volunteer for the deco committee

A friend of mine is head of the decoration committee for the DSVC show here in Dallas, TX. It's happening next month and she invited over a couple dozen people for an origami party to help fold origami cranes for the events centerpieces. It was really fun, she had refreshments and it was hilarious to try to figure out what to do next to create a paper crane. Thankfully, there were a couple people there who are practically pros and they were uber helpful! I think her cats thought we had invaded THEIR home! :)

She sent us home with extra paper once we mastered the crane to make more for the show. Once you make two or three - you get in the zone. Here's the flock I created -- it was super fun.

If you've never had an origami party -- I highly recommend it. It's a good way to get to know your friends in a different way. We learned that most of are creative and rarely follow directions but we got to a crane at the end anyway -- there was much giggling. If you'd like to have your own origami party, check out this link for a video how-to.

Hedgie Birdie Pendant

I recently commissioned Pamela Michelle to make me a hedgehog/birdie pendant -- can't WAIT to see it! I'm sure it's gonna be adorable! I love her whimsical style that mostly features nature and all kinds of fun little details. Be sure to check out her shop. As soon as I get my hands on my custom pendant, I'll post a picture so you can basque in its' cuteness too! :)

Einstein?

"The important thing is to never stop questioning."
- Einstein

Lost Monster?

So I went to the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash on May 16th. It was a great event. I'll confess when I got home that evening, I parked my car in the garage and brought up one load -- leaving the rest for the next day.

Exhausted, I opened and put away two boxes of show stuff. In the second box, I reached in and pulled out something soft and blue that I hadn't seen before. It was a monster with two long ears and a sad yellow face. So, I wondered if he was an intentional stowaway or an accidental tourist. I parked him next to my desk monster still wondering how he ended up at my house (I think my monster had ear envy). I went to dreamland and slept like a rock.

The next morning, I unloaded the rest of the car and got everything put away. I read a few emails and saw there was a new post on the Etsy Dallas Discussion Groups called "Lost Monster!". I checked it out -- it was the same sad blue creature. The lost monster belonged to the daughter of ArtfullExpression. After the show ended, there was an all out search for the monster. He was not found and there was much sadness over his disappearance. That cute little blue monster was originally created by AnkleBiter. (Be sure to check out her shop -- there are many of the cutie blue monsters siblings available for adoption.)

After reading the discussion group, I got in touch with ArtfullExpression to see where I could send the monster to reunite him with his little human. I didn't know that she hadn't told her daughter that the lost monster had been located. So, I wrapped him up in tissue with a little note on the outside that said "Shhhh...monster sleeping." Before I wrapped him up, I attached a little note to his ear saying -- I missed you a lot. I had a little giggle to myself as I pulled up at the post office. The clerk asked if my package had anything flammable, fragile, or perishable — I smiled and replied no.

A few days later the package arrived in the mailbox of ArtfulExpression who said "my daughter got to the mail before I got home that day and found him. I hadn't told her he had been located. Needless to say she was thrilled. She hasn't let him out of her sight. Well, except for when she goes to school. No monsters allowed there!"

I'm so glad there was a happy ending to this adventure...but I still don't know how the mischievous blue monster ended up with my show stuff.

What's the funniest thing that has happened to you at a show?

It's tomorrow!

Come check out the Spring Festival at the Coppell Farmer's market. See this previous post for all the details! :) Hope to see you there!

The Mohawk Display at Clampitt Paper

M is for the Mohawk Swatch Clutch at Clampitt Paper. In case you don't get a chance to check it out in person, here are some pictures of Mohawk's display at Clampitt Paper. Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win. Barbara will be picking one winner to receive the Mohawk Swatch Clutch. Here's the display and some close ups;






















































Here are Kim Neiman's uber cool Showgirl posters that were also featured at the Circus show;

Sushi Newbie

I took my mom who had never had sushi before for her first sushi experience. We had a ball.

The only sushi she had ever tried were California rolls. Well, she brought her adventurous appetite and tried all kinds of things like; rainbow roll, tuna sashimi, salmon sashimi, spider roll, seaweed salad, edamame and red bean ice cream.

I was totally impressed. She tried everything I challenged her to try. Neither of us eat shrimp, so that limited us just slightly. When I asked her how she liked it -- she said -- it tasted like fresh ocean and that it was MUCH yummier than she expected. The salmon sashimi was her hands down favorite.

This just reminded me no matter what your age of level of experience - it's never too late to try something new! :)

Have you been to Clampitt Paper Lately?

