Tonight was gallery walk in Port Townsend and it was my first walk alone in the gallery without Dale as a partner. I was dreading being alone in the space between patrons but as I sat and looked around the  
gallery; I realized how much I liked seeing my work grouped together. I am still amazed that the work was something that was so of me, from me, for me. I liked hearing the comments from gallery walk participants of how much they enjoyed seeing my paintings all together. The space feels inviting, filled with color and warmth. It is truly a luxury and indulgence for me to be able to rent the space for my own pleasure and artwork. It stretches the budget ferociously but I have to do it to feel like myself. To fulfill a passion that I have had since I was a child and wanted to be an artist.

Tonight is the trunk show of all the beady treasures purchased in Tucson this year. I think I shopped carefully and bought beautiful beads at great prices. I am excited to see the reaction on my customers' faces this evening as they look at the classroom fully displayed with beads. I actually ran out of room before I could get everything out. See you tonight anytime after 5:30 until 7:30. Yay! A bead event!

Just finished doing the Washington State University sponsored show, Sew Expo, at the Puyallup fairgrounds. The show was busy, really just packed full of people all in a pretty good mood and seemingly happy to be there. It must work the same for them as it does for me; shows and being surrounded by other creative people just inspires me! I could not stop my brain from designing in my mind's eye, all the things I can make and do with all the wonderful supplies at the show! I can only hope that my display of beads and charms does the same for others.

Here are some show pictures to browse. Maybe next year you will be there!

My banner, handmade of wool felt and machine stitching.

My handsome hubby-bubby.

The booth display.

Cool doll made by Reeta in the booth next door.

Beads!

Reeta's display.

Crowds!

Ages!

Nearly a month has passed since I last wrote on my blog. I have no excuses, really, none. I just get so wrapped up in the day to day living of a life that when I sit down to work on line, I can think of nothing to say - sometimes. Anyhow, I am here. Still making things and hanging out. Still lusting for a dog and still getting over my miserable Tucson cold.

I am on a journey exploring fiber and fabric, sewing by machine and hand. Making banners, small quilts ( the first time in at least 20 years! ) and combining all my loves in jewelry pieces.

Here is a photo of one of my silver plated resin frames with needle felted roving in it. This is the first experiment. Naturally it includes a spiral and more ideas are swimming in my head. Where will this new journey of metal and fiber and sewing lead? We will just have to find out!

IN all the hustle of planning for the Tucson show and all the busyness that comes with working towards a big event, I decided that I needed part of a day off. Telling Phil I want some time off away from the house means to him a trip to Costco. It is one of his favorite places. As for me, I can take the newspaper and sit in the snack area and have a very berry sundae. Shopping in a warehouse store is not my idea of an adventure but I do love me some quiet time in a noisy place.

Driving around Sequim I was able to take a few pictures. I love how pretty the countryside there is. Especially the parts that have not become covered with urban sprawl, all big box stores and chain restaurants. My ex in laws settled this town after arriving from Indiana and Pennsylvania in covered wagons. I often wonder what they would think of their old homestead now if they saw what I see as corruption of a once fine landscape of farms and wild open spaces leading to foothills leading to the majestic Olympic Mountains. The mountains remain as strong and beautiful as ever, calling me into their white veiled winter. Following here are some pictures from my day out.

So much rain that the barn roof is moss green with moss!

Glacial rocks? Rock cache?

Bush covered in moss.

The Olympics looking like the jagged peaks in a child's
drawing.

A green, green farm field in winter's January.

The road to the peaks.

Brush by the roadside. 

Sometimes I am in a writing mood and I can go on and on as if I am speaking to a very good friend in the same room. Other times, my thoughts are all internalized and I can not make them leave the corridors of my brain long enough to get them written down. Days then weeks have slipped on by and I realize that all my time is spent and I have not yet written any of those precious time moments down.

Getting ready for my Tucson show is both exhausting and stressful. There is the sorting and pricing and compiling of inventory. Packing and making shipping arrangements can take days. Then there is all the minute, annoying details of everyday life to get taken care of. The housesitter. The cats. The newspaper. Jacob. Paperwork.

The shop is another child that needs attention. Is it staffed? How much inventory is on hand? Is it ready for me to be gone? Are all arrangements made?

Then there is the little sadness I feel at leaving my nest. I like being here. I like making things in my studio and being with customers in my shop. I do not need to leave home to find home or contentment. I am here with all of that.

The thing that takes me the most time to get ready to leave? Packing my projects. What to read? Knit? Bead? I prepare journals and art supplies to accompany me. My mind thinks I will have time, much time to craft and read but in reality, I am exhausted at the day's end and can barely have dinner before I am lost to the evening. The night becomes only about sleeping.

I am excited at the same time to see a different place. To experience color and air that will infuse my work, especially my painting and drawing with new direction, new flavor. That part of journey is a bonus! Friends, I will see them too and I will once again feel I am part of my tribe, infused with the energy that comes from being with people who experience the same things you do.

For now, here are pictures of what I have made over the last week that will be part of my display in Tucson. I am designing with a palette of colors in orange, yellow, turquoise, sapphire blues, deep browns, blacks,  and earthy reds. Much of my jewelry display will be deeply painted with these colors.

Now as I head into dreamland, I will think and perhaps even dream of my coming Tucson trip. On giant winged crows, I fly into a new show in a favorite location, The Windmill Inn in Tucson. I have not stayed there for several years but I suspect that living there for a couple of weeks will feel like an old friend has welcomed me back. Plus there should be some sunshine!

Oh my, but it has been a long time since I posted on this blog! So much has happened and I have felt so busy that by the time my day ends, I drop off to sleep in my chair while knitting at night. Getting ready for my annual trek and selling adventure in Tucson takes most of my free time and exhausts me. Crazy girl, all I seem to do is work in the shop and get all my little charms ready for the show. Now, it is mid late evening and my family calls to me to watch a movie with them. How can I say no? Posting on the adventures of these past weeks will have to wait until tomorrow or later or sooner. I will write again! xo