Forever since I blogged!!!!

Hello! I know I haven't bugged you all in like what ? A month I think? Anyway so much happening here. As many of you know I got another book deal. This time with North Light Books! Very excited!!!! The book will be due out April 2011. Can't talk about it too much but when I am able to you will all know:)

The charity went well for Alexis. Thank you to anyone who participated. I will start another scrapbook supply drawing if anyone is interested. Let me know. Last time I didn't get too many responses.

I have loving my new imac and making tons of digital pieces. ( See a new one above titled Echoes) )The new Adobe Photoshop CS 4 is awesome! I know it will take me forever to figure out everything on it, but I love what I know so I will be happy with that so far. Speaking of digital ....I found out I have some pieces coming out in Stampington's Digital magazine this October ( I think it's October anyway). I am so honored. Love that new mag!!! I pulled a lot of them off my Facebook page because they will be published in case anyone noticed:) LOL

Anyway, trying to keep the kids busy which is hard since I am busy so it just seems like everyone is either bored or busy...too many b words here...anyway. If anyone is interested in the drawing, let me know. Leave me a comment! Thanks as always.

Scrapbook supply giveaway!!!!

Hello all!

I was cleaning out the studio ( actually just a desk with a computer on it ) area and saw I had a lot of things I wouldn't use but rather not toss. I have decided to put up at least two sets to giveaway. This is the first. What you see is what you get ( minus the Doillie-that's mine!!!:) Note, there is Halloween chipboard from K & Company( not a full set), some rub-ons, cardstock die cuts, a little bucket, flowers, chipboard stickers for weddings and babies and probably stuff which I have forgotten. If you have any questions ask! I do request you do three things however. Always a catch huh? What you have to do is leave me a comment, add my blog link, and also add my badge (found on the sidebar) of my book and post it to your blog. Don't havea blog? No worries. You can still enter. Leave me a comment and tell a friend about the book. ( Yes I am pushing the book but I am broke so I am sure you understand:) Even though the book is concentrated on weddings, the ideas can also be used for other projects you have in mind. This is just the stepping stone . Thanks for reading and good luck! the contest ends May 23rd!

and the Winner is......

Hey guys! Thank you to all who entered the drawing and more importantly those who donated to the charity cause Free Arts for Abused Children. My youngest picked the name out of a hat ( or in this case a star wars mask:) and the winner is .....







Congrats Dolores!!! Send me your address when you get a chance and I Will send it out to you. Hope you enjoy!!!! Stay tuned for more drawings guys and thanks again for the support as always!!!!

Needing to seriously vent...GRRR!!!!

GRRR!!! I was in a bit of a jolly mood this morning until I looked out my window after hearing what I thought was the recycling truck coming by since *scoff*. One would tend to think this since they had taken my trash can with the large black letters RECYCLING written on the side and the top fo the can piled high with newspapers, only to discover that yet again, it was the TRASHMEN who had taken it. This has happened so many times and I am beyond frustrated...I AM ANGRY!!! We try very hard to recylce where I am. There are times when we have one can of trash barely filled and 2 cans yes 2 filled with recyclables. Way beyond any to fit in those itty bitty blue cans they offer. I was even told by someone who works for the Keep PA Beautiful that having the trash can labeled recycling is fine!!! Yet I am beginning to think that either people don't read it, don't care or ...wait I ran out of reasons... anyway if anyone else has this problem or knows of a way to correct it I am all ears:) Sorry for the rant. On a lighter note, last chance to enter the drawing is today!! Thanks to Jeannie, Dolores, Wendy and Carlene who have entered so far. A winner will be posted tomorrow!!!

Spring Cleaning and Recycling Tips

Hello again! I figured since this is the time that most of us do our spring cleaning, I would share some friendly tips. Many of you may already know this so just bear with me ( yes I do like to repeat myself.)


1. Try to recycle as much as possible. Sounds simple but many of us throw out papers in the trash without thinking about it ( me included:) If it is something you do not want someone else to see then maybe recycling isn't such a good idea ( especially important documents-always shred !!!)

2. While I was cleaning out under my cabinets, I came across so many plastic bags "I had saved", that I was overwhelmed. Many places such as Acme and Shop Rite take the bags and recycle them ( as well as those plastic bags your morning paper is wrapped in.) Take them to your local grocery store. You will not only have a much cleaner home, but you will be helping the environment as well.

