Photo of the week - Ding! Your time is up!

So while in San Francisco yesterday, I came upon this sight - a permanent porta-potty! At first I thought it was a genius idea. I mean really, if you can cut down on public urination on sidewalks and building facades, then you're surely on to something.




But as I got closer and saw the sign on the side of the porta-potty, I had second thoughts about how great of an idea it truly was.




A 20-minute maximum limit?!? Um, ew! So what happens if someone reaches the 20 minute limit? Suddenly, I had a vision of a loud warning bell ringing, the porta-potty door swinging wildly open, and a man with his pants down around his ankles being booted out upon the sidewalk!

Thankfully, I always take Mom's advice: Hit the bathroom before you leave the house!

Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, I give thanks to those who have fought for our country, our freedom, and our rights. I also take time to remember those who have gone before us.




I wish that my all of my grandparents were still alive so that I could tell them how much I love them and miss them. Now, go kiss the ones you love and hold them tight. Not only today, but always.

Photo of the week - Set in stone

While on a walk, I came across this message written in the sidewalk. It reads, "It's getting worse and you're not HELPING! 2002."




I wonder who carved these words into the wet concrete. What was the terrible situation that is now permanently recorded in stone? Did this plea get the writer the help that was so desperately needed back in 2002? I need to know the answers to these questions! Not knowing is like reading an entire novel only to find out that someone has torn out the last five pages! What happened!?!

What do you think?

Handmade Parade fun!

This morning I got up early, headed over to my friend Janeen's place to pick up her and her cup of coffee, and then we were off to Handmade Parade! And how fun is this photo? A room full of crafty goods! Vendors lined the outside of the large room and craft demos and make 'n' takes ran down the center of the room.




One of the first vendors that we saw was Katie Jean! Katie has been on a circus themed fabric kick lately and she made these really cute baby sets with her new fabric finds. All of her handmade goodies are vintage inspired and I just can't get enough of them! I would give up ice cream to be able to spend one afternoon fabric shopping in her studio!




Next, we ran into The Tin Thimble, a sewing store located in Newcastle. They were setting up to do a fleece dying demo and had several stunning pieces of felted creations on display. I have yet to visit their store, but I'm already planning my road trip!




Here's Jessica of Outro Designs. Her handbags are created with vintage fabric and estate sale finds. Aren't they some of the coolest purses you've ever seen? She's another one that I want to go fabric shopping with!




I was thrilled to see my Craft Mafia sister, Rain of Rain's Embellishments! She lives and breathes beads and it shows in her stunning works! I own several of her glass fused necklaces and always get compliments whenever I wear them.




And last, but certainly not least, the woman behind the curtain - Claire! Handmade Parade is her baby and she did an amazing job putting this crafty event together. Everything went smoothly, there was a huge variety of vendors, and everyone in attendance was shopping, shopping, shopping!




Speaking of shopping, check out these yummy fabrics that I purchased from Claire's booth! They are vintage sheets! Isn't she a genius? I already have something in mind for them, too!

The cat's in the cradle...

...and the silver spoon.
Little boy blue and the man 'n the moon.

So I've been on a hunt lately. My search for the perfect shelving unit has been relentless for many weeks. You see, I'm turning my front sunroom into an art studio! So in my effort to become obsessively organized, I began my search for the perfect solution to storing fabric, craft supplies, and canvases. I've looked high and low at the usual suspects - Target, Office Depot, IKEA, but was only left dissatisfied.

So while on the way home from a client meeting earlier this week, I made a short detour to the local Goodwill store. And that's where I came across this little gem! I figure I can sand down and refinish this baby doll cradle and paint it so that it has that kitschy feel I so want. What a perfect solution for storing fat quarters and other sewing notions! And the best part - when I got to the counter and flashed a smile at the cashier, he gave me the "furniture discount" and this catch cost me only $5!




I brought my new find home and set it down in the dining room. And that's when Zoey happened!




I had the best intentions with this baby doll cradle, but it looks like Zoey has another idea altogether! Perhaps I'll sew her a brightly colored cat cushion to go inside her new cradle. So I'll be back at the Goodwill store again soon to see if I can't find another solution for my organizational challenges. I'll also work on not falling victim to the cat's persuasive ways!

Feeling crafty?

I am! So to get my artsy inspiration on, I'm going to stop by to visit my crafty sisters at Handmade Parade this Saturday! And you should, too!

There will be free swag bags, craft demos, make and takes, and dozens of vendors! And I can't wait to get my hands on the Handmade Resource Guide - it's chock-full of info on where to get craft supplies and handmade goodies!

Handmade Parade
Saturday, May 23 from 11am - 5pm
Giovanni Hall at 1333 58th Street in Sacramento
www.handmade-parade.com




Keep on crafting, my lovelies!

