Day one of my Vacation

Yesterday was a travel day. Not quite the fun it used to be. For some reason I am always frisked at the airport. And as an even further assault, yesterday, before I was allowed on the plane they asked me to step aside and they went through my purse and my overnight bag. What???? They didn't ask anyone else to do that. How can I possibly look so suspicious? Once upon the plane it was nice. Delta has the little tv on the back of the seat in front of you and so I was able to watch the house channel and crochet the whole time. It was great. I got a lot of great tips on how to remove wallpaper. My house has so much of that and it all needs to go.
When I arrived at Atlanta I had to find my boarding gate for the next flight. I arrived at gate A1 and had to leave from gate b2. Wow no big deal, right. Oh the Atlanta ariport is so big. It took a long time to get to B2. I stopped on the way to get a bottle of water. Big mistake. When I arrived at my gate and sat down. The gatekeeper posted a note saying the gate had changed to A1. Oh no, time was short now. I had to hurry back to where I came from. I shoved the bottle of water back into my purse, apparently not closing it properly in my rush. As I hurried to the gate A1 the water spilled all over my purse. No big deal except my cell phone was in there. When I realized what had happened, argh!!!! What an idiot i felt like. I needed the cell phone to announce my arrival in Richmond to my daughter. Plus her phone number was on the cell phone.
What to do. I had the laptop with me and managed to find her phone number on it. The man next to me allowed me to call her, but she didn't answer. I left a message. When I looked out the plane window, I saw snow on the ground. I have never in my life driven in the snow.
I managed to get to the rental car place and got a car with a gms thing. That should help me find my daughters apartment in a city I have never been in before at night in the snow. She handed it to me over the counter though and there were no directions to how to connect it to the car. I managed to find a friendly stranger and he set it up for me. Ok, now I am in a car that I am not used to and driving to her apartment. I rolled down the driver window to adjust the mirror and I couldn't figure out how to roll the window back up and in my efforts to do that all the windows are now down and it is very cold and very dark. I had to pull over and get out the instruction booklet. The GPS did not like this, but I managed to get the windows back up. It is so funny how simple things that we do everyday like driving the car can turn difficult when we don't know the basic operations of the thing and it is dark outside. It is so dark in Richmond. California has so many lights that there really aren't any really dark places even at night, unless you are in some residential area out in the boondocks. Plus it is never this cold. I did finally manage to get to my daughters apartment. I was so happy to see her. We decided to walk to a little latin place to have dinner and of course on the way there I slipped and fell. Oh my gosh, how does anyone walk in the snow. After it has been walked on and patted down it is like a skating rink. My fall didn't hurt too bad though. I will be more careful. Today is a new day and I am fresh from a good nights sleep. I will take some pictures to post and get myself and my daughter down to Norfolk Virginia where my sister is going to pick us up. We will see how I do. At least it is daylight.

I never post enough!!!

Oh dear, I look at some of the other blogs I follow and I feel so much pressure to post more. I will be able to do that for the next couple of weeks. I am going on a small vacation and I want to record it so I can remember the fun I am going to have. Hip Hip hooray. I will get to see my lovely daughter in Richmond and my wonderful sisters in North Carolina. I will be posting pictures and things as I go. There was a lot to do to get ready to leave. It is funny but when you work for yourself, you have to do all the work that you will miss before you go. So it is crazy work hours. Plus I had to clear up my studio so I could work on the frames that I am going to create for the bracelets. That is how I am going to display them at the California Gift Show coming up in January. I am going to take all my tools with me so my sister (who has a fantastic workspace) can assist me. Today I went to Joann's to buy some canvas.

Some of my work is going to be in Bell Armoire magazine, the Spring issue so today I finished writing a short article to go along with the pieces. I can't wait to see how they photograph them. The pictures are of my straightened up beading area. Ha Ha, You should have seen it before. And some things I am working on. Everytime I sell one of those little dolly pins I have to make another. I become attached to each one. silly me.

It's raining, iIt's pouring, the river is running!!!!

