Artstanding Stranger

Oh My..Where Did July Go?

2011-07-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

July is almost over. We got away for 4th. of July to visit our two Grandson's and their gracious parents. We had a spectacular time and it is going down as my best fourth ever...We were gone about a week. We spent one nite at Bandon, Oregon. Beautiful Beach.

This is the book that I made for my Niece's oldest daughter. It was really fun and she liked it. My sister-in-law said all 4 kids pack them around in their little bag to share. Mailed them all down to San Diego.

Put away all my bead stuff. I made 10 pair to sell in our local Tea and Flower Shop. Started some canvas work. I am on my third.
I hope to show them to you soon.

Oh ya, about this book.....I bought a board book at a Thrift Store for 25 cents. It was a Big Bird Book. Nice heavy pages perfect for a photo project. I made a bunch of tags with fancy yarn and ribbon and made a pocket to hold them so she can personalize them. I think she will have fun filling them with thoughts and sayings. Anyway..........Have a glorious week............Hugs, Diane

Art Jumping

2011-06-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

Family Treasures

2011-06-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well this little beauty should receive her little fat book in a bag any day now. The blank book was purchased and blinged up.. The bag was machine appliqued. I am new to sewing and this is my new machine that I got for Christmas. I am sure it does more things than I will use but it is fun to try different stitches. I did make a small quilt but the tension was not right. In fact I had the bobbin in wrong so it missed a few stitches. I was having so much fun that I wasn't very precise matching my corners..Oh well I have no where to go but up. Hope you enjoy my latest creation. I have one more to post then I am back to making Jewelry. Have a blessed week, everyday is a new beginning. Hugs, DIANE

Knight In Shining Armor

2011-05-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well I finally re-sized my photos for this post but I am running out of time and might be late for work.This is my latest book. The blank book was purchased but I had to cut out all the background paper. Ugg...but it turned out really cute and I think my niece will love it..It was really fun and I sewed a bag to keep it in with my great nephew's first initial on it and a gold braided tassel drawstring.

Have a great weekend and Art On.....................DIANE

About TIME

2011-05-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am still around...I have been keeping up on my Blog Hopping but haven't up dated my blog in awhile. Reason being...I haven't had anything to say or up load. My interest have been on a roller coaster of late. I started in on my Genealogy and spend most of my computer time researching the past. Been sick for the last week, and of course the puppy is still demanding most of my time. I have made a couple chunky books and now I am trying to find pictures to go in them. Having a hard time finding just the right ones. Anyway I ran across this picture that I took awhile ago and it inspired me to share it.

I still love and miss all my blogger artist's and want you to know that I am seeing what you are doing and am always inspired by your creative ability. I hope you are having fun with whatever you are creating. KEEP ART ALIVE.......Love and Hugs, Diane

Busy Busy Busy

2011-04-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long between posts. Many thing going on here, so many things I want to do. My friend Chatty Ranie and I made this book. She bought the ZUTTER cutter for heavy cardboard. We cut out the blank stock. She also has the cute little pink BIND-IT-ALL. While she was visiting we made the blank book and later I decorated it with the pretty paper background and then printed all the pictures and added some scrapbook fun things and used my CRICUT to cut some hats and numbers. A touch of ribbon and off in the mail to my niece for her youngest who turned Two.. How can you go wrong with a cute little face like that...

I have signed up with ANCESTORY.COM and adding to our family genealogy. I worked on it several years ago and wanted to get further back. Still some family I haven't found. It means more time on the pc and less time in the art room. So there you have it..I will still check on the blog list. Love to see what everyone else is doing. Hugs, DIANE

First Day Of Spring

2011-03-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is the first day of Spring.....Today we go into another war. Japan with such devastation. Lets pray for our country, for strength and wisdom. DIANE

MEET MY LITTLE RED HEAD

2011-03-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

They aren't quite finished...Still in the need of a little more detail but I wanted to share them anyway..They sure were fun. ENJOY........................DIANE

Time for Fun

2011-03-05T09:51:00.000-08:00

Finally I got my pictures to my pc. My first download crashed, and I lost all my photos from the camera. Luckily I had them on my laptop. But I had to get them from the laptop to the pc. Laptop doesn't burn CD's and I have a detachable burner. Burner on pc OUT OF ORDER....Anyway it was a process. radarada....
This is not finished yet but I wanted to share it. Still have more detail to add. It is a Coffee Mate plastic bottle. Hope you like her, I will show the other one a red head later. Have an artful weekend....Hugs, DIANE

The Four by Four Challenge

2011-02-15T20:32:00.000-08:00

This page might be a repeat for some of you but it was all I had to share today and I just wanted to change my Valentine page. Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY....so I thought I would start celebrating tonight with a HOT FUDGE SUNDAY.......yummmmmmm. It was a very small sunday, but just right after a steak dinner with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. I love going to Applebees. Their food is always fresh and yummy. Anyway my biggest BIRTHDAY TREAT would be to see how many of you would leave a note for me. One would be a true friend, two would be a blessing and three or more would be the frosting on the cake....Hugs..........................DIANE

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hope you all have a SWEET DAY. These are some ATC's that I did back in 2009. I am running late today and need to go and dry my hair or I will have a bad hair day...don't know why I bother it is raining today. We have had an unusually warm Feb. so I guess I won't complain, we really need the rain.

If you are staying home with your SWEETHEART don't forget to tell them how special they are on this special day ... Hugs....................DIANE

Making Messes and Playing with Paper Mache

2011-02-12T09:51:00.000-08:00

My friend Ranie over at Chatty Wacky Whims came over to play and make messes with me. We had so much fun and laughed and giggled a lot. I saved four Coffee Mate jugs and we covered them in paper mache. Then we painted them with a coat of Gesso. We haven't finished painting them yet but I will share them when we finish them. Have a wonderful weekend.......................Hugs, Diane http://www.flickr.com/photos/artist_ranie__chatty/
http://chattywackywhims.blogspot.com/ Be sure to stop over and see her work.

Puppy Time

2011-02-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

Well here are the pictures of the puppy Roxy that I promised. The top one she is the youngest and smallest. Really the size of a Beanie Baby. The other two are from yesterday. She we had a nice sunny day in the backyard. She is very fun but a lot of work too. She loves to get a kleenex and shred it to bits on my carpet.

The Sweetest Month

2011-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

I haven't been taking pictures of any of my work lately. Not even our new puppy has had her picture taken except with my phone...I packed my Nikon on our little three day get away and never took it out of the case..

I am in the process of re-doing my studio. It seems I have so much STUFF that I am in the need for more shelves. I also am going to add another table. I got a Circut the ultimate paper cutter. Hopefully I can get organized and keep my tables cleared off for work space.

Puppy's take up a lot of your time.. I guess I forgot how much attention they need. I take her to work so when we are home I feel I have to give her some play time and some training. Yesterday the weather was nice so I worked with her on a leash for the first time. She did really good. Of course she is so little, about 2 pounds now, you barely feel her on the end of the leash....

Hope my blog friends missed me a little...I promise I will get some pictures of the puppy that is taking all my art time away from me, and hopefully I can keep up with my blog friendships this the sweetest month..Hugs and blessings.......................................DIANE GLASS

Flash Back and Up Dates

2011-01-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

I just had to change my blog today...and I didn't have any new photos. I have been making jewelry like a mad woman every chance I get. It has been cloudy and dark so I haven't felt like taking any pictures, here are some older pieces. Maybe you have seen them and some probably not.

