Hold Dear

{ Studio Friday }

Today's Studio Friday topic is "Time/Timing" as suggested by Jo.

"When we are in our studios. I find that I can't be in there everyday. Particularly when I have just finished something I feel drained and need a good break. I also find that there are only certain times of the day where the juices get flowing. I'd be interested to read/see what others think."

My first impulse was to take a picture of the clock I use in my studio. It's a bowling pin because I LOVES me some bowling. However, it really doesn't say anything about how I view time. In my life right now, there is not enough time. I so wish I could "buy" extra days just like the vacation plan at my work. Don't have enough vacation? No problem...just buy more!

I just finished taking a Voluntary Simplicity class at work. We met once a week during our lunch time and discussed several different topics geared towards getting us to think about the footprint we leave on this planet and ideas for how we can simplify our lives and slow down. One of the members brought a song for us to listen to in our first session which just really set the tone for the discussion group. Stop rushing. Where are we going? Enjoy. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your family. Enjoy the space you occupy. Enjoy you. Time is our friend.

The song is "Time" by Sweet Honey in the Rock, from the album Still The Same Me, 2000 on the Rounder Kids label.

Time

Time means nothing to me.

You point to the clock and you hope I will see.

I don't understand what you mean about time.

When you talk about it, it boggles my mind.

I see the circle and the numbers and the two sticks that tick,

But what does that have to do with whether I'm slow or I'm quick?

You always say time won't wait for me

But it has to wait 'cause I am very busy.

I have to play with my trains and my dinosaurs.

I have to stack up all the pillows and make a house with doors.

I have to race my trains. I want to put on my skates.

But once again you're telling me that this time won't wait!

Time means nothing to me.

You point to the clock and you hope I will see.

I see the circle and the numbers and the two sticks that tick.

But what does that have to do with whether I'm slow or I'm quick?

You ask me to lace my shoes up tight

But I looked around and saw my ball to the right.

Then you asked me to brush my hair

But how could I do that when I saw my tiger in the chair?

Then you start to rush me saying WE GOT TO GO!

Time is running out and I'm moving too slow.

Are you sure that they will close, that they won't let us in?

I'm sure they will wait until I play once again.

Time means nothing to me.

You point to the clock and you'll hope I will see

I don't understand what you mean about time.

When you talk about it, it boggles my mind.

Where did grownups get this problem with time?

Now let's enjoy the day using all these toys of mine

And try to enjoy everything we do and see.

Come on Mama and Baba and play with me.

Come on Mommy and Daddy and play with me.

Come on Mama and Papa and play with me.

Come on Mama and Baba and play with me!

I hope you enjoy your TIME today!!!!!!!

New Hobby - Image Transfers.

So last Tuesday I took Part One of a MARVELOUS Image Transfer workshop at Radius Studio in Portland. I wanted to get some images up here from that workshop to show you because tomorrow night is Part Two - Polaroid Transfers! Man oh Man I am LOVING this stuff! So fun and so much potential! Crazy crazy unlimited possibilities. I can do anything! I am superwoman! Okay, maybe that's going a bit far but I feel like this new skill has just opened up a whole new avenue to my artsy smartsy world!

Case in point...here is one of the cards I am submitting for my Just Johanna Design Team assignment:

So Renee...do the birds on the green card look familiar? It's that tin that was Aunt Henrietta's that you gave me!!!!  I posted about it several Studio Fridays ago...it's the very last picture in that post. I took the lid to Kinko's, made a color photocopy and then transfered it onto this cardstock. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out so I wanted to used it as a background to compliment Candace and encourage her to believe in herself!

Here's an assortment of other images I played around with:

I photocopied this GLORIOUS ad in an Oprah magazine then did transfered the image onto a piece of plywood. So freaking cool!

This was a whole bunch of experimentation. A variety of photocopies onto one page.

 

And these were from some wonderful vintage photos I found at Really Good Stuff. The woman's name is Phyllis and she is not quite 16. That's what written on the back. No date but some good information!!!

