When I Grow Up

Here I am, 41 years old, and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I've considered being a photographer and a writer since I was a little kid. I got my first camera when I was 7 and don't know if I have put one down since.
Writing has also been a favorite. In third grade I had a teacher, Mrs. Dennis, that would have us write short stories every week. She'd pick the best ones and the class would vote on their favorite. I almost always had one in the top three and even won first place a couple of times.
In the last couple of years I have discovered the world of Indy Crafting. I love to make things and the people I've met have been amazing. It makes me feel like one of the cool kids when I wander down the aisles at a craft show and know the amazing artists who are taking part.
So what's my problem? Obviously I want to do something creative. That seems to be my calling. My problem, as is the problem with a lot of creative people, is that I lack focus. I need to get myself trained to concentrate on one area and actually WORK on that one area. Any one have any tips for this?
What's the best way to make something a habit when you are busy and often don't know if you are coming or going? How do you create a private space for yourself AND convince the kiddos that you need them to stay out of your way for a bit? How do you work through the creatively dry times and not lose your momentum?
All suggestions are encouraged and will be VERY appreciated.

New Items

I have been working on some canvases. 'How TWEET it is' is 11x14. It's done with paper and Mod Podge and then embellished with ribbon, buttons, magnetic words and dimensional paint. I started this as a whim but had a lot of fun with it.













I was very excited when a friend asked me to make one for her little girl. That's how 'Luv Bugs' came about. My friend wanted something with lady bugs. This one is also paper on stretched canvas. I used acrylic paint, magnetic words and buttons to embellish it.






















I am working on one titled 'Dance'. It is an 8 x 10 canvas featuring a purple and pink penguin in a tutu. Once it is finished it will be available at my etsy shop.






















Most of you know that frames were where I started with this. I had a friend who commissioned a music theme framed from me for her daughter. I liked it so much I had to do another one that was similar. I was pretty happy with the results.



I am anxious to know what you think. Please feel free to comment!
I would also like to know if you would be interested in finding out about other arts and crafters out there that I run across.

Don't forget to visit my etsy shop which doesn't look like much now but I am working on it!

www.funkyfeisty.etsy.com

A new year

It's a new year and I am vowing a new blog. I've spent a lot of time trying to find a way to make my blog 'cool'. I wanted a huge following, right away. It didn't happen. I know that people looked at it but only a few have chosen to follow or even comment. I wanted to be able to create art and photos that everyone HAD to see. I started trying to hard. I'm gonna stop worrying about all that. I am going to blog for me!
Some days you may see a 'crafty' post or a post about my family, my joys, my frustrations (is that redundant?). You may even see contests or links to other blogs that I like. There may be photos. Who knows what I'll discover about myself.
I'm taking my new blogging cues from "Wreck This Journal' by Kerri Smith. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Wreck-This-Journal/Keri-Smith/e/9780399533464/?itm=1&usri=Wreck+this+journal I got it from my mom and dad for Christmas and am having so much fun trying to break out of the confines I've placed on myself. I hope you'll join me but if not that's OK too.

Crafty endeavours

I can't believe that its been so long since my last post. Time is just speeding by.

I've not really talked about my 'crafting' in a while. I've been working on it. I have been frantically trying to finish up some special orders. I'll be mailing some off tomorrow. I did a craft fair which, although I only sold 2 things, was a pretty good time. I have had a bit of a blow to the ego though. I've been put on the waiting list for a craft fair I had really been looking forward to. Oh well. I'm still new to all of this. It happens. I imagine that there were a lot of people from last year that applied and got first dibs. Those are my excuses anyway. I will still attend the craft fair and I will try again next year. They've also invited me to sell on their site which I will look into. It's a really cool group.

http://funkyfinds.us/

http://www.artfire.com/users/FunkyFeisty

Over the summer my friend Lauren and I will hopefully be selling items at the farmer's market in Bloomington, IL (or maybe it's Normal, I'm never sure). She makes dolls out of old clothing. We have one that Claudia has named 'Coraline'. She's not allowed to leave Claudia's bed unless Claudia PERSONALLY removes her. She is well loved.

http://lmlowel.etsy.com/

A little bit of craftiness

So, I did it. I made a dress for my daughter. It's been washed and worn more than once and is still in one piece. I don't own a sewing machine so I had to use fusible web stuff and then I sewed over the top of that. It did take a while but I think it turned out pretty well.
Not too bad for not having a clue...

