All that is Altered...

Hello blogger friends...yes, I know it has been about a week since my last post. Unfortunately, my work is working me to the bone...lol! Actually, it has been rather pleasant at work. Working on new friendships and staying in my happy spot!!!! Friends, I have been getting a ton of emails wanting me to showcase my altered work. So, with out for hesitation, here are some examples of my ART! Enjoy!
This peice is titled 'SeaTangle'. She rocks! Isn't she just gorgeous. I took an image of the net, used blue and green papers, rhinestones, glass pieces, Stickles, paper flowers, loads of different shades of green and blue ribbons and lastly a clipboard. Yes! I said clipboard! This is one of my altered clipboards altered art. I made her for a special lady who is ga-ga over all that is Mermaid! It was for a swap called 'Enchanted Swap'. To send things that meant enchanted to us, but to alter for our partners. She sent glowing reports once she opened the swap box. I am so glad she loved it. It meant alot for me to make 'SeaTangle' for her. I know she will treasure it. I love this piece, because one can use it as a traditional clipboard (but why would you), but I am sure she choose how it was really intended as a altered piece of wall art!


Here is a simplier version of a altered clipboard. But this one was made for a very special lady...my bestfriend, Adrien. She loves everything Princess. And NO GLITTER! Which is extremely hard for a glitter-o-holic! But, I came up with a pretty design where she (wanted) can had a special photo. And use it as a altered frame as sorts. Fab idea!

Here are a couple of my altered tablets...these two were for swaps. Of course, everything was coming up CUPCAKES! Can I tell you, to me cupcakes are so delish but so darn cute as well. I have a fairly great collection thus, far. I love that I used loads of ribbon. I ADORE ribbon!

I also did a law enforcement tablet for a swap buddy as well. As, soon as I get those photos from her, I will post those as well. I loved the way it turned out. And guess what?! I forgot to take a photo....aarrghghhh! So, maddening for me. I forget to take photos of finished products. But she is a doll and will send them to me or I will take a peek in her flicker account and then post from there.

Here is one of my many altered journals, that also made it's way to a swap buddy. This was a simple design, due to the paper choice. I added the ribbon marker and page turner as bonus embellishments. I thought it turned out darling. And these are so fun to make also!

Here is one of my altered lil' lunch boxes. I made this at a scrapbook retreat and this was the first piece that started my journey to altered arts. I then was approached by a lovely woman. She is a Girl Scout Administrator, and she was hosting a get-together for the older young ladies in Girl Scouts (whom I assume will move on to be leaders or something along that) and she approached me to make about 20 of these boxes. The color scheme changed to all shades of green/soft golds. And used the Girl Scouts emeblem on the box and put each young ladies name on the box. Added TONS of ribbon and sprakle. What was so fantastic about this deal, I made a pretty penny on those 20 boxes. Enough to pay for my 1st OVERNIGHT Mystery Trip with my bestfriend, Adrien. YES! you heard right...Adrien! I actually took your advice AFTER all these many years and LET SOMEONE PAY ME for my art. Instead of always giving it away. This was a fun project and she loved them and so did her young ladies."...squealed with delight when they arrived at the luncheon.", she wrote. I was thrilled. Sooner than later I will launch my ETSY business.

Altered Art just isn't just about paper projects, they are also mantle pieces or tablecenter pieces as well. As in this altered Bunny Topiary. Look at all those lovely colors, and then the plush green. This too was a big hit!

This piece has been a HUGH success for me as well. I have now sold over 30 of these little guys (Big Clothes Pin Clip). I love these as well. They are handy and look fab anywhere in the house,office,car (yes...I said car...someone wanted one for her car).

I love these little guys so much. My Artist Trading Cards are now starting to get some recoginition not just locally (within in the U.S.) but now Internationally. I am thrilled to bits about this. I really do love these little pieces of art, which are just lovely expressions of our world around us, that fits in a pocket...LOL! I too, have collected some beautiful pieces.



Thank you all for indulging me. I just couldn't answer all the emails I have received about my ALTERED ART pieces. My only way too, was to do make a post about it. It is nice to showcase my art, it is like showing you a part of my soul. To some this might seem a simple art form, while others look upon it with awe. That is the beauty of art....it's in the EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!



With much love,

Meet the 'Old Professor'...

