My Altered Attitude

Too cute!

2012-01-25T07:49:00.001-08:00

Little Miss Allie Diane Seay made this from the computer

She just turned 9 and I am so proud of her art. I have it hanging all over our home!

She enjoys selling her art when she hangs out with me at one of my art shows.

Allie's new outfit and Charlie's cheap "sunglasses"

2011-12-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Coughlin and Katie bug
me and Katie

The Holidays always bring out the energy in me! If it's not baking something it's making a craft with my girls.

Katie and her classmates enjoyed making a Holiday "Apple" Tree. We used a pre-cut cardboard tree and decorated it with green and brown glitter paint, red and green pom-poms and a festive red ribbon tied to the top.

2011-12-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

Christmas "lite up" bird house class

2011-12-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

I do offer private classes at your home! The gals had a blast creating their very own one of a kind Christmas birdhouse. My husband was awesome by helping me with drilling a hole in the bottom of the house so we could include a small lite!

The class fee was $25.00 with everything included!

Happy Holidays!

Allie and Katie "horsing around"

2011-12-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

Tons of new photos; the girls, the classes and the projects!

2011-12-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas Countdown class...

Trick or Treat!!

2011-11-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloweenieeeeeeeeeeeee!

2011-10-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

I just love Halloween especially with having 2 little kiddo's (7 and 9 years old). I love to dress up as much as the girls do. This year Allie decided to be a "Spider Countess" and Katie bug is going to be a "Hippy Chic". And mama bear (that's me) is gonna be a Old Hippy Chick!! I never know what Justin is going to be until 15 minutes before we leave to go trick or treating. I can't wait to post the photo's. We will be going to our first "trunk or treat" in Queen Creek this year. We usually trick or treat around our neighborhood but it's kinda boring!
Hugs for now,
Shirley

Haunted Halloween House class

2011-10-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday's class was a good time with Joy, Sandy, Brenda and Allison. We made "one of a kind" houses using a wide range of Halloween embellishments. I was so happy that the ladies enjoyed the finished project!

Where's Katie!

2011-10-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

Here is another of our trip to see the Doctor yesterday. She loves to take pictures of herself with my camera. Sometimes she has trouble getting the button to click...so she is making one of her adorable faces as she tries even harder to make it work!

Here she is sporting her new and improved hair cut job on her bangs! I caught her in the act cutting them so I had no choice but to finish them off.

Fall break photo's of Allie!

2011-10-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

Allie and her friend Melia had such a blast trying on Halloween masks at Pier One and Hobby Lobby!

UPCOMING CLASS!

2011-09-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Please join me to make this one of a kind retro "Pin-up Girl" memo board

on: Saturday, October 1st. Limited space is available so call Mystic Paper at 480-834-0286 to sign up!

New Family Pics!

2011-09-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

Allie and Katie bug hanging out with Daddy

Katie loves to help Mommy in the kitchen as much as she can! Here she is with her cute little apron on stirring the pot!!
Hugs for now!

Shirley

More pic's to check out!

2011-08-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

"Miss Piggy" calendar

Check out number 18! That is Miss Piggy from the Muppets Show. I am so excited that the movie is coming out on Thanksgiving day. So in her honor I made this calendar. I was shopping at one of my favorite Phoenix antique stores when I came across a Miss Piggy Pez dispenser for $1.99. Of course I ran home with anticipation to rip the head off but before I had the chance to, Justin looked up my awesome find on Ebay and we were surprised to see her price tag at $9.95.

Happy Monday!

2011-08-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Allie and I went out to the store on Saturday evening and came home to Justin and Katie with painted faces! Katie enjoyed painting Daddy's face as much as he enjoyed painting hers.

"Gone Fishin"

2011-07-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

Allie and Tucker with freshly painted Dog faces

How is your summer going? Allie and Tucker got the chance to hang out for most of the week. On Saturday July 2nd Allie and I spent the day and night at Mystic Paper enjoying all the fun and festivities on Main Street.

Summer calendar time!

2011-06-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Sweet Tweets"

matchbox perpetual calendar

I just finished a new calendar called Sweet Tweets! I used the 7 Gypsies paper line called Conservatory and it is just absolutely gorgeous if I should say so myself! I will be teaching this class at Mystic Paper on Saturday, July 30th 10:30-5:30. The class fee is a special summer price of $75.00 which includes all materials and a little extra! Each calendar will be one of a kind. I have a feeling that spaces will fill up rather quickly!

Call Mystic Paper today to schedule or if you have any questions please contact me at

480-274-1451

Hugs, Shirley

"Back in the saddle again"

2011-06-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello my friend,
It has been a few weeks since my last update! I was on vacation for six days! I had a wonderful stay at Good Samaritan Hospital to remove a tooth abscess. The recovery has been very slow and I can only find comfort in making the good of such a terrible experience.
On a much happier note Katie bug's teacher sent me photo's of the art project taught with her class on May 5th. However, I cannot get them to download on my blog.
We made a refrigerator magnet which I called "Flower Face". The children were able to use their fine motor skills by tracing than cutting their hand prints and gluing them to the smashed soda can and the best part of all is decorating them with fun eyes, pom-pom nose, flower shaped scrapbook paper and gems.
I enjoy making these crafts with both and Allie and Katie's class. I look forward to all of the years of teaching crafts to child with or without special needs.
My favorite part of all is to see all the happy faces after they have made their special creation!
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Shirley

What a peaceful morning!

2011-05-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Allie and Amber

Happy Monday! Allie, Gary and myself had a wonderful Saturday at Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the 'Fourth Annual Artist at the Arboretum". We enjoyed the music, food and atmosphere. Thanks to the hard work of the wonderful ladies of the Soroptimist International of Gold Canyon which is a local chapter of an international organization that helps woman and girls through troubled times the event was a success.

Allie brought a few of her paintings and drawings to sell. She was so excited to sell seven of them.

Have a super week!

Hugs,

Shirley

Earth Day celebration!

2011-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

The "group" picture

Mom's BIG helper, Allie
"BE GREEN. THINK BLUE."

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

I was so excited to visit Allie's 3rd grade class to make a fun wind chime from all recyclable items. It is so hard to believe that five short years ago I was in my kitchen throwing a way something in the waste basket when my than 3 year old daughter Allie says; "Mommy why aren't you "ricycling" that?" She must of learned that from the PBS channel during a commercial break from watching that cute little Elmo!

So needless to say I am a much more aware of being a good recycler.

We used 2 tin cans, newspaper ads, bottle caps, bolts, fishing line and wire. I even made homemade decoupage! (very easy and inexpensive)
The kids also received a bunch of fun goodies compliments of Ms. Traci Conaway with The City of Chandler Solid Waste Dept. Thank you so much Traci!!

Good morning Sunshine!

2011-04-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Charlie is such a trooper!

This photo of Katie modeling her green hair and Grandpa's motorcycle jacket!

What a peaceful morning sitting here at my kitchen table drinking a hot cup of coffee and listening to my fountain outside the window. Every so often a Humming Bird will come by for a drink (not of my coffee but the water). How silly I am!

Today I am working on a Earth Day art project for Allie's third grade class. It will be a wind chime made out of recycling objects such as tin cans, newspaper ads, bottle caps, old nuts, bolts and fishing line. I will be teaching the project on Wednesday so I will post photos of her classmates busy creating!

Phoenix Film Festival Kids Day!

2011-04-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Alittle added bonus...trying out the SEG Way!

Today was a fun day for Allie and her best friend Bailey! We went to check out the Phoenix Film Festival Kids Day. The girls went through ten work stations which taught about the process of making a film from writing, sequencing, on-camera acting, pre-fab editing, cinematography, marketing and soundtrack for a film. This is an absolutely free yearly event! Next year we will arrive earlier so we can spend more time at each station.

Encanto Palmcroft Historic Home and Garden Tour

2011-03-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, March 27th 10:00am-4pm the Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District will present its anxiously awaited home tour and street fair located in Phoenix (9th Avenue and Monte Vista).

I will be there peddling my calendars. Here is a smaller 13x9" size that I completed today.

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Shirley

2011-03-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is a family photo taken on Sunday March 20th at my father-in-law's memorial. The memorial was at his home in Sunnyslope. His home is nearly a 100 years old and has such character just like Randy had. It is hard to believe that he is really gone.

May he rest in peace! He was truly a wonderful soul.

Hugs,

Shirley

"Curtain Call" matchbox perpetual calendar

2011-03-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Curtain Call Perpetual Calendar

This calendar is created from Graphic 45's latest line called Curtain Call. I am always inspired to make a calendar using this line because it allows me to use all of my "oldies but goodies" I find along my journey of treasure hunting! I hope that you can join us for a fun and productive day of play!

Class fee $95.00 (includes EVERYTHING)

Calendar Kit (with full instructions/photo) $80.00

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011

Time: 10:30-5:30

Location: Mystic Paper

Paris Flea Market calendar class

2011-03-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

Calendar Kit $75.00

Today I taught a class at Mystic Paper! I had a wonderful time working with Madeline and Jan. We had plenty of room to spread out all of the goodies in the kit. Their calendars turned out very nice!

I do have 2 kits available for sale. Please call me at 480-274-1451 if you are interested in purchasing one of them.

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Shirley

What a week I had!

2011-03-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

On a happier note last Thursday was my very special friend Melody's birthday! Happy Birthday dear friend. It was also the untimely death of my father-in-law. Justin along with his sibblings have spent time preparing for his memorial. Although he will be deeply missed, we are okay with his death because he is no longer suffering and he is in a much happier place "Heaven".

Hugs for now!
Shirley

Dr. Seuss's Birthday!

2011-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful morning I had today! I was privileged to come to Knox Elementary School to read to Katie bugs classmates. Of course since we are celebrating the birthday of the famous Dr. Seuss, I read "If I had two duck feet". Katie loved helping me turn the pages.

I am so blessed to have Mrs. Jenn Coughlin as her teacher. She has made a difference in Katie's progress with learning. Katie loves her along with the teacher aides and all of her new friends!

Hugs for now!

Shirley

Happy Tuesday!

2011-02-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Vintage Circus matchbox Perpetual Calendar

Hello and how are you doing today? I spent some time today shampooing the remaining carpet in our home. We have ripped out 80% of it and are saving for some kind of new flooring. I wanted stained concrete but my husband will have to do the job and it's a back breaker from what he tells me! Oh well.

I celebrated my "4o ish" birthday on February 8th. It is so hard to believe that I will be 50 next year. I have the heart of a young child and the body of a broken down little red wagon. Oh well again!

I went to Mystic Paper last week and purchased the new line of Graphic 45 paper (Circus theme). I made a matchbox calendar out of it using all of the fun vintage circus cake toppers and other unique stuff that I had forgotten about.

My next calendar will be made using the new Graphic 45 "Curtain Call". I have attached a photo of the "Vintage Circus" calendar that I finished yesterday.

New item for sale!

2011-02-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

Vintage Crystal Prisms Magnets
I found a bag of crystal chandelier teardrops at a recent Estate Sale. I brought them home and said to myself what can I make out of these? For several years I have been asked if I just sell magnets so I decided to try to make something unique, elegant and functional for any magnetic surface. I added a final touch by soldering them at the top and bottom.
I knew that the soldering glass I took a couple years ago would pay off.
Please let me know what you think! The next class that I take will have to be Photography 101.

Happy 2011!

