Art On The Edge

Painted Steps

2009-11-13T06:13:00.000-08:00

Some friends have some very unusual stairs and they let me paint them. Here are some before and afters...

An old cupboard made new!

2009-11-13T05:52:00.000-08:00

Hello again, Here is a picture of an old cupboard I had in the kitchen, it was boring and white, so I fixed that. Not boring anymore!!

So It's Fall!

2009-10-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

Well much has happened since I got on here last. We had our 30th wedding anniversary. Great fun with family and friends. We had a son get married in the front yard just a week ago, COLD but beautiful. Fabulous food. I have not done alot of creative stuff but have been making these Hop vine Wreaths. Here's a picture.

Here's a picture of the happy couple, Sam and Brandy Brobeck. Oh and for the wedding I made my first wedding cake, I got some ideas from the internet, take a look.

Oh and also for the wedding, since I'm not a gardener, I made beer can flowers. They were fun and simple and cheap, recycle, recycle!

Let's see what else, oh made a scarecrow for the wedding to sit in the corner of the yard, we thought he looked just like dennis my hubby!

Well I'm babysitting grandsons today so better get back to them. Take care and have a stress free day!

Spring and Summer gotta love it!

2009-05-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I wanted to show, first is my 1st peony in 3 years and it's gorgeous, I was so excited to find it yesterday!

Then there is Max, our youngest, who is finding the artist in himself. It's been exciting to watch.

Then the other day I decided to paint a window on the house because I did not like the veiw from outside. It's a tad out there but very colorful.

Oh and here is little Zoey on Easter with me. We were at Aunt Myrna and Uncle Wally's for the day.

Then there is my first ever herb garden, they all smell so good but now I have to learn what to do with fresh herbs!

30 years and still in Love!!

2009-05-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

Dennis and I are celebrating our 30th year anniversary in less than 2 weeks now. We are having a BBQ blowout and our son Max is coming with the band"A different Shade of Blues" to entertain.

Here is the picture of a chair I painted for a young couple who got married last weekend. I used to take care of him the nursery he was a favorite and he found a very sweet girl to marry.

Oh and here is a picture of Sam our 4th son with his fiance Brandy, they plan to marry in October.

Here a scene I snapped after my morning walk with the dogs, Norm and Blue. It's right at the edge of the driveway, I thought it was cool.

Byee for now, Donna!

Fun with Friendship Bread

2009-03-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

Oh I am so mad at myself, I just posted this great adventure I had yesterday making muffins and then erased it.URGH!!!

Let me redo, My daughter in law, Rachel, gave me and my friend a start of Friendship bread. I have gone through the process and couple times and Den and I eat it so fast I decided to save all of it this time and bake some for the freezer. Well so I baked all day yesterday and still have the same amount for today to do. I jazzed them up each time, we have orange muffins, double chocolate chip muffins, Cliff's Heart healthy cereal and raisin muffins, they were all really good. The pistacio muffins with pistacio pudding in them were a bomb, I didn't add enough sugar and they are green, we'll need to be extra hungrey to eat them, or I'll just give them to Max, my son, he'll eat anything. I think there were 10 dozen muffins and 4 loaves of bread.

I also got some bags made , here's a picture. They will be for sale at the Idaho Baglady in Nampa Friday. Well I better get baking and sewing, Looks kinda cold today so bundle up!!!

Donna!

Fun with Purses

2009-02-28T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hi All, Long time no write. So I have been cleaning quilt squares out of my drawer of scraps and made this quilt, it's king size and so warm.
But I still had more so I made a quilt to cover the window in the front room, it kinda looks like stained glass.
Well now I am doing some purses and reuseable shopping bags. Here are a couple. I am using basmati rice bags and demin from dennis' old overalls. I just today figured out how to wash the burlap bags and not have all the color come out, thanks mom!!
Well I am off to sew a few more bags today as Dennis is working and I must make my way.
Oh an update on the chairs, they had a great time at the gallery but they are all back home with Den and I. I think I will try craigs list or something as you can only have so many chairs in your living room:-/
Tootles and have a great day.
Donna!

We're ready for the Gallery!

2008-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

I posted this picture of unpainted chairs 9/23/08 so I wanted to show you how they turned out. I like the result! sorry about the background but I was excited and forgot about that. Here is also a picture of all of them together. They look so pretty all in a row. We take them in tomorrow so I will take some pictures of them in the Gallery. You all have a great day and Happy Thanks giving!
Donna~Creator of Cool Stuff

The Rose Garden has been planted (it's done)!

