WORK IN PROGRESS--SANTA FE SKY

Been working on this needle felted landscape the last few days. I'm using merino roving and a crazy batt from http://atomicblue.etsy.com for the sky. I picked apart pieces of the batt that were just the colors I wanted. It doesn't show up in the photograph, but there is some angelina fiber that gives the sky some sparkle. For the trees I'm using merino wool and some silk fibers that add great texture. Just have to do a little hand stitching and then I'll mat it and probably list it in my etsy shop.

Painted Patterned Paper Journal Online Class

I've been taking an online class with LK Ludwig. We have painted papers and learned two binding techniques. Below are photos of my first book and a few of the pages. Still working on the second one. It has been great fun painting papers, creating lots of texture and color, and then binding them all into a journal. You can join the class at any time. Here is the link: http://gryphonsfeather.typepad.com look for the paintedpatternedpaper class

HAPPY MARDI GRAS

I love Mardi Gras. I have lived in Colorado for 21 years and I still miss it. It is such a part of the history and culture of the city, and so much a part of me and who I am. I remember the day I learned that not everyone celebrates Mardi Gras. It was like finding out there was no Santa Claus. I felt so sorry for all the people who couldn't enjoy this special day. And I still feel sorry for them. I feel sorry for myself too, because I'm not there. Especially this year with the Saints winning the superbowl. From what I hear, it's been one long party since they won the playoffs. Here's a picture of me when I was 2 and a half. Probably by very first Mardi Gras in 1959. I'm the one in the middle with my 2 sisters. I also remember wearing that nurse's costume. Then there was another year when I was a cowgirl. Oh and the year I wore a big mexican hat. Didn't have to lift my arms to catch beads, the hat caught them all. Drove all the people around me crazy. This lovely picture was taken in the 70's. I had on my Dad's sweater, my mother's dress, a mink hat with a balloon attached to it, striped socks and tennis shoes. Don't know who I was trying to be, but I sure had fun that day.

Here is part of my dabbloon collection. I have coins dating back to the 1960's. I had them all stored in a coin collectors book at my mother's house. When my son got interested in coin collecting I had her send them to me. I am so glad I did that because her house was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina and I would have lost them for good. I consider them to be some of my most prized possessions.

And here are some of the beads I have collected over the years ranging from the 70's , 80's, 90's and 00's. Again I am so happy I have these. I display them every year during Mardi Gras season. So even though not everyone may celebrate mardi gras in their town, we can all have a mardi gras heart for a day. Be crazy, give up your worries for a day and have some fun. Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!!

Happy Velentine's Day and Great Backyard Bird Count

These are the beautiful roses that my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. It's snowing outside right now so we're in for a cozy weekend at home although we are going out for a Valentine's meal tonight at one of our favorite restaurants. Below is the bracelet I have been working on this week. It is named "Winter Beach". I love the beach in winter. So quiet and peaceful. Check out my other bracelets in my etsy shop: http://pdlugos.etsy.com.

One last note, for all you bird lovers out there, this weekend is the great backyard bird count. So if you want 15 minutes of fun check out the website: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/