RTT - Pancake, Pasta, Chocolate & Zombies, a classic combination

 

Thank goodness for Random Thoughts Tuesday - I am way overdue for a brain flush.....

Goofing around on SoulPancake when I'm supposed to be working - sshhh, I won't tell if you don't.

The other day at Epcot's Via Napoli Little Dude asked me to turn around & take this picture - 

I turned back to find this going on

How slow does he think I am? And, yes, I did fire up the manners lecture after taking the shot. Ok - in reality my husband got serious while I turned away so he wouldn't see me laughing. I know, I know  "don't encourage him..."

For the first time ever, I'm not eating Halloween candy! It is not willpower; I'm spoiled.  The fabulous husband brought back a 2 lb box of Leonidas chocolate from Belgium last week. Just a few more days and I'll be spoiled & fat.... & possibly in a choco-coma.

Did you catch The Walking Dead on AMC Sunday? I tried to resist- but, hey, it has zombies.  Even with cliche's & silly bits it looks pretty good so far. Also full of "oh yeah, that guy" actors - the ones that you remember you liked in something....

There seem to be way ...too .... many....periods...in ...this ...post

Lucky me - I'm featured over at The FamiLee Jewels today. If you have a minute, please pop by & leave a comment - cheers.

If you have 2,  blog-out your chatter & add a link over at The Un Mom. Need more chaos? There are lots of other folks doing the same, so click through & check them out.

Gotta run. Hope you have a fantastic Random Tuesday! Which reminds me, if you're in the USA don't forget to vote.

RTT- Random Ramblings

All week I'll catch some bit of trivia & think how it'll be perfect for Random Tuesday Thoughts. Then Tuesday rolls around & I've forgotten them all... sigh.... either I'm getting old or I need more coffee. Probably both. Ah well, I'll give it a go anyway

I have a confession - Facebook annoys me.

On the other hand, without FB who knows when I'd have stumbled onto this fun mix from FAROFF . (Thanks, EL Fudo )

I've also been enjoying The Cog is Dead lately - fun fun stuff



What are you listening to this week?
Please share - I'm always looking for something new

Hey you artsy folks! Have you seen the Artisan Search 2011 from Cloth Paper Scissors magazine yet? Emphasis looks to be on mixed media, jewelry , journaling, collage, or stitchery type stuff. If any of that sounds like you, check it out!


Voting is open over at Mind Wide Open. Each month Gail posts an image & prompt with an invite to all who want to create something. Then the submissions are posted for voting. If you have the time, click through & pick your top 3.

Ooh- I almost forgot to post this fantastic tool chest. Many thanks to The Lost Dream Machine for pointing it out.

Well, I've gotta run. If you're looking for some more random goodies, pop on over to The Un Mom - it's where all of the chaotic kids hang out these days.

Want to play along? Grab a purple button while you're visiting The Un Mom and stick it to the top of your own rambling Tuesday post.

Dang, I almost forgot - seems to be a theme today - Leave a comment on my blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 5/13 to enter DigitalRoom's random drawing for a 2 ft x 3 ft custom printed vinyl banner. Click Here for details.

Random Thoughts Tuesday - Bit o art & other treats

Art Is Hard by Anji Johnson

A bit of a drive by today. I keep tripping over great stuff on the web & then forget to post it. Thank goodness for Random Tuesday Thoughts:

When you've finished playing around here, click through to The UnMom & all of her chaotic linky goodness. Feeling random? Be sure to add your own link while you're there.

1st up, I just love Art Is Hard by Anji Johnston. (I get that deer in the headlights look every time I look at a blank canvas.) You can see more of Anji's art over at her blog, Distractions.

Silver Lace Crochet Ring by lilyja

I am completely smitten by the delicate jewelry over at lilyja on Etsy. The rings are custom made to your size. And this necklace is simply breathtaking:

A Night At The Opera by liljya

As always, click on any pic for more info.

Sparrow by Steve Loya

Remember Steve Loya? He stopped by in January for an artist feature & studio tour. Due to popular demand he has started selling 11" x 14" prints of his drawings & paintings in his etsy shop, GoFlyingTurtle. Priced at $25 each, these are a steal! You can read more about the prints on his blog, also called GoFlyingTurtle.

Courage by Ronald Ceuppens

I recently heard from another Featured Artist, Ronald Ceuppens of Fleurographie on Etsy. (He walked us through his 2 studios last October for Studio Tour #10. ) This Belgian artist will have his wonderful work at Art Chicago 2010 from April 30 - May 3. He's being represented by the Amstel Gallery from the Netherlands. I sure wish Florida was closer to Chicago!

