Here's a thought for you.

Many times I have wondered, does the work you must do remain limited to the amount of time you allowed for a project, or does it expand to fill every minute of that time and more besides?

In other words, You have allotted 2 days time to complete something. You think it will take only one day, but instead of completing in one day, your project has expanded to fill all of the two days.

Is it time required expanding to fill all of the alloted amount needed to complete, or is it, the project, the actual amount of work expanding? This is something I've had happen many time.

So I wonder who else has experienced this?

I have picked a project, decided it will take me about 3 days {in that amount I have added an extra amount of time, one full day, to allow for setbacks}. I will work at the speed I always do. Not slow and not fast. Half way thought this project I see I will not make the deadline of 2 days. There is just to much left to do. And indeed it will take all of the 3 days to complete.

What was that? Is it true, all projects expand to fill the complete amount of time set for it? Does that mean we shouldn't add any extra time to complete, or do we add more?

If I had a month to do something that only took me a week before to complete, will it expand to take the whole month. And procrastination is not something I think about or have any trouble with. And yet, I have seen many people who procrastinate for days and sometimes months. A thing never gets done, if you procrastinate about it.

I believe that is why you set goals { and set them honestly, so you can achieve them} and then make a plan as to how you will complete your project. By braking it down into manageable chunks you will be able to handle anything that comes your way.

Most people call it a game plan, but whatever you call it, setting limits and braking up the project into manageable amounts of work {read that as time} you will complete on time, and sometimes even earlier. It has worked for me lots of time. I don't see everything expanding like it use to. So is this the answer to that mystery? Management of project, cancels expanding time frames? Good questions, do you know?

It's completely finished!

I just finished the quilt I am donating for a raffle to help others get chiropractic treatment, who can't afford it. It's finished size is 55" x 70" and it's a Texas Star pattern in red, white, and blue, with a touch of yellow/gold thrown in for extra measure.

I think it turned out really nice, and the quilted star pattern shows up on the back, as I did it in white thread. So take a look and see what you think .

A new Star

I have had this material laying around for years. I finally decided to make up a quilt out of it, and then donate it to someone to help somebody. I am giving it to my chiropractor so he can raffle it off and use the money to help pay for someone's treatments who can't afford them.

Without his treatments I would be in worse shape and so I felt someone else might could use the help.

The quilt is done in a star pattern {the stars are one of my favorites}. The backing will be a bright cherry red, and the bindings will be the deeper red used in the front piecing. It has taken some time to get this far, and now I'm only half way, as I must pin the backing, batting, and the front together, so I can quilt it on the machine. I'm glad I finally got it in one piece, and I think it turned out very pretty. A generous twin size,it would make a good quilt for a student going off to collage.

Not Yet!!!

Will someone stop the snow please? It's still cold and snowing and wet and melting, and I'd rather have some sunshine and warm weather.

It's times like this, when I can't wait for spring to come. Almost April, and then May, and I've seen it snow in June. I hope it doesn't do that this year.

I have to start fighting depression along about now. I'm sure many of you do as well. I wish there was an easy way to deal with it, but, I don't know what it is. I have been very creative this winter, and come through fairly well, thanks to my friends, and all the creative endeavors.

We share a great deal, and in doing so are there for each other. I am thankful for that.

My brother once said, if you have a few good friends, it is the best you can expect from life. I noticed he left out family, and now I know why. Family, isn't what it use to be, nor what I was raised to expect. It has taken me a long time to understand that, but... now I do. I don't worry over them, or expect anything from them anymore. I can't as they have let me down to many times, and are the reason for so many tears.

My father told me not to long ago, to do something for me now. It took me a bit to figure that out, as I was raised to do for everyone else first. To never think about myself. I am happy to report, I now do for me. I do for my friends as well, but because my family has let me down so many times, I don't do for them at all, and won't in the future. For once I can lay the blame where it belongs, and let go. That feels good.

