Summertime....

Wait a minute...snowman in summertime!??? Is something wrong with this picture? Nope...it's Holly Jolly July over at PFATT Marketplace right now, and the snowman guy above is a new collage piece I created just for this event! I was also lucky enough to be chosen as the featured artist for the month of July, so you can read all about how I got started on my artistic journey, and what inspires me. You can check it out here.
This looks a little more like summer! I only had one chance to snap this pic of a pretty butterfly feeding in my front yard before it flew away....
Here are some of my recent summertime flea market finds....love the vintage ballet slippers!!
Part of our fourth of July celebration included a stop in Santa Cruz for some fun in the sun at the beach.....
And at the boardwalk! It felt great to dip our toes in the ocean, and we had a blast on all of the rides!


Here's a recent steampunk necklace I created using antique glass beads, watch parts, and a tintype photograph. I just love how this one turned out!

Try to stay cool this summer, and I hope you are able to have a lot of summertime fun of your own!

New Antique Optical Mini Collage Charm Pendants

I finished up a few last minute Americana pendants and I just had to throw in a fun little piggy and a frog prince! These are all one of a kind new original designs for 2008. If you are interested in any of these you can find them in my Etsy Shop. I can ship them out to you so that you will have them in time for your 4th of July festivities! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. :)

Pfreaky PFATT Pfright in June.....BOO!

The piece above is available this month on PFATT Marketplace. I designed it especially for the annual Halloween in June celebration that we have...it's always a lot of fun! Be sure to stop by and throw your name in the hat for the wonderful door prizes that we are giving away too.

My very talented friend Colleen Moody created the lovely doll pictured above....isn't she stunning! Colleen has tagged me to list 6 Unimportant Things about myself. Thanks Colleen! ;) OK here goes....I hope this doesn't bore you all....

1. I love the ocean. Someday I hope that I'll be able to retire there with my husband...buy a little house on or near the beach and be able to enjoy it every day.

2. I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I especially love ice cream, and cheesecake..anything chocolate..YUM!

3. I only get my hair cut about twice a year. My hair grows pretty fast, but I hate having to go and get it cut, so I always put it off until I just can't stand it anymore.

4. I secretly enjoy playing video games with my son Simon. We have fun playing together, but sometimes I find myself enjoying it more than him, LOL!

5. I sleep in whenever I can, which isn't very often, but I try just the same. I love not having to wake up to an alarm clock, and usually only set one if I absolutely have to.

6. My favorite vegetables are green...artichokes, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans. In fact, I like the color green a lot I guess, as it shows up a lot in my house, and my art!

Here are the rules of the Tag;

1.Link back to the person that tagged you.
2.Post these rules on your blog.
3.Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4.Tag six people at the end of your entry.

So Tag "You're It!".....here are my six participants;

Jamie of Peach Street's Blog
Lorraine PieCake Primitive's
Elaine of Artful Spirit
Sue of Tinsell and Whimsy
Michelle of The Blackberry Briar
Lone Pierett~ Dollmaker Extraordinaire!


Below are new pictures of the mural...still in progress. We had hoped to have it finished up by the end of May, but things were very busy for everyone in May, so we are still working on it.





I am almost finished with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat!
Doo, doo, doo, da, doo...Inspector Gadget......

And here's how it looks so far.....
This is a picture that I snapped on one of my recent trips to the flea market. I just love these vintage finds mounted under the domes...so interesting!
Thank you again to all that wrote and left comments after my grandfather passed away last month. It has been a slow healing process for myself and my family, and I appreciate so much all of the kindness that you shared from your hearts. :) Thank you.

In Loving Memory of my Grandpa Joe

Joseph Henry Matthews was born on June 9th, 1929 and lived a long and full life. He was a loving husband of almost 60 years to my grandmother Karen.....

A wonderful father of 4, grandfather of 9, and great-grandfather of 11. Here he is holding me when I was about three or four in this fun family portrait I call "The Matthews Bunch"
He was blessed with the gift of musical talent.....
And shared that gift through the teaching of many students for over 37 years.....
Including myself, although I must admit I wasn't a very good student, as I never did learn to play that clarinet....
He had an adventurous spirit, and loved the outdoors....
And he had a great sense of humor! :)He aways made time to share the important moments of my life, and the lives of all that he cared for....
And I will always remember the good times and special moments that we shared together....
Thank you for all that you were, and all that you did.....I love you Grandpa Joe, and I miss you.

June 9th, 1929 - May 15th, 2008

A Pirate's Tale Continues.....

BOOM! A pirate ship's cannon fires a warning blast. The explosion rocks a nearby merchant ship. Musket balls fly. Grenades explode. A wounded helmsman staggers. He lets go of the ship's wheel, and the ship swings around crazily. Flames flicker everywhere. Pistols fire. Pirates, screaming threats, board the merchant ship, swinging axes and cutlasses.

Hissing through his teeth, Blackbeard—one of the most dreaded pirates who ever lived—jumps to the deck. He stands tall and lean. Pieces of rope burn like fuses among coils of his black hair. Sashes stuffed with pistols and daggers crisscross his huge chest. Black ribbons flap from the braids in his beard. Terrified sailors flee. Blackbeard and his fierce crew have pirated The Bonnee Lass, and taken our regal Queen of the Soirée, the lovely Miss Donna!!

I rush over to Captain Jack, Adam, and Jerry (The Puffy Shirt) Seinfeld...."Will one of ye be man enough to rescue our Queen and save the ship from Blackbeard and his crew?" I ask?

Adam Ant draws his guns and starts to come forward….

But, Cap'n Jack (AKA Johnny) steps up and pushes Adam back.... "I will save the fair maiden....but may I have a spot of rum before I leave?" he asks.

Me thinks he has already partaken of the ale....

Will Captain Jack rescue Queen Donna? Will he free the ship from Blackbeard and his crew? Who shall be named the new Queen of the Soirée? And what of the "Puffy Shirt"? To Be Continued....

In honor of Donna’s Swashbuckler Soiree, I have created Blackbeard’s Necklace which will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop today. Thank you Donna for hosting this fun and exciting event, and for taking us all along with you on this magical journey!

Thank you also to Lisa at Heart of the Nest for providing the fun picture of Donna in all her finery! Part of "A Pirate's Tale Continues" was taken from Blackbeard~Pirate Terror at Sea as written on the National Geographic website.

Pictures, Pictures, and You Guessed it, More Pictures!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so I have included a lot of pictures in this post, and few words....I think you'll all get the gist....this is what I have been up to in the month of April. First up, more lovely photo's from my day with the Pfattie's~



I was sneaky and snapped a pic of Iva and Colleen when they weren't looking ....shhhhhhh don't tell! :) They both found some fabulous treasures that day!









And here they are...the Pfattie's!
My little guy isn't so little anymore...Simon turned 5 on Monday the 28th....Happy Birthday Simon! :) Oh, and if you're wondering why there are more than 5 candle's on the cake, it's because we celebrated my mom's birthday too, which was on the 26th.
Roller coaster fun with Dad.....
Hangin' with Spongebob at Great America!
Being silly with Mom.....
Updated mural pictures....




This painting represents the preschool that Simon attends....it's a work in progress, designed by one of his classmates, a talented 5 year old girl named Jamie
Here is the start of my Thomas the Tank painting..Simon Loves Thomas!
This is the school district logo...we painted it on a separate board and then mounted it to the wall
Here's how it looks currently~

Aye Mateys~ don't miss the Swashbuckler Soiree this Saturday May 3rd, or ye be walkin' the plank!
I am working on some new pieces for Donna's Soiree this Saturday, so please drop by and join in on the fun!