Thursday, March 31, 2011

March 31, 2011

It has been an EXTREMELY frustrating day. People weren't where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be. Then around 11 a.m. my 11-year-old Explorer overheats. Good news: I was close to Mr. B's office. Bad news: We called our mechanic who had to send a tow truck. Good news: Mr. B brought me to the house. Bad news: I had to drive the 1989 rusted-out Chevy truck all afternoon, as I wasted more time because people weren't where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be. I'm screaming inside my head right now.

Enough about the bad stuff. I did get my portion of items displayed for tomorrow night's auction. And the dress I ordered to wear tomorrow night arrived. Hopefully it will fit!

Today I'm creating the finishing touches to my quilt. I'm hoping to be finished with it in about three hours. Then I would like to a nice, big margarita for a night cap.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

March 30, 2011

When I log onto my blog each day, the first thing that pops up is the previous days post. This morning I smiled when I saw the pillows I posted yesterday. Mr. B likes them so much he doesn't want me to donate them to the Friday night auction.

Since it's the neighborhood where Mr. B and I live, I'm  donating several items to the auction this weekend, including an apron (see photo). The auction committee is combining my apron with a basket of teas, so the fabric I used has images of tea pots (among other things). It's fun for me to coordinate fabrics with a theme.

Today I'm creating the backside of my t-shirt quilt. The t-shirts I'm using were all printed for the Heights Festival, which was held for many, many years on the first Sunday in October along Heights Blvd. Eventually the expenses and time it took to produce the festival outgrew the revenues, so it exists no more. Since the festival was held under the trees on Heights Blvd., part of the fabric I'm using has trees on it. Another fabric I'm able to theme with the associated event.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

March 29, 2011

It's much later than I planned to write my post today, but it has been a busy day. Client's office until 2 p.m., then home for about 30 minutes of sewing. Near downtown location at 3:15 p.m. to review and sign a grant application for Bayou City Art Festival, then home around 4:30 p.m. for about two hours of sewing. But all is good! I think.
The bottom pillow shows the solid black back
and tan piping. The top pillow shows the
traditional mud cloth that is centered
on the front of both pillows.


Feast your eyes on the pair of pillows I created using African mud cloth in the center. Mud cloth is a hand woven and hand-dyed cotton. The people of the Beledougou region of central Mali (in Western Africa) use a centuries-old process that involves numerous applications of various plant juices/teas and mud to dye and paint the fabric. The solid off-white and black fabrics are linen. I was able to put piping around the edge of the pillows, and I added a zipper in the back so the pillow cases can be removed for cleaning. I'm really pleased with these pillows! They're simple, yet unique.


Today I'm creating the front side of a throw-size t-shirt quilt. Hopefully I can complete the front tonight, then tomorrow sew the batting and backing onto the front so I can machine quilt it. I have at least eight hours left on the quilt. Tomorrow will be a long day and an Advil night (my back will hurt after sitting at the sewing machine for eight hours -- it's hell getting old).

Monday, March 28, 2011

March 28, 2011



I've mentioned before that I like to make tote bags out of vintage barkcloth. Someone who reads my blogs (thanks, Pamela) asked what is barkcloth, so I looked up the definition. Wikipedia defines it as "a soft, thick, slightly textured cotton fabric, so named because it has a rough surface like that of tree bark." In fact, vintage barkcloth was made by beating strips of the fibrous inner bark of trees into sheets.

I associate barkcloth with 1940s-through-1960s home fashions, particularly in tropical, abstract, atomic and boomerang prints. The tote bag I made yesterday (see photo) was created using two different patterns of barkcloth that share most of the same colors. I developed this tote bag pattern specifically so I can mix and match fabrics.  

