Wild Onions

Staying in the game

2011-01-24T08:30:00.005-06:00

In the previous post I added a pic of the scrapbook page I made for Scrap for Survival. To put it simply: Blech. I don't like it. I was especially irritated with myself about it since I used some of my favorite papers on there. And they're gone, gone, gone...sigh.

It was clear that page #1 was too busy for use on a printed page or on a webpage. So, I spent another four hours making page #2. I tried to be clean, spare, and more graphic. Again, I used some of my favorite things. I definitely like it better, though. See if you agree...

I know what you're saying: "How in the heck could this take four hours to make?" Answer: 1. You don't know me that well, if you have to ask that question :) 2. I am here to tell you it is awfully hard to scrapbook a page about something when you're not trying to capture a memory, but advertise something. Yipes. Anyway, as I said, I like this one much better, and so did the powers that be at YSC. Still...we are not using it. I basically wasted all of that time, effort, and awesome paper on nothing...instead we are going with an actual graphic I created. Take a look:

I have no idea where the dark lines around the two edges came from. Hmmm....let's hope they're not there in the final printing! I definitely see a theme from the page to the graphic. It's funny how we ended up with something so simple after all that mental and creative wandering!

At least I got to spend time in my work room, and while there, I got to scrap a page for real!!! I am totally in love with this kit from Studio Calico and all of the awesome goodies it contains. (Heck, I'm in love with every kit from Studio Calico!!! They're incredible!) But, I have a surplus of kits waiting to be used and my goal is to use them all up. Not a bad goal, if I say so myself :) I get to play with great supplies AND do something I love. That's not hard at all!

For your visual pleasure (I hope) here's the page I made about Cory's time playing baseball. He only played for one season, and we made some great memories. I was so proud of him for doing what he wanted, even though he was inexperienced and older than a lot of kids on his team. It's one of the things I truly admire about him. He doesn't let anything stop him from doing what he wants; he doesn't get embarrassed or worry about sticking out. Cory knows how to live life. Hence the title "In the Game". Like the journaling says, he never sits on the sidelines, and that makes me very proud!

Here's to everybody getting into the game!

Hmmm...

2011-01-07T13:50:00.001-06:00

I don't know, what do you think? Instead of a logo to advertise the Scrap for Survival, I made this page. I don't know...

FINALLY!

2011-01-05T09:58:00.006-06:00

I finally was able to do a little scrapbooking. I finished up a couple of LOs I started at my friend's crop AND I successfully scrapped a LO two nights ago! It feels good to stretch the creative muscles!

These are some close-ups of the 2 page spread above. I love these pictures from when Cory spent a week at a camp in Wolf Ridge with Brad and his schoolmates. I especially love the picture of him with the chickadee! (Thanks to Julie for the awesome quotation that tells the whole story!)

These are some of my favorite pics of Whiskers. This scrapbooking kit from Studio Calico had the perfect papers to go with the photos. Of course, I had to engage in some time consuming scissor work :)

I had a lot of fun scrapping these pics of Erin's first long driving experience...all the way to the cabin. Too bad she still has to put up with her brother, no matter how cool she tries to be!

I got a new portrait lens for Christmas. Hopefully there will be some awesome photos coming soon!!!

Wow...I need to get my art back...

2010-08-15T10:07:00.003-05:00

It is like entering a tomb. My craft room has not been unused for months. It is starting to get piles of purchases and papers, bags and just stuff piled high around the room. There are half finished projects and the detritus of our crop scattered around the room. It looks so sad, wondering if I'll ever come back. I admit I have been wondering the same thing.

My daughter has started to take it over as an exercise room: evidenced by the empty water bottles, fitness ball, and various hand weights scattered across the floor.

I have been working so hard running our Young Survival Coalition Affiliate and planning our fundraising bike ride, the Tour de Pink Duluth (happening in September), AND training and fundraising for the big Tour de Pink (in October from PA to NYC) that I have not done onet iota of crafting or art.

I have been starting to feel guilty even going into Archivers or looking at the scrap stuff in Target. I feel like a traitor! I was at CHA in July helping get donations for our Scrap for Survival (yes, we're planning one for this year!) and I could only allow myself momentary peeks at all the goodies...it was just too overwhelming and made me sad.

But the urge is really starting to build in me....I can feel it like a Tsunami. It's coming and heaven only knows what will happen when it does! Art is like water, my body craves it and can go only so long without it.

But I'm not giving up...and I'm not going to control it. Soon I will fill that thirst and I'm excited to see the results. Stay tuned!

For anyone wondering what I've been up to, or wanting to read my ramblings on my other blog, you can visit it here. It's full of a lot of biking and introspection, and I suppose it has served as a kind of creative outlet to tide me over. At least writing about my thoughts and the things I see provide me with a creative release :)

Stay tuned!

-Alane

You have to check this out...

2010-06-04T11:47:00.002-05:00

...and let your voice be heard!!!

Courtney Bugler, Manager of the YSC Atlanta Affiliate guest blogged for Ladies' Home Journal about her beef with Sex and the City 2. Go Courtney!!!

Add your comments...I did!

Sneak Peak #2!

2010-03-14T14:58:00.003-05:00

In my last post I mentioned that for the Scrap for Survival coming up on Saturday, March 20th, I was teaching two classes. I shared the first class project with you, the accordion file folder album. Now I want to show you what I have planned using that awesome "Golden Rule" vintage photo from my friend Julie. I am totally in love with that picture and have been wanting to do something with it for a long time. I enjoy making little art canvases and I absolutely love to go garage sale-ing and antique hunting for vintage treasures to add to my projects. So, for this class I thought it would be fun to incorporate some vintage finds along with some great new products to create an adorable piece to hang in your house or studio space. Without further ado, here it is:

I wanted to make sure and cover some techniques that many people don't often use. I love to get messy, so of course we had to paint and use paper mod podge! And crackle medium is one of my all time favorite supplies for getting the vintage look.

I lucked out at an estate sale when I scored a whole tube full of these milk caps. It is a lot of fun to make the accordion flower to highlight their great colors and graphic!

Hopefully this will be a big hit with the participants! It was a lot of fun for me! Well, I'm off to go prep about 40 canvases for this project...wish me luck!

It's been a long time coming...

2010-03-11T08:26:00.005-06:00

I know it's been a long time since I last posted, but things have been getting pretty busy around here! We are gearing up for our Scrap for Survival to benefit the Duluth Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition. It is an awesome 15 hour crop full of prizes, page challenges, classes, free meals, beautiful scrapping space, scrapbook valet service, a silent auction overflowing with fabulous donations, and more. Each participant receives all of this plus an awesome goody bag stuffed with great scrapping supplies. Seats are still open, and we would LOVE to have you! It is all for a fabulous cause: the only non-profit organization that focuses on the unique issues facing young women with breast cancer. If you're interested in learning more, stop by our Crop blog and check it out!

I am sharing a sneak peak of one of the classes I will be teaching at the event. It is a file folder album and uses some of my absolutely favorite things: Cosmo Cricket paper, office supplies :), Unity rubber stamps, and punches. It's easy, fun, and I think would make a great gift that you could whip up very quickly! Participants are going to get a choice of using one of two paper lines for their projects. Here's a peak at both:

Here's a little peak at the inside to see what's in store! I LOVE tags, the bigger the better. They are great for so many things. My friends laughed at me when I ordered a box of 1000 of these huge tags and now they can't keep their hands off them :)

Check back and see what I have planned for class #2 that I am teaching. (It's "da bomb" if I do say so myself!) I am going vintage-y and re-purposed with this one. Just try to guess what I am planning to do with this photo:

This pic is a huge favorite of mine; It's my friend Julie's Great Grandpa. Isn't it just awesome? Stay tuned for what I have in store! I also want to mention that Class #3 is being taught by the incredibly talented designer, Heather Nichols, from Papertrey Ink. Heather taught at our crop last year and the class was fabulous. I have to work hard to look good next to her! Check out her amazing talent on her blog here!

To make up for my absence from posting, I am fulfilling a request: I am sharing my chocolate cake recipe that I mentioned in an earlier post. Seriously, it's delish-eee-oooh-soh! I am personally feeling like I need a dose of chocolate heaven right now!

Guard this with your lives! Here it is:

Mom's Chocolate Cake (yes, that's what it's called!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together in a large bowl:
2 Cups flour
2 Cups sugar
3/4 Cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

In a separate bowl, beat:
1/2 Cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Cup brewed coffee
1 Cup milk

Incrementally add dry ingredients to wet, mixing well. When batter is mixed, add in as many chocolate chips as you feel is socially acceptable ;)

Spray 2 round cake pans with Pam baking spray or coat with shortening and flour.
Evenly distribute batter into pans.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, until cake tester comes out clean. Cool pans on wire racks for ten minutes. Invert pans and release cake layers onto wire racks to cool.

I usually frost my cake with Chocolate Butter frosting. (Yes, use butter, and make extra! Yum!)

Enjoy!!! Let me know what you think!

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Make one today!

2010-02-14T12:02:00.013-06:00

Hi there! I just thought I'd show you the quick project I put together for my family for Valentine's Day. This is so quick and easy, you could literally make one today, right now!!! I know because I made the one for my hubby in less than two hours yesterday. My daughter walked in and saw it and said "Sure...you have time to make one for Dad...". I gave into the guilt (besides, it was fun! And made one for her and her brother as well.)

I have to give credit to my friend Julie who found a "52 things I love about you" deck on the website www.cutoutandkeep.net . Because it's what I do, I made mine a little more involved and "vintage-y". Still, It was so easy, I used mostly stuff I had on hand including the decks of cards, paint, paper, and ribbon. I made a quick run to purchase the binder rings (the 7 Gypsies ones are so much better than any other binder ring I've used, plus they're red...how cool is that?) While I was at the store, I bought the clear embellishments, but I wasn't even convinced these needed them. Once I got an assembly line going, these came together really fast.

This was such a fun, easy project, I even had time to photograph the process just in case you want to make one (or two!)

Step 1: find a deck of cards. Easy! If you're making this for Valentine's Day, the red ones look great. I had an old set of purple ones I found laying around and a deck of pink ones (they were breast cancer cards so of course I had to buy them.) But this would be cool with an old vintage set of cards, or even a mixture of different cards.

Step 2: Make your list of "52 things I love about you". This was super easy. I made a table in Microsoft Word (or Pages if you have a Mac). The table was four columns with four rows. Each cell measured 2.25" tall and 1.75" across. This was the perfect size to fit into the center of each card without covering up the numbers. I made the lines on the table dotted so I could use them as a cutting guide later. Then, I chose my font and started typing. Once I made the table for one person's deck, I just used the same table for the others, but changed the "I love you because..." sentiments. Here's a pic of the table printed onto computer paper. Once I checked for spelling mistakes, etc. I printed it onto cream colored cardstock.

I will point out that between printing the paper copy and printing onto cardstock, I changed my font. I liked the cursive with the typewriter font much better. After I printed the table on cardstock, I cut them apart. I chose to paint the edges. I just used regular acrylic paint in a variety of shades of pink and a foam brush. Here's a pic of that:

While I was painting the edges of the sentiments and letting them dry, I was also preparing the card bases. I decided to spray them with glimmer mist. I used the color sweet pea. Here's an example of that:

It doesn't really take long for the glimmer mist to dry, but you can speed up the process by using your heat gun. Just be careful and don't get too close to the cards or the heat will cause the coating on the cards to bubble. Once I had misted one side, I turned the cards over and did the other side until I had a deck that looked like this:

After the misting was done, I painted the edges of each card as well, usually with a different shade of pink to add interest. I felt like that really made each card look more like a finished page and added some "pop" to the colors.

I decided to matt each of my sentiments on some valentine papers just to add a little more color. So, I cut 12 x 12" paper strips that were 2.5" wide. Then I cut each of the strips into 2" pieces, getting 6 rectangles out of each strip. I used double sided paper so I cut another strip into 6 more pieces so I could have the other pattern as well. I found that nine strips of patterned paper made the exact number of rectangles since I included a dedication on the inside of the cover and an extra card that had a "52+" sentiment on it. If you want to make more than one deck at a time, just double or triple the number of strips as needed. Once I had all my rectangles cut, I adhered all of the sentiments onto the rectangles. (Things really start moving quickly at this point!)

I was a little anal and tried to keep my papers in some sort of sequence. Yes, even though I love to get messy, out of chaos comes order!

The obvious next step: adhere your sentiments onto the cards. Again, my anal side broke in and I tried to shuffle up the cards so the black faces were mixed in with the red ones, the numbers were random, and the last card was the King of Hearts. Forgive me!

After that was done, I used my Cropodile Big Bite to punch the holes. I like the Big Bite for this because it has a guide you can set so you punch the hole in the same place every time. And you can punch a bunch of pages at once. The Cropodile has this, too, but I find it easier to punch through a whole bunch of layers without having them slip around on the Big Bite since it's flat on the table. If you're wondering, I found it best to punch the holes after I'd done my layering so the sentiments could be smack in the middle of the cards. Alternatively, you could punch the holes in one card, line up a stack of other cards, trace the holes and punch them.

Next came the fun part! I made sure the pages were in order and put them on the rings. The reason I like the 7 Gypsies rings so much is that they lock tightly and don't let the pages get caught when turning them like other binder rings do. After I put them on the rings, I went back and sprinkled a few adhesive embellishments on various pages, and tied lengths of ribbon, yarn, fibers, etc. in colors that matched onto the top ring.

Here's just a few more photos of the finished products:

I really like the way each one turned out a little differently even though I used the same basic supplies for all of them.

It was a lot of fun to give them to everyone this morning and watch them read each card, as well as everybody else's. I am staggered that even my husband wondered aloud, "Hmmm...where am I going to keep this?" I almost fell over. He actually wants to display it somewhere!

Now that I've finished these, I have even more ideas. I think it would be great to use a bunch of vintage cards (which I have been collecting) and do a "52 things I always want to remember about..." or "52 things I learned" or "52 things I wish I wrote". The possibilities are really neverending. There are definitely more of these in my future. I can feel it!

Letters, memories, and the power of both for Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T09:23:00.006-06:00

I am not even sure where this post will lead, but I felt absolutely compelled to write something right now. As a cancer survivor and as someone who works with and meets a lot of other cancer survivors, I have become very involved in other people's stories. Many of the people I meet I know extremely well, and feel lucky enough to call them friends. Some of them I have never met, yet I still feel like I know them well and hold them in a special place in my heart. We meet through phone calls, emails, message board postings, and on a place called Caring Bridge. For those of you who aren't familiar, Caring Bridge is a free website for people to set up their own webpage when they are facing some sort of illness. It is a wonderful way to keep family, friends and others informed about your welfare, updated on your health care plan, and to keep in touch without having to make a million phone calls. For people who decry the death of the written word because of technology, I am telling you it lives on Caring Bridge. (And on blogs too, for that matter.) I treasure the Caring Bridge postings of a friend who is no longer alive. They were intimate letters that allowed us into her heart, mind and soul. Her posts were sad, frightened, uplifting, funny, hopeful, and more. They were a gift to everyone who read them, and there was more to learn from them besides the details of her day to day life.

I guess I survive on the belief that life really is all about stories and what we learn from them. Maybe that makes me a true romantic. But I believe I've seen enough to know it's true. We all live similar lives, many of the things we do are mundane, but if we look deeper, there is magic there. And moments of insight that need to be examined reverently to make sure we are truly living. Perhaps this comes easier to people who face something life-threatening. There's nothing like cancer when it comes to receiving a giant wake-up call. Everyone's heard people say things like, "it makes me treasure every moment I'm alive." But is that really possible? Sometimes life needs to stew a bit for the truth, the meaning, the message to bubble to the surface.

My point of writing was really to share the following Caring Bridge journal update I read today. This is from someone I have never met. But I am touched so deeply by it. I hope that you will be touched in some way too. This is my Valentine's gift to all of you. FYI: I am changing the names in this post to protect this person's privacy. But the moment, the learning, the life lesson included is just too valuable not to share. Here it is:

A few years back my sister had a convertible. Elizabeth, Mary and I had lunch at Pizza Luce in Duluth on some sunny spring day while Joe stayed at my parents house. After a pizza, salad and a few bloody marys Elizabeth and Mary went to some boutique store to look at scarfs and I wandered across the street to The Electric Fetus to look for a disc. A few minutes into the store after thumbing through a few stacks of CD's, I found it, Duluth Does Dylan Revisited. I needed this CD. I bought the CD. Also a dress for Elizabeth. Slightly buzzed from the vodka, eyes squinting from the sun, and elated about my find, I met up with Elizabeth and Mary at the car. Now lets remember this is Duluth in the spring so it is not all that warm but we put the top down on Mary's car and with Mary driving we took off. Elizabeth put in the disc and I told her put on song two. Soon a hauntingly beautiful sound rose from the speakers. It was Cloud Cult singing Mr. Tambourine Man. The song was so perfect for that day. Driving the long way back to my parents house, up the steep hills, down the winding roads through the trees past a place that made Elizabeth and I laugh (only we know why), and eventually after about 6 times of listening to the song, back to my parents house. We all were smiling. Elizabeth looked beautiful in the front seat with her sunglasses on, goosebumps on her arms and cheeks red form the wind. She looked at me so many times on that ride with such passion in her eyes. After the first time we listened the song she turned around, gave me a kiss and said I love you. It was a great Sunday afternoon.

