My First EHAG Listing!

The Queen of Spiders.... A full functioning Wall Clock ... She measures 15 inches tall by 11 inches wide... Her 8 legs are wired with marble looking balls on the ends with gray cracks... She wears a Glittery black crown surrounded in "jewels", and has a beautiful collar of tulle and French Ribbon.. $195.00 plus$11.00  Priority Shipping to you!

And Star Tarot Card, featured in Winter 2011/2012 Art Doll Quarterly is still available.  Star will come with a complimentary signed copy of  the magazine too!  $165.00 plus Priority shipping...

Artful Gathering 2012 Online Retreat Blog HOP!

Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,

Open for Registration!
Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.


Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerry's.

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Mixed Media Jewelry Artist...


Kecia Deveney


http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/
;
(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

An Aaa Haa Moment!!

Oh they happen, but I think you've got to be ready for them. Thank you to April and several others, I got one this week!

I thought "everyone" understood what an "ONLINE WORKSHOP" meant...However after April posting within the Comments of this Blog and running into some old friends that just looked at me with a blank stare when I said, "I'm teaching Online Workshops", it hit me! People don't understand what I'm talking about! SHOCKING! LOL!

The creation of the "Online Workshop" opens the doors to ANYONE, ANYWHERE, at ANYTIME the ability to learn ART without leaving your home. It's convenient, cost effective, and a great opportunity to take classes from some of the BEST Artist in the World! I hope you won't miss the opportunity to take join the Movement of Learning Art Online.... either from me in my upcoming Leap Year Lapin ( www.rosesonmytable.ning.com ) or at this Summer's Artful Gathering ( www.artfulgatherings.blogspot.com )

REGISTRATION is NOW OPEN!!!

Registration has just opened up today for my LEAP YEAR LAPIN Online Workshop. If you ever needed a solid FOUNDATION in sculpting gravity defying EARS that are SOLIDLY constructed, THIS IS YOUR CLASS!!!

Be one of the first 20 students registere,d and I will be pulling a name out of my TOP HAT for a FREE KIT to make your LEAP YEAR LAPIN! I'd be thrilled if you wander over to ROSES for a look see of this CLASS. Here is your LINK to FUN! I hope to "see" you in CLASS!!!

Artful Gathering BLOG HOP

Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!


2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
   

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Animal Portrait Artist...

Elizabeth G. Johnson

http://windandhoney.blogspot.com/

;

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

A CONFESSION!!!

As I mentioned yesterday, my A.D.D. brain has been frantically trying to organize all my 2012 Happenings and "To Do's" so that I'm not A Day Late or running with my hair on fire trying to keep up. I've always depended on my "handy dandy notebook", however I really needed a day planner or calendar inset within the "handy dandy notebook"........SO.......as much as I hated to add another thing to carry, I bought a day-planner... a small one, but it will do the job of helping me organize my time better....

Now for the confession....... Are ya Ready? Please don't "judge me" or gasp at what I'm about to say................. I still have all my Christmas decorations up!!! Yep, dead Noble Fir, fully decorated in the corner of the living room..... I know... IT"S SHOCKING even to me, however I've been getting ready for a jam packed next few months, and frankly, it's just not the top of my priority list! LOL! I've had this line item in my Notebook for the past 2 weeks, so... I will Announce when the BIG Happening occurs, and maybe I will have a Raffle Prize in order to CELEBRATE!!! LOL

I feel a little guilty to share that I went to a Magical place today in Downtown Portland, and I'd love to share this UNBELIEVABLE NOTIONS and TRIMS store: THE BUTTON EMPORIUM .... I get so overwhelmed when I go there, I really need to know what Im looking for, or my brain would explode!!! LOL! The Website isn't super flashy, however if you are looking for hard to find threads, buttons, ribbons, vintage trims, etc... take a look there!

Squeezing IT all IN!

There is A LOT going on in Whimsieville and there is SO MUCH more to be done! It's no wonder I feel like I'm twirling out of control, overwhelmed, and exhausted right now!

As my ole' friend Penny would say, (in a very deep Southern drawl, mind you),

"How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time"...... Penny McAlister

Damn, I miss hearing her tell me that!!! Just know Penny, it wasn't lost on me. I repeat it over and over right now!

NOW.... This is some Inspiration!!!!

As some of you know, in this past year I've been teaching Whimsie making ONLINE, and as much as I've "taught", I've got to say I've learned that much more. There are so many beautiful souls out there shining through their creative spirit that it's just blinding!

One of my "students" shared this VIDEO with the class yesterday, and I wanted to share it with you!

Another beautiful "student" has given me my "theme" for today: If God leads me to it - He will lead me through it.

My Handy Dandy Notebook

Where would I be without my NOTEBOOK? Good Lord, I'd hate to imagine!

