More Vacations Pictures

I am posting a few more vacation pictures today. These are from the Solstice Parade last Saturday in Fremont Washington. It was a new experience for me. There were approximately 200 bicycle riders (without clothing) in the parade. Each of them had their bodies painted with some wild colors & designs.It was somewhat odd to see naked people walking the street. We did manage to have a lot of fun though! I stuck to the regular parade pics & left out the nudes. Notice the bottom 3 pics...their dresses were all made of paper. Very cool.
Happy Saturday!

Thank you for this award

I am so honored to receive this Kreativ Blogger Award from not one but two individuals. The first one comes from Jennifer (she's a So. Ca. girl) at http://artisticallydesigneddiversions.blogspot.com/. The second one comes from Sharon (we met in the inkjet transfer group) at http://sharon-artfromtheheart.blogspot.com/.
I am to list 7 things about myself so here it goes.

1)I am hopelessly addicted to art paper.
2)I love the smell of fresh grass & new rain.
3)Love to look at the ocean but have NO desire to step into it.
4)I love animals & HATE to see them not treated well
5)SPAY & NEUTER your pets!!!
6)Cheese is a favorite of mine (all cheese!)
7)I am a wimp & don't like to do anything that I might get hurt at.

I extend an invitation to my other blogging friends to list 7 random things about yourself. Thank you again, Sharon & Jennifer!

Home Again

I am posting some pics this morning from my trip last week to Seattle. We visited the Arboretum as well as the Japanese gardens in Seattle. The first pic is one from the gardens. It was a perfect day! The 2ND is my sister, Gail & brother Wayne posing for a family photo. Wayne is goofing around & making us both laugh as he always does. We just seem to laugh constantly while in his presence. He is such a joy to spend time with. The 3rd item is a video I took of two of Wayne's Bengal cats. They ride this wheel like crazy (unless you're trying to film them.) You'll see the 2nd cat (Sprinkle) get going pretty fast when her body flies off the wheel. I hope you'll take a moment to watch them. I've never seen cats do this before. These Bengals are a bit different than most cats. I will post more vacation pics tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Seattle, Here We Come!

Today I am preparing to fly out to Seattle. My sister & I leave in the morning for a visit with our brother. We will be gone until the 22ND. I haven't seen my brother for a year now & that's record time for not seeing each other. Of course, I might add that he has NOT been to California in over 4 years now! Anyway...we are looking forward to our trip. I will post some pics of the trip after the 22ND.
I am posting my last wax giveaway today that went to Diana Evans in Canada. I was very pleased with this one & so was Diana. I also sent this decoupaged dinosaur for her precious little munchkin, Cole. Diana was kind enough to make a little movie of Cole thanking me for his present. How sweet was that??
Happy Saturday to all!

Home Again

Even though camping didn't work out we still had a great weekend up in the San Francisco area. We went to the Museum of Modern Art on Thursday, a little shopping on Friday and a wonderful lunch at Yank Sing. We drove the coast to Big Sur on Saturday to meet friends that did elect to make the camping trip in spite of the poor weather report. Sunday was the Alameda Faire. It was a full few days.
I am posting a couple pics of the Monterey coast which was positively GORGEOUS! If you don't visit often, sometimes you forget how very beautiful other parts of the state are. I also discovered some wild growing flowers that I have no idea what they are. The white flowered trees were everywhere in the San Mateo area & the yellow bush seemed to be mainly in the beach areas. Please let me know if anyone knows what these are.
Have a great week everyone!

Camping trips aren't working out

Well, so much for camping in Big Sur. Rain, rain & more rain in a state that doesn't get a lot of rain. We are going to make the most of it & head up to San Francisco tomorrow. I really don't mind that at all since I LOVE SF!! I am going to make a point to go back to the Di Rosa Preserve & I hit the lucky weekend again for the Alameda Swap Meet again. They are NOT predicting rain in Alameda on Sunday so hopefully it will work out for us this time.
I am posting another wax piece that I completed for my giveaway. This one went to Marianne at http://mkonvalinka.blogspot.com/. Hopefully the remaining recipients will receive their gifts this week.
Happy Tuesday!

One of my wax giveaways

I am posting a picture this morning that was one of my "Get excited & make something" giveaways. It is a small picture that was done with bees wax. This one went to Sharon at http://sharon-artfromtheheart.blogspot.com/.