Sobriquette by Ramona Szczerba (a.k.a. Winona Cookie)

Have you entered Winona Cookie's random drawings yet?

On 4/22 two winners will get their choice of steampunk art pendant. Click here for details & contest rules & photos.

Boron by Ramona Szczerba

On 5/1, another lucky winner (randomly selected from those who comment on this blog between now & then) will take home the original paper puppet Boron The Robot. You can read more about Boron & the Winona Cookie Studio here. Both contests are open to USA & Canada addresses only.

And on a final note today - This is just so trippy I had to share. Found over at QuoteTheRaivyn when I visited on Musical Monday:

RTT- Ready For Some Random?

They're Baaack! Random Tuesday Thoughts, I mean.

Got an earworm you just can't shake? Need to flush out your latest obsession with, say, Bento Boxes, cephalopods or Viggo Mortensen? You have come to the right place. When you are done here go blog yourself some random, grab a button and join the Tuesday revolution.

If you'd rather feed those chaotic musings,
you're in the right place for that too.
Just get clicking.

Me? I'm still into Hawkings Strongbox, the art of A.F.Norling & rereading Kipling for some reason.

Oh, I finally got around to watching Let The Right One In. Great flick if you like your vampires sparkle-free.

Also, I am so making one of these when I get a chance.

I nicked the photo from Yarn Zombie.net. Many thanks to ArtByCanace for pointing this great project out!

YarnZombie also has this fun blog CraftBangBoom - everything from handmade toys to pinhole cameras - what's not to love??

Before I go, a few more thoughts:

84 places to sell your crafts online

Emeryl Arts just posted some handy self publishing tips, including how to get an ISBN

When I need a moments peace lately, I find my happy place over at Deliciously Organized.

Oh, I won 250 custom stickers from Stuff Could Always Be Worse. Thank you Kim! Really made my day!

Do You Feel Lucky? There's still time to enter these 2 random drawings. Just click through for images & details:

On 3/11 one winner gets a fantastic art photo and set of postcards from ElleMoss on etsy

On 3/10 one winner will receive 500 custom printed business cards from Uprinting.com

TheUnMom's up to something this week, so Bitchin' Wives Club is at the helm. Click the button at the top to visit her & add your own thoughts. Go on .... and make sure you check out her literary link today - it is priceless.

RTT or Random Tuesday Terrors ... EEEK!

Clean Your Room!

Nah, it's not that scary - just messing with you....

Also not THAT random - when I flushed my brain today all that came out was some cobwebs & lots of Halloween stuff. And since there's no way I'm cramming it all back in, here you go. For More info click the pics:

Blood Is The New Black by Barbara Moustafa

I've been a huge fan of Barbara M. for a couple of years now. She has a great sense of dark whimsy in many of her pieces. You can view more of Barbara's art in her DeviantArt Gallery & etsy shop.

Pop on by the Dark Artists Guild. They've got creepy stuff to share all year long.

Dracula Bot by BoltsandBots

Ok, not so scary but I couldn't resist. You want scary? Maybe you should go with the Borat Bot.

Count Dracula by M.S.Corley

I've found a new fave on etsy - M.S. Corley Illustration & Design. There's a whole section called Horrors of Literature! What's not to love?!

Gothic Rose has been in my bookmarks forever. Looks like a fun place to visit

GoodNite Goon by Michael Rex

Back to the theme of Not So Scary - here's what Little Dude & I were reading tonight.

Free Vintage Poison Labels from Spookshows.com

A couple of my faves for you DIY types. Click thru for more free images

free vintage Halloween cards from VintageHolidayCrafts.com

Twilight inspired art by Deborah Bohm

Ok Ok it's Twilight inspired. I think this one fits for Halloween too. If you're a fan, Deborah Bohm has Twilight Art over at her blog Deborah Dare Art. She belongs to the The Outsider Artist blog & they have a bunch of the movie inspired creations posted right now. If you're not a Twilighter ...just play nice, go visit The Un Mom - Goddess of Tuesday Chaos (also not an Edward fan) & wait for the sun to come up....

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Want to see more of my Halloween Faves? Click Here for the Oct 13 post which features lots of etsy finds for All Hallows Eve

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By the way have you entered this week's random drawings? If not click for details & pics of prizes.

I'm hosting:
StormOne's Hand Dyed Scarf Giveaway - ends 10/29
Uprinting.com's 100 custom printed postcards Giveaway - ends 10/29

Also I'm sponsoring a giveaway over at Poppy's Place. Enter to win my Original Drawing Waiting for Spring - ends 10/30

Rolling in the random - belated RTT

Dang! I am so behind this week, I'm posting Random Tuesday today.

