Child in Snow

Hey there, lovelies. I just had to share this image Child in Snow with you from Montana artist, Ria Cody de Neeve. I received a print of it for my birthday from my sister-in-law, Emily. Isn’t it wonderful? There is so much I love about it. The whimsy, the imagery, the mixed media technique, the ode to winter fun. Love love love.

The artist shares that she seeks “to create images which inspire hope and connection to ourselves, each other, and nature.” A girl after my own heart! Yes, I’m inspired.

you used up all the glue on purpose

Chris asked me the other day how I would know when I was finished with my entry in our local Goodwill’s Reinvention Convention. I would just know, said my former art major self. In reality, I decided I would likely be finished when I used up all the glue. On purpose! This indicator reminded me of the night I went into labor with Wren. Chris ate my last Tum’s (for once in 39 weeks, his heartburn trumped mine) and I joked, well, I guess this means I’m going to have the baby! Wren was born the next morning, bringing a not-so-subtle end to my voracious Tum’s habit.

So… I used up the rest of my glue today and I’m delivering the artwork soon! Have you voted yet? Disclaimer: their site is NOT very user-friendly and I’ve already grumbled to them about it so my sincere apologies.

on green

I’m really excited about this: my entry into Goodwill’s Reinvention Convention! In exchange for a $20 donation to Goodwill this past summer, I received certificates to spend at our local Goodwill store on whatever I wanted. Like a mini shopping spree with the idea in mind that I would upcycle my finds into something. What fun! And it’s all for a good cause. The finished pieces will be on display this coming Friday, October 8 at a gallery in downtown Traverse City. Everything is for sale and all the sales benefit Goodwill. Isn’t this cool? And here’s where you come in, dear readers. You get to vote for the winner! The catch is that each vote costs $1 and you can vote as many times as you like. Yes, that’s right, it’s a popularity contest. Sort of. Another fun thing is that you can vote online here. Now! When you vote online, the minimum donation is $10 (10 votes) so vote early and vote often. Please and thank you!

So here’s what I did. I bought a bunch of old t-shirts and then cut them up. Then for about two months I stared at the pile of them, not exactly sure what I would do with them. As you can see, Wren was a big help. Eventually I decided to create an abstract meditation on the color green. Chris thinks the piece (almost finished!) reminds him of an aerial view of fields, which wasn’t my intention, but I can see that. What do you think? I’m going to deliver the finished piece this week. Yahoo!

So when you go online to vote (please and thank you), click on the picture of the pile of t-shirts, which is on the first page of the artists. I think when you hover over the photo, my name (Ashlea Walter) shows up. I believe you can vote through this coming weekend and if you happen to be in Traverse City, come on downtown and check it out!

Can’t wait to see what everyone has done with their stuff. I will take photos of the pieces on Friday night and show you some of my favorites… woot woot!

Have you voted yet?

Happy Anniversary #6

Happy Anniversary to us! We’ve been married six years. Actually, we both thought it was our fifth anniversary until two anniversary cards from our parents confirmed that it was indeed our 6th. My, how time flies… I thought I’d take the opportunity to peruse some photos from our special day. Of course, a wedding is just the beginning of a marriage, but it was a beautiful, thoughtful beginning anyway. We got so very lucky because late September near the 45th parallel can be like it is today, blustery and chilly. Or it can be like our wedding day, 75 and sunny. My Dad would call it a “Chamber of Commerce” kind of day. A few pics for you to enjoy!

grill envy

We’ve got a tiny (old, yucky) grill that (mostly) works fine for our needs, but this pint-sized Bodum Grill in a rainbow of delicious colors? Love! At just about $50, doesn’t this make a great wedding gift, or maybe a gift for yourself just because you always could use a little more color, right? I’m not sure what color I would pick because although my gut always screams “orange!” the others are equally yummy. What say you, dear readers? It also comes in black, off white and yellow. Love!

How’s your grilling going lately? I got some peaches at yesterday’s farmer’s market and I’m thinking of grilling a couple and trying this recipe for grilled peaches with fresh raspberry sauce.

Sounds (and looks) just heavenly, doesn’t it? Do you like to grill fruit, or do you think it’s a waste of a perfectly good piece of fresh fruit? Any tips you’d like to share with me?

Happy Thursday! Where did the week go anyway? Yikes.

WPA art posters

Isn’t Maurice Merlin’s piece from the late 1930s timeless? I spent a few moments between work e-mails and phone calls perusing the Library of Congress WPA posters in their digital collection. Now there’s a fun place to get lost for a while! Have you ever found yourself there? When you have a few minutes, click on over.

When I typed in “summer,” it revealed this lovely poster, which tugged at my heart strings. The illustration of the children. The idea of FREE art classes, including lithography!? Sniffle. Excuse me while I grab a Kleenex. Enjoy your afternoon!