Funny stuff...

I could use a little laugh, and Maxine comics never disappoint me.

Just thought I'd share and I'll just add other links once in a while.

I Fixed it myself. Photos that show how creative people can be.

I enjoy "blonde jokes".

Feeling Treasured on Etsy.

There's a new feature on Etsy, it's called Circles.

I've just started using it, and am happy to see it shows

when I'm included in a Treasury.

To my surprise, I've been included in FOUR treasuries

over the last three days! How amazing is that?!

I recently finished this pair of "Fleur de Lise" wall sconces, and I just added one to my Etsy shop. It's included in this "Cinnamon taste test" Treasury.

I have been hesitant about adding paintings

to my Etsy shop. I am not a prolific painter, so my collection is rather small & intimate.

However, this past year I've been concentrating on painting, and am just getting the courage to present them on Etsy.

My "Flaming Lotus" painting is in this Lotus Treasury.

And my "Big Fish" painting is in a collection

called "Rage in the cage".

This ceramic sun face is featured in

"Let the sun shine in" Treasury.

Jan 25/11

Check out this awesome Dragon Treasury, it includes my last hatching dragon.

Feb 8/11

A stunning collection of trees in numerous colours, styles and mediums.

My "Love Tree" button is included.

Feb 14/11

Some more recent treasuries:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d585c38d1ab8eeff04b9eba/some-bunny-loves-you

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d580f0bc36e6d91a4cc14c3/even-dragons-cry

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d58c5d3ef648eefc6a27153/sheepy-time

I've only curated a few treasuries, but know the time and consideration it takes to make one.

Trying to stay on task is hard! There's so many wonderful things to see on Etsy. I spend a lot of time deciding what to include, and where.

I also end up feeling quite insecure about my own skills as an artist, when I see some of the other artists' amazing pieces. So it's very encouraging to have my work (paintings especially) featured in someone else's Treasury.

So I'd like to send a sincere " Thank you! to the amazing curators of Etsy Treasuries!"

You make us all shine :)

Another Fire in Nelson

Last night, (Jan 5/11) while the snow continued blowing, many of us slept,

and another Heritage Building went up in flames.

The Kerr Building (built in 1911) was home to a lot of people.

Fortunately it seems everyone got out safely.

However, their modest belongings are gone, and so are their homes.

Here are a couple of links- how you can help, story here and here.

***UPDATE- June 08, 2011: The Nelson Post- The wall comes down.***

The charred remains of a rocking horse and a pillow...

I walked up there on my lunch break, following the smell of smoke, and took these pictures.

Thurs. Jan 6, 2011.

(Here's a link to some other Heritage buildings in Nelson.)

Update: Jan 13/11

Our community is helping out.

Emus in the snow paintings

Here are the 2 paintings I made, inspired

by the emus I saw yesterday.

They are 6" x 6"

"Emus in the snow"- $35.00

I'm drawn to these beautiful birds, the way

they move, the purring sounds they make and their

unusual plumage.

It was such a treat to see them up-close,

the texture of their feathers, the contrast and strangeness

of seeing emus in snow, appeals to me and urges me to

do something with it.

I'll try & do "in progress" photos of some of my paintings.

Emus in the snow.

Today was an overcast, winter day in the Kootenays.

The clouds hung low in the sky, threatening snow, but my husband and I

went for a walk anyway. It's something we don't do nearly enough.

I guess walking along the highway has a lot to do with it, but there are sideroads,

so we took one and ended up at a dead

end, by a fenced in

field, where there were 3 emus.

Yes, big flightless birds!

I haven't seen one since my kids were small & I took them to the Calgary Zoo. What a treat!

We watched them for a few minutes, and I took a bunch of pictures.

I should've used the flash, but didn't want to disturb them, so all my photos are dark & needed to be edited.

(I'll be going back on a sunnier day, to take some more pictures of these fascinating birds.)

I was so inspired, that I spent the rest of the day/night in my studio painting,

"Emus in the snow".

The challenge was to make a completed painting in one day... unheard of for me.

I ended up making 2 paintings! They are drying right now as I write, and my camera's recharging, so I'll post photos of the paintings next time.

Here they are.

**UPDATE: I'm offering the 1st painting in my Etsy shop.**

Winter Owl

I just finished this little painting last night... Jan 1/11. A perfect way to start the New Year!

It's a little screech owl, resting on a dead branch, under snow covered branches, that I started a week ago. (You can buy a button if you like.)

Using a limited pallet, and a painting by my favourite artist- Robert Bateman, as my inspiration and source, it was nice to have a tangible resource, for a change.

(Most of my paintings are landscapes and abstracts, just letting the painting evolve as I go. To work from a picture takes more discipline, deliberation and is more challenging.)

I have no idea how long it took to make this painting, though, since time just evaporates in my studio.

There are times when the painting has to dry, before I can move onto the next step, and I find other things to work on- refurbishing an old travel case is my other project right now.

Below is an unfinished photo of my painting and a little art card.

I've blocked and defined the spaces, and worked out the owl.

(I'm making the little art card (ACEO), to test my colours

and brush strokes, as I work on the larger painting).

Painting in-progress (with unfinished ACEO on the side).

Today, I'll put a clear protective coating on my finished painting. I like to use a shiny, gloss finish, (but it's hard to get good photos afterwards), then I can truly call him complete.

I've enjoyed making this painting. During the busy holidays, I've created this safe, peaceful shelter, for a little owl... and for me.

Finished "Winter Owl" painting (9" x 12")

Finished ACEO (Art trading card.)

A Button Making Machine - for my birthday!

I've been wanting a button making machine for a long time, however, it just hasn't been affordable, or a priority. You know the kind of buttons I mean… bright colours, funny pictures/sayings, or to show support for a cause.

I'd like to make some to promote (and sell in) my Etsy shop. It will be fun to make custom orders - of people, their pets, kids, cars, businesses, whatever!

So keep me in mind if you need a button or 2, (or 200)!

I have a birthday this weekend, and it's a BIG one…50th this coming weekend!

Anyhow, my family thought a button maker would make an ideal gift for me, but they wanted me to choose one, so I've been doing some serious shopping around.

After looking, comparing prices, reviews, cost of supplies and more… I decided I on a Tecre 2 1/4' button maker.

I read a lot of good reviews, the parts seem a bit more affordable, however shipping isn't cheap.

(I decided on the standard 2 1/4" because I will also be able to make pocket mirrors, and magnets with that size.)

Now I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival, and thinking of ideas for the 1st set of buttons. I have a few days off now, so I'm going to figure out designs for the artwork. I'll be ready to make them when my machine arrives.

I'm so excited! I'll let you know how it goes, once I get started.

In the meantime, Dave & I are planning to get away for the weekend, to quietly celebrate my 50th birthday, with a bit of shopping in the big city of Cranbrook, a dinner & evening at the casino and a motel room for the night- they'd better have a hot tub somewhere. It'll be fun, to finish my Christmas shopping, and hopefully get new winter boots (mine are falling apart).

It's not often that we go anywhere, but there's always someone home to look after our geriatric dog (Spike), so we should

get away more often.

Well, I'll keep you up to date...

Enjoy your week.

***** ******** **************** *****************

Update: Wed Dec 8/10

( I fixed my boots this morning using hot-melt glue. They aren't pretty, but they'll be fine for home.) So I took Spike for a walk to the mailbox, and guess what?

There was a "parcel pickup" notice in my mail! YES!

That means I will need to go to town tomorrow and pick it up at the Mall.

I wasn't sure if it would arrive before the weekend. I'm so excited!

Some other things to consider:

- I have a decent printer to print my button designs, however, I may be needing specialty papers, and more ink soon.

- Q- How long will it take to actually make the buttons & designs?

A- If I had all the designs made, & cut into circles, it just takes seconds to actually make the buttons, but the designing, printing & cutting can take time!

-Who will buy them from me? (I'm not much of a salesperson... something I've got to work on.)

- Buying the parts isn't too expensive, but the shipping & taxes are!

****** ********** ************** *****************

UPDATE: Dec 9/10

I picked up my button maker today. YEAH!

After a little messing around with the directions, and cutting out circles (of some designs I'd printed,) I have successfully made 25 buttons!

Talk about easy! The 1st one has the pin upside down, and on one, I forgot to add the mylar cover, so I screwed up 2. Not bad for a newbie!

It's so quick & easy to actually make the buttons, but designing, printing & cutting them out takes a lot of time.

I've taken a couple of pictures, so you can see my Tecre machine, and some of the pins I've made so far.

My family has some very politically incorrect ideas for buttons to make. Totally different from what I have in mind...so I've had to do a little censoring, sorry.

Gonna run along now, but if you need a button (or 2, 20, or 200), I'd be happy to make some for you.

You can e-mail me at: smilingbluedog@yahoo.ca

________________________________

Update:

Dec 10/10

Before I go away for birthday weekend, I'd like

to show off my Zibbet shop, where I've listed

a few of my buttons.

Update:

Dec 16/10

Had a wonderful weekend getaway with my husband. So far 50 doesn't seem so old...but it's only been 5 days :)

Anyhow, I've made a whole bunch of new buttons and have some great ideas. (Guess what everyone's getting in their stocking?)

I'd like to see if I can make some to sell locally, so I've edited some of my best photos taken in the Kootenays, and made souvenir buttons.

Update: Oct/11

I am very happy with my button maker, but wish I had a better circle cutter. Should've spent the extra $$, but didn't have it then, and still don't.

This is something Dave can do and he likes it!

I design and print them, while he cuts them out & assembles the buttons... and it doesn't hurt his back :) YES!