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.

FAMILY REUNION

I can't believe that the older we get, the more we all look like our mother.

I think there is a definite resemblence.

My brother Joel joined us also. He came with

Chelsea and Tyler. Joel (Naomi's husband), David (Joni's significant other}, Bob (my significant other) and

Maia were there too! IT WAS A GREAT FAMILY REUNION!!!! We ate at a very exclusive Steak House at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Chicago and hung around for a couple hours talking . We had lots of laughs.

I spent Easter with Keith, Tracy, Alex, Miranda, extended family and friends. Oh,and four dogs.

SWAP CATCH UP

These cards are part of a deck I am making for a swap. Still have a long way to go. "Celebration Of Women" is the name.

As usual, I want it to be cross cultural.

I finished the "Found Object charm swap. Need to package them and get them to Belinda.

One more swap to go and I'm done for awhile.

I want to start making trades for Art Unraveled.

The weather here SUCKS. What a change from Phoenix.

My sister Naomi is in from New York. I'm going into the city later to see her. All the siblings will be getting together...

Should be fun...

BACK FROM THE VALLEY OF THE SUN

And that's no lie. Beautiful blue skies, sunny days and lots of greenery and of course, warm weather.

Stayed 5 days more than originally planned.

Couldn't part with the great weather.

Of course it's grey and cold in Chicago today....

I might become a snow bird next year.

Spent alot of time stitching , eating out, shopping and apartment hunting.

We went to the Festival Of Arts in Tempe, drove to Cave Creek, spent time in Old Town Scottsdale, visited with friends , saw two movies,

ate alot of Gelato (That's popular in Phoenix right now) and just plain relaxed for two weeks. Now , I'm back home to reality which really isn't too bad...

LEAVING FOR PHOENIX

Going on vacation for 8 days. Can't wait for flip-flop weather and lots of sun...
Had a make-over today. I actually looked better. I ended up buying some new products. It sure is cheaper than Botox.
No creativity this week-end. Too busy running around.
I will be bringing my needlepoint to Phoenix.
Barb always has a project going and it's fun to sit and stitch with her.
Won't be blogging for a week.
I'll be taking lots of pictures for my artwork.
Need to start packing!

BACK TO DIGITAL ART

I have so many swaps and projects to finish and I've been
playing on the computer instead.
This picture is my newest attempt at digital art.
I guess this is being creative (in a way).
Went to Women's Wisdom tonight. I haven't been there in many months. There were alot of new faces. Actually, I enjoyed myself. The enthusiasim is back.
Met Shari and Sandy for dinner. MARGARITAS were only $3.50. So of course, I had to have one.. YUMMY! One of my favorite things aside from chocolate.

NOTHING CREATIVE THIS WEEK

I've been working on a playing card swap, but haven't accomplished much .
It was a very active week-end.... No time for much art.
Friday night Bob and I were treated to dinner by our neighbors. We went to Claras (Italian Food). Spent four hours eating and talking.
Saturday morning we were at a funeral and Bob got very sick. He thinks he had food poisoning.
He's finally feeling a little better.
Saturday afternoon , I drove to Chicago to my sisters house so we could go to a surprise birthday party together. Had a great time. Spent the night there and drove home Sunday.
Met my little nephew Tyler for the first time. He's so cute. Nine months old and walking. I can't believe my baby brother is a Grandpa. He's so proud!!!!!!
I hope I can get some art work done this week. I NEED TO FOCUS!

THE SUN IS OUT

I can't believe it is sunny out. It sure lifts my spirits. It's been a grey snowy week. Made reservations to go to Phoenix onthe 20th of March. Can't wait!!!!!

The photos are my attempt at Bernie Berlins gesso technique.

It looks a little like the masks I made last year.

I'm still using the same colors. This time I made ink jet copies of photos, transfereed them onto a page in an old book and did my own thing. I love embellishing faces.

I spent yesterday with my art buddies. We started out with breakfast at a local restaurant and than worked on our art the rest of the day. It was productive as well as fun. As usual, there was alot of talking and exchange of ideas.

