A gift

Today, I'll show a collage that I made for a gift. It's on a 10x10 canvas. All of my work seems to have a central theme of birds. I can't seem to help myself. They must inspire me to create.

Happy Birthday, Ruby Doobie Do!

Ruby is 4 years old today. She can be such a love, and then that fast, be such a pain in the butt. I've never known a dog with a personality like hers. She is the boss. She gets what she wants, whenever she wants it. No exceptions...ever. Who'd have thought she could have wrapped a certain man around her little paw like she has? Scarlett just wants cake.

Look who stopped by

I'm going to come clean and admit that I have been secretly harboring jealousy. What does that have to do with birds , you ask? Well, here's the truth. My sister has the most incredible amount of these Goldfinches that show up at her feeders everyday. It's just amazing to see. We get plenty of the red bellied variety, but I could never attract these guys. We decided to try a different type feeder, and I think it's the solution. I was so thrilled to see them today.

Way too long

since I've posted on here. Ruby has reminded me that Scarlett has been the center of attention long enough. I've been away from my other passion way too long. I've missed my other creative outlet of collage making. I'm the type of person who gets singularly focused on one thing and it takes priority over everything else. My stitching is a priority, it's an everyday thing, but after a while I start to hear the nagging voice of other creative pursuits. Ignoring it no longer, I sat down the other day and made these journals. I'll put them on my Etsy shop and see if there's any interest. Speaking of Etsy, I'm almost at the point of being tired of painting my little needlework accessories. I love it that people have been so receptive, but if I get to the place where it's no longer fun, it ends there.

I'd like to give a shout out to my dear sis-in-law, Julie, who's recovering from surgery. She recently pointed out that I've been neglecting this blog. She's right, so this post is for her. Get well soon, Julie, and make your way to the warm sun soon.

Too stinkin'hot...

here in AZ, for most flowers right now. These are from my brother's garden in IL. He was kind enough to send the picture so I can enjoy them, too. Hydrangeas are so beautiful, and one of my favorites. I just came in from watering what few plants we have left. My geraniums are gasping for air, the roses are just sad, and everything else is about to give up. I hate this time of year. I miss my patio. Everything is covered with a film of dust from the monsoons, and hunkered down so nothing will blow away. I long to sit out there and listen to the birds, which are also keeping a low profile on these hot days. I see them gathering in the birdbath, splashing and cooling off. At least, July is almost over, and fall will be here eventually.

Funny story...sort of.

Remember the visitor from last week? The real owl? Well, my hilarious husband played a trick on me last night. We were in the middle of a monsoon storm, it was dark and raining like crazy. I walked out onto the patio to see if anything was getting wet, and I came face to face with this guy sitting on the fountain. I almost died, or had a heart attack at the very least. Believe me, he looked real in the dark. I froze in my tracks, and when I turned around, there was Paul laughing so hard. It must have blown off some one's something because Paul found it laying in the middle of the street. Pretty funny, honey! Not!

This family of Gambel's quail showed up in the yard this morning. They are scared off easily and hard to photograph. I was hiding behind a bush, that's the reason for the green corner. They are so cute when they run. Their little topknots are just a bobbing.

I love this shot. It's looks like Jr. is getting a scolding.

"Keep up children, and don't fall off. "

I think I should change the name of my blog to the Bird Blog!

Look who stopped by...

Yesterday afternoon, I was looking toward our big tree in the backyard, and saw a brown spot. At first, I thought it might be a swarm of bees. When I got close enough, I was stunned to see this owl perched on a branch. I have no idea how common they are to AZ., but I have never seen one before. We have heard one screeching in the middle of the night, but that was several months ago. This particular one wasn't camera shy and allowed me to take several pictures.
The eyes are what really got to me, kind of creepy and intense. I have to say that I am a little worried about Ruby and Scarlett. We've heard stories about small dogs being attacked by owls. We'll just have to be alert.

Feeling old, and yet still cool...

I always wondered when I was much younger what it would feel like to get old. I'm starting to find out. While I'm not exactly ancient and decrepit yet, I do feel old some days. Mostly, it's just my body. In my mind, I still think I'm pretty cool. I probably just dated myself with my use of the word cool. It was THE descriptive word of my youth, and I still like saying it. I'm positive that my kids would say that I'm anything but cool. They'll get it one day though. It's weird when you feel younger in your head than you look on paper. I still think cool thoughts in my head. I still like cool music. I love to play my all time band Crowded House loud and sing along when I'm painting or making something cool. Speaking of Crowded House, they have to be the most underrated band ever. I was fortunate to see them perform live in the early nineties. I'm so glad that they are still at it, sounding cooler than ever.

Maternity Tree

Today while I was filling a hummingbird feeder, I happened to look up into this tree, and I was surprised at what I saw. Nests everywhere. I counted seven, but there could be more. It's almost like a maternity ward. The doves are very tame, and they don't mind being photographed. I don't think all of the nests belong to doves. As I approached, several small birds flew away. It will be a busy place if they all hatch at the same time.

Mama #1

Mama #2

A box for cards

I took a cheap wooden box from Michaels. Painted and crackled it. Next came some vintage images. It will serve as a place to store my homemade cards. I need to work on some dividers for the inside. It was fun to work on something like this again.

