Reporting In

Check off the cookie can project (#10). I made one for her roommate too. I wanted to show you that I incorporated the spot for postage on the cans. I also always leave a little spot for the post office to do their thing. They always want to add a little sticker.

13. Towels washed (check)
12. Borrowed frame die cuts from Susan. (check)
Also, not on the list, photographed her cross wall of wall crosses. Needed for gift journal.



6a. Haircut. Yes check it off. The single edge razor worked great. Didn't cut myself. Not showing a picture though.

2. Still "trying" to finish the journal. Finish won't happen but the key word in this one was "try". So, I'm checking this one off.

Also, #15, I didn't manage to make a new stamp yet but I did use two of my older ones on this page. So, I'm counting that for yesterday. It's not cheating, I make the rules.

More later,
Sharon

Last Swirl

I promise.

I told my friend, Carolynn, this week that if you just think about something and don't get it done....it is OK.

But if you write it down, then you have to do it. Therefore, I'm writing down my list for the weekend and next few days:

1. Fin

Oh, first, it is also OK to put things on your list that you have already done. That way you get a head start on the list. So.
1. Finish the last swirl page. (check)
2. Work on gift journal and try to finish all but cover.
3. Cut fingernails. (check)
4. Give self pedicure.
5. Write something about.....
6. Buy single edge razor blades. (check)
6a. Give self razor haircut.
7. Shop for shoes.
8. And paints. Not paints...pants...like blue jeans... I don't need blue paints. I need blue pants.
9. Finish mail art and get ready to mail Monday.
10. There has been a call for cookies. Make cookie/pringle can.
11. Look for the big art table under all the art supplies.
12. Call Susan and see if I can borrow her sizzix frame dies. Thought I bought one. Might find it when I find the big art table.
13. Wash towels.
14. Enough dust has now collected on the dresser. Remove it.

That's all I'm writing down. I'm thinking about some other things but not writing them down. When you write it down, it's a promise to yourself. When you think about things it's day dreaming.
More later,
Sharon

One more.
15. Start the one-a-day stencil or hand carved stamp challenge with myself. Inspired by Judy Wise. We're doin it.

Sorted Out

Yes I did.
I sorted it out.

So... as I sorted, I realized that

it boils down to the fact that I would rather spend my money on art supplies, art magazines art making equipment and stuff like that than on.....

clothes, haircuts, shoes, makeup, etc....

My day started "out of sorts" when I couldn't get into that one pair of jeans that I wore every day last winter/fall. I resorted to a pair of pants that I could get into because they were about 2 sizes too big. Do you know how that makes you feel? Well, huge. Then I put on a blouse that didn't necessarily match but I thought worked.

Then, I discovered that yesterday was the very day that my hair was too long and looked like an old lady that nobody loves. You know I visit my own bathroom for hair cuts because I don't want to spend the time or money to go out for them. Besides that I hate to make appointments. How can I possibly know today what I want to do two weeks from now.

Next was the makeup. Days ago I used up the sample of liquid makeup and had already scraped clean with a q-tip the bottle of my own flavor. So, who needs that anyway, I've still got a little blush. As for eye stuff, no matter how many time I jam that little brush into the tube of blackness, it comes out just damp. Just enough to pretend at coloring my lashes.

Oh good lord, I put my glasses on and happened to glance in the magnifying mirror and my mustache and chin hairs were out of control. Most of my tweezers are now "art equipment"; however, I have reserved one pair for this chore. I had no excuse.

Then my shoes. Nothing new about that. I've worn this same pair just about ever day for at least 6 or 10 years. But yesterday, I just did not want to wear them. Yesterday, they looked all used up.

I should have never left the house in this state. But that is just not an option. So, I chose to be "out of sorts" with myself for the day. Maybe if it hadn't all happened on the same day, I would not have been effected.

Today is better. Nothing has really changed except I have resolved a few things that I will do. Being "out of sorts" is just a frame of mind or maybe a choice.

More later,
Sharon

Jeepers Creepers

Here it is. I just can't seem to get this done. Some version of this will go in the mail before too long. I hope. There just seems to be obstacles. Do you ever run into those? They are of my own making surely.

I feel a bit out of sorts....whatever that means. I'm just tired right now and I think I could just go to bed. Well, maybe I could just go to desk since I'm still at the office for another hour. When I get home, I will probably go to couch.

"Out of sorts". What do you think that means. Sorts?

Tomorrow, I will be in sorts.....so....
More later,
Sharon

Journal Project

Did I tell you that I also made a leaf pattern from a wallpaper border?

This layer of the journal page is finished but I will be adding a word or quote or something like that to these pages. You know, just a bit of inspiration for the recipient. I save that part for last.

