Graceful Aging

This tulip aged very gracefully. I love the way snowballs drop tiny white petals over the dining room table top, giving the impression it has just snowed there. Or the way a rose will dry up to a beautiful, muted-color sculpture.

Dead In Paris

An observant and knowledgable reader gave me this link today after reading something I had written about Ferdnand Arbelot's gravestone, the sculpture holding the disembodied head above his gravestone. The head he is holding is of his wife. "Yeah, ‘tis somewhat creepy, but, did you know that the face is that of his wife? I kind of think that may take some of the creepiness out of it." I love finding out information like that. Thank you, Thomas!

Total Inspiration

Daily Poetics has the most inspirational collection of business cards.

Graphis -- Design 2007 Winners

The Design Encyclopedia

My Links

Until I have time to do what I have undone by changing over to this new format! (argghh) I am linking to my favorite reads on my sidebar with a little list of links.

Mar Hernández

Are these nesting dolls not the most adorable thing you have ever seen? And these prints! All by Mar Hernández, such talent!

In Love

Jeepers, I love Jade's work, blog and photostream on Flickr! Amazing. Magical. Intriguing. Mesmerizing.

Cyber Crafting

Seattle Times ran an interesting story about Cyber Crafters.

Vendor page at i heart rummage.

Starparticle Press

Seeking Love Online

Saw Jane tonight at Third Place Book read excerpts from her wonderful new book. Had some dinner and talked about, what else, 50-year-old dating dilemma, which brought us to her latest post on Huffington Post about Seeking Love Online. Remember my little rant about what dating has come to? --- Does a 50-year-old woman have to date someone 30 years older than she is so HE can be dating someone of his age range/preference? Pathetic and shame on 50-year-men who will not date someone their own age.

Why Didn't I Resist?

Why didn't I resist the urge to swap out my blog to the new and improved templae? Arrgghhh. Now, lots of adding and cleaning up ....

Blidget

I looked away for a couple of weeks and missed many new developments in the "cool" widget department ... BLIDGET, a blog widget, so I got me one. Although, I did not mean to add it to my sidebar and right now trying to figure out how to get that off '). So, go get my blog as a widget, or get your own. Found on the delightful blog, Bread and Circuses.

Just Enough Time

Saturdays are ending up incredibly busy. Running errands, driving mom around, meeting with my client, fitting a fun trip to the street market (bought some incredible New Zealand olive oil), hair appointment. Scooter imjured his leg so I have been carrying him up and down the stairs today, terrified that this was it. (He is doing better tonight). I ran out to the backyard to discover I had waited to late to get another bouquet of Snowballs ... they are dropping there petals! So disappointed. One new peony blooming, but something is definitely wrong with them. Must split, move them all of them this year. Must make time and gather energy to work in the yard this weekend. Still working on my color scheme (for townhouses) freelance job and print catalog job ... need to finish them this weekend.

FiberArts

Mad Museum

Art Quilts by the Manhattan Quilters Guild.

Judith James Textile Construction.

Pam Rubert's studio and blog.

David Chatt of Seattle, studio and blog.

Fiberarts Artists Studio Tour.

Museum of Dust blog.

Lorelle on WordPress

Lots of great blogging tips and much more from Lorelle via Radiant woman, thanks Miriam!

I made a hair apppointment for 10a this week and forgot the artist connects meeting was this morning. Argh, will eventually get accustom to my new hours and days! Sorry I missed you Paula.

Watched "Night at the Museum" last night with M, very entertaining. I needed a diversion and a corn dog! M and I indulged in both.

Jonathan Yuen

Jonathan Yuen's beautiful site.

Friday Faves

Paper Clip Picture Hanger, using black clips, photostrips hang from clothespins.

Also Friday Flickr faves: I want to be here or here.

lettre d'amour. Love this guys work, Mixed Worlds. saving her soul, Peony Pavillion, Allium, red Point ...

Struggle For Survival

On the way out the door the other morning, I noticed lots of bees finding pollen in blooms fallen to the ground. Driving to work, I saw a crow distracting a hawk sitting on the top of a tree - dive bombing this stoic bird. We received news that my friend's mom has 6 months to live. Life's struggles.

Red Charm

I let the first one fade in the sun, petals fell and still strewn around the edge in a red heap.

