‎"exercising" demons

10 miles today friends! 

(first 10 miler in 2.5 years!) 

may I please have a collective 

"you go girl!" 

with a fist pump?!
(in training for Santa Cruz half marathon!  eeek!)

thanks! 

: .P

yeah, yeah, yeah!  

too much has happened and I didn't feel like talking about it.

but I have done some art...

went hiking Mission Peak with the boys from work.

Paul took this shot of me & Abdul at the top.

 you can't tell that its about 43 degrees out, 

and windy.

brrrrr!!!  LOL!!!

we have cows!!!  

(yes P, I bought the farm animal veneer, just for the cows! : .)

Paul & I were discussing how fortunate we were to be fit and active,
and have the most beautiful places to work out!

another day in paradise!

this next piece was inspired by 

Paramore's Brick by Boring Brick

someone asked me if I was angry when I made it...

mostly just frustrated...

and I couldn't get the lyrics out of my head.

also been doing a little reading about the concept of
loving-kindness, maitri
and vulnerability...

"When we lay wide open with our hearts completely present,  
it is the most accurate measurement of courage." 

That is really, really hard...

I practiced this.  
it didn't make for the outcome I wanted, but I wouldn't change a thing.
and I'll keep trying.

imma be spreadin' my wings!

last weekend while I was trudging along on the trail, 

Fergie in my ear, I was inspired to do this piece.

 

but days... 

it took me days to finish this!

I dunno either, I just couldn't get the text to work for me!  

I love this song...

Imma be takin' them pics,

 lookin' all fly and shit.
Imma be the flyest chick (so fly).
Imma be spreadin' my wings,
Imma be doin' my thing (do it do it - okayy).

the bkgnd was created with these Alisa Burke stamps.

(she pretty regularly makes and restocks these.)

I then stuck tissue paper down with gel medium.

on top of that is gesso, then spray ink, then the stamped tiny dragonflies.

there's a bit of TH clear crackle under my dragonfly lady's feet.

she's a stampotique stamp.

don't you think she has a fabulous figure?!

the wings are Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz.
oh, I used some of Tim's distress inks also!    

some days I really miss Scrapping the Music!

well hello there!!!

yeah...

my holiday vacation was way too short!

and now, we're almost at the end of January.
whaaaa?!   2013 is already screaming by!

its all been a whirlwind!

work has been crazy busy. 

I'm trying to train for Santa Cruz half marathon which is in April.  huff-huff-huff!!!

what else?!

the gorgeous KG came for a quick visit...

(um, those are protein shakes!!!
and that's my Bite Me! hat, but you can't see that, darnit!)

I went to Sac to spend New Year's with one of my besties, Karen.

 (CHICKEN!!!  I just love the Vintage Cam app on my iPhone!)

aaaaaannnnnnndddddddd  EEK!  Sharmaine Krujiver came to visit me from Tasmania!!!

I got to CRAFT with SHARMAINE KRUJIVER!!!  it was a dream come true!!!

I got insight into her artistic process! she shared some of her favorite techniques!

 

December and January really couldn't have been better!!!

in crafty news...

I am INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN!!!  

ok, not really, but I was published in a Dutch art 'zine 

owned by one of my favorite artists Marit Barentsen.  

you know Marit, 

she does the Top2000 Musical Blog Party 

where I've been participating the past 3 years. 

 (perusing my 'zine and watching hockey, GO SHARKS!!! : .)

the current issue of Featuring includes an article and 

highlights some of the pieces submitted to the musical blog party.

 including my "I just haven't met you yet"

I'm so honored to be published in Marit's 'zine!!!

I attempted a December Daily, but failed miserably.

I just lost interest...

 I did a couple of MM Icon heads inspired by this pix that Patricia took at the Disney Store.

more recently, I've worked on several Valentines cards,

(which of course I can't show, just in case!)

and this piece inspired by 

Evanescence's song Tourniquet...

making me miss Scrapping the Music!!!

ok, February... please treat me good!  : .)

in my heart : .)

Take your pick, Rod Stewart or Phil Collins!

Me, Lil Dubin, and the Baby Mermaid @ Disneyland this past Thanksgiving

posing for the traditional Mickey Mouse icon head shot.

A final piece for the Frantic Stamper Design team.

This is Bo Bunny Love Letters Stripe.

And yes, I cut out every.single.one of those strung hearts!

We're soooo cute!!! 

Nothing Else Matters...

The final day of Marit's Top2000 Blog Party!

Wow, that went by in a rush!!! 

I was going to do Eddie again, but

I surprised myself by choosing a Metallica song instead.

This is for my girl KG...

 

 *     *    *    *    *

 

And an ATC for Frantic Stamper using the Paris Tower Stamp

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2013!

Blue Monday

Day 6 of Marit's Top2000 Blog Party!

A song from my days of clubbing!  

Oh, I felt so alternative listening to New Order!

heh!

I don't think they called it "alternative"back then!!!   

 Most people just thot you were weird

: .P

I think this is the longest song I know!!!

Sometimes "I still find it so hard, to say what I need to say..."

*     *     *     *     *

Oh, and another card made using a Frantic Stamp 

and some Graphic 45 papers.

Psycho Killer

Day 5 of the Top2000 Musical Blog Party!  Eek!!!  

Yet another song that reminds me of my past!  

Back in the day, I had no idea what the song was about.  

I just really liked to sing 

"fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better, run run run run run run run away"

And then there was True Stories...

David Byrne is so interesting!

Did you know that he has a blog??? 

Lots of social commentary there.

*     *      *      *      *

Just asking the question of myself  : .)

*     *     *    *    *

Thot I'd also include a couple of things I did for Frantic Stamper ...

This is made with Frantic's Medallion #3 and white embossing powder.

Another reminder : .P 

Simple, simple Tim Holtz's Classic #1 Set and black ink!

Let's Dance!

Day four of Marit's Top2000 Party over at her blog!

Another song that evokes great memories for me is 

David Bowie's Let's Dance,

so of course its my choice for today! 

Let's sway under the moonlight, 
this serious moonlight...

: .)

Take a Chance on Me

Day three of Marit's Top2000 Blog Party!

I've always loved ABBA!  

I especially loved ABBA's music as part of the movie

Priscilla Queen of the Desert.  

I realized there was a shift in my perception of myself 

when I related more to 

Meryl Streep and Christine Baranski's characters 

instead of the ingénue (Amanda Seyfried) 

in the movie Mamma Mia! 

where I also enjoyed ABBA's music.

I love Erasure's version of the song...

*     *     *     *    *

: .)

Ray of Light

Day two of Marit's Top2000 Party over at her blog! 

Madonna's Ray of Light was my song choice today. 

Madonna and I have a long history together : .)

So many of her songs are featured in the highlights of my life...

 

My girl here is holding the universe in her hands...

: .)

I hope you had a great day yesterday!!!

I can't help falling in love with you...

Marit's started the Top2000 Party over at her blog!  

I like to make an entrance, so I'm fashionable late... 

(Not really, but it sounded good, yeah?! LOL!)  

Actually, I went across the street at 6 am to see when Starbucks was gonna open, 

locked myself out of my house.

I wasn't able to get my spare key 'til my friend got up. (Two hours later!)

This was coupled with my garbage disposal breaking down yesterday,

NO WORRIES, RIGHT?!

I did get in a great walk and watched the sun come up.  

*     *     *     *     *

Today from the list, I chose UB40's "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You"...

This song reminds me of my first love in high school...sweet!

oh and hey,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

: .)

Before the Music Ends

Not sure how to start this post considering the tragedy that occurred yesterday

of babies (and adults) being senselessly murdered in Connecticut. 

What the hell is going on in our world??? 

