Persnickety Chick

A new home . . .

2014-01-16T19:10:00.002-08:00

This "Persnickety Chick" has decided to fly the coop! Heehee

Moving on over to my new digs

Got myself a brand new shiny website now.

It's super cool with all sorts of new options; even have my very own Shoppe over there.

Come on over . . . Check it out!
HERE

And if you're interested to check in with me more often,
be sure to "like" me on Facebook (pretty pretty please?)

AND

if you're a "pinner" check out my Pinterest boards, too.

And the Sisters keep on comin . . .

2013-10-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well, despite my absence the "Sisters with Attitude" keep on making their appearances.
I am so proud of all of these gals! What a treat to see so much talent from all over the world!

In no particular order, if you haven't had a chance to check out that link for the Craft Attitude project I previously shared, here are some more of these darling talented gals' creations . . .

Our Queen Sister of the challenge, the one who started it all:

Artist – Trudi Sissons
From – Alberta, Canada
Blog - http://twodressesstudio.blogspot.com/
Image Credits – http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

by the daring, darling Miss Dale Bradshaw Botha

From: South Africa
Site: https://www.facebook.com/dale.b.botha
Image Credits: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

by the marvelous Melissa Hines
From: Texas, USA
Site: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.morrillhines
Image Credits: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

by the industriously creative Donna B Miller
From: Kentucky,USA
Site: http://donnabmiller.typepad.com/
Image Credits: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

The Fantabulous Fiona Randall

From: Leicester, United Kingdom
Blog: http://myartfulmuse.blogspot.com/
Image Credits: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

The Terribly Terrific Tracey Parker

From: Ohio, USA
Blog: http://glitterbugstudios.blogspot.com/
Image Credits: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

By our very own cut and paste queen, our
Renee Stien
From - Minnesota, USA
Blog - https://thetingoat.blogspot.com/
Image Credits - http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

Mixed media maven, Marion Bockelmann
From - Münster, Germany
Blog - http://bockel24.blogspot.com/
Image Credits - http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST,

the sister with the MOST attitude

(after all I gotta live up to the Persnickety Chick title, don't I?)

from the humble little upstate city of Little Falls, New York

you already have my blog link, heehee

but here's the link to my new site: http://persnicketychick.wix.com/persnicketychickart

The funny thing is, I ran into all sorts of setbacks working on this project but I always considered it such a privilege to even be a part of it. I knew I had to do whatever was necessary to join my fellow sisters in getting this done. In the end, I came up with three takes on a similar design (and the same wonderful TFS gal with attitude). I never intended that all three be submitted but am so glad they all were!

Thank you Trudi Sissons for this wonderful opportunity to allow all of us in the Tumble Fish Studio Sisterhood to shine so brightly! And thank you to our wonderful fearless team leader, Marsha! I think I speak for us all in saying how much we love and value you both.

STAY TUNED as there is more crafty creativity coming your way!!

~Amber

*all of these can be seen in larger detail on the Craft Attitude facebook page here.

Sisters with Attitude, Stand Proud, We HAVE Arrived!!!

2013-10-17T08:55:00.001-07:00

Woot woot!!!

I am so excited to announce that after months of waiting, the SISTERS OF ATTITUDE project (led by our fearless and hardworking leader, Trudi Sissons of Two Dresses Studio and in association with Craft Attitude) has officially gone live!

I was so flattered to be asked to be a part of this fearless, creative, and oh so inspirational team of artists to be included. All of the girls on the Tumble Fish Studio creative team are so wicked talented and I pinch myself almost daily to ensure that it isn't simply some crazy dream that I am on this team with them. Been over a year now that I have been privileged to create alongside them and they continue to inspire me (besides being just about the kindest, most humble, supportive people I know).

This latest project is for sure one of the highlights of my creative year.

I am a bit late in getting in here to post about this so the project is actually already on Day Three and so far three artists have been featured on both the Craft Attitude website and Facebook page.

