SNOW CAN BE PRETTY

I can't believe I actually thought today's snow storm was pretty. I looked out on the deck and saw this plant covered with snow and wanted to capture it. I knew I didn't have to go out today or drive in the snow, so I
viewed winter differently. I usually hate it.
Life has been uneventful. Hanging out at home and finishing projects I've started. I have been staying away from the stores because of the Christmas
madness. I do plan to venture out tomorrow. Need to get some fresh air and do some errands. I got a GPS for christmas from Bob. I can't wait to try it out.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Hope everyone has a safe, healthy and happy holiday.

Above are two more photos of bracelet's I've finished. One was done In Mexico and the other one was done before the trip.
I have been home for over a week and the memories of the trip are quickly fading. I sure could use a dose of warm and sunny weather..... I should have appreciated it more while I was there.

Met Shari and Sandy for a Christmas Breakfast yesterday. It was so nice to see them. It's been very difficult to get together considering our varied schedules.

My kids will be over Christmas day along with Tracy's family. I think it's great that we can all share the day together and not split it up as in the years past. We should have thought of this sooner.
I supply the house and they are bringing most of the food.
Since I have absolutely no tradition for Christmas Dinner, and they do, they offered to bring the meal. I'm definitely OK with that.

I'm off to take a nap. Another lazy day. ! That's the only reason I like winter. It's easier to give myself permission to not get dressed and virtually do nothing.

BACK TO REALITY

Just returned from a 10 day trip to the Yucatan. The highlight of the trip was visiting the Mayan ruins at Chitzen Itza and Coba. The entire experience was so unbelievable. Almost surreal and spiritual at the same time. I felt like I was transported back to ancient times. We also hiked in the jungle and visited a Mayan village. The Mayan people live such simple
lives. They seem happy and proud of what they have. They live in huts, have no bathrooms, no beds, hardly any electronic devices nor electricity.
The children have the bare essentials to play with. No fancy toys or gadgets. Their pets were animals of the jungle.
The hotel we stayed at was the best accomodations and service I've ever
experienced. The food and drinks were abundant and good. I highly recommend the Hotel Iberostar Parasio Maya in Riviera Maya. I'd go back in a split second.
The weather was perfect every day. I can go on and on.
I love Mexico

Back to crappy, cold and ugly weather.
I need to get into the Christmas spirit. I just don't feel it yet.
Being away made me totally forget the holidays.

ONE MORE

Finished this bracelet the other day and am planning to make more.

This has a right angle beaded base and than embelished with swaroski crystals and more seed beads. My favorite so far.

Got together with some neighbors yesterday. We're starting a Geneology

Group. The lady leading it works at the National Archives in Chicago.

One more thing to add to my list of works in progress. I want to start researching my ancestors. I need to find out my grandparents name before they left Russia. It was changed to Chapman when they came to the USA.

INDIVIDUATION VOW

Individuation Vow
Each day of my life I vow to continue to grow more deeply
Into the precious being that I AM,
A unique expression of the Source,
A guardian of life,
Dedicated to relieving suffering and the cause of suffering,
which is in our minds,
And to bringing love, harmony and beauty into the world.
.R. Birney, MD

I love this vow and wanted to share it with everyone.

DUSTY THE PUPPY

Add one more to the menagarie. Dusty came to stay Thanksgiving Day

He is definitely an active puppy and a peeing machine. I forgot how much work puppies are. I think he is sooo cute.

Gus and Dusty went home last night. Sunny has his peace and quiet back and so do I.

The above bracelets are the newest I've created. I'm trying to teach myself

new beading techniques. Right now I'm working on a right angle weave

bracelet. It's almost done.

GUS AND SUNNY

SUNNY AND GUS

Are they cute or what? They have bonded.

I'm watching Gus for the week while my kids are on a cruise (Lucky them). I get to watch their puppy Dusty tomorrow for the remainder of the week. Three dogs at once . Oh my!