It is raining hard here today, so glad I don't have to go out. Today is my Art Day. So I am off to play and create something magical. Love and Hugs........................DIANE

1-1-11

2011-01-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

Nothing like new snow to start the New Year. New, fresh, revitalized. With the promise of a new spring and all the broken promises....I never make resolutions anymore, learned a long time ago that promises were made to be broken. If you never expect to much from someone, you will never be disappointed. Time is rushing at us at break-neck-speed. The only way to slow it down some is to have no regrets at the end of the day. Do what you like and like what you do. Surround yourself with people who "get you". Let the others go their own way, find their own path. Live everyday with gusto, laugh a lot, sing in the shower. Don't have that second piece of cake but savor the first bite. In other words jump into 2011 with both feet, leave no stone unturned, step out of the box and do something you have always wanted to do. It really is a wonderful life. Even if we can only let our troubles go for a little while....life is good. DIANE

Asking For Trouble

2010-12-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

I guess we decided to end the year with a BANG.....We lost all our resistance and after having only one dog for the last ten years we have added to our home a new little one. She is a tiny Chihuahua and will only weigh five pounds when grown..She is a little pistol. Our other little dog is ten years old now and needless to say her nose is extremely out of joint. It was fun to have her over the weekend so we could give her lots of attention. Now we get to see how she does at work. Our older dog is settled into the routine so I guess you might say we are headed to alot of work and training...Oh...We named her Roxy. She is smaller than a Beanie Baby. Needless to say we have to watch where we walk (in more ways than one).

Have a JOYFUL DAY...........................DIANE

Five Days till Christmas

2010-12-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a little bit of Heaven.....My two grandson's...This is the cutest picture, and the best looking Santa I have seen. My two boys are the greatest, sweetest, funnest little guys. We don't get to see them very often but I love them dearly. I wish they didn't live so far away and I wish we weren't so tied down with work, so we could see them a little more often..
I want to wish you all a fun filled Christmas surrounded by FAMILY, FOOD AND FUN. And the greatest of the gifts is LOVE......................................DIANE

P.S. I had a book made of my first month of blogging with pictures and as soon as I see it in person I will let you know how it turned out. It was $30.00 with a hardbound cover and color pictures..I can't wait to get it. I will keep you posted. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Light up the Night

2010-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

Lighting up the night at Christmas time is something that we do to give back to our little community. Every year my Husband goes to this extreme project to thrill the town and the children of the town. He starts putting up the lights way before Thanksgiving so that Thanksgiving night we can turn them on and start the Christmas Merriment. Most of the old lights have been traded for the new LED lights which save a lot of energy and money. We went to the annual Christmas dinner with the Rotary International. Every year we get invited by our friend to be their guest. The food is so fabulous, the Turkey moist and the stuffing fluffy. Yams and mashed potatoes, pie and wine. yummmm

After we stopped at one of the churches and viewed their Live Nativity. It was wonderful they all wore beautiful costumes and the animals were all live, moo and bah and goose and duck. Songs of Christmas being sung. Truly a blessing. I hope they do it again next year. They went to a lot of work for this two day event.

My prayer is for an end to Cancer. My blessings go out to all those suffering with Cancer that they might have a new year Cancer free.............I believe in the power of prayer. Hugs and well wishes...Diane Glass

Sit and Sip, Slow Down

2010-12-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

Now is the time to slow down some and enjoy the Holiday unfolding. Yes there are still many things to do, but if you don't stop for a few minutes and regroup you will miss some of the Joy. I have chosen to slow down today and say Hi to all my fellow bloggers. Take a few extra minutes to smell the coffee. Think about my many blessings and give thanks. Time for me is at warp speed. I always remember hearing how fast time flies when I was in my youth. I guess we never slowed down to think about it much. Now I can see. Time Flies.

My Santa present came early this year. I got a new sewing machine. So needless to say I had to re-boot my studio AGAIN.....I made two pillowcases, and a curtain. My machine is a Janome 2010. So far I love it. It has 50 stitches and threads the needle. I have a quilt in mind that I want to make so I will keep you posted. Enjoy the moment,REMEMBER Martha Stewart has a staff.......................Blessing and Joy. DIANE

Christmas Jewels

2010-11-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

Barely enough room for my coffee mug...Finished 30 pair's of earrings. Each one carded with inked edges and embossed with fancy stamp on the bottom. Each pair has the little rubber stoppers on the back. My name and date...whew....what a project. I also made six necklaces. They are going into the Flower and Tea Shop. It is really amazing how many beads I have and still buy more..Every time I think I will use up the one's that I have, I find the need to buy just a little something to enhance my project..You know how it is?!

The price on these is $15.00. I have some that are as low as 6.00. Keep in mind that the Tea Shop gets 20%. How does that sound? Think I will sell them? Think that is a good price? Please let me know what you think. Any and all suggestions appreciated. HUGS...................DIANE

Bragg'n For A Friend...Wahhooo

2010-11-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

My humble friend Marsha was published in Nov. Dec. issue of

Somerset Studio. I was in Barns and Noble with my dear Husband getting all my favorite Magazines. I picked up the new SOMERSET STUDIO and thumbed through it like I always do and lo and behold I see full pages of some of my favorite art. Not one, not two but count them four full pages....yeaaaaaa. Huge full color lovely Queens with Wings, in her one of a kind art with a Holiday Message. I am so delighted for Marsha. She works so hard to give up new art to use in our own creations. She is one of my favorite people here in my little corner of the world. A most modest and generous Artist. CONGRATULATIONS MARSHA AT TUMBLEFISH STUDIO. http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/ Stop by and see her new header. It is dreamy. Well I am off to work after a 4 day holiday ugg. Oh...some day I hope to see Diane Glass in Somerset Studio or one of their other wonder publications...Art Hugs.....................DIANE

LOVELY LITTLE BAUBLES

2010-11-12T10:01:00.000-08:00

Lovely Little Baubles. Fun to make and hopeful to sell. Once you get all your supplies out you just have to keep on that roll. I was getting tired of making these (sitting too long hurts my back), but I just couldn't stop. This time of year is very busy for all of us and I have several projects that I am working on. Each project is a re-boot for my studio. Sometimes its paper and glue and other times it is beads and more beads.

BETTER LATE THEN NEVER

2010-11-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

On my way out the door I snapped my lone Halloween Decoration.....It really is all about the candy isn't it? Then I went out the door and saw this web on our Lilac bush, so I ran back in the house and grabbed my Nikon to take a picture of it. I got two shots before a little breeze came up and moved my shot.

Have a creative and soul full week..........DIANE

High Ho High Ho....

2010-10-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Its off to work I go.....Got the bug that has been going around..had to spend my day off glued to my recliner. Didn't move from there all day. Ugg. Now back to work, feeling better but not great. About the most I could muster yesterday was to look at my latest edition of Cloth Paper Scissors. I did want to update my blog since I found the other collage that was lost somewhere in the many files that I have. This is on 9 x 12 canvas. I have started another larger one using my family baby's that I love. I will show her later but I have a long way to go before she is finished and I might have to do some jewelry in between which means re-booting my art room again...Have a Joy Full weekend............DIANE

The Beauty of Fall

2010-10-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

Well my tree is getting prettier every fall. I wanted the red maple back here and for the first 5 or 6 years I thought they did me wrong..the colors just weren't that pretty. Finally it is getting striking...guess it is the beauty of getting mature...tee hee.

I actually had a design when my husband planted these trees. Since dark colors reseed I wanted the fruitless plum in the furthest part of the yard. I am very pleased now that they are bigger. When we got this house there was nothing in the back yard but star thistle.. I guess most of the trees are about 14 years old now.
Have a beauty full weekend................... DIANE

LOST IN MY IMAGINATION

2010-10-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

LOST IN MY IMAGINATION.....LOST ON MY COMPUTER. Lost time spent looking for files....H E L P !! I knew I had to get something on my blog this morning and wanted to put the collage I finished that was done at the same time as my last posted collage...but I couldn't find it. But I did find pictures of the Homecoming Parade that I took last week. I thought I filed them in my Facebook file..but lo and behold there they were under BLOG..Too much, too many. I bought an external storage for all my pictures in case my PC ever decides to dump all my files. I have that all screwed up too. Loose files, duplicate files. I really need to take a class on how to save your files with some sort of something that makes sense......My camera downloads to a KODAK program. Every download is filed by date unless I add a name which I never do..My PC has files under my pictures according to the group that I want to share with. FLICKR, ETSY, BLOG, FACEBOOK etc. Then I have files for every member of my family to save pictures of their kids and grandkids. I have to change the size of most pictures I upload but I have to be careful not to change anything I might want to print so in most cases I have two sizes.....S I G H..........I wish I could just start over..but be careful what you wish for or you could loose it all...eeekkk.

The external hard drive that I bought a couple of years ago is called THE BOOK it cost less than two hundred dollars and I am sure is way less today. I sleep better at night knowing I have a back-up system but not everything gets put on there. Time....Here is a little hint for you...for Twenty-five dollars a year..FLICKR will save your pictures for you. My brother pays Fifty-dollars a year for an on line service to save his stuff. Lets face it, all of it takes ..................................................T I M E...........gotta go...........hugs, Diane

DARE TO BREAK NEW GROUND

2010-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

Have you been wanting to try something NEW? A technique that has caught your eye, colors that you would never put together? Well, now is the time. Here is the challenge.....If you have never worked on a size larger then your comfort zone, JUST DO IT. If there is a medium that you have been wanting to try....JUST DO IT. This is done on a stretched canvas that is 8 x 10. It is a great size to start your larger vision. This is a Collage and acrylic paint combo...It was fun. Have an artful Week....................DIANE

LAST FLOWERS OF SUMMER

2010-10-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Fall is still trying to sneak up on us. We are having an Indian Summer. Fall arrives with cooler days and the turning color of the trees.....then boom.....back up into the 90 degree weather. A cloud came over us yesterday and we got about 14 drops of rain. If I hadn't taken the dog outside I am quite sure I would have missed it completely.

Once again I find myself in transition in my studio. Finished all my art swaps and put away all my paper mess and got out all my bead supplies. I am in the process of TRYING to organize all my beads. I bought two new containers to sort into. Guess I am sorting by color and size. What a huge project. But just playing in my lovely beads is fun for me. I have a few pieces that I have made that need to be tweaked some what and I have found a way to card them that I think will be fun...I will keep you posted..Have a relaxing and fun weekend.. "THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE." DIANE

Ready to Mail

2010-09-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well this is the last of them. All six are finished and ready to package up and mail. This was a fun swap and I am looking forward to seeing who's work I get in return. Then I will put them all in a little book. Just came home for lunch and thought I would up load them. Have a sunny week and do something fun....Hugs, DIANE

Polar Bear Journal Page

2010-09-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

Journal page number 4. Clip art from Marsha at Tumblefish Studio. The outside edge will have something else added but I am not sure what yet. I haven't finished the back yet, so I have a lot of work to do this weekend. Hope to finish all six pages and get them ready to mail on Monday...Thanks for stopping by and have a glorious weekend. Hugs...................DIANE

Work In Progress

2010-09-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Journals in a new size, 4" x 6" with an added edge. I haven't finished the backs yet but they will continue the theme and colors of the front with another little quote about House and Home. The swap is to trade six of these pages. I am sorta in a crunch with time they are due the 30th of Oct....still have three to go and the backs. Oh well I will make it...Almost dropped out because I was running out of time and hadn't started them yet but I hate to be a drop-out and have managed to not commit to things that I can't finish. (most of the time) Today try a random act of KINDNESS.....You are the one that will benefit.

A Creative Space

2010-09-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I didn't have any art to post today so, I thought I would go into my room and take a couple of pictures of the mess I left from my last project...I had everything put in it's place two weeks ago. All neat and tidy, picture perfect, but never that way for long. It seems that no matter what project I do, everything has to come out. Sometime's my Dear Husband brings me food...That is how locked in I get on my day off from work. So you could say for two days out of the week I live in my studio. Have a rock'n Wednesday............Spread some JOY today............DIANE

Gothic Arch for Halloween Swap

2010-09-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

Part of a swap I am in. Really fun idea to mix it up alittle. The swap lets you choose the size of your art to swap between ATC size, Postcard, Gothic Arch, or Bookmark.. My third one is a bookmark.
Really glad it is Friday. Friday's are always busy and fun at work. Have an artful weekend and my favorite saying for today is "SEEK JOY".............................Hugs, DIANE

Halloween is Just Around the Corner

2010-09-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

This is for a swap I am in. I am not terribly in to Halloween, but some of the art that comes from the holiday can be fun, and funny. The weather is so incredible right now. The nights are much cooler and the day time temperatures don't get that hot. Fall is in the air. I am laboring today so I have to get back to work. Just wanted to take a few minutes to change my post and say HI..........Hugs, DIANE

Is it Fall Already?

2010-08-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

It seems like this Summer just flew by. We just had our County Fair and for me that means the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall...We had a cool change in the weather and even a little shower, but it didn't dampen the spirit of all the Fair goers. Saturday night we enjoyed the bull riding. Today my back is paying the price for sitting on metal bleachers and benches and walking for three days. It was fun to connect with friends and family. Have an Artful week...................Hugs, Diane

Friends to Last a Lifetime

2010-08-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Here is another page I created for a swap I am in, I am really enjoying this swap. Thank you for stopping by my blog, I really appreciate your kind words......................DIANE GLASS

REJOYCE AND BE GLAD

2010-08-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

"REJOYCE AND BE GLAD." No matter what life throws at us...this is a day that the Lord has made.

This is the second in a set of six that were made for a swap I am in. The theme was to alter an envelope by cutting it in half and making a book page out of each half of the envelope. You also had to use on your page "wings, words and numbers." The cut envie will have a pocket to put tags in...F U N.. ..ENJOY YOUR DAY............DIANE Glass

Mural in grand style

2010-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Mural in grand style and size. I had seen this on the artists' web site and was lucky enough to see it in person over the weekend. It is wonderful. Duane Flatmo is the artist you can see more of his work by clicking this link http://www.duaneflatmo.com/

SISTERS AND FRIENDS

2010-08-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

My little sister and I, at one of our dance recitals. This is done on a 6" X 6" canvas.

We do not remember THE day, we remember the moment........Hugs, DIANE

Transformation

2010-08-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

Transformation of an ordinary business size envelope. The white legal size envie 9.5 x 4 1/8. Just seal the envelope and cut it in half. The left side is to bind into a book and the right open side is to fill with tags and fluffy stuff. The theme is Wings and Things. and must contain three elements. WINGS, NUMBERS AND TEXT. Here is my first one.

Not reading the rules close enough I missed the part where you are suppose to add the three elements to the back of the page, so this will have some additional work, before it is finished.

Have an artful weekend and take time for yourself...............DIANE

Artstanding Stranger: Birds and Bees and Birdhouses#links

2010-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

Artstanding Stranger: Birds and Bees and Birdhouses#links

Birds and Bees and Birdhouses

2010-07-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well I can't believe this month is over. As the buyer in a general store, I am working on buying for the Spring of 2011. The deadline is August 10 and I finally had time at my desk to open the packet yesterday. I got pretty far on it yesterday so today I am ready to do a ruff draft. I will have it done on time but hate deadlines. And it is hard to think about Easter Baskets and Bunnies and such in July.

