I'm going to learn how to do this...

Recieved this lovely needle felted bird from an online friend, monarch... isn't she just adorable? :)

Sunshine today

Life is just a bowl full of cherries. Some fruit, some pits. Ya gotta remember which is the one to spit out.

My art has been saving my sanity the past few months. Being able to create something helps me when I feel so sad I can barely move.

I've branched out from ATC's and gotten into trading chunky pages - to make 4 x 4 inch themed books. (I'm collecting birds and nests and garden themed.) I've posted a couple I've made in the past month.

I've been working a few days a week at the Paper Zone surrounded by lovely papers and art supplies and a wonderful manager, asst. manager and co-workers. My work family is so much fun! It's another thing that is keeping me sane.

Although, sometimes, don't you think sanity is over rated? :)

Mothers Day

Appropriately, it's gray this morning. It rained last night. Jen's kind of weather. Odd feeling... today is the first mothers day without her. A week and a half ago she was still alive. She would call me mid morning to wish me a happy day, her card always arrived on Saturday.

She left a mothers day card for me with the birthday box that she never got mailed. It didn't say enough. She wished the sun to shine on me warmly. Now she's dancing with the light and the sun no longer hurts her eyes.

My niece found this photo from her Sept 2006 wedding and gave me a framed copy. It caught Jen unguarded, looking like the girl who was in her jammies having tea with me in the morning.

I miss my beautiful girl.

Artfest!

I can't even begin to describe how totally incredible an experience Artfest was for me. I shared House 15 with 9 wonderful loving people! We had pajama parties to share our day with each other every night.

My first class was with Misty Mawn. It was fast paced and I learned a lot that keeps coming back to me as time goes on. I loved her demos, very clear each step of the way. Second day was with Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, a pouring frensy. Fun and messy and I made a new friend... my table mate from Seattle area. Lynn Perella was the final day, and was an incredible teacher. The picture is from that class... a very cool process and painted on red rosin paper. And I made another friend to stay in touch with from Colorado.

Did I mention the trades? Wednesday night at dinner is the official trading place, apparently. It was indeed a chaotic fun time. Many wonderful trades, and it was fun to see at home how many were from folks who ended up in my classes.

I will be going next year, and our House 15 will request we be together again. It was a kick... and apparently not all houses are as friendly. One of our neighbors came up to us the last morning saying she had been watching us have our pajama parties from her upstairs room, wishing she could join us. :)

My first Artfest!

I'm getting my final preparations done, packing my bags and wondering where it will all fit, and then Wednesday morning will be off to Artfest, a four day art retreat in Port Townsend. My first! I'm a festal virgin, apparently, along with other first time attendees. I'm just a bit nervous, but very excited and can't wait to get there and start playing.

Many folks bring "trades", and mine are little wooden charms. They are stained with alcohol inks, some images stamped, hedgehogs are decoupaged, colored in and crystal lacquer over the top to seal. The back of all the charms have acorns. Very simple charms based on the retreats theme of Forest Walk. The picture shows the charms awaiting their jump rings and packaging.