SuzeBlogz

Keep Moving Forward

This has actually been kind of a bad week - but I promise...I am trying to stay upbeat & relatively creative. I'm a generally optomistic person.

On Sunday The Lenster and my daughter Jennifer went on a beautiful motorcycle ride with one of the groups that they belong to called "Hillel's Angels". Thirteen bikes rode from central New Jersey up to Poughkeepsie New York for the gorgeous scenery. One of the members, who was the lead rider, suffered a fatal heart attack while on his bike. Everyone has been devastated over the loss of this wonderful husband, father and friend & dynamic community leader. 53 years old. It blows your mind. We thank God that no one else was hurt and no cars were on the road. Two doctors were part of the ride and responded in seconds. Sometimes its just in God's hands.

Next day.... the Lenster had the bad fortune to be in his car, which was next to a car that got struck by an oncoming out of control, speeding driver (young kid). The speeder crashed into and overturned an SUV which then went into someone else who then went into him. Lenny is absolutely fine - (again...thank you God) - but his car just got a $3100 facelift. The lady in the SUV went off to the hospital. The kid went off to jail!

Yeah.....there's more.....

Wednesday I had the B-I-G dreaded gum surgery...can't even pronounce it let alone have one....apicoectomy (a root-end resection). It is used to relieve inflammation or infection in the bony area around the end of your tooth. Now wasn't this is something you all were drying to know....?

It involved my two upper front teeth which were injured 20 years ago when I fell off of a bicycle and are just now giving me all this trouble. Let me clue you in...I look like I've had 400 shots of lip filler in my upper lip area (yes, i did the "lots of ice" 20 min on/20 min off thing) and the bottom of my nose is swollen like Porky Pig. Then he told me I had to sleep sort of sitting up....Oh really ??!! Well...that was a sight.

Today I was supposed to shoot a little video for Ranger at their office.....NOT HAPPENING ! I have Angelina Jolie lips and a pig nose.

On the bright side....I have a wonderful website to share with you. A project I think everyone would love to be involved in.. The Butterfly Project.

 

and....I did find something hugely fun to do with an old pair of stilettos that I found years ago at a Salvation Army store. I used my TUTU Beadazzles,  Copper Zamora Beadz,  and some small holeless gold glass beads I found lying around the craft room. Just glued them all down with a heavy duty glue & filled in any empty areas by squeezing in some Tiara Glitz Stickles,

I think I'll wear them to the dentist when they take out my stitches !

In The Mail

YES.....It's important to send Thank You's when you get gifts, right?

But, I ask myself....."Self.....Why do people give themselves more work than is necessary"??
It would have been so much easier (and decidedly faster) to just buy some cool cards & zip 'um off in the mail,  but....... It seemed such a fine excuse to make them instead. That's cause we love to make art and any excuse is a good excuse.
Okay.....I've convinced myself....That has to be it !!!!!

I'm finally getting around to doing the Thanks You's for the surprise Anniversary party gifts that The Lenster and I got 2 weeks ago. Not exactly timely....

I decided to make tags instead of cards and put the sentiment on the back. Now of course I'll also have to make some type of custom envelope.....(I need my head examined !)

I just stated so I have a whole lot more to go, but I wanted to incorporate some of the Beeswax Color Cubes from Kandi Corp, Ranger inks, the Cuttlebug, Tims idea-ology trinkets, my Zamora Beadz and some rubber stamps.
The results so far.....

I might get to finishing them before Xmas ! Notice I said "might ".

Peak Excitement !

That's it....I'm over the moon!

Day 2 of the Wax Works workshop was more than I ever hoped for.

I worked with a blow torch....'holy smokes'...a blow torch.... (that was  a pun.....torch......smokes...oh...you get it !!)....LOL

We melted all types of wax...we worked on wood, we learned how to use simple things like the old  dritz sewing & tracing wheel, (looks like a mini pizza cutter !)  nailheads & other Home Depot type stuff to make lines & indentations in the wax.
We learned the right way to properly impress stamps or textures and then how to completely fill in the lines or textures using additional beeswax and then going over it with a razor blade so you don't  loose the integrity of the pattern, you just remove any excess wax.
Most importantly I learned how you need to fuse each layer of wax with that torch (think Crème brûlée !) before moving on to the next layer of wax...and how to build more and more wax layers......... with good ventilation in the room always being a key factor.

Honestly....everything was so fascinating and so interesting.
These gals are so awesome and if you either live nearby or want to make the trip to the Santa Cruz California area I can't even begin to tell you what a worthwhile weekend youll have & the super new friends you'll make,

Thank you Wendy, Judy and Daniella.....
.As your famous Governor once said....I'll be back!!!!!

Unbelievable !

I don't even know where to start...how can I explain what a remarkable, fabulous, amazing day I had at Day 1 of my WaxWorks workshop given by Daniella Woolf, Wendy Aiken and Judy Stabile.
Holey Moley...the stuff I learned!

It would take hours to give you a crash course...I will share just a few of the technique photos from todays mono printing class..

