The Sunflower Fairy

The Sunflower Fairy
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

This is my contribution (besides a lot of my time) to the JMAC (art center) auction this year. She's fully jointed and needle sculpted. Her arms and fingers are wired so they are posable. Her eyes are clay and hand painted by me. I then insert them into the head with lids and lashes. I used acrylic paint for her facial details and highlights. She has sun flowers I made with tissue and other things. They were so much fun to make I made to many for her so I got to give some away and keep a couple for myself. Her little elfin shoes are hand sewn from felt. Her hair is actually yarn that I unraveled and sort of combed. She has wings which you can't see in this picture. If you'd like to see her wings check out my flickr. She also has bloomers, there is a pic of them on flickr as well. I had a blast making her and let's hope she sells for a lot of money!

I found a new home!

I found a new home!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

We went on several boat rides on our vacation to Glacier National Park. We rode across Swiftcurrent Lake got off the boat for a small hike to Lake Josephine, and then another small hike to Lake Grinell. Along the small hikes we stopped for Gnomey to have pictures taken in interesting trees and such. He really enjoyed this tree and said he could maybe even live there! People stopped along the hike to see us taking pictures of a gnome. Some even asked why. We explained he is a roaming gnome and they thought it was great! If you'd like to see pics of Roamy on the boat or with Lake Grinell stop on over to his folder on my flickr account.

Goth Inchies

Goth Inchies
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

More inchies I made for the inchie swap. This was my "goth" set. Mend was my favorite. I actually stitched the heart with mettalic thread! I have gotten all of my inchies now and will work on framing them up to share soon.

Gnomey at Hidden Lake

Gnomey at Hidden Lake
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

The first real day of vacation in Glacier National Park we decided to do the worst hike ever! It starts at a visitors center on the Going To The Sun Road. The hike from the visitor's center to a scenic look out isn't bad at all. Mostly board walk slowly winding up. Once you reach the outlook you have the choice of going back down or going down to the actual lake. 10 years before when we visited the park we only went to the look out. This year we decided to brave the hike down! It was tough! It was super hot and we hadn't brought enough water either. We made it all the way down with me getting vertigo a few times along the way. The lake was amazing! There were trout spawning at the mouth and they were so close! We watched the fish and then moved down and took off our shoes and waded in the lake. So cold! The hike back up was pure hell! My MIL wasn't sure she would make it up. Aaron and I just kept a postivie attitude and walked ahead. I'm so glad we did it!

Tattoo Flash Inchies

Tattoo Flash Inchies
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I'm waiting for sets of inchies to arrive so I thought I would share some I've made since they are all in their new homes. This is the tattoo flash inspired set. I made 6 different themed sets and each person got one of each theme. I free handed the tattoo designs on the inchies with water colors while looking at the pictures. I love how they came out. Like they could be hanging on a tattoo shop wall!

Sadly I'm in that phase where verything I'm crafting is for a swap so I don't have many other pictures of the stuff I'm busy with! Hopefully I'll be sending out soon so I can share more.

Roamy Gnomey's Adventures

Welcome
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Roamy had to have is picture taken at the welcome sign before we entered the park. I was the only brave soul that would get out of the car to take his picture! Everyone else sat and watched. There were a few cars pulled over for the picture taking at the sign. When I ran up and placed Gnomey the 2 other cars erupted with laughter. It was a common thing on our vacation. People were staring, giggling, and a few even asked about him. I would smile and explain that he was a roaming gnome and was having his pictures taken for a scrapbook. I also saved a bunch of the tourist info to include in his scrapbook. If you'd like to see 2 other photos from Roamy's trip head on to flickr.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

Just a little post to say Happy Anniversary to us! It is the hubby (Aaron) and my 4th wedding anniversary and we are also celebrating 10 years of being together! We got married on the same day as we officially started dating. We always take a cheesy self taken photo on our anniversary, so I thought I'd share. I also got 10 different colored roses to celebrate today! He's always loved to send me roses. Here's to many more years of happiness and love. ;)

Rainbow Inchies

Rainbow Inchies
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I made this set of rainbow inchies for Jeni in the IYP Swap on Craftster.org. It got me in such an inchie making mood I joined the inchie swap. I've sent mine out and have receieved 3 sets already! When I'm done I'll have 7 sets total counting a set of my own. Inchies are so addicting I'll be teaching them at the art center this fall!

Roamy Rides Again!

Roamy, buckle up!
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

If you've read my blog before chances are you've seen Roamy Gnomey. I blogged about his trip to our state capitol last October. He's a silly sort of gnome. Always curious and a total camera hog. He came along on our week long vacation to Glacier National Park and many stops along the way. I thought it was about time Roamy had his own feature on my blog. If you'd like to see and read the backstory behind Roamy head over to my flickr account and check out the adventures of Roamy Gnomey picture set.
Each Sunday I'll post pics of Roamy's adventures. The first many will be his trip through Montana all the way to Glacier. After that who knows where Roamy will roam next!
Roamy was so excited to head off on our trip that he bounced around the car for the first part of the journy, until he was told that it just isn't safe! He buckled up shortly after. Our first stop was Havre, Montana. Roamy enjoyed seeing a working train yard, and riding a smaller version. To see those pics check out flickr!

Rainbow Rug

Rainbow Rug
Originally uploaded by AlwaysInspired

I know I promised vacay pics, but I just haven't uploaded them yet! So I bring you my largest swap item ever! I made this rug, with a lot of help from my Mom, for Jenicat in the last invite your partner swap. I chained yards and yards of yarn together and Mom made it into a rug. It took more hours than I care to share! My Mom makes these rugs as gifts all the time. I have 3 in my house. I saw something similar on Jeni's wists and just knew I had to make it for her! It is made from scraps of acrylic yarn and they wash just wonderfully. I wash the 2 in my kitchen every couple of weeks and they don't look any worse for the wear. I just had to share this huge accomplishment! If you want to see a close up head on over to flickr!

What a Scare!

I had a terrifying day today! Merlin (the cute furry white thing of mine) fell from his window ledge today and whacked his head on his step stool. He had a small seizure. I was at the computer at the time and heard the worst noise I've ever heard. He screamed! I ran to him and he was laying on the floor on his side very stiff. I put my hand on him and said his name and he stopped crying and peed a bit on the floor! Then he hopped up and started walking around. He walked fine so I knew his back wasn't broken or anything. He then threw up his breakfast on the carpet! I called and got a ride to take him to the vet. His eyes were a bit glazed and I was in a panic. The vet did a thorough exam and said he had a seizure from hitting his head! The vet said he will be just fine. They gave him a small dose of Valium to keep him calm the rest of the day and sent us home! I was so worried! He has returned to complete normal now and I'm feeling so much better. The vet said to just watch in case he has another seizure. If he does he'll more than likely have to be treated for epilepsy. The vet didn't really feel it was epilepsy though, just the bump to the noggin. I'm so happy and relieved that he is back to normal! Uhg! No more scaring mom from now on!

Home again, home again!

I just returned from vacation this evening and boy, am I tired! I thought vacation was supposed to relax a person, but after hiking, rafting, nature walks, boating, and driving I'm beat! I have a million photos! I'll hopefully get a few uploaded tomorrow while laundry is washing. Off to bed with me now to recoup from my vacation!