It MUST be Christmas! :)

At least that is what I thought when all these wonderful presents arrived in the mail! :)

Theses little lovelies are from Dani at Ambitions Design, who was having a giveaway to celebrate her recent vacation! The pictures of which are amazing, go check it out! That and all the great things she makes too! :)

I could not believe all that was in there! Each one is like a little treasure! Thank you SO much Dani! My husband and neighbor friends even enjoyed checking it all out and the Tranquility Angel is hanging in our family room! I will be hosting a giveaway soon to pass on my good luck! :)

For today, though, I'm going to play with the kindergarteners again. :) Art masterpiece has been so much fun...I can't believe it is almost over. Last week we did our own version of a Jackson Pollock...you should have seen the kids' eyes when I pulled out the buckets of paint and these Star Wars-esque syringes! At first they were all going to get one turn, but they kept getting back in line so I just let them go for it! Fortunately, we ran out of paint just as the boys were making the start of a paint fight!

Today we are studying Monet. The school has a view of the lake across the street so I thought they could "paint" outside like he did. They are going to use markers (I bought a huge set...tons of colors) and then afterward, we'll spray them with water. Walah! Watercolor! :)

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music and umm...Bunnies?

Hey all! :) Thank you all for your comments and keeping up with me...I appreciate it! I've been doing a lot of reading, but as you can see not much posting. The stomach flu has hit our house once again...and once again everyone got it but me! I'm not complaining...no way, but I think it sure was nice of someone not to let me catch it too so that I could take care of everyone else. When I'm sick, all my stuff still has to get done...I'm sure a lot of you KWIM :)

So before we head off to the Doctor's, I thought I'd show you some things I finished. I have some others that are in progress or need to be scanned, but sick babies come first. :)

First up is this little church covered in hymn sheet music. My favorite part about church is the music. I have even been places where you can hear it when you are outside of the building. All those voices, together...such a sweet sound. To be outside in nature and hear that is quite an experience. :) I thought it would be neat to cover a church in vintage hymns...to make you think of the music you would hear if you were really there. I was at the Antique Plaza when an old hymnal caught my eye. I couldn't turn it down! It was fun placing the text so certain phrases show here or there.

I did this in honor of Earth Day and because I like coming up with new things to use to make armatures (sp?) Can you guess? The main form of this bunny is a very round light bulb! Yeah! I recycled! I was going to sell him, but then Lil asked me how to get on ebay so she could buy him with her change. I thought that was sweet and gave him to her. His ear is broken now, but hey, she is only six and I can always put some more paper clay over it...if I ever get the time. A played with bunny is a happy bunny! His cheeks and ears have that same soft glitter I love so much.

I know I am new to blogging, but I thought it would be fun to set up a SWAP. I have a TON of plastic easter eggs left over and want to recycle them into something non-Easterish. If you are interested in doing this with me, please comment here. If there is enough interest, I will make it official with a post. It would be really fun to see what you all come up with and I have a few ideas myself! :)

Audrey Hepburn AND a Giveaway? What could be better than that?

NeNe is having a giveaway! I just discovered her, but she has a great blog! Check her out and enter her giveaway to celebrate her first anniversary! :)

http://loveconquersall.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Congrats NeNe! :)

Happy Birthday Deena!

My blog friend, Deena, is having a birthday today! She is definitely a life that should be celebrated!

If you have not checked out her blog, you should do so, right now! Wish her happy birthday too! Because of her, I am focusing more on the joys in life and it has made me more positive of a person.

Happy Birthday Deena!

What I'm doing today...

I did...I put it off...I can't stand doing them. Tomorrow I will celebrate not having it hang over my head! Hugs to all!

What a Fabulous Day! Thank You Sharon!

Sometimes people do something nice, even when they don't have to. Today, someone did something VERY nice for me. Something so completely unexpected and wonderful that I have to share it with you and I hope that is okay with this someone. :) Her story is a sweet one and I feel honored that she shared it with me. I think you will enjoy her message too.

I've only sold a couple of the things I've made, but it makes you wonder what that person is going to do with it once they get it. Or why they bought it in the first place. When I sold Madame Bunny, I thought it might get hung once a year to celebrate the holiday. I sent her on her way, got positive feedback on ebay, and thought that was where my story ended. What a surprise it was to find a letter from Madame Bunny's new owner in the mail. Here is what it said:

"I received your Madame Bunny and had to write to tell you how much I love her! The moment I saw her on Ebay I knew I had to win her. You see, my husband's namef or me is "Bunny." Always has been, since we got together 8 years ago. We started dating when we both had nothing. Since then, I've become a Registered Nurse (working toward my Master's) and he has become a successful attorney.

