Sarah*n*dipitous

Hello San Francisco!

What an amazing day! I flew in late last night and got to spend the day with one of my most "favoritest" people on the planet.... Suzanne Lamar from PageSage. I was so grateful that she cleared her schedule to be able to be my personal tour guide for the day. I have been to the San Francisco area before during the shoot for Carol Duvall's DVD but, I really did not get to see much of the sites that go around. Here are some "drive by" shootings from my camera.... There were a few places we visited that just need their own entry so, forgive the many entries for today....

Here is something you do not see in Michigan

This was a wonderful little garden that showcased all the plants mentioned in Shakespeare's extensive works.

Okay, being a sign junkie, I couldn't help but get a pic of this....seriously, what are you allowed to do here anyway?

I took this picture as we drove up one of the many streets in the downtown area. This was literally a 45 degree angle. I have never driven up a road this steep before and Suzanne did it effortlessly (with a stick shift mind you...)

I thought the vinyl in the window was just too cool

It is hard to believe that this was done with spray paint cans. The whole alley way was covered in amazing artwork- illegal or not, it still was incredible to look at.

Oh Heck, I am in Utah!

Salt Lake City is a beautiful place! I flew in last night for a meeting today with the folks here at Provo Craft. I am really excited about the things Provo Craft is doing for teachers and the commitment they have to those of us who teach in the classroom to children. These are some crazy amazing times and well, I am so thankful they are paving the way and making the effort to connect in a real way. I was floored by how huge the Provo facility is here in Spanish Fork and, truly, once you get a glimpse of the view from around their headquarters, it isn't hard to see where the inspiration comes from- it is STUNNING! I was also impressed by the fact that almost every cubicle is decorated with various Cricut creations and wonderful art. It was such a joy to reconnect with the folks I met at CHA and see them all in action as well. Thank you to everyone who helped me out and for those who took time out of their days to make me feel welcome.

On the Road again

I love what I do. I love creating and designing and of course teaching but, I suppose, like everything you love, there are those not so glamorous parts of the job description. For me, travel is one of those things...a blessing and a curse. I LOVE seeing new places and meeting new people but, I despise the whole flying and dealing with the airport issues....perhaps that is why I like the Second Life Scenario so much (flying without lost luggage, traffic, parking spots that are non-existent and people with colds who refuse to use a kleenex and sneeze all over you). So, here I am getting ready to go on a whirlwind tour of Salt Lake City to visit my friends at Provo Craft (to hone my skills on the Cricut) and then on to San Francisco where I intend on scoping out the Bazaar Bizarre, and spending time in the city with my dear friend Suzanne. I can't wait to share with you all the details but, for right now I have to continue to pack.

Shift Happens revisited

A while back I showed a video I found on You Tube... This is the updated version. I wish they had still used the Last of the Mohicans Soundtrack but, hey, it's about the message right? At any rate, this solidifies in my head how we should be thinking about the next generation and equipping them overall. How can we, those of us teaching and creating art professionally now, impart our knowledge and skill set to the next generation and, how can we ourselves be relevant in the conversation now? Technology and how information is transferred in general is moving at mach speed and, truly, as a business owner now, you have to think about the longevity of your business model in this new world; the one that is shaping and being created as we speak. I have a lot of gifted friends in the "tech" world and one of the coolest attributes I notice in them is the insatiable desire to learn new stuff and push that proverbial envelope. They ask the "what-if" questions and think about problems not in the way that says, "Wow, we got ourselves a problem, we'd better hope someone can get right on that and fix it", but rather, "Huh, I think this could be a solution....." which highlights the fact that they not only recognized the issue but have already thought about how to make it right in a tangible way. Great innovation starts with creative folks- folks that can see issues in a new way and visualize tangible solutions. The folks on Apollo 8 were not just "scientists", they were free thinkers who really could do a lot with duct tape.... just a thought.

