Thankful

To be honest, I am longing for the end of my workday to go home, yes, I am counting the hours, the minutes! to start enjoying my long THANKSGIVING weekend!!! Yay!!!

For me, These days, I mean, Thanksgiving Day is the official beginning of the most beautiful time of the year with my very favorite holidays to celebrate.

And I don’t want to be a loner at heart during these times. I want to be with family and friends! I want to be with all of you in spirit and heart! I want to hear laughs and talks, stories, lots and all kinds of them!

Yes! I am so looking forward to these coming holidays, oh yes! Life is good, a little different, and sometimes very hard for me nowadays but I am still the same person the one who enjoys American Thanksgiving Day and absolutely loves Christmastime!

I am looking forward to share and celebrate moments together, And hopefully I will be shopping for our Christmas tree sometime in the coming weeks, and some ornaments and lights, lots of lights to make my Christmas the most magical ever ;-)

For now, I am enjoying my Today as it is!
I started on Sunday planning my thanksgiving dinner menu, it is going to be a very simple one BUT I made sure to have a little extra, just enough to make something out of the leftovers for Friday when all I am planning is to wear pajamas all day, watch movies, eating and then eating again, maybe play some music and sip a hot mexican chocolate, or maybe wine, who knows! but for sure more eating and joy will be involved, LOL.

And while I am enjoying this life i have planned for the next coming days, I will also, from the bottom of my heart, I will be wishing for something different and beautiful to happen to me, oh yes! something very good is coming in my way ;-)

Have a most beautiful Thanksgiving day!
Give thanks!
Enjoy your family!
And let’s eat!!!
LOL
hugs and muaus to you all.
Love you!
God bless you and your lovely family.
Carmen

p.s. be thankful, And look forward to EVERYTHING. It is really that simple! I am smiling and blowing you a kiss. Happy Thanksgiving!

Round robin altered art book

My round robin altered art book is almost ready for you to see, It is very pink and with lots of mermaids, I wonder why? te-hee!!!

The last past days I have been working on the cover, and when that gets dry and finished, i will make a video for you to see every single page created by SIX beautiful talented participants bloggers artists and friends ;-)

My hope is that you get inspired and maybe, if you wish, we can all play a round robin altered art book or you can organized your own round robin on any medium.
I love books! that's why this was perfect for me ;-)

Please know that It is okay if it is your first time, It is not an expensive thing at all, You only need to be ready to play with an old book, glue, scissors, images and words from wherever you choose like a magazine or catalogs, postage money, enthusiasm, your inner 8 yr old, a sense of wonder, and last and very important to open your soul and heart.

That's all!!! easy peasy!

Believe me, almost every night before I go to bed I go and see and touch the pages of my altered art book, and I smiled big. I feel very happy to own a piece of my blogger friends heart in paper ;-)
Yes, it is a lot of fun, satisfaction, and absolutely there are lots of discovery and learning when you get to participate on this, and see what others did in your own book and guess what? it is all of yours, ART from talented people to keep forever, YAY!!!!

I leave you with these pages for now.
Hugs!!!
Carmen

p.s. If you wish to learn more about round robins, please click this link ;-)
And thank you very much for your comments and emails lovelies!

A digital voice recorder

The previous post was about sharing words, Today's is about sharing MY VOICE.
Te-hee!!! ;-)
Okay!
Well... when you get a very nice digital VOICE recorder in your hands, what do you do with it?
Play!!! play, play, play!
This can be connected directly into a pc to be download it but I decided to make it into a video, of course! for you (and me, too) to have even more fun ;-) or should I say embarrased myself? LOL
Yes! I had my fun, now it is your turn to have fun (and smile or laugh, that's ok) with my voice, te-hee!!!

What you are about to listen in the video It is me being VERY silly ;-)

Click the ARROW but I must tell you I sound a little too young-ish so it is not completely me (only the silly goofycakes part), at least I don't think so but then, a couple of my friends encouraged me to make this public, My daughter? she was embarrased, of course!
Well, have fun with my silliness!
Hugs!
Carmen

p.s. No, I am not planning on making anymore of this voices again, LOL

A day of sharing words

One day you finally knew what you had to do,

and began...
-Mary Oliver

and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.

for more shared words or if you wish sharing yours, please visit this lovely blog you will enjoy her art and life.

My perfect Mermaid quote

Yay!!!

LOL

BE MESSY!!!



