Sunday, Sunday

I am working like mad for the Bead & Button show! Trying to get together charms, jewelry and bead treasures that no one else will have. I also have to plan ahead of course, to what projects I am taking on the trip with me. What knitting? Which journal? Which sketchbook? Maybe Andrea will even let me post to my blog from her computer since I never travel with mine.

I am just going to post a couple of blooming pictures for you because I never get tired of seeing the things growing in my yard! Oh, and the little playhouse behind the flowering apple tree? That is going to be my new planting shed. Phil has aready hung cabinets in them for me! After these three hot days here and all the rain before that; EVERYTHING is growing like crazy! Very pretty! Especially my moundof wallflowers. I will someday make a charm of them. xx00, End the war now, Send the troops home! Lois

Too Tired to Make Sense Tonight

I am pretty tired at the moment and my ancient yet soft, deep mattress is calling me. The heat of the day has wiped me out, zapped all my energy and is sending me quickly off to dreamland. I thought I would post a picture of Phil, Jacob and their friend and fellow Paws 'n Claws member, Mikhalia, as they were dressed in their 50's clothes to walk in the annual Rhododendron parade. M had on her poodle skirt of yards of very warm felt, poor kid, and instead of the poddle; it had a cat on it. Meow! Jake and Phil were dressed like surfers from California in the '50's except they decided it was too hot to carry boogie boards. Aren't they all just fabulous!!!?

Just when life seems really busy and all we can think about is the next project that lies ahead; the universe and spirits that be send us a message to slow down and be grateful and remember life is short and precious. Live as if there is no tomorrow because none of us were promised that tomorrow!

I am particularly grateful this morning for the handsome Harrison Ford who looks as yummy now as he did 20 years ago in the last Indianna Jones! Whoa baby!

Have a terrific day ... NOW! xxoo, Lois

Where has the time gone? the last few days since I posted have just flown by and every moment has seemed filled with activity! I am getting sleepy just thinking about it all! Our weather is changing for a few days and we are due for some HOT, HOT temperatures. We, here in the great western half of Washington state have a very small comfort zone. It is supposed to be near 90 degrees so we will moan and complain like there is no tomorrow! We want a little sun and temps in the mid 70's. Like I said, a small comfort zone that happens to be very specific!
This sweet book, written by a very nice woman, Danielle Fox, has some of my silver charms in it. She has even given me credit for the pieces in the back of the book! I could not be more excited to have my work in a book! A book!! Books are awesome and can live on forever!

Way to go Hillary Clinton! Great West Virginia win! Women for a change!

From Out of the Past

This is a pen and ink sketch from a zillion years ago when I was younger and still drew a lot of self portraits as a way to examine my life both inner and outer. I must have been in my 30's and I called the piece, " Some Flower ". It was for a postcard I did for one of my solo gallery openings. The young me was and the old me is still, in love with crows, sunflowers and big eyeglasses! HA HA ! Honestly, I have had a sweet lazy day and a wonderful long conversation with Howard ( Justin to everyone else! ), a Happy Mother's Day call from Michael, gifts, chocolates, roses and breakfast from Phil and Jacob and 30+ minutes to lounge and read the Sunday papers - all of it! HAppy Mother's Day to all the women who have nurtured not only their own children but other women through friendship. xx00, Lois

A Bead and Button Preview

This is a necklace of lampworked venetian white hearts, wire wrapped sterling and some cast pieces. I have also used one of my favorite toggles and made it long enough to wrap around a neck twice. Today I oxidized it and then ground or sanded a not so shiny finish on the surface. It is one of my favorite and latest ways to finish sterling. I have much more B&B work to do but everyday I feel I am making progress. I think the toggle has sort of a Hawaiian flavor. It reminds me of hibiscus flowers for some reason.

My cold is feeling better although I would probably be good and sick if I had not wimped out and vegged quietly for a couple of days! Lots of naps and chocolate chip cookies! Now if I only had 2 more weeks to get the show on the road!! xxoo, Lois

One More Thing ...

When I left Beckett Point here in Port Townsend and moved on after living in my 450 square foot cabin for the better part of 19 years; I knew I was leaving a part of my life that was encompassed by the beach, saltspray, vegetable gardens and lots of cats. It was a bittersweet move and one I had to do to save my life. I also knew that I was leaving a place in time that had brought me not only some happy days but little gifts of nature that I could not leave. I went to Auntie Evelyn's cabin at Beckett Point one cold afternoon shortly before she passed away and quickly, without being seen or noticed; pulled up by the roots a handfull of the wall flowers that grow wild at the Point. It is the only flower that seems to be able to thrive down there. I lost a lot of the plants ( I mean who pulls flowers from the ground by the roots and expects them to live? ) but after many years of carefully yet distinctively ingnoring them; they are GROWINING and FLOWERING and TAKING OVER my garden by the studio!!! I could not be happier about all this! They are the brilliant rich oranges and yellows that fill my drawings and paintings. The color soaked flowers that make my heart leap with the lust of earthy firey plants! What a sap I am all over these flowers. Tomorrow I will take a picture of my complete garden bursting with these plants and you will see more of their energy than the little begining I have pictured here. xxxxoooo, Lois