daretodream

Artsy Inspirations

I'm posting twice in one day, what a shocker!
The main reason for the double post is to direct you to my Artsy Inspirations Blog.
I've featured an artist that I just adore....her name is Debrina Pratt.
Her work just makes me happy and I thought it might make some of you happy too!

It's about 9pm and I'm about to settle in with hubby and some popcorn for a movie.  I've just spent a couple of hours with Diane.  She's an angel...and so new to the whole mixed media thing....She has spent the last two days teaching  a 2 day, 6hr per day, workshop and HAS to be exhausted.  I had all intentions of working on my house and her room, etc today but had a happy, unexpected visit from my girlfriend, Tanya.  We started talking and the next thing I knew, it was 5:30 and I'd done diddly squat!!  Those of you who know me would totally not be surprised about this...:)  I tend to get distracted and forget my mission for the day...it's the ADD, what can I say?  When we saw the time I SCREAMED!  and made her run upstairs with me to put the guest room back in order....as it had been prepared for a paint job that had never happened....crap on the upstairs landing, the furniture all pushed into the middle of the room, light fixtures taken off the wall....etc, etc, etc.

I'm happy to say that before she got here I had her room ready for her...clean flannel, laura ashley sheets *thank you Burlington Coat Factory*, a little basket filled with water bottles, granola bars *in case she wakes up hungry*, art4acure deck...I put all my favorite new books up there in a basket so she could totally cozy in and have some down time.

After we finished visiting, she was tired but realized it wasn't even 9pm and thought she wanted to soak in a bath....I took the yankee vanilla candle (don't you love those) from her bedroom into the bath, got her some bubble bath and gave her free reign over my bookcase...she's been soaking ever since.  It just makes me happy...that she feels comfortable to just BE...she doesn't have to be with me at all, that means so much to me.....that she can just take care of herself.  I told her goodnight and will see her in the morning.   Ooooh, this is so fun.  Now those girlie friends of mine that I've invited to stay with me....see!!!  I LOVE it....COME!  It makes me happy. :)  and I'll pamper you! 

I can't wait for class tomorrow....I'll let you know how it goes.
oxox

Saturday :)

  Happy Saturday.  It's just after 1pm and I've not been super productive.  I've got tons I need to do before Diane shows up.  She's teaching a workshop that lasts until 4pm and I'm assuming she'll be taken to dinner, but just don't have a clue.  It's been so awesome planning for company because my hubby has finally held up his end of a long ago bargain which consisted of me mailing out playing card decks and cleaning all my art stuff out of every room in the house and he, in turn, would paint our dining room and entryway.  He's worked his little buns off and has done a beautiful job.  There's more to be done upstairs, but it'll have to just wait.  I'm going to post some thumbnails so you can get an idea.  We went with color.  I wanted to get rid of the dirty white walls and have our downstairs use a Tuscany color theme.  I made curtains for my family room a couple of years ago with the fabric that inspired this...it was filled with all the colors that will be incorporated in each room....here's a peek... This was the first room we painted...a golden color that really warmed up the room... (I didn't clean up before I took these pics, do please ignore the clutter.  I have had to take down shelves and pictures, etc in all the other rooms and they're basically scattered around this family room....

so, you can get a peek into the kitchen nook and kitchen which we painted in a brick red that turned out beautifully....my sweet mom made the curtains.  *hi Lily!*     If you've looked at my studio album photos to the right, which is the front of the house...this is the back of the house... You can see in the 2nd kitchen photo where my computer is and the hallway that leads to the entryway with the dining room on the left and my studio on the right.  Kem painted the entry which leads upstairs and will eventually be painted on the walls of the landing, a khaki green...very muted and not something that you walk in and think.."DANG THAT'S BRIGHT!" :)  The last photo is the dining room.  I've hung no pictures, haven't made the curtains, etc...but you can see it's a blue/purple eggplant color that makes the room work well with the color of the furniture and oak moldings.  Mom, what do you think??  We will eventually rip up all the carpet here and continue the entry hardwoods into the room with a nice area rug under the table.  Will remove the light fixture *blah!* and put a more rustic but nice Italian looking fixture  :)  When we have money, which who knows when that'll happen.  I'll be spending the day decorating...hanging artwork and shelves, getting it ready for tonight.  I need to do the same with the guestroom, as we had pulled all the furniture into the center of that room for painting and never got to it.  fun fun.

The first photos above are two pieces of jewelry I made and wear and feel happy every time I do.
The bracelet was made first.  It's sterling with a mixture of fresh water pearls, peridot, beautiful faceted blue quartz teardrops, rose quartz and some little light blue glass leaves...it's filled yet looks so delicate.  I made the necklace starting with a piece of an old faux pearl chain and I filled the little loops between the pearls with gems, vintage brass filigree beads, pink quartz teardrops, and some round faceted crystal beads.  I joined this to some of the most gorgeous trim I bought downtown Portland.  It's handmade, silk and I was told it travels through three different countries in process....silk from China, hand dyed somewhere else that I don't remember and finished in France.  I only bought one yard as it was way spendy but will be able to get two necklaces from it.  At the end of one ribbon, I added more of the vintage pearl chain with a crystal dangling at the end and a lobster clasp on the end of the other ribbon so that the necklace can have optional lengths.
I'm proud and actually, this has been the artwork I've been doing just for me, although, I've been gift giving them too. :)  oxox

Sunday Late

I don't think I've ever shown this wonderful fabric collage that was given to me by Romy Tam at Art Fiber Fest.  She took one of my classes, but the day before it, she came to me at my vendor's booth and gave it too me.

I've been a huge fan of Romy's art forever and just loved meeting her.  She used to have the most adorable website, but I think it's down now...if it's not and anyone knows, please let me know.

I've received so many special presents and have been making some special presents to mail to my gift givers.

I'm hoping to get them all packaged and sent this week....as some of you may know...packaging and mailing is my horrible downfall.  I don't know why, but it causes me anxiety.  I love making gifts, buying them and usually do it way in advance....but I freeze up when it's time to package and mail, so I just don't do it. 

I bought the sweetest little baby outfit for Amanda Blake's baby last summer....I even emailed her in december to make sure it would still fit him and told her I'd get it right out....it's still here. :(  Same with several other packages I've been meaning to send.  I hate this about me but I'm learning to accept that it's just a technical part that is not my gift.  My hubby has actually relieved me of this role and if I can manage to get the package together, he'll often package it up and take it to the post office.  Ooooh, I love my hubby.

Janey Jennings, if you are reading this...I'm still in love with my jingle bell charm bracelet.  I've made you something....hopefully it will arrive to your home before next year....I've also got presents made for Romy, Tanya, Leslie, Stacie and Norma...I'm sure I'm forgetting to post more, but it's late and my brain is tired.  I love my friends.....even those of you I've never met face to face...

thank you for your kindness.

oxox

Diane Culhane

Good morning, afternoon or evening, whenever you read this. :)  It's not quite 8:30am here.  Saturday morning and all is quiet.  The cat's not even meowing, of course he is peeking in from the backdoor window, maybe he is meowing but fortunately, I can't hear him.

Things are going well with me, how are you??  I've been busy and lazy and learning to balance both...a little busy here, a little lazy there, suits me well.

I'm very excited to be hosting Diane Culhane in my home next weekend.  She is scheduled to teach a two day workshop that I unfortunately didn't get in as it filled up quick as lightning.  I contacted her to see if she'd be willing to stay a little longer and teach a one day class on Sunday.  (her first workshop is a Friday/Sat class)  She was happy to oblige and she made my month! 
If you're not familiar with Diane, please visit her website.  Her work is so inspiring.  I've pictured one of her newer pieces here, but this one is what I've been more used to seeing from her.... whimsical paintings filled with color and energy.  I actually love both examples.  I can't wait for the class. 

I finally have a reason to work on my guest room too.

Around the home front, I've been nursing Tubby, Kimber's hamster.  He's old, over 3 years.  I think his body is shutting down.  Believe it or not, we took him to the vet, after doing plenty of research online and using up all our home remedy options.  Kimber used her own money to pay for the $75 vet bill...yikes!  The vet suggested xrays...which we didn't agree to.  Tubby is now on two kinds of meds and has decided he likes cuddling up in my lap after I give him his medicine.  He'll bathe himself then curl up and sleep.  It's so sweet, poor little guy.  He's been the best pet.
On that note, I'd like to share with you a story about two friends, a snake and a hamster...

I'll be working at the Village Gallery of Art from 1-4pm today if anyone local wants to come in and say hi!  oxox

Monday

  Happy Monday.  I've gone ages without posting.  Sorry for keeping you up in the air.  It's been a quiet day filled with kids and laundry....quiet kids watching movies, which is always a good thing.  I just wanted to pop in and say hello, let you know I'm doing well and staying busy.  I'm in the midst of finishing up a book project that's due out at the end of the month.

Yesterday my friend Tami and I went to the Clark County Fair Grounds for the antiques and collectible show.  I got some really awesome tiny things....was able to fit everything I'd bought in my purse.   Here's a picture of my treasures.  You've got to get a close look at the pointy hat figurine...

I've never seen such a cute figurine that looks totally Mary Engelbreit.  It's old, made in japan.  I assume she's Mother Goose, but could be something else.  She cost $10. :)  What a deal.  You can see most of the other things I got in the first photo.  I bought a $1 baggie filled with little bits of stuff including the millinery pears and some teensy paper dolls.  I got some rhinestone buttons, 3 vintage sterling charms, a goofy pair of clip on earrings I'll use in my jewelry making and a brass heart charm.  Way fun.  If you've ever seen one of these little figurines, please email me and tell me.  oxox