The Circus is Coming to Town!

... in my shop! come and see!!!

The Pick-Up Faerie

We have a very soon to be 5 year old boy who loves his teeny tiny lego's and other toys so much but hates to put them away. So for the past week they have been scattered here and there all over our living/playroom. At times I've taken a broom to sweep out a path to walk.
*
No amount of threatening would work as I could not follow through with the threats because we just did not have the time. We have signed up for one free month of TKD and have been going to class twice a day all week, only 3 more weeks to go!
*
Well on my 2nd night of class, (wed) towards the end , we had to bring our knee up, bend, snap kick up, bring it down and continue with each leg across the mat. Only when I brought my right leg down, it turned to "rubber" down to the toes and I hit the floor. I iced it all night and went to the doctor in the morning to find that I had torn something, so I got my meds and I'm supposed to not walk and keep it elevated. Yea right. But I'm doing my best and after a hard sleep, it feels alittle better, still can't bend.
*
So on to the toy issue... out of the blue I started recieving a subscription good till March 2010 for Parents magazine. I have not recieved this mag since since Dyllan was 3. And strangely I'm getting it now? Well what's a girl to do but read a free magazine!
*
Yesterday while Dyllan and I were eating a early dinner, I was flipping through the mag and saw a story about the "pick up faerie". If it worked for the lady who wrote the story, I'd be willing to give it a try.
So I put the magazine down and and stared off in the distance and said in a monotone voice, 'I sure hope the pick up faerie does not call'
Dyllan stopped in mid bite, his eyes got really wide, and said, 'the pick up faerie?'
*
I told him the pick up faerie can hear him when he does not want to pick up his toys as asked, and then she calls to tell the mommy that she will come after he has gone to sleep to fill a great big colorful bag, (I used my arms to show how big the bag was) with the toys he did not pick up.
I also told him that she had green hair, green teeth and wore a brightly colored outfit with her BIG colorful bag.
*
Later, while I was in the studio, Dyllan came and asked me to see something in the living room.
I expected another lego creation, but what I saw was a spic and span place! I could see the floor and the train table was completely cleaned off!
*
Dyllan then says, 'I guess the pick up faerie won't be coming by tonight!'
*
When Brian came home, I quickely and quietly explained about Faerie, and later over heard Brian asking Dyllan about the pick up faerie and Dyllan telling him all there is to know.

I feel Empowered

Last night was my first free class of TaeKwonDo. Dyllan and I both signed up for one months free, just had to buy the uniforms. Our classes started Monday and Dyllan has gone both times. He loves it! But it kind of puts a "kink" in my regular day time routine as his class is at 3pm and mine is 7ish.
It's so cute to see him in his uniform and doing all the pint sized moves! Yesterday they had the little kids doing warm up exercises like yoga and knuckle push ups.
For my (first) class last night, they had us warm up by doing a light jog in a circle, then jogging backwards, then jogging side ways. We also did stomach crunches, some yoga stuff and sprints. Then my training for the night included sparring, stances, front rising kick, front kick, front turning kick, and ended with practicing fighter stances in front of a mirror complete with more kicks.
Doing some of the defense kicking moves and blocking made me feel empowered. I saw this practice in a new light and wondered why more Mom's I know are not taking it for "self defense" as well.
I slept like a rock.

Soft Spot

I have a serious soft spot for things that are old and rusty. Especially this house that looks the same every time we go up to the cabin. I always like to think of what memories it must hold. If only the walls could 'talk'... I'd contently listen.

Photo's from our Vacation

Here are photo's from our stay in Glencoe,( Calaveras County) northern CA. We stayed at a friends log cabin. On a average, it was over 100 degrees, with no cooling ocean breezes that we were used to. It was fun though, and quiet.
Feel free to click on any pic for a close up and enjoy!

Blackberry and wild flowers

Dyllan blowing a giant wish Faerie and view of the cabin

Back porch of the cabin, (perfect for watching nature)

Front porch and extra sticky flowers, like glue!

Brian and Dyllan and little yellow flowers I only saw early in the morning. They were always gone once the heat of the day settled in.

Photo's by Brian,
Early evening doe, (Dyllan and I saw the very new "bambi" earlier in the day!)
Birds at the feeder.

More by Brian, look at the colors of the hummingbirds!


Twilight. My favorite time of the night. These little guys, (4 to be exact) roosted in the roof of the porch and I loved watched them fly around at dusk!

That's all for now...be sure to come back again to see photo's of our trip!

July giveaway Celebration!

I wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th and hope you have a wonderful holiday!
As for my giveaway this month, I'll be sending out red, white & blue celebration kits filled with scraps, vintage clip art and embellishments.
This will be going on all month long and I'll randomly be picking the winners as comments are made on any posts I do for for July!
It's my way of saying "thanks" for supporting my blog!
***
Congratulations to Buffi G. for winning the June craft book! Hope it brings you 'creative' luck!

Mad Hatter Winners and Giant Wish Faeries!

Last night we arrived from our 5 day family vacation up in Glencoe which is in Calaveras County, CA. It was so blazing hot! On average..105 degrees and the log cabin had no air conditioner or ocean breezes. But we had fun. I'm still tired as I suffered many bug bites during the trip. Over 20. I don't feel much like going through all 500+ pictures I took, not counting Brian's or Dyllan's...hope you forgive me! I promise to post all and everything with in the next two weeks!

