Current Happenings....

Keepin busy painting.....

Finished!!!!!!!!



Working and creating.



Start of deer skull study

End of day one...stay tuned for more!

Wise words

Love this:
When asked what surprised him most about humanity, The Dalai Lama answered: 'Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. He is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the the present, nor the future; he lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived.'

.......and DONE.

I love western, horses and Doc Holiday-so I decided to combine them all into one of my newer creations; titled "Into the West-Doc Holiday". It was created using acrylic paint on canvas. Malcakes 2012 does not appear on actual painting.

Inspiring Poem!

I am absolutly in love with this poem. I first heard about it from Morgran Freeman while watching him on Oprah's Master Class. How inspiring is this?!?

Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others,you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridity and disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,no less than the trees and the stars;you have a right to be here.And whether or not it is clear to you,no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,whatever you conceive Him to be,and whatever your labors and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,it is still a beautiful world.Be cheerful.Strive to be happy.

Blast from the past

How many remember the commencement speech (later put to music): Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann? How wonderful and insightful his words were. If everyone was able to adopt just a few of his life lessons/advice to their own life, I think it would have a huge positive effect on your life outlook. Without further adieu:

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
by Baz Luhrmann

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
than my own meandering
experience…I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not
understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as
effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing
bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that
never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm
on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with
people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes
you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with
yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you
succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your
life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they
wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year
olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe
you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky
chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t
congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your
choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body,
use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people
think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever
own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for
good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the
people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you
should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and
lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you
knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live
in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will
philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize
that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were
noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund,
maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one
might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will
look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who
supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the
ugly parts and recycling it for more than
it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

What are your opinions? Are there things you written here that you can apply to your own life? I would love to hear it!

Find beauty in the ugly

I found this pretty deceased butterfly in a gas station parking lot in Arizona; you can find beauty in the ugliest of places, in the most unexpected of times.

New Treasuries

Today I have been a busy little bee creating a couple new treasuries. I love to explore etsy and find new and amazing artists. I hope you enjoy! Your comments and feedback are much appreciated on these treasuries! Have a great day fantastic people!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Hey everyone,

Its been awhile...incase you were wondering or having any doubts: I think you are a beautiful person inside and out.

I am pleased to announce that I was featured in a artist interview by the very awesome Chantell Reid! Be sure to check it out!
http://featherahead.blogspot.com/2011/06/meet-talent-behind-malcakes25-made-by.html?showComment=1307477228567#c3288857348029699429

Pay it Forward

Back in December I ordered a hot chocolate in the drive thru from Starbucks. When I pulled up the batista informed me that the lady in the car in front of me paid for my drink and wished me a Merry Christmas. I know it sounds cliche but it was one of those things that gave you a warm fuzzy feeling, that someone you don't even know can be so kind. So I did what anyone should do, I "payed it forward". I took the money I was going to buy my drink with, and applied it towards the girl behind me, I have since done this numerous times. I posted it on my facebook and lots of my friends did the same thing. When you pay something forward what you really are doing is spreading the kindness in a world that can quite honestly use alot more love. It doesn't even matter what you do: You can by someones meal or drink, compliment someones shirt, be extra friendly to the cashier who is ringing up your recent purchase, volunteer, when a stranger sneezes say "bless you"....there are infinite ways to spread kindness around, you just have to start somewhere. Get started today!

Thanks to goingplaces2 for letting me use her Collie Dog Art Print! Check out her shop at http://www.goingplaces2.etsy.com/

80's Bash

This past weekend I celebrated my lovely sister in-laws birthday by going out in Newport dressed in our 80's costumes. It was a blast.

One bit of advice that I was reminded of, and would like to share with you is: "ALWAYS find time to embrace your inner child, life gets boring if you don't"

Advice from friends around the globe...

Today I have asked friends and acquaintances to answer a few questions on lessons learned, hopes for the future and things that will hopefully inspire. I hope you enjoy reading their answers as much as I did! Maybe you will find some advice that you can apply to your life, or just a reminder that you have let slip to the very corners of your mind.

What is your favorite quote?

1. My grandfather said "If you eat, drink, and do everything they say you should; do you live to be 100, or do you just feel like it?



