sweet mermaid sister...

I love Flickr! It is a great to place share and meet new friends. Sarah ~ aka~ Gypsy Mermaid Life
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gypsymermaidlife/ is one of my best Flickr pals.
She's a Texan, too, but as you know Texas is BIG and we haven't met... yet!!
I am trying to drag her up my way so we can go to Canton ("The World's Largest Flea Market").

Sarah is so fun and she is super talented!! Check out her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5281249 to see her creations! Here is a precious nest she made! I love it!
Her blog is delightful! http://www.gypsymermaidlife.blogspot.com/ You won't have to read much to appreciate her beautiful spirit, great sense of humor and generous heart!!
She is a true mermaid sister. In fact, it is almost uncanny how we, unknown to each other, have created very similar pieces. I think we may have hatched from the same seashell!
Like I said, I love Flickr. It has brought wonderful people like Sarah into my life!

making progress

Still have lots to do, but I am beginning to see some progress
in my studio re-do. I am off to buy more jars and photo boxes.
It is a lovely day here. I am so ready

to have this work done so I can create!

e

my future

This is the outfit I will soon don as

the Queen of All Things Organized Forever and Ever Amen.

There... that's what I've been looking for... All I had to do was listen, pay attention to the universe. Silly me, taking half a lifetime to understand the simplest thing. But now, this day, I am ready.

revamp...

2007 tried to kill me... literally and emotionally. Well, 2007 can kiss my a*$!! 2008 is going to be a whole new ballgame! As part of my new life I am reworking my entire house. My studio space is torn up right now as I (and my sister, bless her heart!! Love you, Sissy!!) totally makeover my life! I am ready to be more organized and less burdened by STUFF! Oh, now I love my stuff, but there is a lot I need to let go. I am emotionally and spiritually ready to fly and I cannot be burdened by chaos, be it creative chaos or just your garden variety mess.
So, I am not able to create right now (aaarrgg!), but in a way this is creative. I am creating a living, woking space that is free from clutter and the weight of too much crap.
Soon I will be posting "after" photos of my new, beautiful studio.
I'm off to fill trash sacks!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope your day is filled with love.

pendant swap

I was lucky enought to be invited to join a a soldered pendant swap. Here are mine, which are now in the mail. They were really fun to make. I used vintage dictionary pages, images from a 1940's fairytale book, German floral scrap and lots of silvery glitter. I'll post a pic of the pendants I receive once theyy all arrive. I have gotten 2 already and they are gorgeous (thanks Mendy and Tina!)!!!

paper queen pendant

paper queen pendant, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Hooray! Finished! This is the pendant to go with the paper queen crown. I am off to McKinney to deliver this.
Cold and clear today. I am sick of winter... even this mild Texas winter. I need to see green trees!

YIKES!

Big Bunny, originally uploaded by wu33182.

I love Flickr! Look what I found! I think I might have a nightmare after seeing this!!! He is cute... in a terrifying sort of way.
And then there's the bunny...

paper queen crown

paper queen crown, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

work in progress...
This is a commissioned piece for a paper artist. EEEK!
I am making a matching soldered pendant also. I love making crowns, but don't do many of them. If I put them in the brick and mortar storefront they get shopworn.
Off to my bubble bath...

Marie Antoinette element packet

I've restocked my Marie Antoinette element packs. Find them here...

http://seadreamstudio.net/

Had a nice, quiet Monday. Ian is getting better. I have a custom crown to make...

oh, yeah, and dinner, too.

It is gloriously warm & sunny here... more like April than February... but who's complaining?? I love it! Made a few spring-y things this weekend. You can find them in my shop... http://www.seadreamstudio.net/.
Will is well. HOORAY! Ian is sick now, but not as bad as Will. Hopefully in the next few days this nasty bug will go away from our house!!!
Hope your weekend was fun and creative!

swap goodies from Tricia

swap goodies from Tricia, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Tricia sent me the most amazing and delightful box of mermaid treasures!! There was even a baby mermaid tiara!!! I am thrilled with every single thing... all of it so thoughtful and beautiful!!!!

Will is better... still not well, but definately on the mend. It has been a long week. No one likes for their kids to be sick. It is sad.

Cool and very windy here. I have to make a Kinko's run later. I think I might need to put some bricks in my pockets!

awwww...

My little man has the flu!! Here he is not eating his eggs (out of his toddler plate... good for when you're sick and need some babying). He feels pretty lousy. Since I am housebound with him I hope to get some much needed nearly-spring cleaning done. Gosh, don't you wanna' come over and help? I'll provide hazmat suits and plenty of hazelnut coffee. Don't knock the door down trying to get in!! First one here gets to clean out the laundry room!!!

