Crazy4Art4U

Moving Day!!!!!

2010-09-24T18:43:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, just a quick and brief note to tell you I am moving my blog today! I will be leaving Crazy4art4u up but will not continue posting here. I hope you all will follow me over to my new place http://www.elizabethstudio54.blogspot.com/ and help share in my excitement!
Hugs to you all, and hurry over to my new blog, I just put up my first post over there.

The Winner Is...

2010-09-01T10:21:00.002-04:00

Morning All,
So in a few minutes I will be drawing a name for the winner of my giveaway, and I just want to say thanks to everyone that participated! Your help has been much appreciated. Before I go on to the winner however, I am putting a link up to a friends blogpost that I would like you all to be aware of - it comes with a warning. Unfortunately it is about a company that does not behave very well and in our sphere of artists I think that is just unacceptable so, I here is the linkk to Katarina's post so you can read and judge for yourself. Remember caveat emptor (let the buyer beware)...

OK, I have conducted this drawing very scientifically - I put all of your names in one of my husband's baseball caps and he picked the winner... I know, I know all those random number programs but I am getting a little tired of too much technology in life so, this was fair and honest - everyone had an equal chance of being drawn and I fluffed the little pieces of paper with your names on them really really well before and after I put them in the hat! The other choice would have been to have Raphael (a.k.a. monsieur kitty) choose one at the risk of it being shredded before I could read the winner.

And now the winner is Avalonne83 over at the "The Black Cat" Blog CONGRATULATIONS AVALONNE!!!! I will be emailing you for your mailing information so I can get your book out to you right away. Thanks again everyone for all your help - you are all true friends and I love you all :D When I finish my project for which this giveaway was designed I will post pictures - don't look for them until around late November.
Hugs to everyone,

Giveaway Ends Tonight

2010-08-31T09:57:00.000-04:00

Hey Everybody!
Hope you all have great plans for this upcoming long weekend and for those of you not living in the states I hope you have left yourself time for creating some great art this coming weekend. I thought I would give a quick reminder that today is the last day to enter a comment on what "and then there was none" brings to mind for you and be entered in my handmade book giveaway. I still need more ideas as this is for a project I am doing for the Brooklyn Arts Library in New York. So far you all have contributed some great ideas ... so this is it, your last chance. So, as Hercule Poirot would say, "get those little gray cells moving" and leave me some more ideas in the comments section!
Have a lovely day and good luck to all who have and will enter the giveaway...check back here tomorrow for the winner's name.
Hugs,

Dream Porch, Well, and Dream House!!!

2010-08-29T14:19:00.001-04:00

I had planned on something else today for my friends on my blog but while out blog hopping (I really need to stop doing this and get some serious art made), I found this AMAZING - did I say AMAZING - I mean AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS PORCH - this girl has some serious talent at decorating! I usually try to keep myself under control and say what I have is nice and I should not be jealous of what others have but oh my... well, you tell me if I am wrong - go and visit her porch redo, and other pictures of her home, and see for yourself...ooops, sorry I can't stop drooling. She is a very lucky lady, which I am sure she knows. Go and enjoy and dream...or maybe take a nap on the porch. Hmmmm, I have to do some decorating planning now!

One of those early "Fall is in the Air" Late Summer Days

2010-08-27T16:10:00.001-04:00

The sun is finally shining again so I thought you might enjoy taking a little walk around bits of my yard and we can chat while I snap a few pictures to remind me of summer. Hope you enjoy...

I didn't get much more gardening done this year
beyond the front of the house but a little lavendar
some tomatoes, cosmos, and lots of basil
at least it smells fantastic!

This plant was gorgeous with lovely orange flowers but
it didn't fair well this very hot and dry summer either *sigh*
It looked great at the beginning contrasting with the
beautiful deep orange Tiger Lilies and the dark purple plants
that for the life of me I can't think of the name right now LOL

And of course you cannot live in the country
without having wreaths - handmade of course-
for each season of the year!

My copper cat guarding my miniature pink rose
bush that is not fairing very well this summer

What would a country house-barn be without
a front door light fixture like this?

Another coveted item that I found in the farm
garbage dump at the back of the property - I still use
it for a light potted plant to sit on in early summer

One of my most prized posessions is this bell
that sound is the bouy in Bar Harbor, Maine -
my most favorite place on the planet

I have no idea what this old hook like apparatus
was once used for but I do like the look of the
rust against the white and the cedar shingles that
cover my barn/home

What would an old farm be without a rusting horseshoe or two?
I never used to think about it but I really have come to like
old rusty things that remind us of a time gone by

Only in the summer does the sun shine in through
the front door windows like this - I love the juxtaposition
of shadow falling on the rugs

"Out and About" Thursday

2010-08-26T14:09:00.000-04:00

I am trying to be much better at getting a post out most days and am trying a new venue on for size. I thought doing posts by theme might be interesting for all of us. It gives me a chance to practice on all you wonderful guinea pig friends with my writing and my picture taking, which seems to have gotten marginal at best since the advent of digital...hmmm, wonder what that is about. Anyway I thought Thursdays I would post tips or other blogs/websites with nifty new ideas or techniques or new online classes I have found, heaven knows we all need more classes LOL.

First off there is this site http://www.blogguidebook.com/, which I am sure many of you have seen their bee logo floating around on different sites. Here is the skinny on why you might want to look at them a little closer - first you can list your blog in an orderly compendium of blogs by your venue; second you can advertise your blog merchandise if you are a merchant blogger, again by venue so people will find you by your category; third it is a fun place with information, how to better your blog and all kinds of other nifty stuff geared to us bloggers. There is also a special currently going on to get an upgrade to your listing that you might want to check out. The basic listing is free but there are lots of different levels and of course you get that really cute bee button for your blog! Sorry, I have this thing for bees...

Second, I found this website today while I was searching around for a template or inexpensive place to purchase tags - yes, I am crazy-go-nuts for tags too! Anyway, this site http://www.diyhangtags.com/ has free PDF templates you can download if you are into making your own tags and don't have one of those humungus (sp?) tag punches. They have all kinds of cute shape including a primitave star, hearts and lots more so you may want to go have a look see there as well.

Hope you all find some of this useful...

Hugs,

White Wednesday

2010-08-25T12:00:00.000-04:00

My all time favorite bowl, ever! It was made in Italy and came
to me via TJ Maxx - oh how I love that store -
my DH can tell you all about that LOL

Hi all, I apologize for not posting much this month I just can't seem to stop finding all these neat classes to take online and of course once I find them I grab them for fear they will disappear before I get back to them - where does that dumb feeling come from?

