Surely I'm Not Addicted , Am I??

Well technically I couldn't be addicted to TV, since we are a no TV family. When it came time to pack our little 5'/8' trailer that we moved our life down here with we didn't have room to stuff a TV.

So we agree we'd buy one when we got here. When we first got here it seemed like there were some things we wanted or needed more then a TV. You know like a bed, a sofa, table, chairs... So we just sorta kept putting it off. That was 4years and 11months ago, and we still haven't bought one. Just don't seem to have time to watch the darn thing, nor much of a desire. I know it's kinda amazing, people are always shocked when they ask us if we saw such and such and we reply with "sorry we don't have a TV". If we want to watch a movie we use our lap tops. It's not a 52" screen but that whole concept is some how scary to me. I mean how sexy is anyone when their head is 50inches???

Okay moving along, to confronting my demon. For years I have listen to people talk, read in news and magazine articles and even read on blogs how the reality show Project Runway is soooooo addicting.

How it just sucks you in and before you know it shazam... So last month while I was whiling away those middle of the night hours as "nurse Nancy" I stumbled on to some old episodes of Project Runway. Ah ha here's my chance to see what every one's keeps going on about. So I watched one and then another one and another and another and before I knew it I had watched a whole season. How can that be?? But that's not the worse of it. Did you know that if you google "watch project runway free" all kinds of episodes show up on "you tube"?? Oh my God there went another whole season!! And you know what?? It really does suck you in.

Oh I can do with a whole lot less of the dramatics (but that's what advertisers say sells) and a whole lot more of the designers creations. But the nice thing about my computer and "you tube" is I can fast forward through the adolescent acting dribble and hit the stop and backup button when I want to see how something was made.

 I heard through the Bloglandia pipeline that the new season started last week. So off to "you tube" I went. Well you know, just to see what that first challenge was all about. I figure I should be able to control this slight addic obses affliction thing because I'm not able to watch the current week's episode for a couple of day after it airs. Got to wait for someone to hurry up and post their recording.

 I however have managed to make use of all that college education I have, cuz I can both rationalize and justify watching the show as long as I'm creating my own wearable art while I watch!! :)

So want to see one of the pieces I made??

 I started out with this vintage fru fru watch case that were so popular 15+ years ago. Took the guts out. Filled the space with a bit of sand, a couple of teeny tiny shells and a little white freshwater pearl. Set it with a bit of resin, and put the case back together.

Then I strung two different size strands of "shell pearls" in the same greens,golds and bronzes as the flowers on the watch case. At the top (back) of the necklace are 4 (on each side) square mother of pearl beads. The MOP is in the same colors as the pearls. cool huh??

 Added a little brass colored milagro and tied a wee bit of vintage silk ribbon on and I'm liking the results.

Okay Bloglandians until next time..."make it work".... woooo could that be a sign of borderline addi....?? Ahhhh how about Have a most audacious and art filled day no matter where in the world
you are.   p;)

"There's No Place Like Home" !!!!

Jeepers have you been wondering where or why I have been missing from Bloglandia, or if I was ever coming back?? Yeah, so was I! When last I posted we were headed up to the Northlands for Peder's wedding. Which by the way was great, and a wonderful chance for the whole family to celebrate together. You might ask what else have I been up to, that kept me so busy and neglectful? Well, partly it was doing a bit of nursing care for friends recuperating from surgeries, which meant not sleeping in my own bed except one time in a month and staying awake during the night. Oh man I'm just not as young and resilient as I use to be. I mean two weeks stretches  of no sleep but cat naps at a time really take their toll on this middle aged gal, and my physical health took a bit of a beating!

