An old tradition

Before I get to my little diddy I was soooo excited about this last piece I did that I had to show all of you straight away.. so with no delay…



I just thought it was to die for. I finished it yesterday as I was playing Cinderella in the bathroom. Let me tell you, I might not be the tidiest person, but my biggest peeve is a dirty bathroom. So now it is spotless and I can feel comfortable having guests over.

Anyway, I love how the crackle came out I love the new snow sparkles I bought. And I am sure some of you noticed, not only are there two people in this one but one is a boy! I know right! First time for everything. Gives me the warm fuzzies!

So onto the tradition…. About 4 years ago my college roommate Jen and the boys that lived next to her Tom and Gus started this tradition on Thanksgiving. Before we would go home for break we would all get together and eat our first Thanksgiving dinner together! I know the coolest tradition ever. Well the tradition carried on long after we graduated and ever year we have our Thanksgiving feast before Thanksgiving. Of course things are different now, Tom and Jen are engaged, I'm still not engage (that stayed the same… haha) and the biggest change is that is got bigger and bigger….23 people this year! HAHA.. I know right unreal. But the more the merrier and as always it is a wonderful time to reconnect after sometimes not talking to each other for months, some of us only see one another on this very occasion and then sadly part ways the rest of the year. But without fail we always have the best time with our greatest friends. This Saturday is sure to be no exception I am looking very forward to it.

I have a lot of cleaning left to do tonight and then my brother and his fiancé will be in tomorrow so unfortunately no art… wa wa waaaaaaa.. (Unless I can't stand to be without it!) But I will make sure I post some pictures of the festivities and list some eBay items and transfer some over to Etsy. Crossing my finger on that one, you all know how I roll.

In closing, this is a perfect time to think of what you are thankful for. Turn it into positive energy and do once nice thing for someone else. Even if it is insignificant to you it could mean the world to some one else. Pay it forward loves.

Warmest hugs from NY on this extremely cold day.

Smooches

Beleive

The magic of Christmas, I swear it is true,

it lives inside everyone one of you.

It starts in your head and flows down to your toes,

it a feeling that comes with the first fallen snow.

When you are sad it brings a smile to your face,

it just seems to show up in every single place.

Your friends and your neighbors will catch it too,

and even the grumpiest grinch will smile at you.

It is a feeling that comes around once a year,

sending tidings to all with heaps of Christmas cheer.

But magic can't work all by itself,

you must believe in magic and every Christmas elf.
You must believe in your Mom and believe in your Dad,
you must believe in the magic even when times are bad.

You must believe in the happiness and the joy that is spread,

you must believe in Santa and even his sled.

You must believe in the delight that you share with friends,
you have to hold onto the spirit even when the season ends.

Just remember what I say is true,

fore the magic is real and it comes from inside of you.

~Stephanie Mannuci

I hope you like my message and my sneek peak at my holiday decore! I will show you the full spread around Christmas time. But since I so strongly beleive in the magic I thought what a better time to start unleashing it than around the most thankful day of the year!

Please enjoy and smile at a stranger today.

Smooches

Loved

You know I never knew what I was missing all my life until I started blogging. Some things I am sure just happen for a reason and I have not doubt that blogging is one of them. I must have done something right for fate to steer me in this perfect direction. I have met the most creative, loving, caring, and wholesome people from blogging and it is simply marvelous! I hate not waking up in the morning and saying HELLO to my fellow bloggers.

The love just continues I received two WONDERFUL awards that I just have to share. First Chris the spook master, the sultan of sketch, the president of perfection, and the Sensei of falling snow from Designs by CK passed this little gem onto me:

RULES: If you follow them...

