c. phelps designs

I'm a Pole Dancer This Week!

2012-01-04T12:31:00.000-05:00

Back at Smilow Cancer Center for another round of chemo. Excited because after this round I only have one more left! As I write this I am hooked up to my chemo hanging from my IV pole - it becomes my best friend while I'm in here - I pull it along where ever I travel be it the bathroom or for a walk in the hall - it's not much of a conversationalist but it stands tall next to my bed and watches over me while I sleep.

I am using this down time to sketch out some new work. I look forward to having my treatments all behind me and gaining my strength back so I can get back to my studio - I have hopes and ideas for some Valentine critters and creations!

So I will sign off for today and get back to my sketchbook in hopes that my IV pole does not get jealous!

New work in my Etsy Shop

2011-12-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

I added a few new creations just now to my Etsy shop - I love these little creations! I may just have to go make myself a few - I have a perfect shelf to display them on!

Santa's Workshop is in full swing!

2011-11-22T19:04:00.000-05:00

I worked for a few hours in my studio today and thought I would share a few photos from my messy work bench. I looked around and had all these little faces staring back at me. I was just telling my friend Sharon yesterday that I have this beautiful work table made from a recycled door - it's a nice large space to work on BUT at the moment I have an 8" x 10" area that I can actually work on - supplies take up all the rest - time to clean it up! I'm very excited about some of the pieces that I have recently finished - I'd love to keep them for my own tree! I hope to actually make a few for myself!

Hard at work

2011-11-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

I have been feeling great and working hard. Over the past couple of days I've whipped up a batch of naked spun cotton ornaments - here's a photo of them hanging out in a bowl eagerly awaiting some love and a fresh coat of paint. Now I'm off to create a few Santas before I head down to the studio to paint. We'll all see you soon!

Almost back home!

2011-11-10T16:15:00.001-05:00

I checked into the hospital this past Tuesday for my latest round of chemo. All is going well I am doing great and I will be back home on Saturday morning! Just in time - the debut of my Etsy shop has gone well with five sales since Sunday. I have been busy sketching and have some great ideas for Christmas. I can't wait to get home and get creating!

My Etsy shop is FINALLY open!!!!

2011-11-06T21:07:00.001-05:00

I opened my Etsy shop in March of 2008 always hoping that I would have the time to create work to fill it - but it never happened until tonight!.......3 years later. What do they say, better late than never?

I'm so excited and proud of myself - I have created a batch of funky art dolls and spun cotton ornaments that I am very happy with. Yeah my shop is open! Now to market it...

Here are a few pictures of my fun creations.

When life chooses for you...

2011-10-27T21:42:00.001-04:00

Well once again I am making an excuse for my absence from my blog and my artwork.

This time it's a bit more than my simple procrastination and I guess not really an excuse. On July 29th, 2011, life chose a very different path for me. I hadn't been feeling well for about three months (fevers, fatigue and then eventually pneumonia) I figured it was time to do something about it. I found myself a new doctor (instead of going to the walk-in) and he started off by running a complete blood panel on me. The results came back a few days later that I had Leukemia. I was yanked from my little world and placed into the not so friendly world of cancer. July 29th, the very day, actually hours after finding out the diagnosis of Leukemia, I found myself in a room at Smilow Cancer Center at the Yale New Haven Hospital here in Connecticut - a room that I called home for the next 33 days. The girl who was only in the hospital her entire life for one week when she had her son spent the entire month of August in a hospital bed - culture shock!! They wasted no time in starting my treatment for T-Cell ALL. Within those 33 days I completed a full round (Part A & Part B) of chemotherapy.

As I write this it is October 27th and I have completed 2 full rounds of chemo which marks my halfway point! I'm not blogging about this to whine, crab or complain only to share my experience. I have been so lucky and blessed ( I know that sounds funny given that it is cancer) - but I have handled this situation with a very positive attitude- and I believe this has made all the difference! My body has tolerated the chemo very well and I suffer no nausea as a result of my treatments. I do rock a very snazzy bald head though. The good news is that I'm in remission with no signs of the Leukemia in my body!!! My chemo treatments will be finished in February and at that point I will start my march to be cancer free for 5 years. According to my doctor I am a boring patient! Boring huh? - not a problem I will take it!

