This is a felted wind catcher I made at a women's retreat at Wiawaka Holiday House in Lake George this past weekend.

It came about because I needed to get away after losing Gary and a very good friend of mine decided she would go with me on this retreat.  She helped me find this place called Wiawaka Holiday House and it was close enough for us to commit to back in February.  I was hoping to get away in the Spring, but this workshop was this past weekend so we reserved our spot in this class.

 The highlight of the weekend from Friday afternoon till Sunday morning was the friendship between me and my good friend.  I have known her for some time, but never knew just how wonderful a friend she could be.  Growing up I never had girlfriends to hang out with.  I never experienced what girlfriends do when they get together and always wished I knew what that was all about.
  She is a good listener, a funny and sometimes silly woman and generous beyond belief with her spirit.  I don't know that I could have had a better friend with me on this retreat.  I think that many of you know her and if you want to know more about Wiawaka, you need to go to her blog as she has posted wonderful pictures and described our weekend much better than I could ever do.  Her name is Marilyn Rock and her blog is  http://wwwmarilyninmyroom.blogspot.com/  I think all my followers already know her but if you don't you can go to her blog and get to know her.

Wiawaka is open to women and their structure is such that room rates are determined on a sliding scale.

You can go to their website and see more as well.  It is http://www.wiawaka.org/

When Gary died I realized I needed to rebuild a new life without him and needed to get away.  This was such a wonderful place with such a wonderful friend that I am hoping the quiet time spent in this gorgeous setting and taking this wonderful class has helped me gather my thoughts about what direction to go in with my life.  I hope to be posting more often and doing more things.  Marilyn made me laugh till I cried and the trip was so therapudic I know I will be going back again and again. 

If any of you women don't mind sharing a room and a bathroom and don't mind caring for your own room while there and leaving things as you found them I totally recommend this place.  There are also day passes for $15.00 and you can bring your own lunch to eat but use their grounds to hike, swim and even join in the classes they have (extra$).  There is much here to enjoy.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too and thanks to all girlfriends everywhere for what you offer each other.

Usually in the summer months I don't knit.  I am  not sure why I have been knitting a lot lately.  I seem to love to knit for babies most of all.  When I started this I didn't even have anyone's baby in mind, but loved the little bolero look to it and the color.  The actual color is a little brighter, more like a Spring Green but is called Fern Green.  

Now to find another project which I already have in mind.  It seems strange to me that I would want to knit now.  Maybe because I can sit and do it watching tv at night or it might be because my sister is always knitting up a storm and she donates just about everything she makes to local charities for their auctions.

I have always just given my things as gifts but I like the idea of doing it for charity so if I make something without anyone in mind I guess I can always do that.  On the other hand, if anyone sees something they might like to buy, I am up for that as well.  Let me know.  This sweater I think is already sold.  If the little princess is not too big already.  Given how long it has taken me to finish, maybe it won't fit, but we will see.

Well, on to something else.  I seem to be wanting to do a canvas piece, so let's see what comes up next.
I see on everyone else's blogs that we are all busy creating and there is some wonderful pieces out there.
I love seeing what you are all up to and you inspire me to keep creating.  Thanks.

A good friend of mine sent me a video of a group of spontaneous painters in a room with a guide.  This video was very inspiring and I decided to take the time to just try it.  I laid out all my color acrylic paints.  Liquid in bottle with a large piece of paper from a large sketch pad and my grandaughter Kyra did the same.  She was at one end of the table and I at the other.  We did this together and really had a fun time with it.  She is 13 but loves to come to my house and do "art".

This  painting was what happened because I did not think about what to put on the paper or where the painting was going but just putting paint in whatever color  my gut told me and wherever.   Trying not to control the outcome at all.  And here it is.  I can tell that my grandaughter's painting took thought as she stragetically put items in the painting and was trying to make a statement.   

And so, now that I look back at it I get the feeling that it is a rebirth or life growing and getting ready to bloom, but not quite there yet.  I hope that is the case, as I am looking for something really cool to come into my life to fill this void.  And so, would you bloggers please give me your impression of what this painting says to you?  I can take criticism and welcome it.

Hope you all are enjoying our summer season and being creative either outside your homes or inside your studios.

Teddy Bear Picnic

Last week I took a class in needle felting and we made these cute Teddy bears.  It took about 2 hours and was so much fun.  One of the ladies actually had done some before and made a version of her cat she had lost.  It was the cutest thing.  Grey and white with stipes and sitting up.  Looked just like her cat she said.   I was so impressed by what the other ladies did with their bears.  Some put paws, a different color, the noses and eyes were all different.   One lady put a belly with a belly button on it.  So different, not one look alike to someone elses.  From here we can make whatever we want if you can form the shapes.  One friend of mine who was in the class also put her teddy bear on a grassy mound with flowers in the grass around him. 

I decided that mine was going on a picnic and so I put the bee (can't think of what you call this thing) but I'm sure someone will remind me, so he would have honey for his tea.

Other than this I have been much of a slug lately and taking time to dream about what I want and where I'm going.  Hope you all are enjoying your crafts and life in general.  Happy creating.

Architechtural molds

The weekend was spent working in my yard and garden and come Monday I was pretty tired and not wanting to expend any  more physical energy on housework, so I took myself out to an Estate Auction in Cropsyville.  I had never been to this particular auction house and was surprised by how small and quaint it was.  But it turned out in my favor as the prices were extremely cheap.  Some items like a country painted table they couldn't even sell and put it  aside for some other sale.  Not even $2.00.  Of course I wanted it as a work table but have NO room right now for such things.  But I did decide I had to have these Architectural molds?  I believe that's what they are.  I haven't figured out just yet how I am going to use them but they certainly offer many possibilities. 

Should any of my blog buddies or local artist friends want to use them I will certainly let you borrow  and maybe even give me some inspiration.  Believe me the first box I bid on I got for a measly $5.00 which I thought was a dream.  The second and third I had a bidder against me (or a house shill) and had to pay a little more for, but really, they will be useful for years to come I hope. 

So now my job is to straighten out my house so that I will be inspired to move into my craft room that I have not worked in in over a month and start creating again.

Have been checking others blogs and you all are so talented and fun to look at.  I love what you all do

and it will motivate me to do more as time goes on.

  I seem to be getting used to Gary not being here although I miss him so much.  I know he would be happy with the progress I am making at rebuilding my life and home to suit my needs.  I am so grateful to my friends who are behind me in this new life. I hope that you find some time to find some treasures to play with.