Friday, March 26, 2010

Small Amusements.....

(this is me.....I haven't done enough of this lately because I feel OLD.....)

I am so late today......and most unhappy that I did not take time to write yesterday, but I began rooting through FOUR YEARS of scraps in a scrap basket that was literally falling apart. In the studio clean-up, I made the brave decision to tackle that D*MNED basket, which--in reality--is a rolling, three part laundry hamper with the mesh netting and pop together PVC tubing on casters.
Or, pop apart, as in this case.
It was overflowing.....I was too ashamed to take a picture of it. All I could do as I emptied and emptied and emptied was ask myself why I let it get this far along...... (because you knew the work would suck, Anne, that's why!)....and how I could cram sooooo much in so little space.
I spent most of the day making three piles:

1. Keep and try and figure out how to sort
2. Good things that could be donated
3. The "what are these and why did I keep thems?" that promptly went into the trashcan

While this all sounds easy, it was a most unbelievable MESS. I had the freshly cleaned cutting tables piled high with fabrics that had to be reduced to semi-sorted pieces in clear plastic bags, so I knew what I had. I had thrown into the basket co-ordinated piles of fabrics that were quilt ideas. The oddest thing of all was there were only a couple of shreds of fiber that I did not know where they came from.
Now, considering the fact that after "Hip: Uno" and "Hip: Redeux" my brain is jello, I was stunned to be able to look at long buried tidbits of fabric and say, oh, that is from this quilt, and I remember doing that one, and my gosh, I didn't think I had ANY left after that large top. And most of these? They were gifts, donations, etc. Things I no longer have, and probably don't even have photos of.
Just these clear images floating within the jello in my cranium.
Most humorous......most annoying too, in that half the time I can't remember if I've left lights on, shut and locked the door or if I'm even dressed properly to go out.
Ah well.....
On to the image below.


Hopefully none of you remember my rant a good while back about the CC company that had my business for almost 20 years, and then due to their own bad investments in sub-prime mortgages, passed that pay off on to their customers in the form of exorbitant percentage rates.
Well, I went shopping for a new place to give my business, and yes, I found a new company, and yes, that IS my artwork on the card, and YES, I decided to offer it as a design others could pick too. Why not? I was going to keep it strictly as a one-of for me, but hey, we need a little more love flying around this world......put it out there. Have a good vibe about it.
As the post was titled, these are indeed small amusements, but sometimes, those are the best.
Now I'm off to put a bookcase together before my DH arrives home early today (I did not ask why, though I am sure he has work to do.....) and life as I know it takes an about face! LOL!
Sorry the brain dribble is nominal this morning, but somedays, there is only so much I can wring out of the grey matter! It appears to be a little on the arid side at the moment....
To all of you, have fun, be creative, and above all else.....

Pax.

30 comments:

Linda and Michelle said...

LOVE the card! And the banners - to die for (no pun intended...) They truly are magnificent - I would go to church just to stare at them. I'm sure the pictures don't even begin to do them justice....I would have given up long ago if I'd had to do all that sewing with pliers!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Linda...

Great pun!!! HAHAHAHAHA! You know my warped sense of humor.....
I was so happy with that little piece of art being on my card; silly, isn't it?
Yep, sewing with pliers BITES, and while I have done it before, this bunch was the worst. I am assuming that part of it was just the post surgery fatigue, but it could have been the diference in the materials too......or that I'm a lot OLDER! Ya think?

Nah! ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anonymous said...

Love the artsy cc!! I am so fed up with cc interest & then we keep getting them in the mail for new ones?!?!?!? Are you kidding me???? Wish I could have a spam filter in the mailbox!!
We have managed to pay off almost all but the house & new SUV. Thank God for the new SUV with all the traveling I have & will be doing!!
((She is thursty though!!))
Have a Great Day!! TTYL!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

yoborobo said...

