Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The altered book


Here is a little update about my experience making an altered book. So far, I have recoved my book in some embelished paper. The picture shows the book, in progress. I have purchased sand paper, rubber cement, and elmer's glue to work on the inside. I will add more pictures as it comes along. I am excited to finish this!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

My Collection


Overlooked subject two: Collections.
My favorite collection is my rubber stamps. I am already hating the idea that I dumped them into a big pile for a picture. But, there you have it: My stamps all together in one spot!
Stamp collecting can avalanche into collections of other sorts; inks, markers, pens, papers, well.... you get the idea.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Dewey's Pizza




This salad is amazing! There is nothing quite like sharing yummy food with family and it helps if your really hungry. For Martin Luther King Day we ate at Dewey's Pizza located in northern Kentucky at Newport on the Levee, on the banks of the Ohio river. We ordered the house salad which contains pine nuts, sun-dried craisins, and goat cheese on a bed of field greens with romaine lettuce. The dressing is Dewey's own house balsamic vinaigrette. Our Pizza was the Bronx Bomber which includes a red sauce with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green pepper, and black olives. For the kids we ordered the X-Pepperoni and Hawaiian. All of the food was incredibly fresh and delicious. There was a twenty minute wait for a table, but it was worth it.
Before we indulged in the local cuisine we visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. We saw a slave pen which is an actual structure found on a farm in Kentucky and rebuilt in the Freedom Center. The exhibit From Slavery to Freedom had a room with the ship names, used in trafficking slaves, carved in stone on the wall. In the center of the room was a column with pebbles, glass beads, and stones to represented all the slaves who died on the voyage. The room was lighted in such a way as to evoke the sea, with greens and blues. It was a very educational way to honor and celebrate diversity.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Mango and a Mug


I just have to post my favorite mug! Inspiration found at Overlooked. I am a little late in joining in, but as the saying goes, "Better late than never." I do love photography and clever ways to capture everyday items. My mug is used for hot cocoa. I add mini marshmallows and the occasional candy cane once I confiscate them from the Christmas tree. My mother bought me this mug from Woolworth's. I remember the mall where we bought it, sadly, it has long been torn down. There was a fountain there where we use to throw pennies. I can still picture shopping there. We found the mug in the back of the store on the right hand side.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Butterfly Wishes


Z was pondering at the breakfast table over her bowl of oatmeal. I don't think she wanted to eat anymore. This left her torn between her choices, being hungry, or forcing the stuff down. She said, "I wish I had a butterfly on my nose." I assume she was trying to make her breakfast experience more pleasant.

Monday, January 14, 2008

The Runner


The Runner


On a flat road runs the well-train'd runner,

He is lean and sinewy with muscular legs,

He is thinly clothed, he leans forward as he runs,

With lightly closed fists and arms partially rais'd.

--Walt Whitman



Here is my challenge for the year;

Meditate... read something inspirational, uplifting, encouraging. Think about it a few minutes. Read slowly and deliberately. Make it short, but let the words flow over you and seep into you.
Today's post reflects my reading for the day. There are a lot of books to choose from. Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, Time and the Art of Living by Robert Grudin, passages from the Bible, or lots of books of daily meditations.

To Run
I run out of love
For those I care for
To see them grow and laugh and play

I run out of hope
For sun in my eyes
Wind in my hair

I run out of tragedy
Hearts stopped too soon
Lungs no longer filling with air

Don’t judge me
I am not trying to outdo you
I am not trying to beat you

Join me in the run
To strengthen our hearts
To energize our souls.
-- Snappy

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Sewing up a little love!


I decided to sew some mini quilts for my daughter and niece. It was a fun little challenge and didn't take me too long to put together. I used fabric my mom cut out eons ago. She was planning on making a quilt. Now her granddaughters can have their own little quilt. I know she would have made them homemade gifts. I hope they enjoy snuggling their stuffed animals or dolls under these little blankets. I machine stitched flowers and hearts onto the squares but you can't see the detail in the picture. Now I just need to work on the twin size quilt I started more than six months ago. I almost have the top pieced together.

Monday, January 7, 2008

A Jewel Day

Photo by: L.C.
O Children, wake, for a fairy world

Is waiting for you and me,

With gems aglow on the meadow grass,

And jewels on every tree.


The hedgerows glitter, the dark woods shine

In dresses of sparkling white,

For all while we slumbered, the Ice Queen passed

All over the earth last night.
-- by Lucy Diamond

Friday, January 4, 2008

Art


Art Cart #52: Art


This is the last art card for the year. These little journal cards have helped my creative process. I feel more confident when I sit down to create. I was very excited to see a workshop offered through the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library, the Arts Council of Indianapolis, and the Indiana Arts Commission. I signed up for The Art of Altered Books which will be held on January 28. It is taught by Sarah Strong from the Herron School of Art and Design. The workshop teaches how to turn any book, old or new, into a work of art. I am looking forward to this and will let you all know how it goes.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Christmas Stockings


Here is a picture of our stockings hung by the tree. Aunt M knit the first three from the left. The 4th one knit by my great grandma. I did a little photo editing of the names. Don't worry Aunt M, your knitting did not come undone. We took down the stockings today. Packed the ornaments into tissue paper and put them away until next year. Z and Lulu were very sad that we had to remove the holiday decor.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy New Year: It's 2008!


I really don't know how it happened but it is 2008! I know this is going to be the greatest year of my life. o.k., well maybe I don't know, but that is my New Year's resolution. Here's to bargain shopping, funny memories, family time, lots of laughs, and great pictures.