I am so inspired by this video of Zina Nicole Lahr.

Rest in peace dear girl.

Does Anyone BLOG Anymore?!?

Oh my! I just realized it has been 2 YEARS since I last posted!!! Does anyone blog anymore?!?

I guess I could use the excuse...we made a big MOVE...I have been so busy...but the fact is.....I feel like I am BORING & do not have much to write about.

What happened to the cheery, charming, witty Emily? ha!

I find that I am not READING blogs anymore myself. A shame because there are so many wonderful blogs out there. Some of my favorites:

https://www.kellyraeroberts.com/blog/

http://magpieethel.typepad.com/

https://www.rachelawes.com/blog/

http://www.messynessychic.com/

OK. My homework: Read 3 blogs daily. Post on my blog again ASAP. Seek out interesting quirky FUN things/places/activities to post about.

Done.

Have a happy day!

Summer FUN! eMiLy swimming at Keystone Klub in Omaha.

OPEN the door & let the MAGIC in.

Deep within your soul is a door that opens into a world of wonder.

Open the door and let the magic in.

Come fairies,
take me of this dull world
for I would ride with you
upon the wind
and dance upon
the mountains.

W. B. Yeats

The Wonderland Book

LOVE & BEAUTY are ever present in Kirsty Mitchell's book "Wonderland". Six years in the making, "Wonderland" was created in memory of Kirsty's mother Maureen. A loving tribute ~ a personal journey through grief.

Amanda Louise Spayd

Today I discovered the AMAZING art dolls of Amanda Louise Spayd!

From her website.....here is her "official" artist bio:

Amanda Louise Spayd’s mixed-media work combines the textures and colors of antique domestic objects, the natural world, and an obsessive attention to detail. At once endearing and unsettling, her fabric creatures evoke ideas of cast-off children’s toys and ill-conceived taxidermy experiments with crooked human teeth.

Because of their aged, antique appearance, one is left to wonder about the origin, past experiences, and past lives of these creatures. Do they look like this because they were abandoned, or because they were literally loved to pieces? The idea of an unknown past story, combined with the possibilities of their future, is a central theme of her work. Her work has been published internationally, and is highly sought after by collectors around the globe, and she has exhibited her work in galleries and conventions across the United States, France, and Japan.

Amanda Louise Spayd ~ A truly gifted artist!!!

See also "behind the scenes" ~ the making of "The Maker" film:

The JOY of Collage

The Joy of Collage

I am so very excited to be signed up for Lynn Whipple's class "The Joy of Collage"!!! The online class starts tomorrow! I have admired her work for a l-o-n-g time. Here are some fabulous links:

Lynn's "The Joy of Collage" Class: http://www.carlasonheim.com/the-joy-of-collage-with-lynn-whipple/

Lynn's Website: http://lynnwhipple.com/

Lynn's Blog:  https://lynnwhipple.wordpress.com/

Lynn's Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LynnWhipple

It's National Donut Day!!!!! oh yum!

Photo Courtesy of Michelle G.

Mmmm! Donuts! Why is it that something that is so BAD for you tastes so GOOD?!? 

My favorites ~  Chocolate iced custard filled (Bismarks or Long Johns), chocolate iced with peanuts, white icing with coconut.......who am I kidding? I never met a doughnut I did not like!

When my kids were little, I used to make homemade cake donuts. While they were still hot, I would shake them in a paper bag filled with cinnamon & sugar. Mmmm!

Now that I am trying to go "gluten free"... I must find some new donut recipes... in case I need to feed my donut cravings once in awhile.

KEEP CALM

AND

EAT A DONUT

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom who left this world in 2010. She is a beauty. Beautifully calm, kind, creative, loving & giving. I say she IS a beauty because I feel that she is still with us, touching our hearts & still teaching us. Peace & blessings to you Mom. XOXO

Painting by Barbara Burger, my beautiful Mom.

The Vintage Market

Come see me at "The Vintage Market" on May 1st (10am-7pm) & May 2nd (9am-5pm) at Coon Valley Village Hall ~ 108 Roosevelt St. ~ Coon Valley, WI ~ sponsored by "Donna's Daughters".

This is a FABULOUS show! 20+ vendors selling vintage and antique items, upcycled and repurposed creations, garden décor, furniture and handmade items.

Plant sale to raise money for The Karen Tischer Benefit. The Coon Valley Business Association will be selling food to raise money for playground equipment in the park.

Look for my booth as you enter the door ~ front & center! "Remember Me" ~ Vintage Inspired Design & Decor.

