Bike riding

I bought a bike, a hybrid urban bike.  I’m in love love love!  I find it so easy to get on my bike every morning and go for a ride.  My first week it was easy to ride 4 miles which totally surprised me.  The following week I was riding 5-6 miles and today I rode 8 miles!!!   I conveniently live on a really nice bike route going all directions so depending on the direction of the wind determins which direction I ride.  Overall it’s a cool way to get some exercise.  Earlier this year I was walking my local park and found it such a challenge to get 2 miles of walking done.  Plus it’s always sunny and I’m not a fan of direct sunlight on me.  I find riding my bike so much fun and the sunshine doesn’t seem to be so bad cuz I’m moving and there's always a breeze.     Do you ride a bike and do you love it?

Beaded necklaces

I've been making beaded necklaces for the past month.  I have tons of seed beads and thought it was time to see what I could make with them.  I made some charms and found some pretty cool charms in my stash of stuff. This particular collection was sent off to a shop in Lincoln, Nebraska -- Guru Honey.  I didn't take a very good photo of them...not sure what I was thinking, I'm usually pretty good at documenting my jewelry.  I haven't stopped making these cool necklaces.  I'll have to post on my Facebook page when I have more to sell.

Red, turquoise, black and cream colors

I'm losing and finding things all the time

I have this thing about losing stuff all the time....but I also have this thing about finding them.  Well there are three things so far I've not ever found, one heart shaped necklace (Valentine's Day gift), a pair of the coolest blue tinted prescription sunglasses and another necklace...a diamond one...(anniversary gift) but I am open to them coming back to me.  

The other day I was going through my collection of postcards.  In this pile of postcards I found my Best Buy gift cards I got as a  gift a long time ago.  I thought I might of given them to someone, re-gifting is common in my world.  And something even more funny was I put the two cards in my journal and headed out to shop.  When I went to get the cards they weren't in my journal!  Found one at the bottom of my purse but the other one I had no idea where it could be.  Can you believe it I lost one of the cards, so no shopping.  Two days later I thought I might as well check out my car and see if it might of fallen out of my purse.  Low and behold it was under the seat!  Oh yeah I just remember another thing I've lost and have yet to find....my best Bose earphones!!!  I love them earphones, which were also a birthday gift.  Geez, I'm noticing a pattern here...gifts=lost stuff.  Honestly though, I have found so many things that were once lost....honestly I lose things all the time all kinds of things all the time, so the odds of it being found are pretty good and I could tell you some stories about lost and found, haha.

I headed to Best Buy and decided on a Kindle.  I've had several types of Kindles in the past but have passed them on to other reading friends.  I have the original basic Kindle in order to keep my account open for ebook benefits.  I've used my iPad to read using the Kindle app.  What I didn't like about using the iPad is it's heavy and not comfortable to hold and read.  I ended up buying the Kindle paperwhite and I'm loving it!!!!  It's small and easy to read. 

I do love having real books and I have three on my bedside I'm reading right now.  Crazy isn't it??

Labyrinths

I don’t really know too much about labyrinths, but since I started walking and also learning  the practice of meditation I decide why not combine both and walk a labyrinth.  I found one about a mile away from my house.  It’s on a church property but no one was around.  I walked it and it was pretty cool and decided to make it a habit.  I rode my bike there today and it’s gone!  It’s been removed and construction is going on.  Sad face!  I’m gonna need to do some more research to find another one in my area.  Not only did I love the shape but I was fascinated with the rocks.  I did find one heart shaped and that always puts a smile on my face.  You should find a labyrinth to walk and think....let me know if you do.

Hello blog...

It's amazing how time gets away from me when it comes to my blog posts.  I'm constantly using my camera, constantly jotting down notes, and always have tons of blog post ideas....but putting it all together to post continues to be my challenge.  I've been working on beading projects, taking online art classes, reading more, and sorting photos.  This time of year the weather is beautiful around here and that's a big distraction, too.  All & all, it's a fun day everyday. 

Studio time

My mom taught us to crochet when we were kids.  The first lesson was how to hold the thread/tension in one hand and how to hold the crochet needle in the other.  First stitch we learned was the simple chain stitch. We would sit and do nothing but make a long long crocheted chain.  The past few days I've been taking what I learned from that first lesson and making jewelry.  Strung beads on some waxed linen thread and crocheted the chain stitch over and over and over,again.  Thanks, Mom

While out running errands I stopped in one of my favorite bead stores, Beads & Findings International and she had tons of seed beads.  Lucky me!

It's snowing, it's cold but it's pretty

This cold weather sure is tough to be in.  I know I'm a whimp and I'll say nothing more about the cold snowy weather.  

Monday thoughts, on Tuesday

I’m in my hometown for my Dad’s 80^th birthday party this weekend.  My brother and sisters have been finalizing the details of the party.   He's in good health and gets around just fine, so it’s deceiving that he's 80.  On this trip I've noticed he’s slowed some but his mind is as sharp as a knife.  He has an amazing memory of his life and people he has met throughout his whole life.  Each time he steps upstairs from the basement he sings a little tune and honestly he never stops moving.  He’s been that way his whole life.

I drove around town today and it has changed and I hardly recognize anything.  While I was sitting in Mini Lula talking on the cell phone a car drove up to me and it was a friend I’ve known since junior high.  She heard I was in town and she saw Mini and thought it was a good chance it was me.  It was so nice seeing her and having a chat.  She plans to attend the party so we’ll have more time to catch up on each other’s lives. 

The other great thing about being home is seeing my family.  The things that drive me crazy about them are also the things I miss so much.  The icing on the cake is being with my great niece, baby girl Anaya.  She’s so adorable!

I like being home but I also miss my space, my studio, my husband and those three crazy dogs of mine. 

If you are lucky like me to have your parents around please enjoy them…learn from them…embrace who they are.

Monday thoughts

The other day I set up the camera on the tripod to get a photo holding a Happy Valentine's Days sign.  Instead, I used a blank sheet of cardstock so I could change what the sign would say.  I'm going to post a inspirational saying each Monday.  Here's the first one!  I really miss getting lost.  I miss wandering.  So today I'm gonna get lost.

Steal Like An Artist.... austin kleon

What I have in progress

One of my challenges is to post more often on this here sweet blog.  I'm working on articles and editing photos like as if it was my job with outlines and deadlines.  One of the things is interviewing all these talented friends I have.  Not all are artists but all are achievers and awesome in what they do.  It's amazing what my friends are doing with their passions and what brings them joy.  I'm excited to begin that series.  The other thing I would love to do is honor my parents.  I inherited my artsy side from my mom and I inherited my learn it all never take no for answer side from my dad.  

Putting away all this holiday decor has been a huge job.  Once I'm finished with it I can get back in the studio, my brain is exploding with ideas!

Welcome 2015!

Here's to another year on my blog.  I would like to say I resolve to post more often, to add some videos, continue to photograph all the fun stuff I make and places I go and the awesome people I meet.....but in Jobi's world who knows where my blog journey will go or how it will go!  I want to thank you for taking time to visit my blog and coming along for the ride.

Small Business Saturday!

I crossed paths with my friend Lillie in April 2014.  We had a conversation and I hung up the phone thinking how could it be that I met someone so like me.  Since that time we have spent time sharing ideas, dreams, crafts, and all the other girl crafty stuff.  This weekend she was invited to participate  in this event at ThirdSpace.  We went to a meeting and I loved the energy of the place and the other artist!  So wish us luck and here's a sample of the fun things I'm selling.

Holiday Art Show 2014

It's that time of year!

I love this time of year!

I've been busy in the studio

lots of holiday decor and crafts

the house will be decorated with all things Xmas

food & holiday drinks

but,

the best news is..

A HOLIDAY ART SHOW

featuring all my things

jewelry, holiday decor, art prints

Also plan to feature some of my talented friends.

Here's the flyer...

So if you live in my area, stop by, please!

Getting ready for a art show/open house!!

This past week and for the next two weeks I'll be working night & day to get ready for this show.  I"m dusting off a crate of holiday themed crafts from past shows and offering them up, again.  I'm making new things, too.  The fun part is decorating and getting the holiday spirit through out the house.  More details to come....

Rusted mattress spring trees & burlap artwork.

Holiday words on fabric

I'm sewing stuff and decided I needed to embellish them with some fabric labels/ fabric words.  I originally used my old school typewriter and they turned out good.   As I was sewing them on to some burlap stockings.... I had an idea,  why not use my printer, it's fancy enough to type on fabric.   I love how they turned out....labels in color and different fonts!  Great idea.  It's endless how to use these.