Happy Halloween!

Here it is. The result of Halloween. As I had suspected no one knew who I was, but they liked my sweatshirt :)

I convinced Phil to go as a S'more. That was obviously more of a crowd-pleaser.

Oh, and the other crowd pleaser...Halloween Candy For Adults!

Halloween Brittle.

Holy Cow! Was this stuff good!

Here's the gist: Melt a pound of semi-sweet (or bittersweet) chocolate and pour it in a cookie sheet with parchment. Then top it with crumbled pretzels, chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, crumbled Butterfinger, peanuts, and Reese's Piece's. Then drizzle more chocolate on top to secure everything. Leave it in the freezer (or fridge) until it hardens. Then take it out and break it up. Enjoy.

P.S. you are going to have crumbs. Place them in another container and save it to top ice cream later!

Happy Holiday!

  

Make the Music with Your Mouth Biz....

So I didn't grow up under a rock, but I never saw this album cover until recently.

I think it is so clever, and so ridiculous that it has inspired my Halloween costume this year.

I'm going to a party, with a contest. I'm sure I won't win, but I made myself a costume in The Biz's honor anyway. If for nothing else, I find it terribly amusing.

It basically consists of me wearing a decorated sweatshirt in an effort to look larger than I am. I photographed my process for you. This was in case you want to do the same for yourself. My key ingredient (besides a flesh colored sweatshirt) was iron-on adhesive I bought on a roll from JoAnn Fabrics. It is a genius product.

Here I drew on paper, with pen, my designs.

My supplies.

Here's the iron-on paper adhered to black flannel. I have traced all my feather parts.

I'm tracing the arm band.

I am cutting the parts out.

I am ironing them on.

This is a close up of the arm band and head dress.

This is the almost finished product. I am going to make feathers to hang off the armband, and also to hang from the drawchord on the hood. Oh, this hood has no chord? What kind of a design is that? Good thing I am prepared with chord of my own.

Here are the feathers I made on their own.

The adhesive seems to work well, but I sewed these to provide reinforcement. I actually sewed the chest patch down too.

So here is the finished product, the sweatshirt anyway. It is complete with the extra feathers I made. I'm not sure I look exactly like Biz Markie, but I know I get an "A" for effort.

And I also have a cool new sweatshirt. Stay tuned for the rest of the costume in my post-Halloween post, maybe Monday. I'm making Phil a costume too. That one will be my secret.

Have a great weekend!

Just In Time For Halloween

 

Since my last post was so visually stimulating, I thought it would be fun if this one was too.

And it's pretty perfect since Halloween is coming. See this guy my look normal, but really he's got his make-up on now. Eventually you will recognize him from that Lady Gaga video.

 

Art Imitates Life

Sometimes I just have to ask myself, "What side of the looking glass are we on?"

This photo uses no digital enhancement. Alexa Meade paints directly on people and photographs them. It is too cool. She was on the front of YAHOO! yesterday. Here is the link:
 http://news.yahoo.com/photos/alexa-meade-photos-imitate-paintings-1319236464-slideshow/#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Falexa-meade-photos-imitate-paintings-1319236464-slideshow%252F1-photo-1319231555.html

I never cease to be amazed by art and it's ability to constantly challenge reality.
Visual stimulation is a blessing.

Sharing More Inspiration...

A Scarf and a Story...

This is a Story of Inspiration...

A Scarf and It's Roots....

This is a Chocolate Castle!

Oh and I found this other scarf on Etsy that deserves some attention:

Have a beautiful day.

Ski Equipment Garbage Art

This is the latest piece in my art collection of mosaics made by my mom. (and Frank)

I use the term "garbage art" because the centerpiece is an old ski binding that has been indemnified. Once a binding gets too old, you can't ski it anymore and it must be thrown away. Fortunately for this binding it was designed to be multipurpose, thus saving it from the dumpster. It is also a beer bottle opener. (Because a skier should always be prepared.) When I worked at the Ski Barn, in NJ, I snatched up this piece of history. Four years later my mom has finally made good on her promise to make it look cool.

I know what your thinking. And from this angle you can see how it would open a bottle.

And since I am my little brother's biggest fan, this is my favorite part.

My mom is so lucky to have given birth to such talent over and over again :)

If you would like to get your hands on some of my mom's work yourself visit her Etsy shop.

New Style

This is the Florida Scarf we are all familiar with. It is how I've been making neck warmers since 2007. This year I have decided to branch out. I've created an additional style for the scarves. They are bigger, thicker, chunkier, and wider.

They aren't as compact as the traditional version, but they are practical in different ways. You can tuck your face in it, to protect from wind. It will also cover more of your chest and shoulders. And since there is more surface area to work with, I can add more buttons and accents.

Click the photos to check it out.

Have a nice weekend.

Stay Warm.

The leaves are starting to fall in Alabama. So I'm sure it's chilly where ever you are too.

I'm on Pinterest

I've been on pinterest for a couple of months now, but I'm stepping up the game.

If you aren't familiar with pinterest let me explain. It's a place where you can (virtually) go and create your world (who you are and who you would be if money and time were limitless) with imagery.

You set up "pin" boards of things you love. If you're an artist, it's like a working studio. If you not, you might picture it a lot like your bedroom in high school or college.

The great part of pinterest is that it is also a social community. You can see what other people "pin" and comment or re-pin. If you like pretty pictures it'll be more addicting than facebook.

I encourage you to check it out. Follow me while your there. I'd love to share inspiration with you.

Click the photo to go to pinterest now.

Click this photo to check out me specifically on pinterest.

Have a great day!

Painting Award

I am quite pleased to announce that this bad boy just own the 2011 Army Arts and Crafts Contest in the Category of Painting!

In addition to this certificate I was awarded $300.00.

Over 440 artists entered the contest with numerous entries. The works were judged in August by a professional panel. Entries included that of Garrison Soldiers, Family Members, Army Civilians, Retirees, Deployed Soldiers, National Gaurd and Reserve Service Members.

If you are interested in viewing more of my work:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/scgeraci?ref=ss_profile

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1715890291380.2093870.1061892509&l=f8f0ac58c1&type=1

To see the rest of the winners from the contest:

https://apps.imcom.army.mil/APPTRAC

 

Aviator for a Day

There have been a few moments here at Ft Rucker that have been REALLY fun and exciting. I try to participate as much as I can in order to broaden my (military life) horizons. One opportunity that has been offered recently is participation in Aviation Spouse Day. It's like a "field day" for the spouses of soldiers going through flight school. You know I jumped right on this. When chosen to participate you get a chance to go through a "typical" day for your spouse. (sort-of) 59 other wives and I had a blast getting to know one another while attempting to put ourselves in our husband's shoes. We went to the flight simulator and shot M16's, M2's, and the SAW gun. We also went to an initiatives (team building) course where you solve practical problems outdoors. The flight simulators were also on the program that day. I got to fly a Blackhawk :) The last place we visited was a building called H.O.S.T. It is where they train the soldiers to survive a helicopter crash over water. CRAZY! I got to meet many great people, that put immense effort into my husband's education. And palling around with some new ladies was pretty awesome too. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the day.

This is the briefing from the Commander, General Crutchfield. He is the most awesome CG I've ever known. (never mind the fact that he is the only one I know :)

Turkey hunting is way more fun than enemy hunting.

This is not the simulator I was in, but it's pretty close.