COLLAGES..

Here are 5 of the collages I've been working on. My friend Bev asked me to make them, for her fellow teachers, as Christmas gifts. I still have 2 more to make. Each collage represents the subject they teach, and also a little of their personalities in them. I made Bev a plaque ( she doesn't know it yet. She's the Science teacher, and each year she does an elaborate display of Butterflies in her classroom when she teaches about Butterflies. So I thought this would be a fun gift for her. I will finish the last two, and list them. Then on to the other projects still waiting to be finished. I'm up.... late.. what a surprise! I'm watching PBS "Il Divo".... whoa... !.. makes you really like Opera eh?... wow. Ok.... if you're interested... Like the Beatles, we all have our favorites right?..... so.. I would chose Sebastian.... The hunky french guy, with the gorgeous Blue eyes.. and sexy smile... ahhh.. If I were 20 years younger.... LOL... Yes, I'm pathetic, I did a little research on them. David, is an American, Carlos from Spain, Sabastian is French, and Urs is Swiss.

David

Carlos

Sabastian

Urs

They do have incredible voices.. and wonderful appeal, and I think I'll buy a CD or two!

We've got some Lake effect snow going on right now. I'm so glad I don't live east of Cleveland. They get it bad! I've even heard a few rumbles of thunder.

Ok. thats all for now. I will be posting some more art soon... tilll then... enjoy....

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS...

Hi! it's been awhile! I was having problems with the new Blogger version Beta?? when using it through Picasa.... Ok.. I can't keep up with all this Beta... stuff.. I don't even know what it is.
even Etsy has changed to Beta. Or they were
and changed to something else?... WHATEVER!

Anyway... here's a few pictures from Thanksgiving. It was really nice. I had my kids, sister Rita, her son Tim, my friends Gloria, and Laure over.

I spent the evening before, making the family traditonal stuffing. A job my daughter Jamie usually did, but this time she announced she wanted to go out with her friends, and experience being out on the supposed "busiest party night of the year." So, there I was toasting
4 large loaves of bread, frying up 3 lbs. of Italian sausage, chopping Celery & onions... lots of Celery and Onions... I HATE ONIONS! Normally, Jamie would have brought her toaster, and we would have had all the bread toasted in 1/2 the time..... not this time. Funny thing is.... I don't even like stuffing! .. I know.. I know.. I'm a Giblet gravy girl! So.. I had no way of knowing if the stuffing tasted right or not. OH WELL. Everything turned out fine.. stuffing too, even though I wasn't able to get the same brand of Sausage (LOU'S) I usually used. Of course I ate too much. Gloria made her now traditonal cream pie.. ahhhhh... to die for! Everyone left, except
Gloria, and as usual, we sat drank coffee, and talked! Our friend Bev stopped by for a visit. It was so good to see her! She was just beginning Chemo this time last year, and I had just had a double breast biopsy 2 days before Thanksgiving last year. What a difference a year makes. Bev's doing great, cancer free.. oh and I'm fine too! She's a teacher, and she shared lots of funny stories. No one tells a story like Bev!
She stayed till about 2 a.m. Glor had another cup of coffe and headed for home.
I was soo beat, But couldn't fall asleep, and didn't get to bed till 6:30 a. m.!

So my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner?
LEFTOVERS! ... ahhh Turkey all day.. Gravy! Gravy! Gravy!.... I couldn't wait to make a plate of leftovers the next day. Ahhh. I finally learned to make a big pot of gravy, and I savour every drop.
Ok.. so wasn't that thrilling?

So I've been busy making more greeting card ornaments, and they're doing pretty well on Etsy. I even have a "groupie" who keeps coming back for more cards! bless her heart.
I've got several projects to finish. All of them are requests from friends, who placed orders for Christmas gifts. I can't believe Christmas is less than a month away


I'm still unemployed.... I've gone on a few interviews, but nothing that panned out. I've been getting calls from my online resume, but nothing good. Well... I'm still enjoying having this time off, and doing art all day.
I'm not used to having money, so it's not like I miss it! LOL.

I'm lookin forward to going to Las Vegas in January, a trip that was paid for before being laid off. Maybe I'll hit the slots, and get rich.. and never have to go back to work again! Now.. isn't that an original idea?. We've had one day of snow that covered everything, but nothing since.
It's been very mild and Spring like..... scary in Cleveland... cos we know what's coming. But I'll take every warm, sunny, snow free day I can. It's one day closer to Spring!
Here are a few more pics of the greeting cards currently available at Etsy.

So here I am.... up late! It's 3:35 a.m. I'm watching a PBS program about Bobby Kennedy's life.
PBS is awesome. A channel I've come to appreciate in my "old age"
I remember when I was in elementary school, our teacher would wheel in a black and white T.V. set, turn it to channel 25 WVIZ, and we'd watch a PBS program teaching Arithmetic. That was really high tech back then!!! that, and the overhead projector! Who knew, I'd actually WANT to watch channel 25 someday.
So tomorrow, I'm off to Pat Catans, a local craft store. I need to pick up some wood plaques for the projects I'm working on. Its a good reason to get out and enjoy one of the last warm sunny days. It's going up into the 60's again!

Ok... so that's the latest scoop on my exciting life. the kids are all fine. Allison is not really as tall as she appears to be in the picture.. ( she's wearing chunky shoes with a 2 inch heel.. and I'm wearing slippers. Jamie is that short though.
I haven't started Christmas shopping, but I already know there's gonna be alot of hand made artsy gifts this year. I thank God for my talent!
Have a great week.
Bless you!

UP ALL NIGHT

I've been up all night. What's new right?
I woke up with a cold yesterday morning. Dragged around the house. I took a cold tablet, and it knocked me out. I slept till 7:30 pm... woke up.. and I've been up ever since!
Needless to say, I never made it out of the house to vote... shame, shame on me.
Well, atleast I was productive. For the past twelve hours, I managed to list my new Greeting card ornaments on ETSY. I've already sold one! I sold the little "Christmas Fairy" shown here. I also made and listed two more cards. I'm on a roll.

I'm still unemployed..... still loving the time off.
I went on an interview last Friday. I think it went well. But
I also think if they wanted me, they would have said so by now. The employment agency says they're still interviewing. Oh well. If it's ment to be.. it will be.

I'm still stuffed up, but feeling a tad bit better. I'm really tired now.. but here I sit. I'm in an artsy mood, and have alot more Ideas!

I've already eaten breakfast, and had two cups of coffee.
I'm watching the Today show, and sadly, I miss Katie Couric. How pathetic am I?

I can't believe it's November. I can't believe Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away!....and then Christmas! sheesh.... I feel like I JUST took the tree down.

Time really does fly doesn't it.
Well... I don't know why I'm still up.... babbling about nothing. I'm over tired, and foggy!

I'd like to make more art today..... whenever I wake up!

Sorry for this boring blog!


Ok... I give up.. going to bed now. Check out the rest of my art if you'd like to see more.

Bless you! 

YAYA!

Well... It's already been a whole week, since we had our 4th. Annual Mothers & Daughters Celebration! Time flies! We had a blast! The cottage we stayed in was wonderful, and the view of the lake was amazing! We laughed, ate, talked, ate, and ate some more! New babies, old cousins, gifts, & projects. And a sleepover too. You can see all the pictures at my website: www.artkissed.com I took so many, that it's taking me a long time to get them all on, so if you're intrested, check back often to see the latest. I'm still unemployed, and still feeling guilty for not aggressively looking. I like staying home, sleeping in, and staying up all hours. I like it. I am happy "getting by" with the little money I have. I 'm not starving, and have a roof over my head, and have managed to keep my internet service... so how bad could it be?.... ooops, I'd better not say that out loud. I will get a job, and go back to the old day to day grind. But for now, I'm content being a slug.

This Autumn, is kind of a disapointment. The trees are dull, and lack any brilliant colors. I know the weather dictates this, but it's too bad.
well, maybe next year. I still have lots of gorgeous pictures from last Autumn to look back on.
So That's about it. Same old stuff, different day.
My daughter Jamie is coming over tomorrow, and she and I are going to try (again) to organize my million photos. Then I have to tackle all the digital photos I have. I need to get them printed, or saved on a disc.
Then we will enjoy some homemade Navy Bean soup! mmmmm.. The perfect thing, on a chilly Autumn day. Jamie told her cousins, Michael, and Scott, and they're all coming for soup too!
Ok.. so it is really good. I can't take all the credit though, it's my mom's recipe. But I'm glad I learned how to make it.

