The Prettyville Press!

My First Solo Show! Thank you Blackbird Studios!

2011-11-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

I had a great time and am ever so thankful for the support of those at Blackbird Studios for gettng my work out of my house and into the world!! Great things are starting to happen for me now: I've made lots of great new acquaintances and real friendships, I am shipping a series of three pieces painted for this show to a gallery in Louisville, KY to let them have a go at selling them, I have a few bites on some of the butterflies, I've got two custom orders for plate sculptures, I'm selling at West Elm, First Friday, entering into group art shows, and working on a proposal for the Contemporary Arts Center window installation project!! Weeeeeeee! I will post pictures from the show soon!

2010-06-18T18:37:00.001-07:00

YAY! Sculpted Dinnerware featured on Etsy's Front Page!

2010-06-16T23:23:00.001-07:00

New Group of Gal Silhouette Sculptures

2010-04-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hello, Girls! I just posted a team of gals on my etsy shop!

Blogged on ReadyMade!! WeeeYaaaayWoooo!

2010-04-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

My sculpted dinnerware has been blogged on ReadyMade's site!!

I'm walking on air with gratitude that others find what I enjoy making most in the world beautiful! I'm so thankful for this blog and Polly Conway's thoughtful support in spreading the word of my new work!

Thanks to everyone's encouraging feedback I'm inspired to keep designing more and more sculptures!

Today I started making a few whale pendants from the plate remnants to add to my shop as well!

Hand Cut Crockery Now for Sale on ETSY!!!

2010-04-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

YAY!! I just posted two hand cut crockery sculptures on my Etsy shop! Hope they get noticed...somehow!!

Recent Collages: The Apothecary of Virtue

2010-04-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

I've got about twenty of these potions to whip up still! These ones are just about done-I love the old apothecaries full of potions and salves that are cure-alls! I was inspired to do this series by a trip to a "pharmacy" in Italy when I had food poisoning searching for a sure fix to the ailments I endured. Then when in Taiwan I made a point to peruse every apothecary shop I could find! I loved studying the jars of slimy organisms and brittle barks.

Hand Cut Crockery The Squirrel Gets His Meal!

2010-04-02T08:33:00.000-07:00

I love the wavy lines on the trim of this saucer! This little squirrel just scored the biggest acorn in town and has perched himself way up high to keep it all to himself!!

Shadow Box (Knick Knack Rack...really)

2010-04-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Yay! I think this marks the start of a parade of altered shadow boxes -I've got a few just found at thrift stores waiting to be brightened up with some paint and patterned papers! This one was to welcome baby Luchien!! Hope it's well received!

Custom Silhouette Hand Cut from Crockery!

2010-03-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

First attempt -a silhouette of my little girl!

I'm planning to start offering custom hand-cut silhouette portraits on my etsy shop at icklebird.etsy.com soon!!

I love the way Izzie's portrait fit right into this chinaware's print to give her a collar and floral design across her face!!

Hand Cut Crockery -My Newfound Obsession!

2010-03-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

What a revelation! It suddenly dawned on me that I might be able to cut crockery like I cut glass!! I had a small collection of pretty patterned plates tucked away for the day I returned to an earlier hobby of making mosaics and quickly started to see images in the plates just calling out to be revealed!

These are the first that I made!!

Summer Crafting Spree

2008-06-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

I think this needs to be turned into a t-shirt gocco! Let's see if I get around to it amid the forty or more projects I've started since summer vacation began almost two weeks ago. I find myself starting a dozen new projects before finishing any one of the endless ideas I've started. I'm not short on ideas-just short on focus! Ultimately, I do usually come back around to finishing earlier projects but not always in the same summer...or decade for that matter! Current state of crafting affairs: gocco sketches to be printed, a series of bottle drawings and collages need backgrounds, glass pendants need backing paper, pin badges to reproduce and new ones to print up and make, a pile of new brooches underway, need pile of new woven flowers, found my scrabble tiles for pendants and my upholstery buttons for embroidered brooches, just glued more images to glass for new brooches, printing off new deer stationary sets, I think I'm creating this list right now just to divert myself from having to focus...I'd better get to it!