Then when I finally got home and LW and I had a chance to become reacquainted ;) I realized the shelves were bare so to speak at the store. :( Luckily my creative dry spell has diminished and I've been able to build up Little Bird's inventory for Helena and her store...Phhhuuu. Ha, I even remembered to take pictures so I can share them with you guys. Besides feeling pulled in too many directions I was still working through the "to publish" or not issue and if I was still willing to devote the time needed to keeping up this blog. I'm glad to report that for now I have made a few decisions. Although blogging takes up tons of hours each week and cause unnameable frustrations, I find I'm just not ready to chuck it all away yet. I really miss not visiting with you guys and keeping up with all your creative happenings. It didn't take much aloneness to cause a good case of the lonelies!!! So back I am to take up residence in my little corner of Bloglandia, and as soon as I get this posted I'm goin-a-callin!! I can't wait to see what you guys have been up to!

I have however decided to take a sabbatical from submitting artwork for publishing and entering challenges. Mainly because of the restriction they impose on me being me, and the time it takes away from things that truly bring me joy. By the time we arrived in the Northlands, I had decided that I wasn't going to submit any of the work I was taking up with me. Instead I had much more fun giving it away to family and friends who really loved my work. You can't believe how absolutely freeing that was. No worries about whether it was good enough, creative enough, or what someone else thought about publishing it. Ha what a weight to be rid of.  Funny though it was just after that when my creative drought  was no longer there. :)

So I decided I can only be true to myself, to make what I think is a creative expression of me. If it isn't what someone else is looking for so be it. As long as I have done my best work in creating a piece and I am pleased and proud of it that's all I need. I have to tell you it's a good thing I had worked my way through this artistic insecurity cuz waiting for me at my son's was an every Artisan's nightmare.

Remember back last year when I posted this tote that I had made??

 Well after a bit of encouragement I added the finishing touches and submitted it to a national art to wear magazine. It arrived there a few months ahead of the deadline for submissions so I kinda forgot about it. But waiting for me in Idaho was a parcel from the publishers with my bag and a "Dear John Artist" letter. :( Oh man that has to be the true kick in the gut for anyone.

But okay these things happen an not everyone's taste and aesthetics are the same. Oh but the the hours of work and creative energy. But that wasn't the worse of it. The letter didn't say what they didn't like or even what they were looking for, only that the submission committee didn't think it fit with their vision. The only thing is the bag had been rejected and returned (postmarked) even before the deadline for submissions and art work  was to be chosen for the next publication!!!

 Wow how bad did they think it was??? Yeah my chin was dragging in the dirt. SO the next day or so I thought heck I might as well put it to use and proudly carry it as my purse. Within a few hours of doing a bit of "shopping therapy" this very chic woman came up to me and asked me where I had bought my bag. Oh I didn't buy it I made it. Oh my gosh she wanted to buy it from me right then and there. Not only that but would I make more because she wanted to sell them in her boutiques in Carmel, Venice Beach&Sun Valley??!!! Woooo what happen to the "We are sorry but..." letter sitting in the garbage at home?? Well she and I visited and she did her best to persuade me, but in the end I declined her offer. With the difficult/near impossible mailing issue and the amount she wanted made I just knew I'd come to hate doing it. Especially when I had to sacrifice some of my greatest pleasures in order to have the time needed to work. Nope it's just not for me. But I couldn't thank her enough and told her about the rejection notice (to which she found rather entertaining) the poor little bag had gotten. We said our goodbyes with me promising to let her know when I was ready to sell them. And as you can imagine when I got back to Anders' I happily danced a little jig with that letter...

...all the way to the shredder. :)

Yikes so in making up for a long over due posting it seems I have written a loooong wandering epistle. So perhaps I'll bring an end to my ramble with a couple of pictures of one of the new pieces I made. More to follow as we get back in the swing of things.

I had this awesome agate drusy that just screamed to be shown off.

 So I strung it with sterling links from a vintage I.D. bracelet. Added some light blue/gray colored blue lace agate nuggets and some rich brown polished agates.

