Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Goodbye to 2013


Saying goodbye to 2013, what all did I do?
First thing I did in 2013 was walk a 5K and finished last
Walked several more 5K’s and didn’t finish last
Treadmill did not become my best friend!
Got an iPhone and iPad – staying connected
Enjoying Facebook
Travelled to Chicago
Got my picture taken at the “bean”
Stood on a glass floor 113 stories high
Went to the Mexican American art museum in Chicago
Visited Washington DC 
Lincoln memorial and stood at the same spot Martin Luther King stood.
Was moved by the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon
Traveled to Boston
Sightseeing all of Boston.  The Freedom Trail was awesome.
Went to Salem and learned about witches.
Gathered rocks along the beach in Marshfield
Had fun at the Buckley family reunion and took a photo of everyone who attended.
Fenway and Red Sox game….world series champs, again.
Attended  a wedding in  Lubbock with the Arens family
Went to Abilene Texas and walked  wello’s lot on Bois D’arc with my Alvarez family
Sold my jewelry on every  trip!
Traveled to Nebraska & Colorado, twice.
Found the neatest flag backdrop in McCook, Nebraska
Watched and enjoyed a lot of football
Learned how to paint a house.
Went my second Kansas football game
Enjoyed my visit to the Little Monastery of the Lamb in Kansas City, KS
Didn’t see some friends as much as I wanted
Checked out Guru Honey shop in Lincoln, Nebraska…very cool stuff
Swam in my pool daily…but never jumped in
Met new creative friends
Used my camera a lot and I mean a lot I probably have a photo for each of these things
Learned to knit!
Soldered, sewed, painted
Bedtime is way after midnight
Killed most of my plants over the summer! Only two survived.
Didn’t dance enough
Continued to get great advice from Cathy
My Wednesdays with my brother turned into any weekday with my brother
Watched cooking shows and learned me some new skills
Still have a long to-do list
Love my time with family and friends this year
Feeling great and ready to swag my way into 2014

Christmas cookie decorating

I continued with our new tradition of decorating cookies with the twins Olivia & Addison, their brother Owen, sister Kailey and cousin Eli.   I put the frosting in squeeze tubes and boy this was a great idea.  All the kids shared so nicely and did a great job on their cookies! 

Olivia having a blast.
Eli did a great job!  He didn't mind taste testing either.
Kailey using a butter knife to spread out her frosting.
Olivia had no trouble decorating all her cookies
Owen loved using the red frosting on his cookies.
Addison waiting  for the green frosting.  Mom's giving decorating tips.
I loved hanging out with my favorite twins!

Cookie exchange 2013

This year's cookie exchange was fun and we all got some great cookies.  The weather has been cool and wet so my sugar cookie dough wasn't gonna be easy to roll and cut into shapes.  I used a medium size ice cream scoop to make all the same size cookie balls and then flattened them with a  glass dipped in sugar.  Nice even size round cookies.  I mixed up some icing and piped on trees.  90 cookies total!


I found the cutest candle holders at Ikea and knew I had to use them.  The round cookies fit perfectly.  But using the candle holders seemed to boring so I added some embellishments.  


I include two candles with my cookies.  By the way, my sugar cookies tasted so yummie!  





Chalkboard inspired gift wrap!

I got this idea from Pinterest.  It was recommended to use black butcher paper, which I found at Hobby Lobby, but it had a shine to it, not really sure how much I like that.  I experimented with white chalk, white paint pens, white lead pencils and white oil pastel stick.  Each gave it's own finish.

black butcher paper with oil pastel stick

I found black drawing paper at Dick Blicks and really liked using the chalk pencils on it.  Probably my favorite.  I made some holiday sign artwork to frame using this application.

I used the black butcher paper with the oil pastel stick for my gift wrap.  It was fun and I will use it, again and again for gift wrap!  The gift "getters"  loved it.  



Merry + Happy 2014!

Merry + Happy 2014 was this year's season greeting on my card.  Years ago I helped with a photo project for my husband's family reunion.  I has a collection of slides that needed to be converted to .jpeg files.  I remembered seeing on very cool photo of a house in a very winter setting.  It was Grandpa John's farmhouse.  I printed it on a large 11"x13" format.  I stared at it for several days trying to figure out how I could use it in my card.  I started painting on it.  I used acrylic tube paint with a medium clear glade to allow the paint to stay wet longer.  It worked perfectly. 


I used my camera to take a photo of the painting so I could download it on my laptop.



I decided to make the photo look like one from the 60's with the white border and date

I printed our greeting and a little something about the original photo on the back of the card.  Cut, scored and folded about 100 cards.



 I added glitter to the green glitter to the tree, white glitter to the roof on the house and black glittler on the snowman's hat.  I printed on a canvas photo paper which gave a really nice finish.


I attached the photo to the card stock with double stick tape and some decorative tapes on two of the corners.  I loved the way they turned out!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Christmas projects

Each year I like to make new holiday projects.  This year it's no different.  I got some ideas from Pinterest and some left over from last year that I wasn't able to get to.  This week is set aside for all these projects and decorating the house.  I also am brainstorming an idea for my xmas cards.  One idea I have is to use this old photo from Tom's Grandpa John's slide collection.  I printed it on a large photo sheet and plan to apply paints and embellishments.  Stay tuned....

Photo by Grandpa John

 Another idea I am considering, chalk board style for my card 

Chalk board paint on card stock using chalk pencil.
This feels the most authentic.

This is black butcher paper with white pastel stick

This is black drawing paper using a chalk pencil.
 I really like how this looks.
I think this is the perfect gift wrap, too.


I saw this sign on Pinterest.  I have a piece of wood and I have paint...

Photo on Pinterest
Here's what I did... not bad.  I have to still sand & age it.  


I have scrap paper left over from a jewelry project so I cut them into flags and going to make into banners.  I may add some words.


Nothing like rustic jingle bell wire garland!
 Love this stuff and it was so easy to make

I was taking a photo for our holiday photo challenge and had to photo my heart rock.

I heart Christmas!

Here's what my desk looks like!  I need to move this into the studio because I'm getting glitter everywhere!



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Street fair was a challenge today

First of all, too much Phoenix traffic (always) which didn't make it easy to get to Casa Grande... ugh, should of paid attention to time, then again, time runs in odd ways in my world.  In all ended up with setting up late, but the spot was nice and the artists I was next to were nice.  My table was ready, but I noticed not much foot traffic.  As the night went on, still not much foot traffic.  A cool breeze showed up, though. All us participants closed up an hour early because again, not much foot traffic.  Oh well, on to the next event or two.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Street fair in Casa Grande, AZ!

This is where I'll be.....

Downtown Street Scene "Winter Wonderland"
Tuesday, December 03, 2013, 05:30pm - 09:00pm
This is a great "downtown social" with a different theme every month.  Local artisans and musicians are featured as well as  a Classic Car Show. Florence Street will by closed off and all the shops and restaurants will be open with special promotions.  This event is held the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-9:00 pm. The location is at "The Alley" which is off Florence Street between 2nd and 4th Streets.  For more information, contact Rina Rien at 520-836-8744.  All downtown shops and restaurants will be open  

I'll have holiday themed pendants, Christmas stockings, garlands, more pendants, necklaces and earrings. 

A photo challenge going on on Facebook!!

 My sister, Melinda and I decided it was time for a photo challenge so why not do a holiday theme challenge.  Today is the first day of the Holly Jolly Countdown to Christmas Photo Challenge!  Join us!  Go over to Facebook and search out our group. It's a fun way to see the holidays through the camera lens! 

Facebook - Photo-A-Day Challenge Group



My dogs have a Facebook and this is their Day 1!



Saturday, November 30, 2013

Some updates & thoughts

Anyone who knows me, knows I have no concept of time.  I have no schedule, I rarely do anything the same, all things I make are one of a kind.  Taking my “having fun” in the craft room to working in my studio is where I'm at right now.  I have a blog, a Facebook page with a new web address, a logo, a business name, business cards, email and working on a project to log my creations.  Getting things together is a never ending process and I know there’s no time schedule to this creative journey I’m on. I named my business brokenwing, I have a collection of angels in my house and the thing they all have in common is every one of them has a broken wing and they’re perfect.  It’s one of those things I couldn’t explain how each one ended up with a broken wing that needed to be glued.   What it taught me … it doesn’t need to be perfect to be perfect, which describes my art, my jewelry, my photography, my cards, my studio, my home, everything Jobi.  My Facebook page address is www.facebook.com/the.brokenwing & my email is 
brokenwing @cox.net.  Here's my logo.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Street fair time, again.

I'm going to be at the Casa Grande Street Fair on December 3rd!! I've been working hard in the studio to have a nice selection of pendants and earrings.  I'm also including some holiday crafts, stockings, garland, etc.  I can't wait should be a blast.  I'll post the exact info later this week.
 
This reminded me of the photo I got in my email.  Last spring at the street show in Casa Grande I sold a pendant to Pam.  Pam explained she was getting married in Hawaii and she needed gift for her partner.  She liked a number of pendants but finally choose a purple pendant with a heart.  The plan was to give it to her partner after their ceremony in Hawaii.  Pam was kind enough to send me a photo!  Congratulations to them.
 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cookie cupcake!

Today was my friend Kathy's birthday.  I've known her for over 25 years, she is one of the nicest person you'll ever meet.  I just love her and her family.

Her birthday treat!  She was nice to share it with all of us.

I know she loves my sugar cookies so I baked her some sugar cookies but put it together like a cupcake.   I made the cookies all the same size.  I layered a cookie, frosting, cookie, frosting, and the third cookie and frosted the top and stuck a candle in the frosting.  Yumm is all I can say...yeah I made one for myself!


Monday, November 18, 2013

New office lighting!

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for the office.

Pinterest image
 I found the light cords at IKEA,  5 total.  I looked all over for the black rod and finally found exactly what I needed at Walmart.   I originally thought I would like to use vintage style blubs but after some research, the vintage style would not produce the bright light I was looking for.  I got these cool daylight blubs at Home Deport and they were reasonably priced.  The vintage type are expensive.
In the example above the electrical outlet was in the center near the ceiling.  I had to run a heavy duty power strip from the outlet behind my bookcase. The rod was easy enough to install after measuring the distance of the furthest  fixture, the cords were 6ft each.  Wrapping them was a time consuming job but it worked out nice. Since I took this photo I spent some extra time cleaning up and tightening up the cords.   Looks much neater.   The light it produces is so bright, daylight bright even at midnight!
 
 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Studio time

Been hanging out in the studio this week.  At this moment I smell like solder!  Been soldering all morning.  I started my week bending wire for earrings and soldering chain links I'm gonna use for earrings.
 
  
I had bezels made in the shape of hearts from a previous day in the studio.  I also added a round cooper wire to the design.  The cooper wire was tough to bend and even tougher to cut.  But, I found a handy heavy duty wire cutter in the tool box....it worked wonderfully!   I had already cut metal and filed down the edges.  It was time to match pieces.

 
This is what I did this morning...soldering soldering soldering.  I love this part but I must admit it's a smelly process, I must have my ceiling fan on and the window open.  It's breezy today and that helps move the air around in the studio. 


I'm taking a break from the studio for the next few hours to meet friends I haven't seen in awhile.  I love working in the studio and boy it does take so many steps to end up with my creations.  Break time!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Meditation

 I really don't plan to post daily meditation stuff... The challenge is 21 days!  But this day was good.

Day 2 
Empowered Me
CENTERING THOUGHT - I am a powerful creator
SANSKRIT MANTRA - Om kriyam namah - my actions are aligned with cosmic law
This day spoke of karma - karma is simply a reciprocal exchange—what we give, we receive in kind.
It's about making conscious decisions in our daily lives.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Meditation

I couldn't sleep tonight and when this happens I try to calm my mind with meditation.
What do you think about meditation? I've taken a few on-line meditation classes with Deepak Chopra. Oprah and Deepak have offer a new class.  I decided to sign up....

Desire and Destiny
A journey toward living with passion and abundance! We’ll be your guides, every day, as you uncover your creative brilliance, connect with your deepest desires, and tap into your pure potential. Then, watch your soul’s purpose and true destiny emerge, opening the door to living a life in which all things are within reach and your dreams transform into reality

Day 1
Who am I?
CENTERING THOUGHT...I am my deepest desire
SANSKRIT MANTRA....So Hum  I am



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The beginning of a new blog idea.

In my most recent trip home I was having lunch with my sister.  I was telling her how I was planning to add a interviews with to my blog.  I want to interview people about their jobs, passions, thoughts.  I explained how I would ask the same questions, maybe 10 questions total.  I have several people in mind already.  Artists, a teacher, some serious runners, crafters, moms, etc.
I asked my sister random questions….
1. How long have you been at you job?
She’s been at her job for 23 years.  She works with developmentally challenged children, ages 3-5 yrs.  She works within the school system with teachers, therapist, parents, etc.  It was tough for her to
.
2.  How does her job defines her? 
She loves children and definitely has a knack with kids.  Her job has taught her patience.  She loves to see the progress the kids make and the outcome.  She doesn’t like it when people say their child “can’t “ do something.  She has seen a child come into the class and he can’t open a book and he leaves the program with the knowledge about books, sounds, images, etc. 
 
3. Do you find joy in your job?
It’s chaos to brilliance when it comes to the children she works with.  It a challenge with so many moments of joy.
 
We stopped at this point because our lunch arrived...haha
 
What I know about my sister and her job...the kids love her.  Whenever we are out it never and I mean never fails a kid she's worked with notices her and that kid always and I mean always has a smile and a big hello for her!

 
My sister, Melinda!

 
This was a good start to what I want to add to my blog.  I know some very amazing women & men  doing some amazing things and I want to showcase them.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Studio time, again!

Back in the studio and really working hard.  I'm painting, I'm soldering, I'm making chain, I'm making earrings, lastly I'm making pendants!
I have to slow down on my ideas and projects.  I plan to attend a show in December and if I could just make all the cool Christmas stuff I want I would be a happy crafter! 
 

Tough week for my friend, Michele.

A week ago my friend, Michele lost her father, Mike McCarthy.  He had not been sick and his death was so unexpected.  It was so sad and hard to understand.  He left explicit instructions to celebrate his life.  And that is what we did.  May he rest in peace and he will be missed. 

A few weeks ago, Tom & I both visited our dads.  Tom visited his dad in rural Nebraska and was also  hoping to get a few days in the fields to help with harvest.  It rained and this gave Tom two days of hanging out with his dad.  He told me he really enjoy this time.  Me on the other hand, spent five days with my dad.  My dad is full of energy and talks endlessly....haha.  We are blessed to have this time with our dads. 

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Went to a wedding today....it was awesome!

Meet Mr. & Mrs. Javier Martinez!
They were married today in a very nice ceremony with close family in attendance.
Congratulations to them.
They are having a reception celebration on the roof top of a natural history museum.  Should be a great fun time.  Dia de los Muertos theme. I'll post photos.
 
Mr & Mrs Javier Martinez
(skull image source internet)
 
An added bonus was hanging out with this little guy! He was adorable today!
 
Me & Kalen
 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Every year for years we set up our courtyard as a cemetery.  We had coffins with a dead someone jump out.  We had lights, fog, webs, and tons of scary props.  We had kids play dead kids who scared the bah-jibbies out of the kids.  It was a blast.  The past couple of years the kid helpers have outgrown the fun and our neighborhood has grown up, too.   Not many kids out so we haven't had a haunted courtyard cemetery for a long time.  I miss the fun. 
 
Gabi & Christine.  Gabi would walk towards the trick or treaters and ask for her mom.  It was so scary for the kids.

This was the last major group of our haunted yard.  It was so much fun.

Creepy graveyard.