GRIFFIN AND SABINE (continues)

On June 22nd, I posted about this project and it's beginnings.  I sent a letter out to Griffin on that date.  This project was yet another brainstorm by Ali Bandist - my UK buddy!

Today I received a response from Grace and a letter from Griffin from Jennie Westwood from the UK.  I LOVE the idea of Grace and her involvement in the correspondence!!!  So creative Jennie!

 I LOVE THIS PROJECT!!!

WALLS NOTEBOOK

I scanned some of the pages from the Wall Notebook.  I LOVE this notebook!  It is incredibly cool!  I can't wait to start this round robin!

How GREAT is this?

ONCE UPON A WALL

I have started a new Round Robin!!  I LOVE these!  Anyways, this one is called ONCE UPON A WALL and it's a graffiti project!  (This in addition to the Art Smash RR and the Little Bit of Asia RR that will be starting soon!).

Sherwood Forlee created this totally cool journal called the WALLS NOTEBOOK

What it is is page after page of WALLS.  Pictures of walls of buildings. The idea is to be able to release your inner graffiti artist without having to go to jail for it!  I LOVE the entire concept and think it will be so much fun!!

The RR is closed - the same ladies as always - and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!  

I will post the pages when we start the project!

AMY WINEHOUSE

Lots of things going on which I wanted to blog about.  But my heart is heavy with the death of Amy Whitehouse.   Having a son who is a drug addict, Amy's death is that much sadder.  He is doing okay - not great - but better.

This poor girl was only 27 years old.  So beautiful, so talented.  My heart breaks for her and the life she has lost.  Breaks for her parents who have to bury her... breaks for everyone who has lived and continues to live this nightmare.  Watching her destroy herself while all her family and friends could do is beg and cry and pray.

I read an article where it spoke about the fact that for years, when she was much younger, she had cut herself, had inflicted scars and pain on her body.  She had been abusing drugs and alcohol for so long.  In and out of rehab....

Why?  Why does God allow drugs to take over the hearts and minds and souls of these young people?

So sad.  I hope that she finds the peace in death that eluded her in life.

ABC POSTCARD SWAP

My sweet friend Ali Brandist from England is hosting this swap in The Sum of All ATCs Yahoo Group.  At first I was not too excited about this swap (joined because I love Ali!), but when I got into it I really enjoyed it.

We are each to make 6 4x6 postcards.  We were to collage the front and add a quote to the back about the word we chose.  You know.... a is for apple... blah blah blah

These are mine.

They are on their way to Ali.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

People of character do the right thing not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world.

-  Author Unknown

CINDY FARINAS 01/09/1996 - 07/14/2011

After weeks of being sick, I put Cindy to sleep this morning.  She was done.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPI

Today is my dad's 76th birthday.  Or would have been.

Happy birthday Papi.  I have been thinking about you since I got up this morning.  Thinking about your last birthday.  Your 74th.  Julio organized a surprise party for you at Carraba's.  I am so grateful that he did.  It's funny because he called me to suggest it and I remember he said "you know, we always give Mom a birthday party but I can't remember every giving dad a party."

We had no way of knowing it would be your last.  But that day you were happy.

You were surrounded by your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, your sister, your wife.  You were happy.

My dad and his sister.

My dad and his wife, Mercedes.

Kristina and Kaitlynn

My brother Albert, his wife, Lisa, my nephew Eric and his wife Lucy.

Always the clown.

Bernie and his mom Cira.

My wonderful father in law who we lost this past November.

Looking at these pictures, you did not look healthy.  How did we miss that?  How did we not see what was happening to you?

I bought some flowers for you today - you always like them.  You were one of the few men who admitted he liked receiving them!

I love you Papi.  I miss you every single day.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

I recently read Eat, Pray, Love ... gotta tell you I envy her!!  Anyway, I LOVE this quote from the book and thought I'd share it:

"See, now that is your problem.  You're wishing too much baby.  You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be."

How awesome is THAT??  Think about it!

KEYS 4 ART 2012

I have received numerous emails regarding our retreat.  I am so flattered that so many of you are interested!

However (and you KNEW that was coming!), this retreat is a very small retreat which I hold in my home every year.  The only cost to the attendees is their airfare and the cost of the instructors.

The maximum number of women is 15 and it has always been the same 15 women.  In order for anyone else to be able to attend, one of the fantabulous 15 would have to say they will not be attending and that has yet to happen.

It really is great fun.  If you are interested in taking a look at pictures from Keys 4 Art 2011, go to the following links:

IT ONLY GETS BETTER
KEYS 4 ART
KEYS 4 ART DAY 5 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 4 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 3 (PAPERQUEEN)
KEYS 4 ART DAY 1 (PAPERQUEEN)
ART FRIENDS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS (PAPERQUEEN)

The PaperQueen blog is my friend Eileen's.  Her blog is so much fun and she did such an amazing job of recapping the retreat that this is the best way to show it to you.

Have fun!     I wish I could invite more people!

KEYS 4 ART 2012!!! March 11-17, 2012

Our third Keys 4 Art retreat!!!  Can you believe it?  We are already making plans for the 2012 retreat!

This year we will have the amazing LYNNE PERELLA come teach a workshop!!! Woo HOO!!

FINALLY UP AND OUT OF BED!

I have been laying in bed for EIGHT days.  That has NEVER happened to me before and I am taking it as God's way to make me rest.  But I'm done with this.  I don't like feeling weak or sick!

The pneumonia is gone, the lungs are "disinfected" and everything else seems to be under control.

Thank you for your emails and calls!  They have meant a lot.

I am in my studio for the first time since last week and I plan to get my hands nice and dirty!  The best medicine ever.

Have a great 4th everyone.