GUT ART

I can't believe this is the 4th week of Gut Art. The class went so fast. It has given me a whole new perspective on the way to do art. I'll miss checking into the web site every day and viewing everyone's comments, videos, art work, hints, feedback etc. I don't want it to end so soon.

Hopefully we will all stay connected.

MIRANDA"S CONFIRMATION

Miranda was confirmed yesterday. The service was well done and very emotional for me. I kept having flashbacks of the kids when they were little, sweet and innocent. Now they're all grown up. (almost) and maybe not so innocent.

The lady with Miranda is their Pastor.

Keith and Alex aere in the other picture.

Both sides of the family were there. After the service, we went to "Stir

Fry" for lunch. YUM! A good time was had by all.

Still doing my Gut Art Class and loving it even more.

I tried doing some Punch Needle embroidery this week. I was not comfortable with it. No patience for it. After many tries, I decided to put it away and go back to my beading.

Where's The Sun?

I need the sun!!!! Too many days without it. Thank God for my Ott Lite.

It's unhealthy to live in the dark (at least it feels like it)

Spent the week doing art. Haven't been out too much.

Actually, I took Keith out for dinner for his 46th birthday on Wednesday.

My baby is getting old (and so am I). WOW!

We went to "The Bank", a fairly new restaurant in down town Wheaton.

Food was good and so was the ambiance.

I just got back from my Art Group. Had a good time as usual. Didn't accomplish much. Too busy chatting and trying to solve world problems.

I've finished a couple more pieces for my GUT ART class, posted above.

MORE ART

The GUT ART Class I'm taking has really been a great experience for me.

I'm loving every minute of it and I believe it has given me new confidence in my work.

THANK YOU MYSTELE for sharing your class.

I still can't get away from the same color palette ( rusts, golds, greens etc.). I need to try brighter colors.

Now on to the next lesson. Can't wait!

FIRST FORMAL DANCE

Here I go bragging again !

Miranda went to her first formal dance last night.

"Homecoming"

As usual, she looks so pretty. (Am I a proud grandma?)

Love the color of her dress.
It seems to me that the girls at age 15 look so much more mature than the boys.

Oh, by the way, her dates name is RYAN (He's so cute).

ART WORK FROM CLASS

My newest art pieces from my on-line class. I'm Still loving it. It sure is keeping me involved and focused. Not much happening in my social world this week. Staying close to home. The weather hasn't been too inviting. I rather stay in and create art.

GUT ART BOOK

I finshed the covers for my book. I'm really having a good time taking the on-line class. It's right up my alley. So far, I've enjoyed all the videos

Mystele has presented. I love her casual, but informative style.

I'm already finding myself less critical of my work. It does come from the gut and represents who I am. Can't wait to do more.

Yesterday was our monthly ATC SWAP Meeting. It was fun as usual, and I really think everyone did a wonderful job creating this month. I believe we are more comfortable with each other.

Today was Miranda's 15th Birthday party for the family.

Keith did a great job of hosting it. This was his first social event since the separation. I'm proud of him!!!! We had KFC and a Portillo's Decadent Chocolate Cake. (YUM)

I'm gearing up to host my first CLOSE TO MY HEART gathering. I need

to focus on it and order supplies and most important of all, invite some people....

I"VE BEEN BUSY

Alot going on now! I've been busy making ATC's for the Saturday group. Just finished a new necklace and made a wall hanging at the art retreat last Sunday. (Photos above)

I have become a CLOSE TO MY HEART consultant and I've been trying to get things organized, so I can have a gathering. I've been making samples to display.

I also start my on- line class today called "GUT ART" Can't wait !!!

Life seems to be going along without hitches.

Fall is here. It's chilly and the leaves are beginning to change color.

As I say every year "It's nesting time" I want to CREATE!

myste (mi-stee)'s Profile | TypePad

I'm starting an online class with Mystele tomorrow. Met her this week at the folk art festival.
Check her out.

myste (mi-stee)'s Profile TypePad

I LOVE CHICAGO

Bob and I decided to go into the city on Friday. I forgot how much I miss it.
We drove to Navy Pier and spent a couple of hours walking , observing and than eating lunch.
After lunch we took the water taxi to North Michigan Ave
and walked to Milenium Park.
Of course, I had to stop at Fanny May to have ice cream.

We walked around the park and enjoyed all the sights. I love the bean and water fountain. My favorite part of the day was seeing all the
people.
I really felt like I belonged in the city.
I guess living there for 30 years brings back so many memories.
After a few hours of walking, we headed home.
We must do this again. It was really an enjoyable day.
Bob even liked it!!!
Now it's back to the sterile boonies. Why do I live here?

