Happy Monday

Did you have a nice Mother's day and at least spend time with your family, furry or otherwise?
Family is such a broad term these days.
There are many ways to translate that word.
Interpret it the way that makes you happy, makes you whole, and makes you... family!!
Love is the bottom line.
It is OK to make your own.

I worked a lot over the weekend.



Makin's Clay cutter sets

 I edited pictures and finished the MOM plaque I put up on the blog yesterday. I worked on the Etsy stores and loaded up a ton of stuff in The Hoarders Closet. Some pearl-ex sets and a cutter set with 7 Makin's clay cutter sets. Some more findings.




Pearl-ex powders, a versatile artist's tool. Mix with gum arabic to make your own paints, lacquer, liquid clay, and resins.
They can also be brushed right on to the surface of raw clay!
The possibilities are endless.


I took and edited the pictures for those too. I have to do as much as I can on the weekend. So much for sleeping till noon and doing absolutely nothing, LOL!



These are the interference colors. They are like magic and the color they are shows up best on black but they will let any color they are painted over give them a different cast!
They are great for painters and will make awesome highlights in eyes and on lips.



Yesterday Madi, me and the hubs and my two girls went out to lunch for mom's day.
Killer Pizza from Mars, yum, good pizza and nice people and great big huge salads. It was nice, they even made me a gluten free pizza no crust, sauce, cheese and pepperoni. It was so good but a lot of cheese and pepperoni. I won't eat a ton of those and if I do, I will definitely have to add a ton of veggies. It was yummy, and I got to eat "Pizza" with everyone else.
My daughter said that is probably what most people do, add a ton of veggies. I just thought I would get the pizza I like.
How can it get any better than this?
I love pepperoni pizza, so much that I will even eat what most consider bad pepperoni pizza, I do prefer the good kind though. Being on a gluten free diet has definitely put a cramp in that one.
Except for Udi's pizza crusts I would never get to eat pizza and now I have another alternative available.
It was a good day, and I had a blast with my family.
I am still not feeling the best.
Getting better everyday though.
Have a great week!!

How are you all doing out there?

How are you all doing?
I myself have been travelling on the OWOH flight trying to visit all the blogs and meeting new people, artists and bloggers here.
Whether you have a blog or not it is a great list of blogs and people that are participating this year and you never know you may even want to try this out too, you still have till the 12th of February. This is the last year for this blog social for Lisa Swifka. This is also a big gift from Lisa with as much work that goes into this.
Thank you again Lisa for all the years you have done this. Thank you so much for this year.
http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/

I did make some little tiny scrapbooks that fit in the palm of your hand, with Jodi and my daughters, OMG, they are so cute and you can just whip them out. They are from Laura Denison's page, Following the Paper Trail!



This one is mine. Spider web border oh yah!



This is my youngest made this one.

And this is Jodi's, she always does a great job.

I have been also recuperating from going to CHA and taking it pretty easy last week I have some videos from there.
I have the Makin's clay Interview Video loaded up on my YouTube channel now.
My YouTube channel.

Also I went to see Madi's last soccer game over the weekend. It was so cute, I mean to tell you, so cute. These little guys are under two years old and playing soccer, well kind of.
I took some videos, but I have to edit them. I hope to have that up soon.

I have been putting a lot of time in to taking pictures and loading up my new Etsy Store, the Hoarders Closet. I have added a link to the right side on this blog.
Handmademom made a steampunk brooch from one of my findings and let me use the picture on my listing, YAY!
Check this out http://www.etsy.com/listing/66667763/10-vintage-shield-silver-tone-brooches

Thank you Handmademom for being so talented, you make the findings look great!!
I appreciate all that have bought and looked, Thank you so much!

I am going to ask you all again to pray for another dear blogger friend of mine. She is going to have surgery on the 25th of February and I need your help to keep her lifted up in the light.
Thank you!!
I know that there is big, big magic and love here in blogland and this lady is very dear to me!!
Have a wonderful weekend everyone and hug one of your family, a tree, a friend, your pet, anything to make you feel connected here.
You are loved!

