TAG 3 is finished

I can't believe how much I'm enjoying the Tim Tags.  It's fun to wake up each morning and see what is on his blog for the next creative adventure of the day.

As I'm looking out the window and watching the first snow of the year, I yearn to be living in a warmer climate.  I'm not a winter person.  Thinking about going to Phoenix for the winter (seriously).  Plans are in the making.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

It's that time of year again. Where did 2010 go?
This year flew by...  It was a good one for me and I hope for you too! 
Anyway, I hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit.
Thanks to Tim Holtz and his 12 Tags of Christmas, I'm feeling it.
So far I've finished   Day 1and 2.

I'm getting ready to start Day 3.  The best is the inspiration I get from some of his ideas.  I wish I had more of his Dies.  Oh well, that's the challenge for me,
IMPROVISING!   Love the creative process.

BACK FROM CRUISE

Had a wonderful time in Tim's classes. I actually finished all the projects as seen above.
I'm very happy with the end results and kudos to Tim for being such a great instructor.
He is very generous and is good at teaching. The curio cabinet was my favorite. We searched for stuff at each port to put in it. I guess it tells a story of our cruise. I also collected ephemera
for the travel journal.
The shabby Chic Patchwork collage was so much fun and I'll probably make another one.
We learned different ways to make flowers(using his products) for the tags.
My favorite port was St. John, New Brunswick. It was so quaint and had so much charm.
Bar Harbour was beautiful. Went to Acadia National Park and to a lobster bake.
Halifax was OK. It didn't have the charm I expected. It is busy city.
Went to the Witch museum in Salem . Enjoyed the tour. Portland and Boston were interesting,
Did not see enough of either city to really get a taste of it.
I'm glad to be home. 10 days at sea was a bit long for me. Overall, the trip was great. Met some interesting people from all over the world. There sure are alot of Tim admirers.

TRADES FOR CRUISE FINISHED

JOURNAL

CHARM

ATC

IM READY TO GO!!!!!!!

CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS

Our 50th High School reunion is this weekend. I decided not to go but, yesterday, I met Marion and Evelyn at theClub House for lunch. We had a good old time talking about our crazy days in high school and catching up with what's happening now.

It's hard to believe we're all in our late 60's, but still feel 30 (ha ha). Actually, I think we're doing very well for a bunch of senior citizens.

All joking aside, it felt like time had not passed at all. We still have fun together. We didn't shut up for a minute.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Only a week to go. Leaving for the cruise on the 29th. I get to spend another day in the Big Apple before cruising. Been busy making trades and planning what to bring with.

First time I've been to a retreat where we don't have to bring any supplies. I'm going to bring an extra suitcase just in case I bring stuff back(ha ha).

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS. I'm so excited.

WONDERFUL TRIP

Had a hectic fast paced 2 1/2 days in NYC. We went to the Village, China Town, Time Square , a Broadway Play , We saw "In The Heights", The Wax Museum, New Pop Tart Store, Shopping
(Of course), Staten Island Ferry to see the skyline, we took the water taxi to Hoboken N.J,

to see Carlo's Bakery, and finally Central Park. We walked and walked and walked....

All in all, we had an invigorating , unforgettable experience.

After NYC, we headed to Lake George for a peaceful 5 days at a resort called Sagamore.

Spend quality time with my sister and family. Ate good food, sat around the pool, went boating and Miranda went parasailing. ( I chickened out). I prefer the craziness of NYC.

Now it's back to reality.

I really enjoyed spending a week with my Grandaughter. She certainly got a taste of the Big Apple...

OFF TO NEW YORK

I'm going to New York tomorrow with my grandaughter Miranda for a week of fun.

I will get to see my sister and other family members . It's kind of sad that we live so far apart.

It's a rare occasion that we see each other.

The first few days will be spent touring the Big Apple (Miranda has never been there). Hope to see a Broadway play and do the typical tourist stuff.

On Wednesday, we're all going to Lake George, in upstate NY, for 5 days. We're staying at a resort called Tagmore. I've been told it's beautiful. Hope to spend some quality time with Naomi, Rachel and Stella. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Above is a photo of the Erenberg kids. (the last time we were all together 2 years ago).

Far left is Harriet, Joni, Naomi and far right Joel.

MY VERSION OF STEAMPUNK BEADING

Do I ever stick to one project?

The past week has been all "steampunk" Don't ask me why. I guess I am attracted to it.

I wanted to try my hand at beading instead of assemblege.

It's been a stormy week in the Chicago area. Alot of scary thunder and lightening. My dog Sunny hates it. Had him at the Vet yesterday. He's on 3 meds for an eye infection. (probably due to allergies) Poor baby!!!! Having a pet is just like having a child.

