tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17753771902471662662024-03-14T04:03:09.880-04:00Lula Belle StyleJournal of a Southern ArtistLinda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-15228436602685692172016-03-26T09:36:00.000-04:002016-03-26T09:36:24.617-04:00My Easter Gift To You<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Easter is early this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The reason is odd to me - something to do with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the first Sunday </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">after the first full moon </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">after the Spring Equinox. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then you have to decide whether to go with </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">astronomical full moon or the ecclesiastical full moon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rather than wade through all that, I look around for big juicy beds of these:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I sniff the air to see if I can smell Easter...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it smells like buttercups, organdy dresses, and the inside of a church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hear refrains of "He Arose, He Arose, Hallelujah, Christ Arose!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But then there is something deeper than sight, smell, and sound </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">that comes to me </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">every year about this time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Something primeval that stirs in me and has to do with </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">dirt and stones, creation and windy solitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year, I found it in the artist <a href="http://www.lotteglob.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lotte Glob</a>, a Danish Ceramicist </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">who lives in the wild Highlands of Scotland, off the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160321-scotlands-wee-but-wild-road" target="_blank">Wee Mad Road</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is her ceramic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Book of Bones.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqv-V23SkAk/VvaJKbqVgZI/AAAAAAAACeU/Ei2_YF6XO4QlurgUNg7EPYYAQLzyKuIWA/s1600/Lotte%2BGlob%2BBook%2Bof%2Bthe%2BSea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqv-V23SkAk/VvaJKbqVgZI/AAAAAAAACeU/Ei2_YF6XO4QlurgUNg7EPYYAQLzyKuIWA/s400/Lotte%2BGlob%2BBook%2Bof%2Bthe%2BSea.JPG" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And her Book of the Sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her studio sits on about 14 acres of wild hillside, overlooking Loch Shin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbB03_m9Dz8/VvaMLJxoDWI/AAAAAAAACek/gUqZzTF56X0Oi8mozsvra0ueABjvKeTxw/s1600/Lotte%2BGlob%2Bhouse%2Band%2Bstudio.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbB03_m9Dz8/VvaMLJxoDWI/AAAAAAAACek/gUqZzTF56X0Oi8mozsvra0ueABjvKeTxw/s640/Lotte%2BGlob%2Bhouse%2Band%2Bstudio.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is another photo, taken by Steven Fallon, with daisies instead of buttercups...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll bet it was taken around Easter time.</span></div>
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Go and wander through her artwork and methods.</div>
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She's about as close to primeval creation as it gets.</div>
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And that is my Easter gift to you. </div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-65584205233135249192016-03-08T10:39:00.000-05:002016-03-08T10:39:07.391-05:00Lessons on Beauty From Downton Abbey<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The final episode of Downton Abbey has aired in the US, and like millions of others, I am mourning the end of this beautiful show. It has been such a fabulous feast for the eyes, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that I almost didn't care about the story lines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, almost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the things I loved most about the series was the fabulous clothing that both women and men wore,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the way they wore them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Especially the way </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">they wore them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In this stunning ensemble,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Edith gives us </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><u><b>Lesson number one</b>:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Stand Up Straight</b>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><b>Own Your Look</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">In other words,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">be utterly aware of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">how you look,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">top to bottom, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">front and back,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">and flip yourself a tiny smile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"> when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror</span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Edith wore her clothes beautifully, moving through the scenes looking as though she was utterly comfortable with her layered outfits, jewelry, and of course those gloves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">She probably wears tattered jeans at home, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">but she wore these dressy clothes like they were her skin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">And she looked absolutely stunning.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><u>Beauty lesson number two:</u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><b>If you aren't slender </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><b>as a reed</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">and who is, these days?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><b>Stand Up Straight</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><b>Wear Clothes That Are</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><b>Slightly and Properly Fitted.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">If you put the Dowager into the outfit that Edith has on above, she would look </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">like a tent with feet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">Loose and shapeless tops don't slenderize. Nope. What they actually do is add bulk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">to your profile and you look even</span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">bigger than you are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Dowager's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">jacket is loaded </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with couture </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">details </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which can also add bulk,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but she gets away with it because</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">from top to bottom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">she is dressed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all in the same color pale</span>tte.<br />
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O<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ldest trick in the book to create</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a slender, vertical line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Lesson number three:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stand up and sit up straight, </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>lift your head up and away from your shoulders,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and smile from your heart.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one can resist a smile that reaches your eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bidding a fond farewell to Downton Abbey;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am much enriched with the history you portrayed so beautifully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now if I could just get my hands on a few of those outfits...</span><br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-66110236374082574012016-02-01T09:21:00.001-05:002016-02-01T09:21:05.434-05:00More Trends from the Atlanta Gift and Home Market<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Walking the Atlanta Gift and Home Furnishings January 2016 Market was so fabulous -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> it is always thrilling to walk through the buildings </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and see all of those</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Trend Forecasts </span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">coming to life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and this year the added attraction was the sheer energy that was buzzing through</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the thronged hallways, and showrooms that were packed with buyers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This vignette in the Surya showroom captures the Pantone 2016 Palette that </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wound around and through the Market like a translucent rope of color:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxSDQq8y0xQ/Vq6Fr3JppjI/AAAAAAAACYo/dqEr_ktW0qQ/s1600/Surya%2BLamps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxSDQq8y0xQ/Vq6Fr3JppjI/AAAAAAAACYo/dqEr_ktW0qQ/s640/Surya%2BLamps.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Tropical and Ocean Life themes are still very hot for Home Decor, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but the colors have become hazier and more like sea glass found on a beach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These reading glasses from Peepers capture that happy vibe: </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZZst-ZotwU/Vq9hTv8rxzI/AAAAAAAACbo/2LMk0djxt-M/s1600/Pepper%2Bglasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZZst-ZotwU/Vq9hTv8rxzI/AAAAAAAACbo/2LMk0djxt-M/s640/Pepper%2Bglasses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were punches of these wonderful colors everywhere, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but the overall feel that I took away from this Market was</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Natural.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Quiet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Earthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Comforting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pantone's Limpet Shell hue </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was everywhere, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and soothed the eye and soul</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">no matter what it was paired with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at this fabulous lamp </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">from </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Split P - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the texture of that throw.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lots of texture at this Market,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in nubby weaves,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">embroidery,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">natural wood,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and layered components.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These embroidered pillows from Split P are pretty and quiet,</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6S4x1MGuOA/Vq6asjEuXrI/AAAAAAAACbY/wah2TCJQLjU/s1600/Split%2BP%2BEmbroidered.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6S4x1MGuOA/Vq6asjEuXrI/AAAAAAAACbY/wah2TCJQLjU/s400/Split%2BP%2BEmbroidered.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as are these pillar holders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also from Split P was this great example of the natural wood look </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that I found throughout Market, with that warm grey again:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And this Trellis lamp, with a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">warm silver metallic finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I discovered Bloomingville US, tucked away in the Ivystone Showroom and fell in love with their fabulously simple Danish lines, and with the way they used </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rose Quartz with Lilac Gray and Limpet Shell with the same Gray:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj7hbTZhoN8/Vq6TNl7OzvI/AAAAAAAACaU/Lc9tPbGQvQs/s1600/Bloomingville%2B8%2Bvignette2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj7hbTZhoN8/Vq6TNl7OzvI/AAAAAAAACaU/Lc9tPbGQvQs/s640/Bloomingville%2B8%2Bvignette2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at this Wall Art from them - so simple, so sweet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love the line work, love the message.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qIrs6P-80Y/Vq6TgtAcoXI/AAAAAAAACac/nf3--izctOI/s1600/Bloomingville%2B6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qIrs6P-80Y/Vq6TgtAcoXI/AAAAAAAACac/nf3--izctOI/s400/Bloomingville%2B6.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is one of Bloomingville's </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ceramic ware collections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tucked in are a trending wooden bowl,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">wooden cheese board,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and see that copper Coffee tin?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Copper is strong, and many times</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I saw it paired with gold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think you are going to see a LOT of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">this look continuing to capture the hearts </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> of younger shoppers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Danish/Nordic style, with the luxe look</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of gold and copper and other metals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A sort of clean industrial,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">upscale recycling </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">trend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like this pendant light from Currey and Company:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And their Flush Mount fixture:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viVH-FIG3fA/Vq6Z1oIl2yI/AAAAAAAACbI/UEPnsGRQeB4/s1600/Currey%2Band%2BCompany%2BFlush%2Bmount%2BGrand%2BLotus%2Blighting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viVH-FIG3fA/Vq6Z1oIl2yI/AAAAAAAACbI/UEPnsGRQeB4/s320/Currey%2Band%2BCompany%2BFlush%2Bmount%2BGrand%2BLotus%2Blighting.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you look back up at that plate from Bloomingville, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">you can see that </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the trend of putting </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">words on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">just about anything </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">is still hot, hot, hot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which is for the next post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You wouldn't BELIEVE the hand lettering all over the Market that I saw,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and I had thought that was about over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, it isn't - and it has taken a new turn, which I think you're going to love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, here's another Trend Hint coming in the next post...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Black and White.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rZuwLvDkjA/Vq6YftX4XUI/AAAAAAAACa0/q2sbZ1ArIaQ/s1600/Bloomingville%2B9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rZuwLvDkjA/Vq6YftX4XUI/AAAAAAAACa0/q2sbZ1ArIaQ/s640/Bloomingville%2B9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until next time!</span></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-85709578050895707912016-01-23T17:34:00.000-05:002016-01-25T06:50:11.870-05:00Spotting Trends at The Atlanta Gift and Home Furnishings Market<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've just returned from the Atlanta Gift and Home show, and look what I found!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the biggest delights of walking the Atlanta Market is that you are literally surrounded by the culmination of all those Trend Reports, morphed into three dimensions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The photo above is part of the Pantone exhibit, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">showing some of their yummy colors from their 2016 trend palette in application.