Tuesday, December 24, 2013

HO HO HO


Sam wishes you a bony Christmas! An a very happy 2014.  Thanks for following her, it's been a great year!

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




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Sunday, December 15, 2013

My First Trip Without Sam

I just returned from Italy and Barcelona with my adult daughter. Our first mother/daughter trip since she graduated from 8th grade.  And that was a loooooong time ago.  We made a lot of great memories, had some really funny moments, shared like only mothers and daughters do. Priceless. 
Sam's Day of the Dead altar.
It was my first trip without Sam in a year. There were so many times I thought: "Oh Sam would love this place!" Really, really?  Sam has become a fixture in my life.  I joke that she's somewhere between my invisible friend, and a doll.  As disturbing as this may sound, she is more.  Kinda a pet--a pet rock. Just kidding Sam. :-)  She's been busy in front of the camera at home.

She now has a calendar in my SammieSam shop on Etsy. Greeting cards, and Christmas Cards.  Of course this has all gone to her head.  Some days she is such a diva.  But I love her just the same.

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Parade Pictures: Sam's People

Day of the Dead Parade is call Muertos y Marigolds. Always the first Sunday in November.
So many great skellies. Sam and Sam2 were really with their people.  Lots of cool low riders. One even had it's hydraulic system break in back, and ended the parade with half it's back end in the air. We are already planning for next year.
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Monday, November 4, 2013

Muertos y Marigolds Parade

Sam and Sam2 returned to the parade this year.  Of course everyone was so happy to see her, and her twin sister.  I'll post more photos of the parade tomorrow.
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Each day is a gift, open now.
xo
Suz



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Friday, November 1, 2013

Day 365: That's A Wrap, Sam

Day 365
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Today seemed like a long time ago when I started this project.  Seeing if I could take a picture every day for a year was my challenge to myself. Having the backbone to carry a skeleton around in public straight faced, like everyone was doing it- was the fun part. Travel, airlines losing Sam, areas with no wifi, computers crashing, camera lens breakage, illness, death, all were road blocks.  But became speed bumps for Sam and me. 

I have fallen deeper in love with the bone than I ever dreamed I would.  I met so many skeleton lovers, and many who were not.  I love that people have begun to associate me with skeletons, and post pictures on Facebook, or text me when they see one.  As I have said from the beginning: "the art is in the experience."  It really is.

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Our wrap party. I am wedged between Sam and Sam2. Thanks for coming with me on this adventure.  I ran out of calendar days before I ran out of ideas, so you will see more of Sam.  I am lining up her travel schedule for next year, as I feel she will be my muse for life. I now have 8 full size skeletons.  I think the party is just getting started.

Remember: each day is a gift. Open now.
xo
Suz and Sam, Sam2, Karl Olga, and the Costco Brothers

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Day 364 Halloween Night

Day 364
And so tomorrow will be my last blog in the 365 project.  I'm a bit sad, a bit relieved, and delighted to have done this.  There will be more Sam.  And of course we have the Marigold Parade on Sunday where it all began.

Sam and Sam2
The other Costco brothers, and Karl Olga in her jogging suit.

Each Day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Day 363 Getting Ready For Halloween

Day 363
Copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
And so the "Costco Brothers" are getting ready too. 

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Day 362 The Dark Plague Doctor Skeleton

Day 362
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Sam wanted it all black, all dark, wearing the black plague doctor mask from Italy.  She decided she would wear this on Halloween. 

Each day is a gift, open now. 
xo,
Suz





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Day 361 Where is Karl Olga??

361
She's right here! Sitting on Bob's bench waiting to have him epoxy her head together.  And checking out his WIP (work in progress).
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo
Suz





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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Day 360 Sparklers

Day 360
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 Let your light shine, Sam.  



Each day is  a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





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Day 359 Sam, Cowboy Up!

Day 359
copyright 2013 Polkadot Magpie
Another bandito, Ode to Posado cowboy style.  Sam loves wearing boots.