I love what you made so much, because I often do feel like I live in his shadow but I'm so proud of him. The line about being "the artist behind the eggs he scatters" reminds me that our family is the reason he works so hard at his practice. The last line "leaving her the very first three eggs of Easter" made me think about whatever money his practice brings in, he always does something nice for me. The "eggs" he leaves me are little things I love like Starbuck's cards, flowers, or an order of sushi when I don't want to cook. (He & my son HATE sushi) Bottom line is we always think of each other first.

Lastly, the fact that your Madame Bunny has green eyes like mine confirms she is a beautiful reminder of mine and my husband's love to hang on my office wall. She will pick my spirits up when I'm in that room doing homework all year, not just during Easter.

I'm enclosing this check for you to get more art supplies. Your Madame Bunny means a lot more to me than what I paid. Keep up the good work. I know you just do this every once in a while for fun, but you never know how one of your projects could bring real happiness to some stranger miles and miles away.

When we create beauty and put it out in the world we never know what or where it may end up!

Thanks again,
Sharon"

HOW COOL IS THAT??? By the time I was done reading this I was crying a happy cry. To think that someone is enjoying something so much that came from my mind. That she felt so connected to the life of Madame Bunny and that a LOVE STORY like her's actually exists! That someone, somewhere on the other side of this country, took the time to sit and write this letter to me and encouraged make something else. Sometimes I feel guilty making something when I'm so overwhelmed with other obligations. I am a SAHM, but I have to work at bringing in money anyway so I don't have to work outside the home. It is a battle with numbers everyday. Creating is my stress relief and this SWEET woman sponsored me, validated my efforts, and shared her happiness with me. She told me that it is okay to be doing what I'm doing. She didn't have to do any of that and she did. I think that says a lot about her. :)


I sincerely thank you Sharon...you letter means so much to me and I am so happy that Madame Bunny belongs to you!

The reason that I shared this with you, dear readers, is because so many of you paint, sculpt, or otherwise create wonderful things. I admire so many of you! Now go and follow Sharon's advice-

"Create beauty and put it out there in the world! You never know how one of your projects could bring real happiness to some stranger miles and miles away!"

Happy Easter and We Have a Winner!

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter! The girls had a lot of fun and we relaxed for the rest of the day. Madeline would pick up two eggs, and drop them when she saw more. She was SO excited! Lil enjoyed the treasure hunt the Easter bunny leaves for her every year...the prize? A Hannah Montana Musical pen~!

Onto the giveaway! I'm sorry I didn't get to post this yesterday. We did do the drawing yesterday- with the help of Madeline and my wonderful niece, Kandace. Mixing them up...

And the winner of my Bloom Where You're Planted and Bluebird is ... Thank you Madeline!

CARMEN!!!

Thank you to those of you that entered! It was fun doing my first giveaway! Carmen, please email me your mailing address. I believe you can do that by going to my profile. Thanks everyone!

Somewhere, Over the Rainbow, Madeline had her first birthday party!

Oh my baby...she's growing up! I know everyone says this but it went so fast! Makes the moment bittersweet, you know? She had a wizard of oz party, small, some family, some friends, lots of fun! We spent the whole week building a puppet stage and rehearsing with the cousins, good times :) I had bought the rag dolls for her off of ebay a long time ago and they were the perfect puppets.

These are things I made for her room...that is a real clock! Can you guess what it is made of?

There is a diploma too, but not finished. If you guessed paper clay, you are right!

Here is Grammie and Madeline Mae, just before the show starts. She hung in there for all but the last ten minutes...pointing at the dolls, talking to them. She loves puppets!

And bubbles....

Don't we all love bubbles? Glinda bubbles that is? :)

Madeline became curious and wanted to see just who was behind that green curtain. Why it's the cousins! Not to mention, a fun microphone too! She sang along. :)

This was NOT the original cake...it was supposed to be oz, yellow brick road, and poppies. It was a pineapple, and she didn't know what poppies were. Good thing I had the mini ruby slippers on a paperclay brick or else you would think it was the 4th of July!

These were the favors...bluebird sachets. I am throwing on into the giveaway! A little present from my baby....

She is still a baby, right?

Art on Your Back

These are some of the kids I teach during Art Masterpiece. I have had so much fun with this! Here they are learning what it was like for Michelangelo to paint on ceilings. They all said it was hard, but that they wouldn't mind doing it for four years straight like he did!

I got under the table and drew a picture too. This resulted in a ton of giggles. I love these kids so much...they are great kids. Plus, I get so many hugs when I visit them. :)

This was from the week before...an assisted self portrait using strokes like Van Gogh. The yarn was supposed to fill the background in swirls and things, but they all had their own take on it...good for them!

This is Maddie enjoying the swing for the first time! I don't have a picture from yesterday's lesson, but they listened to a classical musical piece for inspiration for a watercolor. My favorites?

"Worm people climbing up a flower"

"A monster trying to take the colors of a rainbow. Thankfully, the castle is sucking them in!"

Oh Happy Day!~

Today is our wedding anniversary! Well, actually it is our dating anniversary too! 8 years married, 14 years together. Woohoo! I LOVE him! :)



I made this up one night and wanted to do a giveaway with it. Now I have an occasion! It is 4x4 approximately and the sides are painted my favorite dark brown. Please leave a comment to be entered. If you post about it on your blog, I'll enter you twice...just let me know you did! I'll draw the winner on March 26th. I'm excited to do my first giveaway! The scan is a bit lighter than in reality...it shines a really bright light on it when it scans. I hope you like it! :)

I would be more wordy, but I have to go...it is my anniversary after all! :)

Hugs!

Mere

May I Introduce Madame Bunny?

Okay, who else has wondered who decorates all those beautiful Easter eggs?

Well, for those of you who don't know, please allow me to introduce the Easter Bunny's better half, Madame Bunny!

While making my Bee Girl, Lillian suggested I make a Bunny one too. I wanted to show her tail, mainly because I'm so in love with my stash of gliiter...it's so soft and fine. A side pose and a carrot inspired dress, and she turned into quite the Victorian Lady, don't you think? She seems shy, and I began to think more about Madame Bunny and the life she lives.

The text reads:

"No one speaks much of Madame Bunny.

She lives in the shadows of her husband's limelight.

She minds this not and loves him truly.

She is the artist behind the eggs he scatters.

He thanks his beloved by leaving her the very first three eggs of Easter."

Madame Bunny is so proud of her husband and his thoughtful gift that she posed for a portrait to give as a gift to him. In the wee small hours of the morning, when he stops to take a rest, he pulls the portrait from his pocket to see what joy is waiting for him once he gets home.

Madame Bunny is available on ebay right now. :)

An award and a tag! Woohoo!~

Sweet Collen from Frostings and Sparkles gave me the You Make my Day Award!! Thank you Colleen!! Please check her out, you will get hooked like I am!

I pass this on to the the following blogs:

http://nancylefko.blogspot.com/

http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/

http://kimhardtoriginals.blogspot.com/

http://dudadaze.blogspot.com/

Please forgive me for not making my links all pretty...Maddie has become a permanent fixture on my lap with her other front tooth coming in! Typing with one hand over here! lol

I was tagged too! I look up to The Polka Dot Pixie SOOOO much! I was reading her blog long before I started blogging...and she lives in Arizona too! :) http://thepolkadotpixie.blogspot.com/
Thank you for thinking of me! :)

So here are my things....

1. I can pick up an entire room with my feet. My husband thinks I am a freak, but I think it's pretty normal...isn't it? :)

2. I can't scream...when I try to, my volume goes down, not up. Another thing awesome guy thinks is funny. :)

3. I am known for telling long stories. You'd be better off watching the movie...it would be faster. I don't think I do it as much anymore, but still get teased for it.

4. I will stay up all night to make something just the way I want it. Except for cleaning...never seems to works for that!

5. I'm teaching Lil's kindergarten class art~! It's fun! Today, we are going to paint like Michelangelo...on our backs! Although I guess he stood too.

6. I saw Mickey Rooney!! He was going to do autographs, but was too tired. I did manage to get him to say hello to Lil though...the only one he spoke to...who can turn down a little girl in her ruby slippers? ;)

I better run or I'll be late for Art Masterpiece! Have a lovely day all! :)

Mere

A bit of Arizona spring for you all :)

There has been a call for Spring in Blogland. I've read it everywhere! You poor peeps! When we aren't sweating to death down here, it is spring the rest of the time. So from me to you, my dear friends, here are some signs of spring.

A flowering tree...

A lamb that was born right in front of our eyes!! Amazing!

TARTANIC!!! Yes, this means spring to us...we see them every year at the Ren Faire.

