Peace, Love and Paws

Like most of us, we all love animals. I have had two dogs to personally call my own. My first, a Westie name Abbey Road, but sadly passed away before her first birthday.

My second dog, a Dachshund/Chihuahua I found in the middle of the highway on Thanksgiving evening a few years ago. She had no collar or identification. My mom and I had just left my grandparents thanksgiving dinner and I spotted her sitting in the left turn lane at a red light. Of course I jumped out of the car leaving my mom, her dog, turkey and pumpkin pie behind.

After a long pursuit across four dark lanes of traffic, I finally was able to reach her. We knew the shelter was closed for the holiday, so I begged my mom to take her home for safe keeping until we could locate the owner.

She is the cutest darn dog. She straight down the middle with Dachshund/Chihuahua features. A long body, low to the ground with giant ears that stick straight up 9" tip to tip.

(This is her in one of her many funny t-shirts I buy her.)

She came into our lives the night before my mom was about to start radiation treatment for a second brain tumor. She was a sweet distraction to us while we tried to find the owner. My mom thought she looked like the Taco Bell dog, but I said “No mom, she is a girl, she is Taco Bella.”

After weeks of putting up posters and having the vet check for a micro chip, she became ours. Of course we had to keep the name Bella, but added Felice after it which means “lucky you” in Italian. So basically I ended up with a Mexican/German dog with an Italian name. You gotta love the cards life deals you at the moment you need them.

Featured Artist: ILLUSTRATED INK - Wicked Art From the Heart

Today I came across a great Etsy artist that I had to feature, ILLUSTRATED INK. This shop really caught my eye. Illustrated Ink combines old school flash tattoo art and Day of the Dead to make some really unique items. Plus, she has a ton of mermaid stuff that makes me want to snatch them all up for myself.

This cute mermaid print is Illustrated Inks version of the Mexican loteria card but with a Day of the Dead twist called La Sirena.

I love how the colors are so bold and really stand out. The print measures 8.5” x 11”, perfect to frame for a bedroom or kitchen.

I have a thing for reading books at the gym, but I always use an old receipt or once a prescription card as a book mark. I know, I know…. that is not very wise of me. But I totally would change my ways on these adorable Old School Mermaid bookmarks.

They stand 5” tall and are laminated with a deep purple ribbon. There is no way I will lose my place in my book with these sexy but tough mermaids!

If anyone has been to my apartment, there is more stuff stuck to the outside of my fridge than in the inside. I don’t cook for anything! But I love to have pictures and mementos pasted all over the front of my fridge. These Nautical Journey Magnet sets would be a nice addition to my collection.

You can pick out any four magnets and Illustrated Ink will even gift wrap it for you with a card upon request! What a great housewarming gift – if you can bare to give them up.

All in all, Illustrated Ink has some fantastic stuff and she is the seller to watch. I know I will! Check out her Etsy page at www. illustratedink.etsy.com or her blog at www.illustratedink.blogspot.com

DIY Wall Decals

Many of us 20 something’s out there live in apartments. And many of those 20’s something’s have landlords that won’t let them paint the walls, even with a lease. When I moved into my first apartment this last year, the white walls were driving me INSANE. I really liked the idea of removable wall decals, but they are so expensive for anything bigger than four inches. I really wanted something to cover a large part of my wall but didn’t want to break the bank.

(Before)

(After)

So I turned to contact paper. Yup! That stuff your grandmother uses to line her kitchen cupboards. It is super thin, easy to cut and the best part – cheap! They come in tons of different colors and textures. I wanted black contact paper for my design so I found a huge roll of contact paper on Amazon.com for around $30 with shipping. It gave me plenty of paper to experiment with and use in other rooms. But you can find contact paper at any art or hardware supply store in smaller rolls if you want to go even cheaper and don’t want to wait for shipping. Contact paper will work on smooth and textured surfaces. However, it won’t work on popcorn style walls and ceilings. Sorry!

It is super simple! All you need is:

Contact paper of your choice
Scissors
Felt tip marker or pencil
Painters Blue Tape
Newspaper or poster paper
Old library or old credit card
Your imagination

Step 1: Take your contact paper and roll it out on a flat surface with the contact paper facing down. The backing has a white logo that peels off – this should be the part facing up.

