Turn off the TV week?

Today begins a week long nationwide effort to encourage Americans from coast to coast to "unplug" (not just televisions, but computer screens as well). At the clinic where I work, the television screens that keep patients occupied while they wait to get called back to see their docs will be turned off.
I don't watch tons of television (outside of Lost and The Office), but I do often (like, every single day) find myself glued to my chair in front of the computer and before you know it, my behind has fallen asleep, I have consumed more than my fair share of pistachios and time has run out to get my workout in (again!). While I can't completely unplug (have to use the computer for work, to list stuff in my Etsy shop , and check customer emails), I have decided to do a modified version for the next week by limiting myself to a 1/2 hour a day of non-work related computer time. It will be an experiment of sorts. If you, like myself, spend too much time with your laptop, I encourage you to take a week off (or a modified week off) and rediscover some of the things that you haven't done as much since the internet web-volution. Myself, I have a million library books that I need to read, lots of new dolls to dream up, and a treadmill that has been a bit neglected, so I am sure the week will fly by!
See you all next week :-) (((((hugs))))))
(Just so you know, I will be checking emails at least twice a day)

Quick Post

....to encourage you to pop on over to the Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers and vote for the fabulous Papier Mache Artist Johanna Parker! Her work is truly unique!

Etsy Update on Friday!!!

Just a quick heads up that I will be listing more than 15 newly crafted Halloween goodies in my Etsy store on Friday night.

Lots of super cute ghoulies will be available for purchase! Here's a sneak peak!

In the meanwhile, this kooky Halloween Kitty is available at Spookytime Jingles!

What a Blast (and a quick survey)!!!

I had such a wonderful time teaching at Mystic Paper in Mesa! All of the students did so well. All in all, we had 6 students with a varied backgrounds and experience in paper clay sculpting. Each participant did a fabulous job and created Party Kitties that were completely unique, even while following my basic pattern.

The class was a blast, and I am so happy that I was invited to come and teach again in December! Next time will be crafting Santas! Class size will again be limited to 8 or less, so if you live in or are planning to be in the Phoenix area around December 12, please be sure to contact the awesome ladies over at Mystic Paper to sign up.

In the meanwhile, can I ask you to help me choose a Santa project for the next class? Take a look at the Santa photos below, and tell me what you think would be the most fun to learn...

Which Santa making class would you want to take?

• Spotty Santa Ornament Class
• Shabby Pink Santa on a Box Class
• Sugar Plum Snowie Class

View Results
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Teaching!

One of my favorite things to do is to share my passion for sculpting with others by is by teaching! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do so next weekend right here in Arizona at Mystic Paper!

Students will learn how to sculpt this sweet little Paper Clay Halloween Party Kitty. If you're in the area, pop on over to the Mystic Paper website! I will also have a vendor booth at the event and will have a limited number of Halloween goodies for sale.

And coming up...

I'll be sharing more about this event soon! In the meanwhile, check out the Art Opera Event site at http://artoperanj.blogspot.com/

Cottage Bathroom redo...

Earlier this year, we tore out a hideous bathroom, complete with peachy floral wallpaper ala' 1982, soggy vinyl covering up rotting pine wood floors, and a tub and toilet that had seen better days.

Since our house was built in 1895, we wanted to do a retro- renovation. So with a small budget and a wonderful contractor: here's the result.....


The renovation started with a tear out of old walls and floors. We replaced them with this octagon and dot porcelain tile pattern, new drywall, and bead board painted a creamy white. The claw foot tub was rescued out of another family's house who were doing a modern renovation. It fits our aesthetic perfectly! The shower curtain came from the Shabby Chic collection at Target. I have had this curtain for a loooong time! I took it with me to the hardware store so that they could match the wall paint perfectly.


The pedestal sink takes up much less room than the old vanity, and the mirror doubles as a medicine cabinet for extra storage.

This little cabinet is one of my favorite flea market finds. I cleaned off the glass (which was grimy and sticky), spray painted her to match the white bead board. I filled it up with antique talc tins, pretty soap boxes, collected seashells and some sweet vintage posies.

Old school photographs of flapper-esque bathing beauties adorn the walls framed up in 2 for $5.00 resin frames. Instead of hanging a window curtain, I installed faux stained glass in an antique pattern with Decra-Led window film and real leading.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour! I'll be back next week with some exciting announcements!!