How Can It Be?

Remember this?

Had one....spun many a 45 on this type of 'record machine'. I can still hear Michael Jackson singing "ABC, 123"...or Donny Osmond wailing "Puppy Love". Wow, that sounds old. When I saw this it was like a fierce cold breeze blast from the past. It was only about five years ago my daughter was in my studio creating alongside her Mom...when she noticed I was gluing a 45 on to a piece of canvas. (obviously, there is not much other need for 45s) She asked me, "what is that?" Yes, that was truly the moment I felt old. After an attempt to explain the turntable...the needle...the record album....her face staring back at mine like I was describing the pilgrims celebrating their first Thanksgiving....I gave up. I didn't even attempt to explain 8 tracks. To think the form of musical medium that drove my teenage years is completely unknown to hers. How can it be? And, I thought this little record player above was quite mobile...clear plastic handle and twenty-five 45s in a plastic container...and now, her teeny tiny micro IPOD holds 2,000 songs and weighs 1.2oz. How can it be?....oh, how can it be?

Confidence...from Thought!

"Thought is the sculptor who can

create the person you want to be."

-Thoreau

Just a little art today.....loved this sassy...confident....woman!

Sharing A Funny!

Yes, it's a peacock! It seems innocent enough...the size is irrelevant...the purpose unknown...the objective of its beauty unidentified. It is assumed it has value! Well, this particular peacock comes in a pair...and it's not a set of bookends. They are large....hollow....plastic....semi-realistic....life-size peacocks.

My daughter and I were on the prowl for great junk and ran head-on into this simple little pair of fowl. We were overwhelmed! They protruded from the booth like a wart on a nose. Two innocent little birds screaming, "I need a home!".

The peacock size was certainly startling...but, upon picking them up...they were weightless. There was no hole for filling with sand or water....they were just what you see. My daughter and I were howling! After much debate...we still have no idea what you would do with them. If put outside...the slightest breeze would relocate them to another county....if put inside, you need a bookshelf or mantle the size Paul Bunyan might have in his home. They were beautiful, almost picturesque peacocks with absolutely no purpose that we could determine. We concluded the value was to provide us humor. So....I thought I would share a funny! Enjoy....

Crafting Trash!

"the only thing that separates us from

the animals, is our ability to accessorize"

-quote from Steel Magnolias

This is one of my very, very, very favorite quotes! One of my heroes...a southern gal....Dolly Parton, said it so eloquently! These necklaces were all made from the pieces...remnants...and leftovers of a variety of projects! My version of "up-cycling" crafting trash!

Oodles of Texture!

Things are beginning to finish....here is one!

Love the little eye peeking through the key hole.

Oodles of texture!

Born In Another Era!

This heart piece is a little behind the Valentine holiday...but, didn't want to share before the gift was given. A friend of mine gave it to his wife for the "LOVE" holiday. They are both bikers (meaning pedals..no gas) and this old photo with the gigantic petticoat and dress certainly made a great authentic image. I feel certain my friends would have looked just like this...if they had been born in another era.

Be Your Own Bird!

New art is coming...I have many things in a "almost done" stage.

Can't wait to complete a few pieces and share.

Have a great weekend!

"Music fills the infinite between two souls."

-Rabindranath Taqore

Last night was my first night to present "Find Your M.O.J.O. making a handmade product" to a group of creative artisans at Morris Galleries in Sweetwater, TN. You must visit this wonderful...creative... and artful retail environment. By simply going to the website you can see this is quite a cool place. The owner has decided to share her love of art by expanding the presence of the store through Gallery Educational Events (GEE!). I was the second scheduled class, and it was a blast! Great food....beautiful surroundings...and oodles of Kindred Spirits! Plus, I have the honor of now having my art available for sale in this award winning gallery. I'm so excited! Please go to their site and check out what is going on! Very often you meet people and know you have a bond, but time and the chance to share your background is needed to confirm the possibility. You could say...we filled a little infinite space with some great music last night!

Another Day Junking!

Could not resist sharing this photo of the signage

in one of the booths explored this weekend.

Yes...the stimulus situation is striking the junk world too!

Nothing says sleepy and inviting more than a

beautiful bed garnished in luscious linens

and a taxidermy deer head laying on it.

Good junking is best enjoyed in complete and utter chaos!

Yes...this ceiling was covered in old quilt tops. Hard to photograph with the subtle and ever so attractive fluorescent lighting...but, quite colorful to see in person. Just another day junking! Sorry for the dark photos, but I was in a basement....

Yell Loud!

Yet some more treasure hunting of the retail variety, while visiting my Mom this past weekend. This particular flea market/antique mall has not been on my radar in a long time. Many years ago, I visited regularly and it slowly became the place to bring your unwanted clothes...broken coffee makers...and worn out Fischer Price toys...you have the picture. So, it was marked off the "favorite haunt" list. Just as we should be with others...I gave it another chance. WOO HOO! The tides of good junk had swept through...removed all the spit-up t-shirts...Mr. Iced Tea machines...and the giant plastic boat that serves as a swimming pool, or a sand box. It was full of yummy....tingle creating...old....junk! Upon walking in the door...my daughter and I both sucked in enough air to create a hyperventilation experience. We could see from this very vantage point...this had potential...real potential. We each grabbed a buggy...and off we went.

