What's What (Vol. 3 - May 4-17)

It's been two weeks since my last post, but we had our staycation during the first week. Then, I spent all of last week trying to get caught up. (Not that I EVER feel caught up.) 

What's finished

Since it has been two weeks, and it rained for about half of our vacation, I did get a few things done.

This assemblage work has been in process for several weeks. It's the first in what I hope will be a series that highlights the little details of some of the ephemera in my stash. As such, this piece (available at Hello Gallery) is titled Ephemeral Treasures 1. 

Likewise, I took a bit of time last week to turn my ICADs (Index Card a Day) into greeting cards for the gallery. 

And, the May Finding the Words art journal spread for YouTube was completed. 

Those are just the bigger tasks I accomplished. There were loads of smaller ones too. 

What's in Progress

Speaking of cards, I've been working on restocking my supply of cards that get included with purchases from the Etsy Shop. That meant making masterboards and watercoloring some flowers for them. 

I can't share what's actually on my desk at the moment, though, as it's my Inspiration Trove assemblage project for the month. I should hopefully have that available to watch within the week.

What's Next?

In addition to the Inspiration Trove video, I'm hoping to have another Thrifty Thursday video up this week, list a few pieces on Etsy, work on a NEW WEBSITE, and get into my Spicy art journal. 

What's Caught My Eye?

Since we were on vacation...it's been a lot of things!

This note written in the sidewalk outside a thrift store in Milton, FL is just one of them.

I also found this abandoned birds' nest in the brambles of our property while I was doing yardwork yesterday.

What's Had My Attention?

I just started listening to/reading The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and am really enjoying it. In fact, it's this month's book for a book club that I'm likely joining. So, that's exciting too. 

What's Inspired Me?

Our staycation was full of inspiring activities. We went to the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, MS. It was full of so much colorful inspiration!

We spent an afternoon at the beach (Orange Beach, AL). It's my favorite place to restore my soul, and I am so thankful that we live so close to the coast.

A whole day was enjoyed in Milton, Florida. First, we rode 16 miles of the Blackwater Trail on our bikes. Then we did some dining, antiquing, walking along the Blackwater River, and sampling the local brews. 

What was the Best Part of my Week(s)?

See the section above! 😜

What's New?

It's not especially new-new, but I did recently get my PaperArtsy Infusions into little organizers that I've had hanging around. I even made a whole Reel about it on YouTube. 

What's New with You?

CraftyHope Booth at Southern Antiques and Accents

 The other day, I took a quick trip into Southern Antiques and Accents to add a few "new" items to the CraftyHope booth. 

This Saturday, March 12th, is the monthly Super Second Saturday event that goes on all day long. There are sales and demos and even a happy hour with live music from 4-6pm. And, since there's a cold snap coming Saturday, it might be the perfect event for you to get out without getting out in the cold!

Like I said, I added a few items to my display. Here's a teaser look at several of them.

Of course, there are loads more pieces to take in at my booth as well as in the many, many others booths you'll find at Southern Antiques and Accents in Fairhope. Enjoy!

Peek at My Week (Nov 7-13)

It's been one of those weeks that stretched out before me with opportunity and inspiration. I'm not sure if that's because I began The Artist's Way* (TAW) or because of the time change or if there are some other factors at play. But, I tried to take advantage of it as much as I could. Take a peek. 

Sunday began early with the added hour because of Daylight Savings. The temperature had dropped dramatically as well. It felt more like winter than fall. Though, the leaves disagree. I began my first week of TAW ready to find inspiration. 

I spent the day on a variety of tasks, including working on The Magpie's Nest Workshop from Aimee Bishop. 

I wasn't loving those magpies, but they've grown on me as I've accepted them as they are. 

Monday was full of surprises.

This photo was taken on Monday, but only as a representation of the actual dead mouse that I discovered when I woke up that morning. I'm relieved to have the cats because I had no idea we had a mouse!

While working on a project, I encountered another surprise as I flipped open a recently-acquired vintage dictionary. 

I just happened to open the book to the exact pages where this photo had been nestled for who knows how long. I was super excited! 

Though I felt like nothing was getting accomplished that afternoon, I was able to copper-foil a few items for my soldering session on Tuesday morning.

I wish I had soldered a wider variety of pieces but was relieved to have this batch done. 

In the afternoon, I took myself on an "artist's date" along the shores of Mobile Bay. 

I worked most of the day on Wednesday on a project for a friend. But, then treated myself (and my family) to the baking of my favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

I stayed home all day Thursday and put my nose to the grindstone to work on a few ideas. I got to break out my heavy-duty tools, and that's always fun. 

Though I have loads of cardinals at my birdfeeders, the brightness of this one especially caught my eye Friday morning (sorry for the blur, I was zooming in.)

Not long afterward, I ran out to the post office and then felt the pull to do a little thrifting.

This is the bulk of what I brought home (there were a few other items I had already put away.) Now, I NEED to begin actually making something from them!

Saturday was a bit of an odd day as our Bama football game was early, and I had plans in the afternoon with a friend. So, I busted out a few chores and a little art-time before kickoff.

After the game, I broke down one of my tins before heading out to meet my friend for a little time at Super Second Saturday at Southern Antiques and Accents and dinner together. 

It was a full and fun week. I'm looking forward to seeing what the week ahead holds. But first, here's some of the inspiration I found.

• DIY these lovely Autumn Leaves Earrings from Halcraft. 
• Fiber-based wall-hangings
• Land art that gets wiped away by the ocean
• Christmas Tree Earrings from Fire Mountain Gems
• The Cathedral of Junk (in Texas)

How was your week?

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Peek at My Weeks (Oct. 24-Nov. 6)

 How fun is this two-week peek? It begins with my birthday!

My main request for my day was that I didn't have to cook. So, Pat ran out for breakfast and picked up my choice of doughnuts!

Secondly, I wanted to go to the beach. It was an overcast and dreary day (which fit my mood), but we headed to The Gulf for lunch and drinks. 

I enjoyed a mojito with my meal of filet mignon and crabcakes while looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. It was all SO GOOD!

Usually, I spend my birthday out shopping, but I saved that for Monday. This meant to Tuesday was consumed with catching up on chores and errands. I did stop long enough to take a gander at this little guy. 

Wednesday was spent busting out a few more overdue tasks like taking pictures of products and for videos. I was relieved to get that done. I even began tackling the last jewelry project in my Bead Box. Hopefully, I'll have that reveal for you in the next several weeks. 

As I sat out on the porch on Thursday morning, I enjoyed my visit from a furry neighbor.

I took care of a few tasks before heading out for a little shopping, a visit with my mom, and a meeting. It was a busier day than I even remembered. 

After getting the house cleaned, I puttered around the craft room and spotted this tiny moth in the window. (No worries, he was escorted outside later.)

I also eked in a little gelli-printing fun.

I spent a huge chunk of Saturday working on some of the steps for the Magpie's Nest Workshop from Aimee Bishop. 

And, I did clean all that up before a couple of friends came over to watch football. Then, I pulled it all out again Sunday morning!

Sunday afternoon was spent with my mom and a visiting cousin. Then, I handed out candy for Halloween at my mom's house. 

Most of Monday was consumed with announcing the winner of my giveaway and getting the new Variety Paper Packs in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. 

After all that excitement, I let myself walk around the property a little. The bees on the loquat trees always soothe me. 

I got my errands and chores managed on Tuesday but felt a little lost creatively. My copy of The Artist's Way came in (a birthday gift card purchase for myself), and I spent some time reading it. It seemed to help!

Though, I'm not exactly sure what happened to Wednesday. I took care of a few things but didn't accomplish much. 

On Thursday. I spent almost the entirety of the day thrifting. There were three estate sales and a thrift store involved. And, I racked up!

I would have loved to have spent more time at the last sale. It was the home of a local artist. But, there were so many people there and so many inspiring pieces that I became overwhelmed. I did get a few tools and some wire, though. 

After all that inspiration, I was able to focus a little more on Friday. I finished a few pieces that I'm donating for a silent auction fundraiser for a friend's friend. 

And, after some housecleaning on Saturday (it HAD to be done) and an inspiring video from Tiffany of Southern Gals Designs, I began folding folios for a new junk journal. 

A friend came over for the Alabama football game in the evening. It was INTENSE, but we won!! And, I got a little silly with my glasses and Zoe's tail. 

And that was my last two weeks. Today will start my real journey with The Artist's Way. So, we'll see how that goes. 

Here's some of the inspiration I've found and shared.

• Free Halloween SVG Files
• Louisa May Alcott quotes for inspiration
• Autumn Leaf DIY Pillow (upcycled denim)
• Famous Painting recreations from Everyday objects
• Check out these Raw Wool Bust Sculptures
• An Artists Guide to Different Types of Pens

How's life treating you?

Peek at My Week (Oct 17-23)

 It's my birthday today, so I'm hoping to make this short and sweet.

Last week began beautifully with a fun day with a friend exploring the Daphne Jubilee Arts Festival and then having lunch.

On Monday, I was determined to try to get some work done, so I gathered all my treasures to find some inspiration.

Tuesday included a few fun bits. Of course, there was laundry duty too. Artemis was no help as she climbed into my basket.

She's lucky she's cute!

I had won an Amazon gift card and bought myself a little treat that came in late in the day.

This Himi Gouache set was on sale.

I didn't have time to test them out before I ran to the library for an event.

We made pumpkins from old books!

Back in the craft room on Wednesday, I created some mark-making tools.

These are for The Magpie's Nest, a workshop from Aimee Bishop on Jeanne Oliver's site. 

I finished up several earrings for the booth on Thursday as well as went about my day. Once again, a cat got in on the act of my chores. 

Rosalina insisted on staying in the bed when I made it. lol!

I took the new pieces to Southern Antiques and Accents on Friday morning.

From there, I headed to Mobile to visit with my mom for a little while.

I also announced a giveaway on YouTube for reaching 2,000 Subscribers. 

Saturday was a bit slow, but I busted out a few tasks I needed to work on like the You, Me, Same 3 for October. I'll share that reveal on Saturday. But, I also spent some time in the yard and admired my little collections from this week. 

In the evening, we watched football. And, Zoe crashed out with us on the couch with her own ball. 

And, here are some links I found inspiring this week. 

• DIY Earrings with Wire and Ceramic Pendant
• Ten Activities for a Creative Autumn
• Beginner Floral Embroidery Pattern
• DIY Halloween Garland with Free Printables
• Flame Cut Wood Decoupage Jewelry
• Abstract Art Journaling Techniques from Tiffany of Southern Gals Designs
• Real Life Horror Film Locations you can visit
• Easy Yarn Tassel Ghost Garland
• How to Make a Spiral Pendant Necklace

So that was the week. What do you have planned for this one?