YIKES!

No, no... no mumps, but perhaps a quarantine is in order! I DID have the wretched stomach bug.

It was fast and furious... 2 days of misery and then a jubilant re-entry into the land-o-the-living!

But, my poor little Will... he had the stomach beast last week and today he has fever, a cough, headache and a sore throat. He got sick in like 2 hours time! Amazing! I thought he looked tired and next thing you know he is asleep with a 103 temp! We are off to good old Dr. Minsky in a little while.

I have managed to add a few (germ-free , I promise) items to my shop including

these fun tickets.

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/

Hope your day is happy and HEALTHY!

Marie Antoinette basket

Marie Antoinette basket, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

These paper baskets are fun to make, though I doubt I'll be making much of anything today. Seems the tummy bug that has been making the rounds at Casa McLain has, alas, reached me! I am fighting it, but it is not good... Off to my blanket and pillow.

Easter basket

Easter basket, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I am trying to conjure springtime! I so do not like winter!!! My studio is a blur of pastel flowers and pink glitter!
You can find the basket in my shop.

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/

crowns

crowns, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Just added these pretty Bali silver crowns to my shop. They are really pretty.

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/

Had to pick up Will (my youngest~ 11) early from school today. He has a tummy thing. He feels awful! He is all snugged up under an electric blanket on the sofa. My poor baby

Marie Antoinette element packet

Marie Antoinette element packet, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Look what's new in my shop!! I had so much fun gathering lots of lush, pastel elements for these packets. http://www.seadreamstudio.net/
It was nice to have something pretty to look at on such a dreary day!!

FLY collage

FLY collage, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Just added this collage to my shop.

After a VERY foggy morning, we had a most lovely and warmish day here... in the 60s!! My friend, Laurie and I hung out. She is teaching full-time now and I miss her so much! She is like a sister... as nutty as me, poor thing. We went to JoAnn's and bought craft supplies, because neither of us have any at all... okay, that was a lie. We had a lot of fun being mesmerized by any and everything that had a speck of glitter, a sequin or a rhinestone. How sad life would be without a dear friend that is as easily amused as I am!!

Clara

I have created a new species... the pink crowned wren. Find her in my shop.

Our snowstorm turned out to be only a dreary rain. Today though was sunny and getting warmer. Should be 70 tomorrow. That makes me very happy.
Made art today while the boys (dh and 3) sons went tool shopping for the oldest. Kate scampered off to hang out with friends, so had a quiet afternoon. Spent way too long on iTunes.
Thankfully my entire household is healthy again.
My son Ian (15) is going to Costa Rica this summer with a group of science students. I am very excited for him. He will visit a volcano & a butterfly preseve, study ecology, hike in the jungle, fly through the Monteverde Cloud rainforest canopy on a zipline... while I am at home swallowing tranquilizers! I spent some time researching the trip online today. It looks awesome, but of course it is going to be tough to let him go so far away. Oh, well... it is in June, so I'll wait a bit to really start worrying! http://worldstrides.com/costa_rica/default.html

winter storm watch

So, no snow yet, but it is cold enough! Brrr...

My husband and daughter are both ill with fever, body aches and tummy probs. Poor things!

I am wishing I had a mask and gloves or a haz-mat suit...

a winter day...

Another very chilly day here in north Texas. Though the weather report is hinting at snow for Friday, by Sunday it will be in the 70s! Oh, joy!!

Today I made a little art, did some laundry and mailed packages.

This is Marcel.. He lives in Paris...
and loves the flea market.
You can find him in my shop...

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/

brrrr....

Oh, it is crazy-cold here!! Very rough on us mermaid-types!! I am feeling very far away from the equator... I need a nice salt-tinged southern breeze and swaying palm right about now.

I have added some new items to my shop today (link at your right). I love collaging on this vintage farmhouse tin. It is so beautifully weathered. Wish I could fare so well...
I also made a special order birthday tiara and wand today and puttered up to McKinney to deliver it to the shop. I swiped my daughter's shearling coat so as not to perish in the cold. I may keep it. It is wonderfully warm!
I am off to cook some chow for the familia... I hate to cook, but at least I can stand by the oven and pretend I am feeling that heat from an island breeze. Perhaps a Miller Chill will add to the ambience...

Stay warm, my friends.

Springtime Bottle

Springtime Bottle, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I am continuing my defiance of the weather! It IS SpringTime in my studio!!