They picked a good week to go since the weather has been so crappy. Snow predicted tonight. Oh well, it is winter.

I'm still beading. Finished two more bracelets. Will post pictures later.

I've been home alot lately. No desire to go out in this gloomy weather.

Bob and I are leaving for Mexico (Riviera Maya} on Dec. 3rd. I am so looking forward to it.

CATERPILLAR BRACELET

My version of a bracelet I saw and thought I bought a kit for.

A few weeks ago, I was at my local bead store and saw a bracelet I wanted to make.

I bought the kit and when I got home, OOPS, I opened it up and realized it was the wrong one. Since the kit was already opened and I couldn't return it, I decided to figure it out myself.

I really enjoyed the challenge.

My friend Sandy bought the same kit by mistake, so she's making one also!

Can't wait to see her bracelet finished.

Again, I made an impulsive purchase without giving it much thought, but this time it was to my advantage. It gave me the chance to be more innovative.

BEAD CRAZY

I'm still beading away. Above are my newest pieces. I'm not bored with
beading yet. Actually, I just started another piece. I'm learning a new
technique and it sure has been a challenge. I won't give up until I learn it.
Not much going on in my creative, domestic or social life.
I've been staying home more. Haven't felt like getting out as much.
It's getting close to winter and I guess I feel like nesting.
I'm planning to tackle the basement soon. I want to make it more conducive to work in. Between better lighting and drywall, I hope I will go down there more often. Slowly but surely, all my art supplies are finding a home upstairs. I had such high hopes for making the basement a studio.
Let's see what happens.

ANOTHER BRACELET

One more piece for my collection . Now what? I guess I'll put it away with all the other finished projects sitting in my closet.

This has been a low key week for me. Didn't do much. I tried to stay away from shopping. I did a good job until yesterday. I ventured out to Jo Ann's and I managed to buy something I didn't need with my coupon.

Now there is a 50% coupon looming over my head. Let's see how long I can hold out. Who am I fooling?

Mia (my niece) came out to visit for two days. She's really going through an identity crisis. She's 22 and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. I am totally confident that she will figure it out. She has so much

going for her. I just wish she believed it.

I'm thinking of creating more soul collage cards on a smaller scale. It will be fun to do in minature , just like the inchies, but not that tiny.

I have all these ideas running thru my head about other projects too! Lets see what comes of it....

ALEX

Just had to share this photo. My grandson Alex and his date for homecoming. I cannot believe how fast he's growing up. He's 16, driving, working, going to school and actively involved with life!
I'm so proud of him and of course ,my son and daughter-in-law for doing such a good job. Am I bragging or what?

BEADING BEADING BEADING

That's all I've been doing the past few weeks. I really love designing my own
jewelry. I guess it has to do with my need to be individualistic.
This week , my desk top computer totally crashed (it's corrupted)
My son ,Keith ,(HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY!) is working on it.
My lap top is new and functioning, but It won't let me use my printer.
I guess it's a compatibilty issue between XP and Vista. I'm being so patient . I didn't run out and buy a new one. I'm waiting for a resolution.
Of course, this has been driving me nuts all week.

Bob and I are going to Mexico in December. I've always wanted to see the Mayan ruins so we decided to go to Riviera Maya in the Yucatan. We'll be staying for 10 days. Can't wait. This will be replacing the winter we were going to spend in Phoenix.

Went to the Quilt Expo the other day in St. Charles. I really didn't see anything new and exciting in quilting. Nothing inspired me.
I did see one booth with kits and supplies for Brazillian embrodiery.(three dimentional)
I would like to learn that eventually.
Met with the ladies yesterday in Warrenville to do art. I just couldn't get into it so I left early and went shopping.
It's certainly grey ,cloudy and yucky outside. Fall is finally here. It almost
seems more like winter. I'm wearing socks and a sweater. I guess this can be called the transition period , neither here nor there.

