Spain- So Much Fun

We really didn't know exactly what to expect from our trip to Spain, but were pleasantly surprised at all the great things to see and do there. It was quite easy to get around, too.
We took all public transportation, and cabs, from time to time, and we navigated the cities with relative ease. First leg of the trip was 4 days in Madrid, then 3 in Barcelona, Valencia, for 4 more, and then back to Madrid for the final 3 !

We took in the major museums in Madrid, and saw the famous artwork, which is "my bag", but hubby, Bus, loves the museums and all the art, too !!

We walked the beach in Barcelona, and took the Metro to the beach (a five minute ride) in Valencia. That city was so fun, because the day manager at our hotel was so excited about his city, and shared that excitement with us.... So, we saw all of his recommendations, and then some !!! We stopped in all the beautiful squares, and parks for cerveza (beer) or wine, and they always serve you tapas (usually a free little appetizer) or we would eat a full-fledged meal. We both ate loads of seafood, since it is caught right there, and I, for one, had lots of calamari !

Guillermo, our hotel manager, had some great conversations with us, and promised to email me, I even took his picture, cause he for sure wanted me to paint him !!

The last 3 days in Madrid were in a completely different part of the city than where we were before. We stayed in a converted Palace, and had, what we figured, were 15 ft. ceilings in the rooms... we had a balcony which opened into the busy plaza, teeming with activities and people. We were within a block or two from the Plaza del Sol, with streets that have been closed to traffic, and loads of shops and restaurants, and mimes, of course.... I took a couple picture of them.

We had so much fun--- The combined 8 years of Spanish we had taken years ago was only a little bit helpful, but was enough of a help for Bus to pick up the newspaper, and read the articles on sports, getting the gist of the text..... I would recommend this trip and these cities to ALL of you-- if you are at all interested in Spain, DO IT ! You'll love it like we did !!

On our latest trip to Spain, I documented with pictures, but also, every night I journaled, and tried to use the scraps of this and that, as well as drawings of some of the memorable sights.... The finish of the book fell exactly in the right spot of the concertina fold reversible book I found at the thrift shop before I left. I first added a bit of watercolor, and used approximately one page per day...

I'll post photos later of our journey--- Buenas Dias !

More...

New (OLD) box with sectioned off treasures. This is for sale at Recycled Rose in Glendale.

NEW ARTWORK-

NEW Artwork... IMAGINE THAT !!!!

I know I've been bad about posting, and I promise to get back in the groove... It's just that we got a new computer, and I'll be darned, but I couldn't seem to get the hang of the picture processing thing, and so I got frustrated and let it slip.... I'M NOW DETERMINED TO FIGURE IT OUT-- even though it is still a bit confusing, and far as how to retrieve the pics....

Here are some of the newest cards I've been working on. Some are at Sue's shop in Glendale, on Sappington, "Recycled Rose" and there are a bunch more, too.... I've had a lot of fun with the old images and texts.... I love the old photos, too... I love to imagine the people in them and what their lives were like, and what they are thinking and doing.....

Here are a few pictures from the recent trip to visit Buff in San Francisco..... We had a great time, staying at the B and B which we have stayed at two other visits.. It's called the Grove, and is run by Claus, who is German, and very cordial.. We always have fun at his breakfast, where we meet people from around the globe... We met Russ, from Vienna, and Joel from Zurich, as well as a woman from Atlanta, and a nice couple from Michigan. We rented a car and went to some fun restaurants with Tracey. The first place she took us for lunch was so special. They are known for their Beignet (French doughnuts) and they were scrumptious. We went to the new San Francisco Science Center with a fabulous aquarium, and wonderful Earth Science displays and exhibits. We always have to have seafood at Alamo Square Grill one of the nights we are there. It's directly across the street from the Grove B and B, so that makes it so fun! Also, the highlight of our visit was going to Tracey's friends' house, Heidi and Jim, to listen to her cousin's wife serenade us with her classical guitar. She plays all around the world. She had just finished a concert in Los Angeles, and was on her way to Norway for a concert, so she was kind enough to stop by SF and entertain us. SHE WAS FABULOUS !!

