daydream art studios

Things Women Wish Men Knew

2009-08-12T12:16:00.002-05:00

So I just finished reading this list on Men's Health entitled 50 Things Women Wish Men Knew. Either the author, Lisa Jones, is an insecure idiot, or she is trying to make women look that way. Of course, there are a few that apply:

I love it when you hug me from behind and whisper in my ear.
"Fine" is never an appropriate response when I ask you how I look.
I'm terrified of becoming my mother, even though I admire her.
I expect you to call me.
Only rock stars are allowed to wear leather pants.
I'm scared of losing my independence.
A man I love plans the occasional fancy-schmancy dress-up date and impromptu weekend getaways, and he buys my favorite candy in advance when we're just going to the movies.
You're sexy when you're: shaving, fixing things, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, driving, eating a peach, holding a baby.
I like it when you tell me what you're thinking, even if you don't know yourself.
Celebrating our anniversary, even if it's only been a few months, earns major bonus points.
Even nice girls like hushed dirty talk in public.
It's cheating as soon as you're doing something with her that you wouldn't want me to see, hear, read . . .
For the record: I'd rather you break up with me than cheat.

As for the ones like:

I love it when you're sweaty. (I don't, unless I made you that way.)
You should know all this and more without my telling you. (I don't expect you to read my mind, because then you will expect me to read yours. And I won't)
I remember everything about our relationship. (I don't, and if you don't, then I'm off the hook)
If I'm not feeling loved, I will start looking . . . (Oh, get a grip Lisa. We all have those days. Read a book. Drink a glass a wine in a bubble bath. Go out with the girls.)
Discussion of ex-gf's and ex-bf's should be avoided at all times. (Most times, yes. But sometimes, knowing where the other one comes from or gets their crazy insecurity can actually be, oh, I don't know, healthy?)
You should never tell me what to do. (Sometimes I want to be told. Sometimes. Also, does it make sense that this would be on the same list as: "I'm unimpressed with a man who doesn't take the lead.")
I want to be Madonna. (Really? What part of Madonna's life seems so great? The rich celebrity part? There are many other celebrities I would pick before her...)
If I slept over, you owe me breakfast. (Not when one of us has to dash out early to go to work, which is most times.)
You did something bad. I seem cool with it. I'm not. (Sigh. Girls, please, don't say you're cool with it if you're not. If I'm mad, you'll know. Not all of us play these retarded word games.)
Oral sex is your get-out-of-the-doghouse-free card. Manolo Blahnik shoes also do the trick.
(They aren't. A humble apology, accompanied by small gestures like flowers or dinner made by you, means so much more. I'm not a whore and can't be bought.)
When I compare my flabby tummy to a kangaroo pouch, say nothing. (Wrong! We are fishing for compliments, like "I think you're hot," or at least a "Baby, I love kangaroos."
Saying "I love you" immediately before, during, or following sex doesn't count. (It totally counts, provided you say it other times too. So say it other times, too.)
I will leave if you lie. (We won't. We should, but we probably won't. So be a decent human being and be honest for its own sake.)

So there you have it, guys. If you want to know, talk to us, and we will probably tell you. Right between chocolate and sex.

I'm not missing, I'm right here!

2009-06-19T16:27:00.006-05:00

After a long online hiatus, especially from this here blog, I am back! It's been a busy summer so far, moving to Chicago, looking for jobs, catching up with friends both old and new (it's good to be back), having my brother visit from Seattle with his new wife and baby (and dogs!), and having Sierra's eleventh birthday party. Whew!

So there it is. The short version. Stay tuned to future posts for adventures of a girl looking for a job in a city full of competition in a bad economy, where the shotgun approach keeps it interesting. That's right, I actually apply to EVERY job I find I qualify for, even a little bit. In one day, I applied for a Miller Girl, administrative assistant, bartender, server, window washer, personal assistant, and child care provider. On one hand, I stay busy and get plenty of interviews. I even land some of the jobs, albeit part time and often not starting immediately, leading my friends to admonish me with a Jamaican accent, "your brudder has fo-ty seven jobs, quit being lazy and git to work!". Another friend asked me why I needed three jobs, "wouldn't it be easier to just find one really good job?" Geez, why didn't I think of that?

Anyway, some highlights of the month:

Sierra turned 11

We all met Plato, my brother's baby, for the first time.

Congrats Andy and Erica!

2009-03-30T13:20:00.003-05:00

My new nephew, Plato Robert Charneski.

New Work! Hardhat stickers that rock!

2009-03-29T14:08:00.004-05:00

Even though I have spent more time at my computer than my easel lately, I have managed to make the best of it and spit out some new work that can be done right here. The latest project, a hardhat sticker for Technical Welding Inspection in Kuttawa, KY. Apparently these stickers that promote all these companies are hot commodities for the hardhat-wearing set, and the coolest guys have the most stickers. Also, the cooler stickers you have to trade, the better (or more maybe?) you get. Honestly, I don't know how that all works, but I do know what the stickers look like (since I did them):

Buy handmade!

2009-03-28T00:19:00.004-05:00

Lately I have been feeling really guilty for not doing anything new in my art, and not adding to my shop or posting anything artistic. Worst...artist...ever...I know! Truth be told, I have been to the doctor several times for my shoulder, which has hurt excrutiatingly bad since last fall and has prevented me from doing much, and finally got a diagnosis. Turns out I have bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis, which sounds terrible, but can at least be controlled. Now that I finally know what is wrong, I can finally begin to heal and treat it, which is a good thing. The meds I am on now are amazing wonder drugs, and I am feeling better than I have in months! I also recieved so many well wishes and prayers, which I thank you all for, because it truly puts everything in perspective. One was even from an reader of this blog that was praying for my pain, while she is fighting cancer. Talk about perspective.

Despite the fact I have been absolutely terrible about posting new goodies to my shop and creating new things, I still buy handmade whenever possible, and even managed to cross off everyone in my Christmas list last year with handmade. I was very proud of that. Not only is your money going to someone who has personally put their heart and soul into it (and appreciates your business, no matter how small), but you are also getting something truly unique and top quality. My friend Libby put it in a funny, but true, way on her blog:

"I hate buying crap from China, so that's one main reason I buy handmade and why I encourage you all to buy handmade. When you buy from China you support communism...and a little puppy dies each time you walk in wal-mart....and baby birds fall out of their nest each time you THINK about going to wal mart...and volcanoes erupt and take out whole cities and towns when you BUY something from wal-mart....you get the picture. Its just bad. BUY HANDMADE!!!"

Libby makes incredibly soft, natural, and soothing soaps and sweet hippie clothes, which I am the biggest fan of. She also sent me out of the kindness of her heart, all kinds of feel better stuff for Sierra when she got in her bike accident last fall. The best thing was unrefined shea butter, which did amazing things for fading Sierra's scars and speeding healing, which I never would have even known about if it wasn't for her. Another good reason to buy handmade- where else do you get that personal of a touch?

I promise, dear readers, I am on the path to healing and will have new work to post soon. Keep your eye out, cause once I start, it's hard to stop me! First on the list is a commissioned painting of a Tuscan street scene, which I am pretty excited about. I plan on working all week on that this coming week, along with starting my Tai Chi classes and visiting the spa for a massage! Ah, life is good...

Welcome to the world, Plato!

2009-03-26T23:49:00.003-05:00

My only sibling, Andy, and his wife Erica had their first baby last night!! I am sooo excited to be an aunt! Plato Robert Charneski was welcomed into the world around 10:15 pm Mountain/ Pacific time after 39 (yes, 39!!) hours of drug free labor! Whew! Way to go Erica...and to boot, baby was a whopping 9 pounds, 1 oz and 21 inches! Now, my brother is not always the quickest to call or email, and I know he probably doesn't read my blog, so we're gonna test this out. See, I was promised pictures today, and while I am sure the proud parents are totally exhausted, I am equally impatient. So until I get a picture of the baby, I am gonna have to post another picture here.

Like Plato, his namesake. Andy, if you read this, send me baby pictures! So much cuter than the philosopher!! And by the way, love the name! Very cool for what's gonna be one cool kid!

Star Wars- as retold by a girl

2009-03-22T13:48:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I am talking to a friend the other day, and he cannot fathom that I do not clearly remember what happened in the Star Wars movies and that they didn't change my life. Perhaps part of this is hurt feelings, because the truth is, I have seen the original trilogy twice in my life (and never the new ones): once when they were out in theatres and I was a kid (I fell asleep), and the second time in college when I humored said friend and watched all three back to back with him (I fell asleep). So he asks me to name five main characters, which I thought I did pretty well, but failed because my main characters were apparently not main enough or something. I remembered R2D2 and C3PO because I had Star Wars underroos when I was a kid, and was proud of myself for remembering those two. He then asks me to tell him what actually happened in the movies, because apparently at this point, I am failing the science fiction quiz miserably (I'm a girl, hello?), to which, again, I think I did pretty good for not seeing them in over 10 years.

So here is the deal. Below is my version of what happened. Girls, read it, and leave me comments adding in what I missed and fixing what I got wrong. I figure between all of us, we can piece together the important parts. Then I am going to take those comments and put together a sort of Girl Cliff Notes to Star Wars. Sure I could ask a guy to do it, but we all know how that would go. 5 minutes into the description, he will sigh and say, "Just watch the movie...".

So it starts out with the scrolly words that go back into space giving this big back history or something. I think it tells us that the universe is in trouble and someone needs to do something, already. Then we see this dusty, deserty planet where Luke Skywalker? lives, and he is looking for something to do. Then someone comes and tells him, "hey, you've been chosen to save the universe," so he goes away on a spaceship. Oh, and the spaceship has these fun little robot dudes on them, I'm not sure what they actually do, R2D2 and C3PO. R2D2 is a little round robot that doesn't talk he beeps, and C3Po is like a gold tin man type robot that talks too much and understands R2. There is also this BigFoot kinda dude there that makes this crazy yell-growl sound, and never talks named Chewy? Yeah, I think thats his name.

Then somewhere along the lines Luke meets Princess Lea, although I don't really know what she is the Princess of, and he likes her. Then he decides, or maybe someone tells him, cause I think there is this old dude giving Luke advice over this hologram thingie, he needs to hire help. So Luke goes to this really happenin' alien bar to hire help for his mission. There he meets Hans Solo, this guy that is better looking, stronger, and more skilled than he is, except he doesn't have the force like Luke. But noone knows that yet, I think. So Hans Solo comes with him, and then because he is the good looking one now, he ends up smooth talking and kissing Lea until they are interrupted by that bumbling chatterbox of a robot, C3PO. Then, they all meet Darth Vadar, the bad guy in the black suit that breathes a lot (maybe he could breathe better without the mask?).

Anyway, Darth Vadar ends up kidnapping Lea, and then Luke and Hans have to save her. Somewhere in there, they all go to this foresty planet with all the cute little Ewok dudes too. Darth Vadars friends, the storm troopers, fly in the forest with all these smaller spaceships and the good guys and bad guys blast away at each other. I don't really know what happened to the Ewoks, but I'm guessing a lot died, because they're so little.

Anyway, so at some point, Luke finds out that Darth Vadar is his father. Maybe from this little green dude with big ears, Yoda, that lives in a cave. He is apparently, like, the smartest dude in the universe or something, like a sage. I think that's when Luke learns he has the force, although I don't really know what that means. So then that old dude that has been giving Luke advice teaches Luke how to use a LightSaber sword, because apparently that's way harder than it looks, and Luke is able to kill Darth Vadar and save Lea. Even though Darth Vadar plays the "you wouldn't kill your father, would you?" card, Luke kills him anyway, cause his dad's a dirtbag. Then I think since Darth Vadar is dead, its kinda like killing the head vampire, because all the Storm Troopers all just kinda stop fighting then. Or maybe it was just that he was a real bad boss and they're glad he's dead. Either way, the good guys won.

Dressing for Parties at CYC

2009-03-20T00:48:00.005-05:00

So for those who don't know, I work as a bartender for the Commonwealth Yacht Club, here in Grand Rivers. Not only is it a beautiful place to work and has the greatest employees ever *wink*, but it also is a super fun place to work where I actually, honestly, like my job. Of course, one of the reasons is because the members are all really cool people, but the shopaholic in me REALLY loves the fact that I get to dress up for all the parties we have. Usually, all the events I have worked have been easy to dress for, because of the theme or color involved made it a no brainer. St. Patty's Day? Wear the green shirt. Derby Day? Glue stuff to hat, find shirt that matches junk glued to hat. However, in trying to pick out a dress to wear to work the Commodore's Ball coming up on March 28th, I struggled to find something just right. This is the first Commordore's Ball I have worked, so I wasn't sure what to wear that fit the occasion, is dressy, and still practical to work in. Especially since when I asked if I could wear a dress instead of a tuxedo shirt, my manager hesitated, and seemed to say with her face, "well, as long as it isn't all sexy Corinne..." So after much deliberation, and by deliberation I mean 2 hours of online shopping, I just bought this little number:

Here are some of my ensembles from past parties, although all slighty less formal events:

Derby Day 2007

Fashion Show 2007

I can't wait till March 28th now! Thank you CYC, for always giving me an excuse to shop!

