Before and After, inside my 1968 "Ideal" trailer!!

Well it's time for the big reveal!!

I've been working on my little vintage trailer for a couple 

of weeks now, and its time to take a peek!!

This is the little kitchen area Before...

After....

New lighting, refrigerator, curtains, decoupage on drawers and cabinets.

Sitting area Before...

Some of the wood had water damage so I had to 

be replace.

during...

After...

You'll also noticed the new cushions!!

The old ones were to stinky and dated, so I purchased new foam

and covered it with a sweet salmon color fabric.
I was able to use reuse the original hardware on the drawers and 

cabinets.
   I love the green plaid I used on the cushion boarders and the 

reddish-orange piping for the trim.

If you look real close you can see the cute little green leaves 

that are stitched on the salmon fabric.

This little sitting area pulls out into a nice size bed that sleeps two.

This is the U-shaped sitting area 

Before...

you can see the old lighting, wiring and water tank

Sitting area After....

This U-shape sitting area converts into a nice size bed that sleeps two.

Above this area there is a pull out bunk that sleeps two. (children)

add some new cushions, curtains and brand new cherry wood table..

This is the power room Before

And now After...
she's totally functional

I updated the walls with sheet music as well as the decoupage,
I love the bright colors and the  little magazine holder, it adds a lot of charm.

As for the ceiling ...

Before...

If you'll notice just above my Honey's head the ceiling was like a wood paneling.
I chose to put a nice textured wall paper on the ceiling.

This is the wallpaper pattern that I chose.  It reminded me of the old tin
ceiling tiles.

Once it was all up I was so pleased with the effect.  I removed the old lighting
and added an antique wash over the whole ceiling.

I also added a couple of my favorite Original pieces of art.

I have to tell you I am so please with the way it all turned out!!
I could never have gotten it all done with out my Honey's help.
He took care of all the hard stuff,
like updating the wiring, getting the battery and appliances all working,
and lets not forget the plumbing.
Big "THANKS" to my Honey!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the Before and After tour of my little home away from home.
Now that the inside is finished, it's time to tackle the outside.
I'm hoping to get me a nice shade awning,
and I would be thrilled if I could get her all painted as well.
I think I'm going to paint her all cream with a nice salmon stripe.
Of course I'll keep you update on all the changes.
Thanks for dropping by!!!!
xoxo

Can you believe it!!!

I have given birth to three children, lost my large intestine in 2008, went through four reconstructive surgeries after that, and had a repair to a quarter size hole in my heart, and none of that prepared me for the pain of

 Kidney Stones!!!!

Wow the pain was out of this world, 

 lucky me I have passed one and there is another one on the way, oh joy!!

Well that's enough belly aching from me on the matter, it is what it is.

I tell you what, I have been having some crazy discoveries about myself lately.

For instance, I love motorcycles, Harley Davidson to be exact, that's nothing new.

What is new is this,

 my Honey bought me my very own Harley!!!

I have always wanted one of my very own.

I was raised a biker brat.

My father was a member of a Motorcycle Club as far back as I can remember.

When I was little I use to ride my trike around and pretend that it was my very own 

motorcycle.

So when I returned home from my trip to Oregon, I was surprised and thrilled to 

find my very own Harley, waiting just for me!!

I was on that bike in a heart beat and ready to roll!!

Well let me tell you what, two bike runs and three hundred miles later, 

I was done, I was lonely!!!

I have become so use to riding with my Honey, sharing interesting 

sights and scenery, that when I was riding on my own

I was lonely!!

I could not believe it!

I was always so certain that I wanted my own bike.

Well surprise, surprise, not the case.

I just like it better with my arms wrapped around my Honey.

So I sold my bike, after only two weeks.

Call me crazy, 

my kids did and Honey was a bit baffled but not disappointed;

I'm still his biker chick.

x0x0x

A little catching up....

Well its been a crazy month so lets do a little catching up!!

I just got back from visiting with my sweet little Oregon family.

I just had to make the trip to see that amazing little grandson of mine.

There he is with his brand new set of wheels.

It was the perfect birthday present for my Baby Jax, he just turned two.

I got to visit with my girls,

and bonus for me, I brought my baby girl home with me.

That's right my daughter, Alexandrea has moved back to Utah!!

It's so great having her back home, 
now I just need to get the rest of them back home.

On a more creative front I have been working on a little quilting project.

I thought I'd try to make a quilt with a few of my little girlie's.

I also decided to throw in a few hearts,

as well as a couple of flowers,

add a birdie or two, 

throw in a few more scrapes, put it all together..

when completely finished the quilt measures 53"x 60"
I love rag quilting, it helps me use up all my odds size fabric scrapes.

It's been a busy month of travel and family time, and I've
loved every minute of it!!!
With the weather being so agreeable here in Utah, I've started working 
on my 1967 Ideal camp trailer again.
I'll get some updated pictures real soon.


I think for now I need to just sit back for a minute and catch my breath.
Sometimes its hard to just stop and smell the flowers, 
but it is important for our souls.
Much love and peace to you and yours!!!!
xOxOx

Bless my gypsy soul

Well after four days of raging fever and non-stop coughing, it looks like I’m going to make it.  

I guess I am the perfect poster child for why you should get the flu shot, 

I won’t risk it next year, that’s for sure.

I tell you what, laying in bed sick all these days it has give me plenty of time to think.  

Now for some that could be a good thing, but for me who has a gypsy soul, 

it could spell trouble. 

That right in my stages of fever pitch delirium 

wander lust set in and I began to wonder, 

“what if” or  “just maybe”.

What if I just let my gypsy loose, let her free, 

let her follow her dreams for a change, just where would she take me?

Well I’ll tell you where she’d take me, 

“Oregon”!!  

That’s right this little gypsy as always dreamed of living in Oregon,

 ever since she was ten years old and went there on a family vacation. 

Through all her years and many travels none have called to her more
 than the forests and ocean of Oregon. 

All she needs to do is hitch up her wagon, or in this case her 1968 Ideal, and hit the road.

She’s already got a beautiful little lot all picked out,
 it located on the Siletz River, just outside of Lincoln Oregon.

Sure it would mean selling everything that couldn’t fit into the back of a pickup truck and the trailer. (fortunately the Harley fits just right in the pickup bed)

Our cat Smokey
 could ride up front with Ray and I,
and our two bulldogs,
Meatball and LuLu could ride next to the Harley.

That’s it;
this gypsy is ready to roll!!

Crazy you my say, but if not now when?  

When is it OK to be a little or a lot crazy and chase after your dreams?
 My baby is going to be 22 years old this April,
not much of a baby anymore;  and my other two children,
my grandson and son-in-law are already living in Oregon.

I’m going to be 47 years old this July, again I ask you
“if not now, when?”

It’s not this gypsy’s dream to live in this little trailer forever,
only while building her dream home. 

A single level Timber Home, no more than 2000 sq ft,
 two bedrooms, two and a half baths and a back deck over looking the river.

This little beauty is only 1580 sq. ft.

Wow, what a dream!!!

But alas after several more Advil the fever has broke and sanity is starting to set in. 

Time to rein in my little gypsy,
get out of bed take a shower,
get dressed and join the land of the living once more. 

But even as I dry my hair and say hello to a new day,
 there’s still a little gypsy inside of me that’s whispering,
“just maybe”.

Can't you just see me sitting on the back porch,
sipping a warm cup of tea,
I know I sure can!!
I also wanted to share with you my latest creation.
I needed a break from the sick bed and so I came upstairs
picked up my paint brush and this is what I came up with.
Enjoy!!

She's titled,
"gingerly dreaming"
maybe she's got a little gypsy in her soul.
x0x0x

Big Bad Rumor!!!

My dear friends,

"FOLLOWERS"

It's been brought to my attention that change is in the air.

It appears that "google friend connect"is going away for any 

blogger that is not a "google" account ....i.e. 

wordpress and typepad....

I consider each and everyone of you as part of my blogging

FAMILY!!!

Your support and input is what keeps me going,
keeps me creating.

So in the event that the rumor is true and we do loose our 

"google friend connect"

I have provided another way for us to stay in touch,

yea!!!!

it's called "Linky Followers"

http://www.linkyfollowers.com/

I have added this venue to my blog to help keep us connected.

Please let's not loose touch with one another!!!

I would miss you dearly!!

x0x0x

Dreams and Sacrifice, an unfinished painting...

Well it’s 4:00 in the morning and I’m not sleeping, I have been lying here for the last hour, just thinking, not sleeping.  My brain wont shut down long enough for me to get some rest.  I’ve a lot on my mine as of late regarding dreams and sacrifice, and when to say uncle.

It’s been a year to the week since I decided to follow my dream of being an Artist. 

I have to admit it’s been an amazing time in my life.  A time of expression and freedom, but of sacrifice as well.

When I walked, or should I say ran away from the confines of the nine to five, I knew I would be trading some privileges for others.  

My lack of income was one of the hardest factors to factor in my new life style. 

I could no longer afford the luxury of excess, which meant my car had to go, so I let it go. 

There would be no more whimsy purchases like cute cowboy boots, or that amazing jacket

 that I just have to have. 

I’ve learned there is no such thing as "have to have"

 unless it’s more paints.

I traded my luxuries for my dreams. 

In this last year I have met the most amazing group of people, 

I have become a member of a tribe, a tribe of dreamers and creators.

