PCCMMR- another story- altered art puzzle pins

I have a post today that is about Pccmmr-Polymer clay collaborative and mixed media retreat I went to in West Virginia in June.
Read about it here: http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2009/06/pccmmretreat-arriving.html
Here: http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2009/05/polymer-clay-collaborative-mixed-media.html
Here: http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/2009/06/lovely-meta-part-deux.html
or search PCCMMRetreat on this blog in the google search to the right.
They are getting ready for 2010 (can you believe that, 2010 weird)

My friend Meredith writes about Susan Z here: http://mereditharnold.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/creative-queens-like-susan-zacher/

One of the all time highlights of my time there was the final demo of the week long retreat.
Susan Zacher had done her preparation and this was sooooooooo much fun.

She had painted puzzle pieces with Lumiere paints front and back for our substrates. Those were beautiful by themselves. I love Lumiere paints, I can use them for almost any surface and they are permanent. I LOVE the Metallic Olive Green in the first picture? My fave. Plus I carry them too, it is a blatant plug. I love products that can be used for tons of things.
Anyway... then she brought out all of the things that we could embellish the puzzle pieces with.

OMG!! a ton of stuff and some things I got to work with that I never had, so much fun.

Stickles, black and white old timey images, plastic jewels, words printed on paper, she even had clay pieces but I didn't do those (sometimes I just have to put down the clay), stamp pads with different inks, stamps (I used some word stamps that I had from ERAGraphics), metal pieces, fabric stuff, feathers, and so much stuff it was unbelievable.

It was like walking in to a portable craft shop.

Crazy fun and I could have done this for hours. 

Check out how she made up words directed at a polymer clay group, such consideration in the gesture.

One of the best demos I have ever gone to.

She supported us with encouragement and showed us how to use some of the products worked if we had never used them. Guiding with out making us do it her way. She would say "well you could do this, or this, or this", or "you might want to do this" or "you can do whatever you want".

OMG!!! I can do whatever I want??? Hee hee hee, gets me every time.

One of the best parts is when I asked if I could make another and she said..."Make as many as you want". Geesh I didn't move, I was on a mission then. You know, I don't sit down and do many demos, I watch them for a moment and then move on, but I am so glad I did take the time to sit in on this one. 

We put pin backs on them (she brought those in several different sizes) left them to dry a bit and took home this pirates booty of wonderful, personal, and brilliant art from our hearts.

Susan, Oh Susan you are coming next year, right??? 

Thank you from the bottom of my pointy heart, this is a jewel in my life and I love you for sharing this with me.

I had sooooooooooo much fun.

Amazing Grace

I have always loved the song Amazing Grace, but I think hearing it in Native American flutes just added a whole new love for a song that I will say has many plays and tears in my life.


I also like it in bag pipes.

Listen to this, it is incredible.

I found it on a blog I follow http://www.soaringimpulse.com/ Dr. Maithri (Pronounced My 3) is an angel on earth and works in Swaziland with children and people with HIV. He is also a glorious singer himself, a poet too. I didn't find the song on Soaring impulse but Dr. M's other blog http://whispersofpeace.blogspot.com/ a blog dedicated to the memory of John O'Donohue, who kissed Dr. M's life with his fragrant words.

In blog land there are people that move my life and touch my soul and they are right at the keyboard I type on. This is indeed a wonderful world we live in. Angels are among us everyday.


My daughter, granddaughter, and I donated old baby clothes, baby baths, extra diapers, shoes, and all kinds of stuff on Saturday to a place called Serenity House, http://www.ncsh.org/services/index.html their mission is to:

“North County Serenity House is committed to providing behavioral health services in a safe, secure environment to women, children, and families through a multidisciplinary approach that improves and promotes health, fosters learning, embraces diversity, and enhances quality of life in our community.”

It is a humbling experience to see women that take your old stuff as if it is Christmas and like it was brand new. It is a small thing that we did, but it made us feel great and we helped many families with the gesture.

We are saving up to make another run.

Maithri and Serenity House also take monetary donations if you are so inclined, follow their links. It takes a planet.

As Maithri says

"Walk with me.
Together we will find ways of making a change.
My love to you, Maithri"

One foot forward

This is one of my most favorite pieces that I have ever made. It stands on one foot and the basket comes free from the stand. The basket is nothing with out the stand. It will not stand up by itself. It has to lie on its side if the stand is not there. It is also a square basket.

It is an idea that came to me in the night and would not leave my mind until I made it. It is to me is the epitome of human existence. We can not survive with out help from others. Sometimes we are square but we are still beautiful and even though we are one, we belong and are stronger as two or more. Life is a balancing act and it is good as long as you keep one foot forward.

Hopi Message From the Elders

A note from the Universe...

One of the best things I have done for myself, ever, is sign up to get notes from the Universe at TUT.com


Here is why...











There will always be people in your life, marie, who hold you back, who cost you too much, and who fail to see all you've done for them. But, of course, they're just there to teach you that you do have time, that you'll always be rich, and that your own high standards are all that matter.
You knew that,


The Universe





a little advertisement
Kid and adult sizes! Sweet, simple, and profound, these clever bracelets are a daily reminder to choose them wisely...



"Thoughts Become Things" Bracelets! Choose the good ones!
Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ® © www.tut.com ®





and then more





Sounds like a good deal to me, marie.





I spent 5 minutes, agreed to be happy (might be the hardest part) and everyday, 5 days a week I get a message like this. It is the best 5 minutes I have ever wasted in my life. And when Howard was sick, some days it saved my life. I look forward to these little messages of synchronous delight every week day and miss them on the weekends. My friend Meredith gets them and you would be shocked at how tailored they are for each person.


Just thought I would share.


Here is the first one I got.

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/

Don't Quit

I love this and I found it on a favorite page of mine, BridgettWalther, it is a horoscope page.

I am always looking for a positive word, thought, or image, to help me further my studies in life and the arts and I quite often find them on Bridgett Walther’s Home page under the Highlights, just scroll down to read the pearls of wisdom she plants there. And before you leave, also check out your sign in the blue bar under her name. I find that true wisdom can be found everywhere if I am willing to open my eyes.
She says:
“Thank goodness there are no real crystal balls to forecast the future. Through trial and error (lots of errors) I have learned that the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself.
Here's the poem that has helped me through the darkest days:”

Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to cry,
When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.
It's when things seem worse
That you must not quit.
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch that you won't.
For life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But, sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
-Anonymous

Success rarely comes on the first, second, third or fourth try. Sometimes even the hundredth. Keep trying and don't give up. Even when you are rejected unnecessarily, consider each rejection as character building. You are a miracle of life, and you can do it. Give yourself a break, but never quit. You are a star! Embrace each "no" and exclaim, "Thank you, I am now that much closer to a yes!"
We do and we'll continue to march on with determination.
Everyone counts. Dare to care!
Cynthia Brian is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are! 501 c3 charity.

In celebration of the upcoming 10th anniversary, you are invited to submit a short story for the book, Be the Star You Are! for Teens. Information is available at www.bethestaryouare.org.

Tax deductible donations may be sent to Be the Star You Are!, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556.