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVgXbH6uD94/VqN8do4r6iI/AAAAAAAACWI/Q0SoWbADBk8/s1600/Pantone%2B2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVgXbH6uD94/VqN8do4r6iI/AAAAAAAACWI/Q0SoWbADBk8/s400/Pantone%2B2016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I only had two days to walk the market this time, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">but instantly saw textures,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">themes, and palettes </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that will be in your </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">favorite stores this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Lobster Towel Holder from Mud Pie is one example of a continuing trend - what I call the Ocean Life Trend </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that has been so deliciously hot for a couple of years now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These unbleached paper towels have the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pantone Iced Coffee hue, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and that natural wood </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was all over the Market. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I do mean all over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was so soothing,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">so quietly lovely </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">after all that distressed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">white chalk paint we've</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">been seeing for a few years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which I have a lot of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in my home. Time to strip.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0do72GmBHBM/VqPOjqKFv2I/AAAAAAAACXI/_BNpepkwiko/s1600/Jamie%2BDietrich%2BBalustrade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0do72GmBHBM/VqPOjqKFv2I/AAAAAAAACXI/_BNpepkwiko/s400/Jamie%2BDietrich%2BBalustrade.JPG" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I saw a lot of Serenity Blue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">coupled with a lovely shade </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of Pantone's Snorkel Blue...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">usually punched up with</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peach Echo or sitting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sweetly with creamy white</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and natural wood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Balustrade from Jamie Dietrich</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">portrays both that Pantone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016 Color of The Year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Serenity -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and also continues the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ocean Life Trend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Splashes of gold in all types of metallic finishes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">continued that turn toward warm instead of cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like these fabulous sconces offered by Vagabond Vintage:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhG1qaWWxJM/VqOOCSMFR_I/AAAAAAAACWs/5lU9cdBKgd0/s1600/Gold%2BWall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhG1qaWWxJM/VqOOCSMFR_I/AAAAAAAACWs/5lU9cdBKgd0/s640/Gold%2BWall.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The infatuation with deer heads and racks of antlers has grown even deeper.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Moose antlers, deer antlers, whole racks and parts of antlers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I do love the antlers, but I'm tired of the deer head outlines - give me some detail!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0s7rde2J0VQ/VqPU1QtIuwI/AAAAAAAACXo/mjJVCYYybqU/s1600/JD%2BWarm2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0s7rde2J0VQ/VqPU1QtIuwI/AAAAAAAACXo/mjJVCYYybqU/s400/JD%2BWarm2.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another presentation from Jamie Dietrich, with golden-toned antlers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdRHjNEbLpc/VqOQ2UOW2dI/AAAAAAAACW4/-hlNMtXpGeI/s1600/Ben%2Band%2BLael%2BSilver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sdRHjNEbLpc/VqOQ2UOW2dI/AAAAAAAACW4/-hlNMtXpGeI/s400/Ben%2Band%2BLael%2BSilver.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This lovely silver bowl </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> is from </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ben and Lael, Inc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could run on and on, but will save some for the next post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'll finish up with this Wall Art from Surya:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp6pWutQg_k/VqP92zxY9rI/AAAAAAAACYY/6cESQhOJzrs/s1600/Surya%2BWall%2BDecor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp6pWutQg_k/VqP92zxY9rI/AAAAAAAACYY/6cESQhOJzrs/s640/Surya%2BWall%2BDecor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It incorporates just about every color from the Pantone 2016 palette, and could be hung in any room that has any of the above pieces in it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And lastly, let's return to one of the Pantone displays in Atlanta:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Z43WGJxpw/VqN-LH86fQI/AAAAAAAACWY/Ln4s7DYr9JA/s1600/Pantone%2B-%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Z43WGJxpw/VqN-LH86fQI/AAAAAAAACWY/Ln4s7DYr9JA/s640/Pantone%2B-%2B1.JPG" width="603" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">See what I mean? Now, go shopping!!</span></div>
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<br />Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-59014821257036373632016-01-05T08:02:00.000-05:002016-01-05T08:02:10.682-05:00Tummy Suck, Pelvic Tuck, and Shoulder Roll<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Adxtrc3Qd8/Vou4PozgfjI/AAAAAAAACVA/cdy5t_MzScA/s1600/Posture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Adxtrc3Qd8/Vou4PozgfjI/AAAAAAAACVA/cdy5t_MzScA/s400/Posture.PNG" width="255" /></a></div>
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See this pretty girl from Mireille Dagher's Spring/Summer 2016 Collection?<br />
Her pelvis is tucked properly underneath and in line with her head,<br />
her (okay, non-existent) tummy is sucked in,<br />
and her shoulders are rolled back to make her chest proud.<br />
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What I'm pointing out here, girls and guys, is that it is time to<br />
Tuck it Up, Suck it Up, and get that Chest All Proud.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And I am not talking about Plastic Surgery here.<br />
You gotta work on this.<br />
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See this guy's posture?</div>
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This is how you should NOT stand,<br />
but is how I do, because I've done it all my life.<br />
I think they call it Sway Back.<br />
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I call it "Leading with my Stomach".<br />
It is my Mom's posture, which I inherited.<br />
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The problem with this is,<br />
your tummy perpetually sticks out in front of everything else.<br />
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And your butt looks enormous.<br />
Even though it is just pleasingly round.<br />
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Somewhere during last Fall, I figured out that the<br />
reason my tummy always looked like a fire hydrant in profile<br />
was because I was literally Poking it Out by standing<br />
like this guy on the left. Sway Backed.<br />
So last month I made up a new rule.<br />
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Suck. And Tuck.<br />
TUCK my butt back up underneath my shoulders.<br />
SUCK my tummy in, and roll my shoulders back.<br />
Get really PROUD of my chest.<br />
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That way, THIS is what happens:</div>
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Well, you are not going to look exactly like this,<br />
but see how her shoulders are rolled back, and how Proud her Chest is??<br />
We won't look at whether or not she is Sucking and Tucking, because with a six pack like that, who the heck needs to think about sucking her tummy in?<br />
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But I can tell you that if you follow the above instructions,<br />
your clothes will hang right,<br />
and you will have the hint of a waist<br />
for the first time in years.<br />
Testify.<br />
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Every minute of every day, Suck, Tuck, and Roll.<br />
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Look in the mirror at your profile;<br />
SMILE.<br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-85136560995200784322015-12-28T11:34:00.000-05:002015-12-28T11:34:56.951-05:00You Are What You Eat<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With Christmas now a big box of fond memories to store away, you are probably right there with me with all your new stored Real Estate. Talking tummy and hiney, here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every year we spend Christmas at the beach, and tradition demands that I gather these ingredients from our local beach grocery:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can see the Real Estate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">accretion products piled up</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">here on my counter top </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">overlooking the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Intracoastal Waterway.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2OjCs6yE40/VoFhqgDyB6I/AAAAAAAACUU/Ad4pp74XfMc/s1600/Cookies%2BChristmas%2B2015%2Bin%2Bprocess%2BBlog-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A2OjCs6yE40/VoFhqgDyB6I/AAAAAAAACUU/Ad4pp74XfMc/s400/Cookies%2BChristmas%2B2015%2Bin%2Bprocess%2BBlog-2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the oven heats up, I am mixing like mad,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">doubling up on the chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and the walnuts, of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love walnuts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The best part</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">about all this work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">is</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you get to lick the extra dough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">off your fingers when it piles up</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">on the spoon </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and you have to scrape it off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wait while they bake is excruciating...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then, out of the oven</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">comes this loveliness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to eat them while the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">chocolate is still warm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and gooey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and fragrant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then I have another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are always paybacks for too much of a good thing, and it's now time to start paying...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">because my bathroom scale has Nuclear Alerts going off when I just pass by it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't even have to step on it to hear the sirens going off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>So, this is what I'll do to soothe the scales and zip my pants up again:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>It's back to Brazil...this time for their Dietary Guidelines, not for Fajas.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Eat Fresh, never processed Veggies and Fruits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Include some dried beans, in moderation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <u>Eat Fresh Fish</u> that comes from a reputable source.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eat roasted, grilled, or boiled chicken, <u>made at home</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Drink lots of clear clean water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Walk. A lot. Climb stairs. Stretch and pull and twist and shout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. <u>Cook At Home</u> so I can keep my food additives under control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Don't eat anything out of a box or bag - <u>no processed foods</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Eat Apple Slices, Celery Sticks, Carrot Sticks, Citrus Fruits for snacks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want to take a look (<i>and you should</i>) at Brazil's down-to-earth guidelines,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you can view them </span><a href="http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_alimentar_populacao_ingles.pdf" target="_blank">HERE.</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing recipes and tips </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with you to rope in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that Extra Real Estate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">without using a Faja!</span></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-38080358974540063722015-12-09T12:52:00.000-05:002015-12-09T12:52:48.898-05:00Managing a Wildlife Refuge in Atlanta<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We live just outside Atlanta, in a densely packed suburban neighborhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fine restaurants, a rich selection of arts and entertainment venues, Pro Sports, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the Atlanta Merchandise Mart are all within a short drive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Luckily, my talented Hubby has managed to make our property beautiful and serene...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">we are pretty intense in our business lives and really need that calm space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have a beautiful little pond for evening reflection and cocktails before dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, however, it is not so serene.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Check out these <a href="http://lindamcmullan.blogspot.com/2011/04/goose-throwdown.html" target="_blank">Naughty Geese</a>:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7kGkQyF-_s/Vmgzb2bnh6I/AAAAAAAACPk/c1JzY4glmxU/s1600/Bad%2BGeese%2Bengaged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7kGkQyF-_s/Vmgzb2bnh6I/AAAAAAAACPk/c1JzY4glmxU/s640/Bad%2BGeese%2Bengaged.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And this Blue Heron, who is NOT a favorite guest, because he is a voracious fish eater:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VyjX3Owpkic/VmhLF3q4VMI/AAAAAAAACQg/nl_44rAh_8g/s1600/Heron%2BFlying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VyjX3Owpkic/VmhLF3q4VMI/AAAAAAAACQg/nl_44rAh_8g/s400/Heron%2BFlying.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWdZ64y5b-w/Vmg3lroiKxI/AAAAAAAACQQ/G0gRK8cgCOQ/s1600/Turtle%2BMouth%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jWdZ64y5b-w/Vmg3lroiKxI/AAAAAAAACQQ/G0gRK8cgCOQ/s320/Turtle%2BMouth%2B-%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We also regularly have these enormous Snapping Turtles who move in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and start eating everything that wriggles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">every single Spring. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://lindamcmullan.blogspot.com/2011/07/saga-of-snapping-turtle.html" target="_blank">We used to catch them and release them</a> in a nearby creek to keep them from murdering every small animal </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in our pond, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">including our Baby Wood Ducks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was classic Bad Behavior in our minds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By hauling them off, we THOUGHT we had ended our problem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They came back, from miles away. Every time. We started marking them, because we couldn't believe they would travel that far, and land right back in our/their pond again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But it was true...they came "home" and so we caved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, Hubby feeds them in the summer with fish scraps, veggies, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the occasional freezer burned piece of red meat that I refuse to cook. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They particularly love that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have a large back yard that Hubby carved out of some scruffy woods and we love that, too. Since he can't stop himself from putting out corn and other wild life goodies, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it also attracts a wide assortment of land critters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our fave back yard Wild Life Visitor looks like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He doesn't kill anything, he's mysterious, and he sort of looks like Rudolph. You know?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It took years to get the rules laid down for our wildlife and they taught us a few things, too. Just when we all got all comfy with each other and the rules were set, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">THIS happened:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux8G-O-SwdE/VmhN3XSV6SI/AAAAAAAACQs/cSSAke3wLKE/s1600/Beaver%2BCuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ux8G-O-SwdE/VmhN3XSV6SI/AAAAAAAACQs/cSSAke3wLKE/s400/Beaver%2BCuts.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Very, very bad behavior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And then, a herd of Otters moved in and romped around the pond in broad daylight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Gobbling our fish, they treated this felled tree like a swing set in a playground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">while they were out on recess from stuffing themselves with our carp,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bream, catfish, bass and crayfish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">See this naughty head?</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJrB8ssqVCk/VmhljqyxuHI/AAAAAAAACRI/MIIvPvxdAK0/s1600/Otter%2Bhead%2B-%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJrB8ssqVCk/VmhljqyxuHI/AAAAAAAACRI/MIIvPvxdAK0/s640/Otter%2Bhead%2B-%2B2.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And this swirl he and his girlfriend made while they played chase?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I declared war.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First up - ammo.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPFqHCvn-R8/VmhmEOTYh6I/AAAAAAAACRY/m5V56hTkXhA/s1600/Ammo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nPFqHCvn-R8/VmhmEOTYh6I/AAAAAAAACRY/m5V56hTkXhA/s320/Ammo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have dropped depth charges, fired off Quarter Stick Missiles, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and carpet bombed the entire pond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hopefully, no one will call the cops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have left this guy and his brother on patrol - they are motion activated, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with cackling, blinking lights, and violent shaking of their cages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They LOVE to be unleashed.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9y69P1PC5s/Vmhn9kl1F7I/AAAAAAAACRk/RtDUuqurVGM/s1600/Guard%2BDog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U9y69P1PC5s/Vmhn9kl1F7I/AAAAAAAACRk/RtDUuqurVGM/s640/Guard%2BDog.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And no, I haven't put up our Christmas tree yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm too busy managing </span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">a Wildlife Refuge in Atlanta.</span><br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-8709492997112417822015-11-16T17:21:00.001-05:002016-03-01T18:45:38.503-05:00A Message from China Brings Me Home<div style="text-align: center;">
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It is November again - a year since I have written an entry on my Blog. Unbelievable how day to day activities add up to a year of one's life...A kaleidoscope of images and flashes of events are still alive and bright for the year of 2015, but the most earth shaking event for me this year happened quietly, as I watched a message from China bloom across my computer monitor and explode into my heart.</div>
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For quite some time, I've been deeply involved in refining my artistic skills by taking online courses from a gifted teacher and artist - <a href="http://makeartthatsells.com/" target="_blank">Lilla Rogers</a>. She knows how to pull images out of you that you are surprised at, and grateful for. So I've been drawing and drawing and drawing. For about two years or so.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nyE24KjDKI/Vkj9XVkWxEI/AAAAAAAACNY/Zqgdr9eQRbM/s1600/A%2BSeahorse%2BPlate%2BBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nyE24KjDKI/Vkj9XVkWxEI/AAAAAAAACNY/Zqgdr9eQRbM/s320/A%2BSeahorse%2BPlate%2BBlog.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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And then, she teamed up with another gifted artist, <a href="http://smartcreativewomen.com/vp-of-creative-at-midwest-cbk-margo-tantau-is-in-the-house/" target="_blank">Margo Tantau</a>, VP of Design and Creative at Midwest CBK to offer an online course in how to mock up your artwork onto Home Decor items, for presentation to Art Directors. Like this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MN_N29dsEM/VkjrnOnyDOI/AAAAAAAACMs/2PQ42XnJX6Q/s1600/Cache%2BPot%2B22%2BBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0MN_N29dsEM/VkjrnOnyDOI/AAAAAAAACMs/2PQ42XnJX6Q/s320/Cache%2BPot%2B22%2BBlog.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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Since I am all about creating artwork and Home Decor items, I did a double fist pump and was probably the first person to sign up when registration opened. And then class started. When the week was over and it was time to present, I was not prepared and my presentation was awful.<br />
What the heck?</div>
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I passed it off as fatigue, since we were traveling that week and I felt disrupted. So, on to week two. And the same thing happened. This was my most looked-forward to class in over two years, and I was absolutely blowing it. I lost my confidence, the worst thing that can happen to an artist. Then we got to the week about ceramic substrates. </div>
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Margo posted a documentation of her trip to Dehua in Fujian Province in China,<br />
where she had gone to take a look at a ceramics factory. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iajy56mBb4/VklBb8XaRzI/AAAAAAAACOE/NfBXSBT9OF4/s1600/Dehua%2BFactory%2B-%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3iajy56mBb4/VklBb8XaRzI/AAAAAAAACOE/NfBXSBT9OF4/s400/Dehua%2BFactory%2B-%2B3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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She posted photos and a great narrative of her trip to the factory, which produced items similar to the ones pictured above, but with more quietness. Suddenly, reading her article and studying her photos, I had tears in my eyes. Because just like that, I knew why I was so unprepared<br />
for presentation day every single week.<br />
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Since we were working to place our art on three dimensional objects, my inner magnet had snapped to the process of Making the object rather than Drawing the artwork for that object. </div>
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I had been snatched off the Planet of Drawing, and placed back on the Planet of Making. </div>
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You see, when things like this are Made in China, they are made by people, using their hands and eyes to turn an idea into a useful object. People make hundreds or thousands of those items. With their hands. See? Hand. Made. Each and every piece that comes out of that ceramics factory in Dehua is handled many, many times, with hands that feel and appreciate the thing that has been Made. And that is what was messing me up. I kept getting fascinated with the idea of Designing, Engineering, and Making an Object, and THEN making the artwork to put on it.<br />
By then, every single week, I was out of time to make good artwork.<br />
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I was hungry to make something, simple as that. <br />
I had been away too long from where I am anchored.<br />
Making Things with My Hands.</div>
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I started gentle, poking around my fabric stash and tassel-making supplies:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NE-lmr1gwI/Vkj7wurI7BI/AAAAAAAACNI/LFVVKg-Vvk8/s1600/Sailboat%2BFront%2BNew%2BAmazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_NE-lmr1gwI/Vkj7wurI7BI/AAAAAAAACNI/LFVVKg-Vvk8/s320/Sailboat%2BFront%2BNew%2BAmazon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I got all rowdy and started fooling around with "Mash-Up Pillows". <br />
That felt really good.</div>
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So I moved on into experimenting with transferring some of my artwork on to fabric or wood or ceramics or oyster shells or<br />
who knows what.<br />
Now I am engineering, trouble shooting,<br />
discovering my own way to do this. </div>
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It will come, because I am a Maker of Things.<br />
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Who knew it would take a tray of plain white porcelain bowls<br />
going into a kiln in Dehua, China<br />
to introduce Me back to Myself?<br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-33121583392121446002014-11-18T13:05:00.000-05:002014-11-19T13:04:49.934-05:00The Way We Talked - Try Using this Word in a Sentence<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is cold in Marietta, Georgia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not Chilly, but Cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I am working on all of my jobs with the heat going full blast</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and too many layers of clothes on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Unlike this woman:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I came up to my graphics studio to grab the old, falling-apart dictionary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">that has been crumbling on my back bookshelf</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to select some pages to put in a tea bath.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, I started focusing on the words on those pages</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and my attention went 180 degrees from what I was supposed to be doing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you know that in the 1800's, there was a word that meant</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Wanton-ness or Friskiness</i></b>??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The word is <b>Petulcity</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I dare you to use that word in a coherent sentence at the next office party.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How about this one: <b>Pezle Mezle.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apparently that was the phrase in the 1800's that now means Pell-Mell.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I kind of like the way that Pezle Mezle feels in my mouth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can see making use of Pezle Mezle during the Holidays, can't you?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I leave you with this: <b>Pettifogulize.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This juicy word meant to "use petty and contemptible tricks or quibbles".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, anyone who engages in such behavior is known as a P<b>ettifogulizer</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Know anyone like that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I prefer wanton friskiness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do know this old dictionary will go on my bedside table for some entertaining reading.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saved from the tea bath...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back to work; can't sit still too long at my desk or my toes will get frost bite!</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-937090619262821322014-11-06T13:46:00.000-05:002014-11-06T13:46:12.230-05:00How To Loose Weight at Warp Speed<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm serious.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go pour a glass of water, and let me explain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">while you slurp it down.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyn28h37_Lg/VFu7wmj0YTI/AAAAAAAACKs/c1LhVmU7T2M/s1600/water2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyn28h37_Lg/VFu7wmj0YTI/AAAAAAAACKs/c1LhVmU7T2M/s1600/water2.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Water simply isn't on my radar screen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To drink, that is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Dad had the same blank spot.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was little, after a pre-school checkup, my pediatrician told my Mom </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to wake me up for school with a glass of water in her hand </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and wait until I had drunk it down before leaving the room.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chances were, that would be the last water I would drink that day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go figure. I just never thought about drinking water.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Milk, orange juice, Nehi Strawberry or Peach and sweet tea were my faves,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with Mom's good coffee laced with lots of milk and sugar sometimes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With that to choose from, why drink tasteless water?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last year at my annual checkup, the doc told me to cut down on salt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He said my face was puffy from too much salt and not enough water.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeObuwACObg/VFu-h4emhFI/AAAAAAAACK4/-7U2jwJpeYg/s1600/salt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BeObuwACObg/VFu-h4emhFI/AAAAAAAACK4/-7U2jwJpeYg/s1600/salt2.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That reminded of my childhood, but only briefly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I forgot about it, and sprinkled my new favorite smoked salt on almost everything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year, he studied my face, looked at my BP and said abruptly,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Stop eating salt. Period."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And left the room.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, okay. I was already on a mission to increase my water intake, so I thought,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What the heck. I'll go for it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I tripled my water intake, and started squeezing lemon juice on my food.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Almost same as salt, but surprisingly tastier.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One week later, I am down 6 pounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Serious.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's a lot of fluid.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeUZRxw0fq0/VFvAAq_zTHI/AAAAAAAACLE/edVFM9JSgmA/s1600/scale2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeUZRxw0fq0/VFvAAq_zTHI/AAAAAAAACLE/edVFM9JSgmA/s1600/scale2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a jump start like that, I'm back on my sensible eating plan of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Calories in, calories out".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't eat more calories in a day than you can burn off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walk every day in the fresh air,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">cut down on white stuff like rice and bread,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and enjoy zipping into those jeans hung in the back of the closet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just in time for cold weather and layered clothes.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-83667464819364299622014-10-21T11:41:00.000-04:002014-10-21T11:41:49.166-04:00Sand Dunes, Sea Turtles, and High Fashion<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See this?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi0sYdlzxVQ/VEF5DcBjBrI/AAAAAAAACJQ/d0JUecYyIWs/s1600/Jonathan%2BSaunders%2BPaul%2BSmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fi0sYdlzxVQ/VEF5DcBjBrI/AAAAAAAACJQ/d0JUecYyIWs/s1600/Jonathan%2BSaunders%2BPaul%2BSmith.jpg" height="640" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jonathan Saunders Paul Smith</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spring/Summer 2015 Women's Ready to Wear </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">by Jonathan Saunders and Paul Smith that caught my eye.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And see these little guys??</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mevl_Jb1VdY/VEG60jPKBpI/AAAAAAAACJg/xNDsQFkvjZ4/s1600/Baby%2BTurtles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mevl_Jb1VdY/VEG60jPKBpI/AAAAAAAACJg/xNDsQFkvjZ4/s1600/Baby%2BTurtles2.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photo courtesy <a href="http://hollybeckadventures.com/" target="_blank">Holly Beck</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here is this,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That I designed for your Beach Cottage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ojODL0QGIs/VEG9O4Tw24I/AAAAAAAACKE/Cl_atcqGFx0/s1600/Turtle%2BBay%2BSampler%2BBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ojODL0QGIs/VEG9O4Tw24I/AAAAAAAACKE/Cl_atcqGFx0/s1600/Turtle%2BBay%2BSampler%2BBlue.jpg" height="246" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, this:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HLXXwTM6Pc/VEG90uXi3SI/AAAAAAAACKM/8vnT-1xcFU0/s1600/Turtle%2BBay%2BSampler%2BGrey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HLXXwTM6Pc/VEG90uXi3SI/AAAAAAAACKM/8vnT-1xcFU0/s1600/Turtle%2BBay%2BSampler%2BGrey2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKDcySHmHq8/VEZ8PiW9u8I/AAAAAAAACKc/Ym1nbtHb7bw/s1600/Bedding%2BEnsemble%2BTurtle%2BBay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKDcySHmHq8/VEZ8PiW9u8I/AAAAAAAACKc/Ym1nbtHb7bw/s1600/Bedding%2BEnsemble%2BTurtle%2BBay.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/collections/57274" target="_blank">Turtle Bay</a> Bedding Ensemble.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available in Basic Cotton, Linen Cotton Canvas, Eco Canvas, Cotton Silk, Silk Crepe de Chine, etc. at my Spoonflower fabric shop <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/designs?view=57274" target="_blank">here </a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yes, I am still awash in the Fall Runway Shows and gobbling up the fabulous palettes and patterns being shown there - I simply can't get enough of it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-40603704255798576832014-09-29T15:34:00.003-04:002014-09-29T15:47:25.336-04:00Swimming in the Milan Spring Summer 2015 Catwalk<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Will you just look at this fabulous-ness?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-enBmPnHDo/VCgDtS85QxI/AAAAAAAACHo/O6-9R7Xsl4s/s1600/Emilio%2BPucci%2Bss2015%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-enBmPnHDo/VCgDtS85QxI/AAAAAAAACHo/O6-9R7Xsl4s/s1600/Emilio%2BPucci%2Bss2015%2Bblog.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Emilio Pucci for SS 2015.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this from Stella Jean?</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiQIJZz0cFs/VCgGZxLFsCI/AAAAAAAACH0/ioum5gl3d0g/s1600/1%2BSS15%2BJust%2BCavalli%2Bskirt%2Btop%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiQIJZz0cFs/VCgGZxLFsCI/AAAAAAAACH0/ioum5gl3d0g/s1600/1%2BSS15%2BJust%2BCavalli%2Bskirt%2Btop%2Bblog.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is serious eye candy, and a sumptuous teaser for the palettes and styles you are going to see in the Spring and Summer of 2015. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gorgeous colors and flow-y, drape-y and swish-y styles are going to permeate the landscape of the streets, restaurants, shops and parks next Spring...how lovely is THAT??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The only thing I love more than layered swish-y fabrics is the sartorial look, which is a great counter point to this look and has a flirty tension all its own...but that post is for later. Right now, just look at these colours and patterns!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Milan Catwalk for Spring/Summer 2015 was simply delightful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The palettes and patterns presented by some of my favorite fashion designers </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">made me smile out loud. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I'm utterly delighted that although I had no clue </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">what they would present on this September's catwalks, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've apparently been </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">swimming in the same pond without knowing it since April.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had started a new collection based on one of our trips this Spring, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but was hesitant to finish it out... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt like it was too "Out There" - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">too Saturated. Too Landscape-y. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I can lay those fears to rest and finish those collections with a party in my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Look at Stella Jean's lovely skirt and blouse: </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM9zk_Y5xhs/VCgJFZgrTFI/AAAAAAAACIA/VpIu41yU7b4/s1600/Stella%2BJean%2Bss15%2Bskirt%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iM9zk_Y5xhs/VCgJFZgrTFI/AAAAAAAACIA/VpIu41yU7b4/s1600/Stella%2BJean%2Bss15%2Bskirt%2Bblog.jpg" height="640" width="518" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And...here is my <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/collections/79340" target="_blank">Cottage Porch Collection</a>, started in June of this year. When I saw Stella Jean's "Houses On a Hill" walking down the catwalk, I nearly </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">fell out of my chair with delight!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWW7f_cpw4E/VChEg4tqbhI/AAAAAAAACIQ/dLFHUk0DLKo/s1600/Cottage%2BBreeze%2BBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWW7f_cpw4E/VChEg4tqbhI/AAAAAAAACIQ/dLFHUk0DLKo/s1600/Cottage%2BBreeze%2BBlog.jpg" height="308" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, take a look at this close-up of one of Just Cavalli's dresses:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Uno7T919c/VCiRXbSy64I/AAAAAAAACIg/qEY3NkQIxwg/s1600/1%2BSS15%2BJust%2BCavalli%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Uno7T919c/VCiRXbSy64I/AAAAAAAACIg/qEY3NkQIxwg/s1600/1%2BSS15%2BJust%2BCavalli%2Bblog.jpg" height="579" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And this serving of scrumptiousness from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stella Jean:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7c3S79TthoA/VCiRz_kAZcI/AAAAAAAACIo/RWIuJplK1oE/s1600/Stella%2BJean%2Bss2015%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7c3S79TthoA/VCiRz_kAZcI/AAAAAAAACIo/RWIuJplK1oE/s1600/Stella%2BJean%2Bss2015%2Bblog.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't you want to go get a big spoon and just </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">eat this up??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(In my next life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am going to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5'10" and have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">gorgeous hands</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and a long neck...) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With these lovely images in my head and heart, how could I NOT be dancing in my studio? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that I've gobbled up this catwalk, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't wait to get my collections finished and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">posted to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Spoonflower shop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lesson learned. Follow your heart; always follow your heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, back to working on my new Cavalli Jean Collection!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnqymGBkP5Y/VCm3KWz9YOI/AAAAAAAACJA/Hu7123BHI0c/s1600/Cavalli%2BJean%2BFB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HnqymGBkP5Y/VCm3KWz9YOI/AAAAAAAACJA/Hu7123BHI0c/s1600/Cavalli%2BJean%2BFB.jpg" height="211" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7u9P7m5vDcg/VCiUk1lVPFI/AAAAAAAACIw/VpTD9-POvJI/s1600/Sampler%2BYellow%2BBlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7u9P7m5vDcg/VCiUk1lVPFI/AAAAAAAACIw/VpTD9-POvJI/s1600/Sampler%2BYellow%2BBlog.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-8097440061145339722014-05-26T10:07:00.001-04:002014-05-26T10:07:39.873-04:00A Report on Surtex and National Stationery Show 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm bidding a fond farewell to New York City</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and heading home with my head packed with images</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">from the National Stationery Show</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and Surtex.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like this early evening view from my hotel window:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vygRtbYQBE/U4Ms6rg7rZI/AAAAAAAAB7w/ltYASbtMb_c/s1600/NYC+May+2014++for+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vygRtbYQBE/U4Ms6rg7rZI/AAAAAAAAB7w/ltYASbtMb_c/s1600/NYC+May+2014++for+Blog.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Shows were beautifully presented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hundreds of Exhibitors and throngs of Buyers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">created a great upbeat vibe throughout the Javits Center.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfmcSe7Ewh4/U4MuQejPJ5I/AAAAAAAAB78/gaWmpJ-x7vo/s1600/NSS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfmcSe7Ewh4/U4MuQejPJ5I/AAAAAAAAB78/gaWmpJ-x7vo/s1600/NSS.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The artwork presented was beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a tiny sampling of what I saw - all images from the artists.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9hufJLCI3w/U4MwPDg6L5I/AAAAAAAAB8I/CnanUfuDk7E/s1600/Printed+Hues+Laura+Lobdell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9hufJLCI3w/U4MwPDg6L5I/AAAAAAAAB8I/CnanUfuDk7E/s1600/Printed+Hues+Laura+Lobdell.JPG" height="640" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Artwork of Laura Lobdell</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hqxkLBICkc/U4MwbWQrUtI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/3Y4ppy3CnbA/s1600/Sandra+Jacobs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hqxkLBICkc/U4MwbWQrUtI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/3Y4ppy3CnbA/s1600/Sandra+Jacobs.JPG" height="640" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Artwork of Sandra Jacobs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-509zxDxSUTE/U4MxCmdPzwI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/e8s4gTx8hZ4/s1600/Diane+Kappa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-509zxDxSUTE/U4MxCmdPzwI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/e8s4gTx8hZ4/s1600/Diane+Kappa.JPG" height="526" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJfaPpW9giQ/U4Mx_4RAcLI/AAAAAAAAB8g/H6ANg8D4JNQ/s1600/bella+caronia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zJfaPpW9giQ/U4Mx_4RAcLI/AAAAAAAAB8g/H6ANg8D4JNQ/s1600/bella+caronia.jpg" height="640" width="380" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyoIquf72hw/U4MyO5EITNI/AAAAAAAAB8w/BlDvfALceU4/s1600/Ana+Davis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyoIquf72hw/U4MyO5EITNI/AAAAAAAAB8w/BlDvfALceU4/s1600/Ana+Davis.JPG" height="640" width="450" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2mIj01fYeE/U4MyrdBlaNI/AAAAAAAAB84/fzu2cm-LsIU/s1600/Michael+Mullan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X2mIj01fYeE/U4MyrdBlaNI/AAAAAAAAB84/fzu2cm-LsIU/s1600/Michael+Mullan.JPG" height="640" width="366" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Orange, Dusky Pink, Emerald Green, Blues, Mustard Yellow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and pops of Orchid in shades from Plum to Lavender</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">were the Colors of the Show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cactus and Succulents, cute little Forest Creatures, Vintage Kitchenware,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Paisleys, Plants in Pots, and of course lush Florals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">were everywhere. Tropical motifs, including Flamingos </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">were also widely represented.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lighthouses, Whales, Anchors and Beach Scenes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">caught my eye in some booths,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and of course there were the Seasonal workhorse motifs </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">in many booths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a virtual Tidal Wave of art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By far and away, the National Stationery Show had the largest crowds and the most exhibitors, including a new section of Gifts and Creative & Lifestyle Arts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and another new section for Etsy Wholesalers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In addition to the lovely booths offering Stationery and other Paper Goods,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">there were booths displaying equipment to be used in the creation of all this lovely stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bs6ID1c0FgM/U4NArWTlSjI/AAAAAAAAB9I/RPrMJXn436g/s1600/Waste+Not+Paper+Cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bs6ID1c0FgM/U4NArWTlSjI/AAAAAAAAB9I/RPrMJXn436g/s1600/Waste+Not+Paper+Cards.JPG" height="640" width="384" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waste Not Paper was packed with buyers - both retailers and artists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Janome had a huge booth set up with embroidering machines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were paper scoring machines, corner rounders, and foil finishing equipment services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Software for personalized stationery and Hot Stamping services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">AccuCut had a booth that was hard to get into - they doing a booming business selling their Stationery Die Cutting Machine, the GrandeMARK Roller.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_50cmdN1K9M/U4NDU_VDdcI/AAAAAAAAB9U/pgOEik8Rc1g/s1600/accucut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_50cmdN1K9M/U4NDU_VDdcI/AAAAAAAAB9U/pgOEik8Rc1g/s1600/accucut.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy Traci Ambrust of AccuCut...the night before opening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I jostled my way through numerous paper and stock booths,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">looked over the Scotch Brand booth, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and visited The Gift It section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps the most amazing booth was the Hewlett Packard presentation,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">where they had latex printers displayed that would print on almost any substrate,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">up to Billboard Size!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNVZYre_sUQ/U4NIYTRd16I/AAAAAAAAB9k/qzAULdz7v58/s1600/HP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNVZYre_sUQ/U4NIYTRd16I/AAAAAAAAB9k/qzAULdz7v58/s1600/HP2.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bottom line, this is the best Market I've ever attended to bring artists, artisans, agents, equipment and buyers together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you are an artist wanting to sell your artwork for application, do yourself a favor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and start saving up now for Surtex 2015 to at least walk the show.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you have a small business in Stationery, Embroidery, or other hand made product,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the same goes for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is truly worth the price of admission.</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-61692100708830198872014-05-11T10:51:00.000-04:002014-05-11T21:42:30.098-04:00 Pattern Genes from Mom<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdAWO3m5aTU/U27X14h4aUI/AAAAAAAAB5A/CluAGxvArYY/s1600/Mom+and+Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VdAWO3m5aTU/U27X14h4aUI/AAAAAAAAB5A/CluAGxvArYY/s1600/Mom+and+Grandma.jpg" height="640" width="584" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is an old picture of my Mom at a Girl's Party in her Mother's front yard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mom is on the far left, and her Mother is second from the right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can see from the clothing and hair styles that fashion and grooming</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">even in the Depression Era was very, very important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grandma has on a dotted dress with tucks detailing the front,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the guest on her left has lovely tailored sleeves on her dress, and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">all of the young women are groomed prettily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That was how Mom was raised, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and that was how she was</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">all of her life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I was a little girl, she made most of my little dresses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My Dad bought her a Kenmore Sewing Machine from Sears Roebuck, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and s</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he could make that thing fly. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uew0fyvkFkk/U25q8sqF_eI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/e4HnyEpbj6A/s1600/Kenmore2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uew0fyvkFkk/U25q8sqF_eI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/e4HnyEpbj6A/s1600/Kenmore2.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She bought her fabrics from Wilson's Bargain Center in Florence, Alabama.