She Brews

Anticipation and Mentally Creating

Well, its all sitting here. Every time I have to walk by it, something reaches out and grabs me and clings to me until I promise to come back and make it into something. That's how an artist' mind works. You think they are not paying attention, but we really are........it's just that we are not paying attention to you.

Everything has a place somewhere in our creative mind. Sometimes that mind is a forest and we are too deep in to see the trees. We also, are very emotionally involved. How it makes us feel, is how it comes into being. Are we oversensitive? Oh, yes, a big yes to that. 

We get into trouble because we are usually dawdlers......spending way too long looking at things.......figuring out how they fit where ever we are at the time.....I got into trouble with my mother in law when I was newly married because I spent too much time looking at the things in her house when I should have been looking at her when she was talking. I suppose, I was distracted, and didn't hear her......frankly, I am a little disappointed when people come to my house, and they do not look. They give me undivided attention......and I have spent all my time making my surroundings creative juices and spent no time on myself........

My husband says all artists are weird. He uses the term "weird" losely.....and lovingly. He means to say that we don't fit into "his" world. He has spent a lot of time trying to keep me conservative......I would for sure be one of those old ladies people point at and giggle......but the true stifled artist says, "I wish I had the courage to be myself".

Everytime I see someone over 60 expressing themselves artistically, I want to applaude, and God knows how much I envy their freedom. Now, I can only enjoy little girls and their freedom to "express" their creative selves.....They are little "works of art" to me....

I will be back when I start creating......soon......I promise.

Getting Ready for 2011

Making out my schedule for 2011 as the forms are showing up in my mailbox. I have to wade through some paperwork, but am anxious to start some new work for the new season. I haven't been blogging much because I haven't really been creating. I have been domesticating---and if you follow my Facebook page--you know.

I am still thinking about discontinuing the blog, but strangely enough since I have been somewhat inattentive about it, my traffic has increased. It's a curious thing.

I wanted to show you what I will be traveling in this summer. I got to use it last fall and loved having my own little place to stay in. Sometimes it worked out just perfectly to park at a show, and I didn't have to use those porta-potties.Having a place to prepare food is nice, too. And, sometimes, I really need to shower after I set up a show, and this has really been the ticket! I know Chip that you are very envious, as well you should be, it is such a plus for traveling to shows.

I will be posting my new schedule soon on another page in the top right hand corner so you can find me this summer. I will be doing pretty much the same shows as I did last year.

I'd love to hear from you when you stop by!

A Little Cake, a little Eeyore, and the New Year

 

A New Year....the same me.......I'd like to think I have grown some. I'd like to think I have grown from, "thanks for noticing" to "Hey, I have something to contribute, want to see/hear?"

This year, thank you very much, I would like my cake and get to eat it, too........

I need to blog, but just what should I blog about?

Too soon old, too late to be a little girl again. Love little girls. Love their giggling, their skipping, their hand-holding, their pretending, their companionship of which none is higher------but now, in 2010, I am so jealous of what they get to wear!!!! Colors, and more colors, and no rules, stripes and polka dots and flowers---all at the same time! I long to wear those things, but they will lock me up if I start now.....

I made these little christmas stockings as ornaments. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture when I was finished, so, you only get the idea. But, I loved this fabric. I purchased what they call "jelly rolls" and sewed the strips together, not knowing what they would become. Then, someone asked me for ornaments, and I knew just what to use. I added vintage crochet appliques to them.

I think these were Wonderland fabrics. You know my love of all things Alice. But the little scissors and colors seemed fitting for a quilting theme.

I haven't done a lot of projects since the shows have been over. I finished a couple of special orders and mostly have been giving all to my second job at the Christmas Shop, which you can imagine is quite busy this time of the year. It has been a wonderful addition to the other things I do, as there is constant eye candy and wonderment around me. I have released some of my timidness as an artist, so it has made me stronger in presentation. I am contemplating almost a complete makeover in my blogging and artworld. I have been doing the same thing for quite some time, and its time for a new look.

I still want to collage. I actually started some of the changes already, but I toyed with becoming three dimensional and after a rough start, decided I know what I know and its best to stick to it. I will collage, but it will be expanded and include more media.

I have a problem with trying to do too many things at one time and I need to decide what I can cut back on---loving it all, it will be a difficult choice. I don't really have a signature yet, and I think that may be what is lacking----the jack of all trades syndrome and master of none----is my thinking.

I may let this blog go----I have paid until June....I have another I puttered on with the free Google.....I may just bounce over there. The problem I have is that I really am a writer and I have kept my blog strictly for the craft audience. I think I want to write. I have so much to say. I think I could make it interesting.

I have been having fun on Facebook, just because it doesn't require a lot of input. Just here and there and I can easily connect with others without a lot of time. But, I know Facebook will not be enough, eventually. I am serious about life and want to talk about it. So, I am thinking about the New Year and what it might bring for me and this blog. I think I can let it go. I think I can go another direction, one I know better. I think I can interest you to come along, even if it isn't about art or crafts....I will keep you posted. Thanks for visiting me. I will return sooner this time.

Wizard of Oz available on My Etsy

Now that my shows are over for the year, I will be listing various collages on Etsy. If you want prints, just email me, otherwise I will be selling the originals only. I will add a few a day, as time permits. Its best to space them out. I know that a lot of you ask if I have my things on line and now here is your chance to browse and pick some out. Hopefully, you will want something for Christmas........

