greenbeanbaby art

up for a mini swap?!

my mom, nina, doesn't have a blog but her flickr site, fun old new,  is loaded with her thrifty goodies and the collections she's accumulated in time.... well, she has a few sewing items to swap if anyone is interested.... if so, email me right away! nina is willing to swap most anything like vintage, fabric, paper, crafting supplies, etc. etc. etc. just a note, some of the items don't have model number info... but we will give you as much info as we know ourselves :)

here are pix of them all! they are in good condition and of course, retro!

   
a singer buttonholer (right?!) in a green plastic case (pic of outside and inside)

a pink one is also available... looks just like the above... (you can see it also on the very first picture)

   
the first box is singer accessories for model 648(zig zag parts) ...

the second box is singer accessories for model 64(deluxe straight stitch parts) ...

   
the first is a tin case... a ruffler for the brother sewing machine...

the second is a box... buttonhole attachment for the kenmore machine

   
this is a tin case of rotary pieces... i am not sure what this means but as you can see the inside parts are in good condition.... nor do i know what brand it is...

   
another singer button holer for slant needle zig zap sewing machines...

looks nearly new, eh?!

   
this is a box of special discs... for deluxe zig zag singer machines... and for special zig zag machines...

it has all the discs too!

   
more accessories for the singer deluxe straight stitch sewing machine model 639...

   
this is a precision built button holer attachment... it comes in a tin case... i don't know the model number! and i don't want to sound dumb, but i think the precision built is the brand but i never heard of that sort of sewing machine...

lastly, this is a singer sewing machine attatchments box... for class 604 machines... i forgot to take an inside picture... but request, if interested...

so are you up for swapping???

sweetpea swap #2!!!

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*this swap is now closed*
welcome to the second round of sweet pea swap...  and because so many of us love the older eras full of melamine, radio, andy hardy, and high quality products, this round will be the vintage love swap... this time, we can swap an array of items including retro packaging and products... perhaps some older magazines... or nic nacs and toys... even those smelly books with the lovely vintage illustrations... maybe a nice retro apron or towels... and for the crafters,  you can request fabric or even more paper (if you can't get enough)...whatever suits your style...  so look through the boxes in the attic... or perhaps hit a few rummage sales, since weather has been lovely...  whomever you swap with, will no doubt have the same passion for vintage goodness as you and i...

what is the sweetpea swap? this is a spot to exchange goodness and love around our lil earth... its a chance to obtain stock or give away part of your surplus.... not to mention, it's a wonderful excuse to shop, thrift, or craft! all things vintage and new can be loved and appreciated here...

it's simple to join, and free too (aside from gift and shipping costs)... you need only to be a consistent blogger (or highly recommended by someone who is)... fill out the questions below and email me...you will then be partnered with someone swell and given info about them... and they too will receive your info (not anyone else)... there is no doubt you will be a loyal buddy who will ship out in the allotted time frame... after all, no one wants to have an empty mailbox! for those of you who are not from the states, i will be sure to partner you with someone who is willing to send boxes beyond the border...

1. name and mailing address

2. website and email/flickr addy

3. what do you do with your time?

4. what do you love lots and lots (collections? hobbies?)

5. what don't you like?

6. for crafty purposes, do you have favored colors and/or patterns?! (as in, what's your style?)

7. lastly, are you willing to ship internationally?

*note: the above icon is free to use solely for linking sites from yours to mine (please make sure to download the picture to your computer )... you can use this link, as it will take you straight to this round of sweet pea swap... if you want the icon to the overall sweetpea swap, feel free to download it on your computer here...

all the way from singapore...

li li and i happily swapped some goodies overseas... the package was loaded with pretty colored felts, beautiful origami paper, and even some singapore postcards... there was also candies similar to m&m's that were shaped like bananas and had a chocolate inside (the candy tasted banana-y too)... the peanuts were delicious! and the gummi candy, i've yet to taste (taking my sweet time)...she also sent some cute books, toys, and neat magnets... diego loves the puzzle toy with the clown even though he likes shaking it more than anything...

