6-28-16

The daughter and I went for a ride yesterday, and ended up in the village of West Bingham. I assume it's a village, but I can find no information at all for it on google to see if it indeed a village, a township, a town... anyway. It's gorgeous out there, as well as is the nearby borough of Ulysses. The area seems comprised of mostly of farms, and mostly Amish ones at that. There is a simplicity and honesty to the area that I have not seen anywhere else.

It doesn't hurt either that the sun was beginning to set, and the photographer in me was adoring the lighting. These kind of drives and "get-aways" ... even brief ones like this; are essential to me. And I am grateful. Stay creative folks... keep that energy and spark within you alive and well.

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

6-27-16

It's "Maker Monday" .... my ongoing series of posts where I feature something I've made (or am working on) and encourage the maker lifestyle.

I am not sure why last week was so busy... but it was. We were "dog-sitting" my niece's older girl (she's a golden lab mix)... doing things with my mom... the usual household stuff... AND, we had a professional here at the house helping us update some things in the studio space to make it more functional, so there was quite a bit of chaos going on. I also taught a class on Saturday... and was busy planning and getting ready for that. Oh! and we've continued to work on lots of upcycle projects in an effort to clean out the studio... fix up some things... and help our financial bottom line. ... whew... ok. Maybe some of that explains why last week as so busy.

One of the projects that I finished (and is listed for sale)... is this birdbath. It is comprised of an antique bird cage stand made of solid brass. I have connected brand  new chain, and wire wrapped an antique glass shade to form the "bath" part of the birdbath. I have accented it by wire wrapping lampwork glass beads and antique chandelier crystals to it. Anyway, I think the whole thing turned out really cool and totally unique.

The class I led at Firestone Forge this past Saturday was on learning to make"Window Jewels"... which is my version of a suncatcher. I like to think of them as "bling" for your windows. I think the gals at the class had fun...and I was so inspired; I ended up making a few more for the Etsy shop.

I also made a couple new mandala prints... one of which is at the top of this post.
It started as one of my original photographs (this time of a clump of maidenhair ferns)... and with the processes I use....
I think it turned out kinda cool.

I hope you all have a great start to your week... Keep Creating!
... and I will see you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

It's been a crazy, busy week here on the hill.
But we've been trying to take some time out to "smell the roses" (or Mountain Laurel.. as it were).

This week the daughter and I went on a drive and spent the afternoon taking photos of Mountain Laurel... and it was awesome. We worked in the studio.... and in spite of it being in complete chaos (because we are in the midst of trying to make it more functional)... we managed to get a few of our upcycle projects done. And last evening... we went to Lyman Run State Park for an event hosted by the Friends of Lyman Run... and went kayaking around the lake; and learned a little about cast iron cooking. It was great.
I've finished a couple books... this one and this one by Charles Bukowski; and now have a new sstack of books awaiting me on my bedside table.
We watched a fantastic movie on the singer Sixto Rodriquez (here) and were so inspired; we tracked down a couple of his cds (all the way in Australia, and coming to us from a seller in Seattle). His music is amazing, and why he isn't a household name, I have no idea.

So, the daughter has gathered a whole bunch of links from this one site, and so I am sharing them all with you:

*Butterfly Sculptures
*Minimalist tattoos
*original hipsters?
*bird feathers from around the world
*Sunday Street style
*silliness with bunnies
*some super paintings
*this was a bowling alley?
*mystery mansion
*abandoned fishing village in China
*the aging face
*some awesome photos
*street murals
*baby foxes
*24hr bookstore

I hope you all have a great weekend!
-- I will be teaching a class later on today at Firestone Forge, but I will see you all back here on Monday.

6-24-16

Next to the Mutter Museum, and visible from the medicinal gardens... is this fantastic Catholic Church, and probable Abbey next to it. I must admit, if I decided to formally belong to a church again... I would most likely choose to be Catholic. I went to a Catholic Nursing school; and have a profound respect for the nuns that not only taught me; but that I lived with for 3yrs. I count Sr. Remigia McHenry as a friend... but also as one of the most loving, caring and interesting people I have ever met. And of course, I love the Sound of Music as a kid (who didn't)...  but, that is Hollywood.

Anyway. It's a gorgeous set of buildings, and I hope that I have photographed them in a way that makes you feel as if you have been there too. 

See you all tomorrow.

6-23-16

So, right across from the Mutter Museum in downtown Philadelphia, is this incredible house. 

