Let it stop, let it stop, let it stop

As you all probably know already we have been up to our necks in snow around here. OK maybe not our necks, but it has sure been a pain in the neck to have all this snow. It is lovely and makes the house feel very cozy, but after a while you start to go stir crazy, and you ask your husband to put the chains on the car so you can go to the store just to get out of the house. (thank you honey!) Here is our back yard, this was after the first good snow we got, we got about 6 more inches after this.

Hazel was NOT a big fan of the cold white stuff. She was kind of snotty and goopey so we debated if we should even take them outside. But how often do we actually get snow, much less 18 inches of snow. So we bundled them up and took them outside. She didn't want to walk in it or touch it.
Violet on the other hand loved it. She likes to eat it, as you can tell. It was like a yard full of popcicles. This is a child after my own heart. She is sitting in front of her space heater wearing a sweatshirt, and her cheeks just got redder and redder. I LOVE space heaters and electric blankets!!! This is how Hazel passes the time being cooped up. Just kick back with a book on the stairs. Good times.
I just want you to know that this picture was my girls' idea. They said "mommy take a picture". They are really wanting Santa to know they are being good.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

CORAZON

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"El hombre tiene lugares en su
pobre corazón que no existen
todavía y donde el dolor
penetra a fin de que sean"


Leon Bloy





iustración: Craig Larotonda - óleo

EL DUELO II

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....... " Importa resaltar que todo proceso de duelo normal va acompañado de un afecto, que en este caso es la pena o la tristeza. Como este afecto, particularmente doloroso es muy difícil de tolerar tanto en uno mismo como en los demás, podemos estar tentados a intervenir para modificar su evolución natural."
........."Quiero resaltar que este proceso (el duelo) no es patológico, por el contrario, es saludable, y como profesionales debemos abstenernos de intervenir, pues podríamos influir negativamente en su desarrollo. Es aconsejable no utilizar psicofármacos, que pueden ser especialmente perjudiciales. Ni apurarlo, ni exigirlo en cada paso del proceso. Al duelo no hay que tratarlo, hay que acompañarlo. "

Leopoldo Salvarezza. Buenos Aires 1988
fotografía: “Africa en el horizonte” de Sergio Canadè, Tenerife 2008

Christmas Spririt

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Here is your Christmas card. I hope you are not disappointed about not getting a card in the mail this year. But I know that this reaches a great number of people who we love and want to give holiday wishes to. We hope that your Christmas is filled with family and friends and giving. We love you all!

Troy, Laura, Violet, and Hazel K
We are being showered with snow and very cold weather right now. Brrrr! Apparently freezing temperatures make children cooperate with mommies for the camera. They actually listned whe I said "give your sister a hug".

We went for a short walk around our block last night, just enough time to freeze our faces so we couldn't talk properly.

A rare picture of me on the blog. The snow has helped me get in the Christmas spirit. It has come slowly for me this year. But having the girls is helping me to remember what it is all about. I love to see the excitement in their eyes when they see lights and Santa!

Laura Needs (yes i stole this idea)

I stole this from Katies blog...I typed in "Laura needs" into google, and got some pretty funny things.......

1. Laura Needs....you to come eat ( not at my house though, we'll go out)
2.Laura Needs....some post toddler love (This an article about surviving toddlers, how appropriate)
3. Laura Needs....a home. (apparenty there is a dog named Laura in Taiwan. How sweet)
4. Laura Needs...25 cents and 2 fingers ( I'm hoping that this isn't a bad thing)
5.Laura Needs....to get out more(AMEN)
6.Laura Needs.....3000 pounds (as in european money) more for new legs (only if they are skinnier)
7. Laura Needs.....A clue
8. Laura Needs....to save at risk kids (I would love to, but they can't all live with me)
9. Yer mom knows what Laura needs

This was really fun . Tell me what you need according to google.

Time for a change...

*Sigh* I think my love affair with plaster is cooling off. When I first started casting pieces in late Spring, it was all so new and exciting! Now, it seems that the market has become so saturated, even I'm getting weary from seeing all the plaster "Dia de los Muertos" pieces. I will still be making my skull candle holders, because I love giving them each their own personality. I will also add an occasional, different plaster piece here and there. Just a little less than before, because I'm feeling a desire to return to my original love...WOOD! Yes, functional wood pieces and paintings. So, to begin my transition to my new, but old passion, I've created a bread box (in "Dia de los Muertos" theme, of course!). It's on eBay at the moment, and I've been busy creating both wood and plaster pieces this week. I'm off to get back to it....

Springtime in November!

This week, I was inspired to create pieces that are reminiscent of Spring. This is my first flower pot, it's made of clay and is painted with vibrantly colored skulls.



I also created a skull candle holder that features honey bees and wildflowers.



Both pieces are listed on eBay, a little something to remind you of Springtime during the coming Winter chill!

Senorita Muerte

I saved a "Southern Belle" from her kitschy fate and gave her a new life as "Senorita Muerte". I'm very pleased with her transformation, and I just listed her on eBay this evening. I think she'd make a beautiful altar piece. I almost kept her for myself. ;-)

Before:



After:

Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead is quickly approaching (Nov. 2nd), and I've been quite busy creating custom sugar skulls and various decorative pieces. I'm hoping to create an altar in memory of my Grandfather this year. To create your own traditional altar, you'll need: a photo of your departed loved one, a food offering (their favorite food perhaps), candles, marigold flowers, and a sugar skull (often these skulls will feature the loved ones name). However, your altar is personal, and you can have whatever you'd like. It's about your memories and what brings you closest to your loved one. I've added a link to a video that shows some very large altars, and explains the meaning behind "Dia de los Muertos":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIriLTyoaC0

Life After The Festival...

Just got home after a wonderful trip to the coast with my boyfriend! It was a much needed chance to relax, after 3 months of intense focus on the Pecan St. Art Festival. The festival was a great success, and it was a fun weekend. :-) I enjoyed meeting everyone, and a big "THANK YOU" goes out to those who came to my booth and supported my art! What remained of the items in my booth are listed on eBay and Etsy. However, a few larger pieces are not, so if you saw something you liked-please contact me, I may still have it available. Starting next week, I will be creating all new pieces. I'm looking forward to getting back into it!

3 weeks left...the countdown begins!

I haven't blogged in awhile, I've been working hard! My sugar skull army is coming along nicely, I'm so pleased that I'll actually reach my plaster goal for the Pecan St. Art Fest . Whether, I'll get all my furniture pieces completed is another story....Despite the "stress" of creating a booth full of Leila originals, while maintaining my regular weekly pieces to sell-I couldn't be more thankful to have my days filled with art. For so long, I was unhappy in the daily grind of a desk job. I decided to take the leap, and I'm so happy and grateful to the awesome people that have appreciated and purchased my art. They've made my new life possible, THANK YOU!




My Etsy store is temporarily empty, but after the festival (late September), it will be re-stocked with new hand painted treasures. I also have my last eBay listing up for awhile this week. I will re-appear on eBay in late September as well, with my "Dia de los Muertos" plaster pieces and larger wood pieces (bread boxes, plaques, altars, etc.). I'll be back! :-)

Two Heads Are Better Than One...

My creations from this past week were all about pairs. Hmmm, I guess I like the idea of dynamic duo's and polar opposites.

Introducing LOVE & HATE:



HEART LOCK & SKELETON KEY: