greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cool stuff

findings

In case you hadn't heard….Jenny Doh has a new blog. Hop over and say hello, then bookmark for regular visits with your morning coffee.

Yesterday I got to spend a-perfect-weather-day in NYC with my friend Edie. Time flies when I'm with this girl – had a blast, beginning with a tour of her way-cool apartment. Then off to Tinsel Trading for another visit with Wendy Addison. And THEN, I finally got to Metalliferous – a place Beryl Taylor told me about last year. What a find! I kinda knew what to expect so I had a wishlist of things to look for which really helped since there is so much to see. Here's some of my loot. Those hearts are made of copper mesh!

And now for the reveal on the tree root I showed you earlier….loved all the responses. It was fun to read what your perspectives were. I saw England in view No. 2. I plan on putting it in a box, positioned over a map, with a heart placed over Birmingham (where I met my husband!)

Have a wonderful long weekend!

May 24, 2008
what day is it?

This week was one of those this-feels-like-a-monday-on-wednesday AND this-feels-like-a-friday-on-wednesday. At least today is Saturday and could sleep in, one of my favorite indulgences. So here’s a catch-up post so I can clear my head and the memory card on my camera…..

Another terrific weekend spent making cool stuff with old friends and new ones. Kathy and Bill are The Best hosts and the additions they made to their compound are wonderful. The weekend began with a delightful ride from the airport with new-friend-who-felt-like-an-old-friend-because-we-talked-and-talked-and-talked, Beth. Fun to meet you in person Beth! Mom drives to Valley Ridge each year from the Twin Cities so she can see hang out and try out the groovy things we like to do with paint.

Then we spent two days painting pages. There’s nothing quite like an extended workshop – to be able to set up camp and leave your stuff out for two days is really cool. The artists made great stuff! Great to see Judy, Bonnie, and Bernadette again. And I got to give a hug to Tina and Marlynn – both are friends made online and met in person for the first time. And it was delight to meet Kelley, Julia, Kaye, Michelle, Sue, Jennifer, Kathy, and the token dude, Gary.

And at VRAS they have a new community building not only for amazing lunches, but for a wine-and-cheese-or-soda happy hour. I think we were all very happy – as in it was great to spend time together making art and making new friends. For more photos of the weekend you can visit VRAS’s album HERE.

EDIT: OMG! Look at my thumb and index finger on Kelley’s shoulder! It’s covered in black spray paint. What a riot. Where were my gloves?

I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to teach at this wonderful place, and to have a classroom full of students who are eager to learn and play and made it so much fun. It’s so energizing to see creativity at work, and to be part of that. And I’m grateful to my husband and kids – that they make it easy for me to get away, to be a full-time artist for a few days. I’ll be back in October 2009 and have already started inventing my class – can’t wait!

Since Shannon is still in the hospital I modified my return plans and caught a ride back to MN with Mom and Judy, and got to spend some time visiting with Mom and Dad, Shannon and her husband Andy, my Grandma, my cousins Kathy and Molly, and friends Virginia and Peggy. So fab to see so many loved ones. Whew! Got alot in for less than 48 hours. Shannon is doing much better and it was The Best to get to see her. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming in….hope she’s out before her 40th birthday on the 17th.

Got home at midnight Tuesday, then headed out Wednesday afternoon for an MCR concert with Fallon and our friend Leci. Home at 1 am. Do you blame me for not knowing what day it was?

Twenty Crusades! Phew! I can hardly believe it. Congrats to Sarah Harris from the U.K. for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 19. I was late in getting No. 20 up but it’s an easy one….plenty of time to try it before June 1st. Come play!

Wishing all you all a Happy Mother’s Day! I’m feeling so grateful to have time with my Mom this week, and to come home to three wonderful children. I am so lucky! Check this out, found in Sam’s backpack:

Adorable!

May 10, 2008
what day is it?

This week was one of those this-feels-like-a-monday-on-wednesday AND this-feels-like-a-friday-on-wednesday. At least today is Saturday and could sleep in, one of my favorite indulgences. So here’s a catch-up post so I can clear my head and the memory card on my camera…..

Another terrific weekend spent making cool stuff with old friends and new ones. Kathy and Bill are The Best hosts and the additions they made to their compound are wonderful. The weekend began with a delightful ride from the airport with new-friend-who-felt-like-an-old-friend-because-we-talked-and-talked-and-talked, Beth. Fun to meet you in person Beth! Mom drives to Valley Ridge each year from the Twin Cities so she can see hang out and try out the groovy things we like to do with paint.

Then we spent two days painting pages. There’s nothing quite like an extended workshop – to be able to set up camp and leave your stuff out for two days is really cool. The artists made great stuff! Great to see Judy, Bonnie, and Bernadette again. And I got to give a hug to Tina and Marlynn – both are friends made online and met in person for the first time. And it was delight to meet Kelley, Julia, Kaye, Michelle, Sue, Jennifer, Kathy, and the token dude, Gary.