My sister Rita, has printed up another recipe book, filled with recipes we all contributed. Most are family recipes that my mom made. Others are newer, and sure to become favorites.


Well.. now I'm just writing to get to the end, so the page won't look wierd when I post it.. for some reason, if there isn't any writing below the last photo, everything on the right side of the page, ends up, way at the bottom.







I













I hope this works.. I've snuck down to the bottom of the page! sneaky sneaky!... Ok I'm going now.. Hopefully to do some art, or alteast work on organizing my art room.... yeah right!
Bless you! 

SAY IT AIN'T SNOW!

OOOHHH YUK!
It's too early! make it stop! I couldn't believe my eyes Thursday afternoon. I know they predicted it, but I just didn't believe it. It was.... dreadful!
Cleveland gets more than it's share of snow, and we're just not ready for it this early. The leaves haven't even turned yet. I'm also worried about them. The wind was so hard, (see the over turned trash can)I'm afraid they're going to blow away before they get the chance to turn!
Well, nothing I can do.

It's reallllly cold too.... and... I.... had... to.... to... t.t.t.t.. turn on the..fff...fff....FURNACE! omg.. I can't believe it. The temperature is going down to the low 30's .. I had to give in or stay under the covers. I have to admit, it feels nice and cozy now. Dammit.

I should be in bed. I have to get up at a "normal" time tomorrow morning. I have to pack up, and head to my sister Rita's house, then on to the Cottage, and spend the night, before YA YA Saturday morning. I've finished the memory book, and it doesn't look too bad. I can always change things later.



I'm sending in my little "CLOUD FAIRY".... and requesting she send only fair weather clouds, and take back the ones making snow!

Ok... going now... Happy Friday the 13th!

Getting Ready for YA YA!

I've been busy working on a memory book for our annual "Mothers & Daughters" Spirit Celebration" or YA YA! coming up this Saturday, October 14th.

I finally have enough (the past 3 celebrations), to get the book going. Lots of pictures, and highlights of each gathering.
The picture on the cover, is of my Great Grandmother, Odelia Bertrand. Isn't she beautiful? They called her "Deely"
She is decked out in her own YA YA hat... a crown of course, because she is the Queen!
all the mothers and daughers attending are, her direct decendants!
She's also "holding" a glass of Mimosa, (hand painted by me) our official breakfast drink a YA YA. Our group is really growing! Last year there were 19th of us.
This year there will be 23, counting our newest YA YA, Anna. Actually, there are 6 more. the granddaughters of my cousin Rosemary. They won't be attending, but will be with us in spirit.

I've never met them before! and I'm anxious to
hear about them. They are 7 years old and younger!


>>>>>>>>>>
So, the job hunt continues. I posted my resume online, and have had a few responses. One that sound interesting, so I'm hoping to hear from them again, by the end of the week.

I ran to the store, and as I was backing out of the driveway, I looked to my left, just a few doors down, and saw a huge tree that had fallen, and was laying completely across the road! I didn't hear it fall, and didn't realize it was that windy. I thought to call the city but figured someone probably had already called. When I came back, it was still laying there, so I called the city and reported it, and within 20 minutes, a tree removal crew was there! impressive.
Today started off, warm, with a mix of sun and clouds, then went to all clouds. In the evening, the rain came, and the wind really picked up.
So now, it's pretty chilly, and getting chillier. They're calling for SNOW SHOWERS tomorrow evening!!!!!!! OHHH NOOOOO... I am NOT ready for snow, of any kind, in any amount. It's just wayyyy to early! There is also a frost warning for tomorrow night, that will officially kill the growing season. Damn... I'm not ready for cold weather! Grrrrrrr. Well maybe we still have a chance for an Indian Summer... pleeez?

The history of dance - funny - GristleDrip.com

I know this video has been around awhile... but it's soooo funny! and worth a second look... if not a first. Enjoy!

Comedian Judson Laipply demonstrates the history of American Dance.

JUST A LAZY SATURDAY

It was a gorgeous Autumn day! Chrystal Blue sky! The leaves are just starting to turn, so I've posted some pictures I took from last Autumn.


