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In the midst of the hustle and bustle…

“My cup runneth over”. Life is good right now, sure little things are a pain in the rear but that is just it, it’s little things. I got mired down in the hustle of unloading, cleaning, etc. of the RV to get it ready to leave again. Throw in on top I decided to strip and refinish a drop leaf table, we have elections for our Sportsmans Club we are members of (and running for board member positions), and I have that opening at Annmarie Gardens… You can say I’m feeling a bit frazzled, but life is good.

Then comes along news that just stops you and makes you realize you only thought you were happy before – now you are really, really happy! Our son and his girlfriend stopped by this weekend to tell us they are expecting in May of 2020! He was absolutely beaming!!!! We are so happy for both of them and can’t wait. 

These are the awesome golden moments in life you remember. The ones you work hard to get to, hope to get to one day, and are damn happy when they happen.

So while I run around all week trying to accomplish all the mundane minutia that has to happen, inwardly or outwardly, I will be smiling thinking about the awesome event to come in May!

Art · life

Life happens when you aren’t looking…

I have a piece going into a new exhibition at Annmarie Gardens starting October 11. When the call went out for this one I was playing around with a couple different ideas developing them and then a good friend threatened to commit suicide. Out of that experience “22” was born.

Unfortunately it is not the first time I have been put in the position to intervene when someone threatened suicide and odds are it won’t be the last time either. It is a “heavy” piece mentally and there were quiet a few tears shed while working on it. But I would much rather have it this way than shedding tears at a funeral.

I will post photos after the show although it’s difficult to get decent ones since the colors used are so dark for most of it. It does have one bright spot and there are beads and Swarovski crystals scattered about the piece too. I’ll post the statement that explains it as well.

I’ve done a LOT of refinishing furniture in the last few months. Will have to see if I can manage to post some pictures here soon. Some of it was also putting together and staining a set of Adirondack chairs and matching ottomans.

Recovery after the surgery is slow. I’m doing better than most I’ve heard about who get their Achilles tendon replaced but I’m not always known to be the most patient patient. ๐Ÿ˜Š I’m able to walk a mile at a time now on the track at the high school and could probably bump that up again now.

A friend cajoled me into putting some items in two local county fairs. I put in two skeins of hand spun yarn, two sewn girl’s dresses, and two different felted pieces. All 6 pieces got ribbons at both fairs. Although the dresses are rather funny – one comment “don’t buy dresses to enter into the fair”! There were a couple other similar comments from the judges but that was the harshest. I’ll take it as a compliment that they thought my sewing was so professional they felt it was not “hand made”. ๐Ÿ˜„

My grand mother was a seamstress as well and I did grow up learning from her! She is part of the reason I am “Jones Branch”. My husband said that tells me that if I sew for the fair next year I shouldn’t put my tags in there then. I say the hell with that! I am who I am, I have spent time to get my various arts to the level they are and I am not hiding or dumbing down anything.
Now I just need Fall to arrive! What’s the deal with having temps in the 90s in Oct for crying out loud?! Although we are cooling down a bit this weekend, let’s hope this is a continuing trend… along with me being back to my blog!

Art · life

Definitely slows ya down!

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Ugh, sooooooooo, after almost 2 weeks on the marble floors at Annmarie Gardens during my time at Artists in Action my heel made me cry Uncle! Dorothy surrendered! I went in and on March 18th the doc did the surgery to remove (in her words) a “honking big heel spur” and clean up the Achilles while in there. I was in bandages the first 5 days to allow swelling to go down from the surgery and on the 22nd they put the cast on. I have 17 (yes, 17!) staples in the heel incision and best my husband and I could tell, because the incision was covered with cloth tape, the incision on my calf has 10-12 stitches that will dissolve. We’ll see how that goes, I haven’t had the best of luck with those in the past. LOL

I go back April 3rd to have this cast removed, staples removed, and a new cast put on, and then another recheck on the 19th. By my calculations, May 3rd is exactly 6 weeks to having the cast put on and I was told 6 weeks in the cast. I’m hoping to have the cast off by then and into “Das Boot” for the next 6 weeks. My loving husband has dubbed this the surgery from hell – 666: 6 weeks in a cast, 6 weeks in Das Boot, and 6 weeks of physical therapy!

Whatever – I’ve got my art to keep me company! LOL And on that note…

โ€œThe Journeyโ€ is all hand needle felted, hand dyed wools with a small amount a Stelina. With color it tells the story of life. We all start life fresh, green and idealistic. Life hits and we get mired down by hardships in one form or another, some worse than others, we all have our challenges to go through and face. At some point we break free and move past that all the stronger for having gone through the rough times, we realize life is fun again and start to enjoy everything around us, we start exploring again, taking chances again, having fun, life is good! We start seeing glimpses of those golden times ahead until one day realize life truly is golden and you have good days all the time.

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It will be installed at Annmarie Gardens in their upcoming exhibit (click on the logo to hit their site) –

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If you are in the area I hope you will stop in to see the many wonderful pieces in this exhibit. It is truly an amazing collection and I am honored to be among the artists included.

