tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848647973318708662024-03-13T12:49:14.139-07:00OblationsGreetings, welcome, I hope you enjoy yourself. For anyone interested I also have an etsy store at www.etsy.com/shop/oblations. Thanks for stopping by...Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-55116838697542091132019-09-25T13:36:00.000-07:002019-09-29T22:01:55.293-07:00How the years slip slide away!<i>What I had envisioned being a short sabbatical from this blog and my Etsy store has turned into five years. Much has changed in my life since then. I no longer live in a school bus, having graduated to a small apartment all on my own. I am now in the process of re-opening my store because my little place is over flowing with my art and collectibles. It is time to let some go so I can create and collect new. </i><br />
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<i>I have a little two room apartment right next door to the thrift store I have been working at for ten years. I can walk to the grocery, post office and bank so I sold my car and occasionally take the bus when I need to go into a bigger town. My life is lovely and simple and peaceful, and I remain ever so thankful to be living it! </i><br />
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<i>I have added some pictures of my newest creations that will soon be available on etsy. I have returned to a childhood love of all things miniature and enjoy creating lovely little spaces in alternative dwellings. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!</i><br />
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<i>It proves very hard to get good photos of these small worlds but I think you can get the idea. More photos and descriptions will be available in my store when I launch it. </i></div>
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<i>I still have a love for collage and will have some pieces I have done for sale as well. My goal is to finance a trip to the Holy Land before I am to old to go. Hopefully items sell quickly because I suspect I am quickly approaching that age! I have added a couple of examples of collage below. My walls are covered with collaged canvases and other misc. treasures. As time goes on I suspect I will begin to list some of them, but for now am content to enjoy them.</i></div>
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<i>I will attempt to stay more current with this blog. Five years is too long a break! I hope you enjoy the pictures. My shop (oblations@etsy.com) will hopefully be back on line by the end of the week.</i></div>
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Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-66236336603610720012014-04-27T22:31:00.005-07:002014-04-27T22:39:13.080-07:00April in the Mountains<br />
Today dawned thick with foggy rain and chill but by noon the sun was out and the steam was rising. There is nothing like a spring rain to make a garden grow...<br />
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There are no adequate words...just enjoy the splendor</div>
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The garden is coming into its own, a little fuller each year and returning all on its own volition. All I do is pull some weeds and splash some water... oh what a wonder it is!</div>
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Even the foxtails are bejeweled after a spring rain. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. </div>
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The summer digs are shaping up nicely. When you live in an 8x32 foot space with a man and a dog you spend as much time outside as weather will allow. It makes for a nice enough life.</div>
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<i> I have been amusing myself in the garden with a variety of thrift store finds, and I have only just begun. My husband said he wanted an art garden. When I asked for a clearer definition he said, "You know, what you do with stuff, its artsy." He only need ask once!</i></div>
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<i>Here is my latest find...this little guy weighs about 30 pds and is about a foot tall. He had to live with us...no question about it!</i></div>
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<i>This is not an up to date picture, but this is my life for now. I am here five days a week which is why I have not posted new art of any kind. Tis only for a season or two. Even though I spend a good deal of my off time dog tired, I am blessed to have a job I really do enjoy. I spend my days hunting for antiques and collectibles, and find all sorts of junk and treasures along the way. So for now, it is all about the paycheck, and the garden. </i></div>
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<i>Spring always seems to hold such promise. </i></div>
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<i>Maybe someday it will be all about the studio and the garden...if time allows. </i></div>
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<i>Well thanks for poking your head in...</i></div>
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<i>that's all for now.</i></div>
<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-58580888420601807832014-02-02T20:34:00.001-08:002014-02-02T20:34:22.380-08:00Oh my Gosh, Nine Months have passed!Greetings friends and followers,<br />
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How fast the days evaporate. We are on the edge of another spring here, again already. The chickens are big now, and supplying us with about 9 eggs a day. That makes it worth the hard work to get to that point.<br />
I have been busy in my workshop, but mostly making Christmas gifts it seems. Thankfully, the holidays are again behind us. I seem to like all the flurry less each year. Our buddy dog has been with us a little over a year now. He is such a good dog and has made such a positive impact on our lives I recommend one for everyone.<br />
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This past summer brought lots of changes in our living environment. My husband made this wonderful deck outside our bus and we expanded our yard by half again. It is still a work in progress, but is looking pretty good these days. Trying to work at the thrift store, maintain all this and have time for my studio is the reason this blog gets updated about once a year! It happens to be raining today, a perfect blog day...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CUMaPY7JO4ChRp9Jj36LePByQJdOhq1ILhuZnThyDdx-D3SPQDYOh-DX2WJwqzxKSn3bjwCr1hiW2mESlhD7KyGYH4OCzQby_fKQLkzfLHOgdrGHI7D4cy7Zo_EMXUiUB-lTGlzyozQ/s1600/Christmas13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>In August my daughter and family, our 5 beautiful grandchildren, moved from next door to a community about an hour and a half away. I fear I am still adjusting to the big hole that has left and mourning the day to day victories in their lives that are missed at a distance. I have been able to stay with them about once a month and usually come home so exhausted it takes me a few days to start missing them again! I am due to go again next week. We will make valentines while my daughter and son in law have their first night away together in seven years~!<br />
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This last month my pen pal, Penelope Cake, who I met online two years ago when she inquired about purchasing some of my art, came to visit all the way from Cape May, N.J. I call her my serendipity sister. Her birthday is one day after mine. We are the same age, have been married the same amount of years, both have one child and both put milk in our coffee only when we are out. Those are just a few of the similarity's. We both love art and creating so we have formed a strong bond. She came last year also. This last visit we went to stay with the kids for a few days before hitting my studio for some joint crafting...<br />
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Penelope was a dance instructor in a private girls school in NY for 18 years. She quickly won the girls over once again by choreographing a dance for them and doing yoga with them. My daughter and I enjoyed ourselves watching. We are made of the same stuff when it comes to exercise!</div>
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Penelope and I both had birthdays in early January so the girlies were all a twitter about the special birthday breakfast they had planned and prepared. Oh my it was wonderful... the stuff diabetic comas are made of! We had home made scones with fresh made lemon curd, and croissants with ham and cheese, hot cocoa and home made donuts and birthday cake. I am not being the least bit biased when I say my daughter is one of the sweetest most thoughtful women, and one of the best mothers I know. She is a gift, and always has been.</div>
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These are the two youngest of my gems. Nico just turned a year old and Naomi, the apple of her grandma's eye is a feisty and very talkative two. Nico outweighs Naomi. The boy is built like a tank. These two little sweeties are a big part of the reason I come home exhausted (happy, but exhausted none the less).</div>
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Penelope and I spent a lot of time in my studio this visit. We created a sweet necklace out of little tiny cookie cutters that she had brought. I worked on a ham can shrine that I am currently assembling and she did some embroidery on black and white photographs that is very cool. It was good to have creative company.</div>
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I made some fun things for Christmas this year. Pinterest is my main source of inspiration. I made this for my daughter....</div>
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This next gift I made for a very dear friend of mine. She has buried two of her grown children and her sister in the last few years. She has a hard time sleeping. I wanted her to have someone who truly understands a mother's broken heart to talk to in the wee hours. I covered the shrine with many of the names for Mary, the Theotokos. It will bring her some solace I hope.<br />
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Every year I make a different ornament or two to give to the majority of the people I give gifts to. I only make bigger gifts for a few. Below are the two styles I made this year and both were a lot of fun. Pinterest again was my inspiration...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE5oY0TM9BddUXZ9Z-Bm9Ygx24nk-mFv9atw3yzwygjbTF7LvJ_Q4Uf4i-0eULBSyqc5Tl7f5I4erHxOMsalCM7ubyIBl_QrEgQ0rGiqvoIRYRwF6UmxV6Pa5EL1k-FhsPJ9OT4sH19k/s1600/Christmas13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE5oY0TM9BddUXZ9Z-Bm9Ygx24nk-mFv9atw3yzwygjbTF7LvJ_Q4Uf4i-0eULBSyqc5Tl7f5I4erHxOMsalCM7ubyIBl_QrEgQ0rGiqvoIRYRwF6UmxV6Pa5EL1k-FhsPJ9OT4sH19k/s1600/Christmas13.jpg" height="595" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are made out of bottle caps and come together quick and easy. I cut the birds out of Christmas cards from previous years and lined the back with vintage Christmas music, and viola, a very cute ornament! I had a shiny brite box that was falling apart so I recycled it for ornament cards. It worked out well I think...</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">These tart tins make great little frames for all sorts of ornaments, Christmas or otherwise. I am keeping my eyes open for more of them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXyt6aG8DUeC28ntITwKcIG-9iAw95lbYfI3MswszGU0nz-5gW_Khzv3LE8U7fumsL4zktImnJKW85PAaVehQKe2jNhSTV8DDav2opkWKsLdb-1Mh6048OpPBV1AKozxtGlX65UHvgv4/s1600/Christmas13x2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXyt6aG8DUeC28ntITwKcIG-9iAw95lbYfI3MswszGU0nz-5gW_Khzv3LE8U7fumsL4zktImnJKW85PAaVehQKe2jNhSTV8DDav2opkWKsLdb-1Mh6048OpPBV1AKozxtGlX65UHvgv4/s1600/Christmas13x2.jpg" height="640" width="451" /></a></div>
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I made this little lady for Penelope. She wobbles back and forth on the slightest breeze and holds a banner that says "This too shall pass"... the words I live by, and a good reminder for all. </div>
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I also made P. Cake this little Christmas tree. The idea was too cute to pass up!</div>
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I did finally finish the tin necklace I had started last spring when I last blogged. Below is a picture of it and a few other things I managed to accomplish...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOZdLpkejBlcCBrKiHBcr1k2I8JXqysT-DDxNKNZMzK2QzmGxwP8-TzRawiglg_mVRF6yBeG8VQacm4sajQ7THZ3mVoKAHH72JuhD2QhHV_296cdmsZVmdsno-4dLdvSVTXX-ZvGLfbY/s1600/merrygoroundx1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOZdLpkejBlcCBrKiHBcr1k2I8JXqysT-DDxNKNZMzK2QzmGxwP8-TzRawiglg_mVRF6yBeG8VQacm4sajQ7THZ3mVoKAHH72JuhD2QhHV_296cdmsZVmdsno-4dLdvSVTXX-ZvGLfbY/s1600/merrygoroundx1.jpg" height="640" width="481" /></a></div>
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These are just plain fun. I don't know if I will make anymore but sure had a good time putting these together!</div>
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These were cut from a vintage tea tin and beaded up. Penelope chose them for her birthday present.</div>
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I used rusty metal from old clothes pins for the framework of the earrings below. I love the look but they are too heavy for my saggy old ears. Someone young needs to wear them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijnOeT5iLxL9-4WbmiHo3L50nOwBMaGDdbNmsx1qZnesSqRIRzCm8jAzaj65p9gpoSZSOl3BqHBtJJAX7zpR_06snybfSnk5xZ2w_bVphvc9GDB2MfxhMC8S3AWai1asCMDgTdjlRvkg/s1600/earrings1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijnOeT5iLxL9-4WbmiHo3L50nOwBMaGDdbNmsx1qZnesSqRIRzCm8jAzaj65p9gpoSZSOl3BqHBtJJAX7zpR_06snybfSnk5xZ2w_bVphvc9GDB2MfxhMC8S3AWai1asCMDgTdjlRvkg/s1600/earrings1.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
