Find Your Inner Peas .....The weekend has arrived!

Another weekend is here, and I am trying to "find my inner peas" right now. It's going to be a busy one. I signed up to do a community yard sale down the street at a local school a few weeks ago and have been cleaning out closets and pricing stuff. Now, the weather people keep going back and forth about whether it will rain tomorrow morning. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I would hate to get set up and then get rained on. Florida rain is usually downpour rain, not sprinkles. I am totally a type A personality and like to know what's going on and have things mapped out.
Saturday night I am getting together with a group of local artsy gals to chit chat, eat junk food, and create. I've never met any of them before, and it will be cool to meet some local people who are interested in art too.
I will be having a giveway of one of my art prints on Steal Deals blog next week, and will keep you updated when that happens.
In the mean time, enjoy my new graphic illustration. It is available for purchase in my Etsy store, should you find that you just have to have it! LOL Have a great weekend!

The Day She Flew Away...

Sometimes she would look up at the beautiful blue sky and imagine all of the possibilities in her life, and just for one lovely, incredible moment she would feel weightless. She could feel the wings sprout from her tired back and bend upwards towards the energy of the sun. Slowly and without effort, she would delicately begin to float upwards, the wind pushing under her new wings. Her tired feet would happily dance in the air as they left the ground and she would feel her heart swell with happiness. Up, up she would go, far above the trees and houses...joining the clouds on their daily stroll through the sky. She would giggle with delight when she was joined by the birds who glanced at her and wondered how she had learned their secret. She would smile at them as she drifted upward, humming a song along with them. She knew why the birds were always singing. How wonderful to have such freedom, to feel the rays of the sun so warm on your skin! How splendid to have such a wonderful view of all the world; thousands of colorful flowers blooming below. She felt no fear and felt as if anything were possible. She passed by a beautiful butterfly who momentarily landed on her nose and paused, as if to ask her where she was going, and where she had found such fabulous shoes. She always thought there was something special about her red shoes...as if she could do anything when she was wearing them. Perhaps the shoes had been what caused her to be able to fly. Maybe it was something bigger though...something more magical than shiny, red shoes. Love, maybe? Whatever it was, she knew that this was the best day ever. She closed her eyes and felt the clouds float past her. Tomorrow will be another day, but she knew it would be great because today she had let her dreams take flight.

Paintings starting on Ebay tonight!

I've decided to give Ebay a whirl at selling my actual paintings again, and leave the prints for Etsy. Until Etsy gets their "stuff" in order, I am going to keep searching for additional venues. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket....especially when they seem to disappear in the basket and are unseen.
So, I have 4 auctions starting tonight and you can see and/or bid on them by clicking on this button!

Sometimes I just hate coming up with titles for my posts. There, that's my title.

Monday has arrived, and a fresh week has started. I think my muse has finally returned, as I am once again in the mood to paint. I took a week off while I nursed a sore index finger (which flared up after my last painting) and was generally in a yucky mood. I let out a primal scream in my car today with the windows up, and I think I screamed the yuck away. LOL
I am contemplating putting some of my original paintings on Ebay again, starting tonight. Ebay is so odd...so many things to think about when listing. You have to make a fancy listing, make sure you use the right categories to get the best exposure, and then you have to really think about other people's daily habits. For example, if a show like American Idol or Lost is on, I will not end an auction on that night. Like me, there are a lot of other TV show addicts out there. We all have our favorites. So, I'm thinking Monday would be a good night.
Well, on that note, I better scarf some lunch down (it's already after 2pm) and get to work. Before I know it, the day will be over.
Hope everyone makes it through their manic Monday!

Curried Chicken Salad Recipe

I threw this together last Sunday when I got home from church and was feeling too ravenous for soup to do the job of filling my belly. Hubby and I really liked it, and if you are a fan of yellow curry, you might too!
Ingredients:
2 cans (well drained) Swanson Canned Chunk Chicken
1 cup Mayonnaise (feel free to use light or fat free)
1 1/2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce (we used Low Sodium)
1 Tablespoon Yellow Curry Powder
1 Teaspoon Ginger Powder
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small snackbox (handful) of raisins
3/4 cup peanuts (smashed to crumbs)
dash of pepper
Optional: diced Sweet Red Peppers or Apples

Directions: Whip the Mayonnaise together with all the spices, lemon juice, and soy sauce. Once well mixed throughout, take a fork and separate the chicken chunks until they become more "shredded". Mix the chicken into the mayonnaise mixture. Add peanuts, then raisins (or pepper/apples) and stir well. Serve on warm toasted bread or in pita pockets. Refrigerate any unused portion. Makes about 4-5 sandwiches.

Drive by posting....

Just stopping in to say "hey"! I will be back with a longer post tomorrow. I have a yummy recipe to share! If you like curry, or would like to try it, this may be a great one for you. See ya tomorrow! It's lights out for this sleepy gal.

My newest painting! Is she an angel, fairy, or a pixie?

