BUSY BUSY BUSY

Life has stepped in and taken over. I did not give myself time to work on my blog and I missed it. What have I been doing? There is still the organizing and sorting a room full of art supplies and other things. The first show of the season is coming up for me and I need to get ready for the trip to Maryland for the Bouchat family reunion.

Organizing is not a strong point for me. I can work in chaos and seem to thrive in creating when things are not neat. However, this does not make my home and work area a pleasant area to be in. Plus, I must admit that it makes for a difficult time when trying to find things. Wish there were some magic wand to wave and everything would be in it's place. Was it Mary Poppins who could do that? How does one learn to be organized? If you send an idea and it works, I will send you one of my cards. Don't offer the idea to have some one do it for me as I've thought of that and can not afford it. hee hee

So, I keep plugging away at a room full of supplies and other things. I have been able to share items that I will not be using and filling boxes with items to sell at a yard sale. Also, Goodwill or Salvation Army will be getting some boxes of things for their stores. The idea of organizing has flowed over to my clothing and all the clothes that I have that I don't like or don't want are going the way of the thrift store also.

My first show of the season is at the Old Port Festival in Portland, Maine on June 7, 2009. This is an exciting event and last year was the first year to have artists and craftsmen there. It was a huge success for my art and I am hoping it will be more so this year. The Old Port Festival has lots going on; not just vendors selling. If you can come on down, I believe you will have a good time. There are also shops and restaurants in the Old Port that are fun and exciting. Please pray for good weather for all who participate and come out for a day of fun.

The Bouchat family is having a reunion this summer and it is on a day that will make it possible for me to attend. Living in Maine can get to be a lonesome place when all of your family is in Maryland or beyond. Well, I should not have said all my family as I do have my husband, his sister and their small family here in Maine. Getting away for a few days in never long enough to see everyone or do all that I would like to do when I visit. The reunion will take care of seeing many family members.

Things that I must do when in Maryland is to eat my fill of MD steamed crabs, crab soup, crab cakes, crab .... Kind of remind you of Forrest Gump and the shrimps. Maryland blue crabs are the food I miss the most since moving to Maine. Sorry Mainers, but Maine crab meat doesn't come close to Maryland blue crab.

I will get to see my daughter. There is never enough time visiting with her. She lives in Washington, DC. DC is not a place that I would want to live in. Too much noise, traffic, rudeness,and smog. choke, cough, sputter! Once again this year, we will spend a day at the zoo in DC with Michelle. Hopefully this year I won't take away one of their critters. Last year I found a tick on my back after being at the zoo. Fortunately, it was checked and was only a dog tick.

A must this visit is a footlong hotdog at Ann's Dari Creme. It has been ages since I've tasted one of those tantalizing tastebud treats. It will have to be one with the works. YUM! That will mean having salad for the rest of the day as it must contain a full day's worth of carbs.

As always I will have my camera with me and will take tons of photos. You can be bored with all my photography by checking my photos on Facebook. Believe me I will share whatever I take while in Maryland. You will get to see my family and much much more.

With all this busyness, I did take time for myself. The KISS crop in Albion was this past Saturday and it was a remarkable day. The pot luck food was scrumptious. We had homemade spaghetti sauce with meatballs, corn chowder, salads, a homemake cheese cake (perfect) and more. The best part is the pulchritudinous group of ladies that are there.

This was my second time to participate and it was even better than the first. The more I get to know these women, the more I want to learn. It is a must to thank Kim Young for all the work she does it putting these together.

Well, it is time to get back to work on the house. I will say goodbye for now. Until next time, keep thinking positive and be creative. All of you have creative ability. You may not be and artist but you can be creative in your cooking, home decoration, playing with your children and there are many more ways. I look forward to hearing how you are creative. Take care and God bless.

First picnic of 2009

Hello,

The weather lately has been just delightful. This past Saturday, I went on the first picnic in 2009. We drove over to Thompson Island which is a part of Acadia National Park. It is just a small area but nice for picnics. It was so refreshing to be outside in the sun and to feel the cool salty breezes.

When we arrived, we picked a table that was out in the sun as it was a bit cool. So, I donned my blue leopard fleece and went about setting up the food. We had a lunch of tuna sandwiches, some chips and oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert. Yum! Isn't there something about eating outside that will make a plain old sandwich taste so much better.

After eating, I grabbed my camera and went walking about the park. There was so much too see. I tree had recently fallen giving me a photo opportunity. Then down to the water. The stones were pretty and were being washed by the small waves. There were snails coming out to enjoy the Spring day and a few Seagulls fluttered here and there.