And at VRAS they have a new community building not only for amazing lunches, but for a wine-and-cheese-or-soda happy hour. I think we were all very happy – as in it was great to spend time together making art and making new friends. For more photos of the weekend you can visit VRAS’s album HERE.

EDIT: OMG! Look at my thumb and index finger on Kelley’s shoulder! It’s covered in black spray paint. What a riot. Where were my gloves?

I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to teach at this wonderful place, and to have a classroom full of students who are eager to learn and play and made it so much fun. It’s so energizing to see creativity at work, and to be part of that. And I’m grateful to my husband and kids – that they make it easy for me to get away, to be a full-time artist for a few days. I’ll be back in October 2009 and have already started inventing my class – can’t wait!

Since Shannon is still in the hospital I modified my return plans and caught a ride back to MN with Mom and Judy, and got to spend some time visiting with Mom and Dad, Shannon and her husband Andy, my Grandma, my cousins Kathy and Molly, and friends Virginia and Peggy. So fab to see so many loved ones. Whew! Got alot in for less than 48 hours. Shannon is doing much better and it was The Best to get to see her. Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers coming in….hope she’s out before her 40th birthday on the 17th.

Got home at midnight Tuesday, then headed out Wednesday afternoon for an MCR concert with Fallon and our friend Leci. Home at 1 am. Do you blame me for not knowing what day it was?

Twenty Crusades! Phew! I can hardly believe it. Congrats to Sarah Harris from the U.K. for being the Top Hat Pick for No. 19. I was late in getting No. 20 up but it’s an easy one….plenty of time to try it before June 1st. Come play!

Wishing all you all a Happy Mother’s Day! I’m feeling so grateful to have time with my Mom this week, and to come home to three wonderful children. I am so lucky! Check this out, found in Sam’s backpack:

Adorable!

May 10, 2008
mayday, mayday

Can you stand it? We are on the new HIM dvd, Digital Versatile Doom. When they told us to send in photos I thought maybe they would print them out and post on a bulletin board and do a quick pan of the camera across them and we’d have to rewind and pause and get out the binoculars. But it’s way better than that – they flash each picture across the entire screen in slide show format for like 5 seconds. (I counted….5 seconds is a long time….it’s not like if you blink you will miss it.)

I have plenty to do in the next two days. I’ve been packing, editing, packing, editing…..for my trip to Valley Ridge Art Studio this weekend. I can hardly wait to have two whole days devoted to making cool pages with returning friends, friends I know online only, and friends I haven’t met yet. Time spent with Kathy and Bill is always a treat too. Mom is coming again and then ……shhhhhh ……..I’m sneaking to MN for a visit with Shannon. I am beside myself with glee to get to see her. I’ll check back in after I get back on Tuesday. Behave while I’m gone. Come on….you’re squeeing with me about being on the dvd aren’t you?

April 30, 2008
mayday, mayday

Can you stand it? We are on the new HIM dvd, Digital Versatile Doom. When they told us to send in photos I thought maybe they would print them out and post on a bulletin board and do a quick pan of the camera across them and we’d have to rewind and pause and get out the binoculars. But it’s way better than that – they flash each picture across the entire screen in slide show format for like 5 seconds. (I counted….5 seconds is a long time….it’s not like if you blink you will miss it.)

I have plenty to do in the next two days. I’ve been packing, editing, packing, editing…..for my trip to Valley Ridge Art Studio this weekend. I can hardly wait to have two whole days devoted to making cool pages with returning friends, friends I know online only, and friends I haven’t met yet. Time spent with Kathy and Bill is always a treat too. Mom is coming again and then ……shhhhhh ……..I’m sneaking to MN for a visit with Shannon. I am beside myself with glee to get to see her. I’ll check back in after I get back on Tuesday. Behave while I’m gone. Come on….you’re squeeing with me about being on the dvd aren’t you?

April 30, 2008
just the ticket

Wow. You have blown me away. I am touched by how many of you have come by to leave your words of encouragement and cheer for my sister. I can’t tell you how full my heart is – bursting!! Here’s another cool thing: yesterday my blog experienced an astonishing number of hits. Like off the charts hitting four digits. What does that mean? Why yesterday? Not sure, but my inner radar thinks that many of you came back to read and re-read the comments….to make sure we had gotten to 65…..to observe the momentum of gathered souls who created a positive energy force. I know this: if I ever feel like I need a pick-me-up, I’m coming back to that post!

My report is that Shannon was able to visit the blog yesterday and began reading your messages. Unfortunately she has to stand at the wall-mounted computer and couldn’t veg out at leisure to scroll through them all but I’m sure she got to them in segments. Makes you appreciate the comfy viewing from your seat right now doesn’t it? I think I will begin the task of printing them all out for her to tuck away.

