Paintings for sale in my Etsy shop, in time for Christmas!

Nine paintings for sale in my #Etsy shop, in time for Christmas! More to come in the 

days ahead! Stop by and say hello! If you are a fellow Etsy seller, drop me a line! I'd 

love to get to know other sellers!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/8thShotofEspresso

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2012

Two Valentine ChocoArt Pieces

Cherry Heart in Chocolate

watercolor crayon

© 2012 by A. Dameron 

Valentine's Day Sampler

acrylic

© 2012 by A. Dameron 

Admin Post: My Zazzle art stores have holiday gifts available!

My two #Zazzle stores are redecorated for the holidays! "Phoenix Fire Arts" here

at http://t.co/kgjYaqyl. "E-Art by Annie Dameron", paintings and drawings

featured in my e-books on #Smashwords. http://t.co/jtx5V90l 

Both stores have a sale that ends Friday. 15% all orders Free ship $50+! Code:

WISHCAMETRUE. Stop on by and say hello! Thanks, and Merry Christmas, Happy

Chanukah, and Happy Kwanzaa to all!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Felicidades!

It's not Mexico's Day of Independence (which is Sept 16), but it's still an important day in Mexican history. 4,000 Mexican soldiers confronted a rebel army (of other Mexicans and French forces) of 8,000 at Puebla, about 100 miles east of Mexico City. That army had landed in Veracruz and marched towards Mexico City. The French invaded on the pretense of collecting financial debts from the newly-elected president, Benito Juarez.

On the morning of May 5, 1862, those 4,000 soldiers met a force twice their size. And won.

It was the beginning of the end of Napoleon's forces in Mexico. Although Mexico had already declared their independence in 1810, they proved it on May 5.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011

Merry Christmas in Many Languages!

The Omniglot website is a treasure trove of language and linguistic-related information. Here is a list of how "Merry Christmas", "Happy New Year" and similar greetings are said around the world.


Happy Holidays in Many Languages


Here are a few of my favorites:

Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon! (Filipino (Tagalog), my parents' native language)


Naragsak a Paskua! Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen kadakayo amin! (Filipino (Ilocano), a dialect)


QISmaS DatIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' DatIvjaj (sg) QISmaS botIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' botIvjaj (pl) (Klingon!)


Alassëa Hristomerendë! Alassëa Vinyarië! (Quenya---Lord of the Rings!)


Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda (Welsh) 


All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Joyous Kwanzaa, or Habari Gani! (What's the News?)

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that runs from December 26 to January 1. It was first celebrated in 1966 to celebrate pride in African heritage and culture. The phrase "matunde ya kwanza" means "the first fruits of the harvest" in Swahili. Households decorate their houses with kente (African cloth) and family members wear brightly colored kaftans (dresses), daishiki (suits) and kufi (caps). Offerings of drinks (libations) are shared from a common cup, and Kwanzaa ends with a large feast for all the participants.

The kinara (candleholder) holds seven candles, with each candle representing Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Three red candles are set on the left, a black candle in the middle, and three green candles on the right. It's similar to a Jewish menorah, lit for Hanukkah.

The seven principles are: Umoja (unity), Kuchichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Working Together as a Community), Ujamaa (Working Together Prosperously), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Each day of the celebration is dedicated to one of these principles and how a person can contribute to the community at large.

Habari Gani! :-)



All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

This Wonderful(?) Wintry Season

Brrr, it's COLD! I know it's December, I know it's supposed to be cold. There's frost on the grass right outside my window. I've got the heat turned up. The commercials on the kids' channel Sprout are advertising "The Snowy Side Up Show" and "Elmo's Christmas Movies." Some of my on-line friends are digging out of several feet of snow and school's been canceled in some places. We've been rained on, drizzled on, sleeted on, with cold, wet stuff. College football teams battle it out for Bowl games, and the Super Bowl is next month! The malls ring with Christmas music and I still have to figure out where to put up the tree.

But I still enjoy this season. So many different cultural holidays (Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas, Festivus, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day (December 26), birthdays (mine is the 18th, an aunt's is the 25th, Banshee Girl on the 5th of January, Hubs on the 6th of January) and traditions (cookie goodie boxes!).Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, opening presents at 2 AM Christmas morning, and seeing the kids enjoy their new toys and clothes.

Christmas carols, traditional and all the variations thereof, both reverent and irreverent. Before my hands went kaput, I used to play the piano for hours to fill the house with music. My playlist has the Wiggles' "Go Santa Go" with Mannheim Steamroller's "Carol of the Bells" and Bob Rivers' "Wreck the Malls".

I love this season, even with the weird weather this year.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

Dear Santa (Wish List 2010)

Dear Santa,

Here is my list for this year:

a gift card to any bookstore (Barnes and Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million, etc.)
a gift card to any art store  (Michaels, A.C. Moore)
some clothes to jumpstart my wardrobe
a ticket to Barbados
a week-long stay at the Spa at Hershey's.
a month in my home country (England) and a car to drive all over
Jewelry from Fire Mountain Arts
An iPAD/electronic tablet for art
The Wii fit (so I can get in shape and lose 10 pounds)
The Doctor Who Series 5 DVD Collection

and most importantly...
a world that my kids can grow up without hate and fear.

Thanks, Santa
Annie

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010

Admin Post: Art Store on Zazzle.com/Lady Rainbow's Art

Just a note, since we're going into the holiday season soon!

Check out my art store, Artistmum Creations at http://www.zazzle.com/artistmum1*

If you're looking for gifts for Halloween, Veterans Day, or Christmas, drop by and see the designs I've made for shirts, posters, mugs and other items. Some of the artwork are also featured in Lady Rainbow's Art.

Thanks for reading my blogs and supporting creativity! I appreciate it more than you know.

Annie

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2010