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More tea tin earrings. I am working on different ideas for tin now. I have en-massed quite a collection and want to do some bigger pieces. I have started with a ham can shrine that is coming right along...who knows what the future will bring?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfv8jn1ngwybrJOtVtI7IHY0fBMb30Zej5VBLc9-x67RZUoDnOe3pUJgsHS21X53xgRdRIvMExGCSRyKBH53K_p8IA0SbafkmF619qoxc2SF0xqqwAYNbCg4AftRTR7t8nl3j6aPkrVI/s1600/earringwasher2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfv8jn1ngwybrJOtVtI7IHY0fBMb30Zej5VBLc9-x67RZUoDnOe3pUJgsHS21X53xgRdRIvMExGCSRyKBH53K_p8IA0SbafkmF619qoxc2SF0xqqwAYNbCg4AftRTR7t8nl3j6aPkrVI/s1600/earringwasher2.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
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My sister in law purchased these earrings (because she wouldn't let me give them to her) when she came for our first family reunion in almost twenty years, this past summer. My oldest and youngest brother and their families managed to come from the east coast, but my two middle brothers that live right here in N. CA couldn't make it. Sheesh... Oh well...some peoples families....those of us who were there had a nice time. Not that you probably care, but here is a picture of a portion of our motley crew.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ52cEkSC0DEnG5QoeobcPPjXhm2E-GrZZvHDdBoKT8VDgwilZAMpTUsUDELeaWMKGgns21a0HBWX3eJdV7dXyPasMCOkWp-5TK2gy3To30OSe37EX6k1X2tYDzCeXhFWVIYBIejGHD4/s1600/family3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ52cEkSC0DEnG5QoeobcPPjXhm2E-GrZZvHDdBoKT8VDgwilZAMpTUsUDELeaWMKGgns21a0HBWX3eJdV7dXyPasMCOkWp-5TK2gy3To30OSe37EX6k1X2tYDzCeXhFWVIYBIejGHD4/s1600/family3.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I have been having some fun with the multiple charm and found object necklaces. I have several more done but no pictures yet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrJKh3f2PixYSBNqcRWKEsNeD93eidZ5iDcjlAgd78Ezt-MJEmMyxWfMpbpNfh3fdOquWCz8D13QA2Aabci-dqRrMvy3mgNatgFYVObaXH8krfIsDJnRwFe3CtpX8GBIwIP4ME0xo0S8/s1600/keyhole3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrJKh3f2PixYSBNqcRWKEsNeD93eidZ5iDcjlAgd78Ezt-MJEmMyxWfMpbpNfh3fdOquWCz8D13QA2Aabci-dqRrMvy3mgNatgFYVObaXH8krfIsDJnRwFe3CtpX8GBIwIP4ME0xo0S8/s1600/keyhole3.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Below is a box I just finished this week for a co-worker who was married today, actually. I used the picture off her invitation for the center piece on it. It came out satisfactory. I envisioned it a bit different, but she liked it. </span></div>
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Well, I think that brings me about up to date. Below is a picture Penelope took of my husband and I. Check out the fingerless gloves I am wearing. I wish I had a close up shot to show you. My daughter made them by needle felting on wool socks and they are amazing, just wonderfully amazing. </div>
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Life is good enough...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-SlsIqGZGrLL5Jz_eHuvzmpyFWPxze_WZ-JF5lwEI3iKm3Jw_wxnTGF9tPmTr-v1iv7q68IOHfrR9bD7mUijhbJ8Q8QCromGwp8rit5nfH4c_ZaiuxDQRPo8xXnlV1jgv3cbbY25NGs/s1600/SnA1-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-SlsIqGZGrLL5Jz_eHuvzmpyFWPxze_WZ-JF5lwEI3iKm3Jw_wxnTGF9tPmTr-v1iv7q68IOHfrR9bD7mUijhbJ8Q8QCromGwp8rit5nfH4c_ZaiuxDQRPo8xXnlV1jgv3cbbY25NGs/s1600/SnA1-14.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></div>
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until next time, God bless and keep you...</div>
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annie</div>
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-92029585526937330102013-05-11T23:21:00.002-07:002013-05-11T23:21:58.017-07:00Spring is in the AirAs predicted, I have been spending more time outside than in. This year I am doing better at balancing time though, and have managed to complete a few projects a long the way. Soon I will be ready to list a batch of jewelry on my etsy store, and that will be a milestone...<br />
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My garden is slowly filling in, getting better each year. This has been a spectacular year for flowers. Here are some scenes from yesterday morning in the garden...<br />
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Come through the garden gate with me...</div>
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I call these peppermint roses. It is an ancient vine that climbs up the trellis over the gate. In the fall it is full of the most wonderful rose hips. Last winter I brewed tea out of them and instantly felt healthier!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvstDDkBsdiDsvIYPqsAr-TWUe3KQd-8mxLrjOZW2TocLtGbcJvP7fpo9jJENpaA8LKggWtk95Jp9TctXGMzIl9VRIfohuUZvXGXtogKAvJxkp5mF-K7ImMRMOyKYq_dhJSKUvbzRWw/s1600/cherrytomatoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvstDDkBsdiDsvIYPqsAr-TWUe3KQd-8mxLrjOZW2TocLtGbcJvP7fpo9jJENpaA8LKggWtk95Jp9TctXGMzIl9VRIfohuUZvXGXtogKAvJxkp5mF-K7ImMRMOyKYq_dhJSKUvbzRWw/s400/cherrytomatoe.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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Vegetable gardening has never been my strong suit, and here, between the moles, gophers, deer and crummy soil, it is really frustrating. This year I am container gardening veggies. My cherry tomato already has baby fruit. I have some peas and beans in containers out front of the bus where they get full sun and am converting my garden area to herbs and flowers just for the joy of it. As you will see, it is coming along nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg5EfxvRVS7YUuqrFNUwYhqGEIdmsL5VGZbR92D-sZ4T29RQyxfIdpj80yP_Lb_xLvYZuVj0cc7UF80eunKQ8d4wkmUNAMDM5DvZyRXJimc4DOg9j4JYE1WT9XTBK2EYEifWSgDJBXmk/s1600/irisglory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg5EfxvRVS7YUuqrFNUwYhqGEIdmsL5VGZbR92D-sZ4T29RQyxfIdpj80yP_Lb_xLvYZuVj0cc7UF80eunKQ8d4wkmUNAMDM5DvZyRXJimc4DOg9j4JYE1WT9XTBK2EYEifWSgDJBXmk/s400/irisglory.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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The iris's are spectacular this year. Some wonderful yellow ones opened today, but I have not taken pictures of them. I received a bag of rhizomes last year and stuck them here and here. It turns out they are all different colors, and oh so beautiful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5M7Mh34tb5PRrQBqKkA3TsBN6d3YqdLyApRtebLiMLBJnQq5MHte-XFpX3OAgzO1IpMk0qoMy5iHrb-PxMWi20sSI93CfTMvwWkDx44SM7PVcQno0yPHFfMui3QjwP24acWf4Mk6g6U/s1600/irisglory2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5M7Mh34tb5PRrQBqKkA3TsBN6d3YqdLyApRtebLiMLBJnQq5MHte-XFpX3OAgzO1IpMk0qoMy5iHrb-PxMWi20sSI93CfTMvwWkDx44SM7PVcQno0yPHFfMui3QjwP24acWf4Mk6g6U/s400/irisglory2.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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Need I say more?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2nnQ1-V6rUFgcGx044YtqVSOytludKXdL2Ew8bVoPgFzx101PtQl45xY87q2vHN1oT8Sf43mw6saruw1hFFCpYphqosl0Iv9uDJzWBfDLLZAb4zjr77XBP0w8gMLj3k9aCCHtYeFUOg/s1600/gardenscenes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2nnQ1-V6rUFgcGx044YtqVSOytludKXdL2Ew8bVoPgFzx101PtQl45xY87q2vHN1oT8Sf43mw6saruw1hFFCpYphqosl0Iv9uDJzWBfDLLZAb4zjr77XBP0w8gMLj3k9aCCHtYeFUOg/s400/gardenscenes2.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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I keep as many things in the garden as I do plants. Decorating life is one of my favorite things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm910caRRn2GjAN4StBroFhcohOECcwuKqQwK3Puuxio4NPeIPYXi3G70OXtCnpCk22vgzsg9-FWtPcGkj50GHTRE42iTVPMsJzUtvKbaA7MmGT8P9nJlCG9WJywLA97BClB-0H0bHJc/s1600/terrarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm910caRRn2GjAN4StBroFhcohOECcwuKqQwK3Puuxio4NPeIPYXi3G70OXtCnpCk22vgzsg9-FWtPcGkj50GHTRE42iTVPMsJzUtvKbaA7MmGT8P9nJlCG9WJywLA97BClB-0H0bHJc/s400/terrarium.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last year I made a short bed border out of half buried bottles. This year they became little terrariums!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo4Zq5SOyMkbvMo-4dfMHrylaMhTVh6Xc7cLN4nBj0dpj4MIjlzIZOYwjNDH-2yGD6T_gaQNpDk_aMnyYbnsPlvtCLXFTgbK5XPmINgONJilU2F9sLi7sF3T4hV3APw5DePvBH3xWnCQ/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxo4Zq5SOyMkbvMo-4dfMHrylaMhTVh6Xc7cLN4nBj0dpj4MIjlzIZOYwjNDH-2yGD6T_gaQNpDk_aMnyYbnsPlvtCLXFTgbK5XPmINgONJilU2F9sLi7sF3T4hV3APw5DePvBH3xWnCQ/s640/spring.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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This is the view into my garden from my 'bedroom' window. Since we live in a bus it is all one room, but up front, where we sleep overlooks the garden. If you look close you can see part of the bed border I put in with different plates. Its kind of fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQPmZleTzyFO-_Laj8rl5dgfPndh5BgISKiuJxexjn0rR3ZhoTullUVLxiAj7MX1l3WHQb8TIwVn7ZwtsU_lkYHZD1xB5jPTBU6lTOKH5YrG2DeP6FNJHOwOTcbeQ3JwSY57EVFGYyl4/s1600/firstfruits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQPmZleTzyFO-_Laj8rl5dgfPndh5BgISKiuJxexjn0rR3ZhoTullUVLxiAj7MX1l3WHQb8TIwVn7ZwtsU_lkYHZD1xB5jPTBU6lTOKH5YrG2DeP6FNJHOwOTcbeQ3JwSY57EVFGYyl4/s400/firstfruits.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last fall I transplanted a bunch of strawberries and they are kicking. I ate the first ripe one today. There are about 25 plants and they are all full. Hopefully the birds and rodents will save a few for the girlies and me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xAM0dauM7CF6KluF2gkMSxL8BTiXxfAivMypBVWP4FtVsUta1dUpanBcA3hRy0oaAfMhSVSwl2VezazyESX12zrVIlExvHapUPkpgxKY-beXH7wobCwB3RlZb-VAk6EQssMyrT39LNU/s1600/mayroses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xAM0dauM7CF6KluF2gkMSxL8BTiXxfAivMypBVWP4FtVsUta1dUpanBcA3hRy0oaAfMhSVSwl2VezazyESX12zrVIlExvHapUPkpgxKY-beXH7wobCwB3RlZb-VAk6EQssMyrT39LNU/s640/mayroses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our bus is behind this breathtaking rose vine. The blooms start out a sweet pink and turn a lovely lavender as they fade away. It only blooms for a couple of weeks a year, but is certainly worth the wait!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD9lJmKtgCs6NZ0-hVKJwqTMDjlKYgqzXyCP8zfDsLXqq7D8EeVLnanNOLdhTlRmwiSuHBoo-wFvjVBec9-sW4JZ3fR2346wP7_k-PqoY2EkEsL5ahjHqQhyLLLk2TLPiwG1I8s4z_oU/s1600/coopinprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD9lJmKtgCs6NZ0-hVKJwqTMDjlKYgqzXyCP8zfDsLXqq7D8EeVLnanNOLdhTlRmwiSuHBoo-wFvjVBec9-sW4JZ3fR2346wP7_k-PqoY2EkEsL5ahjHqQhyLLLk2TLPiwG1I8s4z_oU/s400/coopinprogress.jpg" width="337" /></a></div>
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The structure in back with the slide is the home of our future chicken coop. Our landlady has purchased nine chickens and my husband is in the process of converting an old play structure into a chicken coop with a large wired-in yard all around. The slide is going away...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPZ_fGYAuaSuFHNNWDJ84WVYx_HSkytTTV91DSyETlxS71xI6mhXamIlHScrSjBzkzjm4J-e8N0mfgbpXoldkwMIdfv3CtPMUdvn3xAsjVY1fFurWekHBbDlK9Z0dE8j99toNSHjuKA/s1600/chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EPZ_fGYAuaSuFHNNWDJ84WVYx_HSkytTTV91DSyETlxS71xI6mhXamIlHScrSjBzkzjm4J-e8N0mfgbpXoldkwMIdfv3CtPMUdvn3xAsjVY1fFurWekHBbDlK9Z0dE8j99toNSHjuKA/s640/chicks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am on chick duty this weekend. They have gone from little balls of fluff to this in a matter of weeks. In a couple of more they will be ready to move to the coop and in six months should be blessing us with eggs. Life doesn't get much better!</div>
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In between gardening and creating I managed to give a minor face lift to our bathroom. We are in the process of remodeling everything so anything I do is temporary. It works for me. I used the staple gun to put up the map 'wallpaper' and elmers to cover the old dresser. I looks much better than it did!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhmgwwpSTfNAyfOSOu5R4wozogjH9yssI7HEEVCq6UqmUfdf4ZM0_FxZCgqkTHz95PMk43JZjEdX99l0QGzvKYOanjfGK50CifjTsHfwtlXHeHGfZg1NiXRAbKqk2NKD-ML39qsNN2uk/s1600/maproom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhmgwwpSTfNAyfOSOu5R4wozogjH9yssI7HEEVCq6UqmUfdf4ZM0_FxZCgqkTHz95PMk43JZjEdX99l0QGzvKYOanjfGK50CifjTsHfwtlXHeHGfZg1NiXRAbKqk2NKD-ML39qsNN2uk/s400/maproom1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CsjzzOU_AP88XexBd6GmkpzL3qAWqS_A_qFsHpqxvnsiR_ykvg2JJub_hF_5aAEMW08wyKrTXVYA4NbMBUQBizD1Q7umhkL8kkBL41p0T-tVhjSi9HCEsqUMr1E9h5IsXewygBx8_Ko/s1600/dresserdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CsjzzOU_AP88XexBd6GmkpzL3qAWqS_A_qFsHpqxvnsiR_ykvg2JJub_hF_5aAEMW08wyKrTXVYA4NbMBUQBizD1Q7umhkL8kkBL41p0T-tVhjSi9HCEsqUMr1E9h5IsXewygBx8_Ko/s400/dresserdone.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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In April my little granddaughter Melanie had her ninth birthday. She is on a horse kick and wanted all horse stuff, and her own tools. She likes working with my husband in his shop. So we put together a tool kit for her and I covered a carrier to keep them in, and made her a horse poster collage to hang above her bed...</div>
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Being of the Orthodox persuasion, we just celebrated our Easter, or Pascha, the first weekend in May. Here are some eggs I managed to get together for my five grandchildren. They have a little tree they hang their egg collection on. These filled it out nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGvnuBQ1dtbSf9WEBd1VW_qYN-CPL_6e_piqtY7PgYl1m648s6q1-01BcK_W6wMbT4IRKVq9_X7T8t3Uw2psSrbe9Fz10LZz9-VI21V4OYGWaRdqt5U5vftcuoMG6VpPxu36bcjE0xT4/s1600/Pascha13a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGvnuBQ1dtbSf9WEBd1VW_qYN-CPL_6e_piqtY7PgYl1m648s6q1-01BcK_W6wMbT4IRKVq9_X7T8t3Uw2psSrbe9Fz10LZz9-VI21V4OYGWaRdqt5U5vftcuoMG6VpPxu36bcjE0xT4/s640/Pascha13a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During Lent this year I decided to spend much less time on Pinterest. I do love it so, and have gotten so many incredible ideas out there, but was spending way too much time looking and far too little time doing. I have piles and piles of mending and vowed to spend the time I would on Pinterest sewing on buttons and patching holes, some of which I did do...but I also did some altering of clothes just for the fun of it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDq7E9TW7fxogGn-B4_K5RT4Lfa1zOAq6UjusCNzfiwNnMiriqgwlGqfgLHA-1qUvknGZViNBIOsPHscSroszEj7RuxZb0-R8IZCB5gmaKqwKPTWzWAeQe3LgxjtxivTqsDLL2ljAz2E/s1600/sweater1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDq7E9TW7fxogGn-B4_K5RT4Lfa1zOAq6UjusCNzfiwNnMiriqgwlGqfgLHA-1qUvknGZViNBIOsPHscSroszEj7RuxZb0-R8IZCB5gmaKqwKPTWzWAeQe3LgxjtxivTqsDLL2ljAz2E/s640/sweater1.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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This sweater looks better on and was so much fun to put together. Our Pascha celebration begins at 11 at night and it is always chilly, so it was perfect to wear on that special night.</div>
