follow your bliss

in with the new; out with the old

2007-01-07T15:04:00.000-06:00

it's done. i've switched over to wordpress because i can no longer deal with the eccentrities of old blogger! so if you're game (& i hope that you are!) pls. check out my new digs over here. it's the same little ol' me, just different address is all...see ya there! the old blog will remain to redirect y'all to my new digs...c'mon over...i can't wait to have you stop by! ta-ta blogger!

beloved, touched & blessed

2007-01-06T08:48:00.000-06:00

that is how i feel at this moment in time... when i started this blogging journey nearly a year ago, never in my wildest imagination would i ever dream that i'd come to regard many of you as such dear friends, blog sistas, & kindred spirits! & for as long as i can remember, i've always found such great joy in making & giving things away to those i care for & appreciate. & when i send my little tokens of affection, i do not expect anything in return. it just makes me happy knowing that i sent some goodies someone's way, sharing the creative wealth & good cheer>>> hopefully bringing a smile to someone's face. that's just how i rolls...& my dh tells me never to change that about myself! but when i receive unexpected gifts, like i had yesterday, i am rendered speechless & utterly surprised because i do not expect anything. when i received not one but two packages in yesterday's mail, my heart was (& still is) bursting with gratitude & joy...i cannot believe the overflowing generosity & love i felt from these packages... dear pauline sent me this incredible box of wonderful goodies>>>i am astounded by how beautifully packaged everything was (i didn't want to undo the pretty wrappings) & the incredible amount of stuff she put in there>>>it seemed never ending! she sent me two lovely books, which i have already read! (i am a speed reader & they were such tender tear-jerkers!)...pauline, i *heart* you & everything that you sent me! i will treasure everything that you have so lovingly sent me! & then dear corey lavished me with antique french papers, ribbons, lace, postcards, music sheet scraps from her extensive personal collection...i was actually going to BUY this set from her wicked cool french flea market shop (which btw, y'all NEED to check out because she has a FANTABULOUS collection of FRENCH vintage GOODIES for sale!)...i am feeling rather SPOILT by corey!!!!!! MILLE MERCI BEAUCOUPs corey!!!!!!!!!!!! i amazed how much stuff i kept pulling out of that deceptively small packet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i *heart* you & for sharing so generously some of your fabulous collection! yes, today i am feeling very much beloved, touched & blessed. thank you blog world for connecting me to such lovely & generous spirits! i'll end this post with a s.w.a.k.

studio friday

2007-01-05T08:42:00.000-06:00

this week's topic for studio friday is suggested by susan: CHANGING NAMES... "I've been reading Twyla Tharp's book The Creative Habit and here's an idea from her book - " the ancient masters of Japanese art were allowed to change their name once in their lifetime. They had to be very selective about the moment in their career when they did so. They would stick with their given name until they felt they had become the artist they aspired to; at that point, they were allowed to change their name. For the rest of their life, they would work under the new name at the height of their powers." So let's presume we are at the height of our careers - what name would you choose and why? " ~ Susan ***

this was a head scratcher for me. never given much thought about wanting to change my name, other than my surname when i was getting married...i looked up my name, mary ann, & it comes from the latin marianna, which means "beloved". i like that actually. it suits me...but i do want to play in sf this week...i've been mia for sometime from this group. so i surfed the net to see what i would change my name to. & this is what struck my fancy>>>kimimela akua>>>it is african for "butterfly born on wednesday"... butterflies are a favorite motif of mine & they also signify metamorphasis, don't they? & while perusing the aisles of an antique mall a few weeks ago, i remembered finding a vintage calendar & it was of the year i was born...just for kicks, i looked up my birthday in this old calendar & saw that i was born on a wednesday. & then i found those african names>>>too cool, huh? now, don't ask me how to pronounce my new name...your guess is as good as mine!

friday's finds

2007-01-05T07:55:00.000-06:00

happy friday & 11th day of christmas! since i've been feeling cruddy this past week (blasted sinus infection!), i haven't done any offline shopping. but i did do some on-line shopping during school break & purchased those wicked cool arty books (wow, TONS of drooling on my part!) that i wrote about in the last post below & also these cool stamps & cd from stamp diva, which are my finds for this week's friday's finds. my weekend starts today & so i hope that i can come up with something creative with these new finds>>> like getting started on my valentine atcs for the flickr swap i'm hosting! my dear blog sista, jude, has already started working on hers & even posted a pic of one of her creations on flickr! yikes, i better get crack-a-lacking!

a trying day

2007-01-03T19:19:00.000-06:00

i dreaded going back to school this morning after having been off since 12/15! how rude to be jarred awake by the @$#%& alarm clock!!! & i still was feeling crappy...the thought did cross my mind to call the school & say i was not feeling well (which was true!) but then i realized i would have to make up the missed day on one of my days off....uh, i chose to suck it up & drag my butt to the school. it wasn't too bad until i came across this kiddo i'll call "t". man! he was not a happy camper!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he just about threw a HUGE hissy fit for a solid 10 minutes about how he was not coming with me to do therapy. i was gonna cut my losses & walk away...but the classroom teacher basically bargained with him & made him go. i'm not one to force anyone into therapy...that's not my style...but still, i remained calm, saying nothing as he sobbed hysterically walking to my therapy room. i kept thinking, how incredibly sad to see this little guy so stressed out & how hard it was for him to transition from one activity to the next. he eventually cooled off & we had our session. even before school vacation, t almost always reacted this way when it was time to go for speech therapy...after his shrieking, he eventually settles down & we, believe it or not, end up having good sessions...i almost half expect the terrible scene each & every time i come for the little guy, but today, it really took a lot outta me to deal with him...y'know, weather out his storm... i don't know, but he is much too young to be so troubled...so much tension & anxiety in this young boy... yet such is the life of a child with autism>>>when it rains, it really pours! i've been reading up on how to recognize & diffuse/divert potential "neurological storms" (as one book called them), like remaining calm & being non-punitive are recommended strategies. makes me wonder how he functions at home? how his family deals with his meltdowns & fits? it was disheartening to learn from some teachers about his rather chaotic home life...i saw t later in the day & he was having yet another meltdown in the classroom...he just was not having a good day being back after being off for so long. thankfully my other students were more accepting to be back in school! i wasn't feeling 100 percent today at school & having had to deal with t's meltdown kinda drained my energy for the rest of the day>>> i was never so glad to go home when the school bell rang! i was invited to dinner by a couple of pals but i was not feeling up to much of anything...i was SPENT...i had to decline the kind invitation, which i felt bad, but i desperately wanted to go home & lie down! wasn't i pleasantly surprised to find these lovelies in the mail?! i had ordered these books during break & here they are...my drained spirit started to lift... i can't wait to devour every last page of these books, which i have been coveting for some time now...i know, it's a huge splurge...but i work hard for these simple pleasures! ahhh, i can't wait to get my hands on them as i soak in a hot, soothing tub. sometimes it's necessary to unwind & feed the soul especially after a trying day.

not bad for a gal who's under the weather...

2007-01-02T15:50:00.000-06:00

hi all! not feeling the best today, but as i laid in bed (re)reading this past summer issue of somerset studio>>>i found this article by danielle of the vintage dragonfly of her wicked cute jar fairies that i thought i'd give it go. just the other day i found a plain old leaded glass lantern & i got inspired! i thought of just the perfect piece that would fit inside & stuck one of my collage pieces i did a while ago for wednesday stamper...then added a few other doodads & what- nots...et voila! my very own altered lantern...this was wicked fun to make {& addictive too, lol}! i definitely will make more of these...but i think this is enough creative excitement for this tired gal...back for a lie down...but i do plan on making more of these lovelies...just when i feel more energetic! {wink}.

my new digicam & a look back...

2007-01-01T12:36:00.000-06:00

i am sooooooooooooo excited to have my new digicam! GONE are the days of trekking to the super-walmart & getting those one-hr photo cds made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yipee-i-ay!!!! i can upload pics to my computer, sha-zammmm! i've spent the weekend acquainting myself with my new toy & all its lovely features. & i think i've got the basic grasp...this is an upgrade from my old nikon cam & i'm lovin' the sleekness & tiny-ness of it all & the wicked cute pink & brown cam case>>> just darlin'! i finally was able to take snaps of these lovely prezzies i got just the day after christmas from a dear flickr pal, monica...she made this lovely tree ornie with such loving details... & she sent me this beautiful emu ornie...i was amazed that it did not get damaged in the post because it is rather fragile... i was so surprised & elated to receive these wonderful package from her>>>thank you so much monica! i'm quite touched by your gifts & i will treasure them always {smile}.

*** i got this idea from blog pal weirdbunny (thanks julia!)>>> she got this idea from a pal of hers in which you go into your archives & write the 1st sentence of each month's post of 2006. so i thought i'd give it a whirl (pls. note that i started my blogging journey last february):

***

februrary '06: a dear friend of mine told me about her blog & how much she enjoys it. march '06: how much longer do i have to hang on? april '06: he who lives without folly isn't so wise as he thinks ~~francois duc de la rochefoucald. may '06: my dear friend annie is in town & i can't wait to spend my day off tomorrow with her! june '06: the pocketbook i fashioned out of a plain wooden box with handle, which i found in the clearance aisle at wal-mart... july '06: this season i will...is the topic for this week's mmm. august '06: snaps we took of our weekend visiting the fam in chi-town. september '06: fun vintage stuff i found at that estate sale i had gone to with angie wangie in st. louie. october '06: hi blog sistas & friends! november '06: all day today at school, i kept wishing that the day would hurry up! december '06: this week's topic for studio friday is what's your favorite color combination?

***

it may not look like much, but believe me, these are but a fraction of what each month contained for the past year (561 posts, to be exact!)...which brings me to the topic of switching...well, i've looked into wordpress & i'm very tempted to switch over because i do actually like the looks of the pages there...but i've a bit of a prob, you see. wordpress, i'm told, is "static" & won't take movable side widgets, such as flickr & neocounter...two things i've become accustomed to seeing on my current blog...& if i switch over to wp, then i wouldn't be able to have either one in my new sidebar. which i'm not sure whether or not i could live without yet... so at the moment, i'll be staying put a little while longer.darn it all tho! i so was looking forward to a new look...{sigh}. but at least i have a gleaming new digicam!

ringing in 2007

2007-01-01T00:22:00.000-06:00

reflection

2006-12-31T19:01:00.000-06:00

just a few hours left & 2006 will be history...new year's eve seems to put people in a pensive mood. i reflect on the past year & also what i hope to accomplish in the new year. HOPE is the key word here as so much of our future dreams, plans, goals, etc. are built on this. for me, HOPE helps ease me into the new year... as i look back, it's been an awfully eventful year, especially when i discovered blogging! & when i started creating art again after such a long absence...i also struck out on my own, left my draining hospital job & went into private practice as well as opened an etsy shop. along the way, i met some incredibly amazing & talented folks, both in bloggyland & off-line, gone on a few trips with dh & by myself, spent time with family, participated in various swaps>>>i could go on & on, but i won't bore you with all the minutiae. let's suffice it to say that it's been an eventful year...my blog helped greatly to document many of these events & i'm glad that i can look back into my archives to help my brain cells recall... for the new year, i hope to continue my creative endeavors & go on as many adventures (like to maine with the dh) with even more fervor & passion than ever before! & like this past year, my blog (& i'm still debating whether or not to switch over to another site) will continue to document my thoughts, art, musings, glimpses into my life in cheeseland. yes, there's alot to be hopeful in the new year...let's toast to a very healthy, happy & creative 2007!

friday's finds

2006-12-29T07:18:00.000-06:00

after christmas, i decided i wanted to avoid the craziness at the usual big box stores (after black friday last thanksgiving, i'm still a bit shell-shocked from the red-eyed crowds). & i also wanted to search out unique holiday/seasonal items (at what else? bargain prices *smile*) to include in my winter collection. so i went to 2 local shops (one posh place>>>oooh-la-la, filled with french & romantic inspired home goods & cranberry moon, another antique-y, vintage shop)...& look! i found more of those vintage snowmen/people that i have admired from afar but now able to scoop up, thanks to after xmas sales... plus, it's so much nicer to support small, local businesses...i really do try to support local & indie businesses when i can. i used to do more of that when i lived in maine (because the nearest big box stores/mega malls were an hour's drive away)... ever since a colleague of mine gave me a snowman figure for christmas many moons ago, i've collected snowmen of all shapes, sizes & media... snowmen are just so darn convenient (& not too mention cute) for home decorating because i can set them out all winter long...not only just at christmastime. but over the past couple of years, i've become a bit more discriminating & now only look for vintage-inspired ones such as what i've found for this week's friday's finds. about the same time when my search for these vintage snowmen began, i gave my old snowmen collection to my mom, which she has enjoyed (as well as other family members). i have them all hanging out upstairs...& where they will stay until after valentine's day... i found this engagement calendar by folks called, green paper press...each page is filled with these sweet images...too wicked cute for words really...also found on sale! then i went to my fave local antique mall, campus antiques, where i found these lovelies...i love going there bec. it never fails that i can always find dirt-cheap vintage photos & postcards>>>a real treasure tove! if you are ever in this part of cheeseland, i would be happy to take you there & you can go buck wild if you so desire, lol! there are so many neat little "stuff" that you can find in there & not go for broke either! well, these are my finds for the week...i hope that you will show & tell either here or here. happy 4th day of christmas!

what does yours say?

2006-12-28T10:17:00.000-06:00

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out.Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

what to do

2006-12-28T09:14:00.000-06:00

i've gotten so used to blogger, even if i'm still in "old" blogger...i've tried countless times to switch over...but each time i was told that i can't switch because my blog is TOO BIG! yikes! who'd thought that 561 posts in less than a year would be considered BIG?! well, i've looked into wordpress & i'm thinking about closing my blogger blog & going over to wordpress...but i'm hesitant bec. i've got to learn all over again how to navigate through wordpress! i'm not much of a techno-savvy person so this would be HUGE for me to switch! & how do i transfer my blogroll & buttons & badges, for goodness sake?! i'm still debating this... the thought of starting all over is not making me a happy camper. but i am tired of being told my blog is too huge to switch over... still it may not be so bad to throw out the old & be in with the new....hmmm, we shall see.

& the winners are

2006-12-28T06:52:00.000-06:00

hooray!!! many thanks to all who played this week's wysiwyg wednesday>>>i so appreciate your support & participation! i believe i have your addies, you lucky recipients you...will pop your ww freebie in the mail by the end of the week. in the meantime, happy 3rd day of christmas!

wordless wednesday

2006-12-27T08:49:00.000-06:00

there's still time

2006-12-27T07:36:00.000-06:00

to sign up for my oh-so charming valentine atc swap...i've extended the sign-up until 1/7/07. & to further entice you, i found these nifty vintage stickers from karen foster designs... wouldn't these be so wicked cute to use in a valentine atc? so far we have a nice bunch gathered for this swap...but there's always room for more love! p.s., if you still crave more love, check out swap-bot's valentine's day swap...i've joined in on the fun & you can too!

wysiwyg wednesday

2006-12-27T07:16:00.000-06:00

it's that time again to play wysiwyg wednesday, yay! i can't get over that this is the last ww before the new year>>>where did the time go??? item #1 up for grabs is this scrap mag that is literally collecting dust in my studio! pls. somebody get this off my hands! this was the mag that gave me the idea to use those brown paper lunch bags to make my cookie swap recipe books last year (2005)...since i know how to make mini books, i think i will pass this mag on for someone who wants the 411! item #2 is another scrap mag that is majorily collecting dust...if you are a heidi swapp or tim holtz fan, then this mag is for you! & also, lots of nifty ideas for winter! c'mon, someone's gotta want this! & item #3... wouldn't you know that this actually a duplicate? i unwittingly bought this thinking i didn't already own it, but i so do! i've been known to buy things in dupes & even (gasp!) triplicates...i know, my bad is your good...this is a wicked cool mag, chock full of cool altered art ideas...i know someone would love to have this copy... that's all she wrote for this week's wysiwyg wednesday....if you've played before, you know the deal>>>let me know what strikes your fancy & i'll take names until 10 pm cst tonight...i will announce the lucky folks tomorrow...good luck & may the good karma shine on you!

i can't believe this & did you know?

2006-12-27T06:30:00.000-06:00

these sweet little ones are my dear friend's chitlins...i have known them since j. (left) was 2 & a.(right) was 4.... i met these chitlins when i met their mom during my ol' airline days many (too many!) moons ago... we would all go on trips everywhere...like in the above pic...we trekked out to boston one sunny weekend...i went for the day & they stayed the whole weekend. they were like part of my extended family...we spent a lot time together back in the day...my friend used to dub her chitlins' as "wild children" but they really were sweethearts, mischievous & also whiney at times, but overall, sweeties...i was like a big kid to them & oh how we played & had great fun! i can remember j. asking me to give him horsey-back rides & a. wanting me to watch her vast collection of disney videos>>>as if it were like yesterday... whoa, time sure does fly, y'know?...i got an email from a. yesterday & she announced that she's getting married!!!!!!!!!!! i was shocked beyond belief but thrilled for her. to me, those kids will always be the sweet chitlins i knew when they were wee like in the pics above & i cannot get over that both of them are grown now! i feel so OOOOOOOLD... over the last couple of weeks before christmas, i kept hearing on the radio, "the twelve days of christmas" meaning the 12 days leading up to christmas...well, i kept wanting to call the radio station & telling them how inaccurate that was! the twelve days of christmas actually refer to the 12 days after christmas, not before like the radio folks kept saying! read all about the history here...on the twelfth night is when i usually dismantle all the holiday decos & the tree...which i'm glad because i can still enjoy the beautiful glow & magic of our sparkly tree just a little while longer. having said that, happy 2nd day of christmas!

la salle de bain

2006-12-26T07:16:00.000-06:00

hope you had a wonderful holiday! my final red entry for self-portrait challenge this week... i never thought to take snaps in the bathroom as we don't have any windows in there...though we do have natural lightbulbs in there to simulate that we do... i love our little bathroom as my dh did all the lovely trimwork, beadboard & installed tiny hexagon porcelain floor tile. it's an old-timey look i was after for our bath...one day it would be fab to switch out our plain tub for a lovely clawfoot one...oh well, it doesn't hurt to dream.

to you & yours

2006-12-25T06:27:00.000-06:00

peace, mary ann & joe xo

warm wishes

2006-12-24T21:50:00.000-06:00

from our house to yours!

'twas the night before christmas

2006-12-24T21:41:00.000-06:00

(snow in the air, a poem by caryl brahms) will there be snow tommorrow when early i wake up to peep? will the street be tucked under its eider of feathery softness asleep? will the pond in the village be frozen? will the green be a crisp sea of white? will the whole world be gleaming and shining with frosty and glittery light? will the snowflakes be fluttering softly with their own sort of cold sort of glow? oh, will it be snowing tomorrow? tomorrow...will there be snow?

labor of love

2006-12-23T14:55:00.000-06:00

as my sis would say... some things i've been making this week before christmas...all for unsuspecting & dear pals. i hope they will enjoy these as much as i've enjoyed creating them!

gratitude

2006-12-23T14:21:00.000-06:00

since entering the blogosphere, i have "met" & befriended so many amazing & talented gals...my heart is filled with gratitude & joy...thank you all for coming into my life...not a moment goes by that i don't think of you & wish you well... i feel blessed to have crossed paths with you all! in the mail earlier this week i received lovely christmas prezzies from my dear blog sister, jude, a lovely santa card from another dear blog sista, nance... just look at the incredibly charming handmade lovelies from jude!!! & a wonderful care package from a dear blog pal, raesha...which i've already used some of that lovely vintage music sheet! i've also received lovely christmas greetings from other blog pals, which i haven't captured on film bec. of my digicam sitch (uploading problems)... but i wanted to acknowledge that i have received them & that i am touched to be remembered by you. thank you my dear friends...i wish you all the happiest of christmas & brightest of new years! love & hugs to you all, mary ann xoxo

{open}

2006-12-22T19:07:00.000-06:00

is the theme for this week's wednesday stamper...& i thought i'd submit this atc that i labored over today...lots of stamping, cutting, piecing & gluing! i had to make a ton of these atcs, as well as other sets (see posts that follow below to follow what i mean) for a local swap i'm in... the background paper is actually wrapping paper from old navy & the stamped image is from red lead...a lot of work, but i'm happy with how it turned out... it's been a wicked long day...i think i will take a much needed rest now...have a great friday evening!