Addicting

I started watching twittervision and couldn't stop! Did you know that John, Barack and Bill have twitter pages?

Illustration Friday -- Signs (From God)

Signs (From God) for Illustration Friday. I was thinking the smallest, busiest insect should deliver the message ... telling us to behave ourselves.

Bright Spot

In the blur of driving home completely exhausted. Swearing I would come home and go right to bed! At the store, I did find a couple of bright spots in an otherwise dreary day.

Virus Mask -- Design Your Own

Design your own Virus propaganda mask via 7E55E.

War Of The Worlds

The War of the Worlds book cover collection. Also decorated stone walls, very cool.

Weekend Blur

Got to see Paula’s wonderful painting at On Wing" juried art show in Edmonds.

Grocery shopped with mom Saturday morning

Got a decent hair cut

Spent too much money at Jazz Band Auction (and time running errands for)

Threw this together for Festivities Saturday night and early Sunday morning

My friend stopped by and we headed over to Fred’s gallery opening

More grocery shopping on the way home.

Took a couple of flower pictures in a new vase from Jazz Auction.

Friends came over, we drank their wine, talked about coordinating another block party for this year.

Checked in with work

Worked on a color consultant proposal

Put finishing touches on Merrill Collection

Fell into bed, was unconscious in minutes.

Weebly Diverted

I just found weebly.com from reading a story in Newsweek about funding start-ups, featuring "the next billionaires". Very interesting read. But back to weebly! I signed on to check it out and it is so easy to use.

Do you have an idea? Maybe they will fund you. ;)

WildPaper on weebly.

LIVE EARTH

LIVE EARTH, The concerts for a climate in crisis. Blanket the Globe. The Climate Feedback blog, Green Options blog.

I Talk To God

I spoke to God and he spoke back.

Before I Leave For Work

A quick walk in the back yard. Snowballs are out of control.



First signs of hydrangeas.

More Coffee Perhaps

I remember hearing this story and thinking “why is Paul Wolfowitz even allowed to stay with the World Bank?” I thought the story got more bizarre with his refusal to step down. I mean, hello, corruption? If I gave my boyfriend a big raise at work, I think my employer would fire me, not giving me the option to resign. You think he would have chosen resignation to avoid the deeper investigation, bad press and embarrassment to YET another American actly badly, or at least have the decency to adopt the Japanese attitude that the shame of his actions would leave him with suicide as his only option. What did Rome look like right before the fall? I keep asking myself this question, stupid reality TV shows (If I hear Deal Or No Deal one more time in a TV ad I will scream), pervasive corruption in our government, movie stars making millions and millions of dollars for doing what? Acting? "Don't hate me because I am beautiful" (Cameron, get a REAL job)… the list goes on and on.

Okay, maybe it is a little early for a rant, more coffee perhaps.

Humor With My Coffee

I get at least 10 of these sort of emails a week. For some reason, this one made me laugh. The grammer? The punctuation, or lack of? WHO would ever take this for a real correspondence?

From: deputy_governoroffice234@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: YOUR IMMEDIATE CONTRACT PAYMENT
Date:May 15, 2007 04:12:36 AM PDT

DEPUTY GOVERNOR OFFICE(CBN)
CODE#NVP 009 CONTRACT OFFICE
DR TUNDE LEMO (OFFICE)
DIRECT LINE 234-1-4825198
EMAIL{deputy_governoroffice234@yahoo.co.uk

I hope this finds you in good faith, we are Sorry for the inconveniences and inflict we have put you through all this while in your long over due contract payment.

However we were having some minor problems with our payment system which is inexplicable, and have held us stranded and indolent, not having the aspiration to devote our 100% assiduity in accrediting foreign contract Payments.

we are have worked with foreign enterprises and have made a name and a high reputable standard in the world.

I know that on several occassions you have been contacted and have tried to claim your funds but never got it. Now i have an information that would help you to get your funds with any further delay.

The outstanding payment that have been released from the Accountant general of the federal is $45,000,000.00 Dollars and i want you to know that you are next on the list but you need to act fast to claim your fund.

For immediate processing of your payment you need to send me your information so that i can commence preparation of your fund release.


NAME:............................

ADDRESS:............................

LOCATION:...........................

