In Memory of Susie

The "Pink Artist" inspired by Monica Magness at Girl Gone Thread Wild is about to close on March 1st. Then Monica will be stitching together all these 2x2" squares that artists from all over the globe have sent in. If you haven't been there yet, go check her site out. It's quite overwhelming and humbling.

Over 158 artists have participated. Many sending in more than one square. The squares are being sewn together to create a costume for an art doll that will be up for auction with all the proceeds going to the Susan G Kormen for the cure foundation for breast cancer awareness.

These are the 2x2" squares I did, dedicated to
my bestest buddy Susie who went to meet the Lord on April 24, 2007. She battled breast cancer for 17 years. Susie was always entertaining , always an encourager, and always full of energy and life. It was from her that I learned how the Lord had purposed my life to be creative and artistic. She also encouraged others how to worship through art. People responded to her passing by creating art pieces that they brought to her husband Rick. I think that is was an amazing way to honor her. We also communally created a large collage (5' x8') for her memorial. It was a large, yellow, Texas rose. Just like Susie, bright, beautiful, and larger than life...oh and did I mention from Texas...ya all

I miss her!

These acrylics are the ones my hubbie Dave did. He was one out of three men that sent art in for the project.

I wish I lived closer to Monica. I'd love to help her stitch this all together.

I told her if she wants to fly out to California, I'm game!

Dragonfly

There is something very magical about dragonflies. I'm not too sure exactly why I'm so attracted to them, but I'm not the only one.

flickr: manguiwau

There are thousands of amazing photos on Flickr alone dedicated to these insect.

waterdragonfly

They come in a rainbow of colors, eat the bad bugs in the yard and are harmless. When you arrive at my front door you're greeted by a chair that I painted with one on it.

I signed up for "Pay It Forward" with Angelina at Angelina's Trinkets and this flew to my front door! This wonderful beaded dragonfly that she made.

He now lives connected to a stained glass mirror that has the same colors in the floral roses that surround it . He looks like he has always belonged there. Thank you Angelina




While on my search for interesting photos I found this artist, Wanda at Wanda Designs. She is making these wonderful polymer clay pins.


By the way, my very favorite store is in St Helena, California. Right on Main street and can you guess what the name is?


DRAGONFLY!

Tagged!

I got tagged by Charlie McGee......so here goes.

7 Random Facts

1. Before kids I owned a costume shop for 12 years. The stories I could tell!

2. I had the honor to meet, speak, (more like gravel) and be photographed with my two ultimate design idols, Bob Mackie and Erte'.

(photo note....it was a long time ago)

Yep, this is me with big hair, big ear rings, goofy clothes and BOB!

This was Erte's 95th birthday party in New York City.

3. I hate peas but love split pea soup. Go figure.


4. I was proposed to on top of the Eiffel Tower way before Tom Cruise even thought of it.

5. I sewed costumes for the orangutan's that performed for Marine World Africa USA.
flickr

6. I owned the most Barbies out of all the girls on my block.

Now my Mom owns the most Barbies out of everyone in the WORLD!

And the 7th most random fact about me.......................

flickr

My hidden muse would be to have been a hippie.

Well, kind of....without the drugs and San Francisco. But, with the cool clothes and living somewhere warmer!

Oh, and a red VW bug or even better a VW bus.

Decorated to look like an opium den without the opium.

bus

You get the picture. I'm still trying to come up with the perfect name...maybe "Sunshine Fuchsia Snapdragon". What do you think?

flickr

Yep, this would be me, "Sunshine Fuchsia Snapdragon with my hubbie, "Stormy Grey Sunflower" painting our way across the country in our VW bus. We don't have to worry about our retirement finances because our children will be supporting us!

Now for the fun part.

YOU HAVE BEEN TAGGED

Here’s the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

belinda schneider I found Belinda's site just recently and keep going back. She has an amazing sense of whimsey with her colors and fabric use.

Cottage By the River, She is hosting the hat swap. If you haven't signed up yet here's your chance.

Dave Huddleston, Even though I know random facts about him, I thought "Stormy Grey Sunflower" should share with blogland.

Angelina's Trinkets , Angelina was my 'pay if forward' partner and I just received the most beautiful beaded dragonfly from her.

A Succession of Busy Nothings, Michael amuses me with her wit. Besides I'm not sure I know all random facts about her.

Deirdra Doan , I love her art and I love her and her husbands music.

The Garden of Pink Shadows, Melissa hosted the first swap I was in. Not only is her site BEAUTIFUL. You have to check out her nests for spring.

Well, there you go. Now I have to notify them.

Ribbon Spools

I was wrapping ribbons and rather quickly ran out of vintage wooden spools.

In an attempt to figure out what to do with a lot more ribbon and lace, I came up with this idea.