ANOTHER BEADED DOLL

Finally finished! I think she is cute. Now I need to name
her.
Any ideas?
Can't believe the crappy weather we've been having.
Day 3 with rain and no sun. UG!
I need to get dressed and go out for awhile. Summer is not the time for staying in (even if it's raining). Winter will be here before we know it and I'll be complaining about the snow and cold...
I'm in a creative mood right now. I have no idea what I'll do next. I need to make a few more ATC'S for the swap. Will upload later.

Lake Geneva

I treated my granddaughter
and a friend to a mini vacation in Lake Geneva Wisconsin. The girls spent most of their time swimming , shopping and just hanging out. Such typical teenagers!
Miranda is on the left and Megan( her friend) on the right.
I invited my friend Shari
to join me too. It was a fun getaway, but as always, I'm glad to be home.

NEW ARTWORK

I can't believe I just took this picture with my iphone.

The quality isn't bad at all.

I finished this piece today. It's a canvas I started in Katie Kendricks class at AU.

New Photos from AU

California group
with Sandy and myself at NICK'S..
Delicious Italian
food.

Above is a picture of Cindy Kovak's

class. Face drawing and Open Acrylics.

Group from Chicago

Belinda, Sandy, me, Shari

I guess it's kind of a let down to be back. In retrospect,

I wouldn't have changed a thing.

I had great roommates(Sandy and Shari), enjoyed my classes and enjoyed all the socializing with fellow artists.

Back to reality!

I'm still coming down.....

BACK FROM ART UNRAVELED

Above are some of the finished projects from the classes I took at Art Unraveled. More to come. (many are still unfinished).

I'M READY

One more day until Art Unraveled!
My bags are packed and I'm raring to go.
Today will last forever... I still have a few last minute
things to do to keep me occupied.
I'm so excited.......

TRADES ARE DONE

Trades are finally done for AU. The theme is MOMENTS.....

So are my ATC'S for the live trade this Saturday. The theme is HOT HOT HOT.

Barb will be coming in this Wednesday for 5 days.Can't wait to see her.

I need to finish everything, so I can have fun with her.

I leave for Phoenix the day after she leaves for her stitching retreat.

BUSY IS GOOD!

EXTREME BEADING

I was going through Miranda's old toy
box which is being stored in my basement. I found
a little Care Bear from McDonalds.
I thought it would be fun to bead.











So, after two weeks of beading every nite, I ended up with an embellished bear which serves no purpose at all.
I guess it kept me relaxed and I actually had fun doing it.
Thre is something about bead embroidery that totally puts me in the zone..
My trades are done for AU.
Now it's the excitement of waiting for the day to come.
(1 week 3 days)

NAME TAG FOR ART UNRAVELED

Just finished it! I like it, but will I wear

it? Probably not. It 's big and bulky.

Now on to more trades!

CATCH UP

It's been over a month since I've posted.

I guess life gets in the way.

Aside from making ATC'S for the Live Swap groups, I haven't been doing much paper art.

I'm into beading again. I've created some more jewelry (I'm thinking of selling some when I'm ready).

June was also a month of life style change. My son moved in with us temporarily. I didn't know how to behave as a mother. I haven't lived with him for

over 20 years. I worried about his eating habits, health, well being etc. Since he's

a middle aged man and father of teenagers, I didn't know my boundries. In a way, I felt the roles were reversed.

He's back home for now and hopefully happier. He has his own space back and so do I.

I'm beginning to prepare for ART UNRAVELED. I'm getting excited and am looking forward to spending a week doing art and hanging out with artists.

I'm also planning to spend a day or two with Barb. Two more weeks of waiting. Thank goodness time seems to fly.

Since I joined Facebook, I've been involved with playing word games with friends and checking out what's happening with people I know (and even don't know). I feel more connected to the world...

MIRANDA GRADUATES

Miranda , my grandaughter,
graduated from 8th grade yesterday. The short lady
next to her is me. I think
I'm shrinking.
Anyway, it was a nice day.
We went out for lunch after the ceremony and then she opened presents.
Both grandchildren graduated this year.
This is it for four more years.
Nothing else is going on at the moment.
I'm creating more ATC'S for the swap tomorrow...

BUSY WEEK-END

On Saturday, Shari, Lynne and I took a road trip to Milwaukee for an ATC swap. (are we crazy or devoted to our art?) The entire day
was filled with fun and something different to do. The swap was held in a very organized fashion and I managed to get 20 new pieces of little art work.
After the swap we stopped to eat, browse a used book store (of course I bought some books to cut up for images) and indulged in some frozen custard. YUM!
Got home about 8:30 and began thinking about
the final things I had to get ready for the art retreat on Sunday.
We made tin dolls (the photo on the left). I only finished one and started one more.
I really enjoyed the day. I met new people and
found the experience to be totally relaxing.
The gathering was held in a log cabin at THE CENTER in Palos Hills. It's a non-denominational spiritual center to promote healing and enrichment thru the arts. They also have a chapel to hold services. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. There are log cabins all over and an abundance of old trees and flowers. It was so peaceful, I didn't want to leave. It was like an "oasis of calm in the middle of chaos". I'm so glad I had the experience.
I definitely will go back.

