Ready for Fall!

When I go to the big scrap-book retreat soon, everyone has been encouraged to get in the Halloween spirit, decorating our work tables, bringing fall favors, and even dressing up in costumes one day.  Here are the table decorations I plan to take.  All the deep oranges and greens and golds look so festive.  And crazy as it sounds, I also plan to wear a very silly costume.  It's been fun putting it all together.  This will be a super fun event for everyone! 

Sunflowers in the fall

This is a painting I did from a photo I took in Mountainair, New Mexico.  It was during their sunflower festival.  Most flowers grow wild along the side of the road and in fields.  The weather was perfect, with soft puffy clouds up above.  

Journal of Random Thoughts

One of my daughters gave me a journal for Christmas.  This year I've decided to add "oodles of doodles", along with random thoughts, events, and moments of gratitude.

25 Days of Chocolates Advent Project

This was a fun project for me to put together:  25 days of different chocolates.  Each small paper box contained just a few treats, then tied with a red/white cord.  I numbered the boxes so that the best chocolates would be in the final box.  The container is a vintage make-up travel case that I painted and added decals to, plus I lined the inside with decorative paper.  This is a more "grown-up" version of an Advent calendar.  

Finally Back to Update Blog!

It's been about a year and I have totally neglected my blog.  I have several new pals (Hi There!) that have encouraged me to update.  They've inspired me, so it's time to share some of the things I've created this past year.

This is a tiny book I created and gave to someone extra special.  It's strung onto a suede lace to form a necklace.  I got the idea when I went to a 3-week book making class through the Continuing Education programs at the University of New Mexico.  The class was packed full of information, and by the time we were finished we had made six small books, each a unique creation.  I had signed up for this class months before, and it started in October 2013 at a time when I desperately needed the distraction.  (My mother had recently passed away unexpectedly).  The two teachers were so kind and patient with everyone in the class.  I truly appreciated their willingness to share their talents.  Since then I have made all sorts of small books and cards.  I will share those later.   

My newest shadowbox shows off my collection of miniature owls.  I used all sorts of scrapbook papers to assemble each of the nine sections.  The actual box and glass are not in this photo.  I can't seem to figure out how to take the photo without all the light reflection.

This is my latest watercolor.  It's painted from a photograph I took last summer at the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens.  They always have such lovely flowers there.

I've got my EYE on you!!!

Here's another idea from Pinterest that I've been working on.  They are just painted rocks with a plastic jiggly eye glued on.  I thought I might print off some cards with the "I've got my EYE on you" phrase and leave them laying around to amuse friends......

Months ago I saw this idea on Pinterest using an Altoid can.   This week I decided to get creative.  I used fabric scraps and embroidery thread to make the bunny and blankets.  The accessories were found at Hobby Lobby in the dollhouse supply section.  It wasn't as easy to make as I thought I would be.  Definitely won't be going into business mass producing these!  Still, I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I made 2; one for each granddaughter having a birthday soon.

Southwestern Shadowboxes

These are some creations I came up with to show the culture of New Mexico.  

Springtime bring new discoveries

Seems we have a new resident in our garden this year.  I believe his friends will be joining him soon!

Southwestern Quilted Pots

After much effort (and very little skill) I was able to finish this quilted wall-hanging for our home.  Don't look too closely!  I'm an amateur!  But it was fun to make and I am happy with the results.  I think it goes well on these adobe walls in our new home in New Mexico.

Backyard Birdies

I just LOVE to watch the birds come to my feeders.  Goldfinches, wrens, and doves show up every morning and evening competing with each other to gobble up as much feed as they can.  At times I've counted 12 doves lined up around that feeder.  It's like there's a lead dove who puts them all in formation to fit on the edge!

At the Albuquerque airport there are all kinds of artwork on display.  This vintage-style trailer caught my eye.  There are creative details that remind me of the 1960s in New Mexico.

Before/After Little Piano

I found this child's piano at the thrift shop for $12.  It works great, but was a little scuffed up and needed some "pizaaaaaaaz"!  After painting it with the bright pink flowers,  I carefully wrapped it in bubble wrap and packed it in my HUGE suitcase to take to some of my grandkids over Christmas.  It survived the trip (which restored my faith in airline luggage handlers!)  and makes plenty of noise to drive their parents nuts!  I'm sure the grandkids have great fun with it!!!!

My 2012 "52 Q"

This is an idea I found on-line from another creative blogger.  What is "52 Q" you may ask????  It stands for 52 Questions,  one asked each week. Each week I sent out a question for everyone to work on.   Friends and family worked on their own "mini time capsule" and decorated the tag pages each week.  It's a small project that was easy to take on.  Now I can look back and see just what I was thinking at that time last year.  It's so interesting to see how fast things change.  The little journal is actually a personal book meant to be looked at when we want to reflect on 2012.  It was also a fun craft project to use up left-over scrapbook papers and doo dads.

Another Travel Journal

This was the 4th "junk mail" journal I created and I think I got smarter with more experience.  When we travel I tend to pick up mementos of all sizes.  By making the journal a little larger on the outside (using fabric, lace, and ribbon scraps) I am able to add the keepsakes I pick up along the way.

 The ribbon embroidery is a project I started and never finished.  Turned out the journal was a great place to add that little piece of x-stitch fabric.  The book is lined with a piece of cardboard to keep it's shape, then I sewed through all layers, plus sewed the paper scraps together to make the pages.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Since it has been so long since I last added to this blog, I need to back track a little.  In October of this year I attended the International Balloon Fiesta here in Albuquerque.  The close-up images show what is called the "Evening Glow",  a fiesta event that allows visitors to walk among hundreds of hot air balloons while they are being inflated.  When the announcer does the countdown, all balloons light at the same moment, making it very warm and loud and beautiful around the balloons.

This is an image of a balloon launch early one morning looking west from the northeast corner of the city.  Literally hundreds of hot air balloons took flight one after another and hovered over the city.

A visit to St. James Tearoom

 As a special treat to myself I splurged and made a reservation for tea time at this elegant tearoom.  The St. James Tearoom in Albuquerque, New Mexico is an exceptionally delightful place to visit.  As I arrived (with quite a few other ladies who also had reservations) we were greeted by two friendly hostesses.  They let us know that when we heard the "bell" it was time to go back to the main hostess to be seated to our little private dining areas.  I was seated in a warm cozy room with tea already set out just for me.  My hostess gave me guidance on the different teas that would be served (3 different types), and then brought the three-tiered plates of goodies.  What a relaxing, yummy experience. All of the food was a culinary masterpiece.  All of the staff were so friendly and gracious.  I felt sincerely welcomed and appreciated for being there.  I also felt well-cared for during my visit.  This is definitely a place I will want to go back to.  Maybe it would be a fun place to take my granddaughters.  I understand they present "Fairy Teas" for children.

My Newest Painted Rose