So Sophisticated

Some things just make your heart so happy it hurts. Ouch.

Dallas Doings

from the Rid himself:CONVULSE YOUR VOCAL NODES INTO SONIC SUBMISSION

from eleven to two

Drink Specials

ALL HAIL ZIGGY PRESLEY


from Kettle's myspace bulletin:
Kettle will be cooking for 2009. To kick this year off we're starting w/a neighborhood movie night that surely will kick ass. No cover charge and visual overload supreme.
Following this our next opening will be a one person show by original Kettle crew artist, Judith Lea Perkins, on Saturday 1/ 24.
Mark your calendars accordingly because both nights are not to be missed
So DO!

Free Love...Tuesdays?

Yeah, I know. Last year it was Free Love Fridays and it had a great ring to it. Alliteration. Awesome. But I'm being random and spontaneous the way I can be so today is Free Love Tuesdays without rhyme or reason or..alliteration.
I have neglected my etsy shop for awhile. I've been bad. It looks like the hurricane hit my little shack by the sea and only little remnants are left. Just a sign I was loved and bought from last year is all. Just more space for new things. But i peeked into that little magic section where people give you a heart if they like your shop and lo and behold...some freakin' unbelievable cuteness I swear!

CHRIS CREATURES

little lychee tree magnet


upset stomach magnet


peanut butter and jelly sandwich magnet

Crazy cute little woolen magnets are just the perfect thing to decorate your fridge with. I think the upset stomach magnet would serve as a good reminder that too many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will make for a tummy ache! Too cute, I love em, I love em!
Check out these cuties at ChrisCreatures shop on etsy:
ChrisCreatures

My Life Was Saved By Rock and Roll

photo by David Mausey http://www.mauseyfashion.com/
Does anyone know what a relief it is to release an album? Especially one that shoulda been done and gone like 3 years ago? Well, I can't wait to feel that relief and it's coming soon. We have about 2-3 more sessions at Hai-Tex studio, mixing down this 11 song monster (12 songs? maybe? hmm?)and then we'll be set to master and press. No foolin' this time, it's the really, real deal.
I'm working on artwork, photos, layout and schemes for the rest of the month. The only thing delaying this sucker is cash flow. Thanks economy!
Keep up on the release and future show dates here:
http://www.myspace.com/theshapes
The best thing about releasing this beast? Moving on with 2009 and new songs at long last. Yep!

The Lost Art of "Thank You"

Call me old fashioned but I believe in saying "thank you" when someone does something nice for me. In this day and age "thank you" notes seem outdated but it would be nice to bring back the lost art of thank you- even if it's verbal or a nice emailed message. (This works fine for me, email...less paper, less clutter...it's the thought that counts!)

A lady at work (who is not a close coworker) took the time to shoot some photos of my paintings while they were hanging up here at work. She developed them and gave me prints. I was so surprised and grateful! I had no idea she had done it. So for Christmas I made sure to pick up a little extra something to give her for the holidays to show my thanks. The art of showing thanks...we need to do it more often.

I think it is most important if you're giving a gift to a recipient and you can't be there directly to hand it to them. Then you have no idea if they even got it or appreciated it-if you never hear from them about it. A simple thanks, it really isn't that hard. I think I'm going to design some thank you cards this year, a reminder to myself to always thank the kindness of others in whatever little form it is shown.

Here are some excerpts I found online of interest... THANKS for reading! ;-)

"

When should I send a thank-you note?
Here are a few common occasions where a thank-you note is appropriate - an an example of when one is inappropriate.

Whenever you receive a gift, send a thank-you note. If someone sends you a gift (that's more than just a product promotion), this is a great opportunity for such a note. This is particularly true with Christmas and other personal gift-giving occasions, though for personal notes, you should use blank, hand-written notes.

Whenever you interview for a job, send a thank-you note. This is true whether or not the interview went well; in either event, you should show appreciation. Why? Even in the worst case scenario, it taught you some things about yourself.

Whenever someone does something for you that is helpful for either your personal or professional life, send a thank-you note. I find these are the most powerful ones in terms of building a network of people that you can regularly connect with. I'm not typically the most social person, so when I am able to make a significant contact with a person, I make sure to follow up, because those individuals may eventually become your co-workers, your clients, or potentially your friends.

Whenever you establish a new professional contact, send a thank-you note. This doesn't mean that you should send a note to every person that gives you a business card. Instead, wait for encounters that are actually meaningful. What I do is if I spent time interacting with someone and some genuinely fruitful ideas come out of the meeting, I'll take their card and jot down a quick note on the back as a reminder. Then, when I have a few moments, I take the cards with notes on the back and issue thank-you notes to those individuals, using the jotted note as a reminder.

