Who Knew...

...that I liked fishing?  Actually, I LOVE it!

It has been a wonderful way to not completely dread the scorching summer.
When you are up early in the morning sun, the heat isn't so bad.

A Work In Progress

In several places around my home, I have numerous old family photos I could draw from.  In fact, just my own collection would keep me going for quite some time!
But, the grass is greener...
I found a seller on Etsy, Dawn And Ross, that sells the best vintage photos.  Plus, they sell the original!
I couldn't help but buy a few.

New Purse!

I've been working on this for a couple of months.
'Tis my first attempt at felting my own purse.
The last stitches just went on a few minutes ago.
Can't wait to use it tomorrow!

Little, Good Stuff

Bowl of Oranges

My brother is moving to the other side of the world.
Suddenly the bowl of oranges in his home seemed extra precious.

RICH

Yes, I would like to earn more money, but when there is a fresh package of toilet paper in the house, I feel RICH...and all is well in the world.

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My New Year's Eve was spent at home, painting with my husband.
Delightful!

A Storm Came Through

© Jenny Baio, personal photo

We have been waiting and waiting for the temperatures to drop.

Thursday evening a rainstorm came through!

On Friday, it was impossible to keep my eyes off the sky.  CLOUDS!

I made sure my camera was with me at all times.

© Jenny Baio, personal photo

Alas, today the storm has traveled on, taking all the clouds with it.  There is nothing left...except a warm, very low sun excellent for taking a shadow picture.

Brussels Sprouts

personal photograph © jbaio

It amuses me to no end: the way brussels sprouts grow.

Scary Santa

I'm always up for a good, scary Santa face.
These photos were taken Wednesday evening at Goodwill.
But, I left these three "jolly" guys there!

Meet The Gang

Meet the gang!  This is how I played this past weekend.

I found PaperClay.  It has been difficult to find in stores.
But my local, mom-n-pop paper craft store carries it!  Yahoo!
PaperClay is light and easy to use, and it air dries.

Joy and Sorrow Are Friends

I have always tried to separate joy and sorrow, as if you can only feel one as soon as the other has ushered out.  And don't even think of feeling the other way again until you have cleaned up and swept out every emotional crumb of the current emotion.

Exhausting.

I have decided to let them hold hands.
It's a bit heavy at the moment, but it is much more peaceful.

*My sunrise photo from a week ago.

Love...

...love.

Birthday!

Today is my birthday!

I had a wonderful morning with my husband.  I took these photos on our outing.
I have new yarn, too!
It's a good day.

Saturday Night

Saturday night.  Home with husband. Creating. Heaven!

I constructed this with an empty Cheez-it box, a used dryer sheet and art supplies.
Fun FUN!

Shelf Of Little Things

Growing up, my mom always had a shelf of little things.
Using a type set drawer hung on the wall, my mom would fill the compartments with various treasures and trinkets.

As a young adult, I bought my own drawer and followed suit.
Originally, my drawer was natural wood.  In my mid 20's, I painted it orange.  In my 30's, it was chocolate brown.  Now in my 40's it finally occurred to me it didn't have to be a solid color.

Using only the paints I had (which was a mix of $.99 craft paint to lovely Golden liquid acrylic) I went for it.  I love it so much, I shan't be filling it back up with little things...for now.

Just in case you aren't familiar with a type set draw, they were used back in the olden days before computers, before typewriters.  The thin, flat drawers held all the type set used in printing.
Or check this ETSY listing.

Monsoon Season

The plus side of monsoon season: amazing clouds!
I took this right outside my front door.

Purse Makeover

A few months ago I bought a purse on clearance: $11.
Monday night I decided it needed something different.
Voila: painted and embellished with a simple circular weaving!
And...the best part...I used what I had!  No money invested!

The Heart Wants Love

"But my heart does not want the answer.

What my heart wants is LOVE..."  -Karly Randolph Pitman

I love these words.
They come from the author, Karly Randolph Pitman from First Ourselves.

Is Anyone Out There?

Heeelllllooooooooo.  Is anyone still out there. 
I know.  I have been gone a long time.

It has been a year since I moved to Arizona: blending my teenage daughter with two young step kids, building a new marriage and working three part-time jobs.
Phew!

Well, I have been absent from blogging.  But, now a change in my work schedule will allow me more time!

I moved again, two days ago.  After settling in, I realized I need a laundry basket to transport clothes to the outside washer.  My mind immediately went to BUY mode.  Then I saw the empty trash can!
With a good scrubbing and play time with my Sharpies, I now have a new laundry basket.