I am so very thankful to have the most amazing family and friends that have rallied around me with support and prayers - I would not be where I am without their love - I wish that everybody could be this lucky. I find myself with a lot of free time on my hands and when I am feeling good I am happy to say that I am making ART!!!!!! It feels amazing to be creating again - I will keep this blog updated with my new work so keep checking back in!!

Blog Shame...Empty Nest

2011-07-14T22:58:00.000-04:00

I do I have an extreme case of blog shame. It has been well over three months since I have last blogged. (sounds like I'm at confession)

Summer has been busy with work, weddings (my younger brother is getting married), my son is leaving in a few short weeks to head off to college (empty nest). Empty Nest - that brings up a good thought - my nest will be empty soon but I have great plans... I will fill it with creativity and art. I have many projects on the horizon!!! Please don't give up on me blog-world I will get better!

Willing Spring Along.......

2011-04-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

Its bright & sunny here in Connecticut today but very windy with a crisp chill in the air. I decided to take matters into my own hands - I needed a glimpse of spring. I found the most amazing teal green planter a few weeks back at Goodwill and I have been so excited to plant in it. On Saturday our local garden shop, Mack & Twine, opened up for the season and my mother and I paid them a visit. I headed straight for the succulent section and grabbed a bunch of plants! This morning I planted up my container - I'm so excited to have this little bit of spring on my coffee table in the living room. Ahhhhhhh Spring - will you ever come?

Jaw dropping....WOW!

2011-04-02T10:58:00.001-04:00

I stumbled upon artist Laura Lloyd's work yesterday on Etsy and WOW my creativity sirens went OFF! I was so excited!! Her ceramic sculptures are whimsical, fun, AMAZING - she uses great colors & I just want them all!! (She's a painter too!) I immediately started envisioning all different spots in my home where her sculptures would look fabulous - I must start saving so that I can buy one!!!

Shout out to you Laura Lloyd! - I love your work!

I'm a marketer at heart and believe in promoting and sharing when I find something interesting, exciting and new - so without further ado...........Laura Lloyd ~ check her out!

My favorite piece is top left - It's titled: "Dream-Big---Flap-Hard" <--- That about sums it all up!

New Work - A Gift for Joel

2011-03-28T23:22:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to share a few pictures of the art doll I created on Sunday as a gift for my son's 20th birthday. This piece is great fun and I am very excited about how it turned out! The blue polka dotted fabric on the ear was from a tie Joel often wore in prep school. The sweet little zombie bunny and the dolls arms are all made from spun cotton. I'm having a fun time putting my own twist on this great technique. Creating this doll sent me running for my sketch book with more ideas. Feels great to be creating! More to come....

Birthday Wishes

2011-03-27T10:38:00.000-04:00

Today my son Joel turns 20! I can't believe it - how time flies. I am so proud of him - he's a great kid with a wonderful sense of humor, always keeps us laughing! He has an artistic eye and is very creative - here are a few shots he has recently taken. Happy Birthday Joel! xoxo ~ Mom

! ! ! Happy Birthday 2ME ! ! !

2011-03-17T00:04:00.001-04:00

My birthday arrived two days early in the form of a package from California! My incredible AND talented friend of many years Sharon Bloom sent me goodies! I'll turn 40 on Friday and you'd think that at this age I could be mature. HA - not a chance!! I tried to be so good and wait until Friday to open this package but the little kid in me won out! Its impossible to have a box from Sharon Bloom sitting on your table and not tear into it right away! I want to share with you what she sent and why I'm a lucky lucky girl!

It starts with this great card - love this cat!

Sweet as sweet can be clay house and tree!

The most AMAZING owl plate! (insert your jealousy HERE!)

I have a shelf in my bathroom that I display many Sharon goodies on - check this out...

My son Joel's birthday is nine days after mine and Sharon always remembers him too - she sent him a gift card in this great owl card - I will frame the card for his room!

