Morning in Minneapolis

From the moment my daughter and I exited the parking lot, I noticed everything. Excitement of capturing an image was running wildly through my veins. Color, angles, contrasts, layers were everywhere...I couldn't stop myself.

We reminisced about our first visit to the Guthrie with our dear family, exploring the Endless Bridge and taking group photos on the 9th floor.

 

 Our reflection.

Up close.

 

 I will always remember her intrigue and delight as she pointed out the network of pipes on the roof.

Our beautiful daughter!

A few more photos were captured after the "must see" performance of Pericles by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Folger Theatre.

 

A quick photo of Washington Avenue. 
We'll be back, to admire the cityscape and to take plenty more photographs.

Home Sweet Home

This is one of my dad's childhood trucks. Since the kids weren't using them at the moment, I thought to bring one upstairs to look at everyday. This one easily converted to a multi level shelf.

 

Instead of clothes and traveling items, the large suitcase holds drawing paper and canvas while the small one stores all the utensils for making the marks, pencils, charcoal, markers and everything tiny.

This piece of furniture was spray painted gray last autumn and was put in a temporary spot when it was finished. During the holidays more room was needed in the living/dining room and it now sits in the perfect place where it offers an asymmetrical practicality within this cozy spot off the kitchen.

 Stacking the beautiful inspirational books!

Feathers collected over the years find a special home.

After cross county skiing, our wet mittens and gloves are clipped to a ribbon above the heater in the kitchen.

My son caught the spark of arrangement and hammered a nail in his bedroom wall to hang up a few of his favorite things.

Orange Crisp

 A little pick me up of color during the crisp winter days. 

This is one of many projects on the back burner. After bringing it back upstairs from being put away during the holidays, I found it desperately needed some loving care. 

The process was very easy and didn't take long at all. When this one begins to fall apart, I won't wait so long to redo it! 

The before photo is the remnants of the work with a surprise mark of Masland Duran. Beautiful font! When changing the fabric it was difficult for me to not keep it "as is" because of my passion for history!

And at the same time the vinyl was so worn, it was poking us in all the wrong places!

Winter Sun

In the summer, I often forget about the winter sun that shines in our kitchen until winter comes along and we are warmed by the suns rays.

Christmas Delights

 A lovely winter afternoon was spent crafting with a few dear friends. Every possible craft supply that may give inspiration to the heart and hand was carefully set around the creative space.

While making things, yummy treats sweet and savory along with Esprit de Noël tea and homemade hot chocolate with whip cream and teeny tiny chocolate chips sprinkled on top for the children were sipped and nibbled on while cutting, gluing and conversing.

Using these wooden spools was at the top of the list!

Before everyone arrived, I had a quiet moment to entertain my craving to craft. A few natural items created this pleasing piece. 

During the following hours some glitter was accidentally added to the tree and gave it that bit of sparkle it needed! Thank you dear friend!

A hand felted fluffy bird was the beginning of this colorful place marker.

 The first of the wooden spool place markers! The natural grooves in the wood sparked the stripes.

 Now for some pink!

  

Yay! The birch bark paper straws found a home in this piece along with the bell, inspired by one of our dear friend's creations!

 Searching through the whole collection of beloved deer, this one was the perfect size.

Our dear friend brought a gift of beautifully homemade wrapped twig ornaments... which inspired wrapping Lake Superior driftwood!

Gold,  hearts and some natural items were gathered and put together in an ornament.

 Using the same idea, my daughter added shimmery color to the letters and glitter! Love it!

 A couple more of her design!

String Art

For this Art Experience, we made string art!  

I've wanted to make this project for a long time and finally have the chance!  For this piece, I had inspiration from a drawing I did on the bathroom mirror earlier in the day. 

Even if it's raining and feels gloomy, the raindrops can shower us with color!

My daughter made the following beauty!

Cut & Paste

Sitting under a canopy in the backyard on a breezy summer day while browsing through magazines was an ideal way to spend time with friends. Every now and again the breeze would lift one of the cut images into the air to let it fall somewhere in the grass. One image was taken away to not be found! Off to the next image. These are the surrealistic images that were created over hours of cutting and pasting, chatting and sharing.

The following two images were created by my daughter. She has an eye for arranging the images!