Two days ago while driving Katie home from school, I put in a unmarked cd and a few songs into it, the song came on. Just me and Katie in the car listening to this song. We as a family have listened to it a hundred times together dancing in our dinning room. But this time, like the first time was different. Katie stopped talking and listened to the song. It ended and she said "Daddy? Isn't that a pretty song? I love you." It was a great Wednesday evening ride home.

I love both of you too!

I became acquainted with this family who lives in the Twin Cities a few years ago. Obviously they have ties to Duluth. But the wife, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with a particularly nasty kind of breast cancer. Since then, she has had to go through far more than one person should. Her cancer is Stage IV which means it has spread, and she fights now to stay alive as long as possible.

I thought this letter was one of the most beautiful love letters I've ever read. I posted a message to the author letting him know how deeply touched I am by the story. I also wanted to let him know about the following: coincidentally, the Young Survival Coalition Duluth office is now located above the Electric Fetus in downtown Duluth. When I sit at my desk, I look at Pizza Luce across the street. Cory absolutely loves to come to the office with me since it means he can lose himself in the CD stacks of the Electric Fetus. I will never be able to look at that building again without thinking of them. And a gift I am giving myself for Valentine's Day is to go in and purchse that CD, put on that song, and dance with my family.

Have a wonderful day. Tell your family you love them. And stop every now and then and pay attention to life. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I'm late, late, late!!!!

2010-02-11T08:43:00.004-06:00

I'd like to say it's for a very important date, but , no...I'm just plain old late!

First of all, it was my son's 17th birthday on Friday and we had his big party this weekend. I didn't have much time for creating (although I had hopes) but with a slew of very large, hungry boys in the house, what can you do? But I have to show you this...the ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!!!

I am not exaggerating. This cake has been the cake eaten at every birthday in my family for years. It is my Mother's recipe (I am not sure where she got it) and literally I have eaten it just about every birthday of my life. It is always the requested cake by my kids and my husband every year. It is the richest, moistest, most delicious chocolate cake you can imagine. BUT I have had a serious problem with it for years. The recipe is a jumble of ingredients and no directions. Over the years I have devised my own system and it comes out great, except for the part where it comes out of the pan. No matter what I do, it breaks. It sticks to the pan. I pray over it every time like someone at a funeral, wishing their loved one back to life. Seriously. And every year it breaks. So does my heart. I usually make triple the amount of chocolate butter frosting, piece the "road disaster cake bits" back together, and put forth a cake shaped object. Delicious, yes. Attractive, no. Nobody but me has ever cared.

But this is the absolute first time I have gotten the cake to pop right out of the pans!!!! See how it glistens! Nary a crumb was left in the pan!!! It was a birthday miracle!!!! "Behold, I give you...chocolate cake perfection!!!" I was just so happy to finally have created the perfect, stress free, delicious cake, nothing could have made me happier. Except of course wowing a group of boys out of their usual teenage stupor with the comment (in appropriately reverent, hushed tones): "is that your homemade chocolate cake?" Infamy!!!!!!!

Serendipity and Celebrating the Return of Dreams

2010-02-04T18:31:00.003-06:00

serendipity:(noun) the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

I have had so many exciting, wonderful thoughts swirling through my mind today. Knowing that I wanted to write about them, I had thought that by now, after putting the day's work to rest, after making my family's dinner, after taking multiple deep breaths, I would have coalesced that cloud into a clear understandable expression of thought.

This has always been my downfall. Anyone who is fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to try to carry on a conversation with me realizes that my mind takes more side trips than a bus tour to Disneyworld. I am constantly so distracted by newer, better thoughts, memories, and anecdotes that I'm like a crazy chef with an armload of spices thrashing over a vat of soup.

Anyway, I'll do my best!

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day doing some creative self-exploration. We spent a good deal of the time talking about how you make things manifest in your life; what is in your control, what is out of your control, and more. It was a day full of great conversation and it has brought me some wonderful unexpected blessings.

At the end of yesterday's post, I wrote about Paula Cheney, creative force and inspiring human. I wrote about her generosity and kindness. I wrote about how touching her support of the YSC's Scrap for Survival over the last two years has been. I shared a few photos of Paula's beautiful creation that she donated to our event this year. As I often do, I made my way over to her blog to see what she had been up to. As usual, I was blown away. I commented on Paula's newest creation and mentioned that I had blogged about her wonderful album.

This morning I woke up to an email from Paula thanking me for the comments and asking permission to feature my "Dreams" mini book on her blog!!! I was so excited I was jumping up and down all over the house! My husband and son smiled and said something like, "that's nice" (even though they didn't really get it.) But my daughter understood how excited I was to have someone I admire appreciate something I had made.

Of course I fired off an email to Paula saying, in effect, who in their right mind would say "no" to such a request? I also included a story about my "Dreams" album that I hadn't shared with anyone until then. Paula insisted that I had to share it here.

So here it is:

I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed when I was 31 years old, after being told for a year that I was "too young for breast cancer". It was a horrible, frightening, sad, lonely, terrifying experience that changed my life forever. My breast cancer experience has truly made me a different person. For one, I started (along with two friends) the Duluth Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition, which is a non-profit community made up of young survivors and supporters of breast cancer. I now work as the Program Manager of our Affiliate and am very proud to provide a network of support, education, and comfort to other young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

One of the hardest things about being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age is that it comes at a time when your life is just starting: careers, marriage, children, just plain learning who you are, etc. It's awfully hard to be facing a possible death sentence and swaddle a baby, send your firstborn to Kindergarten, go on a date, finish a college degree, and the list goes on. When I was diagnosed, my kids were six and seven years old. My cancer was quite advanced and it had spread to my lymph nodes. Things did not look good. I constantly ached to have my carefree life back, to be able to make plans for the future, to imagine a future for my children with me in it, to enjoy a present with my kids where I wasn't the scary Mommy, the Mommy who was always crying. I was never fully able to process these thoughts. The fear and the anguish were literally so bad that I felt if I faced them my heart would stop beating just from the pain. So for years I didn't face them. It was years before I admitted my anxiety and recognized my inability to move to a better place in my life. I was seeing a therapist who, after talking to me for a short while, pulled a book off her shelf that was titled "Grieving the Loss of Dreams". I still feel tears in the back of my throat when I think about that moment. It was the first time another human had been able to understand what I was feeling. it was also the first time I had been able to put words to the pain.

This year I reached the ten year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. To celebrate, my husband and I rode in the Young Survival Coalition's signature fundraiser, the Tour de Pink. It is a 230+ mile bike ride over four days that goes from Hershey, PA to Times Square in New York City. I was excited to be chosen as one of five survivors to be used in the Hershey's ad campaign. (The Hershey Co. is a big sponsor of YSC.) Part of my "special" survivor duties was to write a blog about my story and to document my training. I did and if you're interested, you can read it here. We also had to raise money to participate in the ride. I named my effort, the ride, and the journey "Celebrating the Return of Dreams". That theme was in the forefront of my mind for months as we got ready for the ride. In the end, the ride was fantastic. We rode every mile and enjoyed every minute of it. We loved the people we met and even before we were finished we had decided to sign up to ride again in 2010. I had no idea what was waiting for me at the end of the ride. The ride organizers, my husband, and the TV show Fox & Friends had arranged a surprise. They surprised me by bringing my kids out to help celebrate our finish of a long, hard journey. It was completely magical and one of the best days of my life. It was even better than a dream.

I am telling you this because in yesterday's post I also mentioned an earlier mini-book I created that Paula liked. It was my breast cancer story and was called "Evidence of a Life". I have a large white ironstone bowl where I keep my mini-albums. After photographing my "Dreams" album, I went and laid it on the top of the heap, directly on my cancer album. The shock of what I had done was so strong that I almost fell over. The theme of returning dreams had been so prevalent in my life all year, and it had physically manifested itself right here in my family room under the power of my own hands. I am still reeling from the moment.

I no longer doubt that things happen for a reason. I don't necessarily believe that it was pre-ordained that I have cancer. But I believe that if I try to remain open, if I allow my mind it's wild, waves of activity like straw being tossed in the air, eventually the seed will land and the chaff will blow away in the breeze.

Today I went on a Joy Junket!

2010-02-03T18:53:00.010-06:00

Honestly, what could be more fun than that? It just sounds awesome, doesn't it?

My good friends Sarah and Suzi have created this fabulous business involving interior design, life coaching, teaching people to get in touch with their inner artists, and living the life they love. I was lucky enough to be asked to be a "guinea pig" for their new class, "Unlocking Your Creative Genius". It was, to say the least, a wonderful and personally inspiring day.

First of all, Sarah and Suzi know how to make anyone feel at home and special. They pampered me and the other "guinea pigs" throughout the day in their crazy-gorgeous studio/office which is located above the restaurant Hell's Burger's in Canal Park. Honestly, I was creatively inspired the second I entered their amazing space.

I don't want to give away any of their secrets, but it was really fabulous. I consider myself to be a very creative person, but the work we did today and the topics we covered can touch all aspects of my life from work, family life, and the way I decorate, to the more serious choices that many women (and men) have to make in their life everyday. Suzi and Sarah are so positive and optimistic, the whole day was focused on feeling empowered. Through a variety of thought provoking activities I had the chance to connect with my passions and intentions in life. It was a truly spectacular, special time and I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of it. I thoroughly enjoyed my fellow "guinea pigs" and hope I will be able to use what I learned to focus on what is important and meaningful to me.

I highly recommend signing up for their next workshop, consulting them for design help, or signing up for some life coaching. At the very least, you have got to catch up on their awesome website where they share tips, videos, inspiring quotes, pictures and much, much more!

Here's a little taste of what I worked on today (some journaling, vision boards, and oh, yes, thanks, Sarah for the tea stained tags! These will be going into a project real soon!)

If you really want to get a great deal, Suzi and Sarah very generously donated a seat in their workshop along with some private coaching time to our Scrap for Survival silent auction to benefit the Young Survival Coalition. (For more on that visit our webpage or our Crop blog!)

Today was an exceptionally great day, as you can see. I came home to a package! Who doesn't love those? But this one was even more special because it looked like this:

"Brown paper packages tied up with string...these are a few of my favorite things!"

Okay, no string here. But I LOVE brown paper wrapped packages...it is so inviting and exciting, even when I know what's inside. (This time it was some Moleskine journals I had ordered!)

And as far as packaging goes, check this out:

This is what I call "happy mail"! It is from an incredibly gifted and artistic designer, Paula Cheney. She works for 7 gypsies, an uber-awesome scrapbooking and crafting supply company. I met Paula at the Craft and Hobby Trade show two years ago. She fell in love with my little breast cancer mini book and paraded it around like it was Michelangelo's David! (God bless her!)She has not only been instrumental in getting 7 gypsies to be a sponsor of our Scrap for Survival, but this is the second year she has donated one of her own homemade items for our silent auction. Her work is amazing! You have got to check out her blog to see the fantastic things she does. Here's a look at what lay under the wrapping:

The details in this book are amazing, and it's just waiting to be personalized.

Today has been an immensely satisfying day. I am so amazed by the creative people around me, the inspiration that is there wherever I look; I just have to remember to slow down and let it wash over me. What a truly joyful junket!

Random thoughts on a sunny winter day

2010-01-31T11:36:00.002-06:00

So, I have received more than a few responses to my Christmas letter this year. Everyone keeps saying the same thing: "You should be a professional writer." I have heard that a lot in the past, especially when I was keeping my Tour de Pink blog (which I sincerely miss and plan to start up again when the biking moves outside...I can't wait.)

I am always flattered when people like my writing. It brings back an itch in me that I had since I was a kid. I alternately wanted to be a writer (because I loved to read) or an artist (just like my Grampa). Those were my dreams. In fact, I would often read my stories and poems to my family out loud. It's really one of the few things that I would do that made me feel that I was connecting with them (especially my parents) on a real level.

Many people don't know that I had a hard time choosing between these pursuits when it came time to go to college. I couldn't decide between art or writing. I knew I had some talent for writing; after all I won a James Michener Scholarship to help pay for college. But I also wanted to be an artist; I think because that was what had signified true success in our family. Everyone admired my Grandfather and spoke about him in terms usually reserved for geniuses. So the pull was strong. But I remember my sister trying to help me decide. She frankly told me that I was not that good of an artist. Ouch. But she was probably right.

So, I ended up at the University of Michigan for my first year of college as a pre-English major. The U of M was a huge mistake for me (that's a whole other story) but the English classes I took were top notch. My favorite were the reading and appreciation courses. But I also took a very important course my second semester: poetry. I didn't know it when I signed up but it became pivotal in the direction of my life. There were only a handful of us in that class (an anomaly in my experience at U of M) and I was the only female. There were some really good poets in there. And some not so good. I never knew where I fit. They all had problems with my "emotional" style, my vocabulary...I believe it was all code for "femininity". They weren't being nasty, it was all in the interest of constructive criticism. But I found myself trying hard to write like someone else. Pretty soon I doubted any talent that I might have. (In their defense I occasionally read those old poems I wrote, and they are overwritten windows into the soul of a teenage girl filled with issues and angst. But of course, that's what I was.) Anyway, I started to return to the comfortable desire to draw and do art. It was private and comforting. Eventually I got up the courage to approach my poetry instructor one night after class. It was getting dark, and he was in a hurry to get somewhere. I asked him point blank if he thought I was good enough. (What a question! And so typical: like life is a yes or no answer!) He said "Maybe if you have to ask that question, you know the answer." Ouch again.

Eventually I transferred out of U of M for my sophomore year. I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art because that was where my Grampa had taught; and my parents had attended. (I always assumed I got in because of Grampa.) I can tell you the same worries and creeping thoughts of inadequacy plagued my entire time there. In truth, I never felt at home. I was an academically minded student in a place with people who never showered, enjoyed French black and white movies about nothingness, and never read a book unless they had to. (Of course I'm over-generalizing and mean no disrespect, they were just so much more "artsy" than me, and confident about it.) I know I made the literature and art history teachers very happy: I was probably the only student they had who was truly interested! I enjoyed my time at CIA, and grew artistically. But I was never sure I belonged.

In truth, this feeling has plagued me my whole life; like I have never truly delved into the depths of me. I suspect it is common for all of us. So when people say I should be a writer, I agree. But I say to myself, "Writer of what?" I only know me. I honestly have no idea how I would start. If I'd stayed the course way back in 1985, maybe I would have learned. Regrets. They are everywhere I look. They are in my thoughts when I fall asleep, they are on my mind in the morning. It is impossible to live without regrets. But at the very least I can say I have lived. The search for me continues.

In the end, life has dealt me a big, giant practical joke of sorts: I have a soon-to-be college bound daughter who has her eyes set on....drumroll...art and writing. She is conflicted between the two, doubts her abilities, but is also proud of them. It is all so familiar. Too familiar. She at least has come up with the novel idea to study both at once. She is, unlike her mother, a genius. Of course, I am little help in this discussion. It's too close to my bones. I just hold my breath and believe that she will find her way and have faith.

Life. That's my pursuit. My major. And, truth be told, it may be the only thing I'm good at.

Dreaming of Summer

2010-01-26T18:26:00.002-06:00

I know it's the end of January, and we've got a long way to go until summer. But still, I can't help feeling myself pulled there. Maybe it's because my office, though quaint due to being in an old building, is very cold and drafty, particularly by the ceiling high windows that I love. Today I found myself in Target, staring at the Smith and Hawken display. They had bright colors, and birdhouses and silk flowers that made me think of words like "new", "young", and "spring". And then there was the end cap full of bright enameled kitchen things. Toys, really. Spinning utensil holders, paper towel holders, bread boxes, and canisters. All in unabashedly sunny summer hues like apple green, robin's egg blue, cherry red, and juicy orange. I wanted them all. I shouldn't torture myself like this. And I sure wish the retail industry would stop adding fuel to the fire. I think it would be less depressing if they kept the shelves stocked with firewood holders, plaid pajamas, and wool socks. At least I wouldn't be tempted to dream this early in the game. And don't even get me started on the "seedling kits". I thought Target was based in Minnesota. That's just downright sadistic!

