greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cool stuff

  • report card

    A+ for all the students!  I admit I was a bit disarmed by their quiet demeanor but it was early in the morning (7:30 a.m.).  There was hardly any feedback via expression when I first started talking.  But we got started with some easy exercises and before long they each found a groove and you could observe their claim on self-expression.  My only regret was that the day ended too soon!  I wish I was back there today, continuing the mission of sharing the enthusiasm for making cool stuff together.

     MWABPHS MWABPHS1

    I am grateful to Mrs. Lentini-Pombrio and Mrs. Amme for the invitation to be the class tour guide into Altered Books.  Check out how cool these art teachers are – back in March they were on a photo campaign.  This is a very small sampling of the photos collected around school that they presented on a massive set of boards….ART SAVES!  HCIT?

    MWPHSARTSAVES

     So many great comments have come in here, and by email, requesting the *handout* I mentioned for the class.  I think it's awesome there are so many artists who want to give it a try!  Give me a little time to wrap up some other deadlines (like getting the new rubber collection uploaded!!) and I will make it available.  I want to do it properly with downloadable text, images, and photographed samples so it may take me a while.  But I'm so psyched to do this.  I am HARDLY an expert, but I think I have put together a nice jumpstart into the artform and I'm more than happy to share it.  After it gets posted I was thinking it might be cool to take additional recommendations on page manipulations from YOU.  I could compile the tips into a part two.  Listen to me….I'm not even ready with part one yet.  *smacks head*

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  • one hand tied…..

    I'm lucky it's my left hand that is out-of-commission.  I would be so bummed and restless if it was my right.  And thankfully I can still type….although it's slow-going fixing typos.  Oh, what happened exactly?  Not sure.  Self-diagnosis is a re-injury of the wrist, x-rays Tuesday.

    MWalteredbooks1
    MWalteredbooks2 
    My week has been spent preparing for an altered book class. I've been invited to teach a special full day workshop at the high school.  Loved revisiting this art form.  Fun to think about introducing it to students who have never heard of it.  They have no clue what coolness they are about to step into ;) I made a handout covering nearly twenty techiques so if we don't get to them all they can continue the work on their own.  Class is Monday.  I'll let you know how we do.

    Have a great weekend.

  • one hand tied…..

    I'm lucky it's my left hand that is out-of-commission.  I would be so bummed and restless if it was my right.  And thankfully I can still type….although it's slow-going fixing typos.  Oh, what happened exactly?  Not sure.  Self-diagnosis is a re-injury of the wrist, x-rays Tuesday.

    MWalteredbooks1
    MWalteredbooks2 
    My week has been spent preparing for an altered book class. I've been invited to teach a special full day workshop at the high school.  Loved revisiting this art form.  Fun to think about introducing it to students who have never heard of it.  They have no clue what coolness they are about to step into ;) I made a handout covering nearly twenty techiques so if we don't get to them all they can continue the work on their own.  Class is Monday.  I'll let you know how we do.

    Have a great weekend.

  • thorns and roses

    Did you see the American Idol finale?  Even if you aren't a fan of the show it is always a terrific evening of surprise guests and great performances.  The highlight for me was the Bret Michael's duet with Casey James.  The song has stuck in my head…and the lyrics too.  You know I'm a fan of roses.  And I get it that they come with thorns, just like life.  I'll take both.  I wouldn't give up roses because I don't like getting stuck by the thorns, just like I don't give up on life because sad things happen. 

    MWthornrose

    This reminds me of a favorite quote – here is a graphic I made for it some time ago.  Complain or rejoice.  I choose rejoice.

    Mwrosequote3

     

    I am behind on my RT journal, but will use this photo in it soon, along with the lyrics.  Some photoshop trickery:

    MWpstricks

    Thank you for your kinds words of sympathy on the last post.  I am truly touched.  Wishing you a glorious holiday tomorrow – enjoy the day off with your family as we honor Memorial Day. 

  • thorns and roses

    Did you see the American Idol finale?  Even if you aren't a fan of the show it is always a terrific evening of surprise guests and great performances.  The highlight for me was the Bret Michael's duet with Casey James.  The song has stuck in my head…and the lyrics too.  You know I'm a fan of roses.  And I get it that they come with thorns, just like life.  I'll take both.  I wouldn't give up roses because I don't like getting stuck by the thorns, just like I don't give up on life because sad things happen. 

    MWthornrose

    This reminds me of a favorite quote – here is a graphic I made for it some time ago.  Complain or rejoice.  I choose rejoice.

    Mwrosequote3

     

    I am behind on my RT journal, but will use this photo in it soon, along with the lyrics.  Some photoshop trickery:

    MWpstricks

    Thank you for your kinds words of sympathy on the last post.  I am truly touched.  Wishing you a glorious holiday tomorrow – enjoy the day off with your family as we honor Memorial Day. 

