Unusual Girl Studios

That kid has been so sick! It started with a stomach virus and cough (weird mixture but it is 2010, even viruses are sick of using the same old symptoms) that racked her poor little body and just wouldn't quit. No one could sleep. I had her right next to me trying to keep her upright so she wouldn't choke. After days of no-one sleeping- we took her to her cute doctor. All cute doctor saw wrong was some swollen tonsils. Gave her some antibiotics "to knock that cough out of her system." They did help some, instead of coughing all the time she coughed less often and so hard that she started throwing up. The cough would start with this heart stopping wheeze that scared the beJesus out me and hubby. Back to the doc. Different Doc, not cute doc. He said virus + allergies were now the culprits. "Worst allergy season in ten years" He gave us samples of a medicine used by asthmatics and people with bronchial problems. Now she's on 5 different meds- antibiotics, S

Geesh! I thought I wouldn't blog much this week- I even stated that in my last cute and fuzzy post. But today I checked in on friend Chinamommy and saw this- sidebar- You should know that Chinamommy and I are quite good friends and are similar in so-o-o-o many ways and that I adore her. (She adores me, too, why wouldn't she?)We have the sacred ability (not born onto many, reserved for quirky people like us) to take ordinary events, facts and features and really distort them until they are no longer recognizable in a way that makes ordinary people squish up their face sideways, mutter "you're a little strange, I don't get you..." and then sidle away like the cowards that they are. Here's her post- a portion anyways- Jamie Lee Curtis, although I love her children's books and she's a fellow adoptive mama, she bugs me! This woman is BEGGING me daily from the television to make a movie about my digestive system! Really Jamie?? 'cause girl, you KNOW

I'm just poking my head in to say "Hi!" This work of art is by Brooke. She said to me the other day "Mom, do you remember when I was a baby and I had my favorite toy Gaffie?" and I said "Yes. But I think it got all crazy and made weird noises that scared Mommy so we gave it away." (You know to really poor kids who don't care if the cute yellow giraffe jerks its neck around like its having a seizure and the lullaby it used to play now sounds like bad movie music right before the demons come out of the wall- we're thoughtful that way in this house!) Anyhow, I'd like to propose a project to my followers! I love children's artwork. I could try my hardest and not come anywhere near the simple joy and creativity that I see in kid's art. I'd love for you to send me you favorite artwork by your child/ren and I will make a gallery of all of them. I will post as little or as much information regarding the artwork as you like. I will not

MISSING!!! One white wire birdcage needed to answer the proverbial question- what to do with this chic's head!!!! Why "Topaz" Alert? Well, I like the term "Amber Alert" but a missing 2" wire birdcage is probably not quite as serious as a true Amber Alert. So using what little social sensitivity I have at my disposal (emphasis on the word little) I decided to call my traumatic situation Topaz Alert. I considered "Vermilion", another nice color but thought it was a bit of a tongue twister. Cerise is yet another lovely shade but still did not roll off the tongue easily. So- Topaz it is. Now, where would you be if you were a small wire birdcage in Chris's house? Yes, Chinamommy- I did grill Kayla but perhaps a cavity search is in order....

Ya know...I think I'll just put a birdcage on her head and call it good....

I've mentioned Kristie from Cheeky Green Designs before- remember? She works in felted wool which I think is so cool. She has an etsy store, she makes fabulous purses and wallets out of re-purposed materials. She's all about re-cycling, reusing and reducing. Well- I am really excited to share with you that she has been asked to have some of her work featured in a magazine this August. This purse, which I love because pink (and orange and all shades of melon) is loved by all well balanced, really hip and with it people- is going to be shown in Green Craft magazine. How awesome is that? Well, I'll tell ya- not many of us can say "I'm published" so its right up there! Here's the matching wallet- Well, anyhow, I am very happy for you, Kristi, Congrats! Now- has anyone else who visits with me published? Come on- spill it and share!

All right, all right....got it back- apparently when I updated my settings to "new editor" it took away my icon to add photos or at least put the icon somewhere else...holy cow... could life get any more difficult? We need a new car, looks like hubby needs a new job in this state that is losing jobs by the minute- meaning we no longer have health insurance so of course my kid gets tonsilits....please, God, don't take away my ability to post pictures. Really it could be the proverbial straw. I'm still not warming up to MS.Lady here. I think its because all the "serious" peices I have done until now have been so 'not about clothing' that they have been dressed in not much more than rags. So to put something on her that looks like a cocktail dress.... not feeling right....but I am working from an inspiration picture. A piece of contemporary art with all these colors. Wondering what's in the "captured" spaces? Enamel paint? Well of a

And do you like my slide show? Its symbolic of my lost ability to share photos with you. So here, rather than look at my pictures- enjoy these scenic shots of places you can't be. Rest assured, I am not there either.