Persian Rescue Project

Yesterday's Photo of the Week was of a Persian that was recently rescued from a breeder's home after she passed away. Named Liberace, he is now in the care of Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary and will be available for adoption at the end of the month.

I wanted to share some more photos of the rest of the Persians that I visited with at the Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary on Friday. Ladies first, of course!

This little girl's face is so sweet, especially with her tongue sticking out of her mouth!




This tiny girl had a healthy appetite and ate lots of her "cereal" err, crunchy food.




Here she is again with her new lion haircut.




This beautiful girl has a white marking across her face and it almost looks like a handlebar mustache!




She was very friendly!




After leaving the Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, I went over to their new, but not yet opened location to meet the boys. So now for the gentlemen.

You met Liberace yesterday. Here he is again playing with a feather toy.




This guy looks like a little lion!




And last but not least, this silly little boy was named, "Grandpa." He is an older cat and is very friendly. But here's where he melted my heart - he makes the funniest noises! It was a combination between loud purring, an old man snoring, and a gurgling gremlin! I laughed hysterically which made him purr even more!




Here's Grandpa again, perhaps shocked that I stealthily snapped this photo of him in his skivvies!




Please visit the Happy Tails website for additional information on these sweet Persian cats and to learn how you can give one a forever home.

Photo of the week - You had me at, "Meow."

On Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting the 14 Persian cats who were recently rescued in a breeder's house after she had passed away. After seeing these precious cats, I realize that the Sacramento Bee article clearly did not do justice in the reporting of their poor condition. A majority of the cats needed to be shaved because their hair mats were pulling away from the skin. None have ever seen a vet and are currently being treated with full medical vaccinations, blood work-ups, spaying and neutering, and complete dental exams. A majority of the cats are seniors. All just want a safe, loving home with an owner who will shower them with attention and affection.

While at the new Happy Tails facility where the boy Persians are currently being housed, I fell madly in love with Liberace. He's a younger cat, probably only a few years, and is very active and energetic. He was very content to play with a feather toy all afternoon. His lovely hair is gray and white and you can tell that he will have a beautiful coat as soon as it grows back in from his new lion haircut! And his golden eyes say, "Take me home now!"




The Persian cats are now safely in the care of Happy Tails and will be available for adoption at the end of May. In the meantime, if you would like to make a donation to the "Persian Rescue Project" to help with their medical bills and care, please visit the Happy Tails website for additional information. If you are interested in adopting one of the Persians, please contact Happy Tails by e-mail at purrball {at} happytails {dot} org.

Over the next several days, I'll post more photos of the other Persians who will soon be available for adoption, as well as some of the other many cats at Happy Tails who need a forever home.

Painting for Paws!

Mark your calendars now! Meows!



Flyer designed by kjcreates.com

Call for artists - "Painting for Paws"

The annual "Painting for Paws" fundraiser for Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009. The Happy Tails cats and dogs are once again busy with their creative endeavors, painting one-of-a-kind pieces of original artwork for this year’s fundraiser! Pieces will be accompanied by a photo and bio of the furry artist. In addition, there will be “human artwork,” a silent auction, complimentary food & wine, a prize drawing and animal-themed jewelry for sale.

If you would like to be a "human artist" for this event, please let me know. The deadline for receiving art is Sunday, June 7, 2009. Kindly send an email to eviesark {at} gmail {dot} com with the following information before Sunday, May 31 so that we can make sure that we have your information correct for the event materials.

Your name:
Email:
# of art pieces:
For each piece, list -
Name of piece:
Medium:
Dimensions:
Value:
Include a Jpeg photo of each piece. If your art work is not yet finished, do your best to complete as much as possible of the above information.

Thank you very much for your art donation to the Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary "Painting for Paws" fundraiser. This event is going to be a huge success because of your support!

"Painting for Paws" - A Fundraiser for Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary
Second Saturday Art Show & Reception
Saturday, July 11 from 6pm - 10pm
Pavilions Shopping Center, Fair Oaks Blvd., Near Howe Ave.
No admission fee!

Founded in 1993, Happy Tails rescues abandoned, abused and unwanted companion animals in the Sacramento area, and finds them safe, permanent, loving homes. All proceeds from the event will benefit Happy Tails, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. www.happytails.org.


Zoey in October 2006. This is her first night in my home after Happy Tails nursed her back from near death. She ate her food so quickly that she got hiccups! She then passed out in my bed.




Zoey in May 2009. She is a very healthy 14-pound cat. And who knew she was long-haired!

A "Cat Call" contest!

