Karen's journal is winging its way to Texas. She loves to travel and she's leaving for an
amazing trip on Christmas Eve. I'm so happy she chose me to make this special book; she plans to take it with her to chronicle her adventure and hold all her treasures and memories. She sent me a few pieces of ephemera to include on the pages and I supplied the rest from my obnoxiously huge and obsessively organized stash. When I die and my kids get stuck cleaning out my studio, they'll be asking these sorts of questions: "why would mom save this crumpled up old letter?" "how much paper can one person have?" "how much fabric can one person have?" "how much (fill in the blank) can one person have?" You get the picture. Hey, when you're a mixed media artist, EVERYTHING is a possible future project. Old discarded pieces of someone's life have their own history, and I enjoy picking just the right orphaned "stuff" and using it to tell a new story. After putting creative energy and positive thoughts into each page it begins to feel like a part of you, so when you do sell it and it goes out into the world, it's like opening the door and letting your child fly out of the nest. With a lot less tears. Anyway, I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it. Here are a few sneak peeks:
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| front cover |
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| 1960's kitchen |
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| Vintage advertisement...seriously? |
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| LOVE the view-master reel that Karen sent! |
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wrapped and ready to go!
On an entirely different note, our two and a half year old cats have decided to be kittens again and destroy all things Christmas. We finally took down the tree (AKA gigantic kitty toy) after they knocked it over one too many times. We now have a wicker tree shaped cone thingy that I shoved some lights inside...no ornaments, no ribbons, nothing to chew and throw up. It's not as bad as it sounds; in fact, it's sort of pretty. Sparse, but pretty. Such is life when you share your home with 3 toddlers; 3 toddlers with paws. Ho, ho, ho.
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Wonderful creative mind, I have enjoyed hanging out on your site. It seems by your interests you are a bit of a thinker. Invite you I will, to my site so you may enjoy some of the 300 or so free you tube videos on science, spirituality, alternate health and much more. I leave you with the words of the great John Lennon, " love is all there is..."
ReplyDeleteIn Lak' esh, my sister, thanks for the smile...
Hi Laurie!
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas environment is just gorgeous! I love the retro journals, and your pretty wrapped gift. I was especially interested in your cat/tree stories. My daughter has three cats and NEVER has had a tree! I buy her sister ornaments each year and feel like the cat-loving daughter gets jipped! Have your cats climbed the wicker tree with the lights inside? It is pretty, sparse or not! It's quiet, and unpretentious, as Cgristmas should be! Happy Holidays! Sending Virtual Hugs--
Hi Pam ~
ReplyDeleteThanks for your compliments on the journal and the Christmas decorations. I'm knocking on wood as I write this, but the "tree" has been up now for over a week and they've left it alone. They look at it and then look at us like they're ticked off; I mean, we DID take away their favorite toy! I'm hoping they will settle down by next year. We've always had cats and yes, they are always interested in the tree; we even had one that slept on a branch in the middle of the tree, but we've never had crazy fur balls like we have now. They have us wrapped around their furry little paws and they know it! Virtual hugs to you, too ~
Christopher, I'm now a follower and look forward to exploring your blog and checking out the videos. I am a thinker, guilty as charged. Most of the guys in my past relationships complained that I thought "too much." Yeah, that's why they're PAST relationships. I'll leave you with more words from John: "all we are saying is give peace a chance."
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me with your talents!!! You are truly a mixed media artist - who would ever think about saving those things. I learn something new all the time. BTW I am still not feeling up to par. And am made sicker yet by missing the class. Woe is me
ReplyDeleteLinda, I save EVERYTHING (well, almost) but I'm super organized...no hoarder house for me! My daughter went to New York this spring and she didn't have to ask what kind of souvenir I'd like; she said she'd just grab stuff (AKA trash) that no one else would want, and I'd be happy. She was right. Feel better soon!
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