greenpepperpressblog

Tag: lucky girl

  • The Unexpected Rosarian

    I've been nurturing a rose garden for ten years in honor of my sister.  I love that the latest Somerset Studio arrives in May as it's the month I share a birthday with Shannon.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my visual journal that chronicles the past ten seasons of growth.  I never thought I would ever be a successful gardener, so it was unexpected that I have become a rosarian.  

    Michelle Ward Somerset Studio May June 2018

    (My mom even makes an appearance in my article….do you spy her?)

    Two seasons ago my original rose bush passed 10 ft. tall.  

    MW Rosarian 2016

    Here's a view from the side yard in 2014.

    MW Rosarian 2014

    In March we had a terrible snow storm (several actually) that brought down many trees in the neighborhood.  On the left you'll see it didn't look promising for the roses, but then by the end of April, with some assistance of propping agents, they appear to be recovering.

    MW Rosarian 2018

    And then this morning….I spied the first bud.  The promise of another season.  I'm so excited.

    MW first bud 2018

    "Show me a garden that's bursting into life" from Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

    MW Rosarian 9a

    Are you a gardener?  Have you started a garden journal?  It's a fun process, especially during Winter as you wait for Spring.

     

     

  • Happy Easter

    Photo from 1996.  Peter was 5, Sam was 4, and Fallon was 8 months.  Wearing jelly bean shirts from L.L. Bean, and bunny ears…..Easter decals on the window above in our home when we lived in Michigan.  As usual, at least one egg was missing from the hunt.  We still dye eggs the same way, and still use the baskets from those early days, but now we use paper grass instead of that green plastic stuff because we have a cat.  We've traded in some of the old plastic eggs for the ones that are hinged – so much easier to fill when you don't have to find the matching top or bottom.  Wake up time is a little different so the "Easter Bunny" doesn't have to scramble in the wee hours to hide eggs and put out the baskets.  I can no longer dress Fallon with ruffles and a hat ….because she's 22!  And while the boys are 26 and 27, all three kids + mom + dad colored eggs Friday night.

    Happy memories, and Happy Easter. 

    MWeaster18

  • Merry Christmas!

    Wishing you a blessed holiday, whatever you celebrate.  Here's our annual photo card, and evidence of the family at a HIM concert. Theme this year honors our favorite band as we followed them on their farewell tour.  Toasting many fun years seeing them live (x22).  We will always have the music, and the memories.

     

    MWxmas2017HIM

     

     

  • almost there…..

    MWstacksA4A

     

    The + Artists For Artists + fundraiser is nearly complete – we are at the finish line!  There are a handful of sets left and I'd really like to sell out to maximize our total donation.  If you've been meaning to jump in, now is your chance!  We really appreciate all the support – it's such a great cause. UPDATE:  ONLY 20 LEFT OF THIS LIMITED EDITION OFFERING.  EDIT:  SOLD OUT!!!!

    SHOP HERE:  ETSY – GRNPEP

    In a few days all the funds will transfer from Etsy to my bank, then I will turn around and submit back to them on the Etsy Advocacy page, where they will match us dollar for dollar, to benefit Cerf+, making the safety net for artists a little bit bigger.  With a total sell out we will contribute, with Etsy, $8000+.  HOW COOL IS THAT?

    This is by far the biggest project I've ever embarked on – a real learning experience.  It's not a comfortable place for me – asking for donations.  I never even did well selling Girl Scout cookies, but this project has become really important to me.  Thank you again for hearing and responding to the promotions by the whole team, and for helping to spread the word.  WE ARE NEARLY DONE!

     

    MW A4A plus samples gelli

     

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    Just about five years ago we were getting prepared for SuperStorm Sandy to arrive in New Jersey.  Who knew that hurricanes, or their remnants could affect us in the middle of the state?  We have had a flooded basement more than once due to hurricanes!  Luckily, with Sandy, our home and yard were spared any damage but we were without power for nine days.  It was dark and cold – the day being even shorter because candles and flashlights don't make a big difference in November.  We had filled our gas tanks, which was a blessing as there were issues with getting some after the storm.  Our only warmth came from sitting in the car, motor running in the driveway, so we could listen to the radio to get caught up on news, and recharge our phones.  One of us would run down to the corner store for hot coffee – never tasted so good.  Once the power was back on, and the refrigerator restocked, life was nearly back to normal.  

    I simply couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose everything like so many have in recent tragedies.  Hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake.  At a time when one might want to turn to creativity to process the loss and escape from reality, or to continue making stuff because that's how you support your family, and all your resources are gone, Cerf+ is a resource that can help.

    + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

     

  • Old Faithful – TAGS

    The July/August issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  Below is a sneak peek of my article. Who doesn't love tags?  I consider them to be perfect platform for all kinds of creativity and have been using them for over twenty-five years, therefore I call tags "Old Faithful". The entire magazine is full of them as that was their selected theme.  Lots of good stuff.

    Michelle Ward Old Faithful TAGS article Somerset Studio July August 2017

    Michelle Ward GPP architecture tags

     

    In May/June I was lucky to be featured in Cloth Paper Scissors with my new Grid Iron stamps.  More tags!  Thanks Jeannine for the opportunity to show off the new rubber.

    MW CPS

     

    And speaking of faithful….you know I'm a die-hard HIM fan.  They have announced their farewell tour. *sad face*  Just got my tickets today – to two shows.  *happy face*  Wouldn't it be nice if the threat of a farewell tour was similar to other bands who have claimed the same, but continue to hit the road?  If not, we can always hope for solo projects from the beloved members.  

    HIMfarewell2017

  • Roses have bloomed

    Even more glorious today than they were last week, here are some of my rose bushes.  First photo:  roses planted in 2008.  Second photo:  roses planted in 2011.  All of them are tributes to honor my sister's life.  I definitely feel her….and with these, I can see her.

    MWRoseJune2017

    MWRosesJune2017

     

    And this one, called Daring Spirit, was a special gift from two friends in remembrance of my Grandma Kelly after she departed for heaven two years ago at age 102.  This is the first big bloom I've gotten since it was planted.  It smells good too!

    MWDaringSpiritRose2017

     

    Graham spent the weekend planting shrubs and filling the planters and bird feeders.  The yard is a menagerie.  Butterflies, bees, birds, bunnies and a family of kittens are regular visitors….and our goldfish pond is thriving as the fish are entering their third season here. Pool is open, beach towels are washed, (still have to blow up all the floaties) but we are ready for warmer temps…bring on summer!  

     

  • 5.17.17

    I caught this photo Tuesday afternoon.  With the heat expected today, there is no doubt this will open up for a birthday sign from Shannon.  There are a few dozen that look ready to follow, and by the end of the week it will be a glorious show.  The first rose bush planted in honor of my sister in 2008 is well over ten feet high.  At one point I had over twenty bushes, but get this….all the non-pink roses have perished.  Pink has taken over.  You can't even see where the non-pink bushes were since the pink ones have filled in the vacant spaces.  Love that.  More photos soon.

    MWbday2017

    Miss you sweet Shannon.  *blows kisses*

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    MWmothersday2017

    This is a rose from last year, my blooms are not quite ready to show off yet, see below.  

    Hope you have a glorious day.

    MWrosebuds2017

  • 3.17.17

    MWStPatricksDay17

    Yesterday was the four year anniversary of adopting our sweet black cat Lucky.  They told us she was likely about a year old so we claim today as her birthday.  We sure got lucky with her.  She is precious.  I think that luck is all in perspective, but it's been said that those who work the hardest, are the luckiest.  Often attributed to Thomas Jefferson:  I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.  Hope you find yourself lucky not just today, but always.

    MWLucky2017

     

  • Creative JumpStart 2017 – registration discount today! Plus Stencil sale Monday!

     

    I'm excited to announce that I'll be a participating artist for Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2017, hosted for the 6th year by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2017. 

    Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters. 

    Throughout January participants get access to 27 downloadable videos from 27 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:

    Announcing Creative JumpStart 2017 – CJS17 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

     

    Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and to learn more details:

    Nathalie's Studio - Creative Jumpstart 2017

    If you sign up before November 30th (11:59 pm EST 2016) the cost is only $40.

    Afterwards it will be $45 until December 31st, 2016 before it goes to its regular price of $50.  

    Treat yourself and jumpstart your creativity for the new year – a full month of inspiring posts to get you plugged in to making art!

    I participated last year – with my first video!  It was super fun to see how each jumpstart artist interpreted the prompt of the theme, and I learned a lot of really fun techniques (from artists I knew and artists who were knew-to-me) and it definitely got me motivated for the new year.  This will be my second year, and only my second video - I know!  I'm a dinosaur….eventually video-making will become more of a habit…I hope!  I am grateful to my friend Nathalie who pushed me out of my comfort zone to make these videos.  

    I love the theme for 2017 – MIX, MATCH, & MASTER and I have translated it with a quick and easy project that everyone should try!

    So what are you waiting for? Sign up here at: 

    Nathalie's Studio – Creative Jumpstart 2017

    Chime in below if you are coming along for the ride and we will get excited together!

     

    AND……….if you're a cyber shopper (who isn't?)  Stencil Girl Products has deals all day long TODAY. 

    Stencil savings up to 35% on my SGP designs!

    Official shopping details: www.stencilgirlproducts.com

    Save 25% off all* stencils  Use code: cyber25 
    Monday, November 28, 2016 from midnight until 11:59 a.m. CST (Central Standard Time)
    PLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
    AND orders over $100 get a FREE large stencil of Mary Beth's choice!
    SHOP for my designs HERE.

    Save 20% off all* stencils Use code: cyber20 Monday, November 28, 2016
    from noon until 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time)
    PLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
    AND orders over $100 get a FREE large stencil of Mary Beth's choice!
    SHOP for my designs HERE.

    Lots of really amazing designs at Stencil Girl Products – stock up for yourself, and double up to get some gifts!

    MW SGP CYBER MONDAY SALE