Archive for November, 2008

Thanksgiving- Remember to Give Thanks

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Good Thanksgiving Morning!!

Today is a great time to remember and give thanks for all our blessings. We should be remembering them every day, but Thanksgiving is the day most remember to do this– at least I hope you do…  This has been another really trying year for me… each year I think that  things have to get better, and they don't seem to improve that much, but new challenges always appear. This year, my greenhouse job flared up my fibro so bad that I know I won't try to do that much again…. The summer brought depression caused by slow recuperation from the busy spring, and major artistic blocks.


Looking back– Things I have to be thankful for–
*I had the chance to play with many flowers and plants while working in the spring.
*My little granddaughter was born in May.
*I was able to attend 2- week long classes with great teachers in June and July. I felt like I wasted the opportunities I was given by feeling I didn't accomplish enough in each class…. I began my struggle with the recurring rocks and mud…. That caused much of my depression.

*In the end I ended up with a quilt I didn't plan to make, being shown at the Quilt Festival in Houston, TX, and a couple smaller pieces sold. I really did gain a lot from those classes and my art is heading in a new direction.
*I have now come to enjoy playing with my "mud and rocks" fabrics and the rocky pieces that have resulted from combining what I learned in my classes and those fabrics.
*Son #1 and his family have returned to the area, so I get to see my grandkids. My grandson even likes to come to my house now, even though I end up being a "couch grandma" due to bad fibro days.
*Sons #2 and 3 are doing well in their chosen fields in the military– I do worry about Zack(#2) going to Iraq in January, but I have no choice as to where he goes.
*My husband has had fairly steady work, and slowly some financial junk is being overcome.
*I have been able to bring in some income with lectures, teaching and selling my quilts.
**We have a wonderful church family, that helps us remember our blessings all year long.

I can get down just like anyone, but am trying to remember all that I have to be thankful for….. Also..Some of the things that have caused the most depression and worry, have really ended up being the start of something much better.  There is a reason we go through all of the stuff that comes our way~~~ if not for the bad times, we wouldn't appreciate the good times as much, or find ourselves going in new directions that are better than we could have imagined!

Here's hoping everyone out there remembers to count your blessings… especially when it doesn't seem like there are many… They are there!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Christmas Wreaths and More Rocks

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

I've been buried in evergreen branches and pine pitch for more than the past week. So far I have gotten one order of wreaths made and picked up. I am now working on order #2 that will be picked up this coming Sunday afternoon. The first order only needed plain wreaths, the second one needs them all decorated with red bows, berries and pinecones. Most of the wreaths I make are sold to groups that re-sell them to raise funds.

Yesterday morning ready to start work. The floor was neat, cut branch tips ready to clamp in many boxes.

This is the machine I use for the wreaths. The rings have metal prongs like big staples that are clamped onto the little bouquets of evergreens that make up the wreath. I stomp the pedal, the wire is bent over.

Next is a wreath completed, with pinecones and berries added. This got a bow before it was delivered to it's new home.

My colorful, sticky hand at the end of the day. I cover my finger tips with bandages- the colorful ones were cheapest ones I found- A little more color added to my day :)

The last of the wreath workshop photos- A new load of greens were delivered just before the end of the day….. Looks like I didn't do anything at all. I did get 15 more wreaths done, but they are in a cold room, ready for decorating after all are constructed.

And now for the Rocks!!!! I have been taking a few minutes here and there to play with some more of my rocky art quilts. After being depressed by the rocks in my head during the summer and early fall, I am now beginning to enjoy doing these. The beading is really enjoyable- I'm now collecting gemstone chips, small "bead bugs", and other mossy, muddy colored beads to play with.

  This is my first rocky ACEO- I used little chunks that were left from fabrics used in my new larger Rudbeckia piece. It is available for purchase at my Etsy Art Shop. Click here to go directly- it is the standard ACEO size of 2.5×3.5".

This is "Rudbeckia on the Rocks" A photo of a Rudbeckia flower printed onto silk is focus of this piece. I used another of my "mud & rocks" fabrics, and did the same tuck stitching and couching of various yarns to add texture. This one uses commercial batik fabrics in deep gray and mottled green and gold. I have added tiny dragonflies, ladybugs, and a butterfly along with the gemstone chips and various glass beads. I used a double yarn binding on the edges.
This is available for purchase at my Etsy Art Shop, and is 8"x10" in size.

Here is one of the closeup shots I took, showing some of the beading and quilting. More photos of this quilt are at my Etsy Shop. To purchase Rudbeckia on the Rocks, click here.

Now that this is done, I better get back to my wreaths…. lots more to do in the next 4 days.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

The Holiday Season is HERE!?!

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008

Where did the summer go?? All of a sudden the Christmas ads are on TV, and Thanksgiving is around the corner. Personally, I wish Thanksgiving got more press than it gets. It seems to get swept under the rug….. As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas is the main holiday pushed. Thanksgiving gets overlooked by too many.

I do believe that giving thanks should be done daily, but the one major day here in the US that it is thought of, really should be remembered. I don't usually get on a soapbox, but this one thing that has bothered me for many years. Growing up, Christmas music and ads weren't that prevalent until after Thanksgiving. Now it seem as soon a Halloween is barely over the Christmas trees and displays are up in stores everywhere. The only good thing about this is that if you want to purchase a new table cloth or decorations for your Thanksgiving, they usually are on clearance way ahead of the day- just don't wait too late, or you'll miss them.

I do have to begin preparing for Christmas with my shops and Christmas Wreath making businesses, but I will never forget to take time out to Give Thanks on Thankgiving for the many blessings I have been given.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

A Winner!!!!

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Just before I turned off the computer last night, I did my last email check, and found that a piece that has been hanging in an exhibit won the most votes from visitors!!! The Community Arts of Elmira, NY acquired the Langdon-Pratt Mansion on Lake Street- a beautiful historic building, that they have been restoring. It has a gallery space as well as space for workshops and more.  Their website has more info about the building and exhibits.

The exhibit my piece was part of is the monthly People's Choice Exhibit. Each month there is a different theme, and artists display works that fit the theme. The public then votes for their favorites. There are works in many different media, from paper cutting to watercolors, oils, photography and more.

The piece that I had on display is "My Dream House"

 
This is a 12"x12" art quilt mounted on a 16×20" artist canvas, that was a piece I made for a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge a year ago. I used a photo of an old falling down house on the road I live on, as the inspiration. For this I imagined the house as a little English cottage surrounded by lush flower beds. The Work in Progress Post for this piece is here. 

The email also reminded me that I need to get myself organized to get my display of items ready for the holiday show and sale- Cezanne IV- that takes place from Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 at the mansion, where we each set up a display of our works for sale. The result is a boutique-like setting for customers to shop for original gifts. Artists also participate in forums where the public can learn more about how we work in our various mediums. 

Now I better get to work organizing my display!!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend