I adore Liz and she has always inspired me to peek inside myself, be more insightful, more observant about life. I love her post on this time... (last year) that chronicles the life of new parents, their fears, exhaustion and delights!
this time last year ...
i was living in fear and depression
i cried in my car many hours
i knew my life was about to change forever
i was busy taking CSS classes
i felt completely ignored, invisible, belittled and betrayed
i was feeling very lost
i discovered who my friends were and who were not
i was thanking my lucky stars for my supportive family and friends who were holding me upright
my son was not thinking about moving into his own place
i decided to own up to my gray hair
i had two great ideas for art/products
i wasn't feeling my age, but i was definitely looking my age
and i was looking forward to finding out who and what i might be in the next chapter of my life
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Unresolved conflict
I am so tired of having conflict resolution dreams. If you have ever had them, you know how frustrating they can be! Dream dictionary and interpretations. I going to try creating my own dream and see if I can't solve this.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Staying creative
Most of these are pretty obvious, but it never hurts to hear (read) them again ... especially #19, 27, 28 and 29! Via Sherry Ball Schoenfeldt from the Magically Mixed Art Community on Facebook.
David Shillinglaw
David Shillinglaw "All You'll Ever Need' via an email newsletter from Cement Gallery. For inspiration.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Dream Tending
I am so excited that two of my favorite bloggers-friends are teaching a four-week, online workshop - Dream Tending in September!
Michelle who captured me with her writing so many years ago and has become a sweet friend! I only wish I could write like her! And the beautiful, nutty, talented, Kelly Barton.
Michelle who captured me with her writing so many years ago and has become a sweet friend! I only wish I could write like her! And the beautiful, nutty, talented, Kelly Barton.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Heavenly architecture
Examples of Modern Church Architecture
Grundtvig Church is sublime serenity!
Harajuku Protestant Church
Richard Davies has been photographing wooden churches in the Russian North. And here is his site full of wonderful images. A MUST see.
Russian Orthodox Church Architecture
Unique Churches
Grundtvig Church is sublime serenity!
Harajuku Protestant Church
Richard Davies has been photographing wooden churches in the Russian North. And here is his site full of wonderful images. A MUST see.
Russian Orthodox Church Architecture
Unique Churches
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Finding wonderfulness
It always amazes me how the internet works in magical circles. I am looking on some random Tumblr and ran across one landscape image out of 100's of images that jumped out at me. Clicking through all the re-postings brought me to a Flickr photostream of Elias and Theresa Carlson. Their photos had reference to Seattle. Curious, I looked at their profiles where I found a couple of links. And Voila! Two new wonderful local blogs! Orange Juice ETC. and Icarus & Occident. Icarus & Occident is a collaboration of Elias Carlson and Jeremy Spyridon where they share some wonderful music and personal stories.
Getting carded
125 + creative business cards
Word Search Business Card
Peanut Business Cards You Can Eat
TAM Cargo: Business card
Business Card for: Tactix and some great logos by Tactix.
Have a seat and look at my favorite, Tok&Stok
Word Search Business Card
Peanut Business Cards You Can Eat
TAM Cargo: Business card
Business Card for: Tactix and some great logos by Tactix.
Have a seat and look at my favorite, Tok&Stok
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Looking back, looking forward
Yesterday I took my mom to the ER in Everett. Two weeks ago we spent the entire day there waiting for her to have Ct Scan ... Yesterday, I decided to run errands while she was waiting.
My errand: buying staples for Matt to have in his new place. His new place. They found a place to move to about two weeks ago. I am excited, I have saved all kinds stuff, furniture and kitchen items for this day to come. But when they told me a couple of weeks ago, I listened with enthusiasm, then headed to the garage to have a good cry. But Matt followed me down to ask a question and so my cry was postponed, suppressed for a later time.
I found plenty of bargains on peanut butter, toilet paper, honey, sugar, flour ... you know the things one will need to survive. I was feeling happy with myself at my last stop ... jumped into the car and when the words formed in my head, then came out of my mouth ... 'Matt is moving out' ... I started to cry, the uncontrollable, ugly cry. The kind that you can't stop. The kind that when someone in the car next to you looks over, they get worried. Cried all the way back to the hospital. The nurse asked me if I was okay. I explained my pre-empty-nest attack.