I just bought a new digital camera for taking better pictures for my Etsy shop and soon to be website and I am working on figuring it all out - I think I need some more neat props to add to the pictures.

I had planned on going outside today and taking pictures around the house but since it is pouring rain for the 5th straight day (we sure needed it so I am not complaining) I decided to do a "white" still life! I just love, love, love white don't you? This is my favorite bowl - I just love the diamond cut-outs all around the top. Ok, I digress, again, back to the photography - I was surprised with the difference between the two pictures below with just the use of the flash in one and not in the other! Ok, my backlighting for the one that looks creamy was just a candle LOL so not sure why I was surprised...anyway, I am babbling again! Hope you enjoy the white wednesday...

Talk to you soon,

Interesting effect, my all time favorite white, yes white,
bowl without my using a flash, hmmmm.

Giveaway Scout

2010-08-17T10:32:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone, just a short post right now about a neat little place that compiles blog giveaways in a search engine format. If you like participating in giveaways and finding new and fun blogs to read then try going to, or if you have a giveaway going on at your blog, listing your blog on Giveaway Scout. You can reach them by going to http://www.giveawayscout.com/. I have a gadget on the bottom of my blog that continually updates different giveaways. Give it a try and see if you find anything interesting!
Hope you all are having a fun summer and staying cool!
Talk to you all soon.
Hugs,

"And Then There Was None" + Giveaway

2010-08-03T15:00:00.001-04:00

Fall

Please Refer to Post on July 26th for Giveaway Details

Hi Everyone, I thought it was high time I got my act together and posted pics of what you are competing for in my 1st ever giveaway. I apologize for any rough spots you have run into with things like my button or figuring out how to email me, etc. There is now an email link on my sidebar - yes, it now works! Please attribute the missed fine tuning to my newbie status at this giveaway thing. So here are the pictures of my first giveaway - one of my handmade books - since fall is just around the corner I thought this would be appropriate for those early morning fall walks to jot down sightings and visions that for us in the northeast will all too soon be hidden underneath a thick blanket of snow:

Lots of beautiful ribbons in fall leaf colors to
inspire you or just to be there to twiddle around
with while you are writing in your new book

Several embellished pages, of course the front and back
covers along with several pockets with pull-out tabs
to write on or add favorite pictures to

32 pages, hmmm or was it 36 pages of 140# cold pressed
watercolor paper to draw on, paint on or however you
choose to use your book

Late Summer Day at Dusk...

2010-07-31T19:20:00.006-04:00

Sounds of the forest outside my window

The lure of nature's beauty

Denseness is a blessing?

Living in the woods can be thrilling, exciting, a little bit scary, inspirational and...sad. You come to learn the sounds of the forest, the cheerful, carefree along with the well, not quite so carefree, actually downright distressful. My studio has two lovely windows that allow me to be right up against the woods in all its glory, sometimes a little too close. Sitting at my computer listening to the sounds of the end of a busy day of foraging and flying and singing the forest begins to settle into its nightly rhythms, which unfortunately means danger to many of the creatures who make the forest their home. You are usually taken unawares, at first not recognizing the danger or hearing the distress calls - it's all happening so fast that actually it is almost over before you realize some little creature just fell victim to...suddenly the sounds all around have quieted in the wake of the fear that just flooded through, even the crickets stop for a moment or two before resuming their familiar nightly group melody. The deed is over now, nothing can be done, the strong prey on the less strong - it is a matter of survival that the little bird who moments ago was happily singing readying for its distant journey of migration that lay just ahead as the days of sweet summer gradually grow shorter. Now she has become a part of the mechanism of survival for one larger and stronger than she ...

American Goldfinch
photo credit to blevinsphoto.com environmental photographer
par excellence!

"And Then There Was None" Giveaway

2010-07-26T09:54:00.013-04:00

Today's post is actually a request for your help. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase, "And then there was none?" I am offering in return for your efforts a giveaway - the winner will be chosen using that random number thingy (I know, don't I dazzle you with my technical vocabulary - see why I need your help!) The deadline to submit ideas is August 31, 2010 midnight from wherever you are in the world at that time. I will do the random thingy September 1st at 12:00 noon EDT and will post the winner shortly thereafter.
A picture of the giveaway package will be posted as soon as I finish assemling it.
So, here is the way the giveaway works:

Comment to this post - "What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase, 'And then there was none.'" (Make sure to leave your name and email in the comment) - this earns you one entry to the giveaway
Put my button up on your blog - send me an email letting me know that you have put up my link button on your blog and put your blog url in the email - this will earn you an entry in the giveaway.
Post on your blog about my giveaway - tell your visitors to tell me where they heard about my giveaway when they leave their comment to my post and the blog owner gets another entry for each person their blog directs to this post (plus one extra entry for posting about the giveaway - so that would be 3 chances just for commenting, putting up my button on your blog, and for posting about my giveaway)!
Deadline to leave a comment is 12:00 midnight August 31st from wherever you are on the planet at that time
Grab the code from the button on my sidebar and add it to your blog.

Thanks bunches and look forward to all the creative ideas I know you all will contribute!

New Blog to Visit

2010-07-21T17:15:00.001-04:00

Sorry I haven't been around much recently...kind of went crazy with some really awesome online art classes I stumbled upon and well...how can one say no to learning a new technique? LOL Now, where to put all these new art supplies! I have also been setting up another blog frenchcountrybarn.blogspot.com that will be part of my new Etsy store that I am hoping to finally have open this fall. If you get a chance stop over and check out the progress, which is going slow, pretty much like everything I do...SLOW. That reminds me of my 6th grade teacher Ms. Patterson who gave me a C on an art project that she said she would have given me an A on but I turned it in late (because I wanted it to be perfect). She said, "you must learn that on time means on time and that is why I am giving you the C." Well, Ms. Patterson obviously left less of an impression on me than I guess she hoped for! LOL

