Focus on Life - Week 4

Hello... I'm late getting to the party but after looking at many blogs and the wonderful heartwarming pictures and messages - I just had to get in on this event.  What a wonderful idea and thanks to Sally Russick for encouraging us to stop and focus on life.  Her prompt for this week was Create Art and I'm happy to say, that is right up my alley.  

Blown glass fruit and star fish light catchers to inspire me in my studio each day 

I am taking a little break from bead work and signed up for six online art journal classes which I am enjoying to the max.  My reason for getting into art in the first place was a result of a tragic event in our family.  Last summer my daughter's boyfriend was killed in a plane crash and the life was literally sucked out of her and us as her support system.  We all went through the grief process with her but for me, my creative muse just up and left and I felt like I had nothing inside anymore when all my life I have been artistic and creative.  I heard about the healing aspects of art journaling so thought I'd give it a try.  WOW is all I can say!  It has been a life saver and really..... I feel like I am overflowing with art and beauty again.  One of my online instructors has a favorite saying - Beautimous which means beautiful and fabulous at the same time.  That is how I feel about creating art - It is a beautimous thing!

Part of the reason I am inspired these days is my new art studio.  It is upstairs in a 74 year old house and the window faces south so it is full of natural light. This space makes me smile - a BIG smile every time I go up there. 

 Yesterday I started with these items:  cotton canvas duck, gesso, water color paper, cord, sari silk, stencils and stamps and of course lots of paint - which I didn't photograph!  

 And today I ended up with this bound journal in which I hand stitched four signatures into a decorated canvas cover and tied with sari silk.  Ta da!

It is hard to believe that the ugly patterned canvas when covered with gesso and many layers of paint can become a beautiful cover for your own hand bound journal.  This is the second journal I have made and I absolutely love them!

This is an art journal page I made and yes, I did draw the girl.  I am taking a Fabulous Faces course with Tammy Laporte and she is absolutely the best!  I have most of my art journal pages on my flickr page so check them out if you wish.  The link is on the side of my blog.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I love comments and do my best to answer each one.  Now head over to Sally's blog to see who is participating.

What to say for a New Year

I have been pondering what to post to start off this New Year.  It is hard to come up with any words to express what is on my mind.  I'm not sure why that is.  

I want to be positive but both my husband and I have been sick - him more than me and it is worrisome to say the least.  On New Years eve. he woke up with pain and thought he was having a heart attack (pain was similar to when he did have one 9 years ago) so I took him to emergency.  We sat there for 8 hours having tests done and in the end, they said there was no sign of a heart attack.  That is good news but he continues to feel poorly every day.  What in the world is going on? 

I am looking forward to this year because I am geared up and taking several online courses.  Last summer I discovered Art Journaling and it literally has been a life saver in the midst of everything that happened.  I have always been creative and artsy fartsy but in a controlled and perfectionist kind of way.  Taking mixed media courses has allowed me to go ahead and fling paint and find out what beautiful things can happen.  I love the freedom that I have when creating an art journal page.  The best technique I learned was to journal negative thoughts and then cover them up with paint or gesso.  How cool is that - to write all your bad stuff and then release it by covering it with beautiful colors?  

 

I took Art Heart and Healing from Tamara Laporte (Willowing) and loved it so much that I signed up for Fabulous Faces and Life Book 2013.  She has a lovely compassionate way of teaching her courses. 

In November I found the site of Effy Wild and really found out how to not be afraid of layering color and paint on the page.  I took two courses before signing up for Book of Days 2013.  She even taught us how to make our own hand bound journal...... that was awesome!  Effy is a giving soul and shares her talent with anyone and everyone.   

This is the first hand bound journal I have ever made  and it will be my Book of Days journal for 2013.  Effy gives weekly videos with lots of good information.  Some free classes too!

My BOD has a canvas cover which I gessoed then painted many layers of paint and stencils over until it was a mottled color I liked.  I love how the canvas looks like it is aged!   A length of purple Sari Silk wraps to close it.

 

 Four signatures sewn together using a book binding method taught by Effy Wild.  (link above)

Hemp cord is used to bind the signatures of watercolor paper together

A recent course I signed up for was Unravelling with Susannah Conway  In it, we take weekly photographs and are then given a writing assignment.  It is designed to make us more aware of our surroundings and get real about our thoughts.  I am looking forward to this.