"make-up" atcs

2006-12-22T18:59:00.000-06:00

that i had to make since i forgot to do an extra set for last month's atc group that i'm in here in town...i decided to use up these pink velvet letters, scraps of paper, buttons & glitter ric rac... i'm just so glad these are outta my hair...amen!

atc sweatshop

2006-12-22T18:53:00.000-06:00

i've been sequestered in my studio turned sweatshop cranking out atcs! i had to make 15 of these pink xmas themed ones... ditto for this winter-themed one... & this one too, which is an "anything" themed atc...i think i'm atc'd out!!!! but i so wicked glad they are done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

friday's finds

2006-12-22T18:29:00.000-06:00

sorry for the delay, i've been creating like mad all day in my sweatshop (aka my studio) bec. i woke up in a bit of a panic when i realized i had FOUR sets of atcs to MAKE for a local swap i'm in & they are due after christmas!!!!!!!!!!!! believe me, i've been SWEATING all day today! anyway, here are my finds for this week's friday's finds...this past week, i went to my fave local haunt, castaways thrift shop, & found some lovely vintage holiday decor & patterns for half off & believe me, they were dirt cheap (ex. 25 cents marked down to 12 cents!!!!)...all in all, i spent a grand total there: 7 bucks! & i found a lot of neato stuff...which i can use for future projects... i found this vintage stocking (second row, reads "season's greetings on the red side & has santa on his sleigh on green side) for a mere 35 cents!!!!!! & when i went to this new antique place in mad city (odana antiques) i saw similar ones that were ten dollars each!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow, hard to swallow after i had paid 35 cents for mine from castaways! i did, though, enjoy the lovely holiday displays at odana antiques...i found these vintage japanese pipe cleaner ornies (third row on left in above photo collage), teeny tiny red ric rac & some really cute vintage kiddie photos...they weren't too bad on the ol' pocketbook... well, that's the cool loot i found for this week's ff...how 'bout you? pls. do share & post a comment with your link here or of course, in flickr.

wordless wednesday

2006-12-20T07:01:00.000-06:00

how'd she do that?

2006-12-19T20:28:00.000-06:00

i took this pic laying down... & then this pic, also supine... but i had a hard time choosing one snap for spc...so then i went into picasa & clicked on collage (multi-exposure)...et voila, these two separate snaps morphed into one! i was pleasantly surprised to see how it turned out so i went for it (esp. since i didn't have to choose, hehehe)... thanks for all your lovely comments>>>i was really surprised to see all your comments on my crazy spc pic...but they are all much appreciated!

sometimes 2 heads are better than 1

2006-12-19T00:11:00.000-06:00

my red entry for this week's self-portrait challenge...pardon the visual pun, but sometimes it is better to have 2 heads than 1! especially if you're trying to solve a crossword puzzle for example. i had an elderly patient once who was very fond of crosswords>>> he was forever saying how crossword puzzles stave off alzheimer's... & whenever i did therapy with this patient, he & i would work on puzzles together & he often would say that phrase! many times we would finish the puzzle in the hour therapy session...so, yes, i'd say that that saying rings true. & as for my thoughts about red, well, i'm more of a pink sort of gal, but if i'm needing to feel confident or strong, i don the red. & wouldn't you know, i feel vibrant when i wear red. go ahead & try it...you'll see what i mean.

stripes

2006-12-18T23:25:00.000-06:00

is the topic for this week's artwords, but i'm not sure if these 2 altered tag dollies will qualify...but i'm submitting them just in case... it occurred to me that i don't use stripes very often in my artwork, so i thought i'd make something using this pretty striped paper i had laying around. i just love the combo of pinks, greens, blues & reds...i think the colors & the stripes make these dollies whimsical & fun, don't you think? & it's always good to create something light & happy every now & again... i crafted these actually as little prezzies for some unsuspecting pals...i'm not going to mention whom these are for because i want to keep it a big surprise (smile)...these were also inspired by inspire me thursday's handmade challenge of last week...it's been such a long time since i've contributed something for that group & i just lurve their new fab look over there! wow, i can't believe that it's less than a week away from christmas! where did the time go? well, it's late & i've got to get some shut eye! have a good night & see ya in the am {smile}.

sweatshop break

2006-12-17T21:01:00.000-06:00

all weekend was not entirely spent in my "sweatshop" (see post below that follows)...i heard about this new antique joint opened up, so i couldn't resist going there (more about that in this coming week's friday's finds). there were so many neat holiday vignettes displayed all over this wicked huge building. i snuck this snap (i turned my flash off so as not to cause a scene)...then i went & volunteered at a the local public gardens, where they are having a winter wonderland fest (which i had taken my mom, sis & her chitlins to last weekend)...the "tree" you see in the photo collage below is actually the herb, sweet annie, stuck into the tuteur & the ornies you see in there are dried red chiles formed into stars...the "ghost"-looking things are actually supposed to be angels , which one of the herb ladies had made out of antique handkerchiefs and lavender & rosemary stuffed into the heads... it had rained this past week & so all the snow we had a couple of weeks ago are virtually gone...but they are calling for some possible flurries tomorrow...hmmm, let's see if this happens...anyway, they had a nice band playing christmas tunes & got the little kiddies into the singing & dancing... i bought me some catnip toys for our kitties (which grew from the herb society's garden & i helped harvest) as well as this plaid angel & homemade garlic jelly...yup, you read correctly! it sounds nasty, but lois, one of the herb ladies, found this recipe in an old herb book & took a chance & made a couple of batches...and you know what? it's not bad...it's actually quite tasty...kinda reminds me of sweet & sour sauce you get at a chinese take-out place. well, my dears, it's getting late & i still have some wips to get done before i turn in for the night...so off i go into my "sweatshop" (aka my studio)...have a great evening & i'll be back at some point tomorrow!

sweatshop

2006-12-17T20:34:00.000-06:00

is open over at my house! my dear friend annie & i would dub any labor-intensive craftivity as our "sweatshop"...& man, was it ever over here this weekend! here are some stuff that i labored over>>> finally got these cards done for my secret stamping pal in a local card swap i'm in...i figured since i was making one, i would go ahead a make 3 more & be done with my swap! i knew that i would have massive amounts of mailing to do tomorrow, so i got the wysiwyg wednesday freebies all ready to be packed up & ready to go out in tomorrow's mail! then i made these little packets for all the lovely folks who participated in my cookie swap as a token of appreciation & thank you... i added some little handmade somethin-somethin to those thank you packets...but i'm not showing bec. i want it to be a pleasant surprise! i know, i know, i've finally got around to making our holiday cards, which i hope to get in tomorrow's mailing as well...i just hope that the clerk at the post office doesn't roll his eyes too much as i come in with my bags of parcels & envies! i'm very afraid that there will be wicked long lines at the p.o. so i'm gonna try to get there 1st thing in the morning! yeh, it may look like i got a lot done....but heavens no, i've still got more wips to complete that i haven't even begun to tell you about! uh-oh, it's back to the sweatshop for me!

it's better to give

2006-12-15T14:18:00.000-06:00

than receive, as the old adage goes...some cookie tins that i made up for some of the folks i work with at the school...i made my all-time fave cookies, frosty snow balls...these are so quick & easy to make...& mmm, mmm good!

click on the above recipe to so you can read it better...oops, on the typo error>>>should be sifted not sissfted powdered sugar... since the kids at school kept asking about our little visitor we had last month (rascal), i got lucky, my new resident speech therapist aide...my autistic students have taken a liking to lucky...& i'm glad bec. it was getting kinda bothersome to continually explain the whereabouts of rascal! & these are some candy cane mice that a couple of my students made thanks to pauline of sweet memories who gave me the idea she got from martha stewart {thanks so much pauline! the kids really enjoyed making these mice!}. i like to incorporate some artsy-crafty projects in therapy with my students...there's so much communication & fun that's generated when we do these projects. & that's what i aim for my students. my week at school is over & i'm officially on christmas break, yay! i have quite of few things i've got to complete, so until next time, have a great weekend!

friday's finds

2006-12-15T13:41:00.000-06:00

ever since i saw those {higher priced} vintage snowmen & santas in an antique store in chicago a few weeks ago, i have been wondering how i could make them...i think i have an idea or two...but wasn't i tickled to discover these relatively inexpensive ones just the other day? these are just simply wicked cute! & they didn't dent the ol' pocketbook either, hehehe...i still would like to make my own versions...one of these days... if you have a nifty find or two, pls. do share & tell...either here or here. happy friday!

self-portrait

2006-12-14T05:44:00.000-06:00

is the challenge for this week's wednesday stamper...it seems i can't get away from these tags, lol! i have a kajillion of them (plus, a few tag dies!) in my studio...i gotta use them up somehow...that's what happens when you have too many of a good thing, huh? well, go here to check out other self-portraits. i've gotta scoot, it's a school day....but woo-hoo, after today, i'll be on christmas break!!!!!!!!!!!!! hopefully, i will have loads of time to get all my holiday WIPs done...well, one can only hope, can't she?

some lucky gals!

2006-12-14T05:19:00.000-06:00

happy thursday all! before i announce this week's wysiwyg wednesday winners, i need to tell you the link for wordless wednesday, the new weekly art meme i've joined in on>>>go here to check it out! sometimes it's kinda nice to post a pic without having to write anything...as they say, a picture tells a 1000 words... anyway, onto our lucky gals>>> lisa, you lucky gal you, won item #1. yay! {i need to see pics of your scrap room girl!} alisa seriously beat out so many gals who wanted item #2! way to go! & last but certainly not least, jo, you scored on item #3! how lucky are you?! i just need to hear from alisa & i will mail your ww freebies! MANY thanks to ALL the lovely ladies who played in this week's ww!!!! i truly appreciate your participation & i'm only too happy to spread the creative wealth & the good karma! see ya next time we play wysiwyg wednesday, which will be the last wednesday of 2006 (12/27). until then, shine on!

wordless wednesday

2006-12-13T05:56:00.000-06:00

wysiwyg wednesday

2006-12-13T04:53:00.000-06:00

it's time to play wysiwyg wednesday! here's what's up for grabs this week>>> item #1 is march 2006 edition of ck scrap mag...my scrapping days have been limited lately & so i will pass this on to someone who can better use this than i have! item #2 is the feb/mar 2005 edition of stamper's sampler...i've no more use for this, so out it goes! & item #3 is volume v of stamper's sampler's take ten mag...i have so many idea books that i thought i'd let this one go to someone who can better use it! welp, there you have it...if you've been following ww for some time now, you know the drill>>>if you see something that you like, please leave a comment stating so & i will take names until 10 pm cst tonight. lucky recipients will be announced tomorrow, thursday 12/14... good luck & happy wysiwyg wednesday!

tag, you're it!

