Spring? - Winter?

 

On Monday afternoon I took my walk in sunshine.  The sky was deep blue as I captured the bare branches.

Down at the pond the sun shone on the water and the water reflected the trees above.

The early daffodils were putting on blooms in a circle - they just knew Spring had begun.

On Tuesday morning we awoke to a whole other world.  Ice on all the tree branches.  The small birch looked as if it had been frozen in time.

 

The trees at the corner were a Winter wonderland.

 

A small branch by a chair out front glistened with frozen rain drops.

 

One day I reveled in Spring - the next day I look with wonder at Winter.

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

"Art Making" - Collections and Obsessions"

I just discovered this book!  It was published in 2008 but I was probably collecting bead books at that time and didn't notice it. 

Page after page of collections and thoughts from various mixed-media artists.  Most of the art focuses on 'found objects' - both manmade and natural.  Its a feast for the eyes and an inspiration for any artist.

I just have to relate a couple of the many quotes strewn between the pages of this glorious book.

Beryl Taylor

"I find things all the time, wherever I am.  I often have the feeling that they have been waiting for me to come along and pick them up.  It thrills and excites me, because I know that I am going to begin a new piece based on my latest find." - Beryl Taylor

KC Willis

"It must satisfy me visually and emotionally, and when I work in my studio, touching fabrics and gluing down pieces of the past, I am happy." - KC Willis

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk." - Thomas Edison

Earthbound

She is Earthbound made of - clay and paper, metal and beads. 

Rocks and soil hold her in place.  She is a celebration of the earth

beneath my feet.

She closes her eyes and feels her place in the universe.

There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth. ~Rumi

Paper, Paper Everywhere

I have two loves:  fabric and paper!  These days I'm reverting to paper and have been bringing out stored pieces, adding new pieces to my collection and generally filling nooks and crannies, where fabric was residing, with bits and pieces of paper.  Handmade paper that I had saved from my bookart days - paper that can be painted, dampened, glued and formed.

 

As you can see -- I've filled a couple of copper bins (that formerly held fabric) with paper.  All manner of tissue paper and mulberry paper are awaiting my attention.  And those napkins I mentioned earlier have multiplied and are now almost spilling over their copper bin. 

I know I'm teasing you -- but my next post will actually show you some results from my recent paper fascination.

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." - William Wordsworth

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.   I cannot tell you how difficult it was to see all the names come in for the give away - and know that I could only choose one. Thank you so much for you'r beautiful comments.


Alex of Under A Topaz Sky is the winner of this Valentine give away.

Meanwhile I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Valentine's Day.

"To love is so startling it leaves little time for anything else." - Emily Dickinson

 

A Tea Party

This isn't your average, run of the mill, tea party.  This tea party involves drying tea bags.  The Green Tea bag that comes out an ever so soft green; the Rooibos tea bags - a tantalizing, rusty mess; the Earl Grey, Chinese Breakfast and Lady Grey that all end up as lovely tea-stained bags.  After drying I take them apart, ever so carefully, to end up with delicate tissue like paper, stained in various shades and ready for decoupage.

But - wait - don't forget the napkins!  Every tea party has to include napkins and my tea party is no exception.  These colorful, patterned napkins, once separated from their backing, make lovely tissue thin pieces, no dying involved.  I can use a pattern as-is from the napkins or tear it into small pieces for the colors and distribute it hither and yon.

These days - this is my idea of a tea party.  What will I do with all of this?  Oh my, you'll have to wait and see about that!

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things." - Chaim Potok

Valentine Give Away

I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day.  I know its been thrust into the mercenary world of marketing -- but the whole idea of a day devoted to 'love' -- who could not like that?  Love is a function that we, as humans, can demonstrate so very well.  It can fill our hearts, make us change our whole life course, smile, laugh and sometimes cry -- but it is always a very precious gift given to us.

And so - I'd like to offer this little fellow as a my blog giveaway -- someone who just looks like love and was created in love.  Please leave your comment below and I'll announce the winner on Thursday, February 14th, Valentine's Day!

"For small creatures such as we the vasness is bearable only through love." - Carl Sagan

5 Cents Worth

Hi everyone

Here I am at last!  I had to wait for that pushy Mr. Lucky to move aside but it was worth it.  I totally enjoyed my 'coming to life' time.  While Penny likes polka dots, she doesn't usually use them in her work -- but I convinced her that they would be perfect for me -- and, if I do say so myself, I look pretty spiffy.

When the button collection was presented I just had to wear the 'kisses and hugs' button.  I think 5 Cents is quite reasonable, don't you?

I have to admit that my shoes aren't as 'flashy' as Mr. Lucky's but I do like the clay pompoms on the top.  Now the hat was one of 'those' creations and I was a little worried that I might have to appear to you sans hat -- but perseverance saved the day and I ended up sporting polka dots on my head also.

I'm sure glad I was finished when I was because I've noticed Penny going off in a little bit different direction -- whew -- thank heavens she put me up to the front of the line.

"They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything." - Bil Keane