About Me

My photo
I've been an artist my whole life and have had so many exciting art related jobs, which makes me kinda of a jack of a bunch of trades. I'm also college grad with a BFA and went to the High School of Performing & Visual Arts here in Houston. Visit my shop at Etsy and I promise you'll most likely receive a Smile to take with you! I decided to mention that about 10 years ago I was on chemo for 2 years. The chemo worked, but left me with other Heath issues, such as a case of Fibro which left me with having to get disability.Sad news, since I had a great career, that I can not work anymore. With my Faith and determination, I am determined to still do my art. My art gives me inspiration and thank you God! Oh, and please follow my blog! I'd love to have yall join me in my show and tells and also would love to hear what yall have to show and tell!:)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Good + The Bad = LIFE




Hi Yall!
I didn't really go into it all as it's not really fun news or anything but my 2nd health issue was horribly painful at the hospital, but I think I'm ok, & there is only one more health issue to go, get through the procedure and then find out the results. This all is happening in one month along with 2 huge window acs breaking and major plumbing which cost way too much! I have to deal with a dispute with the plumbing too. Poor me! LOL!
Grrr...
But not all has been scary or bad news! I finished my 2nd collage called "Mermaid's Palace in the Sea" I don't know if that will be the name of it, but for now I suppose it will do! I used real driftwood I found at the Gulf, and had some big shells in my stash. The mermaid and fish & her top are made from clay and papermache along with her hair. Colored Tissue paper, paint, gorgeous purple beaded ribbon and hand beaded on the bottom. The top was a green ribbon with beads already on it. I covered the green ribbon with the beaded purple ribbon like on the bottom. Every single jewel, shell, pearl, etc. on the mermaid's body is glued on with super duper holding glue. It's very 3d although the pics don't show that as much. In fact the pics never does art justice. The stretched canvas is 11" by 14" and 11/16" deep. So wallah! I have my 2nd collage made!
Also, I entered a "one on one" Gift Swap on the Etsy Texas Crafters Team! No one knows who their handmade gift giver is! I know through e-mails the lady that I'm suppose to give a gift to and I know my whimsical items in my store will not be appreciated, so I thought to be on the safe side, possibly a landscape collage could be the answer, plus it will be so fun to do....I hope! :) That's all I can say about it as I think she is a follower of my blog. When that one is finished I'll be sure to take pictures of it. I did go out and buy some fun frills because I want it to be beautiful and I don't trust my own skills yet. In other words, I want her to love it!


Remember this 1st prize giveaway that I wrote about below from http://byrumart.blogspot.com/ ? Well I won it! It's so darling and framed in a clear beveled frame with moons and stars on it. I love it so much!!! I can't believe I won it!!! I wish yall could see the details! It has cats and fun witches and a huge tree house, very whimsical and so much fun!
Thank you so much Carrie!


I also won the drawing at Cottage Garden Studio I wanted to win, was the first prize but there was a secret prize given to the 175th follower and that was me! She also sent me a print of these fabulous owls! I still need to find a frame for each one of them. They too are so wonderful and very whimsical! Just what I wanted to add to my art collection!
Thank you so much Sarah!!!

I never did receive the Star Wars Mouse stickers from the "House of Mouse". They must have gotten lost in the mail. Oh well. All in all, I think my luck for these last couple of months has been really good! And the not so good luck, well....oh well! LIFE!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Special Souls will Never be Forgotten nor Lost


I just wanted to thank yall for all your kind words about Anthony. I won't go into details because it would take too long and it's a sad story. I did become even more enlightened through the pain, and even more spiritual. I felt God and his angels around me so strong, yall can not imagine. I became slightly more aware of miraculous spiritual things happen to me, if I told yall, you'd think I was crazy! I am at peace now, literally with the help of spiritual healing. I feel the presence of Anthony all the time and he comes to me in many ways. That is what got me through it. I can't explain it really. I could I guess, but it sounds kooky and you would just have to be there to know the feeling. I will tell yall one thing though, it always feels wonderful and I am left with a total serene feeling, at peace, truly loved. Everyone has their own special relationship with God. Mine may be totally different than yall's, but all I know for sure, is that there is something more than this life. Something more than we can understand. I would tell yall my philosophy, but that would be wrong to do that, as it would interfere with yall's beliefs.
I think about Ant every single day, but I have moved on and have lived my life and made the best of it. That is all you can do. Just remember, this life is not all that there is...think of it as school, and when it's our time to go "Home" we will be welcomed with all our loved ones, including our precious animal loves.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Diary Project 2010




I got the chance to add another page on the diary. The date is for my Mother's birthday. I tried to get one for my Dad's birthday but it was already taken.


The meaning of my 1st page is my fiance's Earth's birthday. He's in Heaven now but I never forget his birthday or him. He passed away by a drive by shooting from a very young gang in 1989 in LA & I was with him. He will always stay in my heart forever. This is also a tribute to his dad both being from England.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New Houston Etsy Treasury!

I just grabbed a new Houston Etsy Treasury!!! I hope yall will sign in, comment, and click on each shop to help promote our talented Houston artisans!!!
Thank you so much!
Linda :)
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=71505

Friday, July 17, 2009

Thank you Lynn for passing the award to Me!!


What great way to get to know people better. Http://LolaLynn.blogspot.com sent this to me and I wanted to share it to a few of my faves too! Lynn is the one that painted my darling Kitty in the City Aceo that I've written about below.

Friends Friday

"The Premio Meme Award didn't come with an explanation but I suspect its a tool to encourage us to share a bit about ourselves so that others will get to know us a little better. I'm game", says Lynn!

Now that I've accepted the award, I need to tell you 7 little known facts about myself, says ME!!!
1. My hobby: Creating art.
2. My favoite city to visit in the US: New York City
3. My favorite city to visit abroad: Rome
4. 2nd favorite city: Vancouver
5. I'd move to Hawaii or the Northwest Pacific. So beautiful!
6. I'm not sure what this question was, but I'll just tell yall that I love to travel so very much!!!
7. My favorite meal: Kentucky Fried Chicken, but I can not allow myself to have that very often!!! :)

And, as requested, I pass on this award to 4 other bloggers whose blogs I enjoy: Bellaviotta, The Trinket Trunk, Peggy's Place, Becky Brocato watercolor

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Just Trying a New Blog Traffic Solution

Add to Technorati Favoritesuk46"http://widgets.technorati.com/t.js

I have no idea what this means either. I was just experimenting on Etsy's advice on how to get more traffic to your blog and this was one of them and also this is what I had to do to be approved. I have no idea what I'm suppose to do now either! :)
Just an experiment yall!!!
Linda:)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Feels like my Birthday!!!


Hi Yall,
I just had to show yall all the wonderful special packages I got in my mail today!!! I don't know where to start out first so I just picked the Etsy Texas Crafters Swap I participated in. There were 27 people including me that got involved! I am really overwhelmed by this one because there were so many wonderful things! You can use these to help promote other artisans by adding little extras to the orders you get, send them in the mail to friends, give them out when you are in an art festivals, get to know new artists as well as one's you already know, be lured into buying from these shops, and the best part is to keep some of the goodies for yourself!!! :)


http://Peculiar Parchment.Etsy.com has 3 Etsy stores and a blog. I got on her mailing list and the other day she had a 10 hr. sale. You buy one and get one free! I went to all 3 of her stores and picked out of Peculiar Parchment some darling tags, and also purchased 2 sets of bracelets and earrings, so hardly spent any money at all and wallah....above is what I got!!! I love the fun beautiful jewelry and the tags are precious. I use them a lot for orders I get or making fun cards for friends and family. The one with the paw is 3d, which makes it extra cute! I love them all!


Oh...and how cute is this ACEO made from http://LolaLynn.Etsy.com! I have already framed it and took some pics of it, but decided to use Lola's pic because it was the best. How darling this is too! It even shimmers during the day and there is something very sentimental about kitties looking outside the window to me. I have another painting an Etsy gal made where a cat is looking outside the window. It just reminds me of Peanut's brother, Domino that went to Heaven when he was 11. The great thing too is that Lola gives 10% of her payment to Animal Charities! I love it Lola!!! :)


And last, but not least Kenzie received her new blanket from Peggy's Place Blog and she just LOVES it so much!!!
I have mentioned this before in an earlier post:
Go to this link below, but only if you are an animal lover!
http://asti009.blogspot.com/2009/07/hairy-blankets-for-donation-to-cb.html
Hairy Blankets for donation to CB


As you can see Kenzie was a bit leary at first about getting on the blanket, so she is easing herself onto it, little by little.


I think she was thinking..."Hey this is a toy!!!Cool!"


Now... what does she look like she's thinking? Wow, this is really comfy and soft Mom! Thank you so much......purrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I Found Another Fun Giveaway!


I am so delighted to go on people's blogs and find new artists to follow, as yall know I love to collect art & handmade pieces from living Artisans. Those that I admire of course! There is nothing better than handmade! I also love to share my artwork to people that like my art, but that's a different story. I have to also try to sell as well, but the best feeling is that something I handmade, always made from my heart, makes people that receive a piece happy! Every piece I make is like my child! My other passion is promoting other artists!
Well...I just found another giveaway on a site. She makes darling art and is a photographer as well, as far as I can see. I need to get to know her better, so I just now started following her!
Here is where you need to go to enter her contest and also this is what she says:
And by the way, the drawing I picked to show is the one I want to win the most! And there are other wonderful prizes as well!

As Promised..a Giveaway

http://rowenleaf.blogspot.com/

Soooo...finally here is the giveaway I promised. So I am giving a few things away this time, a mix of things really. You all know I have been playing with the photos, so I have added a couple here today and of course the artwork. This is my way of say a great big THANK YOU to all of my wonderful followers and welcoming some new folks I hope too!!
So here are the rules....comment on this post and tell me clearly that you want to be entered for one chance to win. For a second chance..post a link on your blog to this post & come back and let me know you have. I will randomly choose three winners on July 14th @ 9am PT. I will not count any comments after that point. I might throw in a surprise gift also - ya never know. I will post the winners and post a comment on their blogs - you will have 24 hours to respond. If you do not I will go on to the next person drawn. If you do not have a blog please leave me contact information on your comment. ***oop forgot....if you are not a follower you can get another chance if you would like to become a follower.**
Please go to her site by going to this link: http://rowenleaf.blogspot.com/

Friday, July 10, 2009

I'm Featured on the Etsy Blog for Texas!!!


I just had to say that, by a whim, I got featured on the Etsy Crafters Team's blog! I want yall to go check it out!!! I am so excited and just had to tell yall about it!
My itty bitty moment of fame & I wanted to invite yall to my little celebration in my head!
Just follow this link: http://etsytx.blogspot.com


Another exciting news is that I am getting this fabulous blanket from Peggy's that she made. I know my kitty, Kenzie is going to love it!!! And I will too!
Peggy's Place is her blog site and this is what she posted!

Thursday, July 9, 2009
Go to this link below, but only if you are an animal lover!
http://asti009.blogspot.com/2009/07/hairy-blankets-for-donation-to-cb.html
Hairy Blankets for donation to CB
If you've seen any of my Hairy Blankets and want one, I'll try to make one for you
with colors in my stash. I only ask you make a donation to the CB. The paypal button is on http://furriendsofcb.blogspot.com/
Email me if you are interested mar123 at gmail dot com.
Here's one that is finished. It's heavy, 4' x 2'. The yarn must have been thick. It's white hair with some black and tan.


When I get it I'll take a pic of Kenzie on it. It may be too hot right now, but I bet she will pose for me. You know how cats are!
Have a great weekend!
Time sure does seem to go by fast these days!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Ever Had one of Those Days?


This week I've been going through some scary stuff with my health, but so far....real good! The good news came yesterday!
And what made it the best day ever is that I received a package from Katie from Mishkat! She had sent me 2 collage books and that very same day I had gone to the bookstore and had browsed through the collage magazines...well mainly Somerset's one because I was looking up The Melange Blog's feature. I also noticed how very expensive the books were as well as the magazines! Now I have been given 2 collage books from Katie!!!! and she also gave me a gorgeous photo card of a yellow hibiscus, one of my favorite flowers and it was made by Lynn of Lola Lynn!!! I just bought the cutest little painting of a kitty from her shop, btw...http://LolaLynn.Etsy.com
She gives 10% of her earnings to animal charities & her shipping in the USA is free!
What a happy day!!!
Linda:D

Byrum Art's First Give Away!!


First Prize!!!


Byrum Art Give Away!!
Byrum Art is Having Their First Give Away!!!!!!
We want to thank all the people who follow us, support our art and have become our friends!


So here are the rules ....comment on this post and tell me clearly that you want to be entered for one chance to win. For a second chance..post a link on your blog to this post & come back and let me know you have. I will randomly choose three winners on July 18th @ noon Central Time. I will not count any comments after that point. I will post the winners and post a comment on their blogs - you will have 24 hours to respond. If you do not I will go on to the next person drawn. If you do not have a blog please leave me your contact information.
The first prize is a 4" by 6" Print in a glass frame with stars and moons 7 1/2" by 5 1/2" with our popular Haunted Tree House Print!
Second Prize!

Third Prize!


Visit their blog at:

http://byrumart.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A New Houston Treasury!!!

I just got a new Houston Treasury! Please log in, comment, and click on each shop to help support our fellow Houstonian Artisans!!! Yall will probably find a piece you can't resist! If not you will be going on a great ride!!! I just wish the Treasuries were much bigger! But I'm trying to support Houston Artisans in my Treasuries as a mission I've chosen! :)
Thanks so much!!!
Linda :D
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=69214

Friday, July 3, 2009

Thank you Mishkat!!!


http://mishkathryn.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july.html
If you click on the link above you will find a post Mishkat made about my Peanut kitty cards. What a sweetheart she is for doing that! Yall should then go check out her wonderful blog and become a follower. Her blog is all about her darling kitty cats, starring Franklin,Dobby, and Tasha! Her photos and stories about them are so much fun that if I get the chance I try to visit her blog everyday to see what her kitties are up to! I must mention that they are stars in the blog kitty world!!! :D


This next pic is the "true love of my life", Peanut, that lived to be 20 years old. She is also displayed as one of my very first posts that is on the bottom of this page. It tells her story! Practically every single painting I've done of her is a pose or what she actually would do! I keep her alive through my art. Every single piece I have made, including a couple of illustrated books about her are dedicated in memory of her. Such a sweet soul will never be forgotten.


This picture above is my darling kitty cat that I have now named Kenzie. She is also featured in one of my posts below. She's a rescue kitty like Peanut was, yet I got her when she was 9 years old. We have lived together for a bit over 1 year. She hated me at first, but now we love each other so much! I have tons of pics of her in her funny poses, but I am repeating this pic because it's the 4th of July and she is showing her patriotism by saluting the flag! Yes, I found that to be quite unusual & oh so smart, that a kitty cat would be so patriotic!!! :)
Happy 4th of July everybody!!!
Linda :)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Unclutter by Using a Quilt!


Do yall have a bunch of t-shirts that have special meaning but you never wear anymore? Tons of wasted space in your closet or drawers? Well, I did!!! All the swag I got from working on costumes with music celebrities...I had so many I never would wear nowadays. I also had messed up t-shirts, shirts, concert shirts I'd been to, along with plays, tourist t-shirts etc. that had darling pics on them that I never wear anymore. Well if you haven't already heard of this, a great way to save those precious memories without throwing them away is to cut out the pics on the shirts, etc...and hand sew them on a quilt. My quilt goes underneath a blanket so you can't see it, but you have a special keepsake! Fortunately a friend gave me an uglyish quilt that I could use and I have been filling it up on the front and back of the quilt for a few years now. That way you have your memories and the piece is a useful and cozy quilt!