I'm thinking I should share this photo with the JJ Design team ladies since Johanna just recently shared an awesome vintage picture she came across!!!!

The transfer process is really quite easy. You can use a black and white copy, picture from a magazine but it really works best with a color photocopy - and a FRESH color photocopy at that. I tried it with an old one and no go. Tape the picture with masking tape (don't press too hard), image side down onto your medium where you want the image - paper, cardstock, watercolor paper, canvas, wood - anything porous! Then, using a brush (something inexpensive that you would use with oil paints), apply Lacquer Thinner to the back of the picture. Burnish with the edge of a spoon or ebony pencil or the edge of a bone folder. Work fast because the thinner evaporates very quickly. Gently lift with the tape still in place to check your image and just reapply thinner and burnish as necessary to get the image you want.  Be careful not to get the thinner on your masking tape because the adhesive will come off and get on your work.

You can also try Citra-Solv which is a lot less toxic but a little more messy. If you use the Lacquer Thinner - just be sure to read the warnings. I don't want to scare you away from trying this but it's super harsh so use your smarts! This stuff is highly toxic and highly stinky!!! Make sure you use it in a well-ventilated area -- indoors is not a good idea! You really should minimize smelling the fumes or getting any of it on your skin too. So all the warning aside, let me know if you try it...it's really fun!

Happy Monday to you!!!!

Studio Friday.

This week's Studio Friday topic is family as suggested by Ellen.

"Family history, things that have been passed down from one family member to the next, family values, all influence me as an artist, whether I'm consciously aware of it or not.

I wonder how others are influenced or inspired by their families---either past or present. What family treasures might be found in others' studios?"

I keep a picture of my daddy close by. He is always a source of inspiration for me. He loved me and my sisters so truly and deeply. Unconditional. I like to have him watching over me.

Daddy was a truck driver and he could turn the air blue with his crude off-color jokes. But say a heartfelt "I love you, Daddy" and he would come to tears just like that! Give him a mushy card and his beautiful blue eyes would instantly tear up. I swear that's where I get my hypersensitivity from! The glasses and hankerchief here were his and oh how I honor these items! He touched these! My sister, Renee, recently sent these to me when she sent me some of his "paper work" in preparation of trying to have his ashes inurned at Willamette National Cemetary. I still need to do that.

And even though this isn't officially IN my studio, this was something I found at a garage sale today. This SO SO SO SO SO my daddy. He...I mean...we....listened to this album all the time. "A Taste of Honey" was one of his favs. And I forgot that "Whipped Cream" was the theme music to The Dating Game!

Also in my studio is the fabulous sewing box that was Claire's, Glen's mom. It's not old. Glen's brother Gary gave it to Claire something like 10 years ago. But it was Claire's and so I cherish it because she actually gave it to me. It wasn't something acquired after her death. Yet another reason I loved Claire. If you admired something she possessed, without hesitation, she would give it to you. She was SO full of love.

Enjoy your Friday...hope it's filled with family and love! :-)

Thursday.

Thursday. My favorite day of the week! It's sunny and nice outside, I'm in a good mood, and doooode! I am taking tomorrow off as a vacation day! Hallelujah! Miranda and I are going to get up early (or as early as you can wake up a 19 year old) and do some garale sailing! (I know that's not how you spell it but both "saleing" and "saling" look odd! And then also, Glen comes home from Kalispell tomorrow! Say it with me....YIPPEEE!!!

I still have some house stuff to attend to before I pick him up from PDX tomorrow though. When Glen travels, I like to "prepare" the house for his homecoming. I prioritize things this way...have the bed made fresh and have food in the house! That's it. If there's a pile of laundry somewhere (which there usually always is) or if the house needs vacuuming...that can wait. I mean, think about it, if YOU'VE been on the road for two weeks, not sleeping in your own bed and eating out at just about every meal, wouldn't it be glorious to come home to your own bed? With clean sheets and your own pillow?  Just waiting for you and inviting you to lay down for a quick rest? And then to be able to sit down with your family for a home-cooked meal off of your own dishes? Yep, I know what's important.

