TIMES UP FOLKS

ONE WORLD, ONE HEART BLOG EVENT

WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME

I missed this last year, but was determined to get in on time this year. it's the "One World One Heart" great blog event. It's the third year that Lisa "Oceandreamer" Swifka has hosted this event. For more information about it head on over to this site: One World One Heart. You'll find out about this wonderful event and it will also point you to the 400 plus bloggers who are participating.

As a part of this event each of the bloggers participating is offering a gift to at least one person selected from those who leave a comment on their blogs. As for me, I am offering one gift for every 100 comments left on this site. There are others who are awarding multiples also. I will use a random number generator to select the individuals.

It's a great way to meet new folks and see the great blogs out there.

So, what am I giving away? DOLLS!! What else? These are some that I am working on now. I will pot the give away dolls later on this week. The drawing will be on February 12th. at midnight (Eastern), so I'm cutting off entries at midnight February 11th

So, leave a comment, and make sure you leave contact info. You can enter even if you don't have a blog. Just leave an email address. Now get over there to Lisa's site so you can visit some other sites!

I really am glad that you chose to visit my blog. I hope that you will come back again soon!

Originally uploaded by adilah5

His name is Nathaniel Bowman DePalma


We have a new addition to our family. On November 14, at 7:46am, weighing 7lbs. We are all pretty excited(and a bit tired). Everyone is whole and healthy and we are quite thankful for that. He's pretty dreamy, huh?

A Gift for Big Brother

Recently I found a new product on the web that was just what I needed. I wanted to make a book for my grandson, who is 2, make sense out of the arrival of a baby brother. There are a number of children's books available (I purchased quite a few) as did other members of the family, but none were exactly what I was looking for. I wanted for him to be able to really see himself in it.

Most of the products I found to be too limiting. There was not enough variety in layout, not enough variety in background paper... I suppose I could have opted for some of the professional tools. But, since I was not looking to do mass production or publish for distribution to the masses, I didn't need the cost or time associated with a massive production project.

Inkubook fit the bill perfectly. Now I don't have any affiliation with this company. I did get a free promotional copy for trying it out and inviting a friend, but so did 100s of other folks. You might get one also if you find your way there soon.

Anyway. Take a look at what I got:








I was so pleased with how it turned out. Actually it is close to 30 pages. His father read it to him when we went to the hospital with him to meet his brother.
























If you are looking to create a special project that uses photographs to tell a story, consider using it. I must confess that it takes some time. But the results is well worth it.If you're interested here is the link. Inkubook

New Dolls!!

Well, I've taken a challenge and will actually be selling some of my dolls for the holidays. I've been working pretty hard and am just a wee bit nervous. Please have a look see and let me know what you think. I'll try to post some more as I complete them. I'd really appreciate your thoughts:

This is... Elfin




He's a goodies snatcher. You have to constantly check his hands for snacks. He has really been fun to work on. He's a one of a kind sculpted guy (head hands and feet). I just love his toes. His body is soft wrapped with a wire armature so he can be positioned.




He's done except for some finishing stuff. He's been begging for a hat. I need to work on it!









Would you like to Swing on a Star?

Another OOAK sculpted face , soft cloth body, hands and feet, and a wire armature. I just finished working on the star that she will be swinging from.




One Cold and Snowy Winter Night, Dianna...


This is actually a night light which I made from a lantern that I found. My wonderful husband took care of the hardware construction. It was challenging, but he got the job done. The light is an led which is in her body. There is a scene constructed in the bottom and I cut blue glass for the windows.

This is how the bottom looks with the light on and the door closed.

This is how it looks with the door open.

There is large glitter. Rox stuff on the back windows. A Tree made of air dry clay and lots more snow.

I think you can see where the night light is in this shot. It's actually embedded in her body at the top of her in her skirt.

Spirit of the Ginkgo

I have been working on this piece for awhile. I've been connecting to trees... My father had a favorite tree. It was in front of our home. When he purchased the land, (which was much earlier then he had money to build a home), he marked the trees that would remain when the property was clear. He also determined which street the house would face. It was a corner property. During the later years of his life, he talked of how he marked his days with the life of that tree. The tree is gone now, and so is my father.

