Yesterday as I was blogging over at Your Creative Connection for my latest installment in our Thankful Thursday series, I promised to tell the back story of the photos I used in my post. I also mentioned that I have a habit of finding words to accompany many of my photographic images -- it's a fun way to expand my love of poetry, and an interesting way to honor my own creative efforts. I have included below the poems that capture, for me, the mood of these images.
The Man and I received this Bradford Pear as gift from my grandparents when his mother died. It has been a source of endless enjoyment throughout the intervening 18 years *I didn't even know that these trees lasted that long (?)*. It's an expressive barometer of the changing seasons: resembling a snow laden tree in early Spring, when loaded with tiny white blossoms; lush and green throughout the Summer; ablaze in it's finery in late Autumn; and both majestic and bleak against Winter's sky.
The photo on the left was taken late in the day on December 3rd. I headed out to the back yard after being consistently distracted by this gorgeous tree all day The one on the right was taken on Wednesday of this week (December 21st). The day before had been grey and dreary, and I was very 'aware' of how bare it had become -- and so quickly! I can only imagine that my awareness was heightened by the slow and steady rain that fell for the better part of the day. They were both then 'arted up' by using the Prisma app. It is currently my favorite tool for enhancing images captured with my cell phone (I recently upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy s7 from an s4).
How about you? Do you have favorite poets you'd like to share? ...perhaps favorite poems for certain times of year? I'd love to check them out -- leave me a comment, and I'll see you here again soon! Onward and upward,
Words of wisdom for today:
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus
Wherein we *nearly* seamlessly recover from the bizarre, cosmic disturbance that was the actual Week #4...
Here
we have the last grouping of Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of
May 22-26 -- #s 36 through 50! These are now officially up for grabs both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook. Updates will be posted everywhere as quickly as possible.
I mentioned elsewhere last week how much I was enjoying the creation/composition of these trios... Given that each piece was created individually, I find it intriguing that they can be arranged as if in series (!) It was great fun to lay them out for the past two weeks with an eye toward continuing the lines, without regard for color *within reason* ...well, not so much without regard, as with a link -- but not wholly from the same palette *knowwhatimean?*
To
claim any of these lovelies as your own, please leave a comment with the number (s)
corresponding to your choice(s). I'll be in touch to wrap things up. As always, thanks for visiting! Next up: The Grande Finale -- wherein we blatantly ignore the previously posted dates in righteous favor of "winging it!" Because of the sheer number of little pieces of paper involved in having Wito the Wonder Dog perform the drawing of the winners, Management has opted for the use of a Random Number Generator to finalize the Winners. All interested parties *that would be you, gentle reader -- nudge, nudge - wink, wink* have until 3pm (EDT -- Noon, PDT), Wednesday, May 31st, 2017 to complete their final entries (via purchase, share, like, pin, and follow) -- full details in the original post (May 1, 2017) *minus the previously mentioned Finale dates -- we're winging it, here!* Onward & Upward,
Words of wisdom for today:
"You need not fear it, but you must always bear in mind that the past is
never quite as finished with you as you think you are with it."
Greetings! Here
we have the available Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of
May 15-19. These are now officially up for grabs both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.
I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible. Tomorrow
begins a brand new week, and we have more colorful canvases in store!
To
claim any of these lovelies as your own, please leave a comment with the number (s)
corresponding to your choice(s). I'll be in touch to wrap things up. As always, thanks for visiting!
Onward & upward,
Words of wisdom for today:
"Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint at it you can."
Hello again! Herein
we have the remaining Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of
May 8-12. These are now officially available both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook.
I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible. Tomorrow
begins a brand new week, more visual merriments, and a new approach to this Event!
To
claim any of these lovelies, leave a comment with the number
corresponding to your choice. I'll be in touch to wrap things up. Thanks for visiting!
Onward & upward,
Words of wisdom for today:
"The colors live a remarkable life of their own after they have been applied to the canvas."
Greetings, Blogland! Herein we have the remaining Marvelous Marbled Mini-Canvases for the week of May 1 - 5. These are now officially available both here and in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook. I will keep you updated on changes as quickly as possible. Tomorrow begins a brand new week, more visual merriments, and my best wishes for one and all as you embrace what the week has to offer!
To claim any of these lovelies, leave a comment with the number corresponding to your choice. I'll be in touch to wrap things up. Thanks for visiting!
Onward & upward,
Words of wisdom for today:
"Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."
Hey, howdy, hi, hello -- welcome to the Merry Month of Marbling! Henceforth to be forever known as my first #50for50 event. "But what does it meeean?!" -- inquiring minds want to know! Fear not, gentle reader -- forge onward, and all of the particulars are yours for the reading.
For the month of May, I will be posting (on the Arrowood Paper Arts Facebook Page) a series of 50 Marvelous Mini-Marbled canvases. "But, Penny" I hear you wondering, "how does that work? There aren't 50 days in May!" Very astute, grasshoppah! There certainly are not. It is for that simple fact (in addition to the heretofore unknown inner workings of Facebook Events), that there will be more than one, one-of-a-kind canvas posted each day. Furthermore, that is also why there will be three 'events' that make up the whole of this artful happening! Here's the run down: 1st two weeks of May: (05/01-05/05 and 05/08-05/12) I will post two (2) Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvases each day, Monday - Friday on the Arrowood Paper Arts page at Facebook. 2nd two weeks of May: (05/15-05/19 and 05/22-05/26) I will post three (3) Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvases each day, Monday - Friday on the Arrowood Paper Arts page at Facebook. Last three days of May: (05/29-05/31) we will have The Grande Finale! Three days of Marvelous Marbled Give-Aways. *as of today, these remain super-top-secret! a.k.a. not yet finished {shhh...}* To claim one as your own, simply write "Sold" in the comments section -- first come, first served. At the end of each week, any unclaimed canvases will be re-listed by Sunday evening at the latest (depending on my teaching schedule) here on the blog. To claim one of those as your own, simply comment, on the blog post, with the canvas number you wish to claim -- again, first come, first served. Because of the nature of this process, no two canvases are alike. However, if you miss out on one you love, another can be made with the same colors -- just know it will not look exactly like the one that first caught your eye. Additional info: - Each, unique Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvas (2x2 in.) includes its own lovely, wooden easel for artful display. - These lovely, diminutive works of art are affordably priced at $12.00 each (plus Priority Mail, insured shipping w/ tracking). - Optional monogramming in silver or gold is available for an additional $3.00 -- see lettering styles available, and samples in the MMM - #50for50no1 Album at Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook. - Multiple purchases can be bundled together for reduced shipping -- please email or PM me for additional details. - Payment by PayPal invoice at conclusion of transaction (I will PM you for your PayPal address and mailing info.). - Every purchase earns the buyer two (2) entries into the Grande Finale: the Merry Month of Marbling Give-Away drawings that will take place, one per day, on May 29, 30, and 31. - To earn additional entries, participants can do any or all of the following: Share the Event(s) on Facebook (1 entry); Follow the Arrowood Paper Arts and #50for50no1 Boards on Pinterest (1 entry each); "Like" Arrowood Paper Arts on Facebook (1 entry); and/or Follow this Blog (use the blue "Follow" button in the right hand column) (1 entry). Please leave me a comment, here on the blog, so I know where you shared/liked/joined. The more the merrier -- please share liberally!
These were a BIG hit for me at the Holiday Shows I took part in, last year -- but they are hardly strictly Holiday fare. Custom color-ways are available upon request: drop me a line at parrowood@gmail.com for additional information! Have a family member graduating this spring, or headed for college in the fall? Why not a unique gift of a Marvelous Mini-Marbled Canvas in their school colors? How about a special gift for that favorite teacher? ...a grouping to represent each member of the family on the mantle? ...a spot of color for your office or cubicle? The possibilities truly are endless! Please contact me with any questions or possibilities you wish to consider. Until next time... Onward and upward,
I am ever so happy to have some super neat news to share with you: I have a new teaching home *w00t!* Beginning in May, I am presenting a series of Bookmaking Workshops at Sertoma Arts Center in Raleigh. I am both grateful and excited for this latest adventure in my creative Journey. I hope to see you, there!
I will be adding a Workshops tab to the blog to make it easier to find all the details. For now, here is the Summer Schedule. Registration is available Online, via the mail with the Downloadable Form., or in person at Sertoma. [Course #208268]
The first offering in the series is a classic -- but don't be fooled by the simple appearance! This book form is a powerhouse: loaded with design possibilities, and well-suited to any number of tasks. We will explore many ways to construct an accordion (or concertina) book--including, but not limited to: enhanced folding techniques, adding length to paper, covering book boards (with cloth and paper), adding depth and dimension, and closure options. Suitable for all skill levels, our look at this form will have your mind racing with all sorts of ways to create beyond our time together!
Should you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment here, or email me (parrowood@gmail.com), and I will happily answerthem.
And with that, I will bid you adieu *for now* and happy Friday! Onward & upward,
Spring is springing, and time seems to be racing along!Greetings, gentle reader – and welcome to
April, 2017.I feel like I am blossoming
into this season, as surely as the unfurling azaleas that line the front
fence.I want to share some cool news
with y’all, today!
While attending Life is aVerb Camp in the scenic mountains of NC last fall, I had the chance to catch
up with folks I met originally at the first incarnation of this event 4 years
ago…It was also my first experience as
an instructor at Camp – which was way big fun, and something I hope to do again
in the future.As often happens when
such an amazing group of folks convene, there were many encounters that
resulted in conversations that were continued long after the time we spent
together.
One such conversation was with the lovely Terri Belford of Inspired Livelihood.Terri’s on-line offerings are
jam-packed with excellent information, handy resources, and ready answers to
any questions that one may have along the way.She mentioned that she was assembling a new offering about teaching for
creatives.Interest piqued, I told her I
would definitely be honored and interested in taking part.We stayed in touch as things progressed, I am
so tickled to invite you to explore Inspired to Teach!If you have ever considered sharing your passion with others – whatever it
may be – this is an amazing tool.Speakers
include artists, writers, yogis, coaches, event organizers, and more.I am thrilled to be a part of this line up,
and would love to hear your thoughts!
Upon completion of your registration, you'll receive a daily e-mail for 30 days with a mix of written, audio, and video content to accommodate different learning styles. You will have the material forever, so you can work at your own pace. I must admit: I like to save up a few days at a time ;-) I highly recommend subscribing to Terri' blog, too!
About the title:In
my youth, and well into my adulthood, I played coronet in the Salvation Army
Band in Raleigh, NC.Years of immersion
in Hymn Tunes – both the playing and singing of – means that a significant
portion of my memory banks are filled with this music and the memories
associated with it.Throughout the month
of March *…and where the h3ll did it go in such a hurry, eh?* I caught myself
thinking of, humming, and/or tapping a toe to a particular tune.Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, I am
able to share it with you! *happy am I that the visit of the Reading Songsters to Chatham was recorded*