1. Please put the Marie Antoinette picture on your blog.2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them

I am sending this award to hmm... (if you already have this award don't feel like you have to repost, just know I admire you)

1.Jenny from Wonders of Whimsy

2.Gina from Cap Nap Inn Primitives

3. Joyce from Enchanted Productions

4. Lisa from LL Creations

5. PEASE (just love the last name) from Hot Tamale Art Studio

6. The very talented ladies from Things With Wings

7. Flor Larios of Flor Larios Art

And the second award comes to me straight from the wonderfully crooked lab of Gail Lackey and Miss. Pennythistle! And what a special award this is. Gails's work is unreal, or maybe undead not sure! HAHA. Regardless of her creaturs pulse these pieces are to die for!

These are two artists that are all about quality and creating the most mystic master pieces of perfection! So please make sure you stop by and pay them a visit, and believe me you don't want to mess with Miss Pennythistle if you don't!


With several apartment guest coming in a very few days I am feeling clutter-phobia as normal. Although I know that my family wouldn't cast me off as the sloppy black sheep…… *crickets chirping* …. yes they would I have been hearing it for YEARS. I have to commence the attempt of cleaning! Alas cleaning my arch nemesis my ever righteous rival. I can't stand it. HAHA please don't get me wrong there is order, but my order which I see others can't appreciate. I know you all know what I am talking about. If anyone so happens to breath in the direction of my studio space and ruffle a paper I know it was ruffled. We will all survive. I and my mess welcome them with open arms and an empty fridge. HAHA no we have some food. I sound awful. Please understand that I work 9 hours a day get home at abut 5:40 and paint/craft the rest of the night. This doesn't leave me time to practice the fine art of Martha Stewarting (whom I would love to be someday). That was my long winded way of saying I will be even busier than usually and thus last art will be produced. Awful proposition isn't it?

This is number I did last night. I PRPRPRPROMISE these last few that I have created will find there way to eBay within the next few days. And as previously stated I have a few little pretties for Etsy.

Okay I won't keep you. (That last sentence reminds me of a favorite quote… If I tell you I love you can I keep you?) I know don't all cry at once I know it is beautiful. And who would have imagined if came from a familiar friendly ghost known as Casper.

I will talk to you all very very soon ;)

Please have a wonderful day and remember you are never fully dressed without a smile!

SMOOOCHES

I missed you guys!

Okay so strike me down I haven't posted in awhile I feel like I am going through withdrawals. I hope everyone had a delightful weekend. I don't know about everyone else but the weather in upstate NY was poopy! We couldn't even drive it was just pouring down in droves! I guess better rain than snow at this point. Needless to say that put a damper on the weekend we ended up staying at Adams Dads house on Saturday on account of the rain. We caught some bits and pieces of some okay horror movies (nothing I can care to remember the name of) and that was it. Cut dry boring. BLAH. Sunday we ended up going up to my parents house and that too was uneventful.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHA

Adam ended up getting called into work last night at about 10pm search and rescue. A hiker got lost up on Tounge Mountain in Lake George, NY and they had to dispatch the helicopters. Adam was the observer. Sorry to report but as of midnight the hiker was still missing. Makes me sick to think about it.

I have some SUPER EXCITING NEWS! My brother and his Fiance are coming up this coming weekend (from NJ)!!!! YAYAYA My drought of doing nothing is over. They are some of my favorite people to hang out with. AND they will be here all the way till Thanks Giving! EXCITING! Potentially during that time I might not get too much done in the way of art but please know it is being spent with two very important people.

So I did get a little somethin somethin done over the weekend. And here she is. I hope she will be going up on eBay tonight and if she doesn't sell there she is going on over to Etsy. I should have a few new things to list on Esty. I am sorry I keep saying it but I find listing items to be sooooo tedious! That is why there is always such a delay!

(The colors are sooo much more rich and viberant!)

( That is the side of the stretched canvas, to match the french words in English, 'Let it snow'. Her little birdy companion is saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!)

I have a few works in progress that I hope to be showing soo. I still don't feel like there is nearly enough to have a winter showcase and it is a tad overwhelming! And what is crazy is I am working every night on things. AHHHH .. I am sure it will straighten itself out. I am so amazed how FAST November flew by I can't even think about it or I will go crazy. One minute here and the next gone. On our second to last week and then December rears its jolly face.

