What's What (Vol. 5 - June 12-28)

Alas, it seems I couldn't "stay on the ball" with these posts as I had hoped. But that's okay...it just means that there's more for me to share with you. 

What's Finished

My last post gave you a sneaky peek at June's Inspiration Trove project inspired by the prompts: slides, treasures, and clock. The link above will take you to the video of the whole, long process.

What's in Progress

Day 18 of ICAD

Index-Card-A-Day (ICAD) is in FULL SWING. As always, I'm enjoying the results of the challenge. But I almost feel like it's taking me more time to get the cards done than usual. I'm definitely overthinking it but also enjoying the fruits of this labor and the experimental nature of creating every single day.

Day 26

As well, I've been working some on Halloween pieces - though nothing is actually finished. I'm hoping to start on Christmas soon, so I'd better put a fire under my butt!

What's up next

Besides Christmas makes (ornaments & cards), I'm planning to finish up my Keep It Spicy Art Journal video today so that it should be available tomorrow. 

As well, we're prepping to have friends over for swimming on the 4th of July.

What's caught my eye

Is it any surprise that I spotted a little bag of buttons at a local antique mall? And, for only ONE DOLLAR!! I was pleasantly surprised to find so many mother-of-pearl buttons in it. 

What's had my attention

We've had a lot of rain and heat recently, so I've had my eye trained on the weather app more than usual.

But, as far as fun stuff - I finished reading The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. IT.WAS.SO.DARN.GOOD!!!

- The hubs and I just finished rewatching the second season of House of the Dragon as the third one just started. If you're unfamiliar, it's a Game of Thrones spin-off on HBO.

What's filled my cup

After it rained for something like four days straight, I came off the back porch to find that the husk of a dead bamboo tree was covered in clusters of these little mushrooms. I can't tell you how tickled I was. 

What's new

Just a few days after my last post, I took some time to re-organize and freshen my space at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope. I encourage you to go check out the whole shop if you're ever in the area! It's so bright and cheery. And, there are so many amazing artists displaying their beautiful works.

If you're interested in watching a week-in-my-life and seeing my face, there's a fairly new June VLOG available on YouTube.

That's it for now, I need to get to everything else on my long list.

What's new with you?

What's What Vol. 4 (May 18-June 11)

 I knew this would happen. I'm just a few weeks back into blogging, and things went awry. Let's see if I can knock out a little bit of a catch-up without going too crazy.

What's Finished

As I wrote the last blog, I was working on my May Inspiration Trove Assemblage project. You can watch the video, and the piece is now available at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope for sale. 

As well, the 100-Day Project came to an end, and I finished strong by completing this little stitch (and stitched) pouch. You can get a better look at it in my reel on Instagram. 

What's in Progress

Here's a sneaky peek at this month's Inspiration Trove project. (Any guesses as to the prompts I pulled? One is pretty obvious.) And, of course, ICAD has begun! 

This is yesterday's card that used the Glossy prompt. 

What's Up Next?

In the next few hours, I should be pulling the sentiment(s) for June's Finding the Words art journaling. If this interests you, here's the full playlist to explore. As well, there's more index card altering to do, of course. I had hoped to do a vlog this month, but I've been crazy busy and caught a cold in the midst of it all. So, we'll see if that even happens.

What's Caught My Eye?

I went on a thrifting excursion/"artist date" yesterday and picked up several new-to-me items. I'll have them in a thrift haul video later this month. However, you can see some of my other recent hauls in the Thrifty Thursday video that just went up. 

What's Had My Attention?

I mentioned in the last post that I've become a member of a book club, we're now reading The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. I'm listening to it and am loving it so much. Also, the hubs and I just finished re-watching Ted Lasso and remember why it was such a favorite. SO DARN GOOD!

What's Been the Best Part of My Week(s)?

I've gotten to spend a little more time with one of my best friends. That's a lot of what's kept me busy - no complaints there. At her encouragement, I've joined the Junior League of Mobile! My "provisional year" is just starting, but I'm so looking forward to meeting some new people and serving my community.

I think I'll stop here for this post and try to make sure to stay on the ball.

Here's hoping!

What's New with You?

What's What (Vol. 3 - May 4-17)

It's been two weeks since my last post, but we had our staycation during the first week. Then, I spent all of last week trying to get caught up. (Not that I EVER feel caught up.) 

What's finished

Since it has been two weeks, and it rained for about half of our vacation, I did get a few things done.

This assemblage work has been in process for several weeks. It's the first in what I hope will be a series that highlights the little details of some of the ephemera in my stash. As such, this piece (available at Hello Gallery) is titled Ephemeral Treasures 1. 

Likewise, I took a bit of time last week to turn my ICADs (Index Card a Day) into greeting cards for the gallery. 

And, the May Finding the Words art journal spread for YouTube was completed. 

Those are just the bigger tasks I accomplished. There were loads of smaller ones too. 

What's in Progress

Speaking of cards, I've been working on restocking my supply of cards that get included with purchases from the Etsy Shop. That meant making masterboards and watercoloring some flowers for them. 

I can't share what's actually on my desk at the moment, though, as it's my Inspiration Trove assemblage project for the month. I should hopefully have that available to watch within the week.

What's Next?

In addition to the Inspiration Trove video, I'm hoping to have another Thrifty Thursday video up this week, list a few pieces on Etsy, work on a NEW WEBSITE, and get into my Spicy art journal. 

What's Caught My Eye?

Since we were on vacation...it's been a lot of things!

This note written in the sidewalk outside a thrift store in Milton, FL is just one of them.

