Bracelets Galore

 Greys

 Peridot greens

 Saphire blue mix

 Saphire pearl

 Tanzanite silver

 Tanzanite amthyst

 6 spirals

 black copper

 

 

Here are some of the bracelets I am currently completing.  First one was the black/copper.  I did not complete the saphire/pearl as it wasn't a pleasing combination to me.  If I teach this bracelet I will make up kits to keep it simple for students.  As you can see they each take on a different look depending on what is used in combination.

 



Paint the Beach Highlights

 Gala Crowd

 Demo pastel painting

 Quick Draw winner Neil Walling w Georgia

 

 

Paint the Beach was a great success with 51 artists registered to participate.  They all had fun working on their visions of the town in spite of rain and windy days.  The challenge is to create a work of art working outside the studio and most rose to the occasion producing beautiful paintings. 

 

The gala was well attended with delicious food and beautiful music.  Judge Kevin Dean chose varied medias and styles for the awards, well deserved.  Saturday's quick draw was a 2 hour painting challenge and all enjoyed the venue of Times Square.  Many had visitors peering over their shoulders and ended up selling the paintings to them at the end.  I did a pastel of our sponsor Al Durrett's dog Grady and gave it to him for a thank you gift.

 

 

Everyone is already talking about "next year" so that means our time was well spent.  Now to get back to "normal" and do a bit of painting myself.   I will focus on pastels which I will take to France in the spring.  Plus my ego was boosted by winning an Honorable Mention for the pastel of Pilgrim Haven Preserve Beach  (Lake Michigan)   ..a first from FMBAA for pastel.

Paint the Beach Submissions-Deleted!

 



Catching Up....

Thanks to all the hard work this summer and Jeff's hard campaigning..as well as his great qualifications, Getting for Prosecutor was a super success and won the day!!

The win wasn't finalized until early on Wednesday morning but his opponent conceeded to Jeff's victory.  Now he will begin his plan for the prosecutor's office and take some time to spend with his family.

Thanks to everyone who helped walk in parades, post signs, wear t-shirts around, attend events and especially my earring makers!!

We are currently in the midst of the Paint the Beach event here in Florida.  Two days of painting have passed with varied weather.  Artists learned to paint between rain drops on the first day but enjoyed mostly sun yesterday.  I have completed two paintings which I will critique then frame today.  Tomorrow will be spent at the tent as the paintings are returned by the artists and judged.  Big party tomorrow evening and more events on Saturday.  I'll post a few photos as I can.

Gold and Silver

A short trip to Hamilton, Ohio brought me to a house I hadn't seen in over 30 years.  Standing there was a woman that I lost touch with over the years but who had been a dear friend way back in high school, pre George, and through my early marriage.  Although on the outside we both had changed with the passing years, inside we were still the two girls who enjoyed visiting art museums, making our own art, reading good books, laughing  and enjoying life in general.  

We spent the two days catching up with each other, eating some good food and enjoying wine from our own Kalamazoo wineries.  We visited a gallery, art stores, local craft stores and toured the Cincinatti area.  I remembered visiting there back in the 60s and seeing a wonderful Shakesperean production in the round.

She and I plan to stay in touch and visit again.  Perhaps in Florida and surely in Michigan and Ohio.  We will make paste paper, paint,  take walks, do collage and reconnect once again.  I am sad that we lost those years in between, but so very glad that we have found each other again.   What is that old Brownie Scout saying....Make new friends but keep the old..one is silver and one is gold.  I am so blessed to have a wealth of gold and silver friends!!

Bracelet Project in Progress

Dale and I recently took a class to learn how to make this bracelet called Cellini Spiral.  Although it looks complicated, it is actually the different size beads which make the interesting design.  Most difficult is keeping the rows correct.  The twist occurs as the beading continues.  I've not put the clasps on yet.  Two more are in the works.

A Beautiful Painting Day......

Last Saturday I joined the PAAWM group to paint at Pilgrim Haven Preserve on Lake Michigan near South Haven.  It was an absolutely beautiful day there with only a tiny breeze for most of the morning.  I set up my easel on the beach and enjoyed using my pastels to capture the lake shore vista.  This property is part of the SW Michigan Land Conservancy and to celebrate the recent acquisition they invited their members to visit and watch as the artists painted throughout the property.  High on the bluff the land is wooded with a stream meandering through and down to the lake.  Our group paints regularly on the conservancy properties and they then select a group of paintings to become the calendar for the year.  One day I hope to have one of mine chosen..but first I need to get them entered!!

I left about 1:30 but many of the artists continued happily painting away.  A bit too hot and windy on the beach by then for me!!!

