Two Plums Paper

Each and Everyday

2012-02-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

Can you feel it too?

2012-02-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

daniel a henriquez

Third Eye

2012-02-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

the hippie douche

I'm talking about your third eye. Use it.

JOY

2012-02-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Theo says it best!

Knowledge

2012-02-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

‎"The suppression of uncomfortable ideas may be common in religion and politics, but it is not the path to knowledge; it has no place in the endeavor of science." Carl Sagan

photo by David Cartier

20th century Sufi poet Hafiz

2012-01-16T15:04:00.000-08:00

what is the plot?

2011-11-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

2011-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all the freedom to be CREATIVE in your home.

by PRETTY STUFF

Who knew?

2011-09-23T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'll admit. I was always curious about what this was...

Figure Eight

2011-09-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

bestthingyouuneverhadd

Breathe

2011-08-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

I didn't know there was and e at the end of the word breathe! or maybe i did?

Designing Yourself

2011-08-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

founded at sammichfelge

Whether you are designing your own success or catastrophy, it's your responsibility.

A NOOK of your OWN

2011-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

My final summer project is to make a little nook just

for me where I can stare into a confetti system's wall hanging, hide from my kids and just breath!

confetti system

Here ye Here ye

2011-08-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

the little prince

2011-08-11T05:29:00.000-07:00

the little prince says it best

SOULMATES

2011-08-03T06:59:00.001-07:00

The quote can also be plural.

"Sometimes I think soulmates are people who make you be the most 'you' that you can possibly be."

LOVE - HATE PHOTO

2011-08-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

I love and hate everything about this photo.

...I Love Ya Tomorrow!!!

2011-07-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

I LOVE everything about these two prints. Want them badly!! Though they are from the musical Annie, I love that they are presented out of context with the focus on the SUN!! But, speaking of Annie, I never got cast as Annie because of my Italian olive skin. I still have the best Annie impersonation ever! I'll do it for you some time in the future.

Painting Rocks

2011-07-15T02:35:00.000-07:00

photo source

Rocks are the new canvas.

Paint rocks with acrylics and paint pens.

Egyptian Magic

2011-07-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

Egyptian Magic

Peace, divine love, perfect health, eternal wisdom and infinite blessings unto you, Precious One. Ancient Kamitian (Egyptian) folklore recalls a miraculous skin cream, a secret of the great sages, mystics, magicians and healers, used to maintain radiant, healthy, smooth and glowing skin. Ingredients: Oliver Oil, Beeswax, Honey, Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly and Propolis Extract. No synthetic preservatives or synthetic fragrance.

I was in Wholefoods today and stumbled upon Egyptian Magic. I couldn't help myself I am in awe of the Egyptians and really believe that bees have all the answers to creating world peace. The saleslady at Wholefoods (who is in her 60's) uses it and her skin was so smooth with little faint lines. Sure it's genes. But, how could I not try this with a name like Egyptian Magic! Besides, Oprah endorses it! and I love Oprah!

Kid vendors at 90041 Handmade

2011-07-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

The best thing about 90041 Handmade is that it supports kid craft vendors. My kids are already working on things to sell for October.

The LOVE Tattoo

2011-06-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

If I didn't have so many commitment issues, I would want a tattoo like this.

90041 Handmade in Eagle Rock

2011-06-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

90041 Handmade Facebook Page

Little Art Murals at the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles

2011-06-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

7 years ago I was asked to paint the cardiology floor at the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. I painted the wait room and 6 patient rooms all while I was pregnant with my daughter. Yesterday, my daughter saw the murals for the very first time. She was very happy to know that she was the inspiration behind this project.

Unexpected

2011-06-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Pretty Popsicles

2011-05-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Pretty Popsicles in the little town of Todos Santos

Laure Joliet

Happy Fridge

2011-05-24T22:40:00.001-07:00

Manicure Solution

2011-05-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

The manicure solution when you can't make up your mind on a color!

Wise Little Owl

2011-05-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

There is a little knowledge behind every

"I DON'T KNOW."

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

Mother's are superwomen.

Superherohumor

2011-05-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

Cardboard Castles

2011-05-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

founded at BANQUET

A fantastic summer time project.

A Hedgehog Moment

2011-04-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

A penny for your thoughts.

founded at Tralalere

Busted

2011-04-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

Budget Deal, Corner Pocket

2011-04-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

SO TRUE

2011-04-11T12:29:00.001-07:00

TV Dinners

2011-04-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

Remember these?

I can seriously still smell and taste them Swanson TV dinners. I'll never forget the day my mom came home with 30 of them. She was like, "OMG! They are called TV dinners and you just pop them in the oven and we can watch TV while we eat! ...and look they have different compartments for all the foods. Isn't that cute?" I was like, "Well, MOM! ...you aren't cooking anyway so i'll give it try bc I'm kind of hungry." In hindsight, what a messed up idea to eat processed food while you watch TV and not talk to your family. No wonder we are all in therapy! And then there were the TV tray tables that every house bought to place their TV dinners on. Then my mom saved all the empty TV trays to heat up food and use as plates. I swear she probably still has some in her house. Swansons you developed some bad Karma by brainwashing families to eat your crappy, processed food in front of the TV. You should really apologize to the kids raised in the 70's for the breaking a part of the family meal time. You tore a part our family lives. Don't even try to re-invent yourself by putting the 'organic' label with your brand. You can't fool us. The damage is done. My kids don't know what Swansons is.... Let's keep it that way! I wonder if I can sell my moms empty TV Trays on Ebay?

Banana Writing

2011-04-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Banana writing RULES!

My kids are going to be psyched tomorrow during lunch.

Weeeeeeee!

2011-03-31T06:51:00.000-07:00

hmmmmmm

2011-03-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

found on MILK this that

Mirror Mirror

2011-03-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

The worst thing about your husband being unemployed is that I have no career to hide behind. Since he doesn't have a job now, I now feel like I need to find a career in 24 hours. Which I never set my cards in place to have a real, real REAL career. I mean, I can think of some careers but not just the 175K career that we needed months ago. I spent a lot of time building a big happy family. But, am realizing it's hard to build a happy family when you yourself aren't happy. I secretly want him to fix this whole big mess. But, not sure if that is completely fare. Like why can't I fix this? I'm a big girl. It's taking too long. I'm so exposed. It's a real trip on the ego. You wonder if people are judging you? or do people even care? Most normal people have their own shit to think about so hopefully I am the only one judging myself. I'm completely forced to look at myself. Like not only do you feel like there is a mirror following you. The inertia of us both being unemployed and mirroring each other is just like one big fucking face to face exercise. Which makes it even double painful. It's like an improv exercise gone bad or good depending on the day. The pain around our careers or life's purpose has been coming to the surface in the past year and I wonder where it's leading to? Why do I care so much and why do I have to be so insecure about this? I wish I weren't. Well, I know why I care bc I want us to both be happy and thriving. In my darkest places I just feel like a loser. But, as I write, I am aware that I am in a dark moment and tomorrow will be lighter. Like when I make my morning cup of coffee. My day will pull me in the direction of the to do list and the want to do list. Of course, if I go to cardio-barre that will help release any excess waste from the night before and make me feel strong. When you can't sleep, the issues that you most struggle with appear. I always call it the 'hour of the wolf.' So, I'm sitting here with Mr. or Mrs. Wolf. That's all I can do is sit here with this furry creature and write on my blog. Not, like I give a SHIT who is reading this. Don't even fucking care. I just want to get real with the universe and writing it all down in the blog is sort of a way to pass it off. Like, there! Have it! I just want to get these feelings the fuck out of me. Like go visit someone else you Mother Fucking Wolf. ....or actually don't. I don't wish your visit on anyone. You stink and are actually quite boring! But, I know you'll be back until the issues are resolved. I'm going to have to deal with you and manage you and hopefully some day real soon just fucking kill you! ...with my sword of INNER PEACE.

I guess what I have to say to you WOLFMAN, WOLFWOMAN or WOLFSELF! Is that I love you in the way that this photo reads. Like i'm announcing my love for you to the world. Not that I'm in love with you. Not like I'd ever want to fuck you or anything because you would never get me off. But, I love you in the way that you are making me look at this pain bc I just don't want it anymore. It's old news. Like what is going to happen to me if I awake in 10 years and haven't dealt with all this and i have ignored you. I might look like a Wolfman and that would suck tremendously! I am a little vein. Like completely devastating! and I would feel your ugly thoughts. BARF! So, I guess I'll reach out and give you a fucking hug now and go to sleep.

Sexy-ist

2011-03-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

OMG! LOL

I thought this read "Don't be Sexy-ist! Bitches Hate That!

It reads SEXIST! Works both ways, but I like SEXY-IST

Dream Room

2011-03-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

This is my dream room for my kids.

Best Sign Ever!

2011-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Street Flyer Nirvana

The Daily What

Oscar Wilde

2011-03-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

"Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.

In your soul are infinitely precious things

that cannot be taken from you."- Oscar Wilde

Crafting Community at the ACE in Palm Springs

2011-02-19T18:58:00.000-08:00

"THIS IS WHERE IT'S AT!"

LOVE

2011-02-13T20:08:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

90041 Handmade

2011-02-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

90041 Handmade is an artisan market in Eagle Rock supporting local handmade goods.

SATURDAY, FEB. 12th from 10-3 on the corner of Colorado Blvd. @ Mt. Helena SW Corner

90041 Handmade Facebook Page

ONE

2011-02-02T22:51:00.000-08:00

DON'T WORRY

2011-01-26T13:36:00.000-08:00

TOO CUTE TO CRAFT

2011-01-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

TOO CUTE

A future craft hostess.

God's Eyes

2011-01-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

God's Eyes

For Eye of God, see Eye of God (disambiguation).

The Ojo de Dios or God's eye is a ritual tool, magical object, and cultural symbol evoking the weaving motif and its spiritual associations. For the Huichol peoples of western Mexico, the God's Eye is symbolic of the power of seeing and understanding that which is unknown and unknowable, The Mystery. The four points represent the elemental processes earth, fire, air, and water. this is a spiritual project also.A God's eye is a yarn weaving and a Huichol spiritual object.

The Ojo de Dios, or God's Eye, is a simple or complex weaving made across two or more sticks and is thought to have originated with the Huichol Indians of Jalisco, Mexico. The Huichol call their God's eyes, Sikuli, which means "the power to see and understand things unknown." When a child is born, the central eye is woven by the father, then one eye is added for every year of the child's life until the child reaches the age of five. Original Huichol Crosses are extremely rare to come by. There are many that are being made for the tourist market, but they do not carry the same traditional and spiritual significance.

GOD’S EYE DIRECTIONS –

1. Lay the sticks parallel to each other and tie together in the middle (trim excess yarn).

2. Now twist the sticks to form an “X”.

3. Choose yarn color and cut approx 2 yards.

4. Take yarn and stick in between middle of the sticks.

5. Wrap it over and around one stick, then over and around the next, over and around the next, and so on. Keep doing that until the color is used up.

6. Tie a different color string onto the old one with a tight knot.

7. Repeat steps 2 + 3 until complete.

NOTE! There are 2 weaves in making God’s Eyes – over and around, over and around etc. OR over and around, under and around, over and around, under and around etc.

"Carmensita"

2011-01-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

Carmensita by Devendra Banhart directed by SKINNY starring Natalie Portman

Facts about SKINNY

Skinny is not a pseudonym for Devendra Banhart.
Skinny is a filmmaking trio comprised of director Dori Oskowitz, journalist Marc-Edouard Leon and director David Hache
The name Skinny stems from the fact that all three members claim to have the physiques of 12 year old girls. I assume it's just from the waist up.

The Boogaloo

2011-01-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

Shakin It! with Jame's Brown found via lolaversuspowerman

My youngest son's nickname is Boogaloo and he loves to dance.

2011

2011-01-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a year out of your comfort zone. - sheryl

Pine cone Love

2010-12-27T17:07:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I did get some time to craft together this past week. We had so much fun creating these sweet pine cone scenes out of random miniature toys and charms that abundantly lye at the bottom of the kids toy bins. Of course, my kids went crazy over this project because they are obsessed with little objects as I too am a complete sucker for most things tiny.

I was so relaxed and focused while I was crafting. Like exercise I think there is a natural chemical that is released from your body when you are being creative. It's a bit of a rush. Just you and the idea. You have complete control of what you are creating and it always has a beginning, middle and an end. Just like a story.

I also loved turning the pine cones into enchanted trees. Can't wait to make a sparkly pine cone tree for my daughters fairy house.

I now have a new love for the pine cone. They are totally gorgeous all natural or with sparkles and paint. Looks as though I will be collecting pine cones in 2011!

pine conenounthe conical or rounded woody fruit of a pine tree, with scales that opento release the seeds.

Bohemian Christmas

2010-12-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

God's Eye Tent by Chessa Subbiondo

"Shhhh! The Bohemian Sugar Plum Fairies are sound asleep. Waiting for Santa to bring them more art supplies!"

BOHEMIAN STYLE

The term "Bohemian" as related to Bohemianism – i.e., describing the nontraditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, musicians, and actors in major European cities – emerged in France in the early 19th century when artists and creators began to concentrate in the lower-rent, lower class gypsy neighbourhoods. The term bohémien was a common term for the Romani people of France, who had reached Western Europe via Bohemia.

WANTED

2010-12-23T08:39:00.000-08:00

Santa Claus by Kevin Dooley

Wanted: Kris Kringle, aka Santa Claus. The suspect was last seen somewhere near the north pole in a submersible. Known to hang out with reindeer and other seedy characters. If seen please contact police immediately. The suspect is armed and extremely dangerous, especially since the economic crisis.

GREAT

2010-12-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

It's all about the BALLS

2010-12-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

oh Christmas Tree

how I love hanging BALLS on you.

Renegade Craft Fair

2010-12-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

WORTH GOING!

True

2010-12-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

Panorama Press

Yum

2010-12-04T07:39:00.000-08:00

Have you guys tried the Cream of Darkness soup? It's awesome!

I can't tell you how happy I am that I have been serving myself this soup daily. For those of you that know me, (or who are reading this) I have been going through a kind of mid-life crisis. Looking back on choices I have made and haven't made. Really looking at all my fears and self doubts. It's all been so painful. But, in the healthiest of ways I am kind of enjoying all this pain because I'm just allowing myself to sit with it and I am really listening. My pain has really been a kind of best friend. We have been having coffee together, working-out together, crying together, parenting together, shopping for holiday clothes together etc. I truly don't think I have really ever given myself the time or space in the past (well, at least the past 10 years) or if ever to be really honest with myself. I have been making babies for the past 7 years. ...and I''m very good at making truly beautiful babies or human beings. But, I have found myself in a space where I am feeling so unsatisfied. What do you want Sheryl? What is going to make you happy right now? Why did you make that decision? or why didn't you make that decision? Why are you so afraid? Why aren't you grateful? Why are you so angry? Who are you angry at? Why aren't you happy right now? AND you know what? I don't feel guilty or bad about having any of these questions or sad, angry feelings. When you feel something, you just FEEL it! There's really nothing you can do when you feel the way you feel. Meaning, I've learned or am learning how to not judge it and to just accept it for what it is.

