Day 2 - Bird's Nest

I love the way this charm turned out. It was a little rough on the fingers, but worth the effort.

I found a bird feather on the beach the other day... then I saw a photo of a bird nest charm another 'art charmer' made and was inspired to make this charm. 

It was a little rough on the fingers, but worth the effort.

I'm baaackkkkk!

Well... I wasn't off the blog-o-sphere for long, now was I??? I realized that blogging was fun... and now I have a REASON to blog... I've decided to make a CHARM A DAY for the next 365 days. Yup... all 365 of them. I wish I could say that it was my idea... but no. I had been thinking about the idea for a while now... but last night's Art Charm Chat brought it back up again. Some one mentioned it, my brain clicked, and here I am.

My goal is to make one charm everyday. Using all different techniques and skill sets. It's a way for me to expand creatively and have cute little charms as a result. I really enjoy making these little critters. They're addictive.

Some will have a story behind them, and with posting and journaling I should be able to look back in a year in awe at all I have accomplished. I am certain that some will be easy little nothing pieces... but don't we all have days like that???

To start... here is my very first charm....  

I spent the day at the Township Public Works office making arrangements for someone (besides me) to assist my mom with her weekly trash cans. So... I made an origami heart charm out of junk mail. Day one, COMPLETE.

Posting daily might be too cumbersome, so if you want to follow my progress I would suggest checking in once a week.

Feel free to post comments and cheer me on!!!

Signing Off...

Thank you all for following my blogs... but now it's time to say goodbye. This will be my last blog post.

I've decided that I'm spending WAY too much time on the computer, and not enough time on the things that really matter to me... in the real world.

It's been fun... and if I ever decide to add my 2 cents to the blog world again, you all will be the first to know.

In the meantime... keep smiling... keep creating, and above all else give your sweetie an extra little squeeze.

Deb

Self Proclaimed Artist

How does someone become an artist? Everyone has the ability to 'make art'. Some people use paint and paper, others use fabric... then again others create using sod and bushes. Art can be made with anything and everything. So... at what point would you call someone an 'ARTIST'? Is a landscaper an artist? How about a house painter?  A hairdresser???

A few weeks ago I proclaimed myself an artist. How pretentious is that??? I made the decision to give myself permission to tell total strangers that I am an artist. I then proceeded to paint a local icon, Tillie in watercolor. From there I printed Tillie on pillows, postcards, and made charms... and sold them at a local outdoor show. The charms and postcards were a hit... and I made enough money to repay all of my original costs with a little left over to pay for my mother's birthday dinner. All in all I was quite happy with the whole experience.

The original watercolor of Tillie was prominently on display. I thought the painting would be an 'attention grabber' and it added a nice focal point for my booth. The surprise was on me however, as quite a few interested customers inquired to PURCHASE the painting. Silly me never thought to actually sell PAINTINGS of Tillie. Wouldn't a REAL artist have thought of that??

Attending this show has taught me a lot. Not only the commitment it takes to get everything organized and ready for a show, but the strength and fortitude it takes to put yourself 'out there' for total strangers to see. You squirm as they scrutinize your painting, not knowing where to look... should you ignore them... or engage in conversation? I usually choose to engage. I slap a smile on my face, take a deep breath and ask, "Can I answer any questions?"

"Oh" they reply, "Are you the artist"?

Gulp. "Yes. Yes I am"... And I steel myself for whatever comments they might have. Some good, some bad... but hopefully constructive.

So I guess I can officially call myself an artist... although I'm not rushing out to print that on my business cards yet.

I urge you all to go out there and CREATE!!! Proclaim yourself to be the artist you know you can be. If I can do it... anyone can!!! Use whatever skill you have and enjoy... then MAKE SOMETHING!!! You too can be an ARTIST... just give yourself permission!

Charmed... I'm sure

I had a wonderful week long vacation in Williamsburg. There was so much to do and see... and since it was impossible to 'do it all' the EXECUTIVE decision was made to relax, see what was interesting, and come back at a later date and see more. Ahhh... I think this was the first time I returned from a vacation where I didn't feel as if I NEEDED a vacation. Thank you Les and Judy for the use of your timeshare.