Avoid sending thank-you notes to the same person more often than every six months. I've found that more often than this creates a sycophantic impression, which is a negative. One note is great; five notes is creepy.

In short, I'm a big believer in the power of the thank-you note. Time and time again, I come across individuals that I have thanked via note in the past and I'm already ahead because I have an established positive relationship with that person."

-http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/02/14/the-art-of-the-thank-you-note/

and this one is kinda long but kinda funny, enjoy:

"Question: I have a crushing inability to write proper thank-you notes. Can you offer me some guidelines? –Helen

Answer: I was wondering when you were going to ask that question, and frankly, I'm a little disappointed it took you so long. Somewhere in between your mom making you sit down with your Peanuts® stationery and you shooting off an email, you completely lost touch with the concept of simple thank-you notes. Now that you're a grown-up, an email just won't do, and more is expected of you than scratching out 'Thanks for the present, you rock!'

Grandma might not say anything to you, but trust me: She and her friends are probably at this very moment sighing over how young people today just don't have manners.

As extra motivation, I will also grudgingly tell you the hidden secret of thank-you notes: They improve the frequency and quality of the gifts you receive. People like being appreciated, and if they feel you actually notice the nice things they do for you, they're more likely to give an encore performance. Do not, however, use this as a strategy to avoid writing thank-yous to those who regularly give gifts you do not like. Every gift deserves a thank-you. Even the 'Keep On Truckin'' blacklight poster your crazy Uncle Alvarez gave you when you moved into the dorms.

I assure you, writing thank-yous is easier than you remember. Get yourself some stationery, plain note cards or a selection of attractive postcards (yes, postcards are perfectly acceptable!), and proper postage. Avoid the pre-inscribed 'Thank you!' cards in loopy script, as there are times you'll want to write notes where that aesthetic feels all wrong. Better to choose paper you like. Stay away from full-size sheets—note cards are best, as your message will be brief, and would look silly swimming around on a page that large. Store all of these items somewhere easily accessible and preferably in plain sight so you won't hesitate too long or forget too easily. Say, the top drawer of your desk or on a bookshelf at eye level or below.

If you want to know when you get a genuine pass on writing a note, the litmus test is simple: Do I live under the same roof as the giver? If the answer is 'yes,' you need not write a thank-you note (although a thank-you Post-It might be a nice touch).

I'm not going to go all Miss Manners on your ass and get into the social intricacies and delicate situations that surround thank-you note writing, as I was taught that a solid thank-you note will transcend all complicated situations—and I have seen no evidence to the contrary.

There is a six-point formula to the proper thank-you: Learn it, know it, memorize it—and it will never fail you.


1. Greet the Giver



Dear Aunt Sally,
That's the easy part, but you'd be surprised how many people forget it. Dale Carnegie taught us people love to hear their own names and Direct Marketing is sure we also love to read them in ink. That's right, ink. Blue-black is always the number-one choice, but black will suffice in a pinch. Don't let a whimsical marker color be the most stunning part of your note: instead let the words sing without the amplification of rainbow hues. Even if your handwriting is poor, you must still hand-write your notes. Do not type them or, worse, use a word processor. No excuses.


2. Express Your Gratitude



Thank you so much for the slippers.
This first paragraph seems like it would be the easiest, but it is actually the most complicated. Beware the just writing trap. You are not 'just writing to say' as in I am just writing to say; that's stating the obvious. If the giver is reading, clearly you have already written. Therefore use the present-perfect tense, which essentially means write as if whatever you say is happening in the moment.

Also—and this is important—never directly mention money. 'Thank you for the hundred bucks' could instead be 'Thank you for your generosity.' All cash denominations become 'your generosity' or 'your kindness.' If you feel the giver overspent, the farthest you can go is appreciated: 'Your generosity is appreciated,' or 'It is such an extravagant gift—your kindness is appreciated.'

If you're writing to thank someone for an intangible (such as them putting you up at their place while you were in town for the weekend), first define what the intangible thing is, and then make the gift sound as attractive as possible. In other words, don't say: 'Thanks for letting us crash at your place.' Instead say: 'Thank you for your hospitality.' Don't worry if it sounds too simple; the point of writing the note is to create a simple expression of a heartfelt sentiment.


3. Discuss Use



It gets very chilly here in the winter, so they will get a lot of use when winter comes.
Say something nice about the item and how you will use it. Let's say it's something you actually love and use incessantly—then say so: 'Ever since I got the slippers I have only taken them off to shower and go to work. I'd wear them to the office if I thought I could get away with it.'

But don't lie, even though some etiquette books may tell you it's okay. After all, there's always a truth that can be extracted. Let's say you hate the slippers. How to say thanks? Find the one thing about them that's nice and discuss it—but don't get carried away. 'They are such a lovely shade of blue' works, and is more honest than 'These slippers make my heart sing like a choir of angels,' which is overkill. If it was a gesture, like letting you stay at their place, you can follow the lines of 'It's so nice to make a personal connection while traveling. I really appreciated my time with your family.'

If the gift was cash, allude to how you will use the money, but do not itemize your planned purchases line by line, instead simply say: 'It will be a great help when we purchase our new home/toaster/lava lamp/whatever.'

You can get arty here, but not flowery. It's a fine line. Small, realistic statements like 'I put the flowers on the kitchen table and they are still looking fresh and beautiful after a week,' or 'I don't know which is more fun, actually using the Cuisinart, or reading recipes and thinking I could do that in the Cuisinart!' Having fun is alright, so have at it.


4. Mention the Past, Allude to the Future



It was great to see you at my birthday party, and I hope to see you at Dad's retirement in February.
Why did they give you the gift? What does it mean to your relationship with the giver? Let the giver know how they fit into the fabric of your life. If it's someone you see infrequently, say whatever you know: 'Mom tells me you're doing great at Stanford, and I hope we cross paths soon.' If it's someone you're in regular contact with: 'I'll call you soon, but I wanted to take time to say thanks.' If it's some errant family member you have little or no contact with, simply go with 'You are in my thoughts and I hope you are well.' Nice, right?


5. Grace



Thanks again for your gift.
It's not overkill to say thanks again. So say it.


6. Regards



Love,
Leslie
Simply wrap it up. Use whatever works for you: Love, Yours Truly, With Love. Then sign your name and you're done.


What's Not There

Any news about your life. This isn't the time to brag about your new job, a hot girlfriend, or number of surgeries. The thank-you is exclusively about thanking somebody for their kindness. While you may want more than anything to show them once and for all you amounted to something, this is not the forum. Save that for your annual Christmas letter.

Now get it in the mail. Even if your friends and relatives aren't of the note-writing variety, be the one who sets the precedent. Thank-you-note writing is one of the loveliest traditions to have been utterly compromised by the information age. Let's start a movement to revive a little gracious living."

-http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/how_to/how_to_write_a_thankyou_note.php

2009!

Here I be!
My move into the new hive caused this bee to go into nesting mode. I've been all about decluttering, purging, cleaning and organizing. I neglected my blog but I'm back! Of course all that stuff isn't done yet (will it ever be?) but I'm trying to find the balance in things. All work and no play will just make me tired and grumpy.
The holidays were sweet and mellow, like a fine honey...the way they should be. I got some nice little gifties for a few friends off etsy.com (go etsy!) and also at the Jingle Bash the Etsy Dallas team threw at Sons of Hermann Hall.
The holidays also left me with it's own present - a couple extra pounds- but I was expecting it.... almost anticipating it...Christmas stollen and Panettone (which I never tasted since my cats decided to throw it in the floor), chocolate covered gingerbread cookies, wines and fine cheeses and of course the uber-rich dinners. I'm not complaining, it was fine living for the taste buds but now it's time to pay the piper. I'm back at the gym with a renewed zest and Operation Bruce Lee resumes again! I got a neat-o Bruce Lee action figure for Christmas to help remind me about OBL.
My paintings are back home with me and it's nice to have them around so I can be inspired for the next canvas. I'm about 70% done with the one I was working on before I moved. I have it out in full view in my bedroom so I can see it all the time and let the creative process do it's little subconscious cooking on it. I plan to start on it as soon as I carve out a little creative room for me to work in.
I've been reading lately as well, something I had long neglected thinking I didn't have time for it. I'm reading Eugen Herrigel's "The Method of Zen". It's a little uphill reading for me and I fully intend to read it about 3 times to grasp all the concepts and then maybe read it another 3. It's a good challenge to my brain and I welcome reading his "Zen in the Art of Archery" next.
I saw a cool art show (still on view at the Dallas Museum of Art) called "Take Your Time". The artist is Olafur Eliasson and it really is a wonderful show that kinda defies my words. It is all light,color and intangibles, mist, shadows and perception. That truly is my best description of this installation artists exhibit. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be in Black and White definitely step through the multi faceted mirror tunnel and take a look yourself. Here's a photo I found on the web of the tunnel.