LOVE THE CARD! The only problem is I would be pulling it out of my wallet more often, and probably spending even more than I do. :) As for getting old - what? You're not having any fun at it? Personally, I am loving the popping and creaking and snapping of my joints as I go up and down the stairs. It's my own little percussive symphony! hahaha! You just need to rest up after going 500mph for weeks. Your youth is waiting, and wants to play. People like you never get old, Anne. :) xoxoxox! Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MArilyn,

Yes, I too have had it with these companies that keep you over a barrel. And like you, we get these things in the mail all the time. I have often wondered if I put the birds names on one of the apps if they would qualify!!! LOL!!!
I don't carry debt, and that was what made me so darned mad!
Okay, off to bitch and whine a little more so I'll feel younger! HA!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam,

I sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies when I do the stairs....well, like they sound when you put milk on them! LOL!!!
I actually am feeling better today....amazing what a little rest can do, isn't it???
As to the card, I just enjoy looking at it for the most part! (oh yes, I'm lying....)
People like me never get old, we just get RIPE.....MUH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Okay...I have to tackle the bookcase...

XXOO!!
Anne

Unknown said...

Hi Anne!!!

old smold...age is just a number and you are fabulous!!!! I love your credit card design!!! how cool is that....

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Diana!

It's just some mornings...well, one *feels* old.
I never act grown up. That's for people with nothing else to do! LOL!!!
I had to go back in ad look at that card image--my number was on there, so there was some swiping in the photo program; would have been my luck to post it and never notice the number! <:)

XXOO!!
Anne

audrey said...

You are NOT old, Anne. It is just nature's way of telling you to slow down. In another couple of days you will be dancing around the studio, singing, playing, and making art!!
Love the CC artwork. Soon, little pieces of your talent will be all over the counry ~ banners, Zazzle, CCs, give-aways, galleries..... I can see it now in lights "Well known artist, AHL, to demonstrate her artistic multi-talents in the main lobby of NY's Waldorf!"
Have a great day!
♥ audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey,

Shhhhh....don't tell anyone I paid you to say that..LOL!!!
I think, if I can get caught up a bit and have a little art time,I'll be back to my old feisty self. Well, not *OLD-old*....previous. ;)
Still running in circles getting little crap done---am heading for the bookcase! NOW!

XXOO!!
Anne

Leslie said...

You'll get there eventually. Sucks getting old, but it's only our bodies not our minds, right?

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Leslie....

Mind? What mind? DO I MIND?.....
SNARF!!!
I'm not sure in my case...I think right now, it's sort of an onslaught of everything at once; full frontal attack, fire at will!
Al well, tomorrow it will be something else! LOL!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Georgina said...

Oh Anne, I love it!! My Visa is just bleh!! But it works!! LOL

Getting the studio cleaned up must make you feel great, but what will you do when you remember you had something you needed and now it's gone...that's why I hold on to things!!! CALL A&E...THE HOARDERS DEPT. I need to do a little cleaning too, but then I'll spend a lot of time looking for things because I knew where they were in all that chaos!!

Take care and keep a bucket on hand to catch all those little drippy gray cells!! LOL

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina!

I have learned that having all the visual clutter makes it harder for me to work. I have to thin out. Now, granted, I probably still could make the *Hoarders* list, but I get things put away or given away and if I need something later, I have learned not to fuss. Do I really really NEED it? (normally I don't...) and I make due with something else.
It had gotten so thick here that I was afraid I would trip myself, and some of this I have wanted to get done for several years....soooo....strike while the iron is hot! ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

Elena said...

Oh boy you should see my studio; someone dropped a grenade in there. But Anne thanks for the awesome comment to my post. You can totally be in my band. We'll put my son & his to shame! Hee hee. Great card design!! And try to take a little time to relax this weekend. You do know how to relax right? Oh by the way, I can always ride over & you can sit on my bike for the photo if you don't want to actually buy one!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Elena,

You should not tempt me with the bike pic!!!! :D But wait till I can get in my skinny jeans again,....oh, they may be dry rotted by then! LOL!!
No, I do not know how to relax---it's either full throttle or out cold. I think I need to learn relaxing, but can't fit it into my schedule. HA!
Need a good band name....I have plenty of attitude (ask my poor DH!). Actually, I used to be pretty good on my bass; loved banging out the Ramones, Misfits, etc..... sigh.....

XXOO!!
WildWoman

Marie S said...

Hey Anne I LOVE your CC. I would put that all over my card if I could have one. LOL!!
You were cleaning? Maybe you are not feeling well. Now I will have to start cleaning up stuff too. At least with you I could ignore my chaos and not feel alone. But now I can not buck the spring trend and I have to do something about the mess.
SIGH*************
Have a great weekend!
Love and hugs

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MArie,

The only and I repeat ONLY thing getting cleaned is about two-three years of MESS in the upstairs studio that I have put off and put off.......I really want to get this upstairs studio clean so I can paint up here sometimes and not have to run the heater downstairs too.
And, I just have too much CRAP. Some of the things I found, I swear, must have been on the way to the trash and got dropped in a pile.
Of course, this will last till the first day I actually *DO* something in here.....oy..... :D

XXOO!!
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

You can design your own credit card? Who knew! Must admit I'd be FAR too tempted to use it if I could flash something that elegant. Nope, I'd better stick to the generic...safer that way.

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

You have had a busy day...and it has been very productive for you! Gob will bless you! I love the credit card...I am going to petition to get something on my next card...yes I only use one card. Have a peaceful weekend! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Anonymous said...

Well honey your deserve to have a rest period. I mean a real one. I think the time limits on a project are what drive me crazy. I love not having anything telling me when I have to finish something. Of course it would be nice to have a little pay coming in, but that would have a time limit to get done and take all the fun away. I love that card. You might get even more famous. Love ya
QMM

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey M.A.!

Some companies let you do it. I can guarantee it does not make yu want to use it more...in fact, I hate swiping mine because I know it will affect the image at some point! So maybe it is a good deterrent??? :D
I just think it's neat to see something creative on those little pieces of plastic hell......usually I use my bland debit card.

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Mary Helen,

For the most part, I use my debit so I don't have to deal with *the bill*. But sometimes, when I am ordering large amounts of art supplies, or with the way gas is rising, I need the other plastic. And that's it. I don't misuse this crap......but it's sure pretty to look at! HA!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi QMM!

Oh boy, did you ever hit the nail on the head with deadlines and how they suck the life out of a project. Yeah, the money is nice.....but just sitting to create is much nicer.
I still can't quite seem to get back into creative mode; it is always this way and I accept it but dislike the time wasted.
Thus, the studio gets ripped apart! LOL!!!
I'm still thinking warm weather, sun, pool, pretty flora about.....vacation..... sigh!

XXOO!!
Anne

Susie Jefferson said...

Love the card. They don't let you do that in the UK. Too much work & trouble?? I'm so fed up with my boring one.

Re the studio - I empathise there. I nearly get things sorted ... then run out of steam, or it's Christmas, or visitors are due or something... then everything has to get stashed away again, higgledey piggledy. I can never find anything, and because everything is (on the surface) beautifully tidy, I don't want to mess it up hunting for stuff ... so nothing gets done AGAIN. I really do have to get my act together - some collage papers I was saving have gone horrible, musty etc, so they have got to get binned.

It all takes time... and coffee...

*Ulrike* said...

Umm, do you want to come clean my craft room?! Now that spring and warm weather have arrived that room is just like I left it, a mess. Hey I can walk through it, the plants are out in the greenhouse now, it is just getting back to re-organizing it. If I had a card like that it would be the one I would use all the time! I am so tired of cc. A long time ago it was good not to have it or owe anything, now it is the exact opposite!

Tristan Robin said...

I want a credit card with my art on it! LOL What a fun idea!

Silke Powers said...

Good morning, Anne! I LOVE your new card! Do you use it more often now that it's so pretty? That could be a problem...

As to your remnant basket, that does sound like a huge project. I have something similar to do, but with paperwork that needs to be filed. I'd rather deal with pretty fabric...

Happy Sunday! Love, Silke

Ces Adorio said...

What is this? A fashion blog?

Hahahah!

Anne, I remember Mickey Spillane!

Okay beautiful! I have an award for you!!!

Deborah said...

Hi Anne! I've been in the corner,licking my wounds...figuring things out. Oh, for future reference, it is proper to use the form "Dayum" when blogging. Per Linda, at Lime in the Coconut, who is a very refined lady. HA! **kisskiss** Deb

Post a Comment

Talk to me Dahling!
I'm waiting, breathless...... ;-D