February 2020

Yes, it's been awhile since my last post. Working on finding some kind of balance in this one life I have has been daunting to say the least. Anyway, lots on the table this year. This decade. My knee is getting better from surgery last year. I'm back at the job and I'm looking for a new one. Which is another job. Wish me luck. Working on more exercising and eating better. That will work out when Lent comes. I will be able to focus on what I put in my body. I have finished up some projects and still working on others from last year. The last decade was full of heartache, turmoil, and frustration. So here's to the new decade and year.

So far:

• Submitted two short stories for possible online publication
• Finally tacked down the binding of my Double Irish Chain quilt that I started in 2016
• I've been doing little sketches on a regular basis, will turn some into better drawings
• I've been writing on a regular basis, working on editing a pile of stories
• Got a pin loom and I'm learning how to weave on it. I have other plans for the finished pieces. Don't know if it will work or not for what I have in mind but I've got to start somewhere
• Learning more ways to applique and embroider, also for future projects
• Participating in the art challenge 29 Faces for the month of February

From last year been working on some Frida Kahlo dolls.

Also from last year, Christmas ornaments for co-workers.

I bought myself a Wattle & Loop (out of Australia) embroidery/applique kit. I have lots of ideas but wanted to see their process.

Yes, it's the Year of the Rat. These two were commissioned after I drew and showed one for the front page of my Bullet Journal for January.

The mending of my favorite pair of pants that I've had since forever. Like almost 30 years. Cotton twill and they don't make pants like this anymore. Mending the holes, then covering them with hexies. I will stitch hexies all over the pants. I'm also going to work on one of my favorite sweaters that has seen better days. Going to try not to buy more clothes but get back to making my own.

First four of my 29 Faces.

And my Double Irish Chain quilt.

I have missed blogging. If only to keep my wits about myself. I don't know if anyone will read this. Or if they get anything useful out of this but I will keep going. Life is truly a journey if not a very wacky trip. Have a good rest of the week.

July

Yep, here we are in a new month. I guess I just have to roll with the waves because things are just weird. I did get the front page to my Bullet Journal done. Boris Bigfoot and what may be his camping adventures for the month. Yep, Bigfoot goes camping.

Last week was my birthday week. One friend took me out to breakfast. Another friend took me to Port Austin, MI on my birthday and it was wonderful. Such a unique little village that is pro-artist and musician. The waterfront is beautiful and there's a lighthouse close by. You have to take a boat to get to it but I did see it in the foggy distance.

Public art.

The Bank is a restaurant in an old bank.

Port Austin Lighthouse. This is the type of lens used in the lighthouse and the miniature model that was made of it. It's in the Visitor's Center/Chamber of Commerce.

This was an old barn that has been turned into a living space and studio/gallery for the artist in residency program.

And this is art town. Another program for artists. If you think you want to have a brick and mortar place, instead of spending tons of money to see if it will work, you can rent a shanty for the summer and give it a go.

Even though it was overcast and sprinkled a bit, it was a great birthday day and gift.

December: First Drawing

I got a new book for my Bullet Journal and here is my December page. I was thinking about starting a new one in January but no, I decided that December needs a month. I'm working on this to be a production month. We'll see how that goes, especially if I get a spot in a doll show this coming spring in 2018. So here is my first drawing for December.

I'm also continuing the straightening of my work area. As you can see, I've had my patterns in two cardboard boxes and I could never flip through them to see what I wanted to use. So I went through them and about five are going to the thrift store for someone else to use. The rest will go into the clear container in order of whether they are doll patterns, regular clothes patterns, or costumes.

The cutting table has been cleared off, I put away some quilting things that I won't be working on for a bit (I'll go through that box later), and cleared off the daybed that had fabric, drawings, and other stuff on it. I'm getting there. Ready to start something new. I also printed off my NaNo writings and they are ready for reworking and/or editing in January.

Recovery

I already feel like I'm behind this month and it's only the second day in. Yesterday I was at a hospital practically all day. My mother had surgery on her hand. She's doing well. But hospital chairs are like torture devices. Anyhoo, met with a friend at one of the many lakes around and we talked art and dolls. The sun was great, saw a paddle boarder and some water skiers, and a lot of camp kids fishing with soda cans, fishing line, sinker, and worms. Some even caught little fish. Enjoy kids, you're gonna have to hit the books soon.

And I found some of my old crayons that I will use on an upcoming project. I think. The price sticker is from 1981 and they cost $1.08. Wow. I didn't really use them. But... there's always today. My mother also gave me some cotton yarn and some small zippers that will probably be going into some small bags. We shall see. I just need to get over yesterday.

