A Desk Organizer

I'm spending a lot of time these days preparing for my classes at our guild's quilt retreat next week. A lot of time. Making kits is a chore when there are other things that need doing. Things I don't particularly enjoy....like laundry, cooking, grocery shopping. Well, really, I don't mind those things, in fact, they can all be downright enjoyable. But, not when I've got a zillion things to do and time is running out. That's where I am today.

Do you make lists? I have been a listmaker my whole entire existence. I can remember making lists as a child. I've no idea if I ever accomplished all I listed, but I remember making them. I LOVE checking things off the list! (And, yes, before you think I actually DO everything on the list...know this...some things get carried over to future lists!)

So, this morning, amid all the preparations for classes.....the infamous daily list had to be made. Laundry, pay bills, put a roast in the slow cooker, post on the blog, etc. OH! Posting! My iMac is telling me it's getting late.....and I've nearly forgotten to post! Lots of times I post very late at night, which is my preferred time to do it. No one bothers me. But, today, with so much to do....if I take any kind of detour thinking-wise, I could forget to post altogether and that would not be good. So, here we are and what to talk about? Back to my latest photos to choose something.....how about this desk organizer? I made it down at the studio and everyone likes it....so maybe you will and you might make one for yourself.

No, I didn't think of this idea myself. I saw it while reading the archives on one of my favorite blogs. The blog belongs to Karen Valentine. You can visit it here. Her posts are always good and I enjoy my visits there very much. If you'd like to read the post she did on 9-14-2009 about these desk organizers, go here. Leave a comment as I'm sure she'd enjoy hearing from you.

I chose this old book and decided to use some birds to decorate it. Imagine me decorating with birds...who would ever expect that? Anyway, I chose some birds on some scrapbooking card stock to cut out and decorate with.....and as I tend to do, chose some words to accompany the birds. One of the birds was chosen to sit on a card and preside over the nest, so to speak. Others are at the front and back edges of the inside covers. Before I added those birds, I used gel medium to cover the front inside cover of the book with some old looking text....and on the back inside cover, I just added some paper I liked the color of....with more birds, of course.

Those words again....if you read beginning from the top bird and then across the bottom ones, it says
"they were led to the numberless rovings of fancy.' Who knows what that means, but I think it looks and sounds pretty. On the back cover, it says "the airiness of a bird just flit across my fancy." I do so enjoy finding these words and phrases to add to my collages...and now this book/desk organizer.

I have some of my favorite cards from blogging friends displayed in this book. I plan to add more as I collect them. You could use this organizer to display any kind of papers or photos, etc. What do you think? Is it fun, or what? Thanks, Karen, for teaching me something! Y'all have a good weekend coming up and I'll probably post one more time before I leave for the retreat on Wednesday. Now, back to that list!!! take care out there, pat

What I did Today

I try to spend several hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at our downtown art place - Second Saturday Studio. Since we've moved our work spaces downstairs....we are actually open more often. It has certainly been easier to manage since we can now work in the same space as the gallery. Officially, we are still open on the Second Saturday of the month...but the new rule is...if the lights are on...we're open for business.

The other day, Micah showed me how to make Paper Clay Roses. I had been wanting to try making something with paper clay and she had a rose necklace she made using it. We were in need of a creative diversion, so she kindly showed me how to make the roses. It was very easy and a lot of fun. Not having an oven there, we let them dry naturally, so this morning I was able to paint my roses. It turns out that having work spaces in the gallery is not only good for us (we can actually get some work done)....but people drop in to check out the art and, while there, seem to love watching us do what we do. Cool.

So, here are my very first roses. With the notion that 'practice makes perfect,' you can see that I've a way to go before I can say I really know what I'm doing and these aren't perfect....but they DO look like roses, so I'm happy. Today, while Micah painted some of her lovely faces and Kelly worked on a 5' x 7' canvas....I painted roses. It was great fun. I've no idea how I will use these roses....but it will be fun to figure it out. (Thank you, Micah!!!)

Also in the photo is a bird....I used a vintage jello mold to make it. Not at all sure what that will ever be...but I'll do more with it in the future. There is also a five petal flower I made...not nuts about that one....so it may never see the light of day again. I think I will stick to the roses and find a few different ways to use them with fabrics, etc. You know....my kind of 'stuff.' By the way...I purchased the paper clay from Hobby Lobby.

I did want to mention that I have received several cards, letters and gifts in response to my 'handwritten letter' giveaway last month. Really, my blog readers (YOU) are so nice and I appreciate each and every one of you. I've been asked a couple of questions that I feel should be answered here. #1....how are my broken toes doing? I'm happy to say they are much better.
I can't move my little toe....and it's turned funny now....but the pain is gone and that is great. There has been no 'daily walk' since I fell, so I'm hoping to return to that activity on Monday. #2....have we been affected here with flooding? No, we haven't had that particular problem in the exact area where I live, but many people in parts of the state have had and continue to have those issues. We are very grateful to have been lucky at this house. And, I appreciate your concern.

So, today I painted roses. Working with Micah, Kelly and Cheri at the downtown studio is a wonderful experience. Wish you could be there with us! Have a safe and lovely weekend....pat

Craft Night at the Upstairs Studio

Life is getting busier around here! Bet yours is too! Last Friday night, we had our first 'Craft Night' at the Upstairs Studio. Micah had been having craft nights at a previous location, just a bunch of her friends having fun, one Friday night a month. After we began moving our own studios into the upstairs at Second Saturday Studio, she decided it was a good time to hold craft night up there. Kelly and Cheri decided they would go, so of course, I didn't want to miss out. I had to be there!

Since I don't drive at night....Kelly picked me up and brought me home. She's a very nice daughter. We brought food, drink, and lots of paper, trims, fabric, hardware, paint, you name it, to make our very own albums. I'm told there will be a different craft each month. I did not know very many of these GIRLS...yes...I was the oldest one there by 'decades' and had to work hard to keep up. There was no way I was going to work as slowly as I usually do, so I barely looked up the whole time. Oh, yes, there was much laughing, chatter, borrowing of album 'ingredients,' picture taking and as always with a group...eating. It was lots of fun.

So, here are some photos I took. #1 is the album I finished. My friend, Brenda, had given me this photo, the lace, buttons, mother-of-pearl button, French velvet ribbon and rhinestone piece are from my vast collection of flea market treasures. I learned to add a patina to those
screws and nuts used to fasten the book together. Boy, was that ever fun! As you can see, I did get something done. Not bad for an old lady!

Photo #2 I took of several of the girls working around our new group activity area. This place worked out well for Craft Night. We could make a big mess and it didn't matter a bit...lots of room to work. Some chose to work at the tall shelves we have on two sides. Counter height makes some work much easier. Photo #3, is our 'official' photographer, Kelly, and as you know, my sweet daughter. She's cool! And, FUN! Photo #4, assembling albums and having a great time. And, last, Photo #5 is the group shot Kelly took with my camera. She took many other photos with her camera...including a complete group shot with herself in it.

A great time was had by all! I don't know what we will make next month...but I know I will hopefully be there, laughing with all the girls again. I think this Upstairs Studio is going to be a popular place!! Thanks, Micah...y'all take care out there. pat