At the Oasis Cafe : We Paused To Remember You

Good bye Miss Violet Eyes

Your bravery in speaking out on behalf of those stricken with AIDS will never be forgotten.
Bless you for walking the Road beside us for just a little while and Bless the Road that carries you.
All photos c/r free the net
Background: my own

March Adventure Quest: 4WARDS: Wk 5:Trust In The Magic

Hildegard of Bingen called it Viriditas or the Green Flame of Life and the best example we have right now can be seen locally in the Osoberry or Wild Plum bush.
Her green leaves do seem to ‘flicker’ from behind the Douglas Firs, branching out to reach the Sun, while shyly presenting to wanderers by, a multitude of dangling white blossom pendants.
Spring to me, is a Magical and Miraculous Season, when after a harsh winter, Life returns to the land once more, and Surprises you with new shoots on supposedly dead branches of the Rose bushes!
To celebrate this Event, The Magician of Spring is wearing crocii, hyacinth and primroses on his turban, all flowers which bloomed right on the dot – the First Day of Spring.
Most Magicians have a deck of cards, so I chose to give this one a deck made from the photo of a recent walk through the nearby Forest and in them you can see the Osoberry bush and her companion the Douglas Fir.
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Credits and Kits:
Red Velvet Background Paper: AJC11 Beginnings
Font: Tangie’s Duchess
Magician’s Globe: Bubble c/o BKerr Bubble kit
Photos of Forest and Flowers: mine
Magician: Dover c/r free (altered by me)
Little Girl Fairy: Dover c/r free (altered by me)
9 Card Picture Frame: DSA2 frame
Sophie (hiding as usual ..sigh..somewhere)
PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to HARRY HOUDINI too!

AJC 2011 INTINERARY 12 Verb: Accomplish

Sometimes I feel that the BEST DARN THING
I am going to ACCOMPLISH ALL DARN DAY
Is to exchange my SLIPPERS for SLOGGERS
Wander OUTSIDE and pick a few flowers.
Sophie: Never mind ‘pick’ that should be EAT! a few flowers!
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Credits and Kits:
Fonts: Tangie’s Tweedledee and my own
The A in Accomplish: AJC11 Parcel 12 – Journaling Lines
Journaling Lines: AJC11 Parcel 12
Background floral paper: AJC11 Parcel 11 – Being Me
Tape: Tangie’s Tape Bliss kit
Slippers to Sloggers: photo of me feet

AJC 2011 March Adventure Quest: 4wards: Celebrate the Spring's Return!

For those of you who skipped (or fell asleep - grin) during World History (or World Myth) Class:
Cliff notes version of the Persephone Legend or why we have The Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes.
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Pluto (Lord of the Underworld) falls in love with Persephone, kidnaps her and takes her below ground to be his Queen.
Persephone is unhappy.
Demeter (Persephone's mom and also known in some circles as the Law Giver) is devastated and says: "Unless my daughter is returned, the Earth will never see another Spring!"
Zeus (King of the Gods) can't have that (Earth is his favourite playground and he likes green growing things) so he sends his Messenger Hermes to help Demeter locate her daughter.
Hermes finds Persephone and tells Demeter that she is the 'guest' of Pluto.
Demeter says to Hermes, "Come with me to the Underworld and let's go rescue my daughter."
They arrive and are greeted by Pluto who informs Demeter that her trip was in vain. Persephone had eaten 3 seeds of the Underworld Pomegranate and according to the Law of the Gods, was bound to remain his forever.
Undeterred by this so called 'forever business', Demeter launches into what must have been the Bargaining Session of All Time. (remember she is the Law Giver and personally I think she wore Pluto out with her Arguments)
An Agreement was reached: Persephone would stay above ground with Mama Demeter 6 months of the year (March 21 Vernal Equinox) and the other 6 months, she would return to the Underworld to be Pluto's Queen (September 21- Autumnal Equinox)
Note: this is for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere: the reverse happens in the Southern. (waving to my S.H friends: Happy Autumnal Equinox)
Moral: Never get in the way of a Mother's Love for Her Child.
Credits and Kits:
Golden Archway: AJC11 Parcel 11
Starry Background: AJC10 Parcel 48
Clockface: Bkerr – World Traveler kit (half in flowers representing the Light Half of the Year)
Flowers round Clockface: DSA2 brushes
Altered Painting: The Return of Persephone by F. Leighton (1891) c/r free the net
Pomegranates: c/r free the net

