Home Alone, Sort Of

Being in an empty house is the pits. The boys are bored. I'm bored. All of our belongings are in a POD somewhere. Now don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to have a house, to have belongings, to be wishing for my holidays decorations... but I'm still bored and sick of being in limbo.


That being said, I had to close our Etsy and Lollishops until after the move. Half of the merchandise is packed, so it's not really feasible to keep the shops open.


However... it doesn't keep me from picking up items here and there. Our local flea market is a hit and miss kind of place, and a little over priced, but you never know what gems you're going to find:




So, in honor of my boredom and the fun of flea markets, I'm going to give away one of these items. Yes, even including the mercury glass garlands (I got those on eBay). Now, I have to tell you, the pink and silver seems to be about 8 feet long, but the blue is only about four. There are two vintage picks, a sweet little wooden hot air balloon, a papier mache lollipop, and some tin foil candle reflectors that could be used for anything (I will give you 4).


So, you know the drill. Leave a comment, get one chance. Link me back to your blog, get two. Become a follower, get three. Drawing will be on Friday- or sooner if we get the news we can go to settlement!!

hugs- Lee

Going Through Withdrawal

It has been ages since I've been able to pull out the supplies and play. My fingers are itching to be covered in paint, glue, glitter, rusty metal, paper, ribbon, and whatever else I can find! Alas, everything is packed in a POD, somewhere...

The good things- amongst others- about our move is that I get to pick a room for my studio. It will be a huge blessing to have a place to spread out, and to work simultaneously on projects!

I hopped over to JoAnnA's Art Journal blog this morning, and then hopped again (at her suggestion) to Seth Apter's The Altered Page. Seth has just put together the fourth edition of The Pulse, Welcome to the fourth edition of "The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals."



To share all of this information, Seth will be hosting Secret Sunday on his blog: Over 200 (!) artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented as a series of online and print projects. It is an amazing gift of information for all us artists out here- budding or otherwise! I have been in heaven all day, browsing blogs and seeing what other artists are doing. It has made me excited and inspired again- I love mixed media art!

Now if I could just get to my supplies...

I'm A Little Blue

What a colossal pain the delay in settlement has caused. Jason was supposed to have an eye doctor appointment today. We've been on the waiting list for about 3-4 weeks to try and get in, knowing we were supposed to be at settlement. Cancelled on Thursday. Closing fell through Friday. Called today- nothing open until February. SERIOUSLY?? It's an eye doctor appointment, not heart surgery. Geez.

So, enjoy some blues:

Hugs- Lee

Some New Friends to Visit

Thanks to all of you who stopped by my blog, via Julie, to show support! Getting ready for the move has been stressful enough, and now with closing pushed off, even more so. But I've enjoyed the past few days, blog hopping and reading about all of you:

The Quintessential Magpie, Shelia, lots of pink goodies, great photos and blog links, Blue Mondays, Pink Saturdays...
My Game, Your Move, Blase, unbelievably, funny, frank, very tongue-in-cheek musing from a man. He makes me laugh every single post.
Sadies Silken Threads, Karen, a very talented quilter/fabric artist.
What I Do When I play, Shawna, a paper/stamp artist.
My Grama's Soul, Josette, another vintage goody lover.
She Dreams Big, Connie- a sweet blog filled with goodies and giveaways.
My Faerie Window, Lori- a felting, paper clay artist who makes really sweet things, esp. the bunnies.
Robin's Eggs Blue, Linda K., wonderfully blue goodies.
The Feathered Nest, Dawn, the queen of cream (color, that is!) Dawn is an amazing artist and friend.
Welcome to the Life of Loulou, Hmmmmm, I'm a Christian, a wife to a super delicious hubby, mama to four wild, crazy, and amazing kids, a sewer, a crafter, a snot wiper, a clothes washer.... can you see how funny she is?
Chic Roses, Sally, this lady paints roses on furniture,windows,or anything that is old and needs to be repurposed.
Sweet Old Vintage, Marietta, a retired floral designer with lots of gorgeous old photos on her blog.
WendyKV- come back anytime!! Girl, where's your blog?
Cotton Pickin Cute, Tracey Suzanne , great crafts, and this gal knows where all the giveaways are.
Bellamere Cottage, Spencer, great slipcover tutorial.
Megan Chamberlain, she moved to England from South Africa, and makes bears!
Posted From Home, Deb- a wonderful post on embellishing a lamp shade.
SuZeQ- come back and visit, and ditto- where's your blog?
Sweet Bead Studio, Cindy Wimmer- wonderful beads and jewelry! and cute family too.
Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life, Lynne- a wonderfully written blog about family and every day things. Lynne will make you laugh.
Mary's Meanderings, Mary- wonderful blog full on vintagey things, and she and her family re-do thier house. They moved from NM to CO.
Just Me and Then Some, Rainy- go check out her art. She's doing an online workshop right now, and showing us everything!
Nancarts, Nancy C,- making some really gorgeous Christmas decorations- go look!