I found myself watching the Tigers/Yankee game, and I'm happy to say, the Tigers kicked YANKEE BUTT!!
I'm an Indians fan, but since it can't be us in there, I'm glad for the Tigers.

Ok, so I've been keeping really weird hours since being layed off. I'm taking full advantage of the fact I can stay up as late as I want. Trouble is, I sleep the whole morning away! And I don't like that! So I have to try really hard to go to bed earlier than 6:30 a.m.!!


I need to get more art done. I've managed to sell a few pieces on Etsy, and I want to sell more!

I made myself get dressed, and leave the house today. I had to go to the post office and mail my latest piece. I stopped at "Marc's" a great discount/buyout store, and picked up a few things there. They don't carry produce, so I made another stop at the New Giant Eagle. The last time I was there, I noticed they had a whole isle of Imported foods, including British items. I was excited, hoping I would find some Clotted Cream. I had a "Cream Tea" when I was in Cornwall, 6 years ago, and have craved Clotted Cream ever since. Ofcourse, they didn't have any. So I actually called the store and requested it, never thinking they'd really get it. Low and behold! there it was!!! a small little jar, just 5.6 oz...... $7.49... HOLY SH.......!.... But I wanted it...the little voice inside said "you don't have a job!".... and I mentally shouted back.. "BUT I WANT IT!"... guess who won that argument? Well, I had to buy some strawberry preserves, and get some buscuits.. ( to substitute for Scones) I can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner right?
So I'm unemployed, and eating like a Queen... lol.


So My son Eddie stopped over this evening. I hadn't seen him for awhile, and missed him!
He had been sick for the past week, The Dr. said it was Bronchitis. He's feeling better now.
So we sat an had a nice talk. He's got my sense of humor, and he's always cracking joke, imitating people, and making up funny stories.

Ok, so I'll go watch the rest of the Mets, Dodgers game. I'm not a fan, but nothing else better on for now.
Have a great week.

INTRODUCING ANA!

She's here!.....Introducing Anna (pronounced "Ah-na") Gabrielle. Born October 1 st. at 2:44 a.m Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz, 19 inches long. Very dark brown hair. And looks like she might favor her dad. She's beautiful! She was born, just 45 minutes after her mom and dad got to the hospital! Wow. Brother Carmen, loves her already, and here is a picture of his first time holding her. I took these pictures this afternoon.
It's amazing to hold such a tiny brand new person. She has arrived in time to be our newest little YA YA. Every year we've had a new female addition.

My job hunt continues. I'm still enjoying my lazy days, and being spontaneous. I'm still staying up way to late, but loving it.



Here's a few more pics of Anna's homecoming!















































Here is the whole family!
My nephew Michael, wife Antje, Carmen, and Anna. ...................................................................

NO REASON....

I'm baaaa-acch.
It's 2 a.m, and I just finished watching M*A*S*H. It's still a great show! I just remembered that back when the show was new... sometime in the 70's, I remember thinking I wanted to be stranded on a Desert island with Alan Alda, because he would make me laugh. ... sheeeeesh!.
Anyway, After re-reading my last post.... and seeing all my spelling errors.. (sorry.. (I never said I could spell well... chalk it up to menapause depleting more brain cells.) I realized I forgot to mention that Antje still hasn't had the baby! After all that, she is still with child. They sent her home later that day, and her contractions stopped the next morning. Her due date isn't untill Oct. 4th. Little
"Anna" is just getting restless!

Ahhh.. time to change the channel, and watch a "Sex and the City" repeat. I don't think I've ever seen all the episodes, but I sure have seen the same few, a zillion times! Ahhh.. the one with "The Russian"..... Mikhail Baryshnikov ..... you know.. is really .. kinda sexy! and really has great hair.
So..... still unemployed.... still feeling guilty about enjoying it....



.... I still haven't cleaned the dining room. I Went to the post office today, to mail a couple things I sold on Etsy. Then stopped in the grociery store. daughter Allison came over for awhile, and by the time she left, I had lost all interest in cleaning. I have to really start looking for a job. I'm acting as though I just call a company, and start on Monday. Omg.... no panic, no panic... it will be ok.

