Adrift with C.S. Alexis

Adrift With C.S.Alexis

Welcome myself back to the PNN Community

Sunday, July 5,2009

Life sometimes leads us off the path we prefer to follow. It seems to pull hardest when we are pushing hardest. This seems to be how I managed to  miss my writing activity here on PNN. I took some time off these past few days trying to pull myself together and get back on the track I want to follow. That does include writing here and doing much more of it.

The freedom on this website is really great for the creative mind. I like the no limits agenda and spirit of this community. I do not have to treat the work I do here with the same fine comb approach that I am forced to use on some of my other sites.

That is not to say that I think this community is of a lesser quality, I just feel that it has a freer soul. Looking forward to writing and publishing much more work here on a regular basis.

Adrift Art Studio Outdoors

July 3, 2009

Adrift Art Studio has taken on an open air agenda with the warmer weather. C.S. Alexis and her right hand assistant, Jill decided it would be more inspirational to work outside, weather permitting of course. It won't last but a couple of months but the fresh air feels good and creativity is flowing.

C.S. is busy designing new and innovative artwork using one of her favorite mixed media formats of pyrographics and acrylic paint on driftwood for the up and coming Christmas holiday. There has been a lot of experimenting going on and C.S. and Jill are having fun coming up with new ideas and twisting out new directions with some otherwise, overworked media.

They are pushing limits with the jewelry design end of the studio as well. Using materials that are commonly not mixed together such as hemp cords and sterling silver, C.S. has designed some bracelets and other jewelry that reaches beyond the norm. You can browse these works in a couple of locations as Adrift Art Studio puts their handcrafted designs on the market.

Shop Our New Stores Online

Expansion is in the works with several new stores opening and everyone gearing up for a Christmas Season that will be remembered. This is a gigantic push forward for Adrift Art Studio and C.S. Alexis. It has been a long time in the rebuilding process but, the recovery of Adrift Art Studio promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Handcrafted Jewelry USA

Art Garage Sale September Collectibles

Offering unique, one of a kind, handcrafted jewelry and artisic gifts, made in the USA

Read All C.S. Alexis On PNN Pages

HOMEPAGE

This page is where you can learn more about C.S. Alexis and read her blog, "My Considerable Ramblings/Ramble On" You will also find links here to other websites where C.S. Alexis writes and has her artwork on sale or display...Click on the captions in the top to view more news from C.S.

Drifting Through This Journey

This is the second section of this publication. Here you will find articles and information, photographs, music and an assortment of things that C.S. would love to share with her readers. This will be an ever changing page with much to enjoy for everyone.

Kids Love This Stuff

This page is dedicated to people who would like to spend quality time with children. It will feature "How To" articles and news that pertain to doing things together as a family. It will try to lean toward a greener way of doing things and positive family recreation. This page will be of great help to adults looking for things to do with children keeping on a strict budget.

Creative Discovery

This page will cover projects that C.S. Alexis is working on in her Adrift Art Studio as well as arts and crafts by many artists and crafts people. This page will also be a never ending and constantly changing array of creativity in the Now.

A few words to note: This project is a pretty new experience but C. S. Alexis plans to grow and develope this Personal News Paper in to a great place to read, learn and find interesting articles and suggestions for things to enhance everyone's lives in a very creative manor. Hope you will visit here often and be sure to tell your friends to visit too.

Join Me On HubPages.com

I would like to take the opportunity to invite those of you who really enjoy publishing your own writing to visit my profile on HubPages.com. I have been active there for over a year and I feel anyone who enjoys writing should join this group. HubPages has got to be one of the most professional groups of writers on the Internet today. Follow the link by clicking on this highlighted link and after reading my profile and browsing around a bit, I am sure you will want to join. Please sign up by clicking on the link at the end of my HubPage profile where it says JOIN HERE. That would help me out and Helping Each Other Is what it is all about. You will enjoy HubPages as much as you enjoy PNN.

Childrens Craft Series Begins Today

Monday, July 6, 2009

The first project in my series of children's summer activities has been posted to the Creative Discovery section of Adrift With C.S. Alexis. It is all about creating a Handcrafted Bird Feeder. I am pleased with the results and think everyone will find this a stimulating craft project for children of all ages.

I had fun with the Bird Feeder and look forward to publishing the next project. I should have it on the page by tomorrow. I have taken this series a step beyond hunting down and copying crafts found in other locations across the internet. My projects will be designed as I go.

That is not to say I will not play on some old crafty ideas because I am sure to use the knowledge within to offer projects that are interesting and down to Earth. I do intend to focus quite a bit on Mother Nature, the environment and recycling. We all know it is far past the time when we should be watching over, guarding and protecting the planet we call home.

I am a rigid freak when it comes to recycling and I hope to extend my creative knowledge in to doing much with recycling in these projects. Another thing that I hope to do is keep the cost of the projects down to a minimal, if not zero, cash expense. It is my hope that I can come up with ideas that will take no more cost than the time it takes to round up what you need from around the house.

Craft "How To's" for PNN and Company

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The next few weeks there will be a group of instructional articles posted to the inner pages of this news site. These articles will be located in the Creative Discover section of news brought to you by C.S. Alexis. One of the things that will be focused on is creative outdoor activities for children.

Summer is here and children start getting bored with not going to school even if they would never admit it. This is a great time for the kids to get involved in doing creative things that will teach them a variety of lessons. The purpose is to tap in to their imagination while at the same time give them something to do to keep them busy.

The articles will focus on lesser expensive projects that can be created at little to no cost other than digging up certain items around the house. Most households have scissors, scrap paper, a ruler and glue so this is the sort of stuff that will be needed to take part in these activities. Keep an eye peeled for daily additions throughout the summer.

Never Enough Time

Sunday, May 17 2009

  I am busting my butt all the time and so tired. I never seem to have enough time to do all I have intention for. The days and months pass and I am accomplishing so much but, not as much as I want to. I start early and work late and often do without sleep or proper food. I am always pushing myself.

  I have an art studio that needs more labor put in to it to get the building finished. I have my writing on five different sites that I should be writing for on a daily basis. Then there is the business that I have to operate five days a week so I have a steady income to pay the bills.

  I also have my jewelry business that is making progress but needs a more aggressive marketing package. I am trying to establish myself as The Chicago Outdoor Living Examiner and that is a learning process to a big degree. When do I have enough time to write, learn, make jewelry, sell jewelry, fix the roof?

  Did I mention that there is a new roof to install on our house that was flooded last fall? I lost everything I own in that flood, okay, not everything. I lost 95% of everything. Why do I have to be tired now? I have so much to do and so much I want to do.

  Sounds like I am venting here. I am. Now I need to get back to work. The roof awaits me. It is a bit windy today but those 16" wide, 20 ' long panels are not a thing for super woman!

  Someday I will tell you the story of The One Eyed Minnow....stay tuned.

My ConsiderableRramblings

Thursday April 16, 2009

Guess I have not been too considerable with rambling here. I have been going over all of my work schedule and activities and reorganizing my life. It has done wonders for my mental outlook. I had to do something. Things were getting scattered and my life seemed to be in a state of disarray.

Now it is coming together and I can get back to doing what I like to do best. I am writing, working in my art studio and pulling everything together. It is going to help me out so much with reaching my goals. Hope I still have a few friends out there in cyberville.

My Considerable Ramblings

Friday, February 20, 2009

I have not posted here for some time because I have been so busy working on the newest rendition of Adrift Art Studio. Things are coming along real nice and we have managed to get a few things set up so we could actually produce a little artwork. The place is not finished by any means but, it is functional at this point.

One of my understudies is back in the picture since the flood wiped out the old studio. She has been on hold. Not any longer! Now we are in the process of making some jewelry prototypes and designing new items that will soon be on the market for sale. At the same time we are continuing to work on the building and soon we will also be working on the grounds outside.

That will come when the weather gives us a break and we can get outside and start to do whatever needs to be done there. I am very excited about what we are doing and what has already been accomplished. Looks like 2009 is going to be a great year for Adrift Art Studio and C.S. Alexis and Co. Please stay tuned for more upcoming  news. We have planned another gathering on Sunday to make things happen and I hope to have some photos of jewelry available by then.

My Considerable Ramblings

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

I have been working hard on the building that will be the new home for my Adrift Art Studio. The physical labor involved in upgrading the appearance is starting to pay off. I am happy to announce that the bathroom just needs a litlle trim work and it will be a total finished. I also have one room in the upstairs just about complete.

I have to finish painting the trim and change out all the electrical plate covers. I want fresh new ones so that it looks nice and crisp. I will be alternatly working on the upstairs foyer and the kitchen which is on the main level. There is a lot of trim to paint with 5 doors in the upstairs foyer. That is why I decided to hold off on the trim in the rooms. I will do all of it at the same time. Saves cleaning out my paint brush over and over again.