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This vest was made for a cardigan. I really liked the color and stitching but it was too big so I cut off the sleeves (and made leg warmers out of them) and added trim and the two big pockets because in my opinion clothes without pockets are worthless. </div>
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I made myself these earrings our of copper sheet, rusty dresser lock plates and old clock hands. They go good with my new vest and one of the green feather necklaces I made.</div>
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The next few pictures are of a couple of mobiles I made this spring and have listed on my etsy site. I have a third one completed but have not photographed it yet...</div>
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And here is my newest passion...tin</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTxvpgIGur8p-9Ao35nnI64XqCc00OXtscpceos3vxwIPVkBDhoJrdIWdz9iPA20mBofhVyqJiU1PWjeY0BOw8kIuApK697D1ST2baTKv__rHMDp96FmaLOI0QqCS_ofDnJ8-_ZGgpcw/s1600/tinmedals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTxvpgIGur8p-9Ao35nnI64XqCc00OXtscpceos3vxwIPVkBDhoJrdIWdz9iPA20mBofhVyqJiU1PWjeY0BOw8kIuApK697D1ST2baTKv__rHMDp96FmaLOI0QqCS_ofDnJ8-_ZGgpcw/s640/tinmedals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just this week I finished these three 'medals' that I am going to list for sale. They are made from vintage tins and embellished with a variety of treasures. The inspiration came from none other than Pinterest, but as with all my creations, are given my own spin.</div>
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Today I started my next project, a tin circus necklace with bottle cap bezels. It should be cheery and fun when done...</div>
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I guess I have been accomplishing more than I thought! I feel like I never have enough time at my studio...but now that I see my blog I realize I have been more productive, and that is a good thing.</div>
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Until next time I wish you happy creating...</div>
<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-63083837937257192572013-03-21T22:39:00.002-07:002013-03-21T23:13:16.964-07:00Almost a year has passed!When I started this I had every intention of keeping it up. Then garden season hit and I never looked back! Between helping to tend the land we are blessed to live on, working part-time, spending time with my grand-children and attending the births, baptizims, and sadly funerals that wove in and out of our days, a whole year evaporated.<br />
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On January 7th we adopted a new member to our family. Buddy. He was abandoned near a monastery in Dunlap and when the Sisters found him and his sister they were diseased and malnourished They nursed them back to health and we were incredibly lucky to have been granted Buddy. He is the best dog I have ever had. A perfect size for the bus, he is practically perfect in every way and too smart for his own good. He has definitely brought us joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQhM-Zit7s0n0L9uKF03pJoErtbaHoY3fBM6uBJYQpTMAu3vlVRruiRX7ioOlMJiPnLBueND0ZMsM3_PoqCjdNzoFIHKBaEjdBbguuLlnUX3Gli_HjKAdL6NQLocBzsrw4UD1GFfgyjc/s1600/Buddydressedup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQhM-Zit7s0n0L9uKF03pJoErtbaHoY3fBM6uBJYQpTMAu3vlVRruiRX7ioOlMJiPnLBueND0ZMsM3_PoqCjdNzoFIHKBaEjdBbguuLlnUX3Gli_HjKAdL6NQLocBzsrw4UD1GFfgyjc/s320/Buddydressedup.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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On January 15th, our grandson was born, a surprise for everyone, and much of my time lately has been helping my daughter cope with a newborn and our lovely 16 month old Naomi who is still very much a baby herself, though walking, talking and climbing like a monkey.<br />
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Nico and Naomi...<br />
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We moved our bus to a new location on the property this past year and have been busy making it our own. It borders a nice garden area which I adopted and am slowly creating an herb, flower, rock and shell garden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2NOtzhkQc6p48q7cy5KSYMqaLr83a7pYY6xojQeKve2zM76fQFC7ljpS77ovmjPHaOLl7eSBTf4QpUciOIxzHCNAl4uu3moMD6syYbVwnS6gzIQ3N0B8M4pCTAAe7b9Pv-1vweKNYYI/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2NOtzhkQc6p48q7cy5KSYMqaLr83a7pYY6xojQeKve2zM76fQFC7ljpS77ovmjPHaOLl7eSBTf4QpUciOIxzHCNAl4uu3moMD6syYbVwnS6gzIQ3N0B8M4pCTAAe7b9Pv-1vweKNYYI/s320/bus.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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I created much in the last year and neglected to take pictures of most of it. Mostly it was gifts. For Christmas I made 23 altoid box ornaments, each with a different scene inside- they took a huge amount of time but turned out pretty well. I didn't take a single picture of them.<br />
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We had a funky aluminum tree I bought at work that was fun. I wanted to find one of those spinning colored light discs they used to sell but instead found a multi-colored spinning disco ball that we 'mounted' on the ceiling (until it fell off) and it turned our little domicile into a Christmas wonderland.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Our bus became santa's workshop for awhile. Our grand daughter's are such fun to give to.</span></div>
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They are all enamored with the main character in the movie Brave and wanted to shoot bow and arrow like she does. My husband bought them a bow for Christmas, and each their own arrows and then he made each of them a quiver to keep them in!<br />
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They have been getting lessons out in the field and are getting pretty good at it.</div>
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I have only recently started creating again in earnest. I retired from my job at the thrift store for the second and last time and am working as many hours as I can in the studio. I have a new passion and had to rearrange the whole room to set up the right work space for it.<br />
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This is one of my projects in waiting pile. I was able to purchase an old broken typewriter and have been taking it apart. The mechanics and workmanship are something to behold. They sure don't make anything like they used to! The globe is going to be a fruit bowl and the maps are going to be glued to the bus ceiling one of these days. So many projects, so little time. I covered the bust you see to model jewelry but it turned out to be a little too busty in an un-giving sort of way. I will find another use for it eventually.<br />
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I have discovered solder and the thrill of watching hard metal turn molten. I and trying my hand at some jewelry creation. My solder gun is a temperamental old thing that I am hoping to upgrade soon, but I am beginning to get the hang of it and really, really like it. I had bought the glass prisms at the thrift store with no idea what to do with them until I discovered solder. I am doing a series of feathers in them. Big fun.<br />
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I just finished this box and will list it on my etsy site this week. I am going to do a series of vintage sewing related boxes.<br />
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But first I am going to make a couple more mobiles to list. They have been good sellers and are fun to build. I just put a quick one together for my grandson at my daughter's request. He seems to like it.<br />
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Well, there it is for now...my life caught up to date. Oh, except that I also discovered Pinterest this last year and spent hours and hours pinning inspiration. (I have given it up for Lent, and oh I miss it so!) I learned to solder on Pinterest, and was inspired to delve into jewelry making...maybe if I spend less time pinning I will spend more time creating!<br />
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I resolve to keep this up better, now that I am earnestly pursuing a career on etsy selling my creations and the vintage treasures I find. I will theoretically have more time now that I am not 'working'. But then again, yesterday was the first day of spring and garden season is upon us again...<br />
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<br />Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-13509795296535336592012-04-18T21:58:00.000-07:002012-04-18T21:58:58.508-07:00Ah, Spring at LastThis is my season. My body works best this time of year, after the cold, before the heat. Just like the bulbs that have wintered over, I come alive and for about 5 weeks, getting dirt under my fingernails and scratches on my shins. I have been busy rescuing perennials from waist high grass, building a little fence around my little studio and planting a little garden, and weed wacking the back 40. I have attached a few pictures of the beauty around me and some progress both in the studio and out for your viewing enjoyment. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXftEgK_ICdV1U1MWsi0J25MMSpEvH6IXvLtse7iFUMrMHJM684lzrWLDUTGJ2LK4C74N1hYd30OEgIOsNR3ZSI7ED2IX7E8rkHLUnjdPrSlgfmotYUPE4UyLfADp5Fv306iNFptMXd7U/s1600/wisteria2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXftEgK_ICdV1U1MWsi0J25MMSpEvH6IXvLtse7iFUMrMHJM684lzrWLDUTGJ2LK4C74N1hYd30OEgIOsNR3ZSI7ED2IX7E8rkHLUnjdPrSlgfmotYUPE4UyLfADp5Fv306iNFptMXd7U/s640/wisteria2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah...you should smell them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JVZs0uZdPrKSqqVrc0tBXjCgIlyNDHYIhvMHij21yQIMa7H3MuV0q8aMMIzDpNNx06-O9IWam0KVYhFBB7h-_8k4ZUF-gfIofUgd6MI43d8d6Wse_PHTlbDw6vaMBa-NeYTHr83D42A/s1600/iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JVZs0uZdPrKSqqVrc0tBXjCgIlyNDHYIhvMHij21yQIMa7H3MuV0q8aMMIzDpNNx06-O9IWam0KVYhFBB7h-_8k4ZUF-gfIofUgd6MI43d8d6Wse_PHTlbDw6vaMBa-NeYTHr83D42A/s640/iris.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of the season...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO6LImCCC0BF9ETPdN4tSEhxXIWktoCnecfQxKor7q8SUa6TkMLTLfg_IsatyP-LR2RTJZ6vpvZt92b09gvHWr1EbVL2t8YMrvjiq1CQOXhGgGBOeBms2ZtKghedS-HI83ZnHzQhImGU/s1600/blueflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO6LImCCC0BF9ETPdN4tSEhxXIWktoCnecfQxKor7q8SUa6TkMLTLfg_IsatyP-LR2RTJZ6vpvZt92b09gvHWr1EbVL2t8YMrvjiq1CQOXhGgGBOeBms2ZtKghedS-HI83ZnHzQhImGU/s640/blueflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't think there is even a name for this color!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a shot looking up into the redwood stand right across from our bus. Magnificent!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvu-kGpj5NdzHt5BKzfSFiMA7xvW2QxB4sGv7BJ9QEM2HGpf7izb5XgLdJM942lmhLgZkFxUNgRZ0isJjyHu7rPpvxncLXfgowqyVsbKrbBOS6d53_UY301rFwoqQwMhWbdRJGmO8-Lw/s1600/forgetmenots2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvu-kGpj5NdzHt5BKzfSFiMA7xvW2QxB4sGv7BJ9QEM2HGpf7izb5XgLdJM942lmhLgZkFxUNgRZ0isJjyHu7rPpvxncLXfgowqyVsbKrbBOS6d53_UY301rFwoqQwMhWbdRJGmO8-Lw/s640/forgetmenots2.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>The forget-me-nots are wonderful this year. I cannot bare to weedwack them when they are contributing such lovliness, however, in three weeks there will be 10 nasty burrs to every one flower. There have got to go soon...Oh, spring blooms for such a short time...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE_EAaXi1PG21k-lMekaB01bOPHHad-xt3lIfCMkB_i91CyQy7jdfvdSYH9sJTswPSeYNX5t-ZJJOuNKKYi_NdNxSoyPb8OfK0JpzA3WJQuvXoZhYSnFlSlY5LgGzKNuXCIJarAHxA9Q/s1600/forgetmenots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE_EAaXi1PG21k-lMekaB01bOPHHad-xt3lIfCMkB_i91CyQy7jdfvdSYH9sJTswPSeYNX5t-ZJJOuNKKYi_NdNxSoyPb8OfK0JpzA3WJQuvXoZhYSnFlSlY5LgGzKNuXCIJarAHxA9Q/s640/forgetmenots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">such simple beauty...such nasty burrs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG00Lfb_PA_bjXbXyrosoAj3ukKQfSk3onP4BfXAbHmurtS5ZMBIQQuzWwXykzGh2VepcFoKvUBi9gIYtMHlBqYQLqhDJreq3PuiaJwmFUUtjkq-EALc_C3Ex5PbYyV0ahu60AjxuBgAc/s1600/newfence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG00Lfb_PA_bjXbXyrosoAj3ukKQfSk3onP4BfXAbHmurtS5ZMBIQQuzWwXykzGh2VepcFoKvUBi9gIYtMHlBqYQLqhDJreq3PuiaJwmFUUtjkq-EALc_C3Ex5PbYyV0ahu60AjxuBgAc/s640/newfence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I planted some perenials and put up this fence around the studio this weekend. I am hoping there is enough sun for the lavender, salvia and butterfly bush I planted. I will have to water them with water from the pond. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEYMhqPo4qkhsQ1IxZiEtKj6H9WsVyZ-xLInPJum5HT0eqGXzOk2f4UfyqolS49hC_SlUo7Bt8VdBCH_uYmACgFaBTZ0fTsB_wMjMRHo_pNve8VKeY9MgJE-L3JJLYaPsE33Tx2RPdCU/s1600/magnoliacross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEYMhqPo4qkhsQ1IxZiEtKj6H9WsVyZ-xLInPJum5HT0eqGXzOk2f4UfyqolS49hC_SlUo7Bt8VdBCH_uYmACgFaBTZ0fTsB_wMjMRHo_pNve8VKeY9MgJE-L3JJLYaPsE33Tx2RPdCU/s640/magnoliacross.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the church I attend framed in magnolia blooms. This was taken a couple of weeks ago...they are almost gone now...sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I have been working on creating some product for my etsy site. I have sold quite a few of these repurposed altoid box sewing kits. This time I also added 3 kits with manicure items, bandaids, ect...I wonder if they will be as popular. Time will tell... here they are. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO4KKMFkquHozs4RVkmr8oQyjJ459UPXMCEUz_afJAaK5usvuKwQBE9d3dsqXwbmUoPeaicCZlIFctAIMMFHNaQgnu7yaydT42JxAp0QQx6_Kg1xguc5_kim3VhTFUq22VRVuWGlAnUY/s1600/sewingkits2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO4KKMFkquHozs4RVkmr8oQyjJ459UPXMCEUz_afJAaK5usvuKwQBE9d3dsqXwbmUoPeaicCZlIFctAIMMFHNaQgnu7yaydT42JxAp0QQx6_Kg1xguc5_kim3VhTFUq22VRVuWGlAnUY/s640/sewingkits2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv5NEKnFtyvF4f0eGhTSIMybBqG8YtAuxJXH0OsbW-HMHqqbiyrqfPOdHg0xtOB0jGbW-2C_5_yviaAHe8Mxkmjfgy4fvKNSwy35IkH0QUo5riewEKsjRLGJu-3yHuGRvghcWFoiKbb8/s1600/sewingkits3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv5NEKnFtyvF4f0eGhTSIMybBqG8YtAuxJXH0OsbW-HMHqqbiyrqfPOdHg0xtOB0jGbW-2C_5_yviaAHe8Mxkmjfgy4fvKNSwy35IkH0QUo5riewEKsjRLGJu-3yHuGRvghcWFoiKbb8/s640/sewingkits3.jpg" width="640" /></a>I hope to get these listed along with some other goodies this weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy the spring my friends...soon the heat of summer will make it a distant memory!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">till next time, annie</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-69086365518503994822012-04-03T23:08:00.000-07:002012-04-03T23:08:12.693-07:00Here we are again...I have had a couple of fun projects going on and tried some new things. I have pretty much finished up the Madonna painting. She is set in her shadow box. I am still undecided what to put in front of her, but the shells look nice for now. One of the new things I tried is the finish on the outside of the shadow box. The box was already black, which was a plus for this technique. I saw this on U Tube. I painted white glue fairly thickly and let it tack up for a few minutes, then painted white paint on top of the glue. You kind of float the paint. You don't want to disturb the glue. As it dries you get the wonderful crackle finish, but when you touch it, it is all smooth and won't peel. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjookPoytiRaDlzkF4ozdxb14ZJy4LFX48irqH_oqpl4FPTpmZ1x64b3It8YXx7V0c3dj8rrOZDYRTj6gm1bEDBlYw3opIBnd9Y_JvLAbMXEOp0DwWiCu72u4q445T4JSo_9qrZv66wIg0/s1600/cracklepaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjookPoytiRaDlzkF4ozdxb14ZJy4LFX48irqH_oqpl4FPTpmZ1x64b3It8YXx7V0c3dj8rrOZDYRTj6gm1bEDBlYw3opIBnd9Y_JvLAbMXEOp0DwWiCu72u4q445T4JSo_9qrZv66wIg0/s400/cracklepaint.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like this next photo. It is at kind of a weird angle. I had a hard time getting a good picture because of the gold and silver leaf, and the clear finish I sealed the painting with want to glare. I am going to have to play with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5_C_6c95uJNlPZvy-KqTiD40lMnj7vxOjvQfkg8a-QZn3HPcQy7boWd326wX0E0Qp4KliNbVvysMRZ1h-JN1zjKxEQM4UGJcF7TCYcjLLpU-a3OizBACsSuQaUiDhUP81fyvW2qmHbo/s1600/Madonna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5_C_6c95uJNlPZvy-KqTiD40lMnj7vxOjvQfkg8a-QZn3HPcQy7boWd326wX0E0Qp4KliNbVvysMRZ1h-JN1zjKxEQM4UGJcF7TCYcjLLpU-a3OizBACsSuQaUiDhUP81fyvW2qmHbo/s640/Madonna1.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See the rose in the shell? It was one I had hanging to dry and it had dried to a dark blackish red. I poured glue all over it...slathered it, my new favorite word. I slathered it with glue and let it dry for a couple of days and to my surpries, as the glue dried the color lightened back up. I had done this years ago with some roses from a loved one's funeral and they lasted for years and years. The petals get an elastic rubbery feel to them. Here are a few more...The white spots are where the glue is not dry yet. They take a couple of days after a good slathering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW666I3i_C1o_cBYCPXVTEODMxC7MoWkKeaSeYxoKTxPBSQPJe3AE_0CWxt7e8pL6lrShZS1Tuw7fS0Q1BB4o1RWGZf60zrUTPTd7gxE_pmFQVSLQbSVlxHCwltGvOyroiI2-uw3MpPxk/s1600/roseglue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW666I3i_C1o_cBYCPXVTEODMxC7MoWkKeaSeYxoKTxPBSQPJe3AE_0CWxt7e8pL6lrShZS1Tuw7fS0Q1BB4o1RWGZf60zrUTPTd7gxE_pmFQVSLQbSVlxHCwltGvOyroiI2-uw3MpPxk/s320/roseglue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, here she is framed and ready. I will have to decide what should sit on her alter and get her listed soon, but for now she is keeping me company. I had hoped to capture the compassionate look of the statue of Mary that I knew as a little girl, but she seems very sad to me, beseeching....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEIvh4PkIyWVXVJiUJM6y3BhdXZvRiSswoyfl6qAS0R4Ev4xlcrNxR-wNBOPpM1u44pKlF7H7eS-NE5_4m80GMiXLT92o3iyeTy1ghGQ9Nv5DETWfF4GJLH90nDrcDX2nNnVPU00dbYI/s1600/Madonna2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEIvh4PkIyWVXVJiUJM6y3BhdXZvRiSswoyfl6qAS0R4Ev4xlcrNxR-wNBOPpM1u44pKlF7H7eS-NE5_4m80GMiXLT92o3iyeTy1ghGQ9Nv5DETWfF4GJLH90nDrcDX2nNnVPU00dbYI/s400/Madonna2.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As is usually the case, the photo does not do her justice. I will have to get better pictures to list her. Her halo is gold leaf and really pretty. Her dress is pearlescent...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the other fun thing I have been working on. I saw a couple of tutorials on U Tube by a gal named Jenniebelle on making art journals out of greeting cards and decided to try my hand at it. I like them a lot and hope to make one for each of my grandgirlies and their mom before long. They come out pretty fun. Some of the pages are blank because the cards were. Some I painted with the left over paint from the Madonna and some I will cover with papers and pictures. Some I will draw on, some I will paint, and some I will leave just like the are because the cards were nice to begin with...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBwl21GMo2DoKuoOvoxSqIPredfpthYRdDLKVH5EW1qpLA2YyD9vZ9XPy8rP5jwnVWZbYNr04bF-bC1i504WQpZuW4XuUQWvOYBLRrPZqp3bZ-VCYPZZQTU5QVHDGFQdW4F-Ju-OzuWE/s1600/cardjournal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBwl21GMo2DoKuoOvoxSqIPredfpthYRdDLKVH5EW1qpLA2YyD9vZ9XPy8rP5jwnVWZbYNr04bF-bC1i504WQpZuW4XuUQWvOYBLRrPZqp3bZ-VCYPZZQTU5QVHDGFQdW4F-Ju-OzuWE/s400/cardjournal4.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's about eough fun for now. I am all caught up to date. I have to spend sometime now getting photos taken and listings written for my etsy store so I won't be doing much new for a couple of weeks, but I will catch up when I have something new to share. Until then... ta ta.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-31266855700699734992012-03-28T21:40:00.000-07:002012-03-28T21:40:25.253-07:00another month done gone...The days seem to fade away. I stay so busy and have no idea at what! I have not spent a whole lot of time in the studio lately, but that's okay. My creating seems to come in spurts. I did have a studio day with my dear Maria. Her two big sisters already had their days and Maria would give me no peace till her turn came. When the day finaly arrived she was full of ideas of what to glue on her box, but when we got down to the work of selecting treasures she spotted the glass blobs and wanted to go no further. Since, in all honesty, she would rather be out jumping on the trampoline than 'doing art' she wasted no time in finishing her project. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz6IQhRaJkRyyLfYbGt6AxaGGnN6r8NmwGTX_FUkbrmkhN_jng-Nw91-CEHpW6hHPH1cRB7hvWdbfZ1XHUUS8LO6N1Q-enSeCJDtBlOFB2eDZwQVrN6IsYljQh19edzgrghE9u6fRHIY/s1600/mariasboxdone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz6IQhRaJkRyyLfYbGt6AxaGGnN6r8NmwGTX_FUkbrmkhN_jng-Nw91-CEHpW6hHPH1cRB7hvWdbfZ1XHUUS8LO6N1Q-enSeCJDtBlOFB2eDZwQVrN6IsYljQh19edzgrghE9u6fRHIY/s400/mariasboxdone.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She did give me an idea though. I had been looking at this teapot wanting to do something with it. I love the shape and bought it to use but the handle was really uncomfortable to grasp so I delegated it to the studio for recycling. I wasn't sure what I was going to cover it with until my day with Maria. I found some glue at work that was for repairing broken dishes and is supposed to be heat and dishwasher proof so I was hoping the teapot would still be usable. The glue is pretty iffy though. Glass on stainless steel is not an easy stick. So it is decorative. I did a craft fair a couple of weeks ago and it was a good attention getter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN23Tm9p0RCKJc-W_J1XXr-hjn33qIrJXaB1grY2tidm1fPxGHmI5TEg4mJkvyE8-dLrZnSUmxFJSHwLVh4ZZNQRPnKuhrKEuuJrOPK4IeQ51IEfOFqhq103-jjXzo4l0ilGiYR4K5Oh4/s1600/teapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN23Tm9p0RCKJc-W_J1XXr-hjn33qIrJXaB1grY2tidm1fPxGHmI5TEg4mJkvyE8-dLrZnSUmxFJSHwLVh4ZZNQRPnKuhrKEuuJrOPK4IeQ51IEfOFqhq103-jjXzo4l0ilGiYR4K5Oh4/s400/teapot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of the art fair, it was a total bust but a good learning experience. I put together this sign for it, so will have it to use again, and I made the tack sets below, which turned out really cool (I think). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each piece of glass has a little teeny tiny holy card picture behind it. My Catholic is showing through! I am a sucker for holy cards, icons, and glow in the dark Jesus and Mary statues. I especially love folkart shrines made with seashells. I have plastic and plaster statues. I have one big collection in my studio, and bits and pieces elsewhere, like in the bus. My mind is very fond of fruitless rabbit trails...little reminders of what I would really rather be thinking about help me alot. I call these Remembrance tacks precisely for that reason. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want to share here a purse my daughter made for me out of a favorite sweater. I bought the sweater used in South Dakota and wore it for about 6 years. I washed it a few too many times though, and it being wool, it got smaller and smaller. So I asked her to make me something out of it. She had it for months and said she had not inspiration. Then she woke up one morning with a vision of this purse, so she got up and made it! It has wonderful floppy pockets inside too. It is my winter purse...a real treasure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlPYhWzwQOBEzCaG70Q0Py0FDPfAqH61TOlHgo8Tfi7adj2mX8v3LzvrRQo4O7k99wRNCz0OBvOxQqFYTf47o7m9YohjtPUF7zpF4CmzbJRuVeYPEzp_zWyxiqgMP9QB1zl_amM3X_qc/s1600/sweaterpurse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlPYhWzwQOBEzCaG70Q0Py0FDPfAqH61TOlHgo8Tfi7adj2mX8v3LzvrRQo4O7k99wRNCz0OBvOxQqFYTf47o7m9YohjtPUF7zpF4CmzbJRuVeYPEzp_zWyxiqgMP9QB1zl_amM3X_qc/s400/sweaterpurse.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So this is what I am working on now. I started with a pencil drawing that took me a couple of days and was pure enjoyment. She is on nice water color paper. I intended her to be painted from the git go. I did her face in acrylics mixed with medium to give it the translucent look. I did not get as good a depth or coverage on the paper as I have on other surfaces. Her face came out a bit mottled, but I have done some work to it since these picture were taken. In fact I am almost done with her...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBguBjIQ9rPw3EFKejFLB6HHZG-frLRw18kADu-zkZjnbfXHpMeASFdADQ1nzqrsiyry-erGZmzumi2bIhDdiAME-nWAhgxd3Sbu1PcazpYYCsDkvnQmLxN4ITy_inpX_WWBHOpGXbKg/s1600/queenofheaven2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBguBjIQ9rPw3EFKejFLB6HHZG-frLRw18kADu-zkZjnbfXHpMeASFdADQ1nzqrsiyry-erGZmzumi2bIhDdiAME-nWAhgxd3Sbu1PcazpYYCsDkvnQmLxN4ITy_inpX_WWBHOpGXbKg/s400/queenofheaven2.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J93j9SrpJfPG26x2-hPxHCHAK3hzL98fijnyCgqWwqm0VzkZtJdV9QVWwyUF-H5Jnf4B1pur_dE1onE7hSP6mK9WYxnSmtDbnwkuquXkETmCIj9G1Y1doXj71KclCbEWWuVgPWDIfdw/s1600/queenofheaven5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7J93j9SrpJfPG26x2-hPxHCHAK3hzL98fijnyCgqWwqm0VzkZtJdV9QVWwyUF-H5Jnf4B1pur_dE1onE7hSP6mK9WYxnSmtDbnwkuquXkETmCIj9G1Y1doXj71KclCbEWWuVgPWDIfdw/s400/queenofheaven5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made a mess of the roses when I painted them so she went from being 11x14 to 11x12, but its all good. I have since gold leafed her halo. The whole background is painted dark blue. All I have to do is add some silver leaf stars and decide what to frame her in. I picture an embossed time frame like the ones so popular in Mexican art, but we will see. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its time for me to sign off...I am getting that look from my other half...the "are you going to be on that thing all night?" look. With any luck I will be back before another month is gone...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">annie</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-91652408475225695122012-02-25T20:09:00.000-08:002012-02-25T20:09:20.215-08:00Another month almost gone...It seems like I have not had much time in the studio lately, and yet I have finished a few things and started another. My lady is by far the weirdest thing I have ever made, but I love her! She has a whole creation story that can be read at my etsy shop, where I have her listed for sale. She was great fun. Here she is in all her<br />