2006-12-12T08:17:00.000-06:00

just more altered tags i've been making these days. my shop is running low on stuff so, i've got to fill it up right quick...gotta a lunch date today with a good pal of mine who recently had surgery. got some cookies baking as i type this post to bring over to her house...so i can't stay here too long...i'll be back later...in the meantime, happy tuesday!

merry chri-stress?

2006-12-11T09:19:00.000-06:00

i know i'm posting a lot today, but i've been otherwise occupied over the weekend so this is the day to play catch up. & i wanted to make sure i posted all the fun, happy stuff that follow below before i begin this topic>>>something that i've been wanting to get off my chest, but wasn't too sure about posting because i don't want to offend or be misconstrued & i want my blog to be about my art & happy, positive stuff...but i am human & as such, i'm not always so happy & cheerful {though generally speaking, i usually am!}... & honestly, this has been bothering me lately, so bear with me as i continue on... for some time now, i've been having this nagging feeling & it's been making me a bit distressed & uncomfortable lately. but when i went to post my artwords submission last week, i was touched by amanda's sparkles post. reading her musings about christmastime really spoke to me as it was precisely what has been nagging at me! she put in writing what i've been ruminating about for weeks>>>heck, all year! for as long as i can remember, i've always looked forward to this time of year. i love the holiday decorating, the songs, the baking (this is the only time in the year that i do mass quantity of baking!), creating hand-made cards & prezzies, & spending time with friends & loved ones. nothing gives me more pleasure than to get ready for the holidays... when we lived in maine, i had such a wicked case of the christmas blues because all our family were in chicago...we didn't always have the extra funds to go to chicago for the holidays, so i had to settle for phone calling, emailing & sending prezzies in the mail. even though i would get so depressed, i still managed to decorate the house, put up a tree, listen to holiday music & bake cookies...i wanted to make it nice for joe, me & our cats. i would still get so sad & upset whenever i would hear of other people's holiday plans & get- togethers with their families ... christmas started to become a source of stress for me & that depressed me even more! but i was determined to not let that ruin my love for the holiday, the spirit of the season. so those years in maine, i tried to make it as lovely as possible...even if it was just for the two of us. it comforted me to be surrounded by magical, sparkly- lit tree & festive decor around the house. & joe indulged me to help me get through the holiday. after the holidays, i would generally snap out of the depression & go back to my usual cheery self... now when we moved to the midwest 3 yrs ago, cheeseland to be specific, i thought the holidays would be like how i remembered in christmas pasts. my expectations fell short, to my horror & dismay. i realized that others in my family & circle of friends had their own set of expectations, beliefs, obligations, commitments, etc, that didn't always mesh so well with mine...it made me realize that you cannot really go back to what once was, despite the fond memories that you might hold>>>people/things change, situations crop up, life moves on. it started to disillusion me & that made me mad! all i ever wanted (& longed for) is a simple christmas, just to be in the company of family & friends & absoultely, positively no drama allowed!... just old-fashioned, loving, positive quality time with loved ones is what i expect at this time of year>>>what i had yearned for all those years we lived in maine. none of this frenetic, rushing-around, over-doing it b-s crap that seems to be happening all around me at what's supposed to be a very special time of year. i am grateful that i had spent some quality time with my family this past weekend. it was an enjoyable weekend & isn't that what fond memories are created from? it saddens me to know that this christmas, my extended family will be scattered about, doing their own thing because of prior obligations & commitments...but i won't let that bring me down. i've trimmed the tree, decked the halls, cranked out the tunes & my dh & i will have a holly, jolly christmas this year to borrow some words from that ol' burl ive's song... & i sincerely hope that you & yours will too. if you've gotten this far in the post, thanks for hanging in there as i try to soothe my soul. i think i've posted enough for one day. until next time, have as stress-free day as possible!

another thank you

2006-12-11T08:21:00.000-06:00

goes out to the wonderful gals who participated in cookie swap 2006! hopefully by now those of you who were part of of this amazing group of talented gals have successfully swapped your delectible cookie recipes with your corresponding partners...& that you also remembered to post your lovely pics of your swap treasures on our flickr group! many thanks to all of you who made this swap a huge success! the pics i've seen on our flickr group all look fabulouso!!! wishing you all the best, deep appreciation for your participation & most of all, happy holidays to you & yours!

thank you nina!

2006-12-11T08:04:00.000-06:00

a flickr pal of mine, nina, sent me these vintage buttons (& i'm such a freak for buttons!!!)... plus as an unexpected but totally pleasant surprise, she threw in these wicked cool vintage music sheets for my collage projects! it's through this flickr group, called window swapping, where you basically swap things with other members...it's a fun idea, started by nina's daughter, ellia (one of my blog pals) of green bean baby. thanks so much nina...you're swap goodies are on your way to you...but i'm not showin' or tellin' bec. i want you to be oh-so pleasantly surprised!

weekend recap

2006-12-11T06:56:00.000-06:00

i've mentioned that i belong to the local herb society...we had our holiday potluck at our place (aka my mom's special house) & these are some snaps from the party. my mom & my sister gail & her two chitlins' (isabel & nicky) were there to join in on the festivities... my fam enjoyed meeting the herb folks & vice versa & they loved my mom's noodle dish (called pancit bihon, my all-time favorite filipino dish), my sis' killer queso dip (people were clamoring for her recipe, which she so generously gave out!) & the mulled hot cider i made, using this mulling spice mix i got from williams-sonoma last year. i think everyone enjoyed themselves at this little holiday fare...it was nice to see my mom smiling & chatting with the herb society folks. my sister's kids, too, were enjoying & talking with our visitors...they were both good little host & hostess, lol. my other sis, looney & her chitlins were gonna come up to spend the weekend, but her children got sick, so they stayed home. it was too bad & i couldn't help but feel disappointed as i was so looking forward to their visit, but what can you do?>>> 'tis the cold & flu season after all... after the herb society party, we (mom, me, sis & kids>>>joe was downstairs watching his fishing programs) watched that adam sandler flick, click & it was an unexpected tear-jerker >>> i bawled like a baby toward the end. it got me thinking about how important it is to live in the present & to enjoy life's journey instead of trying to rush through it bec. life is too short & all that... afterwards, we bundled up & headed for the local public gardens where i volunteer from time to time {through the herb society group i belong to}. during this time of year, the gardens hold a winter wonderland walk there & although it was wicked freezing, we ooh & ahhed the delightful lighted displays & there was even a huge train set display inside the main building...i was only too happy to bring my family here. i think my mom enjoyed this more than the chitlins! also while they were here, my mom, sis & the kids visited with our kitty tribe & joe. we also did some holiday shopping & visited a new friend (a gal i met through the herb society) who invited us for lunch at her house. she is of filipino descent & my mom wanted to get better acquainted so we all went to her house. it was a pleasant visit. then more shopping (mostly my mom was doing all the shopping, i was mostly her chauffeur...she hadn't had a chance to shop since she's been home after grandma's funeral). when we got back to the house, we did some holiday baking, had dinner & then it was time for my mom, sis & the kids to head back to chicago... it was a flurry of activities here at our place this weekend...so glad to have had the time with my mom, sis & the kids. that movie click really hit home for me. funny how watching a flick can do that to you>>> to remind you to be present & enjoy life's journey .

sparkle

2006-12-08T20:35:00.000-06:00

is the topic for this week's artwords & i enter this pic of a star on our christmas tree. the pic has been digitally altered to look less photography>>>it's called "oilfy" on the special effects feature of my photo editing software. i love sitting quietly admiring the pretty, twinkly, sparkly lights of our tree...i get in a sort of meditative trance as i become mesmerized by the magic of the sparkle... & below are some more photo montage of the past couple of days here in cheeseland...i finally got our tree trimmed out as well as our pad decked out...so glad that's done! now we can gaze at the tree, ooooh & ahhh to our hearts' content... oooh yeh, the wreath i was fixin' on making...well, i broke down & purchased a nicely made one from the same folks who sold us our tree...it does make our entryway look so festive & inviting... i love the combo of greens, turquoise, silvers & whites...that's the color mix in our tree this year (last year was silver & green)...ummm, i didn't too badly as i only (oops!) broke just a hehehe couple of (or was it more like 3 or4) glass ornies...the tree still turned out nice>>> wouldn't you agree?

friday's finds & other goodies

2006-12-08T19:53:00.000-06:00

yes, i know that this is a rather LATE posting of my friday's finds...but with the digicam sitch & the wicked busy day i had, better late than never, okay?! it's still friday yet... lookey what i found at hobby lobby (aka my new best friend, lol) & joann fabrics (also, another best friend, heehee)...i've gone buck wild with tins & boxes (for cookies & other such goodies)...& a couple of santas (one's a music box & the other is just a figurine) for my mom's collection... & this is a better pic of the fab ornie that my dear pal, susan, sent me last week along with her deelish cookies...i *heart* this & will treasure this always!!! & remember a while back when i fretted over my matchbox ornies for the vintage dragonfly's ornie swap? well, i just received my set yesterday...just click on pic to get a better peep of these micro works of art...the vintage dragonfly enclosed some lovely ephemera items as a thank you for playing. i wondered who ended up with my ornie girls? i'm sounding like a bio mom on the search for her lost children, hehehe...oh well, whoever ended up with them, i hope they are in a good home. & lucky for me, i know how to make more of them!