Today I'm creating a set of pillows. I think I'm going to use a heavy linen and African mud cloth. I'll look up Wikipedia's definition of mud cloth for tomorrow's blog, but "class" is dismissed for today.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

March 27, 2011

Enjoyed the work of this glass artist who is
new to this spring's Bayou City Art Festival.
Another great morning/early afternoon at Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park. Even in the heat and humidity, it's a wonderful event. Many new artists and friends at this festival. Mr. B and I arrived before 10 a.m. and left after 1 p.m. Now it's time for a nap! Rose is already enjoying her nap ... oh, to be one of my dogs! There's golf, college basketball and paid programs on television, all of which are great background noise for a nap.

Today I'm creating a tote bag from vintage barkcloth fabric. I'm hoping to mix and match different fabric patterns to create a unique bag from a design I've developed. You'll know if it worked when I post a photo of the bag tomorrow. But first, I've cranked down the AC to create a nice, cool room for napping. Sweet dreams!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

March 26, 2011

Last night Mr. B and I took #1 daughter and son-in-law (Kendall and Nick) to dinner at The Glass Wall. We enjoy going there on Friday nights. We sit in the bar, eat bar food and drink wine. Nick had somewhere else to go last night so Kendall came back to my house. Mr. B left us alone and the good doctor and I bonded while drinking champagne until 2:00 a.m. This is a long paragraph to get to the point that I drank too much last night! But Kendall and I solved many world problems.

I was at the Bayou City Art Festival for four hours this afternoon. Beautiful weather, although a little humid – but hey, this is Houston. Tons of people strolling under the trees in Memorial Park and buying art. Terrific way to spend a March afternoon in Houston. The only better place to be would be at the Santa Fe, NM house, having dinner under the apricot tree in the side yard (see photo and imagine me under tree with a refreshing beverage).

Today I'm creating nothing. Yes, you heard me. I'm not sewing or beading or cooking or even thinking creatively. What a bum I am (great title for a Dr. Seuss book).

Friday, March 25, 2011

March 25, 2011

You may be wondering why I'm blogging at 5:10 a.m. I know I'm wondering why I've been awake all night. Actually, I got a burst of energy after dinner and have been buzzing around since like the Energizer Bunny. I found some cool vintage cultured pearls in my stash of beads and got inspired to make some bracelets out of them. Then I outlined a newsletter and sent it to a client. Finally I wrote four 250 word essays a client needs for an award and sent them off. It's not easy containing myself to 250 words when you're as wordy as I am.

I'm posting a photo today of a purse I made on Wednesday (I didn't post the photo on Thursday because I showed the apron I also made on Wednesday night). I really like the kooky shape of the bag and the feel of it. The body of the bag is cotton and the flap is linen. I think I finally found the right mix of stiffening and interfacing so a bag made of lightweight fabric isn't wimpy.

Today I'm creating ... wait, do the essays count as something I've created today? I think so since I worked on them until dawn.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

March 24, 2011

The pollen count must be high today because my head feels huge. I have several errands to run today, which should be interesting with a throbbing head!

I had a great time yesterday just sewing my little fingers off and also beading some bracelets and earrings. I have several pieces that will be donated to a charity auction for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. I'm not sure you can see them in the photo I'm posting, but the apron has the breast cancer emblem all over it. I coordinated a pink polka dot fabric for the pocket and neck band. The reverse side of the apron is a solid pink with the breast cancer fabric as the pocket and neck band. I was pleased when I found this fabric for the apron.

Today I'm creating an outline for a newsletter. I'm very excited about all the work that's coming my way from different sources!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

March 23, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor died early this morning. She is a perfect example of a woman who seemed to have it all: extreme beauty, tons of money, talent, adoration of millions, etc. Yet she always seemed unhappy, so really all those "things" didn't bring her happiness.

The photo I'm posting today is of Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." This photo seems to epitomize her needy relationship with the men in her life. She was unlucky in love! Late in life, her charity work with AIDs seemed to bring her happiness. And at the end of her life, her family (four children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren) brought her happiness. Good lesson for all of us: It's not "things" that bring us happiness, but family and helping others. May she find happiness in heaven.

