Joyful Purpose

The Autumn Book Series

stay tuned for more  ....

Candy Store

Don't these look yummy?  I am like a kid in a candy store when it comes to new art supplies.  These goodies I got at Akamai in Port Townsend - an awesome art store - if you are in the area check it out - it rocks!  Wish I had one around here - on second thought it is probably a good idea that I don't ;)

 

My kinda Candy

It was sort of like Christmas around here today - actually Halloween with all this candy!  Paint candy that is.  My order came in today and loved opening the box and seeing all of these little treats - can't wait to use them.

I went for some tried and true Golden's

 

and thought I would give the Sennelier a try

Journal Thoughts

Rose Bowl Score!

Judi and I got up with the sun and headed to the Rose Bowl flea market this morning ~  and yes we were up to no good, and yes we did  .... SCORE!

Here's my loot ~ picnic basket, wooden boxes, a wooden sewing caddy, rosary, vintage tea towels and pot holders, an apron, honey pitcher, celluloid box, butter knives and awl, damask napkins, and the big one, a wooden flat file box :)

and yes, I am quite pleased with myself ...

Judi, Judy

Yesterday was a Judi and Judy day as in Delgado and Wilkenfeld.  And oh what a day and night we had ... first a trip to China Town and then to Judi's fabulous

home for a soiree of food

Sarah

(graciously prepared by her wonderful husband and daughter), friends (Judi , Me, Judy, Ruth, Connie, Fana, Tamara, Kristen, Reva,and Dee Dee) and laughter.

Judi

Reva

                    Fana

Ruth

We had a Ball ....

It's Official

We have decided to move into our beach house for at least the next year full time.  The furniture is moved and we are nearly unpacked.  The studio is another matter all together and I am planning on finishing that this week - please ask the Gods to smile upon for this is a job I hate - yes hate and need all the push I can get.  Anyone want to come out and help me ;)  I can offer you boys fighting, animals under foot, and mayhem - sounds tempting I know ;)  Anyway, I digress, we are in and I have been nesting with the help of my dear dear Judi who has come to add her touches of lovliness and undying support.  Here are some pics of the spaces I am growing to love.

 

True Love

Everyone should have a friend like this!  Judi came over to help me move in my studio (more to come on this) Friday and brought me this wrapped package - alas inside was this treasure - a leather bound handmade journal embellished with turquoise that she had created just for me!  I am so blessed to have such an amazing friend.  And on top of that she basically moved my whole studio for me and that my friend is TRUE LOVE.

Summer Yummo

I am packing lunch to go to the beach and this is one of my favorites~ Curried Chicken Salad

curry powder
golden raisins
mayo
can chicken breast

mix together

eat with crackers (Triscuts are my choice) or make a sandwich ~ result - YUMMO

Heeding the Call

I recently wrote an article for the current issue of Somerset Studios on Animal Spirit Guides.  I was so happy to find the following email in my inbox from a Helene in Australia who had an amazing experience with some colorful feathered friends.



Dear Gina,
I enjoyed your article in Somerset Studio which struck a cord because of something that happened last Friday.
I live in the northern Sydney suburb of Avalon Beach which still has some native Australian animals.  The birds in particular are the most obvious & beautiful - the black & white currawongs, black & white native magpies & many varieties of parrots to name a few.
When I returned from having lunch with my daugher (whose birthday it was), I was on our verandah about to open the door when a large flock of rainbow lorikeets flew down, some perched on the fence & others in the frangipanni tree (which is bare at the moment because it is our winter.
I grabbed my mobile phone (which takes quite good photos) & started snapping.  Rainbow lorikeets are little clowns & rather curious.  Out of the blue one of the little birds flew onto my shoulder.  While I was trying to take a photo of the bird on my shoulder, it flew onto my hand and just perched there.  Then another bird tried to sit on my hand as well, but the first bird shooed it away.  These are wild birds which I found incredible.  We don't feed them as wild life experts tell us that it isn't good for them to become dependent upon us.  I managed to take a couple of photos of the little creature sitting on my hand.
What this means, I don't know but I was thrilled that this little bird trusted me enough to sit on my hand.  I felt a little like a modern day St. Francis of Assisi.
I had a rainbow on my shoulder.
I am going to attach a couple of photos. 
All the best,
Helene Martin
Avalon Beach  NSW