but that wasn't all... stashed in a cute plastic envelope (the polka-dotted one) there were even more papers, stationery, postcards, and wrapping paper! i have to say, i feel spoiled with all the gifts everyone has given me! the swapping business is not only addicting but it can make any mood much much better... ooooh, and even though the photo doesn't show the ribbons too well,  she sent me some very pretty floral and sheers... (have you noticed my photography skills improving?! i am trying very hard!)

lastly, she sent this beautiful elegant fabric!!! tucked inside the fabric, was the envelope of papers... so i must say, this was all such fun opening! it's neat to be able to swap around the world... to meet new people who share the same interests... where the word craft isn't taboo... and art is appreciated... thank you miss li li for the wonderful package!!!! gosh, i hope you get yours soon!

vintage records online

this has got to be one of the cutest sites for vintage lovers of all ages! kiddie records weekly is a site where you can listen to old records online... every week, they exhibit a "new" record for all to listen and enjoy... not to mention, you can hear all the previous weeks, including those in 2005.... the first one i heard was peter and the wolf...  you gotta love the old orchestra music... or how music is used to produce tension, action, and other feelings... you have to enjoy the wave of nostalgia that fills the room as you and perhaps your kiddo listens to these lovelies!

now, i have a record player and would love to get my hands on some of these goodies! the illustrated jackets alone are masterpieces! ah, the illustrators of the 40's and 50's! what bright, vibrant colors! everyone is so happy and giddy!... the mix of photography and line work! i've always been a fan of the retro art however, the more i blog, the more i collect, the more i appreciate!

so grab your kid... or a pet... or just a cup of warm loveliness and check this site out! it's a delight to listen to and if you become an even bigger fan, i read that they have all the records on cd! anyhow, hope you find this site as cheerful as i did!

*note: yeah, when i found this site, i was like a goofy kid with the biggest grin in the world... am i cheeseball or what?!

photo courtesy of kiddie records

after two long months...

the gall bladder piece is finally completed!!!! remember on february 19th, i showed sketches? as you can see, on march 19th, the color process showed some improvement... at last, april 19th (quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say?!) the final is fully finished... and the background is NOT green!!! there are accents of this beautiful color in there, no doubt... but i am happy to say, the pink looks magnificent!!!! so not only have i accomplished the goal to use another color besides my norm, i've also accomplished making a background atmosphere.... which is not easy when you don't paint shadows...

here is a photo of the illustration framed... the frame is actually white but we can thank my lovely photography skills for the this... unfortunately, my dimensions were off  by one inch on the sides... normally, i would NEVER have the frame cut into a character (as you can see by her elbow) but it still looks darn good overall and i really can't complain...

the reason behind the illustration: this piece was made for my sister... she had her gall bladder removed in february... and now that she is moving to a bigger place, i have the ideal housewarming gift for her... my sister is not blonde, nor is she anorexic... so it's not a portrait...

it's a sewing machine!!!!!!!!

my mother found a sewing machine for me!!!! a kenmore by sears 1950's sewing machine... and green, at that! (i think it was she who got me into green)... it comes in a case and is extremely heavy, but i finally have a sewing machine! a vintage, usable, green kenmore  model #158.120... it has four settings and has the zig zag feature (which apparently came out around the time this machine was made, but don't quote me)... i've been trying to look online for the manual... i cannot find any though that fits this model number exactly... so anybody who has info or relevant sites, please email me!

here is the back of the machine... i found the model number for the motor... #2142... and i found where to buy extra parts such as belts, needles, and bobbins... (through sears, of course!) i cannot wait to try it out sometime this week! i'd attempt it tonight however, we have movie/studio/company mondays... it's been awhile since i've sewed... took classes in high school and sewed a bit in college (wow, i sound super old! i'm 24 and high school was 9 years ago?! ) this sewing machine is in pristine condition! i never thought i'd have a green retro machine... but thanks to mom, who is forever finding the coolest things, i have a dreamy kenmore!

and here is the case... the handle is strong enough to deal with all the weight... however, i am not! how in the world did the ladies back in the day carry all this heavy machinery?! they must of had plenty of muscles!

i got such a loving family!!!

diego's first easter basket...

