tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25702774164637929172024-03-05T12:23:29.696-05:00The Painting QueenTales Of My Life Thus Far: My Guitar God King, The Crystal Visions Art Universe <br>and The Further Adventures of A Fairy Queen GrandmotherThe Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-49779896289097513062015-02-16T13:57:00.000-05:002015-02-16T13:57:36.186-05:00Fire In Ice Sculptures At Frederick Maryland's First Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-O_FY972aOEjiqVVnnoMsnHVK-VPk6TrXSlBTnIFghIHA14mGcjcVpoU4V0w4_2Fz1b0KS9oFFXO-NkIq8OrZ0LYZQvuUTgF61kZDkElar_Pgk1WqCGfnoNvDdPtCFxWWxYvUma6yIU/s1600/fredericks+fire+ice-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-O_FY972aOEjiqVVnnoMsnHVK-VPk6TrXSlBTnIFghIHA14mGcjcVpoU4V0w4_2Fz1b0KS9oFFXO-NkIq8OrZ0LYZQvuUTgF61kZDkElar_Pgk1WqCGfnoNvDdPtCFxWWxYvUma6yIU/s1600/fredericks+fire+ice-2.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The town was hopping, people were shopping, and we enjoyed the excellent cold weather festivities</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">! As we walked through huge crowds in the historic section of Frederick Maryland's downtown, we quickly noticed that the cars were filling up the roads. Yes sir, the amount of strolling people on the sidewalks was much larger than usual. That is due to the February 'Fire In Ice!' event presented by the <a href="http://www.downtownfrederick.org/">Downtown Frederick Partnership</a>. One of the biggest First Saturday events of the year and what great luck to find ourselves here tonight! Wow! We were o</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ff to enjoy the ice sculptures!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thankfully the weather was mild compared to the freezing weather we have been enduring. We loved how t</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">he ice sculptures looked radiant with their icy sparkle and shine. When the sun sets, the skies darken, and the city lights come on. The ice begins to reflect surrounding colors, and the night's magic begins. The stunning ice swan below was one of my two very favorites of the night! Love love love it! So graceful and regal! This one got quite a bit of attention from the crowds with lots of phones snapping up a photo op. There is actually a little girl in a pink coat on the other side of the swan giving it that hot color pop.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8Rsw8bEC4hdTLfACgfz5HHgkTbrUWnnVx2ada2nI1zkXSTRakN5x1gX9UWesDjHHsUdrrIZ2shRC5N5kZIHvThG3VqQZpxvTYyQLSgj5zqfTh_qBySO4GDSlUN79hJBzW5W8xiLaw1E/s1600/ice+swan+federick+md+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8Rsw8bEC4hdTLfACgfz5HHgkTbrUWnnVx2ada2nI1zkXSTRakN5x1gX9UWesDjHHsUdrrIZ2shRC5N5kZIHvThG3VqQZpxvTYyQLSgj5zqfTh_qBySO4GDSlUN79hJBzW5W8xiLaw1E/s1600/ice+swan+federick+md+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When walking along Carroll Creek by the frozen water we came upon a series of ice signs... ice advertisements? Uh where were the sculptures? Seemed like this would have been the ideal spot to showcase some great ice art. Hmmmm... we are moving on. Hoping to find some real ice sculptures along the streets of town, we then found this sledding penguin hanging out on a street corner.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLii6USpd4Miy8Zwg_cftSMgDtlxXZKnO-Zd3tts32KGl3vSjlOcQzKBVs1dglZpzzxkeGPdbeVPum__SP3k92FKlwdsyWH1iTCxt1rLKXKmYFdiKMeow435isYVt_Ju5KSfX-32NJaQ4/s1600/penquin+on+sled+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLii6USpd4Miy8Zwg_cftSMgDtlxXZKnO-Zd3tts32KGl3vSjlOcQzKBVs1dglZpzzxkeGPdbeVPum__SP3k92FKlwdsyWH1iTCxt1rLKXKmYFdiKMeow435isYVt_Ju5KSfX-32NJaQ4/s1600/penquin+on+sled+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we spied a happy waving lobster! Alright! Nice! We got some real ice sculptures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6md3mRTcGAQ-vVfqbT6P52Z1EpBmCh28yI35dSomxQBoV4hj465kQubiMzAhACzTGGqqXs1ubcjG1AO7lOJMC5D00fH71wMunjwV8MSIrhhuvneixSDER1v9KoGhk4Fo7zNyk8OYjvo/s1600/lobster+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6md3mRTcGAQ-vVfqbT6P52Z1EpBmCh28yI35dSomxQBoV4hj465kQubiMzAhACzTGGqqXs1ubcjG1AO7lOJMC5D00fH71wMunjwV8MSIrhhuvneixSDER1v9KoGhk4Fo7zNyk8OYjvo/s1600/lobster+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a swimming fish that looked similar to a past year's fish sculpture we have seen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMjvpvFZtcfDOKuSE0coPhcuj-Jvk3fev67wDxPxGZgVN4lAri783yIRJPsDNwFOg8aOQfNEzlhKXxBJWkGqbZr-Uaj7I7tJ1L-N64rRkRftGKpaZniC1zqm-epiGwAd8Jfb_JMHBd0Q/s1600/fish+ice+frederick+md+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMjvpvFZtcfDOKuSE0coPhcuj-Jvk3fev67wDxPxGZgVN4lAri783yIRJPsDNwFOg8aOQfNEzlhKXxBJWkGqbZr-Uaj7I7tJ1L-N64rRkRftGKpaZniC1zqm-epiGwAd8Jfb_JMHBd0Q/s1600/fish+ice+frederick+md+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out the sculpture below! I absolutely loved this fantastic lonely goat ice sculpture! This is my other most favorite ice sculpture of the evening! Look at the handsome details! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The pointy long horns were exquisite. Plus b</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">eing a Capricorn I thought it was a sensational idea for a gorgeous ice sculpture! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJz5xi2wI7E5NEc7s-46E_dU_fiH_7YRtEVLEXYydqT3G2ikvuijBD3-KzSCmAwzyG3tSv7_N9wqTD0JWi5msFXU3QqLjcyvQAiaAa0aFj7mYrE96d9vXrTrqYCFbGPBS3RoehHA2DXs/s1600/the+lonely+goat+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJz5xi2wI7E5NEc7s-46E_dU_fiH_7YRtEVLEXYydqT3G2ikvuijBD3-KzSCmAwzyG3tSv7_N9wqTD0JWi5msFXU3QqLjcyvQAiaAa0aFj7mYrE96d9vXrTrqYCFbGPBS3RoehHA2DXs/s1600/the+lonely+goat+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sitting quietly on the Market and Church Street's corner we found this sweet little snowflake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRgUwgB0N4LyHh5gM-N8yvlTkQvvIuflWAKHjPlNXZRB3g_12ZKNVFRiM4sWr4iOI2YpakwHUBHLXTBSwJ-FP92RumGgUTDLg8Fsqn673DB558Hhrs8f5_44Un64wQ3-9IL5eRkALllc/s1600/snowflake+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRgUwgB0N4LyHh5gM-N8yvlTkQvvIuflWAKHjPlNXZRB3g_12ZKNVFRiM4sWr4iOI2YpakwHUBHLXTBSwJ-FP92RumGgUTDLg8Fsqn673DB558Hhrs8f5_44Un64wQ3-9IL5eRkALllc/s1600/snowflake+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the Market and Patrick Street corner was a chilly pineapple ice sculpture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxahWpPu5V8QyCnjU6nRbYdkO2PvAM5UB3GIuJ5SVD9pVRUBOr9MIEQjcD2rNoLPbW9WoJ0tOmJDTfRbZjuRnhnIylAfspgB6rRTVpNnxs6iK2ZGXKpxv73opAV33vRzf5VyHMPQgSA0/s1600/ice+pineapple+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxahWpPu5V8QyCnjU6nRbYdkO2PvAM5UB3GIuJ5SVD9pVRUBOr9MIEQjcD2rNoLPbW9WoJ0tOmJDTfRbZjuRnhnIylAfspgB6rRTVpNnxs6iK2ZGXKpxv73opAV33vRzf5VyHMPQgSA0/s1600/ice+pineapple+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the afternoon light became the evening glow the ice began to reflect its surrounding colors and lights. Notice how you can see right through this ice cameo to the people chatting on the other side.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SvbeWhWgM4-VepNTdimKpWyAAAaJs78BA6h-8uBu-g-ndS5BcPXMN0PgkU943VSegDUazjRc7XR5xLu4ZKTbztUmLo9z_j76cl8k9lggtcT1Iq-XtXVknrYEoGz6zeZmEYt8Yj6WXuE/s1600/ice+cameo+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SvbeWhWgM4-VepNTdimKpWyAAAaJs78BA6h-8uBu-g-ndS5BcPXMN0PgkU943VSegDUazjRc7XR5xLu4ZKTbztUmLo9z_j76cl8k9lggtcT1Iq-XtXVknrYEoGz6zeZmEYt8Yj6WXuE/s1600/ice+cameo+web.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The nationally known restaurant<a href="http://www.voltrestaurant.com/"> 'Volt'</a> was hosting a lively family friendly fire pit roasted marshmallow party in their courtyard for kids and adults. Since I was really interested in viewing the spectacular old mansion from other angles we strolled right in. I am sure someday we will have a great meal in this famed foodie destination! For now let's enjoy the great outdoor space.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD59k_9FwGoIgYnZ3ggoPg987JGPubGEPcLlf3OYpySK2W7-vZ4EbZNXuXXJ6_3KH6Xz_xjSTWG9j8-bW-kUoRI1ZM0AuUeXP2OTyhwTH89TSVb3eZ_K13AaAc14PHJ6srW2P6FjGP5gQ/s1600/volt+fire+pits+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD59k_9FwGoIgYnZ3ggoPg987JGPubGEPcLlf3OYpySK2W7-vZ4EbZNXuXXJ6_3KH6Xz_xjSTWG9j8-bW-kUoRI1ZM0AuUeXP2OTyhwTH89TSVb3eZ_K13AaAc14PHJ6srW2P6FjGP5gQ/s1600/volt+fire+pits+web.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adult peeps were lined up </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in the Volt courtyard</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to get drinks served from a </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">whiskey bar </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ice sculpture. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm1iF8Sna_1LWt5HLrOvJGfxnvUAOjhIF9HJKEhg3HqyGgv7cKrTmOdVR_tmY6ttYxME1sGiZYy2UasCOHj34lxl6SCAZXFFst1DZM2mb7Dg4lVOgbZPESQK4CrMe447fkjnGqaOOBKE/s1600/whiskey+ice+server+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhm1iF8Sna_1LWt5HLrOvJGfxnvUAOjhIF9HJKEhg3HqyGgv7cKrTmOdVR_tmY6ttYxME1sGiZYy2UasCOHj34lxl6SCAZXFFst1DZM2mb7Dg4lVOgbZPESQK4CrMe447fkjnGqaOOBKE/s1600/whiskey+ice+server+web.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The front entrance to 'Volt'... I could stare at those luscious architectural details all day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IU-G_WUoNUYw40TD-DdA_XBw6mBhw8m02Qy5Uk4G9cpgZ9VmBlz_X4_PSLJMwYPfvIvgdU-73jKqG7_uirInh1bRAy8RTJ2YYJlZvbf8nT458l3yJvjYVSYw2ZOELI_I8k0S-eu59Ps/s1600/volt+restaurant+frederick+md+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IU-G_WUoNUYw40TD-DdA_XBw6mBhw8m02Qy5Uk4G9cpgZ9VmBlz_X4_PSLJMwYPfvIvgdU-73jKqG7_uirInh1bRAy8RTJ2YYJlZvbf8nT458l3yJvjYVSYw2ZOELI_I8k0S-eu59Ps/s1600/volt+restaurant+frederick+md+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Close to those grand front entrance steps 'Volt' had a colorful Maryland flag ice sculpture on display.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_UWuOs0Fv4xyOy3bqB3Jefbf2zYcBF5ZUiLOec99OBjOow6u-f8b10Chm3zOvTo9pWb8OSjGFE54kcuVp2DOsB0VH8aseK68-mdDpsFQEqNgAFbo_pAKPWMHlD_H6yMPIUFvBUEg9EU/s1600/volt+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_UWuOs0Fv4xyOy3bqB3Jefbf2zYcBF5ZUiLOec99OBjOow6u-f8b10Chm3zOvTo9pWb8OSjGFE54kcuVp2DOsB0VH8aseK68-mdDpsFQEqNgAFbo_pAKPWMHlD_H6yMPIUFvBUEg9EU/s1600/volt+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next up we passed an ice fairy chillin' in front of a warm shop window.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfBZvBWntbi7tcRklJdEOkQtLzQeoJAnH-YJJLO3T-s9RcsH4Z_VN36ouQgnhOffci3pGdFhBmPVNuDz6ERIuhhfG3Pbjb2gFii9f3aIFE3cbkZZqLJ4_jsM1R-o44PCldgSL5gzldJ4/s1600/ice+fairy+frederick+md+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfBZvBWntbi7tcRklJdEOkQtLzQeoJAnH-YJJLO3T-s9RcsH4Z_VN36ouQgnhOffci3pGdFhBmPVNuDz6ERIuhhfG3Pbjb2gFii9f3aIFE3cbkZZqLJ4_jsM1R-o44PCldgSL5gzldJ4/s1600/ice+fairy+frederick+md+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Speaking of shops we did go inside and enjoy a few that night. We went into one of my all-time fav stores for kitchen decor<a href="http://relishdecor.com/"> "Relish"</a> and chatted with the owner Hallie. I have a number of her cool vintage retro pieces at home. Then hubby and I crossed the street and bought some non-toxic deodorants in <a href="http://www.terressentials.com/index.html">'Terressentials.'</a> Both shops are located on Patrick St.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NoD25OblzQbLfNhmRn5PFJE5nQZef8cpD3L3ofAOBVyJ5f5t-FeyN1IZuCWeYR1_ecLkBzTbucOsQZEvNVmeFmp491vOe9oQxorDPvUuUn7jHEa9KDW6o0PT2yq8gH5hbGOunxOiGrg/s1600/ben+steampunk+light+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NoD25OblzQbLfNhmRn5PFJE5nQZef8cpD3L3ofAOBVyJ5f5t-FeyN1IZuCWeYR1_ecLkBzTbucOsQZEvNVmeFmp491vOe9oQxorDPvUuUn7jHEa9KDW6o0PT2yq8gH5hbGOunxOiGrg/s1600/ben+steampunk+light+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also checked out two new-to-us establishments downtown. The <a href="http://www.treatygeneralstore.com/">'Treaty General Store'</a> where we purchased a vintage style recycled piece of glassware. Then we wandered through an amazing vintage <a href="http://www.industrialhome.com/">Industrial Home decor store</a> where I took hubby's photo near a huge spotlight floor lamp.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> No surprise that when walking down Market St., I peered into the rock shop<a href="http://earthlyrocks.com/"> 'Earthly Elements'</a> longing to own all of the huge amethysts and crystals in the window!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6rhx60cmlM3v2_FyDypx_uucmTmEcG9rPzeadKGnASR6Np26iXsUgPYeCWwrLF92Ry-sJCvfPaGPlYfFB1OJFrNpclFmeCUb_hefnNEXbtAfXH2-N0u8WSK7PGfqV1bzUpwVSVjWzno/s1600/painting+queen+amythest+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6rhx60cmlM3v2_FyDypx_uucmTmEcG9rPzeadKGnASR6Np26iXsUgPYeCWwrLF92Ry-sJCvfPaGPlYfFB1OJFrNpclFmeCUb_hefnNEXbtAfXH2-N0u8WSK7PGfqV1bzUpwVSVjWzno/s1600/painting+queen+amythest+web.jpg" height="640" width="506" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a shamrock in front of <a href="http://www.bushwallers.com/">Bushwaller's</a> Irish Pub of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we saw an ice sculpture on Market Street representing world peace that I actually wish was a permanent addition to the town... perhaps one made from glass!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In front of the jewelry store there was a great big shiny diamond.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPbI56s6LQhVQsmfeO_1HdLSH94kg-40XNKFoZrC8VlnIWaKtbSDASwfuh_PjlcAABBtJQZvAsAgX9eyqm82L4SXC3mhtVGrnsmgnN7PfXrtGQTBFj64Jq5zVxsJPwaevTKv7CW8gxMI/s1600/diamond+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPbI56s6LQhVQsmfeO_1HdLSH94kg-40XNKFoZrC8VlnIWaKtbSDASwfuh_PjlcAABBtJQZvAsAgX9eyqm82L4SXC3mhtVGrnsmgnN7PfXrtGQTBFj64Jq5zVxsJPwaevTKv7CW8gxMI/s1600/diamond+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We also saw this big black Cadillac hearse parked in front of a <a href="http://cakestodiefor.com/">cake shop called Cakes To Die For</a>. Peering into their shop window there was many a goth looking cake on their shelves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the walk to our non-funeral style car we passed this familiar floating head below...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTK6RzvRcswZkcdf5AfvuMT4J7aKWuHvL-qVT6RTxAZQ36CQtfbytyjjTO4o5IipNZNUb5Q60lPBApSz4t40_KWvo9HD4lPcESoFkeZutgLHvAOg7o5PFb-DH7mS_uFuRxyTHrZkvRj0/s1600/money+ice+ice+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTK6RzvRcswZkcdf5AfvuMT4J7aKWuHvL-qVT6RTxAZQ36CQtfbytyjjTO4o5IipNZNUb5Q60lPBApSz4t40_KWvo9HD4lPcESoFkeZutgLHvAOg7o5PFb-DH7mS_uFuRxyTHrZkvRj0/s1600/money+ice+ice+web.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and then this trippy head in front of <a href="http://zebopshop.com/content/">Zebop's</a> groovy shop... and so we kept truckin'.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IP54HZah9LB1CkPihGxVxF0_RM5iQlMhbtkH_YjMeLePLI0fXUbojthPu9S79gEiDXx7P2kjIOeOgmvIsmthxK5Ohz5FHzN4zrVSKNzVC2QkybYBha-MEWHzen1GrW7zc6S8sPxU1AI/s1600/zebop+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IP54HZah9LB1CkPihGxVxF0_RM5iQlMhbtkH_YjMeLePLI0fXUbojthPu9S79gEiDXx7P2kjIOeOgmvIsmthxK5Ohz5FHzN4zrVSKNzVC2QkybYBha-MEWHzen1GrW7zc6S8sPxU1AI/s1600/zebop+ice+sculpture+web.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back at Carroll Creek there was a line of folks waiting to get their photo taken sitting on this 'Ice Throne' which I thought was a great idea. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Queen would have loved for her photo to be taken on this cold hard love seat since it was near to Valentines Day... </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alas being that we were really hungry we did not want to wait in line and fight the photo op crowd at that moment. Maybe next year I will sit upon thine icy throne! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJDHoQgivKzSCom3ApnNJCVSX1kVrcyU7dRz9927ylCmVAI5td4a5D-vhdlVvc8UR_qH8hSJGzaERUzmBNkqt8GN4bYjouPsQMKhPliRpjjAbj-oYPTnA04_22kpOkOjH9A_bcKHJRts/s1600/ice+sculpture+throne+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJDHoQgivKzSCom3ApnNJCVSX1kVrcyU7dRz9927ylCmVAI5td4a5D-vhdlVvc8UR_qH8hSJGzaERUzmBNkqt8GN4bYjouPsQMKhPliRpjjAbj-oYPTnA04_22kpOkOjH9A_bcKHJRts/s1600/ice+sculpture+throne+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began to discuss that during the evening we noticed there were more 'typographic ice sign ads' for businesses than artistic </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3D objects d'art </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">sculptures</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That is disappointing and sad as each sign is one less opportunity for a creative ice sculpture in my mind. To be honest we were we not the only ones who observed the blatant advertising signage pretending to be sculpture. We heard others sarcastically faking their "Oh's and Ahh's" as they passed these ice signs and then adding a few unsavory comments to boot. The people's opinion was that the ads were a lame excuse for sculpture. Kind of a fake out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do understand that this special evening is to bring shoppers into downtown during the slow winter months so I hope everyone did a brisk business. I just don't want the organizers to lose sight of what brings all the folks like us out on cold winter's nights en mass... actually getting to view real three dimensional ice sculpture. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's support mo</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">re inventive ice creations by ice sculpture artists for everyone to enjoy while they shop and dine. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Moving forward into the future of 'Fire In Ice' night hopefully there are less of these ad signs. It can only give the event a bad name to just have ice advertising. Stores may lose those crowds since there will be nothing left to see and that would be a real meltdown of a good thing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Art not ads"</i>... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I feel at this point if I posted photos of those 'store name ice signs' it would actually be bad publicity for them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> So I will finish with only one photo of a ice sign because it is a worthy group which supports the arts in Frederick. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I previously shared this same event in 2013 </span><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2013/02/fredericks-first-saturday-in-february.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here on the blog</a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> when we came across the ice sculptures on a Sunday. Even as they began to slightly melt, you can see</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> the shape of the ice sculpture art reflected the shop's main business activity, and they were not a lettered sign molded from ice. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA822k3-HkoJBOtH5tCk_UPtgUQC_iWD0Q_3No7c2wAj_20KVpQxwkTSq6pwGKUSa-9mDA-pTL0zdZPTRS0y-J5FnpvmsZxX2fNIpU6INGYHNpYfSi5QtM9pQI_g8il2k3KnI6yyhczSQ/s1600/frederick+arts+council+web+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA822k3-HkoJBOtH5tCk_UPtgUQC_iWD0Q_3No7c2wAj_20KVpQxwkTSq6pwGKUSa-9mDA-pTL0zdZPTRS0y-J5FnpvmsZxX2fNIpU6INGYHNpYfSi5QtM9pQI_g8il2k3KnI6yyhczSQ/s1600/frederick+arts+council+web+ice.jpg" height="484" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Overall we had a wonderful evening strolling through the historic downtown area that we love so much, and we were very grateful that we stumbled upon such a cool event once again. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had tried to dine at some of the downtown restaurants that evening as well. Woefully we found out it would be a two hour wait without having previously made reservations for 'Fire In Ice' night.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lesson... next year make reservations ahead of time! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since with all that walking we really had worked up an appetite we headed to our car to purchase food at Wegman's Food Store and bring it home to eat. Through</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> the car window we passed</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> two wonderfully executed ice sculptures on East St. of a bird, and a butterfly. Wish we had gotten photos of those two lovely piece of art for you!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Once again t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he serendipity of being there during this '</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First Saturday' </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in February for 'Fire In Ice' </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">was perfect. Thank you Frederick for all that you do to make life fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-911706275769626122015-01-13T06:50:00.001-05:002015-01-13T06:56:03.396-05:00Stringfellows Font Free Cheat Sheet For The Matching Ornaments Saves You Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3-b9SEjRI_0XnlSR07Gpj3kaf58S-gB0H03XWpgE0I_k-uxZkgjsGI7dSVj9OfLEbEKEZeKDNxZtpnrEWvZ_WJB_lhylAor4dZe6BsYOs6G25JzvgCH7k_9ctI_sOtsvqJgO3K-oRgY/s1600/stringfellows-free-guide-to-ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3-b9SEjRI_0XnlSR07Gpj3kaf58S-gB0H03XWpgE0I_k-uxZkgjsGI7dSVj9OfLEbEKEZeKDNxZtpnrEWvZ_WJB_lhylAor4dZe6BsYOs6G25JzvgCH7k_9ctI_sOtsvqJgO3K-oRgY/s1600/stringfellows-free-guide-to-ornaments.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was just using the <a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz/64135-Stringfellows-Typeface?u=crystalpaints">Stringfellows</a> Font and pulled up my little cheat sheet. This is so I know what letter to hit for the matching ornament that I want to use in my design. Thought I might as well share it with you. Especially since <a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2015/01/stringfellows-is-my-new-favorite.html">I posted</a> how I used this wonderful handmade Stringfellows typeface just the other day. Click on my image above and download this time saver for yourself. Happy designing!</span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-29185259118816592582015-01-07T05:45:00.000-05:002015-01-17T04:57:12.031-05:00Stringfellows Is My New Favorite Handmade Font<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVThbCKGqwSOS7vF28N3cVeQcYoirPjUfWT5QB26R2r2JSaxSWUiKuWQbbNXhB0m6W3MoclFfKK-U9S6z8HuZ5LJd5VX9lyKpkxIEukPKIFv6WORu-JzeEKjHzxibLVsNQyWzvnLisAs/s1600/stringfellows+handmade+font-1.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank"><br /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to share with you this awesome<a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz/64135-Stringfellows-Typeface?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank"> handmade font designed by Nicky Laatz which she called </a><a href="http://crtv.mk/ctT8?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank">'Stringfellows'</a>! Absolutely gorgeous!!! We bought this font and I actually used it on a couple of projects last year. And I have a feeling that it is going to show up on a few more designs this year too! I am totally in love with this typeface! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now you are in luck! I just found out that you can get this font for 10% off its regular price over at 'Creative Market' during their <a href="https://creativemarket.com/best-of-2014?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank">Top 100 feature sale</a>. Although I assure you that the 'Stringfellows Typeface' is worth every bit of its full price tag that we paid too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When hubby and I recently redesigned the </span><a href="http://www.benshermanguitar.com/classical/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">'Ben Sherman Classical Guitar' website</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to make it responsive on phones I used this typeface on the page button links that you see below. I am so happy with the look! I think 'Stringfellows' fit perfectly with the modern handmade feel I created for the website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'Stringfellows' comes with lots of useful glyphs, words, and ornaments, in addition to the usual alphabet and numbers. This typeface is so much fun to play with when designing! Nicky did such a super job that this font became 'Creative Market's' number one selling product for 2014! Wow! You go girl! </span><br />
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<a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz/64135-Stringfellows-Typeface?u=crystalpaints"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0x4pnk-TO4ZAOdl4hX7igo8tub2qHL0kvKo3BB9mFY02tC699jaFTN8cW6JUoUmqoms4FpYq_K6jv_B1A7FPAIe-u-6LoKDo20LugfH0PuDiivp0qJVOte1qSTqSLBa_FHnXkfoAylYI/s1600/stringfellows+glyph+sample+1.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a><span id="goog_1595579212"></span><span id="goog_1595579213"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">low is the fresh new header I created for my Food blog <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">'The Queen's Table.'</a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As you can see this versatile handmade typeface also goes fantastic with the Nicky Laatz <a href="http://crtv.mk/qtOW?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank">watercolor effect</a> kits. Love her watercolor Photoshop styles! Super quick and easy! These genius design kits are such a time saver!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUB833ku-6mEcbE19-NAj_OL-l6WW56XwSOktLHK9u_BdKP4TXWnXznE-oKU9i5GB3Jr1ZQve6ZHZQ-lI7qku-ghxYf1NCt_Rq503VawNhIE_1jr34omlkHGQL43OIGcy2oXFxS1GNzo/s1600/Queens+Table+mod+header+watercolor33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUB833ku-6mEcbE19-NAj_OL-l6WW56XwSOktLHK9u_BdKP4TXWnXznE-oKU9i5GB3Jr1ZQve6ZHZQ-lI7qku-ghxYf1NCt_Rq503VawNhIE_1jr34omlkHGQL43OIGcy2oXFxS1GNzo/s1600/Queens+Table+mod+header+watercolor33.jpg" height="171" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go check out this typeface and <a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank"> Nicky Laatz's</a> other handmade design elements in her <a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz?u=crystalpaints" target="_blank">Creative Market Store</a>. Below is a great design she made to promote the typeface using a watercolor mask. I know that y</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ou will certainly fall in love with 'Stringfellows' and Nicky's sense of design too! Have fun fellow designers!!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz/64135-Stringfellows-Typeface?u=crystalpaints"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjk3kKHcgMq_q1g0MGXEX27V28tmEki6PsmbUUVIoHD2Lykt4_XEfER9-Fu1X9ALwj2ezsJv5atFnrmooec6cBosev2tAMQn1f_4Z2eABg8aFmU-JPiPyGTkaDlRk7T7pbN4DpGSoP-E/s1600/Nicky+Laatz+design-1.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out my <a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2015/01/stringfellows-font-free-cheat-sheet-for.html">next post here</a> with a free cheat sheet for the Stringfellows ornaments!</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-67917127948734511322014-01-23T02:28:00.000-05:002014-02-26T18:13:42.986-05:00Hannah Mermaid Dreams Fantasy Into Reality<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaDfFm733Tbos8Z5rPKATnwTIWHC175BYrPYgVotpK5H4LhvmwwUDWmu5MvSvDQSt0kYTDwoRutYWJYMxahzJJ1oqwkIWPf81TqLdTRxYtUql4F9mulnGZAMRFLqLYPanWDQ3l_8hnkY/s1600/image-7-553-526+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaDfFm733Tbos8Z5rPKATnwTIWHC175BYrPYgVotpK5H4LhvmwwUDWmu5MvSvDQSt0kYTDwoRutYWJYMxahzJJ1oqwkIWPf81TqLdTRxYtUql4F9mulnGZAMRFLqLYPanWDQ3l_8hnkY/s1600/image-7-553-526+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your eyes do not deceive you... a magical mythical mermaid has taken form in our modern realm. With numerous creative undersea adventures, this mermaid travels the globe to be the focal point of stunning imagery in print and in film. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The ethereal </span><a href="http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">'<b>Hannah Mermaid</b></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">,' is the world's premier professional mermaid and underwater dancer.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> In thoughtful collaboration with photographers and filmmakers worldwide, Hannah Fraser brings attention to the endangered species of the world's oceans in a most daring and alluring way. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have asked Hannah to allow me to use some of the images from her website to highlight her unique life's work. Hannah has graciously given me permission to share with you some of the most spectacular and exquisite photographs you will ever view. Dive in and enjoy! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lose yourself in the videos lower down on this page and enter an enchanted world few of us get to experience or even understand. You will be entirely mesmerized! Artists paint and illustrate lovely mermaids... although they cannot compare to the reality of this visionary fantasy come true!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZyWHYr1-e9dq1zmmtzldQ4G_a8s0zWtiAHYAROjqyn9aML_XyDPTl8x6qyqMM2rU_8dezVwYuLC7BmwONLEd8J-0p6Jy4KxY79HlGYWcS8WriFJJy7R41Gx4a69mkJWi6k9i6Dp5D8E/s1600/image-7-554-527+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZyWHYr1-e9dq1zmmtzldQ4G_a8s0zWtiAHYAROjqyn9aML_XyDPTl8x6qyqMM2rU_8dezVwYuLC7BmwONLEd8J-0p6Jy4KxY79HlGYWcS8WriFJJy7R41Gx4a69mkJWi6k9i6Dp5D8E/s1600/image-7-554-527+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many of the talented photographers and filmmakers who work with Hannah share her mission to help the creatures of our world's seas. Links to the talented photographers' sites are at the end of this post. Be sure to visit these accomplished professionals and you will be amazed and fascinated at what you will see! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You will find an abundance of incredible images in their underwater portfolios.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxvzSVvVDElIg_hk87LrfM3qvyU_xIq-wuQrncQpkCiiNzthh5x96Xyc8CwYp8w6J2mCCQG7C0P4L-JuLlBF83SHp413GQafcfdvqkfpSVaW5GmwYs7mYHZfhx52G_fF-8JVf-d0Fgy8/s1600/image-7-550-523+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxvzSVvVDElIg_hk87LrfM3qvyU_xIq-wuQrncQpkCiiNzthh5x96Xyc8CwYp8w6J2mCCQG7C0P4L-JuLlBF83SHp413GQafcfdvqkfpSVaW5GmwYs7mYHZfhx52G_fF-8JVf-d0Fgy8/s1600/image-7-550-523+copyright+Kristian+Schmidt+2012.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beyond Hannah's obvious natural beauty there is much she had to learn and endure to give those photos underwater magic. Imagine holding your breath underwater. How did your face look? Kinda like a puffer fish? How long can you do breathe underwater before popping up to get air? Training herself as a young girl in underwater breathing techniques, Hannah Fraser now does free diving, has her scuba certificate, and knows how to buddy breathe when on deep dives wearing her tail. On one photo shoot she had to be tied to a rock on the cold ocean floor only getting air from her buddy in between takes. In addition to needing a constant source of air, you must consider that ocean currents, waves, sharp rocks, and sharks, can be hazards in this unyielding environment too. Yet, what results is this extraordinary miraculous communion with whales and manta rays, captured by the tenacious photographers and filmmakers of the daring Hannah Mermaid. Totally comfortable in her under sea environment, Hannah's art and skill makes what she does look completely effortless. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hannah easily reflects natural emotion and fluid elegance interacting with her large sea companions.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-01_tehdsq20cibJNSb1ZBMCMk8qhHM39S7kzmkRP0FAka0u8Zp_FwEZCeTHJQUKiHu7GoLmrjNuXmUr3h7aojubcfVcaYse26t1KhOmJTe57K-Pq4BmVQe7dd-g4DHEQe9r7zKHNv_I/s1600/copyright+Shawn+Heinrichs++2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-01_tehdsq20cibJNSb1ZBMCMk8qhHM39S7kzmkRP0FAka0u8Zp_FwEZCeTHJQUKiHu7GoLmrjNuXmUr3h7aojubcfVcaYse26t1KhOmJTe57K-Pq4BmVQe7dd-g4DHEQe9r7zKHNv_I/s1600/copyright+Shawn+Heinrichs++2012.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hannah Mermaid's true gift is that she allows us to imagine we could be freely floating beneath the sea among the captivating creatures along with her. Hannah comments, "I'd like to help awaken people to their personal experience of creative play, where the lines of fantasy and reality blend. Being a mermaid is my lifelong expression of joy. I hope everyone finds their own passion... and lives it!" </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaDh9Cnz94qeKA28U-nBuI8CTLmjTuDNjA5R1noBed-qVgGlXwFVsm8UExJnxOmQOIBn7pXjZIa4EBA-CZUAxoL9IIvbCMeQQzsZ7PEfL3aalfpFMdwTahOpQp2MGPjaTUfxRoGCxFvs/s1600/image-7-596-568+copyright+hannahfraser.com+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaDh9Cnz94qeKA28U-nBuI8CTLmjTuDNjA5R1noBed-qVgGlXwFVsm8UExJnxOmQOIBn7pXjZIa4EBA-CZUAxoL9IIvbCMeQQzsZ7PEfL3aalfpFMdwTahOpQp2MGPjaTUfxRoGCxFvs/s1600/image-7-596-568+copyright+hannahfraser.com+2012.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Hannahfraser.com</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Always drawn to the sea, this creative goddess drew her first mermaid at 3 years old, and constructed her first mermaid tail at age nine from an orange tablecloth. Child soul vision made manifest!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXJLAZnltFRMSh0wjeauH-S2WAUovlE_02odjpWTp0CDRWX-SOuvCKSm3jzTdLkE3vrvTA6XoyrIvN3_7aS9ULjZoG3E4p9enwTIpcFCEa7M5jJKaSUuipfBP2i5lyG-oWRi8zccK0Mc/s1600/hannah+age+nine+first+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXJLAZnltFRMSh0wjeauH-S2WAUovlE_02odjpWTp0CDRWX-SOuvCKSm3jzTdLkE3vrvTA6XoyrIvN3_7aS9ULjZoG3E4p9enwTIpcFCEa7M5jJKaSUuipfBP2i5lyG-oWRi8zccK0Mc/s1600/hannah+age+nine+first+tail.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Hannah age 9" <i>Credit: Hannahfraser.com</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hannah continues to create the handmade gorgeous sparkling tails she wears herself! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h9Y4zTypwlvsVJ9SOpRWinsKUTarVCXgUktJkcT98sZHnIBUXEoDvvRUfPAth-qKvvujd1TbYEDSeBVwxVf9-QIOn7vFFnepZCk1TXdRIjb0guo0Rbg4VUVPGxgjtss3F0x9JUgWTRk/s1600/hannah+mermaids+tail+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h9Y4zTypwlvsVJ9SOpRWinsKUTarVCXgUktJkcT98sZHnIBUXEoDvvRUfPAth-qKvvujd1TbYEDSeBVwxVf9-QIOn7vFFnepZCk1TXdRIjb0guo0Rbg4VUVPGxgjtss3F0x9JUgWTRk/s1600/hannah+mermaids+tail+collection.jpg" height="640" width="475" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Observe the sensational gifted work Hannah does in making her own mermaid tails in the photo collage above! She does not make mermaid tails for anyone else as the money needed for materials, the difficulty in fitting to the body, and it's taking four months of time to construct is prohibitive... unless you have $20,000.00! There are tips on her FAQ page if you'd like to give it a try at your house!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DNN2LWUIt3W9sOUCRd08xRC9jdpaObVUln3PbwCLG1CLfI0b0qUg_6YIRUc83z_0AKX5AblTGrVyjwY4zYH5Pn-gXH_AXRpaSH6yAoUPLghfOqbOHmNlShJkromitbU9lcBwdIY7EoI/s1600/ft001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DNN2LWUIt3W9sOUCRd08xRC9jdpaObVUln3PbwCLG1CLfI0b0qUg_6YIRUc83z_0AKX5AblTGrVyjwY4zYH5Pn-gXH_AXRpaSH6yAoUPLghfOqbOHmNlShJkromitbU9lcBwdIY7EoI/s1600/ft001.jpg" height="248" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Painting copyright by Hannah Fraser</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A modern Renaissance woman Hannah is a fashion model, performance artist, environmental activist, artist, costume designer, photographer, educator, and a professional mermaid. Pretty darn cool!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmK9TK9jQNnyIup-ugCnrXayHPBYm4fvfmJj1bEd-xUswYhsNG_kGBXjBocy_Z3As8mi7h1bySnlaLvAHyvqBL1Nkxafvg6EJCqdzYDiqkU_LpZD3Mo4VEWlkQ0NGxfVaR1AaDvvmCKU/s1600/image-2-197-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmK9TK9jQNnyIup-ugCnrXayHPBYm4fvfmJj1bEd-xUswYhsNG_kGBXjBocy_Z3As8mi7h1bySnlaLvAHyvqBL1Nkxafvg6EJCqdzYDiqkU_LpZD3Mo4VEWlkQ0NGxfVaR1AaDvvmCKU/s1600/image-2-197-169.jpg" height="400" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo credit: hannahfraser.com</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Living as a mermaid is a vision Hannah has held in her mind since childhood. She lives her unique dream with passion! Be sure to go to the <a href="http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/" target="_blank"><b>Hannah Mermaid website</b></a> and read the FAQ page to learn more interesting details about being an actual professional mermaid. Not your average job; there are many variables to consider before making the plunge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbJQKqcujXalVWIc4HDs75PRPPsNRXWMBCapcul4USfhkvv45s_Sfpj5Mzf5ondLZ-7j7ZzJty37_H4moM6nEulKgQNvL-pptv-TW9Q-_K6LyR2PynhKgiBe8L0v2n8pRr7w1AWuSGks/s1600/image-7-542-516+copyright+Shawn+Heinrichs+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbJQKqcujXalVWIc4HDs75PRPPsNRXWMBCapcul4USfhkvv45s_Sfpj5Mzf5ondLZ-7j7ZzJty37_H4moM6nEulKgQNvL-pptv-TW9Q-_K6LyR2PynhKgiBe8L0v2n8pRr7w1AWuSGks/s1600/image-7-542-516+copyright+Shawn+Heinrichs+2012.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hannah explains her life mission in this way: "Being in the ocean is where I feel the most free and expressive. You can feel the connection and abundance of life around you as they move with the same currents, work symbiotically to survive, and adapt to suit their environment. Most sea animals are curious and interested in the humans that enter their world with respect. The ocean is the birthplace of life on Earth, and if I can be a visual link to inspire other humans who have become disconnected from this amazing world, I feel I have done something worthwhile."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The whale population has been pushed towards extinction and even with bans on hunting whales, many nations continue to kill these gentle giants. A film short called 'Betrayal' speaks to the sadness, starring Hannah Fraser and humpback whales, it was filmed by Shawn Heinrichs and is on Vimeo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The whale shark in photo below is the world's largest fish and was part of the <a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/2012/12/whale-shark-fashion-shoot-world-first/" target="_blank">first conservation fashion shoot</a> between Sean Heinrichs, Kristian Schmidt, and Hannah Fraser.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTXRqtZhxAy5eKQjdKy-J7vKmGolx7kAH5bJwDbEHUUCcRTw1xmneWUmoUNTBLoSjdNbLPekqFEqhhvXlpEEt70go6lqbHpTIRz4-Y8had3MQCYtwu5O8NFsBIcxIUxdm6e0HSkyneHo/s1600/hannah+mermaid+image-7-559-532+copyright+shawn+heinrichs+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTXRqtZhxAy5eKQjdKy-J7vKmGolx7kAH5bJwDbEHUUCcRTw1xmneWUmoUNTBLoSjdNbLPekqFEqhhvXlpEEt70go6lqbHpTIRz4-Y8had3MQCYtwu5O8NFsBIcxIUxdm6e0HSkyneHo/s1600/hannah+mermaid+image-7-559-532+copyright+shawn+heinrichs+2012.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The gentle lyrical Manta Rays are often wrongly confused with the sting ray that killed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin" target="_blank">Steve Irwin</a>. Divers and snorkelers know better, and look forward to their exciting encounters with this huge graceful animal. Unfortunately the <a href="http://wildaid.org/mantas" target="_blank">Mantas</a> are being over fished for their gills, and their limited reproductive biology cannot keep up with the demand. Witness the video below to see the elegance of Hannah Fraser and the manta together in 'Mantas Last Dance.'</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/59533577" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://vimeo.com/59533577">Mantas Last Dance</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bluespheremedia">Blue Sphere Media</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Along with bringing attention to whales and manta rays by her spectacular photo shoots and film work, Hannah dedicates a percentage of her earnings as a mermaid towards ocean conservation charities. Some of the key people involved in the conservation process have been photographer <a href="http://kristianschmidt.wix.com/whalesharks" target="_blank">Kristian Schmidt</a>, <a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Shawn Heinrichs</a>, <a href="http://www.virgin.com/" target="_blank">Richard Branson</a>, <a href="http://bluespherefoundation.org/" target="_blank">Blue Sphere Foundation</a> and the un-named capable crews of people that are needed to create such important artistic projects. Many dedicate their time and work towards the end goal of protection for these magnificent giants of the sea. Below the brilliant Emmy Award winning film maker and photographer Shawn Heinrichs talks about making an underwater film, and his concern to protect the endangered creatures of the sea that propels his work forward. Please go to <a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/2013/10/betrayal-activist-dances-with-whales-to-highlight-their-plight/" target="_blank">this Blue Sphere Media blog page</a> to view more images and learn more about the environmental projects of Shawn Heinrichs. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now is the time to b</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ring your voice to help these creatures of the sea thrive and survive by clicking through the links listed at the end of this post.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/60302086?color=9c2224" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://vimeo.com/60302086">The making of "Mantas Last Dance"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4856417">NINETEEN87</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope you have enjoyed this peek at an unusual performance artist that creates not only fantasy art in real life, but uses her beauty and talent to bring sobering attention to the oceans' environmental issues! Please visit <a href="http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/" target="_blank">Hannah Fraser's website</a> to learn more about her inspiring work and continuing creative projects. May your dream bring you as much joy as this living mermaid brings to others!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/" target="_blank">Hannah Mermaid</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://kristianschmidt.wix.com/whalesharks" target="_blank">Kristian Schmidt</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/about-us/" target="_blank">Shawn Heinrichs</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/" target="_blank">Blue Sphere Media</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wandermelon.com/2013/08/10/the-kristian-world-underwater-fashion-photography/" target="_blank">Article about the photo shoots</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/2013/12/manta-ballet/" target="_blank">Article about Manta Ray photo shoot</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/2013/10/betrayal-activist-dances-with-whales-to-highlight-their-plight/" target="_blank">Article about the Betrayal Film shoot</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bluespheremedia.com/2013/01/whale-shark-fashion-limited-prints/" target="_blank">Limited Whale Shark Fashion Prints</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://wildaid.org/mantas" target="_blank">Wild Aid</a></span></div>
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The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-88381245587525527272013-10-31T05:43:00.000-04:002014-10-06T07:31:32.247-04:00Unicorn Love And My Magical Garden Spire Totem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2NG4JF3fYGhPbKl5gCse5CcjXgdfmlKMC_FViMfFBDpBAQJazNnmqIeBZo9_4ag-t1X8CF-e-NiXQRRHO1fnf1UzmqGA7LobcVzT0wavfDRBuYAgPLhTRdpiNBuOW0pyjGRvZlcNOhQ/s1600/unicorn+love+totem+1+web+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2NG4JF3fYGhPbKl5gCse5CcjXgdfmlKMC_FViMfFBDpBAQJazNnmqIeBZo9_4ag-t1X8CF-e-NiXQRRHO1fnf1UzmqGA7LobcVzT0wavfDRBuYAgPLhTRdpiNBuOW0pyjGRvZlcNOhQ/s640/unicorn+love+totem+1+web+words.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fell in love with an object at first sight one evening. Living in the material world can do that to you sometimes! Actually it's an object d'art! So I guess that makes it better! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You see... Once upon a time an enchanted Unicorn was living in a small tea shop, in the fancy cups section, within a mystical tall glass garden totem. It sparkled and shined, calling me to take it home. In a wink of an eye, I was immediately entranced by this very unique recycled glass creation. Unicorns are quite magical and represent all that is good. So naturally I made my plan to make the fabulous creature part of our happy home. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Alas the store was not open and I stared through the window, longing for the beautiful glass Unicorn shimmering under the streetlights to be mine. I asked the King if he thought we would have enough time to stop back in Frederick the next day on route to our already plann</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ed destination. He thought it was possible, if we left home early. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Please, no one buy my Unicorn treasure before I return to the little shop in downtown Frederick called "Voila!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFAZxybsDVMQSBIQD9w7ld9NxfQsf8ye29_Il3ItRY9R6g7_iVHb3aX8Htuo2Ui07YKJpNcu8JsV2w8hFUWKUwsNSiQ-jkqt0M__oEQ4g8eUgzDCyyBW-srD8TcUZXQJkBXThZRqq4RQ/s1600/voila+tea+cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFAZxybsDVMQSBIQD9w7ld9NxfQsf8ye29_Il3ItRY9R6g7_iVHb3aX8Htuo2Ui07YKJpNcu8JsV2w8hFUWKUwsNSiQ-jkqt0M__oEQ4g8eUgzDCyyBW-srD8TcUZXQJkBXThZRqq4RQ/s640/voila+tea+cups.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Excited, grateful, and relieved was how I felt when I saw the gleaming Unicorn still waiting for me in the window as we approached the next day! We immediately asked the sales person to remove it from the window display. After we made our purchase, I clutched my royal Unicorn scepter as we walked to the car, and lovingly wrapped it with the additional fabric from a jacket in the back seat. I was told that the garden totems they had displayed were made by two retired art teachers, Veronica Nehemias and Gail Padgett. They call their gorgeous glass work 'Garden Spires.' A perfect name for something sold in the Frederick area since the charming town is known for its church spires. These two artists certainly have a sense of whimsical design. They succeeded in making the different found objects relate to one another and create an object of beauty in my spire. Art lovingly envisioned from discarded items!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well done! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwOT4sIJo3AHAUWu3bCbiL9rHyxmfnyymnm2jtVexL5GdbxBTd6IpqGBXWuPNqHNnnQ5GCi6QjoqtW2YFKJXA5pyTZKJJjcQ-RJh6wXLpVg4_E131HWIDjPpe5MHfVVN5tuP3fNXyWlI/s1600/looking+down+on+garden+totem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwOT4sIJo3AHAUWu3bCbiL9rHyxmfnyymnm2jtVexL5GdbxBTd6IpqGBXWuPNqHNnnQ5GCi6QjoqtW2YFKJXA5pyTZKJJjcQ-RJh6wXLpVg4_E131HWIDjPpe5MHfVVN5tuP3fNXyWlI/s640/looking+down+on+garden+totem.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Arriving home after a hike, I unwrapped the Unicorn spire. Then placed it in different large pots in the sunroom, till I found just the right spot for this radiant beauty. Since I have grand kids, the placement must be considered carefully due to the delicate nature of such a glass item. P</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ieced together with non colored glass items, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I particularly love the monochromatic look of this dazzling garden spire. The handsome mix of frosted and clear glass is perfect, and I am quite fond of the small perfume bottle on top. A vintage mix of plates, vases, serving cups, and perhaps a glass shade, this spire picks up the light of the sun differently during various times of the day. An inspired arrangement as the Unicorn sitting inside made it totally magical! Love it! Every time I look upon that little frosty Unicorn I smile. It has become a</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> sparkling focal point in our sunroom.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had seen inventive garden ornaments for the first time a few weeks before, when my sister in law had posted photos of the china and glass totems she had seen while walking the Shepardstown W.V. garden tour. Here's a few of her photos of those unpredictable one of a kind garden spires in their natural element. Hmmm some have tags from the seller.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BoL2uZwiV0DYIUGLe6RUZvIkWktN9aubQZlDneeTaRR3X6IVrp582x0oERVoQeWoltJRe_SCyyWvX6I5pJL2cYFGpbXe6xB0c9gFr-2drI9N3kMPrmzjP1dVUiMP2-EvRNTq3xoBCZo/s1600/garden+spire+shep+1xweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BoL2uZwiV0DYIUGLe6RUZvIkWktN9aubQZlDneeTaRR3X6IVrp582x0oERVoQeWoltJRe_SCyyWvX6I5pJL2cYFGpbXe6xB0c9gFr-2drI9N3kMPrmzjP1dVUiMP2-EvRNTq3xoBCZo/s640/garden+spire+shep+1xweb.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I viewed these photos she shared I thought it was a fantastic and creative idea. I hoped to acquire one myself someday for the little Hobbit House. So much fun! It's cheerfulness on a stick!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wow! My power to manifest is amazing! I now have my own gorgeous garden totem with a stunning Unicorn to enjoy! Little did I know it would be made by the same artists who made the ones that you see here, as I just checked out the name on those hang tags. Yes, they are made by 'Garden Spires.'</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq6Ju1Ylx7uOYitxCiHAsuPWGZXJ-DyyQPMQenV5yZuvOj4dq3_dye7G3w1JLJTQBxH9CzV_ypCVaXcMTVhsYtGKRrglxjQ1jtaygRlnMXiRulw8UN6BP9kHs_2yT8jc5UUw5HDeV-IA/s1600/garden+spire+shep+3web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq6Ju1Ylx7uOYitxCiHAsuPWGZXJ-DyyQPMQenV5yZuvOj4dq3_dye7G3w1JLJTQBxH9CzV_ypCVaXcMTVhsYtGKRrglxjQ1jtaygRlnMXiRulw8UN6BP9kHs_2yT8jc5UUw5HDeV-IA/s640/garden+spire+shep+3web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cool. I also really love their Garden Spires with the stacked fanciful tea pots, cups, and saucers. They remind me of the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland. Definitely need one of those too! Other totems have a completely silly sense of humor with chickens or squirrels under glass. Who knew?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLXQp7drwdWosUY7uBdPlPSDGrm1vWMdB8CNhJPTlVHNKqbKOaKoL9Cfp_ft-iN0L3vGyr91n9weEPdCJf3mrBsumxirGGg8oXByD490IUl1-mldUMR0AZQ7Oqupy634VUDeUJbTBOiA/s1600/garden+spire+shep+4+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLXQp7drwdWosUY7uBdPlPSDGrm1vWMdB8CNhJPTlVHNKqbKOaKoL9Cfp_ft-iN0L3vGyr91n9weEPdCJf3mrBsumxirGGg8oXByD490IUl1-mldUMR0AZQ7Oqupy634VUDeUJbTBOiA/s640/garden+spire+shep+4+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can see there are usually vases or bottles on the bottom of these garden spires to hold the rod that goes into the ground. The heavy metal rod comes with the purchase of the Garden Spires.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC2xDeszpz5QWWYQjWFBoQcU_8n3QF5Iuh2guF0ACOv0MkIhSVnHWipRZY-TKw1y-F4iAxcopTTubwjNmAn0ngsmyWqCKRmQ6ObbA5FIiStlmAoZhUOKnEv4U1jcnf1fXHZfIOK6clqc/s1600/garden+totem+shep+5+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC2xDeszpz5QWWYQjWFBoQcU_8n3QF5Iuh2guF0ACOv0MkIhSVnHWipRZY-TKw1y-F4iAxcopTTubwjNmAn0ngsmyWqCKRmQ6ObbA5FIiStlmAoZhUOKnEv4U1jcnf1fXHZfIOK6clqc/s640/garden+totem+shep+5+web.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After all of this I am considering making a garden totem myself, as my daughter likes to hang out at auctions, where she reports anything made of glass goes pretty cheaply. Perhaps when we are cleaning out the basement this winter, I shall discover some other interesting glass or china for my own totem project. I'll be saving those wine bottles! In the interim I searched the internet for some information on this "new to me" D.I.Y. craft project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I found a wonderful tutorial at a blog called </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/garden-totem-tutorial.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">October Farm</a>,</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> for making your own glass garden totems. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The writer at October Farm recommended having your plates and cups face downward so they do not pool with water if placed in outside gardens. That way you keep away mosquitos. I have also read on craft forums one should use <a href="http://www.empressofdirt.net/silicone-sealant//" target="_blank"><b>GE CLEAR Silicone II caulk </b></a>which is made for doors and windows. Another option is using 'Aleenes Outdoor glue' for your project. Everyone suggests that you be sure to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">clean the area to be glued with alcohol first. I might opt to wear latex gloves to keep the glue off my skin and to grip to the breakable glass or china. Another blog called 'The Empress Of Dirt 'also has a tutorial and videos for making glass garden totems <a href="http://www.empressofdirt.net/how-to-make-glass-garden-totems/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>. That's a great name!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seems I opened up a whole new world of art investigating this crafty upcycling project for my sunroom and garden. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have gathered videos on various recycled garden art projects with tips and techniques, in case you are now thinking of making your own funky junk glass garden spikes, as there are number of creative ways to use the discarded plates and vases. Some of the people may not have the best sense of design, but you can still get the basic idea of how putting old glass objects together works for making something new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The upside down glass bowl mushroom that you see in this video below would look cool in a trio of various sizes among garden plantings, other spike designs, fairies, and maybe a garden gnome, or two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Garden flowers made from recycled plates might look good in the fairy garden too if they matched whatever color family you chose for your totem and mushroom designs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go wild! You could even make huge reclaimed glass art sculptures as seen in the video below. It really gets the mind to thinking! Time to look at old stuff in a new way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Upcycling makes great re-use of all kinds of decorative objects. Perhaps old junk can even save the world! Well at least it's a great way to hang onto those semi-precious glass and china items other members in your house might think are useless trash! I will let you know If I get a collection of found objects together to make my enchanted mythical Unicorn a friend! It could happen! Sweet dreams, and believe in your power of visualizing and manifesting. Magic happens, and so does art!</span><br />
