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Same subject, same colors. I like a limited palette. It gives me the opportunity to explore textures and shapes without being distracted by color choices. There is truth to less is more.
Love the Jill Penney and Daniel Torrente images from Stampotique, don't you? Circle stamps and large alphabet (HUG) from GPP.
It was back in June that I shared my journal work spinning a "+" into an "x". See {positive spin}. Now "x" has a new friend, meet "o". Duh, right?
My ritual is to collect and create supplies and then process the palette (or in this case shapes) on journal pages. If it clicks I will have filled up many pages and will take what I've learned onto other surfaces. What started with an xoxo stamp from the dollar bin ended up as a full arsenal of custom tools: stamps, masks and stencils. I saw that x next to that o and I was toast. Hyper-focus designing new tools was my mission, and trying them out in the journal was a satisfying reward.
Because we had terrific weather this week I was able to move my studio outside and spray with abandon, completing six painted canvases where x meets o. A peek at the canvas work:
When you want a little something different to bring to your art: make new tools. When you can't find a supply that you need: make new tools. When you want to create authentic and original art: make new tools. xoxo
Marietta sent me a copy of the e-newsletter from the U of M Hospital!!! And she forwarded these photos too. *high five* to everyone!
And a reminder if you are new to the *pink wink* story you can read it in chronological order by clicking on the link, see right.
*700* for 7B, squeeee!
I thought our new rose bushes may have reached their peak a few days ago. I trimmed off all the old blooms and thought they looked a little sad, missing their pinkness. Then I took a closer look and spied all the buds.
This doesn't begin to capture the new flowers I have today. It's a full wall of roses - standing at attention to salut the new day, the new season. Did they arrive because I was willing to cut off the expired flowers? Probably not. But I like to think that tending to the rose bushes and cutting them back led to the growth.
I bum out a little when the kids go back to school but it's a good time to establish new routines. I've said this before, but it's amazing that the year can be 3/4 of the way through and you still have a chance to start again. A new school year. A new season. A new rose. And this month, a new Crusade:
Congratulations to Julie Prichard for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 22. You can read more about Crusade No. 23 HERE. I have so many loose ends to work on to make room on my table and in my mind for new ideas, new projects, new directions. One thing that helps me GET STARTED on FINISHING is being organized.
Then there is Gathering. Isn't that part of the process for beginning but also for ending? I love the Gathering ritual - whether finding new stuff or re-discovering my own stuff, pulling it all toghether in one supply box is a thrill for me and makes the creative phase so much more enjoyable.
And I love Gathering at the end too: usually at the end of a project I clip paper scraps and remnants into my process journal then begin the task of putting away all the supplies (ok I'm really bad at THAT). For this recent project I have enjoyed putting all the Evidence together as I embark on writing Thanks Yous for 700 socks, gather all my thoughts and remembrances, and clippings of ribbons and tissues, painted envelopes, and all the lovely cards and notes, to chronicle in a scrapbook.
New season = housecleaning of the blog variety. You may notice on the left side I created new buttons which will take you to my link lists. They were getting long so this was my solution.
On the right I added a new *pink wink* button which will open a new page and you can read about the project in chronological order. I know there are visitors who are still arriving to read about it and this was a *duh* for making it easier.
The last of the socks came in this week. I will send them on to 7B soon.
And to wrap up this post...I'll share with you a recent diversion. I made one of these for Fallon and myself. You know I swooned when I found the asterisk bead. *faints* I wear this daily with a full heart.
it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon. stay tuned...
EDIT: rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B. So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor. On the table were only *65* pairs of socks. Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below). Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth. At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project. Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers. For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister. For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter.
Did you feel it? Did you feel that goosebump moment? Wow! We really did it. *high five* XOXO
The final pink arrivals which include a pair knitted just for me:
Dear friends,
Who knew that my request, on July 29th, for collecting 65 pairs of pink socks would end with 700? It isn't the end, it's only the beginning. Several angels are at work on the other end as they are in on the surprise and are planning to make a celebration for the Pink Wink arrival. You know I will keep you posted! One of the last emails I got from my sister was in May when she wrote to me about the blog comments you left for her, sending your positive vibes. She enjoyed all the well wishes and said they were definite day brighteners. Imagine what she would say to this - 700 socks sent in her honor.
I am without words to describe what this has meant to me. I recognize that it was a loving effort to participate in this. You shopped for socks, came home and packaged them, then went back out to post them. Many envelopes were winks themselves - decorated with pink paint or ink and roses and x's & o's and hearts and flourishes and messages. Some were filled with pink wrappings and ribbons. Some came with beautiful cards or lovely gift offerings. Others came in a plain envelope with a quick note and some were simply anonymous - no return address at all. There were boxes containing more than a dozen pairs, and envelopes filled with a single pair. Some socks were dropped off at my home and others were delivered from overseas. No matter how the socks arrived I felt the love energy tucked inside. I get it that by sending me socks you are offering your support and sympathy. I get it that by sending socks you help me honor the memory of Shannon. I get it that you can't imagine loss, or have experienced a loss of your own. I get it that you love your sister, or your sibling, or your best-friend-who-is-practically-a-sister. I get it that you may know someone with Cystic Fibrosis. I get it that you are a caregiver, or know a caregiver, or believe that acknowledging caregivers is important. I get it that it just feels good to join in something that is about sharing gratitude. I get it that the impulse to be with me on this may have no specific definition. I feel the love, and as I said before: you make grief endurable.
There is more to tell, more to share, and more to celebrate as the story continues to unfold. For now, let me offer my humble thanks. Posting the boxes felt good, although a little sad as it's been a daily task for me to attend to this project. It began as an idea to pay-it-forward to my sister's caregivers and then it became bigger but offered a distraction to keep my mind occupied. I reflect on the whole thing now and see that it was so comforting to share my grief. By dividing it, it slowly diminishes.
I know you are with me. SHE is with me. You have helped me say that she mattered. I will never forget this. NEVER. Thank you. THANK YOU.
xoxo, Michelle
I had to really pack them in and squish down so the covers would fit - 690 pairs! *high fives* all around. To my friends, to my neighbors, to my online buddies and acquaintances from near and far, and to those of I've never even exchanged a word with - written or spoken, THANK YOU. I am finishing up the letter that will accompany each bin, then they are hitting the road. The last few that came in....
The gathering of these socks has been such an experience. There is a pink glow where there was once a dark hole. I will continue to write about the winks and all the ripple effects....but now it's time to launch....to spread the love.
The kids started school today. Amazing how they have grown (in August, Fallon turned 13 and Peter turned 18 - a senior!) Amazing that the summer season is over (but not the hot weather!) Amazing that we can be 3/4 of the way through the year and yet still feel like we can start anew. A fresh start for the teachers, students, and parents. New notebooks, fresh pencils, cool folders and cooler shoes.
I'm ready for something new. I'm ready to look forward. I'm ready to say farewell to these pink socks and let the love energy they are wrapped in be released. Deep breath.....
