10,000 Thank You's

A super huge heartfelt Thank You to everyone that took the time to stop by and wish me a happy birthday. I can't begin to express how much it has meant to me and just how wonderful this birthday month has been. I feel such a depth of gratitude ... it's likely going to take me 100 years to come close to repaying the joy that I have been given. I promise to give it my best effort ... who knows, if I try hard enough maybe I can do it in 50. :)

UberSpouse and I had a date tonight, so critter-child was with gran till about an hour ago. I couldn't keep her up to draw the names for the party favors, so ... I assigned everyone that left a comment on "It's My Party" with a number (starting at the top - I didn't include myself):

1 - Scrappy Jessi
2 - Janet (Lavendar Loft)
3 - e.beck
4 - wahm922
5 - Janet (Fond of Snape)
6 - Marilyn
7 - Barbara
8 - Sandy
9 - Cindy
10 - Donna
11 - Marlou B.
12 - Janet (Fond of Snape)
13 - daydreamstudios
14 - mermaid musings

Then I went to http://www.random.org/ and set it up for 4 random numbers between 1 and 14 ... drumroll, please ... and the winners are:

Congratulations Marlou B., e.beck, Donna and Cindy. I'll be sure to leave a comment in your latest post asking for you to email me your addess.

Thanks again to everyone for helping make this the BEST birthday EVER

Two more birthday highlights to mention:

First, S&D had an extra special gift for me today ... may I introduce Chili:

She's the first "plushie" S has ever made (D did help, but from what he's told me, she gets all the credit for designing it and shares a lot in the execution). They stuffed it with coffee beans, so it smells really good.

AND

The mom-in-laws final pressie arrived for me today ... it was from my ESTY wish list.

This is Bubo:

Bubo was created by Janell M. Berryman of Pumpkinseeds Originals ... I simply adore Bubo! If you like what you see, check out her ETSY store (last I checked two other lumpy's - Peep & Howie - were still available)

It's way past my bedtime and it's a school night and I need some beauty sleep, so I'm off.

Ciao! ~M~

Life is Way Better Than Good

I recently visited Amber Dawn's page (to let her know that I had completed my 25 charms) and came across something pretty cool ... the Diary 2009 Project ... when I checked it out (plus examples from the Diary 2008 Project) I decided to give it a shot ... well to be honest, I emailed the host & asked if May 29th was still available - I told myself if it was, I was in ... it was and I am! I'll be sure to post what I come up with ...

... ooooh! even better, maybe I'll try to do a couple of designs and let YOU pick the one you like best.

Click on this image:

You know that you've been curious ... so, GO AHEAD!

In other news ... turning 40 is the BEST! - everyone has been so amazingly wonderful I think I just might burst! You might remember that I have a tradition of celebrating my birthday for the entire month of May (if not, go here for the scoop) and this year has been a May to remember. I hope y'all don't mind humoring me as I run down the highlights:

a set of rechargable batteries

(it should be noted that I take LOTS of photo's and go through batteries like water)
sushi for lunch (delivered by uber-spouse & cool-kid at work)
a birthday card from a co-worker every Tuesday since May began
a FABULOUS facial (by the aesthetician at the salon I work at)
a new (and well overdue) haircut (by one of our Master Stylists):

(it should be noted that prior to this I had nearly no layers, long bangs & it was past my shoulders)

the first season of Battlestar Galactica

(I hadn't seen the show till visiting a girlfriend in Phx & mentioned I wish I had ... she remembered)

a chai latte and chocolate covered espresso beans (delivered to work by uber-fam)

a movie date (with wicked-cool-mom-in-law) to see Sex & the City this weekend!

a shopping spree (for a new outfit - also with wicked-cool-mom-in-law)

a Monica Magness doll form extraordinaire

(purchased from her Etsy store, but packaged with bonus treats)

Across the Universe (the movie - which I like a lot)

Stardust (the illustrated book)

beautiful art postcards by A Fanciful Twist

(purchased from her Etsy store)

and this really fab card from a set of twins that I adore:

AND ... in just over 4 hours I will officially be 40!

Don't forget to post a comment on my "It's My Party" post if you'd like to be included in the give-a-way drawing.

I think I should mention that I am a self proclaimed novice crafter (that still dreams of growing up and being an artist one day). I am making all the "party favors" for the give-a-way myself ... I can't promise any "high art" or perfect little pretties, but I am having fun making the favors & can guarantee that they are made from a happy place & imbued with much love.

Like I said ... life is better than good. :)

Black & White Charm Swap - Fini!