Here they are:

By Jayne Alexander (Blog - http://pigsinpink.blogspot.com/)


By Mary Bailey (Blog - http://milesbeyondthemoon.typepad.com/)

By Nancy Baumiller (Blog - http://www.crowabout.blogspot.com/)

From now on, I will be posting daily as each fabulous artist (and friend) is featured.
I can't wait for my turn!!

2013-09-24T14:57:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness! Do I ever have some catching up to do!

First of all:

My piece created with the La Vie Boheme Kit . . .

"Doorway to Enlightenment"

And then would you believe that I have been gone so long, Tumble Fish Studio has released THREE amazing kits, in no particular order . . .

SHADES OF RED

(It's All Perfecto!)

No worries . . . Just let go! Go with it! It's all Perfecto!

SHADES OF BLUE

(Miss Bonnie Blue)

Liked this piece so much I used it as a springboard for another project of mine:

"Little Rosie La Belle" and "Bonnie Blue"
both mounted on wooden plaques with varying mediums used to create background surface

And my personal favorite: so many fantastic elements I think I included them all! haha

YOUTHTOPIA


This piece really reflects where I am right now. Playing the law of attraction, living life outside of the box, no rules in how I play it!

I just can't wait any longer . . . .

2013-06-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!

~HOORAY HOORAY HOORAY!!!~


Created by Marsha Jorgensen


Sneak peek; created by me from the La Vie Boheme kit	(frame from Frames and Words by Tumble Fish Studio)

Naughty Naughty!!

2013-05-05T18:50:00.001-07:00

I have been such a bad, bad blogger!

I did not even realize how much time has passed since my last blog post. Think I may have just gotten caught up in that vast social network known as Facebook, is all, but"Shame on me!" I will need to see how it is I can spread myself just a tad bit thinner to make room for my dear ole faithful blog. AND if you happen to be here now but tend to spend more time in Facebook-Land, be sure to visit me there too:

The Persnickety Chick

(Be sure check out the end of this post for links to some of my other favorite spots I am spending my time these days . . .)

So, seeing as it's been three long months since I have posted here's what I have been up to:

Via the wonderful designs of Tumble Fish Studio I have been able to dabble in both

"Shades of Green"

Though not my conscious intention, my intuition clearly guided this piece and it took on a whole Zen sort of symbolism with the butterfly and "Empty Bowl".

and

"Shades of Purple"


"Miss Violette" does allow her love (or shall we say obsession?) for the color purple to get away from her at times!

This little lady got to show off her new glasses quite proudly.
How typical! Or rather shall I say: "how optical!" (heehee).


A journal card titled "An Optical Story"

While this one, with the help of inspiration from the late great Georges Méliès, got to show those elements clearly who's boss!


Queen Elemental; an ATC

I, the Persnickety Chick, also had the fun of
participating in a bit of artsy fartsy fun . . .

First: the April ATC swap under the theme "Eye of the Beholder:


"If we all could see the world through eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything" -Chee Vai Tang

And this month, one of my very favorites:

As part of the Deviant Scrap birthday celebration challenges, an altered portrait of my 2nd great grandmother . . .


"Little Lotte"- I had so much fun with this gal and am so proud of how she turned out!

I have also been working on some personal projects on the side. I began work on my first ever altered art book/art journal.

Page two and three of my journal. The left page will contain my journaling and I will be filling in words of importance in the swirls of the tree, my Tree of Life.

This spread showcases the house of my dreams (quite literally based on a dream I had full of symbolism.)

Was enjoying the process so much, at the request of some friends I decided to hold a little workshop/art night at my house.

Here I am getting my hands "dirty" prepping the pages beforehand.

We had so much fun and the girls really embraced the whole experience. Even going to make it a regular thing now!

On my own, when I do manage to find some downtime (between my CT work, commissions, my little job at the health food store, and the blog I run with my cousin), I continue to work on my own art journal therapy pages, as well. Perhaps, if I can get my butt back here before too much time passes, I will do a feature on those. Until then . . .