Remember Me.......Emily!

Alive Inside

Vernon Manor chosen for Music & Memory program : Vernonbroadcaster

 

A World Made More Beautiful

The Princess

Original Mixed Media Collage on Canvas by Emily

"The Princess" ~ A Medley ~ by Alfred Lord Tennyson was the inspiration for my work. My canvas was first covered with pages from his book. As I was looking through fashion magazines for images, I came across this beautiful model with lovely gray hair. She is not the "typical" model, who is usually very young , but the beauty & wisdom of her age spoke to me. She seems happy & content. She seems to be a dreamer. She seems to be looking heavenward for inspiration. Her presence radiates love. She is giving & caring.

"And secret laughter tickled my soul." 

 Yes, imagine.....JOY.

Imagine Acceptance.

Imagine BEAUTY.

Imagine Compassion.

Imagine DIVINITY.

Imagine Empathy

Imagine FAITH.
Imagine Gratefulness.

Imagine HAPPINESS.
Imagine Integrity.

Imagine JUSTICE.
Imagine Kindness.

Imagine LOVE.
Imagine Mercy.

Imagine NOBLENESS.
Imagine Optimism.

Imagine PHILANTHROPY.
Imagine Quietude.

Imagine RESPONSIVENESS.
Imagine Sympathy.

Imagine TENDERNESS.

Imagine Unselfishness.

Imagine VOLUNTEERING

Imagine Warm-heartedness.

Imagine XOXO

Imagine YOU helping others.

Imagine ZESTFULNESS.    

 

Japanese Street Fashion ~ Harajuku/Fairy Kei/ Decora/Lolita Style

 Harajuku Fashion Walk #10

Fashion that is FUN.....what a concept!!!
Alternative fashion has always intrigued me. Personally, my fashion sense is complicated - on the inside I am creative, colorful, bold & rebellious in my fashion choices, on the outside....well, my wardrobe is so B-O-R-I-N-G!

My excuse is that I am a "big girl" & there is just NOTHING out there that is FUN for girls like me. HA! That is so funny...I still feel like a GIRL & I am 60 years old. Still time for plenty of FUN I say!!!

I keep thinking that I am going to design some fun clothes for us "big girls".....what am I waiting for? Time to get busy & just DO IT!

OK...this week I am pulling out my sewing machine. I will be back later to show you my first attempt at FUN fashion...

Kumamiki's "Party Baby" 

O Captain My Captain

 Blessings to you & your family "O Captain My Captain". You have taught me to:

* BE MYSELF ~ DO NOT conform to what others want (or expect) me to be.
I am UNIQUE in this world & have been individually called for a specific purpose. I have been given specific talents to fulfill my destiny.

* Carpe Diem ~ seize the day!!! Make every minute count. Share with others ~ physically, emotionally, spiritually ~ with compassion, understanding & unconditional love. Bring JOY & BEAUTY into the world.

* Words & ideas are important. Speak thoughtfully, with kindness. Have an open mind. Have a passion for life long learning.

* Question authority. Think for myself.

* Follow my BLISS. Find my passion & make it my "life's work".

* Make my life extraordinary.
 
******************************* 
What will YOUR verse be?

Kindness

Note Card available at: RememberMeEmily.Etsy.com

Lately, I have been worried about the lack of KINDNESS that I have been witnessing. Many people, instead, seem to be seeking REVENGE. Hatred & revenge hurt not only the person to whom it is directed, but hurts the perpetrator even more! For....if you harbor hatred & spite in your heart.....it will eat away at you like a cancer.

Toxic emotions can lead to serious health problems ~ headaches, high blood pressure, heart attack & stroke.

We manifest what is in our heart & mind.

Kind Words

are like

Honey

Sweet to the Soul

and Healthy for the Body.

Proverbs 16:24

"Compassionate thought is the most precious thing there is. And if we have a good heart, a warm heart, warm feelings, we will be happy and satisfied ourselves, and our friends will experience a friendly and peaceful atmosphere as well. This can be experienced community to community, country to country, continent to continent." ~ Dalai Lama

2nd Art Journal Page ~ "Beauty Tricks"

Original Art Journal Page by Emily

Oh how I am LOVING my new adventure of ART JOURNALING!!!!! So fun! I am using my imagination, growing creatively. I am EMBRACING COLOR!!!

"ART is the LIFE ENERGY of the SOUL."

Today.....I wish for you.....beautiful eyes, beautiful lips, and poise.

