Got Excitement?!

Gotta have some *bling-bling* . . .

I started putting things *to the side* from the first day I signed up for Cindy Forrester's workshops she's teaching October 25th and 26th. How excited am I, you ask? Well, let's just say that I'm looking forward to these workshops as much as I'm looking forward to voting on November 4th. Yep, I'm THAT excited!

Cindy's latest blog post shows some *snippets* of some things she says we will see in the workshops next weekend. She is such the temptress, that girl.

More of what I've packed up so far. I wonder if I'll need any of these? . . .

Maybe a few crowns . . .

Can't leave home without some rusty bird cages, crystal knobs, maybe a ceramic doll or two, finials, brass stencils and scissors, bottles, sterling silver spoons . . .

and a few more bottles couldn't hurt, right? . . .

can't forget the tintypes and photos! (I think I may have gone a little overboard on the tintypes, but a girl's gotta have CHOICES, right? . . .

Some blues and greens might be nice . . .

Gott go pack the tools now. . .

My Favorite Art Supply Store

THE ART SUPPLY WAREHOUSE IN WESTMINSTER

I am SO there! This will be one of those rare times that I pull out the credit card. Yep, it's THAT serious. Oooooooh weeeeee.

Oil paints, water color, parent sheets of Cavellini papers, Jesus tape (yep, tape with Jesus printed on it!), paint brushes, BOOKS, Copic Markers from Japan, pastels, Van Gogh action figures, miniature easels and canvas, a robot eraser that you piece together with movable legs and arms, sushi erasers, those cool pens that write in 5 different colors, single colors or packets of markers, colored pencils, rulers, , charcoals, beading and jewelry making supplies and so much more. This place is like Dick Blick on steroids!

And the customer service. Everybody in the store knows everything about everything they sell. Isn't that a novel concept? AND, if you ask for help, they GIVE IT, and with a big ole smile!

I called the store once to ask about encaustic art, and I got a guy that discussed the art form with me for over a half hour on the phone! When I went into the store later that day, he took me to the aisle where they sold the supplies, and went through every product explaining the pros and cons of each one for what I was trying to accomplish. Now tell me, when was the last time YOU got good service like that????

Lisa Engelbrecht will be doing a calligraphy demonstration on Friday from 2-5pm and signing books on Sunday from 10a-2p. And I read on one of my yahoo groups, there will be many art and manufacturer demos and prizes as well.

Here's a map:

See you there!

Hit the Re-Set Button

"He discovered his re-set button early on & there were not many things that bothered him all the rest of his days just because of that".

This piece and quote by Brian Andreas brought back memories of the time when my son was a lot younger. When he would do something he shouldn't have done and didn't want to suffer the consequences or maybe just didn't want to see me upset, he would look up at me, with those big brown eyes, and say, "Can we just start all over?"

Wouldn't it be great to just hit the re-set button sometimes?

Ever had one of those days? . . .

"There are some days when no matter what I say it feels like I'm far away in another country & whoever is doing the translating has had far too much to drink" - Brian Andreas

Eye Candy

Candy eyeballs in eyeball glasses . . .

I've been sick with a pretty bad cold the past few days. My son has been sick as well. But since he is a teenager, pretty much nothing gets him down to the point that he is confined to the bed (unlike his 55 year old mother!)

So on Saturday, he asked if I could take him to a friend's home in Costa Mesa for a birthday party. (The birthday girl's name is Taylor and she shares the same birthday as my son) He wanted to go early to help the young lady clean and decorate. Huuummm, I wonder why I can't get him to help clean around HERE? Ha!

Anyway, I really didn't want to have to get out of bed, shower, dress, and drive 20+ miles x 2, but, playing the part of *good mother* - I did.

Turned out the young lady lived just blocks away from Paris to the Moon and Paris Underground. I was going to direct you to their website, but it seems to be down at the writing of this blog post. So here's the info. The address is 1720 Santa Ana Ave # A, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 and the telephone number is (949) 642-0942.

Ok, so I know I've mentioned in other posts that I'm not big on Halloween. But I've got to tell you, it sure was fun seeing what Darren had done to Paris Underground for the holiday.

These are some photos I took for your enjoyment. You can click on each one to get a closer look if you'd like.

Above the front entrance to Paris Underground . . .

A twist on the traditional bobbing for apples . . .

stuff to decorate with . . .

Sleeping peacefully . . .

This is just WRONG! . . .

I did like these rusty pieces though . . .

Love the crown . . .

another interesting display case . . .

Stopped in the front store - Paris to the Moon and took a photo of this beautiful cake with china mosaic! . . .

Mark you calendars for Saturday, November 22nd. Paris to the Moon is hosting a Holiday Artist Market and Gift Fair from 8am to 1pm. And if this event is anything like the others I have attended, you will not want to miss it!

So the Story Goes . . .

This is the story of the Frozen Charlotte Doll

It is said that on January 1st 1840, a girl froze to death on her way to a ball. This is how the story of Fair Charlotte goes . . .

Young Charlotte lived on the mountain side
In a quiet, lonely spot
No dwelling there for three miles round
Except her father’s cot

Her father loved to see her dress
Gay as a city belle
For she was all the child he had
He loved his daughter well

T’was New Year’s Eve, the sun was set
And she looked with a wishful eye
So long at the frozen windows out
As the merry sleighs went by

At the village fifteen miles away
There’s a merry ball tonight
The piercing air was cold and keen
Yet her heart was warm and light

How gaily beams her sparkling eyes
As a well-known sound she hears
When darting up to her father’s house
Young Charles’ sleigh appears!

“My daughter dear” her mother said
“This blanket around you fold
It is a dreadful night abroad
You might take fatal cold”


This China Frozen Charlotte doll was made in Germany in 1860


“O, no dear mother”, Charlotte said
And she laughed like a gayly queen
“To ride in a blanket muffled up
I never can be seen”

“My silken shawl is quite enough
You know it’s lined throughout
Besides I have a silken scarf
To tie my neck about”

Her bonnet and her gloves were on
And she stepped into the sleigh
And off they ride o’er the mountain side
And o’er the hills away

For five long dark and lonesome miles
In silence o’er they passed
Till Charlotte in a few frozen words
This silence broke at last

“It’s such a night I never seen
The reins I scarce can hold”
Charlotte replied in a feeble voice
“I am extremely cold”

4" German china Frozen Charlotte, with painted molded hair and features. Painted gold shoes with

heels. Circa 1890



He cracked his whip, he urged his steed
Much faster than before
Till five more dark and lonesome miles
In silence they passed o’er

4 1/4"China Frozen Charlie, with painted blue eyes, clenched fists and black molded hair. Made in Germany. Circa 1860


He says, “How fast the glittering ice
Is gathering on my brow”
Charlotte replied in a feeble voice
“I’m growing warmer now”

And on they ride o’er the mountain side
As the stars shine on them bright
At length they reach the village
And the ballroom is in sight

They stopped then, and he stepped out
And offered his hand to her
“Why sit you there light a monument
That hath no power to stir?”

He called her once, he called her twice
But yet she never stirred
He called and called for her again
Yet she answered not a word

He raised the veil from o’er her face
As the cold stars on her shone
He took her hand into his own
Oh God! ‘t was cold as stone

Then quickly to the lighted hall
Her lifeless form he bore
For Charlotte was a frozen girl
And never spoke no more

Now ladies, think of this fair girl
And always dress up right

And never venture thinly clad
On a cold and dreary night

Contributed by Mrs. Mary J. Shriver, of East St. Louis, Illinois. November 30, 1935

I read that Charles died of a broken Y

Most Frozen Charlottes range in height from one to four inches. The one-inch sized dolls were commonly known as "penny dolls" because they generally sold for one cent.

The popularity of Frozen Charlottes can be attributed, in part, to the fact that their low price allowed children to accumulate a collection of dolls to play with.

In the early Victorian days, the tiniest Charlottes were sometimes baked into children’s birthday cakes or Christmas puddings to be found by the guests as party favors as they bit into their piece of cake. NO WARNING LABELS BACK IN THE DAY!

October 9th - Need a Break

I'm going to take a little blog break for a few days. I'll be back on Sunday.

Eighteen Months in Labor? - Happy 17th Birthday

It had been a long 18 months. I had asked for a baby girl - healthy, 0 to 9 months old. I was going to name her Christina Noel. Christmas was approaching and I believed that THIS would be the month. You know, with the name I had picked and all.

I started buying baby clothes for a baby girl. Hung them in her closet. Bought the baby crib and decided on the room decor. Still no baby girl.

Got a call. It went like this. "I know you wanted a girl, but we have a healthy baby boy and just wanted to know if you might be interested?" I had been in adoption labor for 18 months! YES, I was *interested*.

Monday, April 13, 1992: Met foster parents and my soon-to-be son at their home where he had been since birth. We locked eyes and I loved him from that moment on. God chose the perfect baby!

Tuesday, April 14, 1992: Second visit to the foster home. Picked out an outfit for my new baby to wear home the next day. Hugged, kissed, cried with the foster parents. This had been their first foster child, so it was very emotional. Left at 2:11pm to head home and wait for the next day to hurry and get here.

Wednesday afternoon, April 15, 1992: Social Worker arrived at my door with 6-month old Taylor. What a wonderful day that was! Note: Because he was just a baby at the time of adoption, I was able to (re)name him. I named my new baby boy Taylor.

After the 6-month waiting period, we went to court for the signing of the final paperwork.

That's me swearing in in the Judges' chambers and my mother-in-law standing behind me

Me signing the papers


Judge Gray signing the final paperwork.
Did you know that I was adopted too?

Mother-in-law, Lezlei (sister-in-law/friend), me and Taylor

My (now ex) husband and I walking Taylor out of the Courthouse. I love this photo that Lezlei took of us. It looks like Taylor is looking back saying "well, it's all official now"

Christian Montessori Pre-School Days


Elementary school: First trip away from home to summer camp. And yes, I cried . . .


Junior High Graduation Day. Note: the shirt was tucked in for the ceremony!

Sitting (and and maybe thinking?) in the neighborhood Starbucks

Football

one of my favorite photos . . .


Hanging out and having a good time with his friend

Sometime this year at a friend's. Shhhhhhh, I stole this from his photos on the computer . . .

future baker???


or maybe a recording artist?

At Focus getting new skateboard for birthday (compliments of mommy) . . .

Happy 17th Birthday Taylor!
I love you sweetie, xoxoxo - Mommy

Another Event

Starting yesterday and going through tomorrow (October 3rd through October 5th) is an event called Gem Faire. My friends Mary Valleau and Diana James told me about this event when they were in my workshop last week.

I had never been to this before and since it was being held at the Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa - right down the street from the *day job*, I went after work.

At first, when I got there, I thought, huuummm, this is a beader's paradise. But since I'm not a beader, I didn't think there would be much of real interest for me. I was wrong! Couldn't take any photos once I got inside, but I managed to get one photo of one of the bead tables just outside the front entrance.


You know those workshops I'm taking on the 25th and 26th with Cindy Forrester I keep writing about? Well, I found two vendors at Gem Faire that I bought everything else I needed from! Yep, and I don't have to keep searching on-line or wait for anything to come in the mail now. I am soooooo jazzed!

If you live in So Cal and still need supplies for the workshops, get your behind over to the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds. The last day of the event is tomorrow (Sunday). And even if you aren't going to the workshops, if you are a beader or collector of gems, this is the place to be this weekend.

Here are the two vendors I bought from and liked enough to mention here on my blog:

K.H. Lee Supply Co.
6921 N. Guthrie Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85743
telephone number is (800) 799-4557
website: http://www.leejewelrycrafttools.com/

I purchased additional tools I needed from Kenny (he had everything!), and we talked for probably a half an hour. He explained the difference between tools, gave me good advice, and didn't try to sell me stuff I didn't need. Kenny is The Man!