Okay I am rambling. I feel like I haven't talk to you guys in forever! But I want to leave you with something that was just sent to me and struck a chord!

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could onlysee the world, I will marry you.' One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.' This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift. Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion. Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.I PRAY THIS MOVES AROUNDTHE ENTIRE UNIVERSE...


Do on to others time old tale. Believe me I forget more than anyone but remember to count your blessings every night and be thankful for them. You never know when fate might turn.

Have a great Monday.. EVERYONE!
Smooches.

A time to simplify

When I get a song in my head I listen to it over and over until it burns a hole in my memory until I know the note before the note is played, or the lyric before it ever escapes their lips. Most inspiration that I receive is from music, two arts that waltz beautifully hand-in-hand.
Last night while I was wheeling my paint brush in no direction, I had to stop, sit back and conjure a plan. One single idea, thought, inspiration to break through and reach for my awaiting virgin canvas. Then from the distance, his fingers hit the keys in such a purposed rhythmic fashion. The chords hummed back to him confidently yet with a subdued undertone. The sheer simplistic beauty of Beethoven's overture. Simplicity at its finest moment. Like a precise writer every emotion imaginable was captured in 6 minutes. Simple maybe uncomplicated in approach …..never… Every move was deliberate this piece was no accident. For about 4 rounds of the song roughly a half hour I decided to get lost in the notes which I hoped would help my own art. And it did.
I stripped my canvas, removed the fan-fair and approached the canvas self-assured. I knew what to do. Simplicity, easy in thought difficult in execution. When a thought is simple in art the execution has to be deliberate and flawless. Just as Beethoven you have to be confident with your instrument. As a result last night I painted something totally out of my box and happened to love it. Primitive, simple, and thought out. Three things I sometimes zoom by in my haste to create. I hope you like it. Currently he is on eBay.

I like him better in person :) You can really appreciate the detail then

So… with all of this, a revelation. I have been pretty tense lately, even irritable. I know why (I SOOOOOOOOO WANT TO TELL YOU… but alas I can't…. in time). But how to cope with something you have no control over? I always have control. So in the mean time I need to simplify and it has to start with my thoughts. My mind is always racing I can't seem to stop it. At night I have to sleep with the TV on to divert me from thinking too much. I must simplify my processes. Easier said than done and I don't even know where to begin. But in order to keep sanity I have to figure it out.
I am sooooo excited for the holiday that I want to be able to mentally sit back and enjoy them. Or else they will fly by like they never came to visit. But as I said when something is simple the execution has to be flawless. So, I must think about my approach before I start, and trust in my instrument, myself.

Enjoy Kiddies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope each and every one of your have the best Thursday ever. Just remember, it is what you want to make it.

Big smooches!

TSO TSO TSO TSO TSO TSO

Okay for those of you who don't know TSO they are the Trans-Siberian Orchestra!!!!!!!!! (screams from the gallery and panties flying on stage) Here is why the panties fly on the stage. Pictures are scarce but their music is super easy to find. Just picture a tormented rock and roller with long disheveled locks in a disheveled tuxedo wheeling a fierce electric guitar. Enough said.

INTERMISSION go take a cold shower…….I will wait.

Now a yearly custom my mother and I go to see there concert every year for almost 5 years now! I know and I never get tired of the same songs of the same routine. The light show is AMAZING and the people are just beautiful. Christmas music that appeals to all ages.

You can imagine that this is all I listen to until Christmas day. On my playlist at the bottom of the screen I have several songs you can listen too. ENJOY!

Last night while rocking out to TSO and Hugh Laurie AKA House (huge crush on the smart bad boy routine)! I did this little number. ON MY NEW STUDIO STYLE CANVAS!!!!!!!!!!!! It took a lot to get it here but it came finally and I LOVE working on it. I had a ton of fun with it and I can't wait to do more! She will be for sale on eBay soon. I took a front picture and two sides, as I painted the sides or some I say the front ran over onto to sides. A lot of fun and I love that it is ready to hang out of the box.