Happy St. Patty's Day! Thats how we roll...

2009-03-17T21:19:00.005-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here we celebrate with good friends, good food, and drinkin' all things green, of course! I made my old family recipe of Irish Soda Bread, which is a coveted recipe, especially since mom always said, "we're Irish, and the Irish don't cook," and it was, of course, delish. I also had a big appetitizer spread with smoked salmon rolls with horseradish sauce (no corned beef in this house, since I don't eat beef or pork and everyone humours me), real Irish cheese and crackers, little green pinwheels (not Irish, but green and super yum!), hummus, and then, of course, my friends brought chicken salad, chicken breasts, and rolls for the perfect snacky St. Pat's meal. Nothing like enjoying the company of good friends!

Happy St. Patty's Day! May the luck of the Irish be with ye!

6x6

2009-03-11T11:01:00.003-05:00

So my blogger friends have missed me! Good to know, cause here I put all my thoughts out there on the web for all to read, and if noone is there, well, that just makes me the crazy person walking around talking to themselves. You know, like those homeless people we all try not to stare at while we clutch our purse a little tighter to our chest.

In an effort to bring me back to the world of blogging (that people do read- all together now, in the style of Sally Fields, "They like me, they really like me!"), my friend from down under, Annette, has tagged me. Its a 6x6 tag, which means I'm supposed to show you the sixth picture in my sixth folder, which just happens to be titled "Lady and Tramp," after my dog and cat. Here is Lady, when she was just a wee pup:

Cute, right? I love my dog.

So now I have to tag six others, so I'm going to tag those bloggers I follow and see if they read me too!

Bad Kitty! Art Studio

Kentucky Arts Council News Release- Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

2009-03-08T00:22:00.002-06:00

Kentucky Arts Council's Artist Programs Have March 16 Application Deadline
March 4, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ed Lawrence 502-564-3757 ext. 473 ed.lawrence@ky.gov

FRANKFORT, KY — The Kentucky Arts Council is currently accepting applications for the Kentucky Crafted program, the Performing Arts Directory, and the Arts Education Roster. Online applications are due March 16 and will be reviewed by independent panels to determine acceptance into the various programs. The Kentucky Crafted program is an arts marketing support program for professional visual artists and craftspeople residing in Kentucky. It provides an introduction to wholesale and retail marketing opportunities such as Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the Buyers Market of American Craft and the Capitol Derby Celebration. Once accepted into the program, artists can utilize the Kentucky Crafted ® logo and brand, have representation on the Web through the Kentucky Arts Council's Kentucky Crafted Directory and may receive referral and other promotional benefits. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog9/kcmp_gdl.htm. For more information about the Kentucky Crafted program, contact Arts Marketing Program Director Craig Kittner at 502-564-3757 ext. 484, toll free 888-833-2787 or craig.kittner@ky.gov. The Performing Arts Directory promotes, showcases and provides professional development for contemporary and traditional performing artists, companies and groups in Kentucky. Eligible artistic disciplines are dance, music, theatre, storytelling and other performing disciplines. The Performing Arts Directory provides performing arts venues with access to experienced, professional performing artists, as well as showcase and marketing opportunities and training for professional artists. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html. For more information about the Performing Arts Directory, contact Individual Artist Program Director Tamara Coffey at 502-564-3757 ext. 479, toll free 888-833-2787 or tamara.coffey@ky.gov. The Arts Education Roster encourages professional artists to share their talents with Kentucky's students and teachers by working in school residencies. Artists that produce high quality artistic work in all disciplines and demonstrate the competencies to work in an educational environment will have the opportunity to market themselves as teaching artists for fee-based residencies in Kentucky schools. The Kentucky Arts Council's Teacher Initiated Program requires schools to select artists from the Arts Education Roster to conduct the one-, two-, three- or four-week residencies that the grant provides. To access guidelines, instructions and application, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog3/pad_gdl.html.For more information about the Arts Education Roster, contact Program Branch Manager Chris Cathers at 502-564-3757 ext. 488, toll free 888-833-2787 or christopher.cathers@ky.gov. The Kentucky Crafted Directory, Performing Arts Directory and Arts Education Roster are available online at http://artistdirectory.ky.gov. The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

Dear Corinne,

2009-02-26T14:34:00.002-06:00

Dear Corinne,
Lately I have felt very neglected by you. I see that you are off doing things, busy and happy, and wonder why you just don't seem to notice me anymore. Am I not good enough anymore? Is it because I'm getting old? I know I'm not the young, quick thing I was when we first met, but we have had some good times, haven't we? I just don't understand. Ever since the power went out, its like you don't notice me as much anymore. Did you decide you don't need me as much? I'm very confused and hurt. Sure, you still play with me a little everyday, but not with the same zest and passion as before. Its like you're just going through the motions. You just turn me on long enough to check your email and maybe your MySpace, and bam! You're off to other things!

Well, thats fine. Did you ever think maybe I've had enough of you too? Well, I have. Oh, you want to use iTunes all of the sudden? You think the time you spend on me for that, using me when it suits me is supposed to be good enough? Thats fine. Try it, babe. Haha! It isn't working is it?? Cooincidence? I can play games with you too, toots. You better get your act together, because I'm not taking you using me anymore. You better show me some love soon, cause I've had enough. Or you can forget about burning your 100's of cds to that iPod.

Love,
your computer

Day Four and Five of the ice storm

2009-02-19T11:28:00.002-06:00

Day Four and Five:

Ice, snow, and cold. Still no power, and still don't know when there will be any either. Cell phones haven't worked in days, so most of the communication we have gotten has been whatever neighbors that have been able to get out and hear have come over and told us. Its like living in the old days, at least as near as I can figure it is. Days are spent with neighbors outside, cutting our way out of the driveway and borrowing/ lending whatever we have to share. At least everyone has been in pretty good spirits still, and we have great neighbors. Our wood burning stove insert in the fireplace has been our only source of heat, but frozen, green wood doesn't burn easily. Our neighbor across the street lent us an ax and splitters, so there's been a lot of wood chopping going on. Everything is a lot of work, but at least the days go fast. The nights are slower. Reading by candlelight and playing board games that you can actually see in semi-dark are more challenging than one might think. We played Uno last night cause that seemed simple in the dark, but blue and green cards look surprisingly alike. Connect Four is easy in the dark, but I must be tired cause the kid beat me over half the time! If there's no power this weekend, we've decided to go to Illinois for some power and warm showers. Of course that, too, involves planning, since the gas stations that are actually open are about 30 minutes away in the opposite direction, but I want a shower so bad...

Day Three of the Ice Storm

2009-02-17T11:08:00.001-06:00

Day Three:

Everything is a total mess, but even after the house shaking all night from the falling trees and branches, which was terrifying at times, we got really lucky. Everything missed the house by a foot all the way around. There's a branch on the roof, but it didn't seem to go through. Even better, in walking around the house assessing the damage, Tramp, who has been missing for two days, came out from hiding under the AC/heating unit totally fine. I cried from relief. I had half expected to find him under a branch or something.

Day Two of the Ice Storm

2009-02-14T15:49:00.002-06:00

Day two:
Crunching and crashing is all I have heard all day and night. Falling trees and limbs shake and rock the house, and even in the distance sound close. Probably the most unreal winter storm I have ever experienced. Hopefully none of our trees fall on our house. Sleeping tonight will be hard.

The Ice Storm of 2009- day one

2009-02-12T13:35:00.003-06:00

Day One, morning:

Everything is covered in ice. Its actually really pretty especially since we never get ice or even really snow down here. I have these berries on my tree; to be honest I have never even noticed them before, but how pretty are they? There are a few branches down and the power is out, but it isn't so bad besides that.

Day One, evening:

Its been doing this freezing rain thing/ snow all day off and on. Its pretty but cold without power. At least we have some firewood to burn from this summer's bonfires and wood left from Ike knocking down trees, and a fireplace/ wood stove to burn it in. Plus two laptops=two movies, one tonight and one tomorrow assuming the power is still out, which I am guessing it will be.

Stay tuned for my day to day replay of my mental and photo journal of our lovely ice storm that knocked out the power for two weeks. I'm sooooo glad to have my power and internet back!

Grand Rivers is in the top ten!

2009-01-21T12:26:00.006-06:00

I have often thought that I live in the most beautiful resort town in Kentucky, part of what brought me here four years ago in the first place. Now, Southern Living Magazine's wonderful readers agree with me! January's issue put our town in the top ten of these two categories, only a few years after Cosmopolitan magazine named our Lighthouse Landing one of the most romantic places to be kissed!

Best Scenic View
1. Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tennessee

2. Grandfather Mountain, Linville, North Carolina

3. Chimney Rock Park, North Carolina

4. Grand Rivers Jetty, Kentucky (pictured below)

Jetty Sunset, Corinne Sullivan 2007, oil on canvas, 16x20

5. Rock City Gardens, Lookout Mountain, Georgia

6. Cades Cove, Tennessee

7. (tie) Clingman’s Dome, North Carolina/Tennessee

7. (tie) Stone Mountain, Georgia

9. Brasstown Bald, Georgia

10. Mount Magazine, Arkansas

Best Small Town
1. Beaufort, South Carolina

2. Fairhope, Alabama

3. Fredericksburg, Texas

4. Blowing Rock, North Carolina

5. Franklin, Tennessee6. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

7. Oxford, Mississippi

8. Grand Rivers, Kentucky

9. Madison, Georgia

10. Hendersonville, North Carolina

That's how we do it in Kentucky...

2009-01-11T18:30:00.002-06:00

My dad totally rocks. He has always loved to spend time with me, and loves to hang out with his granddaughter too. He also loves guns, and last Christmas bought Sierra a 22/ 410 for her first gun ever. This Christmas he came down to spend the holiday with us, and got to help Sierra shoot it. Thank goodness we live in Kentucky, where the neighbors think nothing of hearing gunshots outside when you shoot at boxes and cans in the backyard!

We got a new dog!

2009-01-06T12:11:00.004-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows I can be very impulsive and spontaneous. So to those people, it may come as no surprise that this weekend, when we went to PetSmart to buy a few fish to replace Roger and Larry, our two fish who met their maker shortly before Christmas, we instead came out with a dog. But in all fairness, PetSmart doesn't usually have dogs, unless you count the ones people bring in. So when we were looking for fish and I happened to notice cages all along the back of the store full of dogs, I HAD to go say hi. I mean, looking at all the animals at PetSmart is the closest thing we have to a zoo here. When this little Rat Terrier looked at me through the bars of his little jail, he seemed to say, "please, don't let me stay in the shelter," and later, after learning about his past, "don't let another crazy family take me and be mean to me." Besides, he looks like Lady (except he is alot smaller), and he is the same age too. Oh, and his name is Cubby. It's like it was meant to be!

See? He is little enough to fit in the toy bin! Which he jumped in to bury his bone almost right away. Which, oddly enough, turned out to be a pretty good hiding place for it since it stayed there for two days with two dogs in the house.

I hope everyone else's new year brings them happy surprises too!

2008's most helpful blogs for selling online

2008-12-28T11:56:00.003-06:00

Every day my inbox is chock full of not very helpful, never gonna visit sales pitchy newsletters that I MIGHT glance at before deleting. Luckily, I glanced at this one from Etsy today, because it was actually pretty nifty. So, here's to you, Etsy bloggers, cause without you, we might actually have some free time...

Give your Etsy Shop a PageRank Boost
I've seen the question so many times on the Etsy forums, "Why isn't my Etsy shop showing up in Google when I search for XYZ?" While that is actually a very . . .
Etsy Seller: timothyadamdesigns
Blog: timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com

HOW TO: Offer Multiple Shipping Options on Etsy.com
Here is how I am offering multiple shipping options without the whole “convo me” and paypal invoice thing. . .
Etsy Seller: clevergirl
Blog: BeClever.Wordpress.Com

How to get the Etsy Sales you want
Improve your shop and learn to promote it. Every bit of information you need is already out there, and most of it is right there on Etsy. . .
Etsy Seller: houseofmouse
Blog: lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com

Promoting your shop within Etsy: Lessons Learned
When I opened my online shop, I thought that I would just list some jewelry and people would come by and buy. How difficult could it be? After all, look at all the successful. . .
Etsy Seller: contrariwise
Blog: akacontrariwise.blogspot.com

Free Spreadsheet for Pricing Your Work
One of the hardest things for a crafter to do , is to get to grips with pricing their work. I have attempted to create an easy to use spreadsheet, that will give you your . . .
Etsy Seller: chrisparry
Blog: chris-parry.blogspot.com

Secrets of a Camera Novice - TUTORIAL
Well, maybe I'm not a novice, but I'm definitely an amateur. I'm Renovia from Endless Whimsy, I teach music and love photography. . .
Etsy Seller: Sellers Assisting Sellers Team
Blog: etsymentors.blogspot.com

Building Repeat Business
When I opened my online shop, I thought that I would just list some jewelry and people would come by and buy. How difficult could it be? After all, look at all the successful. . .
Etsy Seller: kreatedbykarina
Blog: kbyk.blogspot.com

Etsy Helpful Links - Not Found Via Etsy
Lots of helpful links and hidden gems!
Etsy Seller: loosewirestudio
Blog: loosewirestudio.blogspot.com

The 5 P's of Successful Blogging
I actually get a lot of questions about this, and I'm not sure I'm an expert but I'm certainly willing to share what I've learned. I'm just a fumbling blogger who somehow fell in ...
Etsy Seller: pamperingbeki
Blog: pamperingbeki.blogspot.com

Tips for Blogging Success (100,000 views)
I have had a blog for just over 20 months, and I have reached and passed 100,000 views. . . I want to share with you a few steps I have take to reach this goal. . .
Etsy Seller: timothyadamdesigns
Blog: timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com

The Weather Outside is Frightful..

2008-12-16T15:24:00.005-06:00

But winning is so delightful! I woke up to a rare sight of snow! yes, snow, all over the ground and shivered at the thought. Since we don't even own a shovel or scrapers or anything else, I had nothing else to do but check my email and get caught up online, and discovered today that I won (by popular vote) the holiday ornament contest hosted by the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team with this ornament:
Thanks to everyone who voted for me and visited my store and my teammates wonderful shops as well! I am honored to be on such a cool team with talented Etsians from all over Kentucky. You can visit their blog here.

Now I can go back to watching the neighbor kids use an old tire and broken skateboard as a sled and sled down the middle of the street, er, I mean hill. Cause that's how we do it in Kentucky!

the perfect gift...

2008-12-14T18:46:00.003-06:00

often is the one thing the person recieving it doesn't know they want until they get it. Which is why I had this sweet jacket made for Josh for Christmas, because after all this talk about wanting to be one of those guys that wears blazers and sips on scotch, I knew what he REALLY needed.

This is definately more his speed, and made by an awesome Etsy artist that also makes stage clothing for musicians, rockfabricscissors. She made what was in my head without me having to even be too crazy specific. That's right, not only is she talented, she is apparently a frickin' mind reader. Amazing, right?

sometimes you just need to laugh...

2008-12-12T13:37:00.004-06:00

As fun as the holidays can be, I am reminded that they can be lonely for those that feel alone, stressful for those already struggling to make ends meet and have children, and sad for those who have lost someone. In the past few years, I have had at least one of each of these Christmases, and know the pain, the heartache, and the grief. This year I have been incredibly thankful for all my blessings, and for my family and friends. My life may not be perfect, but it is quite blessed.

So once in awhile, I get something in my inbox that gives me a much needed laugh. It occurred to me I may not be the only one thankful for a good giggle:
So now it is your turn! Go do something nice for someone, dammit. Even if its just saying "hi" to a stranger. You never know, that may be the person who one minute before felt like noone noticed they were alive.

Homemade Candy for the Holidays- DIY

2008-12-09T12:40:00.002-06:00

Its been awhile since I posted a drink recipe here, but thought in the spirit of the season, it was more appropriate to put sugary sweets recipes on here. I have been itching to bake my traditional cookies, but my oven heating element snapped in half while baking last week- tragic! So while the new part is on the way, I am all about searching for stovetop sweets I can make. Usually I only think of making fudge, but then I found this recipe for caramels from Ready Made Magazine (which is, by the way, one of the coolest mags ever, if anyone wants to renew my subscription, haha).

SOFT CARAMELS
(makes about 100 1” squares)

INGREDIENTS
Vegetable oil spray
2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 tbsps unsalted butter
2 cups cream
1 ½ tsps Kosher salt
2 tsps vanilla extract

1. Prepare an 11” x 7” pan with at least 1” sides with a light coating of vegetable oil or spray, and set aside.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup; mix until there are no dry spots, and use a pastry brush to push down any sugar crystals from the sides of the pan.
3. Cook the mixture over high heat until it starts to turn golden. Immediately whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time. Gradually pour in cream, a few tablespoons at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition.
4. Clip the candy thermometer to the side of the pan and cook, stirring continuously, until the mixture reaches precisely 248 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Remove from heat and whisk in salt and vanilla.
6. Pour caramel into prepared pan and let sit for several hours or overnight.
7. Turn the sheet of caramel onto a cutting board and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
8. With a knife or rotary cutter, cut the caramel into 1” square pieces, and individually wrap them in parchment or wax paper.

Enjoy! I know I can't wait to try these! Being a firm believer that giving well thought out, handmade holiday gifts is far more heartfelt and meaningful than store bought gifts, I can't wait to give them either. Nothing makes me happier than to think for months about what the people on my list would like (but never think to get for themselves), and if I, or somebody else for that matter, can make it, all the better. When I discovered Etsy, I realized far more could be handmade than even I dreamed! Considering Walmart already gets probably the equivelent of a mortgage payment from us every month, out of necessity and no other choice, I shudder at the thought of them getting even more this time of year. And why, when instead our hard earned money can go to crafty stay at home moms like myself, other artists trying to make a success, and other people who truly appreciate each sale. That makes my gift giving make a difference twice, and isn't that truly amazing?

Happy shopping!

Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

2008-12-02T12:29:00.010-06:00

I don't just sell on Etsy, I love to shop there also. This year, I have tried on every gift giving occasion to buy handmade as much as possible. In my search for the perfect gifts, I have found some things I never would have thought of giving. Everyone knows buying handmade gifts for women is easy, especially with all the great jewelry out there. My shop is full of pendants and necklaces in every shape, size, and color. At around $10, they make perfect gifts for any women or teen. But what about those others on your list? Here are some of the most interesting gift ideas that you may have never thought of. All are handmade, and unique, and guaranteed to make your loved ones and friends feel truly special. Recieving handmade gifts make anyone feel like you went to a lot of thought and trouble to find that perfect gift. Isn't that what gift giving is truly about? Making someone feel truly special? The thought? Here are my favorite finds, all from shops on Etsy.

For the man on your list, how about this duct tape wallet? JDuct not only has this one, but tons of other one of a kind wallets in all kinds of designs: Another cool gift for men is a screenprinted by hand, direct from the artist t-shirt, also in many designs, by DBK Apparel: For those little boys (or even girls!), how about a marshmallow shooter? They shoot pom-poms too, for moms who don't have dogs to eat the ammo off the floor. These even come in two packs to avoid arguments, from BoysToys:

For little girly girls, there is everything from mom approved, adorable handmade winter hats, also handmade with love and one of a kind. This one is from MoMos Bows, who also makes tons of adorable hair bows:

Perhaps you have one of those American Girl doll-obsessed little girls. Get some gorgeous, one of a kind clothes for them at much more reasonable prices. I had several custom made to match ideas in my head from RetroReesa, like this Totally 80's one custom made for $15:

For those teen girls, these earrings are really popular, from Daydream Art Studios:

Maybe there's a woman on your list who doesn't wear a lot of jewelry. Try some fabulous, natural, highly fragranced handmade perfume purse misters available in dozens of high end scents, from Flameworks: You can also get goat milk soap, fresh from the farm in Kentucky. This one, Yuzu, smells good enough to eat. Move over Bath and Body Works, for Wilmoth Farms: For a fashionista on your list, how about the latest French fashions, direct from the French designer herself? I love this gorgeous silk top from Malam:

She may also love these very well made (I know, I own one!) and very beautiful designer handbags, straight from the designer in Switzerland, Novita Julien. She has all kinds of bags in all kinds of fabrics:
What about Grandma, though, who already has what she wants. Does she knit? How about indulging her like she does for everyone else? Here is some super soft and high end, hand spun and hand dyed yarn, from LunaBud Knits: Is there a baby, new mom, or soon to be mom on your list? Get them something noone else will, like these onesies that will get giggles everywhere. Bambinamia has giggle worthy onesies for everybody. My favorite: What about that person who has it all? At a loss? How about these super cute mice? The House of Mouse has one available in just about every occupation and even "famous mice" modeled after just about anyone. I like this little chef:
Last but not least, don't forget that even those cards that need to be sent can be handmade! Oh, don't make them yourself, just make them think you did, with great ones like these from Macaroni and Glue: Don't forget, almost every shop on Etsy LOVES custom orders, and is happy to accomodate even "crazy" requests! Often these custom orders do not cost any more than buying the item already made, a fear that often keeps people from asking. Remember, these are handmade items, made by artists just trying to make it. They truly appreciate your business and will go out of their way to show you. Just like your mother always said, it never hurts to ask! Happy Shopping!

Rad Things to do in Springfield, Illinois

2008-12-01T14:55:00.007-06:00

For Thanksgiving this weekend, Sierra and I traveled (by bus, mind you, the longest trip EVER) to Springfield, Illinois to see my dad. While we were there, we had a lot of fun getting our homeschooling on, and visiting some local sites. First, after battling early Black Friday shopping crowds, we went to Lincoln's Tomb:
I told Sierra it was lucky to rub Lincoln's nose, not thinking how hard it would be to lift her up high enough to do it:

We also went inside the tomb to see the actual deal, where no flash photography is allowed. Nothing about cell phones though:
Perhaps one of the most undiscovered museums and wierd but cool sites to see is the Museum of Funeral Customs, where you learn about the difference between coffins and caskets, and the history of embalming and the evolution of funeral traditions. Here's some cast iron caskets. My favorite is the one with the window that is finished to look like wood:

The only thing cooler than the exhibits here is the gift shop, where you can buy the most awesome Christmas ornaments ever (if you appreciate irony, that is), and these sweet shirts:
Or you can go across the street to the unofficial Lincoln gift shop, where you can buy all things Abe Lincoln, or a stuffed and mounted Jackalope, with his lady love:On the last full day of our trip we went to the The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where no photography is allowed, save these freaky, all too real wax sculptures of the First Family in front of the White House:
Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving weekend too!!

I've been awarded!

2008-11-28T23:09:00.002-06:00

I've been awarded (my very first!) the Marie Antoinette Award for blogging by Tilt Creations. In the giving spirit of the holidays, I am awarding the following blogs with this same honor:

Kentucky Lake Views

Laura K Finds Her Way

Aurora's Garden

Bad Kitty Art Studio

Ramblings of an ADD Jewelry Designer

Whimsy by Mari

Miya!

Official RULES:
1) Please add the Marie Antoinette award photo on your blog

2) Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3) nominate 7 exceptional blogs to receive the award

4) put the links to those blogs on your blog

5) leave a message on their blogs to tell them they are the chosen ones

I am not much of a rule follower, so it's gonna take me a few days to let everyone know, but I will!! Eventually. In the meantime, I had alot of trouble picking only seven since I have an unhealthy addiction to reading blogs (call it internet voyeurism, whatever), so check out the blogs on the side too, while you're at it!

Congrats to everyone! Including me! Thanks Tilt!

All I want for Christmas is whirled peas...

2008-11-27T19:59:00.003-06:00

Save yourself the headaches and fights of battling crowds and 4 am shopping in those big box brick and mortar stores, and give yourself some peace for Black Friday! From now unitl Cyber Monday, buy anything $10 or up in my shop and recieve a free pendant (like the one above, pictures may vary but will be similarly styled to your order)! Just put "black friday" in the notes to seller in checkout. With many necklaces priced at only $10, this is a great chance to get those stocking stuffers and gifts for coworkers done and save big! Happy Holidays!

I'm thankful for...

2008-11-25T20:24:00.004-06:00

family, and that I am getting to go see my dad this Thanksgiving for the whole weekend. I'm also thankful and excited that my little brother is having a baby (well, his wife is) in March!! But most of all, I'm thankful I finally mastered my techno-stupidity this year, proved not by the fact that I have set up a website and Etsy shop, MySpace page or Flickr account, or even by the fact that I have fixed my computer (ok, I called tech support a few times, I confess) not once but three times from major farts. No, my triumph in the battle of Corinne vs. her gadgets is proven in finally getting her pics off her cell phone and onto the computer. Even though they're both Bluetooth and are supposed to just magically go back and forth-somehow-that never worked. I did finally realize, though, that I could send all my pics to HP's Snapfish, which I never normally use, but is the photo to computer for dummies, if you are ever wondering. Laugh all you want, I know I'm not the only web-tarded one out there.

At least I can finally show off great pictures formerly trapped on my phone like these:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Crazy Crafty Madness

2008-11-24T13:48:00.004-06:00

Apparently craftiness is contagious around here! Josh and Sierra spent all day Sunday last week making a cat house for Tramp. Since he can't be an inside kitty, but we still love him, we all decided he needed a warm place out of the winter rain and wind to rest his head. He seemed to know right away it was for him, too, because he jumped in as soon as it was put on the porch, and has loved it ever since:

Sure, he is dirty (I don't want to give him a bath and put him out in the cold), but he's certainly warmer than before! Now its my turn to paint and decorate the house. Thank goodness I have a stockpile of leftover paint from painting the house. I can't wait to pretty it up!

The next day Sierra finally got her cast off. Can you tell how happy she is about it?

Her scars are fading fast, thanks to the unrefined shea butter that Libby from Maylee's Garden sent us! Thanks again, Libby! There's a chick that knows her stuff, and anyone who knows me knows I love my natural cures, which she is also all about.

OMG!!!

2008-11-20T11:43:00.004-06:00

Come get a start on your Christmas Shopping at the CCA HOLIDAY CHEER BAZAAR. Saturday, November 22nd from 9:00-3:00 p.m. held at the Community Christian Academy High School, located at the corner of Highway 45 and Lebanon Church Rd across from Paducah Athletic Club.

Lots of booths including Jewelry, Fabulous Bags and Purses, Crafts, Home Decor, Christmas Decor, Children's Books, Candles, Skin Care, and all sorts of fabulous vendors in between - even Baked Goods and Cookware!!

Register for a FREE basket full of GREAT gifts from many of our Vendors!! Including this super fun pendant (and matching necklace) and from Daydream Art Studios:

FaLaLaLa

2008-11-19T12:15:00.002-06:00

Available online at http://daydreamartstudios.etsy.com and at the Holiday Cheer Bazaar at Community Christian Academy in Paducah, KY this Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. Proceeds from the Bazaar benefit Hungarian missions and the CCA Cheerleaders.

More Snow...

2008-11-18T18:05:00.003-06:00

flakes, that is! Every day this week I'm going to show off a different handmade ornament using my snowflake drawings I showed you before. It's finally been sunny enough (even though its very chilly! Brrr!) to finally photograph all my glittery delights. I completely glittered the house putting glitter on the inside and outside, and then added even more sparkle and bling with genuine Swarovski crystals! The snowflake design floats on the inside and is transparent, and then has a matching transluscent snowflake charm on the outside. Pretty, right? I love how they turned out, but then I am sort of hypnotized by shiny objects.

All are available at the Holiday Cheer Bazaar at Community Christian Academy in Paducah, KY this Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, or in my online shop.

Shoppin' Around the Christmas Tree...

2008-11-14T14:22:00.004-06:00

is fabulous fun when you can stay warm and cozy INSIDE shopping over 20 vendors and take the tree home when you're done! Well, maybe. Featuring a gorgeous, fully decorated tree from the talented Beverly at Grand Rivers Florist that will be for sale/ auctioned off, and of course, I will be there selling my collection of 2008 ornaments (in a snowflake theme this year) along with jewelry, fine art, and vases. Snowflakes like this one, that I painstakenly drew with "hidden" images (ok, so they aren't really hidden well, I'm not MC Escher for crying out loud), which proved to be harder than it looks or sounds:

Not to mention 20 some other vendors from Mary Kay and Tupperware to Silver Chics and other local artisans, it promises to be a great show! Great for early holiday shopping and getting in the holiday mood.

As long as we're getting in the holiday mood, while you're in town be sure to walk through Patti's and enjoy all the holiday lights. It gets more beautiful every year, with more and more lights. The elves (and by elves I mean my friend Kim and other volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce) have been hard at work decorating town, and the staff at Patti's has been workin since October getting all the lights up. Tonight they get lit at 6 pm, and I am very excited. It is just too beautiful to describe, and almost makes up for the fact it's too cold to go out on the lake for a few months. Almost.

You can read about it all here. I have been nagging Kim to get bloggin', and now she is showing me up! Seriously, she has a great blog about all the happenings here in our awesome tiny town. Check it out!

Pomegranates and Winter

2008-11-10T11:07:00.004-06:00

Persephone was the Greek goddess of spring. She was forced to marry Hades, the god of the underworld, and while she was gone in the underworld, her mother Demeter, goddess of the Earth, refused to let anything grow or flourish until her daughter was found and returned. Hades finally relented and let Persephone return to her mother, but on her way back, she ate some pomegranate seeds- the forbidden fruit of Hades- thus sealing her fate. For punishment, Persephone was forced to return to the underworld to be with Hades once a year, one month for every seed eaten. During this time, myth has it, Demeter mourns her daughter's absence by again refusing to let anything grow, or as we know it, winter. When she returns, Demeter allows regrowth, making Persephone the goddess of spring and regrowth. Her true name, Corinne, come from the Greek word Kore, meaning maiden.

No wonder I find this story so fascinating, huh? Not only was I named for her, I think pomegranates are the coolest, most interesting fruit ever. That's why I made this new pendant:

Available now in my shop.

It's Snowing in the Amazon!

2008-11-07T17:09:00.003-06:00

Ok, so not really, but this week has been a wierd mix of Amazon, Brazil, and snowflakes. Amazon.com, that is. If you don't already know, this is the place to shop for anything not handmade. Toys and DVDs are always cheaper than even sale prices anywhere else, shipping is free half the time, and you can find what friends and family really want by searching for anyone's wish list. Oh, and my brother works for Amazon.com designing the website or software or something like that, and he just got married and is expecting baby number one! So I'm doing my part to make sure his job is safe from budget cuts. This week I got half of my Christmas shopping done, saved a ton of money, and got free shipping! Now to start making all those handmade with love gifts!

A lot of the gifts I love to give are different ornaments every year. This year I decided to make snowflake ornaments, which I also sell at holiday crafts shows locally and in my online store. Here's a peek of the designs before I turn them into ornaments next week. I am pretty excited to design some for a contest in a few weeks for Bluegrass Etsy.

Oh, and speaking of Amazon, this week has been Brazil week in homeschool. I have learned a lot about the culture, government, wildlife, and of course, food! In this house projects usually have either art or food in them (or both). So here's the drink of the week, not alcoholic but jacked up with caffeine instead.

Brazilian Iced Chocolate

2 oz bakers (unsweetened) chocolate

1/4 cup pure cane sugar

1 cup double strength coffee, hot

2 1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup Coke, chilled

Whipped cream to top

Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Stir sugar into melted chocolate, and gradually add hot coffee while stirring constantly. Add milk and continue to stir until mixture is creamy and smooth. Cover and chill until cold, then stir in Coke. Serve over ice, and top with whipped cream if desired.

Enjoy!

A short story by Sierra

2008-11-06T14:52:00.004-06:00

We have been very blessed with gorgeous weather, high 70's and a light breeze, the kind that gently blows the faint smell of burning leaves in the windows and makes even the cat and dog happy. The leaves have all started to change colors and fall this week and it is too pretty too rake. It has just been postitively inspirational.
While I have been busy painting and finishing up some custom orders before I start cranking out ornaments next week for holiday craft shows, Sierra has been hard at work with some creative writing in homeschool. I liked her newest story so much I wanted to share it with you all! The assignment was to write about a day as a frog.

I was running throught the forest from the evil witch. I didn't realize that she had stolen a fairy's wand, and that I should be hiding, not running. Suddenly I felt a blast of energy all through my body. After that, everything went black. When I woke up, I realized that I was back at the witch's cabin. I saw that I was tied up on the floor of a hamster cage. I suddenly saw the witch step in the door, with a small pet carrier. In the pet carrier there were two fairies, five rats, and three squirrels. The witch walked up to the cage I was in and dumped them all into the cage. Then the witch left taking the pet carrier with her. The fairies quickly became friends with me, and they untied me. They told me that if I could use my long frog tongue to get their wands, that they could get me and everyone else out before sunset. After hearing that, I happily hopped to the side of the cage. While I was there I saw many more cages. Many with creatures I've always thought weren't real. When I got the wands I felt myself beginning to change. By the time I got back to the fairies I was a small person. I saw through a window that it was sunset. In no time at all I was back in my home, as a person- not a frog.

dressing up!

2008-11-04T13:16:00.005-06:00

Its been a fun weekend starting with Halloween on Friday, where Sierra had either the cheapest costume as a "bloody patient," which cost only an old pair of pajamas and $2 worth of fake blood from Walmart:

Or the most expensive, if you count the over $600 cast on her arm, which was what inspired the costume in the first place. Also, in our house, even the dog dresses up, much to Lady's dismay:

But it calms her down, albeit from shame I think, so she can be around the neighbor boys without jumping or barking. They came over dressed as Ghost Rider and Spiderman. It just proves no matter how dangerous the costume is supposed to be, when they're little, it's cute no matter what!

Even P-O, the exchange student I placed in Lone Oak from Belgium had fun on his first American Halloween! He was very excited to carve pumpkins for the first time ever, and dress up for the day, which he told me only young children do back home.

Now that its all over, its time to start thinking about the holiday season that is fast approaching! I am hard at work designing holiday ornaments and finishing three custom paintings that have to be in the mail this week. Stay tuned for pics this week of my newest work!! In the meantime, happy fall!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T14:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween! Today Sierra and I will trick or treat after she puts on her "bloody" costume. She has decided to make the most of her cast and her not quite healed face by being a bloody patient, so $2 of fake blood and some old pajamas later, (and the cast that probably cost much much more- the bill hasn't come for that one yet, LOL!) we have the world's easiest costume ever! Luckily she likes to be scary things for Halloween!

After trick or treating, have some friends over for some spooky Halloween witches brew! A little dry ice will not only scare up some attention, but keep your punch cold as well! You can buy dry ice at any ice cream shop, just ask.

Witches Brew

In a punch bowl, combine:

2- 2 Liters of Mountain Dew, Sundrop, or similar soda
1 tub lime sherbet
1/2 fifth of clear rum- my favorite cheap rum that is super yum is Heaven Hill, but use any!
dry ice

Now the only problem will be making sure the kids don't see this punch and want some! You can make them some of their own with 2 cups pineapple juice instead of the rum, and Lime Kool-Aid or Sprite instead of the Mountain Dew if you don't want them up all night-but don't confuse them!

Have a safe, spooky, and happy Halloween!

Dreams

2008-10-29T11:00:00.002-05:00

My online friend Michelle asked recently on her blog, Michabella Creations, what people's unfulfilled dreams are. Dreams are a funny thing, since really, they are only dreams while they are unfulfilled. But if they all came true, it takes the fun out of DREAMING for something. If I had nothing left to hope for, no matter how great life was, I would get bored and feel unfulfilled. Ah, what a vicious cycle! Anyway, its a lovely sentiment, wanting to hear other's dreams, so I'll continue it. Tell us all some of your dreams. Some of mine:

1. I want my daughter to grow up to be happy and thankful for the childhood she had, hardships and all. I dream of her becoming the vet she wants to be, or anything else she decides that will complete her.

2. I have this ongoing dream of finally remodeling the outbuilding/ detached garage/ whatever you call it into an art studio I can have classes for children and affordable workshops for grown ups in, not to mention space to actually be able to work and organize my art supplies. It would be so much easier than teaching out of my home like I do now, and so many more could enjoy it.

3. I used to dream of moving the NYC in some artsy loft apartment where my yard would be my lone potted flower on the windowsill and I would be surrounded by the art world everywhere I went. Now, as an adult, I know how crazy expensive New York is, and after having slum lords in much smaller cities, I have NO desire to find out how that would work out for me there! Oh, and I like my neighbors actually knowing my name, even if small town life means they know all my business too.

4. I also used to dream of being a ballerina and model, for most of my childhood in fact. Until I learned food is my friend. Especially cheese and ice cream.

5. I dream of never hearing another bigotted or racially slanderous word again, where ignorant, prejudiced people see the error of their ways and how silly they have been, and stops using words that make me cringe. I tell everyone I hear saying anything rascist how I feel and that it is not ok to act and talk like that, and I honestly believe if everyone did this, the world would be a better place.

These are just my dreams off the top of my head. What are yours?

fly away...

2008-10-27T13:08:00.002-05:00

So after a long weekend of hanging out with good friends, between a dinner party catching up with old friends and celebrating Josh's birthday, I was very tired, but in a good, loved way. Then yesterday evening, we went to get new tires on my car and an alignment, which I was happy about considering its needed both badly since I was hit from behind like 2 years ago. I was even getting some performance tires (hey, the guy at Sears said they were the only ones on sale) that Josh kept singing some rap song for- something about Sumitomo tires-but whatever, I just wanted to have it all done and not have my car go crooked on the road. I did decide I love the way autoshops smell, with the new tires and all that- is that totally wierd? Anyway, we ended up finding out the car was worse than we thought and had to pay twice as much for some wheel bearing thingie, argg, but hey, at least now it is finally all done and I will be safe...

So in the meantime, I just figured I would list something in my shop that wasn't car related since I'm over it. I'd rather fly like a bird...

