Bird Brain...

Hope you had a wonderful Easter! We did: went to Easter service at our church, then iHOP, then home to play Wii & color Easter eggs... No, it's not our tradition to color them ON Easter, the week just got away from me!

i promised a peek of what i was up to before the plague struck me!

WEll, i'm off to my alteration guy, they just don't make clothes for those of us UNDER 5' (only 1/4 of an inch, but still...). I wish i could sew, or better yet afford to have EVERY outfit custom made... ahhhh! Have a great day!!

♥m

Spring Break on the couch...

Spring break... so not such a great start to the week! I was at the Dr. twice in 10 days for antibiotics. I didn't feel like blogging nor did i have anything to report except for what i was blowing out of my nose & let's be honest... there are just a few people that are interested in that & one happens to be my brother. I spent several days on the couch letting darling daughter do & eat pretty much whatever she wanted! Lucky for me i have the type of child where you can take a nap & when you wake up she's playing on the computer or sitting quietly next to you watching cartoons! No fear of this one wandering off or drinking bleach! I said to her at one point "i'm so sorry Mommy is sick & we aren't doing anything fun" to which she responded "i'm having a great time"... Did i mention we just got a Wii

& she was allowed to play this for hours upon hours? I guess when you're 5 (AND 1/2!!!) THIS is a great time:
1.talk mom into letting you eat junk she normally wouldn't allow with very little effort.

2.have the computer 100% to yourself.

3.play the Wii ALL day LONG!!!

Finally on Friday i felt like i was in the land of the living so I asked darling what she wanted to do... anything... she could pick and what did she pick?

McDonalds
everyone now.... Ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!

the ONLY time i've ever eaten at McDonalds & liked it was in 1991 when i was in Hong Kong & the choice was that or a snake out of a tank... I don't get how those chicken nuggets & weak fries can make a child so happy, but, it does! Actually, though, we all know it's THE TOY! I'll give Ronald that, he does have the best toys! This week: Monsters VS Aliens.
When i woke up Friday i was thinking i have GOT to get my blog updated but what in the world do i have to say... well, i didn't realize what an exciting day i was about to have.... After we got our "food" (i went for a Mocha & some apple/walnut/yogurt thing) & i got the photo, we were just sitting there talking when excitement broke out at the local McD's! As you can see from the above photo i'm facing the bathroom- that's the men's straight ahead & the ladies is to the left (there IS a reason i'm telling you thing). You can't see it in the picture but a row of high-chairs is down that hall outside of the ladies room. Anyway... a lady (coming out of the bathroom) swings the door open as a man is walking back towards his table from the men's bathroom (that's his head behind darling BEFORE the accident). This door FLINGS open like it's made of Styrofoam! It whips open & cracks this old man in the head & throws him into the row of high chairs! The poor lady that did it was beside herself (she's probably seen those Sam B____ commercials where he promises to sue the pants of anyone that so much as scratches you). The man is slightly dazed & confused & the woman is saying "i just came in to get my dog some chicken McNuggets...." (really? why?, do you hate your dog?). The guy cleaning tables is turning in circles not sure what to do, he wants to get ice, the men is assuring him he has ice (what in your COKE? that won't be sticky at all). The goose-egg on this guys head is rising high & fast & i wonder... "would it be bad to grab a picture for my blog?" Well, after this scene settles down & they go back to their food another man wanders into the dining room with his hands FULL, he's got a full tray in one hand & a full drink carrier in the other. He walks right by us and straight for the... men's bathroom!? Does he think this is the VIP room? I'm about gagging- just the thought of that food & drink in a bathroom with all those floating bathroom spores?! I've seen those "Dateline" specials, doesn't he know about "spray" when you flush? Just about the time i'm breaking out in a cold sweat he's back out with the most confused look on his face: "where is my family?", "where's the velvet rope that keeps the others out?" "where's the tufted seating?" & "why does it smell like urine in the VIP room?". By this time i've had all the McDonalds excitement i can take so we head out for bigger & better things like... a CAR WASH! Darling says "OH goodie, i LOVE the car wash" so i go all out & order up with deluxe with the tri-color foam! Pink, Aqua blue & Yellow!!! I wish the picture showed it better, because this stuff is flying through the air like confetti at a parade! Daughter says "this is AWESOME"... some days it doesn't take much!

So, it's almost the end of our spring break and what do we have to show for it? a clean car, a growing town on My Sims, & a trash can FULL of used tissues! Today we're headed to Chuckie Cheese... Yep, darling daughters choice again! See how excited i am? I'm going to go take pictures of what i did in the art room before the infection took over my sinus's...

i'll be back: bigger, stronger & less snotty!

Aaachoooooooooo

Oh bear with me... i'm sick as a dog- on my 2nd box of tissues just today! i hope to be back this week with all my goodies i worked on last week. Darling daughter is on spring break right now, how fun- she's babysitting me! ugh! Hope you are well & having a better week than snotty ol' me!

Is it Friday yet?...

This was a GREAT week, it really was, but did it seem to go on forever to anyone else? i guess that was good since i've been in such a creative mood, i was able to get quite a bit done, even sent out my "Christmas" exchange to my pal in London! I know, i know, i've been black-listed from any "art exchange" ever again, as i should be.

Darling daughter was home yesterday from school with a horrid cough & general crud. i kept her sedated with cold medicine & was able to get quite a bit done. She really is such a good girl though, she knows when Mom is in the "art room", she needs to get her art supplies out & quietly make something too. Poor little thing, i don't think art really interests her in the least, she'd rather be doing online surgery..Yes, this is her on some site doing a knee replacement, it could come in handy & fulfill MY dream of her becoming a Dr., i mean, it is all about pleasing ME isn't it??

Ok, the mister just called & there is a "passport emergency" (long story, i'll fill you in later) and i've got to run to Walgreens and get another passport picture, thank God! I wanted a new picture anyway because the last one i looked REALLY old in, unless of course.... that's my NEW look?! i looked like i hadn't slept in weeks & was beat down by life... never a good look! I'll leave you with the following:

Many people ask me "what does a creative soul like yourself eat to keep creative and small?" Ok, no one has ever asked me that, but i like to pretend people want to know every aspect of my life... so here is one of my lunches this week:

i highly recommend the PEAR applesauce... or is it just pearsauce? anyway it's good, you'll notice it didn't even last long enough to be photographed! and those rice noodles... i just like to grab a handful & much on them- i'm weird like that! Oh that healthy crap soup with LOW sodium, i just can't add enough salt to it to ever make it taste normal, i wish i'd quit grabbing those cans!!

and my hair... oh brother my HAIR, it was totally channeling this chick:

i was kind enough to chop out my pre-shower look!

and just ONE more bit of news... i did it, yep, i got one! A Blythe! I don't know why, but apparently a lot of people own/want her, so of course, i HAD to have one!!!! Here she is Friendly Freckles or something like that... She's coming all the way from Hong Kong (like everything else!!). Now, if i start taking her on vacations, making you say hello to her on the phone, dressing darling daughter, her & i alike, or throwing her elaborate birthday parties, i give you full permission to put me in a straight jacket! i hope she doesn't have a magical power that will make me do any of those things...

Ok, off to cover those dark circles under my eyes & get a photo taken!

Have a wonderful weekend & i'll be sure to post what i was working on all week!!

~m

Easter cuteness...

i promised i'd be back with a couple (yep, just 2... so far) Easter cuties that i found: i found this one after Easter last year on a Clearance table & couldn't imagine why it was there?! Not that i don't love a good clearance, but sometimes (more so with clothes) i think "if no one else wanted it, why would i?" but this... i HAD to have! i love how it looks like an old vintage decoration and all for only $7!! paper mache, crepe paper AND glitter?!
Then this one i just found Saturday night when we were out & knew , just like last year, i HAD to have it! Seriously, a bunny riding a chick & holding a chick head on a stick?!! Does it get any cuter? i think not!

CUTE!

Glittery AND Vintage looking...

Ok, i hope you enjoyed this tiny bit of eye candy, i'm off to make some more goodies... i've been on a real creative spurt & am so excited to be creating again!!! Have a great day, it's totally grey here... a perfect day to make art!

~misschell

MSU & Monsters

Don't get me wrong, i'm not a sports fan by any stretch of your imagination, but... basketball, i can't help myself & i mean that literally. It all started over 40 years ago when i was conceived in INDIANA by 2 Hoosiers! So, even though i was born & raised in Michigan... i can't help the whole basketball thing! I don't watch very often, & would much rather see a live game than one on tv, but... if it's on, i'll watch & that's saying a lot. Football- NO thanks, i HATE it! I've been known to take a gander at a golf game if Tiger is playing, but i'd rather play that one myself. I was a runner & hope to be one again- you know with the whole "40" thing & all. I don't know what it is, but you can be thin & then you turn 40 & when you run to get the mail you feel something moving around on your butt, then you realize it IS your butt... it moves??!! what in the world??, but i'm telling you... it does!

So here are daughter & i below in our MSU gear cheering our team on! Darling daughter decided she must do total green from headband to rubber boots! Ok, it's not MSU green, but it's green & that's what counts when you're 5 (and 1/2!!).

