2010

Happy New Year!

The picture is out of my art journal. While it looks like it is a Zentangle, it is only in a similar style to one. I've been doing these types of drawings for many years, they help me to relax my mind.

About the drawing, I'd done the page with a wash of watercolor awhile back, then I put a coat of white gesso over it and sanded it just a little so I could draw with my black, ultra-fine tip marker. Occasionally, I used a couple of other colored fine-tip markers as well. :)
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So this is the start of a brand new year! I've been working on a totally new idea that I'm Very Excited about and can't wait to unveil it! I'm hoping to unveil it at the end of next week. That's all I will say for now. ;)

One of my resolutions for this year is to blog at least three times a week...daily would be better, but I have a better chance of keeping that promise of three times per week. lol I'm going to give it my best shot.

Must get back in the studio now...Happy New Year!

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Look What's New in the Thicket!

There's a new widget on the top right with a form to sign up for the Twisted Thicket Newsletter!

There's going to be a lot of new things coming out of the thicket soon and they will be unveiled in the newsletter first! The newsletter is free and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Would you like to receive updates and news about Twisted Thicket? Updates about the venues, the new items, the studio, and the fun? How about tips on gourd crafting, rock painting, and pyrography?

As a newsletter subscriber you'll get all that plus, be able to take part in contests, specials, and even more exciting things that are for subscribers only.

Your email address will always remain private and will not be shared or sold. The Twisted Thicket Newsletter will publish on a monthly basis.

Sign up now!

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Holidays, Ornaments, and Food, Oh My!

This ornament above is the next in the custom order I mentioned yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't check the photos before shipping it out and they didn't turn out right. Wish I would have checked them first so I could have retaken them. This one has a paisley design with one heart.

I'll be showing the third one in tomorrow's post.

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Last night for dinner I made a Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast in my slow cooker and it was fabulous! I didn't get a picture of it before it was attacked, but I will share the recipe with you so you can give it a try. :) My daughter, who is not very fond of Cranberries, absolutely LOVED it!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz.) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 (16 oz.) can whole cranberry sauce
  
• 1/2 C. white sugar
• 1/4 C. Dark Brown Sugar
  
• 1/2 C. cranberry juice
• 1 t. mustard powder
• 1/2 t. Rosemary
  
• 1/4 t. ground cloves
• 4-5 lb. Boneless Pork Blade Roast (or other cut)
  
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• salt to taste

1. Combine cranberry sauces with a fork, mix well. Stir in sugar, cranberry juice, mustard, Rosemary, and cloves.
   
2. Place pork roast in slow cooker. Pour cranberry sauce mixture over the roast.
3. Cover and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours.
   
4. Using a ladle, scoop out about 2 Cups of the liquid and put into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Blend cornstarch and cold water and add gradually into boiling liquid stirring constantly. Continue cooking(and stirring constantly), until mixture thickens. Add salt to taste. Serve with the roast.

Enjoy! I'm going to use this same glaze on our Ham for Christmas this year too.

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New things about to come out of my studio! I'm so excited! I've been working on a couple of secret projects lately and can't wait to share them with all of you! I will be announcing their unveiling here in the blog, so be sure to check back here.

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For those of you waiting to see before and after pics of my studio organziation...It is still unorganized, but it is getting there. While I was working on it, the ideas started to flow in my head which has led to the secret projects I mentioned above. You know how it is, you get a great idea and before you know it, you are happily working on it every chance you get. :)

Right now, I must get to the kitchen and start the preparations for tomorrow's feast! My Son and his family will be joining us tomorrow for a day of fun and food!

'Till later...Have a great day!

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Don't You Just Love Circles?

I sure do! This custom ornament I made recently is all about circles. The family circle, our circle of friends, and circle of life--or is it cycle of life(?).
Anyway, this round ornament is made up of many circles, and one of them encompasses a heart.

You can view the rest of the photos (3 more) of this ornament in Flickr.

Starting with this ornament, I'll post one of the ornaments a day, so be sure to check back!
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This is Thanksgiving week and in my house, the holiday baking begins! Tomorrow we'll begin by baking some cookies. MmmMmmm

Have a great day!

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A Mystery & the Changing of the Blog

Well, it's a start!