I know nothing about it, but would live there in a heartbeat if I could. It's just this odd juxtaposition of old among the new... 

and the style of this place is amazing. Needless to say, I had to take a few photos of the details on the building. 

I hope you like them... and I'll see you all tomorrow.

6-22-16

A couple weeks ago, I started a new "series" of posts... if you will...
And so on Wednesdays; I intend to post an old photograph to inspire your creativity. Write a poem! Plot out a short story! Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine. (you can click on the photo in this post to make it larger to see).

So, this week (and because it was Father's Day), I've chosen an old photo of what appears to be a Father and Son. How dapper they look in their freshly cleaned suits! Shoes are shined, pocket watch gently in view... collars starched and ties folded to perfection.  Are they marking an anniversary or birthday? Has someone passed on and they are photographing the surviving family? Perhaps they are about to embark on a trip out west... maybe they are thinking of starting a shop in California or panning for gold! Who knows.... do you?

See you all tomorrow...

6-21-16

So, last week we went to Philadelphia for a short trip... and I spoke a bit about us going to the Mütter Museum in my weekend post. Off of this fabulous museum, is a gorgeous courtyard. In the courtyard, is an amazing medicinal herb garden; and all the photos in today's post were taken there. I love plants. I adore herbs. I hope that I have photographed them in a way to do them some justice... and plan on showing a few more of these photographs later on this week.

See you all tomorrow...

6-20-16

It's Maker Monday! ... my ongoing series of posts where I show you something I made (or am working on) this past week; and encourage the maker lifestyle.

This past week, the daughter and I worked on several projects... but because we went to Philadelphia; some of the projects aren't quite done yet. We did get an aqua colored vintage chalkboard done (and it sold already!)... and the blue one below we just finished yesterday. We have one more (stunning!) large frame to put a chalkboard in... and that one should be done later on this week.

There is one more project the daughter has been working on, using the chalkboard paint. She took (18!) older glass gallon jars with wide mouths, and painted each of the lids a glossy black. She then blocked out a label area on the front of the jar and applied chalkboard paint. It is a many-step process... but they look amazing. And how cool is it that you can put whatever you want in them? and that each one has a slightly different "label" area? --super cute.

It's been awesome taking these things and re-imagining them in a new way.

We've lots more to do though... so we'll see you next week for more!

for the weekend

So... this week was my husband's birthday; and we had a friend from the UK who is here in the US on a short vacation.... so we decided to make a quick overnight visit to Philadelphia. We had hoped to see our friend, but alas, things did not work out. We did, however, manage to go to the Mütter Museum -- which has been on our "bucket list" for a very long time. It did not disappoint.

The Mütter Museum is not a huge museum, but it has lots to offer. Some folks may feel it is a bit on the macabre side --- featuring medical oddities, specimens and the like.... but it is also a vast teaching facility. When we lived in Albuquerque, there was a traveling exhibit that went through called "Bodies: The Exhibit" that we saw, and it was wonderful. I think this had a connection somehow to the Mütter, but regardless, we learned about the Mütter at about the same time.
The museum has tons of interesting skeletons, specimens, antique surgical tools.... strange, yet fascinating bits.... and lots of information to go along with it all. I think we certainly could have spent much more than the 3-4hrs that we did, just trying to gleen some of the vast knowledge from it's shelves. Plus, there was an art exhibit in a separate area... all artworks inspired by items in the museum itself. And, there was an incredible courtyard area with an amazing medicinal herb garden. Needless to say, we had fun.

 From there we strolled about the neighborhood... stopping in at Maxamillan's Gentlemen's Quarters Barber Parlor, where Jim may have gotten the best shave and haircut of his entire life (plus it looked super cool, and everyone was amazingly nice). Then we went to Mama's Vegetarian for an incredible Falafal pita sandwich and fries. whoa. it was good. Afterward, we finished it all off with a cappuccino from the Nook Bakery and Coffee Bar... where they had the prettiest chocolates I have ever seen.

Needless to say, I can't put all the experiences, sites and sounds into one post... nor can I possibly show you all the photos... but I will share some more next week. Hope you all have a great weekend, and I will see you all back here on Monday.

