Random Thoughts In Procrastination

Today is a quiet morning, and not for lack of NPR on the radio or Hazel's playful babble. But, more because I am like a pile of slothful atrophy on the sofa. Oh yes, one of those days.

So, instead of doing the laundry, vacuuming the floor, or writing press releases, I look through old photos of old trips (I always want to travel when I am faced with multitudes of mundane housework to do). We went to visit some family in Eastern Oregon a few years ago, and I got to visit my favorite spot out there; an old abandoned resort, Hot Lake. Unfortunately, someone had bought Hot Lake and was trying to make it a tourist stop. I wish they would have left it alone, but it was nice to be able to go on the property and explore a bit.


Here is another photo of a recent little encaustic I made. I am busy making stuff to sell at the Alberta Art Hop on Saturday, May 16th. Here's just one of those pieces waiting to see the light of day at the next art sale! Enjoy!

Poppies and Paperwork

Today is a busy day in my home and studio. The baby is actually away, spending the day with her grandparents, getting spoiled rotten - and loving it. And this means that I have filled my day with a to-do list a mile long while I have my undivided attention for the next few hours.

It's always so hard to prioritize on days like these. I have my art business to run, which means so much more "business" type duties than just sitting and making art. Though I try to squeeze in some actual art-making no matter what! Then, of course, I have my house surrounding me with a myriad of things to do like laundry and mopping and just the general mayhem of home life. Top that off with the urge to just relax and kick back with a mocha while doing some blog reading or shopping. Oh, and I wanted to take a bike ride and do some errands too. HA HA HA.

So, I'm going to be a busy crafty momma and take off, but I wanted to share a new woodblock I just finished carving last night (after attending a marketing seminar earlier too!). It is some little california poppies that will soon be printed on handmade papers and embedded into encaustic collage paintings. The orange is just marker that I put on the wood to help me really "see" the new design while I am carving. It helps the image "pop" out of the wood a bit more. But I can't wait to print this and see how it really looks on paper. I have good feelings about this as I've been wanting to make this for months.

Let A Little Hope In

It's dark and rainy in Portland, Oregon today and if you watched the news, looked at the paper, (or even outside) you might be feeling pretty blue. Dark, depressing news seems to be everywhere. And it's always changing. At first it's the economy, lost jobs, music and art teachers getting cut, food boxes, etc, etc...and now...swine flu. Seriously. enough.

So, I'm sticking my nose up at all the down and depressing news and am going to spend my day in the land of happiness, hope, and bright colors! If you see me today, I may just blind you with obnoxious colors just to get a jolt outta life! But I'm just done with all this depressing talk right now. We have lives to live dammit!

So, on to that. The first image above all this whining is a new Encaustic collage painting that I actually worked on during a class I taught this past weekend at Collage and DIY Lounge! I always get so energized and inspired by my students, that I try to sneak in a little fun play while they are happily creating. I just posted this piece to my Etsy store yesterday so I can share it with someone else in the world!

Since I don't think I'm going out walking today in the rain, I wanted to share my silly missing letter signs from North Portland. The first image has been missing letters for years. It is technically "fabric world", but with all the missing bits of letters on that sign, it is loving referred to as "f'bic vod". I went there once to get some batting and the "A" was dangling precariously from above and I stood there and just prayed that it would fall into my hands to keep and lovingly display in my home. But no. Oh well.
The "Twilight Room" is a local establishment and popular college bar, and only recently lost an "o". They serve amazingly good patty melts here and I once scared an entire karaoke bar full of people here when I sang "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane (these were all country song folks) and I don't think anyone recognized it.

I hope, wherever you are, you can find a bit of sunny, happy, even obnoxiously fun, bit of hope out there today. Grab it. Hang on to it. Decorate it with glitter and stickers and wear it on your sleeve proudly. We're going to be positive, hopeful, happy people. And that's that!

Lilacs

This is a short and sweet post to share one of my all-time favorite blossoms: lilacs. I have love lilacs and their scent since I was a child. I've met so many people who call them "old lady" or "grandma" flowers, but to me they are just too intoxicating to miss in the Spring garden.

I picked these today from my two big bushes out front of my dining room windows. The light colored ones are an unknown variety, but the darker blooms are "My Favorite" variety that I purchased from the famed Hulda Klager Lilac Farm in Washington. Hulda cultivated hundreds of varieties, this being her favorite. It has practically no scent but had deeper double-petaled blossoms. How can you not love that?

I also have an unknown deep pink lilac in the back yard that was here with the house when we bought it. And I have a dwarf korean lilac, and a fern-leafed variety, and of course, the "california" lilacs, Ceanothus...which aren't lilacs at all, but really cool in their own way.

I'm gonna stop with all my geeky lilac love, but just let me tell you that I can smell them right next to me and my laptop and they're just heavenly. Go out and get yourself some lilacs and enjoy them yourself! So good!

