Art as comfort

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My son is now in Iraq, and doesn't know when he will be coming home. My DIL and grandchildren seem to be adjusting well. I, on the other hand, am a nervous wreck. I have not had any inclination to create anything for at least two weeks. I did receive a packet of inchies from my MixedMediaArt yahoo group swap. I love them--they are tiny little artworks but all are very different. I received two of my own back, and the eighteen new ones below.

The PaperImageryDesigns yahoo group has a new technique for this week, and that got me going again. We did pulled paint background pages (I used cardstock for mine.) I did the four pages below, then we were to cut one page up into ATC backs and make one card to mingle. I made "Bloom" out of one piece.

Then a new swap was announced that will use a new image every month. For September the image is Nia from Paper Imagery Designs. I made these five cards below, plus an extra for the hostess. I used the other ATC backs that I cut out of one of the above background sheets.


I had such fun making backgrounds that I tried another technique using acrylic paint and plastic wrap. The paint is smushed around on the cardstock with the plastic wrap, then the wrap is left on with the wrinkles intact while the paint dries. When the plastic is peeled off, the wrinkles remain to add texture to the sheets. I did that with the first five sheets shown below.




The last sheet is one of three that were a real trial-and-error sort of technique. I spread gel medium over a sheet of cardstock, then spread some kind of unlabeled dried herb flakes over it. (You know, the kind that come with your spice rack and you don't have any idea how old they are? The label had come off this packet, and it was so old that I couldn't identify it by smell. Yuk!) Then when it is dry you are supposed to cover it with green paint so it looks like artificial turf or something. I haven't gotten to that stage, and I may not. The herbs are crumbling off with every touch, and although I can't identify the smell, it is strong! I think these sheets will bite the dust.

I've started some other ATCs that I will show when they are finished.

The past four weeks have been brutal emotionally and physically. I have had a headache nearly every day, and am short-tempered and out of sorts. DH and I even had an argument, something that has rarely occurred in our thirty years of marriage. Between the worry over my son, DH's cancer, and my MIL's Alzheimer's, the everyday financial problems and household clutter and lack of privacy tend to blow up to unbearable proportions. I need to spend more time by myself, but with DH being out of work so often I have barely had a moment to call my own. I can hardly wait until October when we will travel to a family reunion. It will be wonderful to get away for awhile and be able to breathe again. Claustrophobia is setting in here.

I find working on ATCs relaxing, as long as there are no interruptions. I can think while I'm waiting for the paint to dry, and express my frustrations in my artwork. I find myself daydreaming of a private studio for my arts and crafts, and another for my sewing and quilting. A big enough kitchen to actually cook in and a freezer and pantry big enough to keep the food in. More than one bathroom. Empty space between us and the nearest neighbor. And of course, the money to be able to live that way. No one to have to care for but ourselves. What everyone expects retirement to be like. But it doesn't look like it will ever happen. That is a big reason why the stress is getting to me--I can't see the end of the tunnel.

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Doldrums

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I have been in the doldrums for awhile now. It has rained off and on for two weeks. DH has missed more work than he will get paid for--he has to leave the nursery when there is lightning because of the metal greenhouse frames. I can't get much done in the way of art or crafts when he is home, although I did get this grocery tote finished. I used the bottom-weight suiting that I got on clearance a few weeks ago, and some webbing for the handles. This one is a sample, and that's a good thing because it is larger than I need. DH says I can only put light groceries in it because anything more would be to heavy to carry! Now I know to reduce the rest in size, and I may go back and cut this one down on the sides somewhat. I put squared-off gussets in the bottom and I'll have to undo those to cut it down.

DS #1 called last week to say he was home in Virginia after his training for deployment. He is now gone for his final instruction, and will be going to Kuwait soon. Then when everyone in his squad arrives, he will be moved into Iraq.

My MIL is eating a little better now, although I don't believe she has gained much weight. I took her Chihuahua to the vet on Monday--she's 14 and showing it. She has a heart murmur and a greatly enlarged heart. The vet is not optimistic about her longevity, but we have decided NOT to tell my MIL about it--why upset her when she won't remember it in a day or two anyway? But at least we are aware that the dog may die suddenly, and we will have to deal with the aftermath. DH and I both agree that this will be MIL's last pet, as she will probably have to go into a facility in the next few months. Should the dog still be here, we will care for her as long as she remains comfortable. She's a really sweet little dog, and knows us well enough to be comfortable living with us; I don't know how she and Copper will get along but it will all work out.

We have spent much of our time watching the Olympics, with it's ups and downs for the USA. I'm glad that it is coming to a close this weekend--I'm just not getting anything done!

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Crafting space

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I thought I'd post a few pictures of my crafting area. I haven't shown it since last year. My ironing board gets used more for storage than anything else! The cabinets to the left behind it are full of quilts and fabrics; the other cabinets belong to DH and hold remnants of his Navy career.

The entertainment center also holds bins of fabrics and craft supplies. I love these bine because they stack, they fasten shut, and they have sturdy handles for carrying.



My work table is always piled high with stuff. The violets still love the window!


Did I mention that my worktable is in the dining room? Luckily we eat most meals in the living room in front of the TV.

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I recently received a wonderful ATC from Wanda H. at PID. I love their images and especially their transparencies. They also included some punchinella (sequin waste), an embossing folder, an ATC background, and an envelope full of blackbird punch-outs. You can't beat an envelope of surprises!

FiberArtTraders yahoo group has a swap of felt leaves, to be put together into a sort of art book after the swap is done. Above is my attempt at one, this is about 4" x 4" overall. I did a total of 8 of them, although I only needed 6 to trade and one for myself. Something might happen to one in the mail, stranger things have happened! I was pleased with how they turned out. They might look a little plain, but the camera doesn't show the spray dye on the orange leaves, or the melted crayon covering the word charms. They took quite a bit of work.


I'm hoping to do some ATCs this week just for fun. I also have those grocery bags to start.

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Good news!

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Good news! The A/C problem turned out to be "seized points." Much less expensive than we thought, and my MIL offered to pay for the repair, which was a big help. What a relief!

MIL is doing much better after getting her B-12 shot. She has been eating everything we bring her, and asking for more. She hasn't eaten this well in several years. At this rate she will regain all her lost weight in no time.

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Below are the Goddess ATCs that I have received this week. The first is called "Mystery Woman of the Flowers" and is by Linda W. It is hand-drawn and printed onto fabric.

This one is by Gabriela G. and she also sent the piece of fabric behind it. I like the amorphous shape, and the shells that she sewed on. Definitely a sea goddess!

This one is by Deb M. and is called Le Coiffures. Isn't she gorgeous? Deb also included some fibers as well. I love the lace, the beads, the ribbon, and look at that hand-drawn face!



This one is "Luna-Goddess of the Moon" by Diane Y. It has glitter and stones on it. The background appears to be ink on watercolor paper. Very pretty!

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For the birds

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The above piece is titled "Stressed Bride" and is for the Gothic Arch challenge at Paper Imagery Designs' yahoo group. The image is from PID. Wanda sent me the background that looked to me like stained glass.

The piece below uses a PID image named "Maxwell." This week's challenge is to use Maxwell in some way. While trying to think of what to do with the image, I realized I was humming the song by the Beatles (in my mind I see it as done by Steve Martin.) So here is Maxwell and his Silver Hammer.

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The birdhouse above is by Melanie H., who also sent all the goodies below. This was another trade for PID. The sign on top says "This house is for the birds."

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This birdhouse is by Kathleen E. She sent the spool of ribbon as well, and cushioned her package with multicolored strips of paper that I am going to use to try some quilling.

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This ATC is by Barb E., and is for the Goddess swap from FiberArtTraders yahoo group. She included this piece of gold/red dupioni silk--beautiful!

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We took my MIL to the neurologist last Wednesday, right in the middle of Hurricane Dolly! (It basically was just a big rainstorm that lasted all day. We got about 8" of rain out of it, but only a few small branches came off our trees.) MIL weighed only 98 pounds at the office--down from 105 not too long ago. The doctor started her on B12 shots, which have already produced an improvement in her appetite. We got her to agree to eat a garden salad every day or two, to give her at least some vegetables. We also found that adult multivitamins come in chewable form, so we started her on them as well. She can still be reasoned with, although she has to be reminded of things over and over.

