Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!
I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!
Enjoy the above clip art and this knock out jello recipe I found!

My Vintage Flea Market Finds

A couple of Sundays ago, I took a day to myself and went here.
The weather was perfect, I brought water and cookies to snack on and found the following wonderful things!
Pretty french trim...

vintage clear plastic clips....

a copper jello mold to add to my collection plus to use for upcoming Holidays...
just imagine the layered possibilities!

This quaint little vintage ashtray, (I don't smoke) but I love the cottage look...will add to my faerie houses, maybe burn a little incense and watch the smoke curl out of the chimney?

I could not resist when I found my name on this vintage tin bike plate
and with these wonderful blocks!

The "Lets Play" will add fun to the studio...don't you think? :)

And one for Dyllan's room... :)

At $1 a piece, these old iron gate ornaments were hard to resist.
I plan to add them to the garden...maybe glitter up one or two...

and my favorite...I finally found a vintage flea market cart! There was a lady there selling those high end newer models with big rubber wheels and cup holders...but I wanted vintage...and I found it! I'm going to add a few fun things plus make a wonderful liner.....aaaah so happy :)

I actually spent nearly 5 hours there, slowly going up the aisles.
The place is huge! But worth the fun and room for lots of day dreaming...

I love Artichokes! Don't You?

Isn't this a beauty? Straight off my Artichoke plant!
Bigger and tastier than any you'll find in a store!
Here is the plant in my yard. With another "just" about ready to be eaten!
Maybe tonight!
And look... another still growing right next to it!
See here, a "wee" baby artichoke on it's way to culinary heaven!
The weight of the plant gets really heavy while growing,
so I have to tether it to the fence to keep it from breaking.
After I steam my artichoke, I like to make a dip of mayo, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper. The one on the top of the post was devoured by both Dyllan and I...after I told him that it taste just like asparagus (a favorite of his)!
Sometimes after steaming, I'll make a mixture of bread crumbs, butter, salt, pepper, fresh pressed garlic a little mozzarella cheese and newly grated Parmesan cheese.
I then stuff that mixture into every cavity of the artichoke and broil till it's golden brown and gooey. Oh so yum!

~ So...what do you do with your steamed artichokes?

Mothers Day at The Getty

For Mothers Day this year went to The Getty Museum in Los Angeles. I had grown up going to the one in Malibu. This trip marked my second time to the one in LA. The first being when it 1st opened and there was absolutely no gardens or greenery. You park in a underground structure and then take a computer operated tram up the long winding hill.
(feel free to click on photo's for close up's!)

Admission is FREE to the Getty, but you pay $15 per car. - so load up!

Brian and Dyllan

love that larger than life push pin.

The place is huge, so it's recommended to arrive early so you don't have to wait in lines later to access special galleries. Above I found a room where they gave you paper and charcoal to sketch the art. I loved how the sky lights rotated through out the day, casting new light on some of the art works.

The chandelier on the right was beautiful and slightly functional...the crystal bowl on the bottom once held gold fish!

In the main lobby, grab some head phones - $5 so you gain better insight about the pieces as you walk through. Also watch the short introduction film available. Very interesting!

below are two of the most wonderful beds I've ever seen up close.
The one on the left had a beautiful golden crown on the top and the one on the right was considered the largest bed known.



I absolutely adored the gardens and the breath taking views.



The following 4 photo's are by my husband, Brian J. Cummings.

The walk down the hill to the car was a breeze, saving waiting in line for the tram.
entranced by the conveyor belt that takes your dirty dishes away for you...

over looking the beautiful garden.

The whole museum was dream for me but a little bit over kill for 5 year old Dyllan. I think it might have been nice if they had a artsy kid friendly play ground. But over all it was a nice day!

Etsy Spotlight - If The Hat Fits byJackie!

Please welcome this months etsy seller- If the Hat Fits by Jackie!
( I met Jackie at a local craft fair a couple of years ago, falling in love with her beautiful personality and magical Witch Hats!
I strongly encouraged her to join up with etsy, and she joined Oct. 2008 .
Since then, Jackie has sold 187 hats and head decorations for all ages!
Please read her fun interview and visit her beautiful shop!)

I'm Jackie and I live in Laguna Hills California with the love of my life, John.

I should say 'lifetime' because it took just about that to find him! Or, did he find me?

No, we found each other through 2 best friends that put us together, 9 years ago this month!

Life is good and it was worth the wait, trial, and error to be where we are today!

I developed a passion for hats when I was 17 and worked in the millinery department at Bullocks.

In 1989, I had the pleasure of living in Cambridge England for a year, where my appreciation for

beautiful hats really grew! I’ve always enjoyed wearing them, collecting them and now, best of all

….creating them. I do not make the hat itself and am in awe of those incredibly talented and patient

people who do. Instead, I take a great hat and give it a beautiful personality!

My craft room is a magical space full of flowers, ribbons, fabric, sparkling this 'n that's,

oohs 'n awes and lot's of oh my's waiting to be spun into the perfect that's just what I needed.

