Fifth Grade Hot Air Balloon

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I called this "Fifth Grade HAB" because it is covered with pages from a 1923 Speller. The pages from the 5th grade section are showing through a light coat of pastel colored acrylic paints. Distress inks were used to make it look timeworn and vintage. It is covered with a protective coating of beeswax for added dimension.
It hangs from a heavy duty clear line and measures about 7"w x 13"h.

I placed a picture of my daughter in the basket for fun. It is not attached and does not come with the balloon. Put a picture of your own family members; they would love to go for the ride! It is for sale on my Etsy page at wwwmannmnet.etsy.com.

Custom Orders and New Hot Air Balloon Designs

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These last couple of weeks have been real busy for me. I'm so tired. And there doesn't seem to be any sign of it letting up. Between out of town guests, work, family, religion and art - I'm pooped. With that said, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I'm going to have to stop accepting custom orders for a while. The good news is that I'll then have time to work on some new balloon designs I've had on my mind for some months now. I can't wait to get started! Here are couple of inspiring HAB art tiles that are a hint of what's to come.

Jack in the Box Giveaway! - Las Vegas Burke in the Box

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A couple of months ago, a new restaurant called "Burke in the Box" opened up at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. The chef of the restaurant decorated with a whimsical Jack-in-the-box theme and purchased a few of my boxes to include in the decorating.

Another trip to Las Vegas for my husband and I is in the works but in the meantime, I am aching to see what David Burke's restaurant looks like and whether or not my Jack in the Boxes are indeed on display. So here's how you can get a chance to win a one of a kind Jack in the Box made by me:

If you (or someone you know) is flying in or out of Las Vegas McCarran Airport, please stop by the Burke in the Box restaurant. Take a couple of pictures with your camera or cell phone and send them to me via email at mannminc@hotmail.com. The first person to send me pictures of the restaurant wins a Clown JITB! Very simple! And you'd be doing me a huge favor with a gift in return!

Here's more info. about the restaurant:

"Chef David Burke... announced the grand opening of the first airport location for the 'Burke in the Box' concept at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport. Chef David Burke’s 'Burke in the Box', known for its "whimsical atmosphere and convenient service", is an eat-in restaurant which also offers 'grab-n-go' options. The new dining venue is located in Terminal 1, adjacent to the D Gates....Burke in the Box serves hot items and boxed cold items including signature sandwiches, salads and pastry chef-designed desserts. The menu is said to reflect the ‘contemporary and eclectic’ atmosphere of the restaurant with Burke’s unique twist on old classics. The menu offering includes the “Big Pretzel” Chicken Panini, Cowboy Beef Chili, Millionaire’s Meatloaf with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and “Angry Hen-in-law” for hearty appetites and the Kobe Beef “Bad as Dog” hot dog, Tomato Soup with Cheese Tortellini and Burke’s namesake Cheeseburker Sliders to round out the diverse selection. Salads and appetisers are available for lighter dining options. The breakfast menu includes French Toast 'Sticks', Chocolate Croissants and the Big Pretzel Breakfast Sandwich, and dessert includes the trademark Cheese Cake Lollipops....the restaurant features a warm colour palette with punches of vibrant orange and jack-in-the-box décor to match Chef Burke’s personality and innovative culinary style.

Burke’s restaurants include: davidburke & donatella in New York, David Burke at Bloomingdale’s in New York, David Burke Las Vegas at The Venetian, David Burke Primehouse at The James Chicago Hotel, David Burke Fromagerie in Rumson, New Jersey and his two new restaurants at Foxwoods Casino & Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut – David Burke Prime and Burke in the Box. " - Taken from The Moodie Report.com

Thanks for helping me out with this and I hope to be shipping the prize JITB out to one of my readers soon!

May Rose Jack in the Box

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This is in response to the 2nd Paper Mache Artisans Etsy Team Webshow Challenge. Theme: April Showers Bring May Flowers.

A sweet faced pink rose pops out of a paper mache box. This jack in the box is made using vintage fabric flower petals painted pink, velvet leaves, bells, ribbon and a coat of beeswax. Each side of the box has words reading, respectively: April showers bring May flowers, garden, green leaves and flowers. This is a much smaller version of my usual Jack in the boxes. It measures only 3"x5" open. $65

I will be donating part of the proceeds of this sale to the North Shore Animal League. The North Shore Animal League is the world's largest no-kill animal rescue shelter. Click here for more information http://www.nsalamerica.org/.

