Creative Week

This past week I have taken 2 classes w/Quinn McDonald, one a day long class and the other a two hr class both on journaling!! Great fun! I learned alot about myself and what I can do. Thurs night at the class Roz taught us how to dye using shaving cream! It was a blast and I can't wait to buy some so I can give it a try, the amazing thing is that it works on both paper and fiber!! Check it out at http://www.soulfulcreating.blogspot.com/ Today I am off to take a second teddy bear making class at Bernina Connection w/Diane. Today the bears will be made out of mohair, my last bear was of velveteen, so this will be a challenge. Will share pictures soon. Yesterday I had to break down and buy glasses, it took a week for me to wrap my little mind around it. I had lasik surgery some 10 yrs ago and have enjoyed being without classes for the first time since I was in grade school. Age has caught up with me, so the bright spot is maybe it will be easier to be creative with them.... LOL Wish I new what this is called, part of the palm tree that falls when it is windy and I am always wondering how I can use it in my art. I am planning to use this picture as a jumping off spot for my Organic Embroidery class. I would really like to use the actual piece in something.....

Memorial Day

I have completed 2 knitted purses, small ones, about 7" tall for Back to School. The girls will really like them I hope. The yarn has a little glitz in it that should be a hit. The other work is the first assignment from an online class Organic Embroidery w/Susan Sorrell. (www.joggles.com)
I love this class, so relaxing and fun. I enjoy hand work anyway and there seem to be no rules here, another of my favorite things. Hats off to all those who have or are serving our country, including: my dad, my brother, my husband, my darling Lacy and friend Andrew. Four weeks and Lacy will be on her way out of AIT school and on her way home to SC.

New treasures

Here are a few treasures that I hauled back from OH. I was at the flea market and visited the neighborhood trash/treasure site w/good friend Louise. The sweet little bust was once white and I gave her a coat of pink paint. I hope to paint the outside of the suitcase and line it with new fabric, will see if I can handle that!! The baby shoes will be used in my crafting and the little metal candy dish will get a coat of paint too!! I also threw in a picture of the $1 cigar boxes. The top for one is almost done. I want to get back there and buy more but am thinking I will check out a closer one, an hour drive makes them not worth the price...I am working on the condo and it is winning, wanted to get some painting done but had to stop to rearrange the bedroom and put the metal bed up before dh comes home this weekend. Glad to have the heavy wood bedroom set gone!! For some reason I want all dark colored "things" out of my life right now, furniture, wall paint etc. I have not updated my weight loss in a long time, 58# today......Yes!! It feels like a huge miracle and I am glad it is happening!!

Tucson AZ

Yesterday after a fun shopping trip to AZ Art Supply for the sale Braxton and I took off to see DH in Tucson. He is at the VA center for low vision getting help dealing with his blindness. We have not been apart this long in our lives together so it was great to get together for the weekend. Some more nature photos from the motel grounds this AM. Seems I am adding more nature than art lately but I am working on three projects that I can't share until after the contests in July. I am really excited about them, enjoying the work. I have found that working outside the box is not as hard as I had imagined it would be and am thrilled with how easily that piece is coming along. I have no hopes of winning any of these contests but like to abide by the rules, at least some of the time. Going home to night and I can't wait, taking pictures of my new finds from last week to share.

Deal of the week!

I had to go to Scottsdale today for an appointment and decided it was time to check out the Frenzy (http://www.frenzystamper.com) Stamper. Wow what a place and painted in one of my favorite colors: Purple. After finding some great stuff I went next door to a cigar shop (no don't know the name, wish I did) to see if they sold wooden cigar boxes. They did for a $1.00/ea donation to charity!!! Yes, I got three different shaped ones and was so excited. I haven't gotten pictures yet but I do have 2 of flowers in the front of the condo, one being my new rose bush and lastly a bird nest that was waiting for me in the yard when I got home from my trip to Ohio. Ohio was a wonderful time, a little cool for this sun lover but I had plenty of family time and that was the best!!

They call this vacation???

I am in Ohio and busy w/family!! No rest here!! Oldest dd graduated on Sat!!! Also went shopping w/middle DD, grandson turned 2 yo w/a party on Fri. Today I ran away on my own and went to a great flea market. Bought alot of small goodies, nothing too large fits in a suitcase..LOL Will take pictures when I can, got some beautiful buttons, a white female bust about 8" tall, also got some antique pictures and some trims. Not a bad haul. Will post again when I have internet service.