Happy Dia De Los Muertos

I built this altar to honor our dead. Please feel free to leave your loved one's names on this post.

Blessings all over them. May they be safe and well.

Rosalie, Renee, Clay, Mary, Julie, Jill, Vivian, James, Annie, Chuck, Ila, Marlene, Butter, Gail, Poppy, Irv, Harlan, Herby, Stan, Menasha, Goldie, Sid, Morrie, Fred, Evie, Bazoo

No, Donna you do not have to make another one, and more catch up

I am still having trouble with my back. My friend (sister like buddy) Meredith at MeredithArnold.wordpress.com (also comedian artist, tool junkie for people with bad hands, an amazing travel companion, artists in business advocate, and oh yea, Sharkie Sharks mom) suggested that I use ice for 15 minutes and then heat for 15 minutes.
A couple of times a day.
I had been trying both but not together in sequence. To my amazement, it is working, YAY!! Now that is a HUGE YAY!!! since I have been pretty much on my back for days. Hard to do when you have to chase a crazy and full of energy 17 month old around all day.

Not to mention that it does nothing for my I gotta make something all day long every day or go insane attitude on life. I have felt like a slovenly pig for days now.

Yesterday though, after one day with this regimen, I can move a little again and even type.

So if you have a back ache that feels like someone opened your back at the spine area and is rubbing aluminum wire (Think foil on teeth, yup, that is the feeling) over your spinal nerves and no matter what you do to get comfortable there is no position known to man that you can find to relax for more than a couple of seconds, you might want to try this.

Meredith, I love you and thank you.

It also gives me the chance to be able to connect with all of you again and even sit here and type something out. YAY Again!!! I have missed you all so much!
Able to even do a little shuffle like dance! Wooo whoooooooooo.
Life is incredibly good most of the time, isn't it?

UPDATE!!

I traded with Donna at So Dark, so cute a unzipped bat winged girl for an orphan.
I wanted it made out of polymer clay and she willingly obliged me.
Even though, she said she couldn't do it (HAHA!!)
I am thoroughly in love with my orphan and feel that I got the better end of this deal.
The texture and mottled look of the skin is wonderful and I adore the forlorn look on this girls face, Click on the picture for a larger view.
This is a pendant and she used my favorite colors, green, purple, and orange together.

Isn't she charming? Pretty darn good for some one that couldn't work with polymer clay, huh?
No, Donna you do not have to make another orphan (even though you should). I got mine. She is awesome and I LOVE her.
Donna also has a blog store on line. You want to see it, it is So Dark, So Donna Shop. Slightly macabre, slightly off center, and Oh so Donna!!

Thank you so much Donna for making my dreams come true!!

Also, I was lucky enough to win something from another wonderful blog buddy, Mother Moon.

I have traded with Mother Moon too! Her Jams and Jellies are unbelievable.
Homemade jams and jellies are something I have always wanted to do and learn.
I also enjoy them and love them, the taste is sooooo divine.
My grandmother used to do this and I love that time in my life, so it also brings warm fuzzies to my heart and mind. I would have taken a picture, lol, but those are long gone!

I love Mother Moon's wisdom too, she is an earth mother with a planet consciousness I admire deeply and would love to emulate more fully.

I received a sand dollar, and beach in a bottle with a beautiful box with beachy things on it.
So beautifully crafted with a thoughtful feeling to it also. This giveaway was celebrating her blog being a year old. Congratulations and I wish you many many more.
I am putting this next to my computer so I can go to the beach whenever I want and smell the salt air and feel the sand between my toes.

Thanks to all of you, my dear ones, in this week of unending back pain and crabby attitude that came with it. I smiled hard when these came in the mail and email.

Have a great weekend, my pretties, go out and get a little sun and see the beauty that surrounds you, feel the love that is in your hearts, and create something with no limits.
Play, dance, and hug yourself for me.
All is well, you are perfect.



