My Spinning Head

Long time no post....

2008-10-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

Currently in MN visiting family.. I will post pictures and what I'm doing when we get back home...Christmas is in the air....I will be working on ornaments.....for a swap...

My Latest Passion....

2008-07-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

My newest things are books by Yoko Saito..Have you ever heard of her ? Just Google her name on the web or Google images for some wonder quilts that she makes. She also has her own line of fabric. I would love to buy, but can't find it anywhere near me. I did find some on the net..but I like to feel what I buy. I made a puse from this book..and I'm currently working on a wall hanging from the Houses book.. It would all be so much easier if only I could read Japanese.. but she does have quite pictures that gives you almost stet by step directions...All of the work is done by hand sewing.. so my purse is all made by hand. Fist the small peices were appliqued, then quilted.. I do most of the work while we are camping. It's so realxing to sit outside and enjoy the lake, with all the birds singing and humming birds humming by.

I also received a great little package in the mail today from Takako

a fellow blogger..So thats what I've been doing.. What have all of you been doing ??

It's new day !!

2008-05-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

Wow..it's been so long since I've posted...and I have been sick almost since that last post..I've been on two doses of antibotics..and I've still got it...sinuitis...upper respitory infection..strept throat.. you name I've had it. I'm sick of being sick. I haven't done much art these days either. Just some knitting of socks...and a little water color pencil drawings of birds.. not good enough to show any of those yet....I have been making the little pincushions for a trade and I sent them off today. I also sent one to my daughter-in-law for being the mother of my grandkids for Mother's Day.

We are going camping this week-end..so maybe I can do some artsy stuff. I want to make some ATC's for a uncoming trade...I love to make those and I got some really great tiny little buttons from ebay...that I have wanting to use. I left them all up in the camper or I would add a pic. of them. If anyone wants the seller I will pass it along. They came from Thailand..and shipping was very cheap..like 4.00 for about 2000..I think the whole lot cost me 20 dollars..and shipping was quite fast. There is nowhere around here to buy tiny buttons..that are flower, star,or heart shaped. She even had dragonflies and tiny everygreen trees. Well time for some laundry and a hotbath. I worked 10 hours today so I pooped out. Next week at work its National Nursing Home Week.. I have all sorts of activities planned for the residents, their families and staff. It's a very busy fun filled week..but I always glad when it's over. Take care...

Any body out there ??

2008-03-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know...if anyone is still reading my blog.. that I'm here.. I've been busy work in projects...Knitting some slippers for grandson..and just started on a block of the month from this site..I just cleaned out my studio and through out.. yes. through out a lot of scraps.. That I did'nt think I would ever use..heck I had'nt used them in 10 years..I did save a bag of bigger peices for a yard sale.. and now I have been back through that bag a couple to times.. DH just shakes his head. So anyways.....I have made up the blocks since they were posted in Oct. 07.. I just did them this week-end. I will post a pic. later. I also decided that I would use my Singer Featherweight..I've had it for at 3 years and never used it..Wow.. it sews like a dream..The little sweetie just purrs.....Well hope all is and that I still have a few readers out there....If you read this and leave a comment I will have a drawing and send off a little bottlecap pinchusion to you.....

More Pincushions.....

2008-02-12T19:35:00.000-08:00

But before the pinchushions... I was looking at pictures on my camera and found these I took of our dog Peanut..He is mostly Weiner dog and we ar not sure of the other part. He is getting older, as you can see the white around his muzzle. I had washed this dress that my daughter had worn about 38 years ago (My God that can't be right!) and Peanut was so interested in it ...So naturally,,lol I had to put it on him.. and he was so proud... he did'nt mind at all...I guess he is a cross dresser..lol

The next picture is of more pincushions..I'm on a roll.. I love making these little things.. I was visiting Melody's Blog

and she has a beautiful and fun bedroom in lime green and pink..so I sent a pinchusion to match..The color here doesn't show it too good ..but the big one in the picture is lime and pink...I think her blog shows the color better of the similiar one I sent her.

Tomorrow at the Nursing Home where I work we are serving a sweetheart dinner to the residents that have spouses. It will be very special for them...even chocolate dipped strawberries..and an Italian menu. So it will be a long day ..probably 12 hours...

I got a package in the mail today..from ebay auction for a bunch of letters that I can use in altered art and ATC's etc. Here they are... kind of neat huh? There were from Kelli she has some great art...and I can't wait to use these things.....

Well I guess I have rambled on enough for now....

Mittens are finished !!

2008-02-06T19:41:00.001-08:00

These are finished mittens..I added an extra cuff to the inside that is not felted..so they will fit nice and snug and not let in any cold air. I she likes them....The next picture is of a block I made..from Sew Mama Sew

They are having a block of the week this year.. so it should be fun.. This was a test block I made.. so I think I will make another in some pastels..I have been holding onto a large group of fat quarters I bought that are Moda Sea Side Rose...kind of shabby chic looking...Its been discontinued now...

I can't hang onto this stuff forever.....

The other picture is the pincushions that I'm making for a trade in thebFabric ATC group I'm in here ..so I have been keeping busy...the diet is going good since January 2 ....I've lost 18 lbs....It would be nice to do that every month..but I will settle for 10 lbs..gone ever month...Well time to relax and knit on a sock I need to finish for my daughter....It's always hard to finish the second sock....Thanks for stopping by....

2008-02-03T19:13:00.001-08:00

These came off my needles today.... see how big they are.....Next I will thowthem in the washer...in a mesh bag...and old pair of sneakers and hot, hot water andfelt them...Hopefully they will felt down to a womans lrge,,with long fingers...The lady that orderd them never gave me the exact measurements.. so hopefully they will fit..or else I will wear them or give them as a gift...Not sure how much to charge for these. The yarn was 12.00 a skein and I used two..and it took me 2 afternoons to knit them...I think at least 40.00 dollars.. does that sound to high or too low ? I also worked on some pincushions..from bottle caps.. the directions are here They are a lot of fun to make.. I will post pictures when I get a few more made....thats all for now...

Crow--Keeper of the Scared Law

2008-01-28T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well now I'm addicted to these crows....so much fun to make and each one has it's personality... This one seemed to want to be more spiritual than the first one...he wanted a cross on his wing..I'm looking forward to making more....but how many crows do I need ? I need to find just the right to display them... I have an old Native American hand woven doll that was made for me when I was 10 years old...it was made by and elderly Indian lady from the Tulalip tribe near Marysville,WA.. she told me her father had been a chief of the tribe when she was a little girl. She was in her 70's then and that was 50 years ago...anyway.. I also have a basket that someone else in the tribe made for my mom..so maybe that would be a good spot.. I'll have to dig them out and show a picture here..Well almost time to hit the sack and I still have laundry to do....Take care all....

More Snow....but time ...time to sew!!

2008-01-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

I got busy and cleaned up my studio....and that gave me inspiration to make a crow doll from the November/December Cloth Paper Scissors I love how he turned out.. now I can't wait to make more..It would be fun to find other artsy folks that would like to make a trade. I used the pattern in the magazine and enlarged it 160%. It is about 10" by 5". I went through my yarn stash and yanked off various pieces and ended up with three gallon zip lock bags full I have lots of fiber at my finger tips for more crows and other projects. DH even went out to wal-mart to buy more black felt for me..then I had to call him to pick-up some orange for the feet and beak.