What do you think she is? I didn't plan for her to have wings. I kind of just started sketching her, painting her, and as I got closer to finishing, she just HAD to have wings! This is one of my favorites so far, and it was fun working with an oval shaped canvas. The painting is a 20 inch X 16 inch oval canvas. I created her with acrylics, ink, and paper collage. I still don't have a title though. I always struggle with this. Any ideas? I will be offering this painting as a print. It is in the works and will be available this week! Hope you like her...drop me a note if you have an idea for a title!

The bad thing about painting....

The bad thing about painting is that when you are doing it, time goes by SUPER fast. You find yourself lost in only the thoughts of color, blending, and the movement of your brush. Suddenly, you look at the clock and realize 4 hrs. has passed. That has been what's been going on with me this week. I've been working on the same painting and it seems like it was just Monday...and then BAM! Friday has arrived. I neglected my blog this week. I am blaming it on the angel/fairy winged creature I've been working on. Hopefully I will finish her sometime soon, so you can meet her. Right now, she is bald, and I am contemplating a hair-do.
I hope you all have a nice weekend. It sounds as if we are in for another rainy Saturday. It will be the 4th one in a row. I am pretty sure it will be a dinner and movie, followed by pajama lounging kind of day.

New graphic illustrations in my Etsy store!

I'm in the middle of Monday errand running, but thought I would pop in and show you my newest prints in my Etsy shop! Now...off to find a huge box for the painting I sold yesterday. Sadly, my usual shipping store went out of business due to the economy. Another victim....so sad.

The fastest week EVER!

I don't know where the week went, and what I did with it! I feel like I didn't get much accomplished this week. I did finish up 3 new graphic illustrations to add to my Etsy store, but it is so late right now, that I am nearly falling asleep on the keyboard. I will do my best to post them this weekend. I'll share them with you here too.
Yesterday, I spent 3 hrs. getting my computer up and working after something crashed my virus protection, then my husband came home for a long lunch, and right when I was finally going to sit down and get some work done....a lost dog showed up in our backyard. I went out front, and he was running around in the street. He was a little Yorkie, and when I called him, I saw he had a tag. Long story short, I met a lot of new neighbors, and though the address on the tag was wrong, the phone number was right. The owners were reunited with their fur-kid. The gentleman does car detailing, and as thanks for taking the time to find them, he offered to detail and shampoo my car today. It was long over due and I was so grateful for the service. He did a wonderful job, and his girlfriend works at a local salon...so I may try her the next time I need my hair done.
Tomorrow, I have another eye appointment in the morning. It will be my 3rd or 4th one. I am starting to lose count! Hopefully they will be even more healed.
Well, have a wonderful weekend. I hope everyone stays safe and warm!

Introducing JENNY FRISKE-BAER of Divine Sparks Designs!

Jenny makes really beautiful borosilicate (boro) lampwork beads and also uses them in her original jewelry designs. You can find her items for sale in her ETSY STORE, or on her WEBSITE,

Here's some background info on Jenny:

"My name is Jenny Friske-Baer and I started Divine Spark Designs in December of 2002. My goal is to provide beautiful, unique, handmade lampworked beads, glass and jewelry that will reflect the love and good energy gone into their creation and perhaps inspire others to discover their own Divine Spark within.
I started beading over 10 years ago (who can remember?) and I blame the addiction on my sister Gretchen! She got me started and soon after I often couldn't find that "special" bead for a project. All of you fellow beaders know what I'm talking about - that perfect bead that has to be a certain color or shape or texture to finish off a project (or maybe even start one!). So I decided to try and learn how to make them myself. After sitting at a Hot Head Torch for an afternoon under the expert and patient instruction of my dear friend Kandra, I was hooked! I played for about a year on the Hot Head - saved my money - and now I work on a Bethlehem Barracuda Torch as well as a Lynx Triple Mix torch from Glass Torch Technologies.

Everyday I feel blessed that I am able to sit down at the torch to try and create something that others might find beautiful and full of good energy. And I feel blessed that the love of my life enjoys working side by side with me in our studio (a fancy word for garage!) creating many wonderful fused pieces and stained glass works of art."

Introducing lampwork artist Elizabeth Wait of BetsyBeads!

Elizabeth Wait makes gorgeous glass lampwork beads that have a very organic, yet ethereal look to them. Some of them look as if little universes are trapped beneath the layers of shimmering glass. I've chosen two photos to share with you. If you would like to see more of her work, you can visit her Etsy store!

Here's a little about Betsy (like many other artists she is an animal lover!):

"I retired from my day job several years ago when my son had graduated from high school, and now enjoy being able to work from my nice studio that my nephews made from enclosing our porch. I share my studio with my ferrets, cats and my Pip dog, who's favorite spot in the morning is sitting in my chair, wedged between my back and the chair back, while I read the news and email.