2011-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

My how the time flies! It seems like only yesterday when I started a blog. I thought today would be a great day to dust off my computer key board and catch up with my blog. I have been busy with Allie's 8th Birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Justin's Birthday and just recently Katie Bugs 7th Birthday!
I did teach a class mid-December at Mystic Paper. Check out the photos below. I am currently preparing for the Willo Home District Tour which will be held February 13th, 2011. For additional information here is the link. www.willohomedistrict.com .
Friday is my day to check out the Estate Sales in the Valley. I can usually find some real treasures that I use in my class kits or customorders. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at artsyfarts mailto:artsyfartsyfairy2@msn.com

Hugs for now,
Shirley

Katie's party dress and Charlies Elf costume

Kitchsey Calendar Pepetual Calendar Class

"Sharing Down Syndrome" Christmas Party!

2010-12-04T12:24:00.001-08:00

We spent our morning at the Rock'n R Ranch for the annual Sharing Down Syndrome Christmas Party. The girls had such a good time eating donuts, making holiday crafts, playing games, dancing to a live D.J. and of course sitting on Santa's lap.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Shirley

Christmas Advent Calendar creations!

2010-11-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again! I just love the holiday season. Just about everyone seems to have a warmer smile and a happier spirit.
We are looking forward to all of the fun holiday festivities for our daughters to enjoy. We will be attending Katie's "Sharing Down Syndrome" Christmas Party this Saturday at the Rockin' R Ranch like we have for the past 6 years. Sharing Down Syndrome is a wonderful non-profit organization (www.sharingdownsyndrome.org) that we have been a part of since I was 5 months pregnant with Katie. We have met some exceptionally special parents and their little "angels" and we have felt the comfort of knowing how blessed we truly are for being given the responsibility to raise Katie in this tough world that we live in.
Hugs,
Shirley

Halloween fun!

2010-11-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun time on Halloween! Justin and I dressed up and the girls loved it. I don't know what I was (I thru something together silver make up and all).

Justin was a scary man, Allie was Major Flirt and Katie as Dora!

Allie and Katie new friends were Hannah Montana and a Detective.

Allie's 8th Birthday Party at Build-A-Bear

2010-11-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

Allie and her 5 favorite friends had a great time at her Build-A-Bear party!

Katie had fun with her best friend Amanda!

Upcoming Class

2010-10-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar
What: Christmas Matchbox Advent Calendar
Class fee $60.00 includes all materials
When: Saturday, November 20th
10:30 a.m.- 5:30
Where: Mystic Paper (Mesa, AZ)

-------------------------------------
Calendars for Sale

"Junque" perpetual calendar (front and backside) $120.00
This is my favorite calendar to make. I love shopping for all of the vintage finds for it! It is the perfect gift was someone that has just about everything!

Matchbox Perpetual Calendar $100.00

This calendar has a lot of fun and unique doo-dads. The colors are beautiful and eye catching!

Allie's turn!

2010-10-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Sunnyslope Art Walk on 10/9/10

Here's Justin, Allie and our friend Gary!

Allie brought a few of her favorite handmade projects and was happy to make $20.00.
Of course Allie was giving me a few tips on how to sell my calendars~

Here's the latest with Katie Bug!

2010-10-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Daddy is shares his toy with Katie

We are letting Katie use the lap top which she loves to play Curious George.

She is usually mean to our loving 3 year old lab named Toby. One day while she was playing on the computer I couldn't resist to take a pic of where her feet were!

Charlies new doo!

2010-08-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Charlie is modeling Allies Build a Bear wig

My husband Justin loves to keep us laughing with his great sense of humor!

Katie bug with our friend and her Speech Therapist Renee

2010-08-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

We just love Renee! She has been working with Katie since she was about 18 months old. Katie will be 7 in January!

Allie's new 3rd Grade teacher!

2010-08-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

Meet the teacher night

It's so hard to believe that my little baby girl is almost eight. She loves school except for doing her homework. I am the "Homework Police". I am so very proud of her!

Bling Calendar for Sale!

2010-08-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

This is one of my perpetual matchbox calendars for sale. The empty matchboxes come in handy to store small items. I used a lot of bling items and pink colors. The months are stored on the backside

$120.00 + shipping

Private Class with Deb!

2010-08-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Deb and I had a fun Saturday at her home making a custom calendar for her studio!

She chose brown and pink colors with lots of bling.

Art Unraveled..the best shopping ever!

2010-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

I hope that some of you were able to make it to Art Unraveled. I did get to see several of my friends that stopped by my table to say hello. Joanne Hassing, Mike and Leslie Putman, Kim & Rick Johnson, Judy Bidwell and Donna Eyring just to name a few.

My husband Justin was a big help to me. He is my eye candy! I couldn't of done it without him.
Plus I was able to sneak away and shop alittle.
I found an awesome place to find items for my calendars. Check out Pamela Medaglia business at: http://www.stampindamour.com/ .

I will be posting my next class photo of the Christmas Advent Calendar which I will be teaching at http://www.mysticpaper.com/ in mid November.

Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Shirley

Another hump day!

2010-08-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hello there!
My girls are back to school! I miss having them home with me. However... Katie Bug was sent home from school on her 1st day back! That is a very long story.

I was invited by the City of Phoenix to attend their annual Recycling Convention as a vendor featuring "Go Green" art. I brought my "junque drawer calendars".

I spent both Monday and Tuesday getting to know some of the "Go Green" art vendors around me like,
-Brenda with Kika Paprika which is a offers a great line of "eco-chic clothing. Check them out at:
www.brendamiller.kikapaprika.com.
-Donna who specializes in homemade paper and recycling paper art such as books and things. deyringphx@yahoo.com

-Shelly Brooks with Mystic Pieces (Time Traveling Jewelry) which is made from steam punk watch parts. I just had to buy an awesome silver ring from her!
Check her out at: www.mysticpieces.etsy.com
And... Ben Bedell with Time Recycled (Computer Art Timepieces). I just had to trade a calendar from one of his clocks which is made from a computer hard drive. Check them out at www.timerecycled.com . These clocks are perfect gift for a computer geek or a lover of truly unique art.

Thanks to all of you who said that they would check out my blog and take my Christmas Advent Calendar class coming soon!
Have a wonderful week in the hot heat!

Hugs,
Shirley

2010-07-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Check these out!

Here are two of my calendars that I have made for Art Unraveled which will be held on

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

For additional information check out the link below at: www.artunraveled.com

This will be my fourth year as a vendor!

This one is my Vintage retro theme calendar

___________________________________________

Alice in Wonderland perpetual matchbox calendar
This one is made from a 1940's gold frame that I spray painted black. It is magnetized to adhere the matchboxes. The months are stored in an altered cigar box pictured below.
I was inspired to make this one after finding some really cool Alice in Wonderland paper.
I searched high and low for the embellishments.

Recent photos of Allie and Katie

2010-07-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Katie catching lots of fish with her
Barbie fishing pole!

Allie's trip to Bass Pro Shop

My next class...

2010-05-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Grandpa's Junque Drawer Memo Board

Class fee $45.00

All materials included (several junque items to choose from)

(Check out class description on "My Class schedule" below)

Memo Board on display at Mystic Paper!

Allie & Mrs. Stover after art project

2010-05-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

Monthly Update...

2010-05-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

How have you been?
I have been keeping busy with mommyhood! Katie Bug was out of school for nearly two weeks due to health issues. So I was close by her side at all times. I was a chaperon for Allie's 2nd grade class to Tempe Center of the Arts to see the play The Big Friendly Giant. Her class loved it!

I teach an art class 3-4 times throughout the school year for her class. We recently made a collage decoupage flower pot. I used all of my scrap papers from my calendars. The kids just love the projects and I love to see their creative side hard at play!

Justin and I took the girls out on the boat for a little fishing. Allie was such a big girl with Daddy's fishing pole and Katie bug is so sweet with her Cinderella fishing pole.

I am getting my energy ready for the girls "summer break" from school. Today is the day that Allie and me go to Joann's for fabric to make her talent show costume.

Hugs,

Shirley

My day...

