Sissy Sparrows Inspiration and Another Spoon Bracelet Just for Me.

I love visiting the girls at Sissy Sparrows and recently purchased this lovely pendant in a theme I love - the bowl of a vintage spoon from their Etsy shop.  I thought the woman in the image was interesting with her lovely hair style and I have been playing with resins lately so that drew me to the piece as well.

So here she is in my hands after traveling over the ocean from Australia from hand to hand.  A treasure I will keep close to my heart, for sure.

Look at the lovely packaging from Sissy Sparrows, isn't it charming?

My Mom has been "going through" the things left from Grandma Pearl's passing five years ago.  My Mom had a stroke late last year and I think she is setting her house in order.  This scares me and also fills me with admiration for the inner strength my Mom has inside.  She is determined to go through her things and lighten her load - I worry she will do too much.

In the process of sorting things, she is sharing things with her children.  Like her beautiful hand quilted quilts.  I received one that my Mom made and one that my Grandmother had pieced that my Mom quilted.  Some things she sends home with us and others she shares with us before it goes back into it's drawer.

One of these was a family photo of my Grandma Pearl and her family when she was about four years old.  I had never seen the photo before and it was very special to me, because - you see, I have been having a hard time with the loss of my Grandma, she has been gone for almost five years, but I still miss so profoundly.  I keep wondering when I will wrap my heart around the fact that she is gone and that I should be over my pain....but, I am not.  My heart aches and my eyes fill with tears...I miss her, still.

My grandma is the second to the youngest sitting next to her mother, Annie in the front of the photo.  Annie and her girls, with the exception of the youngest, Willa - so beautifully, dark haired with dark eyes - just like me.  My hair was so dark as a child that everyone called me, "Blondie".

I had never seen my great-grandmother, Annie as a younger woman.   She died on the day I was born, it was a bittersweet day to be sure in our family.  Welcoming a new baby on the same day you have to say goodbye to a woman who was loved so deeply.  It broke alot of hearts.   Because everyone loved sweet and gentle, Annie.  All of the photos I had seen of her were of a time when she was in her 70's with pure white hair.

As soon as I saw this family photo, I knew what I wanted to do, carry my grandmother's photo with me in a locket or on a necklace.....something.  It's funny how one thing leads to another and the purchase I made from Sissy Sparrows inspired me to add my grandmother's photo to one of my spoon bracelets.  I took it a step further and added her name, birth year and year of death to the inside.

Now my Grandma can travel with me where ever my travels take me, she will be at my side, making me smile - once again.  A reassurance and promise of this year's flowers in my garden (my enthusiasm for gardening comes from spending time with my Grandma), to be strong in the face the coming years, when health issues and loss of family begins to carve away at life.

Because of this....I treasure the fellowship of women bloggers....thank you. thank you. thank you - girls of Sissy Sparrows for being an inspiration from so far away.  If you haven't been to their lovely blog - CLICK HERE and you'll be whisked away to the Land Down Under and the sisterhood of ....Sissy Sparrows -  visit their  Etsy Shop for beautiful soldered charms, jewelry and beautifully illustrated cards and art.

God and Dog Video by WJ Francisco and Introducing Stacey Bruce Photography

My sweet friend, Stacey shared this video with me. As a fellow dog lover, she knows how much I love my puppies, Angus and Molly. This video touched my heart.

Much like Stacey's photography...



Visit Stacey's new blog, Stacey Bruce Photography and be prepared to have your breath taken away...her photography is touched by grace. Help me welcome her to the blogging world by leaving her a comment of encouragement...she's the sweetest gal and is an amazing artist and photograper. I just love her view of the world...

Now from one dog lover to another......ENJOY my friends.

Eco Design by my friend, Daniela Cerri

Hey Girls - pop in for a visit at my friend, Daniela Cerri's blog - Manuali de Daniela Cerri that is filled with so many wonderful repurposing ideas like this one above. It's fantastic and filled with wonderful ideas for repurposing, recycling, upcycling, and so much more....

LiveArt Giveaway - So Beautiful....

I am a huge fan of Linda Iverson's work, a very talented artist in Norway. I found her blog and became mesmerized by her work. It's colorful, imaginative and a little edgy at times. Don't you love that?

I joined in a giveaway Linda was hosting at her blog LiveArt - it was a very generous giveaway. The lucky winner would be given the opportunity to select any art from her blog - can you imagine??? I was one of the lucky winners - I was so honored to be chosen even if it was random - I felt so special and was very pleased to be selected.