Letting go...maybe

2010-01-17T11:10:00.007-06:00

This is going to be a photo intensive post. I have fnally finished (?) my little book and I am documenting the entire thing here because I think I am going to put it into the silent auction for our scrapbooking event, Scrap for Survival. (For more details on that, visit the crop blog.)I say that I think I'm giving it away because, I'm having a hard time with this. This is why I'm never able to sell anything. All the stuff that I put my heart into, all the stuff that is truly my best (to me), I am in love with. Now, I'm not saying this is the best . It's really unfinished. I envision it full of special photos and memories; it's meant to be a journal, a place to write your secrets and dreams, a place to keep your favorite mementos. So, this is a photo intensive post because if I give it away (to a very worthy cause mind you) I want to remember it in detail. So here goes, my dream journal:

I used all sorts of vintage goodies in here from photcopies of vintage cards to old book pages, corsage pins, and my personal favorite: that pink ribbon with the silver squiggles on it.

I just love the turtle dove story and illustrations from an old book I own.

I used tons of Tattered Angels glimmer mist and Tim Holtz crackle paint to give it that vintage look and tie all the pages together.

One of the fun parts of this project was using pages of varying types, shapes and size and seeing how they would all look layered on each other.

I enjoyed using my paper piercer and some crochet thresad to hand stitch on some of the pages. The page below looks really unfinished to me...I just can't stop tweaking!

These are by far my favorite pages. I love the sequined heart and the vintage image on the inside back cover. Plus who doesn't love a little envelope to hide their secret wish?

So out of this project came my class project for the crop. (We offer three classes as part of the day long event, and I'm teaching at least one.) I'm unveiling the project here because, well, nobody checks my blog so I don't think I'm spoiling anything! Here it is! My altered valentine canvas:

I decided to use the same paint and decoupage on canvas idea, but made it something we can (hopefully) complete in an hour. I thought it would make a nice decoration.

Here's a close-up of the front of the valentine. Again I photocopied a vintage card. I used glimmer mist to alter doilies and give the whole thing a distressed look. I glittered some brads, and made my own paper (inked up computer paper sprayed with glimmer mist) to punch flowers and matt the image on the back which is the backside of another postcard. I love it! It says: "To Gramma, From Ralph". Perfect!

So that's what I've been up to. Now I just need to learn to be able to break the chains of motherly love. Any helpful hints would be great!

It's not that I haven't been creating...

2009-12-28T17:03:00.006-06:00

it's just that I haven't been creating as much, and when I am creating, well, I want to create!
One of my absolute favorite things to do to keep my creative mojo working is to visit estate sales, antique stores, etc. to spark my excitement. Somehow, old well loved things really get my thoughts rolling. Of course I never seem to catch up with all of the ideas, but visiting a cool shop or sale is almost exactly like opening a new box of crayons...so inspiring...so full of potential!
So I have to show you something I picked up that really set me on a burst of creativity. Here it is!

I can't tell you how much this ribbon made me do a little dance when I found it. I drooled over the retro silver squiggle and well, for heaven's sake it's pink! So this beauty (yes I have a half-full roll of it. Yippee!) has spurred me to work on a special mini book. I really had no theme, plan, or end result in mind. But, boy, have I been playing and it's been messy! You can tell how messy by the state of the paper I taped to my work table in the ribbon pic...that was the cleanest spot! Here's a sneak peak of the inside of my little project.

I would totally be lost without gel medium. Here's another peak.

I am not ready to show more...it definitely isn't finished yet. Somehow I'll just know when it's right. If you haven't ever played with paint, vintage things, gel medium, or gesso...what are you waiting for?
I initially started this project thinking it could be a class for our upcoming Scrap for Survival fundraiser for the Young Survival Coalition. (Check our our crop blog for more information.) Unfortunately, the ideas just kept coming and this became way bigger than one class. But I'm still hoping it might lead me to some manageable, vintage messy project everyone can have fun with. In fact, it will most likely involve these little treasures:

Don't you just LOVE them? They're milk bottle caps...a whole tube full, in fact! This was a sweet bonanza at a recent estate sale. Seriously, these babies are HOT in the scrapping/crafting world right now. I have to come up with a way to share the fun with everyone who comes to the crop. Hmmmm...I just love the tube printing that reads "National Caps are Tops!" They sure are!

Pathetic...

2009-09-07T09:50:00.005-05:00

In a (somewhat) lame attempt to prove that I still have a life outside of the YSC, I thought I'd post a few pics of some recent pages I've made. Take that, Kos!

This is one of my favorite photos of Brad and Erin when she was a baby. You can totally feel the bond between them just coming straight through the picture. It was fun to finally scrap it. I LOVE that she's sucking her thumb in this picture. She was so adorable. I had a lot of fun trying to create a soft, layered look on this page.

Again, this is one of my favorite photos of all time. Cory was such a huge fan of Toy Story (1 & 2). He loved his "Buzz Yightyear and Woo-y" Toys and carried them everywhere. If you're familiar with the 1st movie, there's a scene where the boy has a cardboard box costume to pretend that he's Buzz Lightyear. This was our facsimile.

I love doing new things and trying techniques on my layouts. That's what makes it really fun for me. I only had one photo of Cory in his Buzz costume, but wanted to include more because it was so special. So I printed the same image (smaller) onto printable shrinky-dink material, cut them out and heated them in the oven. I was left with these great customized 3-D page elements. Then I added eyelets all over the background to simulate space. FUN!

Again I scrapped some absolute favorite photos. Cory has always been able to fall asleep wherever and whenever he wants. There was a time when we were in K-Mart that he actually cleared a shelf and fell asleep right on top of a pile of Martha Stewart towels! If only I had a picture of that. Instead, I had these three photos from him on the sidelines of one of Erin's soccer games. He was chilly and tired, so he zipped himself up into my jacket and took a nice nap, still sitting up!

Here's a close-up proving to my friend Julie that I met her scrap challenge and used one of the chipboard borders she retrieved from our yard sale! I also had fun playing with paint, sewing (which I seem to do on every page these days), and scalloped borders. I hand cut these, including the one out of veneer. I also really liked the way the title came out...I wanted the letters to be a little 3-D so I curled them up a bit. If you notice, this is really the same layout format I used on the first layout of Brad and Erin. I've been doing that a lot lately, too. I don't know why. It just feels right. And if it feels right, go for it!

Where in the world?

2009-08-16T11:23:00.002-05:00

For those of you (okay, Kim) who have been wondering if I have fallen off of the face of the earth, you can check in on my other blog, Dreaming On Two Wheels, where you can catch up on what I have been up to when not shuttling my soon-to-be-senior around on college visits and working like a fool for the Young Survival Coalition. Unfortunately, I haven't had much time for creative pursuits, but I'll post some when they come about...hopefully soon! I have to keep this other blog updated more frequently...that explanation coming soon over there! Come visit!!!

I hope it was worth it!

2009-04-24T18:20:00.002-05:00

I did something I am afraid I will regret. I donated my art canvas "Dream" and the little series of canvases to my kids' schools' auction. I am telling myself it is a good idea because if I want to sell my art, I need to test drive the market. You know, see what people's reactions are. But it is so hard to let them go. I really poured my love into them, and I will miss not being able to see them again. I know that sounds crazy! But they really are a part of me. I've done things before for other people, but I have never had this reaction. Maybe this is telling me that I am on the right path creatively since I have so much invested in these pieces. Still, I am going to the auction, so they might come back home with me for a price. (I hope my therapist...and my husband...aren't reading this!)

On another topic, I'm sure you've noted how long it has been between posts. My new job is currently kicking my a**. I can't believe how busy I have been! Now I not only have all of the work to do that I've always had, but I also have responsibilities with the national office. Not to mention that May 9th is the Mother's Day Walk/Run (our largest fundraiser) and work is at a feverish pace. Perhaps you can feel my stress presence coming right through the computer screen!

Well, I'm off to speak at a local Relay For Life event. It's raining and cold. And it might snow. It figures that I would be asked to speak at an outdoor event at 10:00 at night. Fun, fun! How are you celebrating the start of the weekend?

-Alane

April Fool...Hey, are you talkin' to me?

2009-04-01T08:46:00.003-05:00

So today is April Fool's Day. I'm sure you are aware of that, but I just want you to hold that nugget in your brain when I tell you the next thing:

I have been hired to officially work for the Young Survival Coalition - Duluth. Try to follow me here, I know it's a little mind cramping. "Haven't you been working for the YSC - Duluth?" you ask. Yes, I have, and risking the appearance of immodesty here, pretty darn hard, too. The difference is: a couple months ago I worked hard (along with some other wonderful people in the YSC offices in NY) putting together a grant proposal to the Susan G. Komen Foundation's Minnesota Affiliate. (Maybe you've heard of them: their name and logo is on everything from paper towels to luxury automobiles, and soon the International Space Station! Kidding, of course!) The Komen Foundation takes all of that paper towel, auto, and space station money and gives grants to organizations they deem are fulfilling a need in their community. (For more info on the experience of writing the grant proposal see my previous post "Brain Baby" here.) Our grant proposal was written with some specific things in mind: new programs for breast cancer patients, some equipment, Newly Diagnosed Kits for young women diagnosed with breat cancer, and ...here's the point of today's post... a salary for a part-time Program Manager. The great news is that after sending in my resume, etc. I was told last week that I have the job. (Although...the contract has not yet been signed, so, perhaps I should not be counting my chickens...)

Here's the punch line, though: I was told I would officially be starting today....April Fool's Day.

From experience I can tell you that cancer survivors tend to have a finely honed wit which I normally wholeheartedly enjoy, but I'm not going to be laughing if someone is playing a hideous joke. Joke or not, I have to hand it to the power of the Universe that he/she would play the ultimate joke on me. This is a little snarky karma from the "wizard" at the controls of my life...seriously, you know me...is there a more appropriate day for me to be hired?

So how am I going to work today? I am left with the fact that my office is in a state of limbo: full of boxes and stuff but really unusable for any practical work: the computer's on the way, though, and I will be able to work there regularly once it arrives. So for now I'm working out of my home office, the back of my car, the real office, and a rolling crate which is stuffed full of important items. Go ahead and laugh. Since today is the official start of my employment, I am planning on getting dressed up and putting my coffee in a travel mug...even if I'm only going as far as the computer. April Fool, indeed!

Just a quick addition..

2009-03-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

If you enjoyed the beckoning of lovely video below, learn more about Amy Krause Rosenthal, the children's books she has authored, and watch more videos and catch up on the beckoning of loely project at her blog, who is amy?

Beckoning Lovely Things...

2009-03-26T19:28:00.004-05:00

This is a wonderful video & project from Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the author of "The Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life". I love creative people and I am so enamored with the way this woman lives a creative life. Watch it and enjoy....and maybe you will feel beckoned to send in something lovely! This is just a little gift from me to you: a bit of sweet goodness for a happy Friday and the start to a lovely weekend.

Time to kill...

2009-03-23T17:43:00.003-05:00

I have some time to kill before I have to sit in on a conference call meeting thingy...there's got to be something better to call it. Anyway, I have to share this website. A HUGE shoutout to my main blogophile Kim Kos over at Kosmatka365 (check it out...she's doing an awesome 365 photo challenge blog and she rocks my world!) Anyway, in her fave blog list (which I am sure is difficult for her to pare down since she is totally an ADDICT) is this little piece of heaven: The "Blog" of Unnecessary "Quotation" Marks. It is totally random, totally mindless, and 100% hilarious. I love goofy signs and wierd turns o' phrases (gee, ya think?) and this is right up my alley. Thanks, Kim! I needed a diversion and this site totally delivered!

I am in Apple land right now...I am typing this on the donated Mac computer we received for the office and let me say...I feel like I am in a foreign land. I am so lost without the ability to right click, I feel like I have lost the gift of opposable thumbs. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, but I just spent 30 minutes trying to open an email attachment. I never claimed to be a computer geek. Usually I just fumble around until something works...kind of like searching for a lightswitch in the dark.

Speaking of random, my cat just stepped on the keyboard and typed : "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee". Do you think he's trying to tell me something? Man! still not time for my phone call....what to do, what to do...?

Forrest was right. Life is most definitely like a box of chocolates.

2009-03-22T13:31:00.003-05:00

...You never know what you're gonna get.

It just goes to show that you can jinx yourself. Especially when it comes to Minnesota and Spring. I did it! It's all my fault!!!!! I blogged in my last post about the beautiful weather we were having, gushing about the sunshine and the incredible snow melt. And what happened? Well the weather turned distinctly south....downward in a negative way, not more "southern" in nature. On Friday the weather was damp, gray and began sleet/snowing in the afternoon. It was just plain gross. To top it off, while Cory and I were driving home from running errands in order to pick Erin up and drive both of them to guitar lessons (yes, that about sums up my life these days)....the road conditions were so awful that, when faced with a woman who suddenly stopped for no apparent reason in the middle of the road, I hit my brakes (we were traveling 10 mph tops)....whereupon I slid on the slushy crap that had fallen a la a very slow ice puck and tapped her bumper...of course, I'm sure you can guess.....moments later I was smashed from behind. No damage to the car I bumped or to the front of my car, no damage to the front of the car that hit me...but my lovely, beautiful Caledonia (yes, that's the name of my comely black VW Passat wagon) got a crumpled bedonkadonk. She and I are distinctly not happy. In fact we are bordering on a full blown depression. Just to highlight the irony, right after the incident Erin called on my cell phone to say that we'd gotten a call from the guitar teacher: lessons were cancelled due to the road hazard conditions. Wow, thanks for the update, buddy! Yesterday, the weather improved slightly in that it didn't spit sleet on us, and today is much the same...no sun is shining, it's grey and well, depressing. I'm doing my best to cope, but, geez!!!!!!

...I have to step away from the computer for a bit...hum some bad musac (is there any good musac?) for yourself while I'm gone. Sorry for the brief interruption....

Okay I was away from the computer for a few moments so I could get something that truly brightened my day: a donated computer for the new office! That's right! A kind, incredibly generous couple heard that we were opening an office and, as the gentleman regularly repairs Apples, he got an eMac donated and filled it up with loads of software and other goodies. Now, it isn't the fastest, it's used, but it's ours!!!!!!! We are still needing to spend the money on a faster laptop for my official YSC use, but this baby is going to come in incredibly handy for file storage, document production, etc. Yippee! I am so happy and incredibly grateful for the kind people in the world. Life is nothing short of an amazing ride, and I am so glad to be on it! You just never know what the day could bring!!!! Wait a minute...you won't believe it but the sun is shining! Happy, happy day!

2 Busy!

2009-03-19T18:42:00.007-05:00

I have definitely been too busy to do anything art or scrapbooking related. Heck, I've barely had time to sleep! And when I do that, I haven't been doing all that too good a job! Things are busy, but in a good way. Work on the 25th Annual Mother's Day Walk/Run is chugging along at a quick but effective pace. (Effective: yeah!) My Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition had our first of what I hope will be many Art Therapy Workshops for young breast cancer survivors. It was wonderful, emotional, (I hope) healing, and just an all around special experience. But the best BEST thing of all is that I received notification that we were given a Komen Grant! Yippee! All the hard work is paying off. Now we have some money to put together some programs that will really help the young survivors we're trying to support. It feels absolutely awesome to have some validation that what we're doing matters. I've been running on my own steam for a while, so it feels really good to get some outside support! Hooray!

Just to prove that I do have other interests, I finished up some mini-altered canvases. They took waaay too long, much longer than they should have. I had to layer, and re-do quite a bit along the way in order to achieve the look I was going for. I think I got pretty close, so I'm satisfied. These include some of my favorite things: bits and pieces of beautiful paper, vintage feedsack fabric scraps, pages from an antique french book, peeling aqua paint, and best of all : vintage glass buttons! It's going to be hard to part with these. I don't know if I envision selling them as individual pieces or as a wall collage. Maybe I'll just leave it up to the observer! That's very non-controlling of me, don't you think? Let me know what you like best!

It has been so beautiful, warm and sunny lately. I am loving it!!!! I really needed winter to end! It was great to go outside and photograph these in the crystal clear sunshine. I love the way they look against the weathered wood. I liked the shot so much that I took more than necessary, and I photographed some altered art necklaces I made a while back. I made the charms with vintage family photos. They all include a whimsical or thoughtful statement on the back just like the one shown. I have finally finished making the leather necklaces and putting the final touches on them. Keep your eye out, they me be on sale at a store near you sometime soon, with any luck!

For now, enjoy the sunshine! (And hurrah for melting snow!)

Wow...it's been a while!