We had a wonderful visit with our Son(took this picture) and Daughter-in-Law and our two wonderful Grandson's. The visit was short and we don' get to see them as often as we would like, but we cherish the time we have together and take so many pictures and jam so much into our visit that it will have to sustain us until next time.

I made these Birdhouse magnets for a swap I am in. Can't wait to see which ones I get. The group has alot of awesome people/artist.

Have an awesome weekend blog/art/buddies.........DIANE

LIFE IS TWEET.....................

Blue Heart/Think Pink

2010-07-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Week number 26. My Sister is going through breast cancer treatments. I haven't been able to talk about it until now. I still get so close to tears but I can control them some. I have sent her a little package every Monday since she started her treatments. Just a little something to brighten her week, something to look forward to. It has been fun trying to think of something different every week, tea, lip gloss, a scarf for her head or a bracelet with words of encouragement. She loves Sunflowers. I sent her a beautiful box with sunflowers, to keep some of it in. I got the idea from my Mother. When my brother was in Vietnam, we made cookies every week and sent a package with dry socks, Sterno, different things to eat that would keep on the trip over there. Sometime he would get five weeks of boxes all at the same time. He always shared and was very popular on mail call. My brother has been cancer free for three years. Agent Orange. Stage four lymphoma. Stem Cell transplant. War on cancer.

So as my sister fights her war on cancer.....I will send her a package every week. We skype when she gets it and laugh while she opens the package. Closer by technology. WE WANT A CURE FOR CANCER................AMEN. DIANE

Hands in Art

2010-07-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought your could do something so simple as trace your hand and turn it into a journal. These were the hands I made that didn't fit the swap I joined so I am making my own little book. I made six of these and I will show you the book later. I think I may chunk it up a bit.. Anyway I made six more for the swap using the same quotes so it went a little faster. I am putting them in the mail today. I am anxious to see my returns. I have seen a few I would really like to have.

I am glad today is Friday...only one more day of work and then I have Sunday off. It is suppose to be 105 today. Uggggg. At least the store has air conditioning so it isn't too bad. They started the mural across the street on the side of the Post Office. They painted the sky and started the mountains. I should take some pictures to share..Have a great weekend........................DIANE

Summer, Sun and Fun

2010-07-10T08:13:00.001-07:00

Summer finally got to our neck of the woods. We had a very long cool Spring, with lots of rain and night time temps. in the 30's and 40's. I was wondering what July would be like this year. The heat is finally here, it will be interesting to see if we have a early fall. I was feeling like summer would never get here.

I finished my HAND'S for the swap but haven't scanned them to post. I might just mail them off. I am really at a loss for words today. I know that happens to all of us bloggers.

The main thing I wanted to share is the tree on the left. It is a Catalpa Tree. It has leaves as large as a dinner plate and huge bunches of little white flowers that look like orchids. So tropical........DIANE

Happy Hands

2010-07-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

These were made for a swap that I joined. If you haven't traced you hand since you were in grade school you just have to do it...all those memory's of your youth will come flooding in. The Art Quote is on the back so you are looking at both sides of two hands. This swap was 6 for 6 and I think I will make alittle book.
Today was my morning to read the blogs of my friends and leave a note so they will know that I stopped by. It is so fun to feel the connection of others even thought we have never met face to face. It is a wonderful time we are living in. And for a short time we can pretend that all is right with the world. Peace.......DIANE

Art Comes in All Sizes

2010-06-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

Working on the smallest size has never been easy for me. These are 2.5" x 3.5". I finally got around to buying some clip art from "iTkUpiLLi" I have been following her work for over a year and just love what she does. I would like to learn how to use the Adobe program or one of those photo pro. I have been playing a little with Adobe but it frustrates me and seems difficult. I got to be pretty good with Windows Picture It, but it wouldn't work with my new Windows 7 PC. I will keep trying until I get it, she has a tutorial here http://itkupillishop.blogspot.com/2010/01/paint-shop-pro-tutorial-how-to-cut.html She uses Paint Shop Pro.

Anyway I bought a sheet with backgrounds, a sheet with fish and a sheet with lady's and butterfly wings. I added some rubber-stamping and some gel pens and carefully cut her elements to add to my design. I have two more on my table that I will share soon. Meanwhile have an artful week...........DIANE

Where is Marsha?

2010-06-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

It is time to catch up with friends....Funny how in this busy world of ours we can reconnect with friends in just a CLICK..I haven't been writing in my blog as much as usual. I haven't had much time for art lately. The yard and spring cleaning has been taking up most of my time. Today I went on strike...and spent my whole day in my studio. I bought some new clip art. The fish on her head is one of the things I bought. I had to cut the tail off to make a hat out of it. My friend Marsha has sorta disappeared lately. I know she has taken on alot of new ventures and is making a big splash in the art world. http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/home.php?cat=249She is wonderfully talented and I am sure she will be quite famous soon. She has a magical style all her own and has gone into selling some of her stuff to the rest of us so we can make some magicial, fun things too. She inspired this 4" x 6" little work of Art that I did today. Hope you are having fun Marsha,http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/ Love and Hugs, DIANE

P.S. I will tell you about my other cool artist that I found and bought down-loads from in my next post. Stay tuned. HINT she did the fish that I used for the Hat.

Bohemian Lifestyle

2010-06-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well, my little book of the decadent times in Paris in the 1890's is finished. The theme is Moulin Rouge. I used Wikipedia to get some information on the life and times of this wild and rowdy place. The artist Toulouse-Lautrec was a prominent figure around the club. I love his art and the art of his friend VanGogh. I never knew he was only five feet tall due to health problems as a child.
I am off to work.......so have a great week. Hugs, Diane

Art Swap 4" X 4" Chunky Book

2010-05-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

My lovely pages came in the mail from Alaska last week. Aren't they just fun and fabulous? Each one is by a different artist. I made several pages extra so I could keep them and make my book a little fatter. I want to make a cover for it. The theme is the famous MOULIN ROUGE in Paris a time of excess and decadence.

Let us not forget our military today. They sacrifice everything for our freedom. Have a safe week...........DIANE

For The Love Of Love

2010-05-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

These are the pages that I am working on. They have a long way to go but they are so much more colorful that the first up load I just had to add them. They seem to grow and change as I find things to add to them. I know these pages are not done. I will add journal later and when the pages are finished I will fill them with cards of LOVE...................Have a heart filled day................DIANE

A JOURNAL IN THE MAKING

2010-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

I finally got started on my Journal/card-keeper. I found this old old record album and thought it would work to alter and turn into a romantic card keeper for all the cards my husband and I have exchanged over the years. It came with four records and pockets. I have added several new pockets. I wanted to keep the words "thrill of romance" on the cover. Not sure how I will alter the rest of it but wanted to show it in stages. I paid $4.00 for the album at a thrift store. The pockets are a nice heavy brown paper. I added pages by using pretty card stock. I am not sure if I will leave the inside cover with all the original people but I did add a little bling to get me started.. Have a bright and sunny week..................DIANE

Refrigerator Magnets

2010-04-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

FUN FUN FUN..........These are my magnets that I made for a swap. The largest one is just slightly over three inches. I made 6 to trade. Can't wait to see my returns. It was a fun swap....Have a Art-Full week.............DIANE

FOR THE lOVE OF NATURE

2010-04-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

I Took my tripod to Hawaii in February. It is such a wonderful place for picture taking. Beauty is everywhere. We were on the fourth floor and I set my tripod out on the balcony and had a bird's eye view of everything. The top two photos were taken from the 4th. floor...It was fun trying to catch the wave just as it broke on the rocks. After several tries I captured it.

The bird pair stayed for quite awhile and it was still hard to get them both with their head out of their wing. They were just preening away.

