Thursday's Child

Resolutions

2010-12-05T12:13:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy lately with work and making Christmas gifts, and the house, out of town trips, and (OH NO) the Scrabble App on Facebook, that I haven't had time to update my poor, negleted blog. However, I am going to do better in the new year. Along with being a better friend, daughter, spouse, and mother to my two felines. Along with just being a better person in general. I am going to try to remember that Helen Keller only had 24 hours in every one of her days, and look at what she accomplished in her lifetime. I am going to get back to my watercolors, and back to perusing blogland, where inspiration flows like a river, and remember how very lucky I am to partake in all this joyous beauty.

My First Blog Award

2010-11-02T09:50:00.005-04:00

I am so grateful and flattered that Paula at Tattered Gold gave me the following blog award. My very first and I love it,because it's from someone with a truly gorgeous, thought provoking blog, and a beautiful heart, and also, just because the award itself is just lovely, lovely.
I am supposed to pass this on to 15 lovely blogs. So after much thought, and because all of these blogs and bloggers are friends, artists, inspirational, beautiful, touching, soulful, gracious, and truly lovely, I pass this on.
Just copy the photo of your choice, add it to your blog and pay it forward.
...at the shores
...by the hill
wild.precious
Vintage Susie & Wings
The Purple Caravan
A Million Words Project
nigeArt
Latitude (...and longitude)
The Shabby Chic Bohemian
The Gypsy Magpie
the gypsy's travel journal
The Rusty Cage
Raiders of the Lost Art Room
Kelly's Art Journaling
Pieces of Me

Thanks again, Paula. For everything.

Post for Purple Hum

2010-10-27T19:54:00.000-04:00

"All grown-ups were once children... but only a few of them remember it."
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Once upon a time, far away, and long ago, there were three young girls who listened to Pink Floyd and called themselves Moon. They shared secrets and dreams, and always knew they'd stay friends forever. Well, forever is a long time, and it's here right now. Live it. Love and Peace forever, your Blue Fix

Chase Your Passion

2010-10-26T08:03:00.000-04:00

Photo taken in Athens, Greece, July 2010. May we all be inspired by the World and hold on tight.

Blog Block Apology

2010-10-21T08:28:00.002-04:00

Open up those windows and start fresh.

I can't believe that it's been nearly three months since I've done a blog, and can't really explain why. It's been a very strange time, but I'm determined to get to all those bloggers that I have come to consider friends. All of those blogs that inspired and fed me color, and light, and joy. I can only apologize to those of you who emailed me, and thank you for your thoughtfullness and caring. I'm determined to make a fresh start, and hope to do better, and thanks to all of you who have not given up on me.

Greece

Istanbul, Turkey

Today is the first day of....

Doors of Greece & My Scattertwig Mind

2010-08-01T20:33:00.000-04:00

I can't believe how hard it's been to get myself together after this last vacation. I took over 950 pictures over three weeks and I haven't done much with them. I usually have an album done two days after returning, but it took me two weeks to find an album big enough and worthy enough of those magical days.
I have enjoyed looking at your blogs though, and they inspire me beyond measure, as always. Hopefully tomorrow will be the day I leave this scattertwig mind behind. Mostly, I just want to say thanks for looking and hanging in there.

Exhausted but still Befunkied from my Vacation

2010-07-22T19:08:00.006-04:00

These are all images from Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. Had an incredible time, and was sorry to see it end. Upon flying back into Philly, had the most incredible long weekend with old high school friends, most of which I hadn't seen in 30 years. What a lovely, lovely group of people, and I feel so lucky to have reconnected with all of them. (Reading this, Andrea?)

Saw all your nice messages on my previous post, and know that I have so missed checking out all your beautiful blogs and plan to do a serious catch-up this weekend. I can't wait to be inspired and touched and awed by everything I've missed.

Off to Wonderlands!

2010-06-23T20:06:00.004-04:00

These are postcards I've received from other postcard loving strangers through Postcrossing.com.

Tomorrow I start my trek through these three wonderlands, Germany, Greece and Turkey, and I won't be back until about a month from now.

I will miss all my blogger friends and wish you all a lovely next summer month!