Thank you Sharon, not only for these amazing gifts but also for your friendship - I am glad that you are in my life! Together we will rule the world!! XOXOX Christine

.... My First Spun Cotton Creation ....

2011-03-14T16:00:00.000-04:00

I'm home sick from work today hanging out with a not-so-fun friend, stomach bug. For the moment I feel ok so I thought I would try to sneak in a post.

Saturday was my spun cotton class with Paula Walton - I had an amazing day with her learning this technique! With Paula I made two people ornaments and a cat - The cat is not finished yet but I will post once it is. I had a little bit of time on Sunday to practice and made my very first solo creation! I took the traditional techniques she taught me and tweaked them a bit making an ornament with a bit stiffer feel. I created this precious bunny girl. She's a cut little thing measuring about 5.5 inches. So very fun to make - I look forward to creating many more! It was my sister's birthday at the beginning of February and I owe her a present so this very first creation is going to her!

!! Excitement !!!

2011-03-11T17:17:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is my private spun cotton ornament class with Paula Walton of A Sweet Remembrance. I am so excited to learn this technique and to spend the day with her. I turn 40 (ugh) next week and this is my birthday present to myself - Happy Birthday to ME! I will post tomorrow and show you what I learned!

Hanging Art Doll

2011-03-08T23:27:00.001-05:00

I have to agree, this does look great hanging on my wall! - I found the perfect wall space between my kitchen and living room. She looks small in the photo but is actually 16" tall.

Something I have failed to do in the past is to keep art that I have made for myself - so I am going to make a few pieces to keep and then get busy filling my etsy store! I'm so in love with these dolls and the process of making them - I hope when the time comes I will be able to part with them - or I could always become the Great Art Doll Hoarder!!!

Creative Stride!

2011-03-05T19:28:00.009-05:00

I am excited to report that I have captured creativity and I have no plans on letting it go!
It's MINE all MINE!

I worked last night and this afternoon in my studio & I have some
goodies to share!!!!

I like how these three pieces work together & decided to create a new blog header from the group shot.

Next goal......create more and add work to my Etsy shop!

This guy is not finished yet - I wonder what I should do do with him?

coconut curry soup for the creative soul

2011-03-03T19:57:00.004-05:00

Another passion of mine is cooking - I love to cook (the cleaning up after myself part - whole other story) How I decided to be creative tonight was to craft a pot of coconut curry soup! I owe my love of cooking with curry and thai ingredients like lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime leaves to my friend Kara Lynch. Kara introduced me to curry paste and kaffir lime leaves and a whole new world of cooking opened up. Thanks Kara! I would love to share the recipe I used for this soup but to be honest I don't have one. I read a lot of recipes and then take what I like out and create my own. So the best I can do is this phot0 of my ingredients and to tell you that it smells and tastes incredible!

Ah Ha!

2011-02-27T14:42:00.005-05:00

For a while now I have really been hard on myself for my lack of creativity. I head down to my studio and rearrange my space. I move this here & move that there (stall tactics - that I am VERY good at). Knowing that I have stalled enough, I sit and grab a canvas or my sketch pad, thinking I'm going to come up with something great....... and within 20 minutes I'm angry with myself and I shut the light off and turn away defeated once again. I beat on myself and send that creative spirit fleeing even further away.
I have been thinking a lot about this lately and I'm working very hard at putting an end to this destructive thought pattern. I have decided to cut myself some slack! When I was creating art full time to support myself and my son I was in the studio every waking minute with my hands dirty working on different projects - The creativity flowed as easy as breathing.

What changed? How did I fall off my path?

Feeling a bit burnt out an opportunity arose and I took a full time graphic design position with a publishing company. That was five years ago. Don't get me wrong I am very thankful that in this economy I have a job. Its just that everyday I'm creating at my job for someone else and then when I get home I have nothing left for me! Its time for some balance in my life.

I've recently had one of those Ah-HA! Moments.

When I go into the studio to create and nothing happens its not because I'm not creative or because I suck as an artist and have no talent. Its because I have put my creative spirit in a different direction. I need to be a whole lot nicer to myself and lighten up! I can't expect myself to creatively preform on command if I haven't been working in my studio in a long time. I am going to turn that creative spirit back in a direction that makes ME happy! Yea!

So here is my plan!

I have been kicking around the idea for a while of taking a class from Paula Walton - I'm lucky enough to only live about an hour away from her. So I did it and signed up! On March 12th I have a private class on spun cotton ornaments!

I also will be taking an online course in June - Painting with Plaster.

I am so excited to be getting my hands dirty again! I will keep you posted on this journey back to creativity!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-22T22:48:00.002-05:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Day With My Dad

2010-10-14T19:15:00.006-04:00

I had this past Monday off from work and I spent the day with my Dad. We had a really great day together! My Dad is an extremely talented and gifted furniture refinisher, who for as long as I can remember, has also been an antique dealer. He has recently started selling his antiques through a new shop Antiques on the Farmington in Collinsville, CT. This past Monday was the first chance I've had to see his booth and as usual he work is incredible and looks great set up in his booth. I am so proud of him - I hope he sells all his treasures!

We took the time to wander the floors and check out all the other antiques and of course I found a treasure and had to buy it! A sweet miniature replica of a three draw bureau - I new I had to have it the minute I set eyes on it. So I paid for it and out in my car it went!! We left the shop and walked up the street and ordered yummy sandwiches, sat outside to eat them and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Then it was off another store called The Junk Shop and we poked around inside at all the stuff. We then headed home for the day - back to my parents house where my Dad refinished my newly found treasure. (I'm kicking myself that I didn't take a before-and-after picture of it - I thought about that too late) It was covered in a yucky maroon stain- type finish that he stripped off - he sanded the drawer fronts - waxed it all over and then added these great wooden knobs. It is beautiful! I am so grateful to have such a great dad with such a talent! I'm so excited about this piece, not only is it a very neat unique antique treasure but it now will always be a reminder of the great day I spent with my dad! Thanks Dad I love you!

A New Home

2010-01-23T13:00:00.007-05:00

This past November Ralph and I became first-time home owners!

It has been a very exciting and bittersweet time. Much has happened over the past three months that has really challenged & changed me. Days after getting the keys to our new home Ralph's mother, Jean's, battle with cancer intensified and she passed away a few weeks later. She was a great lady and a very special part of our lives. I am very sad for Ralph that he will never be able to share his new home with his mom. I believe she knew that we had closed on it and she had seen real estate pictures of it from back in June when we were interested in purchasing it - but sadly she was never physically able to be here. The holidays were tough and we have been bumping along on our way back to normal - settling into our new digs - every once in a while it hits you - "I'm a home owner!"

This morning was special. The house was quiet, Ralph was out working, Joel still sleeping and our crazy cats were off entertaining themselves with a nap. So I decided to take advantage of the piece and quiet and tackled a stack of boxes that I have not had time to unpack. Much to my surprise the not-so-fun-dreaded task of unpacking turned into a pretty great journey. In my new living room I have a tall white Ikea bookcase with glass doors that I keep my special pieces in and I had not yet unpacked them. Some people would view these things that I keep in here as trinkets or dust collectors but to me they are treasured memories.

I lifted the lid off the first box marked fragile and started taking out the carefully wrapped items inside. The first memory unwrapped was a boy with a duck figurine that Ralph's mother had given him not to long ago - she had been holding onto it for him - as a small child she said that he would spend hours playing with it at his grandmother's home. I placed it on a shelf along with some other memories: A ceramic snowman painted by Jeanie, a glass pitcher she would serve sauce from when I went to her house for dinner (a very funny long running joke), a Hummel figurine she gave me from her collection, a very old brass miners head lamp that belonged to my father's father, a dainty flower painted porcelain vase along with a cute box that has an elf sitting on its lid belonging to my grandmother, and a silver crab that belonged to my great-aunt - I remember sitting on my parents lap playing with it on my great-aunt's table. The top shell of the crab is a lid and they would keep aspirin or some type of medication in it and whenever I played with it it was quickly removed from my hands.

