How lucky can one girl be?

~My newest Art Card"Love Dove"~

Back in August of 07 I had signed up for a Paperclay class with my friend Kate. We were so jazzed but alas it was cancelled do to lack of interest. I decided just to go out and buy some and see what I could do with it. Well now I am an addict and Paperclay is my drug of choice. Das or Polymer clays will work in a pinch but there is nothing like Paperclay.

I have to thank 2 people for my introduction and success in sculpting. I found an artist early on in my Etsy career that made my heart skip a beat with excitement. Not only is she a very accomplished artist but a very sweet person who I am lucky enough to call a friend. Janell Berryman of Pumpkin Seeds Folk Art!

I contacted her back in August and asked for some guidance in Paperclay sculpting. She has been a true angel. Truth is we hit it off quickly and have been chatting daily ever since. Now, I did not know at the time that she was a famous folk art artist and I surely would never have bothered her if I had. Marie in my art group told me one day at group who she was after I mentioned that a girl from Pumpkin Seeds Folk Art was critiquing my work and how helpful it was. She looked at me like I had ten heads and quickly told me, Exactly who was helping me. It is not everyday that an Enesco artist helps you with your craft!

What would have taken me YEARS to discover was given as a gift of knowledge and experience from Janell. I will always hold her dear to my heart for her genuine nature and gentle but always truthful guidance. Enesco has been so smitten with her that they recently gave her a few more lines to create! I am so happy and proud of her as I know how hard she really works. May I suggest that you scoop up her pieces while you can still afford to do so.

http://www.pumpkinseedsfolkart.etsy.com/

http://pumpkinseedsoriginals.blogspot.com/

Also visit http://www.pumpkin-seeds.com/ for additional art works

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Secondly, is Marie of Marie Patterson Studio. I found Marie and Amy of Kitten Cottage on Etsy's geolocator-Love that! I asked if they would be interested in starting an Etsy art Group of local artists. They agreed and we met for coffee at Starbucks (where else?). I instantly felt at ease with these Etsy girls! Marie is a true talent with a thoughtful soul and very creative mind. Marie has been working in primitive folkart since the 1980's and is a wealth of knowledge and talent. Not only is she kind enough to host art group each week but really makes me feel part of the family. Without her help I would surely be in trouble and frankly I would not have as much fun as I do in life. I collect her pieces often and I believe she will one day be discovered!

http://www.mariepattersonstudio.etsy.com/

http://www.mariepatterson.blogspot.com/

Like me, Marie has worked many mediums. But it is her clay work and sweet nature that took a lot of the fright out of trying something new ( like a Santa skating on one foot). I am so grateful to count Marie as a dear friend and know that I am without a doubt a better artist for having worked with her.

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Our friend Amy has had to take a break from Art Group as dang work has messed up her schedule (how dare they!). But I sooo look forward to the day when she returns. I could send Amy an email with pics of a piece in progress and say it is missing something, what is it? She would know instantly and even give me more ideas to work with. Come back Amy!

http://www.kittencottage.etsy.com/

Please look at these shops, say hello, mark favorites..even buy if the mood strikes you. Support Handmade!

And thank you my very talented friends. Not only am I a better artist for knowing you but most certainly a better person too. xoxo's dani~

Halloween......A preview!

Here is a quick pic of what I am currently working on. I was so close to really going creepy but decided against it. I shall finish "Jeeper Creepers"-tenatively named, sometime in the next day or so. I am already so pleased with him, I am not sure I can part with his creepy self.


Can I legally change my name to Halloween? LOVE IT!

Mixed Media Painting

I am loved! A Mixed Media Collage Painting in honor of Valentines Day. Visit my Etsy shop for details and purchase @ www. ambitionsdesign.etsy.com

Cannot Sleep

Fair Warning-This post is a bit disturbing and I do not want to upset anyone.

Usually, I am up til the wee hours creating the next great work of art. But tonight, I cannot create a thing. Tonight I need to vent.
Some of you know that I volunteer with an organization that helps women who are victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault. I am an advocate, responder, counselor...you get the picture and if not, think Law and Order and the person who sits with the victim during the interview or rape exam.
I have been doing this about 8 months now and have already been on many calls in my county. I sign up almost daily for all shifts because I love helping others, it has really become a passion of mine and a very important part of my daily life. Now, sometimes I have a callout a few times a week and other times maybe 1 or 2 in a month. There is never a reason for why an abuser abuses or a rapist rapes when they do.

Well each one proves to be an eye opener. I responded to a hospital tonight for a sexual assault victim in her teens. She had been at a Target,Walmart,Kmart type of store with her mother who was a few aisles away, when she was approached by an employee and told how pretty & special she was and that he was only 1 year older than her. They both exchanged numbers and everyone went about their business. Later that night the "guy" called and said hey can I come over and hang out? This jerk was in the house less than 15 minutes when he took what he wanted from her, even knowing that her mother was upstairs and would be down any minute! AND please do not ask why she didn't scream or yell for help! He then went on his way after telling her he loved her and that they should have babies together.

