TGIF

I am so glad that Friday is finally here.  This has been one crazy week.  I've been busy as a bee and don't feel like I've accomplished much.  Do you ever get that feeling?

I am pretty happy about one thing I accomplished.  Today, I stepped out of my comfort zone and did some soldering.  I've taken about every class ever offered on soldering and it still rules my life.  I either melt the metal or apply fire scale so thick I don't need to patina the piece:O)  Today, I needed to solder six balls on to the piece I wrote about yesterday.  I knew that I had to do them all at once or not at all because when one is soldered in place and you go to solder the next one, you take a chance of the first one coming loose.  This afternoon, I finally sucked it up and set about accomplishing the task at hand.  The first attempt failed!  Into the pickle pot everything went.  Second attempt a success!!  I was so pleased with myself for trying something that I considered extremely difficult.  THEN, I realized that I needed to solder my maker's mark on the back - yuck!!  With the balls all tightly in their place, I had no choice if I wanted the maker's mark on this piece, and I did.  Into the pickle pot again to be certain that everything was as clean as a whistle.  Now for the big move - turned her over and squirted four little dots of solder on the tag, lit the torch and SHAZAAAM......soldered in place!!!  I sat there for a minute, smile on my face, enjoying the best moment of the week.  I had taken a chance and won!!!

Tomorrow I will decide how I want to proceed with this piece.  Do I want to just attach a jump ring to connect the 2 pieces or do I end up creating a more complicated attachment?  I can almost guarantee you that it WON'T be a jump ring - way too simple.  I'll also add a nice patina to her and I think the old girl is going to be beautiful!  Do you think these two piece look good as is or should I split them up and  have 2 separate pieces??  So many questions, so many decisions to make, so little time.

I really need to start thinking about packing for our trip soon.  We leave on the 27th for Ohio.  Oh, what the heck, I can do that next week. 

Nite everyone.....tomorrow is another day 

Social Networking

Social networking has become a full time job for most of us.  If you are trying to promote a business or just get your name "out there", you need to know how to do it in a clean and speedy manner.  Lisa Larter is the queen of social networking and she is offering, in addition to her three free videos, a webinar today to help make the job easier for those of us who are somewhat techni challenged;o)

Check her site out and make a reservation.  NOW.

http:www.LisaLarter.com for more details.

While browsing through my emails this morning, I found this bit of inspiration on a friends wall and wanted to share it with you


"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." — The Velveteen Rabbit

Always remember that it takes a long time to become Real so enjoy the journey and surround yourself with people who understand;o)

Have a beautiful, creative day and as always, much love from my heart to yours.

https://www.facebook.com/myartandmysoul4sure

https://www.facebook.com/therealsallyhoffman

https://twitter.com/#!/myartandmysoul

Gathering of Friends

Tonight was a special treat.  We enjoyed a gathering of my husband's high school friends in North East, PA.  We haven't made it back for the last few reunions so it was nice to reconnect with everyone.  So many had suffered health issues, loss of a spouse, returning to the nest children/grandchildren, and just generally letting themselves become out of shape.  It is sad to see these things happen to your friends.  It makes it even more apparent to us that if we don't take care of our bodies, who will.  I have become one of those people.  I am out of shape and overweight and my goal is to take control of myself and become a healthier individual.  I am commited to becoming a healthier eater and more consistent exerciser.  I will write these goals down on paper and initial them every morning and night just so I am accountable to myself.  I have 4 grandchildren that I want to be around to watch grow up and enjoy their pleasures.  Watch out world, I am on the way to becoming a healthier, happier me and I will not let anything get in the way.

I am enjoying my Artful Success Program so much.  If you are interested in learning more about this fabulous opportunity, please check out this website for more information.

Artful Success Program



I have also taken advantage of the extra time while we are traveling to listen to the wonderful downloads from this program.  I pop my little ear buds in and close my eyes, concentrating ever so hard on all of the information that Tonya Davidson has spend mega hours co-ordinating for us.  She is a remarkable mentor and I seriously wonder if she ever sleeps:O)

Until tomorrow, remember this:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
Pablo Picasso

As always my friends, nothing but love and creativity from my soul to yours

Life is full of adventures

Can't Wait to Make Music With My Friends

It has been awhile since we had a visit.  I have been on a road trip now for about six weeks.  John and I left Pinetop, AZ on July 1 and our first stop was Pie Town New Mexico, Americas Friendliest Little Town on The Great Divide.  It's All Downhill From Here- literally.  We had lunch at the famous Pie Town Cafe.   

From here, we toddled on down the road to Tucumcari where we spent the night.  It was a beautiful day, weather was perfect and traffic was light on the interstate.  It was a long 10 hours of traveling, but the scenery was great and we had the first day of travel under our belts. 

Until tomorrow, from my soul to yours, nothing but love. 

A Stitch in Time.......

I've been away for a few days.  John and I took a trip to Sedona via our mountain home in Pinetop,Az.  Some good friends of ours were visiting from Georgia and we wanted to spend a few days with them.  Had a wonderful trip.  The weather couldn't have been nicer and we enjoyed our dear friends as always.

We returned to Green Valley tonight and I was checking my messages on the computer and I had one from ArtFire informing me that I had been selected by a fellow artisan to appear in one of her collections.  That is such an honor because as any of you that participate in these online shops know, there are millions to choose from.  I posted it here on my blog for you to check out.  It is on the sidebar so please check it out and let the artists included know that you saw their work.

I'm off to finish unpacking and get ready for the next few days.  Hugs to all of you and have a great evening;o) 

As You Grow Up

We were visiting our family last Thanksgiving and I spotted this sign in a quaint shop in Nevada City, CA. As I stood there and read it over and over I became so aware of life and how very fragile it is. We are not in control of our own destiny, only God is. We need to be reminded daily of how temporary this  life on earth is and make that special effort to hug someone we love, dance like no one is watching and love life to the fullest - we only go around once. Be happy and love yourself for what you are. Bloom where you are planted and always be thankful for every breath you take. I love you one and all.