A Beautiful Place to Grow

2010-06-18T19:47:00.005-04:00

A card for my Stairway to Heaven, reggae lovin', London livin', Lady Godiva friend Lorraine and her new husband Lynn. Heartbroken that I can't be there to celebrate with them. May their marriage be a beautiful place to grow.
Made with watercolors, markers, scrapbook piece by Jolee for you, and my cat Jeunefille's lovely hair living again as clouds. She doesn't mind, she has acres of clouds to spare.
p.s. TWO blogs in one day. What's up with that, I wonder???

Friday BeFunky World View

2010-06-18T07:52:00.004-04:00

The view from my back porch. Sometimes we see egrets and big turtles. Sometimes when it rains really hard, little crabs find their way into my living room.

The sky has been extra wonderful lately, the clouds skipping and scattering into my dreams.

Who knows when this gate was broken? Perhaps the vines needed more air & light.

ATC's Around the World Challenge

2010-06-16T20:07:00.010-04:00

Today I read the latest post at The Shabby Chic Bohemian which is the beautiful home of Sharon. I was truly touched and wanted to share the story of Beth Meador who is a wonderful artist with only 1% of her vision remaining. Following is almost exactly what Sharon wrote, because I couldn't say it better:

Beth has retinitis pigmentosa which means that she suffers from retinal degeneration and will lose her sight completely eventually. Her challenge is to get her art and her story out all over the world, to raise awareness of this and similar conditions, for which there is no cure, before she loses her sight completely. She is a member of the Milliande artist group and she put out a call for people willing to receive an ATC from her with the aim to get to as many regions of the world with her story. If you are a member of the group and live in an area of the world where there are not too many artists (so not the UK, USA, Canada, etc.) she would particularly like to hear from you. However, I did notice on her page that she has sent multiple cards to some of the more "common" countries. If you are not a member, but would like to find out more about this project and Beth's progress, please use the links provided below. Please help her to reach her goal and spread the word. Thank you.

You can check out the Millande artist group at: http://www.milliande.ning.com/ and look at Beth's page directly at www.milliande.com/Beth-Meador-Blind-Girl-Artist.html
The Shabby Chic Bohemian is at http://www.theshabbychicbohemian.blogspot.com/ and it's a lovely place to hang out a while!

Reinventing Chalmers Street

2010-06-13T18:54:00.003-04:00

I spent the afternoon painting Chalmers Street. In 1712, the Pink House served as a sailor's tavern. It's done with watercolors and markers.
Earlier today, on Diane's beautiful blog, I found a "blog hop" that's going on, and spent quite some time checking out all the incredible blogs out there. If you are interested in participating, look at the right side of my blog for details.
Sunday's almost over, and the muted sound of lawnmowers sadly humming can be heard in the distance...

No. 17 Golden Lane...Postcard & my new Journal

2010-06-09T20:59:00.012-04:00

I sang Please Mr. Postman on my way home this afternoon, and VOILA, my beautiful new journal from the Etsy shop of my fabulous artist friend Andrea, arrived today! Her shop is located at www.etsy.com/shop/bluehighways .

You should check it out!

Received a beautiful postcard from Kattys of Golden Lane in Prague. I loved it so much that above is my interpretation made with markers & watercolors.

Thanks Kattys!

Romanian Rainbow

2010-06-05T18:52:00.006-04:00

So I spent nearly all day doing this piece. My inspiration was a photograph by Jacqueline Jones. I loved the houses, the rainbow of colors, the shapes, the bursting with life quality of it all.

AWATB: Funky Friday 2

2010-06-05T06:47:00.001-04:00

The sky was so beautiful, I kept looking upward.

AWATB: Life on King Street and Behind the Gates

2010-06-03T09:35:00.003-04:00

Another walk around the block with the help of Befunky.

Technicolor Dreams of Amy's Fence

2010-05-31T16:20:00.007-04:00

A piece I did from Amy's 'A Million Words Project'. The bottom picture is the original. I inverted the colors in the top picture. I love the original photo, and thanks to Amy for letting me doodle with it.

Trio of Middleton Chairs

2010-05-28T08:13:00.005-04:00

Once again, playing with BeFunky.

A picture I took at Middleton Place in April.

Card for Susana Banana

2010-05-23T17:02:00.002-04:00

Happy birthday to my fabulous friend, Susan!

Mail, Glorious Mail!

2010-05-22T12:25:00.006-04:00

I love mail. Really.

Yesterday I received the beautiful antique card from Paula at Tattered Gold, a Waterhouse postcard as a gift from a Postcrossing friend, my nieces confirmation graduation in Germany and today I received the palm tree from Ann Vivian, a friend of mine from 7th grade when I lived in Lousiana.

