Look at the transformation. Tj and his fantastic crew finished their work. It is now up to us to find some cool exterior doors to put in and get those 2 big store front windows back in. People are trying to convince us to put new windows in. We just can't do that. Unless we break them before getting them back in. We are hitting all the salvage stores around. we will  paint the front plastered areas and the woodwork around the windows. or maybe a little Mosaic is in order. but, I'm really liking the building now. We aren't in a big rush to sell it either.

No more nightmares

I've been kind of absent from my blogging. I've had a lot on my mind. I will say, I've had had my fill of plumbers, painters and all contractors. It started out with getting a plumber to hook up a washer and dryer. It started out 500.00 maybe a little more with the 1st guy. Found a guy to do it for 300.00 and did a so so job, bills not happy with it. Then finding a house painter....... Big fiasco. but, it's almost done. Then we had decided to sell the building, because it just needed to much work. It was crumbling in front. We had a stream of people looking at it. The front was a deal breaker . So what do we do. let it fall down, bulldoze it, But, that costs money too, or do we fix it. Spend some money and fix it. We had several bids, all way over the top. Then i think some one was watching over us. Tj Allen of Allen masonry came into our lives. He is a breath of fresh air. I can't tell you how wonderful i feel. My nightmares have disappeared. He's very affordable and fast and he knows what he's doing!!!!!!

So now, we'll see. Here is a before picture and i posted some work in progress pictures. Then I'll show you finished later. This last picture.... They tore ore out everything from the beam  down. dug down 4 feet and poured footings and built it up with block. We are putting the big windows back in and getting a new (old door). The east side is getting plastered. WOW!! If we can't sell it, It will be my studio... I'm naming it "Sows ear studio"      

IT's SOOO HOT!!!

I'm here sweating away. It's the worst heat wave I've ever seen or felt. It goes on and on. Everything that Al gore said would happen, is happening. I know there are the nay sayers. But, Hey, it's right in our faces everyday and in every corner of the world. At this point, it doesn't matter why it's happening, or who to blame. Now it should be how are we going to deal with all these changes. The changes, they are a coming. I saw a sad documentary about a pacific island that is disappearing. All the people have to evacuate. Only know one wants them. They have no where to go. Sure makes you think.
But, despite all this heat I've managed to create another memory jug. It is a big one and very heavy. It went together a lot better than the 1st one. I knew what i was doing this time around. I think I'm going to find a cork for it and put a time capsule inside. Who made it, when and what was going on at the time. Then I'm going to seal the whole cork and lip of the jug with wax. I do think it came out pretty good, I'm very happy with it.      

Finished!!!!!!

Mommas got indoor plumbin! Yippeeee.  Threw that old bucket in the trash. Now i'm back on track. It only took 2 months and 2 weeks to get it. Bill is never going to take on another home project , if i can help it.

little project

my latest mosaic tile project. I altered a picture of my sister and me, glued it into a small shadow box and topped it with a frame covered in mosaic tiles. Lots of fun to make.
I've been spring cleaning. Sharon, i might be seeing if you want some things. I really need to make some more room.

I found a painter for the house, he's coming the 1st week in may. and i'm still using the bucket in the basement. The bathroom is still not done. I'm not complaining though. He has been working on it pretty steady. Old fixtures, old plumbing, not always easy.  

Wow i can't believe it. Bill is finally getting a new tile floor in the bathroom. A new toilet was in order too. It's the only bathroom we have so i hope it goes smoothly. The house is a mess and we are walking around all the bathroom fixtures. Claw foot tub, new (old) oval sink and a old barber chair.We are putting in black and white octagonal tiles. I can't wait it's long overdue.

new treasures

Iowa city had their annual antique show at the fair grounds. I usually find a few things. I walked in the door and spotted this beautiful shell. It was huge. I think i was born in the wrong part of the country. I can't get enough shells. I love them all. So needless to say, i walked out with it. I also found a cool hat holder. It must have been a store display or something. I bought 2. I have a small collection of vintage hats. The dust takes over to fast so they will stay in the hat boxes.

memory jug

Wow, Here it is! My 1st attempt at a memory jug. It's dog related. a memory jug for "Peanut" and "Jimi" . It pretty small. but, now i feel a bit more confident at doing them.But really know Before i start another one I need more stuff. It was hard getting the oil paint patina on evenly.

new collage

I just finished this one. I've been thinking for a while What can i put in this cool folk art clock case (besides a clock). I came up with this. A nice picture of dad and a few symbols that represent him. He was a druggist and stamp collector, plus many more things. But it came out pretty good. It needs some sort of trim around it. I'll put bill on that.

I have a admirer

LOOK at the beautiful Valentine i got from my friend Gayle. It came today. What a unexpected surprise. It is so nice,that I'm framing it and hanging it.Thanks so much sweet lady.

new book

Well, it's not a new book. It's a new book for me. I had been in a creative slump. I'm getting in the groove again. This book is great. It gives you different methods for creating a collage background by laying and layering painting and using different things like stencils and modeling paste, heavy gel, found objects. Here are a couple of my 1st attempts . These are backgrounds only and aren't anything yet. So i know they aren't much yet. I just working on different products and techniques for now. It's fun so far. because it's a lesson for "let it flow" and it doesn't have to be anything. No pressure.

warm and comforting

I haven't made a lamp shade for a while. but, i've made plenty in the past. These are a few that I've kept. Business was brisk for a time. It kept me very busy. A great winter hobby. The hunt for cool vintage laces and materials. trying different techniques. adding beads and ribbon embroidery. Then sitting in front of the tv set wrapping the frames and hand sewing everything. I taught myself. I couldn't even sew on a button but i learn to sew a lampshade. Where there's a will there's a way.
I love the warm and cozy feel they give off.

What we learned from this trip

Before we left for our trip. We quickly realized, it's not the kind of trip most people take. The reaction from friends and others was "Your going where"" and doing WHAT"? Your not going to stay in Cancun and drink margarita's on the beach? You know it's dangerous and people are getting killed down there. The drug cartel is everywhere. The people are dirty and nasty. You'll get car jacked. and robbed. Oh we heard it all.
We had been there before and loved everything about it. But, never rented a car before. We always stayed in budget hotels run by the locals. We weren't worried.
This time round it was a bit different. That part of the country was always poor, it was worse. We were the only travelers for days. We ran into more nice and genuinely happy people. They make do with what they have. They might live in a primitive way. That doesn't mean they aren't clean. The only ones we didn't trust wore police uniforms. They were scary.
The other difference was the markets. Last time was full of strange and unusual things from art to animals hanging (chickens, pigs) food and clothing. This time it was blocks and blocks of stuff made in china. I was breaking out in hives from the unnatural materials. It was so sad. CHINA , it's everywhere.
There were no tourists so they made no money. So if you can GO! It's a fascinating experience, the people are wonderful and it's beautiful.
The kindest thing that someone said to us was "You two are NOT tourists, you are travelers" You go out and want to learn about my people and our cultures. That was the nicest thing he could have said to us.
People are the same everywhere.