Yesterday, I called one of my best friends from college. Kim Shirley, who is just completely beautiful on all levels. I was on the fence if I should do a workshop with Debbie Ford. I have to tell you, I am so grateful that I reached out to her because she gave me the best wisdom ever! She said, "Sheryl, I have known you for a very long time and it sounds like you have already intuitively made up you mind. The vibe I'm feeling is that you need to cont. to FEEL this. So often women, we do all this self help work, get all this information and fill ourselves with too much information that we interrupt the process to just feel what we are feeling. Miss an opportunity to heal because we seek all this advise from outside sources." I was like HIGH FIVE KIMMO! THANK YOU! For now, I will continue to hold hands with my dark BF.

Also, my therapist mentioned that I have to communicate my feelings (no matter how hard and painful) with the person we spoke of in therapy so I don't create judgement and alienation. She mentioned this is much bigger than just being or wondering why your not grateful. This is admitting and seeing that there are things that aren't working in your life. The crazy thing is I said the exact thing to myself earlier that day. Anyway, I took her advice and confided, expressed myself with this person and it moved mountains! Another HF to you DP. Thank you.

So, there you have it! I am going to heat me up some more Cream of Darkness. YUM. Let me know if you want to try some.

Sxo

This I Like

2010-12-02T02:48:00.000-08:00

image found on so much and such

Walking with Leaves

2010-11-29T17:16:00.000-08:00

I was recently up in Northern California at my parent's home. I was able to tame negative emotions, inboxes (checking emails and texting which put you in a constant state of anticipation) by going on walks in the rain. All I noticed was the beautiful leaves, trees and nature. So amazed with the colors. Reflected on how persistent and resilient trees and nature are. How trees always adapt to the changing seasons. I've always been a tree hugger but i think trees are my new heros.

Thank you - A Gratitude Healing

2010-11-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Everyone -

I just want to take a moment to tell you how incredibly fortunate we are to have you in our lives and thank you deeply for your love and friendship. ...AND when I'm not self destructing, self doubting, constantly living in illusion or thinking about sex ....know that I am actually really wanting to HEAL and get real. But real can be so boring... wink wink

Really wishing you all a day of complete gratitude and healing. We love you all infinitely. Have a beautiful day!

Sheryl xo

The below words are from Debbie Ford's Newsletter -

A GRATITUDE HEALING

The beautiful gifts of gratitude begin at home
so today, invite a healing to happen

in your own body,

in your own consciousness,

in your own loving heart

that feels blessed to be alive.

Notice all the riches you've been given:

the feet that allow you to stand,

the legs that allow you to walk,

the stomach that allows you to eat,

the lungs that allow you to breathe,

the throat that allows you to speak,

the mouth that allow you to taste,

the nose that allows you to smell,

the eyes that allow you to see,

and your beating heart

that allows you to love.

Honor them all.

Become present to the treasures of your life:

the opportunities that you have been given,

the ones that have effortlessly opened up for you this year.

Reflect on your family, your kids, your partner, your friends.

Look through appreciative eyes,

the eyes of what's right,

the eyes of the divine.

Give thanks in a way that you never have before.

Allow fear, doubt, struggle and pain

to melt away in the presence of this all-loving appreciation.

Thank God that you have a consciousness

that is able to shift and transform in just a moment.

Thank God that you are courageous enough

to take a moment to bless yourself,

to bless the universe,

to bless all those who love and guide you,

and then to bless all of the world,

Send your tears of love and gratitude

to those who are in pain,

to those who are alone,

to those who are confused.

Allow the heavenly vibration of gratitude

to puncture their fearful illusions

and open up their hearts to what is truly divine.

Today, take this vow of deep self-love and gratitude,

knowing that when you are in the presence of this kind of love,

you - as well as all of those around you - will flourish.

Take five slow deep breaths, breathing in

love, appreciation, gratitude and joy.

Know that you are never alone and you will never be alone.

We are all here surrounding you with love.

Airstream Abode

2010-11-20T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is my new secret hideaway. My new daydream. I found this photo at www.pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com. I LOVE it here. Deep down I have nomadic genes.

Imagine

2010-11-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I stumbled upon this walking starfish and it rekindled my imagination.

Reality often swamps us and paralyses our imagination.

Sometimes we need to hit the pause button.

We need to find time to let our minds play, relax, regenerate.

Give your mind a treat.

Find a sanctuary. Close your eyes.

Shut out the real world.

Let your mind create its own.

Enjoy the trip.

- Patrick Lindsay

"I shut my eyes in order to see." - Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

Today

2010-10-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm am so tired of thinking about ME that I bought a life www.buylife.org

My friend Alexis and I use to have this ongoing joke with each other called ME, MYSELF and I. It was a kind of one-liner and sometimes a kind of jingle that we would laugh, dance and strut to in college called Me, MYSELF and I. We'd always say "How is it that we can spend so much time thinking of ourselves...it's a sickness don't you think?" At the time, we both laughed and agreed that it was the best sickness to have. What else is there to think about besides ME. I'm awesome, your awesome and we are awesome! And everybody thinks we are awesome.

Me, Myself and I is similar to 'the hidden camera syndrome' as if the whole world revolves around you and that you have this second tier of existence in your mind that you are being watched 24/7 by the 'most important' people' in your life at the time. ...similar to Facebook. Holy Diarrhea of the Mouth! Was Facebook created out of the consciousness of the hidden camera syndrome? I mean, come on. Facebook is like the hidden camera syndrome come alive. Well in the virtual world. Seriously, the hidden camera syndrome is written up in sociology books. Look it up. ANYWAY, I know I regress back to my adolescent years of getting caught up in me. I mean, I know I am special. But, yawn yawn. zzzzzz zzzzzzzzz

Anyway, one of my favorite people on the planet - Leigh Blake started www.keepachildalive.org. She is mega and threw away her hidden camera years ago and is saving lives! She is the founder of Keep a Child Alive. An organization that provides first class AIDS care through doctors, nutrition, testing, transportation, and treatment for opportunistic infections, which are all necessary for anti-retroviral treatment to be successful. KCA also provides the care and support to keep mothers, women, men, families, orphaned and abandoned children safe in Africa and India. You too can buy a life! Go to www.buylife.org. ...and save a life.

Today, I also wished everyone PEACE who I drove by in my car. It was similar to the "Peace be with You" part in church. No big difference really. The handshake was missing but the intention was there. It was fun.

Crafting Community at the ACE in Palm Springs

2010-10-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Put away your i-phones, stop the texting and be present with the art of crafting at Crafting Community! That's what I and 75 other families did last weekend in Palm Springs at the ACE. Together we crafted, played, relaxed, connected, stopped time, met new and real people face to face and NOT on Facebook.

I mean, I'm getting a little sick of all these virtual communities. I don't know about you but I am losing my social and personal interaction skills! Like i am forgetting how to make a phone call or scared to pick up the phone. I am so guilty of this! I swear one day there is going to be boot camp on how to free your life from texting in 7 days OR books out like "Giving Eye Contact for Dummies." or " How to Actually Have a Conversation." AND the scary thing is our kids are going to learn how to live virtual lives before they learn to live their real lives. That is super, duper scary. One of my workshops was the Pen Pal Workshop - bringing back the art of writing a letter. I mean, it's soon to be forgotten with email and texting. Kids today do not know how to write a letter and even address an envelope.

