My Time

Spark - Jewelry fun

 Margie Romney-Aslett and April Meeker led a super-fun and inspiration-filled class at Spark.  Margie had designed this cute necklace.  We were to bring a tiny photo of ourselves (many brought a childhood photo - I may go back and change mine). 

Then we used some Tim Holtz memory glassand Tim Holtz fragments along with an incredible "bar" of goodies to choose from.

Buttons and tulle and glitter and stamps and paint and ink and even a vintage typewriter if we wanted to type something to put on the necklace. 

 
 
There was even a teeny tiny little birdcage to put on the necklace (my necklace is far from finished - so it's not on it yet).  The idea of the birdcage is that we could write a tiny message to ourselves and roll it up and put it inside the birdcage.  Inspiration for sure !

 

Now  - the other thing about this class - I got to learn more about April Meeker.  I already knew she had a super talent at carving stamps - look at this stamp she carved with the Spark logo.  Incredible isn't it ? 

Well, I had been eyeing some earrings that were for sale in the booths the local artists had set up.  Went back to them several times, and then learned that April had created them.  I love how artists usually have a story behind the items they create.  April said she called these earrings "Vincent's Siesta".  She said the color of the stones (citrine briolettes) reminded her of Vincent Van Gogh's painting Siesta, which the background is a hayfield.  I can see that - very similar color.

And now - they are mine !  Check out other pieces she has created at her Etsy shop.

Photo Booth Fun

  When was the last time you played in a photo booth ? 

 

We all broke loose and cut it up a bit in the photo booth at Spark.  So fun - and a good reminder to let your personality shine through!

My friend Erin and I were having a blast in this set - with only 4 seconds between photos - was quite hilarious changing glasses/hat with only 4 seconds to spare !

Next time you see a photo booth - stop in and have a little FUN.

 

A little inspiration -

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."  —Maya Angelou

"When you come right down to it, all you have is yourself.  Yourself is a sun with a thousand fires in your belly.  The rest is nothing." --- Pablo Picasso

These were just a couple of many great quotes in Cassandra Barney's keynote speach at Spark.

I have certainly become a fan of her work and her spirit.

Another piece of wisdom she shared with us - "Be where your feet are".  Don't be thinking about work or worrying about something else when you are playing with your children.  Just be there.  Just "be where your feet are".   Click here to see the painting she created by this name.

Click here for more of her quotes from that speach.  Love it.

 

 

SPARK - Day 1

  
Day 1 of Spark was full of fun.  We played in the photo booth and had a fab time.  We also played a lot with the photo wall - just a piece of wood with holes cut out and frames put on one side.  We just stand behind and it - whaala!!  (sorry I don't have my photo editing software on this computer).

The location is just incredible.  It's being held at This is the Place Heritage Park here in Salt Lake City.  This is a historic old town, and we are having our classes and such in these old buildings on the big old tables.  SO different.  We even took a train ride around the park and saw even more old buildings.  Georgous venue. 

Well - here are a few photos - that's all I've got in me for now -- more to come -- gotta rest up since our classes tomorrow. 

 

 
 
 

 

OH and it finally is cold here.  We were very happy we had our heavy coats!!!  Tomorrow - the ear muffs come out !

Spark - We're here.

Made it to Salt Lake City - very surprised at how warm it is here.  I was prepared for the snow and cold temps they had a couple weeks ago.  Today was in the 70's and just georgous.  My big coat and new fuzzy ear muffs may have to warm my suitcase for the next few days until it gets cooler.

Sparkstarts tomorrow and I am giddy with excitement.  The Spark girls have been posting previews of some of the fun that awaits us - they are masters at this !

I was asked tonight if I was familiar with the art of Cassandra Barney.  I was not.  Cassandra will be the keynote speaker at Spark on Saturday, so I really should have checked out her work to learn something about her.  SOOO-- now I've checked out her blog and looked at some of her work and she is pretty amazing.  And I love the paintings she did for Spark, check them out.