ACTIVE WEEK

Between Birthday celebrations, going out to dinner with friends ( Shari and Sandy) driving into the city to visit Stampology, and going to see "Across The Universe " twice, I haven't had much time for creativity. I went with Barb during the week before she left for Phoenix and I went with Cindy yesterday. I could actually see it a third time.
I bought the sound track and that's what I have been listening while I'm driving.
I was never much into the Beatles music until now. They changed some of it for the movie and the actor's sang all the songs. Great voices.
This is my new favorite movie.
I believe I am obscessed with it (for now).

I'm trying to finish a needlepoint canvas and am
planning another beaded piece of Jewelry.

I'm not feeling the paper art thing right now.
I can't get motivated to do it . I'm enjoying the feeling of fiber , fabric and beads. I know at some point I will get back to it. I guess I just need a little break.

BEADED BRACELET FINISHED

I'm finally done with my bracelet. It sure was alot of beading. I was determined to finish it, and I Did! Will I ever wear it? Probably not, it's not my style. I am proud of it.
I started out with a vintage button and just went with the flow. I guess it is called free form.

Spent the day with the ladies, doing art. Had a good time. Again, we did more talking than creating. I worked on a needlepoint canvas.

My friend Barb is in town. We've been running around every day shopping and eating out way too much. So what else is new? Haven't stopped at Dairy Queen yet. I'm really surprised.

Tomorrow, Bob and I are having a party to celebrate our 65th birthday. We've invited lots of people, which means FOOD AND DRINK. We are prepared. Our birthdays are only three days apart. I guess turning 65 is an accomplishment. We're still here and in good health and happy too! We have it good!

SAMPLES OF LESLIE ALTMAN CLASS

I Took Leslie's class at Carolina Moon yesterday. We learned how to apply alcohol ink to different substrates. My favorite was using papyrus and vinyl (the two samples on the left).
Had a fun time and learned how to use the inks . Never used them before. Of course, I have had them in my stash for a couple of years. I love the colors, but other than that, I doubt if I will apply this technique to anything I'm doing right now. I'm really focused on other mediums at the moment.
As I said in an earlier post, I'm beading away.

I'm meeting friends at the Naperville River Walk Art Fair today. The weather is perfect for it. Can't wait to see all the new artwork that has been created this year.

LAST ROSE OF SUMMER

It feels like fall. I love this time of year. Too bad winter comes next. That I don't like...

I can't believe I got caught up in making coffee filter roses. I just had to try it and I actually had fun. I'm not sure it looks like a rose, but I think it's kind of pretty. I made a few , but now I'm done!! No MORE

I've been busy beading away on my free form bracelet. It's keeping me busy at night while I'm watching TV. If I ever finish it, it will be a conversation piece. I think beading is very Zen like. It's calming to me.
Between that and Yoga, I should be a new person.

There is alot going on this week-end. The Quilt Show in St. Charles(too close to miss), A class Saturday with Leslie Altman, Riverwalk Art fair in Napervilleand the Bead show. I think I'm going to do it all. I hope I can fit two events into one day.

I just dug up some of my colored pencil drawings. I was shocked at what I saw. Not too bad.
I was really getting somewhere with it, but lost interest. Just think, if I would have kept it up I would be much better now. Story of my life. Can't stick to anything too long. Once I learn a technique, I need to move on to the excitement of something new. Oh well, I guess that's part of who I am . I've learned to accept it.

Went to Cantigny today and took lots of pictures . I really needed to commune with nature. It felt so good to walk around and see all the beautiful gardens. Weather was perfect...
I started my bead embroidery project and am happy with the way it's turning out. It's very relaxing.

Went to see the movie "No End In Sight" with our neighbors. It is a documentary about Iraq and all the deception going on with our government. It just confirmed my beliefs and even made them stronger.
YOGA starts tomorrow. Can't wait!

WAITING TO BE FRAMED

These needlepoint canvases are finished and waiting to be framed. It's going to cost me a fortune. No wonder I keep putting it off.


