Well, I guess I should explain my 3 month absence. On December 21st, I had 6 of my friends coming for Christmas brunch at 10:00 o'clock. I awoke at 5 AM that morning with severe pain in my right side....more or less in my hip.....but found out later the pain was coming from a degenerated disk in my lower back. I couldn't even get out of bed without almost screaming! It took me about an hour to finally maneuver myself out of bed and then I couldn't stand with any pressure on my right side. To make a long story short, my friends came and had to practically serve themselves and ended up cleaning up before they left! (Real friends!) I ended up going to the hospital that night in an ambulance (which I fought all the way -- but couldn't get myself into our car because the pain was so great!).
I was admitted and was in the hospital for a week (yes, over Christmas!). One of my sweet daughter-in-laws offered to transfer the family Christmas brunch to their house on Christmas morning. The whole week was spent in testing, x-rays, CT scans, etc. While I was in the hospital, several other weird things were happening to my body and when I was released, they just called it "weakness". Hmmm. I came home and spent most of my time in bed. Went back to the hospital 2 weeks later for more tests, an MRI, (stayed a week again) and 3 months later I have just begun to feel normal. The whole thing has affected my memory, my physical ability to walk a straight line, and many other strange conditions. Wish I could say this was an April Fool's story but it's all true and probably the worst 3 months of my entire life. So many prayerful friends and family continued to pray for me and I count it the very reason I am doing as well as I am now. Not once during this time did I have any creative ability or desire. I was glad I had finished the ornaments! (See earlier posts) Thus, my absence explained and I'm planning on finding my muse once again so be watching!
My first ornament of the season....took all evening and part of the afternoon to finish. I finally gave in and used the glue gun as there were just too many things to fasten. Hate all those stringies from the hot glue but I may be able to melt them away with the heat gun. I used clear glass ornaments and poured cheap acrylic paint into them....did't get many swirlies but the 4 of them seemed to get better as I went along. Hoping to get several more finished in the next 2 weeks for the adult grandchildren. Thanks to my Wacko friends, Sally Paul, and the gals on Latest Trends in Mixed Media for ideas and encouragement. (Why do I wait till the last minute? ) Click to enlarge!
Vintage sewing items and old advertising scrap is what makes up this assemblage. It's at Katrina's in Folsom on Sutter Street. I think it turned out pretty sweet. Everything is removable.....held together with glue dots. Old spools, little bottles of buttons, odds and ends of sewing ephemera. I had made another and permanently affixed everything.....people wanted to take things out! I'm very stingy with my advertising scrap but just had to use the old Coats and Clark advertising on this piece.
Here's a couple of leather pendants made for an online class .....New Trends In Mixed Media Yahoo Group. I made several and traded one for one. They have little "books" inside. Always have in my mind a teeny tiny pencil to put through the front but the only source I could find said they were discontinued! If anyone know a source, I'd love to know. They aren't fat like golf pencils.....they are only about
Here is the Crow Theater starring Miss Crow-Ella Birdsong. She not only sports the shiniest black feathers, but has a crown on her head, a necklace and an ankle bracelet! This is about as "Halloween-y" as I get. Crow-Ella is a famous singer but only sings on stage....not outdoors. Occasionally she yells "CAW! CAW!". The glitz and glitter don't show up but it's there! Get ready, Crow-Ella....the show must go on!