XOXO

My very first Art Journal Page

Original Art Journal Page by Emily

I have wanted to make art journals for YEARS!!! I have always been so scared to try ~ so many other artists make such BEAUTIFUL journal pages ~ I was afraid that my pages would not be "good enough". You know what I learned? Art journaling is not about the "art".....it is about what you have in your heart & spirit that needs to be expressed. I conquered my fear & made my page just for ME. I decided to share it just in case someone else is afraid to start an art journal. You can do it!!!!!

I am starting on some practice pages (8" x 10") before I actually put together a real journal. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea ~ combining ART & a DIARY. Oh the JOY it brings me! I kept a diary years & years ago...wish I had it today so I could look back on what I was thinking as a young girl.

Share your story.

MUSIC for our Journey through TIME & SPACE

The ARTstronauts Club ~ Outta This World!!!!!

Artwork by Teesha Moore

I recently joined "The ARTstronauts Club".....& my oh my.....I am amazed at the online offerings.....

Inspiration! Video workshops! Articles! Downloadable collage sheets! Art supply recommendations! "Random quirky stuff!" Forums to share ideas & artwork.......

"Teesha and Tracy Moore will be your editors, but we have a huge network of amazing artists, teachers, musicians, videographers and photographers who are excited about this project and will be contributing their own unique ideas as well." 

Teesha & Tracy are my HEROES!!! Their artwork has inspired me for years! I always dreamed of attending ARTFEST.

Artwork by Teesha Moore

Artwork by Teesha Moore

There are several levels of membership in The ARTstronauts Club:

Astro Cadet = $5.00 Monthly

Space Pilot = $25 for Six Months

 Mission Commander - $45 Yearly

Elite Astrosquad Mission Support

$500

What you get:

Satisfaction from supporting an endeavor that aims to spread creativity to the far reaches of the galaxy.

Lifetime access to the club.

Limited edition Artstronaut pack by Teesha and Tracy.

******************************************

I am so super excited about this project & visit the website DAILY!!!!!

Join now! http://theartstronauts.com 

 ******************************************

She Hath Wings ~ My new Etsy "About" Page

emily's etsy shop

As of Jan. 1, 2014, we will be required to have an "About Page" in our Etsy shop so that our customers can get to know us a little better. So.....I decided to create mine a little early.....here is a "sneak peek":

emily's MUSES.

 She Hath Wings

"Something opens our wings. Something makes boredom and hurt disappear. Someone fills the cup in front of us: We taste only sacredness. " ~ Rumi

On September 11, 2001.....yes, "9/11".....I quit my "day job" as a medical billing clerk and I started to "follow my bliss" and to "do what I love". Life is short and it is NOT always "about the money". I gave up a "steady paycheck" so I could start to DREAM, CREATE, INSPIRE & IMAGINE!

I love all things VINTAGE and I love to create ART.....thus was born "Remember Me" ~ vintage inspired design & decor. In this fast paced, often lonely/disconnected world.....we should REMEMBER and LOVE one another.

My desire is to gladden hearts & bring JOY with simple treasures that remind you that "Life is Beautiful". My offerings.......sweet, uplifting, comforting, encouraging works of art & vintage keepsakes to grace your life. Tokens of affection.

I remember the JOY & excitement that I felt on my first trip to a "thrift shop". I was a very young girl & my friend across the street was going with her mother to the thrift shop.....they asked me to go along. We were looking for clothes to play "dress up" with ~ skirts, hats, gloves, pocketbooks, pretty shoes, sparkly jewelry. This was in the early 60's, so you can imagine what FUN we had & how much cool stuff we found! To this day, I derive such happiness from finding sweet sentimental treasures that have been much loved by others. It makes my heart glad to know that I am helping to RECYCLE these treasures into my own home or into the homes of other women who will love & adore them.

I also love to sew! When I was in the 7th grade, my Mom helped me pick out a pattern & some material. I set up her old green Elna sewing machine in the basement on the ping-pong table & did not come back upstairs until I had completed my outfit! Needless to say......I excelled at "Home Ec" in Jr. High & even went on to win the "Betty Crocker Homemaker Award" at my school one year! I now have a FABULOUS "stash" of vintage fabric/trims/ buttons etc. that I have collected over the years.

I am soooooo happy when I am creating ART.....drawing, painting, collage, assemblage & art journals. I am a "self taught" artist who tends to create with a "whimsical" style.

My artistic path was inspired by my Mom who was a very talented potter & painter. I remember watching her while in her art studio & seeing such JOY on her face, totally absorbed in her painting. I now understand her JOY.

Peace & Blessings.
Love, Emily.

"Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty."