"Dear Diary..."

12 women...

I received an e-mail today, one of those things that I'm supposed to fwd to 12 women in the next 15 minutes, etc., etc.
I don't normally pay much attention to that kind of thing, but this one also suggested that I should imagine those 12 women together, in the same room, and that as a group, they could accomplish anything.
THAT made me think.
also made me laugh, as in lol.
who would you include in your group of 12?
and remember, they're supposed to accomplish something, and not kill each other in the process!
oh, and it also had a very cool quote at the bottom:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to
dance in the rain."
I remember as a child, playing in the rain puddles with my mother after stretches of hot, dry summer days.
those warm rains, that brought relief from the heat and humidity of our non-air-conditioned-three-room-upper flat.
when I think back, we had so little, but we had so very much.
it's raining right now, I may have to go find some puddles...

thought for the day

last week I had a few experiences that left me feeling a bit powerless.
don't like that feeling.
found this quote on Ricë Freeman-Zachery's blog, and it reminded me of the person I hope to become:

Powerful Women's Motto:

Live your life in such a way that when your feet
hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and
says....."Oh Shit .... she's awake!"

later,
Patty

no excuses

I have been absent from this blog for awhile, and although I have excuses, there are not any that I really care to share in detail.
let's just say, it's been a tough few weeks.
and on top of all the crap going on, I've had a bad cold/allergies/flu/something that kept me down for over a week, and coughing and dragged out for over another.
still very tired, and I have so very much to do.
there have been some good things that have also happened, and I will elaborate on those later.
just wanted those few of you that check in regularly to know that I'm alive, not completely well, but working on it.

next art event in my life:
I will be the featured artist at Weathered Goods in Green Bay for the Main Street summer Gallery Night, Thursday, June 19th, 5-8 pm.
if you're in the area, please stop by for some wine, snacks, and a visit.

later,
Patty

p.s. happy Mothers' Day!

blog for a year contest

I should probably have a category for "marketing" - yuch, don't you hate that part of this art business stuff??
but, I came across this quite by accident, and decided I would enter.
The Blog for a Year competition is an experiment in social sponsorship.
the winner will be awarded a year-long contract to blog full time on a blog of his or her own choosing.
the award is funded by donations from participants and sponsors.
even if you don’t win, it’s a great way to have your blog discovered by other people who may not normally find it.
free advertising and networking, gotta love that.
all you have to do is go here and vote.
it doesn't cost anything, you can vote every day, the contest ends Jan. 1, 2008.

as I spend more and more time on my blog, I realize just how much more I could do with it, not only for myself and my business, but for others.
winning the contest would give me the chance to develop my blog’s potential, eliminate the need for a separate website, and give back to the internet community that has been so supportive to me.
not to mention pay off a couple of bills, and buy that printer I've been saving for!
and I want to, someday, pay it forward…
so, go and vote, vote every day, send this to everyone you know, you get the idea.
and thanks!

later,
Patty

quick note

just a quick note, I'm working on several things at once, and have been a bit stressed out.
and the weather hasn't helped - yesterday was just horrible!
but one look at this, and you just have to smile!
maybe even giggle a little.
and with April 15th fast approaching, I'm sure a lot of you could use a giggle.
I now have them e-mailed to me daily - thanks John and Brenda!
pass it on.
later,
Patty

time flies

I really don't know where this week went!
between vet appointments (Thumper has an auto-immune disease, so we're on more meds - oh, joy!), juggling cars so we could get one in for repairs, dental & doctor appointments for both of us, and trying to get some new work done, it just flew!
I received a gift certificate for the Asian American Cafe in the mail this week, from The Art Garage.
it was an "honorable mention" award for the napkin show.
hope I can get down there soon, to see all the entries.
my friend Brenda, and her husband, John, are coming up tonight.
she is judging at a music festival in Fish Creek tomorrow, so we'll hang out tonight, pizza & snacks & wine, and then tomorrow, when she's done, we'll go out for dinner before they head for home.
haven't thought of a place to go, yet, but we'll figure it out later.
I better get to town, have a few groceries to pick up, and some last-minute stuff, to make the house "company-ready."
later,
Patty

drum roll, please...

well, you get the idea.
the winner of the "I'm closing my cafepress shop sale" contest is Diane Aucoin, from Canada!
congratulations, Diane, and your "prize package," including the Goddess of the Hunt tote bag, is on it's way.
everyone else who entered will be receiving a little something, also, so watch your mailbox.
thanks to all who participated.
have to get back to work, have been very busy, getting ready for Saturday's show.
I'm making some new postcard/tag things - will do show and tell before I pack up Friday.
later,
Patty

winter storm blues

well, this is a winter storm!
have not had snow like this since we moved here - they cancelled church services next door!
before it's all over tomorrow, the prediction is 16" for this part of Door County!
I've been up since before 6 am, worried about Patrick getting home from work.
it took a long time, as Hwy D had not been plowed, but he made it.
not sure he'll be able to get to work tonight, though.
the drifting is incredible!
glad we stocked up on everything, and I have lots of projects to do.
we may be here awhile...

working on another circular, mandala design.
I'm really enjoying these.
there is a very cool website that explains the concept much better than I could, and my "pink mandala" has been posted on their gallery.
back to work,
everyone stay warm, and drive carefully, if you must,
later,
Patty

a little bird told me

the sun is shining on Wisconsin again, and the temperature is rising!
and it makes such a difference in my attitude.
it won't be long, and Snickers and I will be able to have our morning coffee on the porch.
can't wait!
have been very busy, designing and making for upcoming shows.
here's another one:

not sure what the pink is all about, but I love these mandala designs, using bits and pieces, beads, buttons, stitches.
the center is an old bottlecap with a mirror glued in it.
better get back to work, Snickers will be asking about his w-a-l-k pretty soon.
later,
Patty

I felt it very cold...

I am so crabby today.
woke up that way.
don't really have a reason, so I'm blaming the weather.
cabin fever, I guess.
on the brighter side of things, I've listed a few of my greeting cards on Etsy, and sold one today!
yes, just one card... but it really pleases me!
I enjoy selling the cards wholesale, but I never get to interact with any of the customers, other than the shop owners, of course.
finished a little collage for Chinese New Year:

hope it brings some good luck!
(hmmm...Hunan beef sounds good right about now...maybe tomorrow when I go to town...)
later,
Patty