• Art - Blog - Crafts - Creativity

    T Tuesday: returning edition

    June 26, 2017 - By 

    Hello!! I am still here. It’s been a while.

    Gosh, that sounds like the beginning to a song… I’m awful with names of songs/singers/authors/actors/movies/etc…so if it is one…sorry, I’m just not going to be able to commit any brain cells to that information. I have WAY too much other pointless trivia floating around in there.

    So I took a bit of a blog hiatus after mom’s passing and funeral. I just wasn’t able to “find my voice” for the blog. I think my bout of laryngitis is over now.

    During my break we traveled to north to do another college visit. This one was University of Minnesota Duluth. I completely forgot to take any photos on campus likely because our tour remained inside all but one brief walk outside as a shortcut. The awesome thing about UMD is that all the buildings are connected by tunnels and concourses. You literally don’t have to step outside if you don’t want to all winter long. I’d be blissfully happy if that’s where either kid decided to go to school.

    Mini-me and I did our traditional sea glass hunting. The view is lovely…

    and we always manage to find treasures.

    The kids and I walked down to Grandma’s (host of Grandma’s marathon that had been run just the day or two before we got there)

    Both times we’ve eaten there, we’ve been seated right by this sign. Too funny! I didn’t take the obligatory beverage photo but rest assured it was there and it was of the adult variety. Why not…we were walking!

    Back at home I’ve been keeping busy with gardening, driving back and forth to the high school for volleyball and some volunteer work I picked up. The choir director put out a call for anyone with sewing skills to mend the robes before they are dry cleaned to save the program some money. So far I’ve mended 20 robes. 

    It’s mostly split sleeves but there have been some zippers and collars as well.

    It’s all hand stitching and the stitches need to be hidden. Thank you Mrs. Wilwerding for teaching me how to sew in the 8th grade. My kid’s high school also thanks you for indirectly saving them lots of money. I’m hoping when I drop off this latest batch of 6 robes that at least some will have been taken by the others to mend.

    I have been a little creative as well. Here’s a little sneak…

    What are you doing today?

    T stands for Tuesday
  • Art - Blog - Creativity

    T Tuesday: twice published edition

    June 5, 2017 - By 

    Way back around the New Year I mentioned that I was sending something in for possible publication.  I was super excited about the piece and shared a couple little snippets.

    On a whim I sent a collection of collage gift bags that I’d been working on as well to Sew Somerset. Much to my surprise, I was asked to write an article about my gift bags…then shortly after I heard that my other submission would also be included in the gallery section of the magazine,

    I can’t even tell you what a lift it was getting this in the mail. Of course I knew it was coming but getting to hold it in my hands really brightened my day.

    It’s a real honor to be included with so many wonderful artists.

    This week marks the end of school…no more middle school for Mini-me. I will have two high school kids next fall! Freshman and senior. Many changes on the horizon. New adventures and challenges alike. It all builds character…and we could all use a bit of character right?! The world would be a pretty boring place if we all were exactly the same.

    What are you doing today?

  • Blog

    T Tuesday: mom edition

    May 30, 2017 - By 

    With a heavy heart I write this post. My mom passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning. I am relieved for her as her last days were difficult but heartbroken for those of us left behind. Many of us visited and talked to her; reminiscing, telling stories and just sharing the minutia of our daily lives. Even though words were not readily able to come from her lips anymore, her face was expressive and we knew she understood every word.

    I do have other things to share on much happier and artistic notes but those will be for another post. This one is about mom.

    My cousin took this picture of her last September when they took her out to celebrate her 87th birthday. Mom got this gigantic ice cream sundae. As you can see by her smile, she was pleased.

    On her 80th birthday I posted this photo of her circa 1930 something.

    It’s funny because as mini-me ages she is starting to look more like my mom. In fact, we found a photo of my mom and uncle taken about the same age mini-me is now and she looks so much like her that its almost scary.

    We are having her memorial next week after school lets out. Until that time there is plenty to do which actually helps me. When I have a to-do list, I am able to cope with pain and uncertainty much better. My good friend Sandy calls it my “robot mode”. So now I’m off to start on my list.

    What a re you doing today?