Last night, I let Matt and Bri pick out dishes they wanted to take with them. Picking, packing, panicking. They are only 10 minutes away. I know we will see him often. I know they want to spend time here with us. It is just ... that our son will not be sleeping in his bedroom, where he as slept for the last 20 years. I am worried they won't be able to afford their new lives. Who will cook for them? Will their laundry be done? Who will tell him to be safe when he leaves the house? I won't be able to tell him "I love you" every night at bedtime.
A little photo album of the last 20 years started flipping through my brain ... just little snippets of him at different ages. The bunny he wouldn't go anywhere without. That time he was running through the sprinkles, having lunch and taking naps in the backyard fort, pulling them in the red wagon to the local park, Halloween with his Frankenstein mask, watching him play baseball, basketball, paintball, soccer, trombone. All the hours we spent watching him skate, driving him through Oregon in search of new skate parks. Watching him earn his black belt, winning skating trophies. When he thought he was Batman and when he wore his Gargoyle outfit everywhere. And just as it was a flipbook ... it seems to have gone that quickly. I want to flip through it again and again and have all of those moments back! I keep wondering how it went so fast. How did that happen? When I was looking through all of our photos, David asked me what I was looking for and I cried out through my sobbing ... I am looking for where the time has gone. (Pixel ran up to check on me and lick my tears away.)
I will write him a letter and tell him how proud I am to be his mother. How much fun it is being his mom. How he has made our lives so much more than we thought it would ever be. How he has been a joy to us from the minute of his birth. I can't remember one bad moment with him, one moment that I wasn't overjoyed to have him as my son.
This is his beginning of his adult life, exciting, challenging ... for them looking forward, not back. And I will text him with my new smartphone every night that I love him before I go to sleep.
My errand: buying staples for Matt to have in his new place. His new place. They found a place to move to about two weeks ago. I am excited, I have saved all kinds stuff, furniture and kitchen items for this day to come. But when they told me a couple of weeks ago, I listened with enthusiasm, then headed to the garage to have a good cry. But Matt followed me down to ask a question and so my cry was postponed, suppressed for a later time.
I found plenty of bargains on peanut butter, toilet paper, honey, sugar, flour ... you know the things one will need to survive. I was feeling happy with myself at my last stop ... jumped into the car and when the words formed in my head, then came out of my mouth ... 'Matt is moving out' ... I started to cry, the uncontrollable, ugly cry. The kind that you can't stop. The kind that when someone in the car next to you looks over, they get worried. Cried all the way back to the hospital. The nurse asked me if I was okay. I explained my pre-empty-nest attack.
Last night, I let Matt and Bri pick out dishes they wanted to take with them. Picking, packing, panicking. They are only 10 minutes away. I know we will see him often. I know they want to spend time here with us. It is just ... that our son will not be sleeping in his bedroom, where he as slept for the last 20 years. I am worried they won't be able to afford their new lives. Who will cook for them? Will their laundry be done? Who will tell him to be safe when he leaves the house? I won't be able to tell him "I love you" every night at bedtime.
A little photo album of the last 20 years started flipping through my brain ... just little snippets of him at different ages. The bunny he wouldn't go anywhere without. That time he was running through the sprinkles, having lunch and taking naps in the backyard fort, pulling them in the red wagon to the local park, Halloween with his Frankenstein mask, watching him play baseball, basketball, paintball, soccer, trombone. All the hours we spent watching him skate, driving him through Oregon in search of new skate parks. Watching him earn his black belt, winning skating trophies. When he thought he was Batman and when he wore his Gargoyle outfit everywhere. And just as it was a flipbook ... it seems to have gone that quickly. I want to flip through it again and again and have all of those moments back! I keep wondering how it went so fast. How did that happen? When I was looking through all of our photos, David asked me what I was looking for and I cried out through my sobbing ... I am looking for where the time has gone. (Pixel ran up to check on me and lick my tears away.)