The Two smaller strips are the sides!

I really have to apologize. I have been soooo busy lately I feel like I haven't had time to visit any blogs. I will catch up I promise. I am a busy busy girl. Regretfully even too busy to get much art done :( I am still working on getting pictures taken of my work in progress. They will get there eventually!

Right now I am trying to figure out something fun to do this weekend. I was trapped in the house all last weekend so bored I couldn't even manage to pick up a paintbrush. Weird I know! Oh well, it happens.

Well kiddies I am off. I will talk to you all very soon.

Have a great days..

Smooches,

And the beat goes on.

Okay I was going to write about how I still feel a little down, but you know what that won't make me feel any better. Sooo I will going to try to keep it positive. Just toooo much negativity for me lately. I don't like it!

Last night Adam came home, he was sick. Tis the season L poor guy. He doesn't need to be sick. I ordered him his very very late birthday present last night. A Pea Coat. I was sitting around yesterday thinking how he is going to be going on job interviews in the winter without a proper winter coat. Granted he has sporty jackets but nothing appropriate for a fledgling engineer. The struggle is finding anything to fit him. Not only is he obscenely tall his arms are too long for his body, or should I day they are perfect but just extremely long. Okay he would be perfect for a Dr. Suess cartoon, but that is why I love him. So I am crossing my fingers that this will fit him around the board and I will have to look no further.

Last night I did this little number. Cute isn't he. I enjoyed making him. Not the really different piece I am doing but I couldn't find my camera to take a picture of that last night. I thought this was an okay consolation. This is very textured with the vintage buttons on it. I am a magic believer. I don't believe in Santa(anymore I wish I did) but I do believe in magic and that there is something so sweet and primal about Christmas and just the holiday in general. And no it isn't for just kids it is for all of us. You just have to believe in it. Many of us are hardened and believe me I am too, but it is what you want to make it. For those who have children it is easy for their angelic ways to become contagious. So let it! That is one cold you want to catch. ! I will ramble more about this later in the season. I find it an extremely important topic.

Will be moving to Etsy!

Something else that I find even more important… BRA SHOPPING. Okay I have had it. I am lets say peeved that for the 19 years I have been wearing a bra I can't find one that fits. Being a woman of considerable cup size there is nothing I love more than the yanking and tugging of gravity on two very heavy body parts. Enough is enough and it is time for a change. But where to get the change…. In the old days (I swear I was really born in the 140's) there use to be Corrsetatoriums. Yes, there is right and they would properly fit you to a 'T'! Not this fast Vicky Secret run in and run out. The lady would sit with you and get all kinds of dimensions and would make you look like Marilyn even if you old gals sagged to your knees. So I am at a lose. I can't find a place that will do such a thing. No where in site. I guess I will have to venture into the city and cross my fingers. Ladies I am done with to should indents, I am done with uncomfortable, I am done with the back fat, I am done with the sag, I am done with bra rub, I am done with it all and ready for perfection!
So ladies unite and believe that one day there will be the perfect bra for each and every one of us.

BRA POWER!

He he he
Smooches my ladies! (and gents… sorry about the bra ramble, but I am sure you understand they suck!)

HMMMMMM......

Well, I just don't know how to feel about things lately. Almost like my head is one big fog and I am shinning my high beams. Not sure what brought this on, not even sure why I am feeling some of the things that I am feeling. (probably PMS) (sorry guys who read my blog, but it happens I didn't get to pick it off a shelf) I think all the uncertainty that fills my life is getting to me. That mixed with the most mundane existence of any 23 year old on Earth. Right now there isn't a ton of happiness and definitely not a lot of stability. Most artists thrive on struggle, but I am the opposite I strive on progress and stability.

ANYWHO!

