A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That. . .

Last Saturday I attended the Seattle Gift show. We were doing a little research and investigating if this was something we want to get involved in in the future. It was fun, it was overwhelming, it was inspiring . . .

We tried to talk about it on the way home and I finally just had to say -

Enough! I need to process first.

So I am processing still.

It was an exciting environment, but when you see the rows and rows of hundreds of vendors all vying for the same business, it really is amazing. Talk about a humbling experience.

Anyway . . .

while there we met Amy. Amy has a wonderful business making soy candles and yummy smelling things.

I have a really hard time with "artificial" smells -

they make me sneeze and give me a headache

and feel nauseaus.

I avoid the laundry soap aisle at the store at all costs! 

Real scents from real essential oils . . .I have no problem with.

Amy makes these great candles, and linen sprays and things with natural essential oils

and they are Yummy! 

And the massage candles!!!

Have you seen these before?

This was a first for me. I feel like I have missed out on this great thing. But now my life can go on. . .

I L.O.V.E. them.

Light the candle, and as the wax melts you have the perfect temperature massage lotion made with soy, shea butter and essential oils.

It is the perfect temperature. No too hot like I expected.

And it makes your skin sooooo soft.

Did I say I LOVE them???

Check out her website and think of her for gifts for you, your friends, your spouse. . .everyone!

In other news -

I am working on the wine barrel. I am working on some other projects. I am trying to rebuild inventory.

These are a few examples of some 4 x 4 inch wood blocks that I have finsihed up this week.

I love working on these.

They just feel good when they are done.

A little piece with a big impact!

I'm also working through an online class with my hero.
I have never met Alisa - but I stalk her blog every single day.
I want to be just like her when I grow UP!
She is conducting an online class on sketching.
I doodle alot - but I don't really sketch.
Yes - there is a difference.
And I set a goal for myself to take more classes so that I can be inspired by new styles, new ideas, new approaches.
It's tough sometimes to attend a regular class, so I am sold on these on-line classes.
I'll keep you informed of my progress.

.

A completed project -

A few weeks ago, I wrote about returning from a mini-retreat and the fact that I had been overcome with the need to KNIT - a typical thing that happens to me every winter.

After all - who wants a big, warm knitting project draped over your lap when it is 80 degrees outside!

But when it is cold and the winds are whipping around . . .that's a different story.

Well . . .last night I finished the

knitting project . . .A prayer shawl made out of a thick, soft yarn - purple and black because . . .well just because purple makes me giggle with happiness!

After finishing it up, it looked a little too plain - so I added a little extra excitement with the fun colored funky yarn. I sewed it in.

 I didn't know if I liked the effect when I started and then I reminded myself - when I am painting and I don't like what it looks like, I just keep painting. When I don't like something - it usually means it's not finished yet.

 So - I took my own advice and kept adding on until it looked "finished".

And here it is . . .

I am excited to have a little something unique to wear over my shoulders when I'm a little chilly.

And since winter isn't over yet - I'm starting another project.

This time - a blanket for my daughter.

I wonder if I can finish it before the weather warms up.  Hmmmmm. . . .I'l keep you posted.

Painting My Way

The Sun, The Moon, The Stars
3 ft. x 4 ft acrylic on wood with three dimensional elements



Full version of Ladybug chair, complete with mirrors in the center of the flowers on the back. PS - Notice the sad, empty garden beds in the background?  (Insert heavy sigh here) 



Ladybug, Ladybug . . .Fly Away Home



We've all heard the good news.

Puxatony Phil saw his shadow this week and Spring is only 6 weeks away.

That is hard to believe as I watch the news.

Record low temperatures; white out conditions; blizzards . . .

In my little corner of the country we are having an easier time, as stated in earlier posts.

We have been having beautiful blue skies.

However, they have been accompanied by frigid winds coming in from the Columbia Gorge.

I tried to walk a bit yesterday and could barely feel my cheeks by the time I was finished.

But I digress . . .

Phil says that spring is coming!

I am planning my garden of vegetables and flowers.  Yipee!

In the meantime -

I am spending some great hours in my studio.

And I used that time this last week to finish a large order for a wonderful woman.

A large painting and 2 chairs.

The large chair I posted last week.

This is the childrens chair with a ladybug theme.

The painting - well I have something similar in my home.

It hangs from the ceiling disguising a rather ugly chimney from an old wood stove.

She wanted the same thing for her home - but for the wall.

So I created a version for her.

Shhh - don't tell - but I like this version better.

The version hanging in my home was painted several years ago.

Now don't get me wrong - I like it just fine.

I have just kicked up my colors palette, my style and my "boldness" quite a bit since then. Not to mention, I have changed the brand of paints I use so the colors are so much stronger.

Do you think she would mind if I gave her the old one and I kept this one? 

now onto to the next commission piece. A large wine barrel. This is going to be fun - different - interesting.

It has a few unique problems to overcome - the first being that the surface is not exactly smooth.

I'll be sure and post pictures of the progress.

In the meantime - bundle up, stay warm - and let's start plotting out our gardens together!

Fly!



She could fly . . .a new print available in the Etsy shop.



Have you every felt like the things that you want are really close . . .

the "big things" . . .

the things you have been working you way toward for years . . .even the majority of your life

if you could just reach a little farther . . .

but if you stretch any further you might fall off the edge of the cliff

but if you do stretch . . .

just a little bit more . . .

and if you do fall  . . .

you just might figure out what those wings were for after all.

Happy Birthday to my Chrissy-Missy

Being silly while bowling - serious pictures are soooo. . .boring

A bit of snuggle time with the nephew.  Nothing like sleeping with a baby!



Enjoying the last days of summer.



There is nothing like the birthday of one of your children to make you stop for a moment and reflect on your blessings. The blessings of watching a human being grow into their

own individual self; the blessing that person brings to your life by their mere presence.

My number three child was born 19 years ago today!

Her birth was a smooth and magical experience.

She entered the world at about 11:30 in the morning.

Her name was going to be Hannah. I had always wanted a little girl named Hannah.

One day, when I was in the 9th month of pregnancy - my oldest daughter, then 6 years old - put her hands on my swollen belly and said the baby will be born soon. It's a girl and her name is Christina Marie.

I thanked her for her prediction, but told her that no - if it was a girl, her name would be Hannah.

Soon after came the exciting day and we welcomed our baby girl.

As she was placed in my arms, my husband and I looked at her and said - "she is not a Hannah - she is most definitely a Christina Marie".

As Chrissy grew - she filled our home with her uniqueness -

reminding us daily to experience the little miracles and magic that occur everyday.

19 Things about Chrissy -

1. She is an amazing creative artist.

2. She has an amazing laugh - one that you cannot help but join in with when she begins to laugh.

3. She has managed to maintain her childhood innocence and reminds all around her to do the same.

4. She is very musical. She plays the piano beautifully and her singing voice makes you stop and listen.

5. Our favorite memories of her childhood involved a makebelieve alter-ego named Skipper Tiger and of her 3-year old self wearing white cowboy boots with . . .everything!

6. When she was very young she informed us that when she grew up she didn't want babies, she wanted to have puppies.

7. She has been dubbed the animal whisperer - dogs and cats are instantly attracted to her. They know she is a kindred spirit.

8. She has an amazing patience with children of all ages.

9. She has embraced her uniqueness from early on. She knows who she is.

10. She has tackled the challenges of her life head on.

11. She is a loyal friend.

12. She is open to new tastes, new experiences, new adventures.

13. She is accepting of everyone.

14. She is curious - about the world, about other's stories, about other places.

15. She is adventurous when it comes to new tastes and cultures. (She's the only one of my children who loves Indian food as much as I do!)

16. She loves the ocean and the sand. Any beach will do.

17. She loves the adventures of downtown. Hanging in a bookstore, a coffee shop or general people watching is her idea of a perfect day.

18. She loves to listen to music and her musical tastes grow larger and larger every day.

19. She loves family.

Thank you Chrissy - for choosing me to be your mommy.  I love you!

On another note . . .

a glimpse of a new stool that has just been finished for a custom order.

Rock This Guitar

The above is not my work.

The above is by my daughter, Chrissy.

She finds herself a slave to paint as I do.

She has developed her own style.

She NEEDS to paint.

She needs to feel the paint on her hands. She needs to work with the colors.

She layers and "pulls" the thick liquid.

Some days that need is stronger than others - but it is there nonetheless.

The above is the body of an electric guitar that a friend of hers wanted to be more unique.

I think she accomplished the task.

It looks amazing in person - I am so proud.

If I were a "rocker" musician - I would be proud to hold this instrument in my hands.



I think I have sunshine on the brain.

As I look out the window today, the sun has made an appearance and it gives me hope.

Hope for spring.

Hope for longer days.

I know I shouldn't complain - we here in Oregon are experiencing

50 degree days while others on the other side of the country are getting below zero temperatures.

But I am longing for planting my garden, looking out my back door and seeing flowers and color

rather than brown, fires in the firepit, the smell of barbecues in the air, and lazy hours spent in my hammock.

(Insert heavy sigh here . . .)

How many more days until summer????

In the meantime - I will just keep painting my own sunshine. . .