Art of Tascha

Tascha has created some wonderful tutorial videos and I am so glad to have found the write up of her on Etsy's online mag The Storque.


This particular article shows a variety of ways to use videos for your shop, something I have been needing to do with some of my art and especially with my puppets. I am still trying to figure how to do the whole video thing and especially how to do it in fast motion.

So, feast on her video and get inspired to create your own masterpiece and browse through her lovely shop!

Twilight

I read the first book 'Twilight' by Stephanie Meyer with my husband, we took turns reading chapters, and we had great fun! (My brother in law who also read & loved the books, said that any man will feel like they have a uterus after reading these!) When we got to the second book, 'New Moon', I needed to read it more than he was willing, so I stayed up and read the entire thing overnight. This book left me slightly sad, so I decided to read the entire third book, 'Eclipse', the next day (which was today).

John Clark artwork on a novel page.



I really did enjoy the series, but I am left disappointed by the ending as it was not as happy as I wanted (I am an Edward fan... too much Jacob in there for my taste). I have a tendancy to become saddened and moody when books don't have fairy tale endings, so when the fourth installment of the book, 'Breaking Dawn', comes out in August, I will have to read it, in hopes that it will lighten the spirit of the romance and intensity. I spare details of what I did/didn't like, to spare anyone who would like to read them. But if you have and would like to chat, send me a message as I so want to talk it up!

By the way, here are some great links on the books and the trailer for the movie that is due to come out December 12, 2008!!

Twilight in HD


Gorgeous artwork by Anne Julie. http://www.annejulie.etsy.com

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Entertainment News

A Twilight inspired bracelet from Jack and Ella


My Jeweled Ambrosia "Find Your Path" Compass Ring

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11785936

Dolls

I have found a lot of amazing artists lately, and so here I am going to feature one of them. Aside from dolls, she also makes cute little bears and I can't wait what else she will have in store for us! So, here is the creative, talented and sweet seller of Doll Project.

"My name is Jessica Acosta--people who know me usually call me Jess. I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I am drawn to disturbingly cute things. I collect stuffed animals in the form of pathetic sea beasts (octopuses with 6 or 7 tentacles, crabs that were trampled on in gift shops etc.). I have a healthy obsession with doll making. Every box, bottle or raw material I see is potentially part of a doll. I am intrigued by the concept of fluid anatomy that dolls allow for. A doll doesn't necessarily need arms or a nose if she looks great without."

I thought the "Steampunk Romeo" from Winona Cookie would be a handsome fellow to feature with these lovely ladies!

And here is a little treat from my shop. Have a happy day!

Memior

One of my favorite blogs, The Feathered Nest, is closing. It always filled me with motivation, ideas and great pictures, and she was such a sweet person. In her blog announcement, she said it will be totally gone, which means I can't even bookmark my favorite pages! So I am going to post some of my favorite pics of hers to share before they are gone.

(Just so you know, there is a similar wonderful blog, Nesting Place, so we do have that!!)

Tired

I have about one hundred projects in my head, 5 custom orders to finish, several orders to ship, a growing mountain of amazing supplies... and absolutely no motivation to do them. Then, there's dinner, and laundary, kids... Not to mention that our car air conditioning is broken and it is going to cost $800 to repair... just in time for Texas summer weather.

I was thinking about my issues and trying to map out schedules, and even though I knew about the earthquake in Japan, and am absolutely horrified, I saw some pictures that definately has humbled me.

This man is half buried under the collaped school. (REUTERS/Stringer)
I am amazed at how many natural disasters have occured these past couple of weeks, how many lives are gone, maimed or forever changed... and then I go about my daily life as if nothing has happened. It always leaves me with a sense of greater call that I need to do something. Besides prayers and donations, what can I do with 2 little ones at home? I have been wandering, if hurricanes get names... then what about earthquakes and tornados?

Rescued newborns from a collapsed hospital. (AP Photo / Cheng Chaosheng, Xinhua) This image has really struck me.


Housewife collages by DadaDreams.

On another note, tired as I am today, we had a quick, but yummy dinner. I rolled some sweet potatoes in foil and baked them for about an hour and a half, and then make some pre-cooked ham! It was easy, yummy and the only seasoning we needed was just butter for the potatoes. I even sneaked my baby his first bite of solid food, and he somewhat ate it, yumm!

A New Day

I have been sooo busy these past couple of weeks with custom orders and life, that I have greatly neglected my blog. Yesterday morning, my cousin Jordan died of a rare blood cancer commonly known as "rhabdo". We are all so deeply saddened by this. He was only 26 years old and a newlywed, he had only been sick for about 7 months. You can read about it on his family's blog. Our hearts are turned to heaven in prayer.

Also, if you want to donate to help the people in Myanmar, this is the most reputable and effective charity around that will get the most for your money and will get the relief to the victims quicker than others because they have resources in neighboring countries. Visit here to make a donation and find out more.

Today is Mother's Day, and so "Thank you Mom", and all other mommas out there who labor with love, and even those women who aren't moms yet and still have motherly love and influence, you do a world of good. Here's my sweet mom with all of her grandsons.



We had an excellent General Conference for our church that has truly enriched us and I am excited for the next one in October, read/watch/listen to it here. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has launched a new website that is more user friendly and it is so beautiful and wonderful to visit. See it Here.

Also, here is a very interesting perspective by Jay Leno...
I hope you will all read to the end. Jay Leno puts it into perspective and
makes us think about the pathetic negativity. That's right, Jay Leno!!


People CLAIM Jay Leno wrote this essay, in actuality he only said a small piece in a monolougue and it has been added to by others until it became this. Read about the metamorphasis HERE.... I will post the whole thing becuase I think it is an interesting read.

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a eek?

Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are fo r-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why
they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about 'how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way'...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

Jay Leno (and others), 2008


My little brother, on his way to boot camp. We love you, Jae!!