Thursday, June 9, 2011

Little wooden discs...

I found some small, flat, wooden discs at Michael's for 29 cents.  I already had a plan for them before I walked out the door.   Anyway, I made a Suzi Blu-style face on one and it rocks!  So then I put it on a small rectangular wooden plaque...and since I had so much fun and great results with mosaics recently...and had tons of glass leftover...do you see where I'm going with this?  Okay.  So I just played around and haven't actually glued anything down yet or grouted.  But I also want to try some of these little babies with some woodburning, collage with fabric, and other mixed media.  And then...I want to try...

Well, I need to get back to writing down all my "things I want to make" because I am going to forget them if I don't.

And for the record, I have no clue what I am doing most of the time.  It just happens.

And I definitely don't have a clue when it comes to figuring out Medicare stuff for my husband.  Trying to figure out which drug prescription company to go with and what deductibles and then that stupid "gap" thingy...I shouldn't have put it off until the month before it was to go into effect.  Now I know why they sent it three months ahead of time.  Such is the life of a procrastinator.  It usually works to my advantage to procrastinate on things, because then I have a super focused, gotta get it done attitude if the timeline is near.  However, this one is biting me on the ass.  It is making me physically sick and that is SO NOT like me, to let things stress me out.

Sorry for the little whine there.

I am going to tell you one of my secret desires...my Mondo Beyondo.  I want a place to create.  Now,  I'm shooting for building a shed in the backyard just because I have a hard time wanting too much for myself.  Ha! Even that feels greedy to me.  So much for dreaming big.  But wouldn't it be lovely if I could have a shop on Main Street and have art classes and guest artists, and a place for all of them to sell their art?  We could have gallery nights, with yummy things to eat and drink and good music and demonstrations.  And the best part of all, would be that I want to encourage young people to make art.  I want to have kids classes, and no matter how much money you don't have, you can come.  And I want those parents who just drop off their kids because they are sick of them to bring their kids...those are the ones that need it most!  I want to be the art teacher that makes a difference in their life, even if it is 30 years down the road and they suddenly pick up a paintbrush and remember.  I want to have groups of ladies and/or gents that want to have a place to come for a "club"---weather it be a group of stained glass artists, quilters, potters, whatever...a place for community and fun.  Okay, now you know my secret dream.  I've had it ever since I was a young child of about nine years old.  It has evolved a bit, from wanting a clubhouse to make art with my friends, to a more mature thing in my mid-forties.  But it is basically the same...I want a place to make art.  And my computer table isn't cutting it...I'm just sayin'.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Gettin' crafty!

Well, today I worked on a project I have ALWAYS wanted to do!  I made a mosaic!  I got to break the plates I purchased at the Goodwill, which was great fun, and applied them to a mirror frame I bought at a flea market (did that stuff yesterday and the day before).  Today I applied the grout!  And in a day or so, I will seal the grout.  I learned a few lessons:  1. a project you think will only take a few hours, usually takes several days.  2.  They really mean it when they suggest trying to keep your mosaic pieces on the same level.  3.  You should probably wear heavy duty rubber gloves when grouting mosaic.  4.  You shouldn't start it when you know your daughter's future in-laws are going to be stopping by later on (my hands were a mess!!!).

What else?  My good friend, Felicia, gifted me with an on-line class called "Mondo Beyondo."  I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but boy! am I lovin' it!  Today's lesson was to "make a clearing"---meaning, anything from taking out the trash or ending a bad relationship so you are freeing your intuition and mind for other things that may be inhibiting you from following your dreams.  I thought, "Kinda silly.  And I don't feel like clearing anything today."  But on my way into the kitchen I found a twisty-tie from a loaf of bread that someone didn't throw away.  I save them for other uses, and was going to throw it in the junk drawer...and then thought I should go the extra one foot distance and put it in the zippy bag I normally store them in.  Well, one thing led to another and before I knew it, I had gutted all the drawers, wiped them all out, pitched unwanted things and it didn't end there!  I went onto the pantry and snack cupboards and it just kept going.  It was sooooo freeing and amazing!  And it all started with a twisty tie!  My mind was freed up, and I went on to making my mosaic (not necessarily a huge Mondo Beyondo dream, but it was on my "to do before I die" list).

Oh, and then I cleaned my "art drawers" under my desk!  That was fun!  Except why, when you take things out and organize them, can't you get it all back in?!  Sigh.  Oh well.

Here's hoping you have a brilliant day!
Maggie  xoxoxo