... whoa!.... It's 4:05 a.m..... I paused from writing, to work on Daughter Allison's Ya Ya hat.
typical me. She hated her original hat, and we (the elder Ya Yas.. my three sisters and I, ) decided anyone who wanted to change their hats could, as long as they incorporated a piece of the old one, into the new. Allison wanted a Nurses cap. She just graduated from Ursuline school of Nursing in May, and they don't wear caps anymore! so, I made her one, out of a stiff Felt fabric. I kinda guessed at the shape, and it looks pretty cool! I decorated it with a Red cross, in Red Holographic glitter.. OF COURSE! And edged it with Crystal Holographic glitter. She'll have to decide what else to put on it. Jamie wants a new one too. She wants a crown type thing. And mine, well I like it, but it looks dumb on me. I guess they all look pretty silly, but I look terrible in hats to begin with, and this one, well.. it makes my face look fat(ter) lol.

Ya Ya is October 14th. Rita, and her daughter Heather are hosting this year. We will have it at a rented cottage on the lake, in Madison, Ohio. We're gonna have a sleepover! for anyone who wants to. I think I mentioned all of that in a previous post. ... sorry!

Ok.. I need to get to bed! It's raining again, and the temperature has dropped, a nice cool breeze is blowing in. I think Autumn is coming early. I just hope Winter isn't .... ugh. I can't wait till the leaves turn, and I can go take some new pictures. I went to a nearby park during a lunch break last year, and got some really beautiful pictures. It was a perfect Autumn day, and the color was brilliant! you can see those photos, at my website WWW.ARTkissed.com... I have to organize my website. I'm constantly changing it, so now most of the links are messed up!
Ok.... very tired now. I'm going to bed. I want to get up no later than 9 a.m.... ha.. let's see how that goes.

The house still smells good, from the Pumpkin bread I made this evening..... (not from scratch!)
Cinnamon, and Nutmeg mmm.
Ok... going now.. ta ta.

...... PS...........a few more collages. the one in the middle is still available at Etsy.

Bless you!
~MaryEllen~

THE BIG DAY HAS COME AND GONE...

Well the "big" craftshow is finally over. It was not big at all, and pretty disapointing. Actually I expected it to be as uneventful as it was, and I won't be doing that show again!
I did make sales, a whopping $95! ... whooo hoooo! better than nothing I suppose.
My sister Deb was with me, and had some of her cool mirrors for sale, and awesome photo cards. It was nice hanging out together, and we had plenty of time to talk.
So now I've just listed the remaining pieces on Etsy....www.etsy.com (search "artkissed" to see all my items)
I had been up late the night before, finishing things, and packing it all. I couldn't wait to go to sleep. Then the phone rang, ant 2:45 a.m!

oh my God.. who is it???.....
It was my nephew Michael, his wife Antje (pronounced Ont-ja) was in labor. I had offered to watch their 2 year old Son Carmen, when the big day arrived......
OHHHH I'm soooo tired!!! What are the odds?
I told him I had a show, but said to bring him, and I'd figure something out, "just go and have a baby!" I realized I was not going to be sleeping. I had the bright idea to lay down till they came over. I was too wound up to sleep, even though I was dogged tired. They came, and snuck out, Carmen had been distracted by the 101 Dalmations movie, and it was 10 minutes before he realized they had left... let the screaming begin! He finally calmed down, and watch the movie, finally dozing off on the sofa. Anyway..... My sister showed up at 7, thinking the show started at 9... no sister, set up was at 9... Reluctantly, I woke Carmen, so I could change his clothes, and get him Ready. Michael had called to say they had gotten ahold of a family friend who had also offered to watch Carmen, and that she would pick him up by 8:30. She picked him up, and off we went to the "big" show. I hadn't eaten, or even had a cup of coffee!... boy was my butt draggin'

The people strolled by, and I couldn't wait for it all to be over. I JUST WANT TO GO TO SLEEEEP!.

Soooooo. I'm glad that I had a reason to make art. Especially for Halloween. I've already sold one piece yesterday, shortly after listing it.

I don't think I mentioned it yet, but I was laid off from my job last Wednesday...... yep! This is the second time from the same place! The first was January 6th of this year. They called me back after 6 weeks. This time was totally unexpected. And it's a permanent lay off. Not that I would be in any hurry to go back. I will miss the convienence of being just 4 minutes from home. I am cringing at the thought of having to find another job. I HATE INTERVIEWS!!!!!!
I have been through it all before, and I know I will find something. I filed for unemployement right away, and hope that my art sells on Etsy.