Today I'm creating packages for upcoming auctions. I keep saying I'm not going to work on anymore charity auctions, but then I keep getting involved. They bring me happiness. Go figure.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

March 22, 2011

Have I ever told you about Mr. B's massive collection of comic books? The last time he mentioned the number of books he owns it was "more than 3,000." All the comics are in individual plastic sleeves, stored in long narrow boxes specifically made for comics. I'm not sure how many each box holds, but there are eight boxes (approximately 12" x 36" each) stacked in the master bedroom at the house. The boxes have become a permanent fixture in the bedroom. Last night after Mr. B folded some clothes, he put them on top of the comic boxes.

Mr. B has decided to sell the comics since he never looks at them, and people are now calling him from a posting he has on Craig's list. Last night he took some photos with my iPhone to send to a man. The man must be interested in racier comics, as depicted by the cover illustration I'm posting today. I don't believe I've ever seen a naked women wearing gloves and an alien on the cover of a comic before. I wonder what kind of a super hero she represents?

Today I'm creating a newsletter and direct-mail pieces for a client. At 3:30 I'm having a conference call with another client about writing a newsletter for them. Maybe the economy is going to pick up.

Monday, March 21, 2011

March 21, 2011

Ask me if I'm excited about Dancing with the Stars beginning tonight. YES! As an admitted reality-show junkie, I'm in heaven. I can sit in front of the television every night and watch a reality show, sometimes two. If only Project Runway was also airing now, life would be complete.

This coming weekend is the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park. I just heard a weather report that this weekend is supposed to be beautiful. I'll be in Memorial Park Friday and Saturday afternoons, and most of Sunday. Hope to see you there. 

Today I'm creating dinner early so it won't interfere with my evening television viewing. But if that's going to happen, I need to get sewing and finish the apron I'm donating to an auction on Thursday.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March 20, 2011

The ferrell cats who inhabit our backyard.
 They're waiting for their supper. 
For years we've had ferrell cats living in our backyard. We've had as few as two and as many as nine. Right now there are four. Every once in a while, there's one of the cats that will reluctantly allow us to touch him or her, but for the most part they hang out on the deck and demand food twice a day, then either run away or hiss loudly if I try to pet one. They often go on "auto pet," rubbing on my legs and almost tripping me as I walk from the back door of the house to the garage door to get their food. Their tails are always straight up in the air. Such interesting animals!

Today I'm creating an apron to donate to a charity event, and I hope I have time for make a tote, also. I've been celebrating Mr. B's birthday for two days and I'm meeting some girlfriends for brunch in about an hour to celebrate another friend's birthday. Enough of the celebrating! I'm ready for some alone time with my sewing machine and crafting supplies.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March 19, 2011

Happy Birthday, Mr. B!

Saturday morning is already here! Of course, the birthday boy had his regular Saturday morning breakfast with his friend Keith. After all the margaritas they drank last night, I imagine a heavy dose of hangover relief was needed this morning! They were feeling no pain by the end of the evening, after laughing through the roast and toast to Mr. B.

Thanks to #1 son-in-law Nick for photographing
the cupcakes served at Mr. B's birthday dinner party.
Tonight we're heading to some friends' home to welcome other friends back from five years in Scotland. We got to spend a week in Scotland with them about four years ago. Lovely trip! I think it was the last overseas vacation we took, before deciding to buy the casita in Santa Fe and foregoing trips abroad. Although we miss traveling, we really enjoy the Pettita Casita.

Today I'm creating more chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, at the birthday boy's request. I tried something new and replaced the water in the cupcake recipe with brewed coffee. A real hit with him! Happy birthday to my cupcake, Mr. B. He's a real hit with me!

Friday, March 18, 2011

March 18, 2011

Technically Friday is over, but I'm just now getting around to Friday's post. I was so proud of myself for skipping two St. Patrick's Day events on Thursday, which greatly simplified my life. I was able to finish cleaning house plus make chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, vanilla cupcakes and orange frosting, and pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

Cooking the vegies for the Vegetable Tetrazzini. YUM!
Today (Friday) I'm creating a lovely dinner for Mr. B's birthday, which is actually Saturday. I couldn't do it without my sous chefs Kendall and Nick. Nick made a wonderful tray with cheeses, grapes, crackers and whole almonds. The salad course was fresh spinach leaves tossed with blueberries, honey roasted almond slivers and champagne dressing. The main course included casseroles of Chicken Tetrazzini and Vegetable Tetrazzini, and two types of bread. Then the fabulous cupcakes. Lots of wine and champagne. How can I top this for his real birthday?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patty's Day.


Let's recap yesterday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. Presentation to Bayou City Art Festivals' Board of Directors: check. Watch Survivor and Top Chef: check. Finish draft of website for client and email: check. Prepare grocery/liquor/to-do lists for Mr. B's birthday weekend: check. End the day with a good night's sleep: nope. Note to self: Shut off the brain waves before 4:00 a.m. Yes, it's easy to get my days and nights mixed up when I don't go to sleep until almost 5:00 a.m.

Today I'm creating a clean house. Mr. B. refuses to admit that we've been fired by our housekeeper. He swears she is just sick, even though she hasn't been here since Thanksgiving. Since today is St. Patrick's Day, will the luck of the Irish be with me while I rid the Emerald Isle of snakes (translation ... rid the house of dust bunnies)? But if I'm wishing for good luck, my wish is for a big fat pot of gold!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March 16, 2011

Photo of Dr. Kendall Elyse McCarley after receiving her
Ph.D. (Development Psychology) in June 2009. Also
pictured (l-r), Nick Zamora (husband), Alex Zamora
(Nick's brother) and Richard McCarley (proud Dad).
Another productive day on the work and volunteer fronts. I spent three hours this morning working on the presentation I'm making tonight at the board meeting for Bayou City Art Festivals. I even got #1 daughter Kendall (a.k.a. the Doc and Dr. Mc) involved. I can write the four pages of text (over and over and over again) for the presentation, but when it comes to diagrams, such as the organizational charts I hand drew, I need the help of someone with better computer skills. Interesting that when I asked the Doc if she could help me with the 'org charts' she asked, "What's an org chart?" Since Kendall has her Ph.D., I think of her as 'all knowing' when in fact her experience is in academia and research. She has little experience in the business world and doesn't know certain terms.

On to the next volunteer project of the day, thanks to the lovely Denise and Monique for a terrific and fun lunch at Catalan!

Today I'm creating the rest of the website I've been working on for a week or so. It just keeps growing and growing as I try to explain medical conditions and terms to a 'lay audience.'

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

March 15, 2011

Beware the Ides of March!

I have tons of work right now, probably more than I can do in the time available. As with most women, it's easy for my life to get out of balance by over committing. I'm afraid that's the position I'm in for the next several weeks as work and volunteer projects make crafting time non-existence.

Mr. B working on his Sudoku puzzle while
waiting for our plane in the
Mexico City airport (2007).
But through all my juggling, I'm fortunate to be married to a very considerate man. It's very sweet how he puts others first. When he says, "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," he means it. The world would be a better place if more people were as kind and considerate as Mr. B. 

Today I'm creating four one-page fliers and finishing a website. Add planning a birthday celebration for Mr. B to the list of things to do. Then there's another meeting tonight for an upcoming charity auction, my presentation to the board of Bayou City Art Festival tomorrow night ... 

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14, 2011

Another busy day that hasn't involved crafts. This morning I wrote the home page for a website, then I had lunch to catch up with a good friend. After the long lunch, I head to the craft store for some thread, and I couldn't avoid touching the fabrics and beads. Back home for some hours on the computer. Still to come, I have a meeting tonight, which I'd like to skip so I can get in some crafting.