We got 2 new cookbooks last week from Amazon (thanks to a gift certificate from son & daughter-in-law).

Both are great books....Today from the vegie book I made a Beet,orange & fennel salad that is marinating..That will go with a lemon chicken orzo soup by Ellie. Last night I made a spinach dish that took carmalized onions,spinach, garlic and tomatoes topped with yogurt and pine nuts It so yummy..These are best cookbook by far that we have used.

Well I have more crows calling my name. CAW...CAW..

It's been way too long...

2008-01-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

I decided to come out of hiding...well not really hiding I've just been busy..and haven't taken the time to blog..I'm still on the computor and reading others blogs..I guess that's why I can't keep up mine !! I made these Itty Bitties for a yahoo group I'm in here they are tiny works of art 3x3...we all said what our favorite colors..style etc. then we make two for each other.. It was alot of fun...These are pictures of the ones that I have made....I also made some homemade curlers for my daughter and daughter-in-law..you can see them here . Now it's time to start working on Valentine things....cards and an ATC trade... Hubby and I are also on a diet...he has lost 8lbs. and I have lost 12...all since January 2nd. We got ourselves a treadmill for Christmas...and we both have been pretty good about getting on it. We have snow on the ground and its been there since Jan. 1 or earlier and I'm sick of it...it's 8 degrees right now...Spring is just too far away. We can't to start camping again..We did camp over the long New Year weekend.. but it was so cold...like 10 degrees..and it was hard to keep the fifth wheel warm. We had to keep the water dripping and even then it still froze up for a little while...So spring needs to come .....Well that's all for now.....

Where the heck have I've been ??

2007-09-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

I''ve been busy doing stuff
not really artsy stuff though...
We've been camping
every week-end..fishing and just relaxing...Now that fall is is the air..I just love it more Although I do some artsy stuff while there.. That's where I worked on these art dolls for a swap. The other thing I made was a felted purse. I forgot to take a before picture. If you've never felted it's a lot of fun ,you knit with 100% wool..and usually use big needles..sometime 2 yarns held together..It comes out huge.. but then when you throw it in the washer with hot water.. and carefully watch it felts down to about 1/2 to 2/3 of the orignal size and you no longer see the stiches. This one is about 10 inches high...so I think it was about 18inches before felting.
It's really a very pretty shade of red..kind of a barn red with variations throughout it.. Tomorrow I leave for MT. Vernon, WA to attend an Activities Professional Conf. I will be there through Friday...So I probably won't be back on until..unless they have interent access in my hotel room..So you all take care until then..

Flower Pounding..

2007-08-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well..it seems I've been gone for awhile..I guess I've just been lazy about blogging..I did have a tooth pulled..and for some reason it was pretty traumatic for me..not that it hurt I just did'nt want to loose a tooth..I know thats pretty stupid in the whole scope of world events..but I just don't want a hole in my mouth.. and I can't really afford to have a implant at 3000.00 dollars...that's just a bit much for one tooth. I could go to Mexico and get one about 300.00 dollars and have a great vacation !! I've been doing a few little artsy things.. I tried my hand at flower pounding and made a couple of pictures.. The one above I'm sending to my granddaughter Lillianna.. and the other is an ATC ...the theme was moon so I made it.."Once in a blue moon"..I'm also working on some Itsy Bitsies for a swap they are

3 by 3..and fun to work on..So far there is 6 other gals in the swap so I will make 2 for each of them..We describe what we like and then we make them for each other .. it should be fun to see what everyone comes up with. The weather was cool here today.. its almost like you an feel fall in the air..Fall is my favorite time of the year..I love the colors of reds..oranges, yellows and even purple in the leaves..Well I need to finish up my project for my granddaughter..I'm making a artsy envelope to put her gift in..

It's a little to big to scan so I will take a pic. and post later..Take care all

Pictures..from the weekend

2007-07-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

These are goldfinches..Washington State Bird...the little one at the top is a baby bird that the parents were trying to teach to eat from the sock feeder.. they were so cute.. the little birds would cheep.."we can't do it mommy"..but finally they were able to land on the feeder and eat..

..check out the huge bumble bee in the sunflowers...
Here are the birdys that I will get in the mail in the next few days....I hope you all will like them !
These are the flowers in our yard where we camp. We have a rock planter..next year I want to plant flowers on the top part and have them hang down..and do the same on the lower level..

The weather was so nice this week-end not too hot...We went swimming and took the dogs with us. They like to get in the water too.. I'm working on a project from the latest Cloth,Paper, Scissors magazine , its the Triptych Challenge. You take 3 images and alter them, paint them etc. I have one done..maybe 2 not sure I like the second one..I will post a picture when I get them completed. It definitely is a challenge for me..Time for me to get my birdys packaged up and ready for the mail...Take care

Birds will be in the mail soon !!

2007-07-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Well I finished all the birdys last week-end...but I left my camera chip up at the camper...so I couldn't show any pictures..so hopefully it wasn't too hot in the camper and it will still work. I have been so busy this week.. It's been very stressful. The state inspectors spent four days at the nursing home where I work. They look at everything, go through all the paper work that we all do, talk to the residents, talk to families, staff...and then write it all and tell us where we went wrong.Well we did great !!They found very little that they could write us up for...resident care was great, the food was great, the place very clean and of course my Activity Dept. was perfect !! The only things they found were ... some chipped paint here and there on the furniture.. They said it's not home like..well I can't imagine many homes without some chip paint somewhere..they even measure it..All in all it was a great survey and I'm glad it's all over with for another year. !! I will post pictures when we get back from camping of the birds and then get them in the mail to everyone..Now I'm off to work to finish up a few things...

And the Winner is..............Everyone !!!

2007-07-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

I don't want anyone to go away sad... so I decided to make a little birdy for everyone !!! I only have 2 completed right now.. but I have a few more in the works.. so this week-end while we are camping I will finish the rest of them....So.....if you left a comment please email me with your address and I get them out to you as soon as possible...so a bird will be in the mail for : Beate, Melinda, Suz , Stegart, Sunni ,Beth, Angie

So watch the skies for little birdys to winging their way to YOU...just my way of saying thanks for looking at my blog..and I get so inspired by reading each of yours...everyone has such special talents..I've learned so much by reading other blogs..I can't wait to see what everyone has done...We are all so beautiful and talented !!!

Time to clean-up my act....

2007-07-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

These are before and after pictures of my sewing/art studio room...Is it no wonder I wasn't feeling creative ??
If you'll notice even the dogs have no ambition..but it is over 100 degrees again today...But fairly cool in the house so I went to work organizing my space..Now I won't want to make a mess..haha Part of my problem is I try to load up so many things to take camping with me..I never really know what it is I'm going to work on.. you know..what mood your in.. to sew( I have 2 sewing machines in the 5th-wheel), knit, bead or make some paper, altered art...or heck just go fishing.. So a girl has to be prepared for it all !! Then when we lug it all in,, I don't usually get it all put away...So my goal is to take fewer things with me.. and try and really plan what it is I'm going to do.
Remember tomorrow is the last day to sign-up for a birdy....I will draw tomorrow nite... Off to bed for now... as you can see it was a very busy day for me.. Take all

Great Artsy Stuff in the Mail !!!