This is what it looks like completed. Heck I like it so well I think I'll keep it in my stable and test drive it awhile longer. ;)

On that note I'll bring this to an end, pickup my cursor finger while humming "I love to go a-wandering" and do a bit of  well overdue blog visiting!! Have a most audacious art filled day no matter where in the world you are.   p;)

PS. I have more news on the "gettin noticed" front. Tell ya about it next time.

Projects - Finishing In The Nick Of Time!!

Last Minute Millie here. Yep we leave for the Northlands a week from today and as usual here I sit with unfinished projects piled all around me! But I am whittling them down, really I am. :) I always have such grand expectations and goals, but then real life always seems to get in the way. Well that and the fact that I am the world's best "put-er off-er"  I did finish a couple of "art to wear" pieces that are for "me" At least that's the way they will start out. Although when I'm asked where I bought it, and reply with "I made it", the next thing I know it's being bought right off my body. Go figure??

 I bought this amethyst druzy along with 3 others from my bead guy. They were sooooo beautiful&inexpensive I couldn't pass them up. Probably because they are on the large strange shape size and had no holes or any hardware to use them as jewelry. I made a simple wire setting and bail with 20gage sterling silver wire. Then added a couple of strings of the prettiest blue aquamarine nuggets.

I can truthfully say that I do not own one piece of purple much less lavender clothing, shoes or accessories! Like pink I don't like the color nor do I wear it. Yes I know I'm being a bit unfair about this, but I'm sure you couldn't blame me to much. Consider the facts of being a rather thin,small boned,blond,blue eyed,woman who's name ends in an ie. Bring anyone to mind, hmmmm??? 

 I can only imagine how seriously I would be taken if I was wearing pink or lavender!

At least purple is dark enough to not fall into the "girly girl", fru-fru color wheel. Oh but this druzy is sooooo beauteous I just had to make something with it. But what color to put it with?? Yellow pink white, clear?? Ahh... how about aquamarine. That's blue isn't it??? I love blue it's my favorite colors!!! The only problem I saw with that idea was, not to create a necklace that looked like there was an explosion in the Easter Bunny's egg basket!! I tried to keep it a bit on the edgy side, with the rough shapes of the crystals the darker faceted colored amethysts and a bit of vintage brass chain.

Instead of making a decorative clasp I opted to use a piece vintage silk sari ribbon as ties. But never fear. I know how iffy silk is about wanting to come untied, especially where any weight is involved. So I have a little lobster claw disguised under the bow. :)

While we are in a blue frame of mind, I think I'll share my new little vestita with ya. I used a vintage sheer curtain for the body. It's nice and light weight, so it will be comfortable to wear through all but the worst of the summer. 

For the blue "ruffle" and edging I used some scrapes of this blue dotted swiss&lace cotton fabric. It was left over from a dress I had made a number of years ago. In fact the dress is hanging on the wall in my girly girl room, remember?? 

I tea dyed a set of battenburg lace valances. Then patiently cut the lace from the cotton valances. Then hand stitched the lace to the vestita edges. There is a large lace flower that bridges the two sides with a snap as a closure. BUT what is a vestita without a bit of vintage bling, I ask ya??? Why, certainly not one of mine. :) So there are 4 vintage rhinestone&celuloid buttons down the front. And a nice fat vintage rhinestone earring down on the flower bridge!

And just in case the collar was feeling a bit left out there are two old pearl and rhinestone earrings on each side of it. :)

 For me it's as important to play with details on the back of a piece as much as I do on the front. I mean at least 50% of the time people see you from the back instead of the front. Well we are 3 dimensional (most of us any way). So instead of gathering the ruffle I placed pleats in the middle of the back. Then topped them off with another large lace flower. At the center back of the neck and collar there is another huge flowing lace flower and off of it is hanging an antique dress clip. And boy oh boy has it ever had a long and hard life. The stones are yellowed and there is even one slightly dead one. Yeah just like me...er the way I like it, the old gal has "character marks" like no other!!!

