Still moving...

You would think that moving from one floor to another, in the same house, would go much faster than it has. It probably would, if I would accept the offer of help from my other children. I do love my youngest child..but, quite honestly...no one else made the mess..and I don't think anyone else needs to clean it.
I'm just waiting on the carpet cleaners to come and clean the nasty carpets...(he's going to have to help pay for that)..then, I can get completely moved.
For now..I'm working in the smallest room...but, at least I have a place to do some of my work.

Another Season of Idol...

I missed the first season of Idol...I just figured it probably wouldn't last and I'd already seen a season or two of Star Search...

Then, season two I decided to see what everyone was talking about...I've been a fan ever since.

I have been a David Cook fan, since the Omaha auditions...so glad they improved the hair...it was a bit distracting.

Good job David!!!

Temporary break....

I'm taking a temporary break from my blogs and from creating original works of art. I'm still not completely moved and...quite frankly....I'm tired and in desperate need of some R&R. So...be it one day...one week...or longer......I need some 'me' time.

I'm not moved yet.....

....and I'll be lucky to be finished by the week-end..so I'll just 'vacation' for the rest of the week..probably until after Memorial Day.

This is a tough time of the year for me as is...so, I'll just take one day at a time for now.

Still moving...

..I must have been borderline 'crazy' to think that I would be anywhere near completing moving my work space from my basement to my upstairs rooms. Especially when my youngest son was the previous 'tenant' of my upstairs. He's not a drinker or a smoker...but, he makes the mess of ten people.
I'm trying to 'stick to my guns' and make him do all of the cleaning...I'm just not sure how long I can go without my studio.

I'm Moving....

...well...I'm moving my studio...from downstairs to upstairs. I've had the entire basement...for my studio...since I moved to this house two years ago. My youngest son has lived upstairs...

problem...the upstairs is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer...the downstairs is too cold (for me) year round.

So, I don't get as much use out of my studio as I need to...and he is pretty much miserable year round.

I think I can solve the temperature problems upstairs...with far less furnishings..open ventilation..etc. He can be comfortable downstairs and a bit more independent. It has a tiny kitchen...3/4 bath...living room/ dining room area..separate bedroom...separate entrance..etc. We're both pretty excited about the move...I'm not sure why we didn't do this before now(?)...

I'll have 1/2 bath upstairs....which is plenty for a studio...a room that will be a studio/print center..and a room that will be sewing/ crafting.

So...this week-end is moving week-end...(and I imagine it will carry on into the week)...which means all of my paint supplies and canvas are packed...and I won't be doing any new painted pieces for several days (at least). The upstairs needs to be emptied..and then my son-in-law will have to bring his shampooer and get the carpets. As soon as they are dry I'll set up my print center first...then the studio.

It'll probably be a week or so before I can set up my sewing/ crafting room. In the meantime...I'll work on some new digital photo manip's for both shops.

I am hoping that, with this move, I'll be able to do more stretched canvas paintings and more 'crafts'....we'll see how it works out!

New Etsy feature...shop policies.

Etsy has just included a new section in our shops..."Shop Policies".

I found it a rather useful section...and a way to address the FAQs I have received, without seeming negative or (I hope) unkind.

I have been asked, in the past, if I would consider trading or consigning my shop pieces....unfortunately, this is just something I am unable to do. I tend to put off answering these convos for as long as possible, I don't want to come off as rude.

The fact is...I can't afford to sit on any of my pieces for indefinite periods...this is how I pay my bills.

This little section provided me a way to answer those questions indirectly....so if they ever come up in a direct convo in the future...I can just refer them to my Shop Policies. So much easier...I think!

I have found the sweetest little vintage photos that are now in the public domain, meaning that the copyright has expired and they are free to use. I am currently working on a new series...as yet unnamed...that I hope to have a few pieces ready to list by the first part of next week.

And...my little red, white and black digital art pieces...the very first pieces I ever attempted...will be retired soon! I love the little pieces...and they've made it into a number of Treasuries...but, ...it's time...

Recipe prints are retired as well...

Look for a lot of new pieces and new series in the coming weeks....!!!

New pieces...newly listed!

I did some research on vintage dresses and vintage hats...and three of these pieces are the result of that research. I think they turned out very sweet.

The premise is 'vintage girls' with their exotic pets.

"Sophie and Her Baby Seal' sold immediately....I will have some 5"x7" prints available in the shop soon.

'Butterfly Kiss' will be listed Tuesday afternoon.

"Maybelline's Ferret' is currently listed.

The piece with the cute little elephant doesn't yet have a title...and I'll list that one as soon as the title 'presents itself'.

I'll have more pieces from my 'vintage girls' series in the near future.

Taking Mother's Day week-end...'off'...

I've decided that I'm going to have a quiet, somewhat, organizational week-end...at least one day of the week-end. If I'm lucky I just might get some brand new pieces finished for my CMZ Art shop.

I've been doing some 'experimenting' with my shop...and...I'm hoping to spend some of my brief 'time-off' on some pieces for a brand new series...and to get them listed sometime next week.

We'll just have to see how that goes....

If I don't get them ready for the next week...perhaps, the week after?

I'll have to let you know how it works out!