July 4th Weekend and Blue Girl

2010-07-05T17:07:00.001-04:00

Happy July Everyone, and hope you all had a nice, safe and enjoyable July 4th weekend, which is quickly coming to a close for this year. In case you are wondering how I spent mine - nice and comfy in the air-conditioning creating ART of course! I created my first Technicolor Face from Sharon's class and am lovin' this technique. I also spent some time just cruising the Net watching art vids by some pretty amazing artists. Even found one, well actually part I and part II by Rice (pronounced Risa) on making a multiple signature book using thin leather for the cover, sorry to any vegans out there but I love leather for book covers. Her YouTube vids are at http://www.youtube.com/user/ricefz you should stop by if you have a chance.
I found a fabulous leather distributor in Canada at the beginning of this year, with the intentions of using the leather for my handmade books. She sells beautiful hand dyed Italian leather intended for clothes, soft, soft, soft and very thin in scrumptious colors like azure blue with silver scroll work stamped on it and did I mention the beautiful pistachio? Can't wait to get back to making books...but for now painting and watercolor are on the immediate horizon. I have a fabulous watercolor class online coming up July 20th that should yield some great ideas and techniques and I am slowly moving along with the videos from Suzi Blu for 4 of her classes, what can I say, I just couldn't help myself. I am taking her beginner class for Folk Art dolls, "Goddess and Poetry", "Piety and Passion" and I just signed up for her "Angels" class. The really neat thing about Suzi's classes is she gives you the vids to download so you can refer back to them forever! I am looking forward to seeing what she has in store for the Fall semester. She has dropped hints here and there and anything from Suzi is going to be awesome, informative, technical and creative. You will definitely learn the skills necessary to grow your art! Oh, and did I mention she is having a sale on her classes right now? OK, enough endorsements, but you should check Suzi out...I think I am going to go back to my studio now and play some more ART!

Musings of a Country Day

2010-06-30T16:06:00.002-04:00

I can hardly believe it is already the last day of June. Even though this is just the beginning of summer somehow I have always used this as a benchmark from which the summer seems to fly by. Perhaps having to do with living on a different schedule now, no longer working because of fibromyalgia, I will see the change of seasons differently with them not flying by quite as quickly - before I have even had a chance to notice them. There has to be some upside of this miserable disease that leaves one too exhausted to do even the most basic of tasks - that rewards one with lots of pain if one dares to challenge that set protocol of, "no you cannot do that," much of the time... OK, enough whining, sorry but my diagnosis just became official two weeks ago after years and years of doctors and testing. On the bright side, at least I have an official name to call it when I have a tantrum, LOL.
Now where was I, oh yes, summer in New England - we wait and wait and wait for warmth and green and flowers to return only to have it feel like a magical little "poof" and it is fall again. "Note to self, must talk to the summer and flower fairies regarding length of stay".
For this summer I am writing, blogging and pressing lots of those precious wildflowers that pop up in my meadow. I figure this way when I am looking out at five or more feet of snow I can take them out and make beautiful art with them, dreaming the dreams of wildflowers. If anyone knows of a good but inexpensive laminating machine that would be good for working with attaching dried wildflowers to cards please let me know...or any tips on attaching dried flowers to one's artwork greatly appreciated.

Now for my story of the day, well actually yesterday. Some of you are familiar with my love, my brown tiger cat Raphael who is the details man in my studio and serves as my head art critic. The story begins with a quiet enough morning, trying to gently wake to the fresh new day with a fresh cup of coffee while reading some of my favorite blogs when all of a sudden I hear DH yelling, not a usual yell, rather the kind with the sense of urgency in it, and it has my beloved cat's name in it! I fly into the kitchen to see DH putting on sneakers talking almost incoherently about Raphael, porch, screen. I didn't wait for a clearer translation running to the porch only to be met with a gaping opening where only moments ago a sliding screen door lived. I see the screen lying in the deep grass as a silent testament to what has just happened. I knew this would happen one day in my gut as these screen doors are very flimsy - with a mild push they pop out of their tracks - hence the horrifying opening. I jump out the opening landing, of course on what else - rocks - New Hampshire has no soil just rocks! DH is just coming around from the front of the house as I yell, "where is he, where is he, do you see him" - throwing the fallen screen out of my without a thought of its surprising heft. Our porch sits on pilings raising it off the ground by about 3ft but as I start to crawl under I hear this howl. I recognize my cats voice like a mother recognizes her child's own little smell I begin fighting the 4ft tall wildflowers and other self sown plants only to see Raphael just around the corner of the porch not even a foot away from me, howling - "Mom, what happened and why am I all of a sudden outside?" My husband's voice is deep and combined with the panic in it he is scaring Raphael, (completely unintentionally), so I yell for him to shut up (I know, I know, I was just panicked and I apologized profusely later)! I am now playing a hide and seek with Raphael because he is so freaked he isn't sure what to do. I talk to him gently trying desperately to control the panic rippling through every fiber of my body and he finally starts to calm down...how do I know this - because the little bum decides to sniff this very interesting weed that has just come to his attention! My chance has come, I reach out and grab him behind his neck, mommy cat style and scoop him up simultaneously with my other arm - SUCCESS! OK, I can start breathing again as I cuddle him and begin to tell him why this was bad on so many levels. "Raphael, this is the forest and lots of critters that are not particularly inclined to be friendly to kitties live out here at night, not to mention ticks and all sorts of other dangers to kitties". All is well again and the adrenaline is subsiding as I hand Raphael to my DH and turn to the more mundane task of re-installing the screen... And Raphael, mommy,daddy and bunny all lived happily ever after in their converted barn in the woods...

Have a beautiful day!

Tarnished and Tattered ~ Outside the Box Art Challenge

2010-06-28T09:08:00.003-04:00

Today is the Day to Share our Challenge!

Hi Everyone, Today is finally the day! We all reveal our mini creations using our little soap crates! I had ideas, and more ideas and then more ideas but alas the one I really wanted to do (a little box for those little packages of tissues) was not meant to be, the tissues are too long *Sigh* So I decided to make my little box for holding a positive word a day. I had seen this in other formats, beautiful glass jars, etc. but the opening on our little soap boxes seemed perfect for this. The idea is that each day you pull out a new slip of paper with a word or affirmation and that follows you all through that day! I am still working on the list of words and positive affirmations that will eventually fill my little box, so for now - just the box.
First I decoupaged antique sheet music that I distressed and aged with Ranger Distress Ink in "vintage photo" then I glued pearls into brass earring findings and glued them to the edge of the opening. Of course I couldn't leave out my bling so I added some Swarovski bicone crystals here and there for extra sparkle. I glued a velvet ribbon around the crate sealing the edge and painted 3 round wooden beads in black and glued them to the bottom for feet.

