Pure experimentation

This is my colorful outdoor workstation right by my deck. Everything at hand.

~ Bristol paper
~ spraypaint
~ stencils
~ a mask is a must!

sunny warm day (91 degrees)
always ready to play!
full of inspiration, creativity plus a big imagination = art and fun = BLISS

happy mermaid for sure ;-)
you gotta love this formula!

hugs,
Carmen

p.s. feeling inspired? yes! It makes me happy! Now, please know that this is the lovely woman and talented artist, teacher and author who has inspired me to experiment with these supplies, Click HERE to meet her (if you haven't)or perhaps to say hello?

Oregon is beautiful

Portland is my new favorite city!
I had a wonderful time, love their water, yummy! In almost every corner, they have a fountain water, it is the best water I 've ever had for sure, and then one more thing super amazing (at least to me) it was past nine and the sky was so blue! It was for sure super di duper to have witnessed this! Back home, In California, last night, it was dark by 8:30
After this lovely vacation, i have promised to myself to travel more, to have more road trips, and get to see new places. I want, I wish to see Seattle, WA next year, oh yes! I am going to see it, yes! ;-)
hugs,
Carmen

p.s. Powells books rocks! I came back with a suitcase full of books! Best prices and great finds! Yes!

California dreamin'

Wish you were here ;-)
Hugs,
Carmen

p.s. I can't wait to show you more pictures of this city (new to me) I am right now, it is beautiful too! One thing for sure, my eyes and heart are excited and joyful with all of this beauty.
And YES! I think that I may be having way too much wine these days! but heyy! I am here to enjoy, LOL
Cheers !

Wreck this journal

Write or draw with your left hand (me and my freckles, and of course, wearing a crown!



Trace your hand, or both hands! and rings and bracelets, too ;-)



Write one word over and over. HOME was my word, I wonder why?



Creating color themes with substances and some food



I really pretended here because I am not a phone person at all!



I have to admit, I became obssesed with four letter words, it took a couple of days to stop thinking of my words, yikes! and yes Zoom! is a four letter word with an exclamation point ;-) LOL



I decided to circle my most favorite words and underline my second favorite words, te-hee! All for fun!



This was fun!
Thank you for visiting my blog, come back again please!
Hugs,
Carmen

June 2009 wrap up

Wow! June was a very busy month for me, that’s for sure!

Still, I manage to do the things I love doing, like catching moments and pretty things with my camera, and painting, and collages and also I made some wearable altered art and got to sell a couple of them;-)

What else?
- My very first 40 yr old complete medical check up, that meant: my very first mammogram ( a post about this will be coming in next days)
- My daughter’s graduation and several celebrations including weekend sleepovers (and in the middle of the week too!), but finally, I think I will have this whole month of July for myself since my daughter has left to Boston for a nice vacation with her grandparents, yes, she is all yours guys, te-hee! (By the way, Hello L and D! LOL)

Also, this June, I accomplished my very first online art class and just yesterday I started a new one, how cool is this? No need to travel, affordable price and a great support and communication from the whole community of artists. Super! I am absoultely looking forward to keep taking more online classes, Yes!
I am also participating in the wreck this journal and the reaDRESSing the situation community.
I love being part of all of these events, to be part of a community! it gives me a great sense of contentment! and more important: to participate, give and receive feedback is awesome for my soul and spirit. It puts me in touch with the world, and help me to not just say but act ;-)

What books I read?
My sister’s keeper by Jodi Picoult (for the second time), the appeal by John Grisham, and oh the places you will go by Dr Seuss

Movies I watched, yes, the list is very loooong, I LOVE movies!

Rudo y Cursi
terminator salvation
the taking of pelham
x-men origins: wolverine
the international
what dreams may come
hi-fidelity
my super ex girlfriend
lords of dogtown
the devil wears prada
last chance Harvey
he is not that into you
hotel for dogs
A few good men
lakeview terrace
the good, the bad and the ugly
american history x

Now here it is my secret: bring scissors, and old magazines or junk mail and while you are with the movie (or perhaps inspired by it) start cutting images or words for future art projects or for your visual journal.
By then, this is what I do, this is part of how i enjoy my movie watching with the exception of the movie theater, too dark to do a thing but eating popcorn and soda, LOL ;-)

I have big plans for July and all I am wishing right now is for you to be part of my journey. How about you? What July may be bringing you? Vacations? LOL
Hugs,
Carmen

This is good ;-)

Well, did you see the first name mentioned in the very first picture?
That's my daughter's!
Did you see who is signing this academic recognition?
Yes, that's our President! Our Barack Obama! Viva!!! Yay! Yay!

And yays and vivas for my daughter!

I am so full of emotions, happiness and very proud of her!
Also, I wish to share that she has been accepted and soon will be attending a great and very well known school in the city. And that makes me very happy to know that all has been perfectly made for us. She made it. I made it!
We did it!

Well, these are my big news! What are yours? What you have been up to?
I hope you already entered in my give-a-way, if not, there is still time (sign in the post below, please).