And Here We Are

Yep, Hello 2017.

A new year, a new day, a new month. In a way I'm kind of looking forward to this one. After the past three being not quite up to par, this one feels different. Not only do I have goals but I finally have plans for those goals. Projects broken down to keep me on track and reach those goals. I don't do resolutions but I have projects. I also have challenges too. Starting this month with a drawing hands challenge for myself. Next month will be 29 Faces again. For now, I need help drawing hands better and I might throw in some feet too. I am joining an online friend to do a 32 Movie Challenge. To watch movies from each year starting in 1920 up to 1980. Some that I haven't seen and so forth. It should be fun and I'll be able to see something new. Each month that comes up will have a new challenge and I'll keep you up to date.

There will be more drawing and painting. Some will be for sale. More Halloween creepies and new dolls and they will also be for sale. I plan on having one short story finished by the end of the month. And some other new things.

I emptied my Good Things Jar and there weren't many that happened. That was pretty sad and I usually keep hold of old calendars because of the pics but last year was so bad I ripped it apart and threw it away. Good riddance 2016. And the past two years before it.

I am excited about this year. Yes, there will be things that just happen but it's the way you react to the stupid things that happen. I will forge ahead. Yep, I'm feeling this year. I hope you are too.

Happy New Year!

No Pic Post -- Winding Down

Or winding up. Depends on how I decide to look at 2016, which pretty much sucked by-the-way. I did pull myself out of the hole of doom at the last minute and almost slide back in. This year is almost over. One thing I will work on for next year is to just let most things go. Some things I just can't change and I really don't want to lose sleep over it. I've been cleaning up the place and working on finishing projects before the new year so I can start on new things.

There's been a flip of things. I will still do longarming on quilts but now I'm getting back into dolls and other artwork. I'm working on doll clothes and will show pics next week, the first full week of the New Year. I will be adding more to my black and a splash of red series of drawings. I really want to make some new dolls and join an art group here in town. I'm already planning a better menu to feel better and start losing some weight. And then there are my short stories I want to get done and sent off for possible publication in online magazines.

I want to fill 2017 up with art; color, textures, variety.

I am the Creative Storm.

Yeah, we'll see how that works out. Until next time, have a good one.

Hello December -No Pic Post

I keep saying it. Time flies by whether you're having fun or not. We are into the last month of 2016. And even though the bulk of this year sucked like no one's business, I've decided to turn it around. Taking a look back, I have allowed things to happen to me, waited for things to happen to me and be thoroughly disappointed with the outcomes. If there were any. That hasn't been getting me anywhere I want to be. So instead of waiting for the New Year to make those goofy resolutions which pretty much don't work, I'm working on the change right now. No more living for others (I've probably said that before but it's finally clicking); it's time to start enjoying life. I only get one. At least on this plane of existence. I'm finally ready.

I can talk about things that have hurt me in the past without bursting into tears. Although, a good cry every now and again helps get all the toxins out that have built up. I am working on new projects and working on not worrying about things that I have no control over. It is what it is. Things happen. I can be so upset about those things, crawl under a rock and want to whither away or take a deep breath, see if I can fix things or wait for them to play out. I've got plans now. I'm not afraid to wake up and get my day started. I wake up, give thanks that I've been given another day, and get excited about what I will do.

Excited. I can't remember the last time I've been excited about things that I want to do and have started to do. I love getting back to my watercolor painting. Will it bring in money? I don't know. Maybe one day but right now, I'm learning to work the medium again so that I can get comfortable with it. When I paint, it relaxes me. For an hour I can forget everything else and paint. Then when I'm done, my head is clearer and I can do what really needs to be done. I'm learning that being busy all the time is not necessarily a good thing. Rushing to finish things because I think I'm running out of time. Maybe I am for a few things but my point is is that I'm beginning to enjoy the process. Starting with Step 1, then Step 2 and to not think about the final destination and that it should happen like in five minutes. I have been missing the process. And I tell you, when you take the time for the process of a project, you slow down. Our culture is so on a fast track for everything. But I was happiest when I created work when I enjoyed each step. Sometimes things worked, and sometimes they didn't. When they didn't, I didn't get upset. I reevaluated things and kept going. I'm getting back to that. Slowly but surely it's coming back and it feels great!

