Out of My Gourd

So a couple of months ago I decided to try my hand at
yet another art medium "Gourd Art" -as if I didn't already
have my hands into so many other wonderful mediums.
I took one class, learned two techniques, a closed coiled
and basketweave. Learned how to grow, clean, cut and dye a gourd and I was immediately hooked. I made this one specifically for a wedding gift and have since completed two others. I still need to take pics of the other two I've recently completed and will post them soon..

Here's another view.

If you ever get a chance to travel to Fallbrook, CA
the "International Gourd Art Festival" is a must see.
I had the chance to go this past summer and I'm still reeling at the beautiful, talented gourd art that I encountered at this event and talk about supplies...geeeshh a feast for one's eyes.

Another reason I'm out of my gourd...

Last night when I left work I drove directly to the Apple Store
in Fashion Valley and bought myself an 24" iMac. I'm a convert!
Did I say out of my gourd?! because the last time my fingers
touched a mac I was using an Apple IIe. Now I'm dating myself.
What this means I'll soon be transferring files from my current Dell PC (don't know how) and installing and teaching myself a whole new operating system. So... if I vanish from sight for awhile you'll know I fubar'd things up and I'm trying to wrangle my way back.
I consider myself a pretty savvy PC user but this whole Mac experience is new to me.
Wish me luck!

OH and BTW...have I mentioned that this daylight savings time stinks because I leave for work at o'dark thirty and return home at o'dark thirty. It feels like it's way past my bedtime.

Ciao! Please visit my other blogspot: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Holiday

4x4 canvas board collage, text transparency
torn copy of vintage postcard- Santa Barbara, CA Hwy 101
Golden Fluid Acrylics, gel medium

There was something about today that was magical.
Perhaps it was "a day of freedom from labor". I took the day off
and decided to work on finishing some journal pages,
a little bit of sewing and a stroll by some local antique stores to see what I could rummage.

Items found:
-vintage Atlas jar of old buttons, more vintage handpicked buttons.
-old vintage glass sign- "small deposit needed to hold items"
- a handful of beautiful vintage cabinet photos
- a framed vintage hand cross-stitched saying,
"Let me have a little space where maybe I can come and go"
- small vintage wood sign,
"There is always, always, always something to be thankful for"
- a cast iron weathervane
- small cream white cast iron birds nest with blue robins eggs
-2 extremely large childrens board books for altering 24 X 36

It was a glorious day bathed in sunshine and well needed.
Hope your day went well and thanks for stopping by.
My other blogspot: "ThE ArTfuL EyE"

Artist's Reflection

First I'd like to thank Tim Holtz and Ranger for adding distress to my life. These products are awesome. I created this little collage journal book from plain 'ole chipboard utilizing distress inks, 9 X 9 double-sided cardstock, distress embossing powders, bits of ephemera, vintage photos, collage etc.

The cover of this journal is created using foam core to raise window template and mica to cover the three individual windows.


On the inside, there are several pages with pockets to add other fun stuff.


This is the back. It' put together with small binder rings and ribbon.
Metal tabs are crimped around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to mosey on by my other spot: "The Artful Eye"

Wednesday Stamper- WORDS

I hope you enjoy my contribution to this weeks
Wednesday Stamper challenge WORDS.

This journal page is 8 x 11, white gesso base, golden paints,
adirondack daubers, an assortment of stamps, sharpies, and torn text.

Stroll on by my other blogspot: "The Artful Eye"

Feeling Blecch

Blecch...should be a word somewhere. I pronounce it like blegth, somewhere between, black, bleek and death. I've been ill since the day after Thanksgiving. Yesterday felt like I had pneumonia, today- I just feel like I have a bad cold. Nonetheless...I just want to stay horizontal and not move but then...I feel like I'm missing out on something. I like reading blogs and seeing what everyone is up to and having time off to do this is extremely rare. Unfortunately I'm finding it difficult to keep my body in an upright position. Tomorrow we head to Monterey, CA for a family funeral. Can it get any worse?!

For now, I leave you with this photo... because it's blu..ish and how the inside of my head feels right now, which I took of the inside stairwell of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, MA as my husband and I trekked the 255 steps to the top lookout.

Here some pics of what we saw, I hope you enjoy.

of the top

from the inside out

to the east- the Marina

to the west -Cape Cod Bay

to the north -Cape Cod National Seashore

to the south- Provincetown High School

A diorama of what Provincetown, MA
looked like when the Pilgrims arrived

The Pilgrim's Story

The Mayflower- A room size diorama

Please ferry on over to my other blogspot: "The Artful Eye"

Etched Pendant Necklace

Pendant necklace made using steel and brass washers. I drew a design on the washers with a black enamel based Sharpie and then etched the pieces in PCB etchant for about 1/2 hour. The areas of the washers that were covered by the enamel did not etch, while the areas 'not covered' by enamel were etched. I then combined the washers with some misc. jewelry findings, a button, assorted glass beads and a few spacers and viola!

I'm beginning to like this blogging thing-- because I know that most of the time I'm talking to myself and I'm okay with it. Free therapy. Apologize in advance for the crappy photos of the artwork. Maybe in my next life, I'll be an artwork photographer.

Do stroll on by "The ArTful EyE" my other blogspot.

My First PMC Jewelry

I took my first PMC class last Sunday and what you see here are my first pieces.

Clockwise, starting from top left:

I created a 'grunge type' nameplate for a pendant I'm going to embellish for my dear friend Irene. Using metal letter stamps and stamping directly into the clay. The back of this piece is also textured. Stamping the letters was a bit harder than I thought. You need to get the right amount of pressure.

Small charm was created from a mold I had made earlier in the a.m. prior to attending class. I used a vintage button and created the mold using "mold n pour" by Suze Weinberg. Pressed in silver clay and popped it back out of mold. I then inserted a small garnet cabouchon into the center of the flower.

Small silver owl pendant with bale. I created a mold using same technique from above this time using a vintage owl rubber stamp and baby powder for a release.

One pair of earrings using plastic template for clay impression.

...and last but not least, a large silver hand rolled bead, stamped using my Judi Kins Klimt bollio

I'm officially addicted and have purchased all but a small kiln to produce more pieces. If you have any interest in working with silver jewelry this is the way to go.

The pieces are all .999 fine silver when finished. All these pieces were dipped into liver of sulphur for some level of patina.

Stay tuned... in the meantime be sure to stop by my other blogspot: "The Artful Eye"

Heart Heavy

I found this heart shape rock on the beach in Provincetown,MA-it needed protection. So I built a fortress of dry reed.

Today, my heart aches.

Stroll by "The Artful Eye"

Our Reflection

On this day, we reflect on so many things for which we are grateful.
We seek comfort for those who are not well.
We think of family and friends who have gone before us.
We find compassion, where there is none.
We pray for our soldiers who are fighting for our freedom.
We pray for shelter and love for those without.
We are blessed, and we are thankful.
Godspeed.
Please stop by "The Artful Eye"

Window Shopping

I took this picture and it read my mind. Looks scary, eh?
Have a wonderful day and don't forget a drive by "The Artful Eye"

Bauble

I'm in the jewelry making mode so I thought I'd share this little gem I made just recently. Assorted glass beads, wire and found chain. I'm off to make a clay mold I want to bring to the PMC class today at Stamping Details. Stay tuned... I'll be posting pics of my first PMC projects. Don't forget to visit me at my other place, The Artful Eye.

pLaY

3X3 pre-gesso'd canvas, layers of transparent Golden Fluid Acrylics , wiped on, then off. Clear transparency of text applied with gel medium and a black and white image of schoolyard hula'ing cropped with postage stamp Fiskar scissors.

It's play time, do you remember "Hula Hoops"? Have you tried to Hula Hoop in your adult life? Well if you're like me you've put on a few pounds since you were 5 yrs. of age and the circumference of the hoop is a lot closer to your waist and there's not a whole lotta room to get this thing going. Check out the beginnings of Hula Hoop. Now I was thinking, why don't they make these things so we adults can get back into Hula Hooping and by golly, I got into a Hoopnotic trance here. There is hoop. (hope)

Don't forget to drive by my other blogspot for more fun and frivolity - "The Artful Eye"

Crazy Daze

Another day working for the man. What's 'crazy' is that our entire company is loaded with Veterans and most of them were working. So I ask? How is that celebrating Veteran's Day.?! There were a few wise men missing but for the most part we were all in the trenches.


