tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307171242024-02-27T20:35:27.012-08:00Mountain Salt StudioMixed media art and other ramblings by Diane Redmer MooreMountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-4036112312736398782015-10-05T20:36:00.000-07:002015-10-05T20:36:20.266-07:00The best intentions. . .I always have the best of intentions. I actually DID try to start a blog at enchyland.com but I couldn't figure out that blogger.com thing so I paid for the domain for a year and gave up. And so I have come back here for a while. It is interesting (and disheartening) for me to read back over old posts. All of those intentions. No accomplishments. But once again I will attempt to move forward.
I am working on a painting. I'm not happy with it - not happy at all. I somehow thought that I could just not paint at all for years and then pick up a brush and immediately paint exactly what I saw in my head. (yes I know - pretty silly). I have taken a TON of on-line classes and done pretty much nothing except buy the supplies for the classes and watch the video and think about what I want to do. Lots of thinking - not much doing. I still visit that 'meaningful body of work' thing.
There's not much else new. Another cat has passed away after a sudden illness and a week of hospitalization and no real cause known despite tons of tests. That put me back quite a bit. Now we are 2 dogs and one very old cat - who would have thought that the oldest cat would live the longest - periodically she appears to be on death's door and I take her in to vet who can find nothing wrong and she suddenly rebounds and starts running around the house like a crazy girl. Zakk and Mushu the dogs are getting grey but don't seem to be slowing down.
I once again have the best of intentions - only time will tell if I follow through - but for now - have a beautiful day.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynUB3H6xSxN0XTg0eRjZZ3Bbk4LNVhIyFIkZYtMQ5EQMtYC_aZiZa1g0uDqPtMlhPR5AoDBeG1wWh1cXlTKCw8BIwkKWkGSjjw7vlLPdIFjCYvs0FaG4lZ6YeRUG8ay39XbOb/s1600/12039542_10154234359084951_3474575043642474296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynUB3H6xSxN0XTg0eRjZZ3Bbk4LNVhIyFIkZYtMQ5EQMtYC_aZiZa1g0uDqPtMlhPR5AoDBeG1wWh1cXlTKCw8BIwkKWkGSjjw7vlLPdIFjCYvs0FaG4lZ6YeRUG8ay39XbOb/s640/12039542_10154234359084951_3474575043642474296_n.jpg" /></a></div>
Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-72531183626139020982014-01-23T18:06:00.000-08:002014-01-23T18:06:51.738-08:00Moving onMountain Salt Studio has officially closed. There have been a lot of changes in my life the last few years, the most recent one being leaving a job that was making me physically ill and focus on making art. The new blog will be at enchyland.com - it's not there yet but I'm working on it.
Thanks for visiting.
Enchy
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaS-gGa51c9BuGj3wNmyeFNOQaeUYVIHEa7fwQTasuKtfmLMwyOGVrtH4TNW0WYITDWNT9tKdGg25mq93oBR8HzoIbk7bQNm1zcMl9FYxWgH3d-vU-VPmFV4AAmUdyADRjF8Z/s1600/warm+up+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaS-gGa51c9BuGj3wNmyeFNOQaeUYVIHEa7fwQTasuKtfmLMwyOGVrtH4TNW0WYITDWNT9tKdGg25mq93oBR8HzoIbk7bQNm1zcMl9FYxWgH3d-vU-VPmFV4AAmUdyADRjF8Z/s400/warm+up+%232.jpg" /></a></div>Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-27284995199052346642012-11-26T18:59:00.001-08:002012-11-26T18:59:24.808-08:00And so life goes on. . .I had the best of intentions when I wrote that last post 8 months ago - and then life stepped in and mucked up my plans. A lot has transpired over the last 3/4 of a year the most significant of which was the death of my mother. She had multiple illnesses including stage 4 lung cancer and emphysema. The last few months of her life involved numerous trips to the emergency room, brief hospitalizations to stabilize her, returning home - rinse and repeat. The final few months were especially tragic - I had finally gotten her to agree to receiving Hospice care and I made arrangements for her to have 24/7 care so she could go home - she'd been back and forth between a rehab facility and the hospital for weeks - she'd get stable at the hospital, go back to rehab, code and then be resuscitated (despite her Advance Directives indicating that she had other wishes), then back to rehab - (again rinse and repeat) - I flew to Phoenix more times that I can remember, each time thinking it would be the last and each time she pulled through. Unfortunately the last time her heart stopped it was the day before she was supposed to be moved home - May 20th. It was very sad to me that she didn't get to see her precious cats and her lovely home before she died - she hadn't been home in well over 2 months. Instead she died alone in the rehab facility.
My adult son and I flew to Phoenix to tend to immediate business - find a placement for the cats, deal with things in the house, make funeral arrangements. . . We took care of what we could in our rather wobbly state and drove home with her van - the wonder van that has the lift in the back for her power wheelchair/my mobility scooter. The wonder van is 12 years old and when we drove it back to Washington, it had 29,000 original miles on it - I took it in for a 30,000 mile service in Phoenix and it was pretty funny to see the look on the service guy's face when he checked the odometer.
The wonder van now has 36,000 miles on it - we drove it back from Phoenix and then a few weeks ago Charles and I drove it <b>back</b> to Phoenix to make arrangements to empty the house and sell it, turn off the cable, all of those things that need to be done. Then we drove back to Washington taking the long way via Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Santa Maria, CA, San Francisco and then the Oregon Coast. It was a long trip - a bit over 4500 miles but it was good for us to just be together and drive in the car - sometimes chatting - sometimes just being quiet watching the world go by. It was a trip that was planned for both of us - Charles got lots of desert time and I got lots of ocean time. We went to lots of museums and gardens and cemeteries. We ate at dinky little local restaurants and sometimes just got off the highway and investigated little towns. We could do that every day for the rest of our lives - just explore the world - learn new things, meet new people, eat different things - we tried things like cactus in green sauce and Peruvian beans. I had the best french toast in the world at a little place on the side of the road that was decorated with more dusty plastic plants that I thought existed in the world. We ate the best Mexican food in a little bar in South San Francisco in the middle of the afternoon where we were the only customers and the waitress sat in the booth behind us watching Mexican soap operas on t.v. We reaffirmed our relationship with one another which was important because I've been so distant and preoccupied with my mother's health and living situation.
I feel that the I am finally coming out of the funk - my Mother's death represents a closure for me - a closure of a situation that has sometimes been quite volatile. I no longer have the constant stress of not knowing when the phone would ring and I'd need to get on a plane as soon as I could. But there is also the realization that I'm on my own - well I've been on my own for decades but on my own as far as not having parental support. My mother was never really that supportive but at least she was there. And now she's not.
I need to figure out what to do with the cremains - my parents are currently in a gift bag from the funeral home in Phoenix sitting in the closet so that the dogs and/or cats don't get into them -
Which leads me to my plan - (there's always a plan brewing) - I have been inspired by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunny.carvalho.5">Sunny Cavahlo</a> to do ceramics again - but my kiln building has been unused for over 10 years and being at the back of the property I'm certain it has become the home to numerous creatures - and the kiln there is giant - it's my old production kiln - I don't want to have to stand on my head to load a kiln again - I'm too old and crippled for that nonsense. And so, I'm taking the money from the sale of my mother's house and having a new studio built! A studio for the noisy, messy stuff - the clay and metal and mosaics and fabric dying - a studio for the big noisy tools and maybe even the big messy canvases. The quiet, tidy things will stay in the indoor studio - the fabric and ribbons and beads - makes sense huh? I'm very excited - (who wouldn't be?)
And so I'm researching outbuildings - and tiny kilns.