2. "A fox is a wolf that brings flowers" -Ruth Weston



3. "Don't hold Strong opinions about things you don't understand, everyone should embrace the art community even if it kills you"



4. "Everything happens for a reason"



5. "Change your thoughts and you change your world"



6. From Tron"On the other side of the screen it looks so easy"



7. "Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile"



8. "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Your on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go"-Dr. Seuss


9. "Time has little to do with infinity and Jelly Donuts" Thomas S. Magnum

Whats the best advice any ones ever given you?

1. Follow your dreams



2. Do whatever makes you happy



3. Treat others as you would want to be treated



4. Never be like anyone else-always to be me and love it!



5. If you don't succeed, try, try again



6. Remain approachable



7. Don't wait until tomorrow to tell someone you love them. Tomorrow may never come



8. Always be true to yourself, its your life no one else's


9. Don't take yourself so seriously

Whats you opinion on life?

1. What you think about and what you focus on you attract into your life



2. Always stay curious



3. You reap what you sew



4. You aren't supposed to know what the future holds, only to enjoy life as it makes its way into the future.



5. Its tough and most of it sucks, but its worth enduring for the parts that are really good.



6. Life is unpredictable, short and you never know what to expect. Live in the moment.



7. Things can sometimes be tough, and you may never know what scary things may be around the corner. Be brave, face each day with renewed hope, and know what brighter things are always on the horizon.


8. Live creatively. Don't get stuck in a rut, change things up once in awhile. Don't worry, it will grow out.

Whats one thing that everyone should do?

1. Do it, never say what if



2. Never give up on love



3. Create something



4. Love and allow to be loved



5. Treat others as you want to be treated. So elementary yet many still need to learn this as adults



6. Pay kindness forward


7. Be kind, no exceptions

Special thanks to Altered Head, Dana, Finch, Diana P, Sara T, Natanya, Sue, Sharyl and Chantelle

Cleaning Out The Closet

For November I am going to be giving away a surprise necklace from my shop! There are several ways to enter:

1. Follow my blog
2. Become a my fan on facebook www.facebook.com/madebymalcakes
3. Make a comment to my blog post titled "Boom Boom Pow"
4. Post my etsy shop link on your facebook or Twitter page www.malcakes25.etsy.com
5. Refer a friend

You will receive one entry per task done! Please send me a message via my email which is mallory@madebymalcakes.com with the link to show that you have reposted it, to tell me what friend you referred and/or however else you have entered :) Please don't forget to leave me your email in someway so I can get in touch with you! Winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday November 30th! Best of luck!

Love,
Malcakes

I got that boom boom pow!

This is for you, who is "you" you ask? Well its simply the person reading this at this very absolute moment. Don't believe me, then pick up a mirror and it will tell you the answer.

Life is meant to be lived. Live your life, don't worry about who is watching or what others may think. Dream it, create it. If you love it do it, if not-its simply not worth your time. Don't let others hold you back, ignore the naysayers. Aspire to amazing heights, don't be scared. You have wings, fly the distance. Love the simple things, enjoy nature. Love animals, believe it can happen. Take deep breaths, it was meant to be. If you don't like it change it. Bask in the sunlight, enjoy the rain. Walk in the moonlight, gaze at the stars. You are a star, don't let anybody tell you any different. Laugh, smile, cry when you want, don't hold back. It is what it is, so just let it go. Follow your heart, it will never disappoint you. The past is the past, the future is now. You are loved, I heart you-don't believe me-ask me then. Never have doubts, there are no mistakes. Never say never. Why walk when you can fly. I believe you can do it, I'm here for you, so are they. Cherish the day, seize the night. Go for it. You are amazing! The easy path isn't always exciting. Take an adventure, I will meet you there.

The lovely picture that I have featured is availble for purchase from a fellow etsy artist! Just check out the link below :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53081061/free-to-bearchival-beeswax-giclee-print?ref=sr_list_40&ga_search_query=fly+birds&ga_search_type=&ga_page=12&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

My pledge...join my movement!

Its time for me to make a pledge, and my doing so I hope to encourage others to join my movement. This Christmas I am going to support artists and small businesses by purchasing most of my gifts from them. I want to support others by in the community by bringing business to their shops, store fronts, and websites. Its important to me because not only am I an artist, but I also consign many of my items to boutiques. I have definitely noticed a decrease in the amount of items I have sold, and the amount of business these little shops are receiving. Please join this movement, pledge to buy handmade or from small business owners this season. Comment to this post on why its important to you to make this pledge.