Love, light, and peace to all!!!!

Amber

Keep on creating!!! There is a creative being inside of us all!

Once Upon a Time . . .

2013-02-05T12:13:00.002-08:00

Once upon a time there was the most amazing designer collaboration ever brought to life in the most sacred of all deviant artistic realms of the universe!

It promised sheer creative power in the form of the most fantastical kits by the greatest of all of the designers in the Deviant Scrap Dot Com world!

It's size too numerous to calculate and its beauty, something which must be seen to be believed!

This post alone can only hold a preview of the goodness to be found.

From the enchanted Tumble Fish Studio

And as an esteemed member (we all are!) of the Tumble Fish Studio creative team, I was privy to put it's magic into effect to create this fairy tale maiden:

She is a follow-up piece of sorts to an earlier piece I did with a sweet girl and her fair froggy prince.

Perhaps this is them, so many many years later. She has aged and perhaps she's a little plumper. He remains his froggy self but she maintains her love for him all the same.

Here is the earlier piece, also created with magical goodies from Tumble Fish Studio. Click HERE to see just what sort of magic was used.

And for those who dare, there is even more magical goodness to be bestowed:

THIS incredible bonus kit can be yours!

Well, what are you waiting for? It isn’t as if you’ve got forever? Oh wait! Perhaps you do but why wait another moment to start your happily ever after?

Simply close your eyes, think happy thoughts, and Click HERE.

A step back from the digital leads the way for more art!

2013-02-03T10:52:00.002-08:00

Well, I had a bit of an incident with my laptop about two weeks ago and I'm sad to report that it's really put a damper on my digital creative time. Between borrowed time on my son's pc and my hubby's laptop I've been keeping up with my creative team duties but that's about all I've been able to do. And I am so excited to be a part of something special debuting at Deviant Scrap this coming week.
Here's a sneak peek of the goodness to come!

This is just Tumble Fish Studio's portion. Wait til you see what the designers have in store for you!

This is a sneak peek of my participation. Can you guess?

Though I feel a bit of a loss with my digital and graphic artistry endeavors having to take the back seat, I do have to admit it's actually been a really good thing for me in that I have been forced to use my creativity in other areas; waters I have been wanting to dive back into. Two projects I have been dividing my time between:

An altered art book I intend to use to journal about the incredible turn my life has taken this year and the subsequent growth that has taken place within as a mother, wife, artist and friend. I know that I shall never forget but I feel it is something I am so grateful for and something that which must be celebrated. I am so excited at the prospect and hope with all my heart it will be just what I envision it to be!

As you can see, I am still very much in the beginning stages and it is a total lesson in patience for me. I am so eager to move onto the real fun of gesso, painting, glueing, and journaling!

AND I have returned to my painting after so many many years. I have some growing to do, for sure but am enjoying relearning the process for myself.
Found this cute little Crayola chipboard book at my local goodwill and set out to decorate it, with no real plan, mind you. Here's how it's going so far.

Day One-Page One/Cover

Day Two-Page Two

Day Three-Page Three

Welp, that's it for now. Be sure to come back and share my progress on these projects. As always, I am so appreciative to have such a wealth of friends who support me in my artistic endeavors and I feel so blessed that I can share with no worries of being judged. Thanks to you all!

I'm back!

2013-01-22T07:02:00.003-08:00

Well, as is usually the case this time of the year (end of the year), my life was chocked full of all sorts of activity that didn't really afford me much creative time though I must say that I am very grateful for the biggest of those distractions: my family. We were able to fly out to California in December for an extended stay but it took a bit of rearranging with my work schedule at my "job" which meant extra shifts and such. Not to mention that my workload here at home has intensified as we work towards getting our house ready to put on the market; lots of little projects that need to be done. But I continue to crave my creative time and I suppose I manage to find satisfaction in creating where I can; even if it only be in the pattern of my spackling or the strokes of the paintbrush painting that upstairs bathroom. heehee

It's also been super cold here which is never a good thing for me. I am so ready to move onto milder, warmer pastures. I think my one of my newest Tumble Fish Studio layouts makes that clear.