I will write him a letter and tell him how proud I am to be his mother. How much fun it is being his mom. How he has made our lives so much more than we thought it would ever be. How he has been a joy to us from the minute of his birth. I can't remember one bad moment with him, one moment that I wasn't overjoyed to have him as my son.
This is his beginning of his adult life, exciting, challenging ... for them looking forward, not back. And I will text him with my new smartphone every night that I love him before I go to sleep.
My incredibly talented friend, Robin, has directed her first music video and it was released a few days ago! Snatam Kaur, who performs Indian devotional music. Robin had reached out to her a couple of years ago when her mom was receiving chemo and radiation treatments. I remember when Robin discovered Snatam Kaur's music and it really helped her through an incredibly difficult time. Congratulations, Robin!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Adrienne Antonson bugs me
Something wonderful happening near Seattle. Adrienne Antonson is creating wonderful insect sculptures made from human hair and glue! Available at ODLA. Via Mint.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Seven Natural Wonders of the World
I am traveling in my mind, even if I am stuck at my computer!
Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Top 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World
Aventura Argentina
Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Top 10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World
Aventura Argentina
Friday, July 22, 2011
Diane Keaton
Thumbing threw the digital Martha Stewart Magazine yesterday, while researching 'Nook or Kindle' - I saw a L'Oréal ad with Diane Keaton and these wonderful rings. To add them to my ever-growing collection of Rings and Things on Pinterest ... I have to blog it because I couldn't pin it right out of the L'Oréal Paris site ;(. I don't care what the critics say ... I love her sense of fashion ... at least she has her own style for her age that looks fun, is never boring and suits her perfectly. Go Diane, Go!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Famous Wonders
Famous Wonders of the World - Top 100 Wonders. Thanks to the internet, I can travel there in my mind.
Monday, July 18, 2011
My math morning
Trying to visually understand x, y, z axis this morning and ran across all of these very interesting videos;) Had to store them here so I can watch them over and over, plus share with you, of course.
Pythagorean theorem
High School Algebra was awhile back, but I was fascinated!
Matt Moore has some fun with the XYZ AXIS
I found this video highly entertaining! (larger version here)
Metatron's Cube! Video on Sacred Geometry are really wonderful!
Pythagorean theorem
High School Algebra was awhile back, but I was fascinated!
Matt Moore has some fun with the XYZ AXIS
I found this video highly entertaining! (larger version here)
Metatron's Cube! Video on Sacred Geometry are really wonderful!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sticky Weed
I found this today on the side of the house. Sticky Weed -- or Velcro Weed. And it wasn't hard to find on the internet with those descriptions. Although, people seem to hate it ... it was pretty remarkable. The stems and pods are very sticky and literally feel like velcro! Galium aparine, also called Bedstraw and has little tiny white flowers, which I tried to capture with my macro lens, but it didn't happen. ;( It is a fascinating weed!
-- SHONMODERN.COM --
The Kit from SHONMODERN.COM is an interesting idea. For a set price you can buy 6 pieces - 20 outfits (not the accessories). I think I do that with Bryn Walker ... but paid more over the years ... but hey, I have worn these pieces for more years than I want to admit to. ;)
Ringing in happiness
I probably have a little too much fun adding to my Ring and Things Pinterest! I saw this Diamond ring tonight by Munni that took my breath away! And that is saying something for me!
And what can I say about Cindy Chao's Donut Rings, except, I Love You! (The second image also a Cindy Chao creation).
Lucifer Vir Honestus, Yes, to all! What is not to love about these organic shapes encapsulating some diamonds?
Or you could look around Christie's for some mouth watering rings.
So, just because you can't spend the money, doesn't mean you can't have fun!
And what can I say about Cindy Chao's Donut Rings, except, I Love You! (The second image also a Cindy Chao creation).
Lucifer Vir Honestus, Yes, to all! What is not to love about these organic shapes encapsulating some diamonds?
Or you could look around Christie's for some mouth watering rings.
