for the weekend



What a crazy busy weekend!
I usually do my weekend post on Saturday, but this weekend I have been busy taking lots of photographs of events here in town (and editing them and sharing them on Facebook). This weekend our town was host to an annual marathon, and a national BBQ contest... as well as graduation for the senior high school class and more. Oh! and the weekly farm market was on Friday afternoon... and it was awesome... It's weekends like this when you wish that things would be spread out a bit more evenly so that you could attend many of the things going on, instead of rushing to just a few.
But alas.




So let me say.... that the food was amazing. Fun was had. I was able to get some incredible handmade bread, wine, and salad greens from my local farm market... I visited with family and friends (and am lifting up positive thoughts for a dear friend who is in the hospital)... we worked on a project or two... and yah, I'm exhausted.

I will see you all back here on Monday for my "Maker Monday" post.

6-3-16


Every now and then I like to look back at photos I have taken on the same date; but in previous years. It is a nice way to reflect on the past, and to see what I may have been doing at that time.

This is one of those older photos, taken back in 2012. I hadn't ever edited the photo; and decided to try some effects  on it. I think it rather looks like a solar/sun print.... those super fun kits comprised of special photo paper. You lay a leaf or some such object on it and set it in the sun... and a few minutes later you have this awesome solar print.
You can read about them HERE

Hope you all have a great day, and I will see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

6-2-16



The neighbor's azalea bush is blooming... and it is gorgeous.
They also have the occasional iris that is just about to burst forth, and this is one of them.
Late last night the daughter and I finished up the rest of the garden beds... save for a few plants that still need to go in.... and a big clump of rhubarb that we are getting from a friend who wants to divide hers. It feels good to get something (at least mostly) done and off my list of chores.

Today though, I am exhausted beyond words... so I will be doing the minimum... mostly computer work for the day.... and perhaps some work in the studio later. Much love to you all, and see you back here tomorrow.

6-1-16


This week has been rough. 
Apparently,  my lupus is demanding rest; and will not be delayed any more. 
I have so much on my "to-do" list.... and yet...

Regardless, I figured that today would be a good time to share some of the blog sites on my reading list:

I hope you all have a great day (It's sunny out there!),
and I will see you all back here tomorrow.

5-31-16


Every now and then I do a post where I share what I have been watching via Netflix; and I thought it might be time again.

*The Wrecking Crew: this was awesome. A definite MUST SEE in my opinion.
*Hot Tub Time Machine: ok. I ordered this because it had John Cusak in it, and well... it surprisingly, didn't disappoint. Cheesy yes, predictable.. yes. But fun.
*The Peanuts Movie: I am a huge fan of the Peanuts comic strip, and fondly remember the movies from my childhood. This is the newest rendering... and I can't say I liked it. I love the bits with Snoopy, but then, I love Snoopy.
*I'll See You In My Dreams: I love Blythe Danner. Good plot, good writing. Would watch it again. Sam Elliott is great in it too.
*Celeste and Jesse Forever: looked good on the preview... wasn't horrible. Wasn't great.
*The Danish Girl: wow. This was awesome. A True life story of painter Einer Wegener, married Danish artist who was one of the first to elect to have gender-reassignment surgery.
*Rust and Bone: Saw this one last night. The preview looked really good, but the movie itself is depressing. Yes, it's a sad story, but there is more sex than needed to tell it... and there is no good resolution at the end.
*Smashed: another sad story that looked promising in preview. About a couple that has their relationship revolve around their drinking; and what happened when one of them stops.
*Slacker: just don't. Horrible.
*Aloha: great cast (Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, Alec Baldwin). .. even they couldn't save it.
*Diana Vreeland: This is a bio. Very interesting.
*1000 Journals: this is a bio of sorts about the 1000 journals project that I participated in several years ago. Pretty cool.
*Infinitely Polar Bear: This is about a family in the 70s that ends up living a sort of unconventional life while the mom goes back to college, and the father (who has Bipolar disorder) takes care of the kids. Very good, and one I would recommend.

