A.J. ...

Friday, the 13th!!!

No, it's NOT a horror movie clip...but there was blood!!!

My little guy not so little-anymore guy, had his wisdom teeth pulled this morning...

He was brave. He was calm. He was amazing!!!

I love you, A.J.

You are one tough cookie!!!

Love,

Mom

Get Serious.

It's been a very wild ride these last couple of years.

We've had multiple Disney projects to complete for park openings worldwide.

We've bought and sold a couple of commercial buildings.

Moved our entire business - twice - in two different cities.

A son joined the Army.

A son graduated high school.

A treasured family pet passed away (more accurately - suddenly and unexpectedly needed to be put to sleep).

New artistic opportunities offered.

Travel.

Time spent with new friends.

Old friendships renewed.

Wow! Lots of roller coaster...LOTS of LIFE!

Things will always be hectic and crazy, I think. Phillip and I are SO goal oriented, we joke about how we'll leave this earth with a LONG to-do list. Our minds just never.sit.still. Sometimes, I wonder what it's all for. Why do we put this kind of pressure on ourselves? Are we truly making a difference?

Would we be satisfied in a small condo with a communal gardener vs. a huge, fixer-upper house on a mountain with over-grown acreage?

Could we get by with just one little commuter car vs. a stable of classic cars and motorcycles and a motor home and a scooter and a dune buggy? (all collected over a 27-year marriage, of course! We never won the lottery or had some rich family member die and bequeath us a bucket of money!)

Would we be happy back working in the 2-car garage where we started E.B. Effects vs. our current 14,000+ commercial space?

I think it's all just a matter of perspective, you know?

It's always been about setting goals and keeping moving forward - even if that meant sacrifices and taking two steps backwards on the current path (sometimes more!) to take one forward in the right direction...

It's like a shark...always swimming.swimming.swimming.

I reflect because, I've been talking and talking and talking AND planning and planning and planning a new adventure called The Rusty Monkey. It focuses around art and creative workshops...teaching, hosting and sharing a variety of designs and techniques with others.

Our new location has the space with prime frontage...location.location.location...and the time is getting near...to say I'm not a little scared would be an understatement...not scared of failure, so much, but scared of time...will I be able to make the time to get-er-done?

Today, I reflect on how when the boys were little and we were busy with school, sports, scouts, etc...I used to think, when these guys grow up, I'll have SO much time! Well, that's NOT the case...Together Phillip and I have grown a business as well. Kind of a 20+ year old fourth child, so to speak, but one that will never leave the nest...It's a kick ass, great business. We LOVE it!!! So why am I thinking about starting another business? Why?

It's time. It's time to get SERIOUS. Serious about creating a place I can create. A place where I can event plan. A place where I can laugh and share and learn with other like minded women...and men, I guess. I'm surrounded by men now...the entire shop is men! Men are creative too!

Everyone keeps asking me, "What is The Rusty Monkey?", when I mention it...

When will The Rusty Monkey be open?

In a nut shell, the Rusty Monkey will be a place where artistic and creative workshops will be offered. Classes to learn a plethora of creative pursuits...

home decor elements - wall art, art canvases, signage, faux painting, etc.

dimensional mixed-media, re-purposed and salvage art

jewelry making - soldering, resin casting, beading, etc.

yard art - rusty goods, found objects, etc...

Open studio events...seasonal market places for sales of found objects and art creations...fun gatherings of minds. I'm even hoping to entice other instructors in specialized arenas to come teach and share their knowledge...and offer open space for their own "trunk sales" on their day(s) of teaching.

I just want to share and have fun. I want to create a place, a place big enough to spread out, but still cozy enough to feel connected. A place to inspire and build lasting friendships.

All in due time...I'm getting closer...

Hope you enjoyed a bit of my collected inspiration...

Cheers!

Can you believe it? I'm actually on my blog!!!!

It feels like it's been FOREVER since I've blogged...and I guess it has! My feelings are correct!

Been VERY busy with SO much in life...


Project deadlines...theme park openings spanning the globe. Lots of long hours for the entire E.B. crew. Lots of new costume projects and deadlines. Work. Work. Work. All good, considering the alternative, but some days it truly feels like over-load...It IS over load...I guess my feeling are again correct!

One that's out the door...Big Rock Candy Mountain...photo credit and article link

Kyle is home on leave from Korea.

A.J. graduated from high school.

Our favorite...one and only family dog, Wonka had to be put down un-expectedly due to complications of diabetes...we didn't even know he was diabetic...and he was NOT vet appointment deprived by any means...the symptoms just came on fast and were irreversable..Not a happy time for any of us...

We have a new back porch. We love it. Especially since it will keep rain from dumping down on the new (almost 3, or maybe even 4 years old! My how time really does fly!) door.

We are trying to get settled in the new shop, but really, just landed and hit the ground running full-steam ahead.

The Rusty Monkey wall started to be built today. YAY!!! That is a happy adventure down the road...
that road is getting shorter...I hope!

Lots going on...

LOTS!!!

Just wait until this is done....I hope it will look something like this...

A SERIOUSLY WONDER WALL!!! Thanks to Layla and Kevin Palmer over at the Lettered Cottage for the inspiration....

Cheers!!!

Beauty and the Beach

Today's Creative Team Wednesday's featured piece over on ICE Resin's site is a little experiment I did while at the Oregon Coast Art Camp over my birthday weekend last month. Wow! That was seriously a LONG sentence!!!

I love how it turned out. Usually, I'm primarily using the resin to fill in bezels, to cast into molds, or to coat a surface.

This time, I just used a toothpick as a paint brush to "draw" a heart and fill it in...a mix of crafting techniques...painting meets color-flow icing. That's why it's SO much fun to play with all the ideas in your arsenal - from cake decorating to sewing to home decor.

Don't be afraid. If you do it exactly like everyone else does it, there would never be anything new to learn!!!

So, go experiement. On Wood. On Stones. On Metal. On Fabric...Whatever...let every surface be a canvas!

I can't wait to see what you come up with...Please share! I love innovation....