Funny, I live on a street called River Lane in Sunny California and although the Santa Ana river bed is directly behind my house, it is hardly ever a river. Maybe a river of rocks!!!!! But today when it is raining so hard we have a real river. It never becomes mundane for me. I walked down to where there is a little bridge between the neighborhoods where you can really see the river. Here is a picture. Of course I got really wet as it started raining on my way back. It is all good. I took the little stuffed cat with me. ML, remember I bought all the stuff to make it in Elizabeth City. The kitty lives. I finished it. I love his eyes. Rita

Unique show table

Here is my table from the Unique Show in LA.

New pen made from Grace Lampwork Beads

I made this brooch before the bead and design show in San Francisco and while I was there I fround the perfect bead for it. She had so many beautiful beads. Check it out. ww.gracebeads.com

Unique Show in Los Angeles

Wow this show is so different than the Bead and Design Show. I will post pictures later on. They are playing music. It makes it very difficult to talk to anyone. Lots of really cool people. I can't wait to walk around and look around at the other vendors. 

Listings on ebay!!!

I just listed a lot of buttons on ebay. Take a look.

http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&CurrentPage=MyeBayNextSelling&ssPageName=STRK:ME:LNLK:MESEX

I will be listing also on etsy, but tomorrow. Time to go inside.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

San Francisco Bead and Design Show

Oh wow, I have so many things I want to post. But for tonight I am just going to post my booth so you can see it. It is so hard to take pictures at these shows even though I have my camera. There is so much going on that you just get so distracted. I did manage to get a couple. Here is my booth.

Also, the yellow vest dress I made to wear one of the days to highlite how you can use the buttons. The pockets came in so handy and I loved doing the stenciling on the pockets with Daddy's old stencils. I had so much fun and I met the best people. Grace, the lady behind me was so much like you ML. All the people around me just kept me laughing and inspired the whole time. I wish I could bottle it. I also met some new great friends. I will tell about these later. Plus I have to show what I traded with the other vendors. Some wonderful things. I sold quite a few of my bracelets and was so sad to see them leave. I am very attached to them. Anyway I will post more tomorrow. I am going to watch the Biggest Loser on TV so I have to hurry. I have already missed half of it. Rita

Look at this guy!

Can you believe this picture. It has so many levels. He must love to crochet... but look at the people around him. Are they visually dead. How come noone is staring at him. this is not something you see everyday, is it? Wow. He is over the top. I wish I could speak to him. I think we would be best friends. Ha

Just wanted to say Hi.

I don't mind being busy but only with things I like. I have been busy lately with Doctors, hair and roofing contractors. Not fun. Today I am having to fast because tomorrow I have to have a colostomy, a blood test and a masectomy. Oh it is so dreadful and it is a long drive. I made the most beautiful soup yesterday and I can't even have any of it today.

I went to the art store on Sunday and of course since Jenny's fabric store was up that way I had to visit. He he. Look at these fabrics. Mostly they are for my booth display but oh my the black dots with the delicious looking oranges on it had to come with me. Can't you just imagine a skirt. Oh and what about the funny one. the name of the fabric is That's sew wrong. A designer with a sense of humor. This has to be a pair of pants.

You sent me buttons. Oh How Fantastic!!!!

ML - I have put all the buttons you sent me on flicker for a record to enjoy over and over. Once they get mixed in with my buttons I won't remember which ones came from you. So generous. Here is what I have made out of the ribbons that you sent me. I am going to bead and decorate it next. Doesn't it look like a pretty catapillar. I don't know if there is such a thing. Have a great week, I know I will. Love ya. Rita

beanie festival olympics

beanie festival olympics, originally uploaded by gusseting.

I just had to add this to my blog. These women are racing to crochet beanies. Look at all the hats around. I shoulda been there. Ha

I finished one of the Orange and black Bracelets today.

I love the Orange and Black. I loved making it. I wore my sweat pants today and and old shirt because I had to take a look at the sprinklers. Oh gosh, I found one that was broken so I had to dig it up. What a mess. The knees on my sweatpants not only stretched out but they are black from the hole I had to dig. I got it all set up to be fixed and then I had to finish working. As soon as I finished the bracelet I wanted to photograph it so as I was looking for a place around the yard, a couple walked by the front with their dogs. I rushed out to have the lady put on the bracelet (I don't know why I did this) so I could get a good photograph. I can only imagine what they thought. I was so dirty and my hair was sticking off everywhere. Big black knees and dirty hands and here I have this beautiful sparkly bracelet in my hands. They are neighbors, what was I thinking. I spend way too much time by myself. Yikes. The orange beads glow in the dark. so cooolllll!!!! I put more pictures of this on flicker. I used a lot of the black glass buttons. Thanks ML

It has been a whole week!!!!

