Living Inside a Box

We are still living here in our apartment for a few more weeks. Move in day is October 11 and I can't wait. Sam has started school which is freeing my time somewhat, but am dealing with reacclimating here in St. Louis and the tiny apartment which seems to be closing in on me more each day. I leave on Friday to visit my dad in Williamsburg. We are at the cusp of putting him in an assisted living facility by my sister. The decision is difficult but it is a safety issue as of now. Art has been almost non-existent but this piece is the sign in page from my new altered calendar that needs to be sent off next week. Just a bit of doodling to add interest. Enjoy the fall!!!!

Stampaway 2007

What a crazy time for our family. We arrived in St. Louis in the middle of the night on the 2nd and I left to return to Cincinnati with Tracy on the 8th for Stampaway. I can't even remember how many years I've been attending, but I think this is my 7th year teaching. I loved the clocks that were done in Time of Your Life. They really took off and had a ball doing them. My favorite class was my new stampbord class...LOVED IT...... It was fun to see everyone try the new techniques. THANKS TO EVERYONE IN BOTH CLASSES!!!!

Tracy and I had a great time at Stampaway and cavorting about Ohio. We hit an antique mall in Springfield on Friday and I managed some finds. I bought two vintage windows and two post boxes. Both are for the new house. We hit the ground running at the Friday preview party. Tracy loved the new designer for IO, Leigh Hannan, so we spent a long time there. I already had all but two designs that I wanted so my damage wasn't as great. We also had to by soldered charms for necklaces from Artful Illusions . That family is one of the nicest I've met so I enjoyed plunking down a lot of dough there. Last year I bought a lot of their unmounteds and totally missed the jewelry so it was nice that I could poke through their stash this year. Connie's party was a fun time as usual. The usual cast of characters were there as well as a special guest, Carol Duvall. We spent a lot of time chatting with the JudiKins crowd both at the booth and the party. They are always fun and inspirational at the same time. I've been a longtime JudiKins fan.

Now it is back to the grind in our one bedroom apartment! Here is my temporary email address: nancycurry1@gmail.com if anyone needs me.

Perhaps

This artwork sums up our week. We lost the sale of our house because of Joe, our sex offender that lives on our cul-de-sac. Apparently because he plea bargained and did his 8 week stint in jail and a few weeks in counseling, he can go on with his life while ruining ours. No one can make him leave unless he keeps his yard unkempt. It doesn't matter that he wants to chat/meet/greet underage girls. So we are still moving next week and the house will sit. Sit. Sit. Perhaps it will sell. Perhaps it won't. Perhaps ..............................

On a more positive note, this is a piece ( 6 x 12" canvas) I did for the art auction for charity at Stampaway. I am quite pleased with it. On my regular website there is a duplicate that I did for my bff, Deb....That one is in Tuscan colors that will go with her house. I do love working with stampboard. It is great for home deco.

New email until we move into our house is nancycurry1@gmail.com . No new posts until we are in the apartment!

Movers and Shakers

We are nine days from the movers beginning the four day process of packing and crating for storage. But GOOD NEWS ............... the Curry abode is S O L D !!!!!!!! That development was Wednesday but I think it has taken me a few days to know that it is real. No rest for the weary, though, because the move is imminent, but at least we don't have to worry about it standing after we are gone. Prep continued this week for my Stampaway clock class. I think drilling took me 6 hours or so, but all canvases and matboard are drilled. I have to write the instructions, and pack the kits this week. It will be nice to have that done as well. The picture today again isn't art, but it is the first pic that Jim, Sam and I have been in since she was a baby. It was taken on the cruise and I think we will use it for our XMAS cards this year. Enjoy............

Chez Curry

Well, here is a non art-related picture.....our new house that's going up in Missouri. Jim stopped by tonight and this is the first pic I have seen so I had to share. I am busily prepping for my Stampaway classes that need to be finished before the movers come. Today's fodder included packaging up clock movement pieces and painting 70 canvases black. Everything is coming along, although I have to admit it is difficult doing this in the middle of prepping for 2-3 months of storage. I have to keep telling myself it will all get done. It will all get done. It will all get done..............yada yada yada.