I so badly wanted to have a thought provoking post written for the New Year but I can't seem to dig deep and find the right words.  Maybe that will come with the Unravelling course.  

I do know that I appreciate every single one of you who read my little blog.  I want to be more active and inspirational this year.  I will take pictures of my art journal pages and post them soon.  Can't wait to share!

Thank you for your comments and support as always!!

The Gossiping Goddess Bead giveaway Blog Hop

Back in October Lesley Watt at The Gossiping Goddess blog announced she had beads to give away.  Why you ask?  It seems that her good friend Kaz Baildon had destashed a large amount of wonderous lampwork beads in her direction.   In turn, Lesley decided to  host a give-away as long as everyone participated in a blog hop to show what we made with them.   I was fortunate to be given three beautiful beads in return for paying a small postage fee.  

When the beads arrived, I loved the beautiful rich deep red, turquoise and green shades.  Two of the beads had tiny flowers on them.   They laid on my bead table while I admired them for a couple weeks and then guess what?  I made something and completely forgot to take a picture of the beads - before...! 

Notice the two deep red beads with turquoise flowers.....simply gorgeous beads!

 I wanted to keep with the flower theme and decided a sterling silver flower bead would become part of the pendant then added tiny glass flower dangles on top.  I also used three tiny red rose glass beads with silver spacers.

Sari silk looks burgundy - Ack!  It is supposed to be deep red..... really it is.

Originally I was going to make a bracelet... my favorite thing to make, but I decided that the combination of colors were calling for some sari silk.  I regret that the red sari looks more like burgundy in this picture - but it isn't....just bad lighting here today. 

The green pendant bead with swirls of turquoise and deep red was my inspiration for this piece

The last bead hung from the pendant was the color inspiration for the necklace.  Colors I would not think to put together but they look great.  I happened to have three plain lampwork beads in exactly those tones so wire wrapped them together in one segment.  I added a decorative sterling silver chain which hangs long so I can put it over my head.  No need for a clasp.

Adding some color to my wardrobe is exactly in order when it is dreary and cold outside.  This fun necklace makes me happy and I can't wait to wear it!

Thank you to Lesley for hosting this blog hop and for giving away these beauties. Make sure you visit all the other participants as well.  Thanks for stopping by.
   

Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Marie Cramp -  http://skyejewels.blogspot.co.uk/
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Heidi Post - http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.co.uk/
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.co.uk/
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Linda Landig -  http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.co.uk/
Renetha - http://wwww.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.co.uk
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.co.uk/
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.co.uk/
Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

        Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.co.uk/
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.co.uk/
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk/
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Sandy Huntress - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.co.uk/
Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.co.uk/  - you are here!

Free beads from Lesley Watt for Dec.12 blog hop

Free Bead lovelies given away by Lesley Watt 

thegossipinggoddess back in October made an offer I couldn't refuse.  Lesley Watt had been given a stash of handmade lampwork beads from her friend Kaz Baildon (how awesome was that?!)  and being the generous soul she is, offered to send out free beads to 10 people.  The only rule was that everyone had to create something for a blog hop on Dec. 12th.  A few more people were drawn to receive beads by paying for shipping.

Guess what?  I was lucky to receive some free beads and all I paid was a small shipping charge!  I am a hoarder of lampwork beads so this was an offer I couldn't ignore.  I do see my gorgeous beads in the above picture but I'm not saying which ones they are.

Come back on December 12 - next Wednesday and see what I have created .......Okay?  It's a deal.  I will see you all then.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

My new working studio.....Yay!

12 Ruffled Grouse feeding in our driveway

We moved in to the house our daughter used to live in a month ago....wowsers, is it that long ago?  The house isn't new.... part of it is two stories built in 1937 with three charming bedrooms upstairs.   An addition was built in 2000 which has a master bedroom, bathroom and living room.  It is smaller but very cozy indeed. We are fortunate to have lots of huge mature trees surrounding 2.4 acres.   So far, we have seen a fox, deer, ruffled grouse and hear coyotes at night.    

