Monday, July 30, 2012

MAIL ART SWAP!!




 
Hello!
You read that correctly! YOU are invited to join my first ever post card mail art swap!
Here is how it will work...get a pen and jot this down.
  • Leave me a comment on this post indicating that you would like to join the swap.
  • Second: Make sure to include an email address that you check on a regular basis so that I am able to contact you!
  • Create any type of artistic postcard, in any medium you like, and it can even be any shape you like as long as it falls within the guidelines of 8x6. This can include photography, painting of any sort, sketching, doodles, oil pastels, poetry, writing, collage, mixed media arts, typography...the possibilities really are endless!
  • Postcards must fit into a 8X6in. square
  • Be sure to include your "artistic" info such as your blog url, art name, email contact that you feel comfortable with. 
  • So that no one feels strange about putting their home addresses or post office box snail mail information on the net..anyone who signs up here with a comment and leaves me an email address will be contacted by me to get your mailing information and to give you mine for submission.
  • All postcards will be mailed directly to me in a  large envelope with a self addressed stamped envelope that will be used to mail your swap! If any of you have a better idea for how to do this... it is my first time having a swap I'd be happy to hear your suggestions! I personally like the character mail art gets from being mailed through the snail mail...postage stamps..rain..transporting...in my opinion it adds character but if you would prefer to protect yours please indicate that when you mail it!
  • All post cards will need to be mailed to by no later than August  17th, 2012. That should be ample time to create a cool artistic post card!
 Most of all let's have fun with this! I absolutely love making mail art and receiving mail art. It sure beats the heck out of bills and junk mail that wastes trees... for an even bigger challenge try using recycled materials to create your cards!  Let's keep our post offices in business and make our postal workers day a bit brighter! :)  
If you have never made mail art and are interested or if you are not interested but curious...here are a couple of books that I own and find inspiring ..
Good Mail Day is exceptional! Some pretty amazing stuff in this one folks, 
regardless of your medium!

 Thick large book with wonderful images of illustrated and collaged
mail art!
If you would like some online info about mail art here are some links that will assist you and don't forget its always helpful to Google/ image search to see what others are doing, get ideas and be inspired! 





The above link is a you tube video of a woman making a mail art envelope please note we are doing 6x8 postards but she is wonderful at this and it gives you some ideas of what you can do to yours. IF you would like to decorate the envelopes you send your postcards in well that would be WONDERFUL for me! I love it all! 
Hopefully the links here were helpful to you all and you are inspired and want to join in the fun!
Feel free to do your own searches...you would be amazed at what you can find out there!
Hope to hear from you guys!  
 
PLEASE NOTE: ALL WORKS MUST BE ORIGIONAL AND NOT PHOTOCOPIES OR PURCHASED POSTCARDS. IF THIS RULE IS BROKEN YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE YOU OWN POSTCARD BACK!  THANK YOU! 

New Photos From The Secret Garden!






New Mail Art


Been creating lots of mail art for some friends lately & have decided to post a mail art post card swap! Details in the next day or two be sure to stop back by for that and sign up! 
Nothing like Happy Mail Days!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

New Mail Art


Leap of faith. Mail art.
10.5 X 7
acrylic, oil pastels, ink, collage, watercolor, staples, wax.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Good day pals!