I also found this abandoned birds' nest in the brambles of our property while I was doing yardwork yesterday.

What's Had My Attention?

I just started listening to/reading The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick and am really enjoying it. In fact, it's this month's book for a book club that I'm likely joining. So, that's exciting too. 

What's Inspired Me?

Our staycation was full of inspiring activities. We went to the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs, MS. It was full of so much colorful inspiration!

We spent an afternoon at the beach (Orange Beach, AL). It's my favorite place to restore my soul, and I am so thankful that we live so close to the coast.

A whole day was enjoyed in Milton, Florida. First, we rode 16 miles of the Blackwater Trail on our bikes. Then we did some dining, antiquing, walking along the Blackwater River, and sampling the local brews. 

What was the Best Part of my Week(s)?

See the section above! 😜

What's New?

It's not especially new-new, but I did recently get my PaperArtsy Infusions into little organizers that I've had hanging around. I even made a whole Reel about it on YouTube. 

What's New with You?

What's What (volume 2 - April 27-May 3, 2026)

 Look at me sliding in with another week's roundup!! 

What's finished

Honestly, the biggest tasks I accomplished this past week were getting the last blog post up, updating my space at Hello Gallery, and cleaning the house.

I did get these two photos altered as part of my StitchABit100 for the 100 Day Project.

What's in progress

Here's where so much time has been spent. I've got other photos still in the process of being altered. (I'm really just trying to decide if they're done for now.)

Other stitching has been done on this scrap of fabric, to which I'm adding white buttons and additional stitches. 

I've also been keeping my hands busy with some neurographic doodling. It's been a while since I dabbled with these. But, I was absolutely pulled back in.

What's up next?

We're doing a staycation this week and started strong yesterday with grilling by the pool. Though the water is still pretty chilly. We're hoping to take the bikes out, go for a paddle on the kayaks, and maybe even spend a day on the beach. However, we may be overambitious with our time. 

What's caught my eye?

After a ton of rain this past week, I looked out my office window and spotted this beauty of a mushroom. It's as tall as my hand!

What's had my attention

Pat had several band practices and a gig this week, so I was left to my own devices (hence the doodling). I watched Practical Magic for the first time ever and rewatched Dead Poets Society (for probably the hundredth time. It's a longtime favorite that I've avoided since Robin passed away.) As well, I picked up watching Outlander from where I left off several years ago (the end of season 2).

Also, the Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2026 has started, and I've been picking my way through those videos. (Today, the Making Zen Online Retreat also starts. I'm hoping to be able to watch some of those too!!

What's Been the Best Part(s) of My Week

~We did go see Cake, though we didn't take any pictures or video (as requested by the band). It was an awesome show!

~I thrifted some buttons.

~A couple of assemblages sold at the gallery

~We celebrated Pat's birthday with a few friends while exploring Pensacola on Saturday. (It was also Kentucky Derby Day, and a mint julep was in order. And, more celebrating was done poolside on Sunday.

What's new

Can you call thrifted bits "new"? If so, I picked up a few new items that will be in an upcoming Thrifty Thursday (though, not the one  I've got scheduled for this week.)

My pressed flowers came out beautifully! I was just off to pick more yesterday when I realized that I had plenty to do before our guests arrived. Hopefully, I can make it happen this week. 

New videos on YouTube -

~Art Journal Page (Keeping it Spicy challenge)

~Create with me Handmade Bracelets

So, what's new with you?

What's What (the first)

I've been planning for WEEKS to get back to blogging and/or send out more newsletters. But, I want to try to keep it simple in more of a roundup of what's-going-on-with-me-in-the-moment style, similar to the "Currently" blogs I've done in the past. As you can see by the title above, I'm calling this "What's What."

Without further ado, let's get started.

What's finished

I framed up two of my completed assemblages (April's Inspiration Trove and Week 2 Seek Gather Create February 2026) and made a couple of bracelets for May's Create with me Handmade Jewelry (upcoming!)

What's in progress 

There's an assemblage piece that needs to be backed and framed, an embroidery pattern that I'm working on for my 100-day project, and a thank-you assemblage piece for the watchmaker who donated a bunch of parts to me. 

What's up next (on my calendar)

Tonight, we're off to see Cake (It was a last-minute decision, and I'm beyond excited!!!!!) I've got an Art Journal video going up later this week. Pat's birthday is this weekend, so there will be some celebrations to be had. And, I'll get to check out how well the flowers did (above) in my cheap-o flower press (from Aldi).

What's caught my eye 

I've had this post from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer about crafting an artist statement open for several weeks now. I've never written one and probably should. Making it through all the info Julie shares will be my first step. 

What's held my attention 

A few things (always!) I just finished listening to Jane Austen's Persuasion and started Amor Towles' Rules of Civility. And, somehow, in writing this am I only just now seeing some of the similarities in the two. Hmmm. As well, we've been watching loads of Taskmaster (the new season and some of the old ones too), Rooster, and Margo's Got Money Troubles. We've also just started rewatching Game of Thrones.

What's been the best part(s) of my week (what am I thankful for?)

1- We saw Steve Vai and Joe Satriani at the Mobile Saenger last Monday

2- I was able to spend some quality time with my nieces (on their birthdays) and my parents. 

3- I got my craft room and office organized. It took a while and some determination, but it was done by Saturday afternoon. 

4- We kicked off pool season with a chilly float on Sunday. 

And, that was just this past week. I'm going to try to keep these fairly short and sweet for just a glimpse of what I'm up to and have planned.

Soooooo - WHAT'S new with you?