6-17-16

Well, this week we went on an overnight stay out of town.
I tried really hard to get all kinds of things done in advance to make sure we could go; as we were taking the trip to see a friend of ours from England --- who happens to be in the U.S. fo a  visit. Alas though, we were unable to see her. We did, however, get to take in a museum that we have longed to go to... ate some awesome food... and relaxed for a moment or two before we came back home late last night. Anyway, I will write more about it this weekend.

Today, I've lots on my plate... including errands for my mom, stopping at the Farmer's Market, posting online for my page Let's Go PoCo... and working on some art stuff. But before I go.... here is a panoramic photo of Williamsport that I took early yesterday evening as we were coming back. See you all tomorrow....

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

6-16-16

Good day sunshine! ... I hope today is awesome for you all.

I've lots going on today.... but wanted to share with you a photograph I took while on a walk late Tuesday afternoon. 

See you all tomorrow...

6-15-16

Last Wednesday I started a new "series" .. if you will... of posts.

...and so on Wednesdays; I intend to post an old photograph to inspire your creativity. Write a poem! Plot out a short story! Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your artistic soul shine. (you can click on the photo in this post to make it larger to see).

Isn't this little girl full of character? She looks ever-so-NOT amused with whatever is going on that we can't see. Has she just been chastised? Is the photographer behaving badly or being silly? Are her boots too tight? Perhaps they are a new purchase and she is not fond of them. Perhaps she would much rather be running through a field of mud, or climbing a tree... and perhaps she has no like whatsoever of the bow momma so carefully put in her hair.

Hope this sparks your imagination, and I will see you all back here tomorrow.

6-14-16

It's been a crazy week!
Financially, it's been a real roller coaster these past 4-5yrs, and much more so since moving back to PA. I won't go into the details... but suffice it to say that at points on this spectrum we have had a very good income; and, at the moment, are unemployed and living way below the poverty line.
For 2016 ( according to a google search), the federal poverty line for a family of 3 is a yearly income of $20,160. It is amazing when you think about it... that we have gone to such dramatic extremes in a relatively short span of time... but there you have it. In fact, our only "reliable" income at this very moment is funds I make selling my artwork and such.... which in reality, would potentially only cover about half of our house payment.

So. Life is interesting! and challenging!... and we are exploring creative ways to make ends meet.
And, I know lots of folks are in the same situation as us. So what do you do?

For us, first off we planted a garden. We have planted mainly herbs and salad greens... but also a few squash, onions, and peppers. And other than "someone" eating my lettuce and parsley last night... it looks pretty good. We have cut down on our utilities, and minimized future bills as much as we can. We have no cable, a pay as you use phone, but we have kept the internet. I think I got my hair cut once last year, and once this year (so far). We only "eat out" once a month, and order pizza perhaps once a month as funds allow. We drive minimally, and consolidate trips as much as we can. I looked into coupon-ing, but frankly, we use so very few (if any) brand name products, that the whole process is not very helpful to us. We buy fresh and local as much as we are able, don't buy much of anything that is pre-prepared, and tend to buy things as they are on sale or in season (cheaper). We barter. Last week we watched my niece's dog for a few days in exchange for fresh rhubarb. We have several trees in our yard that need to come down, and we hope to store up some firewood for the winter.

And of course, we are trying to go through stuff we have to potentially sell... and we are fixing up and finishing off a few projects in the hopes of making some extra funds.
What things do you do to help stretch your dollars? Send me a note (moongipsies@msn.com).
Perhaps this will be an occasional series of posts...

*54 ways to save money
*100 ways to save money
*97 ways to save money

6-13-16

It's "Maker Monday" ... where I feature things I have made during the course of the week; and encourage the maker lifestyle.

As you know... The daughter and I have been trying to fix up some "projects" we have here at the house to resell. These are items I've picked up with the thought of fixing or upcycling into something new and interesting.

Pictured today, are some of the projects we finished and sold this week:
*restored an antique cherry wood chair. Glued the joints, sanded rough areas, and added a nourishing wood oil finish.
* restored an antique frame. Glued all the joints. Made a chalkboard painted board insert, and added a backing.
* refinished a mid-century mod tray, took out the broken insert and added a chalkboard painted board insert - perfect for your next dinner party (you could write a tasting menu and a block of cheese and crackers) or a love note with breakfast in bed.
* and we fixed up a very old floor lamp, sanding and painting the metal, adding a new socket, and finding a "new" shade for it... and we've more in the making.


