A. Attached or Single? Happily attached

B. Best Friend? Dave, to whom I am happily attached!

C. Cake or pie? Cake with LOTS of chocolate

D. Day of choice? Every day is a good choice

E. Essential item? coffee

F. Favorite color? green

G. Gummy bears or worms? bears

H. Hometown? Margate, FL

I. Favorite indulgence? A quiet day in the studio with paint all over the place

J. January or July? January – in the Desert, there’s nothing better than winter!

K. Kids? Nope.

L. Life isn’t complete without? love, art, friendship, a good book

M. Marriage date? May 31

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 younger brother

O. Oranges or Apples? Orange

P. Phobias? None.

Q. Quotes? “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.”  – Maya Angelou

R. Reasons to smile? Too many to count!

S. Season of choice? Fall. It’s the one thing I miss most living in the desert.

T. Tag 5 people: I tag anyone who wants to play

U. Unknown fact about me? I’ve had at least five careers so far!

V. Vegetable? broccoli

W. Worst habit? Saying “yes” when I mean “no”

X. X-ray or Ultrasound?  ultrasound

Y. Your favorite food? almost any seafood

Z. Zodiac sign? Scorpio.

Wylde Women Award

The very talented and wonderfully supportive Kathy has awarded me the Wylde Women Award. Thanks Kathy!

Here are the conditions of this stunning award:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between – it’s up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.  The Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

I visit so many blogs daily and many have already been acknowledged by this award, so it’s hard to choose. Here are some blogs you may not know about in which I find great information, support and inspiration:

Angie

Tracey

Penny

Karen

CreativeThreapy

Joanne

Katie

Judy

DJ

These are just a few. Please look at some of the blog links on my list. There are tons of great blogs out there!

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.

4. The award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico’ blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules.

Angie

Joanne

Penny

Lisa

JudyK.

I’ve chosen several different kinds of blogs. I hope you’ll enjoy them!

Heli

Congratulations, Heli! I’ve sent you an email, as well.

Thanks to everyone who played!

I’m planning on returning to Manic Mondays – a twice-a-month drawing on Mondays! I’ll announce what will be given away on Monday, February 18th!

There are also still two spots available in the Pay It Forward. I’m looking forward to creating special gifts for people!

More watercolor pencil art later today!

Do you own a gun? No freakin’ way!

What do you think of hot dogs? EW. Not a fan.

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee. Must. Have. Coffee.

Can you do push-ups? I haven’t tried in a long time. I doubt it.

What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? The beautiful diamond bracelet my husband bought me for my 40th birthday in October

What is your secret weapon to lure the opposite sex? Um… I don’t lure the opposite sex! But my secret weapons to build relationships in general are my smile and my kindness.

Middle name? Natalie

Name three thoughts at this exact moment:

1. Matt Lauer is a cutie
2. I wonder if I should start another tote
3. I’m so glad it’s a clear day here in Phoenix

What time did you wake up today? 6:45 am Current hate? I hate to see my friends in dangerous situations. Name three drinks you regularly drink:

1. Coffee
2. Iced Tea
3. Water

Do you own slippers? Yes, two pair – one for summer (flip-flop like!) and one for the rest of the year.

What shirt are you wearing? A black and white long-sleeved shirt that’s comfy!

Do you burn or tan? Burn then, sometimes, if I’m lucky I tan.

Favorite color(s)? Green, blue, teal, hot pink, purple, lime green, yellow. Pretty much color color color!

Would you be a pirate? No thanks. I get seasick on dry land. I don’t need to be on a boat!

What is your favorite holiday? Well, Hubby and I have made our own holidays – we celebrate the anniversary of our first (blind!) date. It’s tomorrow. It will be 18 years.

What songs do you sing in the shower? Whatever I last listened to!

What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? The monster that was under my bed. I used to jump into bed so he couldn’t grab my ankles! There were no monsters in my closet because I kept it open so they couldn’t hide in there.

What’s in your pockets right now? No pockets.