  • ruby tuesday: fortysix

    MWRubyTuesdayBanner
    MWrubytuesday46 
    MWrubytuesday46b

    I feel lucky to be 46.    I feel lucky to be surrounded by love.  I feel lucky to be healthy.  I feel lucky that yesterday I could make the beds, shop for roses, read a book, communicate with friends via phone, email, and texts, have a lovely dinner out, sleep soundly.  In another part of the country, a beloved cousin is under hospice care, facing an uncertain future with grace, with faith…. I wish I was there, helping where possible, offering support.  But I'm here.  So I pray, I listen, I squeeze my eyes tight and visualize less pain, more peace…..PEACE…..it's a beautiful thing. 

    MWroses2010i

    MWroses2010h

  • ruby tuesday: fortysix

    MWRubyTuesdayBanner
    MWrubytuesday46 
    MWrubytuesday46b

    I feel lucky to be 46.    I feel lucky to be surrounded by love.  I feel lucky to be healthy.  I feel lucky that yesterday I could make the beds, shop for roses, read a book, communicate with friends via phone, email, and texts, have a lovely dinner out, sleep soundly.  In another part of the country, a beloved cousin is under hospice care, facing an uncertain future with grace, with faith…. I wish I was there, helping where possible, offering support.  But I'm here.  So I pray, I listen, I squeeze my eyes tight and visualize less pain, more peace…..PEACE…..it's a beautiful thing. 

    MWroses2010i

    MWroses2010h

  • step into my garden….

    MWroses2010a
    MWroses2010b

    As many of you know, today is not only my birthday, it is Shannon's too.  Two summers ago she left us, after gracing us with her presence for forty years.  We planted a small rose garden, in remembrance of her….and it has not only grown, it has multiplied.  Today I am allowing myself to be a little sad, missing her.  So many calls and messages have come in, wishing me well….thank you…..but I can't hold back the tears, some happy, some sorrowful.  So before I head out to the nursery to indulge in one more rose bush, I will take you on a tour.

    MWroses2010e
    MWroses2010c
    MWroses2010d

    The above grouping is just outside my studio door.  Below are the newest, planted in April.  We have learned our lesson about spacing…and have given these beauties much more room to grow.

    MWroses2010f 

    Below are the gifts from Mother's Day 2009….one didn't make it through the winter….so that is the mission for today.  The new one will make twenty in total.  I'm getting pretty good at this….and decided I will start a new journal project, keeping notes on my experience as a Rosarian.  xo

    MWroses2010g

    Our annual Sam party was postponed this year as we were holding out for better weather than we usually get in April.  Thanks to all our friends, classmates, and teachers who came to celebrate on the glorious Saturday we were blessed to have.

    MWSamParty2010


     

  • step into my garden….

    MWroses2010a
    MWroses2010b

    As many of you know, today is not only my birthday, it is Shannon's too.  Two summers ago she left us, after gracing us with her presence for forty years.  We planted a small rose garden, in remembrance of her….and it has not only grown, it has multiplied.  Today I am allowing myself to be a little sad, missing her.  So many calls and messages have come in, wishing me well….thank you…..but I can't hold back the tears, some happy, some sorrowful.  So before I head out to the nursery to indulge in one more rose bush, I will take you on a tour.

    MWroses2010e
    MWroses2010c
    MWroses2010d

    The above grouping is just outside my studio door.  Below are the newest, planted in April.  We have learned our lesson about spacing…and have given these beauties much more room to grow.

    MWroses2010f 

    Below are the gifts from Mother's Day 2009….one didn't make it through the winter….so that is the mission for today.  The new one will make twenty in total.  I'm getting pretty good at this….and decided I will start a new journal project, keeping notes on my experience as a Rosarian.  xo

    MWroses2010g

    Our annual Sam party was postponed this year as we were holding out for better weather than we usually get in April.  Thanks to all our friends, classmates, and teachers who came to celebrate on the glorious Saturday we were blessed to have.

    MWSamParty2010


     

  • recovering and recap

    Oh right….back to real life.  I'm late with posting…but at least I did it!  These pages chronicle the wrap-up of the HIM tour.  I documented the set lists from the four concerts we saw, and journaled about the experiences.  Still in recovery after a three-night-stand staying in the city.  Whew!  It was a gas.

    MWRubyTuesdayBanner
    MWrubytuesdaytourrecap
    I found these terrific new tools at AC Moore.  They are perfect for making toner transfers with Goof-Off.  Also good for blending with watercolor pencils, brushing on glue, painting and smoodging.

    MWnewtransfertool 

    The rose count is insane!  With the recent rain the bushes are heavy and leaning.  Need to find a way to support them.  *adds on the to-do list*  Here is one until I can take more photos.

    MWpinkrose2010

    Fallon was able to finally get photos with three of the guys Friday night.  Perfect little addition to a fantastic tour.  We were definitely spoiled.  They are all back in Finland now.  When-oh-when will they be back? 

    MWdaniellioneye
    MWhimtour2010

    This week Seth @ The AlteredPage is revisiting True Colors with commentary each day from the participants.  I thought all the artists would be included in a one-day-post so I kept my remarks brief.  I could talk endlessly about the fabulous experience of making pages, then seeing it go to print.   Fun to be reading his blog as we reminisce out loud.  Check it out HERE.