Art in the Park in Dana Point

Art in the Park 2011 a photo by smashgirl on Flickr.

I had an incredible weekend down in the harbor at the Festival of the Whales "Art in the Park"! I met fellow artists and chatted with people from all over the world. I sold some of my mosaics which was great but my greatest joy came from the opportunity to share my 'Save Our Oceans" mosaic. When the idea first came to me back in January of 2010 with the yellow sunglasses, my hope was to educate with this project. Many people stopped to take a look at my art and the kids were drawn to it like bees to honey. They all wanted to touch it...it's full of colorful toys embedded in grout. The biggest shock to people was the fact that all of this plastic trash was collected in a single thirty minute period on Doheny Beach one day. I overheard parents telling their children to pick up trash and don't let it go into our oceans. My heart was happy that day, my project was educating and entertaining kids and adults. My hope is for this art to be installed in a public place to continue it's job on saving our oceans. Stay tuned!

Save Our Oceans was entered into the Chaco Waves for Change Art Contest and won honorable mention!

12/365

12/365
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I love this guy, he's been working this street by my house for a few months. He's out there working the SLOW/STOP sign directing the traffic always with a big smile. I had also heard that he could moonwalk. So today I couldn't pass up the chance to stop and take his picture. He was hammin' it up and did his famous moonwalk for me. To see him each day out there enjoying life really makes me think even more that attitude is everything, and happiness comes from within. The legend of Michael Jackson lives on in Capo Beach!

My Ocean Awareness Project...Where Does All This Plastic Come From?

When you live near the beach I think it's only natural that you take an interest in keeping it clean. I always deposit my trash , and will even pick up trash around me that was left by others.  But in the last few years I've begun to notice a larger amount of trash on the beach. Where does all this trash come from? There can't be that many litterbugs out there?

Last January after a intense week of rainstorms in Southern California I took a walk with my 12 year-old son down to Doheny Beach to check out the damage. We were amazed at how much trash ended up on the sand. Gigantic piles of wood....a big mess to deal with I'm sure but it's a natural element.

 We enjoyed the creative souls that had came before us and left their masterpieces.

 As we looked closer into the wood piles we saw bright and colorful things....plastic toys, sunglasses, balls.
I noticed some broken yellow sunglasses and picked them up. This is when I had the idea to use this trash to create a mosaic. We spent the rest of our time collecting brightly colored plastic to use as my tessarae. I think most people who live inland don't realize how far trash can travel and how much damage it can do to our oceans sea life.  I'm hoping that my finished project will open eyes to this problem.  I'll be updating my blog as I create my mosaic.

It's My One Year Anniversary...

Irvine Lake Mud Run April 2010

Happy One Year Anniversary to me!!!

One year ago today I started running...I'm sad to say I could only run about 1 mile before I felt like I was going to die! I had never been a runner before and I only started training in preparation for my first Mud Run. I made little baby steps each week, slowly adding more distance to my running workouts. My goal was to be able to run at least 3 miles without walking by July. This gave me 2 1/2 months to reach my goal. As each week passed I started to notice that I wasn't heaving and panting at the end of a few miles. My real motivation came from my running mate, Jenny...who at 50 years old became my unofficial coach. She had the energy of a 20 year old and I could sometimes barely keep up.

As July neared a turn of unfortunate events occurred...Jenny overdid it and a foot injury ended our days of training together, and she grabbed her family and left the country! (Only for a year...to travel around the globe, she's due back in a few weeks). As she packed her bags, she made me promise her that I wouldn't quit running. So I continued on...

I completed my first Mud Run successfully, then signed up for another one, and another one, and yet another one! (July 18th @ www.irvinelakemudrun.com) . I ran the Dana Point Turkey Trot in November, and the OC Chili Trail Run in February.

So this day is significant to me in many ways...I embrace my new life filled with mud runs, trail runs, new running friends, sweaty socks, a closet full of running gear, and a healthy body.

You are never too old to start a healthy lifestyle, find a partner to motivate you, start slow, and set yourself some goals. Sign up for a 5K or if you don't mind getting dirty, a Mud Run.