I can believe there are many of you out there who have had the same problems, and your wondering what to do. I can't tell you that. I can only share what I have done and what I found because I stood up for me, once and for all. I am a unique individual, and as such, have a great deal to share with others. I am no more or less unique then anyone else, just different. If you can recognize what makes you the person you are, then you have something to share with others. Just don't expect your family to want to see it as well. More often then not, it's the other people in your life who will want that privilege. And yes it's a privilege, so don't take it lightly who you share with. I've known those who will take and take, and not give back a single thing in return. And it was family who was the worse at that. For some reason they thought they had the right. But only if I give them the right, and I won't.

I don't expect anything from them. lol. They don't have anything I want. I imagine that if read by one of them, my comments here will be twisted in the wind, and pulled so out of shape as to have no meaning I intended. It is not anger that leads to these comments, but sadness. Because it is sad when there is so much that could be shared by both, for both, and it will never be. That is why I am so thankful for my friends. They help me to move on, and in doing so.... there lies the wealth of creative endeavors. Nothing stands in my way, and I have everything to look forward too.

If once in a while I think about this subject... it's because I don't think ones history is ever changed, or blocked. You lived it, it happened, and every once in a while you think about it. And then you move on. I don't dwell on it any more. But it is sad. I just wish I had done this years ago. Let go and moved on, then I would have had less to remember from time to time.

Well, thats a part of my life, like all the other things I've done. It's a part of my history. The nice thing is... history is still in the making, and family or not they can't stop that either. And my friends.... are there to encourage me like family never did. I am so thankful for them

Well, I hope you have found something in these words that might open a door for you, and I wish you all the best to come.

Is it really Spring?

Well, the snow is melting and there is a lot of standing water out there, but it's still cold at night.

So I still wonder is it spring yet, or will there be more snow yet to come?

I'm ready for warmer weather. And believe it or not, spring cleaning. This year there will be a major amount of cleaning going on here. It's the first time in a few years I have felt up to doing something so much more then just a quick dusting and so forth.

I have a new bedspread and curtains ready for the bedroom, and I would really like to move the bed around, but as big and heavy as it is, I don't think I can do it without help.

I want to start digging the holes for my pond and setting up the waterfall. A lot of work out there in the garden to be done before I can start to lay track. Before I get to that I have to make up the plans yet. Don't I seem to be jumping the gun a little lol. Just wishing it was spring.

I have finished so much with all the miniatures I've been working on, and now I have a Tudor house I want to get too.

I think there will always be something I will have lined up to make, do, or create. The other project I am working on right now will really be something where it's all done. But that will be a surprise for later.

Well, back to work.

The kitten

Collectables today has a new series of dolls. Well they are really tiny little kittens, just barely big enough to cover your palm. They are darling, and as I didn't get any christmas this year, I decided to get me this series of kittens.

  The first one arrived tonight. A little yellow tabby. I was disappointed in the fur, or should I say the lack thereof. So I dug out a mohair skin just the right color to match her, and started clipping a piece to fit her head. Then as she arrived with no tail, I made her a new one ,from another little piece of lambs wool. The kittens should be a lot of fun to dress.

  So now I have to name her. I don't think I can ever repay you.

 I'll see how it goes.

Trish

And now we have snow!

I was out in it yesterday, and it was waist deep. That is a lot of snow. I need to get it off a couple of buildings, but it's also very cold. Too cold to be out waiding in snow and trying to pull it off the roof. My hands get so cold in such a short time, I can't feel them.

So, I'll have to wait to get the job done at a later time.

Just so you can enjoy what I'm not... here are the pictures.

The French Nosegay quilt

After all this time I finally got to work on my french nosegay quit. It's one I put off working on because I had another quilt that wasn't done. Now I started on it a few months ago and it's all in one piece ready to be quilted. I haven't chosen a style of quilting yet, and I will have to make the trek out to the shed and try and get to the roll of quilt batting   to be able to cut a piece so it can go with the top and backing to the lady who does the machine quilting.

  I never thought I'd get it done. I have one other one somewhere that needs to be cut and sewn, but for now this will be it.

Except for the project I will be working on for charity. I will make a Texas Star quilt top and have it machine quilted and then give it for a charity raffle to help someone get medical attention. It is what I can do and I feel it's a worth wile cause. So I shall begin that quilt top soon.

