THE LATEST IN THE ART DOLL ROUND ROBIN

This is how Penelope looked when she left Laura, the owner

Her next stop added a few more embellishments

Then she visited New Orleans and had these additions

Here in Arizona I gave her sleeves from fabric that Sharon gave me



Flocked flowers in her hair

a pearl necklace

a litttle white dove on her shoulder to keep her company


and twill tape with the text definition of 'Love"

And before her journey to California, she chats about kitty antics with the resident angel and receives sage advice on life and travel.

~ ~ ~

THE DAY I'VE BEEN DREADING
HAS ARRIVED

Yesterday, four days shy of her four month birthday, Ms. M.'s jumping skills reached a new

"high",

LITERALLY.

Here I have captured her frantic attempt to snatch the vertical blind cord.
(The VBS trick - Level Two)

Immediately after taking this shot, I moved the cords to lay over the fireplace mantle, still out of her reach for the moment.


Right after the vertical blind cord CATapault,

she began the 'POSSESED KITTY speed race around the house' routine

with an added twist

She remembered

she now can leap to new heights.

which led to

her jumping on the kitchen counter

many

many

times.

The battle between Possessed Kitty and I began

because....

I SIMPLY CANNOT HAVE A CAT ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER
(It's just one of my things.)

I had to bring out the big guns.

The tools purchased a while ago for this very day.

CLICK HERE

JUMPOS

Twelve of these bad boys

Not an easy chore to insert bungee cords in a small slot

harder, yet, to figure out what the heck the directions were saying

even harder to stretch them out and lay them correctly

By the 5th one.... I had it DOWN!!

Now, lined up all along the counter (with one in the sink as a bonus)

we are all set!!

However,

the smirk on my counter angel's face

leads me to suspect

Ms. M. may not be so easily discouraged.

Perhaps she knows something I don't

after all, SHE is here with Ms. M.

all day, Monday to Friday

while I am doing battle somewhere else

We shall see.

SHARING SOME MAIL ART

I am very fortunate to have a friend that shares her art with me. Without a reason except our friendship, she will pop a postcard in the mail to me that she has created for one of the art groups we both belong to. I have not particiapted in the group for a very long time as I seemed to have pulled away from groups pretty much and just do pieces and give them away when the mood strikes me. Lyn, however, is very active. Lucky group members receive her fabulous art every month. And sometimes, without any fanfare, she drops one in the mail for me (the non-player) to surprise me, to send me a hug from afar, to just make my day when I go to the mailbox.

This is just one of the latest and I have framed it, as I have done with many of her pieces. I just love it. The colors, the image, the saying.

It's just perfectly.........Lyn.

Thank you, dear friend.

~~~
NOTES FROM THE NEST

I have not been all that productive today and here it is 6:30 P.M. WHERE does the day go?
So here is a peek at a little jar faerie I started.

I'm not sure where I'm going with her
but it's the start.

As with most of my projects, this one might sit on my art table for a while as I add

a bit

here

and

there

I almost stuck in a fortune cookie bit that I saved
it reads:

"You dream of far away adventures"

But I felt that was somehow...

twisted.

Of course

sticking a little faerie in a jar

is sooooo nOrMaL

SOUL CARD

About four or five years ago I purchased a set of Soul Cards. Each morning I would spread the cards out on my bed and choose one for the day. I would set it in a place where I would see it as the day progressed and let it reveal itself to me. Sometimes it was early on in the day. Some days there would be glimmers of it's meaning throughout the day. Now, it seems a more perfect exercise before going to sleep. I spread them out and take my time choosing one. I look the chosen card over..study it and take in every little nuance and then set it on my bedside table.

It's one of the first things I look at when I wake up and sometimes it is right then that I feel exactly what the card means to me...for that day.

This is my card for tonight.

perfectly mirroring the words of my Daily OM that I got today. I receive something different and often very meaningful each and every day by e-mail:

The Wisdom Of Surrender
Resistance Equals Persistence

We all know the feeling of being repeatedly haunted by the same issue, no matter how we try to ignore it, avoid it, or run away from it. Sometimes it seems that we can get rid of something we don't want by simply pushing it away. Most of the time, the more we push away, the more we get pushed back. There are laws of physics and metaphysics that explain this phenomenon, which is often summed up in this pithy phrase:

"That which you resist persists"

Resistance tends to strengthen the energies it attempts to oppose by giving them power and energy to work against. Additionally, resistance keeps us from learning more about what we resist.

In order to fully understand something, we must open to it enough to receive its energy; otherwise, we remain ignorant of its lessons.

There is a Tibetan story of a monk who retreats to meditate in a cave only to be plagued by demons. He tries everything chasing, fighting, hiding to get the demons out of his cave, but the thing that finally works is surrender. He simply lets them have their way with him and only then do they disappear.

This story speaks of how, in essence, our demons are inside of us. What plagues and pursues us on an inner level has a way of manifesting itself in our environment in the form of people, events, and issues that appear to be beyond our control. But all these external expressions are reflections of our insides, and it is inside ourselves that we can safely experiment with surrendering to what we fear and dislike.

It may feel scary, and we may find ourselves in the company of a lot of resistance as we begin the process of opening to what we fear. But the more we learn to surrender, and the more the demons that plague us disappear in the process, the more courageous we will become.

Life is so interesting

ANOTHER ADDICTION

O.K. I am not one to face an addiction alone.

I am TOTALLY addicted to THIS.



Anyone who spends any amount of time with me has come to understand that water is right up there in my book of 'must haves.' Distilled water most of the time.

This incredibly refreshing bottled water is outrageous. Put it in the freezer for a bit and let it ice just a tad. Holy Moly, talk about heaven. Retail the 16+oz bottle is about $1.59 and probably a bit more in the trendier, gourmet shops. (Those in the area would instantly think A.J's - another fav) I have not tried all four yet, but the Lemon Mint and Orange Mint are superb.

I am thinking I will have a case just delivered to the house.....or better yet, arrange to have it at the cafe.......and then raid the storage room. :)

So my bloggie friends, if you've not experienced it yet, take my advice and give it a go.

NEW ITEM AT MY ETSY SHOPPE



I just love little art mirrors and they may just become yet another thing I have to collect!
So I had to have some made with my own art and what better piece to select than my very favorite piece that now graces the banner here on my blog!

Along the bottom one of my favorite sayings:
"If you believe it you will see it"

At just 2.25" this wonderful little mirror takes up very little space but allows you to carry a bit of art in your pocket or purse AND check to make sure your lip gloss goes on straight or
horror of all horrors - your luncheon is not lingering between those pearly whites.

I send them off in organza pouches with one of my Moo cards attached.

A lot of fun!!