2007-07-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not to good at placing these pictures......but to the right are the plus sized inchies..that I have received so far in trade from Fiber Art Traders (FAT). They are plus sized..1 1/2 sq.
Below is a great little package I received from Melinda, we traded beaded birds..and she sent along some extra goodies..Isn't the ATC great.. and I can't wait to try huge playing cards

Here is recent ATC I made..it's up for trade.. if anyone is interested..It's fabric and paper...

Finally the birds to the far right are the ones for the giveaway...So sign-up I will draw names next Monday..
Well it's time to start some supper here... really to hot to eat.. but over the week-end I cooked rice and some chicken breasts so I going to make Chicken Curry Salad...Something nice and cool and no cooking..It's very hot here today.. in the 100's...and going to be hotter tomorrow.. Thank God I work indoors...Take care all....

Free Birdy !!!!!!

2007-07-09T20:10:00.000-07:00

I received all sorts of goodies in the mail and of course all the batteries are dead for the camera. But I was able to scan a collage I made while on vacation...We were gone for a week and came home on Sunday...It was so nice at the lake..very hot. but nice and relaxing.. This is my second collage I have made recently and I like the way it turned out and her story. After I added her picture she just seemed to tell me what she had to say...and then I found the words in a book about him.... he had been President of the Bird Club.. perhaps it was him than answered all along ??? Tell me what you think....If you are reading this..why not leave a comment.. If you do.. you might be the one whose name is drawn for a birdy !! So........ leave a comment and I will add you to the drawing...I will post more pictures tomorrow night.. I got some great things !!!

We are camping.....

2007-07-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Well her we are at the lake..and having a good time. I caught a huge carp..about 20lbs.. of course no camera with us to take a picture...No one around here eats them..but I went on line and they don't sound too bad. He was fun to catch though...had my little pole bent way over..It's great to have wi-fi here... We never expected it..sometimes it works and sometimes it don't but hey its better than we have before.. I'm adding couple of pictures..one is of Oscar.. we are on the ferry crossing Lake Roosevelt...and the sky picture is what I saw as we were leaving the lake area..can you see the dove? Well that's all for now... Artsy things I've done is just a little knitted makeup bag..I hope to paint some later..I did pick-up a big stack of sheet music at a antique store..most is hand written and kind of neat..

Kookie Bird Migrated North !!

2007-06-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

This is Kookie Bird that migrated north...I think she loves it here.. She immediately took to the roses.. and nestled herself right in...I love her.. and give her a good home for a longtime...The other pictures is Plus Sizes Inchies for the Fiber Art Trader Group...I made 24 and will get 20 back..not sure what I will do with all of them..maybe a collage.. or jewelry of some sort ?? We are going on vacation next week...just going up to our "cabin" at the lake...(it's really the fifth-wheel)

but it will still be fun. Probably go into Spokane 1 day..and go to the casino another day... I need to start knitting Christmas presents... the grandsons need larger slippers...a couple of years ago I made 11 pairs....That's knitting and then felting them.. But I don't think they will ever wear out..Maybe grow out of them..I wear mine all the time.. and still show now wear after 2 1/2 years......Felting is fun..if your a knitter you have to try it...All you need is wool yarn and a top loading washing machine.. and you never quite know how things will turn out... Hopefully when I come back I will have a couple of pairs made.. I have a fishing license now.. so not sure how much knitting I will get done... I have catch at least one Walleye.. I'm out of birds..but if someone else wants to trade I'm willing to make more....or I'll trade anything.. if you have any ideas ???

Well almost anything...nothing I have to clean up after !!

Where Have I been ??

2007-06-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

I've really been around.. just not in the blogging mood for some reason.. Oh I love to read the wonderful blogs of other and see all their wonderful creations..but I guess I've been in one of my quiet moods. I traded a bird with Annie and hers to me arrived today..She is beautiful..The sad thing is my camera is up at camp..so a picture will have to wait until after the week-end. I sent off my inchie charms..last week..So now I'm looking forward to receiving mine. This week-end I need to finish Words of Wisdon charms for the Fiber Art Trader group on yahoo. I signed up awhile back and just realized they are due July 2 !! I really wish I had my camera..my little cactus has a big pink bloom on it. The cactus was my mom's..so it belongs to me now..I was so thrilled to see a blossom on it. She always said she watered her cactus when she had heard that it rained in Arizona.. So naturally thats what I do too. I was so busy at work last week. I was doing my job and another job. We are expecting the state surveyors to arrive any day now. They stay for 3-4 days and go over the place with a fine tooth comb. In my dept. they want to know who attended what activity..did they enjoy it , how did they respond..etc. It gets tougher and tougher every year to do my job. Not that I don't enjoy my job..but sometimes the expectations by the state inspectors is so great and sometimes unrealistic. I know when I get to be 90 years old.. just leave me alone and let my play with stuff in my room..fabric..beads..watch the birds...maybe I won't be able to sew.. but I can still feel the fabric..and let the beads roll around in my hands. I try to find things for them to do in their rooms if they want to..many love to play bingo...I will never love to do that !! We recently got a flat screen TV and that is what many like to do..especially the animal planet.. But how the state will look at that I don't know.. they feel the only reason they watch TV is that they are bored..But before they came many of them watched TV and sat in their chairs all day..because they wanted to..Oh I still do fun stuff..in the last couple of months we have had 2 groups of bikers..I mean big bikers on trikes. and fancy Harley's..they have taken.. some on bike rides that don't walk and needed to lifted on belted down..They loved it... one man cried and said he hadn't been on a bike in 60 years....a lady laughed and flirted so much...she said my family will never believe this... she cried when I gave her 8x10 picture of her and her biker buddy. So they do have the opportunity to do more than bingo and TV..a lot more.. Oh yes I do love my job..it's a great day if I can make just one resident laugh or smile..or have a sweet memory of long ago..

Beautiful Hot Day here and still have birds for trade..

2007-05-30T17:54:00.001-07:00

I was just checking in and saw that one of my birdies flew away so I will try and get her to come back..Nope all I get is an error.. so I will try and load it later..if you want to trade a bird let me know..I also finished some more charms..I followed the directions from the most recent Cloth, Paper Scissors in an article by Ruth Rae and here are the pictures....this is really weird tonight.. I already typed this and posted it.. came back to add pictures and all the stuff just vansished.. so sorry if I'm repeating myself..I really have to get busy and do some housecleaning. I was going to save it all for the week-end..Hubby was going to work on week-end..now he's not and we're are going to the lake on the week-end ..so now I have to get it all done tonight and tomorrow night. Cuz don't you know I have to get all my art projects planned and take my goodies with..I'll save that for Friday am... Take care all...

More Birdies Found !!

2007-05-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

We spent a great long-week-end camping..The weiner dogs enjoy themselves even if they have to spend time in their pen. Oscar loves to sun bathe, thats him on his back. It was so nice to sit in the sun..walk on the beach and of course make some birdies..These are so much fun to make !! I gave one to the lady that owns the campground where we go. I had needed a can of stewed tomatoes and she did'nt have any in the store so she gave me a jar of her home canned ones. I had forgotten how good they are. As you can see I named each of lthe birdys...the last one was made from Kaffe Fassett fabric..hence the name Kaffeebirdy..and of course the polkadot fabric equals Dotteebirdy. So if you see one you want to trade for let me know..Bimbimbie wanted to trade for one of her birds...so if anyone else is a bird lover let me know !!..I'm still making them too. I'm going to branch out this week-end and try somethings from the newest Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine...Did I mention that I'm in it ??? Well only a letter to the editor..but still..my name is there !! Well have to go unpack and do laundry..take everyone..

Blue Birdy
Dotteebirdy
Kaffeebirdy

In Vancouver,WA

2007-05-21T19:57:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of Multnomah Falls in Oregon...it's the 2nd highest year-around falls in the nation. It was raining and overcast..but if you click on the picture you will see how beautiful it really is. We took out time driving down and made a few stops..one at Catherine's and one at Michaels.craft store.. I found a new eyelet maker so now all I need a hammer and I can go to work..But I probably shouldn't do that in the hotel room I guess. We had a great supper at Olive Garden and now I'm ready to crash. I'll try and post tomorrow night.. You all take care...

I'm back....

2007-05-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well..I guess I've been gone for awhile..I have been doing a few things..I went outside today and found these little birdies in the honeysuckle bush...I even managed to get a close up of the little yellow one...I believe he is a rare breed !! We went camping this week-end and I thought I had taken all the supplies I would need with me..however I had left my inchies and embroidery floss at home. So I couldn't work on inchies or my alternative project ATC's. So I invented these little birdies..I saw some like it over at Bimbimbie's so I guess I really didn't invent them. She put a cute little Dotee face on hers. They were really fun to make. I have more cut-out and ready to embellish. I'm going to Vancouver, WA this week to a conference for work. So I'm taking the birdies with me and the inches(which by the way I found at the bottom of my bag when packing up) so I could have worked on them. But each project is small enough to tuck in my purse in case I get bored. The inches are for a charm swap in a Yahoo group. I still need to add a eyelet. My eyelets are not turning out well. They are rough on the back..does anyone know if there is any that have 2 pieces and are smooth on the back. I only have Walmart to look for things and they have none.. But maybe on the way to Vancouver I can a craft or fabric store.

So I guess I'd better go pack up..and get my stuff together..I'll be back on Thursday..hmmm I have a laptop now.....maybe I will just take it with me...

Finally..back to my blog..

2007-05-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

I've been away from my blog for a few days...I made this purse over the week-end and finished it up tonight. It's for a friends birthday tomorrow. I hope she likes it. It was fun to make..once I got the whole creative juices flowing again. I wanted something kind of shabby chic..yet a little on the risque side.. I usually knit purses and then felt them..I have made quite a few..like about 10 .. so I wanted something a little different. I recently went to Nellie's Needles she has a great blog with lots of tutorials..I just love her small art quilts that she makes..check out her crinkle quilts under the labels on the right side. They are so neat.. I haven't been to all her archives yet.. but the ones I have been too give me inspiration. Well this will be short and sweet tonight. Time to get comfortable and watch American Idol...take care all

My Dotee's Arrived..

2007-04-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

Here are the Dotee ATC I received ....Left to Right....made by: Elizabeth Atkinson from West Melton Victoria, Australia, Dorian Gery from Belconnen, Australia and an original Dotee..by Dot herself in Frankston, Australia..now aren't I one of the lucky ones.. each one is so special... These are the Dotee Dolls...left to right..Beth Deegan(with the wild hair), and another work of art from Elizabeth Atkinson and the little baby, from Norma Bullon, Australia. I give each one a very good home...
I don't have blog sites for all of them..hopefully I will be able to find them all if they have blogs.
We went camping again this week-end and I just relaxed.. I knitted on my forever socks..and I'm at the heel now..so maybe.. I can get them done in a couple of weeks..
I just wasn't in the mood to be creative..I guess you could say I had the blues.. Not sure why..sometimes they just come over me.. and I want to just cover my head. I walked around the campground hoping that would help...but it didn't..I really need to focus on eating healthy,walking and all that goes with a more healthy lifestyle. Why is it..that what I put in my mouth is one of the only things I...myself can personally control..but yet I don't do it? I must find another way to deal with stress, depression, loneliness's...I have talked about doing a journal..maybe that would help me? If we go camping next week-end I want to walk in the hills..they wild flowers are blooming..and I want to take pictures and post..they are so pretty. We also need to plant flowers and work in our little yard at the campground. Well I have rambled on enough..

Cupcake.....

2007-04-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here's my no calorie cupcake !!!!!!!

Felted postcard from Beate

I finished my no calorie cupcake...and it has chocolate frosting of course !! It was fun to make..at first I had a hard time with only 6 stitches on double points..but it all comes back to you. Now I want to make more...it would such a fun thing for little gifts..It would be a fun thing for a trade too.. I signed up for two trades..one is for faric charms no bigger than 1 1/2 inches..they must have a gromet and jump ring attached. I think I need to make 21..and then another doll trade and I'm not sure when that is due. I have been wanting to make some charms or inchies as I have heard them called so I'm looking forward to this trade. I found a great tutorial for them here

at Sue Bleiweiss's Blog. She has some other tutorials as well. In the mail today I received this great postcard from Beate. I won it in her Blogversary Draw...(actually we all won one) isn't that great..My picture of it doesn't do it justice. I love to look at her work..when I first started postcards her work was very inspirational to me and it still is !! Thanks Beate....

It was a beautiful day here...

2007-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

I finished my bag project...next will be a purse..I also got the quilt top done.. well almost done. I need to put on a border..I have so much fabric of every color..style etc.. but no black for a border. So now it have to wait until I can get to the Fabric shop...I don't do Walmart fabric...for quilts. We worked out in the yard this morning. Pulled some weeds and planted some flowers. Then I sat outside and knitted in the sun..ahhh it felt so good.
I started a knittted cupcake mine will be white with chocolate frosting. I wanted white cake and pink icing..But in 3 large totes of yarn..I have no pink..no yellow hmm no pastels at all. But what I have will have to do. I'm in that if I don't have it... I don't need it phase. I was looking through my stuff and found about 8 quilt tops that are finished but not put together with batting and backing..and then quilted. So I will start on those..and of course still do some ATC's, postcards and other fiber art stuff and of course my funky flowers...(hmm that might mean buying some stuff at the hardware store).. but that's not sewing stuff.. does that count ? I guess I did go to the thrift store and buy sewing stuff...But I was helping them out.. it's a Sr. Center.. they need me.

Well time to go knit and finish the laundry.... Here's my bag.....

Some new old stuff.....

2007-04-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

We went to a thrift store today in Moses Lake..it has lots of cool stuff and the prices are great... I picked up a few things...a package of old transfers for tea towels "Mexican Motif"..not sure why I got them..but for 2o cents....I thought someone might want them...and lots and lots of packages of flower petals....I can use them on postcards, ATC's and I'm thinking of making a purse of some sorts using them and perhaps putting them under some tulle and stitiching all over it... this book...

Here is a close up of the "The Complete Book of Sewing" by Contance Talbot..1943..1st addition.
It has all sorts of project ideas..even a pet blanket...here are my pets...

Oscar and Peanut...they are looking out the window of our 5th wheel.. I kind of funked the picture out.

