Hold Dear

just dropped in...

..to see what condition my condition was in.

Okay, sorry that was way too obscure but I wanted to pop in and say howdy. Life is super super busy right now. Juggling lots of balls. Most of those balls are rubber so if I drop them, they'll just bounce. But, unfortunately, some of the balls are "glass" such as work, taxes, and bills. So if those get dropped...NOT GOOD!!!! And for those of you who giggle every time I say "balls"...stop it! :-)

The good news is that I'm actually not feeling stressed about ALL these dang balls (...now stop that!...) Primarily because I've been going for acupunture treatments for my back and my wonderful doctor has initiated adding in some "balancing" treatments. I didn't say BOO about stress or emotions but based on a few questions and my responses, he's been sticking needles in my ears. I guess my comments about how my only daughter just moved out was a red flag. Bless him. :-)

So the reason any of this stuff remotely stresses me out is because all I want to do is hang out in my artsy room and play. I have SO many glorious projects going on and have joined in several swaps for the Art and Soul in October. I've been dreaming in color lately!

And then last night I got home from work (late because I was working on our taxes), Glen surprised me with my very own ukelele! So, of course, I had to play with that all night instead of attending to anything on my "to do" list! I'll get some pictures of it and post them here. It's SO cute! Thank you hunney bunney!!!!

Hasta la pasta!

happy belated easter.

Happy Belated Easter to you! I didn't get a chance to post since Glen and I spent most of yesterday out and about -- or oot and aboot as my friend might say! :-)

We spent most of the day on the East side visiting Miranda and exploring.

Miranda had to work so Glen and I went to her little cafe. We had a very nice bite to eat and visited with her. Here's a picture I took from our table at her work. Very open and airy and even though it was a rainy day, there was still some nice light.

After our meal, there were the Easter prezzies to give to Miranda! In the past, it was always a basket filled with chocolate treats and an assortment of tooth care products. :-) I wanted to do something different this year since it was her first Easter that I couldn't just leave her basket by the fireplace, next to the plate with half eaten carrots (that messy bunny!)

So what does a mother give her daughter for her first Easter not living at home?? Probably the same thing I'll give her every holiday, special occasion or just because gift...a gift card to New Seasons!! It was a hit, which I knew it would be. Miranda is a big fan of not just eating, but eating GOOD food! New Seasons is a local grocery store chain and it's our favorite!

I also decided to set Miranda up with some craft supplies since she won't have my stashes to pilfer anymore. My box of embroidery floss recently spent a lot of time in her room so I thought I'd put together a set in assorted colors. Michael's was having a sale (4 skeins for $1) and so in keeping with an Easter theme, I bought a whole bunch of them and wound them into little Easter eggs.

Even before I knew what I wanted to give her, I knew I would give it to her in a cigar box. We both LOVE cigar boxes! This is how I store my #3 and #5 embroidery floss.

Just another one of those things that just makes me happy just to gaze at it.

So after our visit with Miranda, Glen and I went driving along N. Mississippi Blvd. We'd been out that way a few times before but Miranda said more shops keep popping up so we should go take a look. Boy it sure is a cool part of town. (Next time Lilli!) If it wasn't raining so hard, we probably would have parked the car and gone for a walk. We did go into one shop that I hadn't been in before. It was called The ReBuilding Center and it's to house what one of those U-Pull-It or Pick Your Part is to cars. It's a huge warehouse full of lighting fixtures, doors, cabinets, window, appliances, etc. Lots of horrible crappy stuff like the crap we just got rid of in our house (you know, those horrible ceiling lighting fixtures you buy at Home Depot for $9.99...crap!) but then there was also LOTS of amazing stuff that just really got our imaginations going!Very cool place to visit and explore!

Even before we realized what the building was, the exterior grabbed our attention. It was incredible with all these crazy windows. How cool is this?

I just love it!

After exploring Mississippi, Glen and I went back to Miranda's shop, picked her up after her shift and we all came back to our house. We had a low key meal of veg and potatoes and just hung out for awhile. It was kinda perfect. Rainy outside, warm and cozy in the house with my favorite boy, girlie, and kitty cats!

 

playing card journal.

Slowly but surely I'm still pluggin' away on Emily's playing card journal challenge! It's seems like I can't get it done weekly but about every third weekend I get some time to play with this. I'm realy enjoying this format so that keeps me motivated to keep comin' back to it.

I have three to share with you...

Week 8 is What Do I Miss. Of course, I miss my Dad but I just didn't want to go there with this prompt. So, the other thing I miss? My whole entire family. Most of them live in California with my one brother living in Minnesota. A few years ago, we converged at my Mom's for a fam-damily reunion! The whole gang! Absolutely priceless and the picture we took in front of my Mom's garage is one I will always treasure.

Several years ago my sister told me she doesn't get sad when we say goodbye because she said, "One day we'll be neighbors." I hang on to those words just about every day of my life. Otherwise I'd go nutso crazy that they are not part of my daily life.

Week 9 is Inspiration Found. I had trouble with this prompt because I just couldn't decide what to do! I find inspiration everywhere! I get a lot of inspiration from blogs but I also get a lot of inspiration from catalogs! And as I was looking through the latest Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn, I realized I am SO drawn to fabric! Glorious!

Then week 10 was Note to Self. Pretty simple and straightforward.

I've started doing the back of my cards. I didn't start out doing that so at some point, I'll go back and finish them up! "Note to self" is on the back and "Play" is on the front.

So check this out....I love how chunky this journal is starting to look! Fun fun fun!!! And I'm only on week 10. Imagine how glorious this is going to be by week 52!!!

studio friday.

Part III of the new Studio Friday mini series looked at from an artist's perspective in a different angle and light: "The Seven Deadly Sins"

This week's topic Sin #2: GREED!

This is an ugly one as well....uuuuh! What is it you are greedy about or feel greedy about? Is it material or is it a behavior? Are you greedy for emotions? Do you hoard? How do you want to change for the better? It can be small steps or do you rather take a big step to change?

Um, er, I'm a little uncomfortable with this one because I realized, I AM GREEDY when it comes to my studio. I want it all. The thing I've been the most greedy about lately is my button and wooden thread spool collections. But since I shared those little passions with you for the "lust" sin, I decided to find something else. So I just couldn't decide...should I share with you some greediness regarding a lace acquisition I made a few months back?

On a flying adventure to Vashon Island, I stopped into a general store and bought a couple spools of some old lace they had for REAL cheap! When I got home, I regretted not buying all they had and so I called the store and asked if they would mail the rest of them to me. They did. :-)

Or should I share with you a crazy greedy obsession I have with trims, hem linings and zippers. I'll use these eventually. I think.

Or do I embarrass myself and share with you these GORGEOUS file drawers I bought when I recently went to Monticello Antique Mall with Lilli. These were expensive and I really should have been happy with just one or maybe even two. But why did I need all eight? I just couldn't walk away. I HAD to have them all. But I do love them and don't regret buying them. But I know now that was a tad bit impulsive and over the top.

Okay, so all this aside, I actually know what I am the MOST greedy about. Sigh. As you may know, my daughter, Miranda, just recently moved out. Her bedroom is almost empty save for her organ, bed frame, and several tubs of clothes. I don't DARE share a picture of what her room looks like right now! THAT would be embarrassing!

Anyways, Glen and I have discussed turning that room into the guest/computer room. That way he could have a room just for his manly items like his weight bench and the bookcase full of his gorgeous airplane book collection. But guess what?! I am secretly wanting to turn it into a SEWING/guest/computer room! We could still have the futon and computer in there but there'd also be room for my sewing machine, dress form, fabric and EVERYTHING else sewing related! It seems reasonable, doesn't it? I mean, so what if I have TWO craft rooms? Lord knows I have enough stuff to FILL two craft rooms. Whoops. I've said too much. Yeah. Just as I thought. Greedy. :-)

the mountain was out today!

Gorgeous day in downtown Portland today and I wanted to share a bit of it with you.

Today was absolutely DELICIOUS! That is the only word I can think of to describe it. Perfect walking weather so two of me and a couple of my work pals took a lunch time stroll down to the waterfront. It was glorious! :-)

So it sure looks like Easter is on it's way...

So how cute is this?! This is the window at Great Harvest Bakery.

Okay, bun buns, see ya later! Hope you had a wonderful day!!!

mail love.

I know I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love love love love love love bloggin'!!! I mean, seriously! It makes my world just a little bit brighter. There is so much love and so many good people out there in the world. And I get to call several of them friends, even though I haven't met them...yet! :-)

Case in point, Hanna mentioned on one of her lovely posts that she needed a white pen. I offered to send her one. Well that little sneaky sweety didn't say anything and then TODAY I get this amazing package in the mail!

This bundle was chock FULL of ephemera, Swedish and otherwise. And lots of what nots! Hmm hmm hmmm...gotta love the what nots! Hanna sent me lots of stamps and bits of beautiful paper and museum tickets and even one of her charming Moo cards just to name a few items. (I have GOT to get me some of those Moo cards!) I just love every little piece of paper candy in this package! Thank you SO much Hanna!!!

And also in today's post was a package from Karin! I won a gift from her during the Spring Fling Giveaway! My happy meter is pretty much pegged at FULL right about now! Look at this lovely prize...

Is this not PERFECT? :-) Karin's presentation is just as gorgeous as the pieces themselves! I just love her entire style. Thank you SO much Karin!!!

And then ALSO...Claudine brought me the next Circle Journal as hosted by the lovely and recently vacationed Andrea. Oh boy! I now have Sheila's "Happiness is." Eeeek! Can't wait to get started on this one!!!

art and soul.

First of all, I, AGAIN, would like to thank you all for your sweet, funny, and encouraging words about Atti aka "That Darn Cat!" getting stuck in another tree. How cool would it be, Jana, if I could hypnotize him to give up" tree climbing, kind of like giving up smoking. Is there a "patch" for that? :-)

Okay, so now I have to say.....eeek eeek eeek and more eeeek!!! I am SO excited!!! Registration for Art and Soul was today!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!! I registered for three classes!!!!

