I finished this today while the wind roared and howled outside.


I've had the tiles cut out for this kitty for awhile. I'm trying to finish uncompleted projects so I can move on to new ideas.

I started on a couple of other projects as well and should have them finished tomorrow. Not only am I trying to get ready for the upcoming Etsy Dallas Trunk show and add more to my Etsy shop, but I am also trying to get a jump start on pieces for my spring shows.

I finished some charms this morning that are just more of the same so I didn't take pictures. That is it for jewelry. I am not making anymore charms for a while. I am focusing on other things. There are several shows that I am considering for this spring that will not allow anymore jewelry. So, if I decide to sell at these shows, I need lots of other smaller, $10 and less items that aren't jewelry, . I'm still working out what this will be.

The wind has driven me crazy today. Have I ever said before how much I hate the wind? Well, I do! I hate the wind more than rain, or fog, or sleet or any other weather condition Mother Nature can throw at us poor humans.

The wind has driven the badger dog crazy today, as well. Therefore, the badger dog has also driven me crazy today. We can hear the wind outside and he doesn't know where the sound is coming from, so he just starts barking at the air and won't shut up. It was getting warm and sticky this morning, so I opened a window for a little while and he stood and barked at the window for 30 minutes. I put my headphones on, turned the music up loud and let him bark.

Today I am grateful for: loud music, the protection of a house, the sun, and oil pastels.

The sun is out. Hallelujah! And, I was able to take pictures this afternoon.

These are some of the charms I have been working on. Yes, I realize some are ugly, but like I said before, I have been having trouble with inspiration. I have some in the works now that will look a lot better. I love the puffy hearts and the round charms with the heart in the center. I really don't like the crosses. They did not turn out the way I wanted.

Today I am grateful for the sunshine and warmer weather!

The sun has hidden itself for the last several days. This has kept me from taking good pictures of my new charms. Instead, I am posting two of my husbands photos that he recently took on trip out to the family farm.
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I love these photos. My husband's grandad (Ralph) treats all of his animals like pets. The cows and donkeys follow him around like dogs would. It is really funny to watch. Ralph has been very sick the last few months and just recently came home from the hospital. All of his animals have missed him very much. Their excitement at someone coming to see them is obvious in these photos. Just look at the donkey's ears.

I wrote in my previous post that I am finding it difficult to get inspired. I have been reading blogs from other artist who are going through the same thing. It must be the time of year. I've discovered that, for myself, the best way to get over it is just to sit down and create. Yesterday, I reached into my basket of unpainted charms, grabbed a couple and started painting. They turned out really ugly. But, I grabbed some more and kept painting. I finally got into the grove and I now have some pretty cool charms. Maybe tomorrow the sun will come out and I can take pictures of them.

Today I am grateful for: not being pregnant like the cow pictured above, left over beef stew, The comedy "Robin Hood, Men in Tights" and a sense of humor.

This has been the scene on my studio table for 3 days now.

I can't get inspired. I have this whole basket full of charms and several crosses, and some other designs ready to paint. I sit down to paint and nothing.....

I've tried my usually "get inspired rituals": taking a long hot bath with a scented candle, and soft music, looking through my huge collection of magazines, eating chocolate, nothing has worked. I should try something new. I just don't know what. I think I need a day out. Maybe a day of antiquing would be good. If we don't get ice tomorrow, I might just make a day of it. If we do get ice, I just might not get out of bed.

Today I am grateful for: my Women's Bible study ladies, spell check, a clean refrigerator, and fleece pants and fuzzy socks.

Here's a question. Do you ever go through times when you feel at odds with everything? If so, then you know it is not good for the creative process.

Attack of the Badger Dog.

It is hard to believe that this is the face of a vicious killer. Two nights ago our oldest son took the badger dog out to potty. The little fellow froze at the edge of the porch for about 2 seconds then took off at lighting speed after the 3 cats hanging out by the back fence. Two of the cats made it over, but one cat was too fat and couldn't get up in time. The badger dog caught the poor fat cat and clamped down. My son was able to pull him off and the cat took off over the fence. I hope it is OK. We've always wondered what would happen if he actually caught one of the kittys that he so emphatically chases. Now we know.

He seems to be saying, "who me?" in this photo. I once brought a kitten into the house to see what he would do. He hid behind me and whined the whole time. I thought he was all bark and no bite. Now, I make sure the back yard is kitty free before I let the badger dog loose.

The pictures of these baby bison are from mine and my husband's first photo excursion.


I realize there are no close ups. These were taken with my little point and shoot. The really good pictures were taken with my husband's new fancy pro camera. But, he has yet to send me any of the good pictures. Anyhoo, all of the really big bison were way up on the hill. Neither of us were brave enough to cross the fence to get pictures of them. We are going to start driving out there a couple times a week until the big ones come closer to the road and we can get pictures of them. The bison only live about five miles out of town on a ranch that has become a reserve for bison. They are really incredible animals.

I don't have any pictures of new creations to post. I am having such a hard time getting anything done lately. It seems everything is working against me. I do have a whole tray full of polymer clay charms ready to go into the oven. They are something new that I haven't done before. I did sort of a collage of texture on the charms. Now I just have to decide how I am going to paint them. I am hoping to have pictures of the new charms to post soon.

Today I am grateful for: an extremely clean house, ice tea, weather warm enough to open a window in January and making it through one more birthday.

I finally rearranged and organized my studio space this week. It is so much more inspiring now and not as cluttered.

OK, as a reminder, here is what it looked like before.

And this is what it looks like now from the same angle. I hated it before. The only view I had was of our wall or the back of my husband's head when he works from home.


This is what the other side of the screen looks like. Now,I look out the window. And, now I feel almost like I am in my own room, which is something I long for.


Unfortunately, this is the view from the window. During the spring, summer and fall, it is not so bad. The trees are full of leaves and I can't see all of the junk in my neighbor's back yard. Either way, this is much better than looking at the back of my husband's head.


I must go back to work now. I am working on something new with a new material and I am very excited about it. Hopefully, everything will work and I will have pictures to post next week.

Today I am grateful for: no wind, coffee, my Zune, and a warm house.

These are new pieces just completed.

12" Patchwork Clay Cross


5" Patchwork Clay Cross


Heart Wall Hanging


Denim and Pink Keepsake Box

They will be going with me to my next show on February 9th. This is a trunk show, which I do not have any experience with. I get one table and am only allowed as much as will fit on the table. I, of course, will take extra and replace as I sell, but I have never not been able to display everything at once. Usually I put it all out and rearrange to fill in holes as I sell. I am looking very forward to the show. I am setting up with other people from the Etsy Dallas Street Team. It is always fun to meet people with common interest, especially since I do not know anyone close to where I live that loves art and crafts.

Today I am grateful for: a little extra in my paypal to order supplies, sunny days, all of my laundry is done, not having to cook dinner tonight, and goat cheese.

I made my first sale for 2008. Yeah!!!

Actually, the sale was made last night, but I didn't check my email until this morning. I hope this is a good sign that my Etsy shop will do well in 2008. This cross is not going far, just a few miles down the road to Allen, Texas. Allen is one of my favorite places to shop. There is the wonderful outlet mall, which is the best I've ever been to, lots of cookware shops. Of course, Allen has a Hobby Lobby and a Staples, both of which are requirements for a good shopping town. I'm not much of a shopper, but when I go I expect a lot, and I don't want to have to travel much to get what I want. I'm a very picky and opinionated person, and I'm OK with that.

I'm getting back to my normal routine. The kids are back in school. Yeah! I am just waiting for my first day to be here completely alone (next Tuesday) and I am going to reorganize my studio area. I am so anxious to get this done. I've drawn up a plan for furniture placement and I'm sorting threw bins and boxes and getting rid of items I don't need. I'm hoping to have a much more usable space. I have every intention of taking before and after pictures to post here.

I also have hope of hitting some second hand stores and finding a new computer desk. I am using my mom's vintage sewing table right now, which is really cool, but I am thinking of giving it to my daughter. She has really gotten interested in sewing and does not have a good place to put my old sewing machine. I think it would be a wonderful gesture and a big show of support if I were to give her this sewing table.

Anyway, the wheels are turning and I'm in the mood to organize. I hope this feeling continues through to spring when we are planning to clean out and organize the garage.

Today I am grateful for: warm clothes and a coat, trying a new recipe, Pinot Grigio, and the kids going back to school.