2010-04-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Kevyn, Kari and Debbie

loving their finished project

Hi there it's me again! Today I taught my very first "memo board" class at Mystic Paper. Kari, Debbie and Kevyn had such a fun time creating a unique and elegant memo board for their homes. I brought along a lot of extra flowers to brighten it up even more.
My next memo board class will be a vintage "Grandpa's junk drawer theme". If your style is more vintage "junque" stuff this is the perfect class for you.

Have a wonderul Sunday!
Hugs,
Shirley

Happy Wednesday!

2010-04-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good Morning!
So far today has been very productive. I am working away at cleaning out our third bedroom and making room in my cluttered studio for all of my "stuff" that I have accumalated over the past three years. Does anyone need any cabinet doors or any other free stuff??
My seven year old daughter Allie will be finally getting her own room. She is so excited. Of course everytime she watches the show Trading Spaces Boy verses Girl she has another idea what theme she would like. As of this week she would like Daddy to paint the room pink with big blue polka dots. I wanted to the "Shabby Chic" look but that is not going to happen.
I promised her the room would be ready in May! To Allie this means May 1st. So today I will work on moving out all of those Somerset Magazine's.

Hugs for today!
Shirley

2010-04-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

My wonderful husband with his two closest friends!

2010-04-11T21:31:00.001-07:00

My friend Debi after the calendar class

What's new with me!

2010-04-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

How are you? I am doing pretty good! I am so behind with "journaling" so I have "old" news and "new" news to write about.

We had a wonderful Easter Weekend. We attended the Sharing Down Syndrome Easter Egg hunt for the fifth year in a row. Katie bug had such a blast dancing and sitting on the Easter Bunnies lap and Allie always has a great time wherever she goes. She meets lots of new friends. Check out the photo's. I realized that I don't have any photos of my husband on my blog. I found one of him doing what he loves to do with his spare time...fishing!

I will be teaching another class at Mystic Paper on Saturday April 17th 1:00-3:00 ish. We will be making a small size magnetic memo board with an "Elegant" style. You can check it out by clicking "My Class Schedule" below. I do private classes for those of you that have conflicting schedules so email me if you would like more information.

Well it is time for bed! I had a very long weekend.

Hugs,
Shirley

Happy Monday!

2010-03-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

Today has been a very lazy day! I started my day at 4:30 am when Katie Bug woke me up by yelling for me. Of course she didn't want to go back to sleep. She wanted to watch ICarly.

It is sometimes hard for me to have these "lazy" days because there is so much for me to be doing. Oh well!

Tuesday is my play date with my good friend Dayl. I met Dayl when she took one of my classes at Mystic Paper. She is the nicest, kindness lady and I am happy to have her at my friend.

I have started a new project idea. I will be making smaller size memo boards out of cabinet doors. I have about 30 of these doors sitting in my garage. The are a perfect size 11x14 for a smaller wall that just needs something unique. plus I could use one for my kitchen.

Well I think that I am getting my second wind. Just in time for the school bus to arrive.

Have a great week!

Hugs,
Shirley

How are you?

2010-02-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

Hello again~ Isn't this pretty good? Two new posts in the last two weeks! I am getting better.
I had a wonderful weekend.
Friday evening we went to Allie's "Family Dance". The girls had so much fun. Allie danced with all of her 2nd grade friends while Katie Bug ran around looking for someone to dance with her.
Saturday was my play time. I met my friend Joanne at Paper Vineyard where I soldered. I have been making some solder pieces for my calendars.
Sunday I was a art vendor at the Willow District Home Tour. I got to chat with a lot of really neat people. My booth was across from Cathy Manthey, Classy Critrque. She is very talented and loves vintage art like I do. I also met the owner Leslie Christensen from Frilly Frocks an awesome boutique on 7th Avenue in Phoenix.
Thanks to all of you who stopped by to see my calendars. I really appreciate your feedback!

Have a fun week!
Shirley

Check it out!

