The Ugly Truth

I cannot believe I am posting this on the internet.

My craft room exploded. I tore it down trying to ready myself for the art retreat I attended last month....gathering just the right bits to use in my class.

I am just now feeling emotionally prepared to clean it up. I have two hours to myself, and I am going to whirlwind it. This will include organizing, cleaning, and getting rid of stuff.

If I don't post again before tomorrow, someone please call 911. I may be buried under a pile of ephemera.

Hopefully, through the power of shame, I will be able to make great progress this morning.

I hope the next picture shows improvement.

Techno Lust

Joseph has always wanted to inspire the love of technology in me. I fear, despite my computer science career, I am a bit of a luddite. I got paid to integrate software and make sense of bits of data. It was mentally taxing and often trivially frustrating work. When you hear, "The computer won't let me do that" when talking to a customer service rep, it sometimes is actually true.

So, I retreated from the world of technology and gadgetry. Years pass....

Now, Joseph presents me with an Android phone via Verizon.

Oh, my. Things just work. It is a little scary. Without much effort, things start showing up on my phone. My contacts from my former Blackberry appear on my Android, now with pictures!

I have been following the moon phases. My 5 year old daughter navigated us to Office Depot using a gps/navigation program on it. My Pandora Radio application sings me a Collective Soul lullaby.

I feel like I am holding the world in the palm of my hand.

Now, if I can just figure out how to answer the phone when it rings.

Kay

Meeting Martha

My friend who I have arted with and corresponded with over a year, she and I finally got to meet in person in February. We had so much fun!

Even though I was homesick for my family, I couldn't help but have a good time, talking art, doing art, and racing about the state of California.

Look at that smile! I sat across from her during our 3 days of art retreat and couldn't help but be inspired by that smile!

Kay

San Francisco

Got to see some of San Francisco on my California trip.

Wow! That city was really different to me. I got to see a wide range of neighborhoods. I couldn't believe how different everything was and all packed together!

Martha and I did alot of sight seeing. One place she insisted I had to see was the Golden Gate Bridge.

My response: "It was big. It was red. It was a bridge." I don't hold the proper appreciation for architectural wonders.

I had a similar response when seeing the coastal redwoods further inland: "They were big. They were brown. They were trees." But, there was reverent awe when seeing those ancient giants of nature. I do possess appreciations, but they tend to lie in the natural realm of the world.

I'm Back!

After a blog-free hiatus, I am back. Lots been going on. Now, I am feeling the need to share it with everyone.

In February, I got to go to An Artful Journey retreat in Los Gatos, CA with my friend Martha. We had lots of fun! If you have been considering an art retreat, I can recommend an An Artful Journey. It was three days of artistic immersion with an amazingly beautiful group of people. Everyone was so encouraging and sharing. I loved the facilities at The Presentation Center. Very private and relaxing. Just what I needed. Also, the food was delicious! You can win me over simply with a good meal just about every time.

My teacher DJ Pettitt was great! She has so much talent and loved sharing it with us. Her books are beautiful. I will be incorporating the techniques I learned in her class into my little mental tool box.

Albie Smith's class was next door. Those gals had so much fun and created the most wonderful papers and journals. They lined the halls with drying masterpieces. Albie is who I want to learn from next.

Kay

Card Making Frenzy

I found myself on a card making frenzy the other day.  Once I discovered this simple format, I churned out these three beauties.  They are variations on the same layout.  It is really fun to take one layout and expand on it.

Since I love owls, I think the one with the owlie is my favorite.  But the Camphor Cream vintage label one has a its own charm.

I may even later use these as letter book covers.  We shall see.

Kay

Cherish Letter Book

I continue the never ending battle of using up all my scraps.  Letter books often come to the rescue.  This little guy is simple and fun.  He is made of all scraps, even the embroidery thread used to bind it.

Score one for the Waste Nots!

Kay