Third

I hope this post makes sense, I am typing under the influence of NyQuil...

Today was very productive yet again for 'A Bee & A Lily'! In case you are wondering, 'A Bee & A Lily' is the business my Mother and I created. We take found glass items and create serving pieces, candlesticks, bird feeders, sun catchers, and art. We also cut fun images out of tin and paint them up ' real purdy like ' so they will hang nicely on a front door or wall. We are working on expanding our repertoire by adding pottery to the mix ( keep your fingers crossed ).

As I was saying, I got a lot of tin cut and painted today. I also came up with a new design for the Mardi GRAS Season...a King Cake! This is my creation for the day. At first, I wasn't going to post it. I thought it was somehow a cop-out. After thinking about it, though, I realized it was something that I made. I took an image in my head and brought it to life. I think that counts! So, the King Cake is my art for the day!

Second Creation

Day two has come and gone. I worked all day in our wood shop cutting metal for an order that we just got from Little Miss Muffin in New Orleans. I'm now cleaned up and snuggled in by my fireplace playing with my Christmas present, a.k.a my iPad.

Since I am an artist, I had to get some cool apps to play with on my iPad. OmniSketch is a drawing app that I am currently doodling around with. Here are some things I quick sketched this evening... My creation for the day.

First day. First Creation

The year has begun and I have started my challenge. I have given myself the task of creating something every day for the next year. It does not have to be perfect, or sellable, or beautiful. It just has to be something I have created with my own two hands. 

Tonight I made a necklace with beads that I have had stored in a box on my shelf for a year. When I bought these beads, I had this necklace in my mind. The colors are pink, turquoise, and smokey topaz... A juicy explosion of color!

Another New Beginning

Today is the last day of the year 2011. And with the new year comes new beginnings.

TBS has been airing "Julie and Julia" a lot lately. I adore this movie. I love how both women, who are extraordinary, feel they could do more and actually get off their bottoms and do it! They both challenge themselves and move forward. They twist and squirm with struggles and overcome them with laughter and tears. They may have moments of self loathing and doubt, but they somehow manage to succeed. They are a blessed example of how to get it done.

I want this experience. I want to set a goal of growth and fight my way through it to the glorious end. I am not necessarily looking forward to the disappointments and crying spells, but I know it will be worth it in the end!

So here goes. I am going to post a tiny, insignificant blog everyday. This little blip on the radar will be something I have created that day. Yup! An art a day. I may slip up a time or two, I have to be realistic with myself, but I am going to give this my all! Along with my daily job of painting, cleaning, washing, tin working, glass gluing, child rearing, dog walking, cooking, bill paying/organizing, emailing, advertising, husband loving, and everything else, I am going to create something, perfect or not, and post it here for the world to see!

Repurposed Toolbox

I bought this rusted old toolbox for $1.00 at an estate sale the other day. I could not pass it up! It was all metal and had the removable shelf on the inside too. The top opened and closed great. There was one little ding but I knew I could pound that out with a mallet.

I brought my prize home and grabbed some steal wool, soap and water and mallet. I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. Then I used the mallet and pounded the ding back flat.

 Once things were clean, I sprayed the entire box down with a nice cream RustOleum paint.

 I taped off the edges and sprayed the inside a pretty blue RustOleum paint.

Once the RustOleum paint was in place, I brought the toolbox inside to add my artistic flavor.

I DID IT!

As stated in a previous post, I am a HUGE procrastinator! I have tons of wonderful ideas. I make sure to announce my idea and run right out and buy all the supplies needed to make it. I do this public and financial commitment in hopes that since I said the idea out loud to the world and actually spent money on it, I would get off my butt and do it. However, the idea usually ends up filed away in the 'later gator' folder in my brain and craft/art room(s).

This has been my pattern for as long as I have known myself. Many who love me and support me have tried to nudge me along when needed. And from that nudge I probably hop a step or two forward, but never all the way to the end. Then my husband comes along... He does not nudge. He slaps the facts down and stares me right in the eyes and thrust me forward. He may be rough about it, but it works...as long as I have my mother balancing things out by nudging me kindly. Don't get me wrong, James is not cruel or abusive. He is just strong and has a good way of explaining things to me.

So with him pushing me firmly and my mother loving me all the way, I have accomplished one of my dreams! I was scared to death, but I moved forward! I took my feeling of not being worthy and shoved it in the dirt! I am now selling my artwork to a boutique in New Orleans!!! They bought several pieces and placed orders for more! My artwork is worthy! People other than my family and friends really like it! WOOOWHOOOO!! Go ME! Now for the next boutique...

Mosaic Crab

Mosaic RedFish

Mosaic Crawfish

My dreams are coming true! I am going to work hard and keep the ball rolling.

Cookie Story

Last September, my step-son and I brought home a baby puppy. We named him Cookie. ...this could not have been a more perfect name for the personality that came from this pup.

Baby Cookie Pup ( he started out WAY smaller than this)

Cookie Pup and his old shoe...which he eventually chewed to oblivion

He started out small and kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger! He still has not stopped growing! Unfortunately, Cookie still thinks he is little and has yet to realize that he can not fit under certain things anymore... tv trays, my recliner, our bed, etc. James especially hates when he tries to get under the tv tray and ends up wearing it like a horse saddle...there goes dinner.

James and I decided the fuzzies need a day out at the land. I loaded Chester and Cookie up and off we went. We were there quite a while, so I decided to let Cookie be Cookie...

 

Now you know our lovely baby fuzzy's personality...

So here is the story...

I have been busy painting several mosaic paintings for the outside artwork. I had just finished the mosaic alligator, had it propped up under the kitchen table, and was busy painting the mosaic crawfish. Cookie was in his usual spot, asleep right beside me. All the windows were open, because it was a beautiful Spring day and I decided to air the house out. You could hear all kinds of noises, like cars passing, people riding bikes down the road, etc. 

Cookie jumped up and started blowing and making sharp muffled growls. I assumed he heard something outside and was doing his best to scare whatever away. I looked up and saw...

LOL....

dear, sweet, silly Cookie with all his hair standing straight up, prowling all around the mosaic alligator painting! Yes, he was quite scared and was doing his best to seem brave and run the gator off.

Atleast I now know my painting looks as realistic as a mosaic critter can.

Thanks, Cookie, for the compliment