Hope you all have a great day! And I will see you back here tomorrow.

5-30-16


It's "Maker Monday"... where I feature something I've made in the past week; and encourage the maker lifestyle.

This past week has been really busy. So much so, that I had a panic attack yesterday just thinking about what all I needed to do this coming month. eeps. I need to figure out better ways to relax and not worry so much. One of the things I do to help calm down though.. is to make things. Sometimes we (I) get so caught up in work that needs to be done, that I don't take time to be creative... and before I realize it, I am a jumble of nerves and not a happy camper. I know many of you are the same way. So... take some time out! Your heart and soul with thank you for it.

Anyway... the daughter had me sketch and measure out what I wanted to have for garden beds... and she went out and made them herself from scrap wood we had salvaged from other folks. Then we went about filling them up a bit, and planting what we had that was ready. We still have some more dirt to get and then we can fill them up with more plants (some of which we have started in pots already). Each bed is about 11 feet long! She did an amazing job. She even cut down, and stacked... a couple smaller (and dead) trees we had in the yard.
I am so very grateful (and very proud of her).


The daughter and I both participated in a show this past weekend, and I made several new pieces for it. Then, last night, I worked on a couple more; including this necklace -- which has sort of a "Flower Power" vibe to it.


I also planned out some possible future projects... and am looking forward to my next block of time in the studio. 
Have fun! and I will see you all tomorrow....

for the weekend


Somehow I got a little behind, and am just now doing my weekend post.
Being Memorial Day weekend, I know lots of folks are honoring those who have passed, and having family gatherings and such. 
I hope you are all safe and enjoying whatever you are doing.
 The daughter and I participated at a show yesterday, had dinner with some family last night
... and are working on our gardens (between the rain drop threats) today.

But... per my usual routine, I have some links to share with you.
My daughter occasionally saves me links that she thinks I might want to put on my weekend posts.
Today's links that I am sharing, are all ones she found on one particular site:

*fabulous house in Mumbai
*high speed photography
*Library in Prague
*Japanese Oil paintings
*10,000 tree species - Art Installation
*teaching kids about organ donation
*dazzling bismuth stone
*intricately detailed papercut designs
*Van Gogh painting inspired room
*great wall of Australia
*incredible glass models
*fuzzy pigs?
*sweet little pet owl -- photography
*2016 National Geographic Traveler magazine contest winners
*and hey... it's coffee

See you all on Monday...

5-27-16


Well, I've lots of entries on my "to-do" list for today... so I best be getting to it.
This has been a fairly busy week, but a productive one; I think.
And the weekend is almost here... so that is awesome.

Being Memorial Day weekend, it's traditionally time to honor those who died while serving and protecting our country. 
But it's also a time (for me at least) to take a moment and remember all those folks who have made a big impact on my life who are no longer with us. So, last night the daughter and I took a walk in the woods and just took some time to appreciate things and to have a time of renewal and reflection.

See you all tomorrow.

((photo for today's post was one I took last evening on our walk))

5-26-16


My grandmother (my father's mother) has been on my mind alot lately.
Most likely, because her birthday would have been last week... but also because she was such a strong influence in my life.
She was an interesting lady.

She graduated high school with honors. At the age of 16 she got her diploma when so many women didn't go to school beyond the younger grades. She received full scholarships to go to prestigious Bucknell University, and was one of the first (if not the first) woman in our county to go to college.
She thrived in academic studies... and it was this thirst for knowledge and reading that propelled her through her life. But life has a way of calling you in other directions, and she quit college just a few months shy of graduation to marry and become a mother. Life would never be the same, and it would not be easy.

