Moving Forward

The "work in progress" is now a finished piece...yippee! This 12 by 14 inch art quilt is the beginning of a series for the Portland Art Collective holiday show in December. Just hoping that subsequent projects will move along at a little faster pace.

Life is super busy as we move towards David and Jenn's wedding on September 27th. They are organized and well-prepared. I just need to help out with the rehearsal dinner details, which will be here. Still can't believe it's all gonna happen!

an almost vacation

Anthony's restaurant at Point Defiance, Tacoma, Washington


Everything started out pretty well. The weather was spectacular, as you can see from the view of Mt. Ranier from the Tacoma Convention Center where I spent a few hours at the marketplace of the Puget Sound Bead Festival while Scott hung out at the hotel. Dinner afterwards at Anthony's was one of those rare dining experiences where everything is perfect. From our table we watched the ferry to Vashon Island load and unload and saw Mt. Ranier turn a beautiful pink as the sun set. I was looking forward to this jewelry class with Tracy Stanley the next day. The Universe had other plans for me, however. I woke the next day not feeling well at all. :( Scott was able to pick up my kit and instructions from Tracy at the class site. Our plans to visit San Juan Island the following day were also shelved and we headed home. As we got close to the turn off on I-5 for Long Beach, I suggested we drive out to the beach house so that our vacation wouldn't be a total bust. I was starting to feel better and we were able to relax for a couple of days. It wasn't what was planned but not all bad.

The coming week will be busy, getting everything together for the bridal shower on Saturday. And then there will be time for working on some projects; including the bracelet I was to make last week.

Redaqua

There were so few images to download from my camera last time. But this one was perfect for the moment. Those red, red strawberries in their aqua paper pulp basket. That combination of colors has been speaking to me lately. It first caught my eye at The Happy Zombie's blog, and then ended up in a mix of beads I'm using to make favors for the bridal shower I'll give my future daughter-in-law, Jenn, in a couple of weeks. The theme is "Honeymoon Cruise" (to Mexico) and I think the spicy red and cool aqua are a perfect compliment.

I'm leaving tomorrow for a little R&R in the Puget Sound area. Soooo looking forward it. Our Northwest weather is at its very best right now. Should have much to share when I return.

My Creative Muse

I know her head is crazy big and she looks incredibly stiff, but that's OK when you're an Exquisite Corpse. She will be one of 21 or so pages in a book done with the Portland Art Collective, a wonderful group of talented friends. The pages will be cut horizontally at the head and hat, body, and legs so the viewer will be able to interchange body parts by flipping through the book. Each of the players will be receiving a copy at our annual PAC picnic next month. We are thrilled that one of our members Maggie will be opening her gorgeous historic home and gardens to us for the picnic this year. yippee!

New Skillz

Sometimes I wonder if I keep making jewelry because it gives me permission to buy more beads or if the pleasure of it actually runs much deeper. There really is great satisfaction for me in crafting a bracelet or necklace, especially in manipulating wire and metal and jewels into something that can be worn; creating a piece that reflects my love of a color or style. I much admire Stephanie Lee's artistic style and was lucky enough to find a spot in one of her classes recently at Innerstandings.
Stephanie is a natural teacher and so generous and kind. It was inspiring to learn how to torch solder and make a bezel; completely new to me.

On a different note, my little canine Simon started a course of chemo medication today to treat his Cushing's Disease. So we're staying close to home and keeping a watchful eye for side effects and hoping for the best possible outcome.

Suddenly Summer

If you're in the Pacific NW, you know what I'm talkin' about! We've gone from wet, cool spring to full-on summer. There wasn't relief to be found at the coast where temps reached the 90's. We took a ride from our place on the Long Beach peninsula down the Oregon coast on Friday and had lunch at Mo's in Cannon Beach. Loads of people were on the beach cooling their feet in the surf. You won't find them in the picture above, though; this one was taken of Scott near Mo's couple of years ago when the beach was quite deserted.

We headed for the Port of Ilwaco on Saturday morning to take in the Saturday Market and the visiting tall ships. Things were starting to cool down a bit and it turned out to be a beautiful weekend!

A little tiptoe...

Took these pics last weekend at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon. I'm enjoying all the color out there that screams "Spring". And my lilacs are finally starting to bloom. We've had a run of chilly weather in the last month but the sun is finally out in full force this weekend. Devine!