Generational Crafting

I never had any "formal" training in art. My mother, my paternal grandmother, and my maternal grandfather are all artistically talented. My brothers are both insanely gifted when it comes to art and, gathering from the art on my walls (usually in a permanent marker on a prominently seen area impervious to the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser), my children have a propensity too I suppose. As a child I learned how to embroider and bead from a very young age- there were no "kits" on the market in those days and I daresay, she'd probably never allow them in her house- she just sat me down with a blunt needle, some thicker yarn, a scrap of material and a hoop and let me go to town. My Grandma Ellen was not only a math teacher and collector of antiques, she is the reason I am an artist today. She exposed me to so many wonderful artforms and spent time teaching me how to sew, quilt, embroider, bead, pound copper wires, paint, and most of all appreciate the time and energy people put into handmade things. It is interesting to note,  that all of these things I did as a child, honed my fine motor skills, emphasized and put into real applications mathematic principles and reasoning (taught patterning, algebra, geometry and physics), as well as taught me patience, concentration and most likely kept me occupied long enough for her to get stuff done around the house. I am so thankful my children get the opportunity to train in her "art school" each and every time they visit her home.

I saw this piece today that was made by a young child. It is an artform handed down from mother to child and, children as young as 5 and 6 are already experts. I am constantly amazed by detail in the patterns and the patience to create them employ. I cannot imagine how long it takes to create these. One of my online friends (someday I hope to meet her in real life) Anna does amazing beadwork. When I saw this basket I immediately thought of her. I am fascinated by the amazing things the human hand can create with a little time and patience. Would it not be wonderful, if we allowed children the time to create and explore rather than kit everything and hand it to them on a plate in a nice and neat little package so they could have a carbon copy of the thing on the cover? Would it not be wonderful if we collectively decided to learn something new ourselves and then take the time to teach it to someone else?

Funny Moments

People crack me up. I am the professional people watcher and I get such a kick out of random things. I had talked earlier in the week with one of my friends about a poor gentleman who was assigned the absolute worst license plate from the DMV. This is a family friendly blog so, it won't be mentioned. The funny thing about it was that this poor guy could not figure out why he got nasty stares and suffered vandalism of his car on a regular basis. His insurance had gone up because of the number of claims and well, it wasn't until some guy just came up and asked him why on earth he'd ever think of putting something like this on his license plate and how the DMV would ever allow it. A light bulb clicked at that moment and he explained to the guy that it wasn't a vanity plate, that it was just the one he got randomly and he never bothered to really look at it.... I thought this story was just so funny. Not a few moments later, I saw this plate (which I assume has to be a vanity plate) on a car being driven by a gentleman who resembled the other half of this duo much more..... Like I said, people crack me up.

Colorful Blessings

I am blessed. I can't possibly count all the ways I am blessed but, just know, I am. One of the COOLEST things I get to do is work with children. I think if you make it a point to approach life with the heart of a child,  embracing that sense of curiosity and desire to learn, with an innocence and with a belief in whatever unknown, you will open yourself up to amazing life changing, universe altering, paradigm shifting kinds of things. I mean that. Nothing is impossible to a child. Their art reflects this incredible belief. As an artist, I can only hope that I will seek to constantly remember this because, sincerely without that, your muse, your ability to draw from within to create will be extinguished.

Here in Michigan, times are tough. Social services are taxed beyond the stretching point and little things, like making sure kids in the foster care system get something for Christmas are up in the air because of budget woes. This weekend, we had our annual Christmas Party with the Pontiac Foster Care Kids and, as always, I was blown away by the kids, their honesty, their wonder, and the incredible challenges they are living through and overcoming. I am blessed and honored to have these moments with these kids. I sincerely doubt they have any clue how profound and special they are nor how much it means to me to have them as a part of my world.

On the way to the party, I saw a house burning down. I called 911 from my car and because of the area where it was, it took the police and firefighters 25 minutes to get there- yes, there were people inside (thankfully they were rescued by good Samaritans). I waited and took pictures because it was all I could do. I wanted to make sure that there was some sort of documentation, some proof. I cried because I felt so helpless. This is the world in which the kids I taught this weekend grow up in.

After getting to the party, I began to think about how amazing these kids really are. They have circumstances we dare not even think of to contend with, yet, they smile and they forge ahead. I love seeing the kids year after year and chit chatting about what they have been up to since I last saw them. I make sure to ask if they kept their promises about doing their best and working hard in school. I see their toothy grins and their hands full of ink and for those moments, those few moments, they think of nothing else other than what they are creating. I see how amazed they are when they see that image and how it magically imprinted itself on their paper, I see how proud they are of what they made, and I see how giddy they get when they are creating that "surprise" something for someone special in their lives. This is why art and music are so very important.....it makes our reality more palatable and adds vibrant color even when it seems that all is dark and dull. These kids are amazing. They make my world more colorful and special and I AM BLESSED.

At The End Of The Day

There are days and moments that you just won't forget. I was driving home and I saw the most AMAZING sunset I have ever seen in my whole life. I pulled over to the side of the road and put my hazard lights on and told the kids to take a look. I noticed other folks pulling over behind me and soon, a police officer had pulled right up along side me and asked what seemed to be the problem. It was funny, there were probably a dozen or so car pulled over and he was totally oblivious as to why I had stopped and probably thought I had caused this whole line of cars to rear end eachother or something..... He looked down the line of cars behind me and every single window was opened, cell phones were snapping pictures and folks just stared. He looked over and said, "Well, that is something you do not see every day." The moment passed as quickly as it presented itself. There we stood, almost 20 people staring into the West at the end of the day. The picture I took will NEVER compare to seeing it in person but, it will remind me about the day I shared the most incredible sunset with my children and a bunch of strangers on the side of the road on a cold early evening. The point is, look for the moments and be prepared to stop to enjoy them.

Blue Christmas Without You

I went shopping today and I saw the most wondrous poinsettia. Now, I must admit, I am torn between thinking, "Holy Smokes Batman, this is just not right" to, "That is pretty wicked cool how they did that..." The Blue Poinsettia is one of those things that you really do have to see in person because a camera just won't do it justice. It has this water color, ethereal feel to it; like a water dream sequence or something. I was smitten. The colors reminded me of Staz On re-inkers in those deep rich blues and purples they have randomly pounced over a brushed aluminum surface with flecks of white added for effect. It is amazing where inspiration will find you, today, for me, it was in the grocery store.

2 bucks

No, I wasn't talking about cash dinero... although for $2 I could get a cup o' Joe and a donut over at Tim Horton's and be rather happy about that :)

This morning I was reminded why it is important to seek out the quiet times and moments to reflect- if you do not stop every once and a while, you can miss out on what life has to show you. Here is a view from my window this morning.....some folks will give you their 2 cents, I will give you my 2 bucks...I know, not funny but, perhaps it will make it stick in your head.

Festivus for the Rest of Us!

I miss Seinfeld. No other show has created a whole cult like following of inside jokes and understood definitions.....I can think of many right now.... I have a Kostanza wallet, I eat only the tops of muffins because well, they ARE the best, my daughter dances like Elaine (I am not exaggerating- it is funny as all get out...), and my family is full of re-gifters....

So in honor of a Holiday that truly is made up but, has so many loyal followers, this is my Festivus Board of Grievances. It is the perfect place to document the many things that otherwise annoy you. You can make this at home or not, you can make it in December or not, and well, the feats of strength and the Festivus pole are up to you.

Happy Festivus!

December Huh?

I seriously have no idea where time goes. I looked at my calendar and went into full fledged panic mode. I really wanted to go to the Bizarre Bazar in Cleveland but, because the weather reports are rather scary looking, I decided it was probably better to not drive. I am planning on catching the San Francisco show in a few weeks to make up for it though.

This project was one I originally created for Creative TECHniques magazine using some scanned in paste paper I had made and some AWESOME stamps from Michelle Ward (the 12 days of Christmas cube) It isn't the best picture but, it gives you an idea of a simple ornament that you can make. Happy December to you!