It's always fun to fix up things we already have... or find along the way... and we've more projects coming  ≧◠‿◠≦✌  
---See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

It's the weekend! I hope you are all enjoying some time in the sun.
We are deep in the process of going through things in our studio space, and fixing things up to sell.
It's been an interesting process, and I know we have only just begun.
In the spirit of 'reviving' things, the photo for this post is one I took back in 2008.
There is a fantastic Asian market there, and we came upon this crab that was just stunning in it's coloring. I edited the photo today.

Per my usual routine; I've gathered some links this week to share with you:

*16th Century Netherlandish 
*on Marilyn Monroe's Birthday
*French Castle sand labyrinths
*artist Adrian Hogan
*deep sea discovery
*Hokule'a
*Anatomy instructor Chuan-Bin Chung
*Paris 1910
*glow worms
*Lost Cafe's of Paris
*artist Sara Landeta
*50 of the most Beautiful Sentences in Literature

See you all back here on Monday...

6-10-16

Hope you all are having a great beginning to your weekend.
See you all tomorrow...

6-9-16

Today is bright and sunny... and I've lots to do.

Hope everything in your corner of the world is going well.

Here is a new necklace and earring set that I listed in the Etsy shop today.

I love banded agate. Often called "Earth's Rainbow"... it is thought to help stabilize, balance and ground the wearer.
It is also thought to help improve concentration, memory and stamina.

Maybe I should make something with it for myself (lol).

See you all tomorrow.

6-8-16

wow. yesterday was rough.
Tension, stress, short tempers... most everyone I know was having a difficult day... and so was I.
I am more hopeful for today.

I know that when I am upset, I turn to making things (or cleaning) to calm down.
My daughter writes and paints. I think most of us have something we do to let out our frustrations and hurts, joys and excitement. I was thinking about this very thing last week, and was wondering how I could give a "prompt" or a snippet of something to those of  you who read my blog... in the hopes of providing an idea to spark some creativity.
Coincidentally, I had found some great old photos at a local antique shop (also last week), and as I was putting them away... discovered I had a nice little collection of old photos. I figured this was the universe sending me a "high sign"... and so on Wednesdays... I intend to post an old photograph. Write a poem! Plot out a short story! Have inspiration for a piece of art or composition.... let your creativity shine. (you can click on the photo in this post to make it larger to see).

This photo: Doesn't look like any of these children were quite ready for the photograph to be taken... and I love how it has become discolored with age. What's their story? If you are a "friend" of mine on Facebook... feel free to comment a snippet.. or share what you've done. See you all tomorrow.

6-7-16

Happy Tuesday!
Today I am running lots of errands... the husband is trying to mow the lawn in between raindrops; and the daughter is wading through a stack of old magazines. As I write, I have a snoring dog at my feet... We are "watching" my niece's dog for a day or so; and she is super sweet. I think it has been a big change for her though... as there are not 3 busy kids running around in this household; and I think she misses the activity.

I hope you are all having a great day, and I will see you back here tomorrow.
And I have a little "surprise" for you.... an idea I've been brewing in my head.

6-6-16

It's "Maker Monday" ... where I shared something I've been working on this past week and encourage the maker lifestyle.

We've been busy this past week, working on lots of upcycle type projects. 

The daughter and I have been going through some of the things we have in the studio space ((basement)) and have been figuring out if it's a "project in the making" or just something that we like and need to keep... or sell/ clear out of the space. 

And we've come across some awesome things... frames, old chairs, bits of wood, a couple old lamps... that sort of thing. But, I've also come across stashes of old jewelry bits and supplies that I have never used. So. Some of it I am listing online (my Ebay site), some of it will be going on the local yard sale page, and of course... some will be fashioned into new pieces.

I came across these gorgeous lengths of rolo chain. They were not long enough to make a necklace by themselves, so I considered making a bracelet... and then I got to thinking about a necklace design. I have combined it with wire-wrapped, carved, black Australian Jade beads... and added a simple clasp.  I like how there are 3 featured beads in the front section that lay at just the perfect spot.  And, how there is a bead on either side of the clasp in the back that nestles right at the base of the skull. I think it's a super modern look. All the chain (I believe) is probably silver plated. It is super shiny, and appears to be tarnish resistant. It is a heavier chain... some would consider it more masculine... but I think it looks awesome on my daughter; who was kind enough to model for me. It is approx 17 inches in length; and I will be listing it today in my Etsy shop. 

Keep creating!!! ... and I will see you all tomorrow.