Debbie Overton Designs

It All Begins At Home

HOME ~ Is where it all begins.....and for me since my last post it is where I have basically been with the exception of a few art store runs to pick up things I thought I might run out of in the middle of the night....a few more canvases....even though Dick Blick has delivered 3 times in the past month....more of my favorite Golden acrylics such as Green Gold, Turquois (Phthalo) and Transparent Pyrrole Orange.....and then there was the run for more Golden Soft Gel in Semi-Gloss when I couldn't find the one I ordered.  Found it last night as I was checking to see which pieces needed wire hangers added....it along with the empty jar were under a canvas lifting it up so the edges didn't touch anything!!!!  Two days until I deliver to Monkey Love for the Solo Exhibit which starts Thursday, May 1st....I keep repeating....I can do this!!!!  Most of the pieces are ready, a few need to be wired, those that needed a final coat of varnish got it first thing this morning, a couple pieces needed 3D items glued in place and that was done yesterday....Today I have 2 pieces I really want to finish to add to the grouping but promised myself if they are ready okay....it not no big deal.  Then there is the detailed inventory list and photos and scans of everything.

Here's another snippet of one that I finished last week....It All Begins At Home.....a 10"x20"x1.25" gallery wrapped mixed media collage.  As I worked on this piece I kept a running list each time I added a layer....and after 23 layers of gesso, mediums, papers, acrylics, and more it was signed and then sealed with one more layer....yes 24 layers in all! 

Speaking of Home.....Our baby that just turned 19 a couple weeks ago comes home this coming Friday for the summer....although it will be a short one for her....She was selected as the Sports Editor for the year book staff and SRS (Shorter Relations Society) a public relations representative for the College for this next year....both which require 3-4 day workshops in June and July and then early move in for Fall so the SRS members will be ready for Freshmen Orientation Week.  She's ready to come home and we are ready for her.  She also just found out she got into one of the new apartments on campus....no more dorm life for her....and she is beyond happy!

My break is almost over and I have all day to myself so I want to make the most of it.  Enjoy your week and I will be back with more snippets as time permits.

Almost forgot....Some Party Favors went out last week and more will go out this week most likely on Wednesday after I make my art delivery.  Remember it's not too late to leave a comment on one of my post and have a chance to have your name drawn for a party favor.

There went the timer.....back to creating.

ABC's of the Heart

Busy Busy Week.....and I like it like that!  Completed 3 new pieces for the upcoming exhibit.....if things go well today through the weekend should have atleast 3 more ready to hang.....four are in the works.....some are gessoed, some have collage, some have paints added......but they all have something in common....the canvases are much larger than I usually work on.....challenging and fun at the same time.

Creating has not been the only thing on my to do list this week thus far.....you may remember a few posts back I mentioned I was working on a new business venture.....that signature.....you know the one that was questioned......it is being used on legal papers this week in pulling some of the details together....phone calls with my advisor's....you know the ones that keep you legal (attorney).....the IRS happy(accountant).....and those that offer their guidance and wisdom (friends, family and other entrepreneurs).  All I can say is it is getting closer and closer to a reality and until everything is in place I am running on pure adrenaline!

I leave you with a peek of one of the collages I just finished.  The sun is coming through my windows in all its glory this morning and I am off to accomplish more for the upcoming events.  Thanks for visiting!

Party Favors & Tax Day

I have 4 party favors ready to mail.....Enzie at World Market Portraits was the first to leave a comment with a direct link to her post on Gratitude.  If you have not visited you are missing a wonderful poem on Gratitude.  Roxanne at Roxi Designs is giving away a blog background and an original handcrafted notecard along with her words of Gratitude.  Miriam at The Doodler and Debra at Hop Hop Jingle Boo both shared posts of Gratitude.

I hope you will take a few minutes to visit each of these girls and see what they had to share.  Also many of the comments are filled with words of Gratitude.  After reading so many wonderful comments....I decided to include everyone that comments with a blog to the Party Guest List so all the fun places are easy for you to find.

As I posted this I was thankful for those that have visited and grateful to those that share the things they are thankful for.  And very thankful our taxes have been filed and we don't have to pay anything!!!!

Don't forget to come back as I will be sharing another recipe in the next day or so and will be drawing names for party favors from one of the posts.

And for the person that posted the snide remark to the comments asking if that was really my signature and why I started using it.....YES it is my signature created with Photoshop 7 and I have been using it on the back of my notecards for years and even in some of my older posts.  I guess there has to always be one in the bunch that just tries to stir the pot!  Sorry to those that saw the ugly comment before I found it.

The "D" List and More......

I made the "D" list....the "D" list you ask......

As I do most mornings I was reviewing my blog and website stats reports....there seemed to be tons of referrals from one blog in particular....so I had to check it out.  Sharon B's In a Minute Ago is a wonderful blog I found because she listed me in her "D" list today.  She is releasing a letter every couple weeks of some of her favorite blogs.  In a Minute Ago is a blog of online resources which relate to contemporary and historical textiles, embroidery and needlework, quilting and crazy quilting, fiber arts, paper, book arts and visual journals....and so much more.  I am looking forward to seeing more of what Sharon has to offer.

