Artistic Mother

I have been blessed as a mother!  I had a fabulous mother...and having my children recognize my passion for creativity in artistic ways, well, is just icing on the cake.  I received this book for Mother's Day.  It has been a soulful journey savoring the pages from day to day, and not rushing through it.  I create on a daily basis for my own well being.  If others enjoy my creations, it sure does make me smile:)  It gives me inner peace to know that  my heart, my soul, my mind and my hands can connect without much effort.  I am an Artistic Mother and I am happy!

A Brand New (HOT) Day

All is quiet and extremely hot on the homefront. Busy, busy family are we, going in 5 different directions today. I, am not going in the direction I prefer, but my time will come. My time to create on a whim, to divert my direction to follow art, or time to just sit and dream! Today, however, is for work, needs of others and in all of this, sending good karma to my Arty Tea Party Friends, Nina of Happy Herbs Soap, and Rosebud Sandy who are at the ART WALK IN PORT JERVIS. I also wish I had tickets for Santana up at BETHEL...ooooweee...Mary and her family and Rose are in for a fab time! ENJOY!

High School Graduation

As my middle daughter graduates from high school, I reflect on the swingset days. The days when everything was oh, so simple. The days when we could take a nap after preschool or take our good old time walking home from elementary school; when we could celebrate birthdays with M & M cookies in the classroom. I still remember her dancing on her toes at age two while admiring her big sister at ballet. She is dancing still. I remember how she took care of her little sister going off to Kindergarten, then through Middle School, and this year as they were together for one year in the big High School. As she graduates and embarks on a whole new adventure, I am pleased, I am very proud and I am very happy to be a Mom. WE ARE BLESSED!

And at this moment, as I burn "Blessed Be" incense from Nina at Happy Herbs Soap, I know that it doesn't matter that my fridge is dead, that my hubby's pickup needs fixin', the graduate's car is well, let's just say idle, but that we remain a beautiful family unit, intact, with giggles and heartaches and joys abound.

Rain Rain Go Away...

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.....NOT!

Relay for Life was, once again, a beautiful event here in Pine Bush...until the rains came bringing thunder and lightning and finally the call of the event for this year! While the majority of funds were raised by that time, around 10:00 pm, the effort that everyone puts into this community gathering was short changed by having to pack it in. Not that the nice warm shower, and the cozy warm, dry bed wasn't a welcome treat, but when we gather yearly for this Fundraising, Cancer Awareness event, we plan for the whole overnight experience.

All in all, we were brought together for one common goal, and we are all better for participating!

Thanks to everyone who donated to our teams on our behalf!

Supporting American Cancer Society

As Pine Bush prepares for the upcoming Relay for Life, my whole family is busy with their fundraising efforts for 2 different teams. It is such an important event, and we all have been affected in one way or another by cancer. Here are just a couple of items that I have created for my daughters' teams: PBHS National Honor Society Team 1, and Real Estate Solutions. GET INVOLVED! TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Artist Trading Cards and set of 2 Friendship Bracelets; 1 for you and 1 for a friend!

Suggested Donation $3.00 each...

A Brand New Day

Looking forward to making more Altered Books. I have my favorites that I just will not part with, but I have 2 unfinished projects that are just craving a happy ending! So, while the re-organization of art/craft space is also still unfinished, I will plunge forward into the abyss of papers and yarns and fabrics and sparkly things and buttons....HERE I GO! WANT TO TAG ALONG?

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

YAY! The tulips are up, the mud is drying up, at least for now, and the birds are sweetly singing...la la la la...

All is right with the world! All of my little darlings are home at the same time, and I continue to be the BUSY BEE!

Projects are lining up. Sandy/Rosebud is keeping me inspired by her be-yoooo-t-ful hand painted envelopes that keep arriving in my mailbox. She's a tough one to keep up with.

Nina, Dear Friend, thank you for continuing to keep me mystified with the supply of incense that keeps me calm.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL...

Is Spring Really Coming?

Wow, while cleaning up the muddy yard abit today, I noticed my tulips are peeking out! I always love the little glimmer of hope as they push their way upward through the winter leftovers. Seems like we had all of winter in one whole week. OK, DONE NOW! The birdies are out and about and singing, singing! la la la...

The studio reorganization is STILL in progress. The problem is, while sorting and organizing, I come across some snippet of paper, or book, or fabric that I slipped aside for that "anonymous" project and get bogged down wanting to do the project RIGHT NOW! So, though it does slow me down abit, I remember to put it in an appropriate spot for when the time is actually right.

I am currently enamoured with all the bits of yarn I have leftover from scarves and mitts. Some are just destined for some fabric ATC's. Perhaps I can entice the ladies of the Arty Tea Party to play along. Or maybe even a Fabric Book Round Robin! SOON, VERY SOON:)

I also, have a batch of old bookcovers just waiting for their very own story to unfold upon them. I can hardly wait for this project to begin. But, until the sorting and such is completed, I shall hold on to the reins and complete this mission that I started way too long ago!

Wow...snow, snow, and more snow...

It sure has been a snowfilled few days...power is back on, and we are still digging out, and trudging along! Oh, to live in the Northeast!

Be creative while having cabin fever! It makes for interesting art!

Creative Inspiration

The Artistic Mother is such a beautiful book, and you can win a copy by clicking on the link at left, or you may order it from Amazon. INSPIRATION, CREATIVITY...AT IT'S BEST!

Winter Day in the Big Woods

Another beautiful snowy day! Projects are piling up, though the re-organization is in full swing.

Kitty seems to be enjoying the snowfall, too! The altered book projects are lined up, and the knitting is winding down.

These are the latest,

"completed" knits.

Hand Mitts/Fingerless Gloves...all the rage, so my daughters tell me! The KnitWitz are putting the finishing touches on the shawls and lap robes for the nursing home residents. As soon as we get pictures, I will post them on a new KnitWitz blog. Some very talented knitters, and crochet ladies hard at work.

Must get back to work on my

"Creative Chaos"...

Please send those re-organization of art/craft space tips! TTFN, Vicki

SUNNY, SUNNY SUNDAY

The sun is shining on this glorious new day. We shall bask in it and all the muddy glory it provides with the melting of snow. The dogs love mud! Thinking of mopping the floor as a result leads me to the art corner where the re-organization process has taken a standstill...
Anyone out there who has tips on the crafty art space and how to keep it in one place instead of all over, please pass them on. At this disorganized stage, I can use all the help I can get!

Though, I really do my best work when I delve into what I affectionately call my "CREATIVE CHAOS." I actually even named one of my handknit scarves that. Made out of all the leftover balls of yarn of many, many colors. A beauty of a piece with genuine warmth and soul!

SO, HERE'S TO CREATIVE CHAOS...LONG MAY IT REIGN!

Passion's Slave

On this beautiful winter day in the woods, we cozy up in front of the fire and we are grateful for a wonderful family life! Complete with ups and downs and tears of joy and sometimes sadness. But we remain a unit intact, forever bonded.

"I AM SOMEONE'S VALENTINE" (lucky me;)

Everlasting Love

Well Valentine's Day is upon us, and I am extremely happy to say that...

"I am someone's Valentine". It's not always easy, it's not always fun, but after 23 years of marriage, I would not have it any other way!!!

This is an Altered Book for Valentine's Day! Lots of textured fun with charms hanging inside a cutout box. Vintage lace and buttons, a lovely Valentine ready for gift giving! This book was among my faves, but in an effort to reduce while reorganizing, I have decided to offer this little beauty up at the next

Arty Tea Party! It can be yours for $20.

I will also have Friendship Bracelets (made by my daughter) in gift cards,

all ready for a Valentine Exchange, and some crazy handknit scarves and fingerless gloves!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW...

Altered Book Display

At the urging of local artist, Bob Scully and his wife Cathy, I have joined The Outsider's Studio Altered Books/Books That Alter Book Show. This exhibit begins August 13 through September 15 at Hamish and Henry Booksellers in Livingston Manor, NY.

I'm nervous and excited and I hope you can all get out there to take a look.

Thanks! Enjoy the heat...it is August afterall!

3-D ATC's

Here are a couple new ATC's made for the 1st Annual Pine Bush Art Tour. The Singing Bluebird truly does bring happiness perched on a fresh twig from the yard, and the Beaded Doorway reminds us that "Home is Where the Heart Is".

Short and sweet...I will hopefully be able to post my latest "Fiber Beaded Jewelry" collection soon. But with end of school year events, and concerts, and recitals, and moving up days...etc. upon us, it may not be as soon as I'd like.

Stay tuned!

Paint the Town Purple

I've created a set of Artist Trading Cards to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2009. These cards will support the Pine Bush High School National Honor Society Team 2.

We have a great community that gets involved in this dynamic event that raises funds and awareness to the cause of cancer research. Get involved...

The Pine Bush event takes place June 13 - 14. You can make a direct donation to support this team walker @

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09EA?px=10436729&pg=personal&fr_id=14041

Hats off to Michelle Filer of Crans Mill Studio for beautifying this great town with all of those beautiful purple butterflies in the windows of the storefronts. Take a walk down main street, read the names...it will affect you, as cancer affects us all at one time or another. GET INVOLVED! It is the most heartwarming event you will ever witness!

Dare To Dream

"Dreamer...you know you are a dreamer..."

Thus the inspiration for this mixed media collage. For my 3 lovely children continue to inspire me with their ongoing quest to attain their goals and realize their dreams in life. Their instumental and vocal talents, along with the beauty of the dance, is what their dreams are made of. Lucky me!!!

WE ARE ALL SLAVES OF PASSION

A Brand New Day

The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day for peaceful, quiet meditation to renew, restore and rejuvenate the deepest bits of the soul that have not been tapped into lately. For the creative process for me ebbs and flows, and sometimes just stands still to the point of questioning
"What in the world do I do now?"

Thankfully, my family understands this process and I am very happy to have all of my lovely children home with me (all at the same time) to share the joys of my creative passions.

TO MY FAMILY: MY GREATEST PASSION OF ALL!