And I'm working on curbing the thinking. Sometimes I would think so much on a project that I would think myself into not doing anything. Then I'd beat myself up for not doing anything. Really bad cycle. I still have my lists but they are a lot shorter and if a project takes a little longer than the time I'd given, that's okay.  I'm okay. I am a work in progress and I like that. Growing is a part of living, of being human. And I'm smiling more.

After hitting rock bottom in October, pulling myself out of the hole of despair and self pity in November, I'm ready to rock it in December and 2017. Time to reach for those stars.

Anniversary

Yes, it's my anniversary. Yesterday was the day I left Michigan for North Carolina ten years ago. I can't believe it's been that long. I thought I would be upset but I wasn't. I learned a lot, met some really nice people, and did some really cool things.

• Participated in many art & craft shows
• Had my work in several shops and galleries
• Was part of a three woman show in the Delta Arts Center
• Was interviewed on the local radio for that exhibit
• Showed up in a couple of local papers for my artwork
• Visited two National Forests, a waterfall, and other scenic areas
• Made it to the coast and the mountains
• I started writing a lot and made the goal with National Write a Novel in a Month, several years

And other things. I don't know exactly what the next ten years will hold. I don't know if I'll be in the same spot. But I am hopeful. I am ready for another part of the play. I have new ideas for artwork, which I will finally own. So many have told me how much they like my work, many have bought some but I just didn't see it. Now I do. I will own my creativity, my talents and be the crazy art lady. I will be prolific. And I'm ready. Many demons have been slain. 

Let's do this!

Learned Something New

Today, I took a workshop using alcohol inks. Very interesting. I have many ideas that I would like to work on but for now, I will continue to learn the medium. It's actually pretty cool. And can be a bit messy. I'm all for that.

29 Faces

Faces 27 and 28 of 29.

#29faces

Snail Mail Art with Faces

I finally finished a project that I had started some time ago. I asked friends if they would like to receive a piece of art in a letter. Eleven responded and I finally got the last three pieces done. Two are faces so I used them as part of my 29 Faces. I really like doing small pieces. I may have to do more. My friends seem to like them.

#29faces

Almost Forgot

My second batch of snail mail art. Things are starting to arrive at their destination and so far, everyone seems very happy. A mash up of St. Patrick's, voodoo doll, and aliens.

A Breakthrough... Maybe

I haven't been creating much of anything in the past couple of years. I have been quilting but that's my new business. I haven't been designing or making any new dolls or Halloween pieces. Even though I've been doodling ideas, nothing has come to being. I asked myself why? What was I doing or not doing that stopped my producing artwork? I know I had a creative block a few years ago and knew why but this was something different. I looked at my art/craft friends on Facebook to see what they were doing because they were producing work. Whether they made art as their main business or as a second business, they were getting things done. I found that they not only had ideas, but sketches. Those sketches obviously gave them a springboard to do the final piece, whether the final piece looked like the sketch or not. And that was my problem.

I have goo gobs of ideas, some sketched on tiny pieces of paper. I had begun to group them together and got down to three piles. And that was as far as I got. I didn't separate them into groups such as dolls, busts, ornaments. I didn't make anymore detailed sketches so that I would absolutely know what I was thinking about doing. So for the next week, I will separate and arrange my mini sketches into group ideas. I will then pick ones that I can develop and sketched them out more. Then I can finally get down to work and make something. And I made a deadline. I will reopen my Etsy shop March 1. Period, the end. Wish me luck.

I have been doing some snail mail art. I had promised some people letters and they are finally getting them. This is my second batch.

It was fun doing them. After pulling out a few teeth to just get started. Hopefully we won't get anymore snow for a couple of weeks. I'll head back into the studio tomorrow. Have a good week!

A little Bit...

I promised some friends snail mail art. I've got tons of tiny sketches, I now have to put them on nice paper and paint or use color pencils to finish. Here are the first two.

Nice Day Today

I went to the Catawba Quilter's Guild Show today in Hickory, North Carolina. It was really nice. 278 quilts were judged and on display. I saw every quilt but only took a few pics. And went to most of the vendors. I got some fabrics for upcoming projects. Some felted wool fabric and some cottons.

From the quilt show, I went down the hall to the woodworking show (which was free, can't pass up a free event) put on by Klingspor's Woodworking Shop. Years ago, I used to do woodcarving. I really liked it and want to get back to it. I'll have to figure out how and I did find out there was a woodworking club right here in town. I met a lady who had a table there who just wanted to show people what she did which was making her own rubber stamps. I couldn't believe the detail she got in her pieces. She let me try and I made my first rubber stamp using my own drawing. So many ideas are crowding my head.

Is that cool or what?