making do

2006-12-08T19:28:00.000-06:00

with my current digicam situation...the media drive is fried & i don't know why that is, it just is...so i can't upload my pics onto my blog...i have (& been for a couple weeks now) resorted to buying photo cds at the store & can i just say, it really BITES when i can't post pics IMMEDIATELY!!!!! until i can scrape up some extra dough to get a new digicam (which i have my eye on & it's 200 clams), i have no choice but to make do with what i's got at the moment...waah!!!!!!!!!!!!okay, my whining is over...here are pics from earlier in the week when i first received inga's handmade holiday swap package>>> i can't believe this wicked adorable stocking is mine, all mine>>> i will cherish this always inga!

i'm dreaming

2006-12-08T06:40:00.000-06:00

of card ideas! when i woke up this morning, these ideas just popped into my head & off i went to my studio to create these cards... i've a feeling that there's gonna be more where that came from!

added bling

2006-12-07T19:22:00.000-06:00

i know i've shown this piece in a group of tags i created the other day...but when i saw that wednesday stamper's theme for the week is embellishments, well, i had to highlight this little *bling* tag for ws...anyone who knows me or has seen my arty-crafty stuff can see that i *heart* embellishments, 'cuz i use a ton of them in my artwork. like the tag above...the stamped image is from paper artsy (one of my fave stamp sources!). i stamped the sentiment from red lead (where my dear pals, angie wangie & michel like to frequent in st. louie) over the angel pair...i used some chalks from the brenda walton line (i think from k & company?) to add a hint of color to the angel pair. & finally, for the extra *bling* factor>>>well, i used gold fairy dust & mini-christmas trim (the beaded chain & stars), of course, from my new "best friend" hobby lobby , lol,(a craft store chain in the midwest>>>if you live near one, you need to go there bec. all their xmas crafts are 50% off!!!! hurry>>>run to your nearest hobby lobby before there's nothing left!)...i cannot resist but put an embellishment or two in whatever i'm creating...my artwork would be naked if i didn't add a bit of *bling* here & there.

all i want for christmas

2006-12-07T04:33:00.000-06:00

is you! (snaps of our tree last year & of course, my dh) i've been so busy both at school & getting things ready for the herb society's holiday party & then my cookie swap with my sisters this coming saturday that i just haven't had time to get any artwork done...plus i went & bought a tree yesterday & got busy stringing lights on it. it was a feat, since i'm short & the tree is wicked tall! (we have high ceilings in our basement home)... i didn't have anymore steam left to put all the ornies on the tree (that'll be tonight's project)...so last year's pics are gonna have to do (until i can get my act together with updated pics)...our tree this year will basically look the same as the pic above, but as soon as i get a free chance i will take snaps of the tree this year, all decked out & everything...like i've lamented in a previous post, there simply is not enough time in a day lately...especially this time of year!

anyway, getting back to the tree, i love the smell of pine trees...it reminds me so much of maine...even before i met my dh, i always got a "real" xmas tree & loved decorating it with lights & ornies...it has become a tradition with me & even with joe...when we lived in maine, putting up a real tree (from maine of course) was the norm there...it seemed tree farms were everywhere there...i just love how the whole house is perfumed with evergreen scent when the tree goes up. & the twinkly lights....ahhh, just adds that extra magic in the air! i've bought some fresh evergreen boughs that i hope (where will i find the time?!) to fashion into a wreath. a dear friend of mine back in maine used to make simple but gorgeous evergreen wreaths with exquisite bows for me...i can only hope that i can replicate something similar...well, i think i will use store-bought bows bec. i can never tie those giant size ribbons without them coming out all crinkly & lopsided...well, look at the time! i've got to get ready & begin my day at the school... have a magical thursday!

pink & turquoise

2006-12-06T04:38:00.000-06:00

seem to be a running theme lately...more tags i made this morning before i head off to the school... & a sneak peek at ONE of the wonderful goodies my handmade holiday swap partner, inga of sknittymama, sent me in yesterday's mail! INGA, i absolutely *HEART* this AMAZING stocking & everything else you so generously sent me!!!!! thank you my dear from the bottom of my heart. i am stunned really by your lovely, lovely prezzie! & here i sent you just paper stuff! since my freaked up digicam won't allow me to upload pics to my computer, this poor scan {sigh} will have to do (as soon as i get a chance today, i will have one of those photo cds made from wally-world & then i will upload the pics i took when i first opened your wonderful package!)... i love this time of year, don't you? happy wednesday to you all!

santa baby

2006-12-05T09:21:00.000-06:00

for the whole month, red is the challenge for self-portrait, a topic i can get into! here's mine for week #1>>>just a a bit of red peeking through. to see what others' did for spc, go here. merry tuesday!

some WIPs done

2006-12-05T09:03:00.000-06:00

having been cleaning the house, both upstairs & down 'cuz having company over this weekend...but i always make time to create...i have a ton of buttons & i thought i'd make some tags & cards using them... & i'm experimenting some more with non traditional holiday colors...working up some ideas to come up with some pink xmas atcs in a local swap i'm in (thank goodness these aren't due until after the holidays, whew!)... i might put this up for sale in my shop. i don't know, i'm not sure if i'm ready to part with these yet...i guess i will have to make more {sigh}...busy, busy, busy over at my corner of the world. never-ending amount of things to do, that is for sure!

sorry about the delay

2006-12-04T12:32:00.000-06:00

but here are the snaps i took of my scrumptious cookie swap package from my dear maine pal, susan (top 2 rows)...she made me some beautiful stuff...like this wicked cool xmas ornie (gotta love acetate!) deeelish molassess-ginger cookies & a nifty cookie recipe holder with all these fab cookie recipes from maine, my beloved home away from home>>>i * heart* it all! the third row are some pics i took of the inside & back cover of the recipe holder i made for susan (now en route to her as i type this!) & a page i did of these yumm-o lemon mini-cheesecakes, called "lemon tassies"...my mouth is watering just thinking about these, lol! welp, that's all for now folks...i am busy getting the house ready for some holiday gatherings at our place this coming saturday & trying to get some of my WIPs done also...have a great monday & thanks for stopping by!

snowy, snowy weekend

2006-12-04T12:12:00.000-06:00

since the snowstorm last friday, i hadn't left the house unitl today. i caught a little cold & then i do not like to go out when it's wicked FREEZING & ICY. but i had to mail off some packages (& man, was the post office JAMMED...'tis the season) & go to the super wally-mart to get my one hr photo cd made (& this time, it actually took one hr, imagine that!)...anyway, here are some snaps from my very wintery weekend... snowstorm in progress... the aftermath & dh finally getting to use his new snow blower...i think he actually liked blowing the snow bec. he was OUT there for FOUR hours!!!! my dh, i think, went a little bit too far 'cuz he made all kinds of trails for our kittie cats (i think it was his EXCUSE for playing in the snow!)... & while the dh was outside blowing some snow, i was comfy & cozy INSIDE, trimming the house & baking some yummy spice cookies for my cookie swap partner, susan (your package got mailed today my dear & you should be getting it very soon!)...i've got more pics to post...be back in a jiff!

{b & w}

2006-12-03T08:11:00.000-06:00

black & white is the challenge for this week's wednesday stamper...this was kinda hard for me to do as i found it hard not to use any other colors...i kept wanting to add some color here & there...but as you can see i refrained & stayed within the b & w color theme. it didn't turn out so badly as i had thought. and this next piece was inspired by my blog sista, lia, who has been cranking out the art with cute 1 in squares...i decided to try making some too...my goodness, who'd thunk it would be so hip to be square?

{believe} atc

2006-12-02T08:37:00.000-06:00

i had these pink & green scraps left over from my cookie recipe holder i made the other day, so i decided to make a little atc i call believe. you can read into this so many ways, can't you? for examples>>> believe in the magic of the season, believe in peace on earth & goodwill toward (wo) men, believe your holidays will be stress-free as possible, believe that you won't overspend buying xmas presents, believe in the true meaning of the season, believe in the simple joys that surround you, believe that wishes do come true, believe that things will work out in the end, believe there is a santa, believe that the spirit of the season will carry us not only at christmas time, but throughout the year & so on... believe evokes endless interpretations. whatever your interpretations, just don't ever forget to believe, today & always.

friday's finds

2006-12-01T06:23:00.000-06:00

good morning from snowy cheeseland! & man, is the weather outside ever so frightful! for this week's friday's finds, i share with you a couple of cool stuff my DH actually found for me! he was demo-ing an old house & when he was tearing out old cupboards, lookey what he found, which he took them home for me>>> vintage STAMPS! he thought i might like these...they were going to trash these, but joe saved them from going into the dumpster! (awwww, he is soooo good to me)...i saw something similar to this at an antique place & it was selling for $70 usd!!! & here i got them for nada... then he found these old records, also destined for the dumpsterd, but he rescued them! they look to be from the 1920s or 30s...some of them are kinda scratched up, but most of them (i think there are 15-20 records)...haven't a clue how much this go for...but i'll have it appraised & see what, if anything, they are worth. i love it when the dh garbage picks for little ol' me, lol! well, that's all she wrote for this week's ff...what about you? have you found something destined for the trash bin or hidden away, never again to see the light of day? pls. do share & tell...either here or here. happy friday to you!

studio friday

2006-12-01T06:07:00.000-06:00

this week's topic for studio friday is what's your favorite color combinations? the above photo collage shows you the colors i find myself using again & again & am drawn to...i adore sage green & turquoise blue as those seem to pop up all over! but i also love the combinations of these colors with sepia browns, creams, pinks, purples & reds. i don't often use black, unless i'm doing a b & w piece. it's more of an accent color, to give a piece some extra POP. to see others' fave color combos, go to studio friday & check it all out!

art everyday, day 30

2006-11-30T23:11:00.000-06:00

in anticipation of the impending snowfall that will dump on us tonight/tomorrow, i made this holiday card for katspaws' AEM challenge, last day {sniff, sniff}...i'm experimenting with non-traditional xmas colors...i had this pink snowflake paper & went from there. the inside sentiment reads: wishing you joys to share, friends to love, and memories to hold close to your heart. merry christmas. i think i will put that in my shop. it's almost midnite & i'm wicked exhausted. so until tomorrow, bonne nuit!

the snow is comin'