**********
This post was begun a few months ago - the end of August I think and I never finished it. The new studio has been built, I'm still researching small kilns but I have purchased a dreamy new sewing machine that I am learning how to operate and I've joined the Bead Journal Project for another year. Hopefully that will prompt me to do some art and post here more regularly. Until then, here is a photo of the sweet new machine.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtLpEiudD5VxIo1EQy6Peq8D3d4zOZcneDXIQDb55177vb1X7R7AJlmjMjPru2wpAojfS0YGZgMQYi0GVmBGxBaC8KC5QzM85X4TtIN_Su4rkVEbXkc8qSRxcifwbbRmYQ5k4/s1600/sensation_sewing_machine1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="74" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtLpEiudD5VxIo1EQy6Peq8D3d4zOZcneDXIQDb55177vb1X7R7AJlmjMjPru2wpAojfS0YGZgMQYi0GVmBGxBaC8KC5QzM85X4TtIN_Su4rkVEbXkc8qSRxcifwbbRmYQ5k4/s200/sensation_sewing_machine1.jpg" /></a></div>
and one of the weather vane I bought for the roof of the new studio!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb4u8bJb615sWi-fwHXSWNHNXj0Xxfm1KHuwWYRryoweWtHH3IbxEniPxte8CChcw8Vo_DheUroGyM_iceKHtzU9LCbhshe8NqCAUSI1-mDTZAF3GgbaDu_COCb_1IAo9xYaT/s1600/WH456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="199" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb4u8bJb615sWi-fwHXSWNHNXj0Xxfm1KHuwWYRryoweWtHH3IbxEniPxte8CChcw8Vo_DheUroGyM_iceKHtzU9LCbhshe8NqCAUSI1-mDTZAF3GgbaDu_COCb_1IAo9xYaT/s200/WH456.jpg" /></a></div>
Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-63702370460058849052012-01-01T14:29:00.001-08:002012-01-01T14:43:40.783-08:00well - it didn't happenDidn't happen - didn't start - the big "D" overcame me - I'm sure that many of you are familiar with that. Not living life, but going through the motions - getting up (well most days), getting dressed, going to work - and then sitting and staring off into space the rest of the time - or farming pretend cows and chickens and other mind-numbing activities at that place where we click 'like' all the time.<br /><br />I do think this is the longest time period that I have been depressed for the majority of the time - it's been 2 years - beginning when Scooter died in December of 2010 and continuing now.<br /><br />But there is always hope - I find myself crying less frequently now - sometimes only once or twice a day which is a BIG IMPROVEMENT. <br /><br />I have made some positive strides in the past year - I quit smoking - ! that's really big huh? and starting today I'm taking a diet Pepsi sabbatical. 90 days to see if I really do feel better without artificial sweeteners and carbonation.<br /><br />I've been making attempts at art - I took several classes from the wonderfully sweet <a href="http://suziblu.ning.com/">Suzi Blu</a> These are really very good classes - I did enjoy them even if I didn't participate much. They have great instruction as well as being a bit inspiring without being so sweet that my teeth hurt. I took a few classes at <a href="http://www.craftartedu.com/">Craft Edu</a> that were great. I bought tutorials on Etsy and from <a href="http://www.cforiginals.net/">Christi Freisen</a> - they are all very well written and illustrated. I also started a workshop on the <a href="http://www.strathmoreartiststudio.com/">Strathmore</a> website taught by Traci Bautista who is a very good teacher and lots of fun. I bought all the supplies and read all the coursework and went back to harvesting faux corn. I took a class at <a href="http://scarletlime.com/">Scarlet Lime</a> which was totally out of my personal comfort zone but I did learn a few things and actually did a little work - <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX1sruV08BWPAfb2aZoNz06fwaHdF4WsBCBq2FNLOtEp3HXwlIH-QB6qV75sOyNu0RuqcmKxVMNTK9T6YO7Ib-SDHmAoPY7eBd7yvdKOdV2o9SJV56rzsXYKkcX62DYhtCmYn/s1600/WIP+001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX1sruV08BWPAfb2aZoNz06fwaHdF4WsBCBq2FNLOtEp3HXwlIH-QB6qV75sOyNu0RuqcmKxVMNTK9T6YO7Ib-SDHmAoPY7eBd7yvdKOdV2o9SJV56rzsXYKkcX62DYhtCmYn/s320/WIP+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692793863067847714" /></a><br /><br /><br />not the best work but at least I moved a little paint around - but still the art supplies piled up - the work table became a store room - don't believe me? look at this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqHtL5scVl6osXvpUpKup6G-kYwTe15TddPS4fnReSKbiR9GC1Ecrzr-RBATayuPXIwd9oM-dcs9tX9QLv4Ano7e1riXYZ9-dpKag7uvNOOZFnQzInU7t0TLo256lhS2c1qVS/s1600/before+001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqHtL5scVl6osXvpUpKup6G-kYwTe15TddPS4fnReSKbiR9GC1Ecrzr-RBATayuPXIwd9oM-dcs9tX9QLv4Ano7e1riXYZ9-dpKag7uvNOOZFnQzInU7t0TLo256lhS2c1qVS/s200/before+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692794945060057330" /></a><br /><a href="http://"></a><br /><br /><br /><br />and so now it is a new year. I've signed up for this <a href="http://almastoller.blogspot.com/">STITCHED!</a> - have you heard of it? I'm so happy that I did. I met Alma Stoller several years ago at one of the ArtFiberFests (I loved those so much) - When I saw that she was coordinating this I had to sign right up and today is the first day and I am totally blown away at the quality of this project. IT IS WAY COOL - you need to go there and sign right up - okay maybe not if you don't sew - but you could LEARN TO SEW while you are there - that girl who won Project Runway didn't know how to sew and look at her! Anyway - looking at these workshops got me excited - E.X.C.I.T.E.D. - actually looking forward to something - and so, even though it is almost 3 in the afternoon and I always tell myself that I have to start things in the morning (which is an avoidance technique I think) - I'm going to dive into that pile of art supplies and even if I just shove everything into big plastic tubs ("containerize" it like the wackjob on Clean House said) - I am going to get a flat surface that I'm able to do some work on - and find one of the several sewing machines and one of the several irons and have at it - <br /><br />and try to come back here and report in less time that I got to posting this.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-46826312960996028292011-05-02T10:33:00.000-07:002011-05-02T11:36:05.564-07:00The BIG NEW PROJECT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmkuUQ69KgEeXj9J0_CKN23SjC218UfqQCU5gnSgJqY7abHCj52sQY6k4ZEXUDyTbm1YZM0SLO6JRHndoFZHK3geN5YlHF9lAR3aXy-DWBxcj7WaTrxuVsHx1KEUd3dD7tzGZ/s1600/monkey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmkuUQ69KgEeXj9J0_CKN23SjC218UfqQCU5gnSgJqY7abHCj52sQY6k4ZEXUDyTbm1YZM0SLO6JRHndoFZHK3geN5YlHF9lAR3aXy-DWBxcj7WaTrxuVsHx1KEUd3dD7tzGZ/s200/monkey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602186869665896130" /></a><br /><br />Well - things really haven't gotten better. Sweet Sedgewick the Monkey cat died suddenly last week. The sad part of having so many sweet furry children is that they eventually leave us and take a big piece of our hearts with them when they go. We are down to 2 cats and 2 dogs at Casa de Enchy, the fewest fur children that have been in residence in recent memory. We won't be adding any new kids for a while - perhaps not at all. We'll see.<br /><br />In any event - the BIG NEW PROJECT. When I was so sick in bed in January I had plenty of time to do not much more than think - and think I did. While I was thinking, I was also sometimes listening to the television - kinda. I was also really pretty medicated up. So in this medicated and extremely ill state, I partially listened to a documentary about some artist on the Ovation channel - which artist? who knows (I was sick remember?) But what I <span style="font-weight:bold;">did</span> catch was the notion of creating a 'meaningful body of work'. That phrase kept running through my head. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Meaningful body of work</span>. And I thought about my own art - and how disjointed it is - I'm made a lot of it, it really doesn't lend itself to the definition I have in my head of a 'meaningful body of work'. There are some pieces that might be termed 'meaingful' but the majority is rather insignificant.<br /><br />And so I thought about it. I thought long and hard about where I wanted to go with my art - I thought long and hard about just stopping - selling everything off or giving it away and having a tidy, normal house - one that doesn't have an art studio in the living room. One that doesn't have drawers labeled 'bones and wee skulls' or 'large rusty bits'. I thought about that quite seriously. It was like I was at some sort of precipice - live/die; art/no art; go forward/stay where i am. I need to find a focus; a clarity in my work or I needed to just hang it up. I believe the term is 'shit or get off the pot'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP6BdrXoLdCy-Nlay6nY524Jh4mMooHu813OiihkTBS1Hbhe19j5DCWjFooFCO3sHlvML8NNLp2EsScwkV2mweuja3xhgmQZ12cuxh-dOoduh_kAlSOhf7xUEvwsRsGZMQ-Tv/s1600/frida.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP6BdrXoLdCy-Nlay6nY524Jh4mMooHu813OiihkTBS1Hbhe19j5DCWjFooFCO3sHlvML8NNLp2EsScwkV2mweuja3xhgmQZ12cuxh-dOoduh_kAlSOhf7xUEvwsRsGZMQ-Tv/s320/frida.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602187461061576978" /></a><br />And so I thought about it - some more. Remember I had close to a month in bed fading in and out of dreamland - the fancy honey flavored cough syrup the doc wrote the prescription for; while it cost $75 after my insurance kicked in whatever portion they paid; did indeed give me some much needed rest and great dreams. And the month of my sickness was followed by the time I spent with Charles in the cardiac ICU. You have a lot of time to sit and think when someone you love is hooked to lots of wires and tubes. I thought and I thought. Maybe it was being surrounded by what seemed like constant death as well as my own self dancing on the brink for a bit there myself and Charles actually dying for a bit; but I kept coming back to the same place. Where did I want to go - what did I want to do? I KNEW that I wanted to create a 'substantial body of work'.<br /><br />And so, I came up with "The BIG project". It's actually called "The Shrine Project". My initial plan was to make 5 shrines a month for 10 years. Yes, I said TEN YEARS. SIX HUNDRED SHRINES In that period of time I just MIGHT come up with a meaningful body of work - If I FOCUS - because through focus we find clarity. Ten years I thought to myself. Really? TEN YEARS? You'll be 66 then I thought. But then the little voice inside me said - you'll be 66 then if you do it or not. Yes indeed - I will be 66 then if I do it or not. I could be 66 and still thinking about where I wanted to go - or I could just go there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPdwxcGMYjGfplBjjMD4sYNcoTfW2p-jlaT1oGSZB9SYMyIikpkKLNa_bErPgocaRzAu9KUu2ZjDUMhWZ5xn6bya9Qr2sjlFMhio1PdzxvQnMKLi-zrdB_WsGUioa3akGSDVY/s1600/broken.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPdwxcGMYjGfplBjjMD4sYNcoTfW2p-jlaT1oGSZB9SYMyIikpkKLNa_bErPgocaRzAu9KUu2ZjDUMhWZ5xn6bya9Qr2sjlFMhio1PdzxvQnMKLi-zrdB_WsGUioa3akGSDVY/s400/broken.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602185469336889458" /></a><br />And so begins "The Shrine Project". Of course I'm late starting it because my hands still don't really work - we'll they work, they just hurt all the time. And it's really not my hands, it my fingertips. Every minute of every day they feel like little bees are stinging them - we are working on a medication level to fix them - so far it has brought the pain down from an 8 to maybe a 6 - that is good - 8 was making me suicidal. But I also have decided that my fingertips may very well hurt for the rest of my life and I just have to suck it up.<br /><br />I haven't touched an art supply since late December - just before I got sick. And not making art didn't make my fingers feel better so I may as well just go forward and see what they can do. They are going to hurt if I use them or not - I might have to adapt, use different tools, different media - but the joy of The Shrine Project is that I can use all sorts of different media and methods. I'll be setting up another blog or maybe a website and there will be an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/enchy?ref=pr_shop">Etsy site</a> to sell the shrines because there is only so much room at Casa de Enchy. <br /><br />And so this past weekend I got out some supplies - I have to clear 4 months worth of flotsam and jetsam off the work table before I can actually accomplish anything but I have a plan. A minimum of an hour a night after work - no matter how tired I am because we all know that even when we are tired, once we start at our work tables we suddenly are refreshed. And that begins tonight - the day after Beltane - a good time for new beginnings.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted. Thanks for coming along for the ride. If you want to make some shrines with me I'll create a flickr site for us all. I won't hold you to making 600 though.<br /><br />xx<br /><br />enchyMountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-19667154586541610992011-04-11T22:10:00.000-07:002011-04-11T22:24:48.145-07:00It's been a very long timeLife has been not so great but it's taking a turn upward so I feel I can write again. My beloved Irie died last October, followed quickly by Fuzzle the same month. Frida lost her battle with cancer in November. I had H1N1 flu in late December that turned into pneumonia - I was pretty much in bed for the month of January and then had a reaction to the meds or perhaps from the virus, I developed peripheral neuropathy in my hands - which means my fingertips have felt like bees have been stinging them since the 2nd week of January. In February my beloved Charles had a heart attack, from which thankfully, he has recovered. But the same week he came home from the hospital my sweet boy dog Zeke suddenly died. And my mother has been diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.<br /><br />Things around Casa de Enchy have been pretty morose. But Spring has arrived (kind of) and the doctors are experimenting with new medications for my hands that haven't gotten rid of the pain, but have made it somewhat more manageable. <br /><br />A lot of good has actually come from the trauma of the past few months. I've had lots of time to think about art - to plan a 'big new project'. I've developed a compassion and empathy for my mother and her illnesses after being so sick - pneumonia was horrible - terrifying actually, not being able to really breathe. It was awful. And that is how she must feel every day - so now I have an idea of what her life is like and I can be more patient with her. Charles has quit smoking (after 40+ years) and is eating better - he's actually eating vegetables every day! so while his heart attack was not something I would wish on anyone, it has resulted in positive change.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-7qY_Hjf8_uaXwEWvaQqnNdQ_JoIKUtmPkvvqPTMn64yPcKLFL2ZJB9DewkyZOhCMxqoj1yGYXj_XZolOau2BeyOEtavkCFW2rtv023-mqAm2Fpd-vuYoOaHHXXa7Vu6OA2H/s1600/5571988774_2a499fb9e7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-7qY_Hjf8_uaXwEWvaQqnNdQ_JoIKUtmPkvvqPTMn64yPcKLFL2ZJB9DewkyZOhCMxqoj1yGYXj_XZolOau2BeyOEtavkCFW2rtv023-mqAm2Fpd-vuYoOaHHXXa7Vu6OA2H/s320/5571988774_2a499fb9e7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594563425833214066" /></a><br />The 'big new project' is still in development in my mind but hopefully, if the meds keep working, I'll be able to start it soon. In the meantime, here's a photo of my newest doll!<br /><br />Stay tuned.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-92000383092538889152011-02-17T11:35:00.000-08:002011-02-17T11:35:37.221-08:00Think different<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dX9GTUMh490?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-39662344024997318002010-08-16T14:56:00.000-07:002010-08-16T15:09:48.211-07:00A new projectI love taking classes at <a href="http://www.joggles.com">Joggles.com</a> - I really do. I haven't taken one in a while and signed up for a poly clay class taught by <a href="http://cforiginals.net/">Christi Friesen</a> because I haven't played with clay in a long time and I needed to push myself into doing something new. At first I thought that perhaps this project was too complicated for me, but once I got going I had a blast. Here's what I made.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoPWn7O315xYCX_nsPAHMV-isUfAorAqAZPyOZ3wIGMXIDlGcPmyrESg2xHGafwUcaAEhfue_nkueQJRbdga0pQFj10M04Nr7uARvMWi2HZrrsKa0fpZm8AKcxt5IvRD2F5Y7/s1600/2010_0520AESwaps0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoPWn7O315xYCX_nsPAHMV-isUfAorAqAZPyOZ3wIGMXIDlGcPmyrESg2xHGafwUcaAEhfue_nkueQJRbdga0pQFj10M04Nr7uARvMWi2HZrrsKa0fpZm8AKcxt5IvRD2F5Y7/s320/2010_0520AESwaps0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506131481413488258" /></a><br /><br />Pretty sweet huh? And it was lots of fun. Christi teaches lots of classes and I highly recommend taking a class from her if you get a chance. She also has some tutorials on her website - some are free, others are a nominal fee. They are great as well. Since I had the clay out I decided to try one. I made the steampunk bug but since I'm not a steampunk kinda gal, I just substituted rhinestones for the gears!