Step 2: Draw your design on the backing of the contact paper with a felt pen. If you wish to repeat a pattern like I did, you can cut out a template using newspaper or poster paper. I found using a thicker piece of paper helps when tracing out the design multiple times. You can also trace out stencil patterns, leaves, flowers, birds and if you have A LOT of patience – try letters and words. Use your imagination!

Step 3: Cut out your design

Step 4: Now take your cut out pieces to the wall you wish to use the decal on. With the backing still on the contact paper, use a couple of pieces of painters tape and tape up the cut out design to the wall to see if it is in the position you want. This way you can get it in the spot you want without wasting the contact paper.

Step 5: If you like the position of your design, start at the edge or corner of the design and start to pull the backing off the contact paper of the first 3” or 4” inches. Smooth it down with the library card to get out any air bubbles. Keep working in 3” to 4” inch increments until you get the hang of it. Smooth out any air bubbles with the plastic card and remove the painters tape.

If you don’t like where you placed the design after you pulled off the backing, don’t worry! Just gently peel the design off of the wall and re-stick where you want it. Smooth out any air bubbles with the plastic card. You can do this about 2 to 3 more times before the contact paper starts to lose its tackiness.

Step 6: If you like your design – then there ya go! If not, layer more pieces of contact paper on top of each other. The great thing about the black contact paper is the layers are almost invisible to the eye making one big seamless design like mine. My design was just layers of four or five swirl designs that I layered how I liked. I then cut out little flowers and slapped them on the wall where I wanted. Bam! You got yourself a cheap awesome way to dress up your walls!

(Close up of the design - layered pieces of contact paper)

Step 7: If it’s time to move or you are sick of your design and want to do something new, just gently pull the contact paper from the wall starting in one corner. The Contact paper shouldn’t leave any marks or stickiness on the wall. But always check the manufactures website to ensure the surface you wish to use is safe. The Kitterich Corp who makes Contact paper is helpful in this area. Their website is http://www.contactbrand.com/

ENJOY!

LOVE IN @ 70's Shop & Hookah Lounge - Phoenix AZ

This year will be the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous BED IN to spread the word of peace to a global audience.

On Saturday April 25th the 70's Shop & Hookah Lounge will be hosting a LOVE IN, a day to remember peace, love and happiness!

They will have tarot card readers, physics, hippie themed protestors, vendors and ME! I will be selling my peace sign themed hand painted items that day.

I will have coasters, mugs, dog bowls and more!Please come down, buy some of my pottery, have your fortune told, sample some Hookah and enjoy the event! Event starts at 12:00 PM

70's Shop & Hookah Lounge

5018 N. 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014

(Cross Streets Camelback & 7th Street next to the Denny’s Restaurant)

Phone: (602) 279-5470

If you can’t make it, be sure to check out my other items for sale at www.thepaintinglibra.etsy.com! Custom orders always welcome!

Going Back to Cali.....

This Saturday I was out and about with the boyfriend looking at homes for sale. It was one of those rare days out here in Phoenix where it was blue skies and cool breezes. It reminded me of those days back in Southern California where I grew up. Days like this make we want to go down to the beach and enjoy the rays. Here are a few things I found off Etsy.com that make me feel at home:

Check out this cute silver CALIFORNIA NECKLACE from MyLavaliere has a vintage peach enameled flower and lucite leaf detail. It even has stars for Los Angeles and Sacramento.

The flower details reminds me of California Poppies, the state flower. For $20 you can’t beat it! Check out more of MyLavaliere items at www.mylavaliere.etsy.com

I have been searching for cute California style art to decorate in my apartment for almost a year now. This cute BEACH BUM sign from Kelsyhenke has photograph letters arranged and mounted onto thin wood with a black beveled edge.

It measures 20” x 6” and is ready to frame. I love the bold colors! Check out more adorable letter style art at http://www.kelsyhenke.etsy.com/.

This year seems to be the year of babies! Tons of people I know are sprouting kids like weeds! Socalbabyshop has the cutest local style baby items. I love this I LOVE SO CAL baby oneise that comes in 6 months to 18 months.