Anyway, i'll get back on with Crafting Community. The thing I love most about Crafting Community is so on the pulse of getting back to the basics, making things by hand, connecting through creativity and most important creating community. This is where it is at, we are keeping it REAL and the next one is in MAY. So get your creative, crafty tushies there!

Pen Pal Workshop

spinning

felting

Karen Kimmel painting a record with SRATCH - DJ ACADAMY

good looking (single) dad surprises daughter with a weekend of crafting.

karen kimmel's stencil workshop

macrame'

Dads craft too!

underwater photography

It was a very good time.

Crafting Community

2010-09-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or have any of you noticed that crafting is the new crack?

Only 2 weeks away until Karen Kimmel's Crafting Community at the ACE hotel in Palm Springs. 75 families will leave their busy lives in Los Angeles to indulge in a memorable weekend of eco-friendly crafting, creativity, community and imagination. ...and of course, there will be pool time and sunbathing. Sounds good. RIght?

Myself and Patti Trossi will be the crafting gurus for the DIY projects - Macrame' Key Fobs, Eco Dough, Succulent Gardens and Vintage Garland to name a few. It's all about reusing, repurposing and making things with your own two hands. It's all so zen and the crafting movement is getting embedded back into peoples DNA. Didn't it all begin with crafting anyway? In addition to the DIY workshops, the families attending the 2 day event will have access to 35 workshops. Some of the other workshops are Skateboarding, Underwater Photography, Felting and Fort Building. Many of the artists are Karen's friends.

I found 2 great eco-friendly companies for this years limited edition tote which is given to each family - Paragraph Cove and The Tinted Mint. Both artisans also donated their product supplies for the workshops. The tote will be a focal point in the marketing efforts of the weekend, bringing invaluable press attention to eco companies and products it features. The last retreat garnered over 70 media hits including: The New York Times, LA Times, OHDEEDOH, LMNOP, Momlogic, Modern Luxury Publications, Babyology and more. The tote from April 2010 event will be featured on Jcrew.com.

Paragraph Cove has the most amazing upcycled stationary and notebooks. We stumbled upon Paragraph Cove's notebooks in a tiny vintage store on the border of Oregon. Ester the owner/creator donated 100 sheets of paper for the Pen Pal Workshop.

The TInted Mint's eco-friendly decorative Japanese masking tape AKA as Washi tape was seriously love at first sight! LOVE this tape. It is so fun and easy. We found Patti at Renegade Show a few months back in Los Angeles. Patti donated a pack her decorative Washi tape for the make your own envelope workshop.

Craft Community Video

Here is a little sneak peak of last April's Craft Community. Call the Ace Hotel directly at 760.325.9900 to book a reservation. After October the next Crafting Community will be in MAY!

2010-09-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

My Goal is to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet. To make all my friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the good side of everything and make my optimism come true. To expect only the Best! To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future!!
- DAVID HACKETT
www.davidandzannah.com

David's become my personal guru on Facebook. I always make a point to read his inspirational postings. Feel free to friend David Hackett on FB to get his awesome posts.

artwork by

http://www.franmeneley.typepad.com

2010-09-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

We are all part STARDUST.

Do I need to say anything else?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgiXGELjbc&feature=related

a morning filled with 400 billion suns!

Our Family Wishing Ritual

2010-08-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

My kids made their own very special candles at Pure Light Celebrations in Laguna Beach over the weekend. It's a make your own candle boutique. A kind of spin off of the paint your own pottery shops. At first the concept seemed a little far out. Custom Candles??? But, 5 minutes into the candle making experience I was wondering if the owner will franchise? www.purelightcelebrations.com

My kids loved all the charms, shells, crystals, message bottles, deities, symbols, stones to place on top of the candles. They also had hundreds of wax shapes to choose from to decorate the sides of the candle. My son Oliver made his entire candle by himself. The only thing I did for him was sign the debit card. The candles were a bit on the expensive side because all the wax shapes and adornments to place on top of the candle were individually priced and added up! Our 3 candles came to $75. But, we love them.

Their candles have actually become the new candles for family wishing time. Which I didn't even think of until I placed them on the kitchen table and had a Big Duh moment. "You Guys!!! These candles can be our new wishing candles."

We have a family ritual that happens during and after dinner. We light a candle for each member of the family during dinner. After dinner we all go around and make 5 wishes. 1. a wish for ourself. 2. a wish for a friend. 3. a wish for our family. 4. a wish for the world. 5. and state one thing we are grateful for. Which the grateful statement usually sounds something like. "I am really grateful that we get to eat ice cream right now." Not all too profound. But, at least they are grateful.

I'm thinking Grant and I will have to go back to Pure Light in Laguna and make our own very special candles for our family wishing ritual.

KCUF

2010-08-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

This has been the summer of the F word. With so much in the air, the F word has been slipping out on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. I usually don't swear and always notice when someone swears. But sometimes I do like the word and actually do enjoy saying it. Especially, when it helps you stay centered. I recently bought a postcard from www.rarrarpress.etsy.com that reads "FUCK WHAT YOU HEARD" I love it and keep it in my studio. I like to say it in my head when I feel insecure about something I feel like I should be feeling or doing. I added, "FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION"

So, FUCK WHAT YOU HEARD AND FOLLOW YOUR INTUITION! bc your intuition knows best.

Let it Ride

2010-08-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

I think I'm actually ready to "Let it Ride". ...a motto that I have not been living up to in the slightest for several months now. Well, maybe slightly here and there. Yawn, yawn or stress, stress. It's the school saga of where my kids, especially my son will or will not be going to school next year. It has consumed me and I think I am getting to the point where I am over it and what will be, will be AND have to remember that nothing is permanent and if where ever he ends up isn't working for us we will change it. JEEZE LOUISE woman!! easy on the head tripping from here on out!! I will have to just keep on saying this until I believe it. But, I think I am getting moments of truly believing this. So, FUCK thinking it to death. My brain is frickin tired. We have decided (for now) to send him to the Huckleberry Learning Center until he is placed in Los Feliz Charters. ...and let me tell you a B-12 shot does wonders. I was completely beat last friday after spending 2 weeks as a single mom and thinking the above to the 9th degree. I got the shot on friday morning around 9:30 and by noon I was feeling a difference in my energy level and feeling more at ease. I think I am going to get one every 3 weeks. It's $20 a shot and soooo worth it.

Also, I started reading Eat, Prey, Love again. Which is a perfect read for me during these times of change. I started the book over a year ago and didn't finish and I just have to read it first before I see Hollywood's spin on Elizabeth Gilbert's spiritual journey to find happiness. Plus, this is the type of film that can be a total netflix rental. Her writing style is very personal, funny and I am getting a lot out of her spiritual world view. Which I am so ready to reconnect with my spirituality. That 'heady' thinking robs you of your inner intuition, peace and happiness. Holy abundance is all around us. ...and I don't mean Holy in a Holy - Godly way. I mean it as in the expression Holy Moly! But, the other kind of godly-spiritual Holy abundance is all around us too. I'm ready to focus on what's working again! stop worrying if my daughter's diagnosis with NF1 and if it's is going to manifest further. I mean, I will absolutely stay on top of her health issues but I just can't go to the what if, not right now - not TODAY. I just want to enjoy my beautiful family and my beautiful friends. I have taken a little advise from Audrey Hepburn "The most important thing in life is to enjoy it - to be happy - that is all that really matters."

Here is Sabine and I doing just that.