She was a feisty woman, prone to chain smoking and staying up late to finish off the latest bag of books from the local library. She drank endless pots of coffee from an extremely dangerous gas stove. She collected... well... everything. She loved gardening, embroidery and all the hand-crafts. She could look in a store window at a dress, and go  home and cut a pattern out of old newspaper and  re-create it exactly as she saw it. She loved fantasy... daydreaming... and writing. She even wrote stories that she submitted to Ellery Queen Magazine. She hated cooking and housework, and avoided them at all costs. She could read tea leaves, and often told me stories of her Irish ancestry... of tinkers, inventors, and junk traders... fixers of random stuff. She adored all things French, and still spoke it frequently a full 60yrs after she had studied it in school. She craved culture and art; but was too much of a hermit to go in search of it. She had lots of faults... not the least of which, was sticking with my grandfather. But that is another story.

I've been pondering on her, and that crone wisdom of old that is so easily cast off and forgotten from generation to generation. This week, I've been working on a new line of jewelry that celebrates this grandmotherly vibe... and the wisdom of so many females in each of our lives that have molded us and shaped us into the women we have become. Strong, creative, often brave .... these stalwartly muses of our past.

I have named this line Esther Anne in honor of my grandmother.
Here are a couple of the pieces that I have debuted this week.
See you all tomorrow.


5-25-16


Today I am working in the studio a bit... thinking of ways to use up some older supplies... or if I want to sell some my stash off. Years ago (2008-2010), a goodly portion of my jewelry items incorporated found items, recycled items, random bits I found at yard sales and such. So, for example, I had earrings that featured Barbie shoes, bracelets that had game pieces on them... that sort of thing.
I also did quite a bit of mixed media art, collage, mini shrines in Altoid tins... all showcasing odd things that somehow all worked together.

This past year, I've been itching to get back into collage and more mixed media work... as well as maybe trying some printmaking or watercolor painting. I think it's time. Time to clear out a bit... time to concentrate on creating more work.

A friend of mine asked me the other day about this very thing... and I dug through and found some photos of one of my old art pieces (shown below). It is "housed" in an old cigar box, with scrabble tile pieces, monopoly bag, plastic man, and a bingo piece... as well as beads and paper ephemera.


Now, this doesn't mean I'm giving up on making gemstone jewelry or working on my photography. Far from it. I just think it's time to work on some other things as well.
See you all tomorrow...

5-24-16


Yesterday I went to a local antique shop, and found several cool things.... including some random old dice. I went to add them to my "stash" of jewelry making supplies... and discovered I had quite the collection. So, rather than do some work that needed to get done... I sat down and made some jewelry.
Sometimes you just have to carve out time.


I did this necklace with a friend in mind; although it might be a little bit chunky for her tiny frame.
And, I made this set (below) from matching white dice. This set includes earrings, a long necklace, and a cha-cha style bracelet.

Happy making! See you all tomorrow...

5-23-16


It's "Maker Monday"... my series of posts where I feature something I've been working on that week; and encouraging the maker lifestyle.

Last year, I made a chair (a broken/ salvaged chair that I fixed up) with a gorgeous fern in it for the front deck of my house... and I did one for my mom with flowers in it to put on her porch. We got lots of compliments on them, and they sure were pretty.

Over the course of last year... I managed to find a couple more "odd" chairs in various states of needing repair.... and have decided to make more.

I was able to find some gorgeous plants at a local nursery, and have been happily fixing up a chair for them. This wooden chair needed some structural repair, and I cut a hole in the seat (it wasn't very strong anyway). I sanded it a bit, and have my first coat of paint on it (a pretty aqua color). A couple more coats... and fixing up a planter... and it will be ready to sell.

Keep creating folks!
See you all tomorrow...

for the weekend



Blue skies.
These past few weeks have just shown some crazy weather. Snow... sun... wind... rain... we've had it all. 
And let me tell you, I am looking forward to some (slightly) sunny weather.

I am also looking forward to a little time off once I get the garden beds ready for growing season...
 which I hope to get done in the next few days. But let's not get ahead of ourselves...
It's the weekend! ... and per my usual routine; I've got some links that I have gathered to share with you all:

*what I am listening to right now
*now this is a cool house
*the background story of "gimme shelter"
*photographer Ken Grant... and here
*will this be your child's summer?
*photographer Issui Enomoto


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

5-20-16


It's Friday!
This super tiny plant is adorable. My grandmother used to call this "Watchman's Hourglass".... but I think this must have just been her name for it; because I can't find that as a reference anywhere. She was cool like that  >>wink<<
I think it is probably an herb called "Heal All." You can see more about this plant here.

