Artful Journey

After the horrific massacre in Las Vegas, thoughts can be suspended in anguish, frustration, and disbelief. How can this happen, why does this happen? And our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and respect to the first responders and the ordinary citizens that put themselves in harms way to assist the victims. In the face of such tragedy, there is a glimmer of hope in humanity. That morning, on my walk, I took a different route, and visited the grave site of Ross Almeddine, who was killed in the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. While there, I saw two butterflies on daisies someone had planted at a grave site. butterflies at the cemetery This was the inspiration for this piece, created to honor the victims of this tragedy. There is one of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes, and a quote from Catherine Woodiwiss' article   New Normal - 10 things I've learned about Trauma .  As Catherine says, "there is no getting over it.  There is no back to the ...

as in sports... Last weekend was a big sports weekend here...NFL..go Pats! Premier League...Juan Mata and Manchester United, and the All Ireland Gaelic football final. That meant alot of sports in the Man- cave.. with some pizza and beer! Football and Beer. Sunday Tradition in the Man Cave. I really like these shandys, so that is my beer of choice...and the trifecta of Irish, English, and American football is great too.  The coffee table is a cast off that I hand painted to look like distressed leather on the top, and granite on the legs.  The kids gave us a couch with two recliners and a side recliner a few years ago, so the area is totally kitted out for comfortable viewing. We have amassed quite a collection of craft beer which you can get a glimpse of on the shelving unit in the backround. Great craft beers and labels! We brought the first empty bottle from Ireland about 10 years ago, before craft beers became popular over  here.  It became a throw dow...

she did, and I do love mail... magazine and advertisements but on the top of the pile, lovely, lovely snail mail! and a happy, little card enclosed... such a pretty card I love the envelopes and notes that I receive from thePTExchange. It certainly makes for a happy Monday. Happy Monday to you too. Wishing you some lovely mail!

Hello, watercolor.  It's been a while since I pulled out my watercolors. I forgot how much fun it is. Watercolor hi Bittersweet  vines remind me of fall, and so does this tiny little leaf I found on my walk this morning. Some of the mail I have received include 2 great ones from Jean. black and white fun lettering This was black and white when I received it, which I loved. I had it sitting on my desk for a while, and decided I would color it in. I think it looks great both ways, and plan on using her design on an envelope in the future. What is the formula here? Not sure, but an awesome idea. I loved how unique this envelope is. Jean always has some fabulous ideas; this one will take some time and effort to copy...so, it will be a while before I am up for the challenge. Hands down, these are the best stamps I ever received on an envelope! If it is possible to absolutely love postage stamps, then I absolutely love these.    Letters mingle souls is the...

Thank goodness for envelope exchanges, it means something artistic and fun arrives in the mail! fun mail from Kate I really loved the stlye and colors on this, so I copied it on one of my envelopes for the exchange. Forgot to cover the address, so I will just show the return side back flap I used Kate's lettering style but did flowers instead of fruit.  In addition to the lovely letters coming through the mail slot, I love being introduced to new ideas to try. Also, on my agenda is figuring out how to blur an address for future posts. New postage stamps also trigger learning. The new solar eclipse stamp has been released to coincide with the Great American Eclipse on August 21, 2017. The band will pass trough the contiguous US in a 70 mile stretch moving from west to east. Massachusetts won't have the full total eclipse, but we will get a partial  sometime between 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. You would need a special attachment for a telescope to view a solar eclipse saf...

Here's a post I meant to put up before I went on my vacation. Technically it's not a 2nd post, more like a second attempt at a post. I am hoping that's close enough for Bluebeard and Elizabeth's Second on the 2nd. It must be Spring...so I used flowers as a theme for the envelope exchange. Here's three for the Pushing the Envelope Exchange. It's my usual style, although I did try to coordinate the postage with the design, as well as the card inserted. I wanted to do a few different varieties too, just to mix it up. The envelope to Jean started in black and white, though it seemed a little blah, so I added some colored pencil but kept it muted. Faux lace, but next time I will use a ruler. For Faye, I used one of my rubber stamps. A pet stamp would have coordinated nicely, maybe next time. Plenty of outside inspiration too! Around my garden... Wishing you a sun filled, fun filled, mail box filled kind of day!