It's cold and dreary here today..a great day to stay inside and sew...I'm working on a small tote bag ..from some vintage type fabric with kids and hula hoops..I would like to try and put a quilt together this week-end. I 've had the blocks completed for a year now..I just like smaller projects now..but this will be a beautiful quilt if I ever get it done..So now I will clean up my sewing/painting/beading.blogging area and try get this quilt on the design wall(fancy name for flannel thumb tacked to the wall) and get a picture of it posted tomorrow eve...Now that's my goal..but who knows what could happen. At least I will get the tote bag done...

My funky garden flower...

2007-04-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well here it is Friday already...time does fly..here is picture of my funky garden flower I made last night at Laura's Art Garden in Ephrata, WA. Thats the same place I took the class for the mosaic mirror. The moose in the yard was made by our neighbor Dave..our cat had been run over..(hit and run) and I was so upset..so when I came home from work one day he had made us this moose..kind of a sympathy gift.

Here is a close up of the flower...It's made from recycle tins..youknow the big ones you get popcorn and stuff in..some metal mesh..flashing.. nuts and washers..and a threaded rod.. and beads...We even got to use power tools..(well one ..a drill) So now I will be begging all my friends for their old popcorn tins..
We are heading out camping later this afternoon..it's supposed to be a beautiful week-end. It will be good to just relax. I would have been nice to have the family all get together for Easter..but it's just not possible. My grand kids all live in Minnesota..it would fun to have them all here..(their mom & dad (son) too). My daughter and her husband live about 175 miles away. John(my DH) has 4 daughters and 10 grand kids.. some day it would wild to get everyone together. They live all over.. from Mass. to Texas
At the nursing home where I work, the residents have been working all week to fill 3500 Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunt sponsored my the nursing home and the local fire dept. They have had so much fun doing it..and eating the candy..
I don't think I'm going to pack all my artsy stuff to take camping.. Maybe just my sketch book,water colors etc. Sit outside and just relax.. You all take care and have blessed Easter.

New art to show....

2007-04-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

I finally tired to make the Tyvek beads...first I painted the tyvek..let it dry and then cut with my rotary cutter into long triangle strips..wrapped around bamboo skewers..then I wrapped wire around , then added beads to wire for one of them. Sorry the pictures aren't better..I think they would be great to use on a mini art quilt or on a journal quilt page..

Next I made a couple more ATC's ... I love making these little things...and I love the little birds on them. Next time I will try paper as Dotee said that she uses. The next one is 3-D of sorts butterfly. Well that's about all I did today...we went for a drive and I made supper..So now it's time to relax..maybe work on my socks that I have been knitting for months. I will never use size 1 needles again..I like at least 2's or 4's. I'll post a pic. when I'm done..but don't hold your breath..I have one sock complete and almost ready to do the heel on the 2nd one. I open to trade for these ATC's if anyone is interested.

Look What I made !!!!

2007-03-31T15:03:00.000-07:00

Well after a four week class I finished my mosaic mirror. The tiles were made yours truly.. It's about 22x22. All of it was great fun until it came for grouting. I was almost ready to give up. I never thought I would ever get the grout all off of the tiles. Our teacher said we were her best class ever...(out of two classes)..but the night we grouted we were all big whinners. But in the end it was worth it all.

Thats about all the artsy stuff I have done this week. When it's the end of the month I have so much to do at work, getting ready for the next month. I'm also still working on the dining room project and now I have taken on the new tub room project. Why can't I just say NO ? Today was a stay at home day and clean house..how are two people be so messy? Tomorrow and the rest of today..I will start some project. Not sure what it will be yet.. I will have to see what moves me...or what my muse might inspire me what to do. Right now the artfest is going on in Port Townsend..oh how I wish I were there.. Maybe next year.. but I'd better start saving now...

Now it's time to throw things in the dryer and start another load..It was nice and sunny today..now is getting cold and the dark coulds are coming. I was out reading famous quotes on the internet..here is one I will leave you with by Kahlil Gibran."Yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream" so dream on my firends...

New ATC's anybody want to trade ??

2007-03-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

Well we went camping this week-end and I got to work on my ATC's..I was able to finish 5 of them. These are my really my first ones, beside the Dotee ones I made. I really enjoy doing them. I think it's all the hand work on them. Now I want to learn more embroidery stitches. I might think about doing a fabric journal just with embroidery stitiches in it.

I'm also working a little bundle of gifts for Dotee

I know it's a lot of work to organize a trade so I'm just sending a little something..from my stash of treasures. Well time to go relax a little bit.. Take care all..Thanks for your comments.

My New Muse Art Doll

2007-03-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Here is the my Geisha Muse Doll...I liked my other one so much I decided to make another doll..she wanted to be a Geisha..I'm going to trade her..my I have to keep my first one. I have so little of the art thatI do.. I send it all off for trades or gifts. I think my next project will some Tyvek beads...I have never used Tyvek before so it should be fun..I'm also going to make some ATC with an Easter theme..eggs...spring..cross etc. I think they would make nice little gifts. They are so much fun to make..I would like to learn more beading and stitching so I think that will be a god way to learn little tiny stiches.

I'm glad tomorrow is Thursday..its been a long week. You take care...and remember "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Picasso

A day of Art....

2007-03-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

Well this is what I worked on today. She is my muse art doll. I love the way she turned out..and she just happened..I looked at my fabric stash..and this red caught my eye first. I wasn't going to give her a face, but now I'm glad I did. I gave her long eye lashes too, something I sure don't have. I made her for trade ..but I now I'm not sure I want to part with her..I have until Tuesday to decide.

The other thing I did today was finish my Bride of Dotee Doll.. she will be leaving with her friends for Australia tomorrow if I can make it to the post office.

It was a beautiful day here..in the 70's..I went outside to do some of stitching the sun felt so good, the warmth was healing and stitching relaxing. Art is truly good for the soul and mind. I spent a lot of time reading blogs this morning..Its just unbelievable the talented people there in this world. They so inspire me to step and think outside the box. Thanks for visiting me today...Your comments are appreciated.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2007-03-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Well,,Happy St. Paddy's Day to everyone...We had sunshine here today..it was still a little chilly..but still...the sun was out !! My brother called from Salome, AZ and it was 100 there yesterday..ahh that would feel so good for a couple of days.
I actually got quite a bit accomplished today. We went to town to take care of some errands. Then came home and done that homey stuff of laundry, cleaning etc. Then ran over to a friends house for a little party for her 4 year old grandson. Then back home and hubby put on a New England boiled dinner to cook..We had it for supper it was so good.. Corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, beats and onions. Then tomorrow he will make red flannel hash. I'd never had it before he came into my life, he's from Vermont..hence the name New England Boiled Dinner. I did have time to work on a few things.. Here is the collage of my parents..I think for my first try it turned pretty good.. What do you think ?? Click on it for a bigger picture..

Here are the Dotee ATC's that will be in the mail to Victoria, Australia on Monday.
I made another Dotee Doll but my camera's battries are dead... and of course I forgot to charge the extra ones... so now at least I have something to post tomorrow...I think it's time to go soak in the jacuzzi tub..

Camera Fixed !!