2006-11-30T19:19:00.000-06:00

as the weather folks keep warning all day today...we're supposed to get somewhere between 5-10 inches by this time tomorrow! yikes! i guess i will be snowbound until the storm blows over. how appropriate, though, as 'tis the season & all. i'm so glad that my school week is over, bec. they were DOOZies! yesterday, i had sat in on a very complicated meeting (about one of my severe autistic kiddos) & it lasted TWO freaking hours long! i left there with a pounding headache. & then today, i had a rather long day with a couple of other kiddos who were tripping out left & right. i tell ya, i was never so glad when the bell rung after school! i couldn't get outta the building fast enough. & with the impending snowstorm, i sped along home yet even quicker. how ironic i turned on the car radio & this was blasting: oh the weather outside is frightful...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. argh! i so don't like driving in blizzards...i did actually drive through a white-out long time ago when i had lived in syracuse, ny & i was on my way home (chicago at the time) for christmas. it took me literally all-day to get to my folks' house (& it's a 10 hour drive usually). not cool driving in those dangerous conditions! anyhow, i am nice & cozy at home now with dh & the kitties. i'm going to try to whip up something for the last day of katspaws' AEM challenge. i'm kinda sad that her challenge month will be over in a mere few hours. will still try to post something before the 30th ends. heck, i'm going keep on creating art even after kat's AEM challenge...art is such an important part of my life these days. i really don't want to stop creating...so i will carry on! before i head off to my studio, i've just a couple of reminders>>>please be sure to check out esther's site bec. she will be featuring my calendar, along with others, tomorrow, the 1st day of december. i can't wait to check that out...i'm so excited! & secondly, i had posted a few days back about wanting to host a valentine atc swap...well, there is still plenty of time to sign up & i have changed the last sign-up date to the end of this year>>>that's december 31st, 2006 folks. i've also, to encourage more folks to join in on the fun, created a flickr group & you can sign up there as well. it's less than 4 hours now before the day is officially over. so i better scoot along & get crafting!

bonne chance

2006-11-30T04:39:00.000-06:00

is what i say these two lucky gals had as they are this week's wysiwyg wednesday winners! corey won item #1! it was meant to be my dear! yay!!! (i have your snail mail addy & will mail this out with another goody i'm making pour toi!)... & sage won item #2>>>how lucky are you?!!! beginner's luck, perhaps, hee-hee? CONGRATS to these lucky gals!!!! as soon as i hear from you sage, i will mail your goody to you... AND a HUGE round of applause & THANK YOUs to all the other LOVELY gals who played (nance, loon, tammy m, tammy v, liz & michel)! i really do APPRECIATE your participation! don't you worry>>>there is {unfortunately for me, but totally GOOD for you} MORE where these came from!!! next wysiwyg wednesday will be december 13th! {& lisa i will bop on by your blog after school today to say "hey" & catch up with you}... may the good karma shine on you!

wysiwyg wednesday

2006-11-29T05:24:00.000-06:00

ready to play this week's wysiwyg wednesday? well, now's your chance! since i've been mailing all sorts of parcels these past several days, i'm posting TWO items up for grabs...the folks at the post office are beginning to think i work there (lol) since i've been going there A LOT! anyway, here we go>>> item #1 is a very cool arty journal book >>>i got this from the clearance bin at one of my fave scrapbooking stores & to date, i have not read this...i happened to find it last night & you know what? i haven't missed it, so out it goes! item #2 is one of my fave sources for ideas...but this too has not been fully appreciated by me...so i will pass it on to some lucky person who will! there you have it, short, but sweet. if you are at all interested in anything here, just let me know. i will take names until 10 pm cst tonight & the lucky recipients will be announced tomorrow. in the meantime, happy wednesday & shine on!

art everyday {day 29}

2006-11-29T05:16:00.000-06:00

i took this pic a couple weeks ago of this rather huge vintage santa displayed at an antique store called, if i recall correctly, vermont antiques... taking a break from handcrafting (& not to mention, it's a school day), i digitally altered the above snap...i think it looks rather abstract & visually more interesting. this was inspired for katspaws AEM challenge, day 29.

window

2006-11-29T05:01:00.000-06:00

is the topic for this week's artwords...i took this pic a couple of weeks ago when i was in chicago visiting my mom & sister. we went holiday {mostly window} shopping & i liked how this holiday vingnette was displayed at this antique store called, through the looking glass. in looking at this snap, i thought to title it: the present reflected in the past.

glowy glam

2006-11-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

here i am taking a break from trimming the tree. you can't see that i'm actually on a tall ladder as the xmas tree is 9 foot tall! i literally feel TALL...& glowy all over...i took this pic for self-portrait tuesday's glam challenge...actually, the whole glam thing is simply not me, okay?! in fact, i hate gussy-ing up. i don't feel like ME when i'm rouged & pancaked up, you know what i mean? i prefer, au naturel most of the time {no make-up, that is}. thank goodness this glam business is over because i really did not enjoy this challenge {can you tell?} >>>december's challenge is red...ahhh, now that's more like it. i can live with that, no problemo.

art everyday, day 28

2006-11-28T05:26:00.000-06:00

i've been working like a fiend to get my cookie swap packages DONE...i'm nearly there...just gotta bake some cookies for one of my swap buddies (the other podner's not getting any cookies 'cuz of her country's rather strict customs about homemade food goods)... i've made my batter & i'm gonna take a break before i bake those cookies, okay?! but before i do that, here are some cards i made for my cookie swap pals (which i submit for katspaws' AEM challenge, day 28>>>whoa, the month's almost over!)>>> this is for her>>>she told me she loves purple, eclectic & whimsical things...& OMG, i just received her most yummy swap package in the mail yesterday>>>bec. of camera probs, i will post pics of all the goodies she sent me later>>>but wow, i'm so thrilled! thanks SUSAN!!!! i *heart* everything you made/sent! & this is for her>>>she was one of those wicked EARLY birds who sent me my cookie swap goodies a couple of months ago!!!!!!!!!!! since i used a primary color scheme for her recipe holder, i thought i'd do the same for her xmas card. also, since she lives in australia, where it is SUMMER at the moment, i found that very appropriate birdie sticker... just a peek of one of the recipes i put in for susan...i die cut a mini file folder & attached my recipe for these wickedly decadent cookies... what it looks like when you pull the card out...spiffy nifty, right? at the moment, i'm a very tired little beaver...gotta get some shut eye & then back to the kitchen & bake those cookies. happy tuesday!

i need a new digicam

2006-11-27T14:38:00.000-06:00

'cuz it really BITES that i can't import my pics onto my computer & now i have been resorting to go to the *argh* super-walmart to have one of those 1hr (yeah, right) photo cds made>>>all so i can post my pics on my blog...anyhoo, mini-rant over>>>here are some (not so goo) pics of the xmas craftacular in mad city...i saw naomi of the glitter workshop ( i*heart* them!) & also the my favorite mirror couple & recycling artist, emily kirchner. here are the goodies i couldn't live without >>> naomi says there is a xmas renegade in a couple of weeks, but sniff, sniff, waaaah>>>i already made commitments to the herb society...that's the day we're having the xmas party at our place...i wish i knew about that sooner!!!! oh well, there's always the next year's, right? & i am nearly finished with my cookie recipe holders for my swap buddies, jo & susan. i totally can't wait till i get these outta my hair, ahem, i mean, happily mailed off to them...i DID have fun making these things...it's just there is simply not enough time in a day, okay?! well, the kitchen is beckoning me upstairs...gotta scoot. have a great evening!

art everyday, day 27

2006-11-27T14:11:00.000-06:00

after a morning running errands, i am finally getting some blogging time in...but a quick one 'cuz i've got dinner to make & also finish with the holiday decorating upstairs (i want to surpise my mom for when she comes back this thursday * smile*) i just mailed off a couple of etsy orders (thanks lia & m.c.! you should be getting them sometime this week) & i also mailed off my holiday swap goody package to my swap buddy, inga of sknittymama. the above is an altered envie that i made for her (which i submit for katspaws' AEM challenge, day 27), which is filled with a cookie recipe (my all-time fave xmas cookie, frosty snowballs), a little handwritten note from moi & a super easy stocking how-to from an old martha stewart holiday book i have. the handmade stocking directions called for buttons, so i gave inga some from my stash to get her started. oh, & that greeting card garland i made the other day...well, i thought it needed some stars, so i poked teeny-tiny holes & hung a glittery star on each circle...thought that would add more *bling*. i've got one more thing to post before i get back into the kitchen...never ending things to do around here!

art everday {day 26}

2006-11-26T06:50:00.000-06:00

i can't wait to check this out today! i went to this last spring & it was oh-so FAB! i wish my sis looney were here (she's at home sick) bec. i know that she would be so on this like bees are to honey! i didn't go yesterday bec. my other sis & her kids were still here & we were busy making cookie dough, putting up xmas decorations, etc. but today, look out! here i come {hee hee hee}...{don't worry loon, i will take lots of pics for you!} this is a little greeting card garland i made for katspaws' AEM challenge, day 26. & it's also going to be sent to my swap buddy in storme's holiday swap. i was trying to make it look vintage-y & christmas-y all at once. i think i've achieved the look i was after & now, i think i will make some more of these. happy sunday!

