A Quest For Focus

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** My Paradise


Called Home **

Do You Have An Hour To Spare?

Friday, April 29, 2011

First off, I want to say how sad it's been seeing the devastation that hit Alabama after the tornadoes ripped through leaving people injured, homeless and sadly there were over 300 deaths. I am making a plea here to get to your local Red Cross to donate blood, you can go here and enter your zip code to find a local drive. Also, if you have questions on whether you are eligible you can click here for a listing of eligibility criteria, there are many that think if they've been tattooed or pierced or on certain medications that they cannot give - this is untrue in most cases today. Have a look if you have any doubts. The process is about an hour and one unit can potentially save 3 lives, please call for an appointment now!  

I was looking over my shop and realized I've been neglecting my mini books, I was down to a single offering so while the power was out all day yesterday due to the high winds up here knocking it out I bound a few. I probably need to get several more done at least for the show I'll be vending at in June.  

In other news - I have a huge picture window in my bedroom and the past few days I've awaken to see this guy right outside on a branch peeping in the window at me. A couple times he was up on his (her?) hind end munching away at his breakfast and sometimes he just stares....it's sort of creepy really....but maybe he just sees his reflection in the glass and thinks "I'm lookin' goooood!" I'd rather believe that then think I've got a stalking peeping tom squirrel.

A few years ago I saw a production called "Love, Janis" in Cleveland, it was based on the book by the same title written by her sister. I had great fun that night! Always wondered where Janis would have taken her music had she lived longer....
Contemplating curtains.............at the Shores

A New Twist

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

While I was sleeping the other night I woke up at some point with the idea of making a 2 book set with a slipcase to hold them. I can't begin to tell you how many times I get these nocturnal epiphanies but I will say it OFTEN. I started my morning by browsing through my many fabrics and decided on this one:
I then knew I wanted to bind one book with lined paper to journal in and the second one with blank drawing paper. It turned out to be a very pretty set if I do say so myself!
Now I just need to take pictures and list it....yech...this is the hardest part of having an online shop - actually listing the items, it'd be much more fun to just make books and have them magically appear online. Somehow I am going to have to get all the photos condensed into the 5 allowed by Etsy, sounds like a day with Photoshop I guess.

Seems it's rained every day in April, I guess that the thing with spring isn't it? Today is nice and warm (in the 70's) and I've started hearing the familiar sounds of boats zipping around the lake. I had a look around in my gardens and have found all of the perennials I transplanted from the old house last year have made it through the winter. I can see their little life forms starting to peek above the dirt - this makes me SO happy! I brought a little sunshine in to the house:
I've always loved this song but unfortunately a good video is not to be found online so here it is the best I could find (without too much crazy screaming from the crowd)
All is right...................at the Shores

Yes, More Books

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Well, I made it through tax day without turning to drugs or alcohol! 

I woke this morning and my cold is gone...gone...gone. It lasted from the day I got home from the beach last Tuesday until evidentially some time last night. I did wake with a headache but I'll take that over the nasty cold I had. The only thing with headaches and me is that I thankfully get them so infrequently and when I do my mind starts getting the best of me....is it an aneurysm? a tumor? is this the beginning of the end?? HAH! I think this is the part of my hospice volunteer work that is not good for me, it makes me think some crazy (and deathly) things sometimes!!

I've really been doing well in my book binding this week, I've listed 7 new ones. I just may be ready for my first art/craft show in June after all! Of course in keeping with my deathly visions today, I was looking over the books I have ready to go and wondered what in the world are my kids or husband would do with these things if I kicked the bucket?!? Please, before anyone gets depressed about my death talk, don't, I say it all tongue in cheek, not to mention I have no fear of death so it's all good. OK?  

I wanted to share a giveaway I entered, it's for a custom made rubber stamp at olive bites blog. I would really like one to use for my shop. Have a look! But I hope I win. No offense.

Let me take you back to 1978 in honor of my "I'll Take New York" book above that I just listed...break out your platform shoes and think back on that awful curly perm you were so proud of.......
No one knows who she is or what her name is..............at the Shores

Flora & Fauna.....and taxes

Monday, April 18, 2011

Ok, well, the calendar says it's spring but to look outside it says otherwise. I've even had to drag the space heater into my art room to stop the chattering of my teeth.
  

I had a wonderful time on Hilton Head with my mother, we lazed on the beach, rode bikes and shopped - does it get any better than that I ask?!? While I was there I managed to start on a few larger sketch/drawing books for my shop (which is starting to look much better!) I just loved the fabrics and knew they'd go well on some journals.

To the left is another on I just listed I call it "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" and have 3 more done to add too! Woo hoo - I am on a roll!  


I just ordered a banner for my booth to use in craft shows, it's really kind of hard since I am not in the sign making business and I can't be sure as to how it will turn out....we'll see when it comes in I suppose (either way it will be used because I am not raking out another $30 for a new one)! 


Sooooooooo, I guess I've procrastinated on mailing my taxes long enough, I mean it is April 18th after all. Amazing that Tom and I had one of the toughest years ever in 2010 with both of us being unemployed for 8 months and I still have to write a check - Aiiiiiiiiiii!!
I think it's a Grateful Dead moment for me, I'll need the 10 minutes to warm up my pen and checkbook ;o)

Shake it Sugaree...........at the Shores
 

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