Life is a Collage....

Tattoo...

I'm not a huge fan of tattoos. They're fine on other people, but I can't imagine committing to something permanent on my skin, that I may not like down the road. Or worse yet, may end up a different size or shape, if you know what I mean!
I do however like some of the tattoo inspired designs on clothing.  So I decided to do a "tat" inspired fine silver heart pendant.....
            

It's about 1 1/4" in diam. and is lightweight,  but shows up nicely. It's easy to put on too, with the magnetic clasp.  I plan on making more, with other inspirational words.  Any suggestions?

Tattoo...

I'm not a huge fan of tattoos. They're fine on other people, but I can't imagine committing to something permanent on my skin, that I may not like down the road. Or worse yet, may end up a different size or shape, if you know what I mean!
I do however like some of the tattoo inspired designs on clothing.  So I decided to do a "tat" inspired fine silver heart pendant.....
            

It's about 1 1/4" in diam. and is lightweight,  but shows up nicely. It's easy to put on too, with the magnetic clasp.  I plan on making more, with other inspirational words.  Any suggestions?

Love this...

When I was 15, my Dad bought a Fiat Spyder convertible that needed some work.  It was red with a black top, and right before I got my drivers permit..he sold it.  I was so bummed. How fun would it be to ride with the top down, wind in my hair?! Ever since, I have wanted a convertible. When I was a teen, my parents said it was too dangerous, and the insurance would be too high.  Practical cars followed...having a baby, need a four door to get the car seat in and out.  Child gets older, need a mini van to haul everyone around.  0% financing after 9/11....buy a brand new practical small suv...good for skiing, family, and travel... I really have loved my Ford Escape...
But.... the son is 20, we do have a 4wd truck, if we need to haul something....and it is does seat 5, if we need to take people with us...So,

  

 

This is my new car! Well, new to me anyway!  I love it!  It was between this and a Beetle convertible...but 6'4" husbands don't fit well in VW's!  And surprisingly, this car has lots of room inside...even in the back!  I'm heading out to Chehalis, Wa. to teach a PMC class next week, and then to Portland to meet up with some Bella's and take a couple of Lisa Kaus' classes. I almost wish I was driving!

Waterproof mascara...

Yesterday, my girlfriends and I went to see this.  Oh my.  I have to say it really was a wonderful movie.  If I had been watching it at home, I would have been sobbing...you know the kind where it gets caught in your throat, and out comes that horrible snorting noise?  It was all I could do to keep from doing that in the theatre.  I know that it was particularly difficult for my dear friend Sandi, as she had to watch her best friend/cousin go through Leukemia several years ago.  Afterwards, we went to have a cocktail.  Odd perhaps, but we toasted to family, life, and friends.  Nothing more important than that.

Happy 4th of July...

                                                        

Enjoy your day, and remember those who fought for our freedoms....

Lodi country.....

          

  I thought that I would show you some "postcards" of my area...
                                

            I'm not a huge fan of the cherry... But the lovely orchards are everywhere here, and they do taste yummy, I just don't care for the pits!

                      

    

                           Hay bales....

                               

                                 Old Vines...

                                                                               Newer vines....

    And remember I told you about all of the local wineries...

                                     

                 That's just some of them.   More about them later!

Climbing to the top.....

                          

We are in the process of adding to our backyard, and completely redoing our front yard.  We built 3 of these trellis's along the back, across from the covered patio.  Our yard is mostly cement and pool, so we need to keep someplace for the puppers to go...if you get my drift!  So the plan is to leave what is behind the trellis's just dirt, and to plant and put river rocks in front. Hopefully that will cause them to go behind.
  There was silliness going on...
                                                          
DISCLAIMER:  If you are easily offended, don't click on this pic!

                        
Finn was somewhat bored by the whole thing! 

Stuck in Lodi.......

                                      

Creedence Clearwater Revival couldn't mean this Lodi, when they sang that song!! *** If you have to be stuck somewhere, it's really a good place to be! I thought that over the next few weeks, I would post about the lovely area where I live.  Lodi,(pop. approx. 65,000) is 35 miles South of Sacramento, and about 90 miles East of San Francisco. We are located in the fertile San Joaquin Valley, and have over 70 local wineries! Move over Napa!!   

***I've since learned that they meant this whole area of the valley, but that Lodi fit with the music and words..." Oh Lord, stuck in (Stockton), (Merced), (Lathrop), (Manteca), (Galt)...again".  See what I mean, those just cities just don't sound right!

YIPEEEE......

                                                 

Not only am I excited to be attending this  wonderful event for the third time... but I am THRILLED to be chosen to vendor!!  I had better get to work!

No Place like Home.....

This is the finished pendant for one of the pmc classes that I am teaching in Washington in July...
                                  

                                  

We won't be making this pendant exactly, each person can make up their own design, but I wanted to show what a finished project with other media attached could look like!  I love the way it turned out!