Thanks!

Thank you to those who expressed interest in my pieces. The show was a great success and my work was very well received. It is always hard to put your work out "there" for others to review and judge. It is one thing to make something for yourself, but to make something in hopes that others will like it is always a bit frightening.

For those of you that inquired about available pieces, these are the pieces I have left. If you would like more information, please send me an email and I would be happy to send you more information.

Lorraine

Where is Fall??

I know I live in Texas, but come on folks...a little cool weather wouldn't hurt! We have had a few cool mornings, but that's about it. The days are getting shorter, leaves are turning, but it is still hot! I long to wear a sweatshirt,curl up with a blanket and a good book. I'll give it one more week, and then I'm cranking the air conditioner down to 65!!

I've been busy, busy. Busy at work and busy at home. I'm getting ready for a trunk show next weekend. I'll be glad when it's over. I love the "groove" of getting ready, as I stay focused, and get alot accomplished. My head always swims with new ideas, but I have to stay focused until the show is over. What kind of show? A Jewelry Trunk Show held in conjunction with Clay Ole. I'll be participating with nine other metal artists. If you're near San Antonio next weekend, it will be held at the San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels @ Funston, from 10:00 - 4:00. It will be fun! I'll be posting some photos of available pieces on my jewelry blog in the next couple of days. Take a peek when you get the chance, but better yet, stop by my booth next weekend!

Time for a Change

I decided it was time for a change....Blog needed an update. I still have a few other changes to make, but the banner was the biggest change. A HUGE thank you to Susan Tuttle for creating this banner for me. All of the elements are from pictures I have taken. I love what she did with them! It was Susan's idea to keep the shoes, but just change the color. I wish I could find them in that color as I would own a pair for sure!

Thanks again Susan!!

The Purpose of Your Life

Hubby was out of town this weekend, so I went to dinner with some girlfriends. We talked about many things, but the topic we spent the most time on was the realization life is too short. It was interesting to see how our stories were all similar...reaching that point in your life where you just don't sweat the small stuff. We all cherish the moments of free time we have and spend more time at home than we once did working our way up the corporate ladder. Then it dawned on me that we all are about the same age...is this something that is just built into each of us? That "age" when body parts start to fall, but our spirits rise up to touch the sky?

Cleaning my studio this afternoon, this picture fell out of a book. It was from a class I once took from Karen Michel. It made me stop and think again about our conversation last night... "The Purpose of Your Life." Fitting...something to tink about...

After a Long Break

I've taken a break...a very long and needed break. Working full time doesn't allow me the freedom to sit at the computer for very long anymore. I have to make choices...either spend my time doing something productive, or spend time catching up on the computer. Don't get me wrong...I love to sit and catch up on all the blogs and groups, but I just don't have that luxary anymore...so, I have made some goals:

1) Update my blog once a month
2) Take one hour a week to catch up reading my favorite blogs
3) HIRE A HOUSEKEEPER (a must, must, must!)
4) Put no pressures on myself

This break away has been very positive in that I have learned so much about myself, my strengths and weaknesses (both personally and professionally), the power of true friendships, and the importance of being genuine.

This being a 3-day weekend, I immerged myself in creativity. Thank goodness for opening bird season weekend, as I have the house to myself and four critters...

When it comes to visual arts, I always work intuitively. I see something and immediately it just comes to me. I bought a Dover clip art book and was flipping through the pages with a Halloween theme in mind, but something else came to mind instantly...that which grabs our heart. While the pictures are pretty bare (bare to the bones, literally)there was such power in my thought process as I moved quickly through the pieces. Our hearts can be grabbed both positively and negatively...that we can not control, but what we can control is how we react to those feelings...

More Seeds of Hope

I had such a great time making the ATC's yesterday, that I decided to make another batch for trade today. I'm in such a different stage in my life right now. I have been planting flowers like crazy. My Sister's say that I'm finally nesting. Hmm...maybe there is hope for me yet. I'm no Martha Stewart, that is for sure! I'm not a very domestic person, but I find myself wanting to be home more lately and really enjoying the contentment of just sitting on my deck and taking in the beauty of God's existence in such simple pleasures as a flower....

Off to plant, but if you are interested in trading for one of these ATC's, drop me a note.

Seeds of Hope

I'm in an ATC swap with a small group of folks and thought I would finish mine as the deadline quickly arrives. Where has this year gone? The schools are already finishing up for the summer and it seems like they the school buses were just starting their routes...

I had prepared these backrounds quite some time ago, but needed to try something new, thus the purpose of the ATC swap...something new we haven't tried before. One of the suggested categories was sewing. Although I have sewn before, I had never sewn on an ATC. Sometimes ideas just flow into my head and I knew immediately what I wanted to do. I wanted to "sew" seeds of Hope. So I encased real seeds in a vinyl pocket. I really liked the way they turned out.

Wishing you a great weekend!

Fallen Angel 890

I was playing with transfers a while back and had this image that halfway transferred, so I tossed it aside with other failures. This morning I was looking through my "pile" and came to this image again. I realized it wasn't a failure at all. It spoke to me of vulnerabilities...how easily we are led astray when we don't listen to his word...how willingly we expose ourselves to toxic conversations and selfish desires...When we have fallen, he will pick us up, if only we listen...

