Eat Dessert First

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We've all heard the saying, "Life is short, eat dessert first"...well, I acted on it.

Tonight.

I hadn't had dinner --- BUT--Kimberly brought over a HOMEMADE, NOTHING SAYS LOVIN' LIKE SOMETHIN' FROM THE OVEN LEMON MERINGUE PIE.

It was sitting in the fridge.

It's not right to have it sitting in the fridge. All alone. Sort of. With the other boring fridge foods.

All I could think about was the LEMON MERINGUE PIE in the fridge.

I wasn't ready for dinner (even though it was dinnertime).

But..I was ready for PIE!

So, who's gonna stop me? PieBusters? Nuh uh no way.

One bite and I wanted to run down to the beach with the rest of the pie.

Hide it from my family.

And eat it all.

I didn't.

Eat it all that is.

But I wanted to.

Lemon Meringue pie was my Mom's favorite pie. She always wanted it on her birthday. I wish she was here today -- I would have given her the whole pie..well, minus my slice :)

Sing O bla Di O bla Da

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Okay, I LOVE these coasters. Especially the one with the Beatle's "toasting". Is that COOL or what?

If you love 'em too let me know before my daughter steals them from me....

They are available for purchase, you can contact me at: StudioLaSarre@bellakarma.com

Does Alice Live Here Anymore?

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When Linda received her Frida Coasters she sent me the following comment:

"Jolene, you packed them so carefully and I was so awe-struck at how beautiful these coasters look in person. I was smiling from ear to ear and screaming from the excitement of having them "home." You really know how to put that artistic touch on all your creations. I could not have imagined them looking better in person but they do! I LOVE THEM. Everyone should jump on these cause they're little pieces of art and they're ORIGINALS! Thanks for mailing them off to me in a timely manner and for packing the heck out of them for safe handling."

An extremely happy customer.......~Linda, Los Angeles, California

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Today I created the vintage Alice In Wonderland Coasters.

I've had so many positive emails regarding the coasters -- thank you all!

The Alice coasters are available for purchase - you may contact me at StudioLaSarre@bellakarma.com

Legend

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I carved a favorite image of John Lennon...who in my opinion was THE greatest songwriter of my generation. I was 13 when The Beatle's invaded America (as the press put it). I am 55 now and STILL listen to their music daily. I am as blown away today, as I was all those years ago by the haunting lyrics of Lennon & McCartney.

To watch some incredible videos of John go to the official John Lennon website.

The Wonderful World Of....

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WALT DISNEY!

I carved this rubber stamp this evening. Walt Disney was such a part of my world growing up - and probably your's as well. Every Sunday evening we all gathered around our television set as he introduced us to his Wonderful World.

A Beautiful Day

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It's nice when you open your door to new friends, and old. And the cottage is filled with creative vibes, hearty laughs, good memories being made...and then --- as if that were not enough --- the god's drew it to a close with a sunset like this one. The photo is taken from Little Corona Beach where the winds nearly blew us off the cliffs --- but it was FUN...and I welcome FUN after the tough few months my family has endured.

Dear friends who came by today - know that you are 'gifts' I cherish.

Do You Ever Feel Like Daffy Duck?

I couldn't believe it..I SOLD the Frida coaster set already today! I don't mind admitting I felt like Daffy Duck doing the dance and bouncing off the walls thing that he does :-) YethTherEeee!

Valentine Gift for a Frida Kahlo Fan?..and Mo Carved Wubba!

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This is my first set of COASTERS offered for sale. If you know someone who is a fan of Frida Kahlo these would make a unique gift. Email me for more info on them. Remember, I will also make custom COASTERS of your images. Just holler! :-)

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Doing my relaxing thang again ...carving da wubba! Notice on the owl I drew in the eyes after..I am not that advanced yet to get those teeny-tiny dots with even my smallest carving blade! Oy!

I like "Barking Up The Wrong Tree"..but I picture it in a positive light...little doggie is barking at the kitty letting her know he will get help for her :-) Aww..I touched your heartstrings with that one I bet. HA HA!

It Was Raining Pine Needles!

There is nothing like the sound of chain saws in the morning ;-) Yesterday the Heliotrope pine trees got a buzz-cut -- Kimber has only been after the tree-trimming honcho for weeks to get this done!

Kimber needed to 'become ONE with the TREE'...such an activist that Kimber :-) Here she is doing her Tree Yoga -- it empowers you to branch out, you feel rooted, and it leaves you feeling refreshed. (Disclaimer: Tree Yoga is completely pine-less and our Yogi's aren't sappy.)

I had to document the tree-trimming Dude in Kimber's tree. I won't say Kimber was supervising...but when she donned the orange hard hat and grabbed a chain saw I was a wee bit concerned.... 0kay, I've gone out on a limb with that one...however, she did want a ride in the bucket!

Coasting With The Beatles

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I've been wanting to try an image transfer on tumbled marble --- so I gave it a whirl today - and...voila...it works beautifully!

I made these tumbled marble coasters for Jill and Cooper.

I will also be making these to sell - they make fun gifts when they are personalized -- just picture favorite old family photo's on them (always a photocopy, never the original!) -- or your pet -- or your favorite Beatle :-) They measure roughly 4"x4" and are as solid as..well...tumbled marble :-) I use a foam backing on them..so no slip sliding away!

Email me at studiolasarre@bellakarma to tell me what you'd like on your coasters!

IF IT WERE A PERFECT WORLD....

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...then all of my rubber stamp carving would turn out perfect!

I hesitated-for a moment-in posting this attempt at my Monkey stamp. Afterall - it wasn't PERFECT! So, I decided to write on the sign the monkey's are holding "Strive For Imperfection".

I've been carving rubber since December 25, 2005 and already I get frustrated if it doesn't come out RIGHT. I really need to loosen up! :-)

The Beatles sing "everybody's got something to hide, 'cept me and my monkey!"..so I decided not to hide my monkey's..no matter how imperfect they turned out tonight. It was FUN, and I learned not to carve when I'm tired!

I haven't come a long way baby...

Hmmph...all I did ALL DAY was clean the cottage.
The slate floors look all ..er...slatey? The tile's shine. The furniture smells like Pledge. The glass looks like glass ;-) ....
And I made no time for ART.
Oh well, a goil's gotta do what a goil's gotta do sometimes...right Wilma?

I'm Just Happy To Be Here With You Tonight

LOOK OUT!

On my way back from a run for art supplies and a quick run into Kinko's I came home via our old 'hood in Newport Beach.

Around the corner from where we used to live we had numerous auto accidents - the wailing of sirens and choppers flying overhead was a daily occurence. And it was here where I almost was a statistic today.

A woman was making a LEGAL left turn onto the major road - she had the right of way - and I slowed so she could merge in front of me -- knowing the hazard there.

Out of NOWHERE a sports car complete with blonde hair blowing in the wind comes flying through the red light.

She clips the woman who was turning -- car parts clanging everywhere on the asphalt -- and she is headed right for me. Right.For.Me.

In an instant I said my 'goodbyes' to everyone in my head. She was going close to 55mph in a 30mph zone and I appeared to be her next target.

In an instant she got control of her speeding over priced bullet - and veered.

All I could think was .... I am still here...I am still here.

When I stopped shaking and got over the urge to puke I looked skyward and thanked my Mom.

I never really believed in guardian angels until today.

SnapShot Of Intentions

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Webster's defines INTENTION as: a determination to act in a certain way. I made New Year's INTENTIONS rather than RESOLUTIONS this year. Maybe I will fulfill them....at least that is my intention :-)

My primary intention this year is to stay focused on my art. I am determined to push my self-imposed limits and work with mediums unfamiliar to me.

Carving rubber was always something I thought about, but never attempted. Guess what? I found I CAN do it. But more than that - I find that I love it. The smooth carving of the rubber helps with my stress level...and it takes me away when I am involved in the process. I need that. Many of us do...for some artists it's knitting or crocheting, for me its the rubber.

SnapShot is my latest attempt at carving. Photography is another hobby of mine, so of course I needed a camera stamp!

Carving a Niche & Breaking the Mold

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Now that I drive a Beetle (again) I no longer 'burn rubber'...but I sure do dig carving it!

As I checked out the surf on a January morning I caught sight of the shore lined with beach umbrella's..honestly, the BEACH jammed with people in WINTER...c'est la vie in SoCal!

It inspired me to carve my own QUIET spot in the sand :-)

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The older..er...more MATURE I get the more I seem to regress!

I am playing with clay! Polymer Clay.

