Doesn't Take Much To Make Me Happy

So, somedays are better than others, but today was one of those days when the tiniest things just made me giggle!!!! Seriously. ...

• the first little great thing that happened today...COSTCO, with my husband. We never get to do anything together and I'm always doing those tedious errands by myself. It was bliss and I want to do it again next weekend.
  


• great little thing #2. . . .on Friday my mom had a cat cry at her office door, she opened the door, said cat came in, crawled under her desk, and proceeded to successfully deliver 5 kittens. And though it is sad that she is a homeless kitty with 5 kittens and no daddy to speak of. . .oh, the preciousness of a mama cat loving her babies and trying to do what is right?? That my friends, is a priceless quite giggle and I got to go over today and see that mama and her babies snuggling and cuddling like they knew they'd hit the lottery. Spread the word my friends, in about 6 weeks all these guys are going to need forever homes.


• #3 of the little things. . . Pledge has come out with new Multi-Surface Cleaner. Now, I loved the original, but this one rocks to the next degree. It is in an aerosol can (yeah, I'm all about the environment, but it isn't hairspray people). . .it smells good, it cleans great on all my surfaces, it's not watery. . .no streaking. . .it's the bomb man.


• and last of the little things that made me happy today (drum roll please). . . .SPRING SCARVES!!!!!! Whoever came up with this is my hero of the day. I love scarves and to think that now I can wear them FOREVER. . .oh, it almost leaves me speechless. I have found many many wonderful spring scarves at Target and TJ Maxx. . .lovely colors and fabrics and great prices, so I don't care if I get paint on them in the studio. I wore my first one today. . .couldn't stand it. Granted I had to wear a sweater and my very fake Costco Uggs. . .but I wore the scarf!

Rainbows and Tornados

Funny how what is going on outside my studio effects what is going on inside. If it's rainy and icky outside you can bet I can't get a thing done. . .if it's sunny I just can't stop. Today was such a crazy mix in Middle TN. At one point we had a rainbow on one side of the pasture and what looked like the perfect sky for a funnel cloud to pop out of on the other. And then, my husband noticed behind us that it was raining on the other side of the silo and high in the sky it looked liked glitter falling down. Oh.. ..it didn't even seem real. Totally reminded me of the Twilight book series. For those of you who haven't read them, instead of the sun setting the vampires on fire.. . .it makes their skin sparkle like glitter. Much more romantic than bursting into flames.

This sky was so spooky. You could watch

the clouds just spinning in cirlces over

your head.

And so. . .my work in the studio followed suit. Usually I focus on one "thing" a day. . .but today, I was all over the place, spinning like the clouds. Painting, cutting, pasting, sanding, sealing, stamping. . .and every now and then, there was glitter involved!!!!!!!

I think today I had the most fun just making these little guys for my herb garden. . . .scrap metal that was a crumpled mess and headed for recycling got it's own second chance in life here as markers for my herbs.

A little scrap wire, beads that didn't seem to belong anywhere, crumpled thin sheet metal. . .and a pencil. . .BAMMM. . .big fun for me!!!

New Day

Today the sun actually came out after a night of amazing rain. It sounded so crazy on the tin roof that I kept thinking the dogs were running up and down the steps. ..but it was the rain. Every drop must have been a different size to make all of those amazing sounds.

And the grass is crazy green.. .or the weeds, but I don't care because it's GREEN!!!! Seriously, did you hear me say green? Funny how when the grass is so freshly green, the sky seems much more blue. . .and the barn behind me just intensely red. . . .color, color, color. . . I LOVE IT.

And it makes me want to play. So today I gathered scrap and made these silly little scrap shacks and slapped some happy color on them. . . .LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM, LOVE THEM. It would be so "suessy" to have a whole wall full full of them. Funny how the simple little things can sometimes be the most precious to me.

There Will Be No Pictures Today

Today I broke the heart of one of my best friends.  I did it in a jealous bitchy moment with an accidental click of an email.  So, today it's not about the art and it's not about the animals. . .it's about "sistahs".

The crazy thing about friends is that we all have our quirks and itches and for me those are things that I love and embrace.  I like knowing people so well that I know those little things. ..and they make me laugh and sometimes they make me crazy, but they always keep me "real".   There is no such thing as perfection in this world, certainly not in people. . .and that is an amazing thing to me.  I consider myself blessed to have a handful of truly unconditional friends. . .and right now my hand feels lighter.

So tonight. ..go to bed with your hands full. . .don't let little stuff get in the way.. . .don't be petty and jealous. . .think before you speak (and type). . .be okay with apologizing. . .accept apologies when you know they are genuine. . .and pray that tomorrow she still loves you for who you are.

I Know I Know I Know

Spring is so close.. . .What a wonderful weekend to work in the yard and sneak away for picture breaks! Tulips blooming in the front are just too tempting for words. . . .must take pictures!

I know that I said I was going to be more consistent with my blog. And really. . .I am. I am managing to get it in there once a week and I think that is pretty good for someone like me!!!!! Seriously, I'm proud. . .you should be too!!!!!

I know that I said in my last blog that I was going to awaken every morning with the attitude of Nobody's Dog. And though Nobody's Dog (aka Billabong) has totally settled in here.. .I managed to use his thought process for about 3 hours before I realized that I am only HUMAN!!!!! I have to bitch and whine and moan. . .and feel sorry for myself. After all, "everyone else got to go somewhere for spring break"!!!!!

I know that it was just a handfull of days ago that I was stressing over the "week before a show" crisis. . .and here I am blogging instead of creating. . .only two work weeks before the April show!!!!!! So many ideas and once again, never enough time to play with them all. I often wonder if when life slows down and I do just have time to play everyday. . .will I still have good ideas?

So. . .I know, I know, I know. . .but I also know that I like who I am and if that means that my intentions are good and I forget not to whine or I procrastinate and I only get to blog once a week .. . then everyone better enjoy it!!!!

Nobody's Dog

It is a rainy rainy morning. . .and yesterday, when it was so cold and rainy a sweet little puppy found his way into my arms. Well, maybe you can't call him little, but he is sweet. He appears to be about 3 months old(hasn't lost his baby teeth, yet) and he already weighs 21 lbs!!! With his true double dew claws he obviously has some Great Pyrenees in him. . .but, his short coat and black markings have us completely bewildered.

After a spit bath and a good towel dry. ..some water, food, and a warm place to sleep.. .he woke up this morning a normal puppy. ..like nothing bad had ever happened in his life. Which made me realize that my fav dog man, Cesar Milan, is right when he says that dogs live in the moment. Last night he was cold, hungry and a little bit leery of the world. . .today, he is playing with Hoot and Tallulah like he's known them his whole life. . .he rests in a comfy bed as if it is the ground he is accustomed to. . .and he lays in my arms and soaks up all the love I can give him like he expects nothing less.

So, I've thought about it and just for a week. ..I'm going to think like Nobody's Dog. I'm going to wake up every morning and embrace it as a new day. No matter what might have happened the day before, or even minutes before I fell alseep. ..I'm starting every day from scratch. I want to see how hard it is to put a day behind you and really focus on the now. . .I don't want to be Nobody's Dog, but I think I can learn a lot from him.

And. . .know that he is no longer Nobody's Dog. . .for now he is Billabong and we will make him feel like he is Someone Really Special's Dog. . .because soon, when we find him a forever home, he will be.

The Show Must Go On

Hmmmm.. .nothing like living in Middle Tennessee where it can be sunny and 80 degrees on one day and freezing rain and sleet the next. . .but, the show must go on and so it did. Studio Thursday clients proved their dedication, turned their noses up to the weather, slipped on their rubber boots and came anyway!!!! Thanks so much to those of you who fall into that category you really made me feel like a million bucks yesterday when I thought for sure that the day would be a total loss!