The next box I unpacked contained my son Joel's vintage monkey collection - I'll keep them in the bookcase for safe keeping and pack them up for Joel when he finally has a place of his own and can display them - also in this box - all the artwork that he made during his four years in prep school. I carefully unwrapped each piece and gave it a special place on the shelf. Once they were all unpacked I stood back and looked at all these pieces and was in awe of his talent, I will always cherish them.

I finished unpacking the boxes, clearing the hallway in our bedroom, happy to say that everything now has its very own special place in the bookcase in our living room. I stood there and looked at all the interesting pieces in the bookcase and was feeling like I was seeing them for the first time and was wondering why - and it occurred to me. Even though Jeanie, my Grandmother & Grandfather, and my great Aunt will never physically enter our new home their memories live on through these pieces and will help to make our house a home.

Halloween is almost here!!!

2009-10-29T20:08:00.005-04:00

Happy 'almost' Halloween!

I have been a bad blogger these past few months - but I have been very busy....we are buying a house and will be closing on November 6th! I promise to keep you updated - new house means new studio area!!!!! I am so excited!

I am headed to a friends Halloween party on Friday night and I thought I would share pictures of the goodies I will be bringing - well one is not edible just down right gross and the other is quite yummy! On the internet I found the how-to's on this disgusting meat head and I just had to make it. Bought a plastic skull at Target - spread cream cheese all over it and stuck ham all over the skull - how gross - It will go on a platter surrounded by pinwheels and salsa. The other is a basket filled with witch finger cookies. They are very yummy - they taste like shortbread. Don't you love my creepy doll head? Love it!

Have a happy halloween!!!

Studio Assistant - Chunk!

2009-04-20T21:23:00.004-04:00

I sat down to do some work on my cabinet this afternoon and soon after I started to paint, my assistant decided to show up. I probably don't need to tell you how easy it is to paint with a 10lb cat sitting on top of your work and batting at your paintbrush - not to mention the cat hair that I ended up picking out of the paint. My cat Chunk is quite something! Now as I type this blog entry he is curled up in front of my keyboard nestled into my arms. He is such a love! In a few days I will post a progress picture of this piece - I am very happy with how it is turning out...cat hair and all!

Thrift Shop Find!

2009-04-10T20:09:00.004-04:00

I had today off from work [Good Friday] and had a girls day out with two friends - we out to lunch and then went to a few thrift shops. I found some great pieces of fabric and was extremely excited to find this cabinet sitting on the floor. [it was waiting for me!] It's made out of MDF and stands 20" tall and is 3" wide with two hinged doors - it is bare naked and screaming to be painted! This exciting little find....only $2.00!! For years I have wanted something like this that I can convert into a jewelry cabinet. I'm going to have my son build me an insert that I am going to cover with window screen to hold earrings that I will mount to the back of the cabinet. I also asked him to build me a tray out of clay in his ceramics class for the bottom to hold rings and other little things. I will screw cup hooks on the doors to hold necklaces. I'm very excited!! Thinking of the possibilities! I will post a picture when it is done! off to paint...

2009-04-05T20:46:00.000-04:00

New work space - new piece of art!

Newly Claimed Studio Space!

2009-04-05T14:15:00.000-04:00

One step closer to creativity! Where we are living right now I don't have a studio room so I decided to claim a small area in our living room - a nice bright nook in front of the bow windows. (this is where we put the Christmas tree - but I have quite a few months before I have to worry about that!)
I just set this up today (thanks to my son and Ralph) and have some plans to do some art this afternoon - no excuses now not to paint! I have my sewing machine set up in the other room so I can really get cranking now! Wish me luck!

2009-04-03T23:23:00.000-04:00

Well after months and months of checking out everybody else's blog and contemplating starting a blog of my own (actually threatening to) - I finally did it and here I am! Not quite sure what I am doing but I thought I would give it a try. I have lost my creativity over the past few years and feel as though I have lost a large part of me. About three and a half years ago I started working at a publishing company as their in-house designer - while this pays the bills it leaves me tired at the end of the day and not in the mood to be very creatively productive. I thought that maybe if I started a blog and then start designing the web site I have been paying for [for years now] I could get myself back on track to creative bliss once again. I realize that I am at my happiest when I'm creating and I can't ignore that part of me any longer!