If you are wondering what I'm holding...it's a "wish faerie" and both Dyllan and I were in heaven blowing and making wishes! They were huge! I finally got wise and on the 2nd to last day, grabbed a double zip gallon bag and filled it with wish faeries of all sizes...small to extra large! Brian looked at me like I was nuts...but I can plant them at will so Dyllan and I can enjoy the wishes and our Toirtoise can enjoy the dandelion greens!***

*************************
Now on the the Mad hatter Party winners...thank you all for coming by to visit and giving me the most helpful feed back for my shop! I'm so grateful!

Congratulations to the following....Michelle of Creative Writings 101 for winning the Paper Crown!
and
Carolee of King of Mice Studio's for winning the shop GC!

***
I will be posting the winner of June's craft book giveaway on the next post when I reveal July's giveaway!
Thanks again!

Mad Hatter Tea Party Giveaway!

Vanessa Valencia of a Fanciful Twist is hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party on Saturday!
Be sure to stop by her blog and see the others joining in on the fun!
I am posting a wee bit early as we are leaving for vacation Friday morning and will be back after the weekend. We will be up in Glencoe which is in Calaveras County, CA.
Since I won't be here for the party festivities, but am on the guest list, I thought I'd offer up one of *original crowns! If you'd like to win, just post a comment here. Also visit some of my other post...as I'm also giving a way a craft book for the month of June!

Lastly , I'd also like to give away a gift certificate to my ETSY shop!
Please visit my shop, look around, check out the sold stuff and let me know what you like in my shop or what you'd like to see me create!

I will draw a winner for the Crown and Gift Certificate on Wednesday July 1st!
See you then!
~Michelle

Crafty Chica Challenge!

Kathy Cano~Murillo is hosting a FAB Challenge!



Go HERE for the details! And happy crafting!

Just for "me"

My Birthday was last February and I know it's since passed but I kept forgetting to take a photo of these darling little beauties. My friend Priscilla saw these and instantly thought of "Me'! What touched me most about this gift was it was not just a random purchase, like from walmart or target...she actually went back and got them after she realized how perfect they would be in my studio!

Just a "little bit" dissapointed...

~A couple of weekends ago, Brian suggested we go to his favorite Mexican Restaurant called , "Mi Casa" in Costa Mesa. I jumped at the invitation as it's directly across the street from "Paris to the Moon!"

~ But since they closed "Paris Underground" and brought those items into the main shop, it's not the same experience anymore.

I actually felt overwhelmed and little claustrophobic, which never happens to me.

~ All though there were cute stuff as usual, it was all crammed together with no real flow, making it hard to focus.

I'm hoping by Halloween and Christmas that they we get things better organized...maybe open a shop on etsy for over stock!

I don't want to miss out on my favorite shop...

It just felt cluttered and too full.

I was still able to finds some crowns in all that there was...aren't they divine?





~ A little 4th of July flair...


HERE is a past post from a Christmas visit to Paris to the Moon!

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!

(here's what could not fit on the card I sent,)
Dear Daddy,
Thank you for all the things you have given me:
Love of reading, interest in theater arts and culture events, sense of adventure, and support in all the "artistic" things I do.
When we come for visits, I look forward to seeing the results of your latest travels- (Europe, Egypt, Mexico and the U.S.)!
There is always something new to discover in and outside your house, delighting Dyllan, Brian and I!
Story telling, of past and present, margarita's, steaks on the grill and lounging by the pool. It's all good.

A few things I learned from my DAD:

• How to make a peanut butter/jam sandwich
  
• Stamp collecting is fun!
• The secrets to exploring the San Diego Zoo with out having to walk up their huge hills.
• School plays are just as good as big ticket plays.
• Not to plan a visit during football season. ;)
  

Thanks Daddy.
Love, your little Monkey, Michelle

Rescue Mission Food drive

Last weekend I took Dyllan with me to a Food drive sponsored by Fiskateers and Scrapbook Royalty. We dressed in our best orange and green (fiskars colors) and filled a bag with food. I decorated the bag with my artwork and inspirational words.

I drew it with a sharpie and colored it in with all the orange and green crayons I could find.

It was nice to take Dyllan with me because he's at that age, where he's understanding more and more about people less fortunate than we are.

This sun is a trade mark of my art, so please don't copy it. If you would like a custom piece for yourself, please contact me through my shop and we will talk details. I can do cards to large wall paintings.
Thank You
~Michelle Cummings

I want THIS!

So not just for kids, I would totally have fun with this!
Gives a whole new meaning of "playing with your food!"
It's from Pop Deluxe and you can find the plates here.

Glitter Party!!!

Gabriela Delworth, the Queen of Crowns is having a "Glitter Party!"
I'm not joining the party as I have way too much on my plate right now! But you can see the guest list here and visit their glitter festivities!
The party dates are ~June 18th, 19th, & 20th!
***
As for my creation above. Back in the day before I even heard of Etsy, I was selling my art on dreaded E-bay. No one ever bid on my "Blue Faerie"! I named her after the Faerie in Pinocchio.
She was my first attempt at fake soldering and I think she's just dreamy. I had her for a while in my Etsy shop too... till she expired. Then I decided to keep her as "inspiration" as to what else I can create!
Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle