Imperfectly Perfect

As Paula Dean would say, hey Y'all (in my best Southern drawl impression.....which is pretty bad).  How was Christmas?  Hope you had a blast, hope your family didn't drive you mad.  Okay, I know, too soon.

Well, Christmas for me was quiet and relaxing which gave me the opportunity to do what I love best.  Craft!  I had a ball I must say and I learned a lot. 

 I am a relentless nit-picker perfectionist when it comes to my own work and while that has it's benefits, it also comes with drawbacks as well.  Last weekend I had a mini-melt down.  I was experimenting with new materials and everything seemed to be going well then all of a sudden I realized why I was not quite satisfied with the piece.  I was playing it too safe.  I was afraid I would mess it up. Eureka! Then, my lightening fast mind reflected (5 minutes later) on all the pieces I did that I loved and got rave reviews for, most of them already sold.  They had spunk, style, daring, and in your face swag!  Why? Well, because I had thrown caution to the winds.  And when I did, my work took on a life of their own, they became something better than perfect. They became expressive......people felt something when they saw it. And that is what I want most of all.

So with this being said, it's on like donkey kong!  Expect to see this new attitude manifested in my blog.  This is a life lesson that is not just about my Art, it encompasses everything and I couldn't be happier to see where this takes me.  From now am holding nothing back.  You may be shocked, inspired, confused, amazed or even motivated to pray for my sanity but I promise you, you won't be bored!

Cherio!

Joy To The World!

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday.  There is a wonder, grace and beauty about this season more than any other.......and there is a joy that is  truly as undeniable as it is infectious.    

One of my absolute favorite things about Christmas though, is the nativity scenes and vintage paintings depicting the birth of Christ. Although these are steadily being replaced by more commercialized or "politically correct art", this is what warms my heart and makes me feel like it's Christ-mas.  

So without further ado, here are some of the paintings and nativity scenes I am in love with at the moment, enjoy!

 

Cherio!

Bling It On!

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but truth be told, we simply love bling!  Rhinestones.  Sequins. Gold. Platinum. Glitter.  Semi-precious and precious stones....

We love to get our shine on!

This time of year more than any other season, bling is not only appropriate but oh so welcome!  You can jazz up your jeans and tees with a sparkly necklace or add a handbag with some sparkle and pizzazz.  It's truly amazing how just by simply adding a little bling here and there you can totally change the look and feel of an outfit.

I personally hoard love skinny sparkly belts. Maybe a little bit too much but hey, isn't it about how the belts make me feel inside?  And let me tell you, I feel all kinds of happy and fierce when I wear them.  I do.  So, do I see more sparkly belts in my future?  A-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y!

Now before I go, I have to mention that bling is one of those things that perhaps a warning should  accompany. Something like "Beware, too much bling = tacky" or "Warning: Too much bling = pimp look-a-like" But, since there is no such warning yet, let's just say, you've gone too far when you are wearing "bling" on your teeth. We've all seen it, unfortunately. Not pretty.  We all know that too much of anything, is well.....just too much.   One or two pieces of glittery/shiny accessories is enough to add interest to any ensemble. 

So ladies, lets get our bling on this Christmas.  Why?  Cause it's all kinds of fabulous!

Cherio

Its A Wrap! Chic Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas

 

 I adore brown paper and burlap.......like you have no idea how much.   By themselves they are the humblest of materials but paired with the right accessories, they are the belle of the ball!  So with this in mind I am totally siked to "go green" this year with my gift wrapping. What could be better?........I get to save money, and preserve the planet while creating something beautiful.  Something that my friends and family will love and appreciate.  Win. Win!

Burlap and brown paper are the perfect canvas to create the most fabulous creations.  From Rhinestones, ribbons, stencils and stamps to feathers and pretty much anything else you can imagine, these materials are perfect to dress up.  I personally love using small pieces of burlap/ brown paper as an accent (like you see here) and using handmade bows and other crafty knick nacks to bring my packages alive. Who wouldn't want to receive a gift like this?  Just make sure though that the contents of your package lives up to the presentation ...... lol, just sayin.

I really like the idea of this doily on brown paper. (You can find paper doilies like this

 one at most party favor stores, and even at dollar shops.)  Sweet!