The flowers were at a Farmers Market/Swap Meet. I was in my glory there. Lots and lots of jewelry, art for sale and beautiful fresh fruit.

Have a beautiful spring day it is raining here...................DIANE

Love my CHUNKY BOOKS

2010-04-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile since I have made anything to trade in the world of Altered Art. I really love to make the chunky 4" X 4" book pages. I have several books in various themes all neatly stored away in a plastic container that I get down and fluff through. Humm. I think I just thought of a theme......I will have to keep it under my hat and see if it works up.

I closed my facebook account. Found it to be a little two habit forming. Just didn't have enough time to spend there. When I first joined it was mostly just a people site where friends could connect and share and it seemed to have gotten very commercial. I didn't play any of the games. Any way I have heard they are going to start charging in July. I am sure another site will pop up. The thing is with the net....there is so much info out there I enjoy just skipping through different sites to see what I can find. HAVE A GOOD FRIDAY......DIANE

Getting Back My Game

2010-04-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

It is difficult to change gears lately. I have been doing so much jewelry and making huge messes with my bead supplies it takes a day to clean up and put away. I joined a swap at my favorite art site, I was missing my friends there many that I have been connected with for several years now...The swap is Moulin Rouge. Many people saw the film with Nicole Kidman, sorry to say I did not. So I Googled it and learned much about the night life.....It was wild...

Art The Individual Style

2010-03-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

We all know the many moods of Art. The dark sad side and the happy colorful side. Sometimes stuck in a corner the Muse will hide its elusive head and tease you with its block and other times tempt you with new materials and tools that you want to try. Sometimes you will just have the creative juices flowing and new and creative ideas will pop right on to your work. Some days you just can't seem to get a thing down, nothing is just quite right. We have all had that day. Sometime they last longer than a day.......art is a very one sided friend. You GIVE GIVE GIVE and get nothing in return. Then you realize that you just want to have a little funnnn.....and play in the paint and the glue. Child like without all the hang-ups we accumulate with self doubt. Tonight the words are just flowing and I hope you enjoy my two latest paintings.......Have a joyful weekend. Hopefully the weather is nice where you are and you can take a walk in the fresh air. Don't just work..take time to smell the newness of SPRING .........DIANE

Two For Tea

2010-03-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

I did a little make-over on Tanzie....My friend thought maybe she was a little too white....so I added some more color to her cheeks. I think it was just what she needed. I am really trying to not over think or over work my paintings. Struggling to find my own style. I can see they have changed from my first one. I will have to show you a clown I did many years ago in oil paint...these are acrylic paints. Very easy to work with if you are fast. Oil paints give you much more time to blend and change things. The top girl with the red polka dot dress is named "Sandi With an i".........Have a blessed day and remember "A friend is a gift you give yourself" Robert Lewis Stevenson...........DIANE

Tanzie and the Deep Blue Sea

2010-03-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Finished my painting of Tanzie. I have to name my girls because they become someone with personality by the time I am finished with them. I have another one to share next time in a red polka dot dress. Haven't named her yet but she is spunky. These are done on stretched canvas and measure 11 x 14 inches.

The snorkeling picture was taken at the Captain Cook Cove and was a wonderful experience. The water was wonderful, warm and clear. The coral was fantastic and something I had never experienced before. We took a boat tour which was about a hour each way and a hour snorkeling. There were about 50 or 60 people aboard and no other boats in the cove...I didn't realize it at the time but by getting away from the people I was getting into deeper water and seeing less fish. They seem to feed closer to the edge of the reef. But, the coral was grand....one of the healthiest coral reefs in the world thanks to very little population and pollution.........Have a grand day there is beauty all around us. Look for it........................DIANE

GIRLS JUST WANT'A HAVE FUN

2010-03-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

I was working on these before our trip. The Red Head Rosie was inspired by my friend in Ireland. She makes these cool flower hair clips.http://cheekyurchin.blogspot.com/ I have finished the painting on the left and will show it another time. Also started my 4th. painting. They are amusing and all have a different personality.
It is hard to get back in the grove of work after being on vacation. Looking forward to Thursday...maybe I can finish my forth girl. I did find three bead shops on the Big Island and have started laying out a project to start for a necklace with my finding bought over there.."Have a creative day!!....DIANE

Rest and Relax

2010-02-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

Just returned from the VACATION OF A LIFETIME. Twelve glorious days on the Big Island of Hawaii. Unbelievable beauty. Every day the weather was wonderful, the only state in the United States that didn't get snow that week. Although with the elevation of over 13,000 feet they do get snow. Rather strange to think of when you are on an island at the beach.

It was wonderful to get away from EVERYTHING. We ate way too good, the food is just as good as the scenery. Went on a Whale Watching boat, a Glass Bottom boat, and a Snorkel boat. Went snorkeling at the local beach a few times. It is really hard to take pictures of those fish when they are swimming and you are swimming. I will appreciate the underwater photographers a lot more now. I will post some shots that we took later. Not great but a wonderful memory.

The top picture was taken with my telephoto from our balcony.(yes we had a front row seat to the sea and the sunsets). My husband laughs at me for the amount of sunset pictures I take but every night is different and all beautiful. I tell him you never know when you are gonna get the "Money Shot" Thank heaven for digital photography I took over 400 pictures. Still sorting through them. You may get tired of seeing my Hawaii Trip because I will post a few each time at least until I get sick of seeing them...

The second picture is also from our balcony. We always seemed to be back at our room to catch the sunset. Then off to dinner.

The last picture is of the Volcanoes National Park Kilauea Caldera. It is quite amazing.........Until next time....ALOHA............DIANE

p.s. YES VIRGINIA THERE ARE BEAD SHOPS IN HAWAII........

Life and Death

2010-02-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

My best friend lost her Husband yesterday. I can't be with her during this time of sorrow. My words are all that can comfort her today. This is the way it is. He had not been well for along time but that doesn't ease the sorrow. He wasn't the easiest person to get along with but that doesn't ease the sorrow. He is going to a better place, but that doesn't ease the sorrow. The only thing that can ease the sorrow is time. Time to dig up all the hurt feeling, the unkind words, the isolation that illness brings. Time that can bury the past and time that can relearn laughter. Hang tough my friend brighter days are ahead............Hugs, DIANE

GOOD BYE JANUARY...2010

2010-01-30T23:05:00.001-08:00

Things are going pretty good. I am remembering to write 2010 instead of 09...Just less then a month.. I just can't believe this month is over. Seems the older I get the faster it goes, guess that is true for most of us. I always remember hearing people talking about how fast time goes and now it seems I am living in warp speed. Never enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do. Doing nothing seems more important sometimes. I have been caught up in the FACEBOOK addiction lately. Seems I check it before I check my mail most days. Then it IS my mail most days. Have really enjoyed SKYPE'N WITH my sister. Just like a little get together. Such fun. We laugh so hard. I could talk to her everyday. I have missed her so much over the years.

I am looking forward to February. Wish it was a longer month. I have a lot of plans for February...The past, present and the future....what a wonderful story..............................DIANE

Seasons

2010-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

We are suppose to take a lesson from nature. Always changing, growing, surviving the storm that life gives us. Learning to bend a little in the wind, not break. Shovel a little when it gets too deep and cry a little when it gets too dry. Life is a lot like nature. It never gives you more that you can bear and always renews its self even changed and stronger. Hope in the new dawn. Strength in the new night and Peace in the new day.....................DIANE

Pearls of Wisdom

2010-01-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Pearls of Wisdom is what my Mother always called those little quotes that got you through the little bumps in the road of life. "Life is 10% what happens to you an 90% what you do with what happens to you." How you handle the bumps that life gives you. The black eye and the bruises. The light at the end of the tunnel. The Rainbow at the end of a storm. The sigh at the end of a good cry. If we count our BLESSINGS and not our TROUBLES...we will always have more blessings...........Pray for the people of Haiti and the rescue workers............DIANE

A DOZEN ROSES

2010-01-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

The flowers that I got for our anniversary were so beautiful. I am so glad I could photograph them and look at them long after they are gone. Christmas is gone for another year, the house lights are down and put away. One more day and they will all be gone until next year.

