All Spruced Up

Well I was without my kid helpers today. School was back in session. I got a chance to look through some altered book magazines and have a few plans for some books that need my attention. I need some major art time. I hope to get a ton done this weekend.

We went out looking at dining tables again tonight and I found a really nice one but it is a little more than I wanted to spend. We will see. I don't want to just settle, but am torn, since I am doing daycare. Wondering if I should get what I want since it will take some abuse or if I should wait till I retire from daycare. Seems that I could wait forever. We will see, I am still browsing.

No art time today, but will share another of the cards I made the other night.

Slippin and Slidin

There was no school again today. It snowed quite a bit again last night and the roads were still sheer ice. Busses couldn't run and streets were not cleared till later in the day.

I had my big kid helpers again. I didn't get as much art time today, but did get to assemble a few ATC's for an end of the month trade tomorrow.
When hubby got home from work, we ran to an auction quick to look at a dining table. It was very nice, but not in the style I want. There was a little side table I was interested in, but the auctioneer kept getting dragged away from it, every time he got near it. Several times he was picking it up, when someone would get him to take something else. I got tired of waiting and we left. No big deal, there will be another something I can use.

I won't share the ATC's from today, but more of the Christmas cards I got done the other day.

Do you Believe?

It was terrible weather here today and I only had 2 little ones in daycare. They came late, played a bit with my older boys (school was called off) ate lunch and took a nap. Right after nap daddy was here to get them. This left me the day to play.

I was able to create about 15 X-mas cards today, so I am well on my way. I need about 60 in all.

Here is a fun non-traditional Zetti card ; )

My poor little girl was meant to have wings, so if you saw her without them, yesterday, I had cut her some wings, but found them laying on my work table this morning. So I just had to add them to her today!

Get the Mittens out!

Well we were traveling on our way home from Pipestone this morning and the freezing rain began. At times we were only able to go 40 miles per hour. It was a long tense drive.
Happily we made it home safe and sound. But the freezing rain continues and is supposed to turn to snow with blizzard conditions. Everything is covered in a sheet of ice right now. I let the dog out to do her job and when she walked out on to the deck, she lost her footing it was so slippery ; )

So get those mittens out, it's cold outside baby!
I took the opportunity to cuddle in, wrap a few presents and make a few holiday cards. I have made all of my cards in the past, I am little behind this year due to our home remodel project, but lets see if I can get it accomplished this year ; ) Just call me crazy.
Not only do I make them, but I make each one unique. No duplicates. I usually send about 60.

Here are a couple I got done tonight.

The day after...

Well the holiday shopping frenzy is on. My brother woke me this morning with a tale of his shopping adventure. Says he ended up putting his item down and leaving the store empty handed, vowing never again ; ) I know better, I have tried the day after Thanksgiving shopping scene before and it isn't pretty.
I do have a few things I will pick up yet tonight, like tape, and a few screws for a job around the house. I wouldn't mind going on a hunt for a few decorating items either, but not sure.

I got the furniture rearranged for the Christmas tree, got a few decorations up, and 6 gifts wrapped today, so feeling good about that. I am in a very festive mood this year, with my newly remodeled main floor. Can't wait to get the tree up, perhaps tomorrow.

Anyway I finished up a swap I needed to get in the mail, it is the last 2 of my Zodiac Goddess series. So here they are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gosh I just realized it has been 10 days since I have checked in here. The hussle bussle never seems to end lately. But really, I do see more time in the up-coming days.

I hope that all is wonderful on this special day for everyone reading! I know that I am truly blessed and have much to be thankful for.
We have gotten so much accomplished in the house this year and I love my home and the comfortable feeling it provides for my family. We can all snuggle in and be cozy for the winter.
Of coarse the kids are not so sure about that now, as mom is freaking about pop and food being allowed in the living room on the new carpet ; )

I am thankful that we all have our health, that we were able to take a wonderful family vacation and experience new adventures. I am thankful that Mandy is improving in school, I am thankful that both Jim's and my parents are all still living and continue to be there for us. I am thankful for everything!
Hugs Dad!

I am cooking today, but the kids got whisked away to Pipestone with Aunt Marnita and we will be alone except for my mom. We will head to Pipestone Saturday night for a quick visit as Jim has to work Friday and Saturday. Turkey is in the oven and I can't wait for the smell of fresh baked bread and turkey.

I have had a bit more time for art these days and that makes me happy, I have a ton of projects in the works right now also. I will post a few ATC's I created last weekend with my Club.

Constance Flew Away

Well I have had a busy weekend, have stayed up till nearly 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
I have finished all of my painting in the house, started to reassemble things, and prepare for the floor to get installed on Monday. Lots of little decorating things I want to do now also. I did redo a bulletin board by painting black and giving it some rustic green accents. Also got plans for making a new key holder for next to the front door. Those are fun things, but they all take time.

Also I had an art project that was due to be mailed out Saturday. I didn't make it, I have been so busy, but I hate to be late so I worked late both Friday and Saturday to get it done.
I am very happy with the outcome. Even when I am busy, I can't rush my art and do a sloppy job. I just can't do it! I had a lot of fun with the theme and hope the owner will like it as well.
It is always hard for me to part with these altered art contributions. Her theme was ~

The Zetti Repair Shop, specializing in Wings and hats...

Found Treasures

Well I was finally able to get a little bit of art time last night. I worked with some of the found treasures I have been collecting. My collage groups challenge this month is, to use at least one found object from the ground, to create a collage.
I had fun with this challenge because the cards are more about abstract and presentation.
A simple pop tab and a scuffed up plastic buckle, that someone had just thrown onto the ground, both of which are well abused, have now been turned from trash, to pieces of interesting artwork!
Do you suppose I could sell them for millions? ; )
The buckle is done on a piece of cardboard from a vanilla wafers box, that I had been using for background bases.
I will share my 2 favorites from last nights work.

How about some Cherry Coke and some Banana Pudding!

Sunshine on my face!

Seems like ages since I have gotten to pop on here. Well every night I continue the painting episode. I know it seems like I couldn't possibly have that much to paint, but when you give everything 2 coats, it is a never ending task.
As of right now, I only have one huge wall left and the ceiling in the immediate kitchen area.
Today's project is to varnish all window woodwork so that I can get the wall coverings back up.
Gotta keep plowing forward. Just a few more days and I will have flooring! YIPPEEE!
I have hardly gotten to set foot in my art area, and I am getting nervous, I have a few deadlines that need attention NOW! I will have to squeeze some time in this weekend no matter what.

But for the time being I thought I would share a couple pictures from a magazine that have been my inspiration for the color choice on the walls. All the men that have been asked hate the color, but the women love it. I am only hoping that with all of my furniture and accessories, my rendition will look as good. Of coarse mine version will not be so fancy as my decor style is more Americana, patriotic, simple.
What do you think??? Do you like the color? I am hoping it will make me feel like I am surrounded by sunshine, even in our dreary winters. The snow is soon upon us so we will see.