Isn't she lovely?

She started out with a lace jumpsuit . . . that just made me laugh.

From there she had to get all dressed up!

After looking at these pictures again . . . I may have to add some sandals.

 

back to school surprise . . . doodles . . . and the force

 I received a wonderful "Back to School" surprise in the mail this week from Lorraine at Paper Vernissage.  I can't wait to put this peace sign fabric and Day of the Dead buttons to use.  Thank you so much Lorraine!  A few years ago I stumbled upon another blog that Lorraine kept . . . each Friday she would post about something that happened at the school where she worked.  We may live on opposite coasts . . . and very different parts of the country, but some things are the same.  I would find myself laughing every Friday with my principal over her stories.  I miss that blog . . . but enjoy following her at Paper Vernissage.  

 Just a few August doodles . . . most of them unfinished it seems. 

I guess I have been busier than I realized.  

Yes, these are August doodles . . . with the Sanderson Sisters - I tend to get into the spirit of Halloween rather early.   I suppose it is too early to start decorating though.

Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.

Hmm.  In the end, cowards are those who follow the dark side.

Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.

When you look at the dark side, careful you must be. 

 For the dark side looks back.

Do or do not.  There is not try.

Fear is the path to the dark side.  Fear leads to anger.  

Anger leads to hate.  Hate leads to suffering.

Happy Wednesday!

October Happy Mail . . .

Last week I was expecting a package from the zombie doll swap that I had joined.  I was so excited when it arrived with  Woodstock Wendy and all her goodies . . . but yesterday I was not expecting anything and what a surprise when our mailbox had not one, but two packages waiting for me.

 I recognized that familiar blue flying pig tape.  That box was from Lorraine - Paper Vernissage  

 Filled with fun little paper pockets . . . which may just be cut and folded into paper cranes.  

 Lorraine makes the most beautiful cards.  This skeleton is cut out of paper and the coloring underneath is wonderful.  She said she was experimenting with some powdered watercolors.  The experiment was a success!

I love it . . . 

. . . and everything else! 

Stickers . . . ribbons . . . a lovely lavender sachet . . . . munchies . . . a book mark . . . 

I will probably wear that day of the dead bracelet throughout the whole year!

Thank you Lorraine! 

 . . . and then another box.  This one was from my zombie doll partner Val - Yarnigras.  I could not have been more surprised.  She said she had forgotten the Halloween goodies in my first package.  Oh how I love Halloween goodies.  This little Frankenstein pin cushion will find a spot on my sewing desk (too cute just for Halloween)

  . . . a cute owl timer

. . . a beautiful handmade scarf.  The colors are perfect for this time of year!

. . . and look at this Day of the Dead apron! 

 I was just looking at all the wonderful Day of the Dead fabrics in the store this week.  I have always been interested and liked the tradition of Day of the Dead . . .

 but I also think for me . . . it is all the colors. My three year old granddaughter looked and it and told me, "That's really cool." . . . and it is!

Thank you so much ladies!!!! 

You not only surprised me . . . your thoughtfulness touched my heart!

Day of the Dead coffee mugs . . .

I have to show off my new coffee mugs that our friends Dennis and Linda gave me this weekend.

They are made by Crafty Chica with products from iLoveToCreate.

I am so excited . . . Not my first skull coffee mug . . . but one cannot have too many skull coffee mugs this time of year.  

LOVE * LOVE * LOVE them!

Today . . . 8.11.15

I picked up a Day of the Dead votive candle today . . . and decided that I had painted on my skull enough to call it good.  I added a few rhinestone stickers and can't wait to decorate with it this October.  I picked up the candle holder at Pier1 this afternoon.  My friend had been in there and was anxious to tell me that they had their Fall/Halloween decorations out.  I hate that they rush holidays so.  Halloween decorations are my favorite, but I truly think August is way to early to have items on display.  Even worse . . .  there were Halloween decorations on display at Michael's in July.  Don't even get me going about Christmas.  I understand why they do this . . . but I do not have to like it.  I do like my new candle holder and my skull . . . and a few other things that I bought today . . . but I think I will wait until October to post about those.

This is my first week back at work after Summer Break.  I don't always look forward to going back  to work (which I believe is completely normal), but it also is always exciting to go back.  It doesn't matter that I am an adult . . . there is nothing like the first day of school . . . or the first day of Summer vacation.  I can't enjoy that first day of Summer vacation until we start all over again . . . . . 

I am busy, and a little tired, and motivated, and irritated, and regretting just a little bit not doing more work while I was off this summer, BUT . . .

•  I love being busy.  I actually function best when I am facing deadlines and working in chaos. 
• I have a husband who nags me to get enough rest when I get over tired.  I listen a little more than I used to.
•  The motivation just carries over into everything I do, whether I am at work or at home.  Who knows . . . I may paint my bathroom the week that school starts.  
• Irritated . . . yes, but that never lasts long with me . . . and it takes a whole lot to really bother me. 
• Regret . . . not even worth it.  I can't change yesterday.  

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . . dark and still very warm

I am thinking . . . that today has been a great day.
I am thankful for . . . a husband who nags me to take care of myself - If only I would listen.
From the kitchen . . . rice bowls with pineapple chicken.  

I am wearing . . . cut off sweats and a cami

I am creating . . . the Day of the Dead skull that I just finished . . . and lots of art journal pages.

I am going . . . to stay up way to late tonight - I can already tell.

I am reading . . . Paper Cranes, by Cheryl Koenigs

I am hoping . . . that my wrist feels better soon.  I injured it about a week ago.  It actually feels worse even though I have been icing it regularly and keeping it braced.  

I am hearing . . . Dean Martin

Around the house . . . sleeping cat, shopping bags filled with Halloween decorations, candles & incense, a big pot of decaf coffee.

One of my favorite things . . . a small metal hanging sculpture I bought in Cambri (A heart with wings).  I need to take a picture of that.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . work, work, and more work

From my picture journal . . .

 PEACE!

painting with Stella . . .

There isn't anything that she doesn't get involved in.

I'm having fun painting my Day of the Dead Skull.  It is taking awhile to finish.  I paint a little bit . . . then have to wait for those parts to dry.  In the mean time I get busy doing something else.  I am starting to add some detail.  Luke pulled this skull out of a throw away bin outside a Halloween store a few years back.  It is sort of bumpy which makes it a little hard to paint, but I like how it is turning out.  I will definitely paint some more of these . . . once I find more skulls. 

Dia de los Muertos

I still have a ways to go with this . . . but I like how it is coming along.

Such an easy fun project.  I think I need to get some more skulls.

Dia de los Muertos

I'm not sure when I became fascinated with this custom.  I'm sure my fascination is tied into how much I enjoy Halloween.  But I have enjoyed Halloween for years . . . for as long as I can remember really.  My interest in Dia de los Muertos has come about more recent.  I love the colors, flower and other decorations, and the whole idea of why people create altars to honor their loved ones.  Last week Richard and I went to see a local Day of the Dead art exhibit.  It was small . . . but we really enjoyed it.  Well, I really enjoyed it . . . I don't think Richard necessarily would have gone without me, but he seemed to enjoy it because I did.  We were lucky enough to have the director walk through part of the exhibit with us and he explained who some of the altars were made for and gave us some more information on some of the artists.  

Day of the Dead