I hope you like what I've done... and...
Thanks for stopping by,

Echo Challenge Word ~ "Meander"

2010-06-24T17:15:00.003-04:00

Main Entry: 1me·an·der
Pronunciation: \mē-ˈan-dər\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin maeander, from Greek maiandros, from Maiandros (now Menderes), river in Asia Minor
Date: 1576
1 : a winding path or course; especially : labyrinth
2 : a turn or winding of a stream
— me·an·drous \-drəs\ adjective

To meander through an old New England Mill Town in the early morning of a gently overcast and cool summer day one is greeted with the silence and solitude of the vast magnitude of times past which somehow have managed to traverse time silently joining you in this early morning walk. The wonderful faded reds of the old brick buildings now fulfilling duties other than for those which they were originally built; beautiful white wooden picket fences with all manner of heirloom herbs and flowers all vying for their own spaces many gregarious enough to grace both inside the garden and spilling over their white wooden containment's into the edges of the now paved roads. Oh how time has changed our world: except in the quiet hours of an early morning walk in an old New England town.

A Really Neat Giveaway

2010-06-21T13:13:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a nice time blog hopping and looking at all the creatively done studios out there. Boy there are some beautiful ones I have seen so far, not done looking but coming up with loads of new storage and decorating ideas. Anyway, today I was over visiting my new friend Paula's blog "Journal Artista" and she is having a giveaway (sp?). I think it might be ending tomorrow so you need to hurry over there. Watch the video above and at the end she shows you what the lucky winner will receive! WOW!
Short and Sweet today -
Enjoy your Monday...
Ciao for now,
Beth

Where Blogger's Create II Party Is Finally Here!

2010-06-17T20:54:00.013-04:00

Home Sweet Home

Hello Everyone, OK I just realized I jumped the gun - I was so excited about this party I confused the days and posted last night (Thurs) Duh!! LOL. Thanks to Karen over at My Desert Cottage for hosting this second year party of Where Blogger's Create! With over 400+ participants this year there is plenty of studio ideas to see and drool over! Well, recovering from my error in dates, today is the correct day to post... so welcome to my well loved and well used 9'x10' studio here in this adorable 100+ year old barn which not only houses my studio but is also my home here in the beautiful woods of Harrisville New Hampshire. I am lucky with my studio because first, I have one. It even comes complete with bunny rabbit for those on the fly critiques one needs as they work, and of course kitty who gives the close up critiques that are oh so crucial to the fine details of one's work.
You will notice as you tour my studio, given its small size and my voracious appetite for different media that all fluff and frills have yet to be added. I don't even have curtains or valances so as to maximize the natural light. In case you are wondering about my bookcases they are those wooden crates you find at Michael's or Walmart (project on to do list is to paint and decoupage them).

My Little Reference Library

This is where my rocking chair will go as soon as I replace the cushion!
Honest, it does fit there, even a footstool...

My computer desk, and yes that is a bunny on top of the white dresser!

Sooooo much stuff, sooooo little space

Sewing Area, oh and did I mention that the white dresser bunny's
cage sits on top of is FULL OF FABRIC! (Can you say, "the one
with the most fabric wins!")

Scary closet, there is actuall another small dresser
behind my black camera bag and it is...you guessed
it, it's also FULL OF FABRIC! We are getting closer
the fabric keepers hall of fame! LOL

Mixed-media area - can you tell I am one of those who needs
my supplies in my sight or else I forget I have them and end up
with two or three of something *Sigh*

Those hat boxes are great for storage just don't pick them up
without holding the bottom. Can you guess what is stored in
them? YUP...MORE FABRIC! teehee

And we have gone almost full circle, another
bit of my reference library. Please don't trip over the
baskets and if you will follow Raphael my head artistic inspector
and critic who is now gently guiding you safely

out of my little studio...refreshments are being served on the screened in porch

which you may have seen pictures of in other posts on my blog.

Oops, it looks like your guide was more interested
in the refreshments than tending to your
safety - oh Raphael...the guests!

Well, that I know was a whirlwind tour but if you have any questions please feel free to email me and please visit again. Raphael, Joheved and I thank you all for stopping by and Happy Blog Hopping! It would be nice if you would leave a comment so we know you stopped by in case we weren't here when you visited. New friends are so nice, don't you think?!

Ciao for now,

Beth

Joheved (Yo-hev-ed) "on the fly art critic" a.k.a. "bunny face"
She is a sweetie and was ever so glad to meet you all...

The Spirit of the Gulf

2010-06-15T14:43:00.002-04:00

My first attempt at watercolor - this is my contribution to the "Spirit of the Gulf Challenge," a young brown pelican looking out at the crisp clear blue-green waters of the ocean and dreaming pelican dreams of soaring over the white caps looking for a few snacks from a school of silvery fish just spotted right beneath the shadow of her wings.

A couple of days ago I was blog hopping and discovered a site that is calling for all artists to create a piece of art depicting something of the Gulf of Mexico BEFORE the disaster hit. I put the link on my sidebar but I think it deserves a post of its own so here it is. The call is to put into that piece of art all of the heart and soul of what the Gulf means to the planet's overall well being and all the positive thoughts and energy you possibly can send to this disaster, which by the way is not contained just to the Gulf. It is moving and will continue moving. Our great country is founded on many principals and one of them is being united in times of crisis - well folks this is one of those times. We need one unified voice to direct all of the groups and volunteers and it is NOT BP - BP doesn't own the Gulf and this is too big for just one company to handle! (Mr. President we need you now... It should be all of the oil companies, all of the environmental groups and all of those recently graduated environmental students without jobs and more - and where is the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers? This is of a magnitude approaching Katrina so what is the problem guys?) OK, I have said my piece and hopefully not lost any of my friends along the way... back to the issue at hand. We are artists - we are about the beauty around us and creating our art from our hearts and souls - lets pull together and take this challenge to each create a piece of art for the Gulf. I am placing the link so you can read all of the details on how to complete and post your work for this project. Please forgive my anger, because we need less anger and lots, lots more love and compassion to get it all done!

Artist Blog Hop

2010-06-13T09:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Kelly Watts for the link.

Thinking, Thinking Always Thinking - Too Much!