 

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We interrupt this art to bring you work…

It’s been a flurry of activity around here! I finished up my time at Artists in Action and had to rebuild my studio when I brought everything home. Plus I needed to carve out space to needle felt a large, and I mean large, piece I submitted to an upcoming exhibition. I’ll find out in a couple weeks if it made it in or not, but the piece is roughly 39″ across and circular.

I worked on “The Journey” off and on. I also painted the kitchen cabinets, well more correctly I painted the bottom set. Didn’t quite make it to the top ones yet. I painted the bathroom vanity. Of course that meant a new rug and shower curtain. This vanity will go when we redo the bathroom, until then I can now live with this one we have until we replace it when we do a complete makeover.

We’ve put up a new light over the dining table, new light in the kitchen and new light on the top of the stairs. Know what that means??? No more wagon wheels!!! ๐Ÿ˜„ Slowly but surely we are leaving Bonanza behind! Woohoo. For those catching up here, we bought a log cabin built in 1984, replete with wagon wheel lights, Holly Hobby ruffled curtains – you name the kitsch, it was in here I think.

I have seen my ortho doc again and am scheduled for surgery on my heel/Achilles tendon on the 18th. That has been an ordeal on its own. I’m in the midst of changing primary care doctors, getting my records moved from my old doctor to my new one, jumping through all the insurance hoops, plus extra hoops to please the ortho doc since I reached the “magical age of 55” meaning I needed an EKG and physical prior to surgery… Trying to get all this done before hubby possibly has upcoming work trips next month. What fun!

So after surgery it’s 6 weeks in a cast, then 6 weeks in a walking cast or “Das Boot” as I call it, then on to the physical terrorist to begin learning to walk again and get mobility back. Once again I will be thankful for my Subaru Outback, Scoobyru as I call her. I’ll have one of those knee scooters while in the cast and hauling it around in the Subaru will be easy! #Subarulove #SubaruAmbassador

Between now and surgery and during recovery I’ll be working on a review for a pattern I’m really excited about. (More on that later. ๐Ÿ˜Š) Then I’m also working another piece for another  upcoming exhibition that I need to submit by April 2. It’s another large piece but I know what I want now so it’s just actually making it. 

Fiber Art Now has a call out that is due sometime in May, the 17 I think, that I’d like to submit something for that one. I have a couple ideas swimming in my brain that need to “gel” and go from there with them. In the fall they have their Excellence in Fiber V exhibition. I know what I would like to submit for that, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to felt it. ๐Ÿ˜„ Once I figure that out I’m off to the races so to speak.

Never a dull moment around here, that’s for sure…

Art · life

I’m the satellite and you’re the sky…

 

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My run at Annemarie Gardens’ Artists in Action has come to a close, and a bittersweet one at that. It was such an amazing experience. The artists I got to meet and work with were just awesome people and artists in their mediums, getting the opportunity to be around them was such a blessing.

Like all things though, my time there had to come to an end and that was sad. I admit there were tears. I’ve never had such an amazing time like this around such terrific people so it was sad to see it come to a close.

But, I have come away with new ideas and directions. Everyone loved watching me needlefelt. In fact, one woman came up and proclaimed – “I’ve wet felted and read about needle felting but never seen anyone doing it, you’re so exotic!” Never in my life have I been called exotic! So I fell into a needle felting frenzy since folks really enjoyed that.

A fellow fiber artist bought one of my pieces to work into one of her nuno felted shawls or table runners! I am so honored that she felt my work worthy to be included in a piece of hers.

My last piece I made there, I was feeling blue at the thought of leaving and used the colorful background trying to force myself into a “happy place”. I sat there staring at it not knowing what to make with it, coming up with a blank I left for lunch and to go home to let our pups out. As I as coming back Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness’ song Cecelia and the Satellite came on (which has deep meaning for my husband and I) and the line resonated again – “I’m the satellite and you’re the sky”. So, I got back and that was the inspiration for my piece –

I have some larger pieces in mind – really large. I’ll be starting one as soon as I straighten up my studio to have it done to submit for an exhibition at Annmarie Gardens called Folksy. I’m going to be working on a piece for FiberArts Now Fiber Transformed and then for their fall Excellence in Fiber V.

So, while I’m sad at this most wonderful adventure ending I’m very excited about the ideas it has sparked. As Semisonic said in Closing Time – Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

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It’s going by fast!

So my beloved “Scoobyru” – my Subaru Outback (#Subarulove, #SubaruAmbassador) was awesome once again to help me get everything over to Artists in Action. She swallowed tables, bins, display materials… I love my Subaru! Can’t say enough good about that vehicle and will continue to sing her praises. ๐Ÿ˜Š I’m also handing out Subaru pens and pencils as I do my community art project. We’re doing origami lucky stars and I’m having folks write a good wish for the year on the back of the paper, fold it, put it in a jar, then I’ll put them in a decorative jar and give it to Annmarie Gardens. If they are interested I’m also giving them brochures. 

