The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee Fundraiser!

 Visit the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee now to make your donation to 

support the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society's Annual Fundraiser.

Super cute operators are standing by!

photos via Laurie Cinotto's IBKC.

Mary Engel Mixed Media Sculpture

I thought I had a lot of tchochke's to manage in my studio...but it just doesn't compare to artist, Mary Engel's treasure trove-and look how tidy!! I'm especially fond of Mary's hand built mixed media  sculptures that mix ceramics and found ceramic figures and findings. Sometimes it seems the simplest  and most literally expressed ideas are the ones that work like magic...e.g. watch dog, bird dog.  And wasn't it Shakespeare who wrote, brevity is the soul of wit...  I suppose he would know! xo

 

Bird Dog 

Ceramic and found objects 12 x 25 x 10 in.

 

Joan

Mixed Media 19 x 17 x 20 in.

Kitty

Mixed Media 17 x 24 x 18 in.

 

Laying Bird Dog

Mixed Media 24 x 11 x 9 in.

Tillie

Mixed Media 32 x 43 x 12 in.

Falcon

Mixed Media 22 x 34 x 18 in.

Mary Engel's Studio corner and muse

Mary with her muses, Mingo and Bonnie.
 

 Detail of Mary's Treasures.

Visit Mary Engel's Web Site for more!

A Very Sweet and Southern Engagement!

Congratulations are in order for my sweet and lovely friend, Alicia Magee! Alicia and Clay, her Texan beau of five years, are tying the knot this summer! These shots of the couple were taken by one of Alicia's best friends and fellow SCAD alumna, Nichole Barrali of nbpimages.com. The location is Fort Pulaski on Tybee Island just outside of Savannah. The couple chose this spot as it was on one of their regular weekend outings to the island with their dogs that Clay chose to surprise Alicia with a ring! Alicia is a creative pearl of a girl and its marvelous to see these photos that so capture her enchanting spirit...

Thank you for allowing me to share these Alicia! 

I am so thrilled for you both! xoxo

Penguin and Fish

Etsy and blogland happily make the world a smaller and friendlier place for like-minded artists and craftspeople. This morning I got an email from Alyssa at Penguin and Fish informing me that she kindly posted about my new sculptures today, while just yesterday I began compiling photos of her fetching handmade creatures to post about here! (This isn't the first time this kind of alchemy has occurred either!) I'm so happy to find her wonderful blog too. Thanks so much, Alyssa...and right back atcha! xox

Unicorn no.3
(blue with colorful plaid details)

Horse no.11
(chocolate brown with orange plaid details)

Lion Kitty no.114

Unicorn no.7

Kitty Sketchbook

Kitty no.98
(Gold herringbone with orange stripes)

Cuddlebugs Seeking Homes!

Meredith

Linus

Sarah

Lily

Ace

Here are some Pugs in search of permanent homes that are currently being fostered by Sepra or Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption. They have a wonderful website where you can read all about the Pugs and their personalities, medical history, and eccentricities( a missing eye here, a diaper-wearer there-others are practically perfect!) There are also adoption and tips on raising Pugs. Many of these babies are puppy-mill rescues who are only now learning what real dog life should be like! These dogs are located from St. Louis to Georgia and Florida. I wish I could take them all!

The Francis Files

There is a section on The Humane Society's website called The Francis Files which features stories from those who feel an animal or animals have influenced their faith or whose faith has influenced their view of animals. There are only a few articles so far- but there is one that I thought to share with you titled, "Remembering Marie: Speaking about Pets with Passion and Faith" by Stephen H. Webb. The author's relationship with Marie reminded me of my Henry who passed away about four years ago. I think some people thought I had a pretty pathetic, irrational, and co-dependent relationship with that chubby old three-legged pug. I knew however that Henry was my constant companion through good times and bad. For seven years he was always simply content to be near me and that gave me comfort. Click here for the story. Maybe you have one of your own. I hope so.

Sneaky Henry

My niece Maggie and me with Henry

Moving Day to Savannah

Cute Overload

Any bad day can be turned around with a visit to Cute Overload!
I have to get my daily fix or else!