Yep, still here!

It's been a rough week last week so I haven't even turned the computer on when I've been home. My family was here last weekend and we had an awesome visit! My brother, his wife Sandi and her sister Brooke came down for a Spring Break visit. We loved showing them some of our favorite Dallas places including Chuy's, Half-Price on NW Hwy and introducing my brother to the tastiness that is gelato! I hope everyone had as good a time as I did.

The pics are my brother and I working on a mirror I made for them to hang over their mantle. The mirror is one I picked up at IKEA for $8.00 and then we made polymer clay tiles for it. Everyone got involved by conditioning the clay and then Scot and Sandi actually made some of the tiles. This is it in situ. :) I've got more pics for the art lovers showing it up close. I think it looks great over their fireplace and envy the Buddha statues! I love these projects since they can be really personalized and meaningful.

I had to go back to the ENT last week, adding to the suckiness, for the follow-up to my last visit which involved another MRI, with contrast this time, then I had to get my blood drawn for my regular physical - all on Friday! Needless to say, I was wiped out had have spent the weekend catching up on rest. I highly recommend The Girls Next Door for dozing. I love the show but find it strangely relaxing and calming. My husband does not share this opinion but since it's my blog I get to be in charge! Seriously, that contrast stuff - no matter what they say - can take a toll on you. Not to turn this into a medical post or anything, just an update on progress. At least I got to go to the fancy new diagnostic center which had groovy music and pretty comfy pillow for the head and knees. Just in case your in need of such things - I'm sincerely hoping everyone does not.

This week, I promise fun art projects and silly photos!

Update: Oh yeah, last night we saw "21" and I highly recommend it for all Vegas fans, or just about anyone else!

Wiiiii!

We have been super busy getting ready to get ready for starting to pack up. In the mean time, we've had to get ready for my brother's visit. He should be here in a couple hours. This included getting this cabinet out of the garage and into the studio. It's the one we picked up when we went antiquing a couple of weeks ago. I've really discovered that you can't be scared of the fancy antique stores. This store is in the design district in Dallas and they have some very pricey pieces but we picked this one up for $300 (down from $1300) when the guy was clearing out his booth. It's got 25 printers trays in it and a we found a bunch of stamps inside the trays (future earrings and charms, I think) so it was a most excellent find! My husband gets all the credit for flagging the guy down and making the deal. :)

Also fortuitous, when out shopping today we stopped by the local Super Target to pick up a few things for said upcoming visit. Remarkably, they had a bunch of Wii systems - also an eagle eye spot from husband. We are now the proud owners of a Wii! I've been coveting them for a while and now I'll be able to get in on the brainwashing!

Oh yeah, I've also made some art but I'll save it while I go bask in the glories of a relatively clean studio and video games.

Happy Easter weekend guys!

I got his digits

This is a collage I made this weekend. I'm taking advantage of all the Michael's coupons to stock up on the nice Golden paints. The new collage was first painted using "Permanent Dark Violet" which is a Golden Acrylic. I mixed it with the slightest bit of glazing liquid and painted the background. I'm not sure it's my new favorite, but it's close. All the background, including paper, got a coat of the iron oxide I have previously raved about (all of it's still true!).

I used a trick I learned in Anahata's class at Art Nest to make his eyes pop. You might also spy a litter glitter on his tie tack.

Goodies I made for Valentine's Exchange

I was finally processing my pics from the good camera and came across this pic of what I made for Linda in our Valentine's Exchange. I was really happy with how everything turned out, and she says she liked it:), so here it is. Plus, this was when the bats were going through a more is more stage.

Art Weekend

Mostly this weekend was spent cleaning and getting ready for my brother's visit. In between dustings however, I found time to do some playing in the studio. I've always loved Lisa Kaus and have a few of her pieces hanging in my studio. I originally saw her work when I some some tinnies in a magazine a long time and have coveted one forever. They are a little tricky to get and kind of pricey for me with the new house. So, I decided to save some cans and take a pass at my own.



While I love it, I've still got Lisa's on my wish list! This also gave me the perfect chance to use some of my new monopoly pieces from Ebay!

Note: Diamond glaze is holding this little guy on without any trouble.

Also, I finally got all my pics up from our Colorado trip.

Rough week, but yay it's almost Friday!

This must have been the longest week. Ever! I feel like this picture, buried up to my neck in the to do list. But, it's almost Friday and that means fun times ahead. I get my favorite chai team in the morning - Saxby's, it's the best. Try it, you'll love it. I'm also going to see a movie in the theater this weekend if we have to go to the 10pm show on Sunday. I think there are a million movies out I want to see. Ok, maybe 5. Or 6, but still a movie will be had. I definitely want to see this. And this. The husband will never agree to this but it looks terrific.

