Amazing Sleepover

I loved seeing my kids walk off to camp each day ready for adventure, fun, & friends. They were so sad when it ended. If only school could be this fun! Summer is slipping by too quickly.

No, this is not our new home, we had the amazing opportunity to go on a sleepover at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last weekend. Many of the animals, especially the octopus, are more active at night & the lack of crowds was so great. We were surprised to see the fish sleeping in a vertical position in the kelp garden. It was an eery sight. We got to sleep in front of the huge Outer Bay tank filled with hammerhead sharks, tuna, rays, & sardines. Bubbles shoot up the glass at night to keep the animals from slamming into the glass. The ethereal effect is mesmerizing and relaxing. Of course, no one got any sleep that night, but it was worth it.

The jellies are my absolute favorite animals at the aquarium. I could watch them for hours if I had the chance.

I love my new camera!!! I would never have gotten this shot without it. It looks like Kiyon is holding the wave at bay.

If only he could have held the flu bug back this effectively. He came down with the flu during the sleepover, poor guy. We ended up taking him to the ER when his fever spiked Sunday evening. His dad & little brother kept him entertained by practicing the moon walk while we waited for the doctor. I think he was hoping to be admitted to the hospital just to get away from the nonstop Michael Jackson songs his brother was belting out. We have instituted new rules to save our sanity and it seems to be working for now.

Plugging away

I'm plugging away on a new collection. I've been wanting to learn how to make patterns for awhile now. I bought Tara Reed's Repeat Pattern Combo pack a couple of months ago, then got too busy/distracted to use it. With the kids' camp days counting down, I realized I'd better get to it right away. I'm working on a bird collection based on my recent string of bird collages which are available in my shop. I just love how these feathers turned out. Tomorrow, I'll start putting all the pieces together. Can't wait.

Learning new things

Kiyon has been riding a Ripstick (2 wheeled, rotating scooter or caster board) for a couple of years now. Just this month he started teaching his little brother how to ride. It's amazing how fast kids learn. Now my husband is learning. I hope we have really good insurance!

I've also been picking up some new tricks—collage and mixed media. I have always loved learning new things, especially art related. My brain is filled with things that are only useful when playing Trivial Pursuits. Recently, I found a great local shop, A Work of Heart: Creative Arts Lounge, that offers mixed media and craft workshops. I hope to get a chance to attend one in the near future. In August, they are hosting a workshop with Laurie Mika. I'd love to take that class, but can't manage it at this time. I do plan to get her book and try out her mosaic tile technique.

Some Animal Characters

Here are some critters I drew awhile ago.

I just now got them scanned and cleaned up. I may use them to practice patterns.

Birdhouse Frame collages

These little beauties are almost ready for their debut in my shop. They are original, hand painted collages with hardware on the back, ready to hang in your home. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a close up of the birdie collages.

Michael Jackson

My family is really into hats. My mother-in-law is always a really good sport with her grandkids. Center is the big guy's latest hat, followed by his never to be left out little bro. They're really styling now.


Puppy love.


The gates of Neverland ranch. We were only 10 minutes away, so we decided to visit. It was a sad experience. I'm guessing this will become the next Graceland.


I can never resist a beautiful tree!

Birdie Collage and Work in Progress

Here's my latest collage painting. Love that quote! You may be wondering where my color pencil work is lately. I'm having so much fun with collage painting, that when I sit down to use the color pencils, I just don't feel it. I'm definitely going through a transition lately. Luckily, I have the luxury of going with the flow right now. Don't worry though, color pencil fans—I have a cp piece developing in my mind right now. Hoping to work on it next week. Stay tuned.

Here's a shot of what's on my drawing board today. You can see a finished piece here. These will house little birdie collages in the windows and will be available in my Etsy shop soon (God willing and the creeks don't rise).

Hilarious Video--Hammerpants

This is so much fun! I love spontaneous outbreaks of dance in public.

Robot Art Contest

Here's the newest print available in my Etsy shop. I had my first sale this weekend. You can see the original collage here. My youngest son cried when he found out I had sold it. I have another one, but it's not exactly the same. I think he'll get over it. What a sweety. I'm painting a few more in different color palettes. I'm so excited that Carol Eldridge bought it. She is so talented! I can't wait to see how it looks in her revamped studio. Thanks, Carol!

Here's the big guy hard at work on his entry for the University Art Robot contest. I'm so happy he decided to enter. I hope he wins, but even if he doesn't, we have a lovely new piece of art to display.

File this picture under the "I never thought I'd see the day" category. My husband wasn't a pet person. The kids and I begged for years before he relented and agreed to adopting a dog. Now here he is walking ours, my parent's, and a friend's dog. Wonders never cease.

Today is my dad's birthday. We spent it having lunch together at my parent's house, then we all went to Vasona Park in Los Gatos, followed by dinner at El Burro's. It was a great day. Happy Birthday, Dad!

The Loft--Finally!

Here's the before picture.

And here's the after picture. I so love the color!!! I once loved the old color, but had grown tired of it. I wanted something bolder and I got it. You have no idea how much stuff I had to move around to get a clean picture.

And here's another shot of my drawing board. I'd show my desk, but I don't have the time to unbury it first. The gold "curtain" is really a sheet I put up to keep out the heat. I have other plans for that window.