Updated Glass Shop Open for Business

There is good news and bad news. First the bad. We were suppose to be on our trip south to see a great friend of mine, Laurie of The Looking Glass to celebrate the marriage of her oldest son Matt & his new wife Maureen. But, due to the horrible weather that we are continually getting, we are not going to be able to make the trip. I am really bummed about it, but I guess you can't fight Mother Nature. So far yesterday we received 8" of snow and more to come tomorrow!
Now the good. I came upon a really great deal of stained glass materials and my husband decided to surprise me with a new work table complete with slots for my glass and some cubbies where I could store the smaller pieces. As well as a section up the middle that holds the came and lead. It has this neat top where I can solder on. We are also planning on adding some more lights and he has already built me a light box. So,the room is coming along.
Now that things are a lot more organized, I can begin my glass projects again!
So, hopefully, soon, you will start seeing some new glass projects of mine! I am thinking Spring right about now! Hope you are all staying warm and have a wonderful Christmas!

My Little Chickadee End Tables

I have added a new pair of black end tables to my collection of things for sale. These were reworked from some vintage end tables. They have been painted black and then I added a little chickadee on each outer edge of the end tables. I just think these look so cute. This bird painting thing is fairly new for me, but, surpisingly, fun.

These tables would go well with most decor.

Four Bird Families

I was recently commissioned to paint four different types of birds on a vintage lamp. I painted a set of Cardinals, Blue Birds, Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. I used a special paint for glass that when it cures, it will be fine to clean as you normally would. This was a fun project to do and has inspired me to do a few other projects with the bird theme as well. I will post these when I finish them. It has been a challenge to get ready for Christmas as well as keep us with my projects. But, bit by bit I'm getting it done!

I hope you are all enjoying the preparations for Christmas as much as I am.

It's Game Time

Don't you just love to get the family together and have a fun "game night". We do. It's getting harder and harder to spend time together doing something fun. This new game table that I painted has a nice collection of some of our favorite games, monopoly, backgammon, Yahtzee,cards, dice, scrabble etc. This table comes with 4 wooden chairs. I hope that the person who buys it will have just as much fun with their family on this table that I had making it.

I've Been Monkeying Around

I thought I would share what I have been monkeying around with!

I made a bed and childs chair to go with my "It's a Jungle Out There" bookcase!

I just love orangeutans and chimps! I am hoping that some lucky child gets a chance to enjoy this furniture!

As you have heard by now, the open house is coming up quickly and the showroom is full!

I wish you could all be there for the Open House.

I will post pictures of the event!

I can't breathe and it's not even me!

I did a web site for a friend of mine. (http://www.preservingheartandheritage.com/, I received some pictures of the blizzard that hit her yesturday. She lives in Alliance, Nebraska.

I felt as if I couldn't even breathe just looking at the pictures of her house! She says that they had only a 12" space under the outside overhang and had to crawl out onto the top of the snow drift.! That is what is shown in the first picture. The second picture is what they saw out of the upstairs window! This is where I couldn't breathe!

They then made the hole wider, and she cut steps into the hard packed drift. Her husband brought the feedlot payloader and started breaking apart the drifts.

In the third picture, can you see the cars?

The fourth picture is their house! yes, it is in there somewhere! I would have just waited for summer to arrive!

They did have food, but no water for flushing the toilet and no electricity, which means no heat!

In the fifth picture, you can see the amount of snow that was on the truck. They plowed around it first so you could see how deep it really was!

I think this is amazing!

She said she is thankful that they don't have many 60 mph blizzards!

I was just wondering, how do you let the dogs out in that??

Farm Animals Everywhere!

A quick post to show you my new farm inspired bookcase complete with some lazy pigs, cows, lamb and chicks and hen.

Then there is the new childs rocker, the cushion is a red paisley handkerchief design, perfect for reading their books in. I added the words of what each animal "says".

I also finished a new picture frame with the paintings of three unique chickens. It has been a very busy time here.

Busy Times At Changing Designs

Hi! It has been a very busy time here at Changing Designs. I have been getting ready for a Open House at a really cool store near me called "The Hollow Fencepost" They specialize although are not limited to barnwood furniture. You should check out their web site at http://www.thehollowfencepost.com/ You can see what they have to offer and it is constantly being updated. Here are a few of my contributions to the store, they are also available for purchase on line!

Hope you enjoy.

Scarey Goth Girl

On my recent trip to Oklahoma to visit my sister, her husband and my niece for the occasion of my nieces 9th birthday, we got a chance to plan for Halloween. My niece wanted to be a goth girl.

Oh my! I suggested maybe a fairy princess, ballerina, poohs honey pot, etc. But, she had her mind set on this way to grown up theme. She will always be my baby and therefore, never grow up. I have my mind stuck on this! Even though she is as tall as me and wears larger shoes! UGH!

We had such a wonderful time shopping for clothes, make-up and accessories! My sister, who USE to be a bit wild herself, REALLY, wanted the stuff her self! (I can hear her screaming now, but, it's true! :) ). Anyway, I wanted to share a few pictures of our fun day.

When we got home, we did a practice run. I did her make up and we then surprised her mom and dad with the "Scarey Goth Girl"

Have Fun looking at these fun pics!

I entered a contest and you can help me win!!

This was my entry!

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that I entered a contest and I would love for you to vote for me and help me win!!

Please go to http://www.charmingsam.blogspot.com/ to vote!

The rules were that we could create anything we wanted as long as we incorporated this beautiful image called "Beauty's Lot" published in London sometime between 1760 and 1810. The inscription at the bottom is in French. The image "Beauty's Lot" shown above was to be incorporated in to an "original" piece of art work done by the artist and owned by the artist. We could incorporate it any way that we wanted whether we transfered, scraped, painted or whatever into our oun piece of work. The art can be any size and medium.I did an acrylic painting. I wish that we were able to click on each entry to enlarge them and see what medium they picked to do theirs in. But I am putting mine on here!

Thanks for your vote!

A face only a mother could love!

A face only a mother could love! When I was recently at my friends mom's house, they had a surprise. After laying 10 eggs, that never grew, her cockatiels had two new babies! They were so interesting to look at. Thought I would share this unusual sight! It was interesting to see that both the mom and dad took care of them. Very cool stuff!

Last Sick Blog

Ok. My sister has just called and said That was Sick and Twisted!! (my last post)
Just to assure everyone, I am not really a weirdo. I do however have kind of a strange sense of humor!. Hope that wasn't offensive to anyone:)

My Famous Ending

Let me just start by saying that I have not blogged for a long time. My life lately has been hectic, caotic and basically a real roller coaster. But after spending time with a very close friend in the hospital yesturday, of course, I was reminded how grateful I should be and am that I am basically healthy and have a blessed life.
Another friend called last night to tell me about a project that was coming up that I may be interested in. It is a large project where I would be able to paint a series or at least one mural for a town that sounded very exciting. I want to do some research on this and make it happen. I was sharing this with a friend (boy, I do have friends :) ).She told me that even if I didn't "make the cut" for the painting of the murals that I could always be a part by getting coffee or cleaning up after the artists. I was thinking what is wrong with me and why wouldn't I be considered for the "making it group" when I started talking with my sister Chris, as we were talking I decided that one day I would be rich and famous. (This is my positive spin :))Of course, that day would be when I was dead! That is when most people get famous right??
People would one day read about me in their Art History classes and learn how very tragic my ending was. This makes you even MORE famous I believe! I can't do the ear cutting off thing. I must be unique in this. I think I will be found in the corner of my art studio, dead from chewing off my own arm!. Of course, it would have happened years before my body was found, as having all guys in my house, no one will notice! My faithful dog would be at my side. He would have not lost much weight as he would have found my chocolate stash and sparingly ate that.
People, in going over my personal belongings would then take notice of how my drawings were really nice and yes, maybe they should have bought some. Oh, that painting is good. Maybe the pantry was NOT the place to hang it that the mice really didn't get frightened from it!
And that yes, in fact, I WAS good enough to be in the mural painting catagory!
Have a wonderful and thanks for reading! :)
P.S. I'm really not a meat eater, so I may have to alter the death ending. I'll keep thinking.

A Hen and her chicks!

Just finished my newest mosaic of A Hen and her chicks! It is hard to tell in this picture, but the window frame is done in a dark wine color. This was a really fun project. The stained glass pieces are appliqued on the reclaimed window then grouted in a black color. I also painted the eyes on the hen and chicks since it is very hard to make a great eye that small from pieces of glass. I plan to put this on my Etsy shop, hopefully tomorrow.

Hope your Labor Day Weekend is a nice one!

Time Out Chairs Ain't What They Use To Be!!

Just thought I would share a new mosaic "Time Out" chair that I made for a client.

This is made out of very solid oak with some vintage china, with a black grout.

I think I would have loved to have been in "Time Out" with this fun stool!

I am also finishing up another fun project and hope to get it on here in a day or two.

I just love it when I get something accomlished! :)

Hope your day was a happy one!

It's an honor just to be nominated! :)

I was reading one of the blogs that I like to keep up on, Mana Moon Studios, she, Sharon, makes some really beautiful jewelry, when I noticed that she nominated me for a Brilliante Weblog Award!

How cool is that! Now, I realize she had to nominate 14 people, because she was awarded not once but twice!! but, it was very exciting since this is my first award! I'd like to thank all of the people that made this happen....:) Actually, I am pretty new to this blogging thing and I don't really consider myself too much of a writer just yet, but am giving it a good try! I never run out of things to "talk" about, but typing is another story!