Although my father's tree was not a ginkgo, she (this ginkgo spirit) has been on my mind for some time. I have a few more waiting, so I really have to get this one done soon. As you can see she's a pretty big girl. She's approximately 24". She's all polymer and apoxi, with acrylic paint, pearl ex powder and chalk for color. I sealed her with PymII. Tomorrow she WILL get completed. Thanks for having a look.


Here is what the University of Maryland website has to say about the ginkgo:

Ginkgo biloba is the oldest living tree species. A single tree can live as long as 1,000 years and grow to a height of 120 feet. It has short branches with fan-shaped leaves and inedible fruits that produce a strong odor. .

Although Chinese herbal medicine has used both the ginkgo leaf and seed for centuries, modern research has focused on the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), which is prepared from the dried green leaves. This standardized extract is highly concentrated and seems to be clinically more effective in treating health problems (particularly circulatory ailments) than the non-standardized leaf alone.

Canine Partners for Life
(People who are making a difference)

Earlier this month the Manning/Bowman/DePalma clan took a field trip with Fenix to Canine Partners for Life, and I have been on cloud 9 and making pins ever since! What an incredibly selfless and caring group of human beings. We were all in awe. Here are some photos that I took that really don't do justice to the experience that we had. But, take a look...

Back On My Feet Again... I Think!

I can't believe that it's been so long since I last posted. Life has taken over. I'm
just trying to keep up. Sometimes I feel like I'm just treading water and can't get up on my feet without being overtaken.

but then...

everything seems alright, and there isn't much that matters. Except...

their smiling faces!

Artistically, I've been somewhat busy. Fenix(see previous posts on this daughter) needs a service dog. She has narcolepsy with cataplexy. It is really presenting some challenges for her daily life, and consequently mine. I don't think there is anything worse then to have your child challenged in ways that you cannot help. Although we have found an organization that might be able to provide a dog for her, it will be some time before we know. It's remarkable what these animals are capable of doing. Here's a link to give you some idea. This dogs name is Adele. Adele was trained by Canine Partners for Life, and believe me, these dogs and the people that train them make a difference in peoples lives. Take a look at their site.

So, what does this have to do with my art? Well, it costs about 15k to train a companion dog, and although most of the organizations provide dogs at no cost, Fenix and I are doing this fund raisers. I need to do something!



I've started making these small pins. Someone suggested that I also make them into necklaces. They are polymer and hand made. I begin each one with the basic heart shape and then build on it.



I have actually grown fond of working on them, and adding the detail to each one. Each one becomes special. This is how I have learned to let my hands do the work of my heart. This way I can contain it.



Something else that I want to bring to your attention is how difficult life has become for those in this country for citizens that suffer any type of disability. The conservative courts have obliterated ADA. Congress has recently held hearings on the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. This new legislation is an attempt by Congress to more clearly define ADA so that the courts cannot as easily use their on "judgement" in determining if they should hear a case. I have included a video of opening remarks of Rob Andrews (D.NJ) made during those hearings.





I really didn't think that I had enough energy left for another cause in this lifetime, but I guess I was wrong. I have begun to circulate a petition and am urging folks to contact there congressmen and urge them to sign on as co-sponsors of this important legislation. I'll be posting more about this later.





That's all for now. And I really think, I'm back up on my feet again,

What A Powerful December!!!

I don't know where it went. But it was like a whirlwind or tornado or something. At the beginning of the month I knew that I was going to need to construct another blog to make it easier on myself. I decided to just post art here. So baseball, Pop Lloyd, family, books, etc will be at my other blog. It's called Conversations. Click on the title and it will get you there. Take a look! It was a wonderful month full of family, friends and creating. And I was able to begin this new project.



They began as ornaments, but have transitioned into something that I am finding even more appealing and challenging. I'll share some of the new ones with you later. If anyone is interested in how they re made. Send me an email. I'm really happy with them.

