HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hopefully 2007 will be a better year than the end of 2006.
Too much illness and bad news. My son is going in for brain surgery next week.
They have to put Buster (their dog) to sleep and my cousin just hade surgery for colon cancer.
Other than that all else is well.
A new picture of my son , grand children and daughter-in-law. Can you tell they are BEARS fans?
I've also posted some more Bottles Of Hope that I've made. Somehow they seem more signifigant now....
The world needs PEACE, HEALTH AND TRANQUILITY. That's what I hope for. Both on a global and personal level......
LOVE AND LIGHT also.

BACK TO NORMAL

Had a great Christmas day with family at my house. As usual, I'm glad life will get back to normal again.
The kids gave Bob and I concert tickets to see Josh Groban. Can't wait to go.
My newest project is making "Bottles Of Hope" out of Polymer clay. They are supposed to be given to cancer patients with a positive message for healing..
The photo is of my first one. It was fun to make and I hope to make alot more to distribute.
Today is a do nothing relaxing day....

WORKSHOP WITH LISA PAVELKA

Spent the entire weekend taking a polymer clay workshop with Lisa Pavelka and her daughter Anne.
Had a great time, learned alot and of course spent lots of money.
Enjoyed being with my art friends too.
I can see myself working with polymer clay. A good part of it takes alot of patience . It is small and intricate and I love that.
The picture shows what we did in the workshop. I guess we accomplished more than I thought.

CATCH UP DAY

I Have spent the whole day catching up with projects. Misty Mawn Swap is finished and ready to be mailed. Made my 100 little squares book and worked on more charms. I feel like I've put in a full days work.
The difference is I love this type of work. The time even flies by. I guess I was in the zone..
Still in my PJ's. I guess it's too late to get dressed. I'm so glad I'm caught up. Now I can think of taking on more swaps. I'll probably wait until after the holidays/

BACK FROM FLORIDA

LUCKY US! We missed the big snow storm!!!!
Spent 4 days on Sanibel Island, 2 days in Naples, 5 days at Disney and 4 days driving. Next time I fly.
I guess the long ride was productive. I finished a needlepoint canvas, read a book and journaled every day. Had a wonderful time, but now it's back to reality.
Went to the "ART SISTHARS" Christmas gathering on Saturday.... My favorite art friends were there has well as many new people. What a friendly, warm group. We made Christmas paper, socialized and ate...

FINISHED!!!

Just finished 21 charms. Was it fun? Yes and I would probably do it again.
Went to "Artful Gatherings" last night for the opening of the exhibit for Belinda, Cindy, Jerri and BJ. Very nice.... I bought an art doll from Belinda.

Went to an Art Sale today for the Collage Sistars.
Bought some hand made paper made by Cheryl. There were alot of hand made books and jewelry.
I did get a few ideas. As always, these shows inspire me to try new things.

Barb is in town. She's been busy visiting with friends and family. It's good to see her. Too short a stay. Only one week this time.

One more swap to go (Misty Mawn) and I'll give it a rest for awhile... At least until the Holidays are over.

Charm Swap

Spent all day Sunday, working on my charm for the charm swap. I'm not sure if this is going to be the final one. I think it needs a bit more color.
I'm enjoying the process though.
I'm also working on journal prompts. I'm trying to collect words and sayings and will eventually incorporate it into a journal jar or book. Haven't decided yet.
The next few weeks are going to be busy. My friend Barb is coming from Phoenix to visit, my neice Mia is also coming to visit, Thanksgiving (Still don't know what I'm doing) and than off to Sanibel Island, Fl for
a vacation. Can't wait.

NEWEST ENDEAVORS

One of my first attempts at polymer clay.
I was trying to learn Mokume Gane, but it didn't quite turn out. I ended up with this pendant instead.

Spent all day yesterday with my art friends. Shari, Pam, Mary G and Mary W . Not only do we do art, we vent about world issues and the state of our country. Sometimes it gets quite emotional. Oh, we also like to snack.....
I Had a great and productive time.
I joined a fat book swap called "Invoking The Spirit" I did my prototype and now I need to create 20 more.

I signed up for two more swaps. (Am I crazy?) The charm Swap and a Misty Mawn Swap. There is plenty of time to get them done.( I hope)
Going to play with clay today. Need to start thinking about those charms..

ONE MORE

Made another necklace out of polymer clay.
I need an oulet for all my creative endeavors. It's piling up
and hiding.
I'm kind of restless today. I feel like I need a road trip somewhere. What I don't need is to go to another store and buy more stuff. I need to start using what I have..
I'm going to try Mokume Gane with polymer clay later today. I love that look. If it turns out, I'll post it.
Our art group was cancelled today. I was looking forward to it. Oh well, I'll just have to play by myself..
More later!

NEW PROJECT

Spent yesterday afternoon taking a Polymer Clay Necklace
class. Here are the results.
Didn't learn too much, but had a good time with my art friends. We went out to dinner afterwards. Got home early and spent the rest of the evening cutting out images for my collage projects.
Of course, I had to buy all these new gismos for making beads and for baking them. I hope I use them.
Actually, the class kind of renewed my interest in polymer clay. We'll see. Maybe I can incorporate some pieces into my mixed media art.

