I was going to do some craft projects today, but I got distracted by the big fire about 8 miles away. It's the Humbolt Road fire and is about 9,000 acres big right now. The winds are strong which is making things worse. I drove up to Skyway Road which is one of two roads leading up to Paradise, a city nestled in the Redwood trees, to see if the road was reopened. The road was blocked with police keeping people out. I took pictures of the scene but the pictures really did not show how the bad the fire really is.

The picture that has parked cars in it was taken at Lowe's. I went there to buy paint. I couldn't help thinking how odd I felt, shopping along with other people, while a huge fire raged less than 8 miles away. I thought of that old Sonny and Cher song, " And the beat goes on..."

I really admire and I am thankful to the fire fighters who are willing to put themselves on the line to save others. The winds are supposed to calm down tonight. I hope they are right.

You can now purchase any of my mixed media and collage creations directly from my blog! Just send me an email , and let me know which item you are interested in purchasing . Go to junkstylediva@gmail.com and I will get right back to you. Ok, maybe not right away but it will definitely be within 24 hours. At the moment I am accepting personal checks.

I have a winner for the June 1st giveaway! Chambers from etsy won the shabby inspirational sign. Thanks to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed reading the kind comments left by everyone and I plan to do another giveaway soon. Be sure to check out chambers etsy shop at http://www.chambers.etsy.com/. She sells delicious snacks for your favorite four legged honey!

While I'm on the subject of etsy you must check out another favorite etsy artist of mine, http://www.jenniferperezdesigns.etsy.com/. I bought an adorable bird pendant (pictured above) from her and I really like it! She creates lots of fun, whimsical jewelry, so please check out her shop before you go.

This weekend has been terrific! Great weather and I got to spend time in my garden. John even got to spend time doing his favorite past time, watching Baseball (The Giants) and getting in a few winks! Hope you got to do fun things this weekend too!

Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow May 31st is the last day to enter my free giveaway. Check out the May 15th post to see what I am giving away and to enter. All you have to do is leave a comment and I will draw from those names June 1st. I will name the winner in my Sunday blog. Good luck! And have a super delicious weekend!

It's my Friday!!!! I am sooo happy! My feet are sooo happy! I am so over this waitressing gig. I don't know what I would do if I had to work more than three days there. If John and I weren't moving in a year, I would leave. Ok enough of that subject. Look what I found at my favorite thrift store! I had to have this adorable poodle. Someone made her. She is not store bought. She stands about 12 inches tall. I have not given her a name yet and I am open to suggestions. If you have one leave it in my comment section. I plan to put together a dream board this weekend so I can manifest my shop. I also need to finish some books I'm reading because they need to go back to the library. I don't know what I would do without my library. It allows me to be able to read so many of my beloved stories for free because I could never afford to buy them all. Right now I'm reading The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers, by Lilian Jackson Braun. I have read about 10 of her books. They are an easy read and I enjoy the who dunnit style books, especially when the sleuths are two kitties.

What a busy weekend! Working at the antique shop in Paradise on Saturday, there was a moment I almost fell asleep! The sun was shining through the window and it felt sooo good and made me sooo sleepy! It's great when I work there because I can sit down whenever I want. When I am at the restaurant I have to stand even when it's slow.

My friend Vanessa graduated from Chico State today. She has a degree in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential. That young woman has been in school since she was in kindergarten. I can't imagine that. She worked at night at the restaurant and went to school full time in the day. It is a real shame... no it's a crime that the US which was once the greatest country does not view educaton as our societies greatest asset. European countries and Japan (there probably are more) take care of the younger generation and educate them for free. The students and their families take the education seriously and make sure they do their best. I have inlaws who live in Switzerland and their government gives their citizens every opportunity to be successful. Don't even get me started aout their health care system! I am proud of Vanessa because she worked hard to get that degree. I hope she will have an easier time getting a teaching job in California. I hope you hear me Arnold!

I managed to find time to find some of my wedding decorations this weekend. I will put them up for sale in my etsy shop http://www.cootiequeen.etsy.com/. just in time for the wedding season.

I just added new goodies to my etsy shop. Check out my creations at the top of this blog. I have been working with collage alot lately. It is easier than working with mosaic because I can stay indoors, sit in my favorite chair, and hang out with my furbabies.

Tomorrow I work at the antique shop. I really enjoy that. Hopefully it will be busier. The students at Chico State are graduating this weekend and there are lots of visitors. After Tuesday the majority of students will go back home and the City of Chico will be very quiet until late August. I'm still looking for more people to enter my free drawing. All you have to do is leave a comment and your entered. Check out the May 15th post for more details...

John and I didn't make it to Folsom. It's a gas issue. Not me but the car and how much money it will cost us gas wise to get there. We will postpone the trip until sometime in June. Cooper, my chihuahua had to get his teeth cleaned so that set us back a bit too. Alas, the problem of of not being wealthy (sigh). There are times when we have to choose what to spend our money on. I did, however score at a thrift shop! I can stretch a dollar there and get my collecting stuff fix. I got all those cups and saucers with the silver plated knives and forks for $8.00!

So far I only have one comment for the drawing and giveaway. Check out the May 15th post to get in on the contest. Who knows you might be the winner!

I made two more collage pieces for my etsy shop. Both are an angel theme. I have other ideas for collage pieces but there is only so much time in the day...

Oh, by the way, has this ever happened to you? You put something down on the coffee table like two picture frames and one of them completely disappears? I don't mean disappearing infront of my eyes. I mean you pick up one and start working with it and when it is time to get the 2nd one you can't find it! This is the 3rd thing that has disappeared in a week. I lost my new AA batteries that I bought to put in my Walkman (yes I said Walkman! I refuse to spend money on those newer models) so I can practice my French lessons without bothering John, and the vintage Avon poodle perfume bottle. It is driving me crazy! I have searched all over my house.

I'm going to look some more...

I decided to have a drawing. If you want to enter leave a comment and I will draw a name. The winner will get this ooak inspirational wall hanging sign pictured above. I will draw the winner June 1st and list the winning name in my blog.

I haven't been working on my art as much as I like this week because I worked 6 days last week and since I am not as young and fresh it takes me longer to get my groove back. However, I plan to get going tomorrow. The weather is definitely hotter today and my bones like that! I have lots more energy this time of year and will until late October when all I want to do is stay home in my jammies, drink hot chocolate and watch old movies. But that is 5 months away!

The yard sales got into high gear last weekend, but since I worked I did not get to check them out. I sure was tempted though, since I was driving around Chico delivering Mother's Day flowers for a local flower shop.

This Saturday, John and I will drive to Folsom to check out some antique shops. I will blog about it when I get back and include photos...

Well, don't forget to leave a comment so you can be entered in the drawing. Good Luck!