I am in denial, and completely enjoying the benefits of being unemployed. Staying up late, sleeping in late, not having to wear make up. Watching Oprah.. (God I missed her!).... and having coffee late at night, like I'm doing right now. How quick you can forget that you ever had a job! I do feel those (no longer earned) dollar bills, with little invisible wings, flying away with each passing hour. I keep mentally tallying how much money I have "lost" since Wednesday, September 20th. And feel like the weekend is a safe haven from my depleting income.
I'll be okay. God will help me, like he has in the past. I'll get off my butt, and reluctantly start job hunting....again........dammit.

Here are some images from the craft show.
I did some face painting too.
These girls were sisters. They were so cute. They loved the face painting, especially because they were going to a birthday party, and could show off their painted faces.

Ok.... I really don't want to get in the bad habit of staying up verrry late, and sleeping toooo long.
Oh, by the way. My dining room is STILL a big mess. I just havent' had the time or energy. But I think I'll tackle it tomorrow, now that I've finished listing on Etsy. I may even pull out the Halloween decorations.
I'm so excited the new season of Grey's Anatomy has started. Are you addicted???

Ok.. that's all for now... tune in next time, to see my latest job status... how exciting!
Have a great rest of the week.
Till next time.
Bless you!



 

Tremont Art & Cultural Festival

Well I tore myself away from my Halloween art, to take in the Tremont Festival on Sunday. It was a picture perfect day. Ideal for a festival. I went with my sister Susan. My other two sisters couldn't make it this time. So, we browsed up and down each row, trying not to "cross over" and peek at the other side. We stopped for lunch under a shady tree, and enjoyed Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and the lovely breeze. We tried to ignore the buzzillion little "nats" flying around everywhere. I've never seen so many before. Someone said the "nats" were a good sign that the lake (Erie) was "healthy"... ok.. ? I noticed the same pesky little creatures all around my house.. Thousands of them!... but they never broke "the plane" of the porch. They just hovered all around, especially the bushes. Anyway.... The cool temps seem to have chased them all away today.. yea! It's actually quite chilly right now. I refuse to close my windows. I love the cool air at night when I sleep. Cozy under my comforter!
It seems Autumn is coming early this year. I LOVE, LOVE
LOVE Autumn... I just don't like that it means Winter is on the way. The Weather people are saying we might have a mild Winter, if there is an "El Nino"
lets cross our fingers! Also, lower heating cost. This will be wonderful. My highest gas bill came
two Winters ago...... $497 for one month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! omg!!!!! Well this house is old, and on the large side. And it doesn't help that the furnace is probably the original one!!! this.. is one of the reasons I'm going to be moving. The rent is cheap, but combined with the heating cost.. well. I could afford a great apartment instead! I'll miss this house. Lots of memories here, but time to move on.

I also went to the "Flower Factory" on Saturday, with my sister Rita. I think they're only in Ohio, and Indiana???.... well it's a really cool place. You have to have a membership card to get in.
The prices are wholesale, and the place is huge! I could spend hours in there!!! I found some really cool Orange Organza ribbon, with Orange glitter all over it! .. (I'm such a glitter freak!) It worked perfectly, in my Halloween art. I found some stiff Felt sheets too, and I'm using it to make Halloween masks. I picked up a few more sheets of collage papers, and more Glitter. You can never have too much Glitter ya know! Ok... I'm up way too late again. I took a "little" nap when I got home, and I'm just now starting to get sleepy again. I will pay for it in the morning as usual.
So I'm glad I paid for a craft table indoors, and not out. It's supposed to rain on Saturday.. I hope it doesn't keep the people away! I've got so many projects to work on, once this little show is over. I still need to totally empty out my artroom, and get it organized. I need to assemble the YA YA scrapbook. There will be a "Coronation" of another PSMWG, Winnie, who's turning 50 in October. Then start thinking about Thanksgiving... and.. Christmas! wow. I actually bought two presents already!... which is remarkable for me. Ok. I better get to bed.
Have a great rest of the week. Bless you....
MaryEllen
















Lolly The Trolly... in Tremont.