Steve and I decided to head out mid-morning for bunch and run a few errands....a stop at Artisans for a few Golden paints and supplies that I was running low on.....then before heading home we made a stop at Monkey Love....I know...I have mentioned Monkey Love many time....I just love the name....and it is such a fun place to visit.  Britt and I finalized the details for the exhibit and reception and we both left with a Banana Pudding Shake!  I wanted to go on over to the beach but I kept looking at that bag of paints and the paints won out....I think Steve was glad....he was ready to head home.....he said he thought he heard the sofa calling his name!  So I gave in after a promise that tomorrow no matter what we will spend a few hours enjoying the sun and sand.

I can not even begin to thank all of you that have taken time to leave a comment in the Let the Party Begin post.....it is filled with Birthday wishes, but most of all it is filled with words of gratitude.  We all have so many things to be thankful for and I am enjoying reading your comments and hope others will take time to read them too.

I leave you with Signs of Spring here in Southeast Georgia......

Let the Party Begin......

The Expressions of Gratitude Blog Party celebrating my 50th Birthday has begun and you are invited to join.  You can read all about it here.  Don't forget to turn your volume up so you can sing along with some of my favorite tunes.....Hey you could even get up and dance around the room if you're in the mood. 

Every party should have your favorite treats so here's one of mine and you can even make it a few days ahead of time.

Peanut Butter Pie ~ Debbie Overton

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. crunchy peanut butter

2 (8oz.) Cool Whip

2 butter, graham or chocolate flavored pie crusts, store bought or your own.  I use the mini graham cracker from Keebler for parties.

Blend all together, except 1 (8oz.) Cool Whip; this is for the topping.  Blend until smooth with a spatula.  Pour into pie crust and top with Cool Whip.  Refrigerate.  Easy and Yummy!

Since my big day in on the 4th, the first 4 comments left with a link to their blog post titled Expressions of Gratitude will receive a party favor and if you are the first person to also add the Celebration Badge to your blog along with your Gratitude post there will be an extra surprise included.   

Please leave comments here under the Let the Party Begin so they will all be together.  And please don't forget to include the direct link to your Gratitude post in your comment.

Hope to see you during the month long party!

Road Trip

I see some of you have missed me....you have been coming by several times a day, but found nothing new posted....I am so sorry to disappoint you, but maybe you did find something in the older post since you spent time here. 

I have had 5 days of down time or atleast time away from art and the everyday activities here at home.  At the last minute I decided to take a road trip with Steve and have a little fun while also giving me time to work on details for a business venture that I will be announcing soon.  Since the first day was just going to be driving I kept my eyes open for signs of antique shops, flea markets, etc....if I spotted one early enough we would stop. 

How about this spot I found.....

Now I know some of you would have been doing a rather wild happy dance while the others are thinking I can't believe she went in there....trust me it is not a place you would wear your flip flops....maybe knee wadders, but personally by the time I got out of there I was thinking hip wadders would have been nice.  The things I found hidden under piles of old junk were unreal.  This is a place I will visit again and in a later post I will share more of the places I found during our road trip as well as tell you more about this one.

I have canvases everywhere....in the works for the Monkey Love Exhibit in May and my mind has been working non-stop on a business decision I have made...I have filled many legal pads with notes, scribbles and strikethroughs.  I have spoken to my accountant and attorney with all of the what if's, how to's and more.  I have done tons of research, talked Steve to death....don't think he had that in mind when he asked me to tag along on his trip....closed up in a truck for hours upon hours....no wonder he was helping me look for places to stop....I am actually surprised after the first night he didn't get an extra room just for me so he could get some rest....but he was steady fueling the fire with questions, suggestions, and comments....so I took that as he was interested....but when I started asking myself questions and answering them out loud....he did show a little concern.

After crunching numbers last night and making another list of questions I need to get busy....as they say I am burning daylight!

Have a great day and please know you are always welcome to drop in.

Debbie

Playing Favorites

Seth over at The Altered Page featured a couple of my collages with a little history on the pieces in his Playing Favorites - Word to the Wise.  If you have not visited The Altered Page hop on over and see some great art and amazing stories behind the art.  I have found some great artists to visit and bet you will too.  I found Seth when he visited my blog during the OWOH event and love to visit....always a treat!

Lots going on....trying to finish the 3rd piece I want to include in the exhibit this coming weekend and am waiting on a huge order from the one and only Mr. Dick Blick....then I will be working on pieces for the solo exhibit at Monkey Love for the month of May.  I also have something new in the works that I want to share, but timing is everything....so I am sitting here with closed lips on it for now....but the wait won't be much longer.

Congratulations to our best friends back in Arkansas....Tommie and George are proud first time new grandparents.....Colton Lane was born last night late to Jared and Melissa and all are doing well.  We can't wait to see pictures.

I think I hear the UPS truck outside....I'm off to play!

Debbie