AJC 2011 Itinerary 12: Simply Started: I WISH(ed)

The Magical Book of Wishes and the Secret Garden

Down a quiet street, through a half open doorway, an alley leads to the entrance of a secret Medieval Garden, a calming respite from the heat of the Provencal summer.
As I start to go through, a soft voice asks me, “Do you want your wish inscribed in the Magical Book of Wishes?”
I turn and there at elbow height, stood a petite white haired lady with an Open Book and a Pen suspended in midair.
“Yes, please.” I said, then realizing that there is always some kind of bargain when Magic is involved, asked, “What do I need to do in order to have my wish placed in that book?”
Eyes twinkling, the petite Lady replied, “ One Rule Only, that you first must wish for Others before yourself.”

That was easy – the Secret Garden was so wonderful, that I wished everyone could have a place like that to go to when needed.
That second wish was a bit more difficult until I spied that wonderful half moon basket that Sophie had asked me to buy for her.
Unfortunately it was too big for the plane, so instead, I wished for another chance to purchase one just like it when we next return.

Credits and Kits:
Background Paper Frame: AJC11 Parcel11 – Being Me
Travel Journal (Magical Book of Wishes) : Bkerr: World Traveler
Fonts: Tangie’s Tweedledee and Duchess
Photos: Provencal composite private collection

AJC 2011 Itinerary11 : Verb: Fight

Fight the Good Fight To Get To Friday! I don’t know about you, but at times, the week seems like a series of steep steps enclosing the must-do’s I have to pay attention to, until I can get to FRIDAY! I battle my way through the round of medical appointments, and client calls and at last I see my favourite day of the week: The top of the Pinnacle: Freya’s Day. Not only does it mean a new AJC Parcel is waiting at the Depot for me to pick up, but it also means the Weekend where I can unpack my goodies, take Sophie out for a stroll and CREATE. PS: Sophie is 'camel-flaged' (couldn't resist the pun, blame it on the bean!) * Credits and Kits: Background: Maxfield Parrish: c/r free the net (altered by me) Shadowboxes: AJC11 Parcel 11 – Tangie: Being Me Fonts: AJC11 Parcel 11 – L Murphy Being Me Tangie’s: Tweedledee Courier Emboss Figure on top of mountain: me

· Date: 3/15/2011 · Views: 35 ·

AJC 2011 Adventure Quest: March: 4 Words: Wk 3 - Look To The Rainbow

In honour of all things Irish since this week has March 17 in it, a bit of Irish Luck for all to have.
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Credits and Kits:
Background papers: AJC11 Parcel 09
Gold Stars and Shamrock charm: Tangie’s Celtic Traditions kit
Font: Kelt
Rainbow photo – taken by me.
Sophie is there, she’s just playing hide and seek with the leprechauns.