This weekend Adam and I just ended up sitting around the apartment Saturday night when he got back from my parents and Sunday ALLLLLL DAY. I am so tired of the same old! So I had some time this weekend to get some things done. Friday night I did two new pieces that I will show you in a second. Very different from my usual. I hope they do not offend they aren't meant to in anyway, and if you are offended by them I will take them off my blog immediately just let me know. Honestly if you are I am a tad shocked since it is artistic express, but hey differences is what makes this crazy world go round.

In my school day.. hehehe. I use to draw a lot of nudes. Mostly charcole figues and a use to LOVE IT! I love the way the human body shaps and molds and I love the way a body has smoothed valleys and curves. Women more so than men have the curves that are pleasing to draw and scuplt. I have done men but their is something so wonderfully mysterious about the female body.
I also started another piece which is going to be really neat. This is my first piece like this and I am really excited to see how he comes out. I will show the work in progress soon!

I wish I had something new and exciting to say. Sorry for laying my issues out there like no one else has any.

Oh Adam and I did go to see the movie Role Models! If you can stand off color seedy humor with a decent moral ending this is for you. I mean really seedy with kids swearing and such nonsense, but very very funny …… with that said, this movie is extremely offensive, but since I am not easily thrown off I loved it! Not recommended for family or the easily put off.

FOUR items listed on eBay. CHECK THEM OUT.. LUCY AND MABEL making their debut! I will be putting up the eBay ticker for easy access!

Smooches and Happy Monday to You All~

Today letter is 'F'....for 'F'riday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here it is the best day of the week. Here we are on the cusp of the weekend with so many possibilities ahead, but better still no work. I have been aching from a break from work (meaning the job that puts food on the table) I have been working straight (minus weekends) since July. But I know once I take one day off I will want more… ah yes greedy me!

No huge plans for this weekend. I think Adam is going to go up to my parents house and help my dad rebuild the roof. I know sounds stellar. My mom is in the midst of painting their backroom/den/laundry room, so in other words everyone will be working and I am afraid my mom will put me to work and I have SOOOOOO much to catch up on at my apartment! I know that sounds awful but every time I turn around there is something I have to do which is stopping me from finally getting art done. The Holidays are sneaking up and I don't feel like I have near enough. One good thing about going up my parents way is that there is a fabric store so I can go out and buy some fabric to make Christmas stockings. Also, yesterday I went to Dick Blick and FINALLY bought some studio stretched canvas, I think I got it for a decent price. But, if anyone knows a site where you can get stretched canvas on the cheap PLEASE let me know.

This is my new piece. I have REALLY been into illustrations lately. Her name is Lia and boy is she buttering up to Santa! She is on 5"/7" sturdy matte board. Done in mixed media, using mostly water color and acrylics. She will be heading over to eBay hopefully on Sunday to bring some holiday cheer!

Wow I hope everyone's Friday is a TON more eventful than mine. I will talk to everyone real soon. Etsy and eBay updates real soon.

Oh and before I leave I was TAGGGGGGGGGED I am it: by the talented Ms. Laticia at Regalo, the rules are.....

• Link to the person who tagged you.Mention the rules.
• Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
• Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

1. I am obsessed with horror movies
2. I know all the presidents in chronoligical order
3. I have to fall alseep on my stomach
4. My favorite cocktail is Blueberry Shminof and Diet Pepsi
5. I lock my keys in my car all the time
6. I don't do dishes (the creep me out)

Now that you all think I am nuts.. I am going to tag.... Jenny, Connie, Veronica, (and I am leaving it up to 3 other individual who would like to take this to their blog) I always break the rules!

Have a Super Day!

Smoooches, TGIF, Yours Till Niarga falls,
Steph

FROSTIES/Special Blog Offer

Disclaimer: I know it is the day after an election but I rather not discuss politics. Thank You
BLOG SALE READ POSTING!
On to the sweeter stuff in life! I have a new collection that is just eating my heart they are sooo cute…. Figuratively of course. I am calling them Frosties! Not to be confused with the snowman. These guys are Christmas's little helpers. I will be making many more of these throughout the holiday seasons and they will be listed on Etsy.

