You Can't get there from Here

Got a bit of work done in the kitchen today, I finished scraping the walls that need to be textured and painted. Hubby applied another bit of that product to remove tile backing and black glue. Moving along. No football game tonight so I got to spend the evening in my art area.
I had a fun time working on an Altered Book spread.

Here are the results.

Lightening the load

OMG I have discovered the most wonderful life saving product. It is 747 Sentinel adhesive remover. Specially formulated to remove that old black tar like glue and black rubber backed carpeting. We did a test patch in the kitchen last night to see how it would work and the gunk came up quite easily. After having scraped manually and sanded the sub-floor in our bathroom project last summer this is putting a smile on my face. Why hadn't somebody told me about this product before ; ) This product has lifted a load off my heart. If you have never scraped and pried and sanded, only to have to go back and sand and scrape some more, you have no idea, how special this product is. It literally has put a smile on my face, just thinking about it. The project has gotten bigger, as I want to do more, and have gotten suggestions from dad ; )
We will not be getting it done before our vacation now, that is for sure. But I am OK with that, because now I don't feel the pressure to rush. I will take my time and get it just the way I want it. Here is a couple pictures of progress.

Creepy Sunday

Well it was the second official meeting of the ATC club at my house today. I had such a wonderful time. It is so much fun to create these little works of art with friends. I got 4 creepy cards done today! We are choosing themes now instead of colors and it seems a bit more of a challenge. This month was creepy, spooky, unusual, Halloween. Next month we chose a circus theme!

It was a long day today, We did our Sunday volunteer work at the nursing home, then I had club and I also worked a ton in the kitchen scraping. Now that is a creepy job!!! I have a sore back, and have made my hubby crabby at me too boot : (
He thinks I was being critical of him, That floor scraping job, just plain makes for a tense atmosphere! We are moving along pretty nicely, I will be so glad when the creepy work is done.

Anyway, of the cards I made in club today, here are my 2 favorite.

You might find a Prince

Not feeling the best this week, Got some sort of flu bug. I did get a small bit of scraping done on the walls, ISH! Tore off more linoleum. Hubby (my Prince) and I went to make the purchase of our new flooring, Then had to stop at Menard's for some tools... When we got home we ended up taking son number 1 to urgent care due to an incident that happened earlier today, between the boys. I Have yet to get the full story, but apparently son number 2 stepped on son number one's foot by "accident"? Anyway, Marshall has a small fracture in his left big toe. No gym or football for a week. Gosh like that really matters huh?
The day went by so fast, but when I finally did get home tonight I got sucked into my art room and I could hardly drag myself out. I had great fun. I am back on the geek the geek fish theme again.

Kitchen Chaos

Well the demolition began today. I got a ton of work done. I tore off all the baseboards and ripped out a ton of the old floor. I can see the headache coming. Parts of the floors are very nice plywood underneath, the other part has flooring that has been glued down with that old tar product, that is torture to get off. We suffered through that in our upstairs bathroom.
I imagine, that some of you are wondering why we are tearing the old flooring off. Everyone now a days just lays new over the old. Well Dad doesn't believe in that, so we either foot the bill for all new sub floor or we bear the pain of scraping and sanding till we get down to the nice wood sub floor. In case you haven't experienced this process, just let me tell you that you don't really want to.
So anyway Dad was over today with another effort to try to get me to reconsider my choice of flooring. Well, he won out. I went on a hunt and I found something that would please us both.
His big beef with the laminate is that it was free floating with no glue. Well I found some great sturdy vinyl 16X16 in. tiles with an incredible feel to them. In fact, I like the whole look better, and it is going to be less of a headache to install and as Dad says a more dependable product.
So I am very happy now. Thanks Dad, I love ya!
I snapped a few pictures of the progress so far today.

As Dad would say...

Are you out of your mind! ; ) Well the new hotwater heater is now in, furnace job is done, Marshall's room and the decorating job on the steps all done. Now I have decided that this is the time to do the kitchen! I would like to get the flooring installed while we are away on vacation in October. That is what will make it the easiest with the daycare.
So now I will be working on moving the island, tearing off base board, flooring, tiles, scraping old paint, patching, and texturizing, and painting! All in the next month before we go. YIKES!

