Snow day

Here are my cute 'lil nieces. Kim, the girls and I met yesterday at Krispy Kreme Donuts in Tacoma. We all needed to 'get out of Dodge' and do something out-of-the-ordinary.

Another snow day today, a good excuse to hang out in the studio. The snow has turned to rain, much to Glynn's relief.

The online class, Soul Restoration, is complete. It has been a journey of soul searching, soul repairing, and soul fortification. Our last project was to make ourselves a Promise Book, a book to help us navigate those days when negativity seeks to overpower the good in our lives.

Here are a few pages of my little Promise Book. I have empty pages that I will complete as I make new promises to myself.



Here I'm experimenting with embroidery floss, calico and print. Hmmm.... I feel the stirrings of a a project coming on...... Someday, I'd LOVE to go to an actual Brave Girl Camp in McCall, Idaho. I believe there are only 3 camps scheduled this year and they've been sold out since last year. Melody and her sister are looking to purchase property that will accommodate Camp on a more regular basis.

Read this post while feasting your eyes on the delight that awaits every attendee of the Camp and you'll want to go too! http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/2722

Week 7: gratitude

I'm grateful for a snow blade for Glynn's Bobcat.

Any accumulation of snow creates challenges at the facility. As little as one inch stops the electronic gate in its track. Snow slides off our metal roofs creating havoc in the aisle-ways.

When we received 26" over the Christmas holiday in 2008, Glynn spent 62 hours on his Bobcat, determined to keep the facility open. It was a cold, tiring & discouraging time.

Vowing to never go through that again, he purchased a snow plow attachment.

We received 5" of snow this week and I'm happy to report that less-stressed Glynn plowed the facility in less than 8 hours!

(When visiting the kids in Colorado last year, we were amused to see this golf cart, equipped for snow removal. )

My debut as an amatuer photographer

Sighs of admiration escape my lips as I peruse blogs belonging to photographers. Whether it be wedding pictures in unique settings or babies posed in suitcases or draped on the forearm of a new daddy, I'm envious of the talent and 'eye' of the photographer.

I have creative talents so have decided to venture into the world of photography with my trusty little point-and-shoot camera.


Meet my model, Miranda, a Barbie doll from the 80's. (Miranda is an 80's sort of name, isn't it?)

As happens to many living in the Pacific Northwest, Miranda is unprepared for winter's arctic blast and lacks proper outwear. She improvises by layering. Unfortunately, Miranda was born with a defect; unusual arched feet. Although she has boots, she cannot force them over her delicate arches. Appreciating their warmth, she puts the boots on her hands and uses her positive thinking skills to imagine toasty warm feet.

The following photos showcase my innovative (and creative) photography skills:

This picture depicts Marinda 'skating' on the Howard fish pond. (Again, using her positive thinking skills, she imagines she's in New York City, skating in Central Park.)

Here one can appreciate the contours and shadows created by proper lighting.

Using my isotopic 3xj20K lense in 24xh mode with apperature speed of 6.25X and 23.6 x 15.8mm sensor size with bayonet mount, this picture shows Miranda appreciating hoarfrost found on a vintage window.



Continuing with my winter theme, I capture the variant light in the sky as Miranda poses on a motor home, hoping to catch a ride to sunnier climes.

Last, here I showcase vibrant colors against the white snow as Miranda dreams of swinging under the apple tree on a warm, spring day.

I hope you have enjoyed sharing my foray into photography. I'm available for hire.

I'm becoming my grandma

Grandma Dorothy was definitely the more eccentric of my two beloved grandmothers. (Webster defines eccentric as: 'deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd or whimsical ways'.)

Yet her quirks, odd habits, expressions and dry humor were what made her both endearing and entertaining.

Grandma was a failure in the clean house realm. I remember times when my family would stay a night in her home in north Seattle, a delightful Tudor style home which I'd give my eyeteeth to have today. While dad took grandma out on errands, my mom, sibs and myself would quickly remove piles of newspapers, vacuum what floor space we could find, wash dirty dishes and wipe down counter tops. We'd receive a chastising upon her return. And, viewing the situation through my continual age-acquired wisdom, I suppose it was a sort of arrogance on our part; forcing our standards on her. Yet, we were simply concerned for her health and safety.

Although I managed to escape her 'unkempt' house gene, I share many of her tendencies. I'm an avid animal lover, particularly dogs. I'm a bibliophile. I have a morbid interest in death and I am a hoarder of sorts.

