Magic Molecules

Time Flies When You Forget You Have A Blog!

2011-07-04T00:09:00.000-07:00

Oh My. Oh My. It has been OVER a year since I last wrote on my poor blog! I'm feeling a bit ashamed of myself. Heh Heh. My life isn't too exciting, so you haven't missed anything! :)

Another thing I haven't been doing much of is art. But I ALWAYS love to join in the yearly swap of Marion Bockelmann in Germany! She makes amazing art and so do all the participants. I always know that something wonderful will arrive in my mailbox by participating. It's something I look forward to every year and I hope she doesn't stop anytime soon!

This year, the theme was MONA AND FRIENDS. We were to take portraits made by Renaissance era artists and do artsy things to them. I chose to do my ATC's in a steampunk style. It was the first time I tried it and really liked how they came out. I hope the other participants like them too!

This card was inspired by "Vanitas" by Clara Peeters. I chose this work because it was by a female artist of the Renaissance period. Not many women were allowed to paint at that time in history, so it feels very significant to me to help elevate these women as a fellow female artist.

This card was inspired by "The Chess Game" by Sofonisba Anguissola. I absolutely LOVE this painting! It is a painting of the artists sisters playing chess. Again, I chose this work because it was by a female Renaissance artist. But I also chose it because I love the work itsself.

Lastly, this card was inspired by the painting "St. Catherine" by Barbara Longhi. Longhi mostly painted religious works and not much is known about her except she helped her artist father paint alters for the church.

Love, Love, Love

2010-05-12T22:09:00.001-07:00

This month I joined in a swap by the always delightful MARION BOCKELMANN in Germany. This year the theme was BEATLES SONGS. Who doesn't love a beatles song?! The swap is for 3 ATC's (2.5 x 3.5 inches) in that theme. Here are the little cards I made:

The first one is called: "I Wanna Hold Your Hand...In Strawberry Fields Forever". I was just going to do the first song, but about 2 1/2 hours in I decided it had to have strawberries in it too. So I figured it would be ok to combine the two songs. These were done digital and I added crystal embellishments to them afterwards. The sweet graphic elements (boy/girl/bird/talk bubble) were created by one of my favorite artists: MINDY MURPHY LACEFIELD and they were sold through www.scrapartist.com during the month of Feb when she was guest artist. Unfortunantly, they no longer carry them. But you should check out Mindy's etsy store! She has wonderful originals and prints of her artwork (and dolls, too!) that will make you smile!

This next card was done to the song "In My Life". As soon as I listened to the song, I had the idea to put a lot of the same man on the card and have a woman catching the eye of just one. I also put blue crystal embellishments on this one. I think this may be my favorite because it is something different for me - a new avenue. I like the edgy, quirky look of it. I may have to see if this one will translate to a larger background and print one out for our bedroom. I was going to embroider on this one, but they were just way, way too small for me to figure out how to do that with. So I may try on the larger one. :)

This last card is called "Octopus Garden". Aren't you surprised?! Heh Heh. This one has little star crystal embellishments on it and I think a copy may have to fit in my bathroom somehow. The cool octopus was found at Scrap Artist (link above) in a steampunk kit. Very cool! I changed his color and he just made the whole thing.

I know there are a still a lot of people who don't believe that digital art is "real" art (ie: paper, paint and glue). But let me tell you - I actually spend MORE time on digital pieces than glue and paper pieces! Because not only do I change/tweak/configure just about every component that goes into it, I spend a lot of time picking out just the right things to add. Not to mention cutting images out, which I'm still learning how to do with confidence. So, if you are of the naysayers, I say, buy yourself some digital scrapbooking/art elements, open up your photo shop and see just how long it takes you to put something together that sparks your soul. :)

And lastly, but certainly not least, I wanted to direct you to a really wonderful and generous jewelry artisan in New South Wales. During the One World One Heart Blog event that takes place every Feb., I won an amazing pair of earrings from CARONBC. I was allowed to choose my pair and I chose ones called The Beach, because I have a very strong connection to the ocean here in California. Here is a picture that Caron took of them:

They are one of the prizes that I knew I would keep for myself if I won because I thought it would be really special to have an ocean connection on the other side of the world! Please check out her new Etsy Jewelry store CREATIONS FROM MOTHER EARTH BY CARON CHESTER. I will surely be adding to my collection when I have some extra fun money! I know you'll find something wonderful there too! :)

Eostre Greetings & Fun Times With Colorful Thread

2010-04-04T14:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Eostre, Easter, Bunny Day, Day to Eat Chocolate Eggs Without Guilt - whatever you call it, I hope you are enjoying this spring day! It's not too spring-ish around here though - overcast, cold and windy. But since we are staying inside all day, we really cannot complain! :)

Above is the latest progress picture on my stitchery project. I'm enjoying all that I'm learning to do with this. I will definitely continue forward with stitchery in the future! I'd like to think that I could actually make even stitches and straight lines eventually, but I don't think that's going to happen! But that's ok! I'm good with the "artistic free-form" style I seem to have. Heh Heh! The big flower with the black border was a piece of fabric with a flower that I just sort of altered with stitches. It was crooked - of course - so I added the yellow rick-rack to cover the "bald spots". Snicker. The square by the birds' beak is supposed to be a garden - inspired by Maija of Maigirlz (I'm too lazy to get the link - sorry - look to the right on my list of links). My french knot flowers are all different sizes - not by design! But I always did like a messy, wild garden! I also couldn't decide on what color to use, so I put bright pink and yellow together on the needle and went to town.

I can see adding embroidery to a mixed media canvas piece. I wonder if I'll need a special needle for that? It's cool to learn new things and I hope to never stop learning on my artistic adventures! Have a wonderful day and thank you kind people for always being so supportive! I'm going to finally visit all the other stitch participants tonight. I didn't want to see too many and get discouraged at my very slow, crooked hands. But now is time to see what delights everyone else is creating. From the very few I have looked at, I know they are all going to be amazing! If you would like to check out all the delights, click on the I'M STITCHING ALONG link box near the top right! Happy Spring!

Stitchery-O-Rama

2010-03-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

Hello Kind People!

I finally got around to doing some stitchery the other night after dealing with a very ill furry child (cat), buying new tires for the car that were so bad that I'm not sure they actually had any rubber left on them and generally wanting to hide away from the world because it's all so overwhelming!

What I did was 4 kitty cats representing my furry children Gabriel, Figaro, Leopold and Sally. And then I did a fabric heart that is a bit puffy with the stitching and I think is fun. Then I found another $1 stamp at Michael's - the bird! So I stamped the bird and then embroidered him by using big stiches that went long ways over the stamp. So he looks kinda fuzzy. Then I added the fabric hat and button, some grass stitches and some yellow ric-rac. The ric-rac, fabric and button were gifts from fellow stitcher JULIE FILLO! Thanks sweet friend!

I know none of this really goes together, but I am just learning the craft and wanted to just play. Next time - and yes, GASP I'm feeling like there will be more embroidery in my future - I'll pick a theme and go with it. :) For now though, I'm trying to be gentle on myself and not stick to any plan. :)

I'm A Big Fat Cheater!

2010-03-04T23:26:00.000-08:00

Why? Because for my little square tonight I actually took up 4 squares! I didn't see no rules, man, so, ya know, I decided to be a bit of a rebel! LOL.

I really need to get a better picture of it, because there is orange and pink in a lot of the flowers. But my scanner is acting naughty and I'm too tired tonight to mess with it. Anyways, I found a stamp at Michael's for a buck and used that as my pattern. It takes up FOUR squares, so I figured if I cannot find time to stitch tomorrow, that would be ok. Which is good, because we will be out of town going to doc appointments and dinner, so I may be too tired to do one tomorrow. Again, I'm a rule breaker! LOL

And I have to say, you EMBROIDERERS out there are AH.MAY.ZING! I've gone through the followers and am wowed! AND, the support that this wonky-fingered stitcher has gotten from all of you been so touching!! Thank you so much! You guys ROCK! :) And even though I don't think my embroidery is ever going to be perfect or prize-worthy, I am indeed inspired to keep going from all the support! Thank you! :)

Back In The Saddle Again

2010-03-03T21:52:00.000-08:00

After an epic failure of a day yesterday, tonight I got back on the embroidery saddle and did two squares.

The middle I just filled in with yellow, edged with pink and added a button. I needed SOMETHING to cover up my mess from yesterday! LOL. The third is supposed to be a cute little owl. It kinda looks like a ghoul though. HEH HEH HEH! Oh well, I AM TRYING! And that's what matters, right?! :) I think once the 39 days are over, I'm going to try doing a larger cupcake - maybe 4 inches or so. I think I have had the best luck with it so far. And I think the larger size will be easier for me to work with. These tiny 1" squares are pretty rough on my wonky hands and I cannot seem to do fine little stitches. But I'm going to keep going! I'm no quitter! :)

Agggghhhhhhhh.....Splat.

2010-03-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

Day two of an embroidery journey? Epic fail. As in all 4 hours of attempting to embroider a flower. I tore it out and tried to just fill in the square and then add a button. Again, epic fail. So, I am thinking the stars are not aligned for me today and I will try again tomorrow. But the thing that saved my sanity, is the amazing comments about my cupcake! Thank you so much kind people! Because of you I am not going to throw all my embroidery supplies in a bonfire. Heh Heh.

Tomorrow is another day, right? That's what Sweet Sally McNally says, anyways. :)

Mean Teachers & An Embroidery Journey

2010-03-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

After telling a friend that I wished I knew how to embroider, she suggested I follow along with the 39 SQUARES blog. So I have decided to do this project for the next 39 days! Today I finished my very first ever embroidered sqaure. It's not perfect in any way - it's crooked, the stitches are uneven and it's a bit wonky. But, I DID IT!

This is a big deal for someone who was humiliated by her 7th Grade Home Ec teacher. All because I couldn't sew a round pillow. Or cook very well. Actually, I thought my cooking was ok, but the teacher refused to try mine and gave me a fail because I made german meatballs that happened to have anchovies in the recipe. I don't eat anchovies either, but I don't remember even tasting them in the meatballs! What. Ever. Anyways, I have only picked up a needle and thread when it has been absolutely necessary. Like to sew a button on the hubbies shirt. But I decided enough was enough and it was time to at least TRY to overcome that long ago humiliation. So yea, I am proud of my wonky little square. And I'll pick up the needle again tomorrow to make another one! And just in case you couldn't tell - it's a cupcake with a cherry on top. Toodles! :)

A Bounty of Kindness!

2010-02-25T14:03:00.000-08:00

Four years ago, Lisa Swifka of A WHIMSICAL BOHEMIAN started a blog event called One World One Heart to connect bloggers from around the world. And during this even, each participant offered a door prize that a visitor could win. So not only do you get to meet wonderful artists, writers and other creative sorts, you could also win a really cool handmade gift by them! It's a win-win no matter how it plays out, right?!

Well, this year was the first time I visited each and every one of the over ONE THOUSAND BLOGS. Yes. You heart that right, ONE THOUSAND! Isn't that amazing?! I left comments on about 100 of them during my travels. Since I did not offer a stop along the magic carpet ride, I decided to leave comments for things that I thought my friends and/or family would like. This way, if I won, I could Pay It Forward and give the gifties away. Which honestly, is something I just LOVE to do! :) And as it turns out, I won several gifts from amazing bloggers! Wow! How excited was I to win?! Well, let's just say I had to celebrate with several cupcakes. Topped with sprinkles. And chocolate. And love. Heh Heh. And here are the amazing goodies I won from some super wonderful fantastic fellow bloggers (please forgive my horrible photos!):

1. The first one was from ANGIE HALL HAVILAND. Angie has been a fellow Yahoo Art Group friend of mine for several years and I just adore her art! From Angie I won this darling Tag Book:

Isn't it just the sweetest?! I love this little book and am very tempted to be a greedy little gopher and keep it for myself! But I think it would make me even more happy if I could give it away to another. SO, if you would like to win this adorable tag book, please let me know in the comments and I'll draw a name on March 3rd! Good Luck! Oh, and if you have a chance, do stop by ANGIE'S ETSY SHOP. There is always something delightful to buy in there!

2. The second gift I won was from LORRI LENNOX from Australia. It was wonderful Digital Gypsey Themed Collage Sheet. If you would like to see the one she sent to me, you can check it out at her ETSY SHOP. You can even buy it if you want! Wheee! I didn't want to post it here to protect her copywrite. :) Lorri is a wonderful artist and woman who gave away so many gifts for her OWOH blog hop! She has a big, generous heart and I'm happy to know her! And since she has inspired me so much, I want to give back to one lucky winner! I would like to give one person a set of ALL 5 OF LORRI'S DIGITAL COLLAGE SHEETS! So in the comments just let me know you are interested in winning this prize and I'll draw a name on March 3rd! Please note these are digital collage sheets and will be sent to your email address. :)

3. The third gift I won (I know! Can you believe it?! How lucky am I?!) was from AMY SANDOVA & THE QUEEN OF QUIRKSICAL. From Amy, and the oh so delightful Queen of Quirksical, I won a gift certificate to choose anything I wanted from her ROYAL ETSY STORE! Oh my, oh my, oh my! What a fun time I had shopping! Especially since not only did I win the gift certificate, but Amy declared a sale of everything else I wanted to buy in her shop AND free shipping! My goodness, could it get any better than that?! What I chose were three delightful treasures to give away to three people who are very special to me. These two wonderful beaded stars reminded me of the time I spent in physical rehab after a near-fatal car accident in Nov. 2000.

They had me bead a star similar to these to help me regain my some of my hand movement and coordination. And that star beading was also the first time my artistic muse sparked within me. So while it was a tough time, many wonderful things came out of it, including my desire to create art. :) So, the blue, red and white star is going to my Aunt Cheryl who visited me in the hospital nearly every day and became a wonderful advocate. The purple star is going to a friend who loves the color lavender as much as I do. I KNOW she knows who I mean. Heh Heh. This fellow blogger has one of the most generous hearts I know and I wish this star were made of diamonds and amethyst, because she deserves something like that. But I hope the love behind the gift will mean almost as much to her. :)

And this amazing turquoise necklace is going to my Aunt Dian in Texas.

She has been having some health issues lately and I know this artistic beauty will brighten up her spirits so very much! Once when we were all visiting Aunt Cheryl in Arizona, Aunt Dian had on the most beautiful turquoise jewelry and matching top. The color was so stunning on her and made her aura shine so brightly that from that day on, every time I saw that color, I immediately thought of her! So of course when I saw this beautiful piece in Amy's store, I knew it was what I needed to get with my gift certificate!

4. The FOURTH prize I won (I'm actually kinda embarrased to have won so much!!) was from the very talented GABRIELLE MADSEN of Canada. I won these amazing photo cards and a beautiful tag too:

Please forgive my photography. It really doesn't express the beauty of these cards at all. They are simply stunning. And of such amazing quality that they are suitable for framing! In fact, the one of the tree and the one of the feet, I am going to frame for two of my brother's as gifts! Seriously, they are that amazing! But the third one, with the white flowers, I would like to give away to one of YOU! The quote on it says: "Each time you remember the Truth of who you are, You bring more light into the world." Wow. Isn't that just beautiful? So if you are interested in winning this card, please leave me a comment and I'll choose someone on March 3rd. Perhaps you can frame it and put it near your art workspace to inspire you each day! :)

5. The FIFTH AND LAST, I SWEAR! The fifth I do not have a picture of yet as it is currently flying over the ocean to the top of the world from New Zealand! It is a pair of earrings from the talented CARON BC! If you scroll down on her blog, you can see a picture of the ones I chose called "The Beach" (the left picture of the three pairs). They were the pair I hoped to win if I was chosen and was so thrilled that I was! I love the beach, grew up on the beach and all things ocean themed really speak to my soul. And to now have a connection to a beach on the other side of the world is really cool to me! I have to admit that this was one of the few giveaways that I entered for myself. I felt a little guilty doing that, but thought if I won, that the universe was telling me it was ok to do that. Heh Heh. I'll be sure to post a picture of these lovelies when they arrive. Yay!

Wow. What a bounty of kindness, huh?! I think Lisa is an awesome woman to have started this blog journey! I am going to do my first giveaways for it next year when she hosts the 5th Annual one! I can hardly wait! I have a lot of ideas and think that 10 months should be enough time for even me to get some great giveaways together! Heh Heh!

Have a wonderful day and remember to let me know which goodies you would like to be entered to win: Angies darling tag book, the set of 5 digital collage sheets from Lorri or the amazing photo card by Gabrielle! Feel free to enter all three drawings if you want! And most important, have a fantastical, fairy-dusted day! Hugs, Tamara

A Project of Love

2010-01-31T00:42:00.000-08:00

PS: Even if you did not cross paths with Kelli or know her well, I would still love for you to join in this book! The online art community is special in that we tend to support our fellow artists even when we never meet in person! So please do feel free to contribute to this special book to celebrate one of our own who has flown on to her next artistic adventure! :)

On Wednesday January 26th at 10:35PM my artsy friend Kelli Schwert (click on her name to visit her page) passed away due to complications of Stage IV Breast Cancer at the age of 39. She fought this cancer for over seven years with everything she had and then some! She used humor (sometimes "colorful"), many different medical therapies, prayer, cuddling with her cats, the love and support of family and friends (especially her beloved niece Julia) and art to help her through the bad days. I came to know her several years ago through her art, when she joined an online art group I had started. Right away I could feel what an amazing woman she was. She had spunk, an infectious humor, a real love of beading and miniature ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) and best of all, she shared a love of furry critters (most notably her beloved cats!) that rivaled my own. She was wonderful and I felt truly lucky to have her in my life. I'll never forget her courage and strength in the light of such a difficult illness and I hope that others will share her story to inspire others. Because if strength, smiles and a positive attitude was all it took to cure breast cancer, she could have cured the world of it!

To honor this wonderful woman, I have decided to create a collaborative chunky book to give to her family. She absolutely loved creating and sharing art with others and many people have something they treasure that she had made and given them. And making a book about her is just a small way that we can pay back her generosity. To thank her for being a part of our community.

Below is the info for this chunky book project. Please email me at: scomerford(@)comcast(dot)net to sign up for this project, ask any questions and get my mailing address. And thank you for being a part of this gift for our Sweet Kelli Girl!

The Project: A 4"x4" Chunky Book. The theme is, of course, KELLI, but you can touch on any part of her life or loves that you wish to (see below for "about Kelli" section). You may also simply create an artistic page about friends, daughters, artists, angels, strength, love, life, etc. etc. Anything that would honor her life or bring comfort to her family. The page should contain the color PINK, but you can include any and all other colors. Our Kelli girl certainly loved colors and patterns!

What to Make: A 4"x4" page that is decorated on both sides. This should be on a heavy cardstock so it can be sturdy. But please do not use book board or chipboard. A piece of cardstock folded in half is quite sturdy and perfect for this project. You may add your personal info to the back or not, your choice. PLEASE leave aprox. 1/2" on the front left margin of the page (and the back right margin) free of embellishments or important pieces of your art. This book will be coil bound together as a lasting keepsake so there needs to be room to punch holes.

Due Date: Please have them in my hands somewhere around the end of Feb. (the 27th is the last Sat. of the month). That will give you several weeks to create something wonderful.

About Kelli: These are just a few of the things Kelli enjoyed:

Beads of all sorts, shapes and colors. She loved to make beads too with wonderful designs and colors.

The Summer and the beach. She really disliked winter.

Her favorite book was To Kill A Mockingbird

She loved camp songs and making up silly songs about her beloved cats.

She believed in God and in her own words said: "God is Love. Jesus would have never bombed any country, ever."

She absolutely loved 80's punk and new wave music like The Cure, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, New Order and newer stuff like The Killers, Barenaked Ladies, Lucinda Williams and My Chemical Romance

Humor and laughter of all sorts. However, she did not like clowns!

The song Fix You by Coldplay always made her cry

CATS! She loved her furry children with devotion! In fact, I learned that one of the last things she did in this life was to make sure that her two remaining children were placed together in a loving home.

Color and patterns. Her hand-made beads were always colorful and fun, full of flowers, swirls, checkers, stripes and great color combinations (like orange and pink).

That should get you started. Thank you again for taking part in this collaborative project! I know Kelli will be looking down and loving all the creativity going on in her honor! She was such a special woman!

Please do not hesitate to ask me questions! Much Love, Tamara

In Support of Fellow Artists

2009-11-09T20:16:00.001-08:00

While I have no aspirations to make my art commercially available, I am a big proponent of supporting fellow women artists who do by collecting and spreading the word! One of those artists is the amazing K.C. Willis of LIPSTICK RANCH (click on name to go to link!). Not only is she a fantastic artist, she is going to start offering a marketing workshop online geared to helping fellow artists get their artwork out there. AND, if you sign up for her workshop before the videos go live in December, you will save $100! Wow! Sign up now at her Marketing Mindset NING SITE (click on link to go there!) and you can get this workshop for $144 instead of $244! It's a great deal and some valuable knowledge for those of you who want to get your work out there in the public! AND, if you help spread the word, like I am, you have a chance to win one of her amazing pieces of art! You just cannot lose! Because even if you don't win, you are still helping to support fellow creative minds and that is a priceless gift!

FLAG by K.C. Willis

October Musings

2009-10-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's fall again. A time of year I love very much. The cool air feels so good in my lungs. Much better than the stifling hot dust of summer. And I adore Halloween. Seeing the kiddies in the neighborhood dressed up for the big night fills my soul with sunshine. But as much as I love the fall, this is also a difficult time of year for me. Twenty-four years ago today my mother ended her struggle with mental illness. She was 42 years old. I'll be 42 next year. Something that causes me to pause and think a lot. I think many daughters who have lost mothers find it odd to come upon the age their mothers were when they died. I have heard these stories. I understand them now. It feels so young - 41. Fourty-two isn't going to feel much older. She had so much to live for. And yet...she also lived in great shame about her illness (paranoid schizophrenia). The unbalance became too much. I understand...and I don't. But that was her journey and she chose her way. We all do the best we can do with what we have, I believe.

Whoooosh. That was heavy. I guess it's a heavy sort of day. :) But the brightness within this day (besides the nice cool, sunny weather) is that I have an amazing array of "art friends" to lighten up my mind. If you want to see some pure art love, check out some of the folks on my list to the right. These are amazing women full of imagination, color and light. And I am thankful daily for their presence - no matter how small - in my life!

So I shall leave this post with some recent art I created for one of those amazing women - Jennifer R.D. I was lucky enough to meet Jenn in person TWICE and spend some time with her. What a joyous soul, indeed! Her theme was WINDOWS and I chose RED AND PINK as my main colors. It is simple, but meaningful. It is about opening your soul to sunlight, to sisters, to nature, to life. I hope you enjoy your pages, sweet girl!

Playing Around

2009-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

Oh Yes, Another Giveaway On A Cool Blog!

2009-09-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Do you like this wonderfully amazing artistic dollie?

How about these uber-cool Patterns to create your own artsy quilts?
NO? Oh, well, so sorry to bother you! Never mind!

Oh, all right. I'll tell you. Dylan and Jo are having a giveaway!!!!! You know, they are those remarkable folks at CART BEFORE THE HORSE who create wonderful art in the form of dollies, patterns, parade canes, ornaments and all manner of spangley goodness! So if you want to win, you should go enter! *I* want to win real bad. So bad that I'm willing to tell you about this wonderful giveaway treasure to get an extra entry! That's bad, people! Cuz, ya know, I'd rather be the only person entering!! I'm KIDDING!! Really! Sorta. Yes. I'm kidding! I want you to win just as much as *I* want to win. That's that's the kinda hairpin I am. :) Have a wonderful day and go check out their blog!

PS: I SWEAR that I didn't use the light green/red/white color scheme on this post because Jo mentioned once that she loved that color combination. Fairy Flower's Honor! (Am I going to be denied entry to the fairy ball now for lying?!?! Heh Heh!)

A Wonderful Giveaway!

2009-08-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hurry, Hurry, the mice are scurrying away as you read! Rush over to KING OF MICE STUDIO and enter Carolee's drawing to win this fantastically delightful little box!

Quit nibbling on your cheese and run away now! The drawing starts MONDAY at 9:00 PM Eastern Time! Go! Go!

Sometimes...

2009-08-18T16:46:00.001-07:00

Zettirific ATCs!

2009-08-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

This last month I joined a Zetti ATC Swap hosted by the super talented MARION B. I had a great time making these! The swap was for three cards. And the first three are what I sent for the swap. The images are of the front (left side) and back (right side) together. The finished cards look a little different as I had embellished them with gel pens.

This was one I made right before the EAT CAKE one. It didn't feel zetti enough, so I didn't send it. So, if you would like this ATC, please leave a comment and let me know! The first person to claim it gets it! :)

An Amazing Artist

2009-07-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

This is a painting by JULIE FILLO that I simply adore! I found Julie's work a couple of months ago, I believe and just fell in love with it! Her works always fill me with those secret whispers in my heart and head that pop and fizzle with excitement! If you are an artist, you understand this (I hope! Heh!). I do hope that you will check out her blog and then visit her etsy store and support this amazing artist!

Works In Progress

2009-07-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

Here are two pages I started in a journal. They are not finished. The raven one needs something...but I'm not sure what yet. The chair one I would like to add a quote of some kind. Maybe something about a favorite chair. Have a wonderful day! :)

Roundish Art

2009-06-22T15:57:00.001-07:00

In my Mixed Media Madams group, we are doing a tip-in round robin. A few months back I had Megan and her theme was polka dots done on an 8" round surface. Well, after having done her pages and sent them, I started doing digital art. And so I explored doing some pages for her digitally and I really like these so much better! I think they are more her style and I KNOW they have one of her favorite artists on them - John Singer Sargent. This first page is the front. The second page is the back. Please do try to ignore the script coming out of the sides on the back page. It'll be cut out. I just cannot do a cut out with my current digital program (please, oh please Holiday fairy, bring me Photoshop!! Heh Heh!).

Now, after doing them, I started THINKING about them. Doom, doom, dooooom (scary music here!). And one thing I realized is that these girls/women sort of represent the three ages of woman. On the front page: The young girl has a budding flower and wings (no need to explain the symbolism, I think!). The woman seems to me to be an "older woman". The flower is in full bloom in her hair and attached to it is a little set of wings. These things are symbolic, to me, of a life fully lived and explored. Also that as an "older woman" (I'm including myself here, too, as I am now racing downhill!) the wings can come back to take us to magical places again - because we are not so worried about how others view us anymore! At least, that is the case with me!

The back page, well, she is the young woman who is living her life, finding her path. She thinks she knows everything about life (grasping the fully bloomed flower) - just look at that defiant stance and look on her face! And she "gets it" somewhat - the heart key tied to her wrist. But as she grows older and wiser, she will surely change; her strength will guide the way. The moment will come when she gives away the heart key to her beloved and the flower will be safely nestled in her hair because she has the confidence to let it out of her hands.

Too much, ya think?! Heh Heh! Maybe. But I find it fascinating, the symbols and meanings that come out in my work when I don't think about it. I honestly was just thinking of the composition of the pieces in this canvas. The thoughts, the meaning, came out after it was done. A sign I think, that my muse is starting to come back into my head. I hope! I've missed her very much...!

Just Stuff

2009-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

A digital journal entry on my comment-less last post:

New Christmas pages for Martha's book:

My Own Words Fail Me

2009-06-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

I wrote and rewrote my feelings about the latest two hate-filled murders in this country. But I realized that words can not adaquately express the deep sadness in my heart right now. So I'll leave you with these words:

"A child does not have to be taught how to be happy or the ways of love. It is fear, hatred & prejudice that have to be taught. And from the condition of the world we can see that unfortunatly there are some very good teachers."

Inspiration Touches My Soul

2009-05-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

Today, for the first time in a very, very long time, I was inspired to make a piece of art "just because". Mostly I have been making art for swap commitments and those are always done to the recipients specs as to theme and size, etc. Which is fine - and fun! But the creative spark to "just make art" has not been living inside of me for a while. I have joked that my muse is off vacationing in a tropical paradise without me, but honestly, it has been a little distressing! The feelings are all so much more complex...but I'll just let those rattle around in my brain for a while and not bore you with the details.