Ok, so we've gotten into the moving, holidays, my reading and art...all that's left to cover is my music. The album is in it's last stages of mixing! I go in the studio today to tweak all the little annoying things that irk me then we're laying a few little lush extras onto it and voila! I expect to start pressing in a few weeks. Not a bad way to start 2009, new album, new painting and a new zest for being where I am at the moment.
Happy New Year readers, hope this year is all you make of it!

Next Year...

I will be a better blogger. And you can throw rocks at my bees nest if I aren't! Happy New Year everyone!

Mmm, minty!

Thanks to Rich of HINT OF MINT for the nice plug about our shin-diggity-do tonight! Why I'm so excited about this one in particular? Oh....only because it's in my HOOD! Oak Cliff. Born and raised since '76. So throwing a Lolli in my hood is very special and because it's like 2 minutes commute time to my bed when the party is over! If you haven't been hipped to HINT OF MINT yet, go go go get fresh!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

and the party is gonna be hopping here:

America Recycles Day!

Tomorrow is America Recycles Day and for those of you in the Dallas area looking to get in on the recycling fun here is a link to all the info, locations and what you CAN and CAN'T bring to the roundup. Happy recycling- do something good for the planet!
http://www.dallascityhall.org/sanitation/pdf/trash_roundup_112008.pdf

Top of the Pops!

I'm still on the go-go kick and want to show you one of my fave vids. The lovely Pans People go go dancers doing CCR's Green River. Pans People were Top of The Pop stars and this is my FAVORITE go go routine ever! Enjoy!

Come all without, come all within

You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn!


Hope you guys can make it out to our next soiree! And to get you in the mood to make it, this videos gona show you how to shake it:

Drudge Worker by Day, Go Go Girl by Night

It's true. I have a makeup kit full of falsie lashes. A closet full of polyester everything and boots, boots, boots! I'm mad about the 60's style and go go dancing is fun! I'm talking about REAL go go in fun clothes, not what immediately pops up if you type the word "go go dancer" into your search engine. Ai ai ai! Not that at all!
As I get ready for yet another night of fun and frolic with The Lollipop Shoppe (which I dj at and organize) I can't help but groove out to some fun stuff on youtube to get me in gear. So I'll be spotlighting some of the gorgeous girls of Go Go here and I hope you have fun learning about go go and it's history...

first up....odd go go with Raquel Welch

Great to Bee Back

I'm hoooooome!
It's been a crazy, wild ride but now things are finally falling into place. I still don't have a studio set up though and that's my next big project. All my Sundays are now devoted to sitting in a recording studio working on the Shapes album. It's not as exciting as it sounds. It involves listening to the same song over and over for about an hour and a half and saying things like "make that louder", "bring that down in the mix", "cut that whole thing out", "what the hell was that?". Fun. But nevertheless I am a little excited to know that the completion is so close.
Obviously I now have DSL at home and am back on the blog! I have missed it a little. Especially showing off the lovely etsy finds. So much to catch up on but all in due time. It's great to bee back again!

New Hive!

This bee is finally all moved into her new hive! Excuse the absence from blogging, I am still not connected to my DSL so blogs have been scant. As has the time to blog. I didn't know how much stuff I had amassed in all the time I was living at my old hive. Oh. My. God. It was such a nightmare to move. I will have to catch everyone up on the new hive with pics - as soon as my DSL gets connected. Hopefully soon, till then...buzz on!

I feel loved

My friend Rich gave me a little blog love over at his new endeavor "Hint of Mint", cruise on over to his stylin' blog and read all about it. I really needed some love today, I'm moving, work is busy as all get out and everything feels like chaos right now. Thanks Rich! (waves!)
Hint of Mint

Sounds from Espionage Lodge

First 15 people at the Spy Night Party will get one of these limited edition cd's free!

Sounds From Espionage Lodge as complied by DJ Tigerbee(me!)



