Jersey Girl

Merry Merry, Happy Happy!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday and 2010 filled with joy, health and success!!

What's on...

I just finished my post, but when I intended to delete a few words, I deleted the whole thing, and cannot for the life of me figure out how to get it back. :( Oh well.

Will regroup and repost tomorrow.....but you can guess from the above pic....what the topic will be! Ahhhh, how I love you TV. Yes I do.

 

What else is going on...

I'm so proud of myself for updating now. I guess I'm spending more time at the computer proofing sessions galore, and wanted to stop in to show a few of my present day projects. Yesterday I finished the schnauzer prints...and wanted to show what the gifts for my son's friend's birthday looked like.

The gifts went over amazingly well, and we also included a bracelet and tank top in the bag. Fun, fun! I also wanted to share one of the new additions to my photography models....Peppermint.

I have so much going on, but I'm really enjoying the diverse types of work from the photography to the etsy store. I am in the process of taking photographs to create a set of prints and postcards of my three new blythe dolls. From there, we'll see how it does in my etsy. :) What FUUUUUN!

I'm off now to finish the rest of my freezer paper printing, proofing my sessions and hopefully spending a bit of time maintaining my store and theeeeen going forth into the outside world to get to costco and perhaps the craft store to get some more canvas printable grocery bags to make for a gift for a birthday next week. Hope you are all having a marvelous weekend!

XOXO
 
 
 

My life

My life is very eclectic. I would say that is the best word to describe it. Sometimes I think if I had a regular "job," things would be simpler, and perhaps I would find more happiness in the simplicity. I think perhaps the contrary is true. I sometimes look at my life, and even with the psoas tendonitis, the pain and the limitations, I can honestly say that I love the eclectic nature and tremendous variety I get to experience every day.

Well, this brings me to my newest project....image reproduction. By image reproduction, I don't mean copying - I mean putting any image I want onto another surface by any numbers of mediums. I purchased a heat tool so that I can do images by heat transfer. I haven't had the opportunity to even use the tool yet, but I hope to within the next month or two. Lately I have become interested in silk screening. I've always done silk screen designs since my college sorority days, doing the tee shirts for parties and events. In the last 6 years I've done little league baseball apparel...but of course I had to outsource these designs for production. Well, recently with some of the proceeds of my etsy store, I purchased a silkscreening apparatus. I tried my first this week, and think I perhaps set my bar too high, as the image was difficult to produce owing to the extreme amount of color vs. blocked out areas....will rethink and retry this week.

The good news, I decided to try my hand at freezer paper stencil screening. I heard I could get the detail of a silk screen, but without the exposure. The down side - you cannot reuse the freezer paper stencil, as once you iron the paper to your fabric, you cannot re-iron it to another piece (i have been told). Anyway, i chose two images to begin with.....a guitar player and a dachshund.

First I taped my image to my self-healing mat. Then I placed a nice size piece of freezer paper to the mat over my image. I could sorta see through it, so I didn't even have to trace. I used my X-acto knife to cut out the image, and was left with the negative space freezer paper. I ironed the freezer paper to my fabric (which in this case was solid pink for the dachshund, and cammo for the guitar player. I decided I would try pillows before I did tee shirts or bags.

Then I got out my textile inks (yes I have them in like 15 colors on hand!) and used a foam brush to apply it to the stencil cut out from the freezer paper. I must confess I didn't get any pix of the actual inking of the stencil, so pardon the missing steps! But right after I inked, I peeled off the freezer paper and here's what I saw!! The strange looking areas on this pic below are just reflections off ink, they're not imperfections!

I was so excited!!!!! Now when the ink dries, I will iron the back side, to make sure that it is color-fast. Then i will sew pillows out of these, and perhaps they will find their way into my etsy...but not sure yet. My kids want to keep them but we will see!

The possibilities are endless. I will sign off by sharing two more pix, one of my amigurami pig, which I made for a swap....and a pic of my wall to the right of my desk in the kitchen. The skirt was a gift from my mom, as this is one of my favorite pieces she has done.

And a special treat, a pic of the dynamic duo!! <3 <3

So I'm open to ideas for more freezer pape stenciling. Any ideas????

xoxo

Sunday Reflections

Today I am going to be making my first real legitamate silkscreen. Yes, I have made silkscreens before, and have posted the results, including my printed fabric, paper prints, etc. But those were silk painted with screen filler. Today I try my first silkscreen with a light-exposure EZ Silk Screen kit I purchased HERE. You may at this point be thinking, what will I be putting on my first silkscreen?????

I am shooting two families this afternoon at a local park, so getting it all in will not be easy. Wish me luck because I did a trial run exposing the test screen, with less than stellar results yesterday.

One of the reasons I haven't blogged is my complete and utter lack of descriptive photos. I have taken lots of photos of clients, items for etsy, and even of some textures to use for photography. But alas, I have not taken any descriptive photos for the blog. Instead I'm going to do an "outstanding things I wanna do link list!"

1. Becoming more fluent and expand the amigurumi skills.....and be able to create the magic ring in a matter of moments. Magic Ring Directions.

2. Fun Proejcts with relcaimed cashmere from sweaters that have sadly encountered a few moths in their day.  

source

 

3. Finish the item photography and teaching my son how to list is flea market and thrift finds in his new online store, Good Dog Vintage on etsy!
 

4. Clear all messages off both my home and cell phone. I know, this may seem impossible, yet I must attempt to sit down and listen to these messages. Those of you who call me - don't leave messages, just call back. Because clearly I don't get them for weeks.

5. Catch up with Mad Men. I was having cable issues, and I think it's no longer on Demand b/c I made a cable shift b/c they tried to charge me too much money. I hate the cable company, but then again, who doesn't?

Now it's time to have a snack before processing the photographs from two sessions today. I have already taken some new photos for blogging pleasure, but happen to have them on my desktop, and not my laptop. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

XOXO
 

Mr. Panda bids farewell...

...to the mild temperatures of the mid-Atlantic coast! He is getting ready to begin his trip today to the great white north, more commonly known as our neighbors next door, or CANADA!

In his brief time here with us, he has become accustomed to the star treatment, lounging on the deck (above) in the sun, taking in the views from the kitchen in the dogs' bed....

Mr. Panda even FLEW, but realized quickly that pandas don't fly...

  
 He has been loaded into his small box, and awaits a trip to the post office to begin his long journey.

:)
 

I'm back....

The good news is that it's hectic enough not to have been blogging much lately. The bad news - it's hectic enough not to have the time. Double edge sword I guess, but I LOVE it. I dropped by the share the Sunday recap.

a) What am I working on?

First, an amigiurami panda for my talented soul-sistah TINA, who you can find HERE! I'm about 30% finished so far, and wish I could take some pix but I can't if I ever want to post....so I'll post a pic of the finished product below (that someone else finished as the example....but will of course update with pix of the finished product before he finds his way up to Canada!).

I'm also working on a hat for a present. Here's a pic (bad one that really makes me look sorta distorted and makes a king size bed look like a twin - WTF?) of me wearing the hat. I won't say it's now used!

Tina, it's not as good as your hat for me is going to be, good thing this is a gift. I'm not 100% happy with it, but I had to wing it since the pattern that I purchased is ASS....and didn't include any of the features I thought it would. Oh well. I mean it's not like I don't like PARTS of the pattern, but I bought it and thought it had earflaps, icord and pom poms, but alas, it didn't. I had to make it bigger, and then learn icord myself and earflaps myself. But I'm happy, and I think the recipient will be happy too!

Tina, this in NO WAY means I am making my own, so I anxiously await the hat that you are making for ME ME ME ME ME! <3

b) What am I DOING...I spent the entire morning freezing my behind off at the XC races. It was an awesome day and it was worth the freezing windy rain.

c) What am I THINKING? How much I have to do. Dang it, I have a list a mile long, and won't share it to stress out my friends.

d) Am I going to the friends and family Saks sale? Maybe. Two of my gals are going now, and I am considering but probably won't make it. Oh well!

e) Am I sorry I didn't have my camera at the Cross Country meet? No, b/c my hands would be MORE frozen, and my lens would have all kinds of water in it.

f) What's on the TV now? Football. I didn't turn it on, but there it is. Yawn.

g) What's for dinner? Who knows. Sunday, the day of WHO KNOWS what's going on.

h) What now? Do two more rows on the panda and then consider going to get some black wool - but pobably will put that off until tomorrow (Sorry Tina...will get it then, promise).

I wish I had more time, but if I'm ever going to prepare this panda for life in the great white north, I better start now!

XOXO
 

Gratitude...

Now and then I post about gratitude. Not just gratitude for what we think is precious about our lives, but gratitude for things that may seem negative on the surface, but in the end, cause our lives to change in positive ways. I am reflecting upon my teenage-hood now, as I go through it with my own child, and my friends' children. I realize how much it was a point in my life that was both horrendous and sweet at the same time. I think I have changed a heck of a lot less than I think I have.

That led me to celebrate what I think is most precious, and distill what I wish to change.

1) I am so grateful for my family. I know someone always has my back, and will help me in times of trouble, pain or even inconvenience. Someone to fix my scorched hard drive, pick me up when my flat is being fixed at the garage, someone to give advice, take my dogs out, listen to my rants and share in both celebrations and tragedies. For my family I am most grateful.

2) Friends....where can I start. I'll start at the beginning. One of my friends I've had since I was 3 years old. We are still friends, though we do not speak often. I'm grateful for her as she holds the keys to my childhood, and the friday night dinners at her beautiful big round table with the ball and claw feet, the window seat in the dining room full of purple chintz pillows and the grandfather clock I would hear chiming in the middle of the night at sleepovers. I am eternally grateful for another friend of 13+ years - the one who goes to doctors appointments with me, shares in everything from someone writing a check in front of me at Walmart to serious lifechanging events. She is not a friend, she is family. And for her I am grateful. I'm also grateful for a new friend of not even two years yet, who has taught me that I am not done with acquiring new confidants, partners in life, and kindred spirits. When you never expect it, someone comes into your life and changes it for the better. For him I am thankful. I am also thankful for all of my other friends - those who I may only get to see occasionally for lunch, and even those I only know online. They pray for me when I need it, chat with me on AIM, and share their lives, even if it is not in person. For them I am grateful. I love being part of my community. I love our weekend dinners with our friends at homes or restaurants. I adore the comfort that they understand me, and never fail to make us all feel part of a larger group of dear friends and included. For all of them I am grateful.

3. My dogs. Now this goes without saying. I love them, in fact....am completely smitten with them. I sometimes complain about the huge amount of work they require, but I cannot imagine life without them.