3. For future shopping trips-take a canvas bag. They can be fashionable and of course are reusable and will save you trips to the stores to get them recycled which in turns saves gas....see where this is headed?

4. Remove caps from all jars and plastic bottles or THEY WILL NOT BE RECYCLED!!! I found it interesting . It seems since the plastic is too different kinds, they must be separated. I found this out after years of putting the lids on the water bottles.....






5. Last, stuffed animals. I know many of you who read this are moms and clutter from toys is a big one! I volunteer for an organization called SAFE (www.stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org ) that collects gently used stuffed animals to give to children in need. Some of the animals go to help children in hospitals, some go as reading buddies to kids in area schools, some go to raise money to aid schools in need of funds or they will face closure. These are just some of the ways my animals have helped kids. If you want to donate to me and live in the Philadelphia area, email me for more info. If not in this area, then check out the website for the closest chapter. This is also a good way for kids to help in charity work!


I hope this helps many of you. As I come across anything else you will be the first... no make that second to know since a lot of this is news to me:) Remember, donate any amount ( even $1.00 or purchase an item from the wish list) for Free Arts For Abused Children (www.freearts.org), leave a comment on my blog letting me know and get a chance to win a copy of my book!!! Drawing will be ending April 1st! My goal is to have 10 people enter. I have 3 so far. Thank you to those who have entered! Best of luck!

Donate to Free Arts for Abused Children and enter to win a copy of my book!

Thanks to my friend, Lia C. Kent, who sent me info on the wonderful group Free Arts for Abused Children, have I come to know another amazing charity. This is a group who aids in helping children who are abused or homeless find ways to release their pain and anger by throwing it into something creative. Along the way, I am sure it also helps the kids to make friends, find people who care about them, as well as build self esteem and realize that they are worthy of love from not only others but from themselves too. I have also discovered it has a Walt Disney Company member as their President!!! Way cool in my opinion:) Here is a list of items that they are in need of taken directly from their web site. www.freearts.org

OUR WISH LIST




Wish List


Art Related Supplies:
Acrylic paint (water based, 1/2 gallon bottles or larger preferred)

Baby wipes and paper towels

Canvases (various sizes)

Construction Paper (variety of colors)

Decorating materials (googley eyes, feathers, foam, pipe cleaners, shapes, sequins, buttons, pom poms, wood shapes, etc.)

Disposable cameras

Glitter paint / glitter glue (larger containers preferred)

Gray sculpting clay

Ink Cartridges for photo printer (HP Photosmart 385)

Jewelry making materials (including fancy beads, wire, fasteners, etc.)

Polaroid Film (600 speed)

Poster board
Sandpaper (Type: medium grade)

Sharpie brand markers (all sizes and colors)

Sketch Books

Small plastic bowls with lids

T-shirts (NEW plain white, all sizes)

Table coverings (plastic table cloths)

Tempra Paint

Treasure boxes (small boxes with lids that fit over the entire box)

Vellum Drawing Paper

Watercolor Paper

Wooden Spoons and forks



Office Supplies:

16oz. bottles of water
27 and 42 cent postage stamps
Bookshelves and shelving
Copier paper (standard)
Digital camera and photo printer
Folding chairs
Clear plastic storage containers with lids (16”w x 12”l x 12”h)
Toilet paper


Other:

Auction Items (gift cards, get aways, etc.)
Gift certificate for art supplies (Utrecht, Discount School Supply, Lakeshore, Michaels)
iPod
iPod speakers
Pizza Hut gift certificates
Smart & Final gift certificates
Costco gift certificates
Trader Joe's gift certificates
Professional Services (printing, legal, design, and more)


Free Arts for Abused Children
12095 W. Washington Boulevard, Suite 104
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-313-4278
310-313-5575 FAX



For every person that makes a purchase to help this group or donation, and leaves me a comment telling me they did ( we are on the honor system here:) then you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of my book Wedding Journals and Keepsake Gifts from Quarry publishers! The drawing will take place April 1st which gives people ample time . I will refresh your memories every few days! I can be a pest that way LOL Thanks for the support. I am sure every child will appreciate it!!!!