Wow, time sure seems to be flying by. I am trying to build up product for the show in San Francisco along with my other work. But I at least want to post something once a week. Here is the finished necklace I made with my new metal skills and a tube I knitted. The best part of the tube is the yarn is from North Carolina. I found it in a thrift shop out shopping with my sister. We had such a wonderful time together and I just can hardly wait to go there again this year.

Glitterfest was so fun!!!

I so enjoyed selling at Glitterfest. When I first arrived I was a bit overwelmed with all the talented artists that were there. It was hard for me to stay with my booth and not go looking. I was very envious of all the people walking around. My booth neighbors were fantastic. I was so inspired. Now I feel like I need to do a lot of work before I go to San Francisco next month. Here is a little illustration that I did that was inspired by the Glitterfest. It has nothing to do with the show but I feel it reflects the feelings I felt from all around me. I am working on compiling some illustrations for a calendar.

Yesterday I had to fix my color printer. Oh no, the parts were so tiny and I kept thinking I was gonna drop them inside the printer guts. I didn't and it appears to be fixed (maybe). Argh!!! I need that printer.

Here it is Saturday!!!

I have so much to do today to get ready for the Glitterfest Show I am doing next Saturday. But what am I doing???? I have to go to the Bank this morning so I am sitting here all dressed waiting until they open. Today I am going to try the PMC3 silver clay. We will see how it comes out.

I finished the Louie the Fourteenth Bracelet

I have been looking at this button for ages. It was terribly discolored and stained until I found this amazing polish. I had to make something from the button, it was so beautiful. Also I mixed all sorts of yarns together. There are a few button from my trip to Bruce's yesterday.

ML. There is a working fireplace in his store. I was amazed and asked him if he ever used it. Of course he said no. You remember how his store is stacked with boxes and things behind the counter. But wow what a great store it would be with a fire burning. Can you imagine looking at buttons with a fireplace going. Oh my. So perfect.

I bought some vintage buttons today!!! Hooray!!

Oh gee, I had to go over to Tustin and drop off my payment for the Glitterfest show. While I was there I noticed Bruce the Button guy was open. Oh my, I hadn't been by his place for so many years. He is never open. I dug through his old buckets and was in there for at least an hour. I though of you ML. You would have been right there with me. My hands got so dirty he had to give a little towlette. So sweet. Here are the ones I got for your enjoyment. Of course I cleaned them all up. What fun.

I have buttons listed on ebay!!!!

Check them out ML.

Look at the sailor one - can you feel his longing for his family back home. Just like Daddy. You just know he looked at mamas photo like that.

Also I got the information for the Glitterfest today. Oh I am so excited to do this show. I wonder if there will be cupcakes with glittery frosting on them. Oh boy.

I am gettin out there!!!

Wow, I spent this week trying to get organized. Not an easy thing for me. I will post some pictures tomorrow. In the meantime here is a halloween card I made. I love to draw.

Today is my 38th Wedding Anniversay

Unbelievable how the time goes by. We have been through so many different time periods together. The end of the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's and now we are almost through the 2010's. In most things we are in complete agreement but there are those one or two things that we never agree on. You would think we would be used to each other by now, wouldn't you.

And then a Spider sat down beside her

Oh no, look at this spider. If I had gone out to the trash can last night I would have walked right into it. What is he thinking????? Scary

My first button from fimo

I am so excited, I made my first button from FIMO today. I did other things but this was such a reward. I love anything that sparkles. What do ya think ML??? I used some of those Rhinestones we got from Berger beads downtown. Hooray. I don't know what I am going to do with it but I can look at it for a long time. I also turned on the torch today. I also listed buttons on ebay. Check them out.

Labor Day week end

So are the trash guys coming today or not. Sometimes on holidays they come and everyone is in a mad dash to put their trash cans out in the morning. Yikes. We all see each other in our bathrobes, and we all have the same sheepish, frustrated look. Ha ha. I don't hear them this morning though, I guess they give the laborers the day off. Oh yeah it is LABOR DAY.