2007-03-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well here is a picture of my journal.. and a picture of my first received Altered Altoid Tin Trade.
It's from Liz in MD. the little heart inside is felted..I think it's so sweet &
nice...I can't wait to get more. I'm almost finished with all my little Dotee items.. I have done 3 dolls and 3 ATC's. I will post pictures of those later. I was supposed to be off today..but instead I went to work for a little while and it ended up being a longer while. I also had to go to the dentist..and that was at 9:30 and I still have a splitting headache..I guess from the Novicane..I never get headaches so I guess its from the Novicane. Surely not the stressful day at work. I'm starting a new project at work..and I'm finding more problems than I anticipated. At home I started a new project too. I'm working a pciture of my mom and dad..It will be kind of a funky but a sweet one with memories of them. I'll post a picture of my progress tomorrow night. Lots of stuff to do tomorrow.. you know some yard work. house cleaning and all that fun stuff. I read where some of my favorite artists are going to something called artfest...well it's in Washington State...not really close to me..but still in MY state..at Port Townsend..maybe next year I can save my nickles and go...check it out and see the really cool artists that will be there..There is another in Portland..its called Art and Soul Retreat.. That would be great too and it's this year and in October..might just be doable..There is still one more..with Katie Kendrick these are just some of the reasons I need to retire..hmmm what fun that would be..Now it's time to watch a little TV and cuddle with hubby and the weiner dogs...

My camera is sick.....

2007-03-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

I think I have a bad chip..so I can't post any pictures of things until I get a new one. I received a tin in the mail too..Its from Liz in Maryland,,so soon as I get a new chip I will post a picture. I also started an Art Journal..I started it as soon as I can home from work..It was kind of fun to just be creative right off the cuff..and just put down some color and thoughts. Well today is my Friday...woohoo..except I have dentist appointment tomorrow.

Here's picture of the largest peice of altered art I have ever made!! It's a med. cart from the nursing home where I work. I used Mod Podge on it..and used clip art and tissue paper vintage pictures of the residents on it. I covered the all of the cart with it. I use the cart for one to one type activites for the elders. I have games on it..things to fold and sort. The drawers are all full of goodies of things for them to do. Its on wheels so I can just push it up and down the hallyway. Well type to get ready for work...Thanks for coming here today..leave your comments and I will visit your blog too.

Picture from the Past

2007-03-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well here it is..the picture of my son..in his younger years..He was probably about 13 or 14 years old. I would have posted a newer picture had he sent me one...He is very handsome as he said..he takes after my side of the family. I only wish he wasn't 1400 miles away. Love ya sonny boy, Troy Boy..

Good Morning All..

2007-03-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

When I started writing this post the sun was shining..and it was shining right on my new Dotee ATC I just finished last night.Now just a few minutes later it's gone the..the sun that is..This is my first ATC..it was fun..The size is 2 1/2 by 3..but now that I write I realize I made a mistake..It should be 2 1/2 by 3 1/2...It only took my about 2 hours to make it..!!! Oh well...it was good practice I guess..Trouble is I have another one almost done and it has more details..but maybe I can save her. Nope.. she's a total loss..Oh well..My dad always said measure twice cut once..he of course was talking lumber..My dear son left a post about nudity on his mother's blog..and a picture of her handsome son would be much better.. So I guess now I will have to look through pictures and post one of him..hmmm of course he never sends pictures of himself.. so I will have to look through the old picture box and see what I can find from his school days...stayed tuned.
My grandson will be 10 years old this week March 13th..how can it be ? I'll never forget that day when he was born..my son called early in the day..and then later that same day I got a call from my son-in-law that my daughter had a brain anurisymn...she was in the hospital for a month after brain surgery and the miracle is she had no lasting effects from it. So in March there were two miracles...a new baby boy Everett and life for Shelley. Well I'm getting all misty eyed.. so enough for now...I really need to clean up my mess from last night..Looking for all the right stuff for my Dotee ATC.. that is the wrong size..grrrrrrrr.. Judy..

Happy March...can Spring be near ??

2007-03-04T20:27:00.000-08:00

We went camping this week-end...it was kind of nippy but not too bad. The sun did not shine however...I do miss the sun. But I did all sorts of crafty things including these new Dotee Dolls.

There were fun to make..I think a person could get very addicted to making them. Each one has it's own personality. I also made another Altered Tin and a Joy doll for a swap in FAT . The FAT swap.. was kind of funny I use "kind of" loosely..I received a Joy doll on the mail on Friday. I of course didn't remember that I had signed up for this trade. I had made a Joy doll..but unfortunately Oscar the weiner dog decided he really liked her hair. So I had to make another this weekend and I think I even like her better.. She is about 5 1/2" and the Dotee's are 3".

I also made another tin..that's 3 now I have made.. I'm hosting this trade and have quite a few to trade about 38 so far !! I can't seem to figure out to add pictures ..like here where I want them.. They always go back up to the top. So until I figure this all out you will just have deal with me having them out of order. It can't be that hard.. can it ?? Somebody help me please...

New cards and a Dotee Doll...

2007-02-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been over since I've posted...I just have so busy..Last Thursday I took a class at a new shop in town..it's called Art Garden and they offer vaious classes. So I'm taking a mosaic mirror class. It''s going to be quite large..probably 24" x 24". We make tiles in the first class, she will fire and then we will paint next Thursday..Its a 4-6 week class, depending on how long you take to finish and she supplies all the stuff. I got these cards in the mail this week from my art2mail22 group. The one with the garden fairy if from Bev in Victoria, Australia, the Patchwork Diva is from Jo in Alabama and the Asian is from Glennis in CA. Each one is unique and different. I'm also going to add my first DoteeDoll you check out more qbout them here at Dotee's Blog They are really cute and fun to make. I made this about 1" too big. So I will not use her in a swap. She needs to be no bigger than 3". She really just makes you smile when you look at her. Dotee is doing a swap for her you can check it at her blog. Hubby and I went to Leavenworth on Friday and spent the night. It was our 7th wedding anniversary. It was beautiful and we woke up to snow falling. Leavenworth is a town in the Cascade moutains with a German/Bavarian theme. We had some great german food and wine. We came home the next day after stopping at Joanne's and an art suplly store. Both of which had nothing I really wanted. I went armed with my list from a new book I got Mixed Media Explorations by Beryl Taylor I guess I will have to get of the things from the internet. Trouble is..I can't find it all at the same spot. I hate to pay all that shipping, but I guess it's better than using gas running all over the state. Well time to go make Dotee Dolls...

New postcards received

2007-02-16T17:50:00.000-08:00

Well here it is Friday already..Where does the time go. Remember when you were a kid and you could'nt wait until you 13 years old...or until Christmas came. Now time just passes by like a fast moving train. There is just not enough time to do what I want. So then why so I just seem to sit in from of the TV sometime? I get lost in someone else's problems I guess. What I need to do is get off my butt and start walking again. My weight has got my mood down again. I look back at what I did just a couple of years ago..I lost 90 lbs. and some how..somewhere..it found it's ugly way back. I remember one of my wise old sage friends once said..Never say you lost the weight..

because when you loose something you want it back...instead she said..say I released it. Now I understand..Now I need to release it again once and for all..this time I'm going to send it on a one way flight to somewhere...somewhere that it will want to stay. Any suggestions where that might be ? Well now for some happy thoughts.. I have two new postcards to show you..The snowflake is from Laurie in CT. and the Valentine Patchwork is from Gwen in TN. This has been such a great group to exchange cards with. I'm also currently hosting an Altered Altoid Tin Trade here at..FAT It's a really fun group..go check it out and join. We do all sorts of Fiber Art Trade)hence the name FAT. If you want to join just tell them..Judy Spencer sent you !!