glory.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0MOUq6xqBAjsbguvLF-Znj8bboZ8NyVcsbsZtW9RWnoaLpMP6HwwuUnlOnSpO4oVPPIvTzikOBy6f9B9AI4NnxFyxf-rGUxFl17jvz-7qQL5okvY7ZXZY-Z_qYDmnBZGL-aKCy4J1mw/s1600/Renewal6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0MOUq6xqBAjsbguvLF-Znj8bboZ8NyVcsbsZtW9RWnoaLpMP6HwwuUnlOnSpO4oVPPIvTzikOBy6f9B9AI4NnxFyxf-rGUxFl17jvz-7qQL5okvY7ZXZY-Z_qYDmnBZGL-aKCy4J1mw/s640/Renewal6.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as soon as she was finished I started working on a couple of bunnies...a mild project after the last! I had made bunnies from this pattern back in the early 90's, for gifts. They were real popular and I saw one the other day when visiting my daughter and thought, what the heck...why not make some more to offer for sale...so I started a few. These will be carved, since I have the technology now to do that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG31hMl3c4sjhhdYqmK2dy-S681FqfoYuxuMNJ5Co9V1NX730g5vF04VTECu097VHi5zJ2z2Hy9muyLPidmMlCMfE67wRf99CvLGv8TUNPmst9BkKf-DvAfRl5udz1ljx4hInDTWDF7nU/s1600/bunnies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG31hMl3c4sjhhdYqmK2dy-S681FqfoYuxuMNJ5Co9V1NX730g5vF04VTECu097VHi5zJ2z2Hy9muyLPidmMlCMfE67wRf99CvLGv8TUNPmst9BkKf-DvAfRl5udz1ljx4hInDTWDF7nU/s640/bunnies.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also lost myself for a couple of days in a drawing that came as a surprise. I had no plan for it. I just had the urge last Sunday to draw a picture and it ended up taking me almost 2 full days! I think I will list it for sale, because- why not?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZ_oGhv3fmk8ysiADkowtyly3iUnbveIQBTazSbQdKTNQ3k678lpNSrO9e6ua5QQF431xJxc6iQ4nr87XSD3T-ypppFPp9wryBvhf55jQCzdKvHALj8Jf4A2ZNzGOepgfwGikUStFAk/s1600/treelife1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTZ_oGhv3fmk8ysiADkowtyly3iUnbveIQBTazSbQdKTNQ3k678lpNSrO9e6ua5QQF431xJxc6iQ4nr87XSD3T-ypppFPp9wryBvhf55jQCzdKvHALj8Jf4A2ZNzGOepgfwGikUStFAk/s640/treelife1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my vision of the Tree of Life. There is actually a bit of metallic ink and sparkles in the drawing but the camera won't capture it....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spring has sprung here on the west coast and I can never resist pulling out the camera and taking pictures this time of year. I got a few good shots off this last week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9C0frvtbchMCRtwCRTj6Yw2ih9uchkG9YJ-Xd0XteRp4Ld4KoBqfYSpUeObud2F0arwf8YWqTN6casxm-XtQBBaEPUyiB6VxkXDwA9nGJmHc03JU8I3U8SBljsj5EVv3p4TEKx8mA2g/s1600/sundayatfeeder3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9C0frvtbchMCRtwCRTj6Yw2ih9uchkG9YJ-Xd0XteRp4Ld4KoBqfYSpUeObud2F0arwf8YWqTN6casxm-XtQBBaEPUyiB6VxkXDwA9nGJmHc03JU8I3U8SBljsj5EVv3p4TEKx8mA2g/s640/sundayatfeeder3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aren't they lovely?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCfxf1VtRrbDa2XzRizbzgcdV2oWedTYRffbk-py1w78hBHrcL9LLc-lvstgBXUvkyGaj1k6aLese-IDG2XMWqjrVVILAigr8rN37yDG0XXta_fSJ-aTz2N2LvAUryxZmmHJXjBpNxDk/s1600/sundayatthefeeder5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCfxf1VtRrbDa2XzRizbzgcdV2oWedTYRffbk-py1w78hBHrcL9LLc-lvstgBXUvkyGaj1k6aLese-IDG2XMWqjrVVILAigr8rN37yDG0XXta_fSJ-aTz2N2LvAUryxZmmHJXjBpNxDk/s640/sundayatthefeeder5.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will post a preview of the bunnies when they are ready to list...until then...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">annie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-43000800266499021642012-02-07T22:25:00.000-08:002012-02-07T22:25:52.541-08:00Busy in Ben LomondThis update is dedicated to Mary Faith, who actually reads this blog! Thanks Mary Faith!<br />
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I have been busy of late, finishing up one big project and starting another. I keep forgetting to bring my camera to the studio to document steps, but I did get some to share. First off are two projects that I have just finished and listed in my etsy store...(http://www.etsy.com/shop/oblations)<br />
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The first is another mobile, this one inspired by and decorated with Mexican art. These are challenging to make but I just love the way they brighten the air space. This one includes a vintage salt shaker at the very top, and ceramics from Mexico...birds, a cat, a couple of pots...I painted the spoon and fork using traditional Mexican folkart patterns...it was a fun project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_zkSCaIPuN09wkGtf0n724MfgZHpdL3QRd2pNIfHPKQW7yfRkDXp53rpXTCzM6Dc-e8Um7NodQDXV02odeLVCo7aUHOGA3wpOyjjKhhvcGdb69bUOhKnftAsjb6ZWFiAy3LrgzkYYwE/s1600/mexmobile1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_zkSCaIPuN09wkGtf0n724MfgZHpdL3QRd2pNIfHPKQW7yfRkDXp53rpXTCzM6Dc-e8Um7NodQDXV02odeLVCo7aUHOGA3wpOyjjKhhvcGdb69bUOhKnftAsjb6ZWFiAy3LrgzkYYwE/s400/mexmobile1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-lAezm5Y6zOMd2qoW3BKpnXfA93XktVCMXxr3SY5o2vXJxgBnFDUQzTvvPC5beWWElh_Qz_MM86UUZ1-iFnnx_g2JdbVVc6ahap4aWV8S2ElPC6pGMyGDlZyJJ9WpZt87iWrwXXL8Ls/s1600/mexmobile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-lAezm5Y6zOMd2qoW3BKpnXfA93XktVCMXxr3SY5o2vXJxgBnFDUQzTvvPC5beWWElh_Qz_MM86UUZ1-iFnnx_g2JdbVVc6ahap4aWV8S2ElPC6pGMyGDlZyJJ9WpZt87iWrwXXL8Ls/s400/mexmobile2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYDGU4eKgEd3jqR6tStiAlP54sE0cOgfB-qcUpCg37Vkwd-ydXQKoblrl8yiQK2V5k40kexSNVWcP_iWcHJ5_eCrm9ZFVNblSJ3xjw_4aKd0z43Am1EvSvb5yU9gnF5pOpL8bUW47VOM/s1600/mexmobile5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYDGU4eKgEd3jqR6tStiAlP54sE0cOgfB-qcUpCg37Vkwd-ydXQKoblrl8yiQK2V5k40kexSNVWcP_iWcHJ5_eCrm9ZFVNblSJ3xjw_4aKd0z43Am1EvSvb5yU9gnF5pOpL8bUW47VOM/s400/mexmobile5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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The second piece I had started last summer and then lost my way with it. I couldn't figure out what to do to finish it. I woke up one morning a couple of weeks ago with new inspiration and it came together swiftly from there.<br />
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I am particularly proud of the framing I did, not being very good at carpentry or making anything square. It is not only square, but it is sturdy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHJ2zS745UT1tjVcfzDglj1cuzf2dkm47qBlHL37-YUqGV8revCOcJvnp82aXa0fLRmOUzbIUx0bUPzfnFd_L9AKyLkfx6mvLslL3PMLEK1vnvnaYIi7LGkz8o0fFGum-jiF9UMYNJrA/s1600/projectfount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHJ2zS745UT1tjVcfzDglj1cuzf2dkm47qBlHL37-YUqGV8revCOcJvnp82aXa0fLRmOUzbIUx0bUPzfnFd_L9AKyLkfx6mvLslL3PMLEK1vnvnaYIi7LGkz8o0fFGum-jiF9UMYNJrA/s400/projectfount.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The frame sides are two sides to an old dresser. They have wonderful green peeling paint on them, which was the attraction for me! The bottom and top are old yard sticks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps1ZB6gEY8IkyZTCqYvXG1JNzkcATR5XteqnG8dvMrTzLpgqIMSiHTfNGNEedkcdUX6pM183qgQsbTLdHCSu48ZaQq-JtW6awmrt3kFQVRLfYIKmeaJeC6X5zDPZ1H6H1Tk_Oe5em_Mw/s1600/projectfount2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps1ZB6gEY8IkyZTCqYvXG1JNzkcATR5XteqnG8dvMrTzLpgqIMSiHTfNGNEedkcdUX6pM183qgQsbTLdHCSu48ZaQq-JtW6awmrt3kFQVRLfYIKmeaJeC6X5zDPZ1H6H1Tk_Oe5em_Mw/s400/projectfount2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I was surprised how easy the final construction was. After thinking about it and procrastinating about tackling it, when I finally set about doing it the frame was done in an hour.<br />
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Below is the piece I had started in the summer. The background is vintage hankies, and such. On top of this there are copies of old photos (colorized by me) and over that are jewels, a glove, and a baby booty...all these I added recently. I had only the hankies and photos when I put is away last summer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesqkcGiKA0HH81DHkSye2k5t0pVGF1HYAjVVh36vum2VVMkAnJiGzj6kKUj3w0FupEibsQg9r_vUc11tzUHmxEuYJsRpg2-vc57-CNqbdKFI1jdOYzTnUp9O_aEsdObIpJi-WeVIZFYY/s1600/projectfount3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesqkcGiKA0HH81DHkSye2k5t0pVGF1HYAjVVh36vum2VVMkAnJiGzj6kKUj3w0FupEibsQg9r_vUc11tzUHmxEuYJsRpg2-vc57-CNqbdKFI1jdOYzTnUp9O_aEsdObIpJi-WeVIZFYY/s400/projectfount3.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The brass spigot in the center perpetually drips little blue jewels. I titled this-Woman, the Fount of Life- I know it sounds corny but I was thinking about women when I made it, and how life does spring from us...(by the grace of God of course...but you know what I mean.) Women are amazing! I recently had the honor of watching my daughter give birth to my fourth granddaughter and I couldn't help but think what a bloody miracle it is that the human race has even gone on! I can't believe we are actually made to 'bounce back' after giving birth, or that anyone would want to do it more than once! Women ARE amazing! I have been blessed to know and inspired by so many strong and resilient women in my life... I was thinking of them when I put this together.<br />
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The finished piece also serves a purpose beyond just being cool! I put hooks on the frame sides to hang jewelry or keys, and the ceramic heart bowl in the final picture below can hold rings or earrings. At the top, the half corks with button tacks serve as a place to stick photos or notes. The piece is the biggest I have done- 20 x 27.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JquHYwYCdT6DsGfp0Z0jyFgyIFq_1Lw4GNIAmglgCvPfbP_eISTzDw23qX3Jj4JxeMdPUpvqCQP5Iy2nrPi6nD-I_-r2WSpBtFWnXA_7-fpV1Q2qG-YI4wHtmsWzW5R_EfhWlGy14js/s1600/vintageshelf1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JquHYwYCdT6DsGfp0Z0jyFgyIFq_1Lw4GNIAmglgCvPfbP_eISTzDw23qX3Jj4JxeMdPUpvqCQP5Iy2nrPi6nD-I_-r2WSpBtFWnXA_7-fpV1Q2qG-YI4wHtmsWzW5R_EfhWlGy14js/s640/vintageshelf1x.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew what I wanted to do once this project was done. I had purchased a styrofoam head at work that had been staring at me for a couple of weeks. I wanted to cover it and had a pretty good idea what with...until I started that is. It went from being a hard core looking male face to something else right off...and has been leading me around ever since!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK9UBcXx4sQwPvNK39hl2FzpeoSQ6Ytoivd6T6b3DrhHWrTr1xvk7Ulzgijul7fUgvV9dINZ94PMzNicsJ4Aba35TuBVA94XxGDvBv7RcWwUkqlQKPioJH1anFfArSPmM3aIQOheJbrk/s1600/head1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYK9UBcXx4sQwPvNK39hl2FzpeoSQ6Ytoivd6T6b3DrhHWrTr1xvk7Ulzgijul7fUgvV9dINZ94PMzNicsJ4Aba35TuBVA94XxGDvBv7RcWwUkqlQKPioJH1anFfArSPmM3aIQOheJbrk/s640/head1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is how it looked yesterday. It has come a long way since then and I am having great fun going where it is taking me. This is not what I had envisioned when I started but it is getting cooler all the time...art is a journey!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Qd0NsZAedanVASM4qA1QnpkfC0wT1iyJDf0V7B78ksIi_8IXb4FlJf77kog4L9PjRqNvWXdG84kVRa4Mkta7Hw8JV4kzMQ4Rbx3-AgAVR6bzzOZI66fosnVB8qYcY60HTCKzwURM18/s1600/head2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9Qd0NsZAedanVASM4qA1QnpkfC0wT1iyJDf0V7B78ksIi_8IXb4FlJf77kog4L9PjRqNvWXdG84kVRa4Mkta7Hw8JV4kzMQ4Rbx3-AgAVR6bzzOZI66fosnVB8qYcY60HTCKzwURM18/s640/head2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I imagine there will not be empty space when it is done. Next time in the studio I will carve out a little closet in back of the head where the skeleton is kept...oh what fun! I haven't named it yet, but imagine it will tell me its name by the time we are done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday I was a bit under the weather so spent the morning laying in my outdoor recliner taking pictures of birds and stuff. Here are a couple I think I might use as backgrounds in something a long the way, and one of the redwoods that shade our bus, just cause I love them and thought they looked especially nice with the plane exhaust trail cutting across the sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskqp1ju6gZV4cufDsMadbD-HyFE4LcA-ENtVufeU841rS8bAa2TnG-MPZbIEookh73yzy36GpvOvQNnhuQLAtTT3XPPq_esCD9Onjx6fQ-awOEhj9AMWhjncDpPQzotsKGIkq6ZbVoMY/s1600/birdintree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskqp1ju6gZV4cufDsMadbD-HyFE4LcA-ENtVufeU841rS8bAa2TnG-MPZbIEookh73yzy36GpvOvQNnhuQLAtTT3XPPq_esCD9Onjx6fQ-awOEhj9AMWhjncDpPQzotsKGIkq6ZbVoMY/s400/birdintree1.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHOa2rRuumwIw03m6X_VW4VmngYxuuvJMQEalolYVjbRVc_d-0txQ0uGa-iTlpdBLQFHbUunVUBJbvQQ4u9-bRkiqEjfOmkqTwEJbIGzI4yIPGYLYLgDwcyw_s9I3923YHQtthG_fr2A/s1600/sundayatthefeeder2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHOa2rRuumwIw03m6X_VW4VmngYxuuvJMQEalolYVjbRVc_d-0txQ0uGa-iTlpdBLQFHbUunVUBJbvQQ4u9-bRkiqEjfOmkqTwEJbIGzI4yIPGYLYLgDwcyw_s9I3923YHQtthG_fr2A/s400/sundayatthefeeder2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D0Oar838dp5NABToM6iztduoZ8q2-6TomK3ttBp-SZHFv59TZ0CBPtVKo2hvtG8ldGtC4I0O2VPfnn1ujqKwV1SL12fHo_kt007H0uqwC31zpLIlhDN2kXq1K12_EndxgeuTUPChEDg/s1600/redwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0D0Oar838dp5NABToM6iztduoZ8q2-6TomK3ttBp-SZHFv59TZ0CBPtVKo2hvtG8ldGtC4I0O2VPfnn1ujqKwV1SL12fHo_kt007H0uqwC31zpLIlhDN2kXq1K12_EndxgeuTUPChEDg/s640/redwoods.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My girlies often come to see me at the studio. It is a wonderland to them and I try to indulge them when I can because I can imagine how I would like to play in there if I were a kid...in fact I love to play in there now. I just don't get much done when they are about...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sfzuknjw_Fc30krKwl4CPhoEHuU7-wQQ4wOMN9_AtHqT8LFzsIxyWpHJ8rO2AEhWYDuH4LdZTpYG_sE5nfRvzs_yGPKG-LRsGXD82uw4jLvn77buzLmrrAL3s-PCP7iMG-UuzlnAJHs/s1600/visitor1x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sfzuknjw_Fc30krKwl4CPhoEHuU7-wQQ4wOMN9_AtHqT8LFzsIxyWpHJ8rO2AEhWYDuH4LdZTpYG_sE5nfRvzs_yGPKG-LRsGXD82uw4jLvn77buzLmrrAL3s-PCP7iMG-UuzlnAJHs/s640/visitor1x.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, this is not someone you would want to turn your back on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oXs1skmgR0v0GPdj385EMU8orQDQ6pt5KYswSKAHTfEpugul_ECRsZBTyZ0oqAMATvrmAe2xkGYReRRLdG4klO69I4IT_x4FLWJFAv4cPy-oTE_6RYc9Iq47bPU594CwQt6xzPKQqWU/s1600/visitor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oXs1skmgR0v0GPdj385EMU8orQDQ6pt5KYswSKAHTfEpugul_ECRsZBTyZ0oqAMATvrmAe2xkGYReRRLdG4klO69I4IT_x4FLWJFAv4cPy-oTE_6RYc9Iq47bPU594CwQt6xzPKQqWU/s640/visitor2.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I acquired a couple of good scores at the thrift store I work at last week. I may as well share them here, and then I will say good night...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsKH8bA02h5YwxAmpUI4-dsfyRgHkGhyphenhyphenM6dQp-aFKoecw_vP_qEhiB4Cypwti8-uMyko5wJZ4EwSkUqTFGkSySwuaj2q2B6k3WIt0BdZq3FCAfD4Fz_UoNKHs-g0yw-xIaPMcczH-dhw/s1600/rose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsKH8bA02h5YwxAmpUI4-dsfyRgHkGhyphenhyphenM6dQp-aFKoecw_vP_qEhiB4Cypwti8-uMyko5wJZ4EwSkUqTFGkSySwuaj2q2B6k3WIt0BdZq3FCAfD4Fz_UoNKHs-g0yw-xIaPMcczH-dhw/s400/rose1.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrl_yKtOeYOiO9XeOK4yVAy3qb3l2ktlfteEkWAMel1avquPCsEZ843l2mVGT5rfbiPFXpI2AcoPe75zJ1et6CkAKgds3oRSxK-PAJ792DFQ986m0sCpTkSV9-yety3_625B_qgfhTLA/s1600/rose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrl_yKtOeYOiO9XeOK4yVAy3qb3l2ktlfteEkWAMel1avquPCsEZ843l2mVGT5rfbiPFXpI2AcoPe75zJ1et6CkAKgds3oRSxK-PAJ792DFQ986m0sCpTkSV9-yety3_625B_qgfhTLA/s640/rose2.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the yellow rose which is fake but looks very real, even close up...it even has wilting and dying flowers on it and it adds such a nice freshness and life to the corner by my chair...I also found those wonderful boots in the photo, called Woolenstocks, they are made out of felted wool and I think they are beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this is my big purchase of the week...one cannot have enough light in their life! Actually, pretty much everything in this photo I purchased at work. I love the shell covered box...that is a recent addition, and the precious vintage red and white mug, I just found it...but the lamp is the big prize. I went in to get my paycheck and there it was on the shelf priced way too low ( I would have tripled it!). With my half off discount for being an employee it not only was in the budget, but was just what I had been looking for. The colors and the flowers even match my chair... ah...life is good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Signing off for now...annie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-73388424404152654092012-01-28T16:45:00.000-08:002012-01-28T16:45:51.820-08:00SerendipityI had spent a rainy afternoon earlier in the week doodling on an art pad, something<br />