One of my own

Some years ago, I was doing porcelain dolls and using other peoples molds. At one point I decided to try my hand at creating my own doll. So I sculpted the head/shoulder, arms/hands, legs/feet for a doll. Not a big one mind you but about 16" size.

  I really worked hard to create this doll, and after problems and more, I finally got a head I could live with. I painted and china fired her features, after pouring,cleaning and firing the first step. Then, I made her a body and dressed her. I am sorry to say this is a one of a kind as the mold was distroyed in the last move about.

  While she isn't perfect and not eveyones cup of tea, she is worthy of note. A little homely, but on the pretty side, and what  I can say is that she is mine. I created her. And there will never be another like her.

  So, my little prudish miss, shall live on in her mint green and cream lace dress, designed just for her. Even if I had tried to create another, she would have been different still.

  So my little lady stands alone, and that's not half bad either.

Added touches to my Christmas tree

I found some more bronze ornaments and have added them to the tree. The tree also has bronze birds as well now, and the cats have already tried pulling them off the tree. There are also green and cream feathered pieces . Joann's has a huge sale and the reindeer came from there. I also found these really long strands of bronze, that look like ice-cycles. I also brought out the sled I had tucked away.

Sometimes the best is saved for last. Enjoy!

Decoration everywhere

  I like to decorate everywhere, a couple of times a year. Halloween, Christmas, and easter, are when I tend to do a lot of decorating.

My door wreath carries the bronze theme and lends a sparkling greeting to anyone who comes to my door durning the holiday season.

  The mantle and coffee table/end tables also get decorations, even though they will be rearranged by a certain black fuzzball. He thinks he can do it better, and I am forever picking things up or recovering things he has removed. If it's got feathers, he thinks it's his.

  I really enjoy decorating, and have the uninterrupted time to do as I please. By hitting the sales, I can afford to indulge my decorating. My bedroom also gets an extensive amount of decorating, although not for the holidays, just by the seasons.

  The bathroom carries a major theme of mermaids, with wall art, paintings and a fabric mermaid that presides over a corner all her own.

As the season come and go, so to will Christmas. But for now I shall enjoy my decor, as well as share with any who come to view it here. Maybe you will be influenced by my designs, and use some of my ideas in your own decorating for the season. So for this bronze, green and cream season of 2008, I wish you all a wonderful heartfelt, christmas blessing. And may your new year be a joyous one.

That time of year again!

  Well it's that time of year again. We will be decorating, baking, wrapping, and in general... going nuts. My favorite thing to do is getting the tree up. I have been decorating in different colors and motif's now for a few years. I stopped doing the family tree when I no longer had a family to enjoy it.

  Anyway, I love decorating, and as an artist it's something I do very well, for the most part. Last year right after Christmas, I started to search out bronze ornaments, during the sales. I was able to pick up a lot of different designs for just a fraction of their original cost. I also decided to use a kiwi shade of green and cream colors to accent the bronze I was finding. There were several different shades of bronze as well, which gave more interest to what I would be doing.

  I also found bronze berries, flowers and leaves, as well as lovely green velvet holly leaves in the right shade. A cream flower, as well as bronze poinsettias, would make lovely focal points. I also found a few glass ornaments like the slice of pie, mushrooms, "orange" slices, and large kiwi green icicles. I use a lot of bronze wired ribbon in a couple of different shades. 

  The flower and berry "nosegays" are a favorite of mine and I always make up a few each year. I like to have birds in my tree, but this year there are large bronze butterflies. A real find and most unexpected. I also was able to get 2 strands of cream pine cone lights, that are wonderful mixed into the other colors. There are bronze pine cones as well.

  Around the bottom of the tree are the "unbreakable" ornaments. Those are there for the adventuresome kitties that always find their way into the scheme of the tree decorations. They like to think they are one {tree decoration} or that it's all just for them to play in. Either way, I have the plastic ones on the bottom row. Most of the time they don't look to bad either. I also like to find small little balls to go towards the top of the tree, and anywhere they fit, that larger ones don't.