As I was walking along the water going from rock to rock, my foot slipped and splash. Boy, is that a wake up call. The water was so cold!

However, that did not deter me from my search for nature's beauty. There were so many eye-catching clusters of bits and pieces of earthy items. Shells were sparkling at the water's edge. Feathers floated lazily in the lapping waves. The rocks and stones formed geometric patterns that would be pieces of art in themselves.

It was an inspiration to my creative mind to just take all of this in. My brain is on overload with ideas and I have photos to help me remember what I saw. The digital camera is an amazing device. I can take all the pictures that I want and when I get home, I delete those that did not turn out the way that I wanted. What a grand time I have once I have the photos downloaded onto the computer. "Should I keep this one?" "No, this one has to go." I also have the opportunity to go over the days events; to relive and marvel at all that I have seen and done.

Now that Spring is here, I want to be outside more and more. I want to go about and see God's art work. He is the Master Artist. Take time to look around in wonder at the things that are placed before you. May God bless you all.

Earth Day 2009

Hello, Today is Earth Day and since some of my customers call me the "Green" Artist, I though I would write a little bit for today. The reason they call me the green artist is that I reuse and recycle things in my art. It is to the point where I find it difficult to throw things away. My home proves this; boxes everywhere. In fact, today, I am going through the boxes and sorting things that I will use and things that I will sell at a sale. I am finding many duplicates that I will not use and items that are not my style but could be for some one else. These items I will hand on to those who can use them to create with. Keep checking my blog and I will let you know when and where the sale will be.

It has been rewarding going through all the boxes and sorting. I am finding things that I did not know that I had. My mind is working overtime thinking of all the art that I can create. My goal with sorting is to get somewhat organized. I know that I never will be totally organized but to have a bit of order will help.

The extra bedroom is going to be my storage room for my supplies and tools. So far, one wall is paneled with peg board so I can hang the tools and will be able to see them. The rest of the walls will be shelving to hold my supplies. It will be nice when it is completed. Say a prayer that I can keep the momentum going to complete the project.

When this is done, I will be able to see all the things that I will recycle into art more easily. Creating will be more pleasurable, if that is possible. Creating is always a pleasure now. Also, the living room and dining room will be free of the clutter of boxes stacked here and there.

Remember me when you are doing your spring cleaning or sorting your old jewelry. I use everything- jewelry, knickknacks, postcards, cards, bead, findings, found objects, ephemera, and etc, etc, etc....

Have a beautiful and may God bless you.

Oh what a beautiful morning....

Good morning, It is so beautiful out this morning. The air is crisp cold and frost lightly covers everything. When I walked out to take out the trash, it just amazed me at how beautiful my ordinary yard can be. I heard a woodpecker rat-a-tat-tating away and thought I must get my camera. He/she was at the top of the utility pole. Try as I might, my photo did not turn out as I had hoped. It is time to start saving for a better telephoto lens. Since I had my camera I took a stroll around the yard and saw nature's art work. Thankful for the invention of the camera, I was able to capture some of it.

Spring has come to Winslow, Maine. Flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. If I could, I would sit outside and just take in the art work and the music that nature provides. Does nature amaze you? The creation of nature is just so awesome. Weather I look at a tiny fragment of moss that has broken off or look at the wide expanses of the sky, it is just so very breathtaking. At times it is difficult to take in the vast splendor of it all.

On another note, my creating has taken hold and I am making my Mini-art Cards. I was invited to a crop this past Saturday and it was so much fun. It was the K.I.S.S. crop in Albion. From 8:00 am to 8:00 pm I was able to create. Well, we did stop at times for food and for fun and then of course for talking. I had never thought about going to a crop because I do not scrapbook. However, this crop welcomed me with open arms. What an outstanding group of women. They were jolly, positive, creative and good cooks too. We had potluck for lunch and dinner - super yummy.

How nice it was to be able to work on my art without the phone ringing, or my husband interrupting. You know the deal, "What's for dinner?" and the like. It was a productive day; as I finished 9 mini-art cards. Joy filled my heart when I realized at the end of the day that I had accomplished so much. Next month, the good Lord willing, I will be returning for more creating as well as getting to know these women better.

Till next time, go forth with a positive attitude, look for beauty in the smallest of things, and give thanks for all things. God bless.

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day.....

It is a good thing that you are not here to hear me sing this. It has been a rough few weeks of allergies and my voice is gruff and raspy. However, this is a wonderful day and great gift from God. It has spurred a mass of ideas. My brain that has been gone for about two weeks is now humming away like a behive on a hot day. There is so much that I want to do now to find the time and all the needed things to accomplish them.

