STUDIO OVERHAUL AT LAST

Today I decided to put my studio back together, so it's functional again. It's been tore up since the wedding (April) and there is art stuff all over the house. I even took over the living room, which only started out as a one day online project with Amy. I'll be needing this space clear... company... well actually, members of our Navy family will be here for the long weekend! We are close. Some of the friends I mentioned in my last post. You know, the kind you pick up where you left off last. We, as in, us three wives, all had our first babies within three weeks of each other. Our husbands at sea for months at a time... we would put the kids to bed and watch TV together. That is, on the phone... for hours. It was a family, you depended on for support in everything. Most of our birth families were far away, so we couldn't depend on help from them. You made the best out of what you had, or you didn't survive.

Back to the studio. I am also going through all my supplies and purging. I have so many things that just sit here, not being used and probably never will be. I think I am going to donate some of it to my grandson's preschool and the rest to a friend's little girl. She is just starting out, crafting with her Momma. I think she will be thrilled! Besides, this weekend, is CKC. I'll need a little room for more stuff! (laughing)

FRIENDSHIP

It was a great day today. I went to lunch with a very dear friend. We had so much to catch up on! The kind of friendship, that time has no meaning. You just pick up where you left off. I have a few of those friendships and I cherish them. Life sometimes gets bogged down and finding a mutual time to visit is often difficult. You just make the best of the time you have together.

Love you Paula Waula!

WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE

These next 3 photos are collages I have done recently....prompted by DD's Collage Mondays.



On another note.....
I have mixed emotions today. I'm proud of my son, he has chosen to serve his country. I am also scared to death and quite a bit selfish. I don't want him to go. I want my kids and their families to stay close to home, where I can see them often, give them hugs, know they are safe......

My babies, all grown up... making such major decisions... I am feeling a little lost. I have no control... a feeling I do not like. I pray that I have God's grace to give me the strength I need... to let go. He is a grown man... but still my little boy. That little boy with blond hair and bright blue eyes... always grinning from ear to ear......

Today, I did another collage..... one prompted by a collage Amy did. I started with a black background and added layers of paint, paper, stamps and ink. It is white washed and distressed. "Fairy Land... Where dreams come true." My dream for Michael... to be safe and happy in his choices.

ME... A DESIGNER?

INSANITY!!!! Have you ever just had a moment... I mean a REALLY, good moment... like... the lights flickered, and you literally yelped? It starts like this...

I have never thought of myself as an Artist, just a crafter of many types. I've tried all kinds of things, some successful and others not. I have been building my base knowledge of ideas, techniques and abilities with workshops, tutorials and just experimenting. A couple weeks ago, Donna and Bill Downey approached me about designing for them. Of course I was flattered, but also, scared to death! What did I know about designing... let alone showing my art to a broader interest? I would be exposing myself, letting down the shield that I've been hiding behind. A mask, of sorts, that covered my face, so people could not see me grimise at my mistakes and failures. I've never been one to blow my whistle, I sat at the back of the class... (still do).

I thought it over and said, "Yes". What did I have to lose? Other than my sanity and my self-esteem. You see... I'm still scared. I've been questioning myself, second guessing. I sat for a three days, with fabrics, ribbons, paint and albums in front of me... NOTHING... N>O>T>H>I>N>G>.
I hadn't even started and I was already a wash-up! I surfed the internet, looked at magazines, took a trip to Ben Franklin. Oh, the goodness. All there in front of me, flaunting, begging me to play. I still needed a spark, something to send me in a whirlwind with ideas. I decided to walk away.

The fourth day, I still had no clue. I went to bed so tired that night, just wanting to shut down and sleep, but my brain had other ideas. It all came at once. A craft I used to love as a kid. I could incorporate that craft in my pieces. My signature! Then, other ideas... I was in overload! Had to write it all down or I would forget as fast as it came! That's when the lights flickered and I gave that yelp! I think John thought I had lost it!

So there you have it. I have given it more thought. Am going to try my very best to stop second guessing myself and just enjoy the creative process. I can't please everybody and there is always going to be someone who thinks my art is unacceptable. I have to do this for me and me only. It's better to have tried something and have it not work, than to ponder about what never happened.

just "STUFF"

I've been making stuff today...
just stuff...
stuff for "somebody"...
will share that stuff soon.
Just love secrets...
I'm pretty good at keeping them...
but I am excited about all this "STUFF"!
stuff... stuff... stuff...

Faber Castell Gelatos, I think I'm in love! They are so smooth and blend beautifully with water. I was playing with them on canvas today. Now I need to get to the real thing. A canvas messenger bag, I have saving for just the right medium. I think this is it. Now to put my brain to work and ponder (I do that best with music)...design...create...

Tomorrow I am in workshops all day at Donna's studio. Hopefully, I'll have a few things to share on Sunday... or Monday. Have a great weekend. I know I will!!!