My middle "baby" is oh so sick. It doesn't matter how old they get, you're still a sad mommy when you see them under the weather.
Feel better soon, SaraLou - I miss your smile.
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February 2011
February 23, 2011
February 18, 2011
I Still Love Rubber Stamps
Well, not ALL rubber stamps. Mind you, I've been using them since, oh, about 1970, when I made my own. And I still own over 3,000 (though I haven't counted in years).
But, I don't use them a lot now except for some background patterns. And more than that - letters and numbers. I have a couple of sets of antique rubber sign makers stamps and they still work, after almost 150 years! I don't know how many alphabet stamps I have, but lately, I've been especially enamoured of numbers.
Last week, I found this very simple set of numbers at Kinokuniya in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo. I love them!
February 15, 2011
VD
It's red. It's love. It's fun. It's sharing.
I love Valentine's Day. Not the greeting card, balloon, stuffed animal, got to go out to dinner Valentine's Day. Our Valentine's Day. Family dinner with red candles and conversation hearts sprinkled on the table. Homemade cards. Glass of wine.
What's your tradition? I hope you had a wonderful day.
February 11, 2011
Speaking of Rob...
"Some say that as we grow up, we become different people at different ages, but I don't believe this. I think we remain the same throughout, merely passing in these years from one room, to another, but always in the same house. If we unlock the rooms, we can look in and see ourselves beginning to become you and me." - J.M. Barrie
A few months ago, my brother Rob (he of the watercolor kit gift) gave me this handmade box, filled with an odd assortment of things that thrilled me. A lot of people would not get what all the excitement is about, but thrilled I was.
He never did reveal where he met Peter and how he knew my secret name. But, it was kind of him to deliver it all the same.
And what was IN that little box, you ask? Well, there are things that the Lost Boys thought I would like (and so right they were!) and some things I imagine were hard to part with, which makes them that much more special. Also, I happen to know what talented hands MADE that little box.
Springs and buttons and metal thingies - leftovers from ancient articles that passed through my brother's....er...Peter's....shop. Very cool - a thin ivory game chip that was found deep in the stuffing of an old pub chair - wonder if the winner missed it? I love the chess piece - and actually, Peter gave me it's darker partner many years ago, so now they can be together. Or glare at each other across the table, or whatever it is that magical chess piece adversaries do. I know they will all find a place in my art, as the gift has in my heart.
Thank you, Peter. I am so glad the magic is still alive and that all the rooms are unlocked.
February 09, 2011
What started it...
I always did some kind of artsy thing, even as a kid. Acting. Poetry. Doodling. But you know how it goes...life takes over and you let go of some things without realizing how important they are.
About 20 years ago, I started talking and talking about how I missed art and wanted to take up painting, blah, blah, blah.
Then, my brother Rob gave me this amazing gift. Out of the blue. And that's what it took to wake me up. It's seen a lot of use since then as you can see.
It comes with it's own little water bottle (see the cap?) and a tiny brush. When it folds up, it looks like this and is only about 5 inches high.
I've had many travel kits and palettes since then. But this treasure is my favorite and always will be.
Thanks, Rob.
February 07, 2011
Pasadena City College Flea Market February
After last month's disappointing foray (hardly any vendors there because the Rose Bowl Flea was the same day), today was spectacular! Warm but not too warm, cool but not too cool, breezy but not too...well, you get the idea.
A bunch of metal.....
And a bunch of other stuff....
I totally lucked out. The knives with the bakelite handles? One buck each. The yellow tin? Two bucks. The coin purse? One dolla.
My favorite is the pebbly long wallet. It's about 100 years old and has multiple pockets and is still in great condition. Inside is this -
Amazing what you can glean from receipts, business letters and deeds. I can make up an entire story about this couple from Arizona, their two daughters who married and moved away, the passing of an era.
And I wonder what that shiny long black thing is behind it all....
February 06, 2011
Wisdom
I wish I had some.
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