I guess some of us have to labor anyway. Rita

Today is my Birthday!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to me. I look at my Birthday like some people look at New Years Day. I assess my life and see where I am at. It is a goal setting day and a day to relax and just enjoy being alive. Where have I been, where do I want to go. Each year I am amazed at what has transpired in the year. So much happens to us and so many things are only know to ourselves and God. I love being alive and have enjoyed every moment. Even the bad things that are not pleasant at the time we can look back on and see how they changed us and helped us grow as people. When I was younger, I never realized how much I would grow to appreciate my memories. It is like having a great treasure chest in your mind that you can get pleasure from at any time. Yesterday, a man came to pick me up to take me to pick up my repaired car. As soon as I was seated in his car the smell of the ice cream shop that my mother took my sister and me to after the dentist washed over me. How wonderful and rich life can be. A treasured moment that is buried inside me springs out and I get to experience the joy of that moment all over again. I have so many of those and I never know when this joy will come over me. Wow!!!

The other day a box was delivered to me with some of my old artwork and this picture in it.

This picture was taken on the last Christmas day our family spent with my father. It was a day of so much laughing and happiness. Another fantastic memory and here it is captured in a photo.

Erin in Issey

Erin in Issey, originally uploaded by RCButtons.

Fun with Erin. She really looks great in my clothes.

WAC Meeting

I went to my first Wearable Art Group meeting this Saturday. Actually, right after I dropped Erin off at the airport to go to Richmond. I was very sad the entire day but I did enjoy the meeting. It was held in Redondo Beach. That is a long way from Santa Ana, and is a place I have never been before. All the years of living in Southern California and I have never been there. The meeting was wonderful. They had a speaker Margot Silk Forrest who is an expert at painting shoes. She is the owner of Sassy Feet. Her web site it www.sassyfeet.com. She had samples of her shoes and lots of photos. She also was teaching a class today and I wanted to go but I have way too much to do. Oh well, some other time. I learned alot about glue and the proper paint for shoes. Very interesting.

They had a lot of terrific things for sale at the lunch break. See the picture for what I bought. It is very hard to find pink and orange cotton fabric. And those patterns. I love the shirt and the Asian outfit. Unbelievably, they are in my size.

Erin arrived at her new apartment last night and called me. She says it is really hot there. Probably like when I first went to see you ML and there were those few days where the humidity is unbearable and you have to stay in the air conditioned house to survive.

She is on here way now.

Erin has her Driver License. Wow!!!

Erin and I drove all the way to Redlands today so she could take her driving test. That is the only appointment I could get before she leaves on Saturday. It took forever to get there but we made it. It was so hot. We waited in the hot line with the car and even though I checked the brake lights on tuesday (one day ago) when we got to the front of the line the tester said we couldn't take the test because a brake light was out. Argh!!!!! No matter how hard I begged. We had to go and find a place to get the thing fixed and then come back and try to fit into the later group. Luckily next door to the DMV was a brake repair shop. We drove over there and he fixed it for us and he didn't even charge us. How nice was he. Then we came back to the DMV and they took us right away. Erin passed and now she has her Drivers license. Oh the parallel parking and the freeway driving was hard. We had to go to the ups store so we could send some bed linens to her new place in VA and we had to get a new external hard drive for her computer at the Micro Center Store. Finally we are home. Wonderful.!!!!

A proud peacock!!!!

Erin will be leaving for Grad school next Saturday, so we are heavily practicing her driving. Yesterday we drove all the way to Fashion Island. I went into Anthropology and she went into Urban Outfitters. We both found some things we liked. But I found something fantastic for my future displays. It is a wooden peacock. I just have to paint it. I am so excited. I just love him. He does need a little sanding here and there. ML, isn't he just great. I put a new bracelet around his neck. He is so proud. Ha. I think he has the same hairstylist as me.

His head actually turns. Isn't it great.

My table at the show!!!!!

This is a close up of the white witch bracelet.

My bracelets fitted nice in my newly painted doll wardrobe.

I covered my dress forms with Dick and Jane stories. So fun!!!!

Here is Erin at my show table. We met so many wonderful people. There were lots of very talented artists at this show. I was just amazed at some of the inventive artwork.