Fridays are our "Mother/Daughter Day" since she doesn't have school. I've been on a real creative roll but hate to NOT spend time with her when she is home, so i try to stay out of my studio on Friday's! We headed out EARLY, like by 11:13 AM!!!! for the 11:45 showing of "Monsters VS Aliens" in 3-D!! I must say, it really was CUTE & funny & 3-D, what isn't to love about 3-D!!???!
Darling Daughter is wearing a candy necklace, so during the movie i can hear her chewing & munching on that in addition to our giant pretzel. After the movie we headed to Toys R Us. As we're walking up to the door she zips her coat ALL the way up & when i ask her why she says: she doesn't want the other kids eating her candy necklace. Really, i say, you think kids are going to come up & just start chewing on the candy around your neck? She says "well, they could". I don't know what this thing is with her where she feels like her things will be violated by other children. Maybe it's an "only child" thing? Or maybe it's just her... Anyway, she loves that video game they have on display at the toy store- you play by riding some little bike thing... we were there WAY too long. I hate the store where we live, it's dirty & i swear they have the nastiest bathroom in the entire city! I feel like i need a hazard suit to go in... just think of all those unsupervised kids peeing & doing God knows what else in there... UGH, it could bring the germ-a-phobe in anyone come out!!!

On Saturday the 3 of us went shopping & i'll have some Easter goodies to show you tomorrow... hang with me, i'm going to get some more pictures to post! I also finally finished my English pals CHRISTMAS exchange.... go ahead, throw tomatoes & call me a SLACKER! i admit it, i suck at deadlines & that is why i hope to never have to return to a "real" workplace, who would want me? I'll post some pics of the exchange AFTER it arrives in London since i don't want to spoil this anymore than i have...

Off to the grocery store 'cause i'm glamerous like that...

~m

the HEAVY backpack, the giant book & other tragedies...

i've been fighting (& i thought winning) the battle of "The Gunk", but alas, i've given in to it... i went to the Dr. yesterday & got an antibiotic, it was FREE at Meijer... FREE????!!! So i went thru their craft aisle & made up for it!

This morning i woke up at 2:33AM, maybe it's because i was asleep somewhere around 9:30 last night?! I laid there for a while then got up & watched "Anne of Green Gables", man am i glad i wasn't born in that era "Anne mind your skirt near the buggy wheel"... Plus the formality of it all... ugh! Anyway, i watched that then flipped around thru anal cleansing & houses for $300 & some guy that can show you how to make $$ while you're asleep using the Internet... REALLY? Thankfully i was too lazy to get my phone, i'm a sucker for those fast talkers & i had the rotating mascara wand to prove it! Yeah, save your $, that thing rotates so slow, it took a month of Sundays to get enough goop on my lashes! So i went back & watched the show "That's clever" (hahaha, i just typed cleaver) that i DVR everyday. At 5:00 i decided i'd had enough TV & headed down to my art room to work on a little photo album for darling daughters friend that is moving back to Japan tomorrow. By 7 i was done with that & headed up to start the "get ready for school crap". I have NO idea how anyone with more than one child can actually get them to the bus stop on time... She's 5, so it's not like we're doing major hair-dos or make-up or fighting over outfits! BUT.... today she's wearing 3/4 sleeves & that is just a horrible thing, because, apparently they pull up when she puts on her coat & that is just UN acceptable! I pretend i don't notice as i snap her rain coat & get her into her rubber "bug" boots. The backpack... OH THE BACKPACK, that is TOO heavy today & her library book (which i am quite sure was the biggest book in the entire library) way too large for her to carry, oh wait... she has on tights too & therefore, she can barely walk.... It's a hard day for darling daughter! Now, in her defense she is TINY! My daughter, if you don't know, is adopted from China & is pretty teeny- at 5 1/2 she is just barely into a 4T. I get her to the car (i'm carrying the VERY -haha, HEAVY backpack & the giant book) but she "can't" lift her leg to get into the car because of the tights. Deep breaths Misschell.... deep breaths. I load her, the giant book & the HEAVY backpack into the bug & drive over to the next drive where she catches the bus. When the bus pulls up she grabs the backpack but forgets the GIANT book (it's library day & i'm always the mom who forgets to return the books on time, so dang it, today she is NOT leaving it in the car), i'm yelling her name out the window and I don't know if she heard me for sure but i think as she started for the bus she realized she was carrying the HEAVY backpack & she just couldn't do it, so she turns around & heads back to the car. I'm yelling "here take your book, take it!!!" and she's looking like a deer in the headlights & is trying to get back IN the car. She's saying "i can't do it, i can't do it..." Now at this point all the kids are ON the bus & the bus driver is just sitting there with his stop sign out waiting on darling daughter. I yell "go get on that bus, he's waiting for you", i strap the backpack on her back & tell her to carry the book like a baby. She heads off wiping her tears on her rubber rain coat & i feel like a real SH*T! She's tiny, i feel bad... but then... i notice she gets up on that bus with no problem even though that first step is giant AND she's wearing tights, has the HEAVY backpack on her back & the giant book in her arms.... hmmmm? By this time i'm whipped and feel HORRIBLE so i lay down on the couch & wake up at 11! I'm headed into the school to pick her up today, i just hope she's survived the 3/4 sleeves, the tights, the HEAVY backpack & the giant book- thank goodness that sucker is going back today, i hope she gets a paperback!