  I also have a strand of green lights and a strand of orange lights. I was hoping for bronze, but the orange lends its-self well to the color scheme. As you can see, not all ornaments have to be little/large balls. And no you don't have to have garland or tinsel. The tree topper was a plain rusty looking snowflake. I added the glitter, and finding bronze glitter was not easy.

  I still need to make a tree skirt, and the stocking that will hang on the fireplace mantel.

I like to get my tree up by the first of Dec. and down by the new year. All in all this tree is a keeper!

And more done

This is what it will look like when I am done with it. It's coming along, but why o why do I always pick the hard ones to do? lol. This is not an easy pattern to create. I'm ending up with a really mis- alined square. There is lots of room to square it up thankfully, but it's still a mess until that process is completed.Mostly bias problems, and any quilters out there will know what I am talking about. It will still make for a nice quilt when I am done, but 50 squares? I've only finished 12 so far, and I must get back to another project. So this will have to wait for a bit. I shall do a few and then work on something else. In time it will all get done. I just hope when I am sewing all the squares together, they line up right.

At Last! The French Nosegay Quilt

I wanted to start on this quilt many times in the past, but I was trying to finish up other projects and quilts before starting on something new. And so my Dresden Plate Quilt is finished and now at long last..... {drum roll please}..... I can start on the French Nosegay Quilt.

  It is a bit tricky, but with care I should be able to get it all together, and in one piece. The backing on this quilt will be a deeper yellow flannel. The background to the right here seems to be a bit washed out, but it is a pale yellow.

  It shouldn't take to long to piece all the squares. Well, with fifty of them it might take a bit.

  But I am up for the challenge, and really looking forward to it. I have no real idea how long it will take me and I will be working on other things as I go along. I have several items that must be finished, with deadlines to meet, and people looking for the end results.

  I enjoy making quilts, and when one is done, there is a real sense of having done something.

What is it?

  Have you ever wondered about all those self help books out there? I had a conversation with a friend of mine a couple of days ago, where she talked about some self help books she had been reading. One of the things she brought up was pertaining to Negative thought, and does that effect your life? Or the jest of it anyway.

  I was reminded of the book about the power of positive thinking. More or less the same thing, just a different angle. My feelings about it was the idea that if your busy searching for negative things, or your letting anger rule your emotions, you will only draw, attract, and find anything and everything that has to do with anger. In other words.... look for the devil and that is all you will find.

  I have never understood jealousy. It is one emotion I never let take hold over anything. I confront it, dive into it, feel it, and then it holds no power over me. There is nothing, although not  easy to do, about it I care to deal with. I can't for the life of me see how someone could live so many years, and not exercise that ghost. It lies with-in that persons fear of confronting their own demons. I have seen people go to great lengths just so they could ignore this problem.

  The real problem is that it will spread though out every faucet of your life and color everything you try to do. Until you confront it, and deal with it, it will continue to effect all aspects of your life, and every creative project you attempt.

  I don't like dealing with jealousy. It's a nasty thing to have that in your face. I can't imagine living with it for forty one years.

  Well, the moral of the story is.... face your own demons, and leave others to face theirs.

  Well, that's it for tonight, I'm yawning so much I have to take it to bed. But... I'll be back!

Burning the Midnight Oil

  Ever wonder where that phrase came from? It certainly calls it like it is.  I don't know how many nights I have been up way into and past the midnight hour, and certainly burning that midnight oil. Of course nowadays it's call electricity. But one burns it just the same.

  Which brings me to that question. Are you a night owl, or a morning lark? Most night owls burn that oil at night, but very few larks do. It can be difficult meeting up these two differently geared people. I am a night owl, spend many a night up late, but as I get older I tend to be getting up earlier as well. So there just isn't much sleep there at all. Who needs it?

  One thing I have found about the midnight oil, is that I think clearer at that time of night for some reason. I'm more creative, cover more ground and work out more problems then at any other time. I have even been seen to be cleaning house at that time of night. So what is it that tends to make the differences between the two? I'm sorry, I haven't a clue. I only know that there is a difference. And it tend to work for me best at night.

