A Memorial Day Tribute

"America, America, God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea".

Our country isn't perfect. We are going through some scary times. We all have the right to voice our concerns. But, let us never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we continue to have the freedom of speech. So many peoople around the world don't. May we never take our country for granted. God bless America, God bless our troops, and God bless the families who live with personal loss.

Altered Altoid Tins

I am quickly discovering that most everything can be repurposed in some way. I had a great time creating these little shadow boxes using old altoid tins. Now I have only one problem. I don't eat Altoids! So now I am resorting to begging my friends and family to save their tins for me. This is what I've created so far. Now I just need to wait for someone to finish off a tin.

Everything Nice: 3D assemblage Confection

This is yet another learning stretch for me, and one of my new favorites! I experimented with a variety of mediums and techniques before hitting on one that I liked. This cupcake is actually made from a fabulous product called "Great Stuff" crack filler. Hmmmm. Strange name, but the stuff really makes a realistic-looking cupcake! I frosted it with modeling paste that I squeezed through a ziplock bag. After painting the cupcake and embellishing it with all kinds of sparkly doo-dads, I topped it off with this adorable vintage image. I've had such a good time experimenting with altered art techniques. Check out more assemblage and collage creations at http://www.flickr.com/photos/25371157@N08/

What We've Been Up to!

Wow! These past few months have been so busy and the time has just flown! I thought I would post a quick note to show a few things that my family and I have been working on.
Initial pendants have been going like hot cakes locally. These are just a few of my designs:


I also have had some great opportunities to design and create pendants for school and sports groups. Some of these have been for fundraisers, but I also get lots of requests for custom designs with athlete's numbers or band instruments.

One of my best selling items has been personalized photo pendants! Grandmothers love wearing photos of their grandchildren for all the world to see!

I'll update shortly with more images of new products, so check back soon!

Fairy Tale Tattler-Dorothy Exposed as Alien Imposter!

Fairy Tale Tattler has breaking details on the eerie disappearance, and even eerier re-appearance of Kansas resident, Dorothy Gayle. Dorothy was missing and feared dead in the aftermath of a devastating F3 tornado. An extensive search was eventually called off after no sign of Dorothy was found, leaving Poor Auntie Em and Uncle Henry no choice but to have Dorothy declared legally dead.

The couple managed to cope with their grief by occupying themselves with the reconstruction of their heavily damaged farm, made easier by the large life insurance policy paid to them following Dorothy's untimely demise. They reportedly managed to find a silver lining in their cloud of despair by using a portion of the life insurance money to pay off their sub-prime adjustable rate mortgage on the farm.

Understandably, it came as quite a shock to both of them when a large multi-colored object came floating to the ground out of the clear blue sky. Inside this object was an organism in human form, claiming to be none other than Dorothy Gayle herself!

She maintains that she has been somewhere "way up high" for the past several weeks. Authorities are in the process of conducting drug tests, to determine what, if any, illicit substance could be causing this "high". Although the young girl has passed several polygraph exams, as well as a DNA test, Auntie Em is adamant that this could not possibly be "her Dorothy". She has been quoted as saying , "My Dorothy had a distinctive pasty gray complexion. This girl's cheeks are far too rosy. She is definitely an imposter!" The family farm is scheduled to be auctioned next week, in order to repay the insurance money.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

(Visit my Etsy shop to purchase prints of this mock magazine cover.)

The Colorful Moods Of Women: A Handy Reference Guide For Confused Men

Okay, let's face it, ladies. Sometimes we are tough to figure out. Of course, it goes without saying that most of the men in our lives could try a little harder. For those men who are actually making the effort to interpret the complexities of the female gender, here is a handy little ACEO. Call it a cheat card, if you will. ACEOs are tiny, 2.5" x 3.5" pieces of art that fit easily into a wallet. Encourage the man in your life to carry this and refer to it often, especially when he finds himself in the doghouse without having a clue as to how he managed to land there.
Make sure you print out these instructions and give them to your favorite male. The card won't do him much good if he doesn't know what to do with the information now, will it?

1-Green With Envy: Somebody has something that the lady in your life wants. Find out what it is, and get it for her quickly. Or, even better, get the updated version.

2-A Case of the Blues: Sometimes women just get this. Take her out to dinner, COOK dinner (while remembering to clean up after yourself), hand over the remote control and bathe the kids while she watches her favorite show for a change. These suggestions might not cure the blues, but they sure can't hurt.
*** Whatever you do, DON'T ask her if she's "hormonal". Even if she is, she doesn't want to talk about it with you.***

3-Seeing Red: Need I say more? Something, or somebody, has made her mad!!!!! Just apologize, sincerely, even if you aren't the offending party. Then get out of the way.

4-In the Pink: When you see this face, the coast is clear, all is well, everything is just peachy. Try hard not to mess up, okay?

Illustration Friday Topic: Sail!

This painting was part of a series that I did a while back, during a point when I was in dire need of a vacation, but lacking funds to actually take a trip. I called the series "Virtual Vacation", and let my imagination take me to some beautiful, exotic places.

Hope you can smell the salt air and feel the cool evening breeze against your face! Don't forget your sunblock tomorrow. It's forecast to be another scorcher!