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The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-86951242430230946662013-10-24T01:21:00.000-04:002017-08-02T18:11:25.618-04:00We Are All In This Together. Peace Is The Way.<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Consider all of the implications of our choices, within personal relationships, and within global relationships. Most people want peace in the world, with each other, and with other countries. It is a small minority of people that gain wealth and power from unrest, through their monetary investments in corporations and banks. We can choose to no longer support them in their endeavors, their plans for us, war upon others for mineral rights, and enslavement of people to manufacture stuff cheaply. Chemical, oil, agriculture, beef grazing, chicken factories, energy companies and many other industries pollute the world, the oceans, the land, the air, and our food. What can we do? Find an area of interest to you, and make your change upon it. Together we are strong. We are not helpless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They may have passed a law stating that corporations are people. They are not. They are not Spirit having a human experience. The corporation is simply an illusion in this world. That which never changes is real. That is Spirit. Corporations will end. Our bodies will die. Our Spirit is filled with the sum of our thoughts, deeds, and memories. Let's make our short period of time on the pale blue dot a good one. Have compassion for all including yourself, and spread peace. Start with your own heart, and feel peace. Be good to you, and follow your passion for change. Live it with peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can also visit </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Global Oneness Day</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> website <b><a href="http://www.globaloneness2013.org/" target="_blank">here</a>,</b> to listen to inspirational talks by speakers that are involved.</span><br />
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-38076486650891094642013-10-23T19:59:00.001-04:002017-08-02T18:16:12.783-04:00Free Peace Signs To Celebrate Global Oneness Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0tsiOqN4CQWrg6fFnSX3GsmmrODxN-cr02uHJlYpj034ORJeF87pmUnqBWmCk_d8Gcp5PG0BgQZ5MOilR6HfjHTM3tvD0qh0WzTsw1nerQgss8ss_5HoVGsjqCR6NxIBxSBhyvbwMD4/s1600/sky+peace+sign+the+painting+queen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0tsiOqN4CQWrg6fFnSX3GsmmrODxN-cr02uHJlYpj034ORJeF87pmUnqBWmCk_d8Gcp5PG0BgQZ5MOilR6HfjHTM3tvD0qh0WzTsw1nerQgss8ss_5HoVGsjqCR6NxIBxSBhyvbwMD4/s400/sky+peace+sign+the+painting+queen.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace, love, and joy are important elements to any life. The Painting Queen is</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> having a giveaway of digital peace signs, so you can </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">spread the love!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> We d</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">o this in celebration of visualizing peace all ways. Each of t</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">he 7 peace signs are 1800 by 1800 pixels. Download by clicking on the image, if a plus sign appears, then click again,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">then right click "save as."</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The peace sign images are presented in PNG format which means the background is transparent. These PNG's are a gift. You may use them for promoting thoughts of peace in the world, within your own artwork, and peace filled creations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lately I have been busy on my sister blog<b> <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"The Queens Table"</a></b>. If you have been over to the food blog, you may already know that is where I share healthy recipes and tips. The information on the Queens Table is what I used to get healthy again, plus lose 76 pounds! If you are suffering from an unhealthy lifestyle, please visit my other blog where I am happy to help point you in the right direction to assist you in feeling better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Peace comes within the souls of men when they realize their </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>oneness with the universe." - Black Elk</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Be the change you wish to see!" - Ghandi</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Peace. Start with your self. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Spread that energy and light.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Shine On!</span></div>
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The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-34448852168876381662013-06-04T19:15:00.000-04:002013-06-04T19:18:49.123-04:00My Favorite Sparkling Storybook Fae<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To celebrate my fairy daughter's birthday, Fairy Queen Grandriel made a secret story book to keep magical fae memories! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My little fairy is now the "Keeper" of two sprites herself and has the mighty job of keeping track of plenty of sparkling fairy dust. </span>I thought this would make a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> good project idea for a fairy grandmother (as if I don't have any others). So now I will have to make other pages! Oh my!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My old 35mm Nikon finally died. Still I was inspired by a photo taken by my tiny 'coolpix' camera at an 'Art In The Park' event where the grand children were playing on a big rock. Since I have not posted much about the grandchildren for awhile, I guess it's time to enthrall you, as we grandmothers do! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can see our Princess Aowyn is quite lost in thought deciding if she is going "here" or "there!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happiness</span> found while making a flower from recycled water bottles. Serious business! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes, we both got our hands deep into the glitter and glue! Every good fairy simply must find glitter stuck to various bits of skin and clothing the rest of the day don't cha' know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Multi-talented guitarist </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">husband known as "<a href="http://www.benshermanguitar.com/" target="_blank">Ben Sherman Guitar</a>" was playing solo acoustic style in the sunshine. The wee and the tall townsfolk came out to frolic on this beautiful early summer day up on bewitching Emerald Hill! I thought we lived in Lothlorian...Are we in OZ?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">E</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">veryone</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> took to relaxing in the shade of the trees, </span>except mommies of the tiny toddlers, who were running, climbing, and playing tag! This was a great family and kid friendly situation, which does not always happen for our gig life. A super opportunity to have the grandchildren join us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So as soon as "Ben Sherman Guitar' was finished his musical set for the afternoon, his favorite fairy insisted he smell the beautiful plastic flower she made! Isn't that the best kind of fan! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was a total of four gigs this past weekend! </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Later Ben and myself were off to a gig with the fabulous classic rock band "<a href="http://www.hecticred.com/" target="_blank">Hectic Red</a>," and the next day with the Steely Dan Tribute Band "<a href="http://www.technicolormotorhome.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Technicolor Motor Home</a>." (Who by the way, are going to be opening for 'Three Dog Night' on June 29th.) Until then, </span> </span>Grandriel and Grandalf savored the astonishing moments with the most adorable fae in all the land! Soak in the love, play in the glitter of life, and smell the magic flowers! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Credits: Digital artwork by <a href="http://www.crystalvisionsart.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Visions Art</a></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-24860302762444429632013-05-25T02:29:00.001-04:002013-05-25T02:29:13.570-04:00Thoughts From Alan Watts<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="420" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mMRrCYPxD0I" width="620"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the great philosophers of life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love listening to him, as he is always relevant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Much can be found on You Tube, plus you can </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">learn and consider more at.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.alanwatts.org/index.php" target="_blank">alanwatts.org</a> <a href="http://alanwatts.com/">alanwatts.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">.....and then perhaps think of nothing at all.....</span></div>
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-84448070080526038942013-04-25T03:44:00.000-04:002015-02-08T01:11:10.312-05:00Victorian Bed And Breakfast At 10 Clarke Place Frederick MD<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpebClH3fb95rSv58hc4imlbTb_cpxsu2FJmO8H3ocZcLxnM5qjTLCNFsTeYkVtH18h5m6TsVuZnDvdIHMhAdDeVrXjYhmKmkg39yEAdMAEdVKZ08bINL76deSifFCQLtdtJptOKmWUM/s1600/10+clarke+place.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpebClH3fb95rSv58hc4imlbTb_cpxsu2FJmO8H3ocZcLxnM5qjTLCNFsTeYkVtH18h5m6TsVuZnDvdIHMhAdDeVrXjYhmKmkg39yEAdMAEdVKZ08bINL76deSifFCQLtdtJptOKmWUM/s640/10+clarke+place.png" height="481" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During the Victorian Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movement there was a love of beauty and nature that was reflected in all of the arts of that time period. </span>The artists were rejecting the coming machine age. Upon entering <b><a href="http://www.10clarke.com/" target="_blank">10 Clarke Place</a></b>, a bed and breakfast in Frederick Maryland, I was immediately transported into the Victorian world of the Art Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite painters. The experience felt as if I were in one of those famous romantic painter's homes. Resplendent in texture and color, comfortable without being stuffy, an abundance of period antiques invited you to immediately sit and relax. Every detail observed gave the impression of living in another time, and I was loving this house! This was the perfect retreat from modern living, be it to get away from an industrialized age, or the pervasive electronic technology of today! I was grateful to be in this magical space. We were welcomed into this glorious home by the vivacious owner and designer Monique. Ben and I knew we had come to the right place for our get-a-way weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Once inside, I was thrilled to find the living room walls were covered in the finest wallpapers from <b><a href="http://bradbury.com/" target="_blank">Bradbury and Bradbury</a>.</b> These masterwork wallpapers have been favorites of mine for years. How wonderful to see the many layers and trims built up along the borders and onto the ceiling of this room up close. Gorgeous! The sofa and club chair reminded me of ones I once owned. I felt at home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every lamp, whether it hung from the ceiling, stood on a stand, or rested upon on a table, was unique. </span>The lovely hostess and her husband have done an astounding job of decorating and restoring this beautiful period home. They are quite a team, and we get to enjoy the benefits of their creation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We felt entirely fortunate to find such an amazing place to stay, given our short notice of a few days. Having just moved, living among boxes at the old castle, then being surrounded by the dig out from those boxes at 'Hobbit House,' we needed to get away! Our brains were fried, and this remarkable B and B turned out to be a sublime solution! A big thanks to my fantastic husband and his thoughtful idea! I did not know just how perfect it would be for me! The Queen was in her personal heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyone who knows me, would be aware of my love of iridescent peacock feathers, as I have them all over my home in various displays. So imagine my awe and wonder, at seeing a dining room inspired by the famous <b><a href="http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/peacock/default.htm" target="_blank">Whistler/Leyland Peacock Room from the Freer Gallery Of Art</a></b> in this home! Jaw dropping! Magnifique! The decorative artists who worked on the rooms of this house were indeed talented. Since that was my former profession too, I am happy to say they did it right! I am ready to sip a cup of green tea by this fireplace, please. Then off we went with Monique up the staircase to check out our room for the night. Passing a stained glass window, and another glorious lamp on the newel post, we turned into a long hallway. What is behind door number two?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWoymsRIPiZMH8zt8ttaViaIpYyCQpPfqinaMmJZg3121BBYuIKx_9P5l9kzBb2SxCehlpD7GqW1_LVObN8vUGIaQ3YslkcX0hcnlk6nJJyUPp04MrXXRAewx6v5xA0cF0mQRJ4VY5cs/s1600/stained+glass+stairway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWoymsRIPiZMH8zt8ttaViaIpYyCQpPfqinaMmJZg3121BBYuIKx_9P5l9kzBb2SxCehlpD7GqW1_LVObN8vUGIaQ3YslkcX0hcnlk6nJJyUPp04MrXXRAewx6v5xA0cF0mQRJ4VY5cs/s640/stained+glass+stairway.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We enter and once again I am floored at how this bedroom is so me! A romantic twig bed that is just perfect for this Fairy Queen! Yes, it's a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">nother out-of-this world piece of romantic design by Monique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Note the hand painted lace wall in the lightest whisper of color in the photo below. This is a time consuming faux glazing technique that is well worth the effort when done in such a subtle color scheme.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The wonderful charming bedroom was also appointed with a large elaborate mirrored antique armoire wardrobe. Maybe it leads to Narnia! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can see The Queen is pleased! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After gushing about our room, we unpacked and decided to go for a walkabout in Frederick for the afternoon and evening. The weather was inviting and sunny, so we were off to enjoy the day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Out past the porch swing and avenue of impeccable historic Victorian homes we went. We were quite happy there were no brown boxes in sight! Ahhh! This felt good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We decided to start with the little shops of Shab Row and Everedy Square.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We meandered slowly through the quaint area, and sadly a few shops had already closed for the day. Still it was a good walk through the neighborhood.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeaGHAsNZbmMcKAtnTI2khTxX8LfHiqclRd5l-GLWKo9yGsuq6Pm19HNxpO1wxYx2ZVMDKjLRDlsHfQIbtIXkm6NfZuOZ52PlcWljEP_19D0CBZwQ2v1wrfp6kIa9fZ8UlPX9nwMDqaA/s1600/angel_log_cabin_shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeaGHAsNZbmMcKAtnTI2khTxX8LfHiqclRd5l-GLWKo9yGsuq6Pm19HNxpO1wxYx2ZVMDKjLRDlsHfQIbtIXkm6NfZuOZ52PlcWljEP_19D0CBZwQ2v1wrfp6kIa9fZ8UlPX9nwMDqaA/s640/angel_log_cabin_shop.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hungry, we stopped in the casual <b><a href="http://www.fredcoffeeco.com/" target="_blank">Frederick Coffee Co. And Cafe</a></b> for some healthy and delicious veggie sandwiches. I think this was the best powerhouse type of sandwich I have ever eaten. You can see from their menu boards they have an excellent vegetarian selection. Which for a vegan is really important! We definitely will return to enjoy the food at this cafe again! Now, if they could add a fresh green juice, and green smoothie bar that would be awesome!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Check out the vintage coffee grinder sitting in the corner of the room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As evening set in we drove uptown towards Market street. I always love the view of the church spires from atop this parking garage on Church Street. We seem to be floating in the clouds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gee I wish we had gotten to this art gallery below earlier, but we were not on a schedule, just wandering...there is always much to do and see in downtown Frederick! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looks like we missed a very cool art show featuring psychedelic posters from the sixties. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As it became darker we headed back to our comfy B and B to relax and enjoy the surroundings. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Moving past the whimsical fountain display, I had to peek at the walls in</span> The Peacock room again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then we sat for awhile in the living room to take in that amazing wallpaper and room decor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the tapestry drapes that hang from the entrance to each of the sitting rooms downstairs, as they really give the air of authenticity. Just look at that wooden hand carved decorative Victorian birdcage. What a beauty! Those fantastic giant palms are a nice touch too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's time to retire to our soothing room where sparkling water waits on the nightstand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We awoke to the smell of breakfast in the air. Anyone want to take a long peaceful soak in the claw foot tub below? A glass enclosed shower stall, and hand painted sink on a marble topped chest was equally lovely in this light filled room. You can get pampered easily here. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Breakfast was served in the Peacock Room! As the morning light filtered through the windows I thought, "What a wonderful room to start our day!" </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">More eye candy for me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of my favorite parts of going to a Bed and Breakfast along with the intimate settings is getting to know new people. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So we invited Monique and her husband to join us for breakfast. </span>I was fascinated by these people who would create such a lavish setting, and share it with guests. Just imagine going on antique hunts with Monique! We ran into her a few months later in town, and that was exactly what she was doing! She has the best eye for what works together! </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Below is my tasty mango smoothie!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pictured is Ben's generous breakfast plate of Monique's home made chocolate waffles with strawberries, fresh whipped cream, and a side of bacon. I spy fresh muffins too! They were sent over from a neighboring B and B, so nice!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, I no longer eat meat. Monique provided me with fresh kiwi slices instead of bacon, and an extra helping of strawberries on my waffles! Yum! During breakfast some very nice friends of the owners stopped over, and we all sat around the dining table chatting and having some tea. I loved learning more about this home and the historic area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After our divine breakfast it was time for us to go to a Renaissance festival in Annapolis for the day. We really enjoyed our stay, and w</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">e will return again... and probably again...to 10 Clarke Place. The captivating setting, friendly hosts, and the fresh made food, provided us with all we could have wanted for our quick get-a-way weekend!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Monique and her husband
have lovingly restored this stunning home, and the care taken is evident in
every exquisite detail, I think you will like it here too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have an idea, which is the only way they could improve on this Victorian immersion experience for me, this would be to create a bedroom dedicated to my favorite Art Nouveau graphic artist <b><a href="http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artist.php?artistid=598" target="_blank">Alfonse Mucha</a></b>! (See my old Mucha foyer <b><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2010/12/quickest-christmas-tree-ever-plus.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>) Then perhaps scatter a few Pre-Raphaelite influenced paintings or tapestries throughout the home! Something like <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flaming_June,_by_Fredrick_Lord_Leighton_%281830-1896%29.jpg" target="_blank">this</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=6940&size=large" target="_blank">this</a></b> or <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JWW_TheLadyOfShallot_1888.jpg" target="_blank">this</a></b>. (Of course there are so many more...) The Painting Queen thinks such romantic artistry would fit nicely into a home based on such elegant beauty. So wonderful to live in our dreams! That is what this bed and breakfast does for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ben and I can highly recommended this gem of a bed and breakfast at <b><a href="http://www.10clarke.com/" target="_blank">10 Clarke Place</a></b> that's nestled on a very quaint Victorian street in Frederick, Maryland. Once you s</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tep inside to this quieter place in time, you will be surrounded by the picturesque loveliness of another era. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A breath of fresh air in a busy world. Dream on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-31583088304517338592013-03-21T05:40:00.002-04:002017-08-02T18:21:38.953-04:00Pee Wee Herman And The Queen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today's secret word is: Birthday! Paging Mr. Herman! Paging Mr. Herman! Paul Reuben's character 'Pee Wee Herman' has been entertaining us for 30 years! What a snazzy guy! Can you believe it? So many years of smiles! I love the P-man! Yes indeed, I certainly must, as I placed him on the same shelf with a photo of my awesome husband Ben, and Beldar Conehead from France! Because of Pee Wee Herman I will never hear the song 'Tequila' again, and not think of white platform shoes tilted upright under Pee-Wee on a biker bar! Pee Wee is such a rebel. Dottie knows that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like many others, my two children were raised on the child-like charming grey suited character named 'Pee Wee Herman.' We loved watching him everyday! Although what we enjoyed was not the kids TV program you are thinking about. This show we watched was my homemade video of the original HBO special 'The Pee Wee Herman Show - Live At The Roxy Theater', a 'Groundlings' play that was created for adults. It was hilarious, colorful, quirky, and oh so fab-fabulous!</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reminded me of the <b><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2010/10/getting-wiggy-with-it-at-honfest.html" target="_blank">Honfest world</a></b>. My children could not get enough of it, and thankfully the adult humor went right over their heads... until they were in their teens. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I certainly never got tired of listening to Mr. Herman and his remarkable cast of characters nearly every day. </span>As a single mom I can remember making dinner and hearing Jambi singing "This is my Last Trance...Last Trance...Peeeeeee Weeeeee." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had every line memorized from the entire show! Miss Y-vonne was sublime as the most beautiful woman in Puppetland, Captain Carl was perfection as the cranky shy fisherman, and that 'Sly and The Family Stone' tribute with Pee Wee and the wacky neighbors 'The Jelly Donuts,' was out-of-this-world! Go watch a <b><a href="http://youtu.be/Hlieo6mM7rk" target="_blank">clip here</a></b>! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Who can forget naughty Jambi and "Hands? Hands? Did somebody say Hands?....." </span>Well you know the rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Pee wee Herman Broadway play is based on this original and unique HBO special, but many of Phil Hartman's skits are not included, so you simply must buy the DVD that finally came out a few years ago. It is one of my prized processions, as I was worried my old video tape from the TV would finally disintegrate, and I would lose this awesome comedy forever. Kudos to HBO for releasing the old show again on DVD! Whew!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know there is a new Pee Wee Herman movie somewhere out there in production.</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope they have lots of campy details like the video clip above from Pee Wee's Big Adventure. That's the coolness I love along with him talking and thinking like a nerdy kid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I bought my kids the Pee Wee Playhouse in the eighties. Truth be known I was the one who really wanted that kookie dollhouse. I also got "them" the Pee Wee Colorforms. Oh look there is the old box in my office today...along with Jambi on the shelf below. How did they get there? "I know you are...but, what am I?" That crazy Globey is lurking around here somewhere!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happiest of Birthday's Pee-Wee and Paul Reuben! Thanks for all the laughs! My kids turned out to be fantastic wonderful people with a wicked sense of humor! Now my grandchildren know who Pee-Wee is too, and they enjoy watching the silliness! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Made you look!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visit the <b><a href="http://www.peewee.com/" target="_blank">Official Pee-Wee website</a></b> full of fun stuff, and you can follow 'Pee-Wee' on his <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeeweeHerman" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PeeweeHerman" target="_blank"> page</a></b>. Now get working on that giant foil ball! ....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Credits</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">: Pee Wee Herman images from <a href="http://peewee.com/">Peewee.com</a>, Frames - <a href="http://www.raspberryroaddesigns.net/shoppe/" target="_blank">Raspberry Road Designs</a>, Objects - <a href="http://paulakesselring.com/" target="_blank">Paula Kesselring</a>, Photos and art created by Crystal Visions Art </span></span><br />
