Sorry, But This Frog Jumps!

I was in a bit of a funk this week and feeling out of sorts. Rushing to complete a HUGE list of want-to-do's as the passing of Summer Solstice signaled time starting to tick down JUST as we were getting into the swing of sun, warmth and outdoor living. My fussy, restless mood was directly linked to my overly scheduled inspired life. I have tried very hard not to be that person who rushes around, rushes her kids and bosses her husband. Let's just say Daddy-O put it perfectly.... "that's like making a FROG NOT JUMP!"  What a silly thing to say to me from the man I love -and yet so true.

OK, I'll work on it... this winter!

Even though Anchorage had a record late snowfall at the end of May, the new gardens are coming around with record breaking heat and a string of blue-bird days.

We hosted a Summer Solstice "meet your neighbor" party. What fun to enjoy music, friends, food (fresh Sangria!) and beverages on our new front lawn. Many of the neighbors had not met one another -even though some have lived here for years! They were grateful Daddy-O and I suggested this party in the middle of everyone's busy, busy summer. We all appreciated the live music, festivities and conversations with an eclectic group of people, so much so, that the party continued through the night around the fire pit -which also helped to fight off these hurkin' AK-size mosquitos! Nigel was in charge of the iPod Playlist when the live music took a break.

I've been trying to get some welding in -maybe this weekend if the weather clears. It's raining right now so I'm filling Garden Flag orders and enjoying sitting at the sewing machine with a lovely view of the new gardens. Ahhhhhh....

Gus participated in the Great Alaska Martial Arts Tournament and Festival that was hosted by Champ Marshal Arts. Daddy-O and I were staff volunteers in the rings as time keepers, and even board holders for the breaking competition! (notice that Gus has grown taller than Dad this summer...)

High Production in a Bird-Filled Studio

I have a pair of my metal Geese in the studio that I offered to repair this week. The entire neck came off of one bird and the other goose was bent in several places. The suspension wires were overly strained and broken as well. Some of the enamel paint has rusted off in places of friction. The customer had them hanging outside from a tree and with a record-setting winter and extreme high winds throughout the year, I’m surprised they have fared as well as they did –especially since they were designed to be hung INSIDE! At first I thought my welds had failed (which is a fear for any welder) but it was the STEEL That TORE AWAY from the weld!! Since the hanging Geese sculptures have a hand painted enamel finish, re-welding was not possible due to any heat repair would have burned and caught the paint on fire. I chose to use J-B Weld for the neck repair and with some new enamel touch-up paint and new suspension wires and they should be good to go. I also decided to light some incense, burn an energy candle and play some great music for the pair of geese to reignite their artfulness before returning them to the client. They were is such rough shape I felt bad for them and wanted them to hang happy again!

It’s been production central in the studio. I’ve been crazy busy filling wholesale orders and sewing Raven Garden flags every spare moment. It’s been fun to have the colorful stacks of fabric surrounding me in the studio but I admit, not so fun doing repetitive production work -unless I have a nice tall beverage sitting ext to me on work nights... Production work makes me grumpy until I see those checks in the mailbox and those check-looking envelopes make me happy, happy, happy!

This is a similar pair of my steel  geese sculptures displayed INDOORS at a local hospital.

Even though I won’t have a booth at the Spenard Farmer’s Market this season, I’m still a volunteer helping to coordinate the vendors and updating the web site and FB pages. I was happy to see opening day finally arrive, because it also means warmer temps MUST BE on the way here in Anchorage, I'm SO READY to get my garden planted. Here are a few inspiring and fun booths that were at the Market opening day today! 

Fun to see my friend, fellow artist and FAB gardener, Brooke Heppinstall of Woolwood Studio and Gardens! A.K.A. the original “Garden Tart!”

Diana Gidare-Radoff of AK Knitting Diva Designs is hosting a season-long “Sit & Knit” Community Scarf Project! "The Community Scarf Project, for fellow knitters to knit a few/a lot of rows, all season. The finished project will be showing up this winter at an undisclosed location. Yarn Bomb anyone?" I just may have to have Diana show me how to knit a few rows just to participate in the project. What a cool idea Diana. BTW, her headband knits were seen ALL OVER the Market today, good thing too as it was a bit chilly.

Foundroot Seeds, Sundries & Sustenance “Your Local Alaskan Seedsman. Foundroot is a small family-owned Alaskan business offering 100% open-pollinated vegetable seeds. We specialize in rare, heirloom, and expertly-bred seeds that will thrive to the far reaches of the frozen north. Tough climate? Tough seeds.” This was a VERY COOL and new vendor that is a wonderful addition to the Market -check out their web site.

St. Arnold Crosses were made with beer caps and  tin. The booth said “St. Arnold, patron saint of hop pickers and Belgian brewers, Ca 1040-1087. St. Arnold encouraged local peasants to dring beer instad of water, due to its gift of health. During brewing, the water was boiled, creating a medieval drink that was free of pathogens.”