Monday, October 11, 2010
Gone Stitchin'
****I will not be posting anything new this week as I have a BIG show to prepare for on Saturday. See you next Monday!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Summary Saturday
What a week!
It began with a lovely, surprise over-night trip with my husband. And I was surprised! I didn't have a clue. It was nice hanging out with my bestest bud, eating out, shopping and being treated like a princess. We were just supposed to spend the day away together to go to the Ghoultide Gathering- but he treated me to lots more!
Summary #1: I have been truly blessed with my husband.
And Ghoultide Gathering! You can't take pictures there so I have none to show you. However, go to Ghoultide's website and click on the various artists. A lot of them have posted pictures that they took of the show, their work and the other artists work. It was a fabulous show! I felt like a kid. I got to meet artists whose work and faces I've seen only in magazines. I was really inspired (and wet- boy, did it rain!). I think my work would fit in there. Someday. Soon. After a wee bit of honing and refining.
Summary #2: I want to be in the Ghoultide Gathering.
I also turned 40 this week. I remember when Oprah turned 40 (quite a while ago). I remember how she made turning 40 seem like a better thing than turning 21. I wouldn't go that far but I see no problems with being 40. Besides, if I feel a little concerned about my age, I can just look at my wonderful husband and think, "At least I'll always be 5 years younger than him!" See, he really is a wonderful man!
Summary #3: I'm 40. We'll leave it at that.
The rest of the week has been spent frantically stitching. I've got another big show a week from today- eek! I'm working strictly on Christmas now and loving it. If you looked in my window, you'd see me in my Happy Halloween T-shirt stitching up an ornery-lookin' Ebenezer Scrooge, while Asher, in his Halloween shirt, holds up the Santa I made and says "boo!" to it's face.
Summary #4: We are holiday-befuddled and happy!
It began with a lovely, surprise over-night trip with my husband. And I was surprised! I didn't have a clue. It was nice hanging out with my bestest bud, eating out, shopping and being treated like a princess. We were just supposed to spend the day away together to go to the Ghoultide Gathering- but he treated me to lots more!
Summary #1: I have been truly blessed with my husband.
And Ghoultide Gathering! You can't take pictures there so I have none to show you. However, go to Ghoultide's website and click on the various artists. A lot of them have posted pictures that they took of the show, their work and the other artists work. It was a fabulous show! I felt like a kid. I got to meet artists whose work and faces I've seen only in magazines. I was really inspired (and wet- boy, did it rain!). I think my work would fit in there. Someday. Soon. After a wee bit of honing and refining.
Summary #2: I want to be in the Ghoultide Gathering.
I also turned 40 this week. I remember when Oprah turned 40 (quite a while ago). I remember how she made turning 40 seem like a better thing than turning 21. I wouldn't go that far but I see no problems with being 40. Besides, if I feel a little concerned about my age, I can just look at my wonderful husband and think, "At least I'll always be 5 years younger than him!" See, he really is a wonderful man!
Summary #3: I'm 40. We'll leave it at that.
The rest of the week has been spent frantically stitching. I've got another big show a week from today- eek! I'm working strictly on Christmas now and loving it. If you looked in my window, you'd see me in my Happy Halloween T-shirt stitching up an ornery-lookin' Ebenezer Scrooge, while Asher, in his Halloween shirt, holds up the Santa I made and says "boo!" to it's face.
Summary #4: We are holiday-befuddled and happy!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Five T.V. Crushes*
*Current T.V. crushes. I could certainly wax poetic on the many attributes of Pierce Brosnan from Remington Steele and Bruce Willis from Moonlighting. That'll be another post.
In honor of the end of the summer T.V. season and the beginning of the fall T.V. season, today's list will be dedicated to five T.V. actors/characters who reside in a small part of my heart. Nos. 5-2 appear in no particular order. #1 is #1 and I, personally, don't see that ever changing!
5. Tom Selleck. Look at him. The smile. The twinkle in his eyes. The voice. The mustache. I'd have to fight my mom for him but I think I have a chance.
4. Adam Baldwin. More specifically, John Casey on Chuck. I think part of the crush stems from the fact that he looks a bit like my husband. I love his (Casey's) attitude on the show. And he grunts. He could grunt at me anytime.
3. Matt Bomer. My parents practically forced me to watch White Collar. I'm so glad they did! It is a great show, for one thing. Then there's Neil Caffrey played by Matt Bomer. Adorable!! I'd have to fight my mom for him, too. To hear her talk about him makes me think I don't have as good of a chance.
2. Matt Passmore. Jim Longworth from The Glades. If you didn't see The Glades this summer, I pity you. Fabulous show! One of my favorites. And that hunky man above is the main reason why. His character is a rather straight-talking, sarcastic, tact-free homicide detective. It was love at first sight.
1. And last, but not least. The man who holds a somewhat inexplicable spell over me. The man I find my self thinking about, wondering about- and he's not even real. The man who makes me have a better understanding of where stalkers come from. The man who makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Doctor Martin Ellingham from Doc Martin. (I know I have asked this of you before and I am going to ask it of you again- If you have not seen Doc Martin, see it. Now! ) Since the first time I saw Doc Martin, I found myself thinking (read: obsessing) about him until the next episode. I own all 4 series, I watch them repeatedly and I am anxiously awaiting series 5. Should they ever cancel this show.... Well, I just don't know what I'll do!
Okay, enough about my delusions, I mean, crushes. How about you?
In honor of the end of the summer T.V. season and the beginning of the fall T.V. season, today's list will be dedicated to five T.V. actors/characters who reside in a small part of my heart. Nos. 5-2 appear in no particular order. #1 is #1 and I, personally, don't see that ever changing!
5. Tom Selleck. Look at him. The smile. The twinkle in his eyes. The voice. The mustache. I'd have to fight my mom for him but I think I have a chance.
4. Adam Baldwin. More specifically, John Casey on Chuck. I think part of the crush stems from the fact that he looks a bit like my husband. I love his (Casey's) attitude on the show. And he grunts. He could grunt at me anytime.
3. Matt Bomer. My parents practically forced me to watch White Collar. I'm so glad they did! It is a great show, for one thing. Then there's Neil Caffrey played by Matt Bomer. Adorable!! I'd have to fight my mom for him, too. To hear her talk about him makes me think I don't have as good of a chance.
2. Matt Passmore. Jim Longworth from The Glades. If you didn't see The Glades this summer, I pity you. Fabulous show! One of my favorites. And that hunky man above is the main reason why. His character is a rather straight-talking, sarcastic, tact-free homicide detective. It was love at first sight.
1. And last, but not least. The man who holds a somewhat inexplicable spell over me. The man I find my self thinking about, wondering about- and he's not even real. The man who makes me have a better understanding of where stalkers come from. The man who makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Doctor Martin Ellingham from Doc Martin. (I know I have asked this of you before and I am going to ask it of you again- If you have not seen Doc Martin, see it. Now! ) Since the first time I saw Doc Martin, I found myself thinking (read: obsessing) about him until the next episode. I own all 4 series, I watch them repeatedly and I am anxiously awaiting series 5. Should they ever cancel this show.... Well, I just don't know what I'll do!Okay, enough about my delusions, I mean, crushes. How about you?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Art Update- Plans for Christmas 2010
A peek at Joyeux Noel.I've got lots of plans for Christmas. Lots. I have to. I have three more shows to do before Christmas. So what am I planning?
For show purposes, I will be creating a series of 12 Christmas characters. Miss Noel above is the first. Each of the characters will have their portraits done on a gift box, a tissue box cover and an 8x10 portrait. It's been fun coming up with the different characters and their names. Anyway, I've got the first set complete and am working on the second set- Santa. Nothing like making Santa's in early October. ;)
But of course, those little ones will not be all. I'm really excited about beginning work on my bigger portraits. Where will I start? Mr. Scrooge, of course!
Check out the couple of pics below. (Yes, I know there is a Shit Tzu on the table. Don't ask.) And, stay tuned for more updates. Maybe I'll have some Scrooge goin' on for next Thursday...
For show purposes, I will be creating a series of 12 Christmas characters. Miss Noel above is the first. Each of the characters will have their portraits done on a gift box, a tissue box cover and an 8x10 portrait. It's been fun coming up with the different characters and their names. Anyway, I've got the first set complete and am working on the second set- Santa. Nothing like making Santa's in early October. ;)
But of course, those little ones will not be all. I'm really excited about beginning work on my bigger portraits. Where will I start? Mr. Scrooge, of course!
Check out the couple of pics below. (Yes, I know there is a Shit Tzu on the table. Don't ask.) And, stay tuned for more updates. Maybe I'll have some Scrooge goin' on for next Thursday...
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Binder Love
Remember shopping for school supplies- your school supplies? Remember getting a new Trapper Keeper? I do. I loved shopping for school supplies. I loved getting a new Trapper Keeper binder to organize and fill with paper. I still do!
This a rather blurry picture of (part) of my work table. It's where I sew and sketch and have deep thoughts. I do business related things here as well as family related things. 'Cause, let's face it , moms, running a house and family is A LOT of work. I, personally, have to be somewhat organized or all heck would break loose! What helps me stay organized are my binders. I have three binders that I turn to regularly. My gardening binder has, for the most part, been retired till next spring. My meal planning/grocery/recipe binder I touched on last week. The binder that keeps me sane is my Home & Business Binder.
I've been using this binder for close to four years now. It really helps me to keep my life in some kind of order. I'm not always faithful to it, but I try to be. The more I use it, make it a part of each day, the better off I am. I keep it simple. It is really just a series of lists. Because, if there's one thing I love more than binders, it's lists!
My binder is broken down like this:
1. Month-At-A-Glance Calender. I make my own, cheap and easy. I just use a sheet of lined paper, write the month at the top, number of days along the margin and a S,M,T,W,T,F,S so I know the day. I use this to write in must-know stuff; ie. doctor appts., no school or half days, craft shows, etc.
2. Daily "To-Do". Again, I make my own with lined paper. I write the day and date at the top of the page and I fill that section with each day of the current month. At the beginning of each week, I fill in meals (at the bottom), appts., etc. from my Month-At-A-Glance page, blog themes, laundry days, etc. Each morning, I sit down and make my list of things to do for that day. And each time I actually manage to accomplish something- I cross that baby off my list!
3-5. pertain to my art and business. I have a section for listing project ideas, finished product, goals, inventory. I can cross-off and add-to and make notes as I go. I have another section with show info. That's important to me for tax purposes and so I can compare notes with other shows. My last section has general business information in it. I keep everything from a mini-business plan to web-site and Etsy info. to names of suppliers and tax stuff.
I also have pockets for show apps. and info., receipts and pencils and business cards.
This binder helps me to keep my thoughts in order, keep track of important dates, ideas and information and helps me to see what I have accomplished and what I need to do. So, if you are looking for a way to better organize, run out to Target (any excuse to go to Target, eh, Danielle?) buy a binder, some dividers and some loose leaf paper. Make whatever sections make sense to you and your family or business needs. And try very hard to visit that binder regularly.
Now to cross "blog- Binder Love" off my list!
This a rather blurry picture of (part) of my work table. It's where I sew and sketch and have deep thoughts. I do business related things here as well as family related things. 'Cause, let's face it , moms, running a house and family is A LOT of work. I, personally, have to be somewhat organized or all heck would break loose! What helps me stay organized are my binders. I have three binders that I turn to regularly. My gardening binder has, for the most part, been retired till next spring. My meal planning/grocery/recipe binder I touched on last week. The binder that keeps me sane is my Home & Business Binder.I've been using this binder for close to four years now. It really helps me to keep my life in some kind of order. I'm not always faithful to it, but I try to be. The more I use it, make it a part of each day, the better off I am. I keep it simple. It is really just a series of lists. Because, if there's one thing I love more than binders, it's lists!
My binder is broken down like this:
1. Month-At-A-Glance Calender. I make my own, cheap and easy. I just use a sheet of lined paper, write the month at the top, number of days along the margin and a S,M,T,W,T,F,S so I know the day. I use this to write in must-know stuff; ie. doctor appts., no school or half days, craft shows, etc.
2. Daily "To-Do". Again, I make my own with lined paper. I write the day and date at the top of the page and I fill that section with each day of the current month. At the beginning of each week, I fill in meals (at the bottom), appts., etc. from my Month-At-A-Glance page, blog themes, laundry days, etc. Each morning, I sit down and make my list of things to do for that day. And each time I actually manage to accomplish something- I cross that baby off my list!
3-5. pertain to my art and business. I have a section for listing project ideas, finished product, goals, inventory. I can cross-off and add-to and make notes as I go. I have another section with show info. That's important to me for tax purposes and so I can compare notes with other shows. My last section has general business information in it. I keep everything from a mini-business plan to web-site and Etsy info. to names of suppliers and tax stuff.
I also have pockets for show apps. and info., receipts and pencils and business cards.
This binder helps me to keep my thoughts in order, keep track of important dates, ideas and information and helps me to see what I have accomplished and what I need to do. So, if you are looking for a way to better organize, run out to Target (any excuse to go to Target, eh, Danielle?) buy a binder, some dividers and some loose leaf paper. Make whatever sections make sense to you and your family or business needs. And try very hard to visit that binder regularly.Now to cross "blog- Binder Love" off my list!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Happy Birthday, Momma!
That's right! It's my birthday!
My 40th birthday...
As in, I've been alive for forty years. (Really?!?)
Sorry about missing out on Saturday's post but my husband surprised me with an over-night trip to Livonia. You say, Livonia? What's in Livonia? Not too much but, what's near Livonia is Northville. And, what's in Northville was the Ghoultide Gathering. For a Halloween lover/artist like me, this was the perfect birthday weekend. Almost 24 hours just me and my man! I didn't have to cut up anyone's food. I didn't have to ask anyone if they had to go potty. I woke up all on my own. What a nice treat that was! Of course, we talked about the boys about 75% of the time. And we bought them gifts. And we talked to them on the phone. And we cut off our trip a little short so that we could have dinner with them. (I'll write more on the show another time.)
