My family threw a (total!) surprise birthday party for me yesterday. My cousin Ken and his family graciously hosted (and they know how to host the best parties!) Mom, Tristan, Jack and I pulled into the driveway where everyone was sitting under tents. I said, "Mom!!! Why are you pulling into the driveway?! Everyone else is parked on the street!!!" She said, "Surprise! This is for you!" I had no clue. My 40th birthday isn't until October. My cousin Kate gave me permission to start celebrating now. I had a great time seeing my family (we were missing a few people and it wasn't the same without them. You know who you are and how much we all love you.) I'm thankful to my mom, Erin, Marc, the Fallons for doing this and everyone who attended or sent love my way. *Thank you.* |
Monday, June 30, 2014
Family and an Early Birthday
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Books, Books, Books
I've been helping my Mom sort through and rearrange things while I'm here. I found a bin with a lot of my papers and artwork from when I grew up. One of the things that I noticed was how many books I made while I was growing up. I remember my first diary (it was a gift from my parents in fourth grade. It had a little lock on it.) I don't remember having made so many books from paper though. Funny how things are. The next time I'm here, I'm going to try to take pictures of the paper books as I know there are some stored in the Christmas bins. When I was little, I either always had a doll, book or paper and crayons in my hand. If I was lucky, it was all three. I was always drawing and making little things out of paper. Some things haven't changed. |
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Bringing Home the Goods from Kept Creations
Having a wonderful time teaching at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA. It's always a good thing to see familiar faces and to meet a few new ones, too! Thanks to Kim and the Gang for a fun two days!!! |
Friday, June 27, 2014
7 May 2014 Journal Page
Heading to my classes at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA soon. It's been a very busy week and a half. I always feel bad that I never have time to see everyone and do everything while I'm here. My Mom still isn't completely settled in her condo and we try to help her as much as we can while we're here. My sister also needs help with her little munchkins, too. There's only so much one can do when time goes by so fast. I try my best, though, to do what I can. |
Thursday, June 26, 2014
7 May 2014 Art Journal Page
The last few nights I've been journaling in bed late at night. I've been sleeping with my bag next to me. Not out of comfort but it's a nice feeling being able to work late in it and just pack it up, pull up the covers and shut off the light. My last thoughts after a long day. I miss working on my floor at home but while I'm traveling, I'll make anything work. Classes at Kept Creations in Whitman tomorrow. Can't wait! |
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
7 May 2014 Journal Page
Little monkeys are keeping me busy. I squeezed in some art time late last night. Just like my nephew carries his backpack around with his favorite toys, I've been carrying my bag around for any seize the glue stick type moments. |
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
6 May 2014 Journal Page
We headed into Cambridge yesterday with the family. Walking, waffles (Zinneken's), books and toys. We met up with my Dad's best friend, Uncle Warren, who took us on a behind the scenes, unauthorized tour of Harvard. Professor Q took us behind doors, ropes and gates and encouraged Tristan to, "Think big and explore what's around you." Tristan is still talking about it today. Today I have to pick up a couple of things for my classes this weekend at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA. Also hanging out with redheaded munchkins. Looking forward to a good day. |
Monday, June 23, 2014
5 May 2014 Journal Page
At my sister's house chilling with little munchkins. We're heading to Cambridge at some point today. Lots of redheads on their way into the city today! |
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Bringing Home More Goods from the Ink Pad in NYC
Back in Massachusetts after a great weekend of teaching at the fabulous Ink Pad in New York City. As always, I had a wonderful time. I know that I say it often, but I really do have the best students. I truly mean that. I appreciate each and every one of you. It means a lot to see old faces as well as meet new ones. Thank you to each of you who attended the classes. Thank you to Anna, Barbara and the Ink Pad Gang for making it happen. Thanks to my Mom for keeping me company and for tagging along. Looking forward to next time!!!! I truly *heart* NY! |
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Bringing Home the Books
A trip to NYC would be incomplete for me without a visit to The Strand. Here are the gems that I picked up last night. Off to teach for The Ink Pad today! Yay! |
Friday, June 20, 2014
Bringing Home the Goods: from the Ink Pad NYC
Tape! Stamps! Stencils! Oh my! A fun time was had by all. Looking forward to my classes in the morning! |
Thursday, June 19, 2014
5 May 2014 Journal Page
In New York! Well, upstate NY tonight. Heading into the city tomorrow. My favorite helper won't be with me. He's spending the next few days at his Grandpa's house. Always an adventure! |
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Blogging from MA
Tristan and I are in Massachusetts. Hanging with the little monkeys today. Here's the cover of my latest journal that I'll be sharing here the next couple of weeks. Heading to New York at some point tomorrow! |
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
On the Go Art Journal Bag
My art journal bag is something that I never travel without! I downsized my pens, tape, stickers, stencils, papers, etc... I even picked a small journal on purpose because I knew that I would be limited in space and size. That said, I'm traveling with about 200 pounds of art supplies for my classes. I may downsize for me but never for my students! |
Monday, June 16, 2014
I Never Travel Without Them...
Books! Here's what I'll be bringing with me as I head back East tomorrow. I even went out and bought a paperback copy of Van Gogh's Letters instead of carrying my hardcover copy around. I hope to pick up one or two new titles in MA and NY this trip. I love books as souvenirs. Trekking to NYC later this week to teach at The Ink Pad (my MA classes are at the end of the month.) Any places that you'd recommend? I love books (The Strand is always on my list), art supplies (the Ink Pad!!!!) anything art related, film, pizza, bagels and cupcakes and not necessarily in that order! Thanks in advance! |
Sunday, June 15, 2014
4 May 2014 Journal Page
I know that I'm not alone in saying that today is a hard day for me. It's the kind of day where one needs to be especially gentle with themselves and those around them. Kindness and love always help. It's still hard, though.
Above is the last page in my, "Journey Into the Self" book. If you want to revisit the journal, you can see all of the pages by clicking here.
Blog Love:
Andy Runton: Help Chewie!
Michael Palin's Tour of the Best Loved Monty Python Sketch Locations
I can't wait for this issue
Saturday, June 14, 2014
June Collage Sheet of the Month Club
Please allow up to 24 hours for me to respond to your order.
This collage sheet is exclusive to the Collage Sheet of the Month Club and is only available here (it will not be passed out in classes, etc...).
You can still order sheets from January here, February here, March here , April here and May here.
You can order June's sheet for $4:
Friday, June 13, 2014
Tour Mary Blair's Magic Color Flair Exhibit With Me
The other books mentioned are:
- The Colors of Mary Blair (my favorite of the Mary Blair books)
- Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books
- The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (this is a link to the updated edition which is a reprint with no new information.)
If you like this, you may enjoy an older post (with lots of links and photos) about Mary Blair.
I also have a Mary Blair pinterest board (that I hope to be adding to this summer.)
Any of these are on my wishlist (my favorite is this one.) Eventually I hope to get one of these, too. More artwork to dream about here and here.
The Magic of Mary Blair will keep you busy for some time!
Very big thanks to my friends, Connie and Meryl, for trekking there with me. It was a lot of fun and having you both there made it extra special!!!