So, just because you can't spend the money, doesn't mean you can't have fun!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Jaycee Dugard
One wants to be outraged, sad, scream and cry while watching the story of the kidnapped 11-year-old girl, raped and terrorized for 18 years, Jaycee Dugard. But somehow, after the initial tears ... Jaycee's grace and love of life gave me a good sense of hope, for her, her family and really, all of us. It wasn't sensational journalism. Or so much about the crazy bad people. More about a human spirit to rise above that and learn to live on. The unjust story of a brave girl, now woman getting on to make a wonderful life ... good job, Diane Sawyer and ABC news.
Jaycee Dugard Interview: Five Lessons For Your Life
The JAYC Foundation
More on New York Times topics page.
Jaycee Dugard Interview: Five Lessons For Your Life
The JAYC Foundation
More on New York Times topics page.
Friday, July 15, 2011
I drove over to Yakima yesterday with a friend. The landscape is so different from the Seattle area. Arid and sensual, sage brush, browns and muted, gray greens, shadows from clouds ... and blue horizons. I love it . I feel like I a breath there. Crops, hills, sheered off cliffs made by glacier movement millions of years ago. It is really beautiful there. I want to go back and have a closer look. And I love Google maps to get a bigger sense of where have been and seen. The crop images are closer to Spokane, but it looks so much like a quilt, I had to add the image.
It is hot. It was really hot on my drive to Redmond for my meeting. So hot I was sweating. Okay, it is only 75 ... but for me that is hot enough. And now the clouds are back it is finally cooling down. So done with the avatar in the snow with scarf! Pixel is taking new photos with me, the tongue licking one is for Tara..... she will know exactly what I am talkin' 'bout. I am thinking feta cheese, olives, shrimp, broiled meat and salad for dinner ...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Color!
I have been reading Victoria Finlay's Color, A Natural History of the Palette, covering all matter of colors - history, origins, myths, makings .... it is a fascinating read. I have been slowly making my way through it. With my sunbathing hour (now that the sun is out), allows me time to sit down with stack of neglected books.
I am on the Orange chapter, mainly talking about resins, types and where they come from. How they were used on violins and master paintings for varnishes. Some interesting facts I discovered:
I have always loved to look of a Dragon Tree, native to the Socotra archipelago in the Indian Ocean. But didn't know that produces red sap. "The trees can be harvested for their crimson red resin, called Dragon's blood which was highly prized in the ancient world and is still used today. Around the Mediterranean basin it is used as a dye and as a medicine, Socotrans use it ornamentally as well as dying wool, gluing pottery, a breath freshener and lipstick."
Safflower and Megilp, Madder Root ("Madder has been cultivated as a dyestuff since antiquity in central Asia and Egypt, where it was grown as early as 1500 B.C. Cloth dyed with madder root pigment was found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and in the ruins of Pompeii and ancient Corinth. In the middle ages, Charlemagne encouraged madder cultivation. It grew well in the sandy soils of the Netherlands and became an important part of the local economy.")
Pistacia lentiscus found on the island of Chios, the mastic gum used in the production of high grade varnish (as well as a variety of medical uses and chewing gum.
Victoria also mentions Alexander Scriabin being Synesthesia, where he "saw" and "heard" music colors. Fantastic. I was wondering if I ever did that. Anyway, sent me on a big internet search on "hearing music in colors". Anyone have some good websites to share on that? I found a few, but not quite what I was wishing for. Maybe I had some interactive in mind.
Colors of Music
Hear Color Music
Visual Music
I will keep you updated on the rest of the fascinating history of the rest of the colors. Thank you, Victoria!
Meanings of Colors. I always gravitate towards Green and Gray.
Found this 100 Years of Colour on House and Home the other day and couldn't resist. Guess what color is my fave. ;)
I am on the Orange chapter, mainly talking about resins, types and where they come from. How they were used on violins and master paintings for varnishes. Some interesting facts I discovered:
I have always loved to look of a Dragon Tree, native to the Socotra archipelago in the Indian Ocean. But didn't know that produces red sap. "The trees can be harvested for their crimson red resin, called Dragon's blood which was highly prized in the ancient world and is still used today. Around the Mediterranean basin it is used as a dye and as a medicine, Socotrans use it ornamentally as well as dying wool, gluing pottery, a breath freshener and lipstick."
