The Gotham Brooch is my newest design. Inspired by, you guessed it, the magnificence and magic of comic book art. I wanted this piece to be larger than life. True fashion couture. I challenged myself to see how huge I could make this brooch yet still have it actually function as a brooch, and I have to say I'm in love with this one.
Fringe Meets Gotham...
The Gotham Brooch is my newest design. Inspired by, you guessed it, the magnificence and magic of comic book art. I wanted this piece to be larger than life. True fashion couture. I challenged myself to see how huge I could make this brooch yet still have it actually function as a brooch, and I have to say I'm in love with this one.
I'd Like a Redo, Please...
My Daily Visitor...
My second video. This little hummingbird comes by every day. It's not the best example of her in action, the lighting's off, she's half hidden, but I was happy to get it.
Most early mornings and late evenings you will find me sitting on my back patio. It's a peaceful, lovely way to begin and end a day. I'm familiar with many of the creatures out there. They are creatures of habit and I can pretty much rely on them showing up on schedule.
There are two little hummingbirds that frolic and feed and zip around my backyard. I think they are young siblings, but I can't be sure. A male and a female. The female will come very close to me and feed at the feeder while the male comes close to her to chatter what I think is a warning that she shouldn't be so close to me. He scolds her and then flies to a branch at a safe distance to watch her. They chase and play and chatter right in front of my eyes. Sometimes they give me a Top Gun fly-by that sounds like two mini jets buzzing past my head. It's really magical.
One day my son was standing out back talking to my husband. My son's legs were wet as he had just been swimming. That little female hummingbird came right up to his leg and drank a drop of water off it! We couldn't believe our eyes. And of course, I was kicking myself for not having my camera at the ready. He later said something tickled, he looked down to see the hummingbird and was in a state of disbelief.
If you have the time, and the space, I sincerely suggest you spend a few minutes (or as much time as you can spare) each morning and evening outside, quietly observing nature, reflecting, and relaxing. It's the best medicine. Happy Monday, sunshines!
Naughty Berries...
My Littlest Friends...
A Peaceful Place...
My very first try at a movie with my new camera. I know it's terribly amateurish, but I'm hoping to improve with practice...Anyway, isn't this waterfall peaceful to look at?
Hurry, Mr. Postman...
I am so excited to see the artwork and read the story of Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?,the collaboration of Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert. Thrilled about this one.
And The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar is a book I've been trying to get ahold of for months now, ever since Shana said she had bought it on a book shopping trip at B & N. Yesterday I was there and still, it wasn't in stock...grrr. Hence, the beauty of online shopping. Now I'll have this book in my hot little hands in "3 business days or less".
Summer Beauty Essential...
A Day of Love...
Today is my wedding anniversary. Love is in the air. A better man I'd never find. My husband is everything to me. In the spirit of neverending love, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite poems...
somewhere i have never travelled by e.e. cummings
somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond
any experience, your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility: whose texture
compels me with the colour of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens; only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands
A Warm Embrace...
My contribution to Etsy Project Embrace. The Day Dream Scarf. 100% of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society with love for Lynn of UnaOdd and Laura of creativelytangled as well as more than one of my family members. If you purchase the Day Dream Scarf you will be giving two gifts; one to the American Cancer Society as a donation, the second as a warm, cuddly scarf to someone you love or as a gift to yourself.
My way of giving a warm embrace...
Yesterday....
I held a jewel in my fingers
And went to sleep
The day was warm, and winds were prosy
I said, "Twill keep"
I woke - and chide my honest fingers,
The Gem was gone
And now, an Amethyst remembrance
Is all I own
Two Little Roses...
Happy Weekend, Dearlings!
I wanted to let you know that there's a wonderful movie on TCM this Sunday night at 5 PM PST, for the entire family. It's called An American in Paris (1951), and it's delightful from start to finish. Starring the handsome, energetic Gene Kelly and the adorable, graceful Leslie Caron. Directed by Vincent Minelli, it's filled with visual beauty and color. Nobody made musicals quite like Mr. Minelli did. It's magnificent. I hope you're able to watch it.
Have a happy weekend, everyone! xo
To You...
Dennice, Laundry Puma...
Me: Where did you put your pjs from last night?
The Boy: In the dirty clothes, I've only worn them 3 nights in a row. (slight sarcasm here)
Me: No, you haven't, I washed them yesterday.
The Boy: Oh. I'll take them out of the dirty clothes then. It's no big deal anyway because there's nothing else in the dirty clothes. Sheesh. You're so diligent (yes, he used that word) with the laundry. You pounce on the laundry like a lion!
Me: Puma. I'm like a puma.
Husband: Dennice, laundry puma.
P.S. I think there's a screen print t-shirt opportunity for the phrase laundry puma.
Magical...
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
~Benjamin Franklin
Truer words were never spoken, my friends. Which is why we all could use a Secret Keeper by Shannon of HELIOstudios, the ingenious creator of these enchanting vessels...Shannon's imagination and skill is so romantic and magical that her Secret Keepers appeal just as much, perhaps even more, to adults as they do to children.
Worth Repeating...
Whether your niche is very narrowly defined, or able to spread out into a more broad base, remember the key is still simply to listen to and trust your own, unique point of view.
Don’t create based on trends, what you “think” will sell or what you’ve seen others do before. Keep your integrity and personality in everything you make, and you’ll easily create a “look”, “style”, or niche that customers will come to rely upon you for.
You have the ability to make something that no one else has made before. Do it!
Thank you, Jena. This should be The Golden Rule for crafters everywhere.
Mad Skills...
Francis Liked Me...
Ode to Summertime...
There's nothing like a bucket of colorful water balloons. Almost a daily occurance here. Our only rule, don't aim at the head.
The Leggings!
I had to post about Day 69's fabulous ensemble. The leggings! I'd kill for them. I love everything about this outfit. Doesn't she look chic and amazing?
I'm sure this won't be my last post about The Uniform Project. I find it mesmerizing. Go Sheena!
Comfort Food...
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of milk (I use 1%)
- 1/4 stick of butter, melted
- freshly ground black pepper (optional)
- about 3 cups grated sharp (or mild, whichever you prefer) Cheddar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Bring water and salt to a boil. Add pasta. Bring back to a boil and cook until al dente, 8-9 minutes. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a large bowl, mix together eggs, half and half, melted butter, salt and pepper (to taste). Stir in 2 cups of the cheese and add the pasta. Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Add half of the remaining cheese to the bottom of the pan, spread it out as a layer over the bottom. Add the pasta mixture. Top with remaining cheese. You can dust the top with paprika, if you like.
Bake until the cheese is golden and bubbly, approximately 45 minutes. Enjoy!
Around Town...
Each January I see the owners giving this little stand a fresh coat of paint and it makes me happy to think that these delicious strawberries will once again be available. You can pick your own berries or buy the ones already picked and ready to go. There are also tomatoes, green beans and corn available, equally yummy. They even provide a large water-filled container with a spigot so you can eat the strawberries right then and there. Very smart.
Happy Independence Day...
Every Girl Needs One...or Two...
You never know if/when that trustworthy lover will empty out your bank account and leave town. Never fear with the hollow cookbook safe as your true stash of cash.
Annoying co-workers, unruly teenage child, unexpected letter from the IRS, or perhaps just a spectacularly bad day? This is when you need that secret flask hollow book.
And finally, the gun-toting hollow book. One can only hope there's never a need for this, but it doesn't hurt to be on the "safe" side, now does it?
With books like these, you should perhaps think of carrying a canvas book tote. Have hollow book safe, will travel.
Good ole Irish Whiskey will serve it's purpose here.