ugh...

get well card, originally uploaded by sassyarts.

So, Thanksgiving was nice. But on our way home from the lake I was attacked by some CRAZY virus or somesuch vile mischief! I crawled into bed and semi-slept for 12 hours (and I normally do not require lots of sleep) and then spent yesterday moaning and groaning. Today I am feeling much better, though still a bit slow. I am still too hedachey to do much on the computer, so please be patient with me, my dear banner customers.
Hope your Thanksgiving was great (and not followed by a sick day!).
xo~dale

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah, yes, the feast is upon us. I do hope your day is lovely, classy, a good ole good time!
xo~dale

Market Square 2008

Market Square 2008, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Whew! Sis and I redid my shop space at Market Square (McKinney, Tx.) today and it is all ready for the holidays. My sis is so good at decorating. We had fun and my space looks very twinkly. On the far right you can see the wonderful metal piece that I found to display my collaged pendants. I love it. It looks like a carousel or a crown! It was made to hold wine bottles, but the husband hacksawed the wine bottle holders off it and VOILA! ~~Now I have a pretty and very functional display piece! And it cost all of $19 at Ross!
Now, I can mark this off my to-do list!

weekend wrap-up

pink marie antoinette banner , originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

How can it be Sunday night?? The computer has eaten my brain!
Actually, my sis and I escaped for a while yesterday afternoon. Of course, we nearly froze, but we had fun.
Last night I saw "Twilight". I think it is very nice the way Edward GLITTERED in the sun! Think of it... handsome, immortal, dangerous, strong, smart, musically talented, a snappy dresser AND he SPARKLES!!! I think I will be dreaming of vampires for a while.
Today was swallowed whole by digital orders. I did go to church and out to lunch with friends and family, which was very nice.
My 2 younger boys are out of school all week and Kate's last day is Tuesday. I always like it when my kids are at home, safe in the nest.
Hope your weekend was warm and glittery!!

a Russian winter

Winter Sergiev Posad RGB, originally uploaded by komissarov_a.

I suppose it is remnant of my enchantment with "Dr. Zhivago", but I (who can hardly bear our silly little Texas winters) long for a Russian winter. Well, perhaps not an entire winter, but a week or two in this spot above. I want a cape lined with something crazy like beaver fur, some boots that lace up and a time machine...
~cue "Lara's Theme"...

In real world, Iam shivering because it is below 60! EEEK! Not fit for man nor beast! Luckily i am neither, so I will survive!

I MUST tidy my studio some today or the Art Police will be pounding on my door!

And now I will leave you with a poem I wrote...

Russian Winter

Outside Moscow the snow was clean,
a pressed white sheet spread and tucked
into the edges of the day. Your kiss faded
faster than the winter sun. Its pale memory
held no warmth or shadows where a dreamer
might find refuge. Night brushed the treetops
with grey smudges and crept across the sky
as swift and canny as foxes in a thicket.

Solitude was not enough for me, the losses
grown stale and distant. I came to Russia
so that I might shiver at her pallid dusks,
might feel my heart's wounds like broken glass
pressed hard against my bare palms.

At Suzdal I dipped my hands into the snowbank
past my wrists until the cold bit so deep
I could remember everything the world
had taken like a petty thief. There I drank
the twilght's rimed wind, an aperitif as sweet
as summer's lush and long forgotten bower.

I escape!

Watch out world~~~ I'm on my way!
I am tearing myself away from this computer and stepping across my threshold, out into the chilly November afternoon!
In other words, I have a few errands to run.
I am feeling that tug I sometimes get... the universe telling me that there might be a treasure or two waiting for me at my favorite thrift store. I will report back if I find anything remarkable!
And if you are one of my dear banner customers, do not despair. I am working my way steadily through my stack of orders. Yours will be ready soon! :)

custom order

custom order , originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I have been lost in digi-wonderland all this week. I have lots of orders and I am trying to fill them promptly. I think perhaps tomorrow I need to go outside and see if the world is still out there!
The banner above was created for a client in Norway. It was fun to make with all the whimsical elements, bright colors and sparkle!

Have fun...

avatar, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

On this busy Monday I did find a little time to have fun. Spent some time with a friend, worked on digital orders, kissed my kids and enjoyed a lovely WARM mid-November day. Yes, I was too busy, but I am grateful for a full life. I am never bored...never!

a little magic for a cold night...

IOE wonderland banner, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

work table

work table, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

So, my work table is waiting for my return. I have so much graphics work that I have neglected it. Hopefully, this weekend I will find some time to work on something besides digital creations. NOT that I'm complaining! It is wonderful to be busy.

The sky was absolutely amazing today. These are photos I snapped with my iPhone. Wish I'd had my Canon with me, but you can see it was a pretty spectacular sight!

The sunset was stunning!

So this evening a fierce wind is howling across the Dallas area, roaring down from the north and the temperature is nose-diving. I am home alone... kids are scattered at various activities, the husband off doing good deeds. It is very quiet... well, except for that wind! I'm off to curl up with a blanket and a book.
Hope your evening is cozy.

Edward's heart

Edward's heart, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I have some new designs (including this "Twilight" inspired one) in my Cafe Press shop. You can order shirts, bags and all sorts of goodies. FUN!

http://www.cafepress.com/SeaDreamStudio

mi casa

This vignette is on a table in a little hallway going to my bedroom. It is all white, seashelly and magical. I found the little fairies at the thrift store yesterday. :)
Here's some crazy, Frenchy stuff in my piano room. The painting in the background is very old and is painted on blue velvet (NOT a paint-by-number! LOL!).