Every mug tells a story, and sometimes it's nice to sit back and have a mug and reminisce. Last night I was watching the NCAA basketball finals, and thinking back on all the the sports I have watched over the years while my kids were playing. The NCAA finals always remind me of the discipline, hard work, determination, talent, commitment, and fun it takes to get to that level. Of all sports, I feel like rugby is my favorite...but that is easy to say..now. Fi played rugby throughout college, making it to the nationals and being named All American in her senior year.  She earned it with bumps and bruises, tears and triumphs, giving it her all every game. Tea and Tabasco One of my favorite memories, is driving from Boston to Central Florida overnight to see her team play in the Sweet 16. My husband, son and I took turns driving so we could make it with no stopping.  I am not a big fan of driving, so I got the graveyard shift...perfect, not much traffic between 12 and 4 ...

Yay! Today was certainly a red letter day for me! For a red letter day is anything day that is presently is  notable or memorable. And while today was going along in a ho hum sort of way, my mail slot opened...and lo and behold, what did I find? Count them 1,2,3 no wait, 4 envelope exchanges. Oh but that was not enough, a piece of mail that I had been waiting on! Here's the boodle! All the mail was great.I especially love this envelope, but then I am a sucker for color! And those stamps, such a great combination. My window woodland fairy has found a new garden. I saw a technique on TPK blog, using tape to mask off areas and watercolor around it. Mail me some art had a challenge using washi tape, so it gave me a chance to combine the two, I don't think I will have it out in time for the exchange, but maybe it will show up in your mailbox. Washi and watercolor greetings I am happy that CJ got me started on the Pushing the Envelope Exchange.  It certainly has made Mo...

Usually my family refers to me as Annie Upper or Pollyanna. They love to tell me that I think it's all sunshine and roses. I must admit I am a glass full type of person. Yesterday was one of those days, where someone took my glass of water, spit in it, and then smashed it to the floor. Now, I am also a person who wears my ❤️ on my sleeve, and a poker face is something I will never master. Well, alarm bells went out that Mom seems sad. Daisies are such a happy flower. It wasn't too long before my son showed up with a bouquet of  flowers as a pick me up.  Last night, Fi and Nish took me to Beauty and the Beast, totally a mood lifter. That inspired my instagram post today. Beauty and the Beast. Art makes me happy! Today, Onz called from London, saying we needed to do an exercise video together on what's app. I followed that up with one of my favorite treats, a Russell Stover whipped strawberry egg. A walk with a good friend, who had an extra recycle barrel...

T stands for tea...no matter what you might hear about the Irish, the real beverage of choice is Tea! Growing up in an Irish household left absolutely no question about the limitless powers of a cup of tea. If you were in Ireland, the choice was Barry's or Punjama, here in America, Lipton tea was the only option. The first question upon entering the house was, will you have a cup of tea? Mind you, the kettle was on before you had a chance to answer. Tea Caddy I painted for mom and dad. And with the tea came conversation and laughs, and a mental challenge, checkers or some other board game, or maybe cards (25 or gin rummy), suduko, or a crossword puzzle.  I learned early that there was a competitive streak running through my family.  We took no prisoners, and my parents were the most ruthless of all. Simple pleasures shared, and my mom's favorite mug. A sharp pencil was always close at hand. We were in it to win it.  Today I will tell you I hold a silver medal,...

Ever since I was little, I loved mail, and this is something I have passed on to the next generation. There is always a mad rush to the door when we hear the mail slot click open. There is something exciting about the possibilities of what will be waiting when you pick up that pile of mail. Sometimes the best it has to offer is a catalog to peruse, but other times, Joy! an actual handwritten note. This was a really fun one I received from Janet as part of the Pushing the Envelope exchange.  I placed a Dove chocolate on the envelope, something else I love, that is also meant to be savored and enjoyed. Like the Dove wrapper, you open it, and there is a message. In addition to getting mail, I found out a little of the history of triangle letters. In WWII, Russian soldiers sent triangle letters and they were delivered anywhere in Russia for free. Pretty cool. Janet has also visited the Clark Museum in western Massachusetts.  I have added that to my bucket list! Janet's Triangle...

Happy Birthday Card It's been a while since I have made a card. Matchthesketch.blogspot.com has a weekly challenge, and Pushing the envelope exchange included birthdates in the March swap. Viola, the perfect opportunity to combine the two. in the mail. Now to eat some cake! Always a good idea.

St. Patrick's Day. A good place to start...With the luck of the Irish.  Slainte