Doesn't he have the best perfect quotes and teachings for any situation?
Okay yes that was mine! it was fun painting that seashell in order to justify this little revolution going on around my mermaid crafty artsy studio (okay yes you can call it a mess but say it in a sweet way) BUT I think if the Buddha could he will say the same: Be messy and follow your bliss, my bliss, and I can absolutely sense that he doesn't want me to worry about it, you know about "the mess"
te-hee ;-)

What are you doing this weekend? What are your plans? Me? I am doing nothing, i am just going to read in bed, eat pizza, and go spend some time by the ocean to watch the sunset, and that's all! Well... now that i am thinking, You know what? I am going to write about something (it's something good) going on in my head for the past days, yes, i will do that, too. And you can read it sometime soon. Also, you HAVE TO, LOL, you have to see the backgrounds i made last night, you have to! oh oh oh i am loving them too much, i think i won't collage them, I can NOT use them ever again, they are so pretty! Do I sound too silly and excited? well, i guess i am very pleased with them ;-) LOL

Have a nice safe weekend ;-)
LOL
Muchos MUCHOS hugs and muaus!

Where a mermaid creates

This past Monday, during my lunch time, I went to Border's and while browsing and checking around, I took a peek of the beautiful pages of this book I, also, check the pages of this magazine, too. And oh my! Candy for the eye!!!

And that's when I decided to show you where a mermaid creates and plays a couple of hours every night, part of her Saturday and, for sure all Sunday long ;-)

Well, here it is:
It is small, cozy and perfect for my needs! and it may look a little (only a little, LOL) messy but i work on several projects at the same time, so yes, I guess, I am showing you the real me, and actually I know where everything is and It is easily at my reach, too.
As you can see, It has all the stuff I visually enjoy, like my books (you may want to click the following links to see them), my mermaids, fairies and Angels, too. Also, you may see the work and gifts of some of you to me and some art prints bought in etsy.com from very well known bloggers and artists.

I love, love, LOVE My mermaid studio very much!

It is the space nowadays in my mermaid cottage I am very proud to show (and why not? to show off, too) to my friends and neighbors, where my daughter sits and talks to me every night, and where her friends have a good time touching and saying ohs and uhs, I have been told by them that It is a super cool place, so that makes me super cool, too ;-)

Well, Thank you for checking on me and reading my blog, and THANK YOU very much for your lovely comments. Yay! I am alive and loved!!!

And I am so glad showing you a very important part of my creative and full of freedom mermaid world.
My mermaid studio is the place where I think and ponder, I write and journal, I daydream, I play and create.
It is also, the place where I let go, and absolutely, yes, it is the place where I let myself be and become again and again...
Hugs,
Carmen

p.s. I just noticed I forgot to take a picture of my pc and printer and what's around it, raincheck for next time ;-) and yes, I do enjoy watching Hardball with Chris Matthews ;-)

I am I said

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this and that

I would like to tell you about my weekend and some dreams I had but i am still trying to figure everything out...
Don't get me wrong, It was good. Although, I have to admit to you that it was very emotional and tiring, too.
I need to start this week with something lighter, is that okay with you? How about a meme ;-) LOL
Memes make me feel like a teenager again ;-) and I got this from Lesley the funky art queen (couldn't find her link, sorry) and if you want, please consider yourself tagged! LOL

. What is your favorite scent for the home? Fall scents like cinnamon-apple-spice-pumpkin

. What is your favorite scent for you? Moonlight path by Bath and body

. What is your hobby? Crafts and art of all kinds

. Favorite color? Green

. A gift certificate from this place would be awesome: Amazon, Joann’s, and Michaels

. Purses: Huge,Large,Medium,Small, Tiny. Which? LARGE! I carry way too many things with me ;-)

. Favorite place to eat? any restaurant with quiet and nice atmosphere.

. Movies you would enjoy watching over and over? The English patient, enchanted, moonstruck, 13 going on 30

. Do you like pedicures? Well, I kind of yes but It tickles, hehehe

. Do you like facials? Love them!

. How about a massage? PLEASE!!!

. Style of art? Whimsical, abstract, lots of color, words, images

. Style of jewelry? I prefer silver colored and VERY unique, chunky stones, found objects, and preferebly with a nature theme.

. Do you like to read and if so what type of books? Fiction, contemporary is my favorite, and my poemcrazy book too ;-)

. You might as well go ahead and name that one big thing you want your hubby or sig other to get you? Well... that’s easy! A mac computer

. Something that would make you feel sexy and younger. A boob job!!! .....heehee. exercise/dance class, skin care, too.

. Favorite music? Right now, "Unknown legend" by Neil Young (it is the song you can hear in the background, I love that song!) and all songs by Van Morrison, and Joni Mitchell.

And that's it for now. I will see (read) you in your blog sometime soon ;-)
Hugs!
Carmen

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Express yourself

Express yourself! on any way you wish! I, for some reason have chosen an old book again to alter it. And I am not worried about any pattern or style to follow, I am just going to play, cutting and pasting, a doodle here, a doodle there, some color, and that's it! I am not worry about what this may look to others, this is just me, sensing whispers, or whatever tickles my soul, I am just letting my intuition leading the way, that's what I am doing, oh yes, letting it flow, just following my bliss, and while I am at it, I will be writing in my journal, too ;-)
Hugs to you all! Enjoy your day! Muau!!!! LOL
Carmen

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

Those who don't believe in MAGIC will never find it.
-Roald Dahl

I SEA Magic and lots of possibility in this beautiful pair of eyes. Also, this wonderful blue magic gives a new perspective and hope in my life.
My heart and soul shine in greens when I am home and I absolutely flow in purples making this and this, too.

How about you? Tell me about your magic and the beauty around you, what colors do you see it with?
I can't wait to hear from you, I am positive your life is full of colors, a rainbow! I love rainbows!

Hugs lovelies!
mermaid me

p.s. heyy! I have been blogging almost everyday!!! yahoo!!! LOL
the picture below is one of my biggest treasures I got, I am so glad I got this shot from this lovely dreamy place.

Mermaid in black

This mermaid agreed to model my pendants for free, and my hats, too ;-)
LOL
Yes, that's me!!!
A super model with flat feet, flat chest, and with a little extra meat in her waist and thights ;-) BUT with a very beautiful BIG lovely heart, well, she also has pretty full lips too and a long neck and that's good, LOL ;-)

Well, it is finally getting cold here. For the past two days, I have been looking for all of my black clothing, my sweaters, my hats, and now, as soon as I get home, I have to see where my scarves are! after seeing this west coast mermaid and this mermaid in the east coast, I can't wait to wear mine, too ;-)
Hugs and smile! I am thinking of all of you Today!
I am feeling great!
Carmen

Seven mermaids

These mermaids were made in three one-hour trips in the commuter train after I was off from work. They were eight of them but one of them is missing something and i am not quite sure what it is just yet.
For sure what I enjoyed the most was watercoloring them, and playing swirls with the gel pens, too ;-)

One more thing I wish to share with you Today. It is more personal.

On Sunday, I had this thing inside me, I felt a little sad and down, and, I really felt a need to talk to someone, share something with someone, and you know what was the thing I wanted to share?
my blog!!!

So, I asked one of my very dear friends if he wanted to see something, he said yes, and then I pointed to the pc and opened a tab with my blog on it, and oh my!!! he went very happy scrolling and reading and giving oohss and uuhhss, and he wanted right there in that minute to make me my own website!!! I guess that's how impressed he was with my blog, and guess what? that sadness and sensation of loneliness I was feeling suddenly was gone!
I guess seeing that enthusiasm and admiration made me feel better, it absolutely fed my ego ;-) and made me feel special, and so confident of my own beauty and talent.
Yes, I knew what I wanted, I wanted to feel good, loved and why not? I wanted someone telling me nice sweet words ;-)

Mermaids:
Don't be afraid to ask for what you need, don't be afraid to ask for reassurance or love! Be happy! Enjoy yourself! We deserve this and more!!!

We are Queens! Sea Queens ;-)

Decision 08

decision 08, originally uploaded by fresas rojas.

Vote!

Today go and do something very important: VOTE
Your vote your voice!


Why I am voting for Barack Obama, click HERE to read this very well written great post by one of my biggest inspirations in the blog world. She is one of my very first blogs I've ever read, yes she did inspire me to have my own blog.
Yay for my blog friend L-L!
And HERE it is another woman who inspires me: EB.
Yay for you all, too!
Now, please go and vote!
love, HOPE and light to you all,
Carmen

Dia de los muertos

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Are you ready to celebrate and dance?
It is Dia de los muertos!!!
It is all about fun and being playful!
Mariachis!
Music!
Food!
Mole and tamales!!!
Tequila!
Fiesta!!!
Yay!

The music and video you see is performed by beautiful Lila Downs, Mexican-American singer. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into native Mesoamerican music of the Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures. It absolutely makes me joyful (a couple of happy tears thinking of my family in Mexico, specially my grandmother, RIP.
You just saw my ALTAR, here it is my OFRENDA ;-)














Now, let's keep enjoying and dancing to this happy music! Yay!
Would you like some ponche, mole or sweet Mexican bread?

Tequila!!??

cerveza??!!

Mexican hot chocolate? Yummy! the best ever!!!

LOL
First, let's dance to Lila's rhythm of Mexican life!

As you all know, I choose this day of celebration to announce the winner of my give-a-way. I am so happy, you all wanted to win one of my mermaid pendants.
My daughter choose the WINNERSSS.
Yes, TWO Winners!!!
She couln't make up her mind and WE decided to have two winners. All of you are dear to me, always very kind and caring, so why not having two winners. My daughter and I love to break rules.

Here are the winners:

Shell!!!
and...
Amy!!!

Yay!!!
Congratulations!!!

and NOW ...

Let's keep having fun in the Dia de los muertos, and dancing! yay!
mermaid me ;-)
Carmen

p.s. Thank you for your visit and comments, Thank YOU!!! And let's braid our hair in the Mexican way ;-) LOL