more apc's..."Party Time" and "Italy"

"pray to Your Angel"
"under the Sea"
"sisters"

"Rosie"

"Holy" apc

An.....Thank-You so much for helping me with moon stars and paper...I appreciate it! and I APPRECIATE you!!!! AND I love you!!!!

apc movie classics from the 50's.
I remember seeing Creature from the Black Lagoon when I was a little girl and it scared me half to death! It's any wonder I still went in the water!

more art...this is a tag book with slide mount pictures inside...this one was done for a swap.
It is Friday already...and today it is supposed to be in the 90's...that is a welcome sight! I am still in the process of cleaning the art room...and did manage to finish two swaps yesterday...the "mini" atc's...and the altered postcards with the theme of Hollywood Classics of the 50's. I'm going to work on the "Harry Potter swap today...that should be interesting. I also have to scan lots and lots of pictures and name them along with resize them...so I am going to shoot for opening the blog (for the world to see) on Monday...can't make any promises..An is helping me work on the header...I'm not 100% satisfied with it..my friend Catherine told me about a new art technique that was fun!!! take white and colored tissue paper...put a plastic cover down on your kitchen counter..and lay a piece of white tissue on it...then start (at random) putting a colored piece on top of that...take a spray bottle ..and start wetting the tissue...all the colors bleed on to the white tissue and the effects are a pretty piece of "tie-dyed" tissue..these are nice for backgrounds or book covers etc. Time to feed the animals, they are yelling at me!!! This Friday...I wish for you lots of crazy wild creativity...and moments of serene peace!!!

Tony and Ty in San Francisco

Think about this on a HOT day!! Another awesome photo by Merry! Falls at Yosemite.

I can't resist these wonderful photos taken by Merry..here is another favorite of mine..
"Window Mystery"

"Do You Want to Dance"?
and
"Paris"

"Beauty No Doubt"...by Merry
I want to be here right now!!!!!!

"Coming Up Roses"

"Butterfly" more apc's.
Okay...today is the day to clean the art room...after a month of working on swaps and other projects the room is a mess...paper everywhere! I need to get started before the heat comes in....105 is the predicted high for today! I'm also going to practice with some alcohol inks, got a bunch for my birthday...and I'm antsy to try them.

Another one of Merry's photos...I love her work! Her link is under my favorite sites.

"Bike in River"
My cousin takes great photographs..this is just one of them...you'll be seeing alot more!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!!!
Yes....it is my birthday...and even though I can't believe that I'm the AGE that I am!!!...I am most GRATEFUL for so many many things!!!! Here are just a few...
1. I am grateful for my family...my sisters, my brother, my old sweet Dad,my handsome son,my precious grandchild, my friends who support me, and last but not least...my wonderful kind, caring, generous, beautiful MAN!!!!! I love each and every one of these people so very much!
2. My animals!!!! Toby is the best "little Noodle" ever!!! My cat is big, black, and fearless!!!!
3. My ART...without it...I can't even imagine!
4. My special friend "Katrine"...who lives in the Netherlands. She would be my daughter if I had one...and could pick!
5. I am most grateful for my LIFE!!!! I am a survivor of a brain tumor...each day is really a gift!
6. Thank-You!!! for all the blessings in my life! and Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Mermaid in watercolor..it's still really HOT!!

It is still so very hot here...I have been taking a small break from the computer... I have been going in the pool to cool off. I try to get some art projects done...but the going is slow...the art room is the warmest room in the house...by the time it's noon...it's almost too hot to go in it. Yesterday was a terrific mail day for me...my mailbox was literally crammed full of packages and envelopes...all art goodies and cards and letters...it was like Christmas in July...my friend wrote me a letter from France and it was so descriptive that I felt like I was there! I loved it! Having a full mailbox is one of life's pleasures!!! (long as it's not bills)! So...my wish for you today...is to have a mailbox...full of happy news and wonderful goodies...and things you love....

"Happy Birthday" to Ty...she is the BIG 8 today!!! Lots of LOVE from Mom-Mom Vicci

Master The Art
Harvest sunflower seeds.....
Start harvesting sunflower seeds when the flower's head "nods" downward with its weight. Gather the flower heads from the garden before birds eat them or the heads "shatter," scattering their seeds. Hang the seed-filled disks in a well-ventilated place to dry for several weeks. Drying helps bring out their nutty flavor. Rub the seeds off the head and store in a jar. If you prefer them roasted, place shells on a cookie sheet. Bake in a 200 degree oven for 10 minutes or until crisp.

It is just too hot!!!! Temps. have been in the 100's for days now...and no relief in sight! I try to get everything pretty much done early in the morning..and the HOT afternoons are spent going in and out of the pool. Little gets done in the art room because of the heat.....that makes me stress...the hair is constantly up off of the neck...and wearing as little as possible is a real trick! Went skinning dipping last night at 11pm..laid back in the water and looked at the stars..I told An that was one of my most favorite things to do...and it is!

Taken on a trip to San Diego, CA.

The winners of the Hand-Car pushing contest in California!!! My son...Tony (on the far right) is the National Champion in his division.

My 89 year old Dad....thinking about riding the quad...but none of us girls would let him!!! We are very protective!!

2 little "rag-muffins"
Larry Frank and
Vicci Ann in the 50's

atc's for a "Sister's" swap...speaking of sisters...I have 2 great sisters!! Tina and Button. I hope they can keep cool today...it's supposed to be 107!!!

My Mom and Dad at Coney Island in the 40's......

Summer..watercolor

Hey An...."I Love You"!!!!

"Summer Things"
I'd like to be skinny-dipping right now in a cool clear river...with waterfalls to splash in...and big flat rocks to sit on...and soak up the sun....and dream away the time....it's supposed to be 104 today!!!

This sure looks inviting on a HOT DAY like today!!! Supposed to be in the 100's!!
The little lake is across the road from where I live at Boeger Winery....

more apc's....
these little buggers are addicting!

"My Dream"

"Offering to Spring"

This is a birthday altered book that I made for my sister......speaking of birthdays...I have lots of birthdays this month! Looks like a very HOT week ahead.....I'll be up early to do chores and then in the late afternoon I'll be spending lots of time in the water!!! I'm also going to start posting my favorite books to read...maybe I'll do 1 or 2 every day...since the list is miles long! It's in to the art room to finish doing a slide swap...then start on some apc's.....

more atc's....
the 2nd from left
and the last one
are my grandaughter
Ty...she is so beautiful!

more atc's

Watercolor APC.

( I hope) this will be me today!!
Who am I kidding?????

"Petite Tarantelle"

bookmarks for Lenna's
swap.

ATC Dream Swap for Artella.

"Sweet William" from
the front yard.

altered page book for book of treasures...these are dried flowers from my front yard.

I'm back from the thrift store and it was a HUGE success! I found a roll of fabric wallpaper that is beautiful....a game with French cards in it...some rhinestones and rhinestone settings, an old game box that I can paint and collage,a very old timer with little numbers that are on hooks...(.50 cents), 13 old vintage Americana prints for a quarter a piece, 2 really nice new t-shirts, 2 brand spankin new swimsuits...all for the amazing price of 20.00!!!! It was 1/2 price day for clothes and that was an added bonus! I love finding cool stuff at the thrift store!

Paper bag book
for my friend
Catherine.

It's Friday!!!! I'm off to the thrift store today to see what goodies I can find to use in my art. Today I'm looking for old frames that I can redo..and always old books..old sewing supplies...patterns...old decks of cards and games...and whatever else strikes my fancy!

"Moondance"