Is this cheating?

Is it cheating if you use Photoshop to make art? That's the question that's been mulling around in my head for the past two days. How can a computer program compare with paints, inks, pencils and glue? Is this modern/progressive art or is it a cop-out? Why do I keep thinking about it? My gut says art is with material things: the paper, glue, glitter, etc., but my brain keeps saying, ‘yes, but try the computer. You might just like it.' I dunno. I'm actually afraid to try it. Why? Because the paper and glue is what I hold dear. It's what I know. It's what I BELIEVE to be true art. It's what I love. So why is my brain telling me to try Photoshop? S-t-r-e-t-c-h. Maybe that's it. I need to try the computer to stretch my skills in the other? Whatever it is, it's driving me crazy, so I'd just best get on with it.

I'm baaaaaaack!!!

Let's just get this out of the way.... VACATION WAS WONDERFUL!!! We spent a week in Jamaica and then a week in PA. Strange combination, you say? Well, yes, but consider this: John and I went to Jamaica with my sister and her hubby and then went to their house in PA for a week. We had a great time and I even got to spend time with my favorite nieces! Well, here it is the 26th of the month and I'm supposed to be creating something and I CAN'T! Yikes! I have my cards for the DT to do and I'm not even close to being ready. Johanna, don't read this! :) I am feeling creatively blocked at the moment. I have to find a way to get past it. Michelle? Help! I believe there was an article in Teesha Moore's, "Art & Life" this month about artist's block. I must find the magazine and read it again. If I don't, I might be fired! Oh, no! Speaking of Art & Life, have you seen it this month? It's not as full of art as usual, but it has some great articles in there. I especially love the article entitled, "Wanderlust". Each time I read it, I tingle. It's so true! Hey, the next article in the magazine is, "Breaking the Block (in Black and White)". I think I'll go read it and hopefully get over this dad-blasted creative block cuz I got some stuff I have to do! Oh, and I'm going to bury that statue tomorrow. No nibbles, no sales, no nuttin' on the house while we were gone. Crap.

Halloween and personal lubricant

Last night was the Halloween paper bag class at the Cupboard. It was so much fun. There was paper, glitter, ribbons and even some trick or treat candy. I will have to work on my printed instructions. Hey, they were clear to me, but I guess not everyone thinks like me. Thank god for that, huh?? The last crafters left around 10:30. Yes, 10:30, but it was a lot of fun. And to think I wanted to do 12 pages in that book. Thank you, Cat, for suggesting 6 or we'd still be there. This is my last work day before vacation, so I'm tying up a lot of loose ends before I go. I hate to come back to old, icky work on my desk. I'd rather have NEW icky work on my desk. Actually, I'd prefer not to work at all, but I'm working on a plan that may take care of that. What is it, you say? I'm not telling. Yet. I just got a call from my sweet housekeeper who told me why she didn't show yesterday. She was driving on the freeway and there was an accident in front of her. Car #1 hit car #2 and, you guessed it, car #2 hit her in her brand new truck! She was still upset this morning. Wanna hear the kicker? Neither car #1 nor #2 had driver's licenses OR insurance! My housekeeper has insurance, but now her insurance must pay for the damage to her car that she didn't have anything to do with. What is wrong with people?? They just don't care anymore. What the freakin' hell.... Responsibility just going out the window, nobody cares about anyone but themselves. Oops, I pulled out the soapbox without a warning. Sorry. I'm off it. Fortunately, she is ok, but still a bit shaken up. One more day and then we leave for vacation. I can hardly wait. I'm off tomorrow, so I'll be doing all the running around getting stuff ready. Hey, wanna hear something weird? I checked the TSA website. They are the ones who do the security at the airports. So, ok, no machetes, no lighters, no rifles, no lip gloss, and no liquid makeup (foundation), no mouthwash and no toothpaste, but guess what you CAN take? KY jelly. Ok, now if you were gonna take KY jelly on board, what the hell are you gonna do with it? You can have 4 oz of "personal lubricant". What are people doing with 4oz of personal lubricant on a plane? Am I missing something? Have they endorsed the mile high club and no one told me? Because I can, I think I will pack my personal lubricant, and if they ask me why, I will say because I can. It's on your list of approved items, along with the cigar cutters, knitting needles, and scissors! That's it for now, sports fans.

I'm exhausted!

I was going to sleep in until 8:30 or so today, but Frankie decided she just had to come in and get something to eat. Crazy cat just meowed at the window until I got up. It was only 7:10 but oh well, I was up and awake so I stayed up. The cable guy was scheduled between 9-11 today to replace our DVR, but he called at 8:15 from the driveway, so we took care of that business early. After that was breakfast and then up to the craft room. I've been up here all day! I've been measuring, cutting, Sizzix-ing and Xyron-ing stuff for my class for Wednesday night. It's the Halloween paper bag book . I've got it all done with each person's supplies in separate bags. This class has been a lot of work, but I know it will be fun. I just love Halloween, don't you? So when I finished that project, I decided I needed to make a few cards to round out the day. Here's what I made: I made these out of ATC's that I either made or traded for. The only one I made is the one with the bird on it. The one that looks really crooked. hahaha The naked lady one is from a nude ATC swap I did a long time ago. The pretty flower ATC is a RAK. Ok, I think I've had enough excitement for the day. Time for bed. I only have to work three days this week since this Friday is my flex day. Then on Saturday we leave for vacation - a whole week in Jamaica! Yeah, Mon!

Coloring Sunday

So, I pretty much colored all day. I made these cards and a necklace: After I finished the necklace, I stamped my stamp on the back and used the heat gun to dry the ink and I messed up the front! I melted the lacquer on the front and when I tried to fix it, I just messed it up even more. So, I'm re-doing the necklace because I really like it. I don't have to re-do the beads, just the domino part. Tomorrow is Labor Day. I have the day off from laboring at work, but I will labor at home. I'm going to start gathering clothes for vacation. I'll start making my lists and packing the suitcases. One more week and we'll be in Jamaica! Can't wait to get some of that Blue Mountain Coffee!

Crafty Friday

I made some new cards tonight. I've been using my Prismacolor Pencils. So now I'm off to dreamland, I hope. I need sleep, but when it comes to bedtime, I can't sleep so I craft. It's a vicious circle and I haven't yet figured out how to fix it. I'm just a night owl.