Artistic Ramblings

Where Bloggers Create 2011

My studio is my haven that I dream about all day when I am at work.  While in my studio, it takes me a million miles away, to a wonderful creative world.  I went from having no creative space pretty much, to my husband having a studio built in our backyard just for me.  With increased space, my supplies increased, funny how that happens.  I feel like I am forever reorganizing and trying to find the next best storage for my stash.

I take lots of classes, go to events and seem to always be involved in some sort of swap of some kind.  I started a long time ago as a tole painter, t-shirt painter, scrapbooker and now altered artist.  My favorite medium these days is making jewelry. 

I want to thank Karen Valentine for letting participate again this year!

I hope you enjoy some of these shots of my studio and I thank you for stopping by.  Terry

  
 

 
 
 
 
 

Maxie, Studio Pup!

 
 

 

Catch Up Post....

I wanted to post a picture of the buckle I made at a great class taught by the talented Denise Hahn of www.inmyblueroom.com fame.  She taught the class in the lovely home of Andrea Villareal of www.freakledstar.typepad.com fame.  I have taken lots of classes and there is nothing worse than a teacher that cannot teach, that's not the case with Denise.  She explains really well, without making you think you are an idiot.  ;o)  She doesn't rush you, but you always manage to finish your project in the alloted time frame.  And she is the most generous teacher, always letting you have free reign of all her supplies.  You never have to bring anything, if at all and you always walk away with extras in her class.  Well, this picture is of the belt buckle I embellished and I love it.  Enjoy!

 

It's me...finally! ;o)

Time goes by and I forget to blog because I am busy working, take classes, posting on Facebook or looking at everyone elses Blogs.  So I am playing catch up right now. 

Attended Artfest with my hubby again last March and here are a couple of pics of the classes I took.

 
Dont' ask me who the teacher was, because that was months ago and I can't remember.  But it was a really fun class and I would love to make more boards.

 
I love to solder and you took broken china, taped it and soldered it to little metal squares.  Fun!

 
This was my most favorite class and teacher and I can remember her name!  Lori Mika and she has a book out.  This is actual Fimo clay that you stamp and paint and bake.  Fun fun!

And this picture is of my pal Kim who Bob and I met a couple of years ago at Artfest.  She is a doll and a very talented artest!

 

Cavalia

A couple of weeks ago, I went to see Cavalia.  It's a wonderful horse show, sort of like Cirque de Soliel on Horseback.  (Is that even how you spell Cirque de Soliel?)  LOL  

Back in December, my husband and I were driving and we saw the billboard.  I've seen the show before and knew I had to go again.  

The horses were so beautiful, more beautiful than you can imagine.  The performers were amazing.  Can you imagine anything more wonderful than living and working with horses.  I couldn't.

I took only a few shots, of course I could not take any pictures during the performance, but my ticket was part of the horselovers ticket, so I got to go back stage, if you will, to see the horses in their stalls.  You weren't allowed to touch, (though I did get a lip nuzzle when security wasn't watching).  They were simply breathtaking in person and up close.  I was in heaven.  

Times Goes By....

I can't believe a month has gone by since I last posted!  Work has been so busy and I have had time to create, just not extra time to post.  I participated in a Holiday Boutique with a good friend of mine who is super talented.  She let me share her table and I managed to make a few little items that ended up taking way longer than I had expected.  I made some necklaces with tiny metal frames and microscope glass, some cuffs that had vintage beads on them and some cool vintage compacts too.  Here's a few of them below.  I promise to get back to posting more often!  Enjoy.

From Our Leader to Their Leader

It's been awhile since I posted, I can't seem to get my posting in gear these days.  But wanted to post about a very special person and friend who use to be my boss.  His name is Pat Haden.  He is a prince among men.  I was lucky enough to work for Pat for the last 10 years.  But he had a calling and he answered that call to become USC's newest Athletic Director.  Football season started for the Trojans and always generous Pat, invited our office to his box at the coliseum for a game.  It was much fun and I was very proud to see Pat down on the field with the team and the coaches and the president and his wife.  He's come home I think, where he will be appreciated and loved.  I will miss him dearly, but so happy for him.  Here are a few picture highlights of the day:

 Pat on the far left on the Jumbo Tron :O)

The Former LA Mayor Riordan on the left, me and Pat.

 

Happy 52 BD!

My dear sweet high school friends, Erin and Barb had me over for a little birthday fun.  Erin always opens up her beautiful home for entertaining to all her friends.  She is always the hostess with the mostest.  We started with making beaded Halloween spiders, which was so much fun.  Then she made my favorite lunch and Barb made wonderful cupcakes!  Yum!  I was surprised with gifts and even a surprise guest!  Kim, another school mate we hadn't seen for awhile.  We laughed and had a wonderful afternoon.  Thanks ladies!

My surprise guest...Kim!

Sweet Barb

My sweet and talented Host, Erin and Happy!

Happy One Year Anniversary Jessica and Ryan

A year ago just after my colleague Jessica was married, I told her I would make her something with her wedding pictures.  I knew I would get around to it, I just didn't think it would take me a year.  Rome wasn't built in a day, right?  ;o)  Well, I finally finished her gift just in time for her one year anniversary.  It was very easy to make, the subject matter was absolutely gorgeous on her wedding day.

Artsy Mamma's Halloween Swap

I was fortunate enough to have Terri Wilkerson as my swap partner for ArtsyMama's Sweet and Sinister swap.  I have gotten to know Terri and she is so sweet and we have a lot of things in common. Terri sent me a wonderful box filled to the brim with so many wonderful and fun items.  She made an adorable Halloween girl and a beautiful Halloween crown that I love!!!  I got candy of all kinds, garland, cookies, a picture frame, vintage paper and laces, a sweet handtowel, a embroidered horse rider that is so cool, black rubber gloves with a material ruffled trim...too cute.  Vintage buttons, ornaments and an assortment of ribbon.  Even the container everything came in was amazing.  I know I've forgotten something, but there was so much stuff!  I am so happy we met.  We decided we would be swap partners going forward...I'm no fool!  Thanks so much Terri, you rock!

Sweet and Sinister Swap Ready to Mail Out...

A couple of pictures of a few of the things I created for my partner Terri for the Sweet and Sinister Swap I am participating in.  I love Halloween and this swap was really fun.  I have been teamed up with a lovely woman who has been a pleasure getting to know.

My Agnes helping to show off the banner I made...

A little decorated pail to help hold the items I made or chose to send my partner...

A necklace I made to go in the pail....

The pail loaded and ready to go to its recipient!