This is the piece I created (with digital elements) after finishing a book tonight:

It is called "Forgotten Flight" and was inspired by the book "Off Season" by Anne Rivers Siddons. Oh, and my art piece? It "looks" nothing like the plot of the book at all! But it grew out a concept in the book that 11 year old Lilly believes: That all people used to be able to fly, but we have forgotten how. That is one of the things that really stayed with me through the book. Sort of magical, don't you think?! And perhaps...plausible?! Nothing is impossible, I believe! :)

As a side note, I really, really loved this book! It is set in coastal Maine and there is something so alluring to me about that part of the country. I've never actually been there, but I would really love to see it before I leave this life. Also, while many online reviews say that the ending is confusing and they didn't like that part of it, I thought it made perfect sense. It's just that you have to read into it a little deeper, I think. If you are looking for an easily paced and bittersweet story to read on a warm afternoon, you should give this one a try. It really shows how we all carry the "ghosts" of our past with us through our lives.

Sweet Kitties & A Link To A Giveaway

2009-05-25T01:29:00.000-07:00

My sweet Gabby boy came home Saturday afternoon. Yay! He has been slowly coming back into himself, although he is VERY clingy! He has been following the hubby and I room to room and talking to us A LOT. I think he is trying to make sure we never send him away again by making sure we know he adores us! Heh Heh! It feels good to have him home. He is an important part of our lives around here and need him to stay for at least 10 more years! :)

There is a giveaway on DEENA'S BLOG. It is for this sweet print on a wood background:

Even if you are too late for the giveaway, I highly recommend having a look around her blog! Deena is an amazingly strong woman who is fighting breast cancer that spread to her brain. She is a true warrior and has a beautiful spirit!

Now, go have a beautiful week!

UPDATED: He's On The Mend!

2009-05-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

UPDATE - FRIDAY NIGHT: Got to go visit with our little guy for an hour today! Which was good, because last night his fever spiked and had the vet - AND US! - worried. This morning though, no fever, but he still wouldn't eat (this is now 2 1/2 days without food). Well, we went to visit with him at 4:00 PM and after his initial freak-out, he calmed down, kept rubbing against us, jabbered up a storm and even played with the toy mouse we snuck in! We tried to get him to eat his regular food, but while he was interested (smelling it and answering emphatically to the question "when do you want to eat?" [Don't judge me for teaching them to talk people!!]), he kept meowing and walking away. We think maybe he associates that food with being sick now. So the nurse gal opened up a can from there and set it before him. He was more interested but still wouldn't eat it. Well...this lovely woman stuck her beautifully manicured fingers in that food and I'll be darned if Gabby didn't eat right from her hand!! Wahooooo!!! SO....if all goes well and he doesn't get sick tonight, he'll get to come home on Saturday afternoon with antibiotics!! I cannot tell you how happy I am that is he coming home!! My heart felt so much better after seeing him be active and almost back to normal. We almost lost Mr. Gabbs this week and that would have been so very sad!!!! He's such a cool cat and I know he has a lot of life left in him - many more mice to play with, manners to teach the new kittens and many more rides on our shoulders around the house! :) A nasty old virus is no match for that stuff! :)
Here's my Gabs as a baby! He loved sleeping either on the keyboard or on his brother Figaro! At almost 6 years old, they still sleep like that sometimes! Silly guys!

A classic "Gabby Pose" - stretched out at the end of the bed!
Not the best picture I know, but this is him answering my "Hey Gabbers!" He's a very vocal little guy! "What?!! Can't you see I'm trying to relax here?!"

Tonight the vet called at 5:30, after I had gotten the "all is ok" from them at 4:50. They said he spiked a fever all of a sudden. 104.1. 105 can be really, really dangerous for cats. So along with the i.v. fluids, they've got him on antibiotics tonight. Sigh.

I wish they could tell me what is wrong with my sweet Gabby! I love this little cat more than I can rightly explain! I believe - and always will - that my dad sent Gabby and his brother Figaro to me after he died! He always said that if reincarnation was real, he wanted to come back as one of his wifes cats (my step-mom, Linda). Well, the day after he died, a petite tabby cat (girl) showed up at his nursery. Of course, they instantly called Linda because they knew what dad had said! She showed up to see this little cat, which had been named Baby in the interim few hours. Well, when Linda walked into the nursery, I'll be darned if that little cat didn't RUN, seriously RUN up to her and beg to be picked up!! When Linda picked her up, Baby started nuzzling her neck! So Baby stayed at the nursery because, come on, who could say that this WASN'T MY DAD, or at least SENT by my dad?! Well, before they could get her fixed, she got pregnant. I knew, right away, that I was going to get one of these babies! When I went down there to see them, Baby, never having seen me before, came up to me and nearly DRAGGED me to see her babies! That's when I fell in love with Figaro, Gabby's brother! I knew I wanted him for sure. When I went to pick him up at 2 months old, Gabby, in all his adorable polydactyl-ly (extra toes!) cuteness just stole my heart right along with Figaro! And he didn't "shut up" the entire 3 hour ride home, heh heh, which is how he came to be cristened Gabriel - or Gabby for short!

I know the above story may sound strange, but I really feel that Figaro and Gabriel were sent to me by my dad! I'm not sure I would have made it past the heavy grieving without them to cuddle. They were - and are - my therapy! And after 6 years (on June 6th), I'm not nearly ready to give them up yet! So Pops, if you are listening, please help our sweet Gabby boy, ok?! I still need him around, to teach these two new kittens how to be cool cats! And everyone else, if you could send some positive energy his way, I would appreciate it! I know to many, Mr. Gabby is "just a cat". But to my hubby and I, he is one of our chidlren! Maybe even the favorite child! But don't tell the others that!! :)

Going to bed early now, so I can be ready to deal with whatever comes tomorrow. The last 2 days have been exhausting.

Lovely Flowers, Singing Birds, Goals & Oh Yea, Art!

2009-05-17T23:01:00.000-07:00

Today was a really, really good day. This morning when I got up I went out to the back yard and planted 4 planters and 1 pot with lovely flowers (petunias, lobelia and mauve calla lillies). I also replanted the amarillis bulbs my Aunt Cheryl gave me a couple of years ago! They are sprouting and I'm looking forward to the amazing flowers that come out of them - bright flame orange/red I believe! In the middle of planting I ran out of potting soil, so the hubby ran to Ace Hardware to get more. While he was gone I just lounged in the back yard by watching the blue jays and spraying my feet with water (it was over 100 degrees today!). And I tell you...it was so lovely! Serene and quiet. Warm and soothing. And full of freshly mowed grass smells, oxigen and bird songs. I think it has renewed my desire to step outside my doors now. Actually, it forces me to since I now have flowers to take care of! I've been hiding for a long time indoors, afraid to step out without an escort. But that is one of the things I'd like to change in my life and I've taken the first step! :) It feels good. My next goal is to get a prescription to use the local therapy pool at least once a week. It's only open during the week, so it will mean I will have to take the city bus there and back - alone! It feels daunting, but I know I can do it. Especially since I love to swim and am too cheap to pay for a taxi! Heh Heh!

OK, onward to my art. Lately I cannot seem to work in any other format other than digital. Hopefully some day I'll feel like tearing up paper and splashing paint and glue around again! Until then, it has been fun! I'm really hoping to get Photoshop for Christmas this year (start planning, Santa Baby!!). I know I'll be able to really grow and do so many more things with that! I especially want to cut out images to use in my art!

Still here?? Well then, below are my current pieces for my Mixed Media Madams group. The first two pages are 8x8's and we were told to "art ourselves" in the zetti style. As I'm not a fan of using my face in artwork, I used a photo of my legs when I joined the circus years ago. What?! Don't believe me?! Chuckle! OK, it's not me. BUT, it is representative of me - especially when I trip over dust bunnies and end up like this on the floor! The key and the house on the next page represent us buying our first house almost 2 years ago now! Something we thought might just be impossible. But hopes with actions behind them become real! Remember that!

The two pages below are for Martha and they are, um, ehr, I cannot remember what size they are, sooooory! But her theme was vintage winter/christmas. And she loves PINK CHRISTMAS, so I tried to give that to her. I'm thinking of adding some vintage lace on the bottom and some stickles glittery glitterness once I print them. The sentiment says "Love, peace and joy", the things I love about the holiday season!

Are you STILL here?? Don't you have some art to make?? Go make some! Go sit in your yard and listen to the birds! Splash your feet with the hose like you did when you were 4! Believe me, you will feel nothing but joy and delight! Have a beautiful week and thanks for stopping by! I do appreciate it very, very much!

Zetti Zodiac Digital ATC's

2009-05-07T16:14:00.001-07:00

This is the front of the Aquarius Card above. The back is below. They are ATC sized (3.5" x 2.5") and were made for a zetti style zodiac deck. NOTE: If anyone is a pro at Adobe Photo Shop and knows how to cut out images and would like to help me...I would LOVE to have the girl above (the original doesn't have the shell or the roller skates!) as a cutout I could use in my digital art (as a jpeg image with a "clear" background)! I don't have Adobe and I cannot figure out how to do it in MS Digital Image Pro 9. Wah!! I'd be happy to send you a goody bag of art supplies in trade!! :)

This is the front of the Taurus card below and the back below that. I am going to add black stripes to her horns once it is printed. :)

Latest 4x4's

2009-05-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

These are actually 4x4's...the left sides are the front and the right sides the back. After printing, I will fold them in half. They were both done digitally.

A New One For Barb

2009-04-26T01:53:00.000-07:00

Thinking I like this MUCH better than the first "vintage children rainbow collage" for Barb! It's subtle, but hopefully she'll like it. It was done compltely digitally. Which I am really digging these days! No messy clean-up or searching in stores 40 miles away for the kind of paper I want but they never have! :) This is the front:

This is the back with a "poem" I wrote on it that says: In the wee hours of summer morns, when the sun fills the flowers with warmth and promise, I remember how you always made me feel as if I could fly.

More Digi-Collages For Swaps

2009-03-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

A Rainy Spring Day, A New Art Book, Cuddling w/ A Cozy Eiderdown!

2009-03-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine is selling some beautiful Vintage Eiderdowns exported from England! The fabrics and sizes vary and they are true vintage lovelies (mostly late 30's/40's)! They do have some small character flaws such as small tears, thin fabric, etc. However, these are delightful little cozies that are extremely warm and comforting and perfect for cuddling on the sofa or as a display at the foot of a bed! Most range from 3-4' x 4-5' in size and range in price from $35-$65 (Shipping Extra). Pictures, sizes and details can be provided if you are interested in any of them! Please leave me a comment with your email or email me at: scomerford@comcast.net and I'll put you in touch with the seller Sarah! :)

PS: I've cuddled with several of these myself and they really are delightful!

Random Art and Silliness

2009-02-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

This is a tag I made for a friend who is turning 50 this year. I did it digitally and then added the hat, pink jewel and lace on the bottom after printing.

This is a 4x4 tip in page I made for a swap in my Mixed Media Madams group. The theme chosen by the recipient was "Grandmother's Sewing Basket". As I was humiliated and tortured by a 7th Grade Home Economics teacher, I do not sew. So instead I decided to make a page that looked sewn with digital scrapbooking elements. The poem is by me - It's not great literature, but tells the story of this page well enough, I think. :) I'm thinking of adding a few things once I print it out. Maybe a button or two and some lace.

And lastly, here is some random silliness from my honey Shea's workmates! He has three Meercats on his desk along with a palm tree for fun. When he is gone, he has the "meercats" send everyone silly emails. Well, he took the friday before Valentine's off and when he returned on Monday, they had all the Meercats smeared with cupcake frosting! There were crumbs everywhere, one was head first into the cupcake and they even sprinkled meercat "poop" all over his desk! Heh! I think silliness like this really makes going to work a lot nicer, don't you?! I wish I worked there too! :)

Have a nice weekend all! Don't forget to hug your honeys and your furry pals! And please, make sure you stop at all the red lights! Nothing is so important that cannot wait just a few seconds more for the light to change! Smooch!

ADORABLE!!

2009-02-12T06:19:00.001-08:00

These are from ETSY seller Catherine Reese! Aren't they absolutely adorable?!?!! They would be perfect with some sweet little herb plants in them, placed in your kitchen or dining room! If you just love them like I do, support this wonderful Etsy seller (who I don't know, by the way!) and treat yourself! Who wouldn't be happy seeing this delightful trio every morning?!? I know I would!

Have a wonderful day!

Pretty Words

2009-02-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

These are the pages that I made for Heather in my Mixed Media Madams group. Her theme was "the wisdom of books". These took me a long time to come up with and make because I just adore books! I finally found the poem and the image online though and they all came together. Here is an explanation of what they mean to me:

The background is a page from a vintage-ish dictionery and is printed over with the color (from a digital scrapbook paper image). The dictionery is the first book that I loved because my father would always tell me to "look it up" when I asked about a words' meaning. Her wings are from a different dictionery. They symbolize how words and books can give you wings - they have me, anyways! On one wing the word is "Trade Wind". This is meaningful in two different ways. First, that the word reminds me of adventures and books are always an adventure for me! Second, trading books at used book stores is always a fun thing to do! I have spent countless hours among the dusty tomes searching for something interesting and new.

The books on her head symbolize how I am always thinking of books and how I always have a book with me no matter where I go! The image of the girl I just thought was beautiful and I love how her hands are holding the book in a reverent manner. Also, the coloring of her reminded me of the illuminated manuscripts I have been priviledged to see in museums. The bees come from the poem on the other page.

The poem on this page I found while searching for the word "words". I thought it perfectly illustrates how words can be put together to form a picture in the readers mind. I also loved how she talked about bees in the end and how she liked words that were "honied...gilded and sticky, with a little sting". I believe that every single word in a language can be used in a positive or a negative way depending on how you use it. So there really are no "bad" words - just bad (or negative) ways of using them.

The decoration on this page - the flower and the bees - are simple and I did that so the observer would focus on the poem. The flower also symbolizes how books "make you grow". And the bees, as stated early, refer to her statement that words, like bees, come with both sweetness and little bit of sting.

Below is an image of the pages together and how they will show in her book. After I finally finished stressing about what I wanted to do for this theme, they came together really quickly - in just a day, actually! And I am actually thinking of making myself one of these collages on a large canvas for our home! It's the first time I have wanted to do that with my art, so I guess I must like it! I hope that Heather, the librarian, feels the same! :)

Pancake Love

2009-02-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is the most creative I was all day...biting my cold pancake into a heart shape. Hey...it's something, right?! Heh Heh! I did work on the art room though, which is a good thing! It is such a mess and so unorganized. I honestly want to just throw everything out and start over. But I'm too thrifty for that. So onward I go. I hope to have new art to post by Tuesday at the latest. :) Have a wonderful week, all!