1.Theme From "Danger in Go-Go Boots" - Carlo Montez
2.Come Spy With Me - Smoky Robinson
3.Spybeat - Langhorns
4.Elevator Operator - Gene Clark
5.Devious Means - Thee Mighty Caesars
6.Guns Fever (Blam Blam Fever) - The Valentines
7.007 - Desmond Dekker
8.High Wire (Theme From "Danger Man") - The Bob Leaper Orchestra
9.James Bond Theme - Ray Barretto
10.Light My Fire - Erma Franklin
11.Hot Pants - The Tony Brans Band
12.Karma Sitar - 101 Strings
13.Tom Cat - Muddy Waters
14.Requiem Por Un Con - Serge Gainsbourg
15.Acka Raga - Shocking Blue
16. Le Blon - The City Of Westminster Strings Band
17.Bedazzled - Peter Cook & Dudley Moore
18.Haschish Party - Georges Garvarenz
19.Mission Impossible - Laika & The Cosmonauts
20.Rouge Rouge - Christie Luame
21.The Silencers - Patti Seymour
22.Run - Sandy Shaw
23.Theme from Dr.No - Playboys
24.Espionage - Los Straitjackets
25.Secret Agent Man - Muffinmates
26.Her Majesty's Secret Service - The Original Onions
27.Mystery! -????
(much thanks to DJ Bill Luther, Slab Bacon and Capn Groovy for delivering some of these cuts!)

Bizzzzzzy

It's a busy week in the hive this week! I'm moving into a new place and still have tons of packing to do! Hopefully I will be able to blog soon. Hot tea with honey would be good right now.

The Artwoods

The Artwoods do a fantastic smokin' version of this tune "I Take What I Want" as done by the Kinsey Report, Sam and Dave and Aretha Franklin,etc,etc. This song has has been covered so many times but this version stands out because of that awesome fuzzy guitar. Let's dance!

Early Bird gets the WORM

Flirt Buttons

Ah bribery! After filling my usual 5 feature quota this sneaky Flirt Buttons bribed me with one of her cute free gifts. But after peeking in her shop I see I didn't need to be bribed to feature her. SO MUCH CUTE STUFF! From buttons to pocket mirrors to bottle openers (like the white rabbit bottle opener featured above) and pendants like this cute little hedgie:

Theres just such an array of cute little gifts you will have fun sifting through the buttons.....ooh a gnome, a fancy owl and a cute bunny! Theres also some sweet Halloween pocket mirrors...go reflect on Flirt Buttons shop on etsy.com
p.s. if anyone loves me i think this little guy is rad:

Early Bird gets the WORM

Christie Cottage

Christie Cottage is filled to the brim with warm, traditional and fun knitted and crocheted coziness. If it can be sewn you will most likely find it here. I really like the fingerless glove and neck warmer sets and the lovely black scarf (pictured above) that is all hand knit.
Theres also some cute little cell phone cozies and personal pouches and what girl doesn't need these? What I really liked most about Christie Cottages shop is the underlying spirit of passing on handmade items. In her profile she writes "The simple things in life are best. They are easily afforded. And are by far the most appreciated." I think this is so sweet and something I keep in mind when I'm giving handmade gifts as well. Go get cozy over at Christie Cottage on etsy.com

Early Bird gets the WORM

Pony Pretties

Of course I'm a big BEE fan, can't you tell by the name of my blog? So I just had to spotlight this cute "pony pretty" from Pony Pretties shop. What's a pony pretty?
"Pony Pretties are elastic cords that are threaded with buttons and/or beads! A fun alternative to ribbons! These decorative designs are meant to go over a ponytail holder that is already in place!" Novel! And theres a whole bunch of assorted colors, themes and designs...even unicorns and christmas lights although I'm pretty partial to the peppermint twist. Must be the go go girl in me! Dress up your boring pony tail by swishing over to Pony Pretties on etsy.com

Early Bird gets the WORM

Monkey Threads
Decorating your walls has never been so fun! These are some well priced vinyl stick on decals and the assortment at Monkey Threads shop is great. I really like these skeleton keys and in the spirit of Halloween and of early birds theres a fantastic raven

I also really love the paper airplane decals and whats great about these is you can put them almost anywhere, mirrors, laptops, doors and dressers! The decals come in black, nut brown and white and add instant graphic gratification to your personal space. Check out the fun at Monkey Threads shop on etsy.com

Early Bird gets the WORM

Avocado Creations

This lovely Mod Orange Shopping Bag from Avocado Creations caught my eye. I am really loving the eco friendly mindset of everyone these days and the shopping bags on etsy are so much cooler than the ones they sell in the grocery store. I love taking bags like these to my local Farmers Market on the weekend and just filling them up with delicious local food. Good on the environment and good for helping out crafty artisans trying to make a living.
Avocado creations has an assortment of these delicious bags as well as some fun jewelry and wristlets. And I just love the care taken to give you something special- heres how your bag comes delivered
pretty with a bow!
Hit up Avocado Creations on etsy.com and say bye bye to plastic bags for good!

Early Bird gets the WORM- or Free Love Fridays the Saturday Morning Edition!

Vintage Vision

This week was so busy I had to push the Free Love Friday postings to this morning. But that's ok, because theres nothing more fun than reading blogs and drinking coffee in your pajamas, right?
Today I posted Early Bird Gets the Worm and 5 etsy early birds flew right in. The first of them was Vintage Vision who sells lovely vintage items, collectibles and figurines in her shop. I really like what it says on her shop announcement:
"My goal is to offer a variety of wonderful items in the shop from the past that can't be replaced with the new or modern item's of today."
I'm a big fan of vintage, the quality was much better and people just took more time on their craft in my opinion. In todays mass produced, quickly cranked out society I appreciate good craftmanship and attention to detail and quality. I really loved this little bone china owl in her shop and if you appreciate and collect vintage too then go visit her shop Vintage Vision on etsy.com

Productivity

For awhile now I've been putting off working on my newest painting. I kept telling myself I was just too tired after a grueling day of work to paint. Then a gallery contacted me wanting to see my stuff and I felt the pressure to finish this thing and quick! Most of my paintings are on view at various places right now so building up my portfolio of works is very important. I had to switch gears. I wasn't too tired to work. I was too lazy. So I traded in one hour each evening- tv time for painting. Now my painting is almost done. Although I'm not in quite the rush to finish it. Paintings can't be zipped out. At least not my paintings. You have to put your very best into each painting and grow with it so the next one will be better and so on and so forth. But it is very important not to defeat yourself and waste your time telling yourself that you CAN'T do something because you don't have time. The one person you should always make time for is YOU.

The Meaning of Washing Dishes

Whats funny about this to me is it reminded me what a little bullheaded kid I was. The first time my Dad asked me to wash dishes.....change "asked" to "told" rather, I cried. I burst into tears as if it was punishment. I washed dishes with tears streaming down my face I was so indignant. I was just a kid. I should be outside playing or watching tv I thought.
Then later as a teen I had joined a dojo for Aikido. What did they make us do after our training was over? We had to put the matts away and CLEAN the floor. I was so upset and thought it was so beneath me. Oh the teacher is just using us so they don't have to pay for a maintenance crew I thought.
Then if my boyfriend didn't wash dishes or help me clean I would get so peeved and tried to make him feel bad about not helping to keep the place clean.
But I noticed something very strange in my 30s. I...dare I say....liked? I kind of liked doing the dishes? I kind of liked doing the dishes, there...I said it. And what's even weirder, I felt kinda peaceful doing them. There was a pleasure in cleaning and purifying the dirtiness and making your little abode back into a proper temple. Order and not chaos. I can almost meditate while washing dishes. I definitely get into what is called "flow". It's the weirdest damn thing but it's true and now I truly laugh when I'm washing dishes and think of myself at 8 years old crying over the sink. Theres a lesson in washing dishes. If you think of what that is let me know. A friend of mine said the lesson is getting a dishwasher. Everyones got jokes.

I spy with my little eye

Lollipop Shoppe OCTOPUSSY SPY PARTY

We're throwing a sneaky spy party and everyones invited to the mission! DJ's PandaFlower and TigerBee will be on decks to supply you with an arsenal of suspiciously sexy tunes. Femme Fatales in go go boots THE LOLLI DOLLIES will seduce you onto the dance floor.


Come as your favorite spy, Bond character or the villain that you are! We'll be showing Octopussy and enjoying an explosive evening of dancing and drinks!
Get there early for dinner, stay for dancing and dessert!

My Little Woman in her Go Go Boots

DJ Tigerbee and the Lolli Dollies Go Go Dancers at the Dallas Museum of Art

This was a fun evening at the Dallas Museum of Art, I got to spin some swingin' 60's tunes while my go go dancers did their thing. I only wish it was a little brighter in there but I guess the Rauschenberg needed some dim time. I'll be posting more about the fabulous world of go go soon! (real retro go go...not nudie bar go go)

International PEACE DAY

Today is Peace Day and also a day of Cease Fire. It's a beautiful day! I urge you to visit this site and find out about Peace Day and how we observe it and what more you can do to bring peace to the world, there are events listed by location as well so you can participate with others to bring about peace.

http://internationaldayofpeace.org/

and this one too:

idpa.org

ReadyMade

I was a bad craftista and forgot to hip you to ReadyMade Magazine being at the DMA last night for crafty fun! But in case you didn't go and make a lamp with your own two hands you can still catch ReadyMade tonight as they'll be speaking at the museum about DIY culture and materials. Sounds right up my alley, I've been an avid reader of the magazine for a couple years now. And someday when I get some space I can actually try and make some of the fabulous projects that lie within it's pages. I remember a bike rack project that seemed doable.