Away too long

No, I haven't been on an extended vacation. I wish! I've just been MIA for awhile. Isn't this the cutest photo? It was on a Hallmark card that I received for my birthday awhile back. I haven't any recent art work or projects to show, but I hope to get back into it again. I miss my friends from Mystic Paper. Gotta get in there soon.

Cards...sending and receiving

I used some random stamps and a bird gift tag from Cavallini & Co. to make this card. I've had these tags forever, but I've been hoarding them. I also parted with a Tim Holtz metal tag. I love them, but I'm reluctant to use them, too. I wonder why I do that? I must be afraid that if I use them all up, I won't be able to admire them in my never ending stash of supplies. Makes no sense. I received the card below for my birthday last week from my niece. I had to show it off because it's just very cool. We are both into "stern looking woman with crowns", so of course, I love it. It opens up in a neat way to display a pocket holding a tea bag. Very clever.

Another fowl post...

I have to share a couple more pictures that I took the other day. I walked out the front door, and saw the ducks in the front yard. They were just walking around and checking things out. I sometimes see them in the lake on our community golf course, but never in our yard.

That same day, I saw the baby hummingbird in the back again. This time Mama was nearby, and I luckily caught a feeding. I'm sure that there's a nest somewhere, but I haven't found it yet.

My feathered friends.

Look who has taken up residence in our grapefruit tree. It is a very fragrant place to be this time of year. Nothing smells sweeter than citrus blossoms. I hope mama dove doesn't have allergies like me. I love spring, but it doesn't like me. Every bit of new growth in the yard reeks havoc with my sinuses, but who can stay inside when it's in the 80's?

I also spotted this hummingbird just hanging out. I must have taken twenty pictures and he/she just sat there unconcerned. I've never been able to get this close before, and they are usually flitting around looking for nectar. I love making these discoveries.

Nest

While watching my husband do yard work this morning, I discovered this bird's nest in our tree. Isn't nature amazing? It actually looks like it would be quite cozy inside. As you can see, the trees are budding and it gives me plenty of allergy issues, but I love spring. The color of the new leaves is one of my favorite shades of green.

I edited my original post because we believed that the nest belonged to a hummingbird. After hearing from my sister that it looks more like a finch nest, it probably is that. We have mostly finches at our feeders, so that would make sense, although we do have hummingbirds, too.

I finally made something

It has been forever since I made anything altered or as a collage. It felt good to finally play with paper again. I am so divided between my art and my stitching most of the time. I need to sometimes take a break from one to enjoy the other. I've been lucky enough to take two soldering classes taught by Josie Cirincione at Mystic Paper. It seems like everyone is soldering these days and it is lots of fun. Josie is a terrific teacher, so if you ever have a chance to take one of her classes, do it. Here is a necklace charm that I made for a friend. It's reversible, of course. The key can hang on either side as well. I originally wanted the key to hang from the bottom, but I couldn't get it to look right, plus I burnt my finger, so it's staying like it is. Those jump rings aren't my favorite thing to solder.

Back in the saddle

or should I say driver's seat? I've neglected my poor "Ruby" blog for so long. I have been so preoccupied with getting my Etsy shop opened and keeping it stocked. I've enjoyed painting again, but I'm getting the itch to start doing some collages or something with the vintage images I love. Don't give up on me. Here is a picture I took of the girls the other day. They were making themselves right at home on our bed, as usual.

Spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it.

I've been tagged!

My friend, Kim has tagged me to list five addictions. Only five? I have way more than that, but I'll play by the rules. Here goes:

1. collecting stuff... whether it be antiques, books, ephemera, charm bracelets, tin flat-backed cookie cutters, or pottery, I'm always on the lookout for more.

2. cross-stitching, especially samplers. My other blog is confirmation of that!

3. reality TV. My favorites are The Bachelor, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother. My husband doesn't get it either, Kim.

4. potatoes...mashed, fried, scalloped, and baked. I've never met a potato that I didn't like.

5. lastly, but not least of all, I have to say dogs. No surprise here. I could never imagine not sharing my life with at least one, or two, or three.

I'm now going to tag these five people: Rowyn, Kelcey, Sue, Cindy, and Becky

Fast Food

One of our regular visitors is enjoying feasting on this seed mitten. It looks like another is patiently waiting for their turn. My sister gave us some great gifts for feeding the birds. I've been saving these until the leaves all fell off the Arizona Ash tree, so I could actually see them as they dined. So far, only the finches have been able to partake, but I have no doubt that I'll see a dove swinging from it eventually.

A very special gift

As you all know, I love charm bracelets. I love the tinkling sound they make. I love the process of collecting the charms, and I love the stories they tell. They are little works of art that you wear. This Christmas saw one more added to my collection. My dear, dear friend Patti gave me a vintage bracelet that had belonged to her late mother. I was very fond of Nessie, and it goes without saying that I am extremely touched by this gift. Patti believes that the bracelet dates back to WWII. Two of the charms are a Jeep and a tank that says U.S.A. It also has several movable charms like a carousel with horses that go round, a grand piano, teapot, and mailbox that all open. My two favorites are a push mower with blades that turn and a wringer washer that spins. There is even a miniature spark plug, which is very appropriate since Patti's family made their home in the Detroit area. Thank you, Patti. I'll treasure it always.