Speaking of wise men. Can you believe there are only 42 shopping 'daze' until Christmas?

Remembering Our Veteran's

The American Cemetary in Normandy, France has to have been one of my most memorable experiences. I was fortunate to travel here with a man named Douglas Walker. I'll never forget this story nor this man, as he wiped the tears from his eyes as he recounted the events of the day he as a young man was ordered off the back of an American U boat, armed and facing the enemy in countless numbers. Thank you for your service to this country!

To all our Marines as we celebrate and give thanks on the "232nd" Anniversary of the USMC.
Semper Fi

Christmas in New York and All Good Things Must Come To An End

Sheesh....it's been awhile hasn't it. It seems as those these past six months have grabbed me and tossed me to the wind. So much has gone on here. We are still living in our apartment. Temporary job has come and gone. I've worked this temporary job for 6 mos. and my time ended on Dec. 5th. We (G) and I were leaving for N.Y. yes, the Big Apple on Tuesday the 9th.

Two things. 1) I love Christmas in N.Y. and 2) New York will always be my home. There is something so remarkably special about this city, other than the fact I grew up here.


Let's see a rundown on all the places we visited. We arrived 6 a.m Wed. on a red eye. Of course I didn't sleep a wink. The day ahead was full. We left for the city just a few short hours after our plane landed. So a coupla cups of cawfee and we were on our way, again.

Times Square. This was centrally located to where we were going to see a matinee broadway show. At the Shubert Theatre, it was "Gypsy" starring Bernadette Peters. She is fantastic! Early dinner at Ollie's across the street. Interesting Chinese restaurant with hostesses that remind you of life-like anime characters. Of course all the gals were legs from here to there and very exotic looking.

Before during and after we walked around and saw ABC, NBC,CBS, MTV, FOX television studios, We strolled Broadway oohing and aahhing at the lights and interesting folks. G had never really spent much time in N.Y. so this was exciting for him. Even tho I'd seen it all there is always something fresh about the city and I love, love, love it.

We walked over to FAO Schwarz, hmmm interesting tidbit. They are filing Chptr. 11 bankrupcy. This is a travesty because this is a fun grandiose store. I would hate to see this institution go. We walked into Toys R Us. We had to see the indoor ferris wheel. Too long of a line to ride but fun to watch.

We walked 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue strolled past the wonderfully decorated windows, and we strolled to Rockefeller Centre. We gazed at the beautiful Christmas tree and Christmas statues. We watched as ice skaters graciously and some not, skated around to Christmas music. We saw Santa and Sponge Bob Square Pants. Hey, what more could you ask for! By evenings end we were bushed. I hadn't slept in two days.

Thurs. - We were off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Got to love this subway travel. There are so many great people to see and talk to and what a great way to travel. We strolled up Park Avenue, Lexington Avenue and stopped for lunch at a Greek Cafe. Great food and fun, fast, friendly service. We headed to the museum and walked through about 1/4 of the museum in 3 hours. My feet were burning. Of course today was the day I decided to look a little stylish and now I was paying the price of my new look. We were going to meet my cousin Barbara and Chris for dinner and I was having reservations. I was tired and my feet hurt terribly. My dad came with us to the museum. He decided to head back to Brooklyn on his own and leave us to a fun night in Manhattan. The wind had kicked up and it was beginning to rain. We walked from about 79th and Park Avenue all the way to 52nd and 8th. I was ready for a foot transplant. I begged and pleaded we find a shoe shop to purchase something comfortable for my tired dogs. We headed towards 5th Avenue and I knew we good shop there, only problem was finding a pair of shoes for less than $500. was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Thank God! for Ann Taylor Loft. They came through and with a sale of $29.99 plus tax I was the proud owner of some comfy suede flats. Except by this time my feet were in sooooooo much pain that I could have put on bedroom slippers and it wouldn't have mattered. I was able to pick up my pace a bit now and we were getting close to my cousins apartment she lives in the theatre district and works up the street as a VP for BNP Paradis (a French Bank) just walking distance to her quaint two bedroom apartment at "The Ellington" yes, doorman included.