After the success of last weekend's Second Saturday "Women Uncovered" art show and all of the wonderful compliments on my newest piece of art called "Zoey Wishes," I've decided to create more quilted art wall hangings. However, Zoey says that she needs to take a short break from her modeling career. (I may have created a diva!). So, I'm putting out a "Cat Call" for new cat models! And here's how your favorite feline* can participate:

- Leave me a comment and then send an email to eviesark {at} gmail {dot} com with "Cat Call" in the subject line. Include your full name and your cat's name, age, sex, and breed. Feel free to include multiple cats if you have more than one. Don't want anyone's feelings hurt!
- Tell me about your cat in a sentence or two.
- Include a Jpeg photo of your cat. I'm specifically looking for head shots and up close photos of cat faces, but will also accept full body shots. Send as many photos as you like.
- Submit your information no later than Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
- From the submissions, I'll pick my top 5 favorite cats who will then be immortalize in art! These 5 winners will also receive Evie's Ark, All Things Animals organic catnip toys like the ones shown below!




So, go grab your camera - and your cat - and get started! Your cat could be America's next top cat model!


* By entering this "Cat Call" contest, you give me permission to use your cat's likeness in my art, to create such art to my liking, and to use your photo in relation to such art.

Photo of the week - Road trip, baby!

Today, my friend Char and I took a road trip to Sausalito to tour the ICB open artists' studios. She had never been, so I was very excited to share this gem with her - a three-story industrial building of private art studios. We met a very talented artist, with whom we gushed about our love of Golden Fluid Acrylics, and she shared her unique techniques with us. We also came across a studio space that was for rent and spent some time daydreaming about how we would organize it (and afford it!).

Thanks to faulty GPS directions, we took a detour to Stinson Beach and had some fun in the sand. We snapped the photo below. You'll notice that there are only 3 of our 4 feet showing. While we waited patiently for the tide of the ocean to approach our shoes, I chickened out at the last minute! You can still see the evidence of my shoe's foot print as I tried to make a clean and dry get-away!




We ended the day with dinner at a phenomenal Italian restaurant in Mill Valley and enjoyed pasta, gnocchi, lemon drop martinis, and the world's best-ever tiramisu!

This day was exactly what I needed!

"Zoey Wishes," a new art piece

You'll recall that a few days ago, I took a picture of Zoey in the living room window. She was an angel posing so that I could get her spots just right for a new art piece. Here's that original photo.




And here's the piece of art that I created! Despite several mishaps, this piece came together fairly quickly in just two evenings. I'll write a blog in the next few days about the steps used to assemble this piece.




This piece was created from batik and cotton fabrics. I used variegated thread and free-hand motion on the quilting. You can't see it in the photos, but there are stars quilted into the sky fabric. And the red curtain actually hangs from the piece so that it creates a three-dimensional effect.

This piece is available at the "Women Uncovered" Second Saturday art show at Side Show Studios through June 6.




I titled this piece "Zoey Wishes." What do you think she wishes for when she looks at the stars?

Why Zoey loves Vox

Earlier last week, I had coffee with the lovely and fabulous Jill. While chatting about next month's Women's art show at Vox, she told me that it would be the grand re-opening at Vox's new location in Midtown. So as the new location will come with a lot of already provided furniture, they will need to sell the furniture at their West Sacramento location. At that point in the conversation, the Heavens parted and angels sang from sunbeams pouring down from the sky. At least that is how I recall the conversation about furniture. I quickly told Jill that I wanted to get a sneak peek at their sale. I had been in love with their funky, retro, eclectic furniture since my first art show with them some time ago.

So tonight, I popped on over to the Vox West Sac location and happily bought two crushed velvet green chairs! I was thankful for the help loading them into my car as they are very heavy. And as soon as I arrived home and unloaded them into the house, Zoey happened!


Zoey promptly piles cat toys into one of the chairs. Guess she's staked that one out as hers!




Zoey yawns as she wears herself out playing in her new chair.




Zoey falls fast asleep in her new chair.




Vox will soon post the rest of their furniture on Craig's List. But you can get your own first-hand look this weekend at their Second Saturday art show. You'll get a great deal on some fun, funky furniture, all while supporting a very worthy group that is so important to the Sacramento art scene! And it's an art show that you won't want to miss - “A Call to Action” art and live reggae from Ras Roy Unity and music by Gene Smith.

Vox Gallery
600 4th Street
West Sacramento
www.voxsac.com

Photo of the week - The 5 P's to happiness

Earlier last week, I planted petunias in the painted pots on my patio! Wow - say that three times fast!

I do my little turn on the catwalk

So here's a hint at the current piece of art that I'm working on for my upcoming Second Saturday art show called, "Women Uncovered" at Side Show Studios. Yes, Zoey modeled for me and held this pose - put your paw here, turn your head this way, now hold it! I wanted to get her spots just right!

Now, back to creating!