A quilt for Madison

My nephew and his darling wife just had their first baby, a precious little girl... This is the quilt that I made for her. It's a bit larger than the others, which I think will come in handy when she gets a little older, and it's also a new pattern for me. I was pleased at the final result after Sally and quilter finished with it... the binding fabric was a lucky find- it matched well, I think.

Jimmy's birthday quilt

Our oldest son, Jimmy, had a birthday a few weeks ago. It was a gathering of family for the traditional crableg dinner, and 4 types of homemade cookies, rather than the birthday cake that most are accustomed to, but which were the request of the honoree.... We had a fun time, and I gave Jim the quilt that I had been making for him.
The quilt was made up of many Japanese style batik printed fabrics, in a masculine style of pattern and quilt stitching that will even stand up to the likes of Jim's dog, Castor, who has been known to lay himself down on the bed on occasion... I was happy with the results. It's a queen size, which is 90" x 108", and machine quilted.

Group pics @ Bella Vista

Fun time in Bella Vista

We had a fun time in Arkansas, with our old friend, Judi, and her new hubby Paul... We were privileged to meet new friends, Ellen and Gene, from North Carolina, and Bobbie and Mike, from California. We all had a week of golf, great food, great conversation, and a super get-together...
Thanks Judi and Paul, for including us--- we had a ball !


Ellen is very involved with a great organization called "Project Linus", which collects hand made blankets of all sorts (knitted, crocheted, quilted, etc.) to distribute to those in need... They do a great service, by giving a needy person a gift that shows that someone truly cares for them...
Ellen shared some very touching stories of the people she has met along her journey. We can all be inspired by her dedication and commitment.....

Bye Bye Guys !!

Graduation stimulated me to give out some portraits as graduation gifts... I will miss looking at the faces on my studio walls... They have become part of my environment, but the paintings have served their purpose, and "schooled " me in the art of the portrait, so they must be on their way !!!
All the recipients were delighted with their gift, and the best gift to me was the fact I learned that three, YES, actually 3 !!! of my former students, who I painted, WILL GO TO COLLEGE TO BECOME ART TEACHERS !!! WOW ! It made my day, and year !!


Yeah, Mehlville High--- I loved being part of the lives of the students and faculty there ~~

Spring Cleaning ?

Me and my sis worked for almost 6 hours on our booth at the Antique Mall. We rearranged, straightened, cleaned out loads of stuff, and generally spruced the place up !! Lin rearranged the upper shelf to create a theme, using vintage aluminum on most and childrens things , too. It looks great, I think. Somehow, moving things around seems to stimulate sales.... Hope it works !

On September 30, 2008, the unthinkable happened at Mehlville Senior High School. A darling, smart, sweet, and beautiful girl, named Ashley Marsters collapsed an died from a severe heart condition. She was sitting in her art class, in room 345, with fellow students, and her teacher, Kristen Kleyer. Ashley had previously been diagnosed with a heart condition, but her parents were told that she could not be operated on for it until she reached 18 years old.
Of course, the family, students, and faculty were in shock, with counselors trying to help grieving fellow classmates. The students and teachers decided to commission a portrait of Ashley and raised the money by collecting donations. I was asked to paint the portrait. I knew that it would be difficult, since I had never met Ashley, to obtain the type of "likeness" that would be required for this very special painting. Several photographs were sent to me, only one of which was suitable, but it contained two other people. I worked for quite awhile on the painting, and had to combine several images to finalize the hair, since much was covered in the photo I was using...
After finishing it, I had it framed in a frame which I thought would be a nice compliment to the portrait. I thought the piece should be presented to the parents- Ready to Hang...
It was a very solemn occasion, but a rewarding one. Meeting her parents and older brother, David, was a privilege.
I was most satisfied with the comments from her father, brother and mom who said it looked exactly like her. It was my foremost goal.
I felt good being a part of this, and watching the outpouring of love from the students, teachers and administration for this family. It also gave her family an opportunity to tell some stories and memories of their beautiful daughter to the people who had gathered at Mehlville High School to honor her.