I guess that’s why I’m not sleeping; I don’t want to give this all up, 

but I feel like I’m at another crossroads. 

I’ve given this “full time artist thing” a year of my life, as well as a year of my family’s life. 

And let me tell you my family has been great, they are my biggest fans.

But hard cold reality is that dreams don’t pay the bills; food, heat, and power are not luxuries.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not destitute by any means, although things have gotten tight over the winter.   This time of the year is always slow in my husbands business, but as spring approaches, we have always been able to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 

I guess this one-year mark has hit me pretty hard.  I don’t know what I expected to happen when I started on this journey.  I guess I just thought I’d be further along at this point.

I’ve had such great success in selling my art when I’ve been able to get my work out there in an Art Festival setting.  But the reality of that is that these festivals are not free and it seems I’m only making enough money to pay for supplies and the next festival.

I had hoped to have some kind of a licensing deal by now, and even though I have sent out over fifty art submissions, I’ve only received rejections so far. 

Maybe I need to send out a hundred more?

When I started this journey it was not about the money, it was about how my art made me feel and how it touched others, that’s one thing I will never sacrifice, not for any amount of luxury.

I guess at this point I need to readjust, revaluate, revisit the reasons why I started on this journey in the first place.

I guess right now I just feel like an unfinished painting,
 just waiting for the creator to finish.

x0x0x

Connecting the dots!!!

It's funny when I was a kid I loved doing "dot to dot's"/"connect the dots", I was amazing at it.  I could always look at all those dots and see the picture before I even started.

So when someone tells you, "all you need to get by in this world, you learned in kindergarten", well maybe there's some truth to that statement.

Because today I looked at all those dream dots of mine, and they all started coming together to make an amazing picture.

As you may know I have been taking an e-course, "Hello Soul, Hello Business", presented by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls.  This class has been helping me think outside of the box.  It's helping me reinvent the wheel, and I tell you what,  I am painting my wheel pink with white poke a dots!!!

It's so rejuvenating to my soul
a fresh way of looking at
 CREATING and SHARING and LEARNING, oh my!!

All this creative buzz has got me to thinking, 

"WHAT IF"

So let me present to you some background on my what if idea:

At the last Art Festival I participated in I tried something a little new.

I offered to do personalized paintings for my customers,

 I got three orders!!

Wow!!

One of the first one's I did was for a sweet lady named Suzie.
She gave me a picture of her daughter and a list of her
favorite things, as well as some of her
daughters original art work, and this is what I came
up with:

If you look in the left hand corner, you'll see some of her daughters art
work that I attached to the picture.
I named this picture:
"Sweet Tart"
That is the nick name Suzie has for her daughter.
Suzie loved the picture!!
I also painted a picture as a "Thank You", for one of my
favorite Artist.
Laurie Grimshaw-Cox
http://epiphaniesofanartgirl.blogspot.com/
She's such a great lady and teacher.

This is my interpretation of Laurie

I think she looks great in angel wings!!!


Just a couple of weeks ago a friend contacted me on facebook.
She had seen my work, and wanted me to paint a picture of each of her daughter.

Jordan the oldest is turning "16" and Alexa is having a birthday in May.

This one is for Alexa's May birthday:

This one is still a work in progress, it needs some finishing touches.

It's not due till May, so I still have time to finish.

I've even had a special requests to paint a couple of  

Trailers.

Yes, I said "Trailers"

As you know I love to paint 

"Trailers"

Here's just a couple I did:

So when my dear sweet friend, Diane Cook saw then

she contacted me with a special request.

To paint her a picture of her trailer.

So that's just what I did, she sent me a picture and a few

requests, like flamingos and the

"Hot Springs or Bust" saying.

This is what I came up with:

She loved it so much, she ordered one for her brother for Christmas.

 I can't tell you how flattering it is to have an amazing Artist like Diane Cook,

http://rosa-josies.blogspot.com/

ask you for some of your art work.  

I tell you I was over the moon!!

Talk about being over the moon, another amazing Jewelry artist, Denise Petersen,

http://reinventedobjects.blogspot.com/

has asked me to paint a picture of her daughter, Nichole.

She got me a picture and gave me a few guide lines regarding

color and theme.

She wanted the picture to have a Paris theme, one of Nichole's favorite places:

This is what I have so far, she is a work in progress:

I am loving this Personalized Painting!!

So there it is , my "ah-ha" moment.

I have decided to offer 

"Personalized Paintings"

as part of my Artistic Business.

Believe it or not this "Ah-Ha" moment is big for me.

If it had been a snake it would have bit me, I know, but I just didn't see it until now.

So this is me connecting the dots!!!
It took me a little long, but it's been awhile since I was in kindergarten.
Well, I'm off to see if I can connect some more dream dot's!!!
x0x0x