Deer Mountain Wood Art

It's been awhile since I've posted, but I am hoping to change this - I know, you hear it all the time! lol But really, not much has been happening -

I have been battling depression some, and it kept me from even getting in the shop. Every thing is better now though, and I've been working hard. I also started school this fall, and that has kept me very busy!

Anyway, over Christmas, one of the pieces I sold was broken upon delivery. Yes, I insured it! So FedEx I guess is doing their job, but it's just taking a long time. I finally got the piece back the other day and have done what I can to repair it for now, but the cold is preventing me from getting into the shop... ugh! The cold is also delaying my getting another piece done for a local buyer and that's not good!




Here is what I have been working on -









So, that's it for now - I will update as I can, and hope you keep checking in =)


As always,
Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
~ Freida

I was so shocked to see that I've not posted anything since Jan 01!! Wow, time sure flies - wished I could've said it was from 'having fun'! lol

A little bit after Xmas I found myself landing 3 jobs for work@home companies!? I ended up taking just one so far; it seems to be all I can handle and still do my woodworking - but I'm so grateful that I get to try to be more productive and a better care-taker for my family!

I'm the one you talk to when you call about the infomercials you see all day and night. It could be a fun job if it weren't for all of the required 'upsells' that they make you read to the customer! After about the 7th offer, I usually end up with a frustrated and disgruntled person - it's definitely a skill to be able to do this job! lol Just a note; please be gentle with us! :) Just say "no" twice and we'll process your order and shut up! lol
It has caused me to get a little behind on everything while I attempt to work out a compatible schedule, but I'm starting to come to the surface for a much-needed breath of air! I'm only making minimum wage, but hope it picks up soon as I learn the ropes better...

Have had a few strange things happen that caused me to have flash backs of 2008; one of which was a good friend died suddenly from a heart attack. He was only 58 and he'd told his buddy the day before that he was having pains, but thought it was just something he ate... the next day he was found under the car he'd been working on, passed on... he'd been there for quite a while and it appears that he didn't suffer, but we're all still in shock over it. It definitely has caused Roger to look at himself and try to do better to stay here for his little boy! We're all walking a little softer these days.

Seems like I never have good news, but I do have one that is REALLY awesome! My nephew, Randy, and his wife Claudia, just had a beautiful little boy and my sis is a very proud, first-time, grandma!!! Our mom is there also, so they have all of the generations that are left to celebrate this amazing blessing =D Here's a pic of mr. 'Gonzo' on his first birthday -

Ain't he CUTE!!! {{{sigh}}} Hurry up boys and give ME one!!!!!! LOL

What a great way to bring in the new year, and I couldn't be prouder of Claudia for going thru a very trying labor - it was worth it wasn't it!!?! I bet you're already planning your next!lol =D Love is a great pain mitigator!! lol

So, you see, I'm not all downer and darkness! lol

I'm working on custom orders right now but I'm hoping to get some new things in the shop soon! When I finally get this one project done I'll be sure to post it here first :)

The boys are in school, Ryan's back in college, and Roger's in Aspen working on new construction with Jim, so it's pretty quiet - I took the day off the phones so that I can get one of my orders done but thought I'd drop a quick post to let you know I'm still kickin'! :)

Oh, and how could I forget!!?!? My little cockatiels have proven themselves and are sitting on four beautiful little eggs! (Roger was sure that they must be gay!? hah!) Petey didn't have any trouble with binding and Cherry is a very proud and protective papa and loving husband :) Even though it's cemented that Petey will never be my bird (she's taken up hissing at me now!), like Roo was, it's a beautiful thing and I surely hope that all will come out okay. Although they are young, they seem to know exactly what to do? It's so funny to hear Petey rolling the eggs around in her box - I call it 'bowling for babies'! teehee
In a couple of weeks we should know if I'm to be a new avian grandma and I'm prepared to take over if necessary - wish us luck on this one! =0) I will post pics soon - if they ever get out of the box at the same time!! lol

I hope everyone is well and happy - it's time for a New Year "Happy Post" and hope you all enjoy the picture of my new great-nephew! =D

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I went to bed at 9:15pm!?! after my hubby caught me trying to work out here on my 'puter... I guess my head was about 8" from the floor, but my hand was up on the desk still holding my Wacom pen!! Gosh, ain't I dedicated!?! lol Can't say that, though, when this happens, as it's usually something that is happening after I've tried to get some work going and just ran out of steam, and consciousness!lol
Yesterday I was trying to finish up on Tammy's Elk so I could get it in the mail and Tyler was 'harassing'(can't think of a better word for what these kids do when they want something from me!!lol) me to take him to town so he could pay off his fine, which would enable him to 'get off of probation', by taking out a signature loan.
Since I had to pick up the mounted pictures for the custom puzzles I had in the shop, I obliged, but in the meantime I totally screwed up the backing on the Elk picture! :0( Only happens when you need it not to!!! So, another thing I'm behind in now. Okay, "... I can rebuild him, make him better...!"
If you can believe it, I didn't make it back home until 8:30 last night and was just exhausted!?! I didn't even get laundry done! Oh well...