 

The Wish

The wish below was sent to me by a friend who recommended I send it on to 12 other women who are important to me. I thought the wish is so well worded and is something we should all try to live by that I thought I would send it to you.

"May today there be peace within you. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

Why stop at twelve!

Love and hugs my pretties.

Check out Season Art 1031, she is a member of the Magical Holiday Artists at Etsy on NING.com, me too!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/seasonsart1031
Thanks for the addition to your wonderful treasury, I am so honored to be with such a great group of people.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c10f63478348eef2245b342/enchanting-realm
Remember treasuries only last for a couple of days.
Thanks again for the great and warm welcome.
Post # 300 look for a giveaway soon.

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!

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

Damn you cancer, Damn you!!!

You have taken so many from my life and are about to do it again.

Damn you cancer, damn you.

http://www.circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/

I love you woman!!

"Everything is an illusion after all. It is vapor and dust and smoke and mirrors. However, the love one feels is always true."

Renee from circling her head

Happy Valentine's day and Happy Birthday Honey

You still have a few hours for my OWOH giveaway here http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2010/02/11th-giveaway-one-world-one-heart.html

Happy Valentine's day all of you. Thank you all so much for visiting on the One World One Heart (OWOH)magical mystical blog tour. Thank you to my regular readers for visiting too.

http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/

It is only a few hours till I draw the lucky winners.

It  has been a dramatic week for my whole family.

The loss of our loving mother, mother in law, grandmother, great-grandmother Rosalie, she will be dearly missed by all of us.

My sisters in laws and I, started cleaning out her apartment yesterday and going through so many things, that brought so many memories with them. It was a very bi-polar kind of day.

Up and down and good and bad.

Also My husband Howard's 60th birthday is today, Happy Birthday Honey, I love you dearly.

Valentine's day has never really been a big holiday for me. When your husband has his birthday on Valentine's day, the birthday takes priority, as it rightly should.

I love him 365 so it seems a bit redundant. I say it 365 so...

He is sad and it breaks my heart.

My blog sister friend Renee is also in the hospital and I am worried about her. Please send whatever good thoughts and prayers her way.

http://www.circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/

She also lost her mother last week.

I have been through waves of emotions, up and down over the last couple of weeks. I am tired.

Being in this OWOH http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/

giveaway, has made the difference for me, it has lifted me when I was down and given me something to do, people to meet, to talk to, and many that sent me understanding and so much comfort.

I am so grateful to Lisa Swifka OWOH organizer and conceptualizer. She has done a very good thing, with a very good and clear intent, and lovely way to meet new people and bloggers besides what it has done for me.

So happy Valentine's day to all of you, I love you 365. Thank you all so much, and I am so grateful and thankful for each and every one of you.

My wish for you in 2010

Happy New Year to all of you, I hope that 2010 is the best year you have ever had. I wish that for all of you more than you will ever know.


I got this in an email today and thought it was exactly what I had in mind for all of you… and me too!!!

My Wish for You in 2010

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!

May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy

May the problems you had, forget your home address!

In simple words ............

May 2010 be the best year ever!

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my friends, family, and blog buddies, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May you have warmth in your heart and in your tummy.
Gobble till you wobble!
Love and hugs,
Marie

Faces with names

I love this picture.

That on the right is Carolyn Potter, a very talented polymer clay artist and dear goddess of a woman friend. On the left is me. We are both wearing masks that Carolyn made. Carolyn also works with gourds. She is grounded and loving and I am forever better knowing her. We did not stage this, the clothing was just perfect for the moment and so it was. The picture was taken by another goddess of a woman friend, photographer, writer, and polymer clay artist Cassy Muronaka, her web page is here, http://cassymuronaka.wordpress.com/ , she is well worth the peruse, she has wicked wit and a phenomenal eye. This picture was taken a very long time ago at one of the first Ravensdale events (1996?) in the Northwest for Polymer Clay. The event is run by the Northwest Polymer Clay guild and you can find their information here, http://nwpcg.org/. The Northwest Polymer Clay guild also has a upcoming class with Christi Friesen, her page is here http://www.cforiginals.net/ in Edmonds, Washington this weekend August 8th and 9th at Artworks http://www.artworks-edmonds.org/ where my sister friend, goddess woman, comedian artist, Meredith Arnold works , her web page here, http://mereditharnold.wordpress.com/. Artworks is an awesome resource for artists in the Washington state area.