Fast Forward to my discussion with the detectives after a 2+ hour exam & 2 hour interview to find out this young looking "guy" is a grown man of 30+ years!

The moral of this story...where to begin? But, I will have to think twice before I leave my teenagers in the next aisle over at a store and before I let the kids hang in a friends living room.

Thanx 4 listening~

Now for the Puppers!

I share my lifes happenings as I think it all lends itself to my work. If I am writing about it, it must be of some importance to me...therefor it affects my art, right?

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Ok...so I must give a shout out to my puppers and introduce these silly dogs that we adore.

SCOOBER aka..... Scoober Pants, Scoobs, The Doob, Doobie, Doober,Tubs, Cranky Pants &

The Piddler! I am pretty sure there are more but they elude me at the moment.

We gave him the name Scoober after Scooby Doo, our very favorite cartoon! Scoobs is a Chihuaua & Pug mix. Yep, that's right...he is a lil fiesty-snorty sausage. He was the most beautiful puppy I have ever seen and super sweet. Then at some point his fiesty Chihuaua side took over. He is super sweet and lovable and funny as hell with people he knows **BUT** if he doesn't know you..you may lose a digit. As he has aged (9years) his temper has risen and he even has taken it out on us or the other dogs...So technically he should be put down **BUT** not gonna happen. Talked about it many times but cannot do it. If I have to I may consider tranquilizers to help him stay calm-A loopy Scoobs may be to funny to pass up ;)

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Now for Gucci (AKC registered as Gucci Bear-Claw as her paws look like lil bear paws)

aka....The Gooch, Goocha-Muffin, The Muffin, The Muff-Muff, The Halibut (terrible halitosis breath since day one-doc's say she is fine).

She got the name Gucci because on the car ride home we were tickling her lil puppy belly and saying..Goochie-Goochie-Goo...laughing our azzez off. She is a Miniature Dachsund.

She got the nickname Muff which became Muffin because she LOVES to lay around your neck and face to get heat... She reminds us of a neck muffler. She is 8 years old and just such a sweet-pea. She is lightning fast and was once mistake by a neighbor for a rat b/c she was so lil and fast.

She is Scoobs life mate. However, SHE humps him. He growls and groans while she thumps away at his backside. To see it will having you piddling your pants.

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Now for Colby! Aka..Colbalina, leener, Colba-leenie, & Moose.

Colby (approx 5 yrs) came to us from an area shelter after I volunteered (go figure). We have no clue what mix she is but she is beautiful. She was thee meanest scariest sounding dog I have ever heard. She hated men and it took her over a year to really trust Michael. She was kicked harshly & repeatedly in her rear end by her previous male owner when he got mad at her. So when I brought her home she walked sideways with her butt turned sideways as she was trying to hide it/keep it from getting hit. She is scary smart and reminds us of a frisbie dog. She has an arrow shape on her forehead that is very cool and thee softest fur ever!

She is a great guard dog and listens to commands very well. I always feel safe with her around.

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What is great is that the Dogs and Cats all get along and even sleep next to each other. Wasn't easy as the cats came after the dogs and they were not pleased at first (hence Scoobs being nicknamed the piddler). But I finally said one day-that they all had to figure it out and get along. It took about 4 weeks of finesse but they all "hang/eat" together all day. Now having 3 dogs and 2 cats roaming the house all day means (besides a lot of vacuuming/cleaning) that we can all be together as a family all day-everyday and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanx 4 listening~

Just feel like sharing~

Here I sit, very tired for no apparent reason but I thought I would share "Wus up"with me and what is on me mind!

My husband surprised me today with a trip to Aruba for my birthday in April! He knew if he bought 100k in parts in 2007 he could win a 4 star all inclusive trip to Aruba. Well he did it and he won! Or should I say WE won..wee wee....! So, needless to say I am super excited although I do feel badly about not taking the boys. But Mikey and I sure could use some time together to just relax. I fully plan on taking advantage of their spa and hope Mikey will join me (you know manly men).

This trip should bring out lots of creative inspiration!

This unexpected trip makes me super glad that I have lost a fair amount of weight. Two+ months of a Kidney infection and stones have been very good for my waistline! Somehow by the grace of God, my appetite did not return. I think in part because I create all day long now and don't sit around at a desk snacking in an office that has constant goodies. Getting back my creativity and zest for life has been good all the way around. None of which would be possible without my Mikey, he is such a doll. I adore him and cannot believe I ever took this man for granted. He makes me laugh because he says I treat him like a king and I think he treats me like a queen.

Finally my next few days will consist of de-Christmasing the house........

Still have to take our 8 Christmas trees down...oh lordy what was I thinking? I do this for Mikey as I swear he was born an elf in another life. He loves Christmas. So 8 trees and 100's of Christmas decor thingy's throughout the house should be a hoot trying to pack it all back up. Here is only 3 of the tree's I need to deconstruct~ uh.....