2008-11-18T11:54:00.000-08:00

Hello,
Oh happy day the 5th and final chair has been completed and I just love this one. I was experimenting with painting roses and really like the result. I think I will wait a few days before I attempt another but am really pleased with this one. Comments are always appreciated.
PS: I am taking the chairs in this coming Monday or Tuesday, If you get a chance please come see them at the Gallery at Hyde Park in Boise, ID, I assume the display will be up 1st part of December through January 2009. Cool!!!

Have a great day, Donna!

Rose Garden Chair

2008-11-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

Hello, So I have started the final chair for the gallery show. It is the Rose Garden. So far so good. I am pleased with the top slat and the rose buds are looking good. I wanted to learn roses and found them to be easier that I thought so, Yeah!!

Revamped Aprons for Cliff's!!

2008-11-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Look what I did this morning, revamped some aprons from Cliff's. Yesterday I went to the Methodist Shop, a thrift store next to Cliff's, and got these cute quilt blocks, there were like 12 for a buck. So anyway when I got back to Cliff's (the place where I work) we were talking and thought they would look cute on some aprons they had that no one would wear cuz they were long and had no pockets, so.... I turned the bottoms up and made pockets all along the front and zig zagged these cute blocks on the front. Then I thought 'I wish I had time to embroider Cliff's name on the front', I'm not an embroidry nut, but I remembered some fabric paints I had so I used them, I only had gold and black but they turned out pretty good. I started at about 6:30 this morning and just finished, Yeah!!! Now I gotta get ready for work, have a great day.
Happy Createing~~

Greenleaf Friends Auction!

2008-11-04T20:07:00.001-08:00

Hello, I just finished this little rocker for the Auction. It is a trash to treasure peice. It will make someone a nice doll chair. Just a nice little OLD rocker! The Auction is Friday and Saturday. There is a Bazaar, breadfast, kids games and oodles of other fun stuff to do and see. It's here at Greenleaf at the community center and the school on Main Street & Academy.
My next chair is well on it's way and will be the final chair for the gallery show which is less than a month away. I am trying my hand at roses on this one.
So I dreaded voting all day because of the weather but I got there at about 4:30 and got right in. One of the many reasons I love Greenleaf. I even got to see my friend who was sick over the weekend and is better now and my new friend I got to know at Women's Getaway over the weekend. Good Times!!

Women's Getaway to McCall, ID!!

2008-11-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

Hello, This weekend I went on a Women's Getaway with 20 or so gals from the Greenleaf Friends Church. It was fun and as you can tell I am not the only one who had fun. The gal sticking her tougue out is one of the teachers at the Academy in Greenleaf, she's a FUN gal!!
The ladies in this picture, Lindy(Olive shirt) and Devonne(white shirt), fed us all sorts of good stuff and their cinnamon rolls and orange rolls and chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles that Lindy made. I had that for 2 meals. We had sharing time that was real good and game time and movie time, (Take the Lead w/Richard Gere) and Junk store shopping and quilt shop shopping. Audra,(Green shirt) found the cutest pattern for aprons so we are going to have a sewing day and make some, maybe for Christmas presents. The happy lady in the pink is Dianna, I think she had a REAL good time, hahaha!! We had a real great time and hope we can get more women to came next year.

The Rocker is done!!

2008-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hello All, So sorry I have not been blogging much this last week, if any. I think I have been going through a 'funk' of sorts. I just was not feeling this chair. But I was assured that the chair had merit so I will post the end product. It reminds me to a sampler that is embroidered. All kinds of different techniques and instruments were used to acheive the finished chair. I practiced curlie Q's and dots and flowers, ect. Thanks for looking.
Donna

Organized Kaos!!

2008-10-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Organized Kaos, I thought of this the other day as a way to discribe my style. I can say this about my whole life acually. Sometimes its downright exhausting. Which is how I feel after an afternoon of painting. Well here is what I am working on now... It's a tad kaotic but that's okay, it's me.

Dylan's soccar game!

2008-10-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

Hello, Today was, Dylan, my 2nd grandson's soccar game. He plays every Saturday, his dad, my son Jake, is the coach. It was a great game and Dylan even kicked the ball a few times. It is so cute, the players are between 4 and 6 years old. Sme know why they are out there and some don't, but they sure seem to have fun. Most don't care where they ball goes as long as they get to kick it. We, the spectators, clap and shout hooray no matter who gets the ball in the goal. Right now it's all for fun and I think they coaches and parents have accomplished that. Here are some pictures of the action. The other little guy sitting on my lap isRaleigh his little brother and my 5th grandson. I didn't get a pictures of their mom, Rachel, so here she is, a great little daughter-in-law if I do say so myself. Next week is their last game and Thursday is their Pizza party at the YMCA where Rachel works. Next Spring Raleigh will play with his brother, now that will be interesting!!!
Love ya, Donna!
PS: BSU won 27 to 7 over Hawaii!!!

