5-12-16


So, I am reading this book of poetry by Billy Collins... and it's truly amazing.
It's also my friend, the librarian's fault... as she introduced me to his work.
Curse you and your literary genius.

In other news... I took part of yesterday off; and while running errands for people... stopped at many "points of interest" and took some photos. The photos for today's post are some of the apple trees I happened to come upon; that are loaded down with blooms.

Today I have lots to do on my "to-do" list; not the least of which is taking photos for things to list/ sell on Ebay.
The great cleaning out... has begun. >>wink<<
See you all tomorrow.


5-11-16


Obviously, since moving back to PA... I've spent lots of time with my mom. After all, she is one of the main reasons why we moved back here. Lately though, I've been trying to have a schedule of sorts, so that she knows I will be down on certain days.... and for a certain length of time... with the focus of helping her do things around the house, run errands and such.
It is two-fold... in that it gives her a reliable time when she knows I will be there, and 2) gives me a well-defined time in my studio... so that I can (hopefully) get work done. eh... it might work.
But I digress.

Last week, on one of my "blocks of time with mom".... I helped her clean out the closet in the guest bedroom of her house. You have to understand upfront, that my mother is not-so-subtly afflicted with an overactive OCD tendency. Not a hoarder... just super-thrifty. Meaning.... she saves everything... in bags and boxes... sorted (by color,  by type, etc)... well, you get the idea. So, as I went through the tower of empty boxes (because you might need them to wrap something), and the various boxes of gift wrap (that go back to the 1950s), and the bags of greeting cards (for every imaginable holiday)... was this not-so-insignificant stack of sheet music. In one of the envelopes holding music (which by the way, was falling apart from age)... was this church bulletin. Apparently, my mother had been part of a choir that sang for a special service on October 15, 1950 in the Lutheran Church. The folder, and most of the stack of music; was apparently sheet music from rehearsals for this performance, as well as music they sang at the event. And, apparently... she still had it.... as well as copies from several of the other performers; hence the large stack of music.

Now... you have to understand... this was before my parents even married. After they married, they moved at least 8 times (that I know of) before getting to the house that she lives in now. And, almost 66yrs have passed in that time.... and the last 48yrs was right here in this town.
And she still had it.
And she still "was meaning to" return it to the Lutheran Church (about 6 blocks away). Needless to say, I took it over... with a sincere apology for the lateness of delivery to the bemused woman who answered the door of the church.

You may think I am hollering. I am not. Heaven knows, we've all been there.
I think it's funny.
And it gives me hope.... that no matter how long I take to do a project; it still might get done.

See you all tomorrow.

5-10-16


This is probably my daughter's favorite flower... and it's easy to see why.
I have been an admirer of Forget-Me-Nots as well, for a very long time. When we moved back to PA, we were delighted to find some growing at the edge of our yard... and this year; we discovered that we have all 3 colors blooming (white, pink, and blue).

Today I will be busy running errands for my mom; and hopefully... getting a bit of work done around my house as well.
See you all tomorrow.

5-9-16


It's my "Maker Monday" post! Where I feature something I've made during the course of the week, and encourage the maker lifestyle.

This weekend was busy! The "PopUp" show #handmade Maker's Market this past Saturday at my friends' place went really well. I had made 60 pair of $5 earrings for the "PopUp" show; and they were well received. I also took a selection of some of my artisan jewelry, cards and envelopes, prayer beads, mandala prints and more. It was great to get feedback from folks who stopped by.


Events at another friends place; Firestone Forge also went really well, and I am always so happy to have some of my items there.
Also this weekend, was the local Maple Festival. This year marked the 50th Anniversary...so there were lots of activities planned. Here is the flyer I did for the local chamber on the event (with my photos from last year's event) -- you can click on the photo to see it bigger.


Yesterday was Mother's Day, and I went to visit a friend; and take her a small gift.
This is a Gold plated chain, charm and one of my gemstone dangles that features a freshwater pearl and a faceted (real) ruby. I like how the heart shaped clasp mimics the charm on the front.


The photo at the top of today's post is from her garden. I love Bleeding Heart plants, and when I was a little girl, we had one in our yard. Her's seems to be blooming early in the year... and it is really gorgeous.

I hope you are all having a great day... and I will see you all back here tomorrow...

5-6-16



Happy Friday!

I have such a large amount of work to do today... running errands, finishing up a few projects... listing things online... 
All GREAT stuff... but I am getting over a cold/ flu or whatever this is.... and my energy level is really low
... so the struggle is real today folks.

And this weekend there are a small ton of events going on... not the least of which is a "pop-up" show at a friend's place; 
so I am getting ready for that as well.

Hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your day.
See you all tomorrow.

