A TIME FOR REFLECTION...AND A TIME FOR FUN........

When it's time to grieve I believe one needs to take all the time they need, not to force the smiles or hide the tears.  Some may not understand your way, but we all need to take the time we need which is exactly what I have done this past week, however, I now feel it is time to get up off my couch and work my way back into my life as a road trip I have been looking forward to for some time is only a matter of hours away.  These last few years it's been all about the "ART" and I feel fortunate to combine art shows with some fun.

I get to spend the next art auction celebrating Wild Bill Hickok days and while contemplating all the things I wanted to see I knew I wanted to make a statement doing it.  A couple of months ago while digging through some of my secret stashes I came up with some bandana's I had purchased years ago.  I used a few of them to make a bag for sale in the mercantile, but knew I wanted to keep the next one I made.  So with two bandanas, some batting, lining and interfacing I will have a bag big enough to carry all the new treasures I plan on finding.

 

Although "Jack Daniel's" is not something I can drink I love the way I was able to work the bandanas so that I was able to create this wonderful border all the way around the bag.

 

As another trip is planned immediately after this one it's going to be awhile before I get back into special room but I'll give you a sneak peek as to what I'll be working with next and I do hope to find many treasures to re-work as Anne keeps asking for more merchandise for the mercantile.

 

 

Always remember to always look at things not for what they are but for what they could be !!

I LOVE A CHALLENGE.......

I have been fortunate enough to have been given a few challenges in the last few months and I love a creative challenge.  After having delivered magnets to our little mercantile I was asked to come up with some "Montana" magnets.  Taking this challenge with me on my latest road trip I was able to come up with not only an idea but also found the supplies I needed.

 

I couldn't wait to get home to get started on these and am very pleased with the final result.

 

Now that this challenge is complete it will be a short while before I can begin my next challenge as I have a few projects I need to complete before the road calls my name again.

LET'S GET CRAFTY.......

I was offered a challenge to come up with some refrigerator magnets.  So after much thought and research I came up with an idea I thought may work. 

As always I first gathered some supplies and got my craft on !!!!

I poured some plaster, painted, resined and added magnets and after all my work I ended up with these.

This display is headed for our mercantile, but I just couldn't resist making a special one for my refrigerator.

 

Now it's time to put away the supplies and sewing machines for awhile so that I can attend another art show and auction and with any luck hit a few new fabric stores !!!!!

QUILTING IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had what I thought was a brilliant idea, that was until I began to execute that plan.  My "brilliant" idea was to make some table runners using fabric scraps left from making napkins and burlap to match the placemats I had made for the mercantile.

I began simple enough with cutting out 48 4"x4" squares of fabric (took way longer than I anticipated).

 

After two days of cutting and sewing the pieces together my thoughts were "this isn't much fun" and I almost aborted the mission, but figured I would finish it and make it to fit my dining room table, so back to the cutting board I went and cut another 18 squares.  Once I had all my pieces sewn together I ironed on some batting and set about the "quilting" process.

 

 

I chose a simple "X" in the middle of each square to cut down on my quilting time.  Once this step was finished I cut and stamped a piece of burlap, sewed both sides together and I have a beautiful two-sided table runner for my dining table.

 

 

I am so happy with how this turned out, but I worked on it for 4 days and I don't think I could ever be paid enough to give it up.  That leaves me with the question "Do I want to do more?"  Only time will tell.

I'M JUST HAVING TOO MUCH FUN !!!!!

I spend so much time in my sewing/craft room and I didn't know when I acquired all my many stash piles what exactly I was going to do with everything, I just enjoyed having it.  But now that our new gallery/mercantile owner and I have found each other I have been having so much fun.  Making things to go into the mercantile I have been able to pull out some of those stashes and put them to good use.  I don't worry about whether or not someone will like it, will it fit, does it fit their personality or décor I've just been making what I love and it seems strangers also enjoy my things, which makes me even happier.

I have just completed some items I'll be delivering to the store in a couple of days.  I have made handbags before but have never worked with magnetic snaps or purse handles, but I did have them in my stash, now some of them will find a new home soon.

 

When delivering my items to the mercantile I like to make certain they get displayed well and when thinking about what I had for displaying handbags one night I remembered a coat rack my grandfather had made me some 40 plus years ago, so I pulled it out along with hair ties I had and after working with everything for awhile I am very pleased with how this display will look in the store.

 

When I moved to our little town 3 years ago I had no intention of staying as long as I have and putting my grandfathers hand made coat rack in our little store has made me reflect a little about planting roots.  See this coat rack was made from trees he had planted on his property right after he built his home and the place where my handprints will not only be in foundation forever but a place where I grew up.  Although the little forest of trees know longer exists and that house is no longer in the family this little coat rack reminds me of the roots my grandparents instilled in me.

BELT MERCANTILE AND ART GALLERY

I finally made it down to our new local mercantile and gallery.  The owner (Anne) of the gallery has worked for three years to turn an old transmission shop into a gallery and although my photography skills don't do it justice I wanted to share a few things.  Most of these pictures are things I have contributed to the mercantile room and with the gallery only have been open 7 days I am happy to report that some of my merchandise has already found a new home.  That is great news for me, but also adds a little pressure as our little town has two major rodeo events in June which brings in a lot of out of town people besides the normal spring/summer tourists and I have several out of state art shows and auctions I will be attending during this time so my sewing machine has been working overtime.

 

THE MERCANTILE ROOM

                                                     FOR THE COWGIRL IN ALL OF US

                                                            FOR THE COWGIRL HOME

                                    AS ANNE WOULD SAY "THIS IS MY HAPPY PLACE"

And of course, I didn't take any pictures of the outside of the gallery, but I will save that for another day and will do my best to remember to take pictures before items go to the gallery.

GOT FABRIC SCRAPS ????

I can't bring myself to rid my sewing room of all my fabric scraps so I am constantly seeking ways to use them up and after some searching through my many stockpiles I came up with some purse handles I had acquired several years ago

 

Then I cut up some fabric scraps

 

 

sewed them all together and added some iron-on batting and set about "quilting" the pieces

 

 

After assembling all my pieces I came up with the perfect little fabric scrap handbag

 

 

CAN'T BELIEVE APRIL IS OVER !!!!!!

It's been longer than I like since I last posted, but my days have been fun filled.  Lots of guests, road trips and of course preparing for a new gallery opening.  I was asked to prepare a "mercantile" room for the new art gallery and to help fill it with "cowgirl" items.  This was such a fun challenge for me and I had every intention of taking pictures once the room was completed, but haven't done that yet, fortunately I did take a few pictures of a few of the items I did do.

First there were some pillows 

 

Some hand stamped burlap placemats

 

 

And something for the walls

 

 

Of course, I finished the table settings with napkins, napkin rings and wine charms.  Couldn't do a mercantile room without some jewelry and signs, but you will have to wait until I get to the gallery to take some pictures to share.

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT........................

Just when I thought I was being taken for granted a little girl and her grandma knocked on my door with flowers to thank me for her dress.

Just when I thought I need to find a job a neighbor knocked on my door and asked to hire me to do some work for her.  Actually make things she could sell in her store. 

I make a lot of things for people and never expect any acknowledgements or praises, but boy when it happens it can really make ones day !!!!

For the last three years I have stayed put to allow the hubby to focus on his art and his hard work is beginning to pay off, but my involvement is limited and I have had to find other things to take up my time, but I must admit after having worked for basically all of my adult life, I'm getting bored, and although, I know I cannot or want a long term job as I won't drive in the snow, I have been discussing with the hubby about me getting a little job for the summer.  The ideal job for me would be at the fabric/craft store, but would they work around my social and travel schedule, doubtful.  So, when a knock on my door came, I jumped at the chance to actually be able to do something for others and to get paid for it.

Our first project involves t-shirts.  After my t-shirt quilt a year ago I didn't think I ever wanted to work with t-shirts again, but time heals all wounds (lol).

I once again cut up the shirts and ironed on some interfacing

 
 

 

 Took the shirts from this

 

To this

 

 

How cute are these pillows

 

These pillows are made from well worn t-shirts, but in the pillows you don't see the ragged collars and sweaty underarms.  So instead of tossing that favorite t-shirt.........

 

We have several other projects coming up as well !!!!

"ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE"

Apparently, I need another piece of artwork, but who can resist.......

I am now the proud owner of a Russell Skull Society member John Gawne original painting titled "Another Day in Paradise". 

This painting takes me to the days we have spent at the Mountain Man Rendevous in Pinedale, WY and it looks so good in it's new home.

MARCH MADNESS !!!!!!!!!!!

To sum my month up in two words "EXHILARATING AND EXHAUSTING" but soooo much fun !!!

Western Art Week in Great Falls is one of the largest art shows in the country and this year even the weather gods were on our side.  I now have a bad case of spring fever, but I'm told it's too early to plant flowers even though my trees are budding and lilac bushes are leafing.  Now that this week is over and my 10 day weather forecast is sporting some 70's I am so ready to start a few of my painting projects, but first I need to spend a few days bonding with my couch and organizing all the contacts, art auctions and shows that need to be done in the coming year.

I am so proud of not only the hubby and his art work, but all the other artists that shared our gallery room for the week.

 

 Art work was sold,  auctions and parties were attended, magazine and television interviews were given and some even got an unexpected lesson.

 

 

Our talented little artist granddaughter and perhaps her new mentor.  A good time was had by all.

 

Of course, you cannot be with all this beautiful art without wanting to bring some home and of course, we added to our collection.  As soon as the piece is delivered and installed I will share with all of you.

 

Looking forward to the planning and doing it all again next year !!!!

 

EVEN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS READY FOR SUMMER...

I finished some little summer dresses for my neighborhood and delivered them a few days ago, and other than using my sewing machines for the upcoming art show I will not be doing anymore sewing for a few weeks.  But I can tell you that my little neighbor girls were quite thrilled with their gifts.

LACK OF PLANNING ....................

LACK OF PLANNING ON YOUR PART DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY ON MINE !!!!

I kept a sign in my office bearing these words for years.  It was there to remind several of my clients that a magic wand I did not have.  Although, I was never certain they understood it was for them.

I have learned over the years that when it comes to politicians and artists this saying is sooooo appropriate, therefore I always give myself the week before any show to be 100% accessible for all the "I forgot" moments.

I don't have the ability to paint or carve and I can't go legislate in the capital (although I might do a better job..ha), but I can make certain all the little details get accomplished.  It always amazes me when one has months to prepare for an upcoming event that there is always the last minute push to get everything finished and no matter how many times I remind everyone of the days left, I know we will work until the very last second. 

I will spend the next couple of days making table coverings, coordinating everyone's schedules and reservations and have just finished up room signs

and will make certain I have on hand anything one might need for the next week.

SHOUT IT OUT !!!!

We have all seen this product and have probably used it to remove stains from clothing.  I don't believe I have ever used this particular stain remover, but I was watching a show on television a few weeks ago when they did a segment about using household products for other uses.  This particular product was used to remove gummy labels from items.  They stated there was a particular ingredient in it and any product with that ingredient would do the job.  Unfortunately I didn't pay much attention to the dialogue but I stayed rather intrigued with the idea of an easier way to remove the glue from jars once the label was removed.  I have my standard items I use for those things, but am always looking for new ideas. 

I have a vehicle that the windows have that dark film on and on one window it was coming off, which leaves quite a mess, making it difficult to see out of.  The idea of using Shout to remove glue from glass kept nagging at me, so after a few weeks I bought Shout.  Anxious to try it I dug into my horde of jars and found a jar that I had run through the dishwasher without removing the label first.  Doing that bakes on the label making it even more difficult to remove, but it was going to be my test piece.  I sprayed the label with Shout, allowed it to sit for awhile and came back and removed the label with hardly no effort at all.

Now I was excited thinking about that vehicle window, anxious to test my theory I set to work, it took a little while, but after a few hours I had not only all that film removed, but every bit of the glue residue as well and now have a new window for only the cost of a bottle of Shout. 

SHOUT is my new favorite thing !!!!!

LEATHER, LACE AND LITTLE GIRLS...

I have spent my winter thinking of spring and summer and all the little girls in my life.  I have pulled out all my laces, leather and trims and have been sewing dresses for not only my little granddaughters, but some of the neighboring little girls as well. 

I shared the fabric and trims I pulled together for a very special birthday girl and I am happy to announce that Princess Minnie will be making her party in style.

 

I just love designing things for 3 to 6 year old little girls and although some of the girls in my life are getting too old for a lot of the frills and lace I still have a few that enjoy wearing a dress. 

 

 

In the last few months I have made close to 2 dozen little dresses but I will be giving my machines a rest in another week so that I may get ready for the big art show coming our way, then spring and summer will be upon us and along with enjoying some warm weather I have many painting projects I am committed to and must complete.

 

GUESS WHAT'S COMING NEXT ?????

Have had a request for a special birthday dress for a soon to be 4 year old.  I drew out my plans and dug through my many stashes then hit up my local JoAnn's fabrics and now have all my supplies gathered.

 

I'll post a picture of the completed project in a few days. 

 

Can you guess what I'm making ????