DISCOMBOBULATED....

Discombobulated:  to throw into a state of confusion; having ones composure disturbed

If I were asked to define my current state of mind, life, or anything else at the moment discombobulated would be my choice description.  

True story...

I recently went to buy some ink cartridge refills for my printer from a local office supply store.  The clerk pulled the ink, rang it up, and I was good to go.  The next day I discovered that one of the cartridges was wrong so I ran back to the store to exchange it.  On this particular morning I had a lot of events from strange to laughable unfold that left me slightly off kilter.  I arrive at the store to find a bored collage age clerk lounging on the register.  When he asked me if he could help me my brain went left and tongue went right and all that came out was an incoherent babble.  It took me a minute to string my words together and explain that I wanted to exchange to the cartridge.

(the start of an art journal)

The exchange was made and a request for my debit card to be swiped for the refund ensued and I was trying to swipe my store rewards card and it was just down hill from there.  Red faced I threw up my hands and exclaimed, "I have no idea why I am so discombobulated today!"  The clerk looks at me and says, "Dude!  Is that like really a word?  Like seriously?" to which I answer, "Totally, Google it."  He whips out his cell phone and asks me how to spell it, which I oblige.  He rattles off the definition to me and confirms that I used the word in the correct context.  Then he says,"I was thinking to myself,  Dude! this lady just made up the coolest word ever!  Do you mind if I use it?"  I reply, "Be my guest."  He made my day by thinking I was actually smart enough to come up with a cool word and I made his by increasing his vocabulary.

(the start of a new art journal)

The very worst part of being discombobulated is that I can't seem to pay attention long enough finish anything!  I just can't seem to find my footing and it is frustrating.   I keep starting and stopping things not quite settling into any one thing or seeing it through.  A little studio discombobulation, you may recognize some of these tidbits from previous posts, unfinished jewelry...

more unfinished jewelry...

even more unfinished jewelry...

oh and one more piece of unfinished jewelry (8 unfinished designs in total and a new sketch rattling around in my head)...

then there is that whole handmade fabric bead thing I am obsessed with lately, these just need to be wired and beaded...

hand painted canvas ready to turn into wearable cuffs...

my scrap jar is overflowing, more beads and backgrounds to be made...

a book to be finished and bound for the newest grand...

and as if that was not enough I have been dabbling in a little bit of metalsmithing...

My lofty goal this week is actually finish at least ONE thing pictured above!

I am starting to think I am my own problem, so many supplies, so many techniques, so many ideas, it is enough to leave one discombobulated!

Which thing above intrigues you enough that you would like to see it complete?

Blessings,

Sandy

SPIDER (C)HARMS...

"Little spider on the wall,

You ain't got no hair at all,

You ain't got no comb to comb your hair.

What do you  care, you ain't got no hair."

~ performed by Ish Kabibble aka Merwyn Bogue, a nearly-forgotten radio comic during the early 40s~

 (Spider Charm for Vintiquities Halloween Charm Swap) 

The little ditty above might just be one of the few things that have stuck in my head from senior high English Lit. class.  If I were to have penned this ode to a spider it would have read much differently.  Perhaps something like this:

Little spider on my wall,

You ain't got no chance at all,

Hanging by your silken hair-like thread,

While I whack you good and dead!

Much less cute and comic and more violent and deadly!

It is no secret that there is no love lost between me and spiders.  While I greatly admire their spinning skills, that is where my admiration stops.  Around here spiders and surprises go hand in hand and not in a good way.  Last year, in September, I was bitten by a spider, I seriously hope this is not to become an annual event as it happened again  a little over 72 hours ago!  This time I was not so lucky as last, it was kin folk of the Brown Recluse that nipped me the first time, it was the real deal poisonous kind this time.

I am wondering if I used some sort of charm to conjure up their apparent perception of welcome.  Perhaps they were hanging outside of the studio window and saw a scattering of small silver webs being fashioned...

 

With black widows reposing in the center of each one...

 

And they thought it was an open invitation to move right in and partake of tender flesh while one is sleeping.

  I picture this event as an old black and white movie, Attack of the Killer Spiders, or some such nonsense.  Cue scene, an unsuspecting victim sits at her vanity combing her hair while while strings of eerie suspenseful music of strain in the background, reminding you of creepy crawling things.  The camera pans to her bed post when an insidious spider is darting back and forth peeking at its unsuspecting prey.  At each lurch forward the spider becomes visible and the camera pans to a close up of the victims bare arm, hand holding a guilt brush, sweeping strokes of hair being brushed away from the tender flesh of a neck.

The Victim moves to the bed, arranges herself prettily for sleep, one arm cast above her slightly side tilted head, baring tender flesh of neck and arm, choice spots for the attack of the killer spider.  A small sigh escapes parted painted pouty lips, you know all in those old black and whites the victims go to sleep in full make up, and she is asleep.  All eight legs of Darth Fanger begin to wiggle in glee as he scuttles across her pillow accompanied by scary heavy breathing, supposedly that of the spider, heightens the suspense.

 

The unsuspecting victim thrashes and almost squashes her foe but he is too quick and makes a leap onto the edge of her perfectly fanned curls  slowly creeping toward the tender flesh of her exposed arm.  In one swift move forward he has landed on her arm, the camera pulls in close as fangs bear into her flesh.  Her big dewy eyes open as she cries out in pain, bolting upright she lets go of a blood curdling scream, for while she was only once bitten, her bed is covered with converging spiders.  End Scene. 

I don't really know what happened only that I was bitten on my arm in my sleep...again!  Spiders do not make good bedfellows.  I had Handy Hubby flipping over furniture, emptying the closet, and vacuuming every nook and cranny...again.  Sprays and sticky traps were set...again.  Bug guy coming to spray inside and out...again.  I learned an interesting fact, this is the time of year spiders try to migrating inside southern homes to quite cool dark places for the winter. 

Here are some links to handy dandy keep away spider tips:

How To Spider-proof a House

How To Spider-proof Your Home: 8 steps

Both of these sources offer some really practical advice to keeping these pests at bay.

In my book, the only good spider is a dead spider!

 

(Tombstone charm display tags for charm swap)

Handy Hubby has taken to calling me Spider Woman, if only one of her super powers were to be mine at the moment it would be her ability to  have immunity to all forms of non-corrosive toxins and poisons after an initial exposure to them. These initial exposures make her dizzy, but her metabolism quickly recovers and renders her immune to it.  Unfortunately....

I was bitten on the inside back of my left upper arm, the venom has now spread from almost shoulder to elbow making an ugly red swath of orange peel skin in a 10 in. x 4 in. area.  I have been one sick victim.  Symptoms did not show up until about 6 to 8 hours after the bite and when they did they were severe.  On top of a venomous poisonous bite and all its typical reactions, I had a severe allergic reaction that resulted in head to toe hives and anaphylactic shock.  Two of the medicines I am taking to combat this, both of which I have taken before, also give me nice added side effects on top of  the spider bite/allergic reaction side effects, one causing muscle cramping in my legs and lower back, the other giving me stomach pain, nice!  After getting medical treatment I am playing the waiting game to see if this will be a best case or worst case scenario as to the possibility to skin damage to my arm where the venom has concentrated.  Needless to say I am not feeling well, so, I'll be taking a blog break until at least some time next week while all the side effects and symptoms of both bite and medication work their way through my system.

I hope you are all enjoying the cooling temps, colorful displays, and spider free days, as we dip into autumn here in the US.

Blessings,

Sandy

Comments are closed on this post, due to illness and I am woefully behind on responding to recent comments.  I do hope you will understand.

CLEANING UP AND CLEARING OUT - ART FOR SALE...

 (Image Source)

In the process of cleaning up and clearing out my studio I came across several packed up pieces of art.  It is past time to let them go and make room for new art and new ideas.  I was able to get up a partial listing today and will list more by the weekend or sometime next week.  Some of these pieces have been featured on my blog in the past and some have not.  I thank you for your encouragement and interest in getting my shoppe up and running.  

 All of these pieces are one of a kind from my collection of what I call my "experimental art" phase.  These were results of experimenting with materials, mediums, and style to help gain a sense of direction for my creative niche.  Have I found it yet?  Not exactly, but, I feel the new pieces I am working on currently are at least headed in the right direction.

Today's listed offering are:

"Cottage Bealle" Fabric Collage...

Altered Art Doll "Clara Scarlett"...

 Laura Ingalls Wilder Art Quilt...

 

Fabric Collage "SNOW" Banner...

 Mixed Media "DREAM" Sign...
SOLD

 Mixed Media "HOME TWEET HOME" Sign...

