EmmmyLizzzy: Doily lamp tutorial. Finally!

I love this!  how fun.


EmmmyLizzzy: Doily lamp tutorial. Finally!: Well, it only took me three months, but I promised that I'd finally get around to showing you how I made the doily light for Penelope...

February 28

This year is just going by so quickly.  Starting out with a 7 day trip to Oahu with my mom, sister and daughter early in January!  It was sooo nice to relax and take in the beautiful island vibe.  It was my first trip to Hawaii and I certainly hope not the last.

So many other things have happened already in this new year my head has been spinning but I won't bore you with that.  My main art focus has been working with the Madison Arts Council and their Art 4 Paws event.  It is going to a lot of fun this year...many new and exciting events for you and your family to come out and enjoy.  I've been working on some new "Furry Friends" art and craft items as I will have my very first art tent at the event. YAY!!!

The art you will see in my tent is all hand made, hand painted or created by me.  These are not mass produced items, they are all one of a kind offerings at very reasonable prices.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Art 4 Paws event.

Please come out and support the Madison Arts Council April 5th from 10am to 3pm.  Bring your well behaved and leashed dogs, and your family for a "tail waggin" good time!

If you would like to participate as an artist or other vendor there is still time visit artsmadison.org/art-4-paws/

I'll see you there!!!

New Inspiration

Breathe in...breathe out.

Well last week was was such a mental bummer for me when my Mothers trip out here got cancelled.  I fell into a rut of utter depression and could not get back out.  Then on Saturday the gloom started clearing and my mood was finally uplifted by the support and love of my husband. Thank you honey.  Yesterday I was once again lighthearted and giggly and feeling like myself. Let me tell you depression is a !@&!@$!

My brain works in crazy ways.  Ways I do not understand sometimes.  For some reason amidst all the gray I found myself wishing I had learned how to play guitar when I was young. 

I gave my husband a guitar for Christmas back in 2005 (before we were married) when he was overseas in Afghanistan.  That poor old guitar...it has spent it's life in a hard case. Greg has never learned to play it. Of course he still threatens that someday he will.  

My youngest daughter Katie has an electric guitar but she never has shown any interest in learning how to play.  And then there is me.  I have wanted to learn to play a guitar since I was a young teenager, but do I have my very own guitar? Not until Saturday!  Yes, I am now the proud owner of a guitar.  An acoustic Little Martin whose rich buttery sounds will bring a smile to my face for years to come as I learn to play.

I also had Katie drag her Casio keyboard downstairs so that I (we) can get to know it better!!!  It has been collecting dust in a corner of her bedroom for the past few years.  I am so glad it is not broken.  

Cheryl is feeling young at heart :)

Meh...

I'm still sitting here in my rut.  Happiness has gone on vacation and I just don't know when it will be back.  Everytime I try and rev myself up my inner voice starts in with the "what's the point or your really not going to enjoy that so don't do it".  Sometimes I really hate that voice!

"The mean reds are horrible." Holly Golightly - Breakfast at Tiffany's

I just hate it when life and events you've been looking forward to fall apart.

I've been looking forward to a visit from my mom for months. She and her companion John who were just married were supposed to fly from Reno, NV (where I grew up) out to Madison Alabama today.  Unfortunately, John's health has been deteriorating over the past month, and it was decided yesterday he is just too ill to travel.  They are both 70+.

When I got the news yesterday I was not at all surprised, not disappointed...just very concerned for both of them. They both have their health issues (as do most people) and sadly I do not hold much hope that John will rebound.

I am reminded of my fathers fight against cancer and how he lost the battle when I was 20. I still mourn his loss even after all these years.

My husbands father passed unexpectedly this summer.  My (step)daughter Katie lost her grandpa and a week later a friend of hers died in a tragic car accident. My sister lost a friend/co-worker to suicide around the same time and then her beloved cat died too. I other friends who have lost loved ones recently
and I just want it all to stop.

I want to paint but I just don't know how to paint the emotions I am going through.  (sigh, take a deep breath).

This isn't my normal blog update...but it is my blog and I hope anyone who reads this understands I'm just trying to get the bad out of my head so don't just sit here on my couch and stare at the walls or go curl up in bed and ignore the world.