Hello

Here are two items I made for the Art Auction coming up May 1st. I have a couple more items I am making so be on the lookout for those and there is supposed to be a sneak peek at some of the other auction items coming soon. I'll post a photo here so you can see. This first image is an asymmetrical  necklace that was calling me to make it. As soon as I saw the focal piece I knew what I wanted to do with it. I almost want to keep this for myself. : ) There is mother of pearl, white and bluish purple fresh water pearls, copper beads, copper and brass chain links and a sweet little cross.

This bracelet feels like summer to me. I used some green and glass leaf and flower beads mixed with silver flowers and leaves. I really like how it turned out. It also is asymmetrical.
I was off today and I am off tomorrow too. It felt so good to sleep in. The last couple of weeks have been so busy. Do you ever wish you could just say, today I am going on vacation and I'll be back in a week or so. But no we have to plan ahead and request the time off and la ti da. Oh well...such is life.

Happy Easter Friends!

This beautiful Panoramic Sugar Easter Egg reminded me of the ones my grandmother made every year for us kids. We did not eat them but we admired the scenes inside and the fancy icing decorations on the outside. She was a very creative lady. I remember one Easter April 6th, it snowed in Missouri and we had to go our and hunt for eggs in the snow. Now mind you I was only 6. So there we are all bundled up like the child on A Christmas Story and searching for eggs. Some sense of humor our parents had, huh?. One year my grandparents neighbors rang the doorbell and when us kids went to open it there were Easter baskets left for us from the "Easter Bunny" with a trail of grass along the walkway.
 I worked today until 5:30p but wanted to pop in to say hello and wish you all a Happy Easter. Do you have
any fond childhood memories of Easter? Please share.
XO,
Tammy

Art Challenge "Angels"

This weeks Art Challenge prompt is "Angels" at Inspiration Avenue's blog. Click the link to see what it's all about. It's fun and you get a chance to win the monthly prize when you participate. I have to figure out what to do. hmmm...ideas keep popping into my mind. Do I paint? Make something mixed-media? Decisions, decisions.

 

Live Oak trees are all over where I live and it delights me to see these lovely hundreds of year old trees draping acorss  pathways, and roads. They are always draped in Spanish Moss. It seems so enchanting to walk amongst them. Here is one legend of the Spanish Moss and where it comes from.
Legend of the Spanish Moss (1)

Part of Louisiana’s spice is the folklore of our culture. One legend describes how Spanish Moss became so common in our region. According to the legend, an Indian brave and princess lived on the banks of the bayou. When the princess died, she was buried at the base of a live oak tree. The grieving brave hung her long black braids on the tree limb to mark her grave. With time, the braids turned grey and the wind carried the strands from tree to tree. All the trees weep to this day – all the way to the Gulf.

Isn't that a fun folk tale. So romantic. 
Hugs to all of you! Happy Creating.
Tammy

Art Auction!!

Hi everyone! I have something wonderful to share with you today. There is going to be an Art Auction May 1st-7th at Inspiration Avenue!! A group of artists from all over the world will be donating a piece of art to benefit a wonderful organization called Angel Faces. The artists will pay for shipping too so 100% of the auction proceeds will go to this organization. Last year we raised $500. and this year we would love to be able to double that. So if you are interested please stop by and bid or as a bonus maybe you would consider  donating a piece of art for this great organization. Please email me at tlsprinkle@yahoo.com, if you'd like more info. I can tell you how easy it is. Or you can click on the button in my sidebar to find out more.

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A little bit about Angel Faces:
There is this awesome group of individuals that volunteer at a 5 day retreat for young ladies whom have had severe facial disfigurements from fires. The founder of Angel Faces , Leisa Cartelli is a burn victim herself, having endured a gas explosion at age 9. She decided she wanted to help young ladies who have suffered the same experiences. She wanted this retreat to be a place that would give these girls the the life skills they will need.

These girls are treated to therapy sessions, (Art Therapy being one of them) to teach them how to deal with being ostracized, stigmatized and just trying to "fit in".  These girls are given life tools to help them deal with the grief and trauma that they face.  They are given haircuts and makeup lessons to help them to buld up their self confidence. They get to experience calming exercises, fun activities, and are surrounded by others just like themselves. Can you tell I am excited about this??? Remember how we felt as adolescents and think about having severe facial and body disfigurement on top of that and you begin to scratch the surface of what these girls experience on a day to day basis. Their self esteem is shot. Most of these girls feel broken when they arrive at the retreat having endured staring, rude remarks and questions, and a lack of self esteem. This retreat gives them a chance to feel normal, to not be judged, to learn tools and coping techniques. The volunteer staff does an amazing job. The girls photos, stories and letters are on the Angel Faces website. Click on Angel Faces to go there and see for yourself what a wonderful retreat this is for these young ladies. Thank you all for reading this and please consider helping in some way.

Jack of Hearts and Colors of the Caribbean

This first ATC was for a swap that you had to transform a playing card and leave a bit of the original card exposed.I chose to do Jack of Hearts because Mr. Sprinkle is Jack and he has my heart. : )

 

This second ATC was created for a swap called Colors of the Caribbean. The photo does not show all of the textures or layering very well. Oh well, I was in a hurry to post it so I grabbed my camera and shot these tossed them into the envelopes and ran to the mailbox trying to make it before the postman left. So silly. I forget to take pictures of the things I create and send out all the time. Usually it is already packaged up or sent before I have that hindsight thingy happen. I'll blame it on my age. Since I hit 40, my near sightedness has wavered and my mind has these small memory lapses. Some call this meditating when they can clear their mind, but what do you call it when you are not even trying?