Does Anyone Have Some Extra Tissue??!!

2009-01-24T17:42:00.000-08:00

Remember a while back when I blogged about not being able to have children? Well, today I think it was probably good that I didn't have them. Because I would have been the most nervous wreck of a mother ever! Why do I say this? Because today we took Sally and Leopold (2 of our furry feline children) to the SPCA to get spayed and neutered and I've been an emotional mess since then! I know they are ok, but man, I can hardly stand to see them in pain, angry for being cut into (Sally) and walking like drunken sailors after a 3-day weekend in Tijuana! Well....that one's kinda funny, actually! Heh! But the rest - Wah! My babies!!!

So if you have any tissue, could you send it my way? I'm using up all the toilet paper around here!

Yea...but the recovery period turns the mama into a quivering lump of jell-o!!

Bowls -n- Annies

2009-01-23T21:39:00.000-08:00

Do you believe that the sun will come out tomorrow - even if you are here in Northern California being pelted by rain? Do you love sweet dollies with red hair? Do you ADORE Annie?! Well, if you do, you have a chance to win your VERY OWN SWEET ANNIE over at Bowls-N-Annies blog! Go! Go now! What are you waiting for?! But please know that I have a special home waiting for Annie, so really, I think I'm going to win her! Tee Hee!

Journal Prompt: Balance + Pages for Patti UPDATED BELOW!

2009-01-11T23:25:00.001-08:00

These are my journal pages for JENN R.D.'s Journal Prompt "BALANCE". I'm not sure why blogger will not allow my pics to get bigger anymore, so I hope you can read the text. Although, part of me doesn't want you to because it was a difficult one for me. To realise that I don't really have Balance in my life and often swing between the two extremes is difficult. It's not really swinging in a manic depressive way - it's gentler than that. But in a way that it seems like things are either really good in my life or really bad; I want either perfection or nothing. So, these, while thay contain a bit of humor, which is my way, honestly, of trying to deal with the serious subject, are pretty deep. So please, be gentle with your criticisms, 'kay?! Also, I would like to note that this is the first art journal I have ever done and the first actual journal in a very long time. I find the step of actually using myself as the subject and focus of my art and words a very big one! It's a positive step for me (and very, very new as I tend to focus on others!) and I hope it leads me to many opportunities to make myself a better person! And thus, allow me to be a better and more helpful person towards others! If you are curious about what these pages say and cannot see them, please let me know. I'd be happy to share with you. :)
This is my round robin book page (front and back) for Patti of P.Victoria Creates (link on sidebar). Her theme was woodsy/vintage woodsy/ birds/eggs. The idea behind these pages is that it is a scene in a lightly treed forest and there is a light frosting on the eggs and leaves - difficult to see in these horrible scans! The mama and papa birds are awaiting spring so that their new babies can hatch and sing their beautiful songs. I imagine this place much like winter itsself: still and quiet and yet, there is promise below everything just waiting to burst forth. The words say: List'ning for his song (1st page) and Sweet and Soothing (2nd page). Hope you like them Patti! :)

UPDATE: Here are some crops of my journal pages. Hopefully this will allow you to read the entry easier. Have a creative day!! :)

Self Portrait Journal Challenge

2009-01-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my page for JENNIFER'S "SELF PORTRAIT" Journal Challenge. This is the first time I have ever started an art journal and it felt so freeing! I felt like because this is really only for me, I had no rules, no bounds -- just the freedom to mess up and create whatever I wanted! It's so cool! And mess up I did, too! Heh Heh! I meant to make my glasses blue and sparkly, but the sparkles "blopped" onto the page and so I smushed them all around instead. And you know what? I actually like it that way! I'm looking forward to the next challenge, which will be posted tomorrow! Why don't YOU join too?!

2009 - The Year of MORE

2008-12-31T08:01:00.000-08:00

As I sit here contemplating the year that is nearly gone and the new year to come, one word comes to my mind for resolutions: MORE. More what, you ask?!

More MONEY?

Well, I don't know anyone who couldn't use more money right now! But honestly, my little family is doing ok and our needs (and even a few small wants) are being met just fine. So I don't really NEED more money!

More CUPCAKES?

Well...in those desperate moments I often feel that I do NEED MORE CUPCAKES! Heh Heh! But the occational one at a birthday party or on a weekend is really more than enough! So no, I don't really NEED more cupcakes!

So, if I don't NEED MORE money or cupcakes, what do I need MORE of, you ask?

Well, I need MORE MEDITATION for my body and soul:

I'm always fighting the battle of chronic pain with my body and I often forget to use those tools that can help all those frayed nerve endings to calm down: Meditation & Prayer. So in the new year, I resolve to use MORE MEDITATION for my body and soul.

I also need to THINK MORE of Mother Earth.

While I recycle as much waste (paper, metal, glass) as I can, use discarded books and ephemera in my artwork and remain conscious of my electrical and water usage, I feel like I could do more. So this year I resolve to ACT MORE to lessen my carbon footprint by taking shorter showers, turning the television off for several hours a day instead of having it on for distraction and noise and to start a compost pile in the back yard.

GIVING MORE HUGS is another one I NEED!

Who couldn't use more hugs?! I know I could! Hugs make you feel good by releasing endorphines! I think too often in our world we shy away from touching in positive ways. When we feel angry or discouraged we often push others away - which are the exact moments when we could use those hugs the most! So this year I resolve to give MORE HUGS to others! Of course, I will refrain from doing this with total strangers unless the social situation calls for it! Heh Heh!

GIVE MORE RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness) is an important one!

This year I feel like I failed a bit in the RAK department. Part of it had to do with my difficult muse because she really didn't want to create very much art. But I should have found other ways to show kindness to others! So this year I resolve to DO MORE RAKing and connecting with others through Kindness in many different ways! My goal is for at least one per month!

Wearing MORE SILLY SOCKS!

Yes, I realise that this doesn't really seem like something I NEED to do! But honestly, silly socks are a good thing! Not only do they keep my feet warm and toasty, but they brighten up my mood, make children smile when they see them and generally make people feel less threatened by this large, goofy chick rolling around in a wheelchair in Michael's! So this year I resolve to WEAR MORE silly socks - especially if they don't match my outfit!

Eat MORE healthy foods!

This year I did pretty good in the food department (except for those cucpakes!). In fact, I got all my blood levels (glucose, cholesterol, etc) down to NORMAL for the first time in years! Whoo Hooo! I did this by eating whole grains as much as possible, not drinking milk (except for Silk Soy Milk), and staying away from pre-packaged, over-processed foods as much as humanly possible. So this year I resolve to continue to eat MORE HEALTHY and to REPLACE MORE proteins with tofu and legumes. I will also attempt to cut out all dairy by switching to soy based butter and cheese.

Plant MORE FLOWERS in the yard is one that is sorely needed around here!

We have lived in our new house for an entire year now and I am ashamed to say that I haven't planted even one flower in our yard! As a nurseryman's daughter, I really should be ashamed of myself - and I am. So this year I resolve to PLANT MORE flowers in my yard! How can I expect the fairies to whisper sweet things in my ear if I don't give them places to alight? So more flowers is definitely on the list! Especially since it will get me outside in the fresh air and not locked up alone in the house with four cats all day. I think we all know where that kind of behavior leads (cuckoo cat lady - calling cuckoo cat lady!)!

Speaking of fairies and wings...I need to give myself MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO FLY!

Too often I am content to just sit in the house and not go anywhere. Part of this is due to my PTSD which is triggered in loud situations, especially around vehicles. Part of it is also due to the fact that I need to use a wheelchair to go any distance outside of the house. So this will be a tricky one to do for sure! But I am determined to find ways to do this! I resolve to FLY FURTHER AWAY FROM HOME MORE OFTEN!

Cut myself MORE SLACK for not being perfect!

Oh yea, this is a biggie! I think it is for a lot of us! We can forgive others without too much effort, but how long do we hold onto our own failures and revisit them over and over and over again?! How many times in a month do we say "You should just quit because you are not a good artist!"? How about "You failed on your diet again and you'll never make your goal weight!"? Or "How could you have said such a stupid thing?!?"? I do that one A LOT! So this year I resolve to give myself MORE SLACK, accept the failures and use them as a learning tool! I hope this will allow me to start creating art with the abandon that my soul so craves!

And lastly, I think this year needs MORE LOVE!

The world needs MORE LOVE! I need MORE LOVE! You need MORE LOVE! So maybe this is one we can all work on together. Say it with me: I resolve to CREATE MORE LOVE in my life and in my world! This is really the easiest one out of the lot I think! Because love is something that benefits everyone involved and is super easy to do. Something as simple as giving a smile to the person behind you in line at the market creates MORE LOVE! Because that person feels good, smiles at the person behind them, goes home and hugs their child or dog or husband and thus fills the world with love and so does that person behind them and behind them and behind them! I'm not naive enough to believe that a smile can or will create utopia. But I know that it can make the world a nicer place when it is shared and passed onward! And all of us could use more moments of love in a world that often feels depressing, scary and shaky!

So that's all, folks! I wish you a beautiful New Year and success with your resolutions! You deserve it so very much! And please feel free to share your resolutions with me! Maybe we can work on some together! :)

Bloglandia Givaway From Cart Before The Horse!

2008-12-22T13:53:00.000-08:00

Oooh! Do you want to win a sweet little guy like this?

Then find the quickest internet connection you can and get over to CART BEFORE THE HORSE and leave a comment for their 100th post! Although I must say, being their biggest fan who has yet to be able to buy one of their awesome creations, I am destined to win this myself! So I'll apologise now for jumping around in glee in front of you! Heh Heh!

Owie. Ouch. Oowwie. Mrfwrrr.

2008-12-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

My curse upon thy venom’d stang,

That shoots my tortur’d gums alang;

And thro’ my lugs gies mony a twang,Wi’ gnawing vengeance;

Tearing my nerves wi’ bitter pang,Like racking engines!

Where’er that place be priests ca’ hell,

Whence a’ the tones o’ mis’ry yell,

And ranked plagues their numbers tell, In dreadfu’ raw,

Thou, Toothache, surely bear’st the bell Amang them a’!

-Robert Burns

Guess what I got for Christmas?

A root canal.

Listen up kids! If your tooth hurts, go to the dentist right away! Do not wait years like I did. Because then they gotta get that drill really, really, REALLY far down in there to get all the infection out.

Ouch.

This is my karma for avoiding the dentist for 24 years. And I'm trying to take it like a man. Well, maybe more like a furry kitten, cold and wet and huddled in the corner saying "please don't hurt me...".

I must go sip some soup now. Solid food? Not in this mouth, ma'am! Never before have I been so repulsed by the thought of chewing!

Now go brush your teeth!

My Footprints

2008-12-04T05:38:00.000-08:00

First, a few stanzas from "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

Then the "footprints" I will leave behind this week:

"The Creative Soul" Gothic Arch for Tamara S.

"Sweet Treasures" Gothic Arch for Dorothy A.

"Go Ask Alice" 8x8 Tip-in Pages for Judy E.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2008-11-17T20:11:00.001-08:00

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER R.D.! You won my book giveaway from this post! Whoo Hooo! I'll pop it in the mail this week sometime! :)

Eight years ago today my life changed in one quick moment. All because one man was in a hurry to get home and failed to stop at his red light.

I don't remember much of the moment. Mostly just my husband saying "Oh God, please, somebody help me". And screaming. And the feel of glass on my tongue.

I had to be sent to a hospital 100 miles away because they didn't think I would live. For 3 days they waited while I dreamed in my morphine-induced haze. Then I saw my brothers' face - oh, it was so beautiful! He was there when they wheeled me in to put back together all the shattered bones, once they knew I would actually live long enough to enjoy their labor.

Still, I don't remember much until 2 weeks into the journey. The most clear moment was with me alone, in a darkened hospital room, crying. I cried because the pain - physical and mental -was too much to bear, even with all the drugs. My body had been crushed and repaired as best as could be and I couldn't do anything for myself - not walk, not feed myself, not use the bathroom. Nothing. And the pain, oh God the pain. Like nothing I had ever known before.

So laying there crying, I had a talk with God - The Universe - The Supreme Being - Whatever you want to call it. I said: listen here, if I'm supposed to learn something from all of this, if I can actually take this kind of pain, then please send me the strength to fight. And if I'm not strong enough, than please, please, just take me now - cuz begging the nurses to kill me isn't working. Put me out of my misery and don't make everyone else suffer along with me! I'm going to sleep now and if I wake up in the morning, then I'll take it as a sign that I'm strong enough to overcome all of this and I'll try my hardest.

Well, seeing as it is 8 years later, I guess you know what the outcome was. I obviously fought. And I did it hard! The doctor said with my extensive injuries - two shattered wrists (now with metal rods in them), a shattered left arm (now brand new with a cadaver donated bone, which leaves me craving steak when I hated it before!), a shattered left shoulder and a obliterated left knee (currently with metal rods and soon to be with a new knee altogether) - that it would take 4-6 months in the hospital to recover. I did it in 7 weeks. But it took something I had never had before: A belief in my self worth. I literally had to wake up each morning, tell myself that I was worthy and loved (most importantly by myself!) and that I could do it. And I did!

Now don't get me wrong! I don't think I'm all that and a bag of chips (yum, chips!) by any means! I still struggle with self esteem issues and crankiness due to chronic pain and a body that doesn't work the way it should. I mean come on, I had spent 32 years up until the moment of my accident hating everything about myself! And while falling off of the front porch while trying to walk to the car is funny in hindsight, at the time it is pretty humiliating! But I am defintiely in a better place with myself now. And honestly, I don't think I would have ever found that without flying through that windshield! I'm so very thankful to still be on this earth! The last 8 years have not been easy, that's for sure! But every day I am given a life that I love - I create art, play with my furry children, love my husband and read about the lives and share art with my dear artist friends online! I get to wake up every day and know that I am loved and share that love, smiles and art with others. And that, honestly, is what I think this whole life journey is about! What a lucky girl!