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kUPbUnuQP5utLPEWxuN4DKT-YR4zOqLWnHOn4VulHzmLta5RTiSVhtp23Ru_bWcPG0uqqjj_QAozJVXpbDDFZK5tmuIFBP_clXIUpNtC5dgpPdmIdAqgi5xtPQkUWSziKwPT/s1600/2010_0503AESwaps0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kUPbUnuQP5utLPEWxuN4DKT-YR4zOqLWnHOn4VulHzmLta5RTiSVhtp23Ru_bWcPG0uqqjj_QAozJVXpbDDFZK5tmuIFBP_clXIUpNtC5dgpPdmIdAqgi5xtPQkUWSziKwPT/s320/2010_0503AESwaps0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506132703473063282" /></a><br /><br />I'm working on the Luna Moth now. These are really fun little projects that are much easier than I ever thought they'd be. I can't wait for the next class.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-27874482836772655872010-04-10T13:36:00.000-07:002010-04-10T14:36:00.619-07:00back from the edgeYes, I've been MIA - a rather deep, dark depression overcame me for a few months and I withdrew from life for awhile. But, the fog is lifting and I'm working again on some projects - YAY!<br /><br />Last month was my annual trip to Artfest - my artgirl <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/clayfaery">Sarah</a> came and hung out at Casa Enchy for a few days around the event and we had great fun, including a side trip to the Mecca for all beaders - <a href="http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/">Shipwreck Beads</a>.<br /><br />As is always the case, there were good and not so good experiences at Artfest - most importantly I had a great time with my art girls at Camp Runamuckus and met some new friends and had a lot of laughs. Sure there was art mafia drama - there always is - I don't understand the point of it all - it reminds me of middle school antics. "I won't talk to you because she said that you said . . ." or "she stole my technique" or "that was my idea and she stole it". Folks, I've been on the round earth for a very long time and let me tell you, there isn't much that's new - sure there are some innovative uses of products and sure some people do some very clever things but paintings of sad girls with big eyes and titled heads have been in and out of vogue before and gluing a bunch of found objects together has been around for nearly half a century and when it comes down to it, I just don't understand why more people can't be happy to share and nuture one another. There are lots of women who I know have my back, who are willing and eager to share ideas and encourage one another - but then, there are the others.<br /><br />It was one of the "others" that got me really thinking HARD about art and craft and who I am and who I am not - She said "I used to really admire your work but now that I know your politics, I don't like it anymore" - huh? I thought about this statement on and off for a few months - my politics? I thought a lot about my public self and my private self - about whether or not my private self should be kept a secret in order to be 'successful' as an artist. I know lots of people who present a pleasant facade at all times - they don't say anything controversial, they are all kumbaya and sweet - they post photos to their blog of beautiful little areas of their home made all soft and fuzzy with photoshop and never say a word about how they 'feel' about anything important (or perhaps they just don't think that there are issues that are worth mentioning) and that works for them but I don't think it works for me - I see too much in the world that is ugly and cruel and if it is my 'politics' to speak out about these things be they related to domestic or foreign policy and simply the way people I know treat one another, then so be it. My politics - particularly with regard to social issues and government are a vital part of who I am - and in turn, what I create.<br /><br />So that's what has been on my mind as of late - big thoughts - big issues.<br />Anyway - back to Artfest. I took some fun classes - I didn't really learn much of anything but I <span style="font-style:italic;">did</span> use materials I purchased years ago and never used so that's a good thing in itself.<br /><br />The first day I took a tin working class with <a href="http://www.liesellund.com/">Liesel Lund</a> who is an extremely kind hearted person and a great instructor. I liked her a lot. In this class I did learn something - how to use that little jewelers saw without breaking a bzillion blades. This is what I made - pretty cute huh?<br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreycJgA3Q3_n63C7reE7kRE18FzMmwgNfYJhCU4iHWeDkvzwwmu02qB5u4g0G2HTW2wA5Q5t8FU_Z7of53SnQB0-5REFXaqdGYwT4DmiCIM_Osg6_pgRmpeENayTVzoEnRPoz/s400/2010_0322AESwaps0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458616738280197202" /><br /><br /><br /><br />The 2nd day I took <a href="http://www.melissamanleystudios.com/index.htm">Melissa Manley's</a> class - I liked this class too - I particularly liked the way that Melissa explained some of the process - she reminded me of the Alton Brown of jewelry making - drawing little pictures to explain how the metal particles accept the solder - I love that stuff. I wasn't able to do the actual soldering in the class because of the height of the table set up and my arthritis issues but I watched Sarah a LOT so I think I'll be able to do it myself at home where I can set things up at a height that will work for me. This is what I made in this class - again - pretty sweet.<br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvqsB-EXDFWv3dX2-XwDyQFhVUSV7wgubRfQ3IZgDZGbJGwO7_0PrA31qIO4QIf-20tuSYfsOMjs6eOa_P8tHBnsnO9mEJ-5GptvPOVw6lTFSx4aVCdNZPFj8cCpNnYkGfDb7/s400/2010_0322AESwaps0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458618844522831906" /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />The last day was a class with Lynne Perrella that was interesting. Though I haven't worked with paper in years as I've mostly transitioned to fabric, I was drawn to the class description because of the bright colors and the technique used to apply them. Though we didn't have much time to actually work on our pieces, I got the basic idea of how some techniques were done and will apply them on a different substrate soon. My piece is far from finished and I don't think it will actually get finished because it was really just a learning piece - I might cut it up and reuse it bits of it elsewhere. But here it is. See - she's just rather floating in the air - I can forsee it taking several hours to finish her - she tacked up on the studio wall now looking at me - we'll see what happens with her.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHHyMgrAONP5ECw8RkdQyeHdbxKC1CO-q2uu_3LmkMmm-RcuDb7HyHF_z71tsn2WoO0np9nFot8KKJwF0hP8PzNNONj-jcEokUO8uu6TToZefQJeVRy82RpfEy2OYqEgR1QCb/s1600/2010_0322AESwaps0007.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHHyMgrAONP5ECw8RkdQyeHdbxKC1CO-q2uu_3LmkMmm-RcuDb7HyHF_z71tsn2WoO0np9nFot8KKJwF0hP8PzNNONj-jcEokUO8uu6TToZefQJeVRy82RpfEy2OYqEgR1QCb/s320/2010_0322AESwaps0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458622912540635378" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />This year, for the first time, I entered some pieces in the gallery show at Artfest and even though the gallery was only open for a very brief period every day, I even sold one. The theme this year was fairy tales.</div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKVnezkSPlvtbodZtbnbS95D8MDi4wQnIyOD0Pg2dK5tEaAgHnLrNyY5MPDtFQ9Hwrdcq747fB2FrLIW_ZarOC1AzDd-zdxJASlA9ExMrTIhRKrhjKxdOeEoqnS0KlVHDmUt2/s1600/alice1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKVnezkSPlvtbodZtbnbS95D8MDi4wQnIyOD0Pg2dK5tEaAgHnLrNyY5MPDtFQ9Hwrdcq747fB2FrLIW_ZarOC1AzDd-zdxJASlA9ExMrTIhRKrhjKxdOeEoqnS0KlVHDmUt2/s200/alice1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623650713911874" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPSIX1bTjZVmqHOz9UA1_aj5VAmabpYPX5hhbel8n54waeeVG2gy7mAwAKDGpdmC7UJoCajscN06C6TNV6fxlFEqIutFcxNAd18U3IjmMRfhSwYkMoXZ5AFgp8uRfTQFRsibr/s1600/alice2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPSIX1bTjZVmqHOz9UA1_aj5VAmabpYPX5hhbel8n54waeeVG2gy7mAwAKDGpdmC7UJoCajscN06C6TNV6fxlFEqIutFcxNAd18U3IjmMRfhSwYkMoXZ5AFgp8uRfTQFRsibr/s200/alice2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623925929866578" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkKz29kWAXkQxgR2R1iIsb5NQVOVFkPc83O0tKJAdEhpORsrZWhZwe287PRObCKxwd7bdeMKvRibznN8YYjgDrO0rRz56eVaA0DRu97ctsdlC4uzb8IF6qqu5ojLBWsGVzCsC/s1600/red.