To Quote Martha Stewart...

I'm all about the "good things" today. Nothing huge or major, just things that are currently making me smile. Well, besides the fact that I will be attending a HUGE plant sale today to get new plants for our recently built retaining wall beds. But, I will hold off on my plant lust for now and just share these little photos!

This is another new ladder/bridge painting I finished up this week. There was an entirely different painting underneath this one, but I just couldn't accept it, so this is it's new face to share with the world. I so enjoy making my little ladder/bridges right now. To me they are images of hope, growth, travel, change. Don't like where you are right now? Need a change? Climb out of your situation on a ladder, see new vistas by crossing that bridge!


I went to a local church rummage sale yesterday and came away with a haul of fabulous finds (most for Hazel). However, these little blocks are all for me! I love to write things out with them on our little built-in dining room shelves. This is the current phrase.


Finally, a horrible, close-up man-hand shot of my new skirt I made yesterday with help from mom. It's a fabulous pattern from Indigo Junction that you can make for any size based on how many panels you want to use. I used three fabrics in mine and I just love it. It flares out on the bottom and just makes you want to twirl. I was twirling and photographing, but you'd be amazed how hard it is to take a photo of yourself in a skirt when you have short man-hand arms and there's a wee one dancing around you wanting the camera too!

A Bright Spot on a Cloudy Day

This Encaustic painting is the only thing getting me through the day right now. It's been one of those days; where nothing seems to go right, my patience is running so very low, and it seems that everything has a large dark cloud above it.

But I keep trying to remember my art-making fun I had a few days ago when I created this painting that I am so very in love with right now. Is it bad to say that about your art? I make plenty of things that I am not in love with. But I had a definite image of what I wanted in my head, and this is what happened - it came out like I envisioned. yay!

This is another one that I was working on and finished this week. It's blue, so it fits my mood today, but I still cheer up when I see it. I have to keep remembering how everything seemed to flow so smoothly during this time and try to harness that now.

My wonderful husband even forced me to leave the house last night have go out for some "me" time to help my current mood. And it did help so very much last night. But that was last night. And today is now. And it doesn't seem to have done the job for today. So, I'm just gonna sit here and enjoy what does make me happy for the time being....and until I have to make dinner.

Seeing Things That Aren't There

Since the sun has decided to bless us all in western Oregon, I've been trying to take advantage of each day with an early morning stroll - along with my camera!

Today, I was trying to think of different types of things to photograph in a neighborhood that I've been walking through for almost 8 years. Things have a way of blurring and whirring by when you are used to them. You take them for granted.


I have a bad habit of this in many aspects of my life. I can have a myriad of wonderful, color-filled, creative days, but all it takes is one bad day to blur all those good ones as I sit in my little puddle of self-wallowing.

I strive not to do that, but instead, to find that little unexpected bit of beauty in every situation.
No, it doesn't always work. But heck, it's worth trying!


The sun just seems to make everyone a little lighter, a little brighter. I know that it has helped wipe some of the gloomy cobwebs from my brain as I stretch in the sun and run off to find my next little peek of inspiration!


I hope that everyone gets a bit of time to look at things differently - to see what might not usually be there in our normal rush about; but is there waiting patiently for us to notice.

Finally....some ART

Yes, it's true. I am posting TWICE in one day AND I am finally sharing some new art I have recently made. Amazing to see art, on a art blog, really! hee hee

The other shocking thing is the amount of pink in these two pieces...but really, I just couldn't resist a little bit of pink when I was making these. The one above is a continuation of my love of poppies and poppy seedpods. As a child I loved taking those big hard dried poppy pods and shaking them all around the garden, knowing that all those tiny seeds would bring more flowers the next year. I still like to do that. I love poppies.


And this "sweet" little painting was created for our Portland Chapter's IEA meeting. We were all asked to bring in a painting of a "dessert". I loved to draw tall little cakes as a kid too, so this was a really easy option for me. Plus, I love cake. Who doesn't?

Well, that's really going to be it for my mad posting today. See you next time!

A Collage of Craftiness

I'm sharing a week (or so) worth of craftiness as I my mind needs some mindless pretties after worrying about my dad's injury and his resulting surgery to re-attach a myriad of muscles and tendons. The good thing about it is my dad loves the power tools, so he geeked out a bit on the cool types of screws/drills/etc. they are using to re-attach things. I thought they sounded cool too...until I realized they are doing that to his body! Ugh. We're all here for you dad!

So, my first craft to share has to be something made with wood! These are the little wooden beauties I made for Hazel's first birthday! I bought the wood shapes already cut out, but then slathered on some cute papers and lots of kid-safe varnish. They have different patterned papers on the back sides too! She doesn't really know what they are yet, but likes to chew on them nonetheless...so success!

