Road Trip

Everyone had the idea to go to Florida at the same time it seems----I-75 was a parking lot!

Thank heaven for back roads......

You get to see these cool old houses, instead of brake lights!

And stopping to shop for cowboy boots in Ocala horse country is a must!

Finally got to Sarasota.......this sculpture (of the famous WWII photo) is huge, and stands on the road by the marina going out to the beach. Hope to visit lots of shops and find some good stuff for the next show on the way back!!! Happy New Year!!

Digging through old photos!

Mom and Dad

My boys

My babies grew up and became the two most awesome guys in the world! I'm so proud of them!

Pampered pet beds

I build the frames out of wood and wire, then I line the top, and trim out, add satin lined- curtains, bed skirt, mattress, etc.

Hall Stands

These are some of my funky hall stands

I love working with wire, but it is hard on your hands, and brutal on your manicure

While I am getting busy on lots of new stuff-(so many ideas -so little time) here are some pics of things I made a few months ago.

Lakewood show--starts tomorrow.

Lamp collage hatstands and photo holders for the show.

Making repurposed mirrors for the show.

I wish I could say I have gotten lots of work done for the show coming up shortly, but I have been playing hooky in Florida instead!!

When I come home to Sarasota, I am at this beach every morning early to get in a few miles, and also try to catch as many sunsets as I can--I never get tired of the beach. I try to watch for the dolphins, and almost always see them!

This is where I worked sun up to sundown during the summer in high school. I met people from all over the world that would moor their boats in Sarasota Bay. A few of my friends from school lived on boats -(I'm seriously thinking I would like to live on a boat now!)

My son Matt at the car show (St. Armand's Circle)

Matt getting a close up

CALIFORNIA IS SO AMAZING!!

I just got back and I'm so glad I got the chance to go out and visit my friend Sharon (whom I hadn't seen in years) in Folsom (outside Sacramento)--- I fell completely in love with this state! It has everything--the ocean--the mountains--the cities! I flew into San Francisco, and rented a car, then we went junkin' in the towns all around Folsom, where I got lots of inspiration in the great shops! We drove to Lake Tahoe (scary drive) then back to Folsom (I love this town--so many hobbies) explored wine country, and drove the Pacific coast, and stayed the last night back in San Francisco. I was amazed how fit everyone here is--you see runners and cyclists everywhere (bikers, kayakers and surfers, too) and organic food is easy to find. Thanks Sharon and Ken--I had a great time!!!

Now, I hope I can come up with some good stuff for the next show at Lakewood--better get busy, it's coming up fast! It's hard to get back to work--hey Sharon---wish we were at the Coffee Republic now, chillin' out!!

(and Lorena, I actually got back on the plane! Thanks for the inspiration!)

Surfers north of Bodega Bay

Lake Tahoe

The view out my hotel window of the Port of San Francisco

Zittel Pumpkin Farm in Folsom-- where Sharon and Ken conduct tours for thousands of school children each year