Cherio

My 100th Post! Woo hoooo!

So technically this is post 101, but hey the fact is, I reached my 100th post mark!  Woo hooo!!!!!

Wow, imagine that. Originally when I started this blog, I was practically nagging and bribing family members to join my blog, lol.  Seriously, the poor souls. I didn't realize at the time how my blog would evolve, I just wanted to have at least 1 follower. P-l-e-a-s-e.

I remember the day I finally got my first follower.  I called my sister and you would have sworn I had won the lottery. Man, I was all kinds of excited! That was all the encouragement I needed to keep going.  Someone out there had read my blog post and was giving me the thumbs up. Oh happy day! Thanks Charmaine, it meant so much to me. 

In the last year, I have met so many interesting and caring people. You all have been so supportive and non-judgmental, which made it easy for me to share a piece of my life with you.  I have been challenged, inspired but most of all I have grown through this blog.  More than I ever imagined I would when I began this journey.  So, today I say thank you to all 245 of you, my friends, I love you all. I am looking forward to 2012 with great expectations and excitement.  We're going to have a blast.  You betcha!.

Cherio!

Simple Pleasures

 Art and crafts excites me....

It's the only activity that allows me to both lose and find myself at the same time...

And the cares of this world?..............Well, they just fade away.

The whole world seems to be "on pause"

Like 5:00pm.........already????  Whew...where did the time go?....

When I create, I am the truest and highest expression of myself.........and my creator.

A better and more beautiful person on the inside.  Where it matters.

So, to me creating is like a cool drink of water on a very hot day. 

 Refreshing. 

 Necessary.  

To be savored and enjoyed.  Thoroughly.

What are you passionate about?......... 

 What makes you happy?

(Watercolor quotes I painted last week)

Cherio!

Bringin Booty back!

    

Beyounce (Singer)

Booty           ba dunk-a- dunk          Junk In the trunk          Bootilicious    

       

Whatever you want to call it, it all boils down to one thing, a big or considerable size round butt.......ahem, I mean derriere.  I say round because it's what most women and men, especially men, consider attractive.....  

I never thought I would live to see the day but big booties are back!  And heck it's about time.  


What I like most about this is, although there are "bootilicious" women with smaller frames, most often women with considerable  "junk in the trunk" are medium to larger frame.  So, to me, this growing trend is allowing normal, average size women to shine again.  Kinda harkening back to the early to mid 1900's  where women had curves and celebrated them. Gasp.  Imagine that...  

Marilyn Munroe

For the longest time now there has been a fixation with the ultra thin, but this booty craze is 
beginning to shut the door on that.  Big time.  These coveted lady lumps are becoming so desirable that ladies are adding volume to their butt.  


From butt implants to booty pads......what?!!!!  

Yeah, that's right, women are building them some booty. I can't blame them though, curves are beautiful. And yes they are really sexy too, like "put your eyes back in your head sexy".


Here are a few ladies that are famous for their curves, and by that I mean "baby gat back" lol.

Serena Williams  (tennis player)

Jennifer Lopez (actress & singer)

Eva Mendes (Actress & Model)

Nicki Menaj (Rapper)

Mel B (Singer)

Lisa Vanderpump (HWBH Star & Entrepreneur)

Kim Kadashian (hmmm...TV personality?)

Well, am off to enjoy the Thanks Giving spread that is before me.  With all this good food around I wouldn't be surprised if I acquired some volume of my own......

Happy ThanksGiving! 

 Cherio!

1+1=5?

Oreo on left, Sonic on right

When my son was eight, I surprised him with his first guinea pig. It was love at first sight!  He and Sonic (that's what he named his new pet) were inseparable.  Even my son's friends became attached as well.  I was really surprised at how much personality these little creatures have.  Sonic was so mischievous and affectionate, he even had me under his spell.  

After a time I decided to get a little friend for Sonic, but I made sure that it was another male since I didn't want any prenancies.  Thank God Sonic instantly like Oreo (the new Guinea pig) so they became really good friends.  Five years later though, Sonic passed away and my son took it really hard so to cheer him up, I got another guinea pig "Frisky".  And this is where the plot thickens.