<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-33409927594591778952013-03-04T20:27:00.000-05:002017-08-02T18:42:13.398-04:00Musical Vintage Victorian Ephemera And Freebie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'The Painting Queen loves ephemera, vintage or digital. Honestly, collecting digital ephemera may be an addiction. Oh let's be nice and call it a hobby! My love of vintage images actually started when </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was in art college studying typography. I happened to tell my grandmother about the design class where we studied the history of type usage. This resulted in her gifting</span> me two amazing vintage albums filled with trade card collections! Very often I sat with those old volumes on my lap, gently turning the care worn pages, marveling over the sometimes curious old trade cards. As I looked closely at the detail in each card, I thought about the people who made the art, as well as those who were taking the time to collect the post card sized trade cards. As part of</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a work study job at my college, </span>I designed an event brochure trying to emulate this type of artwork and typography. A sad student attempt for sure, none the less done with love and excitement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I so dearly loved and valued the antique images within those old albums my Grandmother had so thoughtfully given to me. Unfortunately someone in my life was jealous of this antique gift. They saw those albums as worth only money, and took them from me. As the wheel of karma turns, apparently the albums were stolen from that person, and possibly sold on E-bay. Sad. If left in my care, those images would be here to share with you today. Thankfully I still have two of the soap trade cards to enjoy, since they were kept under glass on my bureau. You can see one of the trade cards above this post, I call her the pink lady. In the Spirit of giving back to the Universe, and honoring the gift from my grandmother, I am sharing her with you freely today. You can click on the image and download her to use in your creative digital artwork projects. This way we can share the beauty together! Some unknown artist in the past did a lovely job drawing this pink lady. So let us celebrate that creative life, beauty, and people we love!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now let me share with you the talent of a creative artist that does incredible ephemera work, and astonishingly lives in our time! Besides ephemera,</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">you know </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'The Painting Queen' also loves music, and when both favorites meet within an exceptional project, I must share that good news with you! </span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">English traditional ornamental glass artist David Adrian Smith was commissioned by Sony Music to create the stunning <b><a href="http://davidadriansmith.com/2012/05/17/born-raised-album-cover-john-mayer/" target="_blank">album cover artwork</a></b> for John Mayer's new release called 'Born and Raised.' You can click on the link above to view many large photos of the artwork on his website. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">David A. Smith has the unusual vintage Victorian skills to create mirrors and Victorian inspired signage using glass embossing, acid etching, reverse painting and artwork, gold leaf, creative typography, and incredible line and scroll work. Watch the video above to learn more about the artist and the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When exceptional musician <b><a href="http://johnmayer.com/" target="_blank">John Mayer</a></b> found this unique artist, he worked with David to create John's vintage style vision for the album cover of <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MAETA8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007MAETA8&linkCode=as2&tag=thqusta-20">Born and Raised</a></b><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thqusta-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007MAETA8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
. Yes I said album cover! This is not dinky little CD case artwork. This is the real glorious, hold the large album in your hands, and pull out a real record artwork! The video above is an 18 minute documentary about the artwork and design process. This is a real must see for any designer, artist, or lover of vintage things! Behold this master of vintage art and Victorian typographic design, David Adrian Smith! You will experience all the time, care, and detail that went into his designs. If you would like a poster of the design you can go <b><a href="http://johnmayer.shop.musictoday.com/Product.aspx?cp=235_56165&pc=JMAP105" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Both videos on this post were created by film maker <b><a href="http://www.dannycooke.co.uk/" target="_blank">Danny Cooke</a></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most recently, Jamison Whiskey in Dublin had David design and <b><a href="http://davidadriansmith.com/2013/02/23/jameson-whiskey-dublin/" target="_blank">execute a label</a></b> celebrating St Patrick's Day 2013 for a limited edition collectors bottle. You can view this design along with others of this modern/vintage master at his uber-gorgeous website. Filled with drawings, designs and photos, this website is superb eye candy! You are going to be blown away by this man's incredible skill! Along with some of his scroll designs and fonts, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">David also sells a gilding tool he created</span> for fellow gilding artists there as well. I recommend you look through the photo gallery on his gold leaf <b><a href="http://davidadriansmith.com/2010/07/23/gold-leaf-workshops-to-view-photos-click-here/" target="_blank">gilding workshop page</a></b>, the Peace sign makes me cry. The beauty</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> of his lyrical line work</span> is beyond words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The John Mayer album design is reminiscent to me of the wonderful old album covers I could hold in my hand and then display in my teenage room. In our last home we had a room dedicated to displaying about 20 of our old favorite album covers. Perhaps someday in this current 'Hobbit House' we can find a place to hang a few album covers in the basement, when we get around to setting up a practice area for Ben. Well...way back in those high school days I had told my fellow art students that when I grew up I wanted to design album covers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Although I never did live that dream... I sure do a lot of website designs and photos for my musician husband Ben Sherman seen above. Certainly you can see the vintage influence on <b><a href="http://www.benshermanguitar.com/" target="_blank">Ben Sherman's main gig and teaching website</a></b> design which you will find also has a fun steampunk twist, even within the photos section. Then there is Ben's other website <b><a href="http://www.benshermanguitar.com/classical/index.html" target="_blank">Ben Sherman Classical Guitar</a></b>. A more modern young bride look. Hint: White is the new black. Marketing. Marketing. To marketing I must go.</span><br />
<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-79111022620643775522013-02-07T03:02:00.001-05:002013-02-15T14:51:31.619-05:00Frederick's First Saturday In February Is Fire In Ice <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brrrrr it's cold outside. Freezing. Oh yes, it's nippy out there. One thing that is good for is... ICE. We had planned a Sunday afternoon brunch at <b><a href="http://www.cafe-nola.com/" target="_blank">Cafe Nola in Frederick</a></b> Maryland, for February 2nd. A good day to get away from the throngs of purple people eaters we endured the evening before at Ben's gig. Time to enjoy some quality time alone together. Even though it was quite chilly with snow flurries in the air, we happily drove to Frederick. We LOVE this town, it is our little Portlandia. <b><a href="http://www.visitfrederick.org/members/category/54/page:2/limit:20" target="_blank">Frederick</a></b> is filled with great restaurants, cool shops, and continuously celebrates the arts and music with a passion. I lived there for five years, and only left Frederick to be with my husband, in his area of the world. As a matter of fact we first met at good ole Baker Park where his fantastic band <b><a href="http://www.hecticred.com/" target="_blank">"Hectic Red"</a></b> was playing a Sunday in the Park show. Awesome night! Someday we may find a place in Frederick again, so till then, we go there often as our prime destination for food, fun, and festivals. It's our Fredlandia.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Always full of surprises, we were met by an ice sculpture sitting on the sidewalk as soon as we stepped out of our car. I handed my phone to Ben and asked him to take a photo of it since I had slippery furry gloves on. This sparkling sculpture was of a snowflake with an eye in the center, just sitting there quietly shimmering in front of the 'Unique Optique' store. The name of the ice sculpture is "Eye See Winter." Smiling, off we walked to Cafe Nola.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We enjoyed our delicious brunch at Cafe Nola feeling all toasty and warm inside. I loved my portobello mushroom burger with greens and tomatoes along with a rare special treat of sweet potato fries. Ben had a breakfast of gooey eggs Benedict with steamed spinach, portobello mushrooms, along with mixed greens. He chose garlic mashed potatoes as his side dish. We savored wonderful cups of herb tea as we chatted and enjoyed our lazy morning... ahhhh afternoon... together. As we left the cafe, we decided to walk off our meal and stroll down Patrick and Market Street to enjoy a few of our favorite little shops. We discovered that shining ice sculptures were all over downtown! So cool. Frederick is like that! Check out that fabulous frozen arctic frog!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Leap Frog" at Velvet Lounge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have since found out that the day before was<a href="http://www.downtownfrederick.org/calendar/events/view/29/redirTo:L2NhbGVuZGFyL2V2ZW50cy9pbmRleC8yMDEyLzI=" target="_blank"> '<b>First Saturday</b>,</a>' and there is an annual ice sculpture event every February in downtown Frederick. I will have to put this on our calendar for next year! Apparently there were 40 ice sculptures, along with live ice carving demonstrations. The town was alive with dancing and numerous other activities put on by the <b><a href="http://www.downtownfrederick.org/en_us" target="_blank">Downtown Frederick Partnership</a></b>. (Darn I had not checked into my alternate email address for quite some time, which is where I get such notices. I have got to remember that new password, so we don't miss out again!) The gleaming pot of ice tea was so superbly spectacular!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Iced Tea" at Voila!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I really wanted to know who created all the luminous ice sculptures. An artist deserves credit for their work. The only information I found was that a man named<b> </b><i><b>Ira Dixon</b> from 'USA Ice'</i> had done a live ice carving demonstration featuring a dragon, and a statue of Zeus! Unfortunately when we passed the same area the next day, there was just a pile of broken ice remaining on the ground. You can read about that demonstration <b><a href="http://www.gazette.net/article/20130204/NEWS/130209719/1018/putting-fire-in-the-ice-at-first-saturday-in-frederick&template=gazette" target="_blank">here</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=131431#.URLvePLjLlc" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Just click on the photos that are part of the newspaper articles and see the artist <i>Ira Dixon </i>doing his thing with chain saws. Perhaps he made all of the sculptures, although I really do not know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was no information on the <b><a href="http://www.downtownfrederick.org/calendar/events/view/29/redirTo:L2NhbGVuZGFyL2V2ZW50cy9pbmRleC8yMDEyLzI=" target="_blank">Downtown Frederick Partnership</a></b> site as to who the creators of the sculpture were, and as an artist I think that is important information that should be shared. Hopefully they will make a point of doing that next year. If anybody has any further information about any other artists participation in this project I would love to give them credit too. Whether it was the work of one person, or a group, there was some really wonderful creative pieces in this frosty icy show!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Light Me Up" at Dream House Shop</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We did not walk everywhere in town, so these are the photos we took while on Patrick and Market Streets. Some places only had remains of ice sculptures, although enough intact ice sculptures were left to make it feel like a gallery walk. The whole artsy situation matched our brisk walk in the frigid winter air completely. Just love the radiant frozen lamp above, sitting on a skirted side table in front of a furniture store. Perfect!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am not sure of the name or location of the above sculpture we found swimming on Market Street, although it is a happy little ice fish. Perhaps he's a friend of my pet fish "Eric!" We were having such a fun time that my honey even bought me a few trinkets from a few of the stores for Valentines day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He has put away, one of the two he purchased from the Terressentials shop and we will pretend I never saw it! (Oh it's a lovely little carpet style bag with tassel! Shhhhh!) Gosh I love that store! While we were there I noticed that they had a large line of organic personal care products on their shelves. Not one to believe packaging and labels, when I went home I looked them up on the EWG (Environmental Working Group Skin Deep) site. Turns out Terresentials has the purest ingredients of anyone I have ever investigated! They are right there with Dr. Bronner products! Oh my! They are locally made in Maryland too! I will be back to their store very soon to get some personal care products for sure! I do not care if they are expensive either! Once you have been diagnosed with cancer, you realize the importance of not having synthetic chemicals on your body! I am very excited about <b><a href="http://www.terressentials.com/" target="_blank">Terressentials</a></b> commitment to excellence! I love finding out about the good stuff!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From a lovely little shop across the street, 'Urban Cottage', Ben picked out a new glass juice prop for <b><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> 'The Queen's Table Blog'</a></b> that has crowns embossed around the glass as part of the design. Beautiful! Looks rather like ice sculpture too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was exciting to see what the next shape of ice sculpture would be as we traveled down the sidewalks! The sculptor probably had to work with the stores requests for shape and subject matter. I have to say that the word sculptures like the bank and the college were not that interesting, although they were probably difficult to execute perfectly. I really got a kick out of the bright shiny penny sculpture above with it's humorous sign.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLcCA-GhWgDISPJCTaWBpHhm1KSntlhNoXlXSeyy7R0cYEQ4z5oQye23wAQtfgx5Ir_pEw7VXfxz05A6fWQHfSnxvffXEYGF2YVRf-TdByNEXitV3I2PNtVCM1Y3z8MH8g1870eK-SF4/s1600/Frederick+hearts+of+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLcCA-GhWgDISPJCTaWBpHhm1KSntlhNoXlXSeyy7R0cYEQ4z5oQye23wAQtfgx5Ir_pEw7VXfxz05A6fWQHfSnxvffXEYGF2YVRf-TdByNEXitV3I2PNtVCM1Y3z8MH8g1870eK-SF4/s640/Frederick+hearts+of+ice.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Two Hearts Are Better" at Molly's Meanderings</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The intertwined glowing hearts above and the romantic icy Eiffel Tower below were perfect for the Valentines Day theme of February. We were certainly feeling the love from this way cool town.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0FefdoerSBOPRSWK017251CQbaItqzsSKj_fGkPFvpOpbrjpLvYiCZlNHIaABFoiW2Nr1jwQoc2ld3NttsfKIVo9xcr6KwLqx6PdvrtGG_UYxv54oNOiP0bX85YFlIZCyc4IeVwTRFk/s1600/Frederick+eye+love+paris+ice+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0FefdoerSBOPRSWK017251CQbaItqzsSKj_fGkPFvpOpbrjpLvYiCZlNHIaABFoiW2Nr1jwQoc2ld3NttsfKIVo9xcr6KwLqx6PdvrtGG_UYxv54oNOiP0bX85YFlIZCyc4IeVwTRFk/s640/Frederick+eye+love+paris+ice+web.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I Love Paris" Stay's Cool at Visions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNc-SSH-AGUaENbzsf9RxDWkTftzbp9wAoAKCo90tk1BKuzF3WvNYXEtpRJn3i55UZtgDBFB5hkWHHyC1LBvms0DaLX3jIFeWMQbwjJPC2oDEi4uF9Dv9U-4F-LHREMi9RvsFDZOCc8Q/s1600/Frederick+ice+mirror+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNc-SSH-AGUaENbzsf9RxDWkTftzbp9wAoAKCo90tk1BKuzF3WvNYXEtpRJn3i55UZtgDBFB5hkWHHyC1LBvms0DaLX3jIFeWMQbwjJPC2oDEi4uF9Dv9U-4F-LHREMi9RvsFDZOCc8Q/s640/Frederick+ice+mirror+web.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Igloo Furnishings" at Salvaged</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is just a typical afternoon well spent in our little Fredlandia. Strolling down the street we even ran into the owner of a Bed and Breakfast in town where we stayed recently. That gorgeous post is coming up soon! So look out for that dreamy place! The only thing that would make Frederick better is if they had the mighty classic rock bands <b><a href="http://www.hecticred.com/" target="_blank">"Hectic Red"</a></b> or <b><a href="http://www.technicolormotorhome.com/Home.html" target="_blank">"Technicolor Motor Home"</a></b> perform at one of their summer festivals this year! They are the best bands in the land! So says the Queen! Well here I am modeling for Ben the new flower for my winter hat that he also bought for me at Terressentials this fine winters day. Hey! What's that lady in the red dress doing behind me? Pointing her frozen in time mannequin toes? In the meantime my friends, enjoy all the sweet little shining glittering moments of your everyday events with loved ones! Sometimes in the land of ice and snow... the ice is good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-59332457112082737292012-12-24T03:41:00.000-05:002012-12-24T13:14:43.613-05:00Our Christmas Card, Tree, And A Message For You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaYs-cJcQTJTLbfEz1QK7bMtz7QMc8rulOMsvvFIFTJ8MvG-ZeOAKBFf0nLZTriNf70xO85N7TK2InUm8_yxAdZSVjPc3TruzfRWvKL_kElQZHS_6D-36Mr12EIXKtXd47Zsnuxej8gQ/s1600/card+gutter+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaYs-cJcQTJTLbfEz1QK7bMtz7QMc8rulOMsvvFIFTJ8MvG-ZeOAKBFf0nLZTriNf70xO85N7TK2InUm8_yxAdZSVjPc3TruzfRWvKL_kElQZHS_6D-36Mr12EIXKtXd47Zsnuxej8gQ/s640/card+gutter+web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the Spirit of the season, I would like to wish all my blog followers a wonderful time enjoying their family and friends. This also includes the many followers of my newest blog called,<a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> <b>"The Queen's Table"</b></a> that has been striking a chord in many people this past year. That makes me very happy! I feel blessed to see the results not only for myself, but also for those who I meet that are experiencing positive changes to their mind and body as well! It is a pleasure to share the good news of health through whole foods! It warms the heart to help awake those like me, who had been living in the blind world of processed foods and prescriptions. It is my goal to help more people transition into healthier food choices and patterns over the coming years too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would like to share
with you our Christmas card for 2012, which was made with a combination
of ephemera, photoshop brushes, and a few scrapbook elements. The photo
was taken at Faerie Con a few months ago. So much fun to have a hubby that enjoys the world of fantasy too! The card got sent out late since the printer was not so quick in getting it mailed to us. Plus the printed verion came out a tad darker too! This digital version is just as I meant it to look.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes, much has happened this year... wonderful changes in my health, a cancer diagnosis, major weight loss, Hectic Red's 25th Anniversary, and recently moving to a new home. I was not going to super decorate for the holidays as I have had my fill of emptying boxes. Easier said than done for me! I still wanted the grandchildren to get joy from the lights and decorations. So I did the quick tree decor that I wrote about <b><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2010/12/quickest-christmas-tree-ever-plus.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>, and added the pieces from the fairy chandelier that I had to take apart when we moved, to the tree as well. It is a sparkling beauty.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is still a corner full of boxes that need a new piece of furniture to hold them, so I covered that area with the folding screen I painted. A few presents arrived for the grandchildren today and they look so festive under the tree!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having
grandchildren to enjoy always brightens any day. Grandparents out
there, know the feeling of cherishing these moments that remind us when
our children were toddlers and babies at Christmas. When you are young,
trying to make your way in life, raising your family and learning life
lessons, you don't generally have the gift of time and experience to
reflect upon. When we are older we know how fleeting time really is....</span></span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is also the time when souls may many view the world with a lighter Spirit, and that is a good thing. Let us try to incorporate those feelings into how we view all the moments everyday... with wonder, awe, compassion, and the open heart of a child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Since 2012 marked the year that in the land of time and space, begins the awakening towards a new vision, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">may the next year fill you with the magical light of love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for all the kind words, good thoughts,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #f9cb9c;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and cheer you have brought into my life!</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Credits: Cover of Book - <a href="http://magicalrealitydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Magical Reality</a> Lost Treasures, Elements - <a href="http://design2create.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joelle</a> Old Winter Valley,</span></span></i></div>