Sharon sent me a note yesterday thanking me & telling me how much she loved it.
We are also getting ready to take off on a camping trip Monday. We will be gone for a week & we are camping in Big Sur, Ca. I am just hoping the weather will be okay. We might get a bit of rain but hopefully it won't be too much! I will share pictures when I return. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Oh, one more thing....Mama cat has been spayed & she's doing great. The kittens are growing & I still have 4 of them. I have a feeling I am going to own more kitties than I anticipated...I am such a sucker for a kitten face! It's almost pathetic:>)

Check out this blog giveaway

When I was blogging this morning I ran across a post on Sherry Goodloe's blog at:
http://gotart4u.blogspot.com/ regarding this giveaway at: http://shardonexclusives.blogspot.com/. Sharon is celebrating her first year & her 100th post. Congratulations to Sharon! Check out her blog, leave a comment & follow her instructions for your chance to win a beautiful creation made by her.

Dissappointed In My Native State Of California

It's official. The California Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8. Am I disappointed? ABSOLUTELY! I am not only disappointed, I am thoroughly DISGUSTED! My heart goes out to all the same sex couples that continue to be ripped of their rights
to marry the ones they love. I am really not feeling very proud of my native state today. Sad, sad day in California!

Visiting Universal Studios & Citywalk

I am really falling behind on my posts & I need to get with it. It's not that I haven't been creative & productive because I have. I've been working on my "GET EXCITED & MAKE SOMETHING" giveaway & I am finally done. I am going to wrap everything up & get it into tomorrows mail. I have goodies going to Renate in Germany, Gaby from Brazil, Diana in Canada & Marianne & Sharon here in the US.
Your gifts will be there soon & I hope you all love what I've made for each of you.

I am posting a couple of pics from Universal Studios last week. My son has been on vacation so we spent a day acting like tourists in our native state of California.
I always think of my dear sister-in-law when I see cows. She is a hopeless lover of cows & I thought this was so cute. The other one just makes me laugh. That sign was placed in the perfect place...Very L.A!

One more little thing....we parted with one of the kittens last Friday. She was placed in a WONDERFUL home & we were very sad to see her leave but so very grateful that she is going to such a loving home. She will be an indoor cat which means she will have a longer life span. I still have 3 more to go as I am going to keep one little boy. His name is Cooper & he is PRECIOUS! You'll see pics of him a little later.
Happy Memorial Day everyone!

The Noblesse Award From Tweedles

What an honor to receive this Noblesse Award from my very dear friend, Tweedles @ http://tweedles-georgie.blogspot.com/. It's really special when you receive an award from someone you admire so very much! Tweedles & her Moms have a fabulous blog that you must check out. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank ALL the wonderful bloggers I have met over the past two years for their constant support. I pass this award on to each & every one of you! The guidelines for this award are:

(1) Blog manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade different cultures and beliefs.
(2) The blog contents inspire...striving to encourage and offer solutions.
(3) There is a clear purpose of the blog. One that features a better understanding on social, political, economic issues, and the arts, culture, sciences and beliefs.
(4) Blog is refreshing and creative
(5) Blog promotes friendship and positive thinking.
Bloggers who receive this award should....
(1) Create a post with mention and link to the blogger who presented the award to you.
(2) Display award conditions in the post.
( 3) Write some comments or a short story about what your blog has achieved..possibly citing an older post.
(4) The Noblesse Oblige award should be presented to bloggers in concurrence with the conditions.
(5) The award logo should be displayed somewhere on the blog.

Meet Kong Man

I have been slacking a little lately & haven't made any artwork. I do, however, have this wonderful picture of my favorite little (I mean LARGE) Pug man, Kong. Kong is my sister, Gail's dog & he will be celebrating his 3rd birthday this year. He is a big boy with some long legs. He also weighs a bit more than most Pugs...but who cares?? I weigh more than I'd like to also! Kong is very happy to be living in California now & close to his Aunt Diane. His Mom is always entertaining him with trips to the dog park or Pug meet-ups. Life is good for Kongy! He is probably soaking up the morning sun around the jacuzzi as we speak!
Happy Thursday!

The Kitten Lineup

We finally got some decent kitten pictures. They are all doing well & as you can see I am having no problems getting them to eat kitten food now. Looks like the two gray ones are males along with one of the white ones. The single picture is actually the runt of the group. She was a little skittish in the beginning but seems to be coming around now. Needless to say....we are enjoying these little guys!