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g5z44LvU8w/U27T3deVv6I/AAAAAAAAB4o/S6sVbVEAoQI/s1600/Wilson's-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g5z44LvU8w/U27T3deVv6I/AAAAAAAAB4o/S6sVbVEAoQI/s1600/Wilson's-2.jpg" height="640" width="505" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Cathy Wood of the Tennessee Valley Art Association</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Founded by "The Tall Man With the Low Prices", </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2lFijlntg0/U27Vnn29_3I/AAAAAAAAB40/GSeMIR4G8qM/s1600/Wilson's+2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2lFijlntg0/U27Vnn29_3I/AAAAAAAAB40/GSeMIR4G8qM/s1600/Wilson's+2-2.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it had wooden floors that creaked and snapped agreeably as you walked, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">kibitzing companionably </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">about the sewing project you had in mind</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- a lovely, cozy connection from your feet to the fabric and trims.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent weeks of my life in there, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with my eyes stinging </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from the copious amount of formaldehyde used </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the finishing process of the fabrics, but I didn't care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just loved fabrics, same as my Mom. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was very small,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I watched as she and her sister Clara would cut apart brown paper grocery sacks,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">smooth them flat, and then lay them out on her bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They would spend hours discussing the sleeve design, the fullness of the skirt, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the waistband and neckline of the dress they were imagining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then, my Mom's scissors would start flashing through the brown paper,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">following the pencil lines they had drawn and re-drawn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They had their pattern, and it was time to cut the fabric and start sewing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Later in life, she bought her patterns from McCalls and Simplicity,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and this was one of her favorites:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reBqnq_ZJiM/U29xb9E8jkI/AAAAAAAAB5c/Cdr3p0zYC74/s1600/Pattern3+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-reBqnq_ZJiM/U29xb9E8jkI/AAAAAAAAB5c/Cdr3p0zYC74/s1600/Pattern3+tent.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She made this one up in pink and white,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but amended the pattern</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">just like she always did, cutting freehand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made up my first pattern by folding a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> brown paper grocery sack in half</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and cutting out a triangle with a square sticking out from the side-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">that was the sleeve, I think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't sew much anymore - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my days are filled</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">with happy Pattern Making of a different sort.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of scissors and paper,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> needles and thread,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my tools are pens, scanners,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photoshop and Illustrator</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">as I draw patterns for the fabrics</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">she may have chosen to sew up into dresses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32PfSD_FwpU/U2-K7wtqANI/AAAAAAAAB5s/wOdeJ33arOA/s1600/Top+Toss+Up+Orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32PfSD_FwpU/U2-K7wtqANI/AAAAAAAAB5s/wOdeJ33arOA/s1600/Top+Toss+Up+Orange.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I <i>think</i> she would approve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks again for those art genes, Mom. I love you.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5Ojwvkyj3A/U2-MojnZhDI/AAAAAAAAB50/9DFtaCqT7iw/s1600/Mom+in+her+dotted+dress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5Ojwvkyj3A/U2-MojnZhDI/AAAAAAAAB50/9DFtaCqT7iw/s1600/Mom+in+her+dotted+dress2.jpg" height="640" width="537" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dorothy Louise Cornelius Sizemore, my Mother.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Mother's Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-45607349065407071232014-03-30T21:51:00.000-04:002014-03-31T10:56:33.095-04:00Finding My Childhood Under A Jello Mold<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Growing up in Northwestern Alabama became a challenge right about the time I hit puberty. Gone was the enchantment of playing in the woods and planting flowers with my Mom; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was ready to move on, and never look back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All grown up, I wanted to dump that frivolous kid stuff and go search for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the Real Meaning of Life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or something like that.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY5gZ_EoYxI/UzIGlRG3mJI/AAAAAAAAB2o/JPTRtsDq2B8/s1600/Gibbs+Buttercups4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AY5gZ_EoYxI/UzIGlRG3mJI/AAAAAAAAB2o/JPTRtsDq2B8/s1600/Gibbs+Buttercups4.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Buttercup Meadow near my house that reminds me of my childhood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But for the last three weeks, pushed by a brief created by</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lilla Rogers in her <a href="http://lillarogers.com/school/assignment-bootcamp/">Assignment Bootcamp</a>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have been gently delving in memories of my childhood; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">peeling back the layers of life to get back to that sweet time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when nothing was more important than what was happening at that moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Drinking it in, smelling it, tasting it, lying on the ground and rolling in it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have to explain </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that growing flowers and vegetables was one of the premier pastimes of my young life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My Mom and Dad were gifted gardeners who understood in their bones </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and souls </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the miracle of planting tiny seeds and nurturing them to verdant</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">stalks that bore strenuously and gave no hint of their small, dry beginnings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Spring and Summer evenings after supper, we would remove</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to the yard, where soaking hoses had been laid in the flower beds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the smell of grass around us in the radiant evening, my Mom and Dad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">taught me to lift the tiny, fragile new plants from their watery bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and tease their roots apart. With a poke of the finger, a welcoming cave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">would be made and the newly separated and tender plant would be pushed into it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">surrounded by a muddy water bath that would nourish it to its full potential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I loved those times.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Besides that memory, one of the most powerful recollections</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> wrapping around my childhood life like a fish net are the Sundays and Holidays</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">spent at my paternal Grandma's house. I say Grandma's, because</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm a girl, she was a girl, so Grandpa didn't count as far as the house went.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every year on the day after Christmas, we gathered at my Grandma's house </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for my Grandpa's Birthday and a huge potluck dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The pride and joy of two of my aunts were their amazing Jello molds. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was scared to death of those things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDdammc6B9o/UzItfb8Nh5I/AAAAAAAAB3A/d0StNm-Kv-Q/s1600/Jello+Olive+Mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDdammc6B9o/UzItfb8Nh5I/AAAAAAAAB3A/d0StNm-Kv-Q/s1600/Jello+Olive+Mold.jpg" height="400" width="335" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you imagine facing this when your head is only just above the level of the table? And you have no clue what that stuff is that is trapped inside that jiggly green gelatin? My mother, to her eternal credit, never made me take a bite "just for manner's sake" out of any of those nuclear bombs. I love her all the more for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, when <a href="http://lillarogers.com/">Lilla Rogers</a> gave us her mini brief on March 3 and the subject was Jello Molds, I was swept back to that time in space...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8K5VnurfaAg/Uzi7HjRjh-I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/OQdCATo0Tz0/s1600/Jello+Mold+Bugs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8K5VnurfaAg/Uzi7HjRjh-I/AAAAAAAAB3Y/OQdCATo0Tz0/s1600/Jello+Mold+Bugs2.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first thought was those heart throbbing moments of sneaking past those</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">congealed salads and wondering - with the clarity of distance -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">if there really were bugs and spiders trapped in that jello?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ewww.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I started drawing. From the first bug-themed jello molded salads of my nightmares came a natural progression...I'm wondering if any artist does this differently? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What flowed out of my pen were traceries of molds, egg beaters, whisks, and of course,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">gelatine molds. Remembering the copper molds on my Mom's kitchen walls,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I smiled and dug deeper. The molds quite naturally were</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">joined by botanicals. To my great surprise, the simple bluebells of my childhood meadow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">wanderings became front and center.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zd85HQAwQMM/Uzi_1q9_5SI/AAAAAAAAB3k/JzS0RJWnUfM/s1600/Bluebell+Bouquet3+copyright+for+blog.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zd85HQAwQMM/Uzi_1q9_5SI/AAAAAAAAB3k/JzS0RJWnUfM/s1600/Bluebell+Bouquet3+copyright+for+blog.tif" height="400" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The molds became more ancient, more Old World and I was off down the river again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once you jump in, you just have to go with the flow, you know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the time came to post my final submission, I was still dancing in flower meadows, smelling my childhood, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and unwilling to stop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But a deadline is a deadline, and this is the real left-brain-sided world,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">so I hugged my rosy cheeked child-self and posted my final:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now I'm going back to dance some more, plant some flowers in memory</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">of my Mom and Dad, and just maybe...maybe make a congealed salad. Maybe. </span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-88350580662430177272014-03-13T14:42:00.000-04:002014-03-13T14:56:08.333-04:00A Stitch In Time For Yeppoon Australia<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The 7th Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap is on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the plan:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Make a Post Card using the theme Create.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Use any materials you want, but put some stitching somewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then send it to someone you've never met, from another country from where you live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is all orchestrated by Beth Nicholls of <a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/swap/">Do What You Love</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is an amazing person</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">who inspires literally thousands of artists around the world on a daily basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Include stitching?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not a problem - I have MULTIPLE sewing machines scattered around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Some have collected dust while I dance with the <a href="http://lillarogers.com/school/assignment-bootcamp/">MATS Assignment Bootcamp</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finding stuff to use is also not a problem...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have A LOT of fabric, paper, and fringe drops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like most artists do.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwahkbIQQes/UyH2KR0Gl-I/AAAAAAAAB1g/0P2nCvPVRg0/s1600/Create+Stitch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwahkbIQQes/UyH2KR0Gl-I/AAAAAAAAB1g/0P2nCvPVRg0/s1600/Create+Stitch.png" height="640" width="582" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The decisions of where to put what got harder and harder to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had SO MUCH STUFF I wanted to put on my card</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for my new friend in Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7s8a2j-uhQ/UyH6CDjNMoI/AAAAAAAAB1s/XyU1n0iYc1k/s1600/Create+Assembly+Line.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7s8a2j-uhQ/UyH6CDjNMoI/AAAAAAAAB1s/XyU1n0iYc1k/s1600/Create+Assembly+Line.png" height="400" width="380" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I finally decided to use it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What the heck. The theme is CREATE, for crying out loud!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can't hold back when in CREATE mode.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cc2tl7i3zM0/UyH60-ynIHI/AAAAAAAAB18/yWA6RM0v-sQ/s1600/Create+Inside+Front.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cc2tl7i3zM0/UyH60-ynIHI/AAAAAAAAB18/yWA6RM0v-sQ/s1600/Create+Inside+Front.png" height="640" width="566" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When she opens the card, she'll see these instructions:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_i6Rmq4-OCE/UyH7CSsnEBI/AAAAAAAAB2E/QPA0RCn_fLU/s1600/Instruction+Card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_i6Rmq4-OCE/UyH7CSsnEBI/AAAAAAAAB2E/QPA0RCn_fLU/s1600/Instruction+Card.png" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And now, I'm going to go create something while my card is flying to Australia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And stick it on my refrigerator door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Off to the studio!</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-50245181046934286952014-03-02T18:47:00.000-05:002014-03-02T18:47:47.588-05:00When Tiny is Really Huge<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes, a very tiny thing is actually quite large. Powerful. Eye-grabbing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a tough act to pull off, but Lady Bugs and Wild Mushrooms in the forest </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">manage it with a classy aplomb that I envy.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j-blQyuSuo/UxO5JdeSmBI/AAAAAAAAB1A/GBHZ90t8Fvc/s1600/Iphone+case5+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_j-blQyuSuo/UxO5JdeSmBI/AAAAAAAAB1A/GBHZ90t8Fvc/s1600/Iphone+case5+logo.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Iphone Case, "Hello Hello".</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's all this tiny talk about?