A few more earrings.....

With the jewelry equipment ready and waiting I find myself working at odd hours to create just a few more earrings.  Using Dale's hammer I have bent and pounded wire to create some of the favorite styles.  Most of them are unique but a few have been repeated because they are favorites with the "girls".  Silver sells best.  A few "special orders" have been fun to make too.

 

Booked the flight to France for 2013 and busy practicing my French once more.  May be back to Italy in 2014 with the KIA.  Wonderful wonderful!!   I am very lucky!!!

A Hot and Happy 4th of July

Here in Portage we were roasting more than corn!  The temp hit 101 here at the lake!!  In spite of the heat the Getting for Prosecutor met on time for the parades both in Schoolcraft and Richland.  The float in Schoolcraft was huge with a big sign about 12' in the air.  We definately stood out from the crowd!!   Kids rode the float and waved flags and the rest of us walked along handing out candy bags (with logo on it of course), candy, and campaign material for Jeff.  At the end we were all hot, sweaty and in need of shade..and glad that the parade was over!!!

 

Back at the lake the boys swam and paddleboated, I piloted the pontoon around the lake..fast, to cool off.  We came back to the dock to find Kris in the water with Ranger.  A barbeque, tubing and watching the fireworks around the lake ended the day, before mosquitos made us take cover. 

 

Hope everyone had a glorious 4th...what a great country..aren't we lucky to live in the USA!!

Plein Air Kalamazoo

Today I spent time sitting on the sidewalk happily painting away with my watercolors.  This cute new cafe caught my eye with the flowers and bicycle looking so very French!  In the window a maniquin was dressed in a cupcake paper dress...very cute.

 

Although I broke my water spritzer, wrestled with the easel (which didn't work for watercolor), hated the paper I had chosen, and more excuses...the owner of the store loved it and bought the painting!!  So a very good day indeed.

I am also talking with her about doing an Art Hop show next summer displaying my landscape collages. 

 

Rain had been predicted, which was why I used watercolors,  and began to fall about 2..so I called it a day.

 

Our little group of painters met for refreshments and discussion at 3 and talked of next year's event, possibly more into evening.  Many ideas were tossed around but all of us agreed that it was a great way to spend the day!!

Painting at Walnut Hill Farm

Painting at the farm on Wednesday was a wonderful way to spend the day.  The farm itself has many vistas to paint as well as gardens.  Heirloom roses are ripe with blossoms and ready for their portraits.  I chose the barn and silo across the street with the flowers in the foreground to add color.  The painting is still in progress but will be posted once complete.

 

Joyce served us a gourmet lunch of cucumber/feta soup and spinach pie, mint lemonade and individual trifles with fruit and liquour for dessert.  This was served outside under the shade.  We can expect a new menu next week...mediterranean I think!

 

 

An Invitation......

This is the invitation postcard for the fundraiser/meet & greet we are hosting in July.  I will be mailing and emailing invitations in a couple of weeks.   Art will be an interesting mix from Joanne, Dale and myself.

Tomorrow I will be at a plein air workshop at Walnut Hill Farm in Bangor Mi for the day.  Three full days of just painting with a gourmet lunch.  Lovely!!!    Am a bit rusty but hopefully will remember how to wield the pastels.

Earrings are starting to sell!!

Campaign Work...

Here are some of the earrings we created last week.  We have begun to sell them and are hoping to run out!!  It was fun to work together and I really appreciated the help.  Thanks Joanne, Dale and Marilynn!!

Today I spent the day making a table covering and centerpiece for the booth at the event in Kalamazoo this weekend.  Jeff and Kris will man the booth with information and talk.  Sewing buntings on to a tablecloth is not that easy!!   But the centerpiece will be fun with red, white and blue pinwheels and flags!!

Looks like the date of the fundraiser will be changed....will post here once confirmed.

G out and about more so things are slowly getting done, especially if he can work in the shade!!

Old photo Sydney Bridge as ship sails

Lend us your ears.....Earring Project

Today my friends Dale, Marilynn and Joanne are coming over to help with this earring project of mine.  Goal is to have 100 pairs to sell and donate the funds to the Citizens for Jeffrey Getting.  Jeff is running for Kalamazoo County Prosecutor.

Earrings are all hand made from findings and beads.  Each set is usually unique.  They will sell for $15. each.  I will be happy to mail them out to any one out of state!!

As always, we have turned this project day into a little party.  Lunch with a glass of wine for inspiration!!

Catching up at the lake.....

