What I've been up to this week...

The "Season" is coming quickly upon us. This year I feel like I have a bit of a jump start - I have updated my Christmas Card list, finished making my cards (Yes, this year I have hand made cards! I'm such an over-achiever!), taught myself how to make intricate snowflakes, and have reservations for dinner and the Christmas Parade for this evening. Whew! And it's not even Thanksgiving yet!

Here's a sneak peek at the cards:

I also put together an ATC (Artist Trading Card). It is inspired by a message I received via a Facebook group I am apart of. One of the members is in the process of moving to Ft. Hood, a somewhat daunting task in light of recent events on that base. As a group we are making inspirational/encouraging ATCs for her and all members of the Armed Forces.

Here's mine:
I'm off to conquer my next task: once I figure out what it will be!

Twinchies!

My creativity is coming back to me... and I have made the time to indulge it.

Earlier this year I was participating in the Awfully Big Art Adventure Challenges every week. Then life got busy and that was one of the first things to go.

I have learned since then that I need art to maintain my balance and well-being.

Back to the Challenge I go!

The challenges are now monthly, giving one much more time to contemplate how to interpret the theme. November's theme is Twinchies.

(Twinchies are two-inch by two-inch pieces of art. The challenge, of course, is the size restriction)

Here are mine:

I was inspired by Linda's use of postage stamps... also a favorite item of mine to use.

The top one and bottom one I am going to make into Christmas Cards. As for the lovely lady in the middle... She's just going to hang around being dramatic for a while until I can find a job for her!

Fall is in the air...

And I am doing my best to get my life in order.

I am a list maker. But I am also a cluttery-stuff collector.

It's not a good mix.

Consequently my house is always feeling just a bit out of control, and I feel helpless to rein it in. Until that moment when it is so overwhelming that I feel as though I will suffocate if I don't clear thru the junk RIGHT NOW.

It makes me feel a bit like I am on a neatness roller coaster.

My husband has a hard time with this.

Well, that and the two things guaranteed to make him crazy:

1. Leaving cupboard doors perpetually open, and

2. Dropping everything where I happen to be when I don't need it anymore.

I have tried, and failed, many many organizational methods. I have watched countless hours of Clean Sweep on HGTV. I have been suckered into almost every Real Simple time-saving storage item. Failure.

I am doomed to live a dusty, piled up life in a house that will always feel too small. Really I think I have too much stuff.

Don't tell my husband.

I'm back!

I know.... I have made the false promises before... but this time is different. Life isn't in the way anymore. I have had a lot of changes this summer, most notably in my career. But fall is in the air, and I have a need to create. Today I did some Halloween crafts, and in the morning I will dust off the camera and post some pictures. Looking forward to it!

And with yesterday's finds...

Fabulous Fleas!

The Bazaar season has started! Today I went to two Church Bazaars and a few thrift stores. I love the possibility of coming home with a treasure!

I know I get it from my mom - she practically raised me in a dumpster.

No, it's not what you think; she just lives by the "One man's trash is another man's treasure" theory of life!

First I found this for a mere 45 cents:

I know it's not spectacular, but it would have been a couple of dollars in a craft store, and it will be fabulous when altered.

Next are these gems:
The two owls were found at one of the churches, and the fabric at a thrift store. I think the owls are adorable! I have no idea what I'll use them for, but couldn't pass them up.

Now these are fabulous:
Three great post cards. The top one has a lovely letter on the back side, the middle one struck my fancy because the lady's face on the end has been rubbed out. And then the bathing beauties... how can you not want them?

Finally, for a mere $5:
A manual typewriter! I LOVE it! It's missing the barrel that holds the paper in, and some of the keys are sticky, but it is beautiful. It will make a great addition to my studio.

Surprise!

A few weeks ago my husband and I talked about how nice it would be to have a little "Hidey-hole" outside where we could sit and enjoy the fire pit.

Friday I had the day off. And the local home improvement stores are giving 10% off to all military... like me! Plus I had the truck and motivation, so this is what I made:

I used 60 1-foot concrete pavers, 12 bags of pea gravel, some bamboo fencing and some plastic border to keep the gravel in place. The patio is 10 x 12, all hand layed by moi.

The chairs I had, but I spray painted them to freshen them up, and got new seat cushions from Pier One.

The topsy-turvy planter I fashioned after several I have seen. It's just pots and a wooden dowel.

I really love the way it turned out. Well worth the 8 hours of manual labor it took to put it together... plus T was so surprised he was speechless!

The only thing left is to enjoy the summer nights.