This is the work I chose from her lovely blog. This mixed media work reminds me of "me and my little dog, too" aka - Molly. She is my rescue, Jack Russell terrier from Animal Haven. Molly and I have a unique relationship. If I agree to buy her treats - she will agree to perform tricks for me..... And to be held like a baby in my arms whenever I get needy. I know, I know, that's really a terrible thing to do to a little dog - it's very undignified - but, I spare no expense on Molly's treats so she tolerates it quite well and doesn't seem to mind....too much.

Ms. Molly performing her "sitting in a tire swing" trick so I can take her photo at the farm this Summer. Isn't she the cutest little girl? Having said that - she has a definite "bitchy" side to her nature as well and has been known to scare the beejeebies out of grown men with her snarls and growls. Much like myself in my younger days..... tee hee. I have mellowed with the years, as I hope Ms. Molly will do so also. I used to be quite the spitfire back in the day.... of course, my husband would still insist that I still have quite a bit of spunkiness, especially when it comes to my kids, my friends and family and my sweet pups. Loyal to a fault - that's me.

Just try to take a treat away from Molly..... at your own prevail. I'm like that with chocolate.... She is a small, but mightly little terrier weighing in at 14 pounds. She's small, but has the heart and courage of a Rotweiller.

Linda is so generous that she included a few extra goodies for me to enjoy like this one - don't you just love it???

A closer look at the detail of Linda's work. Linda is another of those fellow artist that I adore and haven't met except through our blogs. The blogging community is the very best, filled with talented and caring people who are willing to share their work and glimpses into their lives and hearts.

Another bonus: A geisha themed work that I didn't do justice in photographing - it's gorgeous. All of Linda's work lives with me now in my studio. I look at it each day that I am in the studio and think about this wonderfully generous artist that lives so far away - I feel a kindred spirit tangling our lives together, it's like I have know her all my life.

Earring Exchange - Hosted by Leslie from BelMondi

Recently I was lucky enough to join in an Earring Exchange hosted by Leslie at BelMondi - thank you Leslie! I adore collecting art from other artists and when it's earrings, that's the very best type of art - wearable art!

Cobalt blue is one of my favorite colors, think vintage china and vintage cobalt blue bottles. It reminds me of the Mediterranean - so beautiful.

My secret exchange partner was Esther from Mes Illusions Baroques living in Provence, France. Esther is talented beyond belief and you must visit her blog - just click the link above.

Esther stamped my a "J" for my initial - how clever is that? I love - amore the personal touch and her thoughtfulness.
Look at the cobalt blue Swarovski crystal beads that are paired with black faceted crystals. We were asked to specify a color palette for the artist and I asked for long, cobalt blue, black and silver - Esther gave me everything I asked for and more....thank you - merci, Esther.

Here are the earrings that Esther made just for me, packaged carefully and they arrived across the ocean for me - moi, I feel so lucky to have them.....beautiful - bella.bella.bella.

Cobalt blue, black and silver - magnificent - magnifique!

Vintage Blue Studio Give Away

Visit Diana at Vintage Blue Studio and enter the...

Ceramic Earring Giveaway!

In celebration of the start of the holiday season Diana is giving away a pair of handmade ceramic and sterling silver earrings. A winner will be randomly drawn on Monday, the 9th. So hurry on over....

Gardanne Beads Giveaway

Check Out the Gardanne Beads Giveaway!!

Anne of Gardanne Beads is having an amazing giveaway on her blog! She is giving away a whole set of her gorgeous lampwork glass beads. Just look at these beauties!

I love the color combination of turquoise and red! All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on her blog here. She will draw the winning name on Wednesday, November 4th.

Jennifer Morris - Amazing Polymer Clay Creations

I stumbled upon Jennifer Miller's blog today and had to share it with you - it's beautiful. Her work with polymer clay has amazing detail and reminds me of tiny cakes decorated with elaborate flowers.

These earrings are my favorites and remind me of my friend, Marcy. She would totally rock these earrings. Jennifer your work is amazing.

Altered Art of Graffitti Artists

Although, in french this video is fascinating - enjoy...

Altered Book Round Robin - Vesna Radivojevic

Vesna's altered book utilizes a small vintage photo album 

with a worn leather cover and brass latch.

Vesna Radivojevic's altered book is the last in the Lyrical Round Robin Project hosted by Lee Weber.  I have to admit that I have been anxious to receive Vesna's altered book in the mail.  I had seen images of the book in our Flikr group and I knew it would be fun to work in the smallest of books in the project.

Participating in this altered book project has been so much fun with each artist bringing a unique vision to their book working in their favorite mediums.  It's a glimpse into their personalities and souls making them seem like someone you know instead of someone you have never met.

The artist sign in book is a vintage ledger book in the 

perfect small size to fit inside Vesna's book.

Our hostess, Lee Weber's sign in page in lovely sky blue, 

honeybee, lace and vintage brass buckle.

