tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28085788109475507792024-02-06T18:02:44.098-08:00Magic MoleculesTamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-39382179686860314372011-07-04T00:09:00.000-07:002011-07-04T00:18:21.704-07:00Time Flies When You Forget You Have A Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">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! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Another thing I haven't been doing much of is art. But I ALWAYS love to join in the yearly swap of</span> </span><a href="http://bockel24.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Marion Bockelmann</span></a><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">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!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">This year, the theme was MONA AND FRIENDS. We were to take portraits made by Renaissance era artists and do artsy things to</span> <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">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!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMJnKUFJ2vAGITGE7kkGoDSK6T_FejOZaHyHtYZRBS3a4iuA3ijRILQiyBbCC1eqpUyGKGoJffP7ra-6E5cirv5VPM9JUfMYeFqGwHhWhyphenhyphent_oCmLgYN5Qaw5LCnyofnUybjvWEVdDfa4/s1600/A+L.B.D.A+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinMJnKUFJ2vAGITGE7kkGoDSK6T_FejOZaHyHtYZRBS3a4iuA3ijRILQiyBbCC1eqpUyGKGoJffP7ra-6E5cirv5VPM9JUfMYeFqGwHhWhyphenhyphent_oCmLgYN5Qaw5LCnyofnUybjvWEVdDfa4/s320/A+L.B.D.A+4.jpg" width="227" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">This card was inspired by </span><a href="http://www.bridgemanart.com/image/Peeters-Clara-1594-1659/A-vanitas-portrait-of-a-lady-believed-to-be-Clara-Peeters/89bc07b30c2c4ec0bd10a710f3afb936?key=Vanitas&thumb=x150&num=15&page=48"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">"Vanitas" by Clara Peeters</span></a><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">I chose this work because it was by a female artist of the Renaissance period. Not many women were allowed to paint at that time in history, so it feels very significant to me to help elevate these women as a fellow female artist. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyqqa-BXw8oRg5eB3MWBr1IB2qOE12HaJJqQ9OdcFoGyRJ7V9dBESSzoxHMU8Os5k0DqjUuP5Kysmy8z14QG8mJSBSygX4Redp_J9zthURK2DJCc44cpIx1yo3TJT_K-Tq-ZIAaJikQc/s1600/A+L.B.D.A+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyqqa-BXw8oRg5eB3MWBr1IB2qOE12HaJJqQ9OdcFoGyRJ7V9dBESSzoxHMU8Os5k0DqjUuP5Kysmy8z14QG8mJSBSygX4Redp_J9zthURK2DJCc44cpIx1yo3TJT_K-Tq-ZIAaJikQc/s320/A+L.B.D.A+1.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;">This card was inspired by </span><a href="http://www.bridgemanart.com/search.aspx?key=The Chess Game Sofonisba Anguissola&filter=CBPOIHV&sl=gb"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">"The Chess Game" by Sofonisba Anguissola</span></a><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">. <span style="color: #b4a7d6;">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. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNuipCXkuJeLPaJb4B8tdbSj20WdHtS6gXlXN1Rh0z3YxPoXPN73T4FIXW1tn0l8DzDoniqZRzrUG86Ue4YdZ5-dauA_m7LamfF9zomr27TAV0jJ9vqqzmQpBG9fFOGJ3xl2f3f_oPgM/s1600/A+L.B.D.A+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNuipCXkuJeLPaJb4B8tdbSj20WdHtS6gXlXN1Rh0z3YxPoXPN73T4FIXW1tn0l8DzDoniqZRzrUG86Ue4YdZ5-dauA_m7LamfF9zomr27TAV0jJ9vqqzmQpBG9fFOGJ3xl2f3f_oPgM/s320/A+L.B.D.A+3.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Lastly, this card was inspired by the painting</span> </span><a href="http://www.bridgemanart.com/search.aspx?key=St. CAtherine Barbara Longhi&filter=CBPOIHV&sl=gb"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">"St. Catherine" by Barbara Longhi</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">. </span><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">Longhi mostly painted religious works and not much is known about her except she helped her artist father paint alters for the church. </span></span></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-38758033471858776282010-05-12T22:09:00.001-07:002010-05-14T20:33:38.106-07:00Love, Love, Love<span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">This month I joined in a swap by the always delightful </span><a href="http://bockel24.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">MARION BOCKELMANN </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">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:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">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: </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/timssally"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">MINDY MURPHY LACEFIELD </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">and they were sold through </span><a href="http://www.scrapartist.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#66ff99;">www.scrapartist.