For inquiring minds! (Sherry)

Our all too short vacation was nice, it was cold there but we had fun! I don't think it got to 60 degrees the whole weekend! Burrr... but we are having an unusually cool summer here, even in Sacramento we are much cooler than expected for July. The spot in Dillon Beach was beautiful, we could see right down to the beach and watch all the crazy people playing in the surf. The little house was cute, and very user friendly. I'll post some vacation pics soon, they are still on my camera!

I got quite a bit of art done over the weekend, which was my plan. I actually finished (or almost) 3 little altars and started another 10 or so, I'll be putting all on Etsy once I get my shop up and running. It is a lot of work! Who knew. I've created a starting inventory of small paintings. Took pictures of them, got the banner created for my store. What's left is to write up shop description, shop policies, item descriptions... write write write. Anyway it's taking me longer than I anticipated. Hopefully soon! Once I have it set up and opened I'll post it here for the world to see! Here is a sneak peek... I did a couple of different little, miniture painting series. Cottages series, and a series I'm calling the Golden Ring series, kind of tribal art. So here is the Daisey cottage, and the Green Power Woman. Both will be up for sale on Etsy... once I get it open!!! Be well... Tj

True life story number 1543

My hairdryer broke the other morning. It made a big spark where the electrical cord meets the hairdryer. I panicked slightly and quickly unplugged it. Scared me, and luckily I did not have my hand over that area! But I truly got my monies worth. I purchased it at a thrift store about 12 years ago for $1! It was an old 90210 issue, looked much like this but with a pink 90210 logo on the side. I wish I would have taken a pic of it, for historical records but it went to the trash before I thought of it! Oh well. RIP good old hair dryer!

Almost vacation!

I'm taking a little weekend vacation with my daughter. I am so happy! We are going to Dillon Beach CA, on the coast so it will be nice and cool and the little house I rented overlooks the beach! Here is a photo from the website... Nice!

I can't wait to sit and watch the waves, ahhh.... LOVE Dillon Beach! This rental company has lots of houses in various sizes if anyone is interested... Dillon Beach Rentals. But we have big plans for the weekend too! We are going to be crafting and making art all weekend. Lindsey has some hair clips and earrings she wants to create out of buttons. She has picked out some vintage buttons from my mom's collection that we are going to make molds from out of with polymer clay. Then we are going to create new buttons from the molds and she is going to use to create! I am also goinng to be making some little roses, hearts, sugar skulls, and other things out of clay. I purchased a dozen small unfinished wooden boxes and I am going to create some day of the dead altar/niche's that I plan to put up for sale. We'll see how it goes, they look beautiful in my mind! I really enjoyed doing my altar last year, so I thought I'd give this a try, this weekend seemed like the perfect opportunity for testing my theories. I'll post some pics next week.

We are taking our 2 little dogs with us, so we'll probably also be going for some walks on the beach and of course doing some relaxing! We also invited my brother Tim and nephew Thaddeus along. We have been taking family vacations for years together. Tim and his kids and our family, but the kids are all growing up and timing was off this year for taking a whole week vacation together. Tim and Thaddeus are really busy with scouts. But, after Lindsey and I booked this house, Tims said maybe they could do a weekend somewhere... well I said, as it happens Lindsey and I are going to Dillon Beach, and you are welcome to come too! The house has a whole downstairs with room to sleep 4 or 5 and we aren't going to use it. So, they are going to join us. We explained we are going to be doing art all weekend, but they are welcome to come and hang out, and they were free this weekend! I'm glad. No family vacation would just be wrong. Even thought it won't be all of us (usually 7), and it won't be a whole week, it will just have to do! Thaddeus is very creative, I'm sure he'll join in the fun.

If you have never been to Dillon Beach, and get the opportunity, GO! It is a beautiful, quiet little beach town, about an hour north of SF. The village has lots of cute little beach houses, the beach is wonderful and you can walk for miles. Just through the town and down near the bay there is a huge campground, Lawsons Landing, and you can go digging for giant clams. See a bubble in the sand... dig dig dig dig dig... grab it by the neck and pull! Ok, I've never actually done it but I've witnessed it a couple of times. Dirty messy work! Well, until next time... be well and be creative! Tj.

I am very happy!

I received a voice message that my Venice Laundry piece was accepted for the KVIE Art Auction! KVIE is Sacramento's local PBS station. The auction is a very prestigious event, 3 days/ 24 hours/ all art! My piece is tentatively scheduled to be auctioned on Friday, September 24th between 10 and 10:30. Now you might ask, morning or evening? I know right that would be good to know. I'm not sure! But I'll be getting more information as it gets closer. Here is a photo of the painting... I fixed a couple of things before I submitted it, the right wall seemed all wonky to me, and it was... so I straightened it out. I am much happier with this piece now! That's all for today, be well... Tj.

Where have I been??

Whew... I have been busy! So much to tell you about I don't know where to start... Well at work I was reassigned to a project, it's a huge project and very important. I am on the Business Services team, and we were just last week all moved to the 5th floor of our building. I have a window seat for the first time in years... natural light what a concept! This project is fairly high stress... lots of meetings and discussions of how the new system should function. Lots of documents to review. We are creating one new web based system, and converting data from 48 legacy systems. Quite an undertaking!! Conversion alone has been a challenge. I am so tired by the time I get off work I rarely feel like blogging!

It's festival season! Fun times... Even though it's really hot here in the summer, we always get to do some really fun events! My hubby has been playing a lot and I've attended several Friday night concerts. The first was on June 11th, with the Wingnut Adams band at the first Amador County Arts Council Friday night concert series. It was a magical evening, under the majestic oaks, great music.

















Then on June 18th he played the second ACAC Friday night concert with the Bayou Boys Band.

















The next Friday was in Placerville for the Placerville Brewfest, again with the Bayou Boys. This time Ron Bombardier's grandson came out and played his accordion! He is so darn cute and so serious about playing!!! Quite the 3 year old!

















And on Friday July 3rd he played in Auburn with the great Frankie Lee! Another great outdoor concert, Frankie sure can sing!

I'm still painting, in fact I'm working on one large commission piece. It is coming along, but I get tired or at least my arm does. So I have to work on it a little at a time. In between I've been working on small pieces, I'm going to open an etsy shop soon so I'm creating some inventory! I also did a painting for a girl at work, Karli, that was working as a business architect on the project with me but she is moving back home to Phoenix so we are losing her. :( I did a painting of her dog Ari, when he was a puppy. She loved it! I am really happy she did. She is a very smart, beautiful girl. It was a pleasure to get to know her. I'm happy I could give her something to remember me. I'll miss your bright smile Karli!

Well that is it for now. I promise not to let so much time fly by before blogging again!
Be well... Tj.