Glorious Weekend!

Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I was lucky enough to have four days off. We went our cabin at Canyon Ferry Lake with some friends! This is the first opportunity I've had to take photos since we got the place. We're going to have a lot of fun here this summer! Very close to the water - yet tucked away enough to be fairly private! I am looking forward to working on many art projects here (sans electricity at this point!).

Enchanted April

I saw this movie years and years ago when it first came out (1992?). It is now out on DVD and I watched it again last night. It is so good. It's not real 'exciting' but the scenery is beautiful (Italy) and the clothes are devine (1920's) and it's just a really nice movie (chick flick). Watch it if you have a chance!

Spring in Montana

Finally, spring has arrived in our corner of the world. Of course it snows one day and is 87 degrees the next! I just finished wrapping up several conferences that I've planned for my work... so that has been taking up all my time! Now I can get back to the important stuff like artwork and gardening! And check out the bottom photo. Do you see the face? I have been hiking down my parents road for over 20 years! I have never noticed this face in the rocks. So cool. Ok. So I am going to start working on art projects again. I promised a giveaway months ago - so I will start working on something!

Grandma Goodies

My grandma, Helen, lived to be nearly 97 years old. She died in 2004. She told me (from the time I was a little girl) that I would get to have the trunk she kept in her room - full of all kinds of good things from the past! Recently at my parents we cleaned out some items that my mom had from her. I was the fortunate recipient of her dinnerware - china from the early '60's I believe - made in California, where my family is originally from. It's called "Poppytalk" but these flowers don't look like poppies to me. I grew up using these dishes at my grandparents home! LOVE them. My mom also gave me these three vintage pillows! The fabrics are so cool! Don't you love the patterns? I'd love to have more of this! I'll share more pics of grandma's stuff soon!

Why I Love Blogging

Blogging is one of the most rewarding experiences for me! I have 'met' so many like-minded women because of blogging. I get to visit with people all over the world, share interests, and participate in swaps and exchanges, learn new techniques because of the enormous amount of info I find on blogs. Looking through blogs is actually quite addicting - so I have to limit myself to an hour or less per day. It helps to have publications like Artful Blogging to help me find my way through the maze! I am very busy today with my 9-5 job, but will try to post some of my recently-found favorite blogs - but until then, please enjoy looking at "My Favorites" on the sidebar!

Blog Party

Please join Joy Jones at CupidsCharm.blogspot.com for a Blog Party! This will be a great opportunity for everyone to see your blog and to tell why you love blogging! Look for my answer on May 1!

Mini Blog Break/Changes

I will be taking a mini blog break... for a week or so... I guess I should say that I'm now excited about moving into a new place of my own and setting up a new studio and a small garden. Spring is all about growth and rebirth - so I'll be moving onward and upward! I found this really great book by Jill Butler... just the inspiration I need!

Artist Trading Card Goodies

I haven't made Artist Trading Cards for awhile - I have a collection of probably 200+ from different trades I've participated in. So, I walked into my university bookstore today and found the cutest little packets of paper ever! They are only 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"... They are made for creating ATC's and they are just so tiny! Strathmore Artist Papers is the manufacturer. You have to check these out! They have several different kinds of paper packs. Here are a few! They even have mini envelopes! Icouldn't resist - I bought some of each kind...

KC Willis/Lipstick Ranch

I have been a fan of KC Willis for years. I love the name of her business - Lipstick Ranch - so clever! She is going to be offering her 'secrets' - how to create her exquisite collage quilties, etc... I can't wait. You can sign up now - she'll be offering online video how-to's... get a reduced rate if you sign up soon! Check it out here .

Dolly Progress

She's actually kind of scary-looking right now - and she has no arms or legs attached, but I'm having a lot of fun making this doll - hopefully I'll get some paint on her this weekend. I'm really anxious to make her clothes!

Matthew Mead for Spring

I was just browsing Matthew Mead's website - lots of spring inspiration and projects. I don't think there are any freebie projects, but you can buy a membership fairly inexpensively... Don't you just love the sticky-note Easter basket?

The table & chairs I want for my studio...

I don't speak Danish - but I found this website and I really want a table & chairs like this for the studio! These would be perfect!

Color Inspiration for the Studio

I spent some time at my local quilt shop - Main Street Quilting Co. - and found a sample pack of Moda fabrics - Swanky! I think these will be the colors to use in the new studio...! Have you checked out the Moda website? They have some wonderful free patterns!

Another Artist Whose Work I Really Like

Another artist I really, really like is Cori Dantini (check out her Etsy shop here ). I don't believe she has a blog or website. I just love her nature-inspired drawings. I haven't ordered anything yet, but it's on my to-do list! (Photos from Cori's Etsy shop).

Meg Hannan's Yummy Jewels

I found Meg Hannan's delicious jewels several years ago at my local quilt shop - Quilting in the Country. I love her creations and I am absolutely fascinated by her 'secret' process. I would really like to learn how to do this and she's going to be offering a workshop at her studio in Seattle in June. Check out her 'journal' !!! Unfortunately, I will be at the Farm Chick's Antique Show in Spokane. You have to check out her Etsy shop. She will be a vendor at the International Quilt Show in Chicago - April 17 - 19... another place I'd love to go. So many things to do - so little time!!! (Photos from Meg Hannan's Etsy shop and website).

Calamity Kim's Giveaway

I realize I'm past my 100 posts (where I promised a giveaway). I'm still working on that, but you can go to Calamity Kim's blog for super giveaway! Look at this adorable mini apron she has made! I want this - plus all the other goodies she is giving away! Check it out!

New Studio (before) Pictures

These are photos of my new space, though I have much to do before it will be a studio! I'm so excited! Right now it's kind of a 'camp-out' space for my 10 yr old daughter and her friends.

Studio Re-do

So - here are photos of my old studio - the one that I just gutted... this is actually the laundry area downstairs - really light and sunny - but I was just not feelin' it (it kinda looks clean in this photo - but it definitely wasn't like this when I boxed everything up!). So I've decided to move my studio outside to the 'greenhouse'. I'm busy sketching out ideas and figuring out what I need to make this work. I may use the laundry area as the 'winter studio' and the greenhouse as the 'spring/summer/fall studio'...

Spring Break Mini-Getaway

If you are ever in southwest Montana you simply must stay at Chico Hot Springs & Resort in Pray... they have a wonderful hot springs, 5-star dining and rustic, awesome accomodations! I have been here many, many times and it's always great - plus it's only about an hour away! Jim and I are going here tomorrow. We actually had our first date here nearly three years ago! Fun place to go dancing in the summer. I'll try to take some photos while I'm there.

Catching Up

Well - believe it or not I completely 'gutted' my studio space because I was getting claustrophobic! I had about a square foot of room left to work - aack! So - now I will begin the process of bringing back those items that I will definitely be using and try to organize the remaining things in storage bins. One of the new things I will be working on are dolls... I have joined CLOTH and CLAY Dolls . I will be starting these very soon. I'm just gathering supplies. I saw MAIJA's dolls and really wanted to make some for myself! I am getting close to my 100th post - so stay tuned for a giveaway... not yet sure what it will be - but I promise it will be good!

A Recent Day at My Parents

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my mom recently had a stroke and is now recovering. My parents are in the process of 'moving off the mountain' - the home they've had since 1985! My kids spent a lot of time here - We are really going to miss this place (they are about 90 miles from us, but still in MT) I visited them recently - here are a few photos - (starting at the top)

Antlers collected from around the area

View from the deck

Did I mention it is a Dome Home?

View from the window

My kitty, Tabitha, but she lives with my parents for now

Rock collection

Bozeman Blow Up

I don't like reporting bad news but this was just overwhelming. I live in a fairly quiet little town. But this morning there was a huge gas explosion right on Main Street! They are saying no one was hurt or killed. The explosion literally blew cars right off the street! My two sons were down there plowing snow on their 4-wheelers and felt it...thought it was an earthquake! Here's before and after photos... it's still burning! We went down to see it but had to leave because the gas fumes are so bad! Hopefully I'll be back later with a happy post!

UPDATE: Still a very horrible event. As of Friday they have 1 person reported as missing - and have not been able to sort through the rubble as yet to look for anyone - there is gas still leaking. 2nd UPDATE: Unfortunately one person was killed, though it could have been so much worse. It happened before many of the downtown businesses were open for the day. Go here for more photos and stories.

Recycled Circles - Jane Style

I had a great time playing with fabric and paper this weekend. I tried this little quiltie from the newest issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors The article was Recycled Circles by Jane LaFazio.

Now I just need to figure out how to finish it and display it! I will be making many more of these!~

Giveaway (not mine!)

I love primitive folk dolls and such - which is why I love to find blogs like Primitive Folk Art. Stephanie is having a giveaway to celebrate her 1-year blogiversary! Check it out! Look for my 100th post giveaway soon! This is #95~~~~

Vintage Treasures!

Stopped by the antique store the other day! I found 2 old cigar boxes of vintage trims for only $2.50 each! I also picked up a few pieces of vintage lace! I need to get busy on some projects!

Weekend Inspiration

I needed some artistic inspiration this past weekend, so I decided to visit a few local quilt stores and antique shops. We don't have a lot to work with here... but I did find a few things. I LOVE to find old sewing notions, ribbon and trims. Also, I WON this big pile of fabric (bottom photo) from http://someartfabrictalk.blogspot.com/ I'm very excited about this. I think I would like to try making a stitching project like Pam Garrison - check it here.....

http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/pamgarrison/ (top photo). It's kind of like a fabric collage with lots of embellishments! I adore this! I hope to post more often. That is my goal for 2009. Wish me luck!

Been Gone Awhile!

I haven't posted in well over a month. Barely into January my mom had a stroke so we have been dealing with her health! She seems to be doing well but she has a long road ahead! I will try to update soon but for now I am linking to a giveaway on http://someartfabrictalk.blogspot.com/ check it out!