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkKz29kWAXkQxgR2R1iIsb5NQVOVFkPc83O0tKJAdEhpORsrZWhZwe287PRObCKxwd7bdeMKvRibznN8YYjgDrO0rRz56eVaA0DRu97ctsdlC4uzb8IF6qqu5ojLBWsGVzCsC/s200/red.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458624179617072146" /></a><br /><br /><br />So you may be thinking "yeah, yeah, yeah - where are the bead?" - they'll be back soon - I promise.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-12109876753557654872009-10-28T11:53:00.001-07:002009-10-28T12:44:54.618-07:00It's nearly November.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55J3T1V3l02qi8YusIf6Ec8xgUy0vbRw007vEK603zGFb5sUwIgazGZnyKAEZaJk7ddraAZ6npzhuCwt6c4_ExPWZ03y5UnAI5g8McK21lnA_XYxMxi0w3I8zThjDj99Hc0f/s1600-h/cabinets.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55J3T1V3l02qi8YusIf6Ec8xgUy0vbRw007vEK603zGFb5sUwIgazGZnyKAEZaJk7ddraAZ6npzhuCwt6c4_ExPWZ03y5UnAI5g8McK21lnA_XYxMxi0w3I8zThjDj99Hc0f/s400/cabinets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397736380388354914" /></a><br />It's been quite a while since I updated this blog (so much for my good intentions). We've been working on a tiny bit of remodeling of the house and taken over a great deal of my time. Charles textured the walls and repainted in the kitchen/dining room and I've been working on painting loteria card images on the cabinet doors and sewing curtains. I still have quite a bit of work to do but hopefully, it will be done by the holidays. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Dx50NglrOcnC8zO90CUZpL_ife5KWjZREs2_P1n2gao4RYdK-EHWU-Qy9NlMmZKTZW8lBZO8TyTeb7VZpBYSrEqlOThFqzwOb34TfRBe4vMPv8TiXSUv9zVKLsGtdikSviFz/s1600-h/cabinet.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Dx50NglrOcnC8zO90CUZpL_ife5KWjZREs2_P1n2gao4RYdK-EHWU-Qy9NlMmZKTZW8lBZO8TyTeb7VZpBYSrEqlOThFqzwOb34TfRBe4vMPv8TiXSUv9zVKLsGtdikSviFz/s400/cabinet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397736291080641714" /></a>.<br />I suppose we could finish jobs more easily if we didn't have so many occurring simultaneously. We've been working on the studio as well and have converted one of the bedrooms into the supply storage/my dressing area. So we've been tearing up the last of the carpeting, laying tile, painting and reorganizing, purging and repurposing. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hjTRzGDiL9mNFDoZML6OdSKUInhrekkRCFZ3A0brOsIZOC__p6SvreqdcoX28LVNsNfDhjvZQCg0HpOGJF_atlYHa55AAkmeMUIQqO2hWbJ-15XvZoOk5bdVBo1wveGLHt6L/s1600-h/pink.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hjTRzGDiL9mNFDoZML6OdSKUInhrekkRCFZ3A0brOsIZOC__p6SvreqdcoX28LVNsNfDhjvZQCg0HpOGJF_atlYHa55AAkmeMUIQqO2hWbJ-15XvZoOk5bdVBo1wveGLHt6L/s400/pink.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397736585271592370" /></a><br />I've also been working on some little projects for C&T Publishing - here are a few of them:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tQgnrQzUUmH5iJECQowkcRrVwXcgFtDaiwDwDMdEUlc5dFSHTGZwzFow7JU6KkEIYEDWyLugchtbekihyphenhyphenp6-Ke-88KXanbfjDjKTanp2h3h9BAMbAkbj6LrD9KO1yxV7lDtA/s1600-h/3996015616_75397b4378_o.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tQgnrQzUUmH5iJECQowkcRrVwXcgFtDaiwDwDMdEUlc5dFSHTGZwzFow7JU6KkEIYEDWyLugchtbekihyphenhyphenp6-Ke-88KXanbfjDjKTanp2h3h9BAMbAkbj6LrD9KO1yxV7lDtA/s400/3996015616_75397b4378_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738170903732658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g0A28zXkpOLa_keWvW_RDIHsqzJ-0kvkFw9fMrSeuMw8FIk5SftiIXCnl18Ccf0D6pS83TZ03ghSsmDZ6e6gHjFuZwP6i99SOWzIsuG-8vtSTNqij1RLEknMtCno_-ru1NI5/s1600-h/3995254885_275320afe0_o.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6g0A28zXkpOLa_keWvW_RDIHsqzJ-0kvkFw9fMrSeuMw8FIk5SftiIXCnl18Ccf0D6pS83TZ03ghSsmDZ6e6gHjFuZwP6i99SOWzIsuG-8vtSTNqij1RLEknMtCno_-ru1NI5/s400/3995254885_275320afe0_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738166823092242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_5cfO2AUMmZKstc-YTaVZ7TqURepcYl78YzSxke1pRnZF94_4UlCIhEsgXC6tYcRPk5oDnEIe3lEB9EAsJlYbF9xs-O-skGKmzc8gvX7FWMeMj986ovdwHTFOubDhS0GUUR_/s1600-h/3995251389_12e385a80a_o.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_5cfO2AUMmZKstc-YTaVZ7TqURepcYl78YzSxke1pRnZF94_4UlCIhEsgXC6tYcRPk5oDnEIe3lEB9EAsJlYbF9xs-O-skGKmzc8gvX7FWMeMj986ovdwHTFOubDhS0GUUR_/s400/3995251389_12e385a80a_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738157580356930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynB4f5VfN7-0RekYR1TremR3nbG3I2t3MoffmFg1pwBxM1kIlAYyDxuM_KP0bhNQO8k4of250UNVAo20ocYkMXHCCWDjo6W1HXSCU0iUx1-3iIxsA3h_gcUEeZrywTl4cWXU2/s1600-h/3995250807_643d99893e_o.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynB4f5VfN7-0RekYR1TremR3nbG3I2t3MoffmFg1pwBxM1kIlAYyDxuM_KP0bhNQO8k4of250UNVAo20ocYkMXHCCWDjo6W1HXSCU0iUx1-3iIxsA3h_gcUEeZrywTl4cWXU2/s400/3995250807_643d99893e_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738151720796018" /></a><br /><br />The beads will be coming out again this weekend. I need to finish up the last bits of the Bead Journal Project pieces for this year and get ready for the coming round. Registration is now open for the third round of the project so get yourself over to the <a href="http://www.beadjournalproject.com/reg.htm">website</a> to read the details and sign up!Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-64837846745735287602009-07-29T09:42:00.000-07:002009-07-29T10:02:43.075-07:00July page continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNrs8xechGiiOlHcBNHXDpsIXHC0zkU_eIbNgVaYZRJm88Q8mwlln9V6pQbWulMAitYM54YB6aCqzaqJN1RXoWBIDu_jfkVJUtBM49xNKu4g_AuR5zGtlVR3Hez7BgiEZJWmP/s1600-h/3769375196_a32421dafc_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNrs8xechGiiOlHcBNHXDpsIXHC0zkU_eIbNgVaYZRJm88Q8mwlln9V6pQbWulMAitYM54YB6aCqzaqJN1RXoWBIDu_jfkVJUtBM49xNKu4g_AuR5zGtlVR3Hez7BgiEZJWmP/s400/3769375196_a32421dafc_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363928363098055730" /></a><br />It's been unreasonably hot in the Pacific NW - though I grew up in the midwest, it's been a long time since I've had to live in weather that is in the 90's with 50% humidity. Today the heat is supposed to climb to over 100 which would be a record for this area. I've been thinking about childhood summers spent in Michigan because of this heat and remembering summer vacations that we would take. Quite often we would go 'up north' to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where there were lakes and streams and waterfalls and, my favorite, tourist attractions. I have old photos of me as a child standing next to Paul Bunyon and Babe his blue ox statues, pictures in front of waterfalls and in parks full of cement dinosaurs. One of my fondest memories is the summer we spent at Grand Marais on Lake Superior and walking the beaches looking for agates and visiting places where there were old log slides into Lake Superior and the bowl-like look of the water with their concentric rings in various shades of turquoise, blues and greens. The rings were like the agates in a way. I spent the rest of that summer with my little toy rock tumbler polishing up stones we found on the lake shore. I wish I still had some of the souvenirs from those times - I do, however, have an old silver and turquoise ring with an oval stone quite similar to the one in the upper corner of my July page.<br /><br />When I started working on the July Bead Journal Project page, I really didn't know where I was going. I hadn't beaded in June and was kind of 'stuck' and remembered what I'd read in one of Robin's books about just picking some fabric, picking and bead and beginning and that's what I did. Now the work is turning into the concentric rings of agates and Lake Superior. I'll have to see where it goes from here, but hopefully I'll finish this weekend.