Another Work In Progress

This is my first attempt at Needle Weaving. It was supposed to be a necklace. It's certainly something I would not wear, so I've decided to
incorporate it into a collage.
I've noticed that everything I've created lately is
in the gold and brown tones. Another phase I'm going thru. GRUNGE
I finished another batch of little 1 X 1 collages. I'm really having so much fun doing them. They are so cute!

MINI COLLAGES

I can't believe I signed up for a swap requiring 100 little 1"X1" squares. I've finished 15 so far. Actually it's been alot of fun. In a way it's addicting. Been busy trying to finish my needle woven necklace. I do that when I watch TV. Hopefully it will be done this week...

Went to a lecture Saturday with Linda and Pam at "The Well", a part of Sisters Of St Joseph. Mary Southard spoke about the DEVINE FEMININE. Her art work is beautiful! I bought a poster and some note cards. All her artwork is so spiritual and touching.

I noticed that the trees are beginning to change color. The colors of fall are beautiful. Actually, my favorite. Soon all the trees will be barren and than it will be winter. (I hate winter)

FAUX FAMILY

Uncle Mortimer and Joey are ready to go.
This is part of the faux family swap I'm participating in. The short story was more fun to write than doing the art work.
Spent this week catching up with chores I didn't do last week. It was a non-stop art week. Going to workshops and visiting with friends.
I even got lost coming home from "Artful Gatherings" in Lemont . I spent almost an hour driving south and I was sure I was heading west. Somehow I ended up right back where I started in Lemont. One big circle .It took be soooooo long to get home. Just another adventure!
I'm working on a needle woven necklace with beads. Will post later. Did some more match book art too.

PLAY DAY

Yesterday was a grey, rainy and chilly Sunday.
Thank goodness for Play Day with the Midwest Collage Society. I had a wonderful time experimenting and learning new techniques.
Thanks to Belinda and her generosity. She taught us how to make match book art (soooo cute). Used color washes and made background paper, tried the new daubers by Ranger and just had a great time making art and hanging out with fellow artists.
I need to start creating more instead of thinking about it and researching new techniques. What good is it if I don't apply it! So what else is new?
It's another grey yucky day. A preview of winter soon to come.
Good day to play......

Another AU Project finished

Here is my version of the class I didn't get to take with Gail Russokov. "Tasty Textured Squares"

This was fun. I'm sure I'll make another one.

Next one will not be so monocromatic.....

I can't believe I have spent the last two days creating. I'm in the process of making a book with all the papers I made. Just watched Traci Bautistas video.

AU really inspired me..........

NEWEST CREATION

Uber Self-Portrait
Traci Bunkers Class at AU
This was difficult for me to do. We had to cut a close up photo in quarters and than do each quadrant seperately.
At the end, we had to put it all together. Am I lopsided or what? It was not easy to do this is in four parts. If It was anyone elses picture, I could have done it. I guess I don't like the idea of being fragmented.

Back From Art Unraveled

Had a wonderful six days in Phoenix , AZ participating in AU 2006.
Classes were great, learned alot, met many new people . Shari, Sandy and I shared a room. We were constantly on the go, taking classes , socializing (Happy Hour) and having a great time just being there. Spent a day shopping at the Extravaganza in the hotel. As usual, I bought stuff.
It's kind of a let down being home. I've been busy finishing and creating new objects of art. All ideas and techiniques learned at AU.
I've actually used my new studio in the basement to do my art work. It's nice not to have to clean up all the time....
I will post my artwork as soon as I finish.

NEVER AGAIN!!!!

I'm finally in my new house. HURRAY! I love it, but the move went on and on and on.
It has taken more than a week to clear out the other house. I have one more trip there to finish up. I cannot believe how much stuff I have accumulated.. What a pack rat!!! All books and art supplies...
If I ever suggest moving again, remind me of what I just went through. I'm getting too old for this.

ALMOST DONE

Finally! I'll be closing on June 14th.
I have just gone thru the whole gestation period of this house. From a thought to the real thing. Almost like being a mother waiting for the baby to be born. Of course no pain, except seeing money fly out the window.
This has certainly been an experience for me.
Will I do it again? NO

Met with art group yesterday. Enjoyed it, as usual. It was a nice break from house stuff.
I'm finding it very difficult to focus. So what else is new?

CATCH UP

HOUSE IS SOLD...
Now that most of the paper work and negotiating is done, I can take a breather before the packing starts.
Went to a workshop at Artful Gatherings yesterday. Belinda taught a sample class on necklaces. The photo is what I created. Had a great time and enjoyed everyones company...
This week-end was quite busy. Went to the Scrapbooking Expo at the Odeum Friday. Didn't see too much exciting new stuff. Bought some letter stamps.
Saturday was our Bi-monthly gathering for altered art. Enjoyed that too. Nice group of ladies.
Celebrated the Cinco de Mayo a day late with friends at Cozymels. Great food and of course, Margaritas...
Back to reality today.