greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cool stuff

  • x meets o

    It was back in June that I shared my journal work spinning a "+" into an "x".  See {positive spin}.  Now "x" has a new friend, meet "o".  Duh, right?MWxopages 

    My ritual is to collect and create supplies and then process the palette (or in this case shapes) on journal pages.  If it clicks I will have filled up many pages and will take what I've learned onto other surfaces.  What started with an xoxo stamp from the dollar bin ended up as a full arsenal of custom tools:  stamps, masks and stencils.  I saw that x next to that o and I was toast.  Hyper-focus designing new tools was my mission, and trying them out in the journal was a satisfying reward.  MWootools  

    MWxxtools  

    Because we had terrific weather this week I was able to move my studio outside and spray with abandon, completing six painted canvases where x meets o.  A peek at the canvas work:

    MWxocanvaspeek  

    When you want a little something different to bring to your art:  make new tools.  When you can't find a supply that you need:  make new tools.  When you want to create authentic and original art:  make new tools.  xoxo

  • sock central….(edited)

    it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon.  stay tuned…

    Winkoftenlsmall 

    EDIT:  rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B.   So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor.  On the table were only *65* pairs of socks.  Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below).  Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth.  At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project.  Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers.   For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister.  For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter. 

    Did you feel it?  Did you feel that goosebump moment?  Wow!  We really did it.  *high five*  XOXO

    Winkdraft1

    MW thankyou  

  • sock central….(edited)

    it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon.  stay tuned…

    Winkoftenlsmall 

    EDIT:  rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B.   So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor.  On the table were only *65* pairs of socks.  Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below).  Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth.  At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project.  Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers.   For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister.  For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter. 

    Did you feel it?  Did you feel that goosebump moment?  Wow!  We really did it.  *high five*  XOXO

    Winkdraft1

    MW thankyou  

  • *pink wink* posted

    MW lotsa sox7 

    The final pink arrivals which include a pair knitted just for me:

    Stillwinking12  

    Dear friends,

    Who knew that my request, on July 29th, for collecting 65 pairs of pink socks would end with 700?  It isn't the end, it's only the beginning.  Several angels are at work on the other end as they are in on the surprise and are planning to make a celebration for the Pink Wink arrival.  You know I will keep you posted!  One of the last emails I got from my sister was in May when she wrote to me about the blog comments you left for her, sending your positive vibes.  She enjoyed all the well wishes and said they were definite day brighteners.  Imagine what she would say to this – 700 socks sent in her honor. 

    I am without words to describe what this has meant to me.  I recognize that it was a loving effort to participate in this.  You shopped for socks, came home and packaged them, then went back out to post them.  Many envelopes were winks themselves – decorated with pink paint or ink and roses and x's & o's and hearts and flourishes and messages.  Some were filled with pink wrappings and ribbons.  Some came with beautiful cards or lovely gift offerings.  Others came in a plain envelope with a quick note and some were simply anonymous – no return address at all.  There were boxes containing more than a dozen pairs, and envelopes filled with a single pair.  Some socks were dropped off at my home and others were delivered from overseas.  No matter how the socks arrived I felt the love energy tucked inside.  I get it that by sending me socks you are offering your support and sympathy.  I get it that by sending socks you help me honor the memory of Shannon.  I get it that you can't imagine loss, or have experienced a loss of your own.  I get it that you love your sister, or your sibling, or your best-friend-who-is-practically-a-sister.  I get it that you may know someone with Cystic Fibrosis.  I get it that you are a caregiver, or know a caregiver, or believe that acknowledging caregivers is important.  I get it that it just feels good to join in something that is about sharing gratitude.  I get it that the impulse to be with me on this may have no specific definition.  I feel the love, and as I said before:  you make grief endurable. 

    There is more to tell, more to share, and more to celebrate as the story continues to unfold.  For now, let me offer my humble thanks.   Posting the boxes felt good, although a little sad as it's been a daily task for me to attend to this project.  It began as an idea to pay-it-forward to my sister's caregivers and then it became bigger but offered a distraction to keep my mind occupied.  I reflect on the whole thing now and see that it was so comforting to share my grief.   By dividing it, it slowly diminishes. 