One year...approximately 750 miles later...I will now pat myself on the back!

The Gift of a Random Act of Kindness

Ever had one of "those days"? A few weeks ago I was having a terrible day...personal issues, and I was at Trader Joe's picking up a few things...wine, chocolate, etc. The cashier asked me how my day was and I responded, "Not good". He said oh, ok...let's try this again. How was your weekend? I responded, "Pretty crazy". He said oh, I'm sorry. We all have days like that. I hope it gets better. I paid for my groceries and he handed me my reciept, and a bouquet of flowers.

This Random Act of Kindess (RAOK) from a stranger turned my day around. It gave me hope that there are kind people out there. I decided that he was my angel.

After tweeting about the kind gesture, I received a reply back from @UOWHO, telling me to pay it forward, and that's how I came to learn about this wonderful company that makes these bracelets.

The idea behind them is to wear one, do something nice for someone, punch out one of the 10 tabs and pass the bracelet on to the recipient. Then they do the same, and so on...and so on... and in the end it will make 10 happier people on earth!

When I received my bracelet I wore it daily for over a week. I wanted to make sure my RAOK was a heartfelt one. The bracelet made me aware of strangers around me and I kept searching for the perfect person to pass it on to.

Back at Trader Joe's again...more wine, more chocolate...and I spotted some beautiful yellow daffodils in a woman's cart. Daffodils were one of my Mom's favorite springtime flowers. She used to get so excited after a cold snowy winter in Utah to see the first sign of spring poking up from the ground. My Mom's birthday had just passed, she would've been 75 this year, and I wanted a part of her in this process. She was the most generous soul I've ever met...so Daffodils were going to be my gift to someone.

Who??? Hmmm....had to be the perfect person, who didn't expect it. Now at my car loading my groceries, Daffodils in hand...I'm scanning the parking lot. There she was. A Mom, getting out of her SUV with two little boys on a Friday afternoon. I'm a mother of two boys also, so I know how hectic your days can be. She would be the next owner of the bracelet I decided.

She was surprised, and pleased and loved the whole concept of the bracelet. I'm sure she'll pass it on, if she hasn't already. I drove away feeling happy for her...and happier myself. Daffodils are a sign of hope that brighter days are ahead.

What will be your Random Act of Kindess?

It's a Beautiful Weekend to Spend in Dana Point Harbor!

Rita and Kathleen at the Festival of the Whales
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

The weather forecast looks great, and what better way to enjoy your weekend than getting outside and strolling through the Dana Point Harbor. It's the last weekend of the Festival of the Whales and there is tons going on! Bring the kids, bring you dog and enjoy the weekend listening to music and eating some great food.
While you're there don't miss the Dana Point Fine Arts booths!
I'll be there with all of my mosaic art alongside my best friend Rita, a jewelry designer. Stop by and say Hi! Enjoy your weekend!
You'll find our booths on the corner of Dana Point Harbor Drive and Island Way. (on the grassy area before Baby Beach).
Click on link for the schedule of events!
Dana Point Festival of the Whales Schedule

Silver Bullet Designs at The Dana Point Festival of Whales

My best friend Rita and I go way back...we met in our Freshman year of High School. She was always creative and artsy even way back then. After High School she focused her art on jewelry and now designs and sells her things as Silver Bullet Designs.

This weekend March 6 and 7, and next weekend March 13 and 14, she'll have her booth at the Dana Point Festival of the Whales. Please stop by and say "Hi" to her and check out her jewelry. Be sure to tell her smashy sent you:)

Inspiration

Sunrise in Capistrano Beach

In My Backyard

Sunset on Playa Grande Beach, Costa Rica

Fall Beauty in Fresno, California

I find my inspiration for my artwork from the beautiful colors of nature.

The Top 10 Reasons You Should Do a Mud Run

10. Remember splashing in mud puddles as a kid? Here's your chance to tune into your inner child and not only splash in them, but crawl through them...something your mother would never let you do!

9. It's a great excuse to start a healthier lifestyle...training for my first one made me realize I LOVE running and now it's a part of my life!