#quiltshow #fabric #feltedwool #rubberstamp

Hello September

A brand new month and it's close to 90 degrees and humid. Gah! Summer is just hanging on and feeling a little punky. I just keep thinking about the cooler temps that are coming. I went to my Finish It challenge meeting and showed my black and white quilt top. They liked it. Now I've got to get it on the frame. The rest of the day has been a  no go. Just couldn't get my motor running but I did manage to do something for 29 Faces. Draw, sketch, paint, sculpt a face for 29 days. Usually it happens in February but there's one going on now. That's fine. I need something else to do in my day as a break. I used Derwent Watercolor Pencils. I think I'll try another with them. Maybe more blending first, then the water.

She's summer turning into autumn.

I've also started my next Sashiko piece. It's coming along quite slowly. I have a slight idea of what to do with them once I get the last design done. I think there's one more kit.

#29faces #sashiko

A New Year!

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a fun time doing things throughout the month to celebrate my special day. Capped it all off spending time with some friends at an art reception and eats at Muddy Creek Cafe. It was so good talking and laughing with good people.

Today starts my New Year. I have some major plans on the drawing board and will have to work like a maniac for the next two years for it to happen. I've been in this spot for nine years, it's time to make a move. I have started my recons to the  mountains of North Carolina and I think I've found the spot where I want to settle. It has everything. A great art/craft vibe, lots of interesting people, tons to do: tubing down a river, rafting, hiking and biking, fishing, museums, great places to eat, lots of festivals just about all year round, and natural beauty. That's for the move, I will also kick up the creative projects up a few notches. My artwork, quilts, writing will all go into override because I am moving to the mountains. I've been toying with the idea for the past several years and now I've put it out to the universe.

Am I scared? Heck yeah! But the excitement is even more powerful. You can accomplish a lot when you're excited about something. And I will document everything. So let's get started.

I got these today from a local craft store. It has a point program and if you get so many points by the end of the year, you get a $10 coupon. Yeah, yeah, you spend more than you get back but when that $10 comes in at the beginning of the year, that's when I really need something from the store. So I'm good. I've just about run out of my paints. Some, not very good ones, so I've decided to go for the gold and get better paints. One, you don't have to use as much to get the color you want. The color saturation is so much better and basically, you get what you pay for. Plus, I haven't used artist grade paints since I was last in college and that was a long time ago. Years. Eons. You get the point.

I love the little beach chair. What will I do with it? I don't know but if I'm going to go back and get a couple more, I need a good reason to do so. I have an idea and will start sketching it out. The paint is Golden Manganese Blue Hue. Coupons help too.

I've got a list to attack. Have a great day.

Day 1- Drawing a Day

I did my drawing last night using a prompt from Craftsy.com. I haven't cross hatched in a long time. It was easy enough to do, I used a smaller sketchbook, which was a suggestion of theirs to keep your drawings small. I don't feel as intimidated. We'll see how long I can keep this up. I don't want it to be something that I stress over but with the small amount of energy I had left last night, I managed to get something done. Here it is.

A Painting

I finally got a painting done. I had started it a month ago and made time to finish it. I used Walnut Hollow oil color pencils on a canvas board covered with black gesso.

Here is my initial sketch and the transfer onto the panel.

I like how the colors pop on the black background. I didn't like the texture of the canvas panel. So for the next one, I sanded the panel a little to make it a bit smoother. I will then add on one or more coats of black gesso. Such a wonderful idea I got from another artist friend.

We'll see how this one works out. I have a series of mask kids because I have that many panels. Cheers!

Happy Spring and Happy May!

Yes, it’s finally spring. Thank goodness. It’s also a new month. I don’t know how I feel about that because the year is almost halfway done. What? Didn’t we just have New Year’s? Any hoo, this has been one crazy year so far. I’ve been sick every month this year and I don’t know what’s going on. I did cut back on my wine consumption so maybe I have too much blood in my wine stream. No seriously, I cut back and I get sick. I was sick twice last month and just now getting back in the creative groove. Yes, I so behind but there’s not much I can do about that except to get busy. I don’t know if I want to make a list of what I’m going to try to accomplish this month because other projects and events are coming up. So I’ll do updates as they come.

I did finish a commission of four ornaments.

And I finally did a fiber art postcard.

I am so ready for spring and summer. I really want to do more day trips and maybe some weekend jaunts. I want to spend more time with my friends and enjoy life. And do lots of new creative stuff. More dolls, witches, and maybe a ghoulish circus. And I want to welcome Judy’s Fabrications to the party.