If Jeremy was a bunny...

Hi there!
If Jeremy (my best friend's son) were a bunny, I pictured that he would look like this:

He's a happy baby boy who does this really cool thing with his feet.  He rolls his ankles in opposite directions while reclining in his seat.  It's actually quite calming to watch :)  And to boot, he's born during the year of the Rabbit...so this is my CUTE "nephew" in bunny form.  So, thanks there peanut for being my source of inspiration.  This is only a preliminary sketch...I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it yet.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Easter!!!
peace and love,
Mary xoxo

A Windy, Rainy Day

Rain, rain go away...
It's spring showers over at The Cheerful Stamp Pad.
Here's what I got:

Cardstock by G Design
Ribbon and buttons from my stash
Prismacolor markers
Chalk
Flocking
Precious Moments by Sam Butcher
Sentiment by BrossArt Addiction

I printed the image several times and used foam dots for dimension

I've always been a huge fan of Precious Moments.  I remember passing by the window of Hallmark on my way to school and seeing those adorable figurines.  This card brings back some fond childhood memories.
Thanks for stopping by!
Mary xoxo

Celebrate Art!

Hey everyone!
It's time for another awesome challenge over at Wicked Wednesday.  This week we are sponsored by The Greeting Farm; we are celebrating art!
Art keeps me sane.  When I'm creating, stress just melts away.  The way I see it, there's no right or wrong; even if it doesn't come out the way you imagined, that's ok.  Take a breath and just try again until you feel it's what you want.
So get creative and won't you join us this week?

Background is smeared with Ditto Inkpads
Canvas/easel and paint tube embellishments by Recollections
Lettering by KCompany
Toby the painter by The Greeting Farm, colored with Prismacolor markers

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Mary xoxo

Coming soon...

What?!  Another blog?  YES.
Am I crazy?  No comment.
I've received some suggestions that maybe I should have some of my own digital stamps.  Honestly, the thought never crossed by mind.  But, to have received so much positive input over the last several months, why the heck not?  I'm honored and elated that people actually enjoy my sketches enough to want to create with them.  I'm truly taken away by that.

Over the next several weeks (time and life stuff permitting) I will be planning for this site.  All I can tell you for now is be prepared for EXTREME cuteness!!!!

I hope that I've piqued your interest :)
Thanks for stopping by and keep checking in as I will be posting updates.  If all goes well, I should be up and running by the end of March.
Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

Wicked Wednesday reminder / Forever yours...

Hey everyone!
Happy Saturday :)
It's been a nice winter this year.  Nice = not too much snow.  There's still a nice, crisp chill in the air.  Things have been rough lately.  Fortunately, Music and Art allow me to regain my perspective so I'm not reduced to a nervous pile of dust under all this stress.  But, let's not forget my awesome friends, old and new.  All the positive input, love and support means a lot to me. So this isn't just another Wicked Wednesday reminder post.  It's also a reminder to cherish all of the people you hold dear.  Unlike Bo and BunBun, we don't live forever.  Don't put off what you can do today.  Don't forget to let people know that you love them.

Bo and BunBun the Undead Bunny couple
Who ever said there was no forever?
Characters by me :)
Ink, heart stickers by K Company

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

NOT COOL take 2...Please read!

I would like everyone to take a moment and read this.  This is some SERIOUS stuff.
An artist creates as a form of self expression and for the enjoyment of others.  We create to share with others.  What seems like a simple drawing or painting took time, emotional and spiritual energy.  It is a piece of the creator.  It is a baring of the soul.
Having said that, it truly hurts when some person comes along and has the gall to STEAL someone's work and use it as their own.  There are COPYRIGHT laws for a reason.
It saddens me to say that this happened to a wonderful digistamp designer, Chris Stern of CS Designs.  Last year a similar incident occurred to Bee.
Please read Chris' post.  Help prevent design theft.
Please give credit where it's due.  Don't be a party pooper and suck all the fun out of creating.
Take heart.
Namaste,
Mary

Who needs a sled when....

YOU HAVE A SHELL!!!

Ink, Recollections embellishments
Can you hear Tuttles screaming WEEEEEEE?!
You better slow down there buddy or you'll get a speeding ticket!

Another week, another Wicked Wednesday challenge!  This week's theme is Winter Fun.  Right away I thought about sledding.  My original idea with Happy Bunny got scrapped because no matter how many times I drew the sled, I wasn't feeling it.  So to heck with the sled and here's our turtle.
Just look at him!  He is so free spirited it should be illegal lol :)

Have a great week my friends!

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

UPDATE

Results are in!  I made TOP 3 this week!!!

There is beauty in simplicity



Musical Seahorse
Ink and pencil

It's time for another Wicked Wednesday challenge!  This week's theme: Black and White


My inspiration this week comes from music.  It is both spiritual and physical therapy for me.  My guitar instructor, Sal provides great support and motivation as I continue to maintain strength and agility.  Diana, my flute and piano instructor, is also a great source of motivation for me.  THANKS GUYS!!!!

For those who are not familiar with music theory, my seahorse is built with bass clefs and one treble clef for its body.  A whole note gives it sight. 
I hope you like this piece just as much as I enjoyed creating it.  Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

P.S. inserting shameless promotion here: check out Sal's music over at Mazzard Effect

Results are in!!!!

Hey there!
Can you believe it's been six weeks already since the start of Wicked Wednesday challenges?!  It just seemed like yesterday.  It's been a grueling two weeks, altogether physically, emotionally and spiritually challenging.  But, I made it through!  I started off today in THE MOST positive way.  I found out I was top three this week.  I still can't thank everyone enough for all their positive input.  Then, I had a totally awesome guitar lesson tonight.  I have a really cool and supportive teacher.  This is just the absolute perfect boost I needed.  But all this could not be possible if not for the wonderful people in my life.  Thank you.

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

Congratulations to Diana and Matt!

Hey there Diana!

Congratulations to you both.  I wish you love and happiness.

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

New friends at work

Matilda

Gertrude

The gossiping turkeys

So, here they are.  Aren't they cute?  I spent Sunday afternoon creating this pair of gobblers.  I made my own pattern for the turkey.  They are constructed of Bazzil cardstock.  The embellishments are from K Company and the paper flowers are from my stash.  I used foam adhesive to give the birds some dimension.

These turkeys will be gracing my office door for now.  Let's see what I come up with for Christmas!  Until then, stay well.

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

It's a beautiful Sunday....to make turkey?

Hey there!
Hope everyone remembered to set their clocks back an hour.  What a beautiful Sunday!  There is  a chill in the air, but the sun is out and shining bright.  That totally gets my creativity flowing.  Today I thought I'd give you a glimpse into my little creative corner.

Everything has its place...I got mad organizational skills!

I am currently assembling turkeys.  Yes.  Turkeys.  I am revisiting my paper piecing skills.  We are looking for a dimensional door sign for my office door.  Nothing like a burst of color to lighten things up at work.

In this picture you can see my under the sea mural and pictures of my favorite places I've visited. (in order from left to right)
1.  Sunset in San Diego (awesome trip with Betty)
2.  Golden Gate Bridge (awesome trip with Carol)
3. Church in New Orleans (threw a dart on the map and it landed in Louisiana.  So I went to the  Big Easy.  Yup. My travel plans are very well planned out..... :)  I like the total randomness of it all!  This was my first trip there.  I subsequently returned back on a different occasion for a conference.  I was truly blessed to have been able to enjoy the city pre-Katrina.

I heart my Sharpies!

Making the turkeys

There will be minimal drawing on this project.  Almost everything will be pieced together and layered for a dimensional effect.  Well, that's it for now.  Gonna go and make some more coffee and get back to work.  Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

Evergreen Farms

Hi there!
There was no sweet sunday morsel this weekend because I was out enjoying nature.  I went to Evergreen Farms in NJ.  It was asian pear picking time.  I ate a few right off the tree.  So sweet, so juicy!  Then I hopped on over to Philly to swim with some fish....

Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia

see the turtles...

and say hello to the penguins

Kissy face!

It was a good day!  Now I have new inspiration for more artwork.  Hope you had a great weekend too.

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo

A new recipe...

Help!

There was a sale on Sharpies at my art store.  Buy one, get one 50% off.  How could I resist?  So here's my Sharpie composition.

It seems that the chicken is a bit undercooked....
eh, what do I know? I'll stick with my veggies.

My inspiration for this: my guitar instructor makes chicken noises sometimes....


Peace and love
Mary xoxo

Taking a moment...

Midori sode to Fuafua

A lot has happened this week.  There were enough highs and lows to champion the best rollercoaster you can find and enough for me to take a moment and reflect on just how blessed I am.

Over the course of this week, 3 of my patients whom I've come to know well over the last 3 years have closed there eyes and moved on.  Granted I knew that they have ongoing health concerns, but they were just going about their lives and I just saw them a week ago.  And then, one after the other they left.

My boxing suffered this week.  My heart just wasn't in it.  Neither was my trainer's.  He lost a close family friend that morning.  She was on her way to work and passed away from a heart attack she sustained after being hit by another car.

These are stark reminders of just how short life can be.  But in that same week, Richie turned 2, Carolyn and Tray celebrated their 6th anniversary, and I had the best Saturday with Claudette.  Furthermore, I have many, many wonderful things to look forward to. 

One of them being my artwork.  I never know what's coming next.  Midori sode translates to green sleeves.  She is symbolic of Spring, a new beginning (I threw in the duck for good measure).  Each day is a blessing and another opportunity to savor Life.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Love like you mean it and laugh from the heart.

Peace and love,
Mary xoxo