Trying Something New

An altered birthday card is something I never felt inspired to do it until.. (never say never, right?) I saw the cutest card that looked like my cousin and I (one blone and one brunette) BUT, it had three little girls on the cover.

That meant I just HAD to cut one of them out so it looked a little bit more like US!

I had fun with this little experiment, stretching my creative wings and doing it while on an artist date... in public. So I used a few things I'd included in my travel kit... colored pens, scissors, telephone book pages and really had fun with it. Creativity continues to be a source of wonder for me. I hope it is for you as well. 

My Prayer

Listening
Without the need to hear

Questioning
Without the need for answers

Learning
Without the need to know

Seeking
Without the need to find

~

Remaining
Open to possibility

Expecting
The perfect solution to all problems

Maximizing
The flow of good things coming to me

Accepting
God's plan for my life and all those who are in it

That is my prayer.

Art From My Heart

Tonight, as I was browsing through my flickr collection of the same name, I recalled many fond memories of the wonderful mixed media artist friends I've made over the years through collaborations of all shapes and sizes. We met through flickr, our blogs, Ebay ATC groups, Yahoo groups, NINGs from 6 years ago, challenges, swaps, skinny books, art-e-zine and SO MUCH MORE. So.... here is a random selection of a few of my older art pieces that were part of all that "coming together!" 

I am happy to say, many of us still keep in touch!

Thank you for inspiring me, dear friends! (Art is from June 2007-Nov 2009.)

Why I Blog

Blogging, for me, is like keeping a diary. It's also an exciting way to keep in touch with friends and family, a chance to practice the art of expression through the written word and through photography..   maybe even to inspire another person in some small way.

I also believe that the only way to find kindred spirits, is to take the time and make the effort and i've been happily blogging my life story for almost 6 years. Thank you for stopping by to share my journey and I will work even harder at keeping in touch!

Scroll down to see a few of the highlights from the last 2 weeks.

Good times with good friends

Random quick-sketch during live-stream with Dede Inkwell

Scanned more CLASSIC family photos (ca. 1960, lower left) and shared them with cousins!

 Hung out with mom, while she visited for 4 days

Went out for pear/gorgonzola pizza, sushi & a movie date!

Made a rubberband journal/notebook for a friend

 Started...

played...

finished... & now shipping off some happy mail!

Still arranging all of the elements & probing the accompanying thoughts/feelings that come up when asking "what am i doing here?" Self-work is always rewarding & even cathartic! Amen.

 

So, back to my joy, working in my art journal ~ but 1st, a caramel latte!

Cover Play

I had so much fun making this cover for my (daily) written journal. The old-skool, composition notebooks are my top choice for the size, the value and for the durable binding that allows the cover to be folded backwards for support while writing.

Simply done with:

• composition notebook
• chipboard letters/numbers (or make some) and tacky glue

• aluminum foil and modge podge 

• 2 colors of acrylic paint (white + a mid-tone)

• add black acrylic paint, allow to semi-dry, then remove from surfaces
• requires touch-up where paint gets removed 
• rub-n-buff or any metallic paint to add highlights

• i used glossy accents for my chipboard "slide mount." .. or any embellishment.

Yep, super simple and look at the results  P.S. and charlie helped!

Letting Go

Yesterday we had a DELUGE (6-plus hours) of heavy rain, flooding, gusty winds and thunderstorms that may have caused power outages/downed trees. As our little "cabin in the woods" is surrounded on all sides by 80-100 foot oaks, we tend to be prepared! (candles lit, our lights flickered twice, but it wasn't to be!)

Listening to the constant downpour reminded me of the long list of weather extremes we've been experiencing lately. Brown winters, cold springs, ridiculously cool summers, therefore... as much i love you fall... I worry that I'm not prepared to move on from the way that the warm summer sun on my bare shoulders relaxes me, the meditative joy and sense of calm that washes over me while tending my flowers and the peace I've discovered while listening to the night sounds of crickets, Barred Owls and "peepers" from the candle-lit screened porch.