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-76933915588611024052009-07-22T09:33:00.000-07:002009-07-22T09:48:24.835-07:00Bead Muse Returns from Vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUTbc-JjLBG7Fmnp301538VQ3Ca-5v7ABrdGyV9NIHxNKAV8GmzALG2owoFm6ymjiu_Syg5BX-z5GZi6Ci5oXvdAJ2F1PT_OnhyphenhyphenI86HHPcShACqZsZgw9mLtyJYOK8qldAkCm/s1600-h/3746510738_92d0061cb7_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUTbc-JjLBG7Fmnp301538VQ3Ca-5v7ABrdGyV9NIHxNKAV8GmzALG2owoFm6ymjiu_Syg5BX-z5GZi6Ci5oXvdAJ2F1PT_OnhyphenhyphenI86HHPcShACqZsZgw9mLtyJYOK8qldAkCm/s400/3746510738_92d0061cb7_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361324095771534866" /></a><br />It appears that my bead muse has returned from her extensive vacation. It's been quite a few weeks since I did any bead embroidery - it just wasn't in me. I puttered with other things but the beads were always in the back of my head. This past weekend as I was organizing some supplies I came across a small bag of various stone cabs and the bead muse suddenly flew into the room and I started stitching again. I'm not certain where this is going but I'm quite pleased with it for now. <br /><br />The Bead Journal Project is nearly over for this year and a new round will start next January. If you are interested in participating, be certain to check out the <a href="http://www.beadjournalproject.com">website </a> as updates will be posted there. There is also an announcement only Yahoo list that will post updates on registration times. If you would like to be added to this list, just let me know and I'll send you an invitation or go <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beadjournalproject/?yguid=189695437">here</a> and join.<br /><br />I've had a 'little helper' in the studio lately. My baby dog Zakk feels the need to lay on one of the studio work tables so that he can look out the window. He takes over the two cat beds that are there (and the cats are soooo not amused). I think he is jealous of the big dogs because they can just stand at the window and look out but he is so much smaller than them that he prefers to get on the table. He cracks me up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzteqG0SZWhjD9By3UgR_mPYWrQaKUi9ytmiaDKt_c98gv2LvwB29S1e_sgAC553OtHt2zOIdAYfzrty1NCLcKT8vG6m6CZy3_Pra_7bTE_RK6mrFFrbi6uXSvQAZsj70lo-/s1600-h/zakkwaits"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtzteqG0SZWhjD9By3UgR_mPYWrQaKUi9ytmiaDKt_c98gv2LvwB29S1e_sgAC553OtHt2zOIdAYfzrty1NCLcKT8vG6m6CZy3_Pra_7bTE_RK6mrFFrbi6uXSvQAZsj70lo-/s200/zakkwaits" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361325649877769058" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaGB0V6rmGNyJb-S67XKdDdLICnRhyphenhypheniwXbLHcfwUmIfNuYhMsupiyFU00AZkKoCJs-zkjsdLoRQvUgC2eo2-IsIkX3fEovpWxYTuLm6T9c7pV8j-CwP3lk1tAOZE_HIaaifRa/s1600-h/zakktable"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaGB0V6rmGNyJb-S67XKdDdLICnRhyphenhypheniwXbLHcfwUmIfNuYhMsupiyFU00AZkKoCJs-zkjsdLoRQvUgC2eo2-IsIkX3fEovpWxYTuLm6T9c7pV8j-CwP3lk1tAOZE_HIaaifRa/s200/zakktable" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361325985231966114" /></a>Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-8491046361046237872009-07-13T09:45:00.000-07:002009-07-13T09:50:59.929-07:00Missing: Bead Muse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrH8KILd1Zsesp-zILyVBquXGWqj_oT3Ac9QVyn_Ke0rg1kXz-ph_epu2ezyYJw5dR70tb8m3ZI0AgtzYuR0A3aAud_1RVHvJ9-7E1X5rtAh2rVkDzhTi4ejokIjm_nWlUvHp/s1600-h/3714867587_362cb42445_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrH8KILd1Zsesp-zILyVBquXGWqj_oT3Ac9QVyn_Ke0rg1kXz-ph_epu2ezyYJw5dR70tb8m3ZI0AgtzYuR0A3aAud_1RVHvJ9-7E1X5rtAh2rVkDzhTi4ejokIjm_nWlUvHp/s400/3714867587_362cb42445_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357987388160961634" /></a><br />So the bead embroidery fairy seems to have left me temporarily and I can't seem to find her. I have, however, been sewing little fabric collage quilties. Here's another one. This one amuses me to no end. I don't know who the little girl is - I found her image in my 'stash' and loved the little smug look on her face. Someone asked what the number refers to - it really refers to nothing. I found that little ribbon on the floor in the 'art asylum' at ArtFiberFest several years ago and tucked it into my bag. It surfaced again when I was working on this piece. If you knew how much 'stuff' there is in my 'studio' (aka room of stuff), you'd know what a miraculous effort it must have taken for this wee ribbon to work its' way to the top of the heap, so I felt that it needed to be included (along with the odd green safety pin) in this 'badass' quilty.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-5332864946360138592009-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:002009-07-07T10:32:30.794-07:00Happy Birthday Frida (a day late)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNkpeUeOKO44XFPka3z96XxauolORQ7EFRdjpTs1l8SCzHOH6UPL9-rTst9nUXxhlVfKgxrJlvJRPlY0ni8IbP4gxhFstJQ6sXDAdPYVCZrZhVyw5ENTgbgShksS9pNRg4K9Y/s1600-h/3691364037_6ae84d6b35_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNkpeUeOKO44XFPka3z96XxauolORQ7EFRdjpTs1l8SCzHOH6UPL9-rTst9nUXxhlVfKgxrJlvJRPlY0ni8IbP4gxhFstJQ6sXDAdPYVCZrZhVyw5ENTgbgShksS9pNRg4K9Y/s400/3691364037_6ae84d6b35_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355772397242372770" /></a><br />I worked on this over the weekend and meant to post it yesterday in honor of Frida's birthday. I'm working through the collage camp videos from KC Willis and learning so much new stuff (I love learning new stuff!). I have about 15 new fabric collages in various stages of completion - most awaiting treasures that are coming in the mail - rhinestones and vintage millinery flowers and hatchets - yes, hatchets - isn't that intriguing?<br /><br />More later. . .Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-57584441513233659702009-06-24T17:55:00.000-07:002009-06-24T18:04:19.642-07:00A very cool thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YFm0iUBavgKBJ5uTs5_zYGKMoOK2uMqI4l8SoHI700oUkR-G0pYQ1q_oiK4T9R9bU_Fd9pT1kjRDPyszj6mENwSdQnBdrlOdIPmbF5cw9pLG80klGF9Ifk4fBUprmK2KpmwZ/s1600-h/lotta+crabtree.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YFm0iUBavgKBJ5uTs5_zYGKMoOK2uMqI4l8SoHI700oUkR-G0pYQ1q_oiK4T9R9bU_Fd9pT1kjRDPyszj6mENwSdQnBdrlOdIPmbF5cw9pLG80klGF9Ifk4fBUprmK2KpmwZ/s400/lotta+crabtree.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351064358578983074" /></a><br />As I've written before, I'm participating in K.C.Willis' Collage Camp and Mixed Media Mania classes and am learning a ton and have lots of fun (finished projects coming soon, I promise). Well KC is beginning to offer Studio Retreats right at her very own Lipstick Ranch in Colorado. How cool is that? I'm starting to save my pennies right now because I don't want to miss out on this opportunity. What a great way to have a vacation - I can't think of a better one - KC provides everything you need - no schlepping the sewing machine and a suitcase of supplies across the country. I can tell you from personal experience, that can get to be a real drag. At the Studio Retreats you just show up and make art. Like I said before, how cool is that?<br /><br />If you want to learn more just go <a href="http://studioretreats.ning.com/">here</a>. Tell KC I sent ya'. And to temp you even more - here's a sample of her amazing work!Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-42924572756018610682009-06-23T12:45:00.000-07:002009-06-23T12:50:59.116-07:00Paper and Fabric (and beads?) Oh My!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxSha2f0QLtaWPcwHQpeIqD8AbHSZruH3j32TAM7Aw444puMwSJF4HejB-2YUOtox-6BSfSL2SdXCGk_F2kHIW2-rq_dnVE18fPLnGjulDltvr-AXdMx8e8Mn2XQsT5N-JvBk/s1600-h/3652375095_17ef0955f1_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxSha2f0QLtaWPcwHQpeIqD8AbHSZruH3j32TAM7Aw444puMwSJF4HejB-2YUOtox-6BSfSL2SdXCGk_F2kHIW2-rq_dnVE18fPLnGjulDltvr-AXdMx8e8Mn2XQsT5N-JvBk/s400/3652375095_17ef0955f1_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350612891042366098" /></a><br />This is one of the projects that I'm working on in that on-line Joggles.com class with <a href="http://www.plainjanestudio.com/">Jane LaFazio</a>. When I first started the project I got a little overwhelmed. Do WHAT? and then huh? - but I plugged along, following the directions (sort of), the whole time thinking "well this is a bunch of crap" and then lo and behold, when I got to the final step I liked it. This is fabric and watercolor paper and a lot of gel medium. I think that I would like to do this again but BIG and in just fabric with a lot of Steam-A-Seam instead of medium. I also think that this needs a few beads? What do you think?Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-9757813451976131932009-06-21T13:47:00.000-07:002009-06-21T13:56:55.098-07:00May is finally completed -<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohOc0xuoER-v-IJQh-7R7ZaFPIJ-wqkCw3p4ZNhhHUS9ptxQAmf7VXcr9bXnHAQ5uv8N3RGRp91YGHljcpxdY4yaWYg8GgKpoXTwCTn-WM3dSxfYh_2TXs5g76kMt4PzW8IA9/s1600-h/2009_0621AESwaps0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohOc0xuoER-v-IJQh-7R7ZaFPIJ-wqkCw3p4ZNhhHUS9ptxQAmf7VXcr9bXnHAQ5uv8N3RGRp91YGHljcpxdY4yaWYg8GgKpoXTwCTn-WM3dSxfYh_2TXs5g76kMt4PzW8IA9/s400/2009_0621AESwaps0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349887677864239698" /></a><br />It took a good long while but my May Bead Journal Project page is finally completed and I can move on to my June page (though I doubt it will be completed during these last few remaining days in the month). I'm also participating in <a href="http://collagecamp.ning.com/">Collage Camp</a>, taking a class with <a href="http://www.plainjanestudio.com/">Jane LaFazio</a> at <a href="http://www.joggles.com/">Joggles</a> and am getting geared up to participate in the shrine segment of <a href="http://mixedmediamania.ning.com/">Mixed Media Mania</a>. My plate is full, it seems like all the sewing machines are running at once (oh if only I could really accomplish that) and the studio is a giant heap of fabric and trim and beads (with the occasional cat napping in the middle) so I should have something completed soon to share. There are numerous projects in various stages of construction and I need to simply sit down and finish them. I did finish the May page, so there is hope for me.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-56918219834117221122009-06-11T06:15:00.000-07:002009-06-11T06:21:30.017-07:00Speaking of beads . . .My old friend Kelly is an amazing jewelry artist. When I first started accumulating beads I thought I'd make jewelry but I just don't have the eye for it. I look at a pile of beads and wire and findings and say "hmmmm I wonder if I could somehow sew that together instead?", hence the bead embroidery came to pass. But Kelly has been making jewelry for years and she keeps getting better and better. I hadn't stopped by her website for awhile and when I did I was blown away, not just because of her great jewelry, but because of the amazing contest she is having on her blog. She is giving away her stash - yes - <span style="font-weight:bold;">her stash</span>. You know - those odds and ends that you have little bits of or you know you'll never use but someone else would love? Yes, those. Giving them away. Want to find out how you can win them? Go check out her blog - <a href="http://silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com/">Silver Parrot</a>.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-74604358441374980832009-06-02T11:01:00.000-07:002009-06-02T11:32:07.191-07:00Gone Camping<a href="http://collagecamp.ning.com/"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsKR8kP7A1X3jFqe7Z85XFHLtnpWzGPzuhxkYPu4HFLnjGuvtLx8rDojwBydVRatQJUmWdEtLiZnQXIqIxU8dO0J6wBlvYzycYgfAkJGFMlCe-z7qj8GKbngmEwvI37g_dxSc/s1600-h/workshopwidget165redo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsKR8kP7A1X3jFqe7Z85XFHLtnpWzGPzuhxkYPu4HFLnjGuvtLx8rDojwBydVRatQJUmWdEtLiZnQXIqIxU8dO0J6wBlvYzycYgfAkJGFMlCe-z7qj8GKbngmEwvI37g_dxSc/s400/workshopwidget165redo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342793089558308274" /></a></a><br />Well my idea of camping - since 'roughing it' in my book is a hotel without room service, the thought of actually *camp camping* is the furthest thing from my mind when I think of a summer vacation. Instead I've discovered a most wonderful camp experience that I can enjoy in the privacy of my own home (or back yard if I use the laptop) <a href="http://collagecamp.ning.com/">Collage Camp!</a> - how amazingly cool is that. KC Willis of <a href="http://www.lipstickranch.com/">Lipstick Ranch</a> fame has opened an art camp on line - with videos and a community and your own page to post your work, you learn new things and have the opportunity to share and get feedback from all the other amazing folks that are there. We share tips on finding supplies and there's even a section on errors others have made so we can avoid them (like wait for glue to dry before you sew - I've done that one myself a few times). So, if you are interested in fabric collage, check it out.<br /><br />KC also has some <a href="http://mixedmediamania.ning.com/">new mixed media classes</a> starting as well - Altered Book Workshop, Altars and Shrines and Works on Paper. I'll probably be taking one or two of those later in the summer - they look amazinging fun.<br /><br />I really encourage you to try one of the on-class class experiences. I learn a lot and really enjoy these experiences - in a different way than say going to ArtFest, but I learn every bit as much, plus there's the added advantage of working at your own pace and on your own schedule (and not wearing shoes - that helps too). With so many people facing financial uncertainty and not going on a proper vacation, taking one of these classes can be a relatively inexpensive way to have some special 'me' time. Plus there is the perk of meeting new people on line who share the same interests as you. Give it a shot - I know you'll like it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o2SNVeOm7K_Wi1DZSTaklr6V2nTzFLbKbTsWEvUR4qDF5Y7QzcoOMGFS1vqfAYz7VIiEDvmWvSIVHiF8WVgqd97uZfpm5kqIC0mxlXGyN-InVhCk051xE_Qy3fJYp4hNDUPb/s1600-h/3582741524_95714bd543_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9o2SNVeOm7K_Wi1DZSTaklr6V2nTzFLbKbTsWEvUR4qDF5Y7QzcoOMGFS1vqfAYz7VIiEDvmWvSIVHiF8WVgqd97uZfpm5kqIC0mxlXGyN-InVhCk051xE_Qy3fJYp4hNDUPb/s320/3582741524_95714bd543_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342796581779164946" /></a><br /><br />In the meantime, my plate is pretty full. I'm taking another amazing class from <a href="http://www.plainjanestudio.com/">Jane LaFazio</a> at <a href="http://www.joggles.com/onlineclasses.htm">Joggles.com</a>. I had such a great time and learned so much in the last class I took from her (even though I never finished my projects), I had to take another when I saw it posted. The first week was all about painting backgrounds for our little art quilts - I had a BLAST-A-RAMA! I love love love splashing paint around and dug out some stencils and stamps and played with those too. I knew there was a reason I kept so many of my supplies from the old rubber stamping days - you never know when this stuff is going to come in handy. Here are a couple of my backgrounds - if you want to see the rest, journey over to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/enchylatta/">my flickr page</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cDbOyjLB91DDXE6LT3BKB0KnDplTOrpCct32LWdvDVokt30wA0xIE3bA-gVieMjVeVoTV0BuCPTfs8nAhctGiWx1QY6Jv20_3WW0kdnTP69QmFRwu5alaGy1vkkST07d-4VL/s1600-h/3581938495_0a5e30bfbd_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cDbOyjLB91DDXE6LT3BKB0KnDplTOrpCct32LWdvDVokt30wA0xIE3bA-gVieMjVeVoTV0BuCPTfs8nAhctGiWx1QY6Jv20_3WW0kdnTP69QmFRwu5alaGy1vkkST07d-4VL/s320/3581938495_0a5e30bfbd_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342796295355437634" /></a><br /><br /><br />And of course last, but never least, the project most dear to my heart - the <a href="http://www.beadjournalproject.com/">Bead Journal Project</a> page for May is still in progress. It seems like I slow down the beading in the summer and summer has amazingly come to the Pacific Northwest. But I am plugging along on the May page and since I have a brilliant idea for June (okay - it's brilliant in my mind, we'll see how it goes), I have new motivation to finish May and begin June. Here's how the May page looks at the moment. Not much more to go and I can put the purple and gray beads away and take out something more colorful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IR6ce20hC5XUWtAPR1Tg3nZA4TNlpc8Yul79gQ2dqjpZSwqyLtY8x0rtUsT80QcChIn3MOAOGLn0YjX4nWAD-5i2ihTBuWPqkyNKbTanS5_HOAkPlehxx2epROGg_ok9GtAP/s1600-h/3564062596_aa0a792d22_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IR6ce20hC5XUWtAPR1Tg3nZA4TNlpc8Yul79gQ2dqjpZSwqyLtY8x0rtUsT80QcChIn3MOAOGLn0YjX4nWAD-5i2ihTBuWPqkyNKbTanS5_HOAkPlehxx2epROGg_ok9GtAP/s320/3564062596_aa0a792d22_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342797569189955490" /></a>Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-82989278938663142472009-05-31T16:24:00.000-07:002009-05-31T16:25:15.465-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Inux5uDUjvvOsxAkt1mrpkRgrYy885uer9iu6m9wYe0E8qqko1PtN5hvJyBuioSlLS7Kblv7Nq_bKxslcLRH-hqghbTWmLvDTJN8Tzu4fbNviGtpBgd0-ANb6VAsQRsS1KC3/s1600-h/4518_1179479887099_1231205466_30490176_1859443_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Inux5uDUjvvOsxAkt1mrpkRgrYy885uer9iu6m9wYe0E8qqko1PtN5hvJyBuioSlLS7Kblv7Nq_bKxslcLRH-hqghbTWmLvDTJN8Tzu4fbNviGtpBgd0-ANb6VAsQRsS1KC3/s400/4518_1179479887099_1231205466_30490176_1859443_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342133152107061458" /></a>Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-17315836332694114612009-05-28T15:24:00.000-07:002009-05-28T15:31:26.731-07:00My