We used all sorts of wax...MY Wax cubes from Kandi Corp (which the wax works guild loved by the way), paraffin wax, wax medium with damar resin, candle wax and others. Everything was a experiment. Everything was fun. Everything was artful! Everything was easy. Everything was mistake proof.

We used rubber stamps, and stuff from Home Depot, and stencils, and India ink, and watercolors...you name it..we used it.

After dinner with my family, we  stopped by Daniellas home studio...
oh my word! I don't even know where to begin...

Her incredible wax work was everywhere. She has specially made custom wood shapes made just for her. She works a lot on different kinds of wood. The pieces you see her standing next to here are all completely coated in wax.

I did learn that beeswax of any kind will work best when used on a strong stable and porous surface.

Tomorrow I got back for Day 2....

I wish it were tomorrow already.

Its Fun Visiting

I always feel lucky when I get to travel for fun.

And I really lucked out when I decided to sign up for a Beeswax class being given this coming weekend in Corralitos , CA by the Wax Works guild. Corralitos is right near where my brother Les and sister in law Muffie live (Aptos) so I'm having a great time staying with them and it's also great that- for a change - I'm taking a class, not giving one !

The trip began on a real high when Continental airlines upgraded me to first class. I love you Continental. ! Then I had a good laugh when the lady in the Continental lounge told me I had glasses "just like Sarah Palin" and I told her Mrs. Palins glasses were just like MINE because I've been wearing that style for 10 years !!! Trendsetter that I am !!!! LOL

Today my brother, SIL and I drove over to the beach city of Capitola for some photo fun, (like the cute little girls giggling everytime the water came up over the guard rail & splashed them), and some SHOPPING !!!!!
I heart shopping...but you all knew that!

My three favorite words in the english language are " DO YOU SHIP", especially when it won't fit in my suitcase... like this amaizng lamp I found at OM gallery. The Lenster is beginning to think our whole house is decorated by Do You Ship !!! I think he might be right !

Then I found a boutique that had really faaaaaabulous Ed Hardy sunglasses...all bejeweled on the sides.....whoa.......and they came with an equally faaaaabulous leather carrying case...no,no,no..I didn't buy OR ship them... I resisted.....but I sure had fun trying them on .
But then I found some wonderful vintage button bracelets that I couldn't resist......they were fantastic !

Tomorrow my class begins...I am sooooo excited. I'll be sure to give you all a full report.

 

s

Some Updates

It had been such a busy, hectic, excitement filled weekend I almost forgot to keep up here in Blogland.

On Sunday the Lenster and I took the two 11 yr old granddaughters (cousins) into Manhattan to see Rockefeller Center, American Girl Doll Headquarters and Saks 5th Avenue.

Saks was having a Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers Collection exhibit as part of the movies 70 year anniversary. They had shoes from all the big name designers. It was hysterical to see these two "little ladies" trying on $1,000 shoes like they were movie stars themselves...and no one in Saks stopped them....or me from taking pictures! Holy Cow !

Everyones gone home now....man it's quiet here ! Too quiet !

BUT - yesterday a fabulous new book arrived in my mail. THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OFGREETING CARD TOOLS & TECHNIQUES by Susan Pickering Rothamel. She sent me a copy. It's brand new. It's got everything under the sun and then some in it. It even has ME on page 154. WOW ! Go get one....it's fantastic !

Tomorrow I am off to California. Guess why?
Not to give a class but to take one !
I have become so infatuated with wax that I'm going to take a weekend workshop from WAX WORKS in Corralitos.
And....lucky me...since it is very near where my brother & SIL lives I will stay with them and have a family visit as well. I am over the moon excited !

Oh Happy Day !

Today The Lenster and I are married 45 very happy years.

so...now..on to the story.......
On Saturday The Lenster -  out of the blue says -  "Lets go to a movie..... at 3 in the afternoon...."Okay" I say.  Kinda strange I think....3 pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, but we go.
We see "Burn After Reading" (despite mixed reviews, we loved it !).
We finish at 5 pm.

......the Lenster suddenly needs to make a few stops. He tells me he has an urge for chewing gum. Chewing gum....he never chews gum. "Okay" I say...we stop.
He takes a long time choosing gum & an even longer time unwrapping it in the car.

We finally pull up to the house...its now about 5:45 pm and there are a heap of cars on my street...I say "WOW...someones having a party and they didn't invite us" (standard small community joke !).....
He agrees.
We open the garage and go into the house....

SURPRISE !!!! surprise...surprise....surprise!

Everyone yells...balloons are everywhere...our friends are everywhere....I am in shock.
I am in even bigger shock cause The Lenster kept this big secret. Even little grandson Jared (5) kept the big secret. Seems everyone's been planning this for 6 weeks.
Apparently I was on Planet Oblivious !

I hear my granddaughter Darians voice...Darian (11) lives in Florida at Tyndall Air Force base with my son Lee (39) and wife Lana and we get to see them - maybe if we're lucky - once a year. They are in the Military.They flew up.

