A Lamp Post and Coffee with a new Art Inspiration

A couple of months ago I joined a group of international collagers called The Collage Collaborative. Created by Nikki Soppelsa, it is a wonderful group of people who love paper and glue and the art of collaging. Each person was to start their own personal collage and then it would be sent on, until finished, with five peoples artistic touch added. I felt excited, but very intimated.

I started mine very simple, leaving LOTS of room for others to add to. I did not like what I first sent out, but on its way it went. I would like the adds I did to others, but my initial start just bugged me.



I would be sending/forwarding my finished pieces to Michael, a wonderfully gifted and talented artist. Once again I felt very intimated even having to send him anything I had worked on (he's that good!). Sometime in-between the art forwards I got an email from him. He used the word "lamp post" and asked if I liked coffee....coffee shops. He had a CD of coffee songs that he had put together if I was interested. I replied with a big Yes!!! Weeks later and several collages sent on I received a wonderful package in the mail.

My coffee CD and other artful Michael goodies!!!!




His "roommate" would become a cheerleader of my collage work. The two of them (much like Dayna Collins) would inspire me to try, to keep on, to do with their words. They could have been art snobs, but instead chose to empower. Such a lucky person I am!

My 1st collage returned home.....the additions made it perfect! (Michael added the fish eating the etc.)



There would be the start of a second round.....and this time....I absolutely LOVE what I started with.



I don't feel as intimidated as I did in the beginning. I love the Coffee CD (let me know if you would like a copy of it ~ it's fantastically great!). And once again I am reminded just how powerful a few words can be.

Thank you Coffee Messiah!

Happy Birthday to Me ~ Que Sera Sera!

Two birthday weekends of fun-ness! This last weekend was spent with family. The Mabe's called me up and said she and the Golden Gals wanted to take me to BINGO on Saturday afternoon....how could I refuse!

They had flowers and cards and even a little black pouch filled with the coveted needed BINGO quarters!




A quick trip home and then it was off to dinner with my favorite boyfriend and favorite child at Toro Bravo (my choice) for several tapas. It has quickly become a favorite of mine and now Mr. Picky Bryan loves it too!



While there we decided to plan a monthly dining outing to a new place that we have never been to before. We will take turns finding the place....and NO whining! I quickly starting singing in my Doris Day voice (well, I think it is) Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be...... and our new monthly outing is so named "SERA"! Stan will take the lead for May.

My next birthday adventure had been kept a secret/surprise from me. Kristi knows I love new adventures and trying new things. She had purchased tickets a couple of weeks before for......

SMASHPUTT! Miniature Golf in a warehouse on West Burnside!!




Holes included Scratch 'n Sniff, Foos Ball and Infinity....





....and we three get our very much competitive clubs and balls and begin hitting the holes (sometimes literally)!








A great day and a great night. I don't know what the scores ended up being, but I do know that I won in the best family and friends category!

I Seem To Be a Sudden Outburst of Feeling

A couple weeks ago I asked my favorite art teacher Dayna Collins if she would facilitate an afternoon of art with friends for my birthday. She was free last Saturday (she's a very busy lady!) so the invites went out.



Two of the couples invited had medical emergencies (they actually did) and couldn't make it. The rest of us headed down I-5 and were greeted by Dayna's wonderful smile.




On the road I soon discovered that if I was to ever to take an extended road trip - Blake is the one who I'd want to take it with...he's continually hilarious, his glass is definitely more than half full!!

Before we start our Collage Up a Storm art project, Dayna has a warm up exercise for all of us to do. Muse Cubes that have written words of sound and movement. Each of us rolled the dice and the dancing and laughing and bending and yelling began!



We were now ready for the project to begin. Each of us were given a canvas. Dayna has a vessel containing words of what she wanted us to do. Ink, Paint, Pastels, Sand Paper, Picture, Words....one by one she pulled one out and we only had a short time to do as she told us to.






Two hours later, we are done Collaging Up a Storm! Along with the invites, I had asked each person to bring a chopped up vegetable for Stone Soup (it was cooking while we collaged). I asked Dayna to read the Stone Soup story to us all....



....and then it was time to eat. Dayna had also picked up this wonderful bread and the most yummy cake ever!!




After eating it was time for show and tell........

Blake's turn




Kristi's turn




Dawn's turn




Stan's turn (he thought he should be voted best ~ I kinda agree since he did incorporate BABA on his!)




And Mine





A most perfect afternoon spent laughing and arting and eating with people I love.

And then to continue "pre" birthday festivities.....dancing at Clyde's with the girls and one old high school boyfriend (who somehow thinks he's one of the girls)!



I love my masterpiece! (I changed just a couple of tiny areas when I got home)


A nail in the wall, and it has been hung! Stan wants to hang his too, the wall has yet to be determined.

It's going to be tough to top my pre-birthday. But I just got a call from The Golden Girls for Saturday afternoon.........

Miss Ava Turns "1"

Last weekend I got the honor of hosting Miss Ava's 1st Birthday Party!!!! Still my little boo monkey.....still has my heart!







Happy 1st Birthday Ava Miranda ~ you are loved immensely!!!!

The Wonderment of Silence and a Young Man in Switzerland

Last week on Kristi's blog she wrote about how one of the kid's she use to nanny for over in Switzerland wanted to make sure that she would let everyone over here know to turn their lights off at 8:30pm for Earth Hour.

On March 26, 2011, turn off your lights at 8:30 pm for Earth Hour, a worldwide collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all - the planet.

Every year Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and communities worldwide to show their commitment to the environment. This Earth Hour, we hope you will turn off your lights. But when the lights go back on, we want you to go beyond the hour and think about what you can change in your daily life that will benefit the planet. Let’s work together to create a better future. Our actions can add up.

I told her I would do it. So at 8:25pm I started lighting the candles in my living room; at 8:30pm the lights went out.




Stan came downstairs to join me and we marveled at the wonderment of the silence amongst the candlelight ~ no television, no lights, no computer hum; time just spent being in the moment.



And we marveled at the wonderment of one young man in another country determined to get the word out about this event. Such passion at such a young age.

We decided to make this a weekly event. Good for the Earth and good for quieting down our minds and just being in the moment.

I have to agree with Kristi - he definitely is the coolest kid she knows!