"Poppy" by Georgia O'Keefe. My daughters,
nephew and nieces called my father "Poppy."
This is a lovely piece by Ms. O'Keefe, and
my father was a lovely man.
I did get an email today from the Georgia O'Keefe Museum in Santa Fe, NM about volunteering 10-15 hours per week from mid-July and Labor Day. Lots of opportunities available, including in their marketing/publicity department. I have some experience in that area! Like Ms. O'Keefe, I'm inspired by the high dessert and mountains around Santa Fe.

Today I'm creating a ton of paperwork so I can present my proposal at the Art Colony Association board meeting on Wednesday of this week. Wish me luck.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

March 13, 2011

I'm a perfect example of adults not bouncing back well from a fall. My entire body aches from yesterday's fall on the sidewalk. I'm positive that I've exceeded the daily dosage recommendations for Advil.

Today I'm creating a short blog because I have nothing to say except "I ache." Yesterday I was able to match fabrics for aprons and tote bags, but my hands were too stiff to use the scissors (my palms were the first point of impact with the sidewalk). Good news: the fabrics will still be matched tomorrow.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

March 12, 2011

Photo of my paternal grandparents from their
50th wedding anniversary. He and his older
brother owned a men's clothing store in
Bryan, TX. She was a fabulous seamstress
who taught me to sew. Wish I had half of
her hand skills and patience.
Great chat this Saturday morning with a friend and neighbor about doing some pro bono work for a couple of organizations. One is a charity organized by women to help other women. No way I could say no! Love the idea and can't wait to see if I'm a good fit with the organization's needs.

On my three-block walk to the friend's house, my foot got stuck on the broken sidewalk, and down I went on both hands and knees. I was silently screaming obscenities to myself and wondering when I was going to stop being such a klutz! But what concerned me most wasn't the fact that I might be bleeding. No, I was worried that I had torn my favorite weekend jeans (yes, I did) or scuffed my cute shoes (fortunately, I did not). Whew!

Today I'm creating at least three aprons, maybe four. Yesterday I made a list of items I've promised to donate during this month, and the total was 12 items I need to make. But first a nap.

Friday, March 11, 2011

March 11, 2011

I'm still enjoying old family photos. Today's photo is one of my father with his parents (unfortunately the scan isn't very clear). I think the photo was taken during the late 1940s while my dad was attending Texas A&M. On both sides of his family, Daddy was the first to graduate from college. Graduating from A&M is a tradition followed by many people in my family: Truett Bryan Akin, Jr. (Daddy), Truett Bryan Akin, III (brother Bryan), Rebecca Lynn Akin Mackey (niece Becky), Patricia Jane Akin (niece Tricia), and Truett Bryan Akin, IV (nephew Truett was a member of the only graduating class of Texas A&M Law School).

Today I'm creating volunteer opportunities for myself in Santa Fe. Although it's still several months off until I leave for my six-week vaca in SFe, I'd like to find a museum where I can volunteer 10-15 hours a week from mid-July to Labor Day. I want to meet more people with similar interest in my adopted city, so keep your fingers crossed that some organization needs my skills (and sparkling personality).

Thursday, March 10, 2011

March 10, 2011

It will come as no surprise to those who know me when I say, "I'm not a morning person!" Yet I was up at 6:00 this morning to attend a breakfast meeting that started an hour later. I had laid out my clothes last night so I won't have to go through the ordeal this morning of finding something to wear in the dark. But when I walked outside of the house, it was so cool that I had to run back in and find something to wear over my short-sleeve dress. Not an easy task to find something when my eyes were still closed. But I made it to the breakfast and was very proud to be there when my friend received his award!
Photo from the late 1960s, (from l to r) my great-uncle
Ollie, me, my grandfather and older brother, Bryan.