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Day 358 Our Lady Of Glowstick

358
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So the glow sticks from the dollar store were mostly duds. These were all I could get to glow.  More next time.  Sam was pleased.

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Monday, October 28, 2013

Day 357 Posada Skeleton Bandito

Day 357
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My love of skeletons started with a very famous artist from Mexico: Jose Guadelupe Posada.
He was a woodcut artist that used skeletons to portray life as he knew it.  I have seen Sam in my mind dressed as Posada's woodcuts.  Now you will get to see them too.  I shot Sam in many variations of this Bandito with belted ammunition.  My Etsy shop will have them in it.  I am attaching a link.  Make sure you scroll through the images on the website. 
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/enews/2009/october/insider.html

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Day 356 The Cover Up

Day 356
Sam was delighted to drive the bobcat.  She was even more relieved to be filling in this big hole that I tried to put her into yesterday. 
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Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





No photos from the blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.

Day 355 Get Me Outta Here!

Day 355
Sam didn't like it when I tried to stand her in the trench that runs the entire length of our driveway.  We are converting from propane gas to natural.  So at the moment there is a 3ft. deep trench where the pipe was laid.  Sam refused to stand or lean for me. I wanted a photo of her crawling out of the dirt....but no.  She was like: "I'm not going in the ground!"

Silly skellie.

Each day is  a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





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Saturday, October 26, 2013

Day 354 Skull Art Mural

Day 354
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
The last of El Paso photos. 



Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz






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Friday, October 25, 2013

Day 353 Our Lady Of Guadelupe

Day 353
Another great mural in El Paso. 
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Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Day 352 The Perfect Truck

Day 352
Sam and I are no strangers to cool vintage pick up trucks.  She found one at the Farmer's Market that belongs to the property owner Robert.  Now she's bugging me to get a truck for her to ride around in.
Silly skellie!

copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Day 351 Sam's First Cemetery

Day 351
Sam usually stays away from cemeteries, as she is very much a lively skeleton and doesn't want to be associated with death.  We were encouraged to go to the "Smelters Cemetery" in El Paso where the smelters from the copper mines are buried. 
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Monday, October 21, 2013

Day 350 Rosa's Cantina

Day 350
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
Can you hear Marty Robbins singing?  I could the whole time we were in this location.  People honked as they drove by at Sam.  I loved the guy who came out of a dark smoky bar after having a few, into the bright setting sun, and there was a skeleton in the doorway.  The look on his face said: "am I so drunk, I am hallucinating?" Priceless.  :-)

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




No photos from this blog may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the blogger and polkadot magpie.

Day 349 What You Lookin' At?

Day 349
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While in El Paso I picked up their arts magazine: "Art Avenue."  It had Catrina on the cover, so I was intrigued.  Inside they had published a mural painted by "Colective 17" a group of local artists.  I loved the Berlin Wall art when I was in Berlin last May.  This was a block long mural, that is pretty spectacular. A monochromatic beauty.

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Day 348 On The Fence

Day 348
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
Sam stands at the fence which is the border between El Paso and Juarez Mexico. I was impressed with the amount of Border Patrol officers and vehicles I saw when we were there.  I can't imagine anyone in the daylight trying to cross here.

We were greeted by an agent who was absolutely delightful.  I explained the project to him and he said it was cool to take the pictures there.  He also explained that after we left he would have to sweep the sand so our footprints would be erased.  This is an aspect I had never thought of...looking for footprints.  I was more concerned with getting a soft light, and shadows from the fence.

Years ago I worked on a movie called "Trade" with Kevin Klein about human trafficking between Mexico and the US.  So I have always wanted to see a real border site. This looked nothing like the movie version. The fencing here was very low tech.  There were other places where the fencing was very elaborate, and much more foreboding.  I still would not want to try and cross the border this way. I am always moved by stories of people who swim, crawl, and climb there way into the USA.