A Conversation with Creators of ReadyMade Magazine: DIY Culture and Materials

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 9 p.m.

Where: Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), 1717 North Harwood Street, Dallas

Cost: $5 - $10

Join the creators and editors of ReadyMade Magazine as they discuss the creative reuse of materials from a do-it-yourself design perspective. This event is included in general admission to the Late Night at the Dallas Museum of Art. For more information call 214-922-1826 or visit DallasMuseumofArt.org.

Information from the venue.

Blog Love!

As I finish up my pre-emptive strike for Free Love Friday I want to direct you to a fellow etsy gals blog sheilascrafts.blogspot.com who also features other crafty artisans on her blog. This week I had to do a pre-emptive strike the day before because work is getting hectic and this was the only chance I got. Be sure to check out Sheilas blog so you can stay up to date with the new store she plans on opening which looks like some warm knit wonders are in the works! Her store (not yet open) will be here:
wrappedNwarmth

Free Love Friday!

Kreated By Karina

If theres such a thing as a bath junkie that would be me. Squeaky clean me. Soap fragrances are like candy flavors and I must know what each of them smell like. I was intrigued by this Bamboo and Teak soap featured in Karinas shop, of which she boasts "reminds me of staying in a log cabin...snow building up outside, and sitting around the fireplace sipping hot chocolate, or of freshly split wood...without the heaviness or smokiness of typical woodsy scents." Fabulous! I am so there and so cozy! And so clean! I might be snatching this up for me and my boyfriend since it's a unisex scent and the toasty holidays are just around the corner. Great array of bath soaps and lip balms at Kreated By Karina on etsy.com

Free Love Friday!

Maked

Of course the mod in me just loved this mod-tastic two tone ring. Yes, it's made out of a vintage button! Lovely assortment of rings, wristlets, jewelry and cozies here at Maked's shop. I really am a sucker for vintage buttons and this nouveau way to wear them and this is one of the better designs I've seen. Fun array of handmades over at Maked on etsy.com

Free Love Friday!

End Of March

Marie-Josée Létourneau paints some lovely pictures and then she makes prints of them and tells such sweet little stories with each one. This one is entitled "Jackalope Trapped". Don't you want to know the little story behind it? And also to behold the Unicorn girl? These whimsical sweet paintings are done in acrylic and marker and then printed for your personal collection. Visit End Of March on etsy.com

Free Love Friday!

Wear My Colors

The stores are stocked with candy corn and it's time to start thinking of that impossibly hard question we face every year. What'll I be for Halloween?! It's one of my favorite holidays. Everyones free to act like a kid and eat candy! Nom, nom, nom! Wear My Colors suggests you "ghost yourself" and wear one of their cute handmade polymer ghost pins. If you wear your love of the spooky season on your sleeve why don't you wear it on your shirt? Check out this shop for barettes, bracelets and pencil sharpener earrings! It doesn't get any sharper!
Wear My Colors on etsy.com

Free Love Friday! The Pre-emptive Strike!

Past Perfect

I'm a sucker for trains. The poetry of their history. The sound they make on a desolate evening. So I just had to spotlight these beautiful notecards from Past Perfects etsy shop. There are so many beautiful photo prints to choose from and lots of wonderful nature and flora pictures. If you're looking for some unique note or giftcards I would look into Past Perfect on etsy.com

Currents

In preparation of my move to a new place next month, which is just slightly bigger than "small", I am reading this fantastically bright little book. The new place is not quite medium and definitely not large. More like a supersized small- hold the fries.
I am already getting some great ideas on colors and how to place things so your rooms look much larger than they are. Who doesn't need this in their life?

Chain reaction

Here's why I can't concentrate on writing a blog. Something has set someones car alarm off, and it is honking away...which has caused the two little dogs next door to bark and yap...which has caused the dog next door to them to bark and now the neighbors are yelling at the dog (can't yell at a car I guess, not an empty one anyway) and all this was probably caused by something silly I imagine. Like maybe a squirrel jumped onto the car or maybe a kid rode past on his bike a little too close. Funny what little things can cause such chaos and chain reactions. And all that caused me to write a blog! What next?

