BAD, BAD!, Blogger!

Okay, I must confess...Since my transition to the Southwest I have not been the best blogger on the Internet. I am sorry to disappoint my adoring fans (all SIX!) but I think I am over the moving hump! I think? Well, lets just say I promise to put forth a greater effort to bring you up-to-date on my latest findings and ideas I have stumbled upon while here in Tucson, AZ.

(Image: iStockphoto/ Mark Coffey)

I do not have a good enough excuse for my blogging sabbatical, because it certainly is not due to the lack of adventures and goodies that surround me. Perhaps it is that there is so much to do, see and explore that it has become a popular/ fun distraction for me for months. The "stuff" here is mind blowing and especially for the creative at heart! So, in summation;

I, Elizabeth Perry-Smith,

Do solemnly swear to bring you a blog post, no less than once a week from here on out!

As long as I have a refill for my medication at the pharmacy!

Just kidding, let's regroup and set our sites and inspirations high, after all it is late July and you know what that means? Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, Oh MY! Brace yourself it is going to be a bumpy ride!

Cuff LOVE!

If Coco Chanel made it fashionable....

(photo by Man Ray 1935)

and Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) harnessed it's secret powers....



then, how could I go wrong?

It is no secret that ever since I knew of my plans to relocate to the Southwest, the quest for the holy grail of turquoise cuff bracelets was afoot! I was not quite sure what I was looking for, or what exactly the cost $$$ would be, nor did I know how to identify authenticity, but I know what I like!

ME LIKEY LOTS!

Yes, I am now the proud owner of this uber spectacular, chunky monkey of a cuff bracelet! I literally stumbled upon it at the local Sunday Antiques Fair here in Tucson. Wouldn't you know, I have always had a cuff such as this on my radar, but I had no intentions of finding one this day. I guess it is like finding love, you hunt for it day in and day out, sometimes you are so desperate you are exhausted, and just when you allow your guard to drop...Boom!....Poof! it is right under your nose. Hello beautiful, where have you been all my life?

It fits perfectly to my wrist and is so incredibly comfortable, literally I slept with it on for several nights! It is incredible! Now then, wouldn't a vintage squash blossom necklace be the most perfect pairing with the cuff? Well.....we will just have to wait and see what the future holds! Ahhh, though the suspense is killing me!

My Earth Day Good Deed!

Yesterday was indeed Earth Day 2011! Hip, Hip, Hooray for Mother Earth!!! and No, I did not have any big celebratory plans in mind to pay homage to this wonderful day.....because after all, shouldn't every day be earth day?

Yes,
daily I recycle,
turn the faucet "off" when I brush my teeth,
attempt to conserve energy (currently living with the thermostat @78degrees!),
and now that I live in Arizona I respect my surroundings and the wildlife...ALL of it!
Especially this little(?) fella! Say Hello to my little friend the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake!


Late yesterday afternoon, I walked into my office to discover this rattlesnake taking a stroll down my driveway. He was just cruising along at a snail's pace and paused just long enough to sun himself by the midday sun. First, I must admit I could not believe my virgin Texas (part North Carolina) eyes! I screamed so loud for my Mother I gave myself a headache for the remainder of the day.

(Can you see him? If it were not for that black and white ringed tail he would have fallen off my radar. Don't you love the fact that the color of his scales perfectly camouflage him with the color and texture of my driveway?)

If I were to guess, I would approximate his size to be 3'-0" to 3'-6". Thank goodness for my handy dandy camera lens that enabled me to take these almost up close photos, not to mention I was hanging over the side of the bed of the pickup truck.

I cannot lie, the cursory thought of eliminating him (i.e. taking his life) did pass through my mind. I think it is only instinctive for humans to want to defend themselves against a threat, but that is simply a bit of an irrational, selfish thought. So, as quickly as he appeared for his photo shoot, he disappeared into the evening setting sun. I guess you could say I have traded my furry little squirrel friend from NC for a cold blooded, slithering reptile of the Southwest.

Happy Trails!

It was only ironic that today was Earth Day, because had it been just another day, I would have done the same thing in letting him go.

Hugs and Kisses (or Hisses) this beautiful Earth Day!

Monday's Muse: Tree Decorating by Darryl Moland

Today, I thought I would invite and stimulate your senses over to a fabulous blog I recently stumbled upon dubbed: The Decorated Tree.blogspot.com The genius creator behind this beautiful blog is Darryl Moland. Darryl's blog is not simply about decorating your old tired traditional Christmas/ holiday tree, but rather he embraces and enhances the beauty within each tree and uniquely expresses that inner beauty throughout the seasons.