The kitchen is going to go through a major renovation when the weather breaks in this area. I will open up the back door and start pitching a good part of what is in there. I want to basically gut that kitchen and start over.

Until that happens I am going to clean up what is there and make do. I did hire someone to come this morning and change out the faucet in the kitchen sink. The old one does not always provide a water flow when you try to turn it on. I got annoyed yesterday afternoon when I was trying to get some cleaning accomplished. I had washed a section of the counter and backsplash down and turned the water on to rinse. DAMN!

No water coming out. This is the second time that has happened in less than a month. No I can not wait for the weather to break to have running water. I hired someone to fix it ASAP. When I asked the man how soon he could get the job done he said first thing in the morning. I am suppose to meet with him in one hour. Then I should be able to clean, clean, clean.

Ramble On

Friday, January 30, 2009

I should be asleep at this witching hour but I woke up dozed back and then woke up again. I decided to make a pot of coffee. Now I am up so I might as well be writing. I have a big day ahead. I have to do some painting that will make me some money and I plan to also paint to finish my Art Studio.

I got all of the primer work done this past week in between working my regular business. I made it a point to push and put in that extra couple of hours after work to take care of it. All I need to do is clean up and paint, get the details put back together and I will be good to go.

I thought i would not get to start on the studio until late in the morning but I had a bright idea. I can not start on the pay for painting job 'til after 8am so I will go to the studio job site and work on that getting it cleaned up until it is time to go do that job. I should be able to get quite a bit done and that should put me a few hours ahead of my game.

I want to get things put together in the Art Studio on sat. so I am really ready to do some serious work to take care of it. The harder I push the faster it will get done. I am way past ready to have this one room taken care of so I can get set up and start doing some artwork. That is what this is all about. With all the work it is taking to get set up it is almost easy to loose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.

My Considerable Ramblings

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I am off work from the regular income producing business to my sidework. That involves the creative animal that lives within. I had a good day today.

This morning I saw a pack of four Coyotes coming out of the tall grass at the edge of a small lake where the house I was working at overlooks. They stopped on the frozen lake to play in the snow. It was really awesome to watch. Two of them rolled around and seemed to be enjoying the snow. One of them stopped and took a big dump. 

The one who appeared to be the leader was darker than the rest of them. They all looked very healthy. One had a shade of red to his coat. They all really looked like the color you would think of as wolves. I live 20 miles outside of Chicago and was working in a subdivision that use to be a rural area when I was a kid.

That was 40 years ago. This one is getting to be an old lady. It is okay though. It makes me take time to ponder the life around me, like the Coyotes. Not something you get to see often,at least not that many in one group unless you are at the zoo.

This sighting made me happy all day. Coyotes are considered to be the TRICKSTERS in Native American Folk Lore. The thing is the trick is usually on yourself, backfires in your face. I would say that the old Road Runner Cartoon had a good idea about what the Natives thought about the Coyote. He was always blowing something up in his own face!

My Considerable Ramblings

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

It is snowing AGAIN! I have had enough but it seems that Mother Nature thinks there is a good reason to lay down another few inches of the white stuff. Who am I to judge? Best thing I know to do is deal with it. It is just as well. I have to work for the next three days at work other than my Art Studio so I might as well be working while the snow is with us.

I am up and going early this morning. I have the time to post on two of my websites. I am annoyed with my camera. I have something going wrong most likely with ME. I can not seem to get the damn thing to download any of the photos I have taken for the past three days. It is making me NUTS.

I probably hit one of the buttons when I was unaware and now I am stuck. I have a HubPage ready to publish but cannot complete it without the photos I shot for it. I have them, stuck in the camera and there they stay. So all I can do is write my blogs.

I picked out a nice color of gray to paint my Art Studio's main room. I decided gray would be good for photographing my work! HA HA. That is when I can figure out what is up with the damn camera operator. That would be ME!  I think the camera is a little bit out of my league.

It will do all kinds of stuff but I am not able to use it because it is so complicated, over my head in the knowledge department. It was a gift and a very expensive one that I would have never purchased myself because of the complexed knowledge needed to function with it. The gift giver thought they were doing me a favor in buying me the best. So it goes.

I suppose I need to find some kind of tech support in order to get through this problem. I hate being frustrated with this kind of situation. I have things to do!