This is Marilyn Healey's sign in page with great name stamp,

 vintage button, photo bit and deep rose red paint.

Tammy Lucik's artist sign in page with vintage wallpaper, 

sheet music bit, and tag with polka dot ribbon.

This is my artist sign in page with butterfly cut from vintage

 sheet music, loads of butterflies and messages throughout 

for Vesna and brown and purple paint.

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house

Every morning a new arrival

A joy, a depresion, a meanness

Some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all

Even if they're a cr0wd of sorrows

who violently sweep your house

empty of it's furniture

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice

meet them at the door laughing, 

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

- Rumi 

I love the leaves and berries added around the 

border of the photo of the man and the letter "a".

A couple and a little girl with bits of mica sheets, 

rivets, botanticals and lots of red paper.

Another lovely lady with more mica bits, art paper and ric rac.

Little girl with a crown, lace, rivets, and blue ribbon.  

On the other side another little lass with clock face, 

ribbon and printed clippings.

Beautiful on ribbon underneath vintage image with lots 

of rust and blue paint with image of closed window

 held shut with ribbon bow.

When the window - to her soul - opens it contains a dove, 

lock of hair and golden horseshoe.

Image of couple on their wedding day with lace from her dress.  On the opposite page a woman's image behind a veil, more lace, a ruler - will she measure up?

Depression page - my addition to the book - in melancholy blue with iron fence keeping the woman from escaping it's clutches.  If only she had wings to fly - symbolized with the bluejay feather.  Will Lucky No. 7 help her escape?  Yes, if you love the king - your soul.
My addition is the fairy on the left with glittered wings, a "ready" blindfold with finger pointing to the unknown adorned in golden folds of her gown.  

The clock face on the right in red hues is striking in contrast to the lavender/blue of the fairy.

A HOME print with bare tree and the family represented.

Another couple on their wedding day with butterfly stamp, lace and written bit.

Another couple on their wedding day.  Isn't she lovely?  More lace, moon face and art paper.  The page on the right is what each artist started the page with.  I love the copper brads that Vesna used to join the pages.
A family photo with character labels - joy, meanness, depression, unexpected visitor.  On the opposite page an old envelope sewn to the page with botanicals attached.

A closer view - I love this page.

The book has come full circle and is on it's way to Vesna's hands to put the final touches to her altered book .

Girls is sure has been fun working on this altered book round robin with you.  I am so sad  that this is the last book in the series that I will receive in the mail.  Maybe it's time to start a new round robin exchange.....anyone out there interested in another exchange?  Another altered book, necklace,  holiday ornament....  I am up for any suggestions. 

Lee's Altered Book - Lyrical Interpretation Round Robin

The cover of Lee's altered book for the Lyrical Interpretation Round Robin and I love it!  Lee is our hostess for the round robin altered book exchange which is nearing an end.  I will receive one more book and then it will be complete.  I have loved doing this exchange - it has been such an inspiration.  Thank you AGAin, and AGAin....

Inside cover and nifty tags for each artist to personalize and sign in - my tag is the woman's face and sienna paint, Marilyn's tag is the No Minimum tag with Fleur de Lis, and Tammy's tag is the Adore tag.
Another view of the artists tags for Lee's book.  The tags slip into the pocket and contain the artists information on the back of the tag.
This is Lee's first page for her book setting the tone for the project.  Love the pumpkin color and the sun interpretation with the golden metallic center.
My favorite element is the wirework figure - awesome work Lee!  Lee found this great small 45 record album for her altered book and is a perfect book for the Lyrical Interpretation project.
This page is Marilyn's contribution to the altered book project with great use of color and imagery.  See the skeleton on the left side of the page?  I also really like the idea of using the blue ric rac.  
Second page by Marilyn with vintage photo images, anatomical illustrations and more ric rac.

My addition to Lee's book with glossy transparency skeleton, the lyrics running along the border of the page and vintage illustration.
The skeleton has red heart with "smoke" curling out of the rib cage for the lyric - "curl like smoke and breath again".

Lyrics curl around the opening of the page and vintage skull from the 1920's.
Second page using Lee's pumpkin color with rib cage, transparency heart and lyrics - "down your throat inside your ribs" in the opening on the page.
I added Chinese symbols in the yellow circles from a vintage illustration of an anatomical heart.
Tammy's pages featuring tag, photo of a woman, feather, clock face, hands with the sun shining through and a flower.

Second page by Tammy featuring ribbon, tiny key, vintage photo and clock face.
Back cover of Lee's book repeating the same halos from the front.

I found this corset/back brace? in an antique shop and thought of Lee's book.  I included it in the package for Lee to incorporate into the project if she likes it.....  I think with some scissor work, paint and embellishments it could be a possibility.