Today I'm creating some scrapbook entries. While I was in my crafting area today, I came across several boxes of photos from my parents' house. Mother used to be very good about keeping photos in albums, but after she had her first stroke in 1994, the photos just collected in boxes until her death in 2001, and my father continued the practice until his death in 2007. Plus, when my grandmother died in 1995, photos from her house got mingled with photos from my parents. I sat on the floor for hours, remembering my loved ones who have passed. May they all rest in peace!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

March 9, 2011

It's hump day.

I started yesterday at a client's office and was there until 2ish. Then I ran four errands in different parts of town. Is it just me, or do others get tired from spending hours in the car driving around town? I ended the day at a cocktail party for the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park. Needless to say, there was no time for crafting, so today I'm including a photo of a cute bag I made myself for last year's rodeo. I discovered the fabric, which was an old curtain panel, in Santa Fe, NM. Many times I'll put a vintage brooch on the bags and totes I make. For this bag a toy Marshal's badge seemed more appropriate.

Today I'm creating a clean house. It's past due and will take longer than usual, so today may not include a crafting project, either. But as much as I dislike cleaning house, I love the finished product.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

March 8, 2011

Yesterday I got a comment on my blog from a church friend about the apron I made for Valentine's Day and posted around that time. Another writer! We creative types have to stick together and encourage each other.

The large tote I made yesterday is so cute. Unfortunately, the photo taken with my iPhone doesn't do it justice. A heavy stabilizer/backing makes the tote feel substantial. That's not to say that the weight of the bag is heavy, but rather it has a hefty feel like it could hold lots of goodies. In all, there are seven pockets (six outside and one inside) and seven fabrics on the bag. All the fabrics make the bag very colorful: solid denim (exterior body), striped denim (exterior handle), small floral print (handle lining), solid pink (bag lining), yellow stripe and green pattern (exterior pockets), and I especially like the great vintage barkcloth that is the center pocket on both sides of the exterior.

Today I'm creating another tote bag out of two fabrics that Mr. B helped me match last night. One of the fabrics is a remnant from our living room valences. We've had them up for at least 10 years and I still have leftovers of the striped fabric. The coordinating piece is a floral remnant. I don't remember where or when I bought it, but I'm always excited to find mix and match pieces among my hoard of fabrics.

Monday, March 7, 2011

March 7, 2011

I had a very enjoyable lunch today with my friend Kim. The minute we sat down at the table she said, "What are you creating today?" How fun and flattering that she reads my blogs everyday. Since she is also a writer, I hope she doesn't review my posts with a red pen or pencil!

Roz in Telluride last summer. No one has the
heart to tell her she has a serious underbite.
My little Shih Tzu Roz hasn't been feeling well the past couple of days, which has me concerned. It was less than a year ago when we lost our older Shih Tzu Nelson. I'm taking Roz to a new vet this week for a checkup and she also needs to get her hair coiffed. These are her two least favorite activities, both occurring in one week. She'll be mad at me! We can always tell when she is upset because she'll sit facing the wall and not look at us or come when we call her name. Wait. Is Roz a cat?

Today I'm creating a tote bag. I'm using a pattern I've used before, but putting some outside pockets on it. You can never have enough pockets (or white shirts or black shoes, according to my mother).

Sunday, March 6, 2011

March 6, 2011

March is one of my favorite months in Houston because the weather is usually cool and sunny. Today is a great example of a beautiful March day. If I didn't have so many indoor projects that need completion, I'd put on my gardening gloves and head outside.
Artwork by Houston artist Kelly Moran.

Last night we went to several art openings. As I posted earlier this week on Facebook, we were looking forward to Sandra York's opening. We were also excited about an opening for Kelly Moran. Mr. B and I have followed Kelly's career for several years and have a couple of her "works on paper" in our collection. Her artwork usually includes vintage wallpapers and linoleum. The photo I'm posting today is an example of her work. My friend (Kelly Simmons) who was with me last night commented that one reason I admire Kelly Moran's work may be because the vintage wallpapers in her work remind me of the vintage barkcloth fabrics I work with. Could be!