Now, to celebrate this day of becoming who I was meant to be, I am giving away this book:

"SPILLING OPEN: THE ART OF BECOMING YOURSELF" by Sabrina Ward Harrison. This book was one of the first ones I bought after finding my creative muse (all because of art therapy in the hospital rehab!). It really is a beautiful book filled with so much insight about life and art. All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post by SATURDAY the 22nd to be entered into the drawing. And if you want to share a story about a bad situation that turned out for the better in your life, that would be awesome! But it's not necessary!

Now, go have a wonderful week! And please remember that running red lights is NEVER a good idea, no matter how much of a hurry you are in!

Wonder of Wonder, Miracle of Miracles!

2008-11-12T20:59:00.001-08:00

I actually accomplished some art this week. Actually, these took me a while to finish at my snails' pace! But finally finish them I did. The first one is an 8" round that I made for Megan. Her theme was POLKADOTS. The inspiration for the piece came from a song by Rufus Wainwright called "Tiergarten". Tiergarten is the word for animal park in german and it is an actual historic park in Germany. I didn't think these would turn out so "fun", but I'm glad they went that way!

These next two pages are for Sandee in our round robin tip-in. Her theme was FAVORITE POEM. Instead of choosing my all-time favorite poem - The Daffodils by William Wordsworth - I decided to find a new poem (to me) that inspired my creativity. The one that really captured me was "Child in Red" by Rainer Maria Rilke. I'll put it at the end of this post since it is difficult to read from my scan. I hope she likes what I came up with for her. I did enjoy thinking about the very few dresses I actually wore as a young girl (I was a tomboy!). And one I remember had red and white checks and I wore red shoes with it. I remember twirling around in it and feeling like such a young lady. And, I kinda still have a thing for red and white and red shoes today, actually. So those moments, as this poem suggests, really do stick with us.

Child in Red

Sometimes she walks through the village

in herlittle red dress

all absorbed in restraining herself,

and yet, despite herself, she seems to move

according to the rhythm of her life to come.

She runs a bit, hesitates, stops,

half-turns around...

and, all while dreaming, shakes her head

for or against.

Then she dances a few steps

that she invents and forgets,

no doubt finding out that life

moves on too fast.

It's not so much that she steps out

of the small body enclosing her,

but that all she carries in herself

frolics and ferments.

It's this dress that she'll remember

later in a sweet surrender;

when her whole life is full of risks,

the little red dress will always seem right. Rainer Maria Rilke

Floating in Blue and Retail Therapy

2008-11-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

So, I've been a little down lately. It happens even with my daily intake of happy pills. I've learned to accept it as a part of my being because to fight it just makes it worse. Sadly it has been affecting my creation of art - ie: I really don't want to make any! It's been difficult to pull through my swap commitments as the whispering muse just isn't there. What once flowed like a swift river has been like drudging through half frozen molassass. What a yucky feeling that is! I'm starting to come out of that, though, which is good. One of the things that has really helped has been looking at artist blogs. There are so many amazingly talented artists out there in blogland! And while I haven't been able to create anything even close as inspiring, just gazing upon so much creativity is filling up my soul!

One of my newest finds is an artist named Monica Magness. Please click on her name to see her blog! As soon as I started reading her blog I was delighted. She has so much creativity and sunshine! Well, after reading some of her blog I had to check out her ETSY STORE, of course. And I ended up doing a little retail therapy! Now, if you know me, you know I'm a big one for saying "Oh, I really want that!" and then not buying it! Because I do like to be practical...and I'm on a budget! But I found a couple of things in her store that I just HAD TO HAVE! Seriously, I just couldn't imagine not having them in my life! Was it the depression talking - begging - for some retail therapy to chase it away??! Perhaps. But instead of overanalyzing it like I do every single thing in my life, I just decided to go for it and buy the things! I feel so...irresponsible! Heh! But when the items arrived today, I was so thrilled that I had listened to my irresponsible voice! I think these things were meant to come live with me and tomorrow I will find a place in my home to put them where I can see them each and every day. I'm hoping they'll bring me many smiles and even - dare I ask for it?! - a touch of inspiration!

Here are the goodies I splurged on:

She is the "NEWFANGLED" art doll. Oh, there is so much wonderful texture on her and her face is SO COOL! She reminds me a little of Picasso and Katie Kendrick, but in her own unique and delightful way! And she arrived in bright tissue and a fabric ribbon that will be stashed away for future art projects!
This beauty is called "LOVELORN..." and represents lost love and unrequited love. And oh, she is just so...so awesome! Her skull face is made of clay and she wears a beautful metal heart with a key wrapped around it with wire. There is so much texture and she is so well made! I feel - and please don't laugh at me here - but I feel honored to house this special art piece in my home! She's really that cool! I'm in lourve with her, man! She's going to sit on my fireplace mantle with two other Day of The Dead Dolls we have I think. I'll take pics when I can find my camera! Heh!

And lastly, I bought this lovely art doll form to inspire my creativity! I love the red swirly fabric and the shape of her is really great in person! I'm already thinking that she needs wings of some sort - maybe metal or wooden. And I have this cool vintage ceramic face pin that may just work for her head. She'll be my very first art doll (other than paper dolls) and I hope I can do her justice!

So that was my wicked behavior for the week. Hopefully the universe will forgive me for indulging myself! But just in case I need to bank up a little karma credit, I think I'll root around the art room tomorrow for some blog giveaway items. So stay tuned for that this next week, beautiful artists!

2008-11-03T23:41:00.000-08:00

I was tagged with seven things meme by the beautiful Megan of Peaches and Peonies.

Rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.

2. Write seven random things about yourself.

3. Tag seven people at the end of your post.

4. Pass on the tag.

Tamara’s 7 Random Things:

1. Every Saturday night at midnight for 2 years I performed in front of The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a Transylvanian with a tuxedo jacket, bow tie and silly party hat! Our group was called "The Denton Affair" and it was one of the best times of my life!

2. My favorite place outside of the U.S. is Caerphilly, Wales. I would love to live a little thatch roofed cottage near the castle ruins when I am old and gray!

3. I absolutely love tofu! Seriously I could eat it every day! There are so many things you can do with it and it makes me feel well nourished and healthy!

4. When I was younger, I wanted to be a window dresser/designer in a big city and even went to FIDM in San Francisco for a day of classes to check it out. But I didn’t think I was artistic enough to do it!

5. When I was 5 I had an OBE (Out of Body Experience) when I had severe pneumonia. I remember floating across the room and up to the ceiling where I was watching myself on the couch. My mother came in and when she saw me on the couch she said “Oh my God…” and I rushed back into my body. I was hospitalized for 2 weeks because I was so sick. I believe if my mom wouldn’t have come in, I would have kept going onward…

6. The hubby and I love books and cannot be without one or more nearby at all times. We have books in every room – including the bathroom – and even keep some in the car, just in case!

7. I adore my 4 furry children (cats Figaro, Gabriel, Leopold and Sally) and fully believe that we understand each other a lot of the time! I also worry about them when we go away on vacation, so I call and talk to them on the answering machine to reassure them that we are coming home. I realize this makes me sound like the crazy cat lady down the lane, and I’m ok with that! Animals need love too, ya know!

As for tagging 7 people, I think most people I know have been tagged already. So if you would like to play, please leave me a comment here after you blog your 7 things so I can read about you!

Frustrations & Goofy Ideas

2008-10-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Well, It's been another frustrating week. We attempted to adopt a sweet rescue doggie named Sophie, but it didn't work out. SHE was perfect and a total doll, didn't mind the cats and was even a little curious about them. But the cats just couldn't deal with a small, fuzzy thing in the house - even though she barely weighed 5 lbs! Gabby knocked the lamp off of the fireplace mantle (on purpose - he's vindictive that way!) and he and Figaro hissed more times than I've ever seen every time they even smelled sweet Sophie! And all through the night they would jump up on the bed, see her sleeping, hiss and do an acrobatic backward jump off the bed. It was like the circus of the bizarre around here! What, did they think she wouldn't be there after the 10th time or something?! Geesh! So, after several hours of sleepless crying, attempts at interspecies communication and some human discussion, we decided that Sophie deserved a better home. I was afraid one of the cats would end up hurting her and I wouldn't have been able to handle that guilt. And also, I do love my furry children, so it wasn't fair to turn their world upside down just because I have a "I need a baby" yearning.

So, the dog adoptions are going to be no more. Which is sad because I really wanted a little furry girl that could hang out with me during the day. It gets pretty lonely around here while the cats sleep. And, you know, hitting the big 40 made me think about never being able to have a baby of the human kind. I mean sure, the kid was probably better off not having to have a mom like me, but still...it would have been nice. Anyways...that got Shea and I talking and laughing about a show we saw on BBC America about "REBORN" babies. These are incredibly lifelike baby dolls that some women collect. Further than that, some create whole nurseries for them, buy clothes for them, wheel them around town in elaborate baby buggies and treat them in all ways like real babies. Here are a couple of them:

We joked that maybe I should get a reborn to get over the baby longing. So for fun, I looked them up. Do you realise that these things cost about $1000 a pop?!! And you can go more elaborate than that with them, too! They can have heartbeats, breathing aparatus, be weighted like real babies, have umbilical cords and real-feeling spines among other things! So bizarre! And a little creepy, too! I don't think there is any way I could have one of these around the house! I've seen WAY too many horror movies about dolls coming to life and eating people! Eek!!

However, if I were a LARPer (Live Action Role Player), I would definitely think about getting one of these:

I mean, if you were an elf character, you could totally sling your elf child around with you to your game sessions! Heh Heh! Aren't her ears cute?! And seriously, if I had a real child, I would make up a story about finding elf children for about 6 months before their birthday and then have them find one of these on their day as their present. Wouldn't that be fun?! But since I'm not a mom and not a LARPer, I don't think I'll be getting this little gal either. But I did end up finding THE PERFECT SOLUTION:

Little Umi So Truly Real Doll!! She's furry like sweet Sophie dog and small like a baby without all the creepiness of the reborns and the cat hysterics! And she's economically priced at about $100! PLUS, a portion of her cost goes to rainforest preservation! Absolutely perfect! Heh! Can you see me lugging one of these around town, all bundled up like a baby and then when someone asks to see her, I unveil this furry orangutan face?! Oh man, that would be classic! Snicker! I just crack myself up! Heh Heh! Yes, she's cute, but I don't think I'll be getting one of these, either. I guess I'm not that desperate after all. Although...I AM wondering if the cats wouldn't mind another cat or two...or 5 in the house! :)

Have a great weekend all!

Altered Book Spread For Tanya

2008-10-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is my latest spread in an altered book for Tanya. Her theme was angels and you were supposed to add a scripture about them. Well...I tried. Honestly I did. But my artistic voice just wouldn't allow me to add those words on this page. Instead I used a piece of sheet music that says "Worship and adore". Which is close to what my inspirational words were for the piece: "When the stars were created, all My angels sang praises to Me" (Job 38:7). And I did actually attempt to make another spread with those words on it...but it was so hideous that I glued it to the back of this page instead! It just didn't flow AT ALL and made this spread just lesser than, I felt. So Tanya, I hope you forgive me for being a rebel and sweeping away your one rule for your book! My intentions were good!! :)

Correction To Post Below

2008-09-26T23:47:00.000-07:00

On the last piece "All I Have", the top photo is actually the LEFT page and the bottom photo the RIGHT. Blogger will not let me edit it - grrrr! :)

Shades of Blue - Literally and Emotionally

2008-09-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the artwork I created for swap commitments this week:

This one is for PEGGY in the Mixed Media Madams Group. It is called "Peggy's Darling Garden" and the front is above and the back below. Peggy's pages are 6x6 and her theme is: What Do You See When You Close Your Eyes. Well, when I close my eyes and think about my sweet Mama P I think about: blue and white things, flowers, sweet little girls, and silliness (the hat). I really wish I had some google eyes, cuz that would have made this page perfect! Peggy, feel free to add those eyes if you wish! :)
Here is the next piece:
This one (again, top is the front, below is the back) is for JUDY in the alteredartchix group. Her theme was open and her colors were blue and brown with splashes of pink and white. I call this one "The Sisters' Journey". It is difficult to see and I cannot figure out how to let this thing make my pics bigger with clicking, but I used the masking tape technique by Claudine Hellmuth on these pages. Basically you cover the whole thing with tape going in all directions, use a bone folder to press it down really well, cover it with gel medium, let it dry and then paint it. It gives the piece some really neat texture, I think. :)

My final piece is an 8x8 for Debbie J. in the alteredartchix group as well. Her theme was vintage weddings in the color scheme of whites/off whites/browns and jewel tones. I call it "All I Have" and used a poem by Emily Dickinson as my inspiration. This piece also uses the masking tape technique. After the gel medium I added a tea-stain distress ink then painted with white paint. It has a nice texture and some color variation within the white, which I like. The top photo is the right page, the bottom one is the left page.

Sleepiness & A Wonderful Friend

2008-09-24T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today I spent doing...nothing! I slept for 11 hours last night, woke up and got a drink of water and used the little girls room, laid back down to read a bit and shake off the wooziness and woke up 5 hours later! Yikes! I so very much wish that my sleeping pattern would normalize. I would love to be the kind of person who could sleep 8 hours a night and get up refreshed and ready to go. Unfortunantly, the pain issues I deal with make that impossible. Half the time I cannot sleep for a day and a half and the other half I crash for an entire day. Yada, Yada, Yada. If only I could get productive things done when I'm up! THAT doesn't happen! Instead, I read. A LOT! If you are ever interested in what I read, I keep a list on my Shelfari. There's a link to it below to the right on my list of stuff. But please don't judge my reading, ok?! I know it's not rocket science but I do try to read some intelligent and well written books inbetween the fluff! Heh Heh! But sometimes a girl just wants something predictable and easy, ya know?!

In other news, my wonderful friend JENNIFER sent me an AWESOME painting of a woman with a sugar skull that she started in the Jesse Reno workshop! It means so much to me that she sent it because I got to see it "born" right next to me! She was using the Jesse method of just adding colors on to the canvas and the woman figure emerged. I teased that it was a woman in mid-twirl and that her, ahm, breast was all-naturale! Heh Heh! Then the skull came out too, which I think was influenced by the wonderous Lana Guerra (see previous post for my drooling adoration of her!), who was sitting next to her. That is so very cool! Jennifer is such an amazing artist and someone I adore tremendously! She's my homegirl! Heh Heh! Please click on her name if you want to see more of her awesome art, ok?! Here is the painting that I already framed and hung on my art room wall. I adore it and thank Jennifer for allowing it to be with me!