Hello Cheerios!
Good day...hope this finds you all well. Tried to make a post earlier but things just kept keeping me from focusing and getting it done...weekend has been productive and relaxing at the same time. Yesterday we took Don's daughter Celia home to Brighton after spending a week with us...nice to have her here just feel bad that I had to work almost every day she was here..still enjoyed her company and we had fun in the time we did share. Last night I dived head first into organizing my little creative corner in the world. Had no idea what I was getting myself into...I have enough for a studio and live in a very small apartment in the city..so my creative "studio" also serves as a bedroom and office lol....What you will see here in the after photos...no before photos I dont have the gull to load those lol...is a drop in the bucket...I have two closets with bins of art materials and ya well any of you who are artists understand completely. I dream of one day being able to afford a very small quaint little home..one with a bedroom or basement or SHED for the love of Buddha...that I can convert into a studio of sorts...but that just is not in the cards right now for me and I am thankful for what I do have. I truly mean that and while it is not the beautiful studios we see in Where Woman Create or "upscale" it is mine and I work my ass for all that I do have so I'm very proud of my little corner. :) Just can't tell you ...how much crap I had to go through to get it this well organized...was talking with a Facebook friend who is also an artist last night and she assured me that it is not just me who goes through this art sick process..where you bust your bottom organizing, cleaning sorting and two months later you are saying what happened here? I'm a bit O.C.D. from what I am told...and I really need things neat and orderly so it never gets too far out of control but it was worse than usual because  the summer has been so incredibly busy and my bedroom was flipped last week....long sigh...its done!
Ahhh...it was long and hard...told myself at 730 I would have it done by midnight and not sure if you can see the clock there think it said like 11:57 lol I DID IT!!
And so...slept like a baby last night and tried to sleep in this morning but internal alarm clock...coupled with a slightly POSSESSED alarm clock wasn't letting that happen...glad it went down that way had much to do today.
My beautiful girls Sam and Kori came to see me this morning as well as Sam's boyfriend Garrett..they were here by 9am...that was so nice...my girls are 23 almost 24 and 17 almost 18 ( both in September....one day apart...how did I do that? Need I explain how that happened? My obgyn asked me that as well and I told him if he needed that explained maybe he was not the man i wanted in the delivery room lol their one day shy of five years apart...it was so nice to seem them however, I get to where I miss them so teribly they both work and have boyfriends and their social beings and do many fun things...I'm happy about that but I get to where I miss them and need them like water..I'm a very lucky mom I have wonderful kids...(heart)
and so...we headed out went by my sisters place for a short visit...she was wonderful in letting me borrow her Polaroid...been dieing to play with one so tomorrow I will be experimenting with that..went grocery shopping...came home helped Don with some homework...he hates English and  I tutor it every single day at my day job..helping people with APA formatting and proper citation...writing processes and all of that so I don't have much patience with him for it just because I get a bit burned out but he hates it and I'm glad to help him if he at least TRIES first.
Then we took a ride downtown Detroit to do some photography...dont believe everything you hear and read there are parts of the city that are FULL of beautiful architecture and history...culture and I love the city but it was a huge mistake and waste of time and gas...i should know better but there was a Tiger game down there tonight and some sort of festival on the river so there was NO parking and we just ended up taking the long scenic route home along the river and Lake St. Clair ..
Was able to get a couple of shots of one of the many beautiful churches downtown that I just love..
came back and made a wonderful salad and cracked a good bottle of new wine...Kroger had wine tasting today believe it or not and it was yummy so I grabbed a bottle...compliments of California...cheers to you out there on the West Coast.....


And now...I sit with a glass of wine...and plan to work on some art until I need to rest my head...nothing pending tomorrow...so no hurry tonight..I hope you are having a fantastic weekend..have a good night pals and I will see you again soon!
<3

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Dream A Little Dream

We tell students all the time that...there will be things they excel at and things they will surely struggle with throughout their college careers..to never look at a bad grade or a failure like a failure only a set back and a reason to strive yet harder for what they want. 

I find myself doing this often.
Like, swimming with enormous strength in my legs, holding my breath for longer durations of time, pushing massive weighted water behind my hands as if to fly through deep water...

No, I'm not really talking about water or swimming...a simile of sorts,
comparing the struggle of making life what I'd like it to be or reaching goals that I have aimed for or would like to aim for. 

You can never stop swimming. Harder, faster, longer.
You can never stop dreaming..
when you do...you are as good as gone..


