world-wide community

The internet is a wonderful community of people who share ideas, inspiration, sympathy, and real assistance when called for... even if you may not have ever met the person in "real" life!

Right now, there is a great example of that on Michelle Ward's blog, How Cool Is That. Michelle runs Green Pepper Press, a rubber stamp company. Michelle has just designed and issued a new half-sheet of stamps to raise money for a fellow blogger in Illinois (Paula) whose family lost their house in a fire. (go here for more details about that.) That's just one example of the fellowship that connects us all here on the world-wide web... it is worldwide, but it's also a pretty close-knit community.

Another example is blog awards... quite out of the blue (a couple weeks ago, now... I'm slow at blogging lately), I was awarded the "Friendly Blogger" award by a very nice British mixed-media artist, Kathryn, of The Kathryn Wheel. She calls herself "The Queen of Messing About" and posts quite wonderful ATCs, journal pages, and other projects. It is quite amazing to think that I can connect regularly with people who live in Australia, South Africa, England, and all parts of the US... thanks, Kathryn!

These are the guidelines that came with the badge: “These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers.” (I totally just lifted that word for word from Shelly, who copied it from Kathryn)

So, in keeping with the guidelines, I nominate the following bloggers:

Laurie at the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee (she is a true friend to orphaned kittens).

Felicia at Fluffy Flowers (she documents life, and sewing, in Georgia)

Sandy at Sandy' s Spot on the Web (she documents her family and life in Louisiana)

Mare at Moon & Stars Studio (she documents life and art in upstate New York)

Monday again, already??

http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/index.cfm the New York Public Library Digital image collection... I could spend quite a while browsing thru here!

(found via a wonderful new-to-me blog, Bricolage, Inspiration at Hand , which is also full of gorgeous photos for your browsing pleasure!)

the weekend went by very quickly.. work on Saturday, then napping/resting/sleeping Saturday afternoon and evening- apparently I needed to catch up on some rest! Sunday was spent with a couple friends, Jan and Lynn, at Lynn's house in Mesa, AZ. (aside: I drove thru neighborhoods full of lusciously fragrant orange trees in full bloom... the aroma was so strong it almost gave me a headache, but it's wonderful- there is nothing else like it in the world!) We watched the DVD 1000 Journals, talked, and sat on the patio while we paged thru Lynn's library of art books for inspiration. Lynn's husband was nice enough to grill us hamburgers, and there were a few snacks in there, too!) Now I am ready to get out my brushes, stamps, stencils, paint, and markers, and go to town creating! (of course, this means we can't eat at the kitchen table, but oh well... that's what the coffee table is for, right??)

I have decided that the Universe wants me to learn patience, and it's not fair! Why can't the Universe want me to learn something fun, like... like... well, I can't think of anything right now, because I am so impatient. I'm trying to take things in my life as they come, but it's hard!! (read that in a whiny tone of voice, and you'll get the idea of how I feel right now: I feel like the 9-year old me who wants what she wants NOW, instead of the almost-40 year old me, who is usually rational and understanding about delays and changes in plans.)

I'm glad it's almost the weekend-I'll be working overtime tomorrow, starting at 5 am (I hate getting up early, but I like the money!), and I have an art date on Sunday with friends, where we will be watching the 1000 Journals DVD and working on projects.

to everyone reading: here's hoping you exactly get what you want, when you want it!

to the Universe: do I get points for trying??

Bisbee - glamour shot

Bisbee glamour shot
Originally uploaded by crimsoncat05

a birthday glamour shot done with a little soft focus (only a few weeks late). Bisbee turned one year old on Feb 22nd. She is definitely a fiesty girl, but she keeps Sedona (and us!) on our toes!!