The hotwater heater project went pretty smoothly for dad after the first day's mix up. However last night while Jim and Marshall were carrying out the old heater, Jim got a nice gash on his thigh. It tore the skin pretty good, not too deep, but the offending weapon, was rusty. Jim hasn't had a tetanus in a long while so off we went to Urgent care, well they were just closing and wanted us to go to the ER. We opted to just go home and Jim will see the regular doc. today.

So now that's all behind me, don't you think it is the perfect time to begin the kitchen? ; ) Wondering if I have completely lost track of my senses. I feel like I need a break! So does Jim, he is crabby that we seem to always be in upheaval here. But I guess since we are on a roll, I better keep rolling.
I am so dreading this job, I have had the wallpaper pulled off the walls in there since we moved, in. I was just going to paint, but of coarse you can never pull wallpaper off and find a nice smooth wall. There is always a problem. The old paper had pink bunnies on it, for pete's sake. Who would put bunnies in the kitchen??? I hated the paper so I took a chance and the walls have been left peeling and creepy for to long. I have put this job off and now it's time to get moving, it isn't going to get any easier, and I am getting old so I better get going. hehehe We have vaulted ceilings, and I am afraid of heights, so painting and working up there, is going to be such a treat. But this will be so exciting to get done, I have been talking about doing this project for YEARS!

Marshall had a football game last night and didn't get to play one second! GRRRR. Meanwhile the coaches son never left the field! Yes literally, he played the whole game, both offense and defense! So unfair! I am thinking that in high school it should be about building a team with the players you have. Not playing a select few for both defense and offense. A good coach could build a good team if he tried. This coach is not doing a coaching job in my mind, even when his big name boys are failing, he doesn't try others in. Heck proball players don't even play both sides. They build a team of offensive and defensive players.
We lost again last night by the way. This is such a sore subject with me, I could go on and on.

BC Tricycle...

Well I played with some blind contour earlier in the week and since hubby phoned and said he had to work over time. GRRRRRR!
We will be waiting on him to leave for the Rodeo. I decided to pass the time by giving a few Blind Contours a little watercolor wash. One of the members of a group I am on, did some fabulous background coloring for his. Much more intense and shaded than my attempt. I just wanted to add a little interest.

The more POINTY the hat the much...

Well last night was an art night. I did an altered book spread in Zetti style nonsense and I really think it came out fun. Of course my family thinks I am a nut case. I guess I need to be a nut case to survive all the home problems that keep popping up.
Last night we just discovered that our hot water heater has sprung a leak! What next?
Anyway, Dad is on the job already ; ) Thanks Dad!
Once again, I don't know what we would do without you.
Another expense we weren't counting on. As dad say's "welcome to being a home owner"
Will we ever get ahead? Not before our trip now. We were hoping for a bit of extra cash. NOT!

Mandy had a soccer game at noon, they lost 5 to 0. Bummer! But Mandy has really come along in her soccer game, she has improved a ton.

We are going to a Rodeo tonight! Never been to one before, I got my cowboy boots on and am ready! I have been told that there will be bulls available for the audience to ride.
YEEHAA!!! Should I give it a go?? hehehe I think not!
Anyway I am sure there will be no time for art today, but I will share my work from last night.

Musical Chairs anyone?

Well we have possession of the new truck, insured and licensed! We sold the junk pile blue car and it seems our vehicle musical chairs game is over now ; )
We got our travel plans for our Disney trip yesterday and it is becoming so real now. I am so excited about it. It is going to be a great trip.
We have been really cleaning up around here and it will feel so good to settle in for the winter with a spruced up house.
What a glorious warm and fall like day we had yesterday. Marshall had a football game and as we figured, he only got put in for a couple plays at the very end of the game. Can anyone tell me why you would be putting kids in left and right to play positions that they have not even been practicing??? They tried at least 4 different boys at the safety position last night (boys with a name mind you, that have not been practicing in that spot) But they didn't try Marshall and that is supposed to be his position, the one he plays every time they practice. He is a good safety also. If they would just wake up and let him play, they might find out. When they finally did put him in, they put him in for a position that he knows nothing about! Hasn't practiced there at all. I can tell you why they do this! Because they don't intend to use him at all through out the year! They just want to make it look good by letting him play, so they just sub him in at the very end of the game in any position. He will never improve anywhere, because he doesn't get a chance to play in any position more than once.
Can you sense I am crabby about this??? Makes me sick! No wonder kids turn to drugs. What a slap in the face. Marshall, loves football and wants to play, but they keep smashing him down, and making him believe he isn't good enough. He is good enough! By the way we lost the game last night. Mainly because every safety they tried in there, let the other team behind him so they could score.
Can anybody here me? MARSHALL IS A GOOD BALL PLAYER! Give the kid a chance to show you!!!!
Ok enough of that.
I should have created some art last night to let go of some frustrations, but was too tired by the time we got home and ate, it was already time for bed.
Marshall was totally bummed that the team lost, not that he didn't get much play time. He is such a sensitive thing, takes every loss so personal whether he was playing or not. It is his team and he feels the loss, even so. Jim is going to meet him for lunch today at school. That will be great for both of them. With Jim's route right near the high school it works out great for him to eat lunch there on occasion.
Hoping for some art time tonight!

