Deb's Creative Ramblings

Happy Memorial Day!!!!

2009-05-25T19:59:00.002-04:00

I want to wish everyone a Very Happy Memorial Day!!! I hope everyone took time to thank those who helped keep us the land of free and brave!! I dedicate this blog to my stepson Brian, who is a Sea Bee!!! I'm so proud of him and miss him so much!!! Bri---if you read this---we love you and stay safe!!! Isn't he handsome??? Also, I want to say how Anna was a great representitive of the Girl Scouts in the town parade!! This is Anna (on far right) with Rebecca and Cassidy..............
Stay safe everyone!!! Going to go make some wings now....................and quietly remember my Dad, stepson Steven and other family members that are no longer with us.
Hugs and stay creative!!!!

Online friends, new ones

2009-04-25T18:49:00.004-04:00

Isn't it wonderful, this thing called the internet??? I' in a wonderful yahoo group , BPCAG ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beginners_Polymer_Clay_Art_Guild/ ). Recently on there, I started talking to a new member, Krissy. She makes these wonderful little charms--one way to get your goodies without the guilt and calories. Here's some pictures from her ETSY store, now save some for me, I have to order this week, have to get some things for Anna.....I know her birthday isn't until September, ok, ok....the chocolate charm would be for me..the candy store lady ( http://www.sturbridgecandy.com/ ---I work there part time ) OK, without further ado, here's some of Krissy's creations.....and a link to her ETSY http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7038593

She's a really super sweet lady. I have another frined with an ETSY site too, but I need to get her permission before I mention her site, so Cheryl, be prepared for an email....................ggggggggggg

Right now, my oven still isn't working, since Easter week, so no clay time for me.............sniff sniff

So just have to admire everyone else's works and get inspired and projects planned in my mind!!!

So....stay creative, until next time..........................................HUGS

Friends/mentors......family.......creative pets

2009-04-17T11:00:00.010-04:00

Ever have one of those days where it seems everything goes wrong.........and then a friend will call out of the blue and make everything seem right? Well, yesterday was that day......long story short, I was having a really bad morning, crying the whole works...then a friend that I sew with, laugh with,etc....called and said I thought you needed a call. Boy was she ever right......mood lifted!!! Then something else happened, again here I am in the dumps again, then my mentor/friend from the candy store called. This call meant the most to me, I haven't heard from her in over a year.......she moved away......sniff sniff....2 years ago and taught me what I needed to know to help out at the candy store ( Even make chocolates..yum!!!) What she doesn't realize is that she gave me a confidence to be creative, I had shown her some things that I had made out of polymer clay, and she asked me to make something for her. I still want to do something special for her......as soon as I get out of my funk........................

I'm going to ask you who read this, call someone you care about, just to say hi. You never know, they might really need to hear a friendly voice and get words of encouragement or just need a laugh.

Now for something I want to share, Anna's school does something wonderful every year, and that is to have a father/daughter dance. It's a special night that Anna and Gene look forward to every year ( this is the second year that they go),

I still have to scan the picture that was taken that night....they both look so much better, plus it shows Anna's corsage, that Gene had to come back to the house to get....................They had a great night.....................

OOOOOOOOOOOppppppppppppppppps, almost forgot to mention, Noelle, the American Bobtail that Gene gave me for Christmas is creative too......here she is making her Christmas stocking for next year....I guess she doesn't want to miss out on treats and toys..........now just to teach her that pins and spools of thread are off limits........ggggggggggggg

Here's Pumpkin and Noelle trying to figure out how to get more treats and toys..........think they can?Brian, my stepson, is in the Navy, we were fortunate enough to get a visit from him before he gets stationed in Guam............so here's Matt, being goofy, Anna and Brian...............

OK everyone stay creative and connected.....you never know where or from whom your creativity will lead.............HUGS!!!!!!

Blog giveaway!!!

2009-03-30T19:20:00.002-04:00

Hi, Just a quick note about a give away for some of Lisa Pavelka's products!!!! Go sign up for a chance to win. http://www.favecraftsblog.com/product-giveaway-polymer-clay-tools/comment-page-4/#comment-474

On another note, I will post more later this week, I'm able to sit longer now and might be able to type longer than a few minutes.

hugs and stay creative!!!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack

2009-03-14T10:03:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the long delay in postings.......had some health issues and a hospitalization and surgery....My hubby bought me a laptop so I can get online in bed..........ggggggggggg............so I thought that I would update my blog. My kitty nurses, daughter and son have been taking good care of me....so I should be back to normal...whatever that is relatively soon.

