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~