On the Road Again...

Busy day today, kids were inside today and so worked on a project, we have been making hand puppets. They are a bit more detailed than I thought. I am definitely not a directions person. We have been messing with them for a few weeks off and on. During nap, I fiddled around with cutting pieces for my on-going Zodiac swap. Got one proto-type done. I had to redo the transparency 3 times before I got it just right, if anyone needs a Virgo transparency the size of an ATC let me know! ; ) Raymond has his first football scrimmage tonight and I will miss it : (
I gotta run to the mall to get some cardstock for the rest of my swap. I will have to pick Marshall up from his practice, Mandy is at Sylvan tonight. Hubby and I will be on the road to Fergus Falls to look at a truck, if things work out.
Hopefully it will be a nice enough one, Jim is getting discouraged about not having a decent second vehicle.
Barely any time for artwork during the week right now. Hopefully that will change after football season and our vacation is over. We went out and bought new luggage for the kids last night. That was kind of exciting for them.

Here is my version of a Virgo Zodiac Goddess.

Artwork of a different kind

Been sprucing up the house before winter sets in. Yesterday I gave the lower staircase I have been working on another coat of paint. I patched a big hole above the back door. I picked up a new light fixture at Menards, for above the door. Hubby replaced ceiling tiles that had been removed for the furnace job. Things are starting to shape up. It seems the list is never ending though. I imagine that is the way it is with home owners. The picture of the staircase didn't turn out real clear, but I would like to share it as I shared the upper stairway early in my blog.
The kick plates read "America, Land of the Free, Home of the Brave"
Also some pictures of my oldest son's room, now that I am done playing decorator in there.
I made the curtains and am so proud of them. They are tab tops and I think I had to make like 80 tabs. Took quite a while. Also the cross stitched picture, the clothes tree was made from a boat oar. The boat oar on the wall I attached hooks for hats, and hung the ceramic fish on it. I also painted and stamped the wood sign that says Wild-life. Last but not least the beautiful oak door I worked on forever. It was a raw wood door which I stained and varnished. It took 7 sessions of staining, varnishing and sanding.... So glad to have the 2 doors done, I hated that job. Marshall's room looks so nice with the fresh coat of blue paint on the walls and all the little extra's we did to make it special.

Blind Contour drawing challenge

Well this is one of my first attempts at this drawing technique. I did add the scribbled eye and nose by looking. Otherwise, I pretty much didn't have my eyes on the paper. This was a large chocolate lab dog all sprawled out on the sidelines at my daughters soccer game this morning.
I think I will add some color to it later and journal a bit about the game.
I am pretty happy with how it turned out, because at least it resembles a dog. Sometimes blind contour, looks nothing like what you are drawing. I did a few the other day for ATC's and they are not as good. But I think the smaller size may have something to do with that.

EDM #31 collection challenge

This is my first entry for the "Every Day Matters" Yahoo group. I am pretty happy with how this turned out because I have such a terrible time drawing more than one object in connection to one another. I also have a hard time getting my objects to look right when I draw from real life and not a photo. It is a bit kitty wampus but I think I got the handles and spouts coming out of the main object properly? I should have centered the whole thing a bit better, as then I wouldn't have run off the side, but that is just charm, right?
I intend to add a bit of color to this and hopefully not ruin it in the process. But that is why I wanted to document it now, just in case ; )

My Bike Shorts Baby

I didn't get any art time today, went to the dentist and my mouth is bothering me. YUCK I hate the dentist! Also had to run some errands after work. Marshall had an eye exam scheduled and looked for a jacket in exchange for the one we chose for his birthday gift. What do parents know anyway.

I do have a card to share. I have had the makings for this card on my table since July and I just finished it this weekend. It was inspired by my darling hubbies participation in the Ragbrai this summer. (Registered association's greater bike ride across Iowa) It was his first year and lets just say he is not the type to be away from home for an extended period of time. I don't think he will ever go again. We missed each other terrible! We spoke on the phone several times a day! hehehe
I am very proud of him as he made the whole ride without quitting and wasn't even any worse for the wear because of it.
So here is the card in honor of "My Bike Shorts Baby". He is King in my book!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARSHALL!

Happy birthday to my first born son! 15 years old and just as sweet as ever. First day back at school today also, so we were all up bright and early! A light day in daycare as I had one start kindergarten today and that was nice.
The furnace had it's final inspection today ; ) Yes I said final, the inspector signed off on it, and had it fired up and running! Glad that job is done. I did some painting touch up's on walls today also. Things are looking up. I made one ATC today for Marshall's birthday card. I make ATC's for the kids birthdays now, since they are collecting them also. I just attach a sleeve to the front of a blank greeting card and that way the ATC can be removed to put in their albums. Since Marshall plays football and it is high on his priority list I used football as the theme. Speaking of football, Marshall had his first game tonight. He only got in the game for one play at the very end and it didn't amount to anything. I think I am in for a year of disappointment. I hate it when the kids don't get to play! It just seems wrong to take a parents money and then the kids just sit on the bench.
We had a nice family meal at home, Marshall opened his gift and we topped the night off with a trip out for ice cream. No cake at this house!
Here is the ATC I made for Marshall, our school colors are orange and black ; )

Pie in my eye

Well I had hoped for a long weekend of getting work done around the house, and lots of art. But plans change. We ended up going home to Pipestone to see hubby's mom. She fell and Jim wanted to see her for himself to make sure that she was well. Kids always love to visit Grandpa and Grandma too. Nice way to end the summer. It was a quick visit but a nice one. We Left Saturday night and were on our way home again by Sunday night. I got a few of the house projects taken care of this morning, and a couple cards made. We attended a potlock tonight for my nephew. He is entering the Navy and leaving home on Wednesday. Bye Josh, be safe!
The kids start school tomorrow, it will be a busy morning and week. It's my oldest boy's birthday tomorrow. 15 years young, man does he seem old in years, but still momma's little boy. I am praying for an excellent school year all around, we have had troubles in the past.
We are having tornado warnings out tonight, I really like creepy weather. Gets the blood pumping! Lots of fun thunder going on!
Should be good art time, but I am just too tired tonight. Late nights all weekend, as we traveled in the evenings both nights.

The cards I made this morning are in the Zetti style, they are so fun to make, they just make you smile.

Family Pictures

We recently got our family pictures taken for the church directory. They arrived this week and I am very happy with them. We haven't done family pictures since the kids were about 3 and 4! Yikes! That's 10 years ago, I guess it was time! We have 2 styles of the full family picture, but I love this one of Jim and I. Also love this one of the 3 kids, so I will share them here instead of a group family one.

Puppets can't walk, without a Puppet Master

URGH! I created an entry last night after my late night art session and just as I was loading, my dumb computer locked up. I was so mad I went to bed. hehehe Woke up this morning to a wonderful thunder storm. I love to cozy in with a rainy day.
I will get some work done and then I can play some more. Last nights art session was tons of fun. I got 6 cards pumped out. 4 collage cards, 2 of which were suitable for my serendipity challenge on my group. Even 2 draw/paint cards. The one draw/paint card is one that I hate and love at the same time. It shows my complete lack of skill in drawing faces, but also it proves that if I just let loose I can come up with something interesting to others.
I have already had 2 requests for the card.
I am not parting with it for a while. I hope to start drawing more on a regular basis now that I have joined another group called "Every Day Matters" It focuses on daily creativity and it issues weekly challenges. Challenges are good, keeps me motivated! Also forces you to draw things you might not normally decide to draw.
Before my computer decides to act up again, here is some of my work from last night.