Ef You Don't Watch Out

Ef You Don't Watch Out
by
James Whitcomb Riley

My mother passed away
back in '83 and ever year we honor her
by reading this book
that was given to her by her parents
on her 5th birthday in 1932.
I LOVE this book for so so many reasons.
The art work, the stories, the verbiage, the memories...
It's about the stories Little Orphan Annie
would tell the children that she
helped care for after her chores were done.
The refrain that everyone chimes in on together is:
An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!
Every year- no matter where the kids are
we try to get as many on the phone at the
same time to sit together and read this
book and remember my mom
who loved Halloween
and was known as the
Candy Lady
cause she gave candy
out all year long if you came and
said something nice to her.
I now get to read it to
my grandson Alex
who cried when it was over
and wanted me to read it again!!
What a great gift.

Mommo lives on!!
We love you Mommo!
Happy Halloween

Artist Injured Reaching for the Stars

See Change at Heartland Partnership

I don't know if you can consider pulled muscles
from patting yourself on the back
a work related injury or not.
So far I'm not getting much sympathy
as I keep aggravating the condition
by repeatedly reliving the situation that caused it.

What the heck am I talking about?
Today I put up the "See Change" progressive mural at the
Heartland Partnership Building
on the River Front.

Below you see "us" working away.
Ryan Spain
did the honors of putting in the first hole in the wall.
Unfortunately no one but me saw that
so the other 20 holes that I created
caused quite a stir in the office.
I assured the gals that I have plenty of filler
and that it would be all okay
(while pointing to Ryan mouthing
it's all HIS fault!).
We decided the way to solve the problem

is to always have art hanging there!

The staff was extremely encouraging
and grateful to have something
that was beautiful AND about Peoria
to liven up their offices and boardroom.

Wow! What a difference a little art makes, huh?
Below you see Tom Gross' painting
in the private office of
The Pres. Jim McConoughey.

This next painting is Adrienne's
and is also in the big boardroom.
See the big blank space next to it?
That is where they are going to be
putting President Obama's photo.
I hung Adrienne's art
right next to where
everyone speaks during meetings!
That's going to be hard to miss!


Ross and James and I are using our
paintings to greet the public and
to introduce them to quality art
by local artists
as they come into the building.


We are pulling double duty as
this is the view the receptionists
and guests get to see too.
All in all I think it looks fabulous!
Looks like so does Ryan!
Here is the Email he sent me this
afternoon.

Amy,

Everything looks great! Thank you very much. We are very proud and honored to display the See Change collection at the Heartland Partnership.

Best always,

Ryan

Oh!! Ouch! ugh...
Sorry, I just reread the blog.

Fancy Shmancy

I guess the universe
wants to keep our day yesterday
just for those who were lucky enough of
actually come by and see for themselves
because I've been trying to upload the photos
I took yesterday at the
Fancy Schmancy Festival
and it keeps popping up Error soooo....
I would advise all of you to
make sure you make it to the next show
Nov. 14th in Pekin Park
to see what you missed.
This festival's donations go to food for the pantries in Peoria.
I won a fantastic knit cap for a silent auction bid of only $10.
I think it's going to look great on my grandson.
Unfortunately I lost the bid for the message:(
I sure coulda used that!
You can donate even if you're NOT in the show!!

Some of my favorites were:
Of course-
Pam Miller Designs- polymer clay jewelry and classes.
We shared the best spot on the patio in the
sunshine with a great view of the river.
THANKS Sarah and Karen!!!
Thanks to Pam for the cool scarf!!
Pam bought me a fun lumpy crocheted scarf for only $5!!!
Yes! $5!! Love it!
I'm telling ya. You missed the sales of the century!
Pam and I met when I was in Michael's.
She works there and I live there.
Well, maybe just stay there for long periods of time
wandering around in a creative stupor.
We both love a sale and anything creative.
Our neighbor
Andrew Odum
was next door with his great copper work.
Not only did he play rescue hero on several occasions
but he bought Pizza from Old Chicago
and delivered to our tent!
WOW! Thanks Andrew!
Bezales
was there as well with their cool hip
Megnets $4
and fun funky decor.
Jen Short was way over yonder with her
jewelry and photos.
Janet Hill with Free to Bead
had the most amazing
crystal bead necklace with burgundy
ribbon looped between
for only $35!!!
People! Seriously!
These artists are selling below
what it costs them to make it!!
BUY your
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
FROM YOUR
LOCAL ARTISTS!!
You can find most of the
artists mentioned at our
Simply Everything Boutique store
out at the
Shoppes at Grand Prairie.
The ones who aren't there yet...
I'll catch up with you sooner or later
but I have their info so
contact me if you need to
find someone with cool art for sale!
Hannah Offut
was there singing her heart out
while artists created works on site to be
auctioned off.
What a great day.
I hope you all will come
to the next one!

Happy Hauntings and Halloween Hugs

Hope you all come out to the
Fancy Schmancy Flea Market and Art Show
this Sat. on the Peoria River Front
behind the old River Station 8-3pm.
I'll have a variety of art there to give you
a taste of what's in our new store
Simply Everything Boutique.
I will also be sharing my space with
Pam Miller
who does beautiful polymer clay jewelry
and pumpkin carving!


Don't be afraid!!!
We are going to have a good time!

Come out and party with us!

Public Opinion

I love to hear from all my friends about what they really think of my art.
As an artist I obsess over little things that I think "make" the art special.
Am I the only one who cares about these details or does the public "get it" too?
Tell me. Really do.
This Moon Man painting was created on an old table top.
I left the rough texture of the
original peeled paint underneath because I thought it felt
and looked like the surface of the moon.
I also painted the back but didn't fill in the
holes from where the legs were mounted so
that people can understand the history of the piece.
Part of my art is to show that everything
and everyone can be remade into something
beautiful if you care enough to take the time to do it.
Should I have smoothed it all out
to have that perfectly smooth surface like
when you buy something new?
Sorry- Can't do it.
I just love the idea of this piece.
I think every woman should feel like a princess
every morning as they get dressed,
as well as little girls.
How could I turn this idea into something adults would want?
Can you imagine going to your dresser
every morning feeling like Rachel Zoe,
pulling out every pretty thing you own?
I loved the rough natural used organic feel of the
bamboo so I left it matte finish.
Barb, at Exhibit A Art Gallery
told me she thought
I should varnish it and I could triple the price.
I respect her opinion very much and
I am working up the courage to put a nice
yellowy lacquer that is kind of drippy over it.
I understand the piece will
look more finished instead of rough folk art.
It's still going to be hard for me to do.
But I guess growing up is hard sometimes.
I'm still not going to up the price though.
I have a special order for this painting to change the size and colors.
I LOOOVVEEE doing that!!
I know!
Most artists HATE to have to
change their art to what someone else wants
but I LOVE that it will be just what they want and love.
The swirls of steam are the gossip people chat about over coffee.
It's so fun to add "the" sayings that make the stories
at family gatherings.
This moon is only about 12" -15" tall but I think he is so dear.
I'm just over the moon about him!
He has faint yellow stars in him and glittered lightly.
He's only $25 because I want everyone
to have him & love him.
He's displayed with Halloween right now
but I think he is such a great dreamy
bedroom or reading room piece.

So, let me know what you think... really. Let me know.
Enjoy!

FREE Daily Giveaways!

I am so excited to tell you that my daughter Sarah Evans has a chance for FREE giveaways on this website to promote her etsy shop- chachkedesigns. Go to http://twitter.com/chachkedesigns to go through Twitter or

@agiveawaydaily I just entered to win a set of 48 Monster Cupcake Toppers from @chachkedesigns http://bit.ly/3sBAGX

If you've never checked out her site you are going to LLLOOOVVVVEEEE it! REALLY!
I'm not just saying that. As a matter of fact- what started out as a little side line something to do to keep her sanity (what's left of it) while raising the most perfect boy on the planet, has blossomed in to a demanding business.
Her old fashioned train invitations were such a hit that she had to write SOLD OUT! on them and people were finding her though Google and begging for her to keep making them.
Unfortunately for her but great for you all, she inherited the inability to say NO.

I wish I could down load the pictures of her work but I'm not yet that cyber savvy so just go look for yourself and sign up to try to win free things @agiveawaydaily.

Good luck!
ME