don't let the virus get you down....

I am back after a short computer breakdown due to famous facebook virus seen on 60 minutes this week...... I will be back with more but leaving you this morning with some fun pics of James and Megan at Disneyland over the weekend!

You are never too old to have fun at Disneyland right? See you later on - have a great one!

still waiting and therefor still creating......

I wanted to play with some papers from Studio Calico on this weeks canvas. I decided to cut and collage with papers from past kits Iconic, Newstand, and Looking Glass. I added my own paints and a quote to finally finish a long overdue gift.




This was a lot of fun and I loved the process, learning even more about different mediums I am playing with. If there is any collage people out there, I would love your comments on your favorite adhesive product for paper on canvas.........








Oh and I found a great embroidery booklet this week to get me moving on a better embroidery path. Most likely will start practising tonight during my Friday night Ghost Whisperer party with Connor.....




Happy Friday ladies.....

sunday inspiration

My weekends tend to be a combination of duty and artful playtime. The ratio varies depending on the priorities but artful playtime usually wins out in the end.....

My intention this week was to share my exploration of the fabric sampler. I absolutely love this project as its something to keep my hands busy at night when watching tv. However, you can see from the examples I was dreamin' big when I thought I could pick up needle and thread after 30 years. I admit to needing some serious practise prior to making a sampler as planned.




So instead today I worked on a canvas collage for my sons girlfriend Megan. I had a blast working on this project, using papers from a past Studio Calico kit and more paper that comes in my Somerset Studio magazines. I found a favorite quote that captured the message I wanted to send and glazed it finally with gel medium.



the quote is: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" by Eleanor Roosevelt.

love love love the day.... enjoyed a morning snow, cleaned a bit and created some art.

what more can one ask?
maybe a job offer!

This little guy has spring fever ....

Connor had such spring fever yesterday he just had to play outside and enjoy the sunshine...... How did I know that you say? Well the very quiet but high pitched whine he had while fidgeting at the back door was a little hint..... As you can see by the bright picture we are having a clear weather week even though it remains in the 40's..... brrrrr.... frost on the cars in the mornings cold.




I was able to go up to the garage and pull out a few must haves for my next project. I am working on a fabric collage inspired of course by Rebecca Sower. In her Inspiration section of her Blog sidebar you can see her fabric sampler like work. I have decided to use the old crochet edged table runner I got a few weekends ago at the vintage store for the base and to add little handworked pieces to it. I am playing around with several ideas on how to hang afterward too. So my box of fibers & threads gave me a little shot of happiness as I opened it last night. I have more than I remember and am pleased with the colors I pulled out to work with.

Now my bead collection didn't quite pass the same test. No oooohs No aaaaws when I opened this box. I really didn't have seed or bugle beads in my collection therefor I had little to add to my working stash. I did have fun going through my button collection, pulling all the ones that I hope to use on my work this weekend.......

I will show you some progress on Sunday for sure!

just a little quote

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?” Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

– Nelson Mandela


have a good start to your week!

sunday inspiration

I just spent the weekend with 100+ women from my community at the AWAKE conference sponsored by Overlake Christian Church. It was my first time going but it won't be my last that is for sure. I had such a good time meeting several new friends and hearing many inspirational and at times hilarious stories. It was 2 days filled with great song, great food and meaningful discussions. One of the lectures I selected to attend was named Practical Compassion and we explored several small things we could do as individuals to help contribute to a better world. The subject did explore a few issues regarding going green and so I find it fitting to include a recent YouTube discovery. I remember last year I heard about this the day after so this year I have marked my calendar.

That is Saturday March 28th - 8:30-9:30pm

Blessed Blog affirmations.....

a.k.a. OMG! Stacy Julian read my blog!!!!!!!! and better yet- even left me a comment!!!
a.k.a. recipient of wonderful affirmation from Studio Calico "hope to call girlfriends" too.
Blown away by it all but extremely energized by the comments left. Thank you so much.

There is one comment from Scrappyoga (love that name) that brought me smiles today. As I took pics of the last canvas art I was aware of the background and made a mental note to talk about my lunchbox sometime soon. So I was so delighted when scrappy sister called it out.....

I love this lunchbox and am so grateful for a mother with the art background and the foresight to store this little box away so I can recover it later on (after her passing).

First reason I love this box is that I know my father carried this lunchbox (in its original form) every day to work and he was my life example of hard work ethics. Everyone who knows me knows that my father is to date my favorite man in life and I have learned much from him. Secondly my mother took this lunchbox from him and painted it for me when I started freshman year in high school. One end has my name and the other has RHS '75. yeh yeh yeh I'm an old fart. So what, I'm a cool old fart. My mom would be horrified to have this as a published example of her art but it remains a cherished reminder of my youth and one of my favorites today.

so thank you art and scrap world! I love you and am inspired by you daily!!!!

see you tomorrow with my sunday inspiration post.......

a few hours of escape.....

just a few hours of escape this afternoon!

I may not have my paper but I do have canvas and paints handy!

oh and how I love collage!

this favorite scripture now hangs in my bedroom......

the scrappers' angst......

I have a few gifts to make and even more projects in progress but just don't have anything around to complete them. Aaarrgh! Knowing I have what I need but it's just packed away and stored up in the garage is of no comfort to me right now....

I am trying this really clean and clutter free appoach to living but it is a real DRAG when it comes to exploring creativity and making things! This is supposed to be relaxing and gentle for ones soul..... not creating the angst I feel..... got to get my work done today and head up to unpack a few essentials....

sunday inspiration

sunday inspiration is a series intended to inspire us to think more, create more, and act more. This weeks is a lofty goal of which I will surely spend the rest of my life in attempt to achieve!

Thank you for watching this video and may it be inspiration to a better you!

PS - James was home after a few short hours out with the boys.....
Since he is a big boy now he will be in charge of cleaning his bathroom & a few laundry loads today......