Kindred Spirits

I met Shari a few years ago at ArtFiberFest and we have remained friends ever since. (One of the best things about art camps are the friends you make). I don't get nearly enough opportunities to see her. She was in town this past weekend so we had breakfast at Crepevine, a favorite spot for both of us, and a trip to Flax Art Store.

I have to admit that I was so happy and excited to see her that I spit some of my food! Sorry Shari! If you don't know her artwork, go see it on her blog here. Shari always impresses me with her artistic abilities and the ability to put herself out there in a straightforward, serious way. I admire her inner strength and the courage to follow her own path!

The Month in Review!

Jeez, its been two monts since I last posted! Hmm, I have been busy... but thats a bit ridiculous!

FRIENDS!


Guess who came to visit me? Rice and Earl! (Sorry, Rice, I don't know how to put the two dots over your e) Its been waaaay too long and it was great hanging out for lunch and a short trip to Flax Art Store. I would have played all afternoon, but it one of my all time favorite bosses was retiring.

We've had DJ for six months now! Were all accustomed to each other. In fact, yesterday we took him to the off leash dog park by the bay, and we were able to let him off leash because he now has recall! It was an exciting moment for us. He's such a good boy and we love having him!



I have been doing some art. I made this journal with some scraps of my favorite paper. The picture isnt that great, but I am really pleased with how it came out.


Lastly, were on staycation! Taking some time for work, but staying home. Its lovely! So none of this for awhile:

The Week In Review

I have been gardening at mom's house to thank her for watching DJ one day a week. Here's a picture of DJ gardening... he helps by eating the grass:

I have also been working on a quilt. The pattern is from Nine Patch Pizzazz... its fun but a bit challenging. Sorry, not the best picture.


And, lucky me, I had breakfast with my dear friend Cindi who I never see often enough:

Its been a good week! Hope yours has been too. Here's wishing us all a good next week.

Lucky Me!

Look what I received in the mail painted by my very own beautifully talented nephews!

An Easter Egg! Its the first (of many I hope) mail I received from them. It made me very happy! Thank you Colton and Graybug. I love you!

May everyone have a day filled with treats from loved ones. Happy Easter!

Come Tweet with Me

Ok, when I first heard about Twitter I thought it sounded dumb and did I really want to join another social network when I am already on Facebook. But, my SIL sent me an invite. With two little ones she and I dont get as much time to chat so I signed up. Imagine my surprise that I love it. Its quick and easy: a great way to stay in touch and find out whats going on. I am loving it. You can follow stars like the Obamas... but they twitter so much that I miss seeing the tweets from my SIL. So I opted out of those.

So come tweet with me! I'd be happy to send you an invite and you can see for yourself. (I dont like Facebook as much, but am also happy to send you an invite to Facebook too.)

Gratitude List for December 21

Today I am very grateful for:

1. Being able to sing jingle bells over the phone with Colton. I can't wait for baby Gray to be able to do this too!

2. Although the past two weeks have been utterly exhausting, I am so grateful for all of the help and support I received from my co-workers. I couldn't have made it without them.

3. I am incredibly grateful that my busiest season at work is finished!

4. I am grateful that I didn't need to get stitches when I sliced my finger a half hour before our staff holiday party was starting.

5. I am very excited to be going to my brother Michael's house for Christmas. I know were going to have a joyous and relaxing time.

6. Tomorrow I will be grateful that all of my Christmas shopping is finished!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have really been enjoying hearing about other people's holiday traditions (my BA is in Anthropology). One of our family traditions (which my brother Michael hates) is to name what you're grateful for. We did this at work yesterday too. Here's my list for today:

1. A sweet, brand new, healthy nephew. Now I have two nephews I madly adore and love. And, I get to see them tomorrow!

2. Quiet, easy mornings with a cup of black tea with lots of hot milk and splenda.

3. Spending my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, with friends and family while eating really great food.

4. Working with Sr. Patty for the past seven years. I will truly miss my partner in crime.

5. All of the wonderful, amazing, creative women I have met at art camps and on-line.

Hero Arts Ribber Stamps

My good friend Laura's husband is the CEO and owner of Hero Arts Rubber Stamps. Yesterday, Aaron gave us a tour of where everything happens. (I wanted to upload a picture of the outside sign and forgot to do it... so annoying!)

First off, let me tell that Laura and Aaron are just really good people. And from talking with Aaron I knew that he only makes deeply etched rubber stamps and uses the best quality products. So that means real wood for the blocks (maple I think). I also know that he believes in sustainability so this is a green company and everything is made in the United States. What I didn't know before the tour is that all of the rubber stamps are basically made by hand. They make a rather small sheet of printed rubber that is then cut down and mounted, by hand, onto the blocks. Its really impressive! So Hero Arts believes in handmade... they do it so we can do it too!

They have also just come out with a new line of very cool clear stamps that are used on a clear block. You can mount the stamp onto the block and then remove it when you're finished... easy peasy. Not only do I love this concept, BUT Hero Arts is making one of the few that don't have carcinogens in it! A lot of the other companies use lesser ingredients and are made outside of the country where the standards and regulations are different. I mean who knew or even guessed at what all goes into rubber or clear stamps???

I also came away with some goodies too! Thanks so much Laura and Aaron for a very fun afternoon!

Thank Goodness for Gurlfriends!

... and family too!

I met my friend Nan over 10 years ago when we were working on our masters. From the first time I saw her I knew I wanted to be friends with her and we have. Right after graduation she and her husband moved back East. We have managed to talk on the phone almost every Sunday for the past nine years! What a gift her friendship is!