Studio Wall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi_zE2EJxlBUAfdyO3H-BPF3Q18MlbRrRDgImFne7ZuPXxyCg6_R9vGNB-icd3Y_o7BIgIRdhi5gtc4YX8ekPU6iSJgxq5xwiy2zLxh75a9tLMfvS6bGKNdi_JnNSIIszqMx4/s1600-h/3560429749_d5c7924d29_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi_zE2EJxlBUAfdyO3H-BPF3Q18MlbRrRDgImFne7ZuPXxyCg6_R9vGNB-icd3Y_o7BIgIRdhi5gtc4YX8ekPU6iSJgxq5xwiy2zLxh75a9tLMfvS6bGKNdi_JnNSIIszqMx4/s400/3560429749_d5c7924d29_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341005201260791602" /></a><br />We've been doing lots of renovating/redecorating at home lately. Charles has been out of work and between looking for a new job and practicing his guitar, he's been tackling chores around the house - boring things like re-caulking the bathroom and the windows and fun things (well fun for me) like texturing and painting walls. He even rebuilt my range and painted it black. His industriousness rubbed off on me and I've been doing a ruthless purge and organizing of the studio. While most of the projects aren't ready for viewing quite yet - one wall of the studio is ready and I'm so pleased with it. It features art from some of my friends and some of my own as well. It makes it a pleasure to step into the studio, even when I don't think I have the energy or enthusiasm to work. The wall makes me all warm and tingly - reminding of good times with friends and sipping on a cup of coffee and looking at the wall for a few minutes usually gets my muse fired up to get out the supplies and work - even if I only have a short time available. Like Martha would say 'it's a good thing'.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-41109994906429141712009-05-25T20:05:00.000-07:002009-05-25T20:12:31.533-07:00Slow but steady<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGa8W8OFA-gFRh68jrJrdX6br7gcPiA_SPDNWHOXlwoKBUjE4ErHWk0rXOrO-lXeDrXylXzRtxCKI_OT0Z5YkdNLtR8Po2omUusgb0RxxviVQNGS8CMUR8RlqqoGEhZTDMiag/s1600-h/2009_0525AESwaps0001.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGa8W8OFA-gFRh68jrJrdX6br7gcPiA_SPDNWHOXlwoKBUjE4ErHWk0rXOrO-lXeDrXylXzRtxCKI_OT0Z5YkdNLtR8Po2omUusgb0RxxviVQNGS8CMUR8RlqqoGEhZTDMiag/s400/2009_0525AESwaps0001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339965211520205778" /></a><br />I've had a summer cold - or allergies - or something that has made it difficult to sit and bead - having my head bent down at 'beading angle' causes incredible sinus pain so I can only work for short periods of time. I've been working on the May Bead Journal Project page a little bit every day for the past couple of weeks and am finally nearing completion which is a good thing because I already have a plan for the June page.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-64371936144407916652009-05-12T09:20:00.000-07:002009-05-12T09:31:52.899-07:00And on to May<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzUbNQzEh65x5Egv88-g4tFdBYwDBJLQXfyc5uDdW9ZVkXSQJVc4RquI9Hsap7PkOkIx37edqw32dNwcGv3G_uCXwDzw4iFptsmz4chlBKFJn50Bng7mySGem9LVd5sHah64g/s1600-h/3524302544_4049123fbb_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzUbNQzEh65x5Egv88-g4tFdBYwDBJLQXfyc5uDdW9ZVkXSQJVc4RquI9Hsap7PkOkIx37edqw32dNwcGv3G_uCXwDzw4iFptsmz4chlBKFJn50Bng7mySGem9LVd5sHah64g/s400/3524302544_4049123fbb_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334975983916881474" /></a><br />I was stumped for the May Bead Journal Project page. Sometimes the most difficult thing is just beginning. I fondled many beads many times looking for inspiration, remembering what <a href="http://www.robinatkins.com/">Robin Atkins</a> writes in one of her books about just picking some fabric, picking a bead that speaks to you and sewing it on. But it just wasn't happening. Due to many forces the beads weren't singing to me - the only ones I gravitated to were dull, gray, sad little beads because my world seemed pretty gray and dull. And so, I brought out a little pile of sad gray beads and found the little slab of cut stone with some gray in it. Then I of course needed fabric and as I went through my stash I realized that I don't really have any dull, gray, sad fabric but I did find a fat quarter of some dull lavender and grabbed that. I set about to prepare my surface, pre-washing and ironing and tacking on the wool felt backing and began to sew the focal bead when I read the words printed on the fabric "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid". I hadn't really even noticed the print on the fabric before I sat down to work with it. But the words 'be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid' began to make perfect sense for this piece. I started with the knotted up, enclosed focal bead and then started to 'be bold'. It will be interesting to see where this goes.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-74179802810845484762009-04-30T13:31:00.000-07:002009-04-30T13:36:02.310-07:00My April ArtFest Bead Journal Page is done!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist4sM5hqVUA7cK4Nznf1ZiiUk-STOXBFwOGJTNPyqw9Yja3c__BmdSsiexmhjPo_3P4Mxz537-XYPaTOjCWvDyT6zp8OzxXRR5Ph8M886lLSfrOaGXIiaVRrWGHk2pwkRn0Ld/s1600-h/3487384791_c67d517ae6_o.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEist4sM5hqVUA7cK4Nznf1ZiiUk-STOXBFwOGJTNPyqw9Yja3c__BmdSsiexmhjPo_3P4Mxz537-XYPaTOjCWvDyT6zp8OzxXRR5Ph8M886lLSfrOaGXIiaVRrWGHk2pwkRn0Ld/s320/3487384791_c67d517ae6_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330585913762621410" /></a><br />And just in the nick of time, seeing as it's the last day of April - oh how I hope Spring really is on the way.<br /><br />This page was a total departure from the norm for me and was a lot of fun - once I got over the 'it all has to be color-balanced' I had a lot of fun. As I wrote last time, there are many things on this page that were collected during ArtFest, so if they don't make sense to you - well that would be because they really aren't connected in any other way.<br /><br />Now I'm off to think of what to do for May.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717124.post-88010064195659361552009-04-20T14:25:00.000-07:002009-04-20T14:32:56.421-07:00The Dogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZCf_KtgZIXbloZSLGvgourVGTlKdgpA7cKZAFm24-YlS_oJ5hVXrZWrrbCnF5gRQYeCXeQqzszqmGT3WUxG46qQTWR5UoVGJZQC7XSAbgCHa56Q8r-_FQBqzKWDVaVNA-rBG/s1600-h/3dogs.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZCf_KtgZIXbloZSLGvgourVGTlKdgpA7cKZAFm24-YlS_oJ5hVXrZWrrbCnF5gRQYeCXeQqzszqmGT3WUxG46qQTWR5UoVGJZQC7XSAbgCHa56Q8r-_FQBqzKWDVaVNA-rBG/s320/3dogs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326889733858354658" /></a><br />Some of you know that I'm owned by four dogs (well there are six cats too but they aren't quite so demanding). I've updated pictures of them on the sidebar. Irie is my old grumpy bossy girl. Every time I think she's on her last legs, she surprises me by chasing Zakk up the hill. Zeke is the same age as Irie, but since he extends very little energy (i.e. he's a slug) he doesn't seem quite as old. Zeke's best trick is laying down to eat and grabbing everyone's food bowls with his paw and pulling them over to him so he can finish their food as well.<br /><br />When we got Mushu, my son and his wife were VERY concerned. She's a Tibetan Mastiff, Rottweiler, Pit Bull mix - they were certain she'd be quite vicious - she's anything BUT - she's the sweetest girl in the world and loves to be brushed and to snuggle up with you in bed. Like I always say 'punish the deed, not the breed'.<br /><br />Zakk? well Zakk is another story - a wild boy - still not totally housebroken but are terriers EVER totally housebroken? He's very smart and very inquisitive and very cute and he totally loves Charles - they are two peas in a pod those two.<br /><br />And that is the update on the dogs.Mountain Salt Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08590043489196088927noreply@blogger.com1