Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Weddings....weddings.....party!

O.K. so I swear this is my last wedding post for a looong time.....
Congratulations Olympia and Arturo!!
Thank you for letting me be so involved in the planning of your big day!! It made me remember what I loved about the wedding business (when I was still in it)......Almost made me want to go back and start the business over!.....Almost is the word:)....the urge passed quickly.....

Now that life is going back to normal....whatever normal is.....I feel like shaking it up a little! Hmmmm......we will see....

Wow! It has been way too long!

Where did the time go? February was my last post....shame on me...but back to life....

We had an amazing week in Florida witnessing my nephew Michael getting married!(see post below)
As I said above, where does the time go??

My girls have always called brides "princesses"....

Emily is a beautiful "princess" and Michael her handsome "prince"
Together, they will live happily ever after....forever....(especially if he keeps kissing her like that! lol)

THE END (actually THE BEGINNING)

Congrats Michael and Emily! We love you both!

A Little Birdie Told Me So....

When I was little and my Dad would catch us in a lie....

We would always be in complete shock that somehow he always knew our big "secrets".....when we asked him how he found out, he would always tell us "a little birdie told me"

To this day, I would love to know how he knew everything....but now I can use this magical phrase with my girls! Hopefully they will grow up and one day wonder who my little birdie was!

This ATC was created for our Fiber Art Traders group....its nice to create again after a nasty bout with the flu!

Now we are creating kitchen shrines! I already knoow what mine will be! Stay tuned!

New Years Eve Sweater and Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

New Years Eve Sweater and Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

SAVE HANDMADE!

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you?

Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses. If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbeshttp://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Lawhttp://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know?
If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

To the New Year!

Happy New Year to all of you!

Fiber Art Traders Ornament Trade

I have been so busy that I haven't participated in many trades recently....but I have been moving my craft area out of the front room and into my own little studio! Woo hoo! Now....I would love to say it is a grand studio with space to do everything.... but in reality most walk in closets are bigger!

Ha! But it will be all mine...mine...mine...

Now the ornament I did manage to squeeze in was an icon I painted( we say wrote) a few years ago and I just scanned it and printed it onto transfer paper ....ironed it onto silk and embellished!

I love the saying "Expect Miracles" especially on those days that I really need one!

Not to be long winded....but I have been playing the Etsykids team 12 Days of Christmas game and having a blast! I won three gifts already! woo hoo! I will post those in a future blog post! Fun! And so cute!

Hay rides,pumpkin farms and apple cider

Fall is officially here!

I can tell because as I type, the wind is whipping outside....sounds kinda spo-o-oky!

The girls went to the pumpkin farm today...and then to Boo-at- the-zoo.

We had a blast!

My crazy fun girls!

Can you tell who is the ornery one???

Joyous Occasions!

Okay I must be getting older...

Actually I will be the big 4-0 in November and aside from the nagging "what have I done with my life?" feeling, I am actually looking forward to it! But then the other day happened....

My "baby" nephew (aka Monkey) got engaged to a wonderful girl.....

Where has the time gone??

so...Congrats Michael and Emily!!!

I wish you love and happiness forever!

I will post an engagement pic as soon as I get one! (hint)

MMMM FALL

Crisp leaves...warm apple cider....snuggly sweaters....

vibrant colors...hay rides....pumpkin patches...

Fall has quickly become my favorite season...

Fiber Art Traders just completed a giving tree leaf trade...I can't wait to receive mine so I can string them on to a garland and drape them to enjoy! There have been amazing leaves created and I can't wait for the mail!

I think this is one of the reasons I love being part of this great group of women! Its like Christmas every day and I actually look forward to getting the mail! But most of all because they are a great group of women from all over the world! How cool is that? Although we have never met...I actually care about them and consider them friends...which for me is huge...lol...I am one to have one or two very close friends and that is it...lol...

So...to my F.A.T. friends....happy Fall!

I"M BACK!