8. Bonding! You'll never be in another situation where total strangers now feel like your closest friends...the common thread of doing a mud run brings people together, now that's cool! Check out my twitter list of fellow OC Mud runners!

7. You may learn new things about yourself...I never thought I was a competitive person, but I've found out I am...passing by other runners is exhilarating, especially if they're men!
6. Halloween comes in any month when there is a mud run...dig out your angel wings and banana suits...you may just win the costume contest!


5. If you're lucky you just might meet a mud run celebrity...I did! James O'Brien is a veteran mud runner and a super nice guy...easy to spot, just look for the man in the suit!

4. You'll have something good to talk about on Monday morning...and you're co-workers will be jealous!

3. Spending your day outdoors, reconnecting with Mother Nature...and Father Mud!


2. You've been putting off cleaning your running shoes...after the mud run, no more procrastinating, my shoes are nice and clean again thanks to the garden hose!

And the number one reason you should do a mud run...because once you try it I promise you'll want to do it again! It's FUN!!!

So now that I've talked you into it, you have plenty of time to start your training...start slow then build up because when April 10th, 2010 rolls around you won't want to be missing out on all the fun at the next Irvine Lake Mud Run! See you there!

Want to see more?
Here's a video from the Irvine Lake Mud Run

I run like a girl

My team is complete and we are starting to train together. My latest treasury is in honor of the mud run! If you live in Orange County, sign up now at www.ocmudrun.com, it will be a blast!

The OC Mud Run is coming!

Last year I watched my son and his friends compete in a mud run. It looked like so much fun that I decided I would like to try it. So when I heard about the OC Mud Run coming to Irvine I was so excited! Trying to put together a

San Diego Mud Run 2008
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

team of 4 has been a challenge...but I'm determined to find my final teammate!
As my friends dropped out one by one with some excuse, I decided to use the power of Twitter to find "tweetmates". So far, I've found 2 total strangers, as crazy as me, that are willing to get down and dirty in this 5K. Now I'm on the final quest for that last fun and adventureous person to complete my "Team Tweet". I promise it will be a day you will never forget, plus you'll get a cool handmade team shirt from me, plus more surprises! Visit http://www.ocmudrun.com/ to check out the details, then leave a comment if you'd like the final spot! ( did I mention that some former Survivor contestants will be there?)

Cool Blogs From Cool People

Happy Thursday! Time for sharing more cool blogs!

A knitting magician in Las Vegas? Now that's cool! Check out All Things Tangled and read Send in the Clowns! A magician dating a clown, now posing as a mime??? Only in Vegas! When was the last time you went to a party and saw Liberace and Marilyn Monroe? How cool is that? Read Liberace to find out more! I'm a sock lover, I just have to have my feet cuddled up in socks...even in the summer at night. It's just a comfort thing for me, or maybe it stems from my childhood when my grandma used to send us a new pair of crocheted slippers each Christmas. So when I saw these Christmas socks I just had to add them to my favorites...one question remains...are they magic socks?



Daily Dream-Daily Doodle is such a cool name for a blog it captured my attention right away! This Etsy seller makes jewelry to drool over...I would like one of everything please (hint: to the family). Read My Brooch and you'll see what I mean...incredible talent! What a surprise to be reading along in her blog and come upon this post titled "Sunday" and say to myself, "Hey, that looks like Dana Point Harbor". Now that's very cool to find out that we are both from the OC! Here's what living in the OC has inspired her to make..."The Citrus Tree Necklace".

Come back next Thursday for more cool blogs!

I Love Lucy!

Meet Lucy, our newest family member! Adorable, sweet and loving she has brought so much joy into our house. After the loss of Buster, we really knew the kids needed another dog. Our house was too quiet, lonely, and sad. We missed the click-clack of doggy nails coming to greet us at the door, and the wet doggy kisses.

Lucy is a great dog with such a loving personality! Her family made a tough decision to find a new home for her when they decided to make a cross country move. We were the lucky ones to become her new family. Thanks to Dawn and her family for giving us a new best friend and companion!
WE love Lucy!