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;"> 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! </span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470617988310977122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN6UkttYRRSWLUwzs0zX_xAbMuzUaNNbfS1a1AKPl8p1YmWf4Uh142yIDC6utNZnS0yLC9FwenfXmcV5HrooNqjZYiaOuPKiOS7YamS66xlagycTnDrana6VFFYXJAQISVLPbZz9Etgs/s320/Z100+Beatles+1AB.jpg" /> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">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. :)</span></div><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470617981363183826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-2Qz9BL5izgDP_j8xLSeOS-lV5CE9Cqg5Qm5tnKNsEez3OtzwycKwu8X7gfyrU327IL7sGKXWpEcxJFH35Tsp00syJcc3JyBHvSGOgdalP2Jh0iI4ErkUW9WclsiLHx55G9ro1g01E8/s320/Z100+Beatles+2A.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;">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. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOYyHuazJXvtnJ-nRDixDelCXYL9a2ZzE8nlodmdL6r5Md0R2Iszjr52GNpWFxelYsC7qK7LumEIUhvtmUtJTY2SqOI4vzEcD2irvRjPmGF7ALApGCeeaCygq0MWWaXJaNSJBypY0XdY/s1600/Z100+Beatles+3A.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470617974456434194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOYyHuazJXvtnJ-nRDixDelCXYL9a2ZzE8nlodmdL6r5Md0R2Iszjr52GNpWFxelYsC7qK7LumEIUhvtmUtJTY2SqOI4vzEcD2irvRjPmGF7ALApGCeeaCygq0MWWaXJaNSJBypY0XdY/s320/Z100+Beatles+3A.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#66ffff;"> 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. :)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">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 </span><a href="http://caronbc-ramblingrose.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc66cc;">CARONBC</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">. 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:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 335px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470626858043396946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHUsR6pWTBpuVTC3UnTDn2kq7VP0QpsKa791vmE2vvagBnUcCGbhdJ2kuLjv_YOm299hcjQFBIi-7padxx_f8MwWSfBOLVz7Z1vf4DHpgaJjjiKP5RbgDDRocQGXmESlQ25utdH0hWL4/s320/045.JPG" />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 </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/caronbc"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#9999ff;">CREATIONS FROM MOTHER EARTH BY CARON CHESTER</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">. I will surely be adding to my collection when I have some extra fun money! I know you'll find something wonderful there too! :) </span></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-91790621578680347262010-04-04T14:51:00.001-07:002010-04-04T15:08:02.892-07:00Eostre Greetings & Fun Times With Colorful Thread<span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">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! :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456403688957611954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOOgJtGFat3lCMczFu3-cXW-_noDM3Nx3kPOx5zLZ407boRLLjKxe8bQdNeSoUu-kIF8x3eT8XsZBUY7XZ_oGxuSpiya56DA2758OCvxc1Am6nH2CzthSFeS6eKXzqLM3XVck6glLiEM/s320/A1+Embroidery+April+2.jpg" /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">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. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#9999ff;">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! </span>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-5935838437292640962010-03-17T20:58:00.001-07:002010-03-17T21:11:01.983-07:00Stitchery-O-Rama<div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">Hello Kind People!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">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! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">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 </span><a href="http://www.juliesartlife.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#66ffff;">JULIE FILLO</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">! Thanks sweet friend! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449819402462920274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUidwf8AHAzRI3m6egkcd6QbCsSJpNRF8EXeA90NQaBdLAZU_GCskyjrH7cocvm5EtHO42heqXLcLPwUhyphenhyphenlFsy-v0f9Wq36x75REeDT6JjwXsis2lAFrEjcFUmsQBuPqrXWI9LIaqJFg/s320/Embroidery+A2.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">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. :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;"></span> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-70533387307031982842010-03-04T23:26:00.000-08:002010-03-04T23:35:49.274-08:00I'm A Big Fat Cheater!<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445048497615897538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-x94RQ9FuLUDLKKXHrXM4awszw2fvtoFFHTAsoeSR75K81-ULhRhrPgt2HDBoK3xYkW_AIA1GPyAaUsgYi7ep5PpaBTHLaCYWUWwaqpGE09PLLcSf2AQp9RZIuMJ7rJuGCZ25TGqTc/s320/Embroidery+Square+Four.jpg" /></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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! :)</span></p><p> </p>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-85404812440597006132010-03-03T21:52:00.000-08:002010-03-03T21:58:31.900-08:00Back In The Saddle Again<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">After an epic failure of a day yesterday, tonight I got back on the embroidery saddle and did two squares. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444652932366863042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkgA_oFBkp8sz_FWtmPnjKNj9jb_g1Q635TsVSOVpmcOF3H6UO4q-1zObhyphenhyphenQCRQdsg-oO53TbUiVuKuCT3loX7o3EG9y9cHMHbON4qTYcz3kC6oVq_0F_f3wmjDiLDXXbN9Vgg4TmO80/s320/Embroidery+Square+two+and+three.jpg" /></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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! :)</span></p>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-90693441153295909542010-03-02T21:10:00.000-08:002010-03-02T21:17:09.583-08:00Agggghhhhhhhh.....Splat.<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444272051795467074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFwzmScM9KNUyqiRqJi6oWtPhKLu5uHgVCZdrN8HeZLCqGD9HgY5JhgPCR6NYXG5mTfyqqPwC_XmnaJCYpQht2dB7VyuEEO4mkIJ5e_TWm689ZwkN_-Z_n83dJGe7mi68EU3GMn0-gL4/s320/2009_04100104.JPG" /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">Tomorrow is another day, right? That's what Sweet Sally McNally says, anyways. :)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-34267417274427988582010-03-01T18:28:00.000-08:002010-03-01T18:41:49.376-08:00Mean Teachers & An Embroidery Journey<div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">After telling a friend that I wished I knew how to embroider, she suggested I follow along with the </span><a href="http://39squares.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff9966;">39 SQUARES</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"> 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!</span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443860524399327026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL5VCS01uHqlz-GD_KPvvX8uAAf81yiT73knLg7YeglCQ-ampAry5RhvVoT7liRcVArFjgpg5ezBpNCWWRe81gFUbSzUX4RQQOyUsPUvu5Snl7dWkJ7vtxQxO1tLaDdZbbbTUgYAxj9k/s320/2009_08070008.JPG" /></span> <div></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443860515304339538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs2yti6gmn-SxnrP5KolhArpzg24KTraUXygpuFxcL4DVH12QTVTQaGGXZsBvuZ25aWD7VcNQeF6RRbG4RAUehjyxF-r-68DeFH2cvlAQDlIVoA1NMWKOeYqvYxjy2CpSfox9xJcDYa4/s320/2009_08070007.JPG" /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">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! :) </span></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-60490692681899661252010-02-25T14:03:00.000-08:002010-02-26T14:47:19.392-08:00A Bounty of Kindness!<div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">Four years ago, Lisa Swifka of </span><a href="http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccccff;">A WHIMSICAL BOHEMIAN</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"> 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?! </span><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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!):</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">1. The first one was from </span><a href="http://angiehallhaviland.typepad.com/angiesartfulllife/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccffff;">ANGIE HALL HAVILAND</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">. 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: </span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442684919559660402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObz-OFDkOfAAuBmtPCDDhqO6JzAfpRds7-IgUFjFOcAIGeuYZgoGxxACN5VF4VkJi7ey24QLmIQy9vDULmHU_oFq4gWXwmo0oskpooj9Tz4u6euOSShNw8A-rqblZ-UNF_Uw1ulHA6xA/s320/2009_08010001.JPG" /> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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 </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/angiehallhaviland"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ccffff;">ANGIE'S ETSY SHOP</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">. There is always something delightful to buy in there! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">2. The second gift I won was from<span style="color:#99ff99;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.auslorri.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">LORRI LENNOX </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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 </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36848291"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">ETSY SHOP</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">. 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. :) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">3. The third gift I won (I know! Can you believe it?! How lucky am I?!) was from </span><a href="http://backseatwriter.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;">AMY SANDOVA & THE QUEEN OF QUIRKSICAL</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">. From Amy, and the oh so delightful Queen of Quirksical, I won a gift certificate to choose anything I wanted from her </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/quirksical"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc99;">ROYAL ETSY STORE</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">! 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.</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442684935815754914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhWF8CWJD0vTAr-us6t6RQD_ky4YJ8HvtSZF0SGMNgkKzVk3zVVc9yruGEgNLl5jv7Tjv5yUihXppKgklwBNl7n-7Ob3dOXJbNwPzSFQTpN3o4jf3jx9hdKMhnF5-qR5KbsQO-5kyxQw/s320/2009_08010002.JPG" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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. :) </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">And this amazing turquoise necklace is going to my Aunt Dian in Texas.</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442684951723915186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Wl1FVuv4Sms2aoixYr5MUGuY5a-zuWAv8JhOtwS48ogNIfPdqlNDNVl61H0R44YB5jCdQivvGFhThZ2u4vzMxO8Wp8ibXlBqKrKUKiEubDfx7JygZaw6rq6TKRjrzTsAClzf7Gimhk/s320/2009_08010003.JPG" /> <div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">4. The FOURTH prize I won (I'm actually kinda embarrased to have won so much!!) was from the very talented<span style="color:#ff6666;"> </span></span><a href="http://gabrielleinspiration.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">GABRIELLE MADSEN</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"> of Canada. I won these amazing photo cards and a beautiful tag too:</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442684965878415506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowYlD3Y6QGXJKqwl1Sd4hKro_o0blPwrXX8nM7gfQsJnPK7F4C07L2imER9tvLWIDV7Vj5njlEILYbjelQYGGOCczB3_iJWMxshCykGfz5qAtyyWiUdyKtMy5YigqnLZtjlAMIeJxVUc/s320/2009_08010004.JPG" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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<span style="color:#ff0000;"> </span></span><a href="http://caronbc-ramblingrose.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">CARON BC</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">! 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!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">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</span> </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div> </div></div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-38427868417519097372010-01-31T00:42:00.000-08:002010-02-03T22:20:15.661-08:00A Project of Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5I0VfKChSImaHf8OTQMeixNob2VtJ4y8IF58PKzw2lq6Zz3elef-KPQyO3ydJVWbxxpxYfEenaHBJyKo7UcO-xsD4sXJAObTNwFOSgokm7hmkfHIch2HtI-osjD9stSGI2tCBEI8Uo/s1600-h/6a00e5508bbfe2883300e554c42a828834.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 100px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432843165168141522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5I0VfKChSImaHf8OTQMeixNob2VtJ4y8IF58PKzw2lq6Zz3elef-KPQyO3ydJVWbxxpxYfEenaHBJyKo7UcO-xsD4sXJAObTNwFOSgokm7hmkfHIch2HtI-osjD9stSGI2tCBEI8Uo/s320/6a00e5508bbfe2883300e554c42a828834.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">PS:</span> 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! :)</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></strong> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>On Wednesday January 26th at 10:35PM my artsy friend<span style="color:#ff6666;"><a href="http://www.caringforkelli.com/"><span style="color:#ff6666;"> </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Kelli</span><span style="color:#ff6666;"> Schwert</span> </span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(click on her name to visit her page)</span> </span>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!</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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. </strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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!</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><em>The Project</em>:</span> 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! </span></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><em>What to Make</em>:</span> 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. </span></strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Due Date:</span> 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. </span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ffcccc;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><em>About Kelli</em>:</span> These are just a few of the things Kelli enjoyed:</span></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><ul><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>Beads of all sorts, shapes and colors. She loved to make beads too with wonderful designs and colors.</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>The Summer and the beach. She really disliked winter.</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>Her favorite book was To Kill A Mockingbird</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>She loved camp songs and making up silly songs about her beloved cats.