I got Denyse Schmidt's book, "Quilts" from our fabulous library and I am so in love with it I must get a copy for myself. I made this little vinyl bag, which is a variation of the one in her book. It was my first zipper and my first foray into sewing vinyl. It's not perfect, but I dig it, and will put it to good use.


I've also been sewing clothes for Hazel; namely skirts! This one was whipped up during a nap and includes a sweet pink (I know...who would have thought me sewing pink!) vintage pattern and some yellow ric rac on the bottom.


This skirt was during a very long afternoon nap at my parents' house. It is two layers of fabric and I love the way it kind of balloons out over her butt! White ric rac may or may not be added to this soon.


And finally, a quick shot of a table set al fresco in thanks for a VERY gorgeous weekend of warm weather and sun! Hope you have a crafty, wonderful week!

Beauty in Expected and Unexpected Places

This morning is just lovely and I had to steal the moment and take Hazel for a walk around the neighborhood. I was even organized enough to grab my camera on the dash out the door in order to snap a few photos that inspired me along the route.

This first one makes me laugh since I took it right outside a small grade school. I had kids watching me out the window asking "what is she doing?" I'm taking a picture of something cool, funky, and beautiful (to me).

Since I'm a big fan of lime green/yellow green/olive green (you get the idea) I happen to just love the light bright green blooms on trees in Spring. This big leaf maple just really caught my eye!

The wonderful thing about living in our neighborhood are all the bits of "country" I see around me, while being only about 5 miles from downtown Portland. We live in an older neighborhood and my fondness for old peeling paint on buildings got me with this one.

These clear Spring mornings just remind me that everything is a circle. Everything is new, renews, grows, branches out - every year without any help or prodding from us. There is really such solace in that thought for me when I get frustrated with the world and how it isn't doing what I want it to!


Finally, a secret little garden spot a few blocks from our house - one of my favorite spaces around! It's next to a big old white farmhouse, and I just love to walk by this space on hot summer days and imagine laying in the shady grass of that tree enjoying a good book and some lemonade.

Take a little break from your day and see what beauty you can find that inspires you!

When Craft Supplies Get Beautiful

So, I needed to clean up my art studio. badly. But, ya see, I couldn't just head down there, broom in hand, and clean. I had to re-decorate. Yes, I had sewing supplies that I am finally really getting into and they needed to be displayed beautifully, not just thrown in the multitude of boxes that they had before.

So, out came all the old wooden storage boxes I've been hoarding for just something special, and in went all sorts of stuff!

I'm a sucker for a cute wooden cutlery holder, gardening supply holder...you get the idea. This one was perfect for all my ric rac (I LOVE ric rac) and bias tape and other fun stuff!
I was on a roll (of avoiding real cleaning) so I also decided to store my complete woodblocks I carved in a cool old metal gym basket. I am also obsessed with these sort of things too. Ah, pretty.


When that was done, I was still not ready to REALLY clean, so I made a mirror out of an image from Nikki Mclure's past calendar. I love her work and really love this image so I slapped it on a malma mirror from IKEA and lovingly slathered on several layers of glossy mod podge. Now, I just need to find a fabulous place to hang it!

And finally, a glimpse at some cool new and vintage fabric I picked up at a second hand store this past week. I can't wait to make something with it...or just roll around with it in my obsessive fabric lust.

Yeah, I'm REALLY gonna start cleaning the studio now...

The problem with direction

I must admit that I admire those around me who are focused and driven...on ONE goal. To have that focus on one thing they really love, need, enjoy. That's a beautiful thing. I am focused and driven myself....but towards, oh, about a million things, it seems. And that is my ultimate conundrum...which direction do I take, what adventure do I choose, when I want to do them all?

Sometimes, I really try to get super-focused, making lists, organizing calendars, pinpointing with laser accuracy on "just" what I want at the moment. Only, the moment doesn't last long at times.

Other times, I try to flow like water, seeing where life takes me from moment to moment on my journey, trying to be open and receptive to all the amazing things that could happen at any moment, if only I am willing to accept it. Usually, when I'm like this, amazing things DO happen. But then, I get too many things going and I get stuck in the mud.
Oh, and of course, there are the "sparklies" as I like to call them - those ideas, objects, thoughts that just catch the peripheral of your eye and shout "me! me! me!" It's sooooo easy to stop on your journey and spend too much time on all these "sparklies" which may be fun, but take you away from the main destination on your journey.

In the end, I have no answer to this in my own life. I've been the type of gal who likes to do too much since I was a child and the decisions were to play with legos, go stare up at clouds, fingerpaint, or plan a mud empire in the flowerbed. I'm still the same way, I just don't tend to take the time to cloud-gaze as much as I should!