    I know you are with me.  SHE is with me.  You have helped me say that she mattered.  I will never forget this.  NEVER.  Thank you.  THANK YOU.

    xoxo, Michelle 

  • *pink wink* posted

    MW lotsa sox7 

    The final pink arrivals which include a pair knitted just for me:

    Stillwinking12  

    Dear friends,

    Who knew that my request, on July 29th, for collecting 65 pairs of pink socks would end with 700?  It isn't the end, it's only the beginning.  Several angels are at work on the other end as they are in on the surprise and are planning to make a celebration for the Pink Wink arrival.  You know I will keep you posted!  One of the last emails I got from my sister was in May when she wrote to me about the blog comments you left for her, sending your positive vibes.  She enjoyed all the well wishes and said they were definite day brighteners.  Imagine what she would say to this – 700 socks sent in her honor. 

    I am without words to describe what this has meant to me.  I recognize that it was a loving effort to participate in this.  You shopped for socks, came home and packaged them, then went back out to post them.  Many envelopes were winks themselves – decorated with pink paint or ink and roses and x's & o's and hearts and flourishes and messages.  Some were filled with pink wrappings and ribbons.  Some came with beautiful cards or lovely gift offerings.  Others came in a plain envelope with a quick note and some were simply anonymous – no return address at all.  There were boxes containing more than a dozen pairs, and envelopes filled with a single pair.  Some socks were dropped off at my home and others were delivered from overseas.  No matter how the socks arrived I felt the love energy tucked inside.  I get it that by sending me socks you are offering your support and sympathy.  I get it that by sending socks you help me honor the memory of Shannon.  I get it that you can't imagine loss, or have experienced a loss of your own.  I get it that you love your sister, or your sibling, or your best-friend-who-is-practically-a-sister.  I get it that you may know someone with Cystic Fibrosis.  I get it that you are a caregiver, or know a caregiver, or believe that acknowledging caregivers is important.  I get it that it just feels good to join in something that is about sharing gratitude.  I get it that the impulse to be with me on this may have no specific definition.  I feel the love, and as I said before:  you make grief endurable. 

    There is more to tell, more to share, and more to celebrate as the story continues to unfold.  For now, let me offer my humble thanks.   Posting the boxes felt good, although a little sad as it's been a daily task for me to attend to this project.  It began as an idea to pay-it-forward to my sister's caregivers and then it became bigger but offered a distraction to keep my mind occupied.  I reflect on the whole thing now and see that it was so comforting to share my grief.   By dividing it, it slowly diminishes. 

    I know you are with me.  SHE is with me.  You have helped me say that she mattered.  I will never forget this.  NEVER.  Thank you.  THANK YOU.

    xoxo, Michelle 

  • launch

    MW lotsa sox6

    I had to really pack them in and squish down so the covers would fit – 690 pairs!  *high fives* all around.  To my friends, to my neighbors, to my online buddies and acquaintances from near and far, and to those of I've never even exchanged a word with – written or spoken, THANK YOU.   I am finishing up the letter that will accompany each bin, then they are hitting the road.  The last few that came in….

    Stillwinking10

    Stillwinking11

    The gathering of these socks has been such an experience.  There is a pink glow where there was once a dark hole.  I will continue to write about the winks and all the ripple effects….but now it's time to launch….to spread the love.

    The kids started school today.  Amazing how they have grown (in August, Fallon turned 13 and Peter turned 18 – a senior!)  Amazing that the summer season is over (but not the hot weather!)  Amazing that we can be 3/4 of the way through the year and yet still feel like we can start anew.  A fresh start for the teachers, students, and parents.  New notebooks, fresh pencils, cool folders and cooler shoes.

    Newschoolyear09

    I'm ready for something new.  I'm ready to look forward.  I'm ready to say farewell to these pink socks and let the love energy they are wrapped in be released.  Deep breath…..

  • launch

    MW lotsa sox6

    I had to really pack them in and squish down so the covers would fit – 690 pairs!  *high fives* all around.  To my friends, to my neighbors, to my online buddies and acquaintances from near and far, and to those of I've never even exchanged a word with – written or spoken, THANK YOU.   I am finishing up the letter that will accompany each bin, then they are hitting the road.  The last few that came in….

    Stillwinking10

    Stillwinking11

    The gathering of these socks has been such an experience.  There is a pink glow where there was once a dark hole.  I will continue to write about the winks and all the ripple effects….but now it's time to launch….to spread the love.