ALEX GRADUATES

Here's a picture of Alex and his very proud grandma's right after the ceremony.
I can't believe he will be starting college.

I've been working on ATC's for the swap in Milwaukee this week-end. This will be a new experience
I'm loving this! Small little pieces of art. Actually, they take as long as larger pieces . The same amount of planning goes into it except on a smaller scale.

FINISHED!!!!!!

More ATC's.
The meeting at Dick Blick last week inspired me to do more.
I've decided if I don't trade
these here, I'll bring them to Art Unraveled.


*****************************


DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!
(I don't brag very often)
I FINISHED......
I must say, this project took more perseverence and patience than anything else I have ever created.


It took almost two months.


I worked on it every evening.


The proud part for me is that it is truly an original. I designed it from scratch and actually stuck to it. There were times when I wanted to give up.....

IS LESS REALLY MORE?

I'm getting carried away with these ATC"S. I wish I could

say enough is enough.

They are addictive.

I'm really enjoying the process.

Since it's been dark, dreary and rainy all week, these

cards kept me from crawling into bed.

OK, where's the sun already?

MORE ATCS

I guess you can tell what I've been doing this week-end.

It's been raining for two days..

Perfect opportunity to be creative.

NEW ATC'S

Our local Dick Blick is sponsering an ATC swap next week.
I thought it would be fun to participate.
It also inspired me to play around again with my very first endevor with collage and mixed media art.
"WHAT'S OLD IS NEW"
I'm having fun with it. I've also noticed that my style and tastes have changed in the past few years. I think my biggest change is that I'm
being me and I'm not trying to do art work for approval. I have more self confidence.
I'm almost done with my needlepoint canvas. YEAH!!!!! It's taking forever. I'm proud of myself for sticking to it.
Spring has finally sprung and that always creates a happier frame of mind for me.

TIME TO MOVE ON

I have spent the past month of my life trying to design and stitch my own version of a Mexican Talvera tile.

Well, what a surprise! It's not so easy. I'm not a linear person and I don't like anything to be perfect . For some reason,

I expect this tile to be symmetrical and it's driving me crazy. I'm tired of ripping out stitches to make it look just right. Maybe it's time to walk away from it and give it a rest!

In my heart, I really believe I like the challenge and that's the exciting part for me! Hmmmmm, what should I do next? Let it go or

keep being obsessive?

HOME AT LAST

We've been home since Monday night.
Our last stop was the Grand Canyon. WOW! It makes me believe in something grander and more omni-potent.
Bob was in awe of it. It was his first time.
We stayed in Flagstaff the first night on the road. The second night, we stopped in Tucumcari NM and the third night, Joplin MO.
Every year I say, "Next time we FLY!"
It's really a long long drive...
Now that I've been home a few days, I'm beginning to feel normal again. I've caught up with everything . Even laundry. Three weeks worth (UG)

I've been working on the Talavera canvas which I've designed from scratch. I certainly admire all the artists who design and paint thier own canvasas. If you want it to be precise and exact, it becomes very intense. For me, it's all trial and error. I guess I love a challenge.....

I'm determined to finish it. So far, it looks pretty good....

TRIP WINDING DOWN

We finally saw the Chichuly exhibit at the Desert Botonical Gardens today. What talent that man has. His work is incredible.
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the exhibit at a later time, when the sun is at a different angle.
Still awesome! Loved the different desert plants too! My favorite section was the Sonoran Desert.
All the Cactus were giant size.
Almost surreal.
We visited the butterfly garden also. There were some beautiful specimens flying around. I got some nice pictures.

It's time for a new camera. Mine is acting up . It only has 5 Mega Pixels and is too bulky to carry around.
If everything goes according to plan, we will be leaving Phoenix this Friday. I'm not looking forward to the long trip home, but it will nice to be in my own house again.
Barb has been the perfect hostess and makes us feel right at home.

HERE WE ARE

We arrived in Phoenix a week ago today. The trip was long and tiresome, but it was worth it. This time. a pebble hit the winshield and cracked it. We need to get it fixed before we head home. It's growing!
The weather has been perfect. SUN everyday and temps in the 70's and 80's.
Bob has been busy practicing golf and eating his way thru all the Deli's in town.
I took a 2 day work shop at Family Needle Arts. The designer, Kelly Clark, taught us how to embellish one of her new canvasas. It was fun. Barb and I are doing alot of stitching.
Again, we're planning to go the Grand Canyon. Not sure when.
The girls (Barb, Carol, Martha, Nancy and I) went to an art exhibit in Peoria, Friday night.
It was just OK..
We are planning to stay two more weeks. Will fill you in later!