White Christmas Tree

Now I must admit, when I first laid eyes on Darryl's blog, it was so professional, so tasteful, so beautiful, crisp and flawless (i.e. perfection!), immediately I skipped to reading his profile. This person had to be a stylist for the Martha Stewart Show! I know I have seen these images or some like them in the Rolodex of my photographic memory! Haven't you? That white Christmas tree with its soft blue gray backdrop and opalescent ornaments, along with the perfectly placed milk glass bowl? Was this not featured in Martha or some other magazine? Much to my surprise and shock, no he is not employed by the Martha Stewart empire, but he is just that good!

Picnic Panache Tree

Whether it is an entire evergreen tree, tinsel tree, even the silhouette of a tree or simply a limb, Darryl carefully morphs each one into a one-of-a-kind signature creation. It is amazing how just the smallest tweak of a limb or positioning of an ornament changes your whole perception of "tree decorating".

Even in the heat of the summer, when all you think of the purpose of trees is to seek refuge from the sun, Darryl has used a tree for a picnic! Should I send out the invites now for my 4th of July party so I can do the very same thing?!

Holiday Migration Tree

How about this spring flight of fancy with a tree laden with monarch butterflies. I believe somewhere in my repertoire of various tree hoarding goodies I do have a similar tree with a few less branches...Hmmmmm.

Circle of Life Tree

Woodland Tree


New Year Glitz Tree

I LOVE viewing other artists work and trying to dissect their thought processes. (Blogs are the perfect instrument for this exploration). This is what should truly inspire you to create, seeing art transformed through other's eyes. Like standing/ walking in another person's shoes. It is a wildly fun process in which will broaden your creative horizon to infinity.

Tree of Dreams

Thank you Darryl for allowing us to peek into your life and feast on your imagination! Keep producing your works of art!

Please click here: The Decorated Tree to link over to Darryl's site and read more about the man, the artist (his cats) and his life!

**All Images Courtesy of Darryl Moland/ The Decorated Tree.blogspot.com***

Doggone Good Craft!

Early this morning as I was driving I came to a screeching halt when I saw the "Estate Sale" sign conveniently located at the end of my road. Onward I went up through the canyon and look what goodie was waiting for me! This lovely little gold metal frame! It so needed a good home. Wow, oh so cute and FRENCHY!
It was a no brainer when the lady running the sale remarked that today was the second day, so everything would be half off! SOLD!

As I was cleaning up my new found treasure, I wondered what I should slip inside...a photograph? A drawing? Words of wisdom? And it came to me. Lately in my paper craft explorations I have been obsessed with silhouettes. Silhouettes of children, places, animals, scenes, backdrops, seasons, couples, you name it, there is a black and white image of it out there! So, why not your pets! Here is the simplest way to do this you will need the following materials: a frame, an image of your silhouette, black card stock, scissors and your choice of a decorative paper for the background.

1) I took the glass out of the frame and used it for a template to trace the background, which I will mount the silhouette. I kept it simple and used an old piece of sheet music, but you can go wild and use funky or retro scapbook paper or maybe even old pieces of wallpaper you might have around the house. Heck, you can probably use a crap piece of material.
2) Print out an image off your computer of what it is you would like to trace. I chose my dog Vergel. You can print an image of your children or grandchildren, Easter bunnies (after all it is just around the corner), do an anniversary card with two people kissing, use a picture of your home, pets, anything will do. No, do not panic. You do not have to print the image out on your computer. If you have a picture in your hands of what it is you want, go make a quick copy of it at the local grocery store or print shop.

3) Now, once you have the image you desire printed on paper, trace it out with a pencil. You may have to fudge a bit as I did above in the picture of my dog. I simply traced a line through the bars so I could achieve the silhouette I needed, then cut out along the line you just made.

4) Finally, (sorry no pic) with this image, trace it again on black card stock and repeat step 3. Mount inside frame and you are done! It is your artwork, you made it and it is personal!

Ta-Dah! My Vergel will always be remembered. Love it!

A New "Mini" Bundle of JOY!

It's a GIRL!

Mini Cooper S (3/6), originally uploaded by DaveR53.

Congratulations are in order over at Libby's World Blog, she now is the proud owner of her very own Mini Cooper! Hip, Hip, HOORAY for Liz! I am so happy for her. I can just see her now zipping around the tiny brick roads of Alexandria, VA. Wish I were there to celebrate with you! Instead of christening her with a bottle of champagne, maybe we could substitute a yummy grande americano with steamed non-fat milk and 4 splenda from Starbucks! Vroom....Vrooooooom!

Life Does Exist on the Red Planet! a.k.a. Tucson, Arizona

Lisa Loeb, originally uploaded by Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.