This past weekend was the neighborhood wide GARAGE SALE. I participated by allowing everyone to pick as many books as they could carry... for FREE... from the dregs of closing the bookstore. I was THRILLED to see so many books go to good homes (and out of mine), although I feel as though I haven't made a dent in the mountain of boxes still here. I think I need to make this a monthly event.

Ocean Grove, NJ is holding it's annual Antiques and Flea Market Event on Saturday, June 4th. As a 'wait lister' I was given a call the other day to say that a space has become available for me!! I am sewing and crafting like a mad woman to get enough things together to sell. My 'Tillie" painting has become the basis of all that I'm making. Pillows, purses, totes, and Charms are just a few of the items. If you are in the area... come say, "Hi". I'm in space 608.

Tillie Charms!!

This coming week is really, really, really busy!!! A quick peak... Scott is coming home for the Premiere of Blue Collar Boys... a movie he worked on before moving to California; Volunteering for Brides for Breast Cancer; Working a wedding with Stephanie, and assembling invitations for her business, Kreative Events... and trying to make enough things to have an awesome booth on June 4th. OH... I think there's a holiday in there somewhere too... Have a Happy one!

Busy! Busy! Busy!!

YIKES! April just FLEW by... without one blog from me. So... what HAVE I been doing instead of blogging??? Let's see...

The basement door needed a face lift:

Before... Boring!

Inspiration...
Blackboard Paint!

Now becomes a menu/memo board.
 GENIUS!!

Beautiful old chairs needed to be re-covered:

Before

After

Hosted Easter Dinner:

Delicious Coconut Cake for Dessert

Sister-in-law Judy visited for the week:

Notice the door???

Attended the Royal Wedding... in my TIARA and PJs:

Tiaras, Tea, and Blueberry Scones
for the Royal Wedding

Adopt An Ancestor

Winged Jewels

Made CHARMS for my Art Charm Swap Group:











Mailed out books sold online:

Wrapped and ready to mail

Attended court for Pre-Trial: 

Fabulous painting above judge's bench
Trial set for week of October 3rd

Cooking up a storm as usual:

Meatballs ready for the oven

Sewed my first Bitty Blocks for a quilting swap:

It's only  3 1/2" square!

Got Chase 'fixed':

Too funny!!!!

Finished my LEAVES watercolor:

Falling Leaves

Painted Tillie... The Asbury Park icon and am sewing pillows and purses with my art on them... because I signed up for table space in an outdoor show in Ocean Grove, NJ on June 4th to sell them!

Tillie

And THAT's what I've been up to! How in the world did I EVER find time to go to work???

Hit the SPOT!

Sorry for the HUGE gap in posting. I finally am back on track!

Twenty years ago I was vacationing in Maine. My Sister-In-Law and I were relaxing on the deck over looking the lake, the kids safely tucked in the cabin below. We poured a glass of cold White Wine Cooler, and sliced up a few cubes of blue cheese and celery sticks. With the cool evening air blowing on our sun burned skin... it has etched in my memory as the perfect moment. The wine and cheese HIT THE SPOT.

Three years ago I drove 14 hours straight to visit friends in Knoxville, TN (Hi Andrea). The drive was uneventful, even a little fun. Singing current radio hits and show tunes at the top of my lungs and listening to books on tape kept me focused on my driving. Upon arrival I was greeted first by their boys yelling, "Miss Deb is here! Miss Deb is here!" as they burst out the front door. My heart melted at the sound of their voices. Standing in the door way was their Dad, Nick holding a FROSTED mug of beer out to me. Ahhhhhh... another perfect moment filed away in my brain to be pulled out to comfort me when needed. Boy, that frosted mug HIT THE SPOT.

I was fortunate enough to have another HIT THE SPOT moment the other night. I met a friend for dinner at a place 'known' for their burgers. He ordered one... but I decided to throw caution to the wind and ordered steamer clams and a salad instead. They were delicious! Perfect! As I cracked open their shells, washed the sand off and dunked them in a pool of melted butter goodness I felt so spoiled... like a princess. Apparently my friend was just as happy with his meal. We both sighed, smiled contentedly, and remarked at how perfect the meal was.

Good Friends... Family... and good food all make for the most fabulous moments you will never forget.

Go out there and make your own HIT THE SPOT moment!