was commissioned to make a custom journal for a special little girl. She received it yesterday and was so excited. It was her favorite birthday gift.. That made me feel great. I also made a bunch of journals to send to Joleen. She wanted a new one and had friends/ family that wanted them too. Today she sent me pix of a couple of the journals I have made her that are FULL so you can see them "in action."

This one is so fat and has stuff spilling out. I LOVE that! Its so great to see these books being used and filled with memories and inspiration. I have 2 more on my work table that will be bound soon and then they will be listed in my Etsy shop. I am really enjoying the process and it is helping me to heal...

my saga (long)

2011-02-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

So I didn't mean to disappear for this long. I have had a couple of weeks from hell. If I were to write a book about everything that has happened, the editor would send it back with notes about how it was unbelievable, too much exaggeration, too much going on.. but its REAL!!

St Paul, 2011

Started off 2 weeks ago, shortly after my last post here, I took off to San Francisco to attend the Winter Fancy Food Show. I got word shortly after getting there that my FIL was in ICU in MN with pneumonia. Upon further conferring with my husband we decided to wait and see what was happening before anyone flew back. I decided to head home on the train Monday (Martin Luther King Day) but was unaware that they had run some "freedom trains" up to the city for the celebration. The place was packed but I got a seat. By the time I got to Gilroy where my car was, the train was 40 minutes late. It took over 3 hours to get home when it would have taken about 80 minutes had I driven.

Once I got off the train I saw that my car was blocked in by police cars with lights flashing and a helicopter was circling above with a search light. Very exciting! lol

On Tuesday, I dropped Hannah off at school and went to work as usual. It was quiet as the rest of the gang were still at the Fancy Food Show. I worked for a couple hours but didn't feel well. I had stomach pain but figured it was due to all the weird stuff/ combinations I had eaten at the show over the past 2 days, lack of sleep and topped off with stress from not knowing what to do about my FIL. I decided to go home and rest. Greg brought Hannah home and we decided to get back out to the stable to ride as we had just gotten our new saddle pads and the weather was really nice. I thought getting some fresh air and exercise would make me feel better. We did our lesson and came home and ate and then just vegged. All the while, my stomach was hurting, but not upset per se. It just felt off. I went to bed and woke when Greg was leaving at 4:30 complaining how it really hurt and I thought I had better go to Kaiser (clinic) as it was really sore on the right abdominal area.

I managed to get an appointment right after school drop off so I headed over and saw the doctor. After ruling out any pregnancy or female issues, she suspected my appendix and told me to go up to the hospital in San Jose to have a CT scan. Fortunately my Mom was dropping her car off at the dealership close by so I picked her up and told her she had to drive me to the hospital.

Long story short, I spent the day in the hospital undergoing tests to find out I had appendicitis and needed immediate surgery. I had to quickly arrange for someone to pick up H from school and someone to come take care of me and Hannah when I was sprung as we had decided Greg needed to fly back and see his Dad.

Lots of insanity ensued, Greg stopped by to see me and headed home to pick up the little from my Dad, pack to leave the next morning and take care of the pets, my SIL found out I was in pre-op and headed down from ICU to make sure I had the good surgeon and anesthesiologist ( I did!) and I was wheeled into surgery before Greg got back. Next thing I knew I was in post-op and my Mom was there. Fortunately they let Hannah in to see me before my Mom had to take her home. It had been a long, scary day for her. I wished Greg a good trip and he took off to crash at his brother's before hopping a plane early the next morning.

Fast forward to Saturday morning. My aunt had picked me up at hospital and brought me home. We found my Mom here with Hannah and as sick as a dog. We sent her home and she ended up flat out sick for 5+ days. I hated that I couldn't go see her but the doc had told me to stay away until I was better recovered. Early Saturday morning, the phone rang. Its never good news when the phone rings and its still dark outside. I immediately knew what was coming and answered to my poor husband in tears telling me his Dad had passed. Thankfully he was there with him and his sister was able to get there before they had the staff cease CPR. Although my FIL was older and not in the greatest health, everything happened so fast, for which we are all thankful but were unprepared.

Sunday Greg flew home to catch up on a few work things and help me and Hannah fly back to MN. I managed to secure good compassion flights through Delta (they rocked!) and my surgeon released me to fly on Monday as long as I "didn't do anything stupid". Wednesday we were all on a plane with his brother's family heading to MN. I should mention here, that as soon as we all got to the airport and checked our bags there was a fire and the terminal was evacuated. We had to wait outside for 30 minutes or so until they let us back in. Fortunately they added extra TSA people and we got through security and aboard the plane on time.

Tia & I on the ice throne

The time we spent in MN was actually nice. A sad occasion but sometimes it is those things that bring you together in new ways. All four siblings and 4 out of 5 cousins were together and we spend time looking through old photos, sharing memories, working on funeral arrangements and seeing old friends. The kids had a lot of fun in the snow and I got a kick out of watching them through the windows. We lucked out on timing as it was the week of the annual St Paul Winter Carnival so my SIL & I were able to take the girls to see the ice and snow sculptures that were part of the carnival. One day my nephews took us all to the zoo and my SIL pushed me around in a wheelchair. It was pretty neat to see tigers in the snow and we had a lot of laughs in the primate house.

Mylie & Hannah "storm the castle"

Friday and Saturday were filled with funeral arrangements. Tia & I got a crash course in Catholic and we spent much time at the funeral home and church. It was a really nice ceremony with a good turn out of Gene's friends and many boy scouts as he has been an active member in scouting for 40 years! At the cemetery he was given Naval Honors with soldiers meeting the coffin, escorting it and a flag folding and presentation. It was very moving (and cold). The best part was seeing all the family and friends who came to support the family. We got to see old friends and friends from far away. It was great having them around and spending time catching up and visiting. I look forward to heading back in August.

As if all this stuff wasn't enough Hannah has an asthma attack in the wee hours of Saturday morning. We had to take her out into the cold air and get her a breathing treatment. (Have I mentioned how handy it is to have so many nurses in the family?) She finally got better but we didn't get much sleep.

Monday morning we got up at the crack of dawn to my BIL and nephew blowing snow off the drives. It has snowed several inches overnight and was still coming down. Gorgeous, but we had a plane to catch. It ended up leaving 2 hours late but we made it out before the big storm hit.. phew...

We are now home.. I have had a bit of a relapse and poor Hannah has an ear infection and upper respiratory infection. We are laying low and trying to get better. I can't believe how much harder this is to get recovered from than my C section.. I guess I just need to take it one day at a time. I hope that I will feel perkier and more motivated to do something productive in the next few days. My list is long.

I sure hope that we have gotten all this crap out of the way. Its been too much too fast. February has got to be more peaceful, doesn't it??

Spring Fling Card Swap!!

2011-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you interested in participating in this year's greeting card swap, here are the details. I;d love for you to join us :)

• 6 for 6 OR 12 for 12 cards.
• Greeting cards WITH envelopes that are mailable. PLEASE use cardstock or heavy weight paper, no text weight!!
• Spring themed, all occasion or Easter, not religious.
• Cards DUE to me by Friday, February 18, 2011.
• PLEASE include a self addressed address label and $3.50 in cash or stamps to cover return postage. Int’l players be sure to include enough to return to you.

• Please EMAIL ME to sign up at which time I will send you my address. Cheers!

wake up call

2011-01-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

Even though it isn't February yet I am feeling kind of like the ground hog popping his head out of the hole to take a look around and see what's coming. I have been spending a lot of the time in the hole, its a usual thing come winter and darkness and inevitably it always just sneaks up on me. I am going along as usual and think to myself, wow this hasn't been so bad, I am making it through winter pretty well and then BAM.. wake up call.. I take a look around and what do I discover? I am in a funk, I am uninspired, I am lethargic, I am lonely and haven't seen (and barely talked to) any of my friends in TOO DANG LONG and I AM DEPRESSED! I should know better by now, but I never seem to manage it right. I never manage to plan ahead and up the dose of meds or get the UV light thingie out or force myself to DO SOMETHING until I am bam in the middle of the SAD.

So, at least I finally realized that no one is going to help me but myself. I got back on the horse ( literally and figuratively), I a riding again, I am trying to reach out to friends, I am making myself create (I am considering applying for the QKD design team) and I am going to bring back my Greeting Card Swap.

If you are interested, please check back. I will work out the details and post them here soon!!

2010-11-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

Last week I did a swap with my journal idol Kelly Kilmer. We swapped big fat envelopes of paper goodness to use I our journals. I got hers the day before I went to help a friend with a garage sale and took it with me so we could journal that evening. Will you just LOOK at the amazing pile of stuff she sent me?? Its so inspiring. Its killing me that I haven't made more time to journal with all of this calling my name. I need to me more disciplined. LOL Anyway, Kelly offers up journaling packs every once in a while and let me tell you, its worth it! If you have the change to get one.. do not hesitate because she sends the good stuff!

Kelly really made my day when she received MY swap envelope because she sent me a specific email asking where I had gotten some labels that were for use in her journal. They had various sayings, days of the week, months, etc on them and she wanted more!! Well that was huge flattery for me because they were labels that I had designed and printed!! I know you might be asking yourself, well why isn't there a picture?? And the answer is simply this.. I suck. I have been designing a set of labels for journaling that I hope to offer up on Etsy some day soon but I just haven't managed to get my collective crap sorted out. Kelly's sweet comments made me a bit more motivated so now I am trying to finish up the various "sets" so I can offer them up to other art journalers and creative types. If it doesn't happen soon you all have my permission to harass me until I do it!

A few blogs that have been inspiring the heck out of me lately:

Someday I am going to manage to take a class from her!!

Hello! Katrina has some darling freebies for digital types!!

Hanna has been posting some amazing journal inspiration lately..

Karen is funny and informative!

and always.. PAPAYA!

with thanks...

2010-11-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life,wrote a blank check

payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and

including, their life. That is beyond honor.

To all of our military, active and veterans and their families..

THANK YOU for your service.

Delores' new home

2010-11-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

A week or so ago, the delightful Julie Collings of BlueGirlxo posted a bloggie giveaway (her first one!) for one of the darling little Halloween cats she created. Her name is Delores.

Well, as I was reading Julie's blog that fateful day, Hannah was peeking over my shoulder and saw the picture Julie had posted of Delores and her friends. She made a comment about how she likes this kind of stuffed toy better than so many others because they are different from all the other ones. (She has been the recipient of a number of originals from ArtFests and other mommy adventures) and she is pretty gentle on her toys so I signed her up in Julie's sweet give away. And you guessed it, Julie picked us!! So the other day this mysterious box arrives on our doorstep for Hannah and she was just delighted to have Delores join her little animal family and also to be a new "sister" to our other new black cat.. Sophie. Thank You so much Julie!!

election day

2010-11-01T23:08:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to vote, every one counts!!

I for one will be GLAD when all these ads and phone calls stop.

(photo used with permission, taken by my sweet friend Holly.)

random ramblings...

2010-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

So here's the thing. I feel like blogging but don't really have anything new to share in the way of photos. I go through phases where taking a picture and uploading the picture and then editing the picture all seems like such a nuisance. ( I totally blanked and had to look up how to spell that right now.. lol)

Anyway, I guess there isn't really anything wrong with a blog post with no picture but it always seems a bit incomplete. So, I guess I will just post some random shots that really have nothing to do with anything I am writing.

First off, I want to say Happy Birthday to my soul sister Martha! I love you Martha dear and I miss you so much. It just plain stinks that we live so far away from each other and I think we need to try to REALLY plan to hook up at some point in 2011. Ok? deal...

(our new rescue kitteh.. Sophie)

Next, I have been falling on the job with my journaling. I am not sure why and I feel I must get back in between the pages.. I'll let you know how that goes. Part of me is hurting because 2 people that I care very much about are going through very rough patches in life. One seems to be heading into the light but the other one is rally reaching into that black pit with reckless and dangerous behavior and just general crappity crap going on around her. I wish I could do more than lend an ear and check in on her from time to time. I worry, and I carry burdens that are not mine and I need to remember that I cannot do that. I can be there in spirit but I can't handle the actual load. Anyway I am sending out some good thoughts for these friends today and really everyday lately.

And on another subject entirely.. I am obsessed.. obsessed with this blog that Adair told me about. I am not sure whether to thank her or curse her but anyway, I am obsessed with Knack Studio. I stalk her blog and when I see a new post I am giddy, I have been reading the archives and following her segments on design*sponge, I have been wishing I lived in So. Carolina (told ya I was obsessed). Check out the super inspiring furniture updates and her funky cool decorating style. I am getting some real inspiration for my living room! I even bought a cool old dresser to revamp a la "knack" but that is fodder for a future post.

Until next time...

of journals and junk

2010-10-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I am around but feeling a bit under the weather. I have finally figured out that one of my migraine triggers is the changing weather systems. With fall finally arriving, we have had some definite weather changes with wind, rain and now some cold weather pushing through. We're supposed to get more rain later in the week and I think all of this change is wrecking havoc on my sinuses and stuff. ugh

I really don't like feeling like this. Its hard to do much of anything. I don't even feel like making art and that pretty much sucks but now even my chores are falling behind as well. I couldn't take H out to the stable to ride today. I just want to go lie down in a dark room and sometimes I just want to cry.