We also have to scrub the house for my brother's visit next weekend. It's is his first visit as a married man so I have to get all the guest rooms in visiting shape. The house could take a while, it's been a long time between deep cleanings. But, I get to have a facial Saturday morning to but me in the perfect cleansing mood! Pores, dusting, mopping - oh my!

Ok, that's about it. I'm either off to bed or to start work for another few hours before heading to bed and getting up at the crack of dawn. I may avoid it all by watching Marie Antoinette! :) Perfect getting in the mood for art movie.

I know this has been one of the most boring posts of late but I've run out of all brain power yet, I wanted to say something to my fellow bloggers out there! Oh yeah, are the new Stampington's worth it? I loved the latest jewelry and digital photo editions but had trouble plunking down the $15 bucks each. New house remember? What do you guys think - yay or nay? Or should I say - eat cake or off with their heads! I feel like I gave you fair warning for that. If you're still upset, I'm sorry, really and I promise better posts soon.

Headaches and Bunnies

Today has been a bad headache day. I did manage to get out for a little shopping for some veggies - juicing really is good for you even if you have to work up to the tastiness part, and we bought some office furniture for the new house. A little early but we've had our eye on it for a long time and it looked like it was at a sell out risk so we snatched it up. By the tiime we got back, I was in full on droziness and had to lounge on the couch. Luckily, I was saved from Sunday tv blandness by my sweetheart husband who pick up this for me. Yes, yes I know but we all have our guilty pleasures and there's a lot of pink and sparklies.

Speaking of pink and sparkly, this is Jennifer, another of my Art Nest buddies. She's gorgeous and has terrific style. This is evidenced by the lovely pin attached to her overalls that looked perfectly natural. She's who I want to be when I grow up and can wear heels!

Art Nest Photos

I finally got my Art Nest photos up. You'd think, given my day to day use of technology, that I would have all of this down pat by now but it takes me forever. I think I won't photoshop all the photos but then I start going through them and decide I should resize them and while I'm there just a touch up or two and then 3 hours have passed! OY! I need much better time management skills, or improved Photoshop ones, I'm not deciding which just yet. Anyway, this photo is of Elise (one of my new favorite people on the planet!) and she's awesome. She lives in San Diego so this was not a typical walk for her. Although with our new weird weather with snow, in March, in Texas, I'm hoping this might be a preview of MY future walks!



Today's the North Texas art group meet up and Half-Price books so it's another excellent 2 for 1 kind of day! I love seeing our latest book projects in our Round Robin. I had such great idea's for Mary Lynn's book but I ran out of time before I could implement any but the first one. It's always great inspiration for future projects so I'm not wasting the good ideas!

Ok, that's enough computer time, I'm heading out into the real world - as soon as I shower, blow dry the hair, find food, pack everything up then that's it, the day's wide open and I'm heading out! I swear I am, you'll see!

Whew, that was a long break!

I'm still trying to get caught up from having all the Art Nest fun! Note to self: upload pics on Fickr before Kecia makes the mean face at me! The exciting news I have to share is partly to blame for the chaos in our daily life and that news is that we're building a new house! They're starting the build in April and it should be done in August. I can't wait to have more room to spread out and while I have a studio space now, I sometimes have to share with guests but not anymore! It's all mine, mine I tell you with sparkling chandeliers and more china doll heads than you really want to contemplate (I feel like it's a whole new world out there since Kecia mentioned frozen Charlotte dolls -seriously, how did I not know? What else do you guys know that I don't, well besides the obvious walking a straight line, being able to do math, creating those slide things, using all of your camera's features - must stop now before I get depressed!). They are my new obsession and it's creeping my husband out - also vintage Monopoly pieces but he finds those easier to live with. :)

I promise pictures to come of the new lot, house and my super cool new cabinet we got for my studio that was clearly karmic intervention!

I'm beyond thrilled that it's Friday (and it snowed here!) so I can't wait to be out running wild in the streets making snowmen and window shopping for the new house. Well, maybe going to the bookstore for a magazine and a hot chocolate, but still running wild in my heart.

Back from Art Nest ... but I wanna go back!

It's taken me a week to catch up on real life now that I'm back from Art Nest. I can't tell you how much fun it was and how awesome this group of women are. It was one the best experiences I've had being able to play and share with these fellow artists. Julie and Candice are beyond super-woman. They are serious Earth Mothers who know how to incorporate art, friendship, laughter and bring out the best of everyone gathered around them. Not to mention being seriously amazing cooks! I'm grateful I was able to be part of such an extraordinary gathering of women and artists.