Pictures do these little guys no justice!

BUT BUT to jump start I am offering an on blog only special. I am offering 'SNOW' for $15 with a one time only take 15% off offer! So the price will be $12.75.. WITH FREE SHIPPING!.. BUT WAIT.. let's make it an even $12.00. For $12 you can take home this super cute one of a kind Frostie made by yours truly. This is 'Snow' --- Sorry awful picture . I will send a better one upon request!

Details: All you have to do is be the first to comment on this post only, telling me you want to take this little guy home for the holidays! Then I will set some payment transaction up with paypal! EASY BREEZY!

My little Frosties are made from terracotta and baked to a very hard state. Then they are primed and then painted with acrylic paint. They also have 1930's vintage text on them, and (some not all have) current newspaper clippings to decorate their hats! 'Snow' is about 4 inches tall, and the other guys aren't far behind.

Hopefully 'Snow's' brothers will be posted on Etsy soon listed for $15 with $3.50 shipping. I hope to have them posted over the weekend!

If you have any questions regarding the Frosties please please contact me I will be more than happy to answer any questions.

Have a super wonderful day! If you are in the northeast enjoy this little heat wave!

Smooches,
Steph

I'm not crazy, just a little bit NUTS!

Sooo… For pretty much my entire life I have been obsessed with old/vintage everything. Having an older Mom I was told stories of how glamorous and classy the ladies of the 50's were. How women were women kinda deal. As I got older I grew a healthy love for the one and only queen of swagger Marilyn Monroe. In 11th grade Regents standardized testing we were asked to write a full length essay on the topic of: If you could bring one person back from history who would it be and why. While other kids where bringing back Lincoln, JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and this list of the righteous goes on, I brought Marilyn.

So call me crazy but now that I am significantly older and follow my 'own rules' I really want to emulate the ladies that I idolized. SOOOOOOOOO… you will be the first people to know (besides my mom) that I am trying to buy all 50's vintage clothing and will then be donating most of my current clothing. I know a little crazy and something that won't happen over night, but I feel I am pretty resolute on the decision. With all this said if any of you know of any places were I can pick up some great 50's grab on the cheap I would LOOOOOVEEEEE the link as the clothes are very hard to find!

To go vintage I thought I would do a tribute piece to the "big eyes". With the time change I can't help feel that winter is at our back door. We had a few flurries last week but it never amounted to anything. I know a lot of you already had accumulation! My little girl here is ready for whatever kind of weather mother nature will throw her way.




I am soooo behind on art!!!!!!!!! YA… and I am getting a tad stressed because I have to start making Christmas gifts and that won't leave much time for crafting for sales. How is a girl to work it all in! I am getting a little anxious. I think I am going to choose an upcoming weekend to just bang out all the Christmas gifts so I can concentrate on saleable crafts. The only problem is some of the crafts are knitting (not something I can do over night).. AHHHHH Time give me a break!

I won't keep you forever because I know you all are in the same boat as me. Enjoy you Tuesday and I will talk to you Wednesday!

Smooches!
Steph

Creature Comfort

I always find that I will take comfort over adventure any day of the week. This weekend was definitely no exception.

I would like to thank everyone for your email regarding my Halloween costume!!! THANK YOU! It really means a lot, hard work, sweat, and tears went into it and it paid off!

Okay back to my weekend. We were going to go to Jersey this weekend but decided that our time would be better spent in the comfort of our lovely abode. Okay lovely and comfortable is stretching it. As any crafter can tell you there is never any law and order to the ever growing mess that they create. I, no matter my good intentions cannot seem to clean anything up! My brain whizzes right past the part where my hands are suppose to put things back in order. Thus, every two weeks or so we (patient Adam, and I) are left in a heap of left over crafting material! AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Therefore, every two weeks or so we have a massive clean up. This second week was no different and it took us ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Day. I have the most wonderful boyfriend, with only a smidge of grunting he graciously helped me regain law and order. And when I have order I can craft again. And this is what I made…

SOLD
I have been dabbling in the charm bracelet making for a short period of time but I enjoy it. I would be more than happy to take a request for a theme:)! GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Adam sister Emily stayed with us last night and we decided to go out to the mall. CHRISTMAS CHRISTMA EVERYWHERE. Considering the economy I am not surprised at all, but WOWOWOOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW the days after Christmas it all started! YIKES! And I thought I was too early but apparently I am right on time!