Which brings me to the reason for this post.

I posted last month about my worn-out, pink, chenille bathrobe. I've purchased a new one since then. It's purple velour and a vast improvement over the rag I've been wearing. But something (the Grandma Dorothy in me, I'm sure) keeps me from tossing my pink robe into the dumpster. Perhaps, like Grandma, I'm holding onto the old because of the comfort and security it gives me.

So, should you pay a surprise visit to me in the early morning hours, you'll find me comfortably attired in my my old, pink robe.

Just call me 'Ma Kettle'! No, these aren't my slippers.....

My purple robe hangs patiently in my closet. I will wear it when I have house guests.

Latest projects

Although I've always been 'crafty' it's only been lately that I've given myself over to the artist within. Since I do not yet have a particular style I find myself spending far too much time reading blogs, hoping to find an artist who can help me develop my style (vs. letting it emerge on it's own).

Perusing blog after blog looking for inspiration has become an avoidance tactic. True confession: I'm afraid of the blank canvas and don't know even know where to begin.

So..... Using lots of self control, I'm no longer allowing myself the luxury of reading artist's blogs. At least not until after I've forced myself to simply grab the mod podge, markers, paper, scissors, water color crayons, embellishments and take the risk.... just begin creating.

Here are a couple results:

(disclaimer: bright red shoes, not my 'original' idea)

I love the muted, textured feel of adhering old pattern pieces over paper. I have a box full of patterns and will likely continue using the paper until I become tired of my new obsession.


Friend Kathleen is the author of this quote: 'Woke up with my cup brimming with thankfulness, running over into my saucer where I sipped it again." This is going in the mail to her today.

Do you have pictures, articles, brochures, quotes, stuff laying around, perhaps piled in a junk drawer, that need a home? I made a junque journal to stick this stuff into. It's a fun way to use up crafting paper that you are tired of. Plus, all you need to begin is a 99 cent composition book.
Here is the youtube link that I used for instruction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpZ-tv5TsjM



That's all for now folks. Venture forth and create!

All in a day's work

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

My huge love for dogs had my mouth smiling as I watched parts of the 2011 Westminster Dog Show this week.

Hickory, a Scottish deer hound won the best in show. A commentator said that it's not uncommon for $1 million to be invested in the dog who wins this coveted title.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

Here are Parker and Sparky, both standard poodles. Can you imagine the time spent on their high maintenance coiffs?

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

This is a Puli. I wonder if his coat is heavy?

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

An English cocker spaniel. He looks sad. I tell myself that these dogs have known no other life than the show ring so what he is experiencing is 'all in a day's work'. I just hope he receives plenty of pampering during his spare time.

AP Photo/Jeff Christensen

Seeing the love between the dogs and their handlers makes my heart happy.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

The dog show circuit involves a whole different subculture than the one I know.

I remind Otis (who most certainly would win awards should he enter the show ring) that he is very lucky to have his perfect, low stress life.

Life is good

This morning, out of the ether, came an overwhelming urge to walk around my home touching while acknowledging many objects that hold great meaning to me.

I caressed books on shelves, an oil painting by a favorite aunt-in-law, teapots that belonged to my grandmothers, photographs, an antique buffet, a vintage sampler on the wall. As I touched these items, I consciously thanked and blessed the people involved in the experience surrounding each item. These items vibrate with an energy that make my fingers tingle - almost as if the energy still emanates from the experience of acquiring the item.

I feel such gratitude for deep and satisfying relationships that continue to touch me everyday and for full and varied experiences that keep me eager to face another day.

Life is good.

Farmacy

Bizarrocomic.blogspot.com

Glynn had to make a quick visit to our doctor for a re-fill of his blood pressure meds which he has taken for years. As she reviewed his chart, our doctor commented incredulously, 'You are 55 years old and only take one medication?!' Glynn expected to see her begin rubbing her hands together in glee as drug names such as Lipitor, Viagra and Fosamax flashed across her visual cortex. (She attempted to raise his regime by one drug.)

The above comic caught my eye because there is much truth in it. I sat in a seminar recently during which the presenter showed an article on her power point presentation that outlined 12 incredible breakthroughs in cancer treatment in 2008. Every one of the breakthroughs involved a pharmaceutical drug. Nowhere in the article was there a suggestion of diet or lifestyle change for the prevention of and/or treatment of cancer.