    The kids started school today.  Amazing how they have grown (in August, Fallon turned 13 and Peter turned 18 – a senior!)  Amazing that the summer season is over (but not the hot weather!)  Amazing that we can be 3/4 of the way through the year and yet still feel like we can start anew.  A fresh start for the teachers, students, and parents.  New notebooks, fresh pencils, cool folders and cooler shoes.

    Newschoolyear09

    I'm ready for something new.  I'm ready to look forward.  I'm ready to say farewell to these pink socks and let the love energy they are wrapped in be released.  Deep breath…..

  • shocking . . . hot . . . blush . . .

    shell, coral, salmon, rose, cerise, fuchsia, flamingo, magenta, bubble gum, cotton candy, pepto….

    Mw lotsa sox5

    Who knew there were this many shades of pink?  Who knew there were this many kinds of socks out there?  From Alaska to Florida and from Germany and New Zealand.  From good friends and from we-have-never-met-before friends.  Cozy, fuzzy, soft, long, short, thick, slick, subtle, sharp, loud, polka dots, stripes, flowers, sea horses, stars, hearts, words, paisley, argyle, and plain.  Here are the latest:

    Stillwinking5

    Scottssox

     Stillwinking7

    Donnarecord

    It's bittersweet to listen to but I'll save you the google:  click HERE to listen on youtube, and HERE is the backstory of the lyrics….scroll way down. 

    Stillwinking6

    MWsocksexceeded

    I cannot wait to send these pink bins off to the U of M hospital.  I had to spill the secret to two people in order to have someone *on the inside* who could guide me through how to make this sock arrival happen.  You know I will keep you all posted.   My plan is to ship on September 3rd – the kids will go back to school that day so it is offically *launch date*.  I can't believe I am saying this but:  you can stop sending me socks.  If you have some and are ready to post then hurry!!  Luckily I have kept up with labeling them as they arrive.  Andrew was a darling and wrote offering to help as he thought I was buried in pink and therefore couldn't blog.   

    Actually, I stepped away from the computer as we had visitors.  Graham's two sisters came from England – and we all had a great time! 

    Sistersvisit

  • shocking . . . hot . . . blush . . .

    shell, coral, salmon, rose, cerise, fuchsia, flamingo, magenta, bubble gum, cotton candy, pepto….

    Mw lotsa sox5

    Who knew there were this many shades of pink?  Who knew there were this many kinds of socks out there?  From Alaska to Florida and from Germany and New Zealand.  From good friends and from we-have-never-met-before friends.  Cozy, fuzzy, soft, long, short, thick, slick, subtle, sharp, loud, polka dots, stripes, flowers, sea horses, stars, hearts, words, paisley, argyle, and plain.  Here are the latest:

    Stillwinking5

    Scottssox

     Stillwinking7

    Donnarecord

    It's bittersweet to listen to but I'll save you the google:  click HERE to listen on youtube, and HERE is the backstory of the lyrics….scroll way down. 

    Stillwinking6

    MWsocksexceeded

    I cannot wait to send these pink bins off to the U of M hospital.  I had to spill the secret to two people in order to have someone *on the inside* who could guide me through how to make this sock arrival happen.  You know I will keep you all posted.   My plan is to ship on September 3rd – the kids will go back to school that day so it is offically *launch date*.  I can't believe I am saying this but:  you can stop sending me socks.  If you have some and are ready to post then hurry!!  Luckily I have kept up with labeling them as they arrive.  Andrew was a darling and wrote offering to help as he thought I was buried in pink and therefore couldn't blog.   

    Actually, I stepped away from the computer as we had visitors.  Graham's two sisters came from England – and we all had a great time! 

    Sistersvisit

  • rockin’ the socks!

    MW lotsa sox4

    Stillwinking4  

    Wow – they are still coming in and since I have word that more are on the way I will wager that we will reach 650 which means you have sent in TEN TIMES what I hoped to get.  If you haven't been keeping up you can scroll down through the recent posts or go here to see where this started.  Today's packages included piles of pink from two groups that collected the donations – HCIT?  I wish you could see my big-eyed-open-mouthed expression every time I pick up from the post office.  And then I wish you could see me get all misty-eyed-yet-grinning as I read all your sweet notes, and when I realize that some of the return addresses are not familiar to me.  Thank you for the sweet pink love.  You make grief endurable.