A LONG While Back ...

"Nikki" a.k.a Lee Anne from Sun Soul Art had a giveaway for this:



A beautiful glass heart ... and it wasn't even a Valentine's giveaway (though it DID happen this past February) ... and lucky me, I was drawn (does it make a difference that I had a 50/50 chance?) ... you'd think that the heart was enough (I did), but when the package arrived, I was blown away by the goodies Lee Anne had included ...

Everything is set out on a piece of amazing sacred heart paper she'd included ... but take a look at some detail pictures of the treasures I found in the package:



The Dia de los Muertos image is actually a mirror

as is the Frida image below:



There was soooo much heart in the box (literally & figuratively) did you notice the Milagros sitting on the painted ATC ... how about the sea glass or the patina'd metal scared heart?

or

the amazing carved wooden heart stamp resting on the new Juego de Loteria (Mexican Bingo):



There's so much goodness to look at, drool over & to figure out just how to work into new pieces (click on any image for a larger view to see exactly what I am talking about). I have a very strong feeling that some items will turn up in this years offering for:

Dia de Bloglandia

and others may find themselves in this years creation for the

Cigar Box Shrine Auction ...

there are soooo many possibilities!

Sending one HUGE thank you to Lee Anne for trusting me with all these treasures ... after all this time, I still look at everything with such AWE

... exactly how much inspiration can be packed into one box? ...

More than I had ever imagined.

Lee Anne and I have been weaving ourselves in and out of many of the same Blogland events. She is one of those artists that seems to pull magic right from thin air and turns that magic into amazing creations ... for a small sampling of what I am refering to, go:

HERE

HERE

HERE

and how about

HERE

Enjoy your time getting to know Lee Anne! I can honestly say that it has been my pleasure crossing paths with her ... and think you'll feel the same.

Interview Game for Bloggers

On a recent visit with Lee Anne ("Nikki" from Sun Soul Art Thoughts - found HERE), I came across her post "Interview Game for Bloggers". I really liked learning a little more about her, so emailed her to play along.

She came up with some really terrific interview questions that made me pause and really think about the answers ... (questions are in green and answers are in purple)

1. Michelle, you are so kind and giving with your words to other bloggers and an inspiration to new bloggers.....what words have inspired you?
first off, thank you ... I don't know that I've ever seen myself in that light. so many things, let alone words, have inspired me ... my current favorite string of words:

"Live the life you have imagined". (Thoreau)

2. I see you do origami, knitting, doll making and are a genius with a sharpie......what, if any, new medium would you love to try?
lol ... perhaps the question ought to be what new medium DON'T you want to try ... I'd really love to work with glass (I think more a form of blowing, but would be thrilled to do stained glass, too).

(please note: I haven't learned how to knit, yet - but I can crochet long chains and simple granny squares)

3. How does your Mandala picture and the name of your blog relate to who you are as an artist?
Once upon a time I wanted to be an artist. In that dream I created art from a sacred place (inside myself & at the same time connected to the universe) that was meant for sacred spaces ... once in a while I live that dream. The name is a reminder; the mandala a map.

4. Nature is a reoccurring theme in your blog......what season (even in Florida) inspires you the most and why?
I have great appreciation for all the seasons, but am a May baby, so have a special fondness for spring ... spring tends to have lovely weather (no matter where you live), flowers bloom, days get longer ... it's a time of growth, renewal, new beginnings ... it's hope and possibility.

5. As a frequent visitor to your blog, you seem to balance work, family, your artist side and of course... all the time sharing online.. so well......What is your secret?
Ancient Chinese secret, don't you know ... honestly, I think that I appear to be much more balanced than I actually am. Work is easy - I have a schedule that dictates when I have to be there and that's all they get of me (fully when present and not at all when I am not) ... the rest? that's continues to be a work in progress.

If you are interested in playing along, here are the "THE INTERVIEW RULES"

1. Leave me a comment with your email address saying: “interview me”
2. I will e-mail you five questions of my choice
3. You can then answer the questions on your blog {with a link back to my blog}
4. You should also post these rules, along with an offer to interview anyone else who emails you, wanting to be interviewed
5. Anyone who asks to be interviewed should be sent 5 questions to answer on their blog individualized for each blogger. Read their blog and their profile to come up with the questions.