Frou-frou Friday and Pink Saturday... wow

Not sure if Frou-frou Friday is starting today or next Friday so thought I better Frou-Frou my PINK SATURDAY, thanks Beverly at How Sweet the Sound!  This is the room I stayed in while in Key West painting en plein air!  You know, my life altering experience, seriously.  I stayed at the Popular House which is painted PINK ON THE OUTSIDE!

I had the most WONDERFUL stay here - breakfast was unbelieveable.  The first morning, I believe it was Richard baked a double chocolate banana bundt cake as part of breakfast.  Each day we had an incredible desert with breakfast!  Jody owns the house, Liz (I hope I remember that right) was so sweet.  I would come back from painting on the streets - dejected because I wasn't good enough - she had kind encouraging words and hugs to push me onto the next day!  I believe it was Dave who also worked the front desk and got me where I needed to go.  I was a woman traveling alone and felt safe, secure and swallowed up by the atmosphere of the house!  The art was incredible and I hated to leave!

Soooooooooo, in honor of Connie's Frou-frou Friday - I have frou-frou'd my Pink!

I visited a couple of pink sites but have gotten everyone mixed up - journaling my blog hopping now so I can give appropriate recognition.  There isn't a bad visit on Beverly's list!!!

cheers! dana

In the works...

In an effort to focus and complete some projects I have made a to do list! Yet, again!  Currently researching my Practical Magic commitment... picked up the book and the movie to see which version I shall base my blog party on.  I know that I have not seen the movie but in starting the book, I am sure I read this years ago - this is a treasure though... I ordered the book on Barnes & Noble used books.  I got this well worn copy from the King County Library System AND IT IS SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR, Alice Hoffman.  I know I am meant to participate!
I am completing an ATC for my trade with Margaret at Alice and Camilla plus will need to get cracking on the dress challenge for August - hummmmmmmm, I think I might combine a Practical Magic piece with that!
I am continuing to follow  Peggy's Friday Foto Collage - as it makes me leave my comfort zone and stretch.  AND have added to Friday's, Connie's "Frou-frou Friday".  Connie is definitely a frou-frou gal, I, on the otherhand - not really.  But in an effort to add some ruffles to my life I am uncovering some frills to share!  My granddaughters love it and my daughter in law is cracking up over it!  PINK SATURDAYS with Beverly, A MUST, as I have meant sooooooo many new friends and great blogs!

This weekend also sending out the winnings from my last challenge, the stamps of the snail mail productions are back and ready to go out to Anna at Frosted Petunias and Barb.  Of course, I had to get some for Sinderella's Studio too!
Last, but definitely not least, continuing to work on some pieces for the 2nd annual Artist by the Lake gathering on September 12th!!!  Starting to get excited but really need to get to work!  Once this show is over, I truly plan on tackling my etsy shop.  I have had the shop ability for 2 years and have only put things on etsy a couple of times for a few short days, didn't really understand how to use it.  Still don't but I am getting so much better at understanding the computer workings since blogging.  So, will try again!
That's my update! oh, yes, I have to get ready to go to my "real-life" job too!
cheers, dana

My week in PINK...

There is nothing more wonderful than a Michigan Pink Morning Sunrise!!!  HAPPY PINK SATURDAY, thanks Beverly for hosting!   I LOVE SUMMER!!!  This summer has been great for sunrise watching, I get cold if below 70 outside soooooooooooo this steamy summer has been perfect in my eyes.  I am an early riser - first thing, grab a cup of coffee and sit outside to soak up the beginning of the day.  It has been awhile since the summer mornings have been warm enough for me to enjoy doing this.  I have a favorite window to sit in front of during the rest of the time (most of the time being here in Michigan).  What a way to start the day!  PERFECT.

I also have started working on some small pieces for my 2nd annual Artist by the Lake gathering!  Last August a group of artistic friends and I joined in my driveway and had an art show!!!  It was a great success and we have added a few more friends for this year.  Check out last years posting to see our fun!

A customer once shared with me a well known quote - which I had not heard (so much for well known).  At the time his comment made a huge impact as I was at a crossroads with making a career deicision.  His comment stayed with my on my trip to Key West to paint with Sanford Birdsey - a life changing experience, as you know if you have read about my trip.  Anyways, this little piece is a reflection of that statement.

Bloom where you are Planted.  Hope it pinks up your world as it does mine!

Happy Pink Saturday!!
cheers, dana

This week I pinked in on (peeked in on):

Debbie at http://thepaintsplash.blogspot.com/

Suzie at http://www.suziebuttoncreations.blogspot.com/

stop by and tell them I sent you!

You will love everyone on my sidebar, seriously!

My entry for #4 Friday Foto Collage...finally

This has really been a CHALLENGE (I'm shouting).  First my ink cartridges ran out, then the new ones wouldn't program - they were the new and improved for my printer, yeah right!  Then purchased the regular ones - had to call the help line to get everything going!  Okay ready - NOW - I try to use Peggy's techniques outlined in the challenge - I do not have a photo shop program soooooooooooooo - found out my printer won't print on transparencies - it does the adhesive backed type because it recognizes the backing paper BUT won't print on a clear transparency.  I proceeded in a different direction.

Printed my base picture - one I took of sunflowers (my favorite), in black and white.  Then I layed the transparency on top - painting one of the sunflowers with some acrylics but mainly gouache!!!  I found a beautiful moth to apply to the black and white - covered with gel medium and brayed down the painted transparency to the black & white photo.  Wah-lah!  Hope it still qualifies for the challenge.
It is always good to step outside of your comfort zone!  It helps us grow!
 Thanks Peggy!
cheers, dana
ps of course, I am having them printed as postcards and notecards - will be available at the 2nd annual Artist by the Lake gathering - September 12, 2010!!!

CHALLENGE WINNERS ARE...

Anna at Frosted Petunias and Barb Bryan!
I hope you had as much fun making your pieces as I did mine!  Please check your emails - I will be requesting shipping info!  You will be recieving postage stamps that ARE YOUR SNAIL MAIL reproduced! 

And, of course, my signature 64 box of crayola crayons!  What would the world be without crayons???
Thanks ladys' for your wonderful entries...let's check in again in August to see what challenge is next!
cheers, dana
visit http://frostedpetunias.blogspot.com/ - also check out here Practical Magic Blog Party!

my snail mail finished piece

The Snail Mail Challenge ends tonight at midnight so...I hope you have your entry done or just about done!  Please post a comment with a link so that I can view your entry or send to my email: sinderellastudio@yahoo.com

I completed my piece by lining the inside with handmade paper - then made the envelope out of the same paper.  Because the paper is so thin I actually took some lightweight fusible interfacing and ironed it onto the paper for the interior of the envelope. I found all kinds of instructions on envelope making - I did the simpliest one!  I then finished decorating - just a bit - and sprayed with fixative so that when used to mail - the writing won't go through onto the card!  If you haven't visited earlier - scroll down to see my snail mail piece in process. This was really fun for me - hope you enjoyed making your piece! 
Remember to send snail mail...make someone's day!!!

Thanks for joining me in this challenge! dana

MY PINKETTE'S WERE HERE FOR PINK SATURDAY!

Last Saturday was soooooooooo much fun.  I had 3 of the g-kids here.  Wow.   Anyways, Cloee (7) and Cameron (4) are two of our pinkette granddaughters.  Mason, our 11 month old g-boy, is maize and blue - pink would not work for him.  He watched and had fun too! They sat down with me and learned about PINK SATURDAY.  Of course, the girly girls that they are - LOVED IT!  So, not only did we go to the park and the lake and cook and make chocolate covered strawberries and ... and... and...

We did the dress challenge in PINK.  I showed them the dresses I have done for Margaret's Dress Challenge and -yes- they loved that too!  Here is their PINK SATURDAY project from last week!

                                                          

Cameron did her drawing and pink foam picture!  She picked out the poka dot background for her closet to hang up her special dress challenge project!

Cloee did a super pink fashion dress design on her posterboard and check out her pink dress for the challenge!  She said it was HOT - just like the weather!!!!

Again, super thanks to Beverly for hosting PINK SATURDAY!  Check out her daily postings - always a good message and feel good fun!

This week was busy, again, so only able to visit a couple PINK blogs!  I am addicted though - check out http://www.mermaidsofthelake.com/ and Denise at Couture de Papier - I want her dresses in my size!

I have also committed to enter my first party!  Anna at Frosted Petunias & Justina are hosting a Practical Magic Party - my brain is ticking!!!!

Monday is the deadline for the Snail Mail Challenge entries - please post a comment with your link to enter or send to my email: sinderellastudio@yahoo.com

cheers, dana