In other news... I've been busy trying to sort through stuff to sell, and this weekend, I need to concentrate on building a couple raised beds for a garden area. And maybe... a day trip somewhere.
We'll see.

---See you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

________________________________________________________

UPDATE: so I consulted with a dear friend (who happens to be a botanist),
and she said the plant in my photo is most likely Bugleweed ( Ajuga reptans atropurpurea ).
Yay! and thanks Chris for helping me out.

5-19-16



Happy Thursday everyone!
And it's also our anniversary, so a special Happy Day to my husband.
Life goes by so fast. Who'd have thought that 26yrs would go by so quickly.

I would have posted a photo of our wedding here, but they are in a box ... among many other boxes, still from our move to PA. (just one of the things on my list of things I really need to get done this year). So. Here are some gorgeous white trillium plants that I saw on my walk the other day. They sort of look "wedding-like" with their stunning white tones...

See you all tomorrow.

5-18-16



Around the town, the apple trees are blooming.... and it's wonderful.
It seems most every house (well, not in New Mexico) that I have lived in has had an apple tree nearby. This house has 3 little scraggly, very old crab apple trees... and I love them.

This week has been rough (and yes, I know it's only Wednesday). My Lupus has been bad, and even though the weather has been good... birds singing... things blooming... lots to get done; I find that I am unable to do much of anything. And so it is.

So for today; wherever you are..... just take a minute and relax. Soak up some sunshine, take a deep breathe... and let it all out.

See you tomorrow.

5-17-16


There are days when I have the best of intentions...
but today instead of getting up and tackling things, my Lupus has other plans.
So... I will be "tabling" as much as I can for another day.

On the "awesome" side of things, the daughter tackled a project we had in the basement; 
and has completely restored this gorgeous old (I think it's walnut wood) antique chair... 
including making a whole new twine seating area. She even salvaged an antique needlepoint pillow for it.
She is awesome.

See you all tomorrow...


5-17-16



It's "Maker Monday!"... when I feature something I've made during the week and encourage the maker lifestyle.

It's been a busy week. I've been trying to go through some of the stuff we have in the hopes of selling things.
I've gotten some plants and hope to build some raised beds for veggies and herbs. And, I've taken photos... 2 of which are on today's post. 
I love these magnolia blossoms. There is a tree in town here; and I try to get up there when it is blooming to take a photo or two. 
This week it has been sunny... then rainy... and yesterday it snowed. 
The weather has been confusing and erratic.... and things have just been strange.
I feel like things are changing... hopefully for the good.
I am ready for some sun.

See you all tomorrow.

((The bottom photo is of a mandala design I did from one of these magnolia photos.))


for the weekend


Sometimes I have great trouble sleeping... my mind just doesn't want to stop.
So, for the past 6hrs or so, I have been looking though and editing old photos in an effort to calm down and relax.
Good news is.... I discovered lots of interesting photos that I've taken over the years and never edited or shared.
The photos for today's post are two of the ones I worked on tonight.


And, since it's technically Saturday morning... I thought I would go ahead and write my post for the weekend.
Per my usual routine, I've got some links to share with you all that I have been collecting this week:

*a neat way to make the designs for botanical tattoos
*a cool LEGO link
*photographer Magda Wasiczek
*what I am listening to right now
*artist Lia Melia

...I hope you all have an awesome weekend; and I will see you back here on Monday.

5-13-16


I didn't realize until now, that today is Friday the 13th. How cool.
It's a somewhat chilly, overcast day here in Potter County... and I am trying to get into the "work groove." The daughter is happily dyeing fabrics... and I have plans in the works for dinner on the patio tonight...

The photos for today's post are ones I took the other day.
There are several cherry trees in the courthouse square, and they are in full bloom.

... see you all tomorrow for my weekend post.