Once in a blue moon

The last blue moon on New Years Eve was 20 years ago . A blue moon is a full moon that happens 2 times  in a given calendar month. I think this is a very good sign for us all in 2010 .....Once in a blue Moon!!!

Party Angels

It is said that  how you spend your new years is how you will spend  the rest of the year. I am spending mine  creating fun art  and filling my heart with thoughts of those I love. It  will be the BEST, oh  and calling my sister to  see how   she likes the "thrown' her husband gave her for Christmas.  V-day better be the diamond crown to go with it as his "thrown" was a toilet  all wrapped and   under  the tree with the excuse that she said they needed a new one. Can any one top that story !!!!  He is  a good man, but a bit off center. ( maybe more then a bit).  So anyway, how will you be spending tonight? I am wishing  for you that it  is the  way you want to !!!

Art saves Lives

Jenny Doh has a theory ( Jenny is the editor  of Somerset Studios and Stampington ). She is leaving to start her new project Crescen-Doh . Jenny says many times "Art saves Lives"  this  has so often been true  for me. 17 years  ago  I went to Upstate NY and took the  Skidmore College Summer Six  ( art program) and did it in Metal Smithing . You stayed in the dorms and ate in the cafeteria. I was the only on in the program and had the studio all to myself . I worked 12 hour quite days, way into the wee hours of the night creating without anything to bother me  . Just  creating !! I had access to all the campus had to offer. I could wander off to  the fine arts painting, printing and ceramic studios and  library .Watch and visit with  other creative souls  doing the same thing. It was the best  6 weeks of my entire life and helped me focus on what I REALLY wanted from my life. I then went back home and got it!!! Fast forward 13 years and on a much shorter scale a few days at Art Fest and  the magic   happened again.  Now this coming  year I am teaching art Art  Fest a dream come true. These events pulled me out of a stuck place and helped me focus on what I wanted. It happens daily in my studio on an even smaller scale. Once again I would love to have  you share "art  saving" stories  of your own  and P.S. This photo posted today is one of the tiny pieces I made at Skidmore  College Summer Six so long along ago and  no, I did not use PMC it had not been invented yet!! Darn.... wish it had .

I measure mine in art ..

Some reckon their age by years,
Some measure their life by art;
But some tell their days by the flow of their tears
And their lives by the moans of their hearts.
- - - -Abram Joseph Ryan

Question of the day?

An old saying /question came to mind this morning.  "You can either be happy or right"  I am one of those people that is passionate and thinks totally with the creative side of her brain ,so much so that I can never remember what side that is ?!? . I  grew up in a very small town in the Midwest in a time and place where no one knew about the different ways creative people live  and learn in this  world. It was just the  3 R's  go to church and  always  wear clean underwear  and you did it that way or you were considered  a slow learner. To make up for this "slow learning"  I   needed to try extra hard to be" common sense smart" so that I could earn peoples respect even if I was not book smart. All my life I have tried to "do it right " and it has turned me into a controlling, self righteous B*&%H at times.  It has not made me happy when I try so hard thinking "what will others think?"   and it has made lots of people unhappy when I am in my self righteous frame of mind ....wow and my  voice  that goes with it !!. The gift I am giving my self this year is the gift of just doing it  with my heart be a "happy fool" and with  passion. Doing it " right" has not seemed to make that much difference in saving me  from life's painful lessons  and maybe just the opposite, as life keeps telling  me  " let go of the CONTROL you self righteous B*&^#H" .So why not just try  being  happy rather then right? This may be a bit tougher then I think but I am going to give it a try . I would love to hear any of your thoughts as to this question as it is an interesting one that I think many creative souls  struggle with.

