A little rummage "junk drawer" fun....

In the early evening last night, I began a search for something that I'd recently seen in one of our so-called "junk drawers". Well, I didn't find what I was searching for or maybe, I did! {just never realized it because I forgot what the item actually was while I was searching! This isn't an uncommon occurance in our home, Don and I both are often guilty of it because we often get so easily side-tracked with our minds filled with a variety of thoughts.}

As I was rummaging through the drawer in my hutch, I discovered a lot of small items that have accumulated in our home over the past seven years ---- regardless of however much that I try to unclutter. Some of my findings included:

1. two small hand-painted ceramic urns approximately 1" tall {from when my home was once decorated in an American Indian theme so many years ago. }
2. a small plastic snap style box approx. 1 1/4" x 2 1/2"
3. a few buttons {not vintage, but pretty}
4. some raffle tickets with stars in the center of them
5. some puzzle pieces
6. a matchbox
7. a small brass lock
8. some tiny aqua colored country style drip candles that are double-strung
9. some metal rimmed tags with metal attachment rings

As I searched and forgot what I was searching for, I found myself placing these items on in a glass jar on the hutches tabletop and continued searching for more. I even began to realize that we have similar items into the nooks and crannies of our home.

It wasn't long before I was in the kitchen, rummaging through two more drawers that miscellaneous items often seem to make their way into and more "found" items where placed on the hutch. Next, I ventured to the rear cabinet wall in the rear section of our kitchen where I discovered a few small glass bottles I'd obtained somewhere in our journey's; a page protector with some vintage photographs and a postcard I'd purchased years ago, and old flour sack and some milk bottle caps that I purchased at a flea market. Are you getting the idea yet?

I placed all these items on the top of the hutch as I discovered them, pleased with myself for finding them once more! I remembered, {Amazing, I know!} that while I was organizing the studio a few months ago, I'd came across an assortment of wood boxes and cigar boxes that I thought I'd like to do something with. My mind thought of decoupaging a few for storage for studio items and making some alters and shrines with the rest. As I found these items once again, I also remembered similar items that we'd previously boxed up and placed in the room upstairs and in the attic. My thoughts raced with the idea of just how perfect they'd be for using in my artwork!

Currently, some the items are still piled, while others are more carefully placed upon the top of the hutch until I can find an empty box or something large enough to transfer them out to the studio. I also decided to I venture through some other places in our home I know we've both been guilty of "tucking" these "newly found" treasures. I am excited at the prospect of accumulating them in this one place until they will be moved to the studio. I can't wait to get started on creating something with them and am excited about the process. What's in your "junk drawers"? and can use some of it in your art? I know that I will be..... someday!!! {smiles}

Additional thoughts and ideas....

While designing my deco, I realized that a lot of my sketches for ideas to use within it could also be used for cards fronts. Since I am running a bit low on my "Thank You" card stash, I decided that I'll make those sketches multi-purpose.

I also trimmed a bit of the ends of my fabric purchased to make the quilt I've been desiring to start. Unfortunately, my desire got put on hold for a while as Shawn wanted it back to make bags for a Corn Hole game. I'm now waiting patiently to get it returned back so that I can start in. Anyways, I figured while I was sorting through some of my stash of supplies, I match up some cardstock colors and printed papers to match those in my fabric. I've one idea for what I'll use them to create; a couple 2007 Perpetual Calendars. One to keep and another to give away for a Christmas gift. I haven't began designing them just yet but I've got the calendar printed out and ready to take to be copied!

Ahhh, my creative life is good, once again.... {smiles} Oh! and all the left over scraps from creating the deco... they'll be perfect to use in my Gratitude Garland!

Designing a NEW Deco....

Even the suffocating heat couldn't deter me from heading out to the studio today! Earlier this afternoon, I sat and drew three full sheets of sketches from some thoughts and ideas that have been coming to me regarding some pages and page accents that I'd like to create for a new deco.

As I sat and filled the page with the sketches and the breathings of my heart, the desire to get to creating the actual Deco itself continued to grow and grow; until finally I could not resist the urge to get started a moment longer!

I used eight 12"x12" printed papers for my deco pages, mostly Rusty Pickle and K & Company's Life's Journey printed papers for their vintage appearance. Desiring to create it while still in my creative frenzy, I scored each page to make them 6"x12"; then, scored them 6" in the center of the 12" side. After peircing and binding the scored and folded pages together in a pamphlet stitch, some pages were adhered together while a few were sewn using the leftover bookbinding wax linen thread. I love the appearance the printed scrapbook pages, even the upside down ones from folding the paper. After finishing that, I went through my stash of cardstock scraps and then, full sheets of Bazill cardstock in colors that I desired to use in the creation of the deco. Setting them aside, I focused my attention on decorating the deco's front cover --- which isn't a cover at all but the first outside sheet of printed paper. I am loving how it is coming along so far, unfortunately an hour and a half spent in the smelting heat of the studio was all I could withstand. Hmmm, maybe I should pull a third-shift schedule out there, LOL! It would definately have to be a lot cooler!

Chaos's favorite toy...

After putzing around cleaning our house for a while yesterday morning, eating a light lunch consisting of grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches and a small cheese platter, Chaos decided to go plain bonkers on Don and I.