Wow! After two funerals and a joyous baptism, I can return to life as I knew it! Back to creating... and speaking of creating.....

I have finally listed things in my etsy shop!!! woo hoo!

http://www.heliosdesignstudio.etsy.com/

I have only had them for over a year I believe! What was stopping me from listing???

I am a perfectionist at times which is a baaad trait for me...stops me dead in my tracks..

frozen solid...

So anyway, I listed some rings I had made from a collection of antique buttons I purchased at a local antique store....

next I will be posting a few hair pins I created from vintage earrings....

and eventually I will start selling some of my art there...

This will be my new release...I will have something to do with what I make rather than letting it accumulate!

I have been tossing ideas around for an entry to a local fiber art show...

but ideas are worthless if there is no time to create ....so they will probably wait for another occasion.

I have a great idea for a series of art quilts....now to carve out the time....

Happy Birthday Fiber Art Traders!

I just posted picture for our party hat trade on Fiber Art Traders. We are celebrating the group's 3rd birthday. This was such a fun trade and I actually posted on time! Woo Hoo!

Tomorrow I will be outta here! My BFF/ sister and I are going to Chicago to hear an awesome singer from Greece! We soooo need this getaway! When we come back we will dive right into party preparations for her son's graduation....these two boys were like my own when they were little...now they could lift me and throw me across the road! But they will always be "Blakers" and "monkey" to me:) Happy Graduation Michael!

Collage Mania!

I am thrilled to find out that my collage for Collage Mania was acquired by my wonderful new friend Gabriela from Fiber Art Traders! I am more than thrilled it will be going to stay with her! I couldn't have asked for a better home for it! Thank you Gabriela!

Delicious

What a wonderful day it was....most moms I know look forward to the day the kids start back to school...I eagerly wait for the day the kids are free for summer....that is when I know they are all mine again:))).....mine to hang out with...play with ....or just sit in the yard and watch them squeal and giggle with their friends....which at my house is a daily event! I love grilling yummy summer food for all of them to inhale in between a game of tag and a meeting of the NBA club(no boys allowed!)...taking place in their very own "club" tent....(best investment ever!) And of course as you can see above....it is a time for bare feet....

Welcome back sunshine!

Collage Mania starts today!

Today is the first day of Collage Mania! Go shopping and support this cause! I am drooling over quite a few collages:)

Bookmark Trade

Tonight I posted these bookmarks for the F.A.T. bookmark trade! I had fun making them...I love this handprinted paper so much I almost kept one for myself!...They remind me of Santorini....whitewashed houses....crystal blue water and an evil eye for protection...lol......
I always have a touch of Greece in everything I create.
It is such a huge part of who I am:)

Sad, Sad day

Our kitty died in my arms today...she was over 20 years old and such a tough cookie...my husband and I have been together for 25 years and she has been with us from the beginning...
As a kitten she was hit by a car and crawled over to my husband who brought her home and nursed her back to health...she had broken hind legs and lower jaw. He taped popsicle sticks to her legs and we loved her better:) We never knew about her lower jaw until it had healed...crooked:)...she never seemed to age...she looked like a kitten even now as she lay in my arms....

Collage Mania II Submission

In memory of Carol Ann Hughes......

I just imagined what it would be like .....dancing with the stars....(real stars lol..not famous people) It is hard to see but there is a stream of stars that goes from her hand and wraps around the moon...

The bead of the dancer was a find from the garment district when I was a fashion student...I still love shopping there....

This collage is made of paper, wire, glass and metal beads, fabric.

I learned about this through the Fiber Art Traders.....hopefully it will be accepted by Virginia Spiegel....if not...I love it...I will hang it up!

Now it is time for sleep!

Beads! Beads! Beads!

These are my fiber beads for the Fiber Art Traders group. We had to make 5 sets of 5....this was more fun than I expected and soooo easy! Now my brain is spinning trying to think of how I want to use the beads I get in the mail!....Any ideas?