My Get Excited & Make Something WInning

I saw a post 2 or 3 weeks ago on Renate's blog at http://putalittlemagicinyourlife.blogspot.com/ for this Get Excited & Make Something giveaway. The first 5 to comment receive a gift made by that individual. I slipped in with my comment & I received this lovely bracelet from Renate. I love it! Thanks so much, Renate. Check out her blog, she has some lovely things posted (particularly her very sweet kitties.) I will continue working on the 5 gifts that I am mailing out & hopefully they will go out by next week. Have a wonderful week!

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all you Moms a very Happy Mother's Day. Unfortunately, my Mom is not here to share this day with us but that certainly doesn't mean that we are not thinking about her & missing her terribly after almost 5 years without her. Mother, we would shower you with love today & thank you for the wonderful values you've instilled in your children. We owe you so much. You were definitely one of a kind!

A New Mannequin

This is the 2nd mannequin I did last week. I am trying to find a less expensive source. I know I've been paying top dollar. I found a few at half the price I've been paying but her amounts are limited. I did however, buy up what she had. I will just keep looking.
I've also been working on the giveaway gifts. I am hoping to get those out next week.
Mama cat received a clean bill of health on her blood tests. They are all doing just fine. The kittens are getting so cute I can hardly stand it!
Happy Saturday Everyone!

Kittens & Mama doing well

I am posting a pic of just one of the kittens we rescued earlier this week & one of Mama cat. The kitten is one very cute little girl, like her mama. They all seem to be doing well. There's three that are white with markings & two gray ones. I will try to get some better shots soon. I took Mama to the vet yesterday for a thorough going over. Everything looks good so far. They did blood work so I will get the results of that today. The kittens will visit the vet in the next couple of weeks also.

Home Again

Back home after 3 lovely days up in Northern Ca. We were able to hit 2 of the three things we had planned. I did make it to Flax & Urban Ore but not the Alameda antique faire:>( The weather just wasn't cooperating on that day. Maybe next month!
I did fit in a little visit to a fabulous garden in Woodside, Ca. called Filoli
http://www.filoli.org/. I have placed quite a few photos on Flickr (link on sidebar) for your enjoyment. Friday we went up to Napa Ca. to the Rene di Rosa Preserve http://dirosapreserve.org/ It was absolutely wonderful. I even purchased the annual membership. Can't wait to go back again. We spent the day up in that area & stopped in Healdsburg to see some of my husband's family. Saturday was Urban Ore & Flax. The Flax people informed me that my sales receipt maybe the longest receipt in the history of Flax! Does that give you an idea as to how much paper I purchased?? It took hubby & I both to carry it all out YIKES! Sunday was pouring rain until the afternoon. We took a drive over to Half Moon Bay & it was pretty foggy but nonetheless beautiful. Last leg was a stop in Paso Robles (we own property there) as there was a stray cat that gave birth to 5 kittens at the property. We scooped up mother & kittens & brought them all home. Mama will be getting spayed very soon & I will attempt to find homes for the babies. I am looking forward now to doing some artwork!
Happy Monday everyone!
Flower pics posted are from the Filoli Gardens.

A New Torso

Here we are, mid week already! I have been working on giveaways & torsos. My friend, Minnie at http://www.herminnie.blogspot.com/ is doing a show this weekend in Carlsbad, California. She asked me to make up some torsos for her to display her jewelry on. I made her a 16" torso a while back & now I've done a couple smaller ones. These are 10 inches. I love this process so much because it is so forgiving. If you don't like it...put on another layer of something else. I am posting the one that I though was the prettiest of the two. I will make a couple of larger ones next week. We are off to San Francisco for the weekend (leaving tomorrow) so I will resume artwork when I return. I am going to try & hit the Alameda swap meet which I've heard so much about & another trip to Urban Ore in Berkely. The only problem...they are predicting rain......in California...can you believe it!!!

Sister Gail's artwork today

Now I have my sister decoupaging with me! I wanted to post this great turtle she completed a couple of days ago. He turned out fabulous, didn't he? I love all the green on the bottom (some of it is napkins)& also the papers she used for the shell.
So colorful & really wonderful, Gail! I love this cute little guy but he's not really that little. Happy Friday everyone & have a fun loving weekend!

New Decoupage

I guess I am on a roll with this decoupaging. First off, you will see my little apple. The top lifts off of this. The next one is my little piggy. She came out pretty cute. I did both of these pieces yesterday afternoon.
I also took a collage class on Saturday that was rather interesting. It involved some gold leafing in the composition. The picture looked hideous when I left the class but I also worked on that yesterday to try & salvage it. It's a bit larger
than I normally do. Anyway.....I am not sure if I will post that one or not. I like it a lot better than I did but I'm still not too sure.
Happy Monday Everyone!

Today's 2ND Posting

Brave People Make Things so get excited and make things….

The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own blog to pay this forward. This text was used from http://putalittlemagicinyourlife.blogspot.com/

Honored with an award

I am very lucky to know so many great blogging friends....I just received this Breeze award from Diana Evans @ http://dianaevans.blogspot.com/ that was created by Peter Breese @ http://peterbreese.blogspot.com/
In his very own words: The coveted Breese Award is given to six inspirational individuals; since most blog awards cater to odd numbers, this particular award was designed for the more even keeled folk. These six should be a collection of bloggers that have helped you, either directly or indirectly, to stay creative.

I pass this award to the following people who have inspired me. Thanks to each & every one of you!

1) Tweedles & her moms @http://tweedles-georgie.blogspot.com/
2) Mary @ http://maryshunt.blogspot.com/
3) Gaby @ http://gaby-cajubrasil.blogspot.com/
4)Viola @http://saray-viola.blogspot.com/
5)Renate (I believe is her name)@ http://putalittlemagicinyourlife.blogspot.com/
6) Janny @ http://wwwtricolore.blogspot.com/

I Am Loving Bees Wax

This is one more piece done with bees wax. I had no idea when I watched Suze Weinberg's video that it was going to grab me the way it did. It just looked so easy I couldn't resist! If you're thinking about playing around with some wax, check out Suze's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P_4PzXr-38. This one is another little box with the front door that opens up. I guess these are designed to use in altered books, I am not completely sure...but they are certainly cute!
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter with family & friends.

More Bees Wax

I am loving bees wax! The first picture is one that was done by my sister, Gail. It is our Grandmother in a Thousand Oaks Ca. bowling alley with a tiger. Jungleland was a wild animal park here in Thousand Oaks. This was back in the mid to late 50's & our family actually got to know some of the animal trainers. This tiger was trained by a man named Mel Koontz. I think Gail did a fabulous job on this! It is 5x7 inches in size. This next canvas was a "mistake" that I did about 2 years ago. It did not turn out so I tried lifting off some of the paper to save the canvas. I decided to finally just toss it but my son talked me into saving it & trying to make something else out of it. Gail & I started playing around with it a bit & this is what we ended up with. My little Dexter that I photographed 6 or 8 months ago inside of a paper bag. Most of the canvas was done using the bees wax but not all of it. It is 11x14 in size. Dexter looks like he's jumping right through the canvas.
Happy Saturday & wishing all my dear blogging friend a very Happy Easter!

Experimenting With Bees Wax

I love the look of wax. I have wanted to do something with wax for a while but always thought it would be extremely messy & complicated. Boy was I wrong! I watched a Suze Weinberg Youtube video yesterday & that was all she wrote. I did my first piece which is actually a little book box. I decorated the top using paper & napkins. I dipped each piece in the melted wax & arranged it on my cover. I ran a credit card over the top to even it out a bit & then added some rub ons. I was quite happy with the results. Sister Gail is coming up today & we will play with it some more.
ALSO>>>>>I wanted to tell you about the new "email me" button on my blog. Susie Jefferson at http://1stfloorflat.blogspot.com/ came up with this little jewel. I thought it was a great idea to add it. So often people want to send a note but can't locate a separate email address. THANK YOU, SUSIE! Stop by & check out Susie's blog. You won't be disappointed. Happy Thursday!!

Spring cleaning..New blog background

I found another blog this morning offering FREE blog backgrounds as well as other freebies to add to your blog. Not only did I do a new background but also a new header & welcome sign. Check out *Itkupilli's* stuff at http://blo64rt.blogspot.com/

My New Giraffe

Well, this is my little giraffe. I finished her yesterday & I'm pretty pleased with the way she turned out. She is about 23 in high & I had a ball decorating her. Excuse the photo of her face. I wanted to get a close up in spite of the box in the background.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!

New Torso

I am back to ripping paper! My friend, Minnie at http://herminnie.blogspot.com/asked me to make a torso for her that she could display some of her jewelry pieces on. She wanted something with muted colors. This torso is about 22 inches tall & Minnie, I hope you like what I came up with. My next project.....a Giraffe!Can't wait to start that one! Happy Sunday Everyone!