A teeny step is better than none at all to get to your goal

2008-03-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

I posted about my weight loss but never mentioned how I did it! So here's my little promotion for weight watchers. It worked for me- so if you're like I was and you don't think it will work listen up:

1) I started at 255 lbs size 22/24, at least that's my last recorded weight before my pregnancy weight gain and I am down to 153lbs size 8.

2) I lost about 40 lbs at first by just switching to slimfast for breakfast with yogurt or fruit and a slimfast for lunch with a yogurt or other small extra. This got old after a while and I started to think about how easy it would be to gain it all back if I stopped drinking Slimfast. I didn't want to be stuck drinking this sludge forever. I wanted to learn how to eat so I quit drinking it and started to try to just eat better. I struggled with portion control and didn't know where to start-I needed convenience foods that were good for me-is that even possible?

3) My beautiful and lovely friend, Kelsey, had been mentioning how she wanted an accomplice at her weight watchers meetings. I would smile and nod and say maybe,but I had decided long ago that Weight Watchers was something to be ashamed of being part of because the world would know that you couldn't figure out how to eat for yourself. It seemed all too embarrassing that I simply couldn't figure out something as fundamental as eating right.

4) I realize now that it's more than just having the knowledge to choose a carrot over a cookie. It's having in the forefront of my mind at all times when emotions get the best of me that my body, my health, my family, and my Self are worth the effort.

5) Now, I find myself training for a 5K race, walking instead of driving, and keeping a green happy kitchen that puts the environment and whole foods over waste and convenience! Baby steps really help.

Good Things--When your toddler can craft too!

2008-03-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

Now that Izzie is 3 years old she's able to follow some basic directions on gluing and cutting and, with a little guidance on the location of things, assembled this adorable piggie bank! She's very much into counting her pennies and finding change here and there as we go for walks which she claims are from the Tooth Fairy! She's saving up for a Charlie and Lola doll and a Crane for her train set. I walked to the craft supply store to buy Izzie more paints but instead spent the money on this issue of Good Things for Kids: Fun Stuff to Make with Simple

Supplies. We set Izzie up for painting and coloring daily but these sort of constructive, useful projects are right up my alley and get me more involved with Izzie! So today after the routine Sunday trips to the grocery store and library, we're coming home to make the sail boats out of straws, paper, and plastic yoghurt lids and perhaps we'll use some fabric glue to make some catnip and felt fish toys for the kitties! I'll be posting more pics as we make things from this issue! I've now got a partner in craft!

It All Adds Up, You Know!?

2008-03-07T16:10:00.001-08:00

When I downloaded the digital photos I took of myself two years and two months ago I labeled the file, "Don't look at me!" (that's the old me in the middle!) It's been an empowering journey of weight loss! I've gone from 255 lbs (my last recorded weight before even my pregnancy weight gain) size 22/24 (2xl) to 158lbs size 8/10!! I'm working on whittling away the last 20 pounds this spring and summer. I suppose after I reach that final weight loss goal I'll have to move on to fitness goals--Mike's going to help me train for a half marathon in December. Gulp! I don't know if running is for me-I'd rather go hiking or speedwalk to get a cup of coffee! I'm up to running 2 miles in 23 minutes. Slow progress, but, one thing I've learned through this is that some progress is better than no progress and in the end it does add up. Tada!

Little Red

2007-11-12T17:17:00.000-08:00

We had about two seconds of Izzie sitting still so I could clip "her" hair out of her eyes before she bolted out the door for her first night of trick or treating. She had this look of complete satisfaction with her hoard of candies.

Make Your Own Glitterboard Village! Here's My Green and Red Mansion

2006-12-26T06:32:00.000-08:00

Glitterboard Mansion for Kelsey and Neilio., originally uploaded by icklebird.

Book title where you can find this template and a few others: Vintage Christmas Crafts by Sara Toliver. ISBN # 1-4027-2791-7.

I was excited to give this to Kelsey and Neil yesterday for Christmas and Kelse said something very sweet-she said that she knows her son, Brooklyn, will spend lots of time gazing at it as he grows up and will have memories of it from his childhood-I think I will have to make more for them now! : ). I also hoped they didn't think I was a little bit coookooo since I went a little overboard on the crafting for gifts this year-weeeeeee! I also made a "Let it Snow" banner and gnome snowglobe for each of my closest friends!

Make Your Own Glitterboard Village!

2006-12-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

Glitterboard Mansion for Cherise and Ricardo., originally uploaded by icklebird.

Here's the book where I found all the templates at the library: Vintage Christmas Crafts by Sara Toliver. ISBN #1-4027-2791-7.
(Priced at $14.95 on the cover)

There's three different styles and three different houses for each style. Templates are to be photocopied and enlarged. I wound up copying them at full size, cutting each piece of the pattern out and then enlarging them individually so I could make mine bigger. Seems like the most time-consuming factor was tracing the pattern and cutting it out but it would have helped to have had some extra X-Acto blades handy! I used the box we got our animated lawn doe in for extra sturdiness. Avoid using super fat cardboard because it buckles and separates. I found that the crystal clear glitter looks more like the traditional mica houses and lets the paint colors show through for more color variety. The little houses were painted and covered in matching colored glitter for a Liberace effect : ). I coiled up a white pipecleaner for the wreath and topped the roof, the ground and the tops of everything with fake sparkly snow paint! I think I'm going to have to get more templates ready-these are addicting! If you do make one from the book and remember me=email me a link to a picture! : )! Happy Glitterdays!

The Ostrich and the Carousel

2006-12-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

The Ostrich and the Carousel, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Something to do in Vegas for the holidays! It's a rare find to have something to do with your family that feels 100% right. You know your money is going to a good cause here rather than promoting big industry gambling and tourism. Head over to Opportunity Village and their Magical Forest for an evening of lights, cocoa, and train rides. Izzy obsesses over the carousel. It's crazy how my life evolves around trying to find ways to make her go crazy like she did when she saw the carousel for that second visit. There was also maze, burlap bag "arctic" slides, and a meandering walk through a decorated forest. Strangely, as you get closer to each decorated tree, you realize it's decorated with plumbing parts or frisbees with logos because each tree or elaborate mini cottage with elves is an advertisement from some local sponsoring business. It reminds me of Bonnie Springs (see my flickr set-Old Nevada) in some respects--nothing is quite...right. The elves are old and dirty, the nativity is missing it's manger, the burgers are 75% cardboard : )-

Birdies in the Woods Tree Trimming

2006-12-10T07:15:00.000-08:00

Birdies in the Woods Tree Trimming, originally uploaded by icklebird.

There's one reliable source for crafty ideas that I know I can turn to for inspiration and that's Martha Stewart's Holiday Gift Ideas Edition. I flagged about ten different projects to try. This one evolved from her vintage looking gift wrap embellishments (there were also pipecleaner stockings and twisted candy canes). I didn't realize how oversized my version was until I finished and realized bedecking it with a little bow wasn't going to cut it! So I pulled out my collection of random holiday miniatures and wallah! Super-Opulant Charm (remember opulant is my fancied up word for...gawdy!). I can see the potential for these to have a backing of felt and an elaborate holiday scene with snow and glitter in the donut hole opening! When I asked my husband what he thought of these, he said it was "pretty, but, is it a brooch?" with a concerned look on his face! The running joke in my family is that I am likely to turn anything into a brooch despite it's enormity or it's obvious gawdiness. Hmmmph! Truth be told, I never can tell if it's pretty or ugly! I just know that I like it.

