Bluegrass in Missouri!

We've been unbelievably busy this weekend trying to play catch up on all the things we haven't been doing. We finally got all of the Halloween decorations down and have just moved on to a little bit of Christmas cheer. We decided not to go all out this year and just do a few things and 1 tree instead of the usual two with 15 baby trees all through out the house... we're giving someone else a chance to take on the winter wonderland challenge this year!

I do have some big art/jewelry plans so I'm hoping now that the house is finally straightened, cleaned, mopped, etc I can spend so significant time in the studio and workshop getting some Christmas presents done. I can't wait for Thanksgiving and time off to sleep in and goof off!

On a musical note, if you find yourself in the Springfield, Missouri area on Dec 15th, you should check out my brother's band Doc Brown's Odyssey . They're really good and bluegrass offers fun for the whole family! ;)

Happy Birthday Mom!

This is a piece that I made for my Mom for her b-day. It's a pic of my Dad with my Grandmother when he was only 4 years old. I had to send it in the mail to Missouri and was a little nervous about the shipping but it arrived safe and sound. :)

Happy Birthday MOM!

On the non-birthday front (but definitely applicable to the upcoming winter holidays), I bought a bunch of glass today at lunch and have big plans, I'll keep you posted on the progress! I do have to say that my local, well fairly local since there really is no such thing as local in Dallas, glass shop is fabulous. Every time I go in they are unbelievably helpful and much nicer than I have come to expect when making a retail purchase. Also, if you go back a few times they start to recognize you and throw in a couple of extra pieces of spare glass or "forget" to ring up the patina. It's fantastic service that I always find shockingly enjoyable so if you're in the Dallas area and in the market for stained glass supplies or want to see some gorgeous glass pieces then stop in here. I definitely advocate shopping the smaller local stores when you can... also, make nice with them and they will seriously take care of you!

Happy Thursday guys!

Vote!!!

Okay, most people have probably voted, or not voted, by now but just in case. I'm urging everyone to get out there and perform your civic duty. I always think of the Northern Exposure episode where Chris went to the polling place dressed in a suit - he's was more than a little attractive but I digress - just to watch the democratic process at work (he couldn't vote because he was a convicted felon). I mean seriously, that used to be one of the worst punishments inflicted upon people, losing their right to vote - not losing cable or internet access, or their FREEDOM but the privilege of voting.

So get out their and cast your ballot!

This blog was paid for and supported by no one but me! :)

New Commission Collage

This is a piece a friend of mine commissioned for a housewarming/Christmas gift. Both of their names start with an "M" so that explains the back. :)

I had fun making the background and playing with the layers but got a little bit stuck on linking it all together. I decided to have fun with the words, added a little glitter and viola... finished piece. I hope my friend likes it!

I'm heading out to the garage/workshop for a long soldering session. My husband had to go to a visitation and funeral for his great-aunt tonight so I'm hoping to make some serious head way on my art list! As always, I'll keep you posted.

Dia De Los Muertos

I always think of my friend Yuri today, he's from Mexico, and today is the 2nd day of the Dia De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. It's a beautiful tradition that is celebrated in Mexico and that Yuri really loves. It is not his partner's favorite holiday, the skulls can be a little overwhelming if you aren't used to them!

Anyway, it's a great day to remember those who have passed and to tell the people who are still with you that you love them. I also use it as an excuse to eat Mexican food 3 meals a day! You can find out more about this gorgeous tradition here.

Happy Halloween!

It's been a nut house around here tonight. We've had 106 trick or treaters... less than last year's record, but still high enough! Abby, the shepherd mix, has been going crazy and finally had to be put in the bedroom with a bone because she got more and more anxious (and slightly more growly) so it was off to a time out for her. Maya, the Akita, just wanted to say hi and see the costumes... mostly she laid down outside enjoying the weather - 50's in Texas is not something to take for granted! The ghosts and ghouls have worn us out so we're calling it a night.

Happy Halloween!

Contribution to a collaborative book

Sorry about the long delay between posts, I promise I'm working on my time management! This is a page I made for a collaborative book I'm participating in. I used watercolor paper as it's my new favorite surface to work on. I love how I'm able to create really vibrant or subdued colors just by using watercolor crayons, pencils or paint and adding water as needed for the effect I want. I'm also finding it to be very sturdy and holding up to lots of layers!

I'm getting more confident in my collage pieces and trying new things... sometimes it works out better than others! They great thing about the blog is that I can post whichever version I want. ;)

Hope you're having a good weekend guys!