The 'religious' embellishments are created from molds that I made after a trip to the local Catholic goodie (?) store. The sun faces are molds purchased at the craft store.

These are all just trial runs as I experiment with curing time and paint effects. My intention is to create one of a kind bracelets and prayer (or ) wish boxes with the clay.

This One's For You MOM

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(This was written on November 17, 2005- nearly one month after Mom passed away.)

A Symbol of Peace

For four and a half years now I have lived here on the coast and hardly a day has gone by that I did not spend time on the cliffs overlooking Little Corona beach - you have all heard me talk of it - it is my sanctuary - my place of worship, and solitude. I brought my Mom in her wheelchair to my spot many a time when she and Dad moved here. A walk across the Goldenrod Footbridge and a stroll down Ocean Avenue brought us to Little Corona. Mom loved the spot - and even on days when a walk in the wheelchair was not feasible I would drive her to the corner of Poppy Avenue and Ocean to enjoy the view while sitting in my Bug.

I was not sure I would be able to enjoy Little Corona again for quite some time - I lost my zest for its beauty three weeks ago when Mom crossed over.

Yesterday as a rainstorm approached and I was on errands I looked towards the ocean and thought - "oh Mom", "how I wish you were seeing this sky and sea today" - with tears in my eyes I told myself I may never be able to enjoy this again.

Last night I signed on the computer and found an email from one of my dearest, most cherished friends, an artist who lives in Los Angeles. On her way to work, where she manages the library of a Catholic school she was praying for my Mom's soul and my family. She was compelled to write me last night..."While our loved ones are not with us physically, they really are still with us in spirit. They really never leave us. We keep them alive with memories and we honor them by going on with our celebrations and daily activities. Really. So, I thought I'd pass this on to you. It may not make you feel better but then again. So maybe you outta go take a trip to the beach and think about your mom there because that's where she'd like to see you. And maybe she'd feel better to see you trying to enjoy what she wanted you to have."

When I woke up this morning I knew I had to walk to Little Corona - and with tears streaming I walked the footbridge I had so recently walked with Mom. I wasn't sure if I could make it (emotionally) to Little Corona. I stopped at LookOut Point - then gathered my courage and walked on.

When I got to the cliffs of Little Corona I decided to "ask" for some sort of "unusual occurrence" that would validate for me that my Mom was at PEACE and it was okay for me to enjoy the beauty of our home even though she was not with me. Nothing happened. I was feeling empty and a bit angry. I turned to walk away - and "something" told me to look down at my favorite rock formation where the surf breaks ...and at that very moment a WHITE CRANE appeared, swooping down and landing on my favorite rock. A crane. A symbol of PEACE.

My daughter, granddaughter and I have spent countless hours at Little Corona..and not one of us has EVER seen a crane there.

A coincidence?

The tears welled up.

It was my Mom.

Carving Out An Afternoon Of Art

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These three stamp's have been on my mind for a week -- and I finally carved them today.

1) Counting Crow's
2) Kong!
3) Give Up War For Lent (my personal favorite).

I start carving and I can't stop!
So, whatcha think? Leave me a comment.

Papa!

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This is Papa.

90 years young...and a USC fan since 1939.

The sweatshirt was a Christmas gift from Thom and Kimberly - when Papa opened it his reaction was .."well, it's about time!"...he never owned a USC sweatshirt before ..he was out-numbered in the family with UCLA fans :-)

Frida de la CD

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There has got to be a ba-zillion CD's on our planet that are only contributing to landfill's wouldn't you think? So, I recycle them into ART. Especially the FREE AOL ones. I mean good grief, we could pave the highways of America with them!

The Frida CD was another one of my "Summer of the Postcards". I used images of Frida, embossing powders and fibers to embellish. I punched holes in the CD by first warming it up with my heat tool. I wonder what Diego Rivera would think of that? ;-)

The Creative Spirit

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May she watch over all creative kindred spirits this year. :-)

Last summer myself and artist (Soul-Sista) Linda Forrest of Los Angeles did an "art swap" that Linda named "The Summer of the Postcard" -- neither of us took a trip to Tuscany or London --infact we never left Southern California --- yet we created postcards throughout the summer to 'capture' and share our daily creative journey's. My postcard pictured above was created with foam board that I altered to give the look and texture of an antique clay tile -- I found a holy card with a Saint (who is she?) who looked ready to create a work of art or poetry!