.~ Summer and Spice.~

I am working on a fabric line called Summer amd Spice.
This is a tiny beginning.
You should try to make your own fabric also!
Go to http://www.spoonflower.com/

.~ For Sale: Hand Painted Gift Enclosure Cards.~

 

Play Clothes

SOLD

Went to West Virginia

Mexico Vacation Skirt

SOLD

Went to West Virginia

Handpainted Gift Enclosure Cards by Traci Suzanne Marvel

Comes with Colorful Evelope

Signed and Dated on the back By the Artist

Created on Watercolor Paper with Watercolor Paints and Ink

Story Behind the Artwork:

In 2006, I was getting ready for the Harvest Festival at the Sundance Resort in Utah.

Up until October of 2006, I only exhibited and sold my fine art photography.

But this time, I decided to exhibit and sell some of my watercolor postcards and gift enclosure cards.

Guess what?

I sold out!

It was the first step into sharing my paintings with the public.

Up for bid are two of the gift enclosure cards that I kept from that place and time in my life.

But there is a time for everything and it is time to find a new homes for these.

If you like them, hope they find their way to you!

.~Sea Glow.~

Sea Glow

10" X 7"

By Traci Suzanne Marvel

Acrylic on Harboard

 SOLD

(Going to VA)

Story behind the Art:

"When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worshop of the Creator." ~Mahatma Gandhi

I live in Montana where it can be extremely cold in the winter time and due to snowstorms, one can find themselves house bound for days at a time. I think out of complete boredom, my imagination takes me on excursions to foriegn places. In this painting I find myself as a seagull by the seashore admiring the glow of the moon. It is a very warm, quiet and reflective painting.

I wish I was there now~

.~ Santa's Softer Side.~

Santa's Softer Side

Original ACEO

By Traci Suzanne Marvel

2.5" x 3.5"

Mixed media: Acrylic, Watercolors, Pastels

Painted on 140 lb Watercolor paper

SOLD

(Going to VA)

Most everyone believes that Santa is a jolly ol' guy all the time. But sometimes Santa is just like the rest of us, and he gets a bit teary eyed when he reflects on some of the injustices that go on in this world. The good news is that Santa doesn't stay sad long, as he he knows that he can't fix everything! So he gets busy doing what he can to spread joy, hope and peace to all he can reach.

It is a good question to ask ourselves each day: What can I do today to make the world a better place?

.~Coco Chanel.~

"Classy and Fabulous"

5'X7"

Watercolor on 140 lb Strathmore Post Card Paper

Artist: Traci Suzanne Marvel
Sold
(Going to PA)

"A woman should be two things: classy and fabulous." ~ Coco Chanel

This design came to me one day when I was thinking about my mom and how I loved to shop with her. She loved to shop in little out-of-the-way boutiques in Berkeley, California.
Oh what fun we had. I am sure that those shopping adventures helped shape my artistic eye.

.~ Find Folk Art .~

Celebrate Every Day

16" X 20"

Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

By Traci Suzanne Marvel

SOLD

I believe that we shouldn't have to wait for a birthday to come around once a year to celebrate our lives. It seems to me that we should celebrate our lives each and every day! This painting is a reminder that every day is worthy of a celebration!

I have some great news! The wonderful folks at Find Folk Art are representing me on eBay now.  Celebrate Every Day is my first painting that I listed with them.  I hope it does well. I will keep you posted!

.~ Super Sized Super Snack!~

Can you believe that this is a dog cookie?  It is.  I made it out of the smae dough that I make my Speak Up! Flax, Blueberry and Peaches Super Snacks.  Usually the Super Snacks are made into stars, but yesterday I made a couple others that were free hand.  I post the other two in a bit.  I might have found a new art.  Scu;lpted Dog Cookies!

\

.~Color Skeins.~

These are 5 of my most favorite colors.

My Montage 11/23/09 at OneTrueMedia.com

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

.~ Saturday's Muse.~

"What becomes of the broken hearted? They buy shoes."

~ Mimi Pond

“What no wife of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he's staring out the window”

~Burton Rascoe

“The sun does not forget a village just because it is small”
~African Proverb quotes

A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live”
~Bertrand Russell

"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it.”
~Frank Zappa

.~An Art Picnic!.~

Here is a collage od some of my past paintings

~Traci in Houston.~

Houston Quilt Market was a wonderful experience.
I can't wait for Spring Market in Minnesota!

.~ Making Good Choices.~

Now that I am 50, I am discovering that I am more concious of what I am eating than ever.

Here is some great advice from the www.marilu.com website on replacing unhealthy foods with healthy ones:

SUBJECT OF THE DAY Cooking Class: Healthy Substitutions
It’s easy to live a more natural lifestyle by making some healthy substitutions in your kitchen. You’ll have some hits and some misses trying out new ideas, but you owe it to yourself to be as healthy as possible.
I’m sure a lot of you already know much of this information, but a little reminder never hurts!
You can get more details from Marilu’s books or ask at your local health food store or search on-line.
Replace: Healthy Substitution
Milk: Rice, Soy, Almond, Oat, Hemp Milk
Creamer: Soy Creamer
Sour Cream: Tofutti Sour Supreme
Eggs: EnRgee Egg Replacer (powder), Applesauce, Tofu (scrambled or in baking)
Butter/Margarine: Vegetable Oil Soy Margarines/Sticks. Unrefined Vegetable Oil
Yogurt: Soymilk or Coconut Milk Yogurt
Cheese: Soy/Rice Cheese, Hummus or other spreads
Refined Cooking Oil: Cold-pressed Vegetable Oil
Table Salt: Unrefined Sea Salt
Ground Meat: LiteLife SmartGround or other ground meat substitute
White Flour: Unbleached Whole Grain Flour, Almond Flour, Coconut Flour
White Rice: Brown Rice, Wild Rice, Millet, Quinoa
White Bread: Whole Wheat Bread, Spelt Bread, Sprouted Grain Bread
White Pasta: Whole Wheat Pasta, Rice Pasta, Quinoa Pasta
Dairy Frozen Desserts: Rice, Soy and Coconut Milk Frozen Desserts/Fruit Sorbets
Soft Drinks: Natural Sodas sweetened with Fruit Juice or Stevia/Club Soda w/ splash of Fruit Juice
Replace: White Sugar, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup, Saccharin, Aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet), Sucralose (Splenda)
With: Pure Maple Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Stevia, Agave Nectar, Unrefined, Granulated Cane Juice (Sucanat), Date Sugar, Honey, Fruit Juice

Cheers to health!

.~Dolly.~

.~Live, Laugh, Bark.~

 

.~Waiting.~

 

“Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by.” anon~

.~Cowgirl Dreams of Being a Bride.~

.~More About The Wine and Food Festival.~

"In the idyllic setting of the Sundance Resort, at the foot of Mt. Timpanogos, a small gathering of tents covers a stellar collection of wines and some of the area’s best chefs and their specialties at the annual Sundance Food & Wine Festival. This low-key event, now in its fourth year, benefits the Sundance Preserve — 5,000 acres that are protected and devoted to ensuring the environmental health of Sundance’s North Fork Canyon. The Preserve, a concept that was far ahead of its time, is a living model for the advancement of sustainability, promoting wildlife and habitat preservation and restoration, watershed protection and numerous other worthy pursuits. It also encompasses the myriad cultural and creative activities that take place on the grounds of the resort year-round (sundancepreserve.org). As for the festival, it’s a mellow afternoon of sipping samples from vintners of the Sundance Label Wine Program, including such luminaries as Selby and Viader — and of enjoying everything from wood oven pizzas to cold soups from area chefs.
If you’re up for it, start the day with a ski-lift ride to the top of the mountain and perhaps a hike over to Stewart Falls. You can also save your energy for eating and drinking and simply ride back down the lift and take in the spectacular view. September 5, noon-4 p.m. Sundance Resort. sundanceresort.com. 801.225.4107."

Text by Virginia Rainey

.~Miki Show.~

Oh how I love this video!

.~The Grace Show.~

Here is a video that my nieces and I made while visiting my mom:)

.~Kathi Roussell.~

Kathi Roussell - artist behind Kathi Roussel handmade jewelry - donated this gorgeous coral cherry earrings. Just listen to the description:
"These juicy looking natural (not dyed), warm, rosy salmon coral "cherries" are contrasted with hand forged oxidized sterling silver stem, leaf and ear wires. the earrings gently swing and swish -- for a bit of urban drama.please note-- the coloration of the coral varies. i am down to the last few pairs of matching coral beads-- these are definitely lighter than the ones pictured. more of a medium to light salmon orange color."

Kathi had the great honor of being a featured seller on Etsy, please take a look: http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=6162949

Also take a minute to visit Kathi's blog: http://kathiroussel.blogspot.com/

Thank-you so much for donating to our Heart @ Work Auction Kathi!

.~Heart at Work Auction Blog.~

I have been working on getting all the auction items up on their own blog! To all who are following the auction, please sign up to follow this blog: http://heartatworkauction.blogspot.com/
I will be posting all auction updates here now~
At the time of this post, I still have over 100 items to post!!!
If you see something you like, you can email me with a silent bid up until August 7th, 2009.
Thanks for all your support!

