That's using your head(board)! And other handmade bikes

A few more of my photos taken at the state fair...
These are from the antique bicycle exhibit:

We were awe-struck by this one. A fine example of using whatever you have on hand (or find in a junkyard)! Can you imagine how unwieldy this would be? According to the information on it, the owner/builder rode it to work for, I think, 3 years!! Notice it's built for two.




Here's a "Bonecrusher" (1870) variation.

Even with the more sensibly-sized wheels, I couldn't balance that if my life depended on it! "Reported to be the very first bicycle in Iowa. Built by a blacksmith. Very heavy." (This shot was a bit blurred, so I altered it to look even more yesteryear.)

Now this one's more my speed! A lady's tri-cycle. Not sure I could maneuver it, but imagine how rockin' it would be to cruise around in this modern, 1885 "Velocipede"!


I love that these are still around today. They must've been well-built. The riders, I mean, as well as the bikes!

Oh, yeah...

I told you I wanted to share some of my photos from the State Fair.  Some of my favorites are from the art exhibits.  (Can you believe even my kids stopped in to look at the art???)
I snapped a few shots of the works that jumped out at me.  Like this one, called Worn Steps by Steve Busch.  It's a pencil drawing, labeled "amateur".  I'm wowed by the detail!  
And you know I love all that curvy ironwork.  It gives me such a New Orleans or Charleston feeling....
It also reminds me of this art I started way back at the beginning of the year.  And still haven't finished.  But I'm going to get back to that right away.  I am.
Okay, not tonight, but tomorrow for sure. ^_^

Stay tuned for more of my "finds" from the fair... 

My "Etsy-versary" SALEabration!

Yeesh!
I've been so busy I forgot to post a little notice about the sale going on in my shop for the next month.

I'm celebrating 4 years selling on Etsy.com!  I found this venue just a few months after it was started. So I'm  considered "old school". LOL!
I've seen Etsy evolve and grow and become (practically) a household word.

I've been reflecting a bit about my own changes in this little time frame. It's fun to look back.  And ahead!

Now I have special prices throughout my shop, through November 24.  Something every day, something on every page...

So I hope you'll come in and see what's happening.  And be sure to read the shop announcement for additional savings for returning customers.

Get started on holiday shopping or treat yourself, and let me help sweeten the deal!

Wheeee....!

Today was a bright one ,despite the rain, gloom and dreariness, because our new laptop arrived. Yipeee...!  It's been a long time since we had a new "toy" of this kind in the house, and we enjoyed taking Windows 7 out for a spin.  Even though the kids are all about Macs.  But getting it through our telephone company with zero interest payments made this one worthwhile.

And now typing is not such a pain in the patootie, although it's going to take some getting used to...

So here's one of my photos from the fair.  (What a breeze, uploading them directly to the computer instead of the printer!)

My youngster is "shadowing" someone for his career interest tomorrow and I have to get up early(er) to drop him off.  Guess I should put my toy away and call it a day.....

Waiting...

So...............
My computer is dead.  Not all the way dead.  Just mostly dead. 
Ugh.
Considering its age, I shouldn't feel so bad about getting a new one, but with the economy effecting us as it has, I feel guilty. 
While I wait for the replacement, I get to punish myself by using the kids' old laptop (which has no battery, just a cord that can't be wiggled, so it's tied to a table with very uncomfortable seating). And the keyboard is in terrible shape!
...Also, I have none of my photos on it.  My son gave me permission to upload my pix from the state fair, but I haven't yet.  Maybe I can wait till my new machine gets here.

I poked around in his photo folder and found this shot of my two guys, their friend (who belongs to my friend) and my older son's girlfriend.  I love it!  And had to sneak around to find it.  Sheesh!  (I hope they don't find out!)

Anyway... just wanted to say hello to the blog world.  And so long for now....

The Key to Good Dreams

 

Finding no large blocks of time for being creative this week, I finally decided to do a little something with a few, limited supplies in a few short minutes before bedtime.  I grabbed a pack of  tan colored clay and just two tools.  After conditioning the clay, I made a somewhat lumpy rectangle and used the dental tool to make a design I think of as pine branches. When I cut the hole with a scalpel blade, it occurred to me to turn it into a keyhole.  I also followed a design in my sketch book to make a flower.  Next morning, I added salt to the keyhole pendant (for the pitted look), baked, painted, and glazed.  I was happy with both pieces and happy to finally make something new.  (I slept like a baby, too!)  ^_^

I hope to catch up on some blog-reading this weekend to see what the rest of you are creating lately.  See ya!

A Changing Sky

"Red sky at night - sailor's delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."  
Or so the saying goes.  I've seen it come true many times.

This morning the sky was reddish and the wind was blowing.  It was a little eerie.  I checked the weather forecast so my son wouldn't over- or under-dress.  High of 84° and isolated thunderstorms expected.  Then came a short shower.

A few minutes later I glanced out at the rain-spattered window to see a blue sky and the sun sparkling on the trees.  Amazing change from a small wind!

I've been trying to bring some change to my life --or way of living.  I'm taking a closer look at my habits, stress-factors, what brings me joy, and where my priorities lie.  A little self-examination from the inside.  And trying to make adjustments where I can.
I made a pendant last week with sky blue shades for my shop.
Maybe I should make one for myself to remind me to keep my eye on the new horizons I seek.....

A sigh of relief....

Things are going a bit better today (I think!)
So far, the only snafu I've had is when I sneezed immediately after putting on my mascara.

I did get a couple of things photo'd and listed for sale, including this tiny pendant.  It's one of my "Oh So Faux" gemstones with intentionally wonky, multiple facets, so it's especially rustic with a dash of elegant from the copper bezel.

Hoping I can accomplish a little more today, now that errands & cleaning & kids are out of the way.  

~~~Happy Weekend!~~~

Grrrrr......!

Tiger watercolor painting
Originally uploaded by painted path
I hate to make a fuss in public, but I have to get this out somewhere...
 (Pardon me while I roar...!)

I woke up today with so many creative ideas in my head, but so many frustrations.
An update to my browser completely wiped out all my RSS feeds. I had about 20 sites I follow that way, some which update rarely, so I can't remember even half of them. ...grrrr...!

 I made a sketch recently and really liked it. I knew I should've finished it out with colored pencils, but I wanted to paint it; now it looks completely different. ...grrr....!

When we went on vacation this summer, I was maybe unreasonably worried about theft and hid several things around the house. Not really unreasonable, since friends of ours who live nearby on weekends had their house broken-into and almost everything taken --from lawn equipment to their garden gloves, from clothing to food to toilet paper!
So I had that in mind when I stashed my Dremel tool. And now that I need it, I realize I just hid it from myself. I know it's here somewhere, but next time I do that, I'll have to leave myself some clues. haha!

I have several new-ish creations I need to photograph and add to my Etsy shop. But I have a gazillion other things demanding my time, I can't help but feel frustrated. ...grrr....!
I just want a full 24 hours when I don't have to go anywhere, cook for anybody, answer or make any phone calls, fill out any forms, or clean up after people and animals who are messier than me!

But right now, I have to deal with a windfall of apples and spaghetti squash (not that I'm ungrateful for them, but... grr...!) and then drive out of town. Twice. In two different directions. ...GRRR......!

Okay, I feel better now.
Admire the beautiful painting, above, by Sharon Farber.
And have a grrrreat day! ^_^

A Case for the Past

Since my husband became a "public servant" for our small town, he's often invited to gatherings for nearby towns and groups --what I call shin-digs or schmooze fests. Lucky me, I get to be his date!

Today we rubbed elbows with the humble and friendly folks of a close-by community I'd never been to. I had no idea they had a museum. It was so quaint and sweet, I was immediately jealous that OUR little town doesn't have one. I love "going back in time" and even a small collection of artifacts and ephemera does the trick.

Here's a bit of what I snapped through the display cases with my cell-phone...
(Duh! I forgot to take my camera along!)

I was just ga-ga over this tiny, child's purse:

It was a blue-green snakeskin, I think; sitting on top was a tin whistle from a Cracker Jack box. (Take a look at this site's archives of other great old Cracker Jack prizes. I covet their little mandolin whistle!)

The museum had an antique Sears catalog (or guide?) Wouldn't I have loved to thumb through it!  On the shelf beneath was a very vintage document in a gorgeous old script.  I didn't see anything regarding it.  Hopefully I can go back when there's someone there to tell me.

I think I might have drooled on the display case for the box of playing cards with the beautiful girl in a hat!  Counter-clockwise is a snuff box(?) and a needlebook, then a spool and a sewing kit.

For such a small museum, there were plenty of historical items to keep me exclaiming. Especially a very old typewriter (something like this). It wasn't even behind a rope or glass, so I could've put my fingers on the amazing, octagonal keys! I was too awe-struck to even think of taking a photo.  I definitely have to go back with my camera.

If you love vintage/antique images and haven't seen the wonderful collection by Abigail Mooney at The Vintage Moth, then hurry on over!  She takes the time and trouble to share them for free.  How can we not love that?!

Home So Sweet

Looking at all the blogs out there, I'm constantly in awe of the great photography. That's a talent I don't have, but I love the artistry of it.
I'm also no decorator, so my house is of the Eclectic/Lived-in/Needs Work style. Still... it's home, and it's dear.
I decided to try snapping a few shots of things around the house in black & white yesterday. It was quite over-cast and I don't have a tripod, so I'm still not approaching the artistic look in this montage, but it does say HOME to me:

I've been hearing a song that reminded me of a little painting I made to honor the home. Because HOME is a place that doesn't necessarily have to be a building. It can be the person/people you feel most "at home" with.

Here's the song if you'd like to have a listen.
Quite catchy!
Enjoy...

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

The Slow Lane

Why is it that everything I do takes me forever? I'm slow making decisions, I'm slow getting started, I'm slow in working on any project, and let's not even talk about finishing! I mentioned earlier about getting back to my art journal-notebook. I did manage another page, although it took me 2 days to finish and another 2 to get it scanned.

The found magazine picture reminded me of an abandoned road through tall pines where I'd walk as a kid. When I think about that, I remember the slow pace, not just in the walks, but in everyday life. Time spent reading --by myself or looking at a new magazine with my mom; time to examine the details of nature --from the sky to the ground; time to climb trees and build things and play. No rush. No hurry.
I'm trying to accept that that's who I am.

I'd like to be one of those people who bounces about, high-energy, always excited, leaving a trail of fireworks and laughter and things accomplished. But I'm not. I'm me. I have a sense of humor, I smile a lot, dance sometimes, and shout out now and then. But I'm mostly contemplative and introspective. And that's who I need to be. Myself. Trying to match the pace of the rest of the world is not good for my stress-levels.

So part of me (most of me!) will always be walking that quiet path, thinking and dreaming, and taking it slow. I think I'm a pretty good candidate for The Slow Movement. Come on along; just leave the cell phone behind!

More free projects and tutorials

Just another heads-up if you love finding great, crafty ideas and free instructions to go with them...
I've added 3 more to my ever-growing list in the sidebar. Two of these were found at ScrapScene, one of the blogs I follow (and love!) I'm not a scrapper at all, but they feature all kinds of products and plans for arts & crafts or just decorating.
Like these fuzzy-wuzzy Velvet Buttons you can turn into thumbtacks or who-knows-what:

by Andrea Singarella of Everyday Beauty
(While you're there, why not read what she says about authenticity?

Another pretty project with a cottage-y feel that totally charms me is this Newspaper Shelf Edging:

from Dena Designs
My fireplace is flanked by built-in bookshelves, so I think I may use a variation of this for the holidays!

And last, but not least... an idea you can use with any style you like-- an Altered Purse. Or tote. Or case. Such as this:

and more by Penny Richards of Pennamite. She uses lots of cool photos from Flickr's Commons area. You can find even more at the Library of Congress site.

So much fun to be had with all the free tutorials out there... Enjoy!
And don't forget, I welcome your recommendations, too. ^_^