What Cool Breezes Do

It is so beautiful outside right now, I thought I'd share some outside photos.

Matthew's sunflower patch is starting to bloom.

The beginning of veggies!

Cool rain catchment barrel bought for cheap at an animal feed store. This filled up So Quickly! We need many more.

Crazy Lupita.

The view from above.
We're going camping tomorrow! I'll return with many beautiful photos. Have a great weekend!

Your Lousy Career

So i read the first Twilight book and was all into it, and then finished and now...don't have the next one. All checked out at the library, don't really want to buy one.
So... in the meantime, I picked up "Nine Stories" by J.D. Salinger.
(from my downstairs guest room/ bookstore!)
I was really into all his stuff in high school, so it had been awhile. Very abrupt and poignant.
Then last nite I heard Colbert talking about J.D. Salinger. He's still alive. Writing, but not publishing.
I loved the following passage from Uncle Wiggily in Conecticut:

"Like hell it is. Who called who? And who came two hours late? You're gonna stick around till I'm sick of you. The hell with your lousy career."


For some reason I just can relate to that concept- your lousy career!!

This is a picture of J.D. Salinger

Wordless Wednesday

Altered Book Exchange

I wanted to share with you an Altered Book Exchange project I am involved with at the moment.
This is the first time I've done Altered Books with a group. It's super fun and exciting!

In our project my friend Jen Casados got a group of 10 folks together to do the exchange.
To begin you send out a list of all participants addresses. Everyone picks out their own book and then sends it to the person below them on the list.
Next you have a month to do whatever you want to your book before sending it to the person after your name on the list.

The only rule set was to alter at least 4 pages in the book.

I am showing you some of the altered pages in the second book I have received.

It's really exciting to see what other people think of to do in their alteration of the book.

And let's not forget- it's nice to get mail!!!
Especially fancy altered mail like this!

Jen got all kinds of people involved, artists and others and I think everyone's really going to town with it. We might have another group going soon.
I would recommend anyone starting an Altered Book Exchange! Get some creativity flowing and have some fun! Thanks to Jen for getting ours off and running!

Jazz, Rain and....

Am I really going to yoga class? Or am I content to stay home. Billie Holiday, some jewelry making? Sounds pretty good. Dang, it's only Tuesday, that's pretty early in the week to be skipping class.

So, as I contemplated what to blog about today, I wondered what have I been doing?

Lots of jewelry and work on the shop , lots of outside work, and???? Shouldn't there be an And, I mean the days sure are flying by like the hours are occupied! So, I went out in the rain and took some pretty pictures to show you a little something of what I've been up to.

I cleaned the upstairs screened-in porch (which we never use) and have set up a little painting area alfresco. I got the glass for my palette and everything, so I should be busting out some paints by the end of the week.

I tell you, I love this weather, but my chiles and tomatoes? Not so much. They're wondering why I planted them in the fall!!

Some new Jewels

Check out some new pieces!

Why yes, that is a sterling silver Pegasus!!


Ocean Jasper, ya'll!

Can you say Magikal Fairy Princess Crystal Necklace??

Check out these and more over at my Etsy shop!!

Artists have the Best Art

One fantastic thing about being an artsy fartsy sorta gal is TRADES! Most artists you know probably have the best collection of art, we can't buy it, but dang it we can trade! I just made an incredible trade with my fellow coop member Ellen J.D. Roberts.
Check it out:





Also, check out my end of the trade:

In these trying times we should always be on the lookout for barter opportunities. It's a win win!!