RENEGADE FAVORITES

2010-08-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

I could have spent 2 full days at Renegade Craft Fair enjoying all the indie artist's creative expression, individuality and quirkiness.

Here are some of my favorite finds:

jason@cinqunquatre.com - visual artist using vintage images

www.ohhellofriend.com - vintage accessories and artbits

sycamore street press

www.muakstudio.com modern, organic fiber jewelry

www.paperpastries.com - paper, twine and clever pencil packs

theposterlist.com - urban posters with rockin affirmations

www.rarrarpress.com - hilarious indie hipster talk

www.ChandraAbelDesigns.com/Planted - simple terrariums with sweet little birdies perched inside

Next Summer Craft Fair to hit is Unique in OC on August 14th and 15th - www.uniquela.com

RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR

2010-07-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

This is SOOOOO worth fitting into your weekend plan.

A really good pick of 250 indie artists from all over the globe.

We are going down on Sat. around 3:00 to enjoy all the

creativity, yummy eats and music. Please Join Us!

www.renegadecraft.com

It indeed does takes a village to raise a child

2010-07-17T00:36:00.000-07:00

Kiddos and Push Up Pops - Lake Gregory

mealtime

R&R underneath the trees

Floating

Tubing, tanning and swimming at Deep Creek

A view from a tent

Our community and village

watercolor on pine

Crafts - watercolors on coffee filters

Last weekend we were super excited and lucky enough to go camping for 4 days up in an area called Dogwood in the San Bernardino mountains with some of our favorite people. Although camping takes a lot of hours of preparation it's all so worth the time spent once you get to the site, unpack, unwind and let nature take over. I was able to unplug from the hum drum of my daily mommy routine, reconnect with myself, my friends and most importantly reconnect with my kids. I saw them differently. I watched the sun hit their faces, the dirt cover their little - growing bodies, see the wonder in their eyes, the freeness in their spirits and feel how completely stoked they were to be running around wild in the woods. I actually left my phone in the car for 4 days! YAY ME!! The vibe was all so natural. My heart was lighter and was reminded how precious everything - time, life is. Being out in nature did streamline my heart. My love was crisp and clear. 2 hours into setting up the site, I looked over to my girlfriend Kathleen, "I can feel my heart out here. I feel love right now. Don't you?" "Indeed, I do." she said. Even as she said that I thought about the three words. 'Indeed, I do.' I like the sound of those words together. Indeed, I do.

The trees give the best hugs ever and the stars are excellent kissers. It was great to be reminded how nature can reconnect you to your heart. Or that is what it did for me. But, it wasn't just me, we were all feeling it, the LOVE was oozing from all of our pores. ..larger smiles, relaxed bodies, slower walking, feet propped up on tree stumps, no phones or texting, jokes, scary stories of pygmy's and Sasquach by the fire, inner-tubing, swimming, sun bathing, fishing, grilling, chillin, hugging, laughing, guitar playing, singing, of course CRAFTING, potluck everything, community parenting.

Let me tell you, community parenting is where it's at! and that is what stood out the most for me this trip was I felt like I got a taste of what it could be like to live on a commune. The coming together. LOVE IT! I'm sure if I were a young adult in the 60's I would have moved to a commune. It was like we were living in our own little village. Which most of the world lives in villages and I've decided that I want to live in a village. They aren't joking when they say, "It takes a village to raise a child." Modern life or the nuclear family can all feel so isolating, overwhelming, disconnected and the self help or inner- wholeness industries are booming because of our modern ways. I loved it that my kids were getting parenting wisdom from someone other than me or Grant. I have to believe it resonates deeper when they hear their friend's parent say. "We don't use those words or if you guys can't work it out we are going to have to take them flashlights away." or "hey that isn't cool, can we think of a better way to get your point across?" I felt so fortunate for my kids to be around all this love and support. I loved it that we simplified and slowed life down and sharing everything like toothpaste, dishes, beer, food, kids etc. I don't think I made myself one cup of coffee the entire trip. Thank you. It was our own little camping - village, love-fest, paradise - forest AND crazily, it was only an 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Los Angeles.

Can't we make our daily lives work more like a village?

Rebecca, Listening, Cupcake Crayons and Creative Solutions

2010-07-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

I recently went to my 20 year high school reunion. It was so fun to be reunited with childhood friends from Saratoga. We all really did grow up with each other because most of us went to the same grammar schools and even if you didn't go to the same grammar schools, the town is small enough that you knew other kids at adjacent schools through sports and community events. Saratoga is an affluent, conservative northern CA suburb with some of the best public and private schools around. Academics are stressed and the families, kids are all high achievers and it is absolutely expected AND assumed that everyone goes to college and most everyone did or does. (Not sure what tense I am writing in and that was a run-on sentence). Is a run-on sentence all that bad? I wasn't really into school. I had ADHD for most all things academic. I did like ceramics, art, dance and theatre. Although studies was or still is the communities main focus, we did party A LOT! Drinking and everything else were abundant. I actually think I partied more in high school than I did in college. When I got to college I was ready to go get coffee with people. I even got a job my Sophmore year at a coffee house (which I roller bladed to everyday) because the party scene in college was a kind of been there done that. There was just so much time to party in high school. There was always a parent out of town and even though we did not have the internet of twitter we knew where all the parties were, even if they were in San Jose, Morgan Hill, Campbell and Santa Cruz. A friend of a friend of a friend's parents are in Hawaii or Europe and there will be lots of beer!! and cute boys. Some of my favorite parties were in Santa Cruz. If he surfed and smoked pot he was good for me. I mean, I can't tell you how many times I was horizontal with some cute boy at Bonnie Dunes. Not that I went all the way! Only star-gazing.

My girlfriend Rebecca help me find a dress to wear to the reunion. She has a great eye, great style and she found this fantastic Tracy Feith dress for me at Wasteland on Melrose- 323.653.3028. A good number to have in your phone. Wasteland has a great selection of discounted designer and vintage clothing. There are 2 shells that hang from the back of this dress on green silk ties (you can kind of see them in the top photo). The large hoop indian looking earrings are also Rebecca's and I am going to have a hard time giving them back to her. Anyway, one of the shells was a little damaged with a small hole. Rebecca was like no one is going to notice and she even gave me an adorable gold sand dollar to switch out. Of course, when I got home I was still obsessing on the shell.

I naturally came up with a creative solution to cover the shell's imperfection. I went out the studio and grabbed my sparkly modge podge and a quote from my Seeds of Compassion mantra and did a little decoupage on the shell. It gave my dress a little intention - to LISTEN in general, LISTEN with an open heart and to be encouraging. I really do find myself not listening, especially to my kids. I think it's because there is so much to manage in a day, a week with the kids and the house ...and the monotony of it all!!! I find myself going into autopilot. I turn into a mom-bot. So the words to LISTEN are perfect for me.

When I got home from my very fun, reflective, emotional trip up north, I was happy to see that my kids experienced some crafty, creative solutions with our amazing new sitter Becca. She is reliable, nice, fun and actually cleans up after the night AND most importantly is CRAFTY!!! She melted all our broken crayons in cupcake baking cups. Which I have never thought of doing or seen before. It gave the almost ready to toss crayons a new life. A great way to reuse and repurpose crayons. Plus, crayons do take a lot of oil to produce. So it's best to not over buy and really use them up!

They then took their cupcake crayons and pressed leaves from the garden underneath paper and colored on top of the paper to get the leaves impressions. At this point, Becca is way more fun than me.

They also took their cupcake crayons and drew on this light blue paper that I have had for years (that is slightly used) I guess I really do have the reuse and repurpose mentality in my blood and I'd like to think that because I saved this paper I have also saved a tree. They did water color over the crayon drawings. Which gives this really cool effect and the crayon markings pop out - similar to that Easter egg Pass look. These drawings are some of my new favorites

Another must have fun, kind of crafty, creative solution for the summer outdoor play with protecting the little one's faces is Zinka Colored Nosecoat and it's actually made in California! (Another find by Rebecca). The Zink comes in every color of the rainbow and can me purchased at Val Surf. I got mine at the Pasadena store. www.valsurf.com Pink for Sabine and Blue for the boys. I admit I want to get green and orange soon. It's really challenging to put sunscreen on my kid's faces and then when they sweat their eyes burn. So, the kids and myself love applying this colored Zink on their faces. Plus, once you get an array of colors, you can get really creative and it can be just like face painting but with sun protection.

This is Oliver jumping off the high dive. A 'big - little' leap of faith for the age of 7.

Lee, Rebecca's son jumps second.

90041 Handmade

2010-06-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

It's the simple things in life like a craft fair that give people a chance to express themselves creatively and bring community together. My favorite thing about 90041 Handmade in Eagle Rock was the kids craft table because it gave the young artists (Zane, Julian, Chessa, Oliver and Sabine) an opportunity to show their art. Plus, feel the reward of making a little money by selling their creations. They were all so proud and natural born sales people. Zane started pounding the pavement with a more aggressive sales approach by walking up to strangers asking them if they would like to buy a fan. Julian sold all his boats behind the stand. Oliver placed a money jar by his planes in case he left his booth and someone wanted to slip him a dollar and take a plane at their leisure. He left the booth now and then to do some sales but only asked people he knew (our friends) to buy his robot plane's for a dollar. He was like "I don't really like asking people I don't know." I was like I promise you (bc your so cute) if you ask anyone they will buy a plane from you and they did. Sabine dabbled in the sales. She is more of a born director and likes to tell people what to do and made sure I was selling Chessa's Fairy Boxes (who was out of town and MIA the day of the show). Thank god August found a place at the fair and mainly hung out in the kids craft corner. Who knew he liked to paint and bead necklaces? Who knows anything about their 3rd child. The kids found their faces painted and singing on the mike with Mike the musician. ...and seriously Hippy Dippy Dream Cream Vegan Ice Cream was the best tasting thing thats been in my mouth in a very long while.

There were great local craft's people and designers at the show. Some of my favorites (photos below) were Jocelyn Webb Pederson modern pinch pots with succulents inside, Hi Tree Textiles - crazy felt trees and goodies, Samantha Grisdale's insanely beautifully crafted belts, Robin Woodard's modern and stylish jewelry.

Next time I will take photos of everyones work bc there are so many other artists I am not mentioning. People are so darn creative. I'll keep you all posted on the next show. Looks like we will be doing it every 3 months.

Mike - local Eagle Rock Musician

Auggie Painting

Shrine Bottles by Sabine

Cookies and Lemonade by Silas

Airplanes by Oliver

Fairy Boxes by Chessa

Fans by Zane and Boats by Julian

Hi Tree Textiles

Jocelyn Webb Pederson

Samantha Grisdale

Robin Woodard Jewelry

Strangely Beautiful

2010-06-12T04:22:00.000-07:00

O kay, I'm feeling sad. We recently pulled our kids from their school for financial reasons. It's been like a death or a break up and the change has brought up every other issue in my life, our lives that sit right under the surface to the forefront. Individually and together there are things to sort out - so i, we, don't wake up one day in the land of resentment.

With all that said, this is the first time in in my life that I actually want to go home and cry with my parents. Growing up I was completely critical of my home life. It felt different. There was a sadness in the air. It's not even like I want to sit here and rehash it all. All I know is that it was and is very real. I actually have not been home alone with my parents without my husband and kids in 15 years. I will be going home alone for my 20 year reunion in a few weeks and am so looking forward to catching up with good old friends. I am also looking forward to telling my mom and dad to not say a word and to just LISTEN while I do the crying.

I was up there a month ago and was taking photos of all the unique items in their house. Some items that annoy me, some that are silly, some I love and some that scared the shit out of me.

LOVE ITEM - This music box was one of my absolute favorite objects as a child. You pull the ball at the bottom and it plays a song called LOVE. My kids too love this music box and it's the first thing they play with when they go into the kitchen.

LOVE - SILLY ITEM - I was crazy excited when my mom got a swiss bell in every size when we traveled to Switzerland. I remember once my mom wore one around her waist at a swiss italian picnic and I was super embarrassed.

LOVE ITEM - The stacking dolls are also a tie with the music box. Again, the kids go strait to them. They literally find all the objects I loved. It's very cool to see that.

SCARY ITEM - This little girl scared the pee out of me. I never made eye contact with her. She was so sad. I had to pass her in the hallway on the way to the bathroom.

SCARY - LOVE ITEMS - The candleholders just wigged me out when they were lit. The piano has claw feet. Love the photos of my Grandparents. Love Venus and David. I learned what a penis looked like at a very young age thanks to Leonardo and David.

SCARY ITEM - More claw feet on the grandfather and grandmother chair. Makes me wonder what all this clawness about? I mean, why did they make chairs with claw feet? What's the meaning behind it?

SILLY ITEMS - The last supper rug on the wall was a little intense, I did notice there weren't any women at the table and imagined as a kid where I would want to sit and did bread taste good back then? I thought it was cool that they all were wearing sandals. ...and the elvis clock next door. There are actually 3 clocks in this photo. hmmmm or ha ha or huh?

SCARY ITEM - OMG! more furniture that can walk and bite?

SCARY ITEM - The grandfather clock royally freaked me out and I ran by it because I thought it was going to grab me. I made up in my mind that an old, skinny man lived inside and would come out every night to wind it. My parents have wound this clock every single day of their lives. Way too high maintenance for me. The clock rings at midnight every night and notice the god and goddesses holding the universe and planets.

SILLY ITEM - Speaking of COO COO! The little swiss alp boy chased his st. banard round in circles as Edelweiss played every hour.

ANNOYING ITEM - The ring on this phone can wake the dead. It's a ring you can't sleep through no matter how good the dream.

SILLY ITEM - The Christmas tree is up 365 days for the past 10 plus years. It IS a pretty tree. There are hundreds of ornaments on the tree. I'll have to have a contest one day to see who can guess how many? I should have saw this coming because when I was 7ish, I had a Valentines party and we hung our Valentines on the tree. The kids LOVE the tree and see all the ornaments as toys hanging. They always say "It's Christmas everyday at Oona and Grandpa's."

The crazy thing is there are endless more unique objects in every room of their home. Seeing all these photos makes me realize how powerful objects are and the energies they give off - both positive and negative. I don't think my parents had any idea how intense or disturbing some of these pieces were for me growing up. ...and really now that I am all grown up. Hardly. Not at all. Now the scary objects don't really bother me. It's vintage - antique all the way. You will not find one item in the house from any modern day store like Crate and Barrel etc. Everything is strangely beautiful. ...and I will happily go home at this point in my life and cry with my parents in front of the Christmas tree.

