Elvis Has NOT Left the Building

Happy 74th Birthday, Elvis!

This metal sculpture of Elvis by Bill Reed of Racine, Wisconsin, greets everyone coming and going in our entryway. We had commissioned it about twelve years ago. My husband had communicated through the Chicago gallery with the artist about details. In the mean time it has become a collaborative work with Lee's added touches.
Elvis is "king", right? He has gained a crown. We haven't figured out whether the pink flamingo is serving as a microphone or feeding Elvis his pills from his built in "Presley's prescription pill pouch".
Lee made additions here, too. Other added doo-dads include the Las Vegas show girls and glued on jewels and mirrors.
Speaking of jewels, they're all over the place including finger bling ... some of which are sculptural as well as added.
There is also a turning drum in his mid-section which features 37 locations around the world where the real Elvis may be. Just give it a spin to find out. Brrrr... it's cold and snowy in Macatawa. Hope he's gone down the shoreline a bit to Kalamazoo. It's warm at Burger King.
The artist had Elvis walking on water. Our interpretation is a bit different through the addition of another sculpture.
You do recognize the RCA dog, don't you?

My birthday is a few days before Elvis's. This is one of the presents from my husband ...
a bracelet full of Elvis charms. It's not meant for me to wear, but to disassemble and sew each charm to a crazy quilt which is a project I had only been THINKING about. True, I had begun gathering some stuff in a box just in case I decided to go ahead with this project. The item that got me thinking seriously about doing this project was the silk blouse given to me by a friend.
So, I guess there's no backing out now. Elvis definitely won't be leaving. He's begun to occupy my thoughts and in time he'll be taking over my studio.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

Many of you may have been keeping up over this last year with the creation of the international fiber arts exhibition CYBER FYBER by fiber artist Susan Lenz. The installation is complete and that show will open on January 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.
Part of the show includes 225+ fabric postcards that Susan has exchanged with people all over the world. These are only two of five sections of wall space exhibiting them all. I think I see mine hung left of center in the the middle row on the left wall of this photo.
A feature of this show involves world wide online participation by having a voting contest for a PEOPLE'S CHOICE award for the postcards and for ATC's (artist trading cards). If you'd like to cast your vote(s) go here. It's the comments that count! The postcard with the combined "most comments" (votes) from the exhibition will be the winner. In case of a tie, a random drawing will determine the winner on January 17, 2009.

Just in case you didn't recognize mine in the exhibition on the wall in the above photo, this is it ... #113
I can't make it to the opening, but I will see this exhibition on the weekend of the 17th. I can hardly wait to see it and to meet Susan.

The gallery photos are Susan's. Go to her exhibition journal blog by clicking here, then click on the photos there to see larger versions. You will see that my postcard really is hung there.

Checkers and assorted feelings!!

While sipping on my coffee this morning, i realized i needed more in my life..
and by more, i mean more of everything.. as much as i wish it ended with more shoes and dresses, the list that replayed in my head included, but was not limited to :

1- more activity, i laze around toooo much
2- more skills utilization, its such a shame not using what one has
3- more appreciation for what i already have. paraodx? i think not.
4- more love towards the planet, i cant label myself as an environmentalist but i do LOVE green
5- more confidence in who i am, what i do and what im all about.

Now to the fahsion feature:

My little rocker sister just bought these new pants. they're not really my style at all, but i had to try them on, after wearing them, i think i might take them for a test-run.

Studded Heaven!

A while back i said i was obsessed with my new studded clutch... this has not changed!!
yesterday i remebered that the same day i bought it i also bought new cut-off gloves, so after leaping to find them and ripping off the price tag, i stared at them in awe for no more than a minute before deciding to give them some DIY love!!

The result, was my new slice of studded heaven. I love them!! only problem is it's not winter and i would look quite stupid if i attempted wearing them now.. but i want to!!

My studded babies <3

Another Little Bird

This pretty little pink bird is another Christmas ornament gift.
Its body is made of hand-marbled fabric, its headdress is pink fuzzy yarn, and iridescent glitter glue sparkles its wings and underbody.

Remember the two small birds made of hand-painted leather? This is where they live in my friend, Alicia's, house.
They've alighted on the macrame plant hanger I made for her about forty years ago. Go here to read about the making of these two.

PS: See these and many more birds by clicking on the "Bird" Picasa album in the sidebar.

Thank You, Alisa

This beautiful pendant arrived in the mail the other day from my dear friend Alisa Nordholt-Dean. Alisa is an extremely talented artist whose collages and pendants are simply joyous. Her craftsmanship, in the soldered pendants she makes, is unparalleled. This pendant is even more beautiful in person than in the photograph! You will completely enjoy a visit to Alisa'a blog and Etsy shop...where you will be VERY tempted to buy yourself a New Year's treat!!

pendant © Alisa Nordholt-Dean

New Year 09

It's a new year.. hard to believe a whole year has passed, looking back at the photos of New years 08, i feel like not only has so much happened throughout the year, but i have truely come to accept who i am, who i might want to become, and where i stand in life.

This morning the first thought that came to my head was "one day down, 364 to go". I'm already looking forward to see what this year will bring my way. No matter what it is, i will take it standing and make sure nothing brings me down! That right there is the only new years resolution worth making.

On a less deeper note, i had a blast this new year's eve, maybe had a bit too much fun, from partying to the beach in evening dresses, all in the sake of starting off with a smile.
Happy New years :D

Kaykay and Me

My always gorgeous bestfriend/Fav model