Ravensdale I remember as being a diamond of a moment in my life and these are diamond women in my life. The way in life is built on connection and is woven in love.

My dearest Jilly

Jilly,
 How are you? How is your Dad doing? Are you having a great time together with out the rest of the kids?
I wanted to write and tell you Happy Birthday, you are 48! Who would have thunk that we would have made it this far, have children of our own and lots of nieces and nephews. Oh by the way you have new great niece, Madisyn, she is Shasta's first daughter and god is she a beauty. OMG!! you would love her. Lacey came to the hospital when Shasta had her and I so wish you could have seen her face, Lacey is beautiful like you and loves children just like you do. Kylie is tall and gorgeous, a bit of a rebel like Shas, but maybe I don't have to tell you any of this, I am hoping you still can see us, I know I feel you near. You would be so proud of your girls, they miss you very much too. I really miss you, so so much! We all do.
Your mom is doing ok. Cancer I guess is going to be her demise too. Still mom though! STNC.
Your brother is doing well after the cancer, he has gained all of  the weight back and we are surviving all of the medical bills, just barely, but he is alive and I am so grateful. My mom and dad are helping us. They are doing well and my sisters too. T misses you very much and W is so tall and very handsome too.
Visit Sunnie's blog she wrote about you too. http://sunnieday216.blogspot.com/2009/07/remembering-auntie.html
Jilly it has been a little hard today and I know you would understand, but then Madi cracks up and she is the beauty here and there is light all around me, but I just wanted to share it with you, oh how I wanted to just share it with you. And next time we do this I am going first.
Happy Brithday to the best sister in love ever,
Love you always and forever,
Do they play freebird up there?

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird lyrics


If I leave here tomorrow

Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.


Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.
Though this feeling I can't change.
But please don't take it badly,
'Cause Lord knows I'm to blame.
But, if I stayed here with you girl,
Things just couldn't be the same.
Cause I'm as free as a bird now,
And this bird you'll never change.
And this bird you can not change.
Lord knows, I can't change.
Lord help me, I can't change.

Many faces of Madi...

This is what has been keeping me busy lately!

For Bella

http://bellasinclair.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-life-unfolds.html

I have been tagged! Twice!

Well, I have been tagged by the hostess with the mostess Jodi "doll artist extraordinaire" Creager, be sure and visit her, her husband Richard and their family of creations at Creager Studios, you will be glad you visited. A sense of humor, a unique insight on life, and the ability to convey it all in words are just a few of her many assets.

Sorry it took me so long Jodi!!

I have also been tagged by Brittany at Papermoonies

She is a talented, funny, and great walking partner!!

I had already listed her in my tagging, but she beat me to it by tagging me first. Does that nullify the tag? Oh good, I am so glad it does O-:

I shouldn't have waited so long.

And I am going to tag her!

I am also going to do what Jodi Creager did on her last tag and let the tagees come and do it or not do it. I know you are all so busy and have life to do too!!!

I love you all!

If you don't go to these blogs my dear readers, you will be the one that loses. You will willing deprive your self of some wisdom, some talent, and some wonderful human beings.

These are the rules for the 'Tag'
1)Name and link back to the person who tagged you.
2)List six things 6 (un) important things that make you happy.
3)Tag 6 bloggers and let them know they're it by leaving them a comment on their blog.So here goes...

1.) My family and my new granddaughter Madisyn. When she smiles my heart just melts.

2.) My friends, who are really family, especially the nuns!

