Summertime....

Wait a minute...snowman in summertime!??? Is something wrong with this picture? Nope...it's Holly Jolly July over at PFATT Marketplace right now, and the snowman guy above is a new collage piece I created just for this event! I was also lucky enough to be chosen as the featured artist for the month of July, so you can read all about how I got started on my artistic journey, and what inspires me. You can check it out here.
This looks a little more like summer! I only had one chance to snap this pic of a pretty butterfly feeding in my front yard before it flew away....
Here are some of my recent summertime flea market finds....love the vintage ballet slippers!!
Part of our fourth of July celebration included a stop in Santa Cruz for some fun in the sun at the beach.....
And at the boardwalk! It felt great to dip our toes in the ocean, and we had a blast on all of the rides!


Here's a recent steampunk necklace I created using antique glass beads, watch parts, and a tintype photograph. I just love how this one turned out!

Try to stay cool this summer, and I hope you are able to have a lot of summertime fun of your own!

Pfreaky PFATT Pfright in June.....BOO!

The piece above is available this month on PFATT Marketplace. I designed it especially for the annual Halloween in June celebration that we have...it's always a lot of fun! Be sure to stop by and throw your name in the hat for the wonderful door prizes that we are giving away too.

My very talented friend Colleen Moody created the lovely doll pictured above....isn't she stunning! Colleen has tagged me to list 6 Unimportant Things about myself. Thanks Colleen! ;) OK here goes....I hope this doesn't bore you all....

1. I love the ocean. Someday I hope that I'll be able to retire there with my husband...buy a little house on or near the beach and be able to enjoy it every day.

2. I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I especially love ice cream, and cheesecake..anything chocolate..YUM!

3. I only get my hair cut about twice a year. My hair grows pretty fast, but I hate having to go and get it cut, so I always put it off until I just can't stand it anymore.

4. I secretly enjoy playing video games with my son Simon. We have fun playing together, but sometimes I find myself enjoying it more than him, LOL!

5. I sleep in whenever I can, which isn't very often, but I try just the same. I love not having to wake up to an alarm clock, and usually only set one if I absolutely have to.

6. My favorite vegetables are green...artichokes, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans. In fact, I like the color green a lot I guess, as it shows up a lot in my house, and my art!

Here are the rules of the Tag;

1.Link back to the person that tagged you.
2.Post these rules on your blog.
3.Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4.Tag six people at the end of your entry.

So Tag "You're It!".....here are my six participants;

Jamie of Peach Street's Blog
Lorraine PieCake Primitive's
Elaine of Artful Spirit
Sue of Tinsell and Whimsy
Michelle of The Blackberry Briar
Lone Pierett~ Dollmaker Extraordinaire!


Below are new pictures of the mural...still in progress. We had hoped to have it finished up by the end of May, but things were very busy for everyone in May, so we are still working on it.





I am almost finished with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat!
Doo, doo, doo, da, doo...Inspector Gadget......

And here's how it looks so far.....
This is a picture that I snapped on one of my recent trips to the flea market. I just love these vintage finds mounted under the domes...so interesting!
Thank you again to all that wrote and left comments after my grandfather passed away last month. It has been a slow healing process for myself and my family, and I appreciate so much all of the kindness that you shared from your hearts. :) Thank you.

Busy as a Bumble Bee!!

That's how I've felt for the past several weeks...constantly running from one place to another, trying to complete several projects at once, and never catching up! Below are several pictures of the progress we have made on the mural in the last two weeks. I will be painting again all day tomorrow, and will have more pictures to post this weekend, so please stay tuned!

The lovely and talented Miss Donna O'Brien is hosting a smashing Swashbuckler Soiree ....oh what fun!! Don't miss the excitement....rush over to her blog now to join in on the upcoming festivities!
Here are several pictures of the mural in progress...and a couple of the high school students that are helping us complete it.



And here is what it looks like today. More pictures coming soon!
About a week and a half ago, I had the pleasure of catching up with the Pfatties at PFATT PFEST 2008, in Alameda at the monthly flea market. What a fun day we had, and it was wonderful getting to meet all of the ladies that had traveled from all over the US! Many of these gals I have known from online groups for several years, so it was so nice to finally put a face to their names. :) I shot several photos that day, and will share them with you in a separate post soon, but I wanted to show you the goodies that I purchased that day....some wonderful vintage finds to use in my art....

Here is one of the pictures that I shot in a dealers booth...I just love the old bear, and the pretty birds nest under the glass dome! I will share more eye candy pics with you in the next couple of days, so check back soon.

New Charms!

I just finished these new mini collage charm pendants. They are all one of a kind miniature collages (not photo copies!) that I make by hand cutting the various paper elements, inking the edges, and layering them onto decorative papers. The backs are finished off with a coordinating paper and have been signed and dated. I use 100% lead free solder, and they come with your choice of a 24" ball chain or a ribbon with a toggle enclosure. They are pictured in the silver finish, but I can change it to a black patina as well. The square pendants measure 1.5" by 1.5" and the rectangle pendants are 1" by 3". They are $26 each which includes shipping anywhere in the USA....please email me for international shipping charges. Please feel free to email me with any questions! sylvia@sylviaanderson.com

Here are some of the goodies I found recently while attending my local flea market and the Postcard & Paper show. You'll see these used in my upcoming art & collage work later this year.

This is one of the photo's I picked up.....a beautiful woman named Emily, born on January 14th 1918. It would have been her 90th birthday on the day I purchased this lovely photo of her. Her daughter sold me the photo, as she had a larger copy that she kept at home. Emily was the queen of a Catholic celebration....how regal she looks with her incredible gown, crown and scepter! I am looking forward to honoring Emily in a special collage piece or two.

There's still time to throw your name in the hat for my Valentine's giveaway! Just post a comment on the "giveaway" post below......also, for those of you that mention my upcoming giveaway on your blog, I am holding a separate drawing for a thank you gift. Just drop me a line to let me know that you posted about it and I will throw your name in that hat too. :)

Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the giveaway prize later this week!

I hope you all had a Merry Holiday!

Finally I have a moment to post, and catch up with everyone! It seems the last several weeks have been a blur of activity...from participating in shows, to spending time with family, and seeing old friends....and getting my home ready for the Holiday's. The last month has flown by, and I can't believe that Christmas was here and gone so quickly!

It was a pleasure to meet some new friends at my last few shows of the year, and see so many familiar faces too. Here are a couple of pictures from the last of my 2007 shows for those of you that were not able to attend..... Here are a few special moments from our Holiday this year.....Simon decorating cookies & cakes with his cousins....

Simon hanging ornaments on our tree......

Placing little bulbs on Grandma's ceramic tree with his cousin....

His first time ice skating....

Visiting with Santa on the Christmas Train ride......

My grandma "Meme" and my great-grandma Nina....there are 5 generations of us still smiling! Nina is the oldest at 94 years young, and Simon is the youngest at 4.

Simon opening his first present on Christmas eve....

My hubby Ryan (on the right) goofing around with cousin Art on Christmas eve.....we do a "silly gift" exchange, and Ryan picked a package of fake moustaches....

I managed to squeeze in some time to hit the local monthly antique faire here in Sacramento looking for a present for my father, as well as a few goodies for myself. Here are the treasures I came home with just for me.....a lovely little doll size crazy quilt, some trinkets for my art, and an antique pair of leather & velvet baby shoes with pretty blue buttons.....

I have all sorts of new ideas running around in my head of things that I would like to make, but first I have to get some early spring cleaning and organizing done around the house. Are any of you feeling that early spring "itch"?

Ecclectic Finds from the Flea Market!

I spent a wonderful day yesterday at the Alameda Antiques by the Bay flea market. I met Colleen and her friend Shelly, and we walked, and walked, and walked around some more....up and down the isles of fabulous treasures to behold! Everything that you could probably imagine was there, and I have never been to an antique show that was so large. I skipped a few isles just to take a break and have lunch.... a simply delicious crepe made by a talented french cook, filled with egg, cheese, green onion and sauteed mushrooms.....mmmmmm tasty! It was beautiful weather, and I should have taken pictures to share with you, but I was so busy looking at all of the wonderful things offered for sale that I completely forgot. Next time I will for sure. :) Below are a couple of pictures of what I was lucky enough to find, and all, I might say, for great prices too. The second pictures shows pages from two old books that I picked up there....both from the 1800's. They will be a valuable resource for my altered art designs.

I thought I would have my new charm pendant necklaces done last weekend, but I was so busy that I wasn't able to finish them up, so please check back soon, and if you are interested in something particular, please drop me a line and let me know. Until next time...I hope you all have a wonderful week!