These are the Halloween Voodoo Dolls that we made when my parents were in town last weekend. Don't worry, they're strictly decoration:)

My BF and I saw these cute dolls in a craft magazine and decided to give them a try. I just love sitting around with friends and family and creating art or crafting. I think they came out pretty good. From left to right the dolls are: Mom's, mine, Dad's and then my friends are on the bottom row.

Next craft is Halloween bracelets and more Halloween cards. Soon to be posted.

J.

The Owl and the Pumpkin

Well, it seems like summer is over and fall is here. I love fall but I still wish summer were a little longer - Although working at the TanSpa it kind of always feels like summer, especially when I'm wearing shorts to work no matter what temperature it is.

My life has been busier than ever but I've managed to find time to create some art. I've been making Halloween Cards and painting watercolor - as you can see here. This is a piece I'm giving to my friend for her birthday (I don't think she reads my blog - I hope not!).

Tonight I'm off to do some Ghost Hunting which is always interesting and fun and Sunday is our 17th wedding anniversary - so it looks like another busy weekend.

I hope you all are well and enjoying this Friday :)

Joy

Swing of Things

I can not believe how hard it's been trying to get back into the swing of things. Especially now with my new addiction: Facebook. I've been getting my email through my phone since I'm not always at my PC and it's easier than running upstairs every hour to check email. But now, my phone is constantly beeping and dare I say it, I kind of like it. A constant reminder that my friends are out there leaving messages, status updates and comments.

I have been doing some ElizaDeath art which is nice but forget about everything else.

So, what I'm posting now is something I did a while ago. It's part of the on going Moly X project. I do like the project but if you ever want to get involved with a Moly exchange just beware that there is a chance that you may never get your Moly back. Both exchanges I'm involved with some Moly's are missing and in one case all of them are lost forever and we had to start all new books. That sucked.

Anyway, today finally feels like summer so I'm on my way outside to do a little gardening.

J.

Exposure

Well, I did it. I finally broke down and joined facebook.

I kept getting requests from friends to join and when I would go there I couldn't see a thing - unless I joined of course. And for a long time I didn't want to join. I didn't want the exposure. But then again, that's exactly what this blog is all about - exposure. And maybe that's why I haven't been blogging lately, I wanted to stay hidden. I claimed that I didn't have the time like I used to and to some degree that's true but I could make time if I really wanted to.

So now I'm ready. Ready to be exposed and open up.

I've connected with so many people that I haven't seen in years - people I even forgot about. And it's been fun - almost addicting. I reconnected and went out for coffee with someone I haven't seen in 17 years! Sometimes it makes me feel old and admittedly outcasted since I don't have any children, but I know my life is exactly how it should be regardless of how I feel.

So, my suggestion is to sign up with facebook and just see who is out there - You'll be surprised.

J.

Still flying around

Moleskine project Moly X 19

Well, I'm still flying around busier than ever.
I miss blogging and I miss my blogger buddies but I don't have the free time like I used to. Even my art has become scarce lately. This kinda bums me out but on the other hand I really like working at the TanSpa.

Right now I just wanted to get my feet wet again by posting a little something from the Moly Exchange I'm involved in. Later when I have more time I will have to tell you all the crazy weirdness that goes on at the TanSpa and my theory of the kind of people who tan - which would now include myself!

Anyway, that's all for now.
J.

Moly Exchange - Alphabetica

This is a three page (Japanese fold) Moleskine that I did for my Moly_X_36 exchange. It's now headed off to Germany.

The owner of this Moleskine wanted a theme that was similar to the book Alphabetica. I've never actually seen the book but gauging by her entry and the cover of the book I was able to guesstimate how it should look.

I had a lot of fun doing this and it makes me want to get the Alphabetica book. Actually, I have a whole wish list at Amazon that has Collage type books that someday I will own.

So, I'm still finding time to do art, take care of the house, fur-babies, and work part-time. I've also gotten myself mixed up with a paranormal research group - The one that came to my house and looked for ghosts. We've just gotten together so there is a lot of meeting about what we want to accomplish and trial and error in using the equipment which has been fun and enlightening.

J.

Finding Balance

At the end of July I got a part-time job which is HUGE for me since I haven't worked outside of the house in 8 years. I've been finding time to work and still create art and art projects but it's been a new adventure. A good adventure at that.

One thing that I really like about working is that I've gotten myself back into the circulation of social-ness. Normally I tend to secret myself away from anyone and get wrapped up in projects and alone-time. Now I've been socializing and it really feels good.

Also, it has helped me get through the loss of my 14 year old cat Pete which I had to put to sleep on Aug 11. I'm still heart broken but I have plenty to keep my mind busy.

I know this is going to sound strange, but ever since July I've felt this shift of energy in my life - one for the good - Since the beginning of the year new things have been happening. I've been more social, I've made new friends and now am working. It seems that things just keep getting better.

And speaking of better, starting September 26, I am going to school for Reiki. By November 9th I will be a Reiki practioner! I can't wait - It's something I always wanted to do.

All this leaves me less time to Blog and be on the internet but I have not left it completely. Hopefully I will start to blog more and tell of my exciting adventures!

xox
Joy

Phoenix

Slowly but surely I still am creating art. I've been pretty busy now that summer is here and I have other projects going on like Moly_X, which is really interesting and a challenge.

The whole idea of the Moleskine exchange is that you have the Japanese fold Moleskine and each artist draws on two and a half pages making sure to blend into the previous drawing. Then the book is passed on to the next artist.

This drawing above is in my personal book but I was trying to get the feel for drawing a Phoenix for a Moly exchange.

It may see a little dark, and I think I am going to post it on ElizaDeath as well - But the over all message is being able to overcome mental illness.

I've been tagged by Caroline over at Caro's Lines and thought, 'why not'.
I haven't been blogging like I used to and have been horrible at leaving comments - It's as if I am just looking for an excuse to stop blogging. Instead, I have a reason to blog. And with no pressure, here goes:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. I only had 3 months left wearing braces
2. I was planning a London vacation
3. I had a miserable full-time job
4. I just started taking anti-depressants
5. My weight was a lot lighter! boo-hoo!

What 5 things are on my 'to do' list:

1. Clean Litter Box
2. Go Grocery shopping
3. Make Reiki Art (above)
4. Do some laundry
5. Make dinner

5 Things I've done today:

1. Did some laundry
2. Made Reiki Art
3. Paid Bills
4. Meditated
5. Listened to the radio

5 Snacks I enjoy:

1. Kettle Corn Popcorn
2. Iced Coffee
3. Jello Sugar free Pudding cups
4. Ginger chews

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Travel
2. Embark on a spiritual quest
3. Embark on a mental health quest (a healthy quest) ha!
4. Adopt a baby
5. hmmm... still thinking...

5 places I've lived:

1. Rolling Meadows, Illinois
2. Crystal Lake, Illinois
3. Woodstock, Illinois - And that's it! How boring!

Well, that's it for today - I still have that 'to do' list to work on.

:)

Michigan

I'm back from Michigan. (actually for a week)

I never realized how "woodsy" Michigan is - Or at least in the U.P.
I kept worrying about ticks and spiders although I don't think they have poisonous spiders up there. I loved all the nature and believe me, there was a lot!

We spent hours watching and taking pictures of the humming birds. They were buzzing us before we could get the feeder out - They must have been hungry!

Then there was Lake Michigan which went past the horizon. On Sunday night there was a huge storm where lightening fingered out - we tried to take pictures of that but were too slow.



We did all sorts of out-door things like walk in the woods and combed the beach for shells and at night we built camp fires and watched the sky.

I completely ate like crap yet only gained one pound, which is not too bad.
The only thing now is that I want to continue to eat donuts for breakfast and s'mores right before I go to bed.

Alas, 'yummy-time' is over.