.~Brando's Birthday Wish.~

Here is my newest painting called "Brando's Birthday Wish." You can buy him in my Etsy Store
Sundancer's Art Adventures He is 1/2 Cairin Terrier and 1/2 Airedale Terrier. Wonder what he is wishing?

.~Morris Pottery.~

Morris Pottery

Gorgeous, Gorgeous,Gorgeous!

That is the only way to describe the pottery found in the Morris Pottery Etsy Store!

A husband and wife team are the artistisans behind these functional works of art. Paul hand throws everything and Denise os the sculptress!

I was so excited when Denise accepted my invitation to donate something to ur Heart at Work Auction. Thank-you so very much Paul and Denise!

.~Beautiful Bridget.~

Kimberly is the artist behind all the gorgeous creations in the Beautiful Briget's Etsy Store.
Kimberly's grandmother, Margaret Phillips, had breast cancer. She is donating this gorgeous neck warmer in honor of her.
Kimberly designs and creates quality handmade scarves, scarflettes, cowls, wraps, hats, beanies, warmers and more from all types of vintage and novelty yarns.
They are simply the most exquisite handmade fashion accessories I have ever come across.
Thank-you so much for donating Kimberly!!!

.~H3 Creations.~

I love H3 Creations announcement on the homepage of her Etsy Store
"Bring nature back to you!
A long time ago people weren't using chemicals to heal their skin. They were using HERBS....YES HERBS. Each herb out there has a purpose for your skin that you can acheive by infusing in water or oil, or simply by eating it. It is time to stop hurting ourselves with chemically made products and get back to nature. "
I agree. It is time to get back to nature. Don't you think so too?
Thanks so much for donating to ur heartat Work Auction!

.~Cheryl A. Smith.~

Cheryl A. Smith Etsy shop contains sweet things stitched by hand and other goodies!
Look at these cupcakes! Don't they just look so real?
They are perfect for a tiny tea party or as favors at a birthday party or shower.
Zero calorie eye candy which can be used as a pincushion or felt food collectible or a teddy bear treat. These cupcakes are stitched completely by hand in polyester felt from an original pattern. Please visit Cheryl's shop to see all the other sweet things that she creates!
Thank-you Cheryl for donating!!!!!!

.~Brush With Imagination.~

Brush With Imagination

This is a shop for collage and mixed media supplies, plus Martha's own collage creations. You might already know about her other shop for her abstract paintings colorpoetry.etsy.com -- if not, please check it out!

Thank-you Martha for doanting to our auction!

.~New Fashioned Whispers.~

New Fashioned Whispers
Esty shop is so pupular that Melissa cannot keep up thankong the people that include her shop photos in their Treasury's!
I love how she greets you on her
store's front page:
"This little store is where whispers of the past are made new again. Every item is handmade with love and the up most care. I offer custom orders, recreations, and bridal jewelry. If NewFashionedWhispers is going to be featured in your blog, website or treasury please contact me through ETSY. I appreciate every customer from the past, present and future. Hopefully you'll treasure the little whisper of the past you carry around and hold it close to your heart as someone else once did."
Isn't that just beautiful?
Thank-you Melissa for donating a PEACE of you to our Heart at Work Auction!!!

.~Love Art Works.~

Love Art Works

The first time I saw Kristin Love's pottery on Etsy, I was SOLD! Her handmade pottery is so colorful and filled with "light and laughter!"

If I could, I would buy out her entire store!!!

I am so excited that Kristin will be donating a piece of her pottery to our auction. If you have any special occasions coming up that you need a gift for, like my birthday which is September 3rd, I would definitly make your purchases at Love Art Works!

Thanks so much for participating in helping find a cure!!!

.~Fiber To Dye For.~

Fiber To Dye For
In this charming Etsy Boutique, you will find beautiful knitted, crocheted and felted creations.
Beth Hubbel - the artist behind Fiber To Dye For - loves to connect with nature and the simple pleasures in life and tries to express this in my art.
I think that she succeeds!
Thank-you Beth for donating to our Heart at Work auction!

.~Nature and Art By Maria Kitano.~

Nature and Art by Maria Kitano

I want to share with you Maria's Bio:
"I am a full time artist from Germany. I have been painting and drawing since childhood, using various techniques , going from pencil and graphite to pastels , watercolors and finally oils which I like the most.

There is no complicated philosophical explanation about my paintings , the whole sense of my work is to communicate an emotion to you by watching a painting.

My work is a celebration of life, inspired from things I see every day , things that most of us do not pay much attention to. My daily experiences: watching the sky , a bird , conversations, media, photos, television, memories, are reduced to abstract shapes and colors which allow me to show what I feel is important and beautiful."

I love Maria's work. You will too!

Maria thanks for participating in our auction. I can't eait to see what you doante!

We are so fortunate that you said YES!

.~The Poppy Tree.~

The Poppy Tree
Wow! What a really wonderful Etsy Store! Kelly, the artist behind The Poppy Tree- art si filled with "sunshine!"
I asked Kelley if she would be interested in participating in our Heart @ Work Auction and she sent a large envelope filled with prints! I was and still am in shock!
Kelly's bio reads:
"I am a self taught artist. I love painting as much as I love to breathe... trees, orange and green, loving and laughing with my beautiful little girl Abbey , sewing, rainy evenings, hedgehogs, squirrels, elephants and dogs, chocolate, tea, staying up until... really late, anything paper, canvas or wood. Oh and etsy, I really, really do Love etsy."
I love Etsy too and especilayy Kelly and her giving spirit.
Thank-you Kelly!
P.S. I think Kelly should send this print to the Jackson family. It so reminds me of Neverland~
It is beautiful!

.~Taeeun Yoo illustration.~

Taeeun Yoo illustration Etsy shop mesmerizes me. It is filled with images created out of Taeeun Yoo's joy filled imagination. The talent found here will astound you! Many of these images are published in magazines and on book covers. They are printed on beautiful 100% cotton archival matte paper, signed and will be shipped in a cellophane bag for protection.

Taeeun emailed me and let me know that a package is on its way with the following images:

Evening on a Roof Top

Balloons

Fireflies

Polar Bear Swimming

Thank-you so much for participating in our Heart@Work Auction!

I continue to be amazed at the generous support that the etsy artists are giving us!!!

.~Bluebird Blessings.~

Bluebird Blessings handmade journey began when their almost three year old daughter was born. One day they took a look around her room and found they had more plastic and commercialized items than they ever wanted. A few garage sales later they decided they wanted meaning and simplicity for her toys and that was the beginning.
I am so supportive of handmade toys for children. I hope you take a look at all the adorable han made items in this shop.
Thank-you so much for supporting the quest to find a cure!

.~Studio Petite Update.~

I woke up this morning to an email from Jen from Studio Petite
You know the one that has a BIG Imagination but creates in a tiny space:)
When I went to Jen's Etsy Store
This is what I found...
Description:
YES WE CAN! The lovely Traci of "Sundancer" asked me if I'd be willing to participate in the Heart @ Work Auction, which benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She will be walking a 60 mile walk that raises money for breast cancer research. To do the walk she must raise $2,100.You can contact her for more information on contributing to her walk or auction at: www.sundancer.etsy.comI will be sending her 2 free prints to place in the Heart@ Work auction. I will also be giving her 50% of every print sold on Etsy. After her walk is finished, my contribution will continue on...YES WE CAN!This is a print of my original watercolor painting.It's printed on Matte Fine Art paper. This archival paper has a texture like watercolor paper. It brings to life the authentic feeling of the original. I use Epson Ultrachrome K3 ink.The image measures 8" x 10" with a white border around it for framing.It's signed on the back by me(the artist).I will ship it to you with great care in a cello sleeve inside a sturdy cardboard mailer.*This also comes on Smooth Pearl paper for $15 Thanks and Cheers!"
I am basking in jens talented and charitable spirit!
Please show Jen your support~
Thank-you so much! oxoxoxoxo Traci~

.~Farrah Fawcett.~

Good-bye Miss Farrah. You were a special person here on earth. I admired everything about you especially your courage.

.~Paolucci Illustration and Design.~

Paolucci Illustration and Design

Sarah is going to donate a wine bag to our Heart at Work Auction. On her Etsy store website she describes it as "soft to the touch it adds a bit of "wow" to any bottle of wine."

Sarah not only creates wine bags, she is also a talented illustrator also. Please make sure to stop in her store: Paolucci Illustration and Design

By the way, Sarah participated in the Avon 2 Day 40 Mile Walk and raised $1,800 for finding a cure for breast cancer.

Thank-you Sarah for helping fight the fight.

The only way cancer can win is if brave people sit around and do nothing:)

~Patty Bilbro - Foxfire Pottery~

~Patty Bilbro - Foxfire Pottery~ Patty's pottery speaks directly to my heart. If I could, I would have my kitchen cabiniets filled with Foxfire Pottery.
I love what Patty wrote about her work on her profile~
"My attempts to simplify my life are reflected in the shapes, lines and surfaces of my most recent work. Simplicity of brush strokes, figures and emotions are combined on traditionally functional shapes. I rely on unmanageable atmospheric patterns and colors created in the kiln to reveal the often complex nature of those things that appear simple."
Please take some time to visit Foxfire Pottery it will make your day!
Thank-you for donating Patty!

Krafted Keepsakes288

Just look at these glasses! They jumped right off the web page the minute I clicked on them!
The artist behind them is Ardell from Krafted Keepsakes288
I love her description:
"These lovely ladies each hold 16 ounces of wine!! Saves on all the walking back and forth for refills!! Great for girls' night out parties, bachelorette parties, you name it. Each glass is hand painted by me with glass enamel paints and glaze. They are dishwasher safe but I recommend handwashing. Complete with rhinestones and a brass bustiere wine glass charm these girls are ready to dazzle!!"
Ardell lost a great friend to breast cancer. Her donation is on behalf of Cynthia Alex-Burrington. "The wound heals but the heart keeps hurting. I miss you, Ardell".

Thank-you Ardell!!!

.~Novely Antigoni's Jewelery Design.~

This Etsy Store - Novely Antigoni's Jewelery Design - is located in Greece.
There are so many beuatiful jewels in this store!
I a so appreciative that Antigoni is participating in our Heart at Work Auction.
Antigone was inpired to name her jewels Novely which is the italian word (nove) for nine (9), a number very significant for her life.
She loves rich colors and feminine designs for her jewels.
Everything in this shop is top quality and one-of-a-kind~
Thank-you so much for doanting!!!

Field & Sea

Jennifer at Field and Sea accepted my invitation to donate an item to our Heart at Work Auction! She said she was going to put together a little donation package. I just think the items in her store are so fresh, lively and fun. Please grab a basket and go shopping!!! You won't find things like this anywhere else but here!
Thank-you Jennifer!

.~Sea Glass Designs.~

I took this description straight off Sea Glass Designs Etsy Store:
"A beautiful cobalt blue wrapped in sterling silver. The sea glass measures 1" (2.5 cm) in length and hangs on a 20" sterling silver box chain (16 or 18" chain may be substituted by request).
The glass was found on a Cape Breton beach.Sea glass, also known as beach glass or mermaid's tears, is nature's answer to bottles, china and pottery carelessly thrown into the sea many years ago. The glass is tumbled on the ocean floor, smoothed by the waves and sand until it washes up on shore, waiting to be found by a lucky passerby."

I feel so fortunate that I was lucky enough to find this Etsy Store. it has the most unique items and I feel blessed that they would like to donate to our Heart@Work Auction!
Thank-you so much!

.~Shepard Creations Handcrafted Glass Art.~

Everything in the Shepard's Creations Etsy Store is made by Paul and Patirce. This artwork is clearly inspired by a love for nature and all God's creations. I hope you take sometime to see all the wonderful items they gave to offer!

Thank-you so much for donating!

.~Andrus Gardens Textile Art.~

At the Andrus Gardens Textile Art Etsy Shop you will find original garden and nature inspired textile art. Sue uses her own hand painted and sunprinted fabrics, various other fabrics and fibers, paints, and more.
You can also find her Note Cards, Art Quilt Pins, Fabric Bowls, Patterns and more in the Etsy Shop as well! For display info please visit here: http://www.andrusgardensquilts.com/howtodisplayquilts.php
Thank-you for donating Sue!

.~Ouma Clothing.~

When I first saw this image, Carnival Party," I emailed Monique to see if she would donate a print. I didn't realize this was a fashion shoot of her clothing! I think this photograph is just fantastic! But what Monique - owner of Ouma Clothing - actually does is create clothes for girls who want something fun and completely original. Each piece she designs is a one off made by her two hands. She selects exclusive fabrics and trims with quality and individuality in mind.

If you're looking for that special piece for a certain special event(or maybe you're super chic and can pull off looking ultra hip everyday) then you've stumbled on the perfect spot.

I am not sure what Monique will donate, but I can't wait to see!

I think she should make a coffee table book of all her fashion photography!

Thank-you Monique!

.~Bee Dazzles Pendants.~

The pendants at Bee Dazzles Etsy Shop will brighten your day! They are handcrafted in Minnesota, by Bee from her original artwork. For more about the art and previews of new designs, please visit Bee's Buzzings: http://beedazzles.typepad.com

.~Linda Norton.~

Oh how I love this painting. It is called "Starlight." I discovered it in Linda Norton's Etsy Store
There is something abou tit that just sends me~.
Linda is keeping all her adventures and misadventures in one place on her new blog. http://backto-squareone.blogspot.com/
Hope you take some time to explore Linda's artwork.
She is a treasure~
Thank-you Linda for donating to our auction!