Ramble On

Monday January 26 2009

This day should mark the completion of the first room in my new Art Studio location. I have all the major prep work done and all I have left are the details. I am somewhat sore and tired from putting in a long weekend but, I am happy that I have made so much progress.

I have the main room where I will be set up ready and half primed to paint. That took some major repairs on the ceiling and walls so I could not just go in and paint it. I will be working there today and should make the rest of the priming a completed job. That will leave me with the painting and final clean-up. Pushing ahead. I am feeling very motivated and have faith that I will be settled in by the end of the month.

My Considerable ramblings

Sunday January 25, 2009

I worked all day and here I am up after midnight blogging. Yes I am a little crazy but that is what keeps me from going insane. I have been at my new Art Studio location all day. I am in the process of upgrading the place with lots of elbow grease.

There was some extensive plaster repairs that I had to do before I could think about painting. I took care of the majority of that today. Then I started preping the bathroom walls so that I could get that all primed and ready to paint. I hope to have the bathroom finished by tomorrow except for a few trim boards that I will have to replace.

I should also be able to get a good coat of primer on the Studio walls tomorrow and then I will paint it on Monday. I was happy to have three days in a row so I could make a big dent in the remodeling work. This next week I hope to be cleaning up and actually setting up my tools and equipment. I am happy with the amount of work I have accomplished. Things are taking shape at the New Adrift Art Studio!

My Considerable Ramblings

Wed, Jan. 21, 2009

Today I moved much of my stuff over to my new Art Studio location. I stuffed almost everything in the closets. I wanted to see where I was at, with space, before I did anything to the decor. There will be a lot of changes taking place. I have to get a good feel for everything before I actually set up shop.

I did a few minor repairs in preperation for painting and will be doing a few more before all is said and done. My goal is to get most of the upstairs finished by next Monday night. The place has two stories and a full basement so I plan to work my way from top to bottom.

All plans are subject to change as I work along. That is because I want to leave all options open. For the time being, I will take care of what is absolutely necessary. That means fixing up the bathroom first. I guess I am all woman when it comes to the bathroom situation. It has got to be clean, fresh and feeling real good or I just can not be happy. That is where I started last week. I cleaned and got it ready for minor repairs and a little face lifting.

I also started on the small bedroom that I will be using until I can work my way down the stairs. This room has very nice cedar lined closets and two windows that are on different walls. One is on the North and the other is on the East. They have nice wooden shutters so I won't be bothering with window treatments. I like that too because, I like the flush shutter look. They are capable of blocking out the light if I want the room dark during the day.

This building was constructed in the early 1940's so the walls are plaster. That makes it pretty air tight and not drafty. I have been there in below zero weather and it is very cozy. I have a thing about being upstairs. It is nice to look out the windows and view everything from an upper level. I think that must come from living upstairs in places when I was a child.

I am going to have to do some plaster repair on the North wall and a section of the ceiling that adjoins it. There must have been some gutter problems that caused moisture to get under the layers of interior paint. The paint started peeling and bubbling in quite a few places.

Today I used a six in one tool and started removing the places that are cracked, peeled and bubbled. This coming weekend I will make sure I got all the air spaces removed and then refloat the wall to make it smooth again. It will then be primed with a sealer and ready for painting. My goal is to have the bathroom, this bedroom and the foyer completly done by the beginning of next week. I am soooo excited.

Ramble On

Tuesday Jan. 20, 2009

It snowed again for most of the day. I guess it started in the darkness of the early morning hours and continued deep in to the afternoon. All said and done we were blanketed with a fresh powdering that has to be about 7 to 8 inches. I say enough already.

On a visionary note I will look at the snow as a fresh start like a clean sheet of paper waiting for the story to be written or the picture to be drawn, the design to be layed out and so on. We made a historical event take place in this country that has everyone around the world looking at what has transpired with eyes wide open.

A new president has taken the keys to the oval office. History will mark the fresh snow and CHANGE is all we can expect. Nothing stays the same forever simply by the laws of nature. Hope is in the air and time will be the measure of it's ability to withstand the unbelievable amount of CHANGE it is going to take to make things right. I am all for HOPE and CHANGE. Looking forward to a wonderful story, a beautiful picture and a well thought out design. I'm in!

I have published a new article on HubPages that continues my work on business startup. I offer all to read and share by clicking this link provided. Feel free to leave a comment. Happy Snow to everyone.