Do you like the "trick" and "treat" words with it? I found those last year after Halloween at Michaels for 25 cents each!

Here's a pic of nearly the whole wall and the daybed. We just put up the shelf this week to house some of my witches. If you come to stay with me (and you are most welcome to do so anytime!), this is where you will sleep. But I promise that all the witches are good ones and will never give you nightmares!

My New Obsession

2008-09-10T23:52:00.001-07:00

Would somebody pLEAse buy this Lana Guerra painting for me??!!

Pretty please?! The link is right here: CRUDE THINGS. Now, I'm not expecting just one person to buy it. But if everyone went in on it, I think it could happen! And I have about $40 bucks I could throw into the pot too! So see...it wouldn't be t*h*a*t much, really! And I saw this in person at the Jesse Reno workshop and FELL IN LOVE WITH IT! I want this so bad I'm thinking of selling off my Anahata Katkin book collection (which is now out of print, mind you!) to get it. Sad huh?! Sigh. I love this woman's art.

Here's a picture of LANA GUERRA (press her name for her website):

She tickles my brain and makes me feel like dancing in clown shoes! I got to meet her at the Jesse workshop and was just...enamoured! She really LIVES her art and that is so inspiring! She's one of the nicest people I have ever met too and I bet a lot of folks never take the chance of getting to know her because of her appearance. So sad. I guess I felt a kinship towards her in that way, since most of the time I feel like the fat lady at the circus that everyone stares at when I leave the cage. I always think "if people just took a moment to say hi or smile, they would see I'm a nice person". Sigh.

OK, OK, I'll stop! I know the violins are playing now! Heh! So back to that painting. I want it very badly and am going to figure out a way to get it. Anyone intersted in some out of print Anahata books?? I don't even know what to sell them for, honestly. I'll have to do some research! :) In the meantime, I should be happy to own this gem below by Lana, which I bought after the workshop. The title is "One Arm is Better Than None". It reminds me of myself since my arms and hands don't work like they should and I'm always saying "At least together they equal one good arm!". Heh Heh!

Have a wonderful, creative day and I forgive you if you don't want to go in on my painting! Chuckle! I just had to put it out in the universe that I wanted it, because you never know what will happen, right?! :)

A Walk on The Wild Side

2008-09-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

For Mama Peggy in a gothic arch swap, I made this:

Her theme was "A Walk on The Wild Side" - what's your wild side? So I used animal print on the front along with certain symbols: A fish to symbolize my love of water and the ocean, butterfly wings to show my love of winged things like butterflies, birds and fairies and a pointy had because I just love those (even if other folks are complaining about them being "old hat" now - pun intended!)! On the back I used a cat to symbolize my love of cats (duh), a witches hat and broom because I love halloween and witches (!) and a crow to show my darker/emotional/sad side, because that is a part of who I am. I hope she likes them as I had fun making them!

This little bat boy is a digital collage I made last night while playing around with some digital scrapbooking elements. I wanted to use him for a charm swap, but when you print it out tiny (under 1"), it just doesn't come out well. So I may have to do something else with him all together.

We went to a county auction this morning and it was fun. We found 4 old metal office chairs and are going to paint them and recover them with a funky fabric and use them for dining room chairs. They are kinda industrial looking and sturdy as all heck, so I think they will be good. We ended up paying $10 bucks each, which isn't bad I think! Then I goofed and bid $5 on a pallet of various stackable file/paper holders. I thought it was the other pallet with plastic envelopes that would have been great for art images. BUT...it was only five bucks and we can definitely use some of them. The rest we'll donate to Goodwill I think! Heh! It was so noisy and frantic in there that I got confused - no surprise there! At least I didn't goof and buy a car or someting! Although, someone got an old truck for $25 bucks! Wow! You could sell it to a junk yard for more than that!

So far it's been a pretty good day. Although, when we left this morning I biffed it on the lawn and fell down. As always when I fall, I put down my crushed, bad knee and now it is swelling and bruising nicely. Luckily there isn't a lot of feeling in it anymore as it is held together with metal. But it does throb a bit. I also slightly chipped my tooth as I was grimacing on the way down AND spilled my Starbucks Soy Mocha! Darn it! I only allow myself one of those a week and now the lawn is drinking it! Oh well, worse could have happened, right?! I'm bound and determined to have a good day anyways! We are now headed to Roseville (30 miles away) to get some art supplies and a bag of chicken. I hope your day is wonderful and you find something fun to do!

A Zettirific Kind of Day

2008-09-03T01:50:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest art for the fabulous CAROL. Her theme was Zettiology with words - SO FUN! This was my second attempt at her pages actually. The first was, um, better suited to use as garbage bag filler. Which is only one of the reasons that I am quite late with these. I do hope you will forgive me, sweet girl!

These pages are very autobiographical for me, as I tend to root myself in place quite a lot! I'm housebound since I don't drive and I tend to get very comfortable with that. When I do that I have to remind myself to find ways to let my soul fly. Often times it is by trying out a new art technique or by simply having the honey take us to the lake so we can watch the geese. Anything to get out of the same-ness routine I fall into. :)

Swift Sailing To You, Baldy!

2008-08-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

The world lost a wonderful man today. Adrian Sudbury, 27 years young, was diagnosed with Lukemia two years ago and underwent a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunantly, the transplant didn't work. So Adrian decided to make bone marrow donation in the UK the focus of his remaining time. And he did a bang-up job of it too! The work he started is growing all over the world and Adrian's Army has vowed to keep it moving forward!

Please check out this link for MARROW DONATION information! It is NOT difficult to be put on the donation list (a simple blood test!) or become a donor (a simple procedure to remove marrow!). And it means that YOU could save someone's life! Isn't that wonderful?! And if you cannot be a donor, like me, then please take the time to get the word out there to the world! Donation is simple and easy and can make a world of difference in someone's life! It may not have saved ADRIAN (please read his blog!), but it gave him precious time with his family and his fight to save others! And that was a truly amazing gift for him and for the world!

Please watch this video on YouTube: THE ONE AND ONLY. This was one of the songs that Adrian chose if he were to be stranded on a desert island. I think it really sums up the man - A true ONE AND ONLY! May your journey be swift and easy, sweet Adrian! And thank you for touching the world with your beauty!

Who Would Have Thought Overpopulation Was A Good Thing?!

2008-08-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

Overpopulate your canvas. Paint with your hands to begin. Don't start with an idea, just see where the paint takes you.

These were some of the suggestions given by the amazing JESSE RENO last weekend at CAROL PARKS STUDIO. Jesse is an amazing artist - this I knew before taking his class! But he is also generous, real and truly interested in guiding other artists! What an amazing soul, I tell you! If you have a chance to take a class from him, absolutely do it! But make sure you give yourself AT LEAST two days with him! One day was not enough by a long shot and I truly wish I had more. But I have a feeling that there will be more opportunities in the future. :)

I took only a few pictures because I was too wrapped up in the energy of all those creative souls! But KELLY, AHNA, TALLY and PILAR, as well as others, all have some great pics and descriptions of the class. Make sure to check them out!

My Santa Cruz Soul Sista MIJA working on her FANTABULOUS painting here! I kept reminding her that Christmas isn't far away! Heh! I don't want her to give it to me - but if she sells it, I hope I'm the first one in line to buy it! Mija has a wonderfully bright and creative spirit and it was a delight to finally meet her in person!

Kelly and Mija at the work table. I think they were complaining about the overabundance of broccoli in their food! See the swirly painting on the left? That's Jennifer's and is SO COOL! I wish I had a close up of that!

The beautiful and smiling JENN hard at work on her painting! And in the background, Jesse's super-duper awesome paramour LANA GUERRA! Check out her work - she's so talented! AND, she has the courage to express on the outside what I feel like on the inside! It was truly awesome to sit by her and watch her create! It was like a two for one class!

Jenn's hands full of paint - just like Jesse suggests! He said that it's good to start out your paintings just adding color to the canvas with your hands and see what shapes come out that spur you onward. I can tell you that Jenn and I really liked that part of it! Heh!

There's my wonky hands after adding purple to a canvas. I can tell you that canvas is now shades of blue and green with a whale. That whale apparently is trying to show up in several peoples' art. Is that Jesse's doing? Hmmmm, I wonder.

The super-talented TALLY O. showing her hands! Her palate of colors was so beautiful! I feel like I learned from watching her there, too! She's so confident in her work, I think!

Here's me holding up my very first painting. The bird came out from the hand painting technique. It looks different now and I'm still working on it. I'll show it some day when I'm done!
And here is my cat Figaro when we got back home. I'm pretty sure he is saying "You will have to take me with you if you leave again!". And honestly, I think it's about FOOD not ME, cuz he had to miss TWO WHOLE MEALS of wet food!! Heh!

Gremlins Are Alive And Well On Blogger...

2008-08-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

...And they ate my blog for a few moments there. Apparently they thought it was SPAM! I didn't think anyone still ate SPAM! Hopefully they have had their fill now and will leave my blog alone! IT ISN'T SPAM! It's more like...baked tofu with a light peanut sauce! Heh!

As I didn't announce the winner of my Bird Gothic Arch publically, the winner was: MAIJA! You can see her blog on the list to the left called Maija Lepore (I'm too lazy to list the link in this post!). She has a picture of the giftie that arrived. Congrats Maija and I hope you enjoy your birdie! Don't worry folks, I promise to have another giveaway very soon and I hope you will think it is just as great! :)

Without further ado (well, too much ado), I give you my latest art. A Gothic Arch done in the theme of YOUR FAVORITE BOOK. Choosing just one was torturous, so I ended up choosing the one that changed my art in a positive way: POEMCRAZY by Susan Wooldridge. I adore this poet, author, artist, woman, wandering soul quite a lot! Pick up her books to read - you will not be sorry! Anyways, here is the art I created around that book. Hope you enjoy!

Sometimes The Words Are Enough of A Picture

2008-07-31T00:14:00.000-07:00

Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass,
The finger-points look through like rosy blooms:
Your eyes smile peace.

The pasture gleams and glooms 'Neath billowing skies
that scatter and amass.
All round our nest, far as the eye can pass,
Are golden kingcup-fields with silver edge
Where the cow-parsley skirts the hawthorn-hedge.

Tis visible silence, still as the hour-glass.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-82)

"Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink. Know What I Mean?"

2008-07-18T23:47:00.001-07:00

The title of my blog has nothing to do with this post. We just watched Monty Python's Flying Circus on BBC America tonight and the sketches always stick in my brain for a long time afterwards. Kinda explains things, doesn't it?!

Anyways, as always, these scans must be looked at with one eye closed and the open one sort of blurry in order to see past the crusty scanner. ;) These pages (8x8 each) were done for Dorothy. I think they turned out pretty well. I liked the nice color combination (her choosing).

Obviously I liked this combo so much that I also did these pages for a round robin book belonging to the very talented Teresa Stebbins of OH:

They are oriented in the book just like you see them here (top and bottom). I liked working in this perspective, with the spine of the book horizontal. Although, it did take me a little while to get going on them. I really wanted the top page to be of the sky and the bottom to be of the earth so they would mesh together well. I would like to explore making something like this with painting.

So...if you are STILL here (bless you if you are, my friends!) then I have a surprise for you! While on my blue and brown kick I made THIS gothic arch:

Do you like it? Would you like to have it? Well, I am giving it away to a lucky reader who leaves a comment on this post! Yay! Or at least, I hope you are saying yay! Heh Heh! Just leave a comment about anything and I will put your name in a drawing next FRIDAY July 25th and pick the lucky winner! If you don't have a blog, please email me your email address (scomerford@comcast.net) so I can notify you if you win!

So that's all for tonight, my sweet poppets! I will leave you with a quote from another one of my favorite British comedies Thin Blue Line with Rowan Atkinson: "I once possessed a whoopie cushion. I never deployed it, of course, but the capacity was there."

For Michelle

2008-07-15T01:54:00.001-07:00

I think it's definitely time to invest in a new scanner. The background is white and at the top of each page is a piece of torn white-decorated paper. The translation of the words is: Springtime in Paris...Fills my heart with flowers! Thank you Linda K. for the translation! Merci!!

I did something completely different for these pages, but I wasn't liking how it was turning out at all. So I just started playing with some torn paper and some flower stamps and this is what came out. I liked these a lot better - even if the scans make them look yuk. :(

The Latest Buzzzzzzzzzzz

2008-07-10T03:22:00.001-07:00

Are you having a BEE-utiful day? I hope so!

If you would like your day to be even more BEE-utiful, you should go check out the blog by my friend PATTI (click her name to go there!). She is having a BEE-lightful giveaway of some art she made! Of course, I know you don't really like those pesky bee's, so you don't have to enter! In fact, I think I heard a rumor that if you entered you would be chased by a swarm of angry bees all the way to the ends of the earth! So, you know, better to be safe than sorry, right?!! Besides, I'm going to win! Muwahahaha!

Shield Your Eyes & Call Ripley's Believe it Or Not!

2008-07-05T00:35:00.001-07:00

I actually made some art this week! Yes, I know! I cannot believe it either! Heh! Unfortunantly the scans are HORRID! Ugh! But I will upload it in the hopes that all you wonderful artists will know that it is really much prettier in person. Or at least I HOPE it is! :)

The first two scans are of a gothic arch for the wonderful Debbie J. in Milwaukee! Her theme was "Shirley Temple Movies". I decided to do Little Miss Broadway because I love musicals. The words on the back are the song "Be Optimistic" from the movie. I chose to do it in pink because, well, Shirley just says little girl pink to me! The netting on the front is supposed to be representative of stage curtains. You get that, right? Right?? And I think I'm going to cover up the brad prongs on the back with shiny stars. But I'm too lazy to do it tonight and don't want to rescan. So you'll just have to use your imagination to figure out what it'll look like! :)

This second set of scans are book pages for the lovely Mama Peggy! Her theme was flowers and we got to alter a victorian style flower album, which was fun! I used pink because that was the colors of my pages to work on! Yes. You don't have to tell me I'm a sharp cookie - I am quite aware of that! Heh! And honestly, these scans do not do justice to these pages at all. I'm not saying they are the most amazing pieces of art ever - but they turned out very soft and sweet. The border around the pages is actually a pink glitter and looks very pretty. The angel wings also have glitter on them. I added some pink vellum flowers and a tiny white vellum butterfly to the pages as well. I felt guilty for not doing "more" to them. But since the carnations were already printed on the page, I really wanted to incorporate them into my design. So that meant keeping it somewhat simple. The words in the oval say "The flowers have their angels". It is a quote from around the 13th century that they found in an old manuscript of a writer. And actually, they say it is the first time the idea of flower meanings (which was very big in the victorian age!) was first written down. I hope you like your pages Ma P! The book will now come home to you! Yay!

