Scenery from Garvan Woodlands Gardens

Kim & I had a great adventure to U of A's Garvan Woodland Gardens today. She was taking some senior portraits for a co-worker, Tammy's, daughter and I volunteered to help tote the gear and style. Tammy's grandson, Trevor, was along for the excursion.

While the temps were great- the wind was a little brisk and we all got a little windburn on our cheeks. Most of the brilliant colors have begun to fade- but, some of the Japanese maples still have colors and several of the encore azaleas still had blooms. The most surprising thing- was the number of visitors; we had to wait in line sometimes to get the prime photographic spots!

The park is getting ready for the Christmas lights spectacular and there is a corridor of trees along one of the paths with these cool, huge chandeliers hanging between the trees. It will be so fun to go when it as lit.

Mosaic Meme and Blog Smog

All the artistic blogs I've been reading lately are so very inspirational that my head just spins with colors and images. The definition I came up with for this: Blog Smog.... but, it's a oh-so-much better than the traditional kind of smog one thinks of-- this is creative and innovative. A fun kind of brain pollution!! Maybe my coined phrase of blog-smog will be the next meme!! haha!

So... just what is a meme??

Meme:

Obscure Words: [fr. Gk mimema; shortening of mimeme]
an idea which spreads

According to Wikipedia: A meme (pronounced /miːm/) consists of any idea or behavior that can pass from one person to another by learning or imitation. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, gestures, practices, fashions, habits, songs, and dances. Memes propagate themselves and can move through the cultural sociosphere in a manner similar to the contagious behavior of a virus.

Richard Dawkins coined the word "meme" as a neologism [new word] in his book The Selfish Gene (1976) to describe how one might extend evolutionary principles to explain the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. He gave as examples melodies, catch-phrases, beliefs (notably religious belief, clothing/fashion, and the technology of building arches).

Me: I think ear-worms and trends are viral! How many times have you heard a snippit of a melody and hummed it for the rest of the dadgum day?? Or, saw a particularly fetching image in a magazine that inspired art for days to come?

Anywhoozies.... friend, Kellie, saw her friend, Ginger's blog and this is where I caught the bug. Apparently it's yet another blogger trend. Kinda fun. Tried it. LIked it. Glad I did it once. You should, too.

Without further ado-- here's my finished mosaic. Explanation and directions following.

• Sarah
• Quiche
• 1980
• Orange
• Colin Firth
• Water
• Italy
• Chocolate
• Artist
• Happy memories
• Flourish
• Cats


Here are the details just in case you'd like to join in.

~Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

~Using only the first page of search results, pick an image.

~Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s mosaic maker or this one from Photo Fun Lab.

~Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

~The Questions:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What year did you graduate high school? or name of HS.

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One Word to describe you.

12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)

Now... go forth. Surf. Collect inspiration. Take the Mosaic Meme Challenge and LINK it to my post here!!

New class-- registering now!!

How exciting!! Jessica Sprague, the hybrid-scrapbooking guru (hybrid = digital + traditional methods) is offering this free class that is designed to get your storytelling into gear and get some real documenting accomplished!!

Several of the gals on ARkansasScrappers have been taking her classes- but, I was just too cheap to spring for something that I would more than likely forget to log-in and/or complete. Besides, I kinda "know" Photoshop. But, THIS is intriguing!!

Things usually come in threes...

Sister, Nan, had sent me a really interesting magazine for Caregivers that included a nice article on scrapbooking with the focus on "getting the story".

Then, the AARP magazine I picked up in the doctor's office had a really nice article titled "Thinking About Memoir" by Abigail Thomas that encourages journaling and storytelling and suggests just journaling single words at first, then graduating to only two pages and springboarding from there.

The third coincidence that is compelling me to get back to writing is that I was contacted by a new start-up magazine focusing on arts and culture for the Little Rock/Hot Springs area and they had seen a photo of the paper dress and asked permission to include it and they want me to write a haiku to go along!! How cool is THAT!!

Random words relating to paper, textiles, designer clothes, etc have been swirling in my head.... hopefully I can pull together something clever or though provoking!

I'm going to be "in class" again soon- okay... it's only for 2 weeks!! Yippeee!! Sign up, too-- and we'll sit next to one another! Virtually anyway!

Furtograph for the Day

The Shoe Thief Strikes Again.... or... Give Reddie a Mile and She'll Take the Boot, or Two, or Three!!

Any volunteers for helping find the "sole owners" of said boots??? haha! I already did! And, thankfully- the one that she really gnawed upon was one of a really old pair and isn't to be replaced.

Can't sleep with zombies roaming the streets....

It's lovely Fall weather here in our little hamlet. The weather (while dry) is most pleasant and tonight I've even had to turn on the A/C just to freshen the house. Before I'd turned it on the windows had been open. But that was before the zombies took to the streets.

Invasion

Went to bed early last evening - even the dogs were tired. Not surprisingly, they woke me up around midnight. But, something really had them agitated... and the dogs across the street were, too. Not all that unusual since the deer and the foxes have been on the move with the nicer weather and the season change- so, I walked the dogs. When out of the darkness I hear shouting. That is a bit unusual for our street... but, HSU had their homecoming earlier today and the "natives" had been restless all week with their pre-bonfire parties and yesterday's unnatural holiday. But, this was a tad different.

This was angry.

I quickly headed for the house and for some reason the dogs shut up and I began to realize these guys were quarreling as they were strolling down the street. Strolling. Not running. Strolling and the conversation was heating up. Ohmi. I have no idea why the dogs remained quiet and I was very anxious to hie myself back inside.

Called 911

The cops (there were three cars full!) showed up within minutes- of course they never saw the guys I called about. But, they said that town was just crazy this weekend with lunatics. Yeah. NO kidding. And, now I can't sleep.

But, I did take some lovely photos of Fall in Arkadelphia earlier today. Talked Mae into a little ride (couldn't believe she agreed!) and we just enjoyed the sunshine, colors and her favorite cappuccino!

Byron exercised the dogs.

Pack the Emergency Kit Next Time, Ditz!

This past weekend was supposed to be a non-scrapping (shopping and taking in art ONLY) weekend Dallas getaway with our very good friend, Mshell, who moved to even further away Wichita Falls. My sister, Nancy, in Abilene was even able to join us since it was close enough for her to meet up and spend the night!!

And, do you KNOW what I ended up doing??
Scrapping in the motel room!! I even got Nancy busy on her own gift!!

THE STORY:

Nancy just found out she's expecting her first baby and suggested that I would make another trip out to TX to scrapbook her a baby book. She makes that comment to me as she's driving into D/FW and we are actually at a scrapbook store!! When it occurs to me that what I'm looking at would be just the PERFECT paper for a little mini- "Expectations" album! Grabbed embellishments! Ribbon, charms, yes-- even a stamp!
Do I even have a pair of scissors with me this weekend? NO! Nor adhesive! We GPS (yes! those units are good for other things besides Geocaching!!) the nearest Hobby Lobby and get some essential tools and I completed the album before the night was over!! And, can you believe it?? I forgot to pick up ink!! So, I didn't get to use the stamp after all-- I will have to drive all the way to Abilene just to put the final touch on it!!

My point in telling you all this??
To new scrappers and old-- always pack an emergency travel scrap-kit!

October Snow-Storm!

Weather in AR is crazy and unpredictable. But, even Ed, Tom and Joey didn't see this one coming!!




One evening last week I walked into the living room to discover this....




Could THIS sweet little thing be the culprit???


Reddie says... "What?? It's only a little pillow! And, it was probably one of the cats that did it!!"


"I'm sorry... I'll never Never EVER do it again!"

Mind your own knitting!

I was sent on a mission by Mae.
Now, it used to be that this kind of mission meant a trip to LR.
Thank goodness, we have a new store on Main Street-- "Knit Unto Others"! Woohoo!! They sell all kinds of fibers for all types of needlecrafts- even some bamboo threads!! So cool!
It was such a feast for the eyes! I couldn't resist snapping some pics...

Christopher Columbus!

Gotta thank that guy... if he hadn't sailed over the ocean blue, we wouldn't be celebrating an semi-official holiday this coming Monday!! Most institutions nowdays don't even recognize it (except for the retail industry and of course the USPS!) and Deltic Timber!! Yippee!! Byron will have an extra day off!! PAID!!

So... in honor of good ole' Chris Columbus we celebrate the spirit of discovery!! Gotta wonder though... why didn't they name the New World after him? We could have been the United States of Columbus! It might have made a huge difference in our diets- for sure pasta and wine would be mandatory on all our menus, how very civilized!!

Go forth!
Discover something wonderful in the art realm!
Experience some great Italian cuisine!
Just don't try to send anything snail-mail!

Cut Pork Barrel $pending- Elect an Artist!

I got to thinking how creative types are good at cutting corners and making beautiful designs out of the leftovers.

Sometimes not even having the pennies to $pend on real domestic necessities-- and certainly not frivolous art supplies. We're always pinching pennies with our stash. Many of us will try to figure how to get one more piece of art out of that little scrap of ______________________ (fill in the blank) thus making the initial investment go that much further.

It's called economy.

When it occurred to me that artists would make great government leaders-- especially, in regards to the debt crisis.

So.... any nominations for the most frugal artist?? How about the most colorful???

I don't know why the colors on this image (when first uploaded) were so wonky and even my crayola went missing! I've corrected it... this is the wrong version (below)! Isn't that wEiRd?? If any of you CS3 geniuses can tell me WHY that happens sometimes- I'd be appreciative! ~S

Friday FURtograph

Samson...
sunning on the kitchen stool.

He's most at peace with the world when he's nearby to whatever I'm doing. This day, I've been working on finishing decorating the kitchen. It's only taken TWO YEARS!!!

I chose the colors, had new flooring installed, ordered the recliners (at the time they were to sit in the area between the eating area and my art room) and then life handed us several curve balls. After all the flip-flops (even a couple that were over 15 miles away) the chairs are now in a whole 'nother room of the house but the colors and ephemera I'd been collecting for well over 20 years just sat around waiting.

The time finally arrived! With dh outta town during the weeks- I've been able to wreak total havoc on the domestic bliss and I'm almost through! With the kitchen anyway!! The rest of the house still has some work to be completed (and he thinks I'll start all over when I finish anyway!)... but, progress is being made!!

I'll take some "glamour shots" of the kitchen when I've nailed everything down!! But, it IS sassy green!! And, contrasts very nicely with "Orange-Man Sam" dontcha think??

In the meantime... I've also learned that I hadn't forgotten how to cook a roast!! Yeah!!!

Tomorrow- I look forward to spending some quality time with the Singer as the special foot required to perform free-motion quilting has arrived and B will more than likely be you-tubing on the computer. We spend a lot of our together time in my art-room nowdays; but in office chairs!! If I'd been asked to predict the future and define tranquility in August of 2006- I wouldn't have guessed that this would be where we find ourselves!!

And, with all that is dear to us intact. He is so gracious to His little children.

Yes... Sam has it right. Hanging out nearby to those who love you is happiness, indeed!

Celebrity Artisan- Friday

Inspiration note: a while back I added the sidebar feed for Vincent's art and the bottom of the page feed for "image of the day". These have been really valuable and it occurred to me to dedicate Friday's posts to celebrity artisans. Obviously- Vincent is my main man! So, I must start with him. But in doing some research for images-- I rediscovered this site. Very useful! You'll be seeing images from there and the best part?? They are copy-right free!! Woohoo!! Load it into PS, edit, manipulate, alter, print and use in more art pieces!!

Without further ado-- on with the show!

Vincent VanGogh

Starry Night over the Rhone 1888
Oil on Canvas, 28 x 36 Inches (approx)
The painting is currently displayed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

About the Starry Night over the Rhone Painting

One of several night scenes painted by the famous Dutch master. Van Gogh's star filled sky in Arles was done after his ealier success of the Cafe Terrace at Night and before the more famous "Starry Night" painting that now hangs in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

In a letter to his sister Wilhelmina, Van Gogh said "At present I absolutely want to paint a starry sky. It often seems to me that night is still more richly coloured than the day; having hues of the most intense violets, blues and greens. If only you pay attention to it you will see that certain stars are lemon-yellow, others pink or a green, blue and forget-me-not brilliance. And without my expatiating on this theme it is obvious that putting little white dots on the blue-black is not enough to paint a starry sky."

"Gourd"geous Thursday

How often does you get told to do the very thing you love to do??

My dh, Byron, told me to go shopping!! Who am I to refuse him??

Shop I did. He wanted jeans and he wanted them yesterday. He wears THE most popular size in the world (cuz they rarely have but two pairs) and I drove off to Little Rock to fix him up. Can you believe it?? They didn't have even ONE pair in his size! Of course... they were having a sale- but, this was the FIRST day of the sale! Thankfully-- they can order them and ship them to me, so- that part of my mission was accomplished!

Onto the more FUN part of the day., stimulating the economy... or more commonly known as trolling for gifts and art projects! Surprise! I am completely CURED of the "oh-mi-gosh do you see that CUTE scrapbook paper, I gotta have it" syndrome. I came home without ONE SHEET of paper!! Naturally-- I'd made a list of the hard to come by items (even paper fasteners are hard to find in our town) and for the most part I stuck to it! I did score big at Hobby Lobby as some of the tools of the trade (paintbrushes and such) were 1/2 off-- yippeee!! I also used my 40% coupon on a Somerset magazine- such inspiration in those things.