Safflower and Megilp, Madder Root ("Madder has been cultivated as a dyestuff since antiquity in central Asia and Egypt, where it was grown as early as 1500 B.C. Cloth dyed with madder root pigment was found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun and in the ruins of Pompeii and ancient Corinth. In the middle ages, Charlemagne encouraged madder cultivation. It grew well in the sandy soils of the Netherlands and became an important part of the local economy.")
Pistacia lentiscus found on the island of Chios, the mastic gum used in the production of high grade varnish (as well as a variety of medical uses and chewing gum.
Victoria also mentions Alexander Scriabin being Synesthesia, where he "saw" and "heard" music colors. Fantastic. I was wondering if I ever did that. Anyway, sent me on a big internet search on "hearing music in colors". Anyone have some good websites to share on that? I found a few, but not quite what I was wishing for. Maybe I had some interactive in mind.
Colors of Music
Hear Color Music
Visual Music
I will keep you updated on the rest of the fascinating history of the rest of the colors. Thank you, Victoria!
Meanings of Colors. I always gravitate towards Green and Gray.
Found this 100 Years of Colour on House and Home the other day and couldn't resist. Guess what color is my fave. ;)
Wonderful weeds
I think some of these things I find in my yard are weeds, but wonderful ones. Identification: Weed Photo Gallery. Common Lawn and Landscape Photo Weed Identification. Weed Science. The most hated weed in my yard is Hedge Bindweed. Not pretty.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Alpha Best
Flickr: The Alphabattle 2.0- 2010 Pool and AlphaBattle at Letter Cult.
Type Battle 39 // Digg logotype on Typophile is fun.
GOTA free font
Code Free Font
Sugar Sock custom lettering, fun!
Type Battle 39 // Digg logotype on Typophile is fun.
GOTA free font
Code Free Font
Sugar Sock custom lettering, fun!
SpoonGraphics
I have subscribed to SpoonGraphics for some time and love it. He is very generous with great tutorials and advice. You know, so I don't let my brains go to mush ... still practice, learn and watch lots of instructional videos. Chris does a little weekly video answering questions from his readers.
I quickly followed his tutorial on this mosiac effect with type, easy and fun. And I learned how to do something quick and interesting. Thanks, Chris!
I quickly followed his tutorial on this mosiac effect with type, easy and fun. And I learned how to do something quick and interesting. Thanks, Chris!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Chris Giffin
Oregon Art Beat interviews mixed media artist Chris Giffin. Very inspiring! And I am looking for inspiration any where I can find it!
You can view my blog in Flipcard mode. Or maybe in Snapshot view. Timeslide. My favorite might be the Mosaic view because you get a little image and some text. Can't figure out if you need to publish in that mode or the view just changes the view. Must read on. - Oh, I guess all any reader need to is add "view" the end of the url. Example: http://buzz.blogspot.com/view. Found this reading Blogger Buzz. Blogger has upgraded their dashboard, but I still can't figure out an easy way to delete the unwanted labels I have, when I was labeling every post with some random label ;) Anyway, it is always ice to discover something new ... anyway ... back to the label problem.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Nervous System
Nervous System Hele-Shaw Cell experiments, very interesting.
Hele-Shaw cell experiments from Nervous System on Vimeo.
Hele-Shaw cell experiments from Nervous System on Vimeo.
Vacation
Sta-cation. Studio-cation. Garag-cation. Patio-cation. I am sunbathing and reading old magazines that I have let pile up for months. Getting brown ;) Brown fat looks so much better than white fat, you can agree with that.
Yesterday, I read my pile of old Vanity Fairs ... so now they are off the Senior Citizens Thrift store. Today - Entertainment Weekly - A Harry Potter special issue. Very interesting stuff about behind-the-scenes set design and prop makings. Read about Miraphora Mina, prop designer, who work on some of the props for Harry Potter. Like the The Half-Blood Prince’s Potions Book. What a fun job that would be!
Also found out there is a new Masterpiece coming in a couple of weeks - ZEN AND that my favorite childhood TV show, (I can almost hear the soundtrack just thinking about it ... please someone have the good sense to stick with the same soundtrack) - Dark Shadows is coming out in a movie in 2012. Trying not to pay attention to the Casey Anthony debacle on the news.
David and I are painting/distressing some book cases specially made to house his collection of vinyl albums that are currently taking over the family room floor.
Making my way to the studio to PAINT. Still wrapping up some website work. And adding to my Pinterest Rings and Things. But painting is on my list of things to do next!
I have to say, it does feel good to give myself permission to have a mental vacation, to not job hunt, and just relax and not worry about next week. I will wait until next week to worry about that ;)
Yesterday, I read my pile of old Vanity Fairs ... so now they are off the Senior Citizens Thrift store. Today - Entertainment Weekly - A Harry Potter special issue. Very interesting stuff about behind-the-scenes set design and prop makings. Read about Miraphora Mina, prop designer, who work on some of the props for Harry Potter. Like the The Half-Blood Prince’s Potions Book. What a fun job that would be!
Also found out there is a new Masterpiece coming in a couple of weeks - ZEN AND that my favorite childhood TV show, (I can almost hear the soundtrack just thinking about it ... please someone have the good sense to stick with the same soundtrack) - Dark Shadows is coming out in a movie in 2012. Trying not to pay attention to the Casey Anthony debacle on the news.
David and I are painting/distressing some book cases specially made to house his collection of vinyl albums that are currently taking over the family room floor.
Making my way to the studio to PAINT. Still wrapping up some website work. And adding to my Pinterest Rings and Things. But painting is on my list of things to do next!
I have to say, it does feel good to give myself permission to have a mental vacation, to not job hunt, and just relax and not worry about next week. I will wait until next week to worry about that ;)
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Google to Retire Blogger & Picasa Brands in Google+ Push
I hope this isn't true. EXCLUSIVE: Google to Retire Blogger & Picasa Brands in Google+ Push. Maybe that is my sign to quit blogging?
Monday, July 04, 2011
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Prince Jefri Bolkiah
I read Vanity Fair cover to cover while waiting for mom at the ER the other day. This was the most disturbing story of the bunch (and there were a few disturbing stories about the rich and powerful behaving badly) - The Prince Who Blew Through Billions. I put the magazine down, feeling a little sick to my stomach and wondered how much good that money could have done people in real need? Instead of the way it was wasted by Prince Jefri. Is there a special place in hell for these people?
Not sick to your stomach and want more - Is the party over for runaway billionaire Prince Jefri of Brunei?
I love Vanity Fair. It is the type of magazine that I can not put down!
Not sick to your stomach and want more - Is the party over for runaway billionaire Prince Jefri of Brunei?
I love Vanity Fair. It is the type of magazine that I can not put down!
Holiday delights
Thinking of making ice cream tomorrow! Worked all day, my eyes have burned out of the sockets from looking at the screen too long. ;) But tomorrow, no computer, paint furniture and art! Happy, safe, long holiday weekend!
Friday, July 01, 2011
Delicious summer day
This could be the most perfect summer day, ever!
Working, listening to Castle (Season 2, Netflix), mom reading Vanity Fair, the dogs are napping ... the sun is shining, bees are buzzing happily around the garden. Perfection.
I am getting an unexpected week (hopefully not more) vacation while my contract gets settled. I could really use a break and I intend on using the time wisely! It is funny to think, not working does not equal time off. I haven't really had time off since last August, or rather, our vacation-road trip to California a year ago. Studio, here I come!
Working, listening to Castle (Season 2, Netflix), mom reading Vanity Fair, the dogs are napping ... the sun is shining, bees are buzzing happily around the garden. Perfection.
I am getting an unexpected week (hopefully not more) vacation while my contract gets settled. I could really use a break and I intend on using the time wisely! It is funny to think, not working does not equal time off. I haven't really had time off since last August, or rather, our vacation-road trip to California a year ago. Studio, here I come!