THIS IS WHERE I JOURNEYED TODAY




Amidst the chos in this work environment.

Despite the temperature gauge on the window that reads triple digits.

This is where I have journeyed today.

For several delightful moments I left my physical world

and gazed upon this photo that signifies bliss to me.

CRISP,

CLEAN

UNTOUCHED.....

DEEP BREATH...

SILENCE.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

Yes, it's here. No avoiding it. Umbrella time.

NO.......

Not because it's raining, although when "they" talk of monsoons your mind's eye has played the unrelenting rain video.

Guess again.

It's that time of year when the sun is so bloody hot you feel your eyelashes might melt...and the really smart folks who love thier skin do everything possible to protect it.
And that means that even at 7:30 a.m., out on the daily walk, you are under the cover of your umbrella.

This morning..not one, not two, but three valiant walkers were spied under various umbrellas (one was black and that one threw me a bit since I believe that black is like a sun sponge) protecting themselves from that fireball in the sky ...AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING!!!!

So this is the one that I think I would like. Or maybe some wild polka dot number.

Either way, you know you live in Arizona when you only use your umbrella
to protect you FROM THE SUN!!!

And Ms. Morganstein, tuckered out from her latest mad dash around the house, up and over the couch, leaping high into the air with the invisible paw springs, looks over at me as if to say

"What's the big deal? I'm comfortable!"
"Now get to work so you can pay the electric bill to keep it at a delicious 79!!"

A THOUSAND BEAUTIFUL THINGS

by

Annie Lennox

Every day I write the list
Of reasons why I still believe they do exist
~ a thousand beautiful things ~
And even though it's hard to see
The glass is full and not half empty
~ a thousand beautiful things ~
So, light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
Never close my eyes

I thank you for the air to breathe
The heart to beat
The eyes to see again
~ a thousand beautiful things ~
And all the things that's been and done
The battle's won
The good and bad in everyone
(this is mine to remember)
So
Here I go again
Singing by your window
Picking up the pieces of what's left to find

The world was meant for you and me
To figure out our destiny
~ a thousand beautiful things ~
To live
To die
To breathe
To sleep
To try to make your life complete
So
Light me up like the sun
To cool down with your rain
I never want to close my eyes again
Never close my eyes
never close my eyes ...
That is everything I have to say
~ that's all I have to say ~

Sit back, take a breath, and watch

this.

Great clip, fabulous music from Annie

Enjoy

ART DOLL ROUND ROBIIN ~ LEXI'S PROGRESS




Stunning lace, buttons, and lovely necklace and a prezzie in her right 'hand'

Inside the 'body' more lace, beads, feathers, and a sweet bird

close up of lace and buttons with another bird friend on her shoulder

'Feet' of vintage children's blocks with very special letters!!

Isn't it amazing how she is transforming?!! Art sisters JoAnna and Bev added these beautiful embellishments. I just love her.

AS PROMISED HERE IS THE BIRTHDAY MOTH FAERIE

Sculpted clay face, hand painted features.

Pure white silk wrapped body


jewled crown and dragonfly wings, one simple feather, vintage ribbon and just a touch of blue sparkle on her silk body and hair.

This Moth Faerie will never be duplicated, it's special and unique. Like my Little Bird, my daughter who celebrates her birthday. July 13.

ONE FINAL PEEK AT A VERY SPECIAL MOTH FAERIE






This is the last I can reveal as I finish her up. Her delicate and adorned wings that I got from a wonderful artist, Christina Pirnie. I do promise I will show her completed once she has flown on to her destination.

HER NEW TRICK









Morgan has several games she plays when given the opportunity. One is running into the nearest bathroom and jumping into the tub. However, THIS week she added something new. She can now jump from the floor to the top of the toilet (thankfully closed) onto the vanity and into the sink. Peering out waiting to be caught.

GOTTCHA!!

A SNEAK PEEK

A new fae is being created.
This is all I dare show you now, mostly because she will be winging her way to a very special person this week.

She is wrapped in soft, pure silk, has the most stunning of wings ever; and right here you see she has a jeweled crown.

What I so love about my Mothies is that each one is unique with her own personality revealed a bit at a time.

This one is waiting....


.....along with this one



Future Mothies :)

A FUN LITTLE THING TO DO

I've been thinking today about my little bird who will celebrate a birthday next week. A Wednesday's child born to a Tuesday's (me) and Thursday's child. Before her, we had a Monday's child and the last baby was a Sunday's child. So basically we missed two days of the week and that thought made me smile.