Bouchart Gardens, Vancouver Island

Digeridoos

These photos were taken on the Pacific adventure and hope to show some of the incredible beauty  that was everywhere.  Bouchart gardens was magnificent and beautifully done.  The digeridoos were hand made by Aborigines and painted in their native style.  These humble hollowed logs became a thing of beauty.   Flock Hill farm in New Zealand had panoramic views of mountains and grassland .

Sunset photo is from the dining room...not sure where.  Can you see the big snake in the rainforest stream?  Longboats in Fiji prior to us boarding for the trip up the river.  Rocks on the shore of Australia with seals lounging nearby.  Water in Tasmania that looks like a painting done by one of our Experimental painters.  And finally a forest in Tasmania with leichen covered trees and mossy banks creating a fairyland effect.

Here at the lake we are working to get organized for the fundraiser here on July 14 for son in law candidate for Kalamazoo County Prosecutor.  It is slow going for me as G is not much help at this point.  His shingles have healed up but his eye is swollen and out of focus and cannot take light.  Still the headache at times.  This has been very hard on a non stop guy like him.

I walked the the first parade yesterday and will do another on the 4th.  This whole political process is interesting and exciting, and exhausting for all involved.  I hope Jeff wins as he really is the best!!

The painting  called "The Fire Within" shown here did get into the ISEA show and I am very pleased that it will be on display in the fall.

Happy painting to all my artist friends!!

Home again Home again......

The Vancouver afternoon was damp and cool but the hop on hop off bus took us around the city to see enough to make us want to visit again in warmer weather.  First hop off was at Stanley Park where I hoped to see some totem poles and walk around the sea wall.  Everyone we talked to said to visit this park.  But the rain was steady and we were cold and did not continue..hope to return when the sun comes out later.   Next stop, Grandville Island and we grabbed a bite to eat at the Pacific Coast Cooking school restaurant.  Nice food but slow, guess the chefs were still learning!!, and windy due to door opening every 5 seconds!!  Their main dining area was really nice with a 3 course meal for $19.  No time for that today.  At that point George gave up and went back to room and rest.

Market was fun and of course full of more restaurants.  Dale and I found a bead store that distracted us until Dennis came to pull us away.  Awesome amount of beads!!!  A little chocolate and a lot of photos and then to the bus.  George would have loved the wharf area and tiny water taxis that are really pontoons dressed up. (photos later when we get them downloaded)

Over the bridges and through Chinatown to Gastown and our next stop.  Guide said souvenirs and it was crammed with shops.  This is where Vancouver started and architecture was interesting as were the many visitors.  Still cold and damp...hot drinks..buttered rum and Irish coffee perked us up a bit.  Enough so D&D decided we should walk back to the hotel..about a 40 min walk through the city.  We saw the nice shopping, art galleries and centers, the court house and a more seedy area at the outskirts.  I called it a day and picked up George for a dinner at the hotel while D&D left again walking to a Japanese restaurant which they enjoyed.

Last day G awoke to say..I'm not going to Vancouver Island but will find a doctor.  After a breakfast he set off in a taxi and the rest of us were picked up for the tour.  Bus took us to a ferry for a ride to Vancouver Island.  He toured around the city to show us where to go, first tiny Chinatown, shopping, Parliament buildings, museum, waterfront.  All was interesting and about 20 min walk apart.  Den went to Chinatown first and Dale and I raced to Emily Carr's birthplace.  It was a very quick visit but we are fascinated by the artist and her life and works.  More research later.  Then we raced up the street to Chinatown and quickly enjoyed the city before racing back down to meet the bus with just enough time to photograph totem poles at the museum.  Crazy.  Victoria is lovely and quaint and everyone should spend at least a whole day here..not 2 hours!!!!

Last stop was Butchart Gardens.  Incredible!!!  is the only word.  Beautiful landscapes and millions of tulips and azaleas.  Photos don't do it justice.  The sun actually came out for the first time here so we could enjoy this beautiful place.  Another place to visit again to see the gardens, more of Emily Carr and the museum, and to learn more of the First Nations tribes and their work.

Ferry ride back was nice and scenery lovely.  Much like other coasts with many islands covered with pines and bordered by glacial rocks.  We spied a few seals swimming but no whales.

Back to hotel at 9 where we found G resting and tending to his now diagnosed shingles.  Ugh, it is in the upped quadrant of his face, eye and up into his forehead and hair.  Looks like he was punched in the face with the eye swollen and red.  Meds to help, but very painful.  He should have seen the ships doc a few days ago.  Guess we all should have the shingles vaccine..this is painful!!

