The Peculiar Palette

Challenge: I can see faces in everyday things...Can you?

Have you seen that commercial for American Express that flashes pictures of smiley and frownie faces that were spotted in everyday items? Examples include a hanger hanging from a door with two little doorknobs for eyes, and two life preservers and a rope. This is my new favorite commercial! It's one of the few commercials I actually don't fast forward through.  If you haven't seen it, check it out here.

I have started looking around for other inanimate objects that look like faces and was able to find a few. I am challenging you to do the same! Take a picture of what you find and email it to me at thepeculiarpalette@cox.net. I will send a smiley face themed Artist Trading Card made by yours truly to five people who send me a picture that fits the challenge. Names will be chosen out of a hat (or something with similar holding capacity).

When you email me the picture, please include your name and let me know whether or not you grant me permission to post your picture on my blog when I announce the winners. Deadline is February 15th and winners will be announced shortly thereafter. Grab your camera and start shooting!

Good Luck!

  

Feb. 7th No-Sew Mock Indian Tapestries Workshop

Join me at Artistic View Imports in Chandler, AZ for an afternoon of arts and crafts, dessert, and female bonding! I am teaching a new workshop called No Sew Indian Tapestries and I would love to share my techniques with you!. The class is being offered through the Women, Wine and Art group on Meetup.com, but you don't have to be a member of Meetup to attend (although I highly recommend joining this group because it is AWESOME). Just email me at www.thepeculiarpalette.com to let me know you're coming so I know how many spaces to set up.

Click on the link below for more information:
http://www.meetup.com/http-www-creativejourneysforwomen-com/calendar/12373254/?a=fd_new_rsvp_multi_tl

You'll make a piece of art similar to these:

Hope to see you there!

Art Glitter Institute Visit - Finally!

When I heard about the Art Glitter Institute, a company that makes nothing but glitter and glitter accessories and is located in Cottonwood, AZ, I knew it was some place I had to visit. Apparently the founder of the company, Barbara Trombley, loved glitter so much that she wanted to share her passion with the rest of the world and made a business of manufacturing and selling glitter. Talk about following your dreams and making them a reality! I am envious and very impressed.

Yesterday during our roadtrip up to northern AZ in our quest to find some snow for the dogs to run around in, we took a detour and paid the Institute a visit. Well, I did at least. Manny left me there and went to the Army surplus store next door. As soon as I saw the sidewalk and road outside of the store I knew I was in the right place. Glitter all over the place, like a shiny yellow brick road leading me to OZ. Once indoors, I saw the largest selection of glitter I could ever imagine. They have over 400 colors! My brain started to hurt from trying to figure out which ones I wanted to buy. I spent way more money than anyone ever should on glitter, but hey, you only live once. The lady working in the store was quite the sales person. She even talked me in to buying one of Barbara's books, "Glitter Artistry", and even went into the back to have Barbara autograph it for me. Unfortunately Barbara didn't come out to introduce herself to me which was a bummer. I guess she was busy.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed my visit but it's definitely a place I only want to go to once in awhile. Otherwise I will be living in a cardboard box on the curb before I know it!

I'll post pictures of my glitter projects as soon as I make them. Meanwhile, visit their website!

http://www.artglitter.com/index.html

New Year's Wish To All My Friends

My friend Crystal sent this to me  in an email and I liked it so much that I am going to post it here for everyone to read. Happy New Year!

My Wish for All of You in 2010:

I hope that 2010 is a prosporous year for you.

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline and laughter assault your lips.

May your clothes smell of success like $57 cigars.

May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.

That you follow your heart in all you do.

That you help another soul when the opportunity arises.

That this year brings you all you deserve and more.

May 2010 see all of us through with less wear, tear, worries and tears.

May the worries you had in 2009 forget your home address.

In other words ............

I wish 2010 will be the best year of your life!!!