I've begun changing colors on my blog to brighten it up some. It's difficult for me to go with an all white setting, baby steps. :) I'm not too sure I like the light greenish color as a background for my posts, but after toying with it for the past hour or so, this is what I settled on...for now. It's a work in progress.

This photo on the right is of a painting I've done entirely in coffee. It is one I did to demonstrate my latest article on Empty Easel, "Give Your Next Painting a Caffeine Boost - and Paint with Coffee!" It is not finished yet, but will be soon enough.
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I've been filling up my Etsy shop again and now have 25 items listed. I haven't done much with it or the other one over the summer. I basically just let it go on its own. There will be some brand new things coming out soon. I'm just not too sure where I am going to list them, ArtFire or Etsy, or a combination of the two.
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Lately, I've been very inspired by space. I watch the skies quite often these days, there is so much to see. There's been a lot of very strange activity taking place up there that I've managed to catch since mid-June through the present time. I only wish I had a decent camera, recorder, and even a night vision set up in order to show you all what we've been seeing. My digital camera is a Kodak Easy Share 4.0 Mega Pixels. I have no idea how to be able to catch these at night with the camera I own.

One thing I noticed though, is that during the day if I zoom it in and point it at the sky, it sometimes catches things that I can't see with my eyes. For instance, here is a photo I took just like I described:
I couldn't see anything on the screen when I shot this photo (above). It just looked like clear blue sky.

Five minutes after taking that photo, I took another the same way, and in the same place. This next photo is the second one:


When I uploaded them to the computer, the white dot appeared in both pictures.

That white dot did not move in the time between the first and second photo, so it is not a plane. Also, we do not get a lot of air traffic up here and when we do, they rarely fly over in this area. The flight path is behind me.

I stare at this photo a lot and don't know what to make of it at all. The strange activity we've been seeing late at night however, is also in the direction I'm shooting these photos. It's very frustrating being able to see these strange things and have no way to record them so someone else can investigate this. I do have witnesses though that have watched these things with me.

The blurriness is from the zoom. In case you're wondering why I chose to take those photos there in the first place is because that is the area where we keep seeing strange things (mostly at night).

If anyone has any tips on how I can take pictures (or even a short video) in the future, please let me know. I'm very open to suggestions. :)

'Till later...

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Feels Good to Stretch!

Changed parts of my blog's code this morning to see if I could increase the size of the post width and remove the left sidebar and it worked!. (I only wanted to keep the three on the right that were already there). I also removed three of the ad bars on the bottom.

I'm so glad I did this, it was really getting too busy looking.

What do you think, is it a good improvement?

'Till later......

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Enhancing my Creative Space

This week, in between working on custom orders, I'll be remaking my creative space! I really need to brighten up my space to lift my spirit again.

Like a lot of other artists, I've always loved peeking into other artists' creative spaces. They are all so inspiring!

So, I'm going to be repainting some of the walls in mine and adding more to the funky mural I started awhile back.

I also am hoping that I'll be able to move some things around, like my two large work areas/benches. I'm really tired of where they are and I really don't like to work with my back to the door. Especially when I have my air compressor going and music blaring. The way it is now, if someone walks up behind me and I don't hear them...well, I jump out of my skin if they tap me on the shoulder, or if I turn and they are standing right there! So, that definitely has to be changed for all of our health.

I've always been a fairly disorganized person, especially when it comes to keeping track of my supplies. So, I'm ready to pick myself up and continue my journey from disorganized to organized. I'll be sure to share pictures!

Wish me luck! 'Till later... =)

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Dog Day Afternoon

What a dreary day. It's difficult to get up and moving around today. I think my dogs have the right idea--take a nap! They look perfectly comfortable there in the corner of the couch. :)

I would love to, but I have many things to do. I overslept today too, which was nice. The only problem is that I keep thinking that it's Sunday.

The article I wrote on Gourd Safety is now up on Empty Easel if you'd like to check it out. I also just completed next weeks article on Pyrography.

Right now, I'm going to get busy somewhere off of the computer.

Have a wonderful weekend! 'Till later...

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News from ArtFire!

Just a little bit of news today!

ArtFire has just set up blogs available to all verified sellers! This is going to be great! I'll be setting mine up soon. :D (The message you see there is the default message).