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-21420066311129445102012-12-18T02:50:00.002-05:002014-11-13T23:02:01.828-05:00Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel And Restaurant: What An Amazing Venue For A Christmas Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AyUli4pHXYHTuBa5sIurg8hTNMJndGSiVb381sGYhuFlxZxDEqHqJ_E79XoKZF9X13Vz2F9qolQPM9Db8AMjQYFd5k2MYoSAD34DAWBZ3I_Et9dVGgMCXxlmevS0H0iVXq87bsKRhMY/s1600/Antrim+1844+wedding+web2w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AyUli4pHXYHTuBa5sIurg8hTNMJndGSiVb381sGYhuFlxZxDEqHqJ_E79XoKZF9X13Vz2F9qolQPM9Db8AMjQYFd5k2MYoSAD34DAWBZ3I_Et9dVGgMCXxlmevS0H0iVXq87bsKRhMY/s640/Antrim+1844+wedding+web2w.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I get excited when I accompany <a href="http://www.benshermanguitar.com/classical/" target="_blank">Ben Sherman Classical Guitar </a>to weddings that are held at lovely venues like the Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel and Restaurant. I love to experience these elegant locations that the bride and groom choose as the place to express their love. The <a href="http://www.antrim1844.com/" target="_blank">Antrim 1844</a> is a stately brick Mansion that was once a Plantation consisting of 2,500 acres. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the grand home sits nestled on a 24 acre location that is west of Baltimore, at 30 Trevanion Road </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">in Taneytown Maryland</span>, just 15 minutes from Gettysburg Pennsylvania. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have visited the Antrim before and enjoyed the superb 'Smokehouse Restaurant' which presents a deluxe six course gourmet <a href="http://www.antrim1844.com/dining/dining.html" target="_blank">dining</a> experience! The food prepared by Chef Michel Gettier is worth getting a reservation for, so you too can partake in a delightful evening. Enjoy the Mansion's first floor of rooms while you wait for your table in the Smokehouse. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The discerning wine lover can sip some wine from the</span> award winning wine cellar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Additionally there are ten other buildings on the property, filled with finely appointed rooms lavishly decorated in Victorian furnishings for your overnight stay. Isn't that incredible! That's a total of forty rooms and suites available which includes the main Mansion. Guests also get the traditional breakfast and afternoon tea for spending the night at the Antrim. I suggest you check out the map of the grounds and its amenities on <a href="http://www.antrim1844.com/accommodations/accommodations.html" target="_blank">this page</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now let's get to that December wedding in which Ben Sherman is once again playing classical guitar music to set the ambiance of this historic setting. The Mansion has decked its halls in all the finery of Christmas past! As you can imagine this is a fantastic time to be having a wedding at The Antrim! Let's have a look around!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Attention to detail is evident everywhere you look! Pine garland hangs from every chandelier, mantle, stairwell, painting, and mirror. All draped in the live greenery that smells so good, I overheard a number of people commenting on the pine scent that filled the air!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Mansion is filled with wonderful antiques, fine furnishings, and sumptuous linens. </span>Still there are touches of whimsy that give such large rooms a cozy home like feel. One of the themes in the Mansion decor is Nutcrackers, and you will find them guarding both sides of the front door entry. Two more large nutcrackers stand upon the hall buffet, and if you look up, there is one sitting atop a grandfather clock. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then a first floor Mansion room that holds a display of fruits and cheeses during the cocktail hour, contains wreaths that each have a different three dimensional scene inside. A bit like circular doll houses. Below is just one of those charming homespun wreath designs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A cozy pub room sits at the rear of the main house, with a fox hunt theme called The Pickwick Pub.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Outside of the pub is a cheery holiday staircase continuing the hunt decor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The weather is mild on this day and the wedding party had no problem having their photos taken outside. So let's go see the gorgeous bride as she is being photographed beside the main house. I love getting a chance to photograph the bride too, so I took a couple shots as well. What a background! I just love the mistiness in the atmosphere!</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What you do not see in the photo above is the scene in front of the bride. A lovely classic garden. I attended another wedding during the summer months where the wedding ceremony was held in this formal rose garden.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are a few more photos I took of the bride and her wedding party.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love the December colors and faux fur cape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A nearby water fountain statue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a separate building on the grounds to hold special events like wedding ceremonies, receptions, and corporate events, called The Garden Room. Let's go inside where a wreath adorns each panel of windows surrounding the building.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here we find Ben Sherman Classical Guitar is prepared and warming up before the guests arrive for the ceremony.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elegant Christmas and wedding decor is evident as well in this light filled garden view building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now as the guests arrive for the wedding ceremony, Ben Sherman is playing classical prelude music and will continue with music for the processional of the wedding ceremony. Click on the player below to listen to a music clip of Mr. Ben Sherman performing on classical guitar, <i>"Gymnopedie No. 1"</i> by Satie. </span><br /><br />
<embed flashvars="audioUrl=http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/gymnopedie_edit2.mp3" height="27" quality="best" src=" http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>
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<embed flashvars="audioUrl=http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/scherzino_edit2.mp3" height="27" quality="best" src=" http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ben Sherman Classical Guitar continues playing after the ceremony as the newly married couple, wedding party, family, and guests leave the room. Above is a music clip of Ben playing <i>"Scherzino Mexicano,"</i> by Ponce.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The guests are on their way back to the beautiful main house for cocktails where Ben Sherman will play a mix of classical guitar and modern classic tunes. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Award winning musician
Ben Sherman is also a classic rock, and jazz musician, so he can lend a
wide musical variety as the wedding guests start to relax and get their festivities started.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entering the drawing rooms your eyes immediately go to the beautifully decorated Christmas trees.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Warm and inviting, these formal rooms contain antique sofas, chairs, and upholstered benches. You can easily settle in to enjoy a sculpted marble fireplace view, and the traditional holiday decor. All the while listening to Ben Sherman's sophisticated guitar music, while you carry on a conversation with friends.</span></div><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Afterwards the guests will return to the Garden Room to eat a delicious meal set with fabulous table linens. I especially loved the opulent material that was used for this wedding along with the dramatic winter white and cream table decor. You can click on any of my photos for a closer view.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During the cocktail hour the wedding guests mingle between the rooms and grand staircase of the front hall. Some guests in the Drawing room areas made song requests of Ben Sherman, which he happily accommodated when possible. All this while the amazing Antrim 1844 hors d'oeuvre's were being served throughout the main floor of the Mansion.</span><br />
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<embed flashvars="audioUrl=http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/horizons_edit3.mp3" height="27" quality="best" src=" http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Listen in and hear Ben Sherman play the song <i>"Horizons," </i>by Steve Hackett. </span><br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTBTQcENtrKIgySp3WVGQcaCz7zZtxroMRDp4BUpdRmqpydSNRAkwp0H8HnMj6dL8yH-2LVjJaPDb1mSkeZQX5fhFeQTmIyIxWN4GmtrS2IdXdwuZ0WGtWwOVGUX1U7W78tkCNCuYIos/s1600/Ben+Sherman+Guitar+classical+special+event+Baltimore+Maryland+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTBTQcENtrKIgySp3WVGQcaCz7zZtxroMRDp4BUpdRmqpydSNRAkwp0H8HnMj6dL8yH-2LVjJaPDb1mSkeZQX5fhFeQTmIyIxWN4GmtrS2IdXdwuZ0WGtWwOVGUX1U7W78tkCNCuYIos/s400/Ben+Sherman+Guitar+classical+special+event+Baltimore+Maryland+web.jpg" height="400" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was very impressed to learn of all the buildings that are part of the Antrim 1844 property and wanted you to see one of the other buildings known as the Smith House, which is seen from the front porch of The Garden Room in the photo below. Go to their <a href="http://www.antrim1844.com/accommodations/accommodations.html" target="_blank">website</a> to learn about the other historic buildings that you can stay and enjoy overnight with top notch accommodations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In accordance with that fanciful taste that seems to be in abundance at the Antrim Mansion, just check out this Santa in this most marvelous ornate antique display case sitting casually in the corner of the room. Love!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's time for us to pack up my camera, and the music gear, to let the party continue at the dinner reception at the Garden Room. The bride, the groom, friends, and the family, have all graciously thanked Ben for the classical guitar music he provided during the wedding and cocktail hour. A truly lovely family, and group of friends. We couldn't help but notice that the bride and groom full of smiles, took a few spins around the reception hall together, before being announced to the waiting guests. See the love that is glowing into the night from their joyful celebration.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We wish them both much happiness in their marriage and uniting of open hearts. Ben and I know the value of a loving partnership that gets you through all the hills and valleys of life. A blessing to enjoy upon waking to each new day! Below is a clip from a song Ben Sherman wrote and is performing called, "First Light." Enjoy.</span><br /><br />
<embed flashvars="audioUrl=http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/first_light_edit3.mp3" height="27" quality="best" src=" http://www.benshermanguitar.com/audio_player_embed/3523697345-audio-player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed> <br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Should you know of any one requiring the musical talents of Ben Sherman Classical Guitar for a wedding or special event, please click on the photo below to be taken to Ben's official web site for more information. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spread the music and love.</span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-60386509494076701012012-12-05T21:23:00.002-05:002012-12-19T03:15:54.833-05:00What's On Your Lemon Tree?<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="450" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/50531514?badge=0" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="650"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I realize I have not posted on this blog for awhile, but I am still here! We have been dealing with moving and setting up a new home space with all that entails. Just before the move we were going through having my breast cancer diagnosis put on our plate. Still wrapping up some of those medical loose ends, and I will eventually do a post about the experience of getting through the cancer industry. My art has taken a backseat to these things of life. Itching to be able to paint and create again as I really need to be fully me right now. Art is a big part of my soul that needs to be expressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have posted over at my other blog, <b><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"The Queen's Table"</a></b> because the positive changes I have enjoyed through improving the quality of the food I eat, created a new passion to help others get on an exciting path of feeling better too. A <b><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/cancer-prevention.html" target="_blank">cancer prevention page</a></b> loaded with links and information of what you can do to help yourself or a friend, has been created there to be of help to anyone. Please share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do have some posts coming soon to the PQ blog, so stay tuned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the meantime, to break the ice of getting back to 'The Painting Queen Blog' on a regular basis..... there is this man <b><a href="http://www.jaleelking.com/" target="_blank">Jaleel King</a></b>, that has made 'Lemon Pie' out of what would have stopped many in life. Please watch the video, as this is the attitude that is needed during times of personal crisis.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You will be inspired by Jaleel, and his photography. Life can give you the opportunity to look at anything from a different direction or focus. Make some juice!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To learn about Jaleel's technique for lighting his photo's check out this post by The <b><a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2012/12/rock-n-roll-jaleel-king.html" target="_blank">Strobist</a></b>. </span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Video created by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrandSmash" target="_blank">Mike Allebach</a>. </span></i> The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-64783125397867010762012-07-31T23:52:00.001-04:002012-12-18T05:00:33.307-05:00Telesma's Resurrection Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was the triumphant return of Ian Hesford from the great beyondo! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A time of celebration! A time of gratitude. A night of incredible music and entertainment! That is what happens when you are in the same sacred space as the band <a href="http://telesmaband.com/" target="_blank">Telesma</a>. This night was supercharged! I had spoken of this event In a recent post when I talked about one of my images being used on the <a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2012/07/ian-universal-on-telesma-resurrection.html" target="_blank">Telesma's 'Resurrection' </a>concert poster. So I thought I would share a few photos from that evening. Since Ben had a gig and was unable to attend, my daughter and I decided to have a girl's night out. We began with a great meal at <a href="http://kettle-hill.com/" target="_blank">'Kettle Hill' </a>in Baltimore, which is a few doors down from the evening's music venue <a href="http://www.ramsheadlive.com/" target="_blank">'Rams Head Live</a>.' This restaurant reminded me of the furniture store <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/" target="_blank">'Restoration Hardware'</a> in style. I enjoyed the rustic look of the dining room we were in, although personally I just wish the old photos on the wall were of landscapes or historical buildings, instead of sports scenes. I think they could have left the sports photos in the large bar area, but since one of the owners is a former Oriole, I guess the sports theme is to be expected. It is tastefully done, and that is far better than the plethora of sport theme bar/restaurants that clog the world these days. Other than that, the service was fantastic, the food tasty, and quite affordable. We were so happy to find that the food is locally sourced, and we thoroughly enjoyed our glorious fresh salad veggies, and fancy sparkly water! We would definitely eat here again. It was just like old times for my daughter and me, as we used to share an apartment in a town that had great restaurants. Now my daughter rarely gets to go out without her two babies these days, so it was nice for her to have some personal time for such a fun night on the town. Even if it was with her momma!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As you may recall, the event was celebrating Ian Hesford's return to the very stage he had died on 3 months previous. As far as the doctors are concerned, he is a walking miracle. His heart was not working for ninety minutes! Through the grace of two people in attendance that night who jumped up on stage and gave him CPR, to the various doctors and nurses who cared for him during the critical moments, everything that was needed came into being. They also used a technique on him where they cool the body down, so to preserve the brain. The only thing Ian lost was his memory of 1 week prior. He woke up in the hospital with all his friends surrounding him wondering what had happened. You can hear an informative <a href="http://telesmaband.com/tag/dan-rodericks/" target="_blank">radio interview</a> with Ian and Joanne Juskus, discussing Ian's cardiac arrest, including an interview with a doctor who confirms this miraculous story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We were pretty excited to be able to be there for <a href="http://www.telesmamusic.com/" target="_blank">Telesma</a> and Ian's return to Rams Head Live.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The evening began with a power circle of the band on stage along with the visionary artist of the evening Adam Scott Miller.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ian was the last to walk out and join the circle, everyone cheered, then we all observed a quiet moment of gratitude between the band members. It was very moving to witness that connection and reverence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There was an air of magic and joyful smiles on faces.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The gift of life is very powerful, and everyone was feeling the vibe. And so the tribal-techno psychedelic rhythms begin...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the belly dancers appear...</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the people gather and dance....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the musicians enthrall us all evening long...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and we all felt the love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the end of the night the two souls who came up on stage and saved Ian's life 3 months ago were asked to come up on stage again, but this time to join the band and dance! I just love happy endings....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can read a detailed account and documentation of Ian's Miracle Resurrection and Recovery, in a Baltimore Sun Article <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bs-ae-telesma-second-chance-20120731,0,4177057.story?page=1" target="_blank">Here</a>.</span><br />
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-85971054883632783112012-07-18T23:45:00.000-04:002017-08-02T18:31:34.734-04:00We've Gone Goth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HAU_wxI3W425bEg89_GhqY4ldNIw6WfhrIteKFlieYca9eVh-MXB-CvH6lzPMgbGhgvQyIlOmhLBeg2g77cy5BvpXd6JOq2AwkiWDCD4wKPNl8EgHjfrxqdvV-h3gTSaYPAzfzS3rI0/s1600/our+american+goth+4_8oo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HAU_wxI3W425bEg89_GhqY4ldNIw6WfhrIteKFlieYca9eVh-MXB-CvH6lzPMgbGhgvQyIlOmhLBeg2g77cy5BvpXd6JOq2AwkiWDCD4wKPNl8EgHjfrxqdvV-h3gTSaYPAzfzS3rI0/s400/our+american+goth+4_8oo.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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"American Gothic" that is! Ben's serious look is very reminiscent of the old Grant Wood painting and just fit perfectly. Since I only have a few recent photos of myself, this one had the correct angle to fit the original paintings body. So there it is...a smiling fairy instead. I had wanted a picture of us for my <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">Queens Table Blog About page</a>. Something different than the usual couple photo, and the old Grant Wood painting popped into my head. It has that 'back to the earth' feel to me, since that is what we are doing now, supporting local farmers, and attempting to grow a few things ourselves. This is the kind of quick digital manipulation that I really get a kick out of doing. A bit quirky, but fun! </div>
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Anyway there we are in our painting, ready to grow and eat plants! For reference, below is the original Grant Wood "American Gothic" painting in all it's solemn glory.</div>
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The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-8036751726072012962012-07-09T12:42:00.000-04:002014-02-26T18:29:03.407-05:00Ian Universal On Telesma Resurrection Poster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am honored and excited to announce that one of my images was selected to adorn a poster, and promotional postcard for the band <b><a href="http://www.telesmamusic.com/" target="_blank">Telesma</a></b>! The image above will be on the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">celebration </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> concert poster called 'Resurrection' for the upcoming <b><a href="http://tickets.ramsheadlive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=571" target="_blank">July 20th show</a>.</b> The band is raising awareness and funds for band member Ian Hesford. The postcard and poster were designed by the lovely and resplendent female vocalist of Telesma</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, Joanne Juskus</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC_3oRXB0DEvRPYHZT-Q29ix9scqZcv_GCsclZy87f_X-kcepYS03iWXHoUE_ubiLTYymyDt1RtNyZrmc1n8TI668H4Rtz6z6c0RoBb_S1y8oZ4zvgpqbxaj0rYJ0ekW3hkMz-pt0DiQ/s1600/Telesma+group+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC_3oRXB0DEvRPYHZT-Q29ix9scqZcv_GCsclZy87f_X-kcepYS03iWXHoUE_ubiLTYymyDt1RtNyZrmc1n8TI668H4Rtz6z6c0RoBb_S1y8oZ4zvgpqbxaj0rYJ0ekW3hkMz-pt0DiQ/s640/Telesma+group+web.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This concert is now possible because of the astonishing story surrounding the multifaceted and vibrant musician Ian Hesford, who suffered a near fatal heart attack onstage on April 20th. The band is calling the 'Rams Head Live' concert in Baltimore 'Resurrection,' because Ian Hesford took a short voyage into the cosmic beyond, and returned again to bless us with his music, and kind spirit. It is an incredibly remarkable story of love, music, and manifesting the Spirit of life. Also a miracle that night, is that two members of the Telesma audience were trained in CPR! While one was dressed in a top hat, and the other in face paint, they jumped up on stage to revive Ian. His heart stopped for a full hour, but between the swift action of the audience members, and the EMT's who worked at resuscitating Ian for 90 minutes, his life was spared. The medical staff at Mercy hospital call his recovery miraculous. You can read a wonderful article about those people, and that night's events <a href="http://citypaper.com/music/resurrection-1.1334958" target="_blank">here</a> in this City Paper article written by Matt Kelly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmSvRUX268P48LJLQqIWIIWih0b4wHQfCduAglt-sqWjovX0mxHRgrZSBSaem77_gWUuIkr107fD_ji1Dq2hQowPvjt-fR5bUOOsnmM_uBIjCcdgSLl-aIqtemi-ofs-kgqIHX3YQXTk/s1600/telesma_resurrection_poster2+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmSvRUX268P48LJLQqIWIIWih0b4wHQfCduAglt-sqWjovX0mxHRgrZSBSaem77_gWUuIkr107fD_ji1Dq2hQowPvjt-fR5bUOOsnmM_uBIjCcdgSLl-aIqtemi-ofs-kgqIHX3YQXTk/s400/telesma_resurrection_poster2+web.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After news of what happened to Ian Hesford was realized, the entire band, friends, and music community, surrounded Ian with constant love and light, infusing the situation with amazing compassion! It is a testament to the beautiful soul and nature of the members of the band Telesma, who stayed by Ian's side while he was in the hospital. They posted daily updates about how Ian was responding, along with their own personal thoughts and feelings. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Telesma is a remarkable family of love. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything now involves helping their band mate, along with celebrating his return to this world. They live the inspiration that is found in their unique music. And If you loved Telesma before, you really become heart connected to them after witnessing their real life response of love and caring for Ian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That is why it means so much to me to have a small part in this awe-inspiring outpouring of love, and celebration of life!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is truly astonishing that Ian will be back up on the same stage, just three exact months later, playing all of his varied indigenous instruments! With all the fabulous artists and professional photographers who take part in the Telesma community, I am so grateful to be chosen to express this admirable concert event.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is my hope that the image I call 'Ian Universal' will help bring some attention to a very worthy cause, and an evening of phenomenal musical communication. You can also go to <b><a href="http://telesmaband.com/2012/04/26/update-on-ian-hesfords-heart-attack-donation-link/" target="_blank">this link</a></b> to make a donation to a trust fund that has been set up for Ian's medical expenses, called "Painted Talisman Of Miracles." The July 20th evening 'Resurrection' concert will also have silent auction items that you can bid on with all proceeds going to Ian's medical fund.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are not yet acquainted with Telesma music, get your mind, body, and soul, ready for some transcendence!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They are an extraordinary and infectious band, capable of soothing your Spirit, and moving your body with their compelling primitive/futuristic tribal techno rhythms. You can read more about Telesma and their new <b><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/telesma3" target="_blank">CD "Action In Inaction"</a></b> in <b><a href="http://bensguitarwisdom.blogspot.com/2012/05/telesma-action-in-inaction.html#.T_efi5H0_0Q" target="_blank">this post</a></b> by Ben, and my original post about experiencing Telesma for the first time <b><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2010/03/telesma-channels-spirit.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Their new CD is a rare creation, because from the beginning to the end of this musical journey, they have your attention.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Definitely something you will play over and over!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ben's post is from the viewpoint of a fellow musician that understands on many levels what Telesma is expressing.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F28FuozqO1DGCq-rsEwfPMsjPHEQvnVNtvnmZL-_kj4ohR8OyqKclivKGKP4qRa5zYCkAGhmy0i8Dul9cik3oPot_x6VL-P3x3zEf1HbOPJvp3oew6dzpEJBs7QCq3XyVj_jrzfGmcE/s1600/Ian+and+Ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F28FuozqO1DGCq-rsEwfPMsjPHEQvnVNtvnmZL-_kj4ohR8OyqKclivKGKP4qRa5zYCkAGhmy0i8Dul9cik3oPot_x6VL-P3x3zEf1HbOPJvp3oew6dzpEJBs7QCq3XyVj_jrzfGmcE/s400/Ian+and+Ben.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ian Hesford and Ben Sherman at a Benefit for Ian at Cafe Nola</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Being with Telesma live is the ultimate, because you will <i>"feel"</i> their musical vibrations, and those of the crowd as well. It all comes together in that divine space where you could be resurrected too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To give you an idea of my thought process while working on my image of Ian Hesford, I used this original image from a photo I had taken at one of Telesma's events. I had worked up this one that I called 'Ian - The World Emerges.' While I thought it had appeal, I could not get past the feeling that it needed something. So "it happened" just as I submitted this first idea to Joanne. I pushed the button to 'send' on my computer, then turned my head and saw that Ben was looking at photos of the Universe on his computer screen. In that instant I knew, that Ian needed to be emerging from the Universe itself. So I wrote a note to Joanne that I was going to be sending her another image. I worked up about 10 versions till I was satisfied with the arrangement below. That image is the one Telesma used on the facebook event page for the concert. When I looked at the image again, I then thought to myself I need to Telesma-ize this image... and there is the final result, in the image at the top of this post, and on the poster. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFfOlRfNjief_p7tEh4pUkVJiDi4gnbhyphenhyphenhNxqOJXKpCmO2no1ligIGSV56xEeTTB5fJ9ORa2ZKJIPU7dm3ASUA_E96Svw7yEz7BNq9Fh2g79cu8kAZrjBz8ijhyphenhyphenzg0t01raUQh8nWbgc/s1600/Ian+universal+alternate+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFfOlRfNjief_p7tEh4pUkVJiDi4gnbhyphenhyphenhNxqOJXKpCmO2no1ligIGSV56xEeTTB5fJ9ORa2ZKJIPU7dm3ASUA_E96Svw7yEz7BNq9Fh2g79cu8kAZrjBz8ijhyphenhyphenzg0t01raUQh8nWbgc/s640/Ian+universal+alternate+web.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That quick moment of clarity, in knowing that Ian needed to be projecting from the Universe, is one of those fun moments when you feel connected to the Source of all creativity, which leads you to the answer...and you say...yes! Finally my image fit the theme of the trip Ian took perfectly, so I named it "Ian Universal," because he had been there and back again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can join the Telesma facebook community <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Telesma/157386094271899" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">UPDATE: Just found out that the band 'Tool" has posted the Telesma Resurrection Poster on <a href="http://www.toolband.com/index_frames.html" target="_blank">the News Page</a> of their website.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Cool.</span><br />