Some fun "i'm an artist" rings i did the other day:

♥have a great day!♥

Happy "cutie~cupcake" Monday!!

Don't fall over, but i am actually posting several pictures AND updating my etsy shop: chinamommy... it's been forever. i have been in a total funk, not making anything, neglecting my blog and just being a general putz! I've actually been working on my photo album from our Maui trip & have somewhat obsessed with getting it done. i guess i have some trouble switching my brain from scrapbooking to other art... the scrapbook still isn't totally done, but i HAD to take a break from those 276 pictures...

So, I've got new cupcakes AND some Easter themed "bucket babies"... here we go:

This 1st cupcake was totally inspired by Lisa Kettell (author of: Altered Art Circus, which i am ANXIOUSLY awaiting!!). The little circus girl is from clipart she offered on her blog: http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/ Make sure you check out her fabulous art and blog!

I took the image and then altered it myself... The flower is trimmed in *REAL* silver glitter, feathers, beads, mini-mirrors, and pom-poms finish her off... and it's all sitting atop a vintage jello-o tin ♥ruffle trim & mini mirrorsvintage jello tinFairy Cake!
vintage image & vintage rhinestones in a vintage tin!she's holding a little garland of sequins

A couple of "NEW" ideas... bucket babies! Vintage girl images in a little Easter bucket - each has a jar of "jelly beans" & some "Easter eggs".

Ethel in her Sunday Best!

♥Bunny girl♥

Hope you enjoy!! Have a great Monday! I'll even be back again... I'm really going to try & post NO LESS than once a week...feel free to call me on that if i miss!

♥misschell

Sunshine Day-aaaaaaa

Ok, did you sing the title just like the Brady Bunch did? I've been singing that song all morning ("Sunshine Day, aaa, Sunshine Day") because here in crappy Michigan (sorry, i'm not over Maui yet... nor will i ever be.... did ya hear that Mister? ☺) we HAVE SUNSHINE!!! REAL sunshine!!!! It's amazing what some shine can do to your (ok, MINE) attitude!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaCCG7QkM_c

I just want to share a few "good things":

Have you had these?

LOFTHOUSE cookies!!!!!!!!!! i seriously can't quit eating them... see how i RIPPED the sticker right off the box, believe me i could hardly take the picture before devouring them... oh wait, i did eat some, i see the empty slots.... haha! GO NOW & get some... then you can hate me later when you've eaten the entire box!!

Then the fabulous Miss Crafty Juliet (Little Miss Crafty) made me these darling goodies!

Go check out her etsy store & her blog!! She is one talented chickie!!

i found this bird-cage at my fav store: Hobby Lobby! & no, i am NOT getting a bird! i, personally, am a fan of keeping animals on the OUTSIDE! I've been having a little bit of trouble finding "stuff" that is my style & in the New COLORS i've picked out for our home... but the birdcage fits the bill! The only thing that needs fixed- the legs! I'm going to have to repaint those more of a red to go with our furniture...not a big fan of the bologna color! and speaking of repainting... I need to repaint (yeah, yeah, the MISTER needs to repaint- haha!!) the: Master bedroom, Master bathroom, front entry & the kitchen, dining, and living room. Then we can start on the lower level...

and another "HAPPY"... PINK no less!! need i say more?

and then... this!! Nothing can make you happier than your little girl all in pink, wearing Barbie roller skates in the *RARE* Michigan sunshine!!

Have a great day, i'm headed down to my studio- i have been SO motivated this week & am working like a dog down there! Enjoy the sun & go watch that video!!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

My poor, poor blog... so neglected! I just haven't felt good & so i haven't really been doing anything to post about... I hope to get something done today, so here's a little bit O' green for ya in the meantime (all found on www.etsy.com):

By Greenbriar for $27...cute, hun?

Print by mywireempire $12

Necklace by: Smashing

Cute print $85 by: GollyBard