starbs....

starbs.jpg as i am sitting here updating some images on my etsy page with a few new pieces i'm feeling like i need a starbs today.  i have a few things to finish in the studio....a sold piece on etsy and the birthday gift for a male client, a going away party for some good friends of ours who are moving to harrisburg, pa, and a backyard drink and fire shin-dig this evening.  i better get in gear and get a move on....none of those plans include a trip to starbs so i am going to pretend and make one at home  urggghhh  :(   never quite the same.  but, it will suffice.

a resin ring maker, molly emailed me this morning and told me i was on the front page of etsy this week.  i missed it both times....but was super happy to find out.  thanks, molly!!!

happy sunday.

bubblegum swim cap

retro-swimcap.png   this photograph makes me smile.  when i was growing up i had a bubble gum pink swim cap but not with all the fun sculptural plastic flowers like this vintage photo.  the saturated color, the texture on the swim caps, the teal blue eyeshadow and the all around prettiness make me love it so.......artist:Koto Bolofo. 

new float pillow earrings

red-brown-pillow-earrings.jpg some new float pillow earrings:  the brown ones are a new color from a cleaner's zip-up garment bag stitched with the moss green thread.

the red material i have used before from an estee lauder bag with a new stitch color in electric strawberry red.

i found...

il_430xn35528743.jpg the rings i have been dreaming about in my sleep........molly proctor makes fabulous, completely handmade vintage inspired resin rings.  BIG YEAH!!!!  i have been looking for solid colored rings with a clean and simple design made out of plastic for far to long....with no real success.  most of the plastic and resin rings have a design of flowers or stripes which have never appealed to me.  BUT, molly's rings are perfect in every way,  the shapes, the colors, the whole kit and kaboodle :O)

gomer

gomer.jpg this piece "gomer" was made by an old art fair friend of mine, betsy youngquist.   she makes these amazing and incredibly ornate sculptures made of glass beads, vintage glass and refused vintage doll parts from old doll factories.   we met my first year participating in the laumeier sculpture park art festival in missouri in 2001.  can gomer come out and play, a.k.a. come live with me :O)

more polyps

green-polyp-piece.jpg i just finished up this new acid green polyp necklace today.......

today..

clouds1.jpg hmmmmm.....today will be the day of carrot ginger juice and some bench sitting studio time.  i am working on a few new polyp pieces, a new piece for a male client (yippy, it's been a while since i have made anything specific for a guy), a commission birthday present piece, & a couple other gallery orders.  better shove of to the studio.

happy thursday.  wow, is it really thursday already.   well, all we have is now, right?  happy now :O)

i took this picture someplace between the ozarks and st. louis in missouri.

flies are small

flyswatter.jpg when i saw this at my grandma's house on my last visit home (for her birthday) i thought it was totally hysterical.  her dog got ahold of her fly swatter and used it as a chew toy until the outside perimeter was eaten away.  hahaahhahahaaa!!!  i had to get a picture of it.  i have much appreciation for the earlier generations that will use everything until there is not an ounce of use left in it.  after all............................. flies are small!!!!  cheers to you grandma...you're the best, xoxo.

3rd ward here i come.....

 collage2.jpg i shipped the order out to 3rd ward in milwuakee, wi yesterday.  yippy!!!  the work should arrive friday or saturday at the latest.  i am really happy with the collection of pieces going to 3rd ward:  the overall assortment of colors and shapes will display really well together.

well beaser, i forgot to get a picture of the red necklace after i added the red stitching on the lower right hand side..........next time!!!

tomato & cashew creme pasta with basil

tomato-creme-pasta.jpg ingredients:

1 large ripe tomato...2 cups rough chop.

1/2 cup raw cashews

1 T tomato paste

1 T adobo sauce...optional (this adds spicy smokey flavor)

1/4 cup water

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2T olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

6 oz of whole wheat pasta

2-3 T water

1-2 tsp. course black pepper

1 large handful of fresh basil, chopped

heat pot of water til bowl.  add pasta and cook til done.  while waiting for pasta to cook core and chop tomato.  add to blender along with cashews, tomato paste, adobo sauce, and water.  blend til smooth.

then, put olive oil in pan along with minced garlic and saute until golden.  pour sauce from blender to saute pan atop the garlic oil and bring to a simmer.  add salt and let cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently.

taste sauce and season more if necessary.  once pasta is cooked, drain and add to sauce with black pepper and freshly chopped basil.  toss to coat, serve and enjoy.

i adapted this recipe from the veganyumyum website.  i just added the adobo sauce.

this yummy recipe reminds me of a pasta dish chris and i used to get at a restaurant in edwardsville, il when we were dating :O)