Year Gone By, Year Yet Lived

This past year has been one of ups and downs. Mainly ups. We joined the most awesome church in January, Parkway Christian Church. We now have the most wonderful group of friends who are now more like family. The photos are from the first time we packed lunches to feed the homeless here in Phoenix. In the last two months we have handed out over 600 lunches. God has worked some real magic in our lives.
Art wise I am in sort of a dry spell. I finally have a dedicated room for my studio and have hardly been in there to even organize it. I would love for someone to come organize my home. Wow that would be great.
As we finish our first year in Arizona we look forward to 2009 to see what God has in store for our lives. Thank you to all of you who are so supportive and I treasure all your friendships. Hope your new year is as wonderful as you want it to be.

Great Saturday!

I had the most fantastic day at the Botanical Gardens here in Phoenix. I went to see the Dale Chihuly exhibit and is it fantastic. I was there for only 2 1/2 hours and took over 300 photos. I am definately going back to shot more pics. I will go in the afternoon this time to capture them in a different light. It is simply mind boggling how they put some of these pieces together. If you are anywhere even remotely close to here, make it a priority to come see the exhibit. You will be blown away. It will be here until May 2009 so there is plenty of time to plan. Here are a couple of photos I took, I will post more later.

Erik and the Onion Ring

Well I just can't believe how fast time goes by. I am currently working like mad and trying to keep up with my school work. I am sewing some curtains for Erik's bedroom. They are black & white checked (like a racing flag) on one side and bright red on the other. His room is the brightest blue ever, like you need sunglasses to go in there in the daylight. I am going to paint all his furniture red and put a black & white check boarder along the top near the ceiling. Dave is going to paint a huge Lightening McQueen and Mater on the big wall or a giant race car. Erik hasn't decided yet which he wants. Oh yeah he wants his closet door turquoise and his bedroom door purple. They are the colors we painted my studio and Courtney's room. I figure why not, it is only paint. I will try to take decent pics and post them when it is all done.

Also I am going to start another blog (like I need something else to do) that is for family & friend stuff. That way this one can stay just art stuff. Not saying that you don't all enjoy my family rantings but I want a separate place to post more family happenings. Everyone is envited to look at that one too. So for the last time, maybe, here is a pic of Erik and his unusual way of eating onion rings.

Erik's First Day of Kindergarten

I am so happy and sad at the same time. My little guy is now in school. What a production this morning to get him there. He went to bed at a good time last night but when I got up to take my friends to the airport at 4am guess who was wide awake. He fell asleep on the way to the airport and didn't wake up till we got home so he is going to be one tired boy when I pick him up at 3pm today.

If you can't tell, he is the one with the blue backpack looking at the camera. They were standing in line to go into class. He did good though, no tears. Although he did have a bit of a scared look when the parents had to leave. I know he will be fine and so will I, but it is the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Before I know it I will be posting his graduation pictures. I still can't believe his oldest brother is 27! Life is so short, enjoy every minute.

Happy 27th Birthday Justin!!

My oldest son was 27 on June 12th and I am so remiss in posting this message. Oh well he knows his mom loves him very much and is very proud of him. He is in the Navy and is on his way to Hawaii as I type this. Will be gone for about 2 months. What a hard assignment. I got to go to California and celebrate his birthday a few days early with him so it is all good. We had a great time. That is when I took this picture of him and his Gramp. They are such good buddies.

Happy Father's Day!!

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. I just want to thank him for his patience and understanding and for being a great dad. I love you.
(Isn't this a great photo of him. So sexy.)

Oh Happy Day

Life comes at us so fast sometimes. I can't believe it is already Memorial Day. I haven't been doing anything art related lately. We went to Albuquerque for Stephany's graduation. It was nice to be back there. We didn't get to see as many people as we wanted to but did get to eat at some of our favorite places. I do miss being there. Matt has moved from Texas to Washington. He loves being up in the northwest, it suits him better. Justin is getting ready to get underway for a few months, mainly based around Hawaii. I just know he will hate it, heehee.
Dave and I are going to see Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates concert next week. It will be so much fun. The line-up is LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Gary Allan, & Sammy Hagar. Fun times.