Another week-end gone....

2007-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

It seems the week-ends just get started and then its back to work. It was a good week-end though. I had lunch with a friend on Friday and we went shopping. I bought some new clothes and a got a great new rubber stamp..It's huge and has four sides..It will be fun to use with fabric..postcards and maybe something new..like tags. I got a new postcard in the mail over the week-end. Its from Carol in Welling,Kent, England..It's quite unique..I love the funky ribbon on it. she did a great job..Thanks Carol !! Well Monday..will be a different day at work..We are working with no administrator...not a real big deal..unless it takes the board a longtime to find another one. It can be an anxious time waiting for a new boss..then getting to know them..and hoping we can meet each others expectations. I'm busy doing my own job as well as a re-decorating project in the main resident dining room. Not like picking furniture and floors for your own home..everything has to pass approval by the state and that takes time. We hope to have it done by April or May at the very latest. I working on more altered Altoid tins...and will post pictures when I get done. Well I need to do more work on tins..thats all for now...

Altered Tin.....

2007-02-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of the Altoid Tin I've been working on.

What do you think ????
I think it needs something else..I'm just not sure what.....I still need to paint around th edges a little. The tiny book is made from the old speller I bought at the second hand store the other day..I reduced and copied
on card stock and then reduced some pages to go inside.
I think it turned kind of cute.
Some of my old fellows at the nursing are even helping me out. We are rusting Altoid tins.
We have 4 different experiments going..

Coke
Shasta Cola
Water & Salt
Vinegar & Salt

Each have the tins soaking in the solution. We doing a study to see which one rusts the quickest. Well enough rambling for the nite..Take Care All...

2007-02-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

Here are postcards I received the last few days...Each one is special..little works of art. We rode up to where we camp today..Lots of snow on the ground..but it was fairly balmy..34 degrees.
not bad considering it has been in the single digits and teens. We let the dogs out and of course

Oscar had to run off. I called him and called him..but he never came. So John went out and called him..told him we going bye-bye..you know all the tricks you use on your dogs. Well he was still in the truck. I guess he decided it was too cold to get out. He did have fun though..he went through my purse and ate all of John's gum and Mentoes. At least his breath was good for a change. Everything checked out good though. Last time John went up and checked all of the soda in the frig has exploded. What a mess..with no water turned to clean it up..It will be sticky.

Needless to say I didn't get much done today..I did work an altered altoid tine..I will try and post a picture of it tomorrow nite..Thats all for me today..

Where does time go ???

2007-02-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Finally got postcards done..so I will add a couple of pictures of them.. The red one is from the fabric I made with the solvy..I made 12 similar ones. The next one represents where I live..Soap Lake, WA and look here for the lava lamp story.

The last is a sunrise..So now all these now have to be mailed. I'm also working on a couple altered altoid tins. They are a lot of fun to do..and it's also fun to go through junk drawers and boxes looking for little things to put on them. I think I will make one into a little shrine for my mom and dad..I will need to go through old pictures and see what I can find. I went to a junk store on Friday and found a great little book. Its Watson's Complete Speller from July 1884..Its not in the best of shape. It has little pencil drawings here and there and some words underlined..I think of the children that have used that little book. I'm using parts of it(copied) for one of my altered tins..kind of a school girl theme.

Time went so fast this week..I could hardly believe that it had been since Tuesday that I blogged. I received three more postcards from my Art2mail group I take pictures later and post them. Now its time to do a few dishes...shower and be productive...

I got mail !!!

2007-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

I received three cards.......as you can see each one is special and unique. I have 13 ready to mail out but I'm waiting for clear envelopes. I think they just protects them a little bit more. I will post pictures before I mail them out. I used some of the fabric I made and I think they turned pretty nice. Very busy time at work for me. It's the end of the month and I have the next month activity calendar all planned, printed and ready to go tomottow. Then I make a big calendar for the wall..I mean big..4 feet by 5 feet. It's the focal point when anyone comes in. They like to see whats going on, what activities to attend or what activivites they can attend with their mom or dad. For those that don't know my daytime job is an Activity Professional at a longterm care facility. We try to keep them engaged in meaningful activities. Which at times is very challenging to say the least. But I have done this kind of work for about almost 25 years..and I love working with the elders. If I can bring just 1 smile to just 1 person lost in dementia it makes my whole day. Sometimes you can see that little sparkle in their eyes and you know they are remembering...something..sometime..somewhere or someone. Time to get busy and try and create something......

I made some fabric today...

2007-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

The pink one is made from muslin and then I wet it down and painted it..with acrylique paints..my first attempt at this..I will probably use as background on a journal page or on postcards. The red one is bits and pieces of ribbon, wool, silk flowers, angleina etc. put between 2 pieces of washaway solvy..and I have an orignial piece. It is already cut-up and ready to be sewn down on postcards for swap for art2mail. I will post a picture when done with them. Hopefully I will be able to finish them tonight and I still have many other UFO'S in the works. It was nice and sunny today..but still very cold. Well thats all for now I need to get busy and get something completed. I spend too much time reading blogs..looking at pictures on the internet.

My First Valentine...

2007-01-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here is picture of where we camp

I received this card in the mail today..its from Joy in Burke, VA. The picture doesn't do it justice.

It came through the mail great too. Sometimes you just never know what happens to things. I received one that looked like a truck had run over it and some that never make it to their distination I bet someone has a collection somewhere. Thank God its Friday tomorrow..Time to be creative..(a little house cleaning first) and cooking supper for me and hubby. Most of the snow is finally gone. I do long for more sun and spring to arrive..I know it's a long way off..But I look forward to going camping again..We did camp for Thanksgiving and cooked the turkey in BBQ. My daughter and hubby came over from the Seattle area, we had a good time. Time go read some blogs..

We had sun shine today...

2007-01-24T20:02:00.000-08:00

Wow I almost forgot what the sun looked like..I haven't been very productive this week. Just coming home from work and the usual. I have started a little fiber art doll..but she has given me some trouble..so I will start over with her. She is so small I can't seem to get her turned right side out. I guess I need tiny hemostats or something like that..But I will keep trying. I plan to be very productive this week-end.. I have to..I have 13 postcards to make, at least 1 altered cigar box, the fiber art doll, and I have to start a challenge project for Quilting Arts Magazine
Plus the usual week-end stuff... cleaning, shopping..etc. At least I have Friday-Sunday. Well time to go relax...vegetate...and think creative thoughts and of course knit...

Cards received today....

2007-01-22T19:51:00.000-08:00

Busy day at work today..but then when isn't it busy ? I'm working on a decorating project in addition to my normal daily duties. Someone has donated some money to redecorate the resident dining room. So I'm picking out new flooring, tables and chairs as well as paint. So it's quite a project and of course we all want it done today. I'm posting some pics. of post cards I received today. They are so much prettier in person. So if your in the neighborhood please stop by. If you into fiber art check this out this one of the groups I'm in and we have a lot of fun and get trade to fiber art.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FiberArtTraders

Here's the bread..