Peace be with all the families affected...

*     *     *     *     *

In other news, Scrapping the Music has decided to close down the challenge blog.  

With the year end, we say goodbye to the 5 1/2 years of inspiration. 

I've  enjoyed and appreciated all that participated during my run on the design team.  

There was some fabulous work created.
I'm so happy for the friendships made.

I also appreciate that STM helped me to express my feelings via art, 

in times where I couldn't find words.

There is related good news. 

Michelle has established a flickr group

to help motivate your musical muse... 

Art Inspired by Music

This will be a casual and fun place to post musically inspired work, 

have discussions, concert reviews and photos.  

Please join the group!!!

Here's my final Scrapping the Music piece based on Harry Connick Jr.'s song  

When My Heart Finds Christmas, 

which Patricia hooked me up with last holiday season.  

When its over, it isn't really...Keep the faith.

Scrapping the Music - Try Everyday by Transistor Radio

The newest challenge is UP at Scrapping the Music! 

The song is Try Everyday by Transistor Radio and the challenge is 

by special request by the musician himself!!!

Please go check out the story behind the challenge, 

it tells of the how the artist's came to find to Scrapping the Music!
You can also see how the design team was inspired by the song!

[Synchronistically, Sharon Wheat is one of my very favorite artists

and I've had the pleasure of meeting her in real life!!!]

The title of the song was my inspiration.

 It made me think of this blog's name, 

"Trying to Grab Some Happy..."

which I try to do every day!

The photo is from HAPPY HOUR at 

Clark & Lewis on the Willamette River, downtown Portland

where my girlfriend's husband ordered 

EVERYTHING 

on the happy hour menu! 

Boy was I happy!!!!

: .)

 

So inspired!  I hope you are too, come and play along!!!

Flower Power

I wanted to make this mirror, which I saw on Addicted2Decorating.

(Link to the DIY on the photo below.)

Then, I got an idea...

I had to do something with all those Starbucks stoppers I was collecting!

(I just love that Mermaid!)

Particle board ring/wreath from Michaels, hot glue, gold craft spray paint, mirror...that's it!!!  

It does need a hanger.

Easy peasy!

Migrating Souls

My friend Nyla posted this picture along with a little blurb about
Dia de los Muertos on on my Facebook wall...

She presented a little challenge about me making "a much cooler" monarch and soul courier...

So, I accepted the challenge 

and turned this,
with a little inspiration from Tim Burton & the Corpse Bride:  

Into this...

: .)

When Halloween and Dia de los Muertos Collide

This layout is made using the Authentique Glowing Collection available at Frantic Stamper.

13 ATCs of Halloween - Feast of the Dead!

Darkness falls across the land,

the midnight hour is close at hand,

creatures crawl in search of blood,
To terrorize y'alls neighborhood...

The foulest stench is in the air,

the funk of forty thousand years,
& grizzly ghouls from every tomb,

are closing in to seal your doom.

And though you fight to stay alive,

your body starts to shiver.
For no mere mortal can resist...
The evil of the thriller!!!

ah hahaha!!!

o.k. this isn't exactly an ATC.

 I wanted to use a Tim Holtz embossing folder and 

my Grateful Dead art stamp (mfg. unknown).

The bats are Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers.

Happy Halloween!!!

13 ATCs of Halloween - 2

A vampire's kiss...

oh Edward!  how you sparkle!

; .P

Fangs - Inkadinkadoo Clear Stamps - Creepy Face Set
Alphas - Martha Stewart
Stars - I think this is an All Night Media stamp

13 ATCs of Halloween - 3

Death Grrl!

Death Girl Stamp - Unknown

Make Me Immortal - A Stamp in the Hand

13 ATCs of Halloween - 4

hee! hee!

Singing Skelly - Unknown

Web - Rubber Stamps of America 

Thinking of all my East Coast friends!!!  
I hope you stay safe & dry!!!