CATZ - Drawing Lab 2011 - First Assignment

In my life,
I have owned many cats.
I love cats!
My favorite cats were Pinkie and Sam.
They were both incredibly important in my life although they lived many years apart.
When I signed up for Jeanie's Drawing Lab 2011,
I didn't know what I was in for.
Now, that I do,
It's so much fun!
Each Sunday,
Jeanie sends us our weekly assignment.
I was amused to see the first one.
"Draw Cats," she said.
"Hmmmmmmmmmmmm," I said, "Cats?"
Okey dokey.
Little did I realize how challenging this would be.
I love cartooning, and it is a form of drawing,
so,
off I went to draw cats.
Well, here are my first cats.
They are more shape than shading.
I decided I wanted to have a little bit of fun with my "final" project, so
I was off to doodle and draw.
Art is clearly and expression of the mind and the creative side.
I'm not sure what this says about me,
but here it is:
CATZ!

All I can say it was fun!
Check out Jeanie's drawing lab!
The assignment for this week is
BIRDS!
What shall I do?
You'll see soon!

Donna Pool Designs

As a member of the Etsy Bloggers Street Team, it is my joy to report on the selected blogger of the month. Since I have been a member of this team, I have found many wonderful other etsy bloggers. This month's featured artist is Donna Pool of donnapool designs on etsy. I absolutely love donna's store. She is a stay at home mom who used to be a photographer. Donna sells buttons, photos, old cameras, and her handstitched toys and bears. Wow! What an accomplishment, and what wonderful items in her store.
Isn't this hand sewn bear adorable. Donna does not use a sewing maching. She, literally, hand sews all of the items in her store that require sewing.
In her profile, Donna talks about her button machine. Not only does she make custom buttons for her clients, she also has a selection of premade buttons. These kittie buttons are a great example of the many buttons in Donna's store.
Meet Sebastian and Snowflake. These kitties are a big part of Donna's store. Aren't they adorable? You can find this photo and many others in Donna's store. Have a look, you won't regret it!

If this store wasn't enough, Donna has a wonderful blog. Visit her blog for some very interesting and though provoking ideas.

I love this store, and I plan to make more visits in the future!

My Name is Tommy

And I hate the one who writes this blog. Well, perhaps, not all of her, but when I am at my house, I hate her right hand. When I am at her house, I truly dislike her. That human does not belong to me, totally, but her daughter does. I like he daughter. She does my bidding, and her hands are nice. I don't hate either of her hands. She feeds me. She takes care of me. I don't like it when she takes me to the vet, but I will tolerate it as long as that human does not stick his finger up my, well, you know. It is most undignified. Where is the food he should be giving me? Why does the mother of the human I have not understand when I tell her my bidding? Perhaps she is slow. My human is not.



This is my human. Her mother does not understand me, but my human does. I don't like it when we go to see her mother. When I see her mother, I hiss and let her know that I dislike her. I also try to bite her right hand. She knows why I don't like her right hand. My human tells me to be good, but I am not the problem. Here is the problem.











I believe they call it Spike. It smells. I don't like it. It comes and barks at me, and I hiss at it. It is a creature that should stay away from me. My human's mother seems to like this creature. I don't know why. I can smell this creature when she comes into my room to say good night or to pet me. I smell her hand, and I don't like that creature they call a Spike. He is most undignified. Why can't he meow and speak cat? Slow creature! Enough of him!









This is Marvin. He is my adopted brother. He is much more shy than I am. When my human's creature comes to the our house, he hides. He, also, smells the creature. Marvin has, at times, allowed the mother of my human to give him a hello backrub. I have allowed it, too, but not with her right hand. She does know why I hate her right hand. I allow her left hand to touch me. Marvin is much younger than I am. He thinks he's the boss, but I have to show him that I am. He doesn't complain much about our human mother's house, but when she comes in, he looks at me to see if it's okay for her to pet him.






I'm tired now. Enough of this. We shall return in the future. My human's mother thinks we're cute. We know we are. We shall return. Oh, my, I can smell that creature!

Getting Ready for a Lampwork Bead Exchange

When I looked at my list, I went, "Oh, my." The due dates are coming up, and it's time to get the exchanges ready to go. Hopefully, tomorrow, or the next day 3 of my 5 exchanges will be in the mail. What is a bead exchange? There are two forums to which I belong where a lampworker can sign up to participate in an exchange. The rules vary slightly, but they are all about the same. Make "X" number of beads, mail then in along with a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) and you will receive the same number in return. There is always a due date. Of the 5, what was I thinking, that are due at the end of January, 3 are ready to go.

Here's a photo. You can probably guess the names of, at least, two to the exchanges: The cat bead exchange, The Heart Bead Exchange, and, last but not least, Love is in the Air Exchange. I made a conscious decision last year to begin sending in only the minimum number of beads. I love the beads I receive in return. I don't think there's been a dud in the multitude of exchanges in which I have participated. However, this year, one of my goals, is to get all of my "things" under control. Now, the minimum number of beads to be sent in for the exchanges is 3. The extra beads are a small thank you for the hostesses with the mostesses who take care of the work of sorting, repackaging, and resending all the beads that come to their house. Thank you, dear hostesses.

So, what do I need to do to get ready for an exchange?
1) Make the beads. All right, I've done that. Now what?
2) Next I need evelopes. I need to have two evelopes, usually, two different sizes of padded envelopes. The bigger one is to mail everything in. The smaller one is for my return beads.


















3) Next, I need some small plastic bags in which to place my beads before I get them ready to mail.


















4) You'll notice that one of the bags has a label on it. That is the next step in the process. I label all my plastic bags so that the hostess will be able to identify my beads. I guess I need to make some labels.
I put a different label on each side of the plastic bag. One has my user name, the other is a copy of my business card. We all have to advertise, right?














5) Now, I need something in which to ship my beads so that they will arrive safely at the home of the hostess. She also then uses the same box for my return beads. I use these sturdy, little, white jewelry boxes to protect my beads.


















6) Lastly, I write a short note to the hostess on my postcards.


















Well, as much as I would like to stay and chat. I have my evening's work cut out for me! I need to get to work! I still have to make the beads for two more exchanges. I know I'll be glad that I did, in the end, but right now, what was I thinking?