It is fun to get people to comment on my blog occasionally. So, I want to thank Sharon for doing that and to let her know that I do enjoy reading her blog as well. And seeing her new jewelry.

I have a daughter in law now, that loves jewelry and I will have to start planning my Christmas shopping list now. I was talking to her yesterday and her eyes perked up when I asked her if she enjoyed jewelry. I describe her as funky vintage if there is such a thing. So, Sharon, if you have anything to fit that description, we need to talk!

I get to nominated some people now for this award, so here goes:

1. My dear friend of 34 years, Laurie of TheLooking Glass. We have been friends for so long, she knows how much I love her and believe in her and her artwork. You should all check out her blog and her wonderful artwork. She is exactly as she writes!

2. My new friend and new blogger, Sandi of Our Enchanted Children. Sandi has a great new business that has so many children's items and accessories that you really all must check out! She continually updates her store and is happy to help you with whatever handmade item that you may need for your special little one. These items come from all over the world! And are meticulously made.

3. Enzie Shahmini of Enzie Shahmini Portraits & Fine Art. I have started checking out her blog and I love her artwork. She is fun and just does beautiful work! Really awesome stuff.

4. Lisa from Human Touch Designs, she makes beautiful custom jewelry for any occasion. Her blog is a fun read too! She has been sweet and checked out my blog and I thank her for that!

5.Maureen from All Thing Jewelry. Of course she makes very nice jewelry, but I like to read her blog. She has lots of interesting topics and has some nice info. on there as well. She has been supportive to me in my new blogging as well.

6. Pass It on Plates blog Pam. She has commented on my blog as well and I have started checking out her blog. She has this wonderful idea of these cool plates that each person signs or does a design and you put special treats or goodies on the plate, then pass it on to your friend who eats the treat and does the same thing. The point is, to see where this plate ends up and enjoy all of the places and people that have had it before you. (I hope I explained this the right way!). Anyway, I am excited because my friend is giving me the plate next! Yea! I only worry slightly about what to put on the plate that I will pass on, as I am not a great baker, but I am a pretty good "drawer" so maybe that will make up for it! :)

7.Tracy of Musings of a Domestic Gourdess, she does some great artwork on gourds!

Hers is a fun blog to read and she has inspired me to try some gourd art out. I may or may not be sharing that one! :)

So, this is my list of people who I am choosing!

For the nominees here are the rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4) Add links to those blogs on your blog

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

I made a new sale!

I made a sale today! Yeah me! I was in a bit of a small slump and I am now revived!

I have some of my things for sale at a nice store called The Hollow Fencepost. They specialize in custom building furniture primarily built from reclaimed barn wood. They also create furniture from reclaimed cabinets, salvaged architecture from buildings being taken down, and new lumber (if specially requested). I work with them when they need some custom painting done. Anyway, just thought I would share my slanted table that is no longer mine! Hope they enjoy it.

It's been a hard days night!

It's been a hard days night, and I've been working like a dog!

The storms came in and mixed things up in the neighborhood. Thought I would share some of my pictures! I was home alone, well, me and my trusty dog Gunner. We paced back and forth for quite awhile while the trees fell around me! Yicks!

We had no power until the next day. It could be worse of course, so we are thankful that no one got hurt. My husband and son were up on my sons roof for the beginning of this as they were replacing his roof. This came up very suddenly. It was a scramble to get the tarp back on his roof. So, after the limbs get cleaned up, its back to networking and yeah, maybe get some work in! Have a good one!

Networking and the Inchworm!

Networking has been on my mind a lot lately. I seem to never have enough time to network AND do my artwork. The more networking I do, the more it seems, I fall behind and find more things I have to do. What is the answer???

As I was leaving my house the other day, I looked down and saw an inchworm!

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH NETWORKING YOU MIGHT ASK???

Well, it reminded me of this old saying:

Inch by Inch Life's a cinch

Yard by yard, it's really hard.

So, the new plan of action is to slow it down a bit. Do the networking as I can without making myself crazy. Allow myself an amount of time each day and then STOP.

Put the fun back into my artwork and not to concentrate soooo much on the selling of it.

Although, I really want and need to sell my work. Hopefully, it will all come, in time.

If you have been "bugged" by this same thing, just remember the INCHWORM!

Have a wonderful day!

Denise

It's a Jungle Out There!

It really is a jungle out there! A jungle full of fun animals that I painted on this childs bookcase. Done for a company in my area (The Hollow Fencepost), it is sure to add a great focal point to any childs room. I had a fun time painting these! Of course, I can paint anything that you have in mind for that special person and/or occasion. Just get in touch with me!

Enjoy my pics!