10 little facts about me:

I thought I would deviate from anything to do with art and fill you in on 10 little tidbits about me. (not to be mistaken for being self-centered, haha) I simply would like to fill in my followers about a few little known facts...Enjoy

1. I am very much in love with antique photos, I own a bunch. I recently bought 5 and lined them along this little shelf I have in my studio. Later that day I took them down because I felt like they were watching me...(I'm weird, I know it) And, yes I will continue to buy them as I come across ones that suit my fancy.

2. I'm fascinated with the chupacabra, big foot, ghosts, yetis and so on....Why, I have no idea...and to answer your question, I believe in them all....

3. I love buying antique things (in relation to fact #2, I have this fear that someday one of the things I buy will be haunted. This always crosses my mind before a purchase.)

4. I love Disney

5. I believe that the 50's were the classiest era

6. I love pin-up

7. I begged my husband to buy me a metal detector for Christmas. I always bring it with me to the desert when I go camping. (You laugh now, but I WILL find treasure muahaha) Its the gift that pays for itself.

8. When my husband and I ride our dirt bikes he gets annoyed that I have and stop to to investigate everything for unfound treasures... i.e. gems, gold, relics, fossils, petrified wood and bones. I once found a huge spine in the desert that I brought home; it now sits in my moms planter, haha. I also thought I found turquoise once and made him stuff these rocks in his motorcylce boots till we got back from our ride, it was only copper *tear*.

9. My favorite movie is Braveheart, and I love Mel Gibson (Yup, I said it)

10. This fact is already well known but, I believe that everyone should follow there dreams, live life with to regrets and speak the truth.

*Finding a petroglyph site that is thousands of years old in the desert*

(This counts in my treasure category)

Drooling Bunny and Messy Studio

I am making it my new goal to try to clean up my work area after I am done for the day. I pledge to clean it everyday no ifs, ands, or buts about it. (okay who am I kidding, this is sooo not going to happen) Don't even lie, you are the same way I am. I know your making all these false promises to your self about cleaning out your scrap drawer, you know its not gonna happen haha! Maybe I will just try to pick up like a bead or a sheet of antique music paper when I'm done, that sounds pretty reasonable. I think I need more pictures, this one is kinda crummy. Oh in case you were wondering, everyone NEEDS a drooling bunny in their studio. Its essential.

Long Live Dreamers!

Has anyone ever told you that what you are dreaming is basically a waste? I'm here to tell you that they can shove it ( I love that line, "shove it")! Long live dreamers! Always follow your heart and in the end you wont be disappointed, if it didn't work out then you will be happy that your tried your best. I'm for real! One day I will own the people and places that ever doubted me along my journey, muahahaha, take that! You will own them too! (I hope I don't sound like I'm the crazy author of some self-help book) Anyways, let me step off my pedestal now haha. Basically, in a nut shell, just go for it.

"Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great."
-Mark Twain

No air conditioning and my oddness...?!?

Why is it that most antique places have no AC!?! I'm baffled...its the majority of them. Its like a brazillion degrees outside and I'm on a third floor losing 5 pounds in sweat and getting ready to pass out from heat exhaustion. This past Saturday was one of those days, but this time I dragged my husband Matt along with me to suffer as well (I have to take someone else down with me). Anyways, that morning I decided to wear this fab lip gloss, (this is where my oddness comes into play) and they have all these HUGE fans blowing everywhere to keep it cool in these places. Well in my awesome mind I get this idea that these fans are kicking up all kinds of ancient dust and what-not, which is then sticking to my glossy lips. I then became grossed out at the thought. Upon leaving I then proceeded to wipe my lip gloss off on the inside of my husbands shirt sleeve so that I would be able to even go in the next place. I could not be deterred from finding my treasures! (What?? his shirt was black! You would have done the same) Anyways, on a final note...Matt is pretty rad for putting up with me and my antics....I will keep you posted on any further happenings.

For the Love of Vintage

I love hunting for unique vintage treasures. There is something to be said about taking something old and turning it into something new. Dreaming up a new piece of art using long forgotten photos, paper and trinkets is such a fantastic thing. It is such a thrill to be hunting at a flea market or a antique shop and finding the perfect piece to create art with. To use the past in the present, what more could one want!

"Consider the past and you shall know the future"-Chinese Proverb