New Year's on the Ranch

Top 10 Ways to Spend New Year's on the Ranch

1. Wait for the chickens to lay the first egg of the New Year.

2. Sweep the pond and get out the skates.

3. Leave the fireworks to the city folk and the suburbanites. Herald the New Year by watching Grandpa using the cutting wheel & welder to recycle old steel.

4. Host a party for your friends. Attire: Camo casual. For fun, conduct Skoal spitting contests, rousing games of Name That Road Kill, and a few rounds of Farm-Opoly.

5. Forget watching the ball drop. Ring in the New Year by launching full scale frozen terd attacks and rocket propelled horseapple grenades from the pastures.

6. Spike the cows' range cubes then go tipsy - cow tipping.

7. Go deer hunting at midnight. There's nothing like bringing in the New Year with a buck.

8. Open a beer and the pen of green broke colts…then watch the boys get busy.

9. Turn your pigs into New Year's babies. Diaper them, then draw straws for changing duty.

10. Have your guests catch their own turkey or antelope. Just don't tell them they have to take it home with them.


This is My version of the list on Confessions of a Counterfit Farmgirl's Blog.

2008-- Going ,Going, Gone!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday!

I wanted to share some of the goals I'm challenging myself for 2009.

I am TRYING to move myself beyond my comfort zone in my artwork and seeking to try things I have never tried before. I want to use techniques I have not yet tried, stay with a process long enough to enjoy it, use what I have before buying new and lose the inner urge to always think practical...as in, does this have a useful purpose or is it worthy to hang on the wall?
And another thing... I want to be a finisher. I am so guilty of getting into the process and then when it comes to finishing off the piece, I fall short in the creative freedom to embellish or adding the final details or whimsy that makes the project complete...drives me nuts!

I'd love to hear what you folks have in mind for strengthening your artistic selves for 2009.


CLICK HERE to take the quiz to see if you were paying attention in 2008!

Here's wishing you all a very Healthy, Happy and Artful New Year!

Merry Christmas

I want to send warm holiday greetings....to friends, old and new,near and far away.
Despite the dismal news on the economic and foreign peace fronts, the meaning of Christmas and the Spirit of the Season still makes this a special time every year.
Enjoy it with family and all those around you...then hurry back to blogging in the New Year! Blessings to you all!

Day 12

It is day 12 and the last gift was just opened...it comes from Virginia Madison from Richmond, VA. Isn't this little puffy quilted poinsetta pin just the cutest thing!! Thank-you Virginia! And Thankyou Jeri Aaron for organizing such a fun swap!

The 12 Day of Christmas was great fun and made the Christmas season so much brighter by having a special little something to open each day. You are all wonderfully creative gifted artists and participating with you has been the best gift of all. Thankyou and Merry Christmasa to ALL!!

Day 11

Isn't this necklace just beautiful!!!!
Todays Gift comes from Jean Bennett, way down there in Florida! I just love it and the handmade box that it came in is sweet! Thankyou Jean!!
Tomorrow is day 12 and I'm sorry to see this fun exchange coming to an end.
There's been talk of doing this again for Valentines...can't wait!

New Book Exhibition 36

Susan Tuttle's new book, Exhibition 36: Mixed-Media Demonstrations + Explorations has just been released in bookstores and online. She will be giving away one copy to an eligible person if you go to her blog and sign up by following the instructions-- the random drawing will be held on Tuesday Dec. 16th.


Jennifer Williams, "Trial and Error" sent me this wonderful award. Blogging is about the friendships we create too....Thank-you Jennifer!

This award states: This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends, they are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these artists.

I am passing it on in no particular order to the following people:

http://bluebirdslivinginthemeadow.blogspot.com/
http://thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/
http://somethingtwocrowabout.typepad.com/
http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/
http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/

I hope you Visit them and come to appreciate all of them as much as I do!


and....I just had to share! My 12 days surprise and autograph Birthday present from my favorite online Guy!!
Just goes to show what a super guy he is!! Thanks Tim!!

Day 10

The gift for today comes from Susan Tidwell and it is a sweet soldered ornament!! The little girl with her teddy is waiting for Santa! So Sweet!

It came all neatly packed in a polka-dot TP tube...clever way to make sure it's journey to my house was safe! Thanks Susan!!
You can visit her blog by Clicking Here!!