I literally have not done in years. My doodling ended up being mostly words that<br />
were on my mind at the time, but I thought I saw a profile in way they were laid<br />
out. I don't have a scanner so I took a digital picture of my drawing and opened it<br />
in my graphic art software where I added all sorts of fun stuff to the original drawing.<br />
I ended up working on it for hours with no intention of doing anything with it....<br />
<br />
And then: I was poking around in the blog world the other night and came across a blog at<br />
<a href="http://www.inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/">http://www.inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com</a> that offers a weekly challenge. I had never<br />
been to this site before, but it just so happens that this weeks challenge is to create something<br />
using primarily words! Well what do you know? I love it when stuff like that happens...<br />
<br />
So I am submitting my fancy doodle because, heck, why not?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Klig4GyekonpMPOTbG2AljPyJtCm5vvqUXB2FYVCu7Gk9-B0YQoSfFOLBzpWfiU4q4jMS67kqJV3R0fPHZlK45-Sbfa9gjboif3Js144ASDcuBeomFIfXM-yTM6VBi210wKduTnLumQ/s1600/balloonbrain4blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Klig4GyekonpMPOTbG2AljPyJtCm5vvqUXB2FYVCu7Gk9-B0YQoSfFOLBzpWfiU4q4jMS67kqJV3R0fPHZlK45-Sbfa9gjboif3Js144ASDcuBeomFIfXM-yTM6VBi210wKduTnLumQ/s640/balloonbrain4blog.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-92080198586147430322012-01-23T22:59:00.000-08:002012-01-23T22:59:16.791-08:00A New Year, Already, Again...I have such good intentions, but when it comes to sitting down and taking the time to update this and my other internet endeavers and I can find almost any excuse to put it off. It is a rainy evening and I don't have a good book going so I will seize the boredom and be creative here.<br />
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I have some updated pictures of my work space, which continues to thrill me, and a couple of pictures of what I have been up to as of late. I have a real fun project going now...I meant to take pictures of the process, something I keep forgetting to do, but I will get some up here as it comes together...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHdGiDqiA5ndx7_VUJZlSdAWCFONiJIOQi5W3_gDd6er3RTzmo6Lo_U1ZufeWGVKaIWHyKmHbo7eT1gqwm5S3uN9xv8ts1L4jArp0at1U2ZvF3FkED4A1acr96QmFoAKw_6QiUg2hCPM/s1600/serenity1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHdGiDqiA5ndx7_VUJZlSdAWCFONiJIOQi5W3_gDd6er3RTzmo6Lo_U1ZufeWGVKaIWHyKmHbo7eT1gqwm5S3uN9xv8ts1L4jArp0at1U2ZvF3FkED4A1acr96QmFoAKw_6QiUg2hCPM/s640/serenity1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
One good wind storm and fall abruptly ended this year. This week we had our first real rain of the season and the 6 inches that fell translated to a very full pond. The mallards are loving it and I am loving watching them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrcOI_YHtO_-5MoVDr55AkT1NLyJdFDu82I4MTYj-vpZIGOGxGPxex4rhuDuRaZgcT4NVE17c4wN_wqdUWpenbiIdmYUk2nhsPTvqSn2jr-sztivWazvA_AE2ycTP6B5Y_VJWTb24d5M/s1600/serenity3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrcOI_YHtO_-5MoVDr55AkT1NLyJdFDu82I4MTYj-vpZIGOGxGPxex4rhuDuRaZgcT4NVE17c4wN_wqdUWpenbiIdmYUk2nhsPTvqSn2jr-sztivWazvA_AE2ycTP6B5Y_VJWTb24d5M/s400/serenity3.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made the awning over the door this summer from redwood branches and bailing wire and then strung it with the sweetest bird lights and lanterns. I was trying a new paint technique involving vasolene on the bird house...not something I will probably try again but it looks okay up there. Come on in...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>This is the view of my desk from my armchair in the corner. Its a good thing I don't work at the desk because there isn't much room left. Mostly I just sit there watching the ducks and looking at all the cool stuff littering the surface.<br />
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When I took these pictures I wanted to record the changes I have made, but I waited so long to list them that I have already made more changes. I guess like me and all of life...it is a work in progress.<br />
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I don't go long without inspiration. I just walk around until something catches my eye and go...<br />
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I have been having glue dates with my lovely granddaughters, one on one, and it is great fun watching them sort and choose what they would like to glue...Last Sat. was my middle granddaughters turn and she make this breathtaking work of art all by herself...<br />
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</div>and her lovely older sister made this one the week after Christmas. They are quite the mixed media artists!<br />
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I love religious art of any kind. It all started with the holy cards in Catholic school. I have been collecting for awhile and am thrilled to have an alter corner to display it and enjoy it.<br />
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It all helps me stay focused, and God know I need all the help I can get!<br />
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I made this box for myself. It's window reminded me of a Catholic confessional so I went with that and covered the whole box with pictures that have meaning to me. Inside I mounted a nightlight. Instead of fearsome priest of my olden days, I have Jesus suspended by threads and reminding me that I am forgiven...as far as the east is from the west...<br />
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And this is what I have most recently been working on...mobiles. I made this one for my brother. He sent me a picture of it hanging in the solarium he just built off his front room. It looks good!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Photos just don't do these justice. I have sold one on etsy but for the most part am frustrated with what is lost in the pictures...they are a sight to behold...This week I finished another one with a Mexican art theme that turned out pretty good. I have to photograph it yet but when I do I will try and post some shots here. That one will be listed at my etsy shop as soon as I quit procrastinating about getting it up there!</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-72019244949548280362011-12-11T22:01:00.000-08:002011-12-11T22:01:40.715-08:00Finaly...After many detours I have completed my 'dream studio'. Welcome...<br />
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The bottom floor, and work area were a no-brainer. I just decorated like I do all my living spaces, making do with what I have on hand. Just like my real life studio, every available space sports bowls, boxes, and shells flowing over with pretty, shiny, and potential useful items. I had no qualms using brass tacks as curtain holders because I have been known to use a staple gun to hold up my curtains. To me, decorating is all smoke and mirrors and pragmatism.<br />
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</div>Much the same as my own worktable, there are pots of brushes and pencils, and bowls of things I may use someday. The windows are strung with beads and light catching baubles, and the walls are covered with some of my favorite things. In my own studio I have a workbench (made out of an old chicken feeding trough) but I generally use the little space remaining on my table in the middle of the floor to work.<br />
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</div>No space of mine would exist without some of my granddaughter's art on the walls and at least one picture of them, and so this bulletin board does the same. On the top is a 'bumpersticker' that has hung in every space I have inhabited for the last 31 years. I have it mounted on a piece of oak. The corners are curling off and the background has faded, but the message is as good today as it was then, and so this work space must have the same message, <b>focus and simplify</b>...<br />
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The desk area fits nicely into the bay window. What a lovely place to sit! This desk actually has more open work space then my real one but given a little more time I will probably have it as cluttered!<br />
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It was the upstairs I really had to ponder. If my studio had a second story, what would I want it to be? (In case any observant observer should see there is actually no way to get to the second story, I should explain...the staircase that came with this kit was just too cheesey looking and took up too much floor space. I had intended on making a ladder, but the more I think about it, I will just suspend a knotted rope to ascend and descend.<br />
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So after much thought I decided what my upstairs would look like. It would be a space dedicated to relaxing and recharging my batteries. A place to ponder and wonder and reconnect with the God that brings me peace. I wanted the feeling of outside, because it is nature that brings me swiftly to praise. I covered the walls the scenes of wonder to lift my heart visually to that place.<br />
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I am really proud of the 'bed'. I would want a place to recline, but I wouldn't want a bed per se, and cots are too cot-ish. So I took a part a little wagon and mounted the wheels on a plank that I padded and upholstered in a lovely felted wool. If I didn't live in a bus I would make one for my living room! I love how I can leave it in the bay for more floor space, or pull it out to lay in front of my alter space.<br />
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Being of the Orthodox persuasion, it is icons that help lead my mind and heart to worship, and the bay is a perfect nitch for my little alter. In my real studio I have a whole corner that holds my collection of religious art and I often look towards it for energy and insight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuytRnkNvzD73pcyoLdF2SFSSldh8IHXkzOngEJcVarMDjBukliz2Z1jhFD8jqF6MmgL-orCQFKxy48av34pFnAl-9u8xUBIudEdFi8MeSgFsyEwn6DdiwvbJOKgCXtMWoprRt2b2BhM/s1600/inside4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuytRnkNvzD73pcyoLdF2SFSSldh8IHXkzOngEJcVarMDjBukliz2Z1jhFD8jqF6MmgL-orCQFKxy48av34pFnAl-9u8xUBIudEdFi8MeSgFsyEwn6DdiwvbJOKgCXtMWoprRt2b2BhM/s400/inside4.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br />
Birds are a big part of my life. They are a constant reminder for me that God watches over the sparrow, and He watches over me. And no place of wonder would be complete without a giraffe. How can anyone question creation after seeing a giraffe? I mean, really...<br />
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The world is full of wonder. This is what I need to remember...<br />
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Making the mobile was a challenge! I had planned to make several, with all sorts of things hanging from them like I have in my studio and my etsy store, but oh man, these hands don't want to do the little stuff anymore!<br />
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There she blows...my studio within a studio...and since she sits in the middle of my worktable, it is time for her to be shelved so I can move on to making Christmas presents... and I better get busy because the time is slip- sliding away.<br />