Karen Kimmel and Splendid

2010-06-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

10 years ago I developed Anybuddy. A pillow in the shape of a human figure with no face, race or gender. The universal hug with a mission to express that we all are the same and that all human beings want love. (The original Anybuddies were life size. The 12'' ones are featured in the above photo) Anyway, I was determined to sell 8 million, get on Oprah or have an inventor late night spot on Jay Leno or David Letterman. I was crazy for the Anybuddies. So crazy that I walked into Barney's in New York with no appointment, not knowing who to even speak with - walked up to the baby department asked for the buyers. They were there!!! They ordered 100 on the spot for Valentines Day. Needless to say I was psyched and shocked but mostly thrilled that they placed an order! I was awake around the clock for 2 weeks straight to meet the deadline of my very first order from Barney's. It was totally insane and I think I lost 10 lbs from sewing! With a lot of hard work and determination, the Anybuddy pillows were placed in 200 stores across the country and was such a fun ride to develop a product and bring it to the market place. I actually still have some Anybuddies. I have been saving them to donate to a charity or for the day I open up a craft studio and children can come make and decorate their own Anybuddy.

A few months ago I randomly met Karen Kimmel (who is incredibly talented and as normal and kind as it gets) by the pool at the Ace and we got to talking about collaborating some events together with the Anybuddy pillows.

This weekend my daughter and I will be joining Karen and celebrating summer with some crafting fun at the Splendid boutique on Robertson. We would love for all of you and our friends to meet us there.

The Splendid® brand celebrates summertime at its flagship boutique on Robertson Boulevard, welcoming warm days with cool treats courtesy of Ciao Bella Gelato, an all-day 10% discount in store, and children’s craft workshops with renowned artist Karen Kimmel of Kimmel Kids.

Kids will have the opportunity to create custom artwork and accessories with Kimmel and her team, transforming Splendid fabric into macramé necklaces with vintage beads and using custom stencils to create one-of-a-kind artwork.

Kimmel’s work has been exhibited in highly regarded museums and galleries such as LACE, CA and The Barbican Gallery, London and boasts collaborations and projects with The Ace Hotel, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Nike. Karen's work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, W, Paper Magazine and The New York Times.

Founded in 2002, Splendid is the culmination of founder and designer Moise Emquies' quest to create the ultimate t-shirt. His success in designing such a piece resulted in what is now a complete lifestyle collection of ultra-comfortable styles for the entire family, found at its flagship on Robertson Boulevard in the brand’s hometown of Los Angeles, in high-end department and specialty stores nationwide and online. For e-commerce and additional information: www.Splendid.com.

So, please join us from 11:00 - 2:00 for some crafting fun if it works with your Saturday!

Craft on!

Summertime Garland

2010-05-22T21:29:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the good times? There is something about garland that yells summertime fun or just yells fun in general. Whether you hang garland outside or inside, it is a festive accessory that will surely become some new favorite eye candy for you to gaze at on those lazy summer afternoons. Of course, while you gaze at the garland you are sipping some sort of alcoholic beverage. Which leads to the illusion that the garland is MEGA! Which in reality you already knew that it was MEGA without the buzz to begin with bc you made it yourself!!!!

This project was super easy (with no sewing involved) and entirely made with a glue gun, fabric and ribbon. Just make triangle templates and circle templates out of a heavier stock paper and trace and cut and adhere to ribbon or string. You now have a new found purpose for any cool fabric or unwanted but cool patterned clothes that you have lying around. The above garlands were made with Anna Maria Horner fabrics and old Ikea curtains. Anna Maria sells the greatest stacks within each of her collections. www.annamariahorner.com

I'm really in love with the circle garland. It's modern and a fresh new spin on the flag garland. Like Elise said at craft night. "There is something about the shape of a circle that is just happy, simple and makes you feel good.

My 2 for 1 3rd Child

2010-05-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

My husband took the other 2 camping over the weekend with Oliver's class and I stayed home with August. There was no way I was going to take him camping up at Black Mountain chasing him around the woods. (Maybe, I would have gone if it was called Turquoise Mountain). It just didn't sound all too fun with below freezing temperatures at night and trying to get him to sleep in the tent. Grant was like you are going to have it so easy with one kid and I was like "Yeah, it's going to be totally relaxing with just the two of us."

So, friday late afternoon I planned to visit one of my closet childhood friends who now lives in the Pacific Palisades and we hadn't seen each other in 6 months. It was perfect her husband had some kind of poker benefit to go to and I was so excited to be with her and really get a chance to talk. Left the afternoon open and casually planned to spend the night and after the kids go to bed we will have our wine and and catch up. Well, we didn't think our little slumber party through. We couldn't get our little dudes to sleep in the same room together. WTF were we thinking? Isn't it funny as a mom how many times you forget to really think things over.... OR is it the true easygoing Gemini in me coming out on a daily basis. As if this was going to run smoothly with her 3 year old and my 2 year old. To make a long story short. I had to leave with August screaming at 9:30 and our big interrupted talking time together abruptly ended.

Saturday is a new day but after last night I wanted to stay close to home and maybe that was not the right choice but I wanted to chill and get stuff done around the house. Well, today was off the charts challenging for me. I think I gained 2 more grey hairs. Don't get me wrong. I love August DEEPLY. Let's just say, If your thinking about having a 3rd child, think again! He is my 2 for 1 3rd child!!! My first 2 never got into stuff the way August does. I guess it's the universes payback for any judgements I cast on other people's kids. "My God, your kid can't sit still. I am so happy my kid doesn't destroy things like yours." We have all had these thoughts about other peoples kids. I mean, August is super duper cute and ALOT of fun. But, I honestly was counting the minutes before I could put him down for bed. By 4 o'clock I actually looked to see if we had any Vodka in the freezer! Every moment I turned my head today, he got into something.

The photo series are in order and give you a peak of what my day looked like.

1. August gets a hold of some kind of pen within the first 20 min. after waking up (which i still have not found the weapon of mass destruction) and rubs it all over himself AND the walls. Fun, JOY!!! my domestic duties never end and begin at 8:30a.m.

2. I decide I need to take a break from cleaning the floors and laundry and make a healthy Quinoa salad. CRASH!! August pulled the box of Quinoa onto the floor. (I honestly just vacuumed and was happy to put the device back into the closet for at least 4 days).

3. I decide it's time to sunbath and open mail while I do it and eat our Quinoa salad together. Not sure why I was surprised to see that the salad found itself all over the outside stairs.

4. I have finally had it and am like "August, you need to take a nap and mommy needs a break!" When I go in after his nap I see that he has gotten a hold of one of Oliver's favorite books and has torn it. Which I will get blamed for.

5. At this point, you'd think I would not leave his side. Well, I do. Can't remember what I was doing but he got into my purse and threw my glasses on the floor. sheeze!

6. I decide that watering the plants outside is always a zen moment. August wants a movie. I put him in front of a movie. (Apparently, August was having his own little zen moment) August comes outside and yells from the top of the stairs "poo poo!" I'm like "Oh no!!! Did you go poo poo?" I'm imagining (let's just say it...CRAP, SHIT) all over the couch and walls. Thankfully, he pooped on the stairs. Yes, that is his shit I mean poop and yes he needs to eat more veggies. (I literally cleaned the stairs a few hours before - on my hands and knees kind of cleaning of the stairs!!!) ....and he had poop on his feet. So, I had to clean the floors yet a 2nd time....and I know you all are thinking the BIG DUH! Sheryl, he wants your attention! But, I was in a groove to sort the house out without the other 3 around.

Then a much needed surprise visit from a friend around 4:30 with gift in hand. ....and honestly, some kind of mama-domestic goddess from above was looking after me because August fell asleep at 6:00 and I was completely DONE. I immediately ran out to the studio as soon as his head hit the pillow, grabbed my paints and was able to finish the day with some PAINTING and a phone call from a childhood friend. AKA as one of my sister kindred spirits.