Day 9

Todays giftie is a bamboo tile necklace made with gel transfer and a beautiful jewel dangle. It is cleverly mounted to a Van Gogh playing card, love that!
Shelly Rae Wood is the artist and I want to Thank-You for such a wonderful necklace!
Now for the gift wrap...here's what she says...
"I made them by ironing freezer paper to snowmen napkins. The pouch is the pull treat pattern from http://www.splitcoastampers.com/. You don't untie it to open it, you just pull on the bow and it "magically" brings out your treat!!" Pretty cool!!
CLICK HERE to visit her blog!

Day 8

Todays present comes from Jeri Aaron. Isn't this cool...an antique teacup pincusion! It is the same Germany dish pattern as my Grandmas (that I didn't inherit), so now I feel all warm in the heart that I have sweet piece to remember her by ...and practical too!It came in a wonderful little gift box too! Thanks Jeri!!
You can visit Jeri's wonderful blog by Clicking Here.

Day 7

For Day 7, Gwynn Thoma sent this elegant dress ornament. The skirt is a dainty hankie scalloped fabric with crystal beaded fringe over the prettiest snowflake sheer fabric - in fact, it's the same fabric that my Day 3 gift was wrapped in. The package was just as pretty, a cotton fabric Bag tied with tinsel...everything so pretty!! Thank you, Gwynn!

Day 6

Is this not the coolest antique spoon?!!! I love it! And how sweet that the little girl in the snow is doing her chores just like a farm girl....I can relate.

Gloria Hanes sent this giftie all wrapped in wonderful music fabric with rusty bells and tags. It sure compliments the gift! This is wonderful, Thanks Gloria!
Take time to visit her blog!

Day 5

I don't know the story on these lovely earrings yet as Diann Scholl is out of town. Aren't they delicate and just beautiful?? Not sure what the stone/bead is but it is sure to match anything. Thank-you Diann!

Tim Holtz 12 Days Surprise!!

I just had to share....I'm a Winner!!
You all know I'm a big fan, been blogging about his 12 Days, heck my grandsons even know who Tim Holtz is!! After school yesterday, James wanted to see the new technique and we were reading down the red highlighted list of prizes and he read them like the Rudolf reindeers list. It was so cute and we were having a good time writing the modified lyrics for our comment to Tim. Low and behold when I went to see Day4....he had us listed first for the prize!! Can you tell I am excited!! A day early for my birthday, but what a surprise!!
Can't wait for James to get home!!
Go See!! I BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC!!

http://timholtz.typepad.com/

Day 4

Can you smell it? This giftie, a wonderful homemade soap, comes from Chris Cunningham.
Click here to visit her blog. Thanks Cris! I will put it out when company comes this Holiday!

Day 3

Todays Wooden Angel was my contribution to the 12 Days of Christmas swap.
I have to admit, that I bought these unfinished wooden components about 5 years ago. They were by the dozen and wholesale....so I got a few. I made some up all rustic for my booths to compliment our barnwood stuff. Long story short, I found a couple boxes that were stashed away and decided to shabby glitz a few with distress inks and stickles and they turned out pretty good... so I decided since I need 12 for the swap that these would work perfect! Hope every enjoys them!

Day 2

This wonderful Art Angel ornament is the Day 2 Gift of the "12 Days of Christmas" swap and was created by Barbara Hagerty of Artiphy the Heart. Love it! Thank-you Barbara!

Getting my Jingle on...
I'm guilty of leaving some blogs on my computor, just to enjoy the music...
Farmchick's blog is a daily stop as her music list is just wonderful! Visit her at Fresh From The Farm for great recipes and great music!

Also...
Don't forget about Tim Holtz's "12 days of Christmas" Tag techniques.
CLICK HERE and head over to his blog.

Another note...
Lisa Vollrath of 'ten two studios' is having a Countdown to Christmas. She will post free new downloadable images each day. Be sure to check out the "rules."

Day 1

of "12 Days Of Christmas" swap!


Hosted by Jeri Aaron of An Artful Gathering, who gathered up 11 artful friends to join in the wonderful swap!
Today's gift, Number 1, is from Angie Hall Haviland. Wrapped in a sparkley snowman bag comes a sweet vintage snowgirl domino necklace. I love the light green and festive look...it will be so much fun to wear this holidays! Thank-you Angie!!

You can see more of her beautiful artwork on her blog: Angie's Art & Full Life.