In Bloom

I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you I haven't been in a funk for a LOoooOONg time now,
  All of this rain, and yucky weather,  not to mention the rotten economy,  and people repeatedly asking me how the shop is doing,  yadda,  yadda,  yadda.
  well,  eventually it's like chinese water torture and I can no longer TAKE it!
  In fact my mood has been so brutal lately that I spent some days in bed this week.
  I never do that.
 buy Shoooeey,  it felt great!
Great to just lie there and do absolutely NOTHING but read a book,  or a magazine,  and catch up with all of those scary ghost shows I DVR.  ha ha ha!
  Well people, you can only do that for so long in my world....
  So today, I felt the clouds parting,  and the fog lifting.
Slowly but surely.
  Sometimes this happens to creative people,  and regular old fashioned folks too,  and it's tough...but you CAN get through it!
  The Shop is plugging away JUST FINE by the way,  i'm not going anywhere......we have lots of new merchandise coming in,  and more lovely things coming in on the Horizon.
 We will weather this storm,  just like generations before us.
 So don't worry!
  In fact,  my ONE suggestion to people out there,  is if you want to dig yourself out of a depressing black hole,  STOP WATCHING THE NEWS!  START thinking positive,  and maybe as a country we can start this whole collective consciousness of positive thinking,  and maybe some good things will start to happen!
 funny thing is,  I never watch the news anyways!  ha ha ha!
but that little tid-bit was for those of you that DO.
 O.k.,  moving ON.   (you know how I like to keep it real here folks)
  SO! The sun has been out,  and we have been spending more and more time out doors.  it's been fantastic!
  MUDDY mind you,   but great nevertheless.

 the dog even has a spring to her step

 I will say,  thank Goodness for little dogs,  you can just whip them into the kitchen sink when they get muddy, which of course is every,  bloody SECOND you let them out these days,  but HEY!   i'll take mud any day over freezing temps!!!

 WE have enjoyed having the sweet sunshine on our faces....

and playing at the park

or creating in our bright and cheerful new living room...


 in fact perhaps it was that little girl of mine that helped me come up with my new creation......she is a perpetual source of inspiration,  and seriously SO full of life and happiness,  I have never seen anyone quite like her.

  She will look at the sunny side of things at ALL times,
today she found a heart in her pizza crust

here,  let me help you  (gosh I love photoshop!  ;)


 So today, being surrounded with all of these happy little people,  I started with something new........
working with a combination of materials,   wood,  paint,  canvas,  glue, paper,  and even a torn up tin can!

  I started to make some flower-people-canvas-thingeys.
maybe you'll think they are weird.
but I was actually kind of excited about them.
excited that maybe,  just MAYBE I am crawling out of my creative stalemate.
 So happily working along,  this is what I came up with....

layering vintage text on canvas,  and painting wood, the flowers part made out of a tin can that was cut and layered with paper.  (my Mom would KILL me if she new I wasted 10 cents on that returnable,  so SHHHHHH!  don;t tell!   :)
  I actually used 3!   lordy lordy!   



can you tell I'm pretty happy with them?  hee hee!
 but PLEASE,  be honest,  tell me,  do you like them?
or are they weird?
go ahead,  I can take it.


I liked laying in my bed.   ha ha ha!  :)


 Now after I made these two,  I had to pick up kids from school,  and headed out to run some errands,  namely getting the kids some new clothes because they're growing like weeds,
can I tell you there is NOT anything cute and exciting out there for girls right now.  unless you shop online.
that Miniboden is TOO die for,  but I was going cheap today.
just a few t-shirts,  and shorts.
  So while I was at Target picking up peanut butter,  and toilet paper,  I wandered over into the accessories aisle, 
and scored myself some really cute earrings for DIRT CHEAP.

for $8.99 are they not the cutest little things?
mind you, it's not that I want to encourage buying from these  big box stores,  but sometimes I can't help myself.  (im sorry)
  so of course,  after I accessorized I needed a tiny bit of makeup,
and found this adorable new line over there called
"pixi"
the name alone is adorable,  so I had to buy some.
eye-bag concealer of course.

i go through gallons of that stuff!  ha ha ha!
after all i'm in bed all day.   JUST KIDDING!
anyways,  this comes with a little hi-lighter and some eyebrow
pink glowing stuff,  so I am thinking it's gonna work some pixi-magic type thing on me,  we shall see.
  anyways,  came home after the shopping extravaganza,  and finished up my last flower girl-kooky-canvas thing......
so now there are 3.





with TEETH!   hee hee.
 so that's THAT!
 I am done for the day,  it's only 1:16 in the A.M.!
but Hey!  I accomplished quite alot today,  and am thrilled at the rusty wheels starting to turn again.....
  I hope all of you out there are doing o.k. too!
 Just Know we are ALL in this together,  we WILL get through it!
  SO remember to try and look at the silliest of things,  take time to smell those flowers,  peak under those muddy leaves,  and see the new things sprouting.... there is beauty in the simplist of things,  and we have SO much to be happy for!