Now children, I must go tuck myself into bed. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Finding Your Heart Within Sorrow

2008-06-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is a 4x4 page I made for a friend. I wanted to use a quote that gave her strength within her sadness and I think this one by Kahlil Gibran is just perfect. It is one that I often think about in reference to my dad.

Above is the entire collage before it is folded into a square. The quote is on the back side. This was done mostly using digital scrapbooking elements. The two hearts and the bird image on the front side were added after I printed it out. I also wrapped the bird image with the brown string before gluing it on to add more texture. Here is the front side alone:

And this is the back side alone:

10 Questions

2008-05-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

In honor of the 100th post at THE ROSE ROOM, I am answering the following 10 questions. It makes me a part of her 100 hours of posting! Yay! A party - I always love a party! Click on her name if you want to be a part of it too! :)

OK, here are my answers, if you are interested:

Relationship: Married for 12 years to my darling Shea! We married after just 7 months of knowing each other but knew that we were perfect for each other!

Children: 2 Furry Children Cats named Figaro and Gabriel, 5 years old this June!

Pets: No pets, only furry children! Heh Heh!

Age: I turned the big 4-0 this year and I'm loving every minute of it!

Star Sign: Taurus - Mess with the bull and you'll get the horns, mister. Heh Heh! Actually, I'm rather tame!

Fave Food: Tofu and Tacos

Fave Drink: Strawberry Margaritas

House Decor Style: Funky Eclectic, lots of color, Kandinski Art

Collections: Witches and Day of The Dead Skeletons, Vintage Purses, Old China, Books

How Did You Get Into Blogging: My hubby started a blog first and I thought it looked like a great way to showcase my art!

My Artful Hands

2008-05-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

These two 8x8 collages were created for barb over at 123 Lavender Lollypop Lane. We are doing a tip-in swap and her theme was our hands in shades of white and a color of our choice. We had to trace our hands and add them to the pages. The words on the left hand say "Anything is Possible" and mean just that to me. Especially when it comes to creating art! The birds represent how art has made my life soar. And the heart on the left finger is, of course, my beloved! The tie around the right wrist is representative of how my crushed wrists became locked and frozen (unable to rotate anymore) after the accident. However, the words "Happiness in Life" show how that happening actually led me to art and the expression of my artistic side - which makes me very happy!

PS: Tracing my right hand with my left was a TOTAL TRIP! My left hand works less than my right and it seems to ignore my brain signals 80% of the time. For example, I will often drop things or fling them across the room if I am carrying them with that hand - which isn't what I want to do! So when I was using the pen with that hand I had to keep telling it out loud to keep going. It was like I was talking to something not attched to my body that was hard of hearing! heh heh! I'm glad I can laugh about it, but it is a trip to have a part of your body not work the way it's supposed to! I don't think I'll be trying any non-dominant hand drawing any time soon! :)

2.1 Million

2008-05-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

That's the number of children who were living with AIDS in 2007. THREE-HUNDRED THOUSAND of those children died. And that is just the children. In the 21st Century this should NOT still be happening! So please, consider giving money to an AIDS Charity to help erradicate this horrible disease! And please read this loving tribute by my beautiful friend SANDEE (click on her name) who lost her brother to this this disease three years ago! No one should have to watch their loved one die of AIDS! We can make that happen if we donate time, money and our voices to educate!

Fourteen years ago I lost my friend Michael Anderson to AIDS. He worked in my Dad's nursery-Antonelli Brother's Begonia Gardens in Santa Cruz - and was a strong, vibrant, wonderful human being! He loved gardening, so my dad's nursery was the perfect place for him to work! When AIDS began to affect his health negatively, he was forced to tell my dad that he had it. I know that was not an easy thing for him to do and he worried if he would be fired or shunned by my dad. Well, one of the reasons that I remember my dad so fondly (he died in 2003 of lung cancer) is that he stood up and said: What can we do for you Michael? What my dad did was continue to allow Michael to work and take off as much time as he needed without fear of losing his position. I think that was awesome!

Sadly though, Michael lost his battle with AIDS after becomming a bed-ridden shell of a man who could no longer take care of himself. No one should ever have to die that way! And they don't have to! AIDS can be erradicated in this age! The drugs they have now to treat it are good, but we need better! We need a cure! Your donations can help that be a reality! NO ONE and I mean NO ONE is immune to AIDS! You don't have to be gay or an IV drug user to get AIDS! It can touch everyone, every socio-economic level, every human being on this earth. So please, read my story and Sandee's story and the stories of many others out there and help to get rid of this disease!

Thank You! And Sandee: I LOVE YOU GIRL! You can be proud that you are carrying on your brother's wishes about educating others about AIDS! I know he is proud of you! Give yourself a big hug from me, ok?!

The Dragonfly Garden

2008-05-16T21:39:00.001-07:00

This is a four page spread I did in an altered book for the TEArific Anne D! Her theme was Asian and this is what came to me. I hope you like what I did for you Anne! Please excuse the blurry images, the dragonfly and little blue crystals are dimentional and do not scan well! Also, the green is softer looking and the trim very vibrant in person!

Lingering Memories

2008-05-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

These are two 8x8 tip in pages for the beautiful Tanya P! Her theme was "Cemetary Angels" done in a soft, respectful and loving way. I chose to illustrate my pages with a poem by Percy Byshe Shelley. Hope you like them!

Music, when soft voices die,

Vibrates in the memory,

Odours, when sweet violets sicken,

Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,

Are heaped for the beloved's bed,

And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,

Love itself shall slumber on.

Christmas in May

2008-05-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is a Gothic Arch for the wonderful and sweet Gina! Her theme was "Holiday Memories". My mom and dad putting little presents under a decorated tree in our yard for neighbor kids was the memory I chose to illustrate. I hope you like it Gina!!

"Radiance & Reaction" Gothic Arch

2008-05-10T01:15:00.001-07:00

This is a large gothic arch for Cindy McM. I'm a bit late on it...sorry girl! I call it Radiance and Reaction. Do you get that? Or am I just trying too hard??!! Heh Heh! I'm going to mail it Saturday...but I'm not sure if it is done or not. The front feels fine, but the back a litle spartan. I'm thinking of adding the two words from the title to the front and back - having a transparency done in red or black I think. Or maybe just putting the title on the back. Hmmm. I just don't know! What do you think?? Anyone? Anyone? Bueler?

Anyways, this is the kind of art I create when I just sit down and don't think about what I want first. NOT that I wasn't thoughtful about it for Cindy! It's just...I tend to think, think, think about the piece first and it never comes out like I imagined. And that's been bumming me out lately and making me not want to create art. So I thought I would just allow my muse to play a bit and create whatever she wanted. It definitely came out different than my usual pieces. And I really like that. I think my brain often gets in the way too much with my art. I think that's why I can justify that class with Jesse Reno in Southern Cali! He just allows his art to flow out of him and it is so thought provoking and awesome! And I could definitely use some of that action with my art!

Altered Book Spread

2008-05-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

THE SONG OFTHE DAFFODIL FAIRY

I'm everyone's darling: the blackbird and starling

Are shouting about me from blossoming boughs;

For I, the Lent Lily, the Daffy-down-dilly,

Have heard through the country the call to arouse.

The orchards are ringing with voices a-singing

The praise of my petticoat, praise of my gown

The children are playing, and hark! they are saying

That Daffy-down-dilly is come up to town!

from "Flower Fairies of the Spring"by Cicely Mary Barker

Sorry, the scan is horrid! It's much softer and prettier in person. :)

Latest Altered Book Spreads

2008-04-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Spring Has Awoken My Muse - At Least A Little

2008-04-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

The scans are horrid on these, as is the usual for dimentional objects. Some day I'll have a nice digital camera that takes fabulous pictures! :)

The first little pieces were done for a "123" Challenge. You had to make a 1", a 2" and a 3" Itty Bitty in the same theme and send them to one person. My person was Sandee (of Sandee's Sanity on the right in the list of blogs to visit). The theme I chose was SPRING and these are called "Spring Awakening". They represent the things of spring to me: planting a garden, baby birds and new flowers. I used bits of vintage lace on each three, which seems to be a favorite thing of mine to do lately! :) This second bit of art was made for BARB of 123 Lavender Lollypop Lane on the top of the blog list. It was actually THE SECOND little hanging I made for her because the first strangely disappeared from the envelope en route. Strange how that happens to our art, isn't it?! Anyways, this was done on a thick canvas and hangs from the ribbon on top. The bottom has a triangular bit of flower lace hanging off of it and although it is difficult to see here, it's really pretty! The words say "borne upon the wing" and came from a vintage book I am shamelessly tearing apart for words. ;)

2008-04-04T01:02:00.000-07:00

The Moon And Little Frieda

A cool small evening shrunk to a dog bark and the clank of a bucket --

And you listening.
A spider's web, tense for the dew's touch.
A pail lifted, still and brimming -- mirror
To tempt a first star to a tremor.

Cows are going home in the lane there, looping the hedges with their warm
wreaths of breath --

A dark river of blood, many boulders,
Balancing unspilled milk.
"Moon!" you cry suddenly, "Moon! Moon!"
The moon has stepped back like an artist gazing amazed at a work
That points at him amazed.

--Ted Hughes

Sometimes there are words so beautiful that they make me want to weep. Beautiful words painting a beautiful picture in my head. How I wish I could translate them into paint and torn paper correctly. But somehow they never come out with the depth that I feel them in my heart. But I will keep trying because ultimately....the process brings me so much joy. Even when at times it feels like a punishment to have all this energy and feeling inside of my body fighting to come out. And speaking of my body, here is an affirmation poem I wrote to myself:

Love this body

Only a shell

Not the true essence of who

I am

Only a glove

Covering the whispers of

my soul.

-Tamara - April 2008

Today Feels Like This Without The Optimism

2008-03-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

The Dragonfly Ballet

2008-03-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Egg Flower Soup & Birds Nest Clouds

2008-03-15T01:18:00.000-07:00

This is my latest madness for a round robin book called "For The Birds" which belongs to the wonderful Michelle! I kept thinking about Egg Flower Soup when thinking about the theme. Don't ask why, cuz I have NO CLUE! So I thought I would make some flowers that were egg shaped. Then, because I was thinking goofy, I wondered about birds making nests in the fluffy clouds. And this is what came out. I hope Michelle likes it! This particular color of blue has been really grabbing me lately. Sometimes colors will do that to me. Must be the arrival of spring?

Round & Round & Round We Go Where We Stop Nobody Knows

2008-03-09T23:47:00.000-07:00

This is a large Gothic Arch in the theme of Carousel Animals that I made for CAROL. This was a fun theme to work in and I just love this red striped paper! And all the red german scrap is from ARTCHIX STUDIO. I would link it, but I'm just too lazy tonight. Sorry. The triangular space was where I put my name and contact info for Carol. :)

My Mother, My Queen

2008-03-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

These are tip-in pages I did for a swap for GINA. I made these pages based on a prayer to the Virgin Mary and the idea of a reliquary shrine. I like them...but felt like I should have added more to the pages. But as long as I comtemplated and tried things, nothing else worked. So I decided that the pages wanted to be simple to make the cross and the young communion taker take center stage.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

2008-02-24T23:45:00.000-08:00

By the super silly and amazingly talented CARYL!

Seven “What ifs” I Bet You Did Not Know

1. What if I could meet anyone in the world to chat with:

I would choose His Holiness, the Dalai Lama for so many reasons.

2. What if I could travel anywhere in the world:

Oh my! So many places! But I would love to go back to Wales. It was magical and I only got one day there to explore.

3. What if I could have one wish granted to benefit all of mankind:

I love Caryl's idea of free health care for all! But if I were to choose differently, I would wish that we would all be given the gift of true compassion. That way we would see free health care as just one of the many rights of human beings.

4. What if I could live in a period other than the present for just 24 hours:
Hmmmm. I would have to say Paris in the 1920's because there were so many Ex-Pats there exploring their writing, painting, art and liberation from the more constrictive Victorian Era of their parents. Plus I love ART DECO and would try to bring back a bunch of things with me! ;) wink wink

5. What if I had to become an animal for 24 Hours:

Well, I truly love my cats and would seriously think about picking one of them! But, I think more than that I would love to be a dolphin for a day! They seem to truly know how to enjoy life! And to be able to swim and jump like that - that would be cool!

6. What if I could make over three areas of my body:

Just three?! Heh Heh! I would definitley pick my stomach, my spine and my shattered knee.

7. What if I could bring anyone back to life for 24 hours:

Can I pick two people for this? Please?! The first would be my dad of course. I miss his laugh and funny jokes and think that many in my family could benefit from his guidance for one more day. The other person I would bring back is Martin Luther King Jr. because I think the world could use some of his wisdom right about now.

NOW…TAG…YOU’RE IT!

BARB

CHRISTY

PATRICIA

SANDEE

JUDY

What Would Betty Do?!

2008-02-19T22:36:00.000-08:00

Ah Cake. Everyone loves a good cake, don't they?! I know I do! We seem to celebrate cake in this society and find any excuse to bake one - or have someone else bake one. And by chocolate covered beaters, that's ok with me...

...as long as **I** don't have to make it! Don't get me wrong! I don't HATE making cakes! I love the smell of baking cake filling up the nooks and crannies of my little cottage as much as the next person! I just don't like it being something I have to do. Because I know me. And I know my baking skills. And I know what's going to happen.