2007-01-21T15:34:00.000-08:00

Here's the bread...the rye is on the top..I think it was too sticky and then didn't bake quite long enough. The whole wheat feels right though. We won't know until we cut into it. I also think the pan was too big for the rye bread, 4-6 quart if just right. I wasn't very productive today....but there's always tomorrow....

I've been busy..just puttering around with stuff

2007-01-21T10:03:00.000-08:00

This is a little violin I picked up at junk store for 2 bucks..I think in it's formal life it was a
Christmas ornament..I'm altering it..Not sure what I will do with it..but if anybody likes its I will have a drawing and mail it to you..Jusy mention that in a post.

Here are a few pictures of what I've been doing.. I had planned to work on postcards..but other things distracted me. I made the bread yesterday..It's super easy and is the best bread ever. It has hard crusty crust.. and very earthy flavor. It take 20 hours to rasie.I still need to work on postcards and do some mending for John(hubby)..so I guess this is all for now...I will post pics. of bread when done.. Here is link to the bread recipe.http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2006/11/recipe-no-knead-bread-3-cups-all.html

Not to much to do so I went dancing...

2007-01-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

Check me out here http://www.dancesisterdance.com/myvid/index.php?v=8568061ea0298

Not sure I did this right..but if you make it there it's a hoot. Be sure and try it for yourself...
Well I went to jury duty and was only there about 1 hour..they dismissed all 3 cases. But I still make a huge sum of money...$10.00...plus mileage..wow..what will I do with it all ? Spend it fiber art stuff of course. I have a couple of projects planned for tomorrow. First to a trip rubberstamp store and then going to work on postcards for the swap, try to alter a CD and then work on an altered book. While I'm relaxing watch TV I'm knitting a scarf. I will show progress pictures tomorrow.. My camera batteries were dead as well as the back-up ones. So I guess I will sign-off. You all take care and talk at you tomorrow....

Jury Duty..

2007-01-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

Well I just called the jury hotline..so to speak.. and I have to report for jury duty tomorrow morning..They said to bring a book or some handywork. I'm knitting on some socks..but I will probably need more than that. Besides I'm using size 1 needles and it's like knitting with toothpicks. So I have to get someting together to take along and find something to read. So I can't linger much longer online tonight. On the bright side it might be nice to sit and read & knit all day. Well I don't suppose if I have to sit on a jury they will alow me to knit, but I can try enjoy myself while I'm waiting. Well you all take care and talk to you tomorrow night.

New postcards received

2007-01-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

green from Kim in New York

purple from Marylee in California

red from Jo in Florida

I received 3 postcards in the mail today..They are from a new group that I joined..its a branch of the art2mail group. the one I'm in is called artcards22. I have sent off the 8, the funky ones of me being the Queen of Everything. I still have a dozen or so to make. But here it is 8:30 and I haven't done much but read blogs and do my own. I still have to go to work..in the morning. A friend at work is leaving and going to another job.. I will miss her but we will keep in touch.(right Lee?)I keep thinking just a few more years and I can retire and spend my day..blogging..fiberarting...(is that a word ?), quilting.etc...I never thought I would look forward to getting old. Well going to post the pictures of the postcarrds. Thats all for now folks...

Time for flowers this has cold to go...brrrrr

2007-01-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

Camellia Spider Mum

The weather was very cold here today. My office has lots of windows and cold just seems to seep through. I told someone that if stuck my tongue on the wall it would stick to the wall. They just looked at me...with the look that says.. "she is crazy". My hubby brought me home 5 cigar boxes today that he got at the local smoke shop. I was so excited about..you would have thought I got a new fur coat or something. The FiberArtTrader group I'm in is going to trade altered boxes..so now I can participate. Since there are no real stores other than Walmart around I was worried that I would'nt find the right thing. We do have a wonderful fabric store just 5 miles away, but they don't carry everything that a gal could want. Although they do have three rooms full of beautiful yarns and three rooms full of quality quilting fabric and all the goodies to go with it. I'm posting a picture of two flowers that I knitted and felted. One is a Camellia and the other Spider Mum. The mum needs to be tacked down to a purse so all the little spider legs look right. The pattern is from Noni Designshttp://nonipatterns.com/. She has really wonderful patterns and is so nice. She answered my email very quickly(like 45 minutes) to help me understand the pattern better. I would probably make the spider mum in pastel colors next time. The large flower will probably go on a purse. Well thats all for this eve..Take care everyone..

Me again...

2007-01-14T14:44:00.000-08:00

I made 8 of these postcards for another postcard swap..Its a big group so I still have 13 more to make..but we have 4 months to make them in..I hope they like them..take care all...

Opps..I posted the same pic.. now what do I do.. Oh welll

2007-01-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

There will most likely be many more goofs like that one !! Hey I fixed it...

2007-01-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

2007-01-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

Journal Page..

2007-01-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

Another journal page...can you guess the word I'm trying to say ?? (2 words really )

Soft trees

2007-01-14T14:09:00.000-08:00

These are made from a pattern by littlebird.They ar called soft trees.. quick and fun to make.

Magic Card Holders

2007-01-14T13:59:00.000-08:00

These are Quilting Arts Magazine Designed by Normajean Brevik she is the list mom of the the Fiber Art Traders group at Yahoo I'm in..They ar card holders..I made these for friends at work and then made them business cards too.. What fun..

I'm back...

2007-01-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

Well its been a few months since my last blog...I get too busy reading other blogs..but I'll try this again.. I post post some pictures of lastest projects I've completed since last time. If I can the pictures that is...

2006-10-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

Well here it is... The first page of my Fabric Art Journal. I joined yet another Fiber Art Group and this was the project for the month. To create a page that describes us. Well this is me...Too many thoughts..So many ideas..Too little time..leaves my head spinning all the time. I hand quilted the whole thing and did some beading on it. As you might be able to see I have so many thoughts and ideas come out of my head. I fashioned it after an article by Susan Shie I read in a Quilting Arts Magazine. I really love her work. That's my problem I love so many peoples work. I want to try all these techniques I read about in magazines and blogs. But there is just not enough time in the day to do everything. I really need to retire...but..I really need to work to support all my habits. I guess it's a vicious circle. But that's what life is all about. Learning to manage our time and do the things we need to do...yet have the time..or should I say take the time to do what we love. Oh I love my job..I love the dear elderly people that I work with everyday..but they make me realize more and more everyday that is short and we need to enjoy it to the fullest. I envy those that don't have to punch a clock and can create quilts and fiber arts and be paid to do. Could I ever be so brave to try that ? Do have I the faith and confidence in myself ?..Hmm that is something I need to think about. I have been asked to teach a series of classes on ATC..yet I declined..said I didn't have time..But I really believe it's that I don't have the confidence in myself to do it.

I'm proud of my work and what I do..I need to step in faith that I can do it !! Well for now I have ATC's that are soon due for a upcoming swap, another journal page challenge..and a roundrobbin ATC. I'm also hoping to something published in Quilting Arts...say a prayer.. Well thats all for now..I think I like this blogging..

My first time....

2006-07-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well here it is my first blog. Weather is hot again here today. Looking forward to week-end, as usual. The apricot tree is loaded with fruit, we are hoping friends will come and pick it all. Although I would like to make a batch of apricot/pineapple jam and of course at least one apricot pie. HMMMM