Back in a couple of day with a few more finished projects. See there is a valid reason why I haven't been around Bloglandia much lately!! Until then: Have a most audacious art filled day no matter where in the world you are.   p;)

A Life Filled With Dichotomy & A Fat Hand

Sometimes life conspires against you. Case in point: I am still here in Bloglandia although you wouldn't know it by the frequency of my posting of late. Why may that be?? Weeeeell first our internet has decided to play that ever frustrating game of hide and seek. We are never sure why our service does this. But it will spend days coming and going, sometimes with short comings and hours long goings. Eventually straiting out and flying right. Who knows?? Not us, however whenever we see a "Tel-Mex" technician  monkeying in the the main box at the corner you can almost bet something not so good will happen to either the land line or internet! "Be afraid, be very afraid" is the phase that comes to mind!! :( Add to that the fact that my left hand and wrist has decided to take a "heath leave"!! I seem to have developed a dandy case of cellulitis in the offending hand. Resulting in much rest, antibiotics, and ice. None of which is conducive to finishing all the projects for our trip to the Northalnds, much less typing on the laptop. The good news is the swelling and pain is beginning to subside, and the antibiotic therapy is nearing the end dose. The antibiotic is one that causes me to be quite nauseated...yuck! Okay, okay enough of the fat hand talk!!

On to dichotomy. I do truly love our life here and enjoy living in a foreign culture and environment then the I was raised in. I am truly amazed at  the incredible beauty the tropical environment creates in plant life. However that doesn't mean I don't miss many of the plants I took for granted up north. Like the flowers grown in a cottage garden. You know delphiniums,foxgloves, well all those flowers that depend on a cold winter to rest and recharge. During the the 7 months of our dry season the nurseries will tempt us with a number of them. Marigold,begonias,impatiens, and the like. So when I saw potted hydrangeas at the temporary nursery outside Soriana (a grocery store) I could not help myself!!! Wow and blue flowers to boot!!! 

How perfect is that for my girlygirl room, I ask you???? I'm sure you can't blame me for bringing one home, even though the chance of survival is slim to none.

Maybe I might be able to keep it cut back during the rainy season when northern plants perish from a tropical environment. And Maybe just maybe I can get the flower heads I already have to dry before they succumb to mold and mildew?? It's a long shot, but one I'm willing to try :)

As you guys know we have chosen to live in an all Mexican neighborhood. We did this because we really wanted to learn and live a different way of life, a different culture then the US. We never wish to turn this incredible country into a "little USA" like many fellow ex-pats are want to do. There are so many rewards for our choice. The greatest being that most of life transpires right out our front door. At this very moment I can hear a neighbor's radio playing beautiful old Mexican songs. The chickens, one of the neighbors down the street raises has a rooster with a mixed up time-clock and is crowing to beat the band. Or maybe it's because one of his harem has made an escape and is in the front weed patch of the empty house across the street sampling all the insect delicacies it has to offer?? At this time of day the bread guy comes down the street with his bike cart calling out "Pan" (bread) selling bread and pastries. Or how about the foot races the school at the end of the street sponsored yesterday.

What to do when you don't have the luxury of large tracks at the neighborhood schools?? Well all you do is block off the street with vans, mark off your routes and post people to redirect traffic.

Those parents and grand parents that can come, walk down the street to cheer their favorite contestants on.

They range from junior high girls in their pink!!

 To the real stars of the show :)

The kindergarteners!

I think I will take a hint from this little guy and take myself a highly needed rest break! This typing is murder on fat hands even if you only type two fingered!!

As I heal and finish projects I'll get them posted. But for right now I'm trying to be a really good girl and not put any stress on my fingers,hand and wrist. Maybe tomorrow it will be better...?, well one can hope any way.

Have a most audacious art filled day no matter where in the world you are.   p;)

PS. How rude of me to not give credit to LW who had the foresight to capture these photos. Thank you LW!! Yoar are the Bestest!!