  I don't think it really matters about the two, except sometimes no matter how hard you try you just can't quite make the other person understand you. And you don't quite understand them.

  I have often wondered if there was a special time of day or night, where all the powers that be seem to have everything flowing in the right direction for whomever chooses to tap into it. I know there have been times that I just seemed to connect into something where all the answers were, and all the ideas could be found, and the creativity was piled around like so many jewels waiting for someone to pick them up. I help myself when this happens, and it happens ever so  often in that magical midnight oil time.

Inspiration... where does it come from?

What do you get inspired by? Almost everyone is inspired by something... be it music, a painting, a picture, nature,resources {like magazines, books, the internet} and often just plan seeing someone else's craft.

  I had the pleasure to see something I just completed, inspire someone to try their hand at creating with something I had used. I don't create, just to show you how great and good I am. That's not me. I create to inspire. I hope that by something I do, others will watch and learn, and then try it out for them selves. There is nothing better then doing this as far as I am concerned.

  Where do I get my inspiration? That's not easy to answer. Sometimes, it's something I see in a picture in a magazine, or looking at other peoples crafts. Maybe all of it isn't to my taste, but sometimes there is something there that sparks an answering response. 

  The creative urge is a powerful thing. Ignore it and you lose. Run with it, and you never know what will come out in the end, but whatever it is, it's bound to be something worth having been created. When I am inspired to do something, I have to go with it. If I even think about doing something else, it's an uphill battle, that I always lose. So I always "go with the flow".

  Often daydreaming brings inspiring thoughts. I've had music do the same thing. One has to let go of preconceived notions and let the mind wander. They call it "thinking outside the box".

Throw the rules away, make the feet big and the head small on that doll, is it your Aunt May?Paint a purple sky, and see what lives under the bridge there. Use everything you can, every stitch you know to create that quilt. Make the water flow and part for you!

  I can't teach you how to be creative in a few words, or show you all the avenues of inspiration. You will have to let go and look at everything with less control, and more of whatever it is you like most. Then see where it will take you.

  I can bet you will be surprised.... and inspired yet again to newer heights. It's just that simple.

Take that leap of faith in your own creative mind....and see where you land. Maybe down a rabbit hole? lol.

Creativity...Does it supply or drive you?

Isn't the mind a wonderful thing? So many channels, so many avenues one can take, and none lead to the same place, even when two people are thinking alike {and that's not a bad thing either}. There is always that little bit of difference.

It's what makes us different from each other, and a good thing to as we wouldn't be able to deal with a hundred others just like ourselves, and then where would individuality be? I for one am glad there is only one of me. I like being me, and as me, will leave behind the traces of things I've created in my lifetime. So when the end comes, I don't walk thought the pearly gates all pristine and perfectly groomed. I want to slide in on my butt, and be able to tell the powers that be...  I used it all! Every bit of creativity you gave me or I managed to add to, is there.... in my work, my art,my life. Accessible for everyone to see hear or read. I have nothing left.

  That is my life goal. Accountable to no-one but myself. I'm not perfect, but no-one is, so I refuse to allow anyone into my life, who places blame or doubt on me for themselves.

  It's not " let them eat cake:, it's "let them be accountable for themselves."

  Well I have a lot to get done in a day, but as always, one thing at a time. Count it a blessing one can use their creativity to work on multi-levels of problems at once. That to is part of being creative, and from time to time needs a house cleaning, to keep from being driven by other then our goals. {One reason we tend to overload and become frantic in nature to complete everything at once.} We often forget that the process of creating is in it's self a goal, and the completion there of is another. In other wards stopping to smell the roses... or in  this case enjoy the "creating" of the project, is as important as the completion of the project.

This is I believe a reason artists are in a class unto themselves. Not better, just different, in thoughts, and deeds. A lot of the time it's hard for one who isn't creative to understand what we need , want, or are driven by to create.