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Ordinary Sparkling Moments

From the great book my sister lent to me titled 
Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success & Contentment
By Christine Mason Miller
(Forward by Keri Smith)
A few of my favorite quotes:

" I believe it is about being GENTLE with MYSELF and those around me,
about RECOGNIZING all the tender places we SHARE as human beings,
comfort, love, shelter and maybe
even the PERFECT SUNSET"
 

I realize its an older book by this author but I was in grad school and just catching up on many books I didnt get a chanc eto re3ad while my face was stuck in textbooks! :)
  
"Being Creative feeds a well that, ALL HUMANS,
we are all born with. To watch the level of abandonment with which
CHILDREN create and not recognize this deep need
WITHIN OURSELVES is a bit like trying to stay
cold in front of a FIRE.
WE CAN'T HELP BUT WANT TO CREATE.
We are human, after all.
And we all have unique creative GIFTS"

April Cole

You made my heart smile today...what a kind soul! Happy mail makes me so incredibly happy!!

<3 You're the best!
I cannot WAIT for you recieve what I am sending out for you tomorrow!! :) 
Keep an eye out!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Few photos from the week

 Life comes before literature, as the material always comes before the work. The hills are full of marble before the world blooms with statues.
Phillips Brooks

 Nobody, I think, ought to read poetry, or look at pictures or statues, who cannot find a great deal more in them than the poet or artist has actually expressed. Their highest merit is suggestiveness.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.
 Jean Sibelius

Another crazy long week coming to a close...

Let's see...noteworthy events of the week.
  • Last week Sunday~ Debbie got food poisoning and was in the hospital 
  • Monday~ sick all day from food poisoning night before
  • Tuesday~ Worked 9 hours
  • Wednesday~ Worked nine hours then spent 5 in the Emergency room with Don in A-Fib Don is admitted
  • Thursday~ Worked til 1 then went to hospital Don got released about 5:30 got 10 minute oil change and groceries came home and we slept like rocks
  • Friday~ 11:00am Senior photo shoot, sisters place home and later that night Brave at MJR
  • Saturday~ Slept in, helped Don get caught up on his homework, got his new medications and then went to Brighton for his sons birthday party home at 11:00 pm last night worked on editing photos until 4am or close...dont remember I was in zombie land
  • Today...Sunday...having strawberries, raspberries, banana's, grapes, coffee and protein mix then showering, couple of quick house chores and to see Kori when she gets off work at 3 for just a few then home to do work laundry, Send Juliette the 4 photos she has been waiting on...( Sorry Juliette as you see its been a week) and finally going to try to complete the mail art goodie I'm making for April Cole to get mailed out to her this week!
List of gratitude for the day
  • Waking up..that's a good start
  • All the kids and the day we had with them yesterday...so good to see them all
  • Don feeling and doing better and his new medication that regulates his heart rate
  • Coffee beans
  • Summer breeze
  • Fresh fruit in the morning
  • Celia spending a week with Don & I :)
  • Art supplies my sissy gave me on Friday and the book she loaned me to read that I can't wait to have a moments rest to dig into ( Ordinary Sparkling Moments)
  • Music..(when the day comes that I go to heaven...love, music, imagination, the coffee bean and my children will be listed among the top five fav's on this planet)
  • Shower too lol 
  • All of you...<3  
  • my camera      