I did discover some really swell coffee mugs in my favorite melon color and the finish reminds me of the anodized metal drinking cups, yet they are ceramic and a good size. Just right for the kitchen redecorate project. Picked up some much favored treats for Mae and a few Christmas stocking trinkets.

Then, I got stuck in 5 o'clock Little Rock traffic. Somebody said a bunch of ouches and I saw the banged up cars that had us all sitting stock still at the eight-lane part of the interstate. It was backed up for MILES. But.. it put my arrival to the home exit at the lovely time of twilight that is magical for taking pictures. I stopped at the Caddo Nursery and did just that.

Here are a few more images from the day.





Earlier this week I had spotted this line up of scarecrows at the nursery. They are so fun!

I'm a FURtogrpaher, ok???

Somedays... life finally reveals itself crystal clear. Like when I gaze deeply into Reddies eyes.... I finally "get it". The meaning of life. And, what it is that makes me tick.

Plain and simple.

I'm a "FUR"tographer... not just a photographer.

I also keep stumbling across like minded individuals like, Judy and their blogs... thanks to message boards and groups.

Without further ado- I submit the FURtograph of the Day.


Subject: Lil' Miss Reddie
Favorite Treat: anything really (not picky)
Favorite Toys: newspapers & squeaky toys
Favorite No-No: getting on Mom's bed
Favorite 4 legger: That's a toss up between Wrigley and Tabby Tom
Not-So-Favorite: strangers

News from Hemphill & all the smiling!!

This is an excerpt from sister, Robin, 's email.

Last Wednesday, Stephen competed in the final Stren Series event of the season, on the Red River out of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and after three days of competition, made the cut to fish on Saturday. He was in the running for Angler of the Year and needed to make up 21 points on the leader going into this tournament. The other angler finished in 22nd place leaving the door open for Stephen. He would have to come in 2nd or better to claim the title.

On Saturday, the Bass N Bucks Championship began on Sam Rayburn. Stephen and Danny had been competing as partners in this team series all year and had qualified to compete in this final tournament. We all knew that if Stephen made the cut on the Red River, Danny would have to fish the first day on Sam Rayburn by himself and represent for the both of them.

Saturday arrived and everyone went to Natchitoches for the Stren weigh-in which began at 4 PM. About 2:30 PM, Danny called and informed me that “he caught ‘em” and did not elaborate anymore except to say that he would call back after he had weighed his fish in. When he called back minutes later, he had a total of over 34 pounds including one over ten pounds. He swore me to secrecy as he wanted to tell Stephen himself that he had put them in good position for the next day when Stephen would join him on Sam Rayburn.

By the time Stephen and the other finalists made it to Walmart for their weigh-in, no less than 14 people had called and left messages for him on his cell phone, and two other Stren anglers had already received calls from back home and reported the news, much to Stephen’s disbelief! In the Walmart parking lot, other spectators had also received calls and heard of “the kid who weighed in 34 pounds by himself” and all the talk turned to that. Needless to say, none of us were very focused on the Stren weigh-in any longer!

After another hour of tournament weigh-in watching, Stephen placed 5th in the Stren, losing Angler of the Year by four points, but collecting a nice check and excitedly heading home to talk strategy with his now famous partner.

One sleepless night later, and a gazillion phone messages urging Stephen to just get in the boat, sit down, shut up, and fish (AKA – leave Danny alone), they headed out to Sam Rayburn to complete the Bass N Bucks tournament. Their plan was to catch fifteen pounds to keep their lead. They caught eighteen. The next closest competitor was twelve pounds behind.

Finally, at the end of the day, Danny was out of the shadows of his fishing mentor and called to the stage to talk about how his day had gone on Saturday. Stephen watched from the back (with tears in eyes!) as Danny told the crowd of anglers, many of whom he has idolized for years, how he did it.

They won the tournament and claimed a brand new Ranger Boat for their efforts, beautiful (red/white), and no, we are NOT keeping it!, plus a big bass award, and bonus money for the Ranger Cup contingency award. Two people have already offered to buy the boat and the split will make a cozy nest egg for Danny, and a little cushion for the rest of us.

Today, Danny had to head back to Beaumont for college class, and literally could not stop smiling while gathering his stuff; neither could Stephen.

Does anyone recall what his graduation party announcement said??? “Determination, persistence, tenacity, and success”. He had told me earlier this week that he had just truly realized how much he wanted to fish well. I didn’t doubt him then, and no one doubts him now.

WOW! What a weekend!

To read the “official” version of the Bass N Bucks tournament, click on this link to fishingworld, and you can see the day one catch. Danny is helped to hold fish in the photo by David Concienne, tournament director, and his son, John David. Below are shots that I took from the Stren on Saturday and from Bass N Bucks on Sunday.