I took two large vintage buttons, a darning needle, and ribbon. Needing to come up with something to place as a spacer between the buttons, I thought of a straw. After I put these together I decided a Starbucks straw would probably work better since they are black!

It's super simple. Lace the ribbon through the button (1), straw, button(2), back up through the straw and out button (1). Pull and tie off with a cute little bow on top.

Spools

After the spools are created they are ready to wrap up your vintage heirloom lace and ribbons.

I sent this idea into a magazine......Goal for 2008.......

Get Published!

My First Swap

I returned home from a restful weekend womens retreat at Sea Ranch on the California coast. Waiting for me at the door was not my lovely family (they were in the other room) but a box from Texas....the Heart Art Swap that Melissa at the Garden of Pink Shadows put together!

After quick greetings I ran upstairs to open and photograph.

Inside this wonderful box was goodies of all sorts..... doilies, ribbons, tags, ornaments, buttons, wings and CHOCOLATE!

What more could a girl ask for?

My swap Valentine was Carrie Harney. Look at the beautiful heart she created. Such an artist.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Carrie, for the lovely package and thank you Melissa for organizing this fun swap.

The Pink Artist

Monica Magness, at girl gone thread wild has come up with a fantastic idea titled "the pink artist". It is a community of artists joining together to create one joint art doll to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. When the doll is complete, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™ and then auctioned off on eBay at a later date.

One of my closest friends went to meet the Lord this last April from breast cancer. She had such a creative spirit I can't think of a better way to honor her, then by participating in this project.

ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY.

Go check out the site and get involed. Deadline is March 1, 2008.

And The Winner Is...........

I signed up for Lisa Oceandreamer One World One Heart swap last minute and still received 108 comments. I have now traveled the world and have linked sites I would never have found before. What fun this all was!

So, after I called my daughter "many times" and announced a new number of hits on my site to my hubbie every half hour for the last three days...............it's now time for the drawing.

And the winner is...

AHILTZ

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to Lisa and all who got involved with this wonderful give away. I'm looking forward to revisiting and getting to know many new creative people out there in this blogland.

Pay It Forward

I took an invite from the very talented Angelina to take part in the 'Pay It Forward' exchange. I too think this is a great idea and I am willing to play! I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this ‘Pay It Forward’ exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! And truthfully, it will most probably be later rather than sooner! The only thing you have to do in return is ‘Pay It Forward’ by making the same promise on your blog with a link back to me. So basically, if you comment, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make! Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. You must post this on your blog to be eligible.

One World One Heart

OK, I am very last minute on this one! I just found out about this great idea by Lisa S. Oceandreamer. So here's how it works. You leave me a comment .....make it nice since I'm new to all this. Besides you have no idea how happy it makes me to see a comment. My hubby and kids already think I'm nuts. When I recieved the first one from someone other than family I called my daughter at work to tell her. She indulged me just like a good daughter should do. She was my favorite that day.

Then on Valentines Day the 14th, I will draw a name and will mail you this piece of art that I recently created. If you don't have a blog you can send me an e-mail also to be put into the hat!

This is a hanging piece. The hearts are collage quilted with fabric and paper. Each of the hearts are stuffed and dimensional. The key is suspended from the first of the three hearts. It hangs approximately 10" long. Perfect for a door handle, wall hanging or lamp jewel.

Ok, I'm ready for a full comment sheet and I'll warn my daughter I may be calling her again! Best wishes to all!

Running

Is this AWESOME?

My hubbie, Dave the famous artist did this for me! It's the beginning art for my blog banner that my daughter has promised to do for me! Sadly, political science and work are keeping her away from helping her poor computer illiterate mother from finding her "blog voice" ............

Aunt Phyllis Turned 80!

Aunt Phyllis turned 80! What a blessing to have lived life to this age. Family and friends flew in from all over to surprise her and celebrate the day. It was a wonderful family reunion with four generations present. My Aunt bravely left Minnesota where she had lived most of her life to start anew in sunny California. The state where "nothing dies" (ie,plants) as she puts it. She never wears a coat and in five years has never been cold. She smirked and told me how she saw a man in the grocery store wearing a coat, mittens and a hat..."Bless his heart I think he might have been special," she whispers to me as she tells me the story. No, he was just cold. Out here in California we have been having low 40 degree days and THAT'S COLD to us!

So to prepare for the big day I, the not-so-great-cook, (ok, not a cook at all) convinced my father that we should cater it ourselves! Thank goodness for good friends and COSTCO! Everything came together wonderfully with food to spare.

Cupcake Stand

Since we had so many attending the party, including a lot of little ones, we decided to create a cupcake tree. I covered cardboard cake templates with pink fabric.

Made small arrangements inside fish bowl vases.


Then stacked them up!

Yep, it was a bit wobbly but it withstood the day!