I'm in for a pretty hectic day today, so I'm keeping this real short. Way too much to do.

The photo here, is of a sunset seen from my front porch. I love how it turned out and had to share it.

All for now! 'Till later...

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Lawn Decor

 This huge cement thing has been decorating my yard for quite a few weeks now.  It had become a favorite of my two Mini Dachshunds, Sam and Buddy.

Anyway, I'm happy to announce that it finally made its way into the ground!  

The dogs are very afraid of the two huge machines that were out front digging and placing those huge cement things into the large trench though.  I think that the dogs think they are large monsters.  It's funny watching the hair on the back of their necks raise up as they belly crawl to the back yard. lol 

Soon peace will be restored to our little road and I'll be so happy to not have to hear the deafening sounds of metal scraping on pavement again.

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Pumpkins are beginning to invade my space!  It is the time of year when I airbrush 3D faces onto pumpkins for Halloween.  So, now between finishing up some gourd ornaments, I will be painting pumpkins for this haunting time of year.  

Back to work!  Have a great day!

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Things

The picture in this post is of a double rainbow that I took from my front yard four days ago.  I love rainbows, don't you?

My blog was becoming too crowded with links to all different places...it was starting to resemble, *Gasp!* my vast collection of favorites in my browsers (I have three different browsers on this computer :})

So, you may have noticed that there are quite a few changes with my sidebars.  I've changed the look of the "Blogs I Follow" to reflect the most recently updated ones:  Showing top ten in Habitual Haunts and top 5 in More Blogs I Follow.  You can still view all of the blogs I follow by clicking on the tiny link at the bottom of those two lists that reads: "Show All".

I also removed a lot of other link headings and the links that were included beneath them.  I'm planning on putting them on my links page on the main site.

I've moved things around quite a bit and added a new widget block named "Art & Craft Publications", on your right.  This is where I had the Weekly Polls.  From now on, polls will be posted as any other blog post, at least for now.

Busy, busy, busy...right now I must take a break and do the grocery shopping, and put the finishing touches on some custom ornaments.

:}

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Wanted: Group/Guild Leaders or Managers!

I'm looking for independent groups and guilds (not sales-venue specific) to interview for my new column on Handmade News.

I'm really excited about this column because its focus is specifically on groups that are not formed within internet sales venues. The groups I'm looking for are those that are made up of artisans that work with specific tools and/or materials and work together to further the knowledge of their art or craft.

If you, or someone you know, are involved with a group like this and would like to see the group featured, please let me know. You can contact me by leaving a comment here or writing me.

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So...What exactly is a Spam blog?

Yesterday, my blog was locked for possibly being a Spam blog and someone had to personally check it to make sure it wasn't. After reading the, somewhat foggy, description of one, I really don't understand how my blog would even come close to falling under that description.

I added a new plugboard (yes, I'm behind the times a bit), and directly after that my blog was blocked/locked. Is that the reason? It seems like it could be.

At any rate, apparently I passed their inspection because I am able to post today. :)

So, if you have a graphic 88x31 for plug boards, please plug my board. I'm anxious to see it filled up.
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Michael Jackson's Memorial Service will be on TV today. Facebook is going to be following the memorial service online and in conjunction with CNN. They will have full coverage of events worldwide on CNN and CNN.com Live with Facebook. I've already signed up for this. Will you be there too?

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One Lovely Blog Award

Today I had a surprise waiting for me in my inbox. My blog was awarded the "One Lovely Blog Award" by AliciaMae from the Blogfire Guild. Thank you AliciaMae!

According to the rules, I am to pass the award on to 15 more lovely blogs.

These are the rules that everyone who receives the award must follow:

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. In this case, it would be an award from me, LadyK from the Twisted Thicket Studio Blog.

2. Pass on the award to 15 other lovely blogs you’ve newly discovered.

3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. Remember, you can't give it back to the person that gave it to you!

This was a bit difficult for me, as I've run across so many wonderful and lovely blogs. It truly was difficult deciding on the final 15.

Drumroll please.......

