Treasure Hunting

After a day of miserable nausea (compliments of the day off effexor) i was much better sat. (just being able to stand up w/out feeling like i would die was an improvement) anyway, decided to go to the Cattle Barn and Buchanan's flea mkt today in fort worth. Never made it to Buchanan's. Found so many fun things at the barn that i didn't "need" to go to the other. The cattle barn (this wk actually the poultry barn) is always hit or miss. Vendors aren't always there-the booths covered in sheets-or roped off (usually when there is something cool) so i don't usually hold alot of hope of finding alot. Today was a junkers mekka! The first stuff i bought was at a booth where it was all at least 1/2 off. For $3 i got a book, powder compact, shoe and old tin w/most of it's original box. This will sit on a shelf in the bathroom-appropriate i think.

I found a booth with a table of old stuff~the guy said if you can find 3 things, it's a $1. I managed to find 9 for $3-then another 2 in a different area.

i also found 2 photo's, but the bargain of the day was a box that said all for $10-i debated and finally went back, too cool to pass up. i have plans for a few things already. ..

Wedding

Sat I attended the wedding of a long-time friend. 2 other friends and I made the trek out to McKinney to see Traci and Eric say their vows. She was beautiful in her dress-with the silver design sparkling as the sunlight caught it. Her neices had on the cutest dresses-looked like pink flower petals~and i loved the cake topper-the crown. The happy couple are in Jamaica now...congrats!

Book Signing, & a Class

I had the opportunity to attend a book signing w/Rice Freeman-Zachary, James Michael Starr and Michael DeMeng last week. The discussion before the signing was very enlightening. It's good to know that even they have the same good and bad days that the rest of us do. No matter what your level of art, you have your insecurities.

On Fri, i took a class with Michael DeMeng. If you ever have the chance to take one of his classes- do! It is fun to be in a room with him-not to mention the class itself is really good. I took a light box shrine-loved the whole concept of the layers. Can't seem to get a good photo to post, but will try again soon. Suffice it to say, they were all really cool in person!

ArtFest registration time...

Today's the day! time to mail the registration for artfest '08~
When i left for the post office it was appropriately raining...reminded me of seattle. I bought my postage, however no telling WHAT time it will be postmarked as the lady wouldn't do it-actually she looked at me w/a "huh" look on her face...i just don't know where they find these people...
so my fingers are crossed-it's out of my hands now.

Wkend Art

this is what i worked on this wkend. Had the idea when i saw the printers block on ebay-and when i won it, had to make this piece.

She now sits behind glass in a shadowbox frame~

it's Up!

I finally put some things on my etsy shop. I have more to add, but this is a start. Need to add a banner and some other pictures, but for now, it's a go. Feel free to stop by~

Musings

I want to try to post more often-and more art. Last sept when i went to work for my mom at the seminary, it was just m-f part time-and temporary. Well, almost a yr later, i'm still there and agreed to stay-almost full time. I go in early, so i get off early which gives me time for art-or so i thought. Now i come home and sleep every day-finally realized it's due to my meds-and once i get off them (soon i hope) i'll have more energy and create more. In the meantime, i fit it in when i can and when i feel like it. I'm trying to clean up the art room-and purge some things-narrow down my mediums (yea right) :) So i'll throw in pictures of "stuff" as well as art. This wkend i made this little piece that will be going into my etsy shop. As soon as i get a few more things photographed, they'll go in there too. The book below i made at the first Artfest-in a class w/Albie Smith-great teacher and wonderful book. I finally decided to use it to write down childhood memories-something to pass down.

Update

Pictures are finally uploaded so i can update a few things. Received this wonderful necklace in trade from Tonia a few wks ago-i love it's uniquenss! Mom and i went to canton sat (not for the big flea mkt) went to the home decor store she wanted to hit-got a few things for the house. (the birds i plan to paint) Finally finished reading Harry Potter-Only let myself read a bit at a time to make it last :) Now i can just look forward to the last 2 movies.

I also see that HBO will be coming out w/a new series based on some books i read by Charlaine Harris. Should be interesting since Alan Ball is writing.

that's it for today. HOPE to get some things on my etsy shop this week...

I Give Up

First, couldn't get pictures to upload, then blogger wouldn't let me sign on, and now i get an error msg when i try to post a picture...i promise, there IS a cake picture :)

will post later this week what's up around here-hopefully with pictures. ok-so here's the cake after all...

Mmm-coffee cake

Well, i just *thought* i would update on mon-but here it is friday already and i'm just getting around to it. Sun night i made this yummy coffee cake.
It's one i tried at work and they all raved-it lives up to the name of "rich coffee cake"
Been working alot this week-more than my usual 25 hrs. We had a lg group in, so by the time tomorrow is over, i'll have over 40. Nice to be busy, but it wears you out~no art this week. OK-have to go charge the camera before i can add the picture~so more later...

Finally saw Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix on sat. When i got home, book 7 had arrived-that thing was glued tighter than Ft Knox!

Started it on sun-just know someone on the radio is going to ruin it for me-i had to turn it down 3 X this morning to keep from hearing stuff-they should know to shut up about it.

My Little Helper

Walked into my art room the other day and saw something out of the corner of my eye...

"someone" thought she was my helper...

Potter Party

Went w/sis, the kids and their 2 friends. Only patrick and katie would do any of the activities, so i went around with them. (wearing my witch hat and cape of course)...

the pictures aren't great, but you get the idea~

Almost Time!

In a little bit, i'll be meeting my sis and nephews at Barnes & Noble for the Harry Potter party~Can't wait for the last book but it will be sad that there are no more to look forward to. Will post pictures tomorrow.

This Past Week

Went back to work on mon after two wks off-figures i finally got inspired on sat to start a project. Cut, sanded, nailed and painted. Started a colorful wooden box-what i'm going to put in it is anyone's guess at this point..but it's a start!

I bought some paint samples to show my sister for the baby's room. ( i get to paint my future neice's room-and decorate some too) yea!

off to Curves, then home to veg-have to work this wkend-and all next wk, 12 days straight, so may not post again until next wkend...

It's Friday...

One yr ago yesterday was the day i was rid of "the nail" and it's been 8 mo since i've had a piece of metal in my body-that's a good sign!

I've started a list of what i'm reading. Currently it's "To die for" by linda howard. A friend loaned me the book that comes after this-so thought i better read this one to meet the characters. It's a fun read. If you like janet evanovch, you would like this too. We had a bit of reprieve from the rains today-but they still say chances over the next 14 days. At least it keeps the temps down. Went and got a haircut today-couldn't stand it anymore and had some layers put in. picture later...maybe. now that it's 9:30, think i'll go do something artsy on my last official day of vacation...

Bird Eggs

went out to take a picture of my canna's and noticed a dove in the same spot as before-with a new nest. So i climbe up to look and sure enough-2 little eggs. I'll be checking every few days to see when the babies hatch...wonder if it's the same bird as before?

Road Trip to Missouri

Sunday i toyed w/the idea of going to missouri to see grandparents. My aunt and parents were there, and gramp was turning 90!...so mon, last minute threw some stuff together and off i went. Ran into rain in OK and by the time i got to the mountain road in Arkansas, it was just cloudy.

Here is one of the winding curves...but i had the windows down and the music cranked and it was wonderful-a mere 78 degrees.

Tues morning it was nice enough to sit out on the deck-gram enjoyed the fresh air too. Here is the view they have seen every day for 24 yrs now. What a retirement~ Mon and i went into town (branson) and went to the antique mall. I managed to find a few things while there. We had BBQ for grandpa's bday dinner-got him a sugar free pie and we

had mini-cupcakes. We heard some interesting stories about his growing up-his fave bday being his 16th when he could drive legally.

I got a call from gary that evening-remember he is in vegas-turns out he had a bad feeling and decided to come home for now-only he made a detour to grams-he was a mile away-so he got to come visit too and be there for the bday. He and i went to town on wed and went through the Titanic exhibit-it was really interesting and they have actual artifacts from the ship.He headed home tonight, but i stayed until thurs morn as did my parents. Here is a photo of grandpa, dad, gary and my gram. You would never think he is 90! I'm not posting the picture w/me in it because a)not photogenic and b)it's my blog and i can do that!

Here is the bridge out of town... and me driving through the mountains. Hard to photograph yourself while driving...:) and finally i'll post my goodies-found a few things in berryville arkansas and eureka springs...

The Birds

I never did finish the story of the baby birds. We had a storm on a thurs after i posted-the winds blew the nest away. I did see one "baby" near the crape myrtle trees-it flew and hid when nala and i got near-so i guess they had both learned to fly and were off into the world.

Groupie

It's official, Gary and I are now groupies. Tues night we went to see "Gentleman Auction House" playing at The Cavern. I introduced myself to Eric (founder, writer, singer, musician) since he knows my family in st louis. He thanked us for coming out to see them. (stupid me forgot my camera) They were GREAT! loved the music. Wed, we got up to go to Austin as we had discussed last week-just so happened that they were playing again in Austin wed night. We went to "Mohawk" downtown (i think we were the oldest ones there) and saw them again. They were sitting at the bar and saw us walk in (surprise!) really enjoyed them the 2nd time around-and promised them we were NOT stalking and really, we won't be in Tucson Az to see them thurs :)
Hope they come out with another CD cause i'm hooked. Can't get their songs out of my mind.