This past Tuesday night, I took an Image Transfer Workshop at a little local studio called Radius Studio. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! My friend, Heidi, took it too. And I must say, an AWESOME studio. The instructor of the class is also a co-owner of the studio. Nice guy. Just added to the whole experience because I felt like I could totally ask questions and be not normal which is when I learn the best. The stuff I learned in this class will probably be applied in some way to just about everything I touch from this point forward! I am not kidding, my world just shifted a notch or two! Just so very cool and the possibilities are unlimited! I'll get some pictures up here soon so you can see why I'm so crazy with ideas! And then NEXT Tuesday, I am taking a Polaroid Transfer Workshop! Sweet mamma jamma! I can't wait for that one! Miranda's gonna take that one with me.

I've got Image Transfer Fever!

TTFN...hope your first Thursday of the Summer is AWESOME!!!

Video?

Sigh...I just tried posting a video clip of Atticus to the blog here and it didn't work. Miranda suggested I post it to youtube.com and then just have a link here. Hmm...these kids and their wacky ideas. But by jove, it sounds just crazy enough that it might work! :-)

Here are a couple of other quick photos....this was a fun little treat....I had my picture in the company newsletter! I volunteered at one of my favorite stores Scrap a few months ago. The Standard turns 100 this year. The Standard is very active in it's community and there are always volunteer opportunities posted on the intranet. There is also always an annual volunteer opportunity for employees at the Oregon Food Bank, Open Meadow, Habitat for Humanity, to name a few.  However, this year, in honor of it's 100th birthday, The Standard is doing 100 Days of Caring and so every month there are several volunteer opportunities. I've done a couple including SMART which is a wonderful program. I'll definitely be volunteering for that next year! Always tons of fun volunteering and just feels good to give my time instead of just my money to organizations that give hope and make our community and world a better place.

So without further a-dew, the dang pictures!

I've been fram-ma-did!!! Actually, that makes me think of a really cool shop in Portland called "I've Been Framed." Looks like a run down store from the outside but once inside, you realize it's a cross between an art supply store and Scrap. Dreamy!

This is an adorable picture of my wonderful friend Jennifer. Note the photo credit! Yep! I got just as much of a thrill from this than having my picture in the newsletter!

Okay...lots to do today so I'm outta here!

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers, fathers in Heaven (that would be my daddy and Glen's daddy), future fathers, and fatherly figures! Love you!

My Feet Hurt.

But I'm Happy! :-)

I had a very nice day. Spent it with my girlie and we did a LOT of walkin'! We left the house with the ultimate destination of Scrap on N. Williams. We got there via NE Alberta. We stopped and got "coffee" at Black Cat Cafe with "coffee" being the generic term for a cup of hot chocolate, vegan muffin, and bagel with hummus. Really, rarely does going for a cup of "coffee" involve coffee. Unless, of course, we go to Stumptown Roasters. CANNOT beat them for a good cup of coffee.

After coffee, we went for a walk on NE Alberta. We went into Collage. A marvelous marvelous shop that is just jam-packed full of the most perfect art supplies and inspiration. Not only does this shop have what you need but it's also just FUN to go into this shop.

Could you resist stopping at a shop that looks like this?

I didn't think so!

We poked around in a few shops along Alberta and I got this wonderful picture of Miranda. This young woman is so photogenic. Not sure how she does it. She says it's because she's a photographer so she is comfortable in front of a camera. I don't know. She's a talented photographer but when she's in front of the camera, there's some kind of magic.

She put herself behind all these beautiful flowers. The green wall with the flowers was just startling. I love how vertical it looks. It's given me an idea for a card for my Design Team assignment. He he he!