1. Artfire Cafe Mom Team

2. The Copper Cauldron

3. Bows-for-Baby

4. Jazzy Jemz

5. PicardCreative

6. Ninja Jenn

7. Backwoods Creations

8. SunnyRising

9. Pastry Stitches

10. By Coco

11. Ask Ms. Recipe

12. Carri Travis

13. Wall Dancers

14. WillowGlass - The Fuse Muse

15. Boutique by Bonnie

Congratulations to you all!

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Your First News Source for Everything Creative!

Find out the latest news, tips, trends, and more in the world of handmade by reading the newest online news source, Handmade News! It's a great way to start your day.

Handmade News is published daily, covering a variety of subjects such as: Inspiration, Guilds and Teams, Craft Techniques, Marketing, and so much more!

Stop by and have coffee with us each morning. We look forward to meeting you!

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"Handmade News" Needs You!

Would you like to be paid for your expertise by becoming a columnist for the new "Handmade News Publication" http://handmadenews.org ?

Right now we have two openings for columnists in the "Guilds and Teams Dept." ( http://www.handmadenews.org/department/index.php?did=14 )!

"Handmadenews.org is a vibrant collaboration and central repository for information and articles pertaining to all things handmade. With craft, indie, and modern cottage industry related information and articles to help keep you in the know. We are always seeking new Contributors, Columnists, and Editors and welcome fresh perspectives from bright voices."

Here is the link to more information and application:
http://www.handmadenews.org/home/application.php

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The New Journal

A new journal for my daughter!

My daughter used up her old journal recently so I made her a new one out of an old school, two-pocket folder and the collar of an old shirt. It turned out great!


I made 7 signatures of 10 folios each to sew into the spine, which gives her 140 pages total!



The reason for the collar was to create the spine and also to cover the cut edges of the folder.
The paper I used for her journal is just 20 lb., bright white, copy paper.
The one I made myself last year, was made with 140lb. watercolor paper, but my journal is an art journal and hers is more of a diary.

I'm going to make and attach a strap to it to keep it closed when she isn't writing in it.

Still sitting on my big news, but you'll read about it pretty soon, sometime in the next week.
I'm so psyched and excited!

Have a great weekend!

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I'm About to Burst!

I have such exciting news but can't say a word just yet! So, please stay tuned...I'll post as soon as I can!

Short and sweet today, new pics tomorrow!

Have a great day!

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It's All About You!

All About (and for) You!

That is what the new website, ByHand.me, is all about -- You! It is a co-op community for artisans.(and it's Free!)

It was created by M. Adam Kendall, (owner of Infivision) to solve many online problems that affect many artisans. Problems such as:

* Being spammed repeatedly once you join a social network.
* Unwanted ads plastered all over your pages.
* Using up precious time trying to promote yourself on multiple sites so that you don't get lost in the crowd.

Rebecca, Adam's wife and owner of "SoapDeli", helps manage the site.

Once you join, you will have your very own "Profile Page" with your very own URL. Your profile page is made up of sections that can include:

* Your banner
* Your own avatar
* Your profile/Bio
* Your RSS feeds (to your venues, etc.)
* Your Flickr (which looks a bit like it's in an IFrame)
* Your latest Tweets
* Your Status section block

At the bottom of your profile page, there is a tabbed section that includes such things as: your connections, who your latest visitors were, and your spotlights. ByHand.me acts as a portal to everything You! See my profile page .

You also get your very own blog! You can customize the sidebar to suit you. When you post you are given the opportunity to have your post published on ByHand.me's homepage (a few restrictions see #6) and Twitter.

Those are just the tip of the iceberg! There is so much more, just click on the banner to your left in this post to go there now and experience it for yourself!

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BlogFire on Blockhead Radio Tomorrow Night!

Blogfire, which is a guild of verified members of ArtFire, will be featured on BlockheadRadioLive tomorrow night, April 21, at 8pm EST!

Blockhead radio is a 24/7 Independent Internet Radio Station featuring music from Independent Musicians and Talk Shows on Aritsans, Family, and Life.

Stop in, listen to the show and visit with some of us artists of Blogfire!

Please check out Blockhead Radio's blog as well!

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Title: "The Rut" (Whitetail Buck Complete!)

"The Rut"

Now complete and ready to be delivered to it's new home tonight! I wasn't going to post it tonight, but I couldn't wait. I really love how it turned out.

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