Go BSU!!

2008-10-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Well while I wait for Dennis to get home I will update you on the chair. As you can see it is pretty colorful. I am working on the top now but have not quite figured it out yet. I loved how the arm turned out, I was going to erase them but thought I'd see what I could do with the snaky thing in the middle. It works!
Den and I are going to Sandy and Sams to watch BSU, Boise State University, squash Hawaii. Here is a picture of me showing some BSU pride, just a little. They are doing so well. I baked an Apple Raspberry pie for the occaision. Sandy's making ribs, Yeah!! Hurry up Dennis, we don't want to miss any thing. Well I'm going to sign out!! Byee!!

Well it's off to Cliff's today!

2008-10-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Well I worked some more on the chair and now all the white is covered. The rest will go a little more quickly and be more fun. Still no theme but it reminds me of a fun gramma's chair.

Here are some pictures of our wood hauling last night. Whatever was wrong with the chain saw is fixed now and we were all there to watch dad fix it. In the picture is Norman, the big dog, Blueberry, the smaller dog and Joe the cat on the roof of the pickup, oh and that's Dennis fixing the saw. We filled the tailgate!!

Here is a picture of the cows waiting for Dennis to feed them, they were a bawling to beat the band, now they like us. Oh yes a a picture of my very cool cat, Joe!

Well I'm off to pickup pictures to show Mary at work, she does not have a computer so I just print a few off for her when I go to work each week. She gets a kick out of it. Thanks, Donna

Good Morning!

2008-10-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well I have started on the next chair, a rocker. After 3 days, approximatly 12 hours, here it is so far. Joe is testing it out for me. It's going nicely, Dennis keeps asking me what the theme is, I have not idea, I'll tell you later.

Yesterday my grandson Braidon called me to tell me they, his dad and brother and him, were going to go take pictures of graffitti and they were riding the long board to do this. I think a long board is just a real long skate board. I don't know if they were all on one board or if they each had their own. Their dad called later that evening to tell us they were on it most of the day. Here's a picture of the boys having a milkshake drinking contest during the day. Sounds like a great time. By the way the pictures of graffitti is for a Christmas present Jeremiah, my son, is making me. I love homemade from my kids, so exciting!!

Last night my hubby and I went outside and fed the calves, the neighbor and we have 7 altogether. It is so beautifull out on the hillside where they are. I threw sticks for the dogs to catch and we talked about the house on the hillside we are always going to build. Den's plans always get a little extravigant so for now it's just talk. Then we went into the 8 acres and spent about an hour and a half choping wood for kindling. It was so much fun, we sawed it all by hand cuz the chainsaw, needs a new blade I guess. It was sundown when we finished and the sky was just gourious, we even had a full moon, well it looked like a full moon anyway. Here is a picture of what we gathered. I propped it by the front door, it's very autumny.
Today the sun is very bright so I better get to work, have a good one. Donna

Fun in Hyde Park

2008-10-08T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Our adventure yesterday to the Hyde Park area in Boise was a blast!! Little Anthony did come and he was a real trouper. Even let us go to Savers when we got back to Nampa. We caught the 42 bus at Karcher mall at 10:30am and got to 9th and main just in the nick of time to catch the #14 bus to Hyde park.
Here are some of the places we went.
The soda Fountain is in Goody's Candy Store and Soda Fountain. I got an Ice cream cone, I think they said they make their own ice cream, it was coffee flavored with chuncks of coffee beans, fabulous!!

We toured the Gallery at Hyde Park, there is some of the greatest recycled Jewelry in there. Also the paper mache exhibit is really quite fun to see, very colorful. There were pencil drawings I did not quite understand but someone put alot of thought into them.
We also went to the Blue Moon antiques, they had great prices on crazy quilts which I loved but had to resist.
We ate at the Sunray Cafe and had some fabulous veggie sandwich on dark rye and beer cheese soup. You could really taste the beer, again Fabulous.

We then decided it was time to hoof it to the Co-op on 9th and Fort. While we were hoofing it we saw a bus that would be going to the co-op so we ran back for it. Imagine four, not as young as they used to be, ladies and a baby in a stroller runner down the street yelling "wait, wait". It was all very funny and par for the course for yesterday. As the bus started out we realized it was not going straight to the co-op, it was a more scenic route. We finally got there and realized the bus driver was not necessarily stopping so I pulled the cord and we got off. I felt soooo brave. Inside the co-op were all sorts of healthy fare, some I had heard of, some I had not. But my friend Julie was in heaven as she had found some the items she remembered from Africa, where she did some of her growing up, as her folks were missionaries (she's Anthony's mom). Sharon and Laura bought themselves Gelatos and I got myself a coffee with whole milk just like I like it and we stolled around for some time.
It was then time to think about getting back to the bus stop that would take us back to Nampa. We found it was close enough to walk so we did. The trip home was a little longer because of rush hour traffic but there was a very talkative fellow who kept Laura and I entertained, (he seemed to know everyone), so it went fairly fast.
It was a GREAT day and I hope to do it again someday. I would recommend it highly. Now I must get to sanding the next chair, a rocker!!

Bye, Donna

Okay, now we're really done.

2008-10-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

So I got up this morning and well I had to tweak a little more. Now the letters are just right and I can go on to something else. But today I am going on a bus ride trip to Boise to visit the Hyde Park area and the Co-op with the friends just cuz we can.

My friend may come with her little guy Anthony, the cutest little fella you ever did see, which could make matters a little more interesting. There will be plenty of mothers and gramma's to play with him so.... Well I think I am off. Tomorrow we stat another project and then 2 days in the bakery at "Cliff's".

Donna

Joe's Done!

2008-10-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Okay so let me tell you what happened since this morning. I made another attempt at finishing top of the chair and it was a disaster. So.....I decided to break down and get a couple new brushes. They made all the difference, the letters turned out crisp and I can live with them. So here's the finished chair. I'll look at it again in the morning. Good night!!

Let's give it another try!!

2008-10-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

Well i thought I had the Joe chair on the ropes but I just can not get the lettering down. Just not happy... so today I whited it out and will start over again, just on the lettering, mind you. Hopefully I will have something to share this evening. I have gone on my morning walk with the dogs and cleaned the kitchen and folded laundry, it's quiet so it should all come together cuz I am SO anxious to start on the next one. It's driving me plum looney!!!

Byee, Donna

Just a couple of funnies!

2008-10-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

Dennis and I were reading emails today and thought we'd share some from Hilarious Logic!!
If you click on them they get bigger.
We went to the "Simply Content" sale and were really impressed by what we saw. Even bought a cool white wicker collapable rocker that I think I will redo with the 'Donna' touch. For the price I could not resist, $25.00. We have had rain and more rain and wind and lightening and thunder but it's been a great day I even took a nap. Dennis is in the kitchen fixin' somethng fabulous for dinner something with pasta and frest tomatoes and garlic I think. Well I better go help. Hope you're having a great day too. Take care, Donna

Update on Joe's Chair

2008-10-02T19:21:00.001-07:00

Hello, Well I've added a few touches to Joe's Chair. He now has a ball of yarn to play with and a little friend he hasn't noticed yet. I just have a few touch-ups and some wording at the top to do. Should be done tomorrow.

Well that's it for me, I need to go watch the debate with Dennis. Donna!

Today it's back to Work!

2008-10-01T08:03:00.000-07:00

No painting today as I'm off to work. I work at Cliff's Country Market in Caldwell, ID. If we don't have it Cliff will try to find it for you. The owners are Cliff and Marilyn Metcalf. They're good to work for but it is definatly no nonsence and very few frills. Fall is the season for Apples so I'm off to bury myself in a bin of beautiful apples and sort the little ones from the big one. Big ones go on the table and little ones get bagged, 4 lbs for $1.99. Great value!! We're small but growing all the time. We even have an in store bakery and Wednesday is Gluten Free day. People come from all around to get homebaked gluten free baked goods like cinamon rolls, pies, sandwich bread, pizza crusts and fruit breads. Jennifer (the baker) has tweaked the recipes just so and they are fabulous, I should know I work on Wednesday and she gives tastes test ever so often. We also have a big assortment of Mexican foods and spices not to mention of local fruits and vegetables availabel right now. The nectarines this year have just been Gorgious. So come check us out if your ever in Caldwell, Idaho. I'm there on Wednesday and Thursday!!
Have a good one, Donna

Wife From Hell!!