If you are behind the times, like me, or just need some chaos in your life, click the button & go see what the followers of The Grand Un-Mom have been up to lately.

In the meantime, I need to siphon off some spare brainwaves so here we go:

My 5 yr old wants to live off of bread & butter. Love to see his reaction if he found this "state fair butter sculpture" on his toast!

Photo courtesy of PamperingBeki

Did you ever see The Devil & Daniel Johnston (2005)? A thought provoking documentary. You can find out more about his music & drawings on his website hihowareyou.com. Now someone has made an Iphone game based on his world. (Personally, I've got mixed feelings about this.)

Love this: "In 1986 Peter had the idea of growing a chair."

photo borrowed from pooktre tree shapers

Doesn't it sound like a great start to a fairy tale? It's from the Pooktre Tree Shapers website. Very interesting stuff - worth checking out.

Actually, it would be a good opening line for a book from the Memorable Children's Books and Gifts Company. I found these guys while I was poking around The Mom Blogger's Club. MCB&G hosts kid's book giveaways too.

Seems like a lot of people I know are having babies lately. Found them some random drawings over at Unique Baby Gear Ideas: A chance to win Maternity clothes & Baby shoes

Okay enough baby-talk. Lets talk talent!

Tom Banwell's incredible Underground Explorer helmet has been picked by the Museum of the History of Science (Oxford) to advertise their October-Feb. Steampunk Exhibition. Congrats, Tom! By the way, if you want an amazing mask this Halloween, stop by Tom's Etsy Shop.


This sound like such a fun show. Check out the exhibition's blog for a clickable list of artists involved in the show & some cool pics. I see that the talented Daniel Proulx of Catherinette Rings is on the list too! Looks like a great lineup.


Shifting gears again - my 5 yr old is crushing me in Gran Turismo...

Have you seen the art of Sarah Fishburn? She calls her art "Mixed Media Narrative" Very fitting & very cool! The above link is to her elaborate website - chock full of arty goodness. You can also see what she's up to on her blog, ragtagsf.blogspot.com

Oh I almost forgot the Mix It Up With Melange art challenge prompt is Gateway. Click through sometime this week & add a link to your mixed media interpretation. While you are there see what other folks have come up with.

P.S last chance to enter tomorrow's random drawing for a print of Amber Freeman's drawing, Little Gift. Just leave a comment here before noon (EST) 10/1 to enter. Details & pics of Amber's art can be found here.

Well, gotta run. The to-do list beckons. I have a theory.... I think it grows while I am sleeping.

RTT - Current Obsessions

Bit of a Drive By Posting today - A Random Tuesday Tumble

Click on the purple button, grab 1 & post some Random Thoughts of your own today. Here's a quick peek at my current fixations:

Sondre Lerche's Heartbeat Radio - I usually like a random mix of music in the A.M. but I'm loving the album too much to change it

The Black Spot Books on Etsy. Everything about this shop is perfect. I am in awe of the talented Margaux Kent. While I am seriously tempted by the Illness Apprentice print series, the little books are freaking amazing too.

photo from The Black Spot Books

Guess what?! You you can try to win 1 over at the Olive Bites Blog. Many thanks M.M.E. Stuttering for pointing out this great giveaway!

Smitten Kitchen's bread recipes - big hit at my house the last few weeks

tique - excellent interviews

The art of Justin Vining & Shawn Stucky - different styles but both really know how to work color & line! (Thanks for the heads up, Nate)

Queen Bee has posted all the art-tags she got from the swap. Now she'll distribute them. Here are mine:

tags I made - photo courtesy of QueenBe

Click here to see the other sets

Fabric!! - 2 Etsy Team challenges (Melange & Steam) this month require use of Fabric. I've too many ideas- need to settle on something soon & get started. I keep missing the SteamTeam deadlines & they have some of the coolest challenges.

Gotta get moving today. Be sure to pop by & visit the Archangel of Anarchy, The Un Mom, & find out why you really really don't want to drink & drive - It is soooo not what you think!

Before you go leave a comment here at ArtSnark's Artifacts & I'll enter you in this Thursday's random drawing for some craft supplies. Click here for list & photo of items in prize package

RTT - mmm..mmmm...linkaliscious!

Missed you last Tuesday

Sadly my time machine is still busted so we must move on....

It's time to flush all those random thoughts so grab a button & play along!

Another tag done - 1 more to go

Giving proper credit: The silhouette is based on one from publicdomainpictures.net. The hooded figure is adapted from thesiNister stock image Hood.

