The Flyer to My Opening This Weekend

My Flyer for the Azucarera Exhibit by m. diaz

Basically, I ran out of funds this time (go figure - for my first solo in a long while) and couldn't order a postcard so I had to resort to making a flyer. I like it though - hope you do to. Wish you could ALL come! My goal is to have images from the show available for sale as small prints on the SHOP NOW! button up on my top menu bar so if you love a design it is accessible and afforadable.

- Ciao Amarettogirl!

I WON!

I can't believe I won a GIVEAWAY Too! I know many of us like to go around saying that we never win anything, but seriously people the last thing I won was 10 years ago in Coney Island with one eye intensely focused on a scary clown's open mouth while I aimed and shot a stream of water from a pistol straight into it. The secret - strategy and a low number of competitors.

Actually come to think of it, I did get a stuffed pink animal from the claw machine two weeks ago with my mom (she's addicted to claw machines) but that doesn't count since the machine lets you play UNTIL you win.

But I digress, I won! And I did so on a day that I couldn't have been more tired, down and out, and just flat sad. Laura Belle is a full-time designer and maker from Minnesota. Her blog and shop is called OH HI! and she recently had a birthday giveaway- I had to write about my fave birthday gift. YAY! You can see that post here. The handmade piece I won from Laura Belle of OhHishop phot courtesy of OhHI!!

Next post I'll be showing you the flyer to this weekend's gallery opening, I ended up having too little funds to order a postcard this time around, and so I had to resort to making a flyer (old school).

- Ciao Amarettogirl

Hipstamatic

While over visiting Redstarink's blog and having some Easter Morn mimosa's with her yesterday, I was introduced to 21stcentury Hipstamatic images.

The Hipstamatic camera is a plastic toy camera produced during 1982-1984 by Bruce and Winston Dorbowski,two brothers that remind me of the clever entrepreneuring bros Fred and George Weasley of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

Well leave it to Iphone application designers to come up with an app that for me takes the cake on the best app totally worth the $1.99! The app comes with different lenses, film and even flashes like one called lemon pop!

The app website is wonderful too and they even host a monthly contest show in which you can win a $100 Itunes gift card! I think I want to enter but I might need your help on choosing which images fit the theme the best.

But for now here are my first test runs with my new Hipstamatic camera on the Iphone and glimpses of my Easter Sunday!

My first Hipstamatic photo by m. diaz

My baby Chica Hipstamatic photo by m.diaz

Spring has started photo by m.diaz

And the WINNER is...

WATCH THE VIDEO TO FIND OUT!!

Sorry about the low quality video but, Congrats to everyone and I will be doing MORE and EASIER giveaways soon - I'm thinking maybe once every other month! and If you are really sad...send me your snail mail address and I will send you a little drawing to make you smile :)) But only if you're really sad - cuz I'm a super duper busy person!;) XOXOOXOXO I can't believe I got that all done in an hour!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Happy Easter! And Another Special Delivery!

Easter Basket GIVEAWAY

Today will will be the end of our exchange via an Easter tradition that used to light up our days as little children, THE EASTER BASKET!
I did this giveaway in lieu of paying for advertising and in order to get to know my readers better, so your thoughtful comments were an essential entry rule.

How it will work:

• Comment for this post today with a NUMBER that you choose between 0-75 BEFORE Eastern Standard Time 9pm (and remember if you see someone else has chosen your number in the comments of this post - you should CHANGE your number becuase that number has laready been claimed).
• Check that you thoughtfully commented on every other post since the GIVEAWAY began and/or
• If you have a BLOG or WEBSITE link back to this GIVEAWAY with a post about it that you share a link to with me
• Be a follower of this blog
• Check BACK after EST 9pm to see WHO chose the WInning NUmber and wish them well!
• GOOD LUCK!

Now on to today's business - I received MY FIRST pen pal RESPONSE!!

My Unopened Package from Redstarink fresh from the mailbox

My Pen pal RedStarInk, who I am now a lifelong fan of, sent me a response to my cupcake illustrated letter.

At first I saw only the word 'Girl' through the tissue paper and I knew that Marcie of Redstarink had made a clever choice of a word for me. However I then peeled away the tissue paper to see just how brilliantly thoughtful that gift was.

All of my paper products are handmade. I design, print, and assemble each product myself. I strive to be as eco-friendly as possible, using recycled papers and packaging. I try to create my products in sizes that result in no wasted paper. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me. I enjoy meeting fellow Etsy artists and buyers.

-Redstarink's Etsy Shop

Marcie (of Redstarink) is a graphic designer with an indie printing business that produces functional work that has respect for typography, impeccable, clean, bold lines and a sharp aesthetic. If you ever need any functional paper products you know who to go to - she is fantastic- just look at this:

The opened package Marcie of RedstarInk at Work My gift wrapped in tissue paperMy beautiful Amarettogirl notebook by Redstarink

Update on Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 05:08PM by Amarettogirl

As of 9pm Eastern Standard Time the following numbers have been CLAIMED for the 9pm giveaway AND COMMENTING HAS BEEN DISABLED:

Lillian from Brazil- 8, Isabella-15,Hannah-12, BlueeyedNIghtowl-18, Salmezan-58, Colin-31, Patricia-22, Heidi- 14, Rina-27, Li Lian-24, Tital-64, Rena 33, Tai-23, Andrea-16, Lindz- 47 I will now go videotape a spinning of the bingo cage - It will take me some time to Post the video so that you can all see the WINNER!

Good luck!

Primitive Folk Art, Fruition and Furnishings @ 18th Century Furniture

I know we think the whole arts and crafts community has been 'Etsified'... but surprisingly some of it hasn't- which means you gotta do it the ol' fashioned way and go there to get it! So I thought I'd do a post where I bring it to you in hopes that one day you can make it there.

Manon VonUchtrup (Left) and Linda Gargano (Right)

Many people may not know I have a soft, mushy, heart spot for primitive, folk and country art. I guess moving out to bear country will do that to a person.

I've written about the wonderful arts and crafts community I found in Sugar Loaf, New York before (very close to Warwick NY great day trip from NYC).

Now I want to share a wonderful business collaboration that has just taken place between two of my all time FAVE Sugar Loaf business owners! Linda Gargano of Fruition and Manon Von Uchtrup from 18th Century Furniture and Builder- just think wood and fabric!

Aprons by Linda from Fruition available ONLY at 18th Century Furnishings and Builders in Sugar Loaf NY photo by m.diaz Prim Signs handmade by Manon VonUchtrup and she does CUSTOM! Housewares in an Antique Kitchen photo by m.diazHousewares from 18th Century Furnishings photo by m.diaz 18th Century Furniture and Builders owned by Peter and Manon VonUchtrup

All the wood furnishings you see in these pictures, in addition to the building itself was built by Woodworker Peter VonUchtrup! He is a phenomenal woodworker and like the Taj Majal, he built for love. He has equipped this space with all Manon's needs to make a bountiful, BEAUTIFUL space to sell her signs and fabric pieces as well that of others.

First Story of 18th Century Builders owned by Peter and Manon VonUchtrup of Sugar Loaf Handmade fabric crafts by Manon - most likely taught by Linda!

Recently Linda of fruition Dolls and gifts (a local SugarLoaf fabric design shop) was about to fold and close its doors.

Manon, I and others love Linda's fabric shop so much and we shuddered at the thought of losing Linda, her shop and her amazing sewing classes. So what happened?

Manon being the amazing and savvy business owner she is, decided wood is only a compliment to fabric. She altered her 18th Century shop to house all of Linda's ware's within it. In addition, she altered the second story to make a stunning spot within which Linda can continue to teach her sewing classes, which I am a die hard fan of.

Linda Gargano in front of the Quilt Chest at Manon's 18th Century Furnishings shop photo by m.diaz Handmade Primitive Folk Art Wares at 18th Century FurnishingsEntrance with Wood Furnishings and Linda's Bags photo by m.diaz Antique shoes at !8th Century Furnishings and Builders photo by m.diaz

Ok So now the next time your Antique loving heart says I want to take a drive out to the country and see some shops - Because of me- you know where to go! Sugar Loaf is an easy day trip from New York City. Both of these business owners do commission and custom if you are interested in doing a MAIL ORDER please click the links at the beginning of this post for their contact info and contact them via email or phone to place an order. But I have even one better for you- These lovely ladies will be at a craft fair in Vernon NJ in two weeks and I have all the info:

Saturday, April 17th from 10am - 4pm
at the Minerals Resort, 2 Chamonix Drive, Vernon NJ 07462

No worries -I haven't forgotten tomorrow is the GIVEAWAY - so get those comments posted, leave your emails/blog/website address and start thinking about that special number that you're going to comment about tomorrow BEFORE 9pm!!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

Bear in The Yard...Again

Spring has officially begun when the bears come out in our neighborhood.

Bear in the Yard! First of the Spring photo by m.diaz Oh oh its getting closer! photo by g. emery Woa! I think it Likes me! photo by g. emery See ya or So I thought...photo by g. emery

My hub thought the bear was gone as it walked behind the shed but when he peaked around the shed he was greeted by a big, fat, furry head and well lets just say there are no pics of that!! LOL!! We had to run over to the neighbors and start yelling 'BEAR' as they had small children outside playing. I love seeing these gentle giants up close but I fear and respect them too.

I worked tirelessly all last night and this morning on updating my website so that small prints of my art can be bought through my site. Hopefully I'll be posting about that soon (still not done)!

Ok folks, the GIVEAWAY will be in two days and your odds of winning have increased as those who couldn't comment on every post have fallen by the wayside! On April 4th hub and I will roll the bingo cage - YOU must comment on April 4th to the most recent post with a NUMBER between 1 - 75 (that's how high the bingo balls go!) The winner will be posted on April 5th!! It could be you! - Remember you won't be able to claim the prize if I have no EMAIL for you.

A Bear sighting is the mark of Spring for us... What's the personal mark of Spring's arrival in your case??

-Ciao Amarettogirl

New Art Pieces for Azucarera NYC

As promised I'm showing an update on the art work I've been making for the gallery show coming up on April 10th. The opening will be Saturday the 10th from 7-9pm.

For those of you who don't know what I'm working on, these pieces are exploring aspects of self and manifestations of the animalistic parts of our nature.

My newest piece detail shot in progress photo and art by marisol diaz New Painting by marisol diaz Pan detail new work by marisol diaz Black Leopard IN PROGRESS by marisol diaz foxhead phase 1 new art by marisol diaz Foxhead phase2 painting by marisol diazFoxhead detail painting and photo by marisol diaz

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Yesterday I took a break from painting, did some spring cleaning and had some friends come over for an Anti- Bahamas gathering. I received an AWESOME pen pal letter and gift in the mail that I will be sure to blog about this week.

The GIVEAWAY is only 4 days away!! So be sure you're up to date with all your commenting ;9

I'm also working on updating my website so that some of my art can be purchased as prints directly from here:)) Hopefully, there will soon be a SHOP NOW! button.

But right now the SUN is screaming my name so I'm off to absorb some of her healing rays!

Today's question - If you had to choose, what Animal do you associate yourself with??

-Ciao Amarettogirl