Barbie Memories

I retrofitted my Barbie Memories post for random 5...

5 great things about a miniature super market.  

1)  No parking hassles.  And no need to slump over to the cart return.  The cart just spins around the store.  Over and over...

2) There is no need to walk to the complete opposite side of the store for the only thing you need.  A carton of milk.  Why?  Because the dairy is just sitting at room temperature behind the lettuce.  Look close...

3)  Your kids will think it is the best time they've ever had grocery shopping. No crying fits. Unless they are looking for the candy isle.

4)  There is no cookie isle temptation.  There are no cookies.  No wonder Barbie is so thin.

5)  The paper bags are only big enough to hold a container of tic tacs.  Shopping here means weight loss and fresh breath.  But not much exercise.

For the rest of the story stay tuned...

I dug up my old Barbie Action Super Market last week.  My studio is full of an eclectic mix of old and new objects.  This one is a gem.  Is it cool or what?  The 70's orange colors and all those cute little vegetables.  Priceless! This blast from the past evokes great memories as well.   

 We were on a family vacation in Florida when I received it.  It wasn't even on my Barbie wish list.  My parents did their usual bait and switch at the Hotel room.  Actually, we usually stayed in flea bite motels.  But this was Christmas Eve!  Hotel all the way.  My Dad would say, "Let's go down to the playground." Or what ever excuse they could dream up.  Then when we got back to the room all my Christmas gifts would be there.  We took many a family trip over Christmas.  And I tell you what.  When there is a Disney World involved.  Who needs a Christmas tree!  But this Christmas I remember we went to the weird and wonderful mermaid park,  Weeki Wachee.   If you have heard of this park please leave a comment! I had a blast watching the mermaid performers swim like dolphins.  And I also got to make one of those classic wax toys where you put money in a machine and watch it carve your object.  Cool!  But not as cool as my new Barbie Grocery Store I'm sure.

There's lettuce, canned pineapple and peas, tomatoes, peppers, lemons, oranges, and orange turnips.  Go figure.

The checkout is so cute.  Push the green button and the yellow tab goes up.

Real brown paper bags and paper coins.  I was such a good little girl that I bet I didn't lose one coin!

You put your Barbie in the shopping cart and then turn the wheel and she shops!

 The box.  Priceless.

P.S.  My husband surprised me and put some of my business cards in the shopping cart.  I left them there.  Cute.

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Stick It To Me!

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I've almost completed my new studio space.  I say almost because I'm not going to stop collecting objects of beauty to inspire me. Salli and Nate sent out a challenge to their recipe and map loving illustrators.  If we post a shot of our studio space they'll pin it on Pinterest.  Well, my boards were empty until a few days ago.  I finally started sticking the Voodoo doll.  Here's my link. Ouch!

I did a collage because it would be impossible to photograph all my favorite things in one shot.  The top two photos are close ups of my wine cork push pin board.  Drinking all that Vino to make the board was a hard job.  But somebody had to do it!  The top right photo is a close up of my new denim pockets rug.  It brings a smile to my face on a daily basis.  The middle photo is a close up of an old door from my farm.  It is from a Sears refrigerated building.  Yes, I said building.  The bottom right photo is a kooky wooden sculpture I bought at an art fair last summer. I added the camera.   And the bottom left is a childhood toy.  Cute!  

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The top left photo is part of my Mom's old type writer.  The middle photo is a growling wooden sculpture from Guatemala.  And I have many fond memories of playing the Which Witch? game as a kid.  Thank you ebay.  The bottom left is my cuckoo for cocoa puffs clock.  The middle is a photo I purchased at an art fair last Summer.  An Owl sitting in the window of an old barn.  How perfect to hang on my weathered door.  I love barn boards.  The middle right photos are a Red Wing Crock and one of my orchids.  The middle bottom shot is a container made of old yard sticks.  Cool.  And the bottom right is a little box that I made with my Mom one Christmas.  A long time ago.  

Now for a little vignette I did in my studio.  I'm posting it for hitched.  The theme du jour over at www.illustrationfriday.com  The dog is hitching a ride of course!

Everything you never wanted to know about my studio!

Look at my desk. Do I look busy or what?

Here is my official "objects of beauty" area. Unfortunately it's plum full. Where will I put my next wooden bowl or plastic palm frond? Dilemma...

My husband bought this Boruca Indian mask in Costa Rica this year. The artist who made it is named Jose Gonzalez L. L is for LOVE this mask!

I bought this little wooden Coati this year too. They look similar to Raccoons.

I've never named my pet Flamingos.

My friend Amy Vasterling gave me this pencil sharpener. Naughty!

There's my 2nd self portrait,"Princess and the Me" Instead of Pea. I crack myself up.

That's me and the hubby's feet on the Big Island. And there's a turtle hanging out next to us. And NO that's not real black sand. I don't want anything to do with the bad luck curse. I bought the fake sand at pottery barn.

Look, I'm working so hard that even my computer area is a mess! Except for right now since I'm blogging.

Here's a 2nd look at where all the magic happens. That's my self portrait, "Mermaid Me" above my desk. And do you see my row of photos up by the ceiling? I know what you're thinking. You're thinking maybe I just stare at those instead of work. Actually what I do is set up a blog post! Like right now...