Happy * Wedding * Keira * Knightley!

(she wears a dress well, and this one was not the exception.)

((oh, and I do realize that this drawing doesn't really look like her...))

...a California state of mind...not just yet, but I do like those tall palm trees...

My last work blog:
http://www.universitybookstore.blogspot.com/

My official last day at work is December 24, 2012, but that might change ... if they need my help, I am there.

Happy Winter Solstice!
tra la la la la
Jan

PEACE ON EARTH ...

Finally finished the display, and I am generally happy with it ... mostly because of the idea of everyone participating and not the artwork per se. I liked making the wreath--I seem to be adept at cut paper and such--but Jenny the Cat, she wasn't as easy and I had to adjust the sizes of her eyes and nose and whiskers to be seen ... as my coworker said, "looks a bit cartoonish." I hold onto every slight made by others ... when it comes to my art. Sigh. But I am happy now ... happy to be done with this, now that I know that people are generally happy with the end result.

May you find peace in your heart today!

November 28, 2012.

My Last Display at University Book Store.

Tom and I have decided to move to California at the beginning of next year. All of his family and friends live there, and it is time for us to be closer to them. I will miss the people I have worked with at the book store, they are one of the best things about being there for the past four years of my life.

Original sketch/idea...

List of contributors (fellow employees and friends), squares for letters, and Jenny the Cat.

 Working in a dark office and claiming precious table space.

Background wreath.

Actual size.

Okay, obviously I have not completed this project. But I wanted to save the steps of the process in order that I might see things eventually come to their fruition. I have given my coworkers and co-creators each a letter or two to design, and in less than a week I will affix those to this display. These are folks that I work with and like, but who have to date not participated with me on anything.

My heart is full, knowing that I have pulled people from all parts of the store ... so that we all can feel the joy of having Peace in Our Hearts and On Earth. The display will say 

"Peace on Earth" when it's done.

 *** LOVE Quick Bread Baking Fall Days ! ! ! ***

 Starting with the finished product:

Sunflower Seed-Zucchini-Golden Raisin Quick Bread

(I love the Bundt pan for a flourish!)

It is so easy ... all the ingredients fit on my tiny table ...

 Looks toasty!

 two small organic zucchinis ... pat with paper towel to get rid of extra moisture

 getting ready for fruit cake season !!!
(I doubled the amount of seeds and golden raisins ... which make this simply divine.)

I'll have some ice cold milk please ... yum me!

Over to my neighbor's (she was making herself some chicken soup 'cuz she's feeling sick ... hopefully my bread will provide the cure?!)

I don't have a lot of blog pals ... but the ones I have are mighty fine ... the best in fact. So today's blog is dedicated to:

Amanda at http://amandamakepeace.com/blog/

Lynn at http://beneaththebracken.blogspot.com/

Natsumi at  http://natsuminishizumi.blogspot.com/

Thank you three for sticking with me ... it's all about the love, dontcha think?!

I've been creating displays for my place of work - mostly for the kids department - for a few years now. And in some ways it is getting easier each time. This round took me just three hours between the conversation we (Lauren, my wonderful boss, and I) had about what was needed, getting the supplies together and everything up. It was one of those f-l-o-w experiences that artists are always seeking, where flow means that we are operating according to the universe's instructions and seemingly nothin' gets in your way.

This time I free-handed all the sketches and in turn cut them out ... the only outside assistance I got was to take a quick peek at google.com images to see what might suit this bit of real estate, and the season. And when I had the kitty cat up I immediately got a lot of positive feedback from my peers, and even one unsolicited remark from someone visiting the department and not of the department.

Happy Howlin' my friends!

 

Note: I enlarged this moon shot to show you what manifested. Because, following my intuition, I purchased a piece of textured material (gauzy and see through) to stick on top on the white background ... I think that it worked out great. And if you could see it in person you would understand why I feel it was an inspired move.