I know it meant alot to her, and her husband Andy, and my Mom who was there when she first hit the blog. THANK YOU for this. Thank you. YOU are the "Ready for Anything Players" and YOU rose to the occassion. *blows kisses*

April 25, 2008
just the ticket

Wow. You have blown me away. I am touched by how many of you have come by to leave your words of encouragement and cheer for my sister. I can’t tell you how full my heart is – bursting!! Here’s another cool thing: yesterday my blog experienced an astonishing number of hits. Like off the charts hitting four digits. What does that mean? Why yesterday? Not sure, but my inner radar thinks that many of you came back to read and re-read the comments….to make sure we had gotten to 65…..to observe the momentum of gathered souls who created a positive energy force. I know this: if I ever feel like I need a pick-me-up, I’m coming back to that post!

My report is that Shannon was able to visit the blog yesterday and began reading your messages. Unfortunately she has to stand at the wall-mounted computer and couldn’t veg out at leisure to scroll through them all but I’m sure she got to them in segments. Makes you appreciate the comfy viewing from your seat right now doesn’t it? I think I will begin the task of printing them all out for her to tuck away.

I know it meant alot to her, and her husband Andy, and my Mom who was there when she first hit the blog. THANK YOU for this. Thank you. YOU are the "Ready for Anything Players" and YOU rose to the occassion. *blows kisses*

April 25, 2008
perspective

I keep some of these relics on my desk. They remind me that there is always something new to be discovered. Imagine what the inventor of these 45 record centers would think of cassette tapes, compact discs, and ipods. New technology aside, even items that have been around longer than 45s have been reinvented over and over again. Need convincing? Step into Sephora and notice the hundreds of ways perfume can be bottled. Pop into a Hallmark and see how clever their Fresh Ink line is.

This weekend I took Fallon to an antique store which was more like an indoor flea market. She loves rummaging through all the stuff – old jewelry, vintage clothing, other people’s stuff. She was fascinated by a telephone with a DIAL and a handset attached with a CORD. And she tapped away on an old TYPEWRITER. It made me think about my 45 centers….these things she only knows as relics. At one time they were innovations. The day provided an interesting perspective to see the world through Fallon’s eyes.

When thrifting I rarely look at old books anymore. I have enough piled in this studio and they have fallen out of favor in my work. But this little green dictionary got my attention, and my $4, when I saw that it’s owner was also a collector of four leaf clovers. Pressed within it’s pages were at least a dozen. A kindred spirit. I also have enough Victorian Scrap so I didn’t need to finger through the neatly packaged keepsakes except to look for those that had Roses as I’m still infatuated. Imagine my surprise to find one that was *winking* at me….holding up the Rock and Roll horns. Had to have it. HCIT?

March 31, 2008
perspective

I keep some of these relics on my desk. They remind me that there is always something new to be discovered. Imagine what the inventor of these 45 record centers would think of cassette tapes, compact discs, and ipods. New technology aside, even items that have been around longer than 45s have been reinvented over and over again. Need convincing? Step into Sephora and notice the hundreds of ways perfume can be bottled. Pop into a Hallmark and see how clever their Fresh Ink line is.

This weekend I took Fallon to an antique store which was more like an indoor flea market. She loves rummaging through all the stuff – old jewelry, vintage clothing, other people’s stuff. She was fascinated by a telephone with a DIAL and a handset attached with a CORD. And she tapped away on an old TYPEWRITER. It made me think about my 45 centers….these things she only knows as relics. At one time they were innovations. The day provided an interesting perspective to see the world through Fallon’s eyes.

When thrifting I rarely look at old books anymore. I have enough piled in this studio and they have fallen out of favor in my work. But this little green dictionary got my attention, and my $4, when I saw that it’s owner was also a collector of four leaf clovers. Pressed within it’s pages were at least a dozen. A kindred spirit. I also have enough Victorian Scrap so I didn’t need to finger through the neatly packaged keepsakes except to look for those that had Roses as I’m still infatuated. Imagine my surprise to find one that was *winking* at me….holding up the Rock and Roll horns. Had to have it. HCIT?

March 31, 2008
Good Friday

On the calendar it says Spring. Even if it might not feel like it where I am, or where you are, it soon will change. Spring brings the promise of re-birth, of budding life, of color….a time to let yourself be motivated to open up and grow. BRING IT ON!!

You may have been keeping up with Monica and her amazing community project. If not…where have you been? You can see her posts HERE. This is a woman who has opened her heart, worked her magic, and is still stitching love into an important cause. Bookmark her now so we can blast her with encouraging comments, and keep updated on the Pink Artist Doll and the auction to follow.

You’ll see in the photos below that sweet Lisa didn’t think her package was blog-worthy. I am behind on showing you some cool things that have arrived here that I hope to post about soon….but I disagree with Lisa on this one. It’s totally blog-worthy because I know you will squee with me when you see the perfect-fit-gifts she sent my way, just to make me smile.

I’m off to the airport to pick up my mom. Have a great weekend – and if I don’t get back here to post for Easter, have a good one. Save the black jelly beans for me.

EDIT: for some reason my blog archives are flukey – and you can’t get to them by month. So this is for you Chris: DYEING PAPER post from last year….using up the egg dye on your scrap stash.

March 21, 2008