So we are happy to be home for many reasons.  We look forward to seeing the family again..it has been ages.  I missed my grandchildren and wished I could show them what we were seeing first hand.  It will be slow getting back into routines ..haven't even begun to unpack or shop.  And I am still rocking with the ship!!!!

Photos to follow in the next few days...M

On Dry Land Again!!

Today we left our home away from home and came back to semi reality..no more fine dinners, cabin stewards picking up our towels and making our beds, no entertainment after dinner or endless amusements and adventured.  At least until the next time we step aboard a ship!!  

 

Vancouver seems to be a lovely city..nicer if it were clear and sunny which we are hoping for this afternoon.  Meanwhile we are checked into the hotel for a couple of nights and are getting ready to do a bit more sightseeing.  George has a cold and Dale is fighting one, Dennis recovering from his.  ...Only I have not succumbed so far.  Fingers crossed as they are all dragging.

 

Tomorrow we will visit Vancouver Island but today hope to get on the hop on hop off bus to tour the city and visit Stanley Park which all say to see.  I hope to see some of the totem poles painted by Emily Carr and perhaps tomorrow visit her home.  Now off to the city!!

Oahu Photos

Hilo, Hawaii

We sailed into our last port of Hilo and found the Osterdam waiting for us.  The town buzzed with all the new tourists and buses required to tour them around.  Our little group gathered for a trip up the coast to view waterfalls and caves and lastly a black sand beach.  The scenery was beautiful as we passed the shores and learned about the flora and fauna in this area.  Hawaii is the largest island and has every climate of the tropics here, including live volcanoes.  These we only saw in the distance but walked upon the cold lava flows and climbed down into a lava tube.  Very rough terrain to walk on but beautiful to see.  The waterfalls were spectacular and photos do not do them justice.  (but these people should see Niagara Falls!!!)  We had all hoped to do more hiking on this tour but ended up on the beach looking for turtles, seals and fish among the surf.

 

Hilo market drew Dale and I to the jewelry stalls again while Dennis walked on and George went back for lunch and dry clothes.(he had gone swimming at the last beach)  The town is small and we did not wish to visit either Hilo Hattie's or Walmart!!   so returned to the ship a bit early for refreshing drinks and snacks.  Our only lunch (except George) had been small bananas, macadamia nuts, yum, and coconut milk drinks while on tour. 

 

Now five days at sea to while away.  We will continue our card tournament, girls ahead!!, read, work on our beading and art projects, attend the letures on history, travel, computers or culinary adventures.  There is really something for everyone!!  Next stop...Vancouver , Victoria and hopefully a long suspension bridge to hike across!!

 

Aloha

Honolulu

A couple days at sea to relax again with only  few events.  I participated in the On Deck for the Cure 5K walk and enjoyed the exercise.  What a challenge to walk on the windy and wet deck while remaining upright!  I walked with a woman from Queensland, holding her hand to help steady her gait.  She had broken her leg in 5 places and walked a bit crooked.  We chatted the whole time and I learned of her amazing plans of 3 months traveling around the world now that she and her husband are retired.  At the end of the walk she gave me her recipe for Anzac cookies which we have all learned to like.  These were made to send to the soldiers during the war and are very hardy for shipping.

 

Honolulu looked much like it did on our last visit here in 2000.  For today the four of us went in different directions.  Dale to hike Diamondhead and find the International market, Dennis to Pearl Harbor and George and I to rent a car and drive around the island visiting beaches.  We met back at the small market along the pier after a successful day of exploring.  We  had stopped at many beautiful places and beaches but did not have enough time to spend at any one of them unfortunately.  Dale found treasures at the market and Dennis was moved at the memorial.

 

We sailed at 6 for Hawaii, far too soon we thought.  Hilo will be our last stop before Vancouver and we look  forward to an adventure there.

Fanning Island, Kiribati

After two days sailing we have arrived at the atoll of Fanning Island or Tabuaeran.  Very few have been here as it is isolated and very small.  The island was created by coral formations around a volcano which then eroded away.  We had to tender in as the ocean is 17,000 feet deep here and we cannot anchor nor can the ship enter the lagoon.  Residents were waiting to sing, dance and show their wares to the third cruise ship of the year to visit.  Only one more is expected in the fall.  The only other means of livelihood is coconuts  and seaweed.  The land is only a few feet above sea level and is in great danger of the rising seas and storms.  Islanders may move away eventually. 

Unfortunately the squalls showered us all with rain most of our time on Fanning.  We watched the tiny hula dancers and listened to lovely singing, walked among the breadfruit trees, coconut palms and small pigs which roamed about.  The baskets and jewelry made by island women was nice and Dale and I were happy to help the economy by purchasing some to take home.  Some from the ship brought school supplies and clothing to donate here.

