Tag Archives: Crafting

Girls’ Night In – Getting Arty!

Crafting Life Books with MaryGood afternoon!

I wanted to share with you how my arting night with my girl friend, Mary, went last night!!

Let’s just start out by saying, it really is SOOOOOO MUCH MORE FUN when you art with someone than when you always art by yourself!!

Well, as you may remember from yesterday’s post, I met a very lovely girl on Saturday. Her name is Mary! Well, Mary came over last night so we could get our art on!!!

YEAH!!

We met up at my place of work, (on a side note, we have agreed that we are both SERIOUSLY directionally challenged, so she was pretty proud of herself that she found me, and I have to admit I was pretty impressed too!! ;-)) and we made the trek across town to my place!!

I was kind of worried, because you know like most people, there are things about my place that I find rather embarrassing, but like Melody Ross says, ” She felt (blank), but she did it anyway!” So, in we went! I gave her a quick tour, introduced her to our doggies, Faye and Sophie, and headed straight to my art studio to get to playing!!

We didn’t really have a plan for what we were going to do, but I had a fall back plan of creating our own life/dream/smash books, which is what we ended up deciding to do!!

Paper, pens, paint, scissors, Mary even brought over her Cricut machine (SO COOL!!), some happy music in the background, and stories back and forth mixed in with a bunch of giggling, add some funkily cut pizza (BTW pizza should NEVER EVER come in squares!!), and you end up with a night that was OH SO FUN!!!

My sweetie got home, and ended up being our chauffeur to drive Mary home, which in and of itself ended up contributing to the fun of the evening! You see, I am currently rocking the Frozen soundtrack in my car at the moment, which my sweetie just loves!! Well, we both have a few favorite songs, so as Mary and I are continuing to chat it up in the back of the car, Jason is blasting this Disney music, swaying to the beat of the music, and singing!! TOO HILARIOUS!!! I hadn’t realized that we were going to be entertained by a cute floor show during our travels across town!! LOL!! Thanks for that Love!!! 🙂

Anyway, I am calling last night a HUGE SUCCESS, and I am hoping we get the chance to do it again real soon!! If anything, I can’t wait to see what kind of progress she makes on her life/dream/smash book!! Yeah, we really do have to decide what we are going to actually call those things!! Well, whatever they are called, we really did have a GREAT TIME!!

Friends are good!

Art is fun!

and I am feeling UBER BLESSED!! 🙂

Here is to another day filled with HAPPINESS & CREATIVITY!! 🙂

Signature Line

If you want to have a different life, you have to live differently!!

The Next Collage Project!

Good evening!

I thought I would just quickly post my next collage project! After taking a picture of it, I realize there is still some work to do on it, but it was good to be able to look at it from a different perspective.

What do you think?

I have an idea on what I am going to add to this tomorrow!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉

A Lovely Tuesday Evening!

Good evening!

I wanted to start by sharing with you my art project from this past weekend!! It turned out rather nicely, if I may say so myself!! I completely changed what I was going to do from my original design, but I am soooo in LOVE with these happy colors!!! It is official that glass fusing is NOT my medium! I really don’t have the patience for this art, and although it did turn out beautifully, I am going to keep looking!!

I am so thankful to be home tonight!! Work is a little on the stressful side, so to get back to my haven at home is pretty nice!! My official plan for this evening is to go for a nice swim, take some random pics, and to do a little magazine reading!! Doesn’t that sounds DIVINE???

I hear that the new publication of Where Women Create is out!! I went to one of the local craft stores to find it, and no luck! So, you know what that means, I am going to have to have a Border’s date this weekend!! I am sure that Jason won’t mind!!!

Speak of the devil!! My lover just got home!!! and he is carrying McD’s!! Ok, so much for healthy meals, but at least it is only a happy meal!! That is something right!??!? 😉

Talking about having to keep searching for my artist’s medium, I have a couple of new adventures coming up in the next few weeks! The first thing is that in two Saturdays I have a mixed media collage class that I am going to take with the Kaiser Art Association. This pic is an example of what kind of art we will be doing in this class:

Then the next weekend is the a vintage home show, The Farmhouse Show up in Turner, Oregon that I will be able to take a Ton of pics of, and hopefully come home inspired and maybe with a couple of new treasures.

