As much as I hate to accept it, autumn is on the way. At least I like the colors, if not the weather!
Made this between chores and working on a little fairyland grotto.
Blog banner is available in my Etsy shop.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
crow banner
Angelic Pink blog banner WM
Oh, the digi madness will not stop! I can't help myself! It is so fun to make banners!! This one is in my Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=23439
It appears that everyone got to school safely today! YIPPEE! I am extremely grateful for that!
I have to arrange things with the body shop, but we are so delighted that no one was injured, that dealing with car repairs is a piece of cake! Thank the US Automakers for Ian's ship-of-a-car! I think his big blue Le Sabre protected him!
I am determined to finish up a few art projects today and work on my Paper Cowgirl vendor night items. It is horribly quiet here and I am missing the kids.
Monday, August 25, 2008
whew!
What a day! Got the tots off to school (6th, 10th & college sophomore), poured a cuppa' and marveled at the utter silence that fell over my house. It seemed as if all of suburbia gave a collective sigh. And then... the phone rang. My sweet boy Ian had a fender bender on his first day of driving to school! Poor baby! No one was injured and our insurance deductable is not too awful, but what a way to start the day! No mom wants to hear that their offspring has been in any sort of an accident. I am hoping that this might make a little chink in his teenage armor of invincibility, maybe scare him into being more careful.After numerous phone calls, the accident was dealt with and I decided to take care of renewing my domain name for my shop. Happily, I was able to purchase the dot com for my shop. It has been unavailable since I've wanted it (several years), but now it is MINE!! Instead of SeaDreamStudio.net , I am SeaDreamStudio.com! Actually I own .net, .com and .biz (it was a deal). I am really glad to have this domain name secured! Sorting this out with my hosting company was a bit of pain, but all is well now. Victory!
Now, the kids have all arrived back home and the normal chaos is happily filling the house. Dinner's in the oven and I am finally going to sit down in my studio for a moment.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
back to school
Well, tomorrow's the day. Summer has flown by and it is time for the kids to hit the books. My 2 younger boys are in 6th and 10th grades and my daughter is in her second year of college. My oldest son is an old married man, all done with school.
It will be really quiet here. We have had a noisy, full house all summer. Our house has been the neighborhood hangout for my boys' friends. I will miss them!
On the plus side, I should be able to get a lot more done. I have a million projects that need my attention. I will have to stay busy to stave off the loneliness.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
sticky kitten banner
I had a blast creating this banner for Michelle's Etsy shop. I think it fits her adorable and unique style. Check out her fun shop here... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5243544
begin again
Oh, gentle reader, you know me only as a trick of light, not the real person that I am. Here in Blogland we reveal but a sliver of ourselves, so I will tell you a bit more of my true self.
I am a person who strives to be a peaceful, accepting, generous and kind. I read books that promote this, listen to music that feeds my soul and encourages me in these endeavors. I hope to treat all people with understanding, patience and tenderness. This is not something I take lightly, but a true devotion. In the past few years I have become much more purposeful in my attempts to live in a kind and loving manner among my fellow human beings here on this blue planet. I think I have had some success in this. I believe I have grown spiritually and I think this is reflected in my daily life.
But, alas, yesterday I failed terribly! I think I was as angry as I have ever been in my life! I was enraged (yep, that's the word) by the actions of a most difficult person of my aquaintance. The things I said were all true, all valid, but still, I consider this a failure on my part. I tossed all of my lovely zen peacefulness out the window. I will just say that this situation involved a bully and his actions toward my youngest son and some of the other children in the neighborhood, and mostly his parent's basically condoning this behavior for many years . And what is a bully, but a frightened tyrant? Sigh... I shook like a leaf for hours after this encounter, but it was years in the making and yesterday was the day I'd had enough.
So, today I begin again on my path to tranquility. I will not waste this day in regret. I doubt my harsh words will change the aforementioned situation and I can not take them back, so forward I go.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ian's birthday
My sweet, sweet boy! How did he get to be SIXTEEN??? His first car sort of takes away some of the pain of starting school next week. It is pretty cool to be a sophomore with a car.
I adore this boy!
lucky me
Am I super lucky, or what?? I won this gorgeous wreath from the uber-talented Katie Runnels!! I adore it! It is so pretty and utterly charming! She wrapped it so sweetly, too! Check out her beautiful blog.
http://theconstantgatherer.blogspot.com/
My picture doesn't do this lovely creation justice!
Thanks Katie!!!!!! You ROCK!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Marie blog banner watermarked
Oh, stop me right now! I must quit this digital obsession!!
