Taking shape-changing ideas and altered directions part 2

Another Brooch, another direction.

Blogger is eating my comments!

Blogger is eating some of my comments. I am not able to post them. I went in to the forums to find an answer and it seems a lot of others are having the same problems.
Yesterday it was pictures and today it is this. I appreciate your comments so much and I am not ignoring you if you are not posted. I have written to the couple of people whose comments have been eaten, but if I can not get back to you by a link through your comment, I am sorry. This is the error code I am getting.
 bX-gc7okd

I found this on the forums from Lord Belmont, he has had this problem for a couple of days.

"I am still encountering difficulty with readers' comments. I have taken action forthwith, though I'd be obliged if any comments sent today could be re-sent. Thank you.

AKA bX-gc7okd

I have made the operator, Google Blogger, aware of this fault; and, to date, they have taken no action to remedy the matter."

There is a gremlin in blogland!! and it eats comments for dinner.

Taking shape-changing ideas and altered directions

While I am working on my Iron Angels, many pictures as well as ideas come in to my head and then the designs expand from there. I am having a great deal of fun playing in this steampunky place! I also think that this play will in turn reflect back on my angels when I make another one of those.

To me this is like doodling or journaling, but not writing or drawing the images, but actually making them.

I used to think I wasn't doing it right if I made things this way. Now I realize that it just might be the way ideas develop for me.

The only thing really wrong with it is that you end up with tons of pieces. 

This is one of the brooches that came from that play!

Here are the angels.

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/03/iron-angels-1.html

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/03/iron-angel-2.html

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/03/iron-angel-3.html

http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/03/iron-angel-4.html

Monday Updates 2

*UPDATED AGAIN*

Flor Larios is having a give away! http://www.florlariosart.com/2010/03/it-is-time-for-giveaway.html

"I will be giving a custom made wood block!!! You can choose your favorite image. Isn't that cool?

I will be announcing the winner April 8th."

Thank you Flor, I love your art! Top right hand corner is the one I want!

Marzel is having a couple of giveaways at the Play of Light and Shadow http://theplayoflightandshadow.blogspot.com/

Day of the dead panties (you know you need these!)

and the Easter giveaway is for a pair of Jack Skellington Briefs size 14-18. (just as cool)
The are other very cool things in both these giveaways.

Way to go Marzel, both awesome giveaways.

Jaz at October Farm's dog Teddy is having a giveaway.

A cut glass divided dish and a cute pressed glass oval dish.

There is also a recipe for some awesome pasta!

http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-giveaway-and-great-easter-recipe.html

Thank you Jaz for being such a generous human and thank you Teddy for having such great taste.

*UPDATE*
Ends on the 31st, hurry!!!

Mrs.B is having a giveaway sponsored by Moonstone Jewelry. Here is what I want.

"But I definitely found the ring that was just perfect for me. Aaaaaand, Moonstone Jewelry was kind enough to sponsor a giveaway for this week! The winner of this giveaway will get either their choice of any item that is $50 or less OR a coupon code for $50 off any item! Here's what you need to do to enter:

Read more: http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/2010/03/moonstone-jewelry-review-and-giveaway.html#ixzz0jbm42t1R
**UPDATED**

Pattee at Odd-dolls http://odd-dolls.blogspot.com/  is having a giveaway too and I almost missed it. I can not believe it. You have to hurry, she is picking the winner tomorrow 03/31/10
Get a move on.  
"Mitsty is a jointed doll and sort of primitive. She has vintage lace and vintage flower (and one that I made myself).... So please join in this giveaway..."

Do not forget to visit last week's update, some of those giveaways may still be going on. http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/03/monday-updates.html

 Also come back to this post through out the week because I do updates, if there are any!

As always, if I missed your giveaway and I follow you, I did not mean to. Let me know and I will post it for you!

Happy Birthday my loves

Today is my mother in laws Birthday. She would have been 80 years old. She died from breast cancer on February 2nd, 2010.

My MIL was smart, a strong and loving woman, and a little psychic.

My MIL was also blatantly honest and expressed her opinion, whether you liked it or not.

Today is Renee Kahn's http://www.circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/  Birthday. She would have been 54 years old and she also died from breast cancer on March 9th, 2010.

Renee was strong, a smart and loving woman, and a little psychic.

Renee was also blatantly honest and expressed her opinion, whether you liked it or not.

Thank you ladies for your time and friendship, you are loved and dearly missed.

Happy Birthday!

Iron Angel #4

This is my favorite Angel so far

Iron Angel 3

This is my 3rd Iron angel but she was done 2nd! They are so confused.

And I found a piece that I did between 1999-2001. I loved this piece, but I antiqued it with Ne-Opaque Black recently and I now love it even more. It even has Friendly Plastic in it!

I didn't know this was called Steampunk then. I think it fits real well in that category.

Also I think this is so worth reading. It is from one of my favorite people, Mother Moon http://mothermoonsmessage.blogspot.com/ . The wonderful words and wisdom is titled "Positive Attitude"

The small piece here is just the beginning.

"There is always something positive in any situation. Sometimes it is hard to see the silver lining that may be so faint that the darkness of the clouds that it encircles keeps you from focusing on it. Yet still it is present. Sometimes it is not immediate that you are blessed with the goodness of a situation. Sometimes it can take time… Sometime it can take years….. Sometimes you may never see it… yet it is still present. Sometimes the gain is not necessarily for you, yet for another. Who through your trial and manner in which you handle and work through it, are inspired in an area of their lives to do likewise."

On that brilliant note, onward and upward my pretties!!

Soar!

Monday updates

*****Updates Below*****
~~~~scroll down~~~~
I have some stuff to share, These are some of my blog buddies that are having giveaways on their blogs. Thought I would let you know so you do not miss them. If I missed anyone let me know and I will add you. At this point I am sooooooooooooo far behind. With no hope of catching up. I just might throw in the towel and start in the beginning again. So if missed you I am so so so sorry.

Nicole Beadwright http://beadwright.blogspot.com/

Gorgeous bead gourd by Nicole!

Moriah at MLB Studios http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com/

Moriah makes Goth tiny tiny!!

Jaz at October Farms http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/

This weeks Teddy's Treats Giveaway consists of this milk glass covered compote and three embroidered doilies.
Jaz gives away great food recipes all of the time.

*Update*

Susan at a Walk in the park http://awalkinthepark-susan.blogspot.com/

Is having a giveaway on her other blog Let's loose weight this year http://myyearlongplan.blogspot.com/

With a review and this as the giveaway

I could really use this one!

**Update Update**

Jolly Jonty at Darkside creations has little giveaway going on http://darksidecreations.blogspot.com/

Here is your chance to win a troll screamer

Scroll down on his blog and info is in the right hand column

Check out Jonty's amazing creations

***Update Update Update***

Jan over at Lucy's Baby http://lucysbaby.blogspot.com/

is having a giveaway.

She also has some funky vintage pieces she is selling, check them out.

I have been tagged by Moonwolf

Why, you may ask is there a Cowboy Santa and Indian elves on my blog in march?  I have been tagged. By Moonwolf at Howling at the moon http://moonwolfhowling.blogspot.com/
I owe you one! LOL!!!

 Rules:
I have to open the first file in my picture folder.

Scroll to the 10th photo

Post the photo and tell the story behind it
Link to the person that tagged you.

Tag five more people
and let them know.

I have to tell you about this photo:
I made this for friends for Christmas. I have made a Santa for them for at least half of the years I have know them, which is twenty five years. Jim and Jodi are our Howard's and I's best friends. My kids even call them Aunt Jodi and Uncle Jimmy. Jim is a avid follower of the great American west,  Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, and Tombstone. I had already done a Scottish Santa, Rambo Claus, a mooning Santa, a Santa tea pot, Santa ornaments, Don Diego Santa, Santa Basket, Traditional Santa, and every other Santa thing I could think of.

Thus the next in line, Cowboy Santa.

Now I have to tag five others.
Bobbi at The bead goes on http://bobbianncook.blogspot.com/
Beth at Belles an Beaus Crafts http://bellesanbeauscrafts.blogspot.com/
Jo at Floraeme http://floraeme.blogspot.com/
Donna at So Dark So Cute http://sodarksocute.blogspot.com/
JoyceAnn at Feather Spirits http://feather-spirits.blogspot.com/
Tag you are it!!!
Happy Spring Everyone!!

Iron Angel 2

Iron Angel #2

Another angel from the Iron Angel Series.

This is the first one I made and I like her very much!

You know that feeling you get when you make something and you could care less whether anyone else likes it or not and then possession (I mean obsession) sets in?

She is more monochromatic in color.

This is what got me making more of them.

I am using the antique gold, glamour black and silver Cernit here.

http://www.clayfactory.net/cernit/cernitg2.html

Iron Angels 1

I have been playing with something lately and I am obsessed and wanted to share.  I save my broken watches, I buy watch pieces, I collect small parts, and I love to look at them. I bought some when Amaco used to sell them. I have been doing this for years. I even bought some when my guild did a bulk buy on watch parts, twice. I thought to myself, why am I buying more of these? I have tons of them.

I feel my supply is very small now. How fast things can change. In the blink of an eye I went to a different attitude. I call them Iron angels.

I made this heart in the beginning of 2008
I like it, but????

 Until lately I have not done a very good job of incorporating them in to my pieces.

I feel this might have changed a bit. 

More to come.

King Eggbert Omlet

King Eggbert Omlet by Pattee

Pattee from Odd dolls is a sweet woman. I got this is in the mail from her. She knew I was feeling bad.

I love him and I named him and he sits on my stack (disregard all of the chaos in the background, all of you clean studio people) and watches over all of my doings. I look up and Eggbert (we are on first name basis now, kings are people too) smiles down on me and all is well with the world again.

Thank you Pattee, I love you and Eggbert!

Pattee's blog: http://odd-dolls.blogspot.com/

Pattee's etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pattee

Pattee's ning where she teaches classes: http://odd-dolls-fun.ning.com/

And Pattee's Travelling Gypsy Caravann: http://www.travelinggypsycaravann.blogspot.com/

Please visit Pattee, she is a good soul.

My third winner OWOH- Li from My thoughts my voice

Li from the blog My Thoughts my Voice http://mythoughtsmyvoice.wordpress.com/ is my third winner.

She is another angel out in blogland that loves to do all kinds of crafts, but her love of crochet has come back to her and she is exploring it again and enjoying it very much!

She loves to read a good book when she has time.

She picked the colors yellow, blue, and pink because they are happy colors. I never would have used these colors in one of my angels with out someone requesting them and I am so glad that Li did.

I am very happy with the results on this angel, she is happy!