</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>She believed in God and in her own words said: "God is Love. Jesus would have never bombed any country, ever."</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>Humor and laughter of all sorts. However, she did not like clowns!</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>The song Fix You by Coldplay always made her cry</strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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. </strong></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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). </strong></span></li></ul><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>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! </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><strong>Please do not hesitate to ask me questions! Much Love, Tamara</strong></span></p>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-58168984697580653312009-11-09T20:16:00.001-08:002009-11-09T20:46:28.464-08:00In Support of Fellow Artists<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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 </span><a href="http://www.kcwillis.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">LIPSTICK RANCH</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"> (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 </span><a href="http://www.marketingmindset.ning.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ccff;">NING SITE</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"> (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! </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402330725437487938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElae1TPurkGU9AkuaoV8niMnw4Gl_22AbJJyRHSGPlsSwgLBCSrLI1QC0HL6tMCa7K1P2YIYxaWUNEQLDoF0bhfDk-tMPfX_SK__4DOlP-n2ZZVrZM8jtjWuzzteYNWcGsvwJzFksywg/s320/flag.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">FLAG by K.C. Willis<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-48649144970616749412009-10-06T21:40:00.000-07:002009-10-06T22:10:49.328-07:00October Musings<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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!</span></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389718759994974562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5a6lLC_1hS4dEJc-Omy06z2faYAskE_CaU7QVrChBjg24bbm8CDS1nHVqskK5b8kXgkjeuXurfrjot5NfBcfnoQinmvG5vdmBexnL6uGlBi_4Md4A7Yjw1BxgpN2DageQ1q8Nn8fxMQ/s320/ZZZJenn+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389718776052526210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6PWb8nyG4hiOpSgZJ6H_DpCJ1QE0Y2aTJLKjWgf984HxwAL0PUwNfEGKTuQsfZ-w4tN1dDvpflJlgpfFyRNRzPqXV1Qm7tcRdAOF1PEuD5cnmERYdRSI6Y4uc0e5jE-sITMibMjXVpk/s320/ZZZJenn+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-34754263255443031402009-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:002009-09-07T00:39:00.199-07:00Playing Around<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-m0DwCXr0ByE6c6FnGR6l_Tg6R8mWNJo-Mu4qCwaiC6Jn3oLZgbAW92IszZNR2s_iC6Dk7FruS6CRWTDjQn2s-BLwtFR345l3vZQ6vjKbAZLurva45ej0AgEpRcSGdGAczXmoS4Maj4/s1600-h/Life+Imagined.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378626709106642978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-m0DwCXr0ByE6c6FnGR6l_Tg6R8mWNJo-Mu4qCwaiC6Jn3oLZgbAW92IszZNR2s_iC6Dk7FruS6CRWTDjQn2s-BLwtFR345l3vZQ6vjKbAZLurva45ej0AgEpRcSGdGAczXmoS4Maj4/s320/Life+Imagined.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-45879127881256489202009-09-03T08:45:00.000-07:002009-09-03T08:58:58.814-07:00Oh Yes, Another Giveaway On A Cool Blog!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffcc;">Do you like this wonderfully amazing artistic dollie?<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm3OTSXt6SawMRafK3WPkmMeTZrooVwHsOaroOEez8Ys9jzxX5GMC1wShZCz0KP3Mnh-mu9TFnUfh1WsCB6tewMTB7KOhtICGq9US4f_1Zi-pcx9XaD8O9iH2augk-rHvOEDHVppr5H8/s1600-h/circoblanco.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377268542806612610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm3OTSXt6SawMRafK3WPkmMeTZrooVwHsOaroOEez8Ys9jzxX5GMC1wShZCz0KP3Mnh-mu9TFnUfh1WsCB6tewMTB7KOhtICGq9US4f_1Zi-pcx9XaD8O9iH2augk-rHvOEDHVppr5H8/s320/circoblanco.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">How about these uber-cool Patterns to create your own artsy quilts?<br /></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377268551695203474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_LhaAB_iAyZvmVlOlIWDlXxuZKYYwKlwxcP-G7jGO7OvrKbVAeGzAS1bXfArYcMtuhxFPoQUJmnmlTDl-2UJxZgwFbAw_GwUVBJGiZomUGBjOSCaOWMMYuFLeThj0dVbDX4wNd_42No/s320/circopattern+group.png" border="0" />NO? Oh, well, so sorry to bother you! Never mind! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;">Oh, all right. I'll tell you. Dylan and Jo are having a giveaway!!!!! You know, they are those remarkable folks at </span><a href="http://thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">CART BEFORE THE HORSE</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"> 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! </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#99ff99;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">PS</span>: I <span style="color:#ffffcc;">SWEAR</span> that I didn't use the light green/<span style="color:#ff0000;">red</span>/<span style="color:#ffffcc;">white</span> 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!)