5-5-16


creating ... creating... and trying to get over whatever is going around... 
I find that, today at least, I am extremely tired... overwhelmed... and sore.
It's been trying to rain all day... and there is a definite chill in the air. 
It feels more like fall, than spring here on the hill today... and that is ok.
Time to put on some tea.... and some music.
(like some John Prine, and some blues inspired Janice)

Hope all is well with you... and I will see you all back here tomorrow.

5-4-16


I had to ask a friend of mine what this is...
I had "discovered" this flowering bush on a walk several days ago... and it is stunning.
Apparently, it is Hobblebush... a native Viburnum species.

"Hobblebush serves a variety of wildlife. Browsers eat its twigs and leaves. Game birds, songbirds, and mammals eat the fruit. In addition, Hobblebush is said to be larval host and/or a nectar source for the Spring Azure butterfly. The fruit of the Hobblebush reportedly may be eaten raw or cooked and is said to taste somewhat like raisins or dates. Hobblebush has a number of medicinal uses. The Algonquin reportedly rubbed its mashed leaves on the head to treat migraines. Iroquois are said to-have used a decoction of roots as a blood medicine. The plant was also used to treat chest and breathing problems."

---Today I am trying to catch up on some work... and figure out plans for the upcoming months.
Hope you are all having a great day, and I will see you back here tomorrow.


5-3-16


Today I am running errands for folks... and hopefully getting some much needed work done later.

The photo for today's post is one I took on a much appreciated walk in the woods.
See you all tomorrow...

5-2-16



I take photographs most every single day. Sometimes, I take photos of things I have made to sell; sometimes it is for graphic designs I do for other people.. . or for promotions for other people... and sometimes, I take photographs just for me.

The photos for today's post... are ones I took simply because I love taking photographs; particularly of nature.

When I first started writing the "Maker Monday" posts... I figured it would mostly be to feature the jewelry and eco-friendly crafts I make for my Etsy shop, for shows, etc. Lately though, I've been working more on my photography than other things. One of the beauties of doing lots of different things though, is that I will surely mix it up soon enough and get back to working on jewelry... upcycled things... art collage... who knows what will be next...

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend



...some times you can find beauty in the most unusual places.
Those deep dark recesses that make you wonder if the light has ever graced their door. Those sharp jagged-edge towns that are fighting to stay alive... mavericks in a wasteland of broken dreams. Sometimes I see it that way...

The other day; we were lost. I've always been "direction-ally challenged"... and we ended up in this tiny town that seemed comprised of several houses, a bar or two, a fantastic old train trestle bridge... and this glass recycling plant. And I've got to say, the sun setting in the hills and the light reflecting off of all that broken glass was rather magical.

--- but it's the weekend! already (it's amazing how time flies), and I've got some links to share with you all:

*a colorful wasp colony
*30 most colorful cities from around the world
*past & present China
*a neat Instagram site I found about camping
*have I mentioned how very much I love possums?
*photographer Marc Riboud
*NASA: Northern Lights video
*totally different/ it's never too late... "Grindmother" ...
*National State Parks! listed by state... road trip fodder?
*famous buildings recreated with Legos
*12 affordable music fests coming this year
*PTSD and fatique -- is it normal to feel so tired?
*free downloads-- art books from the Met
*HERE is your aaaaaaaaaaaaawww for the day
BONUS: my daughter was recently interviewed and featured on a blog!!! Here is the article


I hope you all have a great weekend, 
and I will see you all back here on Monday for my "Maker Monday" post.

4-29-16


Lots of things inspire me... and it seems like I am never without an idea for a project. However, I know lots of artists who struggle with finding inspiration for their creative endeavors. So, I thought that for today's post... I would compile a list of just some of the ways you can boost you creative spark; or get out a slump.

*music. To me, this is probably the biggest muse. Find a new station.... put on a stack of record.... google a new genre and dig in. (Pandora is a free internet station... as is Jango)
*color. Sometimes just challenging yourself to work in a particular color scheme, or opposites, or what is trendy will spur you on.
*fashion. I love fashion shows. It's sort of a guilty pleasure... because in the whole scheme of things, I don't care what I wear, I just want to be comfortable. But... fashion can be a big pool of brainstorming ideas.
*books. I try to always have a book or two that I am reading at any given moment. Lose yourself in the story. 17th century history? think about what they might have been wearing, listening too, worried about. This will start helping you pander for ideas.
*magazines. I put magazines separate from books... because magazines are set up to look through quickly. One thing I like to do .. is to flip quickly through the pages of a magazine. What colors are used most? What flavor is featured most (tropical, desert, country, urban)... and go from there.
*stay healthy. You can't do your best work if you are hungry, tired, and sick. 'Nuf said.
*take a walk. Get out in nature! Probably this is a fast second for inspiration. What is blooming right now... what are the colors, the feel, the emotion you get? Put it into your work.
*take a trip. Now, I know money is tight... but sometimes it only takes driving to the next town over. Or going to a nearby attraction. When was the last time  you went to the local Historical Society, museum, kitchy amusement park, etc...
*clean up your studio. Sometimes all you really have to do is re-discover things you already have on hand. Like, who knew I had those beads? and those tassels? and ....
*collaborate with another artist. Besides offering another viewpoint, the collabs I have worked on have always pushed me in directions I probably never would have gone on my own.

