Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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Not that I would ever try to give anyone fashion advice, but if I were to give advice I’d say, “Get a yellow trench coat.”

If you wear a yellow trench coat, you will get compliments wherever you go. I have field-tested this advice, and it works.

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A couple weeks ago, we debuted our first episode of Mini-Me Theatre, and we thank you for the wonderful reception. One thing we didn’t anticipate was how many of our new readers didn’t know about Twinkie, our kitty. Granted, Twinkie doesn’t get much blog time. She is 17-years-old and content to hangout in the background and take a nap.

It took a lot of picture-taking to get this one horrible picture.

I updated the first Mini-Me Theatre post, explaining who Twinkie is and linking to the three previous posts we did on Twinkie. If you’d like to know more about Twinkie, you can read about her here, here and here. 

Twinkie does not like her picture taken and is very illusive.

Another question was, “Can a Greyhound live with a kitty?” It depends on the Greyhound. Some Greyhounds can’t live with kitties or small dogs. They will always think of anything small and moving as prey. Some Greyhounds are “correctable.” They can be taught that kitties and small dogs live with them and they are not allowed to chase or act aggressive towards them. Some Greyhounds could care less and live easily with kitties and small dogs. Freedom, Casper and Nikki all fall into the last category. That being said, although I trust them with Twinkie inside, I don’t allow them to be outside with kitties or small dogs, and if a small dog visits, I supervise them closely.

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Here’s what’s happening in my studio…

I’m taking a break from painting and crafting for the next two weeks, but I did have one of my cardmaking clubs on Thursday, so I have a few new cards to show.

This card is easy to make if you have a Sizzix machine. A Sizzix machine is used to emboss and/or die-cut paper. That’s how I made the butterflies. Imagine how many different color combinations this card could be made in.

This card also features an embossed background, but the butterfly shapes were made using paper punches.

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Today is Mother’s Day in the United States. My mother is still alive and a blessing to me, and although she is and has been a primary influence in my life, I am the product of many mothers. That reminded me of a beautiful, heartfelt article I read by Vinita Hampton Wright called Mother without child: A Mother’s Day reflection that was printed in the May 2010 issue of U.S. Catholic magazine. The author does not have biological children and much of the article deals with her feelings on that subject, but it is the article’s final portion I was particularly reflecting on this Mother’s Day. The author states, “Motherhood has to do with protecting life while it’s in formation,” and it is this spirit that touches me deeply and has benefited me my whole life through so many different women.

So to all the women who have been my mothers, I say “thank you.” I wouldn’t be who I am without you, and may I too carry the spirit of motherhood to all those whose lives I touch.

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Every week, I take you on an Artist Date with me. The Artist Date comes from the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Generally, Artist Dates are time alone, but I did last week’s Artist Date with a friend…the Long Grove Chocolate Festival in Long Grove, Illinois.

We went as a bus trip organized by our local school system’s community education program.

Long Grove is northwest of Chicago and Illinois’ first historic district.

This is from the village’s website…”When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, many journeyed on to the Great Lakes area for its good farmland, abundant woodlands, and plentiful game. The crossroads in Long Grove developed where two Indian trails crossed. One trail ran northwest from the Chicago portage along the Des Plaines River through Buffalo Grove and Long Grove. The other trail came southwest from the Lake Michigan shore and continued through Long Grove to the Fox River.”

Long Grove was primarily settled by German immigrant families in the mid-1800’s.

That heritage is evident in Long Grove Cemetery where many of the headstones bear German names and inscriptions.

Everywhere in Long Grove, history is honored. The portion of the cemetery that faces the road has some of the older fencing and entry.

The portion of the cemetery that faces the church is no longer fenced, but a gate has been preserved.

Long Grove also has a covered bridge that spans a stream…

…and many beautiful natural places.

The old village’s buildings largely house shops and restaurants, but the quaint village atmosphere still exists.

Everywhere you go there is something interesting to look at. This bronze sculpture is called “Afternoon in the Park,” sculpted by Mark Lundeen.

Spring flowers were blooming and gorgeous.

We had lunch at The Village Tavern which has been in operation as a tavern since 1849 and is thought to be the oldest continuously operated tavern in Lake County, Illinois. During Prohibition the tavern became an ice cream parlor.

We also went to Sweet Whimsy Pastry Shoppe where I had my very first macaroons. I hope they are not my last…yum, yum.

If you have a chance to visit Long Grove, Illinois…say “yes!”

This is my second visit to Long Grove Village. You can check out last year’s trip here.

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Every Friday, I share a poem. Friday is also the day I post a prompt of something you can do to make the world a kinder place. I call this the Kind is Kool challenge.