We also have a new addition to our home. Dave felt sorry for a little 6 week old Chihuahua so he now resides with us. I will get a pic of him soon and post it. He is absolutely adorable. I hope everyone enjoys your Memorial Day weekend.

Fireweed website up and running

The website is up for the Fireweed Art Retreat. And registration is open. Let's all go and enjoy the beautiful state of Alaska together! And of course take some really great classes too.

I will be posting more about it later on as I get some more photos and stuff to let you know about.

We are going back to Albuquerque this weekend for 5 days!! Yeah!! I can't believe how much I miss it there. Stephany is graduating from HS on the 13th so we are all celebrating. It is so funny how Dave and I have planned our trip around the restaurants we miss. We know exactly where will we be eating each day. I should take pics and let you see the stuff we are eating. Most of you would probably just shake your head. We'll see what I can come up with.

Okay I have been pretty sick so I haven't been able to get in the studio lately. I can barely get out of bed most days. But I have tons of ideas in my head that I need to manifest. Lets see if I can get it done. Well by for now and next time we speak I will be in the Land of Enchantment.

Fireweed 2008: A Premier Alaskan Art Adventure

I found out yesterday that my proposals were accepted and I will be teaching six workshops there in October. I am so excited, this will be my first time in Alaska. The website for the retreat isn't up yet but will be soon. You should check it out and come up for a wonderful time.

I know what I will be doing the next few months. Getting ready for this event. I will post more info on my classes once the website is up and running. Let's just say that there are lot's of great artist that are going to be there teaching workshops.

www.fireweedartretreat.com

Hope to see you there. I will post more later, right now I am off to T-ball with Erik.

Busy Days Ahead

Okay I know the whole Military airplane thing is boring to some but today Erik got to go look at the planes. We took some friends whose son is totally into planes and wanting to be a pilot to get a tour. Cameron was over the moon and listened to every word the Crew Chief said about the plane.

Boy I sure have been busy. Sorry for the delay in posting. Besides my hours at work increasing because all the youngin's wanted time off for spring break, I am getting together some workshop proposals that have to be done next week. Also I am working on 2 chunky books and a charm swap. Why do we do this to ourselves. Gotta luv it.

I am so enjoying reading all the different blogs out there. There are so inspiring. I am going to try and do my fav blog of the week starting next week. It will be part of my Monday blog, I hope you find the ones I pick as inspiring at I do.

TAXI!!

Well here is how my Friday went. I got to Taxi around in an F16. I guess it is one of the perks of hubby being in the Air Force. I tell you it is an awesome thing. We went thru Egress Training first, which is learning how to strap yourself in the plane and then how to get out quickly should there be an emergency and you have to evacuate the plane. Without a ladder mind you. It is one heck of a drop, but we got to practice in the simulators they have for training the pilots. Thank goodness I didn't need to use what I learned. We taxi'd to the runway and pretended to take off. Still went pretty fast though, about 100 to 120 MPH I am told. It was very cool and I had a really nice pilot. The pics are of me in the plane right before they closed the canopy, and me and hubby before I climbed in.

Dolly's and other stuff

Well here are a couple of photos of some dolls I am developing. They are a lot of fun to make and can be very inspiring. Of course like most of my art I have a theme in mind but the dolls have a different path they want to travel. I am working on a series of these dolls and am seeing if they may be good workshop material. The red/yellow doll isn't complete yet, but she still is looking good. I usually have them holding something in their hands that flows down the back but haven't found the right stuff yet. Leave me a comment on what you think of them. They are about 14" tall and stand on their own.

I sent my registration in for Art Unraveled on Friday. Seeing as it is only going across town I am sure it is there already. Once I know if I get my class choices I will share them with you. Until then I don't want to jinx it. Linda out did herself this year picking workshops for us to take. There are some outstanding ones that made it difficult to choose. This will be my first year living here in the Phoenix area so I am excited to right in the middle of it. It will be my fifth year attending, I have only missed the very first year as I didn't even know about it then. If you want to check it out and maybe attend yourself go to the website and see all the wonderful classes they are offering. www.artunraveled.com

Oh My Goodness!