Be sure to check out Clampitt Paper's latest vendor display at the Clampitt Creative Center this month. The Mohawk Paper Rep, Barbara Wardlow, commissioned me to make one of my paper purses for this month's giveaway from Mohawk paper. The giveaway will be held on May 29, so be sure to stop by before then for some paper inspiration. While you're there drop your card in for a chance to win the Mohawk Portable Swatch Clutch.

For you guys, you could win a sassy, unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade clutch for your girlfriend, wife, mom, auntie and never have to tell her that it was free! Here are the details;

Clampitt Creative Center
9207 Ambassador Row
Dallas, TX 75247
Phone: 214.638.3300
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30a-5:30p

If you'd like to see my other purses made from recycled magazines, please check out my Etsy shop.

Mother Teresa on Recycling...

"I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use."

-- Mother Teresa

Shadow Sunday

Hey Harriet has been doing Shadow Sunday for quite a while -- I always check out her blog and am never disappointed in what I see. I finally took some shots that I feel are SS worthy. Check 'em out!

It's today!

Come on by and check out this uber fun event! To preview the vendors that will be on hand, click here.

3 days and counting!

Yes, that's right in three days it'll be time for the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash!
Come on down and join us!

Just new today in my etsy store!

I'm totally excited to introduce my new line of spring purses made with recycled magazines, catalogs and junk mail. This one is the bitsy coin purse. I have been weaving paper for a while but these are my first woven paper purses! :) They will make their public debut at the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. C'mon check 'em out.

HI Mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I saw this beautiful pendant on Etsy for Mother's Day and thought it was totally perfect for the day! Check out onelifejewelry for more details! :)

One day isn't enough for ... Earth Day!

The more and more I learn about how much small changes can help the earth -- the sillier it seems to not incoporate those little changes into everyday life. I came across a great blog today (Team Eco-Etsy) that has a fabulous tutorial on making inner envelopes out of magazine ad catalog pages.

Check it out and start repurposing your magazines and junk mail -- it's easy! I can't wait to try this!

ART OF CIRCUS

It's tomorrow! Be sure to check out the Art of Circus tomorrow! This show features the art of Rhonda Camp Warren (fellow Etsian), Elizabeth Bailey, Casey McGarr, Lily Smith-Kirkley, Jason McDaniel, Kim Neiman and Virgil Scott.

Don't miss it!

Covers with make-up-free models!

Finally French Elle is showing off
beautiful women sans makeup –
you have to check it out!

What I've been working on...

So by now you know of my obsession with folding paper. I've been busy, when not at work, folding assembling and experimenting with paper. The latest creation is a 5" x 7" pouch made from repurposed magazines, lined with cotton fabric with a zipper and the outside is sealed with a water based sealant. I have been test driving this one in my purse as a makeup bag and it has held up REALLY well. My compact is peeking out to give a sense of the actual size.

Please tell me what you think and what you would expect to pay for something like this at an arts and crafts fair. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks fellow Crafties!

These will be making their debut at the Spring Bash at South Side on Lamar on May 16, 2009.

coast, coast, coasters!

Along with the other paper capers lately,
I've created some absorbent paper coasters.
Check 'em out!

It's all about color...

The Pantone Spring 2009 color report
is now available! Check it out here.

This Spring's colors are just plain yummy!

Ahhhhh!

Let out that sigh of relief. Another tax day is over. I hope all your forms are filed and you are taking a break from it until next year! I hope the nation has let out that collective sigh of relief.

Coppell Farmer's Market Spring Festival

The Coppell Farmer's Market Spring Festival was originally planed for May 2, 2009. I got a call just yesterday saying it has been rescheduled so that the farmer's have more time to be sure to have enough produce to have a good harvest.

The new date is MAY 30 -- so mark your calendar. If you're in DFW, come check it out.

Coppell Farmer's Market
455 W. Bethel Road at Coppell Road
Coppell, TX 75019

Dallas Pottery Invitational

Over the weekend I checked
out the Dallas Pottery Invitational
at Southside on Lamar with some friends.
It was a great show. I saw something
on each artist's table that I was dying to take home.
I couldn't pick one fave artist -- there were just too many cool artists there. There were so many wonderful color paletes, textures and shapes. I can't wait to go to this show again next year.

I highly reccomend it!

Free Range Employees

Express Couch

interesting thought...

I came across this quote earlier today and thought it was appropriate for today! ;)

"A women is like a teabag: you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
~ Nancy Regan

This adorable tea bag stamp is available on etsy in the shop of outoftheblues.

inflatable clouds?

I found this while wandering and it was just too cool to not share. Check out the full article here.

Tuesday Funny...