This cat came to live here in the summer she has a very lovable disposition.  I wonder how anyone could get rid of a cat like her?  She is a good mouser too.
We call her Titty Tatterson.....it's a long story :)

I picked colors from a paint chip this summer when I was in BC so it was a real shot in the dark.  We hired a painter to paint the entire home top to bottom.  I chose white for the ceilings and Designer white for the walls.  Then I started to panic thinking it would be too stark.  There is still the old original hardwood floors in pretty good shape, and  lots of wood mouldings around doorways.  When I saw it all painted - I was totally in love with the warm colors I chose.  Yay!

My beading side of the studio - lots of plastic I know...but hey, it does the job of holding so many beads

The very best part was setting up a studio in one of the upstairs bedrooms that has good lighting throughout the day.  I love the thought that this used to be my granddaughter's room.  

Jenica is very artistic so it is nice to think about her when I create.  

Wire and components.  Pictures my grand daughter painted to inspire me

Art side of the studio and all my supplies within reach

This is where I work - I love the big window that faces South.  Believe me it won't stay this neat!

Teeny tiny walk in closet typical of older homes but is very charming.  I decided to surround it with pictures I love of all my family.  It adds color and inspires me.

The corner wall features art work by my grand kids and pictures.  I have all my beading books within reach.  

So this is where I will be spending my days from now on.  I love my new space and can't wait to get back to being my usual creative self.  It is inspiring to have a new space where I can work.  Thank you for stopping by and visiting me!

7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop

About a month ago, I was reading A Beady Girl's blog by Sue Beads who happens to make beautiful lampwork beads...and she was asking people to sign up for a very worthy cause.  

The Global Genes Project launched "7000 Bracelets for Hope" campaign in 2010.  The number 7,000 represents the 7,000 different rare diseases that impact 1 in 10 people, 30 million Americans and 350 million globally.  Each donated blue bracelet design represents the uniqueness of one of the 7,000 rare diseases.

I am happy to donate one of my first hand forged bracelets that I made from wire wrapped copper and Dumortierite gemstones.  This has been a favorite piece of mine and because it is such a beautiful blue stone, it compliments the aged copper wire wonderfully.  

I couldn't just send one bracelet so will be adding this one in as well.  It is made with three gorgeous handmade midnight blue lampwork beads and Dumortierite faceted and round beads (how can you tell I love this beautiful blue gemstone?)

I notice that these bracelets are not adjustable for sizing so will make that change before I package them up and send them to Global Genes.  

My sincere desire is for these bracelets to gives hope and courage to someone dealing with a rare and genetic disease themselves or a member within their family.

If you are interested in donating to this cause just go to their website and find out how to do that.  You will be happy you did.  I know that I am! 

Thanks for visiting!

Stop and Enjoy Those You are With

Beautiful Pacific Ocean at Nanaimo, BC
 Left BC in rain and comfortable temperatures but knew it would soon be colder weather and snow.  Not what we wanted but we are finally moving into our new place so I packed up all my beads and headed for Alberta once again.   

We were walking our dog on the beach and stopped to chat with this lovely couple.   Later, I couldn't resist taking their picture as they strolled hand in hand stopping to admire the beauty.  I love moments like this when we see how life can be enjoyed if only we stop and admire those we are with and what is in front of us.

A herd of Mountain Goats on the road 

  As we were driving along, we came upon these animals. They come down to get the salt from the side of the road. They weren't interested in sticking around so I had to get pictures of their butt sides.  They refused to stand nicely and pose!

Males pushing and shoving each other

Back to snow and colder temperatures

Some of the sights we have to endure on this trip.  It's hard but someone has to do it.

 It was snowing lightly so wasn't sure if my pictures would turn out.  Ended up having a nice effect and no, I didn't photoshop these!

 I think they have a different look to them - 
                    maybe even pastoral possibly?

Abraham Lake about 100 miles from our destination.

Sun was peaking through the clouds and I like how it               reflects off the water.  Always such varied conditions from one location to the other when we travel.  

So now I am busily moving into my home and trying to figure out which room(s) I can claim for beads and paints and all the beauty I love to surround myself with.  I have my eye on a couple so we will see....

I will be sure to let you know how that goes in my next blog post.  Until then, don't forget to stop once in a while and enjoy the things around you and those you are with!