Candid Studios

I'm gearing up (as best I can) for the Holiday House coming up on the 4, 5, & 6th of December. I recently (two weeks ago) messed up my back pretty badly, so I haven't been too into repetitive actions with my arm....which is what is involved when needle felting. I'll hopefully be posting more info later, but I have to rush off now to work on a sign painting that I'm getting paid for..... ....good thing too, because I need two more tires and I think my fuel line has sprung a leak. (crap.) :o)

My "reunion season" is officially over. I had a lot of fun at each one of the three reunions I attended. In some ways, they were VERY similar - and in others, very different. At the first one - in Spokane - the students put it on and the first night it was held at a "tavern" - but really it was held at the large gathering space OWNED by the tavern so it was cool that it was just the attendees, and not a bunch of other people randomly walking in and out of the party. They handed out goodie bags when you signed in - and they were specially made recycled bags printed with the school name and graduating year on them. Inside was a pint glass with the school name and "Class of 1989 Reunion" on them - a printed lanyard with a nicely made nametag that people could wear - a dvd of the photo montage - and some specially printed M&M's.... They had a huge table full of munchies (deli trays, breads, cheeses, fruits, and cakes) that people could graze on whi

I know it's been a while since I've last posted...but my reader won't mind. I have now been to the three reunions - all 20-year, all high-school, all done. This last one was nice because I had no butterflies, no pre-conceived ideas, no worries about what may or may not happen or who I may or may not see. Of course there was a few people I would've really liked to see at this last one, but in my mind I knew they weren't coming, so it wasn't really that much of a let down. I took loads of pics at this one - well, "loads" more than I did at the others. I always find it awkward to take "candid" shots of people in crowds...only because you don't know who the flash is going to blind - you don't know if someone is randomly giving you the finger or making a face that tells the viewer of the pic (later on) that you should NOT be pointing a camera at them - and thank goodness for digital, because with a normal camera, you never know if you mo

If anyone's in the vicinity of Newport, Oregon on Sunday, Sept.13, come by the yard sale!!! It's going to be nice to get rid of a lot of stuff I don't use or need...and the money I raise is going to pay for my trip to the third and final high school reunion in two weeks...but I'm at the point of being fed up with it. I still have to price everything. I was going to do it as I went, but decided that it'd take too long - especially if I kept finding duplicate things that in the end could be grouped together. Mom & Louise want me to sell some of their things, too. It should be a good sale....hopefully successful! :o)

I guess I should update everyone (or those of you who read this).... I'm over the angsty-ness of the picture fiasco. I had a good time at the reunion...and that's all there is to say about that. I'm a little less than one month away from the last of the three reunions this year. Really looking forward to the trip since I'll be able to drive all over the place in my rented car! Last time I was in Seattle, I had to either rely on a friend to take me around - or the bus. It'll be nice to be able to go where I want, when I want. I'm thinking about visiting some different places - maybe even venture up to Port Townsend for a day. Spend some time with my friends Michelle, Christy, and see my brother's family in Issaquah....and OBVIOUSLY go by the Buckaroo, since that was my home for four years! I'm in the process of "cleaning" my apartment - going through things - to prepare for a yard sale so I can raise money for the trip. I haven't given

I thought that when someone points a camera at me and clicks the shutter, life is over as I know it. Well, that's only partly true. It's only over if they post the hideous photos online and everyone can see it. I don't usually EVER make a straight face if someone points a camera at me, and now I have proof that my tactics occasionally backfire on me. The picture in question looks as though the old me (from when I was about 19) got eaten by the me of today and the me of today can't make a straight face - but can definitely show off her massive neck muscles - because the old me gave the new me indigestion. Dammit. To those of you few people who are actually reading this, please don't EVER EVER EVER point a camera at me. I guarantee I'll make a face, and then i'll go through this whole cycle of self-loathing again. Please, as a favor to me. It's unbearable. At least wait until the me of today has digested the old me and is back to a weight that actually

I have another reunion tomorrow, but this one's here in town. It's actually a few yards away from my house (at least the picnic is)...so I won't have to worry about travel costs, etc. I'm hoping to reconnect with a few people, but with the internet, it's almost as if conversations will just continue on from when we last "talked" [online]. I was hoping to have the painting on the front of my car done by this time, but I've been so caught up with other things I've lost the motivation. Hopefully after a week or so, I'll get back on the horse and get it done. Just an update, nothing mind-blowing. :o)

I know in my last post I said it was hot...well, it got hotter. Luckily, I was smart enough to NOT go camping with the fam on Saturday and Sunday. It was supposed to reach something like 113 degrees where they were going. They eventually decided to rent a room at a hotel, but damn....that's just too darned hot. The reunion was fun...re-connected with some people....cleared the air between myself and someone who personality-wise resembled James Spader's character "Steff" in Pretty in Pink...and got to see a lot of people I probably wouldn't see otherwise. I'll be heading home tomorrow (Monday) EARLY, and I go to work tomorrow night...so hopefully I get home in enough time to take a nap. THEN, coming up THIS NEXT weekend is the second reunion of the three. Luckily, it's virtually in my backyard, so I won't have to go too far. :o)en

Trust me, that's not "hot" in a good way. I knew it was going to be hot when I drove over here, (newport to spokane), but I would've thought that somewhere along the columbia gorge - that's full of WATER - that some breezes might come off of it and cool down the corridor a little. I was SO wrong. I even stopped at Multomah Falls (had to use the facilities - which I didn't expect to be as much of a tourist stop...I just needed to pee)...and it was so hot there I had to catch my breath! I've been spoiled at the coast. If it hits 80 degrees, we're all complaining of heat. I had forgotten what heat was like! I've even been to Texas in the middle of one of their hottest summers (well, up until that time in 1994)...but I'm suprised that you can forget that kind of horrid discomfort! All I can think is "how am I going to try to look cute if my face is melting off!?" If you want to know how hot it is, look up weather and spokane washington

Painting today...since the sun's out and very bright. I'm moving the car from my mom's garage back to my house. I wasn't really getting as much done on it as I'd have liked to - having it indoors and all - because I was caught up doing chores and errands for them, as well as using the computer. Bloody distractions. Anyway, I'm taking it home now...I'll miss using their van, since it has good tires, doesn't shake when it hits a bump, has power steering....and generally is better - mostly because people don't stare at me all the time. I'd love to get a "mundane" car (for non-cartists, that's a car without embellishments), but I'd probably end up painting it as well... So, I'm off...hope whomever is reading this has a good day, and chat at'cha later! :o) p.s. I'm less than ONE WEEK AWAY from my trip to Spokane for my reunion!!! YIPPPEEEEE!!!

I think it's my birthday today...but I haven't had a lot of mind-blowing experiences yet. It's still early though. The agenda for today is; put more minutes on my phone, in case someone calls to wish me happy birthday....deposit any birthday money in order to pay bills (one of these years I'm going to spend my birthday money on something IMpractical!!!)....go by courthouse to pay fine (stupid stupid mistake that I got a ticket for)......paint on the car a bit....take a nap....go to dinner with Mom....go to work. Awesome. I hope there's cake in there somewhere. :o) 38 years old...but I'm pretty sure my mind's still 28.