"sweak" {sweet +sneak) peak

2006-11-25T21:24:00.000-06:00

i hope you all had a nice & relaxing turkey day...mine was really nice...well, minus the CRAZY "black friday" when i was awakened at an ungodly hour to go holiday shopping with my sis gail & her 2 chitlins>>>seriously, i don't get the mass hysteria i witnessed over electronic items! like is it really necessary to buy THREE 20"in LCD tvs, like one man i saw had???? as my other sis looney would say, it was NUTS & BOLTS out there. these past few days were kinda hard to keep up with kats paws' AEM challenge with my sis & her kids visiting us. nevertheless, i found some snatches of time to create something, like these two atcs>>> i know, i know, it's not even christmas yet & i'm already jumping ahead to valentine's day. & i'm still in the midst of finishing my current cookie swap projects (which btw i'm hoping to have mailed out by mid-week this coming week). call me nuts & bolts, but i would like to host another swap>>>this time, a valentine atc swap. i made these atcs you see here to get y'all thinking, possibly generate even mild interest & also to give plenty of notice>>>because february will be here before you know it! here's what i'm thinking: if you are at all interested in participating either leave a comment stating so or email me (go to my profile>>> to contact me via email). i will start taking names until december 22. the theme is valentine's day & you will create 4 for 3 atcs. the atcs must be original works (no photocopies please), signed & be of 4 different designs. i request that i receive your lovely atcs at the very latest by february 1, 2007. at that time i will mail out your atc sets, just in time for valentine's day, yay! welp, there you have it folks...think about it...& let me know. i think there are so many wonderfully talented & creative souls out there & wouldn't it be so nice to spread the LOVE?

more art everyday {smile}

2006-11-24T18:58:00.000-06:00

i finally finished my other recipe holder for one of my cookie swap buddies...now, i just gotta fill this book with yummy recipes & bake them cookies!

friday's finds

2006-11-24T04:37:00.000-06:00

as i quickly post this, these are my finds for this week's ff...actually some of these (like the stamps & vintage xmas ornaments in the 1st row of photo collage) are what i had wanted to post last week & that's when my digicam went crazy on me...so i had to go to the store & have a pic cd made...the others are snaps of the xmas stuff that my sis, mom & i had drooled over when i was in chi-town last week... i gotta run, my sis is calling me to go NOW...she is itchin' to let the holiday frenzy begin...yikes! what are your nifty finds? pls. do share & tell either here or here. happy friday y'all!

art everyday {day 24}

2006-11-24T04:25:00.000-06:00

hope you had a nice turkey day! my sis gail & her 2 chitlins are here & my niece woke me up 'cuz my sis has this insane idea to start the holiday shopping! i'm very afraid, lol!!!!! last year, my sis did this & it was NUTS! anyhoo, i'm hurrying here to post my AEM challenge for the day. it's just a simple winter card. yesterday, i was working on my 2nd recipe holder for my cookie swap buds, but i'm not finished with it yet...maybe if i'm not too traumatized, i mean, tired later, i will finish it & post it for y'all to get a sneak peak...

happy thanksgiving

2006-11-23T06:14:00.000-06:00

(my mom striking a pose by a beautiful fall display) may you & yours be blessed today & every day always!

art everyday {day 22}

2006-11-22T21:15:00.000-06:00

i was on such a roll for katspaws AEM challenge until lately...however, i am happy to report that i'm BACK in the saddle again! here is one of 2 recipe holders that i am feverishly trying to complete for my cookie swap partners (i have 2 swap buds)...sorry about the yucky scan job, but my digicam is still on the fritz & i really don't feel like schelping all the way to the super -walmart to have a pic cd made (esp. since it's thanksgiving eve!)...anyhoo, i've still more to go on this one. back to the studio...

life goes on

2006-11-21T17:47:00.000-06:00

it's been a trying last couple of days...a death in the family can really SOBER one up mighty fast, let me tell ya! it never fails to point out your own mortality...yeh, quite SOBERING indeed. i was so physically & emotionally wrecked out since learning of the news...but my conscience is clear that i was there for my mom in her, what's got to be, heart/gut-wrenching, time of NEED. i wasn't up to doing much when i got home yesterday & not even today either...i took a pass on my yoga class (& i rarely do that)>>>all i wanted to do was SLEEP. but something told me to get my a** outta bed & deal with the world. so i took a shower, got dressed & decided to dust off the cobwebs from my make-up bag & fix my face (somewhat)...my flimsy attempt at self-portrait's challenge>>>glam... i guess, i do look LIVELY with some color on me, lol! {but it's soooooooooo much easier to go make-up less!>>>that's my lazy ol' self talkin'!}... i just realized that when i look at my self-portrait that i have the same dark piercing eyes as my mom & grandma...whoa! & something my sis looney said to me: we are connected to grandma bec. she bore mom who bore us! i was not particularly close to my gm, as i have previously mentioned...but my sis' words just echoed in my mind...& then i came up with this simple collage>>> i guess you can call this a daily affirmation for me...to not ever forget where i came from.

in loving memory

2006-11-20T14:42:00.000-06:00

(april 2, 1912 - november 20, 2006) dear grandma b, i know that distance & language barriers have prevented us to be close. but i hope you know now that i will always remember & love you. you were of a different generation & different culture, & while i did not understand or mistook your ways as overly strict or strange, i realize now that you loved us the best that you knew how. your loving daughter, my mom, is on her way to see you & she will make sure you will be properly laid to rest. she will also make sure your memory will be kept alive & passed on down the generations. i will do the same to the best of my ability & memory. grandma, know that my wish for you now is that you may now rest in peace. love your firstborn granddaughter, mary ann xoxoxo

mom's day out

2006-11-19T17:25:00.000-06:00

hi all! i so appreciate all your kind & loving well-wishes especially for my mom! i am typing this from my sis looney's 'puter & she uploaded these pics of our day out with mom. since i got to chicago she had been crying her eyes out & today, she was laughing & smiling...though i know that her heart is heavy. my sis looney, her two chitlins & i took our mom out for some holiday shopping & an early "thanksgiving" dinner. i know that mom so appreciated us spending the day with her...she has a long road ahead. her flight leaves tomorrow morning & it will be a laborious journey. my aunt called mom last night to tell us of grandma's condition. she thinks (my aunt) that grandma is waiting for my mom to arrive. mom is grandma's power of attorney & she knows that grandma does not want any heroic measures. there is intracranial bleeding & they found a large tumor as well. prognosis looks grim. my grandmother turned 94 last march & thankfully mom spent time with her when she & my dad were vacationing there earlier this year. we all want grandma to no longer suffer. i can't even (don't want to) imagine how i would be if i were in the same position as my mom's! my sibs & i have told mom that grandma had a long life & that soon she will be with her Maker. she won't be suffering any more & that she will join other beloved family members, like our sweet precious angel sinead & my other grandmother (my dad's mom). anyhoo, didn't mean to get so deep, these are some pics my sis took of our lovely day. we went to some cute antique shops that were having a holiday event & we had fun oohing & ahhing all the lovely goodies....drool, drool, drool, lol! me drooling over some super cute xmas items... the twins enjoying this beautifully decorated tree... my sis looney took this pic of me taking a closer look at this mantel display... looney & her ian... looney & her shioban... me & mom... we love you so much mom!!!!! safe journey to you & may God keep you from harm's way. please give grandma our love. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

unexpected

2006-11-18T09:01:00.000-06:00

my sis looney called me a few minutes ago in tears...our maternal grandmother (who is in the philippines) is in a stroke-induced coma. & our mother is tripping out BIGTIME & she is making plans to go to the mother country to be with her mother this monday. i have to make an unexpected trip to chicago so that i can be there for MY mom as she is going through this ordeal. i was right in the middle of an art project when my sis called, but all of that is put on HOLD now...i was never close to my maternal grandmother as she was, truth be told, mean to us grandkids over the years...but i do not want to see my mom be in such utter distress & of course, i don't want to hear that my grandmother is suffering. i've already told joe that i'm going to be the dutiful daughter & go to chicago this morning to be some sort of comfort to my mom. she will be gone for 2 weeks & she's going alone! i am worried about her travelling all alone to the other side of the world, especially what happened to her & my dad (they had been robbed while out there)...but i will hope & pray that she will get there safely & whatever outcome with my grandmother will be that it will be as peaceful & painless as possible... yeh, LIFE happens...everything is on hold until at least monday, when i plan to come back. this is where i wonder why stuff like this happens? well, i guess i will ponder that on my drive to chicago...take care my dear blog sistas, pals & readers... see ya when i get back.

art everyday {day 17}

2006-11-17T12:53:00.000-06:00

still haven't a clue why my digi-cam won't import my pics...sorry about this poor scan job, but it's what i gots working at the moment! these are some tags i made as a *bonus* goody for one very special customer, who recently bought some stuff from my shop. i hope she likes them as much as i had making them with her in mind! & these are my contribution for katspaws' AEM challenge, day 17. i hope that i haven't broken my digi-cam...i really don't want to have to go out & buy another one! so please bear with me folks while i have someone look at my cam & hopefully {with fingers crossed} be able to figure out what's wrong with it!

technical difficulties

2006-11-17T08:59:00.000-06:00

i'm having problems importing my pics for this week's friday's finds...i don't know if i need a new usb cable or a new digicam>>>my cam is not even a year old!!!!!! waah!!!! i had wanted to post all these neat vintage/retro-y christmas doo-dads & decorations that i found for dirt cheap at my fave local thrift shops, castaways...but gosh darn it, my cam or usb cable is not cooperating!!!! as i figure out what gives with my camera, let's see what ya got {smiles}. leave a comment with your link OR of course, you can go to flickr. have a wonderful friday!

[this is me]

2006-11-17T08:45:00.000-06:00

is this week's topic for studio friday...i love creating with paper, stamps, inks, paints, fibers, found objects & vintage ephemera...the above collage is just a sampling of the many things that make me, me! to see others' this is me posts, go here.

how lucky are you?!

2006-11-16T05:55:00.000-06:00

thanks to all the lovely gals who played this week's wysiwyg wednesday! your participation was really appreciated! & without further ado, the lucky recipients this week ARE>>> wendy of windy angel won the pool for item #1>>>yay, wendy!!!!! i still have your snail mail addy wendy>>>so glad that this will go to a good home... rhonda of whimsical one won item #2>>>hooray, rhonda! how much fun you will have! (oh, i know yours too!) {blogless, lol} lisa won the toss-up for item #3>>>yay, lisa! {ahem, still waiting on your blog girl, lol!}...& i also know your addy! & {drum roll......}>>>this was a TOUGHIE>>>but lainie of scrap happy done beat out my sis looney on item #4 {sorry loon! but not too worry, i've got you covered when you & the chitlins' come visit next week!}....woo-hoo, lainie!!!! at your convenience, drop me an email with your snail mail addy>>>thanks bunches! CONGRATS to all the lucky ww winners this week!!! it makes my heart glad to know that y'all want to spread the good karma around>>> shine on!

art everyday {day 16}

2006-11-16T05:16:00.000-06:00

i just made this, another sample card i'm thinking about making for a card swap i'm in (i have to make 2 holiday cards) ...i think i will be able to make more of these...this is my effort for katspaws' art everyday challenge...& lately it's been a CHALLENGE to make art everyday. the days that i work at the school are kinda long & intense. i was just telling my dear pal, angie wangie, how tough it can be working with severe autistic kiddos (i have 2 out of the bunch) & when they are having a bad day, it makes it tough on those who work with them... i often come home spent & not having the energy to create...but i try to push myself, even if it's just a card or a tag...well, after today, i will be free from the school kids (no school next week, yeah!). so hopefully, i can create my art with vigor & gusto! i want so much to keep up with the AEM challenge...i have so much that i want to CREATE & share with all of you. yes, AEM is a challenge indeed.

aem, day 15 (late entry)

2006-11-16T05:05:00.000-06:00

a sample card i made for a card swap i'm in...my (late) entry for katspaws' AEM, day 15. i had a rather long day yesterday & i was too tired to post anything last night...anyhoo, i was inspired by some wonderful quilts i saw on a quilting show the other day, except this is my "paper" quilt attempt.

i'm thrilled to bits

2006-11-15T06:32:00.000-06:00

(please click on image to enlarge)

to have this lil' advent calendar featured in the dec. 1st edition of esther's e-zine. omigosh, this has never happened to me before...it's so exciting! so please go check out esther's site dec. 1st to see my calendar as well as others...thanks a bunch! 11/17/06 addendum: i would like to submit this to wednesday stamper as their theme this week is {tag}...& this calendar is chock full of them!

wysiwyg wednesday

2006-11-15T05:11:00.000-06:00

it's wednesday & you know what that means? it's time to play wysiwyg wednesday!the first item up for grabs is this new-in-package dvd that has remained UNCLAIMED since the last ww...i never did hear from julie l. of alaska...so i re-enter it back in the ww pool! item two is actually a set of 6 hero arts stamps booklets filled with all sorts of nifty ideas for cards, tags, etc, etc...perfect for anyone new or not to rubber stamping! item three is the april 2006 issue of scrapbooks etc. magazine. this, too, is filled with all sorts of neat ideas for SPRING & has a cool article on making your own wall art using scrapbook techniques & materials. & last but not least, i'm throwing in that little queenie i made the other day. this will be item four. since it has a copyright image, i can't sell it in my shop & i'm thinking someone might like to have this>>>so here you go! just in time for the holidays... so there you have it folks...if you are interested in anything posted here, pls. drop me a comment stating so. i will take names until 10 pm cst TONIGHT & the lucky recipients will be announced tomorrow, 11-16-06. good luck & happy wysiwyg wednesday!

art everyday {day 14}

2006-11-14T17:27:00.000-06:00

i found this site where you can download copyright-free images, such as the cute lil' faces you see above. wicked cool bec. i'm going to put these little cuties in my shop, woohoo! i found the noel blocks from the "dirt-cheap" bins at hobby lobby... i'm kinda getting obsessed with making these little dolls ever since i made those matchbox ornaments! now that i found these lovely copyright-free images, i'll be making more of those dolly ornaments! yipee!! oh yes, this is also my effort for katspaws' AEM, day 14.

cover shot

2006-11-14T06:41:00.000-06:00

as they say, all good things must come to an end...& today is rascal's day to return to his 3rd grade class in st. louis. the above is the front cover of the little journal i put together of his visit here. i hope his classmates will enjoy it as much as i had putting it together. bye rascal {sniff, sniff}...we will miss you! safe journey home.

last day

2006-11-13T18:16:00.000-06:00

tomorrow rascal will be going back to st. louie. i wanted to send back a couple of postcards from cheeseland for him to show his 3rd grade class, but would you believe that i searched high & low all over town & there were NO postcards to be had? i thought for sure i'd find some at the cracker barrel, but NADA. oh well, not to worry, i'm putting together a little scapbook for him to take home of all his adventures, hee hee...i took rascal to the crackerbox palace as they were having their last make & take days {at the "green house"} for the year. rascal helped me make a couple of cards. on the way home, we spotted a black cow & his llama pal just hanging out. rascal got a kick out of seeing these rather large creatures. we finally got home & rascal helped pick out some recipes for the upcoming herb society holiday party, which will be held at our house next month. wow...it's been a busy week. i hope that rascal had a wicked good time visiting cheeseland. i know that joe & i enjoyed having him around! something tells me that i will be having rascal withdrawals, lol!

art everyday {day 13}

2006-11-13T17:38:00.000-06:00

this is one of two elf ornaments that i found at castaways, the local thrift shop {rascal &} i went to the other day. it was a mere 15 cents each {i love the prices there!!!!}...here's what i did to the other elf>>> i transformed it to this little queenie... it's my altered art for katspaws' AEM, day 13. looks like the other elf's days are numbered.

stylin'

2006-11-12T10:53:00.000-06:00

something was lacking from rascal's red scarf i had made him the other day. i thought it should have his monogram, so i stitched one on... he'll be heading back on tuesday & he couldn't very well leave cheeseland without any cheese, now could he? so i made him is very own cheesehead hat!

art everyday {day 12}

2006-11-12T10:30:00.000-06:00

happy, sunny sunday! i've been tinkering in my studio this bright, beautiful morning & this is an atc i've made for katspaws' AEM, day 12. at first glance it looks like your standard atc...but wait>>>there is a surprise! pull ribbon... et voila! a mini holiday collage with its built- in stand... i think i might throw this one up for sale in my shop...do you think it will do well?

the adventures continue

2006-11-12T06:02:00.000-06:00

rascal has a couple of days left in cheeseland before he returns to st. louie. he wanted to check out the snow {we got a light dusting} but not before i made him little scarf from scraps of red felt. baby it's cold outside, brrr! the little hill beside the driveway "crunched" underfoot, but rascal didn't care, he wanted to try the little plastic slider...he's such a playful lil' guy, hehehe. i had to go to an early morning herb society meeting at the horticultural center & rascal came along. on our way there, we stopped dead in our tracks because there were some bucks strutting along the road...rascal had never seen deer before...i told him that joe & i always see deer running around everywhere around here. after the meeting, we swung by the rotary gardens, but the gardens were closed, as they are getting ready to decorate the place for their upcoming winter wonderland walk that the herb society will be holding next month. i took a few pics of the little guy & then we started to head back for the house. we passed by the ice arena {which is by the gardens} & i just couldn't resist taking rascal to castaways, one of my fave local haunts>>>the prices there are dirt cheap! once we got back to the house, joe was waiting for us & so the three of us ventured to capitol of cheeseland, just so rascal could say he had been there, done that, lol! we had a very yummy lunch at this indian restaurant & rascal (& i} just adored the mango ice cream>>> mmm, mmm, good!

christmas daze

2006-11-11T07:54:00.000-06:00

just another {closer} look at the tag calendar i created earlier this today.

art everday {day 11}

2006-11-11T00:36:00.000-06:00

i just finished making this & it's already day 11 of AEM...so while i'm still up, i thought i'd post this before i zonk out for the night (i mean, it's morning now)...it's an advent calendar, if you hadn't figured it out. i saw something similar in an old christmas magazine & i thought i'd try my version...i think when i am more coherent, i will try to get a better snap of this. there's way too many shadows in this snap! anyway, off to bed! see ya later...

what a difference

2006-11-11T00:16:00.000-06:00

a day makes! just the other day mary ann & i {rascal} were enjoying summer-like temperatures & then, wham-O! the BIG chill occurs. yesterday, it was dark & gloomy & so very chilly that i nearly froze my little hiney off! that mailbox of mary ann & joe's sure is COLD. mary ann had to go to some craft store bec. she had something that was like gold>>>uh yes, a coupon for 50% off... let me tell ya, it was FREEZING here in cheeseland. mary ann tried to keep me warm {or was it vice versa?}...her hubby joe was so friendly & those creatures with whiskers weren't too bad either. but geez, they had a whole tribe of them! it had been raining all morning & then by mid-afternoon, the rain turned into snow...i just had to investigate, since mary ann & joe were making such a big fuss about it...yup, the white stuff was coming down. i wonder if it will be there tomorrow, i so hate getting my paws all wet & shivery. mary ann wanted some company in her studio so i thought i give her a hand...boy, she sure does have a lot of junk...but she seemed happy. watching mary ann work in her studio sure made me tired...so i took a nap. the eye pillow smelled so nice, like lavender or something like that...it made me fall right into puppy dreamland. then mary ann snuggled up beside me...ahhh, so nice to be a welcomed houseguest.

happy veterans' day!

2006-11-11T00:12:00.000-06:00

{hand}

2006-11-10T17:07:00.000-06:00

is this week's theme for wednesday stamper...& my contribution to katspaws' AEM, day 10. the little girls & bingo card i think came from a paper/ephemera swap i did with blog sista nancy {thanks nance!} last summer...well, onto more projects...

follow your bliss

in with the new; out with the old

beloved, touched & blessed

studio friday

friday's finds

a trying day

not bad for a gal who's under the weather...

my new digicam & a look back...

ringing in 2007

reflection

friday's finds

what does yours say?

what to do

& the winners are

wordless wednesday

there's still time

wysiwyg wednesday

i can't believe this & did you know?

la salle de bain

to you & yours

warm wishes

'twas the night before christmas

labor of love

gratitude

{open}

"make-up" atcs

atc sweatshop

friday's finds

wordless wednesday

how'd she do that?

sometimes 2 heads are better than 1

stripes

sweatshop break

sweatshop

it's better to give

friday's finds

self-portrait

some lucky gals!

wordless wednesday

wysiwyg wednesday

tag, you're it!

merry chri-stress?

another thank you

thank you nina!

weekend recap

*sparkle*

friday's finds & other goodies

making do

i'm dreaming

added *bling*

all i want for christmas

pink & turquoise

santa baby

some WIPs done

sorry about the delay

snowy, snowy weekend

{b & w}

{believe} atc

friday's finds

studio friday

art everyday, day 30

the snow is comin'

bonne chance

wysiwyg wednesday

art everyday {day 29}

window

glowy glam

art everyday, day 28

i need a new digicam

art everyday, day 27

art everday {day 26}

"sweak" {sweet +sneak) peak

more art everyday {smile}

friday's finds

art everyday {day 24}

happy thanksgiving

art everyday {day 22}

life goes on

in loving memory

mom's day out

sparkle

added bling