JOSH GROBAN CONCERT

Went to see Josh last night at the United Center. What a voice!!!! The concert was great.
The ride home was horrible. It started snowing, sleeting, and raining all at the same time.
It was so tense, but worth every minute of it.
I guess I am in a creative slump this week. I've done nothing but look up stuff on the computer for my geneology research. I'm getting no where. Need to take a break and get back to doing art.
Keith goes back to work tomorrow. I am so greatful he is doing well.
I'M SO SICK OF WINTER...It's snowing heavily at the moment. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!
No pictures with this post. Nothing new to show.

FABRIC I 1X1's

I don't think I'll do that again. Too much work for what it is. I preferred the paper ones.

Anyway, this is for a swap. I'm glad I needed only four of them.

I'm spending too much time on the computer looking for data about my immigrant grandparents. I'm having a hard time finding documents about their arrival to the U.S.

I know I won't let go of this until I have the info I want.

It's been warm an sunny the past few days in Chicagoland. Almost like spring. All I want to do is be outside. IT FEELS GOOD

CHECK IT OUT

Check out the raving beauty in the first row, second from left.

I found this picture on the internet of my 1st grade class. Oh my God, more than 55 years ago.

I couldn't believe how ugly I looked.

Anyway, I started doing geneology again.

That's how I stumbled on this.

Not doing much art this week-end. I missed my art friends yesterday. We had another snow day and no one wanted to venture out, although it did clear up later.....

SOME MORE

Ok, so I'm really addicted. My newest ATPS.

This time I used Formica samples on two of them, a puzzle piece and of course metal.

Now I have to figure out what to do with these. Maybe just embellishments.

It's crappy outside. The weather has warmed up a little, but it's supposed to snow again... DARN IT

It's grey and gloomy. Another day to stay home and do art... At least I'm saving money!!!!!

I'M ON A ROLL

More ATPS. I've spent the whole day playing again. These are my latest creations.
The puzzle is made of wood and found objects.
The other two are metal with more found objects.
It's time to sign up for ART UNRAVELED.
The list of classes are out.
I'm so excited. Shari , Sandy and Belinda are going too!
Can't think of anything more fun than going to an art retreat with some of my favorite people.
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!

PINS (ATPS)

I was experimenting with metal to make pins for
a swap I might join. The picture isn't the greatest, but it is close to the real thing.
Again, I'm really enjoying the process.
Spent yesterday with Shari, and Pami doing art.
Had a nice time. It was soooooooo cold.
I plan to keep working on metals charms for another swap . This is so addictive.

METAL CHARMS

I tried something new this week. I took old tin containers and cut them into shapes for charms.
I'm learning how to use all types of new tools.
The background for the charms in this picture are from an old Cadburys Chocolate Tin.
I used tin snips, metal files,hole puncher, eyelet setter and was trying different types of aging techniques . I even bought an anvil for metal pounding. The embellishments are things I had in my stash. WHAT FUN! Can't wait to make more..
I found a Harbor Freight Store near my house and a new thrift shop. A perfect place in the same mall for all my metal needs. (Tools and Tins).
It's been FRIGID in the Chicago area. Brrrrr
GO BEARS!

VALLEY RIDGE RESIN WORKSHOP

Took a Resin Open workshop at Valley Ridge in Wisconsin last week-end. Belinda and I went together.
Had a wonderful time and would definitely go back.
Winter is not the time to go though. We had to drive in a nasty snow storm. It was tense.
Take a look at Belinda's Blog. You can see her work too. She was more prolific than myself.
I can't wait to make more charms. The entire process is simple. It just takes forever for the resin to harden.
YEAH!!!!
Keith just called. All is well with him. He went to the doctor, had the stitches removed and the biospsy report was negative... LIFE GOES ON!
I feel soooooo happy!!!!!

ALL IN A DAYS WORK

Spent all day yesterday playing! Made some more charms and of course another BOTTLE OF HOPE. Actually, I made 3 total, but I still need to work on them.
I really find working with polymer clay very therapuedic. It's helping me deal with my anxiety about Keith.
This has been a week from HELL.
Keith is scheduled for surgery this Friday. I can't wait for it to be over. I've been nervous and unable to focus....
I pray that he will be OK.
Saturday was art day. Mary, Shari, Pami and I got together. I spent a couple hours cutting out words for my JOURNAL PROMPT JAR.
Again, I plan on journaling every day. We will see!