I parked the car in Mom & Louise's garage whilst they were away & I was house-sitting... ...and when they came back I asked if they'd let me use the garage for a couple more days (and use the other vehicle they have in the meantime)... ...and they said Y E S !!!! So AWESOME!!! I m i g h t a c t u a l l y g e t t h e c a r d o n e in good time! I'm thinking that it probably won't be finished in time for the Shadle Park reunion...but hopefully it'll be done by the Newport High one. Anyway, thanks Mom & Louise for letting me use the garage! :o) on a side note; they said that this is probably the first time in over 15 years that there's been a car parked in the garage.... :oD

I get to paint INDOORS for the next 24 - 30 hours!!!! I'm house sitting for my mom, and I was able to clear away a space for my little baby car to get into!!! Most cars wouldn't even fit through the garage door (it's a very old house, with odd-sized doors), but my little car can! I'm so excited that I get to work on my car at any time of the day or night! If I wake up in the middle of the night (like I frequently do, due to my funky sleep schedule), I can work on it! I really need to get this one painting done on the front of the car. Have to have it done by the 29th. At least that's the goal I set for myself. I won't do a shoddy job though, so if I don't think it's going to be done by then, I won't feel too bad. I'd much rather get it done right than get it done quick. If any of you know me...I'd rather have it done in three months and be perfect than have it done in three days and look like poo - then have to go back and fix it. I th

It's wednesday again....and I'm supposed to be going to sleep in a few hours (around 1pm) to get ready for this week's shifts... It's always difficult to get a full 8 hours on my "monday"...but I try. Tonight's work - not work-related - will be putting the background and design touches onto the "rough sketch" for the new painting on the car. I'm hoping to have it done by July 29th - before I go to Spokane. If I don't, I'm not going to stress about it. I still have a huge list of other projects I have to work on - namely an ELEPHANT that will be finished by the time I travel to Seattle in the middle of September. I hope all's well with everyone [reading this], and enjoy the sunny day! :o)en

Ever hear of the engine that wouldn't quit? I don't know how many times I've made an effort to create something that I think the public would want, and I don't know how many times I've been denied any sales. This weekend was a big climactic ending to a very busy few months (I still have more things on my plate, but none have to do with self-fund-raising). I worked diligently at making enough heads (almost 20) to sell at the WAG Dog Trials this weekend. I made all different kinds - researched them - found out which dog breeds would actually BE there so I wouldn't waste my time making ones that weren't in attendance.... I suppose I'm disappointed, because I build up the idea in my mind that I have a good product - and I know I still do, regardless of how many I sell - but no one's buying. I'm sure that little engine had a name....maybe I'll get a shirt made with the number zero on the back and the name of the little engine...reminding me to ne

Sheesh...so many things to get ready for! 1. Louise and Mom coming back tomorrow from the hospital (L with a new knee) - have to get the house in order - do laundry - clean the house - prepare comfort foods (like jello and pudding) - and run some last minute errands.... 2. WAG Dog Trials (agility trials) Saturday morning - make 6 more heads to get the total up to 20 - figure out a display for the heads - take pictures of the new heads and get them printed up and laminated for the dog portfolio - label and put hangers on all the heads 3. Last minute banner to do for Nye Beach Merchants Assoc. - due by the 15th - not going to be as involved as the last one, but still want to make it nice 4. Finish designing the new painting for the car - have to have it done and have pics taken by the 29th (so I can take the pics to my reunion) - gotta have something to show off! I don't have kids - the car IS my baby! 5. SOMEWHERE IN THERE - IS MY BIRTHDAY!!! This is the first year I haven't

Today is the first day of what may or may not be a good thing. I'm going to perhaps start writing here...rather than all over the place. As of this moment - well, not THIS particu lar moment, but you get the idea - I'm working on making needlefelted dog heads (ornaments/rearview mirror hangers/etc.) to sell at the WAG trials on July 10, 11, & 12th. I'm hoping to raise money for my trip to Spokane for one of three class reunions I have this Summer. I'm really looking forward to it too! Also, my birthday is coming up, but I've been so bus y with; making two banners for Nye Beach Merchants Association; dog heads; helping out around M & L's house; and trying to finish the design for the new painting on the car, I haven't had time to get my head around the fact that I'm going to be 38!!! Weird. If you know me, you know I don't EVER forget to remind everyone about my upcoming birthday!!! Louise and Mom are up in Portland as I write this. Louise is