Vintage Children's Books (from the "Bounty!")

2006-08-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Children's Books!--from the "Bounty!", originally uploaded by icklebird.

Dear Margaret,
I am forever indebted to you for you have tripled my vintage childrens book collection and added much better books than I've had the luck to find at thrift stores! Each one has somethings I can use in most everything I make! Pin badges, collages, brooches, plaques!
I'm in love most with Sugar Bear! The ones you specially marked off with ribbon that have Little Red Riding Hood imagery! And so many of them that have deer...drinking at a pond, frollicking in the grass, lost in the forest...all so lovely! I'll be posting more illustration photos in my flickr photostream soon! I'm a very lucky girl! Thank you forever.

Nolan and Louis (from Louisville!)

2006-08-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

From the "Bounty!", originally uploaded by icklebird.

The Prettyville Pet Parade has come to Las Vegas today! A dream of partyhats and sweet happy melodies bubbles forever in my heart now that this duet has found me! I am in love. You will see them again in my pin badges and stationary! Margaret, Margaret, Margaret! My lovely cousin has put together a special "inspiration box" just for me! I'll be blogging more photos as they come!

Ting and Ling and the Birthday Surprise

2006-08-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Double the Trouble Collage in Resin on Wood, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Oh what a handful these two twin kittens are! Brothers Ting and Ling have snuck away from the birthday party and are very curious about this giant squishy, sweet smelling cake! It's quite enormous on that thin stemmed cake stand you can just imagine the slightest shift of weight and it will come tumbling down! Well, maybe that's Ting's plan so that Ling can have some...he's having a hard time hopping up top!

I've got more of this Happy Birthday paper so I wonder what little animals will be causing trouble next!?!

This is for sale at Prettyville!

I like the look of these little blocks of wood all dressed up and coated in resin so there is sure to be more on the way!

SUPER KITSCHY!!

From Pthalo Blue! There's so much more not even shown!

2006-08-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

From Pthalo Blue! There's so much more not even shown!, originally uploaded by icklebird.

There ARE generous people in this world and it's amazing how many I've met on flickr! Pthalo Blue sent this lot of amazing goodies in exchange for the sumo cups and I felt like a little kid opening a super duper baby can cry pee and walk doll on Christmas morning! Except there was a lot more to look at and open! I think it's so amazing-right when I think I've seen all the most beautiful things in the world I get a package in the mail like this that feeds my mind with fresh images and fabrics and possibilities! I love swapping for craft goodies! There is so much potential in that one package. Thank you endlessly, Pthalo Blue!

My Online Garage Sale: Vintage Dutch Print Apron

2006-08-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

My Online Garage Sale: Vintage Dutch Print Apron, originally uploaded by icklebird.

This sweet dutch print apron has found a new home! Although it has several small drips of blue ink and a small fade all on the left windmill area-they wouldn't be noticeable from a distance if it were hung on display! It's cute! It went for a steal of a price! I'm also going to be making a pin badge set of the dutch boy and girl soon!! So if you didn't get to be the lucky person to bring this apron home you could still get a bit of that dutch cuteness once they're turned into pin badges!!

Religious Kitsch Brooches

2006-07-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Religious Kitsch Brooches, originally uploaded by icklebird.

When I told my husband that these are loaded in gawdiness and who knows if anyone would buy them he said this very important point: "what religious souvenirs have you seen that you've looked at and said, "oh that's absolutely beautiful"-religious souvenirs are MEANT to be gawdy and tacky!" So hopefully I've hit the nail on the head with these! I'm going to post them for sale on etsy over the next few days! I do apologize but I don't know the names of the Saints and would love for someone to come along a tag the ones they can identify so I can give them accurate titles. I have to send you to beebalalou's flickr photostream and etsy shop to see where I got my inspiration from--all this kitsch needed to turn into brooches! I was trying to stick them on yarn flowers and felt with sequins but I had a little help looking at beebalalou's amazing creations--you HAVE to see her stuff--she has a bounty of FLOCKED ANIMALS!! and plastic swans! Oh what beauty.