OK, I'm exagerating a little bit. I didn't actually FROST the cake, so this picture isn't an accurate representation. It looks something more like this:

Yes. It completely fell apart when I took it out of the bundt pan. It was very...pathetic! I had such high hopes for this cake! Because this isn't just a cake for us. If it was, I would just say something like "dig in honey cuz I'm not making another one no matter how ugly it is!". And honey would be just fine with that because A. He loves me no matter what and B. He loves cake no matter what form it takes and C. Because after 12 years of marriage, he's well aware that I'm not related to Betty Freaking Crocker! But this cake is for honey to take to work tomorrow as a birthday cake for a co-worker. And that ups the pressure quotient tremendously! Pressure is bad enough! But CAKE PRESSURE?! Good Cupcakes, it's just too much! And yea, maybe they are not expecting a big, fancy cake from Honey. But they know Honey is married and that I don't work and am a housewife (THAT makes me laugh!) and that housewife honeys should know how to make a birthday cake! So in my head (and just maybe theirs) I am seeing the acceptable CAKE OFFERING as THIS:

And if not so regal, then at least THIS:

(Minus the wine, of course, since I will surely drink that bottle completely before honey leaves with the cake in the morning!)

But NO. My cake is a total disaster and no amount of Hershey's Fluffy Chocolate Frosting is going to cover up the crater in this bundt! So what am I doing? Well, at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday night, I am baking ANOTHER cake. And I am furiously praying to the CAKE GODS that this one will come out cleanly! Because I only had the two mixes on hand and the birthday party is tomorrow! And believe me, no bakery in town makes yellow cake with fluffy chocolate frosting in this town. I checked. And begged. A lot. And the only option was to make the darn thing myself. So as you are all dreaming of fairies sprinkling stardust on your heads, I'll be up to my eyeballs in cake reconstruction 101. And if you somehow are up reading this tonight...please say a little prayer that this cake comes out of the pan clean. Because my options are limited and Honey needs to keep his job to pay for our cool new house and all the art supplies I need! And somehow I just know that his job and the quality of the cake he brings in are somehow tied together! Sigh. I wish I was her:

I bet SHE never ruined a cake.

UPDATE: The cake is done, the world has continued spinning on its axis and I am over my little cake-induced panic attack! Heh Heh! I feel pretty stupid for stressing over a damn cake. But every 2-3 years or so I freak out because I'm not your "traditional housewife" kinda gal. I mean, come on people, I'd rather make art than cake! It's just the way it is. And Honey is very cool with that, too. In fact, during the cake-tastrophy, he kept saying it didn't matter and to just fill in the hole with frosting. But I had it in my mind that I needed to make A PERFECT CAKE a la Martha Stewart. But ya know what? I'm NOT Martha! And I never will be! And I'm ok with that - most of the time! heh heh!

20 Sweetheart Tulips in A Polka Dot Vase!!

2008-02-12T12:16:00.000-08:00

Oh. My. Goodness! Isn't this a beautiful arrangement?! I love tulips SO VERY much! And the polka dot vase would be perfect to put tall paint brushes in after the flowers were gone, wouldn't it?!! It makes me all giddy when I look at it! heh heh! This is what I would want for Valentine's Day this year if I allowed the hubby to do those sorts of things. But I don't because it makes me feel guilty to spend the money so frivilously on myself. Silly? Yes! But that's ok! Because honestly I have everything I need and more, so I have no complaints!

So what I will do instead is make an art piece with this picture and hang it in the art room. That way it will last forever! Pretty clever, eh?! OK, maybe not clever, but hey, the photo makes me happy and happiness my friends, is an important thing in this life!

Happy Heart Day To You!!! <3

Inspired By The Moon & A Beautiful Soul

2008-02-08T22:52:00.000-08:00

This is the second page that I did in the Whimsical Book. The idea was sparked from the previous page done by the Beautiful & Talented SANDEE!(Click her name to see the page). I love this Melissa Etheridge song and the fun figure she used and knew right away I had to play off of those things. So thank you Sandee The Superb for sparking this whimsical and wacky page! It makes me happy to think that it will rest next to your awesome page until the book worms get hungry! ;) wink wink!

Whimsical Thoughs As Small As The World

2008-02-08T22:34:00.000-08:00

This is a spread I did in a wonderful Whimsical themed round robin book. (**SEE 3rd SCAN BELOW for completed L page with 3-D wooden "M".)This was my first time doing a journal-type spread and I think it could become addicting! It's not that I think this piece is so amazing or anything. It's just that it felt so freeing to be able to add images and words all over the page rather than sticking to a "formula". I had no idea if it would work when I started but decided to just give it a try. This is largely (almost completely!) due to the encouraging words of Kathy, the books' owner, who basically said "allow your muse to soar and create what it will". Isn't that incredibly cool?!? I thought so! So thank you Kathy for starting me on a journey I am sure will be very creative and fulfilling! :)

Heath Ledger

2008-01-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

This is such sad news. Twenty-eight years old, very talented and the dad of a two year old little girl and his life is over. Every news station is reporting that it was suicide or an overdose of (illegal) drugs. But I don't think it was. A year ago on Ellen he stated that he was really tired and had a difficult time sleeping. Then he talked about not being able to sleep again in a recent interview. I have to wonder if he possibly had some medical issues that caused the sleeplessness and fatigue and never got them checked into. As many of us know, men can be nearly impossible to get to the doctor. Or maybe he just had chronic insomnia and accidentally took too many sleeping pills in an effort to get to sleep. As someone who has dealt with insomnia a lot, I know far too well how out of it you can get when you are horribly sleepy but cannot rest. And sleeping pills only add to that wonkiness. So it could have been an unintentional overdose of sleeping pills in a desperate attempt to sleep. But suicide? Illegal drugs? That just doesn't feel right to me. He didn't seem like the type. But I didn't know him, so I suppose anything is possible. But I surely enjoyed the talent he shared with the world and will miss him.

Gothic Arch

2008-01-11T05:39:00.000-08:00

This is a gothic arch for a mingle I'm doing in one of my groups. My partner this month is the beautiful SANDEE (I would place a link here, but I, uh, don't know how to do that yet. So see her link in the list to the right). Her colors are earth tones in the theme of birds, nests or eggs. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, so I just decided to sit down and see what came out and this is what happened. I think I kind of like it. heh heh! It is hard to see in the scan, but the green paper has gold threads through it and the three sequins on the back are also gold to match. I used purple fiber on the front and a bit of purple mulberry paper on the back because she loves that color. The asian paper is from my amazing Dia de los Muertos Secret Sister DONNA and was the perfect piece of paper for this project. In fact - it was the first thing I found when I sat down and it became my inspiration! So thank you sweet Donna! I hope Sandee likes what I made. It's my first gothic arch ever and I found the shape very cool to work with!

Happy Birthday Poppie!

2008-01-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS!!

E.B. "Skip" Antonelli

Jan. 7, 1943 - Jan. 5, 2003

Today would have been my poppie's 65th birthday. I imagine he would have been fully ready to retire tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM! heh heh! This picture is how I always see him in my mind - the blue Ben Davis Work Shirt, the smile that is a little uneasy with being in the spotlight (even of a casual photo!) and the littlest bit of a raised eyebrow that reminds you that his next practical joke is just around the corner. He was a great practical joker! He never did anything harmful to folks, because that would have gone against his kind and generous nature. But he did love to pull a fast one on his friends and family! And I've got the rubber snot to prove it! Oh yes, that is the special thing of his that I now have - his prized rubber snot! I was there the day he used it on a family friend and had her running around the front lawn like a crazed chicken desperately searching for tissue! Chuckle! That was a great day! Those who really knew the "real Skip" have their own stories and I hope they bring them as much happiness as my own!

Two days ago on January 5th was the 5th Anniversary of Poppie's death from lung cancer. He was merely 2 days away from turning 60. That's such a "big" birthday and the time when your life changes once again from a worker into (hopefully) a retired and free soul. And no one I know deserved to retire more than my Pops! He worked hard every single day of his life and never had much to show for it materially. But boy oh boy, did he ever touch people's lives! He was a gardener, a nurseryman and worked in the family gardens for over 40 years! He created new strains of tuberous begonias and fuchsias and brought pride to the family name. But more than that he showed kindness, generosity and honesty to those who came in contact with him, and most especially his family. And he did it all while handing them flowers to make their lives just a little more beautiful. How can you beat that legacy? If you are only going to get to live 59 years in this life, there really is no better way to do it!

It's strange, but this year, this anniversary, was so much easier for me than the rest. I'm not sure why exactly because I still miss my Poppie every single day. But now when I think about him, there are more smiles than tears. It is as if the fog of sorrow has lifted from my heart and has been replaced with love and a sense of contentment. It's a good feeling. Especially since I know my Pops wouldn't want anyone to remember him with sadness. He would want us to go out and perform random acts of kindness for others, to bring more plants and flowers into our lives, to enjoy the birds that are chirping in the trees and to once in a while play the perfect, harmless joke on someone you like! So maybe as a birthday present for my pops, you can do one of these things today. I think he would love that! :)

2007-12-30T10:48:00.001-08:00

Modigliani Tree Fairies Below

2007-12-20T00:42:00.000-08:00

The Tree Fairies in the post below were created by request for my dear friend Mija. She will give them to her daughter in her holiday stocking - hopefully! They are leaving a little late because I am S L O W. But I'm hoping the universe will see fit to have them arrive in time for Father Christmas to tuck them inside her stocking with her other treasures. :)

The scans are not very good on these and they do look better in person. They all have a bit of glitter on them as they demanded it while I dressed them. I tried to resist, but fairies are very bossy and almost always get their way. Their names are: Blue Spruce (Blue), Magnolia (White), Madrone (Red), Persimmon (Orange) and Juniper (Green). Each has some connection in color to the trees they live in and protect and they were not named until they were born, which is the proper way of things, I believe.

I hope that Raven and Mija enjoy playing with these silly creatures! It was a pleasure to make them for them both! It was another step towards my re-enchantment with art. Because honestly, how can you quiet your muse when you are covered in glitter?!? It's quite impossible!

Well, now I must package these sweet ladies for their flight to Oregon. Then onward to bed after a warm cup of sleepytime tea. :)

Modigliani Tree Fairies - Round 2

2007-12-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

Witches Work Only With MAGIC!

2007-09-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

The above is a quote from one of my favorite movies "The Witches" with Angelica Houston. It was based on a book by Roald Dahl, one of my favorite authors! :)

Anyways...These witches are tags (front and back) that I created for a fabulous Tag Book Swap hosted by Megan Hull! Yay Megan! I made 5 of each color combination for a total of 20. I used the same design on each one because I really liked it - rare for me these days! heh! The black flowers on the front are a transparency I had made with a vintage image of cotton flowers. I hope the other players enjoy them in their books! They do of course look much better in person!

Modigliani's Tree Fairies

2007-09-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hazel - Green
Laurel - Orange
Myrtle - Purple

I made these for an Art Doll Swap. The legs and arms are from Zetti (http://www.teeshamoore.com/) and the faces are from Modigliani paintings. The colors on the legs and arms were done with watercolor pencils. I thought these turned out fun. :)

A Dream Come True in 2 Weeks....

2007-09-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

4-Letter Words Book Pages

2007-09-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

These were done for a round robin journal with the theme of 4-Letter Words. My word, obviously, was POEM. The poem on the second page was pieced together from phrases and words from a vintage book. The technique is called "found poetry". It's one of my favorite things to do these days.

New Itty Bitty for Christy

2007-09-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

This is the new, and I think improved, 3x3 itty bitty collage for Christy - although the scan isn't that great on my poor, abused scanner! I wanted to do something more spiritual for her, and this comes closer to what was in my mind before. Sometimes I have a difficult time creating the things I see in my head. I have a "feeling" and a "look" and then I don't seem to have the supplies or know how to express it visually. It is frustrating as I so want to grow more as an artist. Perhaps once I get my new studio set up in the new place things will come more easily. It will be easier to find my "stuff", that's for sure!! Until then, I hope you like this one Christy!

The Last of The Itty Bitty's - Kindof!

2007-08-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

These collages are for, from the left: "Faith" for Christy and "Nosey Posey" for Sandee. The reason I say these are done "kindof" is because I'm not completely happy with Christy's collage. This was the 3rd one I did for those colors (orange, pink, turquoise and red) and I don't feel like I have it down yet. I did several other folks collages several times as well! But this particular color combo just isn't coming very naturally to me! So Christy, if you are reading this...DON'T glue this down yet! Because I'm going to try and make you a different one tonight! heh heh!

Itty Bitty Collages Again

2007-08-27T06:56:00.001-07:00

These are Itty Bitty Collages for the following awesome artists, from the top left: "Reunited" for Debby H., "Flower Garden Goddess" for Patricia and "The Queen's Nest" for Christine H.

Itty Bitty Collages

2007-08-23T00:03:00.000-07:00

Here are 7 of the 12 Itty Bitty 3x3 Collages I created for a recent swap:

The big one (fairy) is for Jennifer and called "She Believes". The others, from top to bottom - left to right are:

For Carol - "Love Nest".

For Barb - "Madd Love".

For Rosalie - "Sea Mail".

For Angie - "Ahoy Sailor, Sailor, Sailor, Sailor!".

For Michelle - "Bird Symphony in White".

And For Peggy - "The Painter's Garden".

I had a difficult time creating these - more than I thought I would. Part of it is because my muse threw a hissy fit and quit and I haven't found a replacement yet! Anyone have one for cheap?!? Heh Heh! The other part is because this is a collaborative project - each person will receive 12 of these Itty Bitties and will put them together as one piece of art. I have been petrified that my piece will RUIN their entire work! It's not that I think my work sucks completely. It's just that the other artists, the squares they are creating, are WONDERFUL!

I know! I have issues! I don't think I'll ever be one of those artists who is comfortable or happy with what they create. IE: Don't be looking for my artwork in any magazines or galleries any time soon! heh! The two times I was published nearly caused a nervous breakdown and I decided that was enough for me! I graciously bow out and allow other artists the chance to shine. It's kind of my way in all of my life anyways. It's where I'm most comfortable, really. It is enough that I enjoy the creative process and am at least partially comfortable enough with my work to trade with others.

Well, 5 more to go. I made one for Christy tonight, but REALLY didn't like it. Note to self: Find something else besides gel medium to glue on flat back cristals! So, I'm going to do a different one for her. My zetti for Sandee is nearly done and then just 3 others. :) My goal is to have them completed and in the mail on Saturday.

Through The Eyes of A Child - More Pics

2007-08-16T01:32:00.001-07:00

These are pics of the sweet box the book was sent in and a wacky view of the right open side of the book, with all the cool embellishments sticking out. A sweet little story book donated by Mija was added to the bottom as well. Such an amazing creation you guys made!! THANK YOU!