more atc's

ATC's for Art Therapy Alliance's Swap - "Collage Unleashed"

Here are my ATC's for the 2nd swap being organized on a Linked In subgroup of the Art Therapy Alliance. The theme was "Collage Unleashed." Since that is how many of my ATC's are made it was a lot of fun for me. I'm enjoying this way of connecting with other art therapists around the country. I sent them in and am looking forward to seeing what art I get back! Here's the four cards I made close-up...

"Live out Loud" - mixed media collage

"Recharge your Batteries"

"Artistic License" - mixed media collage

"She Flew"

le creuset and other gratitudes

Today I am grateful for:

• The Le Creuset dutch oven my mom gave me! Years ago she got three pieces from her aunt when she passed away...the dutch oven and two sauce pans. They had been stored away and we recently found them. I'm so excited! My sister who is just learning how to cook in her first apartment is taking the two sauce pans. I love it!
• Seeing three large deer in my parent's back yard. One had antlers which I have never seen and have always wanted to! Reminded me of being little and looking out the kitchen window to see "Bambi" when she would visit. So nice to see them back so frequently.
• The rain. We need it badly.
• All the help and guidance at my work.
• My Dad picking up beautiful wood scraps for me to use at my other job for an art therapy project.
• Doctors.
• Warm blankets.
• Coffee.
• My computer and internet.
• Cereal for lunch.
• Comfort food.
• Having groceries bought and put away. Cabinets full of food and choices.
• Photos to remember moments.

Happy Monday!

vacation coming to an end

a picnic at a local New England farm

My last week off of the summer is winding down...and so is summer it seems. I always feel sad when that shift happens. I love fall and all that comes with it but I am sad to see summer go. Also this fall will be a challenge because my guy is going to a military school for four months. So I am having more trouble looking forward to it. But I will try!

Here's a few memories from this vacation:

• A trip to the zoo...giraffes, gorrillas, bats, butterflies, and a dinner at Bugaboo Creek on the way home.
• A reminder to say what is on your mind. People are not mind readers.
• Baby calves at the farm peeking over an old stone wall.
• Mornings at the beach.
• Planting some new flowers in my balcony garden.
• Refocusing on the positive.
• taking lots of pictures but havent done any scrapbooking.
• Finished my ATC's for the next Art Therapy Alliance swap. I'll post later!
• Staying up late and sleeping in.
• Warm sun.
• A day of outlet shopping and L.L. Bean with my mom and sister.
• Too much work organizing and a crummy cold at the beginning of this vacation.
• Green Grass Yankee Candle.
• Wine from Johnson Family Winery I got on my trip to NY.
• Jello.
• The movie "The Other Guys"...so funny.
• Started seeming my "Hey Teach" Sweater.

Now today we are having a late summer/early fall kind of weather day. Makes me want to bake something. We'll see...
All-in-all it was a good week. Hoping today and tomorrow top of the week!

Happy Sunday!

wordless wednesday

my new flowering vine on the balcony

today

ATC's I recieved in Art Therapy Alliance Swap

Random thoughts for the day:

I've been neglecting my blog. Things have been so unbelievably busy with life and work. Today I start a week's vacation (at home) and....I'm sick. Cary and I both have colds. Boo! I left work a little early yesterday and last night and this morning is the part of a cold where you don't want to get out from under the covers. But it can only be uphill from here!

I joined up with a 2nd ATC swap with the Art Therapy Alliance using collage as a technique. I would like to finish the four cards this week. I had so much fun on the last one and lvoe the cards I received back. Such a nice way to connect with other art therapists. I have been having some exciting things happen in my art therapy world at work recently. A little overwhelming and I feel like I am fumbling a bit but some exciting opportunities for me and my career.

In other parts of life I have been busy. I had my 15th High School reunion last saturday. I think I'm having a mid-30's crisis. Feel like I am not really where I'd like to be. I'm happy with my life but there are some key peices missing. I don't want time to pass me by in some areas. I am having faith that things will fall into place.

I haven't been scrapping much at all. But I signed up for Big Picture Scrapbookings class Big Idea Festival because it is using the August Cocoa Daisy kit which I haven't even opened yet. Hoping to play around with that a bit this week too. I am feeling overwhelmed with all I have done in the past few weeks and all that I have to do before the first week of September. I need a week to slow down and regroup and make some art!

Well...I'm going back under the covers until I feel better.

Happy Friday the 13th!

wordless wednesday

Grapes on the vine - Mayville, NY

Another wordless wednesday. Maybe tomorrow I'll finally have a post with more words :)

wordless wednesday

Sailing on the harbor last night