ATCs

Wow, who would have thought that such little pieces of paper and ephemera could be so addictive? Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are little cards that you create to trade with friends. I just love them and have a great time trading with friends around the world. This one is for a specific swap using Collections rubber stamps/paper arts products. The swap is being hosted by Helen in Australia - I had the great pleasure of meeting Helen and her husband Charlie when they visited the USA at the beginning of the year. That's a wonderful benefit of being involved in this hobby - meeting friends through art exchanges, and sometimes having the chance to meet in person. Actually, it sounds a bit weird to say you met your friend through the internet eh? But they seem to be a pretty safe crowd ... mostly the only danger you risk is ink on your fingers and decorative edge scissors, and coming home with new ATCs. Opening my mailbox to find art inside is way better than those pesky bills the utility companies keep sending me ...

Bella Bambina!

I'm so excited - my friend Lindsay has just become a Mum! Beautiful baby Isabelle arrived last week and is, of-course, totally gorgeous!! I'm working on a little brag book that Linds can carry with her to show off pictures of this amazing child. Long awaited, much longed for, finally here - I don't think there's much that can compare to the joy of a new life entering the world. (The writing says 'Mon Bebe' and is sparkly white embossing powder, and that funny little baby stamp will disappear under a circle photo of Isabelle :)

Bella Roma!

In June I had the great good fortune to take an unexpected trip to Italy. A lifetime goal realized in the most surprising way, I had a wonderful time wandering around on my own taking in the sights, sounds and flavors of Rome. The antiquities amazed me and I had to return to the Forum and the Palatine Hill to traipse around a second time - even with limited time in the City this was worth it to me. When I figure out how to make a photo album here at the blog I'll post some of my pics, but be warned - there are a lot of close-ups of carved stone, LOL.

I enjoyed trying out my rusty high school Italian, but was very lucky that most Romans speak wonderful English, because my Italian is way under par. The people of Rome were utterly charming - so hospitable, friendly, helpful - I was so impressed and very grateful that they are patient and kind to a solo turista like me.

One of my projects this year is building my first art journal, so the pictures above are the first of my Rome pages - there will certainly be more. I used freebie tourist maps for the background paper, and the little pocket holds tickets from museums, buses, trains, the Vatican and the Collosseum. The fabulous swirls and the big letter 'B' are chipboard from Buzz and Bloom. In the Sistine Chapel I learned that the conclave/enclave comes from the latin word for key - clave - so a conclave is con-clave - with a key - enclave - locked in - aha!

I still want to return to Italy for another look at Rome, some time in Tuscany, a visit to Venice and Florence ... there are many things calling me back and next time I'd like to take my family along for the experience too. Arrivaderci Roma!

Happy Birthday Molly!

My little girl turned 15 years old last week - how exactly did that happen? Luckily she tolerates my annual walk down memory lane, reminiscing about our excitement and anticipation in expecting her, bringing her home from the hospital, and joyously watching her grow and bloom before our very eyes.

We had fun on a girly shopping spree, lunch, and people-watching in Santa Monica. Lunch was at a Greek cafe, with a troubador transplanted from New York serenading us - does it get any better than this? Molly elected not to allow any photos on the day, so the best I can do is this pic of her card - she is into collecting ATCs (like her Mum) so the card has a mini envelope with an ATC inside. One more detail - she is studying French at school, hence the lingua Francais on the card.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Thoughts of Spring

I know, it's summer here in the USA, but I've been thinking of Australia, and it's winter there, heading into Spring. I love the 'transitional' seasons best, Spring and Autumn really 'float my boat'. After a long heatwave it's actually cool and breezy here today, and it reminds me of Spring - all the more reason to play with ink and paper, LOL. The last two lines of this verse got me going 'whisper of life, woo me to wayfaring' - it's doesn't take much to woo me to wayfaring, any season at all will do.