Halloween Cards

These are pics of the Halloween cards I made this year. The little tombstone on the front opens and the little baby skelton is inside... so normally I find skeletons spooky but this one is too cute! The tombstone was inspired by a mystery series, the Sweeney St. George Series, I love by Sarah Stewart Taylor.

I've included a pic of the envelope art for these also. Remember the mail handlers love new stuff to look at. Now I have to clean up my mess! Have a good night guys.

Sorry I was away!

Hey Guys - sorry about the long delay between posts. We went out of town to Missouri over the weekend and have been recovering ever since. I've had bad headaches all week and actually stayed fairly medicated and asleep most of yesterday. I'm hoping to be able to work on Halloween cards tonight... have to go out in the mail!

I'll post pics of the cards, I've got an idea in my head so we'll see how well it translates.

In other news, my brother's band got a write up in the local paper so that was very cool. Yay, Scot!

Otherwise, happy Wednesday!

Headache update

The doctor gave me some fancy, and expensive, migraine medicine that melts in your mouth and works super speedy fast! So far so good, I'm a little nervous about claiming something works great since it's only been one day. I've been home the last two days because my head has just been out of control and I'm wiped out. I was in bed until 10am this morning... I usually get up at 5! After that the puppies and I just veged. Clearly our day was almost as exciting as this post.

I've worked on this piece that's a pic of my Dad and his Mom when he was little... No Mom, this isn't what I couldn't tell you about. You'll see, I promise. :) I'm not sure how clearly the pic will post but the front says "something Timeless" because there really is something timeless about your parents' love.

Tired

I'm kind of wiped out today and have had a migraine all day... it's actually been festering for a month but it's on full force today. Thank goodness I'm heading in to the doctor tomorrow. I've got a few projects going art wise but nothing with photos so I'll post one from a vacation I took with my friend Gwen in 2003. We drove to Colorado Springs, CO from Dallas, Texas over Thanksgiving weekend. It was a wonderful trip and we occupied ourselves by playing Lord of the Rings trivia... I realize I've crossed the geek line and there's no way back!

This photo was taken from our drive up Pike's Peak which I highly recommend. It's beautiful, seriously break your heart beautiful, so I can't say enough about packing up a loved one for a fun road trip. Important side note, not much to see on the drive until you hit New Mexico so have someone you really like to occupy you through West Texas!

Short but Sweet

This is the b-day card I made for my brother. He's kind of a tricky one so I decided to keep it short and sweet using some paper I bought at Art House in Portland. The paper is made by Bam Pop and I really love it. It's fun, funky and cheerful so you can't help but smile when you see it. I also find the tiny robots adorable!

Saturday Market in Portland

One of my favorite things that I did when I was in Portland was to visit the Saturday Market. There were a lot of amazing artists and I saw some fantastic pieces. This was one I loved. I stopped when we were almost ready to head out and I saw his booth. It's odd because these aren't pieces that I would normally be drawn towards but there is something wonderful about his work. It's whimsical and sweet but not in a way that I can clearly articulate. The artist, Theo Ellsworth, can be found at Art Capacity . I met him at the market and he, like his art, was charming and lovely.

I found some great earrings and gorgeous photos that I'll have to add later... can only spotlight one artist at a time!

Speaking artist's spotlights... it's time to visit my ETSY shop again. I've added some great new pieces and the holidays are coming up fast. :)

Hostess ATC for Halloween Swap

I always like to include a little something for a hostess swap when I participate in an exchange of any kind. I think it's my Midwestern/Southern background... you wouldn't dream of going to someone's house without a host/hostess gift!

This is an ATC I made for the hostess of a Halloween ATC swap I'm participating in. I really like this ATC because it includes my new favorite phrenology stamp and I just couldn't resist dressing her up a little. A girl can't go out without the basics - earrings and red lipstick!

Halloween ATC's and a new 'puter

My husband's on vacation this week and he started my new computer while I was in Portland. He finished it up today and I'm not sure how I got by before! Now, it's speedy fast and I can get twice as much done since I don't have to constantly re-boot or wait for something to load.

On the art front, I made these ATC's for a Halloween Swap I'm in. I had a lot of fun working on them since I got to use my new heat tool, my new watercolors and a couple of color techniques I learned from Art & Soul. Now that I've got a lot of new toys, including a glass grinder and strip cutter, I need to buckle down and get some stuff made!

Here's a pic of the ATC's and a fun one of the British Museum... just so you get the full effect. :)