Trying to make a movie!

Post cards

Today was postcards to be altered. Scans to be uploaded later,

Earthquake!!!

The 5.4 earthquake centered in Chino Hills really shook us up. Stanley was freaked. He went into the living room and was barking and I grabbed him and took him to the hallway. We stayed there for quite awhile. As I was crouched in hallway, I saw the ceiling fan in living room swaying. It was strong! Stanley and I huddled on the couch for awhile. Then I gave him some PetEEZE because he had thrown up. Later in the day he was stuck in the office and wouldn't come out. He just barked and barked. Finally I picked him up and carried him to the couch and we did more sitting and calming. I debated whether to take him to Pet Training, but I did and he performed like a star! Wow! When the pressure is on, he can do it! What a trooper. Earthquake??? What Earthquake?

Free!

I have mixed feelings about this, but I am putting it out to the universe. I am leaving the school I have been teaching at for 16 years. My last day was yesterday. I am truly sorry to be going, but my position was eliminated and I couldn't stay there as a classroom teacher. As much as I want to express the true story of what went on, I know I cannot. So...on to a new chapter in my life. I went to meet the new principal yesterday and she doesn't know whether to put me in K or 5th, But then she may have a K-1 and I love K-1, so I hope I get that. I will be downloading standards for all today! And a trip to CM is in order.
In the meantime, I am off work with a small four day seminar in technology education in August. More time for art! And I signed Stanley up for the intermediate class in dog training. And I prepared five books to be altered. Three are board books that are painted and one is a board book that is going to be all fabric as a base. I wonder how to put other things on it, but that's my challenge! I am also doing three books in tissue as a base. I am liking that a lot! So that makes more than five! Maybe I do need to teach kinder!
Just knowing I survived 386 days is commendable! I need a prize!

Altered Board Book Tutorial

This morning I decided to post a tutorial on how to prepare an altered board book. I think a board book is a good way to start since it usually only has about 6 to 10 pages and the fear of the empty page just isn't so bad. Also, I buy my board books at the thrift store and they are really cheap, So if you mess up you have only spent a quarter! I like to buy a few at a time and prep mine so t hat I have a bunch on hand whenever the mood strikes me.
So here's what I do:







That's the first step. Now on to the next! Tune in tomorrow!

Good News!

After almost 10 months of anxiety and stress, I am leaving my position for something else. I am not sure what I will be doing or where, but I am grateful to have a job and to be in a different location with different challenges.
Although I have done some art, it has suffered as I have tried to overcome my anxieties. Moving to a new location will help. I am sure. I also had a computer crash and all my pictures of recent art work were lost. So I am now compiling a new folder and will put all my art work on a separate hard disc. What I've done so far are:
Painted three bird houses for decorations for a party
Started on (another) shrine
Completed an art journal for April and May
Started on another for June
Made some charms our of key tags. I will post pictures later.

Back to Blog

Since Christmas I have been working to be less stressed and more able to overcome what is essentially a PTSD reaction to someone's crazyness. So although I am working really hard and reading and meditating and doing yoga and saying positive affirmations, I am right now so tired of it. To add to the mix, I got a dog on Friday. I wanted to name him Fernando, but he just isn't a Fernando, so his name is Stanley. And he is a Stanley. He is about 3 years old and a terrier of some kind. Amy rescued him from the freeway off ramp, but since she has two dogs already, she thought I would like him. So now I have a dog. He will be neutered on Friday, and he will be groomed today. He was very matted.
I have done little art, but am now getting back. For Art Society we are making charms and I am trying to think of different ways to make some. I have a couple of prototypes already, but want to expand. And of course, when all else fails, I alter a post card or two.
Instead of art, here's a picture of Stanley before grooming. And now back to meditation: "you are in a forest...."