I have a lot of catching up to do

Hello everyone,
Can you believe it is December.  I was just posting about how hot it was and having to stick my head in

the freezer at the supermarket.  Now Christmas is knocking at the door.  November was a crazy weather month here in the foothills of central Ca.  We had SNOW!!!!!
Now the weather is warmer.  I'm trying to enjoy the sun while we have it.  I, also have been making a
mini album.  I have become addicted to youtube.  Did you know you can type in any kind of art work and

find tutorials on how to do it?  Here is the front of my book and some flowers that I made.  There are some wonderful talented ladies out there that so generously share their knowledge.  I'm half tempted to try it myself.

I participated in a vintage art supply swap with a young girl from the Neitherlands.  I met her on Flickr.

Here are some pics of what she sent me.  Some of the pictures didn't come out.  Sorry!
There were some vintage papers, train tickets, receipts, old tatting, material.  I will have alot of
fun using this stash.
I have also been exploring some of Tim Holtz distressing ideas and doing some tags.  I will post pictures when I get them finished.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas Season.
Thank you so much to the ladies that responded to Samantha's post.  Isn't she a sweet kitty.

Here are some recent pics I took.  Note,  No toads were hurt in the taking of these pictures!  LOL.
Have a great evening.
Diana

Hello From Samantha Kitty

Hello everyone.  My name is Samantha and I just wanted to pop on and say HI.  I'm Diana's other kitty.
Mom has been really sad sence Shadow went to heaven.  I have really been trying to keep her company and
fill her days with soft paw touches and gentle purrs.

I know she misses her blog friends and will be back soon.  She seems to be getting better every day.

Look at this picture that she painted.  I think it helps her to see it everyday.   I just wanted to ask everyone
that reads her blog to not forget about her.  I hope you all have a great evening. 
Go hug your pets.  We need it.

Love Samantha

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW STRONG YOU ARE TELL BEING STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE

I got that quote off Joanna's blog.http://mosshill.blogs.com/joannas_journal/   Joanna is amazing.
If any of you follow her blog you know how wonderful she is.  Right now I am getting strength from
her posts about the trials she has been through and how she handles it all.  And God!!!!!
I'm leading up to something here.
This Monday, I am taking Shadow to the vet to be put down.  It is time.  My heart is broken. 
I have to be strong for my little girl cat.  I can't let this go on anymore.  I was going to take her
today but all the vets up here are closed.  Who would think that a vet would close it's office at
noon on a Saturday.
I  live 45 minutes from the nearest bigger city and that vet office is closed too.
Shadow is 17 years old.  She has had a good life.  It's time to say goodbye. 
Please keep me in your prayers on Monday.
God bless you.

Cloth Paper Scissors Virtual Studio Tour

http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/blogs/in_the_studio_with_cate/archive/2010/10/12/tour-these-beautiful-studios.aspx  Hello to my peepers.  I'm participating in the Cloth Paper Scissors virtual tour. 

If you are half as addicted to looking at studios as I am, go over there and take a peek.
This 1st pic is the front of my studio.  I have a note on the door that says, think before you bug me.

It doesn't work.  LOL!

The 2nd pic is of my desk.  This desk is an antique from 1912.  My husband gave it to me.  I love it, it is 3'X5'.  Lots of room to spread out on but I always end up working on that little mat on the desk.

Next pic is of my tool supply caddy.  I got this bad boy at a thrift shop in Oakhurst,Ca for $10.00.  It was a steal.   Love it!

The antique ceiling tin piece was a 3 panel screen that I took apart.  I have the other 2 panels in my bedroom.  I need to figure out something to do with it.
These pics are not posting how I want them to.  My husband got the mini card catalog at a yard sale.

I almost sold it at my yard sale.  So glad I didn't.  It is great for storage. 
The big white cabinet came from my church.  It has huge flat drawers that are great

for big watercolor pads.  Stamp pads,canvas and all kinds of goodies.

I have one more in a storage shed but no room for it.
Here are some more random pics of my studio.  Thank you for visiting me. 

Go and enjoy the tour.

Update On Shadow

Good evening.  I just wanted to post an update on Shadow.  She seems to be doing better and
eating. She is moving around the house ok and comes out  as usual anytime I'm eating anything.
I think I panicked and presumed that it was time.  I do know that I need to prepare myself for the
inevitable.  Yesterday I had to give her some hairball medicine and it went very badly.  I ended up
getting bitten and stressing her out.  Today she is calm and ok.

Shadow

Hello, I want everyone to meet my little girl kitty Shadow.  Please keep her in your prayers.
{and me too)!  Shadow has been with me for aprox 16 years and is now starting to show her
age.  I have had to make the tough decision to have her put down.  Tears are streaming down my
face as I write this.  I haven't taken her yet, but the time is coming quickly.  Our fur babies are so
important to us.  I know alot of you have had to go through this heart wrenching experience.
Shadow has not been featured in many pictures here like Samantha has because the minute Shadow
sees the camera she runs from the room.  Please just keep us in your prayers.  Thank you!!!

A Great Give Away!

http://petitemichellelouise.blogspot.com/You just have to go visit this blog for an awesome give away.
Lots of vintage goodness .

Autumn Is Calling

Autumn is slowly trying to get a grip here, but Summer is not giving up without a fight.
Today was a rainy day.  Cloudy and cool, then the sun popped out and broke the spell.
I spent the day tucked in my studio. Then came out to do some apple picking and take a few
pictures. 

This is what I made.
Autumn is the time of year we start to nestle in for the winter.  The days start getting cooler and shorter.
It's time to start getting cozy.  I'm going to try my hand at making a apple pie with those apples I picked.
I will show you the results good or bad.  Wish me luck.
I hope Autumn is finding its way to you where ever you are.
Diana

I'm addicted!

I admit it.  I'm addicted to lace.  Gotta have it.  This is my latest haul from my secret source.

I'm almost scared to admit that these pictures arn't all that I bought.  There is more. 2 gallon baggies full of

beautiful, vintage, lace. 

I will be going out to my studio now to create up a storm.  Here is a batch of cookies to enjoy.

Have a great day.

Sewing Right Along

Hello everyone.  I just finished my 2nd fabric collage and wanted to share it with
you.  I'm getting addicted to making these now.  Tomorrow I will be starting on my
next one.  Have a great evening.

My New Best Art Friend

Hi everyone. 
Hope you are having a great Saturday.
For years I have been oogling the art of people like Beryl Taylor,KC Willis and a whole
bunch of other people in random magazines.  I loved their art. I wanted to do art like that.
There was only one problem.  It involved using a sewing machine.  So I just sat in the sidelines
and oogled from a distance. Then one day I got a sewing machine.  Ahem, that was aprox 4 years
ago, Said sewing machine sat on a shelf, gathering dust, and my guilty feelings. A friend came over and
showed me how to thread it and such.  Um, I have slept many days sence then.
The longer time went on the more intimadated I got by the process.

Yesterday, I made up my mind it was time.  The machine was already threaded from my friend from
4 years ago.  I started playing around with my laces and fabrics and sat down at the machine.
The first line of stitches went fine.  I gathered more courage and sewed a little more.  Hmm,
this isn't too bad.  I started having fun with it.  Then, it happened, I ran out of thread.
Oh Noooo,  now I have to thread the machine and learn how to thread a new bobbin.
Off I go to search for the manual.  Can't find it any where.  Ok, no problem, I can go online
and down load it.
As soon as I hit the print button, I found the manual. 
So back to the studio I go.
Full of determination I start. Make mistakes, try again.  Then success.  I did it. 
I make my self take it apart and do it again.  Confidence soars!  Look at what I made.
Have a awesome day.
Diana