this year. my sister and her family made a wonderful easter basket for diego... for being the only nephew and grandson on my side, my family enjoys the fact that we can buy boy stuff... so as you see, he got a chocolate batman!!! i will feed him the head, or maybe the cape, tonight... and diego received his very first mr. potato head! it has easter parts including a plastic fuzzy tail... there were also purple peeps and eggs fulla candy... even a flower pot so he can grow a sunflower! with my request, marina bought him a tide to go stain remover!!!! yes, i'm one of those moms who dislike stains on white shirts; on any color shirt for that matter... i know he's a boy and a toddler at that, but still... i do NOT like stains! so thanks to my sister and tide, we can now rid clothes of any drool that has tidbits of food and color in it... after all, when diego eats chewy foods, he creates plenty of colorful saliva...

my sister also bought a couple outfits for my growing kid... he's not that short anymore and i wonder if he is gonna be tall like his dad (6ft) or a shorty like me(5ft)... diego is 20mos so he's right between the 18mos and 2t clothes... my sister got him this cute polo shirt with rhinos on it and khaki shorts to match... she also bought him a t-shirt and jean shorts... boy, these toddlers grow fast! i mean, looka diego's feet!!!! not only are they wide, but they aren't li'l either! he's closin' in on a size 7...  my niece is four and she's an 8.5!!!! (granted, nana is a petite thing)... my big foot pigeon-toed diego... the doctors tell me he is thin for his age and still have him on pediasure... diego is NOT a skinny boy any longer but i am glad he is still chugging that pediasure because he has many picky eating days... (and really, he doesn't eat much candy or junk food at all!) well, at least i know the stuff gives him heavy duty energy and strength (diego can pull my weight!)

such thoughtfulness...

looka this pretty package cathy sent me! first off, the stickers, halfsies, are hilarious!!! slightly morbid and they are reminiscent of the meanie babies but i laughed when i found them in between the papers... too cute! and the papers!!! such pretty nostalgic papers ranging in pinks and browns and yellows... and full of beautiful patterns! the owl one in the front is my favorite... but don't get me wrong, when it comes to paper, i am not biased... so really, i love them all! what an affair- haha... she also sent me some of her lovely cards with her artwork on it! and then there were tags i've never seen before and a cool letter "e" tag.. she also sent me a wonderful journal... with these journals, i am getting the urge to write more.. yes, my lost love must return... (me and my loves!) thanks so much cathy for your sweet thoughts and beautiful package!!! (boy, i really need to go buck wild on art soon!)

and a surprise box sat there by my door as diego and i came home from one of our walks... whadda know, jennifer sent a package for us for easter! inside was a very very beautiful egg that was made in germany... i think its old too! i know its for easter but  i am gonna display it all year round... a bunny and an egg doesn't have to mean holidays right?! (it's not like a christmas tree)... and to the right of the egg is a sweet package for diego! it's a li'l wooden toy car with a rabbit riding it! he's at the age where he doesn't put things in his mouth so i won't have to worry about the wood warping (does any other mom actually have this concern?!) or him choking... he seems to like it too! and of course, she sent me a cute li'l card (left side)...

the egg is made of paper and so cute illustrations of eggs, chicks, flowers and bunnies cover the inside... but there were also two lovely yellow chickies sitting inside...  so teeny! i have a total of three now and not until the swapping began, did i ever see these li'l chicks! you can see the car out of the package riding along my strip of sunshine in the kitchen! thanks dear jennifer for the thoughtful and wonderful gift!

with all the lovely packages i've been receiving, there is no way i'd actually get them in the 'hood... where i used to live, people even eyed up your garbage boxes to see what kind of new appliances you bought... northside etiquette 101... (okay, only people in milwaukee would get this)... 1. keep all your television and game system boxes... 2. don't have ups deliver there (you know, honestly, i don't remember seeing those trucks or fedex's!) 3. never ever stare 4. if a guy tries to bust game, speak the li'l spanish you know and they will be sure to leave you alone... 5. yes, you heard a gun go off so hurry and  run inside... and to think, where i lived wasn't quite as bad as the other blocks! anyhow, i am happy to say i moved to a neighborhood where not only is it safe to walk through, but my mail won't be stolen... and flowers can be grown on the corners of the blocks near pretty yellow fire hydrants..

i got five on it...

this is the first time i've ever been tagged... and now, by two lovely people, leslie and joyce... these questions aren't as easy as i thought... probably because i read into them too deeply... nonetheless, it's fun having a chance to not only think, but get a break from the cards that aren't working out today...