  I ran into a problem with someone who was close to me, where they couldn't accept, I had the right to be creative. Because I was older, and had done many things already, they selfishly wanted to deny me the right to all that had gone before them, so they could clam they did it first. It wasn't important who did what first, or for that matter what was done. It should have been... I did it my way, this is how I completed this, and this is the result, and I am happy with it. The two paths only crossed because we were related, and for no other reason.

  After all this time, I have come to realize, I can only answer for me, and I am not accountable for those related to me. If the path they choose is strewn with jealousy, and unaccountability then they have my pity, but nothing more. I waste no more time on what they try to attribute to me. It's not my problem. For all the world they can choose to blame me, and try to shout to everyone around what they believe to be true, but again... it's only their opinion, and nothing more. My rights are clear and my own, and nothing they do or say will make it any different.

  The biggest difference I can see between myself and this person, is I do not belittle, condemn , or most of all judge others. I try to keep things to "in my opinion", and not make statements about the other person, unless they are something good, encouraging or helpful. We are all allowed our own opinion. Just don't try to make your opinion law over everyone else, and making statements as such is not productive. That way, it's meant to be destructive, and of no help to anyone, except to bolster up the person doing it.

  There are times when someone is on a level of denial that is harmful to others, so what do you do? I can't change that person, and I'm not accountable for that person, even if I care about them or are related to them, it's not my place to step in and "make it right". I may warn others if I feel there is a reason for possible harm, in my opinion, but not in a way to condemn that person and not to the whole world.

  My self worth is not decided by any one else. Just that simple. You decide for you... and I'll take care of me, and what I do or don't do. This is a statement of fact, not a confession. So get your big girl panties on and deal with it. Once again, I've been there before you and that doesn't make me wrong, or mean, or to blame.

  You most often complain about that which is really wrong with yourself. The other person has nothing to do with it. They just happen to be there in your way to where ever it is you want to go. They have rights also. Make room for them, and you make room for yourself. Help them and you help yourself.

  And that as they say, is the rest of the story!

What drives you?

  From time to time I ponder on things, like... which is more important... imagination or knowledge? I don't think I've ever read Einstein's answers about that, but it does pose a real mind bender. What do you think? Can you have one without the other?

   I believe the two go hand and hand and fuel each other. I don't think you can have one and not the other. I know many times it is the knowledge of what I am trying to create, that pushes me into using my imagination to complete what I was trying to create. But without that beginning bit of knowledge, I could not have gotten started.

  Is one more important then the other? I don't think so, but that's just my opinion and your, welcome to it to do with it as you please.

  As I looked back over my life, I know I really loved being creative. Born an artist and I will die one. One of the hardest roads to travel. For those who are trying to write good books and get sold, they run a close second in difficulty to making a living as a Artist.

  So am I a writer, or an artist? I've  been in Women's Day magazine, the miniature magazine, a second miniature mag that I forget the name of. I finally got my cover with Doll Costuming.

 I've sold over a hundred painting which are scatted all over the US. A six foot by five foot mural hanging outside the base commanders office in an Air Force base in Ca. Painting in private collections, that are still there. Art work on an Air Force base publication in Ca. Dolls that sold at auction for in the thousands, which I made, for charity.

Toad-ally Tricky!

I couldn't resist making up this piece for a Halloween decoration. But she's so tricky... uhhh... different? I still have to make her witches hat, but you have to love this toad-ally wrong girl who won the Miss Trick or Treat contest. How did she do it? She wears black taffeta bloomers, and a crow print deep red dress. Over this is a black leather looking, net trimmed, pinafore. I made up her broom by cutting some broom pieces off of a small fan shaped broom and re-binding them together. I hear it can stop on a dime, and is the fastest ride in town. But I've not tried it of course, and have to put that down to her-say.

  All she needs {she says} is a pot to "cook" in and her hat. Maybe a cat....naaaaaa. Hummmm, I wonder if this is Miss Frizzy-bottom? I haven't seen her for days, and she has a real perchance for getting her spells all wrong. This would be the first time she ever won a contest.... So, I don't blame her if she wants to stay as Miss Toad-ally Trick or Treat!