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm taking another Lilla Rogers class online - this time it is called <a href="http://lillarogers.com/school/assignment-bootcamp/">Assignment Boot Camp</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All of us who have taken her previous two classes have an edge, because we've already had truck loads of information about the Surface Design Market shoveled into our psyche.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And one of those things is this: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When you submit your artwork to a company you are simply dying to be with, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a very good test is to shrink your submission to about the size of a postage stamp. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Leave the room and then come back and see it grabs you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If it reads at postage stamp size, you've cleared the first hurdle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sounds simple, but with all the 10 million other industry secrets that Lilla has tossed our way, it gets hard to remember. Especially when you are in creative throes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For our first assignment, Lilla teased us with a mini-brief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Draw Cuckoo Clocks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lots and lots of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a solid week, cuckoo clocks poured into our online classroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some clocks looked like engineering marvels, with stag heads on top, woodmen and their wives standing on a deck in the middle, and the utterly necessary cuckoo bird screaming from the loft doorway. It was amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I started to wonder how on earth something as detailed as a traditional Cuckoo Clock could be translated into a powerful, instant-read icon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Market, remember. For the broad Masses, you know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then Lilla pulled one of her famous tricks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take all those very detailed drawings that we had made for a week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and arrange them on an Iphone case.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know how big/small an Iphone is, right??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She said we didn't REALLY have to put our presentation on an Iphone template, but it would be just fine if we did. By the time the deadline arrived, I had decided not to - I couldn't choose from the icons I had and didn't want to ditch any of them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Tuesday of last week, Lilla presented to the world the <a href="http://bootcamp.lillarogers.com/bootcamp-feb-2014-gallery/">gallery of submissions</a>. And most of them were on Iphone templates...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had been drilled to the wall with Lilla's lesson about the importance of a tiny read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I won't forget it again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want to have access to over 400 artist's interpretations of Cuckoo Clocks, with quick links to their studios and websites, Lilla Rogers and Beth Kempton have made the class gallery accessible to the public - an amazing gift, both to us and to the public.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is the link: <a href="http://bootcamp.lillarogers.com/bootcamp-feb-2014-gallery/">Boot Camp February Gallery</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go take a look - I'm on Page 7!</span><br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-61624069485301772382014-02-02T11:02:00.000-05:002014-02-02T11:08:33.113-05:00Three Big Lessons from The Atlanta Gift and Home Market<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that the Market is over, I want to share with you the three biggest things I learned.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Big Lesson #1</u></b><br />
At the Atlanta Market, I saw a lot of booths and showrooms that didn't "have it".<br />
Their displays were drab or too simple, reflecting a lack of effort or even worse,<br />
a lack of awareness of their product and <i>how it looked from the curb</i>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I would pass by a showroom that was packed tight with buyers, music was amped up, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the atmosphere was electric with positive energy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It was a happy uproar.</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6BAOc5rU08/Uu5PgiahrwI/AAAAAAAABv8/xi0kk1WZYnw/s1600/CC2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6BAOc5rU08/Uu5PgiahrwI/AAAAAAAABv8/xi0kk1WZYnw/s1600/CC2-2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image of Creative Co-Op Showroom by <a href="http://www.creativecoop.com/">Creative Co-Op</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Showrooms like Creative Co-Op had attended to every detail of their appearance "vocabulary".<br />
They were confident in their work because they had done their homework,<br />
attended to every tiny detail,<br />
and were consequently comfortable enough to let 'er rip. <br />
They were having fun.<br />
And it showed.<br />
<br />
The Lesson?<br />
Do your homework before you start.<br />
Be aware of what is going on in the Market.<br />
Know what your vocabulary is.<br />
Then work your composition until you know there are no holes in it.<br />
Have a blast while you are doing it, because that will automatically show up.<br />
Stand back and see if it has curb appeal and joy - if it does, it will grab the buyer's eye and hold it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Big Lesson #2</u></b><br />
While walking this Market, it was easy to spot the new trends,<br />
alongside the trends which have already run their course.<br />
<br />
Owls and chalkboard art have had their time, but you will continue to see both for seasons to come.<br />
Farm animals, big florals, and outdoor activities like camping were strong,<br />
along with coastal and shore images, but there were still foxes, hedgehogs, dogs, alligators, crabs...<br />
know what I mean?<br />
<br />
Orange and blue were dominant "trend" colors, but I also saw every color in the rainbow.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raEove1XEK4/Uu5hqsG0n4I/AAAAAAAABwM/HTUyq8ex9EQ/s1600/Company+C-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raEove1XEK4/Uu5hqsG0n4I/AAAAAAAABwM/HTUyq8ex9EQ/s1600/Company+C-2.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="https://www.companyc.com/home.htm">Company C</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When you walk through any large shopping district, you see eye-catching displays<br />
of "on Trend" products.<br />
But you will also see other themes displayed just as beautifully.<br />
What anyone ends up buying to put in their home or to give as a gift<br />
will always boil down to personal choice.<br />
<br />
The Lesson here?<br />
If you are an artist trying to sell your art for application, stay aware of what's going on out there,<br />
and then just go and make your own absolute best art. Every day.<br />
<br />
Because there is a buyer out there for everything.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Big Lesson #3</u></b><br />
Amy Howard of Amy Howard At Home has been tremendously successful because she practices several personal rules, which she passed on to us in a short seminar at Market. I won't go into full detail here, because I'm sure Amy will be teaching this in her upcoming seminars and retreats. <br />
But what I took out of her session was this: Get Your Game On. Really.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pprCgoZINw/Uu5oXhI5G1I/AAAAAAAABwc/lCK04hmSbfk/s1600/Amy+Howard+at+work-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pprCgoZINw/Uu5oXhI5G1I/AAAAAAAABwc/lCK04hmSbfk/s1600/Amy+Howard+at+work-2.jpg" height="296" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images from <a href="http://www.amyhowardathome.com/">Amy Howard At Home</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When you walk a Market like this, you realize with absolute certainty that you have to be at the top of your game, and you need a game plan to follow to get there.<br />
<br />
I picked these two simple steps from Amy's rules to<br />
<br />
<b><u>Be The Best At What You Do Best</u>:</b><br />
1. Figure out what your Achilles heel is. <br />
What stops you from being the best you could be?<br />
Procrastination? Record keeping? Organizing your studio?<br />
Face it head on and figure out a way to handle that weak point.<br />
Create a solution to keep it from gomming up the works<br />
and stopping your work flow. <br />
Do that NOW, with a firm hand.<br />
Commit to your solution.<br />
<br />
2. Then, take a critical survey of <u>all</u> that you do with your creative self. <br />
What do you do BEST? <br />
Now apply yourself to doing that better than anyone on the face of the earth,<br />
and let the things that you do WELL fall by the wayside.<br />
<br />
As Amy loves to say, "don't be a Jack of All Trades, and a Master of None".<br />
<br />
<b>Make what you do best be what you are known for.</b><br />
<br />
And that's it. I hope these Three Big Lessons will help you out - I am off to school again:<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:School@LillaRogers.com">School@LillaRogers.com</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://lillarogers.com/school/assignment-bootcamp/">Lilla Rogers Assignment Boot Camp</a>!<br />
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-80612584405270626422014-01-14T18:36:00.000-05:002014-01-14T18:36:32.777-05:00More Trends from the Atlanta Gift and Home Market<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Atlanta Market is winding down, b</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ut I continue to be blown away by this show.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxv6b-ARi3Q/UtXBGy1rw5I/AAAAAAAABvo/yXjpS_A7eNg/s1600/Peking+Handicraft2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cxv6b-ARi3Q/UtXBGy1rw5I/AAAAAAAABvo/yXjpS_A7eNg/s640/Peking+Handicraft2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.pkhc.com/home.html">Peking Handicraft</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The showrooms I visited at the beginning of the show in the Merchandise Mart were all about Old European Style, wood, metal, flaking paint, burlap and tweed,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">unbleached canvas and natural linen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A fairly masculine feel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last two days, I focused on the flip side - Powee!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fabulous color - several million square feet of it. And florals, chevrons, dots, patterns, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and throbbing style:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nghNAgyPC3w/UtW6NCOKR_I/AAAAAAAABvA/HkKecAQCp9Y/s1600/All+For+Color-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nghNAgyPC3w/UtW6NCOKR_I/AAAAAAAABvA/HkKecAQCp9Y/s640/All+For+Color-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.allforcolor.com/">All For Color</a><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6PR-gu4b1k/UtW6q6zmVRI/AAAAAAAABvM/HP9BfFxyhsg/s1600/Peking+Handicraft-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6PR-gu4b1k/UtW6q6zmVRI/AAAAAAAABvM/HP9BfFxyhsg/s640/Peking+Handicraft-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.pkhc.com/">Peking Handicraft</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVeBaptur2E/UtW7N1UjOSI/AAAAAAAABvQ/2noBPwIaP_w/s1600/Thomas+Paul-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVeBaptur2E/UtW7N1UjOSI/AAAAAAAABvQ/2noBPwIaP_w/s640/Thomas+Paul-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.thomaspaul.com/">Thomas Paul</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I had to name a single color that stood out the most in the Atlanta Show, it would have to be Orange. Followed by Blue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1YzLhn10K4/UtW-sfeuWlI/AAAAAAAABvY/Su9QOTvLHpU/s1600/Kay+Dee-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1YzLhn10K4/UtW-sfeuWlI/AAAAAAAABvY/Su9QOTvLHpU/s640/Kay+Dee-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.kaydeedesigns.com/">Kay Dee Designs</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gl4XeJ2G_AI/UtXAQscFU0I/AAAAAAAABvg/hd2bJ-8nOhw/s1600/Peking+Handicraft4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gl4XeJ2G_AI/UtXAQscFU0I/AAAAAAAABvg/hd2bJ-8nOhw/s640/Peking+Handicraft4-2.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.pkhc.com/home.html">Peking Handicraft</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Motifs and themes that popped out of this more colorful side were all about the Shore, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">both Lake and Coastal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lots of Octopi, Sea Horses, Conch Shells, Starfish and Sea Turtles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Whales. I saw whales <i>everywhere</i>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Great Outdoors was also a constant theme - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">camping, hiking, and playing outdoor sports.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Canoes, Bears and Moose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fly Rods.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGhklFDWn7A/UtXEioM3ZNI/AAAAAAAABvw/Fh7jyup_0D4/s1600/Sideshow+Press-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGhklFDWn7A/UtXEioM3ZNI/AAAAAAAABvw/Fh7jyup_0D4/s640/Sideshow+Press-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.sideshowpress.com/">Sideshow Press</a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A huge, beautiful Market! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, think about the millions of dollars spent in developing all these products.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the thousands and thousands of hours that artists spent </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">creating the icons for these products.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It will all wind up on store shelves and then float into your homes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It all starts with a sketch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pretty unbelievable to think about, huh?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Think I'll go put my feet up, pour a glass of wine, and sketch something...</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-32403744926224411472014-01-11T11:34:00.001-05:002014-01-11T11:34:54.840-05:00 Report from Atlanta Gift and Home Market<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've walked the Market for two days, and that just about sums it up in one word.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This show is HUGE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the products are gorgeous.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take a look:</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfk4RQ_OEtM/UtBLxNBH0JI/AAAAAAAABs4/p-fW_6KWiKw/s1600/Block+and+Brayer2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfk4RQ_OEtM/UtBLxNBH0JI/AAAAAAAABs4/p-fW_6KWiKw/s1600/Block+and+Brayer2-2.jpg" height="640" width="419" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block and Brayer image<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Block Prints on canvas or twill or linen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Colors ranged from charcoal to every hue of the 2014 Pantone chart.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So beautiful, so graphic, yet so </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"mark of the hand".</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All made in America. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he lovely prints above from </span><a href="http://www.blockandbrayer.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Block and Brayer</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> are just one of the collections represented in the Market that are either hand printed or screen printed from the original </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hand-carved blocks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhrYks9ER-4/UtCDgYZWXlI/AAAAAAAABto/RWOgLP1iRAo/s1600/3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhrYks9ER-4/UtCDgYZWXlI/AAAAAAAABto/RWOgLP1iRAo/s1600/3-2.jpg" height="178" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Low Country Linens</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.lowcountrylinens.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Low Country Linens</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">had a pretty booth, chock full of block printed linens that are made in the Low Country area of South Carolina.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLjqdRD_rXI/UtBIV2nIAOI/AAAAAAAABss/TguBwamt_18/s1600/Design+Legacy4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLjqdRD_rXI/UtBIV2nIAOI/AAAAAAAABss/TguBwamt_18/s1600/Design+Legacy4-2.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Design Legacy</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This image from </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.design-legacy.com/">Design Legacy</a> includes many of the themes that the Atlanta show is filled with-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lots of Blues - Cobalt, Indigo, Delft, and Navy. Most of the time, the punch combined with these blues is....</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Orange, of course!