2008-09-30T08:55:00.001-07:00

A police officer pulls over a speeding car.
The officer says, ' I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.'
The driver says, 'Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60; perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating.'
Not looking up from her knitting the wife says, 'Now don't be silly dear, you know this car doesn't have cruise control!
As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, 'Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once??!!'
The wife smiles demurely and says, 'You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did.'
As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, 'DAMN it, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?!!!!!!'
The officer frowns and says, 'And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.'
The driver says, 'Yeah,well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.'
The wife says, 'Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving.'
And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, 'WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP?!!!!!'The officer looks over at the woman and asks, 'Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?'
(I LOVE THIS PART....)
'Only when he's been drinking.

Hey Joe's got a face!!

2008-09-30T04:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Well so here is the progress from yesterday. I've added a few mice and more color. I am just going to add some more detail to the mice and Dennis had a great idea for the cat I may play with today. Anyway thanks for looking.

Take care, Donna

Joe's Chair

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, I am working on a chair I am dedicating to my cat Joe.
Do you see the resemblance? It was just he and yesterday as the hubby went horseback riding with Sam our cowboy son. I'm likeing it so far so I think I will go with it. You all have a great day! Donna

TheCrazy Chair is completed, Yeah!!

2008-09-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

Hello, I have finally completed the Crazy chair and am happy with the outcome. Please feel free to comment. I am now going to start the little white chair in one of the previous posts. I will keep you posted.
Thanks!!

Look what I picked up Today!!

2008-09-23T14:13:00.001-07:00

Hey, look what Den and I picked up today. We happened into a place called Joe's Emporium and found the two outside chairs. I dickered and got them for $35.00. The one in the middle I got a couple weeks ago when Dennis and I were in a 2nd hand store we discovered. I thought it would be fun for you to see before pictures. These are going to be in a Gallery show along with the other 2 chairs in this blog. It will be in Boise, ID at the Hyde Park Art Gallery. They will be there December and January so go check it out. I think the exposure will be awesome. It's a real artsy area. Oh and here is a picture of Dennis modeling the T-shirt we had made with our business cards. I am still working on the **Crazy Chair**, I am almost ready to start the back slats. Take care and thank you for your comments and Angie, yes painting puts me in a happy place.

Update of the CRAZY chair!!

2008-09-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

Good morning! I just wanted to update you on the CRAZY chair. I am having loads of fun with it. Quilting comes easy to Gramma's you know... I love all the colors. So here it is smell your favorite coffee, a beautiful sunrise, sitting on a crazy quilt under your faorite yardsale afghan, it's just heaven and the start of a Great day!!

Inspiring the Youth of America in Art!!

2008-09-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

As you can see you must start at their level. Spending days with the youth of America, ie. grandchildren, can be taxing. However, in the back of my mind I understand the wealth is in the investment of time. Their minds between the age of 4 and 15 take in information faster than most super computers. If we are to cultivate this generation in which our children have been entrusted, we must strike a balance with not only our children but a relationship with theirs. "Hey, Grampa that's cool", are the words we are looking for. To develope said relationship starts with an understanding that boundries have already been set by the parents. That should be considered holy ground, one should not question that authority. So... Attendance at social functions, Yeah!, even hosting, creates the playing field upon which your education attempts can be made.
I would like to say vocabulary is so important. Children are on to you immediatly if you talk down to them, however, if you speak over their head they will also write you off. Start with a 'high 5', go for 'knuckles', the next level and so on. The rapore that you have developed at this point will become a relationship to maintain.
Art, the passion in which creates who you are through what you see. Defines you for others to enjoy. This joy is the smile on a childs face when you say 'that a boy', for picking the right colors. Vocabulary is gained when an understanding of 'nice blend' happens. Idaho, you gotta have Art.
Dennis Brobeck On The Edge~

Good morning!

2008-09-19T06:04:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share another piece I had fun doing this summer. It was an anniversary present for my folks. It is a recycled bench they had given new life with a coat of paint. I think it's a Happy Chair! Well I'm painting today so better get to it. I have not figured out how to comment back to your comments but thank you for them and Yes Sheila we must talk. Thanks, Donna

The CRAZY Chair!!

2008-09-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Hey I had so much fun making the seat for the preceeding chair I thought I would expand on it and paint a whole chair into a crazy quilt. Once I got started it was like, Oh My... but am having fun with it. There will be more to come as it's just getting started. Oh and I was asked if I am going to do the Rocker in the title photo and the answer is Yes so thanks for asking & thank you for the comments yesterday, I'm feeling the love!! Donna

My Latest Chair

2008-09-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hello,

As you will soon be able to tell I love to paint. Right now it's chairs but it may evolve to something else later, who knows! I have ideas floating through my head all the time. This one is my latest. The seat is a crazy quilt design. It's a fun chair. Your comments are always appreciated.

Thanks, Donna