I don't believe in making New Year Resolutions. I always have things in my head that I would like to change or make time for.

I was Skyping with my Brother last night. It was so fun and this morning I feel like a kid with a new toy. Now all I need to keep up with the youngsters is an account for TWEET AND TWITTER. I have my Facebook, Etsy,Ebay, Flicker, Blog and Art Site......and YouTube......OMG I don't spend too much time on the Computer...do I??? It's no wonder I haven't had time for Art lately. I have made several beaded necklaces that I need to finish and photograph and post. I have a lot of things to up load to Etsy if I get the time. I am seriously thinking of "Sell, Sell, Sell this year. Maybe some of the collectibles that I have. May check out Ebay. I have bought stuff there for years but never sold. I was wondering if it was any faster to up load and list than resizing everything for Etsy. Any HELP from my fellow bloggers would be appreciated.

Oh ya I bought a painting from Suzan Buckner. My first from her. Can't wait to get it and see it in person. I just love her art and my goodness she is productive. I will ask her if I can share what I bought with you.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK.............DIANE

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-12-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Well I can finally show the necklace that I made for my Sister. She opened it Christmas day at my Mother's house and although I wasn't there to see her expression she called later and said she liked it. It was my favorite and I made several different necklaces. It is made with fresh water pearls in the warm color they call chocolate.. I liked it so much I bought two other colors and want to make more now that the Christmas rush is over. These are 10 mm. Pearls and just breathtaking with Chrystal beads as the focal. The over all length is about 18 inches, and each pearl is knotted on each end. They are fun to make.

World of Dreams and Make Believe

2009-12-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

Well.....I had a lot of fun with that last post. Many people didn't read to the end to see that it was all a spoof. I know personally I hate that person...the perfect person. The one that is always ahead of me with their shopping, wrapping and decorating. Spotless house, perfect children. You know the type.....the Martha Stewart type...I on the other had was trying to gift wrap on the kitchen table that was loaded with this that and the other. Shoving it from side to side instead of clearing it off first.

This really is our house. My husband does it every year. It seems to grow in the glow every year....bigger. He enjoys it and the whole town enjoys it so it is worth it.

I hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas with family and friends..............spread alittle joy and kindness. DIANE

How to Relax and Enjoy The Holiday

2009-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yes I am finished with all my shopping. Everything is wrapped with lovely little bows and glitter sprayed pine cones that I gathered while walking my three mile after Turkey Dinner walk. The tree that my husband cut is lovely this year. I like to change the theme every year and this year we choose green and gold. It means that I have to change all my decorations but I love starting fresh every year. Buying all the lovely ribbon and tying up over 100 6 inch bows to go with the new gold balls that are all glittery. I have my cookie making stuff all fresh and will try a new recipe this year. I haven't decided which six types I will use. I always make six different kinds. I am going to try a new fudge recipe too. Found one that sounds fabulous with chopped cherries in it. I love Christmas. I would love it more if I was Martha Stewart. If I had a staff of twelve or so......In my dreams all of the above would be true..still it is fun to fantasize...Hugs to all and I am sorry I have been gone for so long. I lost my background and haven't had the time to find it. I have been busy making Jewelry and hope to publish it soon. DIANE

Thankful

2009-11-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

As the end of the year approaches I tend to reflect on my life. The things that I have enjoyed, the people who have enriched my life. Growing another year older, the love of family. My aging parents and the troubles they are having almost daily it seems. I think a lot about the loneliness's they each have, having lost their partners in the last few years, living alone. The unwillingness to change and downsize their homes. The forgetfulness that comes with age and the memories of their childhood that become so strong. Stories that I have never heard are coming out. The bike that they shared with their brothers. One bike and three kids. This week my mother-in-law locked herself out of her car with the groceries on the front seat. Today the locksmith comes to open the car..luckily she didn't by ice cream. My mother got out of the hospital only to find that she couldn't get in her house. The neighbor that so lovingly took her to the hospital, carefully locked my mothers purse and keys inside the house. Luckily my niece found a front door key.

Yes, it is the little things in life that we can be thankful for. Family, friends and the creative moments. Mostly our health I guess. We don't always think about it until someone we know is going through ill health. So I give thanks for all I have and I pray for the ill, the lonely, the out of work, the down and out and the hungry............DIANE

A Charming Swap

2009-11-19T12:59:00.000-08:00

Lost in WEB land....................I had a post all written and somehow lost it out there. Anyway to make it short and sweet this time, here are the charms that I received from a group that I am in.. It was a fun swap and I'm glad I could fit it in......Have a beautiful Day.......DIANE

Just in time for Christmas

2009-11-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

Tricky to photograph....these necklaces are long, and not real easy to photograph. I cleared off my mannequin to show the length. The last one is done with copper chain. They would look good worn with a plain chain or two of different sizes. I will list them on Etsy as soon as I get a chance. It is quite a process to photograph, up-load and re-size and then up-load to Etsy and do all the descriptions.....really sorta a pain...It goes against the artist in me to even sell my stuff...that's why my collection of stuff I have made is bulging to overflow. I did better selling my stuff local. It is a touchie/feelie type of thing.................Have a warm and fuzzy day................DIANE

Be Yourself

2009-11-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Be yourself......I always start my blog with the picture. That leads me to what I will write about. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes I don't have a lot to say, or a lot of time. Right now is one of those times when I feel I should be up doing something else that is on my long list of things to do today.

This card was made for a swap I am in. Wish I could do more swaps but this is a busy time of year for me at work. This was the first card I made and I had a hard time letting her go. But it will be fun to see who's work I get in return. Have a creative day, work or play........DIANE

My little treat

2009-11-02T12:11:00.000-08:00

I tried to get this picture of our little dog in her Halloween costume loaded on the 31st. but the system must have been on overload or something I just couldn't get it. Anyway here is Tilly. She has been dressing up for the children for nine years now so she is a pro at it. We have a parade of grade school kids all in their costumes and they always delight in seeing her dressed up. This year I wasn't much in the mood for it but at the last minute went to her past costumes and put her in her very first one so no one would remember. She was way too little for it then but it was fun. Anyway I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. The time is just flying for me...........Hope you have a beautiful day. DIANE

A Charming Life

2009-10-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

A friend always graces us with her homemade sugar cookies. Last Christmas I hoarded them and was a little embarrassed....But they are so good I just didn't want to share. Shame on me.

This is another shot of a day we had in Oregon...It was so beautiful and I always feel renewed when I go to the Ocean. The Sea, the sand and the air.

Just had to share another picture of our new fence and the fall colors of our Snowball Bush.

And some Art...Charms that I made to trade with a group of friends on line. I made ten different charms out of scrabble tiles. Can't wait to get mine from ten other artist. Well I am off to work and if I don't dry my hair soon I will look like a bed head....uggg. Have a beautiful day. Breath in the fall colors, put on a pot of beans or bake something sweet......Hugs, Diane

Oregon Coast

2009-10-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful visit with our son and daughter-in-law. The Grand kids are growing and changing so fast. We got to watch our grandson TJ play a football game. I didn't know they started them so early. He is 10 yrs. old. The little 2 yr. old is a ball of fire. Always on the go and very independent. We had a fun trip home along the coast of Oregon in all its fall beauty. The weather was wonderful and 65 and sunny. This is the place we stayed at on the beach. Would love to stay there again it was great. Have a great weekend...DIANE

Good Wishes

2009-10-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

This quote has been sitting on my desk for a year. Yes I have little piles of paper stacked up on my desk next to my computer, and some of them have been here a long time. Call it my filing system if you wish......anyway it some how worked its way to the top of a pile and I wanted to share it with all of you. The problem is I don't know who wrote it or even where I found it (before it came to the top of a little pile). If any of you know the origin or the author please let me know.