I still sew on the machine my dad bought for me 44 years ago, phew!)

What are your hopes, dreams, where do you see yourself in the future?


Let's just say, I have been around the block a few times, but, I hope that I will continue to learn, and always be open to grow,change. My dreams are to continue to live a happy, healthy, creative, and very long life so I can enjoy my grand children and be a positive influence in their lives; one day, leaving nothing but pleasant memories -maybe an inspiration- behind!

What other things do you like to do?
I retired a few years ago, after 30 incredibly fun years as a manicurist/nail artist.
In addition to designing custom hats, I enjoy mosaic, faux painting, floral arranging, gardening, reading, cooking, refinishing furniture, and spoiling my lovely
Granddaughters!

By yourself…with your family?...

My life has always been a whirlwind of busy; even more so after retiring!
I relish any 'alone time' I can get, relaxing, shopping, taking a bubble bath,
creating or just cleaning out a drawer.
Reading a magazine from cover to cover is a treat!
The best time spent though, is with family and friends, but especially, with my son, daughter-n-law and grand daughters, living on the East Coast. My bags are always ready to fly!!
My grand daughter, Skylar, visits here in the summer and it is magical!
I become ageless, enjoying every roller coaster, wet zone, endangered species,
and arena of entertainment that California has to offer.
We have painted, plastered, planted, photographed, pedicured, and picked movies,
books, clothes and flowers too.
Swimming every day, frosting cupcakes, face painting, walks on the beach,
Dairy Queen, putting on the golf course and staying up late are simple delights.
I've been to a Jonas Brothers concert, with 10,000 screaming little girls
and thanks to the ear plugs I remembered to bring, can set back now
and listen to Rod Stewart croon the old standards as I enjoy the memories we have created!

How did you first “know” you were a artist?

Reaching into my splendorous box of 40 Crayola Crayons,
picking one of my favorite colors- Magenta, Carnation Pink or Turquoise Blue
- and coloring outside the lines for the rest of my life.
I didn't think life could be any better, then Crayola came out with a box of 64.
120 was beyond bliss.

Please tell us what inspires you to make something new.

Oh My! It could be anything. A color, a fabric, movies, a mood swing,
something that sparkles or the full moon.
I'll awake in the middle of the night and jot down an idea.
At the drop of a hat, I'm ready to start a new project!
If only there were more hours in the day!!

Please name your top 5 favorite blogs or web links you like to visit often
and why.

Not easy to narrow down!!

http://mollyc-lifewiththecampbells.blogspot.com/

Molly Cambell is a delight, I completely relate to her take on life. She is endearing, heartfelt and can also leave me laughing up a storm! She won 2nd place in the Erma Bombeck writing competition, held in Dayton Ohio-Erma's home town.

http://fridawer.blogspot.com
Valentina is a jewelery artist in Foggia, Italy. Her work is divine! I love fresh water pearls [they color outside the lines, don't they?!] and she creates unique designs with them. I have a beautiful collection of her pieces and not only do I enjoy the compliments they receive, it's always fun to say "It's from Italy!" Communicating with the help of Babel Fish or translate page is helpful and fun!

http://showandtellphotography.blogspot.com
Stacy is a fabulous, busy, working mom/ photographer in New York. Her baby girl, Vienna Lilly, is the PERFECT model, loves the camera and has made quite a few of my photo props look absolutely resplendent! If only they lived here in the O.C!!

Cute and Cool Blog Stuff by Itkupilli @ http://blo64rt.blogspot.com/
Fun, creative, edgy, informative and lots of free stuff to help me grow! Great step by step instruction for downloading graphics to your blog and using altered art.

Vanessa Valencia
SO much creativity and fun stuff going on here, always an inspiration!!


http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/
This energetic, creative young woman never ceases to amaze me! She can accomplish so much and is truly an inspiration. Michelle is the reason I found my 'home' on ETSY in the first place and I am forever grateful!!

**********************************************************

Winner has been notified June 19, 2010.
If you or you know someone who would like to be featured here on my blog, please contact me...altered-art@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Etsy Spotlight to be posted Saturday Evening!

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to let you know that the new Etsy Spotlight will be posted Saturday evening.
So never fear... :)
Feel free to visit the current spotlight for a extra chance to win the above stationary set!
I will contact a winner once the new post is up!
Have a wonderful Saturday...and see you soon!
~Michelle

This just about Sums it Up

Don't you agree? :)

*(image courtesy of the Graphics Fairy )

Happy Hot Chocolate Day!

Today is just one of those drizzly wet cold days here in Southern California.
A Hot Cocoa day in fact.
So when we have Cocoa...we go ALL the way!
Cocoa made with real chocolate, real milk, lots of whip cream and oodles of mini marshmallows!
Happy Hot Chocolate Day!
:)

Silly Dilly!

Just a little something to start your week off with a *Smile*! :)
Happy Monday!
~Michelle