The air conditioner has been running constantly today, but the temperature kept rising in the house, so I think the outside unit may have "frozen." I turned it off for awhile, so we'll see if that works. The last thing we need is to have to pay for A/C repairs.

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More swaps received

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This little card, above, is by Marge P. and was part of the Out of the Blue Swap for FiberArtTraders yahoo group. She also sent the fabric and ribbon. I love it when I get a bonus!

This Dotee doll (above) was made by Flicsha. Note the dreadlocks!

This one is by Diane K. She also sent fabric and yarn. I kept the green paper that she wrapped the doll in--it is a specialty paper, I think handmade.

The one above was made by Gabriela G. I love her flower-petal hair!

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These three birdhouses were made for a swap for the PaperImageryDesigns yahoo group. The bird designs are by PID. The roofs are covered with wood shavings taken from the ash tree we cut down in our front yard a couple of months ago. There is a butterfly made of feathers perched on each roof. If you could see inside, there is an egg decoupaged to the back wall of each house as a surprise! I will be mailing these out in the next couple of days. Then I will be getting some in return--I can hardly wait!

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I won a trivia contest on the PID yahoo group a few days ago, and received this grab bag of products in today's mail. There are three collage sheets, the silver leaf, a packet of clear stamps, a package of rub-on words, and a package of decorative clips. I was thrilled that they were so generous! I have plenty of material now to do some ATC's and other collage pieces.

There's a new challenge this week at PID--Gothic Arches. I've started on a couple and will post them as I get them done.

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Swap City!

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This week's swaps:

Above: Out of the Blue trade by Kara K. The bird's belly is made of yellow caution tape. I love the panda tape she used to seal the package!

Below: Out of the Blue trade by Norma S.--the wings are made from a soft drink bottle! She also sent the fat quarter and the fiber.

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Above: Amulet by La S. She also sent the ATC and the beads shown below. I love all the beading and stones on her amulet! She sent along some paper charms which say Live, Love, and Laugh on them--they are now inside the amulet to serve as talismans.

Below: Amulet by Norma S. It has a talisman inside--an amethyst, my birthstone! The amulet is an upside-down pyramid shape.

The one below is by Ange H. It has a small pink heart inside as a talisman. She also sent the beautiful papers for me to use in my artwork.

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The ATC above is from the jackpot that I won last week, and is by Brenda S. She sent along all these collage papers, too!

This darling ATC is by Gayle R. and is titled, "Take off Your Shoes, Martha!"
Enough said.

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MIL's carpets are now clean, as well as her upholstery. She was very happy to get that done--she had no idea that they were that filthy from the cat. The house smells much better. DH changed the air filter in her AC which was also clogged with fur. Tomorrow we plan to get her living room sorted out, which shouldn't be too difficult.

I mailed off my Dotee dolls, shown earlier--and included with each a Spoon Goddess, also shown earlier, as a bonus. I hope they will be well received. I have one more swap ready to mail--the Goddess ATC's; and I am working on three birdhouses that are due the end of this month. I will probably hold off on joining other swaps for awhile to do some things for myself.

I bought 5.5 yards of a brown pinstripe suiting material, bottom weight, on clearance at JoAnn at 40% off of $5.00/yard. I intend to make some larger grocery bags out of it. I figure I can get two bags out of each yard of fabric. I bought some several months ago and machine embroidered them, but they are really too small to hold much, and when I go grocery shopping, I shop for a month's supply at a time. They will certainly be unique in appearance--no chance of anyone mistaking them for their own!

I also need to get more organized with my art supplies. I am short on room and have supplies scattered everywhere! I need to come up with some shelving to hold all the bins. I have bought lots of clear plastic bins with latching blue lids at JoAnn and Hobby Lobby that are the perfect size for either sewing or art supplies. They stack and have sturdy handles, too.

Do you ever buy a magazine off the rack that looks interesting, only to find when you get home that you already have that copy? Been there, done that yesterday! And what's more, that you have a subscription to that magazine?? Double bummer. Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself. Oh well, one more item to sell on eBay.

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