There was an added challenge in Amber Dawn's very cool Black and White Charm Swap ... coming up with some sort of creative "packaging" ... I thought about it quite a bit ... I didn't want to do a simple envelope or box ... don't have scraps of black and white cloth (or the time to sew 25 pretty little bags) ... so my options seemed pretty limited ... until:

I printed the mini black and white ellies on 30lb business gloss and cut them into 2.5 inch square. Then, I folded the little squares into cranes & suspended the charms through the center of the crane. I know that they aren't wrapped, but I thought this was a nice little "delivery" system. What do you think?

In honor of turning 40 I am having my very own give-a-way. If you'd like to be included, go to: "It's My Party" and leave me a comment.

lil Teaser

Remember the Pink Artists Community Doll Project?

And the plethora of square after square after square and the the final reveal?

WELL:

The drawing details are in the works!

I'll be sure to post them when their are finalized.

Remember to post a comment here if you'd like to

be included in my birthday give-a-way.

It's My Party!

10 days from today I'll be 40 ... and i feel like celebrating ... by having my very own give-a-way! between now and the 29th I'll be putting together lil goodie bags ... a little of this, a little of that ... maybe one of those, too ... and then, sometime on the 29th I'll put everyone's name in a hat and will let my awesome-critter pull out a name or two (or three or four) ... hehe ... I'm excited just thinking about it! If you'd like your name in the hat, please leave a comment ... share a favorite birthday memory or gift ... share a joke ... tell a story ... or just say, "I'm in" ... feel free to let you friends know it's a party, after all, so EVERYONE is welcome!

Cheers! ~M~

Project Updates

If you are here via Pam's challenge, my Little World photo's can be found here.

I completed the four panels for Karla & Beth's Vintage Workshop swap late Friday night (I know, nothing like waiting till the very last moment). Uber-honey made the trip to the post office Saturday and priority mailed it ... I'm fairly confident it'll arrive at Beth's tomorrow - my fingers are crossed! Here's how they ended up:

For a first attempt at something like this, I am pleased that I finished and (as is typical) now that I am done, I am suddenly struck by things I could have done differently and ways I could have improved the exectution. Also, after seeing some sneak previews of other offerings, I am truly humbled by the creative genious that surrounds me. I've gotten a lot of inspiration from those visits. All-in-all this has been a fun and educational experience for me. I've definitely found a little courage for trying something new.

Since this deadline loomed sooner than the Black and White Charm Exchange, my poor little ellies had to sit patiently by. This morning I dusted them off and added the silver edging:

I used model paint and am really happy with how shiny it is - if you squint (just a little) you could believe that it's chrome. Once I feel confident that the paint is dry, I'll add another coat of high gloss varnish (to both sides, of course). Once that dries I'll be rounding the home streatch - I'll get to poke the holes and add the jump rings.

It's too late to start all over, but if I were to make more like this, I would probably cut the paper to the size (and shape) of my wooden piece and would just seal the image high gloss varnish. I'd still want to paint the edge ... I can't scrap what I've done so far for two reasons ... 1) this was my first attempt at anything like this (yes, a lot of firsts these days), so I have a soft spot for them and 2) I've put a lot of time, energy, and love into them. I hope the recipients will be able to feel that in the pieces and appreciate them, too.

I just visited Amber Dawn's blog and learned that she is still looking for a few more participants. If you are interested, please go here and leave a comment.

You know you want to!

OK, so the last update for now:

There's not a lot of progress on my beaded doll, but I have been busy ... if you would like to see the previous photo updates you'll find them here and here.

Oops! One more. The uber-hub has given me an indefinite extension on his own challenge ... the beaded God's Eye is part of it, so I guess it IS in progress.

I Live In My Own Little World

Earlier this week (while visiting Scrappy Jessi) I came across a fun little event at Blog Cabin Fever. Pam is hosting a "I Live in My Own Little World" challenge. Here's what she wrote:

In a Nutshell...

1. Let me know you are in the Challenge by commenting on this post (3rdEyeMuse: this links to the list of people that are taking on the challenge). Sorry, I don't have a button.

2. In the title space on your own blog write: I Live In My Own Little World Challenge. Then blog photos of where you create your blog (pic of your computer) and all your favorite, inspiring places around the house and yard.

3. You can post anytime between now and Sunday, May 18th. (3EM: at last check, there was still room to be included in the list ... and two days left to rise to the occasion)

4. I'll put a link to the first 18 players starting now, so let me know soon. Your name will show up on my sidebar too by commenting and joining in.