I found this sign quite amusing...it seemed to be the customer service policy of this retail establishment. If you had a question...problem...need....YOU had to yell loud to get some help. All across the room you could hear "Dot....this don't have a price...how much you want for it?" Obviously, Dot was the proprietor. She never left the cashier's station....took a look from about 27 yards...and screamed out a price. Everyone seemed to be quite pleased with this form of assistance and Dot continued to watch her "stories".

This is exactly the essence of the south....you have to love it! So, the next time you seem confused...disoriented...discombobulated....just YELL LOUD, IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

More tomorrow on the junking trip.....

Led To Find Things

Had a great Valentine's Day!!! Went to visit my Mother. My Mom lives on a farm full of sheds and crotchety old buildings. Thank goodness the 'treasure hunting' gene is alive and well in my offspring. She was itching to go dig in what we call "the treasure house". This particular building is about one 2 mile an hour windstorm away from complete destruction. Frankly, I didn't even think she should be in the building...but, my Honey felt it would be OK. Her fearless approach to digging is insurmountable. Not spider...mouse...yucky excrement...darkness...nor smelly environment will keep her from finding the ultimate treasure. It was a beautiful day...Saturday...Valentine's Day...and the hunting was filled with sunshine and awesome temperatures. Rewind for Interjection of Information: My Dad died about 18 months ago in his early 80's. His college career path led him to art. He was one semester away from an art degree when he decided to be a farmer. He piddled with art for a few years...but, it slowly diminished. Fast Forward to now.... My daughter found in the Treasure House his art kit. How poetic was that? I have never seen it...and it had several pages of practice work using different techniques. What a treasure! As you can see, it was modestly used, and a home for several insects...but, a special gift no less. An art kit for Valentine's Day....wow. Often you wonder if you are led to find things....

Happy Valentine's Day!

HAVE A GREAT ONE!

SHARE THE LOVE!

Hallowed Valentine's Eve!

"Love wasn't put in your heart to stay.

Love isn't love until you give it away."

-Michael W. Smith

Just sharing some heart love! Don't forget to make your Valentine purchases!

Many More Stay The Same

I just love...love...love button cards. I have oodles! This particular card has a lovely "Glamour Girl" and some really un-glamorous buttons. But, as fabulous advertisers and marketers all agree sometimes it is not the "widget" we are buying...it is the packaging around the "widget". I'm guessing this card was available in the 50's (judging by the style of the lady). The "packaging people and marketeers" of that era were incredibly insightful about teasing us with the hope of looking glamorous by simply wearing these somewhat 'plain Jane' buttons. My how some things change....and so many more stay the same.

Just An Observation

Have you ever noticed that often what you create directly reflects the environment in which you create it? Today was my ga-zillion mile check-up on my car. I drove my wheels to the car dealership, knowing this was going to take about two hours...definitely took the "something to fill my time" bag (i.e. craft bag)...and planted myself in the waiting room. Now keep in mind this is a beautiful car showroom...just recently built...all fresh, clean and new...but, this is what it looked like: 1. black pleather modern chairs 2. white marble-y floor with black vein everywhere 3. white walls, everywhere 4. glass top table 5. black high-tech coffee machine Notice the lack of color....notice my creative lack of color...hmmmmm. Just an observation.

Buzzards Are Back!

Is this not the most ghoulish picture? I could easily see this on a Halloween card...or perhaps a still photo from a "psycho" type movie...but, this photo was taken 10:32am...in my neighborhood....on February 9, 2009. Hmmmm. These 'turkey buzzards' (as I've been told) once a year flock to this one area in my neighborhood. They tend to only like this cluster of trees, on this particular street. This home was built amongst the primo cluster of trees since last year, and have now become a favorite roosting place. These giant birds sit with their wings completely extended for 15-20 minutes. I know this because, I've actually sat and watched them. These ugly, giant, very large pooping birds fascinate me! I was unaware of their recent arrival..but, my honey played golf yesterday and shared the news. The giant, ugly buzzards are back!

Over.....

"The occasion is piled high with difficulty,

and we must rise high with the occasion."

-Abraham Lincoln

Today is a day of piles. The demand of needs/things to do...is greater than the supply of time/ hours to do it. It never ceases to amaze me how nothing can be on your plate to do...and within 24 hours, you need a serving cart to push all the tasks that should be done. I attended four different meetings today to determine what job I should be doing in the next thirty days. What intended to be a spaced out bit of work, has now become a concentrated mound of duties. Not at all how I planned things to be. I now must re-organize just about everything for the next month...and hope nothing jumps up and grabs some time unaccounted for....eeeeeek! This rambling of thoughts is to relieve all those who may read. Yes, we all are victims of "best laid plans". But...on a lighter note, many of us are on the same page. Over doers....over volunteerers...over planners....and over done. This too shall pass over......

Paper Fashionista!

Another day in the life of a paper fashionista.

This is one of my FAVORITE quotes!

Take On A Mantra!

"Refuse to be average.

Let your heart soar as high as it will."

-A.W. Tozer

New art today....just loved the color of both of these book covers...the brown...layered with the aqua and blue. Cool colors! Great word to start the top of the month...plus, it's still the top of the year. Never too late to take on a mantra....

Victorian Collar or Lampshade?

"Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses."

-Confucious

My precious little furry daughter had a little out-patient surgery, and I have been playing Nurse Nightingale to her every whim. This lovely lampshade adorning her neckline is most annoying for her, and my calves. She has yet to figure out the diameter of her collar, and the amount of space needed to maneuver as usual. This day she was still groggy from the sedation...but, she is quickly getting back to her normal pace of fast...followed by faster. New art coming tomorrow.....