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Day 347 Seymore Cash and Bump

Day 347
Sam was so fortunate to have adorable hosts in El Paso.  "Seymore" Cash is on the left, and Bump is on the right.  My dogs are not nearly as well trained as these two are.  They posed like professionals. 
XO to Cindy and Andy who are their loving owners.
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Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Thursday, October 17, 2013

South of the Border

Sam is off to a border town. She'll be back soon.

Have a great weekend.
xo
Suz and Sam

Day 346 Costume For A Skeleton

Day 346
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
Sam has been trying on different costumes for Halloween.  She can't decide what she wants to be.


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





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Day 345 Oh The Gifts I Am Given

Day 345
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Sam loves her gifts...those glasses are just too much. 

Each day is a gift, open  now.
xo,
Suz



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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day 344 Sam Goes For A Ride In The Stroller

Day 344
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She likes it, she likes it! 


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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DAY 343 LIFE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR

Day 343
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Sam in our backseat, taken with my phone, in the rear view mirror.  Pretty silly looking!


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




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Monday, October 14, 2013

Day 342 Stranger Factory, Albuquerque

Day 342
We heard about an art show in Albuquerque, that features the "odd" at Stranger Factory.   Sam really liked the art of Katie Carillo (top photo)  and Ryan Singer (bottom photo).  They had lots of skulls and skeletons that she admired. 
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie

Ryan Singer has a great web page: http://www.ryansingerart.com/gallery.html, and you can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RSingerArt.


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day 341 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2013 Souvenir

Day 341
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Can you tell how happy the Balloon Fiesta made her?  She wanted a light up mohawk wig, but at the last minute changed her mind and thought the bow would look best.  I agree.


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz





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Day 340 Up, Up, And Away!

Day 340
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Such a natural, that Sam.  She fires the jets of the hot air balloon.  Thanks to the owner of the balloon.  I will put his name in when I get it.  Sam made lots of friends at the balloon fiesta. She had a blast (no pun intended.)


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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Day 339 Hot Air Ballooning

Day 339
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Sam is invited into the gondola of a local balloon! 



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Day 338 Balloon Fiesta 2013

Day 338
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Sam at the Albuquerque 2013 Balloon Fiesta.  Doesn't she look happy? She loved her new ride!



Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Friday, October 11, 2013

Day 337 Wheels!

Day 337
copyright 2013 Polkadot Magpie
Sam's borrowed some wheels!  Thanks Wendy again!  Now I need a jogger to push her down the street while I take the picture.  Off to Balloon Fiesta...cross your toes the weather allows a glow tomorrow night.

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Day 336 Sam and The New York Daily News

Day336

Sam celebrates her story being published in many newspapers and magazines.
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Here are some of the links Sam was published in recently.  We celebrated tonight with French Champagne.  YAY Sammie Sam!
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/woman-travels-world-model-skeleton-gallery-1.1479785 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2449566/Woman-takes-photos-skeleton-world.html http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/08/bone-voyage-skeleton-embarks-on-the-trip-of-an-after-lifetime-4139513/

Check 'em out. 

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Day 335 Punk

Day 335
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
Hey Sammie, you're looking kinda punk.  More studio time.  Weather looks as if it will cancel our night shoot tomorrow at Balloon Fiesta.  Stay tuned! 

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Day 334 Soul Sisters

Day 334
copyright 2013 Polkadot Magpie

Oh we are having a good time together. I played with the color....kinda like the peachy, sepia quality this has to it. 

Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Day 333 Da Fez

Day 333
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
This is such an honored gift from Mark of the Usual Suspects Knife Forum.  I now want to have Mark and Sam together wearing their Fez's!  Really!
Thank you Mark xoxox!

Each day is a gift open now.
xo,
Suz

Monday, October 7, 2013

Day 332 Couple Of Silly Skellies!

Day 332
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Sam and Sam2.  Should I name Sam2? 


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz




Sunday, October 6, 2013

Day 331 Chinese Sushi Girl

Day 331
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Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz


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Day 330 2nd Amendment

Day 330
copyright 2013 polkadot magpie
She's packin', but it's hard to see in this great shot of her back bones. 


Each day is a gift, open now.
xo,
Suz



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