GOOD WISHES GREET THEE
GOOD FORTUNE SPEED THEE
AND HAPPINESS CROWN THY LOT.

I just love it.

Here are the SKINNY'S I made. They are called skinny(3"x6") because they are smaller than
a postcard (4"x6")and not as wide
as a CHUNKY which is 4"x4".
The theme was "These are my Peeps" or bird people.
A very fun theme.

Have a happy weekend...........DIANE

For The Love Of It

2009-10-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

The latest necklace's that I have made were shorter and lighter in theme. I am still using the lovely background which is a beautiful box that is also used to store the finished product.

I have once again broken down my studio and put away most of my beading stuff. Then I realised that I
had joined a charm swap in a altered art group that I am in. Luckily everything is still pretty handy so I didn't have much to do to find the things that would be used in my charms. It was fun to get out my scrabble tiles again. More on that later.

I was really missing my friends on
the site and the fun of trading so...
against my better judgment I joined
a few more swaps. One is a postcard
challenge. Just one card so that
won't be too much and the other is a
Swap of five SKINNY'S. A skinny is
smaller than a postcard 3"x5". The
theme is a fun one and I will keep that
to myself until later. I will share the finished
project later.

Have a creative Sunday and don't forget
the Creator............

A Much Needed Vacation

2009-09-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Finally ready to get back in the swing of things. We had a wonderful 10 days away from work. It is always hard to get back in the groove. We stayed at my Mom's house and helped her with odd jobs that needed to be done, went out to dinner. My sister and her boyfriend came over, they cooked us dinner. My brother and his wife had us over for brunch. If it is starting to sound like all we did was eat you just about got it.
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday and while we were down there we took him out for lunch...........get the picture.

Oh but the highlight of our trip was the children. They change so much between visits.
My Sister's two youngest came to see us as they are
both in their twenty's with jobs and partners. We were
so pleased that they would take the time to be with us.
We didn't get to see her oldest son who has a 10 yr. old
and a two year old. Missed them.

My brother's oldest daughter has just
had her forth and it was the first time
we got to see her. She is getting ready to
crawl..Next time we see her she will be
walking and talking.....It is so sad to only get
to see them once or twice a year. Their beautiful
red headed daughter came over to see us too.
She had just returned from a trip to Washington state.

My brother's son and his wife just had
their second baby and and we were
lucky enough to see him when he was
brand new. And boy is he cute.

These pictures were taken around
my Mom's home. It is a beautiful
place to just sit and do nothing.

Abby a Gift From the Sea

2009-09-10T22:22:00.000-07:00

A gift from the sea, the earth and me.

In my quest

to make lots of jewelry

I have found that the most beautiful things come from Mother Earth. Sea and stone and butterfly's. Have a beautiful weekend.

And lets not forget the tragic day eight years ago when our country was under attack. The lives that were lost and the Hero's that saved so many. And those today that serve our Country in distant places so that we can remain a free nation under God. DIANE

Lazy Afternoon

2009-09-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have been on a Jewelry Kick lately. My old art light burnt out and I had to buy a new one. I up graded to a bigger model with a nice big magnifying glass attached. It took me a while to get the hang of it. You know how your work space is set up and everything has a place. Well this light has a larger base and a bigger (longer) light head. So after bumping my head a few times I moved everything around and set it on my right instead of in front of me. I am learning to move the magnifying glass to suit my back. I still catch myself looking over it but all in all it is much better. Really helps on the beading.

The bottom picture is a collage I did of my grandmother. I took a lot of pictures to see which set-up compliments the jewelry and which detracts. I probably took 100 pictures of several pieces of jewelry I made. Thank goodness for digital pictures.

Last time we were in town I bought a external hard drive to store all my pictures on. Get this......It is one tera bite. I had never heard of it either. Can't really understand how much a gig is...Tee...don't you just love talking computer language??? Anyway 1 TB is equal to 1000 GB. Lucky for us BEST BUY has very helpful young people that will talk slow and try and get you to understand...The boxes are also giving more information. This one tells me it will hold 285,000 JPG's...LOTS OF PICTURES.

I haven't decided if I want to remove from my computer all the files. Might speed up my pc a little or take a chance on loosing all my pictures if my pc crashes. Humm.....I almost never back up my files. baddddd.

Well I guess I will get with my lazy day and throw in a load of wash and head for my messy art table and sort out some beads that have been getting stirred up with a big stick or some Mad Artist.....................Have a creative day. DIANE

Fall is in the Air

2009-09-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air this morning and the temperature is down to about 40. I love when the weather starts changing. We had a wonderful summer, very pleasant temperatures not too hot. Mostly I guess we just appreciate it more after all the smoke last summer and the fires. I feel bad about the So. California fires. Hopefully they will get a little cooler temp. today and maybe even a little moisture.

The flowers here were purchased from the little flower shop here in town. My friend owns it and does such lovely work. I love having flowers in my house, so every now and then I have her make me something. She knows my moods and I told her I wanted something WILD, FREE AND COLORFUL. I think she captured my mood well.

These are the two quilts I bought at the QUILT AUCTION. The one below is called the Underground Railroad, the work is perfection. All the points match and there are many of them. The machine quilting is so fine and detailed.

Have a beautiful first day of September.........DIANE

Caught in a Road Block

2009-08-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

On the way to visit our Grandson's last weekend, there was a road block for the construction along our road to town. We caught it just right and only had to wait about ten minutes. I put my window down and saw this face on the side of the hill. Of course I had my Nikon Coolpix S60 handy so I quickly took a picture of it. I wasn't sure if it would show up or not and the traffic started moving. Later that day I pulled it up on the screen and there he was. The Indian Chief.

We all need to slow down a little on the highway of life and take some memories. This week is our County Fair. I am looking forward to being off work on Saturday and taking some time to just sit and visit with friends, watch the Quilt Auction and eat some junk food....................Have a fun weekend. DIANE

Random Thoughts

2009-08-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have recently joined a group of artist in a broad effort to STOP ART PIRACY http://www.flickr.com/groups/stopartpiracycampaign/ Please stop by this site and add your support. Support in numbers not money...we are raising awareness to the problem of people stealing art and posting it as their own. How low can you go. Our aim in the art world is to inspire, teach, learn and share techniques. Maybe along the way get some art published and always to meet friends with the same interest.

I found a few other places to check the rules of copyright. Respect the rules. Dig deep into your creative imagination and be original. You will find your own style and more than likely people will distinguish you and your style. I know a lot of us in groups are doing the same theme of art, and it is fun to see how many ways you can cut it, but always stick to your own style. DIANE

http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm
http://reviews.ebay.com/COPYRIGHT-INFO-for-POSTCARDS-in-The-Public-Domain_W0QQugidZ10000000004222864?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:6
http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm
The Best Hearts are Crunchy http://thebestheartsarecrunchy.blogspot.com/

Stargazer and White Delight

2009-08-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist showing you my white lily and another shot of the Stargazer now that three blooms were open. It was a little tricky because the wind has been coming up everyday, just when the lighting is just right. Anyway it doesn't take a lot of talent to photograph something so beautiful...I mean how can you go wrong. And since a picture is worth a thousand words.........Have a beautiful day........................DIANE

LOVE IN BLOOM

2009-08-09T08:53:00.001-07:00

My first lily to open is always the most exciting. This one was so large this year I couldn't believe it. It was bigger then a saucer plate.. The day I took these was a little windy so it was a challenge. It is on a stem four feet tall. Can get to swaying. But the lighting was wonderful so I didn't want to miss the moment. Also the pollen changes after it has been open for very long.
Have a beautiful Sunday..................Diane

I Lied........