Anyway, these are in my WOMAN series. I"ve done these over the past few years. There are a few more which I'll upload later.





I'm also working on two other canvases right now, A carribean scene and a kitchen saint.

I am feeling a little bit more motivated than last week. I'm beginning to get some ideas for art.
I also have a beading project I want to start.

NO MOTIVATION

It's been over a week since I've been back and I just can't get
myself to create new art.
I have been needlepointing. I guess in a way, it's creative.

I have been a little discouraged about the type of art i've been doing. I think I need to do some fine art to acknowledge the fact that I still enjoy it..
Since Art Unraveled, I've been having a problem with originality. Most of the mixed media art looks the same to me.

The picture on the left is Ann Grigh's paint pallette. I love her style and her original way of creating. She sure is an inspiration to me.

Getting back to real life, not much is happening. I had my grandaughter this week end. She is growing up so fast. She'll be 13 next month. It was fun shopping with her and I enjoyed watching her pick out clothes. She definitly has her own style.
Got together with Pam, Ann and Jean to do art on Saturday. There was more talking than creating. I accomplished nothing.

EATING FRENZY

Phoenix is one big restaurant !!! Aside from eating breakfast and lunch at the hotel, we went out to dinner every night. Of course, I'm not complaining. It was a good opportunity to get together with old and new friends from Art Unraveled.

I spent the second week with my friend Barb and of course we ate out every night.


Still need to come down from the trip.
I haven't done a thing yet.
In retrospect, I really had a fun time, but did not learn much. The only class which I can honestly say was good was Michael Demengs class.(Light Bulb Shrine). The other classes were OK or bad. Unless there are new instructors and new classes, I think I'm done. Time to try something new.

BACK FROM ART UNRAVELED

Home at last.
I can't get my act together. I've been sleeping on and off all day. Need to unpack!
It seemed like a long two weeks. Art Unraveled was wonderul. The second week visiting my friend was OK except for the nasty heat. It's unfit for humans. I did love the sun every day.
I'll go into more detail about Art Unraveled later..
The photo of the Light Bulb shrines and Circus
shrine are the only things I managed to bring home finished.

NAME BADGE FOR ART UNRAVELED

Hope I wear it!

ART UNRAVELED, HERE WE COME!

Five more days and the the four of us will be leaving for Phoenix, A week of art and fun.
Belinda, Sandy Shari and myself are very lucky to be able to experience this together. We Are
definitely Art Sisters and lucky to live so close to each other.

This has been a hellish week. My cousin Renah passed away. I feel so relieved that she is not suffering anymore. Tomorrow is the memorial service. I'm feeling sad. Renah is the last of the Chapman family (my mothers side). I hope her kids and I will stay connected...
I've also had computer problems again. The Geek Squad came out and
spent a few hours trying to figure out the problem with my new laptop. It wouldn't connect to the internet.
It ended up being faulty. I exchanged it for another one and now it's working fine. I'm so sick of this computer stuff. I didn't realize how addicted I am to the internet. I was having withdrawl symptoms.

Haven't done any art this week. I guess I'm saving it all for Art Unraveled.

A LOST WEEK

The past week has been a big blur. I've decided that I am obscessed when it comes to things that don't work'

I have spent almost every day trying to figure out my new lap top . It has the Visita operating system. It is different than XP. I also installed a router. UNFORTUNATELY, my desktop has a virus and I was told not to keep it connected to the internet. So what good is the router? I decided to get a new printer for the lap top only. Lo and behold, I installed the software and a message popped saying it's not compatible with Vista. I was so frustrated. Anyway, I solved that problem by downloading a different driver

from Hewlett Packard. Is all this boring stuff? Sorry, I am just describing one part of my week.

I also spent 2 days staying with Renah, my cousin who is suffering from cancer. She is declining very quickly. She has become unresposive and can't take care of herself anymore. I feel so sad for her. I hope her suffering ends soon.