The Hive Life

Bats Beware Box
Yesterday I was up bright and early working on two boxes. One was the Bat box (pictured above) and the other was the royal pain in the arse English Tea Time Box

I will have to take better photos of them at some point when the sun comes out. All weekend it's been Hurricane Ike and rain and grey, grey, grey.
It feels good to have some new stuff in my etsy shop at long last and it might be awhile before I get to do anything else as I'm packing up my hive to move. It's a daunting task. The only thing keeping me sane is the thought that I will have a nice new clutter free workspace for my art and crafting. It will be nothing like the little cramped cabinet/worktable crammed against laundry and two computers that I have now.
I'm even hoping for a trip to Ikea so I can pick out shelving for my supplies. Hooray!
But no more boxes and workspace for the rest of the month. It's pack up time.
Is it just me or does anyone else like looking at pictures of other artists workspaces? It kind of fascinates me and gives me ideas, I'm almost certain I should've gotten into interior design instead!

FREE LOVE FRIDAYS!

izzilizzi creations

See I told you Fall was coming! I even spotted a fat little acorn on the sidewalk this morning and soon the leaves will start to fall, watch! Fall is my season and so I was particularly fond of this sweet pendant in izzilizzi's shop. And her name is fun to say and it makes you think of the Beatles "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" tune, and now we're all in a tizzy! What I really like about izzilizzis shop is the assortment of small things. Little magnets, ornaments, pendants, etc. Good things come in small packages! Please check out izzilizzi's shop for a little of this and a little of that -as she says. ;-)

FREE LOVE FRIDAYS!

Venus In Furs

How could I resist, it's one of my favorite Velvet Underground songs EVER! Let's shine a little love light on this shop run by two twin sisters (sweet!) who make these sweet little plushies (pictured above) as well as some nifty little ipod cozies, pendants and wallets. They even have some vintage threads up for grab in their shop. I like the little purple plushie monster named Calvin, any relation to the purple people eater? Did he eat purple people or was he purple? One of the great mysteries of the world. Check out Venus In Furs cute shop on etsy.com

FREE LOVE FRIDAYS!

Crownofstorms Fine Art Photography

Oh my gosh it was so hard picking just one of the beautiful photos to show you here. Justines work ranges from lovely Nature shots, landscapes and architecture to some very sweet intimate animal shots like the one of her cat Hobbes (pictured above). It was hard to resist the baby kitten sweetness, it was cute overload! Her photos are very professional with a fine eye for details and lots of emotion. Please take a look at her lovely shop on etsy.com

FREE LOVE FRIDAYS!

LuvNknit
Nothing says Autumn is tumbling our way like warm sweaters, which is what draws me so much to LuvNknits sweet recycled purses. This one is a cable knit converted into one toasty little purse. I love the black bamboo handle and faux leather belt detailing. You can even request zippered pockets on purchasing! Does it get any better? Her store is stocked with all kinds and colors of cute hand knit knockouts. Check out LuvNknits shop on etsy.com. p.s. fall is just around the corner!

FREE LOVE FRIDAYS!

Nuyorican
It's another fancy installment of Free Love Fridays in which 5 new etsy artists and artisans will be revealed to you. Every Friday I go into Community Forum (promotion section, wink!) and ask for the first 5 people to step up and claim their 15 minutes of fame. It really isn't long before they are all snatched up. Today's first etsy artist is Nuyorican who makes these hot tamale votives. Sweet retro pinup gals adorn these vibrant votives along with ribbon and Swarovski crystals. Wonderful little gifts, I can already think of about 4 gals I know who would love to have these to hold their makeup brushes in.
Check out nuyorican on etsy.com.

Breaking Stereotypes

SANY2127
Originally uploaded by tigerbee

The cat is NOT out of the bag. Leave it to my cat to be the contrarian of all cats. For the record, my cats do not appreciate store bought toys. They do appreciate a good old fashioned paper bag, plastic bags (chew toy), scratching the hell out of my amplifier, scented pizza boxes (they think it's a special bed for them), bread ties ( I find them in their food dish mysteriously) and last but not least peppermint foot lotion. Yes, peppermint foot lotion. If I put any on they swarm me like a pack of piranhas at feeding time, it's like cat nip!
Pictured above: Poppy Cat looks on as Bell Cat shows her an impression of being some groceries

Inspiration Trees

SANY2161
Originally uploaded by tigerbee

Todays Inspiration of the Day....I call them inspiration trees because they make me want to paint. Most likely I will be using these photos in my next series of paintings. Ah the colors! Oh the strange organic shapes! Love, love, love it!