Then, I am taking another art class, but this time it will be a Jewelry Metalsmithing, soldering, and Cuff Bracelet Class given by Terri Brush Designs. Here are pics of two of the designs that we will be learning how to make:

See what I mean??? AND if I can figure out how to finagle it, I want to go to ANOTHER home show in Spokane, Washington the first week in June!!!

If all that weren’t enough, I am doing some research now into a women’s artist retreat over in Idaho! I KNOW that I need to go to that, I just have to work on the logistics!! Mamma can’t be in two places at once! So, we will see!!

Well, with all that said, I am tired, and I really need to go hit the hay!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉

Where Did My Saturday Go???

Good Evening!

I am sitting here wondering where my Saturday has gone??? It just seems to have flown by! Not that it wasn’t a good day, mind you, just a racing one!

This morning I got up first thing and did my morning pages, and then I did some of my weekly reading in My Artist’s Way book. I had breakfast with my sweetie, and he headed off to help someone move, and I headed over to the art studio to work on my glass piece, which I finished and it should be in the kiln even as we speak, and I have been told that it should be done and ready for pick up by tomorrow. I can’t wait to see it!!! 😉

On my way back home, I decided to swing by the Goodwill near my house, and picked up 5 books, 2 dresses and a sweater poncho thingie – I am not sure what else to call that! Go figure! I really need to sop swinging by there!! I found the two cutest dresses there, that I am just ABSOLUTELY excited that I had found!! I got both of them for less than $20, which makes the finds even more SA-WHEET!!

Oh, it is getting so late, so I am going to cut this short, and head up to bed.

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

A Happy Week Night Date Night!

Good evening!

This post is getting done much later than I normally like to get my posts done! Matter of fact my bedtime is actually in 8 minutes!! I feel so OLD all of the sudden!!! LOL! Ok, not really, but I was excited to tell you about our evening!!

Sometime late this afternoon, my sweetie texted me to find out if I wanted to go across town tonight, and go hang out at our FAVORITE bookstore, and he would will treat me to dinner afterward! Well, NORMALLY, I would say

“No way! Not on a work night!”

but I found myself saying,

“Sure!”

That, my friends, is GROWTH!!! LOL! 😉

I realized that this could be an opportunity to dip my toes into being creative tonight by reading any and all of the new Somerset Publications that Somerset produces, and the do have A LOT! and MAN AM I EVER glad I did that!! I am filled with so much inspiration for art projects to try, and adventures to take, and I am even now on the hunt for some Oregon-based art/craft classes so that I can immerse myself more into the creative community. Like I have been saying for the past couple of posts, my chosen medium is still in the works to be decided upon, but right now I am pretty open to whatever possibilities might present itself!!

Does anyone know of any classes, retreats, workshops, artsy/crafty get-togethers in the area? Please let me know in the comments above!

If I can’t find any, or enough to keep me busy, I am going to have no choice but to put some together myself and make a call to all of the Artsy Gutsy Chicks I know!!! There have GOT TO be more women out there taking the same creative journey that I am!!! If you might be interested, let me know in the comments, and I will put together a list of ladies, and if demand is high enough, I will get a class going!! 😉

What a GREAt NIGHT!! My sweetie really outdid himself in the brownie-making points department tonight! He really went out of his way to treat me like a lady and make me feel special!! Thank you, my love!! After 16 1/2 years of marriage, I am ALWAYS just so THRILLED that we not only love each other, but that we are still IN LOVE!! What a blessing that man of mine is to me!! Love, I hope I can make you just as happy as you make me!!! Thank you for tonight!! 😉

My cup runneth over!!! 😉

I have a meeting at 7:30 in the morning, which means I have to leave the house about 1/2 an hour early, so I am going to go get ready for bed for the evening!! I just KNOW I will have to keep a journal by my bed this morning, so that I can jot down any project ideas that pop into my head!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Happy Tuesday!

Good evening!

