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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Etsy finds...word combinations!

pond:  a body of water smaller than a lake, sometimes artificially formed, as by damming a stream.

green:   Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. Grass green is the most restful color. Green symbolizes self-respect and well being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony. Green is a safe color, if you don't know what color to use anywhere use green.
Green is favored by well balanced people. Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force. It often symbolizes money. It was believed green was healing for the eyes. Egyptians wore green eyeliner. Green eye shades are still used. You should eat raw green foods for good health. Friday is the day of green. Green jade is a sacred stone of Asia.

purple:   Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.
Purple has been used to symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color. Most children love the color purple. Purple is the color most favored by artists. Thursday's color is purple.











one noun two colors...perfect combination wouldn't you agree? 
In the middle of this heat here in sunny California it's nice to remember what spring was like...

Monday, August 29, 2011

Featured artist: Amy from Noisy Merriment

The featured artist for this week is Amy from NoisyMerriment.  I stumbled upon her etsy shop when I was looking for an image to announce the winners of  my messiest hair contest.  And I did, I found the cutest messiest hair.  I am so excited to introduce her to you so that you can see her work and talent and met the person behind the art.


1.  Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself.
I am a single mom, living in the San Fernando Valley.  I've always loved any opportunity and experience that allows a limitless amount of creativity.  That may be why painting and sewing are my favorite kind of art - these mediums allow me to step out of my comfort zone.

2.  What do you sell?
Acrylic and watercolor paintings.  I mainly focus on selling originals and rarely make prints of them.  Only if one particular painting is wanted by multiple people, do I consider on making prints.  There's something very special with owning an original piece of artwork that nobody else in the world has (not even the artist).  I hope to add more of my craftwork to my shop in the next few months.


3.  Why handmade?
There are so many elements that can be brought together to make something completely new and inventive.  I define handmade as a piece of work generated purely from imagination.  There are no limitations when it comes to this and you have complete control over it.  My favorite part of this process is that it's ok to make mistakes!  This adds to the charm and spirit of every individual piece.

4.  Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life?
Childlike spirit.  I've always been creative and artsy, but it wasn't until my muse (my son) came into my life that I started to delve into my own imagination.  I was always designing and making pieces for others - I never did anything that was from my own point of view.  My son inspired my vision to come to life; I can only hope to do the same for him.  Also, the internet is a beautiful thing.  I can spend hours reading up on new artists, just to see different points of views and ideas.  I could never copy someone else's work, even if I tried.  I get inspired by others -  when this happens, my mind naturally starts challenging my imagination. 
Most of the time, I've already dreamed up a new project and left it on my list of things to do for a couple of weeks.  I'll make a few sketches during work (shh! That's a secret) and then keep those in my purse.  Finally, when I get that sudden urge of crafty energy, I'll jump into my new projects and work all hours into the night.



5.  Besides creating what else do you do?  Do you have a full time job?
I try to do as many outdoor activities that time allows.  I work at a desk job for 40 hours, so if I am not painting or sewing, I want to be outside with my son.  Whether we are at the park, the pool, or take a short visit to a movie theater, I absolutely love spending time with my son.

6.  When did you start thinking yourself as an artist?
When I was 5, maybe even youngerI was obsessed with painting, coloring and reading.  I loved playing make-believe and couldn't wait for the next school project.  It didn't matter what I did, I just wanted to have more chances to be creative.  I was the kid in class that wanted everyone to look my work and say, "wow!"


7.  Who has been most influential in your craft work?
My mother.  She is constantly looking for new ideas for her kindergarten class, her garden, her home, and of course activities to do with her grandson.  She has always been the one that encourages my work and pushes me to do better.

8.  Where would you like to be in five years?
I would love to be living by the beach, with my son.  Our home would have a porch with a great oceanview.  This would be our quiet outdoor art studio.  It would be great if we could live off selling my art.  Ahh an artist can dream...


9.  Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done? 
     crafts, sports, life in general?
I would love to travel more, especially in Europe and Asia.  I feel like I would geek out in countries like Spain or Japan!  They are so rich in culture and beauty.  That is definitely on the "To-Do list" once my son gets older.


10.  Besides online where else do you sell?

Etsy.con is actually the only place my pieces of work are available for purchase.  Still, I don't limit myself to only this shop.  I encourage people to email me suggestions for painting they would like me to do for them.  For some reason, I like this process so much more.  I love the thought of working on a painting they envision, where I am able to create my own spin on it.  I love the creative process, specially when it's a team effort.

Ways to contact you:

shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/NoisyMerriment
blog  http://noisymerriment.weebly.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/NoisyMerriment
email NoisyMerriment@hotmail.com

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Happy Mail

Here is some more mail that made my mail box happy.  Some of these were received on days that I really needed a pick me upper.  Happy mail really does the trick!

OUTGOING MAIL:

This postcard was sent to Poland.

 A little card headed to The Netherlands.

 This postcard I sent to Finland.  My kids were born in San Diego and this is a
fine Museum to visit!

 This Postcard is From San Antonio Del Mar in Rosario Mexico,
Tijuana's Neighbor City.  Have I told you that I was born in Tijuana, Mexico?

 I sent this postcard to Springdale, WA
We went to Sea World in San Diego last year for Xavi's 4th B-day.

I sent this postcard to my friend Priya



INCOMING MAIL:

Postcard received from Dallas Texas!

 I just loved that she printed our picture on the address label  Xavi loved it too!

Postcard received from Finland where they have thousands of lakes!