This banner is available. Look here http://www.seadreamstudio.net/ if you are interested.
Now, I must go feed my child!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
jana's grotto
My neighbor/friend Jana is an island goddess and a fellow wannabe mermaid. I created this grotto featuring Jana and her adorable daughter, Chloe, as merdivas!! This was an absolute delight to make!!!
Amy's banner
This was such a fun blog banner to create! Amy loves old Hollywood, jewels, spring colors and her muse is a FLYING PIG!! LOL! Now how fun is that? I am taking a limited number of commissions for banners, so if you are interested just drop me a line.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Here's a banner I made for Jessi http://scrappyjessi.blogspot.com/. I could absolutely make digital art day and night. It is the so fun!! I swear I feel like a magician!
I have several other digital projects in the works, along with plenty of "real" art projects. Too bad I have to sleep.
I really need to stay busy, as I absolutely hate for summer to end. I love having my kids home. In a little over a week we'll be back to the grind of school. Ugh! Homework! Blah! Projects! Yuck! Makes me tired to think of it! We need more pool time! More lazy days! LOL!
I know, I'm a bad mom... whatever. I WILL send my kids to school and I WILL make them do their work, but I don't have to like it! I think I feel this more keenly each year. The time goes so quickly and my kids are getting too big! What happened to all my babies??
Okay, so I think I just had a little breakdown. Sorry about that! ;)
I am off to read a bit and dream of endless summers and kids that don't grow up overnight!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Oh, I have so many projects in the works! I really have got to get my Paper Cowboy kits and Vendor Night things together. I MUST work on those things tomorrow. The kids and I are enjoying out last weeks before school starts. Summer has flown by. I really must find a way to move closer to the equator. If I never see another bare tree or a single flake of snow I will be just fine. It is a good thing I like warm weather, because it is crazy hot here, again. No worries... look for me in the pool. I'm the one with the big grin and sparkly earrings!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
this is how I roll...
Well, a cold front has blessed the Dallas suburbs with bone-chilling temps as low as 96!!! Wheee!I'm shivering! Seriously, anything below 100 feels pretty nice. I do love sunshine and heat, but even I wilt a bit when it is over 110!!
So, my heat induced lethargy has lifted and I am back in my studio snipping, gluing and generally making a tremendous mess. I am making mermaid grottoes, Frida shrines, pendants, birdnests, etc...
And of course, my digital obsession only grows! I am making PNG files out of everything I can photograph or scan and tinting black and white pics. I really do need a laptop...
School starts here on the 25th. Poor kids! Why must summer end?? Mine are currently in a frenzy of swimming, lazing about and generally avoiding all thoughts of the classroom. Who can blame them? Summer ROCKS!
Well, I am off to do a few domestic chores (where's that lazy housekeeper? Oh, yeah, that would be moi!) and try to get a little studio time in before I am required poolside!
Hope you are having a lovely August day.
Monday, August 04, 2008
hot time in Dallas
Yes, it is HOT!! Nutty, insane hot, but I am smiling like the Cheshire Cat because I LOVE summer! Yes, the heat cooks your brain, wilts your body and generally turns human beings into smoldering ash, but it still beats the hell (tee hee) out of drab, grey, cold, depressing winter!! We re living in the pool, but that's not so bad, huh?
My house guests are gone. It was wonderful having Bret for a week. He is a sweet and easy-going kid. He is between the ages of my 2 youngest sons so he hung out with both of them. Judy returned to pick him up and hang out for the weekend. Her daughter also stayed with us (she goes to college nearby), so we had a full house.
I have had little time for art, though I did make a few pieces which I will post later. I am in one of those moods where I have too many ideas swirling around in my head. I want to make so many things!! I need to work on class kits for Paper Cowgirl and solder some pendants, but my brain is bubbling with ideas for new projects!!!
I am off to make SOMETHING before I spontaneously COMBUST!!!!
Monday, July 28, 2008
magic lanterns
My class at Paper Cowgirl http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/ is Magic Lanterns! They are so fun to make and the possibilities are endless. Hope you can come!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
a gift...
This weekend was so nice. My dear friend, Judy, and her youngest son, Bret, came for a visit! They are our former neighbors and we miss them so much. Now they live in Tulsa, but they used to live across the street and we miss having them so close. Each family consists of 3 boys and 1 girl and in the same order and nearly the same ages, so our children grew up together.
Judy has had a rough year... breast cancer and seperation from her husband. She came down to look around and consider the possibility of moving back. I hope she will!