They are SOOO good, I can't even tell you! You can't be sad listening to their celtic music. I actually lost my voice cheering for them. They put on a great show! They are so friendly too! :)

Yes...these are barbarians head banging to Tartanic. It was a unique day. :)

I put this up on flickr to post here and immediately got a comment...but it's in German or something. lol There was an Irish dancer who jumped out of the crowd and started dancing. Just a regular member of the audience like us, but the music moved her to dance...she was incredible! I didn't know feet could move that fast!~

Okay, this is not spring, but this is what has kept me from posting lately. I hosted that Star Wars party I mentioned before...don't they all look like little Annakins? So cute! They were a great bunch of kids and so brave too! (We had a live bug game!) Who's the handsome Jedi Master giving them saber training? Why, that's Awesome Guy!! He was a dear to help me out... I guess a Genie isn't a credible as a Jedi Master when it comes to Jedi Training! :)

Afer a long week, Lillian and I relaxed to a nice art day! That is her Singer...cute huh? I taught her how to use it while I finished my Bunny Girl.

I know! Can you believe it? I can't! I thought I'd be drowning in Star Wars props forever! She is done, though, and I will post about her next. Along with a response to an award and a tag!

Just didn't want you thinking that I jumped off the face of the earth! :)

Have a lovely night all! :)

Mere

Birds, Bee, and More Girls if You Please!

Happy Monday! I'm going to try and get this post done before Awesome Guy comes home and Madeline decides I've have had enough time to myself. :) The flu has finally left this house and I hope it's left yours too!

First thing to report is that I got my wonderful prize from Dawn at the Feathered Nest! I won her giveaway and she won her contest too! Woohoo! I was SO excited to see this:

I would post what is looks like here, but I'd rather you go over to her blog and check it out for yourself, along with her latest creations! This piece is amazing! The mat is an antique, scrolled detail that you just don't see these days. The girl is lightly colored with her own feather wings...so sweet. The brooch at the top is TO DIE FOR! Jewels and crafted daffodils...it makes me wonder who wore this brooch before it came into Dawn's capable hands? Where did she go when she put it on for a special occasion? Play? The pearl buttons are used to hold the hanger and the key...I love old keys! The hanger is so delicate and the lace...what is it's story? She's hanging in my family room right now, but I think she will end up in our bedroom. I have all my wedding/love items in there and she will fit in perfectly. THANK YOU DAWN!!!! xoxo

My second bit of news is that my bee girl is on her way to her new home! In my auction, I said I would wrap her beautifully. After she sold, I remembered that I am the Queen of gift bags! I pulled out my many bins of fabric and came up with this:

I figured she could use it to hold her laptop if she has one, or an art journal, or whatever she fancies! :)

Next up is a peek of what I've been working on. Lillian asked me to make a bunny girl (she has a neat story behind her). I drew a bunch of girls one night and have painted two...Alice and a Fairy Girl...no wings yet! The books behind them are my favorites...leather bound and SO old. Been in the family forever and hold all the great ones. I used to read them all the time...each page so delicate...yum!

Lastly, but CERTAINLY not least, is an award from Kim at Kim Hart Originals! If you haven't already, you need to check her out! I love her little guys! Thank you Kim! This is my first blog award and I will cherish it! :)

So here is what the award is about:
"This prize has arisen from the daily visits that I dedicate to many blogs which nourish me and enrich me with creativity. In them I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain me day to day and to share this prize with those who enrich me every day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few, the people I will name today deserve this prize, as do the very long serious list of bloggers I also enjoy to read, but I will name the first 4 and will leave the rest of the work to all the bloggers that visit other's blogs and are nourished by them.

The rules of passing on this award are as follows:- post award in your own blog: [Post who gave it to you]- indicate its origin and a link to the site. "

These are my picks:

Adri's Art

La La La Illustration

My Collage Art

The Polka Dot Pixie

That was hard! I have lots that I read and need to add more links to my blogs I love section. To those I nominated, I tip my hat to you! :) If you find out about this before I tell you, I'm sorry...Awesome Guy is waiting for me to pull dinner out of the oven...I must run!

Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood

Originally uploaded by victorianladyaz1

Happy Saturday! :)

I have a spa party today for 7 eight year old darlings. I'm going to paint 70 little toe and fingernails and they are going to make soap!

I still wanted to share something with you all today...this is an oldie. That is Lillian around 2 years old in her nursery. It was a Winnie the Pooh watercolor theme. That tree matches her comforter and was made out of muslin that we painted. The trunk is made of cylinders stuffed with polyfil. The tree leaves are the valance for the room...it went all the way across the window. Each leaf was sewn, turned inside out, veins were sewed on, and then painted with watered down acrylics. We thought it would be a weekend project LOL. It took 6 months...every time someone came to meet Lillian, we recruited them to help make leaves!

Friday was a dud. I could not accomplish anything. The fates had determined that I would not make any progress with my day. I'd share the failed emmissions testing, the little infirmary I'm running, but why focus on that? Around 7pm, my still sniffling, coughing daughter told me she was bored. She wanted to paint.

Yes! We decided to give up on the day and paint for FUN. :) She painted a Valentine's Day ball and paddle that got sent home with all her homework. She did a beautiful job! I painted an Alice in Wonderland that I had already drawn a couple weeks ago. We had such a nice, relaxing time and had some good Mommy/Daughter time. She growing up so fast, but she's still a little doll.

So now I have an Alice to go with a Bunny girl Lillian asked me to make. And my bee girl sold! I'm so tickled that she'll be hanging on someone else's wall! :)

Hugs to all!
Mere

Spongebob Applesauce & A Happy Life

Hello Everyone! :)

Today is a crazy day. Lil got the flu even though she got 2 flu shots! Her cough is so bad, she is going in for a chest x-ray today. Then I have a party plan due for a Star Wars party and I still have to clean the house and get it ready for my Mother-in-Law who's coming to visit. I'm lucky girls...she is great! :)

Before all that though...I wanted to say hi! :) I'm all caught up on what everyone is up to...my guilty pleasure of the day! I have a few things to share too! First is what Lil and I did for her snack day. It was her turn and since we aren't allowed to bring in anything homemade, we jazzed up this pear applesauce with some Vintage Spongebob! lol I started out so carefully, but it still looked messy. With 24 to do, I went to town and ruffled them up quickly. I don't know how you girls do it! :) Lil cut the circles and applied the stickers. I try to get her to be crafty because I think it's important to start that early, but also because I want her to craft with me when she gets older! :) I take her to tea for this reason too! Lucky for me, she likes both things! Here it is:

Next is my very first Esty purchase!~ This was so exciting! I fell in love with this magnet from Suz at ahh! surprise, delight, & joy!

I could NOT be happier with my purchase! First I got a sweet convo from Suz, then fast as lightning, my package came! There was even a cute glitter embellishment on the outside. Ever so carefully was my magnet wrapped in tissue and shreds with a nice note and even a bottlecap pin freebie! Thank you Suz! :) I adore it all!

The list you see with it has been on my fridge for years. I wrote it one day when I had figured out my priorities. I used to focus on Lillian first, but that wasn't right for me. I see it now that awesome guy and I are the trunk of our family tree, and our children are our branches. By nuturing the trunk, and the roots of our relationship, the branches are nice and healthy. I used to have my 1st priority be Lillian, and that wasn't good for the family...the trunk suffered. I used to think that once I married, I didn't have to work on my relationship with awesome guy anymore...that it was solid. It was solid, but it can't just be ignored...it still needs constant nuturing from both parties. So anyway, I figured it out, put it up on the fridge to remind myself, and all has been well since. The icing on the cake? When awesome guy came and filled out his part. He's not a professional fisherman, btw, just not sure what his ultimate job is. Oh, and the genie refers to my party biz. Didn't want to confuse ya!

So you can see why Suz's magnet was perfect for us! And for my little piece of paper on my fridge! :)

Have a GREAT day all and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

P.S. I still don't know what to get awesome guy...any suggestions?

My Bee Girl is Done! Bzzzzy weekend ahead!

Hello Everyone! My Bee girl is finally done! I never quite know how it's going to turn out when I'm doing it, all I know is that I'm having a blast! There is a freedom in it, even if I'm squeezing five minutes out at a time between work and motherly duties/pleasures. Most of the time, Madeline is happily hugging my leg while I'm at the table...I know that adds some cheerfulness to what I'm doing. :) She is up on ebay right now.

My Bee girl wants to remind everyone to be true to themselves. I made her because it made me happy. We all have something that we have to do or else we get grumpy. Be true to yourselves! Do what makes you happy! And throw a load of laundry in when you can! Unless laundry is your outlet, then just go crazy! Then come to my house and do mine! lol Thank you all for your comments too. I'm so glad to have met you all...you have no idea. :)

Now I have to pack for this weekend's party...a chef party for a 5 year old girl named Madison. She likes fancy dinners so they will have sugar rimmed champange flutes with their self-made pizza! Happy Birthday Madison!

Have a great weekend everyone!