2009-08-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well it wasn't exactly a lie....more like an oversight I guess. I was straightening up my studio and I found these four little goodies in a box with some supplies I had photographed to put on Etsy.

Now these are really the last in this series. That is if I don't go on another kick. The lady's are made on poker chips, and sealed with diamond glaze.

This little jewel is a very delicate watch part and the wings are a lacy gold tone charm.

I am not sure what this was in a former life. It is a found piece, maybe a belt buckle. I attached charms and watch gears. Sorta funky, sorta fun. Anyway these really are the last for a while. Be creative, try something different. There are many things you can do and most do not require a lot of new tools. However I did buy a soldering iron....haven't used it yet but I thought it would be good on some of jewelry......................Diane

A WING AND A CHARM

2009-08-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is the last of my Victorian Steampunk Jewelry. I can't tell you how much fun it was to create the funky jewelry. I had been saving chain for quite awhile, picking it up at thrift stores here and there. Had not a clue what I would use it for but loved the different sizes that I found.

The dice and game pieces I started collecting when I started on my ALTERED ART journey. Being a collector, the fun was finding the stuff whenever my husband and I would go on a little trip somewhere. I even enlisted him in the quest. And he would always come back with a scrabble game or something I could add to my stash. It was fun. Things that were not already on the list were fun to find. Altered art is all about thinking outside the box. Some of the things I gathered I still haven't thought of a use for, but I will come up with something . Have a creative day............................DIANE

Good bye July

2009-07-31T23:01:00.000-07:00

Fast as could be. The month flys by. July.

I'm A WINNER

2009-07-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

Hooray.......I am the lucky winner of a Journal page print from one of my very favorite Artist the Rock Star herself.............Roc. You can view my page by visiting here http://whatsuproc.blogspot.com/2009/07/win-free-print.html
Thank you for holding this contest Roc and making my day....Now I am off to work with a smile on my face. HUGS, DIANE

Etsy Listing

2009-07-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

SHARE YOUR JOY

2009-07-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you an altered matchbox that I received in a swap. The artist Robin Sanchez gave me permission to take some pictures and share with you what a wonderful little matchbox I was lucky to receive. Robin and I first traded art in Oct. 08, when she signed up for a swap I was hosting at flicker "Got Bling". Her work just charms me, the colors she uses and the professional quality of her work really stands out. She taught me that the back of these 4 x 4 chunky book pages should be as interesting and beautiful as the front. A sticker with your name on it just isn't enough, she really raised the bar for me.

I made up a little story about my matchbox........It's a LOVE STORY about a man and a woman. He said he would love her til the end of the earth. He gave her a promise and the key to his heart. Then she found all these other pictures of beautiful women in his wallet....THE END......DIANE

You can see more of LtlBlonde at flickerhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ltlblonde/ and a little sample of her Got Bling Page herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ltlblonde/2810878043/in/pool-793762@N25

Cleaning Up

2009-07-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

I love when I finish a group of art. It seems when I am in the middle of a large project I drag out everything related to that group that I am creating. My work space ends up quite small and the amount of stuff that I have collected really gets used up and gone through. This time before I put everything back in place I thought I would make some nice little packets to sell on my http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5190020 I am also listing some crystal chandler bobs that are fun to use in different art projects. I have three more necklaces to share and a lovely altered matchbox that I received in a swap that the artist said I could show you, so as soon as I photograph it I will post it here. Thanks for dropping by and have a creative day....DIANE

My Yard Cave

2009-07-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

You can just barely see our sitting area and deck and I call it our cave. It is nice and cool and very relaxing after work or on the weekend. I made some yummy lemonade and just sat. I have been trying to slow down on my art some and getting a few of the neglected things on my list done. The first one on my list was my husband. We work together so I haven't felt bad about spending time in my studio, but I realized we needed some time together to just relax and enjoy our beautiful yard and just hang out together. A very rewarding idea. Then little by little I have been working in the yard, pruning roses, clipping bushes and picking up here and there. The summer is going fast. The only way you can slow it down some is to do something different. Change your pattern. Tackle a big project. Go somewhere special, even if it is your own backyard. ENJOY AND RENEW.....DIANE

The Eyes Have It

2009-07-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

This one was fun....The glasses were given to me in a grab bag swap. They were little Zero's from some alphabet set. I just clipped off the little pegs that were on the back. I used Diamond glaze to seal everything the chain is really cool with these gold color links that came off some vintage jewelry, two vintage dice and her "hat" was some found object with some watch parts.

Have a blessed Sunday.........................DIANE

Art Gives Me Wings

2009-07-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Ahh yes.....Crowns and Wings and Artsy Things. A very big influence in the world of altered art. It seems as though everything has sprouted wings these days. You will find them on puppy's and kittens and kids. And crowns aren't just for royalty anymore, vintage women are my favorite to crown. And don't forget the crowing glory of the pointed hat and you can Zetti just about anything. I am loving the Journal pages that I am seeing out and about. They are fun and colorful and just full of imagination.

I have four more necklaces to share and then on with something else. I know it may seem early for some of you but I am already thinking about what to make and give for Christmas. I have an idea for two small scrapbooks and one altered book. I guess that's a start, just to think about it.

Art On..........Diane

Celebrate Freedom

2009-07-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Freedom. Here is another Steampunk style necklace. I can't tell you how much fun I have been having. The back of this is a very heavy and nice key chain stamped "Nine West". Something I picked up at a Thrift Store and on the front I glued a watch face with epoxy. On the top I put on an old lock with jewels and the key and a little brass wing with a tiny red dice. On the chain I added two large old dice and a small red poker chip from some game. The chain is made up of several different chains one with little beads. It is nice and long 34 inches.

Enjoy the 4th. of July weekend. Cook Out, eat watermelon, go for a swim.......E N J O Y, DIANE

Victorian Steampunk

2009-06-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

Altered art jewelry is always fun to make and the influence of "Steampunk" makes it even more lively and fun. Although I know very little about Victorian steampunk, I think the style is very artsy, different and has a lot of personality. I love the fact that watch parts are used in it, along with wings and things. It is not the culture that interest me as much as the art form.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Steampunk is a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980's and early 1990's. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used--usually the 19th. century, and often Victorian era England--but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date." Type in "Steampunk Handmade" on Etsy and you will see the varied interpretations of the art form. I would like to think any young hip person would like the style or any older very artsy person..

I have really enjoyed making these necklace's and I will be showing several others over the next week or so. I started cleaning up some of the mess today and can finally see some table in my art room. Enjoy the sweetness of life..............DIANE

WHAT A FUN SWAP

2009-06-25T22:36:00.000-07:00

I received my returns from the latest swap I was in and boy was it fun. I just love my returns they are all so different. It was fun doing a bird shape. I wasn't sure how I would put them together. Some people were going to make a mobile and some a book, where do you bind them? They were facing in different directions and I had thought I would ring them at the top but didn't like the way they would flip because of the different direction of the head and tail. So I choose to ring them at the tail, I like to bind them because then I can hang the whole group together and flip through them anytime. I made one for myself to keep and since I am into STEAMPUNK at the moment I made the BROWN BIRD with the watch parts and the heavy metal beak which was a rusty something-or-another I found in the backyard. Have a Art full weekend.............DIANE