My mailbox is doing back flips!

Doorway Around the Block

2010-05-20T20:28:00.002-04:00

I take a lot of walks around the block while I'm at work at the Main Library downtown.
This is my favorite doorway, and I love to watch it change with the seasons, mild as they generally are.

Hat Puzzle

2010-05-18T20:21:00.000-04:00

A House in Chalkis, Greece

2010-05-15T14:22:00.004-04:00

I guess you have to have an open mind for this one, because my husband said the cracks underneath the window look like a giant clam shell. Now that's all I can see.

Just Another Walk Around the Block

2010-05-14T08:35:00.009-04:00

A couple of photos I took this week and after playing around with
befunky.com again, this is what I ended up with.
Happy funky Friday!

A Chair to Sit In Postcard

2010-05-09T07:09:00.003-04:00

For Sumiko in the U.K. who likes homemade cards. My mother told me once long ago a story about "just wanting a nice chair to sit in." I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day.

Yesterday a Child Came out to Wander

2010-05-08T08:29:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Joni Mitchell for the lyrics of my life and to David for making my Beacon Hill dream come true. All the inspiration I needed on a Friday night, as well as the seasons going 'round and 'round. (p.s. Annie's music, as well).

The Fisherman's House

2010-05-03T09:29:00.004-04:00

From a photo taken by Jeffrey Becom, from the book Mediterranean Color. A house in Portugual.

Postcards for Jackie

2010-04-28T16:20:00.003-04:00

Top is my interpretation of an African Daisy. Bottom is my take on a photo from Jackie's Blog. Both are pencil, markers, and watercolors.

Blues House Postcard for Pat

2010-04-26T06:57:00.004-04:00

For my friend Pat, who has great taste in music.

Miss Germany waltzes her way....

2010-04-23T20:21:00.006-04:00

This is Miss Germany. She is a sister to Miss Russia. She came to me via ...at the Shores. And she is spectacular. Just had to share my good fortune!

Chaising an Afternoon - ATC for Andrea

2010-04-21T21:20:00.006-04:00

I know I should probably wait to post until she receives it. I just don't adhere to blogger etiquette. Guess I'm just a rebel. :)

Fabulous GIVEAWAY at: http://andrea-attheshores.blogspot.com

2010-04-16T20:21:00.014-04:00

My very, VERY talented friend Andrea is giving away a blank journal very similar to the one you see here (which she gave to a very grateful me).

A picture of the actual journal is posted on her blog. The rest of her blog is just as fabulous, so if you are interested (and who wouldn't be) you can check out the details at: http://andrea-attheshores.blogspot.com/

Definitely worth the trip.

Happy Friday!

Bookcase of Dreams

2010-04-15T07:54:00.006-04:00

The top shelf and part of the wall is decorated with all the beautiful gems I've received from others. Lucky me!

Charleston Mailboxes

2010-04-14T09:15:00.007-04:00

I did these photos up with Befunky.com. I took a whole series of mailbox pictures last week, and may use them in a collage.

The Red Gate for Joann

2010-04-10T09:59:00.005-04:00

A Star in Norway c.1615, ATC for Andrea

2010-04-04T14:11:00.008-04:00

Middleton Place Wanderings

2010-04-04T08:02:00.002-04:00

Saturday afternoon at Middleton Place & Gardens. These are the oldest formal gardens in the country.

Andrea is creating my next life

2010-04-02T15:58:00.008-04:00

I just got this ATC card. You read that right. Little tiny ATC that looks like it's a wall hanging.
...at the shores. you should visit, because I can't stop looking.

Diamond in the Rough Peacock ATC

2010-04-02T07:50:00.005-04:00

For my beautiful friend, Julia, who deserves real diamonds.

Charleston in 15 Minutes: a 2nd walk around the block

2010-04-01T21:16:00.003-04:00

Still Life on my desk at the Library

2010-04-01T13:24:00.006-04:00

This is the view from my keyboard every day. Am I overstimulated? Do I have a "collecting" issue?

View from Room 108 in Venice

2010-03-30T06:36:00.008-04:00

Bottom is the picture I took from the window of our room in Venice, Italy 2007. Top is my interpretation. Pen, Markers, Watercolor, Pencil

Michelle's Postcard of Old Ironwork

2010-03-21T13:15:00.008-04:00

Postcard of old ironwork in the Holy City. Pen, Pencil, markers, watercolor.

