HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

PEACE ON EARTH

SHOW AND TELL

I had to share these photos with you.

Miranda has been very busy celebrating the holidays!

She baked and decorated all of the cookies by herself.

I'm sure Santa enjoyed himself too.

Miranda is on the far right

Yesterday was our ATC live trade Holiday party. Had a great time. I made cards for Hannukah

instead of Christmas, as shown above.

I also uploaded some of my needle felting projects.

I'm thinking of making some of the Tim Holtz 12 days of christmas tags
Hope they turn out....

IT'S BEEN AWHILE

I can't believe a whole month has passed since I've written on my blog.

I really haven't been that busy with important stuff , Just lazy. I did have Thanksgiving Dinner here and made everything from scratch. As always, I was stressed out about the cooking. I'm not good at sit down dinners, but I loved having my family together. Keith ,Alex, Miranda,Paul, Mia, Carlos, Joni and David were here..

I've been jumping back and forth with alot of different projects. I have been needle felting, crocheting and I started a new needlepoint project. Other than that, I've been doing some more artwork and ATC'S for the Gut Art Group and ATC swap.

I feel a bit restless and can't find one project to stick with. I keep jumping back and forth. Nothing seems to be speaking to me. Maybe I need to learn something new. Hmmmm, I love the search and learning curve.

I'm already thinking of warm weather, sun and a nice trip to a warm climate and it isn't even winter yet. As you can tell, I'm not a winter person.

I've posted some of my artwork above . I will share photos of my needle felting in the next post.

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)