When I walked outside this morning to feed the birds, it was delightful. The air was crisp with a hint of winter still there and it was so fresh. I just stood there looking at the baby blue sky inhaling. The clouds were like wispy cotton puffs just leisurely floating by and all of this started me singing. Being very grateful to be alive and able to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds me, is an amazing gift. What a blessing!

My brain has come up with a new piece of art and now I am on the look for a large fancy key. In a box that I bought from an auction, there was a bag of keys that have been cut into pieces. What I want to do is use these keys for the background and then paint the large key that I'm looking for bright gold and that will be raised in the center. What do you think symbolizes? I don't normally share my own ideas about the main idea of my art because I like others to come up with their own "story" about the art itself. If you have any thoughts on this idea, I welcome your response. Receiving input from others inspires my creativity.

This past weekend, I went to a Pampered Chef Party and had lots of fun. The food was super yummy and being out of the house and spending time with other women was refreshing. It was like springtime for my soul. Sometimes, it is forgotten how important just being out and about is. Cabin fever can set in without realizing it and I get into the rut of just going along; day after day after day.....

With this weekend and today's weather, I am ready to move forward and greet the world. To be creative and productive and to embrace what comes to me whether it be great, good, or not so good. What is placed before me is there for a reason and hopefully I will learn from it.

To all my readers: go forth, greet the day, embrace the happenings for what they are and broaden your thoughts, your creativity, your brain power, and grow!

May God bless you with an abundance of love, peace, good health, and JOY.

How do I create with so much going on

Greetings, Much has been going on in my life for a long time. Family matter weigh heavy on my heart, health issues need to be addressed, and yet I find the creativity within me is still pouring forth. How does this happen? At times when you would think that the mind would be so bogged down with "STUFF" that nothing creative could possibly surface.

This is an easy answer for me. I have full trust in the Living God to see me through. He is always there for me and has helped me to come up with some unique ideas. I was stuck in a rut and only rehashing old ideas that I did not want to work on. So, I asked Him for help. Then there was the "aha". No big AHA, just a quiet aha. There was a soft gentle voice speaking to me. One of the things that I heard was "hands and color". This led me to scan my hand and alter the colors. Then I thought where to go from here.

What should I do with these hands. I must say that I love all the color; but where do I go with them. There were a few ideas, as helping hands (physical therapists), loving hands (mothers), working hands... There was another "aha". Working hands was the answer. I am going to make a piece of art with hands of many colors and many occupations. It is a work in progress and is taking longer to put the idea together than most. I feel good about this one; hopefully, something unique and bold.

I have a friend who asks me what does each piece of my art mean. For most of my pieces there really isn't a meaning from within - no hidden deep realities. Does the hands piece have a hidden agenda? NO, my art just is. I find from talking with people viewing my art: that each person finds their own "meaning" from the art. Little children can tell me whole stories about a piece of art. It is a joy to watch people explore my art at the shows and to express their opinions. I even enjoy listening to those who don't care for my style of art. Listening to the public opens my eyes, heart and mind to other possibilities. Listening to God helps me to handle all that is happening in my life. God bless you all.

SNOW and CREATING

Once again, it snowed on a Sunday night into Monday morning. As I listened to the news, people were griping about the snow. "It's March already. It shouldn't be snowing." I beg to differ. If you live in Maine, I would have to say, "Get used to it." It can snow into April.

Snow can be a pain in the patooty for some. However, I have been blessed that I am an artist. Since I don't have to travel to work, it is wonderful to stay home and create. My work table faces the big window in the living room. I was able to watch the snow and the birds raiding the feeder. I also get to watch my cats watching the birds.

Perhaps, I should use that as a piece of art. Make it look like a window looking outside with the cats inside. Hmmmm, nice idea. Maybe one day.

I have been creating and using my new Pazzles to make words and die cuts that I normally wouldn't be able to find. Purchasing the Pazzles (an electronic die cutting machine that hooks up the the computer.) has been a wonderful addition to my supplies. It is an expensive tool but it is paying for itself. No longer will I "have" to purchase dies or die cuts. I can make die cuts that can not be found elsewhere. Will I buy dies and stencils for my BigShot (personal die cutting machine)? Yes, because there will be dies and stencils that I enjoy working with. Dreamweaver Stencils and Spellbinder dies are two of my favorites to work with.

Using the Pazzles to create a die cut from a picture was much easier than I thought. Now I can also use my photography to make die cuts. I am having way too much fun.

Enjoy hearing from all of you. Take care of yourself and may God watch over you.