OWOH Giveaway Winner !

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To pick the winner, I entered numbers 1-178 in Excel, mixed them up and closed my eyes and scrolled up and down and left and right and randomly stopped at number...61!

Congratulations to Joy from Michigan, #61. Simply Frisky is on her way to your home. But please don't let her drinking habits influence you.

Thanks to all 178 bloggers, artists and fans who left a comment. Especially those who shared the childhood memories that bring the biggest smiles. I'll share with you some of my favorites; because they also brought a smile to my face.

See you again next year at the 3rd OWOH giveaway!

Peggy Alborn said...

My favorite childhood memories are of making "houses" for my dolls bookshelf spaces, the areas under and on dining room chairs, shoeboxes, and whatever I could find.

Once Upon A Blue Crow said...

Frisky is Fabulous! And definitely one of the best things in life as a kid was receiving a new doll....oh the tea parties! One of the best memories I'd have to say was my mom got me these gigantic coloring books and she used to lay on the floor with me and we'd color together :] ahhhh....

Abby said...

One of my favorite memories was playing pirates with my mom. She was Smee and I was Captain Hook, with a coat hanger hook and a bandana and a flashlight. I think we would act out parts of Peter Pan

wildandpreciousart said...

She's fabulous. Love the poem as well. =) My favourite childhood memories are car trips where we'd all sing along and play guessing games about what songs were before the words started.

Simply Frisky OWOH Giveaway

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She stands on her hands
when she drinks bits of whisky
She dances and twirls
and she feels simply frisky



I am glad to be participating in this years One World One Heart event (better late than never). I can't believe how many people from so many places around the world have been generously reaching out through their blogs with their creations! What a great way to get to know fellow artists.

The giveaway prize I am offering on my blog for the OWOH event is a bright paper doll, sturdily made using several layers of papers and paints. She is made to last while she decorates your office cubicle, hangs out on your studio inspiration board or holds a page in your favorite novel. Her bodice reads "Simply Frisky".

OWOH was created by Lisa Swifka last year as a 'giveaway event to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way'. Click the OWOH logo for more info on this spectacular event!

To win this doll, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by February 11th. Since I'm all about childhood memories, I would love to hear what your favorite childhood memories are. Whether it be the days you went to the park with your siblings or when you went to your first sleepover or a favorite toy you had; if it brings a smile to your face, share it!

The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on my blog on February 12th. Just remember to leave an email address so I'll be able to contact you if you win. (Your email won't be added to a mailing list or given away).

I Don't Want to Live on the Moon

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One of my favorite memories of Sesame Street was when they played Ernie's "I don't want to live on the moon" song; the best version is with Aaron Neville. It's a bitter sweet song that reminds us that there's no place like home with our loved ones. To pass on the memory of Ernie's song to my Delilah, I created a painting with four storytelling scenes. I cast my beloved Buster as the main character. I hope Delilah grows to appreciate the painting and its meaning in the years to come.

I Don't Want to Live on the Moon - Sung by Ernie and Aaron Neville
Oh, I'd like to visit the moon
in a rocketship high in the air.
Yes, I'd like to visit the moon,
but I don't think I'd like to live there.
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above,
I would miss all the places and people I love.
So although I may like it for one afternoon,
I don't want to live on the moon.
I'd like to travel under the sea.
I could meet all the fish everywhere.
Yes, I'd travel under the sea,
but I don't think I'd like to live there.
I might stay for a day there if I had my wish.
But there's not much to do when you're friends are all fish.
And an oyster and clam aren't real family, so I don't want to live in the sea.
I'd like to visit the jungle, hear the lions roar.
Go back in time and meet a dinosaur.
There's so many strange places I'd like to be.
But none of them permanantly.
So if I should visit the moon,
well I'll dance on a moonbeam and then
I will make a wish on a star
and wish I were home once again.
Though I'd like to look down at the earth from above,
I would miss all the faces of the people I love.
So although I may go I'll be coming home soon.
'Cause I don't want to live on the moon.
No I don't want to live on the moon.



Delilah (Miss Piggy) and Kermit