Well I have some new things to show you, but I am get to that tomorrow. I had a busy cleaning weekend which means not much crafting got done at all. But the moral is I am a creature of comfort so now that I am comfortable again I can resume my normal crafting schedule! YAYAYAYYA!

Oh and remember all my Halloween paintings on Etsy are 15% off. HURRY OVER!

Smooches,
Happy Monday,
Steph

HAPPPPY HALLOWEEEN

Wrapping up October: My Cup Truly Runneth Over

Since I won't be around all weekend I thought I would do a wrap up of my favorite month of the year, October.

Creatively I believe I did my best work. The continuing inspiration of the foliage and the supernatural attraction of Halloween I was chuck-full of ingenuity. But, I also had a lot of fun with my work and kept it whimsical. This has been my first Halloween working in my new genre of mixed media, and I have to say I don't know if I will ever go back to my old style. I feel as though there are countless possibilities with mixed media and I have yet to even brush the surface.

This month especially my friendships bloomed with many fellow blog artists. I can truly say that I believe that I have made some life long friends, supporters, and mentors. When no one else understands I know you will. It is amazing how many of us are so much alike. I can waltz over to any blog and see so much of myself in you. So thank you for allowing me to be part of this wonder land of creativity.

Personally, (yes, I know I never put a lot of personal detail in my blog, one day I will be able too). This was an okay month. Nothing to write home to Mom about. There were plenty of ups and downs and thus has been my life for some time. A lot of uncertainty fills my days (any time that is left after art). I will save you the true search for self babble we all go through it and we all know the story. I will pin this on my quarter-life crisis. As any psych would tell me it is not good to repress, but I just continue to push on using my art to delay thinking about all my situations. One day everything will pan out but it is rough when there is no end in sight. As a fellow blogger will tell me one day you will Fly.

So lets explore the ups! For the first time I was able to FINALLY get tickets to the Headless Horseman Haunted Hayride! I had some really good times with my best friends this month. My brother Joe, his fiancé Jo Anne, and my longtime best friend/boyfriend/other half/ying to my yang/total opposite, Adam. We had some great trips to NYC, spent a lot of time in NJ (with Ali) and had many laughs along the way.


Without Adam (engineer) I think I (artist) would be a total mess. I am scattered, unorganized, off the cuff, loud mouthed, and very opinionated. Adam is precise, detail oriented, reserved, VERY quite, and humble. Physically we are polar opposites as well. He is very tall (6'6), thin, health conscience. I am 5'3, stocky, and I eat what I want (only go around once). He is truly my other half, I can't remember life before him.

I recieved the best Halloween present ever from my wonderful parents!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a successful month. I know with the economy sales are down (in fact I only made one sale this month). I will keep my fingers crossed that the recession will not last too much longer and we will see some positive turnover in 2009.

I cannot thank you all enough for your tremendous support and comments. Please stick around, your comments and support give me the fuel I need to continue and believe me I need my art more than I need air!

Happy Halloween my loves! Thank you for a great 4 months and this being the most fulfilling of them all!


SMOOOOCHES,

STEPH!

SNOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW... where?

As I wiped the sleep from my eyes at 8am this morning I was expecting to see a lot of this………..

But, All I saw was this.


Although I am not surprised to listen to a terrible farce fly from the lips of a weather man I was a little surprised to see that we did not receive a flake of snow from the predicted 3-5". Not one downy flake to even foreshadow the coming of winter. Okay I am not that disappointed but.. but.. my beloved Fall is gone, the grass is dead, the trees are naked, and at least the white of snow would add a tinge of festiveness to the air. And my art thrives on festiveness.