Life the past Week

Got word from the vet that Nala is fine-no cancer! yea. I knew she was fine. (now it's just confirmed) Another birthday came and went. 44. only a number to me. It was probably my least favorite birthday in my entire life. My depression was really bad-starting fri morning. I know when a few things change here, i'll get better. A few wks ago when i thought things were looking up-and the dr said..."keep taking the meds" i thought he was being silly-instead, he must have known...so, i keep popping my 'happy pills' and go on. My goal this past week was to get the house cleaned since it's well past time to do so-i'm getting there, then i tackle the art room. THEN maybe i can make art.
My cousin's boyfriends' band Gentleman Auction House is playing in dallas this week! at the Cavern on lower Greenville. will either see them there or in Austin the following night since we may be out of town. how cool is that? i know a band member-sorta. more later~off to clean (i know, how exciting) :)

Nala News

Nala has a cyst on her neck. Vet wasn't concerned. One popped up on her leg not too long ago and she kept messing with it. Took her to vet on mon-gave us antibiotics and said if we wanted it cut off, to do so while she was on the meds.

Since we use a mobile vet, can go 6 days a wk w/no appt-so wed gary took her in to have it removed and sent off for biopsy. Gary is worried, I have a much more upbeat attitude-she is fine. no cancer. We'll get the results on fri. In the meantime, here are some pictures. now that the pink bandage is off, she seems ok w/it-but if she tries to mess w/her stitches, on goes the conehead which she HATES.

The Birds

No, not the Hitchcock movie...my birds. Can't believe how much they have grown in a week!

A Gift

Not all packages come wrapped in pretty paper. While mowing tuesday, i discoverd that a bird built a nest on our circuit breaker box. I went to get the camera to take her picture, but she flew off before i could take it. I got to thinking that there might be eggs, so i climbed up to look and no eggs. There were two babies. I got their picture-not even up and chirping yet. Got mama's picture too-can't get them to upload now, but when i can i will-and keep their progress posted.

17 DAYS...and counting

It's almost time for Pirates of the Caribbean 3
and you can bet i'll be there day one...right after work. Day before my birthday, what a nice
present from Mr Depp. :)

Happy Birthday Blog!

Hard to believe but the blog is a yr old~impressed myself that i am keeping up with it~here's to another year.

Latest Projects

Here are some things i've been working on-i seem to have changed from my darker stuff to some pastel, colorful as you'll see in one of these. One is finished, the other are works in progress. the girl on the far left has had more added since i took the picture, but i'm still working on her. Flower girl is complete. Tomorrow i'll post a picture of what i got at the art festival.~

Weather and What's Up

Had nasty storms through here on fri-rain, tornadoes, hail-yes we had it all-i was coming through downtown ft worth when the tornado sirens went off right next to me-you can bet i hauled home-but didn't beat the hail. Lg hail-

Here is a picture of some of my Iris'. It is spring for sure-everything is blooming and green-sadly, in about two months it will be miserably hot and we will miss this unusually cool weather we've been having. Sat was in the 40's!

Thurs the Ft Worth Main St Art Festival starts-can't wait to go, it's my favorite festival of all the ones we have here.

Happy Easter!

OK, so it's a day late, but i was busy on Easter. We had lunch at mom's as usual. She had B-B-Q and we all brought the extra's. (potato/corn/salad/beans/pies) and all of us forgot our cameras so no photo's. We had the adult egg hunt where we push and shove to get those money filled eggs. It was cold this yr! We had an unusual cold spell~since thurs-not that i minded one bit. We've had wacky weather the past few weeks-hot then cool then rain which we need. Beats the heat any day! I'll post a few spring/Easter themed pictures for you~

Nest is one made by me and added the bird/eggs to. Metal "nest" letters found at canton one time. Aren't the shoes cute! found these at Walmart and had to have them. They are too fun.

Soon i'll post the art i've been working on-and will finally put some peices on my Etsy site~

Canton

My friend Margo and I went to canton on sunday to hunt for treasures. I managed to find some fun stuff to play with-so did she. Forgot to take a picture of us rummaging, but did take a picture of what i got-not alot, but still fun to hunt. Only thing not shown here are 2 photos i got that were tucked inside the book when i took the picture.

Bluebonnets

It's that time of yr~the bluebonnets are blooming. Last year was not a good yr for them-not enough winter rains. This year we've had some rain and there is a good "crop" of flowers. Stopped on my way home from work last wk and took a few pictures of them.

Happy Spring!

More Treasures

Was on the way to the cattle barn in ft worth (flea market) when i passed an antique store having a sidewalk sale. Got the large mirror frame there that will be a future piece of art.

The other stuff are things i got at the cattle barn-and the 2 tins came from an estate sale i hit on the way home-not bad for $20...