Eep, I'm sorry this has turned into a whiney post. It didn't start out that way. I had a really nice weekend with the family, hiding out from the rain, enjoying our newly cleaned out chimney and wood burning stove with the recently discovered glass door. (yay) Hannah and I dabbled in paper clay and paper maché which was fun. I need more practice. And I played in my journal. So onto something happy to look at today.. a print n journal page that you can play with yourself, if you wish..

GAP kid??

2010-10-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

On a whim I decided to enter Han into the GAP Casting Call for kids. We have these brand spankin' new CUTE photos of Hannah in her favorite jeans and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to toss her face into the hat. My Mom is always telling me that she should be a model so I did this to get her off my back for awhile and it was just fun.

You can go on over and VOTE for Hannah by visiting this link and clicking on the button. Its that easy. Spread the word. Thanks!!

miracle and wonder

2010-10-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

A little different than how I have been working lately. Used some vintage wallpaper from my girl Donna, paint, a spool as a stamp, stencil from my mandala class and a greeting card image. Wrote the text with my left hand to try to get a more funky look. I like it. Trying to be faster and looser.

I am way behind in my holiday planning. Last year at this time I was doing really well at working on holiday gifts. I want to do a largely handmade holiday again this year. Better get crackin.

Sassy's

2010-10-17T00:21:00.000-07:00

Of course these loaded out of order but oh well.

This is a mixed media journal I made for my bestie Sharon aka Sassy. I used a vintage quilt block as inspiration and you can see part of it on the lower left corner of the cover. Its a plate type block, with cute feed sack fabrics which I tried to mimic is my patchwork with a selection of vintage and fabrics. It is filled with a variety of my different paper and pocket pages and I tucked in a few other goodies too.

Sassy makes the most adorable Blythe doll clothes and we recently (finally!) launched her Etsy shop. She got pretty wiped out on inventory so she is busily stitching away on more. She has three furry "helpers" and due to that she is periodically missing pattern pieces so I have challenged myself to come up with some sort of book of pockets for her so she has a safe place to store her patterns away from naughty paws. I'll share how that goes :)

Now I am off to indulge in my new issue of Somerset Memories!!

big fat lie

2010-10-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

covered!

2010-10-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry I went missing for a few days there. Things just got a bit more nutty than usual last week. I tackled one of the things that I have been procrastinating on though, which was actually binding some of the multitude of journal signatures INTO A COVER!! I tend to work on loose pages or in signatures so I can manipulate them more or stick them under the sewing machine but I wanted to challenge myself to work with a bound book this time so I compiled some finished pages, with some "Kelly style" pages and threw in a few "ROD style" pages for good measure and voila.. my big book of.. German?? LOL this is the cover I used. I still need to decorate it :)

By the way. Whether you have or haven't, please take the time now to go vote for my friend Bernie's commercial on the GoDaddy contest. There is just a week left to go and we are trying so hard to keep her in first place so she can win the funds to keep her shelter going. Thank You!!

do me a favor...

2010-10-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

My friend Bernie and her pet rescue ( A Place to Bark) are in the running for the GoDaddy commercial contest! The winning prize is $250,000! Wow! That could go a long way to saving so many animals from death row and that's why we want to win this amazing opportunity!

Please CLICK THIS LINK ( http://tinyurl.com/3xkt4wp) and then go and vote a rating of 5 on her commercial. 5 is the highest rating and you can vote ONCE A DAY! Then tell all your friends! Post on Facebook, Twitter and email your friends too!

Leave a comment here if you go vote and I will put you in a drawing for some journal goodies. This is so important I really want to support Bernie and help her to the win..

Congratulations

2010-10-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Krista.. you were the 22nd commenter on this post and therefore are the WINNER of the mixed media journal. Please send me your address so I can get it out to you soon.

Thanks to you all for visiting my blog and leaving comments. I read them all and appreciate you all so very much.

Tapetastic

2010-09-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

So there are two women I blame for what is quickly becoming an obsession. First off, that Kelly Kilmer! I love her, but man is she bad for my wallet. A few years ago she taught a class that I co-hosted called Taped Journals.. but that was just the TIP of the iceberg. Now she has got me using masking tape, decorative tape, duct tape, you name it...

She taunts us with her tape collection (SEE!) and provides LINKS to tempting shops filled with gorgeous colors and patterns. What's a girl to do?

So I manage to resist the temptation she peddles daily when along comes TRACI!! with her posts about cute cheap tape at the Big M and hurry down, check it out etc., etc..

and I have to admit, I was weak.. I DID run right down to M the very next day and I BOUGHT that tape..

I know its not much compared to Kelly's collection, but I have a dream! A dream of tape.. watch out payday...

Print N Journal

2010-09-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

Anyone printing these guys out??

