Front or back

Mr. Thisorthat and I had a great debate about whether the blocks should be under the canopy or in front of it.  Obviously I won (he! he!) but I have to say it's helpful to get someone elses perspective on things (sometimes) because I think like an artist (or maybe I should say creatively) and he thinks very rationally and with a plan.  I know we may seem like an odd pair but it's worked for 29 years so we'll keep at it.  Then of course there's the whole color or don't color thing but we won't go there today.  It has made me see that everyone does not look at the same thing the same way.  Everyone has their own interpretation of what they're looking at - which kind of surprises me since we're all looking at the same thing (theoretically)!  I've never been a "lets go to the gallery opening" kind of person, but now I understand (from what I've seen on TV :) - like that's real) why people stand and stare at art.  I'm starting to realize that everyone really does see something different which is very cool!!  I hope you like what you see in your world today!

Soft and fluffy

Soft and fluffy is one of my favorite things!  It comes in all sorts of things, but  I especially like piling layers of blankets on top of me in the winter (or even Spring when its like this year) and getting all warm and cozy underneath them.  I used to have a huge down comforter when Little Miss Thisorthat was just starting to walk and when she was on the bed she would take a step and fall into a mass of puffiness because it was so fluffy she could hardly stand up.  Then of course we would laugh and she would try it again!  Good times!  There are so many memories I have of quilts that I've made and snuggled under, afghans that were made and given to us that we've used for years and years, and even big downy throws given by dear friends - but the one thing that never changes is the comfort that I always get from them.  It's almost like some sort of medicine for your soul because no matter what kind of a day you've had, mood you're in or where you are, there's just nothing like a good cozy snuggle under your favorite blankey.  You can almost feel the hug coming from inside the blanket and wrapping itself around you.  Some things you just can't beat!  I hope you have something wonderfully soft and fluffy in your world that makes you smile and I hope it's something you have great memories tied to because we all need a special cozy hug from time to time. 

All along the way

I started this a couple of months ago with just the ribbon string.  The more I looked at it, the more I wasn't sure what to do with it - so I did nothing (but look at it and shake my head).  When I ran out of paper over the weekend, I had to resort to finishing projects that were just lingering.  When I finished with this it reminded me of our recent road trip.  The road wound around through the mountains then the salt flats then we had snow and rain and if I think WAY back I think we had something called sunshine - it was a trip that covered a lot of scenery and elements.  So I guess the lesson is - if you have something you've started and can't quite put your finger on how to make it come together, just give it awhile and go back to it with fresh eyes and you might be surprised at the outcome.  Besides, who doesn't like surprises - especially when they come from your own creative hand!

Life as a tapestry

I grew up listening to Carole King, and one of my favorite albums (you know like a record - I know I'm dating myself) was the Tapestry album and I listened to the title song for hours and hours.  It always struck me as an odd song (I've never been very good at metaphors) but I do feel like our life really is like layers and layers of beautiful tapestry.  Like the song says, "an everlasting vision and ever changing views".  Over the course of our lives we stretch and grow and as a result of that our views change.  We think that we have our lives all figured out and then something happens that pulls the rug out from under us and before you know it - we're in a new place growing in a different direction - and that's hard!!  Even though it's scary and can be intimidating, I like that we don't always know what's ahead for us (and I'm a person who doesn't like change).  There is some comfort in knowing that things won't always turn out like we've planned (and boy am I a planner) because even though we hate to admit this, if we knew what was waiting down the road for us tomorrow, we probably would make different choices today.  But because of all the layers in our lives (the things we've gone through before), we have the resources to grow and change with confidence.  The comfort we find in our own tapestry today will make for a more beautiful one tomorrow.

Challenge 19 - Morris

I ran into a little delema this week - I RAN OUT OF JOURNAL PAPER!!!  I know you're asking yourself how could THAT have happened??  I don't know!!  I had a stack of journals but they ended up being all completed ones.  I guess I thought they were the empty ones, but when I went to look for a new one - nope!!!!  Aparently I'm keeping Strathmore in business (along with the rest of you tanglers).  I was so glad to see Lauras' Challenge this week had a dark background since all I had to get started on was black paper.  Whew did I luck out!!!    After my trip to Blick (and thank goodness for sales) I am back in business!!!  Who would have ever thought having pens and papers would become so vital to everyday life??!!  What a great (tangling) day this will be!!!

April Showers???

Since the saying goes "April showers bring May flowers", I think we're going to have a bumper crop of flowers this year!!!  April has been a wet and cold month but I see next week (the first week of May) that we're suppose to have sunny days in the 60-70's and did I mention SUN!!!  I don't know how your weather has been, but I know I'm ready to get on with some Springtime weather.  I even bought seeds to plant with Little Miss Thisorthat when she comes over later this week.  As I look through Flickr I see more and more floral patterns popping up, so I think we're in the full throngs of Spring (it just isn't acting like it here).  I love when the sun is shining and feels warm to your face, the sky is blue with white puffy clouds, when the flowers grow and the birds are chirping, when someone (not me but SOMEONE at my house) mows and the grass smells so fresh, and when the squirrels are running around everywhere - its wonderful!!  I hope you're having a fabulous springtime day and are finding ways to enjoy each day!