No art work has been done this week. My other side of the brain was working overtime.

Two weeks until Art Unraveled. Im so looking forward to it. Can't wait!

QUILT DONE

FINISHED! Actually, it was supposed to be a wall hanging. I've decided to use it in my studio

as an afghan, draped over the back of the love seat.

I'm loving the colors. This was fun to do, but a challenge. When it came to putting the backing on, everything was off kilter. I had to improvise and add more material. Hopefully, with my next attempt, I'll be more careful. I'm always in a hurry.

Still working in my trades for Art Unraveled and houses for the swap on the IN THIS HOUSE

group.

Too hot outside to do much. Good time to play catch-up on art projects!!!!

LITTLE TINY HOUSES

PROTOTYPES FOR

HOUSE SWAP.

I haven't decided exactly what I'll do yet. The photos are of the two I've created so far.

They are 2 X 3 1/2" in size. So far, it's been fun. I need to make 2o of them.

I really should finish the trades for Art Unraveled . August will be here before I know it.

I'm still working on my quilt and loving it. I'll post it soon.

Got together with Shari, Sandy, Belinda and Sarah for a play date Wednesday. We tried a new technique. I'll scan it later. Shari has all the info on her blog www.creativechatter.blogspot.com

I Spent Thursday and Friday in Chicago. Renah is in the hospital again, so I went to visit her and than went to Joni's to spend the night. I took public transportaion both ways. I came home totally exhausted. I could never commute on a daily basis. Too much chaos. I'm beginning to enjoy my quiet life more and more.....

MOO CARDS

My moo cards came today. They are soooo cute and tiny....

I chose my watercolor paintings, digital art and collage for my first batch.

It's 5:57 p.m. and I'm still not dressed. Today was house cleaning day (ug) and when I finished, I started playing around with the quilt I'm making. Before I knew it, the entire day was gone. No sense getting dressed now. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to SEIZE IT...

The quilting is challenging me and I guess I like that.

I'm designing it myself. I'm sure it will end up being a wall hanging.

It's very colorful with African Prints.

TAG! YOUR IT

Belinda tagged me.
So, here we go!

1. I have a weakness for soft serve ice cream (DAIRY QUEEN)

2. I need to have more than one project going at one time. I get bored easily!

3. Salsa music gets my motor running. Can't sit still. Need to get up and dance.
I've always been attracted to anything hispanic (even men) Olive skin, black hair and dark
eyes

4. I want to be taller. It's so hard to buy clothes. I hate hemming!

5. Now that I have my passport, I want to travel the world and experience different
lifestyles and cultures. First stop, Russia to discover my roots.

6. I don't give myself enough credit for my artistic ability. I'm always criticizing my work
and thinking I'm not good enough or equal to other artists.

7. I've worked very hard to overcome my fears. phobias and negative thinking. I'm in a
better place now than ever before. Maybe getting older helps. In other words, what's the
very worst that can happen? Been there, done that!

EARTH MOTHER I'M NOT

I'm trying so hard to be good to my flowers and plants. It's been so hot and dry, they need to be watered daily. I forgot one day and they all looked dead. I managed to revive most of them. I hope my little garden will be maintained for the duration of the summer.

I won't neglect them again.

So, now I'm into fabrics and art quilts . The picture is of a 4X6 I just did to experiment with my sewing machine, which I haven't used in ages. It's a pitty. There are so many neat stitches to play with. Part of this card is machine stitched and part hand embroidered. The woman is a collage I did on a formica sample. I believe this piece is really MIXED MEDIA.

I have designed an African watercolor quilt. It's all pinned and in place. After I fuse each 2"square onto the backing, I'm going to machine stitch it with decorative stitches. I had fun planning it. Hopefully, I'll finish it before I go on to the next project.

I've been feeling a little restless and unfocused again. I want to create a million things. My head is full of ideas, but I know I'll be better off doing one thing at a time. The story of my life!

(ha ha)

WHAT"S NEXT?