There are still lots of things I would like to explore with glass, and I've been getting the urge to do some pen & ink drawing, and painting, and quilting, and, oh, did I mention I bought an embroidery machine?"

The Mad Beader: Lampwork Beads by Bindy Lambell

Today, I wanted to share another lovely artist with you....Bindy Lambell. She creates adorable glass lampwork beads and makes lovely jewelry. In fact, several of her designs have been featured in prominent beading magazines. She sells her bead sets, focals, and jewelry at her website, www.bindy.com I've included a pic of a beach themed set of glass beads she made, with the cutest little octopus bead! Since I live in Florida, I especially like this set. I hope you enjoy viewing her work.

My first portrait painting experience...

I just wasn't in the mood to paint today. I am trying to get myself motivated to start the last painting in my Alice in Wonderland series...The Mad Hatter. The problem? I haven't painted a man since 6th grade. It was my first ever "portrait" and is the reason why I was terrified to start painting actual faces again until last year. I was placed in a gifted and talented program in 6th grade, whisked away from school for a day, and instructed to paint Patrick Swayze in oils. What I walked away with was a "being" with Popeye arms, a mullet, and really long eyelashes. It looked like a She-Man. My mother kept it in a closet for years and every once in a while, we would pull it out and laugh hysterically. I am comfortable with painting female faces now, but I fear my Mad Hatter will end up looking like a transvestite!
So, instead of painting today, I finished one of my New Year's resolutions...to revamp my website again. I'd love it if you take a look! It looks so much happier! I expanded my gallery, changed the template, and I feel it is more in sync with the style of my work. You can visit my website here: http://www.artworkbylori.com

Introducing Alicia Helsley of Fat Daddy Sweets...

I was recently introduced online to Alicia Helsley of Fat Daddy Sweets. She is such a sweet person, and I wanted to share with you a little about her and her business. Take a look at those Raspberry Truffles! Yum!
Here's her bio, and you can click HERE to visit her website, www.fatdaddysweets.com

"As far back as I can remember being in the kitchen watching my mom and grandma cooking and baking. When I was about 9, they started teaching me how to do everything they did. As I got older, I was always the one in the kitchen, especially near the holidays when I would bake up a bunch of goodies to share with family and friends. Then in November of 2008, I attended a cookie exchange party with a group of local moms. A couple of weeks later, one of my friends sent me an email that I needed to sell my goodies. I started my Etsy shop in December of 2008, and started with cookies and other baked goods, it was when I started adding the candies that things really took off.

In March of 2009, I was contacted by Martha Stewart Weddings, who wanted to have my truffles in an article they were doing.

I truly enjoy creating new chocolates to share with my customers, the best part is seeing the look of genuine pleasure that crosses someone's face when they taste my creations. I look forward to creating more in the years to come!"

Lydia Muell of Ashton Jewels

I will be featuring a few ladies here on my blog, and the first one is Lydia Muell of Ashton Jewels. She makes some of the most gorgeous handmade glass lampwork beads and also incorporates them into jewelry. I've admired her work for some time now. Here's a little about her:
"When I began playing with glass in 2005, it was not with the idea that I would become a career lampworker. Rather, it was to be a stepping stone to larger work. Glassblowing was my mission back in those days and I thought lampworking would be the gateway obsession that would eventually deliver me into the moderate sized hot shop that I so desired. I wanted to make functional art glass pieces like candle holders, huge glass beads that could be used as drapery finials, blown glass spice jars for Tuscan style kitchens. . .I had to crawl before I could walk and somehow I found myself on an unexpected path.

Today, I am a career lampwork beadmaker who takes each day as it comes, rarely questioning tomorrow. Today provides the same challenge as yesterday and tomorrow will provide the same challenge as today. . .Evolving my skill at the torch, searching my soul for the inspiration that always seems to be communicated with strong classical influence."

Please visit her website to see more of her gorgeous work!

Perfect Pose

I took some cute pictures of my lynx point Siamese kitty a few days ago with my new camera. I printed this one and I love it! She is a plump, 15 pound kitty that we rescued from the Humane Society a little over 2 years ago. She sometimes sits on the couch like a person, displaying her velvet belly. I took this shot from the chest up. It's hard to photograph cats, especially ones that are easily distracted by the swinging strap dangling from your camera. I was lucky to catch her in this pose long enough to take such a cute picture.
I'll be back later today or tomorrow and will be blogging about some creative women who make wonderful things! See you soon!

Part four: Alice in Wonderland Series...The Queen of Hearts by Lori Ramotar

Just popping in tonight to share my latest mixed media painting for my Alice in Wonderland series.... The Queen of Hearts. I just have the Mad Hatter left to work on this week for the series to be complete. I will be offering The Queen and the Hatter as prints and the paintings will also be for sale.
New Years was busy...mainly a lot of cleaning and organizing. I got a lot done, and am ready to start the year with a non-chaotic living environment. LOL!
I hope everyone had a safe and happy start to the year. I'll pop in again on Monday. Thanks for stopping by!