The Pink Artist Drawing

Do you remember her? Of course you do! She's "Love Squared", the Pink Artist Doll that was created with two by two inch art squares lovingly made by 182 artists from all over the world. The project and the doll are devoted to raising awareness and donations for breast cancer research.


From August 1, 2008 through October 15, 2008 there is going to be a huge blog party. On behalf of the 182 Pink Artists everywhere, you are personally invited to join the festivities! During this time you will have an opportunity to make donations in any amount that will then be sent on to "Susan G. Komen for the Cure". PLUS for every $10 donation you make, your name will be entered twice into The Pink Artist Drawing for a chance to WIN the fabulous Pink Artist Doll!!! Go here for ALL of the details or click the "Think Pink" button at the top right side of my blog. Then get ready to party!!!

Marilyn

Another stroll around the yard...

You know, grace is a wonderful thing. I haven't been doing much of anything in our yard this spring. Maybe because the cold weather seemed to hang on for an extra couple of months. Maybe because I've been having a wonderful time indoors making art (I do open the doors and windows to let some of that fresh air in). But basically, my outdoor work so far has been clean-up and trimming. I haven't planted anything and, yet, look at the beauty that continues to happen anyway! Yes, I may have planted the bushes or vines or bulbs at one point, but for them to keep blooming year after year...it really is amazing, isn't it?







Marilyn

She's here...and she's BEAUTIFUL!

It was a long, white box that the mail carrier delivered--about the same size and shape of a box that flowers come delivered in (it's thanks to my sweetie that I know that). Same sweetie has been expecting a book in the mail and when he walked into the house with the long white box, he said (with that playful smile of his) "Look, my book came." "Uh-uh!" I squealed.

Upon opening it, we both oooh'd and aaah'd at her beauty and giggled with delight at her voluptuous shape--her creator Terisa, Running With Scissors referred to her as buoyant, heehee! I spent a lot of time examining every detail on this beautiful, 34-inch mermaid doll. I just love her!!! Oh, her name--it's Minnie--is taken from a song that Terisa talks about on her blog. I think it's perfect!
Terisa also included a box of embellishment-goodness for me to play with. How wonderful is that!

THANK YOU, Terisa, for making our Mermaid Swap so much fun! (Check out Terisa's blog for more GREAT photos of Minnie!)

Marilyn

Mixed Media Landscapes - Finis !

I finished my Day and Night canvases from the online Mixed Media Landscapes workshop and I'm pretty pleased with them. I wasn't sure I had it in me, but Karyn Gartel makes it so easy with her step-by-step instructions!



It's been a real show-and-tell kinda week for me, huh? I'll have one more for you when I receive my Mermaid Swap package from Terisa, Running With Scissors. I'm getting excited for Ms Mermaid to arrive. Poor little gal may be tired when she gets here, it's not an easy swim from California to Missouri. However, we'll be gone for a couple of days visiting second daughter--maybe that will give her time to rest up before her photo shoot.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Marilyn

Show and Tell, Mermaid Swap

I've heard from Terisa, Running With Scissors and she has received her Mermaid Swap package from me. So now it's okay for me to share pictures of what I sent without spoiling her surprise. I made this little art quilt for her and I'm pleased to report that she loves it. Fortunately, she loves color, textiles and fiber as much as I do!




In fact, Terisa has a post on her blog with some really great photos!

Marilyn

Show and Tell

Thought I'd give you a peek at what I've been up to the past couple of weeks.

Karla's Great-Aunt Caroline will celebrate her 100th birthday next month. When Karla goes to the party, she will be taking 100 birthday cards to give to Caroline. The cards are from readers of Karla's blog. Each card is created by the reader to honor the crafting that Caroline has done all these years. Here's the one I sent:

These are the panels I made for Karla & Beth's Birds & Bonnets Vintage Workshop Swap. In early June, I will receive panels from four different artists that Beth and Karla will have assembled into a one of a kind screen. An interesting part of the swap is that everyone was to use at least one image or background from The Vintage Workshop collections that were provided--a bonus in itself!





The canvases that I'm painting in my online Mixed Media Landscapes workshop are making progress. I finished painting my trees--here's a look at three of them.Last week's assignment was to paint houses on the hills. I'm almost finished with those and I'll be ready for our final assignment this week, where we add some finishing touches to our canvases.


I also finished my project for Bella-Enchanted's Mermaid Swap and sent 'er off Friday to my swap partner, Terisa (Running With Scissors). After Terisa receives her package, I'll post pictures. Now, Terisa posted sneak-peek photos of her creation for me on her blog and after seeing them, I am more excited than ever to get it! I have seen some of Terisa's other works and I am very confident that it will be gorgeous!!! She mailed my package on Friday also so I'll be sharing with you again, soon.


Marilyn

"I Live In My Own Little World" Challenge

I'm always up for a challenge and Pam (BlogCabinFever) has come up with a good one! For her "I Live In My Own Little World But It's OK, They Know Me Here!" challenge, she has invited us to "blog photos of where you create your blog (pic of your computer) and all your favorite, inspiring places around the house and yard."

As I first thought about it, I wasn't sure what photos I would take. But when I got the camera in my hands, I was suddenly aware that, indeed, there are places here at home where I find inspiration. So, let's get started!

I LIVE IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD BUT IT'S OK, THEY KNOW ME HERE!

First stop is the computer desk...it's in a corner of our family room so I can 'do computer stuff' and be sociable at the same time. If I turn around in my rolly chair I can see this view of our backyard. Lots of activity out there at times--birds, squirrels, rabbits and once, just recently, SIX deer came flying through there!
















OK, let's step out the back door...
This is the time of year that I get to enjoy some, what I like to refer to as, old time plants and flowers--ones that I remember growing in my parents' and grandparents' yards--climatis, iris, peony. The peonies haven't opened up yet, but when they do, the blooms and aroma will bring back lots of pleasant memories.

















This is the view from our deck. I can sit out here and watch birds come and go or sit and listen to their songs and the music from our wind chimes. Look! There's one of our squirrel friends now--peeking out from the smaller knot hole. I think he heard about our tour and wants to say hello!















We're back indoors now. This is a stack of stuff in my craftroom. Books I've looked at recently that haven't been put away or there isn't a place for them yet, fabric I auditioned for my current sewing project that didn't make 'the cut' (sorry, that was bad), cigar boxes, blank journals, pieces of wood trim and wrapping paper. Now, that's quite a mix, huh?

Last, but definitely not least, I get the bulk of my inspiring ideas in the shower! Can't say how or why but I appreciate the inspiration!















Thanks for taking the tour of my own little world! Thank you, Pam, for the challenge!

If you'd like to see more 'little worlds', they are linked here. Or maybe you want to share your's--just let Pam know!

Marilyn

Happy Mother's Day...Yes, it was!

This vase of flowers was just one of the many wonderful things that I enjoyed today! Aren't they beautiful?




I hope that you've had a wonderful day, too!

Marilyn

Spring has sprung

...finally!

It was an absolutely GORGEOUS Sunday afternoon, so I grabbed my camera and took a stroll around our yard:


I hope your weekend was a good one!

Marilyn

I did it!

I finished Assignment 3 (painting the hills) with a day and a half to spare! It feels good to be caught up with my online workshop assignments. When we get our new assignment on Monday, I'll be able to start on it right away. I think we're going to start painting trees!

Marilyn