Well I am so sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but I somehow "caught" pnumonia. I can't even spell it and I still got it. I don't think I have ever been so sick in my entire life! I have been in bed for almost 2 weeks. Needless to say I haven't created a thing lately.

I am attempting to go back to work tomorrow. We'll see how it goes, I can't be up for very long and I start to cough really bad and get shaky. But we can't make ends meet with me on my butt in bed. Too bad you don't get paid for being sick. I would have made lots of money.

Okay so the only pic I have to show you it one Erik took of himself. He got a hold of my camera had a field day.

Happy 5th Birthday Erik!!

Today my little guy is 5 years old. He is very excited about turning 5 because he thinks he gets to go to school on Monday. We told him he had to be 5 to go to Kindergarten. So he figures he is five he can go to school. I think I am going to get it on video and play it to him 10 years from now when he won't get out of bed to go to school. Anyway, I just want to say how much I love him and I am very proud of him even though he is only five.

In Memory Of Beth Huf

We found out last night that Justin and Matt's grandmother passed away on Friday. She was a wonderful woman and a good christian. I know she is happiest now that she is with Jesus and her beloved Lloyd. Our thoughts and prayers go now to Steve, Tim, Ngari, Christine, Renee, and Karlene, and their families. She is going to be missed very much.

Back from California

Wow was this the wettest weekend or what! It rained near everyday and it was cold (26 degrees one day). I know that is not cold compared to some places but I live where it is not that cold and I felt it. All that said my parents passed the 40 year mark on Saturday. We went to dinner at a BBQ place that had pretty good food but lacked proper service. For example, my mom was having trouble using the flimsy napkins from the holder on the table and asked for another one like the one our silverware came wrapped in only to be told by a waitress (not ours) that the ones on the table were the only ones they had. You would think since we just spent over $100 for dinner that they could spare a napkin. Then as we were leaving we had to step over a homeless person who camped out by their front door. The same no napkin waitress was bruskly trying to get him to move. The picture above is of Justin & Erik at the restaurant.
Well this is another story to be added to the events of their wedding. My 5 year old brain remembers it being at the JP's house on a Friday night. The JP's wife was there in her housecoat waiting to eat dinner or something and their dog was behind the couch that me, my soon to be step-sister and cousins were sitting on terrified that it was going to eat us because it growled menacingly everytime we moved. Everytime it growled said housewife would yell at it to be quiet. Then my step-sister got mad because she couldn't go on the honeymoon. Of course many years later while on her own honeymoon she called them to say she now knew why. That was a very interesting time in my life. A lot happened in a short amount of time. I must write it all down to pass on to the next generations.
While at my mom's her neighbor called and asked if I wanted some glass to do stained glass with. He had been given tons by a friend who didn't want it anymore. Of course I said yes! Have you priced glass lately? Well lets just say that I have more glass then I could possible use in a year. It is all separated by color and everything. So expect more colorful glass items from me down the road. Now just to find which box my other supplies are in.
Okay this blog is dragging on. I will continue my rambling tomorrow.

Art Unraveled

Just in case there may be someone out there who doesn't know, the classes for 2008Art Unraveled are up on the website. www.artunraveled.com

There are some really good ones and it is again going to be hard to choose. Linda and crew have outdone themselves once again. I am pretty sure of a couple I am signing up for but don't want to jinx it so I won't mention them until I know for sure.

I am almost done with the heart chunky book pages for a swap I am in here in Phoenix. It is through Frenzy Stamper, so I will get to finally go to that store when I drop off/pick up the pages. I also signed up for an Alphabet Chunky book that Kelly Kilmer is making the covers. I have the letter P, do I see purple in there somewhere. Those of you who know me, know there will be purple. Hmmm, maybe even a purple rose.

I have been madly making beaded pendants since I took the class at Confetti Beads. They are so easy and addictive. I think I will make a bunch and sell them this fall. Right now I am going through the family making them for those who I think would wear them. I will post pics once I finish the necklace parts.

This is my Moon Goddess that I may awhile ago. Sorry the top pic is sideways, I didn't rotate it. She is made from black felt that has sparkles on it.

Beads, beads and more beads

I have had some fun the last couple of days going to some bead shops that I haven't been to before. Of course spending way too much money and getting more beads instead of using the ones I have in my studio. It is like when you are a quilter, you can just never have too much fabric. (This I know from experience) I will try to take a photo of some of my latest purchases and show you just how gorgeous they are. Of course they are much nicer in person.

I have made the decision to participate in a craft show this year. I haven't made the final decision as to which one yet, although I am leaning toward one in Albuquerque. Any excuse to go back and visit. That means I need to get my hind end in high gear and produce, produce, produce. I will be making some jewelry, art dolls and a couple of assemblage pieces. I tend to pick complicated things that are tedious, so I am trying to not do that this time. Simple and desirable, that is the key. I will post pics as I create my pieces. Let me know what you think.

If any of you have tips on photographing artwork and jewelry let me know. Sylvia Luna told me to photograph it outdoors on an overcast day. Well that was fine in NM but there aren't many overcast days here in Phoenix. I may try in the shade once the sun is in the back of the house. Anyway I need to find some solution.

Wait and See

Get your own egg here!

Okay so I saw this on a friends blog and it looked cute. Who knows what it will do when it hatches. Come on back to find out.

I have been working on some dolls that I designed awhile ago. I will post pictures in the next day or so to see what you all think. I am thinking of developing a workshop for them if there is enough interest.

A Wonderful Gesture

I got this from my friend Shari's blog (NM Creatrix). As the wife of an Airman and the mother of a soldier and a sailor, I am always gratful to people who show gratitude to our troops. This is a simple way for you all to show a large amount of appreciation. Please pass it on to all you know. thank you

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php

So little time, so much art

Have you ever had one of those days where you have a million ideas in your head and can't seem to materialize them. That is my day today. I have just been able to write thoughts down in a book to be able to use later.

It is also a rare rainy day here in Surprise, AZ. At least that is what they tell me at work. Our exprience has been lots of rain since we got here a month ago. Also it has been a lot colder then I thought it would be. But I am enjoying it because I know the hot days are ahead.

Linda Young has posted the list of instructors for 2008 on the Art Unraveled yahoo group. It is very impressive. I may have to sign up for more classes then I had planned. It also said we are going to be back at the Embassy Suites this year. Hope to see some of you there.

The picture is a mask of my face that I made last year. Who knows maybe you will see it as a class soon.

A little Sanity

Well today we put the last of our holiday visitors on a plane home. It is now back to just the four of us. During all the wonderful chaos I phoned my BFF Jen for a bit of reality. She suggested I create something to even out my need for art. Not having my studio up and running yet, I have bits and pieces of things in bags all over the place. I decided to pick up the first one and create a doll out of it. The above photo is the result. I call her my sanity doll. It has actually inspired me to do a series of them and pass them out to those who could use some sanity. Let me know what you think.

What Tarot Card am I?

You are The Wheel of Fortune

Good fortune and happiness but sometimes a species of
intoxication with success

The Wheel of Fortune is all about big things, luck, change, fortune. Almost always good fortune. You are lucky in all things that you do and happy with the things that come to you. Be careful that success does not go to your head however. Sometimes luck can change.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Happy New Year

Hope all your resolutions and dreams come true. I have set some goals for the next year. I will share them with you at a later date as they arise. I do know that I will be spending lots of time in my purple studio. I am so looking forward to locking myself away and creating. My husband has visions of living on TV dinners because I am too busy to cook. The plus side for him is that my art stuff won't be all over the house anymore. It will be more or less contained in my studio. Some will be stored in garage for now but I am going to try and not clutter the house.

Do any of you have any Dreams for 2008? Share them if you like in the comments section. Who knows, you may inspire someone else to dream and conquer.