I Remember You.....

A year ago I was taking a train up to Seattle to see Nikki Soppelsa's (and a couple others) Sketchbook Project 2011. As my fantastic luck would happen, two people bailed "but" I met two other fantastic people (Keri & Latrice). After seeing the submissions Keri and I decided that we were going to do the 2012 Project.

50 themes to pick from....I decided mine would be "I REMEMBER YOU". Not so much "you" but definite times in my life that hold a huge place in my heart.

And so my book began. For my birthday last year, Dayna Collins gave me this wonderful watercolor pen and pad. All of my pages that were sketched and painted were painted with Dayna's wonderful gift to me!

Each page....has my heart.

The tour will be coming to Portland, OR (come see me!) and also Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Portland Maine, Los Angeles, Melbourne Australia and London England amongst main other stops.

I love my book, I love each page and I love the moment in my life each page repersents and reminds me of that moment.






















I hope these pages will touch your fingers and remind you about.....that moment!

Better Than Snail Mail

Yesterday I would have said that there is nothing better than Snail Mail (well, except Caller ID), but today I can actually state that there is something better than Snail Mail..... "Surprise" Snail Mail!

Today I received a most beautiful collage created by the very talented Ardith Goodwin. Her art and blogs are always fantastic and great fun!




I first met Ardith last year while we were collaborating on collages. During that time she had surgery so I sent her a little get well care package of art goodies. And from that bag she created "Flight of the Hartung"! It immediately brought a huge smile to my being because it reminded me of my Dad.

The bird is gorgeous, her words so very heartwarming.



As I keep gazing at it I realize that there is something even better than Surprise Snail Mail ~ it's meeting this wonderfully talented and creative lady from Alabama!!

Thank you Ardith for this wonderful gift and your gift of friendship!

My Letterman ~ John Patrick Cline

I met him my first year in high school, and he is still a part of my daily life. When I put together my Omega Project he was one of my "Fab 6". Late night walks on Mt. Tabor in the snow, Raggedy Ann dolls, Dad Floyd, a 56 Chevy and secrets.



Thank you JP for the present today ~ I am putting it (and you) in reserve.

Pay It Forward

At the start of the new year, my niece Lindsay posted this on Facebook:

Pay it Forward 2012: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here.

The rules:
1. You must send me your address at some point in the next 11.5 months.
2. You must post this on your page and send something YOU make to the first 5 people who comment on your status. This item MUST be handmade by you, ............and it MUST be sent sometime in 2012.

I copied and pasted it onto my Facebook and by the end of the day there were 13 peeps that had left a comment.

I decided to make necklaces,




valentine tags,



a couple of my new moo cards,



and a mail art envelope to let each know how marvelous they truly are.





Such a fun, fun way to start off 2012 with a little art and a reminder to always try to Pay It Forward!

She Gets Me

On Christmas morning I unwrapped my gift from Kristi. The words were brief and simple. "My gift to you is time spent with me ~ along with snacks and art!"

The date was set, but I still had no idea as to what and where I was going. She picked me up and as we drove many thoughts and guesses were racing through my head.

We arrived at a two story building and she brought out a very large picnic basket.

We were at The Loaded Brush for a night of art and wonderful snacks. The basket was filled with the best cheeses and breads, fruit and wine.




For the next two hours, Kristi and I would be guided by Aaron in painting our masterpieces of Mt. Hood along with ten other artists.












My masterpiece is complete and I am in love with it. But I have to say that I am in "bigger" love with that little girl carrying a basket full of my favorites and knowing what makes a perfect date night for me.

Thanks for always "getting" me Kristi Bryan....

A Tea Party With Penguins

When I first retired in 2007, the very first classes I started taking at collage were card making classes among various others (yes, the infamous itty bitties taught by Dayna Collins). In those classes I was blessed to meet a lady with the most infectious laugh and love for life. Her name is Tawny and we always seem to bump into each other around town throughout the years.

One of our last bumps last year lead to an invite from her to a summer tea party at her home. (When I had bumped into her that time she asked for my address. I went to give her my email or facebook and she quickly told me that she only does snail mail....pitter pat went my heart....how cool is that?) The party's consist of a theme, a collaborative mix of foods from the guests, a craft, a white elephant exchange and of course...tea!

A couple of week ago I received a snail mail invite for another tea party for January 1st from Tawny and her friend Robin. I quickly RSVP and ask if it would be okay if I brought a friend. "Of course, we love friends!", so I called Gina to see if she would like to attend.

This party's theme was "animal", real or fictitious. I asked Gina if she would like to be a penguin with me (without our harmonica's!).



Robin's home is a collectors delight....




The food was the yummiest....



The craft was beaded bookmarks....



Tawny's costume was spectacular....




As were everyone else's....






And the white elephant coming home with me (which I secretly adore)....



Such a great afternoon, welcoming the first day of the new year, spent with 26 gorgeous funny ladies. And next summer's tea party theme is......PROM! Seven months to find that all so perfect dress ~ I am giddy with delight!