Ya know, I went into my tools category and deleted some temporary files- like a bazillion- and not only is my computer not faster, its slower, but things are missing! Sitemeter..., my background from two weeks ago, my option to add pictures to this post.... yeah, I can add a link now...not that I have one but pictures...I had pictures to add.... I don't know...any suggestions on how to get it all back? My pictures, my youth, all those choices I had.... just wondering.....

Yes, I stole these photo's from my friends, Cheeky Green and China Mommy. We went to lunch Monday. Being somewhat psychic (yeah right, like I am somewhat wealthy) I knew I would have to bring something for share time. I brought my new book on Encaustic Painting which I am very excited to try someday. Its not a cheap in though- that wax is fairly expensive. One day.... Cheeky Green is right- I did propose an play day at her house with the encaustic wax. I think that would save us all time in learning the ins and outs of it and I am sure three people with great ideas should produce some really cool results. Kristi has an awesome set up for art making. Oh, to not have children..... Don't I look like a nice person? I'm the brown haired one with no shoulders- a physcial flaw that is making me look like my grandma. I think my shoulder muscles are in my bra but I'm not sure, every time I check the boobs fall out and hit the floor. When I roll them up and squeeze the

Ok, guys, great comments- they must be answered. Ummm, I don't know what will be on the inside of this last lady. The phrase captured spaces came to mind when I looking her over. Any place the wire makes a circle is most definitely a created space. Other spaces are implied by the winding path of the wire. And of course the door that open will reveal yet another captured place. So if a birdcage captures a bird maybe that is appropriate for this hidden room. I'm thinking the mermaid may have to bide her time to be used later. Cloisonne or enamel- anyone have a clue as to how to accomplish this on top of paper clay on something that can't really lay flat? I thought of using some sort of resin but it seems problematic. I may try to layer up some gesso. Eeek! What have I gotten myself into? Any thoughts or suggestions? Seriously!

Oh my! Will I ever be done paying the piper? I AM tired of playing catch up! Spent the last half of the day working on the new drafting class that is replacing my drafting class. I think I have held up my 1/3 of the deal but am not sure. Today, because the other 2/3rds want to have a meeting this next week, I spent several hours doing what I pledged to do a month ago. And I'm not done. But at least I have something to show for my sorry self when I get to the meeting! Let's talk art! Remember this girl? I thought I was so cool to finally create this woman with the secret hiding place? OK, you know I'm tired because I was just thinking-geesh, that sounds perverted! And then I went off on a tangent and this happened? And then I put her away, far away, because every time I looked at her all she said was "NO, this isn't working!" I love her shape- long, thin, elegant. I don't necessarily dislike the birdcage but....somehow the word Victorian keeps popping in my

Because I know you are all dying to know more about me- What do I really appreciate right now? This kid, as always, astounds me with her personality and beauty. I know, every kid is beautiful to their parent. She was beautiful to me when she was born premature and looked like an alien. The nurse who was holding her made that likeness but as I gave her the "I still have tons of pregnancy hormones running amuck" look she quickly explained "pre- mees either look like aliens or monkey babies." I decided alien was OK. What's weirding me out right now? The kid from the above statement has taken to making weird breathing noises while she eats. I've tried everything to get her to stop. I'm really sensitive to noises and really particular about eating habits- not mine, other people's. My last attempt to get her to quit was "STOP doing THAT- people will think you're retarded!" To which she responded "What's retarded?" and then I had

Remember these two? I did officially give them the names of Anastacia and Violet. I had such a hard time deciding between those names and Helen and Hazel. I just came to believe that Helen and Hazel will have a different story. Anastacia was the older of the two cousins and would come to visit Violet and her family in the late summer. Violet found her older cousin to be so very sophisticated, coming from the big city and all. On Sunday afternoons, still in their church dresses, they would sneak outside, away from the grown ups and their grown up coffee and cake. Shoes would fly as they swung. Violet would press for stories of the boys that came calling on Anastacia and Anastacia was happy to oblige. As summers went by Anastacia could see Violet blooming. "Don't worry, Violet, small town or not, boys will be calling on you by the dozen. Soon you will forget me and our visits. I will marry and you will marry and our lives will be so different." Violet replied smil

These fantastic doodles were created by June from the blog- A creative Dream. I first came across this blog when I was playing my favorite game- blog jumping. I go to a blog I follow and jump to a blog they follow. If I like=I follow. Then I go to one of the blogs they follow and do the same. That was back in the day when I had spare time (mostly at work...) I have to identify with something about the person or their art. I liked this blogger's description of herself-about trying to find grace. I particularly like her art dolls- you have to see the latest, she has the sweetest, most serene, face- and I love that you have to look "in" at her to get a good glimpse. I recommend you GO NOW . http://acreativedreamer.blogspot.com She also creates these most amazing doodles that I could stare at for hours and get lost in all the intricacies. In March she had a give away of 15 doodles and guess what... I WON! I never win anything and that's what I posted on her blog. REALLY-