Flowering broccoli...

'Tis not really the time of year to be talking about flowering broccoli, but that's what happens here in Florida if you don't harvest your broccoli before it "bolts." Part of me regrets not getting my brocco superfresh from the garden, but the other part of me loves the tiny yellow flowers all over the crown. It's also feeding the bees, which are few and far in between (it seems.) If you look closely toward the top of the flower, you'll see the bee.

We've had a very warm December. Hopefully we had our winter in November..., but there's still January to get through. Can you tell I love hot weather...?

I have eggplant going in the garden and my windowsill is full of green tomatoes, that will eventually turn red. I brought them inside when we had a cold snap.

Creative-wise? Have been slacking somewhat, but I sold four bracelets and a handbag last Saturday, and I also got a pretty nice consignment check! The year is going out with a nice bang.

On that note HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you, and may 2009 be a happy and prosperous year!

Last Saturday at the Purple Moon...

I was working at the Purple Moon last Saturday and I got a picture of one of my handbags on the wall there. This one is wildly pomegranety, lemony, orangey, plumish, and pink grapefruit-ish. Ahh, all those fruity flavors.... my mouth is watering. I also got a picture of one of the regular customers and friend, Bill, eating a big slice of red velvet cake. (Don't you just love the name of that cake?) There's live entertainment on weekends, so here's a picture of Jayne Kelli from St. Petersburg. Isn't she gorgeous? She has a voice to match!

I'm seeing stars...

Did another star mirror with polymer clay tiles, and this one proclaims that You Are A Star! We all are, one way or the other. I've been busy doing anything BUT art lately. I did knit another handbag, this one in reds and yellows. Will post a picture soon.

I had a leak under my washer and it destroyed the subfloor, so now there's a smelly mess in the laundry area... aargh! Not fun, but things happen.

Treasure Box class in Palm Harbor...

Yesterday I taught a class at Oak Trail Books in Palm Harbor, Florida. The ladies attending learned how to put together a polymer clay tile embellished "Treasure Box." We had so much fun! I took some pictures, but my camera died. Bummer! :( I got a couple though. If you ever visit Palm Harbor located just a few miles north of Clearwater, make sure you visit Oak Trail Books. It's in the Historical district on Florida Ave. The coffee shop next door is called the "Witches Brew," and the decor inside is adorable! Based on the Wizard of Oz decor. I'll take some pictures and post later! You can check out the bookstore at http://www.oaktrailbooks.com/.

Lesley and Stacey picking out tiles to paint...

Gladys also picking through a table full of tiles...

Paula arranging tiles on her box.

It was very interesting to see how everyone's box came out so different even though they had basically the same raw materials.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

To all of you, Happy Thanksgiving! I'm eating "not turkey" since I'm a vegetarian, and lots of tasty veggies! I've been exploring the raw diet for two years, eating about 2 raw meals a day, ane one cooked. It makes you feel like a MILLION DOLLARS. Yay! If you're interested in more info, check out Alissa Cohen, David Wolfe, Paul Nison, Gabriel Cousens, and many more gurus in the raw food health movement. Lots of invaluable information. They all have websites and classes, and materials to purchase. These people are way ahead of their time.

xoxo

Maria

Do you love sweet things?

Maybe a dumb question to any female readers of this blog... Anyway, people are raving about the sweet goodies in this etsy shop: http://www.redpoppybakery.etsy.com Check it out. The Holidays are coming. Why not wow 'em with sweet decadence....?

xoxo
M

The Sands of Time...

This collage, mixed media piece may or may not be done, but it is for now. :) The sands of time reminds me of generations, and how we women evolve. Our ancestors "bleed through" to the current time as the paper collage in the back suggests. I love doing collages, but I never know where the piece will end up. For the most part I don't have any plans, I just go along as the moment seizes me. Some collages don't work out at all... but hey, you can always gesso over it, and have a fresh canvas with interesting texture. I just LOVE ART!!! Woo-hoo...