2009-03-06T08:14:00.002-06:00

I am so disturbed that time has flown by so quickly since my last blog post. Where did it got? I'll tell you where: down to Minneapolis and then on to Dallas for four days, back to Minneapolis and home! I am still catching up after taking seven other women to the 9th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. It was an incredible, educational, emotionally charged experience. There were about 800 young women diagnosed with breast cancer who attended along with husbands, mothers, and friends. Honestly, it was an indescribable experience. The whole time I was there, I kept imagining what it would have been like to go to that Conference when I was newly diagnosed and in treatment. Everywhere you looked, there were young, beautiful women proudly sporting their bald heads, not in the minority like in "real life". For me, that time was long ago, but I remember it well: the isolation, the fear, the sadness, the desperation...I could go on and on. Walking into a hotel filled with survivors just like me back then would have been comparable to flying to the moon. I truly hope for the women that attended that they felt comfort and respite, and enjoyed finding their place among survivors just like them as well as those just like me who have lived longer than we dared to hope. I sincerely hope they are taking that crowd home with them in their hearts and minds so they don't feel so alone when they are in their darkest moments.

It was also wonderful to celebrate with those fabulous women! Nobody laughs harder, smiles bigger, or dances funkier than a breast cancer survivor. Pure joy was flowing throughout the Conference, and it was magical. I am grateful for the gift that each and every one of those women gave me, whether I had a chance to speak with them or not. I am grateful for the Young Survival Coalition, and all of its marvelous volunteers who work so hard on a daily basis to meet the needs of young women around the world. The strength and dedication of each and every one of them absolutely blows me away, and is not to be underestimated. I am proud to be a part of such a special and important cause, and I know the effects of this Conference will be crashing onto me like waves on a beach for a long time to come.

I am tired, I am still catching up, but I am reflecting as well. And I am so very, very grateful for it all.

We found Spring in Dallas, TX!!!!

Sooooo tired....and excited.

2009-02-23T20:18:00.002-06:00

Who knew that a week off from the regular routine could leave me so exhausted? Seriously, the kids were back to school today and it was a bit of a relief to get back to the regular routine. Mid-winter break is a godsend, though, especially now that they are deep into High School. These kids work hard!!!! Poor Erin, she got sick with a cold and was laid low for a few days.
Because of all the time we had to just make each day what it would be (I love that kind of lifestyle) I found myself working even more than ever. We took boxes and boxes of stuff to the new office (which of course meant I threw my back out) and then we moved the tables and chairs in. I have already made three separate shopping trips to buy supplies for the office. One to Office Max, one to Target, and one to Shopko/Office Max. It is very hard to resist the urge to spend, spend, spend and get it all up and ready to roll. So far I've been limiting myself to staples, labels, trash cans and scotch tape, but the itch to go hog wild and get a fancy desk chair is barely tolerable. And don't even get me started on a computer. Man, that's keeping me up at night! Besides getting the office open I've been busy on our next big project: the Mother's Day Walk & Run. For those who don't know, it is the 25th Anniversary of the event this year, the third year we've been involved, and a whole mess of work, no matter what way you slice it. It requires that I wear many hats from fundraising and data entry to graphic design and technology guru. Seriously, those are two words I would never have associated with myself: "technology guru". After all, I am the woman who kept her own diary of native plants and the dye colors each would make (usually yellow/green if you must know) and had her own homemade Navajo style loom. Didn't know that? Oh, yes, I'm very complex! Anyway, I have been working like crazy on the computer...it got so bad that the other day I realized it was 3:30 in the afternoon and I hadn't gotten up to change out of my pajamas....just another plus to having an office: I have to put on clothes to go there. (Yes, even if Duluth's unofficial title could be "City where you can wear slippers anywhere!") Now I need to get ready to go to Dallas for four days. I am going with seven other young survivors from the area to the Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. This is the 9th year the YSC has had the conference, but the first time I'll be going. I am really looking forward to it, although I'm not sure I know what to expect. I know it will be very powerful. Each year the Conference keeps getting bigger, and last year there were at least 800 young survivors there. I am so proud that we are providing scholarships for so many women to go this year. It's going to be very exciting!!!

Please allow me to crow just a little...

2009-02-16T19:14:00.002-06:00

This is totally unheard of: that I would actually write on my blog three times in one day! Three times in one week can be tough, so this is really something special! I just had to share something I'm very proud of...I have to start by telling you that one of my favorite scrapbooking things is my monthly kit club, Studio Calico. Not only are the monthly kits bursting with awesome creative goodness, but the attention to detail in the kits, their packaging, the phenomenal designers, and the incredible online gallery and blog are something I have become seriously addicted to. Well, imagine my amazement when I received an email this morning from one of the Studio Calico gals! She was asking if it was okay if she featured one of my layouts on the blog today because she liked my journaling. Okay? OKAY? I'll say!!!!! So, please hop on over to the Studio Calico blog and share my happiness! IThe post can be found here. It's not brain surgery or anything, but it sure does make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!!

What did you do?

2009-02-16T08:50:00.002-06:00

I realize this is total craziness that I am posting twice in the same day, let alone the same hour, but I must know: What did you do for Valentine's Day? My Hubby and I went out for a nice dinner at Midi Restaurant in Fitger's. The food was good, although we were a little disappointed that they had a special menu for Valentine's Day. (We had wanted to order off of the regular menu.) But it was yummy, anyway. The best part was that before and after we ate we spent some time in the Red Star Martini Bar. That place was a blast. The drinks are tasty and the decor is awesome! They have these huge 50's style couches that create these little romantic conversation areas. There are lights and lasers gong, and when we went in Billie Holiday was playing. It was totally like something out of an old movie, but very hip and cool. We went back after dinner, and there was a DJ playing this awful blend of disco beat, noise, and heaven knows what else. Brad and I laughed so hard we almost cried. Of course the crowd was all college age people or thereabouts. A good twenty years younger than us. We stayed and Brad forced me to dance to the awful mixed music. They were sampling Prince! Why do that? Just play the song! It was hilarious. We had a lot of fun together and it turned out to be one of the best V-Days we've ever had. So, what did you do?

Not so much.

2009-02-16T08:20:00.002-06:00

So, there hasn't been a whole lotta craftin' going on around here. I have been busy, busy, busy working on my alter-ego stuff. That would be my work as the Chair of the Duluth Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). I am working on things related to our next BIG fundraiser and educational event, the 25th Anniversary of the Mother's Day Walk and Run (MDWR). It's very exciting, a lot of work, but always very worth the effort when it's done. I have spent days trying to create the perfect 25th Anniversary logo in Photoshop. (I try to dabble a little in digital scrapping so I'm learning a few tricks.) It isn't easy, though, and is definitely something I would love to truly know how to use. It is a very powerful program and I think I'm tapping into about .08% of its potential! I will post the logo once it has been approved. After much cursing, gnashing of teeth, and hair pulling, I think I've just about got it!

Besides working on the MDWR I have been busy in other ways as well. We are planning an art therapy workshop for the young breast cancer survivors in my group. So, I had a whole lot of fun on Friday shopping for art supplies! It was just like being back in art school. Besides getting some great supplies, I was introduced to a new source of art madness: the University of Minnesota Duluth Bookstore! I had no idea they had such cool stuff!!!!

Here's the biggest news of all: I am getting an office! (Well, our group is, but since I 'm going to be spending a lot of time there!) It is in an awesome location in downtown Duluth, on the second floor of the Electric Fetus building. (Cool, right?) The address is 10 East Superior St., Suite 203. Come check it out!!!! We officially took over the rental yesterday, but since yesterday was a Sunday I haven't moved anything in. It just so happens that it is mid-winter break from school this week, so my kids are going to help me take all of the supplies that are spilling out of the closets in the basement and boxes in the garage to the new office! Seriously, I have never been so excited about the concept of filing and organizing!!!! It is going to be phenomenal. Currently, it is so difficult to find what I need. I can't wait to get things organized and streamlined. Not to mention, to have a place to go to do my YSC work. I think it will (hopefully) help me be able to leave it for a while when I need to. We'll see....We have purchased a few pieces of used furniture...not much, just a desk, a filing cabinet, and a couple of tables. We may need to spend some money on things, but obviously it's hard to part with our precious resources that we have worked so hard fundraising! So if anyone is feeling generous and would like to make a donation, I''d be very, very grateful!!!! (Dell, Apple, or any other computer company that's listening, hear my prayer!) Once we get settled in I'll take some pictures and post them here. It may not be as pretty as a scrapbook page, but it is really beautiful and meaningful to me. I've worked very hard, my friends and family have worked very hard, and we are finally seeing some major results of all of that work!

Since this post is totally non-scrapbook related, I figured I would add this new video that the YSC made for it's website. It is very powerful, and it makes me proud of all that we've accomplished for the organization.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb8dJ-lSPas&eurl=http://www.youngsurvival.org/

One final thing...if you haven't done it, please visit www.youngsurvival.org and become a supporter. It doesn't cost anything, and you won't be buried in junk mail. But you will be adding your voice and your support to this organization that means so much to me and all young women with breast cancer.

Thanks and have a great day!

Homebound!

2009-02-09T18:12:00.004-06:00

So, there was an ice storm today and we have all been homebound. The kids didn't have school so they've been working on various projects. I had a very busy weekend so I have been enjoying a quiet day to catch up on laundry...wait a minute, did I just say I enjoyed doing laundry? Wow, I did have a tough few days! I managed to spend a little time in my work room and I created the following layout. I love this photo of my kids from back when we lived in Maryland. Both pics are of them playing on the cul-de-sac with the neighborhood kids. The first is a terrible picture, but I love the subject matter: they used to tie all of the Radio Flyers together and make a wagon train. I loved that! But my favorite is the picture of the time they decorated three lawn clipping bags and made themselves into life size puppets. Kids are so brilliant!

There was a challenge I found on a blog today to reuse or recycle something on a layout. I made the title by cutting up the packaging that came with one of my favorite paper lines. I really like how fun and different it came out. I am definitely going to be making more effort to recycle more stuff. I love creating my own unique way of doing something. It just adds to the challenge and fun of creating!

I always like to do some machine stitching on my layouts and this time I tried something different. I used vareigated thread to create the sun's rays and stitch around the outside of the page. I likke the way this turned out so much, I'm sure I'm going to be using that technique again. I love doodling with the sewing machine!

Well, it's time to go be creative in another way...I'm going to attempt to make chicken enchiladas from what I can dig out of the cupboards. Good luck to me!

Is That You?

2009-02-04T18:13:00.004-06:00

I am writing this in celebration. Celebration of times past, things remembered, and moments shared. But I am also writing this with an eye to the future. Moments yet to come, achievements to be made, milestones to be reached. A celebration of possibility.

What has me in this frame of mind you might ask?

I am literally sitting at a very pivotal moment of my life; a moment that, to me, feels distinct like no other. I feel like I am at a virtual mountaintop where I can look backward and forward simultaneously. It's simple. My baby turns sixteen tomorrow.

The inevitable "My, how time flies," does not do this moment justice. I am struggling to find words to express how I feel. And by no means should you think that I am more awestruck by this moment than when my daughter turned sixteen. It is just that his turning sixteen seals it. Childhood is over at my house. I have known this for some time, of course, but this really is a change of which I need to take note.

To some of you this might seem like a relief, a signal that things have gone according to plan. Some of you may share my note of melancholy. In fact, I have a lot to celebrate. Cory was only six years old when I was diagnosed with cancer. I am not exaggerating when I say that for a very long time I did not believe I would live to see this day. There is no way that I can express how grateful I am to be here.

And that, I suppose, gets to my point better than anything I can say. I never thought I'd be here. So every moment has been a delight. In hindsight, even those moments that weren't, are. In every way this boy has been a gift from heaven. So, too, Erin, and Brad. My entire life is a gift. I am so grateful for the time I get to spend with these wonderful creatures. I am heartbroken at how quickly our time together passes. I am even indulging in dreams about the wonderful things that will happen next.

Ironically, over the past two days I have been working on the following layout of Cory. Only when I was finishing and ready to journal did I realize the significance. Here it is:

The journaling reads: "Cory, it's sheer coincidence that I'm completing this on the Eve of your 16th birthday. I look at these photos and they take my breath away. Not just because of how quickly the time has gone, but because of what a truly wonderful time it has been. I love being your Mom. I am so lucky."

Truly.

Progress

2009-02-01T14:31:00.003-06:00

Well, since I've had plenty of time to lay low while I try to kick this bug (Go, antibiotics!) I have been busy scrapping. I am having fun using up a lot of kits that have been stacking up from my Studio Calico kit subscription, and having even more fun using photos that truly are some of my favorites.

First I got to use two photos that I seriously LOVE. They were a little hard to scrap because I didn't have any other pics from the day. I had to use these to try to tell the whole story. They are pics from 1998. That year Erin and Cory were 5 & 6 and were huge fans of the TV cartoon show Rugrats. That year the Rugrats movie came out and they loved it, of course. Both of my kids have always had strong imaginations. It was so much fun to watch them use theirs to create their very own version of the Reptar wagon that was in the movie. I wish I had a photo of both of them working on it, but the end result will have to do. They're great pictures of what two great kids with great imaginations (& one cardboard box) can accomplish.

I had a lot of fun pulling out all the stops on that layout, using paint and even actual cardboard from a box I had laying around. But it was a nice alternative to make my next layout straight forward and simple. This features three photos of my brother-in-law. I love these pictures because they capture all of the parts of his personality: his quiet introspection and strenth and his infectious smile. I've had these for a while, knowing I wanted to scrap them, but I was waiting for just the right inspiration. I really enjoyed doing a more subdued layout with just two colors that focused on the photos and the journaling.

The next layout was one I was really looking forward to. Last winter Brad and I took a trip to New Orleans and had a fantastic time. We particularly enjoyed the food. A trip to New Orleans would not be complete without treating ourselves to a few beniets and cafe au lait at the cafe du monde. We loved it so much we made sure and visited more than once! The papers in this kit were absolutely perfect for these photos. I added a few things from my stash like the clock face and hand cut the clock hands, but other than that it all came from the kit. Brad helped me come up with the title "C'est si bon!" which means "It feels so good." And, boy, does it ever! Yum!

The last layout is very different for me because it isn't usually the subject matter I would scrapbook. Normally I'm all about telling the deep stories about my family, capturing what is most important. But these photos were so awesome I had to scrap them. I took them last summer of my sister Sharon's cat, Potter. He is an absolutely beautiful cat and I was thrilled with the way I caught him on camera. But he is a terror! He makes you think you want to pet him and will sometimes let you, but other times, he goes for the jugular. We have all fallen victim to his cuteness trap! So, it's not the most important of subjects, but it really is a part of our life. In the end, that is what it's all about!

A head full of cotton and bees.

2009-01-30T09:48:00.003-06:00

This is not right. As I wrote yesterday I have been down and out with what is most definitely the flu. I have been trying to be a good patient, I really have. I laid around for two days straight, barely getting up except to go to the bathroom or get a drink. The rest of the time I have been doing very sedentary activities like watching tv (daytime tv is torture!!!!), reading, working on the computer, etc. Booooorrrriiiinnnnggg! But, what is seriously harshing my buzz right now is that instead of getting better, I seem to be feeling worse. What's up with that? On Wednesday I felt like I had turned the corner and was going to kick this thing. Yesterday was the first day I did anything normal: I had a meeting I could not miss, so I went to it. Now, all I did was sit around a table for 2 1/2 hours. By the time I came home I felt like doo-doo. Today, I feel even worse. My head is crammed with cotton and bees. I honestly would not be surprised if I coughed and a hornet came out. (Sorry if that's gross.) And if you call me, you will hear "Froggy" from the Little Rascals on the phone. Only, it's so bad, it would sound like Froggy had a cold too, which, if you know Froggy, would sound pretty bad. Little Rascals...now that takes me back. That is a show for daytime TV. Racially insensitive? Yes. Dangerously exploitive of children? Yes. But darn entertaining. Honestly, can you see the kids make the "Prize" birthday cake stuffed with assorted items too many times? Can I get a "Weep-Wow!"? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? If not, you've gotta follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lumqCF2YU1g&feature=related . Unfortunately, it ends before the kids get to the prizes. There's nothing funnier than Buckwheat saying, "I got a hairbrush!" . Okay, that clinches it. The TV is no longer where it's at. The babysitter for kids home sick from school is clearly youTube. For another favorite of mine, you have to watch this one. Spanky is so darn adorable "Oh boy, I luv choclat clake!" And as a shout out to my college friend Marc Petrovic, (I'll have a coupla dem buns!" Enjoy!

Down and Out!

2009-01-29T14:39:00.005-06:00

I have been sick all week with what is most likely the flu. It has been just terrible! I spent the first few days literally in bed or asleep on the couch, feverish and downright miserable. Now the fever is gone, but I have terrible sinus issues and a hacking cough. Not to mention I can't talk. I am going stir crazy. I don't do well with just sitting around and I really have a hard time forcing myself to rest. But this bug has kicked me pretty hard, so I'm trying to take it easy. I suppose the best thing I can say about it is that I haven't had to endure much of the recent cold snap we've been having. I've barely gone outside!