I offer both the poem and the kindness challenge without any obligation, so “Comments” are turned off every Friday. Enjoy.

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To-Day

I love this age of energy and force,
Expectantly I greet each pregnant hour;
Emerging from the all-creative source,
Supreme with promise, imminent with power.
The strident whistle and the clanging bell,
The noise of gongs, the rush of motored things
Are but the prophet voices which foretell
A time when thought may use unfettered wings.

Too long the drudgery of earth has been
A barrier ‘twixt man and his own mind.
Remove the stone, and lo! the Christ within;
For He is there, and who so seeks shall find.
The Great Inventor is the Modern Priest.
He paves the pathway to a higher goal.
Once from the grind of endless toil released
Man will explore the kingdom of his soul.

And all this restless rush, this strain and strife,
This noise and glare is but the fanfarade
That ushers in the more majestic life
Where faith shall walk with science, unafraid.
I feel the strong vibrations of the earth,
I sense the coming of an hour sublime,
And bless the star that watched above my birth
And let me live in this important time.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1903)

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Kind is Kool Challenge

Week 18 Challenge – Take a photo of something…you, your family, a pet, something pretty…print it off and send it to someone in a card or letter.

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Every Monday, I post a painting “inspiration.” Every Thursday, I post how I interpreted the inspiration. I decided to do this to keep myself painting, to strengthen how I go from an idea to a painting, and to give myself permission to play and try new things.

I’ve REALLY been struggling when it comes to painting or doing anything creative. Sometimes, you just have to work your way through it; other times, you need to take a break. I need to take a break. So, for the next two weeks, I’m not going to do any painting or crafting. Now I’m probably lying a little…for instance, I have one of my cardmaking clubs tonight, but as much as I can, I’m going to take a break and see if I can clear my head. I’ll pick it up again on May 27. I’ll still be blogging, just no painting or crafting.

How to be HAPPY!

Every Thursday, Jay of The Depp Effect, posts something that makes her happy, and I’m playing along. She encourages us to look around and notice the things that make us happy. I enjoy this challenge because it makes me consider the things that make me happy, but are easily overlooked. It’s a wonderful exercise in attention and gratitude. Please grab the badge and join in.

Here’s something that makes me happy…E-READER BOOK SAMPLES.

Since I’m taking a little break, maybe I’ll do some reading. I love all things “book-ish,” and that includes my Nook e-reader. One thing I love about an e-reader is the ability to download a “sample” of a book before deciding to purchase it. Generally, the sample is about 10 pages, but I find that’s often enough to help me decide if I’m interested. It’s like having an entire bookstore at my fingertips. Heaven!

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Every month, I’m looking around at all the things I use the most, to make sure those are my “best” things. This series was inspired by my friend, Amy, who noticed that some of the ickiest things she owned were the things she used the most. She wanted to change that to make sure that her every day life was filled with beautiful, functional things. This inspired me to take a look around and make sure that I wasn’t saving “the best” for days that rarely come.

This month, I’ve identified the area I want to upgrade, but would like your opinion…on socks.

Do you have a trusted sock brand? I’d love to hear about your favorites and any recommendations.

I do an “Every Day Ugly” post on the second Wednesday of every month. I would love to have you join me. If you have some horrible thing that you make beautiful, send me a picture or pictures and tell me about it at whatremainsnow@gmail.com.

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Last Tuesday, my friend and I went to see Pain & Gain. So why am I mentioning this on Tuesday when I normally talk about Greyhounds? Because a Blogville friend had a starring role…Seven of Never Say Never Greyhounds.

Seven starred as Tasty Reuben. Jennifer’s posts about making the movie are fascinating and fun. You can check them out here.

Pain & Gain is an intense, unusual movie that may not suit those who are sensitive to language and violence. I found it very interesting and disturbing, as most black comedies are. If you love film and popular culture, it will give you plenty to talk about.

Seven…I’m so proud of you. Well done. You are a superstar!

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Here’s what’s been happening in my studio…

I’m taking the next several weeks to finish up an old project…four mini quilts and four matching dolls. This week, I finished up The Seedy Lady mini quilt.

This Week’s Inspiration

In 2013, I’m doing Inspiration Mondays and Results Thursdays. Every Monday, I’ll post a painting “inspiration” and then on Thursdays, I’ll post how I’m interpreting that inspiration.

Last week’s (and this week’s) inspiration comes from Kirsten of Peaceful dog…SEASHELLS. Here’s how far along I am.

I’m in a bit of a painting slump. Hopefully I’ll get more done this week.