AJC 2011 Itinerary 11 Simply Started: I QUICKLY

(after seeing the News) got on the computer and spent most of the day, sending messages and waiting to hear from friends in Japan. Thank HEAVEN! they were able to get in touch and tell me they were OK. The Letters across the page, are in text messaging form in order to conserve battery power. Message reads: Are You Ok? Are You Ok? Are You Ok? Are You There? Are You Safe? Answer Please Answer Please Her Japanese friends answer back: We Are Here Safe We Are Ok * (My friend Dennis in Kyoto sent this to me about his daughter Maya: Maya was in the area at the time for her work. The worst hit place was Sendai, and Maya was about 150 kilometres away. Where she was the magnitude would have been between 6 & 7. She was also inland so was away from any tsunami areas. When we tried to reach her by cellphone it was almost impossible. Emails would go one way but couldn't be returned, with phone calls the lines were busy. We were able to connect only sporadically for the first 4-5 hours.) * This page is dedicated to those still waiting to hear - may it be good news and may it be soon! * Credits and Kits: Lady looking out to sea: Tangie's Timeless Masters Kits (altered by me) Great Wave at Kanagawa (woodblock by Hokusai - 1829) Background Lined Paper: AJC11 Parcel: Beginning Iphone image: c/r the net

· Date: 3/13/2011 · Views: 42

AJC 2011 Adventure Quest: March: 4 Words: Wk 2: Treasure The 1st Crocus

A telegram was sent by the March Hare – it’s Official! Crocii are the Harbingers of Spring. We are supposed to treasure the 1st Crocus (go out and admire it I suppose, even if it is a howlin’ South-Easter and the rain is pouring in slantwise!) and definitely keep Sophie from eating it!
That's one Tough assignment! (she was caught trying to munch the telegram), but I’m up for a Challenge!
*
Credits and Kits Used:
All papers, bottle cap and tape: Tangie’s: AJC11 – Parcel 11
Font: Tangie’s Timeless Masters kit and Tangie’s Tweedledee
Sophie’s Spring Outfit: Tangie’s AJC11 – Parcel 10
Photo: 1st Crocus and bee: (from our first Spring here at Quail Hill)

Artspiration Challenge #65 - Collage Set

Challenge: Take 3 Items (or more) from the Collage Set - and create a page.
So I did.
Enjoy the goings on at the 'Last Chance Dance'.

AJC 2011 Adventure Quest: March: 4 Words: Week 1 - Watch For Your Sign

A local artisan magazine ran an article about an upcoming Non Juried Art Show calling for entries. Since I had already started an online gallery of my artwork, I took this as a Sign to think about entering and exhibiting. A few days later, a lady was walking her dog home by our house and I went out to chat. Turns out she is a member of the CVAC, the same group that is putting on that art show! I told her I was thinking of entering but wanted to make sure that my Digital Artpieces would meet their criteria.
She consented to take a look at what I had already done, and after doing so, heartily encouraged me to enter!
Sometimes Signs for me, come in the form of 2×4’s as I am pretty slow on the uptake and I’m sure the Muse gets thoroughly exasperated with me!
Now if I can just figure out how to do canvases……
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Credits and Kits:
Background Paper: AJC11 Parcel 09
Easel: AJC11 Parcel 09
Arrow Doodle: AJC11 Beginning Parcel
Journal Box: AJC11 Beginning
Font: Tangie’s Mock Turtle
Word Art: Create Art and 4: AJC11 Beginning Parcel
Word Art: Font: SHOW – AJC11 Parcel 03 KMF
Sophie’s Painter’s Outfit: AJC11 Parcel 09
Sophie’s French Beret: c/r the net
Brush: Holliewood Artbox Brush 03

AJC 2011 Week 10 - Itinerary: Verb of the Week: Belong

“So I bundled me heart and I roamed the world free,
To the East with the lark, to the West with the Sea.”

After 25 years of toiling in the City, (Mr Bear often remarked that ‘convicted felons serve less time’) we are now Back Where We Belong.
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Credits:
Words from ‘Look to the Rainbow’ – Finians Rainbow
Poem: Belonging: by LN © 2011
Background: Ancient Spanish Map of our Island dated 1791 – Wikipedia
Satellite photo: Wikipedia
Globe Angel: Baigh kit by Rebecca McMeen
Fonts: Tangie’s DirectorBold & my own script for the poem.
Frame: The Collector: DSA2

AJC 2011 Week 10 - Itinerary : Simply Started: I Jumped!