My doll heads are hanging out in this little nest.

And, this is a glass case filled with sand and little odd treasures. Mostly all of these things are from the thrift store and I LOVE them!!

So, there's a peek at my abode.

remembering purpose

The Yukimi or "Snow Viewing Lantern" is a style created especially for Japanese Gardens. Developed in the Ashikaga Period (16th century), all Yukimi lanterns have the same general form. They comprise a large roof, a light compartment and a base with three or four legs of various forms. The large roof can have spans of two to three meters across. They can be rustic, made simply of suitably shaped stones, or as this one, carved with an ornate lattice work light compartment, elegantly formed roof and supporting legs. A deep layer of snow can settle on the large overhanging roof adding to the charm of these lanterns.

Today I choose to see purpose and beauty in the things that I encounter.

As winter looms my I find myself dreaming of tropics islands even more than usual. My friend J introduced me to Taprobane Island, a most worthy subject for my dreams.

Taprobane Island was originally built in the 1920's by the romantically named but self styled Count de Mauny-Talvande. The island with its neo palladian mansion has played host to kings, queens, presidents, prime ministers, aristocracy, writers and eccentrics, giving it a very colorful history, which guests can now share. The Island comprises 2 ½ acres of sheer tropical fantasy with nothing between it and the South Pole. Accommodation is provided for in 5 en-suite bedrooms, with spacious living areas, balconies, verandahs, tropical gardens and a stunning infinity pool. A staff of 5 cater for your every need; in fact after arrival, guests frequently never leave the Island until their departure.
Sri Lanka’s only privately owned island. The No.1 address in the Indian Ocean.
An impossibly romantic island villa eccentrically accessible only by wading through the sea...

or riding over on an elephant!! ~sigh~

http://www.taprobaneisland.com/taprobane.html

rain...

amber avatar 2, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

It is a dark and stormy night...
and we're having a tornado watch in November... GEEZE!!

My daughter is feeling much better and that makes me very happy and so far (fingers crossed) no one else is sick. Whew!

I am off to an uneasy sleep until this nasty storm passes.

Hooray! My daughter is getting better! She has been so pitiful, but is now beginning to return to the realm of the living!!

It has been a beautiful weekend. Had J and G over for dinner and antics last night. They are so fun!

Today... more digi jobs. I am really enjoying this work. It is a delightful and magical medium!

flapper banner

flapper banner, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Well, my sweet Kate is wrapped in blankets, eating popsicles and hopefully the antibiotics are kicking in. She does not have strep or mono, but some unnamed something or other.
Sis and I DID escape for a bit and visited one of our trinket shoppes!! Oh, fun! Found some cheap treasures and had some sisterly laughs.

Not yet...

sunflowers avatar , originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Yes, I know it is autumn, that winter is waiting just around the corner, but I am still in denial. The weather has been so marvelous here. Today is is cooler, but I think I will try to fool myself a bit longer.
I am off to take my daughter to the doctor. Poor girl! She feels lousy! Hopefully, she'll get some meds and be on the mend soon.
My sis and I had a play date (well, that's what it is) planned. We were going to visit our favorite junk jewelry shop, but I have to take care of my Kate first. The baubles will have to wait... but not for long. If I get Kate home, medicated and tucked in with a bowl of soup (hey, she's 19!), perhaps sis and I can streak up to the treasure cove for a spangle or two!

Thursday

angelic avatar, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Oh, poor Kate, my sweet daughter is feeling awful tonight. I suspect she has strep. Off to the doctor tomorow...
She is 19, but still my baby girl and I hate for her to be sick.

I worked on some digital jobs today. The image above is an avatar that goes with a new Lollishop banner now listed in my Etsy shop. I love the hopeful expression on this girl's face. I gave her sky blue wings. They fit her, don't they?

I have a a new project buzzing around in my head. It involves velvet, acorns, twigs and more. My hands are itching to get to work. It is a good thing to have a fresh idea brewing!

Happy Wednesday!

I am in a rather festive mood today despite the dreary skies! I am working on digital orders and drinking too much coffee. Yes, never a dull moment here in the 'burbs!

Obama Wins!!

Obama Wins, originally uploaded by bdu.

Ah, I think I will have sweet dreams tonight!

a new day!!

Barack Obama, originally uploaded by Yan Zhang [to Chicago].

Today's the day (if you haven't early voted. I did!)...
SO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP...

AND VOTE SMARTLY!!!

Monday greetings!

magical banner, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Oh, sometimes I LOVE Texas so much... like today when it is in the 80s!! I am so sorry for any of you that are being snowed upon today!! I know some folks love it, but give me sunshine any day!
Oh, and has anyone seen my housekeeping fairies? They are AWOL and I am getting rather perturbed with them. I have a sneaking suspiscion that they are vacationing somewhere with my laundry elves! I swear, you cannot find good help these days!

halloween 2008

halloween 2008, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Halloween is not the madness it was when I had four costumes to make and my own little swarm of trick-or-treaters to wrangle, but it is still fun. Now there is just Will dressing up, so it is a much more sedate evening. I miss the chaos, but it is a bit of a relief, too.
Will had lots of fun with his buddies and (as you can see) fared pretty well in the candy department. We always sort the candy. Amazingly (and sady) Will got only one Reece's cup! Well, at least I won't have my usual guilt about sneaking them out of his stash.
The husband donned his superhero duds. I guess guys never outgrow that. He always did look good with his boxers over his jeans.
Hope your Halloween was filled with fun (and Reece's!!)!