After Alberta, we went to Scrap (scored!!!), then headed toward the Value Village off of Sandy Blvd. We got there via about 10 garage sales that we encountered in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. There were a lot more (annual neighborhood garage sale) but we resisted. Went to Value Village and Miranda got some really cute clothes (of course!). On the way home we stopped at Mexicali Express for a couple of rice and bean burritos (SO GOOD!), made one quick stop at our local Goodwill and then came home. At Goodwill, I found a couple more old wooden spools of thread to add to the others I had so, viola! I have yet another collection of something!

So all in all, it was a very production day. I got LOTS of goodies to use for the ephemera swap I am participating in that ArtsyMama is coordinating. If you love vintage-y goodies, check it out! The more the merrier!!!

Hope you have a lovely Saturday night. I was actually going to go to a 80's Themed Prom party tonight but decided to just stay home with Atticus. Too many new goodies in the house...and I gotta play!

Atticus and Our Lawn.

** ATTICUS **

I haven't posted any pictures of our dear little Atticus lately so here are a couple. A few mornings ago I didn't make the bed before I left for work. When I came home, here is how I found Atticus -- snoozin' on my side of the bed.

After my first reaction which was *swoon! - he loves me*, I called his name and said "time to get up!" He then pulls this little number on me...

Oh PAH-leeze! How could I possibly resist the sheer cuteness of it all? He got to stay and finish his nap. :-)

** OUR FRONT LAWN **

This is a zoomed in view of our front lawn. Glen hates this to pieces! The lawn is full of blue star creepers. Violets too but they're not yet in bloom! I love it BUT I see his point. This man I married, Glen, loves his lawn. He takes care of his lawn. He feeds it, he aerates it, he waters, he mows it, and he nurtures it. So although these little flower gems make the lawn look like the milky way (squint your eyes!), he hates them. Sigh. I won't plant blue star creeper or violets in our next garden. For that matter, I won't be planting lemon verbena or ribbon grass or mint in our next garden either. This one is only a test!

Details.

Okay so here are a few little details in my life right now that are making me happy.

Got my grade from my History of Graphic Design class today. It's official...I are a "A" student! :-) I was hopin' and pretty much all of my work was comin' back with A's or that gorgeous A+ (he he he) but you know, I still was wasn't 100% confident. Probably cuz I'm new at this stuff and I WAS NOT ever an A student in high school. Well, guess I never wanted it like I do now! :-)

Sneak peek at one of my cards I'm submitting for the Just Johanna Rubber Stamp Design Team!  Actually this is Heidi's birthday card but I loved it so much I'm going to make a new one to submit for the DT team!

I don't think I ever posted my BOUNTY of rubber stamps I received as a member of the Just Johanna Design Team. Oo La La! Now you see why I'm so excited to be a part of this? The stamps are incredibly cute and happy!

Another lovely thing is the paper pack I bought from Pam Garrison. It's like candy. I'm sure I'll just leave it in it's wrapper. That way I'm sure not to get any drool on it!

I'm happy that our garden is starting to look like it's going to give us some food. LOTS of tomato blossoms. Yummm. One of the varieties we planted is the yellow ones. They are so luscious! Can't wait! And the sugar snap peas are climbing up and up!

And then these JOURNALS!

I am journal crazy! I love 'em! Can never have enough. I love them so much I even make them. But yet, I still have these compelling desire to buy them. When I get a 40% off coupon for Aaron Bros. or some discount at Art Media, I buy a journal! Is that a symptom of some kind of mental illness? I don't. But at least I use 'em. That gorgeous green one is the one I'm using for my Just Johanna Design Team notes and sketches. I'll get around to stamping on it, I'm sure.

Okay so one last sweetness in my life that I'm experiencing right now? I received issue #4 of Teesha and Tracy Moore's Art & Life. Actually I received it last Saturday. SWOON! There is one odd thing in it though. These new stencils from Teesha Moore. Pretty faboo, right? I sure think so and I must be psychic or something because check out my Day 16 (scroll down) from Rhonna's 21 Day Challenge I did back in April. Mine are hand carved rubber stamps. Kinda spooky, huh? I just hope no one thinks I copied!

Because I pinky swear... I didn't!!! :-)

Gonna go now, Casey and Amanda are due to arrive any minute and we're goin' for sushi! Love you!

Movie Time, etc.

I'm having a very nice Tuesday night. Glen is out of town, Miranda is off with her friends having dinner and I just finished watching a really good movie. In America. Good flick. Love the characters. The acting was superb and so, of course, there were tears. The little girls in the movie are so wonderful too. And they're sisters in real life. I highly recommend it. For the rest of the week I have Match Point and Transamerica to watch.

I went and picked up my final exam from my History of Graphic Design class. Kinda not sure what my grade is. The test was worth 20 points and there were 10 possible points of extra credit for a total of 30 points. I got a 21. Kinda bombed on some questions (I had to guess on some) but I did get the full 5 points for the essay question so I'm thinkin' I got an A? My final grade will be posted on-line tomorrow so hopefully the teacher will post them early so I can find out what it is and officially stuff futzin' over this!

Casey and Amanda are going to come over tomorrow night so we can go for sushi. Casey LOVES sushi but sadly, Amanda hates it. She was trying to get me to not want sushi and so we could gang up on Casey and go somewhere else. Found out she loves tempura so I suggested we go to a Japanese restaurant and not just a sushi bar! We can all get something we like that way! She was very agreeable to that! So yum! I'm gonna have sushi for dinner tomorrow! AND I get to see Casey and Amanda! Miranda is working so it will just be the three of us. Very nice. I just love those kids!!! I'll get a current picture of them and post it here. Speaking of pictures...here's a little picture I took of Glen and I on Mother's Day. I printed it off and keep it at my desk. I love this picture. I look very loved in this picture.

If you are reading this blog, YOU are loved! xo

Heidi Ho!

My dear friend Heidi celebrated a birthday yesterday. Apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks the world of her. Two of her other friends, Tiana and Eric (who are lovely people themselves!) put together a lovely, amazingly satisfying luncheon. It was one of those events that not only fed my belly, but also fed my soul. Lots of wonderful food. Lots of wine (two glasses constitutes "lots" for me on a Sunday afternoon). Lots of laughter. Lots of wonderful people. Heidi's daughter Molly came up from the Bay Area to spend the weekend with her. The whole event was over about four hours. Very slowly enjoyed and shared. SO perfect for a beautiful Sunday afternoon. An added kindness was that Tiana and Heidi were SO considerate of my vegan diet. They made sure I had lots to eat and lots of options. I was very touched (and very stuffed!)

Lots of pictures but here are some of my favorites...

The table...

Tiana and Eric in the kitchen, workin' up a storm!!! Tiana has a WONDERFUL condo!   

Lots of good people and other good stuff!

The meal served was as follows:

Appetizers: Caprese salad (included yellow tomatoes that were out of this world!)

Brie cheese and apricot in phyllo dough. I've had this before when Tiana made it. TO. DIE. FOR.

Red potatoes with horseradish sauce

Orange slices

Main Course: Broiled Salmon with dijon vinaigrette

Vegan Option: Tofu and green bean rice pilaf

Fresh asparagus

Spinach salad with paremsan, pinenuts, pears, onion and raspberry vinaigrette

Cheese and french bread - one cheese board and one loaf of bread and you just pass it around and break off what you want!

Dessert was homemade lemon brioche with assorted berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries) and fresh whipped cream.

I'll let you figure out the items I didn't eat and missed!

In between the meal and dessert, Heidi opened her gifts. I was SO TICKLED with Heidi's reaction to our gift! A little knit kitty from Ella Posie! Remember? The one thing I couldn't show you???His name is BlahBlah and he is going to a very good home. I hope Heidi's other cat, Mr. Frankie Toodles, will get along okay with this little kit kat!

More BlahBlah....

The obligatory group photo taken from the kitchen counter using the camera's timer. I feel like I look a little rushed to get into position but hey, it's the ONLY picture I'm in! :-)  13 of us...but absolutely nothin' unlucky about this group...or this day!

Here's to you, Heidi! Happy 29th! :-)