I think it was Joy to the blog who introduced me to unnecessaryquotes.com. If so, thanks Joy! This is my new favorite pick me up

Have you tried whizzball? Not nearly as dirty as it sounds & highly addictive. I've about 50 puzzles my 5yr old made this weekend clogging my email box...

Pampering Beki is giving away a piece of her handmade jewelry on Friday to 1 lucky winner

Tom Banwell is up to something peculiar this week. He's designing gas masks for animals...

"hippo Vajen-Bader 'smoke protector' inspired mask" by Tom Banwell

.....verrrrrryyy peculiar......

And thanks, Tom, for last week's introduction to Radio-Guy:, Steve Erenberg. Anyone into steampunk, gadgets & odd stuff MUST check out this guy .

I think I've mentioned curiomira before but this blog is well worth mentioning again!

A shout out to Totus Mel's Wunderkammer for pointing the way to Goths in Hot Weather - not a keeper for me, but worth a chuckle

In time for Halloween, a seriously cool Beaded Spider Tutorial over at Room3Designs

Beaded Spider by Tiffany at Room3Designs

If you can't be bothered to make one, you can buy a finished spider at Room3designs' etsy shop.


Captain D. turns grilled cheese into eye-candy in this guest post.

And what's a Tuesday without zombies? I think these guys from Barbara Moustafa are craving some of that grilled cheese right now......

Reminds me - time for lunch! Be sure to visit The Un Mom & show us your random today.

P.S. There is still time to enter 3 random drawings happening here this week:

To enter the 1st, just leave any comment on my blog before noon (EST) on 9/10.
1 piece customized jewelry from Etsy seller Jewelry By Solange

For the next 2 leave a comment stating how you would use each prize if you win.
500 custom business cards to 2 winners - ends 9/10

&

A 24" square custom wall sticker to 2 winners - ends 9/13

RTT - Feeling Linky?

I love Random Thoughts Tuesday - it is like spring cleaning for your brain!

1st day of kindergarten for my son. It is eerily quite around here....

My furry brain isn't used to getting up early , so I'm just gonna share cool stuff from around the blog-o-sphere today....

Someone sent me this link last week: How 6 people accidentally found a fortune. My fave is #4. What's yours?

Lili's Lair recently featured goth model Wednesday Mourning. I just love the way her site opens.

Today is the last day to enter the Personalized Blog Background giveaway from Art By Canace.

Had 2 Etsy sales out of the blue last week. Has been eerily quiet in the ArtSnark shop lately so it came as a pleasant shock.... course I turned right around & blew any profit on more art!

As a big fan of Captain D. & Lego, I'm totally digging the Us & Them blog today

A few sites I'm into lately (may be repeating myself here, if so sorry....):

museumofbadart
propnomicon
teako
alchemywebsite
fantastic.library.cornell.edu

Final note today, just leave a comment to enter Thursday's Giveaway this week. The prize is a print from Felicia Kramer's Liquid series. Click here for contest/prize details & to read her interview.

Looking for more random? Head over to The Un Mom for some winkers, AC/DC & pretzel talk.

Shoot that RTT all the way to the moon!

Welcome back to Random Thoughts Tuesday!

Grab a button & play along - it's a great excuse to siphon off some of that chatter in your head

Slacker that I am, I missed Musical Monday

From my Man, I really need to wake up today mix (best when played too loud)

Anyone remember The Steven Banks Show? Funny Man. Now & then I've wondered whatever happened to him. Didn't realize he's been writing for Nickelodeon all this time. Just read today that he's collaborated with Pilobolus (<- warning there's some tasteful skin at this link, don't want to offend anyone. Ooh that sounds sooo woosie...) on their newest "shadow work", Do*id. Sounds very cool & a far cry from the howling dog & bunny shadow-casting I learned at summer camp a million years ago. CLICK HERE sample of their commercial work from 2007

I'm sure you've heard by now that today is the 40th anniversary of the 1st man on the moon. The NY Times Science Times section is devoted to it today. The article on the non-believers is fascinating. Can you tell I read the paper instead of working this morning ? Shh...don't tell

I need more coffee

I remember reading a Ray Bradbury short story 25+ years ago where some astronauts (one may have been named Hitchcock) accidentally see the dark side of the moon ( or some planet -I don't recall) & it is full of scaffolding. Turns out the whole thing was fake. Can't remember the title to save my life - anyone? anyone?

Remember all those great Twilight Zone episodes when misc. astronauts got totally messed with? Those were awesome.

Tom Banwell continues to rock my world with this tentacle tutorial !

I am totally digging these blogs lately: propnomicon , Sandra Evertson, Us & Them

And of course The Un Mom, Grand Poobah of RTT.

OH, and what would you do with 250 custom stickers from Uprinting.com? Leave your answer in the comments to be entered in Thursday's random drawing. For sponsor's disclaimers & details CLICK HERE

RTT - Random Tortured, ehem, Tuesday Thoughts

That's silly, honey. People just don't get smaller.
-Louise to her husband, Scott in The Incredible Shrinking Man

Morning all. Sitting outside with a cup of java before it gets too hot today. Sounds great (& it is). BUT it is only happening because there is a giant spider the size of my hand (no exaggeration!) loose the studio & now I'm too chicken to go in there! I think I saw this movie way too many times as a kid

I was posting for the Melange Fly challenge around midnight & heard a crinkly sound behind me, turned around and Big Bertha was scuttling towards me across a Michael's bag that was on the floor! Don't call PETA on me, but I bashed it with a rolled up copy of Artists' Cafe. A good thick mag, it didn't even phase the critter. Tho my screams woke DH, he only mumbled something about Serves me right for my studio being a mess & when am I coming to bed. Yeah right. Make fun of the arachnophobe.

So, I did the only sensible thing...Used the laptop in the kitchen and continued jumping at every little noise in the house. Too twitchy to sleep I wandered around the house like a zombie. (Knew I could squeeze a zombie or 2 in here somewhere) Finally broke down & guzzled some nyquil (So not P.C. - do not try this at home, kiddies). Then went to the kid's room (furthest from the studio), shut myself in & jammed stuffed animals in space under the door. Eternally grateful for the new bunkbed, I climbed in with my book light & The City of Z. Nothing like a good read on a long long night. Especialy a read that includes scary critters rustling in the jungle & possibly eating civilized explorers. Actually, the Nyquil & adrenaline crash kicked in just as Percy Fawcett was boarding the boat.

So where's the random? Being guarded by THE BIG HAIRY SPIDER!

But while you're here, check this out:

Utrecht Art Supplies Juried Competition is taking entries until Sept 1.

Moonlight Journey has a free collage sheet to download HERE. If you lean towards the ethereal & gothic, take a look around the site & links. Both Becky & Lynn create some fab ACEOs & other mixed media art.

The iprintfromhome Tuesday Tweet Treat is a free 11 x 14 print of your work. This offer is only good until midnight tonight (EST). Click Here for details

And finally...drum roll please... I found this on Nut & Bee last week and it had RTT all over it! Nothing says I love you quite like this:

created by City the NZ Cupcake Queen

Don't forget to pop over to the Un-Mom & see what Keely is up to today: looks like Jane Austin knockoffs, wacky dreams & drinking wine before your dr. visit...All good stuff. While you are there grab a button & play along!

Before you go, remember to leave a comment here to enter the newest Thursday Giveaway. This week's random winner gets Alisa Burke's book Canvas Remix. Just make sure you do it before noon (EST) on Thursday (6/11). Click HERE for book & random drawing details.

Almost Random But Not Quite - RTT

After a weekend of play & no internet EEK! I'm catching up with some of my favorite blogs today. Since it's Random Tuesday Thoughts, figured I'd share a few:

I'm crazy about all the prints in the etsy shop, This Year's Girl. Visit January Wish & find out how you can win a print of Sparrow:


Special Thanks to Cephalopod Tea Party for pointing out the cool site Pouple Pulps. The gallery rocks & the links will keep me busy for a while!

Run, don't walk, to Vintage Paperbacks & Digests !

Anybody remember Doc Savage? Now don't make me feel old, people, just nod your head politely .....

If like me you are lusting after Little Robot's prints & toys, pop over to indiefixx & download a free Lindsey Carr piece while you read the interview. I may have mentioned this 1 before - memory's starting to go. Again, just nod your head at the crazy lady & maybe she wont bite

For you eloquent types, the insanely creative Tom Banwell is running a steampunk writing competition. If you're no wordsmith, go check out his blog & Etsy shop anyway. C'mon, take a few minutes ... it is well worth it, I promise!

Tom, Totus Mel and many other fabulous Etsy Steam Team members will be selling their wares at Maker Faire 2009 later this month. If you're in the Bay Area I am sooo jealous, make sure to mark your calendar!

Speaking of all things Steamy, I am totally digging this poster from ArtFreebies

One last note (again): Don't forget to enter this Thursday's Giveaway. Just leave a comment & you're in! For more details on this random drawing & prize read HERE

Now, Grab a button & go get random! Be sure to visit The Un Mom, high priestess of the cult of chaos, and see what wackiness is happening over there today