I've been keeping NOTEBOOKS for most of CC's Whimsies career. Prior to having my own business, I used a Daytimer..mainly to C.Y.A, however I realized the importance of accomplishing things via documentation. As an independant business person, only YOU can keep yourself on track, tell yourself "good job", and ultimately watch your goals materialize.

Every morning, I make coffee, grab the newspaper, and then make my list in the Notebook. Sometimes it's just simple things, however being able to cross something off the list, builds some confidence and momentum that will build to something bigger.

I always make a weekly goal of 4 or 5 things that I incorporate into the 7 days... Those things always feel great to cross off. My goal is to be able to write a few one year goals, and that's what this Blog journey is all about.... figuring those out!

I LOVE Friday the 13th's!!!

Yes, today is one of several Friday the 13th's in 2012. The Elf and I got married on the 13th (not a Friday), however we've had several Friday the 13th Wedding Anniversaries in the past 27 years. I've always considered our finding each other and going through life together as one of the best blessings that I've been given, so the 13th is LUCKY for me...no matter what day of the week....

This brings me to my thought of the day.... Isn't life and all of it's magic (and sometimes not so magic :), just an exercise in PERCEPTION. Our attitudes and beliefs make any situation "GREAT" or "BAD" depending on how we want to perceive it! Yesterday was a prime example that I was a grumpy pants from the start. Why? Well, there were several reasons, but normally I don't get my panties in a bunch over them....

I'm a big believer if you have nothing nice to say, then don't saything at all.... hence, NO POST yesterday. Yes, I realize I will have days in the coming year that I'm going to post something that makes me frustrated or angry, however on Day 3 of my journey, I didn't want to go there. LOL!

Ultimately I ironed out my "grumpy pants" by making my mind STOP and list 5 things that I am thankful for...breathed in and out...and decided to give myself a break for the day. I know it was for the best because I woke up this morning with a CREATIVE BRAINSTORM! Ahhhhh, now that's what's best with a cup of coffee!

FEAR!

I consider this thing called "FEAR" the #1 Life Inhibitor.... A human will never fufill their life's ultimate potential with this bad boy called in FEAR in their life!

As much as I know this, this bad boy does play havoc in my life. I know as we age, we naturally become more "cautious" because we just know or have seen some really crappy stuff! That's why kids do "dumb" stuff because they are FEARLESS!! Yes, kids "just don't know better" and "they will figure it out".... but maybe we need to be a LOT more like them!

I've always considered myself a risk taker and have gambled on my future quite a bit in the past. Sadly, though in the last 4 years, I've gambled and lost over and over again. Why? I don't know...however I do believe all things happen for a reason and the out come was as it was suppose to be..... But it does leave scars and I need a lot of "aloe vera"... LOL!

As an artist you've got to be FEARLESS...especially if you want to make a business out of it, which I DO!!! The biggest poison to fear is "DONT OVER THINK IT"... My first thing I'm working on, and I know this will take lots of practice. My mind is constantly running 180 mph, however I must keep my mind in a positive direction...working towards goals and dreams.... I guess that's why this FOG BANK is KILLING ME. The only way to defeat FEAR is to keep believing in your dreams.

So for today... Do something that makes you uncomfortable..... I did! I kicked and screamed inside, but I got through it.... JUST DO IT! Until tomorrow... Christy

Hello and Welcome to my journey of "STARTING OVER" with life, ART, and dreams. In the past 4 1/2 years I've lost my "rocks" (my dad and one of my best friends and muse, Penny), my mother and brother, and most importantly, the ability to DREAM.
Without the ability to dream, you find yourself adrift in the open sea, amidst a severe fog bank, and NO COMPASS!!! Yep, I'm totally LOST!!

In 371 days I will be turning 50 years old... As I realize this could be "mid-life" or "three quarters" of life, it also could be so much less than that... So it's time to scream CARPE DIEM and commit myself to finding my compass, and getting the hell out of this foggy sea!!!

I will be using this blog as a journal of my daily ponderings, giggles, frustrations, "happy happys", and my WINGS again. I hope you will stop on by every now and then to laugh, cry, have a cocktail, smack your computer, bitch, and ultimately see that you are NOT ALONE in this crazy world. So until tomorrow....

CARPE DIEM!!!

Welcome AG Blog Hoppers!!!

In case this is your first time to CC's Whimsies.... WELCOME to my little corner of CRAZY!!! LOL! I'm really looking forward to this Summer's Classes with all you!

If by chance you would like to try your hand at WHIMSIE MAKING before June, I will be offering my first and only SPRING WHIMSIE WORKSHOP on LEAP YEAR... February 29th, 2012.... What will be making you wonder.... Well... A LEAP YEAR LAPIN... of course!

Lots of details to follow, so if you are interested, Please email or send message here... "HOPPING TO SEE YOU IN CLASS"..... Sneaky Peek for all you AG Blog Hoppers to my Summer Sessions: