thoughts at year's end

Each year seems to go by more quickly than the one before...I'm always left at the end of December with a feeling of how things were, both good and bad. For me, 2010 was a journey of self-improvement, discovery, and creativity, with only few bumps along the way. My intention is to carry some of the good things into the next 12 months. This lovely piece made by art pal Gloria Sowell reminds me of that.
I enjoy thinking about the year ahead and making a few new plans; of travel, of stretching creatively, of doing things that have been put off for one reason or another. What are your intentions for 2011?

Happy New Year--wishing you love, friendship, and laughter.
Suzanne

"The experience of joy is why we're here"
--Chris Roberts-Antieau

deep breath

It's hard to believe that the 4th PAC "Open Doors" Show and Sale has come and gone. November was a whirlwind of preparation; it definitely was a busy time for those of us who work to a deadline. Now we are left with many good memories of last weekend when we performed like clockwork to set up our signature doors with the help of family and friends, prepared our booths, worked assigned shifts, greeted visitors--and took down the whole shebang in less than an hour!

These are photos of my booth and some of the things I made for the show. More pictures of the show are posted at my Flicker space, and you can see and read more at the PAC blog. We're already looking forward to next year.

holiday crafty

I've been pretty busy here but wanted to take a moment to mention the holiday issue of this great e-zine from Amy Powers of Inspire co. It's full of projects contributed by many craft designers that would be a lot of fun to do with your family, or anytime around the holidays. And it's free! A labor of love. Thanks to Amy.

It's A Giveaway!

The Portland Art Collective has a monthly giveaway, and for October it's a beautiful glass chandelier journal created by the talented Tory Brokenshire! So head over here and just leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.

the truth about cats and dogs

As you can see, things have gotten a little silly over here. I stitched and stuffed some flannel friends over the weekend, hoping these softies will find new homes for the holidays. Really, who could resist a cat in bird clothing?

It would be difficult to catch up on everything that's been going on the last few weeks...let's just say it's been a great time with friends, and art. An awesome quilt show, a week of workshops at the Art and Soul Retreat nearby in Portland, having fun guests stay here with me, enjoying good food, a little shopping here and there for vintage treasures...what could be better? Now, it's back to the business end of life. Picking up the slack at home, and making some progress in my workspace before the next session of art and friends at the PAC retreat at Menucha in a couple of weeks.

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of."

~Blaise Pascal

dragonboat adventure

The women of the Portland Art Collective enjoyed an outing on the Willamette River, thanks to Tory's cousin, Les, who coaches a dragonboat team in Portland. Les agreed to guide our group in the fundamentals of paddling a dragonboat. I decided to forego the paddling, playing photographer and cheerleader instead. Go team!

Here are the ladies, all decked out in full pirate regalia, taking final instructions from Coach Les before leaving the dock.

And they're off!

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!

After arriving back at the docks,Paula, Tory, and the rest of the crew headed for land to enjoy a pizza lunch...and more laughs.

color and pattern

Ta-da...the finished top of the "quick" quilt I started last month. Since then my sewing machine has been in the shop for a tune-up and various summer activities have delayed completion...not to mention my short attention span for sewing a zillion (OK, 195) four-and-a-half-inch squares together. I do love simple patchwork, though.


Another recent project...painting up a box of drawers. I've used this color on a few other things around the house lately..."City Chartreuse" from Valspar (at Lowe's).

More progress on quilting today. I think this one belongs at the beach house.

a week in pictures

It feels like summer is winding down. I've taken a bit of a break from blogging while just enjoying the season. We spent a few beautiful days last week in Mt. Rainier National Park. I captured the mountain one morning at Reflection Lakes.

Walking in shady groves of old growth forest.

And through high meadows of wildflowers. The scent was incredible!

Visited many waterfalls--this one is Myrtle Falls, on one of the trails above Paradise Inn.

It was a great little vacation; and not far away from home!

So, fast-forward a few days and here I am in a completely different place--with my daughter on my birthday at the American Idol Tour concert in Portland. I must not be that old as I still seem to enjoy this kind of thing.



Now, I look forward to catching up at home; to settle down and get back to making things again...

smile of the day

Report card, John Muir Junior High.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend. :)

coasting

A few views from the last weekend...living the weather I dream about in January!

Haystack Rock from Tolovana Beach, Oregon. A favorite stop for lunch at Mo's.

Crab sammie indulgence.

Walking, lots of walking...admiring the gardens in Oysterville, Washington

along with a peaceful outlook of Willapa Bay.

The Happiest and Bestest Dog on the Beach.

The boardwalk at Long Beach, Washington, named as one of the top 11 beach boardwalks by Travel+Leisure Magazine. Really!

And a little crochet time on the front porch of the beach house.

gathering of friends

Last weekend I had the good fortune of fine company; friends Tory, Debi, and Maggie gathered at my home for a few days of art and other adventures. Talented Tory agreed to guide us through the making of Santos figures and we had a great time with our creations! Here they are lined up at the end of the day.

My Santo received some changes and finishing touches after the weekend and is now complete.

I probably won't be able to resist adding a few more bits to her costume...

past tense

Last weekend I took a wood block carving class and was reminded how much I enjoy carving and printing with artist's soft block material. Even a soft wood is difficult to cut, especially against the grain; the end of my index finger is still numb from the effort! But soft block is a pleasure to carve.

Several years ago, LK Ludwig hosted a swap where each participant submitted pages printed with carved stamps, along with vellum overlay sheets featuring a favorite ee cummings poem.
LK produced the covers and assembled everything into a book for each player.

My carvings, and chosen poem.

maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and Maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles, and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles; and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea

--ee cummings

getting messy

Good morning! It is very good here, with the sun out in full force. As you can see I'm under the influence of summery color, and a short online course with Traci Bautista, "Graffiti Panels". I'm working on canvas rather than cardboard panels with the intention of cutting up the canvas and incorporating it into book covers and other things.

Copy of a photo of my great-grandfather I came across recently. Handsome fellow.

Heading outdoors now...hope you have a wonderful weekend!