If you know a little toddler in your life that needs to rock the SoCal love, it comes in t shirt style from 2T & 4T. Check out more fun stuff at http://www.socalbabyshop.etsy.com/

When I was around 8 or 10 years old, my grandparents took me on a road trip up to northern California to visit family. On the way up there we saw hills along the road full of beautiful yellow, orange and gold poppies. It was the most beautiful sight. We pulled over to the side of the road and my grandmother took tons of photos. When we returned home after the trip to develop the film, my grandmother realized she never put film in the camera! Oh the days before digital cameras. We still joke about that time around family holidays.

Well Alexandraferguson has a wonderful CALIFORNIA POPPIES recycled felt appliqué pillow made from recycled water bottles pillow that can’t be missed either. This adorable 18” x 18” zipper throw pillow would look adorable on anyone’s bed or sofa. Maybe it would make a nice gift for my grandmother’s birthday, just a fun to remind her of our trip. Check out more cute items at http://www.alexandraferguson.etsy.com/

There is a song by the band Modest Mouse called ‘Float On' that reminds me of Mission Bay in San Diego. I don’t know why, but I listen to that song, I feel like I am back there on the beach eating a slice of homemade pizza from a local eatery with the sun and cool breezes on my face. Why did I move to Phoenix again?

This photo by TravelBugPhoto called THE CALIFORNIA DREAM takes me right back to that spot. This photo makes people who live back East in the snow jealous in a second flat. For only $40 for a 16” x 20” photo, this makes a great deal for any house warming gift. Check out more items at www.travelbugphoto.etsy.com

The moral of story is you always think back to the place you grew up. You never know how much you will miss it until you leave. I heart you So Cal!

March Music Madness

For those music lovers of the 60’s through the 2000’s, you may have not heard of the March Music Madness on 94.9 FM in San Diego (I listen on the internet here in Phoenix.) They are doing a battle of the bands by 60/70’s, 80’s, 90’s & 2000’s. Each band goes through rounds of songs played live on the radio and listeners are allowed to vote for their favorite band. The winner then goes up against another band in their category and so on and so forth.

Currently, the Beatles are up against the Rolling Stones for two hours. How can you choose? I can’t! I love the Beatles and know almost every single song. I even name my dog Abbey Road. But the Rolling Stones remind me of my father and going down to the beach in California and watch surfers.

Check out the brackets for each category at www.fm949sd.com and see how your favorites did. Listen live and catch up on some great music! I have been rocking out at work! It makes the day so much better!!

60/70’s – Beatles vs Rolling Stones (pending outcome)
80’s – The Cure vs U2 (winner)
90’s - Nirvana vs Pearl Jam (pending outcome)
00’s – Radiohead vs The White Stripes (pending outcome)

Great New Products just in Time for April Fools!

April Fool’s Day is full of practical jokes and hoaxes. Some funny, some lame. However, each year ThinkGeek.com does not fail to pull some great (joke) product ideas.

My top favorite for all you Sci-Fi geeks. The Tauntaun Sleeping Bag. For just $39.99 your little Jedi in training can keep warm in this creature complete with saddle, intestines and light saber zipper pull.

Teach your kids how to use the light saber just like Han Solo did to save Luke’s life by slicing open the Tauntaun to snuggle up inside. Check out ThinkGeek.com for more info!

Now who loves the 70’s? Saturday Night Fever, polyester, disco balls. Good times! Now its time to give the Pet Rock a second chance, only lets step it up to 2009. ThinkGeek added a USB cord to plug into to your computer!

It’s super low maintenance and uses absolutely no electricity! And all this could be yours for $7.99. Check out ThinkGeek.com for more info!

Hmmm. The wonderful smell of bacon in the morning sure brightens me up. But I don’t like to cook it every time I want a couple slices for my burger. Now, get your own bottle of Squeez Bacon! Direct from Sweden, it is 100% cooked bacon that requires no refrigeration!

Each bottle has 16 servings which equals 64 slices of good old bacon yummyness! Check out ThinkGeek.com for more info!

Remember, try to laugh today and watch out for those funny pranksters!