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Merry Christmas to you all, and God bless you.Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-3250539367802505262011-10-22T22:38:00.000-07:002011-10-22T22:38:55.349-07:00Some important info...The I'm a Giant dollhouse challenge referred to in my last post is from Emily Henderson...her blog address is <a href="http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/im-a-giant-update.html">http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/im-a-giant-update.html</a>. I just poked around to see what others are doing and realized some people have some really cool houses...if you want to see some really nice mini stuff go to some of the links at the bottom of her blog and see what fellow creators are doing!Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-91691402722709492032011-10-21T22:04:00.000-07:002011-10-21T22:04:01.158-07:00Rabbit Trails to Mini LandSo a couple of weeks ago I was poking around on Etsy and saw this blog about a dollhouse decorating contest of sorts. It was just the bump I needed to pull the dollhouse kit I bought at the thrift store back out and give it another look. I love doll houses and miniatures, and always have. I have always wanted to build my own, though lacked confidence that I could. Well, here I had a good reason for devoting time and energy to what would other wise be a frivolous activity. So I did...a good two weeks worth of time just to put the thing together. It is the simplest of kits, but do not be fooled! Even in the simplest house there is a ton of molding, and each piece has to be hand cut (my bandsaw, by far my favorite power tool, died) I started on the 3rd of Oct. I only remember that date cause it was our 24th wedding anniversary and I conned my husband into helping me, for a little while that is...He did cut and fit the triangle window moldings on the outside for me and then said I was on my own. If you look closely you will see those are the only dang moldings in the whole house that actually match up at the seams! I am not one for perfection...I go for the effect!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My visions of instant house were dashed early on. This was an excellent patience builder for me. I had to clamp and walk away. Wait for the glue to set, glue more and wait more...sigh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All those moldings had to be prepainted and cut to size. I am pretty proud that I saw this through and had it turn out pretty okay. I can't cut a straight line with a paper cutter much less a hand saw, but paint and lots of accessories will hide the worst of my finish carpentry! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOYyeDVQ2ktwPsc08GksipT5d2sLR_Ze4ZNGGHlG1yqqfa20friveq92hv6vaBhiTpZy0uoYlCr7rdtjR4gEBL2hK6xiAcGNXkx612amYngjgJnI6w5tDgU8v09_ctfn8VYDKqvJjXuM/s1600/wallsup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOYyeDVQ2ktwPsc08GksipT5d2sLR_Ze4ZNGGHlG1yqqfa20friveq92hv6vaBhiTpZy0uoYlCr7rdtjR4gEBL2hK6xiAcGNXkx612amYngjgJnI6w5tDgU8v09_ctfn8VYDKqvJjXuM/s320/wallsup.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dE-0_zr9bAzEy-IsIVbYrcDbHPj2d8yvv-e2AioT_8dWhoU2yDuLGU-G-rVf66UAIO4btaipJ8p7q4nTLzxzv5rasPdZv7skJKMswegOvNSOKvZj6aMCsUOq_JZJhHi-Un5-_zjd9zA/s1600/gettingthereinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dE-0_zr9bAzEy-IsIVbYrcDbHPj2d8yvv-e2AioT_8dWhoU2yDuLGU-G-rVf66UAIO4btaipJ8p7q4nTLzxzv5rasPdZv7skJKMswegOvNSOKvZj6aMCsUOq_JZJhHi-Un5-_zjd9zA/s320/gettingthereinside.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I lined the floors with a black pen to look like hard wood flooring. This picture is before I stained them golden oak. They came out pretty nice. The kit had a spiral staircase that was really cheesy looking. I am going with a ladder which I have yet to make...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This kit was for a gingerbread house. The model was painted pink with white trim, all the windows had the same white decorations on them as the the front door still does, and the roof was scalloped and oh so cutsey. This was definitely not my dream studio doll house. So I did some modification. First I left off all the fancy trim on the outside. I painted the whole exterior with glue and 'glittered' it with fine sand. (I wanted a stucco look and this was my husbands idea...a brilliant one I think, but do not tell him I said so!) It worked out real slick. I painted over that with white and grey and a few dabs of green for the moss that grows on everything here in the redwood forest. I replaced the cutsey windows with sheets of shrinky dink plastic. I like it. It looks like the windows are steamed up, or old, or both. I covered the cutesy scalloped shingles with eucalyptis and redwood bark. I admit if I were a more patient person I would have cut nice uniform shingles, but by the time I got to the roof I was really ready to get to the fun part...the inside, so I made my shingles a bit bigger than standard, going for the whimsical look. (or the 'okay, I have had about enough of this' look!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, below is the finished shell... I am going to mount it on a board and landscape a bit around it. I found a great branch that will make a cool tree and have a whole bag of tiny autumn leaves that I knew would come in handy some day. The inside is going to be my 'dream' workshop. Truthfully, I am pretty much working in my dream workshop, but a second level for rest and refreshing would be even better, and this little place has just that. I have a lot of miniatures to pick from. The last picture shows some things in place, but I have not even begun the layout and decorating part. I had to take a break and get some Christmas product made for an upcoming fair (PS I think my Etsy store address link in the last blog was wrong. It is </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">http://www.etsy.com/shop/oblations... and business is better than I anticipated!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>I will post more as I go. I have to make some product before playing again, but I have no shortage of ideas for decorating mini land...till next time....annieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-517883539922417182011-09-12T21:38:00.000-07:002011-09-12T21:38:25.428-07:00Dreams do come true sometimes!Much has changed for me since I last wrote. It is amazing such big things can happen in such little time. In the wake of two funerals and much sadness and greiving much good has come. I did not do the show at the end of August. My daughter was full term pregnant and I had an aching heart. First good news: I witnessed her give birth to our fourth granddaughter, and both are well and beautiful! Thank God. I did go ahead and list my sewing show items in the Etsy Shop I finally got up and runner on Sept. 2. (<a href="http://www.etsy/shop/oblations">www.etsy/shop/oblations</a>). I have sold two handmade items and today added some vintage treasure items for sale. <br />
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The biggest news is this though...I have a studio! Not only a studio, but in a space I have dreamed about spending my time since we moved back here. On the property we park our bus on, towards the back, is a large pond and next to it is a little cabin, about ten by twelve. The picture below is one I took of it three years ago when I first arrived. It was titled 'dreams'.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV01aoCd1MmQL8NKQYdhEod2IUd1RuTzbpj1_7uKaqPpBJPhAhyFExKJjWVEowMnS3Y6pvb6yvavx9_DlQvYYXbrAtE5dGekiqTpBUz9EM5zvKEcrUNSboMbtgH0TF-JmFpKPCfTW-6e4/s1600/studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV01aoCd1MmQL8NKQYdhEod2IUd1RuTzbpj1_7uKaqPpBJPhAhyFExKJjWVEowMnS3Y6pvb6yvavx9_DlQvYYXbrAtE5dGekiqTpBUz9EM5zvKEcrUNSboMbtgH0TF-JmFpKPCfTW-6e4/s320/studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I love this spot on earth. I still get a shiver evertime I think about it, and a big grin everytime I walk down there. After three years of collecting bits and pieces and odds and ends at the thrift store I was blessed to work at I now have a place to put it all, and O what a place it is! My rent for this dream studio is maintaining the land around it which is a pleasure for me. I spent this morning wading in the pond cutting back the cattails that are threatening it. I spent several days last week pulling the blackberry vines, some forty feet up in trees, and uncovering a lovely rock wall that no one has seen in a long time. Unforturnately I also found some poison oak, but it is a small price to pay. <br />
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On the mornings I don't have domestic duties at the bus I put on my hat and walk across the field and down the hill to my STUDIO! I try to spend some time working the land and some time creating everyday and I can't think of any life that would closer to heaven for me than this! <br />
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Check out my space...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0df2I3xPsIkdElcvRBBsSShHMwtZ48IQOvTpPLkr07uC8bwLextyXJ-STPUNuGEdBPk6BxUe95MadyjYsQ3LAlMw1OjO_fUeQLG4mhxzuS9Wvfs4_Gi46HsrJuoj1fP6itEk6aVVkGGs/s1600/studiox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0df2I3xPsIkdElcvRBBsSShHMwtZ48IQOvTpPLkr07uC8bwLextyXJ-STPUNuGEdBPk6BxUe95MadyjYsQ3LAlMw1OjO_fUeQLG4mhxzuS9Wvfs4_Gi46HsrJuoj1fP6itEk6aVVkGGs/s320/studiox.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will update this pic soon. There is now alot more decoration to the outside too. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfsxmZjqm-u7ICXeA0i2Lvo7bvyP1PohmW_3o7IRCPO6inTgzdUqqsRACUoJAHvoMkRb12-s_Mi7-b36E_gOxDxGCftoPLwlhtpyWDI22_FLHyiI30YahJRNIUxTBIFtyqA7CKxIvptM/s1600/studio1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfsxmZjqm-u7ICXeA0i2Lvo7bvyP1PohmW_3o7IRCPO6inTgzdUqqsRACUoJAHvoMkRb12-s_Mi7-b36E_gOxDxGCftoPLwlhtpyWDI22_FLHyiI30YahJRNIUxTBIFtyqA7CKxIvptM/s400/studio1.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eMxM4ik92N7TSqZ9n1XMCpPPaeR0rkkfaXUIZeJD1gVBxSO7-UYPyeJuDPpyCDya6AqA94jt6EHO6EUPaCBo9B-nMMPgPlo9zu-jgVA8-BNfb8pDsAvcDiA_hWfMTxB7Ydva85wsrs/s1600/studio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0eMxM4ik92N7TSqZ9n1XMCpPPaeR0rkkfaXUIZeJD1gVBxSO7-UYPyeJuDPpyCDya6AqA94jt6EHO6EUPaCBo9B-nMMPgPlo9zu-jgVA8-BNfb8pDsAvcDiA_hWfMTxB7Ydva85wsrs/s400/studio2.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you believe this? I moved all this stuff down here with a wagon...it took four days and 26 loads but there is a place for everything and I have a work table, a work bench and a desk. And when I get tired of those (if ever) I can curl up in my armchair and gaze at the pond. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-5gD1dtMHCc8_rdCDrvURoSeFNKb_EIvB6dwSeckOCJJvdSDU0u2F8V0VCipNoXBLcM0HcvJ8VvXmIirwyLIMSgYtxm0qNqNZltEMV83czIUdQXUiLvl0oUg6CMw9eh7FtMwHvvCxcE/s1600/studio4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="height: 326px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 341px;"><img border="0" height="300" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-5gD1dtMHCc8_rdCDrvURoSeFNKb_EIvB6dwSeckOCJJvdSDU0u2F8V0VCipNoXBLcM0HcvJ8VvXmIirwyLIMSgYtxm0qNqNZltEMV83czIUdQXUiLvl0oUg6CMw9eh7FtMwHvvCxcE/s320/studio4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It is just a great place to be. A real giant step up from the tent I have been using for a shop, and it doesn't leak! I don't have running water now, but the potential for it is close by, and I have a nice outhouse across the path for my other needs. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The pond is full of frogs and mesquito fish. Three ducks have summered here. I am waiting to see if they stay for the winter. There is also what I think I have identified correctly as a green heron, which the guide book says "appears to be blue". Go figure!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL3IMo7R1BsE_a_Jua8gY2e7Kftl8vo-XZxX1i2NDeu-wz22W2dvn-ZXsttsw_KJozNCe22HL15I88Jzmyqx8oGdeQyUaIPBddWzIm6q42Z7Z-WFsd2MstrSn1mUfkGBD1vIpFn3-2ds/s1600/greenheron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOL3IMo7R1BsE_a_Jua8gY2e7Kftl8vo-XZxX1i2NDeu-wz22W2dvn-ZXsttsw_KJozNCe22HL15I88Jzmyqx8oGdeQyUaIPBddWzIm6q42Z7Z-WFsd2MstrSn1mUfkGBD1vIpFn3-2ds/s640/greenheron.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHkK48yhoG3v2hlMJfsiv9ejP0aQz9HQke3WfIQ8i01ghpckmLRDKGaLRsCEKmnFsOVxL44YOECC70FrJulwQI_Tdkv0gbPCTVrDNMCrxuRkKlj3jQmPDrD2aIYOJR1s3x3tXA2coj-o/s1600/herontongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHkK48yhoG3v2hlMJfsiv9ejP0aQz9HQke3WfIQ8i01ghpckmLRDKGaLRsCEKmnFsOVxL44YOECC70FrJulwQI_Tdkv0gbPCTVrDNMCrxuRkKlj3jQmPDrD2aIYOJR1s3x3tXA2coj-o/s400/herontongue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's something you don't see everyday! Heron tongue. This is one of those shots I didn't know I was getting until I went to edit it. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I suppose that's enough news for this edition. I will add more pictures of the pond and my little piece of the world as I go. I should end with my first creation in the new studio. I love this little lady and secretly hopes she doesn't sell...atleast not too soon! I call her "Bondage" and tell her story at my Etsy shop:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">etsy/shop/oblations. Stop by and visit some time!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu2uwSUZqRI-XW4lsxng5wsdqQh05fgOCfJLoHJM-3s0A3CZhRCFCR2t0kNEcpNl_61b1uYtD7b4M63lrEdqRulXpeVxVvjqE4Y_ytGO8vTovsA6yAaILsw8K8Hl9hE_8YTVF3TqjFYw/s1600/bondage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBu2uwSUZqRI-XW4lsxng5wsdqQh05fgOCfJLoHJM-3s0A3CZhRCFCR2t0kNEcpNl_61b1uYtD7b4M63lrEdqRulXpeVxVvjqE4Y_ytGO8vTovsA6yAaILsw8K8Hl9hE_8YTVF3TqjFYw/s640/bondage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a music box mounted on the back that plays "Born Free" and the little propellor on top turns!</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-18463153237197000592011-08-03T21:45:00.000-07:002011-08-03T21:45:26.521-07:00Life happens...plans or no plansFunny how so much can change in so little time. When I last wrote I optimistically stated my goal to have my Etsy site up and running by almost two weeks ago. I had gone away for a few days in the beginning of July and gave notice at the thrift store the day I returned. I decided to take the leap of creation on a full time basis. I had one full week of 'retirement' and spent long hours getting ready for a show I am doing the end of August. (More on that below...) Then ten days ago my dear friend, mentor, landlord and priest died suddenly of a heart attack. Today my good friend and neighbor was taken away in an ambulance in the final stages of liver cancer. He only found out he had it two weeks ago. It is hard to create with a heavy heart! I have found having a deadline helps me though. I am not functioning with peak enthusiasm, but am getting the job done bit by bit while I wait for the sadness to subside.<br />
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As promised I have included pictures of some of my work. My landlady, a lovely woman, (and now a grieving widow, sigh) had invited me to do a show with her. She works mostly in fabric and makes, among other things, wonderful rugs. See some of her work at ( <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedlesInTheNest">http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeedlesInTheNest</a> ). She had signed up for a show at Harts Fabrics and had planned to demonstrate her rug making. My daughter is making fabric purses to sell at the same show, and I am to have sewing related items. As it turns out, I will be setting up and running the booth while my friend takes advantage of a little traveling with her son and his family...a much needed diversion for her right now...my daughter will help, but by then she will be eight and a half months pregnant. We will do fine and it all will turn out as it should. You just never know how plans will change.<br />
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For the show I made some Altoid Box sewing kits, some project journals, two boxes and a mobile. I use mostly vintage items to embellish. Here are the sewing kits...they turned out pretty fun. I may just make some more for Etsy...<br />
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</div>I have always been a saver of things, so working at the thrift store was like a dream come true when it came to access to cool things. Alot of what I acquired would have been tossed. Old magazines and papers of all types...buttons, beads and baubles. I will probably spend the next couple of years (Lord willing!) using the supplies I was able to stockpile. My banner picture on this site is taken of just a few of the bits and pieces I have accumulated to glue on things. <br />
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My friend will have a book for sale at this show detailing how to make her wonderful rugs. She told me that in it she encourages her 'students' to keep a project journal- a place where they note what they are working on and any ideas for future creations. So I collected some of the many journals donated (boy I am going to miss that place!) and covered them to theme them. They turned out kind of cute...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa4P0Pt3aqK_UD1Xc0nWkBS9wyCtP3MrT3RlbJWsqM7rI3baI8zDXcUQj778ITR2IC1Lp8nzVzicHDewFmEemNQg73rI0LQhVLvQyGZbpIT5zCxWF3M_ioelF0gpXoVfrnfec6CWZYRk/s1600/journals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa4P0Pt3aqK_UD1Xc0nWkBS9wyCtP3MrT3RlbJWsqM7rI3baI8zDXcUQj778ITR2IC1Lp8nzVzicHDewFmEemNQg73rI0LQhVLvQyGZbpIT5zCxWF3M_ioelF0gpXoVfrnfec6CWZYRk/s320/journals.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have made some really cool mobiles. I have a couple ready to list on Etsy also, but am finding out they are really hard to photograph. It is a shame they don't translate well on line. I have great fun making them and want to make more...maybe I will figure it out...here is the sewing related one I just finished for the show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUe88gRAvVgfoAZ2_JDUMU3BN2Yp8OZQRXUmeGcKWCcvXEj9-g11sYZYhtz_TNH7RTYRF2pV29aUkScM23LTQmrEJmUePtmbvhM5GmvpjgNRaO4nyiBNBRXOVqE6LECBRxSs7ESBT0uM/s1600/mobile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUe88gRAvVgfoAZ2_JDUMU3BN2Yp8OZQRXUmeGcKWCcvXEj9-g11sYZYhtz_TNH7RTYRF2pV29aUkScM23LTQmrEJmUePtmbvhM5GmvpjgNRaO4nyiBNBRXOVqE6LECBRxSs7ESBT0uM/s320/mobile2.jpg" t$="true" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4tocHAdV_m8Fbu3kTvnRVfBWsdjuLJM5pGAnxkJcrC8OApoOYg8HcbhGvph5PVhPkxc8RQym8J8O4oj84YT7XiP78y3lGwOGm8nu9hgozUCIotPVNq4KJsO8Lz5H7SgbW2WfmflpHk4/s1600/mobile1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4tocHAdV_m8Fbu3kTvnRVfBWsdjuLJM5pGAnxkJcrC8OApoOYg8HcbhGvph5PVhPkxc8RQym8J8O4oj84YT7XiP78y3lGwOGm8nu9hgozUCIotPVNq4KJsO8Lz5H7SgbW2WfmflpHk4/s320/mobile1.jpg" t$="true" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_xGT7bvPD_-eWjl3mdi7144gMgyz7qhUnXugaFUJVsGPHdlxifyLbA3kGEotQl-zeaT24_x0D0DVAA0exmx6c3HsTRN870mVzKwfee7aliewWaNt96qhlfn4EzR70sg5N7Zf1I6ATb4/s1600/mobile3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_xGT7bvPD_-eWjl3mdi7144gMgyz7qhUnXugaFUJVsGPHdlxifyLbA3kGEotQl-zeaT24_x0D0DVAA0exmx6c3HsTRN870mVzKwfee7aliewWaNt96qhlfn4EzR70sg5N7Zf1I6ATb4/s320/mobile3.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> My background doesn't help in these pictures either, but you get the idea. We had received a donation of a bag of homemade pincushions at the thrift store, and I already had bottles of buttons, etc. My daughter was playing with the old folding rule the day I brought it home from work and shaped it into a star and the idea for this mobile was born! It really turned out cuter than I anticipated. There are six pincushions and a variety of other cool stuff.<br />
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Below are a couple of boxes I had actually made before I found out about the show. Boxes are my thing. I have been decorating boxes for as long as I can remember. I had intended on listing these on Etsy (and still will if they don't sell at the show)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OPmzkKlVxw82MG1uKo-sWFSsFvtJ19qvXG-TLt8zEdYTk11ZdN1mVbsKMI0w0foyqPO1p2l3-9MVTJk9mHL0euAm2nUmrIHdCgR_Iz0UfkSBFQBg3ydPGDwoUvaLmdxpjsJnRc19iFY/s1600/sewingbox3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 342px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 222px;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OPmzkKlVxw82MG1uKo-sWFSsFvtJ19qvXG-TLt8zEdYTk11ZdN1mVbsKMI0w0foyqPO1p2l3-9MVTJk9mHL0euAm2nUmrIHdCgR_Iz0UfkSBFQBg3ydPGDwoUvaLmdxpjsJnRc19iFY/s320/sewingbox3.jpg" t$="true" width="211" /></a></div><br />
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This one has some great war time advertising. I love the Greyhound ad on the front...This can happen to You! A greyhound vacation. What more could a person want? On the inside I sacrificed a wonderfully intact Happy Home needle package. It is attached to the bottom, but open and functional. The bottons and other embellishments are fixed under many layers of glue and going no where...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dNkEm9UBid_r7W2_AjwnCkWQQNVrEInPE7k8XYzKn2CC-LFoMrqBOttPHRRX5XFsAF0F50ouOuue3AqlSQ_8kZYSU9gnZSiLn4TQTRwX2tShMGesPZlo3Jo7H1DCbHZOUc3OR7FFSGA/s1600/sewingbox5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dNkEm9UBid_r7W2_AjwnCkWQQNVrEInPE7k8XYzKn2CC-LFoMrqBOttPHRRX5XFsAF0F50ouOuue3AqlSQ_8kZYSU9gnZSiLn4TQTRwX2tShMGesPZlo3Jo7H1DCbHZOUc3OR7FFSGA/s400/sewingbox5.jpg" t$="true" width="353" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7rzHTRBX7FpDfSnOp2lujU7yf5wjfsyItVuos-vrdGaVcTe3lmmO1E3M585P0bQZYVTQzx4XnRV8TFzY5KGUW3K0ONveyCySysmlAr3jbrdhPCKgifqEVxA47k_VbCix5ycbsRMHMHg/s1600/sewingbox6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7rzHTRBX7FpDfSnOp2lujU7yf5wjfsyItVuos-vrdGaVcTe3lmmO1E3M585P0bQZYVTQzx4XnRV8TFzY5KGUW3K0ONveyCySysmlAr3jbrdhPCKgifqEVxA47k_VbCix5ycbsRMHMHg/s400/sewingbox6.jpg" t$="true" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The buttons and bone crochet hook, pins and thread are all a part of the bottom of the box now. These boxes can be used to keep things in, or displayed as conversation pieces. I am hoping to get one more done before the show, but time will tell. Me thinks this is enough for tonight! I want to get this loaded before I have a computer glitch and lose it...(thats the kind of day its been...) So long for now...an happy crafting!</div>Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-5209287664720539952011-06-24T22:07:00.000-07:002011-06-24T22:12:44.696-07:00Life in the bus and other stories...Today is June 24. A few days ago my only daughter turned 35. The years are melting away. Things that I used to think were so important hold little significance any more. It is time to seize what is left of my days here, before they run out. In the end I will have no one to blame but myself if I don't. And that is partly why I live in a bus. Because when I owned a nice home I had to work way too much to keep it. When I wasn't working to pay for it I was working to maintain it. There was very little time for me to create the art that is in me. It owned me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk72_QvRbf4WDOiIOA21uBuirXbAbSJhpotISvVsGAbcIgd7G_l5HBw_K9GgfD0ZFYJrIcCFWgMiK-iUJXCg0FXmh62S87-PXRsudSMzstQiZxHzP7ZsmNDHOSPHJsqwhy7UuvtbeUak/s1600/Home1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSk72_QvRbf4WDOiIOA21uBuirXbAbSJhpotISvVsGAbcIgd7G_l5HBw_K9GgfD0ZFYJrIcCFWgMiK-iUJXCg0FXmh62S87-PXRsudSMzstQiZxHzP7ZsmNDHOSPHJsqwhy7UuvtbeUak/s320/Home1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building in the background is part of our daugher's house</td></tr>
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Three years ago my husband and I sold our home and bought a 1975 International School bus that had been converted into a home on wheels. We thought we would travel around, see these United States. Our first trip was from South Dakota, where we had been living for nine years, to California to see our daughter and meet our three granddaughters. We parked and haven't moved since! And that's ok with us. Our daughter and her family live about 50 feet away and our wonderful granddaughters are a daily part of our lives.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1lB3JKfonoNU3W3X48ce1QbmxhC9_G9tpA77PUBVRIIgJXceyKZUq3dsmv2X-HggU08fwfvROaVrNZ_ATLIMGFEpjcOavLgcjgBFKhfJXo0tyCyQHHErlpG1LPG7uOFxbglFmn-zBYg/s1600/homeinside1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1lB3JKfonoNU3W3X48ce1QbmxhC9_G9tpA77PUBVRIIgJXceyKZUq3dsmv2X-HggU08fwfvROaVrNZ_ATLIMGFEpjcOavLgcjgBFKhfJXo0tyCyQHHErlpG1LPG7uOFxbglFmn-zBYg/s320/homeinside1.jpg" width="229px" /></a>Our overhead is very low allowing us to work minimal hours for pay. After twenty plus years of employment I took home with me nights and weekends I opted for a regular job I could leave behind at the end of the day. I found the perfect employment for me, an avid thrifter, collector and creator. I work three days a week in a local thrift store, sorting other peoples cast offs. I have amassed large quantities of art supplies, and bits and pieces for gluing and hanging and creating not to mention for cluttering our bus and garden and my tree house workspace! Since the body of our house is steel, inside and out, what better place to start a magnet collection? My granddaughters have a great time playing "I Spy" finding new magnets all the time. I love small spaces and lots of stuff!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuZIoq297kM63abidQY7wmIAQKwo5QBLcqVWx3gU_kl4qHrFTZB8ueLrXPnSu6qPyoCHAPa8XXRHihOxeQSQ_KPrRcnJIkMAM5D7OymBV-gitVqv_ALEJDCjXh-OHwi2mpPkBAjTWINM/s1600/sanity4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuZIoq297kM63abidQY7wmIAQKwo5QBLcqVWx3gU_kl4qHrFTZB8ueLrXPnSu6qPyoCHAPa8XXRHihOxeQSQ_KPrRcnJIkMAM5D7OymBV-gitVqv_ALEJDCjXh-OHwi2mpPkBAjTWINM/s320/sanity4.jpg" width="275px" /></a></div>Now I have the supplies I need and some time to use them. I could do with a bit more space to work in but one can't have everything...at least not all at once. A studio is an on going dream. For now though I have built a 4x8 tented platform in the trees. I call it my sanity room, a space of my own. I love our bus home but it is lacking in any sort of privacy. I don't need much. Just a place to be that is mine. It is truly amazing how much you can cram onto a 4x8 piece of plywood. Of course there is not much room to work, but it is a lovely place to be, to gather inspiration, and a bit of peace. (I generally end up working at the kitchen table anyway.) I literally built my sanity room out of duct tape and baling wire, redwood limbs wired together for structure and bubble wrap for windows! It has gone through several rain storms and I am happy to say so far does not leak.My supplies are stored in shelves right outside, except for those tucked into every nook and cranny of the bus. I have everything I need. I just can't always find what I am looking for! Someday I will have order too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovL7cFKFSMFFnY7gqpG1BIsx17_zzffprSpg9D_7RQ9QHBnzBu6ufzQos7bIvqATOQYFg71BXv_ItYVsc3DJ2AxdZWGjpdgJJgtEn7XFKKNCJ_p658H1G4vM_ghxkpclJD22qeNWLgZg/s1600/sanity2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovL7cFKFSMFFnY7gqpG1BIsx17_zzffprSpg9D_7RQ9QHBnzBu6ufzQos7bIvqATOQYFg71BXv_ItYVsc3DJ2AxdZWGjpdgJJgtEn7XFKKNCJ_p658H1G4vM_ghxkpclJD22qeNWLgZg/s320/sanity2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>The wifi signal is pretty good in my sanity room, in spite of the redwoods that surround me. I can sit in my cozy arm chair blogging away while a fountain gurgles just outside the door and the birds (and squirrels, grrr) happily visit the feeders hanging all about the yard.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWJg0SASezkFGLK4MMVKScYJCzB5DGu-H-dbAWU5OKlRpBrH-jy5CfBQm7GqTdQC7WqNnyRMOhloJ-4_-lJspdWJ2F_zvaLNTVTWg4OsxF7mE-2sYikco374uJN9pfp-gPUTakVHURmw/s1600/sanity5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWJg0SASezkFGLK4MMVKScYJCzB5DGu-H-dbAWU5OKlRpBrH-jy5CfBQm7GqTdQC7WqNnyRMOhloJ-4_-lJspdWJ2F_zvaLNTVTWg4OsxF7mE-2sYikco374uJN9pfp-gPUTakVHURmw/s320/sanity5.jpg" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
I don't mind feeding the squirrels. I have always put out seed for them as well. They started the battle we are waged in by getting greedy and finding ways to empty the bird feeders. I have strung about 30 plastic bottles on wire. When they try to walk across them they spin and the squirrels fly. Once I foiled them that way they started jumping from surrounding trees, so I hung chimes and bells and what-nots in all directions around the feeders. I am constantly adjusting this as they figure out new ways of attack. They are wily little creatures. I have purchased three squirrel proof feeders from the thrift store, which helps tremendously. Today I am winning the battle, who knows what tomorrow will bring!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLjNTQVCyRPWcNrs08YgkNNO11v7fjGtesNvLlh1ZF-_OgbGNscYhZ7dFkKMqo9ROt2sw4swOed31ECZlNkvScpN1QvLK5B-hTqE0icIKO0RR3kjHZKtrllhlpVwiGYSDib7wJidSJ6w/s1600/wottenwodent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLjNTQVCyRPWcNrs08YgkNNO11v7fjGtesNvLlh1ZF-_OgbGNscYhZ7dFkKMqo9ROt2sw4swOed31ECZlNkvScpN1QvLK5B-hTqE0icIKO0RR3kjHZKtrllhlpVwiGYSDib7wJidSJ6w/s200/wottenwodent.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div> For decades I have crafted for gift giving, and for my own pleasure. Now I am hoping to also sell some of my work and have begun amassing an inventory to open a site on etsy.com. This blog is to help support that endeavor, and to chronicle the process of my dream chasing. I would love to create full time but for now am content with my thrift job and part time art. Besides, working there has allowed me to find nice presents I can afford for family and friends, so I am not having to spend all my creative juices keeping up with the various birthdays and Christmas. <br />
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In my next post I will show you some of my work. My goal is to 'open shop' by the third week in July. I am going away the first week with my daughter and granddaughters, a girlie vacation! When I get back, its no more fooling around...till next time...annieAnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184864797331870866.post-14822391747293898722011-06-07T20:19:00.000-07:002011-06-07T20:19:47.393-07:00Today I create this blog space...more to come soon.Anniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14386756561514817850noreply@blogger.com0