4. I am continuously grateful for my creativity. I love creating things - art, music, more art. Painting, embroidery, silk screening, sewing, scrapbooking, crocheting, digital design, photography....the list goes on and on. I just love it, and really cannot imagine my life without it. It makes me who I am, and for that I am grateful.

5. Modern technology. Who knowswhat would have been possible had there been the same level of technology when I was growing up. We had to pour over encyclopedias, transfer records and CD's to cassette tape, and look things up in an actual paper dictionary. Sure we still do some of these things (not taping records tho!) but everything has been streamlined. We have more access to more things in less time than any time in history. I am in awe of it all, as when I was a kid wearing those rubber o-ring bracelets in the 80's (that are seemingly now back in for those under 17, ugh) I never would have believed I would have a blog (and I sure wouldn't have known what that word meant), reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances on Facebook, or even acquiring music from my office chair. Wow.

 

I have to begin my day, and cannot get derailed any longer, but the last 5, or maybe even 6 will be completed later. I'm off to begin chipping away at that mental list, starting with laundry management, coffee management and making a ton of phone calls. Fun, fun. XOXO

I feel like it's almost new year's this september....

I know it's only September, and not January....but I always feel like the beginning of a new school year is a prime time for resolutions. I usually do not make many New Year's resolutions, but this year I feel like making some....but in September.  So here are my top ten.

1) Finish the house projects that I've been thinking about, and pondering now for literally years (fencing, painting, rotted wood rehab, driveway patching and sealing....etc.)

2) Declutter - something fierce. The truth of the matter is, when my extremely large kitchen chock full of cabinets seems FULL, then I have a PROBLEM. That problem is....TOO MUCH STUFF! I must cull my stuff, and keep only what I love. Nuff Said...this also goes for office, studio, etc. It's time for purging something fierce. It's a hot mess in my family room and along w/ a purging of the wall unit, it's time for redecorating, which sorta falls under #1 on this list.

3) More use of a schedule (i.e. bill paying twice a month, plant watering once a week....etc). I've never been great with a schedule but in part b/c I thought I could live without it. I can't.

4) Buy no more fabric/craft supplies until I use my stash. This one is not negotiable.

5) Take dogs to park at least once to twice weekly for long walk.

6) Continue rehabbing hip and keep rehab journal.

7) Rehab marketing plan for businesses.

8) Get a new sewing desk and set up new sewing area (NOT in studio/office).

9) Stock more gifts in house so I always have them around

10) Purge basement - this goes far above and beyond the purging of #2. It deserves its own number because the job is pretty big. We still have unopened toys, that are outdated age-wise and we really have to put the stuff in boxes and give it away.

So I'm strangely looking forward to fall, even though I have not had enough of the summer yet. I love the feel of a clean slate, so maybe that what I'll think of September as... a big clean slate! :)

 

I'm open to any suggestions on my resolutions!!

xoxo

The Monday Hot-List!

Summer is a hectic time of year here, which sounds surprising. I feel living in two places is a bit of a challenge. Instead of getting stuff done in both places, I feel paralyzed to get anything done at all! Today I wish to change that.

So today's topic, the Hot List....stuff I either cannot resist, or what's on my mind. Let's dig in!

1. Gold Mine Gum

My brother and I used to eat this gum. It's every bit as good as I remember, perhaps better. We bought several sacks of it in Colorado, where it was widely available! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

2.  The Bacon Wallet

I bought this for a friend at an adorable little vintage/novelty store called Atomic at the beach. I adore it, and have to face facts that it's not for me, but will have to go to the individual I purchased it for (who may or may not be reading this right now!).

3. Creating new POSTERS for my etsy shop!

I've created a lot of fun posters, but my most recent (which doesn't appear here b/c I don't have my external hard drive plugged in) is Keep Calm and Be In Love! <3

4. Crochet

This isn't my work (I haven't photographed mine yet), but I just love love love it. I have done about eight animal hats (cats, bears, undefined) and considering re-opening my second etsy shop, Camilladog. I'll post that when I get it up and running, probably closer to September. I have really been enjoying crochet, and will begin my study of knitting when the kids are back in school. Anyone want to teach me??

5. Taking lots and lots of photos on the beach. *(will have to post later, since I'm not at one with my ext HD now)

6. Facebook

7. Twitter!

I don't tweet much, but I'm just starting to see my friends appear on Twitter, and I'm beginning to check it more often. If you want to follow me, add Camilladog to your list! :)

 

8. Diet Barq's Root Beer (picture Homer saying...uhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Roooooot Beeeeeeer!)

9. Painting

This is not a particularly good photo. I have these at the beach, and finished them more than two years ago. They tell a story (part of it) of hunting for ocean life in the bay/marina area of the shore in our town. They are oil on canvas, and I love them. Right now I'm working on a painting that is about 2/3 done, but will have to wait until September for a proper photo session. Speaking of photos, I have been working a heck of a lot, and have had three sessions this week so far. I can't do my own photos until these are proofed and uploaded to the clients' galleries.

10. My crochet bag, the adorable retro LACOSTE SHOULDER BAG!

It is my favorite. I got it a while ago at Marshall's....list price $120, but it was on clearance and I paid only 32.00. BARGAIN!!!! It's bigger than the photo looks, and it fits my tools and a heck of a lot of yarn!

I gotta run and start my day. I have a mega list and I'm going to share my top five to keep me honest in checking the items off...

1. Drop off Dry Cleaning

2. Begin school shopping

3. Call UPS to schedule a re-delivery of package that was returned to sender (boo hoo)

4. Fill the pending etsy orders

5. Send Joanna's belated birthday gift (ugh, only three months late....but better late than  never!)

Okay after I'm done with that, I will go from there. Have a spectacular day.

XOXO

A sneak peek into my other world...

When I'm not feverntly working, or working hard at not working, it must mean it's not August. During August, I am either at the beach, or at the pool, and frequently on the road between the two locations. I shared several years ago the renovation progress at the shore, and I never posted the results. Here are a few detail shots...

 

Tracy and I were shopping in a decorating store in Madison, when we found these adorable crab needlepoint pillows. They were a bit out of my pricerange, but I splurged on them anyway. Since I do not do needlepoint (one of the very few needle crafts I do NOT do) I knew I couldn't duplicate them. Darn, I wish I had seen cross-stitch crab pillows or perhaps crochet crab pillows..drat!

Here is a site frequently seen in the living room, which is where everyone leaves their flip-flops or crocs.

 

I will share more when I get the disc back into the computer. For some reason, I guess I put it back into the camera. Sorry for the mediocre pix, but I used the Canon point and shoot for this tour....will try to get the rest up this afternoon. Til then, I'll leave you with another from this past week...one of my faves.

 

XOXO

Lots and lots of projects...

A quick update this morning. Here is a quick peek of what I'm working on....or at least a few of the things I'm working on. Yesterday I attended my friend Joann's birthday dinner. I wanted to create something personal for her, instead of buying yet another store bought item, so I made a scarf out of my crochet granny squares!

The photos aren't so great but I used my point and shoot camera without a flash, which can result in some serious ISO issues...so please excuse.

I'm also in the process of creating a poncho for fall. I've chosen some interesting colors, not typical of fall, but they make me happy just looking at them. I have a stack (actually two stacks) of the squares so far, and think I may have around 30....I think I will need 60, so I'm about half way done. I love it so far, and can't wait to sport it in October! At the rate I'm going, I should be done well before then.

 Anyway, I haven't taken pictures of my new hat yet, but will soon! I love crochet and can't wait to expand my repetoir! Gotta run and get some stuff done! XOXO

This crazy week...

So this is the X-Treme week....and by that I mean the week of X-Treme Running Camp for my son. The fall season is looming large, and this week will train him up to transform him from slug to runner, all in five days!

During the camp time, I try to find a spot to work on my newest projects...

 I went on a drive to check the plaec out and saw this on the side of the road....a FOX!

 It was like wild kingdom out there, between the fox, the herons, deer and lots of smaller critters in the park. Gladly, I have yet to see any bears. I hope that luck holds.

So my crochet is moving right along. I'm making a poncho and a blanket (unrelated to Michael's son). My blanket is moving right along, and is about 2/3 of the way completed. The poncho, only about 1/3 of the way along. The good news, I can crochet just about anywhere now that I have a designated bag. The down side, my psoas tendonitis is killing me, so I have more time and less desire. When the pain surges, it saps my creativity.

Enough downer, I want to focus on the positives. I scheduled another steroid injection after the doctor gets back from vacation. I hope he knows that I'm in PAIN while he's on his stuipd vacation, darn it! Oh well.

I'm off to see if dinner will magically appear in my house. My guess, it won't!

What stands between me and blogging more...

is my decidedly unorganized method of photography on the go. I take photos. Yes. But I have two computers, and in the summer often find myself in the opposite place as my data card. I've created a network that I can upload to so my pix are available for blogging from any of our computers here, but alas, that hasn't even helped because the photos do not upload themselves! So instead of forgoing blogging for today, I will take Tina's lead, and post some inspiration that I hope lasts me for the day.

I heart Alicia Paulson's blog, Posie Gets Cosy. She isn't just an artist, she's a mulitdimensional crafting/sewing/lifestyle arts diva! She can create a pattern for market bags, post a receipe, or just share photos of her and her corgi in the hammock. I think the jack of all trades characteristic really speaks to me, seeing that I too have too many interests for one person, particularly one person with two kids, a new business and an old business (actually two of them). So she is an inspiration, and I'm sure after seeing her talent, you will understand why!

 

 

So I'm going today to try to place my portable camera in my bag, and go from there. I'm working on a new painting, actually two...and want to share a few pages in my art journal. I would consider it equal parts art, and journal. I just draw random images from my day. I've slacked a bit since the kids got out of school, but I plan to be better about it, since I just love how the drawings capture what I am feeling on any given day. I am not a journal-er so this is really all I have to remember what is happening in my world on a daily basis (or monthly as the case has been these days).

Today I want to go blueberry picking. I usually do one trip to pick SOMETHING every year, and I think today will be blueberries. The hip is not so good, or the psoas rather. But I refuse to allow it to influence my day today in a seriously negative way, so I will keep trudging on and try to get some blueberries into a pie later!

 I've also been playing making a new group of digital frames for blogging or even scrapbooking. I just cooked this one up, with a texture/filter overlay to adjust the photo to blend into the frame.

Much needed summer update...

The summer is always a crazy busy time for us. Truthfully it hasn't seemed much like summer due to the less than stellar weather. If it's not raining, it rarely makes it to 80 degrees, so it's hard to reliably make plans to swim, etc. But it's all we have, so we're trying to make the best of it.

