Stamps

I have been a stamp collector for years. I can resist these little miniature works of art! Here are my new favorites. Go here for more stamps!!

Summer is rolling along!

I have no excuses (well, maybe a few...) but I'll talk about that later. I have many, many photos and stories to post about, but it will take a bit of organization. I am trying to re-do my blog as well. It's taking a little longer than I thought. So, today I will leave you with a site I had forgotten about - it's called typogenerator... lots of fun. You type in a word or phrase and it generates some really cool colors and fonts - purely random - and you can then print them out to use however. I have a friend who printed them out on fabric and made a quilt... interesting!!! Here's a few that I've done. It's very addicting. Just be sure to save the ones you like, as you will probably never see that combination again!!

Colors of Summer

I always check out Matthew Mead's site. The colors are an inspiration!

Christmas in June

I've been trying to make a few little quilties for sale at a local gallery showing in September. Not too early to think about Christmas! Here are a few works in progress!

Busy Summer

I've neglected the blog for several weeks - sorry about that. I've been super busy but having a lot of fun! Observing nature, mostly. Is there anything more perfect than robin's egg blue? I am so lucky to have taken this shot while momma bird was absent from the nest. I nearly fell off the railing of the deck!

Collage Camp

I have mentioned this previously, but KC is having a fabulous giveaway on her blog so I want to shout it from the rooftops! Check it out here! I will be joining the Collage Camp group soon and hopefully will have some great photos to show.

Mixed Media Mania

KC Willis is offering more mixed-media workshops. Hurry over here to sign up for an early registration discount. I can't say enough about her art work! I love it. I am patiently waiting to sign up (payday is just around the corner...) for her workshops. She is also offering a fantastic giveaway. I love this piece - The Women - The Flag.

New Inspiration!

I found out about this group "Women of the Dirt" from a local magazine, Edible Bozeman, I picked up at my food co-op. I emailed these gals and they have invited me to participate! Sounds like a fun group of women who are interested in gardening, outdoors, local food, and making things from what they grow~ Check out the main Edible Communities website - as there may be a local publication near you!

Also - I may have mentioned this group of ladies before - Sisters on the Fly. I so want to be part of this group. They are passing through Bozeman this summer so I'm hoping to meet up with them and at least say hi! My goal is to find a similar vintage travel trailer to paint and refurbish... and then camp out. Check out their website to look at more of these cool little traveling houses! I am thinking I'll create a mobile art/craft studio... (Photo courtesy of Sisters on the Fly)

I picked up a few new publications - ArtQuilting Studio and Sew Somerset. I'm definitely inspired now!

When I'm doing nothing else... garden photos

Where do the days go? It's already a week into June... Haven't been doing much so I will post a few photos of the garden.

I have heard from Marylin Huskamp that some of our "Inchies" have been published in LK's new book! I just went out to the local Barnes & Noble and found it! Wow. It's true! I have two little inchies shown on pages 104 and 105 - and my name is even mentioned in the index!!! Whoopee~~~

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!