Diversions

Whew.  It's absolutely amazing what a steroid shot in the arm (ouch) and $100 worth of presciptions can do for a body!  Sorry about the lack of postings this week, and the ones I did were a little sad, but man I've been really sick, and you know us Mom's, we can't get sick.  And yes, I was grinning and bearing it on our fabulous vacation.  On the mend now and getting more focused for sure.  Yeah!  Old me.  ;)

So now that I have a plethora of paintings for upcoming shows to sell and to use on cool new products I'm developing in the studio, I've been working on some of what I call DIVERSIONS.  Yep.  Webster defines diversions as 1:  the act or instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use 2:  something that diverts or amuses: PASTIME.  I love this word right now.  diversion, diversion, di....ver....sion.  It's a much more exciting way to say that I am totally off course and playing around in the art room.  It's a fluffy word for spending time on things I may or may not sell,  but I'm going to try anyways.  And since I love to learn new things, and try new things, a diversion was a welcomed word to the vocabulary.  So what have been I amusing myself with this past week?  Take a looksey:

A new BIRDIE pattern!!  I do love my felted silly birds with super long legs, but after seeing some adorable paper birds on branches at Seibel's a few weeks ago I decided to work on a new birdie pattern.  I'm still tweaking the pattern a bit.  William says the beak area is all wrong, and they aren't fat enough.  I can always add more fluff I told him and rounden out the head.  My plan is to place the little guys in some handmade cages.  Oh boy. 

And also diverting my attention is my new obsession with embroideryish things.  I say "ish" because I have NO idea what I am doing.  I just stitch away.  My favorite is the truck, but the photo turned out blurry wouldn't ya know.   I worked on a bunch of these little projects in the car.  These mini nests are about to be neatly laid into pendant bezels.  Remember the crewel work necklace a few posts back?  Yeah, I think using my own creations is better than cutting up my favorite vintage crewel work too.

So anyhoo.....gotta go work on the birdie pattern again and get myself all set up for the night's projects.  Billy is out of town and the kids are at Nana's.  I know, I am a very lucky girl right now.  Oooo...and Project Runway is coming on too!  It's going to be a fabulous night filled with diversions.

Jewelry Making 101

So, I am now on the downhill side of a serious jewelry 101 making session. I am by no means proficient at this art form, yet. And man my right hand is reminding me of this. I find myself drawn to the process of making jewelry though. And after creating about 100 new pieces, I am feeling pretty, well, good. Half the stash is headed to The Naked Art Gallery in Birmingham...the other half to my etsy shop. The photos have all been taken, and the cropping is about to begin. So check here in etsyland tomorrow and scoop yours up!

Something Sweet

Oh I can't wait for this to get opened! I had a dear friend's husband call and ask if I could make something special for him to give his wife. Well of course I can. Inside this tiny nest is such a tender gift, I am giddy with anticipation to show you. But alas, she reads this blog and I can't. Which one of you will be receiving this on Valentine's Day?....you soon shall see!

Legend of the Christmas Nest

I realize that these nests did not come from a real tree, but rather were made by my little fingers. But what an amazing treat for your Christmas Tree these little birds would make! So many of us have the artificial trees adorning our homes during the holidays, myself included. And although I can't promise these will bring you a year of prosperity, they will bring you joy, which can only help lead you to prosper in the coming year.