A new year for Marta

I was walking the halls at work last night delivering like a good drug fairy when it hit me (like it always does) a new year means a new year in Marta's World! No pressure just come up with the title and words for 2014! Well, I dont want to give away anything just yet but I think I have a solid idea! Stay tuned!

More tales of Beads

I went to the bead show last weekend off (Jan 5th) in Hillsboro. It was Payday and my weekend off so I was pretty stoked! I had two things I was looking for at the show. Larger pieces to plan a necklace around and crystal beads for a Snowflake project I want to make. I really scored on both and felt pretty good about my time there! It is the most money I have spent to date at the Bead show-$40. Usually it is 1/2 that or less! Like my other creative/DIY projects I feel you don't have to spend a lot to make something cool. I prefer items on sale, free, or trade. It makes it more satisfying to me and I get a "pretty" out of it. The Bead Show does sell Wholesale but for the general public it is less than a retail store. I enjoy going.
Even if I don't buy anything. I get a creative flow at an event like the Bead Show. Looking at the booths full of beads, listening to people talk about projects, and seeing something that sparks an idea on a project I have stalled on. I really came away from this show excited to make jewelry! 



This last year was a tough year for me. Sometimes I had to pay attention to just putting one foot in front of the other. I lost my energy in general but creative motivation especially! Now that I have the apartment looking more the way I want it I am ready to get CreatiBuzy! I need to put away Christmas (Christmas is still up because my Auntie She She was coming to town and wanting to have Christmas with us) then I will have my office where I can leave projects in between working time. I am feeling positive!

A New Year and goals

I dislike the use of New Years Resolutions. I will keep it to a short rant as I will be repeating myself from past years. I find it silly to make resolutions out of guilt just because a New Year is coming. Instead of making promises (resolutions) you know you wont keep and probably make them every New Year why not set achievable, positive goals? I will set some goals here for myself.

~ Continue saving money "for a rainy day"
~ Continue adding to my Retirement fund
~ Get a new-to-me car
~ find and move to a new place that works better for Abby (outdoor space)
~ Get back on my bike and ride regularly!
~ follow through on projects started but not finished - all of them!
~ get Abby off leash trained
~ Now that I have room to entertain GET SOCIAL!

There are some goals to start. I will cross of ones as I reach my goal and add new ones. How about you? Care to share?

Feeling the creative in the night!

I have had a DIY idea for making a jewelry holder for awhile but the idea has been in the forefront of my mind lately. I want to use a vintage picture frame (18x21) I also have two more frames that are about 1/2 the size I would remake for earrings. I have and either hang it on the wall or have it free standing on my vanity. I love the knobs from  Anthropologie I had one knob I got on sale last summer. I did not know what I would do with it but could not pass it up. Part of my DIY working is reuse items, get them for free or very inexpensive. I got four more sale knobs last night. I had the idea of using knobs to hang the necklaces on inside the frame. After getting the knobs I got some ideas but in the middle of the night I woke up with some fabulous ideas for my project! It is sooo awesome to have the creative ideas flowing!

I came up with a different creative idea in my sleep last night! I was dreaming about working on a house of mine and DIY projects with Anthony Carrino from the "Kitchen Cousins" and "Cousins on call". (two of my fav shows from my fav network on cable, HGTV) Yes, I have a major crush on Anthony. George Clooney is handsome but has nothing on Anthony! Not only is he a handsome man in terrific shape with sexy tats he knows how to use power tools and build/remodel stuff. He is into DIY projects too! He is a motorcycle fanatic. I dreamed we were out on his Vintage BMW Motorcycle on the weekend and I wanted to make him some manly jewelry. Usually I use sparkly beads and pearls to make girl jewels. I designed and made a stainless steel bead and rustic wood bracelet. He loved it and was touched that I did that for him. The weird part of this dream is I was so ecstatic to be planning the remodel with him (and his cousin but really him) and working on DIY projects that the dream was not sexual. Don't get me wrong, I was in heavy lust but the creative seemed to be the focus of the dream.  

I took some photos I will post as well.    

The Future is my friend and the plans that I wear

Last night I kept with my new plan for life. I got off work at 7:30 and bee  lined for home. I was out the apartment door and on my bike by 8:25 which
is pretty fast given all I had to do to get there! I fed Abby and took her on a spin around the block since she had been in the kennel crate for a few hours. The "kids" went to game night. I used the walk around the block as my warm up before stretching for my ride. I stretch on the ground so Abby takes this opportunity to grab her rope toy and engage in a game of tug and
fetch. This usually works out well but she has a tendency to get too engaged. Let's just say my legs have suffered the wrath of Abby's dancing feet. If I ever end up injured at an ER they are going to think I am an abuse victim. (Wil would pop in and say Elder Abuse)


My ride was AWESOME! I rode with such focused ferociousness I was startled when I realized it. I rode my bike in a way I had not before. I used my whole body to manipulate my bike much like the whole body for skating or like a BMX rider would. An example would be wanting to shift past some people in a close setting before oncoming traffic (on the Esplanade) I moved (like skating) with my shoulders first then my arms down to my hands followed down to the bike. I also used my inner thighs on the bike seat to shift as a whole unit. BBB and I were like one! Once I was not as focused and realized the way and speed in which I
was attacking my route I was enjoying it immensely! It was not an outer body experience but more like an amusement park ride a la Diva! To say the ride was just what I needed after a few hard days at work but it was more than that. It was one of the best rides I have had in awhile. Kinda reminded me of the energy and ferocity I would make love. Fair to say with all the
hormone surges I have some pent up sexual tension. It was probably good that it was BBB and not a person. I might have broken them.This all happened on the Saturday night of Pride Weekend. I was not able to get my Pride on as it was my weekend to work. I kinda forgot in my hustling around. I noticed a higher than usual number of people on bikes in dressed upor in costumes but did not think much of it. Come on, Downtown Portland in the Summer on a Saturday night?! It wasn't until I was back to OMSI that I put two and two together. I was busy with the cool riding experience. By the time I got to the Hawthorne bridge did I encounter a lot of people riding opposite me - clothing optional. Why is italways the creepy dude that has to start early? Sadly that image has stayed with me.

I have not yet put Mod Podge to project. I have been gathering all the donated items from people and pondering ideas. I got a whole envelope of fortunes from cookies from a fellow Derby Ref "Panda Express", some foreign currency from a co-worker including a paper money from Russia that got the maker of such arrested! He had a pyramid scheme going with his made at home money. He was trying to replace the Governments money but they did not take kindly to that.  I got subway tickets and other cool paper items from Joseph.  I myself have collected concert stubs and memorabilia that might get added in. I have the two wood cigar boxes as well as the two card board boxes. I want to stain the boxes, add some embellishment and enjoy. The cardboard boxes will get some embellishment and a protective coating of Mod Podge for safety. I have put things on and off the different boxes in my mind but nothing permanent yet. I also want to work with a clear product to encase items for paper weights or table tops. I will know when it is the right fit I will jump. 

Thanks again for those of you that sent my seemingly useless items. You are adding to my creative process!