Rainbirds is nominated for Fabric of The Week on Spoonflower

Rainbirds nominated as Fabric of the Week on Spoonflower! Vote NoW!

Wow! A phenomenal life-altering Inauguration and a nomination from Spoonflower! All in one day! Please vote! It's only this week so please go here and vote for Rainbirds it literally takes 2 seconds (I timed it)! If i win they will produce the fabric!

rainbirds fabric design by marisol diaz nominated for Fabric of the Week by Spoonflower - Please Vote Here!

In this collage I use the parasol as a symbol of bidding fairwell...though goodbye's can be somber and difficult aspects of our lives - they can also be releasing and un-inhibiting, as well as a form of independence. This is why I entitled the piece Rainbirds...the rain has set her free - flight - birds...freedom through goodbye

The Dwight-Englewood Schools tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. echoes Barack Obama's Inauguration!

The Dwight -Englewood School's Youtube Tribute To Martin Luther King Jr.

My coughing bouts are becoming less frequent, but I am still so exhausted and my diaphragm hurts! But I have so much to share with you all, I had to force myself to get on the computer and update this blog! Now I know MLK day has come and gone, but I believe this video is fitting for today's inauguration...since when Martin Luther King Jr. spoke one of his most famous speeches it was at the Lincoln Memorial which faces directly opposite The Mall where Mr. Barack Obama accepted his Presidency today. For a moment just imagine the past speaking to the present. Our collective responsibility towards freedom is not a new - but is a vital and true concept- how can we have forgotten? The Dwight-Englwood's Tribute to MLK and his day on this day!: (its only 7minutes and you'll need volume, and if you look real close you might see me!)

The Story:

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year a committee I am a part of was charged with running the school assembly. I felt strongly that there are such amazing parts of the 'I have a dream' speech that we never hear, instead we hear the 'I have a dream' line over and over. Our Committee met as committee's do- it was productive (dare I say, unlike most mtgs) and this is what happened:

The photography teacher (John McCabe) at the school in which I work (The Dwight-Englewood School)took an idea from the Spanish/Ethics teacher (Joseph Murphy), who is a co-member with me on the Cultural Diversity committee and brought it to life! The idea that Mr. Murphy pitched to the committee was to make a 'will. i. am' inspired video for MLK day, our committee said 'yeah! Lets make it happen', we all got to work with the logistics and John McCabe got to the real work! Here is the result - an amazing video that many of my students and I were a part of! Thanks John! Hope you enjoyed it's heartfelt, raw, and unnerving creative message.

Amarettogirl's Blog Awards!

Wishing You Some Winter Warmth a vector illo made to relearn Adobe Illustrator

January has been an especially challenging month. In fact, it is by far the hardest new year I have faced. On top of so many emotional losses both personal and at work, my cb (chronic bronchitis) has returned and taken its toll on me. However, I have been really fortunate this month to receive TWO blog awards by fellow bloggers that I truly admire! In addition, I have been spending some of my meditative time re-teaching myself vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator! So finally, here are the awards, the new nominees and some original, new, (and sadly rushed) vector art (ABOVE) for All of them from me!

Lovely Blog Award - Awarded to me by Vink @ As Minds Goes By- Millionminds ArtAs Mind Goes by - Millionminds Art has been nominated me for this "One Lovely Blog Award". Thank you so much to Vink!

The rules are that I have to nominate 7 lovely blogs that I love.....but before I do...

I was also nominated for this award by Sabine at CUTEBOO!

Award Este Blog awarded to me by Sabine at Cute Boo

The original authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming! These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that even more friendships are propagated. *(note to authors, original text shortened and edited by this blog owner for brevity.)

I appreciate a lovely, poignant, honest, creative and intriguing blog. Here are my nominees for both lovely and este blogs in NO particular order:

1.Elsita
2.Tizzalicious
3.Kawaii at Cuteboo (right back at you babe!)
4.Mousetales
5. One Red Robin
6.elfie & Me
7. Mamaliga

Inspiring Artist - P Brigitte Coovert

Ecila Glamor - Zombuki Pullip Photo Print For Sale on Etsy

In hunting down one of my new christmas presents (a new Pullip doll from Valley of the Dolls), my hub and I made a discovery - a new artist and what will be for many- a new medium- introducing ZOMBUKI's!