As for it being Momma Monday, I should be writing about Mom- things. Right? Like, how wonderful it is to hear your two year old say "Bert-date t'you, bert-date t'you". Or, how wonderful it is to get a birthday card from your seven year old with words of love written on it along-side a picture of you holding a gun watching father and son fight with lightsabers. I never got gifts like this before my boys. I know each year the gifts will change, mature, maybe make more sense and lighter on the violence. But I'll tell you what... I'll never forget these birthdays. And, I'll always be grateful to God for the best gifts ever- Nathanael and Asher.
(And that dream-boat of a husband is pretty awesome, too!)
My 40th birthday...
As in, I've been alive for forty years. (Really?!?)
Sorry about missing out on Saturday's post but my husband surprised me with an over-night trip to Livonia. You say, Livonia? What's in Livonia? Not too much but, what's near Livonia is Northville. And, what's in Northville was the Ghoultide Gathering. For a Halloween lover/artist like me, this was the perfect birthday weekend. Almost 24 hours just me and my man! I didn't have to cut up anyone's food. I didn't have to ask anyone if they had to go potty. I woke up all on my own. What a nice treat that was! Of course, we talked about the boys about 75% of the time. And we bought them gifts. And we talked to them on the phone. And we cut off our trip a little short so that we could have dinner with them. (I'll write more on the show another time.)
As for it being Momma Monday, I should be writing about Mom- things. Right? Like, how wonderful it is to hear your two year old say "Bert-date t'you, bert-date t'you". Or, how wonderful it is to get a birthday card from your seven year old with words of love written on it along-side a picture of you holding a gun watching father and son fight with lightsabers. I never got gifts like this before my boys. I know each year the gifts will change, mature, maybe make more sense and lighter on the violence. But I'll tell you what... I'll never forget these birthdays. And, I'll always be grateful to God for the best gifts ever- Nathanael and Asher.
(And that dream-boat of a husband is pretty awesome, too!)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Five for Friday
Fridays post will be a list of five... anything. Not necessarily in order. Just a list of five. Feel free to add your list of five... whatever in the comments below.
In honor of it being (finally) October 1st, today's list will be five reason why October is the best month of the year.
1. My birthday is in October. The 4th. Monday. I'll be forty. 40. So far, I'm okay with that. Any way, birthday= cake + presents. Woo! Hoo!
2. Halloween is in October. A chance to dress up. Candy. Spooky movies. Candy. Decorating for Halloween. Candy. FREE CANDY! Again, I say, Woo! Hoo!
3. Look at it outside- blue sky, gold, ruby and copper leaves, orange, white and pale-green pumpkins, crisp, white sunlight, ivory-pink moon- the colors of October are inspiring to say the least.
4. Cool air. I'm not a hot weather person. This is my time of year in the temperature department. The chilly breeze that you can feel as it passes through your lungs and keeps you cheeks pink. Bring on the sweaters!
5. Pumpkins. Not only their colors (as mentioned above) but also the way they feel- cold and hard, smooth and bumpy. I love their shape and the fact that you can make them into your own work of art. The seeds when roasted and salted are wonderful. And then there's pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. I grew my own pumpkins this year and had the most fun watching them grow and change each day.
So there you have it. My ode to October. What is your favorite month?
In honor of it being (finally) October 1st, today's list will be five reason why October is the best month of the year.
1. My birthday is in October. The 4th. Monday. I'll be forty. 40. So far, I'm okay with that. Any way, birthday= cake + presents. Woo! Hoo!
2. Halloween is in October. A chance to dress up. Candy. Spooky movies. Candy. Decorating for Halloween. Candy. FREE CANDY! Again, I say, Woo! Hoo!
3. Look at it outside- blue sky, gold, ruby and copper leaves, orange, white and pale-green pumpkins, crisp, white sunlight, ivory-pink moon- the colors of October are inspiring to say the least.
4. Cool air. I'm not a hot weather person. This is my time of year in the temperature department. The chilly breeze that you can feel as it passes through your lungs and keeps you cheeks pink. Bring on the sweaters!
5. Pumpkins. Not only their colors (as mentioned above) but also the way they feel- cold and hard, smooth and bumpy. I love their shape and the fact that you can make them into your own work of art. The seeds when roasted and salted are wonderful. And then there's pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. I grew my own pumpkins this year and had the most fun watching them grow and change each day.
So there you have it. My ode to October. What is your favorite month?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