Bret is staying with us for the week and then Judy will be back to retrieve him and visit again next weekend. I imagine I will be hanging out at the pool with the boys a lot this week!
What a great weekend of laughter, heart-to-heart talks, many fond remebrances and hopes for the future. Friendship is indeed a precious gift.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
never forget your heart's dream
It is another beautiful summer day. I honestly should live where it never gets cold. The heat suits me, makes me happy!
I am working on my Paper Cowgirl class samples today. I am nearly done and ready to take photos.
My son Ian is at Ground Zero today. Their choir is singing at a nearby church this afternoon. Tonight (on a lighter note) they are seeing "Wicked". Last night he sent me a text at 11:50 that they were in the subway waiting to head back to Harlem, so I think he is getting a lot of real NYC experiences.
Will and I are headed out to the pool to enjoy this exquisite afternoon.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Jewels of the Sea Swap
Jewels of the Sea Swap, originally uploaded by Sea Dream Studio.
What a fun swap! I LOVE my unique and oceany pendants! Thanks girls!!!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Paper Cowgirl
Ok, I am getting really excited about Paper Cowgirl now that I know what I'm going to teach! LOL! I have so many ideas, but I think I have decided on something pretty cool. I am finishing my samples this weekend and will have a class description, supply list and PICTURES by early in the week.
My 15 (almost 16, he'd want me to say) yr. old son, Ian, is off to the Big Apple for a week. It is a choir trip. He gets to go to Shea Stadium, sing at Ground Zero, tour Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and much more... but the thing that I am most jealous of... he is going to see "Wicked"! Now, teenage boys are not all that up on the coolest Broadway musicals, but I do hope he enjoys the show. I just spoke to him on the phone and he was at a Starbucks somewhere in Manhattan. Tough life that kid has, huh?
The husband and our youngest son are off to see "Batman"- a bit too dark for me, plus there's a "Deadliest Catch" mini-marathon on tonight, so I stayed home. My daughter Kate is working, so I am actually home alone. EEEK! That's pretty rare.
Well, I am off to work on my class examples. My glue gun is calling...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
I beg to differ...
So, one hears the direst remarks about the internet... how we are all secluded in our homes, caught up in a virtual world, blah, blah, blah. Well, I beg to differ and I image you, gentle reader, do also. I LOVE the internet and I think it is a marvelous way to connect. It is a real boon to artists like moi, who find a nurturing, supportive community on the web. Here's a great example... sweet Jessi http://scrappyjessi.blogspot.com/ is a delightful artist and fun blogger. She has purchased some items from my shop and I like to throw in some extra goodies with my orders. As a thank you she made me the fabulous mermaid ATC pictured above!! I adore it and even more I treasure this friendship brought to me by the wonderful internet! Thanks and hugs Jessi!! You rock!
And on another related note... The upcoming Paper Cowgirl Retreat (where I am priviledged to be teaching) is also a spawn of web connections. Some Texas altered art bloggers are pulling this sure to be fun and inspiring event together.
I love the web!
pendants
I am listing these (and quite a few more) new pendants in my shop.
I still have a HEAP to solder. Hopefully I'll get to them later this week. It is another gorgeous day here in north Texas, nice and toasty just like I like it!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Paper Cowgirls Retreat
Now this should be a blast! I have been invited to teach and participate in Vendor Night!! What fun! Now I have to decide WHAT to teach! LOL! No worries... I have a hive full of ideas! Go here for more info... http://papercowgirl.blogspot.com/
self portrait
Yes, summer makes me happy... jubilant, actually! I finally found a nugget of time to make art this weekend. I worked on some collages, a crown and a Marie Antoinette mermaid piece. Yesterday afternoon I soldered nearly 40 pendants. Now I need to photograph them and get them uploaded to my shop.
Will (my youngest) is at music and art daycamp this week and I am enjoying this lovely, quiet morning.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
magic of the sea
Oh, summer is going too fast! I can't believe all the school supplies out at the stores. UGH! I want summer to last forever!
I have gotten little art work done this week, but hopefully tomorrow I can spend some time in my studio. Today was a day of running kids all over the place. It is so beautiful here this summer. We are not in our usual horrible drought, so everything is green. When I am out I really savor the beautiful clear blue skies and delicious sunshine.