Totally been feeling like I'm trapped in an ice cube 24 hours a day! haha
Created with the new Winter Junque kit available here.

So for now, we do what we can to put ourselves in a better position should opportunity knock and continue to hold out hope for something more like this . . . .

A piece I created a few months back. CREDITS can be found here.

So December was busy and January's been downright frigid. I wonder what February will hold . . .

Created this little "Valentine Beauty" with a combination of two of Tumble Fish Studios' newest arrivals

Warm winter wishes, valentine greetings and oh yes. I almost forgot:

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!

EYES

2012-11-21T20:36:00.002-08:00

A bit of fun for the Three Muses challenge this week.
The theme is EYES . . .

For full credits see my gallery here.

Feeling a bit "Fiery" these days!

2012-11-18T11:03:00.002-08:00

I call her "Pyra-Phenom of the Fire"

A tribute to all of us strong willed women of invincible, phenomenal spirit!

And a little art journal therapy . . .

Hallow's Eve is upon us!

2012-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

For this month's "Haunted Portrait" art swap over at Deviant Scrap. To join us in all the ghoulish fiendish "deviant" fun, head on over to the thread HERE for all the details.

Created with goodies from Tumble Fish Studio, Hidden Vintage Studios and Holliewood Studios. All available at www.deviantscrap.com

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving coming next month (Wow! Where did this year go?!) . . .

I present to you:

WORTHINGTON THANKSGIVING

Per her mother in law's insistent request, Matilda Worthington and her husband Igor came "more than prepared' for Thanksgiving dinner . . .
(In addition to bringing their own utensils, the main course substitutes as a fine chapeau until the dinner bell is rung: heehee)
Credits:
background paper from Midnight Reverie
Everything else from Autumn Junque by Tumble Fish Studio, available at Deviant Scrap.

2012-09-28T12:46:00.002-07:00

Just a quick post to share two of my latest creations:

"MANY HATS"

Meant to poke fun at all that we "mothers" are supposed to be. We wear so many different hats, perform so many roles and occupations and so much pressure is put upon us to be so much to so many. Haha

"THE GREATEST MARVEL"

This was just pure silly fun! haha

Maxine feared "for some reason" that her good luck might turn and that she wouldn't be able to "hold her BLADDER" for much longer. All she think to do was crouch down, "cross her legs" and hope! The "Greatest Marvel" is this: Will she be able to do it? teehee

For FULL credits on designs used in both of these, see my gallery here.http://deviantscrap.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=130&username=persnicketychick

2012-09-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

So, I'm still here!

Still longing for a change.

Still holding out hope.

Still waiting for my dreams to come true.

Still "ME"!

Dreamer, Believer, and sometimes total Over-Achiever! haha

Though it may be plain to see, for more of an explanation on this piece see the end of this post.*

It seems these days that I am still trying to find the balance between letting go enough to just let things unfold as they will, patieintly standing by, maintaining hope, despite my mind's protests, that the desires of my heart will come to fruition AND the need to be in control, pushing things forward in my haste to just be there already! It is and has been a learning experience as I guess LIFE typically is; one long journey to find ourselves, to find that place where we feel we belong, where it just feels right, where we are finally at peace within ourselves. Kinda deep, I know, but I have been very aware as of late of being on this path and it's made me very excited for what awaits us all. Patience and practicality are not my strong suits (perhaps that is my lesson to be learned) and there are days when I simply feel I cannot wait any longer! I am comfortable in my "dreamer" skin and excited at the prospects that lie ahead and I think that my art most of all reflects that. My latest pieces certainly do and looking back over the years, I realized that the path I have been on is also evident. That means so much to me, to have not only chronicled my journey of ups and downs and growth as an individual but to have shared it with so many. We are all on a journey and how wonderful it is to have one another to share it with.

I am so grateful for all of you!!

*A tribute to my wonderful hubby and how well we always manage to balance one another out. ♥

Me, the dreamer full of hope always jumping ahead without a care and he the practical analytical one. So glad we have each other to rub off on. heehee

It's that time of year again!

2012-09-05T21:03:00.001-07:00

Had some real spooky deviant fun with this challenge over at Creative Souls!

Through the peephole (or in this case through the rusted out interior of a European mailbox, haha)
you never know what you will find!

But remember this:

"What Happens in Oz, Stays in Oz!"

Credits:

Ode to A Muse 2 and Dramatic Backgrounds by Holliewood Studios

Haunted Library Micro kit , Haunted Heroines and “munchkin” from Debut Freebie all by Hidden Vintage Studios all availabe at Deviant Scrap.

Background from Deviant Art:-RS19 at: http://nitch-stock.deviantart.com/gallery/8475047

Created this last year around this time and am thinking I'd really like to make another.

Holly Haunted, the shoe fairy . . .

A midnight reverie and chicks along the canal . . .

2012-08-04T08:17:00.002-07:00

One week countdown to the annual Chicks Along the Canal event and I am both excited and a bit flustered. Every year, I, and my fellow creative Chicks, plan and plan and yet don't really plan at all. I think we all tend to be those crazy creative types who are inherently busy with our own stuff and really do work best under pressure. But I gotta tell ya, despite the fact that we really just "wing it" , each year gets better and better!

This year marks our 3rd year and each year I try to come up with a little something that sets the year apart from the last. In honor of our growth and the great expansion of our popularity, I have opened a BLOG for us.

Though I wish you all could come for the fun, perhaps you might pretty please pay us a visit on the web?

(We will also be getting our own Pinterest account as well as a new channel on You Tube so stay tuned. )

The fabulous designers at Deviant Scrap (my digital scrap home) have been very busy creating a collective collaboration kit for a bit now. Those of us on the creative teams were privy to the info that it would be released to the public on the 2nd and after seeing the previews I was in such dire expectation for the reveal of all of them.
As if that wasn't enough to be excited over,
then there was this fabulous mini-video by the very talented Marta Van Eck . . .

Here is what I created using just Tumble Fish Studios' portion . . .

AND the rest of the kits are just

AWESOME!!!!!

See for yourself . . . HERE

AND best part of all:

Not sure where to start? Check out the gallery while you're there for some Midnight Reverie inspiration. Here are just a few of my favorites from my "oh so talented" friends and colleagues.

Dreamer by Hollie

Butterfly Dancer by Jayne

Enchanted by Ani

By Renee

This one is one of my absolute favorites too, though I'm not sure who it belongs to

(a member of the Holliewood Studios creative team as it was a sample for her kit)

And last but not least this fabulous creation by my friend Tracey:

A Ticket Outta Here?

2012-06-26T09:20:00.001-07:00

To anyone who reads this blog and/or follows my work via facebook, the following will come as no surprise.

Still, I am gonna go out on a limb here and let you all into my personal life, a bit:
(As if it's not already spelled out blatantly in nearly all of my art pieces; haha!)

We have been longing to move from where wecurrently reside off and on for quite a bit now, but our desire has intensified immensely in the last year or so. Great little town I live in, sweet old houses with character and that great sense of community that seems to always be present in small towns. And it has actually afforded me some great experiences with like minded artists like me (My Chicks are some of my most treasured friends) but there is still much lacking, especially for the other members of the family.

Take for instance, my dear sweet husband, who has for nearly 12 years now, has arisen way before the sun, traveled the distance of 75 miles (an hour and 10 min drive) to and from work 5, sometimes 6, days a week. Not to mention that there is the fuel costs and the tolls to consider. Yikes!

My kids, who despite Mom's best efforts in reaching out, have only a very small amount of friends with whom to socialize with on a regular basis and amongst the other kids in town, feel a bit like foreigners with very different interests than most. The reason: We are only 1 of 3 other homeschooling families and the only free learning/unschoolers. Not many free spirits my kids' ages. And though both of my kids are mature for their age and therefore do well in associating with individuals of all ages (through their volunteer/community work), they long to connect and forge a lifelong friendship with someone who shares their ideals and passions. Though I know of places where there are apt to be more like us, there appear to be very few like that here.

And finally, there's the weather here. Cold so much of the time (and I'm a total t-shirt and flip flop gal) but worse yet is the constant doom and gloom weather we have here on the East Coast. I am a California girl and I need my sun!!! All of us are affected by the lack of sun and warmth we experience here. We are ready to find our sunny location and we have somewhere in mind that fits our ideal, somewhere that has been in our hearts for a long time. Somewhere, we have always dismissed as not being practical, and in the past, thought outright impossible. But, I for my part, am done thinking that way, too much thinking if you ask me! And I am done allowing my mind to drown out my heart! I think that is evident in my art more than anywhere else.

Just check out my last three pieces and you will see for yourself:

(Can you guess my dream location?)

Now, if only I can find my ticket outta here! Since I won't be the only one ultimately doing the choosing, let's hope we pick the right one!

Pinned "official" and so grateful!

2012-06-17T12:52:00.002-07:00

Well, I guess I have officially arrived!

Not just one but two of my pieces are making the rounds on Pinterest and best of all are being put into albums marked as "Art Inspiration".

Could it be?!

Me, an inspiration?!

I also awoke to 11 new "likes" on my Persnickety Chick facebook page. Most of it I owe to my new friend, Belle West (aka Donna Leuhrs). Thank You!

This is the piece she shared. I have to admit it is probably one of my favorites.
So totally ME, head in the clouds, conferring with the Man on the Moon, gazing into my Magic Mirror at my dreams, wishing with all my heart that what I see in that image will come true!

And the snippet of song lyrics that I used have double meaning to me; not only am I dreamer and proud of it, knowing that I am always in the best of company amongst others like me but because I do believe that dreams come true, the little AND the big!
We can have a world motivated by peace and acceptance, a world free of judgement, a world free of war and violence if only we can stop living in fear, have the courage to believe and chase after our dreams with purpose and courage and LOVE, without fear there is only LOVE!

So, this piece does have such meaning for me and I guess I should be proud at the fact that others love it so and are inspired by it and though I am entirely and utterly flattered in every way you can be, truth be told: I find it all a little overwhelming. Like now there's this pressure to actually be good at what I do. I have so much fun with my art but I know that it is far from perfect. And maybe that's okay 'cause it's art and the art world is a forgiving place. I just don't know that I have ever really thought of myself as good at what I do. It's just ME, expressing myself!

Well, regardless . . .

It is very apparent to me that I owe so much gratitude to all of my friends in the art community: new and old.

Thank you, thank you, thank you , for believing in me and supporting me as you do!!!

Summer Dreaming

2012-06-11T21:35:00.001-07:00

Though you are not aware, as you tend the roses in the garden, this sweet little fairy lands upon the tabletop hoping to sneak a quick sip of summer refreshment (lemonade, mint tea or perhaps a bit of rasberry vinegar).

Credits:
Summer Junque 1 and 2 from Tumble Fish Studio at Deviant Scrap.

Circus FuN and enough LoVe to go around!

2012-06-02T21:27:00.004-07:00

For credits to these pieces above, see my online gallery HERE
or to keep up on my latest artsy activity become a fan of the Persnickety Chick facebook page HERE

Dare to Dream!

2012-05-20T09:02:00.003-07:00

Twenty years from now
you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
-Mark Twain

You see things; and you say, "Why?"
But I dream things that never were;
and I say, "Why not?
-George Bernard Shaw

Somehow I can't believe that there are any heights
that can't be scaled by a man
who knows the secrets of making dreams come true.
-Walt Disney

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,
and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined,
he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
-Henry David Thoreau

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Always dream and shoot higher than you know how to.
Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself.
-William Faulkner

Trust in dreams,
for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
-Kahlil Gibran

There is nothing like a dream to create the future.
-Victor Hugo

Dreams come true;
without that possibility,
nature would not incite us to have them.
-John Updike

Nothing happens unless first we dream.
-Carl Sandburg

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you have imagined.
-Henry David Thoreau

Come one, come all to the famous Hippodrome!!!