I hope to finish the airline reservations for the Tim Holtz Cruise today . I'm getting all pumped up. It's still 3 months away. I'm sure time will fly (as usual).

FINALLY FINISHED

I finished the Fabric and Metal collage piece I started in Beryl Taylor's class at Valley Ridge

I enjoyed doing it, but I would certainly consider doing it a different way.

I would make a template first and plan it better. All considered, I

think it turned out O.K.

Now that I've completed this project, I'm thinking about doing some Steampunk stuff.

I love the old vintage rusty look. I certainly have enough stuff buried in boxes to create

a variety of jewlery.

I just emerged from the basement. What a mother load down there. I found tons of objects

and trinkets to play with. Shame on me for wanting to buy more!!! I don't need a thing.

(famous last words)

BACK FROM VALLEY RIDGE RETREAT

Above is my unfinished project from Beryl Taylor's class at Valley Ridge, and a photo of

Cindy Katora , Beryl Taylor and myself.

I had a wonderful time at the retreat.

Valley Ridge, as usual, was a great experience. Loved the class with Beryl , enjoyed my fellow class-mates and felt I was being treated as someone special. Kathy and Bill really know how to treat their guests. I'm so glad they have started this venue and it's not so far from Chicago. (about a three and a half hour drive).

We stayed in Mineral Point (a forty minute drive from the studio.) Next time we will stay closer. I loved the quaintness and history of the sleepy old mining town filled with artisans and their galleries. The food was good too!

I hope to finish my project soon. I'll post it later.

OBSCESSED WITH BEADING

It's been forever since I've posted. I've been beading and working on a Tee Shirt Quilt.

I found out I am not a quilter. I was very frustrated. Actually, I didn't even finish it. I gave up and returned it to Tracy (my ex-daughter-in-law). I have to remind myself not to accept any requests for quilts again. UG

Give me some beads and I become transformed into another dimension. Go figure!!!

Now that summer is here, life is getting busy. I have three trips planned. I'm going to Valley Ridge this week-end for a Beryl Taylor retreat. I'm taking my granddaughter, Miranda, on a trip to NYC and lake George . My sister lives in NY. I will be spending time with her and my nieces.

At the end of September, Cindy and I are going on a Canadian Cruise with Tim Holtz.

In between my trips there are various events going on in the Chicago area. I'm planning to go to CHA and CREATE.(Mixed Media events).

Still involved with the Live ATC Group, a ledger swap and a bi-monthly get together with artist friends.

Keeping busy and creating is good medicine....

INCHiES

Sunday was our Creative Spirits Collage group meeting. We made inchies and then used them in our own creative away. It was a great day and as always, being with creative people makes me feel energized.

The above photo is what I ended up creating.

I'm inspired to do more. I think I'll use a cigar box next.

I've been busy making my ATC's for our next swap on April 10th.

I've been quite productive the past week.

CARDS

MORE CARDS

NEW STUFF

Ledgers sheets I've finished for swap.
One is RETRO ( which I seem to be into now) and WORDS. Since butterflies are my favorite thing, I decided to do a piece in different
languages

I'm into Shabby Chic for now. I took a workshop at Archivers and learned some techniques for Shabby Chic cards. I didn't like the ones in class. I went home and modified it so it wasn't as shabby.

I've been busy creating and having a good time with my Art Buddies. Been to our ATC live Swap, a day Retreat in Rockford, Saturday Meet-up in Warrenville, a crop at More than Memories and Play dates.

The biggest news is that Cindy and I are going on a 10 day cruise with Tim Holtz to Canada.

It's not until September. We're also going to Valley Ridge in June to take a work-shop with Beryl Taylor.

Something to look forward to. I'm excited.

Now that winter is almost over, I see good times ahead. This winter is too long.

No Phoenix this year. Saving money for the cruise.

I'M STILL HERE

It's been over a month since I've posted. Can't believe time goes by so fast.

I haven't been doing too much! The cold weather and snow have kept me in alot.

I've been working on various projects to keep pre-occupied, but nothing really worth

showing.

I've been crocheting like a crazy woman. It's mindless and I can do it in front of the TV. Been working on my ATC.s for the swap next week.

I've also joined the ledger swap again.(Picture above)

My topic is retro 50's. It was fun doing. It brought back so many good memories.

I've signed up for another on-line class with Mystele called "Art Sentiment". It starts next week. Can't wait!!!

I've also signed up for a week-end work shop at Valley Ridge. That's not until June.

I sure wish winter was over. I hate it with a passion. It's so confining.

I guess I won't be going to Phoenix this year. I'll miss seeing Barb and of course the nicer weather. OH WELL!

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.