And such coolness for this year's Art and Soul....Lilli and I are going to take a class together!!! Egads! Fun fun fun and more eeek eeeek eeeeks!!!!

The class Lilli and I will be taking together is Sally Jean Alexander's Soldering for Virgins - The Whole Sha-Bang! Glorious! I took a soldering class last year with Beckah Krahula but I've only pulled out my stuff a few times and good gravy, all I can make are messes. I'm REALLY bad at soldering and am in need of LOTS of practice. I have grand thoughts of things to make but definitely lack the skill to execute my ideas.

Another class I'm taking is Lisa Call's PMC Charms and Bracelet class. I took Lisa's Fused Chain Charm Bracelet class last year and it was SO good. My bracelet turned out FAN-TASTIC! When I wear it out, I always get compliments. Lisa is an awesome, generous teacher and she's crazy talented, and she's GORGEOUS to boot!

And then the third class I'm taking is Traci Bautista's Le Vie de Boheme. I'm super excited about this one. Traci is an incredible, colorful artist so I'm hoping this will be a big, messy class!! Oh and another cool thing about this class is that my friend, Melissa, may be taking this one too! Yay!!!

Okay. Now I just have to calm down and go through the motions and pretend like there's more to life than Art and Soul! That's gonna be sooooo hard!!!!!!! Come on, October!!!

crazy weekend.

WHAT a weekend! I am SO gonna get me a t-shirt that says "I SURVIVED APRIL FOOL'S WEEKEND 2007!"

Wow. It was a crazy one. Very eventful.

There were a few good things that happened so I'll talk about those first!

I got to chat with my Mommy and one of my sister's so that is always wonderful. ALWAYS makes me happy. (Good luck Sisi and keep me posted!!)

The other good thing is that April 3, registration for Art and Soul starts! That in itself is fabulous but the thing that sends this to the heights of FABULOUSNESS is that Lilli is going to come to Portland and we're going to take a class together! Ya-hooey!!!

Okay, so on the the crazy stuff. First of all, the week started off with my car in the shop. It broke down last Sunday and needed a new water pump. Lovely. Okay, so add to this, my back started hurting on Tuesday and it hurt so much, I stayed home from work for two days! I have NO idea what I did to it! I made an acupuncturist appointment for tomorrow (Monday) so I'm hoping to get some relief!

On to the next thing. Last Wednesday, Miranda told us she's moving out! Holy crap!!! If my back wasn't hurting before I got this news, I would have completely thought the two were related. Miranda said this had been in the works for awhile but she didn't want to say anything until it was a sure thing. We've had a few false alarms before so I really can't blame her for this. And truthfully, I am very happy for her and know that this is going to be a good thing for her and for all of us. However, if you know me, you know I'm a very sensitive, emotional blob of maternal instincts just all rolled up into a Michelle-shaped person. I would have liked to have had a little time to mentally prepare for this. I got to go over yesterday to see the new house and after seeing it, I'm feeling really good about this whole thing. The house is adorable and just walking in it, I could instantly feel love and very positive energy. Miranda has three roommates, all male, but that's no surprise. She often gets along better with boys than girls and growing up, she has had several male bestfriends. Here's a picture of Miranda in one of the bedrooms.

Okay, so now are you ready for the next big bombshell of the weekend???  Atticus got stuck in another tree! That $%*!?*@ cat!!! If we hadn't just spent a buttload of money on him at the vet (we think he got sick from eating too many birds!), I would have been tempted to leave the little bugger in the tree! (No not really! I love that little guy!!!) So it was a similar story as last time. We got home late Friday night and he didn't come around right away. I instantly knew something was up because he is always just as eager to see us and we are to see him at the end of the day. Glen very calmly got out a flaslight and went hunting for him around 9:00 pm. Sure enough, Atticus was in a neighbor's tree, about 35 ft up. Nothing we could do at that point so we had to leave him, even though it was raining! At least I didn't cry this time...I was just SO frustrated!

In the morning (after a very fitful night!), I called the Fire Dept just to see what they would say. Same thing they said before, "Put down some food and he'll come down when he's hungry." We immediately started calling tree trimmers and found one guy who would come around and get him for only $100.

This time, once the tree trimmer was on his way, I got up the nerve to take a picture of Atty.

I don't have Photoshop so I can't circle where he is but if you go up the biggest tree trunk and then go to the first branch on the left and follow it out, you'll see Atticus' little glowing eyeballs. That is a 28 ft ladder fully extended. Glen climbed up and tried to get him but that didn't work.  A neighbor video taped the rescue because her little girls were SO upset that Atticus was up the tree. They were napping during the rescue so she wanted to show them that he was okay! :-)

Needless to say, I slept much better Saturday night than I did Sunday.

Maybe next weekend will be nice and boring! I'm sure hopin'! :-)