 To view the full details and pricing of the artful offerings from my nest follow this link to: Quill Cottage Curiosity Shoppe or visit by clicking on my shoppe link on my upper right sidebar.

As you can see my creative journey is a bit all over the map.  At least I see a running thread here, I like aged ivory tones ;c)  Is that weird?  Does anyone else do that?  Make art and pack it away?  Chalk it up to one of my quirks.

Should you have any questions on any of the listings you can leave a comment or email me at srpbabb@gmail.com.

SNOWBIRDS...

There is a saying here at the Quill that, "If a Snowbird (Junco) stops by then the snow is sure to fly."  

My little Junco friends did indeed stop by yesterday and this morning I woke up to a soft dusting of snow...

 He brought with him a little feathered friend...

 A sparkly paper snow bird, whom I invited in, he made himself cozy in my Christmas tree...

Those were not the only birds to visit the Quill yesterday, these showed up in the form of applique...

As you can see I am still busy crafting up the last of the ornaments for my tree and making gifts.

Sending cozy warm winter wishes you way, have a wonderful day!

SOMERSET DREAMS...

Dream: Something wonderfulSomething wonderful landed in my mailbox recently. A dream come true, a Somerset Dream, my contributor copy...And were it not for all you sweet blog friends who suggested and encouraged me to send something in I would not be tucked within these pages, for without your support I would not have had the courage to reach for this dream. Thank you!A special thanks to Christen Olivarez and the staff of Somerset Life for the opportunity to appear within this outstanding publication. It truly is an honor to be in the company of so many wonderful and talented artists and sweet blog friends like Tina, Lisa, Karla, and Monica.Here is a peek at some of the stunning photography featuring my Itinerant Artist Kit and article...While I adore all of the titles that Stampinton & Co publish, Somerset Life is my favorite and it is such a treat to see my art kit in print here. I leave you with this thought, " I would thank you (all) from the bottom of my heart, but for you (all) my heart has no bottom." (Author Unknown) For each of you, my gratitude is fathomless.

Have a blessedly wonderful weekend!

YOUR OPINION PLEASE...

Before I get to the opinion poll on the artwork submissions I really have to say a huge thank you for all the support, love, and prayers you have all sent my way. It is appreciated more than you will ever know. Amazing things happened the day after my last post. Handy Hubby had three job offers and went to work the very next day, Friday (his 50th birthday!), for a new company. There are still some difficulties with the transition but I am sure they will work themselves out in time. On that same day I got some amazing news in regard to my artwork and I will share more with you on that later.

I cannot begin to fathom the goodness of God in difficult times. We have been living on the edge for six months now, waiting, wondering, hoping, praying, and waiting some more. So many of you shared your stories and I want you to know that each of you are in my prayers. Many of you did not experience immediate results as we did and I pray blessing of provision will be yours also in the immediate future. Some of your stories broke my heart at such depth of loss and it truly put our small hiccup in perspective. You are all amazing resilient people with spirit, heart, and hope that inspires me beyond belief. Thank you for touching my life.

I know the following will seem like fluff after all the serious stuff above, and really it is, but I find in the midst of troubling times it sometimes helps to have something a little light of heart to take our mind off our troubles and I really truly would love your opinion. I have pulled out seven pieces of art, old and new, to use as my submissions. I had wanted three new pieces but to tell you the truth, I have just not been able to focus. I did get two new pieces done but the third and largest is still on the work table.

Anyway, what I would like is to know which of theses seven pieces are your three favorites. I think I have made my choices but I would seriously love your input on the subject. To select your three favorites, view the selections below and then vote using the poll on my upper side bar just below my email link. Click on any photo to enlarge for better viewing.

COTTAGE BEALLE FABRIC COLLAGE:CLARA SCARLETT ASSEMBLAGE ART DOLL:HOME TWEET HOME COLLAGE:NEST ASSEMBLAGE: (Remember that chunk of wood bird I found? Here he is!)

PAPER SCULPTED COLLAGE BIRDS:INDUSTRIAL DREAMS SIGN:MISS MARY BEES WAX COLLAGE:Would you submit a series, like the three bird pieces, or would you showcase different styles and pieces? I'll leave the poll open until Friday and thank you so much for helping me with the selections! I hope your week is beyond blessed.

Blessings,
Miss Sandy