Postcard for Rene

2010-03-19T20:32:00.009-04:00

This is for Rene who loves lemon drenched schnitzel. Pen, Markers, Pencil, Watercolors.

Lost & Found

2010-03-18T08:12:00.011-04:00

Found this box while walking with David last week. Painted it this past weekend, and it's perfect for "small" art supplies, that I have had scattered everywhere.

...just amy postcard

2010-03-17T20:26:00.006-04:00

This is a postcard I made for Amy. I always enjoy her blog & think I could have fun with her basement. :) Pencil, marker, pen, watercolors.

Birthday Flowers in 3D & on Wood

2010-03-16T08:14:00.011-04:00

Top are the flowers David sent me last year. Above is my interpretation with acrylic and watercolors on wood.

Alice Liddell - the REAL Alice

2010-03-13T10:31:00.007-05:00

Card for Carolina in Brazil.

Chucktown's Winter Wonderland 2010

2010-03-09T19:08:00.009-05:00

This is my snow angel. Not that you can tell.

Front yard view.

Back yard as the snow fell in big beautiful sparkly bits.

Out of my bedroom window. The white beyond the trees is the marsh. It was just lumps of white cotton candy.

Painted Dresser

2010-03-05T12:18:00.005-05:00

This was a "raw" wood dresser that I painted with regular house paint. It's pretty plain, and I may touch it up sometime.

First Cathedral of the Americas - Domican Republic

2010-02-28T13:48:00.004-05:00

I took this photo in July 2009 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Postcard for Annie

2010-02-28T07:01:00.004-05:00

Blowpens & marker.

The story of my life....

2010-02-26T22:56:00.007-05:00

How simple & difficult life's been reflected in a tryptych. Acrylic & Tarot cards on wood.

Rise and Fly Butterfly

2010-02-20T06:57:00.005-05:00

Acrylic, decopauge, scrapbooking items on wood

The Unsung Beatle

2010-02-19T20:54:00.003-05:00

My tribute to Stu Sutcliffe. A great artist lost before his time.

2009 Learning to Let Go Journal

2010-02-18T18:49:00.007-05:00

I used this journal to write in the evenings or whenever I felt that I needed to. All pastels and markers. The paper is made from panda poo poo. I swear that's what it says.

My Mother's Hands

2010-02-13T15:11:00.004-05:00

My mother's hands are long and wise,
they cover acres of time,
and in my mind
they are flowers
blooming and wilting and
blooming again.

Red House

2010-02-13T14:56:00.006-05:00

My mother's favorite piece & an ode to Michalopolous.

Collections from the Journey

2010-02-11T12:40:00.002-05:00

Wanted to preserve my favorite postcards from friends, and still be able to see both sides.

Travels through Postcards

2010-02-10T11:50:00.002-05:00

Key Largo with Liz. 1987Belize with David. 2003
Honduras with David. 1994
Paris with Jimmy & Karen 1978
Dominican Republic with David. 2009

Puerto Rico with David. 2008

Mexico with David 2007

Germany & Austria with David 2006

Italy with David. 2006

Panama with David. 2005

Nicaragua with David. 2004

Nashville, Ashville, Gatlinburg, etc. with David 2001

New Orleans with David. 1998-99

Venezuela with David. 1996

Peru 1995.

Love, love, love. David & I: married.

Guatamala with David. 1991.

Folly Beach, SC with David. 1989

Peru & Ecuador with David. 1988

Spain with Sandy, Scott & Frank. 1980

Italy with Nicole, Linda & Lynette. 1979

The After Damage

2010-02-10T10:17:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, it looks like this quite often.

MHS Travelling Journal

2010-02-10T10:14:00.001-05:00

These were done for the Mannheim High School travelling journal. They were done with pictures, glue, pastels, Crayola blow pens, bought scrapbook items. Sadly, I have not been able to find the blow pens for sale anymore, and they were fabulous.

Pantry Cabinets

2010-02-10T10:11:00.001-05:00

I painted these kitchen pantry doors to spice up our life. I was trying to go for that Spanish flavor. Not sure that I achieved that, but I am happy with the results.

Wedding Invitation 1995

2010-02-10T10:07:00.003-05:00

Done by my husband & me. We each cut out at least 50 items from magazines, and then narrowed it down by bargaining with each other.

