michelle ward

happy thanksgiving

The meal is over, dishes are done.  My parents and brother-in-law are tucked into their hotel rooms.  We had a great day.  Hope you did too.  It's been a tough year, but there is much to be thankful for.  To be with loved ones today was very special.  We lit a candle in the center of the table, to remember my sister.  How perfect is that centerpiece?  Maureen gave it to me this week.  Looks like there may even be 65 roses there.

 

 

I am grateful for YOU.  You ran to the rescue when I needed comfort - with your good thoughts, your kind words, your lovely gifts, your beautiful messages, and of course - your *winks*.  This year of sorrow will always be remembered hand-in-hand with the outpouring of love you expressed.  Thank you.

scoop

  

It's been a while since I've posted about some cool finds from ETSY.  Here are a few things I've gathered as gifts for birthdays and Christmas.  Shop now and scoop up some terrific artsy items for your loved ones.  Maybe you'll find something (like lists of somethings) you can suggest to Santa for yourself.

 

LOVE these little plates.  They are 3-1/2" inches and Caroline packs them so beautifully.  Visit PalomasNest to find a message that speaks to you or have one custom made.  And look at these lovelies from DGordon.  She has a clever thing going on - I can't wait to send!

 

My wish list from DownToTheWireDesigns is long.  Santa, are you listening? 

 

And check out these earrings from SmilingSoul2 and Gingeroni1.  Pretty earrings make you feel pretty don't you think?  Such yummy beads.  Browse both of their shops.

 

Someday I may learn to knit and felt, but for now I appreciate being able to buy handmades from others.  How about these roses!  I bought a red one to pin to my beret.  I think I need to go back for a pink one too.  Check out GoldiesKnits.

 

SCOOP of another kind.... Judi discovered this Depp photo which was leaked earlier this week.  A few sites have removed the image so I may be in trouble for posting this.  I was hoping Burton's Mad Hatter might look like V.V.  I'm just relieved it isn't Wonka-like, as in the Burton-Depp-Wonka.  It almost looks Wilder-Wonka-like.

 

Anyone see Twilight at midnight?  Me neither, but it's on the agenda for the weekend.  A quick look at the soundtrack:  no HIM.  What were they thinking?  Come on, at least use Vampire Heart.

 

Mad Hatter, yes.  Vampire, yes.  Hippo, what?  I have been watching this trailer with great amusement.  Check out Moto Moto, the large male hippo.  You HIM fans have probably already seen it. 

 

Ever the chameleon, tomorrow he's a birthday boy (32).

 

And congrats to Ingrid Dijkers for being the Top Hat pick for Crusade No. 24.  We're playing with gesso now.  Lots of cool stuff being shared by the teamers.  Come see. 

special announcement

 

EDIT:  I've just been told the schedule won't go LIVE until Tuesday, Nov.18. 

Today, the Valley Ridge Art Studio site goes live with the schedule of classes for 2009.  Lots of terrific offerings for the year ahead.  I have spoken about this venue before (May '08, Oct '07 and Aug '05) - it really is the most magical place.   VRAS is in rural Wisconsin, near Madison.  The studio is fab - you get your own table, it is filled with light (and supplies!) ...the lunches are delicious, and the students that gather totally rock!  Kathy and Bill are the enthusiastic hosts who make the magic.  You will love them, you will love the place, you will count the days until you get to go back.  Go take a look at all the instructors and their workshops.  Treat yourself to a weekend of creativity.  Classes fill fast, as does the limited space to stay on the compound.  

Registration begins on December 15th, 9:00 A.M. Central Standard Time.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN:  A fascination with architecture and a love of pattern spawned Michelle's interest in Byzantine imagery -- with the deep, rich colors found in the religious icons, shrines, and cathedrals and the recurring use of arches and domes. With a nod toward Byzantium, learn to paint papers using layers of repetitive motifs, then the use the papers to build a triptych book.

The structure will have its own architectural appeal and with a few simple steps (pun intended), we will add a pull-down stairway. When propped open, your book doubles as a shrine. We will manipulate the pages with cutouts and dimensional elements to create visual pathways across the pages, in addition to any content you want to incorporate. Using tools we make in class, each book will have its own personality.

Your book structure will be completed in the workshop, but you may find yourself continuing to add details in the following days at home with this program's provided kit including paper, templates, binding, embellishments, and tricks for making patterns. The color palette you work with will be your choice. Use a tapestry of jewel tones or work in the subtleties of neutrals like white and gold.

For more information, supply list, and registration fees, see www.valleyridgeartstudio.com

  

I know, it's still eleven months away....I'm counting....but the sign-up is only a month away.  Hope to see you there!  

Is the song playing in your head?  *grin*

a little more....

a clue...

one glove

Chilly weather  = gloves for the morning carpool.  Messy closet = sorting hats, scarves, and mittens to meet the needs of the season.  Found:  one glove.  Uncovered:  a mountain of memories.

 

I will print this page (maybe on transparency) and attach in my journal.  Then I will write what has been shook loose as a result of seeing this glove again.  I don't know where the other one went.  It doesn't matter.  I don't know where I got these.  It doesn't matter.  I do remember that I had to have them, back in high school, because I had the skis.  OLIN MARK IV COMP.  Orange.  Wearing these gloves was a badge - a symbol that I had the coolest skis.  I will never forget getting those skis.  I wanted them SO bad.  The skis I had were great, but the Olin's rocked.  They had squared-off front tips, and the back curled up a little - like they'd be awesome if I decided to take freestyle ballet lessons.  They would be perfect with my rockin' white Hanson boots.  And my rad bindings with the new-fangled "brakes" (no safety straps!) 

We were on a family trip in Aspen.  We saw the skis in a shop.  I swooned.  One night, after hanging in the lodge with my brother and cousins, I headed back up to the room and quietly got ready for bed so I wouldn't wake my sister and parents.  I pulled back the covers, slid in to bed, and SCREECHED.  There in my bed were the Olins.  One of my favorite memories that my Dad *got* me. 

This glove has been around for years - one of those things you can't get rid of.  It's traveled with me from Minnesota, to Boston, to Chicago, to Traverse City, and to Jersey.  I'm sure I've seen the gloves in the mitten basket every winter.  Occasionally I would wear them to shovel snow.  Now that one has gone rogue, I decided I better take a photo of the faithful friend.  It's part of my history, as are the stories attached to it.  If this one goes missing, I'll have the evidence in my journal.

What do you see everyday that should be documented in your journal?  Get out the camera and walk around your house.  Write your stories.  It feels good.

in spirit

Sunday was All Soul's Day.  I have had a hard time going to church recently as I can't keep my composure.  The hymns bring me to tears.  I went on Sunday - to recognize the soul I lost this year.  I was looking for some words of wisdom as I assumed the surmon would address loss and/or heaven.  Instead, we had a guest speaker and he did not deliver.  I was disappointed.  Then we sang On Eagles Wings and I lost it.  Had to leave.  I came home and worked in my sister journal, playing music that made me cry again, but brought me comfort at the same time.  Music has that power doesn't it?  It can make us sad, but in a good way.  Therapy.  I watched THIS video at least a dozen times by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.  When you desire to be moved in spirit it doesn't have to be in church.  You can find it when you need it - music helps me.  Art helps me too.  I go into a quiet place of mind and just work. 

A friend shared this phrase below, thanks Susie.

  

advocating for art

 

School is out for the week for Staff Development and Teachers Convention which ususally means getting to sleep in all week - but not today!  I had a really cool opportunity - I presented an In-Service to a group of teachers from our school system.  Sam's art teacher Melinda recommended me to the Director of Visual Arts, and for the day I was an advocate for visual journaling!  We started with some artful writing exercises, then got messy with paint.  They completed at least a dozen pages and bound them into a journal.  There were about 30 in the morning session, and at least a dozen in the afternoon.  I applaud all of the teachers for playing along with enthusiasm as I witnessed some really cool results.  A *high five* goes out to the non-art teachers who were good sports in the session.  I feel so lucky to have our kids in a school system that appreciates the arts - at all grade levels - and with many elective course available in the high school.  Yay for art!!

Check it out:  Artist in Residence!

  

I forgot to take a picture during the morning session, but here are the talented folks who stayed through the afternoon.   I'm not sure what their "take-away" is, as in what they will use or apply in their own classrooms, but it was rewarding to see them having fun making pages.  I think it's really cool that the art teachers got to have a day of play instead of sitting in a lecture about procedure or whatever.  Thanks for facilitating this Melinda, thanks to Joan for hiring me, and thanks to Doty for generously sharing your room and supplies.  So fun to see familiar faces, and to meet more of the staff!