Up, Down and All Around

These days I spend a lot of time going from up to down. Today was a down. I see other houses selling in the neighborhood, yet mine can't even get an offer. This puzzle piece for an "opposites" puzzle parallels my up and down mood. I love to play with patterning and love to doodle so I spent the afternoon on this piece while Sam was going up and down at the gym.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have an up. Who knows..............

Home Stretch

We are home from our wonderful trip to the Mediterranean. I have officially fallen in love with Rome. The flora, fauna, and flavor were just so wonderful....all except the taxi drivers. The rest of our trip was as wonderful. We saw so many begininings of civilizations that it is hard to pick a favorite but if I had to I would say the pyramids at Giza. They are amazing. Even more amazing is the fact that our party all traveled in a four foot wide and tall, downward angled passageway about 150' into Chephren's pyramid. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Had I known what it was going to be like, I might now have gone, but I am glad I did now that I am sitting in Cincinnati.

The cruise itself was wonderful, too. We did a lot, but also were able to relax some, too. It was wonderful to be on the trip with our chosen family from Boston, and equally as wonderful to still have that bond after eight years apart. We are very lucky to have friends like that.

Now it is back to the grind. We have a month left and then everything will be in storage until October. I am busily prepping for class here tomorrow and packing my materials for the Stampaway class will be a priority in the coming weeks. The moving man cringed today when he saw my studio. That's all I'll say about that.

Coloring Outside any Lines

Well, Sammi is finally on the mend and the house is still on the market. Our new house in St. Louis will be started at the beginning of June so this chaos will continue into the fall. My friend, Deb, inspired this ATC from top to bottom. She brought me back these Technique Tuesday petal stamps http://techniquetuesday.com from Florida. They are so petite that they are a perfect size for cards and ATCS. I must confess that I bought two of the larger sets on my own after that. She also found the text stamp and thought I needed it, too, since it is the title of my blog. I finally got around to using both today. It was fun being down in the studio again even if just for an hour or so. I worked on some charms for a mingle, too, and I am very pleased with them as well. I hope this trend continues that I can get down there once in a while just to scratch that art itch.

May Day

My best friend started me on the tradition of May Day baskets when we lived in St. Louis in the 1990s. I didn't grow up with that tradition, but thought it was wonderful each year when one was delivered to us. Well, I have my own imaginary basket today that is filled with the blessings that have been delivered to us over the last couple of weeks. Our house is up for sale and we have had a number of showings, but no buyers. Words have been critical, but I am trying to see the big picture and know that there will be a buyer for us. My father seems to be articulating better and we have had some great conversations together. I don't mind playing "fill in the blank" when he is showing me he wants to talk. Finally, Sammi is back in school this week and is recovering from her gym accident from last Monday night. She plowed into the high bar with her head before falling to the ground and jamming her knees into her face. We are very lucky that she had only multiple level 2 concussions and bursa fluid in her knees. After three days of "brain rest" she was sort of back to her old self. She is still on crutches but even the knees seem to be getting better. Unfortuately for her, she had to miss her regional competition in Indy, but we are just happy she is on the mend. No art pics today, but there are pics from her in the ER and taking 2nd on beam at state last month. Anyone who has my book knows how much I love her, but not everyone knows what "heart" she has to push through as many obstacles as she has had. I celebrate her "heart" today.

Diffusion

I've spent a lot of time during the past three months diffusing life's curveballs, but more keep getting thrown at us. The house is now up for sale as of Friday and we have had our first showing. They are marketing the house with a working studio so it doesn't have to be as pristine as the rest of the house. My foot still isn't healed so I have to be off of it as much as possible. I can't believe that it is still not right after about 12 weeks. The boot and I have become one soul. We are probably going to build a house in St. Louis but I'll know more about that next week. The builder took forever to get us a cost analysis, but I love the lot. I'll post a pic if that happens next week. Unfortunately I had to pull out of Artiscape so I can get my body healed. Lisa's event has been one I have always wanted to go to, but never seemed to be able to because of Sam's competing season. It had worked out this year and I was eager to teach. I hope it goes well for everyone. The piece featured in this post is for my calendar exchange. It is the first art I've sat down to do in weeks (watercolor, permanent markers, sprits bottle, Hampton Arts stamp.)

Once Upon A Time

I've spent a lot of time this past week thinking about "once upon a time." No conclusions on why things can't be as good, but definitely thinking about it. Hence, the piece of art above that I did yesterday while cleaning out my studio to put the house on the market. I can only hope that some day in the future I'll be able to look back on this and reminisce fondly!

Teal...all day...all the time

I had a lot of fun working with some leotard patterns to do this teal challenge on one of the Yahoo lists I am on. Sam leaves today on a bus for Orlando and I fly out tomorrow morning. She doesn't compete until Saturday so I am hoping to get out into the sunshine while we are there a little bit.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

True Blue

I can't believe it is already February. It does look like we'll be relocating this year to St. Louis.....a trying time this has been for all three of us. My time has been spent beginning to get the house de-cluttered, but not too much art has been happening. This week, though, I sat down and did this piece of canvas for a mingle.

Time of Your Life

Time just keeps marching on...........I can't believe that it is already Dec 1! Thanksgiving passed quickly and was quite fun. I did my typical Black Friday shopping spree at 4 am and then was exhausted by noon. I was able to finish the first Stampaway class before I picked Dad up at the airport, but then was not able to finish the second class until yesterday.....the due date, of course. I am pleased with the concept.........but always hate running at a deadline.

Next up.......cleaning my studio, I mean..."the pit." I am tired of working in a 4" area..............

A Golden Life

I finally had a chance to work on some art. This month has been a roller coaster and I have not felt creative at all. My dad seems to be better and hopefully his heart rate will stay above 40 so we don't have another scare during the holiday season. My sister was a real trooper once again, dropping everything to go down and make sure he is ok. I am not sure how long he'll be able to live on his own. 81 isn't a great age to be when you are trying to be independent.

This piece of art is just a study in monochromatic gold. It was a lot of fun putting together, although I really wish I could wiggle my nose and clear off my studio desk more than 7". Creating would be oh so nice if I could do that. Maybe I'll work on clearing a foot a day. Next up is the finishing of my Stampaway class for 2007. It is 95% done and I'll post a sample another day. My second offering will have to get finished after Thanksgiving. It is time to clean the house for family coming next week. More on that later.

Nostalgia

I created this puzzle piece and was overwhelmed by nostalgia.......I inherited a box of handmade gift tags (cut with pinking shears, hole punched and attached with curling ribbon) from my grandmother quite some time ago. All of our packages growing up used these tags and many of them had the type of graphic design that the tree epoxy stickers I used had. My childhood and the early '60s came rushing back and I could see more than just those trees. I find it interesting that one image can open the well for many more to come flashing back. Does anyone else have that happen???????

My 2007 schedule will be light due to probably relocation, but I am pleased to say that I will be teaching at Artiscape (May 4-7). I've wanted to participate in Lisa Ohmer's retreat for years but it normally has been during Sammi's competiting season. This year it is not. Check out European Papers for more info. I am sure it will be a great weekend!!!!

Happy Boo Day!

Well, it is the Friday night before Halloween and lo and behold, my plan is to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with Sammi. I love to relive those childhood favorite moments and this year it worked out that we were home from the gym to do it together. Fall has definitely hit here in Cincy, along with the rain and dreariness. I teach here locally tomorrow at Stamp Your Art Out and then will be taking a break for the holidays and throughout most of her competing season that begins in January. It's hard to believe that the holiday season is almost upon us, but knowing that our time changes tomorrow night, makes it a done deal. Last weekend we went to a corn field and went through a haunted maze. Yes, the ones with the chainsaws and zombies. I have been through indoor haunted places, but have never been outdoors in the dark, cold and seemingly evil field. It definitely ramped the scare up a notch. I worked on this Halloween card the next day. Enjoy!!!!!!

The time has been passing at super speed this fall. The faster I go, the more behind I seem to get. Hence, the name of this entry.....falling. I've had a busier than normal teaching schedule while getting Sammi back in school. My trip to Red Lead in September was terrific. I really enjoyed teaching there and getting to see a lot of old and new faces. My demo and classes were both well attended and I was able to socialize with Tracy and Leslie and did some more house hunting. The week before Red Lead I was able to pop into the A.R.T. weekend retreat to teach a shorter class and sign some certificates. I loved being able to put faces with names from that wonderful group as well. This weekend I went to Chicago to Carolina Moon and had a blast. Carolyn was a wonderful hostess and Chicago offered me a beautiful fall weekend. My classes again were well attended and those involved were excited and generous with their spirit. I was so glad to visit there again. I even got to meet Carolyn's cat, Mr. Moon. I have to say that he is one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen.

Artwise, I have been able to just barely keep up with class prep, my calendar and the other exchanges I signed up for in a moment of weakness. The piece below is an encaustic wax extra from a fat book exchange done for St. Louis. I love the contrast between the white and the magenta. I was able to get my class submissions done on time for Artiscape in May. I've never been able to submit before because Sam is usually competing then. I hope my classes were appealing. Stampaway classes are due at the end of next month. I'd better get cracking!!!!!!!!!!

My schedule is light for the rest of the year. Upcoming classes: Sat. Oct 28, Stamp Your Art Out, Cincinnati, OH.

ceLeBraTe

Stampaway is over for another year. It was quite a jampacked six days personally and professionally. It is wonderful to see the same people year after year and to feel the undercurrent of energy and excitement. My classes were well-filled and full of ladies that amazed and inspired me the whole time. I saw some fabulous color combinations and design strategies that I can't wait to try after my studio is CLEAN. That is my goal for this week since I need to gear up for four upcoming events. The piece of artwork above is a sample from my demo today (ignore the lousy paint job on the canvases. Time was critical.) I see a new class in the future................

I took my first carving class from Connie Newbanks early on Thursday. SHE IS OUTSTANDING! Tracy got in from St. Louis on Thursday after my Kaleidoscope class and we scurried out for dinner at Pappadeaux (horrible waiter, great company and conversation). Deb was indispensible to the smooth running of the class and as a chauffeur (my car's steering column ...R.I.P) and I just LOVE having her there with me. Friday's ATC class was sold out and Tracy effortlessloy kept everything running smoothly. We had a wonderful lunch in Glendale and a bit of shopping as well before I took Tracy to a quilting studio to see the quilting machine to end all machines. Friday night was the preview party and it was delightful to browse without being elbow to elbow. I DROPPED A LOAD ON PAULA BEST'S JEWELRY http://www.paulabestsilver.com/ . Saturday I had to leave my friends for a few hours while Sammi was choreographed on floor. I then returned to the convention center and spent some more shopping time with them. Dinner was at Vincenzo's and was fabuolous as was Connie's vendor/teacher party on Saturday night. An illusionist was there that knocked my socks off. Today's demo went fine and I did debut some brand new techniques from this week. I hope everyone enjoys playing with them!!!!!!!!

Off to get some well-needed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs.





Upcoming Class Schedule ............September: ART gathering, KY........... September: Red Lead, St. Louis, MO............ October: Carolina Moon, Chicago, IL.............October: Stamp Your Art Out, Cincinnati, OH

Happily Ever After?

It is August 1 and Jim, Sammi and I are settling into this new separated living arrangement....as well as can be expected. July brought much travel: St. Louis, Ann Arbor, and North Carolina so I am glad that August brings some time at hour to recoup. This ATC is a sample from a class I taught at Altercations..definitely the need for time at home with my family was in my unconsious.