Please, just 8 hours!

January kicked my butt!

The flu arrived around the 1st & still won't leave.

I'm not operating on many cylinders these days.

I'm working on some things for upcoming workshops,

But when your sleep deprived you do weird things.

Like cut up cute pictures.

Wax them onto pages.

 

Wrap them up like little mummies.

And then set fire to them!

 

I need more sleep!

details

Want to see what I've been doing in my spare time?

Well, when I'm not playing nursemaid to my ailing family

(the flu has invaded our home)

I've been gluing, sewing & creating art books!

While putting together pages for my books I begin to understand the relationship, or marriage of the elements. I can spend obscene amounts of time picking & sorting to find just the right words, images & findings that when combined will tell my story. 

I am inspired by details.

These pages are part of my contribution to Mary's newest collaboration

Artful Pages

4 Artists 4 Ways

I always say I'd like to challenge myself by placing a strict time limit on my design & hopefully come up with a more spontaneous piece.

 Try as I might I just can't do it.

I'll be sharing my process & tricks in Artful Pages & can't wait to learn some new techniques from the diverse group Mary's gathered.

I hope you'll check out the link & see the amazing pages Hope, Mary & Lenna have created.

There was a sweet surprise in my mailbox last week.

Donna from Brynwood Needleworks sent me such a wonderful & unexpected gift. 

 She calls them Mug Mats & is hosting a swap on her blog.

    Donna's workmanship is outstanding & again, it's the details!

I treasure your friendship Donna!

Pretty pictures for a grey day

The weather since Christmas has been cold, grey & rainy.
Perfect weather for hanging out inside & recharging my creative energy.

Yesterday I spent a great deal of couch time in front of the fire looking at some winter white eye candy. 

Love my European publications.

 This makes me want to just rip out my carpet & paint the floors white.

 Somehow I don't think my concrete sub-floors would look at cool!

And speaking of creative inspiration. 

Remember I hinted at a new project??

I'm so excited to be involved with Miss Mary Green's latest collaboration!

4 different artists, sharing 4 different books.

Hope Wallace Karney, Lenna Andrews, Mary & I each have our own style & approach to creating wonderful art books.

Here's a peak at part of mine. 

Go visit Mary to find out more & see the beautiful pages she's gathered.

One last thing......

did you hear?!!!

I am so happy & proud for Dawn!

I cannot wait to see her amazing art in the pages of Pam Carriker's book Art at the Speed of Life.

I ordered mine here!

Presents!

Finally the tree is packed away,

 old toys donated & new toys in their place.

Life is settling down to it's cozy winter pace.

I know it's mid January, but I'm just getting around to showing off a few of my Christmas goodies!

I've talked about my niece/child wrangler Chelsea before. 

She's graduating from UT Austin in May, where she studies art. 

This amazing portrait of the kids was a total surprise.

She nailed Philip's little smirk.

I love her unique style, she does all her work with colored pencils.

A close up of Lily & Owen, she totally captured their spirit.

This was by far my favorite gift of the season!

Santa totally tricked me with this next present.

New butcher block counters & a farmhouse sink!

I don't know when he managed to sneak off to Ikea without my knowledge.

What do you think about my back splash?

I call it 'faux finished'!

I'm debating over white subway tile & ceiling tile. 

Armstrong & Home Depot sells these lightweight sheets that you can paint & distress.

Anyone have any back splash suggestions?

You are a clever bunch!

And my sink.....

I love it so much.

I don't know why someone would pay hundreds of dollars for one when you can get them for $300 at Ikea.

Yes, the holidays were full of surprises for me.

On Christmas Eve I opened the mailbox & found this!

 I'm so honored to be featured again in Somerset Life!

It's another great issue from Christen & the gang, lots of beautiful inspiration.

I'm in some pretty good company too, including my friend

Miss Sandy.

(thanks to Quill Cottage for the pictures)

The most amazing project!

Sandy's art & blog always inspires me!

As always I'm behind on deadlines,

 so much I want to do.

So little time to do it all!

I have a couple of exciting things to share with you, stay tuned!