1.  Five minutes to yourself: how would you spend them, ideally?
drinking a darn good cup of coffee and staring at all the things i finally finished making (now, this is ideally, so that means diego would be napping, and i'd be relaxing in a comfy chair and my long to-do list would be all scratched off... so prior to having five minutes to myself, i need to do a lot of work because my to-do list is long)

2.  Five bucks to spend right now: how would you spend it?  hmmmm, a few cute shirts at the thrift store ( we have a store around here that has clothes for $1) or if i can't find any, a good cup of coffee with a nice warm homemade muffin on the side... or maybe the shower curtain liner that my cats tore up and you have to "glue" it closed with water so you don't hose the floor down and you take the soap off your body

3. Five items in your house you could part with, right now, that you hadn't thought of already? hmmmmmm, this is a toughie... considering i hoard, i still am one of those who toss things (heck, if the ketchup isn't used in a month, i throw it out

    - half of ramel's t-shirts... they overwhelm the closets and dressers
    - some magazines (i have a lot and been saving for some really good project)
    - all the ramen noodles in my cupboard...
    - the carpet... yes, i can part with all the carpet and be left with wooden or linoleum floors...

4.  Five items you absolutely, positively could never part with in your house?
    -the computer with all my pix in it including artwork and writings
    -my books (and i have a lot)
    -the jewelry ramel bought me
    -diego's red car with some pediasure in the trunk (that thing is a lifesaver- he never liked a stroller, but the car?! the kid is as calm as a summer morning in the country without any civilization around)
    -lastly, my scrapbook suitcase/bag... it'd have all the essential art supplies (with paper, cutting items, my circle templates, scissors, ribbon, paper punches)... and some writing supplies ( journal and thin sharpee...

5.  Five words you love?  hahaha, well i say some of these a lot...
    -wonderful
    -beautiful
    -two (oh, diego says it so cute right now!)
    -coffee  (yes, i didn't get a cup today at all and am lacking the essential caffeine)
    -yes (in the right situation, of course!)

okay and now to tag?! alexandria,  trudi,   judy,   jennifer, and miss shoofly

and i wanna tag my mom too although she doesn't have a site... i'd like to know what she'd part with! and take with her....

tea for two? and 2002...

a few posts ago, i posted here the pictures made for my niece... well, i forgot to add this giant teacup that i made for her... its about 13" wide and it's cut out of illustration board... boy, that was a doozy to cut! not to mention, i goofed the first time so then it had to be re-cut... anyhow, all the letters are hand cut (but the font is sybil green)... and the li'l white scalloped trimming around the dark pink?! if you look closely, you can see i hand poked every li'l hole to give it a doily/lacy look... i have a tendency for itty bitty irrelevant details... originally, i was to make a pin the saucer on the teacup, however, i thought that a happy birthday sign would be sweeter... in fact, this is the sort of thing i'd love to make more often (even though the cutting of the shape gave me a fat blister on my middle finger)... it now hangs in her bedroom along with the other illustrations... only thing i never made ananda was a greeting card... who woulda thought?!

now that i'm in the mood to show older work, here is an illustration from 2002... this was my postcard for advertising purposes, however, the last name was changed the following year... (now, i'm ellia ana hill... and the middle name is pronounced ahhh- nuhhh... thus, i'm ellia on a hill... hee hee)... the original was about 16x22... this is paper sculpture and when i had to frame it in a shadow box, the hair stuck out way too much... so for the senior thesis show, this was framed but without the glass...  the letters of illustration were hand cut; numbers too... the fairy's dress is a cone shaped and if you look up her skirt, you can see cute panties...

as much as i love doing paper sculpture, it is truly the most fragile and craftsmanship is hard to maintain... not to mention, shadow boxed frames are a doozy to buy... but i do miss this style at times... i forgot what kind of work i created four years ago...