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Bad Got Slightly Worse

I hate blogging when I have bad things to say or turmoil in our lives to report. We got back from our trip, the day we returned..I got food poisoning and thought I was going to seriously kick the bucket. Trip to the ER and a few shots of morphine later, plenty of hurling and all was good THEN...Don went into full A-Fib..if you are not in the know as to what that is here is a link I just don't have it in me to tell one more person what it is...but it is something everyone should educate themselves on..I had never heard of it until I met Don. 
Now if you did go read what it is...let me tell you that Don aside from being prone to A-Fib, also has a blood disorder where he is missing a gene that makes his blood as thick as syrup. Literally. He is suppose to be on blood thinners because with the A-Fib this EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. At any given moment Don and go into A-Fib and his heart rate will hit over 200 beats per minute, top half of the heart tightens like a rubber bans is around it, bottom half goes into triple time working to make up for the top and thick blood can clot, go to his heart a lung or his brain within seconds and kill him.
Don has been denied disability several times and its a joke honestly. EVERY single doctor or hospital we have been too cannot believe he has been denied and insist that the system is a mess and that Don is in desperate need of these medications...we now have one that he needs to regulate his heart rate, however...the blood thinner is very important and because he does not have health insurance, he cannot see a dr. regularly and therefore cannot get his medications because blood thinners have to be regulated and that means blood and lab work weekly or biweekly. 
I live in fear. And just read Susannah Conway's book...
Can you imagine how I felt when he went into a - fib and we were told what his heart rate was?
He is home now. Doing well but pretty tired and feeling beat up. It takes a lot out of you to go through a-fib. 
I am thankful today that he is ok. I am thankful he is home with me...
whisper:
(Thank you God thank you God thank you God)
So..needless to say, our week has been rather eventful and scary. But in happy reflection here are some of the photos from our trip. We will be returning it was the best!
Our route...beautiful shoreline..
Sun coming u in Lexington MI.





Go listen to this song...this photo reminds me of this song...


Beautiful road side park...beautiful view TERRIBLE bathrooms.
 I would like to just add below the above photo that I have never, in my life, used a worse bathroom than this one. It was so horrible that I honestly came out choking and demanding Don get the first aid kit out of the car with the hand sanitizer and stood at the side of the car gagging...seriously...dont ever use the restrooms here. Just sayin...




cute little boutique :) Love the old luggage..





Coffee with the rising sun at one of our stops along the shoreline..



 We stopped at several campgrounds and parks along the way just trying to find cool places for future destination ideas..these were cool ones...

And this is our final destination...our new " our place" we LOVED it here..

our little bit of ground..just like heaven..the whole thumb is sandy...still finding sand...


Turkey dogs...not so bad actually..

Our classy wine cups for sundown and the jiffy pop I was looking forward to..
 I love my big guy..but he burns popcorn...all the time. Once he put microwave popcorn in the microwave for 10 minutes..and looking at him standing in my bedroom door I said " Can you please tell me what the HELL that bellowing white smoke is in our kitchen?" 
I can't begin to tell you how bad it smelled..the black chunk of coal in the microwave...it took a week to rid the smell...so...he caught the jiffy pop on fire at the campground lmao...his popcorn popping privileges are now revoked.


 Our cute wet shoes...felt a bit miniature that I had to buy mine in the children's department..
I'm 5'1 Don is 6'4 lol can you tell here?
Our path...love it



ohhh hey hand dipped ice cream! :)~
One of my favorite photos...coconut fudge ice cream..
 Site seeing we found this super cool place not far from our campsite and stopped for an ice cream and yes..I took this photo while driving. Don said " Hey look it looks like a happy face on your ice cream!" Well no shit it certainly does! It looks like its licking itself...LOL EPIC.
one of my favs...<3


NOTE: THIS DON'T WORK TOTAL BS
 We could hear the roar of bugs laughing at this crap dont ever buy it..
Ahh our last night there...watching the sun go down with wine in plastic coconut cups..making silly things in the sand...





What a guy..getting me buckets of water so I could make a HUGE Gecco in the sand...more photos to come!

Just...:)


Cool shop in Caseville..

Cracks me UP!
 This image is sooo incredibly comical to me...my head looks like 36 times its size and we look like cartoon characters!
Wanted this hat..way cute

right side is much more my flavor..what do you think?

Cowboys vs Aliens? Marlboro Man? Save a horse ride a.....forget it

(Jaws theme music in background)
 LOOK WHAT I CAUGHT! LOL
colors :)
yep more colors :)


 And that one above my friends...is alllllll you see coming back down the center of the thumb over...and over...and over...and over and over and over and over again...LAME longest ride home of my life!!

Don't know..just liked it and was sick of corn fields and hay lol
Cracks me up...wonder what their getting at??
Ahhh....I wish I was there...right now.