Today's Mail

Today's mail brought me a brand new Moleskin Sketchbook! This wasn't just any ol' sketchbook. Oh no. It was a sketchbook that I purchased to be part of the "SKETCHBOOK PROJECT" ... which is a very cool thing going on! Check out the link! http://www.thesketchbookproject.com

Basically, this is a bar-coded sketch-book that will be 'on tour' traveling the country next year with a bunch of other sketchbooks as part of an Art House Co-op project.  All sketchbooks in the project have a theme. I chose the theme Things that changed other things. I believe it'll leave me wide open to tons of ideas and stuff to write/doodle/collage about (beginning with the wheel)!.
When I came across this project (just clicking around on blogs, etc), I was intrigued because the description from last year's project claimed that it wasn't just artists who'd participated. In fact, stay at home 'moms' were mentioned. I figured that included crafty little tap dancin' wanna be maker moms like me! I sent in my twenty bucks and Voila! I'm part of something that is bigger than myself ... kinda like a thing that changed other things ... because it'll change what I'm doing at some point in time in the next few months..

And there's more! This little book of mine will become a permanent sketchbook collection at The Brooklyn Art Library AND I even received a library card so that I can one day go visit it!
I'm jazzed!

School's almost OUT!!!!

Yee gads. Another school year gone by? This means that very soon I will have a Senior in high school followed by a junior. Then I'll blink and .... .
Sometimes I miss those elementary school daze. It seems we never know how sweet the time is that we're in. Guess that could be said for the current moment too. Embrace the teenagers and their shiny new driver's licenses and their wanting to be 'oh so independent' but really not understanding what 'independent' means. Embrace Jackson's new to him 1990 Subaru Loyale that he's buying today. Embrace Jessie's occasional snippy-ness because it'll help her along in life. Embrace grocery shopping!

And thank goodness for the dogs and their sweet tail wags and big brown eyes. They persevere when everyone else scatters.

Today's Mail - Chasing Happy

What arrived in my mailbox today that caught my eye and made me wonder:
1. Something pink & mint green. hmmm. Very retro. A new color trend?
(It was a brochure from The Seattle Public Theater for their 2010-2011 season, titled 'Chasing Happy'. It seems they have an uplifting theme coming up. Good for them!).

I like it. I like getting stuff in the mail.  It's kind of novel!

June Celebrations

June is a big celebration month. Six months past Christmas, we now have the energy to do it again! So for June we plan WEDDINGS, throw SCHOOL's OUT! parties, schedule Family Reunions and attend and celebrate GRADUATIONS. Feel good stuff!

Some people are natural party throwers. Confident in their abilities to time it out, they cook, decorate and invite. Of course, intellectually we know that all that is needed for a fun celebration are good people, good food and a lovely setting  ... Whoa! Emotions fire up. Good people - ok, that's doable. Good food (do I gotta cook?). Lovely setting ...MY HOUSE?! Dang. Just got scared. Ready to run  and hide under a rock!

What's a hostess to do? Simple. Call the caterer and light some candles!  Candles transform most any setting into one that is more romantic, prettier, and comforting. Almost everyone feels they look better in candlelight AND for that matter, it seems others look better too! ( I like candlelight in my home because it hides many of the chips and scars of an 85 yr old house).

A wonderful choice for candle holders, esp. if you're a Bellingburger like me who likes to buy local (or semi-local), is Glassybaby. Classy, sweet Glassybabys don't just hold candles, Glassybabys GLOW.  There is a color palette for every event, mood or decor. Their hot shop and a retail store is located in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood. Visit their website at www.glassybaby.com.  You'll find great photos and a blog with nice sentiments.Check 'em out!