Last thing that made you laugh? My husband being silly.

Best bed sheets as a child? I don’t remember my childhood bed sheets.

Worst injury you’ve ever had? A few major surgeries, but the one injury that really required a hospital visit was a broken elbow from roller skating when I was 13.

Are your parents still together? Yes.

Do you wish on shooting stars? Yes.

What is your favorite book(s)? That’s a toughie. I read a lot, and I enjoy almost all books, having been an English & American Lit Major. I think the book that made me cry the hardest as a teen were Steinbeck books – The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men. For a good romance, Jane Eyre. For a good book about living your life to its fullest Tuesdays with Morrie.

What is your favorite candy? I can’t eat candy because of allergies. But I love fresh fruit and a good fruit sorbet.

How is the weather outside right now? The weather is gorgeous. 43 degrees, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. A perfect Phoenix, AZ winter day!

What was your first thought this morning when you woke up? It’s friday already?

What would you answer to these questions?

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been working hard on some gifts I’m making this year. The first, which is finished, I completed yesterday. It’s a cellphone pouch and a bookmark. Both are quilted and collaged with vintage kimono fabric. My aunt is an avid reader and I hope she enjoys these gifts. Check out the flickr set for closer looks at the individual pieces.

I’ve also been making more totes. I want to thank the fabulous nurses and staff at the infusion center where I have my treatments each month. They have been so fabulous to me and to all of their patients. Last year I brought them a plate of special bakery treats. But this year, I wanted to do something more personal. So I’m working on totes for each of them. Last night, while talking with my husband about them, he asked me to do one for another member of his team who we’d initially wanted to give a cell phone pouch to. However, he saw these and wants me to do a tote. So, I’m in sewing land! Not a bad place to be! I’ll share as I finish them.

Now, back to my sewing machine!

• Your most marked characteristic? my compassion
• The quality you most like in a man? easygoing humor (like my Dave!)
• The quality you most like in a woman? honesty
• What do you most value in your friends? honesty, love
• What is your principle defect? impatience
• What is your favorite occupation? i’m doing it.
• What is your dream of happiness? I’m living it – Tomorrow I celebrate 15 blissful years with my darling husband. and I’m doing what I love – I’m doing art all day.
• What to your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes? Continuing to let the human race destroy the Earth.
• What would you like to be? I want to be an artist. I want to be someone who encourages others to work past their challenges by example.
• In what country would you like to live? I’m living in it. Even with all its difficulties, upheval, and imperfections, I prefer the United States
• What is your favorite color? You know, I don’t have one. I have many. I am a rainbow kind of gal and I love whatever color I am using at the time.
• What is your favorite flower? Petunias – my grandmother called me “Sweet Petunia” before I had a name.
• What is your favorite bird? Owls – I have always been fascinated by owls.
• Who are your favorite prose writers? Classics: Steinbeck, The Bronte Sisters; Current: Jodi Piccoult, James Patterson, Margaret Attwood, Marge Piercy
• Who are your favorite poets? Emily Dickinson, Marge Piercy, Luise Gluck
• Who is your favorite hero of fiction? I’m drawing a blank, but I loved Jane Eyre when I was a kid.
• Who are your favorite heroines of fiction? See above.
• Who are your favorite composers? Hmm. I don’t have a favorite.
• Who are your favorite painters? Hmm. Anyone I look at who gives me inspiration. I like DaVinci, Rodin, Van Dyck, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Renoir, Degas, Latrec… the list goes on…
• Who are your heroes in real life? My husband is my greatest hero. My physicians are my heroes, as well.
• Who are your favorite heroines of history? Eleanor Roosevelt, Marian Wright Edelman, Bono
• What are your favorite names? Don’t have any
• What is it you most dislike? dishonesty
• What historical figures do you most despise? Hitler… Stalin…
• What event in military history do you most admire? I”d have to say The Civil War, since it was fought to help others live without slavery
• What reform do you most admire? The Emancipation Proclamation
• What natural gift would you most like to possess? Balance – physical balance to dance.
• How would you like to die? Quickly and painlessly.
• What is your present state of mind? Positive
• To what faults do you feel most indulgent? my studio and art supplies
• What is your motto? Breathe. And take it one day at a time.

1. I love to sing along to any song that plays. If it’s not a song I can sing along with, I change the station or I move to the next song on iTunes.
2. I can’t usually plan out my art, because then I think about it too much and never get what I am picturing.
3. I know all the dialog to “Pretty Woman” and I follow along in the movie.
4. I am blissfully married and we will be married for 15 years at the end of this month.
5. I read every night before I go to sleep.
6. I have a master’s degree in Health Care Administration, and I occasionally consult for medical practices.
7. I love my iPod!

Now I’m to tag 7 other people…

I tag:

1. Tracey
   
2. Darcy
3. Chia
4. Leah
5. Judy
6. Kathy
7. Sue B

Name your all-time favorite movie! The Wizard of Oz
What genre of movie do you like best? This is hard. I love Chick Flicks, but I also like a good old Audrey Hepburn movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s or My Fair Lady or a musical like The Sound of Music!
What movie made you cry the most? Beaches
Have you ever applauded during a movie in the theatre? Which one? If not, what would make you do that? I don’t tend to go to movies in a theater, since I have hearing issues. The last movie I saw in a theater was Finding Nemo and I watched it with my niece at her birthday party – I think AnnMarie was four or five. It’s been quite a few years… But yes, we did clap when they found Nemo! LOL
Do you own any soundtracks from movies? Which is your favorite and why did the music inspire you? Yes! I own several! Let’s see, off the top of my head, I know I have: The Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing, The Big Chill, Fiddler on the Roof, Pretty Woman
Is there a particular actor or actress who inspires you? Why do you like him or her? Audrey Hepburn. She’s so graceful and had been through so much tragedy in her life. Despite it all, she was a talented actress, beautiful, and gave back to the world through the UN.
Is there a particular actor or actress who you just dislike and will not see their movies? Why? Mel Gibson. I dislike his politics and cannot get beyond htat.
Have you ever dreamed of being an actor? Which role would be your dream role? I did some drama in high school, but it was not my dream to be an actor; that is my brother’s dream.
If there was ever a movie made of your life, who should star as you? This is a tough one! I’d like to think Sela Ward, but that’s reaching a bit far! LOL

Tell me how you’d answer these questions!

Second, I found the memory card from the weekend with Eliana. I’m going to be posting those images this weekend and I’ll give some more insight into our weekend.

On Friday, I spent the day with Angie. We were going to attend the Fountain Hills Art Fair, but we were both completely exhausted. I was going to meet Shari Beaubein – Sorry, Shari. I felt so bad I couldn’t make it, but I just didn’t have the energy. I do hope Shari had a good day at the fair and that her art sold. I was really looking forward to meeting her. Angie and I went to Pink Pepper Thai (YUMMY) for lunch and then came back and did some backgrounds with Pearl Ex Powders and pigment inks. It was very loose and fun and just the right energy and concentration levels for both of us. As usual, the time passed quickly and before we knew it, Angie had to go and get her kids. It was so good to have an art day with Angie. It’s been far too long.

After Angie left, I painted some fabric for my February Journal quilt that I had not yet started… Nothing like waiting until the last minute, eh? I’ll start sewing it by Monday. I had hoped to finish it this weekend, but I need time with my hubby and I really want to try to get to the Fountain Hills fair.

On Saturday, I went to the mailbox. A surprise awaited me there. It was a package from Wendy. Wendy agreed to do a piece of art for the first five people who responded to her blog that they were interested. The catch is that we have to agree to do the same on our blogs. I was waiting until I got through my treatment to do it. So consider this my notice that I will send art to the first five people who agree to give away free art on their blogs too. Simply comment in response to this entry and include your email address in the signing in section so I can reach you.

More soon!