Many, many thanks to every one who came to visit and leave some love. The blogging world has opened the doors to so many people's lives, passions, art, comedy, and stories. I am grateful for that!

Hugs- Lee

addendum: a few more bloggers came by:
Sharon from Livewire Jewelry- gorgeous things, earrings, mixed media art!
Brenda from Brenda Bliss- bead and mixed media artist.
Pippi Rose from Pippi's Ponderings.
Riki from Riki Jewelry- really lovely bead work, and a great post on a vintage store to die for! Angela from Miss Molly Cottage- this crazy gal makes some creat paper art and wreaths, go see her and her etsy shop.
Lavender Dreams- a great blog with fun lists and great photos.

thanks gals!

Update

First and foremost, thanks to all of you newcomers who left me comments. I'll be making the rounds this weekend.

Oh, that's right, because closing isn't happening on Monday. Let's hope it gets worked out.

hugs- Lee

I Have Friends in Lots of Places

Julie of Prairie Thistle Life has proven to be a wonderful, online, blogging friend. I "found" her after being paired together for a swap. Little did I know how wonderful a woman she is, and how I would come to cherish her emails, comments and blog.

isn't she cute?

Julie has had her own private stresses this year- nothing compared to mine, and yet she has given me the time and energy by providing much needed guidance and advice in her emails and comments. Julie has moved before, and she really understands where I'm coming from (Tammy too). And in a time when I feel like people around me aren't quite getting my feelings, both women have provided me with words of wisdom and support.

Girls Weekend 2009

Likewise, my best friend Tammy has been struggling recently, and Julie has proved to be a friend to her too. One really can't ask for more than that! I hope someday to meet Julie in person. Between Girls Weekend at Tammy's, and hopefully and art retreat at my Maine home this year, I am sure our paths will cross.

Julie's amazing necklace

Julie is having a giveway on her blog, in honor of this friendship - a wonderful handmade necklace! I know that some of you will pop over here as a result of her wonderul giveaway, but if you are here by chance or choice, go visit and get signed up. I love her pieces, and the necklace is no exception! And while your at it, go visit Tammy too. We all love comments and new blogs to visit.

hugs- Lee

Marketing Mindset

I am proud to annonce that I am participating in KC Willis' online workshop Marketing Mindset. I am getting ready to amp it up as far as Twigs & Feathers goes, so this is the perfect thing for me- lots of information, live chats, and friends.

This workshop is currently offered for $144, but not for long! Once it starts in December, is goes up to $244. Your membership will get unlimited access to the videos, discussion boards where KC will answer your questions (along with other artists at the workshop) and scheduled live chats.

Topics will include:

• Creating a cohesive, signature look

• Working in series

• Consignment vs. wholesale

• Pricing your work

• The differences between approaching a gallery, a shop, an on-line retailer or a catalog

• Using Social Networks

• PR-how to get written about in newspapers and magazines

• Marketing your work without leaving home

• The Pros and Cons of having an Artist's Rep.

• Researching your market

• Licensing your work and your name.

• Blogs vs. Websites

• Selling on-line

• Keeping motivated

• Becoming fearless

If you head on over to Lipstick Ranch and leave a comment, you will be eligible to win a fabulous piece of art. OK- I'd really rather win it myself, but this workshop is going to be so amazing, I won't be upset if you win it!

hugs- Lee

Oh, please let me win this!!

Not too long ago I splurged and bought a copy of Jeanne D'Arc Living from Tracey over at French Larkspur. Well, her divine merchandise has finally arrived, and she's giving away a few pieces. So go check it out, but DO NOT leave a comment- 'cause I need new stuff for Maine!!

Seriously.

hugs, Lee

An Award

Gigi, a seriously funny chick, nominated me for a lovely bloggy award (shhhhhh... don't tell Blase). I've had other awards, and dumped them one day, in a fit of "cleaning up" my blog. So, I've definitely needed one. Thanks, Girl!! BTW, both Gigi and Blase make me laugh. I love to catch up on their blogs. Blase is under the weather, and quite whiney at the moment, but generally funny. Both these gems are southerners... maybe that's the attraction.

Anyway, the award is the loyalty award, which fits me to a "T". I am an extremely true-blue, loyal friend. Go ask Luz or Tammy. Must be the Aquarius in me!

So, I nominate:

The Peach Tart- and tart she is- funny too!

Debbi over at Debbi Thinks Deep - a yummy recipe waits for you!

and Karen over at Observance, because she works so hard to keep sending our soldiers goodies and necessities.

My posting will be sporadic over the next few weeks. Our first POD is full, waiting for the second one to arrive tomorrow. We're leaving for Maine 11/24. Keep your fingers crossed!!

hugs- Lee

A New Old SInk

Bought this:

to go here:

Might buy this:

to go here:

hugs- Lee

Pretty for You

Go buy some, they're going quick.

Fall

I love this time of year, the dampness, the trees, the leaves. This year, the colors aren't as bright has they've been in years past. We had leaves one day, and after a few days of rain, a deep carpet of orange and yellow.


I am tearfull now, thinking of not being here next year. Maine isn't like this, the leaves aren't like this. And already, it's winter coat-time there. And all the while I am stuck in the in-betweeness of it all. Not quite here, not quite there. In-between and no where.


I grew up on a farm that had a creek running through it. Many hours were spent wading in it, throwing rocks. And now my children do it, the nephews do it. And that will change too. There is no creek where we are going, just a small frog pond. But I am sure there'll be lots of wading in it- for the boys anyway...

hugs- Lee

Time to Share

Finally, I'm posting all the wonderfull Halloween goodies that I received from Kath and the Jolie Paquet bag swap. She made me a wonderful black canvas bag, and stuffed it full of magic. Enjoy!

This cool chipboard banner was in the funky skull bag. Can't wait to decorate it.

Took me a minute to figure out what this said !! LOL.
Two very cool tags, full of glitter and details.
Wearing it right now!!

Thanks, Kath!

hugs- Lee

"Boo"ter Late Than Never

Ok, so this post is a little late. Halloween has come and gone. We bought pumpkins, but never carved them. I packed the boys cool candy baskets last spring- they now reside in a storage locker in Maine. BUT- we did get dressed up and have fun!

Adam was Batman. He's been wearing the costume non-stop. I just wore some funky eyelashes.

When did I get so old??? And my hair- uh.

We headed down to Maryland to Irish Tulip for a costume class and pizza party. We did this last year too, but this year, Jason wanted to ride. I don't have any good photos, but I made brown suede-like wraps for Chippy's legs, and she had medals in her mane. I wanted to make her "MP" tags (as in Military Pony!), but didn't get to it.

Christine rode, as all the kids did.

Isabel won a prize for cutest rider.

Hope you all had a fun weekend. I'm off to pack- only 3 weeks to go!

hugs- Lee