Black Eyed Susan Vine

Wanted to share this pretty flowering vine! I love working from home. Each break I take I step outside to see what new flowers have bloomed in my garden.

Wordless Wednesday

Moved my studio

I started my business working at the couch with a tv tray. The more my business grew the harder it was to be efficient.

So, last November I found a space to work out of. It was a storage room inside another business. My productivity went up. I could complete projects in a few hours that took days at home.

After the Presidential election the tension in the building has grown. To be polite and leave out details I will just say I felt like I was in a Rush Limbaugh episode. I listened politely and would say I must get to work and make a fast exit.

Well, sad to say, but being respectful of others opinions but not outwardly agreeing seemed to make me THE enemy. I was being spoken to rudely. So, today while the building was empty I packed up my studio and brought it home.

I do have concerns about the division that has been occurring in this country. I was surprised it touched my life here in liberal Missoula. These people were my friends. I have friends from many faiths or no faith. I have friends from a variety of political parties or no party. Like Rodney King says "Can we all get along?"

I have everything squished in a 4 by 6 space. Tomorrow I will do some creating in my own lovely, peaceful environment. When I step out for a break instead of other humans to greet I will have the deer, squirrels and my sweet kitty, Luna.

I loved having a studio and I truly believe that closing a negative door will allow another door to open. I became self employed so that I could enjoy my work. As Martha Stewart says "This is a good thing"!

Glacier National Park

Last Monday we spent the day at Glacier National Park. I did not want to leave. My photos do not do this majestic place justice!

Sassy Glass Jewelry

I have been enjoying blogging. I have met so many talented people. One of them is Sassy Glass Jewelry.

I was reading her blog and wandered over to her Etsy shop. If you love stones set in silver you will love her shop. I noticed she is also having a sale right now, buy one get one half off!

As soon as I saw this turquoise ring I just knew I had to have it. I am not one to shop or unless it is for beads. It was very fun buying myself something that is handmade and by a very nice woman.

You can check out her shop Sassy Glass Jewelry

Fast trip to Idaho

Last week Mitchel and I took a overnight trip to Sandpoint, Idaho. It was his birthday and we thought we would take a fast trip to a place we had never been.

As soon as we entered Idaho we had this snow scene. We were at the summit of Lookout Pass. We then when to Wallace, Idaho. It is a town of 960 and was a Silver mining town in it's hay day. Mitchell wanted to stop there to tour the Bordello Museum. Well, I can tell you it was a disappointment. Just a thriftshop with murals of saloon girls hanging over second floor railings. The town is very quaint though, with antique stores and shops to purchase silver jewelry.

After Wallace we headed east towards Coeur d'Alene. I love Coeur d'Alene but this trip was about Sandpoint. So, onward and now northward towards Sandpoint. We are still in the mountains but it looks very different than Montana. It is greener and the valley floor is flatter. It is staring to rain too.

We had to forfeit the hike on a trail with views of the lake. It poured, it hailed, it is Spring in the mountains.

I took pics of the lake but with all the rain they didn't really come out. The hills around the lake look just like Carmel or Monterey, California. Pine covered, lush and misty.

The downtown is very quaint. You won't believe this...I met one of my Etsy customers in the second shop we entered! She complimented my necklace and asked for a card. She had shopped with me a year ago. I have had 2 Idaho customers and was so surprised! It was fun.

So, that was our little trip. Today we are heading up to Glacier National Park.

Outhouse Race Champions

This video is from 2008. Dushore, Pennsylvania is a small town with a population of 700. Each year they celebrate Founders Day and about 3000 folks arrive to help the town celebrate.

My friend Karen is a resident of Dushore and shared this video with her friends. I thought it was just so hilarious that I had to share it with my blog friends!

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

The only mom I am is to my sweet Luna. This morning I was joking around to Mitchell and said "Hey, where is my breakfast in bed?" He laughed and said "You will have to speak to Luna about that!"

Well, I asked Luna and she just ran away. I assume she is out hunting down a mouse for my breakfast! LOL

To all you Mom's out...have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Short Film by Primitive Surrealism

This is some of Mitchell's artwork.

The May Queen by Emily Balivet

Emily Balivet - Mythological Goddess Art

Friend's Award

I was surprised to find that " Julie Magers Soulen Photography" honored me with this lovely award. Thanks Julie!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Thanks so much! Here are my eight awardees:

Busy Bead Lady
Judy Elizabeth's Flock
so,sherry
Judith B Designs
Broken Teepee
Primitive Surrealism
Sassy Glass Designs
The Muddy Moose Bath Boutique

Missoula Saturday Market Opening Day

Opening day of Saturday Market was today. The morning started out cold. By afternoon the winds gusted thru making a mess of my table.

The photo of the gal in the apron is me. Mom made me the apron as a Christmas gift and it worked perfect. I really liked having pens in pocket and my cash was in a money clip right on me.

The other photos are of my dearest friend Rose. She makes jams and jellys and crochets and makes rag quilts. She is a true spit fire and I just adore her!

The young man is artist Brandon. He is our resident "flirt". He loves to spend his hours smiling at the ladies!

The last pic is my dear friend Jim who is a wonderful woodworker. He gives great hugs!

The season started out great. With the economy we all wondered how our day would be. I made a few dollars more than last years opening day, so I think the summer will be fine.

I made a ton of items $20 and under. I actually had 4 sales that were in the medium price range. That is an encouraging sign too!

Later in the year I will get some pics of a better view of the full market.

Snow in Montana

My friend Judy Elizabeth lives up near Glacier National Park in Montana. This week Montana had a Spring snow storm and her area got hit HARD!!! If you want to see some amazing pictures check out her blog! Judy Elizabeth's Flock

Thank goodness it melted fast here in Missoula! Judy I am sending you lots of sunshine!