2012-05-02T17:42:00.002-07:00

A few years back while my writing partner Erika and I were researching for one of our screenplays, we came across this great story.

The subject of the story was a magician and the story of one of his most famous vanishing acts he had ever performed.

It involved making a full grown 8ft. 6000 pound Asian elephant disappear. It was quite a feat, unlike anything ever attempted before and made this particular magician quite famous. This incredible act debuted on January 7th, 1918 on the glamorous stage of the NYC Hippodrome theater and was coordinated by a prestigious producer by the name of Charles Bancroft Dillingham. Though not as well known as his contemporaries, Charles Frohman and Lorenz Ziegfeld, Mr. Dillingham was responsible for bringing many soon-to-be stars to the Broadway stage.

The magician was none other than Harry Houdini and his star, the elephant: Miss Jennie.

Though I'm unsure whether Jennie ever performed in other facets of the show (such as being ridden by a starlet) I knew when I saw the elephant in Tumble Fish Studio's Wild Things kit that I wanted to highlight her. So I present to you . . .

Dolly and Jennie of the famous Hippodrome Theater!

Fun Fun Fun!!! The celebration has begun . . .

2012-05-02T17:19:00.002-07:00

Deviant Scrap, my digital home away from home turns 2 this week!~

And there is all sorts of fun to be had. Don't be left out, click HERE

This month's Deviant Muse has got to be one of my favorites to date!

Ever secretly want to "Zetti-fy" yourself?

perhaps capture your favorite thing in a pretty box?

Both wishes may be granted via this month's Deviant Muse and thanks to Hollie and Marsha!

Did I mention it's absolutely FREE?

Grab it HERE

2012-04-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

A layout featuring my grandmother Mary Lynn as a little girl with her mother, Marie. I originally created this because I somehow remembered being told that my grandmother's family were Dutch and I couldn't resist when I saw all the wonderful elements in this kit to be put to good use.

And I think my gramma is just darling in her little outfit and clogs! Only thing is: I discovered that what I was told wasn't entirely accurate. Oh well! I'm still happy to have them immortalized in one of my pieces.

This piece is one of those pieces that just sorta flowed right outta me~

It is ME

(yet again, I swear I am not entirely self-centered! haha)

and it was created as a visual reminder not to let go of my dream, my "heart's wish" to live the life I envision for myself in the place where I feel most at peace, most connected, and happiest. No matter how much time it takes, I know that I will be there one day!

And to serve as a marker of time, I have bestowed upon my head a crown of dreadlocks.

I have wanted dreads for as long as I can remember. They are, to me, the best of two things I admire most: natural uncomplicated beauty and the ultimate expression of individuality and confidence.

I honestly thought I had missed my chance to ever have them but thanks to a talented artist friend of mine, I was able to try some on. The piece above was created before I actually had them put in so here I am in my hand dyed, custom made for me extensions . . .

They feel like such a natural extension of who I am!!

Spring has sprung!

2012-03-30T06:51:00.001-07:00

And with Mr. Sunshine's return and the weather warming up come thoughts of planting flowers, readying the lettuce bed and herb garden, and also for me (crazy as it seems) the yummy thought of fresh clean sheets hanging on the clothesline, drying in the breeze.

I have to admit it's a chore I actually enjoy but I thought to myself,

"What if . . .?"

I call this piece

Pearline's Way

because frankly, it's HER way or the highway! hahaha

And just in time for spring, my dear friend, the brains behind the designs of Tumble Fish Studio will be releasing a kit very soon. Check back here for all the details.

In the meantime, here's a snippet of my newest creation, a sneak preview for the kit.