I was catching up my blogging when I went to one of my (many) favorite sites, Meggie Cat, when I noticed something new in her side bar. Something about an old professor. I was intrigued. I clicked on the link and was brought to a delightful, witty blog. It is written by an 85 year 'young', retired professor, who lives in Carmel (very nice). Paul is the father of 'Meggie Cat'. I was so drawn in by his writing I had to read ALL of his wonderful posts. I think you will find his blog insightful and full of witty humor. I really do love his perspective on things. I have spent a good many hour, browsing through his posts. I have learned that he was a pilot in WWII, he has horses, lives in Carmel, his favorite fruit is a nectarine and the posts keep coming. It really has been wonderful to read his posts. I have caught myself laughing out loud at some of his wittiest posts. Paul has great insight and I just had to post about my 'new blogging friend'.
And who couldn't use a new friend...right? Please go and have a good read. It really was one of my highlights for the evening. Introducing The Old Professor.

With much love,

Gifted Hands

Hello Bloggers!
I really wanted to post about my new friend...Randy! Since, in my endeavor to 'get to know' him and on our way to a new friendship, I have discovered he is a very talented artist. A creative wood working artist. As the piece of above is just one of his creations, the photo doesn't give it justice. This eagle is done using a combination of Pine, Maple and Red Oak. Matching grains and colors to come up with a beautiful, custom piece of art.

Randy does all sort of creative wood working, as you can see. Once, I was lead to his website...I was awe struck. The work that goes in to the fine detail. The matching of grains of wood and then finding the right color to make the piece come alive. Some of his art can be seen in some military installations (offices), some done for retirements or just wanting that unique piece of military art. He has been commissioned by several people for very precise custom pieces. And you will see a handful of some of those custom pieces.






Aren't those just mind blowing! This is just a very small sampling of his work. Since most, if not all, know by now that I adore art. Any type of art! I am always so fascinated by an artist who makes something so awe inspiring from something so raw. It is truly a gift!
I really want you all to check out his website, you are in for a treat!
Oprah even bought one of his 'famous' wooden roses....who wouldn't want one of those!

I even found an article written up on him in his home town of Arizona. He was chosen as featured artist in 'Artist of the Valley', here is his interview.
With much love,

To find peace...that is what one desires.

May's Mystery Trip: Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,CA.


I planned 'our' Mystery Trip for May. The invitation read as this: Cherry Blossoms bring the bling to the trees! I love May for all it's spring like qualities. Everything is popping up through the ground, the breezes are gentle. And when I try to discover a little bit of heaven in this crazy world. To find some peace! I have never been to the Japanese Tea Gardens as long as I have lived here in Sacramento/Elk Grove. And I figured neither as Adrien who has been here longer. So, off we set for our adventure. My dad had given me some different directions. He printed out directions to take the old river road all the way to the 160. It was lovely! Just perfect. We chatted the whole way. Once in San Francisco that is when we took our de-tours (got a bit lost). But as usual, we did not freak out, we took it all in stride. Laughing at points, when I had a death grip when we were going down a VERY steep hill, while Adrien on the other hand, threw her arms up in the air, as if on a roller coaster ride. Once, we parked (found a prime spot), we were off. The directions inside the park are just perfect. We arrived at the lovely big wooden doors. And entered into a lush green world, where traffic couldn't be heard, most people spoke in hushed voices, and there was a slight cool breeze. Water could be heard all around us. It was glorious, some place so lush, beautiful. My slice of peace. Here are some of the pictures to share with you all. Here is our journey of peace!




And in the end, we headed to the Tea House, were served a choice of Green Tea or Jasmine Tea. We each had one of the choices. We sat quietly, listening to the babbling water and the songs the birds sang. Felt the cool breeze on our necks. It truly was 33 acres of heaven.


Peace on top of a mountain: Edgewood (Pro)Golf Country Club, South Lake Tahoe, NV.

This is the view I saw once I parked my car at Edgewood. I had gone up Wedesday to meet up with my husband and his bestfriend, Bert. My husband, Jim had planned their version of a mystery trip. A golfing mystery trip. The goal is to play at golf courses neither have ever played at. Since, this was Jim's idea (which he got from Adrien and I's trips) he planned it. He researched and decided this was going to be their first course. And since Jim had seen the photos online, thought I could use a break as well. I have just gotten off working 4 - 12 hour shifts back to back (I am convinced that my bosses are trying to kill me...aagghhh!). He asked if I wanted to come up and play (mostly drive the cart, drink hot chocolate)and I almost screamed YES! I couldn't wait to get out of Sacramento/Elk Grove for a day trip. I left early and arrived around 11:10am. Drove through a lovely grove of pine trees and finally parked my car, to view this! BREATHTAKING!



On some of the holes you could hear babbling brooks that cut through the course. And I could hear the wind in the pines. The air was pure, cold but pure, nonetheless. I bundled up and we set off on the carts. Just in awe of the panaramoic views. It was truly just gorgous to witness, such perfection.




We saw the locals (Geese) and their little ones, all in fuzz! Their were gorgous and seemed totally clueless that we were there. We could hear them honk from a distant hole. It was fun to see wildlife right there in front of us. We came on the back nine and saw what work a beaver was doing to a small pine. I wish we had seem him. He was doing a fine job on that tree, very uniformed indeed. For hours we all 3 enjoyed each other and took deep breaths. And we kept commenting on the views. Once, done with the first 18, we went back out for another 18. 36 holes of golf in one day! Just FANTASTIC! We had a early dinner before we headed out for more golf, though. I took off once we completed 36 holes, by then the wind was howling and the temp had dropped a lot. I gave kisses and hugs all around and headed out. I got in my car and turned on the heater! Jim called me today 5/22 at around 730am, screaming excitedly in the phone...."Honey! You will never believe what it is doing right now? IT'S SNOWING!" HUH?! You say! You read right! SNOW! It never really stuck to the ground, just snow flurries. Nonetheless, it was snowing! To say the least, the boys were joyful! When I am having a very busy day, I shall look back on these 2 days and remember the peace they gave me. I hope these photos brought some peace to all of you as well. Enjoy!

With much love,

All things BIRTHDAY! Yipppeeee!

HELLO BLOG LAND! How I have missed my dear blogging friends!!! April was just heck on poor ol'me! Between depression on turning 38 and then walking pneumonia! What else needs to be said...well, actually a lot! I have a lot of thank you's first off. One in particular to dear Suze (known by many as Suzanne)! She made the trek out to Elk Grove to deliver the vase of flowers that you are looking at now. Yes! She did...cut them from her own 'secret garden' and placed them so loving in a vase and set them by my front door. She then signed everyone names who has left a comment of my blog! It was precious. My husband and I figure these flowers were outside for 15 minutes or less, when hubby found them. And showed me while I was squealing like a school girl. Dear Suze...thank you from the bottom of my heart this was the most heartfelt thing that happened on my birthday. I mean that...! No one else thought to suprise me with something as simple as a vase of flowers or something else (ballons or cake). You made my day! Heck, I even had to think what I wanted to do on my birthday! Oh well...

I went to a Mexican restaurant for my birthday dinner, had this! It was ok...not the best in town but for faitias it was ok. But, what they brought out next sent me over the moon! Yummy!

Doesn't this look fantastic...and believe me when I say all four of us (that is how many came)dove right into! It was the best!

Then we went to a local place called 'Moon River Inn'! To play darts and have some drinks (me far to many to count...next remember depression + lots of drinks = hangover...Adrien her turn at darts). I had simple ol'fun, laughing and laughing more, it got a bit hot in the bar but oh well...we still played and listened to some music. Got to see a young lady spill her drink all over my hubby and fall to the ground! Yep...it was one of those types of bars...a hole in the wall! LOL! Not the best birthday but one I shall not forget soon.

I had a Scrapbook Retreat on my birthday weekend! I still attended (I didn't start getting sick until Saturday afternoon) I was going to enjoy this...if it killed me and it ALMOST DID! Here is my room at the hotel. It was suprisingly nice. It had a very mod feel to it. Nice!

At the retreat one of the hostess's created a Who's who? board! So, we all needed to bring a childhood photo and let everyone guess! I am at the bottom left (fairly large photo at the very bottom, wearing PJ's and looking up at the camera). That was fun and frustrating at the same time!

Here is one of the things I created! It is a hugh altered clothes pin! I discovered I LOVE doing altered things! I am selling these, so if anyone would like me to make one (email me and let's talk).

Then I made and finished this altered clip board for Adrien! She loved it! It is so her...Pink and Princess! I loved making it for her! I made other things and I will have to post those soon, I just forgot to take a pic of them at the retreat!