(or on the other hand, you could give yourself that extra day in bed,  I promise I won't tell a SOUL!  :)
xoxoxoxoxo




 

Comments

[Diane]

Yeah, I know what you mean it is a funk I am so sick of all this negative news, we have to make people think more positive crazy stuff. I loved that Pizza Heart Darling.
Hugs, Diane

[connie]

I just found your blog..and so glad I did. Those "girls" are adorable, definitely an "up-cycle"!

[stephanie]

No news-watching here, either! I can't stand the sensationalism. I would much rather stop by your place and see happy things - like your lovely new flower girls - they are FANTASTIC! Put a smile on my face. :)

[Kim turner]

catherine...you rock!!! You said everything I needed to hear today! Thank you for that!!!! And I love your flower people! ;) kim

[mabelle]

Hi!!
I L-o-V-E your super cutie flower girlies!! They are so cheery and super trendy! Have a sunny day!

[Rebecca Townsend]

I'm a "glass half full" type of gal, and my optimism bugs people sometimes, but it's better than moopy "glass half EMPTY" anyday!! Keep your chin up, enjoy your little flower girls (and that pretty real one too!) and know that the SUN ALWAYS RISES even though it's cloudy sometimes!!!

[kris gilbert]

I always love checking in to see what great creative things you're up to & I'm never disappointed. Today though as I read your post, you really hit the nail on the head! I too have been in a 'funk' & last night just had the biggest 'cry' & I'm not really sure over what, or what triggered it, but it happened & Man, today, it's snowing, & 30degrees colder than yesterday, but DANG!! Life is GOOD!! Feels like the light at the end of the tunnel & I can not wait to get creative in my own home!! Thanks for keeping it real!!

[Tara]

I love the new flower girly thingies! Super cute, supre springy..super girlie! perfect! I am glad you are coming out of your funk, sometimes it is hard, but you are right we are all in this together and we will get out of it. I agree with your friend Rebecca, better to be a glass is half full person then moopy! Keep creating!

[julie thompson]

LOVE your flower people!

[Diane]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new art.

[Jen]

Another thumbs up for the flower people--love all the layers, I'll bet they're even better in person with all the depth and texture!
I'm also done with winter and dreariness. The last few weeks I've been wondering exactly why we moved back to Massachusetts from North Carolina (where it was 83 degrees the other day when it was snowing here!). I keep reminding myself for family and to be close to the ocean--certainly not for the winter weather!! Spring is definitely coming!

[LISA]

I'm right there with you sister on the being in a funk! Our weather here in Mississippi is starting to be nice and is really putting me in a creative spirit. Time to do something with all the projects I have plans for in my home. I think your flower people are wonderful and just the right whimsy to brighten the day, need one in my kitchen.
God Bless!!!!!!!!

[Elma Riedstra]

OH I just love the flowers!! Will you be selling them?? Love the weather to. I t feels so good doesn't it? Have a wonderful week.

[a mckinney]

there has to be something with sun and energy, but i love to hear your version...have to admit that i find myself checking your blog to see what you have....i guess you are my crutch :) hey, the market was up for two days BIG, and spring is getting closer.....i think you are a wonderful inspiration girl!

[JunkerJane]

:D Great post!! And great pics! Those flower people are super!

You know, those times that we have to lie in bed doing nuthin and we always feel down and depressed as if we shouldn't be doind nuthin, but I think that's the only way we will ever just lie down and do nothing :D
All work work work!! Artists can't live like that!!

I'm glad you are back!

[Courtney McClellan]

I also love the pixi!

[Julie]

A little quirky, very creative and oh-so-adorable! I LOVE your flower people!!!

Love your little sweetie with her heart discovery, too! I had to scroll back up the post and look at her happy face again. Made me smile.

Pretty earrings. :)

[Becci]

I have felt exactly the same way lately both creatively and otherwise. I agree it is hard to find good Girl stuff lately. I started my own line just to combat the lack! Check it out on my blog. One of the sets is in the March 5th entry. So cute...embellished denim, peasant skirts and crocheted hats! Love it...

[suzanne b.]

Catherine, I'm so sorry to hear you've been in a funk, but so delighted to read your real stream-of-conscious report on it all. You are just the biggest delight.

I LOVE the flower people . . . and what a great touch the teeth are! :)

xxoo