Both sparrows are cool hand cut pendants that come with a necklace and are way cool. I love 'em anyway!

Irish Car Bomb and Tag!

2008-10-24T14:02:00.004-05:00

This week for my drink of the week, I'm giving everyone an Irish Car Bomb! So there!

Irish Car Bomb

1 pint Guinness

1/2 shot Irish Cream liqueur

1/2 shot Jameson Irish whiskey

Pour the Irish Cream into the shot glass first, followed by the Jameson. If you pour the whiskey over a spoon, it won't interrupt the denser cream liqueur and have that cool layered look. Pour the Guinness into a beer mug maybe 3/4 of the way full, and let the foam settle. Drop the shot glass into the beer mug and drink fast! Trust me on this.

I have also been tagged by my friend Annette on her blog, so I am supposed to tell you 7 random facts you don't know, and then tag 7 more people. Here goes:

1. I was in the Army for a whole 2 months.

2. I have a secret desire to be a showgirl. Even though I'm pretty sure you need to be larger than a B cup for that.

3. I also secretly want to be a roller derby girl. Even though I'd get hurt-badly-for sure.

4. I have always been sort of an entrepreneur. I went door to door singing Whitney Houston with a friend when I was 7 or 8 for tips, I made extra money in middle school selling leather keychains I stamped people's names in, and I sold condoms for $1 a piece in high school to shy kids.

5. My first dance recital was to "Thriller" and when they turned on the strobe light, which we weren't warned about by the way, every one of the girls froze up on stage, except me, who thought it was so cool I was doing anything just to see my hands move.

6. I have a secret love of OLD songs that I think are just heartbreakingly beautiful. You know the ones, the Moon River-esque songs they play in nursing homes and old movies.

7. I once figured out it takes 265 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. Seriously.

Tag you're it! I'm tagging these people cause they all live in Kentucky too, and also cause they make me laugh and I want to see what they say:

1. Miya

2. Libby

3. Laura K

4. Mari

5. Jama

6. Bad Kitty! Heather

7. Creative Eye Kim

The Best and Worst of Strangers

2008-10-23T11:03:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a crazy day that showed me the absolute best and worst out of strangers. I recieved in the mail by surprise a package from my dear online friend, Libby, (ok, not exactly a stranger, but I have never met her in real life, so it counts). Anyway, after seeing my blog about Sierra and the pictures of her poor little face, she sent me this feel better package complete with unrefined shea butter that is supposed to work miracles on scars and heal sores quicker than neosporin, some 100% pure vegan all natural lavender soap that is super gentle on wounds and smells so good even a ten year old can appreciate it, a hot and cold pack with chamomile and rice inside that is so soothing right out of the microwave, and a nifty wrist cuff just because it is pretty. Sierra is always so excited just to get something in the mail, but this was especially cool. The wrist cuff wouldn't fit over her cast, much to her dismay, so she has been wearing it above it. She has quite the decorated arm now, even the cat and dog "signed" it:

Sierra looks a lot better now, and is happy about all the kindness that has been shown to her from "strangers" I have made friends with here.

Later, though, I got to see, once again, the terrible things strangers can do to each other. For the second time in 6 months, my husbands debit card number was stolen. The first time, it was used online, on our wedding anniversary mind you, to join four different dating websites. We only got some of that money back, because when someone steals your credit card number, they don't care if it is a credit or debit card. When its a debit card, not only do they take the money right from your bank account, they can withdraw your account and leave you with hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees before you even know what has happened. Which is what happened this time when someone was able to use the new debit card number to charge hundreds of dollars in gas stations in Florida, mind you while I am here in Kentucky tending to my injured child, overdrawing our account and stealing all the money we had. Money for medical and dental bills for my daughter. Money for the mortgage payment and for Christmas presents. Money for my husband's birthday, which by the way was the day half the charges were made. I actually had to cancel his gift because of this. I felt so bad.

So, to anyone that thinks stealing credit card numbers (on the internet or however you do it) is a victimless crime, let me tell you- it isn't. I'm guessing so many of these numbers are actually debit cards, not credit, which means you are stealing money right out of people's accounts. Money from hardworking people that are trying hard to make ends meet, especially in this economy. If you have rationalized that it gets paid for by some bank or the place you steal from, let me tell you, it isn't. We have to fight, hard, to even see any of that money again. So shame on you! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to steal?

And to the perfect strangers that give and give out of the kindness of their hearts, expecting nothing in return except a new friend, your kindness goes a long way on a day when it would be easy to lose faith in humanity. Thank you, Libby, for letting me see not all people are bad, there are just some that do bad things. I can see from new friends like you that people are kind and want to make the world a gentler place.

Please visit Libby's shop on Etsy and show her the kindness she has shown me. She makes amazing super lathery vegan soaps: www.mayleesgarden.com

All in the Family

2008-10-21T21:35:00.003-05:00

It occurred to me today what a talented family I have. It's no wonder I have been obsessed with the arts my entire life, disappearing outside with a sketchpad and pencil for hours, or locking myself in my room as a child making tiny food and furniture from clay for my doll house. I see my daughter doing the same kinds of things now, without ever having known that I used to do the same thing. She spent the second half of week on bedrest drawing and coloring, disappointed she couldn't get back to her fashion design and sewing her doll clothes. My own mom had an arts and crafts room stuffed to the gills with every imaginable supply, some of them passed down to her by her mother. It's memories like that that inspire me, and stay with me and my daughter.

I also have incredibly creative and talented people on my other side of my family, who have combined that with modern technology to share that with the world. My uncle Mark has an amazing website resource of flower pictures. His fresh flower scans are gorgeous, high resolution images he obtains from local flowers he finds in sunny southern Florida, where he lives (lucky guy!), and then scans and does his magic to with photoshop. It doesn't hurt that his first love and job are in biology/ botany something or other, so he knows his flowers and scientific names. Uncle Mark, if you're reading this, forgive my ignorance of your actual job title...

Check out his site here and see some of the most beautiful macro shots of exotic flowers on the web:

Then cruise on by my Uncle Bill and Aunt Nancy's website, Starfish and Dreams. From their large warehouse and office in sunny southern California (are you seeing a pattern here?), they, along with other family members and a small staff that is like family, they have created gorgeous stationary, scrapbook papers and stickers for years under the name NRN Designs. Now Starfish and Dreams, their focus is more on cards now that the scrapbook craze is slowing down, and they make the most fun and wonderful cards! One of the coolest things they have added is an option to personalize and print cards straight from the website. They come in many different style options that you see on the front page:

But my favorite cards aren't the print at home ones, but rather these holiday diva-ish cards:

Gotta love 'em! You can visit their website here.

New works

2008-10-20T14:38:00.002-05:00

Sierra is finally feeling better, enough so anyway that I can sit down and take a break from playing nurse long enough to actually chack my email and such!! So this weekend I worked long and hard updating my blog for Bluegrass Etsy, my Etsy shop, and my website. The website was long overdue and was the most work, so take a look and let me know what you think! I am pretty happy with it, although I am almost blind now from a weekend at the computer, so its hard to tell!

I also added this painting, Damage, to my etsy shop, http://daydreamartstudios.etsy.com/, in honor of the "damage" Sierra sustained last week on her bike, with 100% of the profit going towards her medical bills for her injuries.

Visit my website, daydreamartstudios.com, and let me know what you think!

xoxo, Corinne

Good Friends, Great Drinks!

2008-10-17T14:40:00.002-05:00

This week has been exhausting for me and Sierra as she heals. When you are living off "soft" food, and keeping clean and sterile is a battle, it seems like everytime I turn around I am feeding someone or cleaning something. Of course the cat and dog add to that too. It was Wednesday before I realized the fish hadn't been fed since Saturday! But after a long week, and a lot of prayers (and baths!), she is healing nicely. I also realized how many good friends I am blessed with. All week we have been recieving well wishes via phone calls, emails, comments on various things online, and visitors. Everyone I know close to here has offered to run errands for me and get whatever I needed. Yesterday, when I literally washed away scabs that have already healed in almost miraculous time, it occured to me every prayer that has been said for us has made a difference, so for that I thank anyone reading this! Every prayer and kind word has helped!! All there is to do now is offer good friends a good drink! How about an Apple Crazed Martini?

Apple Crazed Martini

1 oz Apple Pucker
1 oz apple vodka (like Smirnoff Twisted Green Apple)
1 oz apple juice
1 oz sweet and sour mix

Shake over ice, strain into chilled martini glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry. Yum!!

What a Weekend!

2008-10-14T16:15:00.003-05:00

Hunter's Moon this weekend was busy and well attended as usual. I love doing this fest every year because the weather is gorgeous, the people come out in droves, and this year they added live music (and it was even close to my booth, which was awesome), to liven things up. I also got interviewed on the radio, on country 94.7 or something like that, which was very spur of the moment and without warning, but I think I did ok NOT sounding like a fool! LOL The DJ guy said I looked 29, so we became fast friends. It was fun, irregardless! All that, and children's activities and a parade, which makes it the only craft show Sierra actually wants to go with me to. See?

Unfortunately, the next day was also beautiful weather, which made it a great bike riding day. The wierd thing about October in this part of Kentucky is that is is often still summer weather, with leaves on the ground. So summery in fact, you can forget the leaves are there. Which is what happened when Sierra's bike flew on the leaves coming down the hill on our road like she's done a million times before. My dad always warned me about driving on leaves, and how they can be slicker than ice. Apparently, dad was right once again, because down she went, and man, was it ever scary! With the help of my neighbors, we got her taken care of and to the ER immediately, where after getting her calmed down and cleaned up, were able to see the extent of her injuries. Three head (face actually) wounds with a total of around 15 stitches, chipped teeth, head to toe deep scrapes, road rash and abrasions, and a broken wrist later, Sierra is at home on bed rest. She looks and feels pretty rough, but is a real trooper and her spirits are still high.

Poor baby!! Keep her in your prayers as we battle infection and try to get her healthy!!

Hunter's Moon Festival (and the drink of the week)

2008-10-10T17:49:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, Saturday October 11th is Hunter's Moon Festival here in Grand Rivers. I have been a proud vendor at this super fun event since moving to Grand Rivers in 2005. From the parade full of great floats and even decorated golf carts, to the rockin' street dance at night, this event filled day is fun for everyone. This year the lovely Kim Kraemer, the head of tourism for Grand Rivers, has also put together a huge storytelling event Friday and Saturday nights at the Badgett Playhouse, featuring nationally known storytellers!! There are also dozens of art and craft vendors, several food vendors with local yummy foods, and kids events including those huge inflatable things all kids love. I, for one, am all about getting a funnel cake and some kettle corn. To make things even better, the weather promises to be beautiful at around 86 degrees!

Look for my booth and my show specials while you're there! Mention "octoberfest" and get 20% off. When you get home, get in the mood for fall with some chocolate. Make this Chocolate Martini!

Death by Chocolate Martini

1 1/2 oz vodka (I like Stoli)

3/4 oz creme de cacao

3/4 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Chill martini glass by filling martini glass with ice and water. Let sit while measuring liquors into strainer. Dump out ice water, and drizzle chocolate syrup around inside of chilled martini glass. Shake ingredients over ice, strain into glass.

Rad Rockin Recycled Gift Boxes On the Cheap

2008-10-08T18:39:00.004-05:00

I have been working all week making sure everything is all ready for the Hunter's Moon Festival here in Grand Rivers. One thing I have been working hard on all year is trying to look more pulled together and "professional," while sticking to a tight budget and maybe even being a little earth-friendly too. With the holidays coming up, I have been searching high and low for affordable gift boxes for my jewelry, but boy oh boy, are they expensive! I would have to charge more for my jewelry to afford the silly boxes. Then I found this fabulous tutorial video on Etsy shwoing how to make boxes from paper. A few calendars and Rolling Stone magazines later, I had these:

While I was at it, I cut up a stack of old (probably vintage by now) greeting cards into 1 1/2" x 2" pieces that are colorful on one side and blank on the other, and made gift tags out of them. By the time you fold up the boxes or cut up the cards for tags, the original pictures don't matter, all you see is a super rad, modern colorful look that I find irresistable.

From now until the end of the year, buy something from my Etsy shop or come visit me at the Hunter's Moon Festival this weekend and get a free handmade box, tag, and a fun bow with any purchase, just in time for the holiday season! The Hunter's Moon Festival is a great time, has tons of food and craft vendors, along with inflatables and kid's activities. Add to that a big parade (and a golf cart parade afterwards, since we are a golf cart friendly resort town, lol), a street dance with the wonderful Tabitha of Southern Fry'd (a great local band), and funnel cake, and it is a great day for the whole family!! We hope to see you there!

Seaside Dreams and the great blogs

2008-10-06T12:40:00.004-05:00

Its a charmed life! Ever go to the beach with your kids, collect boxes full of shells that you lug back, only to wonder a week later what to do with them? Anyone with kids is probably faced with pocketfuls of rocks shaped like things, pretty shells, and other outdoor treasures all over the house. After our recent trip to Clearwater, Florida, visiting my grandmother. We brought back tons of shells from the number one rated beach in the US, Caledesi Island. One look tells you why it's so highly rated:

Not to mention it's one of the few beaches left with great shelling. We found probably 50 unbroken sand dollars alone. So upon our return, I decided to start making things with the shells, in the grand tradition of grandma, whose house boasts a vast assortment of shell crafts. One of my favorite things I have made so far is this charm bracelet with shells we found:

The greatest thing about this bracelet is that not only is it the newest thing in my shop, it is one of the 50-plus things on sale for 20% off from now until October 19th, for Bluegrass Etsy's Octoberfest Sale! Check out my shop for awesome deals, or go to the Bluegrass Etsy site for a complete list of great sales in tons of shops.

As long as you're browsing the web and reading blogs of artsy people, check out Cherished Dreams. She writes about tons of interesting crafts, mainly showing off beautiful quilts she makes. We're keeping it Bluegrass this week, since I am in the quilt capital of the US!

Drink of the Week, and a Big Big Sale!!

2008-10-03T13:57:00.004-05:00

I'm really feeling fall this week. The crisp fall air, sleeping with lots of blankets and the windows open, leaves almost too pretty to rake up, and the wonderful smell of cookies baking in the kitchen. Mmmm...

Since we've been baking cookies today (hey, homeschooling means I can teach fractions by doubling recipes, and eat the results!), I've decided to make the drink of the week today an Oatmeal Cookie shot.

Oatmeal Cookie

1 part cinnamon schnapps or Goldenschlager

1 part butterscotch schnapps

1 part Irish Cream liquor

Shake over ice, strain into shot glass(es), enjoy!

While enjoying cookies, be they actual cookies or these yummy shots (or both), hop skip and jump over to http://www.bluegrassetsy.blogspot.com/ and peruse some awesome huge Octoberfest Sales, just in time for holiday shopping!! Most shops are offering 20% off AND free shipping, including me!! Just enter in the code, "BEST OF" in the message to seller in checkout, and wait for a revised invoice before paying. Sale goes until October 19th, but at these prices, handmade, one of a kind items will go fast! Check out my shop here!

Enjoy!! xoxo

Fall Beauties

2008-10-02T10:45:00.005-05:00

Today is another beautiful fall day and I cannot get enough!! I finally get to open the windows this week, after a summer of captivity to the air conditioner thanks to Josh, whom I swear sweats in the snow. Yesterday I even took a long walk with my mom and Sierra, hills be damned! Of course my mom, visiting from Illinois and not used to hills at all, was not as gung-ho about the walk through the neighborhood as we were. But, at least it was just cool enough to not sweat about it.

It was also nice enough for me to take plenty of pics of my new jewelry, just in time for the team wide sale the Bluegrass Etsy team is having in a few days. One of my favorites is this necklace I made, using coral, slices of shells, and freshwater pearls:

Super big news about a super big sale coming up!! Details announced Sunday, October 5th!

new work on a beautiful fall day

2008-10-01T17:01:00.002-05:00

It's been a beautiful week here as fall has, well, fell, and we've all been enjoying the gorgeous 70-something degree weather. Even the cat, Tramp, as he chilled while I snapped pics of some new jewelry, soon to be appearing in my Etsy shop, daydream art studios:

Here is my newest piece, a lovely turquoise and silver necklace featuring gorgeous, high polished turquoise nuggets in a beautiful blue-green perfect for fall:

This necklace is completely one of a kind, all handmade, and very lightweight and easy to wear.

Available in my Etsy shop tomorrow!

Family and the Blog of the Week- Who Says 8 is Enough?

2008-09-29T11:08:00.003-05:00

I have more to do than I have time most days. This week, my mom has paid us a visit all the way from Chicago, and I am adding host to my roster, which I of course, am happy to to do. My inner Martha loves to have company and play hostess, to entertain and provide. Sierra is upset only because she was hoping to have the week off homeschooling since Grandma is here, only to find that life as usual still goes on. "Stupid fractions" was her exact words, I think. Yes, I am learning fractions all over again, but luckily they are coming back to me easier than they did the first time around. In funnier news, this weekend, on the way to Carbondale to pick up my mom from the train station, Josh insisted we stop at the mall and buy Sierra the Heelys she has been wanting forever. So we stop and buy the ridiculously-overpriced-shoes-that-will-break-my-childs-arms-and-or-legs. Heelys, for non-parents of tweens, are shoes that have wheels in the heels. Shoes that coordinated children even have to learn how to walk in. Shoes that Sierra had to practice all weekend in just to walk across the room without looking like Bambi on ice. I'll be sure to post pictures of her road rash (with me and my told-you-so look on my face just for Josh, lol).

In the spirit of family, this week I found this inspiring blog about a much bigger and more hectic family than mine, written by a mom of 11 children. Heelys are nothing to this unfazed mom. Check out the blog of the week- Who Says 8 is Enough?

Treasury Madness

2008-09-24T13:32:00.003-05:00

It's been Treasury madness lately for the Bluegrass Etsy Street Team! For those who don't know what a treasury is, Etsy buyers and sellers can create a pictorial collection of favorite items sold on Etsy, usually based around a color or theme. Then, anyone on Etsy (joining is free, like eBay, but Etsy is way better and handmade), can view and comment on these treasuries. The more attention a treasury gets, the higher it moves up on the list. The highest on the list every day are put on the front page of Etsy for everyone to see, which is great publicity. Members of the Bluegrass Etsy team have been doing a great job of getting treasuries lately, and I have been lucky enough to be picked for a few of them! This latest one features one of my favorite necklaces, Flutter Into Fall Butterfly Necklace:

Be sure to visit this treasury while it is still live by clicking here, and leave your comments! xoxo

Cubs Clinch NL Central! So there!

2008-09-23T12:39:00.005-05:00

I married into an entire family of devout Cardinals fans. For two years, all I have heard at family get togethers is how much my team sucks. I'm from Chicago, I'm a Cubs fan. I'm pretty sure it's against the law to be a Cardinals fan there. I can't help being a Cubs fan; my earliest memories of baseball are of my best friend and I sitting in our underwear on the shag carpeting (my mom had some sort of aversion to air conditioning, so stripping down was essential), watching Cubs games on the little color tv. I think we originally started watching the games because we didn't have cable yet. My parents certainly weren't baseball fans, or organized sports fans, for that matter. It didn't matter, from that first game, I was hooked. Even as a child, I loved that team, and as an adult, I still do. So, for those that have laughed at me for it:

Two years in a row, baby! Go Cubs!

A little fun to start your week...

2008-09-22T12:06:00.003-05:00

I have been busy posting all sorts of new pendants to my shop this past week, with more additions everyday this week as well! Some of my favorites are the newest in my sillhouette pendants, these rockin' mudflap girls:

Even though they're a little gross on a sweaty trucker's mudflaps, they're a lot sexy on jewelry! I just adore them, but couldn't find much jewelry like this, so I decided to make them. I made both an afro mudflap girl and the traditional girl because I couldn't decide.

I also have lots of other sihouette pendants coming soon, so keep your eye out! Remember, if you are clever, and have a better name for them, be sure to let me know for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate if I use the name you come up with! Just visit my shop, name any sections you want, and send me your suggestions in a convo. If I use any, I will send you a gift certificate fo every name I use. So get naming!

After the storm, a dark and stormy...

2008-09-19T16:29:00.003-05:00

It's been a long week of cleanup for many in Kentucky after Ike swept through last Sunday. We have yet to get the top half of our biggest tree the rest of the way down and cut up. I'm still grateful we didn't have it worse. On that note, our drink of the week is the:

Dark and Stormy

2 oz Gosling's Black rum
8 oz Ginger beer

I already think every drink is better with rum**, but nothing is quite like a strong, super gingery ginger ale and a great, dark rum!

While you're drinking this weekend, and feeling a little creative, be sure to think of some good names for my shop sections, and win at least $20 in gift certificates! See yesterday's post for more details.

Enjoy a (hopefully) wind free weekend! xoxo

**consume responsibly, don't drink and drive, tattoo, hurt yourself or others; five o'clock somewhere does not always apply; yada yada yada...

Big Contest, Big Prizes!

2008-09-18T12:15:00.003-05:00

To celebrate the launch of my new line of pendants, and my 120th blog post, I am having a big sale for readers of this blog only! From now until September 26th, enjoy 20% off all orders $12 or more (including shipping). All my new pendants come with your choice of a necklace, complete with silverplated hardware, so you can completely customize your experience!

I am also woman enough to admit when I need help. Readers, I need your help! My talents apparently do not extend into naming stuff and even writing descriptions. I see witty, clever names in other shops, and I want that too! So, from now until the end of September, if you can come up with a clever name for any of my shop sections (on the top right side of www.daydreamartstudios.etsy.com), and I use it, I will give you a $20 gift certificate! Name them all and win big! Thanks all, and happy naming!

Bluegrass Etsy Street Team

2008-09-15T12:58:00.003-05:00

It's been a windy weekend here in the G.R. and my neighbors are busy picking up huge limbs that have blown down and sawing them up. Everyone seems to have their power back, after a long Sunday without it, and it's back to business as usual just in time for Monday. That includes me, who will be getting to work on a few custom orders and preparing for a busy month.

I was recently asked to be the new team moderator/ leader for the Etsy Street Team for Kentucky, and despite the fact that I probably already spend too much time online as it is, I agreed. So far, I am really loving it! I have been actively recruiting this past week, setting up a networking site for the members on ning, which is an awesome idiot-proof site to set up your own social network (similar to MySpace), and redesigning the team blog. In addition, one of our member-volunteers, Libby, has been hard at work putting together a MySpace page for our team. Soon to come- team promotions! I'd love to know what you think! Please check out our team blog and learn about some other fabulous Kentucky artisans, and if you're on MySpace, stop by and say hello! Be sure to friend us for special updates and friend-only offers in the future.

Dali, Funny Signs and Drinks

2008-09-12T14:37:00.004-05:00

While in Clearwater, Florida, last week, I was lucky enough to finally go to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg, something that I have wanted to do since I was a little girl. Not only is it the biggest collection of his paintings in North America, it also featured a show about Dali's view on women in his art, which was a fascinating and beautiful show. Afterwards, Joshua and I walked around downtown St. Petersburg looking for galleries and lunch, and not only did we find both, but I also saw two of the funniest signs I have ever seen.

Carried by a homeless man on the corner of Hwy 119 and some street: NEED BEER TO LIVE. I swear, if he wasn't on the wrong side of traffic, I would have given him a dollar just for that. Maybe more. I even considered turning around to do just that.

On a tattoo shop in the downtown St. Pete area: No people under 18, drinks, drugs, drunk people, smelly people....Open when we're here, Closed when we're not. They weren't there. Otherwise, I sooo would have gone in. After a pit check, of course.

Afterwards, we found a place for lunch at the first place since we had arrived in Florida that didn't offer us 2 for 1 drinks. Which, incidentally, in Florida does not mean if there are two people, one drinks for free. Oh no, they're too smart for that. What it really means is that they bring you both drinks right then. Which means at any given time, Joshua and I had four margaritas on the table. Which also means we only needed one round and a long walk on the beach or a good swim before driving home. By the end of the week, all I wanted was a freakin' Pina Colada, which were never 2 for 1, so this weekend, I'm making a round!

Pina Colada

3 oz Malibu

3 oz pineapple juice

3 oz cream of coconut

Blend with ice, pour into hurricane glass.

Float 1/2 oz Midori on top.

Have a great weekend! xoxo

Back from Vacation!

2008-09-10T13:57:00.004-05:00

We're back from a wonderful vacation to beautiful Clearwater, Florida! While we we're there, we avoided rain and bad weather and were very blessed with sunny skies, lots of fun, and light breezes almost every day. Sierra was all about the dolphins this trip! We enjoyed a cruise the first day where we saw dolphins, who liked to play and jump in the wake of our boat:

And other nearby boats:

We went to the Clearwater Rescue Aquarium, and visited Winter, the tail-less dolphin with the prosthetic tail and other rescued dolphins:

We spent a day in the sun on Caladesi Island, voted the best beach in the US in 2008 and collected shells and sand dollars when we weren't swimming:

We also swam in the pool almost every day, where Sierra proved she can, indeed, swim, despite her claims otherwise and a false fear of the water the past few years. To top it all off, we went to Clearwater Beach and enjoyed the sun, sand and surf, which thanks to the hurricanes that completely avoided us, were awesome!

Now that we're back, fall has begun in Kentucky and the best season here has begun- craft show season! Back to work!

xoxo

Vacation

2008-09-01T19:34:00.003-05:00

After meeting all kinds of great, interesting people all weekend and nearly sweating my body weight in water at the Arts and Crafts Show, I am off to Clearwater, Florida for a week of family fun in the (hopefully) sun! I will be back, in rare bloggin' form September 9th. Be sure to visit my Etsy shop that week, as I will be adding an entire new line of mix and match pendants and necklaces that range from super kitschy to super pretty, dozens of new gemstone necklaces, bracelets and earrings, and new paintings! Until then...

2008-08-30T19:17:00.003-05:00

Look for this booth tomorrow at Little Lake Park and get your goodie bag of freebies from fabulous Etsians! Featuring super cool things like:

Drink of the Week

2008-08-29T19:02:00.002-05:00

Busy week deserves a shot! Since fall is right around the corner, and the leaves are already starting to fall, how about a Caramel Apple Shot?

1 part apple pucker
1 part butterscotch schnapps

Shake over ice, strain into shot glass(es), enjoy!

In the morning, when you're sober again, think about enjoying the last few gorgeous days of summer and check out the Art and Craft Show in Little Lake Park here in beautiful Grand Rivers, Kentucky? With over 100 vendors, fair food, demonstrations, and more, there's enough fun for three days! And while you're there, register to win a gift certificate to my shop and grab a grab bag of handmade goodies from several Etsy talents- all for free!!

Spray Paint Fun Part 3

2008-08-28T10:59:00.004-05:00

This week I am scrambling to get everything done for the KWW Arts and Crafts Show this week, and needed to make some sort of display for my mini paintings. Maybe I'm cheap, or maybe its my eco-friendly raising that makes me dig through all the junk around the house before I buy anything, maybe its a little of both. After searching in vain for the right kind of wood to construct such a thing, I finally settled on an old, broken poster frame that has been sitting in the garage since I moved in. After fixing the frame with good ol' Gorilla Glue (that glue rocks!), I painted it lime green to match this cheap easel that's been collecting dust for several years now. Then I cleaned up the plastic "glass" from the frame and painted one side with glass frosting spray paint. I then hot glued the plastic in the frame to make sure it was secure, and then laid some of the same cutouts leftover from the necklace display board project and sprayed bursts of white and blue spray paint. The last thing was to add some shelves to put the paintings on, so I searched some more and came up with trim scraps from another household project and screwed them into the frame. Voila!

Be sure to come see what mini paintings I have- at marked down show special prices- this weekend! While you're there, pick up a goodie bag of handmade samples from me and other Etsy crafters, like these swell potscrubbers handmade by Mary Ellen's Crafts. I used one myself and can tell you firsthand, these nifty things really rock! Get one free and find out yourself, and then swing by her shop and show her some love!

Fun with Spray Paint #2

2008-08-27T09:48:00.004-05:00

My second fun thing to do with spray paint? How 'bout this fab necklace display I made from boards that came in the back of frames, push pins and corsage pins, and spray paint? All it took was a few cardboard cutouts, a good base coat of one color (also spray paint, of course) and several swooshie (yes, its a word) layers of different colors as I moved the cutouts between colors. The only cutouts I didn't move was where you see the light blue doves- the dark blue dove was a stencil dove I made and painted last.

Be sure the come to the KWW Arts and Crafts Show this weekend in Grand Rivers and check out the all new and rad pendants and necklaces I put on the display! While you're there, register to win a gift certificate and recieve a wonderful goodie bag full of handmade samples from other Etsy artists, like the super talented and very, very funny Annie Rexic!
At annierexic.etsy.com, you can get fresh and funky handmade pins, clothes and jewelry, all complete with hysterical descriptions that will keep you in stitches! She has some of these fun little handmade pins included in the goodie bags for you to take home. So be sure to drop by and say hello!

Fun with Spray Paint

2008-08-25T12:57:00.002-05:00

Josh brings me bigs cans of Rustoleum industrial enamel whenever he can. Somehow, he is always surprised how quickly I can go through spray paint. From outfitting retro hard plastic suitcases, to jazzing up the mailbox, spray paint is good for everything! This week, I'll be showing you all the fun that can be had with a few cans of spray paint! Today's fun:

margaritas and free samples!

2008-08-22T20:35:00.003-05:00

Its been a busy week of getting last minute things done for the big arts and craft show next weekend. So make yourself a Margarita and relax with me!

Margarita:

1 1/2 oz tequila

1/2 oz triple sec

sweet and sour to fill

splash of Rose's Lime juice

garnish with a lime after pouring in a salted glass, and enjoy!

I have been busy today putting together fun "goodie bags" chock full of handmade with love samples from other Etsy artists to give away, so make sure to come out next weekend and get yours while they last! A taste of what to expect:

And from me:

Art Lessons

2008-08-20T13:02:00.003-05:00

I spent the morning giving art lessons to Sierra and two other homeschool girls. We had beautiful weather for plein air painting, and the girls turned out lovely paintings of the landscape around them in only 3 hours! I was very impressed! Interested in art lesssons for yourself or children? I offer private lessons for the same price (often less) than typical art classes where there are 20 people to one teacher. The price also includes use of my studio, equiptment, and even some supplies. Learn more on my website, or call me at 270-508-0622.

xoxo

New Work

2008-08-19T16:46:00.003-05:00

I have been hard at work making new jewelry in time for the biggest art and craft show of the year in this area, Kentucky Western Waterland's Annual Labor Day Weekend Arts and Crafts Festival. Whew! What a name! Here are two of my newest favorite pieces, my butterfly and roses earrings (above) and this pretty daisy chain bracelet:

Its been a hard decision whether or not to post all my new, fun jewelry and other art in my Etsy shop before the show. I finally decided I will be posting some new pieces, but not most of them so I can save some surprises for the show! In addition, I will also be giving away promo bags with an assortment of handmade samples from other Etsians at the show. Stay tuned to see what some of these items are as I get them!

Speaking of Etsy and jewelry, have you checked out this fellow jeweler/ blogger/ Etsian? Teresa of Inspired Designs makes mainly copper jewelry that is beautiful with a rustic elegance, and her blog is interesting and amusing. Check it out!

xoxo

Painkiller After a Long Week

2008-08-15T11:04:00.003-05:00

School started this week, its still hot outside, and you've spent all week hard at work waiting for Friday. Sound familiar? Maybe you need a Painkiller.

Painkiller

In a rocks double glass with ice, pour in:

2 oz Pusser's Rum

2 oz cream of coconut

equal parts pineapple and orange juice to fill

garnish with a dash of nutmeg and a maraschino cherry

Enjoy! While you're sipping your pain away, check out my newly revamped website. Yeah insomnia!! The photos on the gallery page are improved and easier to see, the look is different, and hopefully everything is easier to use. Check it out and let me know what you think! Thanks! Enjoy the weekend~xoxo

Kitschy Pendants and Earrings

2008-08-14T12:11:00.003-05:00

My new pendants and earrings feature vintage/ retro photos printed on super durable and lightweight plastic. I have everything from squirrels (of course!) to guns to these fun jukeboxes:

Check back to see my flowery and paisley patterned pendants! Coming in the next week! I love paisley more than I love squirrels, believe it or not. xoxo

Inventory Clean Out Sale!!

2008-08-13T11:45:00.003-05:00

I have spent the last few days hard at work taking inventory of everything I have made in the past two years. In doing so, I have found things I have forgotten all about!! All of this hard work is in preparation for the craft shows I have coming up- the KWW's 33rd Annual Arts and Crafts Show on Labor Day weekend, the Paducah BBQ on the River Festival September 25th ,26th and 27th and Hunter's Moon Festival October 10th. Check out this little pretty:

To celebrate cleaning and organizing all my inventory (no small feat, if you have seen my studio!), I lowered all my prices in my Etsy shop!! So even if you have been there before, go back and look again! Almost everything is 25% to 50% lower than before!!

xoxo

Shout Outs

2008-08-11T12:02:00.003-05:00

I spent all day Saturday at Green Turtle Bay for Marina Day doing facepainting and launching my new line of graphic design and photo pendants. I probably gave 150 kids and even adults painted "tattoos" and bedecked cheeks with turtles, hearts, anchors and sailboats, and got great reception on my jewelry as well. The weather was gorgeous, the food was wonderful, and a great time was ad by all! In addition, I recieved a shout out on the blog, Laura K Finds Her Way, a clever, funny, and well written account of life and current happenings here in Western Kentucky.

In looking at this whole shout out phenomenon, I also discovered this fun little blog dedicated to art made in the round-robin style, where the same thing travels all of the world to a circle of crafters and artists who all add something before sending it on. Flory's Crafts is a little peek into a wonderful concept! In addition, the multi-talented Flory has a poetry blog with lovely musings and prose. Check it out!!

Drink of the Week

2008-08-08T17:00:00.003-05:00

In honor of Marina Day tomorrow at Green Turtle Bay, I present to you, the Green Turtle Madness Cocktail!

In a rocks double glass with ice, mix:
1 oz vodka
1 oz Malibu Rum
1 oz Midori
Pineapple juice to fill

Enjoy!! Remember to come see me at Marina Day, tomorrow from 1 to 5 at Green Turtle Bay! Have a fabulous, fun, refreshing weekend! xoxo

Marina Day this Saturday

2008-08-06T12:44:00.003-05:00

This Saturday I will be facepainting and having a demonstration and display booth at Green Turtle Bay to celebrate Marina Day. Marina Day is a national event to celebrate the importance boating has on communities across the country, and in our village between the lakes where there are more than twice as many slips as houses, Marina Day is a big event! Featuring a full day of free fun for the whole family, be sure to come down and enjoy everything from free sailboat rides and children's activities to the street dance at night ending with a fireworks display on the water. Learn more by visiting the Grand Rivers website. I will be there from noon till 5 pm Saturday painting faces and answering questions about my art and jewelry. So stop on by and say hello!!

xoxo

Blog of the Week: Have you checked out Skwiggazine?

2008-08-04T15:42:00.002-05:00

Have you checked out Skwiggazine yet? Part online interactive magazine and part social networking site for artists, Missy Skwiggler started this site as a constant source of information and new art by artists, for artists. I was even featured all July with my paintings on Wednesdays! I also write the Interview Me! column on Saturdays, interviewing a different up and coming artist every week. Check it out!

xoxo

Its Not Easy Being Green

2008-07-31T11:12:00.003-05:00

My newest jewelry features digital art printed onto pendants. Pretty, modern, and easy to wear! Check them out, these are the last two days to get free shipping on anything in my shop! xoxo

Lea Is Here!

2008-07-30T11:30:00.004-05:00

I started a new part time job this year placing exchange students with host families here in Western Kentucky. We went to the airport yesterday to pick up my first placement, the lovely Lea, from Germany. After a long flight with several changovers, and ten minutes in Memphis to run from one side of the airport to the other, Lea arrived tired but happy to be here at 8:30 last night. Here she is (center) with her new host family:

We all wish her a happy experience during her 5 month stay in Calvert City. For those in the area, Lea will be hangin' out with us at our yard sale this Friday, so drop by and welcome her to Kentucky!

Interested in becoming a host family? We have students that come in August and January for 5 months or 10 months. Visit the Center for Cultural Interchange for more information!

But She Was A Mess Inside...

2008-07-29T14:52:00.004-05:00

New, painting, new show! My newest mixed media, "But She Was a Mess Inside.":

Detail:

The new show at the PAPA Gallery in Paducah starts Wednesday, July 30!! I will have my newest painting there as well as some of my smaller works, so go check it out! The Paducah Area Painter's Alliance (PAPA), is a artist owned and ran gallery on Main St. in Paducah right off the riverfront and has over 100 member-artists that regularly show their paintings in all styles and mediums in three month shows. This show will be August through October. To learn more about PAPA, visit them on the web.

Blog of the week and NEW jewelry!

2008-07-28T15:48:00.004-05:00

The blog of the week this week is written by Annette Piper. Annette is an jewelry artisan that writes Under the Loupe, about gemstones, jewelry, the creation process, and interesting sites. Her work is lovely and her blog informative and interesting. Check it out!

Speaking of jewelry, I have some new items soon to be appearing in my shop. One of my new favorites, this dancy, fun, yet sophisticated shell and pearl bracelet:

As promised, I am running a fab sale this week! Enjoy free shipping all week on any order!! Sale is Monday through Friday, July 28 to August 1 only, so get it while its hot! xoxo

Drink of the Week

2008-07-25T11:48:00.005-05:00

It's raining and gloomy here. I can't take pictures of all the new jewelry I made this week. Which is too bad, because I have some great new stuff. Keep an eye out next week! I will also be having a sale (details announced tomorrow) to coincide with the FAM Back to School Fling. The Fling is and event sponsered by the Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM), specifically a fun back to school treasure hunt. Visit various FAM stores on Etsy and look for the hidden owl in each shop. You can win FAM bucks, good for merchandise in participating FAM shops (including mine)! For more details, visit the FAM blog.