Today I wanted to blog about our trip to Colorado, but I can't remember where I left the disc, so I'm going to post a few pictures of what's up in my world. First we have my first green bean harvest, which took place this morning.

And there are more for harvest before dinner...

Then as I harvested, I had a few visitors...

and the other half of the dynamic duo...

My etsy store, The Lobster Pot, has been very busy lately. I have a bunch of new prints, and have been busy filling orders between trips to the beach.

I hope to update very soon with photos from our Colorado trip. Keep Calm and Love Summer....and then carry on!

XOXO

A delightful evening...

I just got home from the pool, and finally have breezed through the photos from yesterday to share! Yesterday I went into NYC to visit my old and and dear friend Margie. She is one of my favorite people, so fun, interesting and a touch subversive, just like me! Even though we do not speak as frequently as we used to, or spend as much time together as I would like, hanging out with her is just like coming home.

The biggest difference between our time together now, and our time together over the past eight years is that she has a BABY...not just a regular ole' baby, but a SUPER ADORABLE ONE!

So tell me, do I look good with a baby????

 

My answer: NO....but the baby, she's purely cute, and clearly not genetically related to me because she was happy, content and well behaved, LOL! Now if she were tearing apart all the shelves, and cried for three hours straight, there may have been some confusion, LOL.

I am so happy to see what a natural mother Margie is. I think it took me a while to get the hang of the whole thing, and to settle into full time baby care! Perhaps one of those reason was that my first baby stone cold refused to take to any schedule. In spite of some efforts, he marched to the beat of his own durmmer (and still does), which made it a challenge to have a life. So I had none, outside of my playgroup. Anyway, Margie looked just beautiful, with the same smile that can light up a room. Seeing her only makes me want to see more of her, and I hope to spend a lot more time with her this year!

Also on my agenda has been creating some more etsy designs for The Lobster Pot. My sales have been brisk lately, and my friend Scott (my guest blogger from a few months ago) suggested a Michael Jackson print....so I created THIS!

I created an image of his sequin glove and used that....and I'm happy with the results, honoring the King of Pop!

Anyway, I must cut this post short, as I'm going out walking with my friend Marjorie (not Margie, but someone ELSE with the name!!!). I have to exercise the hip!

XOXO

And the summer begins...

It hasn't seemed like much of  a summer. Almost constant rain over the past month and a half, and the deluge that was the end of school. Now that we are planning out summer, it has become clear that I have given this way too little thought.

First, the loss of two figures in one day. RIP Michael Jackson...

 and also Farrah....

 With the summer knocking on the door, I want to set some goals. I want to work through the book I recently purchased, Zakka Sewing, over the next month or so. I don't have so much time to sew, but I want to make the most of the time I do have. In order to do this, I must rethink my organization. I have a lot of unused space at home. I also have to consider taking my machine to the beach, where I have more time, but less of a set-up to sew. The book, by

This book is delightful, and shows typical Japanese stitching projects in English. Win/win! I've only made one of the projects so far, and haven't yet photographed it...but hopefully will soon.

For now, I'm signing off. Summer is a time of more blogging, and more time. I hope that some of these initial goals get crossed off the list. I haven't done a blog list in oh so long, so perhaps I should end today's post with one!

1) Sign up for course (topic to be stated later...bit stuff in the works here)

2) Pick up photographs from photographer (disc)

3) Make beds (or have kids do that)

4) Begin considering vacation and look into schedules

5) Pay Bills

6) Dinner Plans

7) Get Summer Clothes from attic

Now to begin.....

XOXO

I'm back....

Good morning, and I have survived the last two crazy busy weeks! I'm finally in the right mind to get creative again. I finished a project yesterday that was months in the making. This past winter I made a few silk screens for market bags...and this is my personal favorite.

Here's the lining, a cute linen floral print...

And here's the other side...

And another doll project I just started...excuse the blur, it was dark in the kitchen and I only had my point and shoot camera!

 Not much time to write today, but I wanted to start a new blogging era with a morning post! Thanks to anyone left reading this since I've been remiss in my updates!
XOXO

Quick Update

I'm in the throws of planning, and will talk about my myriad of issues on that topic later, but I wanted to drop in and give a quick update. What am I doing now??? I am creating party things, such as the candy tins sticker......

 Also I've been working on some new typography projects for my etsy store...including this father's day print (which I am having framed for Father's Day, from my kids).

I wish I had more photos on my laptop to share, but alas, I will try to add them later. Also in the news, the season finales of some of my faves already happened, sadly. My personal fave, Lie To Me, had a great finale last week and the season's end to Gossip Girl was also darn good. If you missed any of these, I'm sure they'll turn up on Hulu dot com.

My etsy store, The Lobster Pot still keeps me relatively busy these days. I'm trying to keep it stocked with new designs, but with the party planning, I'm falling a bit behind. The hip update is also a mixed bag. It's been a long time (my guess is around 7 or more weeks since shot) and I am struggling a bit but still okay. The muscle relaxers help the spasm and I'm all-in-all pretty pleased. Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

I'm off to meet with my printer for my photo quality labels...hoping she is in early! Have a wonderful day all, and enjoy the moment.

XOXO

What I've been doing...

My Etsy store has taken on a new life this past week. The Lobster Pot is taking up a little more time, and I'm making sales every day, and expanding my designs and my products. Fun, fun! Sorry if the pix are a bit blurry, but I am using the low-res files here....