Fill Me

I've been quiet over the past month or so...I haven't been into making much art lately as I seem to be in a different season in my life. I love being back at work, but it leaves me with little free time, and I have to make choices with the free time that I have. Nature has been calling me, tugging at my heart. I long to sit in the sun and feel it's rays against my face, or a gentle breeze whispering in my ear...

I've been trying to work in my art journal whenever I get the chance. Here is a page I recently completed. I am so drawn to this image for various reasons.

This one's for you Annie! Hope you have a glorious week!

Wide Open

I came home today in a melancholy mood and as I drove into my driveway, I noticed a package on the front porch... When I went to pick it up I realized it was from Amazon. Bingo! Something to lift my spirits! Inside was Wide Open, by Randi Feuerhelm-Watts. It's actually a deck of cards and a workbook. It's like a piece of artwork! I love Randi's journals and have had the pleasure of being one of her students. I can't wait to sit with a cup of tea and devour each card. Check out her new website too, it's so fun!

Thanks you Randi!!

Hope

"Hope" is my favorite word. I always keep it close to my heart. Here is my contribution for a wonderful project. I made it my personal goal to share a bit of hope in every piece of art I produce in '2007.

Many Changes

Many changes since I posted last...life throws us such curves. In one day I went from being totally content at home to accepting a full time job. I wasn't looking for a job, it, or they found me. It was kind of funny as I had been wondering about where my life was going, what my purpose was...all those things that "hit" us at times and make us contemplate as to why we are here. I thought I was finished with the corporate world and with just one phone call, it all changed. It's funny, but I have just settled in like I was never gone. I love being back with people, having morning coffee on the drive in. I guess God had different plans for me as I feel so content. I haven't had a moment to slow down and make some art since I returned to work, but I did manage to make this portfolio the weekend before I returned to work. It's a gift for my Sister. She so admired the portfolio I bought from the wonderful and talented DJ Pettitt. If you ever have a chance to take one of her classes, you should! I'll "blog" when I can...thank you for stopping by...

Mineral

A while back, I traded some art with a young artist, Ziggy Hill, in the UK. I was thrilled with the piece I received from him and have continued to watch him grow as an artist. I think he is extremely talented. He recently launched a website, Funns, and I love what he said about himself and his art. Check his "About Me" page. I bought one of his paintings, Mineral, and I can't wait to add it to my "Zigg" collection. If you get the chance, send him a word of encouragement. He is a college student that hopes to be a full time artist someday.

Window to my soul

This week has been so nice and quiet. I'm just taking time to have lunch with friends and work on art projects. This is for a skinny book swap. The theme is windows or portals. With Christmas just behind us, I find myself continously filled with thoughts of Christ. I wanted to reflect these thoughts in my page, thus this is my contribution - a window to my soul.

For '2007, I have decided to keep a journal, specifically a "hope" journal. Each page will contain a piece of art along with the inspiration journaled beside it. Since I will be out of town as the new year rolls in, I wanted to get a head start and finished one piece of art which will be pasted into my journal. Tonight, I will complete my thoughts.

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy new year!

Watching Guard

It was such a nice quiet day yesterday. I headed out with my camera for a few hours to enjoy some sunshine. Here is one of the great finds I discovered in a local cemetary. A child received a new guardian angel for Christmas.

Last of the November Calendar RR Pages

I finished the pages for Jennifer's calendar. I really enjoyed working in Jennifer's calendar. Maybe it's knowing the project is coming to a close. I also have had lots of Christmas music on which has put me in the mood for the holidays.

Funny, I have been looking forward to the end of this project, but have found myself a bit sad in a way. I'm sure there will be more swaps to come, but I don't know if I could ever handle a year long RR again. But, never say never....

Making More Progress

It feels really good to get some work done in this calendar. These are colors that I typically never use, but I wanted to try to use colors that I know are more in the owner's pallette. When I look back at all the pages I have done for this calendar RR, I have really leaned towards pinks and reds. Green is actually my favorite color, but I guess I am most comfortable with a different pallette when it comes to making art.

Calendar Round Robin Page

I'm finally taking some needed time to work on the November calendar. Yep, I know...It's December. Jennifer was kind enough to offer by-passing her calendar as a Christmas gift. Believe me, I was VERY tempted, but I just would not have felt right not working in her calendar. It will be late getting finished, but at least I have started and feel good about keeping my commitment to this project. It has been really hard these past few months!

6 "Odd" Things About Me

I have been tagged by Sally to list 6 wierd things about myself. I prefer to think of wierd as odd or eccentric, so I am listing 6 odd things about myself.

1) I like to peel my toast apart into two sections and eat them sepearately. First I take the crust off and then peel the remaining bread apart. I have done this for years...I know, "odd."

2) I hate to walk around barefoot, but prefer to have bare feet when I wear shoes..

3) I have to sleep with a fan on, even if it is freezing cold. Always have and always will.

4) I love skulls and skeletons (mostly in association with the Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration).

5) I set an alarm every morning, even on weekends. I hate sleeping in as I feel like I have wasted a day.

6) I don't want any furniture on my new deck. Nope, not even patio stuff. I like the "clean" look of the large deck. So why did we buld it, my Mother asks?.... So the dog can have a place to nap in the sun without getting dirty, I answer!


Okay, I tag Annie, Tracie and Sue!

RR Calendar Swap - October Pages

Oops...just a bit late. This time of year is really hard to work in round robins. Too much to do and so little time.

These are pages for Sharon Wisely. This is a really fat calendar and it was pretty hard to scan the pages. Only two more calendars and then the round robin will be over.