a banner year...

Every new year I think it's a good thing to make a resolution...or at least acknowledge something that one can strive for. This year my sister, Veronica, gave me five cool pewter flags, each one carrying a message. A couple of them are challenging...especially number 2, but they are a good way to start 2009, with these thoughts in mind...





I wish you all a wonderful New Year...and the strength to carry these messages within each and every one of you...
See ya in 2009....

the holiday season rocks on...

a holiday montage of family and friends...

winners

CONGRATULATIONS to the Winner of the Pasticcio Quartz 5!
Linda B

2 bonus winners of Soul Dwelling Notecards!
Michael and Darlie

send your addresses to: ac@acartwrightstudio.com
and I'll send your prizes out to you as soon as I can...

Thanks everyone for playing and Happy Holidays!

getting in the spirit...

Let me share with you...my spirit of Christmas...
Every year as I unwrap these ornaments and place them on the tree, I begin to reflect on memories of days gone by.
I started collecting Gladys Boylt ornaments back in the 70's...so I was thrilled to see they were online and still available through the Gazebo...a quilting shop located in NYC. There used to be a Gazebo in Beverly Hills, and once they closed I lost track of where to buy these magnificent collectible dolls. As I hung these ornaments this year I decided to track down the artist and see if she had a website. I found her works of art are available all year long...and the collections have grown so over the years.

I just love the details...each face is drawn by hand and signed by Ms. Boylt. The clothing is meticulously made, why Mrs. Cratchit sports 3 layers of petticoats beneath her skirt. They remind me of the way Barbie doll clothes used to be made. The perfect tiny buttons, the detailed stitching...you know what I mean...those original Barbie clothes were a marvel...and so are these.
Even after over 30 years...my ornaments look as perfect as when I first purchased them. My collection still holds that magic for me for I chose each ornament as a reminder from that year...

Like the year we made The Nutcracker home movie with the kids...Becca was Clara and Jesse was the Nutcracker...or our Disneyland Vacation on the big bus...or the year we made a home movie called "The Christmas Carol"...now when I unwrap these ornaments those memories come flooding back...little nuggets of the hidden treasures that have made up my life..

I thought I would share with you my collection...because for me...they hold the joy of the season...things that put a smile on your face...no matter how young or how old you may be.

Original Santa with Tree...though over the years he has given up smoking and lost his pipe...

Glenda the Good Witch in the original outfit? Or perhaps this is another fairy. I could not find her exactly like this on the Gazebo site.


The Nutcracker


The Herald Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland - look at that collar...


Tinkerbell flies in with attitude...


Tiger Lily - details...details...This one was bought when Becca was in 4th grade and studying Native American History...


Peter Pan -(looks like Bill Mumy)...is Peter his alter ego?


Mrs. Cratchit...always have plum pudding on Christmas day...Little known fact...I played Mrs. Cratchit in The Christmas Carol...


Humpty Dumpty From Alice in Wonderland...Little Jesse the new baby in town...


Clara from the Nutcracker

Captain Hook...dressed to the nines


It's Christmas Eve...and I'm excited...
Last day to enter the Pasticcio Quartz Contest...I will be choosing the winner tomorrow after Santa's visit...Good Luck...
cheers

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm

as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat.
~Author Unknown

happy, happy birthday daddy....

party on...

Too busy enjoying our annual Christmas Party to take many pix...
but oh what fun it was...I look forward to it every year as this is the time to catch up with old friends, enjoy some good food, and a cup or two (or more) of good cheer...





Good music plays a big part in the merriment. Bobby 'Fats' Mizzell has been playing his down right rockin' music at our party for many years now. His fingers fly over the keyboard and he just brings joy to the festivities. Bill Mumy joined in the groove with Fats for a song or two, as did Joey, Johnny, Annie and Todd from the bluegrass band Old Man Markley. These are such talented musicians who played everything from Christmas Carols to some great sing along classics. How many people do you know that play a nose flute?...you rock Annie! Joey and Johnny...you always make the occasion special.
Keep those entries coming for the free Pasticcio Quartz
See the post below...

happy holidaze...Free Pasticcio Quartz!

Oh yeah...here I am taking a ride in the sleigh with my ole pal Santa. Jingling some bells, heralding in the winter season, digging the snow draped scenery...
CUT TO:
Reality...
Rain...rain...rain...Southern California snow... the tree needs to get finished...where did I store the silverware for the Christmas Party..I've got presents to wrap...the holi - daze is upon me...

FREE DRAWING FOR PASTICCIO QUARTZ - ISSUE 5

In the spirit of the holiday season I have decided to have a drawing for a free Pasticcio Quartz!

If you go to my comment box and put your blog address and put a link to my blog on yours...I'll enter you in a drawing for the latest issue of PASTICCIO QUARTZ... That's Issue #5 - The Holiday Issue ...completely free....! I'll put all your names in a hat...and draw a winner on Christmas Day!
Now if you don't have a blog or website you can still enter...just put your email address and I'll still put your name in the hat!

Has anyone tried those caramels from Trader Joes that are drenched in Belgian chocolate and sprinkled with rock salt?
just wondering...

I wanted to turn you on to these wonderful miniature chairs my pal Connie makes. She made 3 special orders for me, for my Mah Jongg ladies. They loved them...what's not to love...they are precious little treasures that make you look and say...how adorable. Connie takes special orders too and will make a custom chair just for you...
Check out Connie's blog and ArtSeat etsy store for more eye candy...

Gotta go...

playing for change

shadow me

Well Thanksgiving is behind us as we head full speed towards the holidays. I have been using this time to catch up on some things I had put at the back of my desk.
I could not be more excited about my shadow images that have been made into a petite 1"x1/4" sterling silver pendant! I am crazy about them... they are so beautifully made by my good friend and jeweler extraordinaire Tartx. No doubt about it... I am indeed shadow crazy. So these are the creme de la creme of my shadow art. Check them out at my etsy shop where they await your adoption. Or is you don't see the one you want there...CLICK HERE and I will have it special ordered for you...



I have also been making some art...playing around with my new Unruly Shadow stamps that Stampington & Company has just released. They are fun to work with...and here are a few fun things I have done with them.
Here's a ollection of mini banners to string together or hang on the tree. Shadows stamped on silk and connected to 5 x3 fabric covered banners...








and...3-D ATC's chairs made with collage papers...with shadows perched on them...



I think I'll be making my holiday tags with my shadow stamps this year if time will slow down a bit so I can catch my breath. It's misty in Los Angeles these past few days and night is visiting earlier. I need to make myself get outside more...take some photographs and take in the seasons offerings. I'm leaving town this weekend to do just that.....Hope you are taking time to enjoy the season too....breathe deep....