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wooden spools of every size, most wrapped with cord, ribbon, or jute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maps. Maps. Maps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Old World Maps,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Compass Point Maps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Printed on a variety of surfaces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And those vintage style numbers are still everywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_422770964"></span>Lowcountry Originals<span id="goog_422770965"></span></a> (those artisans in South Carolina sure are busy!) pulled me right in to their oyster-shell adorned booth, as always. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lovely lighting, furniture, and accent pieces, all cleverly incorporating oyster shells. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTG3JpLOw8/UtBPewIj7fI/AAAAAAAABtE/JhS_8eaFYik/s1600/Low+country+originals2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9lTG3JpLOw8/UtBPewIj7fI/AAAAAAAABtE/JhS_8eaFYik/s1600/Low+country+originals2.jpg" height="536" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Lowcountry Originals.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sitting on one of their mantels was another icon that permeates the Atlanta show...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hogs. Pigs. Wild Boars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like this pig from <a href="http://ericandchristopher.com/">Eric and Christopher</a>, who take pictures of animals on Eric's farm, and then Christopher turns them into screen prints. Visit their website and read about their process; it is very inspirational. Makes me want to Push, Pull, Print!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0UigIO6yZY/UtCCvqFfkcI/AAAAAAAABtk/QVh_KF5wlSs/s1600/Eric+and+Christopher+pig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0UigIO6yZY/UtCCvqFfkcI/AAAAAAAABtk/QVh_KF5wlSs/s1600/Eric+and+Christopher+pig.jpg" height="387" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Animals are huge in this Market, with Pigs leading the way, accompanied by Sheep, Goats, Cows, Chickens, Squirrels and a few Foxes and Hedgehogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mostly, it was all about large farm animals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Owls, Blackbirds and Crows </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">were still around, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but not as much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The overall feel of the Market is still very Old World European, with delightful punches of color. There is still a lot of burlap, iron, rust, distressed paint and topiary, relieved with natural linen and softened canvas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Authentic Movement Showroom was divine...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mLcqB61EwE/UtFuQBhM7xI/AAAAAAAABuI/WsJHGAbJMTc/s1600/fishs+eddy-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mLcqB61EwE/UtFuQBhM7xI/AAAAAAAABuI/WsJHGAbJMTc/s1600/fishs+eddy-3.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_IsnIJct-E/UtFugNDU3tI/AAAAAAAABuQ/pi06DMSDMK4/s1600/forage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A_IsnIJct-E/UtFugNDU3tI/AAAAAAAABuQ/pi06DMSDMK4/s1600/forage-2.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fishs Eddy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Always pleasing to look at and pick up.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Check out this Bow Tie from Forage;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">their packaging is perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lucia Soaps, and more divine packaging:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvmpD_Bs1gc/UtFvFLx4NFI/AAAAAAAABuY/E5xOONopGfU/s1600/Lucia+AM-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvmpD_Bs1gc/UtFvFLx4NFI/AAAAAAAABuY/E5xOONopGfU/s1600/Lucia+AM-2.jpg" height="409" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The fabulous Mara Mi:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zePeAj_t4bc/UtFvX6KHbXI/AAAAAAAABug/NBRV1HgjLgA/s1600/Mara+Mi+AM-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zePeAj_t4bc/UtFvX6KHbXI/AAAAAAAABug/NBRV1HgjLgA/s1600/Mara+Mi+AM-2.jpg" height="417" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And Lotta Jansdotter...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3s4ycZsiY/UtFvtapvH4I/AAAAAAAABuo/S7ou3FOrzJY/s1600/Lotta+Jansdotter+AM-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yr3s4ycZsiY/UtFvtapvH4I/AAAAAAAABuo/S7ou3FOrzJY/s1600/Lotta+Jansdotter+AM-2.jpg" height="232" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow and Monday will be filled with more scouring, observing, and appreciating...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appreciating all these thousands of artists who design all this lovely stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now do you see why Lilla Rogers says "Get Cracking!"??</span>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-44923606173774853102013-10-13T21:58:00.000-04:002013-10-14T07:47:58.862-04:00Meeting the Nutcracker Prince<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HebR8fJFwzc/UltA3_PI2vI/AAAAAAAABp0/6PLD5UhuHtA/s1600/Nutcracker+for+Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HebR8fJFwzc/UltA3_PI2vI/AAAAAAAABp0/6PLD5UhuHtA/s400/Nutcracker+for+Blog2.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Early this past Monday morning, our <a href="http://lillarogers.com/">class with Lilla Rogers</a> was given a brief to begin working on. It was concise, stipulating that we were to study and sketch Winter Holiday ornaments and candy, in order to create a Greeting Card later in the week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My little Santa Belles started chingling in the background, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and within an hour, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had gathered my inspiration board to work from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9R1-MtZS8s/Uls97Qu3xGI/AAAAAAAABpo/L3XQxFyiMJ8/s1600/Nutcracker+Trio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9R1-MtZS8s/Uls97Qu3xGI/AAAAAAAABpo/L3XQxFyiMJ8/s320/Nutcracker+Trio2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D3LcySnC1s/Uls8pbO33II/AAAAAAAABpc/89KJR9aPo4I/s1600/Ribbon+Candy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D3LcySnC1s/Uls8pbO33II/AAAAAAAABpc/89KJR9aPo4I/s200/Ribbon+Candy3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Inexplicably, instead of the Reindeer and Snowmen and Candy Canes I had expected, my board was filled with Nutcracker Ornaments and Ribbon Candy. Neither of which I have EVER had anything to do with at Christmas. What the heck? </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--D3LcySnC1s/Uls8pbO33II/AAAAAAAABpc/89KJR9aPo4I/s1600/Ribbon+Candy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grumbling at what I believed to be wasted time, I began sketching, drawing the ferocious teeth that every operational nutcracker automatically has. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How would he crack those nuts, otherwise?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then, without volition or conscious reason, I went back and erased those teeth and drew real lips, with a reserved but sweet smile. The eyes became kind and open, instead of ferocious, and the contour of his face became less of a caricature and more of a man. I was falling softly in love with this Sweet Prince, and I didn't even know who he was.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.hotelescity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/the-nutcracker-ballet-12-cheryl-cencich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://blog.hotelescity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/the-nutcracker-ballet-12-cheryl-cencich.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Fiuts.org.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was remembering that about 15 years ago, Husband and I went with friends to a presentation by the </span><a href="http://www.atlantaballet.com/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Atlanta Ballet</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of The Nutcracker. Halfway through, the men were glassy eyed, and I was struggling to understand the wordless ballet. It was beautiful, but I had never read the Nutcracker story, wasn't raised with it, so I didn't know what was going on. I felt bad about that, since this was obviously a beloved cultural tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enchanted by the ballerinas "on point", and the graceful strength of the men, I missed the whole story line and was sleepily glad when the final curtain fell.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fiuts.org/events/calendar/111210_nutcracker_ballet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.fiuts.org/events/calendar/111210_nutcracker_ballet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Fiuts.org.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, as I drew and amended my Nutcracker, I decided that after I had finished this brief, I would go and find out what the story was behind this beloved symbol of Christmas that had </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">taken command of my easel. But first, it was more important to finish the assignment </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than to understand the story - at least to my way of thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I kept working, unconsciously adding candy sketches, cedar trees, and a snowstorm. Again and again, I edited out the candy and snow flurries - too busy, too busy - and they kept creeping back in like little mice. The background kept on being black, when I wanted it to be Christmas Red. As the deadline loomed, I sat back in my chair, arms crossed, and studied my results. A drawing I was no longer in control of...somehow, my Nutcracker Prince had softly but firmly steered my artwork to what HE wanted it to be, and I knew it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I turned off the lights, and went to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first thing I did this morning was to search the Internet for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"What was the story behind The Nutcracker Ballet"?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And there it was. The girl falling asleep with her Nutcracker Christmas gift wrapped in her arms. The dream battle with the evil forces, and the girl's decisive throw to kill the evil Mouse King. An enchanted forest, the candy kingdom, and the snow storm - all introduced by this gentle Prince, who had taken over my drawing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This all took place in the deep of the night, of course, so the background <i>had </i>to be black.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CtUoNLOJhA/UltIA5SJ2cI/AAAAAAAABqE/fOuL8nbZWc8/s1600/Card+Assgnmt+13+for+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CtUoNLOJhA/UltIA5SJ2cI/AAAAAAAABqE/fOuL8nbZWc8/s400/Card+Assgnmt+13+for+Blog.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I won't question how that happened, or try to reason through it. I would rather accept the sparkling enchantment that came alive in my studio for a few days, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the traces of which linger still. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hello, Sweet Nutcracker Prince. It is lovely to meet you, and more than a little mysterious that you took charge of my drawing, over and over. You wore me out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know you now, and I can't wait to meet you under the Tree, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or perched on the corner of my desk again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This time, I won't fight you so hard, and will get a lot more done with that extra time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And now, I wish you Good Night - I am off to dream of cedar trees and snowstorms,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with Tchaikovsky's Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairies wafting through the cool night air.</span></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-30008495293421026662013-10-05T14:38:00.000-04:002013-10-05T14:38:56.713-04:00Back To School - With A New Tool Box!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow. I can't believe it is time to Go Back To School already.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVh6Dgv5H4s/UlA8eA9qclI/AAAAAAAABng/I5_ASLyTya0/s1600/Back+to+School+Linda+McMullan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVh6Dgv5H4s/UlA8eA9qclI/AAAAAAAABng/I5_ASLyTya0/s640/Back+to+School+Linda+McMullan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday morning at about 5:00 AM my time, <a href="http://lillarogers.com/">Lilla Rogers</a>, working in concert with Beth Kempton of <a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/about-us/">Do What You Love for Life</a>, will post the first mini brief in the classroom, and it will be <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Game On</span></b> for five very intense weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just like the class that took place in June and July, the roster of students is as impressive as it is, well, intimidating - artists from all over the world will be slinging paint and brandishing Wacom Pens at all hours of the day and night as we race the deadline to submit our assignments every Sunday at 5:00 PM. A few hours to breathe, then </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it starts all over again on Monday morning at 5:00.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is utterly Exhilarating,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and a Powerful Blooming Time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> for every single student in this class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have new tools to use in this segment: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for starters, a new Wacom Intuos4 wireless pen tablet that I am besotted with. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEFBUBXrx6E/UlBMzKqxraI/AAAAAAAABnw/zWrh1BjP3OM/s1600/Intuos4+Wireless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEFBUBXrx6E/UlBMzKqxraI/AAAAAAAABnw/zWrh1BjP3OM/s640/Intuos4+Wireless.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">LOVE. LOVE. LOVE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And a new understanding of Adobe Illustrator CS5,</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15p2jK5FAls/UlBSpuEpMbI/AAAAAAAABoc/QK63by_SKKI/s1600/illustrator-cs5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-15p2jK5FAls/UlBSpuEpMbI/AAAAAAAABoc/QK63by_SKKI/s320/illustrator-cs5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhOzJ1X9VNs/UlBTOIwk1yI/AAAAAAAABok/3XNsTyfF9mE/s1600/lynda_01_logos.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KhOzJ1X9VNs/UlBTOIwk1yI/AAAAAAAABok/3XNsTyfF9mE/s640/lynda_01_logos.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and a subscription to <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lynda.com/">Lynda.com</a> </span>to answer any questions I might have at any hour of the day (or night) about how to do something in Photoshop or Illustrator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because Lilla and Beth are all about business -the name of the course <i>is</i> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lillarogers.com/make-art-that-sells/">Make Art That Sells</a> </span>after all - I also have a <a href="http://www.lulabellestyle.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">brand new website</span></a> :</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVR9K1PeOYM/UlBO2xAFq4I/AAAAAAAABoE/MwYzqsjZ0_s/s1600/Banner18+levels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVR9K1PeOYM/UlBO2xAFq4I/AAAAAAAABoE/MwYzqsjZ0_s/s640/Banner18+levels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And a new<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mylulabellestyle">Facebook Business Page</a></span>:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zD90cI2VZWc/UlBQPtnsslI/AAAAAAAABoQ/LO2CYxrrwUk/s1600/Banner15+FB9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zD90cI2VZWc/UlBQPtnsslI/AAAAAAAABoQ/LO2CYxrrwUk/s640/Banner15+FB9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and a start on building my profile on the new </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://moyodirectory.com/lulabellestyle">Moyo Directory</a> </span>of Surface and Pattern designers:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZyqehg-a3Y/UlBa1qHBXPI/AAAAAAAABo4/Z_a-WMeEAz0/s1600/Moyo+Directory+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZyqehg-a3Y/UlBa1qHBXPI/AAAAAAAABo4/Z_a-WMeEAz0/s400/Moyo+Directory+sml.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hard to believe how much I had NOT done to market myself before taking this class, and I have to say I've still not submitted to Art Directors, because I want all those websites finished before I do...what if they were to take a peek and say,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> "Well. She simply doesn't have her act together. Next, please."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tools that I gained from the first segment in June/July would fill several tool boxes and are almost overwhelming - Lilla Rogers and Beth Kempton have packed these classes so full that I'm still trying to absorb and put it all to use...and now, a new class begins!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wowzer. Time to go Get Cracking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With my New Tool Box!!