I'm now crying hysterically. They flew up !
Lennys sister Jane flew up from Tennessee.
I am in shock.

Darian hasn't seen her cousins Michael (13) & Alyssa (11) in 6 years....Alyssa is the same age as Darian . They are my oldest son Marc's  kids and they live in New Jersey. So now....all 4 grandkids are together for the first time in years...and our 3 children are all together for the first time in years and I am a basket case!

My incredible daughter Jennifer (far R) pulled it all together and even ordered a cake with our picture on it. She got sushi from our favorite restaurant. She had catered hot food. Decorations, flowers....she's amazing.
   

We got beautiful gifts from everyone. Both of us were in shock now. The Lenster gave me a combined Anniversary/Birthday (October) present.....a GIANT 46 inch High Def Flat Screen TV and the kids gave us a Hi-def Blue Ray Disc Home Theater. I'm overwhelmed.

There's too much to re-cap.....some is a blur...the whole family slept over. They were all there in the morning. I was in heaven !

There are no words....I will never forget that day for the rest of my entire life. I finally stopped crying !

Hail, Hail the Gangs all here

I have just had the MOST amazing weekend I could ever describe so I'll start first with last Fridays adventure and then do a separate post for Saturday.

When I woke up Friday morning I couldn't wait to get in the car and make the 2 hour trip from my house to Long Island, NY to spend the day with a group of fabulous ladies, amazing artists who all specialize in different art forms.
Our host, vintage jewelry designer Terri Ventura, offered her house for the day.

You just had to be there to believe......Terri's house is one gigant-a-mongous antique shop, filled with items from the 40's, 50's, & 60's that would blow you away and (if you're MY age) would take you back on an amazing journey into your childhood!

Terris work room creates a "severe drooling sensation"  unlike anything else !!
The array of vintage jewelry pieces just waiting to be made into something spectacular..... Damn...it was a bling feast if ever there was one.

So, here we are....The gal pals.....The Glitz Gild.... next to Terri is Lisa Kettel who is known for her magnificent fairie art, then comes Pam Huntington who specializes in mixed media, me, (the only rehead in the group of blondes !) and then we have Linda Ashton a brilliant milliner (hat designer) who you can find weekdays at Tinsel Trading in Manhattan.

I didn't get back home till close to midnight because no one wanted to leave...we were so busy making jewelry we couldn't budge ! Terri generously shared tons of her vintage doo-dads with us & showed us how to use JAX solutions to change the finish on the charms.

So,Now I must share some of the amazingness of the day !

Linda made this one !

I played with these pieces and tried out the CHAIN-STA. 

A brilliant invention !

Lisa was into Ballet.

Inspired Shopping

I love a good shopping day!
This, however, doesn't have anything to do with spending money or buying a single thing....nope....some shopping days are strictly for the sheer inspiration they can bring  - most especially when you visit a store with a super sharp sense of merchandising.

One of my favorite such stores is ANTHROPOLOGIE a dress and home decor chain that has stores throughout the US.

I can never find a thing to fit me in this store & I truly don't need any more home decor so I know it's gonna be a win-win....I save money and I get great ideas for projects, color schemes and trends just by stepping through the doors.!

My local Anthropologie (at The Grove in Shrewsbury, NJ) had this incredible window display made entirely from books - obviously a school themed thing cause school just started. I can't even imagine how much time and work went into taking all those books and creating an amazing piece of 3-D art.

It was so kind of them to let me take pictures....I am NEVER ever without my trustly little Sony T100 pocket digital. It's a few years old but it's the size of a cell phone and I'm super fast with it and I love it !! Sieze the moment as they say! Not to mention that directly next door was a Pottery Barn with all of their great Halloween stuff out on display! They were a little more picky about me and my invasive camera habit !!! The salesgal kept saying "Can I help you, m'am". I know that tone !
Anyway....hope you enjoy some of the book art and get as inspired as I did. let me know if YOUR Anthropologie has anything exciting on display.

And, let us not forget, today is the anniversary of 9-11 and keep everyone who lost a loved one in our thoughts and our prayers.

Spay day

I volunteer once a month at the Spay/Neuter clinic in town...it's my way of giving back to the community and of helping to keep these beautiful animals from needlessly reproducing.

The local AmVets give us their hall for the entire day (8-5) and a local vet donates his time in a mobile operating suite van. People who are on limited income bring in their dogs & cats.

I love it when spay/neuter day comes around cause I get to hold all of those darling animals and help to bring them out of the anesthesia.

It's kind of hysterical when you first see them....their tongues are always hanging out, their eyes are looking at you but they really aren't seeing anything and they are totally limp!
It takes the little kitties the longest to come out of it. They're my favorite ! We bundle the animals in blankets (they shiver) and we rub them and talk to them and give them water from an eyedropper until ALL of them are fully responsive and can walk (some still a bit tipsy !!)

It's an all day event and worth every minute !
Today the vet did a total of 81 animals including a few feral cats that were rescued.

If your town offers this and you have the opportunity I hope you take it.