Ahhh... delight!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
a teeny little brag
Interboard Poetry Community
POEM OF THE YEAR
May 2007-April 2008
Judged byKelly Cherry
Bad Weather by Dale McLain
Submitted byWild Poetry Forum
Judges Comments
Poem of the Year
Bad Weather
It is the music first of all that tells me this is a poem to pay attention to. The poet varies short and long sentences, carrying the cadence of them straight through to the slant-rhyme couplet that brings the poem to completion. The diction holds steady thoughout; nothing strays beyond the tessitura of the poem. This very American poem ("Sheetrock," "twister" "prairie boat") adheres to a classical sense of proportion that is equally evident in the speaker's statements. The same is true of the emotions it contains: we hear the speaker's fear and exhilaration but also a carefully calculated self-mockery that derives from years of experience with the phenomena. ("You can grow accustomed to storms," we were told in the very first line, and the poem demonstrates that you can. Accustomed, but by no means passive.) Because the self-mockery is handled lightly enough, it charms and does not depress. The poet's gentle acceptance of the emotions stirred by the storm gives to the poem a good-naturedness that the reader feels must be inclusive: reader and poet can experience--let's say weather--the storm together. --Kelly Cherry
Bad Weather
You can grow accustomed to storms.
Every night they shake our sheetrock,
set the bricks trembling. Mortar remembers
it is only sand. Our jaunty roof begs
to be doffed. And I huddle within my frame
with dread and an awful wish that the past proves
its redundancies, that miles away the twister
will drop- not here, not now when I have just
remembered my own name.
When the windows bow like Galileo's glass
I begin to pray to deities yet unnamed,
beseech the clever stars that hide
behind the churning ceiling. I confess
that peace is not my plea. Instead I ask
for more colors and a measure of strength
to face the wind. The red oak fusses
at my window, whines and scratches to come in.
But it holds, this vine-covered house,
stands on its wide flat bottom, a prairie boat
anchored fast in hard white clay and history.
Within I slip off my shoes. Tonight is not the night
that I will walk on broken glass and wear the unmistakable
face of disbelief. The thunder's growl begins to lose
step with the lightning. In the attic rafters sigh
and creak like scrawny old men. I lay my head
on the last damp cloud where dreams of whirlwinds
and flying shingles wait. I sleep
like a town wiped off the map.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
4th of July
Tomorrow we are heading down to Corsicana to the in-laws for some boating, burgers & fireworks. We are staying Friday night.
Wishing all of my American friends a fun and safe 4th!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
treasure!
I am in the process of adding all of htese new pendants to my shop. It takes sooo long to resize the pics, but I am hoping to finish adding them all tomorrow.
Among them you will find Captain Jack Sparrow, Marie Antoinette, Frida Kahlo, cowgirls, owls, mermaids, Lotteria cards, Buddha, birds, nests and lots more.
Find them here... http://seadreamstudio.net/
Jewels of the Sea
As I've said before, I really don't participate in many swaps. I think they are wonderful, but I am always so busy that they make me a little nuts. That being said, if I am invited to one with a theme as marvelous as "Jewels of the Sea", how can I resist? Heather from Speckled Egg hosted this fabulous swap. I really enjoyed making my pendants and even soldered some for my shop, which I will be listing later today.
It is crazy hot here. No surprise, though. It is July in Texas. I LOVE summer and as far as the heat goes... BRING IT! It beats grey, cold weather any day!
All is well. I am working in my studio and enjoying the long, sunny summer days... bliss...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
digi-journal
Well, let's see...first of all my son is home from Costa Rica!! Yea! He had a wonderful time in the rainforest and he brought me lovely, thoughtful gifts. I'll post photos soon. I am so happy to have him home, safe and sound! He leaves for NYC in a few weeks.
I actually made some art today! JOY! I also made a big mess, but it seems I can't do one without the other. My work table is covered in glitter, ribbons, paper snips and a million other delicious things. Sigh... if only I didn't need to sleep...
Oh, and if you wondered... the pic of Tim Holtz and I is from a workhop my pal Laurie and I took a year or so ago. I was just remembering how sweet, fun and inspiring he is! Love you, Tim! XXOO
Friday, June 20, 2008
Frida of the Sea
Here's a new collage that you can find in my shop.
I adore Frida Kahlo and I consider it a great honor to be recreated as a mermaid. I think a fin suits Frida quite nicely.
Still waiting to hear from my son in the rainforest. I am sure he's fine...
Beautiful day here. I love summer so much!!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Costa Rica
So, Ian left yesterday afternoon for San Jose and beyond. He has not called home yet and I am getting anxious to hear from him. I was not suprised that he didn't call last night as their flight was arriving at 9 pm. They had to clear customs, get to their hotel and have orientation... but tonight I really hope he calls. I am missing him and just need to hear his voice.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
shop talk
So, Ian is off to Costa Rica! I am exhausted... and I've added these collages to my shop.