Li also asked if I would put something on there that represented me. I loved that, I thought it was unusual, but I was flattered that she wanted me on there. So for you Li I have added the California sun for happy days and a sunny heart where ever you may go. I have also added the flowers I make in the color that compliment your angel because I love making them and right now they do represent me and the place my work is at right now! Li your angel is done with a silver colored 16 gauge wire formed into and angel body and wrapped with a silver color 24 gauge wire. Her face is done in a flesh tone Cernit clay, and is adorned with a yellow Cernit crown with pink hearts all the way around. She also has a halo of wired on citrine and quartz chunks. Citrine for clarity and creativity and quartz for protection and positive energy.  The wings are made from pink, blue, and yellow Cernit and the wings, face, sun and heart are washed with Pewter Lumiere. I made you a good book so you will always have one on hand and two balls of yarn and a crochet hook to take where ever you go. Li I hope you like your angel, she is filled with love for you and positive thoughts.

Thank you so much for giving me a chance to do something I wouldn't have done.

I have learned so much!    

My sweet little Madi is One

I have been away, Happy Daylight Saving Time and Monday!

 I have been cooking and helping with Madi's 1 st birthday party.

There were 15 toddlers, 25 parents, cousins, grandmas, grandpa, aunts and uncles.

The noise was high, the chasing continuous, the eating non-stop, balloons and helium fun (that was the parents), laughter (lots of that), cake (a special cake for the Birthday girl, made by her Great Aunt J), poopy diapers, spilled food, pizza, bottles, pictures, toys, clothes, and Oh the dishes!

It has been a crazy year. This little girl came in to our lives in March, she was and is all that is good in life.

She taught us how to be happy again.

She helped us remember our girls being young.

She brought us all together as a family again.

She is sunshine on cloudy days.

She likes to have fun!

She has a sense of freshness that she shares with all of us.

She is a little girl with big dreams and we love her.

Happy Birthday Madi, we love you so much!

Renee, rest in peace my pretty!

Renee

Rest my pretty, rest!

I am so glad you are not in pain in more.

I am.

I will be fine eventually.

You have touched my life so deeply and I will miss the moments we had together.

Thank you for everything you gave me.

Love

Kindness

Friendship

Friends

Truth

Confidence

Caring

Beauty

Real

Thought

Trust

BLD

Companionship

Insight

Experience

Knowledge

Bravery

Faith

Understanding

Awareness

etc

I owe you big time

See you on the flip side.

I love you!

xoxoxo

My first winner OWOH- Debbi from Diamond Grove

Debbi from the blog Diamond Grove http://diamondgrove.blogspot.com/ is my first winner and this is her Angel. She loves fall and anything to do with fall.

She wanted an angel and is an angel from what I can see on her blog and the small amount I have talked to her.

She calls her children "Diamonds in the rough" and posts on thursdays something she calls "thankful thursdays" (How beautiful is this? I love it) .

She loves to craft and is happily married with 3 little angels in training.

Debbi also plays with the clay and I am so happy this little angel is going home to her. Her angel is filled with inspiration to aid her in her love of crafts, home, and gratitude.

Check out Debbi, my 1st angel (I mean my 1st OWOH winner) and her blog Diamond Grove - Debbi says "where I am surrounded by people and things that help me shine".

Debbi's angel is adorned with a crown of acorns, has a heart and wings hand sculpted of antique gold cernit washed in black ne-opaque paint to bring out the details, the face is molded from my own mold made from one of my original sculpts and is gold cernit washed in black ne-opaque for definition, and the angel also sports the hand sculpted fall harvest symbols with a one off scarecrow to chase away any fears that Debbi may find. It is made with gun metal 16 gauge artistic wire and the hand sculpted Cernit pieces are attached with 24 gauge artistic wire.

I too, adore a fun fall piece and this was a pleasure to make. I hope you like it Debbi.

Goodnight my Pretty- I love you Renee, welcome home.

I had closed this to comments because of my pain. I didn't feel I could answer the love. I realized it is not just my pain and I need the love.

Renee is making her journey home. I love you my pretty. Thank you so much for the time and care that you gave me so willingly. Thank you for your encouragement and candor. Thank you for your humor and friendship. Thank you for showing me what grace is. Thank you for showing me what courage is.

Thank you for showing me how to believe in my self.

I am forever better having met you.

I hear in the distance a voice so familiar.

"Hellooooooo......Renee! We have been waiting for you. I know it is hard to leave those you love. You can sit and watch over them here. We have missed  you so much my dear and have been so eager to have you home again. The world begins and ends with you. You are so cherished and loved here. The sun rises and sets with your breath. Take my hand, come with me... your pain is over but your love is stronger than ever now." 

Nita's Angel and the 10th giveaway

OK, I am trying to get my rear end back in gear. 1st off I am sending you all a sunny day.

02/02/10 3:00pm PST
Southern California

same time, same place

One of the reasons I love where I live. I am so sorry you have to deal with all the snow. Remind me of why I love living here when you are having a beautiful green summer and we are at the end of the summer and having fires and everything is brown. It might be a 115 sometimes, but it is a dry heat.

As Renee would say "har har har"!

Any thing over 100 degrees is just plain hot, dry or humid in my opinion.

  I finally finished my 10th giveaway winner, Nita's, angel.

Nita has her own blog Needle pulling thread

http://www.needlepullingthread.blogspot.com/

check it out.

Remember this?

Nita left almost everything up to me on this one.

And this is what it looks like now.

I hope you like it Nita.

I love how the backgrounds set the mood for the piece.

She is winging her way to you.