I have managed to finish up a few projects, and I wanted to get some pictures up ASAP, so here they are!

I started these two scrapbook spreads a couple weeks ago, but finally finished them. That's the way I work sometimes...I get 98% done and then wait until that last 2% comes to me. I don't know why, it's like I need time to really savor the finishing touches.

This layout was about the trip Brad and I took to New Orleans last February. It was our first vacation without kids. We had such a great time looking at all the cool things to see there. One day we just came upon this...a Zoltar Machine!!!! If you've ever seen the movie Big starring Tom Hanks, you know what I'm talking about. It was so cool!!!! I just loved the way these photos of Brad came out...and check out the pic of him in 1969!!! Wasn't he adorable! (Well, to me he still is!)

And the following layout is about when Cory was not even three years old. He had a habit of doing things that would turn any mother's hair gray. Often we would walk out into the backyard looking for him and we'd call his name until we'd hear this tiny voice coming from way up in the tree saying "Here I am!". Seriously, it was all I could do not to freak out. But all Moms know certain times are not meant for freaking out. I couldn't believe it when I actually caught him on camera making his ascent. He would end up about three stories off the ground. (Notice all of the sawed off tree limbs in the pictures. That was Brad's idea to try to keep him from doing this.) No wonder he had a broken leg before he was three years old!

Now, a few posts back I featured a teaser photo of something pink and papery "wreathlike" is what I believe my friend Kim guessed it was. It was something I was making for a project. Well, the project's done and I'm ready for the big reveal. Here's a couple more close up pics to tease you:

This is another close up of that pink papery stuff, but now it's in place...I'm sure you know what i is now, Kim! (Especially since you've seen what it's attached to!) Here's something you haven't seen:

....A little detail I decided to add at the end. And with no further ado, here's the finished piece:

So there you have it! My very first altered canvas. And definitely not my last. I've never thought of myself as much of a painter, but I really got into this. I allowed myself to be free and have fun and I really did. Note to my family: Do you recognize anyone? That's right, it's Laura!

Keep your eye out...you may see this on sale at a location (or internet site) near you one of these days! That's right, I'm thinking about making myself a respectable woman. (Ha!)

Since I had so much fun on my Dream project, I immediately got started on another before that one was even done. In fact it's finished too, but since the teasing was so much fun, I'm going to do it again! And, Julie, if you're looking, you or Tim might notice something familiar!!!!

Enjoy the sneak peak and let me know what you think!

Italian....Minnesota Style

2009-01-24T08:51:00.004-06:00

Uff-da!!!! Ragu is always my preference over lutefisk!

I promised that I would post some photos from the show we saw while we were in St. Paul last weekend. I have been crazy busy, so I'm just now getting to it, but better late than never! (My personal motto!) For those who don't know, Tony & Tina's Wedding is an audience participation type show. You don't have to participate, but, believe me, it's a whole lot more fun if you do. The show is the actual wedding of Tony & Tina. You are invited and the first part of the show is the actual ceremony. The show is set up in two stages: the wedding and the reception. It is in two different locations, about a half a block from one another. The whole theme is very Italian, and to see it done in Minnesota adds a very unique twist to say the least! I can't be sure, but I think all the Italians living in Minnesota are currently part of this show! The characters are hilarious from the goofy groomsmen, the priest, the grouchy photographer, gay videographer, the Mother of the Bride who is in mourning for her late husband, the pregnant Maid of "Honor", and on and on. The best part was easily the reception. Everyone let their hair down and went crazy. Of course the characters over-imbibe and things get out of control. The funniest thing is that it's exactly like more than a few of my own family's weddings! The service at the reception is lousy, and the food is terrible, but that is all part of the show. Here is an example of our appetizer:

As you can see, it was very classy: cheez whiz on a ritz cracker, served on Chinette by a very surly waitress.

We all got into it and had a blast. Here's some more pics:

Brad with the jilted ex-boyfriend. (I know: he looks like he's part of the cast!) Sopranos...look out!

Brad dancing with "the Sister" who had a little too much sacramental wine!

The music was awesome: lots of Dean Martin and the like. One of my favorite parts was the champagne toast done to the "Thriller" theme. And the Bride's version of "Fergalicious" was to die for. We all got down and funky. Cory wowed the cast members with his crazy dancng skills. He is quickly becoming a legend. (You have to see him do "the Worm" and some crazy one-legged thing that has no name.) The kid is a blast! Here's a pic of the Groom's Father's Wife after we got through with her. (She is an ex-stripper and told us she "needed to stretch"!)

You had to make your own fun...I shocked everyone when they asked you to line up to dance with the bride & groom and I got into the Bride's line. They very loudly announced that I was a lesbian, but I told the Bride I was the only one there who would treat her right. Even Erin got into it when the Bride's brother drug her out onto the dance floor. You should have seen the look on her face! She was right there in the Conga line, too! Unfortunately, those pictures didn't come out too great.

A highlight was when Brad and I were seated at the table talking and looked up to see this:

Yes, that's right, Cory got plucked to conduct the band! He looks so Doc Severenson, doesn't He?

Anyway, we had a great time. If you are willing to let loose and have fun, it is a great show! Take the bambinis! Or else, fuhgetaboutit!

Ciao!

It's here...and I couldn't be happier!

2009-01-20T08:32:00.005-06:00

Yes, I'm talking about the Inauguration. My mind is back in DC with all of my friends, and at all of the places we love so much from having lived there for 7 years. I am jealous of those who get to be there, but it is completely overshadowed by my feelings of joy today. Of course, this has me thinking about my layout called Today that is just a few post backs. (I didn't want to bore you with the same image, so if you're interested, go look at it.) I made that layout the day Barack Obama was elected President, after having a talk with my two teenage kids about why this election was so important. I was able, right then and there to capture my thoughts and feelings about that day. It was a pleasure to make that page, which hopefully can in some way express to my children how far we have come, and, yes, how far we have to go. But it is very important to stop and celebrate these moments in our country's history, and in our personal history; moments that connect us, define us, and inspire us. I will write more about how I spend this special day later. (I'm still not really sure what's on the menu as I have lots of non-inaugural things to attend to, but I hope to find my moment among the evryday. I hope you find yours, too.)

First, I wanted to add a few more of the pics I took from our jaunt to the Cities.

I have to share some images from one of the greatest places on earth, called Hunt & Gather. It is not your Grandmother's antique store. It is a haven of inspiration and creative impulse! Seriously, it rocks. There is room after room stuffed to the gills with awesome goodies: full fledged pieces of art and the ingredients for someone like me who likes to dabble and play with odds and ends: flashcards, dominos, buttons, ribbon, old advertising memorabilia, knobs, door handles, oil cloth, you name it! And it is always changing and gives my creativity a charge like being zapped with the heart paddles on ER! I took a couple of pics of the outside and I'm posting one of them here, just to give you an idea of the way they display things creatively to draw you in:

There is a huge sign outside that reads, "Hunt & Gather" and the first time I saw it, I practically pulled the steering wheel out of Brad's hands to make him stop, and I squealed "I'm a hunter and gatherer!!!!" I love it!

But the piece de resistance has to be this amazing valentine they had. Someone must have really loved someone to make this awesome piece of art. It is a heart shaped candy box (about 6 inches deep) filled with cut up valentines, cards, ribbons, and beads...a true monument to love! It is so awesome. I am seriously kicking myself for not buying it. As a lover of all decoupaged, paper clipped, beribboned, altered, beaded craziness, this one was definitely a delight!

You really must go to this store to see it for yourself. The staging of all the merchandise is perfect. The first time I went in, I spent hours and finally, when I came up for air, I asked the owners if they ever had people pass out on the premises, because I was so high from the excitement ans stimulation that I actually felt light headed and nauseous!

Now, if that is not enough stimulation for you, let me give you some more....of the gustatory kind! As I said in my last post, we stayed at the St. Paul Hotel. They have the most amazing brunch! The prime rib was the best I have ever tasted, not to mention the waffles, the potatoes,and everything else. But they had the most amazing dessert tray full of mini tartes, cheesecakes, tiramisu and these fabulous cupcakes! I was so full, but I knew I would never forgive myself if i didn't take one to eat later. So, here it is happilly ensconced on the dashboard of my car (love the little sticky, no slide mat, but I doubt this is the intended purpose!) The cupcake stayed there through the morning, nicely chilled by the MN winter weather (a plus!) until I couldn't stand it anymore and dipped my fingers into the mousse-like topping. Seriously, it was amazing!

I will post again soon with the pics from Tony & Tina's Wedding...for now, I'm off to go watch some of the inaugural celebration on the news. Have a great day, no matter what your political stripe! This really is an historic day for all of us in America and around the world. Especially our children.

I...am...a...criminal...

2009-01-19T09:27:00.003-06:00

We went on a much-needed mini vacation to the cities over the long weekend. The kids deserved some time away since they have been working very hard on their exams. (They still have one left to take tomorrow, but then they're free, and the school year is half over. Wow. Hard to believe.) We went down to the Cities and stayed at the St. Paul Hotel (incredibly beautiful, but the heat in the room worked too well.) We planned on doing some shopping, hitting some of my favorite spots, eating good food, and seeing a show. We managed to do all of these and more! We went and saw the show "Tony and Tina's Wedding" on Friday night. I highly reccommend it, but you can't be a wallflower. You HAVE to participate to have fun. It was a blast. I'll post more about that later.

First, I must get to why I am a criminal. On Sunday we were in the Southdale mall, doing a little shopping. Erin and I were in American Eagle and when we were done, we walked out of the store to find Brad waiting for us, and giggling to himself. He said "You just missed it." Apparently there was a mall cop on a Segway scooter, patroling the mall. Brad said he looked exactly like the guy in the new movie "Paul Blart: Mall Cop". Of course, I am not one to miss out on the fun, so I went searching for the guy. (I had my camera with me and seriously itched to get a picture of the fella. At one point I found him, but he zipped away so fast on his scooter that I lost him. Mind you, this is not some big impressive mall. This is a run of the mill neighborhood mall. And it wasn't even crowded. Anyway, as I was in search of him, a nagging little voice started to tell me that this was not a good idea. So after I lost him, I started to tell Brad that I had remembered reading a story on a photographer's blog about being stopped from taking pictures in a mall under the pretense that it was a threat to security. That particular photographer had been told he needed to delete his pictures and was escorted from the mall. To his credit, the photographer stood his ground and refused to delete the pictures, but offered to put his camera in the car. (He knew that you cannot be forced to delete your photographs legally.) So, I was telling Brad and the kids this story, when lo and behold, Smokey the Mall Cop came whizzing past Aunt Annie's pretzels in the distance. Of course I could not resist. So I pretended to take pictures of Cory while shooting over his shoulder. The cop spotted me in an instant (mostly because Cory gave it away by turning to look at him every few seconds) and made a bee-line for us. When he got closer, you could see he was about 20 years old. Maybe. He very nervously told me I was not allowed to take pictures in the mall. Brad (always enjoying his role as the antagonizer) asked "Why?" The guy stuttered and mumbled that "I think, ever since 9/11, it's a terrorist thing...mumble...something incoherent..." Ha!!!!! So, that is where our tax money has gone, my friends! Not only is it keeping us safe from terrorists who are roaming our mall's food courts, but apparently, it is keeping 20-somethings fat and out of shape by putting them on Segways to do their jobs! I seriously wanted to tell this young man, "Dean Kamen (inventor) is not your friend!!!! Walk!!!!!!"

Anyway, here is the illicit, not-so-good, but terribly incriminating photo. I will post the rest of our trip later, but this was definitely a highlight!

Inspiration leads to....

2009-01-15T09:53:00.005-06:00

I honestly don't know! Somethin's rollin' around in my noggin, but I don't know where I'm going with it. So, being that it's a new year, I'm going to try a new thing and...just...go...with...it. (At least I'm going to try.) Anyway, due to all of the creative energy I've been having, the same old voice keeps whispering in my ear about attempting to actually sell some of my work. You know, become a professional. Ha! I guess it would finally be fulfilling the goals I set for myself what? Forty years ago? Oh, Lord! I wish I hadn't written that. It makes me cringe. Oh well, like I said, it's just a thought. I'm not sure how to proceed, but I'm doing my best not to squash it.

What I'm getting at here is that, when this little voice arose, say, oh....six months ago, and I started my blog, I had the inspiration to name it Wild Onions. (The meaning of which is hopefully explained above.) Anyway, my daughter is also a creative bee like myself. I told her what I was doing, and being that she is such an awesome artist, I asked if she would attempt to make me a logo. Now, you should never turn something like that over to someone else unless you are prepared to relinquish creative control. (Note to self.) I had one thing in mind (being that it was myown "Wild Onions" memories that inspired the moniker.) I imagined a sketchy field, sort of a pen and ink drawing with the makings of a small tea party. It was just a wisp of an idea, but it was there. I did not communicate this idea to my "designer". Instead, she took the theme "Wild Onions" and ran with it in the direction it took her imagination. And, seriously, it depicts nothing about what I was thinking, but I absolutely LOVE it. It made me laugh out loud. And if you know me at all, anything that makes me laugh out loud is straight from the Gods in my book! I'm still not really sure how to use it, but I HAVE to. Somehow. If you've got any ideas, shoot 'em this way. I love divine intervention!

Without any further ado, here is the pencil and paper design created by Erin:

I realize I'm biased, but honestly, isn't that hilarious? I love the sketchiness of it! The movement! It's awesome. So, I wasn't sure how to actually use it. Erin used our drawing tablet and turned it into a cleaner, colored image. I used that to create the following logo:

I have to say, this is pretty cute, too. I like the fact that I could incorporate in the definition. But, I missed the "straight from the drawing board quality of the original. I'm trying a little at a time to learn how to use Photoshop. I am very pleased with myself that I figured out how to make a brush out of the original drawing, and with it I created this:

Of course I added some digital papers and other elements. It lacks the text, but I like it. So, what do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Like I said, I have no idea where this is going!

A whole lotta crafting going on!

2009-01-14T22:41:00.003-06:00

This week has been an unusual one. It's finals week at the kids' school, so they have only been in school half a day each day this week, and spending the rest of the day at home studying. (And I must admit, for the most part they have really been studying. Hard. I'm very proud of them!) Because it has been an unusual school routine, my daily routine has totally been disrupted. I feel like I haven't gotten a thing done...that is, until today. I have had a burning desire to work on a few projects. I have been working a little lately, but this afternoon presented me with a good four hours of pretty much uninterrupted time in my work room. I have the stained fingers to prove it! I won't tell you why my fingers are stained right now, because I don't want to give away any secrets. But I can say that I have been trying a few new techniques. And I can happily report that things seem to be going splendidly!

I had such a creative bug today that I literally had four different projects going at once, in various stages of completion. (Actually that's the way I always work except this time I had all four projects going on my table at the same time.) That's a little unusual, even for me. But I was so impatient for one thing to dry or be ready for the next step, that I needed to move on to something else before I ruined something. Uh-oh, there I go again talking about things that I can't divulge. Hmmm....this is hard! I guess it's enough to say that the creative chemistry going on was really something to behold! I hope that there will be something if not awesome, then at least blog-worthy to show for it. Just to prove that I'm not making this up, I'm adding a couple pics of some things underway.

I have been wanting to take on a daily project, something small and quick that would not really have any purpose other than to get my creative juices flowing. So, I decided to finally jump in and start an art journal. Here's page #1!!!! Woo hoo for me! You can't really see it in the pic, but inside the translucent envelope is a little mini tag with the word "desire" on it. Cute, huh? It's up to you to figure out what it means! Well, to be more to the point it's really up to me, isn't it? Anyway, it was a good thing to do while the paint, glue, and other stuff dried! And it wasn't at all painful to do once I got my feet wet.

These two pictures remind me of a favorite part of a kid's show called Wonderama that my sisters and I used to watch on Sunday mornings. The segment was called "What the heck is it?" And they would show you pictures of stuff like strange alien looking vegetables and tools and stuff and you had to guess what they were. Well, this is my "What the heck is it?" for you! It may not be too clear from the picture, but I can tell you it was a lot of fun to make, turned out exactly liked I hope it would (how often does that happen, I ask?), and you will be able to see what it is when I feature the finished item here in (hopefully) a day or two.

Well, that's it for today. I had so much fun all juiced up with my creative mojo that I hate to go to sleep! The good news is that it's a snow day tomorrow, so that holds the pleasant promise of more time in my work room! We'll see!!!!!!!!

I have to give a shout out to my main man Calvin K. who told me how to insert a hyperlink into my posts. (He's in 8th grade, by the way.) Because of him I was able to hyperlink to a YouTube video of my very own beloved Wonderama! Check it out!!!! Just click on "Wonderama" in my post. Thanks, Cal!