Hope those ideas helped!
Stay creating, and I will see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

4-28-16


So. A friend of mine has these plants growing around her house. I knew it, but couldn't think of the name. Turns out, it's Lungwort/ Pulmonaria officinalis. I think it's really pretty, and apparently, useful for lung conditions. Interestingly, it is thought to grow only in areas of non-pollution -- like old growth forests. ... so I guess we are sort of safe here.  >>wink<<
see more here... and here.

Today it is damp and chilly. The fog seems to have not quite left the hill... everything has a slight early morning feel to it despite being the afternoon. In the distance, I can here the click-click of wild turkeys making their way through the wooded area near our house. Our Blue Jay brothers are back (we have 3 males that live near us) and are screeching madly at each other. There is a hairy woodpecker pounding away at a dead tree in our neighbor's yard... and all seems right with the world.

Time to make some more coffee and get to work.
See you all tomorrow.

4-27-16



Last night I had this very weird couple of hours where I was cruising online, and stumbled upon someone I used to know. And then... all of the sudden... someone else I used to know... and on it went like a strange train hurling down the rails and out of my past. One after the other... blogs, websites... social media accounts... it was completely bizarre, uncomfortable... and much like seeing a house-fire... impossible to turn away from. I left feeling oddly disenchanted, estranged... sort of out-of-body. On one hand.... it was interesting to see what all these folks had been doing, what they been creating (most are artists), and what they had been accomplishing. And yet, on the other hand... it felt somewhat sad, as these are people that are no longer in my life at all.
Life is like that... people come into your life... and sometimes, they go as well. Hopefully the leaving is not difficult; but either way... lessons can be learned... and our lives are always richer for the experience. Or at least... I try to spin it that way.

But what now? Have I grown as well? What would their response be if they saw what I was up to? And does it even matter? not really.
Spring is here. A time of re-birth.
A time of sitting in the sun and becoming your best possible you.

So... for today, I am looking forward to getting back in the studio and making something.
See you all tomorrow.

4-26-16


Today I am running errands for my mom and my niece...
But I thought I would post this photo I took the other day at The Nomadic Trading Company. These little kiddie cars were downstairs, and there were a couple different rows of them lined up and ready for happy buyers. I think they are super cute; and wanted to share my photo of them.

Hope you are all having a great day, and I will see you all tomorrow...

4-25-16


Happy "Maker Monday!"... when I feature something I've made over the course of the previous week and encourage the maker lifestyle.

Yesterday, we all went out of town to go to a place in Punxsutawney PA. The Nomadic Trading Company is a huge building that used to be an 1800's silk milk; now converted to Flea Market, Auction house and Indoor Shopping Village. Needless to say, it was full of cool stuff... and we had a bawl. Off and on, I would remember to take a couple photos...


And then on the way home, we stopped a couple of times to take a short walk in nature.
One of the plants I was taking photos of, was of skunk cabbage --- which has begun to sprout up in swampy areas all over the place.
I was so inspired by the day, that I made the photo at the top of today's post... and I think it is my favorite of the altered photographs that I've made.. or at least, so far.

Also this past week, I was working on a custom order. A lady had written to me; and wanted to buy 50 rosary rings (all with Saint Luke Catholic medals on them) for her son's baptism. She wanted a little something to gift folks who came for the event to take home with them. Such a cool idea! I special ordered the necessary supplies and once they got here, got to work. They should be arriving to her house today.


(you can click on this bottom photo to see it larger if you want to)

Hope you all have a great day, and I will see you all back here tomorrow...

for the weekend


The Juneberry is blooming, and I've got violets sprouting in my yard...
Spring has come to my hill.

Today, all the links are about Pennsylvania...
*incredible facts
*cool festivals
*enchanting man-made wonders
*unbelievable state parks for hiking
*wonders of the world right here
*places that look other-worldly
*deserted towns
*amazing farm markets
*waterfront restaurants
*inside an abandoned prison
*gorgeous summer beaches
*bizarre roadside attractions
*small towns

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I will see you all back here on Monday.

4-21-16


working working working

The photo for today's post is one I took at Firestone Forge this past weekend. 
Being a blacksmith, he has lots of iron and old rusty bits lying about and artfully displayed on the walls. 
I love it.
Hope you all have a great day, and I'll see you back here tomorrow.


4-20-16


It's a beautiful day out there... hope you are all enjoying it.
Today I am catching up on some work.... in between running outside to stand in the sun.

See you all tomorrow.