Tempus Fugit...

Time really does fly, and cold weather is quickly approaching. I am in the middle of a whirlwind of activity, trying to harvest, clean, build and create all at the same time.

  The garden was bountiful, and the flowers stunning, and it is all breezing past as if I were standing still. I snapped this photo of one of the last roses in my garden Saturday morning...

 It is just coming into it's own, not quite open. By yesterday afternoon, it was in full bloom and already starting to look a little sad. Why is it the seasons seem so much shorter as I get older...

My theory is that it is all in the percentages. When you are a child, say 4 years old, a year is a fourth of your life experience. That is a huge fraction, right? Well as you get older, one year represents a smaller and smaller fraction of your life, say at age 50, one year is only a fiftieth of your entire life experiences. A much smaller fraction, get it? Well, that's my take on it, have a better one?

All this to say, time is fleeting and we don't have a way to slow it down, it just keeps speeding up. If you are waiting to finally do something you have always wanted to do, reconnect with a friend or family member, start a creative business or climb a particular mountain, now is the time. Don't wait to do the things that matter, stop trying to fit them in when you get the chance. You will find there are always other priorities, life has a way of creating them even when we don't pay attention. But do try to honor your heart, pursue your passions and sing your song!

Now is the time; this is the moment...

This weeks theme for Every Inchie Monday is "wall" and here is mine.

Until next time...enjoy!

Across the finish line...

I finally finished my 50 little pieces of art for the art-o-mat project! I am so relieved, I have spent the better part of two weeks locked in my studio, long days of learning, playing and experimenting...

It has been quite an experience, one that I would do again, if I am fortunate enough to sell most of these...

I learned a lot about leveraging my art, trying to create each block as a stand alone piece, without too much repetition, but still spending a reasonable amount of time on each one...

They are all labeled on the back, with four different ways I can be reached...

Now all that is left is to wrap each one in cellophane, pack them into a box and send them on their way. Just in time, since yesterday was the first day of spring, and I noticed the crocus are in bloom...

If you want to know more about the Art-o-mat project, Please click here!

Time to get outside and clean up the garden...it will be nice to get out in the world again. Then perhaps work on something larger. Until next time...enjoy.

Update March 22nd: I shipped the box out this morning. A medium sized flat rate box is more than big enough for 50 of these, and they were very heavy, so I saved money shipping that way...

Gadabout Artist: Playing in the Sunshine...

Well, we are firmly ensconced in sunny Yuma, AZ, and enjoying days of 70+ degree weather. I have no real complaints, we are hooked up to power and water, so no more batteries or sponge baths, very nice after dry camping in the desert for so long. There are many wonderful snow-birds to meet and I spent a lovely evening playing bingo with 253 of them! No beginners luck for me, though...too bad, it would have helped pay for all the extra beads and art supplies I bought in Quartzsite!

There are not a lot of art supplies available there, but a store appropriately named,  "Addicted To Deals" seems to be a clearing house for just about anything under the sun, and they had a wonderful assortment of scrapbooking supplies. The large rubber stamps were only 3 for $5 and the sets were under $2. I think they will be great for my ATCs and the art I am working on for Art-o-mat. Speaking of which, one of our new neighbors here is a wood worker, I am going to ask him later today if he might be willing to cut out the little blocks of MDF that I need for my first shipment to Art-o-mat. I have been working on the art, and had planned to affix them to the blocks once we returned home, but this would allow me to ship much earlier. There is a lot of trading of skills back and forth down here, and I thought I might join in...

Here are just a few of the beads I bought, there are hundreds of tents and stores selling them in Quartzsite, and you can find everything imaginable for jewelry making. I haven't been in the jewelry business for a very long time, but I just could not resist, old habits die hard. So when I finally get around to opening that Etsy shop, you will likely find a collection of jewelry as well as art. My sweet daughter has recently started making jewelry, so she will receive some as well. She likes the more ethnic/hippy style, so these pendants and wood and coral beads were purchased for her. Until next time, enjoy...

Inspiration!

This is a wonderful essay, and speaks to the creative spirit in all of us...