And this is what the hostesses gave me to celebrate my passed birthday! Isn't it cute?!
Jim gave me some lovely perfume from Lancome called 'Miracle' and I just adore it!
So, overall not a bad birthday and have some good memories, but watch out on my 40th! I am so going to have a BLOW OUT! I really have to except the fact that I am getting older and there is no stopping the time. I have learned to buck up and take the hit on the chin and move on. No need to wallow in self pity and wonder if I can make the wrinkles and lines stop! Again, lovely friends thank you for the kind words and sentiments of encouragement! I have treasured each comment! I will be around soon to see how everyone is doing. I have missed you all something awful! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart! Hugs and kisses all around!
With much love,

I have been really, really, really SICK! Yuck!

Hello all my dear blogger friends! I am SO SORRY that I have not been on here and have not shown you all my lovely photos of my birthday! Especially the lovely BLOGGER surprise flowers, hand carried by no other than 'our' dear Suzanne...Suze for short!
Unfortunately, the Saturday of my Scrapbook Retreat I started to get sick, I thought something simple as a sore throat. BOY! Was I wrong, by the time I drove to Monterey (Ca.). on Sunday, I had a temp of 102! Yep...I was sick! By Monday...well let's just say I thought I had walking pneumonia!! Couldn't breath...Jim took me to a local clinic...more like dragged me to it! I felt like death warmed over. The Doc in the box decided I didn't have walking pneumonia but a VERY, VERY cold/cough. NO PRESCRIPTION to fix this. Just good ol'fashion...getting tucked in, staying warm, lots of cough syrup and other over the counter meds. I put myself into a self medicated coma! And I didn't want to wake up until I was better! I am back at work, getting better by the minute!
I just wanted to post quickly and let everyone now, that I have some screwed up work schedule...one day on/one day off/one day on. I truly do think they are trying to kill me off...yes, I think it a conspiracy!
I love you all *hack...hack* (don't get to close...still not 100%)but getting back to my ole' self. Shortly I will post all the lovely photos of happier days!
And I will thank you all properly! Love and miss you all! I will be back soon! I promise...no cold is holding me down to long! LOL!
With much love,

And this is what I end up feeling like...

Well blogger friends...you all were probably wondering where the heck I've been! Right?! Here I am working my tail off in the office! I tell you I really have to force myself out of bed every morning to get to my job. I swear, I would rather get my teeth pulled than go into work. The above photo is just one peek into my fabulous job. I suppose you could call me a computer geek, spending close to 10 hours a day at the desk, typing away. Placing doctor orders in, so patients can get the right meds to make them better. HEY! What about sharing! Yes...the go-to girl would love a nip of the ol'dilaudid. To make the day go faster.

Let's not digress shall we...back to moaning and bitching about one's job! No respect, no glory! Heck! Not even a damn THANK YOU. Would it be so hard to once in a while throw the little people a bone of gratitude once in a while. I really don't trust or even really like anyone for that matter. But, I plaster on a smile and poise myself at the desk to look like I am ready for the day. The whole time begging for a earthquake to shimmy one side of the building, so that it is damaged beyond repair....ok *packing up desk* I am out of here pronto! Oh...to wonder over to some wonderful beach with a great book. And just hear the surf...instead of listening to a army of phone calls (almost 750 calls a day).Just some form of ESCAPE! Something...almost anything! It is enough to drive a girl to the drink. I have become best buds with Jack,Jim,Jose!


On a lighter note...I have also been preparing for a Scrapbook Retreat. Since, my birthday falls on a Wedesday (April 16th) I am celebrating by treating myself to this retreat! It is 2 nights and 3 days. I can't wait to dive right into all the clever things the hostess's have got planned! Getting things put together and deciding what I want to make and bring....I know the pressure of it all!

The Owners/Hostesses who are putting on Retreat!

My second home, Jim calls it! I have invested a ton in this store! A TON!

And tooboot, my baby nephew is horribly sick (poor baby) so I have been over there every spare minute to help out where I can.

Things are going well, well almost well. I will have not seen Jim in 3 weeks by the time he comes home! If you see a sock...don't come a knocking! *evil grin*
Love to you all! And it just really warms my heart that some of you really missed me and I read all the warm fuzzies! I adore all of you to bits!
With much love,