Artist Brigitte Coovert customizes Pullip, Dae and Blythe dolls to become what she playfully calls Zombuki's:

Zombuki, a combination of the words “zombie” and “kabuki,” was a term dreamed up with the help of a friend some time ago. Zombukis are meant to be a hybrid of many styles and cultures (the zombie itself being both alive and dead), able to embody many looks, to be chimeras of the doll world.

- P Brigitte Coovert

As soon as I discovered there was a book entitled Zombuki's Love You - I bought it! Especially since the dolls themselves, being original artist pieces and an investment, can be expensive.

Zombukis Love You -Hardcover Book

I was also thrilled to see that Ms. Coovert has a phenomenal Zombuki gallery page with stunning photography that MUST BE Seen by all so please click on GALLERY! If You Purchase a Zombuki through the Valley of the Doll site - Generally, a Zombuki will come with coordinated clothing and a plush/felt companion. She also has a beautiful Flickr Page in which she features Desktop Wallpaper Images FOR PERSONAL USE only - which I think is quite generous!!

Desktop Wallpaper (FlCKR)For Personal Use Only from and by P Brigitte Coovert

If You Want to Purchase an actual Zombuki doll go to: Valley of the Dolls
To see ALL the phenomenal pieces of art by Ms. Coovert go to: The Zombuki site
To read more about Ms. Coovert see her ABOUT page on her Blog: Unwed Human Female
To buy her other - uber-cute products go to: Ms. Coovert's Etsy shop- Zombuki's Love You

Happy Pills - Cupcakes, Dolls and Creating

Art - The Best Therapy

I have been struggling since Saturday with the loss of my beloved Maya. I have felt helpless, alone, isolated, misunderstood and I faced the world with futility. Somehow in my life it always comes back to art. Simply making has become the best drug available. Last night, I sat in my studio for the first time since the fatal vet visit and it was the first moment of lightness, hope and peace I have felt.

Cupcake sketches by marisol diaz cupcake sketch2 a page from my moleskineAnother page from my moleskine

watercolor sketchwatercolor sketch2A Dae (not Pullip) doll sketch A sketch on primed masonite to begin an oil paintingwatecolor sketch3 watercolor sketch4
So take it from me...there are no narcotics out there that can compete with a good 'ol night in the studio...if your blue - distract yourself with creating something that makes you smile and who knows you might make someone else smile too!

Maya-Lee Diaz Rest In Peace

Maya

Maya-Lee was born in Springfield, Ohio Nov. 17th 1993 - She came into my life in early 1994 She was 8 weeks old. Maya passed today Jan. 3rd 2009- She was 16 yrs. old. I am forever changed by today's experience, it was by far the hardest most emotionally brutal experience I have had to face in my adult life. I am finding it difficult to face my home and others. She was my husband's first dog and he was blessed to have spent close to half of her lifetime with her. When we bought our first home we knew that our yard would be both her ultimate and penultimate playground. She left two siblings behind, Chulo and Chica. her closest friends were Nugget and Tiger and I hope they remember her. She was in so much pain and I take comfort only in that she has begun the new year in peace - but the absence of her physically here is a pain that is inconsolable to me. My heart hurts and I don't know when I can return.

Last July I wrote this lengthy piece in Maya's voice about her life - you can read it here.

Maya Howling...

2009 is Coming! Etsy Seller Linkylove!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

While I was browsing through Etsy I found some sellers featuring some 2009 treats! Like these earrings handmade by Rikicraft that would be great to wear the month of January!2009 Earrings by Etsy Seller Riki Craft

I also found this whimsical calendar:

2009 Calendar by Etsy Seller BettyTurbo

Here is another Esty January 2009 treat:

Wall graphics on a laptop by Esty Seller by Lana Kole

Hope you enjoyed these Etsy Treats and that you have a Happy New year that brings you:
Health, Warmth, Love, Romance, Financial Security, Daily Joy, Environmental Balance and Political Peace. - luv Amarettogirl

Letters from Father Christmas

A Christmas Gift for the Young Souls in Our Lives

One of my Favorite Things- notice that my heading states 'young souls' not necessarily young people. My husband and I were in our early thirties when we discovered (or rediscovered) this incredible lesser known work by J.R.R. Tolkein (Yes, The Lord of the Rings author) entitled Letters From Father Christmas. In fact, it was December 23rd, 2003 at approx. 2:50pm when we came across a copy of the book in Borders (I found the receipt nestled in between the pages).

Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkein So for today's post (three days away from Christmas) I thought it would be great to share this extraordinary work with you. Tolkein wrote a letter under the guise of Father Christmas every year for his children. It would arrive in the mail with postage implying it had traveled from the North Pole. And if you're thinking well isn't that quaint, think again - these letters were incredible, masterfully created, down to the handwriting and fantastical events/ illustrations and the not-so mundane details of a daily life in the North Pole. If the Polar bear had to write in lieu of Father Christmas the handwriting was practically illegible and he spoke of how difficult it was to hold a writing instrument in a paw, and if it was shaky well you know how cold it is in the North Pole. However, the North Pole was no romanticized heaven here on earth for Tolkein, there were goblins and wars there too and daily trials and tribulations to speak of, from roofs caving in and the adventures of Ilbereth the elf (secretary to Father Christmas).A publication with pull-out letters Griffin & Sabine StyleVarious Postage Art from the Letters

My husband and I have no children and we fell in love with this publication and the magic of it. What an amazing world we live in that we could share in such a brilliant stroke of genius as these letters.

It all happened like this: one very windy day least November my hood blew off and went and stuck on the top of the North Pole. I told him not to, but the North Polar bear climbed up to the thin top to get it down- and he did. The pole broke in the middle and fell on the roof of my house, and the North Polar Bear fell through the hole and made it into the dining room with my hood over his nose, and all the snow fell off the roof into the house and melted and put out all the fires and ran down into the cellars, where I was collecting this year's presents, and the North Polar Bear's leg got broken.

-excerpt from Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkein

Mai Sweet Shop Treats Debut!

The Mai Sweet Shop debut and craft fair was a great success!!!

Mai Sweet Shop Craft fair table

During the D-E craft fair I was able to compete with the 'real' food (which is generally where people tend to gravitate towards) because the sweet cakes look SO edible.

Mai Sweet Shop Cake Containers and Candles

At first, I was so dissappointed that I wasn't able to make my open-skirt Marie Antoinette Doll as a table center piece, or make more of this and more of that- due to lack of time- but in the end there couldn't have been more, since the table was jammed-pack-full! I worked on products up until two hours before the fair! When I saw the table all laid out with Mai Sweet Shop stuff I was so happy and satisfied!

My student Isabella Whitney & the Mai Cupcakes I had a student who I mentor assist me and she rocked the fair! She even sold some of her own wares, you can check out her stuff on Etsy too under IsabellaWhitney!! Go Izzy girl! So people are still hunting me down and finding what I have left so my supply is practically all gone! By tomorrow I should know exactly what hasn't been staked out and claimed. What ever is left will surely be available in my Esty shop.

MAI rings!MAI Barrettes!MAI Whipped Cream & Cherry Rings!MAI Bags!MAI Hot Cocoa and Mellows Ring

Felt Ipod Touch Case! Gift Tutorial!

Complexity Level = SUPER EASY!!My Handmade Ipod Touch Felt Case I received an Ipod touch for my B'day this year from my best friend, my hub. So since I enjoy making custom fur coats for ipods, I thought I would make a case for this device. But this time I decided to use some awesome felt that I bought when I was in Munich, Germany last Spring. And for all of you crafters, I decided to photograph the process and make you all a tutorial so you can make your own felt ipod case!First cut your pieces of felt.Cut the window out by folding the fabricThe windowEmbroider The edges with a decorative edgeFollow the needle to learnPull the needle through the stitchThats the stitch!One More TimePull the needle thru the stitch Last Edging Stitch!Now Edge your Window!Now its time to do the cover!Pick another color to cut out a head The Girl needs hair!Start to stitch the hair down.Embroider a face.Choose a button and sew it on.Now sew on a scarf that wraps around the whole case to close at the button!

Congratulations You're done!!!