2010-06-11T12:56:00.003-04:00

I anticipated a quiet creative morning finishing up a book I started making yesterday only to find myself saying, "so what!" I had wanted to finish it today but motivation seemed to be missing in action, again. So, rather than get into a complete funk I decided to "blog wander" and some wonderful blogs I did find! The crucial one however came from one of my friend's blogs, http://www.freebirddrawing.blogspot.com/. I should warn you this is going to be one of those weaving in and out posts so you might want to go grab a cup of your fav beverage and come back and then read... Anyway, my friend's most recent post was on an artist journal page she had just finished, which by the way is awesome. Moreover, it got me to thinking, in circles mostly because that seems to be how my brain works, about why artists make artist journals - you see I am big on purpose, I know, I know but that is a therapy session for another time. So anyway, looking at her journal page, on the letter "C" in case you are wondering, all of a sudden a light went on - "there are literally millions of subjects to journal about...and that is that journal's purpose, an artistic representation of the chosen subject"! OH MY GOSH, how utterly simple, yet complex! OK, OK, you ask what in the heck does this have to do with Beth's working on her handmade book? Well it does, honest, just not as direct as one would like (even me), I warned you about the weaving in and out as well as my circular thinking! A quote, also found on my friends blog led me to the site where I found the following:
"I regard it as a waste of time to think only of selling: one forgets one's art and exaggerates one's value."
Camille Pissarro
This you see, had been my problem, thinking too much about the saleability, (and purpose with respect to the artist journal), and loosing sight of the "ART" of creating the piece. Sometimes (probably more often than not), I realized, focusing on "purpose" gets in the way of art, which is a spiritual, personal, creative statement - that is its purpose. So, with my new found epiphany I am going to actually begin my first artist journal as well as go back and make a heap of changes to that book in progress.
A peaceful, worry free weekend of creating art my friends...
Ciao for now,
Beth

Photography Prompts - Echo Project Week 15

2010-06-07T16:03:00.001-04:00

This week I was cruising around various artist's blogs, following links and just getting lost in all the wonderfullness of the myriad of interpretations of art out there. I happily stumbled upon a link to two wonderful photographers who have put a group together where every other week one is given a prompt for a photograph. I thought to myself, "hmmmmmm this might just be the inspiration I have been looking for to get me back out in the field and photographing nature, one of my many passions". Now I know this sounds like I am just over loading my plate but photography is a life long passion of mine. I have been at it since I was quite young...just not lately, and it actually ties in quite nicely with my handmade book arts, so I thought why not?! The project is called Echo (there is a button on my sidebar if you are interested in joining the project), and week #15 has the prompt of "Rouge". This is my interpretation, photographically of that deep, vibrant and heat filled color that signals summer in my mind's eye. As you can see I am a little rusty with my photography but I promise the pictures will get better!

Faces in Technicolor

2010-06-04T10:18:00.000-04:00

Just a quick blurb today to let you know my absolute favorite teacher - Sharon Tomlinson of All Norah'S Art has done it again. Sharon has just opened registration for her new painting class, "Faces in Technicolor", which should be absolutely fabulous. Class begins June 18th, is limited to 85 spaces initially and only costs $55.00. So, don't wait too long contemplating, just get on over there and sign up for an awesome class, lots of fun, new friends and great conversations.

Slither, Slither Snake!

2010-06-03T10:13:00.002-04:00

Well, just after writing such a soothing post yesterday discussing the wonder of mother nature in all her glory I had a temporary moment of insanity, having been lulled by the kinder and gentler of her nature. Walking to the kitchen from my studio (a.k.a. spare closet sized bedroom) not long after putting up yesterday's post I stopped dead in my tracks..."no, surely not, it can't be...but yes I fear it is true, it is most certainly a snake in my hallway just in front of me!" Yelling loudly for DH to come on his white steed to rescue me, I yell almost incomprehensibly, "snake, snake, it's a snake!" Much to my dismay DH wakes from a peaceful nap in the rocking chair on our back porch and groggily says, "I will do a lot of things for you but I DON"T DO SNAKES (petrified of them it turns out)!" OK, so the task has been thrust upon my shoulders. I summon up all of the courage I can calling on the help of all female goddesses in the UNIVERSE and yell to DH to give me an oven mitt. He throws one to me, lest he get an inch closer to said snake who has now slithered behind DH's desk and is trying desperately to blend in with the snake-like jumble of cords. I proceed with my very distasteful task of playing tag for the better part of 10 minutes back and forth between the hallway to our bedroom ( I did have presence of mind to close the door), and the living room by DH's desk. One problem I quickly realize is snakes apparently have very very good eye site, and another being that said hallway has a lot of my art supplies stored in bins and the like - lots of snake hide-a-ways, much to my dismay again. As I begin peeling boxes out of the hallway frantically chasing this not so small intruder as it slithers behind box after box trying to get away, anywhere but here with this crazed human with the oven mitt on her hand! I corner it once but it is amazingly fast and as I jut out frantically to grab it all I manage is its tail, not the best part to grab, and I definitely don't want to squish it so escape #1. Next I fall over a box and end up almost eye to eye with my slithery intruder, "this is not good" as snake slithers to the other end of the hallway hiding behind yet another box. I run around my DH's desk to the other end where the snake is lunging madly only to watch it turn with lightning speed and slither back down the hallway the other direction. "Aha, now I've got you," as it is now fully exposed and stretched out almost it's entire not so insignificant length. I run once again around to the other end of the hallway lunging again with my oven mitted hand and, "success, I got you - pew what on earth is that smell, great a dead mouse is in the hallway," mentally noting to self I will have to come back and look for that next. Yelling to DH to open the front door I run through the house arm extended as far as possible in front of me snake wriggling frantically trying to get away, I run out into the front yard not even noticing the gravel from our walkway cutting into my bare feet as I run to the edge of the meadow and unceremoniously drop said snake on the ground. I turn and run back into the house so fast I don't even see which way the snake decided to slither. Once back inside, out of breath and admittedly a little shaken I smell that odor again and realize it is coming from my oven mitt, yuck snakes must emit a distress smell or this particular snake just stinks. I also suddenly realize that the mitt my DH tossed me was my brand new mitt from a dear friend who brought it back from Maine for me 2 years ago. I have coveted that mitt, protected it AND NEVER USED IT BEFORE! Now I have carried a stinky snake with it *Sigh* Oh well, nothing else to do - it must go in the wash. Life in the country with all the beauty and harshness of mother nature...
Everyone have a wonderful, snake-free day!
Ciao for now,
Beth

