I Hiccuped and Came up with this Beauty

I don't hesitate to sell (or give away) just about anything I create, but this piece is not for sale.

I picked up small frames at a local thrift store for a buck a piece with the idea to repurposing as stretched frames using fabric as canvases for future driftwood pieces. My driftwood pieces have been receiving positive feedback and I wanted to make some smaller pieces, which could be more affordable for some.

I save just about everything, and had some left over screen printed test fabric with blues and grays. I tried to stretch the material over the frame, but sadly, there was just not enough material. What to do, what to do?

I decided to staple the material using the inside edge of the frame and, oh, did it look good. I have a habit of distressing frames that already are a bit beat up. After everything was said and done, it looked just great without any addition of driftwood. We call these creations, happy accidents.

Now, do I sell, or do I keep?
I will keep this little piece and use it as ideas for future pieces incorporating my blue sky reference photos. I am not going to do another repeat, like I did with the large painting of my brother, bad mistake giving that one away, eh?

What's My Goal Again?

Two 14"x18" acrylic lighthouse paintings, done. Eight more to go.

First painting is Point Betsie, second is Manning Memorial. These photographed a tad bit washed out, but eh, they're done. Click on the pic. for a more detailed/larger view.

I have plans to work, next, on a grouping of three, involving, rust, bolts, peeling paint, and concrete. You know how I love the effects of nature on lighthouse exteriors.

I Love Music, but Can't Even Whistle

I needed an excuse to make more handmade cards using vintage papers. I already had these record mail sorters made and I have this recent idea of selling etsy items with handmade greeting cards.

I had vintage sheet music in my drawers of art potential items and added "I hear the music that plays in your heart" and the phrase "in my dreams trees play the violin". Actually, my dreams last night included Big Bird trying to eat me at the Dollar Tree store and a conspiracy to hide my Jeep when I was trying to escape. When I finally did escape, I was in the midst of a Mardi Gras meets Mexican town parade.

Anywho, I digress.

I love making these little cards and adding my odd thoughts. I hope people like 'em (the products and the thoughts).

*I'm near completion on two of my lighthouse paintings, but when I get bored with something, I find ways to avoid finishing. Maybe by the end of the week, they'll be done?

Presidents will be Fondly Remembered as I Remove Snow

Mike has a three day weekend, so we had big, big plans to enjoy the outdoors and go someplace special on a day trip. It's really annoying when the flu decides to tag along.

Unfortunately, our fun plans were shelved, and Mike and I spent Sunday watching some pretty silly Lifetime channel movies and holding germy hands telepathically. (Don't worry Mom and Dad, Bits and I still made it to church in the a.m.)

Now on this wonderful school free day, I see about a foot of snow to be cleared. Do I dare ask the guy whose recovering from a visit to ickyville or do I tackle it myself? You know how much I love my adventures with Spitter. We'll see how the day develops. Cross your fingers that I remember to take some pics. of the new accumulation. We haven't had any "real" amounts of snow for awhile.

We all Share the Same Sun

Look around and I can see the colors changing around me. From different professors, I was taught to look deeper, and see the true colors in an object, form, or landscape. Now surrounded by the beauty that is the U.P., I find myself catching all these colors and their changes throughout the day.

If you've been to our modest rental home, you know that we have a spectacular view, which I appreciate every day. I have to say I'm a couch potato, not that I sit and sit with the T.V. on (but, then, I do have those moments), but I sit and sit looking out the window.

When the sun comes up in the morning, the snow is tye dyed in blues and purples as the warm sun splatters it's compliments. As the sun sets in the evening, the sun streaks colors across the clouds and bounces those same colors against anything white or reflective. Yesterday, the icicles on the eaves absorbed some of this color play and I found myself taking it all in as the sun slipped away.

Blues Skies, Anonymous Snow Plows, and Bubble Beards warm the Heart

I have nothing to complain about. Our recent snow accumulation is minimal at best. Half the time I don't even bother shoveling or snowblowing anything less than three inches.

When multiple snowfalls add up to something worth while, then I bring out "Spitter" and let him do his thing.

This morning the snow plows came through to move off the little bit. This usually means that, regardless if you've already cleared your driveway the evening before, which I had, you'll have to reclear the end of the drive, now packed with hard, icy snow. But what do I see as an extremely pleasant surprise after I grab my snow shovel and head down the driveway? Someone plowed off our piled in driveways (both of them). Who? Whether it be one of the plow drivers himself or someone with a rigged pickup, I have no clue. But whomever did it was so super kind, and my arms greatly appreciate it. I thought of making a thank you sign and sticking it in the snow bank, but for now, I post and share with you the kindness of U.P. neighbors.

*Thought some of you would appreciate a pic of Bacon Bits...dig the bubble beard

New Love...of Old Paper

I've been on a recent vintage paper and vintage book print papers kick lately. If I had unlimited funds and unlimited time, I would hit every thrift store within a hundred mile radius of me and find every old (and sometimes musty) book with beautiful classic images and cut and paste into little cards until my hands give in to corporal tunnel.

For now, I'm using what I got and making the most out of remnants of old books and pads of old paper and making cute little 4"x5.5" cards. I'm trying to coax sales of some of my etsy items with the lure of free cute greeting cards. These are pics. of my newest freebies. The sayings are perfect for that special holiday coming up and remind me of my love for wedding invites (making them, that is).