There is no electricity or plumbing and very little foodstuff.

After waiting for some time for the rain to stop we finally gave up our quest to walk the beach and returned to the ship. We were sad not to see this island on a sunny day as it looks like paradise.  But a warm shower and dry clothes felt great!  We will play some cards later and then enjoy a supper in the Italian restaurant aboard.

Yesterday we crossed the equator and the crew held a ceremony for those crew members who were first timers.  Fun to watch!!  We have received certificates saying we crossed as well.  Today is the 23 and so is tomorrow!!  due to date line crossing a couple of times.  By the time we reach Hawaii I am not sure what the date will be!!...I think the 25th???

Samoa Pictures

Samoa

Our arrival in Samoa began with a beautiful sunset seen from our veranda.  What a wonderful way to start the day.  George brought coffee and we drank as we gazed at the sun rising over the islands.  Two tugs guided the ship through the coral reef guarding the harbour.  A longboat arrived with dancers and singers to welcome us to Samoa.

 

After a good breakfast we met our tour to Tafa Tafa Beach and boarded a bus with a lei around our necks.  Guide Joel talked about the sights as we made our way around then over the mountains to the beach.  Waterfalls again were flowing through the green forest.  Beautiful.   I noted the open sided building that were vary frequent along the road, interspersed with small houses.  Joel told us that these were the typical home for the people.  Much more suitable for the hot and humid climate and that they were still used.  "modern" homes offered more privacy but the traditional was much more comfortable.  We saw them with furniture, curtains and beds all along the road side.

 

The beach was finally reached after about 90 minutes of driving over narrow roads.  Lovely black sand beach with Falafa's for us to use. (covered raised floor huts)  We walked the beach and sampled the local beer and fruit and waded into the warm waters for a swim.  After rinsing off with local fresh water we boarded the bus again for the short ride to a family land where we watched the food come out of the fire pit and coconuts husked.  All was there for us to eat.  I tried bread fruit which tasted like bland yams.  some butter and seasoning would have helped the taste.  We found cocoa tree and cinnamon tree and tasted the fruits.  Again a beautiful waterfall was in sight. Amazing to live in view of such beauty.

 

Back to the ship again Dale and I perused the small market set up.  I spent all my samoa talfa on native jewelry. George wonders how much I can need...need is not the question here at all of course!!  Nothing expensive, just native creations that I find interesting.  We sat on deck and heard the band play as we sip drinks and watch the ship sail from Samoa.  Dinner and a show then three sea days to enjoy.

 

Love to all...M

Fiji!!!

We all had to pinch ourselves that we were really in Fiji..a place we hoped to see one day.  The ship docked in Suva, the capital, which was a port city with all the ugliness that goes along with shipping.  The culture now relies on tourism ...many years ago they would have eaten us!!  Few have cars so there were busses everywhere.  If the seats are all filled people sit on your knees as no one is allowed to stand.  No springs and no air conditioning!!  and very bumpy roads.

 

Our little group took a long busride to a small place on the Nuvo river where we boarded long boats with motors.  Seven to a boat.  We road up the river, muddy and swift, along the mountains and rainforest.  Fijians fished along the river or swam but all waved and shouted Bula!! or hello.  It was very beautiful with waterfalls streaming down and rapids to cross occasionally.  After about an hour of riding we reached another rushing stream that we followed by footpath to the source.  A high rushing waterfall running across rocks to the river.  again very picturesque and beautiful.  We waded rather than swam but some braved the cold.  As we left the falls the sun came out and remained with us for the rest of the day.  Very unusual in this rainy season.  We felt blessed.

 

Down the river again to the small village where we met a fifth generation woman from the founder of the village. He was white and stayed alive with the use of his gun and was the only white to live with the cannibals.  He advised the chief and was given a wife.  The descendants performed a Kava ceremony to welcome us.  After their and our chief (David) drank, we all had some.  Strange tasting and I hope not to get sick from the shared bowls!

Everyone was gracious and sincere in their welcome but many jokes about the tasty meal we would make!

 

Today is another sea day so we will do a few chores and relax.  Life at sea is lovely..wish you could all enjoy this adventure.  We have met many others who have traveled all over so our list grows and grows.  We all feel very fortunate to be able to make these amazing journeys.

 

 

Lunch of traditional food.  I liked the cookie best and not the tarro root or leaves.  Some native dances and then back on the bus.  George and I stopped for a bit of shopping then wound our way back to the ship.  The lands looked beautiful as we sailed from the harbour...amazing..Fiji!

Older Tasmania Pictures

More New Caledonia Pics