Just added this to my shop...

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/

Pink Wish

Pink Wish, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Spring is in the air... NOT! But, I am dreaming of sunny, warm days. My woktable is all pastels, glitter and sweet blossoms.
My kids are enjoying a lazy day off. They emerge every now and then for food. It is so cold and dreary here and I am so glad I have no errands to run today.

The piece above is available here... http://seadreamstudio.net/

Marie's grotto

Marie's grotto, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Oh, that Marie Antoinette... slave to style, naughty queen! This grotto assemblage transforms Her Highness into a mermaid empress. I chose lush millinery flowers in creamy pastels to create Marie's enchanted undersea world.
This piece is available in my shop.

http://seadreamstudio.net/

It is a verrrry cold day here in north Texas, but sunny and bright. I will continue to stock my revamped shop.

Tonight my sweet son and delightful daughter-in-law are having us over for dinner. They are so cute in their little apartment, so happy and content. Sweet days for them...

Hope your Saturday is wonderful!

Azura's grotto

Azura's grotto, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

I have added some items to my shop http://www.seadreamstudio.net/, including this mermaid grotto. I am enjoying stocking the shelves!
Cold here today with a few stray snowflakes drifting down every now and then. If it is going to be this cold, I'd just as soon a blizzard blew in.

HAPPINESS!!!

http://www.seadreamstudio.net/
Notice anything different? How about my beautiful blog header? Cathy at Avalon Rose Design http://avalon-rose-design.com/created this wonder for me AND a matching one for my Etsy ,http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439 but best of all a remarkable template for my shop http://www.seadreamstudio.net/!!! I am absolutely delighted with this design that is so me!!! In fact, the little girl in the left hand corner is me!! Cathy's work is always so lovely and I urge you to contact her if you need these services. She is so talented... and a very sweet and friendly gal!!!
Now, as to that website... well it will be up and running very soon. I am busy stocking the store shelves. I will make an announcement when the grand opening is near!! Perhaps a give-away is in order... Stay posted...

Don't do this...

Don't do this..., originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Took this sunrise picture through the car window, WHILE DRIVING!
Smart, huh?? Well, if you stop on the little curvy road leading up to Will's school a carpool mom might pop a cap at your head and this is not a photo I am willing to die for.
The weather gods are feeling benevolant today... high near 70 and mucho S U N S H I N E! Oh, yessss!

So, how to spend so lovely a winter day? I plan to give the hacienda a quick swipe of cleaning, pack up Etsy orders and make some art... or... go to the thrift store! Hmmm.... maybe I can do all of it... if I get off this computer!!

today

Ah, Monday morning... children off to school, dh away on business. The sun is bright and wintery light falls across my studio in a most enchanting way... Glitter and sequins beckon.

The coffee pot is full and dogs are napping. Biggest decision of the day... music or this beautiful silence...

This is a day to create.

Swan Valentine

Swan Valentine, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

These Valentine candyboxes are really fun to make. I've had this swan for a while and I was glad to find a home for her. Available here...

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439


It is a cold, sunny day... perfect for staying inside and creating. Glitter is flying in my cozy, warm studio. What should I make next??

Valentine candybox

Valentine candybox, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Love is in the air... and on my worktable...
Find this assemblage in my Etsy shop...

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439

Portrait of the Artist Painting a Portrait (Vintage)

Portrait of the Artist Painting a Portrait (Vintage), originally uploaded by sea turtle.

What is it that drives us to create? For many people it is as natural and vital as breathing. To those outside this realm it might seem a curious passion. For me, it is simply where I live, my constant refuge.

eeek!

Oh, I hate it when I have so much to do I can't create! Tonight Ian starts driver's ed, we have to pay bills and I need to come up with a VERY EASY science fair project for Will... and dinner... arrrg! I wanna' MAKE something!

But, on a positive note... it is WARM here... 76 to be exact! Now, this is my kind of winter!!!

I can see clearly now...

I can see clearly now..., originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My sweet daughter Kate has an Etsy shop!!! She is selling hand embellished reading glasses. They are so cute! Check them out here...http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5523143

Marie of the sea

Marie of the sea, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Here is the always stylish Marie Antoinette as a mermaid in her sparkling gseashell grotto. FInd her here...http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439

Look mom!

Look mom!, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

My heart's teasure!

New shade!!

New shade!!, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.

Oh, I found lavender!! So pretty and available in my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439

Look what I found!

More beautiful feather fans!!
Find them here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439