Hoping for a crafty week

OK so the hubby is going out of town for a week. I will be a single mom. It's tiring but I get my nights to myself. when my husband leaves it is always my goal to get the house organized and get some crafting done. VERY rarely does the first happen. I do usually pull out a lot of stuff and do some project. Currently I have an altered book to work on. I am part of a round robin. It's fun. The theme for the book that I sent out is 'For the Love of Books'. First I received one about idioms and now I've received one titled 'It's Time to...'.
For those of you who don't know, and I didn't for a long time, a Round Robin or 'RR' envolves more than one person. You pick a project and everyone in your group starts something then you send that something off to the next person in your group. When you get your original back you have something created by a bunch of different artists. Pretty Awesome.
If you're not sure what an Altered Book is... Well, it's pretty much what it sounds like. You start with a book, any old book will do, and you turn it into something new. I'd never done one before and I"m finding that it's pretty cool.
I'm also vowing to make at least ONE t-shirt for myself this week. I'm going to pretend that I really believe I will organize my side of the bedroom this week as well. Maybe I'll just make a small goal like clearing off my dresser or throwing out all the junk mail I like to accumulate... OOOO maybe I can learn how to make paper... Hmmm...

Day 2

Wow. The kids are both quiet. Amazing. Today may be a day to ramble...
I went into Old Navy to look at kids clothes. I saw some pants hanging on a rack that looked HUGE. I thought... Hey, those may fit me... I walked over and they were fourteens! Now to some of you that may be a big number but for most of us not so much. I couldn't believe they looked so large. Then I saw it. The pants directly behind were a size ZERO! How is that a size? It's not even a number. It means that there is nothing, nada, zilch. It makes no sense to me but I will never be and have never been close to a zero.
So my new craft love seems to be t-shirts. I've only made one so far. I've done some in the past but it was either back when I was a youngun and I was making 'Cramps' t-shirts or later when I made them with my kids. Now I really want to try deconstructing some and painting some designs. I made a skull and cross bones shirt for my son. He likes it. Something is holding me back from doing one for me though. Some how it's hard for me to cut up a shirt that cost me $2.50. I don't even like the neck line or anything on it. Something is seriously wrong with me. I'm just gonna have to grab those scissors and go for it. Of course, I'll have to do that when the kids are sleeping or I may find that ALL of our shirts have been 'deconstructed' .
I went through a big cigar box phase. I still love them but I get frustrated that I can't make purses out of them that are more sturdy and practical. I guess if I really wanted to I could search on-line for some how-tos but I'm never thinkin' about it when I'm at the computer not doing anything else. I guess that's a project I could work on... Making an actual purse that I can carry and not have to hold shut with my hand the whole time.
See, I rambled. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a more linear stream of thought.
Take care.

Welp, here I am...

Hi. I'm new to this world of blogging. So it may be a bit rough at first but I'll try to muddle through.
I feel in my heart that I am a crafter and I would like to be able to do that for extra cash. I've always dabbled... Sold beaded necklaces, polymer clay pens, paper collaged picture frames... Nothing that really stuck. I blame it all on lack of time. In truth, I'm just not very organized. Never have been.
I was that kid that was always grounded for the messy room. My husband and I each have our own sides in our bedroom. If he could, I'm pretty sure my husband would ground me for my side. There are clothes on the floor but a good chunk of it is photos, papers, ribbons, yarns, books, cigar boxes and organizational items. The latter of which only works when you actually USE them. Somehow I missed that part.
I have 2 kids (which you could probably tell from the name of the blog). My son is 4 and my daughter turned 1 in December. They take up A LOT of time. Not that I don't love it... mostly... but I let that get in my way too. I like to have them out and about. I'm part of a local group for moms, Arlington Moms and Tots. We do tons of stuff together. Most of the kids have been friends since they were a year old or younger. The ladies involved are some of my very best friends. It's a good time but also a good excuse to put off doing what I should be doing.
I am a firm believer that if I don't try, I can't fail. Hey, it's my motto and I'm stickin' to it. Actually, I'd like to drop that as my motto and adopt something new. I'll keep thinking on that one.
Welp, Number one child needs me. Man, it's always something. Check back later. Hopefully I'll manage to keep this thing going!