Back to work...

I have been busy in my studio & am happy to report that I will again be listing my creations on TDIPT starting January 1st 2010.Till then I will be posting pics of available work here on my blog. Join my mailing list to receive news about up & coming pieces that will be available for purchase.

Wishing you all the best this winter season!

Warmly, Susan

COOL...

I found just found this artist who does the most amazing things with hair...

won't tell you anymore...you have to go & see it for yourself...

He is a Japanese artist who also creates bears with what looks like split animal personalities...

...INTERESTING... 

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...Click on the individual hair models to get a larger view...

Hair Hats

 Split personality Pandas

 http://www.naginoda.com/work_en.html

Part 1 Vacation Cruise

What I did on my Vacation in less then 400 words...


kissed a stingray...hugged a dolphin...got stung by a jellyfish...rode some awesome waves...flew through the everglades on an air-boat...saw lots of gators up close & personal...went zip lining through an ancient Mayan cave...saw a barracuda...swam with a 25lb grouper...managed not to get a sun burn...repelled down a cliff...drank mojitos...gained two pounds...toured around the houses of the rich & famous...toured a cruise ship...there BIG!!! tried to sleep while experiencing 15 foot ocean swells 
experienced a jungle downpour...drank more mojitos...saw extreme third world living conditions...realized how blessed we are to live the life we have...
wanted to take home all the stray jungle puppies...saw what lots of money can buy...saw what no money can buy...had my first Cuban sandwich...met lots & lots of really awesome people...went to Hell...

Part One - Miami

To much work to post all my vacation photos at once so I will share them with you over the next few weeks. We took a one week Carvival Western Caribbean Cruise starting from the Port of Miami with stops in Grand Cayman,  Isla Roatan in the Honduras, Belize, Cozumel & then back to Miami. My first impression of Miami is that I really didn't care for it...didn't get good vibes at all...I did however find the history of the area very interesting. We took a city tour, an Everglades & Gator farm air-boat excursion, went to South Beach, took a boat tour of the Port of Miami & the coastal homes of the rich & famous...lots of tacky tourist outings.We then hopped on our Cruise ship where we joined my brother & his family for a week of frivolity & adventure...hope you enjoy the pics. 

Miami luxury apartments & yacht...cue the Miami Vice soundtrack...

Miami Ink Tattoo Studio...one of my favorite TV shows...

 

Miami skylines

Blustery day on South Beach...edge of the Hurricane...

Houses of the rich & famous...

Tacky Tourist Outing

Come here my little pretty...

To close for comfort...

 

The Florida Everglades

 

Our Everglades Tour Guy leaning on the back of our air boat...

Chow for Now...

stay tuned for more tacky tourist photos...

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I am slowly getting back to work...created my first miniature bear & I am completely enamored of him...will post photos of this piece soon. We finally listed our home this week...hate this part as we have to keep the house so spotless...wish us luck for a quick & successful sale. Thanks to everyone who has stuck by me through this trying time & who sent my family well wishes after the passing of my father in law...you are all so amazing & thoughtful!!! 

Wishing you all a cozy winter full of creativity, warmth & well being!

& One Big Happy Thanksgiving to all my U.S. Friends...

Back in the Nest

Home Sweet Home

Will post vacation pics soon

Will be getting back to creating soon

Am feeling refreshed & excited about life!

Missed you all!!!

Ugly Cat Rug

Thought I would show you some photos of the hooked rug that I designed while attending the Prairie Harvest Rug Hooking School which took place in September...I just pulled the last loop this week & have to say that I am pleased with how it turned out. It is a 24 inch by 19 inch mat & was hooked with hand-cut strips of as is wool & hand-dyed wool. I prefer hand-cutting my strips as it gives my rugs that old worn look. Last but not least, I bound the rug with rusty red wool strips...

 

The design of the cat changed a bit...in the beginning he didn't have a back leg, just a tail & his paws looked more like fingers...I pulled out quite a few strips & redid these areas so that I could give him a back leg & larger less finger-like front paws.

 

Over all I am happy with how this rug turned out but I would really welcome your thoughts & critiques.

I have been nursing a cold & rug hooking is such a warm cozy activity to do when you are feeling out of sorts...I find the repetition & the feel of the wool very comforting...just perfect for those down & out days.

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During the summer my husband & I booked a cruise & tomorrow we are leaving to fly down to Miami to meet up with my brother & his family...from there we are all boarding a biggg boat which will make its way down to Jamaica with stops in Mexico & Belize. My husband especially needs this trip as it will give him some time to recover from his dad's passing...a chance to unwind & get his smile back. I will have lots of pics & adventures to share with you upon our return.

Till then...

Susan