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-7271278941104808512012-06-21T03:02:00.001-04:002014-09-09T18:11:02.830-04:00Reclaiming My Health Part Three: The Victory Garden For Reversing Chronic Illness and The Queen's Table Blog Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is part three of 'The Reclaiming My Health' Series. When we last left our heroine, she was in the throws of a long deep sleep, covered in Briar Roses. Oh...yeah, that's close, but another story. Here we are back on the sofa... my metabolism was going down hill, as was the ability to pay for all the doctor visits. I had to wait for an appointment at the clinic, so I could get my lab work done. It takes weeks to get into the clinic. So I waited, and waited, as my body began it's slump back down to zero energy, and the cloak of strange sensations. One evening I went to one of my husband's gigs just to see him play a live show again. I thought that just sitting at a table at this venue should be okay. It was a fine idea, until the end of the night, when I decided to do my usual packing up the gear with Ben. My feeling is the sooner we pack it up, the sooner we will be home! I carried a couple of small items to the door moving about 12 steps, four different times. Unfortunately with my attempt at helping out, I started feeling like I had better sit down, so I sat in the car while my husband finished packing up his gear. Then I started yawning in long drawn out tones. This happened repeatedly, one on top of the other, and I was unable to stop my body's reaction. I felt as if I was reaching for oxygen. I yawned like this 20 times in a row, and I felt totally exhausted from that small bit of motion and movement. What a weird way to live.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During one long weekend while I wasted away waiting on my clinic appointment, I felt so badly that I went to another Doctor, that I go to in emergencies, at a walk in and pay cash medical center. She increased my blood pressure medication, but it did not change things for me. Finally, the day came for my clinic appointment. I made my way up to the clinic, dropping into one of the chairs completely out of breath. When they moved me to the inner waiting room I laid my head on a counter to rest. Eventually the doctor came in the room, and I whispered to him, "I just can't take living like this anymore. I want my life back. I need to get my thyroid tested again, and my Vitamin D levels too." The doctor asked what was going on? So I explained I had no energy, felt constantly out of breath, and I would yawn </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">20 times if I walked across a room after carrying something. I told him how I was having to lie down from the simplest everyday activities. I felt like my systems were shutting down again. I am sooooooooo tired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He began to tell me I had chronic fatigue syndrome, and that I needed to be on anti-depressant drugs. I refuted this statement, saying that inside I was happy, and I was just frustrated by my current depleted physical condition. He was very dismissive about the thyroid being the cause. Chronic fatigue and depression? Why would he even say such a thing? Hasn't he ever experienced what a hypothyroid patient looks like when they are suffering the effects of this disease? I was sure it was the existing condition in my thyroid, with perhaps something else physical added to my condition. This state of affairs was not happening from being depressed. The doctor disagreed, and told me I was depressed. Finally he told me he would get the thyroid lab work done for me, and then also have me see a heart specialist since I was always out of breath. The clinic doctor gave me the form to get the thyroid tests along with the vitamin D, and an appointment slip to have a consultation with their heart doctor that week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A few days later I saw the heart specialist, on the weekday when he came to the clinic. Once again I was exhausted from the trip across the parking lot, and the walk into the doctors office. Out of breath again when the doctor entered to see me, I gathered myself to try and speak. He glanced over my chart, looked up and said. "Oh I see you are depressed, and have chronic fatigue." "No, I am not depressed!" I said. He looked at me and said indignantly, "Why is it that patients get so upset when we talk about their mental health conditions?!!" I told him this diagnosis is just not true! I am tired, always out of breath, fatigued all of the time, I have no energy to even speak, and I am always yawning. Not one or two times, but yawning ten or twenty big yawns in a row! I am hypo-thyroid. Begrudgingly, he examined me, and said he felt that my heart was okay. He would run a test to make sure anyway, since I was so upset. Before he left he insisted again that I take the suggested anti-depressant drugs, that they give to chronic fatigue patients. He claimed that those are what I <i>really</i> needed, and <i>those</i> would make an improvement to my life. Again I stated that, " I have a history of thyroid problems, I am not depressed, I have a wonderful family, a fantastic husband whom I love dearly, we have a nice home life, and I am happy despite my condition." Was I not supposed to be upset by this medical trail of false claims? Have they no clue about Hashimoto's hypothyroid patients???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This experience left me in tears, not because I was depressed as they claimed, but because no one was listening to me. I felt very frustrated by their lack of concern for the truth of my situation. If only I could afford the cost all my constant lab tests, and avoid going to this clinic. These people were pushing drugs first, and maybe tests later. Are you aware that this is a common problem in the medical industry, because of the kick backs, parties, and bonuses many Doctors get from Big Pharma to give out prescriptions? I doubt a clinic would be involved with this tactic, but pill pushing is still way too common. Did you also realize that doctors are tracked for what medications they prescribe, by the pharmaceutical companies? Have you ever noticed the constant flow of attractive Pharmaceutical Reps that enter a doctor's office when you are in the waiting room? The charm and the attractiveness are part of the drug sales requirement. I should also mention that there are also Doctors who strongly oppose this practice, and support groups like <i><a href="http://www.nofreelunch.org/patients.htm" target="_blank">No free lunch</a></i>. Please stand up for yourself, and do not let any doctor push unnecessary drugs and medications on you. Perhaps the trillion dollar pharmaceutical industry would like to medicate the poor into quietude, and complacency. Just to keep us all asleep, for an agenda we are unaware of... hmmmmm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I went in for the heart sonogram the following week. In the meantime the clinic doctor called, because they had gotten my lab tests back, and he was going to give me my prognosis. He said my thyroid was fine, and to continue with my vitamin D as I was still on the low side. A few moments later my Endocrinologist called as he had received a copy of the same lab work. He then proceeded to tell me, "Your thyroid is low, so I am going to increase your dose from 25 to 50 mg Synthroid. You can pick it up at the pharmacy." Thank God!!! Someone with a heart, and a brain! We talked about how I was feeling, and what the other doctor had just reported to me about my thyroid being in the normal range. The Endocrinologist said regular MD doctors only follow the high and low symbols that are 'marked on the lab results for them,' when dealing with thyroid test numbers. While Endocrinologists understand what the readings of the TSH really mean, since national labs do not currently use the correct parameters for assessing the individuals thyroid lab results. So since Labs currently do not use the correct framework for thyroid patient results, when the regular MD doctors read those cheat sheet numbers, they do not investigate any further. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank goodness for my wonderful specialist doctor who can understand those numbers! While we were on the phone he went back to check my records from before he became my doctor, to see if he could find anything else about my current condition, and said. "Did You realize you are pre-diabetic?" What??? Yes, you had a test, one year ago and if you look it up in your medical log book you will see your A1C is above normal. Now I find out that I have been walking around for a year not knowing that I was also feeling the effects of diabetes. I knew this disease too well. My father, grandfather and uncle all died from the disease. I certainly did not want to hear this news. Although it helped to explain the myriad of discomfort my body was feeling. My endo now also prescribed Metformin, along with my new dose of thyroid meds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I started my new thyroid meds and began to feel improvement. I did not like the effects of the Metformin drug at all. My daughter had tried taking Metformin at the beginning of her first pregnancy because of gestational diabetes, she gave up on it, and just tried to eat less carbs and sugar. The drug gave us nausea all day. This made me decide to research the challenges of diabetes and food. I found out about a documentary, called <i>'Raw For Thirty'</i> and Ben ordered it from our local library. I remember watching this DVD on the laptop in bed one Sunday morning. Ben and I had previously discussed the possibility that the food stuffs we were currently eating may be having a detrimental effect on my body systems. When I saw <b><a href="http://www.treeoflife.nu/" target="_blank"><i>Dr. Gabriel Cousens</i></a> </b>diabetes patients reverse their condition by switching to a raw vegetable diet, I really started to make the connection of food choices and illness being interconnected. Below is the trailer for the documentary. Sometimes you can find this movie on YouTube. We purchased a copy just to own this valuable film. Diabetics should absolutely watch this documentary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A few days later we found <b><a href="http://www.jointhereboot.com/" target="_blank"><i>"Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"</i> </a></b>on Netflix streaming. We stopped what we were doing that day to immediately watch this film on the computer together. I broke down and cried after viewing this movie, because I knew this was my answer too! Juicing vegetables <i>was</i> something i could do for myself! Yes! We could do this! Ben agreed that we would start buying better foods, and purchase a good juicing machine. These films had confirmed my gut suspicions, that by changing the food I ate, I would then improve my physical conditions and ailments. I was so over watching my life go by, from the sofa and sick bed! You can now watch 'Fat Sick and Nearly Dead' for free by clicking on the link above. I highly recommend you watch this trailer below! This documentary film could save your life!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I called my endocrinologist after two weeks of our switching to a more plant based lifestyle, and asked if I could drop the Metformin, and try improving my blood sugar by changing my food instead. He agreed to give me three months until the time of my next A1C. (The A1C is a blood test for the amount of sugar held in your cells. Cells are replaced every three months, so this test gives a more accurate reading of your current condition.) If I brought my A1C reading down then I could continue on this different treatment path. I was full of excitement and my husband shared my commitment to change our foods. So off we went, onto one of the best joint adventures of our lives! I am not kidding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We decided to be easy on ourselves, as there was much to learn. Being kind to ourselves would give us the space to change. This would require relearning about food and nutrition. I started to research immediately on the internet. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I knew we needed more information, and I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> watched a ton of food documentaries that were streaming on Netflix and Top Documentaries. This opened our eyes to a whole new spectrum of knowledge about health. It was really simple. Industrialized food was full of refined sugars, toxins, chemicals, GMOs, bad fats, and was extremely low in nutrients. Consuming more raw vegetables, and juicing raw vegetables, gave you more micro-nutrients than you could eat in a regular meal. These nutrients and minerals are available only in real whole plant foods. The people in these films, reversed diabetes, lowered their blood pressure, and lessened their medications for many diseases and ailments too. Plus they lost a good deal of weight! Repeatedly I have been told since my diagnosis, by doctors, that I would never lose the weight brought on by my malfunctioning thyroid. I simply did not have the metabolism to burn off the fat. So the past three years I had continued to gain weight. Meanwhile out of the other side of their mouth the doctors would say that I needed to exercise. Right, I have trouble just breathing, have no metabolism, and now you think I have the energy to exercise. What are you people thinking? Actually you're not. My Endocrinologist was not like the others. He had compassion for my condition. He believed in me, and my new eating mostly fresh plants plan!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We studied the stores in our area and found where we could buy organic locally. We decided the cost of buying organic vegetables was not going to be an issue to stop us! It was costing far more to pay the doctors, lab companies, pharmacy, and hospitals! Since we eat multiple times a day everyday, our values would follow the food quality and not the worry over money. In this case cheap makes you ill. We do not spend money on much, we live simply, do not smoke, do not drink, or have to pay for other vices. Excellent fresh organic food was worth the investment for our health and quality of life. We headed for the produce departments big time! In the other aisles we read every label, we substituted different items for the old stand by products, and we bought a juicer! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After purchasing a bag overflowing with organic vegetables, we set about making our first glass of juice. We were nervous... what would it taste like? Would it be difficult to swallow? Would it be too bitter and horrible tasting? This was going to be the crux of my new way of letting my body heal itself, and I surely hoped I did not hate the taste of this homemade vegetable juice! Let me tell you about the surprise and happiness of finding out that this juice, and every one I have had since, is absolutely delicious! Joy! Joy! I can do this! Paying the price of organic, instead of the constant medical bills we have endured the past couple of years, and feeling healthy is the best decision for the both of us! And yes it tastes fantastic! All the foods are far more full of flavor too! Bonus!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I had become addicted to watching a documentary every day. I took notes and I followed the links to many websites across the internet. We were buying more and more fresh vegetables, and we were changing the old dinner and snacking routines. We added salads, home made vegetable juices, and vegetable main dishes to our diet. I learned about gluten free foods, what to substitute for white flour products, and what foods to substitute for sugar cravings. I researched vegetarian websites, raw food websites, food health websites, Industrialized food toxins, farming practices, and government agencies and subsidies, I learned we have been eating genetically modified food (GMOs) for the past twelve years and no one told us they were doing this to the American people! The powers that be just did it all on their own in secret. How sick are the people in charge at the USDA? I learned about the companies like Monsanto and Bayer, that are former war chemical companies, who sell and market pesticides, that also make these untested GMO crops that have pesticides built right into them. And they call this food??? I also learned they are buying up the world's seed supply, in order to control the world's food. Each documentary opened my eyes to the nightmare of the toxic food-stuffs I had been eating my entire life. Not knowing this information, just like so many other uninformed Americans, I became a victim to a food system out of control. Now I do know ... and I cannot go back... as I know too much! I am taking control of my food and my health! I am not leaving it to some unknown people behind closed corporate doors, who only care about processing and shipping costs. Processed foods are not rich in living enzymes, or nutrient dense food. They are dead foods, full of chemical toxins, they barely have 10% of their original nutrients left by the time we get them, then we cook them, and lose that little bit! Not good. Not healthy. Not gonna do it anymore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Juicing is amazing! You could never eat the amount of vegetables you can drink in a glass of freshly made juice. In the beginning we put 2 large apples in the juice recipes we made, to sweeten the taste. Now we only use 1 very small apple in each batch, or no apples at all, because we no longer need to have it so sweet. You begin to crave the greener juice, and it tastes incredibly sweet to us now! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At first we were juicing
vegetables five days a week. With Ben's preforming schedule it was
difficult to juice on the weekends. I can say that currently I am up to
6-7 days a week. You get to know the routine of cleaning, chopping and popping your veggies into the juicer. You then clean your juicer, (we have a Breville) and drink down the deliciousness! So, so good!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As I incorporated these new fresh organic foods into our diet, I started to notice a marked improvement in how I felt. Against all odds I began to lose some of the weight the doctors told me I would never lose!!! The quality of food in my life became the miracle I needed to get my life back! The more weight I would lose, the more my blood pressure would come down. I decided at this time to start taking my blood sugar readings twice a day, to see what effect each of my new choices had on my blood sugar levels. At the beginning my sugar levels were nearing 200, and I could not imagine what they were long before I had made these dietary changes! Slowly I could see that even my daily blood sugar levels had started to go down. I began to believe that my three month A!C just might be lower too. When you see these small changes, after years of going downhill, it gives you hope. You continue with a vengeance to carry on! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I decided to learn more. Substitute more. Try new foods. Try new recipes. Read all labels, even the organic labels. Remove processed foods. Remove packaged prepared foods. Lessen the items that come in boxes or cans. We started buying from the bulk grains and nut bins. After a few weeks I no longer craved any sugary items! None. Gone were the brownies, cookies and pastries. Looking at those things made me sick. I could pass them by with ease. I'd rather eat a succulent piece of fruit! Gone were the bagels every morning with breakfast! Didn't miss them, my new foods were very satisfying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wondered, <i>"What will I do when we eat out for a special event?"</i> Fortunately I found that more good restaurants, actually have good locally sourced food choices built into their menus, and are happy to answer any questions you may have about their food. Then there is the food in the bars, and venues my husband has gigs at...well... we had to start eating at home before we went to the gig for most places. There would be no good organic or locally sourced produce choices at any bar, except one.<br /><br />Three months were up. Got my labs, and joy of joys, my A1C was down. I had done it! My doctor was happy, and I was thrilled at my progress! No Diabetes meds! What I'm doing really works! <i>"Just keep doing, what your are doing!" </i>said my Endocrinologist. He said he believed that I would continue to see more improvements in my future. Then he revealed his wife prepares only organic meals, so he was completely on board with what I was doing for myself, and my husband. I'm happy to continue learning, and adding new recipes to my arsenal of goodness. My homemade <i><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/2012/06/baba-ghanoush-eggplant-hummus.html" target="_blank">'Hummus and Eggplant dip'</a></i> created from soaked overnight dried garbanzo beans is 'da bomb!'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While at my return check-up appointment at the Clinic, the doctor said my heart test came back fine. He became annoyed when he found that my Endocrinologist increased my thyroid meds. He could not understand why he would do such a thing. This doctor had told me in the past that he could treat my thyroid, and I did not need and Endocrinologist. So I had to explain to a doctor how the labs are not current with the information that Endocrinologists know to be true about their patients, and this has been proven in medical journals. Obviously my Endocrinologist assessment worked, and my energy was good now. Gee, and I didn't even have to take the anti-depressant drugs they were pushing on me so hard. My new diet was making me look and feel better too, and my blood sugar numbers were down. The doctor had to agree that all those things were true! In the face of reality, he also finally said to keep doing what I am doing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I learned about the Big Pharma tactics from watching a number of documentaries on the subject. I was better prepared to face the doctors, because I knew the system was rigged in so many ways. I am my now own advocate for what is best for me. I will listen to what they have to say, then do my own research and thinking on each subject regarding my health choices. I am grateful for the doctors, nurses and medicines that actually do work to improve one's health and situation, although I do not blindly believe everything I am told, just because they are in a position of authority. That is their tipping point with the general public. Most patients question nothing, and accept all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">bring on more
documentaries!!! One of my biggest tips in making the food change for
yourself, is to watch the documentaries, because Knowledge is power!
Once you know, you simply cannot go back to the old ways.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I am so addicted to all genres of documentaries! I love learning the truth of situations. You can then learn how to improve things, when you know exactly what is going on! No BS. No fake stories. No illusions. As each rock was overturned I learned about the corruption of the food system in America. I began to hear about and investigate other systems that have gotten out of control too. Everything is inter-connected in the land of the super greedy multi-national monopolies. Yes I was waking up even more fully to the world that had been pulled over my eyes. As the veil was lifted to much of our illusionary world, it could be depressing at times, and I had to come back time and again to my core spiritual values. I do not think at all like these people, who were making the decisions about my life, my children's lives, and my grandchildren's lives. I had already left their stupefying TV lala land four years ago, and found it quite easy to gather the knowledge I needed on my own, about our world. I did not need fake news stories, and I certainly did not like to be told 'how to think' about anything. We had turned off that TV monster 4 years ago, and loved being disconnected from their insidious propaganda machine. So getting out of the corporate industrial consumer food paradigm as well, has been an easy adventure for us. I have faith that as people do wake up to the truth, they will take action to improve their lives. The thugs of industry have been in control for too long. The result is a nation of very ill people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perhaps because we are an artist and a musician, we break the constraint more easily, but I highly recommend others try to do the same. This is not a hippie thing, this is your healthier life. Learn what is behind the food and health, as in Big Ag, Big Pharma, and Blind Consumerism. It is not a pretty picture. They've had years of planning, fake foundations, committees of people, front groups scheming, advertising, propaganda, and full out lobbyist companies working for their pursuits. None of these broken systems are working in our behalf! We are seen as the worker bees, paying them a big chunk of our income to taxes, which eventually go to these major corporations as subsidies. They get the tax breaks, but are not held responsible for poisoning us, through food, cleaning products, cosmetics, or polluting the air we breath, our land, or our water. A health-first strategy is strangely not a priority, even for our government agencies, that are created to supposedly protect us. They are now run by the very industries they are supposed to be regulating. Our politicians are all bought and paid for by these people. Where are our lobbyists? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When the truth of the lies, and misinformation, gets to be too much, enjoy the company of your family and friends, and get out to enjoy some live music, and outdoor festivals. Go sit in nature, while we still have some left. Still... it is better to know, than not, because at least you know what you are dealing with, in order to change the paradigm for yourself, and your family. What a long strange trip it's been, but it is worth it just to open your eyes to the "matrix."</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> One big positive thing that learning the truth will do, is incite you to change the way you eat and live.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And you retain that power!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As we continued to learn about organic alternatives to the pushed industrialized food, we visited every food store within an an hour from our home that sold organic and natural foods. I made notes on the computer about what unique items each store sold. It took awhile to assimilate the knowledge about these new foods, how to cook with them, and why I should incorporate them into meals now. There certainly were many more nutritious items than I knew. There were even super-foods! We now bought directly from the farmers at the local farmers markets, and started getting our eggs, chicken and meats from farms that pasture their animals freely in open fields for real. You should know that when some famous supermarket products say they are from pastured chickens, it just means there is a door on the huge chicken house to a 2 ft square area. So buyer be aware! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything from the local farms tasted much better than supermarket food anyway! Wow! Being a locavore is fantastic! We also started to decrease the amount of meat and dairy we ate. Beef is eaten only once a month, chicken two times a month, and fish once every two weeks. The fish has to be wild Alaskan salmon, or sardines in water. I was recently out at a barbecue festival gig with my husband, and the only food item around was barbecue pork sandwiches, after I ate it, I felt ill. I guess I naturally crave plants, and my body tells me which foods to avoid now, by how I feel after eating them. As I began to try and cut back on the amount of dairy I consumed, we had to find other things to eat for breakfast, instead of eggs every day. I loved eggs! I eat cereals made from chia seeds, or buckwheat, which is also a fruit seed. We tried using almond and hemp milk in cereal, and loved it. Yea! We also started trying to buy organic cheeses, so not to ingest bovine growth factor hormones and antibiotics. Gross! I have cut back greatly on my cheese consumption too. Changing old routines adds up to big health rewards! It just makes sense.<br /> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every week we went to a 'new to us' food store, and we tried 'new to us' vegetables. We were open to the possibilities in all areas of organic food, and really were enjoying everything we tried. We were purposely avoiding the old bad stuff, and adding new good things instead. We even found lots of new snacks and treats. We never felt hungry, and have found our meals to be very filling. I tried various vegetarian plant based recipes I found online, and most were great. I was also working with many ingredients that were not familiar to me, but found that learning to prepare new foods is fun! I have a whole new collection of "new to me" spices. We are especially liking Indian spices, turmeric, cumin, and garam masala.<br /><br />As you transition into better food choices, you continue to add and subtract items, tweaking here and there. So when we juice now, we only use one very small apple in each batch, which equals half an apple per person. I feel that is not too much sweetness and sugar. I recently had a beet, carrot, apple juice, at at health food store juice bar, and that was very sweet, as they must use a couple of apples. It was early in the day, and it is healthy, so I can enjoy that yummy treat! Plus having a juice bar and organic food choices to eat before you food shop, is a fun new tradition. The first three months went by quickly, and I was so happy! This was fun! It really was an wonderful adventure in food! While I was never hungry, I was enjoying the full flavors and tastes of fresh vegetables.<br /><br />My six months check up came with even more improvements, and weight loss! I began to talk to my daughter about the possibility of her incorporating these changes within her family. She really started to take the information to heart. She was cautious since she was pregnant at the time, but she asked constant questions. Little by little her family tried some of grand-mom's crazy sounding ideas. They found they actually liked it! They were a witness to how I became more healthy, and full of energy. Certainly they knew 'the me' that in the past three years could only sit and stare from the sofa. They saw me shuffle across the room like I was ninety. They saw me constantly take naps. And yes they saw the weight gain come upon me, that created many of my other ailments. Now the bonus of losing weight with eating and juicing plants was that it came off slow and steady, which is very healthy. I first started noticing the change in my face... I no longer had that sick, sad, puffy look. Other people began to notice the changes too, and would ask how I did it? I told them briefly that I was now eating mostly plants, and I was juicing plants. I was not a vegan. I was mostly a vegetarian, and eating organic, and as local as possible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I enjoyed telling other people how they could feel good too. I wanted everyone to feel better. I wanted them to know how we have been systematically poisoned with toxins from our foods over many years. Plus I wanted them to know how we have been constantly lied to about everything in the industrialized food system. I saw people walking around in the world who looked puffy and sick, just like I had been from eating the Standard American Diet (SAD). I thought in my head, "Oh if only you knew the power of eating plants!" I wanted to reach out to these people. But how? So here is my big announcement! I decided to start a food/health blog! Yes, another blog! Am I crazy or what? Honestly, I just wanted to show others with chronic illness, that there was something very simple that they could do on their own, to make themselves healthier. Most body issues could be healed or improved by eating good quality fresh organic food, and juicing fresh organic vegetables. By removing the industrialized toxins, then adding healthy plant micro-nutrients, people would be freeing their body up to do its own work of healing itself from illness and damage. I wanted to give people the tools that I have found. Since I loved doing the research and watching the documentaries, all anyone needs to do is show up at my blog. I will point them in the right direction to learn for themselves, what they need to do in order to let their body heal itself from years of neglect. I try to provide the information on all the topics anyone would need to get themselves started on changing their health situation to something better, on the page tabs at the top of my new blog! My husband who was of normal health has felt the benefits of our new way of eating too. He has lost some weight, feels great, and dropped one of his blood pressure meds. Ben simply loves this food and juicing! So my new food blog is for anyone, no matter their health situation. Everyone deserves to feel good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The name of my new food/health/social justice blog is <i><b><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"The Queens Table."</a></b></i> And that blog project is the reason I have not been posting much on 'The Painting Queen' blog lately. Now you know that I was so very busy building a new website! It takes a lot of work to fill the 20 static pages across the top of my new blog full of valuable links, videos, articles, and information! Plus I had to start doing some posts on that blog to get it started. I even picked up a few readers, and received some comments already. That makes the work it took to gather the info into one place worthwhile! Sometimes when you write a blog you feel like you are talking to yourself. I had wondered to myself if I would really be helping anyone. Well...I have had a wonderful response, as I have people come up to me at each of my husband's gigs, and tell me they are following my new blog anonymously. Each say it's inspiring to them, and they are now helping themselves to feel better, and improve the way they are eating. Really? Wow! You could not ask for more than that! Just getting people to "think" about making the food changes is a blessing. This makes the work that goes into this new food/health blog project, very rewarding! When you live through such a remarkable improvement, from just from eating and juicing plants, it's only natural to want other people to know how to do it too! I guess I've become a food evangelist of sorts, spreading the good word of the organic plants!!! Go green, people!!! It's super healthy and yummy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An overview of what you will find on my new blog is: Static pages across the top, that you can return to time and again, because they are overflowing with important links, and valuable helpful information on most subjects regarding food and health. You can be assured I have spent many hours researching websites and links, so you will have all the info in a convenient place. You can then go off and learn for yourself, then return to <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>"The Queen's Table,</b></i>"</a> for more information when you are ready. I want to share my success in being healthier, and hope my tips on these pages will help point people in a healthful direction and easy transition! I constantly add new links and info to these pages so it is a good idea to check back and see what is new on those jam-packed pages! My regular blog posts there will contain recipes, reviews of produce, products, and information on food/health issues. I recommend that people first read the <b><i><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/getting-started.html" target="_blank">"Get Started"</a> </i></b>and<a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/reference_15.html" target="_blank"><i><b> "Inspiration"</b></i></a> pages, where I list the documentaries for each subject I have researched, with major subject topics being: <i>Food and Farming, Drinking Water Issues, Toxins, and Medical Health. </i>There is a separate page on top, about the <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/juicing.html" target="_blank"><i><b>'Juicing' </b></i></a>basics, with links and videos to help give people the information they need to begin reclaiming their own health. For me, Juicing is the way to get those micro nutrients from more veggies than you could eat in one day, very quickly into your body! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In addition, I have included pages for people with medical issues similar to myself, such as <b><i><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/thyroid.html" target="_blank">Thyroid</a>, <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/vitamin-d-info.html" target="_blank">Vitamin D</a>,</i></b> and <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/diabetic-corner.html" target="_blank"><b><i>Diabetes</i></b></a>. Two important pages for the beginner are the '<a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/avoid.html" target="_blank"><i><b>Avoid' </b></i></a>and <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/substitutions.html" target="_blank"><i><b>'Substitutions' </b></i></a>page lists. These will help folks transition to a new way of being with food easily, and gradually. It is my belief that you can be good to yourself, and take this at a slow and steady pace, so you retain and get used to your new food choices. I also have a large <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/links.html" target="_blank"><i><b>'Links'</b></i></a> page with an abundance of links to articles, helpful websites on food, videos, farming, and health. A new page called <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/p/dirt.html" target="_blank"><i><b>'Grow Food'</b></i></a> contains links about starting to grow your own organic produce. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As of this date I have reaped the following benefits from changing my interaction with the quality food I eat: </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have reversed diabetes, lowered my cholesterol, lowered my blood pressure, lost 45 pounds, improved my immune system, and removed two of the prescriptions I would currently be taking had I not made this change. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't get colds and the flu all the time like I did for so many years either. I have lots of energy and I am back to living a healthy life with many various activities. I enjoy life! You can read my last round of lab results from April 2012 <b><a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/2012/04/sucess-reversing-diabetes-high-blood.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> after 10 months of juicing and switching to a mostly organic plant lifestyle. It works!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The photo below was taken 10 months before I started to change to a plant based diet. You can see the weight. I was a hot mess. Yes, I smiled for the camera, but I remember entering that club thinking about putting my head down on the bar for a nap. Ben's music and band photography energizes me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The next photo below was taken just 5 months after the one above, and it is very evident I was falling into a system breakdown. Taken around January 2011, just 6 months before I changed my diet to juicing and eating plants. I was so ill at this point, and you can see it in my strained expression, and puffy sick face. Never posted a photo like this of myself before, and frankly I just did not enjoy having my picture taken when I was sick. I was also not attending Ben's gigs and other events any longer, because I had no energy in my life except for breathing. Perhaps everyone assumed I had a cold. Some people may have thought I was disinterested in things, but my reality was otherwise. Every bit of my day was an effort. Anyway, I have decided to share this unflattering photo of myself, so you can literally see the difference that juicing made in my life. There is hope. I want you understand where I was coming from... and why I am so passionate now about juicing and eating vegetables! What a difference a year makes!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShN_53PB-MEHLFiMgUibAl1gU1fMHz2M46Z0qxrV3oAZn7fHCAyhWcsQr1Os4ybgdvOLdLnqVhdDYcVdT9m5hBQBOeoBzMqJE9dwjgv2PEtMec2HHTTCKJhAztd_lMG1rlywC7G3hH9M/s1600/me+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShN_53PB-MEHLFiMgUibAl1gU1fMHz2M46Z0qxrV3oAZn7fHCAyhWcsQr1Os4ybgdvOLdLnqVhdDYcVdT9m5hBQBOeoBzMqJE9dwjgv2PEtMec2HHTTCKJhAztd_lMG1rlywC7G3hH9M/s400/me+before.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now see the change below! That is a happy girl! The photo below was taken in May 2012, after coming home from spending the day at '<a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2011/04/famous-spoutwood-may-day-fairie.html" target="_blank">Spoutwood Fairie Festival'</a> walking up and down the hills on that large outdoor property. Other people should know that they could
lose weight much faster than me, if they do not have thyroid metabolism issues. Even though I made these changes to be healthy first, I am grateful I am losing the weight!!! It is a quite wonderful bonus effect!</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> So cool to fit into my old favorite clothes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also one of the things I promised that I would tell you about in this part three blog post, was my secret to greatly improving the digestive system, and how I removed IBS symptoms from my life. The tip is to Juice and drink those fresh organic vegetables daily! I know everyone is different, but my life has totally changed and improved dramatically in that area. I had lived my life around bathrooms, since I was a child. In addition, I am also not paying the next day, after eating out at a restaurant either, which used to be a regular routine. I am sure the organic, or local sourced items I order now when dining out, help as well. Having a normal functioning intestinal area, and eliminating the toxins that accumulate in your gut and liver, from your body is so very important for your overall health. Regular juicing does this with amazing results! So juice on! At least make green smoothies in a blender to get lots of greens inside of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Getting healthier does not mean that medical problems will never befall you again
in the future. I am not selling you a perfect utopia of protection, as everyone has unique qualities, both physical and mental. But if something does happen or develop, you will at least know that your
body will now be stronger, and in much better shape to repair itself
than when you only ate the nutrient deficient toxic (SAD) Standard American Diet. You can definitely make many major changes
to the overall health of your body by juicing organic vegetables, eating clean whole foods, and having a great attitude in life. Even though I still take medication for my thyroid, and my menopause symptoms are a frustrating and disruptive part of my daily existence, the lightness and energy I have now is powerful! Look at the long list of improvements I have had over the past year, just from the food I now eat everyday! I am only now beginning to add exercise to my life. Great organic plant food is my personal miracle, and for that I am grateful. I am still learning about ways to improve my food knowledge and what things are even healthier to consume. It is a process where you move from one level to the next, transitioning yourself to the next higher level of food understanding. That is why I want everyone to know it does not have to happen overnight for you. Add some new things bit by bit, and you will get used to buying and making those foods. We have been trained for a long time in unhealthy industrialized food ways. It will take some time to undo the programming of our minds, along with the damage to our bodies. We are smart vibrant beings and we can do this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love sharing the knowledge with my family, knowing that my grandchildren will eat and live in a healthier way. I wish I knew all of this information when I was a young mother. My daughter who has been transitioning her family to healthier food choices agrees about the value of watching documentaries being the best motivation for changing your diet. She re-watches documentaries like <i>'Food Matters,' 'Food Inc,' 'The Future Of Food,' </i>and<i> 'Forks Over Knives,'</i> to keep herself on track.
Once you realize what is going on in the industrialized food world, you simply can't go back and live that way again. My daughter continues to enjoy the benefits of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">her new healthier options quest</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">, and has lost 65 pounds as her bonus. She investigates many food related subjects and concerns on her own, that she now passes those along to Ben and me. We have also joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) together this year, and get to pick up weekly fresh veggies from our personal organic farmer at his farm. In addition we used a service to get some other farm and organic products delivered to our door. Together we are working at getting my son started on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">learning to rethink his food choices too. He is way too much into those energy drinks that pass themselves off as being an answer to good health. Changing your everyday food choices and routines is a commitment to good health for your family, and a gift of love for them. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you make these beneficial changes in your life you will want to spread that love to family and friends, but only do so when they are ready to hear you.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The best inspiration to your loved ones will be just seeing your incredible improvement, then they will come to you, wanting to know more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Be kind to yourself on your journey, and give yourself the space to change. You can relearn the healthier happier alternatives, to what we grew up believing was okay to eat. Wouldn't it be a blessing to feel great and better than you have in many years? I know you will be very pleased at the new greater variety of delicious foods you will be eating! You will not be hungry, and there are plenty of snack options. You will most certainly fall in love with your home made juice! No, It does not taste like grass! It is like liquid dessert! As you make this positive change for yourself, your light will shine brightly for everyone to see! Spread the love, and the greens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you have been contemplating making these kinds of changes in your life </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you will consider becoming a follower of my new blog <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i><b>"The Queen's Table."</b></i></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not only will this guide you to becoming much healthier, and feeling pretty darn good... I can promise that it will be very tasty food adventure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">UPDATE: It has been two years and I am doing great! I am what is called a nutritarian who eats nutrient dense foods. Many would call me a vegan as I no longer enjoy eating meat. I finally gave up all dairy milk, and cheese too! Most importantly was I gave up sugar in all forms except fruit. Sugar is hidden in all processed foods. Eating local plants that are hopefully organic will do you good! I still maintain my food blog, so I hope you will come there and learn for FREE how to make improvements to your heath! <a href="http://thequeenstable.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-story-of-cheese-and-salt-sugar-and.html" target="_blank">Read this post</a> to learn about how the government hooked you on all things cheessssseee!</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2012/03/reclaiming-my-health-part-2-hashimotos.html" target="_blank"><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Go Back To Part Two Of This Series: "Hashimoto's Is More Than A Cool Sounding Name</i></a></b>"</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2012/01/reclaiming-my-health-part-one-unknown.html" target="_blank"><i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Go Back To Part One: "The Unknown"</span></b></i></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, or nutritionist. Please speak with your Doctor before making any changes to your diet. I did! </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Credits : Digital Illustration "My Medical World" Design: <a href="http://www.crystalvisionsart.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Visions Art</a>, Elements: <a href="http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=15" target="_blank">Finecrafted Designs</a>, <a href="http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1" target="_blank">Holliwood Studios</a>, <a href="http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=35" target="_blank"> Eenas Creation</a>, Textures: <a href="http://shadowhousecreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shadowhouse Creations</a></i></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Digital Illustration :"The World Needs Our Light" by <a href="http://www.crystalvisionsart.com/" target="_blank">Crystal Visions Art</a></span></span></i><br />
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<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-36492054841705044622012-06-01T17:34:00.002-04:002012-12-19T02:49:42.288-05:00100 Posts Freebie: Vintage Book Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEQaGJN_5WO-hbua17xVGIwNiymAyW7DLqPfxsDp8woEX5_lvqMBvndTbD5K8TNjTmO_wfUrwMvbrKAQLDVwUMAqHUiRzUvAbv1cpO59jzVUhmKdEDPHQLpakNfag81WoXCI2adw-WAG8/s1600/vintage_Photograph_Book_Cover_shadow_Painting_Queen_Blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEQaGJN_5WO-hbua17xVGIwNiymAyW7DLqPfxsDp8woEX5_lvqMBvndTbD5K8TNjTmO_wfUrwMvbrKAQLDVwUMAqHUiRzUvAbv1cpO59jzVUhmKdEDPHQLpakNfag81WoXCI2adw-WAG8/s640/vintage_Photograph_Book_Cover_shadow_Painting_Queen_Blog.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To celebrate 100 posts on The Painting Queen Blog, I am giving away this freebie PNG photo of my treasured vintage photograph book cover.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Poor old book has electrical tape on the spine, but you could cut that off. I also added a standard shadow. </span>Yo<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">u are free to use this image as you wish. It would make a cool cover for your modern photo collections as well! Even though I am sharing this photo as public domain it would be wonderful if you would link back to this blog, or share what you create with this image! Thanks! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hopefully one day I will get a new scanner and be able to share with you some of the awesome images inside this book as well. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Enjoy! </span><br />
<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-41834563668310342742012-05-27T01:42:00.000-04:002012-12-18T20:28:23.992-05:00The Painting Queen Is Now On Facebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey Kids! It's true. The Painting Queen has finally succumbed to the beast that is facebook. My young royal spawn kept saying that I must integrate my blog with social media. So I did it...cough...cough...cough. Having a facebook page link helps makes it easier for modern hip gadget loving people with smaller portable hand held magic screens to follow blogs. So to make it easy, I have torn my hair out creating said pages on big brother's plaything... facebook. You will find the obligatory "like" button</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> thing-a-mah-jig</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> down in the left hand column of this blog. Pushing that will set up facebook users with access to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThePaintingQueen" target="_blank">my blog's new facebook page</a> called of course "The Painting Queen!" Oh! The things the Queen does to please her wonderful followers in the realm of madness!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Enjoy the new page, that will now show up on your f-wall, enthralling you with the many wonders that is PQ's world. Or </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">you could go directly to my new f-page right now and follow...follow...follow</span>...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Guess this means that anytime now I will be a twit and get some pinterest.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThePaintingQueen" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Painting Queen on facebook.</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image credits for facebook cover art - <a href="http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>Tumble Fish Studio</i></a> and <a href="http://www.crystalvisionsart.com/" target="_blank"><i>Crystal Visions Art</i></a></span></div>
<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-68838297394041161202012-05-16T02:16:00.000-04:002017-08-02T18:52:47.175-04:00Technicolor Motor Home Rock Art Poster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz4FWSTRRzL5gSEIEKb_np6RON2NzXc5KjwiEjnTHm-nCGFlbknci2AhqWhkD8YEYLCeUg4LQUZxQS2Ge1-PlR9g2bB7RfbyjxRZzuBWYzDWdO8QvbF5PXj5Fv4Gk7TOIz66uPx_HA3YK/s1600/TMH+poster+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz4FWSTRRzL5gSEIEKb_np6RON2NzXc5KjwiEjnTHm-nCGFlbknci2AhqWhkD8YEYLCeUg4LQUZxQS2Ge1-PlR9g2bB7RfbyjxRZzuBWYzDWdO8QvbF5PXj5Fv4Gk7TOIz66uPx_HA3YK/s640/TMH+poster+web.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My latest project has been </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">creating a gig poster for the Steely Dan Tribute Band called '<a href="http://www.technicolormotorhome.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Technicolor Motor Home</a>.'</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My goal for putting together this poster was to recreate the feel of the psychedelic rock art posters of the sixties and seventies. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I actually plan on doing a few different band designs in this style, since I had so much fun playing! This colorful genre of psychedelic artwork was influenced by the artists of the San Francisco era such as <a href="http://www.wes-wilson.com/?page_id=795" target="_blank">Wes Wilson</a>, <a href="http://www.mousestudios.com/portfolio/rock-art/" target="_blank">Stanley Mouse</a>, <a href="http://www.rockument.com/Haight/Kelley.html" target="_blank">Alton Kelley</a>, <a href="http://www.rickgriffinink.com/" target="_blank">Rick Griffin,</a> <a href="http://www.victormoscoso.com/index.html" target="_blank">Victor Moscoso</a>, and <a href="http://www.bonniemaclean.com/index.html" target="_blank">Bonnie MacLean</a>. They were famous for designing </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">many of the rock posters that advertised the Bill Graham events at the Filmore, and the Family Dog concerts at the Avalon Ballroom. These artists and others, opened the door visually to a new way of expressing the 'feel of a band or musician' through their art, and some went on to make album cover art as well. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They are also credited with having a hand in giving birth to the San Francisco <a href="http://www.rockument.com/Haight/Links.html" target="_blank">Haight Ashbury hippie scene</a> through presenting musical events, happenings, and their wonderful engaging artwork. Some of these same artists are still painting today, and I recommend you check them out, and see what they are up to. If you want to purchase your own authentic rock art poster from those days gone by, go online to <a href="http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/bonnie-maclean/poster-art/poster.html" target="_blank">'Wolfgang's Vault,' </a>which sells posters from that era. This company owns many of the original negatives and plates of the psychedelic originals, and they also have the largest collection of vintage and retro memorabilia. You could peruse this website just to view their historic poster collection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a young high school girl I wanted to create album cover art when I grew up! Alas, the music world turned to teeny tiny CD art. That is just not the same glorious album space everyone looked forward to viewing, reading, and enjoying before CD's. As a designer and artist I really appreciated the beauty of the poster and album art of my past. In eighth grade I remember attempting to paint on </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">my junior high school</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> glass entrance panels, a tall Peter Max starry scene. Being my first attempt at public art, I had no idea how to paint on glass properly, and made a big mess of it! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Geez now that I think about it, I sure wish I still had the Peter Max posters I plastered in the basement of my youth. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These days Ben and I have framed many old album covers as works of art, and have them hanging around in a semi-secret area we call our "Hippie Room." Now that I've mentioned that room, I suppose I will have to do a blog post about that mysterious room too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some common elements I tried to evoke on my digital rock art painting are the stretched out type, happy-fun bright colors, and images not necessarily of band members. Often the poster artists used vintage images, influenced by Art Nouveau or Art Deco posters</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, and these were applied in their collage or paintings instead of the expected photo of the musician</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. The same pre-raphaelite face from a John Everett Millais painting called 'The Bridesmaid,' that </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I manipulated </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">previously in the <a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2011/03/technicolor-motor-home-inspires-babylon.html" target="_blank">'Babylon Sisters tribute artwork'</a> was also placed on this new design, because I felt she recreated the woman of the 60's, 70's era perfectly. The heart and soul feeling I wanted on this poster, was the inner light of peace that prevailed during the sixties, represented by the gorgeous dove from the <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2010/03/free-vintage-clip-art-superb-dove-with.html" target="_blank">Graphic Fairy's archives</a>, which is one of my favorite images from Karen. I like to call this beautiful contemplative feminine image of the woman, my 'Lady Of Peace,' for along with the dove, she holds</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> a tiny peace sign in her hands.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4WqC2jgJsde5hrmuju9JpTVwWqaDp6SsDiOG8wJ2wWkWrLhxjdxBKkBdMUtCgJIdIra3JL7wKst7kbUfkltZ2UVohJtZ1RtJddpzxUuwB-WBSCYU8H7HgeRD6jgAGXd_1P6fhovtQ8Z8/s1600/Technicolor+Motor+Home+band+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4WqC2jgJsde5hrmuju9JpTVwWqaDp6SsDiOG8wJ2wWkWrLhxjdxBKkBdMUtCgJIdIra3JL7wKst7kbUfkltZ2UVohJtZ1RtJddpzxUuwB-WBSCYU8H7HgeRD6jgAGXd_1P6fhovtQ8Z8/s640/Technicolor+Motor+Home+band+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I made two versions of the poster, so the band could use one to do what the rock poster is meant to do...advertise an upcoming gig. There is a space at the bottom to fill in the show and date. The show we are celebrating at the moment is in Annapolis Maryland, at 'Rams Head Onstage', which is an intimate 300 seat venue with great acoustics that is utilized by many national acts. It is exciting to see 'Technicolor Motor Home' play in such a comfortable venue with reserved seating at tables with waiter service. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKvdo3XFPkhNEQS0bcyQBAi-7jjzNMoh2K0X134IL0JsC2X_Dflo-snUybsL3mV-S09lhoeSlKFQQ8DHAh_MthWrQ50MnLaJPJmg3m9a-O3cLJcTa8AF3S1QPGu9HrgDXwZRWOLKpcli/s1600/DSC_7447e+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiKvdo3XFPkhNEQS0bcyQBAi-7jjzNMoh2K0X134IL0JsC2X_Dflo-snUybsL3mV-S09lhoeSlKFQQ8DHAh_MthWrQ50MnLaJPJmg3m9a-O3cLJcTa8AF3S1QPGu9HrgDXwZRWOLKpcli/s400/DSC_7447e+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thepaintingqueen.blogspot.com/2011/07/technicolor-motor-home-gets-baltimores.html" target="_blank">'Technicolor Motor Home' has been voted the best tribute band</a> in the Baltimore area! A superb ten-piece ensemble, including back up singers and a horn section, these musicians are dedicated to presenting the jazz influenced rock music of the legendary group Steely Dan. With ten members in this fabulous band, it is hard to schedule everyone for show dates, so get out to see them when they play, because it is a true treat! I have no doubt my exceptional hubby Ben Sherman will be wailing on lead guitar!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWjhoIpDD7I49lssp6GdxIneIRF1QqxSRUBbzvTTCcxMwZEyIPEzlB0nyTgEyyrQAVa3D3beygJhuY4hLBtHPZbMA4D8e70yWemr7h2YG0MaSuPFRrthn0d4C-v6mA0l_8PGBBjJBYqhS/s1600/DSC_0770ec+TMH+posters+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWjhoIpDD7I49lssp6GdxIneIRF1QqxSRUBbzvTTCcxMwZEyIPEzlB0nyTgEyyrQAVa3D3beygJhuY4hLBtHPZbMA4D8e70yWemr7h2YG0MaSuPFRrthn0d4C-v6mA0l_8PGBBjJBYqhS/s400/DSC_0770ec+TMH+posters+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ben went to the local 'Office Depot' to have color copies made of both poster designs, so I could check out the color reproduction. Each time there was a different person running the printing equipment, so the intensity of the inks are different, but I loved the pair of brilliant color results anyway. Since I own the original file, the band and myself, can get copies made locally in this manner. For anyone else that is interested in having one of these 'Technicolor Motor Home' posters, I put them in one of our Zazzle stores online. The price is cheap, and they have always done a good job of printing for us on our previous purchases. Both versions of the new poster, along with other new merch/swag, are available in the <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/shermanatorgear?rf=238186883630668189" target="_blank">Shermanator Gear Store</a> and in the Technicolor Motor Home Shop.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXRVsU1rxb02xmLJr_zeKOhNftKAfa5tf3hVqcjg_eWGObgysZIBEYUaM2SRAx3iQN4OayEfaPJ3PB_AOHMsmSx36pBzv515BORrXKb-sH846ehZYF_is0yQhffezDUd_7o0J00AjOctu/s1600/3+products+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXRVsU1rxb02xmLJr_zeKOhNftKAfa5tf3hVqcjg_eWGObgysZIBEYUaM2SRAx3iQN4OayEfaPJ3PB_AOHMsmSx36pBzv515BORrXKb-sH846ehZYF_is0yQhffezDUd_7o0J00AjOctu/s400/3+products+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So speaking of swaaaaggggg... Here are some everyday items I had fun applying different versions of this new design on. I adjusted the poster look for the tee shirts especially, because I have never been a fan of a big square box on t-shirt fronts. If you want some unique coolness just check out these new items in our store at<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/shermanatorgear?rf=238186883630668189" target="_blank"> Shermanator Gear!</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwuOB8AUanRLKoO7lg7skIyc94k0_xda7xsz9vcGjW4vjfMAbxai2mZDIS3Sx9EgY9sLjDEjzyca9cgAY7j87G9jrQH4OSQ0Ha6_Syx97koI3vEIzrQ10EXbSZuvSFHBb-QF9So6ACZR9/s1600/mens+yellow+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwuOB8AUanRLKoO7lg7skIyc94k0_xda7xsz9vcGjW4vjfMAbxai2mZDIS3Sx9EgY9sLjDEjzyca9cgAY7j87G9jrQH4OSQ0Ha6_Syx97koI3vEIzrQ10EXbSZuvSFHBb-QF9So6ACZR9/s400/mens+yellow+tee.jpg" width="388" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This men's yellow t-shirt shown above really says 'Summer Of Love' to me! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The t-shirt design below is shown on a dark color top which makes the colors really pop! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN9jcOANY3m-siGd_DnXhYOaXyHsYurzE3NMPF2GajcaOJX5K6kXLnLDHacE_kkqjj9mUPVUUjib5nRChnO_gdxPsPgI0sAll9rCLyt9fEhwrYZx2uck72RQ0joacJ78UlRLMnOhS3qs4/s1600/Mens+dark+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN9jcOANY3m-siGd_DnXhYOaXyHsYurzE3NMPF2GajcaOJX5K6kXLnLDHacE_kkqjj9mUPVUUjib5nRChnO_gdxPsPgI0sAll9rCLyt9fEhwrYZx2uck72RQ0joacJ78UlRLMnOhS3qs4/s400/Mens+dark+tee.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are other products available too, as in travel mugs, laptop skins, large flexible fridge magnets, key chains, mouse-pads, plus numerous electronic accessories.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwytn0wGyQLRFWnG56xw-ZFe70nqMPyaK4m9HR2LAdPUUZgjP1g7vrnNMwd8EH6IVdVArn1Tj2ct9pYH6WxCUww1qKkM7p3JwJBTn3_C4V5MLIO86IqaExdqAX9n0-XhBkcvPLPQ3aESEM/s1600/Peace+Lady+Ergo+Mousepad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwytn0wGyQLRFWnG56xw-ZFe70nqMPyaK4m9HR2LAdPUUZgjP1g7vrnNMwd8EH6IVdVArn1Tj2ct9pYH6WxCUww1qKkM7p3JwJBTn3_C4V5MLIO86IqaExdqAX9n0-XhBkcvPLPQ3aESEM/s400/Peace+Lady+Ergo+Mousepad.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Great weather is here! Those big shows, and festivals of summer, are coming up! Get prepared to rock, and enjoy your Summer of Love! And be sure to get out to see <a href="http://www.technicolormotorhome.com/Home.html" target="_blank">Technicolor Motor Home</a> to enjoy some great live music! Peace and Love to you all! From a very bohemian Painting Queen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">UPDATE: <i>We had some problems getting Zazzle to print some items. So any design here that had said 'Steely Dan Tribute Band' now will say 'Baltimore's Best Tribute Band Live', or not have the words 'Steely Dan' at all. </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Funny "Technicolor Motor Home" has been on the same bill twice with Jon Herington from Steely Dan, and he did not have a problem with TMH saying they were a 'Steely Dan Tribute Band'. Anyway I went in and changed every single product in the TMH Zazzle store. Geesh! That's shobiz.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Poster Art - <a href="http://www.crystalvisionsart.com/" target="_blank"><i>Crystal Visions Art</i></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Credit: Dove image courtesy of <a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Graphics Fairy</i></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Merchandise - available at <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/shermanatorgear?rf=238186883630668189" target="_blank"><i>Shermanator Gear</i></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Band - <a href="http://www.technicolormotorhome.com/Home.html" target="_blank"><i>Technicolor Motor Home</i></a></span></span>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-90515823975975641912012-05-03T19:02:00.000-04:002012-05-11T02:50:55.299-04:00You Might Have Grandchildren If...<div style="color: #45818e; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Ducks Are Taking Over Your Kitchen</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZKWUa-X6_RQs-79xVG3_ED20FqHt2PYr7sIjsrOWYYJym_NLv54ysVbk-8hyh0bDaARB4lWN7FNGD6bwwmwWHP_lbIt6o8qOIj0nM3kySw9Z7oYtzIIWFp1C1rnerCrGNNXkVMbJvMnL/s1600/ducks+take+over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZKWUa-X6_RQs-79xVG3_ED20FqHt2PYr7sIjsrOWYYJym_NLv54ysVbk-8hyh0bDaARB4lWN7FNGD6bwwmwWHP_lbIt6o8qOIj0nM3kySw9Z7oYtzIIWFp1C1rnerCrGNNXkVMbJvMnL/s400/ducks+take+over.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">A Car Is Parked In Your Hallway</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1U3h-oFXZsDsDPEc7bBuo5ACiopfE6GoKzQEwte__XYx3xKIZyw1o9WZehzyatMmLU80ukOISCbSM91ZjFvz1RUw3V_0pPZ-UroC0jv0olBdrWAXsdXMSSBMal5leKcN-FF57x8je0ea/s1600/car+parked+in+hallway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1U3h-oFXZsDsDPEc7bBuo5ACiopfE6GoKzQEwte__XYx3xKIZyw1o9WZehzyatMmLU80ukOISCbSM91ZjFvz1RUw3V_0pPZ-UroC0jv0olBdrWAXsdXMSSBMal5leKcN-FF57x8je0ea/s400/car+parked+in+hallway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">There's A Potato Head On Your Bed </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcOcoRKcK1qMSPMlIf46ArO5xHrT64l1yQHsbBfvg7KCEl_eRdHRUU87BvhZ60Chsl693ogAYIdDS44-61Ka7BnJr8Vta9l0u-R1eR2ywjVXih9MJvu5sZ7jzPuW2WzXr0PWmVqH9NXps/s1600/baby+potato+head+on+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcOcoRKcK1qMSPMlIf46ArO5xHrT64l1yQHsbBfvg7KCEl_eRdHRUU87BvhZ60Chsl693ogAYIdDS44-61Ka7BnJr8Vta9l0u-R1eR2ywjVXih9MJvu5sZ7jzPuW2WzXr0PWmVqH9NXps/s400/baby+potato+head+on+bed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">The Alphabet Hangs Out On Your Fridge</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPiFCkz7oTPynloU6FElPeziLVIHN6YmxC0EpcqgR8QSzK26cYlVh0NBd43_oXSNd0HWdz8Ev5bZoRLTTjpgs4ntkBNRuzfllKtB20KDpVOUnROtXDyg8w9p6u-hUamMkziQbQ95JunzC/s1600/alphabet+hanging+out+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPiFCkz7oTPynloU6FElPeziLVIHN6YmxC0EpcqgR8QSzK26cYlVh0NBd43_oXSNd0HWdz8Ev5bZoRLTTjpgs4ntkBNRuzfllKtB20KDpVOUnROtXDyg8w9p6u-hUamMkziQbQ95JunzC/s400/alphabet+hanging+out+on.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Big Bird Is Part Of Your Decor </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTHUxH-zIQwYjpkQwX7s_ZqESbJBR7dGQklaJRgBALFt0rmwUq0QKRNl821bMcoh92jcRIIX5Mlyr_7O0gtESOf9bwCcSdFBPTPn9TDQmTzo-DCXUMUqcshW6j2XxgO8nzyEGJkK-Tqyk/s1600/big+bird+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTHUxH-zIQwYjpkQwX7s_ZqESbJBR7dGQklaJRgBALFt0rmwUq0QKRNl821bMcoh92jcRIIX5Mlyr_7O0gtESOf9bwCcSdFBPTPn9TDQmTzo-DCXUMUqcshW6j2XxgO8nzyEGJkK-Tqyk/s400/big+bird+decor.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Ducks Are Checking Their Email</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8ELgUV4EUKztK7kE85lG5SEyNdXE8TXA6PL1F5y7XHsJOoZ5Riy_c7XP95PQERMGVOgQHyY2Np1_zTwD-UHfOTzbxSEvXZkINxQDTN9cz9wClIqCtZ1TUvHTCebfSjn5VidB2KeiS5Kf/s1600/learning+ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8ELgUV4EUKztK7kE85lG5SEyNdXE8TXA6PL1F5y7XHsJOoZ5Riy_c7XP95PQERMGVOgQHyY2Np1_zTwD-UHfOTzbxSEvXZkINxQDTN9cz9wClIqCtZ1TUvHTCebfSjn5VidB2KeiS5Kf/s400/learning+ducks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">There's An Elephant In Your Votive</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw71OD2-UDOjujoA8L7AfAViN0cNasEaX235IG14ZXLHqKsC78jjcdLafr3kM7QDWil45aJvCOIty3xhIUC0dekySuHFRXIHksFvqZrSiscs0DaZuCVVDXe1kcu8zOffaUEZ9zUv2GQ2-N/s1600/elephant+in+your+votive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw71OD2-UDOjujoA8L7AfAViN0cNasEaX235IG14ZXLHqKsC78jjcdLafr3kM7QDWil45aJvCOIty3xhIUC0dekySuHFRXIHksFvqZrSiscs0DaZuCVVDXe1kcu8zOffaUEZ9zUv2GQ2-N/s400/elephant+in+your+votive.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Abby Cadabby Is Resting On Your Office Floor</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMmCXoEU3bo_6ENOVNrI2mqwA7FV-i7oT-VeBd0qzvKu-2Zy7N9DbJ3ygo_QZBkMrmQEQ1AqZS0WmDyrk6gkAVdcmNIvllLZwxHFdQh9SHPx3rSmKl8kBuNqvT5eara6Q7-GH-66zFygP/s1600/abby+cadaby+restiing+on+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMmCXoEU3bo_6ENOVNrI2mqwA7FV-i7oT-VeBd0qzvKu-2Zy7N9DbJ3ygo_QZBkMrmQEQ1AqZS0WmDyrk6gkAVdcmNIvllLZwxHFdQh9SHPx3rSmKl8kBuNqvT5eara6Q7-GH-66zFygP/s400/abby+cadaby+restiing+on+floor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">There's A Bed In A Box</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJJ461NXcy64oznUYX1mHIPyDlzwMIfhh1wJ8hWW7pHALUsWVnE54Rrp6inABTqCfgsFCorTNmwCX3KPbsqH4LlZTqdYj3R1SD5yw9hj16MHgQx_NQtbjuzJnv9cd5w8Gf8HQnYWUOXrJ/s1600/bed+in+a+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJJ461NXcy64oznUYX1mHIPyDlzwMIfhh1wJ8hWW7pHALUsWVnE54Rrp6inABTqCfgsFCorTNmwCX3KPbsqH4LlZTqdYj3R1SD5yw9hj16MHgQx_NQtbjuzJnv9cd5w8Gf8HQnYWUOXrJ/s400/bed+in+a+box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">The Sock Monkey Has Gone Splat </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_6XMv3RYNtY7BbBppi9-eunEu8COaRJ95xfPRPAYqj-XL7KLntMp-Yp47jxkuEWJbcnbAPsgHexzjL5yhH396Gh18owF-8CJw0mfofQj6sJ_N8GfUDPDfaeriGKLDpvv8Hp_nuUyEBK0/s1600/sock+monkey+splat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_6XMv3RYNtY7BbBppi9-eunEu8COaRJ95xfPRPAYqj-XL7KLntMp-Yp47jxkuEWJbcnbAPsgHexzjL5yhH396Gh18owF-8CJw0mfofQj6sJ_N8GfUDPDfaeriGKLDpvv8Hp_nuUyEBK0/s400/sock+monkey+splat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">And Someone Steals Your Heart </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRowKQExSSJ_pUUOtoQIMgMgZARk3gZeZuRfkxfW-bIwxop2iKxenCF8Gysu30XKJPXL08LV8TPuvUAe3BEyNTDkHOTple5uoNbBH9rA48I3bUopiuKa7z_btx-oMg1oEi-jEjXr9nQ8_H/s1600/the+princess+puff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRowKQExSSJ_pUUOtoQIMgMgZARk3gZeZuRfkxfW-bIwxop2iKxenCF8Gysu30XKJPXL08LV8TPuvUAe3BEyNTDkHOTple5uoNbBH9rA48I3bUopiuKa7z_btx-oMg1oEi-jEjXr9nQ8_H/s400/the+princess+puff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></b></span></div>The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2570277416463792917.post-70373787671333447562012-04-12T12:29:00.000-04:002017-08-02T18:54:15.706-04:00Keep Calm and Carry On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWz8dnJSo4KfktrDigRMon_td7IU5nhIRGay7qs82HpE5N_S8496SRXW9Vf7Z7bTvBwYmsoKnvJ6dT-IGEi_0IJf4b3WOcF9Q_ojSz34jWtK81viBYWxllWIihCWYcUFykIvQMZXKlzeI/s1600/orange+gradiant+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWz8dnJSo4KfktrDigRMon_td7IU5nhIRGay7qs82HpE5N_S8496SRXW9Vf7Z7bTvBwYmsoKnvJ6dT-IGEi_0IJf4b3WOcF9Q_ojSz34jWtK81viBYWxllWIihCWYcUFykIvQMZXKlzeI/s320/orange+gradiant+400.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You see this </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">iconic saying </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on all sorts of products these days. It seems this WWII Propaganda Poster has it's own story to tell. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/37081469?portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/37081469">Keep Calm and Carry On</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/studiocanoe">Studiocanoe</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />The Queens Tablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970183230486333956noreply@blogger.com1