I know. I probably don't sound like a mom of 3. Like by now I should absolutely expect endless, random, challenging incidentals from all my kids and handle them with grace. Maybe, I am in denial or just a slow learner? It just amazes me that I have to learn everyday that it's never as easy as you think it's going to be when it comes to dealing with your kids. I'm always like, "It's going to be great, a ton of fun."I mean we are so happy to have 3 kids. So blessed. But, what I have come to realize is it doesn't matter if you have 1 kid. Man, that's a cakewalk. Nope. 1 kid, 2 kids, 3 kids, more! It's just not easy no matter how big or small your posse.

FYI - Tomorrow I am going to the Beach with some friends. How about this? "It's not going to be easy but I am 'hopeful' in thinking that there is 'potential' for some moments of 'semi' relaxation with August at the beach."

Happiness Runs In a Circular Motion

2010-05-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

My girlfriend gave me a worksheet the other day on a Pleasure Meditation - Talk for 3 minutes to a partner or a group about the last time you felt fully alive and engaged in an activity that brought you deep and rich satisfaction. I have yet to do the exercise out loud with a group or another person, but have been thinking a lot lately about the things in my life that bring me complete joy and make me truly happy.

In the past year I have been taking exotic dance (Burlesque dance) at Anatomy in Highland Park www.anatomyla.com I've been dancing in some fashion since the age of 5. I always find ways to fit dancing in as an extra curricular activity - whether it's tap, bollywood, belly dancing because I love moving my body. Unfortunately, my dance teacher Debbie, in high school had a major ego and kind of tainted my vision of any kind of dance career. We butted heads. I think as a young adult I was way too bubbly and upbeat for her bitter, sarcastic world view. She would verbally say things in class like, "Sheryl, your spazzing out." or "You'd make a better blond than a brunette. You should dye your hair." Hmmmm... she was clueless to how that could make a young girl feel. Debbie lead the drill team and also taught dance at "the" most popular dance studio in San Jose. One night at tap class, a week before the drill team auditions she said out loud to another gal "You know, the girls have to know that just because they take dance from me here and are a part of this studio ...doesn't mean that they are necessarily going to make the team." I mean, really why did she say that in front of me? I was standing right there and was the only one in the room that was trying out for the drill team! Of course, I completely internalized it and really believed it was her way of saying. Sheryl, you aren't going to make the team. I mean, I am smart enough to know people have intentions behind their words and there is a reason people say the things they do. Well, I didn't make the team. It was a big blow for me at the time. Thankfully, I continued to dance. I've realize now what matters most for me when it comes to dancing is noticing the feeling I get inside when I dance. Dancing is 'one' of the things that makes me feel fully alive, engaged and brings me large amounts of satisfaction. ...and now that I know that feeling, I know I can recognize and strive for it in other areas of my life.

Writing about this brings me great awareness when it comes to raising my children. All you want for your kids is for them to be happy and for them to believe in themselves. As a mom I really want to pay attention and notice what activities make my children happy. Of course, I want to make sure my kids don't meet any Debbie's and if they do or when they do that they can deal with it more productively than I did. So, let's all together eliminate the Debbie's in our lives and our children's lives and be sure to let our kids know that no matter what anyone ever says that your mama believes in you.

Another beautiful aspect of taking exotic is that I get to meet people like Rachel. Rachel is a new girlfriend of mine from exotic and the girl can move! I want to share with you a song that she taught me the other night at dance. (play the above video) Her dad use to sing it to her when she was a kid. It's called 'Happiness Runs In A Circular Motion'. I dedicate this song to Debbie. I can't wait to teach this song to my kids. Sing it to yourself, sing it to your kids, sing it out loud. Happy Mother's Day Everyone! and if your not a mom, Happy Day and Happy Life!

P.S. The Pleasure Meditation is a really cool exercise and I hope that you all in the next week take the time to think about what aspects of your life give you complete pleasure.

My Next Addiction

2010-05-03T03:27:00.000-07:00

O kay, it's 3:00 in the morning again! I'm keeping my packed with myself or as my girlfriend Karen said the other day that she had a 'pinky promise' with her son. Hearing her say that snapped me back into the wonder and innocence of a child's mind. LOVE a pinky promise! Can't wait to make hundreds of pinky promises with my kids and .....myself. Jeeze, i've made so many pinky promises with myself throughout the years. I use to have a 10 year pinky promise to eat less cheese. My latest is less texting, more unplugging from my current addiction - my i phone. This will be a rough one for me as I love to talk even if it's silent.

Anyway, over the weekend I found my next addiction. FELT ACORNS! Seriously, how fun would it be to walk into a store with jars of these!! Do you think it could work? Maybe, if you added a wish with each one? Which reminds me (this is a MAJOR tangent) I have my period right now. THANK GOD! and had an idea the other day for a new spin on the tampon. How's this? An eco-friendly tampon that is wrapped with a super inspirational message (printed with soy ink on recycled paper) to get you through those emotionally heavy PMS days. I mean, if they did it with tea and chocolate they can to it with tampons!!! They would be called something like "Goddess Tampons". Holy Moly, did i just make that big of a detour ? O kay, going back to the FELT ACORN COMPANY. Strategically, place then next to all the Starbucks or merchandise little kiosks at the gasoline stations? It would be the bomb! I mean, wouldn't the world be a better place? Felt acorns with little wishes attached?? As you grab your water and gum and thank the man (it's usually a man) for the gas you grab a felt acorn. Could this be my next venture in life? or maybe it's the goddess tampons?

Well for now, we all have another reason to gather acorn pods. ...and how cute are the little birdies perched in their acorn nests? The birdies agreed that the felt acorns are the bomb and they wanted a photo together (see photo above). I love being up in the middle of the night - pinky promises... Maybe, pinky promises are my next addiction?? so many choices. Thanks Karen.

...and if your reading this and love the tampon idea. PLEASE don't steal it. If you feel you have better contacts than myself to make this happen then contact me and we can do it together.

PEACE

Purposeful Insomnia

2010-04-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

So, things have been a little more intense for me lately because my husband is going through a career change and in essence I am too. His career change is making me reflect on my career path and our path together. It's a change that absolutely needs to happen for us to sustain happiness in our lives. I'm totally down with this change but i am not going to lie the experience at times is uncomfortable and is kind of like a sifter. All this junk comes to the surface and you get to throw away the pieces that aren't working and polish the pieces that are meaningful or are working. It can be a state of uneasiness and have been a bit of an insomniac lately. My personality is prone to insomnia with or without a career change. It's as if I have so much energy that it's hard for me to sit still physically and sit still mentally. This is probably why I have gotten so into spinning in the past year. I decided to make a packed with myself during my insomniac episodes when I'm lying there in bed 'spinning' into the abyss of my mind that I will either pick up an inspiring book, go out to my studio, draw, do my cardio barre exercises, blog or indulge in old Domino magazine's. Purposeful Insomnia.

So, this morning I picked up the book Where Women Create. www.amazon.com/Where-Women-Create-Inspiration-Extraordinary/dp/1600595642/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a (Okay, that is a super long link title....anyway....) A very inspiring sneak peak of artist's creative lives, studios and their creative process. Made myself an espresso and decided to doodle before the family wakes up and I guess I am also blogging at the moment. The best thing about this morning is I created some time for myself where I can just think because I know when the family wakes up that the energy of this house will shift dramatically and I will have to turn into mommy octopus bc the kids really do think I have 8 arms. Anyway, I think they will be doing the cardio barre exercises with me at some point today.