Sweet Sweet Life

bird homes

A while back I was admiring the birdcages made by Alicia Paulson, and loving them.  But I wanted more.  So I got to work, and here's what I came up with:

   

I prefer to call them bird homes, as the birds live outside the cages, and do quite a bit of decorating.  My thinking as I put all the stuff in them was that the birds had flown out and gathered all these items, like little magpies, and brought it all back for thier casas.  The one above is mine, and I also made one for the girls...

 

...and one for my mom (this one is hard to see, too, as it is in front of a mirror--it's not quite as full as it looks!)...

   

Each bird has a name.  I know, I need a life...But they were very fun to make and satisfying in a silly way.  I do see, though, that they need a good dusting (welcome to my world).

It's a beautiful day here in San Diego--supposed to be in the eighties and not a cloud in sight.  So, I'm not going to spend any more time at the computer (ha! we'll see how long that lasts!) and am going to spend some time (outside) with Jared and the girls.

Have a lovely, inspiring day!

great things

 

To help you (and me) end your week on a happy note, I'd like to share this piece I made for my daughter, Olivia.  It has a clay base and is covered in vintage book paper, and I was lucky enough to find a book with a main charactor with her name!  Here is the quote that's on the bottom:

   

...something I want her always to remember.  The world is filled with great things, and it is up to us to focus on them, and to create more...

Have a weekend filled with all great things!...

houses, part deux

Yay!  I love it when the mail is fun!...This came today, and it is even sweeter in person:

 

It's from this shop at etsy that I told you about.  I know, again with the houses.  But I do love 'em.  Here's a few more around our place that I don't think I've shown you:

     

A tiny painting, by me.  And here's a l-a-r-g-e one, also by me.  We live on a street called Copper Penny Drive, which explains the bottom of the painting:

 

And here's a few more that I've picked up along the way:

   

And, just in case you were wondering:  why, yes I do color co-ordinate my books!  Is there any other way to organize?

  

Okay, even I am getting a little tired of houses now.  But, if you're new to the "neighborhood" (tee,hee), please check the last post for give-away information!  Cheers!

man, my head hurts...

   

...but imagine how she feels...

Poor Jared, the first time he saw this display, he nearly freaked out.  It was...shall we say... a little unusual, in his veiw.  But at least he had been prepared previously by this:

 

I don't know, I just think they're super.  And now, for the full complement of body parts:

 

He's a good sport, that man.  A Very Good Sport.  And my kids?  How do they deal with my wacky tastes?  Bless their little hearts, they don't even bat an eyelash.  Sofie will come home from school, see a head sitting in a bowl, and simply say, "So, I see you found a new doll head, Momma!"  Poor things, they don't know any different...

But, let's get crack-a-lackin', because I've got lots to share.  First of all, some new earrings that will either be going to Paper Tales, or going in my shop next week.  (I know, there's no merchandise there, but I'm just too excited!)
   

A new design (above)...

 

 

 

 

And finally, some new necklaces:

 

This one, and...

   

THIS one.  Whew!!!

And, last, a painting that I'm taking up to a customer that has been waiting for it since...what is it?  October?  Yes, October.  I'm taking it today.  (Thank you Penny and Lisa!)

 

And, I think that's it!  But don't forget, I'm giving away this next Wednesday:

 

Well, not this one exactly (this one's mine!) but one very similar with your own choice of letters for it.  Please leave a comment before next Tuesday evening to be entered in the drawing!

Have a lovely day...(Hey, what do you know?  My head-ache is gone!  Sweet.)

a few birds

I havn't shown any bird paintings lately.  That's because I havn't done any lately.  Not since before Christmas.  But here are a few that I have here because my family asked that we keep 'em around.

 

"New Stockings," which hangs in Olivia's room because it matches her color scheme (and she just "dug" the silliness of it!)

   

This one's in Sofie's room.  It's her and "her sister YaYa."

 

And one of my all time faves.  I actually had this for sale at Paper Tales, until one day when Sofie asked me why I was selling that picture of me and her dad (oops).  So, I took it home.  And now I love it more than ever!  (This is an extreme close-up--it is actually 6x6".)

How do you like the new blog design?  It will get better, but I'm liking it lots!  Have a wonderful day.

loving these

   

So instead of cleaning my clothes up off the floor or sweeping up crumbs or doing a load or two of laundry, I made these.  It only took a few minutes, actually, but I was so excited about them that I couldn't spoil the good vibes by doing something yucky.  These are just a simple earring, but I made them with some awesome vintage buttons, and I don't remember where I got them.  I just know they are so darn great I can't stand it.  Do you see that one is a girl and one is a boy?  Do you?!

Okay, okay.  I'll go feed the children.  Good-BYE.

life is good

I found a delightful store at etsy yesterday and it provided the perfect antidote to yesterday's post. ("Blah, blah, blah...") The profile for this seller (I don't know her name!) lists this wonderful bit that I have adopted as my manifesto: 

I think everyone should Make Something Every Day.  Make Your Bed.  Make Cookies.  Make Time For Fun.  Make Someone Happy.  Make Yourself Happy...Make Some Art!

It's.  That.  Easy.  It's about FUN!  If it's not fun, art-wise, then for me, there's no point in doing it.  And I forget that.  Once I forget that the whole process is what's important, not the result, then I lose my way.  So, thank you, The Little Red Door!  (Don't miss her little houses--one will be showing up at my house soon!)

And, after all, who could be worried when they get to be with these sweeties every day?

Life is good.  Now, Go Make Something!