Ramble On

Wednesday January 7,2009

I strained my back so I am annoyed with that. Did not sleep for two nights but I worked. Last night I was asleep as soon as I got the ice pack in place and settled down. Must have taken me all of ten min. to crash. Now I am awake and should be asleep because i have to work but,I put on a pot of coffee.

I figure i might as well be writing if I can not sleep. I completed a new article for my HubPages and got that published was happy with that.Please click this link and check it out, How To Carefully Purchase Fundamental Tools And Equipment For A New Business Start-up.

I also stopped and picked up some more tools for my Art Studio on my way home last night. I am making some progress with putting my Art Studio back together. It will take time.I had 8 years put in to my last studio, I know Rome was not built in a day.

My Considerable Ramblings

Sunday January 4th 2009

Today I am putting some of the mess from the holidays to rest. Hate to go back to the job tomorrow but, it has been a productive break. Looking forward to this New Year with open arms. Last Year pretty much sucked more than most. Chin up for 2009. I will be making changes for 2009 and positive thinking is my motto.

My Considerable Ramblings

Thursday January !st 2009

It is a New Year and I am thankful to still be plugging away at reaching for goals and chasing my dreams. Life is good, no not exactly where I want it to be. I will always want more, always search for truths and,always try to keep growing. I know it has to move and change ebb and tide so to speak. I love life and there is so much out there for the taking I will never be satisfied with what it is, I will always hope and dream of what it can be.

I think that is the creative force within, always pushing, reaching for that bend in the road only to seek the next curve. I am curious by natue, just can't help myself! I suppose that is why I love to garden and go fishing. The two activities are both chocked full of surprise and antisipation. It is so exciting and makes life seem to have a deeper meaning.

My long love has always been the arts. I love visual art and I love sunsets. My brain can capture an image that sticks with me seemingly forever. The coolest thing is that no two images are never alike, not even when they are absolutely true from copy. There is always some little something that is different. Reflections are that way too. Can't be exactly the same because of the lighting. the reflecting elements added idiosyncrocy. That makes the visual arts so exciting to me.

Every split second change is occuring and to make time stand still visually is a concept I love to play with. It is impossible but a challenge. Yes creating artwork is my love and what I enjoy doing more than any thing. I am blessed to have the ability to pusue that lust. It is a harmless wonder and a total joy. Please drift in and say hi sometime, share your thoughts and always try to smile. Happy New Year To All.

My Considerable Ramblings

Tuesday, December 30th 2008

Our basement was flooded up to the top,

stopping just before kissing the  first floor. We

were lucky the water did not rise 1/2 inch higher

or the entire house would have been damaged.

It is bad enough to have to re construct what

we lost downstairs. That is where we worked

last night.

the stairway had to be removed to do

foundation repairs. Now it is time to put the

landing back in and replace the old stairway. We

do not  work as carpentars but, it will save so

much money if we can get the work done

ourselves. It has been slow going but some

progress has been made.

The empty basement is very clean. It feels like

a new basement but unfinished. We have a new

furnace, hot water heater, blah blah blah. New

washer and dryer hooked up, it has all cost a

small fortune. The FEMA and Insurance covered

only about 1/5th of what was lost and, actually

FEMA was no help what so ever. We did have

flood insurance but, that only covers enough to

make it functional and does not replace all the

finishing work.

I am not whinning. Many of our neighbors don't

have there's cleaned out yet. Some are not

moved back in and the one's who are elderly or

have small children are really having a harder

time than our household. All in due time. That

new back door will sure look nice when we get it

installed. Have to look at the bright side and try

not to look back because that is toooooo

depressing.

We are blessed to be able to work and live and

eat sometimes! Sending light......

My Considerable Ramblings

Monday, December 29th 2008

Today I woke up tired because I have been

running on pure energy the past few days and I

have not been sleeping at night. Staying up late

and getting up early is rough on the body but,

sometimes it is good for the spirit. I have a

motivation. That is getting myself set up in an

Art Studio that is functional. I have been

researching and bouncing all over the Internet

trying to find the best deals and the most

important things needed to start-up this

business again.

Starting over is tough but, it does give me the

oportunity to do things in a better fashion, hone

in so to speak. I am doing much more research

and investigating better ways of doing things. It

takes a lot of effort to start a new business. My

Art Studio has been on hold since Sept.

14,2008. I look forward to the day when I can

start creating new works of art. Stay tuned for

postings of my growing business. Happy Day to

all.