So, it's a new day - full of hope and promise! It's clear and cold, and the damnedest frost that ever fell, but I'm rarin' to go! Here's what I'm working on today;

starting one of the 2 custom portrait puzzles
fixing Tammy's Elk
filling out business lisc. forms
filling out the CHP+ health care form for the boys - should've been done a hundred years ago!!
working on bills during breaks...

It's going to be a full day, and I've already replied to a request for another custom portrait puzzle so I am awaiting their order.

Something really cool yesterday! We had to get a printout from S.S. for Tyler for his loan and the woman that was taking the request was new. After talking to her for a minute I found out that she's the wife of one of the school teachers at Cotopaxi - and the wife of one of my very first customers!lol Small world! ;0)
Anyway, her husband had bought one of my very first intarsia pieces that was an Eagle on a branch and he wanted it customized for his granddaughter by inlaying her name on the branch. I asked her if her granddaughter still liked it and she said, "Oh yes, it's always on her wall above her bed! She loves it!!" That was so awesome to hear! =0) But then she proceeded to ask me if I might have an elk! Yay!! I might have the Elk sold, and that would sure be a shot in the arm!! So I'm going to run that by her house tonight after school - think good thoughts! =D

Here's a few photos of what's on the shop table lately.... Christmas ordering is almost at an end, so I hope everyone that wanted something this year has gotten their order in, or will be within the next week or so!

Hope you have a great day - remember to please pray for Mary and Kay (and me, too! :0)) - and as always,
Thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

So, I didn't think I would get to blog today as the pain in my leg and back is excruciating, but I saw this great post by my dear friend, Tammy, and just had to write a note about it! As usual, it turns out that I'm too much in a talkative mood to settle on just one topic! But here's the place to read about Tammy's interview on Soap Deli News - way to go girl!! =D Be sure to visit her blog too; all about her journey in life, jewelry designing, being a metal artist, and being an online entrepreneur!

Click here too to read Tammy's interview!

Never anything new under the sun!? :( Every time, and I mean every time, I'm about to make public another great idea - as in offer it for publishing - someone else beats me to it! I am always thinking I have found out something new! :(

I just received one of my favorite mags, "Creative Woodworks and Crafts", today and guess what?! An article on how to make wood puzzles was in it! My husband just laughed... he's used to it, but I never will be!lol

I came out with a great idea on making Zen Gardens, so this last issue of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts previewed an article for next month entitled, yep, you guessed it, "How to make a Zen Garden"... UGH! I'm just so miserable with my lack of notoriety!!! LOL

Oh well, as long as my boys are proud of me and believe I'm creative, innovation, and amazingly talented(snickering), screw it! I don't need the other - just would be cool is all! :)


On the home front we received some great news today - Tyler is being considered as a candidate to go to Russia over the summer as part of the school sister-city exchange with Valdai, Russia!! I actually let out a squeal when he read it - I guess he could tell I'm in his corner on this! lol He's a little down though about it because he wants to go so badly but is thinking the trouble he got into a year and a half ago is going to put a stop to his going. He may be right, which would be a shame! Like I always say, "never do anything that you may regret!" If you would like to find out more about that you'll have to read my other blog...

Anyway, working on puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles! I just got another order for a wedding 'guest book' puzzle which is something that you place on the bride and groom table and pass out pieces for your guests to sign.

It's a great hit with everyone and is a lot of fun for the guests. At the end of the reception or wedding service, everyone puts their pieces in place and the bride and groom sign their special little double-heart piece and place it, finishing the puzzle! It's very symbolic, putting a puzzle together with your pictures on it and having everyone take part in piecing your new life together! :]

The other two puzzles are a huge 16" x 24" portrait puzzle of the client's daughters and family doggy, and the other one is a medium portrait puzzle of the client's entire family at a gathering. Very cool - it always makes me feel like a small part of their families when I get to cut something so intimate :D

By the way, if you would like to have a portrait puzzle or wedding guest book puzzle of your own, visit my website for contact/order info.... (small plug! =>)

I have been plagued lately with tons of ideas for things I want to make, including cutting out my Christmas Cards this year. It makes me panged to think of all the things I want to do and not being able to do anything about it. But, working on custom orders is what pays our bills, and it is creative, so I will be a good girl and not start another personal project until I get everyone happy! :)

Well, that's all I can take of this sitting, so I will have to bid you adieu' for now... stay cool, stay awesome, stay creative, and as always, thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

My best friend died the night before last and it sure left me in a slump :( I have been trying to distract myself with work and last night just couldn't keep going. I went to bed at a record time of 11pm!?! I wished I could say the extra sleep was worth it, but I'm definitely in bad shape this morning - even my SI joint has a large 'bump' on it and sitting here is grief... My son got in trouble, well more like his friend got him in trouble, the same night Cora passed and I'm tired of being so strong and capable! But that's for my other blog...


Anyway, here's what's up at DeerMtn -

• 16 x 20 Portrait Puzzle for client
• 2 Custom Portraits for client
• 2 NFL Helmets for client
• 1 large "Bronco's" sign for client
• Publishing "INTARSIA, Creating Art from Wood" book, hopefully, this next week
• Adding more product to new websites; ShopHandmade.com and Boundless.com
• Finishing Angel, hopefully tomorrow
• Finish CubScout site I volunteered to create! ugh! lol
  
• Cora's funeral is Friday - quite a bit of travel time involved in that one...