If you don't know what day you were born, go here
It's a fun little site and a happy little thing to do.

A NEW OLD FRIEND.....WITH A PINK TOUCH

No sense of fulfillment today.

Little camaraderie..very, very little.

Nose to the "grind" at The Desk with a feeling of emptiness..maybe sadness.

I don't share much of these things here. It's rather like not being able to write in a diary that you are pretty sure someone will read. In a diary like that you only skim the surface of feelings; and more than likel, just make factual notes. Disappointment and heart aches would be sequestered.

So as the work day ended I found myself wandering the aisles of Walgreens during an errand for some essentials of life according to ME. Aside from the fact that Ms. Morganstein would certainly greet me with her mischievous antics, I didn't really have a particular reason to hurry home. So up and down each aisle I go. Looking at e everything. Magazine, cards, make-up, household....TOYS!!! And there, right there at the end of the glorious toy aisle, looking up at me with familiar eyes...a toy from my pre-teens. A TROLL DOLL. OMG!!!

Memories rushing in like a tidal wave. I didn't even have to close my eyes to remember the scent of my first, Orange-haired, brown-eyed troll. I remember trading tiny trolls after that first beloved T. At recess, colorful fluffs of hair trading all around.

Oh the delight of these homely, lovable dolls.

I practically pranced all the way to the check-out, pink fluff in hand. Tonic for a crumpled spirit today.

She has no name as of yet; and I don't think I ever named a Troll. But I can tell you that she will come to the office with me tomorrow...her purse filled with Troll accessories. Whatever that might be!

Tomorrow night's distraction:


Foriegn Film
La Vie En Rose

YOU MUST GO HERE AND READ THE ADVENTURES OF A MOTHIE NAMED "OLD SOUL"

IT IS A STORY TOLD AS ONLY SHARON CAN DO. AMUSING, FILLED WITH DETAIL, WITH A HAPPY ENDING. WE LOVE THOSE!!

ART DOLL ROUND ROBIN

I'm involved in an Art Doll Round Robin. Two groups of five artists. This is Lexi, my Art Doll. Her body is a small, wooden armoire I purchased at Michaels and painted with Lumiere paint and edged with gold. I gave her dyed silk ribbon "arms" with rusted clips for hands. Her head is a Paper Whimsy image printed on fabric and her hair is fashioned from one of my fused silk fabrics I made a while ago. I can tell you it was hard to stop embellishing her, but that was necessary as she had to go on her journey to the next of four artists in my group. I sent her on her way with a fabulous journal I picked up at the Ashes and Snow exhibit last year in Santa Monica, hoping the four artists would feel free to jot some notes or add artwork or poetry. Whatever moved them. I had/have no expectations on how she will end up, but I AM excited about her journey.


The first doll I received was a cloth (felt) doll named Robyn.
I tied her two ponytails up into one with tulle into a boho look and gave her a sparkle washed tutu of cream colored tulle




Then I gave her an art pin that I loved (a giftie) and a little wooden suitcase that I also got at Michaels and shabbyed up with paint and collaged with sunflowers on the inside. Added a tag and then took a photo of her before she left with one of my Mothies and a post card of our town to add to the box




The next Art Doll I received was very unusual. One fashioned from some type of vessel that I could not place. Her name is Nettie. She had been embellished now by the artist before me, so including the owner, I am now the third to embellish her. I was stumped a had her standing on my art table in my nest AKA Studio with a Bed......and looked at her for days and days. At first I thought she would also get a skirt....then maybe some arted up tags......nothing was coming to me. Until today. I woke up with the total vision. She needed a nest (gilded, pearl egg and feathers added), some feathers on her already attached lace bonnet, and a bluebird of happiness to journey with her and keep her company. The last embellishment was a 'pin' of pewter - a nest with eggs. Something of a theme I guess. After adding to her journal she will be ready to go off to the next artist. Two more Art Dolls will be coming my way and somewhere in the Fall I will have Lexi back.







That's it for now. Stay tuned for the next installment.

LITTLE LUNA FAE

I tried so hard to get a good shot of the full moon coming up Saturday night. It was glorious. But my little camera just cannot zoom in well enough to show more than a bright blob in darkness. Somehow that just doesn't translate well. But just before walking inside I spied my little faerie nestled in the cactus.........well, my goodness, does that not look like a gorgeous full moon she is resting her head on? So I bring you, FAERIELUNA.