Happiness is...a new box of crayons

2009-01-13T14:12:00.000-06:00

Seriously, is there anything better than a brand new box of crayons? Oh, I might be able to think of a few things that compare, but a brand new box of crayons is pretty incredible. The smell, the feel, the colors, and the possibilities.....oh, yeah. Now ordinarily I am turned on by the giant box with the sharpener in the side, but when I went to Target to purchase my new box, lo and behold I found this fabulous piece of human invention...the Crayola crayon collapsible tower/holder. (With sharpener!) It is so beautiful, so perfect, that I can't bring myself to collapse the tower. It truly is a thing of beauty. I love these crayons so much that I haven't even been able to bring myself to use them yet. (Silly, I know.) I just love looking at them! And dreaming of what could be. And, by the way, my love of crayons really only extends to the Crayola variety. I have never found another that can even compare. (And no, that's not just because the Crayola factory is located a few miles from my hometown in Easton, PA...where you can take an awesome tour...I loved on Mr. Roger's when he showed you how crayons are made there! Wow, I do digress a bit.) I love the names of the colors, the feel of the paper covers, everything, everything about them! I have been in love with crayons ever since I got my first big fat one for learning how to write in Kindergarten. (If anyone can hook me up with those monster Crayolas, I'd be tremendously happy!) As far as a favorite color goes, I couldn't possibly pick. And that is what is so incredibly joyous about this huge tower full. Even though my kids are 17 and soon-to-be 16, they still get a new box of Crayolas at the beginning of every school year. And here's the funny part of this story: when I was in the Target aisle, mesmerized by all of the crayon choices, one of my daughter's teachers spotted me and stopped to say "hi". I didn't see him at first, but he must have seen the look in my eye. He asked "are you picking those out for you or for your kids?" Like it was a big joke. I looked him straight in the eye and without the slightest note of embarrassment said, "Oh these are definitely for me!" Joy!

http://flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3180486817/

In keeping with the topic of a childlike love of art and all art materials, I recently made this 2 page spread of some old photos I have of Erin as a toddler. She was, from the beginning, a budding artist and loved to draw and paint. I would often find her seated at my artist's table drawing...sometimes on top of something I was working on! She hates me for using these photos of her in her birthday suit, but I think they really tell the story.

http://flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3181323888/

This 2 page spread is of Erin doing one of her other favorite things: playing soccer! I can't believe how many photos I have of her playing from all of these years. These pics were taken when we lived in Damascus, MD by the Dad of another gril on the team. He took such great shots!

http://flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3180489251/

I guess the theme is Erin today, and all of the things that she holds dear. A topic like that would not be complete without this page. Her greatest pleasure these days is definitely her group of friends. I should say they are my pleasure too. I could not ask for her to have a better group of girls to hang out with. They're supportive, funny, down to earth, and each one of them is not afraid to be themselves. They value their differences. I admit I'm a little jealous! I wish I had as big a group of great friends as she does, but I do enjoy living vicariously!

Some projects and...?

2009-01-12T09:59:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here wishing I had something profound or iincredibly thoughtful to write, but I'm left vacant. I will say that I am horrendously sore-muscled again, this time not from the Wii, but because Brad and I went on the longest and most grueling (and simultaneously exhillirating) cross country ski treks yesterday afternoon! We went over to Superior, WI where there are some perfectly groomed trails. It was our first time skiing there. We were on the intermediate course and were thinking about heading over to the advanced course. Let me tell you, I am awesome at picking up speed on the straight aways, and I am even a good hill climber (I don't know, I work harder when I'm in pain...like a bull.) But downhills (big ones) frighten me. I'm a faller. It's true. Embarrassing, but true. Well, this course had the steepest down/up combos I've ever seen! And they were on the intermediate course! I actually didn't fall that much on the downhills (personal success...yay for me!), but there was no skiing up the other side...you had to herringbone it for quite a ways! And then we did something really crazy...we actually switched to the advanced course. Those hills were serious. And it was just one right after another. We were so exhausted! And every muscle hurts...especially my shoulders from having to use my poles so much. BUT it was an absolutely gorgeous day for it. It was warm, in the teens, and the sky was perfectly blue. Just an absolutely perfect MN winter day. Well, we ended up skiing almost ten miles so we got back to the car shortly before sunset. That is one of my favorite times of day, when the light turns everything pink and rosy. It was gorgeous. There were awesome views of the river and bay, and the birches were lit up like birthday candles. So today I'm tired, but incredibly relaxed and at peace.

I thought I'd add a couple more recent project pics. So here goes:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3181321086/

These are some more oldie but goody pics of my kiddos...caught in the act of playing with an entire family size box of Kleenex. I love working from pics that are from all different times...jumping around where my whims take me. It's like floating on a sea of memories. And you've got to love that Sassafrass Lass paper! It reminds me of when I was a kid.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3181321086/

These two pics are the left and right pages from a two page spread I made about Erin's 16th birthday party. I love that I actually got a series of photos of her blowing out the candles. I am so lucky that she has got an awesome group of friends! I love these kids!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3181322846/

This layout has really gotten me thinking about why I scrapbook. Now, honestly, ordinarily I don't really like to think about such things. Thinking too much definitely gets in the way of my creative process. I am always much better when I am going with the flow, just feelin' it. Seriously, I think one of the reasons people tend to think they aren't creative is because they think about it too much. We're all creative as kids, but it's growing up and learning to question ourselves that gets in the way. One of the reasons I like scrapping so much is that the results are so immediate. In a lot of other creative mediums there is a process that makes you wait...and gives you too much time to think. Anyway, I realized when I did this page that I will scrap anything as long as it is important to me somehow. I use bad photos (obviously...just look at some of those old ones!) I'll use no photos, and (like in this case) I'll use a photo that was laying around...something that illustrates the subject. But this was taken years ago! For me, it's about telling the story, getting it down in a way that REALLY tells it. Because I think that's pretty much what all creativity is about, what art is really, telling your story. Even if it doesn't feel like it's your story, it's your take, so therefore...it's your story. Wow! I need to get over myself ...this stream of consciousness writing is powerful stuff! I guess I did have something thoughtful to write after all.

The brain baby has been delivered and freedom is mine!!!

2009-01-10T11:03:00.000-06:00

Yes, that's right, brain baby. That is what I am affectionately calling the Grant application. My mind was so tortured and worn out by the time the package was in the mail yesterday, the only way I could think to describe what I was feeling was that it was like giving birth, but with my brain...hence, brain baby. I went all the way down to the wire in order to get 12 copies of the massive document printed, in specific page order, bound per instructions and mailed off in time to have yesterday's date stamped on the package. Seriously, I had to read the date three times just to confirm for myself that it was actually meeting the requirement of being posted by January 9, 2009. Ahhhh, sweet release. Baby delivered. Mother recuperating nicely. If I'd had a cigar, I'd have smoked it. I won't hear if we were awarded the Grant until March 27, so that is a whole other kind of labor. It's like delivery first, gestation after. Okay, enough with the baby analogy!
Today, I am a new woman. I slept the sleep of the dead last night, and although I woke up with a headache, a couple of cups of strong coffee later and some heavy duty Excedrin, and I'm feeling at the top of my game.

Uh oh....the dogs are barking, that means the ladies are here to continue work on my next project. (They never end!) More on that later.....

Bleary eyed!

2009-01-08T20:05:00.000-06:00

I have spent the past two days working on trying to get a Komen grant for my local Affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition. I am exhausted!!! It has to be postmarked tomorrow, so I'm almost there!!! I feel like I've run a marathon. It will be such a wonderful feeling to get all 12 copies printed and shipped off. I really want to get it, but right now I just want this process to be over!

Being busy working on the computer, doing office type tasks just makes me hungry for creative pursuits! I have tried to steal a couple of moments here and there, but I am dying to become whisked away by inspiration. Inspiration actually hit me today even though I was so tired and bleary-eyed I almost missed it. I was entering Target just as it opened and I was struck by a thing of beauty. No, not awesome home decorating goods at insanely low prices (though that would be inspiring and most definitely a thing of beauty.) No, it was something else! It was so awesome that I actually whipped out my phone and took a few pictures. I got some strange looks from one of the team members, but I didn't care at all. Of course, I cannot figure out how to get the darn pics off of my phone!!!! We are too cheap to have internet capabilities with our phones, so I am at an impasse. But, I'm not giving up! I will post those pictures and share my moment of divine inspiration at Target, January 8, 8:00 AM!

In the attempt to download those pictures, I realized it has been eons since I put any of my work up here. So, with no further ado, I will add some pictures of some of my latest (if not greatest) work.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3180479381/

This is a two page 12 x 12" spread I did of some old photos of my kiddos when we visited a pumpkin patch. We lived in Tacoma, WA then, and my sister Sharon was visiting. The pic on the left is one of my all time favorites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3180488171/

This is a 12 x 12" page about my beautiful daughter and her 2 beautiful cousins, Nicole & Morgan. I love this page because it features photos of the three of them from two different time periods. I was especially fond of this patterned paper, and added a detail pic so you could see how I created a 3D branch and added lace blossoms and gems along with the chipboard bird. I also did some hand sewing to give it a little more detail.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanedd/3181323380/

Of course I had to prove that I do make pages about Cory as well as Erin! Again, these are some older photos, but some of my absolute favorites. We were living in Germantown, MD at the time and Cory's best friend was a boy about four years older than him. I remember this day very well. Cory wanted to be a big boy so badly that he had me take his picture while he posed on all of his friend's stuff. I absolutely adore the photo on the left where he is trying to make it look like he's actually skateboarding! What great memories! I love, love, loved this background paper, and I wanted to feature it in my continuing effort to use negative space. I think the result is pretty good...I hope you like it too!

I'll have to post more another time. Right now I need to try to chip my contact lenses off of my eyeballs! They are so dry, they're stuck like glue!!!!

Facebook Connections

2009-01-06T09:39:00.001-06:00

I don't know how I have become so wrapped up in things computer-y. It doesn't seem that long ago when we got our first computer and I tried my hand at surfing the internet. I remember waiting for hours for quilting pictures to download. Now it's cell phones, Nintendo, Blogs, Digital cameras, and my newest adventure...Facebook. I don't love all of these new frontiers as much as I should. I have a definite love/hate relation with my cell phone, and as you can tell by the giant gaping hiatus in my blog postings, sometimes I just don't have the time for all of this technology! It's kind of strange, come to think of it, that these things that are meant to make your daily duties more efficient really end up taking more time. I mean, seriously, surfing the internet and reading blogs just gets on my nerves after a while! It cracks me up when I have to stop my kids from e-mailing someone to ask a question and say, "Just call them, for heaven's sake!!!" I have always been one to love information gathering, but I have a much bigger love affair with searching the yellow pages and flipping through card catalogues than I do for Wikipedia. Ahhh...those were the days. But, I do marvel at the relationships and discoveries these new inventions have brought to me. (Besides, if I have the internet and email to thank for the election of Barack Obama, then I'm certainly not complaining!) I recently started a group for my affiliate of the Young Survival Coalition on Facebook. (Facebook was something that up until now I dreaded like the plague and had only the mildest curiousity about...like some dead thing in the road you'd poke with a stick.) But, I've had a YSC group on yahoo for a while now. It takes quite a bit of upkeep and has been difficult to get everyone to warm up to. (Some people are even more old school than I am!) At this November's YSC Affiliate Conference they gave a presentation on "Social Neworking Sites" (ie: Facebook and MySpace) and how important they were for growing our organization. Yahoo was old, it was time to join this "new" thing. So, I started a group. Of course to start a group, I had to make my own page. Well...I am not making this up... within seconds of signing up, I had two messages from a couple of old friends. Withiin an hour I had messages from people I know from all different walks of life, including my old college roommate. Getting in touch with these people has been an unexpected joy. Of course, there has been the occasional contact from someone I would prefer to remain lost to, but for the most part it's been fun. And not at all hard. A little scary at first, but not too bad. The biggest surprise came two nights ago when I received a message from another college friend. She was asking "are you the Alane Davis that went to the Cleveland Institute of Art?" But then she really blew me away when she said "Did you have breast cancer? Cause I did, too!" Seriously, I know that's not an out-of-this-world-possibility, but it's just weird, you know? So, I've been in contact with her. She had Stage 3 breast cancer just like me. Only hers was in 2005. She's still scared, still angry. (Aren't we all, really?) But it was nice to be able to write to her and say "it's been almost ten years for me", and know how good that will feel for her to read. So, it's cold technology, yes, but there's a lot of flesh and blood warmth that can be had if you just open the door to what's out there, a little crack at a time.

Soreness and goodness all at the same time.

2009-01-04T10:38:00.000-06:00

I am currently nursing a VERY sore body from doing our brand spanking new Wii Fit for over an hour yesterday. Mind you, this is not the first time I've spent over an hour doing the Wii Fit, nor the first time I've been sore afterwards...you'd think I'd learn a lesson. But, darn! That thing is addictive! And, as evidenced by my post from yesterday, I had a lot of time to kill and A LOT of negative energy to expell. But my back muscles are sore!!! I'm not sure what I did to use my back muscles to such a degree...perhaps it was the bajillion hula hoop circles! Let's just say my 41 year old body is definitely not functioning like my ten year old one did. Of course, back then I didn't have a hula hoop...don't know why...I had a lemon (yes, a lemon) on a plastic thing that went around your ankle. You had to spin it and jump it and try to keep it going. For some reason, I loved that thing and would spend hours on the back porch. I can still hear the sound it made. Whoa!!!!! How's that for digression?
So, to follow this theme of nostalgia, I have to tell you what we did to salvage the night last night. The kids and I went out (in the "blizzard"), picked up dinner and rented a pile of movies. The very first one we watched is an all-time favorite of mine: Parenthood. I love it and have waited until the time I thought my kids would appreciate it. Well, they didn't disappoint. It was awesome. When it was over, Erin turned to me and said "I don't want to leave," with a little choke in her voice. Needless to say, the whole big looming concept of college is heavily on her mind. I told her that it was still a long way off and that no matter what she'd never really leave. God, my heart hurts sometimes! Anyway, we decided to stay up late and watch another movie after that, but it was so cute... We all sat on the couch and decided to wait a few minutes before we put the next movie in to bask in the feel-good glow of Parenthood. It honestly doesn't get any better than that.

When will the blizzard come?

2009-01-03T17:17:00.000-06:00

So here I am, sitting at home, mulling over my shattered weekend plans, which were to take my kids on an overnight trip to the Cities. The three of us were really dying for some out of town time with shopping, eating out, and yes, staying in a hotel...there's just something so fun about an adventure when it's just the three of us. This is the last weekend of their Holiday break, and it's been a great one. We've spent tons of time relaxing, laughing, playing games, and visiting our cabin. They've even managed to volunteer at the animal shelter and dissect a shark all while entertaining their visiting grandmother! Does that tempt you to come visit us?
So, anyway, my plans have completely fallen apart. Yesterday was Erin's 17th Birthday. Yes, that's right, seventeen. My heart stops just for a moment everytime I say it. I remember seventeen very well...and the weird thing is that I remember feeling old at seventeen. Ugh. More on that another time. I need to process these emotions. They are way too raw.
Back to my spoiled plans. Erin had her friends over for a party and sleepover last night. They played games, ate, watched movies, and generally had a great time. I spent a great deal of time watching the weather report (something I never do...I could care less if it's snowing somewhere else...and if I want to know what the weather's like, I just go outside.) But anyway, I was warned that there was a MAJOR STORM WARNING WITH UP TO A FOOT OF SNOW PREDICTED FOR TODAY BEGINING AT NOON AND GOING THROUGH NOON TOMORROW. So, last night I'm thinking, "Well, as long as we get moving BEFORE noon, we'll be fine." (And of course Brad was no help because HE was leaving early this A.M. to go ice fishing at the cabin with some friends. Bugger.) So, I wake up this morning, and the weather report is even more dire, saying things like"DO NOT DRIVE THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING WITHOUT SAFETY ITEMS IN YOUR CAR LIKE CANDLES AND FOOD." Despite those dire predictions, I was still considering going but first I had to make waffles, bacon, and eggs for a bunch of hungry teenagers and they continued playing. By the time they were fed and on their way, according to the weather report, we would be leaving right in the middle of the storm! Suffice it to say, it began snowing at 1:00. It snowed about 1/4 inch. Mostly, the wind blew. Our plans were shattered, and the three of us are moping around here like we're at a funeral. I hate the weather channel!!!!! They suck!!!!!!! I'm spent. I will have to come back later and write something much more positive when I'm in a better mood. It doesn't help that while I was writing this rant, my hubby had to call from the cabin to say "Yeah, that sucks." Nobody wants a call like that from someone who is doing EXACTLY what they want to do!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!