Journals ga'lore

2010-09-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well after a couple of scorching hot days I managed to get some pictures taken (not great) of the four journals I finished up. They are currently listed in my Etsy shop. I feel pretty drained after a couple of 100+ degree days here and am anxious for some cooling off SOON so I can go back out to the studio and play some more. Happy Journaling..

insomnia sneak peek

2010-09-27T00:20:00.001-07:00

Its 12:21 on a school/ work night ( morning) and I am still up. I feel drained from the heat today but I an't seem to fall asleep. The little climbed in to our bed so I relocated to the living room where it is a bit cooler and less crowded. Instead of just tossing and turning I figured I'd edit a few pictures and thought I'd post a sneak peek of a journal I made today for Etsy. The background is vintage polka dot fabric layered with come green wool and cupcakes from a tea towel I have been hanging onto for "just such an occasion."
More journal goodness soon.. like, um, later today.

journalocity

2010-09-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

Finished 3 journals today but need to photograph them for Etsy. This is the first one I am listing and hope to get to the others tomorrow. I am going to try to list some other bits and bobs up there too because I am trying to regain control of my studio space and I know someone could use some of this stuff but it probably won't be me. Thanks for checking it out :)

PS. If you haven't done so but want to, there is still time to scroll down to my giveaway and toss your name in the hat.

art journal love

2010-09-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

Some pages in my journal (completed and in progress)

Thrifty Thursday

2010-09-23T16:19:00.001-07:00

I got this last week at the thrift store but my car was full of horse tack so I had to wait to pick it up. I finally did and my Dad helped me get it out of the car yesterday. Its an old kitchen cabinet with the prettiest aqua/ green paint inside. I like the shelf and when I get it cleaned up it will be a good piece for the studio provided I can squeeze it in. Its like a bomb went off in there and I need to do some purging of the stuff that just got dumped so I can actually walk AROUND the table ;)

The best thing about the cabinet.. $2.. baby!! I love that thrift store.

Speaking of the studio, too. I have been busy with journal love again. I finished up enough signatures to bind into a cover but need to figure out HOW to actually do that. Kelly assures me that it is easy but I am a little intimidated. I need to pop over to YouTube and see if I can find some tutorials for binding books. Wish me luck.. more journal love tomorrow.

P.S. If you haven't done so, scroll down to enter my giveaway.

print n journal

2010-09-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

don't forget to enter my giveaway below :)

750! a giveaway...

2010-09-19T21:43:00.000-07:00

Guess what? This is my 750th post on this blog! It snuck up on me but I am prepared. I have been making journals (see below) and journaling like crazy so I have lots of pages to bind up into a fun special "giveaway journal". Just leave your comment on this post and I will draw a name sometime next week.

Now for the good stuff.. pictures!!

The following is a journal I made for my soul sister Lora. Lora lives back east, is the mother of 2 beautiful boys and is currently battling MDS (marrow cancer). It hasn't been an easy road for her and proves to be a difficult road ahead so I thought I'd make her a little something as a pick me up. I hope to get it off to her in the mail tomorrow with a lot of love and good wishes..

This second stripy journal is headed to my Etsy shop in a few days. I love playing with all the different papers and pictures.

There are lots of flaps and pockets to play with and plenty of room for journaling or artwork. Hope you have enjoyed these peeks.. Don't forget to leave a comment. Good luck :) xo

print n journal

2010-09-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

My first print n journal page was well received so I decided to do some more. Enjoy! And if you use them I'd love to see pix of them done.. this one is half sized (8"x 5.5") which most of them will be. Cheers!

wee journal

2010-09-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am trying to get back into the habit of blogging more regularly. I hope that with school finally starting tomorrow I will have a more regular schedule and be able to set aside regular time to do so..

Last weekend when Joleen was here we spent a bunch of time in my studio. It was super fun and inspiring and just so great to chat and share and goof off with a fellow artistic soul. She had been up in May when I gifted her with a ROD journal I had made and I asked her how it was going and if she had been using it. She told me that she had filled it all up already so I started to make her another one. In between stitching on it and making pages she said, it would be fun to have a longer narrow journal for a specific project so I started playing around this other formats. Hannah wanted one too so I created this one for her.

(click to make bigger)

I used some techniques I learned in Mary Ann Moss' class combined with some I just kind of made up. The best thing is that it is all stuff from my studio, recycled bits of paper and scraps of fabric. It was super fun to make and I was able to whip up 3 in virtually no time at all. I plan to make some more to offer in my Etsy shop and at the craft fairs I have signed up for this fall, so if you might be interested, check back. What have you been up to in your studio??