This is our group photo that Julie took on our last night. Jayne, a gorgeous artist, wasn't able to be in the picture since she wasn't feeling well but she was definitely with all of us in our thoughts and our hearts.

I promise a longer post tonight with more details and a big surprise!

Packing for the Art Nest

I'm very tired and still packing! Hopefully the plane ride will allow for a nap. At least I took care of these first before I became totally wiped out, these are trades for The Art Nest. I hope everyone likes them.



I tried to convince Rolland to act as stunt blogger but no go. So no updates while I'm in the wilds of Utah! I'll be back Sunday and should be back online. I'm really hoping my trip can sort of be a soul detox. No phones, no TV, no long commute. Just art, great company and snow... how can that not cleanse the soul?! Well, unless there's an unfortunate sledding accident but why dwell? You guys didn't read that clumsy post right? Seriously, I should be fine. I have snow boots from Colorado that I've already taken for a test run. :)

Inspiration

The lovely and talented Cindy Dean mentioned me as a blog that inspires her, and let me tell you how shocked I was to provide inspiration, but I'm also all atwitter. :) So, now I get to list those blogs that inspire me (she already mentioned Kelly Snelling or she would be on my list in a heartbeat!), anyway, here's my list:

Jane Wynn: She has such an incredible vision for her art that's truly inspiring.
Sally Jean: She has such a sense of whimsy and makes me feel ok about my love of pink!
Debbie Overton: She has to be one of the most generous people on the planet!
Bo: My pal Bo shares a love of food, and a relatively similar worldview, plus his photos are unbelievable and his eye for the perfect picture is enviable.
Kris Carr: She is truly an inspiration!
Maija Lepore: My soul sister in the love of all things girly! She's such a generous artist who never holds back on her sources, inspiration or good ideas!
Ree aka Pioneer Woman: Her perspective on the world is definitely unique and her photos are breathtaking!
Lelainia Lloyd: Another generous soul who truly loves to bring everyone together and share their creative spirit!
Clotilde Dusoulier aka Chocolate & Zucchini: In my house, there is no art without a little chocolate!
Anahata Katkin: Her work is gorgeous!

That's it, my list of inspiration for this morning. Now I have to go before Rolland explodes from waiting!

When Collages Grow Up...

They become these awesome charms! I really love how they turned out and, according to my husband, they are very well soldered! Seriously, you have no idea how hard I had to work for that compliment. It's only been a year and a half of practice. :) If he likes them, they pass the gift test. Although these little babies are all mine. I need to work on my sharing. Maybe tomorrow.



Today was a pretty nice day, especially given that I had the day off. I did eeekk out a little work and finished most of my list for the retreat this week. I'm really excited to finally meet some people that I've only known through blogland. It should be a lovely getaway and I can't wait to learn some new tricks!

Last night we caught up with the rest of the world and watched Hustle & Flow . It's really good, although I did run out of the room at one point and demanded to be told when it was safe to return but I'm a big chicken and hate anything that looks like it might have a bad ending. Also, I can't remember if I told you guys or not but you have to watch Deadliest Catch , that is if you're like me and haven't caught up with America on that one either. We've finally watched all that's out on DVD and are waiting for Season 3 to ship to us. Rolland and I both loved it, especially this crew. Let me know if you love it too.

Lady in glitter?

This is one of my favorite vintage images but she needed a little bling, as does every girl! I think she looks very pretty in pink.

Note: The grungy background was made with my new all time favorite thing (to quote Oprah) which is Micaceous Iron Oxide by Golden. It adds a gray film that I love plus it's got a rough sandy texture to add depth. It's awesome!

Valentine's Goodies

I participated in a Valentine's exchange hosted by the lovely Lelainia but it was an exchange with a twist. We sent some of our favorite things to our partner so we could get to know each other better and share what we love. It was an amazing idea and I had a blast putting all of my goodies together for my partner Linda. Linda does amazing things with fiber and fabric so it was wonderful to receive goodies from her! She also sent a bag of art goodies in a terrific palette of colors. There are blues, golds, yellows, cream - a wide spectrum of colors that I don't normally use but these are amazing and I can't wait to dig in! It was a lovely way to start the day.

From the hubby, I got the Dresden Files DVD, which is exactly what I wanted, and it's nice to have a husband who surprises you with something you love, even when he really doesn't! We're also going to dinner tonight, easier to get reservations and much less crowded, it's going to be a lovely weekend - I'm staying positive even if we woke to a hail storm and 35 degree weather!

Only a few more days until I head out for the Art Nest retreat! I can't wait to be surrounded by other artists who can love to talk about glue and paper all day - Rolland has big plans to that involve me not being home to veto his tv selections!