I went to AC Moore last night and blew the bank on supplies. I bought lots and lots of beads for the deconstructed bracelet I am making. Beads are sooooo expensive. If any of you happen to know a reasonable bead store online please share the link. I also rummaged the newly formed Christmas isles for some goodies to add to my 3-D sculptures. Not 1 of the 3 is yet complete and I am starting to find that I could work on them forever adding details and finishing touches. So here is a sneak preview. Two of them are on the brink of completion but you know I might change everything at the last minute. (Remember they aren't done!)



I really really enjoy working with the 3-d sculptures but they do take a LONG LONG LONG time. But they are sooo darn cute! Oh and a little hint to they paper mache sculptures out there, instead of sand paper for smoothing, hardware stores are now making sponge like sandpaper (on a 3-d sponge) that give you much more control, I think. I like it much better and I find my fingers get less roughed up. Give it a whorl. I think it lasts longer than sand paper as well.

I am a little bumbed I with Halloween and Halloween parties for the next few day I know I won't be getting much done. I will definately be posting my costume though. Not as wonderful as I would have liked but the origanality is there!

Well my lovelys have a wonderful day. For those of you who have snow congrats on the new inspiration! I am sure I won't be too far behind you……


Smooches XXXXXXXXX

And a big sigh for Monday

So yes, it may seem as though I have been slacking off on my art but I'm not (okay maybe a little). It is a hard transition going from Halloween to Christmas. Plus I don't want to show my winter stuff just yet when the most glorious Holiday of the year hasn't even had its time to shine yet. I will thought give you a little taste of what we have in store!


I have to say I have been working on three-D sculptures more than my paintings. Hmmm not sure way. I think because they are introducing new challenges and are an exciting change of pace. The unfortunate part is that they take much longer. Oh well all part of it I guess.

So please bear with me during this transitional period. This is my first time in blog world trying to figure out timing but after Halloween (31st) I will start displaying whatever Christmas/Holiday/Winter stuff I might have and I will continue creating Christmas until Decemeber. After that I have no idea what I am going to do…. HAHA I guess we will see when the times comes..

____________________________________________
As a general rule I am not a 'scaredy cat' but the limits of my bravery were certainly tested this weekend. For years…. that is right years, I have been trying to make my why to Ulster Park, NY to see the #1 scariest hayride in the country!!!!! THE ENTIRE USofA! This year I was finally on the ball and got reservations. You wouldn't believe how fast the tickets fly. Anywho, the participants were Adam, Adam's sister Emily, and myself. Emily and I being horror buff and Adam could take it or leave it. The sad truth is we don't have any pictures to commemorate the evening because they had that place tied down like Fort Knocks. No camera phones no cameras, period.

Since I pride myself on being extremely punctual I matter-o-factly said that I wanted everyone in the car an hour early! I know seems severe but A) it was a two hour drive, and B) we had never been and I didn't want time being in the way. LUCKY WE DID! We got through the gates and hour early and as soon as we got in the power line next to us shorted out and engulf in a blaze! All the while I was by a hawk (which was real, but was being tamed by a handler) when the hawk noticed the adverse commotion he freed himself from the handler and flew into my head!!!!!!!!!!! Folks I couldn't fabricate this if I wanted too. Realizing I wasn't hurt but just startled we made our way to safety. Needless to say all the power went out, and the people who were still at the front gate were turned away to go home. The people who were left inside the park (see lucky we got there an hour early) were able to continue. YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS SOOOOOOO SCAREY. The hayride wasn't that scary but the last haunted house was! Unfortunately due to the fire the last house was closed, but that was okay I don't know if I could have handles being scared anymore! If you are ever in the mid-NY area and are looking for a good time in the Fall that is the place to go!
Okay this was a long post for a Monday. Welcome back everyone I hope you hade a great weekend!

Smooches,
Steph