Tyler Azalea Trail

This weekend I participated in the 2009 Tyler Azalea Trail. I shared a booth with fellow artist, Larry Pile. The show was wonderful. The weather was perfect, traffic and sales were good and we were interviewed by CBS 19 Tyler.

Check us out.

Ghandi on Peace

"There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."

It's this weekend...

50th Annual Tyler Azalea Trail
Come out and see the Arts and Craft Market, March 21-22 in Tyler, Texas.

Dining Out in Dallas: 2009 Battle of the Chefs!

This is an annual event benefiting the The Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation. Click here to learn more about how you can help!

Erich Fromm on creativity...

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

On this day of green beer, green bagels, patron saints, etc.
It's also a good time to think about what else you can do to
live your life in a more earth friendly "green" manner.

What are you doing to be green?

50th Annual Tyler Azalea Trail this weekend....

March 20-April5, 2009
50th Annual Tyler Azalea Trail

Come out and see the beautiful flowers and see the Arts and Craft Market, March 21-22.

Hope to see you there! :)

Join the April 25 Adventure

Application for the Etsy Dallas Spring Bash!

Click on the image above to go to the site to read about the event and download an application.

Time Change Is Tonight

If you live in Texas or in the Central Time Zone the time change will occur in the wee hours of the night tonight. So, don't forget to set your clocks forward (spring forward) one hour before you go to sleep tonight -- that way you'll be on time tomorrow. Sweet Dreams!

Come out and check out the Tyler Show

It's March 21-22 in Tyler, Texas at Berfeld Park
Click here for more information.

There will be some Etsy Dallas folk there -- come check out their booths!

Mark Your Calendar!

There's another Etsy Dallas Event coming soon!
May 16, 2009
at Southside on Lamar

Hope to see you there!

Green Valentines Day

Each year at Valentines Day there are millions of cards bought, given and received. That’s a heck of a lot of virgin paper that eventually goes to the land fill. Instead, read the back of cards before purchasing -- look for cards that are FSC certified or that contain post consumer paper. By doing this, you are purchasing paper products that are recycled or harvested by entities that have a tree replanting program. This helps us all be a little easier on the earth.

Make your own cards with recycled paper and odds and ends from around the house. You know those extra packets of sugar from your last take out order? Those would be great tied onto a piece of red card stock with the words "you're sweet".

Don't Forget...

Today is the Art with a Cause Event. See the post from the 5th for all the details! Have a great time!

Art With a Cause Event

You're invited for a fun event in Dallas, TX.

Ground Hog?

Well, it's finally here -- groundhog day! Let's see what Phil has to say today! If you're feeling up to it, make some groundhog cookies.

don't foget to mark your calendars...

...for the next big Etsy Dallas craft event!

Secretary of the Arts Petition

If you feel strongly about the arts, please go here to sign a petition asking President Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. It's important!

gift

Dictionary
gift |gift|
noun
1 a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present : a Christmas gift | [as adj. ] a gift shop. See note at present .
• an act of giving something as a present : his mother's gift of a pen.
• informal a very easy task or unmissable opportunity : that touchdown was an absolute gift.
2 a natural ability or talent : he has a gift for comedy.
verb [ trans. ]
give (something) as a gift, esp. formally or as a donation or bequest : the company gifted 2,999 shares to a charity.
• present (someone) with a gift or gifts : the director gifted her with a heart-shaped brooch.
• ( gift someone with) endow someone with (something) : she was gifted with a powerful clairvoyance.

When was the last time you gave a gift?

can U recycle more?

This picture of squashed cans made me wonder what else I can recycle. I took a look around my home and found two more things I can regularly recycle. I encourage you to do the same.

99 Things to Do This Year

I have seen this quiz on several blogs and thought it would be fun to do. It will be interesting to revisit this list in 2010 to see what I have been able to add to the list.

If you want to play too, bold the things that you've done and post on your blog now.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii and danced on a lava cliff with the roar of the Pacific below
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

National Braille Week

I had never heard about this holiday. I have noticed there are several companies that do cater to the visually impaired by including braille on their labels. The largest one I have found is L'Occitane.

What companies have you found that go out of their way to help others?

Coffee from Colombia

I have seen the oddest misspelling in our coffee bar at work for the last month or so. When coffee is made, it is labeled either "Decaf" or "ColombiaM". The correct word to refer to coffee from Colombia is "ColombiaN".

I was talking with one of my coworkers a few mornings ago and we were laughing about it. I went into the coffee bar this morning to replenish my cup and soneone had corrected the mistake. It totally made me smile. I realize it isn't up on a 30 foot billboard but it did make me happy to see it corrected. It's the little things...

What odd little thing make you smile?

Cheers!

Wow! It's actually here. 2009. Happy New Year everyone!!