My Favorite Things......

The other day I posted about using my favorite things in my art.

I wasn't always able to do that. Creating a warm and inviting space

to create in has helped. Being able to be inspired by the things

I love has helped me to do just that. Also....attending art retreats

like 'My Favorite Things' hosted this month by Kim Hanauer forces you

in a positive way to use and create with beauty. This photo captures

beauty to the right of my soldering station. I love the 'dingy-ness' of the baby shoes.

This is probably one of my favorite little pieces I have ever done.

I love the colors. I love the textures. I love the method. This was

part of a sampler that I made for Christine Edwards in A Swap For All

Season's. I came out of my comfort zone. That is one of the many reasons

I just love to swap. I have come to love stitching....it is restful and there

are so many neat techniques I remember my grandmother teaching me.

My mother gave me this little typewriter. She said it was me. I

couldn't agree more. I love how it looks like I typed in my name.

Believe it or not.....it is one of my favorite things. The reason....because

my mom supports my art. She is very creative....but doesn't create any more.

She says she supports artists. I think that is neat. So now my mom comes

over....sits with me sometimes while I create and 'supports' me.

It is fun....and yes....I am trying to get her to create something!

This is in front of my soldering station. I love the way that the

class pieces are stored. I love the containers. I love looking at

the unfinished pieces.....they speak to me.....and remind me....that

my work is never finished.

Housing neat and interesting pieces is always inspiring to me. I bought

this cute mermaid....someday it will be made into something for

my mom. She loves.....and collects mermaids. And oh....those rhinestone

rings.....I LOOOOOVE them. They came off a vintage sweater. They inspire

me and sometimes I use them in my art. What all this artful inspiration

has taught me....is use what you love. Use the good stuff....you are worth

it & trust me it inspires others....especially me. Have a beautifully

inspiring & artfully creative day.