Deer Mountain Wood Art

It's so hard to believe that summer is almost to the halfway point!! Where does it go so fast??

I'm in the shop today and loving it! =D Everyone keeps telling me though, that I'm way off for a business - I need to "focus" and settle on one thing. How do you do that when you work with wood?!? There's so many things that pop into my head to make and it's all so fun, interesting, and challenging for me that I just can't say, "oh, I think I'll just make earrings.." or "I feel that intarsia is going to be 'the thing' I need to do, have to do.." I want to do it ALL!!!!

So, okay, my shop's a little cluttered - a dangerous mind is a clean mind, I'm told. So I suppose that means I'm pretty damn meek!lol Well, even my name is German for "lover of peace" (roughly translated?) and that is definitely me. I avoid conflicts and try hard to make everyone happy - not in a coward sort of way tho! I just want to be happy, and I want all those around me to be happy too! So what to do, what to do!

I was just getting a soda and thinking about the above question - Tyler just made this ubber-cool stamp that looks like a leather design - it's awesome and very well defined. I've been thinking about asking him to let me keep it, which brought on a mental chuckle; it seems every time any of make anything that the others in the family want it! A lot of stuff never makes it to either shop!lol I guess I need to quit that and after I give this checker/chess board to Austin, I need to stop giving them my creations! It's just so hard to say no, especially when it's such a compliment to my work!!! lol Ahhh, love my babies!

Anyway, Tyler made it back from Russia just fine - back to games and t.v. Hopefully he'll be getting a j-o-b soon - it would sure make Rog happy!lol He had so many incredible experiences and was so accepted into the families that he stayed with. He even has planned to go back next summer and spend time with them all! I get chills when I think of what he's gotten to do! I hope to share pics with you soon - but there's thousands to go thru so it might be a bit!lol He brought me home my request; a genuine Russian Nesting Doll! It's just gorgeous, but even so he ended up bringing home two because he thought the first was too small. How lucky am I!?! and of course he brought home tons of coins for his dad - he was a happy guy! lol

It's really been an amazing couple of months for us here and I look forward to the rest of the summer :) Especially when Tyler gets his Banya built! =D

Btw, enjoy the Scavenger Hunt - Shop Notes is in it and I hope I didn't make it too hard for you to find the answer to the clue! I am having great fun with this and hope you do too!

So, until next time -

Thanks for "stopping by the shop!" Freida

I love summer! I get so ambitious, but unfortunately, so do the bees and wasps!? I've been in a battle with these little dudes all of my life. From the time I was, oh I think 8 or 9 years old, running down the street with Sammy Burgess asking him how many wasps he'd thought he'd captured from a nest for his red ants and he dropped the jar - I was covered, head to toe, in angry vigilante' wasps looking for blood! Nightmares of my friend's mom trying to get them out of my hair still haunt me today. Nope, that's a bad part of warm weather for me - I am sure they hunt me out, and cause me to dance an odd bobbing and weaving motion to the amusement of everyone around!
So, there it is - lots of ambition mixed with an almost unhealthy respect for Mother Nature's busiest of creatures.... It's amazing to me that I get anything done!lol

But, I have been getting some things 'done' - Roger came up with an order for a hundred earrings and it's kept me pretty darn busy! I'm taking the day off from sanding though as my poor shoulder is so sore today :( I decided I'd put a few up online to see if anyone would want a pair or two as I've made some interesting designs this time to stave off the boredom of making such a large lot of one thing. Stop by and let me know what you think! :)

I also just finished working the digital converter box coupon program and am sad to see it go. It was the easiest of jobs and very good money. Back to infomercial calls... I am working for two companies, but I'm still unable to work a good amount of hours. Definitely not able to make enough to support the family, but I'm trying to build up my back to be able to sit a decent amount of time so that I can work these jobs properly. I was finally able to do a two hour shift the other day! So I think it is possible if I keep trying :)

Tyler's still in Russia - he's having fun but I can hear the home sickness in his tone the last couple of days. I should hear from him this afternoon as Skype seems to work perfectly over there. Here's a picture of the view from his bedroom at his current host family's residence. He's so lucky! :) He went to St Petersburg last week and his report of the beauty and wealth of the palaces and especially the Hermitage was awe inspiring - I read all of the books about Peter the Great, Alexander, Constantine, Catherine, etc... when I was young and hearing his account of Peterhoff and the Winter Palace just made me all tingly! I would so love to look across to Finland and walk the halls of these greats! I know for a fact that Tyler is probably already planning his return - his familys' have been wonderful to him. They've accepted him without hesitation and by being in such an element he's seeing the true Russia first hand. He loves the people and the land, but of course, he does miss home a little.

So, that's all the news that's fit to print right now - I have a couple of big projects coming soon, one of which is the 'twin' to the lighthouse intarsia I did last year. Be sure to stop by and check out the new earrings in the meantime!