I'd like to take today's blog and recognize a special group of customers. Well, all of my customers are special and I look forward to seeing everyone of you each month. . .and you know, I miss you when you aren't here and worry what has happened and will often send an email just to make sure that everything is okay. . .but, today I'd like to place tiaras on the heads of 4 women who are the epitome of dedicated Studio Thursday shoppers. Rain, sleet or snow, they are here. . .and if one of them isn't, I know something is wrong (or they are still at the lake house). This group of women are who I want to be when I grow up. .. .they are full of smiles and giggles, compliments and evil one liners (my favs), they have embraced their empty nests and when they walk in the door they can turn a cold icy day into the warmest sunniest spot in the world!!!! First there is Betsy, probably my oldest and most dedicated "client", as well as my biggest fan (outside of my family. . .but she was the first member of my studio family). . .she is funny and loving and precious in every way. . .and I discovered yesterday. . .she's a hell of a dancer and I'm going to have to hit a dance floor with her sometime! Next there is Jonelle. . .honestly, the complete sweetie of the bunch (sorry guys, but you know she is). She has a precious grandbaby that they are all so proud of and she often accompanies them to the show, another doll baby just like her grandmama! Then there is Kim. . .a beautiful blonde who knows what she wants and when she wants it. She is strong and proud, quick witted and loving all in one. And last but not least. . .Mary Ruth, the group clown. Never a dull moment and I always have to keep my eyes and ears open because I just don't know what she is going to do or say next. . .which I love and appreciate. Each one of them is special and completely individual. . .but as a group they are WHOLE and I hope that I am as blessed when my boys grow up and move away to have such an amazing group of friends to share all my best moments. CHEERS TO MY MERMAIDS, Y'ALL!!!

Bon Temps enjoyed his one and only Studio Thursday. He will be leaving this weekend for his forever home. But the dog center we had built was his favorite resting spot for sure!!! I hated for him to get the bed dirty, but at least it showed people that dogs really do love the product!!!! I think it's because it kind of creates a protective "den". . . .

So, my favorite piece from this month's show was a great little sunburnt sideboard. I was shocked because I thought for sure it would be the first thing to go. . .but no, it wasn't until one of my really dedicated customers, Meredith, came in later in the day that it found it's forever home. ..and then of course, once it's marked sold. . .Everyone wants it!!!! Thanks Meredith. . .I love knowing that my furniture is going to a great home.

See for me, my furniture and my art.. .well, they are kind of like my fosters. Every piece has a little bit of my blood, sweat, and tears. . .a lot of love and passion. . .and a good time was sure to be had creating it. . .so, I want them to be just as loved and appreciated when they leave here. The same for my rescues. . .all I want is for someone to love them as much as I do because I know how wonderfully unique each one is.

HERE IS TO A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND FILLED WITH LAUGHS AND SUNSHINE!!!!!!

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

Finished Furniture For the March Show A Salvaged Plant Stand and a Child's Bench made from an Old Iron Bed and Old Table Leaves. . .both in my favorite shades of pink and green!

With only one true work week to go until the March Studio Thursday. . .it's getting down to the nitty gritty!!!!! Sometimes I get frustrated because I have a million and one ideas that I never get to before a show and I always feel like I'm not "finished". Whether it's a great furniture idea or just a cool new saying. . .there is always something that doesn't get done. I just have to say No Problem. . .there is always next month. However, this time. . .I forgot about Easter products falling under the March show. . .so. . .I feel like the Easter Bunny trying to get the eggs decorated before the big day!!!!!! I love it this way though. . .I love the chaos and the crunch! So, if you ever hear me complain. . .understand that those are words of love!

The Lazy Susans Don't Look Like Much in Their Early Stages. . .but they will be full of color and charisma before the show.

Sometimes I Just Need to Paint Lots and Lots of Bright Colors. . . .these are clothespins on their way to being something cooler than just a clothespin!!!

I NEED SPRING. . .WHAT ABOUT YOU? I'm absolutely craving color. This weekend's snow was so beautiful. . .but snow is white and I need YELLOW, PINK, AND GREEN!!!!! So I found myself just throwing color on anything that would stand still!!!!!! My mom has always said that if sits too long in my house it will eventually get painted!!! In fact, she used to say that she didn't want to waste money on a fancy casket, so would we please just put her in a pine box. . .well, now she is so worried that I'll paint it that she has declared that she would like her body to go to science. I swear she means it!!

Meet Bon Temps. . .he pretty much spends his time in this position. . .or the trash can!!!!

Our latest foster, Bon Temps, will be leaving soon for Maryville, TN. He is a wonderful Basset that was in pretty bad shape when he came to us. But he is now eating good food, gaining weight, and starting to find his voice again (in that crazy hound way!) I think he has been one of our favorites. ..lazy and laid back. . .a real lover. He will be missed.