Excited in Wonderland: Hoop Dance

I love watching hoop dancers on You Tube and have been trying to find the right tubing to make my own hoop for a while.  The people at Home Depot had absolutely no clue what I was talking about.  I gave them the name of the tubing and size and they were confused.  Anyways until I can locate some of that tubing here I realized I'm going to have to buy a ready made hoop online.  There are so many beautiful hoops for purchase online and it's so hard to decide which one to get.  Then I found it.  Yesterday I ordered a naked adult collapsible hoop from RainbowFrogs77 on Etsy.  She'll make one to your specifications.  I chose a 41" with 3/4" tubing.  The hoop will come naked, meaning untaped.  That means I'll be able to decorate it myself!  I'm excited!!!  And it was only $17 with shipping!!  I can't wait for it to come in.  In the mean time I'll be gathering tape and ribbon and watching more hoop dance clips on you tube.

Check out Hooping.org to learn more!

Celebrating in Wonderland: Creative Spirits 2009

With my mom, who is also the director of Guma Mami.

Allan working hard as the volunteer bartender.

Quincy, contributing artist & Dan
a couple of Luke's paintings

with Luke and Nel

Quincy's money maker

I can't exactly remember how many times I've taken part in this show. I do know that the first year I did, I was still in high school. I remember that feeling of watching as my piece was being bid on and finally being sold. This year's show was maybe the most fun I've had, but I think last year was the most cash I brought in for the cause. Last year I sold 2 paintings and made about $100 doing henna. That was 3 hours of henna non stop. ugh. I think my favorite part of the show is that every year more of my friends get involved. Some donate artwork and some volunteer for set up or to bartend. In our circle this show is a big deal. We look forward to it all year long. And the featured artists, the Guma Mami consumers, are absolutely amazing. The work they create year after year is inspiring. :) Can't wait until next year's show!!!

Crafting in Wonderland: wine swap update

So it's been a while and I never recieved from my wine themed swap partner.  I hope she's okay.  She really seemed nice and super excited about the swap.  Someone else has volunteered to be my swap angel though.  :)  I love the crafting community!!

Anyways these are the items I made for my swap partner.  I would've taken better pics had I known that she wouldn't be able to post pics.  

Crafting in Wonderland: Victorian Swap

My partner received the package I sent out!  I sent her some note cards, stationary, a framed collage, a couple barrettes, and a fabric covered journal.  I learned to bind pages from a You Tube tutorial, in order to make the journal.  The pages are not lined so she can sketch in it too.  :P

Working in Wonderland: Decorating the Desk

My job is a bit mundane. I work at a desk all day in an office above a shopping mall filled with designer boutiques. I'm thinking about finding some cute and fun office supplies to brighten up my blah days. So I checked out See Jane Work. This is a great site to find items for your home office, your cubicle, or to give as gifts to colleagues.


The cutsey dog and cat are actually staple-less staplers. They can be found in the eco friendly section. I'd love one of these.

The wall mounted file holder would be awesome in front of my desk. It'd do me a favor and keep my desk clutter free. I can't function in clutter. And the memo blocks are just nice to look at.

Crafting in Wonderland: Skirt!

I made this skirt from the newly purchased stash. :) I gave it to Nel, but I've made myself one with another print.

It's really simple construction. It's basically a tube with an elastic waist band. I like it though. :)

Memorial in Wonderland: disheartened

picture source

I read a blog today that made me a little sick. I'm not a fan of war or the military but I ,like many people on Guam, have countless friends and family in the armed forces. The blog post I read was criticizing the troops honored on Memorial Day. It was basically saying that by celebrating Memorial Day, you are honoring mass murderers and rapists.

I'm not sure if the author has known any one in the military or any veterans. My father, brother, and grand father were in the military. My uncle is in Kuwait right now. I have so many friends who are in the military. Most of these men and women joined fresh out of high school. They joined to support their families. They joined to make a living when there weren't many other opportunities. They joined to protect their families and friends from hostile forces and a failing economy. They did not join to murder or to rape and neither did most of their brothers and sisters who've lost their lives in war. I don't feel it is our right to judge the souls of generations of soldiers who died believing they were protecting freedom. Whether war is right or wrong their intentions were in the right place.

Fun in Wonderland:Guma Mami Art Auction

Yikes! It's too big. But the important info is there. :P

Life in Wonderland: waiting on the world to change

I recently had a conversation with some friends and Allan about money and success.  Alot of people in the world view success as having the means, or money, to take care of all your needs and wants.  Well what if money was taken out of the picture?  Would you choose a different path?  How would you spend your time?  If all your needs and wants were taken care of with out money how would you judge success?  When these questions are asked it always goes back to "but the world isn't that way."  Yes, right now the world revolves around money, even though most people don't understand where money comes from.  It took me a while to realize that our money wasn't backed by gold anymore.  Such a small percentage of the population holds the world's wealth, in terms of money.  The majority of the world is struggling to survive.  

One day the world will change.  I believe that one day everyone in the world will have all their needs and wants covered in a resource based economy.  The world's resources will be managed and distributed fairly in the future.  There will be more educators, doctors, and scientists because basic and higher education will be available to all at no price.  Putting a price on education is putting a price on the future.  Everyone will get the healthcare they need with out having to struggle to pay for it.  Every one will be volunteers to make society and the world a better place for the future generations.  There will be no foreclosures,  no bail outs, and no poverty.  This to me, is the only way humanity can truly thrive.

I understand that at this moment I need money to survive, but I refuse to judge my success on it.  I don't want to wait for the world to change.  I want to be a part of the change.  In the more near future I'd like to build a home that will be powered by solar energy.  I want to plant vegetables I can share with my family and neighbors.  I'd like to own a small business.  I don't want to get rich, but I'll still need money to pay for property taxes and healthcare and for the food I can't produce on my own.  I'd like to open a non-profit alternative after school program that gives kids a creative outlet.  A place where art and music can be nurtured at no cost to struggling parents.  At the end of each day I want to relax with my loved ones, in the home that can't be foreclosed, and know that even though I don't have all the finer things I am making a difference.

Community in Wonderland: Vick's realease

So Michael Vick has been released from jail. Don't remember who Michael Vick is? He's the NFL star who was busted for running a dog fighting ring. *BOOOO* I noticed a bunch of people defending Vick, by saying things like a human life is worth more than an animals, they were just dogs, and he's only being treated so harshly because he's a celebrity. So I have a few comments to share about those excuses.

I believe an innocent animal's life is more important than that of a deranged human life. I'm sorry but that is just how I feel. He allowed and participated in the brutal torturing of helpless animals. And I'm not just talking about fighting them. There was a female pit who they excised all of her teeth. She was used for forced breeding. He allowed and participated in the drowning, hanging, and beating of dogs. And this was all done for "sport", entertainment, and money. Did the NFL not provide enough of that for him and his entourage?

And yes I agree, Vick is being judged a lot more as a celebrity than if he was some random Joe. With celebrity comes responsibility. There were children out there to whom he was a hero. How many of those kids now think it's okay to abuse animals for thrills? And then there's the kids who know what he did was bad and have just been completely let down. What about the men, women, and children who spent hard earned money to watch him play or buy his merchandise? And what about his kids? hmmmm.

Basically, I feel that Vick is getting what he deserves, maybe even less. I think the best thing for him to do now is to at least fake remorse and start volunteering as much free time as possible to animal causes, maybe even become a vegetarian. lol. I'm sure he won't be getting many endorsement deals, even if they let him play again.

tons of good vibes going out to: All or Nothing Pit Bull Rescue and the many other people and organizations who helped care for and rehabilitate Vick's dogs, as well as countless other animals in need.

Shopping in Wonderland: Design Sponge find

Isn't this ring awesome!!! You can have messages inscribed on the inside of the ring, but unlike normal engravings, this leaves a subtle imprint on your finger!

I saw this on Design Sponge.

Too cute in Wonderland: Aren't they adorable?

Celebrating in Wonderland: Help me with the birthday menu!

I'm working on putting together a list of appetizers to make for my party. I love All Recipes and use it as a resource when I'm looking for party food or just to try something new at home. I've spent some time looking and these are some of what I've found.

Jalapeno Popper Wontons

Spicy Pretzels

Crabby Cream Cheese Wontons

Bacon Roll Ups (variation)

Sausage Cups

As you can tell I'm looking for yummy, inexpensive and simple recipes. If you have any additional ideas I'd appreciate it. Keep in mind it has to be recipes that don't need to be served hot.

I'm planning on serving these on my Urban Outfitter's spider plates, d.i.y. coffin trays, and whatever else I can find that fits the theme and my non existent budget. :P

Down in Wonderland: It's really sad.

I just read an article that is circulating and it really made me sad and disgusted. In Malaysia, some villagers decided to get rid of unwanted dogs by ditching them on an island about a half hour by boat away. So the starving dogs turned to cannibalism. Isn't that sweet?

It's actually disgusting and honestly I'd rather they had put the dogs down humanely or even just shot them. But there are animal activists going in and trying to help the animals by leaving food and getting them off the island. I hope that goes well and there isn't any permanent damage done to the surviving dogs.

But you know what is pretty crazy? From what I've heard, in the U.S. people don't do things like this to dogs, but they do transport homeless people from state to state. The state offers homeless people a free ride to the next state. I heard they've ended up all the way in Hawaii and maybe even here on Guam. Okay so it's less likely that homeless people will turn to cannibalism, but still I don't think we should be shipping people or animals away just to pretty up our streets.

Read the article.

Celebrating in Wonderland: Happy Cinco De Mayo!

It is once again time to break out the ponchos, sombreros, and tequila to celebrate a historic underdog win.

Drink Responsibly!!!

Crafting in Wonderland: Etsy fabric shopping

I made my first purchase from Etsy recently.  I ordered some fabric from Rainbow Fabrics.  She has 1,146 sales with 100% positive feedback.  She also has some awesome fabric!  I got a few Alexander Henry half yards and a Michael Miller fat quarter.  I also purchased her fabric sample of the week, a timeless treasure fat quarter, for only $1.00!  I think I'm most excited about the A.H. half yard of Midnight Snack.  I'm going to make that in to an apron.  :P  Oh and the M.M. Tweet Tweet in black is so cute I couldn't help myself.

At first Allan thought I was a little crazy, but then he acknowledged the fact that I do need fabric.  The fabric stores here on Guam don't carry a lot of fun stuff and if they do they are really expensive.  I figure I can buy these designer fabrics in small quantities on Etsy and get the basics here on Guam.  I can use the pricey fabrics as trimming to the basics. 

My next purchase is going to be some jersey knit.  I'm thinking about getting some hemp cotton jersey knit from InfiniteCosmosHemp.  At $5.25  a yard it is a great deal.  That'd be great for dresses and skirts, oooo so comfy dresses and skirts.