</p></span>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-80373123847419870092009-08-23T15:03:00.000-07:002009-08-23T15:14:54.555-07:00A Wonderful Giveaway!<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">Hurry, Hurry, the mice are scurrying away as you read! Rush over to </span><a href="http://kingofmicestudios.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">KING OF MICE</span> <span style="color:#ff6600;">STUDIO</span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"> and enter Carolee's drawing to win this fantastically delightful little box! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373285613343011058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvSZBEkPG28911atkSWM5SH9zlFiZ-rvCf5LvQ_Iz-mvlIJUdtsKgTBRg8_RjU-r2HB3M6fXpi0KEXDZ5htUXsvHqk5kHM3rYpVzn1rxmGi_hn6qlyuYFQ-LgLxDwE9Wu3bGz59nNS6Y/s320/giveawaybox.jpg" border="0" /></span> <div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">Quit nibbling on your cheese and run away now! The drawing starts MONDAY at 9:00 PM Eastern Time! Go! Go!</span><br /></span><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-63545319172593177622009-08-18T16:46:00.001-07:002009-08-18T16:47:41.281-07:00Sometimes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBXUGLssd38it36dCqWu1GC5I3Yes5shZL3avHBwOxAys_vX3xTkrlxps2jL2FFR6vtdhEjQ4dYuJovac39_3mjWWbqk3cHfPzt4jYtEJH0Kdp0ej09omkXixPYN41P3lNq_Xm6UqQTU/s1600-h/Overflowing+Ghosts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371454613459935778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBXUGLssd38it36dCqWu1GC5I3Yes5shZL3avHBwOxAys_vX3xTkrlxps2jL2FFR6vtdhEjQ4dYuJovac39_3mjWWbqk3cHfPzt4jYtEJH0Kdp0ej09omkXixPYN41P3lNq_Xm6UqQTU/s320/Overflowing+Ghosts.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-54030674182277741042009-08-06T17:07:00.000-07:002009-08-06T17:21:37.082-07:00Zettirific ATCs!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">This last month I joined a Zetti ATC Swap hosted by the super talented <span style="color:#33ccff;"><a href="http://bockel24.blogspot.com/">MARION B</a></span>. 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. </span><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxojZvBUlaNneAT4fwdsnENGQLiWKCmzzfS-Fq2oJ5wojN9z659q0DOrCj1nypAlu-9R1oFKX4XLBrI3d2UYkY1MXlEtH6RtKW5La3hyhP0tJwz2NmvJfBK-EJJzI16h5wg6W7C200N0/s1600-h/zetti+atc+tulips.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367007400135946594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxojZvBUlaNneAT4fwdsnENGQLiWKCmzzfS-Fq2oJ5wojN9z659q0DOrCj1nypAlu-9R1oFKX4XLBrI3d2UYkY1MXlEtH6RtKW5La3hyhP0tJwz2NmvJfBK-EJJzI16h5wg6W7C200N0/s320/zetti+atc+tulips.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367009105006327010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzM96TM11wt9_Yo7_bDwKrkm0o6Gr3JM6HUERmHNTREHrqT6Z-axyr_Tj0aAaihSlE2t7rwLVB7MgMUvCnG_-64_vk-uzVgnHrpLnnlE6lgYsALmujlRItCiGK7-EtOBYA1USW7vwbJZU/s320/Zetti+ATC+Background+1.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PXwMb6iHJaZVxjCtpdX2-9MqhIIP1bBwKNanafGKajGqWwGN19PFRlaL6SFl8FCiKJBdQeOyX4tAA-lW6y9SM9LzVQQ_o_na-QA1pjKy0fIIM5x6b8gdKVBQMNqR1AWiL9N6HxvVzA4/s1600-h/Zetti+ATC+EAT+CAKE.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367007392996829282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PXwMb6iHJaZVxjCtpdX2-9MqhIIP1bBwKNanafGKajGqWwGN19PFRlaL6SFl8FCiKJBdQeOyX4tAA-lW6y9SM9LzVQQ_o_na-QA1pjKy0fIIM5x6b8gdKVBQMNqR1AWiL9N6HxvVzA4/s320/Zetti+ATC+EAT+CAKE.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcccc;">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! :)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367007405625820594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E_HlSdclQyS6BTGzMuqfPqjjbpC3phLAXznRkOOpd-6c-xDKyH2ieUKcBY6AQM49hMQZj3xCbcBLArZBWJ2f1T_ClEv-NVpkFnHTEEUzL4MVz4i2CfKkWkLqGS24kh7AWWQGw1L1hnM/s320/Zetti+ATC+SWEET.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div></div></div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-45524219181061853232009-07-26T18:28:00.000-07:002009-07-26T19:13:06.954-07:00An Amazing Artist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7lGNY_-SK0oaR-bLaxY6uBHflrgTsyTq_KTDw0oJ7oMmSrBLFBbLecVGv4O7XhbzUazPqJCnMDPycV6_nB1pHr-Uwfh1O4SQT1Hhej31k6SoTT6sDsPEbjGoZ3X70Hc9XxvTCqmVmmQ/s1600-h/Julie+Fillo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362946273408450322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7lGNY_-SK0oaR-bLaxY6uBHflrgTsyTq_KTDw0oJ7oMmSrBLFBbLecVGv4O7XhbzUazPqJCnMDPycV6_nB1pHr-Uwfh1O4SQT1Hhej31k6SoTT6sDsPEbjGoZ3X70Hc9XxvTCqmVmmQ/s320/Julie+Fillo.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#00cccc;"> This is a painting by </span><a href="http://juliesartlife.