</span></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-83275565122417685822013-09-29T09:50:00.000-04:002013-09-29T09:50:45.847-04:00An Aha Moment in Skagway, Alaska<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At precisely 10:47 AM on a misty gray morning in Skagway, Alaska, I had an enormous</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Aha! </span>Moment - triggered by this fabric pattern:</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vl2XJ8i1Tbo/UkbPd30xLlI/AAAAAAAABlk/jjcWEA5sgDU/s1600/LLama+Fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vl2XJ8i1Tbo/UkbPd30xLlI/AAAAAAAABlk/jjcWEA5sgDU/s400/LLama+Fabric.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not 100 percent sure who the artist is that drew this happy group, but the palette and line work makes me think it is Helen Dardik -I apologize if it isn't, and would love to hear from anyone out there who does know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, this is a little complex, so bear with me here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Skagway is nestled in a cove at the end of the Lynn Canal, off Chilkoot Inlet, with towering emerald green mountains draped around it - the gate keepers to the Klondike Gold Fields. A pretty town, it is frothing with gorgeous blooms that drink in the cool, moist air.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VzAGr9RjnI/UkbmdnS499I/AAAAAAAABl0/tgG-1MdMqxU/s1600/Skagway+Planter+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--VzAGr9RjnI/UkbmdnS499I/AAAAAAAABl0/tgG-1MdMqxU/s640/Skagway+Planter+for+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We arrived by water, like most visitors do, and were given the day to explore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As we strolled the downtown area, I spied a quilt shop sign </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">down a side street.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not a quilter, but felt compelled to turn down the street to investigate. After all, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it takes art to make quilting fabric, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and I was missing that kind of thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Never mind that we were seeing jaw dropping art sliding past our ship every minute of every hour, I was craving the human-rendered connection to those miraculous vistas; patterns, color charts, and Photoshop in use by humans to capture the power of nature.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TL6rdVO95v0/Ukb9QwnjAAI/AAAAAAAABnA/4Mpbk6-wFSw/s1600/Ship+vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TL6rdVO95v0/Ukb9QwnjAAI/AAAAAAAABnA/4Mpbk6-wFSw/s640/Ship+vista.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The magic stuff, you know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Struggling through the crowds on the boardwalk that resulted from about 7,000 people being poured out of the cruise ships in the harbor, I made my way to the little doorway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It looked like a good portion of those people were packed into this one tiny shop, the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <u><a href="http://rushintailor.com/">Rushin' Tailor Quilt </a>Shop</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Turning sideways, I eased into the foyer and wriggled my way over to the left wall, where cut pieces were neatly folded into bundles with belly bands, stacked from floor to ceiling. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1L2RmQ-tMM/Ukbs3Dxs3bI/AAAAAAAABmI/H_ylY2W-lbE/s1600/Rushin+Tailor+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1L2RmQ-tMM/Ukbs3Dxs3bI/AAAAAAAABmI/H_ylY2W-lbE/s400/Rushin+Tailor+for+blog.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by <a href="http://rushintailor.com/">The Rushin Tailor's Quilt Shop</a> in Skagway, Alaska</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Something from Week 1 of <u> <a href="http://lillarogers.com/make-art-that-sells/">Lilla Rogers' Make Art That Sells</a> </u>class tugged at my brain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I hung there in a space of my own, zooming up and down the corridors of my mind, chasing that tantalizing clue, a little girl eased up beside me and stroked the fabric bundles in the basket thoughtfully. She already had a piece held carefully in her hand, and she spoke to her father, who was squeezed in behind her. "I like this one, too...". I looked around me and saw the same thing going on all over the shop. Men, women, and children were carefully studying and comparing the thousands of bundles packed into every available nook and cranny, and their faces held a quiet pleasure I had seen nowhere else on this trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I felt like I had walked into a chapel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I picked up the bundle of Llama fabric and suddenly, the Lilla Lesson came into sharp focus, running like Surround Sound in my head. Every single item in the shop was the result of someone's artwork. An Art Director had bought or licensed the art to use on fabric. This fabric. Suddenly, I wasn't just looking at a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes anymore, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was DISSECTING the designs, automatically!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See? Here is one of the main characters from that fabric - a Placement Graphic:</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaGWlAdjnho/UkbzPzkX5jI/AAAAAAAABmU/-MnTs8yQwqU/s1600/LLama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaGWlAdjnho/UkbzPzkX5jI/AAAAAAAABmU/-MnTs8yQwqU/s400/LLama.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Notice the eye contact, and the sweet, open face that says, "I like myself, and I like you. "</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is part of this fabric design, but it could also be pulled out and used by itself on a child's back pack, wall decal, pencil case, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See these mountains? See how they overlap and create a whole new motif to look at? That little overlap area could readily be pulled out and made into a whole new design for a coordinating fabric, or a stand-alone design.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzTYl8nTEqc/Ukb3Z-JV33I/AAAAAAAABmo/V5HHnMLjayg/s1600/Mtns3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzTYl8nTEqc/Ukb3Z-JV33I/AAAAAAAABmo/V5HHnMLjayg/s400/Mtns3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this little guy could be lifted right out and centered on a child's T shirt - throw on a pair of purple pants, and you have a cutie-patootie outfit!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrf69IEu8B8/UkdTacGiBuI/AAAAAAAABnQ/8d0th-BmqrY/s1600/LLama+Smile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mrf69IEu8B8/UkdTacGiBuI/AAAAAAAABnQ/8d0th-BmqrY/s400/LLama+Smile2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See what I mean? Dissected. So many motifs in that one pattern, in yummy colors, that could be pulled out and used in clothing, children's tableware, bedding, wall art and decals. That is what Lilla kept pounding into our lessons - give the Art Director who is looking at your work some Bang For their Buck. Give them a lot in every design. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wasn't able to see the promise in these individual icons, until my Aha Moment - during the six week course, submissions by my classmates looked like random collections of artfully drawn and colored shapes, pasted onto the requisite 8 x 10 file. I couldn't see the "X Factor" in many of the ones she selected to review, until 10:47 AM, Skagway time. I got it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good. This isn't going to be easy, so I'm off to practice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for visiting with me!</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-580772493015256332013-06-23T17:51:00.000-04:002013-06-23T17:51:54.194-04:00Lilla Rogers and A Snail Tale<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week in <a href="http://lillarogers.com/about/">Lilla Rogers</a>' online course, <a href="http://lillarogers.com/make-art-that-sells/">Make Art That Sells</a>, Lilla scheduled children's book illustration as the lesson. Bright and early on Monday morning, she gave us a subject to warm up on:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Snails.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIUKn1VQPBc/Ucdg_8wQ3yI/AAAAAAAABiA/GQ22waIVrYs/s1600/Snails-animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIUKn1VQPBc/Ucdg_8wQ3yI/AAAAAAAABiA/GQ22waIVrYs/s640/Snails-animals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Obviously, if you've been given a teaser regarding an upcoming Children's Book Brief with a snail as the central character, you are going to hit the internet, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">looking for snail images and expressions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That is what children do - they look at body language and expressions, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found at first was enchanting and then...ever more disquieting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Snails kiss. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1coolOQ0BJs/UcdkF_KZJSI/AAAAAAAABiQ/I_PQErb1uU4/s1600/snails-kiss2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1coolOQ0BJs/UcdkF_KZJSI/AAAAAAAABiQ/I_PQErb1uU4/s400/snails-kiss2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They are curious about things.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DkXrzG0buE/UcdkmMZfirI/AAAAAAAABiY/uG3LwTK2AcE/s1600/Snails+at+the+edge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DkXrzG0buE/UcdkmMZfirI/AAAAAAAABiY/uG3LwTK2AcE/s400/Snails+at+the+edge.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They will look directly at you, apparently with all four eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All of these wonderful images and thousands more are on the internet, and when I tried to quickly find them again to pay credit to the photographers, I did not have much luck. I'm sorry about that, because I cannot imagine the work and expertise it took to have these intriguing characters sit for their portraits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I studied these faces and postures, I was continuously thrilled with how very human snails look - and took pains to create Happy Snails, Chipper Snails, Upbeat and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ready For The World Snails. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I was cruising.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXL9hsNLSms/UcdnSKOC7HI/AAAAAAAABiw/ORqsLzy6eT4/s1600/Snail+Bookworm+Teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXL9hsNLSms/UcdnSKOC7HI/AAAAAAAABiw/ORqsLzy6eT4/s320/Snail+Bookworm+Teacher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSnDoh9zgHo/UcdnXmWUppI/AAAAAAAABi4/LJAqpHAmI4U/s1600/Snail+Sitting7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSnDoh9zgHo/UcdnXmWUppI/AAAAAAAABi4/LJAqpHAmI4U/s320/Snail+Sitting7.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I had perky Bookworm snails,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wise old snails who used their shells as a recliner. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kx8Fiy4aSY/Ucdna6uVXKI/AAAAAAAABjA/1gJHgi8Io8U/s1600/The+Snail+Who+Loved+Hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kx8Fiy4aSY/Ucdna6uVXKI/AAAAAAAABjA/1gJHgi8Io8U/s320/The+Snail+Who+Loved+Hats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Madcap snails who loved hats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At 5:00 A.M. Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, Lilla posted the full Brief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Disaster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were to illustrate the Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Snail and The Rose Tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you've never read it (and I hadn't) it is a moody story of a snail who has no interaction with the World as we know it; who spits at the World, stomping off repeatedly for long ruminative periods to his snail den beneath The Rose Tree</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For whom he has nothing but disdain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was speechless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, almost. I decried the subject matter to Lilla, then stomped off to ruminate on my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whilst ruminating, I re-read the teaser............which included a suggestion to practice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lettering the words: The Snail and The Rose Tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, there you have it. Never, ever, sail off to create the world unless you know which world</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> in the Universe you are to create.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully, Lilla allowed us to interpret the story in any fashion we chose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She already knew we were going to squawk.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LIFzJX3w9g/UcdtDJMaVzI/AAAAAAAABjY/a4mmxAqvfKE/s1600/LINDA_MCMULLAN_SINCLAIR_1A_WEEK3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2LIFzJX3w9g/UcdtDJMaVzI/AAAAAAAABjY/a4mmxAqvfKE/s640/LINDA_MCMULLAN_SINCLAIR_1A_WEEK3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775377190247166266.post-70330672817455750532013-06-15T17:25:00.000-04:002013-06-15T22:45:04.502-04:00Jolly Mon Rocks The Dock at Ocean Isle Fishing Center<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's <a href="http://www.oifc.com/tournaments#T11">Jolly Mon Tournament</a> Time, and this year Capt. Brant added </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a new </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fishing Tournament category for the youngest ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks to Rickey Beck and <a href="http://www.chriscampbellphotography.com/">Chris Campbell</a>, we have candid photos </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...and Grandson Brayden </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">can show you what a Big Time he had </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.oifc.com/tournaments#T11">"Rock The Dock" Tournament! </a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLG1-x9IHGU/UbzW8cNfJNI/AAAAAAAABgs/M72g-C_3TEw/s1600/Brayden+Rube+Rock+the+Dock3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLG1-x9IHGU/UbzW8cNfJNI/AAAAAAAABgs/M72g-C_3TEw/s640/Brayden+Rube+Rock+the+Dock3.jpg" width="339" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He caught a Flounder within the first few minutes - the competition was keen!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0enIIdDx1OI/UbzX8ifKk4I/AAAAAAAABg4/2gs28MfuX_o/s1600/Brayden+Dad+and+Grandpa+Rube2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0enIIdDx1OI/UbzX8ifKk4I/AAAAAAAABg4/2gs28MfuX_o/s640/Brayden+Dad+and+Grandpa+Rube2.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.oifc.com/">Capt. Brant</a> weighed the many fish caught by excited and Very Serious youngsters, just like in an adult<a href="http://www.fishska.com/"> SKA Fishing Tournament</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The young anglers had to walk the length of the dock and present their fish to the Weighmaster - and then hear the news and go back to fishing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They had one hour to fish, and every child fished every minute of that hour in 95 degree heat and blazing sun. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were No Quitters!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3R5a6m78uf8/UbzZOXi1tUI/AAAAAAAABhI/UwcTZUs2OCg/s1600/Brayden+Mommy+Rock+the+Dock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3R5a6m78uf8/UbzZOXi1tUI/AAAAAAAABhI/UwcTZUs2OCg/s640/Brayden+Mommy+Rock+the+Dock2.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the <a href="http://www.oifc.com/fishing_report">Jolly Mon Captain's Meeting</a> on Friday night, all the little anglers received their awards - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> along with the thundering applause of the crowd.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYZGfl8JmFE/UbzZmw3S9JI/AAAAAAAABhQ/jrAsXZtjycQ/s1600/Winners2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="489" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYZGfl8JmFE/UbzZmw3S9JI/AAAAAAAABhQ/jrAsXZtjycQ/s640/Winners2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Champs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you ready for THIS?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUli9pDJBUk/Ub0kz8MxOcI/AAAAAAAABhg/RGqlZyA2KFQ/s1600/Poagie+Bobbing2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUli9pDJBUk/Ub0kz8MxOcI/AAAAAAAABhg/RGqlZyA2KFQ/s640/Poagie+Bobbing2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Catch a Poagie out of a tank without using your hands. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeU6jCq4DD0/Ub0lCPd7HII/AAAAAAAABho/Ob8f2s4_eVg/s1600/Brayden+Poagie1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aeU6jCq4DD0/Ub0lCPd7HII/AAAAAAAABho/Ob8f2s4_eVg/s640/Brayden+Poagie1-3.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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Brayden didn't catch the Poagie with his teeth, but did the next best thing:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVPauwr9jAA/Ub0lSzaSpgI/AAAAAAAABhw/wsxLM8IPmZs/s1600/Brayden+Poagie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVPauwr9jAA/Ub0lSzaSpgI/AAAAAAAABhw/wsxLM8IPmZs/s640/Brayden+Poagie4.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is this kid a winner, or what?</span></div>
Linda McMullanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11281904433011380558noreply@blogger.com0