Nice To Meet Me...

Inspired by the movie Coraline, I have decided to make my own "me" doll. In the movie, a neighbor boy Wybie brings Coraline a doll he found in his Grandma's attic... and it looks just like her! So I'm making one that will look like me. Since I don't have a sewing machine, or much experience sewing... it may take a while. But I want it to look hand made, so it's all good. So happy to feel inspired again. It's been too long! I'll take you along the journey as my doll makes progress...

(if you'd like to purchase this original Coraline Little Me pattern, check out my Etsy listing here!)

Coraline...

Went to see Coraline last night. If you are an adult with a kid's heart... go see it. If you love to play in the mud... go see it. If you want your movies in 3D... go see it!

©photo courtesy of LAIKA/Focus Features

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Solar Boy

One of my favorite photos, this was a serendipity kind of thing... the subject in the photo was trying on my sunglasses, and a table lamp reflected in both lenses. I said, "don't move!" and got my camera out and snapped this shot. To make it even more interesting, I solarized it during the developing process which gave the final photo really dark shadows and silvery highlights.

Opening Night Party... Art & Soul, VA...

House of Rock and Roll. Okay, here it is... the finished project I'll be teaching at the Opening Night Party for Art & Soul, Hampton, Virginia. We'll be using Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Sticky-back Canvas, Paints and Gesso, Memory Frames, Glass and Capsules, Alcohol Inks, die cuts, clip art, Tim Holtz stamps and masks, Cuttlebug dies, rock memorabilia and so much more to decorate this Maya Road house and tag set. Included in the party is dinner, and there's also a cash bar... woohoo!

©photo by Debbie Tlach

Asbury Park...

There are so many happening things going on in Asbury Park, NJ these days! Cool concerts, car shows, gallery crawls, and new restaurants opening all the time. In this economy... this is a great thing! Went out to eat Saturday night to one of the newest restaurants... Langosta Lounge. With a really great decor and "vacation inspired" cuisine... it was really a treat!

Life in 3-D...

Lately my life seems a little flat... a little 2-dimensional. I've been working my regular job and working after work. That's a lot of work! I am looking forward to taking the day off tomorrow and having some FUN... and getting back to a 3D existence...

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Cliff Hanger

The Cliff Hanger ride in Keansburg, NJ is really pretty cool. You lay down on your belly and it's like you are hang gliding! Here's another Cliff Hanger: this week I'm working on a project that I will be teaching—along with my associate Bonnie—at this year's Opening Night Party for the Hampton, VA Art & Soul! I'll have to keep you in suspense until we're done. Until then...

Dentist Appointment...

Had a dentist appointment today. Just a cleaning. But I seem to find it very relaxing. Perhaps because I just get to lay back with my feet up and have someone take care of me for a change.

Laundry Day...Yawn...

I waited as long as I could... but it's time to do laundry today. My washer is broken, so it takes extra long. But I am lucky that my mom lives next door and that I can carry my clothes back and forth... rather than dragging them to the laundromat. Did a little straightening up today too. Feels like nesting. I think the 50-65 degree weather last week made it feel like spring was coming! I even saw a robin on Friday!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone...

I hope you are surrounded by lots of caring family, friends and pets on this day and every day. This Valentine's Day... I'm happy to be celebrating all the love in my life!

If Lovin' You Is Wrong... Then I Don't Wanna Be Right!

If a cupcake wanted to be a cookie... then this is it. One of my sweetest new obsessions are these frosted sugar cookies from Lofthouse. The cookie is soooo soft and the icing is fresh. Sometimes they give me a sugar belly ache. That's why... only one per day! Mmmmmmmm...

Retail Therapy...And Then Some!

Tonight I went to JC Penney to look for a button down long sleeve shirt... I found a patterned short sleeve shirt and a two-tone scarf instead. Then I went to Forever 21 to find a long sleeve shirt... I found a pink polka dot short sleeve shirt and a green tye dye scarf! Then I went to Macy's to find a long sleeve shirt... instead I got a sexy lace top (short sleeve!), a velvet jacket, a ruffled skirt and a pink skull and crossbones tee (but hey, it was long sleeve!).

Then I went to the card store for Valentine's cards which took ever so long to pick out. Then off to the liquor store to get my favorite champagne splits, but they don't carry them anymore. So I went to a different liquor store. Stopped at the dollar store for wrapping paper... and finally the gas station to put air in my tire and fill up on gas! Whew! Lots of stuff, but I feel like I really accomplished something and I love all my new clothes!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Teacup Ride

I used to love the teacup ride! Spinning around in a circle and making the teacup spin around too... dizzy, dizzy. It was fun! Lately I've been making my own decaffeinated tea. I was trying to stay away from too much sugar and using Diet Iced Tea Mix... but one doctor says no caffeine, the other says no artificial sweeteners! So I compromised. I'm using the caffeine free, very flavorful Celestial Seasonings teas and Agave Nectar for sweetening. It's not too bad.

Yesterday's Trash... Artful Ideas...

Last year, I developed a fascination with repurposing the plastic blisters from packages to use in my art. Funny because the company I work for... Ranger... came out with these Memory Capsules at the most recent Craft & Hobby Association show. They are little tiny, 3-D, decoratively shaped capsules that you can fill with all kinds of objects, place ephemera behind them, back with Ranger's Memory Glass and then place into our Memory Frames. It's an instant piece of jewelry or a creative embellishment. Pretty cool.

Cool Full Moon

I was sitting on my couch at dusk and something told me to look out the window... and what a really cool full moon I saw!

Violit Violin...

Having recently returned from a very long business trip, I haven't had much time to be creative. Too much grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, and the like! But I thought I'd revisit this altered violin I made for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's charity... Art Strings. It really has a balanced combination of all the things I love... collaged music sheet pages, beadwork, silk flowers, vintage photos, butterfly wings and random words on a tiny tag. Originally, the violin was going to be pink, but I do a LOT of pink. And then I thought, violet... violin... hey, I'll make it purple. And since the piece had a woman's photo, I named her Violit.

I Heart Myself...

Happy early Valentine's Day to me! I bought myself these lovely red-inspired kitchen accessories tonight. I will be using them for crafting most likely. Love Retro!

Pick-A-Photo Tuesday: Icing On The Cupcake

I have to admit... I just love snow. And today we had a little bit of snow that was extra pretty. It was light and fluffy and soft. Driving home at night as the temperatures got only slightly cooler was awesome, as the flakes looked like little pieces of mica shining in the headlights. Upon arriving home, the sugary coating over our garden made me think of... what else? The icing on a cupcake! Of course!

Waaaaahhhh...

First day back to work after CHA and I'm feeling a little under the weather. My throat is kinda scratchy... feeling a little warm... body is tired... must rest. It will pass... it will pass... it will pass...

I'm Ready For My Close-Up...

Here's my first ever instructional video for Ranger. Hope you like it!