Then there was Altamont
4035 Grass Valley Hwy. Ste. Y
Auburn, CA 95602
(800) 595-5915
website: http://www.altasilver.com/

I purchased sterling silver sheet, sterling silver dead soft wire and my soldering pad from John and Janene Zwickl. This is another company I would recommend purchasing from. They are both lovely people and do mail order as well.

Got Coffee Filters?

Coffee filters are so versatile, and they are lint-free! Below are some ways to use coffee filters in your artwork.

I make roses using coffee filters - used and unused. Depending on the strength of your coffee, and how long you leave the wet grounds in the filter, each one will be different.

These are some of my used, dried coffee filters

This is one of my roses made from used coffee filters


These are some watercolored roses I made from unused cone coffee filters. Take time to smell the roses? Or wake up and smell the coffee?


I use coffee filters (used and unused) to wipe off my paint brushes when I'm painting. Once the coffee filter is completely *painted* and dried, I cut it up and use for atc's, backgrounds,collage work, etc.

artist trading card backgrounds


Here I used coffee filters to make a skirt for a doll. I can't show you the completed doll, you'll have to wait for the release of the Winter 2009 Somerset Gallery - Expressions Page *wink wink*

Below are 28 additional ways to use unused coffee filters around and outside the home:

1. Clean your mirrors, windows and wine glasses with coffee filters
2. Use coffee filters to serve cookies to children (and messy adults) - they catch the crumbs!
3. Line a flower pot with a coffee filter to stop the soil from leaking through the holes in the bottom of the pot
4. If the cork in a bottle of wine breaks off in the bottle, pour the wine through a coffee filter
5. Stack your good china with a coffee filter between each plate
6. Recycle your used coffee filters to make an altered book
7. Clean your eye glasses with a coffee filter
8. Use a coffee filter to clean your computer screen
9. Polish your furniture with a coffee filter
10. For a mess-free popsicle, poke a hole in the center of a coffee filter and place the stick through the hole. The coffee filter will catch the drips
11. For an ice cream cone, put the cone in the center of the filter and hold the cone with the filter
12. Reuse cooking oil by draining it through a coffee filter
13. Strain blueberries through a coffee filter and not lose them down the sink drain
14. Use coffee filters to shine your shoes. Apply shoe polish and then buff it off with a clean coffee filter
15. Coffee filters make a good chip bowl for kids and adults on the run
16. Don't have cheesecloth handy? Wrap herbs like bay leaves, cloves, and peppercorn) in the center of a coffee filter and cut away the excess at the top. Tie the coffee filter with a piece of cotton twine and toss it into whatever you're cooking. Remove after cooking
17. For something impressive, bake giant cupcakes in coffee filters
18. Use coffee filters to cover foods in the microwave
19. Cut the end off a cone-style coffee filter to make an instant funnel. Keep a few in your car and use them to avoid spillage when you add oil
20. Keep your cast-iron skillets rust-free by placing a coffee filter in the skillet when it's not in use
21. For an instant air freshener, fill a coffee filter with baking soda and twist-tie shut. Tuck these in shoes, closets, the refrigerator, . . .
22. To absorb the grease when preparing bacon, use coffee filters instead of paper towels (which bacon can tend to stick to)
23. Use a coffee filter as an easy-to-tear backing for embroidering thin fabrics
24. When taking indoor photos, place a coffee filter over lights, lamps, or even your flash to lessen the harshness of direct light
25. I haven't tried this one, but I would think if you were in desperate need, you could use coffee filters in place of toilet paper
26. Use a coffee filter on a plate to keep deviled eggs from sliding around
27. In a pinch, use coffee filters as napkins
28. Use coffee filters to strain yogurt when you need to make a sour cream substitute

Do YOU have any other ways to use coffee filters that you would like to share?