Today's Faves- Eye Candy, Zero Calories

More info here http://www.flickr.com/photos/12448123@N07/favorites/.

Aren't Swaps Wonderful?

Here's a peek at some of the goodies from my mailbox. Thanks to Priscilla of http://sweetremembrance1.blogspot.com for the awesome cottage! It is just too fine for words! The pink ornaments are from Bridie Murphyhttp://bridieshome.blogspot.com and CupcakeDD on the Pink Ornament Swap hosted by Chatdurouge on Flickr. The snowman ornaments are from the sweet Mary Izabella from the Snowman Swap hosted byhttp://vivs-whimsy.blogspot.com. And finally the adorable kitty altered domino is from Debora of Stars*Go*Blue. You can find her goodies here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5389262. What a great holiday haul.

A Productive Night!

I think I was so excited to register for Art and Soul (and not have the checkout hassle that some registrants did) that I was inspired to head directly to the studio. I don't think I moved for four hours. And, although I only have 5 ATCs to show for it, I am happy with them. One is for a swap with Dana of Fairy Dusted Mermaids (shhhh!) and one is for a birthday goody for Debbie Metti (shhh!) in the mailing with my Chubbyville December fat book page of "Christmas Memories" which she is hosting. These are all made with background papers from Shabby Cottage Studio, and as a design team member I say "get yourself to SCS!" My mini giftie bag and ATC are featured! Order a dozen or two.

I also spent some time on my four ornaments for the Pink Christmas Ornament Swap and planned my snowman for Viv's Snowman Swap. So, I am winding down on my holiday to-do list. Maybe I can finally get some stuff on ebay and feed my habit(s). Speaking of habits, here's a pictures of a cute button bouquet I found on etsy and a new mosaic from Flickr.

Art and Soul, look out! I am registered for Acrylic Glazes, Landscapes of the Mind and Drawing Blast- and what a blast it will all be! My instructors are Carla Sonheim, Ann Grgich and Diana Trout. "Art By the Sea" is the theme for 2008. It will be like a mini-vacation to the beach. Counting the days!

So Much Goodness All in One Day!

Lots to share here! Larry the Cat is home from the hospital after a week. He ate something very bad that nearly killed him. After many xrays, enemas, fluids, anesthesia, four different medicines and much more (on a loooong, detailed bill), he is home! Lester has been missing him, and so have we! Larry is the brown-nose(r), and Lester is pink. Larry says, "why did I have to get sick, mom?"

The adorable ornament with intricate sequins I posted about before arrived in the flesh (fabric?) today from the sweet Sadie Lou. More to come! Sadie Lou and I both hope to go to Silver Bella next year. Too many lucky artistas will be having fun this weekend in Omaha without us!

Besides the beautiful Blythe Style book I got on Amazon with amazing photos by Gina Garan, I finally took the plunge after weeks of study and ordered my Blythe from ebay, and she is en route from Tokyo. Blythe dolls were originally manufactured by Kenner for one year, in 1972. Hasbro later bought Kenner. In any event, both the Ashton Drake Galleries and Takara Tomy Japan reintroduced Blythe in about 2000, and they have been a cult phenomenon. There are about 700 Flickr groups devoted to Blythe as well as countless ebay and etsy shops. The most popular websites appear to be http://www.thisisblythe.com/ and http://www.blythedoll.com/. An adorable blog is http://adventuresofmolli.blogspot.com/. I can't get enough! Anyway, I chose the model "Star Dancer" (shown here), and she is soon to be renamed Lilly. People actually spend hundreds of dollars customizing and clothing their Blythe dolls with false eyelashes, mink and more.

The mermaid ATC shown was just for fun, but I have a couple of ATC swaps coming up as well as a Mermaid theme swap, so who knows where it will go? The yellow pear ATC is a swap I received from the talented Deb Lockard, tnangel on ebay and Stars*Go*Blue on Flickr. I think it is Zetti-licious!

Newest Flickr Faves-Such Talent!

Love, love, love all the artists from my various groups, and my latest obsession, Blythe (more on that later). Go here for more info on these photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12448123@N07/favorites/

Happy Flickr Foto Fun Friday!

Beautiful eye candy from talented artists in my groups, more info by clicking here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12448123@N07/1827190983/

On My Vacation Part 1, Curly Birds

Doesn't everyone make glittery bird thingies on vacation? I saw this curly-feathered bird at Michael's and couldn't resist making a bird princess like I saw by Cerri at http://littlepinkstudio.typepad.com/. She sells these at Glitter and Grunge and on Etsy. While reading her blog and looking at her Flickr photos, I was also inspired to join the "Pink Ornament Swap," which should come in handy since my white tree will be fuschia and silver this year, after a couple of years as turquoise and brown.

With a bunch of glitter, porcelain roses, ribbon, pearls on eyepins, moss, rhinestones and a crown as well as netting and a grapevine nest, I whipped this up last night. Not to worry, I've been on the beach today (in case anyone thinks I am a 'nerd,' I do plan to have some real vacation). But, it is such a treat to have all day to do whatever I want, and what I want to do is make stuff. In fact, I'm headed out later for more curly birdies.

Speaking of last year's tree, here it is on a particularly bad day. Yes, some people are already thinking of Christmas. I don't like to shop early, but I like to think about my decorating.