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;">JULIE FILLO </span></a><span style="color:#00cccc;">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! </span><br /><div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-55336103455841128222009-07-11T10:14:00.000-07:002009-07-11T10:17:57.322-07:00Works In Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvethKAWgGPZRMAaWVlg9Hkgv_stPr7l1_op-8k-NrD5E36ZiK53hSheG-gaEWd1KHLj4m2LhwdRKUdcz9wrfQ7LQi8wAcUs-1e16Sn839gOXXgri-4UDEB8UdHmlU5L9JiITOSvGT9g/s1600-h/A+Chair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357252982541501266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvethKAWgGPZRMAaWVlg9Hkgv_stPr7l1_op-8k-NrD5E36ZiK53hSheG-gaEWd1KHLj4m2LhwdRKUdcz9wrfQ7LQi8wAcUs-1e16Sn839gOXXgri-4UDEB8UdHmlU5L9JiITOSvGT9g/s320/A+Chair.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNyxs-RTIQJmbk8NoOYrLpKKfmzymLY1_0wRNk9SHwFXSRT5tY-tyh8Z59wzqKaDd1Bb5KrtCI2YD7Rzi3igftJeLNTJcaryr4ZbYy9o4wEKpLDjDKikWHWHZq8D9APlPTtT4Ns5Gtng/s1600-h/A+Common+Rave.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357252981262215042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 247px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNyxs-RTIQJmbk8NoOYrLpKKfmzymLY1_0wRNk9SHwFXSRT5tY-tyh8Z59wzqKaDd1Bb5KrtCI2YD7Rzi3igftJeLNTJcaryr4ZbYy9o4wEKpLDjDKikWHWHZq8D9APlPTtT4Ns5Gtng/s320/A+Common+Rave.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">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! :)</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;"></span></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-88610424380960502562009-06-22T15:57:00.001-07:002009-06-22T16:15:51.821-07:00Roundish Art<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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!).<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV-doSf4Mnh69xm4odj8PI7iEwN47h046fvAYRTU7JozLbAqriAD9eeLda7I-3qhndKEl_CzXwZYEuqB1cqDfJ_fNGZRA1rtnyE4GagexXi7JPBQJ5fIpiQhZgMEzl6OMvWPGSbj5oKQ/s1600-h/ZZ+100+Megan+Redux.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350290272201612690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV-doSf4Mnh69xm4odj8PI7iEwN47h046fvAYRTU7JozLbAqriAD9eeLda7I-3qhndKEl_CzXwZYEuqB1cqDfJ_fNGZRA1rtnyE4GagexXi7JPBQJ5fIpiQhZgMEzl6OMvWPGSbj5oKQ/s320/ZZ+100+Megan+Redux.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350290276084042434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UzomeDBNSknxJJdHikhcCIHBzIL_sJTrqSzCJ4FcC41MsTOHSz8KXoVPgizUspIt2zFenSncO1evBD9uWWccn_zmyeXHIDxaj8k7je1IFBvVaJt1L3kRkba4Is4LsqKQ1T3wworWmvg/s320/ZZ+100+Megan+Redux+Back.jpg" border="0" />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! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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. </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;">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...!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6666;"> </p><br /><br /></span>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-59755992339640868632009-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:002009-06-15T17:05:37.150-07:00Just Stuff<span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;">A digital journal entry on my comment-less last post:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347709157434733538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaG7cClboos1EdX_08i7hPItFliJ_KYEcqn9gVjGZId-D-kSfHz3XGTiyjlw6USYK0Ti38pk8KPJWApq719OjGuQ-NadPvCiYLh6qt1-fjxnD95gdcvjZnYC4X4Cx1TtWWOP5S2M0EH1w/s320/Journal+SAD+CLOWN.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="color:#ffccff;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> New Christmas pages for Martha's book:</span><br /></span><div><div><span style="color:#ffccff;"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347709162164939058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzbAnXXRZq33dyFrbWHITLTXq4fIkqRLPoMag7K52fitydZJcK5HgNVWuXfPPcuE6_HuVbw64eQj7YjnOWcksBMIh7UUQYHXxc2rZwWr0gAYvWvZ7mhCBGypnYW4om8K0MxcL7SQk594/s320/Z+Martha+Left+Side+Final.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347709171859358706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxadEWkNc2VYF-i6m3w-Ur5L0F_-r5V48JTAVmv-3D6G4pO7lQMJfal3F8hg27F_klrsA8O4WLOnB7dgPJ1Tlqhrwg3aiwhjP-QwFUfnQOVVUBiP7EcfZbISbHloWk0ZndCnJmWWXK1A4/s320/Z+Martha+Right+Side+Final.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-85802431117844260762009-06-11T08:21:00.000-07:002009-06-11T11:38:30.467-07:00My Own Words Fail Me<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ccffff;">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:</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffffff;">"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."<br /></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346092187502430738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 84px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqX_jYVtzx2ITZjjDwuKBeQ7YXNrcK7w3Dplj9cSHwOoHfrGb_Pf0Iv3YmPAu6Yk6B_XusXSAsMNyE-awRZw2rUh2_39zsBWGuLc3io7xLUbshwBH8RisyroWuWmNRRlCuPwQxwFX4MI/s320/AA100+Coexist.gif" border="0" /><br /><p> </p><p> </p>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-60384245384774802022009-05-30T01:04:00.000-07:002009-05-30T01:34:08.272-07:00Inspiration Touches My Soul<div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;">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.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;">This is the piece I created (with digital elements) after finishing a book tonight:</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"></span> </div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341527596312419666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO06uyXBD1Mc7khk30rpEu9EUhxkHj0n-0L3trDMEYu0UUVM1X3keM_iygjRaQqF558VZeA56vdr3yPO9p9T4q59xFBeyHVm5I9XdplNbk-x5MPtTfoSSyM5QL0txlDHQB571Vm5mnyT4/s320/Forgotten+Flight.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;">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! :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffccff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341527599870360034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYPdLsa5ADq02By3srjxbpF0G8i_X24LqjgEdnEXJnSgJ-zUwS2OT79dgU6JWw0T8mg1hYOBZ9gIgHSXoXPIqopnQ02tzxhlESecYZY6SBig10L3mXmHAlhJLyHDjdicOnR3Hz2lQD_4/s320/OFF+SEASON.jpg" border="0" />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.</span><br /><div></div><div> </div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-77492558346916084322009-05-25T01:29:00.000-07:002009-05-25T16:35:56.746-07:00Sweet Kitties & A Link To A Giveaway<span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">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! :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">There is a giveaway on </span><a href="http://deenasstory.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"><span style="color:#33ccff;">DEENA'S BLO</span><span style="color:#33ccff;">G</span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">. It is for this sweet print on a wood background:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339677115099259202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38Q7c1PDCu1n5y9reWwk_RQEA9dgW2RH1we4uZE-yOGkMDyzG3QhMPcPJ99AVlNRSGb7dyuMl5RBSuHIobNQ0ZWT-_D9avbNkFqc4rzDR7XAb0JTMgJVNtukC5CW7JvaRUBhaKNrhdgc/s320/100_7013.JPG" border="0" />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! </span></p><p><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Now, go have a beautiful week!</span><br /></span></p>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808578810947550779.post-19483414993456369672009-05-21T21:09:00.000-07:002009-05-22T23:42:55.355-07:00UPDATED: He's On The Mend!<span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">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! :)</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338496212905103842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJajIGRcS8ib9X13WzTS8-Nn84hkXpt_vT7f_noSYjLd12MQkt0JXTsKqo2aM3-_JDDe6el3JjtB5OxghmiJjCqZJ-PDadtCFLsxc8HEI7yWt8c0SEvkKN1RDwX0qlhqwXZwgdUKYEC0/s320/2003_0820_203756AA.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">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!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338496214238464850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIpRF0M0pIm0aiXYCRVclWTXff8bW0ciLHkzLYpyBSafdUJdtJm7djKj1pGJA0EpM6tpvN6sQ1gpVJGxKnvpV5RaPpREfInqRPmfJ6vi55_QgxZKP-YS7sM39eajE3IprvsXbwp3juZA/s320/2003_0926_212445AA.JPG" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">A classic "Gabby Pose" - stretched out at the end of the bed! </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOCCiq3TxdnZvRNx-GqnH8V4bFzw_ahnAtOwAK37M_YEbh866B8rEO8zXj0yiUpMrqTDroCBlDlqg13dhL-BGADKSqUZIOxNY7y2qG5gm50rqCqHueVy_AOkuCoh5KEqvMHur-rGnXfg/s1600-h/AAA+003.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338496216520472210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOCCiq3TxdnZvRNx-GqnH8V4bFzw_ahnAtOwAK37M_YEbh866B8rEO8zXj0yiUpMrqTDroCBlDlqg13dhL-BGADKSqUZIOxNY7y2qG5gm50rqCqHueVy_AOkuCoh5KEqvMHur-rGnXfg/s320/AAA+003.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">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?!"<br /><br /></span><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhx9f7BLWKiNrI33hl5FEBkMmioncgAbVzIkMvoKT-8iqylts7dG33nJpcKNh8UU6_pWKj6ZLBrLuDiz5GOcP_yjY6cf1A48mVweTBT9EQPvP_TP1IGyVkVpLlfPKyz_fSzQZXAZc22Y/s1600-h/AAA+004.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338496223329217522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhx9f7BLWKiNrI33hl5FEBkMmioncgAbVzIkMvoKT-8iqylts7dG33nJpcKNh8UU6_pWKj6ZLBrLuDiz5GOcP_yjY6cf1A48mVweTBT9EQPvP_TP1IGyVkVpLlfPKyz_fSzQZXAZc22Y/s320/AAA+004.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"> 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">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! </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">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!! :)</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Going to bed early now, so I can be ready to deal with whatever comes tomorrow. The last 2 days have been exhausting.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tamara Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04386285870610346452noreply@blogger.com2