AMAZING DISCOVERY - who knew?

I was blog hopping and went to visit artist Moon Willow and came across the most amazing discovery she made. Thank You Thank You Thank You! You may already know this, but I did not. Ya know how when you use the aluminum foil the roll always jumps out of the carton at the wrong time and then it tears uneven or gets smashed on the edges and then you've ruined the roll? Well there is a tab on either end to LOCK IN THE ROLL! Yes it's true. I read this out loud to my DH and he said "No way - I would have seen that!" so we went to check-and sure enough - there ARE tabs that lock it in - and they are on the saran wrap too! (but not the wax paper or the parchment) How could we have missed this? why don't the advertise it? is it new? who reads the ends of the box? (obviously in all of my AND my DH's years years years of working with this stuff - we have never).
ok the bad news. My DH took the roll of foil that was already out of the box and separated from it's carton. First he had to tape the box up again - this happens when the roll falls out and you attempt to catch it, but instead break the box, either by accident or frustration. Anyway, then he put the roll back in and pressed in the two side tabs. VOILA - the roll now did not come out! Unfortunately, he put the roll in upside down, so now it won't roll and the darned tabs won't come out so we can't free it so it will release the foil...... Sigh.

A Day at the beach and Stone Angels

Gorgeous, yes?
Today I went to Kealia Beach. I know I've posted pictures before of my favorite beach - but i couldn't resist - it was a spectacular day! I packed a lunch of cheese and strawberries and orange slices and iced water and had a wonderful time. i usually start my beach day by taking a walk up the mile and a half stretch of beach. Almost no one was there and the tide was out a bit. I found a bevy of small 1" or so shells where the tops were missing - and I thought - I wonder if i could use these as bezels with resin? So I gathered them all up! If I have time to play with them before i leave for LA I will post some pictures....
...The water really is this blue - several shades of deep cobalt.....
While beachcombing I saw a large blue shell - shiny, baby blue, and ...now this happened in seconds....I reached down to pick it up, but it was in the sand deeper than I thought ... and i had to dig down to pull it out...and when I did, it wiggled, and I dropped it! It was a crab- maybe about 5 inches across. Later i found a small one and was able to photograph it:Below is a man o war jellyfish. This one is about an inch across. They have a tentacle that can extend 10 inches, and their venom is still potent even after they are dead. If you step on one and you get stung, vinegar is what the locals put on to counteract the stinging pain! I've only ever seen them on the south side of this beach, which is part of my walk - but I swim and picnic on the north side, and there aren 't any there. Today I must have seen about 20 of them, most were only 1/3 of an inch or so. The one in this picture has his "sail" full of air and his tentacle is not extended. They just fascinate me....they are purple and blue....Just a few more pics..........interesting driftwood....
Across from the beach is an old Cemetery. I always drive by it, but I've never stopped. It has a beautiful stone angel that is bigger than the other stone markers, and I've always meant to stop....but it just seemed sacrilegious or something to stop. But today i decided I would go and visit anyway, and be as respectful as I could ...there are no keep out sign or anything...but i still felt a bit ill at ease.....
This is the entrance....
...This is how it looks back towards Kealia Beach....and here are a few of the gorgeous angels...
The cemetery was so beautiful and diverse. The "tomb" that is there, had a statue of Jesus laying down and a plaque with a dedication of the cemetery, established in 1934. There were stone markers, concrete markers, marble ones even some wood ones! Oh - there were many crosses made from PVC pipe! Here's a slide show with more pictures. I spent a lot of time here - it was so peaceful and inspiring!

On another note, Susan in Germany received my "Art in a Carton" I sent her. Here's a link you can click on to see what I sent her:
http://art-in-a-carton.blogspot.com/2008/05/hint-of-hawaii.html

LEAVING AGAIN!....my prize, newer hair, and newest earrings

Well, I took a new job in LA. I start work on May 20th, and finish on Sept. 12th - if all goes well! I will be working on "Starter Wife" a new series with the same cast as the mini series that was on TV last year. This is the first show I've done in ages that is shooting over the hill - as in Culver City, or the west side of LA. I leave in less than 2 weeks and still have no idea where i will be staying. I'll probably be with my boys until I find a room to rent or a house to sit near the studio....I know I will hate making the commute over the hill everyday if i have to permanently stay in the "valley". So keep me in your prayers that this works out!
On another note, my friend Angie (click on her name to check out her fun blog!) had a blog giveaway for beautiful journals - all you had to do was list something quirky about yourself. My quirky thing was my collecting of - er, um, roadkill pictures. Angie randomly drew three winners and I was one of them! Today i received my beautiful prize, and a postcard from Angie that she hand picked just for me:
Isn't that a hoot? Yes, that is a postcard! Where did she ever find it? Ha!ha!
OK. remember last week when I had my hair recolored after almost a year? He couldn't put the highlights in it then, it needed to "rest". So i went back on Thursday - i wanted something different - but no blond this time. He rally worked on reconditioning it too. Here are some pics - i am very pleased! Amazing how new hair can make you feel SO good!
...and here are some earrings I made. They are pretty simple - i patinaed and sealed the birds , then strung them on fine silver wire with amethysts and swarovski crystals. I am also working a a miniature rosary, but i was 2 swarovski crystals short, so I had to order more...what a bummer....Hand is doing better - still numb, but I am able to ride my back again and lift weights. Gotta get back in shape and build up my stamina for the job ahead.
Here's an update on the Pink Artist "Love Squared" doll (the doll made for Breast Cancer Research covered with 2" squares of art by hundreds of artists). Click here to see how you can win her in October.
She will be featured in Art Doll Quarterly this autumn.

