She loves it!

Roxy loves this sweater that I made her so much she bit me really really hard when I put it on her! I'm sure it was to show her love and appreciation!

This is my own design and I knitted it myself.

It's been hard finding clothes that fit Roxy. We've been reduced to getting sweaters for the teddy bears they sell clothes for at Michael's. But she hates anything with sleeves and walks very strangely.

It's a good thing I whipped this sweater up because it snowed hard today! Yesterday I was running around coatless and today it snows. At one point the flakes were large feather-sized. Very cool!

Buying moratorium

On a yahoo list I belong to, we've taken a vow to not purchase craft supplies in the month of January. The idea is to use what we have in our stash. To help us declutter and organize our work areas. Any amount of money spent on supplies during the month of January means an equal amount is donated to a charity--my chose charity will involve breast cancer.

Knowing I couldn't spend money on craft supplies is having several different affects on my psyche.

First, I went a little nuts in December gathering supplies. I was like a squirrel gathering nuts before the coldest winter in history. I mean, I didn't buy willy nilly. But I did gather quite a bit of 12x12 paper for scrapbooking. And some Sizzix dies. I am prepared to scrapbook this month.

Second, the thought of not being able to buy a craft supply makes me want to buy craft supplies. I'm starting to think what exactly defines an art supply. Is adhesive an art supply? Or a necessity of life? I have tons of paper and yarn and fabric...so I wouldn't buy any of that. But what about lace? Or thread? Are they supplies or necessities?! If you use it immediately, is it a supply?

Third, there is something almost liberating about not buying supplies this month. I keep thinking about the money I will save. Personally and in the family budget. I tend to buy without really thinking. Especially things on sale or clearance.

So I am scared about this task at hand. Will I make it to the end of the month? What will I do with all my extra time?!

I did yesterday's daily devotion...I took some black and white pictures of Jim and various animals. Today I tried altering some of the photos in photo shop elements and just couldn't do what I wanted. It was frustrating and I want to rip out my hair! lol The pictures are above.

Happy 2006!!

The new year came...and went. If Roxy the puppy hadn't barked when the neighbors set off fire works, I wouldn't have even known. I poked Jim, muttered "Happy New Year" and slept the night away. It's hell feeling old!

I am not a resolution person. Because I never keep them. I pretend they don't matter now. Instead of a resolution, I am thinking of doing a mission statement. I found a link on another site to the Franklin Covey mission statement builder. I've looked at it but haven't done anything. I want to wait until I am alone and can think straight.

Basically, my goals for 2006 are to actually create art rather than just talk about it. I have a few potential opportunities and want to take advantage of them. That means I have to be prepared. I also want to stock my webstore--bet you didn't know I had one!--and try selling some stuff.

Doing art...I've already taken some steps. I've signed up for a montage swap on another list. This is a different direction, but I think I am ready.

I also joined a yahoo group where you create a piece of artwork every day--it's called Daily Devotions 365 Days. Check it out here. Yesterday I did a tutorial on Photo Shop Elements on making a postcard (that's it above, featuring Roxy the Wonder Pup). It took me forever...and to think I used to be computer graphics literate! ugh! Today I worked on a birthday card for my friend Tina using card stock and CDs. I need some adhesive to put it together so it won't be ready until tomorrow.

I'm becoming interested in paper again. I used to stamp. Make altered books. ATCs. Then I re-discovered fabric, making the transition from traditional to art quilting. Somewhere along the way, I thought the two paths were completely separate. One didn't dabble in paper if one dabbled in fabric.

But...I like paper. There, I said it. I like that I can do things with paper than I cannot do with fabric. And vice versa. They are two separate mediums and both have strengths of their own.

I have also started...scrapbooking. I have past Christmas pictures in an album. Scrapbooked. On coordinating pages. With journaling. I love to use my Sizzix die cutter. Oh, I use it with fabric too! I've got our wedding pictures out and am ready to start scrapping those. And our honeymoon pictures.

I started looking at old pictures of the boys and wanted to do something with them. People should see them. They need to be easily accessible so I can look at them and remember nice days when they are being pistols.

So who knows what 2006 will bring. Fabric. Paper. I'd love to make glass beads, but am afraid to play with fire. But maybe fire is just what I need! muhahahahahahaha