i was just waiting

for permission to get started again.

in fact, i've missed my studio so much

i slept in it

once i had rediscovered it.

show and tell soon.

{re}construct

change is a naughty miracle

a bewitched looking glass

a drunken spell uttered while asleep

a dare to the gremlins

creeping in the lingerie

clinking tin cans with their chandelier shards

still, a flight plan emerging

headlight's breath clearing

soft words become echos quite brighter than might

and the change becomes changeling

living and learning

breathing and yearning

till the next naughty night

collaging in bed

one of my favorite indulgences is lounging in endless down comforters, snuggling in my pajamas and nesting for a good long while. of course, this requires that you bring the rest of the world with you in bed in order to keep functioning. lap tops are usually close at hand. remotes. baby bottles.

so what else? breakfast in bed is certainly lovely. dinner in bed is even guiltier. one hilarious book on your reading list really should be 'the eating in bed cookbook' by Barbara Ninde Byfield (published back in the 60's and sadly hard to find these days.) but the creme de'absolute creme of en-snuggle indulgences for me is collaging in bed.

i'd be lying if i said i wasn't jealous of all those knitters and needle point wizards who always have a project nicely on their lap whether on a plane, at the hospital waiting room, through their son's piano lessons. (mom i point my finger at you) . seriously, why doesn't a collage artist get to carry their wares on various field trips... or at least as far as the bedroom?

perhaps because it is a delicate and precarious adventure indeed. this is not for the novice nester. nor for the novice collager. and i must admit that for any serious collage work i much prefer my studio with a vast array of magic potions on hand to work the canvas on a whim.

still, there are a few special projects that lend themselves beautifully to the surroundings of pillows, blankets, and sleeping babies laying beside you as you work. my latest soiree involved a valentines day banner made of formica samples. here's how i did it.

the only rule to collaging in bed is to respect the scope and scale of all materials involved. in the same way that i'd bring food on a little tray - all of my materials must fit nicely on one tray. this is perhaps the most difficult task of the entire adventure - limiting oneself to just a few pieces, and a few techniques. tho i do love a challenge.


on this project i only allowed myself scraps that might have otherwise been thrown away. nothing from the larger drawers of supplies. in this case, i quite literally took pieces that were on the floor of my studio. i like trying it from time to time because it reminds me how something so little, or forgotten can make such a huge beautiful statement.

beyond the scraps, paint, glue, and brushes, i needed little canvases. i have been very lucky to come across a 300+ collection of tiny formica samples. these are perfect little canvases for an odd little project. as valentines day is approaching, i decided a few of these could partner together to form a little banner of lovely tidings.

so, with the tray stocked, the idea hatched, and the nest surrounding me, i set to play on the little magic canvases. and i seem to have only reinforced my urge to indulge in this vice...

so knitters, needle pointers, jewelry divas? i fear you not. dmv, urgent care, pta meetings, here i come.

rainforest cure

it has been cold here.

actually, i really don't mind cold. i live in a lucky age where we flit quickly from perfect environments and only expose ourselves to the frigid for a second. sometimes the discomfort is exciting.

but after a few weeks, the dull bone ache of gray winter with 20 below weather starts to sink in deep and steal peace. i've been growing weary of it. it has drained me of my life force, weakening me to sickness. and so i had an idea.

i sought out the jungle.



we have the most lovely place right at our door step. i mean, its really unbelievable actually. it turns out - in the middle of a bitter january wind - one can enter into a secret garden with arid air, mysterious unknown plants with leaves as big as prehistoric days, odd palms you have to crane your neck to see. its a truly magical place. and its right here, a few minutes away.

after an hour walking amid the friendly plants and glorious goldfish i was surprised. i felt better: healthy, happy, alive. a thirsty shrub that got a good long drink, and perked right up. so much so that i was amazed my doctor had never suggested it before.


then, another happy accident happened to me this afternoon. i should maybe first mention that i have been really sick. dreadfully sick and on round the clock warming liquid cold medicine which i bought so much of that the woman at target made me present my id to prove i wasn't making something nefarious out of it. ahem.

so between coughing fits, diaper changes, and one sad load of laundry, i've been hiding under the covers trying to recuperate. the jungle was a happy reprieve. but i needed another shot in the arm - and my labradors answered the call.



i didn't even mean to. the thought hadn't really occurred to me yet. or maybe it had, but my cold medicine head hadn't let it sink in. either way, i just sort of walked over to the leashes, put on my boots and was half way down the street before i realized that the dogs were taking me for a full on snow filled romp. the weather lifted today a full 40 degree swing leaving it balmy, sparkly, full. the dogs pulled me from one tree to the next showing me for the second time this weekend how much joy can be found in the plants around us. we made snow angels. we stared at the sky. we twisted ourselves among the trees.

anyway it was magical. it filled me with life. and i am, in fact, exhausted. but happy. full. and struck with an amazing appreciation for trees, plants, growth, animals, friends, family, life.

imaginary home - dream 342-B

in my imaginary home, i have a nursery with an entire wall that is an aquarium. no need for a nightlight, the calm blue light of coral, rock and water will be enough to soothe and see. giant fish of all colors. gorgeous music. floor to ceiling the fish swim by.

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