Trudi

It was love at first sight. I went back to visit her for 3 days in a row and called twice to make sure this fabulous green bike hadn't been sold. And then I remembered the wise old saying, "if you love something, set it free," which I did...for an entire day. But then I got nervous, called the antique shoppe back, and had them put a hold sign on it. I scrounged together every penny I had, decided I could live off the box of pasta I have in the back of the cupboard and tap water for the next week and bought my groovy dream bike. Fantastic.

I asked the cashier what she thought I should name it (as I was shaking in excitement) and she kind of stared at me blankly. The fun lady behind me in line showed a little more enthusiasm about my purchase, told me she had a similar bike and offered to take a picture of me. And just like that my new bike had a name: Trudy. Named after the fun lady with the purple pants.

Trudy and Janis become friends:Oh, I heart this bike so. We are going to be soooooo happy together. :o)

Don't worry about a thing...

Being in Asheville this season has been a beautiful experience in such a different way for me than in previous visits. It has come with a fair share of trials and tribulations, scattered with bursts of creativity, inspiration and concentration on who I want to be. It's been a bit of a roller coaster, but I have made it work. I have had to make a housing shift, lost 2 part time jobs to business downsizing (which I thought *might* be a sign that I am not supposed to work for anyone else?), and have been happily living out of a teeny orange room on the west side, finding clarity in what once was cloudy to me. I know where I want to be and am excited to get back to NH to keep burying my creative roots in New England soil. Money has been tight, but I have received official confirmation from my (fantastic!) accountant that I am in fact doing everything right, following my first full year of self employment. Woot. *Insert sigh of relief here*

So I have had to make simpler choices and work with what I have. This has forced me to really get down to the nitty gritty of who I am, and have come to realize more clearly what I want in life. And y'know...call me crazy (go ahead!), but when you are walking down the sidewalk on a sunny day reflecting upon these things and you stumble upon THIS adhered to the pavement, you just have to smile and think for *one second* that it was put there for you.

Homemade ceramic tile says 'It'll be fine.' I think so.

My dream bike.

I was toolin' around the Screen Door here in Asheville (my FAVORITE crafty shoppe!) and I stumbled upon this beauty. Woah. Check OUT this thing. $72.00 USD. I want it. Oh, how I want this bike. Not sure if she'd fit in the back of Janis on my trek back to NH, but I'd be willing to tie her to the top and take the backroads! :o)

New homemade crafty goodies.

I can't stop. I am on a crafty rampage, getting ready for the reopening of my shop. I am finally tapping into the pages and pages of sketchbook ideas I have been filing away, and finding my way to the bottom of the bins of crap I hoard, thinking, "someday I'll do something with this." Here's an example of one of those ideas. I made these cute headbands from my old wallets, sweaters and vintage buttons. I'm not that much of a headband wearer, but I love this one. Kind of reminds me of a roaring 20's vintage hairpiece. I think it could pair well with some finger curls and fishnets. :o)

But in the meantime....

...I have been pimpin' Janis out. Yesterday was so sunny that I decided to show Janis some love and paint her plain black tire cover. This is one of my new owl designs (which is actually going to be a new t-shirt design this year at the boutique!) The next owner of this van is in for such a treat! It's not everyday that you come across such a sweet ride, complete with murals, a sticker collection, vintage leather seating AND a rockin' tire cover. I just hope she goes to a good home...one that loves her for who she is!

Time for a change?

While my self-employed earnings have been not been*quite* as much as I would be making at my last cubicle day job, the completion of my 2009 taxes (yessssss!) have proven that I can in fact do this. 2010 is going to be a smarter year for me. I now know what I need to itemize, write-off, budget and pay annually. I feel this year I can make better choices. And while I do LOVE my van (Janis), she may need to get traded in for something smarter in the near future. I'm thinking something that gets good gas milage, has 4WD (oh how I have missed that...the luxury of being able to visit my friends up on the hill in the wintery weather!) and can of course fit all of my crap (I mean art) in it when I travel and go to art shows. I have always loved, loved, LOVED the Jeep Cherokee, and think back fondly on my time with Jeffery (my 1994 beauty) that I had a short relationship with. I loved that it was green and looked like a box on wheels. I liked that it only played tapes, had a stick on the floor and the windows whistled on the highway. But it may be time to even upgrade from that. I'm thinking Honda Element. Couldn't you just see me in this sweet lil' ride? Suggestions, recommendations and offers to sell me your vehicle are all welcome. :o)

What a hoot!

I had a vivid, crazy crafty themed dream some weeks ago, like I do most nights (last night I was playing badminton with curling ribbon spools!) which involved me making owls pillows. I woke up, drew the pattern I made (in my sleep?) and got to work. I made these 12 little buddies out of completely recycled materials (pillowcases, vintage fabrics and felts). Modeling with the little owlies are my roommate Erica and her cute lil' dog, Star. :o)