Hope you check it out. There will be lots you haven't seen yet.

Meanwhile, I am very busy personalizing ornaments at the Christmas shop this month. I will return hopefully to post normally in January.

For You....The Story of Jonah as told by a little girl

 

I See Sock Monkeys......

I got an order to make two dozen sock monkey ornaments. I am happy to report that I finished them today. Here is the beginning......

Here is a close up. I draw the design on first and then later add the paint.

I thought red was the best color since the original socks were red and brown. This is one side of the ornament. None are exactly the same.

The color is not very good on the monkey. They are a little washed out...but you get the idea. I will not have any working time now until next week, as I will be working at the Christmas Shoppe each day....it's gonna be a long five days.......

I hope to do some more fun stuff soon. Will be back to show you.

I Am Still Here

I suppose you are wondering what has happened to me? It would be nice if it was true. Actually, between computer problems and just plain a very busy life, I haven't been able to blog.

Pictures from my last show in Menomonee Falls. I have two more shows this year. One in Fond du Lac, ie, Sigma and one in Stevens Point, ie, Holiday Inn. I won't be able to attend the Fondy show, but hubby will do it. I have to work at the Christmas SHoppe as we are having a very big day.

I made lots of new designs for the last two shows. I am hoping to post some of them once the shows are over for the option of my readers to purchase.

I am seriously considering dropping the blog when my subscription runs out in the spring. Maybe I will keep my Google Blogger one since it is free. Lately, all I have been getting for comments is spam, and I don't know how that is happening, so now I have to approve comments. I did not want to do that, because I always felt offended when I had to wait on other's blogs, but, I don't get that many comments to worry about it, anyway.

I know life will slow down after December is over, and I will make some changes, then. Since I posted last, I joined Facebook, and I find it much easier for the busy life, however, I did like connecting with other media artists. It is what keeps me here.

Well, just to let you know that I am still working hard on projects and will return from time to time to let you know what's up. Take care and visit me at Facebook and perhaps we can become friends there, too.

A Beginning and An End

We finished our last Up North craft show. It was the Eagle River CranberryFest. It was very cold on Saturday with intermittent rains. That show always makes us work for our money. Sunday was a little warmer because the sun was out and the wind was gone, but, so were the people. Was  hoping for a better weekend, but need to be thankful for what I got.......

Thanks to dad I got to have the RV, which gave me opportunity for making coffee and lunch. I really enjoyed having the RV and did not miss sleeping in hotels. 

This was our first camp site nite. I think it was for a St. Germain Flea Market. We stayed at Lynn Ann's Campsite in St. Germain, in case anyone wants advice. We thought they were very nice and reasonable and would go there again.

This was our neat set up at Lakewood this year. We were so pleased to be able to park behind our booth and stay there overnight. We learned a lot about RV's and camping this summer. We hope to have the opportunity to do it again next season.

Next, I did something I thought I would not do. A new beginning. I joined Facebook and so we shall see what its all about. Email me if you want my listed name. I have been having too many spams on this blog lately that I don't want to give out information too freely. It's kind of making me mad that I have the filter and they are still able to spam me.

I have four more shows to do, and a lot of Christmas Shop time to work for the rest of the year. Perhaps, I can get back to blogging again. We shall see.........

Who wants a Clean House?

I have been incredibly busy. I have tried to prioritize things as much as possible, and unfortunately blogging has been on the lower end of the list. I make most of my income in the summer, and so, I have to give priority to whatever helps fulfill that goal. Now, I am finding myself running out of speed. I have stepped back the last few days to get a better look at what is happening.

My feet are really screaming for comfort, and though I did get a new pair of wonderful work shoes, they do not comfort me like a good ol' tennie......

I titled my post today, Clean House, because that is my goal for this fall/winter. In many ways, I want to de-clutter. I have begun with my studio, which is looking really good with a little help from some friends, but now, it is making me want to continue in the house. My philosophy of "you can never have enough 'input' is starting to wear me out, and I am looking at some of my input and considering out-putting it.......

Clean House, the tv show, is a catalyst for giving me the belief that it can happen. I can let go of things that I thought I was attached to, but really, I am only attempting to live a life I do not currently live, and they are stand-bys to fill in the dream. That, is what clutter generally is. Why not live the life I currently have? Why always live projectively?

Hearing a great sermon by Rob Bell about the Village Elder has given me reason to believe that I am not over yet. I thought of just "quitting" because I am tired, but I think this is a common malady this time of year. That and because as the Red Queen declared, "It takes a lot of running just to stay in the same place".

I decided that I will be redoing my blog and de-clutter it a little. So often, on the road at shows, my people will say, I visited your blog, but I don't know what part of it is you.......that's a problem. Besides, I think I joined lots of communities that I really can't give the necessary time to and it's not fair to them or my little blog to complicate it this way, if I can't be up to date with it. So, you will see shortly a new look and perhaps, it will make more sense to those who know me and have purchased from me on the road. I hope to make it easier to order things from me this way, too. I know this is a "blog" and not a website, but I can try to at least make it easier for my people to recognize me.

I hope you will drink to that. I think I understand better now what I want to say and be in this on-line communication. As time permits, I will make the changes and hope that you will get to know me even better. Until then, keep doing good things and blessing others---that's what really matters.