Hope

When my  husband  Mark was dying , Hospice had to be called in. The two of us  did not want to face what  that  meant.  I told the  Hospice workers that having them on board took  our hope away. The social worker told me ."  No, you just have to learn  to hope for something different" . I learned so much from Mark's  death, that being one of them. I learned to look to the unkown in Mark's case . Maybe his dying was not the end for him and I had to "hope" that some thing was still ahead for him, something I could not see or be a part of  but still something good for him . As I deal now with my " friends"  loss I have to face that maybe for  her I must hope for something different too. Maybe  instead of life with this man  there will be another life for her without him.  I thank you for your prayers as I think they are reminding me of that lesson about life. There is always  hope you just  need  to adjust  your focus. 

A prayer

A woman whom is  very close  to me is in deep pain . She and her husband have gone through a very tough year . The husband  lost his business and his  emotional health . They then  lost all they had worked for   and have had to start over. They have both felt much  fear, pain and  insecurity . The insecurity of both  has lead the husband  to believe that   he has lost his love for her and  so a few days ago he left her.  Please if you believe in prayer would you take the time to say one for  both of  them and ask our  Spiritual  Creator to give her  the  courage to face the loss of him and find her way. Thank you so much my dear friends  and Merry Christmas .

My christmas gift to you!

This Christmas I thought I would give a little "how to" to my bogging friends. It is a simple little
Snowman made from a light bulb. Here it is and Merry Christmas to you all!!! Hugs julie

 After adding some ribbon  and silver pipe cleaners . He is done!!

Next I added a layer of glitter to his cap by spreading it with Mod Podge

And then sprinkling it with clear glass glitter. I used a black sharpie  to make his eyes and then a white and red ( not shown Oops ) Stabillo pencil  to make his checks .I  blended  them together in

Circular motion to make pink. A Stabillo pencil will work on all surfaces, even glass.

He is all glued together.

Next I glued his nose , base and cap on with E 6000.

               I used a clear water bottle cap for his base and covered it and his nose with

White glass glitter. I used Mod Podge as the glue  for the glitter.

I sewed a few fun findings and beads to the tip of the cap.

I picked some fun ribbon and sewed it on the rim of the cap.

 Using black velvet I cut a flower shape for his collar.

I stitched  the cap together with black thread. It is hard to see but the raw edge of the

felt was cut with pinking shears.

I used wool felt  to make the cap,which is part rayon , part wool .

I buy this at Joann Fabrics by the yard.

To make a cone shaped hat pattern I just folded the edge of a piece of paper. I made sure the

base was  the width I wanted. I can always trim the bottom base edge later to round it off.

For his nose  I made a jelly roll from paper clay and then by pressing firmer on one end

 while I rolled, I  tapered it into a cone shape . When it is dry you can sand the rough  edges .

For starters I sprayed a small clear light bulb with frosted glass spray paint.

Workshop Specials for one week only!!!

Glenny, at Art and Soul is offering a wonderful deal for her fabulous Art and Soul Art Retreat in Las Vegas  Feb 2010. Each week,  starting today she is featuring one of the instructors and for  that week their classes will be 20% off . I am the instuctor she is featuring  this week, starting today . These are images of the classes I will be offering !

Pneumonia!!!

Poor Scooter Last night his  cough got even worse. So off in the middle of the night both Cal and a raced to the emergency vet clinic. And it was pneumonia and bronchitis. Poor wee guy, Peanut has been so worried!! But with some new antibiotics, a few steam treatments ,some really strong cough syrup and He should be feeling better in 48 hours.  Maybe  then we can all rest .   Thanks again for all the supportive helpful emails .  But boy !!!!all those meds sure  give him gas!!!! PEWWWWW!!! My eyes are watering as I write he  is laying by my feet on his night night bed.

Scooter

My blog list came back!!! But thanks everyone for the comments !!Now I get to spend some time visiting and seeing what everyone is doing to get ready for Christmas. Oh, I also have a question.I still am taking care of Scooter for Mom and he seems to have kennel cough. We took him to the vet and they put him on antibiotics . But two weeks later  and he still has this constant little cough. Does anyone know if this is normal ,does it take some time for the cough to go away ? He only coughs when he lays down and it is this constant kind of hiccup sound. I only know it is a cough because he then needs to cough up phlegm every once in a while? I just thought I would see if anyone has experienced this  with a dog with kennel cough. It seems to be common with rescue dogs. thanks fo any help

BIG BOOO BOOO ON BLOGGER!!!