But, alas, it's time to let go!   



One of the reasons I'm able to concede, is that I am learning to live in the present, not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. Open, willing, trusting and letting go. And enjoying the rain!

"I should like to enjoy

this summer

flower by flower

as if it were to be 

the last one for me." 

~ André Gide

This favorite quotation describes it to a "T!"

Gratitude & Little Henry

After somewhat of a drought this summer, I'm happy to report I've felt a :: RUSH :: of creativity over the last week or so, and have been busily working in my art journals, being open to the process and letting the creativity f.l.o.w.

I also attribute my continued affection toward art journaling to the amazing wealth of inpiration I find in my artist friends:

• Effy Wild
• Samie Kira
• Stephanie Gagos
• Tamara Laporte

..spending time catching up on their amazing work through their blogs, facebook groups and social websites on NING. Please take a moment to see the WEALTH of information, classes, youtube tutorials, workshops & private coaching that some of them offer!! 

And here's my latest spread about my 17 year-old father's favorite photography subject: his littlest brother, Henry and their family dog circa 1937 ~

A Love Affair

Yes, I must fess up, it's true! I'm head-over-heels in love with my iphone/apps, since i bought my phone on 3 July (who's counting?) and I've already maxed out the memory :C

Could you blame me???

15 July

27 July

7 aug

14 aug

29 aug

Surrounded by so much captured beauty, i am exhilarated; invigorated and therefore inspired to continue making art, taking more photographs... and have even returned to writing poetry after DECADES of silence. For all of that, I remain forever grateful. This is what truly makes my heart sing!

Been Too Long

This shot, taken in August, seems to sum things up perfectly. A lovely warm, summer glow has settled over me these last few months and I suppose that's why it's "been too long!"

- i've immersed myself in iphonography with instagram, hipstamatic, snapspeed, and a few more of those addicting photo APPS! Soooo, lots more photography to follow!

- we spent a blissfully perfect vacation with my extended family at the south jersey shore resort of Ocean City (see above)

- many productive hours spent in the summer studio, both in solitude and with friends!

- been to Fenway Park a couple times and go again in a few weeks!

- my husband and i celebrated 22 years of wedded BLISS <3>

- lots of lazy days making art while my honey makes music in one of three bands (2nd from right, lead guitar)

- and my morning walks, as well as lots of other wonderful things, have inspired me to begin writing poetry again.

All is well, in my little corner of the world and i hope the same goes for you, my friend! 

Parade, Pool, Picnic, Pyrotechnics

Of all the happy memories from my childhood, 4th of July in my small, suburban Philadelphia hometown (pop 5,000) tops the list!

Ages 10 & 7, 1962

Early morning, my brother and I would race through breakfast to decorate our bicycles out on our back patio with red-white-and-blue crepe paper. We'd tape little flags to our handlebars, and, for "neat" sound effects, attach a pair of playing cards to the handlebars with WOODEN CLOTHESPINS!

not mine ~ ("web grab")

We couldn't wait to ride at the back of our tiny (pop. 5,000) hometown parade down "main street!" Our parents and all of the neighbors would bring folding chairs, sit at the top of our street and wave excitedly as we rode by. What a festive sight ~ I can still hear the fire engines!

Aug 1957: my best friends, barbie & terry. Terry's dad, Earl.

Afterwards, the entire town would follow the parade to the park for hot dogs, soda and all the fixins. A band would be playing, lots of laughter and good times as we eagerly anticipated family gatherings followed by FIREWORKS!

Back at home, mom & dad would begin to pack the car as we grabbed our suits to meet up with friends at the pool and yes, you guessed it, later we'd have a picnic spread out in the grass.

And the BEST PART: driving to Philadelphia with a box of sparklers, taking the long walk to the (School for the Deaf) schoolgrounds with thousands of others to eat ice cream and watch the pyrotechnics!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!