PHONE NUMBER:..........................

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you in a certified bank draft or wired to your nominated bank account directly from the minister of finance.

All channels to prepare your funds will be taken to ensure safe and fast release of your fund.

And i also want you to know that your cooperation will be needed to finalise this transaction Please ensure that you call me immediately you receive this information on my direct line ( 234-1-4825198 )

YOURS SINCERELY,
DR TUNDE LEMO
DEPUTY GOVERNOR

Illustration Friday - Citrus

10 minute citrus for Illustration Friday. Once I did this one, I wanted to follow up with fabric version. Maybe I will have time to do that this week.

The Big Red Peony

The first peony of the year bloomed, I can't remember the name, so I always call it "the big red peony". That red is so hard to capture!

A Fulfilling, Exciting Day

Woke up this morning with mom in tears, something terrible going on with the muscles in her neck. My first reaction was that she was having some heart episode and encouraged her to consider going to emergency room. So we headed out. Many hours later, and me reading to her from her Mother's Day present (I found on Port 2 Port and bought from this excerpt I read on her site), we find out it was only tendonitis, no less painful but at least not life threatening.

My mom has been very ill from IBS for the last 5 months. She has lost alot of weight, looks thin, drawn, weak and I have been very worried. So any little abnormalties make me worry even more!

Came home, cuddled up with blankets and watched a couple of movies. Later in the afternoon, M, D and I went off the B&N for browsing magazines and buying books. We bought lots of grafitti and color books. My research for my new color scheme freelance effort. (my son is still awake, reading his new books, after numerous warnings of him going to sleep). Then off the a great dinner.

Mom in bed with her Vicodin and cold pack. All and all it was a good Mother's Day.

Alice Riehl

Amazing ceramics by Alice Riehl via the most delightful Dear Ada (always has the best links) ')

Happy Mother's Day

I peeked out of the bedroom window to the silver waters of the Puget Sound. The sky tinged with pink, the water cold silver. Mother's Day is tomorrow and my mind turns to all the women that have influenced me, loved me, supported me, helped me, encouraged me ... I have to say, there are many of those women. Some long gone and some here to support me now.

But my thoughts particularly turned to my Aunt Judy. Who, early in her life, decided to end that life. The day we were delivered the news. The day of the funeral with her two young sons sitting in the first pew, not quite understanding what had happened. My mother and her mom in complete shock of the event taking place.

Aunt Judy


My mom




My loving, lovely, Aunt Judy. Gone. With two sons left in the emotional wake of her suicide. Not that I haven't thought of suicide in my life. But now being a mother myself, I wonder what kind of hell she was living to have taken that drastic measure to put her children in so much pain. Mental illness is never easy to understand. My family lives with the burden of that loss. My mom never forgiving herself. Her sons, now grown men. Happy, married, having their own children, to my astonishment say they hardly remember their mother. Maybe that is best for them. A coping mechanism. But I remember her. My mother remembers her and we lovingly talk about her often.

I have been blessed with many wonderfully strong women in my life. Who shaped me through watching them cope with adversity, their hard work, figuring out how to live in a world dominated by men (and in my life, mostly crazy men). Maintaining courage, spirit and love for each other and their children and wanting to make the world a better place.

Me, my mom, my grandmother, Nanny, circa, 1967.



My mother. My Rock. My mirror. My love. My conscience. Taught me all the goodness I know. Hard work. Keep your focus.

My grandmother, "Nanny". Watched over me, was my shoulder to lean on when I was a sad. Taught me how to sew and made me Barbie clothes, while I looked over her shoulder, asking when it would be finished.

My grandmother, "Big Momma". Is with me every second of everyday in her endearing love for the world, for people, for her family. Always saw the good in life. I dream of her constantly, and hope it is always that way.

My stepmother, Judy, my debate partner in every walk of life. Encourages me to see the other side of all I believe. I might not agree, but at least I got the other view. My second mom in every sense most of my life.

My aunt Lucy. If I could just possess half her energy and craftiness and ability to accomplish something ... I would feel well, accomplished!

My mother-in-law, Peggy. Smart, witty, generous, enduring strength and very much a force in all things she chooses to conquer. A loving Pisces.

Mrs. Hunt, my 8th grade English teacher. I loved her and she loved me. I think we were "kindred spirits" in another life. She chose me out of her class for reasons I don't really understand. When my stepfather was drinking heavily, acting badly and making life a chaotic mess. She chose me. And I am thankful for that. I think of her daily.

Flo. Friend from Dallas Time Herald. When she died, a piece of me died with her. I have books on peonies, on fashion and art, notes she scribbled out to me, all over my house.

Ruth: More like a twin sister who mothers me ;)

Mother's Day would be special, but not as special if not for my own son. I never thought of being a mom. Never thought that was mapped out for my life. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be a mom to you! My life, as I looked back, was meaningless until I had you as my son. You are funny when I am too serious. You are giving, logical, talented, focused, and stable; you complete me! I love you M, thank you for letting me know the joys of Mother's Day through being your mom!

So many more women that I love and admire. Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

Michelle Stitzlein

Wow. I see so much fantastic art on the web. This time, I screamed out loud in delight. Michelle Stitzlein's sculptures made from recycled material, gleefully found via art for housewives ;)

A New Vase

Picked up a new little vase today.

And This Morning

And this morning, seeking sun.

Found Tonight

Had time tonight to visit the backyard and find some treats. And still had a little light left to shoot them, a treat for me!

Another clematis



Snowball bouquet



Korean miniature lilac



Yellow rose

SPCer's ... You Need This

The quik pod is the equivalent of having super long arms to hold your camera for self-portraits or any other hard to reach shot. Via fototiller blog.

Would love to have a set of these.

Love this rings from Kiku.

Lampshades by De Maria's and The swivelling panorama lamp via fototiller.

Vector Flowers

I made some flowers yesterday.

Black Cloud

This pretty much describes my mood this week. But it is getting better ... I think.

Contests

J. Jill is hosting a Nature of Compassion T-shirt contest. This one I want to enter! Found via co-worker -- thanks, Lisa.

The Pastel 100 Competition at Artists Network.

Kehinde Wiley

Spectacular portraits by Kehinde Wiley.

Fun In May

Isn't this adorable, May calendar by Blair Thornley from Laughing Stock.

Good Advice

I need to take Kelly's advice ... I am having such a bad week adjusting to my new life.

Fotina

My neigbor hates it, but I like Fotina, especially when it has the new red leaves in the spring. This one was blooming. I caught the last minutes of sunlight. ;)

Commute Chat

One plus to being stuck in 5 o'clock traffic, is that it gives me time to call my friend and have a good chat. She told me about this piece she had seen on HDTV about a concrete mosaic quilt. Of course, I googled it as soon as I got home. I didn't find it on the HDTV site, but I found this one. Fabulous idea!

Mosaic Chair and this stunning Peacock Throne by Suzan Germond.

How to mount rubber stamps by Michelle Ward (her wonderful blog). Via (lots-o-great-links) Mika Arts.

Tiny Texas Houses

Gosh, I love this link my S-I-L sent me today! Tiny Texas Houses made (remade) from recycled material.

California Poppies

My Neighbor

This is why I have so many wonderful flowers to shoot! My wonderful neighbor gives me her treasures.

Chow Babes - 05.06.07

Half of our Chow Babe group met for the May, at a beautiful Japanese style home/garden. This month's theme was "Picnic Food" ... recipes to come. I love our group because we have a healthy difference in ages, enough to admire one another for who we are and where we have been. One Chow Babe (a writer) had a "lemon refrigerator pie" contest going on ... so we all had 6 pieces of pie to taste. To top it off, chilled Limoncello ... then we all went home, full and content.

The Mineral Moon

Mineral Moon, planetary photojournal and Earth wallpapers, from Nasa.

Little Ones

An invitation


Large for wonderful details.

Columbine birth.



One

My Aura Is Orange

Your Aura is Orange

You're a bit of a loner, but you're never lonely. You know how to entertain yourself. Whether you're trying an extreme sport or a new weird food, you always live on the edge. The purpose of your life: testing limits - both physical and mental... and then telling people about it. Famous oranges include: Timothy Leary, David Blaine, Tony Hawk, Carey Hart Careers for you to try: Snowboarder, Circus Performer, Undercover Agent

What Color Is Your Aura?

Today In The Garden

Loderi


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Tiny Forget Me Not