Notes from Abilene

This past weekend was the

Big Country Balloon Festival

and my sister, Nancy, her dh, Derral, and their dog, Diego, went!! I recall one of their early first dates in Las Cruces was a balloon ride! While I can't lay hands on those pics right away.... I do have these she snapped from this w/e and links from the events!




The photos from the two links above are enticement enough to make that trip next year for the event!

There was also a synchronized kite exhibit.... visit that site.

and.... a local band, Homer Hilccolm and the Rocket Boys were in concert!

Inspired by a spider lilly!

ahhh..... Fall!

This is the first time in years that I can recall that the leaves weren't already crispy when the solstice arrived.

It's also the first time in several months (or is it years) that I feel like all my family is in the right geographical location. Lo and behold- I also find myself alone!!

Don't get me wrong- I love them and miss them (the menfolk in my life); but, they tend to eclipse all my energy and passion for what's important to me.

I found this on the DIMW site and while I don't know who the poster WJC is- it os said almost perfectly. I substitute the words "making art" for photography in my own experience.

Life does sometimes get in the way of photography. We’ve had a few dramas and distractions here over the last month. Some of these are continuing but the end is, I think, in sight. The rest are resolved.

The thing is, some of these issues and the people involved have been quite emotionally draining. It is hard to get motivated for creativity sometimes when that is going on, though when you can make it happen the creativity really does help you to get past things. This is the key, somehow you have to make good, positive things happen and keep your focus on them. Eventually the other stuff doesn’t seem so importan

So-- I'm redefining passions. Resetting goals. Recommitting to vital issues that had been laid aside.

First- gotta address the weight loss. While I've not gained back quite half of the original loss- it can't go any further. The buck stops here. Or rather that should be- the muck stops here. No more junk food. Comfort food must be ingested in the smallest of portions and evaluation of just WHY comfort food is craved is to be dealt with in writing before a morsel can pass the lips. Whine, whine, whine instead of wine, wine, wine. And for the record-- I'm not a wine-o. *cheezy grin*

Second. Put the house in order... a domestic goddess must have domestic bliss!

Third. Focus, focus, focus on the art.

Find a great idea or inspiration? It goes immediately into the "Getcher Creative Juices Flowing Book". Yeah, I know.. sounds as if I'm on a wine binge!!

Start what will be finished. Finish what's been started. Order the stuffs to finish those things that are in the almost-but-not-quite stages

Make lists and more lists. If it's written down it's much more likely to be accomplished. That's why I'm starting it here. Putting it in public as it were...

Oh. Happiness. Oh, Joy! I do love the change of seasons... a fresh perspective on old opportunity.
Seasonal resolutions are much more attainable than yearly ones... or so it seems.

Beyond the Environment.... the front fell off...

I'm tired of politics. I'm tired of economic and financial swings and the Dow Jones being the news headline. I'm really not wanting to know about the weather-- if I venture to look sure as the world there will be another hurricane heading at us!

So... I surfed You-tube for a bright laff.
Ohmigoodness.
This guy took political correctness too far!!
Oh. Wait. He's playing a politician!!
Yikes!! I should just go shopping and stimulate the economy!!
Yeah. right.
Enjoy some Aussie humor.

Labor Day: The Art, the Feds and the Trends

Popular fashion etiquette dictates that white should not be worn after Labor Day.

Couture cops recommend:

blue (as in collars)-

or the ever popular (red-neck & women's favorite) sans collar.

See picture below.... of the hunk in undershirt.

This piece of art is by Lewis Hine, 1920. Power house mechanic working on steam pump. Records of the Work Progress Administration. (69-RH-4L-2)

One of his "work portraits", shows a working class American in an industrial setting. The carefully posed subject, a young man with wrench in hand, is hunched over, surrounded by the machinery that defines his job. But while constrained by the machinery, the man is straining against it—muscles taut, with a determined look—in an iconic representation of masculinity.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics- one of the projected industries with fast growth over the next ten years is independent artists, writers & performers!!

Artists are laborers, too!

Three cheers for artists!! Make that independent artists!! or would that be independent thinking artists?? 

Whichever!

Enjoy the three-day weekend! And be sure and thank your mother for having labored for you on this day, as well as your blue-collared artist/worker.

U.S. Dept of Labor site

Classic Humor

What's the best remedy for the whatever ails you? Even if you're not ailing... a dose of classic humor is necessary for a premium outlook for the day!

Abbott & Costello's "Who's on First" sketch!