One thing I am trying to do is to slow down a bit each day, enjoy the details (and joys) of the days, even the simple or harried ones, and realize that

1. I CAN'T do everything. So, don't even try cause it'll just piss me off!
2. Enjoy and be grateful for what I DO accomplish. Easy to write down, hard to do at times. But, I'm trying and that's something, right?

As this weekend comes, and I will be busy with birthday parties and Easter and housework and an art business, I will try to remember to slow down and just pick one direction at a time...or at least to enjoy the view a little bit more! Happy weekend!

Happy Birthday Hazel!

One whole year ago today, you were born - and my life changed unbelievably...and for the better. You were a miracle and a wonder, and I feel so very blessed to say that I am your mother!

I can't believe a year has gone by already, and I'm all too aware that time will fly by even faster as you learn and grow and become an amazing, independent, young lady. But today....while I still can, I'm gonna hug you and hold you and wish you a VERY Happy Birthday, my little bean!

That Dang Pesky Failure

How is that Failure strikes? Disappointment, lurking around dark corners right out of sight...until it hits us over the head, and we sit there in a daze of anger and sadness and jealousy. These are the types of things we usually hide and quietly stew over, but I'm trying to be open and really share myself on here - highs and lows.

And so, this is all swirling around my head right now as I learn about a show that I did not get accepted into, and that I DID take part in last year and did very well and really loved it. And so, this particular rejection has a particularly sharp sting to it. Usually, they roll off a little easier as I am always so busy into so many things that I just don't have time to linger amid the disappointment.

And even though a part of me wants to sit and stay in this foul mood of mine, it's time to pack up my bags and keep going - and having a great time regardless. Granted, I did enjoy a big slice of chocolate cake to soothe the soul, but now I'm just going to go back in my studio and continue the journey I'm on...and I'll find another show/opportunity/excitement that will make this all seem like it was meant to be. Well, I may have to eat more chocolate to get to that point, but at least I'm working towards it, right?

Little Things

Lately, life has been grand. And filled with all the little things that make me smile; sun and blue skies and spring flowers being a total given, of course. Little Portland, Oregon is experience its' first days of real springlike weather and the entire town is just THAT much nicer right now...though we're all blinded by the gorgeous orb up in the sky!

I wanted to share these adorable little wool booties I got for Hazel (for this fall and winter!). They're from the fabulous wooly baby, and I'm head over heels in love with them! I can't wait till the cool days of autumn when Miss Hazel will be tromping everywhere in these! Ah, momma love!

Another thing I've been in love with is actually not so little....or new. This is the hand quilted piece of gorgeousness that my mother made for us for Christmas. The pattern is her own design tweaked from another I saw and loved because it looked like beehives! The fabrics and patterns just make me swoon and for the first time I actually look forward to making my bed!

And the painting above the bed? It's a luminous landscape from local painter (and my old high school drama set designer) Mark Larsen. I love his work and am so honored to finally own an original!
Here's a close-up of the quilt! Every small rectangle in the middle hosts a green fabric - my favorite color. And the rest of the fabrics are new and vintage patterns. I love love love it.
Another current little favorite is Hazel's little stove in our kitchen. It's a great vintage toy from Sweden with colorful knobs and a little oven door that holds all kinds of treasures depending on her mood. Though, I admit that mama has fun putting things on the stove top for her to discover after her naps...including a lizard in every pot!

And finally, I'm still enjoying the wonder of good cheesy pesto pasta with fresh asparagus from last night. Like I've admitted before, I'm a remedial cook and not too terribly domestic in the kitchen. But every once in awhile I get inspired and play around...and who can go wrong with mini cheese raviolis and pesto?

I swear I will post some art here again soon, but I'm enjoying this mini respite from the studio for awhile, so bear with me!

A Delicate Nature

The season outside my window just reinforces the delicate balance outside, in our hearts, in our lives. Small thin petals unfold under constant changes of cold, wind, sun, rain, and maybe even frost. Our delicate hearts unfold each day under constant chance of hurt, pain, stress or joy, love, and hope.

A young girl I never met died of cancer this week. Another young boy I have never met is battling his ferociously. I read their stories online and instantly my heart breaks for their struggles, their familys' hurts and losses, the emotion of living this human life.

A high school student shares his drawings with me in his sketchbook and talks about why he likes to make them. My husband celebrates his birthday and I get to spend another wonderful year with this amazing man. My daughter runs around the house giggling and enjoys "drawing" with her bottle on the floor. I experience all these moments and my hearts gets so full with joy that it's hard to contain it all.

It's difficult to balance the two - sadness and joy. Why we all have to experience those lows. But, maybe it is to then realize how delicate our lives are...and to enjoy them all the more.

Please make a little time to enjoy the joy and wonder in life no matter your pleasure - I may be sewing and art-making with my time today, or running after a little girl. But whatever you do, make it special!