Sierra is just now finally recovering from her Brown Recluse bites, of which she managed to get not one, but two, this week on her arm. For those of who who don't know, Kentucky, specifically this part apparently, is lousy with these nasty spiders. We have both been bitten on a few occasions since our move here in 2005. I got a crash course in what not to do when bitten when I almost lost my leg to one a month after moving here. Needless to say, we're experts now, and Sierra is fine. But it has been a long week. Our new kitten, Tramp, also went missing, but is found again and also fine.

In addition to all the other activity around here lately, Lea, the exchange student from Germany I found a host family for, arrives Tuesday. We are very excited to meet her and show her around. In the spirit of friendship, my drink recipe of the week is one I created for my lovliest of friends, Andrea, or Dre:

Behold, the most refreshing and tasty of all martinis, and sure to be your favorite too!

Fruit Punch Martini (aka Dre-tini)

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
1 1/2 oz Rose's Watermelon Mixer
splash grenadine
splash cherry juice from maraschino cherries
Shake over ice, strain into chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a orange slice and maraschino cherry.

To chill a martini glass, fill with ice and water before making drink. Dump out right before straining drink into glass. Enjoy!! xoxo

Tramp

2008-07-22T14:32:00.003-05:00

Our new kitten, Tramp (remember, the dog is Lady) is settled in her new home and proving to be too frisky to photograph. She is the most friendly, loving, and social kitten I have ever met, but bring out a camera, and she either bolts towards it or runs away. Here's the best I could do:

Blog of the Week

2008-07-21T11:38:00.002-05:00

This week I discovered the beautiful handiwork and jewelry design of Michelle Harvey of Michabella Creations. My favorite creation of hers is this lovely butterfly bracelet:

You can read all about Michelle on her blog: http://michabellacreations.blogspot.com/

AHH...Summer!

2008-07-18T11:28:00.006-05:00

Summer! A time for fun in the sun and refreshing drinks! As I write this, the new kitten that adopted us lingers outside, playing with Sierra, and the dog looks at the door like this:

We named the new kitten Tramp, since we already have Lady, and the little burr-covered stray kitten looks a bit, well, trampy. Friggin' adorable, but a little trampy.

After spending all morning separating the two, I'm already ready for my TGIF drink! My recipe this week is one I got in Ft. Lauderdale last year, and fabulous in hot weather. Behold, ye master of rum drinks, Planter's Punch!

Planter's Punch
In a tall glass full of ice, pour:

1 1/4 oz light rum

1 1/4 oz gold/ dark rum
1 1/4 oz Myer's Dark Rum (cannot substitute!!)
2 oz orange juice
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz Rose's Lime Juice
splash of grenadine

Enjoy!! You might want to make these by the pitcher, because they go fast and the more you have the harder measuring is! xoxo

Hello Ms. Swan...

2008-07-17T12:57:00.003-05:00

Well, I have been busy as a bee trying to finish painting the bathroom while the house is empty. I think I broke my thumb (not even sure how I did that!), and I've been trying to tough it out. But neither paint nor sleet nor broken thumb shall keep me from completing a custom order. My latest, a custom tattoo design for a girl who adores swans:

Have a Heart!

2008-07-15T21:25:00.002-05:00

After spending a weekend trying some of those drink recipes I've been posting on Fridays, its time to see what that really does to you- mwah haha!! I have several funky new pendants from this rad French alcoholism propaganda ad I found from the 1800's. This one shows the before and after effects of alcohol on organs. I'm sure its all talk though. I mean, what did they know back then, right? I'm sure it's all viscious scare tactics, after all, when I drink, everyone looks prettier!

See this and more in my Etsy shop! Thanks for looking!! xoxo

Blog of the Week- Tulip's Talking

2008-07-14T17:10:00.003-05:00

I'm starting a new segment- the blog of the week! This week, check out the musings of Lily Wrey, the creative force behind Tulip's Talking. Her blog has different artists, Etsy crafts, recipes and musings, along with random acts of kindness. You can read all about it at:

http://tulipstalking.blogspot.com/

I also have more items added to my shop this week, including this pendant:

Check out the new additions at www.daydreamartstudios.etsy.com

How to Feel Warm and Fuzzy

2008-07-11T13:04:00.004-05:00

This week's TGIF drink recipe will cool you off, and leave you (and your friends, if you decide to share) warm and fuzzy! What is it? Why, the cheapest to make, best margaritas in the world!! I got this recipe as a poor college student looking for a cheaper way to make margaritas from scratch, since I despise mixers. Even when I have the money to buy the usual (expensive) ingredients, I still end up making these, because they are the best!

Margaritas by the pitcher:

1 can frozen lemonade
half of 1 small can frozen limeade (make sure you use only half per batch!)
Pour both of these into your blender.
Add lemonade can full of Tequila (you said you wanted to drink, didn't you??)
Add 1 whole beer, any kind. I have used anything from a Miller Lite to a Corona, it really makes no difference, I assure you. Just don't use some crazy fruity beer or that Tequiza.
Add whatever amount of ice you can still fit in your blender and blend away! Pour into glasses and chill, baby!

Tip for salting the rims of your glasses: throw away that silly round thing full of lime juice and fancy margarita salt from the liquor/ specialty store. Buy a box of $1.50 kosher salt (the chunky kind) from the grocery, pour some in a plate, and rub the rim of your glass with a lime slice. Then dip in salt. Easy peasy!

While you enjoy your margaritas, consider something else that makes you warm and fuzzy: custom made goodies made just for you! Something about the thought that I'm the only one who has it, that is was made just for me, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. That's just why I made this pendant, to show how something as simple as a beloved photo can become a work of art you can wear everyday! Just look how I went from this picture (taken on my cell phone of Lady when she was a puppy):

To this:

Get yours today!! Only $20 includes digital alteration of your photo, pendant, 18" ball chain necklace and drawstring canvas bag to keep it all in! Click here to see more!

Have a lovely super hot weekend! xoxo

Feeling Squirrelly?

2008-07-10T13:44:00.004-05:00

As promised, I have kitschy new jewelry, some of which features my furry yard rat favorite:

I also have gas pumps, jukeboxes, and more! Stay tuned or visit my etsy shop for more! xoxo

features and custom tattoos

2008-07-09T10:35:00.004-05:00

I have been selected as a featured illustrator and artist for the month of July on Sqwigga-zine, an online zine. Check it out!! Today I am showcasing some of my drawings and custom tattoo designs.

paint it black

2008-07-08T14:58:00.003-05:00

When you have black, you don't need the "new black". Always classic, goes with anything, and can be edgy and rock and roll, or simple. My new black pendants are handcut from rigid, thick plastic to stand up to wear and tear. So beat 'em up. As long as the only thing black and blue is what you're wearing, not your friends.

Drink of the Week

2008-07-04T13:39:00.003-05:00

I've decided since I'm not bartending right now (see blog entry- My Bar Burned Down), that all the recipes I had should go to good use. So today is the first of my new TGIF drink of the week feature. Since we're on a squirrel kick this week, I bring you the Pink Squirrel. Named presumably for the almond-flavored, red-colored creme de noyaux that turns pink when mixed with cream, this creamy choco-nutty delight is perfect for dessert! Just take 1 oz creme de noyaux, 1 oz creme de cacao, and 1 oz heavy cream or half and half, shake with ice and serve straight up . Enjoy! Happy Fourth of July!!

Tales from the technology darkside and crazy hair

2008-07-03T11:14:00.003-05:00

Technology hates me. I spent all day yesterday hating Vista, hating Nikon, and hating Sony. Trying to figure out who, ultimately, is responsible for everything technological breaking on me when I want it the most. Bill Gates? Nah, I don't even think he works anymore (don't send me hate mail, I could be wrong). Whoever it is, my internet keeps kicking me off when I am on IM or trying to upload something, my computer keeps freezing up (thanks, Vista), yesterday my camera kept freezing up when I had to take 100 product shots, and my Sony phone keeps doing this thing where anything involving sound doesn't work (which turns out, is everything on a phone).

So what's a girl to do to keep herself occupied when technology fails her? Shave her friend's hair, of course! That's right, my artistic outlet of the day was the mohawk I gave Zak:

Oh, and some new sweet cutout black plastic pendants I made, like this one:

Luckily, the art part of my brain wasn't made by Microsoft.

It's Squirrel-riffic!

2008-07-02T12:57:00.004-05:00

I am sort of retarded for squirrels. I don't know why, but I adore them. My dad calls them yard rats, especially when shooting at them with a paintball gun (which, I admit, can be funny, when you see a squirrel or rabbit run by with a neon pink splat on the side, because that usually means dear old dad is nearby). Yard rats or not, they are too cute for words and fun to watch. My dog agrees. Lady spends the better part of her day watching them through the window. Of course her mouth is watering, too, although I'm sure she wouldn't eat my little friends. Not my dog.

I have also always wanted a stuffed squirrel, as in from the taxidermist, to put somewhere in my house. Again, I don't know why, since I'm sort of scared by other mounted heads and the like. I have wanted one since even before I saw it on Funny Farm, with Chevy Chase, although his wife understood the coolness factor of a stuffed squirrel. I have looked extensively for years for just the right one, like I am shopping for a puppy. I know, its weird. However, not until good ol' ebay rolled along did I start finding what I was searching for. Now its partly a matter of price, since even I cannot rationalize spending a hundred dollars for a stuffed and mounted squirrel. I have found some instructions to do it myself:

Although I am just not sure I am quite country enough to do it. You can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl. Living in Kentucky has made me braver, to be sure, "what, that little ol' bug? Stop crying, and kill it, for pity's sake" but stuff my own squirrel? I don't know. Besides, I kind of want to pretend it wasn't just running around, having a great day before Pow! it gets gunned down in the name of art. I'd like to think that my squirrel died of natural causes. How can I think that if I have to get the squirrel myself? I keep waiting for one to drop dead of old age on my front porch, but so far, no luck.

Besides, I kind of want one that looks like he might shoot back:

Lil' Rush

2008-06-30T20:04:00.002-05:00

I went and saw Rush this weekend. My favorite part of the show? As always, Rush puts on a rockin' show with crazy cool lights and things going on to watch. Their new tour has South Park in their own band, Lil' Rush, doing their version of "Tom Sawyer". What none of us could figure out, though, is it from an actual episode? We have about two thirds of our DVR filled with South Park episodes, so we should know this. If you know, please tell me!!

Happy Accidents and Cupcake Thieves

2008-06-27T14:08:00.006-05:00

It was about midnight when I went sleepily to the medicine cabinet to take a couple Benadryl before turning in for the night. Drowsily, I looked down at the counter where the cupcakes for a Hannah Montana cupcake guitar I was doing sat. "Funny," I thought, "it looked like more before." I counted them-21. I needed 24. I baked 24. I was tired, but sure I made 24. I counted the tins to make sure. Yep, two pans of twelve means 24 cupcakes. I counted the cupcakes again. Somehow three had gone missing, and I needed these frosted and ready to pick up first thing in the morning. Never mind that Lady was looking at me like this the whole time I baked them:

She couldn't have eaten them. Not my puppy! Besides, there was not one shred of evidence, no wrapper, or even so much as a stray crumb around.

I woke up Josh. Why would he eat them? How could he do this to me? Its midnight, I'm out of eggs, and I need three cupcakes.

Me: "Did you eat any cupcakes?"

Josh (still asleep): "Cupcakes? Who has cupcakes? What's a cupcake?"

Me: "They're gone! Vanished! What am I supposed to do now?"

Josh (waking up, sighs heavily): "C'mon, let's go to Paducah"

Because the nearest place to buy eggs in the middle of the night is apparently half an hour away, and I have the husband of the year, who is actually willing to make that drive.

Well, as it turned out, Josh didn't eat my cupcakes. I should've known that- he hates cake. What can I say? I was half asleep and not thinking straight either. I also wouldn't hear of driving a hour round trip for eggs, so I improvised. Serendipity stepped in, and my solution was good ol' fashioned Rice Crispy Treats. Here's what I ended up with, a half Rice Crispy Treat and half cupcake Hannah Montana guitar:

I was never so glad to see an order leave my house.

New Butterfly Jewelry

2008-06-25T13:54:00.003-05:00

Butterflies are always popular. I have a certain obsession with them; something about them fascinates me. The newest of my butterflies:

New Turquoise Jewelry!!

2008-06-24T15:54:00.003-05:00

After alot of requests for turquoise jewelry at craft shows, I have spent the last few months searching high and low for the best, top quality turquoise to incorporate into my jewelry. As they started to show up in my mailbox, I bagan to hoard and covet "my precious" until inspiration hit. Well, that day was yesterday, and I have (and will continue all week) to list new high quality sterling silver necklaces and earrings in my shop. Here are some of my favorites:

Be sure to visit my shop to see what else is new, and for my blog readers, this week only, enjoy free shipping on orders over $10 with the coupon code: DASSHIP01

Enter the coupon code into "message to seller" in checkout and wait for a revised invoice before paying. Happy shopping! xoxo