Bird On a Wire Photo Tree

2006-07-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Bird On a Wire Photo Holder, originally uploaded by icklebird.

I'm making a series of these little photo holders with birdies--they look so cute with little birdies perched on their "branches" you might just leave them there.

The wood base is covered in brown felt and the front is embellished with an embroidered banner that reads "Birdie". The bird itself is perched atop a branch and decoupaged onto a baby blue wooden medallion then glazed with a clear resin. The birdie medallion is framed by a double ring of baby blue and brown overlapping rickrack to make it extra sweet and delicate looking.

This picture doesn't do it justice--it's terribly cute! This one has already found a new home! But please check out Prettyville, my etsy shop at: http://www.icklebird.etsy.com to see if I've posted the other two that are on their way!

Thanks for stopping by!

My Online Garage Sale: Vintage Apron

2006-07-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

My Online Garage Sale: Vintage Apron, originally uploaded by icklebird.

What a glamorous thing a vintage apron can be to spruce up any domestic queen and just might inspire you do do some cleaning around the house. Feel so sexy in this vintage print perfect for the holiday season with it's bright red and green color scheme. Teeny red pocket and beautiful matching ties. Perfect condition. Posted for sale and sold! This apron has found a new home but I will be posting a few more over the next few weeks in my etsy shop at: http://www.icklebird.etsy.com

Birdies in the Sky Drawing on Wood

2006-07-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

Birdies in the Sky Drawing on Wood, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Some birdies just make you feel like you've got a friend for life when they swoop down for a visit. These birdies has found a new home but I'll be posting very similar birdie drawing for sale at my etsy shop!-- http://icklebird.etsy.com

I've made a few of these drawings on wood all very similar but different sizes. I spent a lot of time filling in the sky with a metallic blue colored pencil and it left the wood surface with a super sheen when the light hits it. Each bird is heavily outlined in black ink making them look more cartoony and I've added this scalloped border to finish it off--makes me feel like I'm peeping into a picture show machine at a carnival-do you know what I'm talking about?--the ones that are ancient and you're really not too sure if you should be putting your skin up to those greasy goggles but when you do peer through and you've paid your quarter you are delighted to see odd little things dancing about.

"My Deer Friend" Collage on Wood

2006-07-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

"My Deer Friend" Collage on Wood, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Somewhere in the forest is a celebration with white bouquets, streaming ribbons, and doves flitting in and out of the trees. This is where Verla safely rests her tired legs as she's been searching for her way back home and is greeted by Silvia, a gleaming white dove, perched on a tree branch.

Verla is cut from a brown vintage fabric and has layered felt eyes. She is layered atop a backdrop of vintage wedding paper and mounted onto a block of pine then coated with a glear glossy glaze. The edges and back of the block are painted green. Silvia is a teeny plastic dove with her wings spread wide affixed to the top of the block. The block can be hung or will stand upright for display! Verla and Silvia have found a new home! But check my etsy shop: http://icklebird.etsy.com to find a few more just like them over the next few weeks. Thanks for stopping by!

My Online Garage Sale: Altered States

2006-07-27T22:51:00.000-07:00

My Online Garage Sale: Altered States, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Incredible book about how artists have altered their state of mind to access their subconcious from sleep depravation to androgyny to sex and drugs. This book is in great condition and has page after page of artist info and color illustration. Looking for $6 total including shipping (Not sure what shipping will cost) Let me know if you live out of the US and I'll check on postage. Just email me with your interest and I'll send you and invoice and mail it into your curious little hands! Awesome for the art history buff and those looking for info that you don't usually learn in your textbooks.

SwapSwapSwapObsessed!

