Woo hoo! Front page, baby!

I've been sick for two weeks now with what I refer to as the "June bug crud". I've been keeping myself busy doing art marketing, making friends on Etsy and making treasuries. My "Lipstick at Night" treasury landed on the front page last night. Talk about exciting! Woo hoo! At least two items sold while on the front page and views were jumping like crazy. Congratulations to all the talented sellers!

The garden friendship built

Remember that mountain of wood chips I posted earlier in the month? A portion of them are now part of my new "Friendship Garden" in my front yard. My friend Ruth came over a few mornings this week and together we dug out, divided and re-planted many hostas and ferns. Ruth had double the work because she took home plants with her as well. The rest of the chips got put into gigantic lawn bags and I'll use them in my backyard once I run chicken wire along the base of my fence to keep my dogs from digging out.

Whew, what a week!

As this week comes to a close two words come to mind...HOT and BUSY!

Summer found it's way to IL early and brought low 90's, high humidity and loads of rain. Yuck!

Tuesday was the one year "Gotchya Anniversary" or adoption anniversary for my Catahoula, Sadie Sue. She was my very first foster dog and she never left. We celebrated in a big way and took her to the dog bakery for liver cake and compliments and she got to share a hotdog with her siblings and got some quality time with me.

Thursday my dad had surgery and he's doing great. I'm so blessed for having supportive friends during rough times.

Friday night was the opening for "The Blues" show at Karen Solem's Gallery in Elmhurst, IL. There was a fantastic selection of art and despite the bad weather, there was a nice crowd. I met a very talented artist that I hope to feature on this blog later this summer. Her work was amazing!

On Saturday night we headed to another opening, the five year anniversary celebration at Orleans Street Gallery in the Pheasant Run Resort. They had art hanging, an ongoing slideshow of art from many of the artists that have exhibited there in the last five years and live painters.

Today my good friend, Ruth came over at 5:30AM and helped me move dirt and plants around to get ready for my new fern garden. We loaded up her car with ferns, hostas and other perenials and she took them home to liven up her yard. I love sharing plants with friends.

I finished a mosaic for an international art exchange. I call it "Shining Through". The spidery center came off a light fixture. I sanded the rust off, primed it, painted it with metal paints and adorned the tips with vintage amethyst scarabs. The tesserae includes Orsoni smalti, Perdomo smalti, glass beads, fused glass and rotti.

Tonight I started a large painting of a ballerina. I'm excited to see how she turns out.

I've got The Blues

If you're in the Chicagoland area and you love art and/or The Blues, I invite you to an art opening and wine tasting at Karen Solem Gallery in Elmhurst, IL. The opening is on Friday, June 6th from 5:30-8:30PM and will feature art that was inspired by Blues music or is mainly made up of the color blue. My vase, "Montego Blues" will be on display.