Bass Fishing

Not the title you would expect here, huh?  Well, let me tell you…….I have learned more about Bass Fishing Tournaments in the last two weeks than I EVER cared to know.

See, Number One Son has decided he wants to be a professional bass fisherman.  Yep, we are talking Bass Master Classic level dreams.  So, his father and I have embarked upon the path by which we help make this dream a reality.  We’ve researched, read web pages until we have turned blue in the face, looked at the cost (YIKES!), and are now to the point of ordering professional fishing jerseys.  He’s got his partner, he’s got his boat (or one of his sponsor’s boats), he’s got his baits, his rods, his reels.  Mom and Dad have got a BIG headache. LOL

Let me say this; it’s CONFUSING!  There’s this club to join and that club to join.  Then there’s sponsors.  Ever tried to get sponsors for teenagers?  I am SO proud of my son and his partner.  They accomplished the near impossible.  Number One Son and his partner have SEVEN, yes SEVEN sponsors!  And we are talking GOOD sponsors.  Some are even PAYING sponsors while others have given free or discounted goods.  And yes, Mommy Dearest and Grandmommy Dearest are also sponsors (through our Etsy stores). 
Their first high school tournament is in June.  In preparation, they have joined a local adult fishing club and are fishing those local tournaments as practice for the big upcoming high school tournaments.  There are three huge ones coming up…..and none are near us. 

What does that mean?  It means Mommy Dearest gets to figure out how to pay for hotel rooms, meals, gas, and other necessities for two-day fishing tourneys.  Luckily, his partner’s parents are on-board with this and will pay half the cost.   It may mean a lot of doubling up in hotel rooms, but we want to give the kids every chance to realize their dream.

Isn’t that what parents are for?

Just a Little Bit of Heartache

I don’t think I blogged about this, but I applied for an artistic grant a couple of months ago and have been waiting patiently every since.

First, I should say that 1) I’ve never completed a grant application before and 2) Louisiana is so FULL of talented artists it blows the mind.  Therefore, while I applied, I wasn’t really wasn’t expecting to be chosen for the grant & while I gave it my all, I wasn’t one of the lucky 36 (out of 268).

So, no grant to help further my art this year.  BUT…..let me say this.  I NEVER would have even had a chance if I had not applied.

Yes, I opened myself up to the possibility of heartache the very moment I decided to apply, but I also opened myself up to the chance of succeeding.  So, would I do this again? YES in a heart-beat.  Why?  Because you can’t win if you don’t try.

When Monday morning rolls around, I will be on the phone to the Louisiana Division of the Arts finding out exactly what the panelists had to say about my application.  And the reason?  Because I WILL TRY AGAIN.  Yep, and again, and again, and again until I succeed.  I want to know what I did that wasn’t up to par so I can correct my errors and increase my future chances of receiving a grant.

Yes, there will be those little bits of heartache when I lose, but the reward when (notice I did not say if?) I win will be worth it.

Until later……………………………

The Great Lizard Chase

Got your attention huh? 

The great lizard chase occurs in my studio on a regular basis.  See, my studio is actually a 10 x 12 metal storage building that my hubby and I fitted out & turned into studio space.  I have walls, a floor, A/C, heat, lighting; you know, all the things necessary in a studio (well, except a sink which I really need but have no room for).  It sits in my backyard and even has nice flower beds on either side of the door.  There’s just one problem.  LIZARDS!

I love lizards.  I think they are cute and boy do they eat a lot of bugs.  What I don’t like is they are somehow finding a way into my studio.  And if I don’t find them, guess what I get.  Yeah, desiccated lizards that scare the turkey out of me.

Case in point.  I have one of those multi-bin cabinets like you see in hardware stores, except this one has a hinged glass front.  Kind of unique.  Well, I decided one day that I would go rooting around in those bins to see if I could find something useful for a project I was working on.  So I pull out the partial paper clip that keeps it shut (year, really high tech closure there) and "EEEKKKKK!!!!!!" a dead lizards falls out.  Okay, not expecting that.  I’m sure the entire neighborhood heard me.

So I find two pieces of cardboard, scoop up the poor, departed lizard and send him to the great lizard resting place in the sky (nah, just chunked him into the flower bed outside my door). 
Okay, no biggie, it’s just one lizard.  But the next weekend, there’s another one, lying totally desiccated in the middle of the floor (at the time, what little of the floor I could see).  So scoop him up, chunk him out.  Now there’s been two dead lizards, but hey, nothing to get upset about, it’s just a coincidence.

Go into the studio the next day, ANOTHER desiccated lizard lying on the floor.  Now, enough is enough.  Finding one is okay, finding two, well it’s stretching it, but still okay.  Finding three, now that’s a PATTERN!

So the great lizard chase begins.  I have caught several of the little buggers after chasing them up and down windows and walls, across and under work tables, across the floor, and then back around again.  So far, I have had only one escape.  That happened this Sunday.  I had chased him to the door and before I could get it open, zoom, he took off under the shelving and down the side where I couldn’t reach him. 

I’m sure next weekend, I’ll find him.  Right when I’m not expecting it, his dearly departed body will scare the bejesus out of me.

Don’t I live such an exciting life! SIGH

Just A Little Altered Art

I haven’t posted some of my latest attempts at altering things, mainly because I haven’t been very pleased.  See, I ventured into uncharted waters.  That’s right, I altered things I’d never altered before.

What do you ask did I alter?  Tins!  Yes, two different types of tins.  First, I entered the Naughty Valentine Swap that was hosted by Alpha Stamps, where we used round tins with glass tops, and then I entered a Valentine Tin Swap on Roses on My Table where we used the equivalent of an Altoids tin.

Here are my Naughty Valentine tins.  It was really hard to get good  pictures.  They are not very big.

Front Sides

See, nothing to crow about.  Plus, it was all icky outside and I had to take pictures inside my studio so what little I did accomplish is hard to see.

Next were the Valentine tins for Roses:

  Here, I was a little plain.  I kept it neat and tidy

This one, my husband called, and I quote, “GROSS”.  Yes, the graphic representation of  holding a heart was just awful to him.

Tons and tons of work (& lots of hours) went into these tins and I just never really felt like it was clicking.  I’ve been suffering from mild artistic block recently (probably due to the fact I’m once again on pain pills for my back problem - Lortab & creativity do not mix), but these are just awful.  I hope my swap partners aren’t too upset when they receive these.

I just finished up six ATCs for a swap on Roses where the theme was Favorite Artist.  Word to the wise; DO NOT chose Salvador Dali as your favorite artist and attempt to make ATCs.  Wait until you see these.  Talk about hitting a brick wall and then just standing there banging your head against it.  Pictures in all their awfulness will be coming soon LOL.

Also, I’m almost finished with tags for a Lights, Camera, Action Tag swap on Roses.  I had one tag that just didn’t seem “finished” to me and today I finally figured out what to do.  Amazing considering the block continues.

Now, on to try and finish up my Altered Box swap whose theme is Housewives.  TOTAL BLOCKAGE there and to make it worse, I’m the HOSTESS for the swap. 

Until Later……………………….

The Great Studio De-Clutter & Reorganization

Okay, I mentioned a couple of weeks back that I was overhauling my studio…..actually making it into a REAL studio instead of a just a place crammed with stuff where I happen to work on art and miniatures.

WARNING:  This post is heavy on the pictures and carries scary scenes of clutter!

Well, here are the BEFORE pics:

  My Computer Desk & part of my Repair/Jewelry Table – YIKES!
  This was between my Repair Desk & my Display Cabinet.
This looked down the first aisle, South side of my storage shelves.

This mess was on the East end of my studio.
Yes, I should be embarrassed.
Another look at what was on the East end.
The clutter that is now my Miniature Table & my Art Table.
Another view.  Yes, the cabinet with all the paint is still there but the other mess has been cleared.  The paint is necessary for the miniature buildings on tap to be put together.
North section of half my studio.  Yes, those are hat boxes.  I could barely reach my postage scale.
  The second aisle, South side.  I couldn’t even get to ANYTHING on this aisle! It is where a lot of my miniature supplies and furniture are housed.

Are you horrified enough?  I actually tried to CREATE in the clutter.  I was constantly tripping over things, knocking stuff over, forgetting what I had, or not being able to get to what I needed.  It was to the point I didn’t even want to go out there.  So, after reading a few old Studio and Where Women Create magazines, I was inspired to do what should have been done a LONG time ago…….Clean Up!

Here are the After pics:

Clean Art Table I can actually roll to my Computer Table.  The drill has since been picked up and returned to my tool box.
  Top of Computer Table – most of what you see on the right is stuff waiting on the paper organizer.
I actually have empty shelves!

Now I can place my new paper organizer in this corner and I can get to the East ends of my studio!  The display case you see (there are actually two) is in need of repair and will move to under my Repair Table once my paper organizer is placed.
First aisle on South side.  Now I can reach my paints, poly clay, brushes, and other necessities. A place for my die cut machines and die cuts.
My Repair/Jewelry Table with my most used die cut machine – some of what is sitting on the table will be moved to the top of the paper organizer, like my resin supplies and the wood cabinet behind them.  The two baskets currently house small items that need repairing.  I will probably hang them on the beams above the table so they will be easily accessible and always in plain site (that way, I don’t forget what I need to repair). Yes, still cluttered in front of my Repair/Jewelry Table, but the paper organizer that just came in will tame most of it.  The rest will find a home on the empty shelves I now have!
This is to the side of my Art Table.  Again, I was waiting on my paper organizer to arrive. This is under and at the very back of my Art Table.  All the jewelry for my space at the Antique Mall will be stored here, along with bubble wrap and packing peanuts for my Etsy stores.  This cabinet used to stand in the corner now set aside for my paper organizer.  I placed it on its side and the spaces are a perfect place for the shoeboxes that house my costume jewelry inventory. View of my now clean Miniature Table.  Se e my huge tool box in the background?  My hubby bought me that for Christmas two years ago.  I LOVE my tool box.  Now I can always  find my tools be they for miniature or life-sized projects.
My Art Table showing new shelf for holding my supply of embellishments in their plastic organizers and the new tabletop shelf for holding my gels mediums, gessos, & other sealants.  All my buttons now reside in the large glass jar to the left.  It used to contain polished rocks, but those have been moved outside to my flower beds.  They are housed in a terra cotta saucer so I have them if I need them.  They look pretty out there and are still readily available.
This is a small jeweler’s table that I keep my glues, fan, sticker machine, etc. on.  The small top drawer houses paper for wrapping packages and small plastic baggies.  the lower, open drawer houses things such as the drafting brush I use to clean my desk off, Q-tips, small plastic containers for paint and/or water, and other items I constantly use and need to be able to reach quickly. See, I can actually find my Computer Desk.  Some of the items on the top are waiting on the paper organizer.
  Containers for my paper flowers and beads.
Above my Repair/Jewelry Table.   See all my neatly corralled glitter glue? Part of my Reference Book collection.
Above my Art Table View down the North side of my Studio showing the rest of my Reference section.
  I utilize the ceiling for flowers, jewelry parts, gauze, etc.  View toward the West end of my studio.  I hang my lace & ribbon from wooden dowels hung on large white cup hooks.  All I have to do is reach up and the lace & ribbon are at my fingertips.
Another view of the West wall.

I actually made enough room that I could mount two much needed task lights.  One on my Art Table and one on my Jewelry/Repair table. 

Yes, I still have a lot of “stuff”.  But 98% of it is now corralled in storage containers, organizers, and baskets.  Excess supplies like lace and items for my space at the Antique Mall are now in storage.  Items that I didn’t want or need were donated to Goodwill.  I now can roll from one desk to another, with the possible exception of my miniature desk.  I can reach most of it by swiveling in my chair in front of my Art Table, but the supports for the tables get in the way of my knees.  Considering the open side is near the door, I may have to actually get up and drag my chair over to that side.  But, at least I have room to do that! 

I do have a lot of items on display.  Most of the shelves and the tops of mounted organizers hold nick-knacks,  teacups/saucers, my froggie & kitty collection (I love frogs and cats), and other items that piqued my interest.  Hubby can’t understand why I have to display so many items, but they do act as inspiration and make the studio truly mine.

It was amazing the stuff I found that I knew I had but could never put my hands on and the stuff I had and forgot about.  I still need to label a bunch of stuff and now that the organizer has arrived,

(isn’t it great?)

I have plenty of space for all my paper, whether it’s the scrapbook paper I use for backgrounds or all the paper collage sheets I’ve printed.

Maybe this will inspire someone to de-clutter their space.  Yes, it took me 5 days and is still a work-in-progress, but I have the feeling of accomplishing something.  Oh, and the key to such a monumental undertaking (remember, I cleaned out my dining room during the same time frame)?  I did what my hubby said to do……I ate the elephant one bite at a time.