Can't believe I'm making paper dolls. This is what we are working on at the Peoples Resource Center.

I have to say it's kind of fun. Just another form of creativity....

I spent most of the week hanging out at home, getting things done.

Friday I met Shari and her grandson Joey for lunch and than we went to a carnival in St. Charles.

I love being with children. They are so full of wonder, curiosity and zest for living.

Traveled to Milwaukee yesterday for the Bead and Button Show. I went with Shari and Belinda.

Saw alot of beautiful hand made creations and of course, there were tons of beads and accessories for sale. Did I buy anything? Of course! Mostly charms and a book. I feel a beading session coming on. I got alot of ideas just walking around. We walked and walked from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. NON STOP! We finished the day at a Sushi Bar in Aurora. It's always fun getting together with my art buddies. By the end of the day we were so tired we became slap happy!

BACK TO DOLLS

OK, so I can't focus on one thing. I pulled my sewing machine out and started playing. These

little dolls are my newest creation. I think they are so cute. I'm sure I'll make more....

It's Memorial Day Week-end. Off to to Oak Park later to visit Renah and my cousin Sharon.

I had a very pleasant day on Friday with Shari and her son Michael. We ate lunch at Wildwood

in Geneva, Stopped for ice cream (of course) and

took a nice long walk. Weather was perfect.

Met Belinda for coffee last night . Always fun to

talk to art buddies.... The sun is coming out and I'm ready to start the day!!!

I'M EXHAUSTED!

The whole house was painted. I love the colors. Very warm and earthy. Exactly what I wanted. The painters finished in one day. Very chaotic!
We had to move all the furniture and clear off surfaces first. A lot of muscle work. Everything is back in order. Now I want to get some different accessories to match the new colors.(Of course)
The chair is what I did in a class at CHERISH yesterday. Went with Sandy and her sister Lynn.
I really enjoyed it. Who knows what I'm going to do with it. Right now I have a plant sitting on it.
Haven't been doing much art this week. Too pre -occupied!
Had breakfast with my grandson this morning. He's so grown up. Now that he's driving, he seems more mature.... He met me at the restaurant. YIKES!

THEY'RE MULTIPLYING

I'm addicted to making felted beads. It's great to do while watching TV. I am having a difficult time wrapping the wire loop. It never turns out right. Oh well, I hope I improve with practice.

Today is a big birthday bash for my grandson Alex.

He's celebrating his 16th. We all know what that means. Time to drive. I'm sure I'll worry at first, but I know he's a good driver and I hope he stays responsible. Pictures of his party later.......

Getting ready to paint the whole house. A week from today I need t o have all the furniture moved to the center of each room. UG, lots of work.

It's funny how I'm having a difficlt time choosing the perfect colors. I keep going back and forth and changing my mind. I normally can pick color combinations right away. Is it too dark or too light, will it match the furniture and contrasting colors? On and On! JUST MAKE A DECISION!

FELTED BEADS

I've been busy felting little beads for my Art Unraveled Trade.

Last night as I was watching "Dancing With The Stars" while I was felting. I kept pricking my finger instead of the felt. OUCH. Can't do both at the same time.

So anyway, I finally decided what I'm bringing to trade. The picture shows what my little charms will look like along with the card they will be attached to.(At least for now. Who knows, I might change my mind).

Not much else is going on. I'm trying to coordinate colors for my walls. I've decided I'm tired of staring at white . Time to Paint.

This is such a hard decision. I thought it would be easier. My walls look like patchwork. I keep trying different colors.

Back to the store to check out more samples.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Love this weather!!!! Warm and sunny. Bought some furniture for the new deck. Blossoms are out. Bob and Sunny are well and I'm happy....

I have been concentrating on needlepoint this week and also finishing the two swaps I have left. NO MORE

SWAPS for awhile!

Met with Art friends yesterday. Always love days like that... Very inspiring and fun...

Meeting friends for an early dinner tonight.