Today I'm creating a tote bag out of vintage barkcloth fabric because of the inspiration I received last night from Kelly Moran's artwork and Sandra York's passion for creating. Women inspiring women – I love it!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

March 5, 2011

Good afternoon world! 

It was a cold, rainy and windy morning at the charity garage sale, but well worth the effort to support breast cancer research. I'm so blessed to have not lost anyone in my family to breast cancer. My mother-in-law and aunt (actually my mom's cousin, but have always thought of Joan as my aunt) are both breast cancer survivors. I'm posting a photo of my mother-in-law that was taken this past Christmas Eve at our house. Heloise will be 89 in July.

Today I'm creating a warm spot on the couch were I can have a nap. Tonight we're going out with friends for a fun evening of art and dinner. After getting up early for the garage sale, staying out past 10 p.m. could be a challenge without some afternoon Zs.

Friday, March 4, 2011

March 4, 2011

I'm running on adrenaline! I was so inspired by the conference and workshops I attended yesterday at Rice University that I stayed up until 4 a.m. this morning working on a strategic planning objective for the Art Colony Association. It's just so invigorating to see the organization moving forward in such an exciting and positive way, and to be part of ACA's growth.

My excitement level is so high right now that — before I explode from a caffeine-induced frenzy generated from drinking too many Diet Cokes — I'm switching to water.

Today I'm creating organization out of chaos while helping friends set up for a charity auction that's happening tomorrow. If you're in the Heights area, stop by and check out the bargains and treasures.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

March 3, 2011

I attended an all day conference today at Rice University. The subject was developing effective non-profit boards. I serve as a director of the Art Colony Association (ACA), which is a non-profit organization that produces Houston's two Bayou City Art Festivals. I'm really proud to serve an organization whose mission is raising funds to support art organizations.

The picture I'm posting today is of some of the ACA board members and their "+1" guests. The photo was taken after our annual board dinner, so maybe some of us (me) are starry eyed from a few cocktails.

Today I'm creating a summary of what I learned during the workshop to share with my fellow board members. And I'm creating a list of what I can do to be a better board member.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

March 2, 2011

I've been so busy today: driving across town for a doctor's appointment; conducting project research;  participating in a conference call; driving across town (again) for creative brainstorming with a colleague; and helping the "doc" with proofing, editing and wordsmithing. But being busy all day means I missed the television news about Charlie Sheen. Yippee!

Who else is sick of hearing about Charlie Sheen? He claims to have "closed my eyes and in a nanosecond cured myself." Really? Read the words of someone who is "cured" from abusing drugs and alcohol. "I'm a bitching rock star from Mars." "I'm on a drug called Charlie Sheen." And my personal favorite: "Tiger blood now drips from my fangs." I shouldn't make fun because addiction is a disease, but I can't resist just one more jab: Charlie Sheen makes Gary Busey and Lindsey Lohan sound like rocket scientists.

Today I'm creating a tote bag pattern to use with some vintage textiles I recently purchased. Unfortunately, there will be no sewing tomorrow because it will be another full day of using my brain power to listen, create and engage (only a marketing consultant would write something so contrite).

Last spring I made clutch bags using vintage flour sacks. Cute!


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March 1, 2011

I'm at full speed today after resting most of yesterday with a stomach ache. This is a good thing since I go to a client's office on most Tuesdays to sit in on a sales meeting and then write a newsletter. Since most of my days are spent working from home, I enjoy being around lots of people on Tuesdays. I'm proud of myself because today there were two giant boxes of donuts and I passed on them. My weight management program was up and down during February, with no real movement. I need to be more focused this month.

Today I'm creating a newsletter and (hopefully) two press releases. Since those aren't fun to look at, I'm posting a photo of my favorite dress from the Academy awards. I though Hailee Steinfeld looked terrific, but don't try this look if you have fair hair and skin like me.