Art In A Carton News

Here are 2 cartons just about ready to go out. These two I will mail tomorrow.....
..oh, and the stitches are out of my wrist. My wrist is sore, but the hand is fully functional. Contrary to what i was convinced was the right way to baby my hand, the doctor wants me to use it as much as possible and move it all different ways. If it hurts, then I should stop - but I should really work on stretching it as much as I can tolerate. So today I drove the tractor and picked up palm fronds and gardened - and the good 'ol hand worked just fine!...a little sore, but I guess sore is good. The middle finger is still numb, however. The doctor said this may ease up totally, partially or not at all - in the future. Gee, thanks a lot. She said that since I had the problem for so long that the nerve damage might be permanent. We'll just have to wait and see. At least it doesn't ache like it used to. It doesn't wake me up a night anymore!
...and speaking about waking up at night, my DH and I bought a NEW BED! Yes, after 10 years we got a new one, with memory foam on the top.....and of course we had to buy new sheets (600 thread count! yeah!) and a bedspread, shams, skirt, etc. It is sooo comfortable - like being in a good hotel!

RAK, Tote Finished, and around the yard....

Aren't they beautiful?! These roses were made by Sherry Goodloe and she RAKed them to me! The are made from paper coffee filters. She sells them on her ETSY site too. I just LOVE them!
I FINALLY finished my tote. It turned out WAY TOO BIG. The thing is about 20 x 24. I have no idea how it grew so big. The inside is lined with blue and gold marbled fabric that is divided into 2 full length compartments and then it also has a small double pocket with a zipper . It has a magnetic snap closure. DJ Pettitt taught me to make this! Yeah DJ!The FrontThe BackBake-a-lite button on front (I think. or maybe it's just old plastic.....)
And this is a green anole on our lanai....my DH took this photo....
We have had amazing gorgeous weather lately. Just look at this sky - and it really is this blue!
...and this is the sunset.......(from our back porch!)OK, here's something gross...this is my hand fresh from surgery and still covered with Betadyne. I have way cool bone xrays of my hand the hospital gave me on a CD, but I can't figure out how to copy them yet.
Poor sad hand.
...and here it is still bruised and with the stitches, but definitely less swollen and getting much more flexible everyday!
...and here's Chalupa
My DH has been playing with a new camera, a panasonic lumix DMC-TZ5....a fabulous 9.1 mega pixel camera with a 10 to 1 Leica optical zoom, a stabilizer and face follow focus. It was only $279 (on sale at Costco) and the picture quality is superb....and it is a tiny pocket sized camera. I'll try and post a slide show later.

My very full week....

wow. i can't believe a whole week has gone by and i haven't blogged!
hmmm. what went on this week? My eldest (Vincent) got a phone call from the Marines saying he had been promoted to Staff Sergeant....not that he is is still active in the marines - he has been out for 2 years - but i guess you remain on inactive status for 3 years after you get out and you could be called up again....
Land of Odds notified me that my Ugly necklace was not ugly enough..... sigh! but, no worry. I already have a new idea for next year that is less horrific and hopefully, very ugly.
On Tuesday I had to go to the dr's for an ear infection that was giving me vertigo. I get vertigo a few times a year from allergies/sinus congestion that goes to my ears. It usually lasts about 3 days and I can control my imbalance symptoms with antihistamines. ...but i just couldn't shake it this time. it has been going on for a month! ...so i finally dragged myself to the doctor and he gave me an antibiotic - and i think it's working! My ears stopped aching and i don't walk "tilted" anymore. I also took my truck in for its safety check. Hawaii requires you get one every year and when you pass you get a sticker for your car that is good for one year. My truck FAILED! how embarrassing - my 2 front tire were BALD! My son Sky had said at - YE GADS! - christmas time, that I needed new tires...but i ....er...forgot! Lance took the car in on Thursday and got it 4 new all terrain truck tires, meant for street and off road. They are gorgeous -much more macho than the whimpy tires it came with!...and it finally passed its safety test...Lance also repainted the front grill and bought 4 new mats for inside. Yeah!
On Wednesday I had my hair cut and recolored. I did away with all the blond and red streaky stuff and went back to plain old dark brown... well sort of..... i'm going back week after next to get burgundy highlights put in, although I guess in the sun it still has lots of colors in it....Now on Thursday I had my hand surgery. I tried to convince the doctor to do both hands at once, but she said no, and i'd see why later. Boy was she right. I can do nothing, and I mean NOTHING with my right hand. I can barely pull my underwear up! It won't hold a fork! I can't get it wet (water, paint, glue) and worse - I can't put any weight on it or push or pull with it. I'm supposed to move my fingers and wrist all I can every which way to prevent scar tissue formation, but that's it. It is very hard and frustrating and boring to use only my left hand. My DH has been wonderful though. He thinks I should stay in bed and is waiting on me hand and foot!
oh...and it hurts and needs to be iced a lot. ok, not really much. I've only taken tylenol twice in 3 days. I'm just whiny and bored and full of guilt ridden angst because i have a lot to do and can't do it......
So- my projects are all just sitting there, longing to be worked on.
oh well.
here are two bracelets I finished earlier in the week before I had surgery.Copper wire, copper hearts, glass cane beads, other glass beadsThis one is brass with spoon parts, bees and glass drops with glass cane beads.