3.) My mind and how well it works most of the time.

4.) Realizing that my life is very good and I have everything I need.

5.) When ideas in my head come out of my hands the way I see them in my head.

6.) Learning something old.

These are a few of my favorite things... and then I don't feel sooooooooooooooooooo bad.

Now...Bloggers that I am gonna chase and TAG.......

Bring some popcorn, a cuppa, woman's or man's traveler companion, and maybe even a Kleenex.

You will be glad you took the time to visit all of them.

Brittany at

http://papermoonies.blogspot.com/

Cindy at

http://oopsdesperateblogger.blogspot.com/

Cassy at

http://cassymuronaka.wordpress.com/

Renee at

Http://circlingmyhead.blogspot.com/

Ces at

http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com/

Bella at

http://bellasinclair.blogspot.com/

Annie at

http://anniesbeadworld.com/

Where there are no chickadees at

http://underthetonguerecipes.blogspot.com/

Lynda at

http://claymama1.blogspot.com/

CK at

http://designsbyck.blogspot.com/

Dawn at

http://oddfae.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth at

http://ginagal.blogspot.com/

The Renee award

The Renee award was created by Bella and Ces in honour of their friend Renee. In Bella's own words "this is a brand new award and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds it's way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak, giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns..."
I have been honored with another award and I am proud, very proud of the first one. But the 2nd is probably going to be the highlight of my blogging career, at least for me anyway. Some of you who have met me and know me, know that I have been involved with Bottles of Hope. I found something and a person that sang to my heart in so many ways, Diane Gregoire and her Bottles of Hope. The dynamic, positive, beautiful, and wonderful woman that I met in Connecticut at the Southern Connecticut Polymer Clay Guild would change my life for the better in oh so many ways. Thank you Diane for your gift, I have and will always treasure it.
Leigh Ross (thank you for fighting) and her Polymer Clay Central website have many pages of Bottles of Hope and this is the one I was at.
My own special and totally giving guild the San Diego Polymer clay guild is very involved in this program. We have many members and their families who have tackled this daunting killer of men and women. Our member Julie Downing is the woman with the hat sitting on my left. I miss you Julie. Thank you for fighting.
We have turned the BOH outreach into a cancer outreach.
My mother was diagnosed with Beast cancer in 2002 and is to this day a survivor. Thank you for fighting Mom, I am so grateful.
My sister in love (law) was diagnosed and died from breast cancer in 2004. Thank you for fighting Jill, I miss you sooooooooooo much!
This is only a small part of my story and so when the sweet Opps!DesperateBlogger gave me this Renee award I had no idea what a trip it was going to take me on that day. I am still a little raw from the trip. But I am so humbled by the blogs and stories I have read. Thank you, thank you, thank you, all of you, for enlightening my life with your stories. It has taken me these few days to even be able to talk about it and I love you Renee, you have another friend. Thank you for fighting. Bella and Ces, I hope I can be and have friends like you in my life, always. Bless you all. You have rocked this girls world.

Congratulations on 200 posts Opps!

This little acorn is humbled by oaks in her presence!!! I am soooooooo very grateful for being included in this group; I can not express it in words.
I am passing this on to Acorn/Oaks in my life, because life’s lessons come in some many guises. Life's gifts too.
Oddfae

Suze

Meredith
Welcome to the Singe Sisters Sorority at the Hellinback College of Hardknocks.

Goddess

Happy Thanksgiving

Life is interesting and we live in interesting times. But this American Holiday reminds me that I am grateful for my family and friends, my creativity, my art, my home, and my business and to be able to make it through some very trying times with all of these things still intact, different, but still intact and even better than before. I am grateful for that, so grateful and I am grateful for all of you and your friendship. Thanksgiving should be everyday, Blessings all over you all,

Love is all there is.

Marie



Try a little of what has been a thanksgiving holiday event for my family for many years as we made our way through horrible traffic to stuff our face.

Alice's Restaurant