Summer and the Dance of the Fireflies

2010-06-02T15:11:00.002-04:00

Summer is less than two weeks away and the trees and flowers are boisterously in bloom here in Northern New England. It was a mild winter, especially for New Hampshire and everything wonderful about summer seems to have arrived extra early this year. Perhaps nature is trying to make up for the horrible horrible ice storm that destroyed so many trees and plants two winters ago. The wood thrush with their beautiful trilled song arrived at the end of April, very early indeed and the dragonflies and fireflies are all out dancing in the meadow. Dragonflies by day and fireflies by night, what a treat! I have made a little study of the fireflies, nothing scientific or documented other than in my head - they all appear to have their own little signature light dance. As they skip through the night blinking once or twice sequentially, there are others who exuberantly blink three, four or even five times in their eons old mating ritual saying, "look at me, surely you want to mate with me the most grand of them all"! Nature is such a marvelous wonder...My DH has always said that June is his favorite time of the year, which I used to disagree - thinking fall was surely the most wonderful - but this year has made me rethink those feelings. I still love fall with the gorgeous scenery decorated with mother nature's paintbrush the myriad colors flaunted in the changing leaves and the crisp fall evenings requiring one of those lovely hand knit shawls that we all love to wrap ourselves and curl up in. Apple cobbler with those handpicked apples from the orchard down the road...but I digress. Summer is coming, YIPPEE!!! I will be spending my summer working in my studio (seems silly to call it work for it does not resemble any of my past experiences with WORK) - this is play, self-discovery, artistic growth and self-expression...and most importantly - FUN!
In Celebration to the Summer Goddess - let's all create art and have fun...
Ciao for now,
Beth

2nd Annual Where Bloggers Create party- June 19th, 2010!!!! It’s time again to share your creative spaces!!!

2010-05-30T12:04:00.001-04:00

Wherever your creative space is here is an opportunity to share yours with other like-minded souls, all artists at heart or otherwise. Here is a chance to play with other artists, be entered in the contest for some great prizes and find loads of inspiration for your art and your studio design:

“This year is special because Jo Packham and Where Women Create magazine is offering some fabulous prizes!
The first prize is your own feature in Where Women Create magazine! (How cool is that?) Jo Packham herself will pick the winner and boy is it ever a fun experience!

Then [they] will be offering to 6 random party goers,

2- 1 year subscriptions to Where Women Create magazine

2 -Sets of Jo’s books Where Women Create and The Book of Inspiration

2-WWC charm bracelets.”

I don’t know about you but I think it really sounds like lots of fun, and a great opportunity to see other artist’s creative spaces. If you are like me, your space is never really done – there is always room for improvements LOL.

Anyway, why don’t you hop on over to Karen’s blog, “My Desert Cottage” for details on how to enter… Remember, it is June 19th so you should get a move on!

Ciao for now,

Beth

Memorial Day Weekend is Here!

2010-05-28T19:44:00.001-04:00

Wow, how time does fly by! I had the best of intentions of writing more in my blog this month and here it is almost over and this is only my 4th entry. I have been busy learning some new art skills however, which I guess I could use as an excuse and oh what a wonderful excuse it has been. I have discovered yet another site with online classes (and more), which you must, must visit : http://www.mystele.com/the-story/ . Mystele is a wonderfully energetic and very creative mixed media artist who is only too ready to teach you her unique ideas and discoveries, much of which is free! She has tons of free tutorials on Youtube and very reasonably priced classes on her site. I couldn't take notes fast enough while watching her book arts series! I have also been working on a fun calligraphy class at Creative Workshops as well as continuing on with my "faces" painting class with Sharon Tomlinson. Oh yes, and a mixed media background class with Nancy Lefko at Creative Workshops. Now my challenge is to begin incorporating all of these wonderful techniques and ideas into my own art! I hope to have a new line of handmade journals incorporating all these great new ideas coming out in my etsy shop sometime this summer. In the meantime I thought you might like to see one more of my paintings ala Sharon Tomlinson a.k.a. All Norah'S Art so here she is... her name is MaraLee.
Well, I guess I better go feed my very hungry DH before he mutinies LOL.
Have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend and to all those in the armed forces working to keep all of us safe, A Big Hug and Giant THANK YOU!!!
Ciao for now,
Beth

Attention is Always Nice!

2010-05-20T11:21:00.000-04:00

Today I got a bit of a shock, a good one but very surprised. I joined this wonderful art group called Milliande Art Community for Women and have been enjoying the sheer fun of being surrounded by other women artists, looking at their work, reading their poetry and journal entries and learning from tutorials graciously uploaded for the community to use. Anyway, one of my paintings I had uploaded was picked by Milliande as one of the days featured works of art! Me of all people - I just began this painting adventure and there are so many extremely talented women in this community - it was a very nice surprise! Just in case you are curious the picture here is the one I am talking about - who knew?! It is 12x14 acrylic with decorative napkin embellishments on cardboard. An experiment from Sharon Tomlinson's class.

Does Art Have to Make A Statement?

2010-05-07T18:04:00.001-04:00

Something I have always been confused about is when you are creating a piece of art do you have a purpose and focus for the piece beyond your muse simply telling you it is time to create? How do you imbue your work with a meaning other than just a pretty painting or whatever medium you are working in? Or, better yet do you feel you need to intentionally have a purpose/focus/statement to your piece in which you are trying to convey something to the viewer other than just the beauty of the piece? I often hear artists say they go with the flow of their muse as they create, more or less spontaneously rather than a focused direction. If that is the case how can the piece make a specific statement? Often I also hear artists state that the viewer will get the sense of the message you were trying to draw out into the open with their work... can a piece be both spontaneous and at the same time impart a message?

Second painting in Sharon's class...

Love to hear your thoughts,
Ciao for now,
Beth

Found Memories Art: More Mixed Media / Collage Giveaway Goodness!#links#links#links#links

2010-05-03T18:12:00.003-04:00

Found Memories Art: More Mixed Media / Collage Giveaway Goodness!#links#links#links#links

OMG - this gal has a lot going on over at her blog. This giveaway is not to be sneezed at so get on over there quick as a bunny!
Ciao for now,
Beth

Oh my Gosh...I'm Painting!

2010-05-03T11:04:00.003-04:00

In my last post I was talking about my new discovery of both a very talented teacher and a new medium - painting. After having a field day in art supply stores buying all my new supplies I made a new space for my all my new supplies. I finally got the courage up to begin, and I worked on the background. After finishing my background I looked over my work and let it sit for a few days as I kept letting fear of making a mistake get in my way of actually beginning my painting! How dumb, that is why you take a class - because you don't know how to do something that you want to learn - this is the environment to make those mistakes - so you can learn! I felt my muse grab me by the collar and the next thing I new I was painting! Here is my first attempt...

New Discoveries

2010-04-20T17:14:00.003-04:00

Well, my walk and photo taking didn't work out - the weather turned ugly and cold so I scrapped the project for when a little warmer weather arrives. If you follow my blog you know I have been discussing the meaning and reasons for our making art and I guess this new topic falls somewhat in that category. I just discovered a really wonderful artist - Sharon Tomlinson who paints stunning faces. Now if you have looked over my blog nowhere will you find my mentioning my interest in painting...until now. Sharon's work has so inspired me, and of course I guess I am in the right place in my art right now to be receptive to this type of change but I can't wait to take her "Faces" class. Don't worry, I am not completely jumping off the cliff and have visions of this tying into my handmade books, which I have forsaken all my other mediums for, at least for now. I have just been stuck, feeling a need to expand my handmade book vision and I think this is it. Just so you can see what I am talking about above is a picture of one of Sharon's recent pieces called "Flying"... absolutely amazing! So look for more posts as my work in this class progresses...Oh and if you are interested here is a link to her class offering http://allnorahsart.ning.com/
Ciao for now,
Beth

Daily Walks

2010-04-07T20:05:00.001-04:00

My friend Robin in Kodiak Alaska just reminded me with her post today on her blog about the wealth found in a simple romp outside. Whether one is walking alone, with friends or spouse or both it helps to recenter our souls so we can get back to focusing on the important things in life. I kind of have lost site of well, my centered-ness and so tomorrow, weather permitting of course I am taking my "good" camera and tripod and going on a quest for some much needed fresh air and a commune with nature. If I am lucky my commune with nature will result in some great photographs as reminders of my day. There are already green buds on my huge lilac bush in front of my house and lots of little green sprouts sticking up out of the ground as well as swollen brooks and streams from the run-off from all the rain recently and the melting snow. All in all plenty to make for some great shots - if my photography muse is looking over my shoulder that is...we will see.
In case you are wondering that is DH sitting on a rock contemplating the great day we had just had last summer when we were in the Adironack Mountains in upstate New York. Now that is a place I would love to move back to if only we could afford it...*sigh*

Ciao for now,
Beth

Rainy Gray Day on the Farm

2010-03-31T18:06:00.002-04:00

Well I just logged onto my blog this afternoon and was stunned to find I actually have 3 followers. Yipeee, someone to talk to besides myself at last! Now the pressure is on to actually say something...

I have been doing some very serious soul searching of late as I am sure you have noticed by my recent topics regarding the reasons behind creating art. It has made me rethink my goals for the rest of my life now that I am on the other side of 50, to question what really matters to me. I have read that this stage of our lives is one filled with questioning and a feeling of needing to do things but often we are not sure what we want to do so we end up trying everything all at once and kind of spinning our wheels. What is really needed is some quality quiet time filled with non-movement and reflection.

I have always been an eclectic artist, well, and person, with my fingers in new mediums all the time but that has not lead to any real self-satisfaction , really it has only lead to feeling overwhelmed. There was always something missing and I now think what was missing was I was simply working in the wrong mediums. My passion has really always been paper, ink and fiber. I have been a quilter for 20 years and have made handmade books, journals and albums embellished with hand drawings for 40 or so years. Some how I strayed and that is when I got lost...and began to feel unfullfilled. So I am on a new quest, or should I say my old quest to create within my own parameters. Stay tuned to follow this new journey...
Ciao for now,
Beth

Spring Sale at Crazy4Art's Etsy Shop

2010-03-17T10:36:00.001-04:00

Just a quick post to alert everyone to my spring sale at my Etsy jewelry shop starting today March 17 -
April 2. Everything is 50% off or better! I shift gears every season, or so it seems and jewelry making is done for the winter season. Now I need to make space for other items. I am also destashing my quilting fabric, lots of quilting kits and a large portion of my beading supplies. Watch for the destashing items to start appearing on my Etsy site soon, and you can be sure there will be some great buys there too!
Happy Almost Spring!
Ciao for now,
Beth

Just for Inspiration...

2010-03-15T18:06:00.003-04:00

"Olive Goddess"

Cruising around YouTube today rather depressed with all the snow/ice/rain/snow I ran across this very talented book artist and just though I would share a link to one of her YouTube videos of "Heriloom Journals". MoxyLyn - hope you find some inspiration for your creative book muse - I know I did!

Ciao for now,
Beth

Why Do We Create Art II

2010-03-12T09:06:00.008-05:00

Continuing on the theme of why we make art the question also begs another question that tends to haunt many of us,"are we any good at our art?" I wander in and out of working with different mediums but then I see someone's work and think "now this is a real artist"! How do we connect with our inner soul to speak in different words that have never been spoken quite that way before; to express a beauty of a kind not quite like any other ever seen? It is there all locked up inside of us, we can feel it, we can almost touch it but...something is keeping us from being able to turn the key to open the door. Art of course comes from the depth of the soul of the one creating the art - so what stops at the door - is it a fear of others seeing who we really are? Our perhaps our own fear of seeing who we are? Or the fear of rejection of not being good enough? This morning I ran across the work of a book maker and photo artist (picture above -website http://www.theblackspotbooks.etsy.com/) and was instantly struck with,"now this is a real artist." The perfection, but not, but somehow is - expressing a depth that has no words but meaning is clearly expressed. Here is an artist that has found her medium of expression. I then look at my work and it is a mere shadow, trite eye candy but no more.
To be continued...
Beth

Why Do We Make Art?

2010-03-11T13:48:00.006-05:00

I know, I know...this is such an open ended question it almost begs not to be answered. However, this is a question I have been plaqued by for a long time. I know I have an undefinable inner need and drive to work with my hands and create things that are pretty, well, at least they are to me but as an anthropologist as well as an academic reference librarian (note: not employed in either field-just thought I should say that for the record) I feel like I should have a more sophisticated answer. I read other artists biographies or resumes and am awe struck by how well they define what their art stands for and therefore how well they know themselves. Is that part of the equation? Knowing yourself - that is also a problem I have been plaqued by - defining who I am. Mostly I am like a little kid excited with the prospect of what I will find around the next corner, or the discovery of how something works, that probably explains why I am interested in so many different things. My art though, is just something that comes from inside of me and I am not sure why, just that it does and I have to make art...hmmmm that was a complete circle LOL! Anyone care to chime in with their thoughts? (Oh and if you are wondering why I have a picture of an alpaca up with this post it is because I think he is absolutely adorable - he belongs to a freind, Pam at Dream Come True Yarn and I just couldn't resist sharing Monte Cristo with the world!)