Today, after my bike ride, I worked in the garden. My DH had shaped the hedges and trimmed several heliconias, and left the massive debris for me to pick up. That's our system - he cuts, I do the pick up! While scooping up one pile I saw something drop and wiggle wildly. My first thought was that it was an earthworm - it was a rich brownish purple color. On closer inspection (I picked it up - with my gloves still on, of course) I could see its tiny forked tongue -and that it did not have any segments like an earthworm. It was an elusive Hawaiian blind snake! I have found them before, but usually they are silvery blue - just beautiful! This one was dark. I freed it under a bush - they don't like light - but here is a picture of one. I didn't take this picture - it is from the Hawaiian Zoological Society. Hawaii has one other snake - a sea snake. The tiny 6 inch blind snake is not indigenous to Hawaii - it hitchhiked on a plant back in the 30's. It eats termites and other tiny insects. Click on this link to read more about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramphotyphlops_braminus
On another note, I finished my "By The Sea" charms and finally got them in the mail. I really have to stop signing up for so many swaps....I have a lot of ideas for original art i want to work on, but I think I procrastinate getting them done by doing swaps........
Now I have to work on my 3 "art in a carton" projects. ....and my "nude deck" card. I am trying to get as much done as possible before I have my hand surgery! I sure hope the print shop will print my nude cards......i've never taken anything like that into them before......

Express Your Gratitude

Deb Overton is celebrating her birthday by inviting everyone to join in by posting what they are grateful for. She is also giving away prizes and a collage on her blog. Click on her name above for a link with all of the details!
...as for me, I am grateful for, well everything! In past blogs I have gone into great detail of this. But for something specific that applies to how I feel today, I am grateful that right now (knock on wood), the worst thing wrong with me health wise is the carpel tunnel in my hands. I am grateful for this because It has been diagnosed, it won't kill me, and it is curable! I have had it off and on for about 8 years. It has gotten very very bad lately - numbness in my right hand so bad the whole hand aches, wakes me up all night and I drop things. When working with glass if I cut my middle finger I don't even feel it until I see the blood. Driving, cycling and doing art - heck even working on the computer - is very difficult. ...But on Tuesday I went and saw a new doctor to the island who is a hand specialist - and next Thursday I am having hand surgery (only one at a time). It is endoscopy and is very fast and should heal quickly. Yeah!

Art In A Carton...wanna play?

I am participating in an art exchange called "Art in a Carton". Today I received my first carton from Susan, the originator of the idea, in Germany. I now will send an "art in a carton" to her, to the latest dated name she sent me (in Spain!...or was it the Netherlands?) , and to another artist of my choice (who would like to play?). It is a sort of 3 for 3 swap. LOOK WHAT I GOT!the decorated carton.....and inside:
2 lovely felted balls, a tiny matchbox dresser full of cool goodies, a beautifully decorated paper cone filled with European chocolates (yum...i already ate them.....), a rubber stamp ribbon of buttons, and a gorgeous star-fold hand made book. Thank you Susan - I am thrilled!Fun, huh!?!
If you would like me to send you a carton so you can play too (it means you will be sending out 3 cartons .....click on RULES to see all the details), just leave your name and email and I will contact you for your address.....or you can go to Susan's website and sign up with her! http://art-in-a-carton.blogspot.com/

Happy Arting!

Wild Turkey's and Paradise Valley.....

I have moved my dad twice, and for some reason I never take any pictures. The last time I was there, I was awakened by "gobble gobble sounds"- seriously! Right outside, under the car ports, were a flock of beautiful turkeys! They were opening their fans out full, but I just couldn't get a picture of that straight on. My dad said they came down from the mountain everyday and that you were not allowed to feed them....I have only ever seen the scrawny skinny type of wild turkey - but these guys were huge!
Here's my dad....
...a few shots of the grounds - which are gorgeous - i wish I had more to show you!One of the few pics I have of the apartment.....just before we moved Dad back to Woodland....

Hana's Flat Stanley

Hana, my granddaughter, sent me her Flat Stanley from Garden Valley, CA. He gets to stay until the end of the month.
This is Flat Stanley shortly after his arrival. Below is Flat Stanley after a day in the sun. Oh no- he's all sun-burned! Here he is climbing in a banana tree.
...and this is Flat Stanley in the papaya tree. I am using this one as a post card to Hana's kindergarten class. I made Flat Stanley a waterproof body and swim trunks, so next week he can go to the beach and maybe do some surfing.

A questionairre to pass on.....

My friend Jackie sent this.....since I have been feeling lousy the last couple of days (I never made it to the beach) I decided it sounded like fun....so here's everything you ever wanted to know ...AND LOTS YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T...about me.
Feel free to copy it, erase my answers, and post your own version.....

Here are the directions that go with it:

Place an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones
you have not... in your entire life! Then answer the questions in Part II and send it to friends.

(x ) Smoked a cigarette

(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.

(x) Laughed so hard you pee'd on yourself

(X) Been on a hay ride

(X ) Rode a motorbike

(X) Gone on a blind date

( x) Skipped school

(x ) Watched someone die

( ) Been to Canada

(X) Been to Florida

(x) Been to Mexico

(X) Been on a plane

(X) Been lost ....most of my life....

(X) Been on the opposite side of the country

(X) Gone to Washington D.C.

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

( X) Played cops & robbers/cowboys & Indians/Statue/ Red Rover with neighborhood kids

( x ) Recently colored with crayons (TODAY!...it's true)

( ) Sang karaoke

(x) Paid for a meal with only coins

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't:

(X) Made prank phone calls

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose.

( ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(X ) Danced in the rain

(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus

(X) Been kissed under the mistletoe

(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care/cared about

(X) Blown bubbles

(X ) Made a bonfire on the beach

( ) Crashed a party

(X) Gone roller skating

( ) Gone ice skating

( x ) Gone Scuba diving or snorkeling

(x) Been deep sea fishing .

Part II

1. Any nick name? Cetta
2. Mother's name? Margaret

3. Favorite Drinks? water, "absolut sin"

4 . Tattoos? no
5. Love your job? yes and no, love and hate
6. Birthday? Nov 6
7. Favorite vacation spot? I live there. Kauai, Hawaii
8. Ever been to Africa ? No

9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes and ice cream too.
10. Ever been on TV or in a movie? No
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? No

12. Ever been in a car accident? yes
13. Drive a 2 door or 4 door? 4 door truck
14. Salad dressing? Vinegar and Oil
15. Favorite season? Spring
16. Favorite number? 3
17. Favorite movies? I never remember movies.....
18. Favorite Holiday? Christmas
19. Favorite dessert? ...i like them all....
20. Favorite food? tortillas and beans w/cheese, anything mexican
21. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

22. Favorite month? december? november? january? i never thought about it...
23. Favorite toothpaste? Crest original
24. Favorite smell? christmas trees, cookies, plumeria, honeysuckle
25. What do you do to relax? doodle, read, play on computer
26. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? thank you!
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? better.

28. What do you do when you are bored? art
29. Furthest place you will send this message? worldwide?
30. Who will respond the fastest? Joanne she may not do it, but she will comment....

31. Who is the least likely to respond? oh I'm sure there will be plenty.....

32. What are you listening to right now? Law and Order Special Victims (sad but true - i'm playing on the computer with that in the background)`

33. Can you drive a stick shift? no, yes, maybe? it's been a long time......

34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my sister Gina

35. Have you dyed your hair? ha ha...have you seen my hair?

36. Last movie you watched ...like I said, i never remember

37. When was the last time you cried? yesterday

38. Do you think you're funny? sometimes I am, sometimes I'm not....

39. What frightens you? fear. seriously! ....ok.....dying badly

40. What inspires you? stories of courage

Well, there you have it! Now it's YOUR turn!

Pink Artist Doll Finished

Monica Magness has completed the "Pink Artist" doll. It is made of 180 2 x 2 donated squares of art. After it is exhibited by Art Doll Quarterly, it will be auctioned off for Breast Cancer research. You can go to http://girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com/
for more pics and info.My square is above in the center 3rd from the bottom...the pink beaded one with a hand holding my mama in pink clouds.....Monica sewed each square on by randomly selecting them, one after another. Thank you Monica! What an amazing feat of art!