Can't wait to create something either polymer clay or embroidery.....I'm going stir crazy here........

If you need some good creations to look at please go to any of the blogs listed on my favorites list or to http://www.darbelladesigns.com/ she's an awesome artist and a friend. or go to Chic Treats Boutique in Oxford, MA........ok, ok, you got me on that one...that's where some of my pet toys, treats and rescue signs are, not to mention another place to order a custom dog coat. The other artists and crafters there have some awesome works

And now a picture of how I feel...this is my friend Vicki's dog

now go create something wonderful!!!! ttfn

Sundays....lazy days........NOT!!!

2008-11-16T09:42:00.002-05:00

With a renewed muse and an eagerness to make money for the holidays.....it's time to get up off the couch and create ( well for a little while before I need to go to work). My day started around 6, got hubby off to work, then hemmed 3 pairs of pants for the dry cleaner and then I put finish on the 8 ornaments that I made last night. Not too shabby for before 10:00 in the morning. I think I'll bring my idea notebook and the ornaments to string to work...........it's hard to stop me once I start...............
Hope you all have a creative and fun day!!!!
HUGS!!!

Renewed Hope.....creative juices flowing again!!!!

2008-11-15T13:14:00.006-05:00

Oh Boy!!! Where do I begin???? Just when I thought my creative juices were dried up and my muse leaving me.........I decide to enter a challenge in one of my polymer clay groups. It was a Halloween themed challenge, I decided to try something out. And the other entries for the challenge were wonderful!!! In my mind, I thought, Oh man you have no chance in well you know....Come to find out it was a tie for first place and then they had to do another vote.............I won by one vote.....can you believe it???? Here's my entry.....

OK.......that was my first step of good news...still floating on that one!!!!!There are so many talented artists in the group. Then my friend and I were in a very unsuccessful craft show, but while there a wonderful lady named Melody came by and said..."Oh my God, I was looking for someone to make ornaments to put into my store"...........A few days later my hubby and i went in there....yup, i did it!!! my ornaments are now in a store......wish me luck.......she also wanted my dog and cat toys and some how we have to figure out how to do the custom dog apparel there. Here's the web addy of the store....check it out............. http://www.chic-treats.com/Home_Page.php Here's some of the ornaments that are there...........

Well.......creative juices flowing ..................gotta let them out.................hugs!!!! until next time.................

BAAAAAAAAAAAD BLOGGER

2008-09-16T15:48:00.002-04:00

I know, I know.....I'm a bad blogger..........I haven't posted anything new in a while....I look at my blog every day, but I don't always know what to say.
I been having creative blocks lately..that is soon to change, I'm going to Darleen Bellan's studio http://www.darbelladesigns.com/) ( this weekend for a weekend class with Christi Friesen ( http://www.cforiginals.net/) . My first time away from my family, other than hospitalizations, in 20 years.should prove to be interesting for all involved......
I just found out that one of my very creative nieces, who studies art in college at America University, is studying in Italy this semester. She has created a lovely blog about what she is finding in Italy....this is her blog........... http://sheainflorence.blogspot.com/ She is a very talented artist, as is her Dad, my brother. She has already won an award her first year in college, she's a sophomore this year. Can you tell that I'm a proud Aunt????
Well, off to work............see you all soon, hopefully before I go away this weekend..............
Stay creative.................

Creative wanderings..............

2008-08-03T07:35:00.004-04:00

It seems like everyone at the candy store is taking vacations, except me. With a base of 2 employees and the owner, and 2 fill in people---guess who has to work alot this week (I have Monday and Tuesday off for Matt).....ggggggg. Now how do I fit in all my creative stuff and work at the candy store......Like Pooh bear says "think think think" Then it came to me, by process of elimination ( can't bring polymer clay, can't bring my sewing/embroidery machines...what's left..........) Hmmmmmmmmmm I have beads, wires, findings. They're easy to pack up and bring..so I made a bag to bring when the store isn't busy. I hope it is though...that means I'll still have a job to support my hobbies......... When I'm home after Matt's surgery, while he's resting I have some alterations for the dry cleaner to do and some embroidery....have to put initials on Katie's ( yup the sweetheart that went with Matt to his semi) things for college---sheets, comforters, towels..... And of course I'll have to work on something else too, but I haven't decided what yet.......... And of course I have to fit in the exercises for my shoulder, I go for my follow up to my surgery on the 11th...hopefully I'll show enough progress to the doctor, and hopefully he'll tell me more ways to stay pain free...or have less pain and hopefully I can do more around the house too (darn it...did I say that?????) I feel bad that I still have to rely on Gene to do so much, between lifting things and laundry (the kids are just happy that I can do most of the cooking now........some of his meals well.............) Well more later........I have to get ready for work and I just remembered.have to get Matt some new underwear for Monday................Have a safe, happy and creative day and keep your minds open to try new things......................

this 'n that.................

2008-07-26T13:57:00.000-04:00

I haven't had much opportunity to be creative this week, but my minds in overdrive........... First, I've got plans for doggy bathrobes, (thanks Heather) so I'm pricing out terry cloth right now.more on those coming................I'm also working on an order form, measuring guide and style guide for the coats...

My other ideas are to ellaborate on my fan pull ideas.....so far I have done a fantasy bird and cats (of course cats......hoping to do some dog ones soon---have to work on my dogs first)The pictures following this have been in my house being used for over a year.......

I'm hoping that this upcoming week will let me take my creative thougfhts out of my head and put them into my hands.......

I'll need something to be my "therapy" these next couple of weeks......my son, Matt, will be having his teeth out. and hoping he heals well and fast so that he can be fitted for dentures soon. For those of you who don't know me and just found my blog. Matt has multiple handicaps, both physical and mental, he's 18 and in a wonderful collaborative program. He is also being refitted for hearing aids ( he lost his last set--and we needed to go through the authorization process all over again) My first born....he was dealt a bad hand of cards, but he's a trooper and a huge loveSometimes I think what he goes through bothers me more than him....here's a picture of him at his semi formal, the girl with him is Katie, she's Anna's ( my daughter-she can be seen in the right corner of the picture) Brownie leader. she's a wonderful person who offered to go with him.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers..............

Keep those creative thoughts flowing and remember..........save the earth it's the only planet with chocolate................speaking of which...I better get ready to go to work atthe candy store...............

From pin cushions to cat nip toys

2008-07-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

Hi, I went to class a while ago that showed me how to use software for my embroidery machines. The wonderful instructor showed how to create a wonderful pincushion....don't ask me how...but I thought of cat nip toys. I guess it's my desire to make ends meet and to have things to sell at craft shows.

As you can see..........cat tested and approved......LOL........... After those...I came up with a heart shaped one as well.....Pumpkin likes them better than store bought ones....I guess she loves her mommy!!! She even learned how to open the tupperware that they are stored in......

I haven't left dogs out of the toy loop...but for those I have adapted purchased designs into squeaky toys............here's an example

I am fortunate to have tons of polar fleece scraps from a job I have....so there are tons of different fabrics so they are all unique.

hoping soon to put more of my creative thoughts into actual things..........clay, fabric, yarn.....where will my mind go next...............................

Creative Juices Flowing.........

2008-07-12T15:46:00.000-04:00

It's amazing where and when and sometimes how creative juices might hit....... sometimes it's seeing something in nature, sometimes it's conversations with friends ( online and in person). I've been thinking constantly since I had signed up for a Marilyn Radzat class on a spin on her podbaby........I had to incorporate 2 of my creativeoutlets...polymer clay and machine embroidery..........Even though I am still recovery from surgery, and in pain..I had to do it ( Those crazy creative juices would not let me rest until I did). I would think about it in my sleep, food shopping, watching TV, etc.......... Well, I finally did it the other day, mind you, not my best work, but, it calmed my inner voice, for now....gggggggg...........

My inner creative voice also can't wait to do something else....make dog coats, and other things, but.I can't handle that just yet..hopefully soon..........I have ideas for a friend's dog, my favorite model..........but..shhhh...................

Hugs and keep those creative juices flowing...............................