2006-07-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

So much cuteness in a teeny package!!!, originally uploaded by icklebird.

Loretta and I started to talk about doing a swap because I love her brooches and she loves mine! I am thrilled that we added a couple souvenirs in our packages because I got the kitschiest card from Valencia! You can't see it, but there's actually a goose's head peeking under her fabric skirt! And on top of it all she added handmade barettes and the sweetest little pocket pouch for my "little things!" The folded up white lace like fabric is the sweetest, most elegant curtain with giraffes on the plain--In vegas the wondow are covered in wooden shutters inside, but, I'm going to save it for when we move and get the chance to hang it--it will be lovely with light shining through. My husband knew right away what that yellow pin was from--1982 World Cup held in Spain-he rambled that off like it was common knowledge! Thank you so much Loretta! I look forward to our Christmas swap-I warn you I get VERY kitsch driven during the holidays!

My Online Garage Sale: Tropical Vacation Handbag

2006-07-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

My Online Garage Sale: Tropical Vacation Handbag, originally uploaded by icklebird.

This purse has a Made in Italy tag on the inside and looks like it was assembled from one long bamboo mat printed with tropical leaves, fruit, and flowers. It's in very good condition and looking for a new home! It lays flat and has no handle. Has clean creamy white fabric lining, zippered pocket inside and snap closure. Yours for $2.50 plus $2 shipping in the US-$3 international.

If you're interested let me know and I'll send you a Paypal invoice and ship it straight away!

Furry Squirrel I Squish You!

2006-07-24T12:06:00.000-07:00

my joy my love my squirrel

We took an outing "to see the ducks" this morning. She's so giddy in this picture running straight into a flock of ducks. She puts on a cheeky grin as soon as the sunglasses go on. I think she sees them as a way to be more grownup or maybe she just knows it's easier on the eyes in this summer sun. I love this picture! She's flying! We had to stop her in her tracks because with these hungry birds you have to plan ahead and bring a bag of bread or cheerios or the duckies and peacocks will mob you!

Pincushion Planters-Get This Bee For Free!

2006-07-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I wanted to turn this little bee planter into a pincushion so badly! Now that I look at it I come to realize just how much froof I put into things--it's almost a little creepy!
But, a cute play on the whole association of bees and stinging. So perhaps someone out there will run across this blog and think they might adopt her! She's Free to anyone interested you just pay shipping $3 and let me know so I can send you an invoice through paypal. She's quite cute in person and strange the more I look at her! I don't wish to sell her in my etsy shop because I got a little hot glue on the pincushion and can't get it off--you can see it in the bottom right hand corner of the picture on the right. This was my first pincushion planter here with the momma birdie feeding her young and came from the frustration of losing my sumo pincushion amongst my fabric and felt! I just grabbed a woven yarn flower that I had rejected for brooches and stuffed it into the planter-It is much harder to lose my pincushion now and much cuter to look at!We've got an awesome groups of members now and so many amazing pets that I covet so!

My Online Garage Sale: Sumo Sumo Cups

2006-07-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

Sumo Sumo Cups! These handsome little guys could have been yours for $1 plus Shipping or trade! ---But I've found a fabulous new home for them and an awesome crafty trade! So happy to know you, Pthalo Blue! I'll be posting photos of your package soon!

They make excellent pencil holders for your work table! I believe there's a couple more to this sumo series too if you're interested in a set-I got these at the local International market-they don't carry them any more, but, always have neat neat neat ceramic cups with Japanese and Chinese images. It seems to be the new fashion in their dinnerware section to have plates and cups with images of sushi and sumo printed on them. So you'd be so hip to own these ; ) heee hee!

My Online Garage Sale

2006-07-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are working on selling off our things as we prepare to move to England over the next two years (we need to save up and sell our house in that time!) So if you see anything that I post as part of My Online Garage Sale that you are interested in please let me know! I will forward you an invoice on the price we agree upon and ship the item out to you as quick as I can!

This platter is for sale in my Prettyville shop for $7.99 plus shipping. It measures 12" across and is in great condition and comes with a plate hanger frame. I've had this for about 10 years and love the asian style painting. It's a Nasco Sayonara platter if you want to research it! Such a pretty serving dish!

Print and Pattern Daily Candy

2006-07-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

Another particular that permeates my everyday is a love for pattern. This blog is amazing for finding inspiration in the prettiest most current patterns of our times.

The Misadventures of the Swap-O-Rama

2006-06-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

I dove into the coloriffic swap-o-rama with full steam signing up (well attempting to sign up and arranging on the sly to partner up with another, like myself, that was too late to sign up for one of them) for both the US and the International June swaps.

Once it was official I lay in bed at night searching my memory and my imagination for anything that might suit the color schemes. I thought the Blue and Chocolate would really be a piece of cake because I love the combination so but, to my dismay, the only things I could find were way out of my price range, sorry, partner! I loved being on the hunt and, though I don't think my husband realized it, I was constantly searching shelves at any shop we went to for swap surprises.

I have to admit, there's a guilt factor involved in the swap that I wasn't prepared for--I spent money that I wouldn't even spend on myself normally-I support both my daughter and my husband (he's a lovely stay-at-home daddy and I'm sure I'll talk more about that fact of my life as time allows) I had a great time though and hope I found a balance between fancies and thrifts.

The Black and White swap had tested me further-I simply don't like the colors alone, but luckily came across the most pulse-raising sale imaginable at Urban Outfitters in the Mandalay Bay. We bought a pile of bed covers and blankets marked from $32 to $58 down to $3! Who cares what colors and patterns--I took one of each! For the swap I gathered up anything b+w on the sale shelves-a frame marked $16 down to $2...you get the idea- We were in a frenzy gathering up anything pretty for our humble home and I wasn't so sure my husband knew it at the time but anything I snuck into the pile that was black and white was going to be shipped out the following day!

The Ugly Deerling

2006-06-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

When I have to ask myself, "Is this UGLY?" everytime I make something I don't know if this is a natural self-critique or if I should be getting the message through to my detached head in the clouds! My husband suggests I find a gal pal here in Vegas (I'm NOT a loser I swear! But, I haven't met a single kindred spirit since moving here four long years ago!) to help me with my aesthetics. He claims to have no eye for these types of things I make--I suspect he is saving my delicate ego from permanent scarring. I just produced this photo holder and presented it to him for a response--maybe I should have waited until he'd completely emerged from the fog of sleep because he reacted uabashedly disdainful--he gaffawed is more like it! He did say he liked the deer and I appreciate that because I think I might go in the direction of embroidered applique brooches soon, but that the whole spray of wire and the photo holder I attached it to was not working. So, with all that said and with respect to my husband's suggestion to seek advice in the outside world, I will turn to you, my "gal pals," and ask for your feedback. That is, when I start to have viewers ! heee hee! For now, I will chat with myself and perhaps find some resolution to my first and constant question, "Is this UGLY?!"

Deer in the Wood

2006-06-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

It seems deer are finding their way into everything I make and I'm not going to resist such a sweet and innocent creature from taking over! This deerly pin is part of a deer themed notecard, this pretty bag is a gift from my good friend, Kelse, who said she just thought of me when she saw it and please someone do the math for me because I want this little deer designed by Shinzi Katoh. There are so many beautiful designs here of little girls chatting away with their bears and lollipop trees and hopping bunny rabbits but why oh why do they have to cover up the beautiful designs with the "SOLD OUT" icon! They need a gallery for people like me looking for inspiration!

Summer Begins

2006-06-16T23:24:00.000-07:00

So happy to get started. Everything is coming together now that summer has begun. I have time off now to focus on me and my family. And so begins this blog! Welcome!