And The Winner Is......

I am at Sue's house. Worked up to the last minute and then hopped the plane yesterday.

Tomorrow we are leaving for London!

I have been delinquent with this blog over the past many days (!) Sorry about that.

The result of the "giveaway" from last week is: LINDA in New Mexico

Since I am on the way "Over The Pond"...let's get together when I get back, okay?

I will have stories from seeing Becky, too, so there will be so much to talk about.

Here are some of the things I have been working on instead of posting on the blog.

Some of them will be at the Lavender Festival at Los Poblanos in Albuquerque this weekend and the others will be at Curiosa in Santa Fe......It feels good to have them finished.

To commemorate my return to France this summer, this box is covered in pages from a French book and the flag says, "S'il Vous Plait"

Dark braids, wide brimmed hat and a big basket......looks a bit like me when I was younger.

Another bird box, covered in copies of letters from my Greek grandmother. I found them when I was helping Mom go through things in her house. They are just beautiful - her handwriting is/was beautiful. It means a lot to me to be able to use them.......

This little one has gone fishing! When she "appeared" she made me smile.....

Here's a pixie carrying a bunch of lavender. I think her wings are rather delightful. I can't wait to make some more of these winged creatures!

This young thing might just fly away with the bird on her hand......she looks pretty happy....

And a big bouquet of flowers graces this young lady's box. The photo doesn't do her justice, though - not too photogenic. (tee hee)

I feel like they are all members of my little family and they are spreading a little bit of joy.

Following my heart has given me such purpose and fulfillment. I have read about that for years.

I didn't believe it, really. It sounded too easy, or crazy......but it works.

Try it.

Radishes and a Give-Away

These are radishes - i LOVE them!

I am so happy that they are so darn cute....and only about 3 inches long.

I copied some of my grandmother's letters (written in Greek) and the printer cartridge was running out. The result was lavender colored paper! It is just right for papier mache on the radishes. What do you think about the subtle color?

I just want to keep them all together in the bowl....sigh....

This little lady is holding one of the radishes and I think the size is great! I really like how out-of-proportion it is. And her wide-brimmed hat......cute, hunh? (sorry it is a bit dark)

Last, but not least, is one of the houses that I have fallen in love with, too.

hmmmm, gotta find a new way of talking about my excitement....

Maybe it is time for a "give-away"...........

I have been doing this blog for almost a year now. I will be off to France again in a couple of weeks, to Briancon, with my pals Sue, Oolie, Danielle, Becky, Joanna and Sam. Last year's workshop with julie Arkell was life-changing. We all found life-long friends. Julie will be there with us again and I can hardly wait.

To celebrate creativity and joy, I encourage everyone to let me know what it is that inspires you the most... AND what your favorite indulgence is, creatively speaking.

The winner will be drawn next friday - the 18th of June. I am not certain what the prize will be, but I promise it will come directly from my heart.........

Jennifer's Bird House

My mom has a friend in Austin who is a gardener extraordinaire. She and I have only met once, but she is magical. I know that once we get to spend a little time together, we will find many things that we have in common.

Jennifer (that's her name) sent me this beautiful card as a thank you for a "bird house" that I made for her. Isn't it great?

Below is the bird house! I left it at Mom's when I was in Austin, so that she could make sure that Jennifer got it. I am so glad that you liked it, Jennifer....and I look forward to having a creative play date with you very soon!

busy!

I was busy today!

I made copies of some of my grandmother's letters that she wrote to my mom in her native Greek (!) When I was at Mom's and going through things, I found so many of those letters. Originally, I thought I would just use the "real things".....but after thinking about it, I realized that it might be better to copy them. Of course, I have no idea what they say, except when she put in words that did not translate to Greek - like the names of my brothers and me - but it is wonderful to have that little part of her still around......and to get to use them in the things I am really loving to make. I think she would enjoy that.

Here is a house, in process. Somehow, the printer was running out of ink and the color of the paper is almost lavender. I decided that, perhaps my friend, Penny, would like some lavender houses for their lavender festival. I will try to show them to her over the weekend. I love the subtlety.......

Another house, with a few more windows AND a little bit of lavender, too, over the door. It is unfinished, but still pretty cool. I think the roof will really make it great! (I'll share it when it's done)

I also got a little bit of soldering in. I must be better at practicing it.

Just got an invitation to go to a soldering workshop with my friend, Julie Haymaker (juliehaymaker.blogspot.com). She is going to one in Southern California at the end of the month http://www.terribrushdesigns.com/San-Diego-Art-Workshops.html

I will be in France! But, I told her that I would gladly join her another time.........

Check it out, though, if it is something that interests you. It looks pretty fantastic!

Grayson's 15th Birthday

Time flies......

Today, June 2nd, 2010, Grayson Christopher Hallmark is 15 years old.

I can hardly believe it......

Thought I'd share some of the early photos - from 1995 - the actual day of birth.

Here I am, ready to pop! This was at 38 weeks, one week before he arrived.

This photo is from the hospital, just hours after his birth. What a beautiful baby.....

And here is Grayson at 10 days old with his little giraffe - his buddy.

Hard to believe that 15 years has gone so quickly. So many moments are suspended in time - good ones and difficult ones. Mostly, I have deep gratitude for such a healthy, happy, bright and beautiful young man. How lucky can we be?

Happy Birthday, Grayson xo