Bookshelf

2010-02-10T10:05:00.001-05:00

Decopauge & Acrylics. A friend of ours gave us the bookshelf in pretty bad condition. I loved the style though, so cleaned, sanded & painted it one weekend. Decoupaged the next. However, it was silly to decoupage the shelf, since you can't see it if I use it, and it's not really useful, if I can't use it.

Ode to Ophelia Tryptch

2010-02-10T10:02:00.001-05:00

Decopauge/Watercolor/Acrylic on Wood. I love the story of Ophelia, the Pre-Raphaelite painters that did her justice, and WOOD! :)

Box of Dreams for Andrea

2010-02-10T09:59:00.001-05:00

This is a cigar box that was gift from South America. Before I even started decorating it, I thought it was a box of dreams, so voila! And who better to give a box of dreams to than my friend, Andrea.

Decopauge/acrylics, Corona bottle tops, scrapbooking items inside.

Valentine Postcard Tin

2010-02-10T09:57:00.002-05:00

I now have over 220 postcards from around the world through Postcrossing.com. They are all incredible, and combine my love of art, postcards, travel & people!
The white wicker basket to the left of the red tin is filled with postcards I have on hand to send out to people.

Wall of Color

2010-02-10T09:54:00.001-05:00

These are all items done on wood. Some painted, some decoupaged, some both. I like to work on wood because it seems more forgiving.

Gift Reunion Books - Lynette & Laura

2010-02-10T09:17:00.001-05:00

For my old High School friends that came to visit in September 2009. I made these for them & put them in a basket with some Charleston cookies, and German cookies, along with a tourist guide to Charleston.

Belize Peace House

2010-02-10T09:15:00.001-05:00

Acrylic/

Decopauge/found

items on wood.

I bought a postcard of a Belizean house while on vacation there, and it inspired me to do this piece.

JohnyC's Map Book

2010-02-10T09:12:00.001-05:00

JohnyC. is the best friend one could hope for. He is loyal, true, good, and also does work as a High Priest on the Amazon. Everyone should be fortunate enough to have a JohnyC. in their life. Really.

Life Book for Nicole (in reverse)

2010-02-10T08:58:00.001-05:00

Nicole is the best friend I have ever had. I have known her since I was 13 years old, and every time we talk (even though sometimes we have gone a year or two) it's as though we just spoke yesterday.

Table in Bloom

2010-02-10T08:51:00.001-05:00

My husband says you need sunglasses to look at the table, my dad says he and my mom are speechless. But oh the fun painting it, working on it & if I spill some paint on a piece I'm working on, you can't even tell! :)

2010-01-28T13:36:00.000-05:00

Falling Slowly

2009-09-22T09:03:00.001-04:00

ATC for Jamie I used Glen Hansard's song as the inspiration for this piece I made for Jamie, who always seems to inspire me.

Postcard to Hungary

2009-09-22T09:01:00.002-04:00

Inspiration was a postcard from Belize I got in 2003.

Broken Age Door

2009-09-15T08:16:00.002-04:00

for Andrea

Number Nine for Danielle

2009-09-15T08:14:00.001-04:00

ATC card for Lynette's daughter Danielle.

I love the way Lynette loves her, and wanted her to know.

The Morning Star over Roaming Shores (for Andrea)

2009-08-04T09:05:00.001-04:00

Andrea moved to Morning Star Road and I couldn't resist making at ATC to celebrate the move & the street name.

Alice in the Wonderland of Real Life - ATC Card for Andrea

2009-07-20T09:09:00.002-04:00

I found an old National Geographic in the trashcan at work, and it had a wonderful article about the "real" Alice.

Frog on a flower ATC

2009-05-22T09:18:00.001-04:00

I actually made this for the daughter of a French friend of mine, but then couldn't let it go. I ended up working it into a wood piece.

For Mike & Samantha

2009-05-22T09:15:00.004-04:00

Housewarming gift for Mike & Sam to hang on their bathroom door since they had no lock.
David suggested that they go to Home Depot & buy a 99 cent lock, but this is more fun.

Memories & Imagining Vol. I

2009-05-22T09:15:00.003-04:00

Page from Memories & Imagining. Many of the things I love in and about life.

A Perplexing Situation ATC

2009-05-22T09:14:00.001-04:00

Made for Andrea in a swap. I got the better end of the deal, as always.

Pre-Raphaelite ATC Cards

2009-05-22T09:12:00.002-04:00