Please know that I do appreciate the life saving value of pharmaceutical drugs. My gripe is the industry wide attempt to convince the general public that popping a pill is a healthy, easy alternative compared to the hard work of changing one's poor dietary and lifestyle habits.

I'm not naive enough to believe that eating a combination of tomato and cucumber will keep the cancer cells from multiplying. But it's sure a good start.

Week 6: Gratitude

I am thankful for a clean house.

Thrifting

Every once in awhile, I get a thrift store itch. An organized Goodwill or Value Village will not satisfy. I want unorganized chaos where one's hands get dirty...

I headed out to Shelton and found 3 such stores. And I scored! I'm on an ephemera collecting binge and was happy to dig and find some treasures.

I bought this 1958 appetizer cookbook for the people art, not the recipes.

Who would eat this? Proscuitto with melon.

Or this unnamed alien fodder???

When I arrived home, a box of ephemera was awaiting me, generously sent by Kathleen. She and I are similarly caught up in an obsessive state of creative bliss.

Give yourself a heart

To all my female friends....

Give yourself a valentine this year.

We often forget how awesome we really are. In the process of nurturing our mates, our children, our extended family, and our friends we become cooks, maids, teachers, nurses, chauffeurs, psychologists, and then some.

As we flop into bed at the end of the day we realize that we had no time for self care. We promise ourselves that tomorrow we'll reserve time for that cup of tea and magazine or a pedicure or a bubble bath. Yet tomorrow never comes...

So, dear friend, wrap your arms around your torso and give yourself a huge hug. Find a mirror, look deep into your eyes and remind yourself of the many awesome attributes that describe your incredible, loving, giving nature. Pucker your lips and give yourself a hearty smooch.

Love and adore yourself.

What a day!

I played hooky from work today so I could spend part of it with my friend, Kathleen. We went out for a hearty breakfast then came back to my house where we sat by the warm fire and yakked 'til our jaws hurt.

After Kathleen departed, the day was just too glorious to spend doing mundane tasks so Otis and I bundled up and headed to Tolmie State Park. It has a small stretch of beach with glorious views of the Olympics. In spite of the mid 40 degree temperature, a young family was sloshing around barefoot in the water while I was trying to keep warm bundled in my coat & gloves!

Otis and I met a new BFF, 'Creamy'. She was wandering the beach, siding up to anyone who would give her a pet. What a love! Had she looked thin & forlorn, I would have been very tempted to incorporate her into our household as Otis' sister. But she had plenty of meat on her bones, a current license tag and, when a concerned man called Animal Services with her license number, we discovered she had a home in the neighborhood.


I arrived home to 4 valentines in my mailbox.

'She would show him naughty....'

'The Great Romance - you are the girl in the story....'


'To the world's best aunt and uncle....'

I feel loved and cherished Kim, Kathleen, Chloe & Sophie!

Storage ephemera

When a storage unit is auctioned off due to non-payment of rent, the buyer of the unit must leave behind any personal belongings; paperwork, photographs, etc. The owner of the personals is then notified that he/she has six months to claim them. If the personals remain unclaimed after six months, they are discarded. (In 15 years of owning/managing a storage facility, only one tenant has ever reclaimed his personals...)

As I sift through these personals, looking to destroy paperwork with social security numbers, etc., I realize I have access to a goldmine of ephemera! I have found (and kept) turn of the century photographs, greeting cards, ledgers, children's school papers, maps and stamps. I have a stack of partially used notebooks and a pile of lined paper. (I recently found a mass of blond hair that gave me the creeps. I'm not talking a sweet curl from baby's first haircut... This was a huge clump of hair! Needless to say, I wear gloves when I sift through these boxes.)

Vintage, turn-of-the-century photo album.

Below is a little canvas I first covered with a piece of ephemera 'recycled' from a box of personals. It's the spelling test of a first or second grade student. I put a thin wash of pink acrylic paint over it before adhering the other elements to the canvas.

I have half a dozen boxes of personals waiting to be purged. I wonder what treasures await me?

This and that....

Glynn is 'purging' his shop of items no longer used/needed. I found this box laying on his garbage pile.

Although "one man's trash is another man's treasure", you'd think that after nearly 30 years of marriage he'd know better than to throw away a wood box with cubbyholes! (Actually, he's likely paying me back for the time I made his plaid, polyester pants disappear in the early 80's.)

Otis, practicing good posture.

I find myself petting Cooper's hair which seems to continually stand at attention.


Free babysitters.

Superbowl fatigue.