Would love to hear other thinking besides my own...
Ciao for now,
Beth

Attempt #1 at Drop Spindle Spinning

2010-03-06T19:02:00.003-05:00

Yesterday my drop spindle and roving arrived in the mail but I didn't have time to get to it until today. Wow, this is going to take a little bit of practice to get good at, as all things worthwhile they exact their initial toll in time and the humbling process! When my spindle arrived the roving had been started for me on the spindle by the wonderful shepherdess, Pam from http://www.dreamcometrueyarn.com/. When I had finished watching her video on YouTube for about the 9th time I decided it was time to stop being afraid and plunge in...so I did. I had to lol when I wrapped my first bit of spun yarn around the base of the spindle for storage. Up against the few wraps Pam had done mine looked like a fat lumpy bumpy strand of brown and cream striped string! I felt oh so guilty about the beautiful soft alpaca and babydoll sheep wool I was, in my eyes ruining. By the end of 3 hours I had spun the roving and was once in a while feeling what it is supposed to feel like when you are doing it right, I said once in a while with large interludes of sweaty out of control feelings overwhelming me all the other time. All in all I would say my first foray into the spinning world was not a total disaster as I had feared, only leaving me with aching shoulders from the death grip I had on the roving and humility toward those that make it look so easy! Tomorrow is another day and I really can't wait...I think this means I am hooked (no pun intended)! Hmmmm, I wonder if you can unwind spun wool and respin it?

Well, off to soak in a nice warm bath and then read about spinning...
Ciao for now,
Beth

Spring is On Its Way

2010-03-02T13:13:00.002-05:00

It has been too long again since my last post - time just seems to slip away! I have revamped my website (http://www.crazy4art4u.com/) and am likin' the new clean lines take a look and let me know what you think. I am expecting new orders to come in around the end of March and the beginning of April so come by and look around then to see all the new goodies as they arrive! I have been working on my links page and have added a free tutorial page you might like to visit (www.crazy4art4u.com/freetutorials.aspx) - there are tutorials for beadwork, wirework, knitting, spinning (one of my newer projects to learn, which seems to be a natural evolution of learning to knit) and last but not least lampwork (another new medium I'm learning - just couldn't resist those glorious little pieces of glass art any longer). I have also finally taken the plunge to join some of the artist studio sites out there and put some of my jewelry up for sale on them - I guess only time will tell, patience young grasshopper!

I have two etsy sites one is for jewelry (http://www.crazy4art.etsy.com/) and the other is for knitting (http://www.definitelyewe.etsy.com/) where I have some lampworked stitch markers listed so far . I have to admit although all this website designing and blogging is an awful lot of work it does have its own creative side that is actually fun! I just wish people would find me so I am not just talking to myself *Sigh* I guess that will happen in time too, darn that patience thing...

Come back and visit again - I will be adding links to some of my favorite free knitting patterns soon.

Happy New Year To All

2010-01-06T12:31:00.008-05:00

Oh my gosh, has it really been 3+ months since my last post? Well, lest it is thought that I have fallen off a cliff and disappeared into the dust I guess I should say something. Last I posted I was building my website http://www.crazy4art4u.com/

and somehow it evolved into two additional websites http://www.burntoakbooks.com/ and http://www.onceuponajewel2.com/ as well as designing my Etsy site http://www.crazy4art.etsy.com/ Whew, now all I need to do is get cracking in my studio to create inventory to list on the latter two sites, and get out there scouting for books and such to add to my inventory for the first two sites. Hmmm, now where did I put that wallet?

Just so you don't think I have been a complete slug I have made some progress in my studio and Mulu (above right) a Princess of the Zebra tribe from the land of Centauria is one of my completed projects. I will be offering her for sale on my Etsy site soon.

You should definitely take a look at Crazy4Art4u in the "Favorite Links" section as I have been very busy seeking out tutorials and inspirational sites to upload or link to. You will also find a few sites where you can take online classes (some are even "free"). Really worth looking at, especially if your creative muse seems to be sleeping after the onslaught of the holiday season.

I hope to be adding a lot of inventory to Crazy4Art4U in the coming months and am looking into making up kits for those of you who may have a little less time right now, or just like the idea of a kit with everything in it so you don't have to shop and make decisions on color, how much, patterns, etc.

So, please visit my sites and let me know what you think...
(And I promise to try and post much more often!)
Cheers,
Beth

Knitted Fingerless Gloves

2009-09-26T14:55:00.012-04:00

I just had to share this beautiful pattern I stumbled upon the other day on YouTube when I was looking for some knitting instructions. You have to e-mail:

info@thecastingcouch.co.uk - a soon to launch knitting pattern website in the United Kingdom for the free written instructions. There is also a free instructional video on YouTube that walks you through the pattern if you are unfamiliar with any of the stitches. These gloves are lovely, warm and easy enough for a beginning knitter to make! Winter is on its way, brrrrrrr
soooo, what are you waiting for?

Happy Knitting,

and Thanks to thecastingcouch.co.uk

for the beautiful pattern!

Beth

Crazy4art4u.com

Fall and A New Beginning

2009-09-10T11:09:00.008-04:00

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year - the days are cooling off and the nights are lusciously cool for sleeping. It is also a time to nestle in and begin or continue a quilting project (or truth be told - one of the many other fiber arts projects in limbo) that was left off in the spring (or if I am honest, even longer than that). However, I suspect this fall and winter shall be different as I have finally decided to teach myself to knit -properly - meaning more than rectangles and squares - a proper sweater with shaping and everything! I have wanted to learn to knit for ages but have never found anyone willing to teach me so I have taken the bull by the horns and am teaching myself with a couple of very good videos I stumbled upon - one by Nancy Wiseman and the other by Leslie Solomon (the later is on how to handknit socks)! Yes, I am going cowabunga over knitting. I love the rythmic clacking of my wooden needles and watching a new piece of knitted fabric growing with each stitch.

One thing I discovered very quickly is knitting and television - for a beginner - are not compatible - too distracting. I am making a teddy bear sweater and have had to rip all the way back to the beginning several times on each piece I have so far accomplished - but all in the name of learning so I gently unravel the neatly knitted rows of course with increasing dismay each succeding time but I remain undaunted - I am going to learn this craft. Knitting is just too beautiful and meditative to pass up... oooh, and all those fabulous yarns...saga to be continued.

At Crazy4Art4U land I am diligently working on my new website - it's down to the nitty gritty stuff now, adding pictures of books and descriptions and coordinating everything into PayPal's shopping cart language so someday you can actually purchase something! Very tedious and time consuming so as you can imagine the going is slow but slow will get the job done - eventually.

As this is my first post, and I am very new to blogging I would love to hear from other fiber artists along the way. I hope to be adding links to different fiber arts websites, or videos and such for various fiber arts to keep us all happy and creating, inspired and chatting...

Thanks for visiting -do keep in touch...

Happy Crafting,

Beth