And as always, thanks for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida

I am so happy tonight =D Xmas is done and I squeaked by another year!lol I honestly did not get to do any shopping until last night and, man, it was hectic and frustrating, yet, I pulled it off again and all my little men are happy campers tonight! Whew!! Thank goodness I received a check yesterday and it all just fell into place!
I managed, just barely, to finish up the last two of the local orders I had out there and got them delivered and then, off to town with Austin (we had a "date"!).
I found out, once more, that that little guy has a LOT on his mind!lol I was certain that he would sleep on the long trip home, as I'm sure he was just exhausted from all the fun we had!, but no, he found the strength to carry on and keep me working on answers to his many questions and ideas! =D
He's such a great guy, and I was so proud of him as he struggled to maintain the fact that he was shopping for others, not himself, and I knew there was so much he saw that he wanted!! What a wonderful little trip - we even got to have a nice lunch at his favorite restaurant, "Big Daddy's" and he was so gentlemanly as he reached his little hand out to mine to help me out of the car and how he insisted on sitting next to me in the booth, instead of across from me! It was fun getting him to myself for this special occasion =D
We got home rather late, and I was so tired. The older boys started working on the ready-to-cook pizzas I'd brought home and Tyler and I plotted how we would get everything wrapped and still grab a few hours of sleep before Santa's bounty would be discovered - I think I did manage a few hours, but I was ready when morning came.
Austin did have a slight melt-down this morning as everyone put off the unwrapping for a hot cup of coffee and wake up time! I told him just a few minutes and it ended up more like 30 and you can bet he was beside himself when we finally got to it!lol Poor guy!
It's really funny, but I've always maintained that clothes were not something you get for Xmas because they're a necessity and as such it's something one has to get their children all year - but being broke and needing this type of thing, I broke down and purchased a few articles of much needed threads - they were very happy with what I gave them and Austin wore his new warmly-lined hoodie all day! Yay! I guess there's always a first time for everything!?!
I think we all made out like bandits though and I feel very blessed that I'm loved so much that my babies would work so hard to spend their own money on me and actually desire to see my happy face more than their own! It's very special to see them grow up and find out how they will handle such things - I couldn't be prouder =D
It seemed that everything everyone got was just what they needed, nothing more, nothing less - so well ends another Holiday and I'm glad it went well...
So, mostly I just want to wish you all a peaceful Xmas night and that you stay safe and warm for New Years =D Let's start 2009 off right!!
{{{hugs}}} and much love to all of my friends and family :)
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

I know this is probably the oldest saying in the world, but it's true!! Even my almost grown sons are finding it out - there's just not enough time in a day, week, month, year.... It has me frustrated to no end!

I just joined Entrecard and need desperately to find out how to use it, and what it's for exactly - I join these sites and then I'm lost! It's not like I have a mountain of time to spare learning either!! I think I've been dumbed down by senility(yes, I'm still on that kick!!) and it's starting to affect everything around me - aghhh!

Friday I shaved Tyler's head for his charity fund raising and was so surprised that he didn't look like a terrible monster!lol He just might be one of those guys that can pull off a bald head!! =D He managed to go over his $200 goal and I'm very, very proud of him!

To all that donated and sent kind notes, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make this a memorable event in Tyler's life - I'll never forget it! =) and I know he won't either!

Friday afternoon we farmed Austin out to his friend's house, dropped Tyler at his buddy's house, loaded up Ryan's girlfriend and headed to Adams State College in Alamosa for Ryan's first college concert (well, there were some other kids in it too!). It's really kind of silly as the college is only 2.5 hours from here, but for me and my back it was an epic journey! I'm terribly sore but we made it there and back and I'm glad we got to go :)

Last night, around 11 or 12 I sold a custom puzzle so I need to get to work on that and finish up on several other orders and misc projects I have going.

Greg received his Dragon Box and enclosed
this picture and kind words,

"Freida,
Received the box today!
All I can say is "WOW"!
It will be cherished for many years..
Thank you soooo much!
Greg




humm, what else... oh, we had no power for most of the day which helped me get a few things done and get off of this silly machine! Always glad when it comes back on though!!! =]

Our bottle baby calf died today after being mauled by a bear about 5 days ago - we took him to the vet but couldn't afford any real tests so he gave us antibiotics and we just had to take him home and hope for the best. He gave up today and after examining him I'm sorry that we didn't know how bad he was suffering, I would've rather had put him down so he could rest. This is the second calf we've lost to this bear and the first one was a baby of mine, bottle fed too. You just can't imagine what a bear can do to an animal without it ever showing! Makes me worry when I go out to the shop and such. He killed my other one while I was sanding in the shop not 100 feet away and I never heard or saw anything!
We lost a baby earlier this summer to a bear, but the bear was inevitably destroyed for being an 'abuser' and tagged for previous bad behavior. On that day he killed our brand new baby pygmy goats and a 4 day old calf. When he came back later that day he was not interested in the food left for him but instead tried to get into the calf pen and kill another!? It was so horrible watching him stalk the babies!
ANYWAY, enough sadness - too much in the world already!
I guess I better 'get back at it'... my day never really ends and as I lay on my arm at 3:30 this morning, apparently typing "k"s and "l"s across the screen while trying to write a note to a customer, I realized, there's just not enough time in the day!!!
Thanks as always for "stopping by the shop!"
Freida