Frisky

I was assured at the shop that Frisky was male so off we went with him!  When we got home though, as soon as Frisky got into the cage Oreo went into attack mode.  They fought.....and fought......and fought  until I separated them.  Then Frisky would try to get back into the cage and Oreo would try to get out to be with Frisky?  What the heck!  Anyway to make a long story short, the fighting continued for more than a week whenever they got into the same cage.  This was not what I had in mind for a companion for Oreo, it was an absolute mess.

One morning my son woke me up in a panic.  He was pointing at the Guinea pigs cage but he was babbling and had the weirdest expression on his face.  He practically dragged me out of bed and then we were both just staring together totally shocked.  Inside the cage three perfect little guinea pigs were running around.  They had all their hair and were running as if they had been born weeks ago.  What in the world!!!!.......   So eventually after standing there for the longest time, lol, my lightening fast mind concluded that Frisky was well, Frisky indeed.  Frisky was also female!  And remember all the fighting I mentioned? So NOT fighting.

1+1=5?  Sometimes.




Cherio!

Am Feelin the Blog Love!

My blog just received another award and I must say, this makes a girl feel a whole lotta special.

Many thanks to Katya Kate from mommygrowingup  for choosing me as a recipient of the award.  You really made my day! The Sunshine Blog Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogosphere. I am so happy that I am considered a part of this group since I created this blog to inspire, learn and most of all have fun!.  Mission accomplished.  So yayy me and woot woot!!!

Here are the rules for accepting this award:

1. Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.

2. Answer the following questions below.
3. And pass the award to 10~12 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs and let them know you awarded them. 

My answers to the questions:

Favorite color?  I love teal,  not the dark teal though, light teal.  That color makes me all kinds of happy and calm.

Favorite animal?  I am a sucker for dogs, they are so loyal and loving.  Close second is guinea pigs.  They are  so cute and chuck full of personality.  

Favorite number? 36  Its my lucky number. lol, for real.

Favorite drink?  Pina colada (unleaded/minus alchohol)...........ummm so yummy

Facebook or Twitter?  Facebook for sure.  

Your passion?  Art and design, God and family...but not in that order.

Giving or getting presents?  I love to give, there's no better feeling than to know you have helped someone else.

Favorite day?  Wednesday. Also known as hump day which I was totally unaware of but makes it even more interesting. 

Favorite flowers?  Peonies and bouganvilla.  They couldn't be more opposite  from each other but I adore them both.

And there you have it,  now, it's time for me to share the love. The blogs that I am listing below keep me smiling, inspired, entertained, informed and looking forward to their next post! Check them out and you'll see why.

www.ofmiceandramen.blogspot.com

www.amommyslifestyle.blogspot.com

www.madeinaday.com

www.feedingnineonadime.blogspot.com

www.richfaithrising.blogspot.com

www.wemadethat.blogspot.com

www.lulobird.blogspot.com

www.itsjustcalledspicy.blogspot.com

www.lettingyougrow.blogspot.com

www.joypagemanuel.com

www.thislittleblog.com

www.kalynernest.com

DIY Vases In A Snap!

So I saw this neat idea for making your own vases at factorydirect and of course, being a craft head DIY enthusiast I was intrigued.  For those of you who enjoy StarBucks frappuccinos, this one's for you. These little milk bottle vases are so cute! I love how the bottles are big enough to hold a little bouquet in each one or just a single bloom. Either way, this look is so chic! And you know what the best part is?  It's super easy to do, cost next to nothing and you are recycling too. Now that's what am talkin about!


Thing you’ll need:

4 empty iced coffee bottles
Newspaper
Matte white spray paint

Things to do:
1. Clean the bottles well and remove any sticky residue from the labels. Dry the bottle thoroughly.

2. Spread newspaper out to cover a well ventilated surface and set the bottles open side down on the paper, about five inches apart from one another.
3. In quick, thin bursts, spray the outside of the bottles.
4. Allow the paint to dry and then spray a second coat. You’ll need three or four coats to cover the glass well and many thin coats will give a better result than one or two thick ones.
5. Once the bottles are well coated, set them on their sides and touch up the top rim with a little more paint, trying not to get any inside of the bottles.
6. Let the paint harden overnight before using.

Cherio!