Hugs,
Carmen

Important things in life ;-)

Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life.
-Brian Andreas

My important things in life right now are:

~ spending quality time with daughter
~ watching the grass grow under a very blue sky
~ eating the most delicious cherries ever, yum!!!
~ capturing fairies in jars
~ making pendants
~ and offer a give-a-way during a very enchanting tea party blog event going on now in bloglandia, yay!

Everyone is welcome to participate, just leave your name in the comment sections, that's all!
Wishing a good day to all!
And big Soul hugs to my friends,
Carmen

p.s. I will announce the winner sometime next Wednesday in this same post. Thank you! Now, I've gotta go back to discover what more is new, exciting and important ;-)

UPDATE:
Congratulations Shari!
I will be preparing a package of handmade and heartfelt (by a mermaid, that's me!) goodies, treasures and candy sometime this coming weekend. Please email me with your address.
Thank you everyone for your visit and for participating!
Thank you very much!

Collage Love

"From illusions"

"A chair for your thoughts"

"Blue garden fairy"

I am letting my soul speak. I am all into collage work these past days.

But! LOL But, there is a mixed media artwork getting ready to become a dress for a great cause along with a pendant and a couple of captured fairies in jars to be part of another magical blog event.
So stay in touch, and get ready to be part of all of this, please?
Hugs,
Carmen

Always seeking and growing

I don't know what I'm doing most of the time,
but that's ok because I have a lot of fun.
And, isn't that the great gift of art?
Always SEEKING,
Always GROWING, and
Always HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE.
-Tom Jensen

Acrylics and Collage on wood panel titled: "Singing in your heart I and II"
three sets of altered handmade (and heartfelt, too) Bracelets with fibers, tulle, and ribbons, and a captured mermaid in a jar

hugs, Carmen

p.s. Scarlet: Thank you for your phone call the other day, it was awesome to hear you talking and giggling! You made me smile big time. You are so kind and sweet! Call me anytime, let's laugh together again!

What I see

These purple blooming trees are called Jacaranda and they make me very happy to see them blooming and then I can't wait for July to see the new leaves dancing elegantly with the ocean breeze.

They bring me so many sweet childhood memories.
mmmmm...
Jacarandas are tropical trees can be found in Mexico, the Caribe, and Africa.
Can you see how wonderful their purple flowers go with the blue of the sky?

I am so lucky to be surrounded by these gorgeous trees which also happen to have the most enchanting fragance too.

hugs,
Carmen

Bliss

Search Video Codes

Please, click the arrow to play the video.

All I can say is yes, yes, yes! I can ab-SOUL-tely understand the bliss he is feeling, oh yes!

I can't wait to get home to let myself be, dance, play and paint!
hugs to you all!
Carmen

p.s. Do you feel the same way? If yes, then YAY for all of us!!!!
You can watch the video AGAIN, and dance, too, if you wish ;-)

The beauty of your dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
-Eleanor Roosevelt



How was your weekend? Mine was very nice, look at the picture below, my clothing tells it all! relaxfull, nice weather, fun, crafty and artsy, good food, lovely company, oh my! Perfect!!!

And oh! You have to see what I made! new mermaids dolls and cute bottles full of magical glittery mermaidish wishes! Yay!
I think sometime this week you will get to see them, and guess what? I am feeling like giving one away... LOL ;-)

So, how was your weekend?
hugs,
Carmen

p.s. acrylics and collage on 12 by 12 canvas

Wreck this journal

Soy sauce can be a great surprise, yes? ;-)



Ta-dah! LOL






you don't mind if they aren't looking like your regular perfect circle, right?




Thank you very much for visiting my blog, it was awesome to have so many new visitors last week!!! and please know that every one of your comments were very deeply appreciated by me! They were lovely!
Thank you again!
I am hoping you keep enjoying my experimentations and play but mostly I am hoping you get inspired and JOIN in the fun and dare to be an 8 yr old again ;-)

hugs,
Carmen

Wishcasting Wednesday

‘I do much better as a Goddess, she said, since my secretarial skills have always been limited.’
-Brian Andreas

This week, Jamie, our host for Wishcasting Wednesday has this wish prompt:

What do you wish for your body?

I wish for my body that no matter of all the biological age changes which by the way are starting to occur (or maybe I am just realizing about them more lately) that I try everyday to do my best to keep my body healthy, and aware! and stretch, and eat meals prepared by me from my own garden. All of these my intentions coming without any expectations and/or obsessions but only the need and desire to stay healthy and live longer. I also, wish to wake up happy and appreciate my breathing into a new day saying hello to myself and smile and give myself a compliment, and then to listen in order to expand my visions and mind to connect and touch others, and the earth and the sky, too!

I wish for a healthy body and a very healthy peaceful state of mind.
Yes!!!!
That’s what I want: I wish to age gracefully.

Now, I am going to ask you to join me by wishing from your heart:

As Carmen wishes for herself, so I wish for her also!

Thank you, thank you very much!
Hugs,
Carmen

p.s. Join us! This is good! Really really good! Click HERE

More play and experimentation

your turn! go, gather scraps of papers and some of your art supplies whatever you have, get messy, enjoy the moment, just follow your bliss and intuition, more important: let your inner child play to its heart content. Can you tell mine is happy ;-)
LOL
hugs,
Carmen

p.s. Collage and acrylics on three different mediums: canvas, watercolor paper and wood. It was fun!

My heart

I apologize, This isn't a great picture of my finished heart. I will try another one this afternoon.
For sure, I love the texture and colors.
I love to know of all the mix and experimentation involved in that piece!
of my joy, bliss and energy, too!
yay for me!
hugs,
Carmen

p.s. more hearts? yes? my collection HERE, how about some mermaid hearts too ;-)

Wreck this journal

I am a part of a new adventure! Yay!!
And guess what? A journal is involved, and I LOVE journals!
Evidence HERE, here, here, here, LOL ;-)
Yes, Journals is part of my me me me play time!

The next chapter, blog event hosted by talented, VERY creative, full of life and energy and very lovely: Jamie from starshyne productions!!! Yes and yays for Jamie!

And, wait, there is more, there will be lots of great company (click HERE if you wish to join, the more the merrier), some friends and new people to meet, yes, yes!

Well, let's wreck this journal!

The first instruction by Keri Smith, author of this book, is to start this venture by carrying this book everywhere I go.

Check!!! Challenge accepted! This is going to be fun fun fun!!!! Please JOIN US HERE, click the link, click the link!!

I know you will because you love fun and blissful things like I do ;-)
Hugs!
Carmen

WARNING:
Be ready for lots of super di duper extreme visual art and drawing and painting outside the lines involved, all caused by playful creativity and imagination. Also, Please know it is addictive.
Let's enjoy this journey! LOL

My simple pleasures

* giving names to my mixed media paintings and collages, oh yes!
* bbq and teriyaki flavors in my dinner
* wrapping a very special gift
* flip-flops and skirts, and pearls in my neck, too ;-)
* roses, roses, roses everywhere!
* the spider living in my kitchen sink, I really like her!
* my shiny happy city
* waiting for the arrival of this book
* the excitement of waiting, yes!


Hugs,
Carmen

p.s. What are yours? Did I say my cute (a little messy, only a little, LOL) mermaid studio is a big simple pleasure too? LOL ;-)

Wishcasting Wednesday

Once again, Life coach Jamie from starshyne productions, and host for Wishcasting Wednesday, and who passionately encourages us to believe that there is great power in wishing together and on being our own maker of magic, is asking every one of us:

What is your wish for June?

And I do want you to support me by leaving a comment saying:

“As Carmen wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.”
Please? Yes!!!

Okay, here it is what I want for this June:

Right here, right now, everything shines on me.
At this moment I have all that I need.

Courage, persistance, and passion are my flags.

Dear God, I have way too many dreams and wishes.
This very particular big DREAM is for our well-being. For our highest good.
You have been with us, and showed us the path.
Things needed to be this way in order for us, specifically me, to discover and rediscover love, faith, and hope.
To trust again. And see all of my potential.
Today, I surrender this dream to you (some concerns and my nervous heart, too) and ask you to fill me with peace and patience.

An offer will be submitted before the end of this week. I know it may take more than this June to hear the answer.
My wish is that everything goes smooth and gets accepted. Because I am so ready for this:
to establish roots and keep on creating the life I love.

And here, it is where I want all of you to say:

“As Carmen wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.”

Thank YOU !
Have a great Wishcasting Wednesday!
Hugs,
Carmen ;-)

p.s. If you wish, you can be part of this or support other participants HERE



“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” (cecil beaton)

May 2009 wrap up

My May was fabulous! full of excitement and happy things!

~ my daughter being honored for her academic achievements by the State, the mayor, the board, the soroptimist club, oh my! you bet! I was all choked up and almost to tears to see and be part of these ceremonies in her honor.

~ a very pretty black prom dress for me, (fun, fun, fun prom night!)

~ proud to say that I voted in some of the special elections for my state

~ and with all of this busyness, (or maybe because of all the beautiful things happening to me) at the same time, I had all the time of the world to relax and do nothing but enjoy every single moment every day of this month of May.

What else I did accomplished?
~ I played with my camera more.
~ I journaled, and painted.
~ I layed down for hours in the grass and on the beach admiring nature, the ocean, and the sunny sky.
~ I smiled and laughed a lot!

I read:
~ The housekeeper and the professor by Yoko Ogawa, and
~ Metal craft discovery workshop by Linda and Opie O'brian.

And these are the movies watched and enjoyed:
~ I am legend (very scary!)
~ star trek, fun!
~ the soloist, I love Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr
~ friends with money, okay.
~ as good as it gets, i can see this one over and over again!
~ casonova, mmm???...
~ election, adore this one! yay for Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick
~ And I finished watching Season 4 for House and the office on dvd.

I am so ready for June, are you? LOL
hugs,
Carmen

p.s. Did I say that one of my biggest dreams is shaping and coming along real good.
I am getting educated about it and at the same time, working super extra hard to make it happen ;-)

More May wrap us? Check L-L blog!