Yesterday the first artist of “my group” left. ๐Ÿ˜” It was sad to lose her, we’ve all been having so much fun. But it was like breaking up the band or something. It was so sad to see her empty space next to mine by the end of the day. I believe her replacement comes in on Friday and I look forward to meeting her. I’m sure they all felt the same when the artist that was in my spot left and I came in, it’s a rolling event with us moving in and out over the course with five available spots.

With the weather we’ve had I’m surprised at the number of people we actually have coming through middle of the week. It’s been nice chatting with them, I’ve really enjoyed it. They seem to have at least one school group come through each day as well and they come by to see what we’re doing and ask questions. Carrie

This Saturday should be rather busy since they are holding their Valentine’s Maker’s Market and it will be an indoor event. Tables will be inside on both floors and I’m not sure about the other artists but I plan to be there. I’ll be there on Sunday too.

If you’re in the area stop by, there are some really talented ladies there right now and I’m sure there are more talented artists coming in as it progresses.

Art · life

Come and See!

 

 

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Today I go set up at Annmarie Gardens to participate in Artists in Action! Come and see me if you are in the Solomon’s Island, MD area!

When I dropped off my treadle sewing machine yesterday it looks like mostly acrylic/oil/water color artists are there at the moment and I have no idea what may move in as they move out while I’m there. I will be felting, spinning, doing origami, and obviously sewing since I dropped off my treadle sewing machine. Sometimes there is some cross over as well – depends on my mood and what idea my crazy art brain comes up with at the moment.

I can’t shake the “animal on display at the zoo” feeling but once I get working that should fade into the background I hope.

Consider yourself invited though to come and see!

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How Prophetic…

โ€‹”And as you begin to look forward to the new year approaching, and it is fast approaching(!), I hope you will go into that new year with inspiration, plans, and a brightness glowing in you that comes from a soul inspired to do more, explore more, give more, share more, and just “be” more. “


That was the end of my list on Nov 22, 2018. Last year wore on me a great deal, physically and mentally, but as I said above I am not going into the New Year with a soul inspired to do more I seem to be bursting into the year!

I have been creating and playing with new ideas and improving old ones too. Keeping a list or journal of ideas and inspiration because I don’t have enough hours in the day to do all I want to do and get done. It’s all just bubbling up from somewhere and “my cup runneth over”. 

My problem is having to take time out of the creative drive to do the administrative, dull side. The pricing/tagging items for the shop, trying to get good photos so I can start posting items on Etsy… I know I need to do those things in order to sell what I make but it takes away from the fun, creative, “play” time. I know when I get done with the drudgery though I get to go back to my fun of creating. I just wish it was more creating and very little dull side. ๐Ÿ˜„

I am thankful though that getting into a new place and settled seems to have been the tonic my soul needed because I’m on a roll creatively…

Art · life

Latte Anyone???

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I’ve been so busy since I last wrote – as I said the flood gates have opened. I need to take more photos than what I’m posting here. I started making needle felted pin cushions that will be for sale. They could also be used for your favorite essential oil instead of being a pin cushion and it can beautifully freshen the air in your room! These are just the start and there will be many more to come for sure.

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I’ve also got a lot of jewelry in the works, both origami and some felted as well. I have tons of new stuff I’ve made that I do not have photos of yet and that is part of my goal for today – getting photos done and hopefully listing some things on Etsy…

 

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And I’m still getting ready for Artists in Action! I’m trying to decide what goes on display there, what goes back to the shop, what goes on Etsy, so on and so forth.

And it seems all my “surprise Subaru goody boxes” have reached their destinations and all my fellow Subaru owners were thankful for them and loved the contents. Always fun to play “Secret Santa” like that. #SubaruAmbassador #SubaruLove

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High Gear…

I don’t know what has opened the flood gates, but the ideas have just been tumbling in and I’ve taken to keeping a notebook close at hand to write them down because I know a dry spell will come when I need the ideas! 

I’m working to get a few new items done to display/sell at Artists in Action as well as settle ideas for what I want to work on at the museum while people watch me. I’m slowly getting things organized as to what goes with me and what stays here and what I need to “prep” to work on there. 

This also means my studio that was finally getting settled is now getting torn apart again! โ˜บ My wire cubbies are coming out of the closet to go with me to hold fiber for spinning and felting. One of my wooden rolling carts comes with me with all of my threads for sewing. (I’ll have to many little items I’m taking to sew to narrow the thread selection) I’m taking a couple pieces of grid wall to set up to hang some of my origami pieces for display and sale, but those aren’t out of my studio. The tables going along with the grid wall though will come from my studio. My nice chair, my big rolling magnifier light… Not to mention my treadle sewing machine and spinning wheel. 

I’ve got baskets and bins galore to hold all sorts of items whether it’s zippers for dresses/messenger bags or paper for my origami or vials with felting needles, I need to try and keep it all organized. I may have to label things over there because I may waste time looking for things since they aren’t where I’m used to finding them. ๐Ÿ˜Š

And once this great adventure is done I will have to try and put things back together again at home. I know myself and I will never remember where I had everything!!! ๐Ÿ˜„ So for now I tear apart, have fun creating, and worry about the other end later.