Also on the front burner, raising money for ds' race he is running in Late May. He is looking for sponsors, and doing a good job, as he is running to raise money for DOG AND ANIMAL RESCUE! He is running for 2nd Chance Dachshund Rescue, The Human Society of NJ and Clete's rescue, the Harmony Hounds Rescue in VA. He is so excited, and he has been doing quite well raising money for the cause. Let me know if you are interested in sponsoring him. EVERY CENT counts, and no amt. is too small.

Rumor has it the weather is going to get a LOT better this weekend. I even heard that temps may reach the beloved eighties! WOOO HOOO. I can't wait to get rid of the jackets and sweaters and embrace the heat! What are your plans for the weekend????

I'm baaaaaaack!

The bad news, I've taken way too much time away from blogging. The good news, it's because I'm busy and doing a lot more now that I have had some steroid injections for my psoas tendonitis! I'm into some fun stuff these days between all the work.....

I got myself a pair of these awesome Hunter Wellies in forest green. I've only worn them once, but they are a silver lining to a rainy day! Since I haven't done too much shopping during the past year, I have done much designing. My etsy store, The Lobster Pot is now fully stocked with my posters, many fun takes on the Keep Calm and Carry On poster, originally created in England in 1939. I blogged about this a few months ago, and now created a fun line of my own personal interpretations...like this one...

    I'm also preparing a few auctions for dachshund rescue, and will donate 100% of the profits to rescue! I'm working on some new things just for that purpose. What fun!

I don't have more than one more moment, but I promise to be back sooner this time. I'll leave you with a few photos of this past week, when the kids were on vacation.

 

TTFN! Have a great Tuesday.

XO

       

Totally Airbrush!

So today I picked up my airbrush paints and supplies and I'm ready to roll. We'll see how it all goes. But before I show my projects (if I produce any) I will share a few of my digital designs. I've made some photoshop brushes and graphics out of my own designs and out of some old (1800's) drawings (one of those). I love to personalize old royalty-free graphics to make them my own.

And the revised old drawing:

Also on the weekend agenda is baseball practice, Falcon chain administrative stuff and more airbrush and art. My goal is to learn the basics today and then complete the project (which I will reveal when it's done) tomorrow. That's a tall order, considering the magnitude of the project. I'm very excited and hope I have what it takes to do it!

In the news this week was the decent effectiveness of last Friday's steroid shot in my psoas muscle. I actually have had the most function I've had in a long time, and had another yesterday, and hope that it works even better. Not sure since no results yet!

On a lighter note, I want to share a few of my fave TV shows. As always I totall still love House.

I also have been living Lie To Me, the new awesome Fox show about a man who can interpret facial expressions and body launguage and is a consultant to law enforcement and the US Government.

He questions suspects and knows instantly when someone is lying. In between  "scenes" they flash examples of famous figures that illustrate the expressions or behaviors he's discussing (i.e. clintons, obama, other politicians and stars). The show is based on the research of Paul Ekman. I just ordered his book from Amazon and I can't wait for it to arrive today! It's a great show, and it's not too late to catch up. You can find catch-up episodes on Hulu so click and you can watch all the Lie To Me episodes you need to get you ready for Tuesday's new eipsode!

Anyway, I'm off to begin my adventure into airbrush art. Please wish me luck b/c I know I'll need it! Later, gators. XOXO

Today is the day...

So last night I purchased what I am now affectionately calling the "craft cushion." It's a slip-proof cushion for my kitchen chair, where I paint my wood figures and do my silk screening. I find it hard to sit on the hard wooden chairs for long with the hip, so this could open up a world of possibilites for me. A steal at 12.99! Today I am determined to work on my wooden figures that I owe my friend Tina...and I still have a ways to go. We made a swap, and I can't wait to share photos of the knitted, felted Cletus that she created by hand for me. I will post pix of that on St. Patty's day to celebrate (will explain why on that post).

I've been enjoying my new camera and truth be told, I am now free of that oppressive flash. The new Nikon performs at high ISOs with virtually no grain. I shot my dauther's haircut at 1000 ISO in dim light with no flash and virtually NO retouching.

I'm in LOVE with the camera, and even created a custom strap out of Japanese fabric. I'll take some photos of that later, with some directions if you are intersted in that.  Now I want to share an outdoor photo, shot at f 2 with the new camera. Here's Camilla....

I am also determined to restock the etsy store this week. Aside from working on the graphics projects I have to finish, and several sessions (3 six month olds scheduled as well) I wish to get my act together and create some new stuff for etsy. I'll post here when I finish those projects.

First I want to show a few of my fave artists. Here's Teencie's Woolie Wonders, which only has two things in stock now, but rumor has it, she's upgrading her shop shortly. She's working on some custom orders, but hopes to finish soon to get back to her shop.

I've also created a digital etsy, which is The Lobster Pot. I have a few posters up there now, and can't wait to get some photos with my new camera of some of them hanging in my house! What fun!

More later, when I get my lazy behind out. Rumor has it I will have another guest blogger. He said he was going to talk about the stock market, but I think he can come up with something FAR more interesting. What do you want to hear about?

Blog Post Overload!

Before introducing Jersey Girl's Guest Blogger, I want to introduce you to my new HAIR. For those of you not on Facebook, you may not have seen my NEW HAIR. My amazing stylist Rosa, has now moved from Bumble and Bumble to Mizu Salon on Park Avenue in NYC. I'm so excited for her, since she is such a gifted stylist, and I'm proud to say, a good friend. I've followed her like a guru for almost 20 years now, since we were both babies, LOL!

And here is me in one of my NEW HEADBANDS I'm sewing for my etsy (which will be updated soon, hopefully by Tuesday).

Even though my hip is still proving to be standing in my way, I'm trying to get things going....so without further hesitation, I will introduce my close friend and personal advisor, Scott!

Hi, I have been invited to guest blog today for my pal Jersey Girl.  Wasn’t sure what I would write about, since I’m neither artistic nor a woman.  But Jersey suggested this list, that I am pretty certain many of you know has become an internet phenomenon.  (Not my list, but the random things).  I really like this idea, because it will let you know a bit about me, and I can blog about one item that has particular meaning to me. Jersey Gal ruthlessly shortened my list because she was bored by some of it. So it's been taken down from 25 to 15.

1. I married the perfect person for me and  have no clue how she puts up with me.

2. I like to cook.

3. I hate throwing things away.

4. I think that the word potential is inherently wicked.

5.  I love traveling just about anywhere, and I love meeting people when I'm away, yet am shy when I'm at home.

6.    I can be a misanthrope, but I am striving to change.

7.  I can keep a secret....very well.

8. Bears 13 and 0.

9. I saved someone from a grisly death. *see below

10. Have lost 50 lbs and want to lose at least 50 more!

11. I don't understand how people think that all schools can be above average.

12. I drove cross country in 3 days, with 2 cats.

13. I would rather chat on AIM or Facebook than talk on the phone.

14. I think that people are in charge of their own destiny, and personal choice is the greatest gift that God has ever given man.

15. I really enjoy learning, about almost anything.

** I saved someone from a grisly death.

I had recently moved out of my parent’s home into my first apartment in Park Slope.  Everything was new and exciting.  It was 12 o’clock, almost lunch time, and I was on the D train, returning to Brooklyn from Manhattan. Mid-week, the train was fairly deserted.  In the subway car there was me, and a young Asian woman, and a couple at the far end.

I am not the type of person that talks to people I do not know.  But I do love to people watch.  I noticed that the Asian women seated diagonally across from me just didn’t seem right.  She seemed limp, unable to hold up her own body weight.  This isn’t that unusual, as the motion of the NYC subway can put you to sleep.  For all I knew she was just getting home from a night of partying.   

We arrived at the 7^th Ave. Station, and I got up to leave, as did the woman.  At some level I must have known something wasn’t right, because I kept my eye on her.  As her feet reached the platform, she paused, and crumpled to the ground, falling backwards, hitting the subway car as she fell to the ground.  Her legs fell between station platform and the subway car.

I lept towards her, bent down, and tried to pick her up.  I heard the wheels of the car beginning to screech, but I couldn’t pull her clear of the train.  Her limp body in my arms, the train was leaving the station, and her legs were vibrating back and forth between the platform and the train. My hands were shaking, and I feared she would be pulled out of my arms and dragged down the platform to her death. I pushed her legs away from the platform, careful to avoid getting sucked in myself. The train cleared the station and I put her down safely.  Someone must have called the police, as they showed up moments later.

Epilogue:  About a month later, while walking in the neighborhood, a different young woman approached me.  She asked if I was the one that had helped her friend.  (I have no idea how she knew it was me)  She thanked me, and told me that her friend had been fighting a virus, not eating enough and living on cold medicine.  It seems that she had passed out, and was completely unconscious.  Because of that her legs remained limp, and she had only suffered severe bruising (I thought they would have been broken).

That’s my story.  I hope you liked it.

Scott

 

Stuff is goin' on!

It was supposed to be today, but alas I haven't gotten around to putting it up yet - I have a guest blogger tomorrow....so surprise, surprise, we have something new here. Today will be all about getting it done. That's the theme for today. I will first share a few recent images, and show you a bit of what I'm going to be uploading to my etsy shop. But before I can do that, I want to show you another shot of Cletus. I just can't stop myself. This was taken Friday afternoon.

The first line of items I have made for etsy are some retro 60's headbands with a modern twist. As I could not take photos of myself, I had a model that was a bit short of adulthood - so they appear larger than they are. Here's my skull and crossbones headband...

The bands are SO comfy - and I wear these all the time without a big imprint on my forehead!

I have a whole collection, but won't bore you. I also have just photographed a few sets of these:

This is the Witt family, my first wooden etsy set. I have several, but only have photographed this first one. I particularly enjoyed making the men's tie! :)

  I will now share my list for today, to help me focus and drill down on COMPLETING it. What are the odds that I will??? Slim???

1. Work on invitations

2. Order Magnets (design done, yea!)

3. Send out Falcon email

4. Walk on treadmill for Physical Therapy

5. Photography orders

6. Everything else!

Have a fabulous day everyone...Check back tomorrow for my guest blogger surprise.

XOXO

It's cold, it's windy & it's MONDAY!

So after school drop-off this morning I raced over to Tracy's and worked out on her eliptical. I'm trying to get in at least two to three additional workouts over PT every week, to strengthen my hip muscles and get my life back! Very exciting indeed. The rest post-workout provided me a little time to update the ole' blog.

So we went down to the beach yesterday to check things out, and spend a few hours at the house. We ended up choosing the worst day of the vacation to do this, as it rained all day.  During a brief low, we got outside with the dogs.

  And how could I resist this darling pic of the lil' guy...

Since I have been decently successful with my list making on my blog, perhaps I can bore you with another one. I'm trying to be realistic. I welcome any additions to my list if you are so inclined.

1. Confirm poster proof & place order

2. Pay Bills (at least ten)

3. Put all dates on calendar

4. Start with ONE PILE in office (to sort)

5. Complete Little League Designs

6. Drop off Tae Kwondo Check

I can't get enough of looking at this little Japanese iPod case. I bring it to and from Phyiscal Therapy with my iPod and blackberry. It even has a little pocket for money or cards. LOVE this, and just looking at the dangly monster makes me happy.

Time to begin the list. Staying at home when it's cold out isn't a big deal - but I will have to brave the winds at some point today to do errands. Happy Monday!! XOXO

Blast from the Past...

Happy Wednesday. I was so excited about my digital projects, as well as finding one of my favorite blast from the past products at Walmart, that I just had to schedule a mid-week post! I decided to test the hip (and buy a poster frame) this morning, and came across this in the promotional area at the end of the costmetics aisle.

Any child of the 70's remember the huge advertising blitz surrounding this amazing product. I remember it, and having the beautiful pink bottle with the pink cologne inside, sitting on my green dresser in my room (WHY did my mom decide to paint that dresser this bright awful green anyway?). I loved the baby-powderish smell, the color of the bottle and the fact that it was inexpensive. Today I paid less than six dollars for two small (pretty small, more like pocket size) bottles, which wouldn't even cover the packaging I would think!

Now looking back, perhaps the advertising campaign could have been a bit more politically correct.

That girl looks all of 12 years old. Scary. This old advertisement is a bit more, well, acceptable by today's standards since we don't know if this person is of age or not.

Since I was relatively successful in doing my list items once posted, perhaps I will share today's list with you.

1) Follow up on Falcon Magnets for baseball

2) Call handyman about bed frame

3) Print out valentines

4) Upload items to my etsy store

5) Confirm vendor for poster printing

That's enough for today considering I haven't even finished yesterday's list...or the day before. Hope you all have a wonderful day and think back to your favorite 70's memory! Share if you are so inclined!

XOXO

Monday

So underwear. On a few blogs they're talking about the undies TREND....as if underwear were a trend, LOL. Well, I think back to years ago when I did a painting of L's Hello Kitty underwear with her quote about "Underwear, Underwear, Don't forget your underwear!" I have the canvas in my office, taken down from her room when it wasn't exactly cool to have undies on your wall. I'm sure the time will return when it is, but that time is not now. Anyway, I never posted my painting years and years ago back when she actually wore said Hello Kitty undies, so I cannot claim authorship of said trend. But if we want to go back even further, my Mom painted underwear before we were even born, so underwear has always been a topic in art, so none of us are really creators of the trend! I will, however, pay mention to one scrapbook artist who brought it to the online pop-art community, Elsie.  I really like her blog, because she lives a lifestyle that is based in creativity, which is a far cry from where I was in my 20's in graduate school, residency and raising kids. I admire the decision to make art a career, and make a living out of it. I really enjoy reading about a much "free-er" life than I have created for myself, seeing how her crafts and projects (like pop-art meets folk art) are interpreted.

Seeing that I have done a lot of digital art lately, I decided to create some underwear photoshop brushes. I created the above based on the combination of American Apparel undies and some old Monday-Friday undies I had. So today is Monday, time to celelbrate it with underwear!

Today I am going to try to attack the Monday List! I will make sure that at least the most important things are covered.

1) Bills, Bills, Bills - PAY THEM

2) Call bus companies for kids party

3) Get accomodation calls made

4) Return Guitar for fixing

5) Return emails

6) Walk

7) Make PT appointments

8) Cut pattern for vespa belt

9) Mail donation to dog rescue

I won't keep going on my list because if I feel overhwelmed, I won't even start. So here goes - have a wonderful day and please post a comment if you have stopped by. I keep hearing "I read on your blog..." but then don't see a comment from said individuals! So tell me you've stopped by so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself.

XOXO

February First!

Happy February. So there is some controversy in the Groundhog community as oft there is. Phil saw his shadow while Staten Island whoever did not....so who is right???? I'm going with Staten Island...which is a first.

February also brings Valentine's Day.

 

The best of V_day gifts this year....

1) Toast Imprints (or Toast Brands) - which I just love. I don't know if I can justify the shipping on this one, but I LOVE it. This gem is from fredflare.com and it rules, along with their other stuff. I love that site, and do order from them frequently.

2) This speaks for itself. They have a cute box at Target, that appears very juicy couture with the pink and black!

3) Also from Fred Flare, these adorable band aids. I can't buy them because one lil' girl would use them up in the first two days....so that's not gonna happen.

4) This great dachshund canvas tote is really a fashion must for anyone. LOVE this.

5) Bestie Neckace I own, and of course purchased from Fred Flare.

6) This beautiful ring is from Blue Nile - and I love it. Nuf' said.

7) Sushi rules, on V-day or any other day. A few years ago we went to Nobu 57 for sushi for Valentine's Day. It was unreal.

I haven't given any thought to my own gifts yet for V-day. Any ideas????