Well, I don't save it for last.....I just save it until it happens. Know what I mean?





I have one more scroll page to paint and then I will do something else. I don't want the whole book to be scrolls and leaves. Although I am having a great time with it. And I do think I'm getting the Tuscan feel and color to it.

Guess what I keep thinking about? OK, I'll tell you. My next painting will surely have scrolls and leaves ...... most likely....probably.....(I do believe Norah'S tumbling around in the attic again)

To answer a question in comments, I did remove one page between every two and the finished book will have 34 spreads which includeds the inside front and back cover. I hope to be finished within a couple of weeks. I love love and thank you all so much for comments. Makes my day!

***

I really don't get much ART time during the week because I seem to have become addicted to a couple or three evening TV programs. Oddly enough they are all about doctors.

So, today at the desk, I'm about to work on finishing a little mail art. Maybe I can show you that tomorrow. Trying to get this in the mail.

I don't think any of this is what I intended to yak about but I have yaked too much already so....
More later,
Sharon

Weekend Update

Wallpaper Pocket above

Pages from yesterday. Remember this is a gift journal and I'm just to put a little decoration and inspiration on the pages.

Tuscany is not the theme, however, it will be the color pallet and underlying element. At least that is what I'm trying to do.

The photo to the left is just to show you how I cheat a little. You can too.

I used a piece of wallpaper border and traced the scroll onto vellum. Cut it out and use it as a patter to paint on the page. I'm doing several pages with the scroll but moving it around in different positions and using different colors.

I think it is looking fab so far.

More later,

Sharon

Break time...

so I thought I would fill you in on what I'm doing...

but first.....look at this. I received this huge bag of beautiful napkins and papers from my bloggin-buddy in Australia, Ro. And would you just zero in on the hand made stamp she sent me. So clever! it is actually 6 stamps because she has carved on all six sides. This surely gave me one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. And you know what? Don't tell her but I'm gonna surprise her with one just as soon as I get a moment to make it.

I tell you this is like getting a whole bag of inspiration. And that's a good thing but boy I do have to rein in my muse or rather give her a little direction because I have so many things to get done. Don't worry, for the most part, it is ART things. The sheets are in the washing machine and I've got dh lined up to make chicken on the grill and I do have one little bathroom cleaning chore planned and I'm not looking for dust bunnies today.

So, here I go making another Art Gift Journal. This one is a special order and I'm going to concentrate on it this weekend. The person who ordered it is going to gift it to a very special kindred spirit friend. So, there is a theme. I'm ready to start the pages as I have prepped the book and this is the first page that "happened" last night before the prep was finished. Norah's here and we've got to go now and I will share....

More later,

Sharon

Dream through the windows

Dream through the windows of soul and spirit

I really do like it when I can come home and still have a little after 5 energy.

Sometimes my excitement just drains me...I guess. Because I always have after office

plans to paint or just play ART in general.

Then, I get home and hear the couch calling my name.

Today, I just needed to add the words and paint her hand. After having studied on it all day at-the-desk, I knew just what I would do to finish.

"Dream through the windows of soul and spirit." I guess it doesn't matter if it makes no sense. It is a place to go where you look out through yourself and see your dreams.

Tell me what it might mean to you. Want you?

More later,

Sharon

another weekend

Today's ART play.



6 X 12 canvas.












More tomorrow,
Sharon

The Journey

The Journey
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting

their bad advice--

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you

had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do--

determined to save

the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

More later,

Sharon

Sick-O

Or maybe just weird.....

What do you think is going on in the above picture?

I'm having lunch at the desk, of course. Well actually I finished.

I swear I didn't stage this. I looked and saw myself doing it. Art at the Desk.

Can I tell you that I'm just a little excited to receive my Blick art material order. And that I ordered some 8 X 24 X 1 3/8 canvases. And that I have one setting right in front of me. And that it is causing me to do weird things. Like can you see the three little blobs of paint right there beside the big leftover blob of mustard?

I received the box with canvases yesterday. That's when the little sketch started. Then today, I received the box with 4 new liquid Golden colors. before they arrived I was trying to use highlighters on the sketch.

I was desperate to try my new colors. And that's all I'm saying.

Except, when he has me committed, will you all bring me paint and art stuff?

More later,
Sharon

Cookies on the way

More cookies on the way to Miss Ashley.

She has come to expect them. But we all have so much fun doing it.

We are a team:

Tim, little brother, bakes the cookies.

Melissa, their Mother, cleans up the mess.

Me, well I get the fun part. I get to decorate the can.

And this time we need a little filler in the can. So, we wrote a long long long letter and rolled it up.

Fun fun!

More later,

Sharon