I feel so sorry for him as he is ALL puppy; with so much pent-up energy trapped into his small body. {Ok, I really shouldn't say "small" as when we can get him to stand up, he is able to put his enormous paws on my shoulders and I'm 5'1" "tall"} It is simply too damn hot to allow him to go out and run, play, and romp; so we try to get him outside in the early morning and late in the evenings. His shiny, black coat simply absorbs so much of the heat it isn't long before he panting and drooling, so we played ball with him IN the house.

A few days ago, we almost captured one of his antics on the camcorder, I swear he can be so hilarous, you just roll laughing at him. His newest endeavor is to pick up his old brush and with it in his mouth he bats his ball around the house. I am not certain if it is a form of golf where underneath my computer amoire or the recliner is the goal in his game or if it some form of baseball without the bases but whatever the case truly may be, he is so comical to watch. It is "cheap entertainment" at its finest, I assure you.

Artful things.....

Lately I've been thinking about some of the artful things that I'd love to begin working on and creating. To assist me to stay on track, I've decided to begin a list here on my blog. Just as I keep a written one in my personal journals, let's call it, "My Personal Creative To-Do List".

1. Continue working on my Gratitude Garland
2. Swap more ATC's
3. Begin working on some painted backgrounds, paste papers, etc. for use in my artwork
4. Start once again on my Art Journal, and, last but not least
5. I'm feeling ready to do yet another Deco soon.

I have some other goals, such as submissions for publications, but I am certain that I can combine some of them into some of the to do list that I've listed above. I am continuing to work on creating myself some worksheets to assist me with the process and I've filled a journal halfway with a lot of thoughts and ideas for artwork and articles. Time will tell where that will lead me.... for now, I'm content with the above list and creating some, "Thank You" cards.... my stockpile is running low.

Another thing that has been really fascinating me is I'd love to once again have a penpal. Maybe more of an artful kindred spirit in which to write handwritten letters and to share artwork with more on a deeper personal level than that in which round robins and swaps provide. The only concern that I really have, is knowing that I don't desire to bite off more than I am able to chew, I'm still in the process of tying up a few previous obligations and loose ends, and knowing that the holidays will soon be approaching which means making some handmade items for as our finances could use any boost that I can provide them with. Perhaps, after the first of the year is best before I embark on yet another "to do" list. {wink}

What we've been up to...

For the most part, Don and I are trying to stay cool with this recent "heat wave" that has been traveling across the US and seemed to have stalled out over the Ohio valley. I know that's far from being true, most of the US is feeling it; however, we're both feeling its effects in more ways than one. Cabin fever is truly beginning to set in as neither of us desire to even go outside unless it is absolutely necessary. Don's been simply going to work and back, and if the empty roads are any indication, so are many, many other people. My heart goes out to all the children who will be starting back to school - my neices in Texas are scheduled to return this upcoming week; I couldn't imagine the heat they've had for the last weeks upon end. It would be a great time for me to get out into the studio but without AC, I'm not so certain I really desire to go there!

We've been spending our days and nights indoors, in the AC with it blowing full blast, reading, computering, watching TV, and resulting to playing card games in the evenings. Dinners consist of coldcuts, chilled fruits, and so many salads that we've ran completely out of lettuce --- something I need to rectify soon.

This morning we even resulted to turning down the thermostat on the hot tub on our rear deck from 100 degrees to hopefully the high 80 or low 90's so we can use it to cool off in the evenings. We are really missing being outside, enjoying nature's summer beauty. We normally spend more time on our rear deck, grilling out, sitting either in the hot tub or at the patio table enjoying one another's company. We miss sitting there in the twilight hours with candlelight, with nothing more than a gentle breeze and the occasional cooing of a mourning dove. There is just something so soulful and a zen-like quality of tranquility there.

Don finally resorted to doing a bit of mowing the lawn late in the evening last night --- only because it truly required it! We chat about the things we'd like to be doing, places we'd like to go, and compromise it all in an all out effort just to stay cool. I'm certain there are a lot of other people who can relate... so I'll stop venting now, LOL! Whatever you're doing, wherever you are, I hope your staying cool as well - however you choose to deal with this heat. {smiles}

I've finally figured out how to add links to this template!

I am truly excited! I've finally figured out how to add links to this blogger template! This has had me baffled for months since I desired the text to match the Recent Posts and Archives. Well, today I used IE and went to View on the Toolbar then Source for the template name. It is Senore's Dominey's Scribe Template and the buttons are actually .gif's which compounded some of my problems, I'm certain. Anyways, I "Google'd" Bloggers Scribe Template and discovered this page: http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=42195&topic=8920 which helped me immensely.

Next, I opened up a new window to search for another Scribe blogger who had a link section in their sidebar, looked at their template in IE toolbar View Source to determine where to place the code. Once I discovered that, I opened my blog, logged in, went to template, made my changes, and republished my entire blog in a matter of a few minutes!

Now, that I have the correct html code, I'll be adding more of my favorite places to visit online and a few of my friends blogs. I am so happy! I'll have to add having the ability to think critically to my list of items to add to my gratitude garland, LOL! {Ah, joy truly is in the littlest of things!}