Ellen's Calendar

Okay, I know I said I was taking a break from blogging but I had to share this great news! My friend Ellen (I call her Frank) has published her own calendar! Isn't that great? It is available from DaySpring and ChristianBook.com as well as most Christian bookstores. I'm so proud of her! I ordered one right away.

Find more information on her blog.

Black Cat/Pumpkin Swap for Cheryl

Here is a photo that Cheryl took of the stuff that I sent to her. The wreath may have gotten a little squished but I'm glad she liked it. I also did a painted box, bookmark and an ornament. The rest was bought from stores. I'm so glad she liked it!!!

Charles Batte Originals

As promised, here are some photos of a couple of pieces that my friend Charles will have at the Halloween and Vine show. I can't wait to see them in person!!!!

Here is a "devilish"-looking fellow!



And here is a ghostly lady--



Finally, I had to include this wonderful witch!!!!



I think they are all just delightful!!!

Sweet Goodness Swap Questions

1. Favorite Color: primary colors and pink!

2. Chocolate Lover? Milk, Dark, White, or none of the above? Love chocolate...all kinds except white

3. What is your favorite craft hobby? mixed media paper arts and knitting

4. What is a craft/art hobby that you would like to start?
I would like to learn to sew.

5. What craft do you NOT have an interest in or just not great in ( so your partner doesn’t send something you wouldn’t use)?
I'm not into crocheting.

6. Do you have any allergies? (we don’t want to send anything with peanuts if it’ll make you blow up like a balloon!)
No known allergies!

7.What’s your favorite part of Halloween? Decorating, candy eating, costumes, or something else? All of the above. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love decorating and I always try to have an interesting costume.

8. Do you decorate for Thanksgiving/Fall? Yes

9. December Holidays--what holiday do you celebrate? What type of decorations do you like to put up in your house for that holiday?
I celebrate Christmas and I go all out with a tree, wreath, table decorations...basically any surface I can cover

10. Do you have any children, if so what are their ages, boys/girls?
not yet...maybe soon!

11. Do you have any pets, if so what kind?
one cat named Toulouse

12. Are you a reader? If so, what type of books do you like?
I am a big reader of modern literature and I collected signed first editions. I also collect unique and special children's books and Christmas books

13. Are you celebrating a birthday or anniversary in October, November, or December? If so, what day and what is the occasion?
no special occasions during those months

14. Do you collect anything? If so what type of things do you collect?
Signed first edition books, Mexican folk art

15. What type of things do you like to cook? Are you an appetizer person, cookie maker, dessert freak or a take out type of person??
I like to bake and create desserts for people.

16. What is your favorite scent? Is there one that you can’t stand?
I like light florals. I do not like anything heavy.

17. What’s your favorite song?
Too many to narrow it down. I love Classic Rock and 80's music

18. What’s the last movie you went to see at the movie theater?
STARDUST

19. What’s your favorite Candy?
anything peanut butter and chocolate

20. Tea or Coffee or other?
Both! I have a weakness for Starbucks!

ART*PLAY photos

See a photo from ART*PLAY on Heather's blog. She put together some scenes from ART*PLAY. I'm the silly girl on the lower left side who had the brilliant idea of wearing a white t-shirt to a day of painting! I will post more of my own photos here tonight.

By the way, if you need a banner or business card, Heather is your gal. She does absolutely wonderful stuff! I might have to hire her to do a banner for me to spiff up my little blog.

Woo hoo!!!!

Queen Vallen is celebrating her blog anniversary and I won this wonderful collage! I don't believe it! I never win things!

Vallen is such a wonderful creative person and she shares my love of all things Mexican. I hope I get a chance to meet her in person at Halloween and Vine on the 29th!!!

Last Chance!!!

Today is your last chance to sign up for some holiday SWEET GOODNESS! It's the final day to join the current Sweet Goodness swap. Just follow the link in my sidebar. And hurry! You could be my partner!!!!


And while you are cruising the internet, head over to Angelina's Cards for a terrific sale. Her cards are just wonderful. I was lucky enough to get one in my ART*PLAY goodie bag. Plus, Angelina has been my swap partner before. She is so sweet and very talented and you won't believe the deals in her shop right now. Find her here.

Halloween and Vine

My friend Charles is a local artist here in the Bay Area. He has done exquisitely detailed art dolls for years and now he is branching out into some smaller items. Charles will be exhibiting in the upcoming Halloween and Vine show and I'll be helping him out. I can hardly wait! An art show limited to Halloween items?! Hello!! Sign me up!!!

I hope to post some photos later with Charles' permission. You won't believe how wonderful his stuff is. In the meantime, here is some basic info on him. Charles' talent is so diverse, he even created my wedding veil for me last year! See photo below. He used pieces of my mother's wedding dress to create it. Pretty special, huh?



Next week, I will post more photos of Charles' work for you to see!

A New Blog to Visit

Isn't it delightful when you come across a wonderful blog by a person who very well might be a kindred spirit?

The one thing I was really lacking at ART*PLAY was a proper apron to paint in. I have plenty of fabric ones but the paint can seep through. Heather was wearing a terrific oilcloth apron and I knew I had to have one. I'm not sure if this the place where she bought it but this is where I'm getting mine. It's called Rodrigvitz Style. Everything on Stephanie's blog is so wonderful! She likes Mexican and folk art stuff too. I can't wait to add her to my regular blog-reading rotation. If you haven't been to her blog yet, head over there right now!!!!

Art*Play Recap

Well, if you weren't at A Work of Heart in San Jose this weekend for Art*Play (and I know you weren't or I would have seen you there!), then you really missed out! Heather and Shosh (of Portals zine and Hannah Grey fame) planned an absolutely wonderful weekend for us! The event was so well-planned and filled with goodies. Our teacher was the wonderful Kelly Kilmer who is so enthusiastic, patient and positive.

On the first day, Kelly taught us how to make our very own painted taped journal. I couldn't believe how fun it was! We were all covered in paint and absolutely happy. In the afternoon, we started filling our new journals with different collage techniques that Kelly taught us. On the second day, we focused on learning new painting techniques. There were so many cool things to learn that my head was absolutely swimming!

The goodie bag sponsors packed our bags full of wonderful things. One of the best goodies bags I have ever gotten! I recognized many of the sponsors. I also won a lovely journal and a wax melting pot and ladle which I can't wait to try out. I'm bummed I didn't win Jenny and Aaron's wonderful painting but I'm sure there will be other opportunities in the future.

Thanks to the organizers, the sponsors and Kelly Kilmer for a wonderful weekend. I can't wait for the next one!!!

(photos to be posted later!)

My First Workshop!

I really really really wanted to go to Silver Bella but it just wasn't in the cards this year. I can't wait to hear about all the fun by reading the attendees' blogs!

I do, however, get to attend ART*PLAY this weekend and I'm really excited! I probably won't get to blog again until I get back so I thought I'd let you know where I will be. I'm looking forward to learning new techniques and meeting some fellow artsy-craftsy people! I'll tell you all about it when I get back.

Have a great weekend!

A Few of My Favorite Things

This meme is going around blogland right now so I thought I'd join in!

Perfume: VERA WANG

Sound: Thunder and Rain

Late Night Snack: Cheese

Smell(s): fresh tomatoes, roses, Fall air and (okay this is weird but true) the way my cat smells

Color Combos: Black and white, green and pink, bold primary colors together

Nut: Myself! (and pecans)

Time of Year: Autumn

Books: Can't narrow it down very easily but I love modern literature and cosy mysteries

Female Actress: Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie

Flower: Yellow Roses, Daffodils, Tulips

Vacation Spot: Italy

Pizza: Olives, Artichoke hearts and Sundried tomatoes

Subject in School: English

TV Channel: Bravo and HBO

Radio Station: Mix 104.9 Santa Rosa

Holiday: Halloween and Christmas

Shoes: Oh how can I choose? Right now, I'm having a love affair with my yellow Prada platform sandals.

Candy: anything peanut butter and chocolate

City to Shop: Dallas

Beauty Product: lots of moisturizer and sunscreen

Items to Shop For: gifts for friends and crafting/thrifty supplies

Sweet Goodness Sister Swap!!!!

I absolutely love the Sweet Goodness swaps and they have a very special one for the holidays!!!

Check it out here.

But hurry, they are limiting sign-ups. It's sure to be a lot of fun!!!

Vintage Kitchen Swap Jackpot!!!

I have said it before and I will say it again...crafters are just about the sweetest and most generous people I know! I just got my Vintage Kitchen Swap package today from Miss Vickie and I am completely blown away! I am so spoiled!

First of all, I told her that I love painted trays and she sent me that gorgeous tin tray you see in the background. I also told her that I love vintage VERA table linens and she tracked down some honest-to-goodness VERA napkins for me! As if that isn't enough, there is a beautiful blue pottery bowl. (I love that color blue, Vickie!!!) And a vintage glass bowl that I will use as a candy dish. It reminds me of Depression glass. Wonderful! And not one but TWO tablecloths. One of them even has grapes since I live in Sonoma County!!!! And she included some sweet homemade cards that I bet she made! And just look at the detail on that painted ceramic box! I'll have to find something special to put in it. Maybe an assortment of tea! Oh, thank you so much Vickie! Thank you for being my swap partner!

*UPDATE* I dug through the packaging to make sure I didn't miss anything and found a little ladybug and a beautiful gold leaf brooch which I can't wait to wear for Fall!!! Wow!!!

How About Keychains?

I find WAY too many creative project ideas over at HOW ABOUT ORANGE! Her latest is a tutorial about how to make keychains out of shrinky plastic. Can't wait to try this!!!!

LINK

THE NAME GAME

Found this over at the wonderful Calamity Kim's blog and just had to try it!!!!

The Name Game
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet,current car) Buttercup Forester
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie), Peanut Butta Chocolate Chip (I took a few liberties with "butter")
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name), A Mal
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal), Black Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born), Louise El Paso
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first), Mal-Am
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink), The Red Sparkling Water (!)
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers), Eugene Lawrence
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy), Vera Wang Reese's
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ), Mae Lawrence
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter), Riddell Raleigh
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Fall Rose
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Apple Jeansie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Starbucks Pecan
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”), The Knitting Wind Tour

Getting My Craft On!

Hello artsy craftsy friends!

Thanks for all your advice on getting me out of my creative rut. I think sometimes we just need a break to get inspired again! I think Miss Vickie had the right idea. I went downtown today to walk around and saw lots of store windows filled with Halloween stuff. My favorite store was filled with it! And I got completely inspired! One of my favorite things was one of those wood boxes you can get at Michael's that was painted and when you opened it there was a little Halloween tableau inside. What a great idea! They were charging $58 for each one. I may not be able to do one as great as the ones I saw but I'm gonna try. In the meantime, I grabbed one of my small canvases and made this little witch decoration.

This is what the sides look like:


It's not quite finished and it's not quite perfect but I think it's pretty good for a first effort!

Frank and Malady

My creative juices are a little dry right now so I thought I'd share some of my friend's art with you. She is a gifted artist/cartoonist and writes the wonderful blog The Reign of Ellen. I call her "Frank" and she calls me "Malady." I had a reputation for being a bit dramatic in college so Ellen made this little cartoon...