PINK CHOCOLATE and it sure has been a long time!

2008-10-10T11:04:00.001-05:00

It certainly has been a long time since I last posted, but I had to let everyone see this awesome video. October is breast cancer awareness month, and the Young Survival Coalition just wrapped up their signature event: the Tour de Pink, a 2220 mile 3-day bicycle ride from Hershey, PA to downtown New York City. This is an awesome video from FOX celebrating the survivors at the finish line. I am so proud to be a part of the YSC, and I am so amazed by these women! For God's sake, the one young woman did this ride DURING CHEMO!!!! Seriously, it's amazing that she is out of bed! I am so excited to share this video with all of you so you can see why I am so passionate about the YSC. Please make sure and buy up all the pink Hershey candy you see in the stores to benefit the YSC, and now maybe you'll understand why I haven't been posting, or calling, or cooking, or doing laundry....I'm too busy working on the Crop for a Cure (coming up on October 25th) to help support the YSC!!!!!!!! Go pink!!!!

Summer's Over

2008-09-11T16:00:00.000-05:00

I know it sounds cliche, but I honestly cannot believe that summer is over. It went by so fast. The thing is that I completely enjoy having my kids at home, luxuriating in the laziness of the days, the increased amount of sunshine, and the cameraderie of having my kids around me while every day begins with a smile and a new sense of exploration.

When fall comes, it means that the kids go back to school, which I admit brings excitement of its own. (I love shopping for school supplies even more than they do!) But every September I go through a few weeks of melancholy. The house is so quiet. There's nobody clamoring to use the computer, the bathroom, the tv, or what have you. The house is mine, and I don't like it. It feels big and empty and the hours of the day tick by as we wait: the house, the pets and I, until the kids come home from school and everything is alive again.

This year it felt like school started way too early. Erin and Cory started back on August 26th. So we're already deep into our school routine. I am already getting sick of driving back and forth to the school three times a day. (Drop off, pick up Cory, pick up Erin after soccer.Go to bed. Repeat.) It's relentlessly dreary and eats away the time I could devote to anything particularly engrossing. Of course Erin will be able to get her driver's license any day now. We've been working at it. She drives home most days and I am getting at least a little bit calmer with her behind the wheel and myself in the passenger seat. A little bit calmer. Getting her driver's license is just another thing that reminds me how quickly time is flying; How quickly they are growing up, and therefore, growing away from their Mom. Of course that is the goal, but it is coming way, way too soon for comfort. I'm not done being integral to their lives, and the writing is on the wall. It won't be long before I'm just a weekly phone call, or the occasional visit, or a Holiday diversion. I know how much I will miss it all. All of the things I complain about: the endless piles of laundry, the driving to and fro, the fighting, the eye-rolling, all of it. Some day soon it will all seem precious and quaint, like changing diapers, or cleaning up a little spit-up. Everything is rosy once it's gone.

To make up for the moody tone of this entry, I'm including pics of a few projects I completed recently. The first one is of a few photos I took of Cory at a Duluth Huskies' game last summer. I was pleased with the way it came together easily, and definitely told the story of our "unique" boy!

The second layout uses a picture that has been a favorite for years. My sister maureen took this photo of Erin, Cory, and all of theri cousins one easter. I love the way it tells the story of each kids' personality, and shows just how much they continue to mean to each other.

The third layou uses a photo of Erin from a looooong time ago. It has always been one of my favorites, too. When the kids were little and we were living in Maryland I used to take them to play at a place called Imagine That. There were all sorts of opportunities for dress up and role playing, including this fire truck. Erin has always been an incredibly imaginative kid, and that place was made for her. I love this photo of her in the fireman's hat, coat, and (especially) rubber boots!

The following are some pictures of a new project I'm working on for my Big Picture Scrapbooking class called "Have More Fun". We are working on present moment scrapbooking. The album is called "30 Days Hath September" and we are making a page a day with special prompts for things we are to Capture, Collect, and Record. For instance the Day 1 page Captures: A Sunset, Collects: Something with the date on it, and Records: My feelings about the month of September. I am really enjoying the project and would highly recommend doing something like this in order to help you live "in the now". I love it. The first picture is the title page (there's a quote hidden behind the photo.) The rest are days 1 through 5. I'll post more when I finally download them off the camera! Enjoy.

Title Page

Sept. 1st

Sept. 2nd

Sept. 3rd

Sept. 4th

Sept. 5th

Where's Waldo? And goodbye.

2008-08-18T08:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not Waldo, but I certainly have felt like him!!!
Things have been very busy at my house, to say the least. I'm sure it's no different for anyone else. We just got done hosting Ryo (pronounced Yo!) from Ohara, Japan. He stayed with us for the last 10 days and kept everyone pretty busy. Particularly Cory and Brad. This is all part of the Duluth Sisters Cities exchange program. Cory stayed with Ryo and his family in July and now it was our turn to be the hosts. All of the kids, parents ands Japanese students were extremely busy all week long. They went to the Aquarium, met the Mayor, went to the Edge waterpark, Valley Fair, a Minnesota Twins game, our cabin, the movie in the park, etc., etc....it was exhausting and a lot of fun. Ryo did not speak much English, and we certainly don't speak Japanese (well....Cory knows a few words) but we managed to communicate somehow! Ryo was a nice, polite boy. He often got confused, but was always up for anything, and very trusting. He loved playing our piano and Cory's guitar. He enjoyed fishing with Brad, didn't like the dirt at the cabin, ate anything we put in front of him, loves Snoopy, the Simpsons, and baseball. None of us were prepared for how sad we were yesterday when it was time to take Ryo to the airport. The night before, Ryo managed to tell Brad that he didn't want to go, and gave Brad a big hug. (And I don't think they hug much in Japan.) We were all crying like babies at the airport and hugging a lot. It was especially hard to see Ryo crying. He was the only boy in the whole group who was crying, but some of the girls were especially sad. Of course the whole goodbye was protracted because we had to wait with them in line, get them through security (Ryo had to go twice, once with me along for assistance!) and all. We seriously feel like we were his parents for a brief piece of time, and have been joking that he will show up on our doorstep one day! He loved America. In fact I will never forget how, upon exiting the airport when he first got here, he fell to his knees and hollered just that: "I Love America!!!" It was a great experience, and one we'll treasure for a long time to come.

News to me...

2008-08-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know it's been a while since I've posted but I've been VERY busy trying to keep my head above water. With all of my BPS classes and Crop for a Cure preparations and two kids to chauffer, laundry to do, cellulite to try to burn, a Japanese exchange student on the way and yada, yada...I'm a little pressed for time. Anyway, in my off time (ha!) I am busy trying to get our Crop for a Cure blog functioning correctly. (Note link on this page!) I tried to install a counter-type thingy so we could track who and how many people were visiting. I uploaded it correctly (I thought) after a few haphazard attempts and lost the color on the blog. Oops. I'm not quite sure what happened. More importantly, I'm not quite sure how to fix it. So, I have been monkeying around with THIS blog in order to try to fix THAT blog. Comprende? As you may note there is indeed a little pink counter thingy on the bottom of this page, counting away. (And, yes, I am WELL aware that it is in the single digits. Harumph.)

Anyway, in my efforts to figure out that problem, I discovered how to add photos to each one of my posts on here. (Yes, I'm slow...the "add photo" button has been staring me in the face all this time.) Man, I need to slooooowwww down and pay attention once in a while!

Well, I'm off to try to fix what I have wrought on the other site. But, in honor of my discovery, I will leave you with a picture of a sign I took on the way home from CHA out the car window. You gotta love it...."Almost famous"....that's so me. After all, I'm the Queen of Coulda-shoulda-woulda!

Forgot to mention...

2008-07-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

I posted the two Layouts at the top that were inspired by 2 of my 52 pick up technique cards. The cards can be seen when you scroll further down the page.

Where in the world is?....

2008-07-31T08:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know, it seems like F-O-R-E-V-E-R since I updated my blog. Things have been pretty crazy around here!!! First Julie, Kim, Paula and I traveled to Chicago for CHA (That's the Craft and Hobby Trade Show for those of you who aren't "in the know"). We went there seeking donations for our Crop For A Cure to be held on Oct. 25 (Go to http://duluthcrop4acure.blogspot.com for more info or visit www.scrapbookroyalty.com to register.)
Anyway, we had TONS of FUN and met loads of great, amazing, generous people. I will post some pics and info about this later when I get my head on straighter. But wow! We saw some of the most mind-blowingly creative work than you can imagine! It was so hard to do what we came there for, visit all the vendors, and give them our 10 second spiel, and NOT linger in the booths touching all the new goodies, soaking in all the cool samples, and generally drooling. We did come home with loads of stuff and promises for more, but more on that on the Crop blog!
On our way home from Chicago we met up with my sister Sharon and her family who drove all the way from Pennsylvania to spend a week with us in Duluth. We had a GREAT time and kept them entertained. It was so awesome to see them, and so generous of them to make the long drive to come for a visit. We don't get many visitors, so it was a real treat. I was so sad when they left! Of course it didn't help that I got some nasty virus the last day they were here...I always blubber like a baby when I'm sick. ( But not when I'm really sick, like with cancer...then I'm stoic. Weird, huh?)
So on top of the mountains of laundry I have been doing, the unpacking, the pile of unopened donations that has swallowed my craft room and the endless list of tasks I need to get done, I have been fumbling around trying to keep up with my three BPS classes! I am really trying not to stress, though. I keep telling myself that I signed up for this for FUN and not to put pressure on myself. I keep humming that like a meditative mantra....fun...no stress...fun....it seems to be working. (Okay, I admit, not all the time.)
Anyway, I have some technique cards to share and some pages I've made. Enjoy. It's not much, but it's not too bad for someone who is time juggling like crazy!
Ta ta for now!

-Alane

Boredom and sadness...never a good combination!

2008-07-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

You may be thinking, "Whoa! What's with the avalanche of creativity Alane's got going on? She's so productive!!!" It may seem that way on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper (and I've got the shovel!) you will see that it is really a coping mechanism. I can't believe that I didn't blog about this sooner (talk about denial) but Cory has now been across the world and completely unreachable for one whole week!!! That's right! He has traveled through the Duluth Sisters Cities exchange program to Ohara, Japan. He isn't coming back until the 13th and my veneer of denial and busy-ness is starting to crack. It's all I can do not to panic. He is staying with a Japanese family there. What is bothering me is we have had no contact from him. We had hoped that his host family would have email access so he could drop us a note every few days. Who'd have thought that many Japanese families don't have internet access? I don't even know if they have a computer. Weird. Thankfully one young woman who is also part of the exchange has sent a few emails and some photos. They aren't together every day, so she doesn't mention him but he shows up in the background in a few photos. So, it is somewhat comforting to know he's still alive! (Nervous chuckle.) He's 15 years old but he's still my baby!!! Of course my husband doesn't understand what I'm so worked up about. But, you Moms know how it is...I have kept him close his whole life and now I just let him go off on his own! It's double tough because he's my chatty kid, the one who's up for anything, always nearby, wanting a hug, or to talk. Man, he's left a hole! The only person that is feeling his absence as keenly (or more so) is Erin. I know she is as amazed and baffled by this as we are. Normally they live under a love/hate relationship. Since Erin is 16 and a girl, that leans towards hate and irritation most of the time! I couldn't believe it but she emailed all of her friends with the title "my brother's gone and I'm all alone!" And that was on Saturday! Her friends wrote back astounded that she was actually saying she missed him! It's so sweet. She gets on the computer everyday and looks at the photos the other girl is sending and searches for pics of Cory. Of course I've always known how strong their bond is, but it's really something to see her acknowledge it.
I promised that I would tell about the destruction that has been going on hear at Casa Davis. Well, as part of my Have More Fun class at Big Picture Scrapbooking, the teacher, Stacy Julian, has challenged those of us who want to participate in a crazy, no holds barred, let out your inner pre-schooler bonanza! There is this book called "Wreck This Journal" that is basically a black cover with white pages with directions to do something crazy and destructive to the journal on each page. Basically this is a giant exercise in letting go of perfectionism, working with no rules, playing and having fun all in the name of unleashing your primal creativity. It sounds like a lot to get from some paper and glue, doesn't it? To give you an idea, some of the page drections are things like: spit, dribble or spill your coffee here; climb someplace very high and drop the journal; bring the journal in the shower with you; tear out your favorite page and give it away; mail the journal to yourself. Well, the message board from my class is filling up with hilarious stories and photos from my my compatriots. One woman's kids were playing with the journal, dragging it behind their bikes when her dog, a giant Newfoundland, got it and chewed on it! I, of course, am hatching plans to coat mine in peanut butter and let the dogs have at it! After all, they need some kind of incentive! They don't work for peanuts! (No wait, actually they do.)Stacy, the teacher, showed pictures of her driving her scooter, dragging it behind her. Of course I could not wait to jump into the fray. Strangely, I have not found it at all difficult to let loose. Hmmm. I suppose their are a bunch of you going..."Yeah, like we couldn't see that one coming!" I have been told that I am (how does my friend Kim put it?) without filters? *You'd better comment and give me the right terminology, Kim!* So, I have been wrecking my journal by slapping paint all over it, sending pages through the wash, writing with my feet, etc. But the best was the other day when we were challenged to give the journal to someone else and let them poke holes in it with a pencil. Of course I gave it to Erin since she was so bored. She took her job very seriously and had a blast. I highly recommend this very weird kind of fun project for anyone who feels a little too tightly wound. No creativity is necessary, just bravery!

More techniques and a productive Wednesday!

2008-07-10T10:40:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday I worked like a fool to hammer out a bunch of projects for my classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking. In addition to 52 Pick Up I am taking a class called Have More Fun and Photography 101 which started today. I am excited about the Photog class to learn how to actually use my camera!!! It is embarrassing to have a powerful camera and pretty much keep it on the automatic setting. I am a little concerned that I have bitten off more than I can chew with these three classes, but so far I am managing to stay pretty much caught up.
So, I did the next 3 techniques for 52 pick up. I enjoy using paint, so I was thrilled that two of the techniques involved paint. Technique #11 was all about using painter's tape as a resist. I got busy and did so many layers of paint that I had to force myself to stop before Brad had to do an intervention. I used regular acrylic paint and some of the Tim Holtz crackle paint. I didn't have a plan when I started, so I just went with the flow. It was fun. I wanted to leave some chipboard exposed, but I did learn that lo-tac painters tape does stick a little too much to chipboard. Oh well. A little tearing never scared me!
Technique #12 was using glaze pens to doodle a design on top of paint. Basically these pens create a puffy, gel like raised line and can be used on all kinds of surfaces. I actually broke my own rule and did this technique twice. (I'm trying to learn to accept imperfection!) I had to do it twice, because my first try was on a black painted background which I liked better, but the glaze pens didn't show up on it. It was a bummer. They weren't as bright or opaque as I wanted. As it is I had to go over my lines multiple times to make them visible. I like the potential, but I'm not sure the result was as successful as I wanted.
Technique #13 involved embossing a stamped design onto cardstock and then removing the color from the cardstock with the application of bleach. I remember doing this in art school on fabric. It's a cool technique because the dyes disperse and leave different colors behind. You never really know what you're gonna get. It could be a lighter color, white, gold, or something else. I used dark navy cardstock and a clorox bleach pen. It was pretty cool because my cardstock turned purple. I enjoyed this technique and would like to try it some more. I need some stamps that will work with this well, though. You need to have some "space" and detail to the stamp so you can highlight different areas. Art type stamps would work great. The only issue I have is that I'm not sure this technique would be okay in an album. There is some residue left behind and I would worry about it hurting the pictures over time. I think this is strictly an art type technique, although this issue might be avoided if I sealed the image with mod podge or something. Hmmm...more experimenting is needed!
I also did some fun layouts for my Have More Fun class. I have added those images to my photo gallery on Flicker and to my slide show. The 1st project for Have More Fun was a mini-book. I used photos from a road trip my friend Julie and I took last year. It was an easy project and totally fun. I love the final look of the book and am pretty sure I will use this little book design again. It would make a great class for the Crop for a Cure, too! I've posted those pics as well.
I ALSO started a FUN adventure with my "Wreck This Journal" journal. This is part of a challenge from Stacy Julian on the Have More Fun message board. I will talk more about it later. Let's just say it involves paint, destruction, spit, God knows what else, and my bored teenage daughter!!! Fun!

Got my mojo back!