A Day out at the Creativity Sea-side with Sophie (showing off her curves under that new Bathing Suit!)
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Credits and Kits:
Easel: AJC11 Parcel 09
Bathing Beauties: AJC Parcel 09
Sophie’s new Bathing Suit: AJC11 Parcel 10 – Being Me
Sophie’s Seaweed c/o Adrian van Leen – openphoto.net
Font: Accord Light SF
Poem: One of me own in the style of Dr Seuss
Inspired by the A Musing pages from other Caravaners: Serenoa and GirlBoheme!
Photo: Pipers Lagoon: mine

AJC 2011 Week 9 - Itinerary: Verb of the Week: Amuse II - Cookies of Joy

(This story is for Bitte, who kindly shared her recipe for her Swedish Spice Cookies and I wanted to return the favour.)

The smell of fresh baked spiced cookies was wafting over the campsite, so Sophie and I decided to investigate and go see where this delicious smell was coming from.
Under the archways that overlooked a tangled garden, a table had been set with a plate of fresh baked Cookies of Joy made from St Hildegard’s own recipe.
The simple sign next to them read:,
‘Take a few and eat a few. All we ask is that you share the Recipe with others.’
So I did.
Here is what I copied out of the ancient leather volume lying next to the plate of Hildegard’s Cookies of Joy (which quickly disappeared down you-know -who’s gullet)
(Recipe reconstructed and adapted from Hildegard's circa 1157 treatise Physica: Liber Simplicis Medicinæ )
"Eat them often," she says, "and they will calm every bitterness of heart and mind - and your hearing and senses will open. Your mind will be joyous, and your senses purified, and harmful humours will diminish..."
Cookies of Joy
3/4 cup butter or margarine (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Let butter soften and then cream it with the brown sugar. Beat in the egg. Sift the dry ingredients. Add half the dry ingredients and mix. Add the other half and mix thoroughly. Dough may be chilled to make it workable. Heat oven to 350°. Form walnut sized balls of dough, place on greased and floured cookie sheet and press flat. Bake 12-15 minutes (till edges are golden brown.)
Cool for 5 minutes, remove from cookie sheet and finish cooling on racks.

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For those of you who want to know what the writing says on the plaque above the Illuminated Manuscript painting of St Hildegard and her biographer Theodoric, a very loose translation follows:
St Hildegard: “Now Theodoric, write this down carefully… it’s TWO pinches of Cinnamon, TWO pinches of Nutmeg and only ONE pinch of Ground Cloves!”
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Credits:
Plaque: VJS Metamorphosis kit: Veronica Spriggs collection
Font: Fraktur (Recipe book) and Francisco Lucas Briosa (Plaque)
All photos: St Hildegard and her biographer Illuminated Manuscript. Archways, cookies, leather bound book - c/r free the net

AJC 2011 Week 9 - Itinerary: Verb of the Week: Amuse

“The most touching moments of our existence, leave us without words.
- Marcel Marceau

This is my tribute to Beloved “Bip”, Marcel Marceau, the greatest Mime Artist our generation has ever seen; a consummate performer who
single handedly rescued l’art du silence’ from obscurity and made this amazing Street Art recognized as a true Dramatic Art Form.

While researching his life, I came across this remarkable bit of information:
..Marcel and his older brother, Alain, joined the French Resistance in Limoges, where they saved numerous children from the race laws and concentration camps,
Marcel started miming as way of keeping children quiet, as they were escaping over the mountains into Switzerland…

The black card depicts Marcel as Harlequin or ‘Arlequin.
The Diamond stands for the tradtional Harlequin costume and the Heart for the love of Mime and for Children.
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Credit and Kits:
Tangie Holliewood QOC2 background paper (Eiffel Tower)
Black background paper: AJC11 Parcel 01
Font: Tangie’s Mad Hatter
Windows: Times Roman
Photos of Marcel Marceau: c/r free the net
Inspiration: Nevermore's Harlequin