Kid In A Candy Store

by | Jul 21, 2011 | Field Trip

Kid in a candy store – That was me, right after my first glimpse of the 2011 CHA Summer Conference & Trade Show on Monday. It was my first CHA show and my roving eyes could scarcely take it all in. There was so much creative ‘eye candy’ to see all together in one place and beautifully displayed. Creativity as far as the eye could see, oh MG (gosh), my mouth was agape with eager anticipation of visiting every booth I could squeeze into one day.

My specific reason for going was attending one seminar, Learning Adobe Illustrator taught by my talented friend Phyllis Dobbs. The class was well worth the investment in time and travel. Phyllis (FB link) provided all of the basic knowledge to begin creating fun computer graphics, also a first for me. I recommend taking one of her classes if you get an opportunity.

During class time I spotted a very fun, decorated hat across the room and maneuvered myself toward the wearer for a closer look. Turned out to be none other, than our LinkedIn group, artist acquaintance, Gail Green. The following day Gail was demonstrating her new line of designer stamps at Impression Obsession.

An added attraction displayed center showroom was the ‘Craft Couture’ display.

It’s good to be home, inspired by all of the creations, creators and vast array of available materials, like visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. I think the two day road trip, just may be the shot in the arm I needed about now. Nothing like a showroom full of every kind of art and craft supplier to spark the imagination.

Cleaning Distraction

by | Jun 8, 2011 | Projects

put·ter 2 

v. put·tered, put·ter·ing, put·ters

v.intr.

To occupy oneself in an aimless or ineffective manner.
v.tr.

To waste (time) in idling: puttered away the hours in the garden.
[Probably alteration of potter, probably frequentative of Middle English poten, to poke, push, from Old English potian.]
putter·er n.
Do you ever start out cleaning but end up puttering instead? Yesterday an attempt to de-clutter the kitchen counters cost me valuable time as I began to “putter!” Another habit/inclination that I picked up from my mom I suppose. Sometimes however, it’s precisely what one needs. And it makes cleaning slightly, more attractive.
This putter session resulted in a temporary (summer) fix to adorn my terribly outdated garden window. I picked up the fun outdoor party lights (above) recently and decided that they might add some glam inside, as I (Cinderella) wash (load in the new dishwasher) the dishes. Now, how can I construct a valance out of some of these vintage/antique garden prints and seed catalogs collected over the years. Ideas anyone? Not to worry, I’ll scan & print, to preserve the charming ephemera.

Love Those Lunas

by | Jun 6, 2011 | Field Trip

Actias Luna – Luna Moth, life cycle

It’s a treat when these fascinating creatures show up for a short showy viewing. This one was spotted by Sydney on Sunday and it is still perched on the brick under the porch light this (Monday) morning. With only five days to live, what’s he/she doing sitting on the wall? The one in the red coat (close-up below) was featured in my “Woodsy Wonders” fabric line.



Boot Straps & Brass Tacks

by | Jun 5, 2011 | Healthy Stuff, Spiritual

I’m getting a strong sense that it’s time for the tough (me?) to get going, to pull oneself up by the boot straps and get down to brass tacks. Time to get back on the front lines and keep going. Time to clean up this joint (house/studio) and back to the business of making art and living life. To both, follow the examples set for me and to be an example for those coming up, after me.

My mom was a strong believer in old sayings and recognized their significance. She often referred to them and passed them on. Both my mom and dad would be telling us now, ” don’t give up, keep going.” Their generation truly was the “great generation!” I miss them. I miss their encouragement.

I like to research these oldies but goodies, interesting & remarkably, they hold true:

Get down to brass tacks – Deal with basic realities, hard facts or details of immediate practical importance.

The origin perhaps refers to fabric shops a strip of metal, a yard in length, is ofter set along the edge of the corner so that material can easily be measured. An alternative to this used to be and sometimes still is, two brass nails set a certain distance apart. After a customer had selected a fabric, the sales assistant would suggest getting down to the brass tacks to work out the practical details of measurement and price.

Boot Straps –Improve your situation by your own efforts.

The origin of this descriptive phrase isn’t known. It refers of course to boots and their straps (laces) and to the imagined feat of a lifting oneself off the ground by pulling on one’s bootstraps. This impossible task is supposed to exemplify the achievement in getting out of a difficult situation by one’s own efforts.

The past few months have been tough going.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. – When a situation is difficult or dangerous, strong people work harder to resolve the problem. This saying relies on a difficult play on words; it could be rephrased word-for-word as: “When the situation becomes hard, strong people start working.”

Origin, this saying is attributed both to Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969), father of the USA President John F. Kennedy, and to Norwegian-born American football player and coach Knute Rockne (1888-1931).

The Armor of God – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God,…   Eph. 6:10-11