Off to dreamland...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
eeeek!!
Ian leaves for Costa Rica tomorrow. His clothes and stuff are in heaps on his floor, but I am trying to convince him that this is not actually the same thing as being packed. It's not that he hasn't traveled - he has. Or been out of the country- he has. Or traveled without his family - he has... but, this is all of those put together! It is the thought of him in a foreign country without family that gives me pause. I have confidence in the teacher and the organization that he is traveling with, but I just wish they had a mommy-cam so I could watch their activities. Also, cell phones do not work there... well, their cell phones work, but there is not really any way to bring a US phone there and use it. They use an entirely different system. The tour leader assures me that she will be sure all the students call home daily. Sigh... I'll be okay. Having 4 kids does teach one to handle the problem of worry. I really strive to do all I can and then let things go and be dealt with by the universe. That's how it goes anyway. Why fight it?
Okay, I am about to go wake up my son and MAKE him pack. Wish me luck!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
back in my studio at last!
Tonight I grabbed a minute to start this piece It is a collage on vintage tin. It really felt great to be creating after too long a hiatus. My studio time was cut short by four 11 to 12 year old boys begging me to take them to Blockbuster. It appears we are having an impromptu sleepover at our house tonight.
Tomorrow I am taking Ian shopping for some items he needs for Costa Rica. He is getting pretty excited (as excited an almost 16 yr. old very cool guy can get) about his trip. I, on the other hand, am dreaming of all the mishaps that could occur. Sigh... I feel pretty good about this trip, but it is a looooong way from home and he is still my baby! It will be a long week.
Well, I am off to bed with the silly hope that these 4 boys in my gameroom will watch their nice PG-13 movie and drift off to sleep. Yeah, I know, I'm a dreamer!
mermaid kit
I've added a fabulous new mermaid art kit to my shop. It was so fun to gather these sea-inpired elements! Find it here... http://seadreamstudio.net/
Yet another slowish day. Can't seem to shake this tiredness and headache, despite it being a most beautiful day here in north Texas.
I think I need some vitaminD. Perhaps a little time poolside is the RX for me...
be happy
Oh, thank heavens I am feeling better. What fierce little bug I've had. Still have some lingering yuckiness, but am definately on the mend.
I am going to have to get serious about getting Ian ready for Costa Rica!! He leaves next Wednesday!! EEK!
I intend to get my hands in some glitter and glue today! I think that will heal me!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
a return to the living...
Finally I am feeling a bit more like a human being. This is a persistant bug though and I am still not 100%. At least I accomplished a few things today including taking some photos of the farm nearby when I took Willl to his friend's house. It is so beautiful and today the sky was picture-perfect. I'm sure I looked like a nut crouched down practically on the ground so I could get the sky in my shots. I took these pics with my little Olympus FE-300 and I think they came out pretty nice. I may go back with my Canon Rebel in the next day or so.
I am off to have a bubble bath, read a bit and head to dreamland.
Monday, June 09, 2008
yuck...
I've had a most lousy weekend. We attended one graduation party and then I got a hideous headache promptly joined by an unhappy stomach. I totally missed Sunday. Slept most of the day. I am slowly feeling better. I need a energy injection. I have to get busy getting Ian ready for Costa Rica. Mostly I just want to sleep...
Saturday, June 07, 2008
june
I adore June! Summer is just beginning and possibilities bloom like wildflowers.
This weekend we are attending several graduation parties. The weather is gorgeous, so it should be fun to celebrate with these seniors who we have known since that were little tots. Luckily only that have grown older, not me!!
My son, Ian, leaves for Costa Rica (a science trip to study in the MonteVerde rainforest) on the 18th and I haven't even looked at his packing list. Smart, huh?
My oldest son, Jake, just got a great new job so we went out to celebrate that good new last night. The husband's knee is getting better and he is only using one crutch now. The downside is that soon we will no longer be able to call him horrendous names and generally torment him over his crippled state. It is fun now as he cannot catch up with us, especially when we put his crutch just out of reach!!
So far June is parties, good news, hanging out by the pool and glorious sunny days! Who wouldn't love that?
Friday, June 06, 2008
studio peek
Ah, at last I have found a minute to play in my studio! These are little packs of elements for making collages, altered art, etc. I am slowly adding them to my shop. Actually I was moving at a nice pace when Internet Explorer decided to take a nap. sigh... I'll add the rest tomorrow. You can find them here... http://seadreamstudio.net/
Lovely day here, but super windy. I love June!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My 2 youngest kids are out of school at last, so it is officially summer! Hooray!
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