Thank you kindly neighbor!

Mosaic Kitty
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

While driving down the street a few months ago I noticed this wooden cat dish holder sitting next to someone's trash cans. I drove past a few times that day and finally decided that I really needed to rescue it. I'm so glad that I did and I wanted to send out a big thank-you to the unknown neighbor that had a second thought about discarding this into their trash. So next time you have some old junk that you think has no use whatsover, please set it on the curb on trash day...there may just be a mosaic artist lurking in your neighborhood who would love to have your junk for their next project!

On a scale of 1-20...

Riverbed
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

What would you rate this?
You can tell me on plaincraft.com anonymously, just click on the little row of boxes beneath each picture...I have 3 items that you can rate.
Riverbed, Bali Bowl, and Our Love is Not Black or White are on plaincraft for 2 weeks and the top rated items make the gallery page each day. I really like this site because it gives me some feedback on what people like or dislike. As an artist that is helpful when you're creating new things. Click here!

Deal Alert! You can get free shipping on my small heart mosaics until Feb. 2 and pop over to smashgirl cards to pick up your Valentine's Day card to go with it!

The eyes have it

WIP More eyes...
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Remember the 129 eyes Jennifer from RockCandyMosaics sent me? I'm slowly working my way through them...I think I'm down to 120. Here's my latest wip, using a roadside find, a vintage plate and TWO eyes! Stay tuned for the finished results!

A lab and a bottle of hot sauce

Custom order card
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

When Corri from Puppy Dogs N Polka Dots sent me a convo the other day, asking if I could make a custom card for her I told Lucy to get her beauty rest! The next day after buying my hot sauce ...remember I live in California and we drink hot sauce so we were out...I opened up the cookie jar and the photo shoot began!
Lucy is a natural for the camera, she did a fabulous job...take a look!

For Lucy

For Lucy
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I made these homemade dog cookies for Lucy, she loves them! They're made with pumpkin and whole wheat flour...so much healthier than store-bought. After the loss of Buster I've become a
bit paranoid about tainted pet food, and often wonder if Buster may
have been a victim. The extra effort is worth it, knowing that these treats are safe for Lucy. One problem...my kids want to know why
I don't make any cookies for them???

I've been featured on Rare Bird Finds!

My "I love you more than pancakes" card featuring my late dog Buster was picked by Amanda of Rare Bird Finds and featured on her blog! Thanks Amanda, this picture of Buster pining for the pancake is one of my favorite photos. I like to think that Buster is in doggie heaven eating as many pancakes as he can !
Be sure to check out Rare Bird Finds blog, it's filled with so many cool things to buy, and her Etsy shop, Little Pies for homemade organic dog treats!

The Girls get Pampered

My friend Jenny and I decided that our white dogs were looking a little dingy so we made plans to take them on a "spa" day to the local doggie shop. Pet Treasures in San Clemente has a U-Wash area for your dogs. Giant tubs that would fit any size dog, nice warm water, shampoo, conditioner, brushes, towels, blowdryer, ear cleaner, doggie colonge and treats...plus they do all the clean up!

A couple of dirty dogs in need of a bath, first...a stop at Starbucks!

Did you say "bath"???

Clean again!

Best friends!

Hearts!

I'm usually a last minute person but this year I've decided to be a bit more organized so I'm making fun new things for Valentine's Day! I'm so proud of myself!

Here's my latest heart titled, "Our Love is Not Black and White".

Here's just one of the many heart cards I've added to my new shop, smashgirl cards. I love finding interesting and pretty colors in old magazines.

Now, I must try to be organized in all aspects of my life!

1000 Handmade Greetings!

It's here and it's sitting on my coffee table looking gorgeous and beautiful...and it's sooo surreal...each time I walk by and glance at the cover I can't believe that I'm looking at MY card on the cover! Wow, all I can say is thanks Laura McFadden (the creator of this book), I feel honored!

When I read about the call for submissions months ago on Etsy, I decided to submit two of my cards...and I was pleasantly surprised to receive my letter of acceptance into the book.

I packaged my cards and sent them off for their photo shoot and then kind of forgot about it.

As soon as I found out it was published I quickly placed my order on Amazon.com and waited. Then it arrived...I ripped open the box and started flipping through the pages. The quality of the book and the composition of the pages is wonderful. Bright bold colors, amazing creative cards, sooo many cards to savor! Congratulations to all of the Etsy artists that are now in print, and thanks to Etsy for their Storque article about this book!

Cool Blogs From Cool People Final 2008 Edition!

Wow, the year is ending quickly here are my final picks for 2008!



Scarfmonsters blog is really cool, lots of pictures with brief stories and varied topics make this my first cool pick of the week. If you have an Etsy shop and haven't heard of Featsy yet, then you must read about it on her blog! It's the next best thing to Majaba! A cool new tool to find out if you've been featured in the gift guides or front page. Another cool discovery is the Redbox. Read, Oooh-lala to learn more about renting your favorite DVD for only a buck! I use it all the time it's great! Her ipod holder are really cool too!



If you're into celebrity gossip then you'll enjoy The Real Estalker's blog. I shamefully admit to watching The Orange County Housewives , hey I do live in Orange County and like to see what the housewives are doing for our image. You can take an online virtual open house tour and see what the asking price is for their homes. Read Calvin Klein wants to do his part to Stimulate the Economy he's planning on doing a demo on his $30 million dollar mansion to build a new one? Wow! Cool! Did you know you can rent Tony Danza's ski house? Fantasia from American Idol is in foreclosure? These are just a few of the interesting and cool blog posts!

What's new in the smashgirl studio?

My Bahama Bowl sold as I was listing my new Bali Bowl. The bowl was a garage sale find, I just added a touch of drama to it using these beautiful floral plates and finished it off with black grout.

Mega Rock Star is the plus-size version of my little rock star. I love working with rocks and pebbles! Sea Star is a mini-star embellished with sea glass, some pieces gathered this summer from the beaches of San Clemente!

Bubblegum is a fun wavy vase covered in clear and colored glass gems.

What's next? A few new things for Valentine's Day!