I am at home, by myself for the second night in a row, and it looks like it will be that way all week! My sweetie is helping our sis, Nette, build on an addition on to their house. They are hoping to have it done by the end of the week. I am not sure if it will be, but they are making some serious headway. My niece, Megan, keeps saying, “we are all squished – I can’t wait to get a living room.” I understand completely, my living room is probably my FAVORITE room in the house. It is where most of my fiction books are stored!! 😉

Anyway, work was pretty good today, we are doing a lot of interviewing for a few positions open in my group, so that can be a little draining. I find that it is difficult to find someone for our type of positions, since we are so specialized, and the job description really sounds scary – even to us who are actually doing the job!  I am hoping we have found a good candidate today, and that everything works out. They will need a lot of training, but then again, ANYONE we hire would!! I DID!!!

Anyway, that is enough about that!! As for my house on a diet? So far, so good!! When I got home today, I realized I was able to make quite a big dent in the cleaning yesterday, and tonight I am happy to say that the house is pretty clean!!! Jason even helped me change the bedding last night, which was WONDERFUL!! I just love slipping in between freshly cleaned, crisp, cool sheets!!! AAAAAAH!! That is the LIFE!! 😉

Tonight I am going to write a letter to our sponsor child in Mozambique! I had set out a goal for myself to write her at least one letter every month, and I HONESTLY forgot all about sending her one in February!! SAD, I KNOW!!! But I am determined to have a letter sent out tomorrow!! I will have to find something from the goody basket that I can slip into her package. We are able to mail small things that she might enjoy, like stickers, and what not, so I try to keep a basket full of all kinds of goodies that are ready to be sent at a moments’ notice!! I am sure whatever I choose she will love it!!! 😉

I have started a cross-stitch project last evening! I am wanting to have a homemade Christmas this year. I am not sure how that will go over with everyone, but I want to see if I can get more creative in my gift giving. I can’t really tell you too much about it because I know that the future recipient of this gift reads my blog, and I want it to be a surprise!!

But, talking about crafting, I am really wanting to learn how to quilt! I would LOVE to have a homemade quilt for our bed, and maybe even make future quilts for others! Wouldn’t that be lovely??? I think there is something very special and intriguing about sleeping underneath a handmade quilt. Especially if it was made by someone who knows and loves you! I am not sure there is anything more precious than that! I will have to do some research!

In the meantime, I am going to be looking up some how-to’s on how to press flowers. I would like to go on a nature walk this week and press a bunch of beautiful flowers, and leaves that I might find! I think that framed, they would make such a fun and personal way to remember  special location, like Silver Creek Falls, or the Oregon coast!! The only problem I will end up having is trying to find wall space to display those treasures! Oh well, I am sure I can find someone’s walls to use for hanging them on!!

I apologize if my post seems to be rambling on a little bit tonight! It is kind of the state of my mind at the moment, I am tired and revved at the same time! I didn’t sleep well last night, but it feels much too early to go to bed yet. Well, if that is the biggest problem I am facing right now, then life is pretty sweet isn’t it???

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Note to Chunky Dunkers: Don’t forget that tomorrow night is the Chunky Dunker’s Club. I can’t wait to hear how everyone is doing!! I am going to see if I can find a yummy recipe to share! Please feel free to do the same!!! See you tomorrow night!!! GO CHUNKY DUNKERS!! 😉

Monday Night Update!

Good evening!!

I am VERY happy to announce that I am quietly taking the next two days off from work!!! My official plan is to spend some time hanging out in my best pjs, in a perfectly made bed, reading at least 1 YUMMY work of fiction, bundling up and going for a long walk through my neighborhood enjoying some fresh air, and taking care of myself as much as humanly possible within the next 2 days, before I jump right back in to a crazy work schedule!! LOL!

Anyway, I have finished decorating my journal, so I am going to post it this evening! I admit, it is a rather simple design, but I think this design fits me to a tee!!! 😉

Now that that is finished, I am going to have to try to find another craft to make! Hmmm…memory box, crochet blanket, quilt??? Maybe a quilt – I think I have enough fabric around here!! Yeah – I will see what I can do about making that happen – matter of fact, I think this might be one of my things on my Life List!! I will have to check on that!!!

OH, Jason and I swung by GoodWill tonight, and I was able to pick up 3 new books, and a cute little basket for hauling around my goodies around the house!!! The books I picked up were:

Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg
What the Deaf-Mute Heard by G. D. Gearino
and Home A Memior of My Early Years by Julie Andrews

you know me, still a sucker for a good book! Always will be!!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

My Ah-Ha Moment!

Good evening!!

My sister, Alex, just left to go home, after a VERY LOVELY visit this evening!! She has a way of helping me focus my thoughts, and making things that I’d previously thought would be near impossible seem strangely simple. How does she do that? AMAZING!!! You see, I had a really, REALLY bad stress headache at work today, and I IM’ed my husband and jokingly said that I should become an art teacher. Well, he laughed, I laughed, and I felt better enough to get back to work! When I stopped laughing, I kind of froze and said to myself, “Well, why not?”. My mom taught craft classes, I’ve taught craft classes,  maybe it is genetic!! I LOVE crafting, and I would LOVE to have a reason to do it, as often as possible!!! Anyway, I am not sure exactly how this is going to come to fruition but one way or another, with a little help from my friends, I am going to MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉

A Kickin’ Booty Monday!!

Good evening!!

I had such a GREAT Monday today!!! I had another 10 hour day at work today, which usually wipes me out, but I TOTALLY KICKED BOOTY today, and FLEW through my work to-do list!!! YEAH! HOO!! What that means is that over my next 3 weeks, while our office is in HEAVY OVERDRIVE, my efforts today has given me some breathing room!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

Did you hear that HUGE sigh of relief!?!? It is sometimes the small things that pushes you right into bliss!!! 😉

Anyway, as for this evening! I have had a lovely dinner with my sweetie, and we are both hanging out up in the office, getting some work and play done – him working, me playing! I was so motivated the other day by crafting my sister’s journal, that I am working on making one for myself!! As soon as I get it finished, I will take pictures and post them for you!!! 🙂

I am soooooo inspired, to tap into my inner artist, and see what I can create. I have always wanted to be one of those people, you know who I am referring too – we all have someone in our lives who is just naturally creative! I want to be one of them!! You know, art studio with a lot of natural light! an easel, paints EVERYWHERE, happy music playing, a couple of puppies running around, HUGE barn doors open letting in fresh breeze!!

OH THAT WOULD BE HEAVEN!!! 😉

Another thing that I am actively on the hunt for are some places to get centered and re-energized, especially with all of the stress that I have been juggling in my daily life right now. Do you know the kind of places I am referring to?? Places and activities that feed and re-energize your soul. Some ideas like that for me are, laying on a blanket in the middle of a beautiful park under a large tree, or sitting on a quiet bench overlooking the ocean on a windy day, or walking on a forest trail while listening to all of the sounds in nature, or even something as simple as looking at classic architectural buildings. That is pure  joy.

Anyway, I am going to close shop early this evening, and spend some quality time with my sweetie tonight! He really deserves some undivided time; he has been SO SUPPORTIVE and making my life SO MUCH EASIER during this time of crazy busy-ness!!! THANK YOU, BABY!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Getting Crafty!!

Good morning!

Have you heard??? TODAY IS FRIDAY!!! WHOO-HOO!!!

After work today, my sweetie is taking one of our nephews to his basketball game, and I will have the WHOLE EVENING TO GET CRAFTY!!!! YEAH!!!

I have caught the crafting bug, which right now could look like just about anything! Paper crafting, mixed media, crochet, sewing, decorating, collage, quilting, cross-stitching, painting, stamping, polymer clay, drawing, beading, wire jewelry, card making, glitter, glue, punches, fancy scissors, etc, etc, etc. The list can go on seemingly forever!!! I think I take after my mom, that way – she was the ‘Queen of Crafting’ “Hi Momma!!!” 😉

I did want to share a pic of something that I crafted that is totally new to me. I made this for my sister, Alex, as a going away present, so she could write about her life’s journey during the next few months!!

I had so much fun making this, and I have always been a big believer, and lover, of journaling!!! So, I knew that this would be PERFECT for her!!! I hope she LOVES it!! 😉

Anyway, as for today, I have a lot of work to do at the office, but it has been a VERY PRODUCTIVE week, even though it has been a little stressful, home life with my sweetie has been really AWESOME – he is being sooooo very patient and supportive during this crazy, busy work schedule, and I got to spend some time, twice, with my sis, Alex this week. So, all-in-all I am counting that as a GREAT week!!!

How has your week been?? I would love to hear about it in the comment section above!

Have a FABULOUS day!!! 😉