To be continued:

In Other Words

Isn't is funny how we all have a way with words. Y'all have a way with words. Y'ouse guys have a way with words. When I first moved to the midwest from the Big Apple I was at times at a loss when I wasn't able to communicate with my fellow mates. I had asked someone in a local store where the soda was and they pointed me to club soda and said they have "pop" also. I thought for a moment. Pop? What on earth is pop! I then asked for a bag and they told me we only have "sacks". Beginning to get perplexed by the strange vernacular I became more curious. I was invited out for some sporting event and was told I could where my tennis shoes. I thought for a moment then explained that I didn't own a pair of tennis shoes but I did have a pair of sneakers. It made me laugh cuz I tried to think of the sport one might do with a pair of sneakers. You could be a super sneaker, sport sneaker, jr. olympic sneaker. Recently a friend and I were having a conversation many years later I mind you and we are in Costco. I said I'd go get the wagon and she chuckled and replied, "you mean "cart" right? No wagon, I replied and laughed again. In another conversation we were talking about registration renewal and tags were permits and plates were tags. Just the other day I asked for a regular cup of coffee and the clerk responded with, "Fresh Drip" okay?

Insightful Linquist

I just learned by taking a simple IQ test I have the natural fluency of a writer and visual spatial strengths of an artist. Hmmm... I have always thought of myself as a creative writer and definitely an artist. I might be struggling at these two parts these days but I know that soon it will all make sense. My IQ 126. What is that supposed to mean? Average folk between 70-130. So I'm average? I'll need to do some research on this Intelligence Quotient stuff so that I'm better informed about my intellectual status.

I had my first call for an interview the other day and I was sooooo excited to actually feel like I might have a chance at the working world. The interview lasted a little bit over an hour and I really felt like it went well or perhaps I was delusional. I got home really expecting that I'd hear from the employment agency that sent me out to the jungle and nothing. The phone rang for the next two days every hour on the hour only to drive me to insanity as I waited for the one call, the one answer to my prayer that I actually qualified myself to someone. No luck. Then of course you go through all the justifications with WHY they may not have called and try to make sense of it all. Oh woe is me!

It's a new week. I'm on a different mission, as a matter of fact many missions. I'm feeling pretty focused and setting my trail ablaze reading a couple of good books along the way. If you're interested Seabiscuit by Laura Hillebrand and Running in Heels by Anna Maxted.

No More Excuses

Someday is not a day of the week. What up? I had a truly unproductive day yesterday even though I did help a friend produce a workout CD. I'm good at procrastinating and I need to get ungood at it. I'm meeting with resistance because I'm not good with resume writing. It is like nails scratching against a chalkboard. I would rather be pumping gas or ironing then writing and rewriting my resume. An those of you who know me know how I despise these tasks.

"Now We Are Cooking on Gas" Originally uploaded by Sifter

Cooking with Gas

A funny little phrase a good friend of mine recently tossed at me. I take it to mean something like, "Now we're moving" we've got fire beneath us. I felt like I made some headway today. I managed to get another resume out and am making strides in my job search. The gas does need to get turned up though. I could be doing so much more and have lacked the ambition to do so. Not sure what I'm afraid of, maybe the dark? The dark world of unemployment...no callbacks, rejection, tough interviews. Heck, this is old hat stuff for me. I need to get going and put together the ammunition to send up the flares. I know I have what it takes and then some. There I go letting my vulnerability show through that tough skin.

Nothing wrong with being vulnerable. It builds character, one character at a time.

"A Fairy Cake" Originally uploaded by Zalita

Spirituality and Cake

Is this supposed to be a kinda soul searching while having your cake and eat it too type of deal? I picked up this little two-bit phrase from my favorite show Sex in the City. I can say that I haven't done too much soul searching lately cuz getting down to the nitty gritty is too confrontational for my little ol' heart these days. You heard it hear...yes and from the queen of confrontation hez self.

I need to get back into finding out what's really going to "chime my clock", "tickle my fancy", "put a red shiny apple at my feet" kinda life. I was journaling for awhile before we moved down here and that got tossed by the wayside. Journaling always takes you to meet the unknown.

Cake..well I've been having my cake celebrating birthday's, anniversaries and any other celebratory event that comes my way. Funny cuz cake is not one of my favorite things to indulge in. Maybe it's a sign, a sorta spiritual sign that is trying to tell me that sweet things are coming my way. Something to think about, anyhow.