2008-07-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm a little more excited about this last technique than I was with the past few. Technique #9 was very cute...just a little tip on how to create your own cupcake flags for birthdays and other celebrations. Nothing big and life altering, just cute. It actually made me sad since my kids are too old to appreciate a cute cupcake flag. (They're 15 and 16 now. Sniff.) I am holding out the hope for a slew of grandkids, so there may be cupcake flags in my future...otherwise Brad better make a big show of appreciating the ones I slap on his dessert!
But technique #10...now that was right up my alley. Basically we created our own paper by taking plain computer printer paper and altering it. Woo hoo!! I likey!!! Of course I could not limit myself to plain white paper. I did use some colored stuff...pink and off white...whatever I had leftover from different printing projects. The technique was to crumple the paper, wipe it with an ink pad to create a tie dyed sort of look and then use the paper to create embellishments. I didn't really like the look of color on white, it was a little to stark and hippie-ish for me. So, after I inked up my paper using multiple coordinating colors of ink, I spritzed the paper with water to make the colors blend. I dried it with my heat gun to speed up the drying (and because I'm a maniacal mister when I get that mini mister in my hands...puddles everywhere!) After that had dried, I went back and used one of my new fave products, glimmer mist from Tattered Angels. That added a little more color and sheen....downright glittery in some spots, but totally cool. More heat, and a coating of mod podge to seal it. I made three sheets of paper to make one 5 x 7 card and had to force myself to stop! But I couldn't finish until I had tried it out on one of my 1000 extra large hang tags. (Yes, that's right...I said 1000. Why, do you need any?) Let's just say I was jonesing for some hang tags so badly last year that I went ahead and ordered a huge package. 1000. Hey, I got a great deal!!! Anyway, I did the same technique to a tag, played around with a stamp set I have, and voila! Technique card #10. I will totally be doing this again. Love taking a plain boring piece of nothing and turning it into something! Plus, I LOVE getting messy!

You can't love 'em all...

2008-07-06T08:43:00.000-05:00

I think my love affair with my 52 pick up class is clearly apparent. But my love affair with all of the techniques has to end somewhere. I knew there would be a few that would not excite me, and here we go. Please note that I am willing to show my duds along with the cool stuff. I hope I get points for this.
Technique #7 wasn't bad, it was fun really...it's just that the results are not much fun to look at. There wasn't really a technique per se, just instructions to play around with a brayer, temporarily affixing things to it so when you rolled it in ink or another medium you could create cool textures, backgrounds, etc. Tena (the teacher) already demonstrated wrapping the roller with rubber bands, mesh netting, masking with the brayer, and bubble wrap. We were challenged to try some new ideas. I made a huge mess in my room! My brayer is pretty big, and (of course!) I decided to start out with black paint...let's just say I have quite a large amount of clean-up ahead of me. I wrapped the brayer with sewing elastic (the kind you would use for a waist band). That was definitely cool. Then I wrapped it with this wide ric-rac that I had. That was cool too, although I think I would like smaller ric-rac...this was too big to make a useful background. Then I used the fuzzy side from a strip of velcro. That just came out looking like a paint roller...and making a huge mess at the same time. Dud. So, I ditched the paint, washed the roller and thought about it. I decided to see what would happen if I rolled the brayer on top of the paper OVER something texturized. Sort of like a rubbing. I lined up a few rows of quarters, put my white paper on top, and rolled with an ink covered brayer. That was definitely interesting. I could explore this technique more. In fact, I consider a technique a good one if it sparks my curiousity to try more things. This one definitely did. Although, I have yet to see how I'd use it on a page. Great for collages though. Hmmm. I think I'm changing my mind on this one. I like it.
Technique #8 was using texture medium mixed with paint, applying it to the card with a plastic knife through a template of your own creation. I made my leaves by cutting them freehand out of cardstock and punched the template out of come thin chipboard. I used black (boring, I know.) Once I had applied the medium I sprinkled the images with pigment powder. I planned on using more colors of pigment, bu the template moved and I had to take it off. That was my big dilemma with this technique. ..how to keep the template in place. I think some temporary adhesive spray is in order. Again, this was fun, but I don't see how I would use it on a page. But, into my deck it goes...who knows, lightning may strike in the future and this will become an all time fave. I'm still having fun, though!

More to come...

More fun with the deck...

2008-07-02T00:04:00.000-05:00

More fun from my 52 card pick-up class. Technique #5 involved creating my own custom buttons with different supplies from my stash. Of course I couldn't stop with just a few techniques. Once I get mixing up concoctions, I can't stop! It was a lot of fun and I pulled out a lot of supplies I haven't used in ages. I'm not in love with every button I created, but getting there was all the fun. It's like being in Kindergarten and fingerpainting! I was going to arrange my buttons in some cute way and then decided the familiar button card look really can't be beat when it comes to a design statement. I've always believed that if you can't improve on something, then don't even try. Yes, I said it...button cards are pretty darn close to design perfection. 'Nuff said.
Technique #6 was all about using transpaencies. Technically I already did this one on technique card #4, but I do LOVE to PLAY! I have always loved this pic of my Grampa in his studio, working at his easel. It just speaks to me, and not for the obvious reasons...it's so beautiful with the light of inspiration coming through the window behind him and the look of total concentration on his face. I love it. So, here's my technique card. I used some paint on the back of the transparency to emphasize the light and give the mood a little lift. I love the paper in the background: kind of dreamy, Bohemian, and Old World all at the same time somehow. I added some Krylon silver leafing pen to accentuate the chandelier (I love that!!! My Pe-Pop was way ahead of the times! A chandelier in his studio! How cool is that? I think I need to get me one of those!) Anyway, I also added a little caption and a vintage key roughed up with some paint and sanded, a little bling, great fibers, and voila!!! A great technique, and more fun was had by all...well, me, anyway!

New technique photos and fun in Pine City

2008-06-28T10:35:00.000-05:00

Hey...I've posted the pics from the next 2 techniques in the 52 pick up class. This is really a lot of fun. Some of the techniques aren't all that new to me, but it is great to play and have them all in one chunky book for reference later. I can see going to this little deck whenever I need a creative spark. I have Friday's project to do so I'll post it later.
Speaking of creative sparks, I had so much fun yesterday. My good friend Julie had to drive her daughter down to Pine City which is about an hour and a half away. Pine City is the location of our most-favoritest scrapbooking store, the Pine City Scrapbooking Co. Of course I jumped at the chance to tag along...especially when Julie had the idea of us staying and scrapping at the store. It was awesome...we got there and asked if it was okay if we used the tables...but they had set up for a garage sale they were having today (note: it's killing me that I can't go!)...anyway, the owner, Marni (who is totally awesome!) offered to let us use the retreat center which is attached to the store. Wow, we had the whole place to ourselves! She has it stocked with all kinds of cool tools, great tables with ott-lites, cutting mats, and drink holders, and flat screen tvs with a library of chick flicks! We had a blast and I got a ton done! I am almost completely finished with a mini-book about our Crop for a Cure 2007. I'll post pics when I have it done! Of course while we were there we had to shop...Marni had gotten in a ton of new stuff. She always has a lot of samples and creative inspiration around the place, plus she mixes in a bunch of cool vintage things to get your creative juices going. (I loved the mini-bar with vintage buttons, serve yourself mini brads, etc.! What a great idea!!!) It stormed while we were there so we got to listen to the sound of thunder and rain hitting the roof as we worked. It was so great! It was hard to leave and we are definitely going to go back and do it again sometime. I am looking forward to Marni's hosted weekend in August. For Mother's Day Brad got me a spot for the weekend which includes two nights in the retreat, food, and three Tim Holtz inspired classes with all of the supplies. Woohoo! I can't wait...especially since I had this little taste of Pine City goodness!

52 card pickup...little bits of creative goodness!

2008-06-26T10:03:00.000-05:00

I am totally loving this new class I am taking through Big Picture Scrapbooking. It's with Tena Springer. Basically we are getting techniques that we try each week day. In the end we will have a card deck of awesome techniques that we can add to our creative tool kit. I hesitated about taking this class because I was already signed up for two other BPS classes and have a lot on my plate (as always!). Plus, Note to my Sisters: I have always hated the term "52 card pick-up" ever since they abused me with this game when I was little. Oh yes, they taunted me, promising to play with me for hours only to have the game be this cruel mockery.... I feel a visit to the therapist coming on! Anyway, back to the class... I am SOOO glad I signed up for this. It reminds me of being back in art school, getting messy, and exploring all sorts of new things. Only this is even better...it's more controlled so you actually end up with a lot of successes and not so much trash for the heap. I had lots of fun making my deck. I decided to go with a back to school theme (for obvious reasons!) Our first technique was embossing a stamped image with clear embossing powder and painting over it, wiping the paint away to reveal the resist. It was cool. I tried embossing with a pen with my own doodles and handwriting too. FUN!!! The second technique was to create layered flowers. Nothing too out of the ordinary for me, but fun just the same. One of the big perks of taking the class is getting to see everyone's work in the online gallery. It's great!

If you haven't checked out Big Picture Scrapbooking yet, I really recommend it. I have taken a few classes now. One was the Art of Becoming More ( I admit I didn't keep up with this one, but will do it on my own time) and the other was the Library of Memories with Stacy Julian. They do an awesome job! You get handouts galore so you basically create your own book by the end. Plus you get chat time with the teacher and lots of emailing, the gallery, message boards, etc. I am signed up for Have More Fun (also by Stacy J.) and Photgraphy 101 to get to learn all the cool features of my camera. Seriously, I dig these classes. You get to work on your own time, when it's right for you, no driving...and you can go to class in your jammies. Who wouldn't love that? If you want to check it out, go to http://www.bigpicturescrapbooking.com/ . There are some free mini-classes to get you started.

Well, I'm off to go do the next two techniques! I'll post 'em later!

P.S.: I'll write more about this later, but I'm thinking of applying for a manufacturer's design team....shhh....it's just between us....

Oh, glorious summer!

2008-06-21T14:53:00.000-05:00

Is there really anything as wonderful as summer in Minnesota? Perhaps it is the anticipation that builds over the months of winter, gray and cold. But truly, it is hard to beat Minnesota in the summertime. The temperature is perfect, getting up to the mid- to high-seventies...everything is green and still new, not faded in too much intense sun. The colors are magnificent. I went for a ride on my bike, pleasantly hot with exertion but fully enjoying a steady breeze that brushed through the pines the entire time. There was the sound of frogs squeaking in the ponds as I passed and birds greeting each other in the trees. Dragonflies landed briefly in my path as I went along, and I smiled as I passed horses in the fields. Buttercups were turning their faces toward the sun and I inhaled the scent of lilacs growing wild along the road. Best of all is the arrival of the lupines; they're just opening in their shades of indigo, lavender and rose. I am thrilled to see them every summer, thrilled to see where they will turn up each year like a hidden treat sprinkled along the countryside. This sounds a lot like poetry, but that is what summer in Minnesota is like: a poem. It's brief, startling, and beautiful. It fills you with excitement and emotion, and it is over much too soon.

Chemical Dependency

2008-06-10T23:03:00.000-05:00

I realize that this is completely different than my previous post. But, hey, that's the point, right? I'm supposed to write about random stuff...stuff in my life: what I'm thinking, feeling, doing...okay, maybe not everything. I promise, I will do a little self-editing! Anyway, here's what I've been doing...trying to find my normal state of brain chemistry! What fun! And let me just say that I am currently imbalanced to be sure. Here's the deal: some of you may or may not remember that I am on medication. It started out as a small amount of meds that have been found to help alleviate the horrendous, sleep depriving, sheet soaking hot flashes that I have been enduring due to early menopause. (I know I don't need to tell you what that is, but here's a refresher: I had my ovaries and uterus removed when I was not quite finished with my hormones, thank you!) So, like I said, it started with a small dose of an anti-depresant to help with my hot flashes. Only the small amount didn't work. So, I went to a larger amount. Then it became clear that I had been suffering some anxiety issues. (As evidenced by my worn down teeth from grinding them and inability to sleep.) So, cue up the anti-anxiety meds. Then it became clear that I was a wee bit depressed. No surprise there as I have always suffered from (what's the nice way to put it?) "melancholy". Not to mention cancer. Cancer makes you a wee bit depressed, but I suppose you already knew that. So...we upped the anti-depressants. fast forward to a couple of months ago. I go to see my doctor who, of course, reminds me that I am wonderful. I remind him that I have no sex life. (Oops! Belated parental warning: stop reading!) Anyway, he says "No sex life?" I say, "Uh, yeah!" (As in "Hell, no!!!!") And I'm grumpy as heck. My doctor gives me the Cliff's Notes version of a depression test and says, "Oh, Yeah. You're depressed." "And, I'm fat", I say. (Just to drive home the I'm-not-getting-any-and-I-feel-like-a-loser point a little bit more.) He states that clearly the meds aren't working anymore and I need to "WEAN MYSELF OFF OF THE ANTIDEPRESSANT." (I am using capitals when I wrte this to highlight the point, in case you didn't get that. Don't worry. It will all make sense at the end.) So, I proceed to WEAN MYSELF OFF OF THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT. I am supposed to taper my dose over a course of weeks. Let me tell you, that after only three days I felt like a huge, steaming pile of horse poo. I was: (check all that apply) a. dizzy, b. nauseous, c. sweating profusely, d. felt like I had a pair of dirty sweatsocks stuffed in my mouth, e. incredibly depressed, f. all of the above. Hmmmm...let me see...all of the above! Yippee! Not to be deterred I continue to taper the meds with these ongoing symptoms (to varying degrees) until I call my doctor's office the other day because other people are expressing their concern about my welfare to me. Let me say that again: other people are expressing their concern about my welfare to me. That tends to get a person's attention. So, as I said, I called my doctor. What I mean to say is I called his answering service because obviously he wouldn't answer his own phone. Ha! What kind of a doctor would he be if he answered his own phone? So, his answering service left him a message and his nurse called and I talked to her. Nurse phone lady proceeded to tell me that this ENTIRE time I have been WEANING MYSELF OFF THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT I was supposed to be taking another anti-depressant to help alleviate the aforementioned symptoms. That's right! Nobody would ever WEAN THEMSELVES OFF OF THE ANTI-DEPRESSANTS without having another medication to help take the edge off, she says. No! That would be horrible! That is, unless, their doctor had not prescribed or mentioned any drugs to help them WEAN THEMSELVES OFF OF THE ANTI-DEPRESSANTS. So, I have been in psychotic, nauseaous, sweaty hell. I have about five more days of this lovely process and then I get to go onto another medication. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. How on earth people ever get themselves off of illicit drugs, I have no idea! Nothing, no kind of high would ever be worth this kind of torture. But, I'm fine. thanks for asking. How are you?

The first time.

2008-06-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." -Dawna Markova

I stole this quote off of Ali Edward's Life Artist newsletter that was in my inbox two days ago. Sometimes it is so amazing to me when I am completely caught off guard by how beautiful, poignant, and perfectly apt something is for where I am in my life. I love those moments, when my skin prickles with excitement as if I have seen a ghost...when I have read, heard, seen or otherwise experienced something that truly matters. Something that lifts back the curtain of the everyday, the mundane chore of living and touches my soul.

This is the way I want to live. And ridiculously, as a cancer survivor, the way I should be living. After all, I have touched the end of life as if brushing by a stranger in a crowd. I have experienced the fear, the finality, the loss, the sorrow, the end of dreams. But what seeps in after years of knowing is: life. That is where the difference is most pronounced; The difference between those two small words: "life" and "live". They are both valuable and in some superficial ways, the same. But to me they are worlds away from each other. My life is what takes me away from conscious living...that is meant as neither good or bad. It is what is. But to "live" is to make choices...to guide life as much as possible and to do it with intention.

So, I just did a search for the author of that quote, Dawna Markova, and this is what I came up with: Apparently, she is a psychotherapist, researcher, and lecturer with a PhD in psychotherapy and education. She works with third world organizations as well as many others. She has published a book and a website of the name "Spot of Grace". The website can be found at http://www.spotofgrace.com/ . I think that I need to excavate these connections further. I am intrigued by another fine quote I picked up from the site which goes as follows:

"I have faith that each child, every human being, has a gift--a spot of grace--that they are meant to bring to the world. They deserve to have unlimited access to this seed in their soul. I have faith that each of us brings a unique value to the larger whole. This is my profession. If I give voice and energy to it, every one of the days of my life will count for something. If not, every day will be wasted." –Dawna Markova, author of 'Spot of Grace'

A spot of grace...I love that. It is very interesting, as I just listened to one of my favorite radio programs called "Speaking of Faith" and heard this same thing referred to as the divine spark or holy ghost. It was an excellent interview with Rev Dr. John Polkinghorne. The interview covered the Reverend's ability to marry his background in Physics with religion. The interview can be found at: http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/quarks/

This is all definitely food for thought. I find it immensely interesting when a window is opened that brings me more knowledge, more choices, and more insight into my life and my effort to live everyday with intention.

I guess this isn't too bad for the first time.