Just some things

Just wanted to note a few things today. First, big thank you to Pam for featuring my collection of Big sad eyed art. I've been collecting them for years and really love the genre. Pam has a great blog you should check out. Every day has a fun theme and she's a hell of an embroiderer!

Next, scoot on over to Mr X Stitch. They are celebrating the one year birthday of one of the best blogs featuring modern needlework and having tons of giveaways! Check it out!

On the home front, I've entered my work in to artSpark which is a part of sparkCon right here in Raleigh, NC. It's an awesome festival featuring art, music, dance, film, fashion, design and more. If you happen to be in the area I strongly suggest you check it out. I'm really looking forward to the fashion shows. NC is so full of talent and this festival really showcases it!

Also I'm signed up for two craft swaps! I haven't swapped in a while and really wanted to do something again. I'm in the Teal Towel Tour and a Coraline Swap. Both should be lots of fun!

Colby and I are going on vacation next week and will be gone for a week and half! We are going to the Ruby Mountains of Northern Nevada for some camping and then to Yellowstone for some more camping. I can't wait. It's been way too long since we've been camping plus we're both going to places we haven't been. I really need some time way from work and life and desperately need to unplug---and just maybe I'll hit it rich in Nevada! It's so easy to get tied up in the day to day that I lose sight of what's really important to me. So hopefully this trip will help me reconnect to that and to Colby. We definitely need some "us" time. So adventure awaits us!

Sorry Maggie, you have to stay with grandma and grandpa.

Um um what else......oh it finally hit in my brain that I need to do something to be healthier. So for the last few weeks I've been eating better, exercising and trying to go more organic, local etc. I'm not going to lie--it's been hard, but my body thanks me for the five less pounds it now has to carry around. So, I'm carrying on. I need to lose more weight, get more fit, eat better food and prep this body for nice, long, healthy life. My brain and heart will thank me for it. I've been reading some great blogs about eating healthy and weight loss which have really inspired me also. Plus, it's really got me thinking about my life and choices I've made. It's not easy being an overweight person, even if you're happy with the way you look. I see these feelings and ideas creeping into my art.

I've finished something for my friend Julia as part of that whole facebook "I'll make you something" pay it forward deal. I'll post pics as soon as I get it out to her. She checks my blog sometimes so I don't want to ruin the surprise.

I guess that's about it for updates. I'll come back from vacation hopefully rested and ready to go.