Can We Help them Read...
Just A Little Bit More?

As some of you may know, I've been reading and reviewing books for 2008 Myers Center Book Awards. What a joy, pleasure and honor. I wish that I could have made more of contribution. I read juvenile literature, below are the titles that I had the pleasure of reading. As you think about holiday gifts for youngsters in your life, consider any of the titles below. Anyone of them will enrich their lives by challenging their thinking.
I know that it becomes increasing more difficult to get our children to sit still for more then 5 minutes without something in front of them that moves or provides audio visual stimulation. Heck, it's hard for us adults. So how about making this something that is done together. Try reading alternate chapters to one another. Believe me, there are enough "What do you think?" conversations in any one of these gems. Make sure that you check grade levels for suitability.
No, the gift of a book will not initially make you the favorite aunt, uncle, grandma, granddad. But if you have them bring those books for their overnights or holiday visits with you. Reading them together, and making meaning of the stories will helps to create unique memories that will last a lifetime. You are also helping them to develop a life skill that they need to survive.

"From kindergarten until third grade children learn to read;
and for the rest of their lives they will read to learn."

Here's Another Gift Idea

2008 Sheroes
Womyns Warriors Wall Calendar

"Three hundred and ninety six images and bio-sketches of women (it's a 13 month calendar) who resisted the pressure to 'go along to get along.' Who made a difference.

Why the different spelling "sheroes" and "womyn"? To signal that women take action, says Loretta J. Williams, Myers Center director, and that women are not a subset of men to be measured only by their attractiveness to men. There's a spectrum of strategies and tactics used by the various women in the calendar.

Do you recognize the seven sheroes on the cover? From left to right: Egyptian, Tanzanian, Japanese, Okanogan, Menominee, U.S. southerner, South African - resilient womyn! Huda Sha'rawi, Siti binti Saad, Yosano Akiko, Morning Dove, Ingrid Washinatowak el-Issa, Anne Braden, Ellen Kuzwayo. Look inside the calendar, and you learn more about each, and about many, many others.

The calendar speaks to achievements, and to the cost that many paid for their efforts. It honors sheroes from all continents and ages who have challenged exploitation in their people, communities and societies. No one need agree with each and every strategy and tactic used by each audacious woman. Each woman's story, however, offers insights for reflection.

The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights, an independent national center (www.myerscenter.org), is now selling this popular education resource portraying a bevy of women, one for each day of the month, who took risks for greater than their own private purpose. The 2007 calendar, proceeds of each calendar sale go to carry on the work of the Myers Center, has been used in classrooms for writing and research assignments, been read daily over the airways (Atlanta's WRFG 88.93, for example), discussed weekly in human services support groups, and much more.

Women's agency - women's power - as Sonia Sanchez says: "[A]s necessary as water…..as sweet as rain --- Smile rivers!"

We welcome suggestions on womyn rebels who should be included in the 2009 calendar. Email us at lorewill@myerscenter.org.

Thanks - for in the struggle for justice is the hope!"

You can purchase your calendar by clicking here.

Frida Kahlo/El Dia de los Muertos Tag Swap


My first Tag Swap. I used foam board and cut it to the size of large tags. This was also a good time to experiment some more with Paverpol to try and get a 3D effect with paper. The color on this self portrait was an ideal candidate. I cut the entire thing apart and then reassembled it using Paverpol as the glue and to help me shape the collar and flowers at the top of her head. Diego was added for extra measure.

Blogger is acting up again and I can't post individual pictures. I'll have to revert to the slides again.

DOLLS... DOLLS... DOLLS...

I've been trying to finish these dolls from an earlier post this month. Finding the right hair has been my most challenging task. Fatima ( the one in fire colors) ended up with child. I don't know if you can tell that from the picture. The other two don't have names yet, so if anything comes up for you as you look at them, please let me know. I got a great deal of joy out when I figured out how to make the wreath. Blogger hasn't been letting me upload pictures so I had to do these slide shows. When I figure out how to get around this problem, I'll show you how I did it. I am still working on a gourd purse from Sherry Goshon's class at Lisa Heaven's. It REALLY got put on the back burner.

To play slide show click on forward arrow


The FIELD Museum, Red Bull and Philadelphia

While surfing this month a found a site that announced winners of a Red Bull Art Competition. Artist were challenged to make art using Red Bull cans. Entries were on display in Chicago and Philadelphia. DH and I went to the Philadelphia show at the FIELD Museum. The Building is a magnificent old band building. Unfortunately for me the elevator was not working. That means that I only had access to the first floor. The issue of access is one that I face more and more as I try to negotiate the world differently. Sometimes it really bottoms me out. I hate that it has become a question that I have to always ask. I hate that there are those who have always had to ask it. When I was told that the elevator wasn't working, I put on my happy face and "sucked it up". What I really wanted to do was scream at the to of my lungs "I WANT TO SEE WHAT'S UPSTAIRS TOO!!!".

To play slide show click on forward arrow


When we left the museum I walked 4 blocks to the car... The Betsy Ross House was next to the museum and there were some absolutely marvelous buildings in those four blocks. We stopped and had a great lunch. Philadelphia is really a beautiful city. Take a look.

To play slide show click on forward arrow

There was this one poster on the walls that I saw in several locations. It appeared to be really radical. It's the green and white one in the photos. I finally found one that had a logo on it. It was a Mountain Dew ad!



The Wonderful Smells of Fall & Channeling Dorothy

Going to visit Alex and the kids, we have had the pleasure of taking in some and colorful sites. The local farm markets are harvesting gourds and pumpkins, and corn stalks are bundled for Halloween decorations. When the sun is shining they seem even more brilliant. I think that fall has a smell. It's like nutmeg and cinnamon. It's a smell that you can smell even if there's none around. The autumn colors are the key. It's like Winesap apples. My husband loves Winesap apples. He waits all year for them. And it also has a feel to it. Autumn feels like flannel pajamas, soft and warm. It's that preparation time.

I think that I really got caught up in the spirit of the autumn this year. Could be channeling my mother (Dorothy). She LOVED Halloween. Decorating, making treats,kids at the door--definitely her thing. Even when she had forgotten... these kinds of things she remembered.

Restaurant Week in South Jersey

Last month, Hot Chefs of South Jersey sponsored Restaurant Week in South Jersey. All I can say is YUMmmmmmmm! If you are in the area, and you missed this one, don't miss the next. The next one is in March. You can find out more information by clicking on one of the links above.

The Hot Chefs web site is worth a visit no matter who your are, or where you live. Hot Chefs is an association of local chefs and restaurant owners. Here's a excerpt from their website. They speak better for themselves then I ever could.

"We are locally owned, independent restaurants that are chef driven by passionate culinary professionals dedicated to providing great food and great service. In almost all cases, you will find an owner present during your visit. We live here, and we are tied to our communities, and not to the shareholders of distant corporations located thousands of miles away. If you appreciate uniqueness and authenticity, you have to be concerned with the emerging picture that is making America one gigantic mall with all the predictable players. Big business just keeps getting bigger and the concept of originality continues to disappear. Our local coffee shops are now called Starbucks; our local sporting goods stores are now called Sports Authority; our hardware stores are Home Depots. Our drug stores have been replaced by the initials "CVS" and our local banks keep changing their names on an almost monthly basis. Restaurant chains are everywhere, and they have threatened the future of independent restaurants. Thankfully, there is still a significant segment of the American public that appreciates what we do and understands the concept of expertly prepared, fresh food. We view dining out as an adventure and a unique and pleasurable experience. We urge you to try our restaurants and hopefully spread the good word. South Jersey has arrived, and you don't have to travel over bridges to have a great meal. We're right here in your own backyard, and please be sure that we appreciate your support."

We made our reservations, and headed for the Emerald Fish. Big Fun!! Even Alex enjoyed his night out (past bedtime). Four Courses for $30. Don't miss March.