 Postcard received from Austria.

Cute little postcard from  Russia...my kids loved it!

Sweet card from my friend Priya and some chocolate, sorry empty box by now!

 This cute card I received from Taiwan.

Letter received from my friend Priya 
again??  yes!  why am I so lucky?
(lovely envelope wouldn't you say??  I made it!)

She sent me this goodies, she got while in Hawaii!

A card from NY City from a sister I have there!  Thank you Kary!
...and I thought you need to know that the stamp wasn't canceled so I get to use it!  yay!

**Won't you say a little prayer for all New Yorkers and  all the people on Irene's path?

Well these were not really mine but they sure made my mailbox happy!
These wood and pewter necklaces I custom order from Miss Val.
They are birthday gifts for my nephew Issac and for my son Xavi.
Miss Val was featured in my blog a couple of weeks ago and in case you missed it
you can read the interview here.


Friday, August 26, 2011

{this moment}

A Friday ritual inspired by  Soulemama

In her words: "A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Seasons Change...Week 43

Season:  one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, but geographically at different dates in different climates.

Every morning on our way to my daughters school  we go past a ranch with a long row of big trees that surely change with the seasons but we hardly notice.  My kids and I have decided to embark on a project that will help us notice that gradual change on the trees.  My daughter Sophia  will take at least a weekly picture after school for a whole year, I will post it on my blog entry on Thursdays and my little one Xavi wants in it too so he will take a picture of some cows from a different ranch and improve his picture taking skills.

This picture taken on 8-25-11  Some of the leaves have started to turn yellow again and there are some dry branches already...season's change!

Cow story:  the cows we used to take pictures of have been missing since December.  Kids are on the lookout!

And this is what we found this week.  A cow in the midst  of this heat!  Some green would be nice for this cow right?  I know here in CA we are spoiled by the weather, there is much more heat in other places and we complain too much...oh well!


This past weekend was one of the worst weekends ever for me, why you may ask? simple silly arguments that escalate into bigger things...unkind words and actions that linger in my head longer than they  should...I really was hoping that Sophia's big eraser for big mistakes worked on this one.  Thankfully things are back to normal.  :)



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

My Video 8/22/11 at OneTrueMedia.com


Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Yesterday was the first day of school for my kids.

Sophia going into 4th grade was very nervous.  We found out her teacher was a "Mr Fuller", she was hoping it was a "Mrs Fuller" :(  I walked her to the classroom we got there early greeted the teacher. It was classroom half full of kids, tons of books piled on top of each desk and right there in the middle of the classroom was Sophia's best friend from last year.  For some reason at the end of the year they weren't very close but I bet they were glad to see each other.  Big relief for Sophia.  And for me to!

Xavi was a bit nervous more nervous than K-camp, I showed him his room from the outside and he told me don't let go of my hand (I didn't, I didn't want to let go of him)  He didn't want to play in the playground.  The teacher called her class and we walked into the classroom he sat by himself on one side almost all the way to the back!  I myself shy did that in school. We had a few moments to take pictures and the teacher told the kids say goodbye to your parents and tell them to have a good day!  Xavi told me "te amo mami" "I love you mami" I felt a lump in my throat and my eyes got watery.  Yup I had to leave... :(

They say things get better the second time around ...Not for me I felt the same way when I dropped off Sophie for her first day in Kindergarten.  It sure was not easier this time, I really thought it would be.  I left the school missing something, missing that little hand that I always held while crossing the street.  I swear I went to open the passenger seat of my truck...I had no passenger this time.  I went straight to have a tire rotation on  my truck and my little ninja, superhero and bodyguard was not there with me.

When I went to pick him up I felt like I didn't know which road to take...I just felt very confused and nervous.  I've driven this road to school for two straight years and all of a sudden I felt lost!  When I got there he was in the lunch line he saw me and smiled across the gate.  When I finally picked him up he was happy and told me that he liked school and hearing that made me happy.   I pray that this will be the start of  his very successful school years and of course I pray the same for my "teacher's pet" Sophia.  After School She was also happy she said Mr. Fuller was the best teacher ever and she was happy she met old friends and made new friends. 

And of course I took lots of pictures, I also managed to get a big headache with all this going on and the making of this video!  but I know things will be fine and hopefully easier!

*Savala is not Xavi's last name it's the teacher name!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Season's Change...Week 42

Season:  one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, but geographically at different dates in different climates.

Every morning on our way to my daughters school  we go past a ranch with a long row of big trees that surely change with the seasons but we hardly notice.  My kids and I have decided to embark on a project that will help us notice that gradual change on the trees.  My daughter Sophia  will take at least a weekly picture after school for a whole year, I will post it on my blog entry on Thursdays and my little one Xavi wants in it too so he will take a picture of some cows from a different ranch and improve his picture taking skills.


Yup!  We're rushing again to the post office, the library and the grocery store. 
This picture was taken on 8-17-11 and 'on the go'


Cow story:  the cows we used to take pictures of have been missing since December.  Kids are on the lookout!

We had the opportunity to go with my mom and dad to a doctor's appointment.

In old town Chula Vista, CA


Is that a sign??  Do we need to wait patiently in order to find those cows?


I know for a fact that patience is a virtue

No cows in Chula Vista but a dog


And since it was a tiny tiny doctor's office I decided we wait outside.





And we walked around the block


Somewhere near this block is where I took my Senior picture for High School! 
(you don't wanna see that trust me)


This summer vacation is almost over now and those cows no where to be seen! 



 
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