2010-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

Hello there!
I am finally back to check in on my blog. I have been busy making a lot of calendars for the upcoming event on Sunday, February 14th (Love Day). The event is called Willow Home Tour in Historic Downtown Phoenix. www.willowhomedistrict.com .
My week has been relaxing so far and it's only Tuesday. It feels so weird having both of my daughters off to school by 8:04 everyday. I have been scheduling my days out with certain chores and of course play dates. I haven't been shopping at my favorite thrift stores lately. I have found a new addiction called "EBay". It is so fun to do and I can shop with my PJ's on. I love it!!
I took my girls on Saturday to the "Fishing for Friends" event which is help annually for people with special needs. Katie was such a good girl. Usually she runs off and I can't run as fast as she can! This time she would get so excited every time that a dog or stroller trotted my us!
Allie was such a big help to me as it is very stressful taking Katie out with my husband not there.
Anyway, I will check in and let you know how the Willow event went!

Hugs,
Shirley

Happy New Year!

2010-01-12T19:40:00.000-08:00

How are you doing? I have been extremely busy keeping up with all of my responsibilities in my life. My family had a wonderful holiday. Allie, Katie bug and Daddy loved what Santa brought them for Christmas.

My warm and fuzzy memory of Christmas will be the story that I will someday tell my daughter Allie (age 7) when she is all grown up. I will tell her about how much mommy and daddy wanted you to have that "Barbie Camper" that you really really wanted Santa to bring you. After calling every Walmart and Target store in Arizona my husband Justin finally found one in Globe, AZ. so he hopped in his truck and off he went for his 1 1/2 hour drive (one way) to Globe. Aren't Daddy's the best.

My daughter Katie just turned six on January 7th. She is doing very well in school. She can count to 20 and is starting to write her name with our help. I am so very proud of her accomplishments. I am so blessed that I have been able to be home with both of my daughters especially Katie bug our little" Angel".

I will try to stay in touch a little more often. Sometimes my day is over before I know it!

Hugs,

Shirley

Catchin up time

2009-11-23T19:49:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a very long time since my last entry. Sometimes it is hard for me to take a break, sit down and journal about my day especially when I don't really know what to write about. I would love to get feedback so that I knew if anyone is reading my blog. I guess I need to take more time and read other peoples blogs.

I have been very busy taking care of my daughters. Katie Bug has been sick with a sinus infection so she has been home with me. Prior to that I was preparing for the Sunnyslope Art Walk after that I was little burned out making twelve calendars. I took a month off from doing any art. Although I did take a soldering class with Terri Brush Designs sponsered by Melrose Vintage and I had the best time. The class was held at a beautiful historic home in Phoenix where we all were seated pool side with a fabulous catered lunch. By the end of the class I had soldered 8 different pieces. I took the class so that I can start soldering stuff to use on my calendars.

I would love to hear from you!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Shirley

Mystic Paper Anniversary & Vendor Faire

2009-09-15T19:39:00.000-07:00

What a great time that I had meeting some very nice ladies. I enjoyed meeting the other vendors around me.

Jack & Cat Curio was the place where I scored big on a bunch of really cool stuff for my calendars. Mike and Leslie sure do have the best stuff! www.jackandcatcurio.blogspot.com

I had the opportunity to meet Jenny Herandez, The Polka Dot Pixie and to bring home one of her awesome pieces of art that is enjoying her ( I haven't named her yet) new home in my cozy crowded studio. www.thepolkadotpixie.blogspot.com

Mindy Cullum with Buttermilk Pie Designs caused me to gain about 13 oz. But it was worth it! Mindy is very nice and really talented. If Aunt Bee's had a daughter Mindy would be her! She bakes buttermilk pies, banana chocolate chip bread, makes preserves and sew's the cutest aprons ever! www.mindymoo.blogspot.com

My buddy Arlene was there and I am proud to show off another one of her aprons that I own. She is very talented too. www.lifeations.blogspot.com

Thank you for stopping by and checking my calendars out!
Have a terrific week
Shirley

Thank you!

2009-08-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you for checking out my blog. I handed out about 200 cards at Art Unraveled so I was hoping to have some curious people.

Lately I haven't been keeping up with my blog. However, both of my daughters are back to school so I find myself with all of this extra time in between doing all of those non-creative things like cleaning toilets, scrubbing floors and even cleaning my oven.

Although, I would rather escape to my studio and play but part of the deal to be a stay home mom was to take care of the household.

The best part of course is being home for my precious girls. I can hardly believe that I "retired" from the work force May 30, 2005.

I have completed my first Christmas Avent Calendar. It will be posted on my blog along with the rest of the calendars that I have left from Art Unraveled.

I would love to hear from you!

Have a great day!

Shirley

Art Unraveled- Yippeee!!

2009-08-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Four more days until I will be participating in the Art Unraveled on Saturday, August 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

I have been working hard for the last two months preparing for this event. This will be my third year as a vendor. I have nearly 15 calendars to sell! Which only means that I will be hitting the Estate Stores and my favorite Thrift Stores for more unique stuff. Any artist out there that would like to come?

I hope that a few of you can come by. For details check out www.artunraveled.com.
Have a happy Wednesday.

Shirley

Daytime Fun

2009-08-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Today was a wonderful day. I usually venture out on Friday evenings to a local scrapbook store where I sit and work on a calendar. However, I do have a fun room at home that I call my "studio" which is loaded with all of my fun merchandise from shopping for the last three years.
But it is so nice to get out and look at all of the new products out there.

So today was so great because I left my home at 9:00 a.m. and headed to Scrap Happy Sisters (67th Avenue & Happy Valley Road- Glendale) it is an hour from my home in Gilbert but it was so worth the drive. They have really cool stuff!

I met with my friends Melody and Joanne. We played and played and I arrived back home around 8:00 p.m. The kids were just getting into bed and the house looked pretty good like when I left it this morning.

What a fun and fulfilling Saturday!

Shirley

My weekend

2009-06-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today is a much more relaxing day compared to my busy weekend. However I do have my daily chores that all stay home ladies have.
Sunday I taught a class on how to make a perpertual matchbox calendar at Mystic Paper. Kim and Jennifer are going to be receiving the new Graphic 45 Christmas paper so I will be teaching my Christmas Matchbox Advent Calendar.
For more details check Mystic Paper.
Have a wonderful day and please feel free to leave a comment.

Calendar Kits

2009-06-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hello again! Today is a Saturday filled with the screams of "happy" (?) children in my home. I am usually playing good cop and mean cop throughout the day! I am sure that all of those mothers of 5 and 6 year old children can appreciate what I am saying.

Anyway it has been suggested to me that I sell calendar kits for my Matchbox perpetual calendar. The kit will come with all of the fun goodies and easy directions to follow. I will offer many different themes. If you are interested in seeing my work, I have a class on Sunday June 28th at Mystic Paper. You can visit there website at: http://www.mysticpaper.com/ for more details.

Well off I go I hear some screaming!!
Shirley

Today is the day!

2009-06-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that I will be turned loose to play with my blog. Mike Putman did a really nice job with creating it. I just love my banner. Don't you?

I am looking forward to my Friday. Friday is the day that I "punch out" from my 24 hour job called "stay home mommy". My husband and I each take a day to ourselves. He loves to go out on his boat and I love to dig into a new art project.

I am getting prepared for my upcoming event which is called
Art Unraveled http://artunraveled.com/. Please check out the link for all the fun details. This will be my third year participating. So I am looking forward to meeting new people and see all of the great artwork out there.

Fairy Fun

2009-06-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

After two years of being asked if I have a blog I finally decided that it was time to get one. I found the best person that I totally trust to create the first impression of me and the
"Artsy Fartsy Fairy" blog is Mike Putman. Mike is so very talented and has a really good eye along with suggestions to help you build a blog that best describes your passions and who you are.

Anyway this blog thing is so new to me. I am not really sure what to say about it except for how excited I am to finally make the time to have fun with it!