So, what is your Own Little World like? Show us in photos, and please let me know if you do play along so we can each visit your house to see how you've created YOUR world. I'll send each player, via email, a collage of mine to print out for their own use. But you must leave a comment here so I know where to send it and that you are participating.

Fun, don't you think? I had a great time taking snaps of the things right around me and didn't really venture into the yard (I'm pretty sure I took enough as it is) ... I did take a quick step out onto the lanai, though. Originally I had written mini disertations in regards to what's below ... it took a lot of effort and a deep breath, but I decided to delete the commentary! I'm pretty sure my home will never grace the pages of Homes and Gardens, but I whole heartedly admit that my own little world suits me; every little treasure feeds my heart & fuels my soul.

Please enjoy your visit ...

1

2 3 4

5 6 7

8

9 10 11

12 13 14

15

16

17

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peak. I have numbered all the photos (to the left of the image), so please feel free to let me know if you have any question.

And don't forget to visit the other Little Worlds out there!

My eyes nearly popped right out of my head!

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like something special is going to happen? I actually woke up this morning feeling really good - it was almost like my brain & heart had an inside track on knowing there was some happy magic in the air ... I went to work like any other Thursday, but this Thursday we had great people in the salon. There was such a good vibe & it just got better and better.

One of J's clients was a no show. This is such rare occurance where J's concerned, so she wasn't even bothered by it - plus, when I talked to the client the first thing she said was, "If I were a dog, I'd have my tail so far between my legs right now" - I'd never heard someone put it that way. It was amusing. We got her rescheduled, but J still had an hour and a half before her next client, so I got my hair cut ... not just trimmed, either, but a fun & sassy new do. How cool is that?!? So, for the rest of the afternoon I was treated to the loverly comments of the peeps that come play with us.

That sounds like the best part, right? Well, it's NOT! (Don't get me wrong, though. I love my new cut.)

BUT

Check this out ...

When I got home and checked the mail there was a little package for me from Artsy-Sistah-Goddess-Thread-Wild-Girl-Monica.

Wooohoooooo!

I just knew that my doll form had arrived.

You should know that I have this funny little habit of small bits of self torture -

when I get a treat or a prezzie I often make myself wait before opening it

... (I like building up the anticipation) ...

I'll take care of a few things, feed the pets, tidy up a bit, check emails, etc. before

I let myself open my package. So, that's exactly what I did ...

Imagine my surprise when I opened the (hermetically sealed) package and found THIS:

OMG!!! And the treats didn't stop there ... I don't know if you can tell from the above photo, but there are two little packages behind that laughing bad*ss-shoe-wearing-winged-uber-dollie ...

Doesn't that burst of brightness just make you want to grin?!? It's hard to see, but under the ribbon of the pink package is a little baggy full of pretty little sparkly pink SEQUINS!

AND

This:

was inside ... isn't that pin just spectacular?!?

here's a closer view:

*sigh*

I'm a bit awed by the fact that this little work of art is mine. Amazing.

Remember that doll form that I mentioned? It was in the yellow package:

Isn't it incredible?!?

I love the fabric, the shape of the torso and the head ... oh! and the arms and legs are AWESOME plus, they are ARTICULATED! Don't you just love how it sits? I am a bit star-struck ... I really think I might just have to buy the other one (if it hasn't disappeared from Monica's Etsy store, yet) just so I can leave one of them just like it is.

oh! and check out the "ribbon" Monica used in wrapping my little treasures:

I saw Critter-Child eyeing the fabric pieces ... I feel some negotiations coming my way. :)

Double WooooooHooooooo!

Words really don’t do justice to the joy, inspiration, gratitude and humbled awe that I am feeling. I feel so blessed & lucky.

Thank you, Monica ... 10,000 thank you’s for your generous heart & for helping make this the bestest birthday month EVER. My heart feels full.

Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap

Here are the last two panels for Karla & Beths Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap

:

I think I like the first two a little better. When I finished them I had the idea to use birds as bonnets ... I think the idea (or my image of it) was a little better than the execution ... I have to admit that the thought still amuses me. All I need to do now is the backs and then I can ship them out. :)

I have some work stuff that I need to do, but if I get that done early enough, I plan on working on the charms ... painting the edges silver. I really like the effect - I'm using silver airplane paint, so it looks great when it's done.

Happy Mom's Day to All

Happy, Happy Mom's Day ...
whether you are one or have one to celebrate,
may today bring you much joy!

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried playdough doesn't come out of shag carpet.

Real Mothers sometimes ask "why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "because I love you best."

Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mother.

Love, Love, Love,

~M~