OHHHH NOOOOO !!! To all of you, who's blopgs I follow (Over 100 ).Blogger has erased  my list . PLEASE leave a comment so that I can easliy find you again!!! Has this happend tpo anyone else????

Happy

Scooter and Mom are happy and so are we!! Thanks for all your kind words!!!

With humble thanks !

 Mom went  in for her first surgery on monday. We had been told at that point that not only did she have bladder cancer but a one inch tumor had been found in her kidney and so the surgery to remove that had been already scheduled for the 9th of Dec. Early monday morning my Mom's sister ,a trained Reilke therapist and Hospice social worker  did a one hour therapy on Mom. The afternoon surgery lasted an hour. Dr. Webster came out after the surgey, sat down and said "do you believe in miracles?" Both Aunts answered yes . He said "we found NOTHING!!!! ".It has taken few a days for me  to digest this info , hence the slow post  WHEEEEE!!!. that is me letting out my breath! My family, my Mom and myself have not a thing to feel but Thanks this Thanksgiving !!!! Hugs to all -Julie- A side note-  I am a believer in science and the mircle of life and  of nature. I am not sure what all  happened, but I am thankful !!!

New Classes!!

Something new  !!! Terri Brush and I have just planned 2 ( and Maybe 3 ) classes of mine that I will be teaching at her wonderful Chehalis  Washington studio ( just an hour from Seattle  and Portland)! The first will be on March 20th  it is called " Enchanted ".
We  will be exploring wood burning and colored pencils on wood . The second will be on March 21  it is called  "Rusted Whimsy" .This is  a dry brush painting for beginners combined with collage and all wrapped up in a whimsical creation! For further details look  on the right side panel and click on the images for march 20th and 21st  !! or email me at Juliehaymaker@me.com

Mom and Scooter

Last week Mom went to a dog rescue fair and came home with Scooter!!!  Then Thursday Mom  found out she has bladder cancer . She has surgery on monday  at that time we will find out if there is a tumor  in her kidneys or of it is a kidney stone . We have all decided not to go off the worry deep end till we know more on monday. So cross your fingers ! She is very uncomfortable and will be for a while as they will do chemo after the surgery .  We are told  the bladder cancer  has been caught very early and know that is a VERY good thing!!! But what ever the case  I  think Scooter has a  new home, OURS! . Peanut is being sooo sweet  too the little guy , but who could  resist all this cutness and it helps that the little guy is a  little "guy" and not a little " girl" I think!!??? I will keep you posted on the progress of" the saga of Scooter, Mom and the evil cancer".

Lorrie's world

I just got back from another creative weekend with my sister . I have to say my best times are times with her!  The things that she makes with her hands . This is a first in a series of "poetry purses" . As I wrtie this I so  wish she was here with me right now . We got the  news late this after noon  that Mom has cancer. And so I sit here writing in that kind of shock that comes with information such as  this . A new door has opened and we must walk through. The journey continues.

A normal day

Let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you , love you , bless you before you depart. Let me hold you while I may , for it may not always be so . One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow or stretch myself taut , or raise my hands to the sky and want more than all the world your return. Mary Jean Iron

Beth's Apron

Today a worked on an apron for my cousin Beth to wear to Silver Bella. When I was young and my Mom taught me to sew , we made ruffles by hand  basting and pulling UGHHH. With my newish Jonome I have a ruffler foot. But of course I would not read the instructions  as to how to use it ,so it took ten times longer and I went through about 7 needles as well as my patience. But in the end I got it to work and the apron I hope will look great on her with her big blue eyes and blonde hair.

Yesterday

All I want to say about yesteday is I am glad  I can call it yesteday. Oh and  FINALLY after about 3 years of logging into illustration friday, I did last weeks word , which was " skinny"  Here is my peice.... "Skinny Winnie with Little Minnie".

Going no where Fast

Ever feel this way ??? I somehow do as the holidays approach... New on my etsy.

Runs with scissors

I got this in an email earlier today. I hit home and then a realized that I was old .I bet every generation that gets to be over fifty looks back and says it was better then ... Maybe it was, maybe it was not, but I would love for someone born after 1979 to write their version of growing up and let me know if the "protective rules" have helped or not .I know the " rules" are all good. I just do question losing to many of our rights when " good Rules"or common sense becomes a "law"  to protect us from what we may be In "fear " of. You all know if you read my blog from time to time that the  issue of  "fear "comes up once in a while with me . I hate the thought of anyone living  in fear .  It s so limiting . So anyhow here is the email.

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE

1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!! who smoked and/or drank while they were

pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing,

tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles,

          locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode

our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children,

we would ride in cars with no car seats,

no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick-up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water

from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends,

from one bottle and no one actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon..We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar.

And, we weren't overweight.

WHY?Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day,

as long as we were back when the streetlights came on..

No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps

and then ride them down the hill, only to find out

we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushesa few times, we learned to solve the problem.We did not have Playstations,Nintendo's and X-boxes.

There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable,

no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's,

no cell phones,

no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS

and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth

and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,

made up games with sticks and tennis balls and,

although we were told it would happen,

we did not put out very many eyes..

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and

knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just

walked in and talked to them. Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.

Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law

was unheard of.They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best

risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility,

and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them?

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others

who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the

lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know

how brave and lucky their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house

with scissors, doesn't it ?

Lisa's World

About a year ago Lisa Kaus suggested to me that I make my Doggies a wee bit bigger ( about 7-9 inches tall) and add wheels. Well it took a while but here one is. In honor of Lisa I named it " Lisa's World".Thanks Lisa, I had fun!!! Now I am on a roll TEEE HEEEE

They may say I'm a Dreamer

Love so much of what John Lennon wrote. ( new on my esty)

I see you Peanut

Silly Dog .........

Lady and the Tramp

A new little doll on my etsy

Deb has spoken

Ok Deb says, not just jewelry for the show ( A taste of Art and Wine ) this weekend. So these will be there too along with doggies and dolls and other things These tiny guys I call "Gouditos" because they are made with tiny jewelry gourds I get them at the Wellburne  Gourd farm on line.

A place to bark

 

Maybe some of you already know Bernie Berlin in blog land but I want to take the time this morning to tell you about her. She runs a "No kill Shelter "and trys her best to rescuce dogs at high kill shelters . Here is her site. Please pop by she has good rescue stories to tell it will warm your heart  and pass the word .http://www.aplacetobark.com/ This weekend if you live in the Phoenix area I will be doing

A Taste of Art and Wine  show and I will be donating the proceeds of one of my doggies for sale to

Bernie's cause.

Show this weekend

This is the season for shows I have one too this weekend . I am thinking of just selling my jewelry . But I better consult my Aunt Deb first, She may have other thoughts!! She is so wise with the advice.

waiting

I am feeling a bit lost tonight. Like I am waiting for something to happen. Yet know I need to be the one to make it happen and do not know how. I have been in a wing phase with my work lately. Everything seems to need them. I think maybe it is because I feel a bit ungrounded....

Botanical Whimsy

Hey everyone! After teaching "Botanical Whimsy" at Kim Caldwell's Artistic Affair. I have had several request for the kit. So I thought I would offer it on my blog for sale and try the "Buy it Now" button that Pay pal offers. Did you know you could put this on you site? So if not for anything else this is to let you guys know you can do this with pay pal..... Cool!! Oh it's $50 and includes shipping.