Also borrowed from her blog - this quote -

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. -Albert Schweitzer

Now - gotta get some rest since tomorrow we start rekindling my SPARK.

The greatest love of all -

 

Awww - Little Smokey Jo-Ella loves the kitty in the mirror.

She sits and stares at herself for the longest time.

Isn't she cute ?

My Space

This is my favorite room in the house.  My space where I craft, scrapbook, putter, and sometimes just stand and stare.

Notice my main table is on risers.  These are bed risers - meant to make your bed taller.  I'm a stand-up scrapper, must look down at what I'm doing - thus the stilts (risers) for my table.  We actually looked at pub-type tables to fit somethin nicer in here - but I didn't want to have to worry about messing up a nice table - I LIKE this hard plastic table.

The little side table doubles as my laundry folding spot.

This is just about a third of a large loft-type room, which used to be known as the "fishing room".   This was where Val got to have his fishing themed decorations - all over.  Slowly over the years, the fish have died, fallen off the walls, and the scrapbook space is taking over.  Slowly.  Notice the dividing line - My white cluttered scrap area - versus the rustic look of the "fishing" theme.  Slowly...........

Love that I have the TV there to have on to either watch or have background noise while I'm doing things in this room.  Usually watch/listen to DVR'd Law & Order.

This is the inside of those mirrored doors - stuffed super-full of more craft stuff.

This is how I store my cardstock - sort by main color and stand upright.  Tried storing it laying down and for me it didn't work.

 
This is how I store my patterened paper - sorted by line - and also stored standing up.

This is how I store my pre-made cards (I like to make cards ahead of time to have on-hand).

 Ribbons, flowers, rhinestones, buttons.  I have to keep it in plain sight - otherwise it won't get used.

So this is my little corner of the world.  Let me know what you think! 
 
 

Spark !

In just 3 short weeks I will be attending Spark in Salt Lake City.  This event promises to be one of the most fabulous, and is meant to help "spark" the creativity within.

There will be four classes - photography, mixed media journal, jewelry, and sewing.  Taught by four amazing women - Rhonna Farrer, Margie Romney-Aslett, Elizabeth Kartchner, and Jefra Starr Linn.   There will also be several local (local to Salt Lake City) artists at the event to show us their work.   How great does all that sound ?? 

I signed up the first day registration opened, was just so excited about this event.

Borrowed this quote from the Spark site -

There is in every true woman's heart

a spark of heavenly fire,

which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity;

but which kindles up and

beams and blazes

in the dark hour of adversity.

-Washington Irving

 

Now it's time to Spark my own creativity. You will definitely be hearing more about this from me.

If anybody wants to sign up and join me - I think there's still room !

Happy yard.

Our lawn died, totally died, earlier this year.  A couple weeks ago, I got tired of the dead dirt yard and dug it all up.  The dirt was so rock hard - due to our hot hot summers - it was hard work (insert lots of sympathy for Lori here).  I don't know what possessed me to do this while Val as at work, instead of waiting for some help, but I did it.  Got it all dug up and replanted.  deep breath.

Just one week later - it was this fuzzy pale green with sprouts everywhere.  Such a pretty sight !

And now - two weeks later - and after a good rain - look at it !  I think Val's gonna have to mow soon :-)

 

disclaimer - remember - my yard is not really a yard but more a patio with dirt.  About the size of a bedroom.  But still - now it's a patio with grass again - and that's so right.

Festival of the Arts

This weekend Val & I attended the Santa Clarita Festival of the Arts.  This used to be called the Street Art Festival, but it has evolved a lot.  Still there is a large showing of "street art", with artists creating works of art on the streets.  This first one called to me - with it's saying "Time becomes meaningless in the face of Creativity."  Somebody tell my boss that ! 

There were many more incredible street art works, and some amazing artisans had set up booths displaying their work.  We were also entertained by ariel dancers and drum circles.

Enjoy the photos - they speak for themselves. 

Remember you can click on any to see bigger.